News Story not available This story has been published on: 2021-10-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. As Roe v. Wade is Being Dismantled, Pro-life and Human Rights Advocates Plan Three Days of Public Events at the Supreme Court from October 2-4 NEWS PROVIDED BY Stanton Public Policy Center/Purple Sash Revolution Oct. 2, 2021 WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Purple Sash Revolution/Stanton Public Policy has organized a series of prayer vigils, rallies, worship services and public witness at the Supreme Court surrounding the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case. Dobbs v. Jackson, which is being heard by the Supreme Court this term, could be the case to overturn Roe v. Wade. Stanton Public Policy Center/Purple Sash Revolution is a women's advocacy and educational group that works on issues of human rights and justice which empower and inspire women. It is affiliated with Stanton Healthcare which has life-affirming women's health clinics in America and internationally. There is a Facebook Event Page and below is the schedule of activities at the Supreme Court: Saturday, October 2: 10:00-11:00 a.m. A prayer vigil will be held at Planned Parenthood, located at 1225 4th St NE, Washington, D.C. 2:00-4:00 p.m. Historic prayer and worship rally at the Supreme Court with 35 pro-life organizations and leaders participating. They will be praying for the Dobbs v. Jackson case and an end to abortion violence. Sunday, October 3: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, will lead a rosary at the court praying for the Dobbs case. 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Sunday morning worship service at the Supreme Court asking God to end abortion violence. 7:00-8:00 p.m. Candlelight vigil for the Dobbs case and dismantling Roe. Monday, October 4: 10:00-11:00 a.m. Prayer and news conference as the Supreme Court opens their new session. Pro-life leaders will be discussing Dobbs v. Jackson and the future of abortion in America both politically and socially. Brandi Swindell, Founder and CEO of Stanton Healthcare, states: "As an advocate for women, human rights and justice, I am thrilled the tragic history of abortion violence in America, created by Roe v. Wade, is coming to an end in the Dobbs case. Our nation is now embracing the truth that unfettered access to abortion for the full 9 months of pregnancy does not uplift women or advance justice and equality. "We are wearing these purple sashes, as our Suffragist sisters did, to identify with their struggle to ensure equality for all and join their vocal opposition to abortion. Purple Sash Revolution is coming to the Supreme Court to pray and work toward an America where abortion becomes unthinkable and violence is never viewed as an option to empower women." Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Chief Strategy Officer for Stanton Public Policy Center, comments: "Dr. Martin Luther King said, 'no lie can live forever' and 'the Arc of the Moral Universe is long, but it bends toward justice.' With Dobbs v. Jackson, we are seeing the 'lie' of abortion and Roe v. Wade coming to an end and America 'bending' toward justice. "As we gather at the Supreme Court for three days of prayer, worship and public witness, we will be seeking God to dismantle Roe and ensure the most defenseless and vulnerable in America will be treated with dignity and equality. "The pro-life/human rights community will never rest or be silent until abortion ends up on the scrapheap of history like chattel slavery and segregation. We are thrilled the violence created by Roe v. Wade is coming to an end." For more information or interviews contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741. SOURCE Stanton Public Policy Center/Purple Sash Revolution CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741 Share Tweet Non-state sector becomes main driver of HCM Citys foreign trade in nine months Non-state sector became the main driver of Ho Chi Minh Citys foreign trade during the first nine months of this year, with its exports and imports increasing 3.5 percent and 39.7 percent, respectively, according to the municipal statistics office. HCM City's Cat Lai Port. (Photo: VNA) The countrys southern economic hub saw foreign trade growing 9.7 percent year-on-year from January to September, with exports and imports experiencing opposite trends due to impacts of the worst-ever COVID-19 resurgence, which hit the city since May. In September, exports totalled 2.37 billion USD, a 5.7 percent decrease month on month. Of the figure, the public sector contributed 93.4 million USD, down 4.9 percent month on month; the non-state sector, 816.3 million USD, up 13.7 percent; and the foreign-invested sector, 1.25 billion USD, down 14.9 percent. In the first three quarters of the year, the city shipped abroad 31.5 billion USD worth of goods and services, a year-on-year drop of 3.4 percent. Of the total, the state-owned sector contributed 1.53 billion USD, down 15.2 percent year on year; the non-state sector, 8.43 billion USD, up 3.5 percent; and the foreign-invested sector, 18.6 billion USD, down 6.5 percent. The agriculture sector generated close to 2.9 billion USD from exports during the period, up 8.5 percent year on year and accounting for 10.5 percent of the total shipments. The industrial sectors exports, meanwhile, fell 13.9 percent to 19.2 billion USD, representing some 70 percent of the total. China remained HCM Citys largest buyer in nine months, importing 6.65 billion USD worth of goods and services, down 15.9 percent year on year. It was followed by the US, Japan and the EU. The city spent over 4.1 billion USD on imports last month, down 8 percent month on month. The nine-month figure, however, spurred 21.3 percent year on year to 44.3 billion USD, with imports of the non-state sector surging 39.7 percent to 19.1 billion USD and that of the foreign-invested sector rising 12.2 percent to 18.8 billion USD./ Cameron urges EU to build flexible union of free states British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday urged EU leaders to develop a "flexible union of free member states," setting out four key areas where he wants to negotiate reforms. GALLERY London (dpa) - Cameron, who has listed his demands in a letter to EU President Donald Tusk, said he wants to protect the European single market with binding principles that "guarantee fairness" for eurozone and non-eurozone EU nations.His proposed reforms would make the EU more competitive and expand its global trade links, and exempt Britain from the requirement to pursue "ever closer union."They also aim to "tackle abuses of the right to free movement" inside the EU, Cameron said in a speech at Chatham House, a London-based think tank."As we have seen so spectacularly across Europe with the questions posed by the migration crisis, countries need greater controls to manage the pressures of people coming in," Cameron said."Right now the pressures are too great," he said of migration to Britain from other EU countries.British leaders "believe in an open economy," Cameron said. "But weve got to be able to cope with all the pressures that free movement can bring - on our schools, our hospitals and our public services."He said he wants to restrict the right to benefits for EU migrants, including the introduction of a four-year qualification period for access to housing and other benefits.Cameron has promised to renegotiate the terms of Britains EU membership before holding an in-out referendum by the end of 2017.But he warned that he could campaign for Britain to leave the bloc if he is not satisfied with the outcome of his negotiations."We believe in a flexible union of free member states who share treaties and institutions, working together in a spirit of cooperation to advance our shared prosperity," he said."I have every confidence that we will achieve an agreement that works for Britain and works for our European partners," Cameron said."But if we cant reach such an agreement and if Britains concerns were to be met with a deaf ear, which I do not believe will happen, then we will have to think again about whether this European Union is right for us."He said he also wants to change Britains relationship with the European Court of Human Rights because some people were "frustrated by some legal judgments made in Europe that impact on life in Britain."Cameron said he will scrap the countrys Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights."We will enshrine in our domestic law that the EU Charter of fundamental rights does not create any new rights," he said."We will make it explicit to our courts that they cannot use the EU Charter as the basis for any new legal challenge citing spurious new human rights grounds," Cameron said.The Times on Monday said Cameron could hold the referendum in June if other EU leaders "agree to the bulk of his reform package" at a summit next month.Recent polls have suggested a roughly even split among voters, with around 20 per cent undecided. Russian bombers flew under Iceland passenger plane Two Russian military aircraft recently flew under an Icelandic passenger jet without their transponders activated, raising queries about risky behaviour, an Icelandic daily said Monday. GALLERY Russian Tupolev Tu-22M supersonic strategic bombers fly above the Kremlin, during the rehearsal for a military parade at the Red Square in Moscow, Russia, 05 May 2015. The Victory Day parade on 09 May 2015 marks the 70th anniversary since the capitulation of Nazi Germany. Reykjavik (dpa) - The two Tu-22M bombers were observed Thursday in international airspace off Iceland as they approached and passed under an Icelandic passenger plane en route to Sweden, Morgunbladid reported.Since the transponders were switched off, the bombers were invisible to civilian radar.Similar encounters between military and civilian planes have been reported - and criticized - in recent years in the Baltic Sea region as Russia has increased its military flights in northern Europe.Air traffic controllers in Reykjavik said the Russian planes had switched off their transponders and did not notify them as they approached the passenger aircraft, the report said.The passenger jets captain said he spotted the planes from the cockpit and labelled the behaviour as risky. A Russian diplomat in Reykjavik, Alexey Shadskiy , was quoted as saying the planes flew in accordance with international rules, and were about 2 kilometres below the passenger planes flight path.He suggested the report was aimed at "reviving fear" of Russia and was part of an argument to re-open the Keflavik airbase that the United States, Icelands NATO ally, closed in 2006.Shadskiy noted that NATO planes at times also flew without their transponders activated.According to the daily, the bombers were observed "near Spain" before they returned back to Russia. Merkel's answer to right-wing surge: Forge a new centre Winfried Kretschmann's success in turning his Green Party for the first time into the biggest party in a German parliament could help Chancellor Angela Merkel reshape the country's political landscape. GALLERY With his trademark grey brush haircut, Kretschmann"s political ascendency has coincided with the decline of the SPD, which is currently a junior member of Merkel"s ruling national coalition. Berlin (dpa) - Winfried Kretschmann has spent the last five years carefully crafting the image of a pragmatic business-friendly leader of the conservative south-western German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.On Sunday it paid off for the 67-year-old former biology teacher when his Green Party emerged for the first time as the biggest party in one of the nations parliaments after a 6.3-per-cent swing to the Greens in Baden-Wuerttembergs state elections.Home to some of Germanys biggest brand names such as Mercedes Benz, Porsche and Hugo Boss, Baden-Wuerttemberg was one of three of Germanys 16 states that went to the polls on Sunday, with elections also held in neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony-Anhalt in the east.But with five parties - including the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) - set to enter each of the state parliaments, the polls could mark the end of the countrys post-World War II tradition of two-party coalitions.The outcome of the polls raises the prospect of multi-party coalitions in the regional parliaments.In particular, the Baden-Wuerttemberg result could open the way for the Greens to become an option as a coalition partner to Chancellor Angela Merkels conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) for next years national election."On the party level I think this is an important testing ground," said Daniela Schwarzer, who heads the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.A practicing Catholic, Kretschmann has cast himself as father of the state and has ruled out moving to the national political stage.Kretschmann is already the first-ever Green Party head of government after forging in 2011 a coalition with the left-leaning Social Democrats (SPD), consequently ousting the CDU from power after 58 years at the helm of the state.Now, Kretschmanns Greens have tightened their grip on Baden-Wuerttemberg by securing 30.5 per cent of the vote - far ahead of the 27 per cent for the CDU, which suffered a humiliating 12-per-cent swing against the party."Baden-Wuerttemberg has again made history," said Kretschmann.With his trademark grey brush haircut, Kretschmanns political ascendency has coincided with the decline of the SPD, which is currently a junior member of Merkels ruling national coalition.The SPD vote slumped 10.4 per cent to 12.7 per cent coming in behind the bigger-than-forecast 14.9 per cent garnered by the AfD, which turned the populist rightwing party into the states third-biggest political force.However, Sundays result will make Kretschmanns task of forging a new coalition in the state very complicated.He has not ruled out teaming up with the CDU or the formation of a multi-party coalition, also incorporating the pro-business Free Democrats.But his success in Germanys third-largest state could help Merkel forge a new political centre in Germany as the refugee crisis drives right-wing voters away from the CDU and into the arms of the AfD, which surged into the parliaments in each of the states voting on Sunday."There is a new phenomenon in Germany is protest voters, who voice their discontent with the established parties," said Schwarzer."It is a phenomenon which has already emerged in other countries," she said. "Voting is a valve for them to release their discontent."Merkel carried out intensive coalition talks with the Greens after the last national election in 2013.A short time later, the Greens decided to team up with the CDU in Hesse under a close ally of Merkel, Volker Bouffier, which acts as a model for the Greens to enter a conservative-led coalition after the 2017 election.The Baden-Wuerttemberg premier has also praised Merkels crisis management and her handling of the refugee crisis.Polls show that more than 60 per cent of Green Party voters also back Merkels liberal stance on the migrant issue.The anti-nuclear Greens rode to power five years ago on the back of the apocalytic images that emerged from Japan in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster and deep opposition to the former CDU-led governments plans for building a new central railway in the state capital Stuttgart.The chancellor has since moved closer to mainstream Green positions.In addition to spearheading global efforts to address climate change, Merkel went on to mount a major political U-turn after Fukushima, abandoning her support for nuclear energy and co-opt the Greens platform on ending atomic energy. Spanish and Catalan leaders lead separate talks on referendum crisis Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Catalan President Carles Puigdemont were holding separate meetings Monday as the crisis triggered by an unauthorized Catalan independence referendum marred by violence unfolded. GALLERY According to the Catalans, 893 people were hurt in clashes with police. Some complained of bruises and panic attacks. Barcelona (dpa) - Rajoy started the day meeting officials from his conservative Peoples Party (PP). He was later in the day due to see PSOE socialist opposition leader Pedro Sanchez and then Alberto Rivera of the Catalan unionist Ciudadanos party.Puigdemont called an "emergency meeting" of his regional government, and was later expected to address the press. On Sunday, he said Catalonia had "gained the right to have an independent state with the status of a republic."The vote, banned by the Constitutional Court, was severely disrupted by state authorities. According to the Catalans, 893 people were hurt in clashes with police. Some complained of bruises and panic attacks. Only a couple reported serious injuries.Rajoy said the state "did what [it] had to do" to prevent the illegal ballot. Catalan authorities said that more than 2.2 million people still participated, and, of those, 90 per cent voted for independence. The turnout was 42 per cent.It is unclear how the government would respond if Catalonia declares independence: it can invoke article 155 of the constitution and suspend the regions autonomy, but that would be unprecedented and would almost surely escalate tensions.Interior Minister Juan Ignazio Zoido talked tough on Monday, telling the RNE and Telecinco networks that the government "will be up to the challenge of preventing a further subversion of the democratic system in Catalonia." Xi sends video message for China Pavilion of Expo 2020 Dubai Xinhua) 09:11, October 02, 2021 Chinese President Xi Jinping sends a video message for the China Pavilion of Expo 2020 Dubai, on Oct. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a video message for the China Pavilion of Expo 2020 Dubai. Noting that Expo 2020 Dubai is the first world expo held in the Middle East, Xi said under the theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future," countries have an opportunity to share their philosophies and success of economic and social development and enhance dialogue and cooperation, which shows the significant importance of the expo. "Where should the future of humanity be headed? China's answer is to call on the people of all countries to work together, respond to the call of the times, strengthen global governance, pursue innovation-driven development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," Xi said. Wishing the expo a "full success," Xi said China is ready to enhance exchange and cooperation with other countries to seize the opportunities for innovation-driven development and actively promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Expo 2020 Dubai as well as the China Pavilion opened Friday in the United Arab Emirates. Themed "Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind -- Innovation & Opportunity," the China Pavilion showcases the country's achievements in areas such as space exploration, information technology, modern transportation, artificial intelligence and smart living. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) Xi offers new proposals on building better future amid pressing challenges Xinhua) 09:23, October 02, 2021 Aerial photo taken on Jan. 14, 2021 shows a view of the container wharf of Qinzhou Port, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming) BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging and the global economy struggling, the international landscape is undergoing profound changes, and humanity has now reached a new crossroad. "It falls on each and every responsible statesman to answer the questions of our times and make a historical choice with confidence, courage and a sense of mission," said Chinese President Xi Jinping at the general debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) delivered via video on Sept. 21. As the leader of the world's largest developing country and second-largest economy, Xi has over the last month put forward a series of new proposals on how the world should overcome difficulties and build a better future together. A crane loads containers at the Manzhouli Railway Station in Manzhouli, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, April 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Yu Jia) RESPONSIBILITY AS A MAJOR COUNTRY "China is always a builder of world peace, contributor to global development, defender of the international order and provider of public goods," said Xi in the UNGA statement. The addition of the fourth dimension to China's global role comes as the country is providing the world with more public goods. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi, has become the most popular public good in the world, and China has been championing efforts to make COVID-19 vaccines a global public good. On the globally significant China-U.S. ties, Xi said that whether the two countries can handle their relationship well is a question of the century to which they must provide a good answer. Getting the relationship right is not optional, but something we must do and must do well, Xi said in a phone conversation with his U.S. counterpart, Joseph R. Biden, on Sept. 10. Noting that in all countries, people long for peace and development more than ever before, their call for equity and justice is growing stronger, and they are more determined in pursuing win-win cooperation, Xi pointed out that practicing true multilateralism is the need of the times. On various multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, BRICS, the Eastern Economic Forum and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Xi's consistent call for true multilateralism has charted a course for improving global governance. "I am convinced that the trend of peace, development and advancement for humanity is irresistible," Xi said. Aerial photo taken on Aug. 24, 2021 shows photovoltaic panels at a fish breeding base in Helan County of Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhisen) GLOBAL COOPERATION ON DEVELOPMENT Development holds the key to people's well-being and is a permanent pursuit of humankind. At the current critical juncture in global development, Xi, in his UNGA statement, proposed a Global Development Initiative, which has outlined a blueprint for global development and cooperation. The initiative calls for staying committed to development as a priority, to a people-centered approach, to benefits for all, to innovation-driven development, to harmony between man and nature and to results-oriented actions. From the Juncao technology that is benefiting more and more foreign communities, to the successful hosting of international trade fairs, and to the steady progress in Belt and Road cooperation, China's development-oriented solutions to global challenges have been bearing rich fruit. On achieving sustainable development and harmony between man and nature, Xi announced that China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad. Delivering a speech at the 13th BRICS summit via video link on Sept. 9, Xi called on BRICS countries to "further enhance the quality of practical cooperation," and made five proposals on how to do that. China will take over the chair of BRICS and host the 14th BRICS summit next year. Countries around the world are looking forward to hearing more voices from China. Poverty relief assistants Liu Ying (1st L) and He Changle (2nd L), and village officials help carry melons planted by villagers in Dongqin Village, Congjiang County of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) SHARED FUTURE FOR MANKIND Xi has long been calling for the building of a community with a shared future, and the vision has been further enriched over the past month. Addressing the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO via video link on Sept. 17, Xi put forward five proposals on building "a closer SCO community with a shared future." Since the landmark SCO Qingdao Summit in 2018, Xi has gradually fleshed out his vision on SCO cooperation, inspiring the group to grow into a model in the building of a new type of international relations and a contributor to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. On China-Latin America ties, Xi said in a video speech delivered on Sept. 18 to the 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States that China-Latin America relations have entered a new era featuring equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and tangible benefits for the people. China, he said, is willing to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries to overcome difficulties together and jointly create opportunities to build a community of shared future between China and Latin America. In his UNGA statement, Xi also called for building "a global community of development with a shared future," urging the international community to increase input in development, advance on a priority basis cooperation on poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response and vaccines, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity, among other areas, and accelerate implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. "Let us bolster confidence and jointly address global threats and challenges, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind and a better world for all," Xi said. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Liang Jun) National Day celebrated across China amid jubilation, hopes for better future Xinhua) 09:26, October 02, 2021 A national flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China is held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was celebrated Friday across the country that has achieved the realization of moderate prosperity in all respects. Attending flag-raising ceremonies, paying tribute to the motherland's epic journey from hardship to prosperity, or simply enjoying leisure with family members and friends, Chinese people kicked off a week-long holiday with epidemic control measures in place and consumption in full swing. Some 130,000 people gathered in Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing on Friday morning for a grand national flag-raising ceremony. In the center of the square stands an 18-meter-tall flower basket, a major feature of the recently installed floral displays in downtown Beijing to mark the special day. Zhang Dapeng and his schoolmates from Beijing Normal University arrived at the square on Thursday evening in order not to miss the ceremony filled with jubilation and excitement. "Watching the national flag raised right here on this special day means so much to me," Zhang said. "I want to extend my best wishes to our motherland, and I wish to make my share of contributions to our country's greater future." In south China's Zhuhai City, the ongoing 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition opened to the general public starting Friday. Visitors at the Zhuhai International Air Show Center were amazed by the collection of complex items on display as well as a nearly three-hour air show on Friday. Over 120,000 tickets for the three-day open house sold out, according to the organizers. "I saw lunar soil (brought back by China's Chang'e-5 probe) and a model of the Mars rover Zhurong, and various types of advanced aircraft," a visitor said with excitement, adding that he is proud of China's achievements in aviation and aerospace sectors through decades of technological development. Tens of thousands of moviegoers across the country on Friday chose to watch the highly anticipated war film "The Battle at Lake Changjin," which was released the day prior. Set during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), the film tells the story of Chinese People's Volunteers soldiers fighting bravely in freezing temperatures in a key campaign at Lake Changjin, or Chosin Reservoir. Yang Yongjun, a 62-year-old retired teacher in Kunming, Yunnan Province, and his wife were among the audience. Yang said he has a deep reverence for revolutionary heroes, and that watching the film on National Day, one day after Martyrs' Day, has a special meaning for him. "The film is well made and touching. I simply couldn't hold my tears back when seeing our soldiers freezing to death," he said. "Without the sacrifice of numerous war heroes, our happy life won't be possible. Every Chinese should remember the history and treasure what we have got," he said. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) Hong Kong truly on right track of "one country, two systems": Carrie Lam Xinhua) 09:30, October 02, 2021 Photo taken on Oct. 1, 2021 shows a reception celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) Hong Kong is now in the best position ever since its return to the motherland to leverage its unique advantages under "one country, two systems" in seeking to integrate into the national development and create a bright future, Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam said. HONG KONG, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Friday that Hong Kong has truly got on the right track of "one country, two systems" under the double safeguards of the national security law in Hong Kong and the improved electoral system. Hong Kong is now in the best position ever since its return to the motherland to leverage its unique advantages under "one country, two systems" in seeking to integrate into the national development and create a bright future, Lam said at a reception celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. A flag-raising ceremony is held to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong, south China, Oct. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) Hong Kong has been not only a "participant" in and a "contributor" to the country's reform and opening-up for more than four decades, but also a "beneficiary" in the process, she said. The investment and business expansion of Hong Kong enterprises in the mainland have contributed to the evolution of Hong Kong into an international financial, commerce and transportation center, as well as expansion in the scope of Hong Kong's professional services, Lam said. With Hong Kong back to the original aspiration of "one country, two systems," as long as Hong Kong remains steadfast on safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and on ensuring the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," Hong Kong enterprises, businessmen and people will have more opportunities and scope for development in the mainland, Lam said. Hong Kong's economy will also gain stronger impetus and its young people will enjoy more diversified career opportunities, she said. Photo taken on July 7, 2021 shows a view of the Hong Kong Island seen from Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Wang Shen) As the Chinese Foreign Ministry recently released a fact sheet on the U.S. interference in Hong Kong affairs, Lam said the document shows that the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and the improvement of the electoral system of the HKSAR are indeed necessary. As to a recent report on Hong Kong's business environment released by the HKSAR government, Lam said that despite smearing and defamatory remarks made by foreign politicians and some Western media, Hong Kong's inherent strengths remain intact. Looking forward, the country's strong support for Hong Kong in the national 14th Five-Year Plan, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the new development paradigm of the country, plus the newly unveiled plans on the development of Qianhai and Hengqin, will together create unlimited opportunities for Hong Kong, Lam said. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) EU postpones trade talks with Australia Xinhua) 09:33, October 02, 2021 European Union flags fly outside the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium, on June 9, 2021.(Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) In 2016, Australia signed the 90-billion-Australian-dollar (65.4 billion U.S. dollars) deal with the French majority state-owned Naval Group on the purchase of 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines. But Australia canceled the deal last month as part of an alliance with the U.S. and the UK that will give Australia at least eight nuclear-powered submarines. BRUSSELS, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission has postponed its free trade negotiations with Australia for a month, a spokesperson of the European Union (EU) executive said here on Friday. The decision came on the heels of a dispute between the two sides over the Australian government's decision to cancel a multibillion-euro submarine deal with France and sign an agreement instead with the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK). "The next round of negotiations has been postponed for a month. Substance prevails over speed when it comes to negotiations and this extra month will allow us to prepare better for the next round," the European Commission's spokesperson in charge of trade, Miriam Garcia Ferrer, said at a news conference, adding that the decision was taken "a few days ago". British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) greets Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in front of 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, on June 15, 2021.(Tim Hammond/No. 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua) Asked whether it was the EU's retaliation against Australia, the Commission's chief spokesperson Eric Mamer replied: "The EU is not in the business of punishing anybody. Australia is a partner of the European Union. We have ongoing trade negotiations, which are very specific beasts. The substance of the negotiation is one that involves a lot more effort, so it is not unusual that such decisions are taken." Garcia Ferrer insisted that the postponement did not mean the end of negotiations, adding that there were several pending issues, such as market access, rules of origin, intellectual property, public procurement and sustainable development. Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) "There is quite a lot of work that needs to be done in those areas so that's why we need some more time to reflect on the next stage," she said. In 2016, Australia signed the 90-billion-Australian-dollar (65.4 billion U.S. dollars) deal with the French majority state-owned Naval Group on the purchase of 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines. But Australia canceled the deal last month as part of an alliance with the U.S. and the UK that will give Australia at least eight nuclear-powered submarines. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) People's Republic celebrates its 72nd anniversary China Daily) 09:42, October 02, 2021 A large crowd of people cheer during the flag-raising ceremony in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Friday in celebration of National Day. ZHU XINGXIN/CHINA DAILY People from across the country gathered in Tian'anmen Square to witness the national flag-raising ceremony on Friday morning, the first day of the weeklong National Day holiday. Throughout the country, various activities were organized to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the People's Republic of China. In Beijing, people were already gathering in Tian'anmen Square at 2 am, many of them holding small national flags, wearing red masks and with national flag patterns painted on their faces. The square was decorated with flower baskets on the theme of "Bless the Motherland", and these became a popular background for snapshots. Zhang Yunming, a 12-year-old boy from Xinxiang, Henan province, stood in the first row with his parents. He told Beijing Daily that his family arrived in the capital at 10 pm on Thursday and headed straight to the square to find a good spot where they could be closer to the flagpole. "I've seen the ceremony on television, but this is the first time I've ever been so close to the scene. It's definitely going to be spectacular. I'm not sleepy at all," he said before the ceremony. Many university students were also drawn to the event. Wang Xinrui, a PhD student at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, told Beijing Daily that generations of revolutionary martyrs sacrificed their lives so Chinese people would have better lives today, and that as a young person, he wanted to make his contribution to the country after he graduates. "This year is very special because our Party celebrated its 100th birthday. As a Party member, I must come here to experience this exciting moment of flag-raising," he said. To celebrate National Day, Beijing organized various activities, including flower shows, cultural exhibitions and virtual tours of 11 public parks. Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, organized traditional lion dances and had national flags raised along the streets to create a festive atmosphere. Jiuzhaigou, a well-known scenic area in Sichuan province, announced its reopening on Tuesday after being struck by an earthquake in 2017. Local authorities had replanted 656,000 trees and restored the damaged ecosystem of more than 366 hectares. To prepare for the inflow of National Day holiday tourists, Sichuan province announced the opening of 12 new scenic spots and seven special tours in Jiuzhaigou. Shaanxi province issued 5,000 cards on Thursday, each containing 200 yuan ($31) in coupons for tickets to events and attractions. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) Xinjiang residents share personal stories to debunk lies on human rights condition Xinhua) 10:11, October 02, 2021 URUMQI, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- All ethnic groups in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have equal access to education, freedom of religious belief and other basic rights, local residents told a press conference on Thursday. Addressing the briefing held in the Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Changji, locals shared their personal stories to refute the fallacies concerning the region's human rights condition concocted by Western anti-China forces. Rural schools in Xinjiang, with continuous improvements to the environment and quality of teaching, have helped change the destiny of many students, said Sanam Ibrayim, a rural school teacher from Changji. Expounding the developments, Ibrayim said one of his former students, Zulfiya Wali, who grew up in a poor Uygur family, was admitted to a major university in Beijing two years ago. Every time Wali returns home for vacation, she would encourage local children to study more at school and even help them with their studies, Ibrayim added. In recent years, Xinjiang has continuously increased its investment in education and implemented a series of policies to subsidize or exempt tuition fees for students. Alim Rahmudul, an Imam from Changji, said that conditions of Xinjiang's mosques have seen great improvements such as expanded indoor space, air-conditioning and hot water supply all throughout the year. "The mosques are thronged by religious practitioners during major Islamic festivals," he said, adding that people are free to choose their religious faith or no faith in Xinjiang. Xinjiang attaches great importance to the preservation and development of the fine traditional culture of all ethnic groups and has promoted the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritages. Abduwali Haliq, a musician living in Changji, is a good player of Tambur, a classic string instrument from Xinjiang. He enjoys exchanging skills with other musicians and always teaches local children to play the instrument. "Those who fabricated the 'cultural genocide' nonsense should not lie through their teeth," said Haliq. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) China continues supply of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines to Philippines Xinhua) 10:13, October 02, 2021 MANILA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China continued the COVID-19 vaccine supply to the Philippines by delivering an additional batch of Sinovac CoronaVac vaccines on Friday to support the country's COVID-19 vaccination campaign. China has been delivering CoronaVac vaccines to the Philippines since Feb. 28. It was the first country to provide coronavirus shots to the Philippines, allowing the Southeast Asian country to kick off its vaccination drive on March 1. The Philippines has administered over 45.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. More than 21.1 million people have been fully vaccinated so far. The government aims to vaccinate up to 70 million people this year. To date, the Philippines has received over 71 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from different vaccine makers. China remains the country's biggest vaccine supplier. The Philippines now has more than 2.5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 38,493 deaths. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) China expects new German gov't to continue pragmatic foreign policy: Chinese ambassador Xinhua) 10:16, October 02, 2021 BERLIN, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- China expects the new German government to continue a proactive and pragmatic policy towards China and jointly promote stable and in-depth ties, Chinese Ambassador to Germany Wu Ken has said. Germany's federal election came to a close last Sunday and the parties have started exploratory talks to form a new government, marking an end to the era of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Wu said no matter which political coalition governs, China will continue to regard Germany as an important partner and maintain close dialogue and cooperation with the cabinet, parliament and each party. "Tackling global challenges requires more trust and cooperation in the world, and China and Germany should make joint efforts to this end," Wu said. The ambassador said Merkel's 16 consecutive years as leader left behind a major political legacy in Germany and the European Union. During Merkel's tenure, he said, the China-Germany relationship has achieved remarkable development, which has evolved from a "partnership with global responsibility" to a "strategic partnership" to the current "all-round strategic partnership." Wu said the progress is the result of joint efforts of both sides, inseparable from Merkel's proactive and pragmatic policy of cooperation with China. "The most prominent impression that Chancellor Merkel gave me is that she is willing to know and understand China with an open mind," Wu said. "She lacked understanding of China at first. Unlike a few other European politicians, she did not stick to political prejudice," he added. The deeper Merkel understands China, the more objective and comprehensive her views on China become, the ambassador said, and her policy on China has been more rational and pragmatic. Wu called Merkel "a politician who has a long-term strategic vision and values dialogue and exchanges." Wu said that some media, think tanks and politicians have deliberately sought to strain China's ties with Europe, including Germany. Wu noted the fundamentals of bilateral relations are generally stable and win-win cooperation remains at the core of the China-Germany relationship. "Although there are voices of one kind or another, the pace of China-Germany cooperation has not slowed down, and the bilateral economic and trade volume has repeatedly hit new highs, which fully reflects the resilience and potential of cooperation," Wu said. He noted that China and Germany are two of the world's major economies and countries of profound influence. Both share a common interest in promoting a global economic recovery, safeguarding free trade and coping with challenges such as climate change. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) China expects over 63 million passenger trips on National Day Xinhua) 10:20, October 02, 2021 BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Over 63 million passenger trips will be made by rail, road, water and air in China on Friday, the first day of the week-long National Day holiday, the Ministry of Transport has said. Of the total, 46.5 million trips are expected to be made by road, up 27.2 percent from Thursday, the ministry said. About 15 million railway trips are expected on Friday, according to the ministry. China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the country's railway operator, estimated approximately 15.8 million trips, noting that 1,346 additional passenger trains have been arranged to meet the surging demand. Some 127 million rail passenger trips will be made during the holiday rush that lasts from Sept. 28 to Oct. 8, with Oct. 1 to see the highest passenger volume, the operator said earlier. Airlines are also predicted to see 1.52 million passenger trips on Friday, according to the ministry. Some 680,000 trips are expected on waterways, up 38.2 percent from Thursday. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) Hong Kong holds various activities to celebrate National Day Xinhua) 13:54, October 02, 2021 A flag-raising ceremony is held in celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong, south China, Oct. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) HONG KONG, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong on Friday saw various activities in celebration of the National Day, both official and grassroots ones, including flag-raising ceremonies and bus parades. China's national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) were hoisted and the national anthem was played at the Golden Bauhinia Square on Friday morning in a ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Helicopters carrying flags flew over Victoria Harbor and a fireboat sprayed a water salute. When addressing a reception, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Hong Kong has truly got on the right track of "one country, two systems" under the double safeguards of the national security law in Hong Kong and the improved electoral system. Hong Kong is now in the best position ever since its return to the motherland to leverage its unique advantages under "one country, two systems" in seeking to integrate into the national development and create a bright future, Lam said. Hong Kong's economy will also gain stronger impetus and its young people will enjoy more diversified career opportunities, she added. A series of celebrations were organized across Hong Kong on Friday, and festive decorations could be found in many places from stores along the streets to landmark buildings. Flag-raising ceremonies were held in the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR. National flags were also raised in schools, such as in Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HKFEW Wong Cho Bau Secondary School, and Fresh Fish Traders' School. Some students put stickers of the national flag on their faces and clothes. In Tsim Sha Tsui, some Hong Kong residents in red clothes or wearing red masks waved flags and cheered loudly. The 2019 National Day holiday blockbuster "My People, My Country," a movie chronicling China's important historical events over the past seven decades, was broadcast on Hong Kong TV on Friday. The Hong Kong Jockey Club on Friday also held horse races at its Sha Tin Racecourse and Happy Valley Racecourse to celebrate the national day, attracting nearly 17,000 people. (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Bianji) TEHRAN, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Army Ground Forces (AGF) launched military maneuvers on Friday morning in northwestern areas bordering Azerbaijan and Armenia, state TV reported. "The exercise, codenamed Conquerors of Khaybar, began with the participation of a number of armored units, artillery, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare units and combat engineering vehicles, with the support of airborne helicopters," the official website of Iran's army wrote. Speaking at the site of the drill, Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, the chief commander of Iran's AGF, said that during the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, "a significant number" of Islamic State (IS) terrorists "were called" to the area. Heydari stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran has never initiated any aggression, while noting that the country has never obtained assurance that the IS terrorists have abandoned the area. "They have to leave this area, and it was necessary that we make a show of strength," the Iranian commander added. TENSIONS OVER TRANSPORTATION In recent days, Iranian officials have warned against tensions between Iran and Azarbaijan over road transportation of goods between Iran and Armenia, after Azerbaijan authorities arrested two Iranian truck drivers in mid-September in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on charges of illegal border crossing. "The arrest of Iranian drivers should not cause tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan, but it should be said that some countries are seeking to disrupt Iran's relations with other countries," Mahmoud Abbaszadeh, the spokesman for the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said on Thursday in an interview with Etemad daily. Abbaszadeh specifically said that "there will not be the slightest threat to Azerbaijan's borders from the part of Iran." Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Monday that Azerbaijan has repeatedly told Iran its dissatisfaction with the illegal passage of Iranian trucks, but this trend has continued. In an interview with Turkish official news agency Anadolu, Aliyev described Iran's plans to conduct military exercises near the border at this moment as "very surprising." The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict "is over," Azerbaijan's president said at another point in the interview. GEOPOLITICAL CONCERNS On Wednesday, a high-ranking commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said "the governments of neighboring countries know better than anyone" the reason for Iran's maneuvers. Iranian Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the IRGC ground forces, added that "preventing changes in the borders of neighboring countries" is part of Iran's major strategies. "We consider any geopolitical change in the region to be detrimental to our internal security and have always declared it a red line," Pakpour said on the sidelines of an event in Iran's Kurdistan province, as quoted by Sepah News, the IRGC's official news outlet. The IRGC general further noted that different countries have held about 37 drills in the region in the last few months, seven within the last month, and Iran has reacted to none of them. In a meeting on Thursday with Azerbaijan's newly appointed ambassador in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Iran "will not tolerate" Israeli presence and activities against Iran's national security near its borders, and "will take any necessary action in this regard," official news agency IRNA reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping sends a video message for the China Pavilion of Expo 2020 Dubai, on Oct. 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a video message for the China Pavilion of Expo 2020 Dubai. Noting that Expo 2020 Dubai is the first world expo held in the Middle East, Xi said under the theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future," countries have an opportunity to share their philosophies and success of economic and social development and enhance dialogue and cooperation, which shows the significant importance of the expo. "Where should the future of humanity be headed? China's answer is to call on the people of all countries to work together, respond to the call of the times, strengthen global governance, pursue innovation-driven development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," Xi said. Wishing the expo a "full success," Xi said China is ready to enhance exchange and cooperation with other countries to seize the opportunities for innovation-driven development and actively promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Expo 2020 Dubai as well as the China Pavilion opened Friday in the United Arab Emirates. Themed "Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind -- Innovation & Opportunity," the China Pavilion showcases the country's achievements in areas such as space exploration, information technology, modern transportation, artificial intelligence and smart living. abortion imposed by Texas -- the strictest such law in the nation -- in a key battle in the ferocious legal war over abortion access in the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 1 allowed the Republican-backed law to take effect even as litigation over its legality continues in lower courts. The U.S. Justice Department eight days later sued in federal court to try to invalidate it. During a hearing in the Texas capital of Austin, Justice Department lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman to block the law temporarily, saying the state's Republican legislature and governor enacted it in an open defiance of the Constitution. "There is no doubt under binding constitutional precedents that a state may not ban abortions at six weeks," said Brian Netter, the lead Justice Department attorney on the case. "Texas knew this but, it wanted a 6-week ban anyway. So, this state resorted to an unprecedented scheme of vigilante justice." Pitman allowed Netter to argue for about 15 minutes before interrupting him to ask about the limits on the Justice Department's authority to challenge state laws. The authority claimed by the Justice Department "is pretty expansive," the judge said. Netter said the Justice Department does not often challenge state laws but will do so when a law violates the U.S. Constitution and is written in a way that preclude citizens from vindicating their rights on their own. "What is unique and different about this law is that it specifically deprives those affected by the law of the ability to obtain redress," Netter said. 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 Registered Nurse Mary Gilbert cares for an intubated patient in the coronavirus intensive care unit at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. MIKALA COMPTON | Herald-Zeitung The Braunfels Foundation Trust and a full room of family members, residents, supporters and well-wishers honored a trio of Living Legends with Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Citizens wait in line to vote early in the general election outside the Comal County Election Office on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. MIKALA COMPTON | Herald-Zeitung While Americans know that guns take many innocent lives every year, many don't know that firearms also save them. On May 15, an attacker at an apartment complex in Fort Smith, Ark., fatally shot a woman and then fired 93 rounds at other people before a man killed him with a bolt-action rifle. Police said he "likely saved a number of lives in the process." On June 30, a 12-year-old Louisiana boy used a hunting rifle to stop an armed burglar who was threatening his mother's life during a home invasion. On July 4, a Chicago gunman shot into a crowd of people, killing one and wounding two others before a concealed handgun permit holder shot and wounded the attacker. Police praised him for stepping in. These are just a few of the nearly 1,000 instances reported by the media so far this year in which gun owners have stopped mass shootings and other murderous acts, saving countless lives. And crime experts say such high-profile cases represent only a small fraction of the instances in which guns are used defensively. But the data are unclear, for a number of reasons, and this has political ramifications because it seems to undercut the claims of gun rights advocates that they need to possess firearms for personal protection -- an issue now before the Supreme Court. Americans who look only at the daily headlines would be surprised to learn that, according to academic estimates, defensive gun uses including instances when guns are simply shown to deter a crime are four to five times more common than gun crimes, and far more frequent than the roughly 20,000 murders or fewer each year, with or without a gun. But even when they prevent mass public shootings, defensive uses rarely get national news coverage. Those living in major news markets such as New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles are unlikely to hear of such stories. ..... Press Release October 1, 2021 Open-close lockdowns close opportunities for first-time job seekers: Pangilinan A NEW generation of fresh graduates is having a hard time entering the labor force as the unemployment rate jumped up in August due to quarantine restrictions, said Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan Friday. "Yung close-open na lockdown, nag-c-close ng oportunidad sa mga gustong maghanapbuhay. Marami na ang nawalan ng trabaho dahil dito, tapos ngayon may mga bagong graduate na maghahanap din ng trabaho," said Pangilinan. The senator, who has exposed irregularities in the Senate hearings on Covid expenditures, said an appropriate, efficient, corrupt-free Covid response is key to a promising life for all Filipinos, including new graduates. "Maayos at hindi corrupt na Covid response ang susi sa magandang buhay sa lahat ng mga Pilipino, lalo na sa mga new graduates," Pangilinan said. As of August 2021, the unemployment rate swelled to 8.1%, equivalent to 3.88 million jobless Filipinos. Lockdowns are directly proportional to job loss. In a Palace briefing Thursday, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Karl Chua said that job creation has been dependent on quarantine restrictions. Lockdowns temporarily stopped jobs while gradual easing resumed employment generation. Data from NEDA shows that 69% of the country's economy remained under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions of alert level 4 in Metro Manila. This translated to 23.3 million workers affected by work disruptions. "Tuwing ang Metro Manila ay sumasailalim sa lockdown, marami ang pansamantalang nawawalan ng trabaho. Hindi sapat ang lockdown kung walang kasabay na testing, contact tracing, isolation at vaccination (Every time Metro Manila is placed under lockdown, many are forced to temporarily lose their jobs. Lockdowns without testing, contact tracing, isolation, and vaccination are not enough)," said Pangilinan. "Kahit hindi pa pandemya ay mahirap na maghanap ng trabaho kapag ikaw ay fresh graduate. Mas lalo na ngayon na mataas ang unemployment rate. This is a leadership issue. Kapag natugunan ng liderato ang Covid ay magbubukas ulit ang mga negosyo at mga trabaho (Even before the pandemic, fresh graduates were already having a hard time finding jobs -- more so now that the unemployment rate is high. This is a leadership issue. If the leadership is able to address Covid, businesses will resume and generate jobs)," he added. According to NEDA's Chua, the cost of Covid and quarantine both to the present and the future -- meaning today's children and their grandchildren -- will reach P41.4 trillion. He estimated that the Philippine economy would take more than 10 years to return to pre-pandemic growth, warning that the next two generations of Filipinos would be paying for the cost of Covid-19. As of September 30, the Philippines has logged over 2.5 million total Covid cases with 138,294 active cases and 38,294 deaths. Pangilinan said it is unfortunate that young Filipinos would have to bear the brunt of the effects of a poor Covid response. "Hindi pa nga nakakapagtrabaho, may mga utang na. Kailangan natin bigyan ng mahusay na aksyong medikal ang kasalukuyan para ang ating mga graduates ay makapagtrabaho at makatulong sa kanilang pamilya (Our young people already have debts even before having jobs. We need efficient medical interventions now so that our graduates may find jobs and help their families)," he said. Press Release October 2, 2021 De Lima urges DSWD to accommodate more qualified beneficiaries of 4Ps Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to accommodate additional qualified household beneficiaries into the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) considering the grave impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poor families across the country. De Lima, the principal author and sponsor of the 4Ps law in the Senate, filed Proposed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 894 also seeking to suspend the graduation of existing household beneficiaries from the program amid the current global health crisis. "It is imperative for the government to provide and deliver social welfare assistance among its existing programs in the most expeditious way possible to help the poorest and marginalized households who are barely surviving the debilitating impact of this pandemic," she said. "4Ps, as an established and proven program in helping millions of poor households through its conditional cash transfers scheme, should be able to continue catering to and helping its existing beneficiaries who are all affected and in danger of sliding back to poverty," she added. The 4Ps Act, which was signed into law on April 17, 2019, provides conditional cash grants to qualified indigent families for a maximum of seven years to improve their health, nutrition, and the education of their children aged 0-18. Section 4 of the 4Ps Act "provides conditional cash transfer to poor households for a maximum period of seven (7) years" but allows the National Advisory Council (NAC) to also recommend providing conditional cash transfer "for a longer period under exceptional circumstances." With its acute impact on the poor families, De Lima said the COVID-19 pandemic undeniably qualifies under the 4Ps law's "exceptional circumstances" which allows the NAC to recommend to the DSWD the suspension of graduation from the program of 4Ps beneficiaries. "The DSWD must strongly consider accommodating as many qualified household beneficiaries as possible and fully extend the government's helping hand in reaching millions of poor families severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and assist to pull them out of poverty," she said. According to a Social Weather Stations survey, the protracted impositions of lockdowns not only exacerbated the economic insecurity of poor families but also created an estimated 1.8 million new poor families in July 2021. Moreover, the shift into online and distance learning reportedly exacerbates the crises of many Filipino households, especially students from low-income and poor families, given their severely limited access to essential educational needs. "Sa ganito kahalagang programa na nagkakaloob ng tunay na benepisyo sa mahihirap nating kababayan nararapat mailaan ang pondo sa gitna ng pandemya, hindi sa mga kumpanyang puro tongpats na hindi lang nagkakait ng serbisyo, kundi naglalagay pa sa buhay ng Pilipino sa higit na peligro, said De Lima. Press Release October 2, 2021 Lacson Questions Proposed Transfer of P35B in AFP Modernization Fund to SPF More at: https://pinglacson.net/article/lacson-questions-proposed-transfer-of-p35b-in-afp-modernization-fund-to-spf Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson on Friday questioned a proposal of the Department of National Defense (DND) to transfer at least P35 billion from the regular budget of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the Special Purpose Fund (SPF). Lacson said such a transfer to the SPF effectively turns the amount into a "lump sum" that will be released only upon the approval of the President. "You are proposing that P35 billion be transferred from the regular budget to the SPF. Why is that? The SPF is used to augment the regular budget and is released only upon approval of the President. Bakit inaalis nyo sa regular budget (Why do you want to remove it from the regular budget)?" he asked DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at the Senate committee hearing on the DND's proposed budget for 2022. Lacson did not agree with Lorenzana's explanation that unlike the regular budget, the SPF would not lapse after one year. Lorenzana said the AFP's procurement of assets is multi-year as it may take more than a year to perfect the contracts. Also, Lacson noted that under the AFP Modernization Program, the procurement of equipment is government-to-government. Under the DND presentation, the AFP proposed to place the AFP Modernization Program and its programmed allocations as an SPF, stating that the enabling law (RA 10349) dictates that the funds for the Revised AFP Modernization should be treated as separate and distinct from the regular appropriations of the DND and the AFP. The SPF is defined as "appropriations in the GAA provided to cover expenditures for specific purposes for which the recipient department have not yet been identified during budget preparation." "Bakit natin gagawing lump sum ang otherwise itemized na under AFP Modernization Program? Baka magkaroon ng problema (Why transform an otherwise itemized amount into a lump sum? It might cause problems)," Lacson said. "It's either that or you are not ready yet to present the itemized list of equipment to be procured. Kung ginawa mong SPF magiging lump sum yan (If you transfer the amount to the SPF it effectively becomes a lump sum appropriation). Are you not ready to identify the equipment to procure?" he added. Lorenzana said they will "look into it" and consider Lacson's comments on the matter. For his part, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who presided over the hearing as chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee C, agreed with Lacson that it would be better to keep the amount in the regular fund. "Instead of making their life miserable, we'd like to make their life easier," Lacson pointed out. Press Release October 2, 2021 In announcing his Senate reelection bid, Villanueva says trained labor force in 'new normal' a make-or-break for recovery The country's "agility to pivot to the post-pandemic economy" will depend largely on how it can train a labor force that could meet the demands of the "new world of work," Senator Joel "Tesdaman" Villanueva said as he announced his reelection bid. Speaking at the launch of the Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program, Villanueva told over 500 scholars that retooling and upskilling are the ways to go to become employable as the country recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic "There is no going back to the way things were before the pandemic," said Villanueva, chairman of the Senate labor committee. "Our economy is undergoing retooling that requires workers who have been reskilled." "Trabaho ang lagi nating trabaho. Ito po ang misyon natin noon, ngayon, at sa hinaharap," continued Villanueva, who earned the moniker "Tesdaman" as he successfully steered the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) from 2010 to 2015 as director general. "Sa ngalan po ng pangarap ng mga kabataang pilipino, ipagpapatuloy po natin ang misyon ni Tesdaman sa Senado para sa Trabaho, Edukasyon, Serbisyo, Dignidad at Asenso ng bawat Pilipino," Villanueva said, specifying his vision of creating and sustaining jobs. Fortunately, the country had success in training manpower en masse "when 20 million workers were trained by TESDA during the past decade." He called on the government "to tap the TESDA way" in preparing the workforce that a changed economy requires. "Hindi po ba sa gera, naghahanda tayo sa pamamagitan ng pagsasanay ng mga sundalo? Ganun din ang gawin natin ngayon. I-train ang mga manggagawa para sa mga trabahong magbabangon sa ating ekonomiya," he said. He challenged presidential candidates "to install technical-vocational education as a major plank in their platform." He said the presence of a large trained tech-voc pool will enable the "country to hit the ground running in getting the country back on its feet." Villanueva keynoted the event, organized by the National Capital Region office of TESDA, where some 500 individuals composed of displaced workers, OFW returnees, out-of-school youths, and employed individuals stand to benefit from the Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program, formed under Republic Act No. 11230. Villanueva, principal author and sponsor of RA No. 11230 or the Tulong Trabaho law, explained that the law seeks to strengthen the qualifications of Filipino workers to meet the challenges of the rapidly evolving workplaces. The law, which was enacted in 2018, addresses the job-skills mismatch prevalent in the labor market by linking the requirements of industry to primarily address unemployment. The Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program, which is expected to benefit some 40,000 individuals, received P1 billion under the 2021 national budget. It is part of the government's National Employment Recovery Strategy, which seeks to breathe life back into the sputtering economy. Villanueva, nag-anunsyo ng kanyang Senate reelection bid; 'Training para sa manggagawa, susi sa pagbangon ng ekonomiya' Ang kakayahan ng bansa na ibangon ang ekonomiya ng bansa sa panahon ng pandemya ay nakasalalay sa kung paano ito bibigyan ng sapat na pagsasanay ang mga manggagawa upang umayon sa "new normal," ayon kay Senator Joel Villanueva. Sa kanyang talumpati sa paglunsad ng Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program, sinabi ni Villanueva sa higit na 500 scholars na retooling at upskilling ang paraang upang maging employable muli habang nanunumbalik ang sigla ng ekonomiya ng bansa na lubhang napuruhan sa COVID-19 pandemic. "Mukhang hindi na po tayo babalik sa dati bago ang pandemya," sabi ni Villanueva, chair ng Senate labor committee. "Ang ating ekonomiya ay nakakaranas ng retooling ngayong panahon na nangangailangan ng mga manggagawang nakapag-reskill." "Trabaho ang lagi nating trabaho. Ito po ang misyon natin noon, ngayon, at sa hinaharap," dagdag pa Villanueva, na nakilala bilang "Tesdaman" matapos sa kanyang matagumpay na panunungkulan bilang director general ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) mula 2010 hanggang 2015. "Sa ngalan po ng pangarap ng mga kabataang pilipino, ipagpapatuloy po natin ang misyon ni Tesdaman sa Senado para sa Trabaho, Edukasyon, Serbisyo, Dignidad at Asenso ng bawat Pilipino," ani Villanueva, habang tinutukoy ang kanyang layuning lumikha at i-sustain ang trabaho. Buti na lamang, aniya, at nakapag-train ng mahigit 20 milyong manggagawa ang bansa sa pamamagitan ng TESDA nitong nakaraang dekada. Nanawagan si Villanueva sa pamahalaan na gamitin ang "TESDA way" sa paghahanda ng labor force sa pagbabago ng pangangailangan ng ekonomiya. "Hindi po ba sa gera, naghahanda tayo sa pamamagitan ng pagsasanay ng mga sundalo? Ganun din ang gawin natin ngayon. I-train ang mga manggagawa para sa mga trabahong magbabangon sa ating ekonomiya," he said. Hinamon din niya ang mga kandidato sa pagka-pangulo sa susunod na halalan na gawing prayoridad ang tech-voc education sa kanilang mga plataporma. Aniya, malaki ang maitutulong ng tech-voc graduates sa mabilis na pagbangon ng ekonomiya ng bansa, dahil sila ang mga frontliners sa panahon ng pandemya. Nagtalumpati si Villanueva sa programa, na inorganisa ng National Capital Region office ng TESDA, kung saan 500 indibidwal kabilang ang mga displaced workers, returning OFWs, out of school youth, at employed individuals ang naging bahagi ng Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program, na binuo sa ilalim ng Republic Act No. 11230 Ani Villanueva, principal author at sponsor ng RA No. 11230, na layunin ng batas na palakasin pa ang kwalipikasyon ng mga manggagawang Pilipino upang tugunan ang mabilis na pagbabago sa job market. Layunin ng batas, na pinirmahan noong 2018, na tugunan rin ang job-skills mismatch na laganap sa labor market sa pamamagitan ng pagtutugma ng pangangailangan ng industriya sa kasalukuyang available skills ng mga manggagawa. Nakatanggap ng P1 bilyon sa ilalim ng 2021 national budget ang Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program, na inaasahang makakatulong sa higit 40,000 na katao. Bahagi ito ng National Employment Recovery Strategy na inilunsad ng gobyerno noong Mayo upang ibalik ang mga nawalang trabaho sa job market. The consultative meeting between the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State on the electoral law ended Friday in Rabat after two days of discussions. During this two-day meeting, which was held behind closed doors, the two parties discussed outstanding issues concerning the organization of the presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for December 24, which are a crucial step in bringing the country out of the crisis it is experiencing after 10 years of war. Te meeting which has been held since Thursday in Rabat between the Libyan representatives within the framework of Inter-Libyan discussions aims to agree on the constitutional bases of the next general elections in Libya scheduled for December. This crucial meeting comes at a time the international community has made numerous statements urging for the holding of the polls at the scheduled timetable. The participating delegations issued a statement saying the Rabat meeting on Sept. 30-Oct.1 is a continuation of the momentum created by the Skhirate agreement in 2015, adding that current talks aimed at finding common ground for holding Dec. 24 elections in a spirit of consensus. Talks took place in a friendly and brotherly atmosphere marked by mutual understanding and consensus, the Libyan delegations said in a statement. US Envoy to Libya took part in Rabat talks and voiced hope to see Libyan rivals reach an agreement in two weeks on elections. The US Ambassador Richard Norland said that the representatives of both sides are committed to laying the constitutional foundations paving the way for the holding of these elections as planned. The US diplomat thanked Morocco for hosting this new inter-Libyan meeting, in addition to the previous ones held in Skhirat, Bouznika and Tangier. He expressed hope that the efforts deployed by the Kingdom and the UN would lead to the voting and the formation of a unity government for the return of peace and stability to this country. We call on the international community to support the electoral process in Libya according to mutually-agreed laws and on the basis of the conclusions of the Libyan political dialogue, the participating delegations said in the statement. They also urged the international community to guarantee abidance by the results of elections through sending international observers to oversee the good proceedings of these elections. The delegations expressed gratitude to Morocco for hosting the talks and for supporting the Libyan people in achieving peace and stability in Libya. Morocco has often said that it was ready to offer Libyans conditions propitious for finding a purely Libyan solution to the current crisis without foreign interference. Morocco has also repeatedly insisted on the need to respect the schedule to avoid the deadlock and warned against waiting to find ideal conditions, deeming that they might never take place and thus block the whole positive process that the Libyan dossier has had in recent months thanks to the efforts of all Libyan parties. Your browser does not support the video tag. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Notice body Auburn University and Robins Air Force Base, or RAFB, located in Warner Robins, Georgia, have officially entered into an educational partnership agreement, commemorated with a signing ceremony Tuesday in the Brown-Kopel Center. The agreement strengthens the universitys relationship with the base, opening opportunities for collaborations across common strategic research areas with faculty and students in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. The partnership brings benefits to both RAFB and Auburn Engineering. It will help RAFB to cultivate, recruit and diversify the Air Force workforce, help to develop new technology by engaging with faculty and students, and increase the potential for transfer and commercialization of Air Force technology. In return, Auburn Engineering will gain access to valuable scientific equipment and qualified Air Force scientists and engineers as mentors to students, for collaboration on research and projects and open doors for future career opportunities for students. Find the full story here. Saudi Arabia has inaugurated its state-of-the-art pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, kicking off a six-month World Expo experience that will take visitors from across the world on a journey through the kingdoms rich past, vibrant present, and promising future. The idea of seeing is believing is at the heart of the experiences the Saudi Pavilion offers visitors. The journey showcases a future-forward Saudi Arabia: welcoming, young, diverse, and vibrant. The pavilion represents the Saudi people, ambitious and talented individuals across different sectors, powering the Kingdoms transformation under Vision 2030. Across business opportunity and tourism, culture and nature, Saudi Arabia has much to offer throughout its 13 unique regions including five Unesco World Heritage Sites and the Pavilion enables visitors to get a first glimpse of a fascinating destination that has yet to be discovered. The pavilions inauguration was attended by Mohammad Al-Tuwaijri, Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for Saudi Arabias Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai; Turki Aldakhil, Saudi Ambassador to the UAE and Hussain Hanbazazah, the Commissioner-General of KSA pavilion; and GCC countries ambassadors, and officials and cultural figures from around the world. Traditional Saudi Ardah dancers, wielding ceremonial swords, delivered a dazzling and energetic performance to the beat of folkloric drums and spoken poetry. On the official opening, Al Tuwaijri said: "The pavilion reflects the kingdom's growth and prosperity during the reign of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Our country is at this global forum with its young, renewed spirit and aspiration towards a prosperous future for the region and the world." "Our Pavilion showcases the many ambitious projects under Saudi Vision 2030, formulated by His Highness, the Crown Prince, may God protect him, and embodies our journey to new horizons of development," he stated. Hanbazazah said: "Saudi Arabias participation in Expo 2020 Dubai stems from the Kingdoms cultural values, and its capabilities and ambitions. The pavilion invites visitors to experience the transformation underway in the kingdom under Vision 2030 powered by our welcoming, diverse people and the energy and optimism of the next generation." "The journey also enables the business community to identify, seize and create opportunities in the kingdom, contributing to economic diversification and national development," he stated. According to him, the pavilion offers rich and varied content, activities and programs covering the economy, development and culture, targeting all segments from children and families to businessmen and investors. "All visitors will see Saudi Arabia as it really is: an exciting fusion of old and new - an ancient and evolving tourist destination for adventurers, explorers, and luxury travelers and a destination unlike any other. Our Pavilion is a bridge that will connect the people of Saudi Arabia to the world and will help deepen regional and global ties," he added. The delegation was briefed on Saudi Arabias participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, anchored by four key pillars: People, Opportunity, Heritage, and Nature. The delegation also had the chance to see how the state-of-the-art building fuses architecture with digital technology, expressing their admiration for its unique design which symbolizes the Kingdoms limitless ambition. The pavilion's content was designed under the supervision of an official national committee headed by HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, the Saudi Minister of Culture. The dignitaries were among the first to experience the Pavilions 14 cultural landmarks along a stunning escalator ride, including acclaimed Unesco World Heritage Sites such as At-Turaif District in Ad-Diriyah, Hegra Archaeological Site in AlUla, and Historic Jeddah. The briefing featured an introduction to the audiovisual guide, through which guests can explore 23 destinations such as world-leading giga-projects that are rewriting the possibilities of sustainable development. The visit concluded with a peek of a trail through Saudi Arabias stunning nature. The Saudi pavilion, the second largest after the UAEs, is one of the most sustainable structures at Expo 2020 Dubai. It has been awarded Leed version 4 Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the highest internationally recognized sustainability rating in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The pavilion has earned three Guinness World Records for the largest interactive lighting floor, the longest interactive water feature, and the largest LED interactive digital mirror screen. Al Ramz, one of the largest residential development companies in Saudi Arabia, has partnered with Watheeq property technology (PropTech) Venture Capital Fund, the first such proptech VC fund in the Mena region, as an investor and supporter of its portfolio of start-ups. The partnership between Al Ramz and Watheeq Proptech VC will help the development of affordable, sustainable and quality, quick-to-market residential housing in Saudi Arabia using smart technology. The fund is investing in property technology start-ups that are adopting new technologies such as 3D printing, pre-fabricated buildings, and construction robots, with new business models that are disrupting the real estate industry. This will facilitate the development of residences and result in a much faster real estate life cycle, from construction through to sales and letting, and individual home ownership. The partnership will support the governments commitment to supply 1.5 million homes as part of Vision 2030. Watheeq Proptech VC Managing Partner Khaled Zaidan said: "We are excited that our partnership with Al Ramz will support the government's efforts to provide housing for the rapidly growing, young population through novel, smart technology." "We are dedicated to investing in technologies that are reshaping the traditional real estate assets while improving the quality of life for home owners. Technology can decrease the cost and time of construction, increase the quality of residential housing, and stimulate eco-friendly lifestyles," he noted. "We believe that top-notch entrepreneurs are the growth engine behind every prosperous economy," stated Zaidan. The partnership with Al Ramz is important to The Funds mission to bridge the gap between real estate and technology start-ups in Saudi Arabia. "This is an unprecedented opportunity for the young start-ups in our portfolio to be supported by a large and experienced Saudi residential development company," he added. As one of the largest residential developers in the Saudi residential market, not only will Al Ramz be an investor in the Fund, but will also support The Funds portfolio of companies by providing business development opportunities. AI Ramz CEO Harun Al Rasheed said: "We are delighted to partner with Watheeq to improve the customer's experience in the sector by investing with the fund in many PropTech companies that will improve customer experiences in the real estate sector at its various stages." "Technology companies are the future, and The Fund is providing us with the opportunity to explore local and global markets and to inject fresh creativity to our business,"stated Al Rasheed. "We also trust the fund's team to find the best opportunities for our investment that will have a positive impact on our core business and achieve good returns," he added. Watheeq Proptech VCs relations and partnerships emanate from Mena to reach every region in the world including US, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The shariah-compliant fund is the first of its kind in the region, and is licenced by KSAs Capital Market Authority.-TradeArabia News Service Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) said the proven crude oil reserves in the bloc's member countries increased by 0.3 per cent to 1.237 trillion barrels at the end of 2020, following a firm increase its previous year. At the end of 2020, world proven natural gas reserves fell by 0.4 percent to approximately 206.7 trillion standard cubic metres (cu m). Proven natural gas reserves in Opec member countries stood at 73.74 trillion standard cu m at the end of 2020, down 1.4 per cent from the level at the end of 2019. The Opec on Thursday (September 30) launched the 2021 ASB via videoconference. The launch was attended by Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Opec Secretary General; Professor Thomas Lindner of the Executive Academy at the Vienna University of Economics and Business; as well as Members of Management at the Secretariat. It was livestreamed via the Organisations website and official YouTube account. In its 56th edition, the ASB continues to provide a wide range of data on the global oil and gas industry, in addition to key economic indicators, serving as a leading industry reference for reliable and timely information for various industry stakeholders, including policymakers, academics and industry analysts. The publication contains time-series data detailing key aspects of the petroleum industry, such as production, demand, imports, exports, exploration, transportation and refining. It also features key statistics on the oil and gas activities in Opecs 13 member countries: Algeria, Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Venezuela. In line with the Secretariats efforts to enhance access to the publication, this years ASB is available as an interactive version and a PDF on the Opec website, as well as through a smart app compatible with iOS and Android platforms. In his remarks, the Secretary General emphasised the crucial importance of data accuracy and transparency to supporting stability in the global oil market. "We at Opec are dedicated to enhancing data transparency through broad dissemination of accurate and timely oil and gas data, not only for the ASB, but for all of our publications," he stated. "Indeed, maintaining transparency in all that we do underpins our core goal of establishing sustainable oil market stability." The opening remarks were followed by a panel discussion led by Boshra AlSeiari, Head of Opecs Data Services Department, focusing on the publications key highlights, including: Total world crude oil production declined in 2020 by 6.15 million barrels per day (mb/d), or 8.2 percent, as compared to 2019, to average 69.09 mb/d, marking a historical year-on-year drop notably after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Opec crude oil production declined sharply year-on-year by 3.72 mb/d, or 12.7 percent, while crude production by non-Opec countries fell by 2.43 mb/d, or 5.3 percent. With an average of 90.73 mb/d in 2020, world oil demand was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and fell by a historic 9.30 mb/d y-o-y. OECD oil demand fell sharply in 2020, while in the non-OECD it declined for the first year in history. The oil demand in Opec countries was sluggish last year, losing 8.2 per cent y-o-y. Distillates and gasoline accounted for around 55.1 percent of 2020 world oil demand with a steep downward trend, amid Covid-19 containment measures. Residual fuel oil requirements were about 7.1 percent of total oil demand in 2020. According to the report, the Opec member countries exported an average of 19.70 mb/d of crude oil in 2020, a sharp decrease of about 2.78 mb/d, or 12.4 percent, compared to 2019 and marking the fourth consecutive annual decline. Following the pattern in previous years, the bulk of crude oil from Opec countries 14.43 mb/d or 73.2 per cent was exported to Asia, particularly China and India. Considerable volumes of crude oil about 3.13 mb/d were also exported to OECD Europe in 2020, which, however, represents a decline compared with 3.74 mb/d recorded in 2019. OECD Americas imported 0.84 mb/d of crude oil from Opec countries, which was about 0.38 mb/d, or 31.1 percent, less than the 2019 volumes, it added.-TradeArabia News Service Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd, a global aviation services company, has announced the appointment of Wassim Younan and Firoz Tarapore to DAEs board of directors, effective October 1, 2021. These appointments will increase DAEs board of directors to six: four non-executive directors, an independent non-executive director, and an executive director. Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: DAE welcomes Younan and Tarapore to the board of directors. Their experience complements the board's current skills and experiences and I look forward to working with them. Younan is scheduled to join HPS Investment Partners as a Partner & Vice Chairman for International. He previously held various roles at Goldman Sachs over a 29-year tenure, most recently as the CEO of Goldman Sachs for the Middle East and North Africa region. With more than 37 years experience in the financial services industry, he has worked in six financial centres across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Tarapore is the CEO of DAE, and previously served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of DAE. He is a seasoned finance and operating executive with over 35 years of experience in managing complex, global businesses.-TradeArabia News Service Sharjah Museums Authority will be hosting an exhibition, from October 5-September 2, 2022, to commemorate 50 years of prosperity and development in the aviation field in the UAE. The exhibition 'Sharjah, the First UAE Flying School' will be held at Al Mahatta Museum and will celebrate Emirati Civil Aviation Day as well as the landing of the first airplane in Sharjah. The exhibition tells the story of the first aviation school in the country and the efforts of its founder, late Captain Adel Al Adeeb. It also displays a photographic collection of prominent figures in the country, daily flight records and correspondences, and a collection of Adel Al Adeebs personal items, such as his flight licences and uniform. The exhibition will also feature a copy of a press article about the first Emirati woman to obtain a pilots licence in 1972 as well as a rare collection of documents and photographs.-TradeArabia News Service Tata Sons have emerged as the winning bidder for Air India, a debt-ridden airline that was nationalised in 1953, media reports said on Friday. The selection of Tata Sons to lead the 'Maharaja' may seem like history coming full-circle as it was the same group that built Indias first airlines in 1932 and called it the Tata Airlines. Tata Airlines, which was a brainchild of JRD Tata and a veteran World War I pilot Nevill Vintcent, was renamed Air India in 1946 after it became public. Difficulties like out-of-date aircrafts, inability to pay its employees and lack of adequate service to passengers added to its continual deterioration. The rise of private airlines like Jet Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo also added to its woes once they started offering competitive airfares and better services, reported The Hindustan Times. The salt-to-software conglomerate had submitted the final bid for the airline on September 15, while SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh too was in the race for the airline. However, government sources have confirmed that Tata Sons submitted a higher offer for acquiring the airline. Sources said a ministerial panel led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved the bid submitted by Tata Sons. The development comes a day after a report indicated that the government finalised the minimum reserve price for the airline. The government had finalised the minimum reserve price for the national carrier, based on future cash flow projection, brand value and slots in foreign airports, reported India Today. Sources indicated that the bid submitted by Tata Sons was Rs3,000 crore more than the minimum reserve price set by the government committee. Top sources from the Ministry of Civil Aviation said all formalities for the Air India disinvestment process will be completed by December 2021. With Tata Sons emerging as Air India next owners, this handover could come as a relief for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the enterprise, for decades, was bleeding the government. According to a Reuters report, the government was losing 200 million every day to run the carrier. Air India, so far, has accumulated a debt of 700 billion or $9.53 billion. PM Modi intended to sell the governments entire interest in Air India since voted to power. The loss-making airline has been kept afloat by a bailout since 2012. A panel of ministers accepted a proposal from bureaucrats, who recommended the conglomerates bid ahead of an offer from entrepreneur Ajay Singh, reported Bloomberg citing people with knowledge of the matter. "What was started by JRD Tata is now being completed by Ratan Tata. A homecoming of sorts, the airline founded by JRD Tata, Indias first licensed pilot who piloted Air Indias (then Tata Airlines) first flight in 1932, will now be operated by the Tatas once again," said senior officials. An official announcement is expected in the coming days, two of the people said. Help India! The family of 30-year-old youth Ajjan Imran, who was lynched in Nawada district of Bihar on September 29 and died a day later, are demanding justice and compensation for Ajjans young family. While ten persons have been arrested in the case, the police have denied the communal angle behind the killing. Sami Ahmad | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles BIHAR Ajjan Imran, 30, was lynched by a mob in Gangti village of Ukaura Panchayat under Pakri Barawan police station of Nawada district, around 100 kilometres south of Patna on September 29. He died on the morning of September 30 at a local community health centre. While Ajjan was accused of stealing a tractor battery, his father told TwoCircles.net that this is a malicious fabrication to save the accused as he was asked to come and collect the outstanding money. Nobody, including the police, denies that he was lynched. Ten persons, from the mob of around a hundred people, including the main accused Suresh Sao have been arrested in the case. Suresh owed rupees 12,000 to Ajjan out of the total rupees 17,000 for the thrasher work. Thrashers for wheat are made locally in the area. Ajjan was a welding mechanic in his father Jamil Akhtars iron-grill making shop in Shudanpur village, just a kilometre away from the place of the lynching. Ajjan was the younger son of the two. Jamil Akhtar is inconsolable. He is heartbroken not just for his son, but for his sons widow Parwin Khatoon and their four children. He demands justice for his son. He narrates the story of Ajjans murder and breaks it down for us. Jamil said Ajjans lynching is Qayamat (Doomsday) for us. He was a hard-working man who helped us to run this small shop. He had no enmity with anyone but he used to speak bluntly. He was asked by Suresh to reach Gangti and take the outstanding amount. He went there in the evening but after midnight my nephew Jawed got a call from Sanjay Paswan, the private driver working for the police, who informed that Ajjan was injured and being taken to the hospital but he succumbed to his injuries in the morning, Jamil said. Jamil alleges that the lynching was preplanned as Ajjan was called to reach Gangti despite him not being free to go to Gangti. They must have planned to kill Ajjan. The injury marks confirm that. He was beaten brutally with the nailed wooden planks used for shuttering. His wrist-veins were cut. His hand was fractured. Someone from there told me that he was attacked and the mob was incited with such words as Mima Ke Mar (hit this Mima, local slang for a Muslim), his father said. Though Deputy Superintendent of Police of Pakri Barawan, Mukesh Kumar Saha outrightly rejected this accusation and told TwoCircles.net that while it was true that he had been lynched by the mob but there was no communal angle to it. The other point on which Ajjans family and the police disagree is that why no dying declaration was taken as the FIR is registered on the statement of the victims wife Parwin Khatoon. Jamil said that when they arrived at the hospital, Ajjan was writhing in pain. In his last moments, he told us what had happened in bits and pieces, Jamil added. On the other hand, Dy.S.P. Saha maintains that Ajjan was not in a position to give any statement. The police, however, has no unambiguous reply for the question that if Ajjans condition was that bad why was he not referred to the district hospital. What is known that two chowkidars were deputed there and the police did not care much for his injuries as he was caught as a thief. Jamil further said that Ajjan told them that he was given something to eat by Suresh which was mixed with some drugs. His voice got broken as he was falling unconscious during the treatment. It was easy to beat Ajjan after getting him drugged. As his condition was deteriorating fast he asked for water and after sipping a few drops he breathed his last, he said. A local social activist Shamshad Ahmad Samo claimed that this is the third such incident in recent times in the area. He said that the role of the local police was satisfactory initially but it could have acted more efficiently as it failed to record the dying declaration of Ajjan. The intention of the attackers was evident with the grievous nature of the injury, Samo said. He alleged that the mob had communal elements and demanded that the police must investigate this angle as there are certain radical elements active in that area. If the police so wished, it would know the truth, Samo said. Ajjans father Jamil claims that he was taken to a Bhusa Ghar (a place for putting fodder) and beaten there. Fodder was present in his T-shirt and trouser when his body was taa ken for the Ghusl (bath). Who takes a thief to such a place to beat him? I am sure it is a communal gang who has done this, said Jamil. Shakil Ahmad, former Mukhiya of Pakri Barawan Uttari Panchayat told TwoCircles.net that it was an unfortunate thing to happen. He insists that the accusation of stealing a battery is fabricated. He asks, Why any thief would go to steal in the evening on a bicycle? It is the duty of the administration to arrange proper compensation and a job for the wife of the deceased, Shakil added. Jamils wife Parwin is an intermediate pass and Jamil demands a job for her and compensation. On the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Beijing carries out the largest air incursion in history. Taiwans prime minister calls it military aggression". The action comes as China and Taiwan clash over joining the CPTPP free trade deal. Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Taiwanese government has reported 38 Chinese military jets in its air defence zone, the most massive show of force in the long history of confrontation between Beijing and Taipei. According to Taiwans Ministry of Defence, the incursion took place in two waves on 1 October, 72nd anniversary of the founding of People's Republic of China. A first group of 25 aircraft, including bombers, entered the southwestern part of the air defence identification zone (ADIZ), outside the islands territory and national airspace, during daylight. A second group of 13 planes flew over the same area in the evening. Chinese fighters flew near the Pratas Islands, in the South China Sea just over 300 kilometres from Hong Kong. China has been wantonly engaged in military aggression, damaging regional peace, Taiwan Prime Minister Su Tseng-chang said today. No comments have yet come from Beijing, which considers Taiwan a rebel province. Since the start of the year, China has multiplied its missions in Taiwan, whose independence Beijing does not recognize. These tensions come at a time when both sides are at loggerheads over the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a free trade agreement replacing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pursued by former US president Barack Obama to counter Chinas geopolitical rise. Taiwan submitted its application on 22 September, six days after Chinas. by Vladimir Rozanskij With a strong opposition showing in local election, the country could see snap parliamentary elections. The ruling Georgian Dream party and Saakashvili's United National Movement clash. The former president was arrested upon his return from exile in Ukraine. Moscow (AsiaNews) Municipal elections will be held today in Georgia that could see important changes take place in the country. Depending on the outcome, the opposition could force the government led by the Georgian Dream party to hold early parliamentary election. Meanwhile, Georgias various parties accuse each other of influencing election polls in their favour, undermining the countrys political stability. Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili disdainfully commented the latest Ipsos poll, commissioned by Mtavari Arkhi TV company, which gives the Georgian Dream party 35 per cent of support versus 30 per cent for the main opposition, the United National Movement How is it possible, if all indicators suggest that our party has double their support? Gharibashvili said. According to the ruling party, a poll on 23 September gave them 51.9 per cent, leaving the opposition with only 25.2 per cent. Giorgi Gakharyas For Georgia party was third with 5 to 9 per cent. Gharibashvili promised absolutely peaceful, democratic and free elections for our entire society, in all its expressions. We want the country to continue its development in stability for the next three years, without the shocks, chaos and disintegration that our opponents intend to provoke. The prime minister condemned recent violence in Dmanisi, where a Georgian Dream official wounded two opposition supporters with a knife, claiming he had been provoked. The most heated battleground is Tbilisi, where the office of mayor is up for grabs. In all likelihood, a second round will be necessary to decide the outcome. United National Movements leader Nika Melia appealed to city and suburban voters to come out and vote. He said that if the opposition won more than 40 per cent the government would be forced to hold early parliamentary elections. In his view, the history of Georgia will be rewritten on 3 October. As a matter of honour, we will not leave our country in the hands of bandits and thieves. The ruling partys negative campaign has focused on the National Movement and its founder, former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who was arrested yesterday after returning home from his Ukrainian exile. The other opposition groups, like Giorgi Vashadze's Third Force, are angered by a climate of intransigent confrontation between the two main contenders, fuelled especially by the governing party. On the eve of his return, Saakashvili said he wanted to return to Georgia "to help save the country". According to the former president, with local election this Saturday, "the fate of the nation, its very existence, will be sealed. In 2018, a Georgian court sentenced Saakashvili to six years in prison for abusing his office and trying to conceal evidence of the beating of an opposition member when he was president. Gharibashvili had announced that the police would arrest Saakashvili as soon as he got off the plane. He doesn't need 100,000 supporters, but a dozen good policemen," the prime minister said. The Shia movement led by Moqtada al-Sadr leads ahead of parliamentary elections on 10 October, challenged by pro-Iranian groups. Hitherto hostile to voting, Sunni factions are the dark horse in the race, while Kurds are power brokers. Minorities are weak, Christians included. Iraqs highest Shia authority, Grand Aytollah Ali Sistani, urges Iraqis to vote. Baghdad (AsiaNews) Iraqis are set to vote on 10 October to elect members of the fifth federal legislature since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. In the complex multiparty system that has developed since then, political parties tend to be defined by ethnic and confessional affiliations, which have failed so far to ensure a stable leadership, prevent violence and fight widespread corruption. The election was originally scheduled for next year, but protests in fall of 2019 led to the fall of the government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahd. He was replaced by Mustafa al Kadhimi who said that he would run for re-election. In view of the situation, the countrys leaders decided to bring forward the vote. About 25 million Iraqis are eligible to choose 329 members of the Council of Representatives from a field of more than 3,200 candidates running in 83 constituencies with 25 per cent of seats reserved for women. Among its first tasks, the next parliament must elect Iraqs new president and pick a prime minister; the latter will be task with choosing a cabinet and getting it approved by parliament. Shia groups, which are expected to win, have ruled until now, but they are deeply divided and often at odds with each other over leadership. Like the Chaldean patriarch, Iraqs highest Shia authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, recently issued an appeal against abstention, urging voters to participate consciously and responsibly in the next elections in order to achieve real change. Even if the process has shortcomings and distortions, it remains, he added, "the best way" to move the country towards a "better" future. Here are the main groups vying for parliamentary seats: The Sadrist movement The Sadrist Movement is the political organisation of Shia Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, and is widely expected to emerge as parliament's biggest faction. The Sadr-led Saeroon alliance won 54 seats in 2018, giving Sadr great influence over the government's formation. His movement has used its parliamentary sway to expand its control over large parts of the state. The Sadrist Movement is running on a nationalist platform, setting itself apart from Iran-backed Shia factions. Iran-aligned groups Led by militia commanders who have close ties to Iran, these groupings fall under the Fatah Alliance led by paramilitary leader Hadi al-Amiri, whose bloc came second in 2018 with 48 seats. The Fatah Alliance includes the political wing of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, designated a terrorist organisation by the United States. Its members played a major role in defeating Islamic State group. Shia alliances and others Supporters of former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Hikma Movement of moderate Shia cleric Ammar al-Hakim have joined forces to create the National State Forces Alliance. In 2018, they won 42 and 19 seats respectively. Former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, a leader of the Dawa, one of Iraqs oldest parties, heads the State of Law coalition which won 25 seats in 2018. Maliki is widely blamed for fuelling corruption and taking a hard-line stand against Sunnis that helped the rise of the Islamic State group. Sunni parties Sunni leader Mohammed al-Halbousi, who is also parliamentary speaker, heads the Taqaddum (progress) alliance which includes several leaders from Iraqs Sunni-majority north and west. Halbousi's main competitor is Khamis al-Khanjar, a tycoon who joined the Iran-backed Fatah Alliance after the 2018 election. Khanjar's coalition is called Azm. Sunni parties usually appeal to tribal and clan loyalties, but their relevance is undermined by internal divisions. Since Saddam Husseins fall, some Sunni elements (including some of the late dictators supporters and some Islamic extremists) have tried to discourage voting, calling on Sunnis to boycott elections. Kurds Iraqs Kurdistan region has enjoyed de-facto autonomy since 1991 and became formally autonomous under Iraq's 2005 constitution. Its parties always run in elections and are an important power broker. The two main Kurdish parties are the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which dominates the Kurdish government in the capital Erbil, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party, which dominates areas along the Iranian border and is headquartered in Sulaymaniyah. The KDP won 25 seats in 2018 against 18 for the PUK. Activists While the 2019 protests forced the previous government to resign, little has changed since then. Some of the protesters of 2019 have called for a boycott; others have formed their own parties or joined moderate coalitions. The Imtidad Movement is one of the few activist-led parties fielding candidates, headed by pharmacologist Alaa al-Rikabi, a native of Nasiriyah. Christians Under the law, nine seats are set aside for minorities, five of them for Christians. The main obstacle is the lack of representativeness. Moreover, in the current electoral system non-Christian parties might "divert" votes and seats that should go to minority candidates. by Ngoc Lan In the Diocese of Phu Cuong, the Missionaries of Christs Charity take care of 70 lonely elderly. Living here, I'm never sad, one resident said. For the nuns, love here in this home. Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) Vietnam yesterday marked the International Day of Older Persons. The United Nations chose 1 October as a day to raise awareness about issues concerning the elderly. Vietnams Catholic Church is very much involved in helping senior citizens. One example is the Compassionate Nursing Home in Tan Thong (Diocese of Phu Cuong), where 70 lonely elderly people found a welcoming home. Set up in 1988 by Fr Paul Nguyen Van Khi in Tan Thong parish, the home is currently managed by the Missionaries of Christs Charity, led by Sister Maria Martino Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa. Now retired, Fr Paul still lives in the community celebrating Mass every day for its residents and the nuns. We are 20 Sisters serving 70 lonely elderly people, said Sister Teresa, speaking to AsiaNews. Thank God, we were safe during this pandemic. Only two elderly people died, but for age-related reasons, she explained. We were very cautious, and did not dare go to the market. The people who live here are alone; they have no home, no money, no relatives. More than half are bedridden, while some are blind or disabled. All are looked after by the nuns and by volunteers and doctors who come from outside. The elderly undergo medical checks every week. So far we have had 204 residents; for those who have died we also took care of the funeral. Many elderly people lived on the street because no one wanted them, said Nguyen T. N., a 78-year-old resident. Here, the priests and nuns never leave anyone alone. Living here, I'm never sad, she added. Fr Joseph Nguyen Phat Tai, vicar of Tan Thong parish, often brings guests and benefactors to visit the house. We thought we would come here to bring joy to the elderly, but surprisingly we go home having received joy from them, said Phuong Nga, from the local secondary school parents' association. Sister Linh acknowledges that Ours is not an easy job here, but we have never thought about abandoning out mission and moving to another place. Fr Paul has always told us: love and serve those who suffer more than yourselves. And I see that love here in this home. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Minister Li Likeng Reserved The National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies, ANTIC has come up with a digital signature scheme named DocauthANTIC which is a digital solution that seeks to ease the authentication and verification of official documents. DocauthANTIC enables official documents in Cameroon to be digitally signed thus generating a Quick Response (QR) code in the process which is inserted in the said document digitally. Thanks to this innovative way of sanctioning official documents, users would be able to remotely scan the code on the document using a smartphone, to verify its authenticity and integrity. In Cameroon, the falsification of documents is common. The Minister of Telecommunications Minette Libom Li Likeng says it is gaining ground. With the increase in the penetration rate of the internet and social media (in Cameroon), malicious persons take advantage of naive citizens, forge and circulate fake documents. To authenticate, users have to move to the office they believe to be the source of the document - a painstaking process. Ministries, universities, and examination boards affix scanned signatures on documents and certificates. These documents which bear manual or scanned signatures are highly vulnerable to falsification and cannot be electronically verified; compelling end users to manually check the authenticity of the documents. The Director-General of ANTIC Prof Ebot Ebot Enaw says such checks are prone to errors, and time-consuming. Ebot Ebot says DocauthANTIC offers some assurance to online users as to the safety of their online transactions and interactions and as such helps build trust and confidence in this space (cyber) necessary for the growth and development of the digital economy. DocauthANTIC, according to Ebot Ebot, will promote the digitalization of services in Cameroon and usher in an era of paperless administration which offers a variety of opportunities in terms of improved productivity, enhanced performance, transparency, and accountability. Adoption of digital signatures ANTIC might have worked in vain if the government and the private sector ignores the use of digitally verifiable signatures on documents. But the agency wants the stakeholders to adopt this change and move in tandem with the transformation triggered by Information Communication Technologies, ICTs. The agency brought these stakeholders together for a 3-day seminar in Yaounde from Wednesday, September 29 to Friday, October 2, 2021. It is an avenue to exchange ideas that will raise awareness of public and private institutions on the need to secure the production process of the official documents they issue, thereby preventing their falsification, Ebot Ebot said at the opening of the seminar on Wednesday. Its (ANTIC) approach to vulgarise the use of advanced electronic signatures instituted by Cameroons cybercrime and cybersecurity legislation comes as an opportunity to kick out fraudsters and lend credence to administrative documents published online, the Minister of Telecommunications (tutelage of ANTIC) Minette Libom Li Likeng said as she opened the seminar. Success Stories of ANTIC Besides introducing the digital signature verification process in the country, ANTIC is using the National Public Key Infrastructure, NPKI to encrypt and secure sensitive applications of public and private institutions open to the public, Ebot Ebot said. He cites the Cameroon online e-Procurement System of the Ministry of Public Contracts which allows for the secure bidding of public contracts online. ANTIC has also secured the Single Window for Foreign Trade Operations platform, on which, online payments of foreign trade transactions are carried out; and the Afriland First Bank online banking platform through which customers can apply for school and university loans online. Ebot Ebot says ANTIC has created three electronic massaging platforms for three government ministries, all secured using the NPKI. Senior Pakistan minister government on Friday said that Islamabad is willing to negotiate with members of the terrorist organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) if the outfit wishes to pledge loyalty to the country. The statement came from the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry after Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that the government is in talks with "some" groups of the TTP for disarmament, Geo News reported. "Peace-loving people who wish to follow the Constitution should be given a chance to get back to a normal life," the Minister said during a video message. Meanwhile, Chaudhry also defended PM Imran Khan after his statement that talks must go on with Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) sparked criticism, Geo News reported. PM had said that the government is in talks with some groups of the banned TTP with the aim of having the group lay down their weapons and making them agree to adhere to the country's Constitution. Further, Khan clarified that he is expecting a deal to come out of the talks but again nothing is certain. He sees dialogue as the only solution and is willing to 'forgive' the TTP if an agreement is reached. In another recent development, TTP leader Mufti Wali Noor Mehsud, in an exclusive interview with Japanese media outlet Mainichi Shimbun, had welcomed the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan. "We are hopeful for a strong relationship between the two of us," Noor Mehsud said. Experts believe that the recent developments in Afghanistan have encouraged the TTP members and they want to realise Pashtuns' rule in Pakistan. (ANI) The state of Illinois is focused on economic development as we work to restore our economy from the challenges of the last year and a half, Pritzker spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh said in a statement. As this administration has worked diligently to put the state back on firm fiscal footing, tremendous challenges remain and our efforts will focus on supporting residents hardest hit by the pandemic and helping small businesses get back on their feet. The board has followed the disciplinary process laid out in rule for both private and public schools, she said in a statement. Compliance with the states mask mandate helps keep students and teachers safe, aids in the reduction of community transmission of COVID-19, and positions schools both nonpublic and public to avoid the consequences of failing to adhere to public health requirements. Margaret Trudeau is, in person, exceptionally arresting, an active listener who fixes an intense gaze upon any partner in conversation. Her formidable intellect is immediately obvious, as are her outspokenness, eloquence, vulnerability and personal charm. Words spill rapidly. Some are quips tailored to journalistic needs (Im nervous. Ive never had a director before. Only husbands), but most of what she has to say is direct and disarming in its sincerity. She speaks with the knowledge and resolution of vast experience of fame; of years spent as a fish out of governmental waters, challenged by the confines of a life with constant security details around (you feel that someone is always watching), and then flapping around the gossip columns, not necessarily by choice. In this moment, you get the sense everything and nothing could upset her; that is not entirely clear. The driver of the Malibu was taken in good condition to the same hospital with lacerations to the head. Police said citations were pending against him. The Texas law in question, Senate Bill 8, bans most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, when women often cannot tell theyre pregnant, and with no exceptions for rape or incest. Private citizens can also sue abortion providers or anyone who aids and abets a procedure. The law went into effect at the start of September after the Supreme Court declined to block what then became the most restrictive abortion law in the country. When Motorola opened the $100 million plant in 1997 in the rural hometown of co-founder Paul Galvin, at least an hour-and-a-half drive northwest of Chicago it was the top cellphone maker in the world. The building employed 5,000 people and featured deluxe offices, an auditorium, and two heliports. But as mobile phones shifted from analog to digital, and competitors transferred production to China, the companys sales declined dramatically. The plant closed in 2003. District Chicago, where Trooper Mason was assigned, has had a total of 185 reported expressway shootings in 2021, compared with 83 at this time last year, the statement said. And in 2020 there were more than twice the number of shootings than the 52 expressway shootings in 2019. There were 43 in 2018, according to the state police. The trial is expected to stretch into the coming week, and some questions still linger. If Warrens story about the death pact was true, why did he email two people to tell them hed be home to explain everything in August? If Lathem was the homicidal one, why did Warren join in on the stabbing? And if Lathem was truly just a frightened bystander, why did he accompany Warren on the lam for more than a week instead of going to authorities? The Chinese economy is facing multiple challenges including high commodity prices and sporadic COVID-19 cases, with the latest data pointing to slowing consumption growth and contracting factory activity. A closer look at the economic landscape, however, shows that the resilience and vitality of the world's second-largest economy persist despite headwinds. The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's manufacturing sector came in at 49.6 in September, edging down from 50.1 in August, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Thursday. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction. The growth of consumption, a key pillar of China's economy, slowed in August amid new COVID-19 cases and restriction measures, earlier official data showed. Retail sales of consumer goods went up 2.5 percent year on year in August, down 6 percentage points from the previous month. Floods and sporadic outbreaks of COVID-19 cases have dragged down the growth of consumption and the services industry, and affected progress in investment projects in parts of the country, but China's economy will maintain its recovery momentum, said Li Hui, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Citing improvements in flood-hit and epidemic-affected areas, Li said she is confident that the country has capability and conditions to achieve all economic and social development targets in 2021 despite possible fluctuations in certain monthly indicators in the future due to base effects. Wang Bin, an official with the Ministry of Commerce, noted that the overall momentum of the consumption rebound remains unchanged. China's retail sales of consumer goods are expected to hit 44 trillion yuan (about 6.8 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2021, up 12.5 percent from last year and 8 percent from 2019, Wang said. There are plenty of bright spots in the economy. While manufacturing activity contracted in September, the high-tech manufacturing sector maintained steady development, with its PMI rising to 54, the NBS said. The services sector has also bounced back. The PMI for China's non-manufacturing sector stood at 53.2 in September, returning to the expansion zone after dipping to 47.5 in August. Foreign trade is seen as a key driver underpinning China's economic resilience. Although the pandemic continued to cloud international trade in August and shipping costs rose, China's imports and exports managed to sustain positive growth for a 15th consecutive month, customs data shows. Beating expectations, China's export growth in August jumped to 15.7 percent year on year, nearly twice the 8.1 percent expansion seen in July, bolstered by robust global demand. External trade is expected to continue to perform well in the second half of 2021, though the export growth rate may ease due to base effects, according to the Asian Development Outlook 2021 Update from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Foreign direct investment into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, rose 22.3 percent year on year in the first eight months of the year, as foreign investors remained upbeat about the economy's outlook. The job market remained stable, with the surveyed urban unemployment rate standing at 5.1 percent in August, unchanged from July. The profits of China's major industrial firms saw steady growth, surging 49.5 percent year on year in the January-August period, official data shows. International organizations have recently raised or maintained their growth forecasts for China. The World Bank predicted China's economy will grow by 8.5 percent in 2021, up 0.4 percentage points from its April projection, according to its newly released East Asia and Pacific Fall 2021 Economic Update. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in its latest interim economic outlook, said that the Chinese economy is expected to grow by 8.5 percent in 2021, unchanged from its May forecast. ADB also maintained its projection for China's economic growth, again estimating growth of 8.1 percent in its Asian Development Outlook 2021 Update. "Growth in China will remain strong," the ADB report said, noting that the gradual recovery of consumption is expected to continue, buttressed by improvements in the job market and consumer confidence. Aaditya Mattoo, World Bank chief economist for the East Asia and Pacific Region, attributed China's strong recovery to its efficiency in containing the disease, robust exports supported by sustained recovery abroad, and the government's capacity to provide support. Since the initial COVID-19 outbreak, China has refrained from taking radical stimulus measures. Instead, the country has aimed to maintain the continuity and stability of its macro policies, and make them more targeted and forward-looking. The country has beefed up monetary and fiscal support for its weak links, such as the rural sector and small firms, and has improved the business environment for all types of enterprises to unleash market vigor. "China's potential economic growth rate is expected to remain in the range of 5 percent to 6 percent, and the country has the conditions for implementing normal monetary policies," Yi Gang, governor of the People's Bank of China, said in an article recently published in the Journal of Financial Research. Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said Friday that Hong Kong has truly got on the right track of "one country, two systems" under the double safeguards of the national security law in Hong Kong and the improved electoral system. Hong Kong is now in the best position ever since its return to the motherland to leverage its unique advantages under "one country, two systems" in seeking to integrate into the national development and create a bright future, Lam said at a reception celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong has been not only a "participant" in and a "contributor" to the country's reform and opening-up for more than four decades, but also a "beneficiary" in the process, she said. The investment and business expansion of Hong Kong enterprises in the mainland have contributed to the evolution of Hong Kong into an international financial, commerce and transportation center, as well as expansion in the scope of Hong Kong's professional services, Lam said. With Hong Kong back to the original aspiration of "one country, two systems," as long as Hong Kong remains steadfast on safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and on ensuring the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," Hong Kong enterprises, businessmen and people will have more opportunities and scope for development in the mainland, Lam said. Hong Kong's economy will also gain stronger impetus and its young people will enjoy more diversified career opportunities, she said. As the Chinese Foreign Ministry recently released a fact sheet on the U.S. interference in Hong Kong affairs, Lam said the document shows that the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and the improvement of the electoral system of the HKSAR are indeed necessary. As to a recent report on Hong Kong's business environment released by the HKSAR government, Lam said that despite smearing and defamatory remarks made by foreign politicians and some Western media, Hong Kong's inherent strengths remain intact. Looking forward, the country's strong support for Hong Kong in the national 14th Five-Year Plan, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the new development paradigm of the country, plus the newly unveiled plans on the development of Qianhai and Hengqin, will together create unlimited opportunities for Hong Kong, Lam said. The 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China was celebrated Friday across the country that has achieved the realization of moderate prosperity in all respects. Attending flag-raising ceremonies, paying tribute to the motherland's epic journey from hardship to prosperity, or simply enjoying leisure with family members and friends, Chinese people kicked off a week-long holiday with epidemic control measures in place and consumption in full swing. Some 130,000 people gathered in Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing on Friday morning for a grand national flag-raising ceremony. In the center of the square stands an 18-meter-tall flower basket, a major feature of the recently installed floral displays in downtown Beijing to mark the special day. Zhang Dapeng and his schoolmates from Beijing Normal University arrived at the square on Thursday evening in order not to miss the ceremony filled with jubilation and excitement. "Watching the national flag raised right here on this special day means so much to me," Zhang said. "I want to extend my best wishes to our motherland, and I wish to make my share of contributions to our country's greater future." In south China's Zhuhai City, the ongoing 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition opened to the general public starting Friday. Visitors at the Zhuhai International Air Show Center were amazed by the collection of complex items on display as well as a nearly three-hour air show on Friday. Over 120,000 tickets for the three-day open house sold out, according to the organizers. "I saw lunar soil (brought back by China's Chang'e-5 probe) and a model of the Mars rover Zhurong, and various types of advanced aircraft," a visitor said with excitement, adding that he is proud of China's achievements in aviation and aerospace sectors through decades of technological development. Tens of thousands of moviegoers across the country on Friday chose to watch the highly anticipated war film "The Battle at Lake Changjin," which was released the day prior. Set during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), the film tells the story of Chinese People's Volunteers soldiers fighting bravely in freezing temperatures in a key campaign at Lake Changjin, or Chosin Reservoir. Yang Yongjun, a 62-year-old retired teacher in Kunming, Yunnan Province, and his wife were among the audience. Yang said he has a deep reverence for revolutionary heroes, and that watching the film on National Day, one day after Martyrs' Day, has a special meaning for him. "The film is well made and touching. I simply couldn't hold my tears back when seeing our soldiers freezing to death," he said. "Without the sacrifice of numerous war heroes, our happy life won't be possible. Every Chinese should remember the history and treasure what we have got," he said. All ethnic groups in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have equal access to education, freedom of religious belief and other basic rights, local residents told a press conference on Thursday. Addressing the briefing held in the Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Changji, locals shared their personal stories to refute the fallacies concerning the region's human rights condition concocted by Western anti-China forces. Rural schools in Xinjiang, with continuous improvements to the environment and quality of teaching, have helped change the destiny of many students, said Sanam Ibrayim, a rural school teacher from Changji. Expounding the developments, Ibrayim said one of his former students, Zulfiya Wali, who grew up in a poor Uygur family, was admitted to a major university in Beijing two years ago. Every time Wali returns home for vacation, she would encourage local children to study more at school and even help them with their studies, Ibrayim added. In recent years, Xinjiang has continuously increased its investment in education and implemented a series of policies to subsidize or exempt tuition fees for students. Alim Rahmudul, an Imam from Changji, said that conditions of Xinjiang's mosques have seen great improvements such as expanded indoor space, air-conditioning and hot water supply all throughout the year. "The mosques are thronged by religious practitioners during major Islamic festivals," he said, adding that people are free to choose their religious faith or no faith in Xinjiang. Xinjiang attaches great importance to the preservation and development of the fine traditional culture of all ethnic groups and has promoted the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritages. Abduwali Haliq, a musician living in Changji, is a good player of Tambur, a classic string instrument from Xinjiang. He enjoys exchanging skills with other musicians and always teaches local children to play the instrument. "Those who fabricated the 'cultural genocide' nonsense should not lie through their teeth," said Haliq. Southwestern China's Chengdu city has been working to enhance its research and development capacity in sustainable power systems and drive its biotechnology sector, in a bid to lead the country's development initiatives during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). These two fields, though seemingly unrelated, have both offered tremendous opportunities for the city's companies, research institutes, and universities, creating the necessary space for them to tap into the potential of sci-tech innovation and collaboration. Back in March 2016, Tsinghua University and Sichuan province established Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute, an internet-based energy research institute, aiming to improve the country's energy planning capacity, facilitate the adjustment of its energy infrastructure and commercialize core technologies and research in the field. Addressing the role it plays in China's carbon-neutral future, Liu Yi, deputy dean of the institute, told China.org.cn that the institute strikes a balance between research and development and fills the gap between universities and companies, providing energy-related academic breakthroughs to business partners while bringing industrial updates into campuses. Liu Yi, deputy dean of Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute, Tsinghua University, introduces its latest research to visiting expats on Sept. 28, 2021. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] China's National Energy Administration announced earlier this year that it will take further steps to ramp up large-scale, high-quality and market-oriented renewable energy development and actively build a power system with new energy sources as its mainstay. This means huge opportunities for the institute, especially for Chengdu, as the city has proposed measures to improve its power supply system and step up the construction of energy storage facilities and a smart grid. Electricity is of vital importance for China as the country seeks to achieve its carbon neutrality goal. Liu explained that the effort to cut carbon emissions requires industrial production facilities to be powered by renewable energy, as well as residential homes. The institute has been working to carry out frontier research and industrial cultivation of the energy Internet, Liu said, adding that Chengdu's advantages in supporting policy, talent, and an industrial framework are significant to achieve this target. Still, the institute is not the only establishment in Sichuan gleaning wisdom from cutting-edge fields. Fine medical resources from the West China Hospital, as well as chemical and biological researchers from Sichuan University, have also joined world-leading biotech companies. For example, Chengdu-based biotech enterprise HitGen Inc, which aims to discover and develop innovative drugs based on its core platform of DNA encoded libraries, now has a research team of more than 500 scientists and offers a full set of research capabilities in the field. The company is also actively collaborating with pharmaceutical, biotech and chemical companies, as well as research institutes around the world to enable the discovery and development of novel medicines and agrochemicals. Expats visit labs at HitGen in Chengdu, southwestern China's Sichuan province on Sept. 28, 2021. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] Given the significant growth of biotech companies in the city, the biomedical industry has become a leading sector of the Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (CDHT). Statistics from the CDHT reveal that the scale of Chengdu's biomedical industry exceeded 60 billion yuan in 2020, of which the industrial output value above the designated size reached 26.6 billion yuan. As China increases efforts to build the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, the city's biotech industry is expected to play an integral role in disseminating vital information across the country and bolstering the region's development. Flash In a China-built hospital in southern Afghanistan, patients awaiting treatment deem themselves lucky despite their illnesses as many of their country folks could hardly access any medical facility due to destruction in years of war and lack of resources. The Mirwais Regional Hospital, built by China more than four decades ago in Kandahar province as a gift for the Afghan people, is named after former Afghan king Mirwais Khan, and is also known as "Chinayano Shafakhana" in the Pashto language, meaning "Chinese Hospital." The hospital, with departments such as surgery, cardiology, neurology, dermatology, gynaecology and obstetrics, as well as pediatrics, has become a major health center in the country's southern region, and receives patients from across Kandahar and neighboring provinces. Local resident Mohammad Ayoub took his son to the hospital after the latter got wounded in a landmine explosion. "I came from Uruzgan province. There are hospitals in Uruzgan, but they have no equipment and there is a shortage of critical medical supplies. After my son was wounded, villagers asked me to take him to Chinayano Shafakhana in Kandahar, and they said it is a well-equipped facility," Ayoub told Xinhua on Thursday. "Thanks to China for building this hospital decades ago. Today this facility provides service to patients and their attendants. This hospital has good doctors and nurses; they are professional and kind," he said. "I'm from Garmser district in Helmand province. Our village is located in a desert. We have no equipped health clinic in Garmser. I took my son who was suffering from burn injuries (here). He is recovering in this hospital now," Mohammad Wali, a Garmser villager, told Xinhua. "This hospital, which receives hundreds of patients and war-injured, is very famous. It has kindhearted personnel; this is the only advanced hospital in this region. We are satisfied with the hospital service here," Wali said. "The Mirwais Regional Hospital had 350 beds when it opened, but the facility has expanded during the past years. Now, it has 620 beds," Dr. Mohammad Qasim told Xinhua, noting the hospital had admitted about 30,000 patients, including around 7,000 inpatients, on a monthly average basis before the U.S. withdrawal from the country. Following the Taliban takeover, the number of admissions to the hospital soared to approximately 60,000 in one month, including about 10,000 inpatients, said Qasim, physician-in-chief of the hospital. "Now the country is calm, and there is no fighting and war, so people can move freely and take their patients from villages and far-flung areas to provincial capitals," he said. The facility has also treated hundreds of COVID-19 patients since the coronavirus was detected in Afghanistan in February 2020, Qasim said. However, though the situation in Afghanistan has remained stable since mid-August, the country is still suffering economic hardship and a humanitarian crisis. But what made things worse is an international aid freeze, which could shutter a majority of Afghanistan's public health facilities. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization warned of the deteriorating health situation in Afghanistan, considering that "access to health care is decreasing." According to the organization, only 17 percent of the over 2,300 health facilities previously supported by the World Bank are fully functional. "Two thirds of these health facilities have run out of essential medicines. WHO is working with donors to sustain these health facilities to prevent a surge in deaths." The increase in people seeking treatment has put local hospitals, including the Chinese hospital, under even greater strain. "The number of the war-injured has dropped nearly to zero," Qasim said. "But our hospital is overburdened to the point that the number of patients has doubled amid a severe shortage of capabilities and supplies in some local hospitals in neighboring provinces." "We are in fear that our hospital may face a shortage of essential health necessities and life-saving medical items," he said. A silver lining at this challenging moment was the timely arrival of medical supplies donated by China. On Wednesday night, a batch of emergency supplies from China arrived at Afghanistan's Kabul International Airport. At the handover ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Wang Yu said China will continue to prepare other aid, including food, which is expected to arrive before long. Flash The completion ceremony of a China-donated vocational training institute was held on Friday in Gwadar of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province. As an important project for public well-being under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Gwadar Technical and Vocational Institute was constructed by the China Harbor Engineering Company, with an aim to meet the urgent need of the locals in Gwadar and promote the sustainable development of the area. Addressing the ceremony, Chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority Naseer Khan Kashani expressed his gratitude to China for the grant of the project and to the Chinese engineers and workers who have completed this institute ahead of schedule despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pakistan has benefited a lot from the energy and transport infrastructure projects under CPEC, while the socio-economic projects of the Corridor are also very important for the South Asian country, Kashani said, adding that the Gwadar Port Authority will make the best use of the institute with comprehensive planning to offer the locals training opportunities to enable them to get better jobs and live a better life. In a video message, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong said the completion of the institute marks a great milestone of CPEC, and is also a long-expected event for the Gwadar people. "During its construction, the project provided more than 1,000 jobs to local people. After completion, it can accommodate 360 trainees at one time, and provide training opportunities for at least 1,000 people every year," said Nong, adding that the institute will serve as an "incubator" for high-quality and skilled workers for Gwadar and even Balochistan after functioning. The embassy will always serve as a bridge to enhance pragmatic bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan, helping to enrich and deepen the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and to build closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, Nong noted. The technical and vocational institute has facilities for teaching and training and dormitories, while the construction of the project officially started in January of 2020. Flash The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Friday that the Ethiopian government's decision to expel the UNICEF representative in the country -- along with six other UN officials -- is "regrettable and alarming." UNICEF has been present in Ethiopia for more than 60 years, working to advance and protect the rights of the most vulnerable children. As the humanitarian situation in the country deteriorates -- with children bearing the brunt -- the fund's work is more urgent than ever, said UNICEF in a statement. "We have full confidence in the teams working on the ground to save children's lives, guided -- as always -- by the principles of impartiality, humanity, neutrality and independence. Our programs will continue. Our one and only priority is to support the children who urgently need our help, wherever they are," said the statement. The Foreign Ministry of Ethiopia on Thursday declared seven UN officials persona non grata for "meddling in the internal affairs" of the country. They were given 72 hours to leave Ethiopia. Adele Khodr, UNICEF's representative in the country, is among the seven UN officials. The United Nations said Friday that it is the long-standing legal position of the organization not to accept the application of the doctrine of persona non grata with respect to United Nations officials. "This is a doctrine that applies to diplomatic agents accredited by one state to another state. The application of this doctrine to United Nations officials is contrary to obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and the privileges and immunities to be accorded to the United Nations and its officials," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The United Nations was sending a note verbale to the Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations in New York to clarify its legal position. In a telephone conversation with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Guterres informed Abiy of the UN position, said Haq. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry on Friday accused the UN officials of breaching a memorandum of understanding concerning access to Ethiopia's Tigray region signed in November 2020. The breaches, said the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry in a press release, included the diversion of humanitarian assistance to rebels, violation of agreed-upon security arrangements, and transfer of communication equipment to rebels. Flash Some 75 countries, including China, on Friday called for global solidarity for vaccine equity at the General Debate of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. The pandemic knows no borders. The only solution lies in global solidarity, unity and multilateral cooperation, said the countries in a joint statement. "We call on all states and stakeholders to strengthen solidarity and international cooperation to contain, mitigate and overcome the pandemic and its consequences, ensure protection for those most affected, including women, children, youth, the older persons and persons with disabilities, and take measures to counter misinformation, disinformation, stigmatization, racism and xenophobia," said the statement, read by Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. The joint statement recognizes the need to begin treating the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public good for health. It commends the contributions made by relevant countries and platforms such as Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and its vaccine pillar, the COVAX facility, for promoting vaccine accessibility and affordability through bilateral and multilateral channels. However, vaccine equity is still far from being reached. The progress on vaccine roll-out has been widely uneven and unfair. Many countries, in particular the developing world, still lack adequate access to available and affordable vaccines, said the statement. "We are also worried by disturbing trend of vaccine nationalism and stockpiling of vaccine doses beyond need. In that regard, we welcome the World Health Organization's call to prioritize vaccinating the people most at-risk around the world who are yet to receive their first dose." The joint statement calls on all states and relevant stakeholders to step up coordinated and concerted efforts for fair and equitable distribution of vaccines in developing countries. It also calls on capable vaccine-producing countries to translate their commitments into action and ensure timely and adequate delivery of vaccine support to receiving countries. The joint statement encourages support to the ACT Accelerator and COVAX and calls on international financial institutions and other international organizations to provide financial support for vaccine procurement and for strengthening production capabilities in developing countries. It welcomes the efforts of civil society, the private sector, academia and all relevant stakeholders in vaccine research, production and delivery, and calls on all states and all stakeholders to strengthen global solidarity and jointly promote the fair, affordable, equitable, timely and universal distribution and strengthen local production of vaccines around the world. NorthShore University HealthSystem Must Obey the Law NEWS PROVIDED BY Liberty Counsel Oct 1, 2021 EVANSTON, Ill., Oct 1, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Liberty Counsel sent a demand letter to NorthShore University HealthSystem on behalf of 14 health care workers and numerous others who have been unlawfully discriminated against and denied religious exemptions from the COVID shot mandate. NorthShore must immediately obey the law and provide reasonable accommodations to its employees to avoid litigation. In their religious exemption requests, the health care workers that Liberty Counsel represents all included their sincerely held religious beliefs against abortion and the connection of all available COVID injections to aborted fetal cell lines. In fact, all three of the currently available COVID injections are produced by, derived from, manufactured with, tested on, developed with, or otherwise connected to or "associated" with aborted fetal cell lines. NorthShore previously granted exemptions for some employees but then denied them in mid-September. Those denials were either without explanation or because the requests failed to meet some so-called "evidence-based criteria" that NorthShore never provided the employees in advance. NorthShore then only gave employees three business days to file an appeal without stating what was missing in the original application. In that appeal, NorthShore also apparently judged the validity of their religious beliefs by requiring them to include their entire vaccination history since the age of eighteen. However, NorthShore never requested employees to provide prior vaccine information in their initial exemption requests. After denying these employees, NorthShore also changed its exemption form to include a warning that all religious objections based on "aborted fetal cell lines, stem cells, tissue or derivative materials will result in denials." NorthShore is falsely deceptive in that form by stating that the COVID-19 injections have no link to aborted fetal cell lines and refuting the religious beliefs of health care workers who object to the undeniable connection of the injections to aborted fetal cell lines. Illinois law dictates that employees at NorthShore University HealthSystem have the fundamental right to determine what medical care to accept and refuse. In fact, Illinois has a Health Care Right of Conscience Act that provides strong protection to all residents against discrimination based on health care choices. It states: "It shall be unlawful for any person, public or private institution, or public official to discriminate against any person in any manner, including but not limited to, licensing, hiring, promotion, or any other privileges, because of such person's conscientious refusal to receive, obtain, accept or participate in any way in any particular form of health care services contrary to his or her conscience" (emphasis added). Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "NorthShore University HealthSystem must obey state and federal law and grant reasonable accommodations to its employees whose sincere religious beliefs prohibit them from receiving these COVID shots. NorthShore must also revise its deceptive and unlawful religious exemption form." Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost. SOURCE Liberty Counsel CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org Related Links lc.org/ Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Market Research Report By Types (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Manufacturing, Finished Dosage Formulation (FDF) Market)-Forecast till 2027 Market Scenario The global pharmaceutical contract manufacturing market is presumed to register 7.2 % CAGR during the forecast period (2017-2023) owing to the growing investment in R&D activities, asserts Market Research Future (MRFR). The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a dynamic change. Pricing pressure, pipeline challenges, and emerging markets are redesigning the way companies operate. Pharmaceutical providers need to alter as well. Contract manufacturers that distinguish their abilities and offerings will be able to retain their customers and expand their business within the competitive market. also read @ http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pharmaceutical-contract-manufacturing-market-size-2020-global-trends-industry-analysis-top-companies-merger-regional-outlook-revenue-2021-01-17 Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Market Top Boosters and Restraints Benefits such as saving of cost and time associated with outsourcing have boosted the demand for pharmaceutical contract manufacturing worldwide. More and more vendors are spending heavily on personnel, technology and infrastructure to up their outsourcing revenue. The surge in patent cliff for biologic drugs and the growing presence of end-to-end service vendors engaged in offering value added services for a risk sharing business model also bolsters the markets global position. Adding to the market revenue is the slew of novel drug delivery mechanisms as well as new product launches, which fuel the outsourcing demand. Expanding product pipeline has also driven advancements in service based market, in line with the increasing significance of generics, biosimilars and biologics. Companies are expending significantly on outsourcing their burgeoning biologics pipeline aimed at treating chronic disorders. One of the reasons for companies growing interest in outsourcing could be the One-stop-shop aspect provided by CMO as a way of promoting their diversified product portfolio. Also, consolidation and differentiation strategies increasingly being taken up by Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Market firms can foster the projected growth in the following years. One of the major trends among pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms is the consolidation of industry outsourcing, parallel acquisitions and mergers. Adding on to this, service providers, in order to fortify their market position, are engaging in business profile upgradation by variegating their product range or business units. Continuously indulging in technological advancements to enhance the quality of their services, in terms of design and more, players are exhibiting their competitive streak at every opportunity. For instance, in August 2020, Bushu, a renowned contract manufacturer in Japan, is set to allocate close to USD 100 million to boost its packaging, fill-finish and cold storage capabilities at its plant in the coming five years, with the intention of drawing in more number of global pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Market Regional Analysis Europe, the Middle East and Africa/MEA, the Americas and APAC/Asia Pacific are the key markets for pharmaceutical contract manufacturing. The Americas is currently the leading market for pharmaceutical contract manufacturing and can touch USD 40,041.5 million by 2023, thereby maintaining its top position in the coming years. The market lucrativeness in the region is the result of the massive pool of vendors outsourcing their projects to emerging countries. The continuous advancements in the U.S. healthcare sector and the consistent growth in the geriatric populace also lead to high revenue generation. The fast surging uptake of biologics, rise in researches by leading biotechnology firms and the augmented demand for generics also contribute to the market growth in the region. Europe remains at the second position as the pharmaceutical contract manufacturing market has been advancing rapidly in recent years in the region. The increasing support from various government bodies in terms of large funds for research & development is cited to be the top growth inducer in the market. Touted to procure a CAGR of 7.7% between 2017 and 2023, APAC can be the fastest progressing market. Technology-based improvements along with the burgeoning patient pool in the region have sparked immense market growth over the years. Colossal investments by leading CMOs have also resulted in exponential advancement of the regional market. Development of the healthcare infrastructure and the feverously expanding capacity of API manufacturing in China combined with Indias growing clout as a hub for formulation manufacturing and development also favor the APAC market. Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Market Leading Companies Some of the top companies in the global industry include Vetter, Pharmaceutical Product Development, S.A, Patheon Inc., Catalant, Lonza AG, Grifols International, Boehringer Ingelheim, AbbVie Inc, to name a few. Obtain Premium Research Report Details, Considering the impact of COVID-19 @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pharmaceutical-contract-manufacturing-market-1532 RELATED REPORTS Global Digestible Sensors Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027 Global Blood Glucose Test Strip Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027 Global Urology Devices Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact: Market Research Future The global Cell Culture Media for Vaccine Market report offers a comprehensive assessment of the market for the forecast years. The report contains several segments and an analysis of the market trends and growth factors that are playing a vital role in the market. These factors encompass the drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This global industry offers an outlook on the strategic development of the market in terms of revenue profits over the forecast period 2021-2026. The key market players for the global Cell Culture Media for Vaccine market are listed below: HiMedia Laboratories Thermo Fisher Scientific Sartorius Bovogen Biologicals Rocky Mountain Biologicals Valley Biomedical Moregate BioTech Atlanta Biologicals Creative-Biolabs Life Technologies (India) Axil Scientific Indian Immunologicals Valneva SE Lonza Others Click here to get a FREE Sample Copy of the Cell Culture Media for Vaccine Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-18783 The Global Cell Culture Media for Vaccine Market Report is equipped with market data from 2016 to 2026. The report gives a market overview covering key drivers and risk factors. The report is bifurcated by top global manufactures mentioning sales, revenue, and prices as applicable. It also evaluates the competitive scenario of the leading players. The report expands to cover regional market data along with type and application. The report forecasts sales and revenue from 2021 to 2026. The detailed sales channel is also covered in the study. COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Cell Culture Media for Vaccine Market The global pandemic COVID-19 has affected the Cell Culture Media for Vaccine market directly or indirectly. This study covers a separate section giving an explicitly clear understanding of the aftereffects of this pandemic. The detailed study highlights the probable outcomes of this global crisis on the Cell Culture Media for Vaccine industry. The impact study on production, supply-demand, and sales provides a holistic approach to the future. Do You Have Any Query Or Report Customization? Ask Our Market Expert @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/ask-questions-18783 Why Purchase this Report? A robust research methodology has been followed to collect data for the report. Data, thus collected passes through multiple quality checks to ensure the best quality is served. The report gives a holistic view of the competitive scenario of the Cell Culture Media for Vaccine market The latest product launches along with technological changes and development are covered in the report. The data analysis in the report helps in understanding the anticipated Cell Culture Media for Vaccine market dynamics from 2021 to 2026. DecisionDatabases has a vast repository of data, therefore, we can accommodate customized requirements also. The graphs, tables and pie charts, and info-graphics covered in the report will help in a better understanding of the report. The market drivers, restraints, upcoming opportunities, and anticipated restraints cited in the report will assist in making an informed decision. To better understand the market scenario, the Cell Culture Media for Vaccine market is segmented as below: By Types: Bovine Derived Porcine Derived Animal-Free/Serum-Free Cell Culture By Applications: Human Vaccine Animal Vaccine By Regions: North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) (U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe (U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Central & Eastern Europe) (U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Central & Eastern Europe) Asia Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, India, Rest of Asia Pacific) (China, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, India, Rest of Asia Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Rest of L.A.) (Brazil, Rest of L.A.) The Middle East and Africa (Turkey, GCC, Rest of Middle East) The content of the study subjects includes a total of 14 chapters: Chapter 1: To describe Cell Culture Media for Vaccine product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force, and market risks. Chapter 2: To profile the top manufacturers of Cell Culture Media for Vaccine, with price, sales, revenue, and global market share of Cell Culture Media for Vaccine in 2018 and 2019. Chapter 3: The Cell Culture Media for Vaccine competitive situation, sales, revenue, and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast. Chapter 4: The Cell Culture Media for Vaccine breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue, and growth by region, from 2015 to 2020. Chapter 5 and 6: To segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2015 to 2020. Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11: To break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue, and market share for key countries in the world, from 2016 to 2021 and Cell Culture Media for Vaccine market forecast, by regions, type, and application, with sales and revenue, from 2021 to 2026. Chapter 12, 13 & 14: To describe Cell Culture Media for Vaccine sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix, and data source. Directly Purchase the Complete Global Cell Culture Media for Vaccine Market Research Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/buy-now-18783 About Us: DecisionDatabases.com is a global business research report provider, enriching decision-makers, and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research reports, customized research reports, company profiles, and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise, and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For more details: DecisionDatabases.com E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com Phone: +91 90 28 057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ Reference Source: https://view.publitas.com/decisiondatabases-com-_vzxge7jabyb/cell-culture-media-for-vaccine-market-research-report-from-2021-to-2026/ Special guests Adrian Grenier & Emily Ratajkowski NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CoinGeek will be hosting the first BSV Blockchain NFT Auction and Cocktail Party on the eve of the latest CoinGeek Conference, which showcases the amazing opportunities on BSV, the largest utility public blockchain.A To celebrate the return of its conference both to the city of New York and to in-person events, CoinGeek looks forward to welcoming celebrities and VIP guests including actor, environmentalist, impact investor, co-founder of Lonely Whale and DuContra Ventures and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Adrian Grenier (star of Netflix's Clickbait and HBO's Entourage), along with entrepreneur, writer, actress, model and activist Emily Ratajkowski for this special evening of cocktails, canapes and blockchain at Guastavino's* on Monday, October ! 4, 2021, from 7-10pm EST. As well as enjoying the fabulous food and drink created by the Guastavino's team, guests will be able to bid on a selection of exclusive Auction items using BSV tokens, including: Create your own NFT. A live artist installation where guests have their own sketch created by one of three up-and-coming artists. They will be created digitally at the event and minted into an NFT on the spot Digital NFTs created with celebrities An exclusive Franck Muller Watch A Limited-Edition Champagne Magnum bottle donated by BSAV.io Items from Bullish Art Showcase of work from artist Nicola Dana Guests will be airdropped BSV Tokens into their MoneyButton wallet that will allow them to bid on and win auction items.A The proceeds of the event will go the American Heart AssociationA -A HEART.ORG The evening will also include wine tasting with Carrie Lyn Strong, sommelier, educator and founder of Strong Wine Consulting, plus live art created at the event by Nicola Dana.A Adrian Grenier said: "I am really interested in continuing to learn as much as I can about the utility of blockchain and how it can be used.A The peer-to-peer element of it particularly appeals to me a the sense of ownership and control that comes with that, and taking power away from centralized authorities so individuals can manage their own finances safely and effectively. I am looking forward to increasing my understanding of BSV and blockchain at the CoinGeek Conference." Emily RatajkowskiA said: "I'm interested in the NFT space as someone who has traditionally been unable to have ownership over my likeness." *Guastavino's is a landmark New York venue located on East 59th Street, under the Queensboro Bridge. About 8th CoinGeek Conference a taking place Oct 5-7, Sheraton Times Square: CoinGeek ConferenceA is a forward thinking blockchain conference focused on promoting actual use of Bitcoin, not as a speculative trading asset a but as a data protocol and distributed data network, and scalable technology platform (like IP protocol is for the Internet). This conference focuses primarily on the technological capabilities of the Bitcoin SV (BSV) blockchain a which follows the original Bitcoin protocol created by Dr. Craig S. Wright (who is the US Copyright holder of and author of the Bitcoin White Paper). A Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1640919/Emily_Ratajkowski_for_CoinGeek.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1640920/Adrian_Grenier_for_CoinGeek.jpg Logo -A https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1640921/CoinGeek_Logo.jpg A Chennai: The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to give effect to a 1994 GO which dealt with providing permanent recognition to private schools in the state. Justice N Anand Venkateh gave the direction recently while disposing of a batch of about 50 writ petitions from All India Private Educational Institutions Association, by its general secretary K Palaniappan and other private institutions, which prayed for a direction to the government to give effect to the GO dated September 2, 1994. The judge directed the government to give effect to the GO till it is kept in force. A decision shall be taken in this regard within 6 weeks, the judge said. Earlier, the School Education Director submitted that the GO in question was issued in 1994 and subsequently, various incidents had taken place and several other GOs were passed and therefore, the 1994 GO had become otiose. The judge said that a careful reading of all the subsequent GOs that were brought to the notice of the court by the Additional Advocate General shows that there is absolutely no reference to the 1994 GO in any of the subsequent ones. "In view of the same, it cannot be assumed that the Go.Ms.No.752 has been subsumed by the later Government orders. In view of this, all these writ petitions are disposed of with a direction to the respondents to give effect to the 1994 GO till it is kept in force. A decision shall be taken in this regard by the 2nd respondent (School Education Director) within a period of 6 weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of this order," the judge said. Contrary to the impression given by former Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu that Charanjit Singh Channi was his choice for the chief ministers post, it was actually state finance minister Manpreet Badal who proposed his name. By now it is well-known that Mr Sidhu wanted the chief ministers post for himself. It was for this reason that he objected to Sukhjinder Singh Randhawas candidature on the plea that it would send out a wrong signal if both top posts in the party and the government are held by Jat Sikhs. It was during the course of these discussions when Mr Sidhu stepped out of the meeting, that Mr Badal proposed Mr Channi for the top job. It was argued that not only is Mr Channi a Sikh but also a dalit and that his appointment would help the Congress consolidate the Scheduled Caste vote in next years Assembly polls. Mr Sidhu was not happy with this decision but could not veto this choice or else he have been dubbed as anti-dalit. But this rankled Mr Sidhu. However, he saw red when Mr Channi chose to consult Mr Badal on official appointments and other policy matters on taking over as chief minister. This proved to be the last straw which drove Mr Sidhu to send in his resignation. He, therefore, made it clear that he will return as state party chief on the condition that Mr Channi consults him on important issues. It is now clear that poll strategist Prashant Kishors dalliance with the Congress is in the past. A few months ago there was a serious discussion in the Congress about inducting Mr Kishor but the leadership could not arrive at any firm decision. Meanwhile, Mr Kishor has gone back to assisting West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee who is working on expanding the footprint of the Trinamul Congress to other states, beginning with Tripura and Goa. At the same time, Mr Kishor has his eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He is working at bringing together 500-odd former civil servants, academics, writers and activists on a common platform to come up with an ideological counter to the BJPs Hindu nationalist agenda and also flag issues which should be prioritised by the Opposition camp in the run-up to the general election. The fledgling group gathered under the banner India Deserves Better for initial deliberations last month. Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP national general secretary, who also looks after West Bengal affairs was among those who was stationed in Kolkata to oversee the highly personalised campaign against Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in the Assembly polls earlier this year. The prolonged election campaign witnessed a lot of drama and clashes between the two political opponents. But Mr Vijayvargiya has not been seen in West Bengal ever since the BJP lost out to the Trinamul Congress. The BJP leader is apparently staying away from Kolkata because he was told the Mamata Banerjee government has filed a number of cases against him and there is a possibility he would be arrested if he enters the state. As a result, Mr Vijayvargiya has been conducting online meetings with the party office bearers. By-elections to one Lok Sabha and three Assembly seats are to be held in Madhya Pradesh on October 30. The polls are still a month away but chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has already got into election mode. He has started touring the state and has visited the poll-bound constituencies with more such visits to follow. On the other hand, the Congress partys poll plans have made little headway. Kamal Nath, president of the Madhya Pradesh Congress unit, has been busy helping the party leadership in Delhi to resolve the Punjab crisis. In fact Mr Nath, who suffers from acute asthma, was supposed to fly to the US for treatment but had to call off his trip as he was roped in to placate former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh. After lying low for several months now, former ministers Renuka Chowdhury of the Congress and the BJPs Uma Bharti have become more vocal and visible on social media, leading to speculation that they are pushing for their rehabilitation in the party. Though Renuka Chowdhury was among the 23 Congress leaders who wrote to Sonia Gandhi last year seeking an organisational overhaul, she has not been active like her other colleagues. Instead, she has been retweeting the partys tweets on Rahul Gandhis various public appearances and even lashed out at a television anchor for insulting the former Congress president. There is talk that she is eyeing a post in the party organization as the Telangana state unit is expected to be revamped soon. Similarly, Uma Bharti has been in virtual self-exile after she decided to sit out the 2019 Lok Sabha election. She has been full of praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter and also made a strong case for giving greater representation to Dalits and backward classes in the party and government. Incidentally, Uma Bharti is a Lodh, classified as a backward caste. The Nazi doctor, Josef Mengele, who worked in death camps, was called 'The Angel of Death.' During this time, he was busy conducting biological experiments on inmates chosen explicitly for his studies. Dr. Josef Mengele of Auschwitz-Berkenau was called The Angel of Death Mengele gained notoriety for what can be called a violation of human rights that should have been given to concentration camp prisoners. Many who were spared from the gas chamber or execution by the Schutzstaffel (SS) or political soldiers of the Nazi only found their way to the 'Angel of Death' himself. Many would have preferred not getting saved. The activities of Dr. Mengele were nothing short of inhumanly cruel. One experiment with two identical siblings, sewn together in a bizarre experiment creating Frankenstein's equivalent, artificial designed conjoined twin, reports the Sun UK. He became a hunter war criminal for his medical experiments and avoided getting sentence at the famous Nuremberg trial escaping justice about 75-years ago. Later, he went to South America and died of old age and natural causes after the horrors he inflicted as the Angel of Death in Poland. Patients of the Nazi Doctor survived their ordeal Not all lab subjects died in his dark experiments on the human body. Others lived to tell the atrocities committed against them. One survivor, Eva Mozes Kor, with her twin Miriam was part of the obscene experiments, both cruel and inhuman. The sisters were injected with diseases and chemicals, then left to die, but they survived miraculously. This Nazi doctor, called 'The Angel of Death,' oversaw the terrible proceedings. Read Also: Vengeance Weapon Found? Nazi V-2 Superweapon Discovered Lying Underground for 77-years in Kent Field Kor recalled they were the lucky ones. Some, like Gypsy twins, were the ones with back sewn together to create Siamese twins. His experiments to check how similar they were, but in three days, they died. Attempt to transform teenage boys into girls into the opposite sex was attempted by total blood transfusions and castration of boys as part of his studies. The Angel of Death has a fascination for twins. Through his experiments, he got 700 twins or more in his lab and study table. It was usual to test all these twins infecting them with viruses. After his biology experiments, one would die to be dissected. But the other lives on knowing what happened. Angel of Death investigated abnormalities Mengele's interest in studies of different people like little people, giants, hunchbacks with anything unnatural led him to study them. For the doctor, these different conditions of people made him a 'Deranged Collector' for his laboratory of horrors for his medical curiosity. All these inhuman lab experiments on races other than Germans prove the infallibility of the Aryan race. Auschwitz's chief medic and madman would be on the ramp, where he chooses newbies meticulously before they get huddled like beasts in the death camp, cited History. He seemed to enjoy how he selected the ones for hard labor, while the weak would be gassed soon as can be done. But Doctor Mengele, called 'The Angel of Death,' was on the lookout to get twins and special prisoners to be included in his questionable medical experiments. None of the prisoners knew what fate waited for them when saved from execution and the horrible destiny ahead. Related Article: Hitler's Weird Stone Henge: Does It Hide Secret Tunnels to Experiment Aircraft Before Modern Prototypes? @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An online business, compared to its brick-and-mortar counterpart, has numerous advantages in its favor. Alongside the likes of additional convenience and no geographical limitations, one of the biggest benefits of residing on the internet is the typical reduction in operating costs across the board. With an online company, commercial property rental, staff members, and other resources can be significantly reduced - and, in some cases, eliminated entirely. Expenses are so low there are many business ideas that cost less than $100 to get up and running. Nevertheless, in the effort to maximize the chances of your online business thriving, there are certain elements where you shouldn't cut corners and be restrictive with your budget. Below are four examples. 1. Website design Unless you're active exclusively on ecommerce marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy - which isn't recommended - your online business needs a website. The good news: it has never been easier to build a website on your own. Platforms such as Squarespace, Shopify, and Wix have made it viable for non-tech-savvy business owners to craft and launch a professional site within a matter of hours. The bad news: those aforementioned platforms all have limitations, to the extent you're unlikely to produce your dream vision. There's also a lot more to web design than simply a pretty aesthetic. It needs to function seamlessly. It needs to be lightning-fast to load. Plus, many SEO elements have to be factored into the equation to score brownie points with Google and rank high in relevant search results. With so much to consider, it's unwise to go into the process of web design alone - particularly if you have no prior experience in the field. Instead, it's recommended to go with a professional, versatile, and reputable web design company like ALT Agency. By taking this route, you know all bases are covered, no coding flaws lie under the surface, and your site is a modern, feature-packed powerhouse. Your website is central to whether your online business fails or succeeds, and, ultimately, it's the last area you should think about skimping on. 2. Business software A digital company can flourish with the right software in place. Not only can it save a lot of time and effort, but business software is also a great way to save on money and resources. The latter is especially the case if you incorporate the right software packages. Whether you're searching for accounting software or a video editor, there's a wide assortment of options on the market. Some of these will be free. Others can set you back into four-figure territory. There shouldn't be a stigma associated with free software. GIMP is more adequate than Photoshop for most. Yet, in certain situations, you will want to invest in a more premium option. The outlay won't be a welcome sight at the time, but it's likely to save you a significant amount of money in the long run. 3. Marketing Admittedly, due to the versatility and variety of online marketing, it's possible to promote a business effectively on a shoestring budget. If you utilize social media with a strong game plan, for instance, you can reach thousands of potential customers without even spending a dime. With that said, every business should be creating the biggest marketing net possible to cast over their target audience. In that scenario, one or two cheap promotional tactics won't cut it. You have to incorporate an assortment of marketing tools into your efforts, including: SEO Pay-per-click (PPC) Email campaigns Content creation (videos, blogs, infographics, etc.) Local search marketing Social media Influencer marketing Some of these can be done well on the cheap, yes, but others - such as SEO and PPC - require sustained, sizeable investment. Yet as the saying goes, the more you put in, the more you get out... Assuming the marketing investments are well-researched, of course. 4. Employees It's true: you can run an online business all on your lonesome. In fact, plenty of sole traders produce healthy profits without the need to bring any employees on-board. However, if your business is to grow and improve those margins, you'll need help sooner rather than later. Now that doesn't necessarily mean you have to hire permanent employees. Plenty of organizations make use of freelancers and agencies to help fill the gaps. The advantage of this is they can be brought in on a per-project basis, maximizing your expenditure as a result. Regardless of how you receive assistance, always avoid going for the budget option left on the shelf. While you can potentially bring in overseas talent for way below the minimum wage, avoid this temptation by hiring quality, creditable workers. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Authorities revealed that despite the massive opposition and calls to ban vaccine mandates in the United States, the requirement has significantly boosted inoculation rates in the region as the coronavirus pandemic continues to threaten the livelihood of residents. Officials released new data that showed 92% of hospital staff members and nursing home staff have been given at least their first coronavirus vaccine shots prior to the deadline of the mandate. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul put out the report that showed on Aug. 24, only 71% of hospital workers were partially vaccinated against the coronavirus. Vaccine Mandate Effectiveness In a press release, Hochul praised the decision of her predecessor, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo related to the vaccine mandate that was implemented in late July to curb the spread of the coronavirus infection. She added that the recently released data showed having a vaccine mandate on healthcare workers was the "right thing to do." Other states are also seeing a massive increase in compliance with the vaccine mandates despite growing opposition to the requirement. The vast majority of healthcare workers are getting themselves vaccinated despite the continued resistance nationwide, Yahoo News reported. Amid the opposition, on Friday, Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied a request from a group of New York City teachers to ban the region's vaccine mandate for public school employees. The judge did not refer the case to her colleagues in the Supreme Court or justified her decision. This suggested that the other justices agreed with her decision. Similarly in August, Justice Amy Coney Barrett rejected a request to ban the vaccine mandate in Indiana University. Read Also: Joe Manchin Refuses To Get On Board Joe Biden's Build Back Better Bill; Says He Won't Condone Entitlement Mentality Court papers showed that lawyers for the teachers who requested the ban on the mandate argued that New York City, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, have implemented a requirement that placed an "unconstitutional burden" on public school teachers. They expressed their wishes that the high court of the region block the mandate while the appeals process played out. New York City officials issued an order in August that mandated Department of Education staff who were working in in-person environments, in a school setting, or in a building to submit proof of at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, CNN reported. Request to Ban Requirement The roughly 150,000 school employees within New York City had a deadline of Friday at 5:00 p.m. to show proof of vaccination against the coronavirus or acquire a religious or medical exemption. If they are unable to do either of these options, the city is authorized to remove them from the payrolls due to the vaccine mandate. Before pitching their request to the Supreme Court, the group of educators challenged the requirement in lower courts and failed to win their case. The situation comes as federal agencies are able to begin enforcing United States President Joe Biden's vaccine mandates on federal employees on Nov. 9. Employees who continue to defy the orders would be suspended before potentially being kicked off of the workforce, as announced by a memo from the Office of Personnel Management, The Washington Post reported. Related Article: Transdermal Microneedle Patch Improves Immune Responses Now an Option for COVID-19 Vaccine Instead of Inoculation Using Needles @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue plan into effect on Thursday, March 11, 2020, about seven months ago. The bill has provided a variety of economic benefits to struggling Americans, including the third round of stimulus checks worth up to $1,400, the Child Tax Credit as monthly payments to parents with eligible co-dependents, stimulus checks for struggling homeowners, and the emergency rental assistance program for struggling renters. However, progressive legislators and common Americans say that this year's bill is insufficient; subsequent rounds of stimulus checks or regular monthly payments will be required until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. New stimulus check ignites as unemployment rates increase The campaign for fourth stimulus checks and/or recurring payments has been underway for months. But many have argued that it is improbable now that the Biden Administration's attention has turned to the infrastructure package, Penn Live reported. Although last week's unemployment rates increased by 16,000 to 351,000 from the previous week, Yahoo Finance reports that rising unemployment and economic instability have re-ignited calls for the federal government to offer additional stimulus money. Brian Gardner is Stifel's top Washington policy strategist, and he apparently authored research claiming that the administration is just not interested in further stimulus checks. Could rising unemployment and the Delta variant causing COVID-19 cases to surge again be the impetus progressive legislators in Washington require for additional stimulus money? Time will tell. The push, on the other hand, isn't slowing down. Progressive legislators have sent letters urging the White House to consider offering more direct aid to Americans. A Change.org petition for $2,000 monthly recurring payments from the federal government to assist millions of Americans is also gaining steam. The petition now has over 2.9 million signatures, but it needs 3 million to be considered a major campaign on the platform. Read Also: Fake COVID-19 Vaccine Card Selling On The Rise; What To Do When You Lost Your Proof of Vaccination? Is another relief payment coming? The purpose of the relief payments was to lessen the economic burden of COVID-19 while also supporting the economy. The American Rescue Plan initiated the third round of relief payments in March. Over the next several months, about 169 million individuals got up to $1,400 each. That was virtually all of the $422 billion put aside. The stimulus payments came nine months after the $1,200 payments from the pandemic's early days, and they closely followed the $600 installments from January. And because there were fewer places to spend money during much of the pandemic, as well as three stimulus payments, many Americans saved more than they would have otherwise. The personal saving rate soared to 33.7 percent in April 2020 and has stayed much higher than pre-pandemic levels ever since. However, the Biden administration has other priorities. One of the most important is infrastructure. The planned American Jobs Plan, which intended to rebuild roads, restore bridges, eliminate lead pipes, expand the internet, update the country's electric grid, and other initiatives, was estimated to cost $2.3 trillion. Biden and a bipartisan group of Senators reached an agreement on a $1 trillion infrastructure package. The resultant bipartisan legislation, now known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was approved by the Senate in early August. A fourth stimulus check is not included in either the original version or the bipartisan measure that was passed. One might theoretically be added when the measure is debated in the House. Given the cost, this is improbable, as per CBS Philly. Related Article: Fourth Stimulus Check: Biden Administration Announces New Payments, Who's Getting One? @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was arrested by authorities after returning from exile on corruption charges that alleged his misconduct during his presidency, accusations that he has continued to deny. From 2004 to 2013, Saakashvili, who has been an open supporter of Western nations, led Georgia but was later convicted in absentia on corruption charges. The official posted a video on Facebook on Friday where he announced his return to the country ahead of local elections scheduled on Saturday. The Arrest of Former Georgian President Hours after Saakashvili's post, Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced that the former president was in police custody. The federal government initially denied that the 53-year-old former leader arrived in the country. But later, the prime minister said that "the third president of Georgia, the wanted Mikheil Saakashvili, has been arrested and sent to jail." It was revealed that Saakashvili had gone on a hunger strike and that he himself was a political prisoner, a Georgian rights ombudsman said after visiting the former leader in jail. The current president of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, said he did not plan to give his predecessor a pardon, BBC reported. Read Also: Joe Biden Tries To Break Deadlock Over Multi-Trillion Economic Agenda; Psaki Admits President Will Not Get Full Spending Proposal Details of the former president's arrest were not made public but Georgian TV broadcasted on Friday evening a video of Saakashvili in handcuffs being escorted by police with a smile on his face. He lived in Ukraine for the past few years after he allegedly abused his power as the president of the country. Previously, Saakashvili posted on Facebook where he revealed in a video that he was in Batumi, the Black seaport and resort that is also Georgia's second largest city. The former president said on his social media account that Saturday's elections were "crucial" for the country,and called on residents to rally in Tbilisi on Sunday, committing to appear at the demonstration, ABC News reported. Getting Into The Country Authorities did not have information on how Saakashvili was able to enter the country despite a warrant for his arrest that has been in place for several years. But they noted that he did not travel into the country by plane because he would have been arrested immediately. Police discovered the official inside a small apartment on the outskirts of Tbilisi, the country's capital, where he was alone, said senior fellow at the Georgia Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, Shota Utiashvili, who was also a former official during Saakashvili's administration. He said that the former president knew he would be arrested if he came to Georgia but did so anyway to support his political party. Utiashvili said that the former leader wanted to help the United National Movement during the Saturday elections. Saakashvili was transferred to a jail in Rustavi, which is roughly 15 miles from the capital by Friday evening. The former president was known to have led the first wave of anti-authoritarian street uprisings in the former Soviet Union, which were called colo revolutions. During Saakashvili's presidency, the country was in a brief war with Russia. He has also continued to align himself with movements that resisted Russian influence, the New York Times reported. Related Article: Republicans End Relationship With Former Donald Trump Adviser Cory Lewandowski But Won't Cut Ties With Ex-POTUS @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sen. Joe Manchin was ambushed by activists calling for his support of the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better infrastructure bill led by United States President Joe Biden amid his continued resistance to the bill alongside Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. The two officials are the only Democratic lawmakers who have expressed opposition to Biden's massive infrastructure bill, which is considered a centerpiece of the Biden administration. Manchin revealed that he would support the bill if it was limited to a price tag of $1.5 trillion. However, the number is well below what progressive Democrats want the bill to have. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema With no Republican lawmakers supporting the bill, it requires all 50 Democrats in the upper house to vote for it so that it could go through the reconciliation process. Activists in watercraft have spent the last few days protesting outside the houseboat of Manchin found in West Virginia in Washington, D.C. The Democratic official answered questions on Thursday about his stance and opposition to the massive infrastructure bill. The Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) posted a video on Twitter of the encounter where one person asked the lawmaker about his resistance to the bill's price tag. The individual argued that the Pentagon had a budget of $788 billion that was passed that cost more than $6 trillion over 10 years. Manchin answered by saying that the federal government was spending just as much money on non-discretionary, basically non-defense programs. During his response, someone in the water nearby shouted, "not enough," Newsweek reported. Read Also: Joe Biden Tries To Break Deadlock Over Multi-Trillion Economic Agenda; Psaki Admits President Will Not Get Full Spending Proposal On the other hand, many Democrats are criticizing Sinema over her opposition to the Biden administration's infrastructure bill. Executive director of Progress Arizona Emily Kirkland said that the Democratic official was "standing in the way" of the federal government being able to deliver its promises to the American people. Sinema has shared Manchin's view that the $3.5 trillion price tag of the bill was a little bit too much to be efficient. The events in Washington this week were the latest in a series of announcements that have garnered disappointment among Sinema's party. She also voted against a bill in March that would have raised the minimum wage in the country to $15 per hour. Support on Infrastructure Bill The Democratic lawmaker defended her decision by saying that she did not want the bill to be included in a coronavirus relief bill. Sinema has also received criticism for her refusal to support the end of the Senate's 60-vote threshold, known as the filibuster, CNN reported. Sinema also received criticism for leaving Washington on Friday, with her spokesman saying the Democrat had a medical appointment for a foot injury. The situation was made worse because the lawmaker has been in the middle of negotiations regarding several pieces of legislation. On Saturday, Sinema was also scheduled to attend her political action committee's "retreat" that was attended by donors. The event was held at a high-end resort and spa located in Phoenix. The hotel also confirmed the schedule of the event, which would host the cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by a dinner, the New York Times reported. Related Article: Press Secretary Jen Psaki Insists Disagreement Between Democrats is Democracy's True Form Amid Failed Talks @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Data breaches are common nowadays. With work and most personal activities and business operations done online, there has also been a massive increase in hacking and other malicious attacks aimed to steal information and other data. In fact, last June, the RockYou 2021 data breach leaked over 8.4 billion passwords in one of the biggest online attacks in recent memory. Now, in an updated research from Have I Been Pawned (via Mozilla), some of the most common passwords that people use have been revealed. Apparently, several people liketo use superhero names as their passwords, with millions using Superman, Batman and more as their passcodes. In return, Earth's mightiest heroes prove to have no chance against hackers and data breaches. Superhero Passwords Leaked in Data Breach 2021 As mentioned, superhero passcodes have been frequently used, based on the data gathered by Have I Been Pawned. For those unaware, Have I Been Pawned is an online tool or website that allows users to check if their personal information have been exposed in data breaches or hacking attacks--which is the reason why they have information on the data that have been leaked. Based on their research, below are the most common superhero names used as passwords and how many people actually used them. Unsuprisingly, aside from Superman and Batman, Spider-Man, Wolverine and Iron-Man topped the list and rounded out the Top 5. Here's the full list: Superman: 368,397 Batman: 226,327 Spider-man: 160,030 Wolverine: 53,745 Ironman: 44,175 Wonder Woman and Daredevil: 21,256 Thor: 7,133 Marvel's Black Widow and Black Panther: 4,507 Captain America: 689 Aside from the superhero names, the characters' real identities were also used as passcodes. Wolverine's name as James Howlett ranked as the most used passcode in terms of real identities. It has 30,479 number of passcode users. Second on the list is Superman's Clark Kent, which has 4,919 users. Of course Bruce Wayne ranks third placer, with Peter Parker and Tony Stark placing fourth and fifth respectively. Read Also: 'God of War: Ragnarok' Delay Explained: New Release Date, Storyline and MORE Disney Princesses Passwords Were Also Affected For what it's worth, it's not only superheroes that are often used in passwords. Even Disney Princesses were not able to escape. In 2019, ZDNet reported that thousand of Disney Plus accounts were up for sale ranging from $3 to $11--far from Disney Plus' original price of $7.99 per month subscription and $79.98 per year. ZDNet pointed out that they saw several Disney Plus accounts being sold in hacking forums. Curious for the user'ssubscription, ZDNet emailed some account owners to check if the said accounts on Disney Plus are still active. Two of the users confirmed that it was theirs and still active. In relation to this, a study from Have I Been Pawned (via Mozilla) revealed that several users affected by the data breach had passwords using Disney princesses. The study confirmed that these 12 Disney princesses showed up in the passwords leaked: Jasmine: 192,023 Aurora: 49,763 Cinderella: 31,774 Belle: 18,657 Ariel: 15,431 Snow White: 13,253 Pocahontas: 7,915 Merida: 7,884 Rapunzel: 6,011 Tiana: 2,532 Mulan: 1,478 Moana: 733 Aside from Disney princesses' names, these Disney words were also included on the list: Princess: 484,475 Star Wars: 175,762 Disney: 62,925 Peter Pan: 42,391 Lion King: 31,504 Mickey Mouse: 18,943 Gaston: 15,259 Fantasia: 13,383 Frozen: 10,495 Changing passwords is a must, especially in this day and age where most people do everything online. As the Mozilla blog noted, using the same password for an account that has been breached and leaked exposes the user to malicious actors who can take advantage of their accounts once again. Related Article: RockYou 2021 Breach Exposes 8.4 Billion Passwords: Check Now If Your Data Have Been Leaked! Americans continue their demand for a fourth stimulus check. Ongoing fourth stimulus check petitions are now close to completion. Unfortunately, the call for $2000 recurring payments and $600 for SSDI and SSA recipients have reached a standstill on its final milestone. After three waves of payments, it has been proven that distributing stimulus checks is an effective strategy against poverty. Americans who accrued debts and loans in these years of pandemic received immediate relief for their expenses. According to earlier reports, any leftover change from stimmy checks was paid on groceries and other necessities. Even senators and congressmen support the pitch for a fourth stimulus check. Earlier this year, 21 senators wrote a letter to the president about relief payments for jobless Americans. The House of Ways and Means Committee also said, "(Americans) deserve to have food on the table and a roof over their heads despite this crisis. A fourth stimulus check would surely help families pay their food, houses and current debt." Two ongoing online petitions carried these sentiments in their call for a fourth stimulus check. $2000 Fourth Stimulus Check Petition Reaches 2.9 Million Signatures Stephanie Bonin started her petition to help the millions of Americans who fear for their financial future. Despite government efforts, businesses and schools continue to close around the country. Many also continue to lose their job. She said, "We need immediate checks and recurring payments so that we can keep our heads above water. Congress needs to make sure that we won't be left financially ruined for doing our part to keep the country healthy." At the time of writing, Bonin's petition has reached 2,906,566 signatures out of its 3 million goal. The petition was recognized as "one of the top signed on Change.org." The petition is less than 100,000 signatures away from completion. Read Also: NASA Slaps Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin With Harsh Reality Over Lawsuit: 'Blue Origin Made a Bet and It Lost' $600 California Golden State Stimulus Checks for SSDI and SSA Another powerful online petition is the call to support Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Administration (SSA) recipients. Last spring, Governor Gavin Newsom revealed the Golden State Stimulus Checks, a state exclusive tax rebate program that aims to support 66 percent of California's population. Unfortunately, the stimulus program left out a significant population of Californian residents. Sherriel Weithers petitioned to include SSDI and SSA recipients who typically do not file their federal or state taxes. At the time of writing, Weithers' petition has reached 2064 signatures out of its 2500 goal. The petition was recognized as "likely to get picked up by local news." The petition is less than 500 signatures away from completion. Note, however, that neither the federal government nor lawmakers have given their response on both petitions. Regardless of whether a fourth stimulus check would get approved, government officials have implemented various financial aid programs that should grant eligible Americans extra money. For more details, check on this article about a $600 grant for food workers and frontliners. Related Article: Fourth Stimulus Check? Insurance Rebate Can Get You $100 to $1000! White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., Oct. 1. Reuters-Yonhap White House press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated Friday the U.S. commitment to engage with North Korea, saying Washington is prepared to discuss a "full range of issues" with Pyongyang. Psaki made the remark after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accused the U.S. of harboring "hostile intent" toward the North. "We remain prepared to discuss the full range of issues," Psaki said when asked about Kim's speech at a recent meeting of the North's governing body. In a speech Wednesday (KST), the North Korean leader argued the U.S.'s hostile policy toward the North had not changed eight months after the new Joe Biden administration took office, while calling the its outreaches to Pyongyang for dialogue "a petty trick for deceiving the international community and hiding its hostile acts." Psaki noted the North has yet to respond to U.S. overtures. "We've made specific proposals for discussion with the North Koreans, but have not received a response to date," she said in a press briefing. The White House press secretary also said her country would support dialogue between the two Koreas. "In terms of potential discussions between the North Koreans and the South Koreans, obviously, we've made our own outreach of potential engagement," she said. Kim earlier said North Korea would reopen direct communication hotlines with South Korea from early October. The North reopened the cross-border communication channels in July, 13 months after it had unilaterally shut them down, but then cut them again about two weeks later. The White House official's remark also comes after a series of missile tests by North Korea that Pyongyang claims included the launch of a new hypersonic missile. The U.S. earlier condemned the tests, along with the launch of a short-range ballistic missile Sept. 15, as violations of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit the North from developing or testing any nuclear and ballistic missiles. Psaki said the U.S. was continuing to assess the recent North Korean missile launches to confirm the types involved. (Yonhap) A North Korean flag is seen from Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Sept. 29. Yonhap A civic group advocating national reunification called Saturday for the lifting of South Korea's standalone sanctions against North Korea and the resumption of operations at a now-shuttered joint industrial complex to pave the way for a thaw in cross-border ties. The South Korean Committee for Implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration made the call, as Seoul is struggling to resume dialogue with Pyongyang to advance its stalled peace agenda despite the regime's recent missile tests. The committee was formed following the historic June 15, 2000, inter-Korean summit, which produced a joint declaration toward achieving reconciliation, reunification and economic cooperation. "If we carry out steps that we can take first, such as the lifting of the May 24 sanctions and the resumption of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, the ground for dialogue will be able to reopen," the committee said. The committee was referring to sanctions Seoul imposed in 2010 banning inter-Korean exchanges in retaliation for the North's torpedo attack on the corvette Cheonan, which killed 46 South Korean sailors. The industrial complex, once seen as a rare symbol of cross-border cooperation, was closed in February 2016 following nuclear and missile tests by the North. Seoul's efforts to lay the ground for enduring peace have been stalled amid a deadlock in nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, which has continued since their no-deal summit in Hanoi in 2019. (Yonhap) Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon speaks to a reporter at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office in southern Seoul, Oct. 2, before being questioned by prosecutors about allegations he violated the Election Law. Yonhap Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon was summoned by prosecutors Saturday for questioning about allegations he spread false information during his mayoral by-election campaign in April. Oh arrived at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office around 10 a.m. before being grilled as a suspect about his remarks on a scandal-plagued development project called Pi-City in southern Seoul. "I'm very sorry to the people for being investigated like this. I'll make statements confidently and wait for the results," Oh told reporters before entering the office. Oh, affiliated with the main opposition People Power Party, won a landslide victory against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's candidate in the April 7 mayoral by-election. Oh had previously served as mayor of Seoul from 2006 to 2011. In a TV debate held prior to the by-election, Oh said that the Pi-City case had nothing to do with his previous mayoral term. But a group of civic activists filed a complaint with police accusing Oh of lying about his suspected involvement in the project in violation of the Election Law. Police conducted an extensive investigation into the authenticity of Oh's remarks before transferring the case to the prosecution Sept. 24. Officers suspect Oh was involved in the approval of the Pi-City project, as the relevant city planning and construction deliberations were passed during his previous mayoral term. The Pi-City project was approved by the Seoul government in 2009 to build a logistics complex, and retail and business facilities on a 99,000-square-meter lot in Yangjae-dong, southern Seoul, but was eventually halted after allegations of various irregularities were raised. (Yonhap) Passengers arrive at Incheon International Airport, in this Sept. 6 file photo. Yonhap The number of daily passengers at Incheon International Airport, South Korea's main gateway, dropped below 10,000 last month, data showed Saturday, apparently due to fewer-than-usual travelers during the Chuseok holiday, the Korean autumn harvest celebration. A daily average of 9,583 passengers used Incheon last month, the airport said, compared with the daily average of 10,927 passengers in August the first time the number had surpassed the 10,000 mark since March last year. The drop appears to be partly attributable to a decrease in the number of people who traveled during Chuseok from Sept. 20 to 22. During the holiday, the average number of passengers using the airport remained in the 6,000s. Still, the September average is a 46 percent increase from a year earlier. The daily passenger traffic at the airport was nearly 200,000 in 2019, but it nose-dived last year due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap) Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung gives a speech during the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential primary event in Busan, Oct. 2. Yonhap Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung scored a landslide victory in the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) presidential primary in the southeast region Saturday, further consolidating his lead in the race to pick the party's flag bearer for the 2022 election. Lee won 55.3 percent of 35,832 ballots cast by registered party members in the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Province region, the eighth round of the party's 11-leg primary race, according to the party. Lee Nak-yon, a former prime minister and leader of the party, finished second with 33.6 percent, followed by ex-Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae with 9.7 percent and Rep. Park Yong-jin with 1.3 percent. The results showed again that the DPK's primaries are little affected by the suspicions that the Gyeonggi governor is involved in a corruption scandal related to a residential area development in Seongnam, south of Seoul, several years ago. Lee was Seongnam mayor at that time. A prosecution investigation into the case is currently under way. The accumulated rate of votes the governor has garnered from the eight regional primary votes, including Saturday, and one of the three electoral college votes, stood at 53.5 percent, with the former DP leader getting 34.6 percent. If the governor wins a majority of the vote in the ongoing primary, he will be nominated in the race's final leg in Seoul, Oct. 10. If he fails to secure the threshold, he will face a run-off vote against the runner-up. The result of the ninth regional primary vote in the city of Incheon, west of Seoul, will be released Sunday, along with that of the second electoral college vote, which together are widely expected to give shape to the final primary outcome. The presidential election is scheduled for March 9, 2022. (Yonhap) AI/ML - ML Infrastructure Software Engineer, Information Intelligence Seattle , Washington , United States Machine Learning and AI Summary Posted: Aug 27, 2021 Role Number: 200282620 Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, great ideas have a way of becoming great products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Apple Information Intelligence team is looking for engineers to build and optimize various infrastructure pieces of our ML stack. You will get exposed to exciting technologies in areas including distributed data processing, large scale distributed training of models, latest frontier in models for natural language processing and artificial intelligence, and the most advanced techniques to scale the systems to handle billions of requests and petabytes of data per day, and much more! The system we build help to power a variety of Apple products, including Siri, Spotlight, Safari, Messages and Lookup etc. As part of this group, you will work with one of the most exciting high performance computing environments, with petabytes of data, millions of queries per second, and have an opportunity to imagine and build products that delight our customers every single day. Key Qualifications Strong coding skills Strong background in computer science: algorithms and data structures Excellent interpersonal skills able to work independently as well as in a team Experience with popular training frameworks like tensorflow/pytorch for serving/training/optimization is a plus Experience with GPU serving/optimization/training/ is a plus Experience with model compression/quantization is a plus Experience with distributed data processing is a plus Experience with AWS Services such as Amazon S3 EC2 EKS / Kubernetes is a plus Description Build scalable and effective systems for serving deep learning models Build and optimize distributed training approaches for deep learning models on ML accelerators such as GPUs Build software that improves the rate of experimentation and helps people make better decisions about what to try next - Train, evaluate, and debug deep learning models for complex tasks Develop tools and services for understanding latest NLP/Image models Education & Experience BS, MS, Ph.D. in a related field , or equivalent experience Digital Security Program Manager - iPhone Operations Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Operations and Supply Chain Summary Posted: Jul 27, 2021 Weekly Hours: 40 Role Number: 200267886 Location: Cupertino, CA Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. The people here at Apple don't just create products - they create the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it. Apple's Manufacturing Systems and Infrastructure (MSI) team is responsible for capturing, consolidating and tracking all manufacturing data for Apple's products and modules worldwide within Apple's Operations team. This data is stored and used during the entire product's lifecycle- from prototypes to mass production through warranty support for customers. Our environment fosters product innovation, rapid iteration, and a liberating amount of autonomy. Key Qualifications Extensive and diverse experience working in the field of Information Security (minimum 3-5 years) Program manager experience supporting large security efforts, delivering security improvements to large, highly complex systems Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate clearly and effectively with developers, product managers, and senior business leaders with security metrics to influence decisions Excellent executive communications or technical writing; clear, concise, and thorough written and oral communication skills. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in multiple security engineering disciplines, including red-teaming, penetration testing, code reviews, and vulnerability assessments Familiarity with factories and contract manufacturing Experience in identifying and quantifying security issues and risks, and developing mitigation plans Experience working in industry standards groups, influencing external technology & business leaders Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to 25% Description Apple's iPhone Operations Team sits at a unique intersection of manufacturing, engineering, and finance - allowing individuals broad insight into the launch of an iPhone. The Team plays a critical role in finding ways to optimize the manufacturing process by identifying and implementing better ways of designing, managing and buying the equipment used in the manufacturing of iPhones. Do you love the idea of solving a new business or technical problem every other day with a wide range of security technologies? Come be a part of a fast-paced, iterative environment with many exciting responsibilities! We are looking for highly motivated, detail oriented, technically savvy, high-energy professionals who are passionate about digital security. Your role has a critical overlay to the Production environment, intersecting three functions: Security, Infrastructure and Manufacturing. Technical Responsibilities Coordinate the implementation of security testing and auditing with internal and external team Business Responsibilities Work with the product teams to perform security reviews and threat modeling Conduct risk assessments for new and existing manufacturing sites Provide innovative solutions to mitigate security concerns Collect evidence of alignment to cyber controls for specific software products and platforms Provide regular management updates on current trends in the Security Industry General Responsibilities Plan and execute security testing and update testing plans to ensure known vulnerabilities will not resurface Analyze vulnerabilities, rate their severity, propose, track and review fixes Provide guidance to ensure that factory processes are built with security in mind Work with other product security leads to standardize best practices and quality levels Education & Experience Bachelor's degree is required (Computer Science, Information Security, or Information Systems & Security or related preferred ) Masters or MBA are considered a plus. Apple is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Apple will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation or that of other applicants. Start A Lucrative and Rewarding Career As a Business Advisor/ Business Broker, you will help clients achieve their business acquisition and business exit goals while building lasting relationships in the Southwestern Iowa small business community with business owners, finance & law professionals, small business-focused organizations and more. And you will gain the opportunity to work for a company that will prepare you with tools for success, in a flexible, team-oriented work environment. Training & Ongoing Education Our firm offers comprehensive and immersive initial training to help you build success as a business broker in the industry. As you learn the business brokerage trade, we help you position yourself well with ongoing continuing education opportunities, certification programs, networking platforms, sponsorships and conference attendance. Joining the Transworld team gives you: Exclusive access to proven processes from an Inc. 5000 company and a firm with 40+ years of experience in the industry Access to highly successful business brokers who will share their expert knowledge to drive you forward Unlimited earning potential and control of your own destiny Office benefits & growth opportunity Comprehensive onboarding and training process A full week of training at our corporate headquarters in Florida Ongoing training and support Technology and automation systems House leads with in-house support staff Lead generation and prospecting planning and techniques Membership in a business networking / mentoring group Invaluable mentorship and access to an international community of brokers and advisors Ideal Candidate: Has experience in B2B sales A hunter mentality An unmatched desire to succeed and overcome adversity A passion to work in the small business community Compensation: This is a full-time commission-only role with a realistic earning potential of $100k+! recblid oea55gg97sfpjda5atlsy2n6czak1b YAMHILL COUNTY CAREER OPPORTUNITY Medium Equipment Operator Public Works Salary : $3324 - $3853/month (DOE) + Excellent Benefits Job #PW21-111 Recruitment closes October 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. The Medium Equipment Operator This is a regular full-time position for an experienced individual to operate moderately complex equipment and perform skilled manual tasks. Duties may include some or all of the following: operation and driving of dump trucks over 36,000 GVW, operating a brush cutter, heavy roller, backhoe, Aqua Tech Flusher, front-end loader, and/or Athey Force Feed Loader, and installation of traffic control devices; including construction of signs and supervision of contractors during striping of roads, and other related work as assigned. The person in this position will have knowledge and experience in the operation, maintenance, cleaning, minor repair, and safe use of road construction equipment. The Benefits Health coverage - Group medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage is available for the entire family. For the 2021- 2022 plan year, the County will pay 98% of the monthly premium and employees will pay 2% ($35.78 per month) for the Base Plan. With this plan, employees are eligible for a $100 a month contribution into an HRA VEBA account. Buy-up plans are also available. Retirement - PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) contribution is 100% employer funded, which includes both contribution to PERS pension and IAP accounts (IAP contribution is 6% of salary). Short-Term Disability 100% County paid. Life insurance - $10,000 for employee/$2,000 for spouse and children 100% County Paid. Vacation/Sick Leave - Flexible Earned Time (FET) is a combination of vacation and sick leave. To start, employees earn 13 hours per month and future accruals increase based on years of service. After a year of service and depending on FET balance, employees may sell-back up to 40 hours of FET per year. The Qualifications The position requires experience in road construction, maintenance, and repair, including experience operating highway motorized equipment and completion of eighth grade or sufficient education to be able to read, write, understand, and follow directions. A valid Oregon class A CDL is preferred. recblid 56z3j8hz9hh4hbgysfpleko56zlywc The City of Seattle is seeking a qualified candidate for an Intune Engineer with Seattle Information Technology (IT). As a city, Seattle is known as a progressive leader in technology, innovation, and the environment. As an employer, the City of Seattle is leading local government in environmental stewardship and social justice amongst other things, making our city what it is today and shaping our exciting future. The organization's workforce plays a critical role in making this possible. Seattle IT is the technology backbone of the City of Seattle's complex operations and its ability to deliver a wide array of services for the residents of Seattle. The 600+ strong professionals in Seattle IT are involved in the full spectrum of a modern IT enterprise offering many dynamic career opportunities. Our vision is simple: be a Best-in-Class digital services delivery team and set best practices for others to follow. Job Responsibilities Primary role will be a Microsoft Intune Engineer for MDM administration, to include iOS, Android, and Windows platforms, of the supported end-user computing environment including application packaging, testing and deployment, general administrative functions, like Intune policy and configuration creation and management within Endpoint Manager, troubleshooting end-user computing devices and/or Intune-related issues ranging from deployments, patching, and mobile application management within the Citys Azure environment. This position requires advanced information technology knowledge, including MDM, Android/IOS Operating Systems, Security, Networking, Applications, Scripting, and Query-building skills. Applicant must demonstrate success documenting technical procedures and communications for both technical staff and for consumption by end users (non-technical). High attention to detail and ability to multi-task are required as Engineers often work on multiple projects with technical staff and customers on a regular basis. The successful candidate will: Act as a technical lead for projects, develop roadmap for aligning and updating devices with new features and OS versions as they are released. Maintain and update Intune user and Device policies. Perform consultations and mentoring with the Device Support Team, Service Desk Team, and other IT teams in the city. Be knowledgeable with scripting and automated solution delivery. Ensure support and maintenance of applications owned by the team meets service level expectations Create and continually refine the roadmap for these technologies. Communicate effectively and build strong working relationships with citywide customers on technical and business tasks. Deliver to departments executive leadership technical knowledge, data, best practices, and recommendations for decision making Partner with various entities throughout the city on citywide challenges (Governance, IT Projects, Cloud Adoption, Modernization of Windows Enterprise, etc.) Qualifications Required Qualifications: NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for the required qualifications except where specifically noted. Minimum three years building and maintaining policies, apps, and configurations with Intune Minimum four years progressive experience with administration in Azure Minimum three years experience with packaging and deployment of software via automation tools. Minimum five years providing technical customer service in a medium to large IT organization. Provide and demonstrate a proven success record in documenting technical procedures and communications for both technical staff and for consumption by end users (non-technical). Application testing experience. Basic Project Management skills. Excellent communications skills, both written and oral. Excellent time management skills. Ability to work in fast-paced dynamic environment with many customers and competing priorities. Desired Qualifications: BA/BS degree or equivalent in computer science, information technology, business management or a closely related field. Ability to identify and document risks, opportunities and efficiencies related to assigned work. Experience building custom scripts with PowerShell, WSQL, SQL Report Writing, or VB to perform advanced functions related to desktop management. Project management training or certification. Knowledge of current security standards Additional Information Employees of the City of Seattle enjoy competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package generous leave programs, and the satisfaction of doing work that helps make Seattle a great place to live, work, and play. Explore City of Seattle Benefits at a Glance (Download PDF reader) for more information. How to Apply: Please submit your application, resume, and cover letter to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/ City of Seattle employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Employment contingent upon successful completion of comprehensive background investigation in compliance with Seattle's Fair Change Employment Ordinance 14.17. This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum qualifications. The Seattle Information Technology Department values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status. NOTE: This position is covered by a collective bargaining unit; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 77. #LI-MV1 Agency City of Seattle Address Seattle Municipal Tower 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500 Seattle, Washington, 98104 Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs Maternity Leave Teacher Elementary (K-5th Grade) Englewood on the Palisades Charter School Immediate Openings for the 2021-2022 School Year Applicants must possess or be eligible for Standard New Jersey certification. Substitute teachers must possess Substitute Certification and/or teaching degree. Salary commensurate with experience based upon EPCS Salary Guide. All full-time certified staff members are eligible for Health, Vision and Dental benefits. Englewood On the Palisades was founded in 1998 Class sizes no larger than 20 students Two Classes Per Grade This 18:1 student teacher ratio is an important part of our approach, allowing the teacher to spend more time on each student's individual requirements. Send letter of interest with resume to: Attn: Dr. Shirl Burns, Principal by clicking apply Critical thinking, communication as well as solid basic academic skills are vital to children's success. I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand. In keeping with that old adage, the charter school seeks to empower children in their construction of knowledge. Key areas of ongoing concentration are parental involvement, basic skills mastery and fluency, critical thinking, and classrooms that are safe for risk taking; which models skills for collaboration, interdependence, democracy, conflict, resolution, negotiation, and mediation. Respect is the thread that holds the school together; respect for one another, respect for diversity, respect for uniqueness, respect for the materials we use and respect for our work. Children and teachers work in an environment in which they are valued, and they value one another. EPCS educates children in grades Kindergarten through eight. There are just 18 children in each class and two classes per grade level. Each class in grades K to 2 has a teacher aid. recblid owlkxsytn7ntedt2g4mdcvifwfaaxg Job Summary We have a current opening in our quality organization located at our Montvale NJ facility. Position will focus on quality assurance activities such as complaint management, SPC data analysis, auditing, non-conformances, and CAPAs. The candidate in this role will manage the daily quality assurance activities in the scope of the Quality Management System. Our Quality Managers are expected to promote quality principles, values and culture company wide, provide independent and unbiased opinions, and decisions and continually assess the level of compliance and effectiveness of quality assurance activities verses given requirements. Key Responsibilities Manage customer complaints and conduct appropriate investigation Create quality manuals and standards Review manufacturing investigations, 5 why root cause analyses, and corrective/preventative actions Track and report quality KPIs Analyze data of manufacturing batches, QC data, complaints for trends and/or continuous improvement opportunities Assist in investigating out of specification results and anomalies Perform audits of potential new and existing suppliers and paint manufacturers Conduct statistical data analysis of various data sets Lead independent projects to optimize manufacturing processes or other quality functions Collaborate with Product Development, Corporate quality, Sales, and Manufacturing teams to resolve quality issues/concerns in a timely manner Conduct Sales Onboarding training for Complaint system Participate in UAT testing of SAP modifications/enhancements Assist in laboratory testing/manufacturing site activities when needed Performs other quality duties as required Required Knowledge & Desired Skills Bachelors degree in Science related field Minimum 5 years working in a quality assurance function Willingness to travel for audits and other site projects (estimated 20%) ASQ Quality Engineer, ASQ Quality Auditor or Six Sigma certification, a plus Excellent attention to detail Strong computer skills- Office, Business objects, minitab, SAP Good interpersonal communication skills with a strong sense of customer focus Embraces and initiates change demonstrating the courage lead changes that drive success Ability to work in a team environment and the willingness to be cross-functional and flexible to change duties Knowledge of paint or architectural coatings a plus Company Summary Benjamin Moore is proud to be a part of Berkshire Hathaway, which was recognized by Fortune magazine as the world's fourth most admired company. And for more than 130 years weve been a respected leader in the architectural coatings and home decor landscape; creating the products and tools that enrich and beautify thousands of communities each day. We recognize that our associates are the driving force behind our success and we strive to provide a work environment where hard work, creativity and purposeful collaboration are fostered and encouraged. Join a company where innovation is constantly recognized as we look for individuals who produce world-class products, best-in-class services and customer experiences, design pioneering paints using the latest technologies and deliver unparalleled value and brand experiences for our customers and retail network. Safety Update: At Benjamin Moore, our people are the heart of the company and our number one asset. We are committed to providing safe working conditions at all of our locations and have invested heavily in measures aimed at keeping employees healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. With safety as one of our core company values, weve modified facilities and work schedules to support social distancing, established enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols, and regularly provide personal protective equipment to all employeesincluding masks, gloves and hand sanitizer. Ensuring the well-being of our team members is a top priority. The Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation has developed the Digital Vaccination Pass which will provide citizens the opportunity to download and store their digital vaccination pass for use as and when required by relevant authorities. The vaccination pass has a QR code containing the vaccination details of the citizens which may be scanned by authorised institutions seeking the vaccination status of citizens. The vaccination pass may be accessed on https://besafemoris.mu/ by registering the Identity Number and a valid mobile number or the beSafeMoris mobile application and the MoKloud platform on https://mokloud.govmu.org/. Citizens may also avail of the services of the Mauritius Post Ltd to download their vaccination pass. Citizens who had previously downloaded the besafeMoris mobile application should update it prior to downloading their vaccination pass. As at date, the digital vaccination pass is available on Play Store and Huawei AppGallery. It will be available on App Store by this afternoon. In the meantime, iphone users may download their vaccination pass on the besafeMoris platform or on the MoKloud platform. Citizens are hereby informed that data capture for vaccination details is ongoing. For those unable to retrieve their vaccination pass or those appearing as partially vaccinated despite being fully vaccinated, kindly note that it will be available soon. For queries regarding the Digital Vaccination pass, citizens are requested to call on the 4013060 on weekdays from 08.45 to 20.00 hours and during weekends from 08.45 to 16.00 hours or on email address passvaksinal@govmu.org. The Digital Vaccination Pass, a product of MoKloud platform, is an initiative of the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation in collaboration with Mauritius Telecom. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Cest le theme du pavillon de Maurice a Dubai Expo 2020 qui a commence le 1er octobre 2021 et qui va durer au 31 mars 2022. Cabinet has taken note of the participation of Mauritius at Dubai Expo 2020 which is being held from 01 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. The Dubai Expo 2020 would be the first largest international business meet since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and would be the worlds greatest show. The Dubai Expo 2020 is being organised under the theme Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, being expressed into three sub-themes: Mobility, Sustainability, and Opportunity. The theme for the Mauritian Pavillion is Roots of the Future. Regional Assam Rifles ADGP Sarab Jit Singh Deusi relinquishes command ADGP Sarab Jit Singh Deusi interacting with officers. Dimapur, OCT 1 | Publish Date: 10/1/2021 1:31:37 PM IST The Assam Rifles has informed that major general Sarab Jit Singh Deusi who took over command of the Additional Director General of Assam Rifles on March 2020, has relinquished his command. He has held numerous important appointments across the armed forces in a career spanning over 37 years which finally superannuated on 30 September 2021. A press release by the Assam Rifles stated that Gen Deusi provided the force with determined, astute and visionary leadership for the past one and half year and always strived to push the Assam Rifles to excellence while providing secure environment to the North East. The release stated that the General Officer was at fore front managing all operational and administrative aspects of the force and his vision and timely directions with critical issues ensured operational efficacy of the Assam Rifles under adverse situations and tough conditions. Major General Sarab Jit Singh Deusi was also instrumental is the successful Covid management of the force, the release added. The General Officer by his visits to forward areas ensured that the requirements of the troops are taken care off at the earliest. On the eve of his relinquishing of Command, the Additional Director General during his final address complimented all for their outstanding efforts in various fields and wished them good luck in all their future endeavours. All ranks of Assam Rifles have also wished him and his family good health & happiness ahead as he embarks on a new phase of his life. International Danish FM in Pakistan; discusses Afghanistan, regional security Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod meets his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday. ISLAMABAD, OCT 1 (PTI) | Publish Date: 10/1/2021 1:17:47 PM IST Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod on Friday said that the Taliban government in Afghanistan should ensure fundamental rights to its citizens as he discussed the war-torn countrys situation and regional security with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi here. Qureshi, during a joint press conference with Kofod after their delegation-level talks, thanked his Danish counterpart for the support on Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP Plus) status for Pakistan in the European Union. The Danish Foreign Minister said that the two sides discussed in detail the situation in Afghanistan which fell to the Taliban on August 15. He said that the government in Afghanistan should ensure fundamental rights to its citizens. Asked about the Kashmir issue, the Danish Foreign Minister said that Pakistan and India should find a peaceful solution to the issue through dialogue. Qureshi said that he shared with Kofod Pakistans perspective on the Afghan situation and the regional security situation. He said that Pakistan and Denmark saw an upward trajectory in bilateral relations. The two sides discussed ways to put in extra efforts to increase bilateral trade and attract more investments into Pakistan, Qureshi said, adding that cooperation in renewable energy and advantages of enhanced parliamentary interaction were discussed. Denmark is a valued partner for Pakistan. Bilateral relations are growing as the two countries are diversifying mutual cooperation to new avenues, including renewable energy and green technologies, said the Foreign Office. The Taliban swept across Afghanistan last month, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in the backdrop of withdrawal of the US forces that began on May 1. On August 15, the capital city of Kabul fell to the insurgents. The Taliban claimed victory over opposition forces in the last holdout province of Panjshir on September 6, completing their takeover of Afghanistan three weeks after capturing Kabul. The Taliban have put in place a hardline interim 33-member Cabinet that has no women and includes UN-designated terrorists. The Taliban last ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. International Muslim Brotherhood launches campaign against India New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS) | Publish Date: 10/2/2021 12:09:18 PM IST The Qatar-Turkey-Pakistan (QTPi) nexus with the blessings of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) is becoming the new hub for radical Islamists. A new report by Disinfolab says the MB, laced with fake news and and two media weapons, Al Jazeera and TRT World, launched a campaign against India - targeting New Delhis economic interests. A hashtag on Twitter #BoycottIndianProducts was launched a few days ago, and has been going on since. While the nexus tried to give it a colour that it was triggered by the unfortunate incident in Assam, which was deplorable, and the guilty should be brought to justice, be as it may, the trigger was mere excuse. This was not the first time the trend was attempted. It was started in 2018, and since then its an annual ritual. The objective is to give it momentum gradually, the Disinfolab report said. And since one incident wont justify it, they needed the whole gamut of fake news and propaganda. As expected, a great deal of these handles are being run from Pakistan and Turkey, while the trend seems to have originated in Egypt. What was novel this time was a number of news articles also promoted this trend, albeit in their own style, mostly connected with the MB, including the Al Jazeera. The target seemed India, but the actual target was Saudi Arabia. The campaign was essentially targeting Saudi and the UAE, and particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for keeping a good relation with India. This was not one off campaign, and the QTPi Nexus has been targeting Saudi and UAE, questioning their right to be the leader of Islamic world. The idea is obvious by discrediting Mohammed bin Salman, the new Prince of Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would be crowned as the rightful leader of Ummah. The Ertgurul Ghazi was prelude. The Ottoman Empire is in remaking, the report said. The report said India was not the only country targeted for this economic boycott. The campaign in also targeted France, asking to boycott French products. It is not merely a geo-strategic move. There is a solid economic logic behind it. Turkey holds annual Halal Exhibition, which is trying to build itself as key arbiter on the matter. By creating the subaltern culture of boycott through social media, they would also create a potent weapon. Moreover, once the Nexus takes centre stage in deciding some arbitrage over Halal certification, this would create an exclusionary economy of gigantic proportions. The economic power this nexus could build will not only affect Muslim world but would dictate terms all over the world in the name of selling this huge market. The petro-dollars of Qatar (gas-dollars to be precise), may not last forever to sustain the radical Islamists of Muslim Brotherhood, it added. International Over 15,000 from Myanmar estimated to have crossed the border into India: UN chief Antonio Guterres UNITED NATIONS, OCT 1 (PTI) | Publish Date: 10/1/2021 1:21:26 PM IST More than 15,000 people from Myanmar are estimated to have crossed the border into India since the February 1 military coup there, UN chief Antonio Guterres has said, telling the General Assembly in a report that armed clashes have erupted mostly in regions and states along the borders with Thailand, China and India and are raising concern about regional implications of the crisis. Guterres, in his report Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar, said that prior to February 1, there were around 336,000 internally displaced persons in conflict-affected areas across Myanmar. Since that date, more than 220,000 people have been internally displaced by the escalation of conflict and violence. In addition, more than 15,000 people are estimated to have crossed the border into India. A further 7,000 people crossed into Thailand, all of whom have returned and remain internally displaced in Myanmar, the Secretary-General said in the report, which covers the period from August 15, 2020 to August 14, 2021. Myanmar shares an over 1,600 km long unfenced and porous land border with India as well as a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. Four North-Eastern states - Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram share the international boundary with Myanmar. Guterres said in the report that since February, tensions have increased throughout the country, including in areas covered by the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and where there was relative peace before February 1, when the Myanmar military seized power and detained top political figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint. Mostly in states and regions along the borders with Thailand, China and India, armed clashes have erupted between the Tatmadaw, ethnic armed organisations and newly formed civilian peoples defence forces, raising concern about regional implications of the crisis and the potential for a large-scale armed conflict, the report said. The UN chief notes in the report that Rohingya continue to undertake risky journeys across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. In June, a boat carrying dozens of Rohingya refugees reached Aceh, Indonesia, after leaving Bangladesh or Myanmar engine failure caused it to remain adrift in the Andaman Sea for several months, leading to the deaths of some refugees. Another boat was rescued by the Indian Coast Guard in February, he said. The report added that brutality by the security forces against people opposing the military takeover and the self-declared State Administrative Council, including those participating in the civil disobedience movement, has been wide-ranging. Those expressing opposition to the military and joining democratic movements, as well as their relatives and associates, have been subject to arbitrary killings and detentions, disappearances, night raids, intimidation, and torture, it said. There have also been numerous reports of sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated by the security forces as well as numerous reports of acts of violence targeted at the security forces, such as the killing of individuals suspected of collaborating with the military. The Secretary-General has called for maximum restraint by all sides, the report said. Guterres said he has repeatedly called on the military to respect the will of the people, to refrain from violence and repression, and to act in the greater interest of peace and stability in the country. The UN Security Council has expressed deep concern at the arbitrary detention of members of the Government, including President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and others, and called for the immediate release of all those detained arbitrarily, while condemning the ongoing violence. Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 07:41:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Students wearing face masks attend a class during the first day of a new school year in Sale, Morocco, on Oct. 1, 2021. Students returned to school in Morocco as the 2021-2022 school year began on Friday. (Photo by Chadi/Xinhua) Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 09:00:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Aerial photo taken on Oct. 1, 2021 shows a view of the China-donated Gwadar Technical and Vocational Institute in southwest Pakistan's Gwadar. The completion ceremony of the institute was held on Friday in Gwadar. (Str/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The completion ceremony of a China-donated vocational training institute was held on Friday in Gwadar of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province. As an important project for public well-being under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Gwadar Technical and Vocational Institute was constructed by the China Harbor Engineering Company, with an aim to meet the urgent need of the locals in Gwadar and promote the sustainable development of the area. Addressing the ceremony, Chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority Naseer Khan Kashani expressed his gratitude to China for the grant of the project and to the Chinese engineers and workers who have completed this institute ahead of schedule despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pakistan has benefited a lot from the energy and transport infrastructure projects under CPEC, while the socio-economic projects of the Corridor are also very important for the South Asian country, Kashani said, adding that the Gwadar Port Authority will make the best use of the institute with comprehensive planning to offer the locals training opportunities to enable them to get better jobs and live a better life. In a video message, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong said the completion of the institute marks a great milestone of CPEC, and is also a long-expected event for the Gwadar people. "During its construction, the project provided more than 1,000 jobs to local people. After completion, it can accommodate 360 trainees at one time, and provide training opportunities for at least 1,000 people every year," said Nong, adding that the institute will serve as an "incubator" for high-quality and skilled workers for Gwadar and even Balochistan after functioning. The embassy will always serve as a bridge to enhance pragmatic bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan, helping to enrich and deepen the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and to build closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, Nong noted. The technical and vocational institute has facilities for teaching and training and dormitories, while the construction of the project officially started in January of 2020. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 09:19:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Oct. 1, 2021 shows a sign of Australia Post in Sydney, Australia. The harsh reality of millions of Australians being in lockdown for months due to COVID-19 has proven a blessing for the nation's online grocery business, which has never been busier. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua) SYDNEY, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The harsh reality of millions of Australians being in lockdown for months due to COVID-19 has proven a blessing for the nation's online grocery businesses which have never been busier. During the pandemic, Australians have demonstrated growing trust in the delivery services, with online grocery sales expected to increase by 46.2 percent this year, according to research company IBISWorld. Panda Fresh, a new offshoot business of food delivery platform Hungry Panda, was created after Sydney, Australia's biggest city, became the epicenter of the nation's latest outbreak and went into lockdown in late June. Initially targeting Chinese customers, Panda Fresh now serves up fast home deliveries to Sydneysiders in almost every suburb. "So far we have roughly 30 staff in Sydney. Basically, if you place an order in the morning, you can get your delivery in the afternoon. And if the order is placed in CBD areas, you can receive it in two hours," Panda Fresh's marketing manager Adam Liu told Xinhua. Liu said the systematic management of goods, warehousing and distribution ensured the team could handle around 500 orders a day, 400 more than the company's humble beginnings. Australia's supermarket giant Woolworths Group is also ending its 2021 fiscal year on a high thanks to the online sales boom. In a full-year profit and dividend statement, Woolworths said its Australian Food's eCommerce sales soared by 74.7 percent compared to the previous year and its online sales jumped 58 percent to 5.6 billion Australian dollars (about 4.1 billion U.S. dollars). However, the surging demand in online shopping is bringing challenges to some sections of the industry struggling with the workload. "As a direct result of the demand, we start to see consumers disappointed in the service levels," Professor Gary Mortimer, a retail expert from the Queensland University of Technology, told Xinhua. "And that could be extended delivery times, mistakes with orders being picked, or short date codes on grocery products being delivered." Mortimer said the decentralized picking system used by most Australian supermarkets and increasing demand were the main difficulties. "Supermarkets are bringing groceries and packing it onto the shelf, and when an online order is placed, they walk up and down to pick the groceries back off the shelf to send it to somebody's house. As you can imagine it's pretty costly, and an inefficient way to pick groceries," he said. In response, Woolworths and its supermarket rival Coles are introducing automated fulfilment centers, which means goods will be simply distributed after arriving at centers, and mostly relying on robots to do the grocery picking. "Dark stores" have also been introduced into Australia, said Mortimer. "It looks like a supermarket, but a bit bigger. The only difference is it actually doesn't have any customers, so the products arrive and get automatically picked and distributed out to customers' homes." Mortimer believes the shopping habits developed throughout the past 18 months of regular lockdowns will continue even when the pandemic has ended. "If you've set up an online account for your favorite supermarket brands, you've entered your credit card details, your delivery address, you've created a shopping list ... so over a period of time habits form." It could also end up being a cheaper option than traditional shops since the running costs of e-commerce are expected to be lower than those of physical stores. "The costs tend to go down, particularly in pure-play online retailers, because they don't have as many physical stores dotted in Australia, therefore less staff, less leasing costs," Mortimer said. "I don't think we're going to see less online grocery shopping in the future. I think we'll see the same level but obviously, the growth rate will slow," he said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 10:05:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A doctor gives water to a child at the Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar city, southern Afghanistan, Sept. 30, 2021. (Photo by Sanaullah Seiam/Xinhua) KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- In a China-built hospital in southern Afghanistan, patients awaiting treatment deem themselves lucky despite their illnesses as many of their country folks could hardly access any medical facility due to destruction in years of war and lack of resources. The Mirwais Regional Hospital, built by China more than four decades ago in Kandahar province as a gift for the Afghan people, is named after former Afghan king Mirwais Khan, and is also known as "Chinayano Shafakhana" in the Pashto language, meaning "Chinese Hospital." The hospital, with departments such as surgery, cardiology, neurology, dermatology, gynaecology and obstetrics, as well as pediatrics, has become a major health center in the country's southern region, and receives patients from across Kandahar and neighboring provinces. Local resident Mohammad Ayoub took his son to the hospital after the latter got wounded in a landmine explosion. "I came from Uruzgan province. There are hospitals in Uruzgan, but they have no equipment and there is a shortage of critical medical supplies. After my son was wounded, villagers asked me to take him to Chinayano Shafakhana in Kandahar, and they said it is a well-equipped facility," Ayoub told Xinhua on Thursday. "Thanks to China for building this hospital decades ago. Today this facility provides service to patients and their attendants. This hospital has good doctors and nurses; they are professional and kind," he said. "I'm from Garmser district in Helmand province. Our village is located in a desert. We have no equipped health clinic in Garmser. I took my son who was suffering from burn injuries (here). He is recovering in this hospital now," Mohammad Wali, a Garmser villager, told Xinhua. "This hospital, which receives hundreds of patients and war-injured, is very famous. It has kindhearted personnel; this is the only advanced hospital in this region. We are satisfied with the hospital service here," Wali said. "The Mirwais Regional Hospital had 350 beds when it opened, but the facility has expanded during the past years. Now, it has 620 beds," Dr. Mohammad Qasim told Xinhua, noting the hospital had admitted about 30,000 patients, including around 7,000 inpatients, on a monthly average basis before the U.S. withdrawal from the country. Following the Taliban takeover, the number of admissions to the hospital soared to approximately 60,000 in one month, including about 10,000 inpatients, said Qasim, physician-in-chief of the hospital. "Now the country is calm, and there is no fighting and war, so people can move freely and take their patients from villages and far-flung areas to provincial capitals," he said. The facility has also treated hundreds of COVID-19 patients since the coronavirus was detected in Afghanistan in February 2020, Qasim said. However, though the situation in Afghanistan has remained stable since mid-August, the country is still suffering economic hardship and a humanitarian crisis. But what made things worse is an international aid freeze, which could shutter a majority of Afghanistan's public health facilities. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization warned of the deteriorating health situation in Afghanistan, considering that "access to health care is decreasing." According to the organization, only 17 percent of the over 2,300 health facilities previously supported by the World Bank are fully functional. "Two thirds of these health facilities have run out of essential medicines. WHO is working with donors to sustain these health facilities to prevent a surge in deaths." The increase in people seeking treatment has put local hospitals, including the Chinese hospital, under even greater strain. "The number of the war-injured has dropped nearly to zero," Qasim said. "But our hospital is overburdened to the point that the number of patients has doubled amid a severe shortage of capabilities and supplies in some local hospitals in neighboring provinces." "We are in fear that our hospital may face a shortage of essential health necessities and life-saving medical items," he said. A silver lining at this challenging moment was the timely arrival of medical supplies donated by China. On Wednesday night, a batch of emergency supplies from China arrived at Afghanistan's Kabul International Airport. At the handover ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Wang Yu said China will continue to prepare other aid, including food, which is expected to arrive before long. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 20:10:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on April 20, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) The past few years have seen a lot of deplorable cases where anyone who dared to maintain objective and impartial positions on China were accused of being on the payroll of the Chinese government or even worse. BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- For years, the unspoken truth about Western media is that their veneer of objectivity has come off a long time ago. While touting themselves as the epitome of trustworthiness and honesty, some media practitioners in the West have no qualms about propagating lies against China. As the coordinated anti-China smear campaign is gaining steam, more intrepid journalists with a conscience are calling it out despite the tremendous pressure to silence them. In one of the most excoriating rebukes against Western media's manipulation of the public opinion against China, Javier Garcia, head of the office of the EFE News Agency of Spain in Beijing, announced earlier this week that he would soon leave journalism, as the flagrant information manipulation by Western media "has taken a good dose of my enthusiasm for this profession." The departure of journalists like Garcia is a giant loss to the industry, which is in dire need of introspection. For those who choose to stay and disagree with the highly biased and distorted reporting on China, they are usually confronted with a monolithic propaganda structure in the West to ignore, silence and discredit them. Photo taken on March 11, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) The past few years have seen a lot of deplorable cases where anyone who dared to maintain objective and impartial positions on China were accused of being on the payroll of the Chinese government or even worse. While they are working arduously to suppress impartial information and hoping it to pay off, some media in the West, especially in the United States, should expect that the chickens will come home to roost, as their own political order is at risk. Even James Murdoch, son of right-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch who owns FOX News, castigated U.S. media for amplifying disinformation that successfully sowed falsehoods. "Those outlets that propagate lies to their audience have unleashed insidious and uncontrollable forces that will be with us for years," he told the Financial Times shortly after the U.S. Congress riot in early January. For those Western media who are still slandering China's peaceful development, it is time for them to think twice. Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 21:15:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Dec. 14, 2020 shows the U.S. Capitol building in the rain in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) "It sets a bad precedent for other countries to also say they need to produce enriched uranium for naval propulsion," Fitzpatrick, an associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies-Americas, told Xinhua in a recent interview. "It has global ramifications for proliferation that are worrisome." WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The recently announced security agreement between the United States, Britain and Australia, known as AUKUS, which involves providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarine know-how, has set a bad precedent for the non-proliferation regime, Mark Fitzpatrick, a nuclear policy expert and former U.S. Department of State official, has warned. "It sets a bad precedent for other countries to also say they need to produce enriched uranium for naval propulsion," Fitzpatrick, an associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies-Americas, told Xinhua in a recent interview. "It has global ramifications for proliferation that are worrisome." The AUKUS pact exploited a loophole in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which "does allow for enriched uranium to be taken out of safeguards if it is for naval propulsion," said Fitzpatrick. "It's never been done before by any other non-nuclear armed state," he said. "So this deal is taking advantage of a loophole, but also shining light on the loophole." While noting the United States has held fast to its position of restricting the spread of enrichment technology because uranium enrichment, a process necessary to create an effective nuclear fuel, is one of the paths to nuclear weapons, the expert said that "it was a break from previous policy" when it agreed to share nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia. Photo taken on April 13, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Photo by Shen Ting/Xinhua) The pact stirred controversy because for one thing it had cost France a multi-billion U.S.-dollar contract to provide conventional submarines for Australia. Paris, blasting the U.S.-led deal as a "stab in the back," recalled ambassadors to both Washington and Canberra. For another, it sent shockwaves across the Asia-Pacific region, triggering concerns that more countries would follow suit and seek to acquire nuclear-powered submarine technology. Fitzpatrick said he thinks "there is a proliferation risk" in the efforts to share nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia, mentioning that some Japanese politicians had recently debated whether their country should likewise possess nuclear-powered submarines. "Doing a deal with Australia certainly does give other American allies a sense that they should consider as well," he said. "That's part of the precedent I'm worried about." The expert also expressed concern that the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal could intensify the arms race in the region, arguing that "when one side of a power balance increases its power, the other side often takes corresponding steps of its own." Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 22:15:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges, unseen in decades, to the maritime transport sector, but industry players have been accelerating digitalization to tackle the difficulties. -- Their efforts have helped reassess the old just-in-time supply chain model, create longer-term partnerships and build resilience to get out of the swamp and contribute to global trade recovery. -- Some major economies have worked hard to ensure a stable and smooth international supply chain. BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges, unseen in decades, to the maritime transport sector, but industry players have been accelerating digitalization to tackle the difficulties. Their efforts have helped reassess the old just-in-time supply chain model, create longer-term partnerships and build resilience to get out of the swamp and contribute to global trade recovery. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index, which reflects the spot rates of the Shanghai export container transport market, stood at 4,614.1 on Sept. 30. At the beginning of last year, the index was a little over 1,000. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach saw another round of congestion last month as businesses prepare for the coming Christmas season. Some 61 container ships were at anchor or drifting in San Pedro Bay off two ports on Oct. 1, according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California. Aerial photo taken on April 6, 2021 shows a view of the automated container terminal of Shanghai's Yangshan Port, east China. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Since the second half of last year, ever-rising freight rates and port congestions have become the "norm," hugely impacting global supply chains, liner companies, foreign trade enterprises and consumers. "I've been in the industry for 40 years, and I've never seen anything like this," said Lars Mikael Jensen, head of East-West trade, Global Ocean Network, A.P. Moller-Maersk. The maritime transport network was so broad and the global supply chain was super-efficient before the pandemic, so when there was a delay in one port, it would certainly have an impact somewhere else, said Jensen when explaining the ripple effect of port congestion. A set of COVID-19 pandemic-induced factors have combined to cause the strain on the maritime supply chain in the liner shipping industry, Jan Hoffmann, Head of Trade Logistics, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), said in a commentary published on the organization's website. The swift rebound in containerized trade enabled by an early and rapid recovery in China and measures adopted in the United States and Europe that supported household income and expenditure are two key factors causing the strain on the maritime supply chain, Hoffmann noted. The normal turnaround time for containers, trailers and ships in ports and intermodal transport links is slower than usual due to health regulations, said Hoffmann, adding that supply capacity is not growing fast enough to catch up with demand and the ability of ports to adjust is more constrained than that of shipping lines. Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2021 shows a view of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo by Suo Xianglu/Xinhua) Although the pandemic has given the container shipping industry a head-on blow, it has forced the industry to accelerate transformation and upgrading, which could be a blessing in disguise. The pandemic has quickened the container shipping industry's digitalization. With shippers' increasing need to plan ahead and manage the whereabouts of goods precisely amid global supply chain snarls, both deep-pocketed traditional freight giants and startups have worked hard to develop digital systems to offer customers better visibility. "Instead of sending emails and asking where their cargoes are, they will be able to know exactly where their products are through our system," said Jensen. The Danish logistics giant is also looking to orchestrate the entire supply chain for its customers, offering door-to-door service covering their transportation from the factories in the origin all the way to the distribution centers and shops in the destination. Both the container shipping companies and foreign trade enterprises have learned from their experience during the pandemic that they have to build more stock and time buffer. The high freight-rate volatility and capacity uncertainty have led more foreign trade companies to consider signing longer-term contracts with shipping companies, start shipping earlier to prepare for high seasons and increase inventories. Shipping companies like Maersk are looking to offer more reliable schedules. "The direction goes towards being sure that the cargoes arrive on time rather than having the fastest possible transit time," said Jensen. Maritime transport is essential to keep global trade flowing and supply chains connected during and beyond crises, and the sector's efforts to get out of the turbulence have implications for global trade recovery. Even with periodical lockdowns, travel restrictions, complex sanitation and clearance procedures at the customs, and many other inconveniences amid the COVID-19 pandemic, global trade did not come to a standstill. "When the pandemic first started last year, we were worried ports would close down completely. But they have not," said Jensen. It is important to note that the world was still connected back then, the goods did not stop moving across countries or regions, and there were still plenty of ships a week that were sailing from Asia to Europe with goods, he added. A container ship is seen on the sea of Jiaozhou Gulf, north China's Shandong Province, Aug. 7, 2021. (Photo by Yu Fangping/Xinhua) Some major economies have worked hard to ensure a stable and smooth international supply chain. China has rolled out measures to avoid sporadic COVID-19 outbreaks at ports, speed up terminal operation and cargo turnover, and accelerate port customs clearance by adopting informationized and paperless procedures, said Ding Li, secretary-general of the China Ports and Harbours Association. Container ships for domestic trade have begun to be used on foreign trade routes to increase international shipping capacity, Ding added. (Video Editors: Zhou Saang, Yin Le) Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-03 03:45:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Video: U.S. COVID-19 death toll tops 700,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. (Xinhua) Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics said they created an antiviral pill that can reduce the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and death by about 50 percent, but health experts cautioned that it wasn't a replacement for vaccinations, which remain the most effective path to ending the coronavirus pandemic if enough people get their shots. NEW YORK, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States has set the pace to expand the spectrum of COVID-19 vaccines, while its vaccination campaign drags on as it hit a grim milestone of 700,000 deaths in the pandemic that has entered its 19th month. Topping the world, the United States on Friday surpassed 700,000 deaths from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University's data. Meanwhile, the average number of people getting vaccinated, at 270,531 per day, is the lowest it has been since Aug. 15, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC updated on Saturday that 214,597,690 people have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, making up 64.6 percent of the whole U.S. population; fully vaccinated people stood at 184,852,416, accounting for 55.7 percent of the total. A total of 4,363,791 people, or 2.4 percent of the fully vaccinated group, received booster shots. Trying to add some bright color to the ongoing tragedy, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters at a White House briefing on Friday that weekly COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the United States were down by 15 percent from the previous week. A man sits beside white flags placed on the National Mall to honor the lives lost to COVID-19 in Washington, D.C., the United States, Sept. 18, 2021. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) According to The New York Times' update, the seven-day average of confirmed cases of the pandemic stood at 109,192 nationwide on Friday, with its 14-day change striking a 27-percent fall. The COVID-19-related deaths were 1,883 on Friday, with the 14-day change realizing a 5-percent decrease. WIDE-RANGING VACCINE REQUIREMENTS "As many companies impose COVID-19 vaccine mandates, employees who refuse to get jabbed are getting the ax," reported CBS on Friday, adding that employers in the health care and aviation industries this week dismissed hundreds of workers who declined to get inoculated. A case in point is Christiana Care, which is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, and has 1,200 beds across three hospitals. On Monday, it announced that some 150 of its employees had failed to meet a Sept. 21 deadline to be fully vaccinated. As a result, they were fired. Health care organizations account for most of the firings of unvaccinated workers, but other kinds of employers are also expected to follow suit when workers start reporting to offices again in earnest. Currently, a dilemma is being weighed for some companies considering vaccine mandates: an acute worker shortage among retailers, restaurants, hotels and other service-sector employers, according to the report. Pedestrians walk past a broadway theater in New York, the United States, July 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) On Friday, the Broadway League announced that all its 41 theaters in New York City will continue to require COVID-19 vaccinations for audience members, performers, backstage crew and venue staff at least through the end of the year. Audiences also will be required to wear masks inside the theaters at least for the remainder of 2021, except while actively eating or drinking in designated locations. The announcement extended the COVID-19 protocol policy that has been in place since Broadway resumed performances in July. At that time, the League said it would review the procedures in the fall. Theater owners will again review the policies by Dec. 1 for performances starting Jan. 3, 2022. "We know that with these policies in place through the end of the year, we will continue to help our audiences feel safe and to deliver them the thrill of Broadway night after night," Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, said in a statement. PILLS, MORE VACCINES Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics said on Friday that they created an antiviral pill that can reduce the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and death by about 50 percent, but health experts cautioned that it wasn't a replacement for vaccinations, which remain the most effective path to ending the coronavirus pandemic if enough people get their shots. "This can be used in conjunction with the vaccine. And it's not an alternative to vaccination. We still have to try to get more people vaccinated," Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was quoted by CNN as saying. Gottlieb acknowledged that the antiviral medicine could be effective for those who choose not to get vaccinated as well as those who catch the virus while fully vaccinated. Merck said that it will seek FDA emergency use authorization for its molnupiravir medication "as soon as possible." If permitted, it would become the first oral medicine that fights viral infection for COVID-19. "If approved, I think the right way to think about this is this is a potential additional tool in our toolbox to protect people from the worst outcomes of COVID," White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said on Friday. Photo taken on Aug. 23, 2021 shows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in Silver Spring, Maryland, the United States. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua) Also on Friday, the FDA announced that its independent vaccine advisory committee will hold three meetings in October to discuss COVID-19 booster shots, mix-and-match boosters and vaccines for children aged 5 to 11. The first two meetings, on Oct. 14 and 15, will cover booster doses of the Moderna vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, both of which are authorized for use in adults. During the second meeting, the committee also will discuss data from the National Institutes of Health and the safety and efficacy of getting initial doses of one COVID-19 vaccine and, later, a booster dose of another manufacturer's shot. Less than two weeks later, on Oct. 26, the FDA panel will discuss Pfizer's request to FDA to authorize its COVID-19 shot for 5 to 11-year-old children. No vaccines are currently available for kids under 12, and only Pfizer's shot is available for teens 12 to 17. "The meetings set up a rough timeline for a slate of FDA decisions that could help the country avoid a damaging winter surge, and ultimately help bring the pandemic to an end," reported U.S. news portal Politico. Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 20:34:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KIGALI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Rwanda National Police on Friday paraded to the media 13 suspected terrorists who were plotting to commit terrorist attacks in different parts of the country. The 13 terror suspects were arrested in the city of Kigali, Rusizi and Nyabihu districts in the Western Province. Rwanda police worked with other security organs in dismantling this terror cell, said the police in a statement. According to police, investigations revealed that the terror cell is linked to Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a terror group affiliated to ISIS. The suspects were arrested with different improvised explosive devices materials that include wires, nails, phones, explosives and videos for radicalization, according to the police. According to the statement, police commended all people who worked with security organs in sharing and corroborating information that led to prevent these attacks. Rwanda police together with other security organs will continue to prevent and fight against terrorism and ensure public security and safety, it said. ADF is based in North Kivu province in eastern of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Members of the ADF that originated in Uganda have been active in the DRC for decades. Last year, Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB) paraded 57 suspected rebels that were arrested in the jungles of DRC. The suspects, captured by the DRC military, were accused of terrorism and formation of armed groups to destabilize Rwanda. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 22:03:00|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Turkey has been sending aid convoys to Afghanistan to meet the needs of Afghan people, Kerem Kinik, president of the Turkish Red Crescent, told Xinhua in an interview on Saturday. Turkey's latest convoy, carrying 33 tons of food supply, will set off the road from Pakistan on Saturday to deliver food for 16,000 Afghan people living in different parts of the country, said Kinik, who is also the vice president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). "Currently, approximately 18 million to 18.5 million people in the country need assistance," he added. Kinik remarked that a new "authority" was appointed to the head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society after the Taliban seized power, and Turkey could deliver its humanitarian aid to everywhere in Afghanistan without facing any problems. In cooperation with Pakistani and Afghan red crescent societies, Turkey delivered approximately 3 tons of food aid to 800 families in need in August, and 4 tons of food supplies to another 800 families early in September, said Kinik. Turkish Red Crescent has been conducting a long-running program that promotes the return of Afghan migrants to their homeland by providing several funds. "Supporting Afghan citizens, who return voluntarily from Turkey to Afghanistan, with livelihood improvement projects in their country has significantly reduced illegal immigration," he stressed. With the cooperation of their Afghan counterparts, the Turkish aid institution has been granting funding for the immigrants to run their own shops suitable to their professions, such as bakeries, grocery stores, and barbershops. "We started this program in 2018, and since then, we has opened 63 stores with a cost of approximately 250,000 U.S. dollars. This year, we plan to open another 50 shops for nearly 150,000 dollars," Kinik told Xinhua. Turkey has been facing an influx of refugees from Afghanistan fleeing turmoil in their homeland since the withdrawal of American forces. According to refugee activists, an estimated 400,000 Afghan refugees are living in Turkey, a key transit point for asylum seekers on their way to Europe. Kinik also announced that his institution plans to launch a "global" campaign in the upcoming period to send more humanitarian aid to Afghanistan together with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the United Nations. "This will be a model that will both relieve the human suffering in the region and build trust to reconnect Afghanistan with the international system," he noted. The Turkish Red Crescent Society has been operational in Afghanistan since 2018 with a head office in its capital city of Kabul. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 13:29:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW YORK, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. coronavirus death toll exceeded 700,000 Friday evening, months after vaccines became widely available to the American public. Such a grim reality, as experts and health officials asserted, arose from a considerable decline of vaccination, and testified to a typical lack of common sense about science in this country. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the pandemic has claimed 700,258 American lives as of Friday evening, with the total cases standing at 43,615,149, both the highest in the world. "An overwhelming majority of Americans who have died in recent months, a period in which the country has offered broad access to shots, were unvaccinated. The United States has had one of the highest recent death rates of any country with an ample supply of vaccines," reported The New York Times on Friday. The latest COVID-19 deaths were concentrated in the South, and included younger people than before. "Every age group under 55 saw its highest death toll of the pandemic this August," said the report. October is the 19th month that the United States sustained its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, whose death toll on Sept. 20 surpassed that of the 1918 influenza pandemic, which was estimated at 675,000, making it the deadliest pandemic killer in the country. LEGISLATIVE PRESSURE U.S. Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein from California introduced a bill on Wednesday that would require vaccination, a negative coronavirus test or recovery from COVID-19 to take a domestic flight. "The push for coronavirus vaccine and testing mandates in the sky has another proponent," reported The Washington Post. "We can't allow upcoming holiday air travel to contribute to another surge in COVID-19 cases," the legislator tweeted. "It only makes sense that we also ensure the millions of airline passengers that crisscross our country aren't contributing to further transmission, especially as young children remain ineligible to be vaccinated," Feinstein said in her statement. "This bill complements similar travel requirements already in place for all air passengers ... who fly to the United States from foreign countries," added the senator. In September, U.S. President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci, said he would support a vaccine mandate for air travel. He told U.S. media that the possibility was "on the table." The United States will no longer prohibit foreign visitors from entering the country starting November if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Non-U.S. citizens who plan to travel to this country will have to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and a negative test result taken within three days of departure as they board a U.S.-bound flight. Some airlines, like United, Frontier and Hawaiian, have already begun requiring their workforce, but not passengers, to be vaccinated against the virus. MANDATE WORKS On Friday morning, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said during his weekly appearance on local radio that more than 90 percent of the New York City's public school teachers have been vaccinated against the coronavirus, which is enough for schools to operate safely when the Department of Education's immunization mandate takes effect next week. Also on Friday, with an order approved by Governor Gavin Newsom, California became the first U.S. state to announce plans to require student vaccination for COVID-19 by adding the vaccine to the list of vaccinations required for school, such as the vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella. Another encouraging vaccination news was that, two days after United Airlines announced plans to fire nearly 600 workers who clashed with its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, almost half of those staff submitted proof of vaccination, the airline said on Thursday, as it prepared to enforce some of the air industry's strictest vaccine rules. Employer COVID-19 vaccine mandates have become increasingly common in the United States. So has public acceptance. However, opposition to some of those rules remains strong, reported CNN on Friday. A series of recent survey questions show a clear majority is on board with various groups of workers, such as health care workers, government employees or teachers, being required to get vaccine or stop working. But a clear split remains over requiring a broader range of employees to get vaccinated -- unless they are given the option of being tested weekly for COVID-19 to remain unvaccinated. "There seems to be slightly more acceptance of the idea of mandates," Liz Hamel, vice president and director of public opinion and survey research at The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, was quoted as saying. "But I wouldn't call it popular." PREGNANCY HESITATION As the United States saw an alarming rise in the number of unvaccinated expectant mothers hospitalized with COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) weeks ago urged all pregnant people to get vaccinated. The recommendation came after new safety data showed no increased risks of miscarriage for those who received at least one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine before 20 weeks of pregnancy. However, almost two months later, vaccination rates among the country's pregnant people remain "extraordinarily low," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said at a White House briefing earlier this week. According to the latest data, only around 32 percent of pregnant people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 poses a severe risk during pregnancy, when a person's immune system is tamped down, and raises the risk of stillbirth or another poor outcome, according to the CDC. Twenty-two pregnant people in the United States died of COVID-19 in August, the highest number in a single month since the pandemic started. About 125,000 pregnant people have tested positive for the virus, among which 22,000 have been hospitalized, and 161 have died. Pregnancy is on the CDC's list of health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. "Though the absolute risk of severe disease is low, pregnant patients who are symptomatic are more than twice as likely as other symptomatic patients to require admission to intensive care or interventions like mechanical ventilation, and may be more likely to die," it said of the coronavirus. "(The) CDC issues urgent health advisory, strongly recommends #COVID19 vaccination for those pregnant, recently pregnant or trying to become pregnant or who might become pregnant in the future to prevent serious illness, deaths, & adverse pregnancy outcomes," tweeted the agency earlier this week. "It was kind of all across the board that they recommend getting it. I think that it is important to really value medical professionals that are seeing this stuff up front," Walensky told U.S. media about this situation. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 16:50:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Yosley Carrero HAVANA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people in Havana flocked to beaches on Friday after the Cuban government began to ease anti-pandemic restrictions in seven provinces and the Isle of Youth. El Megano Beach, located 25 km east of Havana's historic center, is one of the most popular choices for the more than 2 million residents of the city. Evelyn Carmona, a resident of the city's Lawton district, grabbed her sunglasses, hand sanitizer, and bottled water before rushing to El Megano on public transit. Carmona, who was accompanied by her husband and two children, told Xinhua she was happy to be able to head back to the beach, where she can stroll on the sands and enjoy the sunshine. "We are having a great time and letting go of stress, but it is very important to follow coronavirus protocols and safety guidelines to avoid getting infected," she said. Under the new regulations on reopening beaches, local authorities have instructed people to use hand sanitizer and maintain a distance of 2 meters between different groups to reduce the likelihood of exposure to COVID-19. Yendrys Moreno, who lives in Havana's Luyano district, told Xinhua that people should remain very cautious outdoors. "Nobody wants the beaches to close again. So, if we want to continue swimming at the beach, we must contribute to keeping the pandemic under control," he said. Over the past eight weeks, the numbers of daily COVID-19 cases in Havana dropped from 1,900 to less than 400, according to the Cuban Ministry of Public Health. On Friday, the Caribbean nation logged 5,049 new cases, including 336 registered in Havana. The reopening of beaches in Havana followed the local government's decision to resume indoor service at more than 500 cafeterias, restaurants, and bars as new daily cases continued to fall. In addition, gyms and swimming pools were opened again at up to 50 percent capacity and people are allowed to gather along the Malecon, Cuba's most famous seafront promenade. "I was really missing this place. I needed to come here, breathe pure air for an hour and (then) go back home," said Dairelys Padron, a local resident, while enjoying the sunset from the Malecon. "Cubans have a special connection to the ocean," she added. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 18:50:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The recently announced security agreement between the United States, Britain and Australia, known as AUKUS, which involves providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarine know-how, has set a bad precedent for the non-proliferation regime, Mark Fitzpatrick, a nuclear policy expert and former U.S. Department of State official, has warned. "It sets a bad precedent for other countries to also say they need to produce enriched uranium for naval propulsion," Fitzpatrick, an associate fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies-Americas, told Xinhua in a recent interview. "It has global ramifications for proliferation that are worrisome." The AUKUS pact exploited a loophole in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which "does allow for enriched uranium to be taken out of safeguards if it is for naval propulsion," said Fitzpatrick. "It's never been done before by any other non-nuclear armed state," he said. "So this deal is taking advantage of a loophole, but also shining light on the loophole." While noting the United States has held fast to its position of restricting the spread of enrichment technology because uranium enrichment, a process necessary to create an effective nuclear fuel, is one of the paths to nuclear weapons, the expert said that "it was a break from previous policy" when it agreed to share nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia. The pact stirred controversy because for one thing it had cost France a multi-billion U.S.-dollar contract to provide conventional submarines for Australia. Paris, blasting the U.S.-led deal as a "stab in the back," recalled ambassadors to both Washington and Canberra. For another, it sent shockwaves across the Asia-Pacific region, triggering concerns that more countries would follow suit and seek to acquire nuclear-powered submarine technology. Fitzpatrick said he thinks "there is a proliferation risk" in the efforts to share nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia, mentioning that some Japanese politicians had recently debated whether their country should likewise possess nuclear-powered submarines. "Doing a deal with Australia certainly does give other American allies a sense that they should consider as well," he said. "That's part of the precedent I'm worried about." The expert also expressed concern that the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal could intensify the arms race in the region, arguing that "when one side of a power balance increases its power, the other side often takes corresponding steps of its own." Enditem Rabat, Morocco (PANA) - Ending their two-day consultation in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, delegations of the Libyan Parliament and the High Council of State on Friday asked the international community to monitor the upcoming elections in their country and ensure the respect of the poll results If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Welcome Guest! You Are Here: A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. BJP president J.P. Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting at the party headquarters in New Delhi to discuss strategy for Manipur Assembly elections. According to sources, apart from Nadda and Shah, party national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, who is also the election in-charge for Manipur, and party's state in-charge Sambit Patra were also present in the meeting. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was also there in this meeting to discuss the preparations for the assembly election. The meeting was convened late in the evening on Friday at the party headquarters in New Delhi. The top BJP leaders held deliberations over the political situation in the state and discussed strategy for all 60 Assembly seats of the state. In the 2017 assembly elections, the BJP had won 21 out of 60 seats in Manipur, and formed government for the first time in the state with the support of independent legislators and regional parties. BJP is now eyeing more seats this time to form government on its own. In order to strengthen the organisation, Nadda also changed the state president a few months back. BJP's main contest is with the Congress party. However, due to frequent exodus of MLAs and party leaders, the Congress has become much weakened than before in Manipur. For clarifications/queries, please contact IANS NEWS DESK at Scores of green and river activists celebrated Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary early on Saturday by offering shram daan, to clean the Yamuna river bank. Members of Namami Gange, River Connect Campaign, Vrikshita, Nehru Yuva Kendra, NCC, joined the clean up programme. Namami Gange local convener Payal Singh Rana said the condition of pollution in river Yamuna was serious. River Connect Campaigner Pandit Jugal Kishore said a barrage downstream of the Taj Mahal was hanging fire for decades. The Yogi government should urgently take up the project. "Right now the Yamuna is flowing full, but after a few weeks, the scene would be pathetically different when heaps of pollutants would again become ubiquitously visible, fouling the ambience behind the Taj Mahal," environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya said. River Yamuna, the life line of the city, flows right in the middle of the city, with a fairly long river front dotted by half a dozen grand Mughal monuments. Heritage conservationists have been constantly warning that the health of these monuments was dependent on the health of the river Yamuna which nurtures and sustains these precious structures, said Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society. The Delhi government is trying its best to follow the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, and walk on the path of their vision through its model of governance, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Aam Aadmi Party leader said both Mahatma Gandhi and late former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri -- also born on October 2-- had dedicated their lives for the betterment and upliftment of the country. "Their contribution to the past, present and future of this country is immeasurable," he said. Kejriwal on Saturday paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Shastri at an event organised at the Delhi Legislative Assembly to commemorate their legacy. He said that Mahatma Gandhi showed the path of truth, non-violence and righteousness not only to India but to the entire humanity. "Shastri ji's simple life, honesty, and efficient leadership are inspirational for every generation of our society," said Kejriwal. The Delhi chief minister also unveiled the 'Jallianwala Bagh Smriti Chitra' in the Delhi Assembly Complex on Saturday and remembered the "immortal martyrdom of the ancestors who were martyred" in Jallianwala Bagh. Congratulating Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel for the commemoration, he said: "This artwork will continue to remind us of the pain and suffering our ancestors had to go through, the struggle they had to go through to bring freedom to our country." Talking about farmers agitation, Kejriwal said that the Central government should agree to the demands of the farmers. For clarifications/queries, please contact IANS NEWS DESK at Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban caretaker government's Acting First Deputy Prime Minister, has urged nations to reopen Afghan embassies, adding that the Islamic Emirate "does not have any policy to harm any country", the media reported. The TOLO News report on Friday said that Baradar made the comment the previous day during a meeting which was attended by ambassadors of Russia, China and Pakistan and other Taliban officials, including Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants good relations with countries of the world. If anyone has an issue with us, we are ready to resolve it through talks and understanding. We are neither intending nor have policy of harming others, the future Afghanistan will be a home of peace," Suhail Shaheen, spokesman of the Taliban's political office in Qatar, said in a tweet citing Baradar as saying. Also in a statement, Muttaqi said that "we want to open a new political chapter of good governance at home and a new political chapter with the region and the world as far as our relations are concerned", TOLO News reported. After the Taliban took over the country in August, they also countries across the world that their nationals will be safe in Afghanistan. We have taken up the responsibility and leadership as a major country, donating funds and supplies to help the international community fight the COVID-19 pandemic. by H.E. Qi Zhenhong, Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka On the auspicious occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, I would like to wish our country prosperity and progress, our people health and happiness, and best regards to all of our Chinese fellow citizens working, studying and living in Sri Lanka! I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Sri Lankan friends from all walks of life who have always been following and supporting the development of China and China-Sri Lanka relations! This year marks the centenary of the Communist Party of China. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, we have realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and have brought about a historic resolution to the problem of absolute poverty in China. In the face of the severe challenges brought by COVID-19, we have made concerted and society-wide efforts, and achieved a major strategic outcome in fighting the pandemic. In the meantime, we are grounding our efforts in the new development stage, applying the new development philosophy, and creating a new pattern of development, as Chinas GDP registers an increase of 12.7% and foreign trade grows 27.1% year-on-year in the first half of 2021. We have landed out first rover on Mars, broken the deep-sea sediment core retrieval record, successfully sent the astronauts to the newest space station, and won hundreds of medals in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. That the Five-Starred Red Flags being raised time after time makes all Chinese nationals deeply proud. We have taken up the responsibility and leadership as a major country, donating funds and supplies to help the international community fight the COVID-19 pandemic. China will strive to provide a total of two billion doses of vaccines to the world by the end of this year. In addition to donating 100 million US dollars to COVAX, we will donate 100 million doses of vaccines to other developing countries in the course of this year. In addition, China has been working with partner countries and overcame difficulties brought by the pandemic, to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road. We also stand with the international community to altogether deal with common challenges, resolutely uphold the international fairness and justice, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. This year 2021 is also an extraordinary one in the history of China-Sri Lanka relations. President Xi Jinping and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa have provided new strategic guidance for the further deepening of China-Sri Lanka relations through several phone calls and correspondence. Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa virtually attended same international forum together. Chairman of Chinese NPC Li Zhanshu and Speaker of Sri Lankan Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena held a fruitful online meeting, while the two countries foreign, defense, commercial chiefs also maintained close communication. The political and strategic mutual trust between China and Sri Lanka has reached a new height. In the past year, China has in total provided Sri Lanka 26 million doses of vaccines, numerous medical supplies, and billions of dollars as financial support to fight the epidemic and revitalize its economy. The two countries have made breakthroughs in mega projects such as Port City Colombo and Hambantota Port. The bilateral trade increased 61% year-on-year in the first half of 2021. Meanwhile, we have firmly supported each other in the international fora including human rights and COVID-19 origins-tracing, which has further deepened China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership. We are very much proud when looking back, while we are even more confident forging ahead. The year 2022 will witness the historic moment of the CPCs 20th National Congress, as well as the 65th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact. Lets work together and continue to contribute to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and bring our bilateral relations to a new level. Long live the People's Republic of China! Long live China-Sri Lanka friendship! Immediately after the Talibans arrival, the women found themselves trapped indoors, afraid to leave their house without a male family accompaniment or because of dress restrictions (burqa, niqab or hijab), with their access to education and employment fundamentally changed or ended entirely. by Saleem Samad World leaders and international organizations are hesitant to recognize the Talibans government but are keeping abreast in the implementation of the Doha Agreement. The landmark peace agreement was signed by Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and the United States on 29 February 2020. Baradar is currently the acting first deputy prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The four-page Doha Agreement is also known as the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan and to end the protracted war. According to the compliance for peace, a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement will include four parts, including guarantees to prevent the use of Afghan soil by any international terrorist group or individuals against the security of the United States and its allies; a timeline for the withdrawal of all American and coalition forces from Afghanistan; a political settlement resulting from intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations between the Taliban and an inclusive negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; and a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire. Unfortunately, the compliance for peacebuilding was flouted. One of the reasons was that the two major factions within the Taliban hierarchy did not agree to the peace deal with their arch enemy the United States. Despite the peculiar situation prevalent in cities, towns, and villages, the Taliban are ignoring the decrees of Kabul. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said in an interview in Kabul in the first week of September that accompaniment of a mahram (male family member) would only be required for travels longer than three days, not for daily chores such as attending work, school, shopping, medical appointments, and other needs. Nothing is found in reality. Taliban officials in Herat have not been consistent in carrying out the ground rules. The majority of the women lamented that Taliban fighters had stopped them on the streets, at universities, and other public places, and barred them from going about their business if they were not accompanied by a male. The Taliban in the western city of Herat is committing widespread and serious human rights violations against women and girls, Human Rights Watch and the San Jose State University (SJSU) Human Rights Institute said. Since taking over the city on 12 August 2021, the Taliban has instilled fear among women and girls by searching out high-profile women; denying women freedom of movement outside their homes; imposing compulsory so-called Islamic dress codes; severely curtailing access to employment and education, and restricting the right to peaceful assembly. Several victims told the two rights organizations that their lives had been completely upended the day the Taliban took control of the city. Immediately after the Talibans arrival, the women found themselves trapped indoors, afraid to leave their house without a male family accompaniment or because of dress restrictions (burqa, niqab or hijab), with their access to education and employment fundamentally changed or ended entirely. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is likely to swing into a fresh probe into Taliban and Islamic State-Khorasan (known as IS-K or Daesh-K) war crimes and crimes against humanity since 2003. The move shows the ICCs determination to investigate contemporary as well as past crimes against humanity. The Hague-based ICCs new prosecutor Karim Khan, a British QC is determined to use international law to investigate and has notified the Taliban via Afghanistans embassy in the Netherlands that it intends to resume an investigation. Well, there is no reaction from the interim regime in Kabul regarding the prosecutors probe into crimes against humanity. This gives a message that the Taliban regime in Afghanistan will not cooperate and refuse to allow the probe delegation to visit the country. Earlier, in April 2o2o, the ICC inquiry was deferred following a request by former Afghanistans President Ashraf Ghani to enable time to collect and collate evidence in cooperation with ICC lawyers. The probe will investigate ongoing effective domestic crimes within Afghanistan. The implications of de facto Talibanism for law enforcement and judicial activity in Afghanistan will be taken on board. The prosecutor is likely to face the music for plans to deprioritize any alleged war crimes committed by the US and the Afghan army since they are not ongoing. Khan argued that with the Taliban in charge of the country, there was no longer the prospect of genuine and effective domestic investigations and asked for permission to resume his offices inquiry. One of the crimes likely to be investigated is the suicide bombing on 26 August at Kabul airport, which was claimed by IS-K. Khan said his office would prioritize investigating alleged crimes committed by the Taliban and the IS-K, including attacks on civilians, extrajudicial executions, and the persecution of women and girls. Well, in 2015 the ICC was unable to investigate Islamic States crimes against humanity in Syria since a referral would have had to come via the UN Security Council. Some Security Councils members would have demanded ICC to investigate the crime against humanity against forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, something the Russians would have blocked using their veto on the Security Council. Saleem Samad is a freelance journalist and columnist, a correspondent of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and recipient of Ashoka Fellow & Hellman-Hammett Award Nearly 800,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines arrived in Sri Lanka this week to continue the fight against COVID-19, a gift from the American people. These safe and effective vaccines, donated by the United States and delivered via COVAX, will protect lives and increase the COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Sri Lanka. Alaina Teplitz, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives addressing the local media. I commend Sri Lankas commitment to public health. Increasing vaccination coverage is a critical step toward ending the pandemic, said Alaina Teplitz, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives. This donation will help Sri Lanka provide safe and effective vaccines, especially to young people with health issues. It represents our continued investment in Sri Lankas future and comes at no cost to the Sri Lankan people. This delivery brings the total number of vaccines donated by the United States to Sri Lanka to nearly 2.4 million. Since the pandemic began, the United States has partnered with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health to provide over $17.9 million in emergency supplies and critical services. This assistance has reached millions of people in all 25 districts and nine provinces of Sri Lanka to control the spread of COVID-19, address the urgent health needs of the Sri Lankan people, and mitigate the pandemics negative economic impacts. At the U.N. General Assembly in September, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden announced that the United States will donate 1.1 billion Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines to countries in need, free of charge. As the global leader in public health assistance, the United States has already delivered more than 160 million COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, donating more vaccines than all other countries combined. The United States is also the largest donor to the global vaccine initiative, COVAX, and is proud to work with countries around the world to end this pandemic and build back a better world. The United States is leading the global COVID-19 response not only to save lives and restart the global economy, but because it is the right thing to do. We are committed to our partnership with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and others to end this pandemic. WIA IARU-R3 Conference report The WIA reports on the IARU Region 3 conference attended by amateur radio societies in Asia and the Pacific, this included the UK's RSGB and USA's ARRL WIA Vice President Lee Moyle VK3GK says: Last week I was invited and attended the 18th International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 3 Conference. Originally planned to be held in Bangkok Thailand but due to Covid restrictions it was held as a virtual conference on zoom and was a full 3 day event. The Wireless Institute of Australia was well represented at the conference with ex IARU Director Peter Young VK3MV as the WIAs Delegate with Greg Kelly VK2GPK, Oscar Salazar VK3TX, Grant Willis VK5GR, Dale Hughes VK1DSH and Lee Moyle VK3GK as observers. Hosted by RAST the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand, it was incredibly well organised with multiple breakout rooms for discussions for proposals and recommendations to be made. The meeting observed a minute of silence in memory of amateurs who became silent keys during past three years. Capt. Dr. Panit Chantrabhakdee MD, HS1AAZ, as the President of Conference, opened the conference and welcomed everyone, as did Mr. Timothy Ellam VE6SH, President of the IARU and Mr. Wisnu Widjaja, YBAZ, Chairman of Directors of IARU Region 3. Mr. Mario Maniewicz, Director, Radiocommunication Bureau of ITU made a speech and stressed that the IARU have actively participated in ITU study groups to protect spectrum for the amateurs. The conference saw participation from over 85 individuals from the following 18 IARU Region 3 societies; (ARRL / ARSI / BDARA / CRAC / CTARL / HARTS / JARL / KARL / MARTS / NZART / ORARI / PARA / PARS / RAST / RSGB / RSSL / SARTS / WIA) and one society (FARA) as an observer status. Also attending was IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH and Secretary Joel Harrison, W5ZN along with the presidents and secretaries from IARU Region 1, Region 2 and Region 3. Two working groups were formed where all participants were invited to participate. WG1-Policy Matters. WG2- Operational and Technical Matters In addition, a separate Finance committee was formed where all delegates were invited to participate. A total of 39 papers were discussed at Plenaries and the working groups, and 16 recommendations were adopted. The following six directors were elected by voting following eight nominations: a) Mohd Aris Bin Bernawi, 9M2IR b) Jakkree Hantongkom, HS1FVL c) Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP d) Oscar Reyes, VK3TX e) Wahyudi Hasbi, YD1PRY f) Don Wallace, ZL2TLL The 19th Regional Conference of IARU Region 3 will be held at Bangkok in Thailand on September 23rd -26th, 2024. Peter Young, VK3MV, WIA-IARU R3 Liaison Officer notes the following: A vote of thanks goes to all our attendees to the conference, particularly Grant Willis VK5GR and Dale Hughes VK1DSH. Grant presented a WIA input paper related to modernisation of HF bands to accommodate digital modes. As this was an exposure draft, Grant took members of WG2 (Operational and Technical Matters) the concepts and thinking of an inter-regional group that has been working on this for the past eighteen months. This paper generated a lot of discussions dealing with the characterisation and descriptions of the three buckets of uses. Thanks also to Dale for volunteering to undertake the role of Secretary for WR1 (Policy). Thanks to Greg Kelly VK2GPK for his contribution to the Finance Committee dealing with the matter of a recommendation to the incoming Directors for the need of a Risk Register for Region 3. The WIA congratulates both Oscar Reyes VK3TX, who was elected as a IARU Region 3 Director by a comfortable margin in the first round of voting. Oscar has an exceptional CV with past and present IARU experience and Grant Willis VK5GR who has been appointed as the Region 3 HF Band Plans Coordinator. Previously, there was one coordinator for both HF and VHF+ and it was agreed in WG2, that the role should be split. For me, after over 40 years of being involved in Amateur Radio my attending my first IARU Conference was a total eye opener as to why we all need to support the regional representative societies (in our case the WIA) that represent us, the individual Radio Amateur at an international level for preservation of our frequency band modes and uses globally. I was surprised at how many of the attendees I knew personally at the conference, who are involved in the IARU, either from international hamfests and conferences to DXpeditioning or general operating and DXing. In a nutshell the IARUs main focus is on representing the spectrum interests of amateur radio to the ITU, the Regional Telecommunications Organisations and to CISPR. Policies are developed in partnership with Member Societies and IARU draws heavily on experts from Member Societies to develop position papers and to advocate IARUs position in regulatory meetings. Source WIA News https://www.wia.org.au/members/broadcast/wianews/display.php?file_id=wianews-2021-10-03 The IARU Region 3 Conference Documents are at https://iarur3conf2021.org/documents/ New York (United Nations), 2 October 2021 (SPS) The new Special Representative for Western Sahara and head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), Alexander Ivanko of Russia, will hold this month his first briefing on the future of the UN mission whose mandate expires on 31 October. According to Kenyan Foreign Minister Raychelle Omamo, whose country holds the presidency of the Security Council for the month of October, "discussions on the future of MINURSO will be on the agenda of the Security Council this month". The Security Council members are expected to be briefed during consultations on MINURSO, probably by Alexander Ivanko, who are also expected to vote on a draft resolution to renew MINURSO's mandate, the Council's website said. The UN Secretary General's report on the situation regarding Western Sahara is expected to be released before this briefing. A meeting of the troop-contributing countries with the members of the Council is also planned before the renewal of MINURSO's mandate, which expires on 31 October, the same source said. On 24 August, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres informed the members of the Security Council of the appointment of the Russian Alexande Ivanko, who had been Chief of Staff of MINURSO since 2009. He succeeds Colin Stewart, who completed his mission on 26 August. As for the post of Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, it is expected that the UN will validate the nomination of the Italian-Swedish diplomat and former special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura. 062/T In response to a request from the Ministry of Justice, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on behalf of the American people, provided audio/visual equipment to the Ministry and the Commercial High Courts. This equipment will enable courts to record and transcribe court proceedings and will facilitate adjudication during COVID-19-related restrictions, further strengthening the justice sectors efficiency and effectiveness for Sri Lankan citizens. Minister of Justice Hon. Ali Sabry and USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman met at the Ministry for the handover. The airline Eastern Airways has announced that it will not be continuing its Gibraltar flights this winter after all, following discussions with the Gibraltar government. In a statement, the government said the talks were held at the airline's request and related to ensuring the long-term sustainability of their air services from Gibraltar. Eastern Airways began running their flights between Gibraltar, Birmingham and Southampton this summer, and although the intention had been to continue them year-round, it was a difficult time to start the two new routes given the ongoing impacts of travel, including the Covid pandemic in particular. Therefore, in line with many operators of services throughout Europe, the winter schedule has been suspended and the flights are scheduled to start again in March 2022 for the summer season. The general manager of Eastern Airways, Roger Hage, said it had been a difficult decision to take. "All airlines are adjusting their flying programs depending on the demand into winter. Covid restrictions have made this even more unpredictable. We also have to ensure the sustainability implications and act responsibly to ensure the routes to Gibraltar work long-term. Adopting a seasonal approach this year achieves this and ensures long-term considerations apply. We will continue to work proactively with the Gibraltar Government on the summer schedule for 2022," he said. Gibraltar's Tourism Minister, Vijay Daryanani, said "It is disappointing for us to have less routes for the winter season but we need to look at the wider picture. Eastern Airways want to come back next summer. They need to protect their finances like any other business and I back their judgement. Having said this, our capacity for the winter months is excellent as British Airways has agreed to increase flights. This means we actually have more seats to the UK even after this suspension. I will continue working with Eastern Airways and look forward to welcoming them back in the summer". More than 20 members and supporters of Age Concern Benalmadena/Fuengirola/Mijas took part in the charity's annual fundraising challenge last Friday. The first major event for the charity since before the lockdown, the daredevil senior citizens signed up for a flight on the new zip wire attraction at the Sunview Adventure Park in Alhaurin de la Torre. Organisers had feared that the flight might have had to have been cancelled due to high winds and bad weather conditions, but, fortunately, the event was able to go ahead. The fearless participants were launched in a superman pose at speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour on the 1,350-metre-long zip wire, the longest in Andalucia. President, David Long (82), a former motorcycle racer and someone who has no fear of hair-raising activity, was the first to be launched, followed by the rest of the brave participants, all of whom said that they "thoroughly enjoyed" the experience. Along with members of Age Concern, the event was supported by the La Cala de Mijas Lions Club, and the Mijas-based Simply Surviving support group, who had chosen Age Concern as its designated monthly charity. Simply Surviving co-founder Alan Boardman said, "Five intrepid members of our group took part in the challenge. We expect to raise around 2,000 euros in sponsors, so that puts the seal on a wonderful experience." Age Concern members are no strangers to valorous activity: previous challenges have included the cross-border zip wire from Spain to Portugal, a sky dive in Seville and abseiling down the side of the Sunset Beach Hotel in Benalmadena. Secretary Steve Marshall told SUR in English that he was "delighted" at the amount of support the challenge had received, adding that he was hopeful that the money raised would be more than in previous years. "It will be a little while until all the sponsorship money is collected and counted, but we are confident that it will be the best so far. All of us at Age Concern wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to our brave and slightly crazy flyers and their sponsors, as well as for the help and support provided by Simply Surviving. We could not have done this without the continued support of the local community," the secretary explained. The Lush Life A Samantha Jamison Mystery Volume 8 Written by: Peggy A. Edelheit Author Website: http://samanthajamison.com/ After selling their art gallery to someone else, Clays friends, Alicia and Chris Worth, decided to take their trip to Europe, but for a month to collect some personal art. Clay promised them Id housesit their house, while he took on another case. They were offering me a cash bonus and their lush life. The question is would I survive it? Boxed In!: a Dr. Gideon Box/Donovan Creed Novel Written by: John Locke Available In: eBook|Paperback Author Website: http://www.donovancreed.com Dr. Gideon Box might be a pig of a man, but hes also the surgeon of last resort for hopeless case infants other doctors have given up on. Over the past six years 72 children have been wheeled into his operating room with no chance of surviving, and yet Box saved them all. But now his winning streak is in danger because the worlds deadliest assassin, Donovan Creed, has hatched a plan to stop a deadly terrorist from blowing up Wall Street. Can you see where this is going? In order for Creeds plan to succeed, Dr. Box has to make certain his next patientthe terrorists sondies in the operating room. Box has only one redeeming quality: he wont allow any child to die while under his care, even if it means tens of thousands of innocent Americans will lose their lives. Knowing that the penalty for defying Creed is certain death, Box turns to the one person on Earth he believes can neutralize the assassin while he works to save the child. Amazingly, she agrees to help him. But will it be enough? PRELIMINARY COMMENTS FOR "BOXED IN!" "I dare you to read this book and tell me that John Locke has an ounce of sanityand I mean that as a compliment!" "Ive asked it before, Ill ask it again: How does John come up with this stuff? Highly entertaining!" "Boxed In is Gideon Box at his snarky best. Id say more if I could figure out where to start. Get it, enjoy it, and pray for Mr. Locke." Sir, Government remains in denial about what ought to be done in order to normalise the affairs of this country. Yes, this county is relatively abnormal in many ways, hence it is at the point of dysfunctionality. Of course, everyone benefitting from this abnormality is in denial of this fact. Supposedly, emaSwati are in enjoyment of all their inalienable human rights, we have been made to believe. Yet they have no say in how they want to be governed. Choices This country is not where it is because of some natural disasters but rather because of wrong policies and choices. These choices and policies are, unfortunately, not of the making of emaSwati. Consequently, emaSwati are victims in this whole scheme of things in which they have very little say apropos influencing or having inputs to national policies and choices towards the achievement of national imperatives. The very denial that emaSwati are oppressed and do not enjoy or even exercise their human rights becomes the number one enemy of this nation. This country is at the crucial crossroads that demands that fundamental change of mindsets in order to inform a renewal and positive trajectory of this nation. There are two choices to be made; either we remain as we are pretending all is well and pray for doomsday to come sooner before all of us are ravaged by the scourge of poverty and disease or take that giant leap and change our circumstances. Aware By now people should be aware that the obtaining political hegemony is leading this country to the abyss as manifested by the tacit enthronement of institutional corruption and fatally flawed policy decisions. If there ever was an opportune time for the nation to rid itself of the infancy that has been holding it back, then that time is now. This country, given its peculiar attributes, can easily become the Dubai, if not better, of Africa. Achieved Yes, that can be easily achieved by disengaging from the notion that this country is either preparing for war as articulated by the budgeting trends or the need to defend the political status quo at whatever cost, instead of channeling resources towards uplifting the living standards of emaSwati. This begins with channeling the budget towards education free education from cradle to the grave and a well architectured health delivery system that would turn this kingdom into the most favoured health-driven tourism mecca. It is either we go for radical political reforms to allow a multiplicity of voices to determine the destiny of this nation or keep the obtaining political hegemony that will inevitably lead us to doomsday. We have a choice to make and this begins with you! Dubai-based lowcost airline flydubai has launched its operations to the European nations of Poland and Hungary with four weekly flights from Dubai International to Budapest International Airport and daily flights to Warsaw Chopin Airport. This will be the carriers second destination in Poland after Krakow (KRK). Warsaw is the capital and largest city in Poland. It is known for its beautiful architecture as well as its vibrant cafe and restaurant culture. Situated on the Vistula River and offering numerous green outdoor spaces, Warsaw has become a popular destination especially among those seeking an experience that is steeped in history. Located on both sides of the Danube River Budapest is a popular leisure destination and can be explored by bike, boat, bus or on foot. Visitors to the Hungarian capital can explore a wide variety of museums and galleries, impressive architecture and the well-known thermal baths. Representative of this new direct airlink, the first flight to Budapest was piloted by Captain Fabian Laszlo from Hungary and First Officer Eisa Al Suwaidi from the UAE. In addition, among the Hungarian cabin crew operating the inaugural flight was the Captains daughter, Senior Cabin Crew Cserne Fabiana Rebeka and Cabin Crew Toth Reka, said a statement from flydubai. The inaugural flight to Warsaw was operated with Polish nationals including Senior Cabin Crew Agata Samborska and Cabin Crew members Katarzyna Boryna and Paulina Kaniowska. CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: "flydubai has seen growing demand for travel this summer and with the start of flights to Budapest and Warsaw, we are expanding our network over the winter schedule to offer our passengers more choice for travel. Our newly launched operations to Hungary and Poland will also strengthen links with the UAE." Jeyhun Efendi, Senior VP, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: "The start of direct flights to Budapest and Warsaw expands our network in Europe to 20 points in 17 countries." "We are excited to offer passengers a reliable and affordable option to travel to Dubai and the convenience of connecting further afield on codeshare flights on the combined Emirates and flydubai network of 190 destinations," he stated. Also passengers booking a flydubai flight to Dubai will enjoy a complimentary one-day ticket to visit Expo 2020 Dubai.-TradeArabia News Service Suspected Nazi camp guard dies aged 96 in Bavaria Prosecution 09 Oct 2021 | 12:46 AM Berlin, Oct 8 (UNI/Sputnik) A man suspected of having served as a guard at a Nazi concentration camp, near the small Bavarian town of Flossenburg, has died at the age of 96, the state prosecutor said Friday. see more.. Gas blasts kill 7 miners in northeastern Zimbabwe - Police 09 Oct 2021 | 12:44 AM Harare, Oct 8 (UNI/Sputnik) Seven people, including six foreigners, have died as a result of gas tank explosions in a gold mine in northeastern Zimbabwe, police said on Friday. see more.. India working with global vision to build world order: Om Birla 08 Oct 2021 | 11:13 PM Rome, Oct 8 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said India is working with a wider global vision to build a world order based on energy justice, climate justice and economic justice. see more.. US, UK, Norway support Sudans govt, urge end blockades of port: Statement 08 Oct 2021 | 9:09 PM Washington, Oct 8 (UNI/Sputnik) The Troika nations of the US, UK, and Norway expressed their support of the Sudanese government on Friday and urged to end the blockade of port and transportation infrastructure in the eastern part of the country. see more.. New Delhi, Sep 14 (UNI) An Indian-origin Tanzanian filmmaker, Amil Shivji who grew up watching Bollywood movies, has released the East African nation's first-ever adaptation of a Swahili literary work about its struggle for freedom from the British colonial rule, it was reported here on Tuesday. The film titled 'Tug of War' is part of the official selection at the 46th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which began on September 9. The film, adapted from a famous novel of the same name by celebrated Tanzanian writer Adam Shafi, tells the love story of a young revolutionary and an Indian-origin runaway bride set in the backdrop of the resistance movement in Zanzibar in the 1950s. Shot in Zanzibar, an autonomous archipelago in the Indian Ocean lying close to mainland Tanzania, 'Tug of War' is the second feature film of Shivji, a fourth-generation Tanzanian, whose ancestors first arrived from Porbandar, Gujarat. The film, part of the Discovery programme of the Toronto festival, had its world premiere on Monday in Canada's business capital that boasts of a large South Asian diaspora. "Zanzibar was the biggest market for Hindi cinema outside India in the second half of last century," says Shivji, who grew up in Tanzanian capital Dar-es-Salaam. "Bollywood still plays a big role in the culture of the island, which has a very strong Indian community, whose ancestors arrived here in the late 19th century," he adds. "Zanzibar is a beautiful melting pot of cultures and Gujarati is one of the four official languages," says Shivji, who teaches cinema at the University of Dar-es-Salaam. In adapting a Swahili novel, Shivji attempts to reclaim and retell the history of the freedom struggle from the people's point of view. "We never had a chance to tell our history. It was always told from the colonial point of view," he says. "Reclaiming our history is very powerful," he adds. Tanzania gained independence from the British in 1961. Shivji, whose first feature film, 'T-Junction' (2017) was about class contradictions and prejudices in the story of two young women from working class backgrounds, first came to India as an eight-year-old with his parents. "We did the touristic visit going to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur," says the director, whose parents are both lawyers. "My father is a visiting professor of law at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. He always talks about JNU," says Shivji, who fell in love with the songs and dances of Bollywood films as a young boy. Years later, he remains in touch with Indian cinema, though more inclined towards movies with strong storytelling elements today than the "westernised, urbanised mainstream Bollywood cinema". Shivji, who read Shafi's novel in the secondary school where it is a reading material, returned to the literary work when he was making his debut film. "A neighbour gave the novel to me to help me with the inspiration. It was so poetically written, I knew immediately it spoke to cinema with its visual imagery," says the filmmaker. A few years later, Shivji moved to Zanzibar to write the script for the film, finally beginning the shooting in December 2019. "We completed the shooting before the coronavirus pandemic hit the country and worked remotely to complete the film," he adds. His second feature film starting the film festival circuit, Shivji is eager to visit India again. "I am now looking forward to visiting India again, this time hopefully to participate in a film festival," he says. UNI XC ACL St. Michael's founder and CEO Michael Voris, left, and Milo Yiannopoulos, partially blocked, walk into the federal courthouse, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, in Baltimore. U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander scheduled a hearing Thursday for the lawsuit that rally planners St. Michaels Media filed against the city. St. Michael's claims city officials cancelled the Nov. 16 rally because they disapprove of the group's religious message. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) Talking about race is hard. These researchers think DNA tests can make it easier remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-01 09:56:15|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BUJUMBURA, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) on Monday afternoon officially closed the Office of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Burundi, saying the east African nation has made big progress in reconciliation. The ceremony attended by the Burundian authorities, UN officials and diplomats accredited to Burundi took place at the UN office located in Ngagara zone in the commercial capital Bujumbura. It was characterized by descending the UN flag and handing it over to the coordinator of the UN system in the central African nation. "With the support of the UN and other partners, particularly the East African Community and the African Union, the government of Burundi and its people recorded an undeniable and major progress on peace consolidation and national reconciliation since 2015," said Xia Huang, special envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, during the ceremony. "Peace, security, democracy and good governance have been consolidated (in Burundi). After the closure of the office, we will now cooperate with the UN in terms of socio-economic development," said Isidore Ntirampeba, permanent secretary at the Burundian Foreign Ministry, during the ceremony. The Burundian government expects the UN to support Burundi's 2018-2027 National Development Plan, he said. The UN set up the office in July 2016 following the then Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza's controversial bid for his third term, which resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup in May 2015. The office collaborates with stakeholders including the government, the opposition, political parties, the civil society and religious leaders with the aim of improving human rights and security in Burundi, and creating an environment that is conducive to political dialogue. Burundi last year told the UN to close the office on Dec. 31, 2020 as the country regained peace, but later the two sides reached an agreement to close it on May 31, 2021. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-24 03:01:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BUJUMBURA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The government of Burundi on Friday confirmed it has suspended the operations of several international mining companies, including the one that operates Africa's only rare earths mine in production in western Burundi, to bring more benefits to the Burundian people. "Around April this year, I wrote to several mining companies, asking them to stop exportation of minerals. I have now written to them again directing to stop mining," Burundian Minister of Water, Energy and Minerals Ibrahim Uwizeye told Xinhua in a telephone interview. "I have invited owners of mining companies to renegotiate new terms that benefit them and the people of Burundi," said Uwizeye, adding that the companies and the government need to find "a better way forward" before they resume operations. The minister emphasized his government is not targeting any companies or countries, but expects "equal sharing" of Burundi's wealth. According to the minister's letter, the affected companies include Guernsey-registered Rainbow Rare Earths, which has 90 percent of interest in Gakara Rare Earth Project in western Burundi. Burundi owns 10 percent, which is non-dilutable. Rainbow was granted a mining license valid for 25 years in 2015, which covers an area of over 39 square km. According to the company, the project has one of the world's richest rare earth deposits. The company tweeted in June that its CEO George Bennett will fly to Burundi in early July to discuss operating the project with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye. Other companies which are suspended include gold and coltan companies. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 15:39:21|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia will impose a three-year ban on hunting marmots, the country's Ministry of Environment and Tourism said on Wednesday. The reason behind the decision is preventing the bubonic plague from spreading to people, and determining the current range and population size of marmots in the country, the ministry added in the statement. The bubonic plague is a bacterial disease that is spread by fleas living on wild rodents such as marmots. The disease can kill an adult in less than 24 hours if it isn't treated in time, according to the World Health Organization. Currently, 17 out of all 21 Mongolian provinces are at risk for the bubonic plague, the country's National Center for Zoonotic Diseases said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-09-18 16:55:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia signed an agreement on Friday to build a hydropower plant in the western part of the country with Chinese companies, according to Mongolia's energy ministry. The Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), along with PowerChina Chengdu Engineering Corp Ltd, will build the Erdeneburen hydropower plant on Khovd River in the Erdeneburen soum (administrative subdivision) of Khovd province in the coming five years, with a soft loan from the Chinese government, the Ministry of Energy said in a statement. The 90-megawatt hydropower plant is considered crucial to ensuring long-term energy supplies to western Mongolia and laying the foundation for the development of renewable energy in the region. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-01 23:17:13|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close YANGON, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Foreign Affairs Ministry on Friday announced the extension of entry restrictions for travelers until Oct. 31. The suspension will be applied to the entry of all travelers, the issuance of all types of visas and visa exemptions services until the end of this month. According to a release by the Ministry of Health on Friday, Myanmar reported 1,846 new COVID-19 cases with 54 more deaths in the past 24 hours. The number of COVID-19 infections has increased to 465,922 while its death toll reached to 17,789 so far. A total of 419,842 recovered patients have been discharged from hospitals as of Friday, the release said. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-01 23:50:58|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SINGAPORE, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Singapore reported 2,909 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, hitting a new record high and bringing the total tally in the country to 99,430. Of the new cases, 2,079 were in the community, 818 were in migrant worker dormitories and 12 were imported cases, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a press release. A total of 1,356 COVID-19 cases are currently warded in hospitals, with 222 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation, and 34 in critical condition in the intensive care units, said the MOH. Eight more patients have passed away from complications due to COVID-19 infection, bringing the death toll to 103, the ministry said. As of Thursday, 82 percent of the local population has been fully vaccinated, and 85 percent has received at least one dose, according to the MOH. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 13:48:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CANBERRA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Australia has reported more than 2,000 coronavirus cases for the third consecutive day as the country continues to battle the third wave of COVID-19 infections. There were 2,355 locally-acquired COVID-19 infections reported nationwide on Saturday morning, marking the third straight day and only fourth since the start of the pandemic with more than 2,000 new cases. New South Wales (NSW), Australia's most populous state with Sydney as the capital city, registered 813 new local cases and 10 deaths. There have been 362 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since June 16 this year, said the statement from NSW Health. Victoria, the second-most populous state with Melbourne as the capital city, reported a further 1,488 new local cases and two deaths. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) recorded 52 new cases, its equal-most on any day since the start of the pandemic, for the second straight day. Of the new cases, 22 have not been linked to a previously known infection and only 10 were in quarantine for their entire infectious period. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said that September was a tough month but there are signs of "better times ahead" with Canberra's strict lockdown, which began on Aug. 12 and is set to end on Oct. 15. "With a very strong vaccination program, by the end of October and going into November and then into the summer, there will be better times ahead for our city," he told reporters. "But we have the next four weeks of intense vaccinating to do in order to make that a much safer late spring and summer period for our city." According to the latest data released by the Department of Health, 78.5 percent of Australians aged 16 and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 55.1 percent are fully vaccinated. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 16:50:03|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Philippine Senator Christopher Go (R), accompanied by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, files his certificate of candidacy to join the vice presidential race in Pasay City, the Philippines, Oct. 2, 2021. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced Saturday that he will not run for vice president in the 2022 elections and will retire from politics. Duterte was at the poll body on Saturday in Metro Manila to accompany his former longtime aide and Senator Christopher Go, 47, who filed his candidacy for vice president. (Lisa Marie David/Pool via Xinhua) MANILA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced Saturday that he will not run for vice president in the 2022 elections and will retire from politics. "Today, I announce my retirement from politics," Duterte, 76, told journalists. Concerning his surprise announcement, Duterte, who took office in 2016 for a six-year term of presidency, said that he is heeding the Filipinos' "overwhelming sentiment" for him to quit politics. "The universal sentiment of the Filipinos ... is that I am not qualified. It would be a violation of the constitution to circumvent the law, the spirit of the constitution. And so in obedience to the will of the people who, after all, placed me in the presidency many years ago, I now say to my countrymen I will heed your wishes," Duterte said. Duterte was at the poll body on Saturday in Metro Manila to accompany his former longtime aid and Senator Christopher Go, 47, who filed his candidacy for vice president. Candidates for the 2022 elections could file their certificate of candidacy from Oct. 1 to 8. The elections will be held on May 9, 2022. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 18:43:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Seven people, including six women, were killed when a car plunged into a ditch late Friday night in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, local media reported Saturday. According to the report, the accident occurred after the car skidded off the road due to fast current of the gushing rain water. Police told local media that they received the information of the accident Saturday morning and then rushed to the site and shifted the victims to a local hospital. All the deceased were from one family, who were on the way back home from a wedding ceremony. Heavy rains hit different areas in Pakistan last week and are expected to continue for the next few days. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-10-02 20:14:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 14,786 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, pushing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 2,580,173. The DOH also reported that 164 more people died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the country's death toll to 38,656. The Philippines, with a population of 110 million, has tested nearly 20 million people since the outbreak in January 2020. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH is still assessing if the lower number of daily COVID-19 cases recorded in recent days is "artificial or real." "We need to analyze further and study (the trend) carefully before we can say that the situation is really improving," she told a televised press conference, stressing the need "to be cautious because the hospitals are still full." Meanwhile, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua has expressed optimism that the Philippine economy can recover and reach its growth targets of 4 percent to 5 percent for 2021 and 7 percent to 9 percent in 2022. However, Chua stressed the need to accelerate the vaccination rollout, manage the risks better, and implement the economic recovery program to attain the targets. Chua added that while prospects for the country's economic recovery remain promising, "its sustainability depends on our actions in dealing with the virus." "We believe that our strategy to have granular lockdowns is right and working," Chua added, saying Metro Manila have recorded fewer cases. The Philippines has administered over 45.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and more than 21.4 million people have been fully vaccinated. The government aims to vaccinate up to 70 million people this year. Enditem Updated: Oct. 8, 2021 The Postal Service is temporarily suspending international mail acceptance for certain destinations due to impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other unrelated service disruptions. View the suspensions Suspension Due to Unavailability of Transportation Afghanistan Guadeloupe New Zealand** Syria Australia * Laos Papua New Guinea Tajikistan Bhutan Libya Reunion (Bourbon) Timor-Leste Brunei Martinique Saint Pierre and Miquelon (Miquelon) Turkmenistan Cuba Mayotte Samoa Yemen French Guiana Mongolia South Sudan Customers: please refrain from mailing items addressed to the countries listed here, until further notice. These service disruptions affect Priority Mail Express International (PMEI), Priority Mail International (PMI), First-Class Mail International (FCMI), First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS), International Priority Airmail (IPA), International Surface Air Lift (ISAL), and M-Bag items. *Australias service disruption affects Priority Mail International (PMI), First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS), Commercial ePacket (CeP), International Priority Airmail (IPA) packets, International Priority Airmail (IPA) M-Bags, International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) packets, International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M-Bags, and Airmail M-Bags. **New Zealands service disruption affects Priority Mail International (PMI), First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS), Commercial ePacket (CeP), International Priority Airmail (IPA) packets, International Priority Airmail (IPA) M-Bags, International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) packets, International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) M-Bags, and Airmail M-Bags. Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail. For already deposited items, other than GXG: Postal Service employees endorse them Mail Service Suspended Return to Sender and then place them in the mail stream for return. For any returned item bearing a customs form: The Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service. For all other returned items not bearing a customs declarations form: Either: The Postal Service will, upon request, refund postage and fees on mail returned due to the suspension of service, or The sender may remail them with the existing postage once service has been restored. When remailing under this option, customers must cross out the markings Mail Service Suspended Return to Sender. Global Express Guaranteed Service Suspensions and Disruptions Effective August 2, 2021, the Postal Service is temporarily suspending international mail acceptance of Global Express Guarantee (GXG) to the following destinations. Suspension of Global Express Guaranteed Service Brunei East Timor Vietnam China Norfolk Island Unless otherwise noted, service suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of military and diplomatic mail. Customers: please refrain from mailing items addressed to the countries listed here, until further notice. Priority Mail Express International Temporary Guarantee Suspension Effective March 23, 2020, due to airline travel restrictions and cancellations, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined to China, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. These suspensions will be in effect until further notice. The Postal Service is taking all reasonable measures to minimize impact to our customers. King Mswati III, the absolute monarch of Swaziland (eSwatini) has engaged lawyers in an attempt to get an online newspaper to stop publishing critical articles about him. The Swaziland News, is published on a website hosted in South Africa. In the past the King has simply ordered the closure of newspapers and the arrest of journalists that criticise him. The Swaziland News reported it had received a letter from South African law-firm Brian Kahn Inc Attorneys on behalf of the King, Swazi Government ministers and other public officials. The Swaziland News reported, 'The articles cited in the letter include among others: "King Mswati, Stem Holdings and the multi-billion dagga cold war", "King Mswati defrauded the Swazi Nation in a multi-billion shareholding deal, to take over Sun International Hotels", "How King Mswati grabbed multi-billion Pension Fund after seizing Tibiyo TakaNgwane and Provident Fund"'. The newspaper reported, 'The King through his lawyers demanded that this publication should at least give him three (3) days to respond before publishing anything about him, he said this should be done through the office of the Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini.' Swaziland News editor Zweli Martin Dlamini told the newspaper, 'This is just a desperate attempt by the King to try and undermine access to information and freedom of the media but he won't succeed.' Ziphozonke Ngubeni, a South African national whose company Avulekhamazulu provides website hosting services to the Swaziland News and was also cited in the letter said he would not be told by the King how to provide services. 'The King is a dictator and thinks he can just come here, hire lawyers and intimidate us, this is South Africa and he is just exposing himself. We provide services to the Swaziland News and we cannot dictate to the editor what to publish, we just provide hosting,' the Swaziland news reported him saying. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Swaziland Governance Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. In August 2020 the Swazi Government said it would pursue Dlamini using 'legal channels' after he wrote and published several articles stating that the King had entered into a multi-billion cannabis deal with a foreign company for his own benefit. This was not the first time Zweli Martin Dlamini has been in trouble with the absolute monarch. In April 2020 he wrote and published reports that King Mswati had tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and had been taken to hospital with breathing problems. He had reportedly fled to neighbouring South Africa in March 2020 for the second time. He said he had been arrested and tortured by Swazi police who accused him of sedition. Also, on 7 February 2020, The Swaziland News reported Dlamini was being harassed and receiving death threats from King Mswati's first born daughter Princess Sikhanyiso, who is the Minister of Information Communication and Technology. Dlamini had previously fled to South Africa in fear of his life in 2017. He had received death threats from a local businessman before his newspaper Swaziland Shopping was shut down by the Swazi government when the newspaper's registration under the Books and Newspapers Act 1963 was declined by the Swazi Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology. The 2016 High Court judgment in this case came as a relief to many opposed to the present system in Eswatini because it found essential elements of two laws, regarded as highly repressive, were unconstitutional. However, because the state wants to appeal the decision, charges under the terrorism and sedition laws, pending against a group of activists, have not been finalised either way. In 2019, the Supreme Court wanted to hear and deal with the appeal, but could not do so because there were not enough judges available who could hear the matter several members of that already small Bench were in one way or another associated with the issue and would have had to recuse themselves. Now the appeal is set for hearing on 30 August, and the Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) has warned that the problem of whether there are judges who can hear the case has not gone away. According to SALCs executive director, Anneke Meerkotter, this time around, when the appeal is due for hearing, there is a strong likelihood that at least two of the judges on the Bench will again be partial. Two Supreme Court judges, (who are) former Attorney-Generals, actually deposed to the answering affidavits of the state in the High Court matter, with one of them even drafting the arguments presented by the state in the High Court. No reasonable person could ever accept that a deponent to an affidavit in a case could later sit as a judge in the same case. Meerkotter urged the Eswatini judiciary to ensure that the composition of the Supreme Court Bench (in this appeal) is properly constituted by judges whose impartiality was not in question. She said that in the current appeal there is a real risk that the fair trial rights of the group, charged under the contentious laws declared unconstitutional by the High Court, will be imperilled if the two judges do not recuse themselves. In March 2019, the last time an attempt was made to constitute a Bench to hear the appeal, the Chief Justice, Bheki Maphalala, said that there were not enough Supreme Court judges to constitute the Bench needed to hear the matter. He said there were at the time seven judges of the Supreme Court and that most of the them had dealt with the matter in some way. As a result, the case had been postponed until enough judges were available to hear the matter. Although he had wanted to deal with the matter speedily, he said this had not been possible because the government had not agreed to the extra judicial posts needed. Unlike other jurisdictions, in Eswatini the judicial service commission did not have the power to advertise empty posts, but we have to go to the Ministry of Public Service and beg for posts, he said. The judiciary was one of three arms of government and should be autonomous. However, it had to approach the executive and beg. He also said that the appeal against the High Courts finding that sections of the law on terrorism and sedition were unconstitutional was not the only appeal unable to be heard due to a shortage of judges of the Supreme Court. Further, he said that the case should in fact be heard by five judges, but that (in 2019) there were discussions with the parties on the acceptability of reducing the number of judges hearing the matter to three, in an effort to ensure it could be heard. Now the appeal is slated for hearing at the end of August, but at this stage, the names of the judges who will hear the matter have not been made public, nor whether five or three judges will preside. In its original High Court decision, the majority, Judges Mamba and Annandale, found that the government had been woefully wanting and had not submitted any material at all to justify the limitations posed by the laws on the constitutional freedoms of Eswatinis people. The conclusion was thus inescapable that the two laws were unconstitutional. But while the majority of the court scrupulously avoided dealing with the crimes alleged to have committed by the applicants who challenged the validity of the two laws under which they were charged, the minority did not hesitate to do so. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Swaziland Legal Affairs Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Judge N J Hlophe, who wrote the minority decision, said that the trial should first take place. If the accused were acquitted that would be the end of the matter and the court would not need to decide the constitutional question. This was the preferable approach because it was not advisable to decide a constitutional question where a matter could be decided on other grounds. Hlophe also agreed with argument by the Government that in Eswatini, unlike other democratic countries whose jurisprudence was cited by the majority, it was the applicant, rather than the government, that had to show that a law limiting freedom of expression and association was not reasonably justified in a democratic society. The diametrically opposing views by the High Court on such fundamental issues will be among the matters for the appeal judges to decide in this case. A military parade in Conakry on September 6, 2021, the day after a military coup in the country. Sen. Zargo urges Days after a military junta dethroned President Alpha Conde's government in neighboring Guinea, Lofa County Senator and Senate Committee Chair on Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs Steve Zargo says the necessary budgetary allotment should be made to enhance Liberia's military capacity in ways that will make soldiers spirited, energized and willing to work. "So if you want to enjoy the blessing and the protection of the military, treat them good. Treat them like your children ... Let's give them what they deserve," Sen. Zargo said Wednesday morning, 8 September in Monrovia when he appeared on local broadcaster Prime FM's live talk show. According to Zargo, some of the issues that the Guinean junta cited as factors prompting the uprising against President Alpha Conde are applicable here and therefore urged that Liberia and other countries in the sub-region should take note and learn a lesson from the situation in Guinea. The junta's capture of President Conde on Sunday and seizure of power have sent chills across West Africa, with amplified calls for governments in the region to avoid tampering with their countries' constitutions, fight corruption, support national security and depoliticize law enforcement and the justice system, some of which are believed to have triggered Conde's fall. Additionally, Zargo has spoken against the idea of trying to "find something for the military" at the eleventh hour and urged the need to "give to the military what they deserve," create the enabling environment, and go to the military barracks, see how soldiers are living and be able to renovate the barracks. He noted that Liberia's military barracks including Camp Jackson and other barracks in Lofa and Nimba counties, for instance, are still not up to pre-war status, thereby calling for budgetary allotment to be made to enhance the capacity of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to boost soldiers' morale. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Talking specifically about Liberia, he explained that before the international partners left Liberia, there was this security sector reform that was established with a lot of consultations done, involving the United Nations peacekeeping mission and the Ministry of Justice here. Based on the reform that was established, Sen. Zargo said by now Liberia's military should have a population of over 5,000 personnel based on the projection made at the time. He also said by now the military should have its own agriculture and engineering battalions to energize the military. Moreover, he said there was a projection that by now the police here should have over 8,000 personnel, but that has not been done. Meanwhile, Sen. Zargo has commended President George Manneh Weah for giving the marching order to the military here to go to the border between Liberia and Guinea to ensure that it is policed in ways and manner that will prevent any unhealthy cross border activities at this time. In spite of condemnation from the international community and regional leaders, reports from Guinea say the coup leader Col. Mamady Doumbouya has said a new unity government would be formed in weeks without being definite about the exact time. Col. Doumbouya is said to have gone further to instruct former officials to turn over official vehicles to the military, and also ordering them not to leave the country, among others. United States (US)-based United Parcel Service (UPS) Foundation has donated ultra-cold chain equipment to support the Government of Malawi's preparedness to receive, store, and distribute the Pfizer vaccine across the nation. The 30 state-of-the-art portable freezers can each store up to 6, 000 vaccine doses, and maintain temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees Celsius. Additionally, they are equipped with uninterrupted power supply and can be plugged into a cigarette lighter receptacle in a vehicle for transportation. UPS has also donated 50 portable cold chain boxes with a capacity to carry up to 6,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine maintained at two-to-eight degrees Celsius for four to five days without electricity. Service providers can carry these boxes to remote locations. Speaking when he handed over the equipment at the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Lilongwe on Wednesday, the US Ambassador to Malawi, Robert Scott, said the donation represents a unique collaboration between interagency team from the Ministry of Health, the U.S. Commercial Service, CDC, USAID, and the UPS Foundation. "This donation also represents the type of public-private partnership that both the U.S. and Malawi governments will continue to pursue in the fight against COVID-19," he said. Scott commended the Malawi Government for expanding Covid-19 vaccine options available to Malawians, stressing that the decision demonstrates the government's commitment to leave no tools unused in its effort to protect Malawi's citizens and pursue the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. "Today's contribution of the ultra-cold chain equipment will prepare Malawi to receive the Pfizer vaccine and other approved vaccines that require ultra-cold chain. This will enable the Government of Malawi to safely receive, deploy, and minimize loss of the Pfizer vaccine and other public health solutions that will require ultra-cold chain storage in the future," narrated Scott. In her remarks, the Minister of Health and Population, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, said the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic has shown why the Government of Malawi must do everything it takes to guard against the ravages of the pandemic to protect lives, jobs, businesses, and the national economy. Chiponda said there is increasing evidence that these interventions, vaccination against Covid-19 is a must-do despite the misinformation. "In this third wave we have noticed that world over with Malawi included the majority of the people who have succumbed to Covid-19 happen to be those who never got vaccinated. In Malawi we can attest to the fact that the majority of those who got hospitalised and or lost lives were not vaccinated," she explained. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Malawi Coronavirus Aid and Assistance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The minister added that the Ministry of Health and its partners have resolved to implement the National Vaccine Deployment Plan by further strengthening management systems and making the vaccines available. "As you recall, the United States Government donated 304,350 of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to Malawi through COVAX facility to improve availability of vaccines and contribute to increase in the number of fully vaccinated people. In their continued support, the U.S Government plans to donate an initial 372,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Malawi through COVAX by the end of this quarter. "Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-cold chain infrastructure to maintain potency at temperatures not above minus 80 degrees Celsius. Currently Malawi does not have these storage facilities. It is against this background the U.S Government through the United Parcel Service (UPS) Foundation is donating ultra-cold chain equipment and other cold chain pieces of apparatus necessary to receive, store and distribute the Pfizer vaccines in Malawi," said Chiponda. analysis Recent studies show that mainstream media are more effective spreaders of disinformation than fake news websites and social media. This raises questions about the influence of invented facts if the filters ingrained in old school journalism, such as fact-checking and hearing all sides, are abandoned in favour of the more intuitive approach of the post-truth era. This question is particularly pertinent where the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is concerned. During the first two decades after the genocide, alternative facts and conspiracy theories were the almost exclusive domain of anti-imperialist activists, elderly catholic missionaries, and members of the former regime, as well as Rwandan Diaspora subcultures linked to them. More recently these previously marginal myths are being fed to a world audience by reputable media like the Penguin Random House, and The New York Review of Books. This is cause for concern. Rave reviews The latest contribution to this new tradition is Michela Wrong's book Do Not Disturb: The Story of a Political Murder and an African Regime Gone Bad. The book relates the turbulent history of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), the ruling party in Rwanda, from the perspective of former leaders turned militant political rivals. According to the author, the book is meant to lend a voice to "the other side" and reveal what president Paul Kagame keeps hidden, as it were, under the carpet. Although parts of the book are probably close to the truth and a critical investigation of current politics in Rwanda and the history of its leaders is a legitimate approach for any journalist, the properly researched topics in this book are intertwined with misconceptions that are given the appearance of credible facts but are obviously not. This blend of accurate and false information presents the reader with the problem of having to guess which is which. In a New Books Network podcast the author explains that in her opinion even myths created around the campfire may reflect a certain kind of reality: " the fact that something may not be rooted in actual facts in a way does not mean it's not true." For readers less inclined to disconnect 'facts' from 'truth', the danger is that the book might be mistaken for a historically accurate or balanced account of recent Rwandan history. Such misapprehension has resulted in a series of rave reviews in prominent magazines and newspapers praising Wrong for her "meticulous research". In her review, academic Susan Thomson describes the book as "a masterclass of investigative journalism." To her credit, Wrong dispels that illusion. To Daniel Flitton of The Interpreter, she reportedly declared that she had " deliberately eschewed the type of journalism that relies on gathering evidence, putting the allegations [to the people concerned] and presenting both sides, believing the Rwandan state has had plenty of opportunities to amplify its message." Be that as it may, relaying an unverified history as narrated by disgruntled former RPF officers in exile is one thing, provided Wrong is frank about it, but this covers only 60 % of the book. The remaining 200 pages recycle myths that those familiar with the field have grown accustomed to from shadow literature produced by a more sinister category of dissidents. One of the more distasteful examples re-labels the thousands of genocide victims whose bodies floated down the rivers to Lake Victoria as Hutus killed by the RPF, which recycles a propaganda message broadcast repeatedly by the Rwandan hate radio stations during the genocide. All in all, Wrong's intuitive methods prove highly vulnerable to the power of suggestion. Untold Stories 2014 was a turning point in the mainstream media's framing of the genocide against the Tutsi. This was the year the BBC aired the controversial documentary "Rwanda's Untold Story". Apparently using the film as her blueprint, the topics in Do Not Disturb are largely the same, so too are the key informants and their arguments. Most importantly, both the BBC program and Wrong's book are characterised by the omission of essential documentary evidence vital to make sense of the subject matter. It's beyond the scope of this blogpost to name and analyse every relevant piece of evidence overlooked by Wrong and the BBC, or the misconceptions born out of this negligence, but it's worth examining one topic that's been a cause of polarisation among journalists and scholars for many years: the rocket attack against president Habyarimana's aircraft on the evening of 6 April 1994, an event used by Hutu Power extremists as a pretext to seize control of the Rwandan government, kill Hutu political moderates, and start to exterminate the Tutsi minority. After the rocket attack, two theories prevailed. The first was that the Presidential Guard (PG) under the direction of Colonel Theoneste Bagosora had staged a coup d'etat to prevent implementation of the Arusha Peace Accords signed by the Habyarimana government and the RPF (as part of this, the PG was going to be dissolved). The second theory was that the RPF had attacked the plane to re-ignite the civil war and force its way to power by military means since they feared losing the planned future elections agreed under the Arusha Accords. Wrong doesn't discuss the first option and dismisses another explanation in which Habyarimana's widow was behind the assassination. This omission leaves the RPF exposed as the prime suspects. In her book, Wrong uses the same informants and documents as the BBC documentary, including several RPF dissidents who are presented as witnesses but reject any personal involvement in the planning and execution of the attack. They merely recycle arguments from a redundant whodunnit-debate that used to focus on the question from which location the assassins had fired the missiles. Before 2012, some observers thought the missiles were fired from the Kanombe military camp, where the PG were stationed, while others, like the dissidents, claimed the crime scene was "La Ferme", a spot in the valley below Masaka hill. Belgian scholar Filip Reyntjens describes the significance of that debate as follows: "The importance of identifying the firing zone is considerable, because it is unlikely that the RPF would have carried out the attack from the military domain or its immediate surroundings, but it could have accessed the area of Masaka." Jos van Oijen FIGURE 1: Visualisation from the Cour d'appeal de Paris Tribunal de Grande Instance, Rapport d'expertise - Destruction en vol du Falcon 50, Kigali (Rwanda), 5 January 2012. Forensic investigation Not mentioned by Wrong and the BBC is that the matter of the shooters' location was settled a decade ago by an independent on-site forensic investigation. In 2010, French judges Nathalie Poux and Marc Trevidic received permission to investigate the crash site in Kigali. They brought along a multidisciplinary team of specialised scientists who inspected the wreckage, established the lines of sight of eyewitnesses, and examined six firing zones that were mentioned in the various witness accounts, including La Ferme and Kanombe. Their findings were published in 2012, in a 338-page technical report. Because many scholars and journalists are not scientists, I've visualised the relevant information in Figure 1, using coordinates mentioned in the report. The scientists first determined the plane's position in the air when it was hit by a missile, and the part of the plane that was hit: the underside of the left wing. Their inspection of the damage revealed that the missile that hit the plane (another one had missed) had ruptured a fuel tank which caused the kerosene to escape and explode in mid-air. The damage to the wing then caused the plane to crash. This information, combined with other data they collected, led the scientists to conclude that the firing zone could not have been in the Masaka area as the RPF dissidents suggest. I'll briefly explain the main arguments behind this conclusion: The fact that the left wing was hit from below limits the area from where the missiles were fired to a left-front angle. La Ferme was located outside this area, to a left-rear angle. If the missiles were shot from La Ferme, they would have approached the airplane from behind, guided by their infra-red sensors to the engines attached to the tail, diagonally above the wings. The wreckage showed no missile damage to these parts of the plane and a miss would not have hit the underside of the wing. The second reason was the distance to a group of Belgian doctors and a French officer in Kanombe, who heard the missile shots a few seconds before they saw the light of the fuel explosion. These facts limit the radius within which the shots were fired. La Ferme was more than 2 kilometres away, far outside this radius. The sounds of shots from that area would have reached the ears of the witnesses after they saw the explosion, not before. The third reason was the direction of the missiles as observed by the doctors in Kanombe. Through a window of the residence of surgeon Massimo Pasuch and his wife Brigitte, looking in the direction of Masaka, they saw bright missile trails going from right to left. Although they were looking in the Masaka direction, La Ferme was hidden from their view in the valley, a hundred meters below their position. The doctors could not have seen the trails of a missile from La Ferme until it rose up from the valley, which would have been to their left (indicated in blue in Fig. 1). There were several other facts leading to the same conclusion. While none of the evidence supported La Ferme as the crime scene, it does fit an area in the eastern part of the Kanombe military camp. The scientists concluded that the shots must have been fired from an area of about 2.6 hectares east and south of locations 2 and 6, provided there was a clear view towards the approaching plane. In 1994 this zone was partially covered by a woodlot which further limits the shooting zone to an area of about 1.5 hectares (in Fig. 1, this zone is indicated in green). Fringe theories Critics like Barrie Collins and Filip Reyntjens have argued that the results produced by the acoustics expert are unreliable because the circumstances at the test location in France deviated from those in Rwanda. But when I asked Reyntjens to indicate how much it affected the sound velocity, he admitted that he lacks the technical expertise to answer that question. Another point of critical importance concerns the possibility of evasive maneuvers by the pilots, but none of the eyewitnesses has mentioned the type of aerobatics necessary for linking the wing damage to a La Ferme-missile. Moreover, in that scenario, the plane would not have crashed where it did. These results do not entirely rule out the RPF as suspects, but no theory has been suggested in which they infiltrated their enemy's military domain, waited for the plane to arrive, shot it down, and escaped without being spotted. On the other hand, the fact that the firing zone was a short stroll from the Kanombe barracks, warrants a more critical look at other scenarios and suspects. Unfortunately, Wrong's 'intuitive method' left no room for reading the scientific report and then discussing it in her book, let alone confronting her informants with it. Unfortunately, there are dozens of examples of such poorly researched topics in Do Not Disturb. Several hair-raising mistakes could have been prevented simply by looking at the map. Usually, scholars and journalists who dismiss scientific facts without a proper refutation, while clinging to unrealistic theories because it's their belief, are viewed as having entered the realm of pseudo-science. It's a mystery why this behaviour is deemed acceptable, even encouraged, in the context of Rwanda and the genocide against the Tutsi. Considering that the public has a right to accurate information, the editors of mainstream media outlets and academic journals, persuaded to publish fringe theories because they come wrapped in a compelling, well-written story, should do a better job upholding the ethical standards of the trade and prevent gross errors and disinformation from taking on the appearance of credible facts. A good story is not necessarily an accurate story. Jos van Oijen is an independent researcher from The Netherlands who publishes on genocide-related issues in various online and print media. Juba South Sudan on Tuesday received 152,950 Johnson and Johnson vaccine doses from the US, Health Minister Elizabeth Achuei confirmed. "The single-dose vaccines, a donation from the US government, are the third batch of several vaccine shipments to have arrived in the country through the Covax-facility, a global partnership established to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines worldwide," she told journalists on Tuesday at Juba International Airport. "The roll out of the new consignment is expected to start within the next two weeks." Ms Achuei urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help the government civic education efforts, to encourage uptake of coronavirus vaccines. On August 31, South Sudan received 59,520 doses of Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccines from Covax, donated by the government of France. Vaccine misinformation In March this year, South Sudan received 132,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines from Covax - the global initiative to ensure lower-income countries have access to vaccines. However, in May, the country initiated a process to return some of 72,000 vaccine doses after concluding it cannot administer the vaccines before expiry. Kenya expressed interest to have the consignment. On July 18, part of South Sudan's second Covid-19 AstraZeneca consignment expired. 56,587 citizens got vaccinated and only 6,063 does in the 96 facilities across the country were wasted, according to the Ministry of Health. Health officials in South Sudan argue that misinformation on vaccines has led to vaccine hesitancy. This colonial-era Lesotho artist carved sculptures that were so close a depiction of their reality that they could well have been mistaken for machine-made reproductions. Ceramic artist Samuele Makoanyane, who lived and worked in the village of Koalabata in the Teyateyaneng district not far from Maseru, displayed a profound gift for capturing intricate reproductions of people he met in everyday life. His adviser, agent and confidant CG Damant sold Makoanyane's work in Frasers Trading store in Maseru, and shipped some to different parts of South Africa, what was then Rhodesia and select places abroad. Along this course of their partnership, Damant advised Makoanyane to create models of his own people rather than missionaries, and to keep his figurines small so that they were easier to transport. In 1935, Makoanyane's work was exhibited in Paris and New York, according to Esther Esmyol, curator in Iziko's Social History Collections. In the same year Percival Kirby, then professor of music at the University of the Witwatersrand, commissioned Makoanyane to produce eight figurines of traditional musicians. Makoanyane made seven. It is speculated that he was unable to produce the eighth piece because the instrument involved was played at the lebollo male initiation ceremony, which is shrouded in secrecy. The exhibition then noted: "Makoanyane thought it beyond him to attempt the eighth, the lekhitlane player which was traditionally used in the lebollo ceremony. The reason for not completing this figurine is left unanswered." Unlike other pieces that Makoanyane produced, the Kirby Collection, now housed at the College of Music at the University of Cape Town (UCT), is unique. In 1936, Makoanyane's work was on display at the Empire Exhibition in Johannesburg. Today, his work is found in private collections and museums in South Africa and all over the world. A booklet about Makoanyane written by Damant is a crucial source of information about the artist's life and work. As Steven Sack, curator of Iziko's Makoanyane show, notes: "It is the only account of the life of this neglected southern African pioneer of figurative portraiture in the 1930s." The booklet points to how Makoanyane's keen attention to the details of human life and his solitary lifestyle made him an outsider. Yet he was held in awe because of his skills and intelligence and, at the same time, feared by people who thought his powers of observation were unnatural and sinister. "We grappled with the title of the exhibition," Sack said. "I didn't want to call it something like An unknown artist from Lesotho. Makoanyane used to end his letters to Damant with the words: Ke liha pene, which means, 'I lay down my pen.' "Once he constructed a figure, he would take a very fine instrument like a pen, known as a 'scribe' and inscribe into it some patterning and lines that really finally animated the work. It was almost as if he was writing the work into animated existence with this mode of very fine drawing; engraving onto the figurine. In a sense, when he finished making the sculpture and laid down the scribing tool, it was equivalent to the act of writing and laying down his pen. So, we decided to call the exhibition: Ke liha pene, I lay down my pen." A critical change in approach The initial plans for the exhibition were thwarted when Covid-19 struck. "Originally, the exhibition was going to be a physical exhibition of the 11 pieces in the Iziko Collection, held at the South African Museum, and it was meant to open last year in September. "But, of course, the physical exhibition had to be cancelled," Sack said. As it turns out, the reconceptualised exhibition has achieved what would not have been possible otherwise. "Covid has produced some wonderful innovations," said Sack. The delay also allowed for critical reflection. "If the exhibition had been held at the South African Museum, it would have been perpetuating the same old problem of putting Black culture in the context of a natural history museum," said Sack, who has been aiming for a Makoanyane exhibition since he first came across the ceramic artist's work in 1988, while curating the first exhibition of Black South African art at the Johannesburg Art Gallery - The Neglected Tradition: Towards a New History of South African Art (1930-1988). "For me, it was important to move Makoanyane out of social history and out of ethnography into art," said Sack. For the exhibition, Sack worked with Jon Weinberg, whose company, DIJONDESIGN, is developing exhibitions for the Lesotho National Museum and Gallery, which is still under construction. "The seminal seed for this project was a meeting in South Africa between officials from Lesotho and officials from Iziko," Weinberg said. Initially Iziko, in collaboration with DIJONDESIGN, planned to offer training to conservators to work in the museum. "We were about to commence when Covid hit. We had to realign the relationship between Iziko and the Lesotho National Museum, and it made sense to do it in a virtual exhibition shared on both sides of the border... " Photogrammetry The exhibition uses photogrammetry as a way of making the Makoanyane figurines accessible to virtual audiences. "It is the perfect medium for these very small, very fragile sculptures which you would inevitably only ever be able to see behind glass," Sack said. Stephen Wessels, who works extensively with Weinberg, joined the team. Wessels studied geomatics at UCT and worked for the Zamani project, where he was involved in recording heritage sites all over Africa and in the Middle East in 3D using laser scanning and photogrammetry. "Steven Sack had this idea of creating a virtual exhibition and I got drawn in to create the 3D models of the sculptures," said Wessels. The photogrammetric method used to create 3D replicas involves placing an object on an automated rotating turntable and photographing it at 10 degree intervals from different perspectives for a full 360 degree rotation until it has been captured from every angle. The photographs are then run through specific photogrammetry software that aligns all the photographs and reconstructs the model based on information extracted from the photographs. "It was done in a day and it was a safe method," Esmyol said. "It's really absolutely amazing. I don't think you can get that detail in a physical exhibition." "Everyone has been very enthusiastic and it's created a lot of discussion about other potential exhibitions," Wessels said. Combining shape and sound With the inclusion of the Kirby collection, the UCT College of Music became partners in the project. Associate professors of Ethnomusicology and African Music, Sylvia Bruinders and Dizu Plaatjies, made a trip to the Morija Museum and Archives to meet people from Lesotho who are still playing the instruments. These musicians recorded, and the sounds will be used for the exhibition. Filmmaker Paul Weinberg filmed the musicians for both the college and the Lesotho National Museum. "We went there and worked with the musicians who play these instruments that are not well known; in fact most are quite rare," Bruinders said. "One is a very, very soft instrument called the Lekope that plays a basic rhythm and has a very tiny melody; not many notes and very small intervals. It was played by an old woman [Matlali Khoane]. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Lesotho Entertainment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "The other instrument is a more iconic Basotho instrument called the Lesiba. The construction of the instrument is unusual: It has a string from one end to the other end of a stick, which you pluck, and a feather is attached that you exhale onto, and it vibrates the string. It has the most peculiar sound; it sounds like large birds. This was the instrument that was played by cattle herders. The Lesiba is a male instrument while the Lekope is a female instrument." Manager and deputy curator at the Morija Museum, Pusetso Nyabela, organised the musicians. "Pusetso has been instrumental in providing content on a number of levels for the Makoanyane project and our other work," Weinberg said. "Morija is a critically important cog in the process of developing a museum sector in Lesotho." "I have managed to locate all the instruments," Nyabela said. "The most famous instruments that are in the exhibition are the Lesiba and the Lekope. The older instruments have been around since time immemorial; they were inherited from the San. Others are fairly new instruments that were co-opted, maybe in the 1930s," Nyabela said. The Lekope has traditionally been played for personal fulfilment. "Transport services came rather late in Lesotho and women would play the instruments while walking," Nyabela said. The Lesiba is also played for personal consolation, according to Leabua Mokhele, who is interviewed in the film. "After playing, I feel sane and alive," he said. "We were able to produce an exhibition that is not only about sculpture but also about performative cultures and music," Sack said. "There is often an uncertainty on the part of audiences towards sculpture, so, having this musical aspect along with the exhibition makes it more accessible to a wider audience." The Ke liha pene, I lay down my pen virtual exhibition can be found on the Iziko website. Abuja The federal government has launched a new vaccine policy meant to enhance access and use of vaccines for protection of citizens from infectious diseases. The government also unveiled the third edition of the national drug policy to ensure adequate supplies of drugs that are effective, affordable, safe and of good quality. It said the new drug policy would ensure the rational use of drugs and stimulate increased local production of essential drugs. Speaking at the launch of the maiden edition of the Nigeria Vaccine Policy and the third edition of the National Drug Policy held in Abuja, yesterday, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the policy would create a supportive environment for access and use of vaccines to set the requirements and mandates for protection of citizens from internal and external harm. He said there was need to resuscitate the local production of vaccines and intensify research and development. He also said there was need to strengthen the legislation and regulatory agencies to support quality and safety of vaccines in Nigeria. Ehanire said the federal government had in partnership with May and Baker Pharmaceutical established the Biovaccine Nigeria Limited, to encourage local vaccine manufacturing. With the unveiling of the national policy on vaccine, the Minister said Biovaccine Nigeria Limited, other international key players and manufacturers were now expected to use appropriate technologies in modern vaccines production to boost local production of vaccines in Nigeria and make vaccines available to Nigerians and the entire West Africa. He said: "A Nigeria Vaccine Policy will reflect new realities and trends, including the provisions enumerated in the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National Health Act 2014, National Health Policy 2016 and PHC Under One Roof (PHCUOR). This will further ensure the development of strategies that will respond adequately to global health trends for emerging diseases and pandemic that impact on the Nigerian health system. "Most importantly, the ongoing global efforts to develop COVID-19 vaccines further provide a strong justification for enacting a Nigeria Vaccine Policy in the interest of achieving Vaccine Security in Nigeria," he said. Ehanire said it was worthy to note that the implementation strategies for achieving local vaccines' production and ownership of its supply was achievable with the launch of the policy document. He asked the governing council of the vaccine company to mobilise resources from governments across all levels, individuals, the international communities, donor agencies. While expressing delight over the launch of the third edition of the national drug policy, Ehanire said the move came against the backdrop of the overall Health Sector Reform (HSR) Programme of the Ministry. According to him, "no matter how vibrant a health policy, without availability of good quality and affordable medicines, that policy will be sterile". He disclosed that the federal government has been paying special attention to the pharmaceutical sub-sector, adding that the Presidential Forum on the Pharmaceutical Sector held in November 2003, underscored the special focus. He said the government has also taken a number of pragmatic steps towards boosting the local capacity for the manufacture of essential medicines. "This is to ensure that the local pharmaceutical industry becomes a major actor in providing good quality essential medicines for our health care programmes. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "The 2005 Fiscal Policy is the most favourable ever, as far as the pharmaceutical sector is concerned. It provides very attractive incentives both to the existing players and prospective investors in the production of life-saving essential medicines. "It is my earnest hope that the launch of the third edition of the National Drug Policy will further increase the vibrancy of the pharmaceutical sector for the overall improvement of people's health," he said. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Mahmuda Mamman, said a National Vaccine policy was required to achieve an effective manufacture, storage, importation and distribution of safe, effective and good quality vaccines to the end users. He said countries needed to have strong mechanisms that enable informed decision-making about immunisation priorities and the introduction of new programme strategies, vaccines and technologies. The Jaiz Bank PLC have launched a non-interest loan scheme of 200 million to the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kano State. The scheme, which is in collaboration with the Nigerian Competitiveness project (NICOP), is to support the MSMEs under garment and leather value chains with a soft loan that will help them boost their businesses. During the launching of the scheme, three cluster associations, each with over 1000 members including men and women, are selected which include Kano Leather Products and Allied Manufacturers Association (KALAPMA), Kano Garments Marketers Association and MADAFA Association. The Regional Manager of the Bank in charge of North-West, Na'imatu Abdullahi said the program is targeted at empowering the micro businesses in the garment and leather sector and also promote economic development of the Kano State. She said the program, which under the Jaiz Financial Inclusion Center trained the beneficiaries on various skills of business promotion by the German Cooperation and co-financed by the European Union (EU), who served as technical partners. According to her "We are more concern about poverty alleviation in this program. Our target is how many people will benefit and get change in their life because if you see the return of the previous programs we had in Katsina you will be surprised. Many people have returned the money and they moved on with the business." On his part, the commissioner of commerce, Barrister Ibrahim Mukhtar the support has come at a time when the state is battling with unemployed youth and that it will help the state government in reducing the unemployment challenges. He said Kano state government is welcoming any program that will boost and support the economic development of the state, noting that more of these programs are under way to save the state from economic challenges. At the end of the program, the three associations were issued cheques of N200 million for onward disbursement to the beneficiaries. As a high school student, Christabel Mwewa had always been ambitious and sociable. She loved to learn, particularly history, and had an affinity for making friends. Everything changed when, at age 16, she learned she was pregnant. Suddenly the studious teenager felt stigmatized. It was as though no one saw a future for her anymore. "After I found out I was pregnant, the people in my community thought that I just dropped out of school, and started spreading rumours saying that because I have a child now I won't go back to school," she said. Her situation is all too common in Zambia, which has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in the world. Pregnant teens often do drop out of school, and they can be subjected to harmful practices such as child marriage, as their future prospects dwindle. But Christabel was fortunate - with UNFPA's support she was able to return to school after having her baby. While excited to rejoin her fellow students, she was also anxious and uncomfortable about how she would be seen by her teachers and peers. "I thought people would look down on me for having a baby," Christabel said. But she persevered. Now 18, Christabel is still in school and dreams of practising law in order to help others and support her child's education. And she is no longer worried about another unintended pregnancy complicating those plans. With support from the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, the flagship family planning programme of UNFPA, Christabel was able to access a long-acting contraceptive method to ensure that another unplanned pregnancy does not sideline her goals. Christabel Mwewa from Zambia shares the story of her pregnancy at age 16. An unprecedented shortfall The UNFPA Supplies Partnership is the only United Nations programme dedicated to family planning, and it is the world's largest provider of donated contraceptives. But these efforts are currently at risk. COVID-19 has led to shrinking fiscal space for reproductive health. More than a third of countries have pandemic-related disruptions in family planning, reproductive health, nutrition and pregnancy-related care. According to estimates from UNFPA and partners, some 12 million women and adolescent girls lost access to family planning services in 2020, leading to 1.4 million unintended pregnancies. The loss of access to contraceptive products and services and supply chain disruptions are still ongoing in 2021 as countries struggle to contain new outbreaks. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zambia Pregnancy and Childbirth 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. Amid these challenges, the UNFPA Supplies Partnership is facing an unprecedented funding shortfall of $150 million for 2021-2022. Emergency funding There is a great deal at stake. To ensure women and girls can continue to get the contraceptives and other reproductive health medicines they need right now, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, and another private donor have announced up to $50 million in emergency stop-gap funding to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership. This funding is a one-time investment to mitigate the immediate budget shortfall for 2022, but long-term support is still needed. If fully funded for the upcoming four years (2022-2025), the UNFPA Supplies programme can also strengthen health systems to reduce unmet need in family planning, which would help prevent around 1.1 million maternal and child deaths, 53 million unintended pregnancies and 1.7 million unsafe abortions, according to estimates. A fully funded UNFPA Supplies Partnership means Christabel - and many in similar circumstances - will never have to wonder if her method of choice will be available when she needs it. "I am glad that I have control over when I can have children because I can finish my education and find a job. And whatever my child needs, I'll be able to provide for her," she told UNFPA. Five months after President Idriss Deby's sudden death, Chadian authorities are preparing a highly anticipated national dialogue. The country faces significant challenges as it charts a course to civilian rule. In April, Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno was killed in clashes with the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT). The rebels had sped across the Libyan border in heavily armed convoys in a bid to reach the capital N'Djamena; the army had stopped their advance, and Deby had come to the battlefront. His unexpected death prompted a group of army generals to instal his 37-year-old son Mahamat as leader of a fifteen-member Transitional Military Council. The junta announced that it would rule Chad for an eighteen-month period, renewable once, during which time it would organise an inclusive national dialogue before handing over the reins of power to civilians through elections. Though wary of its ambitions, Chad's international allies swiftly endorsed the new leadership. By early May, the army had pushed the FACT insurgents back into Libya. The military takeover reassured those who had worried that Deby's death would usher in chaos, but dampened hopes for democratic rule. Some Chadian opposition figures express disquiet about the transition and the military's continued grip on the state. Government officials, opposition figures and rebels all have divergent views on what should happen next. Outside powers, meanwhile, appear to have little sway over the junta. The military council would be wise to soothe anxieties about Chad's political future by taking concrete steps to ensure a smooth transition. It should agree that the current transition cannot be extended and disavow any intention of keeping the presidency in military hands. It should also proceed with preparations for a long-awaited national dialogue and, together with rebel groups, find conditions acceptable to both sides for securing their participation in those discussions. Early Reactions External actors have stepped lightly in reaction to the junta's assumption of power. France and the African Union (AU), arguably the ones most involved, were particularly reluctant to antagonise N'Djamena, an important ally in the anti-jihadist fight in the Lake Chad basin and the Sahel. Paris invoked "exceptional security situations and the necessity of ensuring the country's stability" to justify its support for the junta in N'Djamena. Though the AU had temporarily suspended Mali's membership in response to a coup the preceding August, it kept Chad in good standing because of the country's military contributions to the counter-terrorism operations as well as the fragility of the post-Deby dispensation. The AU agreed to support the transition on condition that the authorities hold a presidential election within eighteen months and bar the military council's members from running in those polls, demanding that the junta amend the transitional charter to include clauses to this effect. Mahamat Deby, aware of the considerable diplomatic leverage that Chad's contributions to regional counter-terrorism efforts provide, in turn promised to both adhere to the AU's demands and keep Chadian troops in the field. Due partly to international pressure, the transitional authorities took steps to open up political space in the country. They reversed a decades-long ban on protest marches, allowed the popular Transformateurs opposition movement to become a political party and committed to drafting an amnesty or pardon for exiled or imprisoned rebels (some of whom a Chadian court has sentenced to death). In late April, they formed a civilian cabinet, thus seeming to relinquish some of their power while co-opting key opposition politicians. The junta has not, however, amended the transitional charter as it promised the AU, making opponents suspicious of its intentions. Some Chadian officials, including Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke, say the charter's revision should be discussed during the national dialogue. But opponents fear that the transition will run into delays or that the junta will simply have Mahamat Deby take his father's place permanently. In a June interview, the younger Deby said two "conditions" would have to be met prior to the vote: that "Chadians get along" and that the transition receive international financial support. While Mahamat Deby secured France's support during a state visit to Paris, the junta's relations with the AU quickly soured. In early July, N'Djamena rejected the appointment of Senegalese diplomat Ibrahima Fall as high representative of the AU to support the Chadian transition on the grounds that the AU had not consulted it about the decision, a version of events the AU disputes. With key member countries such as Egypt and Nigeria backing the military council, the AU finally replaced Fall with Congolese diplomat Basile Ikouebe. Some observers saw Chad's rebuff of Fall as an intentional snub to AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, a Chadian whom the junta reportedly suspects of having presidential ambitions. N'Djamena's distrust of Faki Mahamat may thus obstruct the AU's ability to influence the transition. The Main Actors' Positions Idriss Deby's demise has upended Chadian politics. Having lost its hegemony with its founder's death, the former ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) obtained less than half the ministerial posts in the 40-member government, although its national network could still be a powerful vehicle for a presidential candidate. In June, the party's secretary general, Mahamat Zene Bada, fled to France when the junta pushed him to organise an extraordinary general congress to name a new leadership. His deputy Ruth Madjidian Padja subsequently convened the congress, resulting in the appointment of former National Assembly chair Haroun Kabadi as secretary general. The widely held belief that the junta was trying to take control of the party stiffened resistance to it among key MPS founding members. The opposition is divided. Some opposition leaders have opted to join the government - notably former opposition leaders such as Saleh Kebzabo or Mahamat Alhabo. Others question the junta's legitimacy. Some political parties and civil society groups - like the Wakit Tamma coalition, which has since stated it was open to joining the dialogue - initially called for a civilian-military council to replace the junta and rejected the decrees establishing the committee that is to organise the national dialogue. Further, while these groups and parties also wanted Chadians to agree upon an interim parliament's formation through the dialogue - which would have given it the necessary standing to vote on a new constitution - the junta on 24 September approved the formation of a 93-member interim parliament selected by a committee it had appointed for this purpose. The National Dialogue Most Chadian stakeholders have agreed to join the national dialogue, but their expectations vary. The dialogue should take place in November-December 2021, followed by elections between June and September 2022. Opposition figures, armed groups and civil society representatives have called for dialogue for decades, hoping that it can lay the groundwork for state reforms. Participants will undoubtedly want to discuss a wide range of issues. The new opposition coalition sees the dialogue as an opportunity to make up for years of exclusion from governance and will probably seek to redress the balance of power in state institutions, reduce the military's political role, and introduce checks and balances in government. They hold up Chad's 1993 National Sovereign Conference as a model, having long asked for an "inclusive and sovereign national conference". Given its short timeframe, however, the proposed dialogue is unlikely to yield progress on more than key constitutional and electoral matters. Perhaps the main sticking point, however, is the participation of rebel groups. Opposition and civil society figures believe that including various insurgencies ("military-political groups", in Chadian parlance) will strengthen the opposition's own bargaining position. Mahamat Deby and other officials have said they agree in principle to the insurgents' participation but want them to disarm first. Several rebel leaders, including FACT leader Mahamat Mahadi Ali, told Crisis Group that intermediaries have contacted them on behalf of the Chadian government, foreign governments and private mediators. In June, the Togolese government hosted talks with some of the rebel groups to determine their demands. The latter asked to be included in the national dialogue's organising committee, called for an amnesty and requested a preliminary round of government-rebel negotiations, to take place outside Chad, before they would decide whether or not to join the dialogue. Although Togo likely acted with the junta's consent, N'Djamena ignored the talks' outcome. An abundance of mediators complicates things further. Mahamat Deby appointed two key figures to organise the national dialogue: National Reconciliation Minister Acheikh Ibn Oumar, a former foreign affairs minister and former leader of Chadian Arab rebel movements; and Ali Abderaman Haggar, a respected intellectual from Deby's Zaghawa ethnic group who serves as the junta's reconciliation and dialogue adviser. The two men will have to navigate competition between the junta and the civilian government to whom they respectively report. Then, on 14 August, the junta named a 70-member dialogue organising committee gathering MPS members, former opposition leaders and civil society representatives, as well as a 28-member committee that is to organise separate talks with rebels, without specifying where talks would be held and whether they will be conditioned on rebel disarmament. Chaired by Goukouni Oueddei, a widely respected former rebel leader turned president (1979-1982), the latter committee consists of MPS members and security officials who, like the Libya-based rebels, mostly hail from the north. But whether separate talks can occur remains to be seen. Two armed groups are particularly divisive. One is FACT: Deby's sons hold FACT leader Mahamat Mahadi Ali responsible for their father's death, complicating his eventual return to Chad. The Union of Resistance Forces (UFR), also based in Libya, and led by Deby's cousins Timan and Tom Erdimi, is another. In July 2021, the Erdimi family accused Egyptian authorities of having arrested Tom in late 2020 at the Chadian government's request. His whereabouts are unknown. Egypt has not confirmed the arrest but describes Tom as "a dangerous terrorist". Chadian security sources suggest that Cairo may have since handed Tom over to N'Djamena, an allegation denied by Chadian authorities. On 24 August, the military council arranged the return to N'Djamena of the UFR's representative in France, Mahamat Abdelkarim Hanno, a former intelligence chief. Some rebels frame his homecoming as part of a divide-and-rule strategy, rather than a sign that the authorities want to engage with the armed opposition as a whole. On 31 August, during an official visit to Sudan, Mahamat Deby called Libya-based rebels "mercenaries", stating they "should not be allowed to leave Libya because they constitute a threat for the stability and security of both Chad and Sudan". Risks and Prospects While Chad has mostly avoided violence in a period of great uncertainty, the situation could become more perilous. Delaying the transition could shatter the brittle trust among the country's main stakeholders. National and international actors must strive to maintain consensus in order to see the transition through within the agreed timeframe. Several risks loom on the horizon. Many Chadians fear that the military council will not honour its pledges to limit the transition to eighteen months and exclude its own members from running in the presidential election. Should it renege on those promises, protests could break out. Secondly, the Libya-based rebels are still active and, although weakened, could re-enter the country and launch a fresh offensive. Thirdly, ethnic divides could deepen as politicians jockey for power. Some Chadians, notably in the diaspora, are already spreading polarising rhetoric on social media. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Chad 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. Lastly, trouble is brewing along Chad's borders. On 30 May, troops from the neighbouring Central African Republic, reportedly accompanied by Russian mercenaries, attacked a Chadian army post, ostensibly in pursuit of Central African rebels who had crossed the frontier. The incident briefly heightened tensions between the two countries. On 4 August, Boko Haram insurgents in the Lake Chad area killed 26 Chadian troops, the highest toll since a March 2020 attack in the same area that killed nearly 100 soldiers and triggered a massive counter-insurgency campaign. Mahamat Deby responded by withdrawing half the 1,200-strong Chadian contingent in the G5 Sahel force from the Mali-Niger-Burkina Faso tri-border area as part of a "strategic redeployment". Much is resting on Chad's transition. The region remains highly unstable, with neighbour Sudan pursuing its own delicate transition, while Libya's patience with the Chadian rebels on its soil may soon run out. On 14 September, troops answering to Khalifa Haftar, the commander whose forces had battled the government in Tripoli from 2014 through October 2020, when the sides concluded a ceasefire, attacked his former FACT allies in south-western Libya. Libya's national unity government pact, signed in March, requires that all foreign fighters who backed either Haftar or Tripoli leave the country. While there is broad consensus around the need to go to the national dialogue, the junta needs to build trust so that the dialogue can take place under the best possible conditions. To that end, Chad's authorities should revise the transition charter in line with AU demands prior to the dialogue, ensuring that the transition will not exceed eighteen months and incorporating provisions that bar military council members from running in the presidential election. They should also make greater efforts to ensure that insurgent groups can join the dialogue, so as to undercut the ostensible raison d'etre of the Libya-based rebellions and offer reassurance that at least some of their members can return to Chad. The insurgent groups' participation to the dialogue will offer them a forum for airing their grievances peacefully and thus is vital for avoiding further armed conflict in the country. The junta could also engage directly with armed groups in internationally mediated talks outside Chad before the dialogue kicks off in N'Djamena, in order to build a baseline of confidence among the sides and avert risks of confrontation once they return. For their part, international stakeholders, notably the AU, relevant member states and France, should make concerted efforts to encourage Chad's authorities to apply these measures. Fifteen African countries--nearly a third of the continent's 54 nations--have fully vaccinated 10% of their people against COVID-19. The global goal of fully vaccinating 10% of every country's population by 30 September was set in May by the World Health Assembly, the world's highest health policy-setting body. Almost 90% of high income-countries have met this target. Seychelles and Mauritius have fully vaccinated over 60% of their populations, Morocco 48% and Tunisia, Comoros and Cape Verde over 20%. Most of the African countries that have met the goal have relatively small populations and 40% are small island developing states. All these countries have enjoyed sufficient supplies of vaccines, and many could access doses from separate sources in addition to those delivered through the COVAX Facility, the global platform to ensure equitable access to vaccines. Half of the 52 African countries that have received COVID-19 vaccines have fully vaccinated just 2% or less of their populations. "The latest data shows modest gains but there is still a long way to go to reach the WHO target of fully vaccinating 40% of the population by the end of the year. Shipments are increasing but opaque delivery plans are still the number one nuisance that hold Africa back," said Dr Richard Mihigo, Immunization and Vaccines Development Programme Coordinator for the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa. Nine African countries, including South Africa, Morocco and Tunisia, had reached the 10% goal at the beginning of September and another six managed to sprint ahead to reach the target this month due to rising vaccine deliveries. Twenty-three million COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Africa in September, a ten-fold increase from June. Yet just 60 million Africans have been fully vaccinated so far and 2% of the more than 6 billion vaccines given globally have been administered on the continent. COVAX is working with donors to identify the countries that can currently absorb large volumes of vaccines and send them their way and plans to strengthen its support for countries that do not have other sources of vaccines. WHO has assisted 19 African countries in conducting intra-action reviews, which analyze their vaccination campaigns and offer recommendations to improve them. The reviews show that uncertainty around deliveries has been a major impediment for many countries. By deploying a team of international experts, WHO is providing targeted support to a select group of countries to identify and resolve bottlenecks in their COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, including working with local authorities and partners to identify and address the root causes of challenges to administering vaccines. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus 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. WHO is also working to share crucial lessons and best practices among African countries to help them accelerate their vaccine rollouts. COVID-19 case numbers in Africa dropped by 35% to just over 74 000 in the week to 26 September. Almost 1800 deaths were reported across 34 African countries in the same period. The Delta variant has been found in 39 African countries. The Alpha variant has been detected in 45 countries and the Beta in 40. "Despite the declining case numbers we must all remain vigilant and continue to adhere to the proven public health and safety measures that we know save lives, such as wearing a mask, washing our hands regularly and physical distancing, especially while vaccination rates remain low," said Dr. Mihigo. A civil war has been raging in Cameroon since 2016. Separatists in Anglophone regions want their own state, "Ambazonia." Five years ago, angry protests against Francophone dominance in Cameroon escalated -- and soon led to armed clashes between various Anglophone separatist groups and the central government. The conflict between the French-speaking majority state and the smaller English-speaking parts of the country has been simmering for decades. Conflict rooted in colonialism Cameroon was under German colonial rule from 1884 to 1916. After the German Empire was defeated in World War I, the League of Nations handed one portion of Cameroon over to France, the other to Britain. French-administered Cameroon gained independence in 1960. In 1961, a referendum was held in British-ruled Cameroon over whether to join the newly independent Cameroon or Nigeria. The option of independence was not on the ballot. The territory's northern half opted to join Nigeria, whereas the south chose to merge with Cameroon. Since then, Cameroon has been split between a French-speaking eastern and an English-speaking western half. Here is a timeline of the country's tumultuous since 2016 October 2016: Anglophone Cameroonians launch wildcat strikes, demanding equality. Judges, lawyers and teachers demand the English language be given full recognition in public adminstration, the judiciary and the education and health care sector, as guaranteed by the constitution. They want to see the systemic discrimination of Anglophone Cameroonians end. Protesters criticize that English-speaking regions of Cameroon are far less developed than French-speaking parts. They also take issue with crude oil extraction off the country's southwestern coast, arguing the proceeds only benefit Cameroon's Francophone central government. Teachers and judges complain that English speakers are underrepresented in parliament, the government, public administration and universities. Thousands of French-speaking judges and teachers were dispatched to Anglophone Cameroon at the start of the 2016 school term. Cameroon's central government has been working to supplant the region's British-style legal and education system with the French model. Anglophone Cameroonians complain that those French-speaking judges and teachers are undermining the region's English-language culture. November 2016: The central government first remains silent on the situation, then suppresses the Anglophone protest movement. Subsequently, tension escalate, with English-speaking Cameroonians variously calling to reestablish a federal system, or split from Francophone Cameroon. Elements within the separatist movement now regard English-speaking Cameroon as an independent state, calling it "Ambazonia." A whole range of different, Anglophone separatist groups emerge, who total some 4,000 members altogether. They are supported by Cameroon's diaspora. The most influential separatists organizations are the Ambazonia Defence Forces, Ambazonia Self-Defence Council, African People's Liberation Movement and its armed wing, the Southern Cameroons Defence Forces. The secessionist movement is riven by ethnic rivalries, lacking overall military and political leadership. December 2016: Several persons are shot and killed by security forces in the city of Bamenda, in Cameroon's northwestern Anglophone region. Dozens are wounded in the clashes. The army fails to bring the situation under control. January 2017: Cameroon's central government launches a concerted campaign to weaken Anglophone separatist groups. English-speaking Cameroon is cut off the internet from January to April 2017. Relatives of Anglophone activists are arrested. Cameroon's army and police force crack down on renewed protests staged by English-speaking teachers and lawyers. Separatist groups like the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium subsequently call on all English-speakers to participate in general strikes every Monday, bringing public life to a standstill. October 2017: Separatist leader Ayuk Tabe declares the Republic of Ambazonia an independent state on October 1, a national holiday officially celebrated as Unification Day. Several regions fall under control of armed separatist groups. President Paul Biya, meanwhile, continues downplaying and suppressing the conflict. International organizations become increasingly aware of the conflict. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports 4,000 people have died in clashes, with some 60,000 forced to flee to neighboring Nigeria. It says about 850,000 children are unable to attend school due to the ongoing conflict. Some 2,3 million out of the 5 million Anglophone Cameroonians depend on humanitarian aid, according to HRW. October 2018: President Paul Biya, in office since 1982, is reelected with 71,28% of the vote. The election is, however, marred by allegations of fraud. Political and ethnic tensions between Biya supporters and the opposition intensify. February 2019: Maurice Kamto, who heads the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) opposition party, is sentenced to eight months behind bars for inciting violence. Kamto is has repeatedly protested against systemic discrimination. September 2019: President Paul Biya announces though state-run media outlets that a grand national dialogue will be held on September 10 to resolve the country's protracted conflict. Talks are planned from September 30 until October 4. The governing Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (RDPC) party, several religious organizations and civil society actors support Biya's imitative. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the step. Most opposition parties, however, reject the format, as key separatist leaders remain in jail. They also criticize the summit will neither address a potential return to federalism, nor possible independence for English-speaking regions of Cameroon. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Cameroon Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Mediation efforts by the UN, African Union (AU) and Catholic Church are dismissed by President Biya. December 2019: President Biya ratifies several laws designed to promote bilingualism and decentralization in Cameroon. Opposition figures, however, decry the move as "window dressing" to keep Biya in power. February 2020: Maurice Kamto's MRC party boycotts the parliamentary and municipal elections. The ruling RDPC party wins the vast majority of votes. Voter turnout, however, has reached a historic low. March 2020: Attacks by radical Islamic terror group Boko Haram on northeastern Cameroon intensify. Incursions are launched from Nigeria and Chad, where Boko Haram are based. The campaign brings further instability to Cameroon. March 2020: Amid the COVID pandemic, the separatist militant group Southern Cameroon Defence Forces declares a cease-fire from March 29, 2020, following a call by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The largest separatist militant group, the Ambazonian Defence Forces (ADF), declines to take part in the cease-fire. The attacks continue. September 2021: Deadly attacks by various separatist groups on military posts and vehicles of the Cameroonian army continue to be a daily occurrence. Cameroonian security forces are readying for robust clashes on October 1, which officially marks the founding of the Cameroonian state. On the same day, separatists celebrate the proclamation of the independent "Republic of Ambazonia" in 2017. This article was translated from German. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that Ethiopia has no legal right to expel seven U.N. humanitarian officials. Guterres told the Ethiopian leader in a phone conversation Friday that the world body does not accept Ethiopia's decision to expel the senior U.N. officials, according to U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq. Haq said the U.N. Office of Legal Affairs sent a note to Ethiopia's U.N. mission in New York on Friday stating the U.N.'s "longstanding legal position" that the action of declaring someone "persona non grata" does not apply to U.N. personnel. Ethiopia announced the expulsion on Thursday, giving the U.N. officials 72 hours to leave. In a tweet, Ethiopia's ministry of foreign affairs said the seven were "meddling in the internal affairs of the country." The tweet came amid growing pressure on the government over its deadly blockade of the Tigray region where children are reportedly starving to death. Ethiopia's government has accused humanitarian workers of supporting the Tigray forces who have been fighting its soldiers and allied forces since November, a charge that aid workers deny. Spokesperson Haq said the U.N. officials remained in the country. When asked by a reporter if the U.N. officials would leave Ethiopia by the end of 72 hours, Haq did not directly answer. The U.N. officials include the deputy chief of the U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs and a representative of the U.N. Children's Fund, UNICEF. UNICEF said Friday the Ethiopian government's decision to expel the U.N. officials from the country is "regrettable and alarming." Declaring its work "is more urgent than ever," UNICEF said in a statement that children are bearing the brunt of the country's worsening humanitarian crisis. "We have full confidence in the teams working on the ground to save children's lives, guided -- as always -- by the principles of impartiality, humanity, neutrality and independence. Our programs will continue," UNICEF added, noting it has been present in the African nation for more than 60 years. Conflict-induced hunger The Ethiopian federal government has been engaged in an armed conflict with forces in the northern Tigray region for nearly one year. The government declared a unilateral cease-fire and withdrew its forces in June, but the conflict has continued to spill into the neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar. Of the 6 million people who live in Tigray, the U.N. says 5.2 million need some level of food assistance. More than 400,000 people are living in famine-like conditions, and another 1.8 million people are on the brink of famine. "It is critically important that the humanitarian operation continues, and it does," OCHA spokesman Jens Laerke said Friday at a Geneva briefing, according to Reuters. "Until now there is no indication that [Ethiopia's decision] stops the operation." U.N. human rights spokesperson Rupert Colville said at the briefing that the expulsion of the head of its reporting team was a "really grave step." On Wednesday, U.N. Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths said that after 11 months of conflict and three months of a de-facto government blockade, the humanitarian crisis in Tigray is spiraling out of control. One hundred aid trucks are needed daily in the region, but in the past week, only 79 in total were allowed in, a U.N. spokesman said. "Trucks carrying fuel and medical supplies still cannot enter into Tigray," U.N. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday. "Trucks are waiting in Semera, in Afar, to travel to Mekelle." The federal government headed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, blames the rebels for blocking aid deliveries. U.S. condemnation "The U.S. government condemns in the strongest possible terms the government of Ethiopia's unprecedented action to expel the leadership of all of the United Nations organizations involved in ongoing humanitarian operations," White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters Thursday. Earlier this month, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order allowing the government to impose financial sanctions on those who prolong the Tigray conflict. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ethiopia Conflict International Organisations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We will not hesitate to use this or any other tool at our disposal to respond quickly and decisively to those who obstruct humanitarian assistance to people of Ethiopia," Psaki said. The U.N. Security Council held private talks Friday about Ethiopia's decision as well as North Korea's recent missile launches. Kenya's Ambassador to the United Nations, Martin Kimani, who took over as the Security Council president for October, told reporters Friday, "A number of members expressed very strong concerns" about both situations during Friday's talks, but said no resolutions were passed on either matter. Diplomatic sources told Reuters news agency that any aggressive action by the council on Ethiopia's actions was unlikely because China and Russia long have maintained the Tigrayan conflict is an internal matter. VOA's Patsy Widakuswara contributed to thsi report. Some information in this report came from Reuters and the Associated Press. The construction of the Museum of African Liberation is something which should have been done decades if not centuries ago as African history must be written accurately, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said yesterday. Touring progress made in the construction of the Museum of African Liberation in Warren Park, Harare, VP Chiwenga said it was the responsibility of Africans to write their own history. "Right up to now our history has been written by other people, not the people of our own history. Other nations have written about Africa yet we are supposed to have written it ourselves. "The construction of the museum is a great achievement and from December 3 last year when his Excellency President Mnangagwa did the ground breaking, a lot has now happened, which shows we are on track to put what has happened in every corner of Africa together, he said. VP Chiwenga said the history to be preserved at the museum was what defined Africans, hence the need for every African to play a part in its construction. "As countries, as individuals, we must contribute towards the construction of this great museum. Yes friends can come, but we are the first ones who must take responsibility. The history of any country or development is done by its citizens." "Now this is a major development for Africans. We do not expect outsiders to do it for us. We do it for ourselves. Outsiders will not do it for free. They will end up distancing us from our own history. " VP Chiwenga said the museum will be a one stop centre for every person that wants to know about the African history from all its parts including West, North, East, Central and the Southern part, which Zimbabwe falls under. VP Chiwenga who was being led during the tour by Instak chairperson Professor Simbi Mubako was shown among other things including the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Park, the wall of honour, Instak studio and the commercial area along the side bordering Solomon Mujuru Drive (Kirkman Road). opinion As Nigeria celebrates its national day, we celebrate our enduring bilateral partnership with the continent's regional, political, and economic powerhouse. We appreciate Nigeria's leadership in the region, standing up for the integrity of democratic nations in West Africa. Nigeria was among the first to condemn the recent coup in Guinea, regularly recognizes the need for presidential term limits, and supports its best and brightest to serve in the highest ranks of international organizations - most recently demonstrated by Chikwe Ihekweazu's recent appointment to Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us all that global challenges require global solutions. Our mission team partnered with Nigeria to tackle COVID-19 to save lives, promote economic recovery, and develop resilience as our experts worked side-by-side with the Presidential Task Force, Ministry of Health, and Nigerian Centre for Disease Control. We provided more than four million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Nigeria and contributed more than $84.2 million in COVID-related equipment and technical assistance including a mobile field hospital, 200 ventilators, and personal protective equipment. Additional vaccine donations are in the works. We conducted epidemiological COVID detection surveys, provided rapid response teams, trained over 200,000 military and civilian personnel on COVID-19 control measures, and transferred technology for virtual training. Through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), supporting Nigeria since 2004, the U.S. government now is providing lifesaving treatment to over 1.5 million of Nigeria's estimated 1.8 million people living with HIV and remains committed to closing the gap to reaching HIV epidemic control by 2023. We also recognize that security and economic concerns weigh on the minds of all Nigerians. We work in solidarity with the Nigerian government to address those challenges together. Diplomacy, development, public health, and defense have long been pillars that provide the foundation for promoting and protecting U.S. national security interests abroad. Our bilateral relationship is strong and based on such mutual interests. We share the Nigerian government's recognition that, indeed, military aid will not be the exclusive tool to end insecurity in the country. A "whole of government" approach is required to protect citizens and stabilize the country. And indeed, all Nigerians have a role to play in improving security. We have a long-standing partnership with the Nigerian military and the Nigerian police that consists of advising, training, exercises, education, and military systems and equipment, all of which are encompassed in the historic A-29 Super Tucano sale. These engagements emphasize the skills and processes that are critical to shaping effective militaries. The United States supports Nigeria's economic growth and its mutually beneficial trade with the U.S. through both private sector engagement and government-supported initiatives - such as the West Africa Trade and Investment Hub, Prosper Africa, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and the Foreign Commercial Service. The U.S. is proud to be the largest humanitarian donor in Nigeria, providing $1.45 billion since 2015, and supporting an estimated two million conflict-affected households in the north. The U.S. is looking forward to expanding on these economic relationships in the future. We commend Nigeria on its efforts to encourage dialogue and transparency at all levels of governance and continue to partner with Nigeria on efforts to improve its governing capacity. We are focused on strengthening Nigeria's democratic processes and institutions and encouraging freedom of information, including efforts to enforce accountability through credible and transparent elections. USAID's partnerships with the federal and state governments, 200 civil society organizations, and the private sector are fulfilling these goals - by improving the electoral process, strengthening civil society advocacy for a more transparent government, reinforcing the role of local peace committees to resolve conflict, and supporting transparency and service delivery improvements. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance U.S., Canada and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The Mission takes pride in its extensive people-to-people engagement fostering bridges between our two nations. Last year the Migration Policy Institute noted that Nigerians in the U.S. are the most highly educated immigrant population in the United States, with 61 percent holding at least a bachelor's degree, compared to 31 percent of the total foreign-born population. Further, more than half of Nigerian immigrants (54 percent) occupy management positions, compared with 32 percent of the total foreign-born population and 39 percent of the U.S.-born population. In addition, ties are deepening in the art, film, fashion, and music spaces. Nigeria's potential is enormous. With Nigeria's vibrant and innovative youth, we know that the best is yet to come for this great nation. As proud partners, we will continue to stand by Nigeria and work towards a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria. -Mary Beth Leonard is U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Twenty-one students of Premium Technical High School, Warri, Delta State, have been awarded the 2021 Education Scholarship Award, facilitated by Stallion Empowerment Initiative (SEI), the charity arm of Stallion Group. The award ceremony was held on Friday at a felicitation ceremony involving a gathering of students. The awards went to the best performing students for the 2020/2021 academic session across various classes. The SEI Education Scholarship includes Sunil Vaswani Merit Scholarships with 100% full tuition fee waiver for the best student in classes, Primary 6 to Senior Secondary 3. Principal's Merit Scholarship with 75% tuition waiver for the second-best student and Roy Tabet Merit Scholarship with 50% tuition scholarship for the third-best student. SEI Educational Scholarship's inaugural edition was given to the best-performing students of the 2019/2020 academic session, despite the COVID-19, as it was essential to propagate the importance of education during a year of hardship. Ms. Sarina Vaswani, Co-founder of SEI, said the scholarship programme stemmed from the SEI's belief in building positive prospects for the future generation through investment in human capital, especially education and skills. "We support the youth to further their education into secondary schools and university. We believe our school programs and support can help prepare students into adulthood." According to Ms Vaswani, SEI is working towards building Nigeria as a benchmark in improving the access and opportunities available for young individuals. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Education By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "The goal is to improve the attendance rates for schools in the region and encourage every child to attend school in the region." SEI supports Premium Technical High School (THS), which comprises 1746 students and two other Premium Primary Schools with a student population of 2000, all in Warri, Delta State. As a result, according to the Principal of THS, Mr Joseph Sido, the schools can offer qualitative secondary school education for children in the neighbouring communities. In her words: "The students are imparted with technical training so that they are absorbed in industries like Premium steel or other ancillary industry in that region." As it was in 2020, over 50% of this year's beneficiaries are female, a continuation of the initiative's support for education of the girl child in Nigeria. Due to cultural and religious disparities, female literacy continues to be an ongoing challenge in Nigeria, which SEI believes are core challenges society will continue to tackle in the future. "By creating an open environment for girls to attend schools and supporting them with educational grants and scholarships, SEI sets precedence and propagates gender equality in Nigeria." Ms Vaswani explained. SEI's key focus is to support and scale education, healthcare & driving youth empowerment programs. Stallion Empowerment Initiative is dedicated to road map a journey to a better future. Minna The dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect has taken over 500 communities in eight wards of Shiroro Local Government of Niger State. This is just as not less than 10 people have been killed and an unknown number of others reportedly slaughtered in some communities in neighbouring Munya Local Government Area of the state. The latest development also came six months after Governor Abubakar Sani Bello raised the alarm that Boko Haram elements had hoisted their flag in Kaure Village of the same local government area. The incident in Shiroro Local Government Area was confirmed by the Chairman of the council Mr. Sulaiman Chikuba while that of Munya council which occurred on Thursday this week was corroborated by the council Secretary, Mr. James Isaac Jagaba. The two officials spoke to journalists in Minna yesterday. Chikuba named the affected wards as Manta, Gurmana, Bassa-Kokki, Allawa, Kurebe, Kushaka, Kwati, Chukumba explaining that the Boko Haram elements were already recruiting villagers and equipping them to fight against the government. "As the Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, I can tell you that Shiroro is not only dealing with the issue of banditry, Shiroro has a lot of Boko Haram, I have proof of this as the chairman," Chikuba said, adding that "Boko Haram has proclaimed that they do not want conventional primary and secondary schools, their only preference is the Islamic school. "They have told the people that they do not want primary or secondary schools in the communities and that they only want to see Islamic schools. They have been trying to incorporate and recruit the residents of the communities to become their members, telling them that they will give them arms and assist them in fighting the government," Chikuba explained. The chairman therefore appealed to the federal government to bring in more security personnel to help in dislodging the Boko Haram elements who have already made Shiroro their "home". Narrating what happened at Kachiwe community the council secretary said: "the entire community was wiped out, the bandits took their time to set all the houses and barns ablaze before leaving with some women." Jagaba said the raid by the bandits was carried out with the insurgents riding on motorcycles and driving some cars adding that "The bandits set all the houses ablaze, burnt 10 people alive, abducted 10 women and slaughtered the others. "After carrying out their atrocious act, they met two people on the way out whose vehicles broke down, they stopped and killed those two people and burnt their vehicles. In the process, three of the abducted women escaped and the bandits went with the remaining seven women," Jagaba said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The secretary further disclosed that the bandits after the operation at Kachiwe moved to Shape Village under the Sarki Pawa ward where they slaughtered nine people while others in the community took to their heels pointing out that they (bandits) also killed seven people in Gogope ward. Jagaba lamented that the bandits were successful in their dastardly act because of lack of communication which made it impossible for them to contact the security teams in the areas before pleading with the government to restore the communication network to the local government area. The police have not confirmed the two incidents. More than 14,000 children have been defiled since the Covid-19 pandemic forced the country into the first lockdown last March, the government has said. Mr Martin Kiiza, the executive director of National Children Authority (NCA), made the revelation at Parliament yesterday during the launch of a mass vaccination campaign for teachers and learners. He also said17,000 cases of domestic violence were recorded. "These are issues we need to put into consideration to ensure we mitigate this [situation] and ensure that our children go back to school," Mr Kiiza said. "Children are vulnerable to abuse. They have been staying within the communities and the wrong characters are also within, so they take advantage of our innocent children," he added. The authority, which was established in May 2016 by the Children (Amendment) Act 2016, advises the government on the formulation of a national child protection policy and child rights programmes in the country. Hotspots The NCA study identified Mayuge, Kabale, Rubanda, Rukungiri, Kamuli and Butaleja districts as hotspots. Others are Kisoro, Kanungu, Rukiga and parts of Teso Sub-region. "Between March 2020 and July 2021, teenage pregnancies recorded were 2,628 cases. Defilement cases in particular were 25 [in Kabale]," Mr Kiiza said, adding that 42 defilement cases were recorded in Kanungu. He said Rubanda was particularly worrying with 302 cases and 216 cases of domestic violence registered from July 2020 to August 2021. The Kyegegwa Woman MP, Ms Flavia Kabahenda, said the statistics underline the importance of increasing the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines to remove children and women from harm's way. "We have been getting information from [the] government that we have a bumper vaccine, close to nine million vaccines. Can we declare two days of holiday to ensure that the whole country is vaccinated?" Ms Kabahenda said. To that effect, the NCA joined the Parliamentary Forum on Children to encourage all teachers and learners that are eligible for vaccination against Covid to get inoculated. The government has tentatively set the date for reopening schools to January 2022. To get there, at least 330,000 learners that are above 18 years as well as 550,000 teachers will need to be jabbed. So far, about 269,945 teachers have received the first dose, with 96,653 more fully inoculated. This has left a deficit of 280,055 teachers who are yet to be vaccinated. The leading international Tuberculosis Advocacy group, 'Stop TB Partnership', has released new data which show how the COVID-19 pandemic has dismally lowered levels of funding and created barriers to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of ending TB by 2030. Making the disclosure during a teleconference, the organization said the data from 2021 shows that the impact of COVID-19 on TB response has continued to be profound: 1.2 million fewer people have been diagnosed and treated for TB in 2021 with four months still left in the calendar year. Currently, only US$6.5 billion per annum is available for the TB response globally, less than half of the commitments made at the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB. "Years of chronic neglect have led to an unbearable situation in which TB kills more than 4,000 people a day-- more than HIV and malaria combined--and still, too few decision makers, donors and stakeholders care about TB," said Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership. "It is not that we will see future consequences: we are in the middle of the disaster, and our attention seems to be in the very wrong place. Data from 2020 and 2021 will reveal soon how hundreds of thousands of additional people are dying from TB and how TB drug resistance and the TB epidemic itself are on the rise." The Stop TB Partnership is a unique United Nations hosted entity based in Geneva, Switzerland, committed to revolutionizing tuberculosis (TB) space to end the disease by 2030. The organization warned that getting the TB response back on track will require at least a doubling of resources currently being provided to the fight against the disease, including a significant increase in the share of its resources the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (The Global Fund) allocates to TB. An estimated 5.7 million people received treatment for TB in 2020, a drop of 21% from the previous year--leaving an estimated 4.3 million people with untreated TB and spelling all but certain death for probably half that number. "We always knew that ending TB by 2030 was going to be an uphill battle, but COVID-19 and the reduced funding for TB have sent us rolling further down the hill than anyone could have expected," added Ditiu. Based on available TB notification data, the Stop TB Partnership anticipates that the world will fail to achieve the 2018 United National High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) on TB target of diagnosing and treating 40 million people with TB in the period 2018-2022. Global projections, based on data from 27 countries representing around 73% of the global burden of TB, show that less than 85% of this UNHLM target will be achieved. "While 85% might sound like an achievement, what it means in practice is that more than 5 million people with TB will be left behind without treatment," said Dr. Ditiu. "Untreated TB translates into approximately a 50% mortality rate, and those who survive will not only suffer the consequences of the disease but will also spread TB to many more, perpetuating the cycle of transmission." "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been severe, reversing hard-won gains in the fight against TB. However, this is not a moment to lose hope but to redouble commitments and action for the sake of the millions who face immense suffering and lose their lives to this preventable and curable disease. The UN Secretary General with WHO has outlined priority recommendations to ramp up the TB response. Efforts need to be intensified to make these recommendations a reality," said Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO's Global TB Programme. Only around 20% of the UNHLM target of treating 115,000 children with MDR-TB is expected to be achieved by 2022. When it comes to TB prevention, less than 30% of the UNHLM target of putting 24 million contacts of people with TB on preventive therapy is expected to be reached. TB is curable, and TB interventions are some of the most cost-effective of all public health interventions -- every US$1 invested in TB prevention and care yields a return of US$43, said Bjrn Lomborg, the President of the Copenhagen Consensus Center. "No matter which way you slice it, spending more on TB is one of the world's best social investments," said Bjrn Lomborg, the President of the Copenhagen Consensus Center. The biggest external donor to TB programs--the Global Fund--only allocates 18% of its resources to TB, even though the disease causes more than half of the deaths from diseases served by the Global Fund. In 2019, 1.4 million people died from TB, more than HIV/AIDS (700,000 deaths) and malaria (410,000 deaths) combined. Of the currently available funds for the fight against TB, 85% comes from domestic budgets. The remaining 15% is provided only for two-thirds by The Global Fund. Low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain heavily dependent on the Global Fund for TB services, clearly putting the Global Fund under the spotlight to significantly increase its funding portion to close the huge gap. "If we want to end the TB epidemic, people affected by TB must be at the center of the response," said Austin Obiefuna, Executive Director of Afro Global Alliance and incoming Vice-Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board. "Countries must step up their efforts to conduct assessments and develop action plans to transform their TB response into one that is equitable, rights-based, gender-transformative and people-centered." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Tuberculosis 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. "Despite being one of the leading infectious disease killers in the world, TB remains an orphan disease, never a political priority and never high up on funding agendas. To avoid further setbacks to the TB response, recover from losses experienced over the past year, and ensure that the Global Fund's allocations are in line with TB's share of disease burden and deaths, the Global Fund's financial contribution for TB must be at least doubled," Obiefuna added. The worrying state of the response to TB was discussed at the Stop TB Partnership's 34th virtual Board Meeting, held from 28-30 September 2021 under the leadership of the Board Chair, India's Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya. Progress towards achieving global targets to end TB was also discussed at an event on the side lines of this year's United National General Assembly hosted by the Russian Federation and the WHO. Geneva The United Nations is issuing a $139-million flash appeal to provide assistance to 1.3 million people in Kenya hardest hit by a severe drought. Millions of people across Kenya are suffering from two back-to-back seasons of poor rainfall, resulting in severe food shortages. The latest Integrated Phase Classification, which analyzes the severity of food insecurity, finds nearly 370,000 Kenyans are in a state of emergency and two million others are in crisis. World Food Program Resident Coordinator in Kenya Stephen Jackson, speaking via Zoom from the capital, Nairobi, says acute malnutrition rates are rising rapidly. He says 465,000 children and 96,000 pregnant and lactating women are acutely malnourished. He warns many are at imminent risk without urgent nutritional feeding. On a visit to a clinic Thursday in Wajir, northern Kenya, he said people told him it had been more than a year since they last felt rain. "I spoke with a young mother, Zeinab, who told me that she could not feed her children that morning and that she did not know if she would be able to put food on the table that evening. And that many of her livestock had already died because of the drought and those that are left are not in a good condition to sell. And you know, of course, in northern Kenya, livestock is the basis of life," he said. Jackson said problems arising from drought are compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity, the recent locust infestations, and diseases. The Kenyan government so far has allocated about $17 million to assist the most vulnerable drought victims and has announced another $20 million for this effort. However, Jackson said that is not enough and support from international donors is needed. "The time to act is now. As I already stressed, if the October rains fail, that would be the third season in a row without rain. And we would be the end of this year be facing a much deeper crisis still. Something on the order of what we saw 10 years ago. So, any support we provide now will save lives and livelihoods," Jackson said. The 2011 East Africa drought caused a severe food crisis across the region, threatened the livelihoods of 9.5 million people and resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. The current appeal will provide food and livelihoods, special nutritional treatment for acutely malnourished children and women, access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, health care, education, and other essential needs. " " The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species from Asia. In seven years, it has spread from Berks County, northwest of Philadelphia, to large areas of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and adjacent states both south and north. Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle/Getty Images The spotted lanternfly was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to 26 counties in that state and at least six other Eastern states. It's moving into southern New England, Ohio and Indiana. This approximately 1-inch-long (2.54-centimeter-long) species from Asia has attractive polka-dotted front wings but can infest and kill trees and plants. Professor Frank Hale is an entomologist who is tracking this species. Advertisement How Did the Spotted Lanternfly Get to the U.S., and How Quickly Is It Spreading? It is native to India, China and Vietnam and probably arrived in a cut stone shipment in 2012. The first sighting was in 2014 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on a tree of heaven a common invasive tree brought to North America from China in the late 1700s. By July 2021 the lanternfly had spread to about half of Pennsylvania, large areas of New Jersey, parts of New York state, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. It also had been found in western Connecticut, eastern Ohio and now Indiana. To give an idea of how fast these lanternflies spread, they were introduced into South Korea in 2004 and spread throughout that entire country which is approximately the size of Pennsylvania in only three years. " " In only seven years, the spotted lanternfly has infested large areas of the Middle Atlantic and has begun to push into Connecticut. New York State Integrated Pest Management Program Advertisement How Do They Spread So Fast? The lanternflies lay egg masses in late summer and autumn on the trunks of trees and any smooth-surfaced item sitting outdoors. The egg masses, which resemble smears of dry mud, can also be laid on the smooth surfaces of cars, trucks and trains. Then, they can be unintentionally transported to any part of the country in just a few days. Once the eggs hatch, they crawl to nearby host plants to start a new infestation. Advertisement How Do They Damage Trees and Plants? What Do They Feed On? They feed by piercing the bark of trees and vines to tap into the plant's vascular system to feast on sap. For a sucking insect, lanternflies are relatively big. They remove large amounts of sap and excrete copious amounts of clear, sticky "honeydew" that can coat the tree and anything beneath. A black sooty mold grows wherever the honeydew has been deposited. While unsightly, sooty mold isn't harmful when growing on the bark of the tree or beneath it. Lanternfly feeding seriously stresses trees and vines, which lose carbohydrates and other nutrients meant for storage in the roots and eventually for new growth. Infested trees and vines grow more slowly, exhibit dieback begin to die from the branch tips and can even die. " " Collected spotted lanternfly specimens on display at the Berks County Ag Center in Berks County, Pennsylvania. MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images Advertisement How Are Scientists and Officials Trying to Stop Their Spread? Biological control shows some promise for the future. Two naturally occurring fungal pathogens of spotted lanternflies have been identified in the U.S. Also, U.S. labs are testing two parasitoid insects insects that grow by feeding on lanternflies and killing them in the process that have been brought from China for testing and possible future release. Advertisement How Worried Should People Be About This Lanternfly? Very worried. Lanternflies easily build to high numbers. The area where host trees live is relatively wide, and lanternflies damage crops, the forest and the landscape. They damage many plants and cause a major nuisance to the general public. The heavy flow of honeydew and the resulting sooty mold makes a mess of the landscape. The adults start to aggregate on plants and structures to lay their egg masses in September. Their sudden, mass appearance can be alarming to people the way periodical cicada populations shock people when they come out of the ground. But lanternflies are more shocking because the few predators that could feed on them, like wheel bugs and predatory stink bugs, do not seem to control the infestations. That is why the introduction of parasitoids from Asia are important for achieving some meaningful level of biological control. Lanternflies can be a serious pest of grapes, and where found, they have reduced grape yields and damaged or killed vines. Multiple applications of insecticides are often needed to kill them, but this increases the cost of crop production. The pest threatens the major wine-producing regions in the East, such as the Finger Lakes and Long Island in New York; parts of Virginia; and Newport, Rhode Island. " " This spotted lanternfly nymph is in the fourth instar stage of the life cycle. MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images Advertisement Have any Other Pests Similarly Damaged Trees? Yes, the emerald ash borer, which arrived in the U.S. from China by accident and was discovered in 2002. It has killed millions of ash trees in North America. The Asian longhorned beetle, which feeds on and kills many species of trees, has turned up in multiple locations, most recently near Charleston, South Carolina. Maple, buckeye, horse chestnut, willow and elm would be threatened if this pest ever got widely established. The box tree moth damages boxwoods and is known to live in Canada. It has been seen in Connecticut, Michigan and South Carolina. It possibly was spread accidentally into the U.S. in shipments of boxwoods from Canada. It is not known to be established in any state, but a federal government order has halted importing host plants like boxwood, euonymus and holly from Canada. Advertisement What Should I Do if I See One? If it has already infested the region where you live and you find spotted lanternflies on your property, contact your local county extension office for control recommendations. But if it has not been found in your county or state, report it to your state department of agriculture. If the infestation is caught early before it can become established in your area, hopefully it can be eradicated there. Eventually, it will spread to many parts of the country. We can slow the spread by identifying and eradicating new infestations wherever they arise. Frank A. Hale is a professor of horticultural crop entomology at the University of Tennessee. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan received Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Jakub Kulhanek, the governments press service said. Highlighting the role of the international community on the necessity of returning Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, the deputy PM stated that this is one of the most important factors for the establishment of lasting peace and stability in the region. The Armenian deputy PM and the Czech FM exchanged views on the main goals envisaged by the governments action plan, the reforms set by the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, etc. The officials discussed also the development prospects of commercial relations and emphasized the necessity of utilizing the great potential existing in the field. In this context they attached importance to the visit of the Czech business communitys delegation to Armenia led by the minister and the organization of the business forum in Yerevan, as well as the upcoming session of the Armenian-Czech inter-governmental commission. The Armenian deputy PM and the Czech FM also touched upon the regional developments. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will hold talks with United States' Secretary of State Antony Blinken on October 5, as the two countries aim to rebuild diplomatic ties in the wake of a row over a lucrative submarine contract which France lost, Reuters reports. The two ministers will hold in-depth talks, following on from their meeting in New York on September 23, in order to identify the steps that will be needed to re-establish confidence between our two countries, French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anne-Claire Legendre said in a statement. Diplomatic relations between the United States and France hit a low point last month, after Australia cancelled a previous multi-billion dollar French-designed submarine deal, to build instead at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology. Blinken visits Paris from Monday to Wednesday and will chair a meeting of ministers from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received member of the Board of Directors of GeoProMining LLC Roman Trotsenko, the PMs Office said today. The officials discussed the upcoming investment programs by the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine. I would like to welcome you and first of all thank you for donating 25% of the companys shares to the Republic of Armenia, as a result of which the 15% of the ZCMC capital has passed to the Republic of Armenia. We hope that all the agreements reached will be implemented, which is important not only for your company, but also for our economy. We believe that the implementation of the agreements will contribute to the strengthening and development of Armenias economy, PM Pashinyan said. In his turn Roman Trotsenko thanked for the constant attention to the mining industry of Armenia, where, he said, many problems have emerged over the past decades. We are happy for the cooperation with the Armenian government, which will allow to stabilize the situation around the Combine, carry out large-scale long-term investment programs in Armenias mining industry, the total volume of which will reach around 4 billion dollars. This will allow to reprocess the product, build new production units so that Armenia will produce copper, not concentrate, as well as a new nuclear power plant. As a result of these programs new jobs and opportunities will be created which will open new development paths, he said. Pashinyan noted that the construction of copper smelter plant will lead to new demand for electricity. The successful implementation of programs is very important for us, and we hope that they will give a new impetus for the implementation of the program on constructing a new nuclear power plant in Armenia. Armenia is interested in such project and will assist in its more effective implementation, PM Pashinyan said. He expressed confidence that this donation to the government will contribute to the expansion of the public-private partnership and the further effective operation of the Combine. The officials also highlighted the implementation of programs on time and agreed to cooperate actively on this direction. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The EXPO 2020 DUBAI, one of the largest global events, officially kicked off in the city of Dubai of the United Arab Emirates. Armenias delegation led by Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan also attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. The Armenian pavilion has also opened during the EXPO, and the delegation was the first to visit the pavilion led by the minister. The opening of the Armenian pavilion was also attended by Russias deputy minister of industry and trade Alexei Gruzdeyev. Vahan Kerobyan hosted at the pavilion UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. During the tour in the pavilion, Minister Kerobyan presented the exhibits, told about the ethnotech concept with which Armenia is represented at this Expo, introduced the technological and digital solutions, the tourism part, etc. At the meeting the two ministers exchanged views on strengthening and expanding the future cooperation between Armenia and the UAE. They reached an agreement to discuss in more details their plans for the future. The Armenian delegation includes deputy ministers of economy Narek Teryan and Arman Khojoyan, Enterprise Armenia investment support centers CEO Levon Ohanesyan and other representatives of the ministry. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan Over 700,000 people in the United States died after contracting the novel coronavirus, said the US-based Johns Hopkins University, which relies on data provided by international organizations, federal and local authorities, Tass informs. October 2, 2021, 09:53 COVID-19 death toll in US exceeds 700,000 STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 2, ARTSAKHPRESS: According to the university statistics, over 43.615 million of the novel coronavirus cases were registered up to date in the United States with the overall death toll hitting the number of 700,258. Up to 120,000 novel coronavirus cases were reported to be registered daily in the United States in September and this figure was in the top of the rest of the countries, hit by the pandemic. The United States is currently in the top of the registered COVID-19 cases, which stand at over 44,443,400, while the death rate in the country exceeds 718,980. The US ranked first in terms of reported coronavirus cases and deaths, caused by COVID-19 and is followed by India (over 33,789,390 reported cases) and Brazil (more than 21,445,650 registered cases). In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 235,039,260 people have been infected worldwide and more than 4,805,070 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 211,790,520 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe. Rodrigo Duterte has announced he is to retire from politics, a surprise move fuelling speculation he is clearing the way for his daughter to run to succeed him as president of the Philippines. "Today, I announce my retirement from politics," Duterte said, accompanying loyalist Senator Christopher 'Bong' Go from their ruling PDP-Laban party as Mr Go registered to run for vice president. Duterte, 76, had been expected to run for the No.2 position himself, a plan which most Filipinos oppose as violating the spirit of the constitution, which sets a one-term limit for the president to stop power from being abused. "In obedience to the will of the people, who after all placed me in the presidency many years ago, I now say to my countrymen, I will follow your wish," Duterte said as he urged the public to support the candidacy of his longtime aide. More than 60 million Filipinos will vote in May for a new president, vice president and more than 18,000 politicians and local government officials. Political observers had long suspected Duterte could spring a surprise, such as a presidential run by his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, next year. Duterte-Carpio, who in 2016 replaced her father as mayor of Davao, said last month she was not campaigning for higher office, after agreeing with her father only one of them would run for national office in 2022. The older Duterte's decision not to join the race next year would clear her way. "This allows Sara Duterte to run," said Antonio La Vina, professor of law and politics at the Ateneo de Manila University. But La Vina added he could not rule out the possibility the firebrand leader could have a change of heart and be Go's substitute. Candidates have until Friday to register, but withdrawals and substitutions are allowed until November 15, leaving scope for last-minute changes of heart, like the 11th-hour entry of Duterte for the 2016 election, which he won by a huge margin. Political analyst Earl Parreno said he suspected the Dutertes were using the same playbook and that Duterte-Carpio would join the race at the last minute. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ecuador on Friday deployed thousands of police and soldiers to secure its violent prisons as relatives of convicts caught up in one of South America's deadliest inmate riots clamored for news about their fate. At least 118 inmates were killed, six of them beheaded, as rival gangs armed with guns and grenades went to war at the Guayaquil prison on Tuesday. Another 86 wounded were wounded, six critically, according to Ecuador's prisons authority. It was the latest in a string of bloody clashes in Ecuador's broken prison system, with 237 inmates killed so far this year -- up from 103 in 2020. "The government has mobilized 3,600 members of the national police and the armed forces ... in all of Ecuador's prisons," Interior Minister Alexandra Vela told reporters in Quito Friday, saying it was to ensure security. Police retook control of the Guayaquil prison complex Thursday evening after a massive security operation involving some 900 officers and members of tactical units, with soldiers and tanks were stationed outside the jail. Meanwhile, relatives gathered at a police morgue Friday to claim the bodies of their loved ones, or at least get confirmation of their fate. "I came because I saw a video, sent to me by cell phone, where I recognized his head," said Ermes Duarte, desperate for word on his son who he said had just 15 days left to serve. "I haven't spoken to my son since Monday," the 71-year-old told AFP. So far, 41 of the Guayaquil bodies have been identified, officials said, and 22 turned over to their families. - Three sons dead - Ecuador's prisons are the scene of frequent clashes between thousands of inmates with ties to drug gangs -- mainly the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. The prison system has 65 facilities designed for about 30,000 inmates but houses 39,000 -- 8,500 of them in Guayaquil. The country has about 1,500 guards -- a shortfall of about 3,000, according to experts. Story continues Corruption is rife, enabling prisoners to acquire all sorts of contraband, including arms and ammunition. At Friday's press conference, prisons director Bolivar Garzon announced that about 2,000 inmates over the age of 65, or in ill health, will be freed in a bid to relieve overcrowding. At the morgue, Daniel Villacis, 57, said he lost three sons in the latest prison clash. Clutching a banner that read "You left without saying goodbye..." and a picture of one of his children, Villacis told AFP two of his sons' bodies were already at home, and he was waiting for the third. A woman in search of her brother said she had seen an image of a severed head "which looked like his". Police continued searches of the prison Friday for arms and ammunition. On Thursday, they seized three pistols, several rounds of ammunition, 25 knives and three explosive devices. The government decreed a state of emergency after Tuesday's riot, suspending the civil rights of prisoners and authorizing the deployment of the armed forces to restore and maintain order. - 'A war' - On February 23, simultaneous riots at four jails including Guayaquil left 79 inmates dead, several of them also beheaded. Two weeks ago, Guayaquil's Prison Number 4 was attacked by drones, part of "a war between international cartels," prison authorities said. There were no casualties in that attack. Jaqueline Cox, 52, said she identified the body of her son Jorge Mojarras, 28, from a tattoo on his back in a picture shown to her by forensics experts at Guayaquil morgue. He was in jail for stealing a mobile phone, she said. Located between Colombia and Peru, the world's leading cocaine producers, Ecuador is a key transit for drug shipments to the United States and Europe. Guayaquil is Ecuador's most populous city and its main port. str-sp/dsl/lbc/mlr/dw Alex Jones runs the Infowars website, which touts a range of conspiracy theories US radio host and prominent conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has lost another legal case after falsely calling a mass school shooting a "hoax". Twenty children and six adults were shot dead at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut in 2012. But Mr Jones claimed the event had been made up by supporters of gun controls and the mainstream media. He will now have to pay legal costs to the parents of two six-year-old boys killed in the attack. Mr Jones has long claimed on his radio show and right-wing Infowars website that the attack at Sandy Hook was "completely fake" and a "giant hoax". He has faced a slew of legal cases from several parents of the victims. In response, he has acknowledged the shooting took place but denied wronging the families. In Thursday's ruling, a Texas judge said Mr Jones had repeatedly failed to hand over legal documents and evidence to the court to support his claims about the attack. As a result, a default judgement was issued. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble wrote that Mr Jones and other defendants had shown "flagrant bad faith and callous disregard" by not turning over the files. The ruling means he and Infowars must pay an undecided amount to the parents of Noah Pozner and Jesse Lewis, two six-year-old boys who died. The amount will be determined in another trial. Mr Jones and an Infowars lawyer called the decision "stunning". "We are distressed by what we regard as a blatant abuse of discretion by the trial court," they said in a statement. Mr Jones's lawyers argue his comments were protected by free speech rights. But he has lost several defamation lawsuits brought against him for his claims on the attack. Last year, Mr Jones was ordered to pay more than $100,000 (76,000) to the father of another six-year-old child who was killed at Sandy Hook. Story continues Alex Jones has been banned by Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for hate speech and abusive behaviour. The attack at Sandy Hook remains one of the worst school shootings in American history. On 14 December 2012, 20 children - aged between five and 10 - and six staff members were killed at the school in Newtown, Connecticut when a gunman opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle before killing himself. Parents of Sandy Hook victims who have spoken publicly about their experiences have been harassed by trolls, both online and in person who make false allegations about the shooting. Trueshan denies Stradivarius as Doyle records treble James Doyle benefited from namesake Hollie Doyle's suspension to win the Group One Prix du Cadran on Trueshan beating legendary stayer Stradivarius (AFP/MEGAN RIDGWELL) One Doyle's misfortune was another's luck on Saturday as with Hollie Doyle suspended James Doyle and Trueshan denied racing great Stradivarius Group One success in the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp on the eve of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Trueshan's victory was the second of three on the day for Doyle -- no relation to Hollie -- on a weekend which the 33-year-old Englishman hopes will climax with English St Leger winner Hurricane Lane giving him his first win in the 100th running of the Arc. Stradivarius and Frankie Dettori had every chance to win it in the finishing straight as it developed into a war of attrition on the rain-soaked ground. Just when Dettori required the three-time Ascot Gold Cup winner to move up a gear he found nothing and it was Trueshan who accelerated away. "That was absolutely wonderful," said Trueshan's co-owner Andrew Gemmell. "It's a great day - winning a Group One like the Prix du Cadran. "What more can you ask? Stradivarius has obviously been a great servant and I'm pleased to beat him today." Stradivarius did find something extra in the tank as the line neared but it was far too late for the old warhorse. "I had nothing left," said Dettori. "Bless him, he tries so hard and his courage got him there (to finish second)." - 'Brave performance' - It is just possible that it is the seven-year-old Stradivarius's final bow in the sport he has enriched by posting 19 victories in 31 starts and endearing himself to racegoers. "I don't want to race him on like an old boxer when one thinks he still has it but everyone else can see he does not," said owner/breeder Bjorn Nielsen. "I am not saying we have definitely reached that point, but still..." Dettori and Stradivarius's trainer father and son partnership John and Thady Gosden were to gain consolation in the other Group One race of the day, the Prix de Royallieu, with Loving Dream. Story continues Doyle had got off the mark in the first race, the Group Two Prix Jean Chaudenay, guiding home Manobo for Hurricane Lane's trainer Charlie Appleby. In what was a foretaste of the Cadran, Dettori rode the second Kemari also for Appleby. Appleby -- who also is hoping for a first win in the Arc -- said he hoped the winner would be destined for even greater prizes next year. "He is learning on the job and it was a brave performance," said Appleby, who also runs Epsom Derby winner Adayar in the Arc. "Hopefully the winner will return for the Cadran next year." Doyle said the going had been "testing" and the heavy rain predicted will only make conditions more arduous for Sunday's showpiece. The irrepressible Dettori's absence from the winners' enclosure did not last long as the Italian steered home Real World in the Group Two Prix Daniel Wildenstein, a second winner for Manobo's owners The Godolphin Operation. It was a rare moment in the racing spotlight in recent years for trainer Saeed bin Suroor on a track where he trained three Arc winners in Lammtarra, in 1995, and Sakhee and Marienbard in 2001 and 2002 rspectively. This horse has improved a lot," said Suroor. "There was a question mark about the soft ground. He had never run on this ground, but we gave him a chance and thankfully he won." Doyle rounded his day off as he started it by taking the honours in the final Group race, the Prix Dollar on Dubai Honour -- he will hope for more of the same come Sunday. pi/gj Lt. Sean Corcoran, president of the Auburn Fire Fighters Local 1446, said in news release that the union is endorsing Ginny Kent and incumbent Terry Cuddy for the two available council seats in the general election in November. As the 2021 election approaches, Local 1446 has dedicated a significant amount of time mulling over our choices of candidates running for Auburn City Council. Our goal is to support candidates we believe will offer the brightest future for the City of Auburn, the citizens, and businesses residing here while treating employees with dignity," Corcoran said in a statement. "We considered each candidate individually and made our choices based on the values we believe are vital to lead the City of Auburn for the next four years. In this election, Local 1446 decided to support incumbent Terry Cuddy in his re-election bid and Ginny Kent as a new candidate for City Council. The department said it rushed to get an initial wave of data online in the spring and that older records and lesser violations are being scheduled for scanning and formatting and will be added over time. All records, it said, are subject to legal reviews and redactions under the law. The NYPD, in its statement, did not address the NYCLUs chief complaint: that the police department is violating public records and transparency laws by picking and choosing which records are released and when. There is no other agency in city government that provides this breadth or depth of information on their employees accessible to the public, the NYPD said it its statement. In August 2020, the NYCLU published data on complaints against more than 81,000 current or former NYPD officers after prevailing in a fight with public safety unions that had sought to keep the records secret. It obtained from the data from the citys police watchdog agency, the Civilian Complaint Review Board. The NYPD, meanwhile, has found other ways to deny public records requests for disciplinary information. Over the summer, it refused to release records on Eric Adams, a retired police captain-turned-politician whos the Democratic nominee for mayor. SENECA FALLS Standing in the birthplace of the women's rights movement in America, the first female governor in New York state's history took to the microphone at a reproductive rights rally. Gov. Kathy Hochul greeted the crowd in Seneca Falls Saturday at a rally to defend reproductive rights in America. The event was one of many held across the country in response to recent events such as a Texas law banning abortions following six weeks of pregnancy going into effect last month. Hochul referenced Seneca Falls' history, since the first Women's Rights convention had been held there in 1848. "This is personal," she said as she asked her daughter Katie to join her. The governor said she would continue to fight for Katie's rights and Katie would right for her children and grandchildren. "That's what we're doing because we are sharing the torch today and someday I'll be passing the torch to all the young women, the torch that is in my hands from the women of Seneca Falls," Hochul said. "They have fought so long and hard, the women of Seneca Falls. If we don't draw inspiration from them, if we don't understand what they went through, the fight that they never had a chance to see, realize and accomplish, the fight for women's rights, the rights to be not treated as property of men and told what to do by men." Most New Yorkers didnt know who the heck she was until about a month ago, said Patrick J. Egan, an associate professor of politics at New York University. So she not only has to get her name out there, she also has to establish her record and give people the sense that shes somebody that they want to lead the state. To do that, shes been giving cable news interviews and making frequent appearances in the heavily populated, heavily Democratic New York City area, seen as critical in a statewide primary. If several city politicians challenge her and split the downstate vote James, Williams and de Blasio all call Brooklyn home Hochul's connections to upstate and western New York could be a decisive advantage, Egan said. During a news conference Thursday, Hochul said shes not preoccupied with potential challengers. "I dont have to have the time to be distracted by the political noise, she said. Everybody is free to do what they want. Ive got a job to do and that is my focus. She has pledged a fresh break from the decadelong Cuomo era, which ended amid sexual harassment allegations and the revelation that his administration released misleading statistics on COVID-19 deaths. If you think that ride-hailing fleets have less impact on the environment then think again. Results based on the latest research by Carnegie Mellon University suggests otherwise. In a study by the university where they considered emissions produced by ride-hailing fleets. They simulated the study by replacing private vehicles with these services in six cities of the United States. As a result, the team found that because these shared vehicles are comparatively newer, they produce less pollution during cold starts and this can lead to a lower percentage of emission by 50 to 60 per cent. However, since the vehicles from these services use about 20 per cent more fuel due to the distances that they travel without customers, it leads to greater emission of greenhouse gases. This creates a detrimental effect on the environment. (Also read | Switching from car to bicycle can cut carbon emissions by 67%: Study) The study also highlighted other disadvantages of ride-hailing fleets. The team showed that the total costs related to traffic congestion, noise and crashes raise by 60 per cent. These costs become more significant when commuters opt for these services instead of public transport, mentioned Automotive News which Carscoops reported. (Also read | Air pollution led to around 54,000 premature deaths in New Delhi in 2020) The findings of the study are similar to those of Harvard and MIT which found that all-electric robotaxi fleets can also increase pollution in some cases, mentioned the report. However, these ride-hailing services have impacted public transportation significantly. A separate study from the University of Michigan and University of North Carolina stated that these facilities have negatively impacted the public transportation system. The pandemic too has hit the latter and hence the ones in these systems have to bear the economic brunt. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Xiaomi Automobile Co.,Ltd. was officially registered in Beijing Economic Technological Development Area on September 1 with a registered capital of 10 billion yuan ($1.546 billion), according to the business data provider Tianyancha. The registration means that Xiaomi's electric vehicle (EV) unit has been headquartered in the capital of China. Lei Jun, Xiaomi's founder, chairman, CEO; photo credit: Xiaomi The smartphone giant announced on Wednesday the completion of the business registration for its EV unit, where Lei Jun, Xiaomi's founder, chairman, and CEO, will serve as legal representative. However, it didn't unveil the concrete location then. This is the first milestone in the development of Xiaomi's automobile arm. Led by Mr. Lei, Xiaomi is taking the fast lane for its car building business, said the company. Since Xiaomi announced its foray into the EV industry at the end of March, there were many rumors about where Xiaomi's auto business will be headquartered. Beijing and Shanghai were much discussed as the company released job ads for autonomous driving and other auto-related posts in these two cities. Besides, the two metropolises also boast great policy supports and abundant resources for EV development. During the past five months, Xiaomi held talks with quite a few automakers and suppliers, and also made investment in many auto-related companies, including Hesai Technology, ZongMu Technology, SVOLT, and Ganfeng Lithium. Moreover, Xiaomi announced last month it had entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the entire shareholding in DeepMotion Tech Limited, a four-year-old Chinese autonomous driving startup, for about $77.37 million. Up until now, Xiaomi has employed nearly 300 staff members for its EV unit and it will continue to recruit talents, according to Lei Jun. Beijing (Gasgoo)- Xiaomis auto business will be headquartered in Beijing where it will set up its first factory, according to local media outlet Auto Business Review. Photo credit: Xiaomi At the end of March this year, the smart phone maker announced it will set up a subsidiary for smart electric vehicle business. The initial investment of the new company will be RMB10 billion while the total investment in the next 10 years will be around $10 billion. Lei Jun, CEO of the group, will serve as the CEO of the electric vehicle business. Since the announcement of its foray into the electric vehicle industry, Xiaomis headquarters and factory location have attracted much attention. It is said that Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Hefei and Xian all are wooing Xiaos auto business. And in the past four months, Lei Jun also visited numerous automakers and suppliers, such as Changan, GAC Group, SAIC GM Wuling, Great Wall Motor, CATL and Bosch. Xiaomis headquarters are located in Beijing. The Xiaomi Technology Campus, in Haidian District of Beijing, covers an area of 220,000 square meters with an investment of about RMB2 billion. In addition, Xiaomi also has a smart factory in Yizhuang of Beijing. In June and July, Xiaomi posted more than 20 new positions which are related to autonomous driving, and all the staff for the above positions are expected to work in Haidian District. Gasgoo not only offers timely news and profound insight about China auto industry, but also help with business connection and expansion for suppliers and purchasers via multiple channels and methods. Buyer service: buyer-support@gasgoo.com Seller Service: seller-support@gasgoo.com All Rights Reserved. Do not reproduce, copy and use the editorial content without permission. Contact us: autonews@gasgoo.com. This is the fourth film I have watched in "My Letterboxd Season Challenge 2021-22", "A 33 week long challenge where the goal each week is to watch a previously unseen feature length film from a specified category." This is the 7th annual challenge, and my third time participating (my first year can be found at "My Letterboxd Season Challenge 2019-20", and last year's at "My Letterboxd Season Challenge 2020-21"). Week 4 is called "Romanian New Wave": From Wikipedia: "The Romanian New Wave is a genre of realist and often minimalist films made in Romania since the mid-aughts... Aesthetically, Romanian New Wave films share an austere, realist and often minimalist approach. Furthermore, black humour tends to feature prominently. While several of them are set in the late 1980s, near the end of Nicolae Ceausescu's totalitarian rule over communist Romania, exploring themes of freedom and resilience, others, however, unfold in modern-day Romania, and delve into the ways the transition to democracy and free-market capitalism has shaped Romanian society after the fall of communism in late 1989." This week's challenge is to watch a previously unseen Romanian New Wave film. In 1971, Ken Russell released The Devils. If you've seen any of his films (Tommy), you won't be surprised to know that The Devils was over the top, telling the "true" story of sexual possessions of nuns that result in exorcisms. Russell got the story from a book by Aldous Huxley. Russell includes scenes of torture, forced enemas, self-mutilations, and lots and lots of naked women. The film received an "X" rating in both the U.K. and the U.S., and was banned in several other countries. That's one way to tell a story. Cristian Mungiu is a Romanian director who takes his time releasing movies. His first feature came out in 2002, and he's only directed four films since then, one as a co-director. Among those films are 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, which is a favorite of mine, and Graduation, about which I wrote, "Mungiu likes to plant his camera in one place for long takes. Often in Graduation, those takes are conversations between two people. There is an intimacy to this approach, although the characters often seem to lack that intimacy between each other." This was similar to 4 Months, where I described Mungiu's tendency to find "a place to put his camera that he thinks is appropriate for a scene," and leave it there for extended periods of time, letting the movie emerge from the stationary camera." Mungiu's film are not over the top ... he is the anti-Ken Russell. Which makes Beyond the Hills particularly interesting, in that it, too, tells the "true" story of an exorcism. And those scenes are terrifying, but not due to the excesses of the director. We are shocked by those scenes because we see them through the eyes of a young woman whose friend is the victim of the ritual. Beyond the Hills isn't a story of an entire city gone mad, but instead is the story of a woman who doesn't fit properly into the life of a Romanian Orthodox convent. There are sexual undertones ... the two women have been in love ... but as with so much else in Mungiu's work, the undertones rise slowly to the surface. He doesn't need forced enemas to make his points. Mungiu gives us two outstanding performances by the lead actresses, both of whom were making their film debuts, although they were not amateurs. Cosmina Stratan and Cristina Flutur were co-winners of the Best Actress award at Cannes. Flutur has the showier role, but Stratan is the one who really draws us into the story. I said about Graduation that "Mungiu doesn't judge his characters, but neither does he let them off the hook." This is very true for Beyond the Hills. The priest (Valeriu Andriuta) is not a crazed fundamentalist, and we are led to believe he actually wants to break the woman free of possession. The results are sadly inevitable, despite the priest's intentions. Three top-level films, with one true classic. Mungiu may take his time releasing movies, but they are worth the wait. #392 on the They Shoot Pictures, Don't They list of the top 1000 films of the 21st century. (Among the other films chosen for the challenge were 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, and The Death of Mr. Lazarescu.) I'm not expecting a shock result in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Europe's most valuable race, at 15:05. The winner will surely come from the first six in the betting. Anything priced 16/1 and above needs to improve significantly on their recent form to win. Given the going being not far from heavy, there's scope for an outsider being placed, but win - no! Godolphin haven't a good record in the race - Marienbard was their last winner in 2002 - but they've not had many fancied horses to be fair. This year the Dubai operation has two of the first three in the betting, Adayar and Hurricane Lane. It won't be the first time they've lined up for the same race. Their previous confrontation was at Epsom when Adayar came off best in the Derby, Hurricane Lane finishing third, having lost both his front shoes at some point in the race. Adayar has since won the King George from Mishriff, Love and Broome. while Hurricane Lane has taken the Irish Derby, the St Leger and the Grand Prix de Paris - the later Group 1 over the Arc course on very soft going. The pair's form at, and since, Epsom in June can't be faulted. The only defeat Hurricane Lane has on his CV is when his front shoes came off. Was it because of losing them? Tarnawa starts the weekend as favourite but doesn't float my boat. I think there's a chance she will be torpedoed by the Godolphin colts. She may not have been first past the post at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Stakes but she was the best horse on the day. It was ridiculous of the stewards not to give her the race after St Mark's Basilica had taken her right across the track. She had won her five previous starts including last year's Prix Vermeille and Prix de l'Opera, giving her two wins from two runs at Longchamp with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle. She is flawless and the going is not an issue but the Godolphin challenge is red hot and I prefer the three-year-olds. Aidan O'Brien runs his two Oaks winners Snowfall and Love. The latter has rather fallen off her perch this year, so it is no surprise Ryan Moore has opted for Snowfall. He is unbeaten on the filly whose wins have all come against her own sex. This will be Snowfall's first race against colts. Had she not disappointed in her Arc trial when beaten at 1/5, she might have been my tip this weekend. Forgive her that run and she ticks every other box. The Japanese star Chrono Genesis is also a box ticker, having won over 7.7million in Japan and Dubai. He comes into the race in form but there are two reservations with him. All his Group 1 races have come on good or firmer and Oisin Murphy hasn't ridden him before on the track. The other Japanese runner 25/1 shot Deep Bond appeals as the best outsider. He successfully made all in his Arc trial over course and distance, beating Broome a length and a half. With similar tactics, he could conceivably nick the race from the front or only be caught by one or two of the market leaders. Unlikely, but possible. Natasha can extend her winning run in the Boussac Not only is Frankel the sire of both Hurricane Lane and Adiyar, but he's the dad of the favourite in the first race on ITV at 13:15, the Prix Marcel Boussac. Raclette has won minor races at Deauville and Chantilly on soft. She's well regarded but her odds of 11/8 owe more to Andre Fabre training her than her results. Others have raced in Group company. Raclette's stablemate Zellie has finished strongly to take second behind Oscula at Deauville and Fleur D'Iris here at Longchamp. Joseph O'Brien's runner Agartha had won a Group 2 and a Group 3 before losing out narrowly to Discoveries in the Moyglare Stud Stakes when put in the deep end. That fully entitles her to close consideration as the only runner with top-level experience. Acer Alley was doing her best work at the death when getting up late to take the Group 3 Prix La Rochette over seven here at Longchamp. Who Knows held off English challengers Oneforthegutter and The Wizard Of Eye to take a seven-furlong Group 3 at Deauville on good going. John Gosden's Natasha, another by Frankel, has won minor races in the style of a good filly. She's a half-sister to a French Derby winner and has each-way appeal at 12/1 with Frankie Dettori up. Acca's one for your each-way acca Next up is a seven-furlong Group 1 for two-year-olds, the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at 13:50. The British challengers are Ebro River (Hugo Palmer), Angel Bleu (Ralph Beckett), Noble Truth (Charlie Appleby), and The Wizard Of Eye (Charlie Moore). Aidan O'Brien runs Stone Age. Ebro River could go off favourite, given he is the best colt in the race, but I fancy the French filly Accakaba each-way. She runs in this rather than the Marcel Boussac as it looked when she beat Fleur D'Iris at Deauville as if seven furlongs is her max for the time being. She's four from four, won a Group 2 over the trip and should go close getting 4lb from the boys. Classic form a help when looking at the Prix de l'Opera The French Oaks back in June is an obvious race to refer to when looking at the Prix de l'Opera Longines at 15:50, the first race after the Arc. Sibila Spain made the running in that before Aidan O'Brien's Joan Of Arc collared her 50 yards out. Philomene and Burgarita finished well to take second and third, Sibila Spain was fourth. Rougir fifth and Incarville seventh. Another three-year-old to consider is the German Oaks winner Palmas as she won that Classic by six lengths. It is hard to gauge the quality of those behind her and 9/1 could flatter her or look a steal after the race. When looking at the older fillies and mares the first port of call has to be is the Darley Prix Jean Romanet at the end of August. Grand Glory took that Deauville Group 1 by a short head from Audarya with Thundering Heights third and Ambition fourth. Sibila Spain appeals each-way over the trip, 110 yards shorter than the French Oaks when she was caught close home. Suesa doesn't deserve to be Abbaye favourite I don't have any strong views on five-furlong sprints on soft going, whether they are sellers or Group 1s. The outcomes depend on who breaks the fastest and which one gets a clear passage. All five UK runners in the Prix de l'Abbaye at 16:25 are trained in Yorkshire with last year's winner Glass Slippers shortest in the Sportsbook at 9/2. Winter Power is 6/1, the Karl Burke-trained pair Dandalla and Lady In France are 16s and 25s respectively. Adrian Nicholls' Mo Celita is also 25s. The French filly Suesa is weirdly favourite, despite never winning at this level. Winter Power beat her all ends up when Suesa was fourth in the Nunthorpe for which she was also favourite. I can't see why she should turn the tables on Tim Easterby's filly which is three times Suesa's odds of 2/1. There are only two Group 1s over seven furlongs for older horses in Europe and the Prix de la Foret at 17:00 is one of them. The other is the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville in July. Laws Of Indices won that by a head from fast-finishing Thunder Moon, Midtown, Valloria, and Colloseo. You would normally expect all five to turn up. It's weird that only two have. This year's winners of the Group 2s over the trip are Space Blues and Kinross, who scored at the York Ebor meeting and Glorious Goodwood respectively. Pearls Galore, Sagamiyra and Kevin Ryan's Last Empire have won Group 3s over seven - Sagamiyra beating a luckless Speak Of The Devil last time. Tropbeau is worth a look as she finished ahead of Kinross in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville over six and a half furlongs. Her overall form this year has been pretty ropey, which is why she was 92/1 that day and 20/1 for this weekend's race. In my last post here on the blog, I wrote about the theological issue of whether "supersessionism" (the idea that Christianity replaced Judaism, leaving no place in the world for the latter) is returning. This weekend I turn to a broader issue involving American Jews. In this article from Commentary.org, Joseph Joffe, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, writes about whether what he calls the "Jewish-American love affair" is over. There are good reasons to think that antagonism and violence toward Jews in the U.S. in recent years means exactly that, but Joffe rejects the idea and insists Jews still can live as proud Americans who also are committed to their tradition. America, he argues, is different from Europe and especially from Nazi Germany. The Holocaust, or Shoah, almost destroyed European Jewry, but Jews in the U.S., he argues, not only survived but thrived. And that, he writes, "is no fluke of history; it is integral to the American experience." Joffe describes what he calls three pillars that have supported good relations between Jews and other Americans in the U.S. for centuries. And he thinks those pillars still are reliably strong. He contends that "we should not expect the three pillars of the American creed to crumble, as fearsome as the news from the culture war may be. We are talking 400 years as against 20. Culture and history do not change as quickly as cellphone generations. . .The three pillars of Jew-friendly American exceptionalism were not built on sand, and they hold up the larger American creed across all faiths." Well, you can read Joffe for yourself. I think he may well be right, but I think he's not taking seriously enough the putrid antisemitism that has shown itself in various subtle as well as violently public ways in recent years. And I'm not sure he's reading the politics of all this correctly, especially his contention that American Jewish voters seem destined to quit voting Democratic as often as they have since FDR. The problem as I see it is that if people become so convinced that the danger signs popping up in Jewish life don't amount to much of anything, they won't work to stop events and thinking leading to those signs. Until it might be too late. * * * REMEMBERING INDIGENOUS CHILDREN WHO DIED This past Thursday evening, I joined a gathering sponsored by the Kansas City Indian Center to stand in solidarity with descendants of Indigenous people in the U.S. and Canada whose children were sent to boarding schools so they could be turned into people who resembled white, Christian citizens. Many of those children were treated terribly and died, and only now are their bodies being retrieved from mass graves. Religious communities sometimes ran those boarding schools. And as this RNS story reports, "churches of all denominations are reckoning with the role they played in the countrys boarding school system for Indigenous children." For instance, as this Kansas City Star story reports, Native leaders are working with elected officials to uncover information about what happened to children sent to the Shawnee Indian Mission in Johnson County, which is named after it founder, the Rev. Thomas Johnson, a Methodist missionary. Both the U.S. and Canada really need truth and reconciliation commissions to uncover and tell this dreadful story -- as well as the whole appalling story of the way Indigenous people in North America were brutalized starting with the first European invaders. * * * P.S.: My most recent Flatland column is about the creation by local faith communities of the Kansas City Mental Health Collaborative. As a follow up to that, this article from "The Conversation" explores how congregations around the country are dealing with that issue. Journalist Chloe Angyal wrote a piece in Feministing ten years ago titled "Marry me, Zach Wahls." She reported on a 19-year-old's passionate defense of his same-sex marriage household to the Iowa House of Representatives a three-minute speech so eloquent and powerful that it went viral and landed him on Ellen. What she didn't know is that a decade later, she would marry Zach Wahls. She also didn't know that Zach Wahls would go on to become an Iowa state lawmaker himself. If a romantic comedy meant to capture the cultural moment of the past decade was to be made, a producer wouldn't need to look further than Wahls' and Angyal's hall-of-fame-level meet-cute. The Des Moines Register An essential guide to this week's inessential news 'National Enquirer' "What's Wrong With Biden?" screams the 'Enquirer' cover story. "Constant cough! Shuffling gait! Bizarre behavior! Wasting away!" It seems strange that the 'Enquirer' is so concerned about President Biden's health, when during the previous administration they didn't mention Donald Trump's equally distinctive issues: Constant sniffing! Difficulty walking down slopes! Exceedingly bizarre behavior! Dangerously overweight! Nonetheless, despite its headline, the 'Enquirer' doesn't really have any idea what's wrong with Biden assuming that anything is wrong with him at all. The story promises to answer one intriguing question: "Why White House staffers keep cutting president's mic." But the 'Enquirer' doesn't so much explain this, as simply cite Fox News anchor Sandra Smith, who speculated: "Is somebody telling him that he can't continue and now are they to the point where they are controlling when he has to end his speaking?" It's wild supposition, but wouldn't it have been nice if only someone had ever pulled the plug on Donald Trump, whose speeches could ramble on like an incoherent random-thought-generator for hours on end? This week's obligatory British royal story informs us: "Charles Digs Grave With Flimsy Denials!" Everyone knows that an industrial shovel and a good pair of boots are essential for successful grave-digging, but apparently Prince Charles is attempting this feat with only lame excuses for his alleged involvement in a scheme to sell royal titles for hard cash. What are Charles' "flimsy denials"? The 'Enquirer' doesn't say. It simply repeats the allegations against Charles, who has denied involvement in the alleged scheme. The 'Enquirer' also claims that the Queen "has doubled down on her decision to bypass him as England's next monarch!" For the hundredth time: the Queen doesn't have the power or legal authority to change the line of succession, and Charles cannot be denied the crown after her death. How stupid do they think their readers are? (The 'Enquirer' doesn't have to answer this it's self-evident in every story.) "Gabby Petito Autopsy Secrets!" screams a front-page headline about the "van life" murder victim, promising to reveal "What really happened." But the 'Enquirer' has no idea what really happened, and the "autopsy secrets" are that there are no secrets revealed in the autopsy. Petito's death in a Wyoming national park was ruled a homicide, but a pathologist tells the 'Enquirer' that because of decomposition and exposure to the elements "authorities may never uncover clues to how she died." British pop royalty is the subject of "Elton In Agony!" Elton John suffered a fall that has reportedly left him "in agonizing pain and barely able to walk!" He is allegedly "bracing himself to go under the knife." "New Docs Emerge In Wuhan Covid Leak!" No, it's not new doctors emerging with leaked information. It's new documents. But if the documents are new, the allegations they contain are old at least as early as April 2020 it was known that the US had been funding research into bat coronavirus at the Wuhan laboratory in China. The 'Enquirer' "News Flash!" tag is for those readers who exclusively get their news from the rag. 'Globe' "Prince Philip's Secret $60M Will Exposed!" declares the cover story. "Leaves cash to Mistresses but disinherits Charles, Andrew & Harry!" Who can argue with the 'Globe' when it evidently has access to the royal will that has otherwise been sealed to all eyes for 90 years? But even with Philip's last will and testament under seal, it's clear that this story is a frothy souffle on the verge of collapse. Prince Philip's alleged mistresses a list of possible affairs he may have had over his 99-year life are, with only one exception, all deceased, and have been for many years, so no, his mistresses won't be getting Philip's fortune. It has been reported in slightly more reliable quarters that Philip left a share of his fortune to his valet, his page and his private secretary, but the vast majority of his wealth is believed to revert to his widow, Queen Elizabeth. And despite the 'Globe' claim that Harry, Andrew and Charles have been cut out of Philip's will, insiders insist that's not the case, largely because the details of Philip's will were written years ago, long before recent family rifts. "Tom Cruise Face Explodes!" You'd think there would be blood and gobs of flesh everywhere, but no the 'Globe' merely speculates that the actor's seemingly puffy cheeks must be caused by cosmetic procedures gone wrong. Or could Cruise possibly be on steroids to recover from a filming injury? Could he have simply gained a little weight while taking a hiatus from shooting? Or could it be that his face appeared slightly chubby in the photo because his head had been squeezed into the cramped constraints of a crash helmet for a parachute jump he was making? No, the 'Globe' insists that any facial bloating can only be because of explosive cosmetic treatments, as "docs worry nip/tucks have gone too far." Can't argue with science. Sir Ian McKellen makes a rare tabloid appearance, under the headline "X-Men Ian Mistaken For Bum!" He's pictured sporting a tasteful brown suede jacket, a designer scarf, and a pristine pair of high-end sneakers, sitting outside on a sunny day leafing through his script as he learns his lines for a new play. But because Sir Ian was sitting on a sidewalk, the 'Globe' claims that the instantly recognizable thespian was somehow mistaken for a homeless person. As if. A "stunned shopper" in Windsor, England, reportedly offered to buy him "a coffee and a sandwich," but it's hard to imagine that this immaculately attired knight of the realm was mistaken for a vagrant. Could it be that an enterprising photographer suggested to a kindly stranger that they offer to buy McKellen food and a hot drink, for the sake of generating a story? Of course not what English journalist would stoop so low? "Holy Cow! Cybill Gains 55 Pounds!" Former Moonlighting star Cybill Shepherd falls victim to the tabloid's Guess-Your-Weight former carneys. But the 'Globe' doesn't bother saying if the actress has gained 55 pounds since she was Robert Re Niro's svelte fantasy girl in 1976 classic Taxi Driver, or if she's suddenly gained this weight over the last few months. She has "ballooned to 210 pounds, estimates a doctor," reports the rag, which evidently sees nothing sexist or demeaning in referring to Shepherd as a "cow." "Big Trouble In Paradise!" Ben Affleck and girlfriend Jennifer Lopez are reportedly fighting because he believes "it will do them good to have a little time apart" while he films in Texas and she films in Vancouver. "Elton Sidelined By Hip Surgery!" We know from the 'Enquirer' that Elton is considering hip surgery after a fall, but publishing stablemate the 'Globe' goes a step further, suggesting that it's the surgery that has put the piano man out of action. Of course, the 'Globe' later admits in its story that Elton hasn't actually undergone surgery yet, tacitly admitting that he's actually been sidelined by his fall, not the surgery. "Clooney's Kidnap Nightmare. Fears Amal's new job prosecuting war crimes may make family target." This sounds awfully similar to the kidnap plot against Amal and George Clooney's twins that the 'Globe' speculated about in 2019 when Amal was prosecuting Isis. 'People' Yet another British royal dominates this week's cover: "Prince William: The Making of a Modern King." Royal biographer Robert Lacey writes an exclusive feature for 'People' mag that says little more than restating the fact that he's been training for the monarchy his entire life, while "Prince Harry has found his freedom." Awww. "What's Next for J.Lo & Ben." These two appear to have reunited simply out of spite to prove the 'Globe' wrong. Far from taking a break to give each other some space, the couple reunited in New York last weekend, where they "held hands and kissed during a stroll through Manhattan." That'll teach the 'Globe' to write about their needing time apart. 'Us Weekly' Troubled pop icon Britney Spears is the target of this week's cover story: "The Secret Britney Tapes It's Worse Than Anyone Knows." No it's not, since we've all been reading reports about revelations in the coming documentary over this past week. Her father and conservator Jamie Spears allegedly "spied on her texts, calls & photos" and "her bedroom was bugged with recording devices," claims the mag. Shocking, yes but apparently not to Britney. An unidentified source claims she knew about being monitored, "and complained, but no one believed her." As for the front-page headline, which suggests that 'Us Weekly' knows the contents of "The Britney Tapes" dream on. "Harry & Meghan Take NYC." It's hardly surprising they took New York the renegade royals will grab anything that isn't screwed down, if you believe the tabloids. But an insider says of their recent visit to the Big Apple: "some wondered if it was all an act." The royal duo allowed themselves to be followed by a camera crew for a Netflix documentary they are making. "They wanted to capture their philanthropy," says an unnamed source. That's understandable. After all, who wants to perform acts of charity if nobody's watching? Thankfully we have the crack investigative squadron at 'Us Weekly' to tell us that Emily Ratajkoswki wore it best (doesn't she always?), that 'Twilight' actress Nikki Reed's "goal is to produce only one bag of trash per year," and that the stars are just like us: they shop at supermarkets, pack their belongings in boxes when they move homes, and can carry two drinks and a phone at the same time all evidently while wearing ugly sweats, leggings and old jeans just like us. Onwards and downwards . . . Drug companies Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics report that their antivral pill molnupravir may be a tremendous help protecting patients infected with COVID-19. According to clinical trial data from an interim analysis 29 days after the study began, "molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by approximately 50%" for people with mild to moderate COVID-19. The drug was discovered by researchers at Emory University and quickly licensed by the two companies. From CNN: In a news release, the company said 7.3% of 385 patients who received the antiviral were either hospitalized or died from Covid-19, compared with 14.1% of the 377 patients who received a placebo, which does nothing[] "This is the most impactful result that I remember seeing of an orally available drug in the treatment of a respiratory pathogen, perhaps ever," Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Friday. "I think getting an oral pill that can inhibit viral replication that can inhibit this virus is going to be a real game changer." [Compared to remdesivir,] molnupiravir would be simpler for patients no IV required and it works differently, by changing the SARS-CoV-2 virus to inhibit replication."It actually gets incorporated into the genetic material of the of the virus and introduces errors," Dr. Daria Hazuda, chief science officer with MSD, Merck's label operating outside of the US and Canada, said in a briefing with the Science Media Center in the UK on Friday. The Oath Keepers is a gang of armed anti-government extremists who participated in the violent Presidential coup attempt on January 6, 2021. A recent hack of The Oath Keepers website has revealed the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of its 40,000 members, including many law enforcement officers. USA Today reached out to dozens of officers on the list to find out why they joined the seditionist gang: Most didn't respond; nearly everyone who did said they were no longer members. One retired Marine and correctional officer said he still supports the group. In 20 cases, law enforcement agencies or the men themselves confirmed they were still employed there. Among the officers identified on the membership list are: An officer at the Louisville Metro Police Department who was involved in an officer-involved shooting in 2018. A former U.S. Army member who joined the New York Police Department and a former U.S. Army captain who joined the Chicago Police Department. Both are still police officers there. An 80-year-old, part-time officer at the Ashley County Sheriff's Office in Arkansas. A corrections officer in Riverside, California. [By Myotus Own work, CC0] Lin Wood told attendees at a rally in Georgia on Friday that neither the Twin Towers nor the Pentagon were hit by planes on September 11, 2001. Here's an excerpt from his speech: Nine eleven. You want to talk about that? Let's talk about CGI. You know what that is? Computer graphics generated images. You know what CGI is? You know what deep fake videos are? I know you know what photoshopping is. Two thousand one. The estimate was there was three and a half trillion dollars. That was the estimate, that had been stolen from the defense budget. They were going to have hearings starting on November the 12th to discuss that money that had been stolen and was missing. That was your money by the way. And then all of a sudden, on 9/11, what appeared to be a plane hit one building, what appeared to be a plane in another building. Then, later that night, another building failed, and I wasn't hit by a dadgum thing. It was the building that went down, Building Seven, that had all the paperwork in it with respect to the missing money. And the Pentagon got hit by a missile. There were no plane fragments found anywhere on any of the sites New York, Pennsylvania, the Pentagon. And they just happened to hit where the papers were about the missing money. There are no coincidences. We got played. We got played by people that are so evil that for money they killed 2,800 Americans on that day, including policemen and firefighters. If George Bush 43 is not already in Hell, then he needs to go to jail before he goes to Hill because he is a criminal. Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane speaking to ANI on Saturday (Photo/ANI) By Ajit K Dubey Leh (Ladakh) [India], October 2 (ANI): Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on Saturday that Pakistan Army supported two infiltration attempts by terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) through ceasefire violations and have been strongly told by the Indian Army to not indulge in such activities. "There were no ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army from February this year till June-end. But, of late, there have been increased infiltration attempts that were not supported by ceasefire violations," Army Chief Gen Naravane told ANI in an exclusive interview here. "In the last ten days, there have been two ceasefire violations. The situation is regressing to pre-February days," he added. His remarks came after he was asked if the Pakistan Army was supporting the recent spurt in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC). India and Pakistan had entered into an agreement in February this year after which both sides had seen complete silence in terms of ceasefire violations. The Pakistan Army had also stopped supporting infiltration attempts by terrorists by firing at Indian posts to "divert their attention but that process has started again." "We have conveyed through hotline messages and DGMO level talks that take place every week that they (Pakistan) should not give support to any terror-related activities," Naravane said. (ANI) Representative image Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 2 (ANI): Days after former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh held a meeting with Union Minister Amit Shah in the national capital, Shiv Sena on Saturday slammed the Centre for discussing the problems of a state with the "dismissed" Chief Minister. It further said that the Home Minister has no right to discuss border security with a former Chief Minister. The Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna said that if the matter of border security was that important then it should have been discussed with the present-day Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi instead of Captain Amarinder Singh. "Has anyone started infiltrating the border like Kashmir and Ladakh? If this issue is really important then the Home Minister should discuss it with the present Chief Minister of Punjab. What is this method of discussing the problems of the state with the dismissed Chief Minister? The central government is starting this new tradition, which is not fair," said Saamna. The Shiv Sena mouthpiece slammed Captain Amarinder Singh for "waking up" on the border security issue only after tendering his resignation from the post of Chief Minister of Punjab. "Pakistan is infiltrating every day, but after leaving the post of Chief Minister, Amarinder woke up about border security," said Saamna. The Shiv Sena mouthpiece further alleged that although Captain Amarinder Singh has said that he is not joining the BJP, but by Staying out of Congress he intends to harm the party. "Amarinder Singh had clarified that he will not go to the BJP, but after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it seems he will harm the Congress by staying out," it added. The Shiv Sena mouthpiece's reaction came after Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on September 29 said that he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the ongoing farmers' agitation and urged him to resolve the crisis by immediately repealing the three farm laws. Story continues The meeting came amid fresh turmoil in Punjab Congress with the sudden resignation of state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and led to speculation that the Congress leader may be warming up to the BJP. Amarinder Singh had resigned as Chief Minister on September 18 and had told the media that the Congress leadership had let him down. The meeting took place amid efforts of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to make the contest in the forthcoming assembly polls in the statewide open. Amarinder Singh had said that he had urged Amit Shah to guarantee minimum support price to farmers and support Punjab in crop diversification. (ANI) Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2) Data collection issues spoiled the Department of Healths (DOH) plan to start including antigen-tested cases in the official COVID-19 data reports this week, the department's spokesperson said Saturday. Hindi pa ho namin naisasama Kinakalap pa namin ang datos. Kailangan namin makita kung ilan ba ang nagamit talaga mula nung magumpisa tayo magpatupad officially nitong antigen testing, DOH Undersecretary and Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a Laging Handa briefing. [Translation: We have not included them yet. We are still gathering data on the total number of tests used since we officially authorized antigen testing.] Link: DOH to add antigen-tested cases in official COVID-19 tally starting next week She is hoping the DOH could finally add positive antigen test results in the case bulletins this coming week. Vergeire earlier said the department is working with other agencies to ensure all antigen test results are submitted to the government. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2) A delivery of 889,200 doses of COVID-19 vaccines made by US pharmaceutical firm Pfizer donated by the COVAX facility arrived in the country on Saturday. The shipment brought the total number of COVAX-delivered vaccines to 17,840,230, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said. He thanked UNICEF, the Gavi Alliance and the US government for their generosity. The National Task Force Against COVID-19's vaccine tracker noted that a total of 75,597,140 shots have arrived in the country as of Saturday. Apart from the over 17 million from COVAX, more than 48 million were procured by the national government, over five million were bought by the private sector and local government units, and more than three million were donated by other countries. From the tally, 45,950,752 doses have been administered to the public with an average of 355,22 inoculations per day. The total number of fully vaccinated individuals stands at 21,560,795, which is 27.95% of the target 70% of the population. (CNN) China sent 38 warplanes into the skies around Taiwan on Friday, the highest number of Chinese military aircraft to breach the island's Air Defense Identification Zone in a single day since Taipei began publicly reporting such activities last year, Taiwan's Defense Ministry said Friday night. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft came in two waves, the Defense Ministry said. Twenty-five PLA warplanes entered the southwestern corner of the ADIZ during daylight hours, and another 13 planes entered the island's southwest ADIZ on Friday night, the ministry said in a statement. While the Chinese planes in the afternoon sortie stayed in the extreme southwestern part of the ADIZ, the planes involved in the evening flight flew through the defense zone and hooked up toward the northeast before reversing course and returning to the Chinese mainliand, the Defense Ministry said. The 25 PLA planes involved in the daylight incursion included 18 J-16 fighters, four Su-30 fighters, two H-6 bombers and one Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry. The later flight included 10 J-16s, two H-6s and one KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, it added. The incursions did not violate Taiwan's sovereign airspace, which extends 12 nautical miles from its coast. The US Federal Aviation Administration defines an ADIZ as "a designated area of airspace over land or water within which a country requires the immediate and positive identification, location and air traffic control of aircraft in the interest of the country's national security." The previous single-day record for PLA flights into Taiwan's ADIZ was in June, when 28 Chinese military planes entered. The incursions on Friday came as Beijing celebrates 72 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. "This is how the PLA chooses to celebrate its National Day -- military coercion," Drew Thompson, a former US Defense Department official and a visiting senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, posted on Twitter. "PLAAF sorties are pretty routine at this point, but stepping up bomber flights on a major PRC (People's Republic of China) holiday underscores that this is political warfare and part of a massive coercion campaign," Thompson told CNN. Chinese President Xi Jinping has refused to rule out military force to capture Taiwan if necessary. In the past, analysts have said the PLA's flights likely serve several purposes for China, both demonstrating the strength of the PLA to a domestic audience and giving the Chinese military intelligence and skills it would need in any potential conflict involving Taiwan. Taiwan and mainland China have been governed separately since the end of a civil war more than seven decades ago, in which the defeated Nationalists fled to Taipei. However, Beijing views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory -- even though the Chinese Communist Party has never governed the democratic island of about 24 million people. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that point last week after Beijing sent a total of 24 warplanes into the island's ADIZ in a single day. "Taiwan is Taiwan, and it is not part of the People's Republic of China. The People's Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan for a single day," a statement from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. This story was first published on CNN.com China sends more than three dozen warplanes in skies near Taiwan in largest incursion yet Belarus Chemicals Giant Explores Making Payments in Crypto as Sanctions Bite Source: Adobe/Kadmy A Belarusian chemicals giant looks set to turn to crypto in a bid to circumvent sanctions placed on businesses in the country by the international community. The United States and the EU imposed a range of sanctions on the state in early summer, with governments in Canada, the UK, and Switzerland following suit. This has left many of the nations biggest businesses in limbo freezing them out of trade deals involving conventional financial channels like payments networks and banks. But, per an article on its website, Grodno-Azot explained that Dmitry Goroshko, its Director-General for Economics and Finance, had been instructed to work out the issue of the possibility of making payments in cryptocurrency in order to build a modern digital economy at the enterprise. The company noted: Cryptocurrencies were legalized in Belarus in 2017 after the Head of State Alexander Lukashenko issued [a decree] on the digital economy. Lukashenko, also known as the last dictator in Europe, is not recognized as a legitimate president by the international community. Grodno-Azot, based in the city of Grodno, is a state-run nitrogen compounds and fertilizers producer. But its activities have been blighted by sanctions on-and-off since 2006. Although many of these were eased in 2015, these have now returned in force after disputed elections in 2020 saw violence break out of the streets of the capital Minsk. Grodno-Azot did not go into details regarding its crypto-related plans, but other nations have previously taken similar approaches. The government of Venezuela, another country that has been hit with international community sanctions, has thrown itself headfirst into a crypto-powered trading initiative, a fact that has led its government to reportedly accrue a large stash of bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH) holdings. But even within Belarus, some appear unsure about Grodno-Azots chances of success with its new crypto policies. In a report from Telegraf, Vadim Iosub, a senior analyst at the forex broker Alpari Eurasia remarked that there was no question of paying for goods, receiving payment for their products or paying workers salaries. Iosub conceded that while sanctions from European nations and the United States would complicate payments made in dollars and euros the largest currencies used in international trade such countries do not control payments in cryptocurrencies. However, the analyst stated that there was a very big but to add at this juncture. He explained: To pay with crypto, suppliers and buyers must agree. And no one in the world will agree to this. As such, this is a naive and clumsy attempt. And Iosub noted that for the project to work, a great deal of legislation would need to be rewritten, starting with the civil code. Even if the government was minded to help out, there is years of work to be done here, he concluded. But if sanctions continue to mount on the ruling regime, Minsk may choose to do just that. The nation has turned to crypto to help boost its economy in the past. And as relations with Western Europe and the USA continue to sour, Lukashenko could well look to follow the Venezuelan lead. ___ Learn more: - Russias Foreign Minister: Crypto Will Inevitably Play Role in Intl Trade - Russia Could Use Crypto to Dodge US Sanctions - Political Insider - US-Sanctioned Actors Use Crypto in New Ways to Evade Restrictions - State-owned Belarusbank Launches Crypto Exchange Amid Sanctions Against Lukashenko Everyone eligible should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. Vaccination should be voluntary but those who don't get vaccinated should be frequently tested for COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel and employment. Both vaccination and testing should be voluntary and not required as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. I defer to the judgment of lawmakers as long as they base their decisions on a consensus of medical professionals. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Irish Festival Season 2021 News Consulate General of Ireland attends Irish Festivals around Midwest US 2021 The Consulate General of Ireland, Chicago staff attended several Irish festivals in Illinois, Iowa, Minneapolis and Wisconsin this year. We'll be posting images of all of the events here with news of each one shortly! Previous Item | Next Item A barber works at a babershop in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City in February. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran HCMC business owners are excited about the idea of reopening after months of closure but concerned about a likely lack of demand and workers. "Not just 30Shine, I believe all HCMC residents and businesses are very excited about reopening," Bui Quang Hung, marketing director of the barber shop chain, said as it reopened Friday after three months. All employees at all its 40 outlets in the city have been vaccinated and would be regularly tested, he said. HCMC resumed most activities Friday after over four months of different levels of social distancing mandates. With barriers and checkpoints removed, businesses started opening with safety measures in place. Fitness center chain CitiGym reopened Friday but only allowed members who have been fully vaccinated or contracted and recovered from Covid-19. Members also have to report their travel history and can only train for 60 minutes. California Fitness & Yoga is set to reopen next Monday and will allow a maximum of 100 members at a time. They can train for 90 minutes. The reopening of gyms is very good news for the city, Dane Fort, CEO of FLG Vietnam, which owns the chain, said. Lawyer Lu Thi Bach Linh said she is excited her office in District 1 would reopen next week. "The resumption of law firms is very necessary since there will be a surge in conflicts over real estate lease contracts." Most activities would however still be conducted online, she added. But some business owners are concerned about possible difficulties to begin with. Dylan Hoang Nguyen, owner of Look Good Naked Fitness Studio, said students are cutting down expenses and so he might have to consider lowering membership rates. "A large number of potential members have become acquainted with self-training at home and therefore growth in number of new members could be slow." Nguyen Thi Thao Nguyen, owner of Aya Helen's Nail Bar and Eyelashes, said she is happy but also worried since people could cut spending on beauty services. "My plan is to adjust the service in order not to worry customers about prices." Womens fashion chain OLV, which has nine outlets in HCMC, will focus on online services since CEO Nguyen Bich Tram wants to lower spending. She is also worried about a labor shortage since it is difficult to find fully vaccinated workers. Pet Mart, whose 12 outlets in HCMC offer goods and services for pets, has only 30 percent of its employees returning to work. A spokesperson explained that many are worried about contracting Covid while some have not been able to return from their hometowns. "It could take three months for operations to stabilize. Our stores might have to close due to lack of employees". The chain wants the city to have consistent regulations: some local authorities have not allowed it stores to reopen while others have. Steel billet production at a plant in the northern province of Hai Duong. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Minh The current electricity shortage in China will not immediately affect production chains in Vietnam, but might increase the prices of some imports, an official has said. Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Industry Agency, said Thursday at a regular press briefing that with Covid-19 breaking Chinese supply chains from time to time since its onset in 2020, Vietnamese manufacturers have learned to cope with shortages, mainly by importing from other markets. Demand for feedstock and other inputs has fallen sharply along with industrial production since many cities and provinces imposed stringent social distancing restrictions. "We have yet to receive any reports from enterprises in Vietnam about shortages caused by the power outages in China," Thanh said. Construction steel makers in Vietnam are able to meet demand, and so the country is no longer heavily dependent on foreign supply of raw materials for production. Producers of garments, textiles and footwear do rely on materials and accessories imported from China, but they have not reported shortages yet. China was Vietnams biggest exporter in the year-to-date with shipments rising by nearly 41 percent to US$81.2 billion. Key imports included machinery, equipment, tools, parts, and raw materials for the production of garments, textiles and footwear. Foreign companies would seek ways of investing in Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, instead of power-deficient China, CNBC quoted an expert as saying. Johan Annell, partner at Asia Perspective, a consulting firm that works primarily with Northern European companies operating in East and Southeast Asia, told CNBC: "Some companies were on the fence about investing in China. They choose to not go ahead now." The investments each run into the tens of millions of dollars, he said. While China is still a "very strong destination" for manufacturing, he said the businesses are now looking to invest in Southeast Asia instead, particularly Vietnam. China is experiencing a severe power shortage, mainly due to stronger pressure from its emission reduction goals and higher prices of coal used in thermal plants. Many factories in China, including aluminum refineries, garment producers and soya bean processors, have had to reduce or even stop operations. Chinese authorities are calling for increasing coal production and transport power stations. They are also considering increasing power prices to reduce demand, Bloomberg reported. China, the worlds biggest coal consumer, imported 197.69 million tons in the first eight months of this year, down 10 percent year-on-year. The Government Office has issued a document to the ministries of Planning and Investment, Transport, Finance, Construction, Justice, and State Bank of Vietnam regarding key project proposals by Imex Pan Pacific Co., Ltd. (IPPG). Earlier in August, IPP Group, chaired by Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, sent a report to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, proposing the implementation of a series of key projects. In the report to the prime minister, IPP Group stated that over the past time, the company along with investment partners from the U.S., South Korea and other countries has been actively working with provinces, cities and ministries, related industries to research and implement 45 key projects in Vietnam. In particular, IPP Group proposed to the prime minister to allow the implementation of the investment project of the international and regional financial center in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Currently, Shearman & Sterling (U.K.) and domestic consulting companies have completed the draft of the project and sent it to local and central departments for comments before submission to the government. The draft of this project has been agreed to by the U.S. investor, Cantor Fitzgerald Company. Regarding investment in free trade zones, IPP Group has been selected by Kien Giang Province as the investor for the Phu Quoc free trade zone project (through bidding) while the company is expediting the planning of Van Phong Economic Zone (Khanh Hoa), Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Can Tho to complete investment procedures, select investors in accordance with the law and study the necessary operating mechanisms to be able to soon introduce this business model in Vietnam. Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, chairman of IPP Group (second from right) an foreign partners. Photo by IPP Group In terms of the investment and development of airport cities, IPP Group said this is a model and trend developed by advanced countries in recent years. These areas will focus on airports as a center, develop and expand service, commercial, and logistics functions around the airport. Currently, IPP Group has been working with the authorities of Kien Giang (Phu Quoc), Khanh Hoa (Cam Ranh), Dong Nai (Long Thanh), Can Tho (Can Tho airport), Hanoi (Noi Bai) to propose specific planning ideas, working with partners and necessary legal procedures to invest and develop airport cities here. In addition, IPP Group also reported to the prime minister on investment in developing smart urban areas, resorts and community healthcare centers. These projects are invested and developed together with the above mentioned financial centers and free trade zones to ensure synchronization and full functionality in the process of exploitation and operation. Along with the land use master plan map for Phu Quoc Free Trade Zone in Kien Giang, IPP Group also reported to the head of the government on the establishment of the freight airline - IPP Air Cargo and the logistics center distribution warehouse system - Bellazio logistics. Regarding this proposal, IPP Group said the rapid development of 4.0 technology and impact of e-commerce in the current context has led to the necessary orientation of investment in freight transport and professional logistics. Currently, it is estimated that on average, 88 percent of Vietnam's freight market is dominated by foreign carriers. With more than 35 years of operation in the field of commercial business associated with aviation, IPP Group is investing in a centralized warehousing and logistics system, applying advanced management and technologies in major provinces and cities in Vietnam to synthesize both domestic and international shipping services. Therefore, recently, IPP Group has sent a dossier to the Ministry of Transport, submitted to the prime minister for permission to establish the IPP Air Cargo airline (independent from other commercial carriers). IPP Group also confirmed IPP Air Cargo currently plans to sign a memorandum of understanding to buy 10 B777 Freighter aircraft worth about $3.5 billion with Boeing Corporation. The B777F boasts a maximum payload of 103,700 kilograms, a maximum flight range of 18,057 kilometers, or 9,200 kilometers with a maximum structural payload, the largest air freight capacity in Southeast Asia. In the past five years, a free English class founded by Tina Yuan has taught more than 300 students, including Vietnamese children, brides and laborers in Singapore. At the end of 2016, Tina Yuan (Nguyen Thi Thuong) met several Vietnamese mothers who had brought their children to Singapore and married. Many children had been unable to attend school in an environment where English is the only language spoken. "These babies are not entitled to the same treatment and care as children in Singapore because they do not have Singaporean citizenship. Meanwhile, not all Vietnamese brides who come to Singapore to marry are well-off; some must work long hours to make ends meet, leaving them little time to care for and educate their children in the language," Tina explained. Her free English class has volunteers from the U.S., Australia, U.K., India, Singapore, and Vietnam. Tina Yuan offers free English classes for Vietnamese employees and children in Singapore. Photo by Tina's Facebook. Tina's class went online during the Covid-19 outbreak, meeting twice a week for an hour and a half each time. She often spends 30 minutes connecting students with friends of British, Australian, American, or Indian nationality to practice their language skills. "This success is due in large part to foreign volunteers who share their knowledge with students," she said. Mukundan Appadurai Paramashivan, an Indian volunteer in Tina Yuan's classes, has taught English as a second language to Indian students and professionals in Bangalore, India. Photo by Mukundans Facebook Mukundan Appadurai Paramashivan, an Indian volunteer, explained: "I got to know about this through the community volunteer page on Facebook, and I enrolled to make a difference. Before Covid-19 when we had face to face learning, we the teachers and learners could concentrate harder on learning because all our senses were engaged, and there were fewer distractions than there would be if you were learning at home. We would gain a better understanding of cultures, share stories and real-world examples with each other." Tina Yuan was grown up in Phu Tho, northern Vietnam, in 1990 and has Chinese heritage. She lived in Vietnam until the end of her fourth grade, then moved to China, U.S., Singapore. Tina is currently an entrepreneur, writer and marketer in the field of communication and marketing. Traffic on an overpass at the intersection of Pham Van Dong and Nguyen Thai Son Streets in HCMC's Go Vap District, which link the city's center with Tan Son Nhat airport, October 1, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Buses, taxis, and contract passenger cars with under nine seats can resume operation with limited capacity in HCMC from Oct. 5. For road passenger transport activities, operators of taxis and passenger cars will have to respectively limit their number of vehicles to less than 20 and 30 percent compared to their full fleets. Ride-hailing firms are allowed to resume business with cars of less than nine seats, but the number of vehicles on the street must be kept under 10 percent of the total. Non app-based ride-hailing vehicles can be used for tourism services with agreement from authorities. The Department of Transport will issue a QR code identification certificate for registered cars. Depending on epidemic control in each area, the number of vehicles would be adjusted accordingly. For now, all app-based and traditional motorbike taxis will continue to suspend operations. All types of goods transportation have resumed as normal within the city. Trucks carrying goods into and out of Ho Chi Minh City must show a QR code identification certificate issued at vantai.drvn.gov.vn or via the VNEID application. All cargo trucks running through the city are not allowed to stop halfway, except for emergency cases. For waterway transportation, Binh Khanh Port in Can Gio District and Cat Lai Port in Thu Duc City will run as normal along with a number of passenger wharves along rivers and inland waterways. All commuters are required to declare information via the VNEID application and show a QR code showing vaccination information via the "Y te HCM" (HCMC healthcare) or SSKDT app (electronic health book). Those that cannot use smartphones to present the QR code need to present documents proving that they have recovered from Covid-19 in the past six months or received at least one vaccine dose in the past 14 days. To return to HCMC, travelers must have documents proving their permanent residence and work in the city (household registration, temporary residence certificate, identity card), negative Covid test result certificate issued within 72 hours; and permission to move inside HCMC from the competent authority. Those seeking to exit HCMC must fall into certain categories, including taking care of patients, pregnant women, people with kids, or interviewees for going abroad. They must have recovered from Covid-19 or gotten vaccinated, test negative, and have relevant documents. The city will create facilitating conditions for people from other localities to enter for purpose of medical treatment. HCMC, the epicenter of Vietnam's latest Covid-19 wave, started reopening its socio-economic activities Friday after going four months under various levels of social distancing. Passenger buses escorted by military trucks are in position in HCMC's Binh Chanh District to take migrants home to the Mekong Delta, October 1, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Minh To prevent migrants from leaving HCMC unsupervised, the city has arranged 113 buses at its gateways to take them home. Each bus can carry 40-80 passengers and have been in position since Friday afternoon. The move came after thousands of people tried to leave Ho Chi Minh City for their hometowns in the Mekong Delta since Thursday night as the city started to remove street barriers and checkpoints to prepare for reopening, and at the same time, many Mekong Delta localities announced to relax Covid-19 restrictions. Most of them said they have lost jobs and are now out of money after staying four months under strict social distancing measures in HCMC, the epicenter of Vietnam's latest Covid-19 wave. Now going back home is their only solution because they could at least be free from the rent. However, as the Covid-19 pandemic has just started to get under control in HCMC, the authorities have yet to allow anyone to leave the city unsupervised, worrying if it can pose risks for other localities where the vaccination rate is still low. For that reason, all migrants were stopped at checkpoints at the citys gateways, resulting in traffic jams and chaos, especially at the Bui Thanh Thiet-National Highway 1 intersection in Binh Chanh District. Thousands of people in HCMC carrying their belongings and children took to the National Highway 1 to return to their hometown on September 30, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran To cope with the situation, the HCMC Transport Department had on Friday sent 60 buses to the intersection and by Friday evening, more than 8,000 have been taken home in eight Mekong Delta provinces of Soc Trang, Kien Giang, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Vinh Long, Ca Mau, Tra Vinh and Tien Giang. For now, 113 buses have been deployed as migrants working in HCMCs neighboring provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Long An also have the demand to return home. All returnees must test negative via the rapid testing methods. Once reaching their hometown, they will be sent to quarantine camps for 14 days. Those having certificates proving they have been vaccinated with at least one shot for over two weeks or have recovered from Covid-19 within six months will be quarantined seven days. At a meeting Wednesday with the central government, authorities of Central Highlands and southern localities, including the Mekong Delta, had agreed that in the meantime, migrants cannot return home from HCMC and its neighbors Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An without supervision. They said their medical capacities are limited and therefore it is not safe if people return en mass from Covid-19 hit areas. Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An are the second, third, and fourth hardest hit localities in the wave, after HCMC. All four are major industrial hubs that employ a large number of workers from across the country. Of the returnees since Thursday night, Mekong Deltas Dong Thap Province has already reported four that tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The fourth wave hit Vietnam late April and 793,150 infections had been recorded nationwide as of Thursday, including 392,329 in HCMC, 212,843 in Binh Duong, 49,330 in Dong Nai and 32,502 in Long An. An aircraft prepares to land at Con Dao Airport, southern Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Anh The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam is seeking opinions from 19 localities where Covid restrictions have been lifted on resuming 385 domestic flights from Oct. 5. Hanoi is not on the list of 19 localities as the city authorities earlier proposed continuing suspension of commercial flights to the capital to ensure pandemic prevention. Under the aviation authority's plan, there would be 132 daily return flights from Ho Chi Minh City to 18 other localities. In southern Vietnam, domestic carriers would be allowed to operate 24 daily flights from Kien Giang, home to popular resort island Phu Quoc, 15 flights from Con Dao Island in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, and 11 flights from the Mekong Delta's Can Tho. In central Vietnam, aviation authorities plan to resume 43 daily flights from Da Nang, nine from Thua Thien-Hue, six from Quang Binh and eight from Quang Nam, home to UNESCO heritage sites. There would be 20 flights from Khanh Hoa Province, home to beach towns Nha Trang and Cam Ranh, seven from Phu Yen and 11 from Binh Dinh. In northern and north-central regions, airlines would operate two flights from Dien Bien, three from Quang Ninh, 20 from Hai Phong, 11 from Thanh Hoa and 19 from Nghe An. In the Central Highlands, there would be 23 flights from Lam Dong Province, home to resort town Da Lat, 14 flights from Dak Lak and nine from Gia Lai Province. All passengers must furnish a negative Covid certificate obtained via PCR or rapid testing within 72 hours before departure and comply with pandemic prevention measures. Those getting one dose of a Covid vaccine three weeks before departure, or having been fully vaccinated, or having recovered from the coronavirus would be exempt from Covid testing. Amid rampant Covid-19 outbreaks, aviation authorities in late August requested airlines to stop selling tickets for domestic flights until further notice. Flights that carry goods and coronavirus forces remain functional. The country has still not allowed international flights to resume, except in certain cases. During the fourth coronavirus wave that began in late April, the country has recorded over 793,000 infections. With vaccine coverage in focus, many localities have begun easing lockdown measures and resuming tourism activities after the pandemic situation had been basically contained. Have you missed him? For many it's been a blessing, for millions of others though, there has been a huge void. Well now, former U.S. President Donald Trump has asked a federal judge in Florida to ask Twitter to restore his account, which the company removed in January citing a risk of incitement of violence. Could Twitter Trump be back? Trump filed a request for preliminary injunction against Twitter in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, arguing the social media company was 'coerced' by members of the U.S. Congress to suspend his account. Twitter and several other social media platforms banned Trump from their services after a mob of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in a deadly riot on 6 January. That assault followed a speech by Trump in which he reiterated false claims that his election loss in November was because of widespread fraud, an assertion rejected by multiple courts and state election officials. Twitter 'exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate,' Trump's lawyers said in the filing. The filing was reported earlier by Bloomberg. Twitter declined to comment on the filing when contacted by Reuters. Before he was blocked, Trump had more than 88 million followers on Twitter and used it as his social media megaphone. In the court filing, Trump argued Twitter allowed the Taliban to tweet regularly about their military victories across Afghanistan, but censored him during his presidency by labelling his tweets as 'misleading information' or indicating they violated the company's rules against 'glorifying violence.' In July Trump sued Twitter, Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google, as well as their chief executives, alleging they unlawfully silence conservative viewpoints. Photo for illustration (Source: VOV) The analysis of the International Trade Center (ITC) also revealed that although Nordic countries typically import Arabica coffee, there remains plenty of room for the nations unroasted and decaffeinated coffee beans, as well as specialty and organic coffee, to penetrate the demanding market, reported VOV. However, local firms have faced a number of difficulties over recent times when it comes to exporting coffee to the Nordic market due to the region tending to import high-quality coffee, mostly Arabica coffee and paying special attention to sustainable production. Furthermore, there are also challenges in terms of geographical distance, along with the stringent standards set by other European countries and small orders. Vietnamese enterprises have therefore been advised to comply with market regulations, manage the use of banned substances, tighten control over all stages of the supply chain, and devise appropriate product marketing strategies, as well as developing brands for coffee products. Moreover, local firms have been recommended to invest in designing websites and using other social media network such as LinkedIn, Skype, and Facebook, to introduce their products and stay in contact with buyers. Vietnamese photo named among worlds most spectacular travel images Photo Bamboo baskets seller by Vietnamese photographer Ly Hoang Long won a merit award at the 2021 All About Photo Travel Contest, reported VNA. The photo Bamboo baskets seller by Vietnamese photographer Ly Hoang Long (Photo: https://www.all-about-photo.com/) The photo was taken in a craft village that has made bamboo fishing baskets for more than 200 years. It was captured as a resident of Tat Vien village, Tien Lu district, the northern province of Hung Yen, crossed a bridge with a bicycle carrying several dozens of the bamboo fishing baskets. A photo description on the contest's website notes that after the harvest crop, the farmers in Tat Vien village spent their spare time to knit the bamboo baskets for fishing, it was a traditional craft preserved for many generations. Then the baskets were loaded and moved around the region on the old man bicycle for sell. The baskets have a tubular shape with two ends tied with knots. They are used to catch fish and shrimp in shallow waters of slow streams and rivers. The baskets are not only tools for catching fish, but also used as decorative items in interior design of hotels, restaurants, and shops. All About Photo, an online magazine dedicated to showcasing the work of photographers around the world, received thousands of entries for the Travel Photos of the Year contest that was judged by a panel of 10 experts. The first prize with a 500 USD cash prize goes to Russian photographer Yulia Nevskaya for a shot featuring a family of small indigenous people far north of the country (Photo: https://www.all-about-photo.com/) The first prize with a 500 USD cash prize went to Russian photographer Yulia Nevskaya for a shot featuring a family of small indigenous people far north of the country. All the works winning at the contest will be published in the AAP Winners Gallery and the 20th Edition of AAP Magazine. Six wind power plants put into commercial operation by September end Six wind power plants with a total capacity of 272.4 MW have come into commercial operation by the end of September, according to Vietnam Electricity (EVN). Trung Nam win power farm in Thuan Bac district, Ninh Thuan province. (Photo: VNA) According to VNA, They are Hoa Binh 1 phase 2 with a capacity of 42.2 MW, Ninh Thuan 5 (46.2 MW), 7A (33.4 MW), Dong Hai 1 phase 2 (50 MW), Ea Nam (12.6 MW) and BIM (88 MW). The EVN said 106 wind power plants have submitted applications for accepting commercial operation date (COD) with a total capacity of 5,655.5 MW. It will continue to update the progress of COD acceptance for the wind power projects before October 31./. The refrigerators will be delivered to 300 provincial and district health facilities in Viet Nam, where they will store COVID-19 vaccines for vaccination days. The delivery is a part of UNICEFs ongoing support to improve cold chain systems for the nation-wide COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Photo: UNICEF The Government of Japan, a longtime partner to UNICEF Viet Nam, has been supporting Viet Nam to realize childrens rights, especially during emergency situation and crisis. This support is aimed at delivering vaccines to each and every person in all corners of Viet Nam, which will complement efforts of the COVAX Facility. Japan will continue to extend support to the Vietnamese efforts to deploy vaccines to every person in the country with a view to containing COVID-19 as quickly as possible, said Takio Yamada, the Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam. As part of the support to improve capacity of the health and immunization systems to efficiently and effectively administer COVID-19 vaccines, UNICEF has worked with the Ministry of Health to assess cold chain capacity identifying the needs for fridges, freezers, refrigerator trucks and cold boxes for the safe transportation and storage of vaccines. Support from the Government of Japan will help to ensure the cold chain capacity, which is crucial for the safe rollout of COVID 19 vaccination and for routine immunization, said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative. We are delighted to work with the Government of Japan in this important activity This shipments bring the specially produced Vaccine refrigerator TCW 80 AC, manufactured by B Medical in Luxembourg with green technology for very low power consumption and environmentally sustainability, which can maintain cold conditions for vaccines that must be stored at a temperature range of +2C to +8C, even when power failure occurs for up to 72 hours. All of the current COVID-19 vaccines administered in Viet Nam require this temperature range at the vaccination sites. With a storage capacity of 80.5 L, the refrigerators will be able to store vaccines doses for vaccination days. This model is supplied with an integrated remote temperature monitoring device with real-time alert for the continuous monitoring of sensitive vaccines. In case of a temperature deviation, it immediately sends a notification to the predefined person(s) in charge. The temperature status can also be monitored from a distance through an online web portal. The delivery came with one set of spare parts for every ten refrigerators./. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine will support ex-President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, since he is a citizen of Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. "Saakashvili is our citizen. We will provide him with appropriate support. This morning [...] a representative of the Georgian Embassy will arrive at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine upon our call. All this will be discussed with him. We protect every citizen of Ukraine when he or she gets in trouble," Kuleba said in a comment to the Dom TV channel. On Friday morning Saakashvili wrote on social networks that he had arrived in Georgia. In the evening of the same day, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said that Saakashvili, who had returned from Ukraine, had been detained and taken to prison. Saakashvili is a citizen of Ukraine. During a meeting with Charge d'Affaires of Georgia in Ukraine senior adviser Sandro Topuria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine asked Georgia to allow visit Ukrainian citizen Mykhailo Saakashvili by the Ukrainian consul to provide consular and legal assistance, Speaker of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleh Nikolenko said. "On October 2, the Charge d'Affaires of Georgia in Ukraine, senior adviser Sandro Topuria, was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The diplomat informed about the circumstances of the detention of Ukrainian citizen Mikheil Saakashvili in Georgia, the articles of the Georgian Criminal Code incriminated to him," Nikolenko told Interfax-Ukraine in Saturday. The speaker said that the Foreign Ministry confirmed the principled position of Ukraine on non-interference in the internal affairs of Georgia. "The Ukrainian side stressed the need for full observance of the legal rights of Mikheil Saakashvili, requested a visit by the Ukrainian consul to provide consular and legal assistance. The Foreign Ministry confirmed the principled position of Ukraine on non-interference in the internal affairs of Georgia," he said. Saakashvili wrote on social networks on Friday morning that he had arrived in Georgia. In the evening of the same day, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said that Saakashvili, who had returned from Ukraine, had been detained and taken to prison. Saakashvili is a citizen of Ukraine. Wells Fargo must face shareholder fraud claims over its recovery from scandals Wells Fargo logo is seen in New York City, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Stephanie Keith) A federal judge on Thursday rejected Wells Fargo & Co's bid to dismiss a lawsuit claiming it defrauded shareholders about its ability to rebound from five years of scandals over its treatment of customers. The fourth-largest U.S. bank has operated since 2018 under consent orders from the Federal Reserve and two other U.S. financial regulators to improve governance and oversight, with the Fed also capping Wells Fargo's assets. Advertisement Shareholders said bank officials falsely claimed in TV interviews, analyst calls and congressional testimony that the bank was mending its ways, when regulators actually viewed its progress as "deficient" and "unacceptable." U.S. District Judge Gregory Woods in Manhattan said the shareholders plausibly alleged that some statements by various bank officials, including former Chief Executive Tim Sloan, were "deliberately or recklessly false or misleading." According to shareholders, San Francisco-based Wells Fargo lost more than $54 billion of market value as the truth was gradually revealed over a two-year period ending in March 2020. Woods also dismissed claims against current Chief Executive Charles Scharf, saying he was not culpable for the challenged claims. The scandals prompted Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc to shed nearly all of its 10% stake in the bank. "We will continue to vigorously defend the litigation and strongly disagree with the claims," Wells Fargo said in an email. Sloan's lawyer Josh Cohen said in an email on Friday that his client's statements were truthful, and that Sloan "worked tirelessly to bring Wells Fargo into compliance with consent orders and regulatory demands." The decision is a setback for Wells Fargo's rebound from revelations including that it opened about 3.5 million accounts without customer permission, and charged hundreds of thousands of borrowers for auto insurance they did not need. Wells Fargo has paid more than $5 billion in fines, and the Fed's $1.95 trillion asset cap restricts the bank's growth. Sloan stepped down abruptly as chief executive after 2-1/2 years in March 2019. One year later, Wells Fargo canceled a $15 million bonus for him. In his 61-page decision, Woods did not decide whether bank officials intended to defraud shareholders. But he said it would have been "nearly impossible" for Sloan to be unaware of the regulators' criticisms. "Based on the facts on the ground, Mr. Sloan knew or, more importantly, should have known that he was misrepresenting material facts related to the corporation," Woods wrote. The shareholders are led by the state of Rhode Island, and pension funds in Louisiana, Mississippi and Sweden. Their lawyer Steven Toll said he was pleased they can sue over the "vast majority of the alleged fraudulent statements." The case is In re Wells Fargo & Co Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 20-04494. Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence after a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi, Russia (Photo : Sputnik/Vladimir Smirnov/Pool via REUTERS) President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian government to look at curtailing spending from the state rainy-day fund on Friday, after the finance ministry said the global shift away from oil and gas could jeopardise Russian state finances within a decade. Russia now has around $190 billion in its National Wealth Fund, around $115 billion of which, or 7.3% of GDP, is liquid assets raised mainly from selling oil and gas. Advertisement The government is now permitted to spend liquid assets that accumulate above 7% of GDP. But Putin ordered the cabinet to look into raising that threshold to 10%, potentially reducing future spending by tens of billions of dollars. The government announced plans last week to invest $34 billion from the fund over the next three years. "Without doubt, the NWF needs to be preserved," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday. "And as the global financial and economic situation surrounding Russia is quite unpredictable and contains crisis risks, the role of the NWF is increasing." The Kremlin's document was released a day after draft budget amendments from the finance ministry described risks to state finances from the global transition away from fossil fuels, and recommended "an especially cautious approach" to investing surpluses in the wealth fund while energy prices remain high. The EU, Russia's main energy customer, aims to reach "net zero" emissions by 2050. The Russian finance ministry sees the average price of Russia's flagship Urals oil falling to $55.7 per barrel in 2024 from $66 per barrel this year on projected weaker demand from the global push to cut carbon emissions. Global oil prices may fall to as low as $35 per barrel in 2030 and further to $25 per barrel by 2050 as "demand for oil would fall drastically should zero-neutrality goals announced by a number of countries become a law", it said. Emissions cuts could put pressure on Russia's state budgets as soon as the early 2030s. In the most severe scenario, the wealth fund could shrink to as little as 3% of GDP in 2030-31, the ministry said. U.S. Military Police walk past Afghan refugees at the Village at Fort McCoy U.S. Army base, in Wisconsin, U.S. (Photo : Barbara Davidson/Pool via REUTERS) Something unexpected is happening at U.S. military bases hosting Afghan evacuees: Many hundreds of them are simply leaving before receiving U.S. resettlement services, two sources familiar with the data told Reuters. The number of "independent departures," which top 700 and could be higher, has not been previously reported. But the phenomenon is raising alarms among immigration advocates concerned about the risks to Afghans who give up on what is now an open-ended, complex and completely voluntary resettlement process. Advertisement In the speed and chaos of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August following 20 years of war, many evacuees were brought into the United States under a temporary status of "humanitarian parole." Once transferred to U.S. military bases, refugee resettlement groups and U.S. officials have been trying to connect people with services for a smooth transition to the United States. In a statement, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson declined to comment on the figures provided to Reuters by sources but said people who had left the bases "generally" had ties to the United States, like family members of friends, and resources to support themselves. The spokesperson said that in addition, at the outset of the operation many of those evacuated were U.S. citizens, permanent residents or had approved Special Immigrant Visas so were able to depart quickly. But leaving early could cost other Afghan evacuees critical benefits - like expedited work permits - and create a slew of legal problems down the road, given the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. "It's a giant can of worms," said one U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "This could lead to years and years of terrible immigration status problems." The benefits the evacuees have received have been more limited, so far, than what's offered to refugees. But that appears set to change following legislation passed on Thursday by Congress - despite opposition from Republicans - that would give Afghan evacuees the more extensive assistance usually provided to refugees. "We should do everything in our power to help our Afghan allies get off to a strong start in their new homes," Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley said in a statement. The new legislation says Afghan asylum applications should be expedited. But those who leave U.S. bases early might not get all the legal orientation they need start their applications. ONE-WAY TRIP OFFBASE Immigration experts say Afghans who leave the bases are not breaking U.S. laws and military officials have no legal authority to hold law-abiding Afghans against their will at any of the eight locations hosting 53,000 Afghans who fled the Taliban on U.S. evacuation flights. The scale of the independent departures vary from base to base, according to the sources - more than 300 alone at Fort Bliss in Texas - a figure that is likely to alarm both advocates and critics of the massive U.S. resettlement operation. However, U.S. officials stress that all of the Afghans leaving U.S. bases had already undergone security screening before arriving in the United States. The risk of the independent departures is to the Afghans themselves. Reuters viewed a document, entitled "Departee Information," that is meant to warn Afghans considering leaving before completing their resettlement. It reminds them that, on base, they can get their immigration paperwork processed and even cash to help pay for travel to their destination in the United States. "Once you leave this base, you forfeit these advantages and may not return," it reads. Margaret Stock, an immigration lawyer with expertise in cases related to the military, said the warning was not ill-intentioned. "I think they're trying to look out for people," she said. "The people managing the bases are rightfully concerned that somebody might not be fully aware of the consequences of wandering off." Afghans leaving U.S. bases can be a touchy issue in some parts of the country, particularly given media coverage of security incidents at Fort McCoy, in Wisconsin, and Fort Bliss. But General Glen VanHerck, head of Northern Command, pushed back on the idea that criminality was a problem on the U.S. bases. He told Pentagon reporters on Thursday that the numbers of incidents involving robbery and theft were substantially lower than in the general U.S. population, with only eight cases in six weeks. Asked what was the limiting factor in getting Afghans processed for resettlement, VanHerck said it was not vaccinations against measles or the coronavirus or security checks. Instead, it was efforts by U.S. officials to ensure "each of the Afghan guests have a great place to land and have assurances for where they're going to relocate to." "So I understand that, right now, is the limiting factor on output," he said. A pre-production version of the GMC Hummer electric pickup is seen in Milford, Michigan, (Photo : DOWNLOAD PICTURE) General Motors Co plans to position itself as a technology platform company that is as focused on software as it is on making electric vehicles when it meets with investors next week, including revealing a scheduled rollout for at least 20 EVs in the United States over the next several years. The No. 1 U.S. automaker has said it will talk on Wednesday about its growth strategy, EV and software platform advantages, its self-driving vehicle business and the related financial road map as it seeks to draw new investors and a valuation closer to that of EV market leader Tesla Inc. A spokesman declined to disclose further details. Advertisement GM executives will provide a more detailed look at the company's plans to spend $35 billion through 2025 on EVs and autonomous vehicles, and will give revenue and profit margin growth targets for the five-year period after that, according to people familiar with the plans, who asked not to be identified. "GM's gone from an automaker to a platform company and here are all the things you can do with that," one of the sources said. "The question you should ask yourself is will we see doubling of revenues? Will we see margin expansion? Those are the sorts of things that you're going to see over a period of time," the person added. "Stay tuned for pretty impressive numbers on revenue and margin expansion." GM's revenue last year was almost $122.5 billion. The strategy of GM Chief Executive Mary Barra, who took the helm in 2014, so far has lifted the company's share price from a narrow band around its 2010 initial public offering price of $33 to almost double that at one point. The shares were trading at around $53 on Friday. Next week's event is aimed at persuading investors to value GM (with a market capitalization of about $75 billion) more like Tesla ($762 billion). MORE EV PICKUPS COMING Also on Wednesday, GM will reveal greater detail around its planned EV product launches beyond the upcoming GMC Hummer pickup, EV600 delivery van and Cadillac Lyriq crossover. That includes plans for electric versions https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/gms-pickup-money-machine-gets-technology-tuneup-2021-09-09 of GM's Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups in late 2022 and late 2023, respectively, according to the sources as well as an industry forecast provided by AutoForecast Solutions (AFS). Part of the investor day will include outlining what percentage of GM's total vehicle sales will be EVs by 2030, the sources said. The automaker in January set a goal to sell all new light vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions by 2035. When it comes to software, GM will discuss what its offerings allow it to do financially and how that will make the Detroit company's business less cyclical than auto companies have been historically, the sources said. Last week, GM introduced the branding for its software platform, Ultifi https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gm-evs/gms-barra-accelerates-all-out-pursuit-of-global-ev-leadership-idUSKBN27Z2QI - coming in 2023 - and discussed building an App store-like approach to making the platform open for developers. Software-oriented products and services are key to GM and other automakers sustaining profit margins during the transition to connected and electric vehicles, but that will compel companies to build skills and workforces they have lacked in the past. GM also will explain how it will leverage its Ultium battery partnership with LG Energy Solutions (LGES), a unit of LG Chem, and how scaling up production of batteries will allow the company to cut costs, Ken Morris, GM vice president of EVs and AVs, said at a conference this week. "We're really knitting together all elements of our growth strategy," he said. GM will launch at least 20 new electric vehicles in the United States - mostly pickups, SUVs and crossovers - through early 2028, according to AFS, whose data is based on planning information provided to suppliers by the automakers, and is widely used across the industry. More concrete details, including the timing, pricing and projected volumes of future EVs, could be critical in wooing investors as GM copes with the costly and damaging recall https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/gm-recalling-73000-bolt-evs-cost-1-billion-halts-sales-2021-08-20 of the Chevy Bolt EV for battery-related fires. At the same time, competitors are ramping up their own EV initiatives, including Ford Motor Co's announcement this week of an $11.4 billion blitz https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-sk-invest-114-bln-add-electric-f-150-plant-three-battery-factories-2021-09-27 with Korean battery partner SK Innovation. While GM has laid out its EV lineup into late 2022, the following year is scheduled to feature the launches of at least five more, including the GMC Hummer SUV, Cadillac Celestiq sedan which is expected to sell for well over $100,000, and Chevy Blazer SUV, AFS said. After that, GM plans to introduce another five EV models in 2024, two in 2026, two in 2027 and another in 2028, AFS said. Among the future entries are all-electric editions of the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs, and a new Cadillac crossover called Symboliq. GM intends to build many of its future EVs at five plants in North America: Orion Township and Detroit-Hamtramck in Michigan; Spring Hill, Tennessee; Ingersoll, Ontario, and Ramos Arizpe, in the Mexican state of Coahuila, AFS said. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on Wednesday that it gave Egypt a gift of 20 buses to be dedicated to North Sinai governorate. A Turkish company supplying electricity to Lebanon from two power barges off the coast of Beirut said Friday it has halted supplies after its contract with the Lebanese state electricity company expired The move by the Turkish company, Karpowership, which has provided electricity for the past eight years, was expected. It had said earlier that Lebanon's state power company owes Karpowership overdue payments in excess of $100 million. Lebanon is grappling with an economic meltdown that includes fuel and power shortages; blackouts last up to 22 hours a day. The country's new government, voted in last week, has said that improving electricity production is one of its top priorities. Successive governments have failed to agree on a permanent solution for the chronic shortages, largely because of profiteering and endemic corruption. During our eight years operating in Lebanon, despite all the challenges, we have done all we can to support the Lebanese people, Karpowership said in its statement. Since 2013, the company has been providing around 370 megawatts about a quarter of Lebanons supply from giant generators on its two barges, docked south and north of the capital, Beirut. Karpowership said its contract expired at midnight Thursday. In May, the company briefly shut down its operations over delayed payments and the threat of legal action against its vessels. Blackouts have been a fixture of life in this Mediterranean country since the 1975-1990 civil war, with Lebanon relying mostly on imported diesel for powerful generators owned by a cartel that light up people's houses in the absence of government-provided electricity. Lebanon hopes to improve production in the coming weeks with power supplies from Jordan and Egyptian natural gas supplies to one of its main power stations. Search Keywords: Short link: Two soldiers in Burkina Faso were killed on Saturday in an explosion in the southwestern Cascades region near the Ivory Coast border, security sources said. The explosion is the latest in a series of attacks generally attributed to jihadists. "A team on a security mission was the target of a terrorist attack on Saturday. Two elements were killed by a homemade device which exploded as they passed by," a security source told AFP. Another source confirmed the "loss of two soldiers". Elsewhere, in eastern Sakoani two more soldiers were wounded in another explosion. Earlier this week, five soldiers on patrol in the north of the country were killed by an improvised explosive device. A jihadist insurgency in neighbouring Mali spilt over into Burkina in 2015. The armed groups are linked to Al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State. More than 1,500 people have died in the attacks in Burkina Faso and at least 1.4 million people forced to flee their homes. Most of the attacks have been in the north and east, near the borders with Mali and Niger. Search Keywords: Short link: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met on Saturday with Jordanian PM Bisher Al-Khasawneh in the first visit by a foreign official to the new cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital (NAC). The meeting discussed the workflow and future horizons of the NAC mega project, according to a statement by the Egyptian cabinet. During the meeting, Al-Khasawneh said Jordan seeks to benefit from the Egyptian mega infrastructure projects, especially the construction of the new big roads and axes leading to the NAC. Jordan seeks to apply this experience to challenges facing big Jordanian cities, including Amman and Zarqa, Al-Khasawneh said. He noted that the growing population of both cities is expected to require Jordan develop a new urban centre. The Egyptian model has encouraged Jordan to establish such an urban centre, providing a viable and attractive framework. Al-Khasawneh said Egypts new capital was mere ink on paper in 2016, but today I was amazed to see these giant projects. He congratulated the Egyptian side on the advanced stages that the NAC has reached. Egypt started to construct the new capital east of Cairo in 2015 over a total area of 170,000 feddans away from the traffic congestion in Cairo to host all ministries, parliament, government institutions as well as residential units and all services. The state is set to inaugurate the fourth-generation city by the end of this year and relocate tens of thousands of employees there. NAC is set to house 6.5 million people. This first official visit by a foreign official to the cabinets new headquarters in NAC reflects the deep relations between Egypt and Jordan, Madbouly said during Saturdays meeting. Besides the political and developmental goals, the establishment of NAC is aimed at creating hundreds of thousands of job opportunities, reducing unemployment and promoting investments, Madbouly said. Al-Khasawneh started an official visit to Egypt on Thursday to discuss with Madbouly the means to promote bilateral relations between Egypt and Jordan. In press remarks during his visit, Al-Khasawneh said Jordan and Egypt share priorities in development and economic coordination, Egyptian states news agency MENA reported. The two countries also have strategic interests in cooperation with Iraq through trilateral summits which started in Cairo, and were followed by more elsewhere, he added. On cooperation in the oil field, the Jordanian premier said some strategic projects have already been determined, including an oil pipeline which will stretch from Iraq to Jordan and then to Egypt, as well as an industrial zone that will be established on the Jordan-Iraq border soon, which will also have benefits for Egypt. Coordination also includes contracting projects, the reconstruction of Iraq, and achieving benefits for the Arab countries and their peoples, he said. Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, and Jordan's King Abdullah II held their fourth summit late in June in Baghdad as the triad aims to promote cooperation mechanisms and reinforce political consultation on regional issues. During the summit, the leaders tackled trilateral cooperation, and other issues of mutual concern including Arab water rights, Libyas crisis and the Palestinian cause. Search Keywords: Short link: Vice President of Libyas Presidential Council Abdullah Al-Lafi called for Egypt's continued role in the reconstruction and development of Libya in a meeting on Saturday with Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo. Al-Lafi said the Libyan people look forward to the continuation of Egypt's role in light of the country's broad experience and the agreements signed during the 11th round of meetings of the Egyptian-Libyan Joint Higher Committee, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read. Egypt and Libya signed in mid-September 14 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and six executive agreements in several fields in Cairo with the presence of Egypts Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Libyas interim Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbeibah. This included agreements in which Egypt would construct a third ring road in Tripoli, provide maintenance for Ajdabiya-Jallu highway and design and supply two gas stations in the cities of Derna and Mellita. Also, Libyas Organisation for the Development of Administrative Centres and the coalition of Egyptian companies Orascom Construction, Rowad Modern Engineering, and Hassam Allam Holding signed an MoU. During Saturdays meeting, FM Shoukry underlined the Egyptian political leaderships directives to harness all capabilities to help Libya overcome their current challenges. This requires coordinating efforts on the Libyan file, building on the current progress in the bilateral relations and exchanging visits between the two sides in light of their keenness to boost relations on all levels, Shoukry added. Al-Lafi hailed the positive progress in bilateral relations between Egypt and Libya, which is based on the historic and popular bonds that unite the two countries. The top Egyptian diplomat renewed Egypts full support to Libya as an independent and fully sovereign state. Shoukry also affirmed support for Libyas political roadmap, leading to holding presidential and parliamentary elections as scheduled. The Egyptian FM said holding Libyan elections is a pivotal step to achieve the desired stability in Libyas path toward a better future. Shoukry hailed the Libyan House of Representatives efforts that led to the issuance of a law for presidential election earlier and the bodys fulfillment of its responsibilities to complete another law for parliamentary elections with relevant Libyan parties. Libyas House said in September it issued a presidential election law but is still working on a separate law for a parliamentary election. Libya is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on 24 December, in accordance with the roadmap drawn up last year by UN-backed Libyan Political Dialogue Forum. In a meeting in Rabat concluded on Friday, delegations from the Libyan House and the High State Council called on the international community to support the planned electoral process based on the dialogue forum by providing international observers. However, the rival factions have not announced a consensus on parliamentary elections during the two-day-meeting. On Friday, chair of the Libyan Presidency Council Mohamed Al-Menfi pledged to hold elections on time in December. During his meeting with Al-Lafi, Shoukry affirmed the need for all foreign troops, mercenaries, and foreign fighters to exit Libyan territories. Shoukry noted that the presence of these elements prevents Libya from restoring its full sovereignty and affects the security of neighbouring countries. He also called for providing full support to the 5+5 Joint Military Commission in Libya to remove all forms of relevant foreign presence in the country. Al-Lafi extended Libyas appreciation of Egypts supportive role and efforts to achieve stability in the country. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian state employees who refrain from receiving the coronavirus vaccine will neither be allowed into their workplaces nor receive their salaries after a certain date that is yet to be determined by the government, Egypts Cabinet spokesman Nader Saad said on Thursday. In the meantime, unvaccinated public servants will be required to undergo a PCR test every week, and in some workplaces, twice per week at their own expense, Saad said in a televised statement to Al-Hayat TV. Saad urged those who have not been inoculated to receive their jabs, saying that this is mandatory for public servants. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has ordered all ministers to issue a decree forbidding employees from entering government institutions unless they submit proof of vaccination or a PCR test every three days for those who refuse to receive the vaccine, according to a document issued by the cabinet on 26 September. Some 2.4 million out of 3.4 million employees working at the states administrative apparatuses have been vaccinated, health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said on 17 September. As of 27 September 2021, a total of 16,223,309 vaccine doses have been administered in Egypt, according to the World Health Organization. Egypt, which is currently facing the fourth wave of the pandemic, recorded 741 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the total infection tally officially to 304,524 since the outbreak began in February 2020, the health ministry said in its daily coronavirus update statement. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt reported 745 new coronavirus cases on Friday, bringing the total infection tally to 305,269 since the outbreak began in February 2020, said the health ministry in its daily coronavirus update statement. The ministry also reported 36 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the country's total death toll to 17,367. The statement added that 822 patients have been discharged after recovering from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries 257,708. On Friday evening, Minister Hala Zayed announced that Egypt had received a new shipment of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses. Egypt received 100,800 doses of AstraZeneca donated by the Polish government, according to the health ministry. On Thursday, Egypt received 1.6 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as a donation from the United States via the COVAX initiative. This is the first of five shipments of the Pfizer vaccine totalling 5 million doses that Egypt is to receive from the United States, according to the health ministry. Prior to the Pfizer shipment, Egypt had already obtained more than 40 million vaccine doses. Until 27 September, the country had administered a total of 16,223,309 vaccine doses nationwide, according to the WHO. Search Keywords: Short link: Al-Abad said that Egyptian workers were in high demand in Libya, especially due to the planned development projects between the two countries Libyan Minister of Manpower Ali Al-Abad said that Libya is in need of one million Egyptian workers. The Egyptian workers are highly trained and demanded in Libya especially with its plans of development projects; they are also socially accepted, Al-Abad said in an interview published in Al-Ahram Daily newspaper on Saturday following the meetings of the Egyptian-Libyan joint higher committee on Thursday. The joint committee headed by Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouly and his Libyan counterpart interim PM Abdel-Hamid Dbeibah signed on Thursday 14 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and six executive agreements in several fields including mega projects in Libya. According to Minister Al-Abad, the agreement is valued at 19 billion Libyan dinars (around $4.2 billion) and they come in the framework of the Libyan governments Return of Life development plan in the North African country which aims to develop infrastructures, roads and housing projects. The Libyan minister revealed that the manpower ministries in both countries are working on launching a web portal named Wafad to organize and regulate all issues and matters involving Egyptian workers in Libya. The minister added that within the next few days a team from both countries will be in Libya to finish the needed procedures to launch this portal, then direct flights will be launched between Egyptian and Libyan cities. Concerning the new upcoming web portal, Al-Abad stated that it will help safeguard workers' rights; it will document the exact number of workers in the country, their places of work and their specialization and whether they work for companies or individuals. The application will end the old crisis that used to happen in the past when fake companies were used to bring workers to Libya, said the minister, adding that at the same time any worker who is not registered in the application will be considered an illegal migrant and the Libyan government would not be responsible for them. On the other hand, registered workers will have privileges provided by the Libyan government like health and social insurance as well as a retirement pension that can be transferred to Egypt. The workers also can bring their families according to Al-Abad. For decades, Libya had been a destination for Egyptian expats until 2015 when an IS-affiliated militia launched the bloodiest terrorist attack of its kind against Egyptian expats in Libya by abducting and beheading 20 Egyptian Christian workers. In retaliation, Egypt conducted air strikes against the IS-affiliated group in the city of Derna. At the same time Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered the evacuation of Egyptian expats in Libya to ensure their safety. Prior to the evacuation, the number of Egyptian workers in Libya was estimated by the Egyptian manpower ministry at between 800,000 to one million working across all fields. Despite the official warnings and the civil war in Libya, many Egyptians continued to illegally migrate to Libya, both as an intermediary stage en route to Europe, and lured by fake promises of work. Search Keywords: Short link: on Saturday 9 October, AlKotob Khan bookstore in Maadi Salwa ElHamamsy will launch the third edition of Tales of the Nile Modern Egyptian Short Stories which just came out a few weeks ago The book brings together the English translation of a selection of less than 25 short stories by new and mostly self-published writers. The stories offer an insight into the evolution of Egyptian society and the new challenges faced by men and women, old and young. The purpose of this initiative is really two-fold: the first is to grant a wider exposure of modern short story writers whose work is unlikely to otherwise get the attention of translation from leading publishing houses that are only too focused on the big names; the second is to grant foreign readers a good insight into a vibrant and very diverse Egyptian society, said El-Hamamsy, the founder and coordinator of the initiative. According to El-Hamamsy, this is why we decided to call this series of translations that we started five years ago: Tales of the Nile. When we talk about the Nile we are first and foremost really talking about Egypt, she argued. As spouse of an Egyptian diplomat who had been posted around Africa and Europe, El-Hamamsy had believed that when all is said and done the world looks at Egyptians as "children of the Nile. But no, the stories are not directly related to the Nile, but certainly they are stories from the people whose lives, culture, and identity are firmly related to the Nile, she said. The original idea of this volunteer initiative that she has embarked on with three volunteering translators, Amal Eissa, Mona Naguib, and Taghrid Fayyad, started around 10 years ago during one of her diplomatic travels as she was attending some cultural events where she received many questions about contemporary literary production in Egypt. I just thought it was very unfortunate that our share of translated literature is so small and that the enormous flourishing literature movement of Egypt is not at all fairly expressed for the foreign reader, El-Hamamsy said. As someone with unexplored interest in literary writing herself, she knew well that it is not easy for a new writer, young or old, to capture the attention of a publisher, much less that of a translator. This is why the translated titles in the three editions of Tales of the Nile include a few short stories of unpublished writers; this is part of the objective to show the ongoing evolution of literary production even if some of it is still in the amateurs rein, she said. However, El-Hamamsy said that the scheme was implemented a little over three years ago. It is quite taxing for a limited volunteer initiative to go through piles of short stories and to make the selections and translations, she said. The three editions of Tales of the Nile have been put on Amazon self-publishing since 2019. Printing the publication is a very costly project for a volunteers resources. I only opted to print a limited number of the books to acquaint the reader with the initiative, she added. In 2019, shortly before the pandemic hit hard, while posted in Zambia, El-Hamamsy held the first book discussion of the first edition of Tales of the Nile. She found a lot of attention, even if essentially within the circles of the diplomatic corps in Lusaka. However, it was this clear interest that got her to pursue some form of an institutional and maybe state-support for her Tales of the Nile. I have already approached the Ministry of Culture and the National Translation Council and maybe we can get some arrangement to upgrade this initiative and turn it from volunteer-based to something more sustainable, she said. El-Hamamsy is of the opinion that the big interest that Egyptian readers have been showing in reading translated literature, both classic, modern, and contemporary, is part of a wider world phenomenon of readers who are interest, as part of the globalisation era, to read translated literature. We have a very evolving society in fact a very diverse society with a lot to say and share through its literary production, ElHamamsy said. Tales of the Nile, she added, is only an indication of the possibilities of attention that the contemporary literary production of new Egyptian writers could get Search Keywords: Short link: Since a ceasefire with the Polisario in 1991, Morocco has controlled around 80 percent of the Western Sahara, where it has poured investment into development projects Morocco has agreed to the nomination of former United Nations Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura as the Secretary-General's representative on the disputed Western Sahara, Rabat's UN ambassador said in comments published Wednesday. "Morocco has been consulted beforehand about this appointment and has already notified (UN chief) Antonio Guterres of its approval," Omar Hilale said in an interview carried by state news agency MAP. He said consultations were still underway but the Italian-Swedish diplomat's appointment would be made public "in the upcoming days, after the endorsement of Security Council members". The Western Sahara dispute pits Morocco, which sees the former Spanish colony as an integral part of its territory, against the armed Polisario independence movement, long backed by Morocco's arch-rival Algeria. The sparsely-populated desert territory boasts significant phosphate resources and a long Atlantic coastline with access to rich fishing waters. UN-led talks between the three parties plus Mauritania have been stalled since the 2019 resignation of the previous UN envoy, German diplomat Horst Kohler, for health reasons. Guterres has put forward a dozen names for the role but been unable to reach a consensus with all sides. But the Polisario previously said it would accept the nomination of de Mistura, who has decades of diplomatic experience including as a UN envoy in Syria. Hilale said the diplomat would "be able to count on Morocco's unfailing cooperation and support, to implement his mediation for the settlement of this regional dispute." Last year the administration of then-US president Donald Trump recognised Rabat's sovereignty over Western Sahara as a quid pro quo for Morocco normalising ties with Israel. Since a ceasefire with the Polisario in 1991, Morocco has controlled around 80 percent of the Western Sahara, where it has poured investment into development projects. The Polisario continues to call for a referendum on self-determination, according to the 1991 UN-backed ceasefire deal. Tensions rose sharply in November when Morocco sent troops into a buffer zone to reopen the only road leading from Morocco to Mauritania and the rest of West Africa, after the separatists had blocked it the previous month. The Polisario responded by declaring the 1991 UN-backed ceasefire null and void. The two sides have since exchanged regular fire along the demarcation line, though claims are difficult to independently verify in the hard-to-access area. Search Keywords: Short link: Two rival Libyan factions wound up a meeting in Morocco without any sign of agreement on a disputed electoral law, ahead of polls scheduled for December 24 They did, however, jointly appeal for international support for the oil-rich North African country's political process following years of unrest. Representatives of the upper house, based in Tripoli in Libya's west, held two days of talks in Morocco's capital Rabat with the Libyan parliament, whose seat is in the eastern city of Tobruk. "We call on the international community to support the electoral process in Libya... and to send international observers to guarantee that this important event takes place smoothly," said El Hadi Ali Elsaghir, a member of parliament, at the close on Friday. Libya saw a decade of war following its NATO-backed 2011 revolt which toppled leader Moamer Kadhafi, leaving the country split between rival administrations. Hopes of stability had followed a United Nations-led peace process and a ceasefire in October last year. A western-based unity government took office in March with a mandate to prepare for December elections, but negotiations over relevant legislation have raised doubts over the UN-led process and plans for the ballot. Elsaghir made no mention of agreement with his western colleagues over an electoral law. Germany and the United States have been among nations seeking to ensure that the December legislative and presidential vote goes ahead. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which attended the Morocco talks, had urged the two delegations "to use this opportunity and live up to their historical responsibilities and move forward with completing the legislative framework for elections". Parliamentary speaker Aguila Saleh last month ratified legislation governing the presidential ballot. Parliament then passed a no-confidence vote in the unity government of interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah. The upper house based in the capital rejected the vote, saying it violated established procedures, laying bare once more the extent of divisions between the country's east and west. In Morocco, however, discussion took place "in conditions of understanding and consensus", according to Elsaghir. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: Several political factions including ex-rebel groups announced Saturday the formation of an alliance separate from Sudan's main civilian bloc, in the latest sign of splits marring the country's transition. The announcement at a ceremony in Khartoum came as Sudan reels from fragmentation within the Forces of Freedom and Change, an alliance that spearheaded protests that ousted president Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. Sudan has since August 2019 been run by an administration of military generals and civilians from the FFC through a rocky transition marked by economic woes. Splits have deepened within the FFC in recent months, and support for the transitional government led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has waned in large part due to a raft of tough economic reforms. Saturday's ceremony included political parties as well as the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) faction led by Mini Minawi and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) of Gibril Ibrahim. "We want a united FFC," Minawi said during the ceremony. "We urge the people on your side who pretend they are from the FFC to sit with us and listen to us," he added, addressing both the head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the prime minister. Hamdok did not attend Saturday's ceremony. In early September, he was at the signing ceremony for an alliance of other factions within the FFC that also called for unity, calling it a "step in the right direction". Neither Minawi nor Ibrahim took part in that signing. In October last year, Minawi's SLM faction and Ibrahim's JEM were among rebel groups that signed a peace deal with the government to end long-running conflicts under Bashir. Minawi was named governor of western Sudan's war-ravaged Darfur region in May, while Ibrahim was appointed finance minister last February. On September 21, the government announced thwarting a coup attempt by military officers and civilians who it said were linked to Bashir's regime. The country has been grappling with protests in east Sudan by key tribes opposed to the October peace deal. Protests have also erupted in major cities including Khartoum condemning the military coup attempt and calling for civilian rule. Search Keywords: Short link: Algeria has recalled its ambassador from France for consultations, state television said Saturday, following Paris's decision to reduce the number of visas granted to Algerian nationals. "Algeria recalls its ambassador from Paris for consultations and a statement will be issued regarding this," the state broadcaster said, quoting a statement released by the presidency. Search Keywords: Short link: The United States reached its latest heartbreaking pandemic milestone Friday, eclipsing 700,000 deaths from COVID-19 just as the surge from the delta variant is starting to slow down and give overwhelmed hospitals some relief. In this Aug. 17, 2021, file photo, nursing coordinator Beth Springer looks into a patient's room in a COVID-19 ward at the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. [File photo: AP] It took 3 months for the U.S. to go from 600,000 to 700,000 deaths, driven by the variants rampant spread through unvaccinated Americans. The death toll is larger than the population of Boston. This milestone is especially frustrating to public health leaders and medical professionals on the front lines because vaccines have been available to all eligible Americans for nearly six months and the shots overwhelmingly protect against hospitalizations and death. An estimated 70 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated, providing kindling for the variant. You lose patients from COVID and it should not happen, said Debi Delapaz, a nurse manager at UF Health Jacksonville who recalled how the hospital was at one point losing eight patients a day to COVID-19 during the summer surge. This is something that should not happen. Despite the rising death toll, there are signs of improvement. Nationwide, the number of people now in the hospital with COVID-19 has fallen to somewhere around 75,000 from over 93,000 in early September. New cases are on the downswing at about 112,000 per day on average, a drop of about one-third over the past 2 1/2 weeks. Deaths, too, appear to be declining, averaging about 1,900 a day versus more than 2,000 about a week ago. The easing of the summer surge has been attributed to more mask wearing and more people getting vaccinated. The decrease in case numbers could also be due to the virus having burned through susceptible people and running out of fuel in some places. In another development, Merck said Friday its experimental pill for people sick with COVID-19 reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half. If it wins authorization from regulators, it will be the first pill for treating COVID-19 and an important, easy-to-use new weapon in the arsenal against the pandemic. All treatments now authorized in the U.S. against the coronavirus require an IV or injection. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the governments top infectious disease specialist, warned on Friday that some may see the encouraging trends as a reason to remain unvaccinated. Its good news were starting to see the curves coming down, he said. That is not an excuse to walk away from the issue of needing to get vaccinated. Unknowns include how flu season may strain already depleted hospital staffs and whether those who have refused to get vaccinated will change their minds. If youre not vaccinated or have protection from natural infection, this virus will find you, warned Mike Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, began seeing a surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations in mid-July, and by the first week of August, the place was beyond capacity. It stopped elective surgeries and brought in military doctors and nurses to help care for patients. With cases now down, the military team is scheduled to leave at the end of October. Still, the hospitals chief medical officer, Dr. Catherine ONeal, said the rate of hospitalizations isnt decreasing as quickly as cases in the community because the delta variant is affecting more young people who are otherwise healthy and are living much longer in the intensive care unit on ventilators. It creates a lot of ICU patients that dont move anywhere, she said. And many of the patients arent going home at all. In the last few weeks, the hospital saw several days with more than five COVID-19 deaths daily, including one day when there were 10 deaths. Ahmaud Arberys mental health records cant be used as trial evidence by the white men who chased and killed the 25-year-old Black man as he was running in their neighborhood, a Georgia judge ruled Friday. This combination of booking photos provided by the Glynn County, Ga., Detention Center, shows, from left, Travis McMichael, his father, Gregory McMichael, and William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. [File photo: Glynn County Detention Center via AP] The decision by Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley further limits defense attorneys efforts to portray Arbery as an aggressive young man with a troubled past when the case goes to trial soon, with jury selection scheduled to start Oct. 18. The judge ruled that Arbery's medical privacy, even in death, trumped the rights of the men standing trial to a robust defense. And he concluded that a registered nurse's "highly questionable diagnosis that Arbery suffered from mental illness during his first and only visit to a mental health services provider in 2018 could unfairly prejudice a trial jury. There is no evidence that the victim was suffering from any mental health issue, or had otherwise decompensated, on February 23, 2020, the date Arbery was killed, the judge's ruling said. Prosecutors say Arbery was merely jogging on that date when father and son Gregory and Travis McMichael armed themselves and chased Arbery in a pickup truck in their neighborhood just outside the port city of Brunswick, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Savannah. A neighbor who joined the chase, William Roddie Bryan, took cellphone video that showed Travis McMichael fatally shooting Arbery as he threw punches and grabbed for McMichael's shotgun. Arbery was unarmed when he was killed by three shotgun blasts at close range. The McMichaels and Bryan were arrested and charged with murder after the video was leaked online more than two months later, on May 5. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the case the next day and swiftly arrested all three men. Defense attorneys argue the McMichaels and Bryan committed no crimes. They say the McMichaels suspected Arbery was a burglar after he was recorded by video cameras inside a home under construction. Travis McMichaels lawyers say he shot Arbery in self-defense. Jason Sheffield, an attorney for Travis McMichael, said by email that despite the judge's ruling Friday, he's confident that the full truth will come out over the course of trial and that the jury will see this case is simply about protecting ones neighbors and oneself. One of Bryan's lawyers, Kevin Gough, said he appreciated the care and research that went into the judge's decision, but disagreed with the result. However, we anticipate that the court will reconsider its ruling in whole or in part in the weeks to come, Gough said by email. A month ago, the judge dealt another setback to the defendants when he ruled that evidence of Arberys past run-ins with law enforcement, including two arrests, was also off-limits. Defense attorneys hoped to cast doubt on prosecutors contention that Arbery was an innocent jogger and to bolster their argument that the white men reasonably suspected Arbery had committed a crime when they chased him. Prosecutors argued that defense lawyers were seeking to put Arbery on trial by making his criminal record and mental health part of the case. None of the three defendants knew Arbery, or anything about his past, prior to the shooting. KYODO NEWS - Sep 3, 2021 - 18:46 | World, All, Japan China is expected to closely watch whether Japan's stance on the Taiwan issue will change under a new leader, after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga expressed on Friday his intention to resign, diplomats said. The Chinese leadership under President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, is likely to adopt a "well-balanced" diplomatic strategy that would not hurt its ties with Japan, as its strains with the United States have shown few signs of easing soon, they added. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin declined to comment on Suga's move on Friday, telling reporters in Beijing only that the two nations should maintain healthy and stable development of bilateral relations. After Shinzo Abe stepped down as prime minister last year, Suga, who was his chief Cabinet secretary, won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election with the backing of its powerful secretary general, Toshihiro Nikai, who is known for his close relations with China. With Beijing at odds with Washington over several matters, including its alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang and security challenges to Taiwan, hopes grew among Chinese officials that Suga would make conciliatory gestures to Beijing, given the role Nikai played in paving the way for his premiership. While Japan's relations with China deteriorated in the early 2010s over Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed islands in the East China Sea, the then Abe government extended an olive branch to the Communist Party by utilizing Nikai's influence on bilateral ties. However, Suga, who took office in September 2020, sought closer ties with the United States, Japan's longtime defense ally, and continued to do so as President Joe Biden came into office in January. At their summit in Washington in April, Suga confirmed with Biden "the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." It marked the first time in 52 years that Japanese and U.S. leaders have mentioned self-ruled Taiwan in a joint statement. The Suga government has also repeatedly voiced concern over Beijing's crackdown on Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement and human rights abuses against the Muslim Uyghur minority in the far western Xinjiang region, which Washington has described as a "genocide." "Many Chinese officials have been disappointed with Suga," one of the diplomats in Beijing said, adding, "Their attention has already turned to who will become Japan's next prime minister and how the new government will handle the Taiwan issue." But China would shy away from taking a hard-line approach to Japan at least until the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics next year, another diplomat said. The events will be held between February and March. Should China intensify tensions with the United States and its close ally Japan, the two democratic countries could boycott the Winter Games, bringing disgrace on Xi, who has been keen to use the sporting events to enhance national prestige, he said. China "does not want to hold a large-scale athlete festival only for China-friendly nations," the diplomat said, adding Xi would try to avert friction with Japan before the Beijing Games so that the neighboring country will participate in the events. Related coverage: Japan PM Suga to resign amid criticism over COVID-19 response Chronology of events related to Japan PM Suga's Cabinet U.S. signals surprise over Japan PM Suga's intention to resign KYODO NEWS - Sep 15, 2021 - 22:44 | All, Japan A Japanese-Peruvian man seeking state compensation for mistreatment at the Osaka immigration bureau in 2017 was shown being held face down by a number of officers in security camera footage submitted Wednesday at trial, a lawyer in charge of his case said. In the case filed with the Osaka District Court, Burgos Fujii, 48, is seeking 2 million yen ($18,000) in damages from the state after he was left handcuffed for over half a day at the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau. The video includes footage of Fujii being hauled off to a solitary cell by many officers, as well as him being held down during tussles with five officers in the middle of the night and lying on the floor handcuffed with his arms behind his back. Another scene showed an immigration officer intimidating Fujii by asking him whether he was prepared to follow their orders. At a press conference in Osaka, Maya Kawasaki, one of his lawyers, criticized the treatment as being punitive, adding that it could be considered "torture." In previous hearings, the government has maintained that no excessive force was used to restrain Fujii. The Osaka immigration bureau declined to comment on the video due to the pending trial. According to the complaint, Fujii was left with his arms handcuffed behind his back for more than 14 hours on Dec. 20, 2017, after he expressed dissatisfaction with his lunch and became violent. He was later found to have fractured his arm, with the injury taking a month to heal. Fujii, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after he was allowed provisional release in May last year, was granted special permission Monday to stay in Japan for medical treatment. The video submitted as evidence in the lawsuit was not shown in court, but his lawyers disclosed some of its content after the court had adjourned. In a separate case, the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau last month disclosed edited security camera footage to the family of a Sri Lankan woman who died in March following mistreatment while in detention. KYODO NEWS - Oct 2, 2021 - 22:47 | World, All Nearly 60 Chinese warplanes have entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone over two days, including 38 on Friday, a one-day record since the self-governed island began disclosing relevant information in September, according to the Defense Ministry. A total of 20 Chinese military planes, such as fighter jets and bombers, entered the area on Saturday, it said. On Friday, 25 aircraft crossed into the zone in the daytime, and 13 at night. Some flew to an area off Taiwan's eastern shore after crossing the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, according to the ministry. Taiwanese military planes were scrambled in response on both days to warn the Chinese aircraft away. "Oct. 1 wasn't a good day," Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tweeted. "The #PLAAF flew 38 warplanes into #Taiwan's ADIZ, making it the largest number of daily sorties on record. Threatening? Of course." PLAAF stands for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Oct. 1 wasn't a good day. The #PLAAF flew 38 warplanes into #Taiwan's ADIZ, making it the largest number of daily sorties on record. Threatening? Of course. It's strange the #PRC doesn't bother faking excuses anymore. JW ( via @MoNDefense) pic.twitter.com/U2fHUwV5uK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) (@MOFA_Taiwan) October 2, 2021 According to the ministry, a total of more than 500 Chinese warplanes have entered Taiwan's air defense zone this year. Beijing, which considers Taiwan a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, has been stepping up military pressure on the island. Related coverage: Taiwan detects 10 China warplanes within air defense zone Taiwan detects China warplanes as vaccine arrives from Poland 28 Chinese air force planes enter Taiwan's air defense ID zone highlights Modi had announced that the armed forces being given afree handa. Reports suggest that the camp destroyed by IAF belonged to JeM. Reportedly 10 bombs were dropped in pre-dawn airstrike.A New Delhi: India carried out another surgical strike across the Line of Control in early morning hours on Tuesday. According to news agency ANI, the Indian Air Forceas Mirage 2000 dropped 1,000 Kg bombs and destroyed major terrorist camp across Line of Control. At 3:30 am, Mirage 2000 struck the camp, which is supposed to be located somewhere in Balakot. 12 Mirage 2000 jets took part in the operation that dropped 1000 Kg bombs on terror camps across LOC, completely destroying it, the Ani report said. The report comes hours after Pakistan claimed that Indian Air Force violated the Line of Control. Major General Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson of Pakistan Armed Forces, took to Twitter to announce about the alleged violation. aIndian Air Force violated Line of Control. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircrafts gone back,a Ghafoor said in an early morning tweet. Short while from now, he also tweeted an update saying that, aIndian aircrafts intruded from Muzafarabad sector.a He also added that, aFacing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage.a The claim comes amid reports that Islamabad has been anticipating a strong action from New Delhi. Hence, it has not vacated the winter posts in the forward areas. This has happened for the first time in many years. The report also said combined with the launchpads, the real number of the Pakistani troopers across the border canat be guessed. There are more than 50 such winter posts near the Line of Control, the media report said. In aftermath of Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the armed forces being given afree handa to avenge Pulwama attack. Addressing media in New Delhi after the CCS meet, PM Modi said, aOur security forces have been given free hand. The forces behind this act of terrorism and those responsible for it, will be definitely be punished,a he said. aIf our neighbour which is totally isolated in the world thinks it can destabilise India through its tactics and conspiracies, then it is making a big mistake,a PM Modi said without naming Pakistan. Meanwhile, there are also reports that Pakistan is shifting terrorist leaders, including Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, to safe areas after India demanded of strong action against them following the Pulwama attack on February 14, sources said. The sources added that on February 17-18, Azhar was shifted from Rawalpindi to Kot Ghani near Bahawalpur in Pakistan. Indian aircrafts intruded from Muzafarabad sector. Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage. a Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019 To keep Azhar and other terrorists safe, Pakistan has provided three-layer security which is guarded by local police, special forces and the Pakistan Army. The outer periphery is being guarded by the local police, while the second and third layers have been taken care of by special forces and the Pakistan Army. After the Pulwama attack, which was carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed, India launched a major diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. The government slammed Pakistan for using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. India has also asked Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Monday signalled that a negotiated trade deal is within reach with China. Will soon have "a signing summit" with the Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, he said. A high-powered Chinese trade delegation led by its Vice President Liu He left Washington on Sunday after four days of extensive talks with American team led by US Trade Representatives Robert Lighthizer. Trump said the Chinese trade delegation could soon be coming back again. "It looks like they'll be coming back quickly again. And we're going to have another summit. We're going to have a signing summit, which is even better. So hopefully, we can get that completed. But we're getting very, very close," Trump said at a meeting of Governors at the White House. ALSO READ | US President Donald Trump leaves for Hanoi for his second summit with Kim Jong-un The world's two largest economies are locked in a trade war since Trump imposed heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items from China in March last year, a move that sparked fears of a global trade war. In response, China, the world's second largest economy after the US, imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of American imports. Last year, Trump imposed tariff hikes of up to 25 per cent on USD 250 billion of Chinese goods. The move prompted China to increase tariffs on USD 110 billion of US goods. Trump and Xi agreed to halt any further tariff increase for 90 days beginning January 1. Trump cited progress made during trade talks in Washington DC this month as a reason to delay the tariff increase. Trump had already expressed optimism about the negotiations Friday after meeting with China's vice premier Liu He. The talks concluded on Sunday. Xi also struck a positive tone in a letter Liu delivered to Trump, saying he hoped the negotiations would be held in a "win-win" spirit that would lead to a mutually beneficial agreement. The Chinese president expressed hope that the talks maintain "a mutually respectful, cooperative and win-win attitude" and lead to a "mutually beneficial" agreement. A day earlier, the President had said that the two countries were nearing a trade deal. Trump used the occasion to praise Xi for helping him on fentanyl, an opioid used as a pain medication and for anesthesia, which he said is of the tremendous problem to the US. Trump referred to the tough laws in China, including a provision of death penalty for them successfully handling the drugs problem. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: North Korean leader Kin Jong-un arrived in the Vietnamese border town of Dong Dang in a heavily armoured train on Tuesday morning ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. He took a 60-hour train ride to Vietnam which would otherwise just take 3-4 hours by plane. So why did Kim actually embark on a train journey so long from Pyonngyang in North Korea to Dong Dang traversing through China? The train that Kim is on is often referred to as a special hotel that can move. The train, which has a label DF-0002 differs from the model that his father Kim Jong-il took, which had the label DF-0001. According to reports, the train is built with high-level of security facilities and a very hotel-like interior. Kim started off on his long train trip on Saturday afternoon (local time), departing from Pyonngyangs train station at around 4:30 pm. After 60 hours, it arrived at the Dong Dang station in Vietnam. From here, the North Korean leader will transfer to a motor vehicle to complete the trip to Hanoi. From Dong Dang Station in Lang Son Province, it will take about three hours to reach Hanoi by car. The straight-line distance between Pyonyang and Hanoi is 4,500 kilometre. The route likely taken by the heavily armoured train that Kim was travelling in. (Photo: Twitter/@PixAggregator) Several reasons are being put forth by experts for Kim to undertake the 60-hour train journey. One being, as the train passed through China, the trip was also viewed as a way for North Korea to boost its close ties to its ally. While some like to believe that this is how his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, North Koreas founder, travelled to Vietnam in 1958 and 1964, using airplane and train to reach Hanoi via China. Kim is often seen to replicate his grandfather to reinforce the idea that he is a successor of the Kim regime. According to a report in the Korea Herald, the armoured train is also thought to be a safer choice for Kim, as North Koreas state jet Chammae-1 is old and there is a lack of experienced pilots. The Chammae-1 is a Soviet-era IL-62M, that is capable of traveling up to 10,000 kilometre. When Kim travelled to Singapore by plane for his first summit with Trump in June 2018, he did so on a plane borrowed from the Chinese government. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Indian Air Force fighter jets on Tuesday struck three Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC). Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad terror launch pads across the LOC completely destroyed in IAF air strikes. JeM control rooms also destroyed, tweeted ANI. According to reports, IAF used Mirage-2000 jets with laser-guided bombs for the air strike and reportedly caused an estimated casualty of 200-300. Top government officials say that the Balakot camp is spread around 6 to 7 acres and is the biggest Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Pakistan. The strike came 12 days after the Pakistan-based terror group, Jaish-e-Mohammed carried, out the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives. The sources said significant damage has been inflicted on the ground on the Pakistani side. Earlier, Major General Asif Ghafoor, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said Indian aircrafts intruded from the Muzaffarabad sector. "Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage," Ghafoor said in a tweet. "Indian Air Force violated Line of Control Pakistan. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircraft gone back," he claimed. Hours after the strike, the Indian Army tweeted a Hindi poem which says that "if you are docile and polite before the enemy, he may consider you as a coward, the way Kauravas treated Pandavas". The poem by Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' was tweeted by Additional Director General, Public Information on its official handle. Peace overtures, the poem says, are possible only when you are in a powerful position and capable to win. With PTI Inputs For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Residents in the quake-prone Balakot town in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday said they were woken by "loud explosions" and thought a fresh tremor must have hit the region when Indian Air Force jets pounded a large terror training camp. Balakot town in Pakistan's north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was destroyed during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and was rebuilt with assistance from Saudi Arabia. Residents in the mountainous area town told BBC Urdu they were woken by loud explosions. Residents in several towns near Balakot reported hearing explosions early on Tuesday. Mohammad Adil, a farmer in Jaba village, said he and his family were woken at about 03:00 by "a huge explosion". He said they thought an earthquake must have hit the region. "Then we heard jets flying over. We went to the place in the morning. There was a huge crater and four or five houses were destroyed," he said. In a pinpointed and swift air strike that lasted less than two minutes, India pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Pakistan early on Tuesday, killing up to 350 terrorists and trainers who were moved there for their protection after the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. The pre-dawn operation, described as "non-military" and "preemptive", struck a five-star resort-style camp on a hilltop forest. Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor, however, said the strikes caused no casualties. He tweeted that Pakistani jets were scrambled and forced the Indian fighter planes to make a "hasty withdrawal", dropping their payload in an open area. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: India shot down Pakistan Air Forces F-16 fighter jet after an airspace violation in Jammu and Kashmirs Nowshera sector on Wednesday morning. The fighter jet was shot down in Indian retaliatory fire 3 KM within Pakistan territory in Lam valley, Nowshera sector, news agency ANI. The latest development comes amid reports of Pakistan violating airspace in the Rajouri district. According to news agency PTI, "The jets entered into Indian air space over Nowshera sector this morning." The Pakistani jet were immediately pushed back by Indian planes on air patrol but not before dropping bombs. Nowshera is a border town in Jammu. While details of this retaliation are yet be ascertained by either the Indian Air Force or the Ministry of Defence, contrary claims are being made by the officials across the border. Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson Pakistan armed forces, claimed that, PAF shot down two Indian aircraft inside Pakistani airspace. Another starling claim Maj Gen Ghafoor said that, One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area. Meanwhile, a high-level meeting is underway at the Home Ministry in New Delhi. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is among those attending the crucial meet. There are reports that following the airspace violation by Pakistan, airspace over Jammu, Leh and Pathankot have been closed. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday carried out searches at premises of separatists, including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, in connection with a case related to funding to terror and separatists groups in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The NIA team, accompanied by local police and CRPF personnel, swooped at residences of separatists, including the Mirwaiz, Naseem Geelani, son of pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and chairman of Tehrek-e-Hurriyat Ashraf Sehrai, they said. Srinagar: Visuals from outside the residence of JKLF chief Yasin Malik where NIA is conducting a raid. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/Ui3oIJKiI3 a ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019 A There was no word about the recoveries made from these residences during the day-long searches. Besides these, the houses of JKLF leader Yaseen Malik, Shabir Shah, Zaffar Bhat and Masarat Alam were also raided. Barring the Mirwaiz and Sehrai, all other leaders were inside jail for quite some time now. The NIA had questioned two maternal uncles of the Mirwaiz aMaulvi Manzoor and Maulvi Shafata and his close aides last year. Both of them are retired senior government officers. The NIA probe seeks to identify the chain of players behind the financing of terrorist activities, including those who pelted stones on security forces, burnt down schools and damaged government establishments. The case names Hafeez Saeed, Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ud Dawah, the front for banned Lashker-e-Taiba, as an accused, besides organisations such as the Hurriyat Conference (factions led by Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq), Hizbul Mujahideen and Dukhtaran-e-Millat.A A For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Following the surgical strike across the Line of Control in Pakistan on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale has now briefed foreign diplomats from the USA, UK, Russia, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey and six ASEAN nations. More than 10 bombs were dropped by the multi-role fighter jet Mirage 2000 at around 3:30 am. The aerial attack comes a day after Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a high-level meeting with all three service chiefs. The attack was confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. In a brief statement issued to media, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale spoke about intelligence operation. In an intelligence lead operation in the early hours today, India struck the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commander and Jihadis were eliminated, Gokhale said. Credible information was received that JeM was attempting other attacks in the country. A pre-emptive strike became important. India struck the biggest camp of JeM in Balakot, Gokhale added. ALSO READ | I want to assure you that India is in safe hands: PM Modi after surgical strike 2.0 The airstrikes are seen as a way by India avenging the Pulwama terror attack. On February 14, around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a suicide bomber rammed into a convoy while moving from Jammu to Srinagar in Lethpora area of South Kashmirs Pulwama district. Pakistan based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed the responsibility of the attack. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said: We kept on telling the world that this could happen they [India] carried out aggression against Pakistan today. India violated the LoC [today]. Pakistan holds the right to self-defence and a befitting response, Qureshi told media, after chairing an emergency consultative meeting at the Foreign Office. The meeting at the Foreign Office was attended by former foreign secretaries and senior diplomats and held consultations over the prevailing situation. Defence experts say that Mirages would have used 500 kg laser-guided bombs. The Mirage 2000s may have used Israeli lightening laser designator pods to drop their precision bombs. Though Pakistan has tweeted the photos of large craters, the actual impact of the airstrike will be revealed by the satellite images. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A special meeting of the National Security Committee chaired by the Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said India committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at time and place of its choosing. The meeting was held at his office on Tuesday. It was attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, COAS, CNS, CAS, and other civil and military officials. However, Pakistan rejected the Indian claim of targeting terrorist camp near Balakot and the claim of heavy casualties. More than 10 bombs were dropped by the multi-role fighter jet Mirage 2000 at around 3:30 am. The Pakistan government has decided a joint session of the Parliament. Prime minister has summoned a special meeting of NCA on February 27. Imran Khan has directed that elements of national power including the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan to remain prepared for all eventualities, Radio Pakistan reported. Earlier, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan holds the right to self-defence and a befitting response. The Indian Air Force carried out pre-dawn airstrikes on Tuesday and destroyed major launch pads of terrorists in Pakistans Balakot. We kept on telling the world that this could happen they [India] carried out aggression against Pakistan today. India violated the LoC [today]. Pakistan holds the right to self-defence and a befitting response, Qureshi told media, after chairing an emergency consultative meeting at the Foreign Office. The meeting at the Foreign Office was attended by former foreign secretaries and senior diplomats, and held consultations over the prevailing situation. "Clouds of danger are lingering over Pakistan and we can see aggression," Shah Mehmood Qureshi said. "An aggressive segment is bent on risking regional peace for its political gains," he added. "Indian leadership has become flustered in trying to achieve its political gains," Geo News quoted Qureshi as saying. Qureshi further said, "We are a responsible nation and have to move forward responsibly, wisely and patiently." Stating that Prime Minister Imran Khan is up to date with "minute-by-minute details", the foreign minister said, "I will hold a meeting with the prime minister and brief him regarding the consultative meeting to be held at the Foreign Office." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) destroyed the Pakistan-based terror camps and launch pads of Jaish-e-Mohammed across Line of Control (LoC) by dropping 1000 kg bombs in the wee hours. As the reports started pouring in, the nation rejoiced the mission, calling it a befitting reply to dastardly terror attack of JeM in Pulwama. The Indian Air Force pilots who carried out the mission were congratulated by eminent personalities like Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal CM, Mamta Banerjee among others for their bravery and successful completion of the task. Soon they will be honoured with gallantry awards. If the valour of the IAF pilots have ignited you, here's how to join Indian Air Forces and be at the duty of the nation. A person can become an officer in the Indian Air Force at one of the following levels 1. 10+2: (Direct entry) This level is for men only. All males who have completed their 12th standard from science stream may join the National Defence Academy through an entrance exam conducted by UPSC twice every year, May and december. Candidates get a three-year common training at NDA, and are then shifted to AFA for basic Flying Training, prior to commissioning. Candidates should be aged between 16 and a half and 19 and a half years. 2. Graduate: Graduates can join any of the IAF's branches. Candidates who are shortlisted after selection undergo training at one of the IAF training institutes, after which they are commissioned and posted. Advertisement for CDSE comes out in the months of July and November. Candidates should be aged between 20 and 24 years. 3. AFCAT: is the biggest test conducted to induct both men and women as officers in all the three branches of IAF, i.e. Flying, Technical and Ground Duty. AFCAT is conducted twice every year; June and December and includes an added test called EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) for Technical branch aspirants. Candidates should be aged between 20 and 24 years. Favoured degrees include Aeronautical Engineering, Electronics etc. Women can join any branch of the IAF but are only eligible for a Short Service Commission (14 years). Also, women fighter pilots are not currently allowed in the IAF even though helicopter and transport pilots are. Selection of candidates into the Air Force occurs through screening of applications followed by a test that accesses the candidates knowledge in subjects like General Awareness, English, Mathematics, Physics and Mlitary aptitude. The screening test is followed by intelligence, psychological tests, group discussions and a medical examination. Candidates who excel in all the processes are finally selected to the permanent commission. The major training academy is Air Force Academy (AFA), located in Dundigal, Hyderabad. For all the Latest Education News, Jobs News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: News Channels in India and Pakistan are hypothetically fighting the "War" post Pulwama terror attack, it is interesting to note, that, lust for blood has overtaken the national narrative in both countries. None of the news anchors in either of the two countries would have vaguely faced the bullet, even while covering counter-terror operations. But when it comes to call for action, they are heard the loudest. The language used, is at best atrocious and hits the bottom in the same breath as most of it is, below the belt. I am particularly amazed at the vitriolic vomited by news anchors in Pakistan. The debase language, jesters and axioms used against PM Modi, Gen. Rawat and above all Indian populace is downright disgusting. A lot has changed between 1999 - Kargil war and 2019. Despite fighting the war in May - July 1999, Indian & Pakistani media, never went to the extremes as they have . Pakistan was the aggressor, India was defending its territory, still, none of us reporters or news anchors talked of annihilating the other of its existence. Not a single journalist in Pakistan could abuse Former PM Vajpayee and none in India talked of nuking Pakistan. Firstly, let's talk about the warmongering anchors and reporters - those who are fighting the war from their studios and demanding retired military personnel to create war scenarios and decode India's victory path. Have you ever been close to a bullet travelling at mind-boggling speed tearing through your flesh, cracking open your bones, gushing blood from your veins leading to cataclysmic loss of senses. If not, then my fellow News Anchor, you have not even begun your journey of a bullet wound, forget a bullet in your heart! Two life-altering experiences have changed my perspective of facing the bullet and made me realize, the tremendous grit of our forces that is required to fight the enemy in a battle. In 1998, while returning to Srinagar from Anantnag, I was informed by a friend in 15 corps, that an encounter is in progress in a village close to the national highway. With all the protective gear in place, I was sheltered in a school building, which was not really in the line of fire along with the army top notch. To quell my thrust of an evolving journalist, I asked my cameraperson to record my piece to the camera (PTC) while the firing continued. After all, how many times are you so well placed during an encounter that you could talk to the camera while bullets are flying past you? 20 seconds into my PTC and I felt something wheezes past my right ear - something hit the brick wall behind me and flit from the brick grazed through the left side of my head. In an inadvertent reaction, I touched my ear and held my head. Blood was oozing out from both. I had not been hit by the bullet, but it had passed near my right ear and hit the brick wall. Being airlifted in an army chopper to the base hospital, my thoughts revolved around the fact that I got saved by some millimeters - "millimeters" was the distance between life & death. The fear of death took over later, but the oozing blood was reminder enough of what it could have been. The second incidence took place in 2002. As an embedded journalist with Rashtriya Rifles CI ops in the upper reaches of Kupwara, I was witness to the action of gunning down of nine heavily armed terrorists, who had crossed the LOC. Towards the end of the gunfight, had the Group Commanding officer not swung over the grenade which had landed between my cameraman and myself, I won't have lived to narrate the tale of that fateful encounter to my audiences on television. Those few seconds - a fraction of a second, is still etched in my mind as my balance between life and death. For nights thereon, I had trouble sleeping and would wake up in cold sweat. Had it not been for effective counselling thereafter, I would have been a nervous wreck. Contracting my experiences, I see news anchors talk of taking revenge - tangible action against the enemy - incite the audience with thoughts of all an out war - when they shed tears over the slain faceless soldiers and raise a war cry - I pause and ask myself - given an opportunity will even one of the television reporter or News Anchor prefer to go on the front. Let alone going to the front, will most of the hallowed Prime Time faces even go close to the border when active bombing is going on. Most would sit in their air-conditioned studios, pontificate about the vagaries of war and speak to the family of Sheed soldiers - and yes, call for more another revenge. Let, decisive and saner minds, decide and take the call, as people governing the nation know best. Let's not think from our gut, but from our head. Yet again, the big question that pops up is - what if the people in positions of power are actually inciting, goading, propelling and promoting warmongering? Yes, this is the point that needs actual probing. India is faced with the mother of all Parliamentary elections. Its a do or die for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). And likewise, for a majority of opposition parties. It's an open secret, that if BJP loses power in 2019, recovering from this loss would take a long time - a very long time. Possibly the current leadership may not even get an opportunity to occupy the seat of the Prime Minister. Similarly, if Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Left Front, Rashtriya Janta Party (RJD), etc, exhibit a dismal performance - they all were might be faced with political oblivion. More so for the Congress as a looming defeat, is its biggest drive towards a coalition front. In the midst of these high stakes, warmongering benefits the party most, which is best suited to encash national emotions. A political outfit that can tap the national anguish best in the aftermath of 40 slain CRPF men. And almost identically in Pakistan, the fate of Pakistani Army chief, Gen. Bajwa hangs in balance of either exalted prominence or complete oblivion - given the fact that he retires from active service in four to five months. That, Pakistani PM, Imran Khan is a nominated Prime Minister, is a well-known fact, not just in Pakistan, but internationally too. That's the reason, Gen Bajwa made a sudden appearance at the ground-breaking ceremony at Kartarpur Sahib. For the same reason, Gen Bajwa was the man of the hour with Saudi Prince Salman - was seen with Prince Salman at all important meetings - the army PR (ISPR) was feeding minute by minute update of Gen Bajwa's efforts at securing $20 billion for Pakistan, while Imran Khan was just left being a "chauffer". A devastating terror strike on Indian forces - the certain backlash with warmongering, is the ideal setting for a decisive Pakistani Army Chief to enforce his iron grip on the nation. The aggressive, chest thumping, the constant baying for Indian blood on television and absurdly abusive language of News Anchor in Pakistan - is a telling tale of this scenario. The more the noise, the better it is for the Pakistani populace to hold on to its Army Messiah - Gen Bajwa. With such minds at work in both, India and Pakistan, can we expect saner minds to work? Not really !! It's going to be anybody's guess as to which way this tide of frenzy will end, but one thing stands clear - the people of the two countries, India & Pakistan - will be the biggest losers if a war is unleashed on them. Neither politicians nor a journalist, news anchors, retired Generals or even industrialists would suffer. It will be the common man and the families of the soldiers who die at the front - it will be them, who will bear the brunt of an unwanted war, unleashed by the wave of news television coverage. New Delhi: With their adorable getaway, outing pictures, we can always expect a cherry on the topping image for Shahid Kapooras birthday and we arenat disappointed! The handsome hunk and loving father, Shahid who turned 38 on Monday took to social media to give us a glimpse of how the lovebirds celebrated a aplayfula picture together and it does definitelyA give us couple-inspo.A The post shared by wifey Mira shows the power-couple in an envying cuddly-picture as Mira wrote, "Happy Birthday to the love of my life. Thank you for being the most loving husband and friend, for loving me through all my stages and sizes, for spoiling our babies silly with unconditional love and attention, for making sure you remain silly so we can all laugh till our stomachs hurt, for picking me up when Iam down and for tipping me over when youare looking to make a joke. Adding more sugar to the birthday note, Mira added aaTo the most hardworking, humble and resilient soul. For the one who has so much love to give, I pray God blesses you with even more". Check out the posts here: A A New Delhi: After India conducted a major pre-emptive strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest camp early on Tuesday to prevent suicide attacks being planned by the Pakistan-based terror group, killing a large number of terrorists and trainers, the Australia government released a press release where it has stated that Pakistan must take urgent and meaningful action against terrorist groups in its territory, including Jaish-e-Mohammed which has claimed responsibility for the 14 February bombing, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. It has also said that the Australian government is concerned about relations between India and Pakistan following the horrific terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February, which Australia has condemned. Pakistan must do everything possible to implement its own proscription of Jaish-e-Mohammed. It can no longer allow extremist groups the legal and physical space to operate from its territory, it stated. The Australian government has also urged both sides to exercise restraint, avoid any action which would endanger peace and security in the region and engage in dialogue to ensure that these issues are resolved peacefully. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it will pass an order on March 5 if the Ayodhya case may be sent for court-monitored mediation to save time. The next hearing has been deferred for eight weeks, which would be consumed by the parties in vetting the translated documents, could be utilised for mediation. Ram Temple is not a dispute over private property. This issue has become so contentious and we are seriously giving a chance for mediation," said Justice Bobde who was hearing the matter. Even if there is only one per cent chance of mediation between parties, we should give it an opportunity," he said. The Supreme Court is hearing the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case. The previous hearing on January 29 was postponed as Justice SA Bobde of the five-judge Constitution bench was not leave. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan who was representing the Muslim litigant, however, said that his client was open to mediation. If your Lordships want to try it, I wont oppose it, he said. The bench also comprises Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan, Abdul Nazeer and DY Chandrachud. As many as 14 appeals have been filed in the Supreme Court against the Allahabad High Court judgment in 2010, which was delivered based on four suits. On Monday, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy mentioned before the Supreme Court his plea that he has a fundamental right to offer prayers at the disputed site in Ayodhya. However, the bench asked him to be present in court on Tuesday. Earlier, Centre had moved the Supreme Court and sought permission from the top court to return all 67-acre surplus land at the site. The government asked the Supreme Court to lift the status quo on non-disputed land. The government asked the top court to allow it to hand over part of the land that is not under dispute to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas. The government's petition comes after the Ayodhya case hearing was cancelled because of the non-availability of Justice SA Bobde. Earlier, BJP president Amit Shah parties like BSP, SP and Congress should make their stand clear on the issue. BJP's stand is clear that Ram Temple will be built in that very place in Ayodhya. SP, BSP and Congress should clear their agenda, whether they want the construction of Ram Mandir or not, Shah said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan on Tuesday admitted that fighter gets of Indian Air Forces (IAF) crossed Line of Control (LoC) from Muzafarabad sector in the wee hours. However, it tried to downplay the development saying IAF jets released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot but there were no casualties or damage. "Indian aircrafts intruded from Muzafarabad sector. Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage," Pakistan army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted. The IAF is yet to respond to these claims. According to reports, Indian authorities are likely to make an official statement in this regard at around 10:15 am. "Indian Air Force violated Line of Control Pakistan. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircraft gone back," Ghafoor said in another tweet. The development comes amid heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed nations since February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group that killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Meanwhile, reports are coming that Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad terror launch pads across the LOC were completely destroyed in IAF air strikes. "Balakot, Chakothi and Muzaffarabad terror launch pads across the LOC completely were destroyed in IAF air strikes. JeM control rooms also destroyed," tweeted ANI. More than 10 bombs were reportedly dropped by the multi-role fighter jet Mirage 2000 at around 3:30 am on Tuesday morning. The aerial attack comes days after Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a high-level meeting with all three service chiefs. Defence experts say that Mirages would have used 500 kg laser-guided bombs. The Mirage 2000s may have used Israeli lightening laser designator pods to drop their precision bombs. Though Pakistan has tweeted the photos of large craters, the actual impact of the airstrike will be revealed by the satellite images. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: The RBI has proposed that at least 50 per cent of compensation of senior officials of private and foreign banks, including whole time directors and chief executive officers, "should be variable". A discussion paper on proposed guidelines for compensation of wholetime directors/chief executive officers/material risk takers and control function staff issued by the central bank also said ESOPs should be included as a component of variable pay. In January 2012, the Reserve Bank had issued the compensation guidelines for implementation by private sector and foreign banks from the financial year 2012-13. "These (2012) guidelines are being reviewed, with an objective to better align with FSB (Financial Stability Board) Principles and Implementation Standards, based on experience and evolving international best practices," the RBI said while inviting comments from stakeholders by March 31. The proposed guidelines, to be effective from the ensuing financial year (post issue of the final guidelines), further said, "Variable pay is to be capped at 200 per cent of fixed pay." As per the extant guidelines, the variable pay is capped at 70 per cent of fixed pay but did not include ESOPs. The proposed guidelines also said minimum 50 per cent of variable pay is to be via non-cash component while mandating a compulsory deferral mechanism for variable pay, regardless of quantum of variable pay. "It should be ensured that there is a proper balance between fixed pay and variable pay. The total variable pay shall be limited to a maximum of 200 per cent of the fixed pay (for the relative period). "Within this ceiling, at higher levels of responsibility, the proportion of variable pay should be higher. The deterioration in the financial performance of the bank should generally lead to a contraction in the total amount of variable compensation paid," the paper said. The paper said banks are required to put in place appropriate modalities to incorporate malus/clawback mechanism in respect of variable pay, taking into account relevant statutory and regulatory stipulations as applicable. "Wherever the assessed divergence in bank's asset classification or provisioning from the RBI norms exceeds the prescribed threshold for public disclosure, the bank shall not pay the unvested portion of the variable compensation for the assessment year under 'malus' clause," it said. Further, in case of divergence, no proposal for increase in variable pay (for the assessment year) should be entertained, it added. While floating the discussion paper, the RBI said compensation practices, especially of large financial institutions, were one of the important factors which contributed to the global financial crisis in 2008. Employees were too often rewarded for increasing the short-term profit without adequate recognition of the risks and long-term consequences that their activities posed to the organisations. "These perverse incentives amplified the excessive risk taking that severely threatened the global financial system. The compensation issue has, therefore, been at the centre stage of the regulatory reforms," the RBI said. The Financial Stability Forum (later the Financial Stability Board) in 2009 brought out a set of Principles and Implementation Standards on sound compensation practices. The guidelines have been proposed for private sector banks, including Local Area Banks, Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks. For the foreign banks operating in India by way of Wholly Owned Subsidiary structure, the guidelines as applicable for private sector banks in India will be applicable, the paper said. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a joint operation by the Kolkata Special Task Force (STF) and the Murshidabad Police, two Jamaat-ul- Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) workers were arrested on Wednesday. Explosives were also recovered from their possession. On February 23, the Kolkata Police has arrested a suspected member of terrorist outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) for alleged links to the Bodh Gaya bomb case. The man, in his early 20s, has been identified as Nur Alam and was picked up from Dhuliyan in West Bengal's Murshidabad. Alam is a resident of Kamat village in the district and has been involved with the terror outfit for some time. On January 19, two high-intensity bombs were recovered from Bihar's Bodh Gaya town during Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama's visit. An explosion-like sound was also heard the same day although it has not been established by the police if it was a bomb. Preliminary investigations revealed that Alam, along with four other members of the terror outfit, had visited Hyderabad to meet some senior leaders of the JMB in November, the official said. In January, the Kolkata Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested four others in connection with the Bodh Gaya bomb case. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated that he will not let the country down. Addressing a rally in Rajasthans Churu district, PM Modi sang few lines of Prasoon Joshis song I would like to repeat what I said in 2014 I pledge on this soil, I will not let the country die, I will not let the county stop, I will not let the country bend. It is my promise to Mother India, I will protect your honour. (Saugandh mujhe is mitti ki Main desh nahin mitne dunga, Main desh nahin jhukne dungaSogand mujhe is mitti ki) he said. Referring to the Indian Air Forces air strike across the Line of Control (LoC) in which three camps of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed was destroyed, PM Modi said that the nation is in safe hands. Today the mood of the people looks different. Today is a moment, we should bow our heads in front of the armed forces. From the land of Churu, I would like to tell the country that India is in safe hands, he said. He said there is nothing more important than the nation. Your pradhan sewak is working because for us India comes first. We are moving ahead with sentiments of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, PM Modi said in his first public address after IAF strike on Pak. I can understand your josh (excitement) today. Every Indian will win. wont let anything threaten India. At this moment, we have to bow down and honour the Pulwama martyrs, he added. Talking about the National War Memorial (NMW), which was inaugurated by him on Monday, PM Modi said that it has been dedicated to the nation after 70 years of independence. 70 years after independence, for our brave martyrs who laid down their lives, a national war memorial was dedicated yesterday, he said. India on Tuesday sent a strong message to Pakistan after the Indian Air Forces struck the terror bases across LoC with 12 Mirage 2000 Aircrafts carrying 1000 kgs of bomb. The strike came after PM Modis repeated warning to the terror-backing country of a 'befitting response' for the attack that martyred 40 CRPF soldiers. The surgical strike was confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Tuesday. In a brief statement issued to media, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale spoke about intelligence operation. In an intelligence lead operation in the early hours today, India struck the biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commander and Jihadis were eliminated, Gokhale said. Credible information was received that JeM was attempting other attacks in the country. A pre-emptive strike became important. India struck the biggest camp of JeM in Balakot, Gokhale added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Condemning the appalling attack against the Indian security forces in Pulwama on February 14, France on Tuesday said that Pakistan should put to an end the terror activities from its territory. France recognises Indias legitimacy to ensure its security against cross-border terrorism and asks Pakistan to put an end to the operations of terrorist groups established on its territory, it said in a statement. France, which stands alongside India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms, is fully engaged in mobilising the international community to punish the terrorists responsible for this attack (Pulwama) and to block their financing networks, the statement added. France also asked India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avert any risk of military escalation and to preserve strategic stability in the region. The resumption of bilateral dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi is necessary in order to start peaceful settlement of differences, it reads. Early on Tuesday, India bombed and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) biggest training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, about 80-km from the Line of Control (LoC), killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers and senior commanders, officials said in New Delhi. The air strikes came 12 days after the JeM carried out a suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. At a hurriedly called special meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) hours after India's air strikes inside Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan asked the armed forces and the people of his country to remain prepared for "all eventualities." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Tuesday congratulated Indian Air Force for launching a strike on a terror camp in Pakistan in which up to 350 terrorists and trainers are believed to have been killed. Within minutes after he was discharged from the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) this evening, Parrikar, 63, took to twitter and praised the Air Force. "I salute the #IndianAirForce for its daring operations. It is a testimony to the IAF's unparalleled strike capabilities. The new India under Shri.@narendramodi ji believes in its forces, and makes no compromise on terrorism and national security," tweeted the former defence minister who had supervised the 2016 surgical strike across the LoC. I salute the #IndianAirForce for its daring operations. It is a testimony to the IAFas unparalleled strike capabilities. The new India under Shri. @narendramodi ji believes in its forces, & makes no compromise on terrorism & national security. a Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) February 26, 2019 India conducted a major pre-emptive strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) training camp early Tuesday, killing a "very large number" of terrorists, trainers, and senior commanders, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday also commended the Indian Air Force for carrying out a successful operation against terrorist camps across the LOC. Spontaneous celebrations erupted in many parts of the state while bereaved family members of the two CRPF personnel from Bihar, who were among those killed in the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, said it felt like balm on our wounds. Such a step was warranted in view of the public anger against terrorism that was prevailing in the country. A beginning has been made and the Centre must take all steps that are required to wipe out terrorism, Kumar told reporters. Congratulations to our great Air Force for a successful operation. Jai Hindi Jai Bharat tweeted Prasad, who is in Ranchi serving sentences in fodder scam cases. Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, who belongs to the BJP, said in a statement it was on Bihars soil during his February 17 visit that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had remarked that he felt the same fire in himself that was raging in the hearts of the people after the Pulwama attack. The entire nation is with the PM and the Indian Air Force in this proud moment. Lok Janshakti Party heir apparent Chirag Paswan, who had recently shot off an impassioned letter to the Prime Minister urging him to launch a drive against terrorism which should not be discontinued until a single terrorist was alive, tweeted our Air Force has avenged the Pulwama terror attack by destroying the hideouts of Jaish. Salutations to the armed forces for this courageous expedition. Patna Sahib MP Shatrughan Sinha, in news mostly for his outbursts against the BJP leadership and the Modi government, tweeted Honourable PM Sir! The entire nation is with @narendramodi in this hour. We are all with you and you have our fullest support. Salutes to the great Indian Air Force. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday advised people in the state to stay calm and not to believe in rumours in the aftermath of the Indian Air Force's strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed's terror camp in Pakistan. Anxious residents of Srinagar and other major towns in the Kashmir valley could be seen discussing the latest developments amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. "We hope that it ends here and there is no more escalation. If there is escalation in hostilities, it will be the people on either side of the Line of Control who will suffer the most," Abdul Gani Dar (80), who has witnessed all wars between India and Pakistan, said. Many residents, including former chief minister Omar Abdullah, took to social media to express their fears about the possibility of a full blown confrontation between the two nuclear powers. "The problem now becomes PM Imran Khan's commitment to his country - 'Pakistan will not think about responding, Pakistan WILL respond'. What shape will response take? Where will response be? Will India have to respond to Pakistan's response?" Abdullah wrote on his Twitter handle. Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam on Tuesday asked people to remain stress free and go about their normal activities. "In case there is anything to be communicated regarding people's safety and security, the government will do so directly, through media," Subrahmanyam said in a brief statement without mentioning the air strike. "The people are urged to be calm and not to believe in rumours circulating on WhatsApp or other social media," he said. Residents of Kashmir had gone on a hoarding spree after the government launched a crackdown on separatists and Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir cadres last week. The move was followed by the deployment of 100 additional companies of paramilitary forces in the valley. In an apparent dig, Abdullah said the reports about an Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster III flying over Jammu and Kashmir was about election duty and had nothing to do with the air strikes in Pakistan. "It's sitting in Srinagar offloading paramilitary forces to deal with internal security & election duty. Has nothing to do with the airstrike in to Pakistan this morning," the National Conference leader said. Meanwhile, the officials said security forces have been asked to remain on alert as the NIA is carrying out raids on residences of some top separatist leaders and their sympathisers. Security forces have been deployed in strength in vulnerable areas of the city as officials expect protests against the raids. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A suicide note of a retired senior cop blaming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sparked a massive political storm in the state. The officer has been identified as Gaurav Dutt. In a suicide note that has gone viral, Dutt accused the Chief Minister of abetting his suicide by keeping him on "compulsory waiting" - a punitive step when an officer is not given a posting - and for withholding his dues after he retired on December 31, 2018. The 1986 batch IPS officer had allegedly committed suicide at his Salt Lake home on Tuesday. "This is for the first time in the history of West Bengal that a senior IPS officer committed suicide and blamed the government or a party leader," BJP leader Mukul Roy said. Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh has demanded a CBI probe into this case. "We have a copy of his suicide note and it clearly suggests that he took the extreme step under pressure after being harassed by the state chief minister and her administration," Ghosh said. Dutt was suspended for alleged sexual abuse of a male constable in 2010. Recently, Banerjee was embroiled in a high-profile drama involving former Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar. Kumar, who had served as the Commissioner of Kolkata Police for three years, is being accused by the CBI in handling the ponzi scam probe after the main accused Sudipta Sen and Debjani Mukherjee, both promoters of Saradha group of companies, had fled to Kashmir, officials said in Kolkata. Earlier, CBI officials had to beat a hasty retreat from Kumar's residence after its officials were not only prevented by guards from entering the premises but were also detained by Kolkata police. The incident had triggered an unprecedented tussle between the West Bengal government and the Centre as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sat on a sit-in against the CBI move. Later, the agency rushed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court later directed Kumar to appear before the CBI and "faithfully" cooperate into the investigation but made it clear that he should not be arrested. (With agency inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down near the International Border in Kutch district of Gujarat on Tuesday morning, hours after Mirage combat jets of the Indian Air Force bombed terror camps at multiple locations across the Line of Control on the Pakistani side, 12 days after Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group carried out the dastardly Pulwama attack in Kashmir. Interestingly, the drone was brought down in Ambasa village by the Israeli missile Derby, the sources added. This is the first time that Spyder has been used for taking down any enemy aircraft, they said. The Spyder defence missile system was deployed for operational role in 2017.A Debris of the UAV was seen near Nanghatad village in Abdasa taluka of Kutch, they said. On hearing a loud sound around 6 am, villagers went to the spot and found the debris of the UAV, sources told news agency PTI. Asked if a Pakistani UAV had been shot down by the Indian armed forces, a police official, on condition of anonymity, said, "Such an incident has happened, we are investigating the matter." The official, however, refused to elaborate further. Indian Army has shot down a Pakistani spy drone in Abdasa village, in Kutch, Gujarat. Army and police personnel present at the spot. pic.twitter.com/84wUJY916l a ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2019 Earlier, more than 350 Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, including Fidayeen and their trainers, were killed as IAF used 12 Mirage 2000 fighter jets in a five-star, resort style camp in a hilltop forest in Balakot in Pakistan on early Tuesday morning, according to sources. Hundreds of Fidayeen and their trainers were shifted from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to the camp in Balakot after the Pulwama attack, providing Indian forces with "a sitting duck target" when they carried out an air strike early Tuesday, killing up to 350 terrorists, sources told news agencyA PTIA said. They said at least 325 terrorists and 25 to 27 trainers were at the camp, the biggest operated by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group, which had claimed responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir that killed 40 jawans. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Punjab has put its six border districts on high alert in the wake of the surgical strike by Indian Air Force (IAF) on Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC). Six districts that have been put on high alert are - Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh chaired a high-level law and order review meeting and ordered a spate of measures to deal with any contingency in view of the attack. It was concluded in the meeting that there was no need to panic and it was decided against evacuating the border areas, an official spokesperson said. All police chief and Deputy Commissioners have been asked to put in place all contingency plans to ensure the protection and safety of the citizens. The chief minister has decided to camp in the border areas as part of the confidence-building measure. The chief minister will himself visit the border areas from Pathankot to Ferozepur by road tomorrow where he will stay the night. The next day, he will visit the Tarn Taran region and spend the night at Faridkot. Captain Amarinder will return to Chandigarh on Friday after visiting the border areas of Ferozepur district, his Media Advisor Raveen Thukral said. The chief minister discussed all aspects of the current situation with the top brass of the police and civil administration, including Personal Secretary Suresh Kumar, Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh, Home Secretary NS Kalsi, DGP Dinkar Gupta, and DGP (Intelligence) VK Bhanwara. Immediately after the deadly Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy, Amarinder Singh, a former Army captain, had made it clear that he was in favour of strong retaliatory action and that the Congress would support any action taken by the central government. "Great job by the #IndianAirForce. The #IAFStrikes have sent the much-needed signal to Pakistan and the terrorists it's harbouring - don't think you can get away with acts like the #PulwamaAttack. Bravo to the #IAF men and my full support for the action," he said in a tweet. An emotional Amarinder had also said if Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan could not arrest the Jaish chief, who operates from the Pakistani soil, then "we will do it for him". For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Known for turning up in extreme or bold statements, Lady Gagas ensemble at the Oscars 2019 is a far cry from the shocking meat dress at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010. Because for the style blitz event this time, the Oscar 2019 nominee showed up in a classic all-black ensemble by Alexander McQueen. Doing what she does best, which is to gaga the fans, Gaga wore a little-something that made us reminiscent of one of the most loved and admired fashion icon-Audrey Hepburn. Channelling an all-Hepburn vibe, Gaga blew the paparazzo away because the heavy stone that was hanging around her neck is reported to be the none other Tiffany Diamond, a 128.54-carat yellow stone thought to be one of the biggest in the world and worn last by Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn in publicity photos for Breakfast at Tiffany's back in 1961. Previously worn by Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn in publicity photos for Breakfast at Tiffany's back in 1961, the diamond is worth over $30,000,000 today, which is Rs 2,12,98,50,000! Gaga finished the night a winner, taking out the award for best original song for Shallow, which she co-wrote with Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt for A Star is Born which took home the Best Original Song Oscar. New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah congratulated the Indian Air Force (IAF) after the air strike on terror camps across the LoC in a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday. "Strikes in Pakistan underscores resolve and will power of new India; India will never tolerate terrorism," the BJP chief said. BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday said terrorism in the country will not be tolerated at any cost and only the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi can give a befitting reply to Pakistan. Strongly condemning the February 14 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, Shah said here that no one but only the Modi government can give a befitting reply to Pakistan. While addressing the booth level workers of Rohtak, Hisar and Sirsa Lok Sabha constituencies in Haryana, Shah described the Pulwama incident as a cowardly act. He paid homage to the personnel who lost their lives in the attack and said such incidents have no place in the country. Terrorism in the country will not be tolerated at any cost, he said, adding that to protect the country is the first priority of the government. He said the people can never forget martyrs who are sacrificing their lives for the country. He appreciated the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, saying under the government led by him, the state has witnessed all-round development. He praised the states hard-working farmers, its soldiers and players, saying entire country is proud of them. Describing the workers as backbone of the party, Shah asked them to work harder to ensure that the BJP wins all 10 Lok Sabha seats from Haryana. Hitting out at the previous Congress government over corruption issue, Shah said the Khattar government has provided clean, transparent and corruption-free government. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: So great was his passion for police force that Deputy Superintendent of Police Aman Thakur, who was killed in an encounter in Kulgam on Sunday, gave up two government jobs to don the uniform. Thakur, who is in his late 30s, first got a job in the social welfare department and was later appointed as lecturer at a government college in view of him having master's degree in Zoology. He always wanted to be in the police force and he had a passion for wearing the uniform, one of his close friend in the police said. A resident of Gogla district in Doda region, Thakur, a 2011-batch Jammu and Kashmir Police Service officer, is survived by aged parents, wife Sarla Devi and six-year-old son Arya. Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh could not hold back his emotions while recalling his various meetings with the young police officer. "He was always beaming with enthusiasm and used to lead his team from the front," Singh said. During his tenure in the militancy-infested Kulgam district of South Kashmir, Thakur has won laurels from many quarters. "He had been heading the counter-terrorism wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police in district Kulgam from last one-and-a-half years and had played an instrumental role in killing dreaded terrorists in the area," Singh said. Paying rich tributes Thakur for his supreme sacrifice made in the line of duty, he said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this critical juncture." His friends recalled him for his simplicity, plain-speaking and thorough professionalism. "He was known for his determination and valour. In a short period of time, he had earned love, respect and appreciation of the locals in the area for his helpful nature and professionalism," one of the police officers recalled. He was awarded DGP medal and commendation recently for his outstanding contribution. He was also awarded Sher-e-Kashmir Medal for Gallantry in recognition of his bravery and courage in anti-militancy operations. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik expressed grief over Thakur's demise. He expressed sympathy and solidarity with his family members. Thakur and an army jawan were killed in the encounter in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Sunday, officials said. An army major and two soldiers were also injured in the encounter. Two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists were gunned down by the security forces. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Indian Air Forces Mirage 2000 fighter jets not only destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps located in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir, but also targeted area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, latest media report said. According to news agency ANI, air strikes in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region were based on locations provided by on ground intelligence sources. In terms of geography, while Muzaffarabad and Chakothi are located in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, the fact is Balakot is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. If the targets of the airstrikes are confirmed, this means that India has hit locations deep into Pakisan and not PoK. Balakot is about 50 miles from the ceasefire border known as the line of control based on lines established after the first war the two countries fought over Kashmir shortly after independence in 1947. Till official confirmation comes, the mystery looms large over which Balakot has been targeted in Pakistan. Because, there are two Balakotes in Pakistan, one is a town in Mansehra district of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province and the other along LoC in PoK. Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, while reacting to the attack, said: If this is Balakote in KPK its a major incursion & a significant strike by IAF planes. However, if its Balakote in Poonch sector, along the LoC its a largely symbolic strike because at this time of the year forward launch pads & militant camps are empty & non-functional. The airstrikes are seen as a way by India avenging the Pulwama terror attack. On February 14, around 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a suicide bomber rammed into a convoy while moving from Jammu to Srinagar in Lethpora area of South Kashmirs Pulwama district. Pakistan based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed the responsibility of the attack. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: India on Tuesday confirmed that it had carried out a non-military, pre-emptive air strike in Pakistan's Balakot, in a pre-dawn attack targeting the biggest training camp run by the Jaish-e-Mohammed, who had claimed responsibility of the attack on 40 CRPF personnel on February 14.A Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told a press briefing that the pre-emptive terror strike was conducted as there was credible intelligence that the JeM, which had carried out the recent Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, was plotting major strikes in various parts of the country. The foreign secretary also confirmedA India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot.A In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by Maulana Yousuf Azhar (alias Ustad Ghouri), the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed. Here's the full Foreign Secretary statement: On 14 February 2019, a suicide terror attack was conducted by a Pak based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad, leading to the martyrdom of 40 brave jawans of the CRPF. JeM has been active in Pakistan for the last two decades, and is led by Masood Azhar with its headquarters in Bahawalpur. This organization, which is proscribed by the UN, has been responsible of a series of terrorist attacks including on the Indian Parliament in December 2001 and the Pathankot airbase in January 2016. Information regarding the location of training camps in Pakistan and PoJK has been provided to Pakistan from time to time.A Pakistan, however, denies their existence.A The existence of such massive training facilities capable of training hundreds of jidhadis could not have functioned without the knowledge of Pakistan authorities. India has been repeatedly urging Pakistan to take action against the JeM to prevent jihadis from being trained and armed inside Pakistan. Pakistan has taken no concrete actions to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil. Credible intelligence was received that JeM was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country, and the fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose.A In the face of imminent danger,A a preemptive strike became absolutely necessary. In an intelligence led operation in the early hours of today, India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot.A In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. This facility at Balakot was headed by Maulana Yousuf Azhar (alias Ustad Ghouri), the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, Chief of JeM. The Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the menace of terrorism.A Hence this non-military preemptive action was specifically targeted at the JeM camp. The selection of the target was also conditioned by our desire to avoid civilian casualties.A The facility is located in thick forest on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence.A As the strike has taken place only a short while ago, we are awaiting further details. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will confer the National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 awards today. Us President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will meet in Hanoi. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers' meeting in China. India will play Australia in the second T20I in Bengaluru. Stay tuned for all the news from around the world: 19:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met top officials of army, paramilitary and the police to review the current situation in border areas. 14:37 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi High Court directs trial court to expedite the trial in the 2008 TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan murder case; also directed to appoint a senior police officer to monitor on the appearance of prosecution witnesses. 13:13 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Australian Cardinal George Pell will spend his first night behind bars today following his historic conviction for child sex crimes. 13:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Muhammadu Buhari is re-elected president of Nigeria, after a delayed poll that angered voters and raised political temperatures. 12:39 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Amethi, the parliamentary constituency of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on March 3 and address a public meeting there. "PM Modi will visit Amethi on March 3 and besides attending a government programme in Korba Munshiganj, would address a public meeting in Kohar area of Gauriganj here," the BJP convenor of the Lok Sabha constituency, Rajesh Agrahari, said Wednesday. 12:20 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan at an event in Kerala yesterday: Before declaring Lok Sabha poll dates,RSS is aiming at creating war-like situation & sabotaging polls. BJP has foreseen their loss in the Lok Sabha polls, trying to sabotage polls & impose emergency. 12:03 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In AugstaWestland case: Accused Rajiv Saxsena has moved application in Delhi's Patiala House Court to become an approver in the case. 11:11 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi also asks Centre and 10 states to file reply in seven days on the plea filed against the alleged attacks on Kashmiri students. Supreme Court while taking note of Centres submission that no incident against any Kashmiri students has taken place since SC's February 22 order directing all states to take strict action against violence after February 14 Pulwama attack, refuses to pass further order. 11:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In EAM Sushma Swaraj in Wuzhen, China: As far as Pulwama is concerned, I had raised this issue in the bilateral meeting with Mr Wang Yi and also at RIC (Russia-India-China) forum. 11:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Jagannath Temple reforms case in SC - Amicus Curiae (friend of court), Ranjit Kumar, submitted before SC that he had visited the Puri Jagannath temple in Odisha on Feb 23 in compliance with the Top Court's order and sought more time to file his response with respect to his visit. 11:08 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Centre moves Supreme Court seeking stay on its February 13 order directing several States to evict forest-dwelling families whose claims over traditional forestlands have been rejected under law. Supreme Court agrees to hear the case tomorrow. 10:21 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In One dead and dozens more buried after collapse of an illegal gold mine in Indonesia. 10:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In All 7 girls (including 5 victims of Muzaffarpur shelter home case) who went missing from a shelter home in Mokama have been found by police. The 7th girl was recovered from Madhubani last night. 10:17 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Left parties will participate in the meeting of the opposition parties, scheduled to be held later today. They had earlier said that they will not participate in the meeting. Pulwama attack and India's response to it are on the agenda of discussion. 09:51 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Himachal Pradesh: Visuals from snow-clad Shimla. All educational institutions in the district to remain closed today in the light of the snowfall. 09:47 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Leaders of Opposition parties will at 1 pm, today in the Parliament Library Building. 09:46 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In A four-storey commercial building located at Padma Singh Road in Delhi's Karol Bagh has collapsed, no injuries or casualties reported. 09:28 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Vietnamese policemen sit outside the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi ahead of the second US-North Korea summit, reports AFP. Summit scenes: Vietnamese policemen sit outside the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi ahead of the second US-North Korea summit Y Ye Aung Thu pic.twitter.com/0cB4oGtv5A AFP news agency (@AFP) February 27, 2019 09:25 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Himachal Pradesh: All educational institutions in Kinnaur district to remain closed for two days - 27 and 28 February - due to snowfall. 09:29 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In a joint operation, Kolkata STF and Murshidabad Police has arrested two Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) workers, explosives have been recovered from their possession. 09:09 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In A fire broke out at the 3-storey VDH Kavinagar departmental store in the Kavinagar area of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. As many as 6 fire tenders are on the spot. 08:34 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In China: EAM Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Wuzhen. She will attend 16th Foreign Ministers Meeting of Russia-India-China (RIC) here. She will also hold bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, besides the Chinese Foreign Minister. China: EAM Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Wuzhen. She will attend 16th Foreign Ministers Meeting of Russia-India-China (RIC) here. She will also hold bilateral discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, besides the Chinese Foreign Minister. pic.twitter.com/PFSN24xkDC ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019 08:33 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Visuals from a month-long Festival of India in Nepal being held at the Nepal Academy Hall, Kathmandu. A group performed contemporary folk Punjabi dance at the third event of the festival, yesterday. Visuals from a month-long Festival of India in Nepal being held at the Nepal Academy Hall, Kathmandu. A group performed contemporary folk Punjabi dance at the third event of the festival, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/XMxCADygPY ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019 08:25 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In US President Donald Trump predicts 'awesome' future for North Korea if Kim gives up nukes. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan Army on Wednesday started heavy shelling at Kashmirs Mandher sector. According to the latest report, the Indian army has been giving a befitting reply to the firing. Earlier today, the Army and BSF have been put on the highest degree of alertness along the border after air space violations by the neighbouring country and the night-long heavy firing and shelling by Pakistani troops on forward and civilians areas across the LoC which stopped on Wednesday. Authorities have ordered temporary closure of educational institutions in a 5-km radius along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts on Wednesday amid mounting tensions between the two countries, following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 and an Indian air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed camp inside Pakistan on Tuesday. All residents of the border areas have been asked to remain inside their homes and not venture outside. "There was night long-heavy firing and mortar shelling along the LoC in most of the areas in Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts. However, there was no firing and shelling from across the border on Wednesday," officials said. "Army and BSF troops have been put on highest alert along the LoC and International Border (IB) in view of the high degree of tension in wake of air space violations," they said. According to some reports, panic gripped the residents of border areas and some locals have left their homes and moved to safer areas. Pakistan on Wednesday said that its jets crossed the Line of Control to undertake strikes in India for "self-defence". Indian officials said Pakistani fighter jets on Wednesday violated Indian air space in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Nowshera sectors but were pushed back by Indian aircraft. On Tuesday night, the Indian Army destroyed five Pakistani posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in a befitting retaliation to firing from across the border, resulting in a "number of casualties" to Pak troops, a defence official had said. "The Indian Army retaliated for effect and our focused fire resulted in severe destruction to five posts and number of casualties to Pak army (along LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts)," a defence PRO said. From 6:30 pm Tuesday, the Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with heavy calibre weaponry along the LoC out of frustration, he said. The Pakistani troops were also seen firing mortars and missiles from civilian houses, using villagers as human shields. However, the Indian Army targeted the Pakistani posts away from civilian areas, the PRO said, adding that this resulted in a "number of casualties" to Pak troopers. In exchange of fire, five soldiers of the Indian Army suffered minor injuries, out of which two of them were shifted to a military hospital for medical treatment. They are stable. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra will appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday at 10.30 am in the money laundering case, as directed by the Patiala House Court in New Delhi on Monday. The court had rejected Vadra's second application seeking a stay in the interrogation until the documents relating to the case are provided to him. A Delhi court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide digital copy of documents seized during raids at Robert Vadra's properties to him. The agency gave the soft copies of all the said documents to Vadra's counsel KTS Tulsi, in connection with money laundering case. Vadra had moved the Patiala House Court with an application to seek copies of the documents in possession of the central agency on Saturday. The court also directed the Enforcement Directorate to provide the hard copies of the documents to Robert Vadra's legal team within 5 days, in connection with the money laundering case. "Robert Vadra moves Delhi's Patiala House Court with an application to seek the copy of the documents in possession of Enforcement Directorate (ED), in connection with money laundering case. Court has issued a notice to ED, next hearing in the case is on 25 February," the news agency ANI reported. Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, has been grilled by the investigating agency for questioning on multiple occasions in Delhi and Jaipur. The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property, located at 12, Bryanston Square and worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by the businessman in a "benami" way. The money laundering cases also include an alleged land scam in Bikaner, Rajasthan. On February 16, Delhis Patiala House Court extended the interim bail granted to Vadra till March 2. Vadra had on February 1 moved to Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail in the money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistan's Islamabad High Court has rejected the bail plea on medical grounds of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently serving a seven-year jail term in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case. The Islamabad High Court said in its decision in the capital on Monday that Sharif could not be given bail on health grounds as he was already being treated at a hospital. "We're surely disappointed by this decision," Sharif's aide, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, told reporters, adding that a government medical board had called for urgent treatment. But he said his party would respect the court decision. "We have always respected court decisions," he said. "We will take all necessary legal recourse." According to a Punjab government official, the three-time prime minister asked the doctors to shift him back to jail after his bail was rejected. "The doctors advised angiography of Sharif but he refused to have the procedure in the Jinnah Hospital," the official told news agency PTI. "We have shifted Sharif to jail primarily on his request," he said and added that the Sharif family was interested to get his angiography done from London after bail. ALSO READ | Pakistan shifts terrorist leaders to safe zones after India demands action: Sources The home department spokesman also confirmed that Sharif was sent back to jail on his "wish". The five-member special medical board of the Jinnah Hospital that examined Sharif said the patient needs cardiac catheterisation, for further management, in view of his symptoms of angina. Shahbaz Sharif, younger brother of Nawaz Sharif said: "We are consulting our lawyers to challenge the high court verdict to reject his bail in the Supreme Court." Sharif remains barred from running for public office for life after the Supreme Court in April ruled he had lied on a parliamentary wealth declaration and the disqualification from that crime would last for an indefinite period. The three-time former prime minister was dismissed from office in July 2017 over corruption allegations, with the country's top court ordering the anti-corruption watchdog to launch proceedings against him and his family. Sharif and his children - two sons and a daughter - were charged with three counts of corruption during his two stints in power in the 1990s. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Indian and Sri Lankan forces will begin a 12-day major military exercise from Monday. It will focus on enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation. According to the Defence Ministry, the eighth edition of the 'Mitra Shakti' exercise will be held from October 4 to October 15 at a combat training school in Ampara, Sri Lanka. The Defence Ministry said, "The exercise is aimed at enhancing close relations and interoperability between the armies of the two countries and sharing better procedures in extremism and counter-terrorism operations." The Ministry said that an armed contingent of 120 Indian Army personnel will participate in the exercise. The ministry said in a statement that the exercise will have a strategic level of combat at the sub-unit level in the international anti-extremism and counter-terrorism environment. The Defence Ministry further said that the exercise will prove important in strengthening relations between the two South Asian countries. It will serve as the main source of ground coordination and cooperation between the two armies. Tell us that there were a series of bomb blasts in Sri Lanka in April 2019. More than 300 people lost their lives. It was only after these attacks that India and Sri Lanka increased their counter-terrorism cooperation. Calcutta HC directs schools can't stop students from writing exams, pay full fee I will stand with Rahul-Priyanka whether I get POST or not- SIDHU Enforcement Dir seizes assets of man convicted for hooch tragedy in Bihar Kabul: The Taliban captured Afghanistan after the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Pakistan was looking at it as its advantage, but the inverse happened. There has been a fierce increase in deadly terror attacks in Pakistan as the Taliban seize power. It has had the highest number of attacks in the last four years. This is causing concern over the deepening crisis in the security of the region. Because the growth of terrorists is bound to cause a lot of damage to trade and investment. Data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) showed that there were 35 terror attacks in Pakistan in August, killing at least 52 people. This number is the highest since February 2017. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which is active on the Afghan-Pakistan border, has been accused of carrying out most of the terror attacks. Research has shown that deadly terror attacks in Pakistan have reached their highest level in more than four years after US troops withdrew from war-torn Afghanistan and the Taliban captured Kabul. Pakistan has been happy and worried since the Taliban's occupation of Afghanistan, as terror attacks in its country could damage investment, including China's One Belt One Road project, which has invested $25 billion for power plants and road projects. Pakistan has been facing pressure from China since the bus bomb blast in July. In which 12 people, including nine Chinese personnel, lost their lives. Beijing has asked Imran Khan's government to beef up security for its projects and personnel. U.S remains prepared to talk with North Korea full range of issues: Psaki No. of people died of 'corona' in US is more than the population of Boston city California Becomes First State in Nation to Announce COVID-19 vaccine mandate for schools The death of the former Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri continues to be a mystery even after 55 years. Lal Bahadur Shastri died under suspicious circumstances in Tashkent on January 11, 1966. No one knows what happened that night in Tashkent when Shastri suddenly died. After the Indo-Pak war in 1965, an agreement was being signed between the two countries in Tashkent. He died suddenly in the early hours of January 11, just 12 hours after his contract for a peace deal with Pakistan in Tashkent on January 10, 1966. It is officially said that he died of a heart attack but there is no conclusive evidence. In 1965, there was a fierce war between India and Pakistan for six months between April and September 23. In January 1966, 4 months after the war ended, top Indo-Pakistan leaders gathered in Tashkent, which falls in the then Russian territory, for a peace deal. President Ayub Khan had arrived on behalf of Pakistan. On the Indian side, the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri had reached Tashkent. The peace agreement between the two countries was signed on January 10. Shastri was under a lot of pressure after signing the India-Pakistan agreement in Tashkent. Shastri was widely criticized in India for giving back Haji Pir and Thithwal to Pakistan, even his wife was angry about the decision. Shastriji was accompanied by his information officer Kuldeep Nayyar in Tashkent. Nayyar said in an interview, "Lal Bahadur Shastri called home that night.'' As soon as the phone rang, he said, "Give a call to Amma." His elder daughter came on the phone and said Amma would not come on the phone. He asked why? The answer was because you gave Haji Pir and Thithwal to Pakistan. He is very angry about it. Shastriji was shocked by this. He said that after that he kept going around the room. He then called his secretary Venkatraman and wanted to know the reactions coming from India. Venkatraman told him that by then two statements had come, one belonged to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the other to Krishna Menon and both of them had criticised Shastriji's decision." He died suddenly within 12 hours of signing the agreement. Was his death normal or was he murdered? Many people are said to have seen Shastri walking in a worrying condition in his room after the agreement. The then Congress government did not even conduct a postmortem of Lal Bahadur Shastri's body. It is said that if the post mortem had been conducted at that time, the real cause of his death could have been revealed. The absence of postmortem of a Prime Minister's body even after his sudden death has always pointed fingers at the country's oldest political party. Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister of the country shortly after Shastriji's death, so many people see Shastriji's death as a conspiracy to grab the chair President and PM paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi-Lal Bahadur Shastri Kangana met CM Yogi, gets This special gift 'Mahatma' Gandhi used to sleep naked with women Islamabad: Sikh doctor Satnam Singh was shot dead in Pakistan's Peshawar on Thursday after entering his clinic. Now the terror group ISIS Khurasan (ISIS-K) has taken responsibility for the attack. This is the same terrorist organization that attacked Kabul airport. More than 170 Afghan civilians were killed in the attack. Now ISIS-K has taken responsibility for the attack on Sardar Satnam Singh in a post on social media. While Sardar Satnam Singh was treating patients at his clinic, four men entered his cabin and shot him dead. He was fired upon four times, killing him on the spot. All the accused managed to escape after the incident, they are still out of arrest. Sardar Satnam Singh had been living in Peshawar for the last 20 years. He used to run his shop in the name of Dharmendra Pharmacy. He was well known in the Sikh community. But still, the attackers targeted him. However, it is not yet clear why ISIS-K targeted a doctor from the Sikh community. After Satnam's death, one of his wives, three daughters and two children have been left alone. United nation launches Emergency Response Plan for Lebanon Taliban Chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Urges Countries To Reopen Afghan Embassies Sri Lanka Government lifts nationwide quarantine curfew Today is Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. You must be aware that Mahatma Gandhi not only helped the country in independence but has also taught the whole world to follow the path of non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi was born on this day i.e. 2nd October and on this day everyone remembered him. On this occasion today, we will tell you about Nathu Ram Godse who barbecued Mahatma Gandhi with bullets. Nathuram Godse, who believed in Sangh ideology, had assassinated Mahatma Gandhi and surrendered himself. He was then brought before the judge in court. After the statements were made, he was sentenced to death. Today we are going to tell you about Nathuram Godse's last statement which he made before the judge. Everyone in the court was moist on hearing this. Nathuram Godse's last statement before a judge in court:- Respect, duty and love for our countrymen sometimes compel us to deviate from the principle of non-violence. I can never assume that armed resistance to an offensive can sometimes be wrong or unjust. I consider it a religious and moral duty to resist and, if possible, to force such an enemy. The Muslims were doing their own arbitrariness, either the Congress surrendered to their will and joined the voice of their whims, arbitrariness and primitive behaviour or acted without them. He alone was the judge of everything and the individual. Mahatma Gandhi was both a jury and a judge for himself. Gandhiji ruined the beauty and majesty of the Hindi language to please Muslims. All Gandhiji's tests were conducted only at the cost of Hindus. The Congress, which boasted of its patriotism and socialism. He secretly confessed to Pakistan at gunpoint and surrendered to Jinnah Vilely. Because of the policy of Muslim appeasement, Mother India was cut into pieces and after 15th August 1947, one-third of the country became foreign land for us. A separate region was created on the basis of one religion along with the confession of Nehru and his crowd. This is what they call freedom won by sacrifices and whose sacrifice? That is when the top Congress leaders cut off this country with Gandhiji's approval, which we consider to be an object of devotion, my mind was filled with terrible anger. I boldly say that Gandhi failed in his duty. He proved himself to be the father of Pakistan. I say that my bullets were fired at a man whose policies and actions led to the destruction and devastation of millions of Hindus. There was no legal process by which the guilty could be brought to justice, so I followed this deadly path. I won't apologize for myself, I'm proud of what I did. I have no doubt that honest writers of history will weigh my work and evaluate it properly someday in the future. Don't immerse my bones until the Indus river flows under the flag of India. Congress geared up for another major change in Punjab Kamal Nath, Arvinder Lovely meet Sonia Gandhi over current political situation in MP Maharashtra: Anil Deshmukh's troubles mount, directed to appear before court on this day Islamabad: With the Taliban coming to power on the strength of weapons in Afghanistan, Pakistan is now also afraid of the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP). That is why Pakistani PM Imran Khan has agreed to reconciliation through talks with TTP. In an interview with the media, Imran Khan himself admitted that he is in talks with some TTP organisations. We do not support military solutions, so efforts are on to find a way out through dialogue, he said. He said Tehreek-e-Taliban organisations are being celebrated to give up arms, we want them to follow the Constitution of Pakistan. Last month, Pakistan President Arif Alvi also said that we will forgive the TTP members who will give up arms. Pakistan, which is celebrating the Taliban's victory over Afghanistan, was already alerted by experts over the TTP threat. According to experts, TTP fighters could pose a threat to Islamabad after the Taliban's regime change in Afghanistan. According to media reports, the TTP has also stepped up its activity in Pakistan after the Taliban came to power in Afghan, which could lead to a major crisis. China has invested a lot of money in Pakistan. Many of his projects are under construction in Pakistan. Experts say the TTP has gained momentum after the Taliban came to power in Kabul. This encouragement of the fighters could pose a threat to Chinese projects in Pakistan. TTP leader Mufti Wali Noor Masood had said in a TV interview recently that he was happy with the change of power in Afghanistan. It is expected that the Afghan Taliban and the TTP will have a good relationship. Experts had then expressed concern over the developments in Afghanistan. According to sources, TTP fighters wants Pashtun rule in Pakistan. California Becomes First State in Nation to Announce COVID-19 vaccine mandate for schools 'Learn to run Islamic rule from us,' Qatar's advice to Taliban Sri Lanka removes nationwide lockdown, but restrictions will still continue Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban caretaker government's Acting First Deputy Prime Minister, has called on nations to reopen Afghan embassies, saying that the Islamic Emirate "does not have any policy to harm any country", according to media reports. Media reported cited that Baradar made the comment the previous day during a meeting which was attended by ambassadors of Russia, China and Pakistan and other Taliban officials, including Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Also in a statement, Muttaqi said that "we want to open a new political chapter of good governance at home and a new political chapter with the region and the world as far as our relations are concerned. "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants good relations with countries of the world. If anyone has an issue with us, we are ready to resolve it through talks and understanding. We are neither intending nor have policy of harming others, the future Afghanistan will be a home of peace," Suhail Shaheen, spokesman of the Taliban's political office in Qatar, said in a tweet citing Baradar as saying. After the Taliban took over the country in August, they also countries across the world that their nationals will be safe in Afghanistan. Read more news: Taliban caretaker Govts Ministry to probe reports of killing of Panjshir civilians Sri Lanka Government lifts nationwide quarantine curfew World Bank approves USD 500 million loan for Sri Lanka to provide safe roads " " A portrait of Andy Gibb in his early days of stardom, 1978. Michael Putland/Getty Images The youngest of a celebrated music clan that spawned the Bee Gees, Andy Gibb had a few fleeting years of fame in the late '70s, but it all faded due to years of drug use. Andy was on the cusp of a comeback when he died tragically in 1988 at the age of 30. Here are five questions people ask about Andy Gibb, the former teen idol who died so young. Advertisement Was He Ever Part of the Bee Gees? Andy was born in England in 1958, the youngest of five children including three that would later become the Bee Gees (oldest brother Barry and twins Maurice and Robin) as well as a sister named Lesley. When Andy was 6 months old, the family moved to Australia. By the time he was a preteen, the Bee Gees had hit it big in England and Andy had moved with his parents to Ibiza, Spain. He went to school in a Rolls Royce, but quit at 13 to start playing in bars. "Everybody said I'd regret leaving school so young, but there was nothing else I would rather have done," Andy once said, according to Biography. Andy expected he'd become the fourth member of the Bee Gees at some point, but with his good looks and appealing voice, brother Barry thought Andy should try for a solo career, starting out in Australia. After forming a couple bands, Andy caught the attention of Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood who signed him to a solo contract. " " Andy Gibb (front, far right) sits surrounded by members of his family, including brother Barry (back row, far left), Robin (back row, far right) and Maurice (front, far right). Manager Robert Stigwood is next to Barry in the blue jacket. Michael Brennan/Getty Images Advertisement What Were His Biggest Hits? In 1976, Andy moved to Miami and began working on his first album, "Flowing Rivers." His first hit "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" was written by Barry and went to No. 1 in the U.S. and Australia in 1977. This was followed by "Love Is (Thicker than Water)," another No. 1 hit. The album went platinum. In 1978 he released a follow-up album "Shadow Dancing," which also went platinum. The title track (co-written by all four brothers) was his biggest hit, becoming Billboard's No. 1 song of the year, after seven weeks at the top of the charts. Andy was the first solo male artist to have three consecutive songs hit No. 1 and all in less than a year. Two other songs made the top 10 in 1978: "An Everlasting Love" and "Don't Throw It All Away (Our Love)." He was just 20 years old at the height of his fame. Yet Andy was insecure in his abilities and felt that much of his success was due to his family connections rather than his talents. "Sometimes I'd say, 'Andy, look in the mirror. You've got everything good looks, talent. Women love you.' Men liked him too. But when he looked in the mirror, you always had the feeling he didn't see anything," Jeff Witjas, Andy's agent between 1983 and 1985 told People magazine. Advertisement Who Was He Married to? At the tender age of 18, Andy married receptionist Kim Reeder, also 18, in Australia just a few months before he moved to America. But the marriage was short-lived as Andy became enamored with drugs. "Cocaine became his first love. He became depressed and paranoid. He wasn't the man I married," Reeder told People. She left him when she found out she was pregnant and headed back to Australia. A few years later, Andy began a relationship with "Dallas" actress Victoria Principal, eight years his senior. But the addiction to drugs and alcohol continued and she gave him an ultimatum. "I asked either to choose me or to choose drugs, and I know that with all his heart he wanted to choose me... [but] he chose drugs," Principal told VH1's "Behind the Music." " " Victoria Principal and Andy Gibb attend the People's Choice Awards in 1981. Barry King/WireImage/Getty Images Advertisement How Did Andy Gibb Die? With chart success declining, Andy turned to other opportunities, like hosting "Solid Gold" on TV and starring in the musical "The Pirates of Penzance." But those fizzled because he missed several appearances due to his addictions. His family tried to help and he entered treatment. He signed a new record deal and appeared to be getting his life together in England. But on March 10, 1988, he died in hospital of heart inflammation. He had been complaining of stomach pains and there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of his death, according to The Associated Press. However, years of substance abuse likely contributed to his heart condition. "I always knew that one day I'd get a call with news like this," Andy's ex-wife Reeder told People. "It was only a matter of time." " " Andy Gibb, surrounded by Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John and Elton John, performs on the "Hollywood Nights" TV special in March 1980 in Los Angeles. Ron Eisenberg/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Advertisement What Happened to His Daughter? Andy and Reeder had one child, a daughter named Peta who grew up in Australia. Andy never saw Peta (who goes by the name Peta Weber) after she turned 2. "I didn't have the chance to get to know my father as well as I should have," Weber told News.com.Au in 2017. "As I grew I learned that he was famous, and that he had famous siblings, but for me he was just a guy on the end of the telephone line." He died when she was just 10 years old and Weber endured bullying at school after news of their relationship became known. Over the years she rarely spoke about her famous family. But in 2016, her cousin Samantha (daughter of Maurice) called her to ask if she'd like to be part of a project where the children of the Gibb brothers would re-record classic Bee Gees songs. At first Weber wasn't sure about doing it, even though she does sing. But then she changed her mind. "My father is an integral part of the Gibb musical legacy. I came to the conclusion that if anyone was going to represent him, it should naturally be me." The project from The Gibb Collective called "Please Don't Turn Out the Lights" was released in 2017 and working on it proved very healing for Weber. "I've found such a connection with my cousins. The long-overdue family reunion to come out of this project is something I never expected. I'm finally able to connect with that side of my life in a positive way, on my terms and in a way that makes me feel proud," she said to News.com.Au. Now That's Interesting Many fans wondered if Andy Gibb had a romance with fellow Aussie Olivia Newton-John, but the pair insisted they were just friends. Still, they recorded a couple of duets including "I Can't Help It" and "Rest Your Love on Me." (Adds detail, context) By Tom Arnold and Karin Strohecker LONDON, May 7 (Reuters) - Suriname Eurobond creditors accused the government on Friday of breaching its obligation of negotiating its debt overhaul in good faith and said they could reinstate payments they previously agreed to defer. Suriname, battling high inflation and the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, has been seeking breathing space from creditors since last year to give the government time to secure funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Creditors last month agreed to defer payments of principal and interest on its 2023 and 2026 bonds, while the government last week reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for $690 million in financing. There's around $675 million outstanding across the two bonds. But the creditor committee said it was concerned the agreement was finalised without due input from bondholders, accusing the government of breaching its commitment made to creditors before the IMF deal. "The committee believes that Suriname has already breached its obligation to negotiate in good faith, as required by the terms of the Eurobonds," the creditors said in a statement. Therefore, the committee was positioned to exercise the Eurobond's "termination trigger", that would reinstate the payment and other obligations deferred by creditors. Creditors will not able to do that before June 3. Suriname's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The committee also reiterated that any debt relief from external creditors must be based on equitable burden sharing. It is the latest debt overhaul effort in the central and South American region to be beset by acrimony. Holders of Belize's so-called Superbond this week urged the government to agree to an IMF programme as that country's bid for its fifth debt restructuring in 15 years threatens to turn sour. Suriname's creditors also said they will not be able to consider debt relief proposals that take no account of the offshore oil and gas projects under development. Story continues "You cannot just ignore that there will be a massive positive impact from oil and gas on fiscal and debt sustainability, and then for the purpose of a staff-level agreement, you're ignoring it," said one source close to the creditors. The creditor committee holds in aggregate 43% of the 2023 and the 2026 bonds. Its members include Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited, Eaton Vance Management, Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC and Greylock Capital Management LLC. Suriname's closely held 2026 bond was quoted at 70 cents in the dollar on Friday. News of the IMF deal in late April had lifted the country's bonds above the 70 mark for the first time since the pandemic roiled emerging markets in March last year. (Reporting by Tom Arnold and Karin Strohecker, additional reporting by Ank Kuipers in Paramaribo; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) NEW DELHI and MUMBAI, India, Oct. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "About 80-100 Central Banks around the world, including G20 nations, are exploring the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and are in some sort of pilot or testing stages," Tobias Adrian, Financial Counsellor and Director Monetary and Capital Markets Department, International Monetary Fund said at the Global FinTech Fest. The three-day Fest, which concluded on 30 September, was attended by over 26,000 delegates from 121 countries. Policymakers, technocrats, investors, founders, economists, bankers, participated in the Fest. The event was organised by National Payments Council of India (NPCI) and Fintech Convergence Councill (FCC) and Payments Council of India (PCI) of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). GFF Logo "CBDCs are designed to be very stable, stable in value, low transaction cost and backed by the Central Bank for added consumer confidence, very different from bitcoins which fluctuate in value and are more like an investment asset," Tobias Adrian said. Central Banks around the world are rushing in to think about CBDCs as it is very appealing for Central Banks to go along with technological progress. Also, there could be a lot of innovations in Central Banks issued digital currencies, especially across payments, lending platforms. "CBDCs could indeed be somewhat similar, not necessarily be, to bitcoin assets, could be based on blockchain technology, could be available in wallets. It depends on the design whether it is based on existing payment systems or using very powerful blockchain technologies," Tobias Adrian mentioned. Meanwhile, he warned that cybersecurity could be a major challenge for CBDCs. "You need to make sure that the system is resilient against cyberattacks." It's not the technology alone but the intersection of technology and human. Secondly, CBDCs might undermine existing banks so banks need to upgrade their technologies to compete. Finally, cellphones, not all today have cellphones for transacting CBDCs. Story continues On expensive cross-border payments, Adrian envisioned that cross-border transfers would be a lot cheaper for small amount of payments. There are some wallet exchanges available that allow one to convert US dollar into rupee stable coin, with an implicit fee that is cheaper. However, there are a lot of discussions going on between Central Banks of various countries to make the cross-border payments cheaper. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1629838/GFF_Logo.jpg SOURCE Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 1, 2021 / Labaton Sucharow, a nationally ranked and award-winning shareholder rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Zymergen Inc. ("Zymergen" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:ZY) common stock pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the Company's April 2021 initial public offering ("IPO"). Zymergen investors have until October 4, 2021, to file a motion to serve as lead plaintiff. On August 3, 2021, less than four months after its IPO, the Company issued a disappointing business update and revised its financial forecast citing "issues with its commercial product pipeline." Additionally, the Company announced that its CEO Josh Hoffman would be stepping down from his role, effective immediately. On this news, the Company's stock price plummeted over 70%. The Company now stands accused of issuing a registration statement that was materially false and misleading and omitting to state material adverse facts. If you purchased stock of ZY and want to receive additional information and protect your investments free of charge, please contact David J. Schwartz using the toll-free number (800) 321-0476, via email at david@labaton.com, or by filling out this form. About the Firm Labaton Sucharow LLP is one of the world's leading complex litigation firms representing clients in securities, antitrust, corporate governance and shareholder rights, and consumer cybersecurity and data privacy litigation. Labaton Sucharow has been recognized for its excellence by the courts and peers, and it is consistently ranked in leading industry publications. Offices are located in New York, NY, Wilmington, DE, and Washington, D.C. More information about Labaton Sucharow is available at www.labaton.com. CONTACT: David J. Schwartz (800) 321-0476 david@labaton.com Story continues SOURCE: Labaton Sucharow LLP View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/666458/DEADLINE-REMINDER--Zymergen-Inc-Investors-Encouraged-to-Contact-the-Firm-by-October-4 OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, confirmed that the Government of Canada has received additional information from the Province of Alberta on the additional medical personnel needed to combat the fourth wave of COVID-19 across the province. The Canadian Armed Forces is preparing to provide up to eight critical care nurses to assist in intensives care units in hospitals in Alberta. An initial element, expected to be in position by Monday, October 4, will seek to confirm where and how these nursing officers will be integrated into the Alberta heath care system. The Canadian Red Cross is planning to provide up to 20 medical professionals, some with intensive care unit experience, to augment or relieve existing staff working in hospitals in Alberta. The Red Cross is working closely with Alberta Health Services to finalize the plan to send its personnel to areas in need. The Red Cross deployment is funded by Public Safety's new Humanitarian Workforce Program, which was stood up in Summer 2021, following the 2020 Fall Economic Statement. The Government Operations Centre is working closely with federal and provincial partners to coordinate the federal response to the situation in Alberta. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government Operations Centre has administered more than 130 requests for assistance from federal, provincial, and territorial partners. These requests have been administered in collaboration with federal organizations such as National Defence and Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada and non-governmental partners, such as the Canadian Red Cross. Quotes "We are always ready to help Canadians across the country during difficult times, and this pandemic has been no different. The Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Red Cross, and health professionals have stepped up time and again over the past 19 months to answer the call to protect people, and I want to thank all those on the front lines who continue to keep Canadians safe." Story continues - The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness "The women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces continue to help Canadians in the combat against COVID-19. As part of Operation LASER, Canadian Armed Forces members will use their experience to help the Province of Alberta in the fight against the fourth wave of the pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic the Canadian Armed Forces has received and responded to more than 65 requests for assistance from provincial or federal partners. No matter the challenges, our members are always ready to answer the call and help Canadians." - The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence "The federal government is here for you and stands ready to help all provinces and territories in the fight against COVID-19. We can all help protect our friends, family and communities to stay safe by getting fully vaccinated, helping others to do so, and following public health measures" - The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health "The Canadian Red Cross is pleased to be working in support of Public Safety Canada and Alberta Health Services to help fellow Canadians battling a fourth wave of COVID-19. The Red Cross is ready and well-positioned to provide support with medical personnel. Throughout the pandemic, the Red Cross has sent specialists to intensive care units in hospitals, supported public health units with vaccination and provided comfort and care to returning travelers requiring isolation. The Red Cross continues to strengthen its capacity, in order to be ready to provide this vital assistance to communities most in need." - Mr. Conrad Sauve, President and CEO, Canadian Red Cross Quick Facts The Government Operations Centre is responsible for coordinating the Government of Canada's response to emergency events including the pandemic. It supports the Public Health Agency of Canada, which is the federal government lead for the response to COVID-19. In Canada, emergencies are managed first at the municipal level and if they need assistance, they request it from their province or territory. If the emergency escalates further, provinces or territories can get help from the federal government. A Request for Federal Assistance is initiated when an emergency event overwhelms or threatens to overwhelm the resources of a province or territory and federal government help is needed to effectively support the impacted region. Should a province or territory make an official Request for Federal Assistance, there is a well-established process in place for managing the request, through the Government Operations Centre, and includes provincial/territorial and interdepartmental consultation and coordination. Related products Associated Links SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2021/02/c9706.html (Bloomberg) -- TCS Groups billionaire founder Oleg Tinkov agreed to pay more than $500 million and pleaded guilty in a 2013 U.S. fraud case that accused him of concealing assets to evade paying taxes, the Justice Department said. Most Read from Bloomberg Tinkov, 53, hid $1 billion in assets and income when he renounced his U.S. citizenship following TCS Groups initial public offering, according to an indictment unsealed last year. After his was arrested in February 2020 in London, he was contesting extradition to the U.S. while undergoing treatment for leukemia. The alleged fraud is about half that of the biggest-ever tax evasion case brought by U.S. prosecutors. Robert T. Brockman, a Houston software tycoon, was charged in October with using a web of Caribbean entities to hide $2 billion in income. Tinkov has agreed to pay $506,828,377, which includes unpaid 2013 taxes, the penalty for civil fraud and interest, according to a statement Friday by the Justice Department. Tinkovs fortune is an estimated $8 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. In 2013, Tinkov falsely reported income of less than $206,000 in a tax return even though he pocketed more than $192 million from the TCS initial public offering on the London Stock exchange in October of that year, according to U.S. prosecutors. Three days after the IPO, the billionaire went to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to give up his U.S. citizenship, prosecutors have said. His sentencing is set for Oct. 29 in Oakland, California. The case is USA v. Tinkov, 4:19-cr-00489, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (Oakland). (Updates with details on sentencing hearing) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2021 Bloomberg L.P. One of the biggest stories in the global economy right now are the hinks and hiccups in the vast infrastructure humans use to convey goods around the planet. Fittingly enough, the best way to understand logistical activity stretching around the globe is from space. The pandemic recession and recovery has seen a major shipping crunch, with public health restrictions slowing activity in ports and at factories, even as fluctuations in the demand for durable goods, first plunging then soaring, have cracked through the economy with a bullwhip effect. Delays have been exacerbated by just-in-time strategies that keep inventories and costs low, but leave retailers and manufacturers with empty hands if theres a significant interruption. The real problem here is uncertainty, Fordham professor Matthew Hockenberry wrote in a Twitter thread laying out why things have become so congested. After all, logistical time isnt fast, or slow. It doesnt actually matter how long a container ship takes, or how much product is on hand. What matters is that you can predict it. Logistical time is regular, routinized. One source of uncertainty for the people charged with predicting supply chain outcomes has been a lack of data. Shipping companies and ports tend to rely on human data entry, which is prone to errors and delay, according to Gavin Webber, the chief product officer at the firm Gravity Supply Chain. His company uses data from Spire Global, a satellite data company that uses orbital sensors to gather data about activity on Earth, including collecting the location of ships, which are broadcast by onboard radio transponders. The company, which went public in August after being acquired by a special-purpose acquisition company, also agreed to purchase a competing maritime surveillance company, exactEarth, in a $161 million cash-and-stock deal earlier this month. Spires data essentially allows our users to capture visibility of a more accurate time of arrival than what else is provided by other means, Webber says. Story continues What shippers can do with more accurate ETAs During normal times, that data helps companies make smarter decisions about ordering, and can help them avoid paying fees for storing containers of goods at ports. Once ships are back in the open ocean, Spire can help them in other ways. The shipping industry is interested in developing better risk-based models of how weather affects marine supply chains, and Webber says Spires satellites, which also gather weather data, could help generate a more accurate ETA for his customers, which range from logistics firms to wholesalers and manufacturers. Now, though, it is helping them document their frustration. The carrier may tell them that the ship with their container on it has arrived at, say, the Port of Los Angeles. Spire can tell them that it is 30 miles off the coast and has been waiting to berth; a sample of the companys data from the Port of Los Angeles found an average wait time of six days for container ships there last week. The company shared a visualization of activity at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the busiest area for container shipping in the United States, from Aug. 17 to Sept. 17, with ships arriving and then waiting offshore for the opportunity to unload. Webber says he watched over the summer as the buildup at Los Angeles, the busiest port in the US, spread up and down the coast, with some ships heading to Mexico, where their goods can be trucked to the US, and others stacking up at northern ports like Oakland or Seattle. The problems were seeing in the supply chain are unlikely to go away until at least midway through next year, Webber says, but his firm is already working on new ways to incorporate space data into their platform. Utopia really is the ability to tell our users at any given moment where a container or goods are, and the expected arrival date at their final location, he explains. What will that take? With ports now the weak link in the chain of data, it might mean putting connected sensors into containers themselves. Thats too pricey at the moment, according to Webber, but if ports cannot figure out how to do this themselves (and they may not have the resources or even the incentive), third-party providers like Spire might be able to. The company just announced a partnership with Myriota, the internet of things company, to monitor its various sensors from space. If that price point came down, it would be undeniable, Webber says. From a data perspective? Jackpot. A version of this story was originally published in Quartzs Space Business newsletter. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: FILE PHOTO: The logo of Nissan is seen through a fence at Nissan factory at Zona Franca during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Barcelona By Joan Faus BARCELONA (Reuters) -Spanish authorities and Nissan will enter talks with China's Great Wall Motor over a possible takeover of the Japanese carmaker's plant in Barcelona, which is due to shut in December, they said on Friday. National and regional authorities, together with Nissan, also picked Spanish electric motorcycle manufacturer Silence and local engineering firm QEV Technologies - which leads an electric vehicle production hub integrated by Swedish manufacturers Inzile and Volta - to negotiate the fate of two smaller plants. Nissan's three Barcelona plants employ around 3,000 people directly and 20,000 indirectly. But only 1,600 direct jobs are at stake since the rest of the workers will benefit from early retirement and other measures, a CGT union source told Reuters. The source said Great Wall was interested in the larger plant and would study whether it might have use for the other two, while Silence and QEV Technologies are only interested in the smaller factories. "We are convinced we will be able to find solutions that are beneficial to everyone," Nissan's industrial head in Spain, Frank Torres, said in a statement. In a severe blow to Spain, Europe's second-largest car producer, Nissan announced last year it would shut its three factories as part of a global restructuring. It initially said the plants would close by December 2020 but later pushed the date back a year, as it started looking for an alternative industrial project with authorities. Great Wall Motor has not made public its plan for the factories, but a source with knowledge of the talks said it could keep around 1,300 jobs. A project presented by Belgian carmaker Punch for Nissan's plants has been left out of the upcoming negotiations, although officials said no option was fully excluded. (Reporting by Joan Faus and Inti Landauro, editing by Andrei Khalip and Louise Heavens) A $27 million-plus nuclear verdict against UPS handed down in 2019 has been overturned by a Texas appellate court and remanded to the trial court with a requirement for a venue change. The original case was heard in the Texas 58th District Court in Jefferson County. But the order handed down Thursday by Judge Charles Kreger of the Texas 9th Court of Appeals remands the case to Harris County, Texas, home of the city of Houston. UPS (NYSE: UPS) and Byron Bisor, the driver from the 2018 wreck that was at the heart of the case, argued that the suit should not have been heard in Jefferson County, where the $27 million verdict was imposed. That verdict came from a bench trial, with Judge Kent Walston imposing the penalties. Neither Harris County nor Jefferson County is where the wreck occurred; they're not even in the same state. The wreck occurred in 2018 in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, on Interstate 10. One of the early plaintiffs in the original lawsuit, Gregorio Flores, settled, which proved consequential in the appellate court decision. Three individuals who were struck by the UPS 18-wheeler driven by Bisor Fabian Williams and a couple, Allen and Deloris Norris went to trial. Deloris Norris was not in one of the vehicles hit by the UPS truck but joined the suit because of the injuries and impact on her husband. The size of the award was propelled by the significant injuries suffered by Williams and Norris. According to a brief filed by their attorneys in the appeals case, the two men have "uncontested medical expenses of nearly $3.5 million, are permanently disabled, unable to work, without the ability to care or provide for themselves and family, and suffer from unremitting chronic pain, impairment, and disability," it said, adding that "Norris considered ending his own life." UPS' and Bisor's appeal of the lower court verdict was based primarily on two arguments. One was that the venue in Jefferson County was improper. Secondly, UPS and Bisor argued that the decision to deny a jury trial and instead go to a bench trial was based on a late filing of a $40 jury fee. Story continues Judge Kreser overturned the earlier verdict on the basis of venue. As a result, he did not hand down a ruling on other aspects of the case. Various court documents spell out what happened in the March 2018 incident. Flores, the plaintiff who settled with UPS, was stopped in an eastbound lane of Interstate 10 in Louisiana because of an unspecified traffic problem in front of him. Williams and Norris were stopped in their own respective vehicles behind Flores. UPS' Bisor allegedly did not see the traffic backup until it was too late to stop. "Bisor struck at least two vehicles in front of him, including those of Allen Norris and Williams, causing a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles," Judge Kreser's recap of the incident said. "The impact from the UPS tractor-trailer rig by Bisor pushed Williams' vehicle into Flores' vehicle." Flores brought his suit in Jefferson County, with UPS, Bisor, and Williams as the defendants. Williams was a resident of Jefferson County, and Flores said Williams' car plowing into that of Flores regardless of the fact that he was pushed made him a defendant and therefore made Jefferson County the proper venue. UPS and Bisor sought to move the case to Harris County, where Bisor resided and where the case now will head as a result of the appeals court decision. Williams filed suit against UPS and Bisor but agreed with Flores' decision to keep the case in Jefferson County. The Norrises later intervened in the Flores suit, leading UPS and Bisor to say they had no standing in that venue, given that they did not live there. But UPS' attempt to move the case to Harris County failed (though there is disagreement in the appeal briefs whether UPS and Bisor properly made the request for a venue change). It is clear that those impacted by the crash very much wanted the case heard in Jefferson County. Williams was being sued by Flores and there is no evidence he did anything wrong; he just happened to get struck by the UPS truck, like Flores, and then his vehicle hit that of Flores. But even Williams argued the case should be in Jefferson County, as did the Norrises. The problem with their argument is that Flores was out of the case, having settled. He was the only one who had an action against Williams, the Jefferson County resident. The lower court granted partial summary judgment in March 2019, and the case went to a bench trial that awarded the more than $27 million in damages against UPS. But Judge Kreser said that neither Williams nor the Norrises "alleged or argued any of the necessary statutory factors to establish their right to remain in the Jefferson County litigation." There is no evidence that Wiliams was at fault, Kreser ruled, and Flores was out of the litigation because he settled. With Flores no longer in the case, that undercut the argument that Jefferson County was the proper venue for the litigation. More articles by John Kingston 7 new indictments handed down in Louisiana staged accident scam Be prepared, attorneys say: more driver classification suits coming BMO, big lender to trucking, sticking to existing practices in the bull market Image Sourced from Pixabay See more from Benzinga 2021 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. A woman wearing a surgical mask sits at a sewing machine in a Vietnamese factory. Companies have spent the past several years moving manufacturing out of China and into neighboring southeast Asian nations, both to exploit cheaper labor in other countries and to dodge tariffs imposed during the Trump administrations trade war with China. Vietnam has been one of the most popular destinations for US companies opening up new factories, along with Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Now, companies are scrapping those efforts and moving their factories back to China after a punishing wave of Covid-19 infections has shuttered factories across Vietnam. After three months of lockdowns, the Vietnamese government is only just beginning to gradually ease restrictions. Earnings calls are resounding with executives worries over their lost manufacturing capacity. I talked to one CEO who shared with me that he had six years of supply chain work they undid in six days, said Roger Rawlins, CEO of the footwear and accessory conglomerate Designer Brands, according to a FactSet transcript of a Sept. 14 management conference. And when you think about the amount of effort everyone was putting into getting out of China, and now one of the places where you can get goods is Chinait really is crazy, the rollercoaster that everybodys been on. Vietnam faces its worst coronavirus outbreak Vietnam had largely managed to avoid major coronavirus outbreaks until June, when the highly transmissible Delta variant helped spark a nationwide surge in cases. The outbreak threatened to overwhelm the country, which has fully vaccinated just 4% of its population. In response, the Vietnamese government shut down factories and ordered them to reopen only under strict conditions in which workers had to live in quarantined dormitories attached to their worksites. The restrictions have sharply reduced the countys manufacturing output and have started to eat into global brands bottom lines. Adidas, for instance, has said Vietnamese production delays will cost the company $600 million in lost sales this year. Executives at Hooker Furniture estimated that their Home Meridian International brand will see sales fall 30% this quarter as a result of the lockdowns. Its going to be tough with factories closed like that, CFO Paul Huckfeldt said on a Sept. 9 earnings call. Story continues Manufacturing moves out of Vietnam Some businesses have responded by reversing their move to Vietnam as quickly as they can. Charles Roberson, CEO of protective clothing manufacturer Lakeland Industries, said on a Sept. 9 earnings call that the company hired new executives to help it shift production capacity from Vietnam to China in a matter of weeks. Others have taken a more cautious approach by expanding across the region. We actually have diversified quite a bit out of Vietnam, said Jeremy Hoff, CEO of Hooker Furniture, on a Sept. 9 earnings call. Were in Thailand. Were in different areas. Were evencandidly, weve even gone back to China a little bit when necessary. Executives arent eager to return to China. For one thing, many companies had to overcome significant logistical hurdles to shift manufacturing from China to Vietnam during the pandemic: finding workers, relocating equipment, establishing new freight strategies for getting goods through congested roads and ports. Setting supply chains back up in China will be costly and time-consuming. Theres another cost to consider for businesses: US tariffs for goods exported from China. Shawn Nelson, CEO of the beanbag-focused furniture maker LoveSac, said on a Sept. 9 earnings call that his company has had to divert production orders from Vietnam to China. We know that the inventory that comes in from China is impacted by tariffs, he said, but it allows us to stay in-stock on our inventory, which is super important to us as it is to our customers. The company has eliminated promotional discounts to offset the cost of tariffs. For many, returning to China is simply the least bad option they have to boost production ahead of what is shaping up to be a chaotic holiday shopping season. During the pandemic, China has developed a reputation for stability. Harvard University management professor Willy Shih said some companies began moving back to China as early as last year. There were already spot instances of that, he wrote in an email. The key question is if you want reliable manufacturing, China is often the best place for it. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: Afghan interpreters who worked for the Netherlands have been ordered by the Taliban to appear in court and their families threatened if they fail to do so, Dutch public television NOS reported. Several interpreters are in hiding and their families will be "severely punished as a lesson for other traitors" if they dont turn themselves in, according to a letter from the Taliban, which was aired by the broadcaster on October 1. The letter, which was sent to a former interpreter for the EU's policing agency Europol in Afghanistan, said the interpreter had worked for foreigners and received "their dishonorable, forbidden money." NOS reported that several interpreters have received similar letters. "We will take revenge. If we are not able to get hold of you, we will settle scores with your near ones," said another letter to an interpreter. A Taliban member of the new administration in Kabul, Ahmadullah Wasiq, dismissed the report as "propaganda." "It is possible that some people may be trying to leave the country & seek asylum through such claims," he wrote on Twitter. Since coming to power in August, the Taliban has called on those who worked for foreign forces or the toppled government to repent. The fundamentalist group has also said that former soldiers and government officials are needed to serve the country and issued a general amnesty. But the UN and human rights groups have reported that the Taliban is tracking down people who worked with foreign forces and former government officials, in some cases detaining and killing them. Earlier this month, the Taliban's acting defense minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqub, admitted in an audio statement that the militants had committed revenge killings despite the group having declared an amnesty. With reporting by AFP and De Telegraaf The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has rejected claims by Pakistans prime minister that the government is holding talks with the militant group to reach a cease-fire. Prime Minister Imran Khan told Turkish television channel TRT World in an interview on October 1 that we are in talks with some Taliban groups. It is a reconciliation process. However, the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, quickly issued a statement saying that the group is united and there are no divisions in its ranks. The TTPs spokesperson also called on the groups fighters to continue attacks. Meanwhile, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban on October 1 ordered its fighters to observe a cease-fire until October 20. The Hafiz Gul Bahadar group directed its fighters to observe a cease-fire for 20 days and halt all their operations against the Pakistani government and security forces. Local sources told Radio Mashaal that the leader of the Haqqani terrorist network and the new interior minister in the Talibans self-proclaimed government in Afghanistan, Siraj Haqqani, negotiated the cease-fire deal between the Pakistani government and the Gul Bahadar faction of the Pakistani Taliban. The same sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a senior commander of the Gul Bahadar group visited Peshawar and Islamabad in August to meet senior Pakistani security officials. They said several of the groups members were released by the government following the talks. A Pakistani security official told Radio Mashaal that talks were launched in March 2021. Hafiz Gul Bahadar, who is in his late 50s, fought alongside Afghan resistance forces against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. He emerged as a local Taliban commander in Pakistans Waziristan region after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. In 2006, he reached a peace deal with the Pakistani government that included promises not to allow foreign militants to operate in Waziristan. In 2007, Gul Bahadar joined the TTP when the group was formed by its then-chief Baitullah Mehsud. However, Gul Bahadar did not originally support the TTPs violent campaign against the Pakistani government. That stance changed following a Pakistani military operation in 2014 in the North Waziristan tribal district. Gul Bahadar was reported to have died along with several of his key commanders in an air strike in the Dattakhel area of North Waziriatan in December 2014. However, reports about his death later proved to be false. Gul Bahadar is believed to have close relations with the Haqqani Network, a close ally of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Local sources told Radio Mashaal that he is hiding across the border in Haqqani Network strongholds in Afghanistans Khost province and surrounding areas. Five members of Pakistan's security forces have been killed in an attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban in the North Waziristan tribal region, officials told RFE/RL. Militants attacked a convoy of security forces during a search operation in the Salpazai area on the morning of October 2, according to local administration and military sources. They said four Frontier Corps personnel and one police officer were killed in the ambush, which was claimed by the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. The TTP has increased attacks on Pakistani security forces in the northwest over the past several months. On September 14, seven soldiers were killed in an attack claimed by the hard-line Islamist group in North Waziristan. Pakistani security forces carried out a massive military operation in the region in June 2014 and claimed that the TTP had been eradicated. However, locals and independent observers believe the TTP attacks show that the group is once again regrouping in its stronghold. The TTP is a separate militant group from the Afghan Taliban, which toppled the Western-backed government in Kabul in mid-August. However, Pakistan's militant groups are often interlinked with those across the border in Afghanistan. The latest attack in North Waziristan came a day after the TTP rejected claims by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that the government was holding talks with the group to reach a cease-fire. However, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban -- the Hafiz Gul Bahadar group -- on October 1 directed its fighters to observe a cease-fire for 20 days and halt all operations against the government and security forces. Separately, the Islamic State group's local affiliate on October 1 claimed responsibility for killing a member of the Sikh minority earlier in the week in the northwestern city of Peshawar. Satnam Singh, a 45-year-old practitioner of traditional herbal medicine, was shot inside his clinic on September 30. The Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-K) extremist group has claimed a number of attacks on security forces, mosques, political rallies, and religious minorities in recent years. With reporting by dpa FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2020, file photo, a droplet falls from a syringe after a health care worker was injected with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Providence, R.I. An untold number of Americans have managed to get COVID-19 booster shots even though the U.S. government hasn't approved them. They're doing so by taking advantage of the nations vaccine surplus and loose tracking of those who have been fully vaccinated. A man convicted of the murder of two college students first pointed a finger at his partner, whos currently on trial for allegedly helping to plot their deaths, evidence presented in court Friday showed. During an interview with a Colorado Springs homicide detective, Nashid Rivers, sentenced to life in prison in May for the 2018 murders of Serena Garcia and Marcus Denton, tried to blame his friend Marquis Hazard for pulling the trigger. Hazard, accused driver and cover-up man in the killings, is on trial for murder on charges he helped to plan and conceal the killings. After his sentence was read in May, Rivers launched into a profane tirade against the court, shouting for district judge Frances Johnson to max me out. The night of the murders, however, he had a different story. Everything was good, Rivers told homicide detective Mike Lee in an interview room shortly after the murders. Then he just started acting weird. In a video of the interview played in court Friday, Rivers recounted the events of the day he took Denton, 20, and Garcia, 21, out to a secluded area in southwestern Colorado Springs to smoke weed. The day started on a trip to Denver, where Rivers alleged Denton was headed to sell drugs. On their way there, he told the police, the car broke down in the snow, and Denton called Garcia for a ride. The trio then ran several errands, heading to a Falcon Walmart, where Rivers was spotted on surveillance cameras carrying a gun, and stopping by Rivers home to pick up marijuana. From there, Rivers said, they turned to Bergamo Way, where they planned to smoke in Garcias car. Hazard arrived at the cul-de-sac after the trio did, Rivers told police, and hopped in the back seat behind Denton. At first, Rivers said, everything seemed fine, but soon Hazard started behaving strangely, refusing to return a bag of marijuana Denton had shown him and verbally abusing Rivers. Rivers claimed Hazard pulled a pistol from the seat next to him and shot Denton in the head before turning the gun on Garcia. Rivers told Lee he then was forced to help Hazard use a Molotov cocktail to set fire to the bodies, and the car. Rivers claimed Hazard threatened him. Rivers said he begged for his life, telling Hazard he wouldnt tell anyone as long as he didnt kill him. He told police that before leaving, Hazard robbed Denton and Garcia, bagged Rivers blood-stained clothes, and gave him the gun. It was cold-blooded, Rivers told Lee. I didnt do nothing wrong, I just had the wrong friend. Hazard, who was in court on Friday, shook his head as Rivers interview was played. Although there were many inconsistencies in Rivers statement, Lee testified, some of the things, like the fact that Rivers had the gun before and after the killings, were true. He also said it was true that Hazard had taken Rivers clothes in a bag and tossed them in the trash. Rivers was sent to the Colorado Mental Health institute in Pueblo after his post-sentencing ravings, delaying Hazard's prosecution. Hazard is due back in court Tuesday morning amid a trial that's expected to last up to two more weeks. 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. Nearly a year after the El Paso County jail became the site of a record coronavirus outbreak last fall, Sheriffs officials say they are doing all they can to mitigate the spread of the infection within the facilitys walls. But one vocal former inmate says officials need to better protect people incarcerated there. Since mid-July the jail has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases among its staff and approximately 1,300 inmates, the first significant spike in cases reported at the jail since late January, according to data from the Sheriffs Offices website. The Sheriffs Office reports new case numbers weekly if there are more than five new cases in a week. Last Monday, the most recent day data was available, El Paso County Sheriffs reported four cases among staff and nine among inmates, down from the summer peak on Sept. 6, when 60 inmates and six deputies tested positive. The recent increase in cases at the jail mirrors heightened disease spread in the community, Sheriff Bill Elder said, driven by the highly transmissible delta variant. As new inmates enter the jail, and as deputies and other contractors move in and out, the chance of spreading the virus increases, officials said. When we see a spike in the community that same spike translates directly to the jail Theres no way to stop it because we have to keep bringing people into the facility, Elder said. As long as we do that, were going to have COVID patients in the facility. New cases are being added to the tally of 1,456 total jail staff and inmates who have been sickened in the facilitys largest coronavirus outbreak since it erupted in late October 2020, which is still not considered resolved, outbreak data updated Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment show. The outbreak is the largest among jails and prisons in Colorado, according to state data, but Elder said safety protocols were keeping recent case numbers well below what they were last fall. All of those processes we did are what are helping keep a major outbreak from occurring again, Elder said, adding there have been no inmate deaths and only a small number of hospitalizations caused by the virus. State data show there have been no COVID-related deaths at the jail during the outbreak. Three inmates died at the jail in September; the El Paso County Coroners Office will determine their cause of death, sheriffs officials said, though the department announced last week there was no indication one of the inmates 33-year-old Steven Thorne, who died Sept. 25 died of COVID-19. Last December the ACLU filed a class-action lawsuit against Elder, the sole defendant, alleging his disordered, mismanaged policies led to the outbreak that at the time had sickened more than 1,000 people incarcerated there. The county settled the lawsuit in May, agreeing to pay $65,000 while the sheriffs for-profit jail medical care provider, WellPath of Nashville, Tenn., agreed to pay an additional $30,000 as part of the deal. The settlement left in place a series of safety improvements at the facility, intended to keep inmates healthy while the pandemic continues, including a requirement that all inmates receive two free masks, and guards and staff members wear masks or face discipline. Elder claimed the lawsuit alleged safety violations that didnt exist at the jail, saying the Sheriffs Office rolled out rapid response early in the pandemic, implementing an incident command center to lead that response with guidance from Public Health officials. Officials also spent $15.6 million in COVID-19 relief funds last year to make improvements to the jail, such as replacing faulty locks on cell doors to prevent inmates from leaving their cells and spreading the virus, and upgrading the jails ventilation system, officials said. We were doing anything and everything we could to get on top of it and stay on top of it, Elder said. But when a medical expert with the ACLU toured the jail in mid-December, they did not find that the jail was following the appropriate safety protocols but helped come up with policies that El Paso could put in place to make the jail safer and to stop the spread of COVID there, Arielle Herzberg, a staff attorney with the ACLU of Colorado, said. At the time we filed the lawsuit, over 1,000 people in the jail were infected with COVID. We brought the lawsuit so the jail would put protections in place. Elder and his deputies maintain they implemented safety measures before the ACLU filed its lawsuit and those protocols will remain until there are no more positive cases in the jail, Elder said. These inmates are your neighbors, family, friends, bosses, employees, Sheriff's Office Cmdr. Cy Gillespie said during a tour of the jail with media in July, The Gazettes first look inside the facility during the pandemic. Theyre your people. We want to take care of them because thats our job. Derrick Bernard Jr., a local radio personality and community activist better known as Phoenixx Ugrilla, said safety protocols and medical care in the facility were horrible, alleging inmates are not wearing masks or being tested for COVID, and said there was little to no physical distancing in the facility, contributing to the spike in cases. Ugrilla spent six and a half months at the jail, from mid-January to early September, when he was released. Youre using the same phones. Youre using the same showers. You really cant take care of yourself in that situation, he said. Theres no six-foot distance inside those cells, so it doesnt matter what you do. Deputies acknowledged mask compliance among inmates at the jail was poor and said the jails layout complicated physical distancing efforts. Cmdr. Lari Hanenberg estimated about 25% of inmates regularly wear their masks. A Gazette reporter in July observed inmates wearing masks when moving throughout the facility, while some did not wear them in other areas of the jail, like open recreation wards. Deputies encourage inmates to wear masks by reminding them they can contract the virus from the deputies, Gillespie said. He also ordered deputies not to interact with inmates who arent wearing masks, he told reporters on the tour, motioning to an unmasked inmate speaking to a deputy in one of the wards. You can only do so much. If inmates choose not to wear a mask, Im not going to wrestle them. You can lead a horse to water, but you cant stick their head under it, Gillespie said. Open wards in the jail can hold up to 72 inmates, while smaller locked jail cells include bunk beds, not conducive to six-foot social distancing recommendations, Hanenberg said. Your six feet goes right out the window, she said. At one point we went so far as to tell the inmates one has to have his head at this end of the bed and the other is at this end of the bed. Thats really the only way we could effectively try to keep them away from each other distance-wise. Posters plastered across the jail summarize the basics of COVID-19 and its symptoms, and list preventative measures part of efforts to educate inmates about the virus, deputies said. Inmates who want a vaccine or test can get them, but most inmates dont request either service, deputies said. Inmates exhibiting COVID symptoms are also mandatorily tested, they said. Last week, about one-third of inmates were tested, Sheriffs spokeswoman Lt. Deborah Mynatt said. From February through September, 602 inmates have been vaccinated, she said. But Ugrilla argued testing wasnt being done, claiming at one point during his incarceration he was COVID symptomatic and for 23 consecutive days requested WellPath employees test him. He never received a COVID test, he said. Judy Lilley, a WellPath spokesperson, did not address Ugrillas claim directly with The Gazette. We care for large numbers of people in close quarters and do all that we can to keep our patients and employees safe and healthy, Lilley said. This includes taking aggressive actions to prevent the virus from entering in the first place, including frequent reminders to our staff and all personnel coming into our facilities to wear a mask at all times and to get vaccinated. As per the most up-to-date clinical information, the treatment for COVID-19 and the delta variant remain symptomatic. Ugrilla also alleged outbreaks were coming from areas of the jail where large numbers of inmates work. In the kitchen, he claimed in July, employees with Trinity Services Group, the jails food contractor, were quitting or taking extended leave to escape the outbreaks. Elder said it was possible Trinity employees may have contracted COVID or been exposed to someone who was COVID-positive and were sent home to isolate or quarantine. He also said jail staff resolved a recent outbreak among inmates working in the kitchen through isolation and quarantines. Calls to Trinity Service Groups lawyer were left unreturned as of Friday. Ugrilla said another outbreak in the laundry facility sickened inmates working there in July and left other inmates without clean clothes or bedding, sometimes for several weeks. Elder dismissed the claim. Theres no way we could function that amount of time without working laundry equipment, he said. If you shut that facility down for weeks, the amount of laundry that would have to be done would be I dont know that youd ever catch up, he said. Ugrilla called on the Sheriffs Office to better address the virus in the jail. The situation definitely needs to be mitigated a little bit better This is going to be way worse because the variants stronger, he said. Elder said he is committed to protecting inmates at the jail regardless of the ACLU lawsuit. We will continue to (enact regulations) because thats the right way to deal with it. I dont want employees exposed, I want inmates treated if they need it, and I want them to understand how serious we take this. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Building permits issued for the construction of single-family homes fell 20% in September, the second straight monthly drop, according to Pikes Peak Regional Building Department figures. Year to date, however, building permits are running 7.3% ahead of the same period in 2020. THE GAZETTE FILE I remember some 40 years ago, I visited Aspen to write a story about the first McDonalds coming to town. Locals at the time were apoplectic, sure this was a harbinger of a hellbroth brewing that would kill off Aspens hippie spirit for good. Hunter Thompson had run for sheriff not long before, and Aspen was truly one of the vertexes of American counterculture, with a rough beauty and wide open embrace of the world, flower children dancing uninhibitedly in its fountains. Its been years now since Aspen and other Colorado towns like it lost their innocence and became playgrounds for the rich. Its hard for us older-generation Coloradans to see some of these over-commercialized burgs smothering the rugged far-from-civilization charm that made them such unique places to begin. You used to go to Aspen, when I was a kid, to get away from the Yellow Brick Road, and now it runs down main street. Telluride became the new Aspen for a while, and is still a place of unparalleled natural beauty and off-beat festivals and fearless outdoor sports. But the average house price in Telluride is now $1.1 million, so it, too, has lost some of its accessibility and authenticity. We old Coloradans are always on the prowl for new Aspens and Tellurides, places of spectral scenery and a down-to-earth vibe that still feels Colorado real. The ski bums and river runners and mountain bikers are usually the ones that give such places their vibrancy, matching the exuberant geography around them with their own commensurate vitality and elan. I took a trip down to the fabled San Juans for the first time in about 30 years last weekend, and lo and behold, new Aspens are budding all over down there, as are new Tellurides and Salidas and Steamboats. Towns like Ouray, Del Norte, Lake City and Creede give me hope that Colorados roughhewn spirit is alive and well and reseeding itself. These are cities far far from the Front Range that have grown organically, with less at-risk economics to worry about, still full of real outdoor lovers rather than stuffy, stuck-up only-for-show tourists. These are still real towns in other words, quintessentially Colorado, that have been discovered, yes, but not spoiled. Exhibit A: Ouray may not have Tellurides polish, but it's sure developed a rollicking funkadelic mountain spirit all its own. Its wedding-cake mountains, box canyon, hot springs and Jeep trails have always been a draw. But now Ouray has a hipness it didnt have 30 years ago. Three rooftop bars were brimming with buoyant sun worshippers on a Saturday, and the lady in the bookstore said the crowds kept coming all summer long and havent stopped. The new Via Ferrata climbing course, with its first-of-its kind Sky Ladder, adds a little adrenaline to the town, and its perimeter trail can humble any serious hiker. I especially loved the wormhole of a tunnel on the trail that opens up immediately onto a bridge over the box canyon, where you can feast your eyes on a 85-foot waterfall spilling into the Uncompaghre River. As the locals like to say: Hip Hip Ouray! Creede. A friend of mine, Dr. Bob, was so moved by the beauty of Creede he named his baby daughter after the town. Craggy towers of rock loom just north of main street, standing like sentinels guarding the road up into the spectacular Bachelor Loop, home of countless relics from the gold and silver mining era. These giant old ramshackle mines are embedded in photogenic cliffs where the vivid reds and yellows of mineralization that originally drew prospectors are still plainly visible. An artist in Creede, Nathaniel David Anderson, told us 97 percent of Mineral County is designated wilderness. In fact, the San Juan Mountains are comprised almost entirely of public land, nearly 2 million sprawling acres of it. And Creede is clearly coming into its own these days as the perfect basecamp for exploring all that wild. Del Norte. We pulled into Del Norte late looking for a place to lay our heads after a fabulous 4WD drive up from Antonito. With its Riverfront Project in the works, Del Norte reminded me of where Salida was about 20 years ago, with a bright future ahead as it embraces the Rio Grande and all its recreational possibilities. Though Del Norte felt like it was out in the middle of nowhere, we stumbled onto a better-than-Boulder little courtyard at the Windsor Hotel, watched over by a giant outdoor painting depicting the history of the West. Walled in by charismatic old brick buildings, the courtyard had a food truck parked in it serving drinks and delicacies, and a husband and wife band, the Wallens, filling the sweet evening air with a mix of bluegrass, blues and folk. What could be more Colorado? Lake City is in the heart of the San Juans, where canyons rise and fall in all directions and mesas appear to float in the sky. Mountains upon mountains upon mountains is all I can say. Lake City is an ATV rider and snowmobiler's dream. In winter, the town boasts more than a hundred miles of groomed trails for snowmobiles. After a sunshiny lunch at the Cannibal Grill, we explored the canyon-clinging road over Cinnamon Pass into the farthest reaches of the San Juans and their wild, rangy, unclassified delights. Our Jeep suffered a flat tire at 12,000 feet, and we barely noticed amid the overpowering views. What all the towns down south have in common is proximity to one of the greatest playgrounds in the Lower 48. They are jumping off points to the most magical mountains we got. What makes these new Aspens what they are and hopefully will keep them from losing their essence is how far-off and forbidding the San Juans themselves are, with their jagged volcanic summits, abundant fourteeners, rocky roads and swift-coursing streams. We were lucky to be there at the height of aspen change, with so many golden leaves fluttering in the September breeze that sometimes entire walls of the valleys we drove seemed to be dancing. Its all about the scenery, my companion Jeff reminded me. Scenery I hadnt seen for 30 years but felt as familiar as yesterday, connected now somehow to dreams of childhood and other far off, sweetly remembered things. Scenery that, for a brief shining time, I'd argue, can match a human beings full capacity for awe. More criminal defendants with untreated psychosis languishing in Colorado jails will maim and kill themselves if the state doesn't reduce a growing backlog of nearly 350 people waiting for treatment at the states primary mental hospital, court-ordered monitoring reports predict. And court documents and budget requests show that problems at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo are likely to get worse before they improve. We see wait lists and wait times increasing exponentially throughout 2021, even if pandemic-related restrictions ended immediately, concluded a report issued on May 24 by two experts monitoring the states mental hospital system for U.S. District Court Judge Nina Wang. Furthermore, without significant increases in admissions to the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo, we foresee serious injury and/or death occurring within this population of severely, acutely ill who have been court-ordered to treatment, the experts wrote. As court orders for psychiatric treatment for defendants nearly tripled in four years, new infection-control protocols to protect from COVID-19 restricted the states ability to admit patients to the hospital for those services, according to documents. A crippling workforce shortage, with more than 300 open positions, is a major contributing factor, forcing the Pueblo mental hospital to close three of 24 units in recent months, according to Robert Werthwein, director of the states Office of Behavioral Health, part of the Colorado Department of Human Services, which oversees the states two psychiatric hospitals. At the same time, state and federal regulators are demanding new construction to mitigate suicide risks at the hospital. The improvements required to fix life-threatening problems identified by regulators at the facility will further delay admissions for treatment, court documents state. As a result, more criminal defendants suffering acute psychosis are stacking up in jails, unable to proceed to trial until they receive court-ordered mental competency evaluations or return-to-competency services from the state hospital, according to a court filing last month by the expert monitors. The Colorado Department of Human Services has allowed conditions to regress back to the era before it signed a consent decree in April 2019, to resolve a federal lawsuit accusing the department of violating the due process of inmates, the report from experts Neil Gowensmith and Daniel Murrie states. One man described as catatonic, psychotic, delusional and with bleeding genitals due to his bizarre behaviors has been on the departments priority admission list for more than one month, and his total wait is now beyond six months, their report said. Another detainee has been on the same priority-admission list for weeks, even though he is described as high acuity aggressive disoriented and threatening to staff. Between April and June, two inmates in county jails awaiting hospital admission killed themselves, the experts found. One was 42-year-old Michael Pyle, who was arrested and incarcerated on Jan. 22 at the Adams County Jail after he rammed a Thornton Police Department car and threatened an officer with a gun. His actions prompted a high-speed chase through the Denver suburbs, court documents show. Pyle had terrorized his family, telling his mother that he believed his uncle had the "devil's altar" in his basement, his uncle, David Knipstein, said in a restraining order he filed in court after the arrest. Knipstein described in the document his nephew displaying "violent, erratic behavior." Anne Pyle believes her son would be alive if he had been transferred to an inpatient bed at Pueblo hospital sooner and treated for his mental illness. But he spent about five months in the Adams County Jail, waiting for a bed at the hospital to open, before hanging himself on May 27. "If he had only been able to get treatment, everything could have turned out differently," she said. "He had so much to offer and was such an incredible person." Michael Pyle had been in the Pueblo mental hospital before, his mother said. He was diagnosed with several disorders and placed on medication. He received counseling, was released, got a good job and "seemed to be functioning well," she said. When street riots started last year during the pandemic near his downtown Denver apartment, he "started spiraling downhill," Anne Pyle said. "He told me he thought he needed to be in a hospital again, and he started trying to check himself in somewhere," she said, crying. It was near Christmas last December, and Michael couldn't find anywhere that would take his Medicaid insurance or doctors to give him a referral, Anne Pyle said. "I think he gave up," she said. "His only option was to get in trouble with the police." While Pyle was at the Adams County Jail, a judge ordered Pyle to undergo mental health treatment at the Pueblo facility, so he could be restored to competency to stand trial. "He was told he would be transferred to the Pueblo hospital," his mother said, but the wait stretched on. "It's appalling," Anne Pyle said. "We should be ashamed of ourselves for the lack of mental health treatment, the shortage of beds and cuts in funding. I'm angry with the system and the legislators." 'Public health crisis' Suicides and self-harm are among several consequences of admittance delays, and more such incidents are likely to occur, given the current conditions, the experts said in their memo to state health officials. Twice as many mentally ill inmates are waiting twice as long now than in the past, a circumstance that Gowensmith and Murrie labeled a public health crisis. Some individuals have such severe psychiatric illness that they have covered themselves with urine and/or feces, eaten feces, cut or mutilated themselves, refused to shower for weeks, refused to eat for days, attempted suicide and at times been victimized or injured by staff or other inmates, their May report found. Some have also attacked staff or other inmates, when acting on paranoid delusions or hallucinations that are symptoms of their untreated psychotic illness. Untreated psychosis is a life-threatening illness with mortality rates around 7%, they noted. Patients are entering the hospital from jails in more pressing mental distress, said Sallette Thompson, a psychologist who has worked at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo for two years. I think the acuity has increased for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is COVID, which has increased stress on everyone, she said. Certainly, its going to hit more vulnerable populations in a larger way. Exacerbating the problem are demands from federal and state regulators for new construction at the hospital to mitigate suicide risks, which the two experts predicted in their August court report will further slow admissions to the state hospital. The Joint Budget Committee, the legislative body that crafts the state budget, agreed last week to allocate the Office of Behavioral Health emergency funding of $4.1 million for mandated suicide mitigation efforts at the Pueblo hospital. The agency asked for the money after federal and state regulators warned that the states license needed to keep the Pueblo facility open was in jeopardy, following a July suicide attempt, as first reported in The Gazette. The survey by state regulators after that suicide attempt which left a 20-year-old criminal defendant from Kersey with loss of brain function from trying to hang himself from the door to his room found pervasive, life-threatening conditions in seven buildings housing patients at the hospital. The regulators demanded a plan to correct issues severe enough to have caused, or are likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to a patient. The directive hit as the number of people waiting in jails around the state for court-ordered mental competency evaluations or restoration services continued to mount. The backlog has grown to nearly 350, Werthwein, of the Office of Behavioral Health, told the states Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force on Sept. 23. Thats up from what Werthwein said to The Gazette on Sept. 9 was a waiting list of around 300. Among those being delayed in a jail is an actively psychotic pregnant female, Werthwein said. Behavioral health right now in this state is the worst Ive ever remembered, he said. Its bad, people are really struggling. Staff shortages continue to be a stumbling block for resuming full operations at the Pueblo hospital, Werthwein said. Pueblo hospital staff who have joined the labor union, Colorado Workers for Innovative and News Solutions, or WINS, which represents 31,000 state employees, participated in negotiations to raise the minimum wage to $15 for all state jobs and for an annual 3% cost of living raise for the next three years, said Thompson, the hospital psychologist and a union member. State officials and the union reached the agreement last week. Lower wages have caused an exodus of staff to leave the hospital, Thompson said. I hope if we can fill some of these positions, well be able to address the (jail) backlog better. We do this work because we love our clients theyre funny and interesting and they want all of the same things we do, she said. For a lot of us its a calling, not just a job. Upgrades necessary to maintain federal funds Details about the survey by state regulators that found life-threatening conditions at the hospital in Pueblo were referenced in the Office of Behavioral Healths emergency budget request. The Colorado Department of Human Services declined to make the results public, as did the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which conducted the survey of the facility. In rejecting The Gazettes request to release the findings, officials said the state health department was still investigating the July suicide attempt of Chase Falk. However, a provision in the states open-records laws allows the release of state agency investigative records if doing so is in the interest of public health, welfare or safety. Some details of the survey could be gleaned from an analysis of the budget request submitted to the Joint Budget Committee. About $800,000 is needed to install new cameras, or the hospital will have to add 154 additional staff to keep patients safe, that analysis found. It further determined that more than $3 million is needed to address suicide hazards in patient rooms. Several hospital employees told The Gazette that mitigation devices on doors to rooms were supposed to prevent patients from self-harm but apparently weren't functioning properly. Falk's was at least the third suicide attempt this year inside the hospital, an employee said. An adolescent girl used shards from a broken mirror and a man used a razor to harm themselves. The Joint Budget Committee staff also said the survey found that the psychiatric hospitals current incident management systems are outdated and inadequate in regards to data collection and regulatory compliance. The Joint Budget Committee expected a parallel request for more money for additional employees, said Colorado Sen. Bob Rankin, a Republican from Carbondale and member of the Joint Budget Committee, given that the mandatory improvements will change how the facility operates. The hospital which has seen state staffing plunge from 1,388 in 2020 to 1,158 as of Friday, with 304 positions vacant should beef up hiring, even if the new cameras are installed, the survey determined. Since the hospital will no longer be allowed to lock patients in their room due to suicide risks, an additional 27 safety specialists need to be hired, even as records show the hospital struggles to keep past staffing adequate, according to the analysis by the Joint Budget Committee staff. They were locking the doors of the patients for safety, but they have to have the doors unlocked, which means more cameras and surveillance by human beings, Rankin said. Im sure another request will be coming along later. The upgrades are required for the hospital to continue to receive federal funding, Rankin said. We did not have an option, but its the right thing to do, he said, noting that adding more mental health beds has been a longstanding need in Colorado. Colorado Department of Human Services officials pointed out to the legislative budget-writing committee that past suicide mitigation requests for the hospital in Pueblo had been rejected in the past two previous fiscal years. Greater health risk than COVID The mandate to reduce suicide risk comes at a time when the states mental health system is already in distress. Colorado remains under a two-year-old federal court consent decree that found the state violated due process by not providing mental health competency evaluations to criminal defendants on a timely basis. Not complying has cost the state $17 million in federal fines since March 2019, according to the Department of Human Services. Gowensmith and Murrie, the two experts monitoring Colorados compliance with the consent decree for the federal judge, urged state health officials in their May memo to reconsider infection-control protocols at the state hospital, which they said had slowed admissions. Months after that memo, in August, the experts reported to the federal judge in a court filing that despite their urging, state health department quarantine mandates that had left 90 beds at the state hospital empty, had not been relaxed. At that time, the waitlist for admission to the Pueblo hospital topped 300 criminal defendants. In our view, the untreated, severe psychiatric illness harming certain detainees waiting in jails is now a greater public health risk than the risk of spreading COVID-19 to or from these same individuals, they stated in one court filing. While judges order severely mentally ill inmates to be admitted to the psychiatric hospital within 35 days, some are now waiting more than six months for a psychiatric bed and not receiving treatment for their conditions in the meantime, the May report found. Department leaders had made substantial progress until June 2020 in meeting the goals of reducing the number, length of wait and the suffering of the criminal defendants, the report stated. However, the pandemic has twice halted admissions, from November to mid-December of 2020 and from early April into May, increasing the waiting list from 124 at the end of October 2020 to nearly 350 now. Many of these individuals need urgent inpatient mental health care, the report said, yet safe and reasonable options are virtually non-existent. Forced medications are not allowed in most county jails, private hospital beds contracted by the Department of Human Services at extra expense are full, and other private hospitals refuse to admit such patients, citing safety concerns, the report said. The Department of Human Services may consider applying for emergency staffing assistance from a program that was reactivated last week, said agency spokeswoman Madlynn Ruble. The Staffing Shortage Fusion Center, led by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management through the Colorado Unified Coordination Center, again is making short-term workers available to long-term care centers, hospitals, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and other licensed care facilities where shortages due to COVID-19 are impacting patient care. Healthcare contractors, National Guard members, volunteers from the Colorado Volunteer Mobilizer program, nonprofit organization representatives and a Colorado Hospital Association program fill the slots. Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo has not used Fusion in the past but will explore it as an option to address current staff shortages, Ruble said in an email. As the Taliban moved into western Afghanistan to take over Herat Province, Fahemeh Amini grew increasingly frightened. For two weeks, the Afghan Army fought to keep the rebels out, but on August 12th the city fell. That day, Amini left work at Herat University as armed rebels on motorcycles sped by. She lives with her father and stepmother and has not left the house without a man since that day. No woman can live alone now. We do not have the courage to go out. The Taliban are so dangerous, Amini texted The Gazette from WhatsApp, a cellphone application which Afghans are using because its said to be more secure than email or regular phone texting. Amini said she cried for the first two days and couldn't eat. She is one of several Afghans who are awaiting a Special Immigrant Visa to leave the country. To do that, she needs an American sponsor to support her effort. Wahid Omar, an Afghan-American who fled Afghanistan during is decade long war with the Soviet Union, settling first in Omaha and then Colorado, is trying to help get Amini to Denver. The rest of the world doesnt understand the urgency of the humanitarian crisis developing in Afghanistan. Theres no education system, no health care, no economic system, ISIS is moving in and the winter months will be difficult, said Omar, whose phone constantly pinged with messages from stranded Afghans hoping for a lifeline. People are desperate. Omar has sponsored three Afghans. Watching Afghanistan fall for the second time after twenty years of developing a democracy there is heartbreaking for him. I see no light at the end of the tunnel for Afghanistan, said Omar, who in addition to work with the State Department, volunteers for an organization called Afghans4Tomorrow. Amini hasn't married because she felt education was more important. Her career was on the upswing, working as manager of Cultural Relations, Cooperation and Scientific Contracts at Herat University. She said that since the fall of Herat, the Taliban eliminated the Womens Affairs Ministry, fired everyone at the university and replaced the professors with religious figures who have no experience in education. The Taliban doesnt need government rules. They decide using their own judgment,said Amini, who Omar says may have a chance to leave for Pakistan soon if they can get her a sponsor. An open letter Amini wrote to Vice President Kamala Harris asking for help has so far had no response. At this time I must get out of the country, Amini wrote. There is no way to live like a human here. I cant breathe. Firefighters made progress toward containing the Ptarmigan fire Friday with 20% of the 86-acre blaze ringed by fire lines as it smoldered near homes in Silverthorne, the Summit County Sheriff's Office said. As of Friday evening, nearly 300 firefighters were working the fire to create containment lines around the Hamilton Creek and Angler Mountain neighborhoods, Summit fire spokesman Steve Lipsher said in a release. Evacuation orders for those neighborhoods were called off 10 a.m. Thursday, with residents warned that they may need to move if the fire grows. Only residents with credentials were allowed back into those areas. Credentials are not needed for residents of lower Angler Mountain, Ptarmigan and South 40 neighborhoods. The forest remained closed, including trailheads and all access points. Recreational access to Ptarmigan and Angler mountains was closed, and the flying of drones is "strictly prohibited" around wildfires because of the potential to interfere with aerial firefighting, Summit County officials said. The fire was reported about 4:30 p.m. Monday, prompting evacuations and warnings for more than 600 residents. Additional warnings were issued Tuesday morning. The cause of the fire was under investigation. " " A growing percentage of doctors in the U.S. are forgoing taking health insurance in lieu of cash payments. Tom Werner/Getty Images After eight years practicing family medicine at a traditional doctor's office in Boise, Idaho, Dr. Julie Gunther was burned out. She had 2,300 patients under her care, which meant that appointments were seven-minute rush jobs and new patients had a three-month wait to see her. This wasn't why Gunther had become a doctor or what she had trained for decades to do. The pace took a toll on her physically and emotionally. She came home angry and tired, and her relationships suffered. "I knew I had to do something different," Gunther says. In 2013, she heard about a new health care business model called direct primary care (DPC). Instead of billing patients through insurance for each appointment and procedure a bureaucratic nightmare that Gunther believes negatively impacts patient care DPC doctors charge a flat monthly fee. No insurance, no copays. Patients pay in cash and can see their doctor as much as they want. Now Gunther runs Spark MD, a small DPC clinic in Boise with a maximum of 600 patients. Adults pay $79 a month, kids pay $10 a month, and patients 90 years old and above are free. A Spark MD monthly subscription includes same-day sick visits, comprehensive physical exams, common procedures like pap smears and wart removals, and more. Lab tests and X-rays are available for steeply reduced fees. And Gunther's in-house wholesale pharmacy sells generic meds at a fraction of the retail cost, even with insurance. But most important for Gunther is that she can finally spend time with her patients, giving them the personal and comprehensive care they deserve. Appointments often run over an hour, and patients can reach her after-hours and on weekends directly on her cell phone. She calls it open-access scheduling. "It's the gold standard for high-quality primary care," says Gunther. "It means that you have a profound capacity to meet people when they need you. If someone calls in right now, they can get in today. That fundamentally changes the entire structure of how you take care of people." Advertisement Direct Primary Care: A Growing Trend When Gunther opened Spark MD in 2014, she was only the 124th DPC clinic in America. Now there are more than 1,000 nationwide. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 3 percent of its members operate under a DPC model, and another 3 percent are actively transitioning to the cash-only plan. Some DPC clinics are one-physician practices like Gunther's (she also employs a nurse practitioner and a physician's assistant), while others are large, corporate operations catering to businesses looking for alternatives to conventional employee health plans. DPC is not the same as concierge medicine. With concierge care, insurance providers may still be billed, and the membership fees paid by patients go toward getting greater access to doctors, plus extensive physicals and procedures not covered by insurance. More doctors are switching to DPC because they, like Gunther, are fed up with insurance company red tape and want to work directly with patients to meet their needs. More patients are signing up for DPC plans because the prices are transparent, their doctor is always available and paying cash for medical care and prescription pills is actually saving them money. DPC evangelists are touting the direct-payment model as a way to fix America's expensive and inefficient health care system. By providing low-cost, comprehensive primary care, they argue, DPC practitioners keep people healthier, requiring fewer visits to the hospital for expensive procedures. But critics of DPC worry that cash-only subscription health services will only widen the health care gap between the rich and poor, and contribute to a shortage of primary care physicians for those who are most in need. Advertisement Leaving Patients Behind? Dr. Paul George is a physician, a researcher, and associate dean for medical education at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He's been closely following the DPC trend and co-authored a 2018 opinion piece in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) exposing what he feels are the model's limitations. One of George's chief complaints is that DPC supporters make claims about the supremacy of their cash-only model it lowers overall health care costs, it results in less hospital visits, patients are more satisfied without providing any data or funding any peer-reviewed studies comparing DPC and non-DPC patient outcomes. "There's no data whatsoever," says George. "You can't really tout something as the next great, big thing without showing us the evidence that it really is the next great, big thing." George doesn't doubt that DPC physicians like Gunther are thrilled with the new arrangement and thinks that longer appointment times and improved doctor-patient relationships are terrific. But he's also concerned about what happens to the patients who are "left behind" when a physician cuts her patient panel from 2,300 to 600. "They're saying, 'If you can afford our fees, you can join us in our DPC practice. If you can't, you have to look for a new primary care doctor,'" says George. "That feels inequitable, even a little amoral. As physicians, we take the Hippocratic oath and say we're going to take care of people regardless of race, nationality, socioeconomic status, etc. I think the DPC model in some ways stands in opposition to the Hippocratic oath that we've all taken." On top of that criticism, George feels that DPC is inherently inequitable, favoring higher-income individuals who are healthier on average than their poorer neighbors. The reality is that most DPC patients still need to buy high-deductible insurance to cover any medical emergencies or surgeries (or even childbirth) that land them in the hospital. (Currently, HSA funds cannot legally be spent on DPC membership fees, though they can go toward medication and lab services at those facilities.) Gunther says that only a third of her patients have no insurance at all. George wonders how lower-income individuals are going to pay a couple of hundred more dollars a month for DPC on top of insurance premiums, even if they elect to go with a lower-cost high-deductible plan. "For many patients, that's not affordable," says George. "And there's no outcome data to suggest that buying that additional access is beneficial to their health." Advertisement Defending DPC Even with most of her patients paying for supplemental insurance or receiving insurance through an employer or the government (Medicare and Medicaid), Gunther says that cost is not a barrier for entry to DPC. "There's absolutely no question in my mind that direct primary care saves people thousands of dollars, if not tens of thousands," says Gunther. She cites examples of a patient with an excellent employer health plan that was still paying $10 per month for each of six different generic prescriptions. Since Gunther has her own wholesale generic pharmacy, she was able to save her patient $550 a year on medications alone, nearly the cost of her yearly DPC subscription. Another patient came in with an orthopedic complaint when Gunther's nurse practitioner noticed a pre-cancerous lesion on the patient's skin. They were able to remove it in a follow-up appointment for $85 (if Gunther was in the office, it would have been the same day). Gunther says that the same procedure with a traditional, insurance-billed primary care doctor would have required a referral to a dermatologist, weeks of waiting for appointments and hundreds of dollars in surgical and pathology fees. And what about George's claim that Gunther and other DPC docs are violating their Hippocratic oath by leaving hundreds of patients behind? "I contend that a huge chunk of those patients barely ever came in or were urgent care," responds Gunther. "I wasn't doing the work I wanted to do and they were going to the urgent care a lot, which is accepted practice." Gunther believes there needs to be a societal shift in the way we think about how many patients a doctor can reasonably treat. In public schools, there are limits to how many kids can legally be in a single classroom. "If you take care of somebody full-time as authentically as you can, where is that number where an individual physician is full?" says Gunther. Gunther can't speak for other DPC physicians, but she strongly disagrees with the notion that DPC practices cater only to the healthy and wealthy, and that DPC doctors make piles of money while seeing relatively few patients compared to their previous clinics. "Most of us are not taking a salary comparable to what we were making before," says Gunther. "Sure, there are people making double their prior salary, but most are making under $100,000, which is not competitive for an entrepreneur or a physician. But people will take autonomy and the ability to practice the way they want above a hefty salary." For his part, George is not rooting against DPC doctors, but he challenges DPC advocates to produce studies backing up their claims. He says that in the year since he voiced his criticism in JAMA, not one peer-reviewed DPC study has been published. "I'll eat my words," says George. "If your model is showing that it's beneficial to physicians, beneficial to patients, that you're reducing health care costs, and that there's no social inequity, then I'll eat my words. But prove it!" Now That's Interesting A growing number of Gunther's patients bypass conventional insurance and sign up with health care sharing ministries, private Christian organizations that pool resources among believers to provide lower-cost health coverage. " " Flavored e-liquids on display during Vape Jam UK 4 in London, England. John Keeble/Getty Images If you're a tobacco user these days, you may already be familiar with e-cigarettes. They're the electronic battery-powered devices that heat a fluid, aka e-liquid or vape juice, which contains nicotine and other ingredients to create an aerosol that's inhaled, in place of the smoke that conventional cigarettes produce by burning tobacco leaves. E-cigarettes are rising in popularity, with 10.8 million adult users in the U.S., according to a study published Oct. 2, 2018 in Annals of Internal Medicine. Part of the attraction may be that they're not perceived as being as hazardous to health as conventional smoking, since users don't get the cancer-causing tar found in conventional cigarettes. Add to that the allure of the sweet-tasting flavorings available for addition to the e-liquid, and people such as U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb worry it may all be too appealing to youthful users. Advertisement But that pleasant taste may have a downside, researchers say. In a study published Oct. 18, 2018 in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, scientists from Duke and Yale universities found that chemical flavorings for vanilla, cherry, citrus and cinnamon interacted with solvents such as polypropylene glycol and glycerol in the e-liquid, to form new compounds called acetals, which can trigger irritation and inflammation when inhaled. According to the Duke Medicine press release, the interaction occurs even before the e-liquid is heated. "We simply don't really know what long-term effects these compounds (and many other compounds in e-cigarette liquid) have on the airways," says Hanno Erythropel, a postdoctoral associate at the Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science and a co-author of the study. "Many of the additives to e-liquids have GRAS status, which means generally regarded as safe. But that is based on ingestion and on dermal (skin) exposure. There isn't much knowledge about what these compounds might do in the airways and lungs. That is true for all vapers, young and old." What Are You Actually Smoking? "I think the main takeaway is that the assumption that e-liquids are a final and stable product is challenged by our work," says Erythropel, who adds that scientists already know that further reactions take place during the heating step. All of this means that the initial list of ingredients for e-liquid "is likely different from the final e-liquid composition, which in turn is different from what the user is exposed to in the generated aerosol." How that might affect vapers' bodies isn't yet clear. "When inhaled, these compounds will persist in the body for some time, activating irritant pathways," said Sven-Eric Jordt, an associate professor of anesthesiology at Duke University School of Medicine and a senior author of the paper, in the press release. "Over time, this mild irritation could cause an inflammatory response." But Erythropel notes that while such irritation could be a risk for users with asthma, the researchers have other concerns as well. "If this reaction can take place that creates a more irritating compound (or possibly more toxic), what other reactions can take place that might cause increased risk for users? We simply don't know. I would add that long-term effects of vaping on the airways and the whole body are generally unknown given how young these devices are, independent of the final composition of the e-liquid. But the fact that these more irritating compounds form is certainly not reassuring in that regard." Robert Strongin, a professor of organic chemistry at Portland State University who wasn't connected with the Duke-Yale study, says in an email that the study breaks new ground. "The reaction between the aldehyde flavors and the solvents on heating is very basic organic chemistry, totally reasonable," he says. "It creates a new set of chemicals that had not received a lot of attention to date. Their formation is not at all surprising, but hadn't been reported previously. Our earlier studies showed an analogous reaction with solvents and formaldehyde." Strongin says that just as users aren't aware of these new chemicals being created in e-liquid, scientists similarly don't know much about the effect of those chemicals on the body. "We know very little or nothing about the flavoring additives or even much about the solvents as far as their inhalation toxicity, especially as chronically used in e-cigarettes," Strongin says. "Chemicals safe for ingestion are not necessarily safe for inhalation. Inhaled organic solvents and flavorings bypass processing by the stomach and liver. Lung tissue is different. Just because we can eat flavor molecules doesn't mean at all that it's OK to inhale them." "We don't fully know the health risks of the flavorants," says Ilana Knopf, director of the Public Health and Tobacco Policy Center at Northeastern University. "We also don't know the health risks of inhaling the solvents but this study shows we don't know what happens when they're combined." Erythropel says that more research is needed on the chemical changes in e-liquids and what health effects they may have. "One of the things we are currently looking at is the general toxicity of these compounds toward mammalian cells, although we of course don't expect them to be deadly poisonous, knowing that some of the acetals we found are considered GRAS," Erythropel says. "It's still an important piece of the puzzle. Ultimately, I think there will need to be more systematic research on the possible reactions taking place within e-liquids, which is quite a challenge given the speed at which new flavors enter the market on a daily basis (there are an estimated 7,000+ flavors on the market at the moment)." "Based on that knowledge, future regulatory efforts should target specifically the more reactive chemicals added to e-liquids," he says. Now That's Interesting In October, the FDA issued a warning letter to a company for marketing an e-liquid that the FDA said contained two chemicals that are active ingredients in prescription medicines for erectile dysfunction. "There are no e-liquid products approved to contain prescription drugs or any other medications that require a doctor's supervision," FDA commissioner Gottlieb explained in a press release. " " Sometimes the ritual of surgery can be as effective as an actual procedure. HRAUN/Getty Images Usually, when we think of a placebo it's a harmless sugar pill, taken in place of an experimental drug. This is common practice, so that medical researchers can compare the results between two groups of volunteers and thus determine if the new treatment is effective. Less common are placebo or sham surgeries. These involve sedation, scalpels and stitches, but just not the actual intervention. Even though they are relatively rare, they are sometimes used to determine in studies how effective a "real" surgery is. For example, a 2013 study out of Finland looked at the results of 146 patients, some of whom had arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (a common knee surgery), and some of whom just had an incision with no actual repair. Researchers concluded that outcomes were no better for the people who received the full procedure, compared with those who underwent the placebo. A 2014 study from the University of Oxford in England found that there was essentially no difference between patients who underwent real surgery for shoulder impingement, compared with those who "only" had a hole drilled in. For what it's worth, everyone who signed up for the study knew that they might get a sham surgery, a real surgery or no surgery at all. The study on shoulder impingement surgery was repeated in 2018 in Finland with similar results both groups had equally little shoulder pain two years after the procedure, whether they had received the real or the sham surgery. "With nearly 21,000 decompression surgeries done in the U.K. every year, and ten times that many in the United States, the impact of this study is huge," said adjunct professor Simo Taimela, the research director of the Finnish Centre for Evidence-Based Orthopedics (FICEBO) at the University of Helsinki in a press release. Teppo Jarvinen, M.D., Ph.D., chief surgeon at Helsinki University Hospital and a professor and academic head at the University of Helsinki was one of the researchers in the 2018 study. He says the patients in the placebo group underwent the same procedure as those in the other group except for the critical part, "which is the removal of bone from the acromion (a hook-shaped extension of the scapular bone) to allegedly decompress the passage of the rotator cuff tendons)," he says by email. This was a randomized trial and patients were informed in advance that they could be in either group and if their symptoms didn't improve in six months, they could "cross over" and get the actual surgery if they had been in the placebo surgery group, according to the study. Jarvinen considers performing placebo surgery vital to the success of the study. "Given the large contextual ('placebo') effect of surgery on patients (and also caregivers), both the patients (evaluating the outcome of surgery) and the caregivers and researchers (evaluating the success of surgery from their own perspective and possible influencing patients with their own views) have to be blind to the treatment given to be able to objectively assess the outcome/success of the treatment given." As surgery can be painful, expensive and difficult to recover from, it's easy to see why many people consider placebo surgery to be unethical. "Those kinds of operations are ethically unacceptable," says Dr. Lewis Flint, editor-in-chief of the American College of Surgeons journal, Selected Readings in General Surgery. He notes that this is his personal opinion and not necessarily reflective of any policies with the American College of Surgeons. "When we do medical research we operate under the first 'do no harm' rule and that is what the ethical basis of avoiding placebo surgery is," he adds. The problem that Flint and many other medical researchers have with placebo surgeries is that operations expose patients to risk of complications, however small. In their opinion, this risk is not worth it for comparison's sake. Advertisement Risk Level in Placebo Surgery In a 2014 review published in the BMJ, the researchers did an analysis of 53 trials involving placebo surgeries. "In 39 out of 53 (74%) trials there was improvement in the placebo arm and in 27 (51%) trials the effect of placebo did not differ from that of surgery. In 26 (49%) trials, surgery was superior to placebo but the magnitude of the effect of the surgical intervention over that of the placebo was generally small," the study authors wrote. In other words, in about half the trials, people who got the placebo surgeries did as well as those who got real thing and in the other half, those who had the real surgery did only slightly better. The authors did note that overall the patients in the placebo groups had less serious complications than those who got the actual surgeries because the main surgical elements in the procedures were omitted. They found "harms" definitively related to the surgical placebo in just two trials and both were stopped early because of safety concerns. Flint points out that the procedures described in the 2014 study were mostly the type done with mild sedation rather than general anesthesia. "These procedures are associated with very low complication rates so it is not surprising that the risk for patients undergoing the 'placebo' procedure is low. There were, however, a small number of serious complications and the question remains, should a patient be exposed to risk, however low, from a procedure that was not needed?" Finland's Jarvinen strongly disagrees with people who find placebo surgery unethical: "Which do you find more unethical: To continue an enormously popular/common surgical practice (keep subjecting people to a surgical procedure over and over again) that is based on poor/non-existing evidence or to study the efficacy and safety of the procedure once and for all, by subjecting a very restricted number of participants to placebo surgery, which has (a) never been shown to be more harmful than the surgical procedure under investigation, and (b) has been shown to be non-inferior (at least as good) as the surgical procedure under investigation in more than 50 percent of the studies that have used placebo surgery?" Advertisement Other Types of "Shams" Less controversial than sham surgeries are sham procedures, which don't involve any cutting or actual risk to the patient. "There are certain placebo procedures done as part of medical research that you can create a situation where a patient believes that they're receiving a procedure when they're actually not that may be ethically acceptable," Flint explains. For example, he references a research study that compared the effects of acupuncture on lower back pain. One group received the acupuncture, and the placebo group merely had toothpicks put down on the patient's skin. "So they got a sensation, but actually were not having a needle in their skin," he says. (Blunt-tipped retractable needles have also been used, and results have shown that results are just as good for the patients who were in the placebo group). Placebo surgeries may produce positive results for the same reasons that placebo drugs do: The belief that you're taking something that will make you well is powerful to the mind. The elaborate rituals around surgery may even increase the placebo effect over a non-invasive procedure, like a sugar pill. And it appears that placebo drugs may activate the same biochemical pathways that are affected by actual interventions. Now That's Interesting When medical ethics are followed, people "at risk" of getting a placebo drug or procedure in a valid research study are aware that placebos are a possibility, and thus aren't angry if it happens to them. But the fact that shams exist make it extra important to really vet doctors and facilities to make sure everything's on the up and up. Any credible researcher won't shy away from answering a few questions to put a patient's mind at ease. The award is given in memory of Arthur B. Klussendorf, who was considered an outstanding showman of his time and a model for all those who have followed him. This years selection was made by members of the Klussendorf Memorial Association, formed in 1937, at its annual meeting held earlier this week in Madison, Wis. Core received the silver trophy designed by Tiffany Jewelers of New York City.Jeff Core of Salvisa, Ky., was presented the 79th Klussendorf Award, the highest recognition given to a dairy cattle showman in the United States during the 54th World Dairy Expo. Core embodies every great quality of a great dairyman. Born and raised on an Iowa Jersey farm, Core traveled to Kentucky four decades ago to see some of the best Jersey farms in the world. It was on that trip that he met his wife, and they went to create the Keightley and Core Jersey Farm. Throughout the years, this dairyman and his wife have bred and exhibited multiple National Champions, placed bulls in A.I. studs, and have bred production award winners. The farm has been a regular exhibitor at both World Dairy Expo and the All American Jersey Show. Not only has the 79th Klussendorf winner worked to build an excellent herd of Jersey cattle, but Core has judged both nationally and internationally including serving as the associate judge at the 2019 International Brown Swiss Show; as associate judge of the 2004 All American Jersey Show; and as an official judge at shows in both Canada and Mexico. The Klussendorf Award was developed to recognize those who exemplify a person with great character, sportsmanship, ability, and endeavor to dairy cattle shows. There is no more dedicated individual to caring for and exhibiting Jersey cattle than Jeff Core. In addition to these great attributes, Core is a loyal friend to many in the industry and he is always willing to lend advice and help to anyone who takes an interest in the industry. Jeff Core joined his wife, Alta Mae, as the first husband-wife duo to receive the Klussendorf Award. Alta Mae Core won the same honor in 1999. Hoards at Expo is sponsored by Agri-Plastics Group of Companies Corey Geiger The author is the managing editor, and he brings over 23 years of industry leadership to our readers overseeing all editorial content and production of the magazine. His degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison combined dairy science and agricultural economics. If you have ever attended World Dairy Expo, you know about the sense of community on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center. The annual celebration often feels like a family reunion of dairy lovers. Among the crowds of showmen, vendors, and grilled cheese pursuers are professionals with hindsight of where the industry is moving and how dairy farmers can be better formulate for success. New this year, World Dairy Expo was able to showcase those experts and share their thoughts with the Tanbark Talks series. In place of the Arena, the building that was once located between the Coliseum and the Trade Center with rows of vendors, is the Tanbark. The area now serves as a beautiful home to a banquet seating and a stage to welcome speakers for ceremonies and presentations. Over the course of three days at Expo, attendees were about to start their mornings with futuristic insights and discussions. On the first day, Bob Johansen, a consultant of the Army War College and author, explained the VUCA world we live in. VUCA stands for volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. As we look to the future of the dairy industry, Johansen explained, You can have clarity, but you cant have certainty. When thinking about the upcoming years of the operation and how to move forward with the operation, he suggested to think of every scenario should occur. Think of the range of what should happen, Johansen instructed. When discussing a previous project he worked on, he said they created transformation, constraint, growth, and collapse models. By picturing anything that might happen, you can be prepared for the best and worst. He shared that he is excited to see what young generations offer as they enter the workforce. Johansen said that the 18- to 25-year-old age group is much more immersive. When teaching them, he suggested live simulators and hands-on trainings as that is how they prefer to obtain information, especially as they grew up in the age of technology and video gaming. Later during the Tanbark Talk, a panel of industry professionals shared their comments on how checkoffs are working to operate around the VUCA world and the needs of the younger audience. Panelists included Tom Callagher, CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI); Dwyer Williams, Chief Transformation Officer of DMI; Lee Kinnard, CEO of Kinnard Farms; Peter Vitaliano, Vice President of Economic Policy at National Milk Producers Federation; and Eve Pollet, Senior Vice President of Strategic Intelligence at DMI. The following day, a live taping of the U.S. Farm Report took place during the Tanbark Talk. Host Tyne Morgan interviewed Mike North, principal of ever.ag; Ben Laine, vice president of Rabo AgriFinance; and Dan Basse, president of AgResource. The discussion focused on markets, trends, and innovating dairy to better appeal younger audiences. To round out the series, Damian Mason, author, businessman, and agriculturalist, spoke on the outlook of the industry with humor inserted throughout the presentation. World Dairy Expos new Tanbark Talks embrace the future of dairy with discussions of innovation and marketing to the upcoming audience. Hoards at Expo is sponsored by Agri-Plastics Group of Companies Jessica Schmitt Jessica Schmitt grew up working on her familys dairy farm near Fort Atkinson, Iowa. She recently completed her junior year at Iowa State University where she is triple majoring in dairy science, international agriculture, and agricultural and life sciences education with a communications option. Schmitt served as the 2021 Hoards Dairyman editorial intern this summer. 1. Yes. There should be absolute certainty that the election was free and fair. 2. Yes. The audit could and should lead to stronger laws governing elections in the state. 3. No. Former President Trump wants the audit to further cast doubt on the 2020 vote. 4. No. Its a waste of money, an attempt by Abbott to gain favor among Trump backers. 5. Unsure. It seems unnecessary but it may provide some worthwhile findings. Vote View Results Stolen Bruces Beach Property Returned to Black Family The story behind Bruces Beach tells a narrative of Black-ownership in America. Original property owners Charles and Willa Bruce had their land seized by the City of Manhattan Beach, California. The local government managed the rights to the land for almost 100 years. However, on Thursday, September 30, the authority of Bruces Beach has been given back to the descendants of the original landowners. The waves from the pacific ocean pulled onto the sandy shores owned by Willa and Charles Bruce. In 1912, they were the first Black landowners in Manhattan Beach, the Bruces became a family that owned multiple beach plots. ADVERTISEMENT The City of Manhattan found a way to take ownership of their property, representing the racial imbalance of that time. Looking through a lens of equality today, Los Angeles County decided to revisit the possibility of returning power of the beachfront, back to the descendants of the Bruce family. Located on 2600 Highland Avenue in Manhattan Beach, California, Bruces Beach served as an oasis for people of color; looking to enjoy the scenic coast during times of segregation. Noted previously, Willa and Charles Bruce purchased this piece of paradise for $1,225 ($33,034) and followed suit in buying more land after that. Other families of color bought beach estates alongside them, a Black community of coastal property owners developed during the Jim Crow era. There was a shared notion that only certain races should be allowed selected property, this agenda was carried out through policies to seize privately owned land for the betterment of the community. The distaste in Black-ownership was not hidden; racially charged vandalism and sabotage were found routinely at Bruces Beach and similar places. During the Jim Crow era, Manhattan Beach City officials obtained the rights to Bruces beach, and other Black-owned coastal plots, through an ordinant known as eminent domain. Through the eminent domain procedure, certain members of the Manhattan community empowered city officials to acquire privately-owned properties and reinvent the lots for public use. The urgent takeover of Bruces land was to fill the need for a public park. The Bruce family fought for years in litigation; they asked for $120,000 ($3,203,044 ) for loss of property and damages. After a strenuous battle, the Bruces received $14,000, which is $300,000 in the present-day, and the other families received far less than that. ADVERTISEMENT On April 8, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced steps towards returning the waterfront landscape known as Bruces Beach back to the decedents of Charles and Willa Bruce. On the day of the announcement, Janice Hahn stated, The property that was once Bruces is now owned by the County and I want L.A. County to be part of righting this wrong. She continued, I am looking at everything from repurposing the property in a way that tells the history of Bruces Beach to actually giving the property back to the descendants of Charles and Willa Bruce. California State Governor, Gavin Newsom, announced through a press release, the Moving to Right Historical Wrong, he signed legislation to return Bruces Beach back to descendants of the original owners. According to the information released by the governors office, the directive, SB-796, allows Los Angeles County Supervisors to transfer the land immediately to the Bruce family. Soaking up the historical moment at Bruces Beach, Newsom was joined by Senator Steven Bradford, Bruces family members, and other civic public servants. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors sponsored the urgent measure and authorized the county to immediately begin the process of transferring sources of ownership from Manhattan Beach back over to the Bruce family. As we move to remedy this nearly century-old injustice, California takes another step furthering our commitment to making the California Dream a reality for communities that were shamefully shut out by a history of racist exclusion, said Governor Newsom. We know our work is just beginning to make amends for our past, and California will not shy from confronting the structural racism and bias that people of color face to this day. I thank the Bruce family, Senator Bradford, the Los Angeles County Supervisors and all those who fought to keep the legacy of this place alive and deliver this long-overdue justice. SB-796 shows us that it is never too late to address the injustices of the past, said Senator Bradford. If you can inherit generational wealth in this country, then you can inherit generational debt too. The City of Manhattan Beach, County of Los Angeles, and the State of California owe a debt to the Bruce family. He continued, This bill passed the Legislature unanimously and with overwhelming community support, making it clear that our state is committed to tackling systemic racism head-on. As a member of the California Reparations Task Force, this is an example of what real reparations can look like. I applaud Governor Newsom for helping us pay a centurys old debt by allowing Los Angeles County to move forward and return Bruces Beach to its rightful owners the Bruce family. Supervisor Hahn released the news through her office by clarifying the power of the legislation, stating, The legislation does not transfer the land. Instead, it removes restrictions on the land and gives LA County the authority to transfer the property. Hahn was joined by Kavon Ward, a Bruce family member that founded Justice for Bruces Beach, Anthony Bruce, Senator Bradford, former Manhattan Beach Mayor Mitch Ward, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, and current Manhattan Beach Mayor Hildy Stern. This is a milestone for us, and I want to thank, not only Governor Newsom for signing this bill into law, but Senator Bradford for his leadership and the entire state legislature for their unanimous support, said LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. The work is far from done. Now that LA County officially has the authority to transfer this property, my goal over the next several months will be to transfer this property in a way that not only works for the Bruce family but is a model that other local governments can follow. Returning Bruces Beach can and should set a precedent for this nation and I know that all eyes will be on Los Angeles County as this work gets underway, Hahn stated. To view the video recap of the event, click the link Thanks to the states bold public health measures, California continues to maintain the lowest case rate in the entire country and is one of only two states to have advanced out of the CDCs high COVID transmission category. More information about the announcement can be found here. The vast majority of school districts have reported that over 95% of students have returned to in-person instruction this school year, as can be seen on the states Student Supports & In-Person Dashboard. Thanks to unprecedented resources and public health measures (measures shown to be highly effective), California is leading national trends in preventing school closures and keeping kids in classrooms, accounting for only 14 out of over 2,000 school closures nationwide, or roughly 0.7% despite the fact that California educates an estimated 12% of the nations public school students. If Californias rates had aligned with national trends, the state would have seen upwards of 240 school closures. In order to further protect students and staff and continue supporting a safe return to in-person instruction for all students, the Governor directed the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to follow the procedures established by the Legislature to add the COVID-19 vaccine to other vaccinations required for in-person school attendancesuch as measles, mumps, and rubellapursuant to the Health and Safety Code. COVID-19 vaccine requirements will be phased-in by grade span, which will also promote smoother implementation. Upon full FDA approval of age groups within a grade span, CDPH will consider the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians prior to implementing a requirement. Following existing statute, full approval of ages 12+ corresponds to grades 7-12, and full approval of ages 5-11 corresponds to grades K-6. Students who are under the age of full approval, but within the grade span, will be required to be vaccinated once they reach the age of full approval (with a reasonable period of time to receive both doses), consistent with existing procedures for other vaccines. The requirement will take effect at the start of the term following full approval of that grade span, to be defined as January 1st or July 1st, whichever comes first. Based on current information, the requirement is expected to apply to grades 7-12 starting on July 1, 2022. However, local health jurisdictions and local education agencies are encouraged to implement requirements ahead of a statewide requirement based on their local circumstances. ADVERTISEMENT Governor Newsoms historic $123.9 billion Pre-K and K-12 education package is providing an unprecedented level of school and student funding to transform the states public schools into gateways of equity and opportunity, supporting the potential of every California student by: achieving universal transitional kindergarten for four-year-olds by 2025, expanding after school and summer programs, providing universal free school nutrition, increasing the number of well-prepared staff per pupil, creating full-service community schools to support the mental and social-emotional well-being of students, and more. Saturday, October 2, 2021 A while back, I posted about how theres been some institutional investor support for the proposal that the SEC require not only public companies, but private companies, disclose climate change information. Usually, of course, private companies arent required to disclose things especially to institutional investors on the theory that institutional investors can themselves bargain for the information that they need. (Yes, yes, there are kind of exceptions, like Securities Act Section 4(a)(7), etc). But the SEC and Congress have been gradually expanding which companies count as private, raising concerns that not only that they have assumed too much sophistication on the part of institutions (for example, institutional investors themselves have complained about opacity among the PE funds in which they invest), but also that the SEC and Congress have ignored the benefits of creating a body of public information across a wide swath of companies. Which is why this article grabbed me: The California Public Employees Retirement System and Carlyle Group Inc. helped rally a group of more than a dozen investors to share and privately aggregate information related to emissions, diversity and the treatment of employees across closely held companies. More firms and institutions are expected to join. We need to start a common language across all these participants so we can actually, in a sustained way, make some progress, Carlyle Chief Executive Officer Kewsong Lee said in an interview. By honing in on a set of common standards and common metrics, we start to standardize the conversations so we can really track progress. Its really hard to do that right now. Blackstone Group Inc. and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the countrys largest pension fund, are also part of the effort. Boston Consulting Group was tapped to aggregate the data. Private-equity firms will be seeking to standardize and share data on greenhouse-gas emissions, renewable energy, board diversity, work-related injuries, net new hires and employee engagement. Calpers CEO Marcie Frost said she would like to see these metrics expand to include data such as C-suite diversity and employee satisfaction. The article is framed as further evidence of a trend toward ESG investing, but for me the more relevant point is that investors are trying to band together to create a common pool of information about private companies that have been excepted from the public disclosure regime. You could, I suppose, call that a triumph of private ordering; I take it as evidence of a fundamental failure of the securities disclosure system. I suppose you could also tell a story about the privatization of what was once public infrastructure more generally, or the unholy marriage of privatization and environmentalism. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/business_law/2021/10/private-really-is-the-new-public.html The James Bond film No Time To Die held its world premiere in London on Tuesday. Celebrities and members of the British royal family attended the citys biggest movie event since the start of the pandemic. No Time To Die, the 25th Bond movie, has been delayed three times since its original April 2020 premiere date. Because of the pandemic, movie theaters around the world closed or limited the number of people who could attend. Movie theaters are hoping the new Bond film brings audience numbers back to pre-pandemic levels. Star Daniel Craig came to the rainy premier alongside co-stars Lashana Lynch and Lea Seydoux. The Universal Pictures and MGM film is Craigs fifth and final movie as the suave British secret agent. His first time playing Bond was in 2006s Casino Royale. "It's such a great relief, Craig told Reuters. It was so important to me to come and celebrate with all the other cast and crew and to get it into the cinemas, and we're here. He added that, "A year ago, I didn't think that was going to happen." No Time To Die sees Bond come out of retirement from a peaceful life in Jamaica to help catch a new villain, played by Oscar winner Rami Malek. It also introduces new character Nomi, a 00 agent, played by Lynch. The film cost an estimated $200 million to produce. No Time To Die is among the most anticipated movies coming out this autumn. "I know the world is expecting this film," said Seydoux. She is returning in the role of Madeleine Swann from the last Bond film, Spectre. "We tried to give the best, we gave everything to this film ... and I hope people will love it," Seydoux said. The movie has so far seen strong reviews from critics. Kevin Maher of London's The Times gave the movie five stars. It was "better than good," he wrote, "its magnificent. I'm Caty Weaver. Reuters reported this story. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Susan Shand was the editor. ____________________________________________ Words in This Story premiere n. the first time a film, play, television show, etc., is shown or performed suave adj. behaving in a relaxed, confident, and pleasant way in social situations audience n. a group of people who gather together to listen to something (such as a concert) or watch something (such as a movie or play) : the people who attend a performance relief n. a pleasant and relaxed feeling that someone has when something unpleasant stops or does not happen cast n. the actors in a play, film, or television show cinema n. the film industry villain n. a character in a story, movie, etc., who does bad things anticipated v. to think of (something that will or might happen in the future) magnificent adj. very beautiful or impressive : very great American drug-maker Merck said Friday that its experimental pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half among people infected with COVID-19 in a drug trial. The drug-maker said it will soon ask health officials in the United States and around the world to approve the pill for the treatment of coronavirus. If cleared, the drug, called molnupiravir, would be the first pill approved for the treatment of COVID-19. All other approved treatments must be injected or given through IV by healthcare workers. A pill can be taken at home and is easier to send around the world. Dr. William Schaffner is an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University who was not involved in the research. He said such a pill would provide treatment to many more people, much more quickly and, we trust, much less expensively. And Dr. Anthony Fauci has also said a pill that can be taken at home as soon as people feel sick will help control the virus. Merck and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics studied 775 people with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Africa. The patients also had existing health problems that increased their risk for severe disease. Patients who received the experimental pill within five days of COVID-19 symptoms had about half the rate of hospitalization and death as those who received a placebo. A placebo is a pill that has an inactive substance. Merck said only about seven percent of the patients who received the experimental pill went to the hospital or died after 30 days compared to 14 percent who received a placebo. Patients in the Merck study were not vaccinated for COVID-19. Merck said there were some side effects among both groups but did not describe them. The drug-maker said its pill works by preventing the virus from easily reproducing itself. But earlier studies showed the drug did not help people who were already very sick. A group of independent experts following the trial advised Merck to stop it early because the pill seemed to be working so well. Merck said it will soon send the trial results to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review. Dr. Dean Li is the vice president of Merck Research Laboratories. He said: It exceeded what I thought the drug might be able to do in this clinical trial. Li noted that a 50 percent reduction in hospitalization or death is a substantial clinical impact. Merck said it can produce 10 million treatments by the end of the year. The U.S. already plans to buy nearly 2 million treatments if it is approved by the FDA. Pfizer and Roche, two other drug companies, are working on similar products and may have results from their drug trials soon. Im Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by The Associated Press. Susan Shand and Hai Do were the editors. How do you feel about the new drug? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story pill n. a small, rounded object that you swallow and that contains medicine, vitamins, etc. IV n. a device that is used to allow a fluid (such as blood or a liquid medication) to flow directly into a patient's veins mild adj. not harsh or severe symptom n. a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present placebo n. a pill or substance that is given to a patient like a drug but that has no physical effect on the patient exceed v. to be better than (something) clinical adj. relating to or based on work done with real patients : of or relating to the medical treatment that is given to patients in hospitals, clinics, etc. substantial adj. large in amount, size, or number impact n. a major influence or effect An employee prepares vials for analysis at a LabQuest laboratory, a clinic that does antibody testing and processing, in Moscow, Russia, Monday, July 12, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko When Russians talk about the coronavirus over dinner or in hair salons, the conversation often turns to "antitela," the Russian word for antibodiesthe proteins produced by the body to fight infection. Even President Vladimir Putin referred to them this week in a conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, bragging about why he avoided infection even though dozens of people around him caught the coronavirus, including someone who spent a whole day with the Kremlin leader. "I have high titers," Putin said, referring to the measurement used to describe the concentration of antibodies in the blood. When Erdogan challenged him that the number Putin gave was low, the Russian insisted, "No, it's a high level. There are different counting methods." But Western health experts say the antibody tests so popular in Russia are unreliable either for diagnosing COVID-19 or assessing immunity to it. The antibodies that these tests look for can only serve as evidence of a past infection, and scientists say it's still unclear what level of antibodies indicates protection from the virus and for how long. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention says such tests should not be used to establish an active COVID-19 infection because it can take one to three weeks for the body to make antibodies. Health experts say tests that look for the virus's genetic material, called PCR tests, or ones that look for virus proteins, called antigen tests, should be used to determine if someone is infected. In this Sept. 29, 2021, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talk to each other during their meeting in the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. Putin referred to his own test results while talking to Erdogan, bragging about how he avoided infection even though dozens of people around him caught the virus, including someone who spent a whole day with him. Credit: Vladimir Smirnov/Sputnik, Kremlin/Pool Photo via AP In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. In Moscow and the surrounding region, millions of antibody tests have been done at state-run clinics that offered them for free. Across the country, dozens of chains of private labs and clinics also offer a wide variety of antibody tests for COVID-19, as well as tests for other medical conditions. "In some cities I went to, I needed to take a PCR test and it wasn't possible, but I could take an antibody testit was much easier," said Dr. Anton Barchuk, head of the epidemiology group at the European University in St. Petersburg and an associate professor at the Petrov National Cancer Center there. An employee, left, works at one of Invitro's drop-in clinics for antibody testing in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko Antibody tests for COVID-19 were first widely publicized in Moscow in May 2020, shortly after Russia lifted its only nationwide lockdown, although many restrictions remained in place. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced an ambitious program to test tens of thousands of residents for antibodies. Many Muscovites greeted this enthusiastically. Contrary to Western experts, some believed antibodies represented immunity from the virus and saw a positive test as a way out of restrictions. The test looked at two different types of antibodies: ones that appear in one's system soon after infection, and ones that take weeks to develop. To their surprise, some of those who tested positive for the former were handed a COVID-19 diagnosis and ordered to quarantine. Irina Umarova, 56, spent 22 days confined to her studio apartment, without experiencing any symptoms. Visiting doctors took six PCR tests that came back negative. But they also took more antibody tests, which continued to show a certain level of antibodies. Employees work at the LabQuest laboratory, a clinic that does antibody testing and processing, in Moscow, Russia, Monday, July 12, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko "They kept telling me I was infected and needed to stay home," she said. More interest in antibody testing came this summer when Russia had a surge of infections. The demand for tests spiked so sharply that labs were overwhelmed and some ran out of supplies. That's when dozens of regions made vaccinations mandatory for certain groups of people and restricted access to various public spaces, allowing in only those who were vaccinated, had had the virus, or had tested negative for it recently. Daria Goryakina, deputy director at the Helix Laboratory Service, a large chain of testing facilities, said she believed the increased interest in antibody testing was connected to the vaccination mandates. In the second half of June, Helix performed 230% more antibody tests than in the first half, and the high demand continued into the first week of July. "People want to check their antibody levels and whether they need to get vaccinated," Goryakina told The Associated Press. Maria Bloquert speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at her apartment in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test and share the results. Bloquert recovered from the coronavirus in May, and a test she took shortly after revealed a high antibody count. She has put off getting vaccinated but wants to get a shot eventually, once her antibody levels start to wane. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko Both the World Health Organization and the CDC recommend vaccination regardless of previous infection. Guidance in Russia has varied, with authorities initially saying that those testing positive for the antibodies weren't eligible for the shot, but then urging everyone to get vaccinated regardless of their antibody levels. Still, some Russians believed a positive antibody test was a reason to put off vaccination. Maria Bloquert recovered from the coronavirus in May, and a test she took shortly after revealed a high antibody count. She has put off her vaccination but wants to get it eventually, once her antibody levels start to wane. "As long as my antibody titers are high, I have protection from the virus, and there is no point in getting injected with more protection on top of it," the 37-year-old Muscovite told AP. A medical worker prepares an injection of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination center in Gostiny Dvor a huge exhibition place in Moscow, Russia. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko High-profile officials, like Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the upper house of parliament, both have been quoted as saying they didn't need to get vaccinated due to having high levels of antibodies, but they eventually decided to get their shots. Contradicting guidelines may have contributed to Russia's low vaccination rate, said Dr. Anastasia Vasilyeva, leader of the Alliance of Doctors union. "People don't understand (what to do), because they're constantly given different versions" of recommendations, she said. Even though Russia boasted of creating the world's first vaccine, Sputnik V, only 32.5% of its 146 million people have gotten at least one shot, and only 28% are fully vaccinated. Critics have principally blamed a botched vaccine rollout and mixed messages the authorities have been sending about the outbreak. Employees work at a LabQuest laboratory, a clinic that does antibody testing and processing, in Moscow, Russia, Monday, July 12, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko In this July 12, 2021, file photo, a medical worker administers a shot of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination center in Gostinny Dvor, a huge exhibition place in Moscow, Russia. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. Credit: AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File An employee holds a set of vials for analysis at the LabQuest laboratory, a clinic that does antibody testing and processing, in Moscow, Russia, Monday, July 12, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko In this Sept. 12, 2021, an elderly man wearing a face mask and gloves to protect against the coronavirus rides a subway car in Moscow, Russia. When Russians discuss the coronavirusfrom ordinary conversations to remarks even by President Vladimir Putinthe talk often turns to "antitela." That's the Russian word for antibodiesthe proteins produced by the body to fight infection. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File A customer stands at the reception desk at one of Invitro's drop-in clinics for antibody testing in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. Credit: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko Dr. Simon Clarke, an associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading in England, said antibody tests shouldn't influence any health-related decisions. Getting an antibody test "is for your own personal satisfaction and curiosity," he added. Barchuk, the St. Petersburg epidemiologist, echoed his sentiment, saying there are too many gaps in understanding how antibodies work, and the tests offer little information beyond past infection. But some Russian regions disregarded that advice, using positive antibody tests to allow people access to restaurants, bars and other public places on par with a vaccination certificate or a negative coronavirus test. Some people get an antibody test before or after vaccination to make sure the shot worked or see if they need a booster. Dr. Vasily Vlassov, an epidemiologist and a public health expert with the Higher School of Economics, says this attitude reflects Russians' distrust of the state-run health care system and their struggle to navigate the confusion amid the pandemic. "People's attempt to find a rational way of acting, to base their decision on something, for example the antibodies, is understandablethe situation is difficult and bewildering," Vlassov said. "And they opt for a method that's available for them rather than for a good one. Because there is no good method to make sure that you have immunity." 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. California has announced the nation's first coronavirus vaccine mandate for schoolchildren. Newsom said Friday that the mandate won't take effect until the COVID-19 vaccine has received final approval from the U.S. government for various grade levels. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu California is poised to impose the nation's first coronavirus vaccine mandate for schoolchildren, a move announced Friday that could push other states to follow as many did after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the first statewide stay-at-home order in the U.S. during the early days of the pandemic. Newsom said the mandate won't take effect for all children until the U.S. government has finished fully vetting the vaccine for two age groups12 to 15 and 5 to 11. That means those in seventh to 12th grades probably will have until July to get their shots. It will be even longer for children in kindergarten through sixth grades because the government has yet to approve any COVID-19 vaccine for that age group. California law requires all children enrolled in public and private schools to have 10 immunizations, with exceptions for medical reasons. For the coronavirus vaccine, California will grant exemptions for medical reasons, plus religious and personal beliefs. The rules for those exemptions will be written after the state hears comments from the public. Any student without an exemption who refuses to get the vaccine would be forced to do independent study at home. The mandate eventually will affect more than 6.7 million public and private school students in the nation's most populous state. California already has a mask requirement for schoolchildren. "We have to do more," the Democratic governor said during a news conference at a San Francisco middle school after visiting with seventh-graders. "We want to end this pandemic. We are all exhausted by it." The federal government has fully approved coronavirus vaccines for anyone over 16 and has given emergency authorization to vaccinate those 12 to 15. Full endorsement for that age group is likely within a few months. Vaccines for children 5 to 11 are still in the testing stage. California has one of the highest vaccine rates in the country84% of people 12 and older have gotten at least one shot, and 70% are fully vaccinated. But the state has a vocal minority skeptical of both the vaccine and the government's assurances of its safety. Last month, more than a thousand people gathered at the state Capitol to protest vaccine mandates. "I just think it's a parent's decision, you know. Period," said Fabio Zamora, the father of an eighth-grader at Edna Brewer Middle School. "The government in no shape or form should be having mandates like that. I don't care for that. I'm a veteran. I served this country, and I fought for those rights." A small number of school districts nationwide have imposed their own vaccine mandates, including five in California. Among those are the state's two largest districtsLos Angeles and San Diego. Other states have resisted imposing pandemic rules in schools, including a new law in Kentucky that overturned a statewide mask mandate. Newsom has been one of the most aggressive governors on coronavirus restrictions, issuing the nation's first statewide stay-at-home order in March 2020 that was soon followed by 41 other states. More recently, Newsom required California's roughly 2.2 million health care workers and most state employees to get vaccinated to keep their jobs. Gov. Gavin Newsom, middle, speaks to students in a seventh grade science class at James Denman Middle School in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. California has announced the nation's first coronavirus vaccine mandate for schoolchildren. Newsom said Friday that the mandate won't take effect until the COVID-19 vaccine has received final approval from the U.S. government for various grade levels. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu The governor was emboldened after easily defeating a recall effort last month fueled by anger over his handling of the pandemic. He says he interpreted his landslide victory as an endorsement of his vaccine policies. Newsom hasn't backed all vaccine mandates, however. He recently opposed a requirement for prison guards that a federal judge imposed. Critics used that example to say Newsom is driven more by politics than science, noting the labor union of corrections officers had donated to his campaign to defeat the recall. "California kids made the mistake of not giving millions to his campaigns," Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley tweeted Friday. Kiley was among 46 candidates who ran to replace the governor during the recall election. Newsom's announcement comes as COVID-19 infections in most of California have dropped markedly. The statewide positivity rate for the last week was 2.8%, and the average number of daily cases was about 6,355, roughly half what it was when the latest surge peaked in mid-August. Hospitalizations have fallen by 40%. In Los Angeles Countythe nation's largest, with more than 10 million residentsjust 1.7% of people tested for the virus have it, and daily infections are down by half in the last month, when most kids went back to school. "These numbers are amazingly low given that 3,000-plus schools are now open countywide," county Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday. She noted that although the number of outbreaks in schools has increased slightly in recent weeks, the overall number is small and largely related to youth sports. California's largest teachers unions back the vaccination mandate, as does the California Association of School Boards. "This is not a new idea. We already require vaccines against several known deadly diseases before students can enroll in schools," said Dr. Peter N. Bretah, president of the California Medical Association. "The Newsom administration is simply extending existing public health protections to cover this new disease, which has caused so much pain and suffering across our state, our nation and the entire globe over the last 18 months." Until now, Newsom had left the decision on student vaccine mandates to local school districts, leading to a variety of different orders. In Los Angeles, a vaccine mandate for eligible students is set to take effect in January. Newsom's plan does not override those plans. He said districts can "accelerate" the requirements, and he expected many will. The vaccine mandate also would apply to teachers and staff in K-12 public and private schools. Newsom already had required them to either get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing, but once the mandate for students takes effect, the testing option won't be available for teachers anymore. "We're never going to get to eradication with this virus, but the higher the immunity, the better," said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease doctor and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Explore further California requires vaccines, tests for teachers and staff 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Local alert top story Development Soscol Square drive-thru proposal heads to Napa City Council following appeal over greenhouse gas emissions Jennifer Huffman, Register The Soscol Square Shopping Center will be built on the site of this former Chrysler dealership at 333 Soscol Ave. One more drive-thru in the city of Napa is one too many, an environmental group is saying. An appeal of the Soscol Square Shopping Center project filed by Napa Climate NOW!, which cites an increase in greenhouse gas emissions as the result of a proposed restaurant drive-thru, will bring that aspect of the project to the Napa City Council for a vote Tuesday evening. The shopping center, approved by the citys planning commission in August, is planned to be built on a 7-acre site at the intersection of Soscol Avenue and Gasser Drive. Development plans include a Kohls Department store, a retail building and an undetermined restaurant with a drive-thru which was originally proposed as a Chick-fil-A until Canadian applicant Ronmor Developers Inc. dropped the restaurant from the project in July. Napa Climate NOW! filed an appeal of the use permit for the drive-thru because of its impact on greenhouse gas emissions. In the appeal letter, written by co-chair David Kearney-Brown, the group states it doesnt oppose any elements of the plan except the drive-thru. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! While the project may meet the City's code requirements, and the CEQA analysts concluded that with mitigations the GHG emissions would be less than significant, we firmly believe that approval of the drive-through component of this project flies in the face of the City's efforts to reduce emissions and serve as a leader in addressing climate change, wrote Kearney-Brown. City Planner Michael Allen said in an email that no other Napa projects including a drive-thru had been approved since 2014, and none of those somewhat recent approvals received any concern about climate impact at the time. I think its just the sign of the times with climate change that more people are thinking about it, Allen wrote. Napa Climate NOW! member Bayard Fox said that, especially in light of a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, decreasing any source of greenhouse gas emissions is vital for slowing down the environmental destruction wrought by climate change. For us, in this day and age, especially with the updated Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, something like a drive-thru just seems so appallingly, drastically wrong, Fox said. And its going to leave an incredible, immeasurable impact on our local environment for the next 50 years. This just cant be a legacy we can maintain. In the appeal letter, the group also requested the council consider a moratorium on the construction of additional drive-thrus in the city. There are already seven existing drive-thrus within a mile of the Soscol Square site, Fox said, including popular In-N-Out Burger and Starbucks locations in the South Napa Marketplace. With every additional increment of global warming, changes and extremes continue to become larger, Fox said, quoting the IPCC report. This is exactly what were talking about with the drive-thru, why were appealing this drive-thru. At the August planning commission meeting, the commissioners acknowledged public comments opposing the drive-thru sent by the climate group and the Napa Sierra Club executive committee. The commissioners talked though possible alternatives a sit down restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant to offset the emissions created by raising animals for meat and asked Canadian applicant Ronmor Developers Inc. if the company would consider moving forward on the project without a drive-thru. But Ronmor chairman Doug Poronzi said at the meeting that his pool of potential tenants would be severely reduced if the project didnt have a drive-thru. He added that additional profits brought in by drive-thrus have allowed many restaurants to survive during the pandemic, and people have become less inclined to walk inside restaurants to buy food. You need to generate a lot of sales, and you cannot do it with just people parking in front, getting out and going in, Porozni said at the meeting. Im sorry we live in a convenience world. Poronzi didnt immediately respond to a request for comment this week. Drive-thru orders have risen during the pandemic, with 35% of all restaurant orders in 2020 occurring at drive-thrus compared to 26% in 2019, according to a report from The New York Times. The article goes on to say that, right before the pandemic, several cities had banned the construction of new drive-thrus for environmental, health and traffic reasons. But this year, because of recent success of drive-thrus, fast food restaurants across the country have embraced drive-thrus and are revamping designs, adding multiple lanes and testing various new setups, according to The Times. Ronmor Developers Inc. did agree to other climate-friendly conditions at the August planning commission meeting, including five electrical charging stations and to build the structures to a minimum of LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building standards. But, because of the drive-thru, commissioner Bob Massaro cast the sole vote in opposition to the project. He said he saw approving the drive-thru as decision that would have long-term consequences on the local climate and that hed like to see the city enact a moratorium on additional drive-thrus. I cant in good conscience vote yes with the drive-thru, Massaro said at the meeting. The environmental group is hopeful that a non-drive-thru solution can be found for the restaurant space. Group member Chris Benz said the site is central to new housing thats been going up in the area, and so perhaps a sit down restaurant or a grocery store like Trader Joes extra space would be created by getting rid of the drive-thru lane, she said would be more financially feasible than it seems to the developer. Fox said that, especially because the developer isnt local, it behooves the community to express their sentiments and wishes for the project. He added that, knowing the state of the climate, additional drive-thrus cant be a legacy Napa maintains. For me this is like 16th century London where they realized a cholera outbreak could be mitigated by putting in proper sewer plumbing but no one wanted to do it, Fox said. I dont think we can rely on the old adage of, if it aint broke, dont fix it, because it is so clearly broken. It wasnt the Vine Hill Drive living that convinced them to leave, but the California living. Dan Osso said taxes are already on the high side, and he thinks they will continue to grow higher. I dont want to feel like I have to work when Im 80 in order to be able to afford my lifestyle, he said. So we made a tactical move to find something that was ideally more house, less expense and at least an equal quality of life, as much as you can try to compare anything to Napa. Records show they sold their house for about $800,000. Like many other Californians, they are moving to Henderson, Nevada near Las Vegas. They are buying a house with more space, a pool, a hot tub, an outside kitchen and no mortgage. They are on fixed income and will save about $6,000 a year on property taxes. Theyll pay no income tax on their pension, Dan Osso said. The cost of living is about 28% cheaper than here in California, here in Napa specifically, he said. But they will lose the Vine Hill Drive neighborhood. As Ive already told many of our friends, this is a bittersweet move for us, Dan Osso said. Weve made a lot of good connections here. Napa is beautiful. Its idyllic. Health experts say the fourth wave of the pandemic has peaked overall in the U.S., particularly in the Deep South, where hospitals were stretched to the limit weeks ago. But many Northern states are still struggling with rising cases, and whats ahead for winter is far less clear. Unknowns include how flu season may strain already depleted hospital staffs and whether those who have refused to get vaccinated will change their minds. An estimated 70 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated, providing kindling for the highly contagious delta variant. If youre not vaccinated or have protection from natural infection, this virus will find you, warned Mike Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Nationwide, the number of people now in the hospital with COVID-19 has fallen to somewhere around 75,000 from over 93,000 in early September. New cases are on the downswing at about 112,000 per day on average, a drop of about one-third over the past 2 1/2 weeks. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The recent 100th anniversary of the Tulsa massacre brought renewed attention to the way, throughout much of American history, racial violence has destroyed Black lives and livelihoods. But not all wealth destruction has been violent. Its no less important to recognize the myriad instances in which a white establishment has more subtly undermined Black efforts at world-building and economic advancement, effectively stealing their boots while telling them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. The sad story of Allensworth, California is a case in point. The town owes its existence to two Black men: the distinguished Army officer Colonel Allen Allensworth of Kentucky and William A. Payne, an Ohio educator and Denison University graduate. Inspired by Booker T. Washingtons message of economic self-sufficiency, they set out to establish a place where African Americans would settle upon the bare desert and cause it to blossom as a rose. Together with Los Angeles minister Dr. William H. Peck, Nevada miner J.W. Palmer and Los Angeles Realtor Harry Mitchell, they incorporated the California Colony and Home Promoting Association in June 1908. That same year, they purchased land for the new municipality, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and adjacent to a depot on the Santa Fe Railroad line, the major transportation route between northern and southern California. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Special offer: $1 for your first 6 months! OSCE Minsk Group: Co-Chairs discussed possible de-escalatory and humanitarian measures Sergey Markedonov: What axis between Yerevan and Tehran? Armenia Parliament Speaker: It's very important to be able to turn the page over and establish peace in the region Legendary Armenian gymnast Albert Azaryan's daughter, teacher Zhanna Azaryan dies from COVID-19 Georgia citizens to hold rally in support of Saakashvili in central Tbilisi on Sunday Armenia sets up governmental commission for funeral of Ambassador Vigen Chitechyan Armenia opposition MP: Yerevan, Baku are synchronously working to destroy Armenian statehood Slovenia Ambassador to Armenia: Armenian-Slovenian economic relations not adequate to existing potential Cavusoglu: Ukraine has applied to obtain observer status in Turkic Council Turkey building a wall on border with Iran Basque Country Parliament, affirming European Parliament's stance, adopts resolution on Armenian POWs Turkish FM touches upon Armenia-Azerbaijan relations Armenia FM receives Apostolic Nuncio of Holy See Jose Avelino Bettencourt Saakashvili's father calls on son to stop hunger strike Armenian and Belarusian MFAs hold political consultations Digest: Russia offers 3+3 Caucasus regional platform, more on COVID-19 vaccination in Armenia Armenia MOD receives Diaspora Armenian benefactors Armenia Ambassador presents credentials to Turkmenistan President Armenia Parliament Deputy Speaker and Russia Ambassador: We are interested in expansion of cooperation Armenia finance ministry-European Investment Bank cooperation development directions discussed One dollar drops below AMD 480 in Armenia Hague court announces dates for considering petition for Armenian captives return, urgent measures against Azerbaijan Armenia minister, Rosatom representative discuss cooperation in new sectors for infrastructure development Armenia PM underscores need for effective investigation of criminal cases on 44-day war circumstances Armenia MFA: Servants, followers of Armenian Church should have unimpeded access to cathedral in Artsakhs Shushi Armenia opposition With Honor Faction lawmaker: MPs can be part of any parliamentary delegation Turkish Armed Forces' 3rd army corps commander visits Nakhchivan Sergey Markedonov: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not over Opposition 'Armenia' faction: There is always a threat of war, but it is less likely in the near future Armenian and Greek competition protection authorities sign Memorandum of Cooperation Georgia FM comments on possibility of his country joining 3 + 3 format proposal including Armenia Ruling power MP: Armenia needs to consider, grasp opportunities of 3 + 3 negotiation format 12 new cases of coronavirus reported in Karabakh FM meets with Sweden ambassador, stresses need for return of all Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan Ukraine MP who penned Armenian Genocide recognition draft decision dies Azerbaijan organizes another visit to occupied Shushi of Artsakh Ombudsman in Rome, presents Armenian captives issue to international media ANCA calls on US Congress to investigate State Department failures related to Armenia, Artsakh Armenia opposition MP: Tatev bypass road will not resolve all our problems in current situation (PHOTOS) 1,202 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Opposition Armenia bloc challenges, at Constitutional Court, community enlargement law package Armenia Central Bank chief in Rome, meets with Italy PM Russia peacekeepers, philanthropists hand warm clothes to Artsakh families State Department: US, Russia do not want to allow Iran to have nuclear weapons Newspaper: Armenia state to no longer cover treatment expenses of patients not vaccinated against coronavirus? Newspaper: Armenia judicial system to be in volatile situation in short time UN Human Rights Council agrees to appoint special rapporteur on Afghanistan Russia citizen driver, 52, dies on the spot after his car crashes into truck in Armenia Launch of Armenian Studies Program announced during Armenia President's visit to Sapienza University Will Turks be able to enter 26 countries of Schengen Area without visas? Dinner served in honor of Armenia President and his wife in Italy Armenian parliamentary standing committee chairman meets with Russia Ambassador Armenia Ombudsman submits to Pope Francis reports on tortures of Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan Customs Attache: There hasn't been and there is no bias against Armenian drivers at Upper Lars checkpoint Greece-France defense agreement will allow them to help each other in case of third country's attack Treatment of coronavirus-infected but unvaccinated people to become paid service in Armenia as of December? Turkish FM: Turkey's position on supporting Ukraine's "integrity and sovereignty" remains unchanged Russian peacekeeping forces, charitable organizations provide assistance to boarding school in Karabakh Zakharova: Moscow proceeds from priority to ensure geopolitical stability in South Caucasus Armenia President pays tribute at Altar of the Homeland monument at Venice Square in Rome Turkey, Iran to hold political consultations Karabakh FM expresses condolences over death of Vigen Chitechyan Armenia territorial administration and infrastructure minister has new deputy Armenia Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan receives US Ambassador Armenia Security Council Secretary, Netherlands Ambassador attach importance to fight against corruption Digest: Armenian POW returned from Azerbaijan, PACE speaks on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination risks Armenia and Italy are deepening cooperation in justice sector Apprehended ARF-D members are released Armenia high-tech industry minister receives Russia Ambassador Armenia Embassy in Russia hosts delegation led by Armenian parliamentary speaker Decisions to arrest Armenia ex-defense minister, arms supplier are appealed Dollar continues going down in Armenia Artsakh President to Putin: Your role in process of peaceful, final settlement of Karabakh conflict is invaluable Amir-Abdollahian: We consider inadmissible Zionist regime provocative movement in our region from Azerbaijan territory Iran FM announces readiness to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan US ambassador to Armenia attends unveiling of new x-ray machine donated to Ashtarak city hospital (PHOTOS) Putin: Russia attaches great importance to close cooperation with strategic ally Armenia Police disrupt ARF youths protest outside Armenia government building Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople meets with the Pope, in the Vatican UK envoy to Armenia does not comment on Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Karabakh situation Iran Supreme Leaders representative leaves Azerbaijan Armenias Pashinyan to Russias Putin: We are grateful for your efforts to establish peace in South Caucasus Putin, Aliyev confer on situation in South Caucasus Putin, Erdogan discuss regional issues 4 new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh PACE new resolution urges to ensure that COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory Zelensky sacks Ukraine ambassador to Armenia PM: Armenia, Armenian people are grateful to Japan Armenia PM: We have made decision regarding local elections Armenia, Italy presidents farewell ceremony held in Rome (PHOTOS) Sarkissian to Putin: Armenia highly values your contribution to maintenance of peace, stability in region Having legal system is important for business development in fair environment, says UK ambassador to Armenia Armenia President, Italy PM meeting in Rome (PHOTOS) Baku not ruling out another meeting between Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs Armenia President meets with Rome mayor 1,309 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Biden approval rating hits new low in latest poll Armenia ombudsman in Italy parliament, presents evidence of Azerbaijan torture of Armenian captives World oil prices dropping Serial killer in US lured by social media is sentenced to 160 years in prison YEREVAN. Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia, Stepan Galstyan, has also been detained within the framework of a criminal case under investigation by the National Security Service (NSS)and into misuse and large-scale embezzlement in the process of supplying weapons to the armed forces, Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned from the NSS. On the same day, Galstyan was included as a defendant in the aforesaid criminal caseand on charges of abuse of office and committing official fraud, and a petition has been filed with court to remand him in custody. To note, the NSS on Wednesday conducted searches in the homes of former Minister of defense Davit Tonoyan, Deputy Chief of General of the Armed Forces Staff Stepan Galstyan, and former Chief of Military Aviation Avetik Muradyan. They even searched Tonoyan's mother's apartment. It is not known what the investigators expected to find in those homes months after the criminal case was initiated in the NSS. There are only rumors circulating in the press that the law enforcement officers were looking for documents and money. And according to court decisions, Davit Tonoyan and arms supplier Davit Galstyan have been remanded in custody for two months along the lines of the aforementioned criminal case. ETCHMIADZIN. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II on Friday hosted, at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Patrik Svensson, the newly appointed Ambassador of Sweden to Armenia, reported the Information Services of the Mother See. At the meeting, the Catholicos of All Armenians, referring to the external and internal challenges facing the Armenian people, expressed his gratitude to Sweden, as well as to the international diplomatic missions for their support and assistance to Armenia during the difficult days of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war last fall, and the post-war period. His Holiness expressed his gratitude to the Swedish authorities for their caring attitude towards the Swedish Armenian community, and for granting them the opportunity to live a national and spiritual life. The Catholicos of All Armenians noted that the Mother See is ready to cooperate with the Swedish Embassy in various spheres. In turn, Ambassador Svensson expressed hope that the Armenian people will be able to overcome all the difficulties they face after the war. Also, the diplomat emphasized that he was very impressed with Armenia and the hospitality of the Armenian people. Patrik Svensson assured the Catholicos that the Swedish Embassy will contribute to further deepening and developing of Armenian-Swedish relations in various fields, implementing a number of programs. During the conversation, the Catholicos presented to the Swedish Ambassador the role of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin in the life of the Armenian people, and its current activities, emphasizing the importance of the preservation and application of Christian values. Protesters attend the Rally For Abortion Justice on October 02, 2021 in Washington, DC. Leigh Vogel/Getty As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to consider another restrictive ban, abortion rights activists are marching in protest across the country. More than 650 marches have been planned for Saturday, with the Women's March kicking off their Rally for Abortion Justice at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., and marching to the steps of the Supreme Court. "Over 120,000 people are set to join us at over 650 rallies nationwide tomorrow, fighting for abortion justice," Women's March executive director Rachel O'Leary Carmona wrote on Twitter Friday. "This is how we send a message. Lawmakers, don't you dare take away our reproductive freedom." RELATED: House Passes Legislation to Protect Abortion Rights amid Legal Challenges to Texas Ban The protests come as the Supreme Court prepares to reconvene on Monday to consider Mississippi lawmakers' plea to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case, according to Reuters. For more on the Women's March and other top stories, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. Last month, Texas enacted Senate Bill 8, the most restrictive abortion law in the country. Essentially eliminating the rights of Roe v. Wade, the bill prohibits abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which is before most people know they're pregnant. The bill does not allow exceptions for pregnancies that are the result of incest or rape. Over 120,000 people are set to join us at over 650 rallies nationwide tomorrow, fighting for abortion justice. This is how we send a message. Lawmakers, don't you dare take away our reproductive freedom. #RallyForAbortionJustice Rachel OLeary Carmona (@RachCarmona) October 1, 2021 Under the law, private citizens can sue abortion clinics they suspect of performing illegal abortions after six weeks, as well as anyone who aided in an abortion, including driving someone to an appointment or helping them with the cost. If the lawsuit is successful, they will be awarded a minimum of $10,000. Story continues Abortion providers in Texas attempted to stop the bill, asking the Supreme Court to issue an emergency block before it went into effect. They argued that the law "would immediately and catastrophically reduce abortion access in Texas, barring care for at least 85 percent of Texas abortion patients (those who are six weeks pregnant or greater) and likely forcing many abortion clinics ultimately to close." The court voted 5 to 4 against the request, allowing the law to remain in effect. The five justices who voted in the majority Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett explained their decision in a single unsigned paragraph, arguing that the request did not properly address "complex and novel antecedent procedural questions" in regards to the bill. Protesters hold up signs as they march down Congress Ave at a protest outside the Texas state capitol on May 29, 2021 in Austin, Texas. Thousands of protesters came out in response to a new bill outlawing abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected signed on Wednesday by Texas Governor Greg Abbot. Sergio Flores/Getty "In particular, this order is not based on any conclusion about the constitutionality of Texas's law, and in no way limits other procedurally proper challenges to the Texas law, including in Texas state courts," the justices wrote. Last week, the House voted in favor of H.R. 3755, the Women's Health Protection Act, which effectively codifies Roe v. Wade, granting access to abortion to "every person capable of becoming pregnant." The Senate still has to vote on the legislation. RELATED VIDEO: Woman Whose Conception Sparked Roe v. Wade Case Breaks Silence: 'I'm Keeping a Secret but I Hate It' "This Act is intended to protect all people with the capacity for pregnancy cisgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals, those who identify with a different gender, and others who are unjustly harmed by restrictions on abortion services," the legislation states. An Alabama city council established Juneteenth as a paid holiday, the latest in local efforts to recognize the historic day when slaves were emancipated. Marcus Jackson, the only black member of the seven-member Prattville City Council, championed the campaign to add Juneteenth to the holiday schedule, a measure that was passed by a unanimous vote. Its a good day in Prattville, Jackson said. Im very appreciative that the City Council passed the resolution unanimously. Having the paid holiday is important because it marks a day when a large group of Americans learned about their freedom. ... We still have to work on our efforts to ensure diversity and inclusivity. Having this paid holiday can help keep a spotlight on those efforts." HARRIS, PRESIDENT OF SENATE, TO SIGN BILL MAKING JUNETEENTH A FEDERAL HOLIDAY Jackson had asked the mayor to recognize the holiday in July, but the mayor said that was the council's domain. The day, which commemorates federal troops entering Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to ensure all slaves had been freed, has received increased attention in recent months. President Joe Biden made the date a federal holiday in a June 17 executive order, and several local governments, including the state of Alabama, followed suit, declaring the day a state holiday. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Though the holiday has received widespread support, some are opposed to the festivities, with South Carolina GOP Rep. Ralph Norman, one of 14 House members to oppose the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 16, calling his opposition to the measure "an easy no vote." "First of all, our Independence Day is July 4th. Period. Independence Day celebrates the anniversary of our declared independence from Great Britain, and its been that way for 245 years," Norman said in a statement. "If you want to call Juneteenth, for example, Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, then fine thats certainly worth considering. But calling it Independence Day is WHOLLY INAPPROPRIATE." Story continues Jackson did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comment. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Race and Diversity, African Americans, Juneteenth, Holidays, Alabama Original Author: Misty Severi Original Location: Alabama city establishes Juneteenth as paid holiday SEATTLE (AP) Alaska Air Group has told its 22,000 employees they will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccination. There are some exceptions to the policy, which has shifted since last month, The Seattle Times reported. In an email Thursday evening to all Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees, the Seattle-based company said employees will now be required to be fully vaccinated or approved for a reasonable accommodation. Officials said the new police would be in accordance with the White House executive order that requires all federal contractors to have their workers vaccinated. It replaces an Alaska policy which paid vaccinated employees $200 and required regular testing for others. At that time, Alaska said that 75% of its employees had been vaccinated. A memo from Andy Schneider, Alaskas senior vice president of people, said President Joe Bidens executive order applies to Alaska Airs subsidiaries as well as some contractors. After careful review of this order, we have determined that Alaska, Horizon and McGee employees (including certain contractors and vendors) do fall under this federal vaccine mandate due to our significant work for the federal government, alongside the other major U.S. airlines," Schneider told employees in the email. Alaska said the deadline by which employees must be fully vaccinated could be as early as Dec. 8. The airline is extending its offer of $200 to newly vaccinated employees until Dec. 1. Alaska said employees can request reasonable accommodation for sincerely held religious beliefs or a medical condition that prevents them from getting the vaccine." Employees who are granted an exemption for religious or medical reasons may be subject to additional protocols such as weekly testing, continued masking and social distancing, modified work schedules or locations, delayed training class start dates, the inability to attend in-person events or unpaid leaves of absences, Schneiders email said. United Airlines was the first major U.S. carrier to mandate vaccinations for all employees. New York-based JetBlue has also said it is implementing a similar policy. ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algeria has recalled its ambassador to France for consultations after what it called "irresponsible" comments attributed to French President Emmanuel Macron, Algeria's presidency said on Saturday. "Following comments that several sources attributed to ... Macron, Algeria expresses its categorical rejection of inadmissible interference in its internal affairs," the presidency said in a statement. "Faced with the particularly inadmissible situation inflicted by these irresponsible remarks, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune decided to immediately recall the ambassador," it said. The statement said the remarks, which have not been denied by French authorities, are harmful to Algerian martyrs who fought for independence from France, without giving details. "Those remarks are an intolerable attack on the memory of martyrs," it said. On Thursday, the government said it had summoned the French ambassador to Algiers after Paris decided to slash the number of visas it issues to nationals of Algeria and other countries in North African's Maghreb region. Algeria's foreign ministry described the move, which France said was in response to Maghreb governments' refusal to take back illegal migrants sent home by Paris, as a "unilateral decision of the French government". (This story corrects to show in para 4 that remarks have not been denied.) (Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed; Editing by Catherine Evans and Daniel Wallis) Even though only about one in 50 Americans is Jewish, U.S. Jews donate at high levels, both as individuals and as a community. As a scholar who studies community philanthropy, I am doing research to discover what accounts for this outsized generosity and why Jews play such a big role in American philanthropy. While mapping where these donated dollars go, Im finding that the many reasons why this penchant for giving arose can help explain the strength of support among American Jews for non-Jewish causes. By any measure Most Jews, regardless of their economic status, heed their religious and cultural obligations to give. In fact, 60 percent of Jewish households earning less than US,000 a year donate, compared with 46 percent of non-Jewish households in that income bracket. The average annual Jewish household donates ,526 to charity yearly, far more than the What is the smallest animal ever? https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-smallest-animal-ever-121528 Sun, 03 Oct 2021 13:31:20 +0000 tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/121528 Scientists have identified the world's smallest animal for now. It could be possible smaller creatures exist that have not yet been discovered. Nicola Di Girolamo, Associate Professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question youd like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. What is the smallest animal ever? Peter, age 9, Brookline, Massachusetts The biggest animal in the world is easy to see, if you know where to look. Living in every ocean except the Arctic, the blue whale is the largest animal on Earth weighing as much as 200 tons with a heartbeat that can be heard up to two miles away. But the smallest animal in the world? Even if you knew where to look, could you see it? To track down the tiniest creature, scientists had to first decide what they were looking for and then, where they might find it. The first question What is an animal? is something that scientists have debated for centuries. Story continues I am an exotic animal veterinarian especially fascinated by these types of questions. What is an animal? In the language of science, an animal is an organism made of multiple cells. Cells are the building blocks of all living things a human body, for example, is made up of trillions of cells. Some organisms, like bacteria, are made of just one cell. They are not considered animals. The simplest single-celled creatures including bacteria are called prokaryotes. They dont contain a nucleus, the feature that acts like the main control center for a cell. More complex cells have an enclosed nucleus. They are called eukaryotes. Anything from an earthworm to a zebra or you are all eukaryotes and all are considered animals. If it cant be seen, does that count? Based on this definition, an animal can be something so small that its not possible to see without a microscope. This is definitely not something that you would probably call an animal. A recent discovery is an organism that is invisible to the eye, a parasitic jellyfish called Myxozoa. They are very small and reaching barely 20 micrometers. Stretched out end to end, it would take more than 1,000 of these creatures to equal 1 inch. Probably the smallest of these parasitic jellyfish is Myxobolus shekel, which is no more than 8.5 micrometers when fully grown. This species was described in 2011, so is pretty new. So is the decision that Myxozoa are related to jellyfish, which scientists agreed on in 2015. The discovery of these types of jellyfish occur once in a while, so it is possible that a new and even smaller animal will be discovered in the future. The process of elimination Lets assume that youre looking for the smallest animal that is visible to the human eye. Some invertebrates, or animals without a backbone, and other smaller organisms are not visible to the human eye. What is left are vertebrates, animals with backbones that include mammals such as a dog, a whale or you, reptiles such as snakes or crocodiles, birds, fishes and amphibians. Most amphibians, like frogs, are born in water and breathe with gills until they mature, when they develop lungs and an ability to live on land. In this group of animals, it is the amphibians that win the prize for the smallest animal known, for the moment. Scientists traveled to New Guinea, the second largest island in the world, to study the the islands wildlife. This is where they found the smallest known type of frog called Paedophryne amauensis. The body length of an average adult is reported at less than 8 mm, about the size of a pea. When it was discovered in 2009, it was immediately awarded the title of worlds smallest vertebrate. The smallest animal is a question that scientists have debated for many years. Dont worry. The nature of science means the answers will keep changing as researchers make new discoveries. Maybe a smaller vertebrate will be discovered in a quiet forest, on an exotic island, at the bottom of a canyon or in the dark abyss of the ocean. Scientists will keep looking. Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question youd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live. We wont be able to answer every question, but we will do our best. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Nicola Di Girolamo, Oklahoma State University. Read more: Nicola Di Girolamo does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Kosovo Serbs on Saturday removed vehicles they had positioned to block roads leading to border with Serbia, after Belgrade and Pristina agreed to end a tense deadlock. The former foes were at loggerheads for nearly two weeks after Kosovo banned cars with Serbian registration plates from entering its territory -- mirroring a years-long Serbian practice against vehicles travelling the other way. Kosovo dispatched special police units to oversee the ban's implementation, angering local Serbs who blocked the roads leading to the border. Serbia responded by deploying armoured vehicles close to the frontier and flying fighter jets over the border region which prompted foreign diplomats to press the two sides to calm tensions and prevent further escalation. According to a European Union-brokered deal struck Thursday in Brussels, Kosovo was to remove the special police by Saturday and the local Serbs to dismantle the barricades. NATO-led peacekeepers replaced the Kosovo special police that withdrew on Saturday. The NATO-led peacekeepers from the KFOR mission will be deployed at the border for the next two weeks, according to the deal. The removal of barricades and tents in which Serb protesters were sleeping at the roads leading to the two border crossings in Kosovo's tense north was carried out without incident, an AFP correspondent reported. "It's great that it's all over. We showed Pristina that special police have nothing to do here," a 33-year-old ethnic Serb, who identified him as Slavko, told AFP. "We don't mind KFOR or ordinary police at crossings." The traffic slowly resumed at the Jarinje crossing with the first trucks that were blocked there for days crossing the border. In Brussels, the two sides also agreed to put stickers over national symbols on the number plates, a provisional solution until a permanent one is reached. Both Serbia and Kosovo claimed they had secured the agreement they desired. Story continues The latest row between Serbia and ethnic-Albanian majority Kosovo, that involves the sensitive issue of Kosovo's Serb minority, was the worst in years. Kosovo proclaimed independence from Serbia in 2008, a decade after a war between independence-seeking ethnic Albanian guerrillas and Serbian forces. Roughly 100 countries, including most EU members and the US have recognised the move, but not Serbia or its allies China and Russia. EU-brokered dialogue between the two Balkans neighbours, launched a decade ago, has so far failed to achieve normalisation of their ties. str-ih-ljvpvh Photos taken outside Monday nights 75th Met Gala show well-dressed disruptors being carried away by New York City police. Multiple people were arrested outside the 75th Met Gala Monday night as they demonstrated on behalf of Black Lives Matter. The annual benefit gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute returned this year after the coronavirus pandemic led to 2020s cancellation, and some protesters clashed with police as authorities tried to clear the demonstration. Black Lives Matter protesters are arrested outside The Met Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. A couple dozen protesters showed up to Protest the Met Gala. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images) Photos from Monday night in The Daily Mail show disruptors being carried away by New York City Police and note that a flyer at the event read that the protest was organized by an autonomous group of NYC abolitionists who believe that policing does not protect and serve communities. The NYPD has a total financial allocation of $11 billion per year, the flyer read. This money goes towards racist policing that destroys Black and brown communities while people who are struggling do not get the resources they need. CARE, not COPS, is the answer. NYPD made multiple brutal arrests outside of the #MetGala a few minutes ago. #FireThemAll protesters took to the streets outside of #MetGala2021 & cops then brought in the Strategic Response Group (SRG) to crack down on the protesters. Protesters chanted the name of #MikeRosado. pic.twitter.com/NKEWsIduYS Ash J (@AshAgony) September 13, 2021 there is a #BlackLivesMatter protest outside the #MetGala this years theme In America: A Lexicon of Fashion pic.twitter.com/15cVgm7PDy fia (@harrymedicine0) September 13, 2021 Huge crowd of 'BLM' protesters gather outside NYC's The Met just as fashion's biggest night kicks off at the gala Police detain demonstrators attending a BLM protest at the Met Gala 2021 on Fifth Avenue in New York pic.twitter.com/NozNPliug3 Lilian Chan (@bestgug) September 14, 2021 The Met Gala, a gathering of ornately-dressed famous folk who attend the high-profile event each year and hob-nob to benefit the Met Museum, usually takes place the first Monday in May but was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic. Canceled entirely last year, the theme for 2021 was In America: A Lexicon of Fashion. Story continues Over the past year, because of the pandemic, the connections to our homes have become more emotional, as have those to our clothes, Met curator Andrew Bolton said in his own statement. For American fashion, this has meant an increased emphasis on sentiment over practicality. Celebrities like model Iman, actress Lupita Nyongo and rap star Lil Nas X dazzled on the red carpet. N.Y. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) and Aurora James attend the 2021 Met Gala celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art Monday night in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended the 75th Met Gala for the first time dressed in a white gown designed by Brother Vellies with the phrase, Tax the Rich, splashed across the back. Aurora James, founder and creative director of Brother Vellies and the founder of the 15 Percent Pledge a promise from retailers to commit 15% of their retail space to Black-owned businesses told Vogue, We can never get too comfortable in our seats at the table once theyve been given. We must always continue to push ourselves, push our colleagues, push the culture and push the country forward. Fashion is changing, America is changing, she noted. And as far as this theme goes, I think Alexandria and I are a great embodiment of the language fashion needs to consider adding to the general lexicon as we work towards a more sustainable, inclusive and empowered future. Have you subscribed to theGrios Dear Culture podcast? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku. Download theGrio.com today! The post Black Lives Matter demonstrators protest outside Met Gala; some arrested appeared first on TheGrio. Valerie Araujo spent her childhood in a state of unease, tiptoeing around the house, afraid that any misstep would cause her mother's boyfriend to lash out. It all came to a head one night when a neighbor called the police during one of his violent attacks. The police officer arrested the boyfriend, who had attacked Araujo's mother, and he returned upon his release with flowers. Her mother sought help from the Noah Project, a domestic violence shelter with a 24/7 crisis line in Abilene, Texas, where they stayed for three months when Araujo was 10 years old. Her mother received counseling and help to file a protective order, so the family could return home. Araujo, now 33, started working for Noah Project in December 2014, inspired by the work she saw them doing during her stay, and she is now the victim advocate and Child Protective Services liaison. She helps callers work through domestic violence situations like the one her mother experienced. But when the Covid-19 pandemic started, she said, the calls changed. She used to get maybe two or three life-threatening calls a week, but when the pandemic started, the urgent calls came every day, multiple times a day. Its been 18 months, and the calls havent let up. The Noah Project has a 24/7 crisis line. (Nitashia Johnson for NBC News) On a typical day, Araujo said, shed receive two or three calls to the crisis line from people frantic for help and afraid for their lives after being attacked or receiving death threats with a gun or another weapon. She sometimes accompanied callers to the hospital, sitting with them as doctors examined their injuries for any potential long-term effects. "I would go home, and I would just go to my husband, who would hold me, and I would cry just a little bit because some days it's really heavy," Araujo said. "I have to keep a strong front while I'm at work, keep my emotions in check. And then when I come home, I have to be able to let them out." Araujo was not isolated in her experience: Staff members from local domestic violence organizations in Oregon, Maine, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and the District of Columbia told NBC News they had also experienced increases in more urgent calls from people in life-threatening situations during the pandemic, often resulting in unmanageable stress levels and burnout for workers. Story continues Leila Wood, a social work researcher and associate professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch, who has studied stress among direct service staffers who work with domestic violence survivors, said the stress direct service workers already feel in their high-impact jobs, compounded by the pandemic obstacles they might be facing like isolation and financial strain, could lead to long-term psychological and emotional challenges, like burnout or secondary traumatic stress. She explained that burnout looks like exhaustion, feeling checked out of work, depersonalization and "not seeing clients as dynamic people as much because you're just so exhausted and worn out." She said secondary traumatic stress can include symptoms like nightmares, flashbacks, constantly ruminating and worrying about clients' situations and "bringing work home." "One thing that's important to remember is for front-line advocates, they're interfacing with partners who are using violence, who are coming on-site, and there are real threats to safety, if you're working in an emergency shelter," Wood said. "So some of that anxiety is actually not secondary traumatic stress or burnout. It's real adaptive safety concerns." Beds at the Noah Project in Abilene, Texas. (Nitashia Johnson for NBC News) Diapers and children's clothes at the Noah Project. (Nitashia Johnson for NBC News) Wendy Arias, a customer service advocate at Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, said she was on "go, go, go mode for about three, four months" when the pandemic started, but when the increase in urgent, life-or-death calls continued with no apparent end, she began to feel the workload's toll, experiencing bouts of anxiety and fatigue that she categorized as burnout. She tried to unwind after work but couldn't get away from the overwhelming feelings. "At first, I was like, 'Oh man, I'm just not getting good sleep,'" Arias said. "But the moment I started noticing the trend that it was happening long term, for weeks at a time, months, I was like, 'OK, this is something that is coming from something else.'" AVDA is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal representation for domestic violence survivors in Texas. AVDA is not a crisis line, but Arias still fields calls from domestic violence survivors. She said she received maybe a couple of life-threatening calls per month before the pandemic, but she now receives them every day. "Everybody in the world was going through the pandemic, including social workers and advocates, so it was kind of hard adjusting for your own personal life and adjusting for professional life," Arias said. Wood conducted a study, published in December in the peer-reviewed Journal of Interpersonal Violence, that found 85 percent of survey respondents, who all work with domestic violence survivors, reported increased workplace stress related to the pandemic. The study also said burnout and secondary traumatic stress contribute to turnover in domestic violence organizations, which, Wood told NBC News, could affect client services. Mikisha Hooper, who leads Texas Council on Family Violence's annual reporting on intimate partner homicides, said there was a 22 percent increase in all intimate partner fatalities in Texas from 2019 to 2020, partly attributing the increase to "the conditions of the pandemic," including isolation and economic stressors. With both crisis line calls and fatality rates rising, it makes coping more difficult for workers, often leading to feelings of personal responsibility. In addition to the increase in life-or-death calls, crisis lines have had to go further during the pandemic. Peggy Whilde, the National Domestic Violence Hotline's director of staff support and well-being, said advocates recently reported feeling an increased sense of urgency, maybe leading to feelings of distress, because they started getting more calls from people with challenges unrelated to domestic violence. "Advocates feel that the number of people reaching out are in much higher levels of crisis or are contacting us with non-intimate-partner-violence issues that involve psychotic symptoms, substance misuse and suicidal ideation because they dont have other economic and mental health resources available to them, Whilde said. There is something organizations can do to help manage workers high stress levels: provide paid time off, encourage workers to take time off and provide adequate training and peer support, Wood said. "Organizations can do a lot with little or no money to help advocates," Wood said. Valerie Araujo (Nitashia Johnson for NBC News) Araujo said that when she's struggling with work-related challenges, she often reaches out to colleagues and her mother, who is now the nighttime advocate at Noah Project. She said she also sees a counselor and attends training on secondary trauma to prevent burnout. "There have been a couple of times where I go home, and I feel very defeated because we get three or four really high-need clients, and even if we do everything we can, it doesn't feel like it's enough," Araujo said. "I have to remind myself that I am just a person. I am not a miracle worker. I am doing what I can." Reece James and Mason Mount are both injury doubts (Getty Images) Chelsea will look to bounce back from two defeats in a row under Thomas Tuchel when they welcome Southampton to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League today. The Blues have suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats by Manchester City and Juventus in a disappointing week for the European champions but are boosted by the return of Mason Mount from injury. Tuchels side are winless in their last three meetings with Southampton, who have yet to pick up three points in the Premier League this season under Ralph Hasenhuttl. The Saints have drawn four of their opening six matches so far, including against Man City and Man United, but lost 1-0 at home to Wolves last weekend to continue their winless start. Heres all the information you need ahead of the Premier League fixture this afternoon. When is Chelsea vs Southampton? The match will take place at 3pm BST on Saturday 2 October. How can I watch it? The match is not available to watch live in the UK. What is the team news? Chelsea will be glad that Mason Mount is fit to return after the midfielder missed his sides two recent 1-0 defeats with an injury. Reece James has also been unavailable since the defeat by City and seems set to miss out again. NGolo Kante remains out after contracting Covid-19, as does Christian Pulisic who is still recovering from an ankle injury. Tuchel will likely rotate his side following the Juventus match in midweek. Stuart Armstrong has returned to Southampton training this week and could be in contention, which means defender Jack Stephens is their only known injury absentee. Striker Armando Broja is unable to face his parent side. Confirmed line-ups Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Chilwell, Werner, Lukaku, Hudson-Odoi Southampton XI: McCarthy, Livramento, Bednarek, Salisu, Walker-Peters, Romeu, Tella, Walcott, Ward-Prowse, Redmond, Armstrong Odds Chelsea: 5/12 Draw: 4/1 Southampton: 9/1 Prediction Given Southamptons impressive record against top sides this season, their own recent performances at Stamford Bridge, and a disappointing week for Thomas Tuchels side, this is not a straightforward fixture for the Blues. Chelsea desperately need to rediscover some fluency in attack but Mount should help with that. Chelsea 1-0 Southampton. For Dave Abel, president and CEO of Aventiv Technologies, the business plan is simple: For a relatively small monthly fee, he offers people stuck behind bars the use of computer tablets to pass the time and try to better themselves. Ive got a mission for this company, we endeavor to put a tablet in the hands of every incarcerated individual in the United States, Abel said in a phone interview with Yahoo News. Aventiv provides telecommunication services to prisons in 49 states, 25 of which now make tablets available for incarcerated individuals. Abel hopes to rent upwards of 400,000 of the devices to people in prison by the end of 2021 and more than a million over the next three years. Although some corrections department agencies and jails charge their own fees to use communications and premium services with the tablets, others do not. Regardless of the facility and contract, our devices come equipped with a plethora of free applications and resources that are focused on education and re-entry support, a spokesperson for Aventiv said in an email. Inmates take part in a computer tablet program at a detention center in Florence, Ariz. (Pinal County Sheriffs Office) While internet access in prisons is typically not allowed, most facilities make exceptions for movies, games and music, but those amenities are often considered premium services that require extra monthly fees. There are some free options, like podcasts and books, offered to prisoners. One podcaster hoping to tap into that audience is convicted felon turned Harvard Law School fellow Andre Norman. The host of the Sec2nd Acts podcast, Norman met Abel last year, and they came up with the idea to have his voice reach those currently behind bars. The podcast stemmed from a reentry program Norman founded in South Carolina in which ex-offenders and veterans visit prisons to try to help inspire those serving time. Its a second chance at second chances, Norman told Yahoo News about his work. Normans voice has reached thousands of people behind bars, including Dante and Travis, two men serving time at North Dakota State Penitentiary in Bismarck, who declined to provide their last names. Story continues The Sec2nd Acts podcast was cool for me, because one of the people who did an interview [Jamel Jackson], he's from the same area in New York I'm from and since were in North Dakota, I don't really see or hear many people who are from the type of same upbringing that I'm from, Dante said. By his own description, Travis wasnt much of a digital-era person before entering prison, but the access to podcasts has been a revelation. I watched them all or listened to them all yesterday, he said of Sec2nd Acts. I was really impressed with the platform he's going on the real reformation of the penal system in America is essential. Normans podcast is the first in a series for Securus Originals, a content platform underneath the umbrella of Aventiv, and while the content is free, it costs $5 per month to rent the tablets. For those who can afford them, the tablets also provide interaction with others via email or text. The connection to the outside world that this technology offers is giving incarcerated individuals a sense of hope and optimism, showing them that, once released, they have the ability to return to a normal life, Sgt. Alfred Beyer of the Cheshire County Correctional Facility in New Hampshire said in a statement. Not everyone is convinced, however. I have mixed feelings about [the tablet idea]. I think on the one hand its terrific. Help people who are incarcerated stay connected to their family members and their loved ones, and there's a lot of research that shows that that kind of maintenance of those relationships is really important for when people are released, Nazgol Ghandnoosh, a senior analyst at the Sentencing Project, a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., told Yahoo News. Andre Norman. (Courtesy of Andre Norman) On the other hand, my reservations about it are what the fees are and the costs are. People that are incarcerated are generally some of the poorest people in our country and their families also tend to be low income, and so this is not a population where we should be imposing the cost of being connected while someone in their community or in their family is incarcerated. So this should be ideally, these technologies should be available freely to people. Abel said Aventiv is working to help all incarcerated individuals get a chance to utilize the tablets. The very real, very thoughtful and very tangible concerns of not only criminologists, but of people who participate in this industry, people who are incarcerated, people whose families are impacted by incarceration, we have done work and there is a lot of work still ahead of us to make sure that our products are affordable and accessible to everyone, he said. America has the largest population of incarcerated individuals of any country on earth. Currently, there are more than 2 million people serving time in the U.S. When you count those on probation or parole, that number swells to 6.9 million, according to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), which advises the Department of Health and Human Services. Making matters worse, more than two-thirds of people who go to prison reoffend within three years of their release, according to the ASPE, and half are reincarcerated. A key selling point for Normans podcast is that it seeks to reduce recidivism by offering positive role models and directing incarcerated people to existing resources. In one recent episode, one of Normans guests was the popular Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae, who talked about his experience and how he turned toward a positive path, but also discussed the way in which punishment seems designed to keep Black people down. Oftentimes, people look at incarcerated individuals as society's throwaways. Unfortunately, there's a disproportionate amount of Black men, African American men, in the prison system, Lecrae told Yahoo News. So thats essentially saying were throwing away Black men all the time. While the podcast can prove affirming, other experts have doubts when it comes to the use of tablets to try to lower rates of recidivism. First, we have to have an understanding of how that will help people not return to the system, so what do the tablets do? Kimya Nuru Dennis, a criminologist, researcher and the founder of 365 Diversity, told Yahoo News. There are some things that have been successful. So if we are talking about the tablet program, connect it with some classes that are being offered. Of course, one of the appeals of podcasts is that they provide an intimacy that a class does not. The privacy aspect is very beneficial, Travis added, referring to how prisoners can use the tablets on their own time and not during a designated time in groups. Normans podcast offers no shortage of positive modeling. Guests have included Kenneth Igwe, an Atlanta real estate agent who gave advice on how to invest in real estate and build personal wealth; Keon Davis, the owner of a smoothie shop in Alabama who talked about his absent father and how he didnt let that steer him down the wrong path; and Jeremy Anderson, an author and motivational speaker in Atlanta who had previously been a drug dealer. Experts say hard data is needed to assess exactly how useful the tablets are when it comes to actually reducing recidivism. We are in the process of working with a number of organizations to be able to measure the difference in facilities in which we have tablets and similar facilities in which we dont have tablets, Abel said. Asked what they would tell Norman, the man whose podcast theyve listened to while locked up, Dante and Travis expressed gratitude. Thank you for taking this time to make sure that he can better the community in a way hes trying and succeeding and doing, and I would just encourage them to keep it up, Dante said. It's gonna be hard to change prison, you know, to reform the prison system, Travis added. But, well, we got to take steps at it. ____ Read more from Yahoo News: Associated Press Donald Trump intends to assert executive privilege in a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, a move that could prevent the testimony of onetime aides, according to a letter on behalf of the former president. The letter went to at least some witnesses who were subpoenaed by the House committee and it makes clear that Trump plans to invoke privileges meant to protect presidential communications from being shared with Congress. The substance of the letter from a lawyer for Trump was described Thursday by a person familiar with it who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the letter was not yet public. Alan Dershowitz teamed up with a Texas attorney, who made the case for overturning former President Donald Trump's 2020 election loss, to file a complaint on Thursday against Dominion Voting Systems on behalf of Michigan poll challengers. The eight plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit allege cease-and-desist letters sent to them by Dominion, which has engaged in a number of high-dollar defamation lawsuits against fraud allegations in the 2020 election, violated the civil provision "of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act," engaged in "civil conspiracy," and denied their rights under the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, according to court documents filed in federal court. I believe the election was absolutely fair. I believe President Biden is the legitimately elected president. But I think the issue should be debated and should not be censored. I believe Dominion is trying to suppress free speech," Dershowitz said in an interview Friday afternoon, the Daily Beast reported. Dershowitz, who helped Trump's Jan. 6 impeachment trial defense, is joined by Kurt Olsen, an attorney who previously presented legal arguments in favor of overturning the 2020 election results. EMAILS SHOW TRUMP WHITE HOUSE WANTED DOJ TO PURSUE 2020 ELECTION CHALLENGES A lawsuit filed yesterday by aggrieved 2020 poll-watchers represented by Kurt Olsen, Dershowitz and others alleges that Dominion Voting Systems is a government entity and also did much RICO by sending cease-and-desist letters. https://t.co/7fCpV6LpdK pic.twitter.com/QZE0uzo00l Brad Heath (@bradheath) October 1, 2021 The eight challengers of the general election results say they have been "clearly damaged" by the cease-and-desist letters sent by Dominion, although no further action has been taken against them by the company, and they seek damages. They each filed affidavits with concerns about the state's voting process, with none of them mentioning the voting technology company. Story continues One plaintiff named in the case, Kathleen Daavettila, claimed she was in fear of her life and that of her unborn child after receiving a cease-and-desist letter. Michigan law allows interest groups and political parties to appoint "election challengers" to question a voter's eligibility or the actions of an election inspector, documents show. Dershowitz said he would be an "adviser and consultant" over the case but is not the lead attorney. Dershowitz added on Friday he's had "no contact" with Olsen and said, "I disagree with him fundamentally on many of the substantive issues, but thats always true with the First Amendment. Dershowitz also said he considers this undertaking "a part of the bigger-picture efforts, that includes my consulting on Mike Lindell and MyPillows cases." Lindell is referenced in Olsen's lawsuit as an alleged victim of Dominion but is not part of the case. The MyPillow founder faces a $1.3 billion defamation case over election fraud allegations he has lobbed at Dominion and has filed his own litigation against the company. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The Washington Examiner contacted Dominion but did not immediately receive a response. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Alan Dershowitz, Voting Machines , Michigan, Donald Trump, Sidney Powell Original Author: Kaelan Deese Original Location: Dershowitz and pro-Trump 2020 attorney join forces for Dominion lawsuit Concept art shows the Wonders of Xandar pavilion debuting in 2022 inside Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort. It will be home to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Disney/Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, an indoor coaster, is opening at Disney World in 2022. The attraction and pavilion, where guests will learn about the planet of Xandar, will be in Epcot. Insider toured the still in-progress ride. Its story will not be tied to "Guardians Vol. 3." Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Peter Quill and the Guardians are coming to Walt Disney World next year. A new roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, will open at the resort's Epcot theme park sometime in 2022 (Disney Parks declined to confirm a specific month expected for the opening). The announcement came ahead of Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration, which kicked off on Friday and is set to last for 18 months. The highly-anticipated ride is one piece of Epcot's major, years-long overhaul. First announced in 2017, the attraction will feature the park's first reverse-launch coaster, sending guests on a "race through time and space" with the Marvel characters. In addition, a new pavilion, themed around the fictional planet Xandar, will also allow Marvel fans to learn more about the planet introduced in 2014's "Guardians of the Galaxy." On Wednesday, Insider toured the currently under construction Cosmic Rewind attraction, and on Thursday, we spoke with senior creative director Alex Wright about it. Here's everything we learned about the upcoming coaster and Epcot's newest showcase pavilion. The Cosmic Rewind attraction will be a massive indoor roller coaster A Disney Imagineer oversees "push/pull" testing of vehicles on the track for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Disney Disney Parks, which began construction on a large structure to house the attraction in 2018, previously announced Cosmic Rewind would be one of the world's longest enclosed coasters. They weren't kidding - when Insider toured the construction site on Wednesday, the Imagineers there told us it was only about half-built. That half is already mammoth in size. "The length of the track is a byproduct of the story we wanted to tell," Wright told Insider. Story continues The "omnicoaster," developed specifically for Cosmic Rewind, will be able to rotate 360 degrees as it moves along the track, immersing fans in the story. The way it was described sounds similar to the Doom Buggies, another omnimover type of system that allows the seats to swivel around, in Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion. The attraction features a programmable roller coaster ride system, where guests can be rotated along the ride track in any direction while traveling at high speeds. Courtesy Disney Parks "We've got a history with attractions that use an omnimover system," Wright said. "It's a device that allows us to turn people toward the story and kind of bring them into the scene." Of course, Cosmic Rewind, described as a "high-speed attraction," will be much faster than the Haunted Mansion. "We wanted to have that same sort of control capability with a high-speed attraction," Wright said. "That was something that didn't exist in our repertoire and we had to kind of work on how to make that play out so that we could do that at high-speed and bank turns." Here's a closer look at the Cosmic Rewind cars. They looked pretty slick in person. Caralynn Lippo/Insider The ride's story will focus on the fictional planet of Xandar, as its people join Epcot's World Showcase If you've ever visited Epcot, you'll know the World Showcase features different countries, including China, Japan, France, and Mexico, where you can sample foods and experiences from each culture. Next year, MCU's Xandar joins the showcase as the first "other-world" pavilion. Before you even get to the Cosmic Rewind attraction, guests will make their way through the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, which replaces the previous Universe of Energy Pavilion. "The planet of Xandar has come here to Epcot just like many of our countries around the world," Wright told Insider. "It's a cultural exchange. It's for them to tell us about themselves, their people, including their advanced technologies." Wonders of Xandar wasn't necessarily always going to be Epcot's first "other-world" pavilion. In 2019, Disney had also announced plans for a Play! Pavilion where fans could interact with Disney and Pixar characters, which was at that point expected to open "in time for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World." But it's unclear what the status of the Play! Pavilion is now or when it's currently expected to debut - there were no updates on it as part of the 50th anniversary media event, so we're guessing it'll most likely open after Wonders of Xandar, if at all. What about the ride itself? The Guardians will interrupt the tour as guests are learning about Xandar, sending them on a space chase As part of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, guests will walk through the Xandarian Galaxarium inside the theme park's Wonders of Xandar pavilion. Disney/Marvel The attraction is not tied to Marvel's upcoming "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3." "It is not connected to a particular film," Wright told Insider when asked whether the ride is set at a specific point in the MCU. "It's clearly connected to the 'Guardians' films, but it does exist within its own kind of story timeline." Instead, Cosmic Rewind will guide guests through a planetarium-like exhibit called the Galaxarium, where you learn more about Xandar. Naturally, the tour doesn't go off without a hitch. "We learn about the Xandarians. That leads to some events that pull us into the adventure and put us onto the ride experience," Wright told Insider. In Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, the new Epcot attraction opening in 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., guests will join the Guardians on an intergalactic chase through space and time. Disney/Marvel The Guardians of the Galaxy will interrupt the experience, sending park guests on "an intergalactic chase through space and time." In 2017, Insider learned the Guardians are coming to Epcot because it's a place Peter Quill conveniently visited and loved during his short time on Earth. Disney Parks previously opened a different "Guardians"-themed attraction at Disneyland Resort in 2017, replacing Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It's now part of Avengers Campus, which opened in June 2021. Read the original article on Insider LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers took a big blow before they even began a postseason defense of their World Series championship. Ace Clayton Kershaw exited his start with left forearm discomfort in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. It's the same injury that shut him down from July 4 to Sept. 12. Chances are, it's not looking great for October right now, a glum Kershaw said. I just wanted to be a part of this team going through October. This team is special. Kershaw will have further tests on Saturday, manager Dave Roberts said. Just not too optimistic right now, Roberts said. Kershaw is 10-8 with a 3.38 ERA, his highest mark since a 4.26 ERA as a rookie in 2008. He gave up three runs and two hits on 42 pitches over 1 2/3 innings in his final regular-season start. The left-hander struck out one and walked none before he felt pain strong enough that he had to stop. Thats the hard part right now, knowing its going to be a challenge to even contribute at all this next month, he said. Roberts and a trainer went to the mound to check on the three-time Cy Young Award winner after seeing him wince a few times. It was difficult, Roberts said. Last home start this year and you just dont know what the future is going to predict. I wanted it to be really special for him and his family. Kershaw walked off and rather than give up the ball, as pitchers typically do when theyre being replaced, he kept it in his glove. Probably just shock. I had no idea I was holding onto the ball, he said. Probably should have given it to Doc. Kershaw can become a free agent after this season. Depending on whether the playoff-bound Dodgers advance in the postseason and his health, it could have been his last appearance with the team. As far as anything else goes, I havent wrapped my head around it," he said, and I dont plan to anytime soon. The Dodgers remained two games behind San Francisco in the chase for the NL West title but assured of hosting the NL wild-card game if they don't catch the Giants with two games left. Story continues Kershaw lost his last start at Arizona last weekend, allowing four runs (three earned) and six hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 7-2 defeat. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports A European-Japanese spacecraft has returned its first close-up pictures of Mercury in a long-awaited flyby. Why it matters: The European Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency launched the BepiColombo mission to Mercury in 2018, and the two spacecraft should make it into orbit around the innermost planet in 2025. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. Driving the news: The space probes made the first flyby of Mercury at 7:44 p.m. EST on Friday, passing within 124 miles of the planet to capture images of dozens of craters. The region shown in photos Friday reveal Mercury's northern hemisphere, including Sihtu Planitia, which is flooded by lava, according to the European Space Agency. Hello, Mercury! This splendid view of part of Mercury's northern hemisphere was captured by @ESA_MTM about 10 mins after #MercuryFlyby close approach, from a distance of 2420km. https://t.co/jjGKrsQXDH#ExploreFarther pic.twitter.com/EMhMJ5tKiN Bepi (@ESA_Bepi) October 2, 2021 What's next: The next Mercury flyby is scheduled for June 20, 2022, which will be followed by four more flybys in June 2023, September and December 2024 and January 2025. The space probes are expected to enter orbit around Mercury on Dec. 5, 2025. More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free Protesters gather in front of a liquor store in flames near the Third Police Precinct on May 28, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a protest over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes. KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty Images Ivan Hunter posed as a BLM protester during the height of George Floyd protests in 2020, according to The Daily Beast. He fired 13 rounds into a Minneapolis police station and was a part of a far-right extremist group, according to The Associated Press. He pleaded guilty on Thursday, according to The Daily Beast. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A member of the far-right extremist group who impersonated a Black Lives Matter protester and fired 13 rounds from an AK-47 into a Minneapolis police station last year pleaded guilty to rioting Thursday, The Daily Beast reported. On May 27, Ivan Harrison Hunter, 26, traveled from Texas to Minneapolis during the height of last summer's George Floyd protests and fired gunshots in the Minneapolis 3rd Police Precinct while yelling "Justice for Floyd!" on video, according to The Associated Press and The Daily Beast. According to NBC News, Hunter is a member of a militia group called the Boogaloo Boys that is anti-government and has the goal of starting a second civil war. Court documents suggest that he attended the protest with two other Boogaloo Boys - one of whom was accused of murdering two police officers, according to The Daily Beast. The Minneapolis Police Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Insider The FBI has joined the search for a missing Florida teenager after a person of interest in the case was found dead. Miya Marcano, 19, vanished on 24 September just before she was due to fly from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale to visit her family, authorities say. Investigators announced that Armando Manuel Caballero, 27, a maintenance worker in the same building was found dead on Monday in an apparent suicide. Not including whats happening today and right now, our emergency response team and others have conducted nearly 30 searches, since Miya has been missing, that spans three different counties and has included about 175 personnel, said Sheriff John Mina. He added that Caballero had worked at Arden Villas since June and had accessed Ms Marcanos apartment with a master key. The sheriff said they believed Caballero was responsible for Ms Marcanos disappearance but admitted we dont know all the circumstances involved in what happened there. He would not give details about the specific role the FBI was playing in the investigation, but said the agency was assisting in the manner of technology. Ms Marcano, known as Mimi to her father, had been living in and working for a student housing complex called Arden Villas in Orlando, close to the University of South Florida, though she was not herself a student there. According to her Facebook page, she graduated last year from high school in Broward County, which includes the city of Fort Lauderdale. Colleagues last saw her at the end of her shift around 5pm on Friday 24 September, though it wasnt until Monday morning that Arden Villas posted a missing notice on its Facebook page. A Florida nurse has been fired for posting images on Instagram of a baby who was born with a birth defect. She also reportedly mocked the newborn in a caption for one of the images According to CBS Miami, Sierra Samuels was fired from Miamis Jackson Memorial Hospital on Thursday. Early last month, Samuels, who had been with the hospital since 2016, was put on administrative leave over two pictures of the baby she had shared on her social media account. The first photo was captioned, My night was going great then boom! The other read, Your intestines posed (sic) to be inside not outside baby! the nurse reportedly wrote, adding the hashtag #gastroschisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal wall, in which the intestines are found outside of the babys body, exiting through a hole beside the belly button. Samuels, who worked at the hospitals neonatal intensive care unit, was under investigation for weeks. As soon as we learned of this potential breach, we immediately placed this employee under administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, the hospital said in a statement last month. A Florida nurse was terminated after posting photos of a baby born with a birth defect on her Instagram. JazzIRT/Getty Images A neonatal intensive care nurse was fired from Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, local media first reported. The nurse reportedly shared two photos of a NICU baby with gastroschisis on her Instagram account. Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal wall in which intestines are found outside the body, according to the CDC. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A Florida nurse was terminated after posting two photos of a baby born with a birth defect on her social media, local media outlets reported. According to WSVN, neonatal intensive care nurse Sierra Samuels was fired from the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida, following a weeks-long investigation. Hospital officials said Samuels shared the photographs to her Instagram account, violating the patient's privacy. WFOR reported that one photo was captioned, "My night was going great then boom!" and included a picture of the child in the NICU. A second caption reportedly read: "Your intestines 'posed to be inside not outside baby." The photo reportedly included the hashtag "gastroschisis." Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal wall, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC wrote that a "baby's intestines are found outside of the baby's body, exiting through a hole beside the belly button." The Jackson Memorial Hospital did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on Saturday. Insider was unable to reach Samuels for comment. In a statement to WFOR, the Jackson Health System said that all employees undergo privacy policy training regularly, and potential breaches are taken seriously. "Employees who violate these privacy rules, despite being educated, are subject to disciplinary action including suspension or termination. As soon as we learned of this potential breach, we immediately placed this employee under administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation," the statement read. Read the original article on Insider Dusty Button leaps in the air as Boston Ballet company members rehearsed for "Le Corsaire" in Boston on Aug. 31, 2016. John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Dusty Button, a former top ballerina, and Mitchell Taylor Button are accused of abusing former dance students. The couple "exploited their position of power and influence in the dance world," according to a federal lawsuit. In one instance, Dusty Button allegedly recorded her husband raping a minor. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A former star ballerina and her husband are accused of raping and abusing young dancers, many of whom say they are traumatized by years of mistreatment, according to a wide-ranging federal lawsuit that became public on Wednesday. Dusty Button, who was previously the Boston Ballet's principal dancer, and her husband Mitchell Taylor Button, a former dance instructor, allegedly groomed young performers over several years and across several states, court papers show. According to the complaint, the couple "exploited their position of power and influence in the dance world" to control and abuse several young dancers, some of them minors, from 2007. Several plaintiffs alleged that the Buttons, as they are referred to in the complaint, worked together to carry out a "campaign of harassment and abuse." One plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe 100, alleges that the couple invited her, a minor, to their apartment and insisted she drink alcohol until she became intoxicated. Dusty Button restrained Jane 100 while holding a gun in her hand, and film recording as Mitchell Taylor Button raped her, it is alleged. Another plaintiff, former dance student Sage Humphries, says she was repeatedly raped by the couple in a room of their apartment with an arsenal of guns hanging on the wall, court documents show. Humphries also alleges that the Buttons controlled her social media, stopped her from speaking to her family, encouraged her to dress like Dusty, and eventually forced her to live with them full-time. The couple is also accused of coercing their students into secrecy by vowing to harm their dance careers and, on one occasion, threatening to slit the throats of a minor's father and boyfriend. Story continues The shocking allegations come from an updated complaint, filed on September 27, which names Dusty Button as a defendant after an initial complaint from July last year, had only named her as a "non-party co-conspirator." The previous complaint also accused Mitchell Taylor Button of sexually assaulting two minors, both students, between 2007 and 2010. Court documents show that the couple is accused of federal sex trafficking and forced labor violations and accuses Mitchell Taylor Button separately of assault, battery, false imprisonment, and sexual exploitation of a minor. Read the original article on Insider Guy Pearce: When it became apparent I wasnt the murderer in Mare of Easttown, people started saying, Why is he even in it?' (Yoram Kahana/Alamy) So convincing is Guy Pearce at his best that you might imagine the Australian actor himself to be as tightly wound as his most indelible characters: the emotionally constipated straight arrow cop he played in LA Confidential; the clenched amnesiac of Memento; his introverted, taciturn bandit in The Proposition; even Neighbours Mike Young had an angry introspection unusual for a daytime soap. Yet while the younger Pearce sounded like an intense, self-serious prospect, the 53-year-old version on Zoom in London (where he is starting rehearsals for a new, unnamed project) is easy company indeed: relaxed, quick to laugh, seemingly at peace with his life and work, the latest of which is sci-fi noir Zone 414. Lean and effective, the film plays to the actors strengths of enigma and understatement. His PI David Carmichael is a reticent, damaged man, hired by an eccentric tech mogul (Travis Fimmel, hamming for his life) to find his daughter in the zone of the title, a lawless district where humans can enact their most lurid fantasies with androids. Among the latter is Jane (an eerie Matilda Lutz), who seems to be demonstrating both sentience and emotional response. Gumshoes and androids, rainswept dystopian noir Zone 414 takes plenty of cues from Blade Runner, although Pearce gamely pleads ignorance. I havent seen it for years so its not something I really gave a lot of thought to perhaps to my detriment, he says, Ive done films before where Ive then been accused of absolute plagiarism, so its probably wiser to be more aware of things that you might be tapping into Unlike Carmichael, Pearce has no problem connecting with his emotions he was married to a psychologist (his childhood sweetheart Kate Mestitz) for 18 years, after all but the birth of his son with his partner, Game of Thrones actor Carice van Houten, has opened the floodgates. After Monte was born, someone said to me, You realise youre now living with your heart on the outside? And it really is true, isnt it? When I started acting, I knew if I needed to cry that it could come out easily. Then after 15 years of therapy, I became a far calmer and more satisfied human being, but trying to cry in a scene became impossible. Since having my boy though, I cry at the drop of a hat again Story continues Pearces own childhood was profoundly affected by the death of his father, a test pilot, in an air accident. Aged just eight and with an older sister with a rare developmental disorder, he was forced to grow up quickly and had always been reluctant to have children of his own. The reality of fatherhood, though, has surprised and delighted him: he notes that Monte shares his fundamental impatience and urge to perform. For Pearce, the latter was there from around the time of his fathers death; a shy and anxious child, he found escape and release on stage. Music, though, seemed a more likely destination. I played saxophone and piano, and I could see people from my school were in bands locally, whereas nobody went and became an actor other than in amateur theatre. In his last year of school, his drama teacher suggested Pearce should go for some auditions; two days after his final exam, he landed the role of Mike on Ramsay Street, where he would see out the four years of the soaps imperial era of Kylie and Jasons Scott and Charlene, Plain Jane Superbrain, Mrs Mangel et al. If Pearce is able to laugh about the phenomenon now (he and Jason Donovan still call each other Mike and Scott), then its probably thanks to his enduringly successful career beyond Erinsborough. But the experience also fostered an insecurity that took him years to shake, grateful for the profile but resentful of the associated assumptions made about him. Screaming girls chased us down the street: Pearce and Jason Donovan in Neighbours' (Fremantle Media/Shutterstock) I hated the fame thing, really struggled with it, he says. I knew Neighbours wasnt Shakespeare, but I was doing my best while knowing that I wasnt doing a great job and yet, screaming girls chased us down the street. Trying to make sense of that was quite a test. For years, I would audition and people would go, We dont really want the guy from Neighbours. As wonderful as it was to be in Priscilla [Queen of the Desert, the 1994 smash], I did feel like I was cast because its funny to put Mike from Neighbours in a dress. I was battling with incredible popularity from that show, yet I couldnt get a job. With Priscilla as his Hollywood calling card, the work began to flow, some of it (notably LA Confidential and Memento) genuinely extraordinary. Even so, a reckoning loomed and, around the turn of the century, he had a little bit of a breakdown. I started to worry I was drawing some sort of focus unnecessarily or detracting from the integrity of the show Guy Pearce on Mare of Easttown' I went to America still carrying this baggage of not believing in myself or the value of my work, so I was extremely picky, he recalls. I had people around me saying I should do a superhero film, but I was only interested in films that felt heavy and psychological. Id done five films back-to-back and was pretty spent, turning up to work every morning and growling at people. I was battling with myself all the time over whether its just ridiculous and childish, faking stuff for a living. He sighs. I was about ready to kill somebody, to be honest, so I took 18 months off, had a big old think about it and a bit of a lie-down and came back thinking actually, this is something that will keep me young. Its a wonderful, youthful perspective on life. It was the decision of a thirty-something man, not an eight-year-old boy. While age has brought a serenity offscreen, onscreen the leading parts have remained agreeably gnarly; witness his swaggering, tormented Scrooge in Stephen Knights A Christmas Carol. His character turns, meanwhile, have subtly embellished everything from The Road and Mary Queen of Scots to Oscar winners The Hurt Locker and The Kings Speech. He has even consented to do the odd blockbuster. That was definitely me having a change of heart, he grins. For Iron Man 3, the timing was right, it was a good script and I wasnt asked to play the hero. I saw the value in doing a big film and I realised youve got to get with the programme in LA, or youll get lost in the wash. And Prometheus felt different anyway to be part of the Alien universe and work with Ridley Scott was an incredible honour. Pearce in Christopher Nolans Memento' (Danny Rothenberg/Summit/Kobal/Shutterstock) Both films offered roles at once peripheral and pivotal; Pearces willingness to bob below the radar in chewy supporting roles and low-key leads extended to his appearance in the multi-Emmy-winning hit drama Mare of Easttown, widely praised as a game-changer in its willingness to put a defiantly unglossy portrait of a powerful woman on screen. Pearce assumed his subtle turn would go largely unremarked upon, given Kate Winslets towering central performance as a careworn cop. Instead, many people wrongly reckoned Pearces charming novelist, who woos her, had a dark secret. That was a bit uncomfortable, he admits. All my friends started contacting me going, Oh, my God, youre obviously the murderer, right? When it became apparent I wasnt, people started saying, Why is he even in it? I only filmed for seven days, but I started to worry it was drawing some sort of focus unnecessarily or detracting from the integrity of the show. But honestly, like when The Hurt Locker won the Oscar, I feel like I had nothing to do with its success. Next up are a reclusive writer hounded by a fan in psychological thriller The Infernal Machine (I dont have the heart to ask if hes seen Misery), and Liam Neeson action thriller Memory. And then theres music, which Pearce has been writing and recording since his days on Ramsay Street, when Stock Aitken and Waterman masterminded a production line of hits for his castmates. Did they ever come knocking? He laughs. No, and I wouldnt have answered the door anyway because I was heavily into the Cocteau Twins, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush Instead, he waited another 25 years before releasing his first album. I assumed anything musical would only ever be associated with Neighbours, so I just made music for myself. Then a musician I was doing a play with told me it wasnt healthy to hang on to a narrative I created back in 1986. If I wasnt prepared to commit to it, it would never progress. He was right. The result was 2014s Broken Bones, a thoughtful, vaguely alt-country-tinged collection that belied both its lengthy genesis (out of three decades of music, which 10 songs am I gonna choose?) and suspicions of a vanity project. The Nomad followed in 2018, a response to the break-up of his 18-year marriage to Mestitz that he describes as extremely cathartic. It came really quickly, purely as a result of how I was feeling after Kate left. I had to be careful that it didnt become a break-up album where I was just crying in tune, but it was the driver of that album. Im desperate to get going on a third now. Work and life commitments may make that difficult, with Pearce living between Amsterdam, Australia and Los Angeles. But he wont lose much sleep over it. I feel more confident in myself now, with more of a handle on any sense of ambition. I can just calm down and be more patient, take a break if I need to, and everything will just sort of fall into place. Zone 414 is available on digital download from 4 October Read More Peter Stormare: I believe in aliens and UFOs I pity people who dont Billy Crudup: Pouting is not the way of the future. Our kids are fighting and talking it out Christopher Nolan: His 11 films ranked, from Tenet to Batman Begins It took them 92 years to open a movie museum in LA. Was it worth the wait? Why has the Faye Dunaway myth overshadowed her genius? The 10 best films of 1969 A Hong Kong-Thai start-up is using blockchain to help three Thai developers sell down their stakes in a portfolio of Phuket beach resorts and downtown condominiums, slicing up the US$462 million hard assets and selling them for less than the cost of an iPhone each. The three developers, including Magnolia Quality Development owned by the Chearavanont Family of the Charoen Pokphand Group conglomerate, teamed up with start-up Fraction in putting together a security token offering slated for the first quarter of 2022, targeting both Thai and offshore investors. The other two developers are Phuket's Baba Beach Club developer Charn Issara and the Bangkok Nirvana @Work Ladprao Kaset - Nawamin town house developer Nirvana Daii. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Securitisation of real estate assets via tokens, in this case comprising rental properties in Thailand, is an emerging fintech trend, but with few takers thus far. Such blockchain-based tokens represent ownership interests, or entitle the token holders to income, dividends or revenue streams generated from real assets. "Blockchain enables us to offer the ownership of an asset directly, rather than owning the asset through investing in the stock of a company, which could be hard for investors to understand," said Fraction's co-founder and chief executive Ekapak Nirapathpongporn. The Baba Beach Club in Phuket. Photo: Handout. alt=The Baba Beach Club in Phuket. Photo: Handout. Contrasting a traditional stock of a company, its security token represents single units and floors of real estate projects, and this, he argues, is easier for investors to pick and choose which projects they prefer. By dividing up illiquid, chunky assets such as real estate into smaller, fractional digital tokens, blockchain promises to tear down the high barrier of investing, such as through private equity funds which have been accessible typically by high net worth investors with a minimum of US$5 million. Story continues The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Photo: Handout alt=The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Photo: Handout Fraction was approved last month by the Thai securities regulator with an "ICO portal" licence, which would enable the firm to launch a security token offering (STO). The firm seeks to launch a security token offering backed by total assets estimated at US$462 million from three Thai developers. For Magnolia, the developer behind The Residences at Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, one project for potential inclusion into the security token offering is Mulberry Grove on Sukhumvit Road, comprising 287 apartment units in a 30-storey building. Investors could buy a token for 5,000 baht (US$150), and each token will entitle them to dividend payment backed by rental income from these properties, Ekapak said. Both completed, and under-construction properties could be included into the token offering, he said. It is unclear what implications such an arrangement would have on the cash flow that an investor could expect. Still, investors will be able to trade the tokens through a licensed digital asset broker in Thailand. Baba Beach Club in Phuket. Photo: Facebook. alt=Baba Beach Club in Phuket. Photo: Facebook. "This token offering would enable our company to achieve cash-flow break-even," said Ekapak, adding that the start-up is currently seeking to raise up to US$1.5 million from institutional investors. Aggregate transactions of income-producing properties in Asia Pacific totalled US$184 billion in 2020, and is expected to increase to US$268 billion in 2025. "We expect usage of security tokens to rise rapidly and boost liquidity in the investment property market," said Lau Chun-kong, managing director of valuation and advisory services for Asia at Colliers. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2021 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2021. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. The Daily Beast La Plata County Sheriff/HandoutA Colorado dad convicted of murdering his son after the 13-year-old discovered photos of him in womens underwear eating feces from a diaper has been sentenced to 48 years in prison.Mark Redwine, 59, was found guilty of second-degree murder and child abuse in July after he killed his son, Dylan, inside his Durango, Colorado, home on Nov. 18, 2012. The teen was on a court-ordered visit for Thanksgiving when Redwine snapped after him and his older brotherafter the p WASHINGTON Protesters gathered in support of reproductive rights Saturday at hundreds of Women's March protests nationwide. The marches came a month after a Texas law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy took effect. In Washington's Rally for Abortion Justice, a crowd of protesters gathered Saturday around a banner proclaiming "Bans off our bodies!" as Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" blasted from speakers. A baby in a stroller nibbled at a sign saying "I can't believe I'm a baby and I have to protest already," and volunteers passed out masks with I march for abortion access on them. Teresa Hamlin from Chesapeake, Virginia, said it's unbelievable that we have to be back out here." I did this in the '70s and '60s and now we're back out again," Hamlin said. "It breaks my heart, but they've kicked the hornet's nest, and we're not going back In Texas, Democrat Mike Collier, who is running for lieutenant governor, joined protesters, tweeting "men need to shut up, sit down, and listen." In addition to the Texas law, the possibility of other states passing similar legislation and a Mississippi challenge to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision have created an "unprecedented attack" on reproductive freedoms, said Women's March executive director Rachel O'Leary Carmona. "For a long time, groups of us were ringing the alarm bell around abortion access and many of us were told we were hysterical and Roe v. Wade will never be overturned," Carmona said. "But now it's clear that our fears were both rational and proportional." The Supreme Court in September declined to block Texas' abortion law a move the Women's March said "effectively took the next step towards overturning Roe v. Wade," according to its website. The marches were planned ahead of the Supreme Court reconvening Monday. Story continues More than 400 protesters gathered for a march in Savannah, Georgia. Melissa Nadia Viviana, co-organizer of the march, said the message she wanted to communicate is that women need to have control of their bodies and their future. It's the only way we can spread equality throughout this country, so there's no going back to having other people make decisions for our uterus in the 21st century, Viviana said. We cannot progress at the same level as men if we don't have control of our reproductive freedom. 'Women rising,' but numbers falling: 2020 March tries to reenergize amid flagging enthusiasm 'Shadow docket': Senate battles over Supreme Court 'shadow docket' in the wake of Texas abortion law In Indianapolis, hundreds protested the Texas law and worried about a ripple effect felt closer to home. Some dressed as handmaids from "The Handmaid's Tale," and 27-year-old Van Wijk dressed as the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Indiana has passed laws restricting abortion access over the last few years. The laws have been both upheld and overturned by various courts, but the state Legislature has not definitively outlined any next steps. Republicans in the state, including House Speaker Todd Huston, say they are "closely watching" the Texas ban and they will "continue to examine ways to further protect life at all stages." I think right now, compared to recent years, this is a very frightening moment, Karen Celestino-Horseman, one of the Indianapolis rally organizers, told the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network. People are starting to gather at the D.C. #RallyForAbortionJustice. We rally at Freedom Plaza at noon hope to see you soon! pic.twitter.com/gl4gmSFMiS Women's March (@womensmarch) October 2, 2021 The marches have drawn opposition for years from conservatives who say the Women's March doesn't represent the views of all women. Among the critics of this year's march was Jeanne Mancini, president of an anti-abortion group called March for Life. Smaller groups of counterprotesters showed up at some of the demonstrations. In Washington, about 100 anti-abortion protesters met marchers near the Supreme Court. Blasting Christian rock, they yelled abortion is murder, prompting the marchers to respond: abortion is health care. In Ocala, Florida, anti-abortion protesters stood opposite an intersection from the pro-abortion rights group. Police were on scene to intervene between the opposing demonstrators, who sometimes crossed the road and engaged in disagreements. Carmona called the abortion rights marches a "coalition effort" with the Women's March partnering with more than 90 other organizations, including Planned Parenthood, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice and the Working Families Party. "This is a moment to consolidate our movements and to demonstrate to policymakers and to the Supreme Court that we will not go quietly, that this is going to be a fight," Carmona said. Contact News Now Reporter Christine Fernando at cfernando@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter at @christinetfern. Contributing: Austin Miller, The Ocala Star-Banner; Laura Nwogu, Savannah Morning News; Rashika Jaipuriar, Indianapolis Star This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Women's March: Rally for Abortion Justice takes place in Washington ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Austin Hedges and Bobby Bradley homered, Jose Ramirez drove in three runs and rookie Eli Morgan won his third straight start as the Cleveland Indians drubbed the Texas Rangers 9-4 on Friday night. The Indians, playing the final series with the name theyve used since 1915, clinched second place in the AL Central and must win their two remaining games to avoid their first losing record since 2012. The team will be called the Guardians starting next season. Morgan (5-7) allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings on seven hits, including homers by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Nathaniel Lowe. He allowed only one run over 12 innings in his previous two starts, beating the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox. Its a great way to end the year, said Morgan, the 252nd overall draft pick in 2017 following three seasons at Gonzaga. Hedges homered in the third and Bradley in the fourth. We started to hit the ball the other way a little bit, acting manager DeMarlo Hale of the Indians outburst for four runs in the third inning and five in the fourth. We were just making solid contact. Jose Trevino hit a two-run homer in Texas ninth. Ramirez had an RBI single in the third and a two-run single in the fourth. His 103 RBIs this season are two short of his career high. He also stole his 27th base of the year. Texas rookie starter Spencer Howard (0-5) allowed eight runs, five earned, in 3 2/3 innings, throwing a season-high 73 pitches. Howard gave up both homers, five hits and three walks. Staked to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, Howard was rocked for four runs in the third. He allowed the homer to Hedges, two singles, two walks, two stolen bases and a wild pitch with the bases loaded. I think the biggest thing is like a lot of our younger starters have had a really tough time of kind of righting the ship, Texas manager Chris Woodward said. Thats something Ive hit a lot of them on in the offseason. The mental game is tough, man. Story continues Lowe had three hits. Kiner-Falefas homer was his first since Aug. 8. Howard has lost three of his eight Texas starts since being acquired July 30 in the trade that sent No. 1 starter Kyle Gibson and closer Ian Kennedy to Philadelphia. His ERA with the Rangers is 9.70. SHAW SETS CLUB RELIEF RECORD Bryan Shaws scoreless eighth inning was his 457th relief appearance in six seasons with Cleveland to set the franchise record, breaking a tie with Cody Allen. Obviously its awesome, said Shaw, who leads the American League in appearances this season with 80 at age 33. Not only just to pass him but to be able to come back this year after the last couple of years. Shaw has 691 total appearances in the majors and insists hes taking aim at Jesse Oroscos record of 1,252. Hes done the math. Its 70 games a year for eight (more) years, Shaw said. God bless him, Hale said. TRAINERS ROOM Indians: OF/DH Franmil Reyes (neck stiffness) was out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. ... C Roberto Perez (knee) should catch Saturday or Sunday. SHORT HOPS Kiner-Falefa is hitting .352 in his last 22 games ... The Rangers 12-15 September record was their best monthly mark this season. ... Cleveland placed INF Owen Miller placed on the bereavement/family medical emergency list and recalled RHP James Karinchak from Triple-A Columbus. Karinchak, making his first Indians appearance since Aug. 27, pitched a perfect seventh inning with one strikeout. UP NEXT Indians rookie RHP Triston McKenzie (5-8, 4.81 ERA) struggled through his last two starts, allowing 10 runs in 6 2/3 innings on 14 hits and four walks. Rangers RHP Jordan Lyles (9-13, 5.31) has allowed the major leagues most home runs (38) and the third-highest opponents batting average among qualifying starters (.284). ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran Wednesday resumed commercial flights to Afghanistan that had been halted after the Taliban assumed power, news agencies reported. The semiofficial Fars news agency reported that a charter return flight transported passengers from Tehran to Kabul. It said a second flight from northeastern city of Mashhad left for Kabul, too. The flights were from the Mahan Air Airbus fleet. Iran stopped flights to Afghanistan in mid-August. Tehran has remained a critic of the Taliban and has routinely urged the formation of a government representing all Afghan groups. Iran and Afghanistan share some 945 kilometers, (580 miles) of borders. Reportedly, Iran hosts some 800,000 registered Afghan refugees and more than two million undocumented Afghans live in the country over the past four decades. An Isis terrorist behind the video which publicised the beheading of American journalist James Foley has been flown to the US to stand trial. Mohammed Khalifa, 38, who is a Canadian citizen, was part of the Islamic States media ministry and narrated two propaganda videos used to lure people from the west to join the terrorist organisation, the US government said. The videos were also deployed to urge others to engage in terrorism. Prosecutors said he helped with the translation and narration of around 15 videos in total. Khalifa was secretly flown to face federal prosecution in Virginia, The New York Times reported. He went to Syria in 2013 and subsequently joined the ranks of Isis. A criminal complaint released on Saturday by the Justice Department stated that Khalifa has been charged with material terrorism support leading to death. Khalifa was captured in 2019 by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a militia led by Kurdish fighters with the support of the US. The militia turned Khalifa over to the FBI earlier this week. The 38-year-old was born in Saudi Arabia and is believed to be the first foreign fighter to face prosecution in the US under the Biden administration. His first court appearance is scheduled for early next week. Khalifa was the narrator of a 2014 video titled Flames of War and his unit also published footage of the beheading of US freelance reporter James Foley and other western hostages. Khalifa played an important role in the production and dissemination of Isis propaganda across multiple media platforms targeting western audiences, according to prosecutors. The terrorist told The New York Times in 2019 that he had no hand in the violence committed by Isis, saying that he was just the voice. But he also said he had no regrets stemming from his actions. Prosecutors and the FBI say that he was a prominent figure in the media ministry that he joined in April 2014. One FBI agent said that he was essential because he spoke both Arabic and English. The criminal complaint states that Khalifa was in charge of the groups English Media Section. Story continues Court documents say that Khalifa engaged in fighting throwing grenades against opposing combatants before he was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces, according to prosecutors. Alexanda Kotey, 37, who was part of the Isis cell of four Britons nicknamed the Beatles, pleaded guilty in early September to federal charges of hostage-taking resulting in death, conspiracy to commit murder against US citizens abroad, and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. Acting United States attorney and one of the lead prosecutors on the case, Raj Parekh, said in a statement: Alexanda Kotey, an avowed member of Isis, pleaded guilty today to all charges that were brought against him in the United States for his participation in a horrific hostage-taking scheme that resulted in the deaths of four US citizens, as well as the deaths of British and Japanese nationals, in Syria. He has agreed to spend the rest of his life in prison. The four American victims in this case James Wright Foley, Kayla Jean Mueller, Steven Joel Sotloff and Peter Edward Kassig were journalists and humanitarian aid workers, pillars of courage and kindness on the front lines of a perilous conflict, he added. They risked their lives to shine a light on the darkest corners of the globe and to help others most in need. The values that they personified to the very end are the antithesis of those embodied by the terrorist organisation that murdered them. The mother of Foley, Diane Foley, said in a statement that she was grateful to all involved in apprehending Alexanda Kotey, investigating his brutal crimes against humanity, and making the strong case for his direct culpability in the death of her son as well as others. As alleged, Mohammed Khalifa not only fought for Isis on the battlefield in Syria, but he was also the voice behind the violence, Mr Parekh said in a statement on Saturday. Through his alleged leading role in translating, narrating, and advancing Isiss online propaganda, Khalifa promoted the terrorist group, furthered its worldwide recruitment efforts, and expanded the reach of videos that glorified the horrific murders and indiscriminate cruelty of Isis. [The office of the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia] and our partners have a long history of prosecuting national security cases, and we are honoured to serve once again in this effort to seek justice on behalf of the United States and the victims of Isiss brutality. Read More British ISIS suspect had nearly 50,000 in bitcoin when arrested Shamima Begum news: Sajid Javid defends stripping Isis bride of citizenship, as she asks forgivenes Macron says Isis leader in Sahara has been killed MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's health ministry has given its green light for people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot at the same time, it said in a statement on Saturday. Earlier this week a British study found it was safe for people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot concomitantly and it did not negatively impact the immune response produced by either. (Reporting by Agnieszka Flak; editing by Emilio Parodi) Ryan Faircloth, 30, has been charged with second-degree felony arson for an alleged attack on the Travis County Democratic Party Headquarters in Austin, Texas. Travis County Democratic Party Ryan Faircloth faces two felony charges after being accused of arson. According to authorities, he confessed to the crime on Friday. No one was injured in the attack. See more stories on Insider's business page. A man who authorities say had political grievances over the direction of the country was arrested Friday after trying to start a fire at a Democratic Party office in Austin, Texas. On Wednesday, the Travis County Democratic Party said its office had been vandalized the previous night and targeted with a "small incendiary explosive." The fire was quickly put out. At the time, Katie Naranjo, chair of the local party, described the incident as an "act of terror," saying the arsonist had left a note trying "to terrorize people." Two days later, Ryan Faircloth, 30, was detained following a tip from an informant, local NBC affiliate KXAN reported. At a press conference, Captain Jeffrey Deane of Austin Fire Arson Investigations said that Faircloth had confessed to the crime and indicated that he "was not happy with the current political climate." According to an arrest warrant, the informant directed investigators to Faircloth's Facebook page, where they discovered an incriminating post that matched the note found at the scene, KXAN reported. Surveillance video shows a man walking by the party's office with a bottle in his hand just after 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, his face obscured by an American flag wrapped around his head. After he throws the object into the office, there is an explosion and a small fire. The explosion occurred in the early morning hours of September 29, 2021. Travis County Democratic Party Faircloth has been charged with second-degree felony arson and third-degree felony possession of a prohibited weapon, CBS Austin reported. If convicted of both charges, he could face between 4 and 30 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000. He remains behind bars as of Friday evening, his bond set at $40,000. Cynthia Van Maanen, executive director of the Travis County Democratic Party, told Insider she was primarily "glad no one was injured in this attack." Story continues "We are grateful for our neighbors who saw the flames and acted quickly, and for the investigators who acted fast to identify and arrest the suspect," she said. Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com Read the original article on Business Insider A Manchester convenience store owner and his employee were arrested this week for allegedly taking customers food stamp benefits for cash, gasoline and male enhancement pills, the U.S. Attorneys office said Friday. Manchester Quick Mart owner Javed Saeed and Dastgir Saeed, an employee who helped operate the store, were charged Wednesday with committing food stamp fraud offenses between November 2016 and January 2020, according to a news release. The two South Windsor men and others are accused of illegally allowing customers to redeem their benefits for cash and ineligible items; in exchange, those customers food stamp cards were charged a premium of nearly 50%, the release said. SNAP benefits are meant to help low-income households eat healthy. They can only be used for food, non-alcoholic beverages and seeds and plants that produce food. All other items are ineligible, including beer, wine and liquor, tobacco, vitamins and supplements, and household products. Javed Saeed, 52, and Dastgir Saeed, 68, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit food stamp fraud and one count of food stamp fraud, charges that carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison. They were indicted Sept. 14 by a federal grand jury in Hartford. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Office of Inspector General. Rebecca Lurye can be reached at rlurye@courant.com. Oct. 2New Mexico is one of 10 states selected to receive funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to participate in a three-year study on firearm injuries. Gun control advocates say such a study is long overdue and will help local and state governments figure out how and where to direct resources aimed at reducing gun violence that doesn't end in death but still destroys lives by inflicting wounds and expenses. "It's actually exciting," said Miranda Viscoli, co-president of the nonprofit New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence. "We've been flying blind," she said in an interview Friday. "We don't know how much it's costing our state. We don't know how many people are actually being injured because the data isn't being collected. We know how many are being shot and killed, and those are horrific numbers. "The more we can get any data [on gun violence] ... the more we can work on prevention with a multipronged approach," Viscoli continued. "... There is an uptick here in New Mexico, and we need to rein it in. We needed to rein it in 20 years ago, and now it's getting worse and worse." The study, scheduled to last through 2023, will involve collecting data in "near real-time" from emergency room visits for treatment of nonfatal gunshot wounds. The data will be used to develop policy changes and recommendations for allocation of resources. For example, Viscoli said, a recent increase in gun violence among young people in Santa Fe appears to be tied to drug deals, many involving methamphetamine. Emergency room data on how many survivors of gunshot wounds had the drug in their system could confirm the trend and help inform attempts to combat it. The CDC has awarded about $2.2 million for the study, according to a news release. The District of Columbia also will participate in the study, along with Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. Story continues New Mexico has been awarded $150,000 per year for the duration of the study, state Department of Health spokeswoman Hannah Long said. Health Department staff wrote in an application for the program "a high percentage of New Mexico's population owns firearms." The application quoted a 2013 study that found an estimated 49.9 percent of New Mexico adults owned firearms, as opposed to 29.1 percent of U.S. adults overall. New Mexico ranked fourth in the nation in 2019 for its rate of gun deaths, CDC data shows. It also ranked second in the nation that year for the rate of women murdered by men, according to the most recent edition of an annual study by the Violence Policy Center titled "When Men Murder Women." The state's rate of 2.64 homicide deaths per 100,000 females in 2019 is more than twice the national rate, the Violence Policy Center said in a statement. Viscoli said New Mexicans to Prevent Gun violence is lobbying state lawmakers to get serious about the issue. "We're working to pass legislation this next session to start an office of gun violence prevention," she said. "Then government can take this data and start really figuring out how the state of New Mexico can get ahead of what is our other pandemic. Because this is also filling up our hospital beds. They are getting two to three victims every day in Albuquerque. And this could help us get head of that." Viscoli said Democratic state Reps. Dayan Hochman-Vigil and Kay Bounkeua, both of Albuquerque, have agreed to sponsor the legislation. Morrisons shop front A US private equity group is poised to take control of the UK's fourth-largest supermarket group. Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) has won an auction for the British supermarket Morrisons with a 7bn ($9.5bn) bid. It marks a return to the UK grocery sector for Terry Leahy, the former chief executive of Tesco, who is a senior adviser to CD&R. The takeover saga has dragged on since June amid fierce competition from two US-based investment groups. CD&R's victory was announced by the stock market's Takeover Panel on Saturday. The private equity group offered 287p per Morrisons ordinary share, against a rival bid from Fortress, for 286p per share. CD&R's auction offer is slightly higher than the 285p-a-share offer that was recommended by Morrisons' board in August. In July, Morrisons turned down an offer worth 5.5bn from CD&R, saying it significantly undervalued the business. The board, which will meet on Saturday, is now expected to recommend shareholders accept the new offer at a meeting set for 19 October. If the bid is approved by shareholders, CD&R will take over Morrisons by November. Morrisons was founded in Bradford in 1899 - where it still has its headquarters. The group has almost 500 shops and more than 110,000 staff. The founder, William Morrison's son, the late Sir Ken Morrison, ran the business for 50 years. Previously, CD&R said it recognised Morrisons' "history and culture, and considers that this strong heritage is core to Morrisons and its approach to grocery retailing". The private equity firm said it would help Morrisons to build on its strengths, including its close relationships with suppliers and its property portfolio. Morrisons chairman Andrew Higginson and chief operating officer Trevor Strain both previously worked with Sir Terry at Tesco. Story continues Mr Higginson said the offer represented "excellent value for shareholders while at the same time protecting the fundamental character of Morrisons". He said the private equity firm had "a strong record of developing and growing the businesses in which they invest, and they share our vision and ambition for Morrisons". Sir Terry thanked the board for their recommendation and said CD&R looked forward to shareholders' approval of the deal, adding: "We continue to believe that Morrisons is an excellent business, with a strong management team, a clear strategy, and good prospects." Morrisons is among a slew of UK companies that have been targeted by overseas investors - and looks set to become the second UK supermarket chain in a year to be acquired by private equity, after Asda was bought out in February. With the UK hit hard by the pandemic and the value of the pound still below its pre-Brexit value, UK businesses may appear cheap to non-UK investors, argues the BBC's business editor Simon Jack. He added that while some say these bids highlight the value of - and confidence in - UK plc, others are concerned that private buyouts increase debt levels, reduce transparency and mean that key decisions about the future of UK companies like Morrisons could be taken in New York rather than Bradford. Sir Terry also advised CD&R on its acquisition of discount retailer B&M, which netted the private equity firm an estimated profit of 1bn when it sold it on. People demonstrate at an emergency meeting of the Brevard County, Florida School Board on Monday to discuss whether face masks in local schools should be mandatory. Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images The National School Board Association asked the Biden administration for help dealing with increased threats. School board meetings have become the epicenter of a culture war over the coronavirus in recent months. The organization requested assistance from federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI and DOJ. See more stories on Insider's business page. School board meetings across the country have grown so contentious in recent months, that the president of the National School Boards Association is asking the Biden administration to step in and provide assistance in dealing with the increasing incidents of violence and intimidation. "America's public schools and its education leaders are under an immediate threat," the governing body's president, Viola M. Garcia, and interim executive director, Chip Slaven, wrote in a letter addressed to the president on Wednesday. The group requested assistance from federal law enforcement and said "immediate" help is necessary to protect students, educators, and school board members who have all become susceptible to acts of violence amid the politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic. Community school board meetings, once under-attended staples of local government, have transformed into the epicenter of culture wars being waged over the coronavirus and critical race theory. Parents have threatened school board members, accosted fellow parents, and even stripped down to their underwear mid-meeting in an effort to make their voices heard. "Local school board members want to hear from their communities on important issues," Garcia and Slaven wrote. "However, there also must be safeguards in place to protect public schools and dedicated education leaders as they do their jobs," they added. The group's letter cited instances of angry mobs of anti-mask parents descending upon meetings, as well as an incident in Virginia that resulted in an arrest after a school board discussion about critical race theory turned violent. Story continues The academic movement, which suggests racism is built into American institutions, sparked a political firestorm over the summer, with several conservative-run states going so far as to pass legislation banning the framework from being used in schools. The outrage over critical race theory has also spread to school-board meetings as students returned to the classroom in the last two months. In September, Insider's Ashley Collman spoke to seven teachers who teach in states where anti-CRT legislation has been passed or is being considered, and the educators said much of the conservative backlash to the college-level framework is overblown. Still, the teachers expressed fear that parents' misplaced anger could have a "chilling" effect on education. The other hot-button issue that has been debated endlessly in school board meetings in recent weeks has been COVID mitigation methods in schools, like masks and vaccines. A growing movement of "parents' choice" advocates has fought hard against mask mandates in schools. In their letter to Biden, the school board association requested a joint collaboration between federal law enforcement agencies and state and local law enforcement be undertaken to focus on tracking the threats, specifically asking for help from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Secret Service. The organization also asked the administration to have the US Postal Inspection service intervene against threatening letters and cyberbullying attacks. "As these acts of malice, violence, and threats against public school officials have increased, the classification of these heinous actions could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes," the letter said. The White House on Thursday said the administration is investigating further steps it can take to keep public officials safe. "Obviously, these threats to school board members is horrible; they're doing their jobs," spokesperson Jen Psaki said. "We're continuing to explore what more can be done across the administration but, again, a lot of this will be local law enforcement." Read the original article on Business Insider JARINJE, Kosovo (AP) Soldiers with a NATO-led peacekeeping mission are keeping watch at the Kosovo-Serbia border after the two countries reached a deal to deescalate tensions triggered by a dispute over vehicle license plates. Kosovo Force troops from the United States, Italy and Poland were seen patrolling Saturday as ethnic Serbs removed the trucks they had used to block the road to two border crossings while protesting the Kosovo government's decision not to allow vehicles with Serbian license plates into the country. Kosovar special police forces also pulled back from the border, where they were deployed two weeks ago to remove the license plates from entering cars and to replace them with temporary registration in Kosovo. The government in Pristina said they were replicating what Serbia had done to Kosovar motorists for a decade. Kosovo was a Serbian province before it declared independence in 2008, and Serbian troops and ethnic Albanian separatists fought a bloody war in Kosovo during the 1990s. European Union mediator Miroslav Lajcak persuaded representatives from the neighboring Balkan nations this week to let the Kosovo Force (KFOR) troops take over the areas for the next 14 days. As from this weekend and for the next two weeks, KFOR will maintain a temporary robust and agile presence in the area, a statement from the NATO mission said. As part of the agreement, both countries will put stickers over the other's name and emblem on license plates of vehicles entering their territory. KFOR, made up of around 4,000 troops from 28 countries, is led by NATO with support from the United Nations, the European Union and others. Its aim is to stave off lingering ethnic tensions between Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority and minority ethnic Serbs. The United States and most of the West recognize Kosovo's independence, but, Serbia, supported by its allies Russia and China, does not. EU-facilitated negotiations to normalize relations between Pristina and Belgrade started in 2011 and have produced more than 30 agreements, which are either observed poorly or not at all. - Llazar Semini reported from Tirana, Albania. Update: Police in Overland Park said Saturday that Adam Scott had been located. Overland Park police are asking for help with finding a 35-year-old man missing since he left work earlier this week. Adam C. Scott, of Overland Park, was last seen Wednesday and police have been trying to contact him for a welfare check without success, Sgt. Tim Tinnin said in a statement on Friday night. Scott suffers from medical conditions that require attention, police say. Scott stands 6-foot-1 and weighs approximately 195 pounds, according to police. He drives a black Honda Accord. The department is asking anyone with information related to Scotts whereabouts to contact Overland Park police by phone at 913-895-6300. Former students at the Minnesota School of Business and Globe University who took out federal loans or attended the disgraced colleges' criminal justice program are now receiving financial relief. On Thursday, the Minnesota Attorney General's Office announced $23.6 million in federal student loan forgiveness and an additional $15.6 million in restitution for about 3,000 former students who were issued illegal loans and 920 former students who were enrolled in the college's fraudulent criminal justice program. The payments are part of an agreement that resolves a lawsuit the state of Minnesota filed against the schools in 2014 alleging consumer fraud and illegal lending practices. After a settlement was reached in March, the U.S. Department of Education and a federal bankruptcy court approved the payments, which began Thursday. In a news release, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said he was "heartbroken" for students who attended the schools' criminal justice program because they wasted both their time and money and faced crippling debt. "Starting today, money will finally get back in the pockets of students who were defrauded by MSB's and Globe's false claims and charged illegal rates of interest," he said. "I am glad everyone affected will finally get some closure and a measure of justice." The news comes after multiple court battles involving two trials, several appeals and bankruptcy filings by the schools. All Minnesota School for Business and Globe University locations closed in the state, Wisconsin and South Dakota by 2017. Hennepin County District Court concluded in 2016 that the schools committed consumer fraud in telling students they could pursue careers as police or probation officers by enrolling in a criminal justice degree program that cost $40,000 to $80,000. The program did not provide the education needed to pursue those careers. Ellison's office also accused the two schools of violating Minnesota laws by issuing loans to students at "predatory" interest rates. The courts agreed, declaring the loans void and subject to full refunds. Story continues The schools issued partial refunds totaling $3.7 million in 2018 before delaying further repayments when they filed for bankruptcy. Students who enrolled in the schools' criminal justice programs from 2009 to 2016 and who submitted claims for relief will receive federal student loan forgiveness. Eligible students will also receive payments to refund them almost the full cost of what they paid to attend the program and compensation for payments on federal student loans. Restitution will also be given to students who signed up for illegal loans through the schools' with interest rates as high at 18%. Claimants will receive notice from the U.S. Department of Education regarding the loans. The Attorney General's Office is also seeking federal loan forgiveness on behalf of students who attended another for-profit university, ITT Technical Institute which shut down in 2016. Ellison obtained $2.6 million in private debt relief for those students in settlements in 2019 and 2020, according to the release. He is also pursuing expanded debt relief for students who took out loans to attend for-profit school Argosy University. Resources for students who were enrolled at the schools can be found at https://bit.ly/39WkofR. Consumers with questions may call 651-296-3353 (metro area) or 800-657-3787 (outside the metro area). Alex Chhith 612-673-4759 Oct. 2Rochester city, school and county officials are ready to start forming a new government committee proposed earlier this year. The tri-government committee was proposed to provide a forum to improve communication and cooperation between the city, the Rochester School District and Olmsted County. The Rochester City Council will be asked Monday to confirm the city's participation and name an elected member to join Mayor Kim Norton and City Council President Brooke Carlson on the proposed 12-member committee. ALSO READ: Rochester mayor seeks nominations for medal of honor City Administrator Alison Zelms would also represent the city. The proposed county members are County Board Chairwoman Stephanie Podulke and County Administrator Heidi Welsch, along with two unnamed commissioners. The school district would be represented by School Board Chairwoman Jean Marvin, Superintendent Kent Perkel and two unnamed board members. The current plan calls for 90-minute quarterly meetings, starting Nov. 4 to set goals and strategic plans. Future meetings Feb. 10, May 12 and tentatively Aug. 25 are expected to include topics such as land use and long-range land planning, which are issues that have caused conflict between local government officials in recent years. Plans call for the meetings to be recorded, with the recordings posted. The Rochester City Council will discuss formalizing its participation during its meeting at 6:15 p.m. Monday in council chambers of the city-county Government Center, 151 Fourth St. SE. The meeting will be available on Spectrum cable channel 180 or 188 and Metronet channel 80. It will include action by the council serving as the city's Economic Development Authority. ------ ------ Upcoming meetings Meetings scheduled to be held during the week of Oct. 4 include: Rochester City Council study session, 3:30 p.m. Monday in the city-county Government Center. The meeting will livestream at www.rochestermn.gov/agendas and be available on Spectrum cable channel 180 or 188 and Metronet channel 80. Story continues City Council, 6:15 p.m. Monday in the city-county Government Center. The meeting will livestream at www.rochestermn.gov/agendas and be available on Spectrum cable channel 180 or 188 and Metronet channel 80. It will include action by the council serving as the city's Economic Development Authority. Airport Commission, 2 p.m. Tuesday. Video will be posted at www.rochestermn.gov/agendas following the meeting. Park Board, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Dial-in information for listening to the meeting live can be requested by emailing parknrec@rochestermn.gov. Video will be posted online following the meeting. Olmsted County Physical Development Committee, 8 a.m. Tuesday in conference room 2 of the government center. Administrative Committee, 8 a.m. Tuesday in board chambers of the government center. Board of County Commissioners, 9 a.m. Tuesday in the board chambers of the government center. Health, Housing and Human Services Committee, 10 a.m. Wednesday in conference room 2 of the government center. Human Rights Commission, 6 p.m. Thursday in board chambers of the city-county Government Center. Planning Advisory Commission, 7 p.m. Thursday in the board chambers of the government center. Rochester Public Schools School Board, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the boardroom of the Edison Building, 615 Seventh St. SW. Russian President Vladimir Putin is no longer interested in a joint freeze of nuclear weapons production with the United States, according to a senior Russian envoy who protested American inspections requests and a recent agreement to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. "No, it was a one-time offer, and it was said so to the U.S. They missed the opportunity, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Geneva Center for Security Policy, per state media. "They didn't want a freeze on all warheads they wanted an extremely intrusive verification and control at all our nuclear-related facilities. Ryabkov aired the withdrawal of that proposal following a meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman for what both sides described as intensive and substantive arms control talks. He complained about the U.S. and United Kingdom's decision to partner with Australia on a submarine deal widely perceived as directed at China, and both Russian and American officials underscored that the negotiations are unlikely to produce a deal anytime soon. Arms control dialogues take a very long time, Sherman said Friday. The dialogue has a value in and of itself because it unveils norms that we both believe in and want to establish as the [two nations with the] largest number of nuclear weapons, so it's very good in and of itself. INDISSOLUBLE BONDS: NUCLEAR SUBMARINE DEAL FORTIFIES US-AUSTRALIA TIES AGAINST ECONOMIC PRESSURE FROM CHINA The Ryabkov-Sherman meeting comes months after President Joe Bidens summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, when the two leaders echoed Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachevs affirmation that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. That joint statement drew criticism from Marshall Billingslea, former President Donald Trumps point man for arms control, who observed that Putin believes that a nuclear war CAN be fought & won and faulted Biden for making a joint statement while knowing Putin to be lying. Story continues Russia has adopted a military doctrine that contemplates the use of nuclear weapons to win a conflict in Eastern Europe before U.S. forces can intervene, according to Western officials, spurring at least one NATO ally to warn publicly that Russian might launch a nuclear blitzkrieg against one of its neighbors. Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Reagan-Gorbachev treaty that banned the development of intermediate-range land-based ballistic missiles after Republicans and Democrats, as well as the rest of NATO, assessed that Putin has developed and deployed such systems in defiance of the treaty. Putin acknowledged in December that an arms race "has already begun, but Ryabkov argued a more one-sided case on Friday, when he attributed any arms control tensions to an American quest for decisive unilateral advantages at the expense of Russia's security. He broadened his complaints about NATO member-state decisions to include U.S. and British efforts to upgrade their defenses against Chinese threats. We are concerned especially by the statements produced earlier in the year in London on future prospects for expansion of its nuclear capabilities, Ryabkov said, referring to a British plan to increase its nuclear stockpile in response to Chinas military modernization and growing international assertiveness within the Indo-Pacific region. And he maintained that the recent U.S. decision to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia is "a great challenge to the international nonproliferation regime despite Biden and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisons stipulation that the deal will cover nuclear power for the submarines but no nuclear weapons. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER U.S. officials have expressed doubt about whether theyll be able to reach another arms control deal with Russia, but Sherman and Ryabkov separately touted the launch of two working groups on arms control as a positive step. We all hope that we head to achieving some objectives about moving forward, she said. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Foreign Policy, National Security, Russia, NATO, Nuclear Submarine, Nuclear Weapons, Australia, Wendy Sherman Original Author: Joel Gehrke Original Location: Russia withdraws offer to freeze nuclear warhead production MOSCOW (Reuters) -Billionaire Oleg Tinkov, whose online bank is Russia's second biggest credit card issuer, pleaded guilty on Friday to filing a false U.S. tax return and agreed to pay $507 million in taxes, interest and penalties, the U.S. Department of Justice said. He had been accused of concealing $1 billion in assets and income when renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2013. Tinkov, whose businesses including Tinkoff Bank are held by his investment company TCS Group, was arrested in London in February 2020 in connection with the indictment, and released on bail as he was fighting acute leukaemia. "Mr Tinkov is grateful for the opportunity to resolve this case in a humanitarian way and is hopeful that it will allow him to focus his energy on fighting his illness," his lawyers said in a statement. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29, which is expected to wrap up the case. A spokesperson for Tinkov said the businessman has enough funds to cover the fines without selling his assets, including shares in TCS. (Reporting by Anton Kolodyazhnyy and Tatiana VoronovaWriting by Vladimir SoldatkinEditing by Peter Graff) In a letter to the White House, a group that represents school boards urged the Biden administration to consider whether confrontations by outraged parents over COVID restrictions and critical race theory (CRT) being incorporated into class curriculum violate the Patriot Act. The letter contended that the classification of these heinous actions could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes. The National School Boards Association has asked President Biden to determine whether recent incidents of threats and violence against educators are prohibited under the legislation, passed in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, as well as the Gun-Free School Zones Act and a number of other statutes. Coupled with attacks against school board members and educators for approving policies for masks to protect the health and safety of students and school employees, many public school officials are also facing physical threats because of propaganda purporting the false inclusion of critical race theory within classroom instruction and curricula, a letter from the group obtained by Fox News read. For over a year, parent activists have been battling school board members over COVID school policies, such as universal K-12 masking, as well as the teaching of critical race theory in the classroom, with some skirmishes culminating in teacher resignations or parents pulling their children out of public school. The school board groups escalation of the conflict to the federal level signals that many parents qualms with their tax dollars potentially funding indoctrination or a racialized education are being dismissed as illegitimate by administrators. In Loudoun County, Virginia, which became ground zero for school board fights last year, an anti-CRT organization launched $500,000 worth of ads slamming the local school board for attempting to shut down the parent resistance to the districts equity and inclusion initiatives. Similarly, in Guilford, Connecticut and other typically Democrat-dominated suburban towns across America, grassroots parents are building movements to oust their progressive school boards that have been spearheading or rubber-stamping new politicized curriculum changes. Story continues During a press conference Thursday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki indicated that the administration is investigating whether it can get involved to protect the school boards allegedly receiving these verbal assaults. Were continuing to explore if more can be done from across the administration, she said. Obviously these threats to school board members is horrible. Theyre doing their jobs. Echoing Psaki at a U.S. Senate committee hearing Thursday, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona slammed the antagonism against school administrators, applauding the school boards for their commitment to safe school re-opening. He expressed concern with the level of animus and aggression exhibited at some school board meetings, calling it very dangerous. More from National Review The Senate will attempt to pass a 30-day, short-term extension of federal highway programs on Saturday after Republicans prevented the chamber from clearing the stopgap bill on Friday night. Why it matters: Roughly 3,700 Transportation Department employees have been temporarily furloughed as a result of the roadblock, per Reuters. The deadline to reauthorize the programs expired at midnight on Thursday. Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free The House's stalemate on the Senate-passed infrastructure bill forced members of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee to discuss the possibility of passing a short-term reauthorization earlier this week, according to the Hill. The measure sailed through the House in a 365-51 vote on Friday night, but Senate Republicans objected to quick passage. The Senate will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday to try to send the bill to President Biden's desk. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free. By Fatos Bytyci JARINJE, Kosovo -Kosovo's border crossing with Serbia was reopened on Saturday as Serbs removed trucks and cars and NATO troops moved in under a European Union-mediated deal to end a dispute between the neighbouring countries over car licence plates. Kosovo special police forces withdrew from the border crossing in the north of the country nearly two weeks after Serbs blocked roads to protest at Kosovo's decision to introduce temporary licence plates for all cars from Serbia. The Kosovo government said the licence plate requirement was imposed in retaliation for Serbian measures taken against drivers from Kosovo since 2008, when Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. "From this weekend and for the next two weeks, KFOR will maintain a temporary, robust and agile presence in the area, in accordance with the mentioned arrangement," said a statement by the NATO-led peacekeeping force, called KFOR. Serbia, which lost control over Kosovo after NATO bombing in 1999, does not recognise Kosovo's independence and therefore its right to take actions such as registering cars. This month's confrontation boiled over into violence, but the two countries - with mediation by EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak - struck a deal on Thursday. Under the deal, stickers will be used on licence plates to cover state symbols, and NATO, which has some 3,000 troops in Kosovo, will be allowed to control the area. Local Serbs chatted on Saturday with Slovenian soldiers, who are part of the NATO force, as they removed barricades while Kosovo police vehicles stood at the border crossing. The deadline for their withdrawal was 4 p.m. (1400 GMT). As Serbia moves towards EU membership it must resolve all outstanding issues with Kosovo. The two parties agreed to an EU-mediated dialogue in 2013, but little progress has been made. Kosovo's independence was backed by Western countries including the United States and Britain, but it is still not recognised by five EU member states and its membership of the United Nations is blocked by Serbia's traditional ally Russia. (Reporting by Fatos BytyciEditing by Ivana Sekularac, Alexander Smith and Helen Popper) SINGAPORE Many people in Singapore will end up catching COVID-19, and there is no need to be fearful or embarrassed about it, said COVID multi-ministry taskforce (MTF) co-chair Lawrence Wong. In a virtual press conference on Saturday (2 October), the Finance Minister said that "sooner or later, many of us will end up catching the virus, but we will have zero or mild symptoms (and) recover from home after a few days". Ninety-eight per cent, Wong said, of the cases in Singapore will experience zero or mild symptoms. However, about two per cent will fall seriously ill, and have to be taken care of in hospital. Two per cent, Wong said, may seem small but "two per cent of a large number of people who are infected is quite a sizeable group". Wong reiterated that the government is taking this time while certain restrictions are in place "to stabilise all our protocols, make sure the procedures are in place and build up the necessary capacity (in the healthcare system)". On Friday, Singapore reported a record high 2,909 new cases and eight more deaths due to COVID. Wong reiterated at the conference that Singapore is committed to its reopening plans and to be a COVID-resilient nation. Addressing a group he said is calling for lockdown or further tightening of measures amidst the rising cases, Wong said "we have gone beyond that point" and are no longer focusing solely on headline numbers. As for another group who is calling for the government to continue opening up, Wong said, "Please be patient. Our overall strategy to reopening has not changed." Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore A Texas man who wanted to blow up an Amazon data center to disrupt the internet and upset "the oligarchy" was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday, federal prosecutors said. The attempted attack in Virginia never occurred, and Seth Aaron Pendley, 28, was communicating with an undercover FBI agent instead of an explosives supplier, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas said. Pendley, of Wichita Falls, was arrested in April. He pleaded guilty in June to one count of malicious attempt to destroy a building with an explosive. "As this case shows, radicals are lurking on the internet, looking for ways to lash out and far too often, they move their plans off of the web and into the real world," Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah said in a statement. A federal public defender listed as representing Pendley did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday night. The FBI was tipped off in January that Pendley was posting on a forum popular with militia groups about violence and the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to court documents. Pendley later told someone on an encrypted messaging app that he planned to use plastic explosives to attack Amazon Web Services data centers to kill about 70% of the internet," the documents say. Pendley thought the data center served the FBI, CIA and other agencies. The goal, he said, was that the U.S. government would overreact and be shown to be a "dictatorship," Pendley admitted in court papers. He also claimed he went to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with a sawed-off AR-style rifle but left the gun in his car. He said he did not go into the building as the mob of Trump supporters ransacked it, the documents say. Pendley was arrested April 8 in Fort Worth after he picked up what he thought were devices with C-4 explosives and was shown how to arm them, officials said. A third suspect connected to a Raleigh shooting on September 24 has been arrested. The Raleigh Police Department said 31-year-old Destin Lamar Dickerson was charged with murder in the death of Jose Luis Hernandez-Gutierrez. Dickerson was taken into custody in Roanoke, Virginia, with the help of the Roanoke Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, according to RPD. Hernandez-Gutierrez, 46, was shot about 5 a.m. on Sept. 24 in the 4400 block of Craftsman Drive. He later died from his injuries. One of three suspects, Jordan Delacey Andrews, was arrested on Sept. 25 and charged with murder. Andrews was taken to the Wake County Detention Center. A second suspect, Jacob Darran Quincy-Gurley, 29, was arrested the next day. He was also charged with murder and taken to the Wake County Detention Center. Anyone with information that might assist the investigation is asked to call Raleigh CrimeStoppers at (919) 834-HELP or visit raleighcrimestoppers.org for text and email reporting options. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for anonymous tips that help solve cases. CHICAGO About 2,000 protesters who crowded into Daley Plaza began marching Saturday afternoon during an abortion rights rally as American cities across the country planned a day of rallies against a recent abortion ban in Texas. Chicagos Defend Abortion Access event kicked off at noon and was expected to be one of Saturdays largest reproductive rights events in Illinois, along with one in Springfield and followed by about two dozen others in the suburbs and elsewhere. At least one of those in the Loop plaza by 11:30 a.m. was a man preaching anti-abortion messages and what the Bible says. Another attendee, a 64-year-old woman named Peggy, said: I wish there were more people here when asked how she felt about the turnout. Planned Parenthood of Illinois along with about 19 other local activist and health care groups organized the rallies in Chicago and Springfield. Just about noon, others demonstators wearing red socialist T-shirts chanted: Racist, sexist, anti-gay Christian bigots go away. Supporters, including Crystal Rosales, a Chicago Abortion Fund Storyteller, walked up to the mic, introduced themselves and described their experiences with their abortions. Crystal said it was in Chicago she found out she was pregnant. A baby deserves way more than I could give at that time, so I made the hardest decision of my life. Chicago Abortion Fund Helpline offered her funds, and she said others deserve that too. By 12:45 p.m. the plaza was nearly full and the crowd swelled to about 2,000 and around 1:15 p.m., they began marching south on Clark Street. As they walked, a speaker chanted: We wont and the crowd responded: Go back. Then, My body as the crowd replied: My choice. As they approached Adams Street, marchers chanted: 2, 4, 6, 8, abortion rights in every state! The Texas law in question, Senate Bill 8, bans most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, when women often cannot tell theyre pregnant, and with no exceptions for rape or incest. The law also allows private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone who aids and abets a procedure. The law went into effect at the start of September after the Supreme Court declined to block what then became the most restrictive abortion law in the country. Story continues The measure is one of many so-called heartbeat laws passed in various states, which try to ban abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Other similar statutes, though, have been blocked by the courts, citing Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that established the right to terminate a pregnancy. But many abortion rights activists fear other states might follow suit and attempt to pass more restrictive laws. A major reproductive rights case from Mississippi that could challenge Roe v. Wade will also be heard by the Supreme Court in December. And though Illinois abortion rights are robust following measures such as the Reproductive Health Act in 2019, which established the fundamental right to terminate a pregnancy here, the same cannot be said of other places in the Midwest or the South. Local advocates for abortion rights predict a flood of additional women traveling across state lines to terminate their pregnancies in Illinois. The Saturday events were planned to be held in concert with hundreds of similar marches and rallies planned in other cities around the country this weekend, including Rally for Abortion Justice in Washington, D.C., March for Reproductive Rights in Los Angeles and the Boston Rally to Defend Abortion. Former President Donald Trump has asked a federal judge in Florida to force Twitter to reinstate his account on the platform after he was banned following the siege on the Capitol by a mob of his supporters in January. Lawyers for Mr Trump have filed a request for a preliminary injunction against Twitter from his home state, arguing that the company was coerced by members of Congress to ban the account. Several other social media platforms also suspended Mr Trumps accounts following the 6th January riot, which took place minutes after he gave a speech in front of the White House. Mr Trump promoted false assertions that his election loss in November to President Joe Biden was a result of voter fraud. Attorneys for Mr Trump argued that Twitter exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate. The legal filing, in Floridas southern district, noted that Twitter has let the Taliban post about its progress in taking back control of Afghanistan but restricted Mr Trumps tweets while he was president by putting notes on his posts stating that some of them included misleading information or were in violation of the platforms rules against glorifying violence. Lawyers for Mr Trump claim that the argument that the former president should be banned because he may incite further violence if he was allowed to stay on Twitter is false. Mr Trump took legal action against Facebook and Google and their CEOs in July, claiming that they illegally quash conservatives and their opinions. The former president has repeatedly spoken about running again in 2024, but has given mixed signals as to what he will do. Being suspended from Twitter caused Mr Trump to go ballistic according to an official in his administration, Politico reported at the time, adding that he was scrambling to figure out what his options were. Story continues After his main account was suspended, Mr Trump started using the @POTUS and @TeamTrump accounts, but Twitter quickly removed those posts. One of the since-deleted tweets said Mr Trump had begun negotiating with various other sites and that his allies would look at the possibilities of building our own platform in the near future. Some conservatives then started sharing their Parler accounts on Twitter, urging their followers to move to the platform that has a significant presence among Trump supporters. Former Trump aide and spokesman Jason Miller later launched Gettr a platform similar to Twitter aimed at conservatives. The Independent has reached out to Twitter and the office of Mr Trump for comment. Read More Trump says AOC makes old men shiver in fear during a speech to a group of old men, book claims Trump called Macron a wuss guy and mocked his weight, book claims White House staffers irritated they didnt get Hope Hicks $2m gig and Trumps attention, says Grisham Former President Donald Trump is suing Twitter to get his account reinstated, according to a new court filing. Trump, who was banned from the platform for his words and actions preceding the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill, said in Friday's filing seeking a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida that the website, which exercises "immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous" power over U.S. political discourse, amounted to censorship in violation of the First Amendment. "Defendant is liable for its own speech as well as its own actions. When Defendant works as a partner with the government to censor its Users' First Amendment rights, Defendant is legally accountable for its deeds. ... Defendants false statements posted on Plaintiffs Twitter account are unfair trade and deceptive practices, as Users joined Twitter with the expectation that they would be treated fairly and without slander," read the filing. SENATORS DON'T UNDERSTAND TECHNOLOGY. HOW CAN THEY REGULATE IT? Trump alleged Twitter acted at the behest of Democrats who "repeatedly encouraged Defendant to censor and restrain Plaintiffs views, or face catastrophic legal and regulatory consequences." "While government officials are permitted to express their, or the government's, preferences about what a private company should or should not do, they cannot exert coercive pressure on private parties to censor the speech of others," Trump's filing read, adding that Democratic members of Congress and President Joe Biden "have subjected social media companies and their CEOs, including Defendant, to increasing pressure to censor speech disfavored by them, and to promote their favored speech, or else face catastrophic legislative and/or regulatory consequences. ... As such, Plaintiffs censorship was an unconstitutional deprivation of Plaintiffs free speech, in that the censorship was in response to government coercion." Story continues The Biden administration has urged social media platforms to become more heavy-handed in policing misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, with White House press secretary Jen Psaki saying in July the administration was working "to engage with [social media platforms] to better understand the enforcement of social media platform policies" before singling out "the false narrative that remains active out there about COVID-19 vaccines causing infertility." Biden put his criticism of Big Tech platforms more bluntly, asserting that Facebook was "killing people" when asked what message he had for social media companies. After many of Trump's posts were hit with cautionary labels indicating they contained misinformation, he was widely deplatformed following the Jan. 6 attack, with Twitter, Facebook, and others arguing Trump's words and actions preceding the riot incited violence. Though the bans may not be permanent, the Big Tech platforms have indicated Trump may not be welcomed back anytime soon, with Facebook's independent Oversight Board determining on June 4 the ban would remain in place for at least two years. Trump retaliated with a lawsuit against Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg demanding "an end to the shadow-banning, a stop to the silencing, and a stop to the blacklisting, banishing, and canceling that you know so well." Those on the Right have even moved to develop competing sites, with Trump allies recently developing GETTR, a platform the former president has not joined. Facebook said it has received criticism from both the Left and the Right. "While many Republicans think we should take one course, many Democrats think we should do the exact opposite. We've faced criticism from Republicans for being biased against conservatives and Democrats for not taking more steps to restrict the exact same content," a spokesperson for Facebook said in an email to the Washington Examiner. "We have rules in place to protect free expression, and we will continue to apply them impartially." Rep. Madison Cawthorn argued that these incidents are consequential because they restrict access to information. "[Censorship] doesn't allow us to be able to talk about controversial issues. It doesn't allow us to be able to challenge the status quo to actually make changes in our country that are going to be beneficial for all Americans," he told the Washington Examiner, citing free speech protections as instrumental in allowing criticism of segregation and the Vietnam War to lead to meaningful reform. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner's request for comment. A representative for Twitter declined to comment. Washington Examiner Videos Tags: News, Technology, Twitter, Donald Trump, Big Tech, Freedom of Speech, Censorship, Law, Social Media Original Author: Carly Roman Original Location: Trump suing to get Twitter account reinstated COVID-19 vaccine mandates are becoming a reality throughout the U.S. in states that set deadlines for residents to get their shots. All Washington, D.C., health workers had to have their first dose by Thursday, and schoolteachers, staff and early-child care workers must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1. In California, teachers and school employees, including custodians, aides and bus drivers, must get vaccinated by Oct. 15 or face weekly testing. In New York, tens of thousands of health care workers at hospitals and nursing homes were required to get vaccinated by Monday or risk losing their jobs. The mandates, which followed President Joe Biden's decision to require all federal employees get the shot, are divisive. Even as some states enact them, others have banned them. But government-required vaccination and the backlash against it is not new to American history. 'No cheap, easy or quick fix': Hospitals oust unvaccinated workers in preview of 50-state mandate Vaccine mandates have been around since as long as we had vaccines, said Tegan Kehoe, a medical historian and museum professional at Paul S. Russell Museum of Medical History. Smallpox vaccine: Early 1900s Gen. George Washington was one of the first leaders to introduce mandates to the U.S. when he required his troops to get inoculated during the Revolutionary War, fearing the army would be decimated by smallpox, said Evan Hart, assistant professor of history at Missouri Western State University. Although there was initial pushback, it set a precedent for inoculations to become the norm in the armed forces. The military has required vaccines of troops since weve had a military, she said. If youre going into the military, theres kind of an expectation that theres a lot of control that youre giving up when youre in the military, you were going to get some shots. The general American public was more resistant in the early 1900s, when smallpox outbreaks began popping up, said Michael Willrich, a professor of history at Brandeis University and author of Pox: An American History. Story continues Cities like New York, Philadelphia, Boston and New Orleans had pretty serious outbreaks of classic, very deadly smallpox that historically had killed 25 to 30% of people infected, he said. Other communities were dealing with a much milder form of smallpox that was becoming newly documented in the medical literature at the time this affected the politics of vaccination. Although public health officials wanted to get everyone vaccinated, many people were unconvinced smallpox was a dangerous disease. Officials began relying on vaccine mandates to ensure the public was protected against smallpox. Mandates differed by state, much like today, creating a confusing patchwork of public health regulations. States that mandated vaccines were backed by a 1905 Supreme Court decision in Jacobson v. Massachusetts. That means courts were very ready to uphold public health measures that were passed by local boards of health, Hart said. Compulsory vaccination became a really powerful tool for the government when dealing with smallpox. With this newfound authority, public health officials, armed with law enforcement, went door to door forcing smallpox inoculations. Some of them showed up uninvited and without warning in over-the-top garish protective gear, with gauze wrapped around their mouth and nose, Kehoe said. 'I dont want to lose the good people': Employer vaccine mandates convert some workers, but not all Business perspectives on the mandate: Some businesses welcome Biden's vaccination mandate while others worry about the costs, effects on worker shortages Even though there wasnt coercion of the physical sense, there was a huge power imbalance and that was a big part of sowing distrust, she said. Health education efforts that began in the early 20th century sought to reduce vaccine hesitancy and resistance but it wasnt very effective. There were instances when education looked like bullying and condescension, Kehoe said. Public health officials blamed vaccine resistance on the ignorance of the people based on racism and classism. Polio vaccine: 1950s Cases of polio peaked in the early 1950s, but it arrived every summer, disabling on average more than 35,000 people a year for decades, sometimes causing paralysis and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public officials closed swimming pools, movie theaters, amusement parks and other places associated with summer vacation. The highly infectious disease spread through contact with infected feces, often when children didnt wash their hands correctly, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. The polio vaccine, created by Dr. Jonas Salk at the University of Pittsburgh, was proven safe and effective in 1954 after the largest clinical trial in the nations history, which included about 1.8 million children. Although millions of children were inoculated in schools, recreation centers and hospitals, public health officials never made the vaccine mandatory. What public health officials found is that they didnt have to mandate it because parents were so scared of polio that they were just vaccinating their kids, Hart said. 'It's going to be a long road': His father developed the polio vaccine. This is what he thinks about COVID-19. Persons handling international travelers at Pier 88 in New York City are shown Jan. 12, 1962, inoculating disembarking passengers against smallpox, after the arrival of the north German liner Bremen. Parents saw frightening images of paralyzed children in iron lungs and were eager to get their own kids vaccinated, even before the trials found it was safe and effective. Experts say a national vaccination campaign helped convince parents who were hesitant at first. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis now called the March of Dimes enlisted the help of some of the most famous celebrities at the time such as Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Marilyn Monroe, Louis Armstrong, Grace Kelly and Elvis Presley. Public health has known for a long time that they cant do the job all by themselves, they have to work with other people, Kehoe said. The vaccines for polio were a huge benefit to vaccines public image. Childhood vaccines: 1970s By the 1970s, efforts to eradicate smallpox were largely successful and the vaccine was no longer recommended for use after 1972. The polio vaccine cut cases of paralysis from about 15,000 in the 1950s to about 10 by the 1970s, according to the CDC. But public health faced new challenges as other childhood vaccines became required to enter school. In 1977, the federal government announced the Childhood Immunization Initiative, aiming to increase vaccination rates in children against seven diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and polio. Even though the polio vaccine was already widely accepted, parents began pushing back on other vaccines as anti-vaccine movements took hold. The government didn't have to mandate the polio vaccine because polio was seen as a very serious disease, Hart said. The same was not true for others. "The concern by parents was to why the government was mandating a vaccine that in their mind are (for diseases) that aren't particular serious," she said. This idea gained momentum as other social movements advocating for womens health, patients rights and consumers rights began emerging in the U.S. All of those movements are kind of questioning whether the government always has our best interest, Hart said. Parents have been kind of trained by some of these social movements to question, Well, whats in the vaccines? What are you giving my child? Some people claimed childhood vaccinations would cause Guillain-Barre syndrome a rare disorder where the bodys immune system damages nerve after a batch of swine flu vaccines were linked to increased reports in 1976, Kehoe said. Such misinformation was amplified through modern media. It was a lot of people adding two and two and getting five, she said. And so thats where education really comes in The government needed to convey to people that they were taking all the necessary measures to make sure that the vaccines are safe. COVID-19 vaccine: Today As public health education improved, more parents accepted childhood vaccinations as a natural part of a childs life before entering school. States revamped immunization laws, making them more consistent throughout the country, said James Colgrove, professor of sociomedical sciences at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and author of State of Immunity: The Politics of Vaccination in the Twentieth-Century. Pre-COVID, the momentum in states seemed to be in favor of making vaccination laws more strict, he said. Five years ago, I might have said we were going to go in that direction, but now, COVID has thrown all of that into question. Public health officials face many of the same challenges seen in previous disease outbreaks and immunization initiatives fear, distrust and misinformation but they're now confronted with politicization, too. Are the mandates working?: As New York's COVID vaccine mandate for health workers loomed, thousands got shots to keep jobs Is it a vaccine or testing mandate?: Joe Biden's plan to combat COVID-19 is more than a vaccine mandate. It's a testing mandate, too. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is sharply divided by party lines. As of Sept. 13, 52.8% of people in counties that voted for Biden in the 2020 election were fully vaccinated, compared with 39.9% people in counties that voted for Donald Trump, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis. This is uncharted territory, Colgrove said, and public health officials are still figuring out how to overcome this hurdle. The sharp mapping of vaccination attitudes onto party affiliation is really new, he said. It has become a matter of identity at this point and we know from psychological research that those beliefs get very hard to change. Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT. Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: From smallpox to COVID, vaccine mandates are not new to US history Colorado River. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images The Walton family, billionaire heirs to the Walmart Inc. fortune, have been very involved in efforts to solve the water shortage crisis on the Colorado River, a Wall Street Journal analysis found. Over the past decade, they've given around $200 million to various advocacy groups, universities, and media outlets devoted to helping the river bounce back, putting them far ahead of any other donor to the cause, per the Journal. While that sounds like a good thing and there clearly are benefits there are some skeptics who feel that the Walton's preference for water markets as a solution isn't the right approach because it could lead to a rush of outside speculators investing in water, potentially to the disadvantage of farmers and the poor. And considering the money they've invested, as well as the fact that two officials in the Biden administration were once affiliated with the Waltons' foundation, there are concerns that the family has secured an outsized influence on policy discussions surrounding the Colorado River Basin, the Journal writes. University of Oxford water-resource researcher Dustin Garrick told the Journal that the foundation's giving has "sharpened the divide between those at the table and those left behind." For example, Gary Wockner, founder of the environmental group Save the Colorado, said his funds were cut off after he pushed back against some policy ideas from other Walton family recipients. "I was told 'you're out of alignment,'" he told the Journal. Read more at The Wall Street Journal. You may also like Jimmy Fallon and Nicole Kidman almost make it through an interview without residual awkwardness from dating miss 7 painfully funny cartoons about America's endless vaccine fights Democrats are about to ruin their plan for electric cars The Daily Beast The Washington Post via Getty ImagesMost of Trumps meetings with foreign business leaders that I attended were, like the episode in Kensington Palace, more about holding court than holding forth on issues of concern for American workers. Sometimes the president took bizarre turns into rambling monologues completely lacking in substance. It was becoming clear that this was how the man who had ridden into the White House on the grievances of ordinary Americans was going to fritter away his time i Dr. Danielle Roberts (far right) was Frank Franklin II/AP Photo Dr. Danielle Roberts was part of NXIVM, the cult that disguised itself as a self-help company. In a recent New York Department of Health hearing, officials revoked her medical license, the Associated Press reported. The doctor was accused of branding "at least 17 women" with the initials of cult leaders. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. New York state health officials at a hearing in Albany stripped Dr. Danielle Roberts, who has been associated with Nxivm, the cult that masqueraded as a self-help marketing company, of her medical license. According to a report from the Associated Press published Friday, officials at the New York Department of Health officials sustained multiple counts of professional misconduct against Roberts, including her use of a cauterizing machine "to intentionally cause them pain," the New York Post reported. A subcommittee decided to revoke her license in a 3-0 decision, the Times Union in Albany reported, agreeing that Roberts engaged in 12 forms of professional misconduct. According to the reports, Roberts was part of the DOS group within Nxivm and, without using anesthesia, burned "'KAR' on the pelvic region of at least 17 women." Former Nxivm member, Mark Vincente, identified Roberts as both "a slave and a master" in a June 2019 trial against founder Keith Raniere. He called her the "brander." One woman described the experience as "an acute fire in the most sensitive part of my body," according to the decision reported Friday by the Times Union. When Roberts testified, she denied "being brainwashed, yet she expressed no real remorse, which represented to the hearing committee her distorted reality and the very real concern that others remain vulnerable to her future brandings," the committee's decision read, according to The Post. "The evidence in the case was overwhelming that she was not practicing medicine and therefore the normal standards that apply to medical practice don't apply," Roberts' attorney Anthony Scher told the Associated Press on Friday, adding that Roberts was likely to appeal the decision. Story continues Vincente went into detail describing the branding process during a 2019 hearing against Raniere in Brooklyn. In October 2020, Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison on seven felony convictions, The Post reported. The convictions included sex-trafficking, racketeering, child pornography, and forced labor Read the original article on Insider Japanese businesses are cautiously opening up on the first weekend since the government lifted the COVID-19 state of emergency across the country. Theme parks and shopping districts were bustling on a sunny Saturday morning, a day after a strong typhoon swept through Tokyo and nearby areas on Friday. Fun-seekers lined up outside Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, both of which on Friday raised the limit on visitors from 5,000 people a day to 10,000. The parks said they will also begin selling alcoholic beverages at restaurants again. But they are still operating on short hours, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., "for the time being," Oriental Land, operator of the theme parks, said in a news release. Tickets to both parks are sold out through early November, according to the company's website. Universal Studios Japan in Osaka has also decided to gradually raise the daily limit on visitors from 5,000 people to 10,000 people. It will also start selling alcohol at some restaurants. The easing of restrictions has brought out travelers as well. People with suitcases in tow were seen boarding trains at Tokyo Station on Saturday. "It has been a long time since I have traveled, and I feel like daily life is coming back a little," said a 29-year-old office worker who was setting out on a previously postponed trip to Toyama Prefecture with a friend. During the state of emergency the government asked people to refrain from traveling between prefectures. Restaurants and izakaya pubs, some of which were closed during the state of emergency because they could not serve alcohol, are preparing to reopen. The number of reservations made at some 5,300 restaurants nationwide on Sept. 30 was 68,000, 30% higher than on Sept. 27, according to TableCheck, an online reservation service. New Delhi: After a lean phase, India and Sri Lanka are set to re-engage at diplomatic and political levels amidst the huge financial crisis and the severe COVID-19 wave that has gripped the island country. Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will be in Sri Lanka on Saturday on a three-day visit, where he will call on top leadership including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister GL Pieris and his counterpart Jayanth Colombage. During his trip, the Foreign Secretary will also travel to Kandy, Trincomalee and Jaffna and also visit Jaffna cultural centre which is being built with Indias assistance. As an immediate neighbour, India has stepped on the accelerator and is being a first responder to the COVID crisis in Sri Lanka. New Delhi has supplied to Colombo 100 tons of liquid medical oxygen, 26 tons of medicines and delivered half a million Covid vaccines. India has also aided the Suwa Seriya programme and provided free ambulances which now runs in all provinces of Sri Lanka and played an instrumental role in its fight against COVID 19. It is learnt that Sri Lanka has been demanding more supplies of Covid vaccines from India. Now that India has announced that it will open exports of vaccines, Lanka can be a beneficiary. Interestingly China has also been offering Sinopharm but a majority of Lankans prefer Indian manufactured vaccines. It is learnt that to ease the economic stress caused by the pandemic, India is exploring and assessing ways to provide financial assistance to Sri Lanka. Earlier this year Sri Lanka did a USD 400 million currency swap with India and it is likely to have another currency swap soon India is visibly concerned with the slow progress of its projects in comparison to China-backed projects India has given a huge line of credit to rebuild northern Sri Lanka ravaged by war especially railways. India has small and big projects all over Sri Lanka. During his visit, Foreign Secretary Shringla will review the progress made in energy and developmental projects. Indian company Adani has recently entered a strategic deal with Sri Lanka ports authority to build a USD 700 million deep-sea container terminal and the company will be controlling 51 per cent of the Colombo west international terminal. Earlier, Sri Lanka had unceremoniously pushed out India and Japan from the east container terminal of Colombo port. Meanwhile, the issue of the 13th amendment and devolution has been sidelined by the Rajapaskhe government, while re-engaging with leadership, India will be discussing this issue and would also like to see some progress made in this aspect. Lanka foreign minister GL Pieris in a recent meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on the sidelines of UNGA told that his country is working to address the post-ethnic war issues. India has maintained a high-level contact with the Lankan leadership, EAM also visited Sri Lanka in January where he stated that it was in the interest of the neighbouring country that the expectation of Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and dignity are fulfilled. Maritime security is also a key element of Indias engagement with Sri Lanka, Colombo security conclave has been promoted by India. This is currently a trilateral arrangement between India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, they deal with issues of the illicit narcotics trade, drug trafficking, terrorism and growing radicalization in the region, the secretariat has also been established in Colombo, recently deputy NSAs met in Colombo. Bangladesh, Mauritius and Seychelles also participated as observers, talks are also on with these countries to formally join the grouping as permanent members, it is learnt that countries have responded positively. WHO Approval for Covaxin delayed again New Delhi, Sat, 02 Oct 2021 Supratik Mitra According to reports, the World Health Organization (WHO) has again delayed the emergency use authorization (EUA) for Covaxin, the Indian-developed Covid-19 vaccine, and has forwarded further technical questions to its Hyderabad-based producer Bharat Biotech. This is even though Bharat Biotech has said that it has provided all data necessary for Covaxin clearance. Most nations across the world will not take Covaxin without the WHO's approval, and the delay is likely to harm students, medical tourists, business travellers, and people who wish to go overseas. The Union ministry of health and family welfare suggested last Friday that the global health organisation was likely to award its approval shortly. "The documents must be submitted for approval according to a set of rules. Covaxin's emergency use authorization from the World Health Organization is expected soon," said Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, the Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Dr VK Paul, the chairperson of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration, had also previously stated that WHO clearance for Covaxin was expected before the end of the month. Bharat Biotech said on July 9 that it has filed all of the requisite paperwork for clearance. In a statement, Dr Krishna Ella, chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech, stated, "The evaluation process has now begun with the anticipation that we would get EUL from WHO as soon as possible." Bharat Biotech's application for Covaxin clearance was also rejected by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 11th. According to reports, the company only provided partial data from clinical studies, omitting data from Phase 3 trials. Krishna Ella's firm then stated that it would no longer seek a EUA from the US government, but rather a 'complete approval.' Apart from India, eight nations Guyana, Iran, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Paraguay, Philippines, and Zimbabwe have approved the use of Covaxin. While the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom, as well as Canadian and Australian authorities, do not recognise Covaxin. The Covid-19 vaccines Covaxin and Covishield from the Serum Institute of India were the first to be utilised by the federal government in its large national immunisation campaign, which began in January this year. Sputnik, a Russian-made satellite, was later used in the country's immunisation campaign. Covishield is the only vaccine produced in India that is currently on the WHO's list. Meanwhile, Bharat biotech had declared last week that they have completed phase 2/3 trials of Covaxin for inoculation in children under the age of 18. The company also added that the data would be sent to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) by the end of next week. Were at a crucial point in the high school season. A witching hour of sorts if you will. Weeks from now, teams will either look back on these upcoming games with relief or with contempt, depending on where they end up. The trenches. Fundamentals. Execution. All will have to be in tip-top 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. A photographer has died in a motorbike accident on the Thai island of Koh Samui just two days after a chilling post on her Instagram. Alina Bagirova, who was born in the Russian city of Norilsk but grew up in Saint Petersburg, had been living in Thailand, where she gave photography workshops, drew and taught yoga, for more than a year. Before her death, she wrote "sleep is a gentle death" in her final Instagram post to her 2288 followers, with a photo of the horizon at dusk on September 25. Two days later, she was fatally injured in a road accident on the island of Koh Samui after she lost control of the motorbike she was riding, according to her friends. Alina Bagirova died in a motorbike tragedy on the Thai island of Koh Samui. Source: Newsflash/Australscope There was reportedly no collision with another vehicle and her friends have speculated an animal may have run into the road, but the cause remains unclear. It is also unknown if local authorities are investigating the incident and no information has yet been reported about the possible repatriation of Bagirova's body to her native Russia. She had moved to the southeast Asian country in search of a new life in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic last year. Her death was announced by her friend and compatriot, influencer Artur Sita, to his 101,000 Instagram followers in the early hours of Tuesday (local time). "Today, to our great regret, a pure soul has left us in an accident. A bright memory forever remains in our hearts, beloved friend," he wrote. Bagirova's death is a particularly painful tragedy for her family as she had only recently lost her mother. The photographer had been deeply saddened by her mum's passing, but she wrote in a post on Instagram on July 21 she had finally come to peace with the death. Australscope Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Energy prices are through the roof across Europe as demand surges and supplies tighten in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Over the course of the global economic shutdown, energy production has decreased considerably as industries shut down, people stayed inside, and demand for electricity and fuel plummeted. Now, as the world returns to work and gets back to the new normal, energy demand is back with a vengeance, but the energy supply simply isnt there. Europes leading natural gas benchmark, the Dutch Title Transfer Facility, reports that prices have skyrocketed from 16 per megawatt-hour at the beginning of this year to 75 by mid-September, representing an increase of more than 360%. Italian officials have warned their citizens to expect a 40% increase in their bills in the coming weeks and months. Spain has agreed to send 100 payments to over 5.8 million low-income households and sent a letter to Brussels pleading with the European Union (EU) to take sweeping action. And then theres Russia. Nearly half of all-natural gas imports in the EU come from the great white north, making Europe highly dependent on the Kremlin for its energy security. This dependence is a big part of the reason that Europe is now entering into an energy crisis, because as demand for natural gas has surged, Russia has not increased its exports to the EU. For one thing, Europe is competing with Asia for limited energy resources as both continents surge back to life as pandemic restrictions ease. So far, markets seem to be favoring Asia, for economic as well as strategic reasons. There is rife speculation that this is a strategic decision on the part of the Putin administration in order to push through the opening of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The 1,230-kilometre pipeline, which runs under the Baltic Sea to connect Russia and Germany, is complete but has yet to come online. The project has drawn much criticism for perpetuating the bloc's dependence on fossil fuels and extending President Putin's geopolitical influence according to Euronews. And now Europes dependence on Russia is being put into stark relief by the current energy crunch and appeasing the Kremlin while also opening a new entry point for much-needed natural gas may make the Nord Stream 2 seem a little more appealing. Russia is not just playing hard-to-get with natural gas. As Europes struggling energy markets look to import any form of affordable energy they can, power producers have resorted to asking for Russian coal as well, with little success. The EU has been working on weaning itself off of coal entirely for years now, and when demand for the dirtiest fossil fuel suddenly spikes this winter, the previously shunned fuel source will likely be in extremely short supply, as supply routes out of Russia, the worlds third-largest coal exporter, have been almost entirely redirected to Asia. If all the European utilities switch to coal, it will result in a huge spike in coal demand that Russia alone cannot provide for on such a short notice, Natasha Tyrina, research analyst at Wood Mackenzie Ltd. told Bloomberg this week. That would need supply from other countries as well, from the U.S. for example, but the situation there is similar to everywhere else. As we head into the cold winter months, Europes energy crisis is set to worsen, and their dependence on Russia to keep the lights on will only intensify. Asia, too, will be facing an energy crunch this winter, leading the entire world to resort to burning more and more coal at a time that most countries have pledged to do exactly the opposite. At a moment that countries are just beginning a green energy transition in earnest, and the United Nations is sounding a code red for humanity concerning climate change, this return to coal is an extremely worrying development that will hopefully be short-lived as even coal proves to be insufficient to ease supply crunches in the coming months. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Both of these key Canadian gas drillers hold key acreage and infrastructure positions in the Permian of Alberta and British Columbia Provinces, the Montney basin. It has some similarities to its more famous play in West Texas. The size is comparable and the nature of sedimentary accumulation is somewhat similar, yielding There is an old saying that one mans poison is another mans meat. In the case of the two Canadian gas drillers we are going to discuss today, this scarcity could lead to outsized gains in their share prices as they capitalize on the need for this currently scarce commodity. Tourmaline Oil Corp, (OTCPK: TRMLF) and ARC Resources, (OTCPK: AETUF) are two of Canadas leading gas drillers and are the subject of this months comparison article. The natural gas market has undergone profound changes in the last year, with prices rising from under $2.00 to over $5.00. Inventories have been drawn down due to demand, weather events, and the export of LNG to Europe and Asia. In the U.S., gas storage is about 30% below year-ago levels, and about the same in European storage caverns. Consumers are just now starting to feel the effects of this change in their monthly energy bills. Most pundits now say that it is up to the winter weather if we are to see curtailments. A cold winter in Europe or the U.S. could generate discomfort in the homes of millions, and cause the shutdown of energy-intensive industries. The natural gas market has undergone profound changes in the last year, with prices rising from under $2.00 to over $5.00. Inventories have been drawn down due to demand, weather events, and the export of LNG to Europe and Asia. In the U.S., gas storage is about 30% below year-ago levels, and about the same in European storage caverns. Consumers are just now starting to feel the effects of this change in their monthly energy bills. Most pundits now say that it is up to the winter weather if we are to see curtailments. A cold winter in Europe or the U.S. could generate discomfort in the homes of millions, and cause the shutdown of energy-intensive industries. There is an old saying that one mans poison is another mans meat. In the case of the two Canadian gas drillers we are going to discuss today, this scarcity could lead to outsized gains in their share prices as they capitalize on the need for this currently scarce commodity. Tourmaline Oil Corp, (OTCPK: TRMLF) and ARC Resources, (OTCPK: AETUF) are two of Canadas leading gas drillers and are the subject of this months comparison article. Both of these key Canadian gas drillers hold key acreage and infrastructure positions in the Permian of Alberta and British Columbia Provinces, the Montney basin. It has some similarities to its more famous play in West Texas. The size is comparable and the nature of sedimentary accumulation is somewhat similar, yielding stackable reservoirs that enable multi-horizon completions. This promotes capital efficiency which ultimately lowers the cost per foot and ultimately improves investor returns. Source Whats the story with gas? Supplies of gas are tight as we noted in the introduction. Inventory levels are below the 5-year moving average, and there are only a couple of months left in the injection season. It isn't looking good, unless... you are an investor in TRMLF or AETUF. EIA When you include - Record and increasing shipments to Gulf Coast liquefaction plants for conversion to LNG. Prolonged summer cooling draining supplies that could go toward injection. It makes for an incredibly bullish winter heating season, which by the way is almost upon us. If we get a cold winter... you can write your own ending to this sentence. An article in the RBN Energy blog fairly well summarizes the thesis for gas, and by extension gas-related companies. The incredible bull run for global gas prices has been underpinned by high demand for LNG and the cascading effect of a supply squeeze in Europe, brought on by the triple threat of low domestic production, decreased imports from Russia, and a scarcity of incremental LNG cargoes. Not only is this driving record-high gas prices and increased volatility now, but the low inventory means sustained high prices for the heating season ahead. RBN In short, there hasn't been a setup like this for gas in ages. The question is, are you too late to take advantage of it? I don't think so. Tourmaline Oil Corp This company came to my attention in September of last year. Since that time the price has risen from the low $12's to over $40. That should say quite a lot to you about how the market views this stock. Tourmaline is a great company with an outstanding asset base that is seeing demand like never before. As noted, I've been bullish on the company for a while now on its own merits. What's coming into focus is, there is a structural move higher in its core asset, Natural Gas. Source We think there is more to come in the next year as tight gas supplies and increasing exports in the form of LNG push prices higher still. A final word on this Canadian Energy producer on a growth comparison with a well-known U.S. producer - dollar put into TRMLF last September has returned $2.38 dollars since. By comparison, a dollar put into EQT Corp, (NYSE:EQT) a year ago has returned only $1.40 - still a nice gain, but numbers tell the tale of real value. The thesis for Tourmaline TRMLF produces more gas than any other company in Canada and is on par with some large Marcellus players. It has export connections via pipeline to the Gulf Coast, Western Canada, and California in addition to domestic use in the Alberta area. Source With thousands of locations on existing acreage, and a development rate of ~250 wells a year, the company has a long ramp to maintain and build production. Source The only way to reduce costs while meeting production goals is to really, really understand the rock you are producing. This is an area where TRMLF stands out. When it all comes together, you see it in graphs like the one below. Unit costs drop and production targets are met or exceeded. The fact that the company has done this in all three of the key basins where it operates is significant. Source Ok, let's review. Largest producer, got it. Thousands of locations for future drilling, got it. Lower D&C costs than other operators, got it. You've heard me say many, many times the following: Scale - distributes core costs over a larger body of units. Optimal acreage - easy to drill and produce. Good access to takeoff. Big, blocky acreage blocks. Low costs - understanding your reservoir to minimize D&C costs, and as shown below strategic acquisitions that enhance your cost position. Black Swan deal-A Catalyst Tourmaline closed the acquisition of Black Swan Energy in July. According to company materials, this purchase brings accretive assets that add significantly to the company's Montney profile. Tourmaline acquires existing 2P reserves of 491.9 million boe (GLJ - December 31, 2020), 1,600 Montney horizontal internally estimated drilling locations (237 booked in GLJ 2P Reserve category), and 230,000 net acres of Montney rights. All the acquired reserves are in the Aitken core development area. The acquisition includes material Montney land positions at Laprise, Beg, Jedney, and Sojer that complement extensive existing Tourmaline North Montney acreage positions. Black Swan had not booked material reserves on these additional, highly prospective, acreage positions. Source 2P reserves of 491 mm boe for the paltry sum paid - CAN$1.1 bn is an awesome deal. On an acreage basis, it's CAN$4,700 an acre, also very competitive. Q-2 The company grew production BOE to 411k BOEPD, a 37% increase year over year. Future growth is targeted in Q-3 to 450-460K in Q-3, with a 2021 exit rate of ~500 BOEPD. If achieved this would be more than 20% growth for the year. Operating cash flow was CAN$570 mm for Q-2, up over 2X over the same period a year ago. Capex of CAN $215 mm left free cash of $343 mm. After the dividend of $38 mm, which is scheduled to rise in Q-3, there is substantial cash left for share repurchases or debt reduction. CEO Mike Rose comments on capital allocation plans for this year- So far in 2021 we've used free cash flow for two dividend increases and we now expect to hit that long-term debt target during Q4 of this year. As we look out to 2022 and the full five-year plan, the vast majority of the free cash flow will be returned to shareholders, we'll provide more detail on the mix of the return opportunities over the upcoming two to three months, including continued sustainable base dividend increases, special dividends and share buybacks where appropriate. Sounds good to me. Long-term debt stands at CAN $1.4 bn and the company expects to exit 2021 at around CAN $1.0 bn, inclusive of the Black Swan deal. The company can pay this down with cash flow and assets sales and has done so in the recent past. The company is monetizing the bulk of its Topaz shares and expects to realize about $1.0 bn from that sale. Tourmaline will still retain 37% of Topaz. Now lets move on to ARC Resources. ARC Resources The Montney basin story continues with ARC Resources, (OTCPK: AETUF). It has staged an impressive 30% rally in the past month on the strength of natural gas prices. It's Canada's third larger producer of this commodity, and in second position for gas liquids which also are surging strongly. The analysts are solidly behind ARC. Their second-quarter results seem to have energized the community, with 15 of 18 covering ARC giving it a thumbs up for accumulation. The average estimate is CAN$ 11.55 or about where it is now, and the most optimistic of the bunch is tagging it with a CAN$15.00 tag. Source A noteworthy acquisition was accomplished earlier this year with ARC's acquisition of Seven Generations Oil Corp, earlier this year. In this move ARC nearly doubled its footprint in the Montney. This was done in a share swap that did not create new debt. We will discuss this further in this report. They also sold some non-core assets in the Pembina/Cardium areas to Ricochet Oil for CAN$100 mm. So, as per usual we will review Q-2 and other company materials to see if this optimism is justified, or if there is are catalysts that might take it even higher. The thesis for ARC Resources We have discussed the Montney on numerous occasions. It is a world-class basin with ample gas, gas liquids, and crude oil assets. There are ample basin exits by pipeline for its production west to toward the nearing-completion gas liquefaction plants at Kitimat, and south to the Gulf Coast refining complex. Source One of the critical aspects of the merger with Seven Generations is scale. Petroleum is a business that requires infrastructure and high-priced inputs for E&P costs. Scale permits the more rational and economically advantaged development of these assets. Whether it's proximity to better utilize field inputs like water handling, or performing simulfracs, or it's being able to drill longer horizontal legs, scale permits cost reductions, opex efficiency, and ultimately production results that can't otherwise be obtained. Source With thousands of identified new drilling locations on their premiere acreage blocks, ARC has a long runway of internally generated revenue streams. At a development rate of ~150 wells per year, the company can adjust its plans to meet market surges or declines without resorting to the capital markets. So with a Montney acreage footprint of ~1.1 mm acres, and production in the 340K BOEPD range, with slightly over 60% of it as gas, with the supportive environment surrounding this commodity in place presently, shares of ARC should find additional support to go higher. Source Another driver. Lack of new ethane supplies from shale drilling curtailments. We also are seeing tremendous support in key gas liquids, with propane, butane, and ethane being the most sought after for various reasons. In the case of ethane, both Gulf Coast and Overseas buyers are creating demand for this plastics building block. As the linked article notes, the Chinese are scooping up millions of tons in VLEC's (Very Large Ethane Carriers) of U.S. ethane for delivery to China's new plastics plant in Zengjiang province. Energy Transfer, (NYSE: ET) has a long-term supply contract for 52.8 mm bbls annually. Data by Marketwatch , Chart by author A WSJ article from July notes that low inventories of propane from the same causes, weather events, international demand leading to a ten-fold increase in exports over the last decade, people staying home, and barbecuing have all contributed to the present demand. The footprint they have established, combined with their internally owned infrastructure and increased demand for the full range of their products, establishes a sound thesis for ARC Resources. A near term catalyst-Nest The Nest area of the Kakwa will receive about 2/3 of ARC's development budget for 2021. Something to the tune of about CAN$650 mm. Currently producing about 450 mm scfd the internal gas processing will handle about twice that, feeding in the current demand for gas. As shown below the legacy Seven Generations team had optimized future development plans that will lead to cost reductions. ARC plans about 70 wells in the Nest area this year. Source As you can see in the slide above Nest is rich in gas, wet gas, and other liquids and was a priority for Seven Generations. Marty Proctor, former CEO of Seven Generations, and now Vice-Chair of ARC comments in the Q-3, 2020 call regarding the capital allocations at Nest. We are very strong believers in the price of condensate and we need to kind of balance our drilling with all of the different commodities as well as our best economics are always drilled to fill with the infrastructure that we have. We have the largest amount of condensate production in Canada. And looking forward, we're seeing as we expected condensate pricing improving relative to WTI. Our condensate production isn't as big as it was in 2019 neither are most of our competitors. And we're seeing the outlook for more condensate demand coming through the egress solutions that are being put together: the Trans Mountain Expansion, Enbridge Line 3. Those will add more egress for the heavies that require condensate for blending. So yes, our long-term outlook is still going to involve a lot of Nest 2 development and Nest 1 because they do supply the condensate that the basin needs. Those comments track with what we are seeing in the condensate market now. Data from OilPrice, Chart by Author A longer-term catalyst-Attachie ARC took a measured "FID"-type approach to sanctioning this development. A final decision is expected in Q-4, 2021. One of the things you note about this asset is its blocky structure. As we have previously discussed, a big chunk of dirt such as Attachie provides developmental advantages: Optimized landing zones for casing exits. This is a little wonky, but compromises here can have big impacts on the stability of the well. Longer laterals. It doesn't take much imagination to figure out that if a 2-mile lateral is good, a 3-mile lateral is even better. Optimized logistics. Why frac one well, when you can frac two? Well paths can be targeted to avoid faults and structure changes that can impact completion strategies and costs. Other things too. Remember what I said about scale. This is where it starts. Source With over 2,000 drilling locations identified, Attachie is the vehicle for the next several years that will maintain and grow production as market conditions dictate. Management Terry Anderson has served as President and CEO of ARC since 2020 and has spent much of his career at the company, joining in 2000. I like the fact that he recognized the need for scale, and went "elephant hunting" soon after taking the top job. I view this as the essential element in a CEO's job profile. We don't need them to run the company. We need them to recognize macro shifts in their markets, and prepare the company for the next 5-10 years. The Seven Generations deal is emblematic of what I think a CEO should be doing. Marty Proctor, now Vice Chm and COO of ARC was CEO of Seven Generations prior to the acquisition. I give him credit for the deal with Paramount Resources in 2016 that brought the now core Kakwa-Nest development into the asset base that drew ARC's interest. Again acquiring a transformational asset is a CEO's primary job and to have him remain as number two in ARC assures continuity of the thought process behind Nest. So I give ARC management top marks for growing their company in a responsible fashion that promotes shareholder value. Q-2 report out ARC generated CAN $995 mm in revenues from which CAN$542 mm in FFO resulted. After capex of CAN$292 mm FCF was CAN$249 mm. The company allocated this free cash to debt reduction of CAN$270 mm, and funded the CAN$0.06 dividend to the tune of CAN$43.5 mm. The Pembina asset sale netted CAN$100 mm as previously noted. Funding capex, the dividend, and reducing debt from internally generated funds is the hallmark of a healthy company. Hedging on the gas side held down net income and caused a loss on the quarter in relation to the value of contracts due to price improvements on the retail side. Source The company does not keep much cash on the books and relies on cash flow to fund day-to-day operations. ARC has access to an undrawn credit line of CAN$1.9 bn and presents no near-term liquidity concerns. Guidance is essentially flat for the rest of 2021. Source Your Takeaway We honestly have an embarrassment of riches this month. We will pick a winner, but in reality, they both are winners. Right now, Tourmaline is trading at an EV/EBITDA multiple of 9.27, on the high side, and normally we might wait for a lower price. But the macro environment is just so strong for this company that it should push through this level and obtain a still higher multiple. So a high multiple doesnt rule it out. If you project to the company's exit target of 500K BOEPD, on a flowing barrel basis, the company is cheap at $23K per barrel. That is still on the very attractive side in terms of valuation and should only improve as the Black Swan acreage is incorporated into their plans. Tourmaline pays an annual dividend of $.57, which is a yield of 1.67%. Better than nothing, but nothing to write home about. Much smaller ARC pays a $0.21 dividend which is well funded by OCF, a 2.7% yield which has good potential to be raised as it just has been. ARC has a habit of consistently raising its dividend and just increased it 10% to $CAN$0.066 per share. ARC has also just made a strategic acquisition in merging with Seven Generations that doubled the size of the company. While still smaller than Tourmaline, with an acreage footprint of over 500K acres in the Montney they can compete for resources and capital. ARC is attractively priced on a flowing barrels basis at $21K per barrel. And, at only 4X operating cash flow-OCF, is very attractively priced. I think there are reasons for the company to go higher in the coming months as the analysts believe. When you add these pricing advantages into the equation and combine them with the growth potential over the next 2-5 years as they exploit the Nest and Attachie developments, ARC emerges as the clear winner of this face-off. As I said above though, in this environment for critical energy commodities, I dont think you can go wrong with either one. The gas crisis in Europe is pushing Asian spot LNG prices up, but Asia is winning the bidding war so far. Chinese authorities are reportedly ordering state energy enterprises to secure supply for the winter at all costs. Just as natural gas prices surged to records in Europe and Asia, commodity-hungry China secured this week a major LNG supply deal with top exporter Qatar China and Asia are winning the bidding war for natural gas supplies as the northern hemisphere goes into the winter season with woefully low inventories and recovering demand after the pandemic. Just as natural gas prices surged to records in Europe and Asia, commodity-hungry China secured this week a major long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal with top exporter Qatar. China is looking to secure additional volumes of long-term supply of gas while it is also bidding up LNG spot cargoes, together with wider Asia, leaving Europe with fewer spot supply and further exacerbating the European gas crisis. Chinese authorities are reportedly ordering state energy enterprises to secure supply for the winter at all costs, which, analysts say, will further drive up demand for natural gas and coal this winter. And as soon as January, China will have more LNG volumes available under a long-term 15-year deal with Qatar Petroleum. This week, Qatar Petroleum and a subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) reached a long-term agreement under which Qatar will supply 3.5 million tons per year of LNG over a 15-year period starting January 2022. Since Qatar started exporting LNG to China, the Gulf nation gas delivered 715 LNG cargoes to China, of which 270 cargoes (more than 24 million tons of LNG) were delivered to CNOOC.? This weeks deal is the second major long-term LNG supply agreement between Qatar and a Chinese energy giant. In March, Qatar Petroleum signed a ten-year LNG supply deal with Chinese giant Sinopec. The Gulf country will supply China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, or Sinopec, with 2 million tons per year of LNG, starting in January 2022. Despite the long-term deals with Qatar, China still needs a lot of LNG this winter as its economy recovers from the pandemic, and its energy emission targets have led to more gas use at the expense of coal. This year, very low gas inventory levels in Europe and low stockpiles in Asia after the unusually cold and long 2020/2021 wintercoupled with economies rebounding from COVID restrictionsare pushing gas demand high ahead of the heating season. Gas markets are tight all over the world, creating a ripple effect on the other energy commodities, coal, and crude oil. Europes natural gas and power prices surged again to fresh record highs on Thursday amid concerns about low supply and forecasts of lower than normal temperatures in the UK. The gas crisis in Europe is pushing Asian spot LNG prices up, but Asia is winning the bidding war so far because buyers prefer to ship LNG to Asia where the price of gas per million British thermal units is higher than the equivalent prices in Europe. They have more purchasing power now, an LNG broker told the Financial Times, referring to LNG buyers in Asia. Europe has pipeline supplies and China and Japan dont have alternatives, the broker added. Significant growth in gas demand post-COVID-19 in both North Asia and Europe has created competition for LNG cargoes, particularly from the US and Qatar, pushing up gas spot prices to record levels for this time of the year, Australia-based energy advisory firm EnergyQuest said in a note on Thursday. Spot prices of LNG in Asia have just surpassed not only the records for this time of the year but the all-time high from last January. On Thursday, Asian spot LNG prices jumped to the highest on record, at $34.47 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), as assessed by S&P Global Platts. Thursdays price broke the $32.50/mmBtu record from January 2021. According to Citigroup, LNG prices could spike to as high as $100/MMBtu if particularly frigid winter weather combines with the tight markets that have sent natural gas prices surging. Strong demand and a lack of supply response have sharply tightened the market. Any surprise demand surge or supply disruptions could propel price further upward, the investment bank said in a note last week. Even at record spot LNG prices, China is set to buy more, as per the directive from authorities to ensure supply at all costs and avoid further blackouts and a looming slowdown in economic growth as factories close. The Chinese order for securing supply suggests that already very elevated LNG and thermal coal prices could be further bid up by Chinese buying, ING strategists Warren Patterson and Wenyu Yao said on Friday. If we do see strong Chinese buying, it will put further pressure on the European natural gas market, they noted. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Relations between Hungary and its neighbor Ukraine have been tense for years. Russia, which used to ship natural gas primarily through Ukraine, has diversified export routes, constructing the Nord Stream pipelines to Germany and the TurkStream link to Turkey. Hungary has relied on Russia for most of its natural gas imports delivered via a pipeline through Ukraine. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has summoned Ukraine's ambassador over what he said was Ukraine's attempts to block Hungary's new long-term gas supply deal with Russia, which was signed on September 27. Szijjarto said in a statement posted on his Facebook page on September 28 that this amounted to a "serious violation of Hungary's sovereignty" after Kyiv criticized Budapest over the signing of a new 15-year natural gas supply deal with Russia's state-controlled energy giant Gazprom. The agreement was signed by Gazprom and Hungarian energy group MVM executives at the Foreign Ministry in Budapest on September 27, during a visit by the Russian companys chief executive Aleksei Miller. The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine, which will lose millions in transit payments, said Hungary's supply deal was a "purely political, economically unreasonable decision" that was made "to the detriment of Ukraine's national interests and Ukrainian-Hungarian relations." The Ukrainian statement said the deal would have "a significant impact on the energy security of Ukraine and Europe," and that it will ask the European Commission to assess whether the agreement respected European energy legislation. Related: The Recent Oil Price Rally Cant Be Justified Szijjarto wrote in his Facebook message that the Ukrainian government's decision to attack the deal was "deeply upsetting" and amounted to an "unfriendly step." On September 27, Szijjarto told a news conference that for Hungary, energy safety is a matter of security, sovereignty, and economy rather than a political matter." "You cannot heat homes with political statements," Szijjarto added. A Gazprom statement quoted Miller as saying that Hungary will start receiving Gazprom's gas starting from October 1 already via TurkStream and the pipelines of South-Eastern Europe." Under the deal, Gazprom would ship 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Hungary annually, allowing for the supply of around half of Hungary's annual gas consumption. There were no immediate comments from the EU executive. Russia, which used to ship natural gas primarily through Ukraine, has diversified export routes, constructing the Nord Stream pipelines to Germany and the TurkStream link to Turkey. Hungary has relied on Russia for most of its natural gas imports delivered via a pipeline through Ukraine, but in recent years it has diversified gas imports, opening cross-border interconnectors with most of its neighbors and securing supplies from Royal Dutch Shell via a liquefied natural gas terminal in Croatia. Relations between Hungary and its neighbor Ukraine have been tense for years because of a dispute over the linguistic rights of some 150,000 ethnic Hungarians living in the western Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia. Kyiv angered Budapest in 2017 with a law restricting the use of minority languages, including Hungarian, in schools. In response, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's nationalist government blocked Ukraine's efforts to build closer ties with NATO and the European Union, of which Hungary is a member. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are also interested in bringing their ethnic kin out of Afghanistan. Taliban officials stressed that trade relations were the focus and repeated the Taliban's vow not to allow any group to use Afghan territory to plot attacks on neighboring countries. Representatives of both the Kazakh and Kyrgyz governments have finally met with Taliban officials. It took Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan a little longer than their neighbors to articulate their stances on a Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. Distance has its benefits, and since neither Kazakhstan nor Kyrgyzstan directly borders Afghanistan, the governments in Nur-Sultan and Bishkek could react more slowly to events than Afghanistans immediate neighbors to the north: Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Representatives of both the Kazakh and Kyrgyz governments have finally met with Taliban officials, and so far, the policies of each of those Central Asian governments seem to be engagement aimed at keeping Afghanistan at arms length. At the start of September, with nearly all Afghan territory in Taliban hands, Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev warned that Kazakhstan needed to brace for external shocks and a worst-case scenario." The situation in Afghanistan...presents us with the task of rebooting the military-industrial complex and military doctrine," Toqaev said. However, on September 9, Toqaev said Kazakhstan was ready for business contacts with Afghanistan." At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Dushanbe on September 17, Toqaev spoke in favor of initiating an informal dialogue with the new authorities in Afghanistan." On September 26, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry released a statement saying Ambassador to Afghanistan Alimzhan Esengeldiev had met with the acting foreign minister in the interim government of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi." According to the Taliban, Esengeldiev and Muttaqi discussed trade with the ambassador, noting that Kazakhstan has been exporting grain, flour, and fuel to Afghanistan and also pledging that Kazakhstan would provide humanitarian aid. The Kazakh Agriculture Ministry said shipments of flour and grain to Afghanistan had already resumed. On September 16, members of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) met in Dushanbe. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov expressed concern that the situation in Afghanistan could adversely affect the security of CSTO countries, which include Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. According to a statement from the Kyrgyz presidents office, the formation of a theocratic state in our region will undoubtedly negatively affect the current situation in the member countries of the CSTO. But on September 23, the Kyrgyz government sent a delegation led by the deputy chairman of Kyrgyzstans Security Council, Taalatbak Masadykov, to Kabul. Masadykov worked as a translator in Afghanistan when Soviet forces were there in 1987 and was also a specialist in a group of Soviet advisers from the Academy of Sciences who focused on Afghan tribal affairs and borders. From 2002 to 2014, Masadykov worked for the United Nations in the Afghanistan-Pakistan-Iran region. Masadykovs delegation brought a shipment of humanitarian aid with it. On September 23, he met with the Taliban's acting Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and also with Muttaqi. Focusing On Trade Commenting on the meetings with the Kazakh and Kyrgyz representatives, Taliban officials stressed that trade relations were the focus and repeated the Taliban's vow not to allow any group to use Afghan territory to plot attacks on neighboring countries. It is worth noting that Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan differ from their Central Asian neighbors in other key respects, beyond simply not directly bordering Afghanistan. Although there are likely to be some citizens of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in militant groups in Afghanistan, they are reportedly far fewer in number than the citizens of Uzbekistan or Tajikistan who are there. Further, groups like Jamaat Ansarullo, mainly comprising Tajik citizens, or the Islamic Jihad Union or the scattered fighters of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), which are made up mostly of Uzbek citizens, all aim to overthrow governments back in their homelands. No group in Afghanistan has publicly stated as its goal the overthrow of the Kazakh or the Kyrgyz government. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are also interested in bringing their ethnic kin out of Afghanistan. Kazakhstan flew 35 ethnic Kazakhs out of Afghanistan on September 9, and Kazakh authorities have already arranged to resettle them in five regions of the country and provided them with stipends for their basic needs. Sparsely inhabited Kazakhstan has been calling on ethnic Kazakhs around the world to make Kazakhstan their home under its so-called Oralman program, which was started shortly after 1991 independence. There are also reportedly still hundreds of ethnic Kazakhs in Afghanistan who are seeking to leave for Kazakhstan. No ethnic Kyrgyz from Afghanistan have arrived in Kyrgyzstan since the Taliban took control of nearly all of Afghanistan in August. But a group of 345 ethnic Kyrgyz from Afghanistans Badakhshan Province tried to reach Kyrgyz territory in July, only to be stopped in Tajikistan; they eventually returned to Afghanistan. Some of the Pamir Kyrgyz from Afghanistan have resettled in Kyrgyzstan over the past two decades. Immediately after the Taliban entered Kabul in mid-August, Kyrgyz Health and Social Development Minister Japar Mambetov told RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service, known locally as Azattyk, that Kyrgyzstan was willing to take 1,200 Pamir Kyrgyz from Afghanistan. Like Kazakhstan's Oralman program, Kyrgyzstan has its own scheme to attract ethnic Kyrgyz from abroad, known as the Kayrylman program. On September 26, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov was shown shoveling cement into foundations for new housing for so-called Kayrylman in the Chong-Alai district of Osh Province in an apparent signal that Kyrgyzstan was ready to take in more Kyrgyz from Afghanistan. The Uzbek and, especially, Tajik populations of Afghanistan are far larger. But neither Uzbekistan nor Tajikistan has shown any willingness to offer a new home to their ethnic cousins in Afghanistan. Kazakhstan's and Kyrgyzstans overtures to the Taliban have been cautious, to say the least. It is also notable the Kazakh Foreign Ministrys statement on the ambassadors meeting with Muttaqi never used the word Taliban. But both countries have now established direct contact and seem to hope that gestures like sending humanitarian aid or maintaining trade ties will keep them further shielded from any Afghan spillover. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: I am OMI | Events | People | Places | Participate Patti Poole As a six-year-old Ingleside Terraces resident, Patti ended up being the "star" in one of San Francisco's better-known racial incidents. In 1958, she discovered a burnt cross on her front lawn and because her father was a public figure, local historians, reporters and columnists have over the years kept the tale alive: "Herb Caen used to bring it up, and it used to embarrass the living daylights out of me. [...] He'd drag it out about every fifteen years... And it was usually when I was at work, so I would say, "Oh, that." I don't know who confessed to it, but I do know there was sentiment from other people in the neighborhood that didn't want us around." Despite occasional incidents that came with being the first African-American family in Ingleside Terraces, Patti remembers a glowing childhood and great friends: "I can't think of one really seriously bad thing about Ingleside Terraces. It was such a physically interesting place to grow up. I mean, I remember walking up one morning and Kathy standing outside going, "It's snowing," and we made snowmen, and the snow stuck for two days. "The hail in July, you know. The Mark Twain famous thing about the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco, and it's true. But I mean, just thinking back on it, being able to see the Farallones, being able to hear the animals at the zoo. It was that quiet. I remember thinking, god, it's that quiet." Patti remembers biking all over the west side, Playland, Stonestown, Fleishhacker's pool and zoo... With her best friend Kathy Cleary, she would put on neighborhood plays and musicals. "We'd send out invitations and programs, and a couple of them we did on either my porch or Kathy's porch or we did them inside in the living room. We had a set staged and the whole thing. Oh, we did a Wagnerian one. We did the Ring Cycle. [...] We did Midsummer Night's Dream. "I mean, we got about twenty people, and for that it's pretty good. Of course, our parents and then some other people in the neighborhood. It was really kind of funny. A couple of my mother's friends (would come), I think she probably threatened them, because I know they didn't live in the neighborhood at all, but they showed up." Being the daughter of a U.S. Attorney (in his career Cecil Poole served as San Francisco's Assistant District Attorney, the California governor's clemency secretary, and later as a judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals), Patti got to meet a wide-range of important figures from the 1960s---Robert Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Thurgood Marshall---but as she grew older having a famous father could be a drawback. "I knew that if I got caught in anything, it would get blown up. I also had friends that said, 'Well, if we're ever in (an anti-war) demonstration or anything ever happens, I should get handcuffed to you, because you're the U.S. Attorney's daughter, and we'll all get out.' "And I'd say, 'No, if you get handcuffed to me, you'll stay there a lot longer, because my dad will keep you there.' "Dad knew, but when I would go to demonstrations at the Federal Building, I'd stay in the back of the crowd, because I would see the FBI agents out there taking photographs, and I knew that I was on their photographs. But I didn't want to be right there smack in the front, because I didn't want to compromise him, and that's kind of how I carried myself." Some of Patti's fondest memories are of the wonderful craftsmen home she grew up in Ingleside Terraces. She's happy 90 Cedro Avenue has been recognized by San Francisco as a city landmark: "I think it's great. I think it's kind of ironic that my dad's name is attached to it when the covenants of that neighborhood restricted anybody of color from owning a house, and that my father, himself, could not have bought that house with somebody, an individual, selling it to him. So I think it's rather ironic, and I think my dad would have been really happy with that." Read the complete Patti Poole interview! Images: 1) Patti Poole, January 17, 2004. (WNP photo); 2) Poole family 1961, courtesy of Patti Poole (John Gorman photo). Contribute your own stories about the OMI! This project is made possible by a grant from the CALIFORNIA COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES with generous support from the San Francisco Foundation, as part of the Council's statewide California Stories Initiative. The COUNCIL is an independent non-profit organization and a state affiliate of the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES. For more information on the Council and the California Stories Initiative, visit www.californiastories.org. Streetwise - The Generational Wave Goodbye by Frank Dunnigan February 2011 As you walk the neighborhood shopping areas in the western half of San Francisco, things are different lately. Up and down California Street in Laurel Village, inner Clement and outer Balboa in the Richmond, plus Irving and Noriega in the Sunset, Taraval in the Parkside, Ocean Avenue in Lakeside Village, plus up and down West Portal and all through Stonestown, certain faces are disappearing. And no, it's not the ethnic transformation that has been underway in San Francisco for decades now, but rather, a more subtle change that cuts across all racial lines. For some time, we've been hearing the statistic that this country is losing thousands of World War II-era G.I.s every day. Recent visits to San Francisco have reminded me clearly that the non-uniformed wives, girlfriends, sweethearts, and sisters in that Greatest Generation, have reached "a certain age," and are at a point in their own lives when they have begun raising one large, collective, generational hand, and are now waving a fond good-bye to all the rest of us. A number of funerals that I've attended recently were for just such women, many of whom were born in the decade between the end of World War I and the start of the Great Depression. Any one of these ladies could easily have been the poster child for her entire generation. Most received a traditional education at Lowell, Lincoln, Mission, or Galileo, or perhaps at the hands of one of the various orders of nuns who were staffing San Francisco's many Catholic girls' high schools in the 1930s and 1940s. All these young women learned the strict moral lessons that shaped their lives, along with classic Palmer method penmanship and typing in rhythm to musical marches. Often with elderly parents in tow, many of them came to the western neighborhoods from other parts of San Francisco in the years after World War II. While most of them eventually settled into happy marriages with boys returning from the South Pacific, North Africa, the Ruhr Valley, or Omaha Beach, a goodly number remained single. Many pursued a civil service career, teaching, or nursing, while others found a corporate life at AT&T, Standard Oil, or PG&E, forging ahead in the organizational structure. Some even returned to night school at USF, Lone Mountain, or San Francisco State in the 1950s to help crack the glass ceilings of the era. As our generation came alongcollectively, some 75 million baby-boomersit was these beloved maiden aunts (sometimes they were actually bachelor uncles) who doted on us, spoiled us shamelessly, and always managed to remind us, at some crucial moment of child-parent turmoil, that we were the absolute best persons on earth. As we grew up, it was these wonderful ladies (and sometimes men) who took us for ice cream at Shaw's on West Portal or Ocean Avenue, overlooking the inevitable spills in their cars, ooh-ed and ahh-ed over our Halloween costumes from Toy Village, and bought vast quantities of those candy bars, raffle tickets, Christmas seals, and magazine subscriptions that we were all selling for school fund-raisers. They wore the widest smiles at our school plays and recitals, and were always front and center at our First Communions, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Confirmations, and multiple graduation ceremonies, while generously dispensing ever-increasing quantities of cash to mark our religious and scholastic achievements. All of them spent countless hours helping their harried siblings (our parents) search for and find must-have gifts for us and for our own children over the last half-centuryeverything from green hula-hoops in the 1950s, Madras shirts in the 1960s, Star Wars Force Beams in the 1970s, Cabbage Patch Kids in the 1980s, transformers in the 1990s, all the way to today's various hand-held electronic games and devices. As our own grandparents and other relatives grew older, the task of caring for them seemed to settle primarily on these unmarried siblings of our parents. Their love and devotion kept the senior generation of relatives going, physically and emotionally, for years, allowing our own parents to get on with the task of child-rearing, while providing our grandparents a longer opportunity to know and to love all of us. During one particular funeral, a 61-year-old nephew reminded the congregation about the untimely death of his own father at a young age more than 40 years earlier, and how his two maiden aunts then took charge of Thanksgiving that year, drawing their widowed sister and her three children into the close embrace of familya gesture that was sorely needed by everyone at the time, though such a role could scarcely have been imagined by any of them prior to his father's passing. For the next 35 years, Thanksgiving belonged to his aunts, and the meals that they put on were nothing short of spectacular, worthy of a feature in Bon Appetit, entitled "Holiday Dinner with the Aunties." Their home maintained a look that spoke of loving attention, from the perfectly positioned lamp in the front window, to the grandparents' antique mahogany dining room set, to Grandma's cut glass dish that has held nothing but Ocean Spray cranberry sauce throughout its entire life. Face it, without children of their own, spinster aunts always found the time to keep a place looking good. And so it went that these older, unmarried ladiessometimes in pairs, and then always referred to as "the girls"were the darlings of every family gathering after Grandpa & Grandma were gone. They took the time to remind us of just who our second and third cousins were, along with exactly how we were all related. They were honored guests at weddings and baby showers in the 1970s and 1980s, admired by friends and in-laws alike. After their retirements, they found time to do countless hours of volunteer work. Their love for children was further demonstrated as many of them dug deep into their resources and made significant donations of time and money to charities that aided education and children's welfare. As they progressed through their retirement years, they reached out to us, their now-adult working nieces and nephews, by welcoming grandnieces and grandnephewsour childreninto the old family home every day after school. All across the western neighborhoods, there they were, picking up little ones from school, overseeing homework, preparing and serving wholesome snacks, and supervising after-school play, making sure that their little charges were well looked after until the parents returned home at the end of the work day. At one funeral, a grand-niece, now 30, said it best, "As children of working parents, we never felt neglected, knowing that Grandma's two wonderful sisters were always nearby." Finally relinquishing holiday dinner duties to the younger generation near the dawn of this new millennium, these ladies could sit back, as family elders, and rejoice in the happy relationships enjoyed by the younger generations. If they delicately inquired of newlyweds about when the first baby was going to arrive, or suggested a bit more strongly to some single grandnieces and grandnephews that their evenings might be better spent at the USF Law Library rather than at the Philospher's Club near West Portal, no one was upsetthey knew their Aunties were doing what they did bestsharing the love, warmth, understanding, and affection that everyone had come to expect of them. As one after another of these remarkable ladies take their leave of us, we gather together after their funerals in long-time family homes scattered throughout the area, or linger over lunch at the Gold Mirror or Joe's of Westlake. We offer condolences and share a daytime cocktail or glass of wine as we reminisce about the lives that they led, reaching out to an extended network of relations, embracing them all, and fulfilling their own destinies as the loving and devoted leaders of our extended families. All of these leave-takings come on the heels of news that some healthy, energetic high school classmates of mine have succumbed to heart attacks prior to age 60, while others have undergone knee or hip replacements. At the same time, two grammar school classmates have lost spouses to cancer, while another had surgery to implant a pacemaker. Three of my old 18th Avenue playmates have lost siblings who used to play hide-and-seek with us in the 1950s. It is now dawning on a lot of boomers that we have taken a giant step forward, and are now unmistakably the grown-ups, the oldest ones, the folks that the younger people are watching and counting on to maintain their sense of continuity and family. I hope that we're as up to the task as all those wonderful maiden aunts and bachelor uncles who were always there for us. Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places! The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has asked the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to demonstrate courage and resilience in the discharge of his duties. He should be focused on the job at hand for the realization of the governments vision to improve the living conditions of the people. Leadership is about sacrifices, the Asantehene noted, saying he was optimistic that the President would work assiduously in delivering on his campaign promises. Otumfuo Osei Tutu was addressing the President when he paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, as part of his working visit to the Ashanti Region. Nana Akufo-Addo is in the Region for a four-day working tour to inspect ongoing development projects, interact with the people and also explain the governments development policies to the citizenry. The Asantehene lauded the President for his commitment to inspect at first hand various ongoing projects in the Region. This, he said, was necessary as the President would be in a better position to appreciate the progress of work and challenges associated with those projects. President Nana Akufo-Addo said the government would not relent in fulfilling its campaign promises to enhance the socio-economic status of the country. I will not disappoint the people, he assured the king, citing the governments resolve to complete all ongoing development projects in Ashanti. This ranged from the Kumasi International Airport, Boankra Inland Port Project, Kwadaso Creative Arts Senior High School (SHS), J. A. Kufour SHS, as well as various road projects. The President lauded Asantehene and Asanteman for their unflinching support for his Administration. 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 Mr Joseph Whittal, the Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative Justice, has called for the quick passage of the Aged Bill into law to ensure the effective protection of the rights of the aged. He said when it came to the issue of violent acts against the elderly, especially old women alleged to be witches, such acts had to be addressed with urgency to protect the life of the victim. Mr Whittal made the call in Accra at a Round Table Meeting as part of activities to mark the International Day of Older Persons. "Assaulting an elderly person because of that person's old age is not an ordinary assault," he said. He said the effective passage of the Bill into law would enhance adequate awareness creation and that was where the medias role was paramount to achieve set targets. Dr Vyda Mamley Hervie, Lecturer, Centre for Ageing Studies, University of Ghana, said ensuring the wellbeing of the aged was the direct responsibility of the State. She said it was crucial for the younger generation to realise that ageing was a natural process, which everyone was bound to experience. It was, therefore, important to create a cordial atmosphere between the young and old to ensure the comfort of not only the elderly, but also to guarantee the wellbeing of the current youthful generation in their old age, she said. Dr Hervie said the elderly should be sensitised on the fact that they were in no way a burden on society, but just citizens, who had grown older. She said if it was well understood for example, that some elderly people ended up with dementia and behaved strangely, such behaviour would attract sympathy instead of people accusing them of witchcraft. Dr Hervie urged the Government and all other stakeholders to ensure that through the requisite education, the society would understand the needs of the aged. 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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to commence a special exercise to monitor how corporate institutions and stored and managed their e-waste to ensure environmental safety. The move is to guarantee that electronic gadgets such as laptops, mobile phones, air conditioners, fridges and microwaves are disposed of by the right people at the licensed facility. Where the Agencys officials have reasons to believe that the waste gadgets posed danger and nuisance to the environment, EPA will move in to take inventory and ensure that the institution pays for the gadgets to be disposed of safely. Dr Henry Kokofu, the Executive Director of the Agency, announced this at an event to outdoor a pilot project to collect hazardous and e-waste for safe management and disposal by experts. The project is a joint venture between the Environmental Protection Agency and Excellent Waste Management, which seeks to help clean up e-waste, create jobs and boost revenue. The EPA Executive Director said the pilot project was part of a grand plan to continue to spearhead the fight against environmental pollution as mandated by law to among other things guide development to prevent, reduce, and as far as possible, eliminate pollution and actions that lowered the quality of life. Dr Kokofu said the EPA as part of the pilot project would take up other initiatives in the area of plastic waste collection and scrap metals to practicalized the circular economy idea. On the new project, he said already, institutions, including the Electoral Commission and the Electricity Company of Ghana sought the services of the Agency to safely manage and dispose of old electronic gadgets. Dr Kokofu said the pilot project would be implemented nationwide to sustain the effort at Agbogbloshie, which earned the country an unenviable name as the country with the biggest e-waste yard globally. He mentioned that the idea was to acquire more trucks and dispatch to Tema, Sunyani, Takoradi, Tamale, Koforidua to ensure that e-waste was properly disposed. The Director said institutions that would like to engage the services of the Agency should reach out to them via letter or call. 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 Asantehene has praised President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his commitment to the development of the Ashanti region and the country. He also praised the President for his tour of the country, adding that, if you stay in your office, your appointees will tell you what you want to hear. This tour will help you verify what you hear and know the truth. I know you and you do not disappoint. I trust you and I know you will honour Asanteman, the Asantehene said. On his part, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, expressed gratitude to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and Asanteman for supporting the New Patriotic Party and his candidature in the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections. President Akufo-Addo made this known on Friday, 1st October 2021, when he paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene at his Palace at Manhyia, at the commencement of his 4-day working visit to the Ashanti Region. I am here to show my gratitude to you and Asanteman for your support in the last elections. You have supported the NPP since time immemorial, and in the last elections, but for your unshrinking support and that of Asanteman to me and the NPP, we would not have been in government, the President said. He continued, I am here to show you and the entire kingdom my gratitude for that solid support that has seen us in power. President Akufo-Addo, in explaining the rationale for his visit to the Region, indicated that he is in the Region to familiarize himself with the numerous developmental projects going on in the Region, and listen for himself the concerns of residents, the traditional authority and opinion leaders. The President also used the opportunity to assure the people of the Ashanti Region that he will not take their support for him and the NPP for granted, stressing that it is for this reason that several developmental projects have been done, with many still ongoing in the Region. There are many ongoing projects. We can all attest to the fact that Kumasi and Asanteman have not witnessed such massive road infrastructural projects in our political history. Other projects like the 1D1F, the ongoing Kumasi Airport construction which is 77% complete and by June next year, it will be completed after which its international status will be achieved," he said. President Akufo-Addo also assured Otumfuo Osei Tutu II that, even though there were delays with respect to the Boankra Inland Port project, plans are far advanced for the project to take off. President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah; Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng; Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori-Asiamah; Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister for Works and Housing; National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah; and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako; amongst others. 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 General Secretary of the governing NPP, John Boadu, has eulogized the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Food Buffer Stock Company, Alhaji Abdul Hannan Wahab, for his instrumental contributions to the NPPs 2020 electoral victory particularly in the 5 regions of the north, describing him as the chief patron of the regions. Mr. John Boadu made these remarks on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Daboya, when he was addressing the Savannah Regional Annual Delegates Conference of the Party, at which occasion, the Buffer Stock CEO, was given special citation by the Savannah regional executives of the party, in recognition of his significant logistical and financial support to the regional party in the run up to the 2020 general elections. Abdul Hannan Wahab is not only a leading financier of the NPP in the Savannah Region, but also in the other 4 regions of the North, and indeed, in the last general elections, he alone served as a patron (party financier) for all the 5 regions of the north comprising Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Savannah and the North East Regions. Performing his role in this capacity, Abdul Hannan Wahab supported the NPP regional campaign teams of each of these regions with hundreds of Motorbikes and other campaign logistics as well as significant cash donations to assist the regions in effectively prosecuting the partys 2020 campaign. It is on account of the foregoing, and the many other things Abdul Hannan had done and continues to do for the NPP in the northern part of the country that the General Secretary of the Party, John Boadu, described the benevolent Abdul Hannan Wahab, CEO of the Ghana National Food Buffer Stock Company, as the chief patron of the party in the entire 5 regions of the north. Source: Peacefmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video After a successful conclusion of the Savannah regional conference yesterday October 1, 2021, Aspiring National Chairman and current national treasurer Honourable Kwabena Abankwa-Yeboah and his team mover to Upper West Region to attend the regional conference today 2nd October 2021. Historically the home region of SD Dombo one of the founding fathers of the New Patriotic Party's tradition. Abankwah-Yeboah had an excellent reception in the Savannah region yesterday when he graced the occasion. The suave spoken Chairman aspirant anticipates same from the regional executives, constituency executives in the Upper West Region saying: "Mr Kwabena Abankwah-Yeboah your delegates awaits, to vote for you when the time is up. By the grace of God." Mr Abankwa-Yeboah wishes them safe travels to the events venue as they gather to strategise in breaking the 8 years cycle for good governance for the people of Ghana. Source: Peacefmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video " " Lilly Ledbetter speaks during the Democratic National Convention in September, 2012. Despite losing her 2007 Supreme Court case, Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, she eventually did "win" when President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Alex Wong/Getty Images Anyone who saw the documentary "RBG" probably remembers the assertive Alabama drawl of Lilly Ledbetter, the plaintiff in this important case of employment discrimination. Over the course of her nearly two-decade career at the Goodyear plant in Gadsden, Alabama, Ledbetter faced sexual harassment and was told by her employer that women shouldn't be working there. (Ledbetter was one of just a few female supervisors). Because salaried employees were given or denied raises based on performance evaluations, Ledbetter believed she was being shortchanged compared to her male counterparts. Goodyear forbade employees to discuss pay, so Ledbetter didn't have solid proof of any sex-based discrimination until she received an anonymous note listing the salaries of three male managers. That's when she learned she'd been paid 40 percent less than the men with equal jobs in her division [sources: NWLC, Dvorak]. Advertisement Ledbetter filed suit after her November 1998, retirement and claimed discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin and religion. The District Court awarded Ledbetter over $3.5 million in back pay and damages (which the judge later reduced to $360,000). But upon appeal, Goodyear argued that "the pay discrimination claim was time barred with regard to all pay decisions made before September 26, 1997 180 days before Ledbetter filed her EEOC questionnaire and that no discriminatory act relating to her pay occurred after that date." The Eleventh Circuit reversed the decision, agreeing that for Ledbetter's claims to hold up in court, the alleged discriminatory events would have had to occur within the 180-day-period before her filing. And while there were two pay decisions made during that period, the court felt "there was insufficient evidence to prove that Goodyear had acted with discriminatory intent" during that time [sources: AAUW, LLI]. When the case made it to the Supreme Court, the justices had to decide whether a plaintiff is allowed to bring an action under Title VII when the illegal pay discrimination they're alleging occurred outside the statutory limitations period. The court voted 5-4 to uphold the ruling that discriminatory intent must occur during the 180-day statutory period, so Ledbetter had missed her window. Ginsburg wrote a passionate dissent, arguing that "pay disparities often occur, as they did in Ledbetter's case, in small increments; cause to suspect that discrimination is at work develops only over time. Comparative pay information, moreover, is often hidden from the employee's view. Employers may keep under wraps the pay differentials maintained among supervisors, no less the reasons for those differentials. Small initial discrepancies may not be seen as meet for a federal case, particularly when the employee, trying to succeed in a nontraditional environment, is averse to making waves" [sources: Bowman, Justia]. While the case didn't turn out as Ledbetter's supporters had hoped, it went on to make history: On Jan. 29, 2009, President Barrack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 as the first piece of legislation of his administration. The law overturned the Supreme Court's decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and states that each paycheck containing discriminatory compensation is a separate violation no matter when that discrimination began [source: EEOC]. " " Participants in the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade march up 5th Ave. on June 11, 2017 in New York City. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images It's National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States (September 15 through October 15), a time for Americans to celebrate the richness of Hispanic and Latino culture at home and abroad through art exhibits, food festivals, Spanish-language film and theater productions, and more. It's also a time for politicians and the media to stumble over the subtle differences between the terms Hispanic and Latino. The confusion is real, because the dictionary definitions of Hispanic and Latino don't always jibe with the way the terms are understood and used in the real world. Advertisement Let's start with the main difference between the official definitions of Hispanic and Latino. The term Hispanic covers anyone from a Spanish-speaking country or their descendants. So you're considered Hispanic if you or your ancestors are from one of more than 20 Spanish-speaking countries around the world. That list includes countries in Latin America (which consists of South and Central America, plus Spanish-speaking islands in the Caribbean) and Spain. Latino, on the other hand, refers specifically to people from Latin America. Confusingly, this includes people from non-Spanish-speaking countries. So someone from Brazil (where Portuguese is the main language) or Suriname (where they speak Dutch) is considered Latino, but not Hispanic, because they don't speak Spanish. To sum up: Somebody from Spain is Hispanic, but not Latino. Somebody from Brazil is Latino, but not Hispanic. Somebody from Mexico is both Hispanic and Latino. But before you get too comfortable with those definitions, you need to understand how each of those terms is loaded with its own history and politics. The U.S. census officially began using the word "Hispanic" in 1980 as an umbrella term for Americans with origins in Spanish-speaking countries. But not everybody was comfortable with that term. Rolando Romero was chair of the Department of Latina/Latino Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign when we spoke to him in 2018 (he is now associate professor emeritus). Romero was born in Mexico and emigrated to the U.S. at 13 years old. For him and many others, the word "Hispanic" is too tied to Spain and doesn't reflect the lived experience of Latino communities in America, most of which have ties to Latin America. Romero prefers "Latino," but believes it should only be used to describe Latinos in the U.S., not people living in Latin American countries. And even then, he thinks that Latino falls short of describing most Latinos' self-identity. He says that if you ask a Latino person about their background, most won't say, "I'm Latino." They'll say "I'm Mexican-American. I'm Puerto Rican. I'm Cuban." When describing himself, Romero uses "Chicano," a term for Mexican-Americans that arose during the Civil Rights movement and still carries a note of pride and political defiance. "If you go to the Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago, you'll see Cuban food, you'll see Colombian food, you'll see Salvadoran food," says Romero, "but you'll never see 'Latino food.' Latino has become the umbrella term in the U.S. to refer to all those groups, but it's hardly ever used in real life." Romero's impression is backed by 2019 survey data from the Pew Research Center, which found that 47 percent of all Hispanics and Latinos would describe themselves using an "origin term" like Mexican or Dominican, while 39 percent used an umbrella term like "Hispanic" or "Latino." More recently, the term Latinx has been tossed into the mix. It was born of the LGBTQ movement and a desire among some Latinos to create a more inclusive term outside of the gender binary Latino or Latina. Romero worries that it's impossible to rid the Spanish language of gendered words and that Latinx is confusing to native Spanish speakers. But Maria R. Scharron-del Rio, a counseling professor at Brooklyn College, disagrees, seeing the new word as a way of reaching out to people who haven't always been embraced by Latino immigrant communities. "By using Latinx, nobody is telling you how to identify. It's up to you if you want to be Latinx, Latino, or something else," she told NBC News. "It's really a way to be inclusive. For people who are traditionally marginalized, that millisecond of politeness and recognition towards someone who is gender queer, tells them that you see them, that you are an ally." Now That's Interesting A 2018 Pew survey found that 27 percent of Hispanic/Latino respondents preferred the term Hispanic, 18 percent prefered the term Latino and 54 percent had no preference. Just 3 percent of Hispanic/Latino adults use the term "Latinx" according to a 2019 Pew survey. Advertisement Originally Published: Sep 24, 2018 " " Max Pixel ( CC0 Oligarchy is a political system in which power rests with a small number of people. Fear that an entrenched elite would seize power dates all the way back to the very founding of the U.S. system of government. "We say no to oligarchy!" Senator Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Independent who again is running for the Democratic nomination for president, proclaimed in a 2019 speech to 16,000 supporters in San Francisco. Sanders, who warns that billionaires are buying elections and exerting too much power over the government, uses the O-word frequently, but he's not the only one. If you read enough articles on the web, you'll see places ranging from Russia, China and Saudi Arabia to Brazil and even Hong Kong described as oligarchies. A 2017 Salon article even warned of the growing power of a global uber-oligarchy comprised of wealthy, super-powerful figures ranging from financiers to rock stars. And the concept isn't just owned by the left, either. President Donald Trump may not have used the same terminology, but the billionaire businessman rose to power in part by railing against the "elites" that he accused of disenfranchising ordinary Americans. If you're not a political science major, you may be wondering: What exactly is an oligarchy, anyway? And do we really have one in the U.S.? "An oligarchy is a combination of wealth and power, and often tends to close off access to its ranks 'pulling up the ladder,'" explains Ron Formisano, the William T. Bryan Chair of American History and professor emeritus of history at the University of Kentucky, and author of the books "American Oligarchy: The Permanent Political Class," and "Plutocracy in America: How Increasing Inequality Destroys the Middle Class and Exploits the Poor." Oligarchy from the ancient Greek word oligoi, meaning few is a concept that goes back to the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who used it to describe a society governed by a select few wealthy or aristocratic people, as opposed to rule by a single monarch, or a democracy in which the great mass of people of humble means hold control. Aristotle actually didn't favor either oligarchy or democracy he preferred a sort of half-decaf cup of joe in which a middle group of moderately wealthy citizens controlled the reins, as the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy explains. Advertisement Founding Fathers Feared Oligarchy In America, Sanders isn't the first American politician to be concerned about oligarchy. Fear that an entrenched elite would seize power dates back to the era when the nation was founded. John Adams, who became the second U.S. president, in particular saw it as a potential menace. "Our popular history paints us as a revolutionary society that overthrew monarchy," explains Luke Mayville, author of the book "John Adams and the Fear of American Oligarchy." "But revolution-era America was also full of animosity towards anything resembling formal nobility or aristocratic privilege. This animosity made its way into the U.S. Constitution in the form of the Nobility Clause of Article I, which prohibits the federal government from granting titles of nobility. What made Adams unique was the systematic manner in which he theorized about oligarchy and documented the threat that oligarchy had posed throughout history." "Relatively early in his adult life, Adams was struck by the disproportionate influence enjoyed by men of wealth and illustrious lineage," Mayville says. "But the record shows that he became much more fearful of oligarchy during his long sojourn as a diplomat in Europe in the late 1770s and early 1780s. In the old world, he became a careful observer of the power that went hand-in-hand with family lineage, physical beauty, and especially wealth. When he compared these observations of the Old World to conditions in the New World, he saw more similarities than differences." But Adams didn't exactly see the world the same way as do Sanders or Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), another presidential candidate who is concerned about the concentration of wealth and power, because he worried about rule by the non-elite as well. "Adams was keenly aware of the political power of wealth and the need to contain it, " Mayville says. "But unlike most of today's economic populists, Adams was almost as fearful of democracy as he was of oligarchy. He believe that the many, as well as the few, posed a threat to the stability of republics. In retrospect, some of his fear of democracy seems paranoid. For example: He shared the belief of many elitists throughout history that universal suffrage would inevitably lead to the mass expropriation of private property. In any case, Adams differs from today's critics of oligarchy in that he was not a small-d 'democrat.' Instead, he was a believer in a 'balanced government' that counter-acts the inevitable power of wealth and status with the organized power of ordinary citizens" something perhaps akin to Aristotle's concept of a mixed ruling class. Oligarchies can develop in societies for several reasons. In a country with a monarchy or dictatorship, if a leader becomes too weak or incompetent to rule, the strata of powerful people under the leader may start to siphon away his authority and ultimately may replace him with a puppet, or else one of their own members. It's also possible for an elite say, for example, super-wealthy business moguls to take control of a society because they're good at getting things done, whether or not those things are in the best interests of everybody else. And there's also oligarchy by default, in which a democracy essentially withers because ordinary people allow an elite to take over, because it's easier than staying informed and grappling with the complexities of governing. Advertisement The Masses and the 1 Percent The question of whether the U.S. is turning into an oligarchy or perhaps already is one has become a subject of heated debate. Back in 2014, Princeton professor of politics Martin Gilens and his Northwestern University colleague Benjamin I. Page published an analysis, in which they studied 1,779 different policy issues, and concluded that economic elites and groups representing business interests had a lot of influence upon U.S. government policy, while ordinary citizens and interest groups representing them held little sway. (They didn't actually use the term oligarchy, though news media headlines summarizing their work did.) But as this 2016 Vox article describes, several other scholars published rebuttals, arguing that either the masses and the elites didn't really disagree that much about policy choices, or that when they did, the masses usually prevailed. Public opinion, though, suggests that most people think of the U.S. as oligarchic, even if they don't call it that. In a July 2017 poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 75 percent of Americans said that people like them have too little influence in Washington, and 82 percent believed that wealthy people had too much power over the government. Here in the U.S., "It's not a matter of restrictions, but more a closing of opportunity and diminishing chances for the middle and lower classes," Formisano argues. Even some billionaires worry about the nation's rising income inequality is unsustainable and may endanger capitalism's future, even if they're not quite ready to give up all their influence. Now That's Interesting In the early 1900s, philosopher Robert Michels came up with the Iron Law of Oligarchy. It which holds that any organization or society even one that espouses democratic ideals of popular rule inevitably will devolve into oligarchic rule in which a few people take most of the power, in part because rank-and-file members tend to want someone to tell them what to do. " " O-day ou-yay eak-spay ig-pay Atin-lay? id-work/Getty Images/HowStuffWorks Most American kids have encountered pig Latin at some point. It's been around for more than a century, which means the great-great-great-grandparents of today's elementary schoolers almost certainly used pig Latin. And their great-great-grandparents probably danced the Charleston to a song sung in pig Latin. And yet you can't use pig Latin to fulfill your foreign language credits requirement in school. Maybe because, as we'll see, it's not really foreign or a language. Let's ook-lay at-way ig-pay atin-Lay. Advertisement How to Speak Pig Latin Let's start with a language lesson, probably one of the easiest you'll ever encounter. No app necessary! No translation needed! Take a word, like "cat." Put the end of the word at the beginning, move the first letter to the end, and add the syllable "ay," which rhymes with "way." So now you have "at-cay." The at-cay says eow-may. If you have a word with more than one syllable, like "curtain," you have a couple of options, depending on how you learn it. Most people go with the easiest solution, which is to treat it just like a word with one syllable: "urtain-cay." But others prefer to make it more complex, and more of a coded language, by pig-Latin-izing each syllable: ur-cay ain-tay. Here's where it does get tricky (as tricky as pig Latin gets anyway). If you have a single letter word, like "I" or "a," some people choose to add yay, while others add way to the end of the word. So you get "I-yay" or "I-way" and "a-yay" or "a-way." Either is technically pig Latin, it just depends on which way you say it. Advertisement How Old Is Pig Latin? Before there was pig Latin, there was dog Latin and even hog Latin, which is probably how we got to pig Latin. But dog Latin and hog Latin, aren't anything like pig Latin, other than their names being similar. Those first two refer to a kind of fake, made-up Latin. In "Love's Labor Lost," none other than Shakespeare indulges in a bit of dog Latin: Costard: Go to; thou hast it ad dunghill, at the fingers' ends, as they say. Holofernes: O, I smell false Latine; dunghill for unguem. After Costard says "ad dunghill," Holofernes explains that Costard is using false Latin. Costard has used "ad dunghill" because it sounds enough like "ad unguem," a Latin phrase for something being done to an exact measure or standard. "Unguem" means "fingernail," and the phrase comes from checking the smoothness of marble. The joke is much funnier when you explain it at length. Then in an 1844 issue of United States Magazine and Democratic Review, a monthly political journal published in the 19th century, Edgar Allan Poe mentioned both dog Latin and pig Greek, and not in a kind way. But also not referring to the pig Latin we know. Pig Latin was likely invented in the late 1800s by kids who wanted to talk without adults understanding them. But as we've seen, it's not exactly the Enigma code. The Oxford English Dictionary has the earliest written use of the phrase pig Latin in 1896, when a J. Willard wrote in "The Atlantic": They all spoke a queer jargon which they themselves had invented. It was something like the well-known 'pig Latin' that all sorts of children like to play with. By the early 20th century, everybody who was anybody knew about pig Latin. Enough people that Arthur Fields could release the record "Pig Latin Love" in 1919. The recording is hardly hi-fi, but it does have a clear example of pig Latin. Then, in case you're still hopelessly uncool, he provides a translation in the second chorus. In the 1930s, the Three Stooges used pig Latin in their short films. Moe and Larry even provided a primer for Curly in 1938's "Tassles in the Air." Curly doesn't learn very quickly, but "ixnay" and "amscray" became part of people's vocabulary thanks to the trio's work in expanding the language. Advertisement But Is It a Language? People use pig Latin to communicate, so sure. By the broadest definition, it is indeed a language. It's not anyone's native language, though, and it doesn't have its own grammar or syntax. It depends entirely on English for, well, everything. It's an example of "back slang." A 2015 paper published in the journal Signs and Society notes that these are "simple rules...that can be applied to every word in the language." That's why you don't need to take a pig Latin class to learn new vocabulary or how to decline its verbs; it's just English with a twist. It's also a code language, since it moves letters and sounds around to disguise the words. It's similar in that way to systems like Morse code, where letters are replaced with dots and dashes to encode the alphabet and send across wires. Pig Latin is not an invented language, like Klingon or Esperanto. These languages have a separate vocabulary, grammar and syntax that does not directly rely on English or any other language. Admittedly, pig Latin is not a great code. But it's enough to keep, say, a dog from knowing what you're saying. If your dog gets wound up every time you mention taking a walk, try saying "Id-day ou-yay alk-way e-thay og-day?" rather than "Did you walk the dog?" Advertisement Pig Latin Around the World Other languages do this same kind of encoded wordplay, though it doesn't usually work exactly the same way English and pig Latin do. French, for instance, has "verlan," which switches the first and last syllables of a word. The name itself is an example of the way it works: "l'envers" means "backward." In the Spanish word game "jirgonza," you double the vowels and put a "p" between them. So the word for "cat," "gato," becomes "gapatopo," which sounds like a great name for a cat, actually. Japan has "babigo," which inserts b-syllables after the usual syllables in a word. So something as simple as "sushi" becomes "subushibi." Now That's Ool-Cay! Pigs don't speak pig Latin, but they do communicate with humans. A study published in 2019 in Animal Cognition compared the way pet dogs and pet pigs communicate with their humans. The piglets and puppies were put through their paces at the Department of Ethology at the University of Budapest, and while both were absolutely adorable and the pigs paid attention, the dogs were the better overall communicators. " " Ridley High School in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, held a vaccine clinic for students ages 16 to 18 May 3, 2021. One of the first to get the shot was junior Molly Day (seen here). Now the FDA has approved the vaccine for students ages 12 to 15. Pete Bannan/MediaNews Group/Daily Times via Getty Images With the first COVID-19 vaccine now authorized for adolescents ages 12 and up, a big question looms: Will students be required to get the vaccine before returning to their classrooms in the fall? As a professor of education policy and law and a former attorney for school districts, I regularly think about this sort of question. In the United States, school vaccination requirements are established by states rather than the federal government. The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows states to make regulations protecting public health. Every state currently requires K-12 students to be vaccinated against some diseases, although the requirements including which shots are deemed necessary and the reasons students can opt out vary from one state to another. Advertisement Who Can Opt Out of School Shots? No state yet requires students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, but how states manage other vaccines and exemptions, and how the rules can change during outbreaks, can help us think about how a COVID-19 vaccine requirement might work. For example, students in all states can be exempt from vaccination requirements if they have a valid medical reason, such as a weakened immune system or allergic reaction to a vaccine. In 44 states, students also can opt out of vaccination requirements for religious reasons, though most major religions do not prohibit vaccines. Some states are considering rescinding religious exemptions because of concern about declining levels of vaccinations and local outbreaks of diseases such as measles. Connecticut rescinded its religious exemption in April 2021. Fifteen states permit philosophical exemptions based on moral or ethical concerns. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 2.5 percent of U.S. kindergartners used an exemption last year, the same as the previous year, and most were for religious or philosophical reasons. Of particular importance right now is that states also take different approaches to exemptions during an outbreak. Thirty-two states ban unvaccinated students from attending school during an outbreak. A handful of states do not allow vaccine exemptions during an outbreak. Advertisement What the Courts Say About Mandatory Vaccines The U.S. Supreme Court has supported states' authority to make these decisions for more than a century. In May 1901, a smallpox epidemic began in Boston. Now-familiar disease prevention measures were put into place: Sick patients were quarantined for treatment, and the city began a free, voluntary vaccination program. By December of that same year, the city had not contained the epidemic, so a local health commission required all adult residents to be vaccinated under the authority granted by the state. The local government fined those who refused to be vaccinated, and one man disputed this fine by suing the state of Massachusetts. In 1905, the Supreme Court heard his case and held that a state can require vaccination in the interest of public health. Today, some health law experts think vaccination requirements are important enough that they can still trump claims including individual religious liberty, while others are more skeptical. The COVID-19 vaccines have one key difference they have only emergency use authorization at this point, not full FDA approval. The FDA's emergency use statute says people receiving the drug must be informed "of the option to accept or refuse administration of the product" but also "of the consequences, if any, of refusing." How a lack of full approval would affect state decisions about school vaccine mandates and how the courts might view those decisions remains to be seen. In another context, military service members can be required to receive vaccines but are allowed under federal law to opt out of vaccines that have only emergency use authorization, unless the president waives that provision. Pfizer the drugmaker whose vaccine received emergency use authorization for adolescents on May 10, 2021, and was recommended for that age range by the CDC on May 12 has started the review process for full FDA approval for use in ages 16 and older. The same review for adolescents will start later. Vaccine testing is still underway for younger children. " " Pharmacy student Jason Rodriguez (right) administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Florida International University student Larry Grier (left) at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center in Miami, Florida, in April as part of the initiative to vaccinate students at colleges and universities in Miami-Dade County. CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Can Individual Schools Issue Their Own Requirements? Because states enact vaccine requirements to protect public health, school vaccine requirements generally apply to public and private K-12 schools, and also to daycare facilities. Only a handful of states require college and university students to be vaccinated, so in practice, determining and enforcing vaccine requirements is usually up to individual higher education institutions. A growing number of colleges and universities have announced that they will require all students who plan to be on campus to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Other institutions are requiring the vaccine only for students who want to live in dorms. However, at least one state legislature Michigan's is considering barring state universities from requiring vaccines as a condition of taking in-person classes, contending a vaccine requirement would infringe on matters of individual choice. This raises the interesting question of whether an individual school district, like an individual college or university, could require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. When school vaccine requirements began in the late 19th century, the goal was to prevent the spread of smallpox. By 1915, 15 states and Washington, D.C., required students to receive the smallpox vaccine, and 21 other states allowed local governments such as school districts and county health departments to impose such a requirement. School vaccination requirements have proliferated over the past century, in response to both specific outbreaks and the growing acceptance of vaccine mandates as public health policy. Although most vaccination requirements have been issued at the state level in recent decades, whether school districts can add to the list of required vaccines remains an open question, and may vary by state. It is also a question that courts will likely soon engage. In January 2021, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced that it plans to require its students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine once a vaccine is approved and available. Los Angeles Unified is the nation's largest school district. As fall nears and assuming clinical trials continue to demonstrate both efficacy and safety we may see more districts pursue this option. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here. Kristine Bowman is a professor of law and education policy at Michigan State University and a national expert on K-12 education law. This image made available by the European Space Agency (ESA) shows planet Mercury taken by the joint European-Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft Mercury Transfer Module's Monitoring Camera 2, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. Credit: ESA via AP A joint European-Japanese spacecraft got its first glimpse of Mercury as it swung by the solar system's innermost planet while on a mission to deliver two probes into orbit in 2025. The BepiColombo mission made the first of six flybys of Mercury at 11:34 p.m. GMT (7:34 p.m. EST) Friday, using the planet's gravity to slow the spacecraft down. After swooping past Mercury at altitudes of under 200 kilometers (125 miles), the spacecraft took a low resolution black-and-white photo with one of its monitoring cameras before zipping off again. The European Space Agency said the captured image shows the Northern Hemisphere and Mercury's characteristic pock-marked features, among them the 166-kilometer-wide (103-mile-wide) Lermontov crater. The joint mission by the European agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency was launched in 2018, flying once past Earth and twice past Venus on its journey to the solar system's smallest planet. Five further flybys are needed before BepiColombo is sufficiently slowed down to release ESA's Mercury Planetary Orbiter and JAXA's Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter. The two probes will study Mercury's core and processes on its surface, as well as its magnetic sphere. The mission is named after Italian scientist Giuseppe 'Bepi' Colombo, who is credited with helping develop the gravity assist maneuver that NASA's Mariner 10 first used when it flew to Mercury in 1974. Explore further Hot dates: 2 spacecraft to make Venus flyby 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Announces Mutual Decision to End Bintrafusp Alfa Agreement with GSK Details Category: Antibodies Published on Friday, 01 October 2021 18:28 Hits: 939 DARMSTADT, Germany I September 30, 2021 I Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced a mutual decision with GSK to terminate their agreement on bintrafusp alfa, effective September 30, 2021. The decision is based on the clinical trial data generated to date, most notably the previously reported results from the INTR@PID Lung 037 study, which did not replicate the encouraging data observed in earlier studies. Based on the data generated during the agreement, no milestone payments were made by GSK and no future milestone obligations remain. The INTR@PID clinical program sought to validate the potential of the novel mechanism of simultaneously blocking TGF- and PD-L1, with the ambition to improve outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. Given the extent of the clinical program, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany will deepen its scientific leadership in the field and interrogate the data leveraging the power of advanced analytics. The important insights this program has yielded about the biology of TGF- will inform the collective understanding of this pathway. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is a science-led organization dedicated to delivering transformative medicines with the goal of making a meaningful difference in the lives of people affected by cancer. Our oncology research efforts, comprised of 10 ongoing development programs, aim to leverage our synergistic portfolio in oncogenic pathways, immuno-oncology, and DNA Damage Response (DDR) to tackle challenging tumor types in gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and head and neck and thoracic cancers. Learn more at https://www.emdseronooncology.com/. All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group Website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register for your online subscription of this service as our geo-targeting requires new links in the email. You may later change your selection or discontinue this service. About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics. Around 58,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of peoples lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices the company is everywhere. In 2020, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of 17.5 billion in 66 countries. The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark Merck internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the companys technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. SOURCE: Merck " " Rough diamonds harvested from the Atlantic Ocean sit on a sorting table at the Namibian Diamond Trading Co. (NDTC) diamond processing and valuation center, a joint venture between De Beers Group, the world's biggest diamond producer, and Namdeb Diamond Corp. in Windhoek, Namibia. Bloomberg/Getty Images If you've ever heard the slogan "A Diamond Is Forever," then a 1940s marketing campaign is still doing its job. The line was coined by De Beers Group, a jewelry company credited with almost single-handedly popularizing diamond engagement rings. De Beers spent decades building a global empire (some would call it a "cartel") around diamond mines in countries like South Africa. So why did they purchase more than 3,000 square miles, or 7,770 square kilometers, of Atlantic seafloor near the coast of Namibia in 1991? Simple: Not all diamonds are found on dry land. Many turn up in sediments below the ocean's surface. You just have to know where to look. Advertisement Time and Pressure Carbon is a wonderfully versatile element found in Earth's atmosphere and all living things (that we know of). It's also well-represented in jewelry stores. Diamonds are made of carbon atoms that've been subjected to extremely high temperatures and pressures. The crystals usually have eight sides, but six- and twelve-sided specimens are out there, too. Inside a diamond, every individual carbon atom shares a strong bond with four others, which makes diamonds ridiculously hard. Rub one of these gems against almost any other known mineral and it'll leave a scratch mark behind. Asteroids can create the intense heat and pressure needed to produce diamonds when they strike the face of our planet. Such "impact diamonds" are pretty rare, though. And they tend to be small. You're way more likely to find a diamond from deep within the Earth, forged somewhere in the ballpark of 87 and 497 miles (140 to 800 kilometers) under the surface. And the ocean may have played an underappreciated role in the history of our world's diamond supply, as well. Advertisement Ocean Origins? Many diamonds contain small quantities of salt. For years, geologists wondered if this originally came from seawater. A 2019 study bolstered the hypothesis. It turns out that when a blend of marine sediments and the volcanic rock peridotite experience high heat and tremendous pressure in a laboratory setting, you get something that looks an awful lot like the salts trapped inside some diamonds. What's this mean for the real world? According to the paper's authors, their experiment suggests most diamonds come into being after chunks of seafloor are dragged into Earth's mantle via plate tectonics. Some of the minerals taken from the ocean during this process crystallize into gems. Volcanic eruptions later bring the diamonds up to the planet's surface or pretty close to it. " " Guests, government ministers and VIPs attend the inauguration ceremony for the $157 million SS Nujoma diamond exploration vessel, operated by De Beers Group in Namibia, in 2017. Bloomberg/Getty Images Advertisement Carried Away Now, the study mentioned above doesn't explain why De Beers and other groups are hunting for diamonds off the African coast. Those stones were carried out to sea by river currents. Namibia's southern border is defined by the mighty Orange River. For millions of years, it's been grabbing ahold of diamonds from mainland deposits and relocating them elsewhere on the continent. Only sometimes, this river ferries the precious jewels all the way out to the ocean. Since the 1960s, treasure seekers have been dredging up diamonds by the coastlines of northwestern South Africa and southern Namibia. In 2018, nearly 75 percent of the latter country's total diamond output came from ocean-based mining operations. De Beers emerged as an industry leader (go figure) back in the 1970s. "We operate a fleet of six motor vessels (mv) capable of exploring for and retrieving diamond-bearing materials from the seabed and processing them to a diamond-rich concentrate," reports the company's website. Advertisement Under the Sea Most of these gems are harvested at depths of 394 to 460 feet (120 to 140 meters) below sea level. Sediments from the ocean floor are sucked up into a remote-controlled "crawler" vehicle that scuttles across the seabed. Fitted with a mechanical arm, it sends diamond-laden payloads to the main vessel up above, where machines separate out the jewels. " " The 'crawler' tractor drops into the sea from the deck of the Mafuta diamond mining vessel, operated by Debmarine Namibia, a joint venture between De Beers and the Namibian government, during offshore diamond mining operations in the Atlantic Ocean. Bloomberg/Getty Images Drones and two person submarines have both been used to help these ships find diamond-rich localities beneath the waves. Unfortunately, dredging campaigns can have long-term consequences for aquatic wildlife. As ecologist Kirsten Thompson told CNN in 2018, "[the] waters off coast of Namibia are an important area for a high diversity of resident and migratory species, such as sharks, whales, dolphins and seals.... Marine mining removes parts of the seabed with heavy machinery and habitat recovery from this type of disturbance can take decades." Gathering these "ocean diamonds" by hand, with hired divers in small boats, is another option that's been executed in recent years. Now That's Interesting The Orange River extends into Lesotho, an independent country that's enclaved (i.e., completely surrounded) by the nation of South Africa. If you ever looked at the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere, you've noticed that gleaming object that the rest of the heavens appears to move around. What you're seeing is Polaris, also known as the North Star, which is approximately 430 light years away from Earth and is part of the constellation Ursa Minor. The North Star is called that because its location in the night sky is almost directly over the North Pole, according to Rick Fienberg, a Harvard-trained astronomer who now is press officer of the American Astronomical Society. Advertisement Polaris Doesn't Rise and It Doesn't Set "So, if you were to stand at the North Pole latitude 90 degrees north at night and look straight up, you'd see Polaris directly overhead," Fienberg says via email. "From other latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, if you face due north at night and look the same angle above the horizon as your latitude (for example, look about halfway up 45 degrees if you live in Portland, Oregon, at latitude 45 degrees north), you'll see Polaris shining there." Polaris is attention-getting, because unlike all the other stars in the sky, Polaris is in the same location every night from dusk to dawn, neither rising nor setting, according to Fienberg. Its looming presence leads some people to think of it, mistakenly, as the brightest star in the sky (it's actually the 48th brightest). Even so, it's about 2,500 times as luminous as our sun, because it's a massive supergiant with a diameter nearly 40 times larger than the sun and five times the mass. But Polaris also happens to be far away for a star that's visible with the naked eye, which reduces its brightness. Advertisement Who First Found the North Star? Who discovered the North Star? That's a complicated question. Ancient Egyptian astronomers in the Old Kingdom, between 4,700 and 4,100 years ago, had a North Star, which they symbolically represented with a female hippopotamus, according to Giulio Magli's book "Architecture, Astronomy and Sacred Landscape in Ancient Egypt." But it wasn't Polaris. That's because what humans perceive as the North Star changed over time. "If you picture a line connecting Earth's North and South Poles as the axis around which Earth rotates, that axis is slowly moving in its own circle," explains Christopher Palma, a former teaching professor in astronomy who currently is associate dean of the Eberly College of Science at Penn State University, in an email. "Often, this is compared to what happens when a top or a spinning coin start to 'wobble' before falling over on their side. We say that Earth's North Pole is 'precessing,' that is, the line that goes from the North Pole to the South Pole traces out a circle with a period of 26,000 years." As a result, "over very long time periods (more than a few thousand years), the North Pole moves with respect to the stars," Palma continues. "So thousands of years ago, people on Earth saw the star Thuban in [the constellation] Draco appear due north, instead of Polaris." Advertisement The North Star in Navigation Polaris seems to have been first charted by the astronomer Claudius Ptolemy, who lived from about 85 to 165 B.C.E. The star's location close to the celestial North Pole eventually became useful to navigators. "At night, in the Northern Hemisphere, if you can see Polaris you can always tell which way is north (and, by extension, which ways are south, east and west)," Fienberg says. "It's true now, it's been true for hundreds of years (including during the Age of Exploration in the 15th through 17th centuries), and it'll be true for hundreds more years. You can also tell your latitude, since the angle from the horizon to Polaris is the same as your latitude (to within a degree, anyway). Once you travel south of the equator, though, Polaris drops below the horizon, so it's no longer useful as a navigation aid." Additionally, a navigator using Polaris has to take into account that the star isn't precisely over the North Pole but instead has an offset of 39 arc-minutes, explains Rich Schuler, a lab manager and adjunct faculty member who teaches astronomy at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, in an email interview. (He's author of this 2002 primer on the North Star in Scientific American.) That corresponds to an error of 44.7 miles (72 kilometers), he says. Advertisement Here's Why the North Star Twinkles One of the other things that's intriguing about Polaris is that it's what astronomers refer to as a Cepheid Variable star. "This star pulsates because it is in a state that is unstable," says Palma. "It will swell up, and when it does, an outer layer of the star becomes transparent, which then makes the star cool off. As a result of it cooling off, it will shrink until it becomes opaque again, which causes it to heat up and swell again. It will do this over and over again, pulsating in and out, which causes its brightness to fluctuate." And although you can't tell when you gaze at Polaris in the night sky, it's actually part of a triple star system. "The two fainter stars (Polaris Ab and B) do not vary in brightness because they are on the 'main sequence,' or are generating energy by fusing hydrogen nuclei into helium nuclei only in the core of the star," Schuler explains. Polaris won't be the North Star forever. "If you look at the 14,000 C.E. point, you'll see a star that's much, much brighter than Polaris but farther from the circle," Fienberg says. "That's Vega, which our descendants some 12,000 years from now (if humans are still around) will consider their North Star." Now That's Interesting As Fienberg explains, "It's just a coincidence that at this point in Earth's history the north-facing end of the axis happens to point almost directly at a bright naked-eye star. The same is not currently true for the south-facing end of the axis in other words, there is no South Star." Advertisement Originally Published: Nov 20, 2019 The Taliban has reportedly killed at least 20 civilians in Afghanistans Panjshir valley, the only province still claiming to hold out against the Islamist militant group since it seized power in Kabul. While the Taliban has denied claims that it is targeting civilians, reports of the Talibans extrajudicial killing and human rights abuses continue to emerge. One of the alleged victims was a shopkeeper in the region, the BBC reported, citing sources. Taliban fighters arrested him after he was accused of selling SIM cards to resistance fighters. Days later, his body was found near his home with signs of torture. According to a report by the Washington Post, the Talibs have imposed a blockade in Panjshir province, denying food to residents and forcing many to flee. My people pressed me to leave the area, a man told the Post on the condition of anonymity, saying that his family feared the group would kill him. The reports follow claims by a senior diplomat in the previous government who voiced concerns over the human rights situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. Ambassador Nasir Ahmad Andisha called for action before the UN human rights council in Geneva, demanding the establishment of a fact-finding committee to monitor violations of human rights by the Talibs. In August, Amnesty International issued a report saying that The Taliban massacred and brutally tortured several members of the Hazara minority in Mundarakht, Malistan Afghan district. Evidence of the killings in Panjashir emerged immediately after UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Monday her office had received credible allegations of reprisal killings by the Taliban of former Afghan security forces, former officials and their family members. Panjshir, located about 125 km northeast of Kabul in the Hindu-Kush mountain range, has long remained a focal point of resistance in Afghanistan, having previously been the home for battles against Soviet forces in the 1980s. Story continues Last week, the Taliban claimed that its fighters had gained control of the valley and that Afghanistan Resistance Front leader Ahmad Massoud had fled the country. But the resistance group has denied this claim. Qassem Mohammadi, a member of the resistance group and reportedly close to Massoud, told Irans FARS News Agency: In recent days, the Taliban has entered Panjshir, and now 70 per cent of the main streets and passages are under their control, but the valley of Panjshir is still under the complete control of the popular forces. He added that Massoud is in a safe place and the rumours that he has left Afghanistan and gone to Turkey or another country are not true, and he is in contact with Panjshir Valley. Read More Who are the key members of the Talibans new all-male government? Its wishful thinking to believe in a more moderate Taliban Taliban rename womens ministry as office for groups moral police Hundreds of people from the Tibetan, Hong Kong and Uyghur communities protested in central London on Friday. London [UK], October 2 (ANI): A coalition of Tibetan, Hong Kong and Uyghur communities protested in central London on Friday (local time) against the Chinese government over the curtailment of freedom of speech in China. Hundreds of people came out on the streets of central London to condemn the continued brutal crackdown by the Chinese government. This protest was organized to mark China's 72nd National Day on Friday. Every year, China celebrates the national day on October 1 commemorating the formal proclamation of the establishment of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949. "Under Mao Tsetung, 72 years ago, the Chinese Communist Party announced the invasion of Tibet and the Republic of East Turkistan. Mao called the invasion a 'peaceful liberation'. The 'peaceful liberation' of Tibet and East Turkistan has cost millions of lives of Tibetans and Uyghur people," said Tsering Passang, Founder and Convener, Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities. Passang further said, "For the Tibetan and Uyghur victims of the Chinese regime's military occupation and repressive policy, there is nothing to celebrate so long as China continues to illegally occupy Tibet and East Turkistan." Passang also criticised the Chinese government for not restoring basic rights in Hong Kong. "For the people of Hong Kong, there is nothing to celebrate as long as Beijing disregards the UK-China Joint Declaration and basic rights are not restored in Hong Kong," he added. Tibet is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party government based in Beijing, with local decision-making power concentrated in the hands of Chinese party officials. The Chinese government uses blanket charges like 'inciting separatism' to suppress the voices of dissent. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, the people are facing increasing policing and crackdowns. In the past years, China also has been rebuked globally for cracking down on Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang by sending them to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and subjecting them to abuse including forced labour. Beijing, on the other hand, has vehemently denied that it is engaged in human rights abuses against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang while reports from journalists, NGOs and former detainees have surfaced, highlighting the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) brutal crackdown on the ethnic community. (ANI) On Wednesday, a Republican-led committee in the Pennsylvania Senate voted 7 to 4 along party lines to advance a subpoena of private information of millions of the states voters as part of a partisan Arizona-style inquiry into the 2020 election. There will almost certainly be court battles over the subpoena in the weeks ahead. The Democratic governor has promised to fight elements of the subpoena, noting that other portions of the request are already publicly available. The subpoena seeks drivers license numbers, addresses, and the last four digits of the Social Security numbers of Pennsylvania registered voters, as well as whether or not they voted by mail in 2020. According to the Associated Press, it is illegal to publicly release a voters drivers license number and Social Security number in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the subpoena succeeds, Republican officials have acknowledged the data could end up in the hands of private vendors affiliated with Donald Trumps campaign to delegitimize the 2020 election. The Pennsylvania inquiry comes in the wake of a similar effort in Arizona and efforts in Wisconsin and Georgia by Republican-led legislatures to revisit the 2020 election, pursuing claims of fraud by the former president that have been widely debunked. In Arizona, a group called Cyber Ninjasrun by a 2020 election conspiracy theoristhas for months conducted a so-called audit of the Maricopa County election results that has not followed typical audit procedure. Theres reason to believe the Pennsylvania inquiry will be similarly unorthodox. The Philadelphia Inquirer has stated in its coverage of the local inquiry that the paper is not currently referring to attempts by Pennsylvania Republicans to investigate the 2020 presidential election as an audit because theres no indication it would follow the best practices or the common understanding of an audit among nonpartisan experts. Advertisement Unlike Arizonas audit, Republicans in Pennsylvania have said that the inquiry will be funded by taxpayers, rather than conservative dark money groups affiliated with Donald Trump. However, the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee that is overseeing the audit is chaired by Sen. Cris Dush, who visited the Arizona audit and vowed to bring it to Pennsylvania, the Associated Press reported. Advertisement During a hearing on the inquiry on Wednesday, Dush said he was undertaking it because there have been questions regarding the validity of people who have . voted, whether or not they exist. Multiple official audits and court proceedings have uncovered no proof of widespread fraud in Pennsylvania, a state Joe Biden won by more than 80,000 votes. Trump has continued to push for audits of state election systems nationwide in an effort to discredit his loss in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman denied that the inquiry he authorized will be like the previous audit in Arizona, which turned into a national joke after revelations about the audits bizarre procedures and hunt for bamboo-laced ballots. Corman has, however, turned it over to Dush, who explicitly said the Arizona audit is his model after visiting the Phoenix audit site. Corman has been vague about who will actually be running the inquiry if his bodys subpoenas overcome the likely legal challenges, telling the Inquirer that experience wasnt a prerequisite. I dont know how much experience is out there for auditing elections, right? he said. I dont know theres a lot that has been done over time. Advertisement Advertisement A Democrat on the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee asked Dush if any of the vendors under consideration had ties to Trump attorney and discredited election lawyer Sidney Powell, the New York Times reported. It is absolutely possible, Dush said. Meanwhile, State Senate Democrats were asking the Department of Justice to step in to investigate a previous county audit that was conducted by one of the same firms that took part in the Arizona audit, the Philadelphia Inquirers Andrew Seidman reported on Wednesday. Seidman reported that Democrats are calling on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the activities that unfolded in Fulton County in December of 2020, which apparently involved granting partisan consultant access to sensitive voter information without a public vote. Advertisement In May, the Department of Justice sent a letter to the Arizona Senate over its audit, warning it that an effort to track down individual voters via a canvass using the same sort of information sought in the Pennsylvania inquiry could violate civil rights law. The Arizona Senate officially put that portion of the audit on hold, but a local Republican activist last week released the highly misleading results of a supposed canvass, drawing pushback from local Republican officials. (Its unclear whether or not the canvass actually tracked down individual voters, which could violate civil rights laws against voter intimidation, or merely looked at voting data.) And in July, the department doubled down on its earlier message to Arizona, issuing a memo to all 50 states warning that audits with outside vendors run the risk of violating civil rights law against voter intimidation and reminding officials to protect the chain of custody of election materials. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law Friday several prison infrastructure bills that will use coronavirus relief funds to build two super-size prisons. The Republican governor ignored criticism from Democrats who blasted the plan, saying the COVID-19 funds were not meant to be used for these types of projects. But Ivey, a Republican, characterized the bills as a pivotal moment for the trajectory of our states criminal justice system. The governor said that using $400 million of the $2.1 billion federal relief money the state received was a way to deal with a long-held problems in prison infrastructure. Advertisement Despite the complaints from Democrats, the truth is that the White House has given states lots of discretion on how to use the relief cash. In its guidance on using the funds, the Biden administration has said the money can be used to protect vital public services and also to address the increase in violent crime over the summer. These prisons need to be built, and we have crafted a fiscally conservative plan that will cost Alabamians the least amount of money to get the solution required, Ivey said in a statement earlier this week defending the plan from criticism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Democrats in Congress have criticized the plan, including Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama, who said the funds from the American Rescue Plan were not intended to be used this way. But Republicans said the two 4,000-bed mens prisons are vital to the state. Construction should begin early next year and will take around three years to complete. This was the right thing for Alabama to do. Weve got crumbling infrastructure. Weve got people housed in places that are filthy. Weve got individuals working in conditions that are unsafe, Republican state Sen. Greg Albritton said. When asked earlier this week about Alabamas plan, White House press secretary Jen Psaksi said, I would be surprised if that was the intention of the funding. Advertisement Some Democrats in the state are hopeful that the federal government will tell the state that funds cant be used this way. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York this week sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asking her to prevent the misuse of ARP funding by any state, including Alabama to build prisons. Directing funding meant to protect our citizens from a pandemic to fuel mass incarceration is in direct contravention of the intended purposes of the ARP legislation and will particularly harm communities of color who are already disproportionately impacted by over-incarceration and this public health crisis, Nadler wrote. California is set to impose the countrys first COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all schoolchildren, and it could be in effect for everyone as early as next fall. Gov. Gavin Newsom said all students would have to be vaccinated against the coronavirus to attend public and private schools in California, although only after the Food and Drug Administration grants full approval for the corresponding age groups. Newsoms announcement is likely to lead other states to follow suit. We have to do more, Newsom said at a news conference. We want to end this pandemic. We are all exhausted by it. Advertisement Under the plan unveiled by Newsom, California will be adding the Covid-19 vaccine to a list of immunizations that are required of the almost seven million students to attend school, including measles and mumps. In addition to medical exemptions as allowed for the 10 other required immunizations, California will also consider religious and personal beliefs to not get the Covid-19 shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mandate will be rolled out in stages, first affecting those between seventh and 12th grades and then kindergarten through sixth grades. For now, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine Is fully approved only for those 16 and older. It is available for children aged 12 to 15 under emergency use authorization and full approval is expected within months. If approval is granted before the end of the year, the requirement for students 12 and older could come into effect as early as January 2022. Vaccines for children 5 to 11 are still being tested and Pfizer is expected to ask the FDA to grant emergency approval for that age group next week. Advertisement The reason why more exemptions would be allowed for the COVID-19 vaccine mandate is that the mandate would be imposed through regulation rather than law. But lawmakers in the state could push legislation next year to get rid of exemptions and Newsom said he would work with them to strengthen the vaccine requirement. In a very predictable development, Democratic state lawmakers praised the mandate while Republicans criticized Newsom for what they characterized as overreach. Students who dont submit a waiver for medical, personal or religious reasons would only be allowed to enroll in online school, attend independent-study programs or receive home-schooling. A few months ago, former President Donald Trump made it seem as though he didnt care that Twitter had kicked him off its platform. A lot of people are leaving Twitter, Trump said back in March, adding that the platform had become very boring. But now it seems the former president has changed his mind and he wants his account back as soon as possible. Trump has asked a federal judge in Florida to force Twitter to restore his account on the social media platform. In the late Friday filing, the former president calls on the judge to issue a preliminary injunction that would allow him to once again use his account as he continues with a larger lawsuit against the company. Advertisement The filing argues that Twitter was censoring the former president with the ban. And the censorship isnt trivial because Twitter exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate, according to the complaint. The censorship that Trump alleges doesnt just have to do with suspending his account, but also with the way Twitter labeled some of his tweets as misleading information or saying that they violated rules against glorifying violence when he was president. The filing alleges that the ludicrous incongruity of Twitters position on the matter came to full focus several months later when the Taliban was allowed to tweet regularly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump alleges in the filing that Twitter suspended his account because the company was coerced by members of the United States Congress to ban him from what the filing describing as a major avenue of public discourse. Trump was permanently banned from Twitter on Jan. 8, two days after a mob of his followers stormed the Capitol in an attack that led to five deaths. At the time, Twitter cited the risk of further incitement of violence from the then-president, who had 88 million followers on the platform. The move to try to get his account back comes a few months after Trump filed class-action lawsuits against Twitter, Facebook, and Google, as well as their chief executives, in July. In those lawsuits, the former president argues the companies violated his First Amendment rights by suspending his accounts, which he characterized as part of a pattern of silencing conservative voices. Legal experts have said the lawsuits have little chance of going anywhere considering the First Amendment protects against censorship by the government, not by private companies. But Trump argues in the lawsuits the companies should be considered a state actor rather than private companies. Sign up to get the Future Tense newsletter every other Saturday. A few years ago, I was with a group of fellows from the New America think tank (one of the three partners in our Future Tense project) visiting a tech skunk works shop in Singapore. Among the various gizmos the enthusiastic pitchwoman showed off was a teddy bear that could serve as a companion to old folks living alone. The AI-empowered, Bluetooth-connected cuddly creature would provide reminders about medication and alerts back to its minders in the event it was no longer being hugged on demand. Advertisement There are many such products and efforts now being deployed that use technology to alleviate loneliness and assist older adults with mild dementia, and give caregivers and loved ones some remote monitoring, for everyones peace of mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But unfortunately for the Singaporean host walking us through the showroom that day, the concept was still fairly novel, and her audience were not investors or caregivers looking for reinforcements, but a group of privacy-obsessed tech policy geeks from D.C. She had unknowingly, youll have to pardon me, fed the bear. Who would be compiling all these patients data, and what would be done with it? What level of disclosure would be made to these elderly people about the furry trojan spies in their midst? Could they opt out? We could have saved ourselves a lot of time by merely asking her, How dare you? (even though she had played no role in designing the product). Advertisement Several of us stayed on the sidelines, though, and didnt say much. In my case, I wasnt really thinking about whatever Singaporean health authorities would be tracking grandmas every move and mood, and what they might do with their gained knowledge. I was just thinking how great it would be for my mother to have such a bear cutely imploring her to take her meds and letting me know how she was doing. She had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimers. She was also a proud and stubbornly independent woman not keen on having nurses or caregivers dropping in on her and being in her business. Oh, and she really missed having pets. Advertisement Thats the thing about technology and its tradeoffs, particularly our perennial navigating between the shoals of convenience, security, and privacy. We weigh them differently depending not only on who we are, but where we are in the moment, in terms of our uppermost apprehensions and needs. Five years earlier, I might have been piling onto my colleagues privacy-centric questions. Advertisement The fact that some of us might find it as reassuring as others find it alarming that we are all being tracked like never before is the theme of The Wait, our powerful Future Tense Fiction story published last week, written by one of Mexicos most talented young writers, Andrea Chapela. The story largely takes place within the dreary confines of Chapelas imagined National Institute of Citizen Registration and Geolocation, and features a woman from the state of Michoacan coming to the capital to learn the whereabouts of her brother, whose tracking pin ceased pinging his location months earlier. Advertisement Much of the palpable anxiety in Chapelas tale arises from the ambiguities of technologys tradeoffs. Despairing at the disappearance of so many of its citizens, Mexican civil society in The Wait had clamored for a foolproof surveillance system predicated on a mandatory tracking chip implanted in everyones wrist. Victor, the young man gone missing in the tale, long resented the governments takeover of this surveillance system, but his mother had argued with him about it earlier, as the protagonist recalls: Advertisement Advertisement Your mother told him he didnt understand what things had been like before, when she was young and had to share her location with her friends, always telling them where she was going, what she was doing, letting everyone know everything because a girl alone couldnt be trusted not to end up as another number in the statistics of forced disappearances. Long before the Registry, people had made their own social tracking system to protect one another. Privacy had been a luxuryand a vulnerabilitythat theyd been willing to sacrifice. Is the government part of your problem or part of its solution? Oppressor or protector? Outgunned by organized crime, or paid off by it? In places where everything isnt all black-or-white (most societies, that is, between the extremes of a present-day Norway and a Stalinist Soviet Union), you often dont know the answers to those questions, and they can change day to day. Advertisement Vivette Garcia-Deister, a professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, wrote the response essay to Chapelas story, in which she points out that the government responding to calls for more security by increasing surveillance is a recurring theme in a country like Mexico, and one that can leave people more vulnerable in the end. Advertisement Commenting on the story, Garcia-Deister writes: When was the last time you saw this person? the Registry clerk asks our protagonist. At this point in the storyas is often the case in interactions with figures of authority in too many countrieswe do not know, and the storys protagonist herself doesnt know, whether the bureaucrat asking the questions is part of the problem or part of the solution. We do not know if the clerk is feigning ignorance, posing probing questions, or acknowledging an information gap in the system. Advertisement Back in our world, of course, the news of the week was not about implanted chips allowing the Mexican government to track us, but about a mobile robot dog named Astro that keeps us company and reports back to Jeff Bezos. It is the latest of many such AI-powered pets that have come before it, and surely still an early iteration of the many more that will come after it. I have no doubt that these will be ubiquitous someday. While Astro 1.0 seems very limited in its usefulness, I am heartened that, unlike the Singaporean teddy bear, it comes with cupholders. Here are stories from the recent past of Future Tense. Advertisement Advertisement Usama Khilji Should Facebook Let the Taliban Post? Josephine Wolff You Really, Really Need to Update Your iPhone and Other Apple Devices Jake Dean The Missing Link in Bidens Revolutionary Solar Energy Plan Yana Pashaeva A Divorced Couple Is Fighting Over Frozen Dead Bodies Kevin Doxzen and Diana M. Bowman What Does Global Health Justice Look Like With a Seven-Figure Drug? Wish Wed Published This Facebook Is Like Chairs. No, Telephones. No, Cars. No by Will Oremus, Washington Post Future Tense Recommends I never made it to the old Spy Museum that became such an improbable Washington tourist hit, but I recently checked out the imposing two-year-old espionage pavilion south of the National Mall. I was impressed by how the museums exhibits manage to connect at different levels with serious history buffs, gee-wiz technology aficionados, students, and (I am guessing here) masters of the trade. Walking through the exhibits, you realize how the entire countrys whole history can be told through an espionage lens, but there is also ample space given to riveting global espionage chapters, such as the breaking of the Enigma code during World War II, postwar Berlin, and post-9/11 surveillance. My son expressed so much interest in the interactives on wartime code-breaking, we decided to watch The Imitation Game the following day. Mission accomplished. What Next: TBD On this weeks episode of Slates technology podcast, host Lizzie OLeary spoke with Wall Street Journal tech reporter Georgia Wells about her recent article examining Facebooks own research into Instagrams effect on teenage girls mental health. (It was part of the Journals blockbuster Facebook Files series.) Last week, Lizzie interviewed Michael Mina, assistant professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, about how we are continuing to do COVID testing all wrong. Upcoming Events Science Fiction/Real Policy Book Club: The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson Wednesday, Oct. 13, 6-7 p.m. Eastern In The Ministry for the Future, selected by Barack Obama as one of his favorite books of 2020, humanity attempts to mitigate the disastrous impacts of global warming in the not-too-distant future. It combines economic and monetary policy, drones, engineering, human struggle, and more. Join us and our partners at Issues in Science and Technology for a lively discussion about the book. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Foreign tourists spent over 47 million in Slovakia in the summer Czechs spent the most money. Font size: A - | A + Although the number of foreign tourists coming to Slovakia in the summer were not as high as in the past due to the coronavirus pandemic, those who arrived have spent more money. Data from the Global Payments company suggests that foreign tourists spent as much as 47 million through card payments during the summer, which is comparable to last year. The most was spent by Czech tourists, who paid 7.6 million with their payment cards, the SITA newswire reported. Austrians came second, who paid 1.8 million, followed by the British with almost 1 million, Hungarians with 700,000 and the Dutch with 540,000. Tourists from Switzerland, Poland and Ireland paid 500,000 in Slovakia, SITA wrote. Tourists unknowingly report their offences to park rangers Read more Tatras top the ranking The High Tatras received 1.2 million from tourists, up 100,000 annually. Slovensky Raj (Slovak Paradise) National Park received 4.6 million, quite an increase from last year's 2.8 million. The town of Banska Bystrica was also popular, with revenues going up from 6.1 million last year to 7.6 million this year. Demanovska Dolina valley in the Low Tatras received 239,000, up 23,000 annually. From grazing sheep to internationally recognised resort. Demanovska Dolina marks 100 years of tourism Read more Terchova's revenues almost doubled, increasing from 222,000 last year to 404,000 this year. Water reservoirs were also popular among tourists. Zemplinska Sirava received 1.6 million in revenues, while Liptovska Mara obtained 1.5 million. The revenues of the Orava region went up as well, from last year's 944,000 to 1.2 million. Tourists discouraged by stricter conditions A helping hand in the heart of Europe offers the Slovakia travel guide. Many tourists were discouraged from coming to Slovakia, citing stricter border rules as a reason, said Erik Brinkac of the Global Payments company. The requirement of being vaccinated, testing or even self-isolation forced them to change their plans and either stay home or choose another destination, Brinkac said, as quoted by SITA. In his opinion, this year's season would certainly have been better without the stricter rules coming into force in July. 8. Sep 2021 at 11:43 | Compiled by Spectator staff Slovakia starts honouring Covid victims. Dont expect plague columns Slovak towns and regions have opted for linden trees. Font size: A - | A + Eighteen months into the pandemic, by planting linden trees Slovakia has started commemorating the thousands of people who fell victim to the disease. The first linden, a tree seen as the symbol of Slavs, has been planted outside a medical university in the town of Banska Bystrica. We must never forget how vulnerable, fragile and weak we often are, said Lenka Strakova from the Real Victims civic association, who lost her mother to the coronavirus, pointing to the tragic consequences of the pandemic seen across society. First linden planted to honour Covid victims in Slovakia stands next to a medical university in the city of Banska Bystrica. (Source: Marek Macica/Banska Bystrica Region) The association came up with the Living Memorials project in late June, when they began to address municipalities and other bodies for cooperation. Medical students are Slovakias hope The Banska Bystrica Region is the first to support the initiative, and it is not a coincidence that a linden has been planted next to the medical school. Students are our hope that in the future, we will be able to handle crisis situations more easily, more professionally and most importantly, with the smallest number of victims, said Ondrej Lunter, deputy governor of the region. The tree should remind medical students how important their role is, not just during difficult times, added regional councillor Martin Turcan, who initiated the project in the region. At the same time, the tree will stand here as a symbol of respect for all the victims of the pandemic, Turcan noted. More linden trees to be planted Several linden trees will be planted in the Banska Bystrica Region, but municipalities in other parts of Slovakia will plant the trees as well, including Zilina, Cadca, Kosice, Senec, Puchov, Presov, Zlate Moravce, Nove Zamky, Michalovce, Trencin and Hrusov. The linden is one of the most beautiful trees in central Europe, growing to a height of 30 metres. It can live up to several hundreds of years. In addition, the linden is used to treat respiratory diseases. People used to build columns in squares to memorialise the various plagues hitting nations around the world, including Slovaks. Students, Banska Bystrica Region officials and Real Victims members plant a linden tree in Banska Bystrica. (Source: TASR) In Strakovas words, the aim of the project is for residents in as many towns and villages as possible to have a dignified symbolic place of reverence where they can stop and pay homage to the victims or organise a memorial service. Raising money for the monument More than 12,500 people in Slovakia are confirmed to have died of Covid to date. The association is also raising money for a central Covid monument, which is supposed to stand in Bratislava. The visualisation of the memorial is said to be unveiled next year. 2. Oct 2021 at 9:15 | Compiled by Spectator staff New bus station opened to public, together with roundabout and bike tower The chair of self-governing region hopes it will motivate people to use public transport more. Font size: A - | A + The new Nivy bus station in Bratislava was officially opened to the public, redirecting all lines that had hitherto stopped at the temporary Bottova station. "I am looking forward to having one of the two stations in Bratislava at the world level," said Mayor Matus Vallo at today's opening, as quoted by the SITA newswire. He added that Mlynske Nivy is an important transport junction for public transport. "On average, a public transport vehicle stops here every 45 seconds during a working day and transports more than 9,000 people in one hour. During the whole working day, the area is served by 11 lines and two night lines, which is almost 2,000 connections," Vallo said, adding that he appreciated the widening of sidewalks, the safer bike path and the abundance of greenery that had been added with the new station. In addition to the new station, an underground roundabout that leads to an underground car park, and an automated bicycle tower that can house 118 bicycles was opened. Hopes for more public transport usage Chairman of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region Juraj Droba hopes that the new station will encourage people to use public transport more. "75 percent of people are transported by individual car transport and 25 percent use public transport," said Droba, as quoted by SITA. The mayor of Ruzinov Martin Chren appreciates that people from the surrounding area will get a break from years of construction. Underground roundabout opens together with new bus station Read more "I believe that life in the 500 apartments nearby and the surrounding area will return to normal. Thanks to thousands of parking spaces in the new building, the situation with traffic and parking will improve," he wrote on social media. 30. Sep 2021 at 17:00 | Compiled by Spectator staff https://sputniknews.com/20211001/cuba-boasts-946-have-gotten-at-least-one-covid-vaccine-shot-including-children-as-young-as-two-1089593279.html Cuba Boasts 94.6% Have Gotten At least One Covid Vaccine Shot, Including Children as Young as Two Cuba Boasts 94.6% Have Gotten At least One Covid Vaccine Shot, Including Children as Young as Two Cuba announced on Thursday it has become one of the worlds most highly-vaccinated countries, with 94.6% of its population having received at least one... 01.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-01T23:45+0000 2021-10-01T23:45+0000 2021-10-01T23:45+0000 cuba latin america sanctions vaccines covid-19 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/01/1089593095_0:202:3073:1930_1920x0_80_0_0_f95c57a092d02a473b967a6174354868.jpg Radio Habana, a nationwide broadcaster operated by the Cuban government, reported Thursday that of those eligible to be vaccinated, 94.6% had received at least their first dose of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In addition, 46.4% of the population has completed the vaccination program. Overall, 82.8% of the Cuban people have gotten at least one shot.The accomplishment means Cuba not only has the highest vaccination rate in the Americas, but also one of the highest across the globe. To the north, the United States has bought more than three times the number of vaccines necessary to immunize its entire population, but distributed only a small amount of the excess to other nations, all while lagging behind dozens of other nations with its own vaccination program.According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 75.6% of those eligible for vaccination - people over the age of 12 - have received at least one shot, and 65.1% are fully immunized. Overall, 55.7% of the US population has been fully vaccinated.US Sanctions Cost Human LivesCuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called attention to the disparity, writing on Twitter on Thursday that the US had not offered Cuba any help fighting the pandemic.In addition to applying Trump's inhumane measures, which he promised to review, Pres Biden not even included Cuba in the group of states where US unilateral measures limiting their capability to fight #COVID19 pandemic were lifted, he added. His insensitivity has cost human lives.The US trade embargo against Cuba has deprived the government of much-needed revenue it would have gotten from trade and especially from tourism. It has also frustrated their purchase of many goods, including essential medical goods like syringes, as engaging in transactions with many Cuban institutions can get foreign firms or governments sanctioned by the United States.As a result, everything from spare parts to fuel is in short supply, and electricity is on only intermittently in many places as hospitals receive priority in order to keep their ventilators running. The brownouts helped provoke protests over the summer that the US claimed were against the government and rushed to support, slapping more sanctions on Cuba after the protests failed to become a putsch.The shortages are so severe that peace activists in the United States organized a Syringes for Cuba campaign earlier this year to buy and ship 6 million hypodermic needles to the island to help with the vaccination campaign.Our biotech industry is working under conditions of limitations, he added. We make a great effort not to go over the electricity quota, because we know it will affect the population.The outlet noted that two Swiss companies that previously sold Cuba ventilators had recently ceased doing so after being bought out by a company in Illinois.The 1992 Cuban Democracy Act, passed during what Cubans call the Special Period of heightened economic crisis after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, is a US law that bans exports of medicines, medical supplies, and equipment to Cuba if the item to be exported could be used in the production of any biotechnological product.Cuban Vaccines Go AbroadNonetheless, Cuba has produced five COVID-19 vaccines, including Soberana 01 and 02, Soberana Plus, Abdala, and Mambisa. The best-performing ones, including the three-shot Abdala vaccine, have an effectiveness rivaling the best shots produced by western pharmaceutical giants.In Venezuela, which is also hard-hit by US sanctions frustrating its ability to fight COVID-19, much less other illnesses, officials have had trouble buying vaccines for the country, as well. However, they have expressed some reservations about Abdala, which they have been running their own tests on since June in a partnership with Cuba.The characteristics of the Sputnik V vaccine have been published in scientific journals and its quality has been verified in independent clinical trials ... (and) the Sinopharm vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), Venezuelas National Academy of Medicine said earlier this week. Abdala has not been approved by the WHO or any international regulatory agency.Earlier this week, Portuguese bank Novo Banco blocked a $12.7 million payment by Caracas to the Pan American Health Organization that would have purchased 14.5 million vaccines against a number of illnesses, including diphtheria and measles, two diseases that have made a comeback since US sanctions were imposed. After, European Parliament member Mick Wallace accused Novo Banco of engaging in state-aided expropriation of Venezuela assets. cuba latin america Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg cuba, latin america, sanctions, vaccines, covid-19 https://sputniknews.com/20211001/saakashvili-goes-on-hunger-strike-considers-himself-political-prisoner-ombudswoman-says-1089593609.html Saakashvili Goes on Hunger Strike, Considers Himself Political Prisoner, Ombudswoman Says Saakashvili Goes on Hunger Strike, Considers Himself Political Prisoner, Ombudswoman Says TBILISI (Sputnik) - Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili goes on a hunger strike after his arrest, he does not agree with the charges and considers... 01.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-01T23:39+0000 2021-10-01T23:39+0000 2021-10-01T23:44+0000 mikhail saakashvili georgia prosecutor arrest prison ombudswoman ex-footballer ukraine /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/01/1089593550_0:14:1823:1039_1920x0_80_0_0_b124a409be5d9cd2fb6dd89debbb4274.jpg Saakashvili, who is a citizen of Ukraine, was detained earlier in the day in Georgia. The prosecutor in his case, however, said that having Ukrainian citizenship will not prevent him from serving a prison term.After being detained, Saakashvili demands to provide him with the Ukrainian consul, since he is a citizen of Ukraine, Lomjaria said."He did not want to discuss how he had arrived in Georgia," she said.According to Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, the authorities were informed about Saakashvili's arrival in the country, but during the day they denied this so as not to interfere with the secret operation to detain him.Georgian authorities have been seeking Saakashvili's extradition since 2014, as they charged the politician with several felonies, such as abuse of power and the embezzlement of $5 million in state funds. In 2015, Saakashvili renounced his Georgian citizenship and became Ukrainian after he was appointed governor of Ukraine's Odessa region. vot tak His hunger strike needs to be supported and promoted. Given his obesity, it will probably take quite awhile before the war criminal dies. He needs all the encouragement he can get to stay with the course so Justice can be served 3 TruePatriot His detention and arrest is long overdue. Just don't give him a red tie or he'll fiddle with it all day and night. 2 5 georgia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 mikhail saakashvili, georgia, prosecutor, arrest, prison, ombudswoman, ex-footballer, ukraine https://sputniknews.com/20211001/us-house-january-6-panel-to-issue-criminal-referrals-for-those-refusing-interviews-1089593150.html US House January 6 Panel to Issue Criminal Referrals for Those Refusing Interviews US House January 6 Panel to Issue Criminal Referrals for Those Refusing Interviews WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The House of Representatives committee investigating the January 6 riot at the US Capitol will issue criminal referrals to subpoenaed... 01.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-01T23:30+0000 2021-10-01T23:30+0000 2021-10-01T23:30+0000 donald trump us subpoena trump supporters /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/0f/1083393986_0:122:3071:1849_1920x0_80_0_0_e28e00a5527629e15f4087d77f193363.jpg Thompson said the committee started to conduct interviews on Friday with people who volunteered to cooperate with the investigation.The committee has subpoenaed former White House chiefs of staff Mark Meadows and Steve Bannon and including longtime Donald Trump aide Dan Scavino, among others. They are requested to provide documents related to the investigation by October 7 and appear for testimony later this month.On Wednesday, the committee subpoenaed 11 organizers of Trump rallies that occurred prior to the January 6 events at the Capitol complex. Included among those newly subpoenaed is Maggie Mulvaney, who is the niece of former acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. The committee said she was listed on permit paperwork for the January 6 rally as a VIP lead.Other subpoenaed organizers include Amy Kremer, Kylie Kremer, Cynthia Chafian, Carline Wren, Justin Caporale, Time Unes, Megan Powers, Hannah Salem and Lyndon Brentnall.On January 6, a group of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol to protest the lawmakers certifying the 2020 presidential election results from several US states that Trump isnisted were subject to election and voter fraud. A protester, military veteran Ashli Bobbitt, was killed by police inside the Capitol. The authorities have charged some 500 people for participating in the event. https://sputniknews.com/20210930/trump-to-sue-to-block-release-of-white-house-records-on-capitol-hill-attack---report--1089558053.html us Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 donald trump, us, subpoena, trump supporters https://sputniknews.com/20211002/after-farmers-protest-in-haryana-turns-ugly-state-chief-to-commence-paddy-procurement-on-sunday-1089605702.html After Farmers' Protest in Haryana Turns Ugly, State Chief to Commence Paddy Procurement on Sunday After Farmers' Protest in Haryana Turns Ugly, State Chief to Commence Paddy Procurement on Sunday It has been over a year since protests against contentious farm laws began in India. Scores of farmers are demanding the repeal of the laws and agitating at... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T16:30+0000 2021-10-02T16:30+0000 2021-10-02T16:30+0000 narendra modi india farmers haryana /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/06/16/1083209241_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_eb4de50c435c107c447c7da3ebaf1cd7.jpg Thousands of farmers on Saturday protested against the Indian government's decision to delay paddy procurement and the contentious farm laws outside Haryana state Chief Manohar Lal Khattar's residence in capital city Karnal. Hours later, Khattar announced that the "procurement would start tomorrow", the news agency ANI reported.The protesters raised slogans, waved flags, and announced overnight scouting. Several visuals show farmers standing over police barricades and shouting, and according to media reports, the police used water cannon against them.Earlier this week, the Indian government decided to delay the procurement process in Punjab and Haryana until 11 October. Khattar announced on Saturday that the government made this decision due to a delay in the monsoon. After protesters gathered outside the residences of state ministers, Khattar and Agriculture Minister J.P. Dalal left for New Delhi to meet federal ministers to seek a solution. According to media reports, clashes broke out between the protesters and police personnel after they tried to break barricades to reach the residences of lawmakers. On Friday, the farmers protested outside a college event in Haryanas Jhajjar. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Dushyant Chautala and police used water cannon to disperse the protesters. India's apex court on Friday slammed a farmers' body after it sought directions from authorities to allow it to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. "You have strangulated the entire city and now you want to come within the city and start protest again here. There has to be some balanced approach", the court said. Several farmers' organisations have been protesting against three contention farm laws -- the Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020, and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 -- since last year. The Indian government has maintained that it will not repeal the laws and the matter is pending in court. https://sputniknews.com/20210930/farmers-protesting-against-ruling-bjp-events-clash-with-police-in-indias-haryana-state---video-1089543066.html india haryana Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sushmita Panda https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926186_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_4474d0d7e27a36878eb8727832be74b4.jpg Sushmita Panda https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926186_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_4474d0d7e27a36878eb8727832be74b4.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sushmita Panda https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926186_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_4474d0d7e27a36878eb8727832be74b4.jpg narendra modi, india, farmers, haryana https://sputniknews.com/20211002/border-residents-in-indias-ladakh-demand-safe-shelter-as-face-offs-with-china-worsen-1089549939.html Border Residents in India's Ladakh Demand Safe Shelter as Faceoffs With China Worsen Border Residents in India's Ladakh Demand Safe Shelter as Faceoffs With China Worsen India and China have been accusing each other of escalating border tensions by encroaching on each other's territory in the western sector of the Line of... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T08:09+0000 2021-10-02T08:09+0000 2021-10-02T08:39+0000 pla xi jinping narendra modi ladakh region china india indian army people's liberation army (pla) navy india news /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/1e/1089548634_0:96:1024:672_1920x0_80_0_0_94ade4b4e5b463dffb857cc3916d1c91.jpg Residents of Chushul, a border village located south of Pangong Tso - the epicentre of a violent clash between the Indian Army and Chinese troops in 2020 - have contradicted claims made by the Indian government that it did not cede land to China. People in Chushul also said that China did not follow a disengagement agreement reached between the Indian Army and People's Liberation Army in August of this year, either in letter or spirit. The LAC with China runs 5 miles east of Chushul.Stanzin has joined several other public representatives of border villages in Ladakh in putting before the Indian government a demand for land in Leh, more than 200km from Chushul - something they never imagined having to do before the continuing standoff between the armies of India and China."Last year, the situation was scary as we had to leave our villages and were living in the open for some time. The army said they would construct personal bunkers in each house as we see in the villages along the border with Pakistan", Stanzin added.New Delhi has built 18,460 individual and community bunkers to protect the border residents of Jammu and Kashmir from shelling during tensions between India and Pakistan.Another councillor from a nearby area, who does not wish to be named, claimed that the Chinese presence increases daily with additional military assets. "As public representatives we receive complaints from villagers that the army stopped them from going to areas that were easy for them to get to a few months back", the councillor said.Public representatives claimed that India has lost a considerable amount of land after disengagement as the military commanders of the two armies agreed to create a buffer zone in Gogra. "A buffer or disputed zone has been created on our land, and the Chinese have not lost access to their areas", Stanzin underlined.The public representative has provided details about the areas where India lost access, and Gogra is one of them. During the 12th round of talks between the Corps Commanders of India and China held on 31 July 2021 at Chushul Moldo, it was agreed that a buffer zone be created where no patrolling will take place for the foreseeable future by either India or China.Villagers also expressed anger before government officials on several times, including during a visit by parliamentary panel members in September over the lack of development works."The Chinese have been building a road at the rate of one kilometre a day whereas it takes us years to complete 30km to 40km of roads in our area", Stanzin said. "The 95km-long road from Tangtse Harong to Chushul has been under construction since 2012. People expect fast-paced counter-development from our side as well", he emphasised.The Indian news agency PTI reported that China has put up modular container-based accommodation for its troops in at least eight places near Tashigong, Manza, Hot Springs, and Churup, among others, "in reflection of simmering tensions between the two sides in the region". The Indian Army has also deployed more sophisticated artillery to the LAC with China in eastern Ladakh. The tensions between the two armies escalated to an unprecedented level in June 2020 when 20 Indian soldiers and four members of the People's Liberation Army were killed in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley. The two sides have opened several channels to ease the tensions along the border. Still, deadlock persists over a range of issues, including accusations by each side about encroachment on land made by the other. https://sputniknews.com/20210918/india-keeping-all-options-open-as-china-could-share-nuke-submarines-with-pakistan-says-navy-veteran-1089178775.html vot tak The article is standard israeloamerican propaganda. Pretense of support for the local "little guy" while promoting the psywar of Russia's enemies. This kumar appears to be the "indian" version of israel's blade hasbarat at sputnik. Thumbs down. 2 Kuzu Luku There are many actors in this frontier. The pattern against GOD will be clear. 0 2 ladakh region china india Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rishikesh Kumar https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/04/1080055820_0:0:388:389_100x100_80_0_0_40018ee210946d65d49ffba4f4c008e1.jpg pla, xi jinping, narendra modi, ladakh region, china, india, indian army, people's liberation army (pla) navy, india, news https://sputniknews.com/20211002/chinas-census-sparks-fears-that-population-could-halve-by-2065-1089595167.html Chinas Census Sparks Fears That Population Could Halve by 2065 Chinas Census Sparks Fears That Population Could Halve by 2065 China has long been the most populous country in the world. However, data from their 2020 census has sparked fears that the country could be poised for a... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T00:41+0000 2021-10-02T00:41+0000 2021-10-02T00:41+0000 china birth rate one-child policy population /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102653/31/1026533188_0:262:2708:1785_1920x0_80_0_0_c4170fc9cf3b0b062c70eb38ee6c3e81.jpg Chinas 2020 census recorded 1.4 billion people, the largest figure in the world. However, the raw population figures are not what has sparked concern: its Chinas birth rate of 1.3 children per woman.For a population to hold steady the birth rate needs to be around 2.1 children per woman. China has long had a birth rate under 2.1, largely due to the one-child policy. Even as the policy was modified and then lifted in 2015, the birth rate has continued to shrink.Two key factors are causing the crunch. The first is economic and the second is societal. Studies have shown that increases in real estate prices have a negative effect on the birth rate in China. As Chinas economy has boomed, real estate has outpaced wage gains and has led to decreased birth rate.One of the ramifications of the one-child policy is that Chinas population is incredibly imbalanced. Not only is a large portion of the population older, and thus cannot have children, but the population that is of childbearing age skews male. China faces its birth rate crisis due to societal, economic, and political forces.If Chinas negative birth rate trend is not reversed, the countrys population could halve well before any previous projection had anticipated.Throughout human history, China has routinely been the most populous region in the world. If their declining birth rate is not aggressively addressed, the country will see its population dwindle and its economy sputter. Nevi'im It's true! There are 30 million more men of breeding age than women. It is very unbalanced socially. Russia is also experiencing a decline in population. Here is not much better and relies on immigrants to prop up a pyramid economy. 4 vot tak Garbage article, typical of this author. 2 5 china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Nevin Brown Nevin Brown News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Nevin Brown china, birth rate, one-child policy, population https://sputniknews.com/20211002/dramatic-milestone-reuters-tally-says-global-covid-19-death-toll-has-hit-five-million-1089608853.html Dramatic Milestone: Reuters Tally Says Global COVID-19 Death Toll Has Hit Five Million Dramatic Milestone: Reuters Tally Says Global COVID-19 Death Toll Has Hit Five Million Over the past seven days, an average of 8,000 COVID-related deaths has been reported daily across the globe, which means that about five fatalities have taken... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T15:43+0000 2021-10-02T15:43+0000 2021-10-02T15:43+0000 brazil russia us india news death toll johns hopkins university strain world coronavirus /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/08/12/1083652805_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_119fa6c397baba67b29e4a9200d1dd13.jpg The global COVID-19 death toll surpassed five million people on Friday, amid countries efforts to combat the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, a Reuters tally has shown.According to the tally, more than half of all global deaths, reported on a seven-day average, were recorded in just five countries, including Brazil, India, Mexico, the United States, and Russia.Johns Hopkins University's (JHU) latest estimates, in turn, suggest that the global coronavirus death tally currently stands at 4.7 million. According to the estimates, the United States has the highest death toll and overall coronavirus tally, with 700,379 fatalities and 43.6 million infections, respectively.The US is followed by India (more than 33.7 million cases and 448,573 deaths) and Brazil (21.4 million cases and a death toll of 597,255), JHUs statistics showed.Scientists have, meanwhile, likened the Delta strains transmissibility to that of chickenpox, which is one of the most contagious viruses known. Each individual can spread the virus to as many as "90 percent of the people close to that person", according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://sputniknews.com/20210811/more-mutations-of-covid-delta-variant-may-be-behind-surge-in-breakthrough-cases-in-india-reports-1083582210.html TruePatriot Oh please. Let's see, in the US, the CDC says that of the number of covid deaths, covid was the primary factor in only 16%. And, if you take 5M worldwide against 7.8B people, it's 0.06% which is nothing. Endemic flu has more effect than the scamdemic cold/flu bug. End the tyranny. 2 1 brazil russia us india Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg brazil, russia, us, india, news, death toll, johns hopkins university, strain, world, coronavirus, covid-19 https://sputniknews.com/20211002/ex-georgian-president-saakashvilis-lawyer-rules-out-extradition-to-ukraine-1089600717.html Ex-Georgian President Saakashvilis Lawyer Rules Out Extradition to Ukraine Ex-Georgian President Saakashvilis Lawyer Rules Out Extradition to Ukraine TBILISI (Sputnik) - A lawyer for former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told Sputnik on Saturday that he did not expect his client to be extradited to... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T09:40+0000 2021-10-02T09:40+0000 2021-10-02T09:51+0000 georgia tbilisi mikheil saakashvili world ukraine arrest /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/101793/65/1017936569_0:342:4533:2892_1920x0_80_0_0_79d5a589209fc6da00df710852200ad0.jpg Basilaia said that lawyers were not allowed to meet with Saakashvili on Friday. He said he hoped to arrange a visit to the prison shortly.In the meantime, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has thanked Ukraine for cooperating on the case against Saakashvili.The 53-year-old was arrested on corruption charges shortly after returning to Georgia from his self-imposed exile. He is in custody in a prison near the capital of Tbilisi. An ombudswoman said that Saakashvili had declared a hunger strike.Saakashvili served as president of Georgia from 2004 to 2013 and fled the country after failing to secure a third term. He was appointed a governor in Ukraine in 2015 only to fall out with his friend, then-Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, a year later. vot tak This article reads like a defense of this repulsive israeloamerican war criminal. Thumbs down, sputnik. Send the pos to South Ossetia to trial for his war crimes. 2 1 georgia tbilisi ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 georgia, tbilisi, mikheil saakashvili, world, ukraine, arrest https://sputniknews.com/20211002/georgias-governing-party-says-no-to-snap-vote-as-exit-poll-shows-lead-in-local-elections-1089610336.html Georgia's Governing Party Says 'No' to Snap Vote as Exit Poll Shows Lead in Local Elections Georgia's Governing Party Says 'No' to Snap Vote as Exit Poll Shows Lead in Local Elections TBILISI, October 2 (Sputnik) - Georgia's governing party, Georgian Dream, confirmed on Saturday that there will be no snap parliamentary elections after an... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T17:07+0000 2021-10-02T17:07+0000 2021-10-02T17:07+0000 georgia world elections /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0b/01/1080946665_0:0:3067:1725_1920x0_80_0_0_888b63dde13de6b9fc37ad515127bd76.jpg Earlier in the day, a poll by Georgian broadcaster Imedi showed the Georgian Dream winning 47.6% of votes. Former President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement party currently has 27.1%, according to the poll.Under an EU-brokered deal, early parliamentary elections should be called in 2022 if the ruling party gets less than 43% in these local elections. The Georgian Dream withdrew from the deal in August, accusing the opposition United National Movement of ignoring its commitments under the agreement georgia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 georgia, world, elections https://sputniknews.com/20211002/greece-france-deal-is-purely-defensive-fm-says-after-ankara-stated-it-was-aimed-against-turkey-1089594093.html Greece-France Deal Is 'Purely Defensive', FM Says, After Ankara Stated It Was Aimed Against Turkey Greece-France Deal Is 'Purely Defensive', FM Says, After Ankara Stated It Was Aimed Against Turkey MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The defense agreement between Greece and France is not directed against other countries and Turkey's statements criticizing the deal are... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T00:04+0000 2021-10-02T00:04+0000 2021-10-02T00:17+0000 greece turkey agreement defense france nato exclusive economic zones (eez) eastern mediterranean /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/01/1089594047_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_1c49dac21788e385b2187457337b4c58.jpg On Tuesday, Greece and France signed a major defense deal, under which Athens will purchase three French navy frigates. Additionally, the two countries committed to mutual assistance in case of an armed attack on either, including on the territories under Greek maritime jurisdiction. The move has drawn harsh criticism from Ankara, which accused Athens of violating international law and NATO interests, saying the deal was aimed against Turkey.He further stressed that the deal with France was "purely defensive" and "not directed against anyone," as quoted in the report.Dendias also noted that Greece signed a similar agreement with the United Arab Emirates last year and called Turkey's claims "completely unacceptable."The spokesman said that Greece is pursuing a "problematic policy" of armament, as well as isolation and alienation of Turkey, instead of cooperation, adding that such a policy "will threaten regional peace and stability."In the summer of 2020, Turkey carried out seismic studies in the Eastern Mediterranean, which Greece considers to be its exclusive economic zone. The Greek armed forces were placed on high alert. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said the two countries were on the brink of armed conflict three times in the summer of 2020, and a general mobilization of the Greek armed forces was carried out. Hampar Tokatlian Why would a nation of 15 million attack Turkey with six times the population. FeEisi Only Turkey can build up its military, everyone surrounding Turkey is allowed. It'll make it easier for Turkey to bully and occupy new land. 2 greece turkey eastern mediterranean Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 greece, turkey, agreement, defense, france, nato, exclusive economic zones (eez), eastern mediterranean https://sputniknews.com/20211002/how-could-us-debt-ceiling-impasse-affect-social-security-checks-1089606625.html How Could US Debt Ceiling Impasse Affect Social Security Checks? How Could US Debt Ceiling Impasse Affect Social Security Checks? US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has set the deadline of 18 October for Congress to act on the debt ceiling, warning of possible economic catastrophe in the... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T14:35+0000 2021-10-02T14:35+0000 2021-10-02T14:35+0000 us us congress debt ceiling /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/02/1089607025_0:146:3001:1834_1920x0_80_0_0_31ff2d4d834009ffa67b97b93b61304b.jpg As the debate around the US debt ceiling continues, many, including the Treasury secretary, have voiced concerns that it will be US families who have to take the blow in case no action is taken.She was not the only one to assert that, with the sentiment echoed by other Democrats, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer."The full faith & credit of the United States should not be political. Republicans reckless decision to block government funding & raising the debt ceiling threatens 6 million jobs, financial ruin for countless families, military paychecks & Social Security payments to seniors", Pelosi tweeted earlier in the week.However, according to the vice president and chief economist at the Bipartisan Policy Center Jason Fichtner, cited by CNBC, the authorities could prioritise Social Security payments and make sure that the debt ceiling impasse does not affect them as severely as feared by some.He also pointed at the way the government handles bonds that are used for Social Security payments, saying that funds are invested in intergovernmental bonds and exchanged for public debt, and then cash when the government needs to issue checks to beneficiaries. This, according to Fichtner, can be done without exceeding the debt limit.The economist outlined that there are dedicated trust funds that are only used to pay for Social Security benefits, which are not dependent on the debt ceiling. Still, it would not mean that the Social Security checks are totally safe.He also suggested that certain presidential administrations have perpetuated the idea that Social Security checks will not go out if the debt ceiling is not raised, thus "weaponising" Social Security and creating leverage in debt limit negotiations.Im not saying you shouldnt raise the debt ceiling, Fichtner noted. But lets be honest about what happens.As the 18 October debt ceiling deadline set by Treasury Secretary is looming, failure to meet it could lead to the first debt default in US history. Amid adamant opposition from the GOP to support the raising of the debt ceiling, Democrats, including President Joe Biden, are urging Republican lawmakers to back the measure. At the same time, the Democratic Party is struggling to push the Biden agenda through Congress, insisting on the passage of two massive spending bills.However, a $1 trillion infrastructure bill and an even larger $3.5 trillion reconciliation package are deemed by some as going too far, with concerns of reckless spending voiced not only by the Republicans, but also among the Democratic Party. https://sputniknews.com/20211001/what-will-happen-if-us-congress-fails-to-act-on-debt-ceiling-by-mid-october-1089586097.html feketehollo sure keep the money flowing to the defense industry and banks but keep seniors hostage to bipartisan politics 1 TruePatriot Did you happen to notice that the Social Security Funds are being invested in US Treasuries that fund the national debt? I did some more checking and some time back the Congress critters changed it so that that is the ONLY way those funds can be "invested". That is utterly outrageous and helps explain the issues the Social Security funds face. 1 2 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Daria Bedenko Daria Bedenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Daria Bedenko us, us congress, debt ceiling https://sputniknews.com/20211002/losing-turkey-as-ally-will-cost-us-dearly-experts-say-as-washington-ankara-tensions-escalate-1089601916.html 'Losing Turkey as Ally Will Cost US Dearly', Experts Say as Washington-Ankara Tensions Escalate 'Losing Turkey as Ally Will Cost US Dearly', Experts Say as Washington-Ankara Tensions Escalate Ties between the two nations have faced multiple challenges over the past year. While the US is still preoccupied with Ankara's decision to purchase... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T11:28+0000 2021-10-02T11:28+0000 2021-10-02T11:28+0000 recep tayyip erdogan middle east us turkey opinion /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/05/1082549564_0:0:3265:1836_1920x0_80_0_0_734d2985c5843e14fb66a44e9a0f3674.jpg In an interview with Sputnik, Turkish experts have commented on a recent announcement by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the need for the US to withdraw from Syria and Iraq. The moment came in the latter's interview with CBS in New York.He also pointed to "not a good start" in his contacts with American President Biden.Commenting on Turkish-American relations, Sputnik's interviewees highlighted that it was the first time Erdogan has used such harsh rhetoric toward the American authorities and pointed out the changing situation in the region.According to Abdullah Agar, a former special operations officer with the Turkish Armed Forces, there are too many factors "undermining the trust" between Ankara and Washington, for instance, America's support for Kurdish forces in Syria and the situation surrounding the S-400s.Per Agar, Turkey had originally hoped to resolve these concerns in its contacts with Washington.Agar pointed out the importance of Erdogan's call for the US to leave Syria and Iraq.Political scientist Mehmet Sahin also commented on Erdogan's statement, saying: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the experts and do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik. See you in the ice Turkey was NEVER really an ally but rather behaved as a savvy nation playing the great game. It used NATO to obtain technology, manufacturing capabilities AND protection. Turkey/Turks have enemies a plenty too. Thanks to being in NATO, Turkey today is many times stronger than Turkey of yesterday. 9 Truth-Teller So Erdogan wants the US to leave Syria, while Turkey itself is illegal in Syria and refuse to leave just like the US. I see similarities with Israel who wants Iran under tougher IAEA control while Israel itself refuse any cooperation with the IAEA, and doesn't allow them to access any Israeli site. I ask myself how countries like Turkey and Israel finds the audacity to lecture others? 6 42 us turkey Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 recep tayyip erdogan, middle east, us, turkey, opinion https://sputniknews.com/20211002/mahatma-gandhis-teachings-are-being-forgotten-says-indian-scholar-1089576948.html 'Mahatma Gandhi's Teachings Are Being Forgotten', Says Indian Scholar 'Mahatma Gandhi's Teachings Are Being Forgotten', Says Indian Scholar Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, fondly called "Bapu" (the father) was a lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who used non-violent resistance... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T06:29+0000 2021-10-02T06:29+0000 2021-10-02T06:29+0000 mahatma gandhi india indian national congress india /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/08/0d/1080150519_0:0:2792:1571_1920x0_80_0_0_3e18ad558f03fcabb9e21880597b3f98.jpg Icon of Indian independence, Mahatma Gandhi, has inspired through his teachings profound research by scholars in 12 of India's universities. And today, these establishments offer dedicated courses to study the Gandhian way of life. Gandhi was the pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.Manish Sharma, an Indian scholar of Gandhian principles and chairman of Gandhian and Peace Studies in Panjab University at Chandigarh reflects in an interview with Sputnik on what relevance Mahatma Gandhi's teachings have these days and whether his vision for a free India is being realised. Sputnik: What were the most revolutionary ideas Mahatma Gandhi proposed but you think still remain to be implemented in their true spirit? Manish Sharma: Mahatma Gandhi was way ahead of his time in the plans he had for the country he fought to free from Britain. He proposed that the role of the Indian National Congress, the party he led in 1921, should change after India attained its independence. Three days before he was assassinated, on 27 January 1948, Gandhi said in a note that the party should be dismantled and "flourish into a 'Lok Sewa Sangh' (People's Service Organisation)". This was published as an article in his own daily publication "Harijan" on 2 February 1948. He wanted this so that instead of people coming to politicians, the latter should reach out to citizens at the grassroots level to tackle their problems and offer solutions. He had proposed turning society and its system of government on its head and this has yet to see the light of day. Sputnik: How do you feel Mahatma Gandhi's doctrine is being followed more than 70 years after independence and his death? Manish Sharma: His teachings are not being followed in their true spirit by politicians in the country today. Sputnik : What are the current topics of research into Mahatma Gandhi's beliefs and how do his teachings appeal to the youth of today?Manish Sharma: People from around the world are reaching out to us to learn about Mahatma Gandhi's ideology. At present, a student from Iran is doing a doctorate on the concept of arbitration that was so close to Mahatma Gandhi's heart. As a lawyer, while dealing with his first client in South Africa, Gandhi ensured that the civil dispute was settled amicably between the parties. The strategy of using non-violence as a tool to make your voice heard is the most popular topic of research. A large number of our students are above 40 years of age. A few are as old as 65 and, for them, the pursuit of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy is an attempt to understand the simple, truthful way of living.Sputnik: How successful have various governments in India been in embracing Mahatma Gandhi's vision for governance?Manish Sharma: Mahatma Gandhi had a well thought-out plan for effective governance of the country after India attained independence in 1947. His last signed document on 30 January 1948 was on the institutions of Panchayati Raj (grassroots level governance) that he advocated. We adopted that into our system in 1992 with the 73rd Amendment Act, but only after several changes.We need to integrate many more of his concepts, which are still available to us through his writings, into our system to become the India he dreamt of. https://sputniknews.com/20210225/controversial-politician-who-praised-mahatma-gandhis-killer-joins-congress-party-1082180375.html https://sputniknews.com/20200822/mahatma-gandhis-glasses-sold-at-british-auction-for-whopping-340330-bought-by-american-collector-1080247083.html https://sputniknews.com/20191002/indian-prime-minister-modi-floats-einstein-challenge-in-ode-to-mahatma-gandhi-1076945295.html Hess a violent and corrupt India led by a Fascist the Modi Fascist regime needs Gandhi more than any other entity on the Planet. 1 india Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Priya Yadav https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/01/1081944855_0:29:2048:2077_100x100_80_0_0_fcca548f1670eac15afebf8b8e336044.jpg Priya Yadav https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/01/1081944855_0:29:2048:2077_100x100_80_0_0_fcca548f1670eac15afebf8b8e336044.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Priya Yadav https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/01/1081944855_0:29:2048:2077_100x100_80_0_0_fcca548f1670eac15afebf8b8e336044.jpg mahatma gandhi, india, indian national congress, india https://sputniknews.com/20211002/new-zealand-opposition-leader-blames-uk-us-for-increasing-role-of-china-in-indo-pacific--1089597371.html New Zealand Opposition Leader Blames UK, US for Increasing Role of China in Indo-Pacific New Zealand Opposition Leader Blames UK, US for Increasing Role of China in Indo-Pacific China is NZ's largest trade partner and this complicates the Ardern government's stance on China-related issues, such as alleged human right abuses in Xinjang... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T05:48+0000 2021-10-02T05:48+0000 2021-10-02T05:48+0000 aukus new zealand asia news world china /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/104738/73/1047387324_0:1999:6828:5840_1920x0_80_0_0_214352a5438451b9b1fe8b836bd7d834.jpg One of the reasons China has gained momentum in the Indo-Pacific region of late is the failure of the US and UK to adopt free trade agreements in the region, which could have reduced Chinese influence, Judith Collins, the leader of New Zealand's National Party said in an interview with The Guardian, published on 2 October. Once the US withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2017, there was an "open gate" for Beijing, the official stressed. China then naturally increased its footprint in the region, becoming New Zealand's largest trade partner. At present, Beijing accounts for about a third of total exports from New Zealand.Collins' remarks come as New Zealand has been repeatedly criticised for its "soft" stance on China when it comes to such sensitive topics as Uyghurs' rights, the Hong Kong democracy movement, or territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Tensions in relations between Beijing and the West escalated in late March after the EU, along with Canada, the UK, and the US, introduced a series of sanctions against Chinese citizens and organisations over alleged poor human rights records and what they perceive as persecution of the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang. China has repeatedly denied being engaged in any abuses in Xinjiang and says it has established vocational training centres in the region to address religious extremism there.New Zealand is part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a major free-trade bloc made up of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. The agreement, however, may soon expand. Britain has engaged in talks on joining the CPTPP as London is seeking to join a free trade agreement following its departure from the European Union in December 2020. Notably, China is also on the list of countries that submitted applications to join the agreement.The partnership accounts for 13% of global Gross Domestic Product.The Trans-Pacific Partnership was initially signed in 2016, when 12 countries signed on: the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Japan, Mexico, Chile, and Peru. Within the framework of the agreement, it was planned to create a free trade zone in the Asia-Pacific. However, in January 2017, US President Donald Trump signed a decree withdrawing America from the agreement, after which the remaining 11 TPP countries formed the CPTPP, which was signed on 8 March 2018, in Chile. https://sputniknews.com/20210419/us-should-rejoin-cptpp-push-trade-deal-mega-merger-with-rcep-former-beijing-diplomat-says-1082674871.html Thomas Turk Careful their NZ, Ozzies lost much of their exports sabre rattling with them empty Fosters cans.. 6 Shadowwalker 'EU, along with Canada, the UK, and the US, introduced a series of sanctions against Chinese citizens and organisations over alleged poor human rights records and what they perceive as persecution of the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang'. These countries are very clever when to use these phrases and do everything in power to use against China ONLY but totally ignore whats happening in Palastine and to Palastinians. 5 3 new zealand asia china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Nikita Folomov Nikita Folomov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Nikita Folomov new zealand, asia, news, world, china https://sputniknews.com/20211002/our-hearts-are-broken-body-believed-to-be-missing-teen-miya-marcano-found-florida-sheriff-says--1089613003.html 'Our Hearts Are Broken': Body Believed to be Missing Teen Miya Marcano Found, Florida Sheriff Says 'Our Hearts Are Broken': Body Believed to be Missing Teen Miya Marcano Found, Florida Sheriff Says Authorities in Florida on Saturday announced the discovery of a body believed to be that of 19-year-old college student Miya Marcano, who had been reported... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T22:51+0000 2021-10-02T22:51+0000 2021-10-03T06:14+0000 florida orange county sheriffs office missing person /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105034/36/1050343647_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_1b3b4341dd4eb2d756f9e70e395f128f.jpg Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Sheriff John Mina from the Orange County Sheriff's Office, said that as the agency's emergency response team was searching a wooded area near the Tymber Skan apartment complex in Orlando, Florida, they "discovered a body we believe to be that of Miya Marcado" around 10:45 a.m. local time.Marcano, a student at Valencia College, had been missing since September 24th, when she was last seen at the Arden Villas Luxury Apartments in Orlando where she lived and worked, according to the sheriff's office.Mina said they used cellphone records to direct them to search for Marcano's whereabouts near the apartment complex in Orlando. The site at which the body was discovered was roughly 20 miles from Marcano's apartment."Our hearts are broken", he said.While the identification has not been confirmed by a medical examiner, a purse belonging to Marcano was said to have been found near the body.Following the reports of a body having been discovered, Valencia College issued a statement expressing their condolences to the family.Authorities previously indicated that the prime suspect in the missing persons case was Armando Manuel Caballero, 27, now deceased, a maintenance worker at the Arden Villas apartments who had allegedly harassed Marcano after the teenager "rebuffed" what were said to have been romantic advances.Deputies earlier obtained a warrant for Caballero's arrest after discovering his forged entry into Marcano's apartment with a master key fob. Officials indicated that he gained entrance the same day she went missing.Although Caballero was initially considered a person of interest at the start of the investigation, he later became the prime suspect after he was found dead, the sheriff earlier detailed during a Thursday briefing. Authorities said that he had killed himself. vot tak Those ex "cubans" have really benefited floriduh, haven't they, you stupid arse bandits. 1 florida Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Adriana Montes https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/10/1089141767_0:89:1270:1359_100x100_80_0_0_83cb4d432e11a31f4608d8cb59ecf006.jpg Adriana Montes https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/10/1089141767_0:89:1270:1359_100x100_80_0_0_83cb4d432e11a31f4608d8cb59ecf006.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Adriana Montes https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/09/10/1089141767_0:89:1270:1359_100x100_80_0_0_83cb4d432e11a31f4608d8cb59ecf006.jpg florida, orange county sheriffs office, missing person https://sputniknews.com/20211002/russia-boasts-record-high-trade-turnover-with-uae-as-delayed-dubai-expo-2020-finally-kicks-off-1089604353.html Russia Boasts Record-High Trade Turnover With UAE as Delayed Dubai Expo 2020 Finally Kicks Off Russia Boasts Record-High Trade Turnover With UAE as Delayed Dubai Expo 2020 Finally Kicks Off Russia Boasts Record High Trade Turnover With UAE as Delayed Dubai Expo 2020 Finally Kicks Off 2021-10-02T12:43+0000 2021-10-02T12:43+0000 2021-10-02T12:44+0000 russia middle east uae expo /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/02/1089604222_0:320:3073:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_5df0e8e50b23c274ee8be14a2b52ddd8.jpg Expo 2020 has opened in Dubai it is the most famous exhibition in the world and takes place every five years. This is the first international event of this level to take place in the Middle East since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The exhibition was supposed to open last year, but was postponed (instead of being cancelled) due to the epidemi. Around $7 billion was spent to build the Expo's extensive complex.According to Expo tradition, each participating country, 192 of them this year, prepares a demonstration of their latest advancements in the fields of science, culture, industry, and technology. The Expo is also an important platform for new partnerships, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Aleksei Gruzdev told Sputnik.Per the deputy minister, the trade turnover between Russia and the UAE, where the Expo is taking place, has grown by almost 80% over the past year. Even more profits are expected this year.Russia's pavilion opened on the first day of the exhibition and will remain open for the entire six months until March 2022, when the Expo ends. It is a domed room with its outer shell consisting of numerous multi-coloured threads, created by the pavilion's architect - Sergei Tchoban. During the Dubai Expo 2020, the Russian pavilion will host 60 business and cultural events.The choice of a new location for the exhibition was determined by a vote of the General Assembly of the International Exhibitions Bureau and Russia has already applied to host Expo 2030, choosing Moscow as the host city. https://sputniknews.com/20210923/expo-2020-in-dubai-set-to-boost-economic-development-in-arab-world-organiser-says-1089340029.html uae Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg russia, middle east, uae, expo https://sputniknews.com/20211002/taking-it-to-the-next-level-el-salvador-starts-mining-bitcoin-by-using-volcano-1089605449.html Taking It to the Next Level: El Salvador Starts Mining Bitcoin by Using Volcano Taking It to the Next Level: El Salvador Starts Mining Bitcoin by Using Volcano The Central American nation has become the first country in the world to embrace Bitcoin as an official currency. President Nayib Bukele said the move would... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T13:35+0000 2021-10-02T13:35+0000 2021-10-02T13:35+0000 el salvador bitcoin cryptocurrency /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/07/0c/1083365632_0:190:2967:1859_1920x0_80_0_0_1bfb46358a416ffec0716d30943b1475.jpg El Salvador has started mining bitcoin, harnessing energy from a volcano, the countrys president has announced. President Nayib Bukele posted a series of statements as well as video on Twitter showing employees at a geothermal power plant mining cryptocurrency. He captioned the video with a volcano emoji.He then tweeted a screenshot of the projects progress, saying that El Salvador had officially harnessed energy from a volcano in order to get the cryptocurrency. So far, the country has managed to mine 0.01083155 BTC or $516.The president didnt elaborate on how many machines were being used, which volcano the power plant in the video was harnessing energy from, or how much electricity the plant managed to get from it. During the summer, Bukele revealed that he had instructed the state-owned electric company LaGeo SA de CV to come up with a plan on how to mine bitcoin using cheap and renewable energy.El Salvador is often dubbed as the land of volcanoes so it doesnt come as a surprise that choice fell on them.In order to popularise the use of the cryptocurrency, the government has launched its own virtual wallet "Chivo", which offers free transactions and allows quick cross-border payments. According to President Bukele, more than a quarter of El Salvadors 6.5 million population is already using Chivo.Critics of the government insist that the adoption of bitcoin as the countrys legal tender will bring instability to El Salvador given the cryptocurrencys volatility. Thousands of people took the streets of in the middle of September to protest the governments decision. el salvador Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Max Gorbachev Max Gorbachev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Max Gorbachev el salvador, bitcoin, cryptocurrency https://sputniknews.com/20211002/trump-presses-texas-house-governor-to-push-election-audit-bill-praises-positive-impact-on-midterms-1089609127.html Trump Presses Texas House, Governor to Push Election Audit Bill, Praises Positive Impact on Midterms Trump Presses Texas House, Governor to Push Election Audit Bill, Praises Positive Impact on Midterms Trump Pushes Texas House, Governor to Pedal Election Audit Bill, Praises Positive Impact on Midterms 2021-10-02T15:55+0000 2021-10-02T15:55+0000 2021-10-02T16:28+0000 donald trump us audit /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/08/16/1083681831_0:0:3001:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_c578915215c9601f8e31e45288b7dbcf.jpg Former US President Donald Trump has praised Texas State Senator Paul Bettencourt for introducing Senate Bill 47, which would enable the launch of an election forensic audit in Texas, and urged Governor Greg Abbott to "follow suit". Trump also called on the Texas State House to move forward with Bill 16, which was introduced with the same goal back in August but still hasn't passed.The ex-POTUS argued that a forensic audit, which entails the manual recounting of ballots, security assessment of election systems, and an examination of election records from several of Texas' biggest counties, would benefit the 2022 midterms and 2024 election.Trump noted that even though he won Texas in 2020, "cheating" must be stopped in the state's counties and the voters must be ensured that they can trust their elections.The former president continues to claim that massive voter fraud took place during the 2020 election and that victory in the election "stolen" from him. However, Trump and his legal team have failed to defend these claims in several US courts, with the ex-POTUS conceding to Joe Biden in January 2021. He is now campaigning across the US to back the Republican Party's bid to win a majority in both chambers of Congress in the 2022 midterms. He is also promoting several initiatives for ballot recounts and a forensic audit of the 2020 election in several states, namely in Arizona. https://sputniknews.com/20210924/audit-mania-1089354918.html vot tak Another installment of the hourly trump promotion here at trumpnik dot com 1 vot tak Thumbs down, 5th column. 2 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Tim Korso https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/0a/02/1080648312_311:168:1773:1631_100x100_80_0_0_5eb98a42f89fd860368dcd2ae2d9e403.jpg donald trump, us, audit https://sputniknews.com/20211002/turkeys-erdogan-meets-with-kremlin-to-increase-defense-cooperation-regardless-of-us-objections-1089583341.html Turkey's Erdogan Meets With Kremlin to Increase "Defense Cooperation Regardless of US Objections" Turkey's Erdogan Meets With Kremlin to Increase "Defense Cooperation Regardless of US Objections" On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Shane Stranahan talk about efforts to revive the Wooly Mammoth, the meeting between President Erdogan... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T11:59+0000 2021-10-02T11:59+0000 2021-10-02T11:59+0000 libya joe biden radio russia us turkey china nancy pelosi google sen. joe manchin (d-west virginia) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/01/1089583275_28:0:640:344_1920x0_80_0_0_21ae6b631b4882bea2b07f71ef4ca426.png Turkey's Erdogan Meets with Kremlin to Increase "Defense Cooperation Regardless of U.S. Objections" On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Shane Stranahan talk about efforts to revive the Wooly Mammoth, the meeting between President Erdogan and President Putin, the everlasting pushback against the reconciliation package, and censorship by Google and YouTube that Russia is taking exception to. Guests:George Church - American geneticist, molecular engineer, and chemist | Inside the Resurrections of Wooly MammothBen Lamm - CEO and serial technological engineer | Inside the Resurrections of Wooly MammothMark Sleboda - International Relations and Security Analyst | Turkey & Russia Negotiations, NY Missile TestKim Iversen - Independent journalist and host of the Kim Iversen Show | The Left Holds, Pelosi FoldsIn the first hour, George Church and Ben Lamm joined the show to talk about their companys project to resurrect the wooly mammoth in the modern climate. They hope their efforts on arctic rewilding will help redirect the extinction timeline.In the second hour, Fault Lines was joined by Mark Sleboda for a discussion on the rising tensions between Turkeys President Erdogan and Americas President Biden. Erdogan then took to talks with Russia to pit the nations against each other.In the third hour, Kim Iversen joined the conversation to talk about the inability of the Democrats to pass the reconciliation package. Kim also talked about the conflict between Google and Russia after the tech giant kicked RT Germany off of YouTube.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com libya russia us turkey china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Shane Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/07/1082560782_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_c5b74c177011dbd114ddab0b2a2e1ab5.jpg Shane Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/07/1082560782_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_c5b74c177011dbd114ddab0b2a2e1ab5.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Shane Stranahan https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/07/1082560782_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_c5b74c177011dbd114ddab0b2a2e1ab5.jpg libya, joe biden, radio, russia, us, turkey, china, nancy pelosi, google, sen. joe manchin (d-west virginia), youtube, facebook, syria, mammoth, fault lines, kyrsten sinema, https://sputniknews.com/20211002/us-marine-pilots-to-begin-testing-f-35bs-on-japans-de-facto-aircraft-carrier-izumo-1089594408.html US Marine Pilots to Begin Testing F-35Bs on Japans De Facto Aircraft Carrier Izumo US Marine Pilots to Begin Testing F-35Bs on Japans De Facto Aircraft Carrier Izumo The Japanese Ministry of Defense has announced US Marines will help test the ability of the cruise Izumo, a de facto aircraft carrier, to operate F-35B Joint... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T00:22+0000 2021-10-02T00:22+0000 2021-10-02T00:22+0000 military & intelligence japan f-35b js izumo /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105555/65/1055556520_0:63:1201:738_1920x0_80_0_0_674e6a9a8d8ee8c60dba54889c1c9ca3.jpg The tests will be carried out between October 3 and 7 in the Pacific Ocean off the Japanese coast, Defense News reported. The Izumo was docked on Thursday at Marine Combat Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, a base in western Japan that houses two USMC F-35 squadrons.Like the United Kingdom, Japan is slated to buy hundreds of the stealthy jets from Lockheed Martin, but doesnt have enough to conduct tests on its warships being modified to carry them. Marine F-35 pilots are deployed on the British HMS Queen Elizabeth on its inaugural cruise, and they are now also helping to fit out Izumo.Japan is to receive 42 of the F-35Bs, according to a 2019 deal, but the first isnt slated to arrive until 2023. Izumo has further upgrades to receive, as well, which it will get in 2025. Meanwhile, Kaga is expected to get all its upgrades next year.They will be the first aircraft carriers fielded by Japan since the end of World War II, when it deployed dozens of flattops as part of its Pacific-spanning war of conquest that brought it into conflict with the United States, China, the British Empire, and the Soviet Union, resulting in its defeat and disarmament."The review of the new defense guideline is extremely meaningful to show the Japanese people and the world what is truly necessary in our defense to protect the people and to serve as the cornerstone of the future (for the Japan Self-Defense Forces), he added.The modernization is motivated in part by increasing tensions with China, with which Japan has overlapping claims to islands in the East China Sea. However, the US has also put heavy pressure on its Pacific allies to take a more bellicose stance against China as part of its own strategic shift toward great power competition with Beijing and Moscow. Tiger Interesting and good progress. Contrary to the claims of many on Sputnik News, the F-35 is turning out to be more and more of a success. 0 1 japan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Morgan Artyukhina https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/04/17/1082703728_0:0:800:800_100x100_80_0_0_0b6ce8daa7411284d60c8a0b6d84186d.jpg military & intelligence, japan, f-35b, js izumo https://sputniknews.com/20211002/voice-of-the-violence-us-issues-terrorism-charge-against-canadian-who-narrated-daesh-propaganda-1089612806.html 'Voice of the Violence': US Issues Terrorism Charge Against Canadian Who Narrated Daesh Propaganda 'Voice of the Violence': US Issues Terrorism Charge Against Canadian Who Narrated Daesh Propaganda Mohammed Khalifa, a Saudi-born Canadian citizen with ties to the Daesh* media arm, was captured by Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces following a firefight in... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T22:40+0000 2021-10-02T22:40+0000 2021-10-03T06:20+0000 us department of justice terrorism militants isil recruiter daesh /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105610/42/1056104207_0:54:1025:630_1920x0_80_0_0_9bf7d9c5c662e9df0876b2f546f24f68.jpg Khalifa, 38, has been charged by the US government with conspiracy to provide material support to Daesh, resulting in death following years of alleged assistance to the terrorist group's English Media Section, a criminal complaint unsealed on Saturday revealed. The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, noted that the suspected militant is now under the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Khalifa served as a lead translator for the Daesh media arm, and provided English-language narration for propaganda videos, including a notorious post featuring the August 2014 beheading of American journalist James Foley. According to the complaint, Khalifa has been with the group since 2013, when he first arrived in Syria to fight alongside Daesh. He was later assigned to the Daesh Media Bureau due to his fluency in English and Arabic.Mark J. Lesko, acting assistant attorney general for the DoJ's National Security Division, said that the criminal complaint comes as a "first step" in holding the alleged terrorist accountable for his actions. During a 2019 interview with The New York Times, Khalifa said that he was "just the voice" accompanying the violent - sometimes gory - videos. He also stated that he did not regret his role. Raj Parekh, acting US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, argued that Khalifa's voice assisted in the spread of, and recruitment for, the terrorist group.He also emphasised Khalifa's alleged role in combat. Khalifa has denied committing any killings during his time with the terrorist group. *Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is recognised as a terrorist organisation, and has been banned in many countries including Russia. TruePatriot The US has no authority to charge this Canadian especially since the offenses were not committed in the US. If Canada wishes to pursue it, then fine. Lacking that turn him over to the Syrian government. 2 vot tak "was captured by Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces following a firefight in January 2019" ... In other words, a terrorist employed by one state was captured by terrorists employed by that state's masters. One set of israeloamerican terrorists attacking Syria vs another, higher ranked set of israeloamerican terrorists attacking Syria. See the commonality here? The author of the zio-media article obviously doesn't want you to. 1 4 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Evan Craighead Evan Craighead News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Evan Craighead us department of justice, terrorism, militants, isil recruiter, daesh https://sputniknews.com/20211002/weekly-news-roundup-youtube-censorship-north-korea-tests-missiles-1089596029.html Weekly News Roundup; YouTube Censorship; North Korea Tests Missiles Weekly News Roundup; YouTube Censorship; North Korea Tests Missiles In an act of overt censorship, YouTube has removed RT's German-speaking channel as part of their worldwide anti-free speech actions. 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T12:05+0000 2021-10-02T12:05+0000 2021-10-04T11:42+0000 russia today youtube shutdown robert kagan censorship north korea the critical hour rt radio /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/02/1089596004_17:0:629:344_1920x0_80_0_0_0a1856aec08a5da02c66128a2ad62d82.png Weekly News Roundup; YouTube Censorship; North Korea Tests Missiles In an act of overt censorship, YouTube has removed Russia Today's German speaking channel as part of their worldwide anti-free speech actions. Caleb Maupin, journalist and political analyst, joins us to wrap up the important stories for the week. North Korea is working on strengthening its missile program in light of US aggression and threats. Also, the US is arguing that they need to work with the Europeans to retard China's innovative advancement in technology.Dr. Anthony Monteiro, an expert in WEB DuBois joins us to talk about the US empire and a potential 2024 presidential run by Donald Trump. Robert Kagan has penned an article in the Washington Post wherein he discusses whether the government can or should do anything to prevent a second Trump presidency. Also, we discuss whether the US empire is losing its power as the world's hegemonic force.Jack Rasmus, professor in economics and politics at St. Mary's College in California, joins us to discuss the economic stories for the week. President Biden has signed the bipartisan bill which has temporarily halted a government shutdown. Also, we discuss the weekly jobless rates and the battle between the left flank of the Democratic party and the corporate leaders of the organization.Niko House, political activist, independent journalist and podcaster, and Jim Kavanagh, writer at thepolemicist.net & CounterPunch and the author of "Danger to Society: Against Vaccine Passports," come together to talk politics. Mike Pompeo has tacitly admitted to the claims that he threatened the life of Julian Assange by arguing that those who leaked this claim should be prosecuted for revealing state secrets. Also, we discuss YouTube's blocking of Russia Today Germany, Israel's influence in US politics, and the arms industry's economic stranglehold on Congress.Ray Baker, political analyst and host of the podcast Public Agenda, and Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector in Iraq, join us to discuss this week's important news stories. President Biden recently rejected a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the UN in New York. Also, President Biden's approval rating is dropping among key voters, the battle is heating up between corporate Democrats and their left flank, and the US envoy to Haiti has resigned in protest.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.com Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg russia today, youtube, shutdown, robert kagan, censorship, north korea, the critical hour, , rt, radio https://sputniknews.com/20211002/women-have-to-slog-quite-hard-to-prove-themselves-indian-advocate-ishanee-sharma-1089550838.html Women Have to Slog Quite Hard to Prove Themselves: Indian Advocate Ishanee Sharma Women Have to Slog Quite Hard to Prove Themselves: Indian Advocate Ishanee Sharma Addressing an event organised by the Lady Advocates of the Supreme Court recently in honour of nine newly appointed judges, Indian Chief Justice N. V. Ramana... 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T07:33+0000 2021-10-02T07:33+0000 2021-10-02T07:33+0000 women law india women legal judiciary india /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107652/77/1076527796_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_1022f88b23a1abf03d1885241161c315.jpg Even as the Indian Constitution provides the "Right to Equality" as a fundamental right to all citizens in the country, it is women who have to work quite hard to climb up the ladder due to the social discrimination that sadly still exists, a noted Indian advocate opines. According to noted advocate Ishanee Sharma, talk of gender equality is commonplace in India. But despite several reforms, women are still subjected to discrimination. Advocate Sharma, the managing partner of Ishanee Sharma Law Offices, in an interview with Sputnik talked of the advantages of women getting an equal opportunity in the judiciary and other spheres of life. Sputnik: Indian Chief Justice N. V. Ramana recently advocated reservation for women at all levels of the judiciary. If this were to become a reality in the near future, what advantages do you foresee for women?Ishanee Sharma: This is the first time that such a thing has come into the mainstream. It is itself a positive thing because women have been subjugated for centuries. A woman faces discrimination at various levels when she tries to go out to work and carve a niche for herself. This becomes even worse when the person who is discriminating doesn't even realise it because it is so ingrained in the system [of Indian society].So, I think equal opportunity for women should not only be in the judiciary but in all decision-making roles. For the rules to be made and changes to be brought that favour the oppressed, the actually oppressed person needs to come up and be in a position of decision making.I would applaud CJI Ramana for speaking about a lot of things that matter. This kind of sensitivity from the chief justice of India assures us that we are heading in the right direction.Sputnik: There is a certain percentage of reservations for women in almost every sphere of India and there are several women parliamentarians too. So, what necessitates a 50 percent reservation?Ishannee Sharma: 50 percent reservation or any (type of) reservation at all for women is needed. Because whoever is made to sit at the top of the decision-making authority needs to have empathy for the population at large. They need to understand the problems that women face and need to bring reforms for women. But it does not really happen. For instance, in local or village-level polls where there is a reservation for women, men nominate their wives or mothers for the post. However, the situation is much better when we talk of the upper hierarchy (meaning being elected in state legislatures or the federal parliament, as then husbands or sons cannot start taking the decisions on their behalf - ed.note). With a 50 percent reservation in the judiciary we might have a woman chief justice in India for the very first time. So, if this happens in every sphere things will get better for women.Sputnik: Don't you think that rather than giving reservations we should be talking about providing them with education because the rate of education among women is low?Ishanee Sharma: For a woman, being educated is not good enough to survive. There have been several women who could have become judges on the Supreme Court or High Court. But they couldn't only because they were women. Though there is undoubtedly a need to promote women's education, for a woman to become educated will feel like being more frustrated if their [career] opportunities are curtailed purely due to their gender. So, education is a separate concern. But reservations in the judiciary are very important. Because there are so many women-centric matters where we need to understand what a woman needs.Sputnik: You talked of discrimination against women in India. Why has it prevailed despite a lot of reforms and calls from various sections of society about equality?Ishanee Sharma: Just because it's comfortable. It is comforting for a certain segment of society. Equality goes down very well for the person who has been subjugated but it doesn't go well for the oppressor. Women have always been a stronger gender. If you check the number of female foetuses who have survived premature delivery, it is always more than male foetuses. There have been various studies which have stated that males are a weaker gender by genetic code.So, for centuries, society has harnessed the energy of women in a way that they use it for procreation and doing all the household chores and most of the outdoor work in the case of farming too. What women are facing today is the centuries of being wired in a wrong way to not stand up against violence and atrocities.Sputnik: Because women will now receive more opportunities in the Indian Army too and a call for equal opportunity in the judiciary is also being made, what changes will be required for this to become a reality ?Ishanee Sharma: The inclusion of women in the Indian Army is an extremely wonderful step. However, I personally think that sooner or later women will realise their physical, social, financial, and academic potential to the fullest. india Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Rahul Trivedi https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926121_0:-1:627:627_100x100_80_0_0_d882e1a63f627c25b7a534fb8b8234d7.jpg Rahul Trivedi https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926121_0:-1:627:627_100x100_80_0_0_d882e1a63f627c25b7a534fb8b8234d7.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rahul Trivedi https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926121_0:-1:627:627_100x100_80_0_0_d882e1a63f627c25b7a534fb8b8234d7.jpg women, law, india, women, legal, judiciary, india https://sputniknews.com/20211002/womens-march-holds-rally-against-abortion-ban-in-washington-dc-1089605980.html Women's March Holds Rally Against Abortion Ban in Washington, DC Women's March Holds Rally Against Abortion Ban in Washington, DC In total, over 600 similar "Rally for Abortion Justice" events are taking place across the country. 02.10.2021, Sputnik International 2021-10-02T16:07+0000 2021-10-02T16:07+0000 2021-10-02T16:08+0000 us women washington dc abortion reproductive rights /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0a/02/1089609480_0:0:640:360_1920x0_80_0_0_e05f26c20bcf954f2c4ed6f9f186bd94.jpg Sputnik is live from Washington, DC, where the fifth annual Women's March is being held.The protesters, who back abortion access, are gathering for the event just a month after Texas implemented legislation banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The law, which came into effect on 1 September, prohibits abortion after cardiac activity is detected.Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More! vot tak The israeli overlords of pathetic america lurve their for americans abortion psywar. In israel, this isn't an issue. 1 washington dc Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2021 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Women's March Holds Rally Against Abortion Ban in Washington, DC Women's March Holds Rally Against Abortion Ban in Washington, DC 2021-10-02T16:07+0000 true PT264M57S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 us, women, washington dc, abortion, reproductive rights, Prince Of Tides moved smartly first-over from third, wore down the leader and narrowly captured Fridays $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at The Meadows. Prince Of Tides grabbed a short-lived early lead, as he quickly found himself shuffled to third. But when Mike Wilder tipped him off the cones, the five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Tug River Princess gelding powered past Done Well and edged the rallying Torrin Hanover by a neck to score in 1:50.2. Dorsoduro Hanover shot the Lightning Lane for show. Randy Bendis trains Prince Of Tides, who now has banked $394,894 lifetime, and owns with Pollack Racing LLC. Trainer Ron Burke enjoyed a four-bagger on the 12-race card while Dave Palone and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. each fashioned a triple. Live racing at The Meadows resumes Tuesday when the program features a $12,269.12 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5. First post is 12:45 p.m. (MSOA) Ohio champion Sea Silk brought her talents out of her native state to The Red Mile on Friday (Oct. 1), where the Ron Burke pupil punched her unbeaten card with a ninth victory when taking the second of two divisions of the $289,000 Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Filly Pace as the Grand Circuit rolled into Lexington. Leaving from Post 6, driver Chris Page pointed Sea Silk to the top, putting Dont Fence Me In into the pocket heading to a :27.2 first quarter. She faced no challenge up the backside while Mermaid By The Sea, after breaking at the start, forged first over through a :55.3 half to apply pressure to the pacesetter around the final turn. Her uncovered bid promptly folded off three-quarters in 1:24.1, leaving Sea Silk with a pair of late challengers to deter. Yes And Yes kicked off a second-over trip into the stretch and came surging for the front as Sea Silk began to drift off the pegs, creating an opening for Dont Fence Me In. Sea Silk battled from between the stubborn challengers to the finish and kept the pair at bay to win in a lifetime best 1:50.3 by a length. Dont Fence Me In settled for second with Yes And Yes finishing third and Treacherous Kiss checked in fourth. The only quirk she has is shell get a little lopey-gaited and looks like shes got a problem, but as soon as you turn her and send her in the right direction and get her pacing, she just takes off, said Mickey Burke Jr., assistant and brother of trainer Ron Burke, after the race. Shes been just pacing from the start and going forward. [She] couldnt be a nicer horse to deal with. The daughter of Downbytheseaside - Silk Purse has now accrued $451,092 from her nine starts for owners Burke Racing Stable & Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Hatfield Stables. Sea Silk paid $2.40 to win. Boudoir Hanover shut the door on 1-2 favourite Lyons Serenity when speeding clear to a sharp 1:49.4 score in the first division. Driver Dexter Dunn dashed the daughter of Captaintreacherous - Bedroomconfessions to the point from Post 6 moving to a :28 first quarter. Lyons Serenity sat fourth in the stroll up the backside towards a :55.2 half before getting underway uncovered to the final turn. But Lyons Serenitys first-over crawl faced no match to Boudoir Hanover around the final turn as the Tony Alagna trainee widened her advantage to three-quarters in 1:23.2 and expanded her lead through the straightaway sprint to finish 3-1/2 lengths in front at the beam. Galleria Hanover rode the pylons to snag third with A Girl That Twirls rallying from second over to take fourth. Owned by Riverview Racing, Alagna Racing, Caviart Farms, Daniel Plouffe and Steven Head, Boudoir Hanover won her second race from nine starts, pushing her earnings to $178,634. She paid $5 to win. Each division of the Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Filly Pace was sponsored by The McWicked Syndicate and Winbak Farm. Kentucky Commonwealth champ Branded By Lindy made a graceful move into open stakes company when taking the top early and cruising to a 1:52 win in the second of five divisions for the $356,000 Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot. Sent the 4-5 favourite, the son of Chapter Seven secured the lead past a :29 first quarter and cruised uncontested through middle fractions of :57.1 and 1:25. Temporal Hanover made minor first-over gains around the final turn but stalled off the corner as Branded By Lindy bolted to the finish with a :27 final quarter to win by 2-1/2 lengths over pocket-sitter Rose Run Xtra. Rebuff rallied from traffic troubles down the centre of the track for third while Temporal Hanover held fourth. He always showed he had a lot of speed, and we started going on we were going through some gait issues and clearing them up, winning trainer Domenico Cecere said after the race of the colts progression. We took our time, and we knew when we came to The Red Mile he would change a lot. We started to clean him up, clean him up and are very impressed in how gentlemanly he is now. And now, finally, he looks to me almost 100 percent. A homebred for Lindy Farms of Connecticut, Branded By Lindy collected his sixth victory from eight starts, pushing his earnings to $115,850. Yannick Gingras piloted the $3.60 winner. Driver Mattias Melander kept Periculum flat around the track to nail 4-5 favourite World At War Deo in the opening division. World At War Deo pressed for the lead past a :27.3 first quarter to pocket B A Superhero into the backstretch. Majestic J sat third while Periculum, wide around the first turn, settled to the pylons in fourth as the field marched single file to a :56.1 half. Majestic J crept out of third rounding the final turn as World At War Deo attempted to quicken the tempo to three-quarters in 1:25. Off the turn, Majestic J ducked back to the inside while B A Superhero ranged out of the pocket and Periculum gathered momentum to the center of the course. The Marcus Melander trainee came charging into the final eighth after a leg-weary World At War Deo to get up in time to win by a half length in 1:53.1. B A Superhero finished between the top two in third with Majestic J checking in fourth. Winning his second race from eight starts, Periculum has banked $67,406 for owners Holly Lane Stud East, Brixton Medical Ab and Howard Taylor. The Muscle Hill colt returned $8 to win. Gigondas towered three-wide off a stalking trip in the third division to win in 1:53.4. With 8-5 favourite Testing Testing losing stride before the start, Global Pandemic overcame a couple bad steps at the start to land on the lead to a :28.1 first quarter. Keg Stand sat second into the backstretch with Gigondas sitting third and Chulo racing parked as the leader trotted to the half in :57. Global Pandemic maintained command around the final turn while Keg Stand slowly emerged out of the pocket with Gigondas sitting on his helmet to three-quarters in 1:25.4. The three rolled into the stretch spread across the track, with Global Pandemic folding to Keg Stand before Gigondas strolled alongside the late leader in the final strides and landed a head in front at the beam to win. Kens Walner finished fourth. Trained by Tony Alagna, Gigondas won his second race from seven starts, pushing his earnings to $79,000 for owner Brad Grant. Andrew McCarthy piloted the Trixton colt, who paid $11 to win. McCarthy and Alagna then teamed to slay even-money favourite Double Deceiver when the aptly-named Slay stormed to the lead late to win the fourth division in 1:52.4. Letsdoit S led the field after a :28.4 first quarter with pylon-starter Golden Wall As sitting in the pocket. Double Deceiver raced fifth in a tepid tempo, prompting driver David Miller to blitz Letsdoit S for the lead to a :57.4 half and clear control before the final turn. Double Deceiver opened enough ground on a lagging Letsdoit S to allow Slay, who tracked his backstretch move, to tuck into the pocket rounding the final turn as the favourite strode to three-quarters in 1:25. In the stretch, Double Deceiver raced extended to the inside while Slay surged from the pocket with fresh legs to edge to the lead in the final sixteenth and win by 1-1/2 lengths. Letsdoit S re-rallied between horses to take third with Golden Wall As taking fourth. Making just his third start, Slay scored his second victory and pushed his bankroll to $39,506 for owners Crawford Farms Racing and James Crawford IV. The Chapter Seven colt paid $8 to win. The final division also went to the hands of Andrew McCarthy, who this time teamed with trainer Jim Campbell to collect a 1:53.1 victory with Stride The Hill. Classic Hill cleared command past a :28.4 first quarter as McCarthy pulled Stride The Hill off the pegs. He brushed to the top through the backstretch tracked by 8-5 favourite Looks Like Moni, who then assumed command by a :56.2 half. Looks Like Moni held the lead to three-quarters in 1:25 before breaking stride at the bottom of the turn. That left Stride The Hill on the point through the lane, and the Muscle Hill colt maintained the helm with ease to win over Classic Hill. El Toro Loco gave chase in third while Fast As The Wind took fourth. He was a colt training down that was smarter than I was, Campbell said after the race. He knew it didnt count training, so we were forced to kind of take our time with him. First time he went behind the gate, he was a totally different horse and hes been nothing but an improvement every start. Andy [McCarthy] asked me before the race How is he? and I said you can race him any way you want. Hes always giving us a good kick finishing. I wasnt surprised when Andy moved him [before the half]. Stride The Hill broke his maiden with the win, his seventh start overall. Fashion Farms LLC owns the winner of $58,850, who paid $6.40 to win. The first, third and fifth divisions of the Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Trot on Friday were contested as The Muscle Hill, sponsored by Southwind Farms. The second and fourth divisions were named The Walner and sponsored by the Walner Syndicate. Racing resumes at The Red Mile on Saturday (Oct. 2) with five divisions for the $390,000 Norman Woolworth Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Filly Trot and three divisions for the $330,000 Stay Hungry Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Colt & Gelding Pace. First-race post time for the 11-race card is 1:00 p.m. (EDT). (Red Mile) The Manitoba harness racing community has rallied around Marc Fillion and his family after the St. Malo, Man. horseman was injured in a freak accident at the end of the Sept. 25 card at Marquis Downs. Fillion suffered serious injuries to his head and face when a horse he was bathing struck him following the second last race. Taken by ambulance to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Sask., Fillion was admitted to the ICU and intubated. Manitoba Standardbred Racing Industry president Trevor Williams said the horseman was recently moved out of the ICU, but faces a long road to recovery. He was actually just recently moved from the ICU, which is good news, said Williams. He was intubated for quite a while and wasnt able to breathe on his own, but as of a couple days ago theyve taken that out and hes breathing. And even as of yesterday he has been talking a little bit and had some visitors, so lots of positive signs here over the last couple of days. I believe the plan and they dont know for sure, it changes every day but I believe the plan is to eventually have him sent back home to Manitoba, because he will need quite a few surgeries on his face, Williams continued. Once the swelling goes down and he is able to travel, theyll likely send him back there for that, but his family is up here with him right now, so I guess its just day-by-day right now. Williams created a GoFundMe page for Fillion and his family, wife Ann, son Stephen and daughter Maxine, and is grateful for the donations and expressions of support friends, the couples extended family and members of the harness racing community have shown to one of Manitobas leading horsemen. Its incredible how quickly everyone comes together and helps. I know the family will definitely appreciate it, and hes got a long road ahead and likely wont be working for a little while, so anything helps, said Williams. Marc and Ann would be the first people to help out any horsemen or women, so I am extremely happy to know our horse racing family have their back as well. Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Marc Fillion a full and speedy recovery. (Clinton Race Office) Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise will head to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year for the purposes of shooting a space movie, but well ahead of that, Russian actress Yulia Peresild is heading to the space station next week itself to begin shooting her movie. She will thereby beat Tom Cruise to become the first actor in space. Not just that, this will create history of sorts as it will become the first movie to be shot in space. It will add to the space rivalry between Russia and the US that has been going on since the Cold War first started. Yulia Peresild will lift off on October 5 in a Russian Soyuz MS-19 capsule along with her crew to film her next space movie, which is a feature film. The ISS orbits high above the Earth - over 350 km up. Tom Cruise will however, be travelling to the ISS on billionaire Elon Musk led company SpaceX's Dragon capsule. "This movie is built around a story of an ordinary person... a doctor who had nothing to do with space exploration and never thought about it is offered to travel to the ISS... and save a cosmonaut's life," director and actor Klim Shipenko told a news conference last week. Russian actress heads to the ISS for movie shoot Shipenko also shed light on the difficulties of shooting in zero gravity. The director is who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, says that his height makes training inside the spacecraft as well as the trip very uncomfortable. It is okay. I will fly now as it is, but when we do the sequel about travel to Mars, then they promise there will be a better seat, he adds. Peresild herself has concerns but not the time to care abut the challenges. It will not be on the same level as on Earth, but we will do our best. We are ready for it," she said. "It is a bit too late to be afraid because we've come so far, there is Baikonur ahead and a lot of things (to do) and to be honest, there is just no time left for fear." The actress says she has to be her own makeup support and costume designer in the confines of the spacecraft. The film is also going to show the professional cosmonauts floating around the space. Commander Anton Shkaplerov says, I won't be starring in it but still I will need to figure out how a movie is produced in such an unusual place as outer space. ONE of the surprises emerging from the presentation of the 2022 budget on Monday by Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, was his announcement that the Government proposed to offer for sale 10,869,565 ordinary shares in First Citizens Holdings Ltd. I appreciate the position taken by Mr Kevin Baldeosingh on the reasons why he will not get Two ethnic minority women residing in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang have had sunny smiles back to their once-disfigured faces and warmth to their hearts thanks to life-changing operations made possible by donations. It has been five years since Trieu Mui Chai, 74, and Ly Mui Xien, 53, from Nguyen Binh District, got their faces, smiles and confidence back following surgeries to remove a giant facial tumor that obstructed their breathing, eating, vision and other daily activities. They would not have been able to make it this far if not for philanthropists donations and their doctors dedication. Chais and Xiens tumors grew to the point that they occupied most of their faces, leaving them the subject of ridicule and scorn from those around. Even Chais grandchildren and the local kids were afraid of her tumor, with some often bursting into loud screams upon seeing her face. By then, her face was mostly consumed by the abnormally red swelling lump of blood vessels which seemed it could burst any time. There were moments when the women even wished to die to end what they had suffered physically and mentally for more than two decades. Newly-found joys Though Chais tumor was larger than that of Xien, the formers surgery came some months later than the latters. Chai blissfully shared in Kinh, the countrys official language, that she is happy with her new appearance after her operation. Ly Mui Xien, with her giant facial tumor, poses with her benefactors, including Nguyen Viet Anh (first, right) at the hospital before her surgery in this supplied photo. The septuagenarian added she can now breathe, chew and sleep better now that her tumor is gone and her health condition has improved. Though the tumor took one of her eyes away, Chai can have two bowls of rice with ease for each meal now and can also see better without having to lean to one side for better vision. Before her operation, the woman would find herself at the end of the condescending stare and had no choice but to keep her feelings bottled up. She would shrink away from local people and children, who called her names and nicknamed her a demon-faced woman. Now she can enjoy the company of her grandchildren and local kids and go food shopping at fair-like market sessions and dine at eateries to her hearts content without being the target of malicious stares and discrimination. My mom is a happy woman now. She feels better, works on the fields and fetches firewood every day, said Ban Mui Pham, Chais daughter. Chais elation is shared by Xien, who now also finds herself feeling increasingly relaxed in social situations and no longer self-conscious in public. The middle-aged woman has been able to communicate, eat and drink more easily since her operation five years ago, and is breathing without difficulty. Her son, Hoang Sun Kinh, showed his mother eating with ease in a recent video call with a Tuoi Tre (Youth) correspondent. Its OK not to look OK? A good-looking, kind woman of Dao ethnic minority group in her youth, Chai earned her living as a merchant and enjoyed a socially active life. She got married four times and now lives with her fourth husband. When Chai entered middle age, a lump started to grow on the womans face and failed to go down. Though it caused her no pain back then, the clump kept growing uncontrollably ever since. The doctors told us there was not much they could do with my moms condition, recalled Pham, Chais daughter. The cost of a surgery was too high for them to afford and the operation might even cost her mother her life, she added. The tumor quickly progressed into a major portion of Chais face and grew even bigger than her head. The eerily-shaped, red, succulent clump was riddled with blood vessels which could seemingly burst any time. The tumor compressed her nose, eyes, jaw, causing nasal obstruction and loss of the left eye vision, with fluid and blood from the eye dribbling onto her neck. The tumor already spread to her nose, making it difficult for her to breathe and impeding her ability to eat and speak. She might even never wake up the next morning if the tumor, in the wrong position, blocked her windpipe and choked her to death. Just like Chai, Xien was also a nice-looking, gentle young woman. She suffered excruciating toothaches after giving birth to her third child. She took the pain bouts for granted and did not take medical treatment over her financial difficulty until some times later. Her family was also told to take her home as a surgery may cost them a fortune and Xien her own life. A new me Chai and Xien would have died from life-threatening complications from their tumors if not for philanthropists support. Ly Mui Xien now can eat with ease in this supplied photo following her successful tumor removal surgery five years ago. Nguyen Viet Anh, leader of a charity group called Cao Bang Discovery, still had Xiens sad figure and condition carved in his mind. We were all shocked seeing her face for the first time, Anh said. I was determined I would do something to help this poor woman. He called for donations for Xiens treatment after posting her image on social media and accompanied her to Hanoi-based National Cancer Hospital K1 for a surgery. Her wish was to have a normal face even if she didnt pull through, Anh recalled about the eight-hour surgery. The operation was a success. Xien asked for a mirror as soon as she regained consciousness. Despite the bandage, our group could still sense her elation, added Anh, whom Xien later considered the one who gave birth to her the second time. Chais tumor removal surgery came around five months after Xien was operated on. Chais benefactor was Hoai Phuong, a reporter from Cao Bang Television. Phuongs footages on Chais condition reached leaders of Hanoi Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, which sponsored her surgery. According to Prof. Dr. Trinh Dinh Hai, the hospital director and head of the surgery team, Chais case was further complicated by her pre-existing condition, Meningocele, which had gone for years without any treatment. Doctors from the establishment and Viet Duc Hospital, also based in the capital city, collaborated to treat her tumor. The 10-hour surgery succeeded as expected. Chai made a quick, full recovery and was grateful for the miracle she received. As soon as she began recovering, Chai traveled more than 100 kilometers to visit me in the city, Phuong shared. She trusted and considered me her son. Chai and Xien each received from donors VND300-400 million (US$13,176- 17,568), which the women used to cover treatment fees, fix their run-down homes and put into bank savings. Two years on, Dr. Hai personally made a visit to Chai to check on her wound. The elderly woman could not hide her tears of joy, smiles and hopes lighting up her face. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! British Royal Navy ship HMS Richmond arrived at Vietnams Cam Ranh Military Port on Friday for a four-day visit, during which the frigate will hold a joint exercise with the hosts naval forces. The UK frigate reached the port in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa two days after it passed through the Taiwan Strait. The visit marks the 10th anniversary of Vietnam - UK defense cooperation and comes more than two months after the first-ever visit to Vietnam by the UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace in July. HMS Richmond is very honored to have an exercise with the Vietnamese Navy at the end of the visit, before it leaves Cam Ranh, Captain Hugh Botterill, the ships commanding officer, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper upon the ships arrival. A joint exercise between the frigate, which is 133 meters long and has a displacement of 4,812 tons, and Vietnamese naval forces will take place on October 4, the British Embassy in Vietnam confirmed. The East Vietnam Sea, where one-third of global trade goes by each year, is very important to the trade and prosperity of Britain as well as the rest of the world, Captain Botterill said. The captain said he was extremely proud to accompany HMS Richmond to the Indo-Pacific, contributing to international actions for maritime security and increasing the strategic significance of the UKs presence in the region. Being asked why the Vietnam visit was not included in the initial itinerary of the ship, the captain said it was due to confidentiality reasons. The visit has demonstrated the UKs commitment to a persistent and reliable presence in the Indo-Pacific, including crucial regional partners like Vietnam, he said, adding that he and the crew were very excited to visit beautiful Vietnam. Britain and Vietnam share many common interests and values, including maritime security, sustainable development, climate change and a desire to see mutual economic growth, the commanding officer said. This visit indicates that both the UK and Vietnam have stuck to their commitments to consolidate their strategic partnership, the captain said. The official added he would come back to Vietnam when the COVID-19 pandemic recedes to learn more about the land and people of Vietnam. Commenting about HMS Richmonds visit to Vietnam, British Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward said that Britain and Vietnam, both bordering the sea, attach great importance to freedom of navigation, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982. During my term as a British Ambassador to Vietnam, this is the third visit by a British Royal Navy ship to Vietnam. HMS Richmonds visit reaffirms the UKs Indo-Pacific tilt and our commitment towards expanding defense relationships with key partners in the region, The Star quoted the ambassador as saying. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Authorities in the southern Vietnamese province of Dong Nai have brought great cheer to thousands of domestic migrant workers for allowing them to leave for their hometowns on motorbike on Saturday morning. Early on the day, a sea of internal migrant workers started gathering at a COVID-19 checkpoint on Dong Khoi Street in the bordering section between Vinh Cuu District and Bien Hoa City under Dong Nai Province to demand the right to return to their hometowns. As the crowd grew bigger and bigger, several kilometers of Dong Khoi Street were fully occupied. Most of the workers had resided in Vinh Cuu District and worked for local factories before the fourth wave of coronavirus infections, which hit Vietnam in late April and prompted several restrictions, forced the facilities to close. The COVID-19 curbs, which lasted for nearly three months, exhausted their livelihoods. Domestic migrant workers wait to get through a checkpoint in Vinh Cuu District, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, October 2, 2021. Photo: A Loc / Tuoi Tre Ychang Eban, a worker hailing from the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, said that his employer, Chang Shin Vietnam Co. Ltd, has suspended operations for more than three months in compliance with social distancing regulations. Despite receiving food and necessity supports from the local authorities, he could no longer afford other expenses, such as those on milk for his child, medicine, accommodation rent. On Friday, the company announced that it would continue to suspend operations until further notice, so the workers decided to return to their hometowns, Eban said. Domestic migrant workers wait to get through a checkpoint in Vinh Cuu District, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, October 2, 2021. Photo: A Loc / Tuoi Tre The administration of Vinh Cuu District had to let the workers get through COVID-19 checkpoints to leave for their hometowns after failing to persuade them to stay, according to Nguyen Van Thuoc, secretary of the Vinh Cuu District Party Committee. The workers were divided into three caravans to head for the Mekong Delta, the Central, and the Central Highlands regions. Authorities designated a delegation of traffic police officers and specialized vehicles to lead and give support to each group along their way home. The first group of more than 1,000 workers hailing from the Mekong Delta region cheered as they departed at 8:00 am on Saturday. Functional forces and Vinh Cuu locals stood along the road to wave them goodbye and send them wishes for a safe trip. The workers expressed their appreciation in return while some shouted loudly See you again. Functional forces prepare a police car to lead domestic migrant workers during their motorbike trip back to hometown from Vinh Cuu District, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, October 2, 2021. Photo: A Loc / Tuoi Tre The second caravan left for the south-central region around 30 minutes later while the group bound for the Central Highlands was the last to leave. In Bien Hoa City, functional forces also carried out similar repatriation in accordance with an order by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. We sent about 200 workers home yesterday and have brought some 2,000 more back to their hometowns this morning, Nguyen Huu Nguyen, chairman of Bien Hoa City, said on Saturday morning. Dong Nai authorities coordinated with their counterparts in the three aforementioned regions to repatriate the internal migrants workers following COVID-19 prevention and control rules, according to the provincial chairman Cao Tien Dung. Functional forces prepare a police car to lead domestic migrant workers during their motorbike trip back to hometown in Vinh Cuu District, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, October 2, 2021. Photo: A Loc / Tuoi Tre So far, functional forces in the southern province have taken about 5,000 workers back to their hometowns, according to the provincial Department of Public Security. An industrial hub of over 3.1 million dwellers, Dong Nai has been the third hardest-hit locality after Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong Province with 49,330 local infections since the fourth and deadliest virus wave emerged in Vietnam on April 27. The province has applied various social distancing levels and just relaxed those measures since mid-September. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Center for Disease Control (CDC) of Hanoi said on Saturday morning that it logged 17 more COVID-19 cases at the Viet Duc University Hospital, bringing the total community transmissions related to the venue in the past two days to 20. The three former cases were detected on Thursday and Friday. The Peoples Committee of Hoan Kiem District, where the hospital is located, directed the local medical center to work with the CDC to seal off and disinfect the entire Building D of the hospital following the detection. The CDC also documented five other cases from north-central Ha Tinh Province, northern Nam Dinh Province, and northern Hung Yen Province, all of whom had either undergone treatment or taken care of their family members on the seventh and eighth floors of Building D at the hospital previously. It requested authorities in all districts of Hanoi to make a list of people who had visited the Viet Duc University Hospital from September 15 to Thursday. More than 8,860 people, including over 4,860 residents of the capital city, were believed to visit the infirmary during that period, according to the CDC. Competent agencies are quickly tracing, testing and quarantining those concerned to prevent the virus from spreading in the community. The Ministry of Health on Friday evening requested the municipal Department of Health and Peoples Committee to set up centralized quarantine facilities as soon as possible. The Viet Duc University Hospital is a special-class hospital in Hanoi. About 600 doctors and nurses, equivalent to nearly one-third of the total number of its medical staff, left for Ho Chi Minh City in August to assist at the rehabilitation center for COVID-19 patients in Binh Chanh District. Hanoi has reported 4,221 local COVID-19 cases since a new wave of infections began in Vietnam on April 27. Over 5.8 million of its eight million population have been given at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. The city had applied various social distancing levels since early July and just lossened the curbs on September 21. Vietnam has confirmed 793,149 community transmissions in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities in the ongoing bout. Ho Chi Minh City is most impacted with 392,329 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 212,843, Dong Nai Province with 49,330, Long An Province with 32,502, and Tien Giang Province with 14,071. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ho Chi Minh Citys transport authorities have issued official guidance on people and vehicle traffic amid loosening COVID-19 restrictions while resuming operations of the southern Vietnamese business hub under new normal conditions. These travel instructions, effective from October 1, will be applied until further notice, the municipal Transport Department said the same day. Accordingly, people in traffic must comply with epidemic prevention measures, have their required QR codes to make movement declarations and show their vaccination history. People with no QR codes must have a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 for less than six months or a certificate of having the first COVID-19 vaccine dose at least 14 days before their travel. Personal vehicles are allowed to travel within the city only, except in urgent cases. Transport authorities will organize some bus routes at frequencies and time depending on actual needs of each area from October 5. Taxi firms are required to operate with not more than 30 percent of their fleets, while the corresponding rate of 10 percent is applied for app-based passenger transporters using under-nine-seats vehicles. The department will grant identification certificates with QR codes to vehicles registered for public passenger transport. Inland waterway passenger carriers are allowed to resume operation, while transporting passengers by motorbikes is not permitted. Vehicles carrying goods to and through Ho Chi Minh City must have identification certificates with QR codes, while those making transit through the city must not stop or park, except in force majeure events. People entering Ho Chi Minh City for medical services are required to have negative COVID-19 test results with validity and present either a hospital transfer form, an invitation to a follow-up appointment, or a travel pass issued by their local authorities. Such people can travel by personal or public vehicles subject to relevant requirements. In case Ho Chi Minh Citys residents return from other localities, they must possess documents proving their residency status such as household registration books and temporary residence certificates. In addition, they are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours before their departure and obtain travel permission. They can use personal or public vehicles during travel. People are allowed to leave Ho Chi Minh City only in urgent cases such as transporting critically ill patients, small children or pregnant women, having interviews for exit visas, among others. In these cases, people can use public passenger vehicles or personal cars and be subject to travel permission. Meanwhile, travel to and from Tan Son Nhat International Airport is subject to the previous regulations by the Ministry of Transport. The new guidance came as the southern city and the country in general are loosening strict COVID-19 restrictions, which have been applied for several months, to resume socio-economic activities under new normal conditions, a phrase the Vietnamese government uses to describe its new strategy of living safely with the coronavirus. Since the pandemic erupted in Vietnam in early 2020, the Southeast Asian nation has documented 797,712 COVID-19 cases, including 636,081 recoveries and 19,437 fatalities. Except Cao Bang, the coronavirus has spread to 62 out of the countrys 63 cities and provinces, with Ho Chi Minh City suffering the most with 389,432 infection cases and 14,946 deaths. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Trade wars on the international front and mine shutdowns at home have squeezed stocks of Chinas main energy source, coal, triggering nation-wide blackouts. As The Diplomat writes, much of northeast China has been intermittently without power since Sunday as the country comes to grips with a litany of issues, ranging from depleted coal inventories to far-reaching consequences of its national energy policy. Traffic lights and medical clinics in Jilin and Liaoning provinces have been intermittently without power, according to residents posts online. Although the problem is most acute in the frigid northeast, blackouts have been occurring in at least 17 provinces nationwide, including Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shandong, Anhui, and Jiangsu. On Sunday evening, one Jilin utility company issued a notice that electricity cuts were expected to occur frequently until March 2022 and would likely be irregular, unplanned and unannounced. Average daily temperature lows in Jilins capital, Changchun, are 10.8C (51F) in September dropping to -19C (-2F) in January. The glibly worded notice aroused panic among Jilins residents, many of whom took to social media to complain. It became a trending search term nationally and on Monday the outcry prompted the power company to apologize that its alert had been improperly worded. Another viral post online featured a story from a Jilin resident describing carbon monoxide poisoning. During the blackout, the authors family used a heater in a poorly ventilated house burning coal briquettes, and were hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning after the authors mother who had a pre-existing heart condition experienced alarming symptoms of a sudden deterioration in her health. Because of the power outages, our family of three almost died, the Jilin resident wrote. China has built wind and hydropower facilities, but the output of these renewables has been insufficient to meet recent demand. Coal is still the mainstay of power generation, but depleted supplies have raised prices to a 10-year high. The first target for energy rationing is industry, which accounts for 68 percent of Chinas consumption, dwarfing the 15 percent made up by residential consumption. But even with the shuttering of industry, there is not enough left for residential dwellings. Nine-tenths of Chinas coal is sourced domestically from Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia. Remaining deposits are buried deep underground, inaccessible through surface mining. But in June the increasing dangers of tunnel mining led regulators to close mines in Shanxi following deadly accidents, lowering output. Imports make up the remaining 10 percent of the nations coal supply, but these sources have also been under pressure. Before Australia called in April 2020 for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19, it supplied 68 percent of Chinas coal imports. That plunged to zero as China imposed an unofficial embargo on Australian coal as part of their diplomatic standoff, refusing customs clearance. Mongolia was seen as a desirable alternative source of coal, but health measures to contain COVID-19, including border restrictions, disrupted freight. China has committed itself to reducing dependence on coal for winter heating as part of its overall aim of carbon neutrality by 2060. But progress toward this end has been fitful. The transition to natural gas in northern China was scuttled in November 2017 when a supply gap left thousands of people exposed to the bitter cold. The Ministry of Environmental Protection dispatched teams to give away electric heaters. Amid the power shortages, the editor of the nationalist Global Times, Hu Xijin, found himself backpedalling from comments he had made earlier in the year decrying blackouts in Taiwan. This shows very serious mismanagement, Hu wrote on May 14, following power cuts that left millions of Taiwanese in the dark for a day. That post went on: It is laughable to imagine a developed province or megacity on the mainland suffering a blackout for no reason every four years. Following this weeks supply issues on the mainland, Hu deleted that older post. The power cuts in the northeast, Hu wrote, were regrettable and he then ventured to criticize the official notification, stating: It is certainly not enough to make a simple announcement. The government has been left scrambling for solutions. The official Economic Information Daily published an article on Wednesday featuring an interview with representatives of the National Development and Reform Commission, the countrys most powerful economic planning agency. The officials assured readers that China would increase coal imports in an orderly manner, try our best to increase domestic natural gas production, maintain the stability of pipeline gas imports in Central Asia, and ensure that coal-electric power units are fully distributed. Events are moving quite quickly in the South Caucasus, although they have not yet reached a breakthrough. Nevertheless, the first anniversary of the outbreak Second Karabakh War provides an opportunity to evaluate at least some of the new phenomena. In this article, I pay special attention to the question of re-establishing communications links and transportation connections. A trilateral working group to promote such developments was established at an inter-ministerial meeting on January 11 of this year (in consequence of Point 9 of the 10 November 2020 ceasefire agreement). Armenia then suspended its participation in any knock-on discussions, but these have resumed as of August 17, in Moscow at the level of the deputy prime minister. It did so despite the fact that Azerbaijan has been supplying Armenia (although it is not obligated to do so) with gas from Russia through its own national pipeline system, which is more efficient than the Georgian infrastructure. Azerbaijan has also provided Armenia free passage through the territory on the Goris-Kafan highway, although Baku has stopped trucks that were illegally entering Azerbaijans Karabakh region. The ceasefire accord calls for the opening of a corridor between Azerbaijan proper and its exclave Nakhchivan, and there is indeed a railroad there that can be rebuilt. Armenia, however, continues to insist instead on re-opening a longer and more circuitous railroad route between the two countries that do not go through the Zangezur Corridor. Not only would that route take a longer time for travel, but also it would cost more to reconstruct and refurbish. The Turkish energy firm BOTAS had been interested in establishing a large physical plant on the border of Nakhchivan and Armenia. If a pipeline could be constructed across southern Armenia for this purpose, it would have been possible to create jobs in southern Armenia, which desperately needs economic development, through the construction of a processing complex to produce refined products for foreign export. A pipeline through the corridor would have been in Armenias longer-term interests, but Yerevan was handicapped by internal political deadlock due to snap elections called after the war. Lacking a full cabinet, including a foreign minister (the ministrys entire leadership had resigned earlier), in the wake of snap parliamentary elections in Armenia called by its prime minister Nicol Pashinyan, the Yerevan government was unable to take any constructive decisions. Faced with delays and indecisiveness on the part of the Armenian authorities, however, Azerbaijan and Turkey signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Igdir-Nakhchivan pipelines construction to supply Nakhchivan from Turkey. The most immediate and effective confidence-building measure would be to facilitate the return of Azerbaijani civilians to the homes in the de-occupied territories from which they were driven by ethnic cleansing in the early 1990s. However, aside from the physical destruction of very many of those homes, this type of development is complicated by the fact that those who have already returned continue to be threatened with death and injury from the land mines sown by the Armenian forces before their departure last November under the terms of the agreement negotiated in Moscow. Earlier this year, Armenia furnished mine maps for the city of Aghdam, in exchange for two groups of infiltrators held by Azerbaijan. (Armenia contends that they were prisoners of war; Azerbaijan noted that having infiltrated across the border after the ceasefire, they are not covered by definitions in the Geneva Conventions and therefore common criminals.) Nevertheless, according to Azerbaijani sources, the maps furnished by Armenia were correct only in a proportion of about 25 percent. The international community has begun to recognize the seriousness of the situation, and an increasing number of countries have stepped forward to supply funds, equipment, and training for the mine-clearing operations. A delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) visited the de-occupied region recently and appeared to be astonished by the destruction caused over 30 years in violation of the international law of occupation. Their long report is remarkably even-handed. Notably, it mentions UNESCO as the agency that should begin to undertake an inventory of the cultural heritage and humanitarian losses of the region. One may expect the increasing transfer of the conflict to lawfare. Yerevan has just filed a case against Baku at the International Court of Justice in The Hague (not to be confused with the International Criminal Court) under the International Convention of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Perhaps Yerevan had been alerted to the fact that Azerbaijan was filing such a case against Armenia, as it has done since. Azerbaijans case formally accuses Armenia of racial discrimination and ethnic cleansing. According to reports, Azerbaijan said in its filing before the court that Armenia has engaged and is continuing to engage in a series of discriminatory acts against Azerbaijanis on the basis of their national or ethnic origin, and that through both direct and indirect means, Armenia continues its policy of ethnic cleansing while inciting hatred and ethnic violence against Azerbaijanis by engaging in hate speech and disseminating racist propaganda, including at the highest levels of its government. This filing should succeed. The ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis not only from the Karabakh region during the early 1990s, but also from southern Armenia in the late 1980s, is already well documented. Moreover, in 2015, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2015 that the military forces in occupied Azerbaijan were indeed under the effective control of Yerevan itself. Finally, as to forums for the ending of the conflict. I have argued that the OSCE Minsk Group is outdated and has no role to play. This is certainly true in the formal sense since the slowness of multilateral international organizations relying upon consensus diplomacy cannot keep pace with the speed of developments today. What is absolutely certain is that the Madrid Principles are outdated and dead. I have enumerated elsewhere in detail the reasons why this is so. It is indicative that no one, not even from the Armenian side, has made serious reference to them since the end of the war last November. Moreover, a few days ago the Russian Ministry of Defense removed the outline of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of the Soviet era, from its official map where it shows the deployment of its troops on Azerbaijani territory. This indication is all the more significant, insofar as it has occurred only a few days after the Russian side submitted to the two belligerent sides its proposals for the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, on the basis of detailed military maps from the Soviet era. Russia as co-chairman of the Minsk group can act and has acted autonomously of the other two co-chairs (US and France), trilaterally with only Armenia and Azerbaijan. Moscow is free to inform Washington and Paris of its actions and then the three may choose to present the result as a Minsk Group product. But even that has not been happening. The first formal activity of the Minsk Group in a year was to hold meetings separately with the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in the margins of the opening of the new session of the UN General Assembly. In the end, the Minsk Group may serve a useful purpose as an umbrella for any agreed final settlement that is arranged outside its auspices, but even that is not necessary. All that is necessary is an international peace treaty with guarantees. That is how wars end, and with territorial settlements including mutual recognition and the delimitation and recognition of national borders. Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Vasif Talibov has met with a delegation led by Deputy Minister of National Defense of Turkey Muhsin Dere, AZERTAC reports. Chairman of the Supreme Assembly Vasif Talibov highlighted military cooperation between the countries. Emphasizing the importance of work done in the field of army building and military exercises conducted between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Turkey. Vasif Talibov said that defense security in Nakhchivan was ensured. He also noted the political support of the Turkey during the Second Karabakh War. Chairman of the Supreme Assembly said the Azerbaijani-Turkish relations, founded by national leader Heydar Aliyev and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, were successfully continued by the Presidents and the strategic partnership was at a high level. The Chairman emphasized the significance of the Kars Agreement and the Shusha Declaration as well. Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Muhsin Dere conveyed congratulations on the historic victory in the Patriotic War and paid tribute to the memory of Shehids (Martyrs). He stressed the importance of the work done in the field of army building as part of relations between the countries and touched upon the importance of the strategic and geographical position of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The sides exchanged views on further prospects of cooperation. The Akhmat Kadyrov Canopy Formation Cup of Russia will take place in Chechnya, the deputy head of the Russian Special Forces University, Alexander Korovin said. "In the North Caucasus, this competition will be held for the first time. The event will take place on October 11-16 in one of the largest air centers in Europe, Goodsky, at Special Forces University in Gudermes," TASS quotes the deputy head as saying. The best athletes from all over the country will participate in the competition. Ancient Derbent and Veliky Novgorod can become sister cities, the head of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov said after the meeting with the governor of the Novgorod region, Andrei Nikitin. Veliky Novgorod is the oldest city in Russia. Derbent is the oldest city in the Caucasus. Today we discussed the issue of establishing cultural ties, up to the point that we, probably, should make them sister cities, " AiF-Dagestan quotes Melikov as saying. Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia Giorgi Kalandarishvili met with representatives of the observation mission of the European Parliament Tomas Dehuvski, Corina Cretu and Victor Negrescu. The head of the CEC told the MEPs about the innovations of the current elections to local self-government bodies. Kalandarishvili noted that the electoral administration was preparing to hold the elections in a democratic, transparent and safe environment. In turn, the MEPs stated that they expect that the voting will be held in accordance with democratic standards and law, and Georgian voters will vote in a peaceful atmosphere, Georgia Online reports. Azerbaijan wants to establish normal relations with Armenia based on mutual recognition of the territorial integrity of both countries, Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with the Spanish EFE News agency. We are ready to start immediately the process of delimitation of our borders. And, of course, after that process is ended-demarcation. We also express willingness to start to work together with Armenia on the future peace agreement. All these initiatives have been articulated many times by me and by other Azerbaijani officials, but unfortunately, have not been yet positively responded by the Armenian side. So our position is unchanged and there are certain steps, but I think during this year we could have made much bigger progress," the head of state said. Once again he noted that Nagorno-Karabakh no longer exists, therefore it makes no sense to talk about the status of this territory. "On many occasions during the almost 30 years of negotiations. Azerbaijans position was very constructive and we were saying and the Minsk Group co-chairs know it very well that we were ready to grant Armenians living in Azerbaijan a certain level of self-governance. But this position was always rejected by Armenia and they were always demanding independence for what they called Nagorno-Karabakh. But today after the war ended, and the conflict has been resolved, and this is not only my position, this is the position of the majority of the world international community, there is no room to talk about any status for the so-called entity which does not exist. Because Nagorno-Karabakh does not exist," Ilham Aliyev noted. According to him, there is no such administrative unit on the territory of Azerbaijan. "On 7 July this year I issued a decree about the new configuration of economic zones of Azerbaijan and we have created two economic zones: Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur economic zones which cover all the area. About 25 thousand ethnic Armenians who live today in the Karabakh area, in the area which is now the responsibility of Russian peacekeepers, are our citizens. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges and responsibilities as any other citizen of Azerbaijan of different religious and ethnic origins. So, to put it shortly, no way to go back to the status, no status and everybody should forget this issue," the head of state pointed out. He also spoke about the situation with prisoners of war and demining of the liberated territories. "I have on many occasions referred to international law norms, international conventions, about who can be considered prisoners of war? And according to international conventions, those persons who have been detained or captured during the phase of the war and those persons whom we detained during the war all have been returned immediately after the war ended. We actually returned them earlier than Armenians returned our prisoners. Those people who are now in detention and already sentenced whom Armenia and some others claim as prisoners of war do not belong to this category because these people have been sent to liberated territories at the end of November. More than two weeks after the war ended, more than two weeks after Armenia signed a capitulation act and they have been detained on the territory which we liberated at the beginning of December. 62 persons and some of them committed crimes, they attacked our military servicemen and killed four of them. So, they are not prisoners of war. They are terrorists, they are members of a sabotage group whove been sent in order to attack Azerbaijani civilians and military servicemen. Despite that, we have returned some of them during this period, and that was a sign of goodwill," Ilham Aliyev said. In addition, he pointed out that Armenia has laid hundreds of thousands of mines in the formerly occupied territories. " in the beginning, when we were demanding to give us these maps Armenian government on a very high level were saying that they do not have it. And during the time since the war ended, during this almost one year, we had close to 150 casualties of civilians and military servicemen who either were killed or seriously injured due to the fact that Armenians do not give us the maps. Some maps have been given relatively recently but the accuracy of those maps is only 25 per cent. So what we are demanding is that Armenia gives us accurate maps, the map which can be easily identified not the area where they are planted, they are planted everywhere, but a particular place. They have this particular information which they refuse to give us. If they do it, if they show the goodwill, of course, we will respond adequately," the Azerbaijani president said. My freedom and, more importantly, the freedom of Georgia depends entirely on your activity and fight ability in the coming days, - third President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili says in a letter sent from Rustavi Penitentiary Establishment No. 12,InterPressNews reports. According to him, he has been expecting arrest after leaving Kiev. "My dear comrades and my dear Georgian society, when I left everything in Kiev and arrived, I knew that I would most likely be arrested. I would be arrested on the basis of completely fabricated false verdicts, which were delivered including at the behest of Putin. No country in the world recognizes this verdict except Russia, but I still came because I believe in my country and each of you. I would very much like to ask you all to go to the polls so that not a single vote is lost, and after that we will all defend the results of the referendum together. My freedom and, more importantly, the freedom of Georgia depends entirely on your turnout and fight ability in the coming days. International support also depends on this. Please do not hesitate and believe that our victory is in our own hands. I love you, your loyal Mikheil Saakashvili," reads Mikheil Saakashvilis letter. In Stavropol, a gang of cosmetologists has been detained, having defrauded more than 60 clients for 3 mln rubles, the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Stavropol Territory informs. The scammers worked under the guise of a well-known cosmetic concern that produces premium goods. The swindlers established an LLC and rented premises in the city center. The department noted that the fraudsters persuaded customers to buy branded products at an inflated price and undergo a set of health procedures. Having received consent, fraudsters, in order to pay for services, issued loans to people under the guise of interest-free loans. Former US President Donald Trump intends to reclaim his Twitter account. The ex-head of the White House sent a request to oblige Twitter to temporarily restore his account to The Florida Federal Court on October 1, RIA Novosti informs, citing Bloomberg. According to the former American leader, Twitter closed his page under pressure from his political rivals in Congress. Former US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Yahoo Finance that he was vaccinated against the COVID-19 coronavirus with the Pfizer vaccine. "Well, I was vaccinated with Pfizer, but I would be very happy with any of them," the former head of the White House said. At the same time, he admitted that he might be revaccinated, RIA Novosti reports. At the moment, the United States approved the use Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. In Georgia, voting in the elections to local self-government bodies ended. Voting began on Saturday at 08:00 (07:00 Moscow time) and ended at 20:00 (19:00 Moscow time). Throughout the day, residents of 64 cities and districts were casting their votes for mayors and deputies to local government bodies. 3,497,345 people have the right to vote in the elections. The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia is currently counting votes. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy assessed his work following the results of his first two years as head of state. I think that I have no right to rate myself highly, 7-8 points, so they say? On a 12-point scale. I think Im somewhere in the middle, the head of state said in an interview with Ukrainskaya Pravda. Zelenskiy also rated the work of his Servant of the People party at 3-plus on a 5-point system. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has proposed increasing the yearly maximum extra working hours as a solution to help enterprises recover amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The ministry is collecting opinions from businesses, organizations and workers on the amendment of the regulations on extra working hours. The draft document will be reported to the Government before it is submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee. MOLISA proposes removing the limit of 40 extra working hours per month, and applying a ceiling of 200-300 extra working hours per annum. This means that workers may be allowed to have more than 40 extra working hours a month, provided that the total extra working hours not exceed 300 a year. The new limit should be applied to all business fields instead of specific ones. Currently, workers must not have more than 40 extra working hours a month and 200 hours a year. Employers must get agreement from workers when organizing overtime work and be sure that the number of extra working hours is not more than 50 percent of normal working hours in a day. Under current laws, a limit of 300 extra working hours is applied to only some business fields, such as textile and garment, footwear, farm-forestry-seafood processing, electricity supply, telecommunications, oil refinery, water supply and drainage, salt industry, electric and electronics manufacturing. According to MOLISA, the adjustment of extra working hour limit should be applied until December 31, 2024, when enterprises are fully recovered. Le Dinh Quang from the Vietnam Labor Federation agrees that lifting the limit on extra working hours is a necessity in current conditions. The pandemic and long social distancing periods have seriously affected enterprises production and caused interruptions. Quang said this shows the Governments cooperation to share difficulties with manufacturing enterprises and help them maintain global supply chains. However, he stressed that its necessary to consider carefully the new rules on extra working hours to ensure workers health and safety. Businesses have expressed their worries about labor shortages after social distancing. Many people returned to hometowns during the HCM City lockdown and they don't intend to return. Local newspapers quoted Viforest (the Vietnam Association of Timber and Forest Products) as reporting that woodwork enterprises lack workers to implement orders. A survey found that only 141 of 265 enterprises in the south maintain operation, with the number of workers just one-fourth of that before social distancing. Enterprises have scaled down production by 50 percent. The same situation is seen in the fields of textile and garment, seafood, food processing and industrial machinery. Vu Diep Firms struggle with labour shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic Local businesses are struggling to recruit new employees due to a labour shortage caused by the fourth wave of COVID-19, according to authorities and business leaders. The health and beauty industry has been seriously hit throughout the four Covid-19 waves. Many owners of gyms and spas worth billions of dong have had serious losses. In early 2019, Tran Khang in HCM City decided to open a gym with VND500 million that he had saved after a period of working as a hired worker. Khang and his cousin, a personal trainer, pooled VND1 billion to rent premises, buy equipment and spend on interior decoration for their first gym. They hired two receptionists who were paid VND14 million a month, and two cleaners paid VND12 million. There were four hired trainers. Each of them had a salary of VND6 million and additional pay based on their capacity, plus commissions. The gym ran well and revenue increased steadily. He even thought of opening a second gym. A report released in 2019 showed that Vietnams fitness club market may exceed $3.5 billion by 2023. In November last year, Khang and his partner decided to borrow VND700 million from a bank and use the money, plus the VND300 million worth of profit from the first gym, to open the second gym. He spent millions of dong on marketing campaigns. The second gym had been operating for three months when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Both the gyms have to stop operation. The hope that the pandemic would be stamped out soon was dashed and its unclear when they can reopen the gyms. Like Khang, Phan Hoa, who is the trainer and owner of a small gym located in a residential quarter in District 7, is in distress because of the pandemic. I have had to borrow money to cover expenses, because there has been no revenue over the last five months. I moved to the gym to live here to save money, Hoa said. Even if the municipal authorities loosen social distancing, fitness services will be the last sector they allow to reopen, because they are not essential services, he said. Spa owners are facing the same situation. Thanh Huong, the owner of two large spas in Hanoi, said she once managed to obtain revenue of VND1 billion a month and maintained 40 workers. However, revenue began dropping to zero four months ago. Huong shifted to provide skincare service at clients homes. However, the service has been prohibited for two months. She now focuses on selling beauty products, which is the only feasible solution for now. Way out not found Khang, Hoa and Huong said they still have to pay bank debts every month. In addition, they have to spend up to VND100 million a month to maintain equipment of gyms. Huong said she has laid off two thirds of workers and only retained the key ones. I still have to pay workers with the savings of my family, about VND120 million a month, she said. She plans to give back one premise to the landlord and try every possible way to cut expenses. She said it would be impossible to restart beauty services until 2022 Tet holiday. Khang is offering to sell the second gym. Though the landlord accepted to cut the rent by 70 percent in July, he doesnt intend to maintain the gym. Khang said he is luckier than other gym owners. He is working as a software developer, so he still can earn VND20 million a month to pay bank debts. However, he admitted that he has to live with his parents. Analysts said that its difficult to predict the future of fitness services and the beauty industry because the sector heavily depends on pandemic developments. Thu Giang Businesses say Health Ministry's guidance on living together with pandemic is inflexible The draft document that guides how to adapt to Covid-19 safely strives for zero Covid goal, not living together with the pandemic, the business community says. The stories about my students who had an exam in the epicenter have given me more strength not to shrink back from difficulties in my life, Le Khanh Tuan, a lecturer of the Saigon University, writes in the following essay: Students of the Saigon University The final exams of both the semesters fell in September and the workload on lecturers was high. There were two things to do thesis marking and oral examining, both online. There were 4,000 pages of theses to read and many procedures needed to be followed. It was confusing and I had too much to do. Many theses were good, but some others were cursory. I had difficulty giving low marks. A lot of questions were raised. Were the authors of the theses and their relatives were okay? Maybe they were F0s (positive Covid cases) and maybe The questions obsessed me when I gave every bad mark. I decided that I needed to give true marks that truly reflected the quality of the theses, and I was looking forward to hearing about them on the oral examination day. And the day came. Other judges and I came to an agreement that we would ask students about their conditions after finishing questioning. The first student said he luckily left HCM City and was staying with family members in his hometown. He was okay and so was the exam. However, 15 percent of students were stuck in HCM City and they had to live far from home during social distancing. They were in bad condition. A student said he could not have his broken laptop repaired, so he had to type the thesis on smartphone and asked another student to help him print the file. The third student got good marks for his thesis, but he didnt answer the call. I asked some other students to contact him. But there was no reply until the oral exam finished. I sent a message to him and asked him to contact me for the exam. But two weeks have elapsed and there has been no news from him. Where are you now? The fifth student appeared in a medical protective suit. Please allow me to wear the protective mask. I am on the corridor of the quarantine zone, he said. I learned that he was a volunteer and had not returned home for the last month. We have break time and I do school work during the time, he told me. Many other students were also volunteers. They did school work during the break time as they worked as nurses and checkpoint officers or at vaccination points. I then remembered the image of a student covered in a medical protective suit, waving hands in a video: "Teacher, the volunteer team has an urgent matter right now, I need to be absent from the lesson. I will make up for it carefully." The seventh had a weak voice. He got high marks for both his thesis and oral exam. I am F0, teacher. I got better, but still feel it is a bit difficult to breathe, he said. Are your relatives okay? I asked. All my family members were infected with Covid. But they have had negative testing results for the first time, he replied. In another exam room, four out of 23 students were Covid positive. They wrote theses when they were patients. Some of them said their mothers or fathers had just been discharged from hospital several days prior. One student said he had just received the bone ash of a relative some days ago. The 23rd student, the last examinee, appeared with a calm and intelligent face. He answered exam questions very well. I gave him a 10 score and realized that he also had 10 for his thesis. Did you have any difficulties in writing the thesis? I asked him. There was no big problem. I wrote the thesis in the hospital. All my family members got infected. But all of us have been discharged from hospitals. I left hospital last week. Everything is okay, he said, smiling. I burst into crying. I tried to say a few words to end the exam. Thank you for giving me more strength to make me never feel discouraged about any difficulty in my life. Le Khanh Tuan (Saigon University) Three Vietnamese students win IELTS Prize 2021 Three Vietnamese students are named in the list of 26 candidates across East Asia to win the IELTS Prize 2021, presented by the UK's international educational and cultural organization - British Council. Vietnam has received 300 vaccine refrigerators funded by Japan and procured through UNICEF. Japan-UNICEF supported vaccine refrigerators have been shipped to Vietnam. As many as 100 refrigerators have arrived in HCM City Port and another 200 have arrived in Hai Phong Port. The refrigerators will be delivered to 300 provincial and district health facilities in Vietnam, where they will store COVID-19 vaccines for vaccination days. The delivery is a part of UNICEFs ongoing support to improve cold chain systems for the nation-wide COVID-19 vaccination campaign. This support is aimed at delivering vaccines to each and every person in all corners of Vietnam, which will complement efforts of the COVAX Facility. Japan will continue to extend support to Vietnams efforts to deploy vaccines to every person in the country with a view to containing COVID-19 as quickly as possible, said Takio Yamada, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam. As part of the support to improve capacity of the health and immunization systems to efficiently and effectively administer COVID-19 vaccines, UNICEF has worked with the Ministry of Health to assess cold chain capacity identifying the needs for fridges, freezers, refrigerator trucks and cold boxes for the safe transportation and storage of vaccines. Support from the Government of Japan will help to ensure the cold chain capacity, which is crucial for the safe rollout of COVID 19 vaccination and for routine immunization, said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative. We are delighted to work with the Government of Japan in this important activity. This shipment brings the specially produced vaccine refrigerator TCW 80 AC, manufactured by B Medical in Luxembourg with green technology for very low power consumption and environmentally sustainability, which can maintain cold conditions for vaccines that must be stored at a temperature range of +2C to +8C, even when power failure occurs for up to 72 hours. All of the current COVID-19 vaccines administered in Vietnam require this temperature range at the vaccination sites. With a storage capacity of 80.5 L, the refrigerators will be able to store vaccines doses for vaccination days. This model is supplied with an integrated remote temperature monitoring device with real-time alert for the continuous monitoring of sensitive vaccines. In case of a temperature deviation, it immediately sends a notification to the predefined person in charge. The temperature status can also be monitored from a distance through an online web portal. The delivery came with one set of spare parts for every ten refrigerators. PV BuzzFeed, a popular American news site with 9 billion monthly views, recently published a list of 11 national parks that travelers should visit once in their lifetime. Vietnam has a representative in the list Cat Ba national park. Cat Ba National Park (Vietnam) browser not support iframe. Cat Ba National Park was established in 1986. It covers 17,362.96 hectares, of which 10,912.51 hectares are terrestrial ecosystems (islands) and 6,450.45 hectares are marine ecosystems. The Park is situated in the Cat Ba Archipelago which consists of 366 islands. It is about 45 km east of Hai Phong City, 150km south - east of Hanoi and borders with Ha Long Bay to the north. Cat Ba National Park is at the heart of the UNESCO Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve and it shares the distinctive scenic beauty of the Ha Long Bay Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park is also home to diverse range of terrestrial and marine life. Cat Ba National Park is a tourist attraction to millions of domestic and overseas visitors. Coming to the Park, travelers can enjoy the beauty of the vast landscapes and seascapes. Visitors can choose to relax on isolated beaches in Lan Ha Bay, trek through primeval tropical rain forest or mangrove forest, discover many unique animal and plant species, and immerse themselves in the local culture. Best time to visit: April-May, September-November Goreme National Park (Turkey) Goreme National Park is one of those incredibly unique landscapes that might make you think you've landed on another planet. It's set in a volcanic area in central Turkey, and it covers the spectacular stone pillars and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. If you're feeling brave (and not too afraid of heights) the best way to take in the landscape is by hot air balloon ride. Best time to visit: April-May, September-October Zhangjiajie National Park (China) Zhangjiajie National Park is located in the central-eastern area of China in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area which features multiple protected areas. The national park encompasses an area of 48.15 sq km. The larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area covers 397.5 sq km. The collective Wulingyuan area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is probably the most coveted part of the area. The park is comprised of dense forests, deep ravines, deep canyons, unusual peaks, caves, and pillar-like rock formations blanketed throughout the park. The pillar rock formations are not typical limestone-eroded pillars. The pillar rock formations are comprised of quartz-sandstone and formed from physical erosion caused by the abundant rains. Best time to visit: April-May, September-November Victoria Falls National Park (Zimbabwe) Victoria Falls National Park is the Zimbabwe protected area of the shared natural wonder of Victoria Falls with Zambias protected area being Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Together, these two national parks protect the world's largest waterfall. Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognizing this feat of nature as the largest waterfall in the world. The falls reach a height of 108m and stretch across 1,708m creating the largest single sheet of falling water. Victoria Falls is actually comprised of five individual falls, of which, four of them are located on the Zimbabwe side of the border. These include Devil's Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. The fifth Eastern Cataract is located on the Zambia side of the border. Best time to visit: February-May Fiordland National Park (New Zealand) Fiordland National Park is located in the southwestern part of the South Island. Situated in the corner of the island, the national park boundaries encompass an area of 4,868 12,607sq km making it the largest national park in New Zealand. The national park is home to the largest region of pristine wilderness that has gone untouched by mankind. The forests are comprised of silver and mountain beech with a few conifers. Ferns are found throughout the dense forest floor. Wildlife highlights include the kakapo which is the earths only flightless parrot and the Fiordland crested penguin. Best time to visit: June-August, December-March Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia) Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in central Croatia near the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It covers an area of 114.6 296.8sq km making it one of the largest national parks in Croatia. The national park is renowned for the brilliantly colored cascading lakes featuring a variety of shades of blues, greens, and grey. There is a total of 16 different lakes all connected together with the river system that flows through the park. Most of the lakes are small and collectively cover an area of about .1.9sq km. The water that leaves the lowest lake becomes the Korana River. The park is situated between ranges creating a unique climatic area that is rich in biodiversity and unique to most of Croatia. Best time to visit: June to September Tayrona National Park (Colombia) Tayrona National Park is located in the Caribbean part of northern Colombia. The national park encompasses both land and sea areas to make up the park. Wildlife in the park includes over 105 species of mammals, 15 species of amphibians, 31 species of reptiles, and at least 300 species of birds. There are over 70 species of bats with the Mantled howler, deer, and the oncilla being popular animal sightings. The montane solitary eagle and the military macaw top off the bird species. The marine part of the national park protects the countrys Caribbean coral reef. There are two other protected coral reefs, however, Tayrona is the only national park. The coral reef features 110 species of corals, 202 species of sponges, 700 species of mollusks, and over 400 species of sea and river fish. Colombia has over 340 endemic species and 44 of those are located here in Tayrona. Best time to visit: December to March Cinque Terre National Park (Italy) Cinque Terre National Park, locally known as Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre, is located along the coast of northern Italy in the province of La Spezia. As the smallest national park in Italy, it covers an area of 38.6sq km). This UNESCO World Heritage Site is unique as a national park because of the number of permanent residents numbering around 5,000. The residence is found in five towns which include Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza. The park is further unique in the way that it brings agricultural, cultural, historical, natural, and scenic significance together under the umbrella of Cinque Terre National Park. It would be fair to argue that it also represents vision and ingenuity with how these towns are intricately embedded into the rugged sides of the cliff. Each of these five towns is connected through trails that travel along the coast. These trails provide access to the varied flora that exists including Aleppo pine, corks, chestnut, samphire, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and many different succulents. Cinque Terre National Park is not known for its wildlife; however, it is present. The peregrine falcon and seagull are birds to watch for a while if you are lucky you might also see weasel, badger, fox, marten, and wild boar. Best time to visit: May-June, September-October Yala National Park (Sri Lanka) Yala National Park features a diverse ecosystem that includes monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, thorn forests, marine and freshwater wetlands, grasslands, marshes, and sandy beaches along the coast. Yala is comprised mostly of metamorphic rock with reddish-brown and grey soil topping most of the area. The park is located in a dry semi-arid region with rain occurring mostly during the northeast monsoon season. There are 215 species of birds calling the area home; the area is one of 70 areas classified as important bird sanctuaries for the country of Sri Lanka. There are 44 species of mammals with some of the more popular being elephant, water buffalo, sloth bear, and leopard. Yala National Park has one of the densest populations of leopards in the world. Best time to visit: February to June Banff National Park (Canada) As Canadas first and oldest national park, Banff National Park covers an area of 2,564 6,641sq km, and reaches all the way to the border of Jasper National Park. The park features glorious mountain landscapes, ice fields, glaciers, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, canyons, tremendous forests, and an abundance of wildlife. Because of the latitude and altitude, Banff National Park displays three ecoregions consisting of alpine, montane, and subalpine. Lodgepole pine accounts for the predominant forest in the lower elevations with Engelmann spruce taking over in the higher elevations. The park is also home to an abundance of wildlife adding to the intrigue and splendor of the Banff area. Sought after wildlife sightings include cougar, grizzly and black bear, lynx, coyote, wolf, red fox, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, caribou, moose, elk, mule deer, beaver, and wolverine. Bird lovers can have hopes for seeing predator birds that include bald eagles, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, osprey, and merlin. Best time to visit: June-September, December-March Tatra National Park (Poland) The Tatra Mountains create a shared border between Poland and Slovakia. Slovakia invests in protecting the mountain area with the sister national park under the same name (Tatra National Park Slovakia). The High Tatras and the Western Tatras make up this part of the mountainous region of Poland. The Tatras are characterized by sharp-jagged peaks and stunning rock formations. Rysy is the highest summit in Poland reaching a height of 2,499m. Tatra National Park is home to endangered and endemic wildlife species. Some of the park's popular species include brown bear, gray wolf, Eurasian lynx, and the European otter. The Tatra chamois and marmot are two of the highly protected species of the park. Best time to visit: July-October Do An (Photo: BuzzFeed) by Bryan R. Swopes of This Day in Aviation On October 1, 1942, at Muroc Dry Lake, in the high desert north of Los Angeles, California, Bell Aircraft Corporations Chief Test Pilot, Robert Morris Stanley, made the first flight of the top-secret prototype turbojet-powered fighter, the Bell XP-59A Airacomet, serial number 42-108784. The weather was C.A.V.U. (Ceiling and Visibility Unrestricted) and the wind was from the west at 20 miles per hour (9 meters per second). In his report, Stanley wrote: 4. All take-offs were made using 15,000 r.p.m. on both engines with flaps fully up and with the airplane pulled off the ground at about 80 to 90 m.p.h. The throttle was applied promptly and acceleration during take-off appeared quite satisfactory. The run was estimated to be in the vicinity of 2,000 feet, possibly more. The first flight reached an altitude of approximately 25 feet, and landing was made using partial power without flaps. This take-off had the wind approximately 60 on the right bow and must be considered a cross-wind take-off. And 5. Aileron and elevator action appear satisfactory, although the rudder force appears undesirably light causing the airplane to yaw somewhat for very light pedal pressures. The left rudder was needed for take-off due to crosswind. Bell Aircraft Corp. Pilots Report 27-923-001, at Page 1-12, by Robert M. Stanley, 1 October 1942. Stanley made three more flights that day, as high as 100 feet (30.5 meters). The following day, Army Air Corps test pilot Colonel Laurence C. Craigie conducted the official first flight, reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). Three XP-59A prototypes were built. The number one ship, 42-108784, was affectionately nicknamed Miss Fire, because of the initial difficulty in getting the engines to start. The Bell XP-59A was a conventional single-place airplane with the retractable tricycle landing gear. It was primarily of metal construction, though the control surfaces were fabric-covered. The prototype was 38 feet, 10 inches (11.836 meters) long with a wingspan of 49 feet, 0 inches (14.935 meters), and an overall height of 12 feet, 3 inches (3.753 meters), at rest. The leading edge of the wings was swept aft 7. The angle of incidence was +2 with -2 twist and 2 dihedral. The horizontal stabilizer had a span of 16 feet, 8 inches (5.080 meters). Its angle of incidence was +1 with no dihedral. The vertical fin had 0 offset. The empty weight of the XP-59A was 7,319 pounds (3,320 kilograms) and its maximum gross weight was 10,089 pounds (4,576 kilograms). The experimental fighter was initially powered by two General Electric Type I-A centrifugal reverse-flow turbojet engines, serial numbers 170121 (left) and 170131 (right), each producing 1,250 pounds of thrust (5.561 kilonewtons) at 15,000 r.p.m. These were copies of the British Whittle W.2B engines. They were heavy, underpowered, and unreliable. Performance of the XP-59A was disappointing with a maximum speed of 350 miles per hour (563 kilometers per hour) at Sea Level and 389 miles per hour (626 kilometers per hour) at 35,160 feet (10,717 meters), significantly slower than many piston-engined fighters. Three XP-59A prototypes and thirteen YP-59A preproduction airplanes were built. The P-59 was ordered into production and Bell Aircraft Corporation built thirty P-59A and twenty P-59B fighters. These were armed with one M4 37mm autocannon with 44 rounds of ammunition and three Browning AN-M2 .50-caliber machine guns with 200 rounds per gun. Although a YP-59A had set an unofficial altitude record of 47,600 feet (14,508 meters), the Airacomet was so outclassed by standard production fighters that no more were ordered. The race for a jet engine-powered fighter had been ongoing for several years, and the United States XP-59A was trailing behind. The first jet airplane, the Heinkel He 178, had made its first flight in Germany three years earlier, on 27 August 1939, though it was a proof-of-concept article, not an operational military aircraft. In the United Kingdom, the Gloster E/28.39, also a proof-of-concept aircraft, though more advanced than the Heinkel, made its first flight, 15 May 1941. The worlds first operational jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262, made its first flight on 18 July 1942. It was nearly two years before production Me 262s entered combat, but they were devastating against bomber formations. The Gloster Meteor, the Allies first jet fighter, first flew 5 March 1943, and deliveries to fighter squadrons began in July 1944. The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire made its first flight 20 September 1943, but it did not become operational until after the end of World War II. The XP-59A flew nearly five months before its British cousin, but would not be assigned to an operational squadron, the 445th Fighter Squadron, 412th Fighter Group, until June 1945. The first American military jet aircraft, Bell XP-59A Airacomet 42-108784, was preserved by the Army at Muroc, and the engines at Wright Field, Ohio. In 1978, these were given to the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum where the prototype was later restored and placed on display. For more aviation anniversaries please visit www.thisdayinaviation.com by Bryan R. Swopes of This Day in Aviation On October 1, 1947, after three years of development in which 801,386 engineering hours and 340,594 drafting hours had been expended, the first prototype North American Aviation XP-86 (company designation NA-140), serial number 45-59597, was ready for its first flight at Muroc Dry Lake in the high desert, north of Los Angeles, California. Completed at North Americans Inglewood plant on 8 August 1947, it was trucked to Muroc in mid-September. It was reassembled, everything was checked out, and after a few taxi tests, company test pilot George S. Welch took off for an initial familiarization flight. Chief Test Pilot Bob Chilton flew chase in an XP-82 Twin Mustang with a company photographer on board. The duration of the first flight was 1 hour, 18 minutes. During this first flight, George Welch climbed to 35,000 feet (10,668 meters): In a little more than ten minutes he had reached 35,000 feet. Leveling out, the test pilot smiled as he watched the indicated airspeed accelerate to 320 knots. He estimated that should be 0.90 Mach number. . . Rolling into a 40 degree dive, he turned west. . . The airspeed indicator seemed to be stuck at about 350 knots. The Sabre was behaving just fine. Then at 29,000 feet, there was a little wing roll. Correcting the roll, George pushed into a steeper dive. The airspeed indicator suddenly jumped to 410 knots and continued to rise. At 25,000 feet, he pulled the Sabre into level flight and reduced power. The wing rocked again and the airspeed jumped back to 390.Aces Wild: The Race for Mach 1, by Al Blackburn, Scholarly Resources Inc., Wilmington, Delaware, 1998, at Chapter 5, Pages 144145. George Welch was the first to report instrument readings that would be referred to as Mach jump. It has been argued that George Welch flew the XP-86 beyond Mach 1 during this flight, breaking the sound barrier two weeks before Chuck Yeager did with the Bell X-1 rocketplane. During flight testing, it was firmly established that the XP-86 could reach Mach 1.021.04 in a dive, so it is certainly possible that he did so on the Sabres first flight. The XP-86 was unlike any airplane before it. It was the first airplane with a swept wing. After analyzing test data from the Messerschmitt Me 262, North Americans engineers designed a wing with a 35 degree sweepback to its leading edge. The wing tapered toward the tips, and its thickness also decreased from the root to the tip. In order to create a very strong but very thin wing, it was built with a two-layered aluminum skin, instead of ribs and spars, with each layer separated by hat sections. The wing sweep allowed high-speed shock waves to form without stalling the entire wing. The wing also incorporated leading edge slats which were airfoil sections that automatically extended below 290 knots, smoothing the airflow over the wings upper surface and creating more lift at slow speeds. Above that speed, aerodynamic forces closed the slats, decreasing drag and allowing for higher speeds. Effectively, the wing could change its shape in flight. The XP-86 prototypes were 37 feet, 6 inches (11.443 meters) long with a wingspan of 37 feet, 17/16 inches (11.314 meters), and an overall height of 14 feet, 9 inches (4.496 meters). The empty weight was 9,730 pounds (4,413.5 kilograms), gross weight, 13,395 pounds (6,075.9 kilograms) and maximum takeoff weight was 16,438 pounds (7,456.2 kilograms). The XP-86 was initially powered by a General Electric-designed, Chevrolet-built J35-C-3 turbojet which produced 4,000 pounds of thrust. This was soon changed to an Allison J35-A-5. Performance testing was conducted with the Allison engine installed. The J35 was a single-spool, axial-flow turbojet engine with an 11-stage compressor and single-stage turbine. The J35-A-5 was rated at 4,000 pounds of thrust (17.79 kilonewtons) at 7,700 r.p.m. (static thrust, Sea Level). The engine was 14 feet, 0.0 inches (4.267 meters) long, 3 feet, 4.0 inches (1.016 meters) in diameter, and weighed 2,400 pounds (1,089 kilograms). The maximum speed of the XP-86 at Sea Level was 0.787 Mach (599 miles per hour, 964 kilometers per hour), 0.854 Mach (618 miles per hour, 995 kilometers per hour) at 14,000 feet (4,267 meters), and 575 miles per hour (925 kilometers per hour) at 35,000 feet (10,668 meters)0.875 Mach. The prototype fighter was able to take off at 125 miles per hour (201 kilometers per hour) in just 3,020 feet (920.5 meters) of the runway. It could climb to 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) in 12.1 minutes and had a service ceiling of 41,300 feet (12,588 meters). XP-86 45-59597 was expended as a target during nuclear weapons tests. On 25 May 1953, it was 1,850 feet from ground zero of Upshot-Knothole Grable. The only part still intact was the engine, which was thrown 500 feet. George Welch was born George Lewis Schwartz, in Wilmington, Delaware, on 10 May 1918. His parents changed his surname to Welch, his mothers maiden name so that he would not be affected by the anti-German prejudice that was widespread in America following World War I. He studied mechanical engineering at Purdue and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1939. George S. Welch is best remembered as one of the heroes of Pearl Harbor. He was one of only two fighter pilots to get airborne during the Japanese surprise attack on Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Flying a Curtiss P-40B Warhawk, he shot down three Aichi D3A Val dive bombers and one Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighter. For this action, Lieutenant General H.H. Hap Arnold recommended the Medal of Honor, but because Lieutenant Welch had taken off without orders, an officer in his chain of command refused to endorse the nomination. He received the Distinguished Service Cross. During World War II, George Welch flew the Bell P-39 Airacobra and Lockheed P-38 Lightning on 348 combat missions. He had 16 confirmed aerial victories over Japanese airplanes and rose to the rank of Major. Suffering from malaria, George Welch was out of combat, and when North American Aviation approached him to test the new P-51H Mustang, General Arnold authorized his resignation. Welch test flew the P-51, FJ-1 Fury, F-86 Sabre, and F-100 Super Sabre. He was killed 12 October 1954 when his F-100A Super Sabre came apart in a 7 G pull up from a Mach 1.5 dive. After testing, the North American Aviation XP-86 was approved for production as the F-86A. It became operational in 1949. The first squadron to fly the F-86 held a naming contest and from 78 suggestions, the name Sabre was chosen. The F-86 Sabre was in production until 1955 at North Americans Inglewood, California, and Columbus, Ohio, plants. It was also built under license by Canadair, Ltd., Sain-Laurent, Quebec, Canada; the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries at Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. A total of 9,860 Sabres were built. They served with the United States Air Force until 1970. XP-86 45-59597 was expended in nuclear weapons tests, Operation Snapper Easy and Snapper Fox, at the Nevada Test Site, Frenchmans Flat, Nevada, in May 1952. The second and third prototypes, 45-59598 and 45-59599, met similar fates. For more aviation anniversaries please visit www.thisdayinaviation.com ~~ Life has been rough without my favorite Western Political Puppet in the news. ~~ ~~ Yet bless Sassys heart, He heard my desires., He felt my sadness. and in perfect Sassy style. ~~ ~~ Mikheil Saakashvili has just reentered the arena of puppets and made my day. ~~ I smiled today when Sassy sprang into the news! Saakashvili was arrested shortly after his arrival and was taken to a correctional facility in the city of Rustavi, located some 25km southeast of the capital Tbilisi. Police footage broadcast by local media shows a large convoy of police vehicles entering the jails premises with lights flashing. The handcuffed politician is brought for his perp walk shortly afterwards. Saakashvili appeared to be smiling broadly during this photo opportunity. Source: WATCH handcuffed ex-President Saakashvili taken to Georgian jail as prosecutors vow to put him behind bars for AT LEAST 6 years RT Russia & Former Soviet Union ~~ But dont despair about his arrest, Sassy will just starve himself to death and show everyone who is boss. ~~ TBILISI (Sputnik) Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili goes on a hunger strike after his arrest, he does not agree with the charges and considers himself a political prisoner, Georgian Ombudswoman Nino Lomjaria told reporters. Source: Saakashvili Goes on Hunger Strike, Considers Himself Political Prisoner, Ombudswoman Says 01.10.2021, Sputnik International ~~ Yes folks, the KING of PUPPETS for the Western game sessions at the sandbox is back. ~~ I really like to see what this guy is up to. He is the classic political puppet and even as he fumbles his way around.I give him total credit for trying hard at what he does.he may not be the smoothest operator, but he is a classic Sassy! Sassy! Sassy! WtR PS: Please do not ask why Sassy would go back to Georgia where he is a wanted criminal! Do not worry about the tiny details. Just know that Sassy got his orders from his bosses in the western world and in perfect Sassy Brassy style, he is doing his best to be a good puppet. Sassy is like that Timex Watch.It takes a licking and keeps on ticking TBILISI, October 1. /TASS/. Georgian ex-President Mikhail Saakashvili, detained in the republic earlier, declared a hunger strike and demanded a meeting with a Ukrainian consul, Georgian ombudsman Nino Lomdzharia said after meeting with Saakashvili Friday. When I came in, he was at the doctor and was undergoing a medical exam. We were allowed to talk in the prison cell later. Mikhail Saakashvili said that he declares a huger strike, Lomdzharia said. He disagrees with the sentences against him and considers himself a political prisoner, the ombudsman added. Source: Saakashvili declares hunger strike in prison ombudsman World TASS Detectives are investigating the death of a child Friday afternoon at a mobile home in Northeast Albuquerque. Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque police spokesman, said the death of the 2-year-old is considered suspicious. He did not say how the child died. Gallegos said police responded around 3 p.m. to Meadowbrook Mobile Home Park in the 7400 block of San Pedro, north of San Antonio. He said officers found a child dead at a mobile home and detectives were called to start an investigation. Additional details will be release as they become available, Gallegos said. An Albuquerque woman died at a Texas burn hospital a week after she was allegedly set on fire by a roommate in a West Central neighborhood. Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque police spokesman, said on Friday that 42-year-old Renee Benally died of her injuries at University Medical Center in Lubbock. Benallys roommate Lawrence Sedillo, 39, was charged last week with aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm in the Sept. 24 incident. Gallegos said detectives are now working with the District Attorneys Office to charge Sedillo with murder in Benallys death. Sedillo is currently behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center. His attorney could not be reached on Friday. Police responded 9 a.m. to the 100 block of 47th NW, just north of Central, after a neighbor called 911 and said Benally came to her home covered in burns. Benally was taken to a hsopital before being airlifted to Texas for specialized treatment of her injuries. Benally told her neighbor Sedillo doused her in gasoline and lit her on fire. Another neighbor gave police surveillance video that allegedly showed Sedillo chasing Benally with a red gas can. A semitractor-trailer carrying 69 migrants was stopped by U.S. Border Patrol agents at an immigration checkpoint in Las Cruces early Thursday the second such smuggling operation agents have come across in southern New Mexico in recent weeks. According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release issued Friday, agents assigned to the checkpoint along Interstate 25 said the semitrailer with one visible occupant entered the primary inspection lane and, due to the drivers inconsistent story and nervous behavior, was referred for further inspection. Further questioning led to the agents gaining access to the back of the trailer where 69 migrants were discovered, the agency said. Agents also seized more than $11,000 found inside the trailer. CBP said the migrants were determined to be amenable to expulsion under Title 42 health regulations, while the driver, a U.S. citizen, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for prosecution. The agency called the incident the second smuggling scheme encountered by El Paso Sector Border Patrol agents in September. On Sept. 17, Border Patrol agents and Homeland Security Investigations rescued 131 migrants found inside a tractor-trailer near Anthony, New Mexico. These type of nefarious acts by Transnational Criminal Organizations operating in the El Paso region prove once again the complete disregard for the lives of migrants El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez said in the release. Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE The State Ethics Commission will ask lawmakers next year to sharply increase its staff to ensure the agency can carry out its role as an independent watchdog. The agency also agreed Friday to ask the Legislature to expand its jurisdiction to the parts of the state Constitution that prohibit profiting from public office and ban legislators from having an interest in contracts authorized by legislation passed during their term. The requests come after the indictment of ex-House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton, an Albuquerque Democrat who resigned earlier this year amid a criminal investigation. The charges against her include racketeering, soliciting or receiving kickbacks, and having an unlawful interest in a public contract. Stapleton, through her attorney, maintains her innocence and has vowed to clear her name. The commissions request for expanded jurisdiction, however, has no connection with the Stapleton investigation, which became public after the request was prepared, said Jeremy Farris, the commissions executive director. In an interview, he said the constitutional provisions at issue are simply a natural fit for the State Ethics Commissions core mission and expertise. The commission itself is relatively new, having been authorized by voters in 2018. The agency is seeking approval next year for a $1.28 million budget an increase of 40% over what the agency received this year. It would be enough to boost the staff from five to nine employees. The agency endured a 5% budget cut this year, and even without the added constitutional jurisdiction lawmakers have expanded the agencys duties, directing it to handle enforcement related to notaries public. We absolutely have to have a larger staff to run this agency, Farris said during a commission meeting Friday. It wont work with five. The extra money would cover the hiring of an attorney, paralegal and database administrator, in addition to restoring a special projects coordinator whose funding was cut earlier. I think its a very sound and prudent proposal, said Stuart Bluestone, a Santa Fe attorney and member of the State Ethics Commission. The commissions primary duties now include the adjudication of complaints accusing state officials and others of ethical violations; pursuing enforcement of ethics laws in court; and issuing advisory opinions and educating public officials. The agency sued a political committee last year and has reached settlements requiring public disclosure of campaign spending and contributions. The expanded jurisdiction, if approved, would grant the commission authority over constitutional provisions prohibiting: Increased compensation for public officials during their term of office. Legislators having an interest in any state or city contract that was authorized by law during their term or for one year afterward. State officials who already draw a salary from drawing outside fees or otherwise profiting for their service in public office. New Mexico legislators are set to start a 30-day session Jan. 18 dedicated, in part, to crafting a budget package for the coming year. Attorney General Hector Balderas, a Democrat, has also called on state lawmakers to tighten the states public corruption laws. The State Ethics Commission is a seven-member, bipartisan group, created through a 2018 constitutional amendment. Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE New Mexico families who qualified this year for a federal cash assistance program will get a one-time cash payment of $446 this weekend under the latest round of pandemic financial relief. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration said Friday the $5.6 million program will benefit nearly 13,000 families and, unlike a previous cash assistance program, will not require eligible residents to file an application. My administration will continue to aggressively pursue every avenue for helping working families get the services and assistance they need, whether its child care, or energy assistance, or cash for other necessities, the Democratic governor said in a statement. The cash payments are intended to help low-income families pay for housing, utility payments, food, clothing and other expenses. They will be made directly by the states Human Services Department, which runs several federally-funded safety net programs, onto the Electronic Benefit Transfer (or EBT) cards held by those who already receive monthly cash assistance benefits. Only New Mexico residents who qualified and received benefits in January from various cash assistance programs will get the one-time payment, with one payment issued for each qualifying household, a Human Services Department spokeswoman said. Under current income eligibility guidelines, a family of four making up to $2,209 per month or about $26,500 per year is eligible for the states cash assistance program. Such a family is eligible to get a maximum of $539 in cash assistance per month. New Mexico has long struggled with poverty-related issues and the states median household income of $48,283 was among the nations lowest in 2018, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both the federal and state government have authorized financial relief programs for low-income residents and front-line workers, and the assistance programs have led to a surge in New Mexico consumer spending. The public health emergency has disproportionately impacted so many families working to make ends meet, said Angela Medrano, a deputy secretary of the Human Services Department. These funds are essential to provide families much-needed financial relief. More than 4,000 low-income New Mexico households who did not receive federal stimulus checks during the pandemic got $750 in cash assistance payments under a previous state-funded program this year, and an additional round of emergency aid is expected to be announced in the next week. SANTA FE County jails across New Mexico are contending with a high-risk environment for COVID-19 infection at the same time that many more beds are being filled with inmates, an association of county governments announced Wednesday. Grace Philips, general counsel to New Mexico Counties alliance of local governments, warned legislators that overall coronavirus vaccination rates among staff at county detention centers are lower than the statewide average 61% versus about 71% for adults in general. Vaccinations rates among county jail inmates are far lower 39% statewide as of late-September. Philips complimented county jails on their efforts to limit the spread of the highly contagious delta variant using entry screenings, quarantine procedures and vaccination clinics for inmates, but noted that the number of detected cases is on the upswing in the congregate living facilities. What we have is an extremely high-risk environment for COVID, Philips said. The number of inmates held in county detention centers had increased to 5,280 by late September, up from about 3,850 on May 1, 2020 an increase of more than 25%, New Mexico Counties estimates. Philips also noted that the highly contagious delta variant arrived this summer as courts started to restore in-person proceedings, contributing to risks of infection. The upward population trends at county jails stands in stark contrast to state prison facilities, where populations are declining. In response to the pandemic, more than 550 state prisoners have been released since April 2020 under an executive order from the governor to commute sentences for prisoners who are eligible for early release, with the exception of several serious crimes. FORT WORTH, Texas The girlfriend of a man who police say confessed this week to killing her, his roommate and three other people whose bodies were found dismembered in a burning dumpster in Texas, was reported missing in 2017 after not returning from a trip with him to Arizona, the womans relative said. Jason Thornburg, 41, was arrested Monday on a capital murder charge in the deaths of the three people found in the dumpster last week in Fort Worth, Texas. He told officers that hed felt compelled to sacrifice those three people, as well as his roommate in Fort Worth in May and his girlfriend, according to an arrest warrant. His girlfriends name was redacted in the warrant, but a relative told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that she was Tanya Begay, an American Indian woman from Gallup, New Mexico. Sheryl Tsosie said Wednesday that Begay disappeared while taking a trip with Thornburg. We didnt want to believe he had killed her, Tsosie told the newspaper. The Associated Press reported on Begays disappearance in 2018 as part of a series of stories on missing Native American women and how authorities can better pursue their cases. Thornburg was being held Thursday on a $1 million bond. Jail records did not list an attorney for him. During his interview with police on Monday, Thornburg told officers that he had in-depth knowledge of the Bible and believed he was being called to commit sacrifices, according to the arrest warrant. The AP reported that the last time Begay spoke to her mother was in March 2017. Begay told her mother that she planned to travel from the tiny Arizona town of Leupp back to her familys home near Gallup a drive through the Navajo Nation that should have taken a few hours. A day earlier, Begay had made a stop near Tohatchi to visit a relatives home with her boyfriend, marking the last time any of her relatives had seen her, according to a police report. Messages left with police in the Navajo Nation and Gallup seeking more information were not immediately returned Thursday. Thornburg, an electricians apprentice, had been staying in a motel in the Fort Worth suburb of Euless since late July, according to the arrest warrant. Police said that when they identified Thornburg as a suspect in the deaths of the three people found in the dumpster, they were already familiar with him from a suspicious death investigation earlier this year. According to the arrest warrant, Thornburgs roommate was killed in a suspicious house fire on May 21. During the police interview on Monday, Thornburg told officers he had slit his roommates throat, uncapped a natural gas line and lit a candle, the warrant said. At the time, the medical examiner wasnt able to determine the roommates cause of death. DEVELOPING... Story will be updated as new information can be verified. Updated 4 times CAIRO A major crackdown in western Libya has resulted in the detention of at least 4,000 migrants, including hundreds of women and children, officials said Saturday. The U.N. said at least one young migrant was shot dead and 15 others injured, including two in serious conditions, in the crackdown. The raids took place Friday in the western town of Gargaresh as part of what authorities described as a security campaign against illegal migration and drug trafficking. The Interior Ministry, which led the crackdown, made no mention of any traffickers or smugglers being arrested. Officials said Friday that 500 illegal migrants had been detained but on Saturday reported that number had reached 4,000. Gargaresh, a known hub for migrants and refugees, is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) west of Tripoli, the Libyan capital. The town has seen several waves of raids on migrants over the years, but the latest one was described by activists as the fiercest so far. Since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has emerged as the dominant transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, hoping for a better life in Europe. Human traffickers have benefited from the chaos in the oil-rich nation and smuggled migrants through the countrys lengthy border with six nations. They then pack desperate migrants into ill-equipped rubber boats in risky voyages through the perilous Central Mediterranean Sea route. The detained were gathered in a facility in Tripoli called the Collection and Return Center, said police Col. Nouri al-Grettli, head of the center. He said the migrants have been distributed to detention centers in Tripoli and surrounding towns. Libyas detention facilities are miserable, overcrowded places where migrants have suffered from abuses and severe ill-treatment, according to rights activists. A government official said authorities would deport as many as possible of the migrants to their home countries. He said many of the detained had lived illegally in Libya for years. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media. Tarik Lamloum, a Libyan activist working with the Belaady Organization for Human Rights, said the raids involved human rights violations against the migrants, especially in the way some women and children were detained. Lamloum said many detained migrants have been registered with the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, as refugees or asylum-seekers. Vincent Cochetel, the agencys special envoy for the Central Mediterranean, told The Associated Press that initial reports were that at least one person was killed and 15 injured in the crackdown. He said in some cases security personnel used excessive force and drove people out of their homes. We should not be surprised if people are scared and will try to leave by sea, he said. Georgette Gagnon, the U.N.s humanitarian coordinator for Libya, said unarmed migrants were harassed in their homes, beaten and shot in the crackdown which has also seen a communication blackout in Gargaresh. Among the injured were five by gunshots with two of them being treated in an intensive care unit, she said in a statement late Saturday. The statement didnt elaborate further details. The crackdown comes amid a spike in crossings and attempted crossings of the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. Libyas coast guard has intercepted around 25,300 migrants and returned them to Libyas shores so far this year. Over 1,100 migrants were reported dead or presumed dead off Libya in the first nine months of 2021, but that number is believed to be higher, according to the U.N. migration agency. Hundreds of migrants were seen in images posted on social media Friday by the Interior Ministry sitting clustered together in a yard with the banner of the Collection and Return Center in the background. Other images from Gargaresh purporting to show migrants show them with their hands tied behind their backs. An aerial photo showed men lying face down on the ground at a crossroads, with military trucks and guards around them. DEVELOPING... Story will be updated as new information can be verified. Updated 4 times ANCHORAGE, Alaska Alaska on Saturday activated emergency crisis protocols that allow 20 health care facilities to ration care if needed as the state recorded the nations worst COVID-19 diagnosis rates in the U.S. in recent days, straining its limited health care system. The declaration covers three facilities that had already declared emergency protocol, including the states largest hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Among the factors that led the state to activate the crisis of care standards include scarce medical resources within some facilities, limited staff and difficulty transferring patients to other facilities because of limited bed availability. Other factors included limited renal replacement therapy and oxygen supplies. According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, one person in every 84 in Alaska was diagnosed with COVID-19 from Sept. 22 to 29. The next highest rate was one in every 164 people in West Virginia. Statewide, 60% of eligible Alaskans are fully vaccinated. ___ MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: COVID-19 deaths eclipse 700,000 in US as delta variant rages Russia: Antibody tests for COVID-19 remain popular, factor in low vaccine rate Far-right protesters in Romania reject virus restrictions California to require COVID-19 vaccines for schoolchildren ___ See all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: ATLANTA Four parents are suing the Cobb County school district on behalf of their children, saying the failure of Georgias second-largest school district to require masks means their students cannot safely attend in-person classes because of their disabilities. The suit was filed Friday in federal court in Atlanta. It says the 107,000-student suburban Atlanta district is violating federal law governing how students with disabilities are treated in public schools. The lawsuit asks a judge to order the district to follow CDC guidelines on masks and other issues. The district has defended its stance amid repeated protests. Rather than using the known and available tools to mitigate the threat of COVID-19 and protect plaintiffs access to school services, programs, and activities, the district has acted with deliberate indifference to plaintiffs rights to inclusion, health, and education, the complaint alleges. The lawsuit asks that U.S. District Judge Timothy Batten Sr. order the district to follow CDC guidelines, including not only on masks but on issues like ventilation, physical distancing and contact tracing. Whether to require masks in Cobb schools has been the focus of protest for months. Like many in Georgia, Cobb lifted its mask order at the end of last year. Many districts reimposed mask orders as school began this August, because of the rapid spread of the delta variant of COVID-19. Cobb, though, dug in saying that masks would only be strongly recommended. ___ LAS CRUCES, N.M. New Mexico State University says less than a third of its students submitted proof of vaccination for COVID-19 by a Thursday deadline to otherwise undergo weekly testing or leave the university. While 72.3% of the universitys employees provided proof of vaccination, only 30% of students did, officials said Friday. Its not clear how many students who didnt submit proof of vaccination by the deadline plan to submit weekly test results, officials said. Were not where we want to be with our vaccinated students, said Jon Webster, the schools COVID-19 project manager. We want to make sure were protecting all of our students. Failure to submit vaccination information or weekly test results can result in student suspension or staff termination, officials said. Students can get vaccinated at any point in the semester and cease the weekly required testing once achieving full vaccination, Webster said. He said the university was continuing to reach out to students through text message, email, social media and other channels. Several students said Friday they were unaware of the mandates details, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden mourned the painful milestone of 700,000 American deaths from COVID-19, a day after the U.S. surpassed that mark on Friday. The president says in a statement the astonishing death toll is yet another reminder of just how important it is to get vaccinated. He says the nation has made extraordinary progress in the fight against the coronavirus in the past eight months because of vaccines. Biden says thanks to vaccines, hundreds of thousands of families have been spared the unbearable loss that too many Americans have already endured during this pandemic. He notes more than three-quarters of all Americans age 12 and up have received at least one vaccine dose, including nearly 94% of all seniors. Biden says: If you havent already, please get vaccinated. It can save your life and the lives of those you love. It will help us beat COVID-19 and move forward, together, as one nation. ___ RENO, Nev. Employees at all public universities and colleges in Nevada are required to get COVID-19 vaccinations by Dec. 1 or face potential termination. All new hires must prove their vaccination status under the new policy. Meanwhile, coronavirus case trends are improving in urban areas but have worsened in most rural parts of the state where vaccination rates are the lowest. The Desert Research Institute has the highest vaccination rate at 87% followed by the University of Nevada Reno at 82%. UNLV reported 75%. Rural Elko-based Great Basin College had the worst rate at 66%. On Wednesday, about 64% of all state employees had been fully vaccinated, in accordance with Gov. Steve Sisolaks order in July that required shots or proof of negative coronavirus tests, says DuAne Young, the governors policy director. Nearly 65% of residents age 12 and older have one vaccination and 56% are fully vaccinated, according to state data. ___ SALT LAKE CITY The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints thanked members who have followed church guidance, which has been to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Church President Russell M. Nelson spoke Saturday at a conference taking place again without full attendance due to the pandemic. For the first time in two years, leaders were back at the faiths 20,000-seat conference center, with several hundred people watching in person and others on television. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square returned to the conference. The Utah-based faith has repeatedly encouraged its 16 million members worldwide to limit the spread by getting vaccines and wearing masks. Last week, church officials announced masks will be required inside temples to limit the spread of the virus. Utah experienced a summer surge among unvaccinated residents, causing hospital ICUs to reach near capacity in early September. Data from the Utah Health Department showed in late September that state residents who are unvaccinated are nearly six times more likely to die from COVID-19 and seven times more likely to be hospitalized than those who are vaccinated. About 64% of Utah residents ages 12 and older were fully vaccinated. ___ BUCHAREST, Romania More than 5,000 far-right protesters have gathered in Romanias capital of Bucharest to reject new pandemic measures following a surge of coronavirus infections. Daily infections in the nation of 19 million have skyrocketed from approximately 1,000 cases a day a month ago to a record 12,590 new cases on Saturday. That was Romanias highest daily number of infections since the start of the pandemic. The increase is putting hospitals under pressure as intensive care units reach their capacity. The mostly mask-less marchers blocked traffic, honked horns and chanted Freedom! ___ PHOENIX Arizona reported nearly 100 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, a day after the states pandemic death toll passed 20,000. The state coronavirus dashboard reported 95 deaths and 2,942 confirmed cases, increasing Arizonas pandemic totals to 20,134 confirmed deaths and 1.1 million cases. Arizonas seven-day rolling average of daily deaths rose by a third in the past two weeks, increasing from 33 on Sept. 16 to 43 on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The rolling average of daily new cases declined during the same period, dropping from 2,742 to 2,621. The state also reported the number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds increased slightly to 1,798 on Friday. ___ JACKSON, Miss. The leader of a Mississippi pediatricians organization is urging school districts to keep mask mandates in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Anita Henderson of Hattiesburg is president of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She says about 30% of youths ages 12 to 17 in the state are vaccinated, and now is not the time to let our guard down. Mississippi has reported nine pediatric deaths from COVID-19. Some school districts are repealing mask mandates. Among them are the Madison County and Rankin County districts in central Mississippi and the Ocean Springs district on the Gulf Coast. Mississippi had a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations starting in July. Numbers have slowly decreased in recent weeks. However, Mississippi is among the lowest vaccinated states in the nation. ___ TOPEKA, Kan. Data from the Kansas state health department shows mostly rural counties have youth coronavirus vaccination rates far below the national average. A school pandemic workgroup received data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment this week showing in about a quarter of the states counties, less than 20% of vaccine-eligible children ages 12 to 17 had received at least one dose as of Sept. 24. Most of the low-vaccine counties are in western Kansas or other rural areas. U.S. regulators in May expanded the use of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12. The national vaccination rate for youth is 57%, according to a presentation by Marci Nielsen, a special adviser to Kelly. ___ NEW YORK Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied an emergency appeal from a group of teachers to block New York Citys COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public school teachers and other staff from going into effect. Sotomayor ruled on Friday, after the teachers filed for the injunction with her on Thursday to keep the mandate from going into effect. Under the mandate, the roughly 148,000 school employees had until 5 p.m. Friday to get at least their first vaccine shot. Those who didnt face suspension without pay when schools open on Monday. An original deadline this week was delayed after a legal challenge, but a federal appeals panel said New York City could go ahead with the mandate in the nations largest school district. In August, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett also denied an emergency appeal from students at Indiana University to block that institutions vaccine mandate. ___ WARSAW, Poland A gala concert on Saturday will open the 18th edition of the prestigious Frederic Chopin international piano competition that was postponed by a full year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Oct. 2-23 competition was scheduled for the fall of 2020, but authorities put off the popular event, expecting the coronavirus and social distancing would prevent the usual crowds from attending. The 87 participants from around the world begin Sunday with the performance of Xuanyi Mao from China. The winner gets a gold medal and a prize of 40,000 euros ($45,000) and prestigious recording and concert contracts. ___ The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 has eclipsed 700,000, with 100,000 people dying in the past three months when vaccines were available to any American over age 12. The milestone reached late Friday is deeply frustrating to doctors, nurses and public health officials and Americans who watched a pandemic that had been easing earlier in the summer take a dark turn. Tens of millions of people in the U.S. have refused to get vaccinated, allowing the highly contagious delta variant to tear through the country and send the death toll from 600,000 to 700,000 in 3 1/2 months. Florida suffered by far the most deaths of any state during that period, with the virus killing about 17,000 residents since the middle of June. Texas was second with 13,000 deaths. The two states account for 15% of the countrys population, but more than 30% of the nations deaths since the nation crossed the 600,000 threshold. ___ MOSCOW Antibody tests to detect the proteins produced by the body to fight coronavirus infection are cheap, widely available and actively marketed in Russia. Yet Western health experts say the tests are unreliable for diagnosing the coronavirus or assessing immunity to it. When Russians talk about the coronavirus over dinner or in hair salons, the conversation often turns to antitela, the Russian word for antibodies. President Vladimir Putin referred to them while bragging to Turkeys leader about why he avoided infection even though dozens of people around him contracted the coronavirus. But the antibodies the popular tests look for can only serve as evidence of a past infection, and scientists say its still unclear what level of antibodies indicates protection from the virus and for how long.. In Russia, its common to get an antibody test and share the results. Their use appears to be a factor in the countrys low vaccination rate even as the country reports record daily deaths and rising infections. Both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend vaccination regardless of previous infection. ___ American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue are joining United Airlines in requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as the Biden administration steps up pressure on major U.S. carriers to require the shots. The airlines provide special flights, cargo hauling and other services for the government. The companies say that makes them government contractors who are covered by President Joe Bidens order directing contractors to require that employees be vaccinated. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told employees late Friday that the airline is still working on details, but it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines. The pilot union at American recently estimated that 4,200 or 30% of the airlines pilots are not vaccinated. Earlier, White House coronavirus adviser Jeffrey Zients talked to the CEOs of American, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines about vaccine mandates. ___ NEW YORK The Broadway hit Aladdin is trying to keep COVID-19 contained. Disney Theatrical Productions said it will cancel all shows until Oct. 12 after additional breakthrough COVID-19 cases were detected. The show reopened Tuesday following some 18 months of being shuttered due to the pandemic, but was forced to close Wednesday when breakthrough COVID-19 cases were reported within the musicals company. There was a Thursday performance before Fridays was canceled. It was the first Broadway COVID-19 cancellation since shows resumed with Bruce Springsteens concert returning in July and Pass Over as the first play to debut in August. So-called breakthrough infections are detected in vaccinated people and tend to be far less dangerous than those unvaccinated. In many ways, the temporary closure proves that the monitoring system is working. Aladdin opened on Broadway in March 2014 and has become one of its highest grossing shows. ___ HARTFORD, Conn. A retired Connecticut physician and surgeon voluntarily surrendered her license to practice medicine on Friday after being accused of providing fraudulent medical exemption forms through the mail. Dr. Sue Mcintosh had her license suspended last week by the Connecticut Medical Examining Board during an emergency hearing. A full hearing on the merits of the case was scheduled for Oct. 5. State officials, who had received an anonymous complaint about the doctor, allege Mcintosh provided an unknown number of blank, signed forms exempting people from the COVID-19 and other vaccines, as well as mandatory mask-wearing and routine COVID testing to people who sent her a self-addressed envelope. Mcintosh, who hadnt treated the patients, signed a letter included in the packet of bogus forms with the phrase Let freedom ring! She didnt respond to a request for comment. Christopher Boyle, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, said officials are considering whether to refer the case to state and federal law enforcement agencies. ___ MINNEAPOLIS A decline in COVID-19 cases across the United States over the past several weeks has given overwhelmed hospitals some relief, but administrators are bracing for yet another possible surge as cold weather drives people indoors. Health experts say the fourth wave of the pandemic has peaked overall in the U.S., particularly in the Deep South, where hospitals were stretched to the limit weeks ago. But many Northern states are still struggling with rising cases, and whats ahead for winter is far less clear. Unknowns include how flu season may strain already depleted hospital staffs and whether those who have refused to get vaccinated will change their minds. An estimated 70 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated, providing kindling for the highly contagious delta variant. If youre not vaccinated or have protection from natural infection, this virus will find you, warned Mike Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Nationwide, the number of people now in the hospital with COVID-19 has fallen to somewhere around 75,000 from over 93,000 in early September. New cases are on the downswing at about 112,000 per day on average, a drop of about one-third over the past 2 1/2 weeks. MILAN U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Saturday he thinks enormous progress can be made at the upcoming U.N. climate talks in Scotland but more governments must come up with concrete commitments in the next 30 days. Kerry attended a preparatory meeting in Milan where delegates from around the world sought to identify where progress can be made before the U.N. climate change starts in Glasgow on Oct. 31. The 12-day summit aims to secure more ambitious commitments to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius with a goal of keeping it to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. The event also is focused on mobilizing financing and protecting vulnerable communities and natural habitats. The bottom line is, folks, as we stand here today, we believe we can make enormous progress in Glasgow, moving rapidly towards the new goals that the science is telling us we must achieve, Kerry said. That means achieving a 45% reduction in carbon emissions in the next 10 years. This is the decisive decade, Kerry said. Kerry, a former U.S. senator and secretary of state, said that countries representing 55% of the worlds gross domestic product Britain, Canada, Japan, the United States and the 27 European Union members have submitted plans that hit the 1.5 degrees target by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But the American diplomat also noted that the 89 new national submissions ahead of the summit would only cut emissions by 12%, and that the sum of all 191 submissions as they are currently written would increase emissions between now and 2030 by 16%. Kerry declined to single out any country but said there are ways to achieve lower emissions that arent that expensive, including organizing power grids and making transmissions more efficient. China is the worlds biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, and the United States is second. Kerry said U.S. President Joe Biden has had constructive talks on the subject with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Kerry also highlighted commitments by Indias leader to install 450 gigawatts of renewable power over the next decade. Glasgow, my friends, is around the corner. It is the starting line of the race of centuries and the race of this decade, he said. All countries have to sprint and join together to understand that we are all in this together. Kerry added This is the test of collective multilateralism to the highest level that I have seen in my public career. The European commissioner for climate action, Frans Timmermans, separately underlined the importance of meeting the $100 billion annual funding commitment to help vulnerable countries fight climate change during 2020-2025, as demanded by youth activists who met earlier in Milan. Timmermans said the financing needs going forward would be much greater than that amount and that public funding alone would not be able to cover the anticipated price tag, which runs in the trillions. Already the Earth has seen a 1 degree Celsius temperature change and unpredictable weather patterns that have destroyed harvests and killed livelihoods around the world, Timmermans said. So there can be no doubt in anybodys mind that we are fighting for the survival of humanity, and that the climate crisis and the threatening ecocide are the biggest threat humanity faces, Timmermans said. We need to change, and we need to change radically and we need to change fast. Thats going to be bloody hard. Thats the bad news. Alok Sharma, Britains president for COP26, said delivering on (the) $100 billion is absolutely a matter of trust. He also said the presence of youth delegates and activists, including Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate, ahead of the climate summit preparatory meetings had energized the process. As we go forward of the next few weeks and into COP, we must always keep the voices of the young people foremost in our minds and think about what their response would be to the outcomes that we reach, Sharma said. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change at https://apnews.com/hub/Climate-change. Copyright 2021 Albuquerque Journal A father of four is behind bars after his youngest child a 2-year-old girl was found dead Friday afternoon at a mobile home park in Northeast Albuquerque. Michael David Garcia, 32, is charged with intentional child abuse resulting in the death of his daughter Diana McGrory. Garcia was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center early Saturday morning. Court records show Garcia petitioned for custody of Diana and the other three children within a month of being indicted in 2017 for allegedly physically abusing their mother, Nancy McGrory, for several days in their home. That case was eventually dismissed. Before his arrest Friday, Garcia told police he had just won custody of the children from McGrory. Police have said the children are now in the custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. It is unclear if Garcia has an attorney, and his mother declined to comment Saturday. According to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court: Police responded around 2 p.m. to Garcias mobile home in the 7400 block of San Pedro NE, north of San Antonio, after paramedics were unable to revive the child. The 2-year-old appeared emaciated and had visible bruising to the majority of her body as well as burns to her back thigh and hands. Garcias mother and his other three children were also at the home. In front of police, a distraught Garcia repeatedly said I (expletive) up, youre not going to forgive me for several minutes. He also said why did you do something, the boys were just fighting as he held his face in his hands. Garcia told police the bruises came from the child hitting her head against the wall and the burn was from a stove or pot of water. Garcia said both Diana and her 4-year-old brother try to hurt themselves but he did not elaborate. Garcia told police he was frustrated because he had just won custody of Diana and believed he could have saved her if it he had gotten custody sooner. An autopsy found, along with the burns and bruising, there was a potential bleed inside Dianas skull. A neighbor told police he heard Garcia yelling inside the home on multiple occasions and believed he had anger issues. Garcias mother told police her son found Diana unresponsive after she came home from work and tried to do CPR. She told police her son does not work and stays home to care for the kids. Garcias mother said Diana had facial bruises for sometime and did not remember when they happened. She told police Garcia was recently giving Diana a bath and over the phone she heard a boom and Garcia said Diana had thrown herself down in the tub. Garcias mother said on Sept. 27 Garcia told her Diana was following him in the kitchen when she got burned by a hot pan, but neither of them took her to get medical attention. Garcias 5-year-old son told police both his father and grandmother spank the children with a belt on their hands and butt and Garcia gets so mad when he spanks them. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. Jurors hearing the case against U.S. Air Force airman Mark Gooch heard lengthy testimony Friday from a cellphone data expert who mapped the route that Gooch allegedly drove the day a Mennonite woman was kidnapped from northwestern New Mexico. Sasha Krause, who worked at a publishing ministry in the Mennonite community, was found more than a month later with a gunshot wound to the head in a forest clearing outside Flagstaff, Arizona. Gooch, 22, faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in her death. No DNA evidence, eyewitnesses or fingerprints tie Gooch to the crime. The prosecutor is asking the jury to look at various puzzle pieces that, when assembled, show Gooch traveled from Luke Air Force Base, where he was stationed in metropolitan Phoenix, to the Mennonite community in Farmington, New Mexico, where Krause was gathering materials for Sunday school when she disappeared. Testimony from Sev Dishman, a cellphone expert and retired Army sergeant major, took up much of the day Friday. He led jurors through an extensive presentation that explained types of cellphone data, concentration of cell sites and degree of accuracy for location data. Dishman acknowledged on cross-examination from Goochs attorney, Bruce Griffen, that none of the evidence directly places Gooch at the church compound or in the forest, nor does it explain what happened at either location. The data puts Goochs cellphone within a half-mile of the church and 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) from where Krauses body was found based on the phones communication with cell sites, Dishman said. Goochs phone also was the only device that communicated with the same sites as Krauses phone before her signal dropped off west of Farmington, Dishman said. The data created a path from the air base early on Jan. 18 past Flagstaffs snow-capped mountains and through the Navajo reservation, where receipts showed Gooch stopped for food and then for gas in Farmington. Two photos taken on Goochs phone showed spots along Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff. Goochs cellphone records indicated his phone was around the Mennonite church for a couple of hours before returning on the same route, but with a detour in the forest outside Flagstaff after midnight. Surveillance video at the base showed his car returned at about 7 a.m. the day after he left. Dishman explained gaps in the cellphone data by the lack of cell sites on the vast Navajo Nation and near Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument where a camper discovered Krauses body. Location data would be more accurate, he said, if a cellphone user had GPS on. Any location data produced by AT&T, which relies on assisted GPS, has to be corroborated, Dishman said. Both Krause and Gooch had AT&T service, he said. Records showed the Google location history from Goochs phone had been deleted. Gooch had asked his brother, Samuel, to remotely wipe his phone and SD cards, cancel automatic payments and drain an account, according to a recorded jail conversation between them and testimony from Samuel Gooch earlier this week. Jurors are expected to hear the entire conversation between Mark Gooch and Coconino County Sheriffs Detective Lauren Nagele, who questioned him at the air base in April 2020, sometime next week. In the interview, Gooch acknowledged traveling to Farmington when Krause was reported missing. He said he had time for a long drive, wanted to stop at a ski resort outside Flagstaff and then decided to check out a Mennonite church service near Farmington since he already was hours into the weekend trip and craved the fellowship. He denied kidnapping or killing Krause. Gooch said he thought he returned to the air base around 2 a.m. the next day, according to the interview. No one else had access to his phone that day, he said, according to sheriffs records. Theres no indication Gooch and Krause knew each other. Gooch grew up in a Mennonite community in Wisconsin but never officially joined the church. Krause, 27, taught school in Texas, where her parents still live, before moving to New Mexico. The trial continues Tuesday. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law Friday a number of prison infrastructure bills that will use coronavirus relief funds to build new prisons in the state, calling it a "pivotal moment for the trajectory of our state's criminal justice system." Ivey, a Republican, had convened a special session of the Alabama Legislature to discuss how to fix what she has called a decades-long problem of prison infrastructure challenges. The governor said Friday's bill signing was the culmination of hard work and conversations between lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. "I'd like to personally offer my thanks to the legislative leadership who are standing behind me right here, for a successful special session, and what we believe will yield untold benefits to all Alabamians in the days ahead," Ivey said. Earlier this week, Ivey defended her proposal to use the state's allotment of Covid-19 relief funds to build prisons after receiving criticism from Democrats. The proposal included using up to $400 million of federal Covid-19 relief money, up to $785 million in bonds and no more than $154 million from the state general fund to add prisons and renovate others. The state Legislature gave the package final approval Friday. The federal rescue package was enacted to help states plug budget holes in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Biden administration has issued broad guidance on how the funds can be used, including offsetting revenue losses to protect "vital public services." The administration has also encouraged state and local governments to use some of the funding to address a summer rise in violent crime. The use of federal money on prisons would help all Alabamians, according to Ivey, who pitched the idea as lessening the burden for taxpayers while prisons are built. "The Democrat-controlled federal government has never had an issue with throwing trillions of dollars toward their ideological pet projects," Ivey had said in a statement posted Tuesday on Twitter, calling the state's prison infrastructure "broken." "The fact is, the American Rescue Plan Act allows these funds to be used for lost revenue and sending a letter in the last hour will not change the way the law is written. These prisons need to be built, and we have crafted a fiscally conservative plan that will cost Alabamians the least amount of money to get the solution required." Ivey was responding to a letter from House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, asking her on Monday to "take all appropriate steps to prevent the misuse" of the funds by Alabama and other states. "Directing funding meant to protect our citizens from a pandemic to fuel mass incarceration is in direct contravention of the intended purposes of the ARP legislation and will particularly harm communities of color who are already disproportionately impacted by over-incarceration and this public health crisis," the New York Democrat wrote. "It should not be used to worsen our national problem of over-incarceration." The Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment on Ivey's statements. Pastor Robert White, who runs the Legal Advocacy Group, which lobbies for inmates' rights, previously told CNN that "we could be using this money on mental health, on our sewage system. Covid is still going on; we should be using this money on our health care system." "We're not saying the prisons don't need to be built. We're saying that this money needs to go to mental health, education, not a plantation in the middle of nowhere. The problem doesn't change. The murders don't stop," he continued. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. A stretch of prime Southern California beachfront real estate can now be returned to the descendants of its rightful Black owners, nearly a century after the parcel was taken by the city of Manhattan Beach. Known as Bruce's Beach, the resort had offered Black families a place to enjoy the California life and was a labor of love for owners Charles and Willa Bruce. But harassment from White neighbors and the Ku Klux Klan tore away at their dreams. The final blow came in 1924 when the city took the property through eminent domain and paid the couple a fraction of what they asked for. The city wanted the land for a park. On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that will enable the county to return the beachfront property to their descendants. The two lots are worth approximately $75 million in total, officials confirmed to CNN earlier this year. The houses directly next to the property have hefty price tags of around $7 million each. The new law was authored by Sen. Steve Bradford, who sits on the state's newly formed reparations task force. "This is what reparations look like," said Bradford, insisting that the county is not giving anything to the Bruce family, yet simply returning their stolen property. The Bruces purchased the land for $1,225 in 1912, and built several facilities, including a cafe and changing rooms. It was one of the few beaches where Black residents could go because so many other local beaches did not permit Black beachgoers. But some White neighbors resented the resort's popularity, a Bruce family spokesperson told CNN earlier this year. White supremacists and Klan members posted "no trespassing' signs" and slashed tires so Black families would avoid the area. The KKK attempted to set the property on fire and succeeded in burning down a local Black family's home nearby, county officials said earlier this year. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn told reporters that when scare tactics didn't work, Manhattan Beach declared eminent domain in 1924. The couple eventually were paid about $14,125. They died just five years later. The city left the land vacant for several decades after it took ownership in 1929. Today, the property is now a park with a lawn, parking lot and a lifeguard training facility. It no longer belongs to Manhattan Beach. The property was transferred to the state and to Los Angeles County in 1995. When the county supervisors attempted to return the property to the Bruce family last spring, they discovered state eminent domain law prevented them from doing so. "If the Bruces had been allowed to keep the property that they purchased, the impact that would have had on generations of not only Bruce family descendants but the other African Americans who began to buy parcels surrounding Bruce's Beach," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell. "The law was used to steal this property 100 years ago, and the law today will give it back," said Hahn, who will take the next steps to identify the legal heirs of Willa and Charles Bruce and eventually return the property to the family. "I am hopeful that the people in California will see the importance of trying to right this wrong," said Shepard, the family spokesman. State Sen. Bradford said the story of Charles and Willa Bruce is not unique in California. "Black-owned properties experienced tremendous amounts of hatred, harassment, hostility and violence at the hand of the Ku Klux Klan, who cold-bloodedly threatened the Bruces and other families who dared to enjoy their property." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. A group representing national school board associations asked President Joe Biden and the federal government on Wednesday to help look into threats against school board members and educators to see if laws were broken regarding bullying, hate crimes, or domestic terror, as anger around masks and critical race theory have boiled over around the country. "America's public schools and its education leaders are under an immediate threat," said the letter, signed by National School Boards Association President Viola M. Garcia and NSBA interim Executive Director and CEO Chip Slaven. The NSBA requested the resources of the US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, and its National Threat Assessment Center "regarding the level of risk to public schoolchildren, educators, board members, and facilities/campuses." They also asked for the help of the US Postal Inspection Service regarding threatening letters and cyberbullying. "As these acts of malice, violence, and threats against public school officials have increased, the classification of these heinous actions could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes," the school boards association stated in its letter to Biden. The letter comes after a series of heated school board meetings across the country regarding Covid-19 safety protocols and critical race theory, the oft-misunderstood concept examining the role of institutional racism in American history. "The greatest number and the biggest concern we have are the threats of violence, the coordinated efforts that we seem to see because of the similarities across the state lines," Garcia told CNN's "New Day" on Friday. "It gives us pause, great pause, because not only are we charged at the school board level (with) the academic viability of our students but we also are charged with the safety and security not only of the students but of the staff and the community members that come in and out of our buildings." In Tennessee, a group opposed to mask requirements in schools heckled and threatened people outside a school board meeting. A school board meeting in Idaho to discuss a temporary mask mandate was canceled due to "security concerns" amid a group of boisterous protesters. In Virginia, a person was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after a chaotic school board meeting related to a proposed policy toward transgender students and critical race theory. A White House spokesman told CNN the Biden administration is "exploring what more can be done across the administration" regarding the NSBA's request. "We take the safety and security of public servants and elected officials across the country very seriously," the spokesman told CNN on Thursday. "While we would refer you to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for questions about any specific threats, we would certainly encourage individuals to report any threats they face to local and state law enforcement agencies." In its request, the NSBA cited several news articles involving threats against board members, including a mailed letter addressed to a school board member in Ohio that said "we are coming after you and all the members on the ... BoE [Board of Education]." The mailed letter accused the board member of forcing students to wear masks in order to control students, "and for that you will pay dearly." The NSBA noted in addition to individual threats groups are posting "watchlists" against school boards. "Coupled with attacks against school board members and educators for approving policies for masks to protect the health and safety of students and school employees, many public school officials are also facing physical threats because of propaganda purporting the false inclusion of critical race theory within classroom instruction and curricula," the NSBA wrote to Biden. In the letter, the NSBA says while school board members want to hear from members of the community, there needs to be basic safety measures in place. And while local jurisdictions have been helping, federal involvement is necessary with regarding monitoring threat levels. The NSBA states the threats are impacting the desire for school board members to continue in their jobs and their ability to do the work they need to, and also presents "a clear and present danger to civic participation." "These threats and acts of violence are affecting our nation's democracy at the very foundational levels," the letter said. This story has been updated to reflect Viola M. Garcia's comments on CNN's "New Day." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Justice Brett Kavanaugh has tested positive for Covid-19, the Supreme Court said Friday, the first publicly known case of coronavirus among the high court's justices. Kavanaugh, who is fully vaccinated, tested positive on Thursday night, the court said in a statement. The justice's immediate family tested negative and he has no symptoms. Kavanaugh underwent a routine Covid test Thursday ahead of fellow Justice Amy Coney Barrett's investiture ceremony Friday, which he will no longer be attending out of precaution, the court said. His positive diagnosis for coronavirus means he won't be on the bench Monday, the start of the new term and what would be the first in-person session with all nine justices. Kavanaugh "will participate in next week's oral arguments remotely from his home," the court said in a separate statement later Friday. "All of the other Justices, including Justice Kennedy, tested negative in advance of today's investiture" for Barrett, that statement said. Kavanaugh had recently tested negative for Covid-19 on Monday, along with the other justices, ahead of their meeting behind closed doors to discuss which cases should be added to the court's docket. He participated in the ACLI Capital Challenge three-mile race on Wednesday in Anacostia Park in Washington. The justices plan to return to the courtroom this term for oral arguments, after the pandemic forced them to hold arguments by phone. Sessions will not be open to the general public but a live audio feed that was a staple of the telephonic oral arguments will continue. Before she joined the bench, Barrett contracted coronavirus last summer and had felt "a little under the weather but recovered," CNN reported. This story has been updated with additional information. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. CHICO, Calif. - The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 582 of Butte County kicked off their three-day event by posting the colors. Many tents lined up along the Chico Elks Lodge to offer different resources to veterans, and veterans say all the help means a lot. Over 40 organizations are participating in the event, which includes the Veterans Service Office of Butte County to Ampla Health, the Employment Development Department, including other housing organizations, such as House and Heart, and CHIP (Community Housing Improvement Program). It means a lot because a lot of people can use the help, especially some of these services they have, Vietnam veteran Augi Figueroa said. And its the place to go, and yeah its great! Other veterans share the same appreciation as Figueroa. Hey, it means theyre looking out for us, you know, Cathy Ellsworth, a veteran who served with the U.S. Marines said.Almost all of us have probably been through the Camp Fire, the Dixie Fire, or something else and we could always use things. The event is also giving away water canteens, sleeping bags, boots, and even jackets to veterans for free, just in time for winter. While this is the first time the Vietnam Veterans of America have hosted the three-day event, the organization hopes to continue it in the coming years. As a veteran myself, it hits right in the heart to see these people being able to get help and get back off the streets, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 582 President Ron Matheson said. The event will continue through the weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Its also open to any veteran outside of Butte County and no fee is required to attend the event. CHICO, Calif. - Governor Gavin Newsom is mandating COVID-19 vaccination for schoolchildren. The mandate takes effect once a vaccine receives full FDA approval. "Schools are like an incubation area because they get everything that comes through," Bob Smith, who supports the vaccine mandate said. Smith thinks it is necessary to have school-aged children get vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity and to keep them safe in the classroom. "At home, they don't get the full attention that they get in school, Smith said. They need to be in the room with other kids and a teacher." Dave Schreiber lives in Chico and thinks a mandate is going too far. "I am vaccinated, I believe in the vaccination, but I just think the science says children don't need it, Schreiber told Action News Now. A parent who did not want to be identified said that it is too soon to impose a mandate. "Maybe in two years from now, but not yet, the concerned parent said. Since they are still waiting for FDA approval, California expects it will impact seventh to twelfth grade in July of 2022. K-6 mandates kick in once the five to eleven age group gets full approval. Right now, Butte County has 30.5% of kids ages 12 to 17 fully vaccinated. 23.5% in Shasta County, 20% in Tehama County, and less than 35% in Glenn, Trinity, and Modoc counties. "I do understand why you should be vaccinated to go back in person because online school really sucked, High school senior Grace Hostetter said. A lot of people hated it and most kids struggled with it. But I also believe in your body, your choice." School staff is also being mandated to get vaccinated once the vaccines reach full FDA approval. "It's stressful, but I can see why it is important, Abby Nielsen, a preschool teacher in Chico said. It's important to keep the kids safe." The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent Mary Sakuma gave us this statement regarding the mandate: "School leaders throughout the state will continue to do what they have always done, putting the safety of students and staff first. The safety measures in schools, including wearing masks, testing, and ventilation, have proven to be critical layers of protection. The delayed effective date of Governor Newsom's plan is helpful for our local educational agencies to have time to plan and implement the mandate. The Butte County Office of Education will continue to support districts and charter schools meet the requirements to remain open for in-person instruction. I understand that our parents and community members may still have concerns regarding the vaccine. I urge everyone to have conversations with a trusted health professional about the safety of the vaccine. Second, I want to stress that medical and religious exemptions, and possibly a personal belief exemption, will be made available for families." "If it comes down to the governor making it a mandate like all other vaccines are mandated for school-aged children, I would support that, Lois Landau, who lives in Chico said. Tehama County Superintendent of Schools Richard DuVarney also shared the following statement regarding the vaccine mandate: "Govern Newsom's mandate is problematic in the sense that resistance will cause kids tot to have access to education. Students won't go to school and staff could potentially leave. The biggest challenge rights now are with employment. Imposing this mandate will be difficult from a personal standpoint." Chico Unified School District is also sending out a note today to families saying that the mandate is not their decision, but a state decision. They do not have the ability to change it but will be in open communication with families as they continue to navigate the pandemic. CHICO, Calif. - More money to help the homeless in Chico as the Jesus Center received a $75,000 grant from Tri Counties Bank. A new building will be built right across the street here in this space as the new building is part of phase two of the centers renewal center project. The new facility will have 27,000 square feet of space and it will include 14 mini-apartment units reserved for families. The remaining beds will be for singles and couples. The Jesus Center said they appreciate the financial support. Yeah, this is a huge, huge win for us, said Laura Cootsona, executive director of the Jesus Center. You know, to have a bank of this caliber invest in our project, to really build a robust set of services to augment whats already here. To add, particularly to help folks who are really struggling out there is huge. Homelessness is a prevalent concern in Chico and we as a community-based bank are striving to help mitigate that, said Megan Sheehan, Tri Counties Bank Community Engagement manager. While sobriety is required for entry at the Jesus Center, its new facility will not have the same requirement. In addition, the new facility will have eight free-standing units outside of the main building that will allow for an animal. The entire project is expected to cost around $20 million. Construction for phase two of the project will begin in early 2022. CHICO, Calif. - Community members shared their opinions on the impact of homeless advocates handing out free food to the homeless on Friday in Chico. "It has been a rough ride, said a man who lives in city plaza Nicholas Casler. I have died almost three times this year." Casler has been experiencing homelessness for three years. He said the community stepping in to help has saved him. "It makes me feel better about the people around here and it gives me hope that I can get back on my feet and start all over again," said Casler. A group of homeless advocates came to the city plaza Friday. They were handing out food to the homeless. "Community coffee hour is a protest against the effective banishment of homeless individuals from certain areas of town through the elimination of services, said homeless advocate Sisarie Sherry. Most notably the closure of the Jesus center on Park Avenue." The community coffee hour provides the homeless with things like free doughnuts and coffee and while the homeless appreciate this service, others feel differently. "Pulling them back into the city and the city is getting destroyed by this, said Chico resident Kim Shy-Burke. By the amount of garbage and the crime and people sleeping and blocking sidewalks." "We all have empathy for them but at the same time you are kind of enabling and a lot of the time in some of the encampments it is making it a recurring problem," said Chico resident Stephanie Fountain. Around 30 homeless people gathered together for the community coffee hour this morning. The community coffee hour takes place at the city plaza every Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting at 9 a.m. The City of Chico continues its ongoing efforts in finding a solution for the homeless. At its last settlement conference on Monday, the Chico city manager said they were making great progress. The next settlement conference will take place on Oct. 27. Ahead of upcoming Durga Puja festivities, ABP Ananda is all set to take the spotlight with its flagship property Sharad Ananda. This years Sharad Ananda edition begins on 2nd October with a series of innovative programming. ABP Ananda has created a niche for itself in the Bengali TV space and this years Sharad Ananda programming is slated to achieve a fabulous response. The Sharad Ananda programming promises to deliver engaging content which will keep the viewers glued to their screens, providing the perfect opportunity for ABP Anandas partners to reach out to the audiences. Building the momentum for this years festive season, ABP Ananda has come up unique programming - Alada Chokhe Pujo, featuring a Bengali character named Alap Lahiri, known for his tremendous sense of humor. ABP Ananda has roped in Bengals renowned actor/comedian Anirban Chakrabarty to portray this role, in order to add an exciting flavor to the show. What are the content trends shaping OTT ecosystem? Find out at SCREENXX 2021. Register Now!Register Now! Akash Pothe Pujo is a one-of-a-kind programming that has never been seen on any Bengali news channel before. The detailed programming will include all the renowned Pujas of Kolkata, shot with drone cameras to provide the viewers with an immersing birds eye view for all 5 days of Puja. A special celebrity talk programme called Pujor Adda will be held on the day of puja. Through live chat sessions with Tollywood superstars, this show will feature various adda' sessions with an appealing look and feel to reflect the current buoyant atmosphere. Keeping viewers connected with various engaging content this festive season, Sharad Ananda Samman 2021 promises to be an unmissable event. This show will telecast immensely popular Durga Puja Award ceremony to felicitate Pujas in various categories like sera pratima, sera pandal, sera theme, sera alok-shojja, sera bhabna, sera pujo committee, sera sabeki puja etc. Hosted by star actor Biswanath Basu, a popular fun reality based game show amongst audiences and brands Paray-e-Paray-e-Serar Lodai will also be telecast on ABP Ananda this Durga Puga, this show promises to be an enthralling gameshow. Prioritizing safety protocols, the channel will place a special emphasis on the Covid-19 safety precautions this year, aligning with the show for five days and following all essential social-distancing policy. A special Surakshar Puroshkar' is being awarded to Puja Committees that go above and beyond to safeguard the safety and security of pandal-goers, in light of the current scenario of a global pandemic. Sponsors on board for Sharad Ananda 2021: Presenting Sponsor: SRMB TMT, Ajanta, Dear Lottery, Keo Karpin, Star Cement and Havells. Powered By: Ganesh Grains, Macho Hint, Dawa India, Parimal Mandir and Fortune Kachi Ghani. Partner: Priyo Gopal Bishoyee, Exide, ABP Weddings, RICE Smart and Shalimar Chef Masala. Drive-in-Partner: Honda Amaze and Fragrance Partner Wild Stone. Sponsors on board for Paray-e-Paray-e Serar Lodai: Presenting Sponsor: Jovees Herbal, Secret Temptation, Benarasi Niketan, JK Cement Wall Maxx, Anik Ghee, Denver, Shalimar Agarbatti and Sunsilk Powered By: Ganesh Grains, Tecno Mobile, Dhara and Fresh Spices Partnered By: Reliance Trends, VKC Pride, Neo Layer Face Wash, Meghbela Cable & Broadband Services Sponsors on board for Surakshar Puroshkar: Presenting Sponsor: Jovees Herbal, Concast TMT, Denver, Meghbela Cable & Broadband Services and Shalimar Hair Oil Powered By: Mother Dairy Mishti Doi Partner: Tata Tea Suraksha Partner: Quick Heal Commenting on this years special programming, ABP Networks CEO, Mr. Avinash Pandey said ABP Anandas special programming is driven by the aim to deliver on the promise of an exquisite viewer experience by showcasing the religious and cultural traditions using state of the art technology and innovation. The Durga Puja celebrations this year falls at a time when the country is beginning to emerge from the worst impacts of the pandemic. Goddess Durga's bravery serves as a beacon for us to strive to be our best selves as we celebrate the triumph of good over evil. IKEA, the worlds leading Swedish home furnishing brand, launched a new integrated campaign in India, the third in the series of the creative platform - Home Is where it all begins, across television, OOH and digital channels. Our needs and expectations from the home keep changing. Whether it is kids growing up or welcoming a new member into the family, home is expected to accommodate all needs. IKEA is passionate about peoples life at home and spends a lot of time to understand their needs, wants and desires. With this understanding it attempts to provide home furnishing solutions that can help the many people fulfil their needs from the home. Its latest commercial and four mini-ad series, gives a glimpse of how to make the most of our homes by unlocking spaces with smart solutions. What are the content trends shaping OTT ecosystem? Find out at SCREENXX 2021. Register Now!Register Now! The first television commercial focuses on the changing needs of home as a child grows and becomes a teenager. With him the needs of the other members of the family change too. The TVC focuses on bedroom storage solutions which help make space while telling a beautiful siblings story. YOUTUBE_nTiWsZVJgEA# The second television commercial focuses on the changing needs from home when a new furry friend gets added to the family. The family and the home also need to evolve to meet the requirements of this new member. IKEAs living room storage solutions help the family make space at home. Sometimes, when you make space for someone in your life, you also unlock space for them in your home and in your heart. They complete your family picture, even if they aren't related to you by blood. After all, when it comes to your family, home is where it all begins. YOUTUBE_p4WQyElHim8# YOUTUBE_pND8VJTBc_U# Commenting on the campaign, Kavitha Rao, Country Commercial Manager, IKEA India says We all have a lot of emotions linked to our homes, we would also like our homes to be functional to support us with the big and small changes in our life. Our needs from our home are growing and changing everyday. Often, we need to be able to do all the things we want to do, within the limited space. When we live with people with different needs, tastes and expectations, its no wonder we find ourselves looking for new solutions. The third campaign in the series home is where it all begins, talks about the most important changes in the living situation of a family by making space for growing needs of a teenager or addition of a furry friend, thereby making space for the family as whole. The four mini ad series talk about slice of life storytelling- positive take on work/study from home, staycation in current reality of life, progressive values showcased with a young boy evolving into a teenager and emotional storytelling with child displaying care and affection. At IKEA, through our wide range of functional and affordable home furnishing solutions, we want to help you unlock space, so that when your life at home evolves, your home can evolve with you. The second campaign under home is where it all begins was released early this year. It highlighted being a family is not just about having a meal together or other fun times, its also about partnering each other to navigate through the changes and the milestones that happen in a familys life. The campaign will run on TV in both Telangana and Mumbai markets on regional channels. It is a 360-degree campaign which will be live on TV, OOH (outdoor) and digital (YT, FB, IG). For more ideas and inspirations, please visit: IKEA India & IKEA ideas Sociowash - a leading creative digital marketing startup in India has recently announced the onboarding of 32 new clients in FY20 and 31 amid the second wave of the pandemic. The total number of clients is expected to grow even more by the end of FY21 which highlights the perseverance of the creative agency to drive sustained business growth even in unprecedented times. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been exacerbating on humanity and the economy. During the first quarter, many businesses experienced a slowdown due to the pandemic, which caused both brands and creative agencies to rethink their next steps. However, Sociowashs grit to modify the outlook and strategize a solution-driven business plan worked in its favor Witnessing the companys exemplary performance, Pranav Agarwal, Co-Founder of Sociowash said, When the industry faced an unexpected Pandemic curveball and unprecedented times ensued, Sociowash kept growing massively! The credit of this phenomenal growth, completely and utterly, goes to the team." We have always been guided by the mantra of adding value. Since the beginning, it has given us the impetus in becoming one of the most trusted Creative Digital agencies. We are 100% committed to delivering remarkable results and continue to create work that matters. While doing so, we plan to bolster a dominant position in the industry, he added. Being one of the leading creative agencies, Sociowash executes a broad spectrum of impactful digital campaigns. The key clients of the agency are realme, realme Europe, realme TechLife, Tinder, Voot, Ambipur, Oral-B, Select CITYWALK, OnePlus, CenturyPly, Viacom 18 Studios, Casio, Jeevansaathi, Starbucks, P&G Shiksha, Urbanic, and MPL. Sociowash masters the designing of growth-driven strategies for its clients and with exemplary efforts towards sustained business growth, it strives to achieve a 38-40% CAGR growth by the end of the next financial year. From 20th Century Studios and visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott comes The Last Duel, a gripping tale of betrayal and vengeance set against the brutality of 14th century France. Based on actual events, the historical epic unravels long-held assumptions about Frances last sanctioned duel between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris, two friends turned bitter rivals. The Last Duel stars Oscar winner Matt Damon, two-time Academy Award nominee Adam Driver, Emmy winner Jodie Comer and two-time Oscar winner Ben Affleck. The film is directed by four-time Academy Award nominee Ridley Scott. The Last Duel releases on 22nd October in theatres across India. The Back the Blue slogan has been a regular part of our lexicon for the last few years, in particular as weve seen the rise of violent protests from the likes of Black Lives Matter and Antifa, with much of their hate and vitriol being hurled at our men and women in law enforcement. When you add to that the amount of betrayal these same law enforcement officers have endured from their own superior officers and their cities leaders, then the idea of decent, patriotic, and commonsense people standing up for them is not at all a stretch. Many of us have close friends and family that are in law enforcement, so this is very much a personal and up-close issue. I have an uncle, two good friends, a brother-in-law, and a nephew who are all police officers, and my own father spent a few years on our local small-town police force when I was a kid. So the idea of backing the blue is indeed very personal to me and something I take seriously. Generally, when a controversy arises regarding an officer-involved incident, my tendency is towards believing the story of the police versus the alleged perpetrator until more is known. However, my thoughts on this issue have taken a sharp turn in recent months, directly relating to behavior Ive witnessed from law enforcement, particularly during the time of COVID lockdowns and restrictions. This is not to say I no longer back the blue. Rather, it is to say that I no longer do so in a nearly unconditional way. Similar to how President Reagan had a Trust but Verify policy regarding the Soviets during the Cold War, I think along the same lines toward law enforcement now. In many cases, we have seen very troubling behavior by our police officers. Weve seen them forcefully keep citizens out of public town meetings and the police stand by while Antifa thugs attacked people in the street. Weve seen people arrested for not falling into line with mandates that are very questionable legally. Weve seen businesses shut down and livelihoods destroyed by lousy public health policies. And who was there enforcing these lousy policies? The police. Of course, I understand that they are only doing their jobs and that they are in the really difficult position of having to follow orders or risk suspension or termination, which will often mean the loss of the all-too-valuable pension, which is a very real concern for which I sympathize. Its not just in the United States. There have been highly visible cases, like the one in Canada where a church was raided and shut down because it wouldnt comply with COVID rules, and who was there doing the raiding? Our friends in Law Enforcement. Two hundred of them. There have been anti-lockdown and anti-mandate protests in many European cities that have been aggressively broken up by police; protests that were not at all the violent riots by BLM that were allowed to go on unabated throughout our country and elsewhere for months. Finally, probably the most high-profile situation to date is what is going on in Australia right now regarding their truly Orwellian mandates and lockdowns. The police are behaving in an incredibly disturbing manner. This video was recently posted on a story on the Gateway Pundit and shows exactly what is going on Down Under. The video makes it pretty damn clear that these arent reluctant officers forced to do their duty but doing so in a caring and responsible way. No, this is a case where these people appear to have been given carte blanche to brutally quash any dissent and go out and crack some skulls. And they appear to be enjoying it. One cannot help but see Nazi storm troopers in these images, as these officers aggressively and even gleefully strangle and beat unarmed protesters in the street. Their riot gear, in fact, makes me think of the stormtroopers in the Star Wars movies. Its truly shocking. Women being dragged out of their cars. Men, defenseless on the ground, being kicked in the head. Horrifying. What I often hear, and used to believe, is that this couldnt happen here. This is America! We are too evolved and enlightened for this kind of thing. And we have the 2nd Amendment to protect us from tyranny of this sort. Really? Go to New York City and ask them about their 2nd Amendment rights. Do you think Bill DeBlasio is incapable of this sort of thing? Do you really believe most Democrat leaders are above the sort of thing were witnessing in Australia? If you do, you might want to start seeking your news and information elsewhere. If the likes of Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Dianne Feinstein have their way, our COVID and vaccine-related rules and restrictions will duplicate those of Australia. Feinstein recently introduced a bill that would require proof of vaccine or negative test to board a domestic flight. There have been similar proposals to require this of interstate travel of any kind. From there, its not too hard to make the leap to another total lockdown. And as with the Aussies, a people who I would have never thought would stand for these kinds of shenanigans, Americans will say Enough is enough, and we will have massive protests here. The question is, Will our policemen and women respond in the same way as those in Melbourne and stand against us? Or will they stand with us and say No? Image: Pixabay To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Over at SFGATE, the online San Francisco news outlet related to the San Francisco Chronicle, the headline and subtitle are damning, in that they accuse Rep. Dan Crenshaw of being both a dangerous scofflaw and a disgraceful hypocrite. However, if you dive into the article, you discover that he's making a principled stand against a ludicrous rule and that there's no hypocrisy on his part, only on Nancy Pelosi's. As noted, the headline and subtitle are damning: Houston Rep. Dan Crenshaw fined $5,000 for dodging Capitol metal detectors The Republican leader failed to comply with security measures installed after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, despite hammering Democratic Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi for the same infraction in April. Rep. Dan Crenshaw failed to comply with security measures installed after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, despite hammering Democratic Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi for the same infraction in April.https://t.co/DjrHOpsatr Chron (@chron) October 1, 2021 Although the "journalist" behind the story, Ariana Garcia, may not be personally responsible for the headline and subtitle, she's certainly responsible for the article's contents. The article opens by saying that Crenshaw, along with "six other lawmakers," is guilty of "dodging the metal detectors inside the U.S. Capitol" this week, exposing each of them to a possible $5,000 fine. The article refers to the police report and the House Committee on Ethics statement about Crenshaw's wrongdoing. It then explains how the extra security was necessary "following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 during which five people were killed." Wait! What? Insurrection? Five people killed? Well, not quite, Ms. Biased "Journalist." All the evidence, including admissions from the FBI, is that there was no planned insurrection, that the FBI was involved well in advance and may have been encouraging events, that the Capitol Police invited people into the building, and that those who entered treated the People's place of law with respect. And as for those "five people killed," implying that the insurrectionists were murderers, only one person was killed when a Capitol Police officer cold-bloodedly shot a woman who was manifestly not a threat to him or anyone else. No other Capitol Police officers even drew their weapons (some insurrection!). The other people died either of natural causes (including a police officer) or, in the cases of one person, from an apparent drug overdose. We now know that Garcia, the "journalist," is both biased and dishonest, in my opinion. Garcia goes on to explain that Republicans object to the metal detectors and the fines and have been engaging in civil disobedience, something that Democrats and leftists like only when they do it. And then the reporter goes from mendacious to genuinely stupid in my opinion (or maybe I underestimate her, and what I see as a lack of logic is still mendacity): Crenshaw has previously called the new machines a virtue signal for liberals, despite being among lawmakers who called out U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for bypassing the metal detector in February without paying a fine, according to Fox News' Jon Brown. (Emphasis added.) It's true that Crenshaw has called the machines a form of virtue-signaling. The problem is that phrase "despite being ..." When you see that phrase, you're meant to understand that Crenshaw is the hypocrite for simultaneously opposing the machines and then complaining that Pelosi ignored them. But that's not how hypocrisy works. Crenshaw opposes the metal detectors and, at financial risk to himself, refuses to follow the rules regarding those machines. That's called being principled. The hypocrisy problem lies with Pelosi, for she always makes it clear that laws are for the little people. She's the hypocrite who instituted the metal detector rule but refuses to abide by her own rule or pay the price for violating it. I know I'm picking on Ariana Garcia, but it's important to understand that this young woman (who graduated in 2017 from the University of Texas at Austin with a journalism degree) has been trained, not in journalism, but in advocacy. Presented with facts showing a congressman taking a principled stand against a rule with which he disagrees and his showing that the rule's author flagrantly violates her own rule without any consequences, this leftist activist abandons logic to attack the congressman as a hypocrite. Moreover, to justify the rule at issue, she lies about the facts. People like Garcia are toxic because too many people accept this fact-free, logic-free, dishonest narrative as actual news. Therefore, they drive the divisions in society, along with aggressively policing any deviations from their narrative. They're perfectly happy to destroy people along the way, so I think it's only right and proper to call her out. Image: Twitter homepage for Ariana Garcia. Twitter screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Vladimir Putin of Russia, battered and diminished by the Trump years, is now in the catbird seat. Joe Biden is the reason why. In the midst of his incompetence, bad judgment, and quite possibly corrupt tradeoffs, he's enacted a string of bad decisions to empower the Russian autocrat. Quite unlike President Trump, who was accused by a mendacious and maddened left of being "Putin's puppet," Joe Biden is the real thing. This is pretty ironic, really: for a man who wrote the gushing book blurb to the most negative portrayal of Putin I've ever read, Fiona Hill's Mr. Putin, which I wrote about here, Biden's decisions to empower Putin are very strange indeed. We often talk about China as being empowered and emboldened by Biden, but the less noted Putin empowerment from Biden is clearly stronger. Biden's latest is a jaw-dropper: in the wake of his disastrous pullout from Afghanistan, he's now begging Putin for access to Russian bases from which to surveil for terror activity. According to the Wall Street Journal: Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, raised the subject at the request of President Biden's National Security Council staff in his meeting last Wednesday with Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the U.S. officials said. Gen. Gerasimov was noncommittal during the Helsinki meeting, the U.S. officials said. A Kremlin spokesman declined to comment. The previously unreported exchange comes as the Biden administration is searching for ways to strengthen its capability to monitor and respond to potential terrorist dangers in Afghanistan now that U.S. forces have left the country. So he threw away our Bagram Airfield base in Afghanistan, abandoning it in the dead of night without even telling the allies, let alone the Afghan army, forcing the U.S. to conduct its last dangerous evacuations from Kabul airport, which led to 13 dead service members in a terror attack. Now he notices that the U.S. doesn't know anything about Afghanistan anymore, even as the entire alphabet soup of terrorist organizations ISIS, ISIS-K, al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Taliban Pakistan, the Haqqani Network, the whole ugly lot plus likely more as "foreign fighters" roll in with the Taliban takeover and consolidation of power. He hasn't been able to get the permission of the Central Asian states, such as Kazakhstan or Tajikistan, to cooperate. Most of them take their marching orders from their old colonial master back in Moscow. Now the plan is to persuade Putin to allow U.S. troops to surveil from Russia. Apparently, there was no planning at all, and now the Bidenites are seeking help on the fly. Anybody want to take a gander at what kind of deal Putin will drive for any access for U.S. troops or intelligence personnel to operate on Russian territory? It's come to that play on Putin's terms for base access and know what the Taliban and its terrorist buddies are doing, or else no base access and wait and find out. The Journal notes that Biden's pathetic call to help from Putin comes as the U.S. has Russia under considerable sanctions for its Ukraine invasion, sanctions that bother the Russian oligarchs, but the country has not budged. While the U.S. and Russia share concerns about the threat of terrorism, the idea of working with Russia on counterterrorism is fraught with challenges, particularly politically. Congress enacted legislation several years ago that precludes close cooperation between the U.S. and Russia militaries as long as Russian troops are in Ukraine, unless the secretary of defense issues a special waiver. If surveilling Afghanistan from afar instead of in-country is that important, the U.S. will likely have no choice but to bend to Putin's terms and drop sanctions. A waiver is a joke, and it's likely that Putin won't stand for it. Once the sanctions are off, Biden needs to assume that Putin keeps his agreement and does not change his mind. Checkmate, Plugs. It's just as bad on the energy front. While President Trump had Putin on the ropes with his policy to promote domestic energy production and U.S. energy self-sufficiency, Biden has shut down domestic production and driven even the U.S. toward energy imports from petrotyrants. He killed the Keystone XL pipeline for America while giving the green light to Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany. That's apparently good news for Germany but even better news for Russia. Our close allies in Europe shut their own coal, natural gas, fracking, oil, and nuclear industries down, only to find themselves freezing cold and out of energy. They can now either freeze and go without crops (which require fossil fuelderived fertilizer), or they can embrace the Russian bear and all its abundant oil and natural gas production, with that handy Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The Wall Street Journal's Allysia Finley reports that Putin is already feeling his oats on that pipeline empowerment from Biden: Russia is exploiting Europe's energy difficulties by reducing gas deliveries, perhaps to pressure Germany to complete certification of its Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which bypasses Ukraine. Russia's Gazprom has booked only a third of the available transportation capacity through its Yamal pipeline for October and no additional deliveries via its Ukraine pipeline. Europe has become ever more dependent on Russia the world's second largest gas producer, after the U.S. for energy because the U.K. and Germany have banned hydraulic fracturing, letting their rich gas shale resources go to waste. Way to go, Joe. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline isn't even up and running yet, and already Putin is slipping into his petrotyrant mode, forcing Europe to deal with him on Russia's terms. How else has Joe Biden empowered Putin? Well, don't forget the hacker target list. Joe Biden gave Putin at a recent summit a "please don't throw me in the briar patch" list of targets he really, really, really doesn't want Russia's state-linked hackers to hit. That's convenient for them. Now they know where they can do the most harm. I wrote about that here. Lastly, Biden's electoral fraud and his unwillingness to admit any possibility of fraud, despite a mountain of evidence, has been a bonanza for Putin, too. Halting ballot counts in the middle of the night, shifting their trending direction, ending ballot security, killing off observer transparency, and a whole host of other shenanigans are "legal" across the world now that Biden has engaged in them, denying any possibility of fraud and demonizing those who ask or audit. That's the standard now, and Putin, in his country's recent parliamentary elections, has run with it. It doesn't matter who votes; it matters who counts the votes, to paraphrase what Stalin reportedly said, bringing the matter curiously full circle. Most of these empowerment moves to Putin can be chalked up to Joe Biden's incompetence, Joe being a man who has been "wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades," as Bob Gates put it. He's a mediocrity, a plagiarist, a bumbler, of diminished capacity now, and incompetence has been a way of life for him. But there's also a pattern here and the pattern goes in just one direction: against America's interests and for Putin's. Might that be a part of a plan? Sure, it's a conspiracy theory to say so, but there are a hell of a lot of Soviet Union and communist Chinaadmirers in his administration, such as comptroller of the currency nominee Saule Omarova, who nakedly admires Soviet banking as superior to that of the U.S., and of course the Mao-admiring Anita Dunn, who's a power-couple with her husband, a Perkins Coie member affiliated with Biden campaign shenanigans. Views like theirs are pretty extremist to the point of rarity, but Biden's somehow found these people and pulled them close to power. Stronger still, there's Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop, which contains evidence of a $3-million payment from a mayor of Moscow's widow, whose late husband was an ally of Putin's close enough that Putin spoke at his funeral. Anybody ask any questions yet about what that $3-million payment was for? The Biden family's Ukraine dealings are worth thinking about, too. They have many angles, but suffice it to say many of the characters involved were Putin puppets and stooges with a lot of energy-linked cash in Ukraine, rather than independent and freedom-loving Ukrainians. There are a lot of unanswered questions as to whether this was by incompetence or design. What is certain, though, is that Biden is the best friend Vladimir Putin ever had. He's like a playground checkers player thrown out onto the pro chess field with an odor of corruption on the side, and for Putin, it's an easy match. Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. The Obama-Biden administration stockpiled an arsenal of high-powered weapons in the Executive Branch based on the vision of a civilian national security force. The stockpile can outfit an army. The Biden regime controls the trigger to the arsenal. "We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded," Obama said on July 2, 2008. Non-profit OpentheBooks released a comprehensive oversight report earlier this year titled "The Militarization of The U.S. Executive Agencies" (here). The report estimated "that there are now more federal officers with firearm authority (200,000+) than U.S. Marines (186,000)." It's the fulfillment of Obama's well-funded prophecy. There is clearly no legal authority, requirement, or reason for general administrative agencies, like the Internal Revenue Service, whose power is limited to implementing laws, to have weapons. Biden plans on expanding the IRS by 87,000 workers. Will their audit training include marksmanship? Accountability isn't a strength of the federal government. The Pentagon never passed its 2017 audit, nor could the Department of Defense document $22 trillion in expenditures. Not a vote of confidence when it comes to the executive agencies protecting the decentralized stockpiles of firearms and ammunition. Weapons could easily fall into the hands of vigilantes like Antifa. Given the Biden administration's top-down revolution, it is not unthinkable for agencies to intimidate citizens in gun-toting confrontations, conduct government purges, or supply military-grade weapons to a civilian national security force (paramilitary). Biden's "Minority Report" Life imitates art. The Biden administration has installed Homeland Security's pre-crime unit, using a Nazi-like emergency decree, which focuses on perceived white domestic extremism. The program identifies individuals at risk of radicalizing to commit violence and uses crisis intervention teams. Big Brother is counting on the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign to report on fellow citizens to the inter-agency Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) database. An overreach further consolidating the Executive Branch's power, supported by these well-armed executive agencies, will use intimidation and coercion to criminalize lawful dissent and destroy the First Amendment. This strategy follows Mao Tse-tung's philosophy: "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." Homeland Security's charter is to "secure U.S. borders and approaches." The agency has inverted the mission, targeting U.S. citizens as the threat while leaving the southern border wide open to cartels, criminals, and terrorists. Biden's Unilateral Gun Control The Biden administration wants a government-accessible database to trace lawful transfers or sold firearms. Also, part of the plan is to target owners with assault weapons and guns with high-capacity magazines with a buyback program. Owners would have two options: sell the firearms to the government, or register them under the National Firearms Act. Put simply, it's a national gun registry, paving the way for future seizures of lawfully owned guns. The Biden plan would require gun owners to safely store their weapons in their homes and possibly authorize government access to citizens' homes to assess noncompliance. Another ploy is promoting "red flag" state laws allowing enforcement officials to remove an individual's access to firearms during a personal crisis or what appears to present danger to himself or others. Take away the guns, possibly under pretenses, and eliminate due process. The usurper-in-chief has issued 63 executive orders at a record pace, riding roughshod over Congress's constitutional authority and our civil liberties. Look for Biden to issue executive orders on gun control. Australia, the Poster Child for Gun Control In 1996, Australia passed the National Firearms Agreement with a mandatory buyback program, prohibition of automatic and semi-automatic rifles and pump-action shotguns, rigid licensing requirements, and a firearms registry. Data show that the law did not decrease violent crime; in fact, violent crime went up. Australia was founded in the late 1700s as a British penal colony. The country is returning to its roots, becoming a police state with the world's most oppressive COVID-19 lockdowns in some of its states. Gun control worked, indeed not by tackling a criminal problem, but by controlling the citizens. Fox commentator Tucker Carlson points out, "It's not about guns; it's about who runs the country." That's a game plan that worked well for tyrants Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot, and Stalin, but not so well for over 100 million genocide victims. The 2nd Amendment is the bulkhead to prevent despotism. Robert A. Bishop is a retired corporate CPA. Image via Pxhere. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. If you're going to sneak amnesty for illegal aliens into a budget bill, it's probably best to do it when tens of thousands of migrants aren't surging on in. That's the lunacy we are looking at Democrats scrambling to deliver amnesty to illegals, through their 2,000-page, $3.5-trillion monster pork spending bill, and failing again and again. That plan has now been nixed twice as out of order by the Senate parliamentarian's recommendation. A second ruling by the Senate parliamentarian has Democrats grasping at straws over how to include some form of immigration relief in their sweeping reconciliation package, as activists pressure them to do more to change the upper chamber's rules. Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough on Wednesday ruled against a Democratic proposal to offer permanent residency to millions of undocumented immigrants [sic], the second time in a week she's shot down a Democratic proposal that would have provided security [sic] for the population. The decision was a stinging blow to Democrats that left them with few options, though some were moving toward a plan C that would involve granting parole to groups of undocumented immigrants [sic]. Her ruling is based on legal precedent, not border surges going on now. But it's hard to not think there's some kind of connection. Why are the Democrats doing their amnesty plan this way, through a sneaky rider in the $3.5-trillion pork bill, instead of a normal legislative way? Hain't they got the power and majority, which they've bragged about for months? The Hill notes that they are scrambling. All those Democrat voters, all those spanking new welfare clients for bureaucrats to "service," it's all for naught, so they're upset. "It looks really bleak. It looks like it will require many years before it can gel again," said Garcia. Boo-hoo-hoo. The Democrats can still vote on their amnesty for illegals as a completely separate bill any time they like, which is the legal way to do it. But they really want a quiet little rider slipped on in with the $3.5-trillion pork-a-thon budget bill instead. "This is still a vehicle that offers possibilities now I'm talking about reconciliation to protect people in the immigrant [sic] community, and I think millions of people," [Democrat Rep. Jesus Garcia of Illinois] said. We all know why the parliamentarian's ruling upsets them, actually it's because they know that a normal bill will fail in both the House and Senate. The voters don't want it. They can see how tens of thousands of illegal immigrants pour in every time illegal immigration is rewarded instead of punished. The amnesty, of course, would be the crowning glory. And that's likely intensified by the activist fanatics, who include illegals themselves with a stunning entitlement mentality, who are now shutting down traffic in San Francisco. On the Golden Gate Bridge, they were holding up Spanish-language signs to demonstrate their inability to assimilate, in order to prevent people from getting to their jobs, and pretty well annoying everyone. They should be apologizing for breaking U.S. law and acting as constructive citizens if they wish to win any sympathy. Not these guys: They're going for the Antifa strategy, browbeating the public through disruption and blocking vehicles, quite possibly emergency vehicles, in order to get what they want. That's bound to make their cause less popular with the public as the border surge pictures from Del Rio, Texas, remain within memory. The spectacle of previously resettled refugees out country-shopping and abusing the asylum system with junk claims was not an attractive one to the public, and any amnesty will worsen it. Homeland Security secretary Alex Mayorkas is now refusing to send virtually anyone back, so at least 60,000 more are coming up from South America now. In the San Francisco Chronicle's YouTube video, you can hear an angry driver held up at the bridge yelling to the cops, "Get 'em outta here." That's what Democrats see for themselves, too, as they cling to their plan to slip amnesty by any skeevy means on through. Image: Screen shot from San Francisco Chronicle video, posted on shareable YouTube. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Since August this year, U.S. Marine lieutenant colonel Stuart Scheller had earned both fame and notoriety when he posted a series of videos questioning the military's leadership following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the devastating suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, which killed 182 people, including 13 U.S. service members, and injured more than a hundred. I have been fighting for 17 years. I am willing to throw it all away to say to my senior leaders: I demand accountability. People are upset because their senior leaders let them down and none of them are raising their hands and accepting accountability and saying, "We messed this up." He unsparingly criticized defense secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs chairman General Mark Milley for their incorrect predictions that the Afghan National Security Forces would be able to withstand Taliban attacks and for the closure in July of Bagram Airfield. He continued to post videos stating that the military needed a "revolution," evoking former President Jefferson's famous quote: "Every generation needs a revolution." He also demanded "fundamental change" to America's government and pledging to "bring the whole f------ system down." Scheller urged his viewers to abandon divisiveness and fear. He also said President Donald Trump "divided the country," while Barack Obama was "weak in any intestinal fortitude," and finally Bill and Hillary Clinton were "morally bankrupt." He then announced his resignation from his commission after 17 years of service, which meant giving up his pension. A case could be made that it was sort of an act of whistleblowing, hence Scheller should be afforded all the protections that a whistleblower gets. But the armed forces obviously didn't see it that way. Scheller was first ordered to undergo a mental health screening, following which he was sent to the brig in solitary confinement. He has been unable to contact anyone, save for a short phone call to a relative to help him retain counsel. The Marine Corps issued a statement confirming that Scheller has been sent to the brig. "Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller Jr. is currently in pre-trial confinement in the Regional Brig for Marine Corps Installations East aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune pending an Article 32 preliminary hearing," The Marine Corps acknowledged that the "time, date, and location" of the "Article 32 preliminary hearing" has not been determined. The punishment was seen as an attempt by Washington to shut down one of its most vociferous critics. Is there any validity to this point? We go back to the basics about the armed forces. To accomplish their mission, the armed forces must operate in total and complete unison. This is not the place for rebellion or mutiny and emphatically no place to make a public spectacle on social media. If an individual is allowed to rebel today, two more will rebel tomorrow, and several more will rebel later, and that soon the armed forces will be chaos. He may have been alerting the public to a matter vitally important. But demanding a "revolution" and talking about "bringing down the whole f------ system" could easily be seen as a call for mutiny or rebellion. While citizens have the freedom to express opinions, there is a code of conduct within the armed forces. The officer must always follow orders from his superiors. The armed forces must be loyal to their superiors. He always has the option to voice his opinions through his official chain of command. The armed forces may have been falling short on several occasions across decades, for which they deserve to be criticized. But in this particular case, they were in the right, perhaps like a broken clock that reports the right time twice in a day. There absolutely must not be a trend where armed personnel who disagree with policies or his orders resort to posting videos on social media and attacking their superiors. The punishment was clearly excessive, but there is no denying that Scheller violated one of the most sacrosanct codes of the armed forces. What Scheller could have done is resign from his post, free himself from all his obligations in the armed forces, and then issue his statements as a private citizen about the abominations he witnessed during the course of his duty. He had the choice of joining politics, where he could bring about real change and question his former superiors during hearings. As Orwell said, in times of universal deceit, telling the truth may be a revolutionary act, but that applies strictly to citizens. The outrage of the magnitude of punishment is most certainly valid but he did deserve some form of censure that would serve as a caution for other potential rebels. The armed forces must be apolitical and must apply uniformly across the board. Both Lt. Col. Scheller and General Milley were overtly political on a public platform, but Gen. Milley still holds his job, and Biden has full faith in him, while Scheller languishes in solitary confinement. It is this absolute lack of uniformity in meting out punishments that merits all the outrage in the world while we hope that relief finds its way to Lt. Col. Scheller. Image: Screen shot from Fox News video via YouTube. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. There is no question that, taken as a whole, our society is getting dumber. Recent I.Q. measurements support that assertion. It is a remarkably damning indictment of our public school system and current culture that the more years of schooling one has and the more information we have access to, the less actual knowledge and wisdom one tends to possess. To paraphrase something Mark Steyn once observed, eighth-grade Americans built the most successful country the world has ever known, and eighteenth-grade Americans may well destroy it. The Founders were worried about "the tyranny of the majority." Yet today the majority is allowing tyranny by the minority/minorities. Any tyranny is bad, but this is doubly so...and bizarre. Today's elites purport to believe in "gender fluidity," as if one could routinely swap out one's own gametes and genitalia with a blink and a nod, perhaps in I Dream of Jeannie fashion. Leftists today have been quite successful in indoctrinating young people into believing that capitalism is designed to benefit the "1%" while screwing the middle class, minorities, and the marginalized. In actuality, as Alexander Hamilton (ironically perhaps the left's most favorably viewed Founder at the moment) averred, a capitalist economy is best, as it "makes it as easy as possible for as many people as possible to be as prosperous as possible." Therefore, capitalism didn't encourage slavery; it was the antidote to slavery, the best way to see to its elimination. And, sure enough, the United States soon had a burgeoning and comparatively wealthy middle class, larger than that of any other nation. Many progressives today demean the Constitution, while many others believe that it is simply a "living document" that can be changed willy-nilly as they see fit. What isn't well known is that, prior to the Founders establishing the Constitution, no country ever had one. Incredibly, in only four pages of parchment and 4,543 words, they built the framework for the freest and most successful country in the history of the world. This once hallowed document codified their belief that governments were instituted among men to protect individuals' freedoms, not limit or abolish them. Progressives often note that the one thing they like about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is that they mandate the "separation of church and state." Yet the phrase is not in either, and the Founders all believed that religion was critically important to the long-term success of a democratic republic such as ours. And, oddly enough, progressives don't really believe in the separation of church and state quite the opposite. They believe in the merging of church and state. They believe that the state is the church and should be worshiped as such. Moreover, whereas Christianity is now often reviled, other religions are tolerated and even welcomed in our most progressive government-run schools. In California, for example, schoolkids were urged to pray and chant to Aztec gods. Meanwhile, reports claim, progressives are raging at Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, calling them "enemies of democracy" for not blindly, robotically going along with the Biden administration's radical agenda and $3.5-trillion "infrastructure"/reconciliation bill. Yes, unless every congressperson votes in absolute lockstep with everyone else in his party, no matter the consequences for the nation and people they supposedly serve, democracy is doomed. So, only by making certain that our representatives vote as the Supreme Soviet did can we ensure the continuation of our free democratic republic? WTF? "Dr." Ghazaleh Moayedi, a board-certified ob-gyn, recently said during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing that abortion is "freedom," a "blessing," and an "act of love." Yes, and the Holocaust was a "blessing" to the Germans, an "act of love" because Jews were considered a burden by the Nazis, who were only trying to enhance their own "freedom." Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) claimed during that same hearing that abortion bans are grounded "in patriarchy and white supremacy." This is exactly, 180 degrees the opposite of reality. Planned Parenthood, America's largest abortion corporation, was founded by a woman named Margaret Sanger, a proponent of eugenics. who once admitted: "We don't want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the negro population." Probably not. So just blame it all on Trump. Almost 80 percent of Planned Parenthood facilities are located in Black and Hispanic communities. Coincidence? Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Republicans fail to "respect the rule of law" (even as she vowed she would "absolutely" eliminate the filibuster). Hillary says Republicans fail to "respect the rule of law"? A Clinton says this? Despite the Whitewater scandal, the false FISA document employed to take out Trump, and the numerous unaccountable deaths of close associates who could have testified against them, etc., etc. This is akin to Al Capone complaining that Eliot Ness didn't respect the rule of law, or Joseph Stalin or Heinrich Himmler grousing about their political opponents' lack of respect for due process. Incredible. Louisiana's largest hospital system will soon impose a fee on employees if their spouses are unvaccinated. What about if an employee's spouse doesn't abort her baby, eats meat, is a global warming "denier," or worse, a Republican? Shouldn't any or all of those trigger a fine, too? Termination? In the first paragraph of this article, I noted that our I.Q.s are falling. The sperm counts of men from Western countries are, too. Rapidly and dramatically. It is no wonder, given the wokeist agenda being foisted upon us. Any man who knows who he is, acts with confidence, and professes to be a patriot and a lover of traditional values is summarily branded a "domestic terrorist" and/or an example of "toxic masculinity." Better and safer to profess a love of gender fluidity, butterflies, and quiche. Can anything reverse Western nations' precipitous downfall? Maybe. If enough men stood up to their governments' overreach and said, "F--- you!" Perhaps then our sperm counts would rise again, too, in concert with our nations' prospects. Graphic credit: Symbolon, IT CCBY. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. California voters had a chance to get rid of Governor Gavin Newsom, their COVID tyrant. They chose not to do so. Since his victory, Newsom has come for the children. First, he signed (rather than vetoed) laws ensuring that parents cannot know whether their children are having abortions or messing with their sex. And on Friday, he issued a mandate declaring that all California children 12 and over, whether attending either public or private school, must have a COVID vaccine (with the mandate extending to kids five and up as soon as possible). If parents had any doubt, it's now certain that children in leftist states belong to the government, not their own families. The new laws are absolutely clear about the fact that a child's life-altering decision to have an abortion or begin the chemical and surgical process of superficially altering his biological sex is one that involves the child and adults other than the parents: The first bill, AB 1356, will create new offenses arising from recording or photographing patients or providers within 100 feet of the entrance to a reproductive health services facility. The other, AB 1184, will keep patient information confidential for patients who are not the primary policyholder for their health insurance. Healthcare services that patients can keep confidential include "reproductive health care and gender-affirming care," according to the governor's statement. Children are the state's property, and as far as the left is concerned, the family is an impediment to full state power. Every Marxist tyrant has driven wedges between parents and children. In leftist totalitarian states, children are encouraged to spy on their own parents. I'm sure that will come. For now, it's enough to ensure that, for the most deeply personal, not to mention physically and emotionally dangerous, decisions a child can make, the parent is left out of the loop. Abortions and fake sex-change procedures (because a person's sex never really changes) aren't sufficient reminders of the state's control over children's bodies. Therefore, on Friday, Newsom mandated COVID vaccines for all children, 12 and older, who aren't homeschooled (which encompasses most California children): Under the mandate, the COVID-19 vaccine will be added to the list of other compulsory vaccinations required for schooling such as vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella. Newsom said that parents can claim religious and medical exemptions. The new mandate will be phased in through two phases: One for children grades seven through 12, and another for kindergarten through sixth grade. The requirement takes effect once the Food and Drug Administration grants full approval for specific age groups, the governor's office said. The office estimates that children grades seven through 12 will have to be vaccinated by July 2022, while the kindergarten through sixth grade timeline is more nebulous as the FDA has yet to issue even an emergency use authorization for the vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. There is no testing alternative to the mandate, and students who are not vaccinated can remain enrolled in independent study but cannot participate in in-person instruction, the governor's office said. It's important to note that it's a lie by implication to jumble the COVID vaccine in with the ordinary vaccines for things such as polio, measles, mumps, and rubella. Those are all diseases that affect children most strongly, and the vaccines are known to be effective and have low risks for children. There's nothing experimental about them. The COVID vaccine, however, has myriad problems everything from bad reactions (including death) to myocarditis (especially in boys) to unknown future risks to simply being leaky, so that the disease risk is still there. Also on Friday, a huge new study dropped in Britain that makes it clear that children simply aren't at risk either of getting or giving COVID. The study is primarily about the various vaccines' efficacy, but the point about children is an important one: The effects of vaccination on reducing infectiousness are strongest earlier on and wane slightly with time Somewhat less effective for Delta than Alpha Effects on reducing susceptibility to infection appear stronger and remain quite well preserved, with some waning 2/ pic.twitter.com/IykIHuGA1P Alasdair Munro (@apsmunro) September 30, 2021 Importantly, adjusting for differences in CT count did not explain differences in rates of transmission between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals Using CT as a proxy for infectiousness in vaccinated vs unvaccinated will OVERESTIMATE how infectious vaccinated people are 4/ pic.twitter.com/0TeMFxDk1l Alasdair Munro (@apsmunro) September 30, 2021 This is contact tracing data including those who were tested by PCR within 1 - 10d of the index case testing positive It is possible cases were missed - however this is unlikely to effect the proportions significantly as the denominator is those "tested" not those "exposed" 6/ Alasdair Munro (@apsmunro) September 30, 2021 We can finally put to bed the myth that vaccinated people are just as infectious as unvaccinated infected with Delta Also good evidence of children being less infectious and less susceptible Great study with very important results 7/ Alasdair Munro (@apsmunro) September 30, 2021 I'm sure people can and will quibble with the findings regarding the vaccine, but the conclusion that COVID simply isn't a problem for children (or those in contact with them) has been consistent since the virus began. And speaking of the vaccine and the risks to adults and children from the virus, Newsom has bowed before the powerful teachers' unions and, currently, is not requiring teachers to get vaccinated as a condition for work, even though they're the ones who would arguably benefit from the vaccine. Because there's nothing as good as a powerful video to remind us how we got to this point and that we must peaceably resist whenever possible because things aren't going to get better, here's a video that, surprisingly YouTube has kept up all day (hat tip: CTH): Image: Child who got a shot from the CDC. Public domain. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Not "E Pluribus Unum" or even "Black Lives Matter" these little phrases explain a lot that's going on. They are guiding lights of the Progressive movement. We define everything A colossal blunder that costs American lives and credibility is a "success," a desertion of materiel and citizens is "mission accomplished"... Ignoring the natural immunity of COVID survivors in further mandates is "following the science." In fact, we define science: no longer a fact-based inductive pursuit of the truth wherever it leads, science is now a dog wagged by the tail of policy. Changes in research funding are as much to blame as epistemological confusion; everybody, even guys in white coats, appears to have his price. Science is biochemistry and genetics and anatomy, but all of these things are to be disregarded if a man thinks he is a woman. We will make the difficult calls about what pronouns you may use. You're welcome. Oh, and by the way we will define who "we" is. And it's not you. Just say whatever Immigration at the southern border is exploding because, as Biden says, he's "a decent man ... a nice guy." Jen Psaki says it's "unfair and absurd" for companies to transfer to consumers the costs of higher taxes. Facebook tells its Oversight Board that its XCheck system of "content moderation" is snaring only "a small number" of accounts, whereas the Wall Street Journal reports that the number approaches 6 million. Most likely we will hear next that all the U.S. tanks, guns, and drones that want to leave Afghanistan will be retrieved. Ends justify means We should have been more wary of a president (Obama) who would write this cynical sketch of America's leaders: "[B]ecause the 'rules' [note the chilling quotation marks] of the Constitution were contingent on time and place and the ambitions of the men who drafted them, our interpretation of the rules will necessarily reflect the same contingency, the same raw competition, the same imperatives cloaked in high-minded phrasing of those factions that ultimately prevail" (The Audacity of Hope, 2006, p. 91). This cynicism runs so deep now that the Democrats ran a presidential candidate they knew couldn't campaign and would be a marionette if elected. Now the cynicism extends to importing voters over the southern border since the left knows it can't persuade Americans to support its policies on a level playing field. "Every dead Republican is a step toward progress," says a Reddit voice, with echoes from a Democrat member of Congress. Because desperate times (like the unprecedented peace and prosperity of 2017 through 2019?) call for desperate measures. Now the argument that ends justify means has scholarly cachet that is, if you're not conservative. Reciprocity is over So over. We are seeing what a society is like when it discards the Golden Rule. Mayor Lori Lightfoot can get her hair styled during a shutdown of salons because "I'm a person who, I take my personal hygiene very seriously. As I said, I felt like I needed to have a haircut," she added. "I'm not able to do that myself," but you are supposed to stay home and cut your own hair since you don't take your personal hygiene seriously. Former president Obama can entertain unmasked hordes of "sophisticated" people, but you can't visit your dying relative in the hospital. Canadians can't cross the northern border (closed, sorry), but hundreds of thousands can shuffle through the southern border with a 20% rate of illness with nary a raised eyebrow from the CDC. No masks necessary. Life is cheap Don't get us started on abortion. Thirteen soldiers returning in caskets from Afghanistan prompt only repeated glances at his watch for Joe Biden. Record thousands of Americans died of opioid poisoning last year and are succumbing to tainted prescription drugs this year, but Biden just opens the border to more fentanyl. Suicide by teens is dramatically increasing, clearly correlated with social media use, but the tech elites just conceal it and move on. Three-word mantras can work wonders. These ones are propelling us into a ditch. Image via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Yes, the Kamala cackle is incredibly annoying. It's one of the reasons why she was the first to drop out of the Democrats' presidential nomination derby. But it looks as though a semi-successful effort to train her out of it has backfired. The Democrats briefly thought that maybe, just maybe Kamala Harris would grow out of her repulsiveness and somehow rescue them from the doom that Joe Biden's deteriorating mental faculties portend for the party (and, incidentally, the nation). Four days ago, The Hill optimistically headlined, "Democrats see Harris as major player in midterms," to which many conservatives (including me) reacted with the Dirty Harry catchphrase, "Go ahead, make my day." The same website, The Hill, reported Thursday, "Vice President Harris has rebounded in recent weeks, regaining her footing with approval ratings that now stand higher than President Biden's." That's not too hard to do when Biden's poll ratings are plummeting. The same article, 19 paragraphs into the body of it, admitted: To be sure, Harris's polling numbers are not spectacular. The same Gallup poll that showed her with a 49 percent approval rating showed she had a 49 percent disapproval rating. But it failed to note that Harris's rise in the polls has coincided with relatively little about her appearing in the media. She hasn't been subjected to "the lid" the way Biden is when he loses all lucidity, but when it comes to Kamala's visibility and popularity, Mies van der Rohe's axiom on modernist architecture applies: "Less is more." That strategy unexpectedly fell apart Thursday Tuesday when she made what was intended to be an uncontroversial visit to George Mason University to discuss "voting rights," which in DemSpeak means offering maximum opportunities for vote fraud. It should have been a safe topic for her. Lots of canned phrases such as "voter suppression" and students at a second-tier state university shouldn't be expected to pose really difficult questions. But Kamala forgot to cackle when a female student launched an attack on Israel for "ethnic genocide" and claimed she needed to raise the issue because "it affects my life and people I care about's lives." I am fairly sure Kamala has had advanced behavioral training to suppress her cackle under stress because it is so very annoying and insincere. But the problem is that there was a function to it: it provided a release of her stress and allowed a little extra time to think over what she should say. Not that she was capable of using that time wisely. But lacking that margin, she committed a major blunder and, after nodding along with the student's attack, said: I'm glad [emphasis added] you did [raise her points]. And again, this is about the fact that your voice, your perspective, your experience, your truth, should not be suppressed and it must be heard, right? And one of the things we're fighting for in a democracy, right? Unity should never be at the expense of telling anyone personally that, for the sake of unity, 'Oh, you be quiet about that thing. You suppress that thing. Let's not deal with that thing.' That's not unity. True unity is everyone in that room has a voice. The point that you are making about policy that relates to Middle East policy, foreign policy, we still have healthy debates in our country about what is the right path, and nobody's voice should be suppressed on that. The student said nothing about her views being suppressed, and anyone who observes life on all but a handful of college campuses knows that it is not left-wing attacks on Israel that are suppressed these days, but rather pro-Israel and conservative points in view that face censorship. So Kamala went off on a tangent. But she also by nodding along, saying she was "glad" and failing to contest anything the student said while decrying the nonexistent suppression of her views, implicitly endorsed what she said ("your truth"). It wasn't just supporters of Israel who noticed. Iran's official television service gleefully tweeted: Student accuses US of funding ethnic genocide by Israel in front of VP Harris Americans are struggling because of a lack of health care, public health care, lack of affordable housing and all this money ends up going to Israel.. the student said at an event on VOTING RIGHTS! pic.twitter.com/n2lTSU4qp3 Press TV (@PressTV) September 30, 2021 And that tweet was not the first time Iran's Press TV has used Harris as an ally: Kamala Harris: US treatment of Haitian migrants evoked 'times of slavery'https://t.co/5W8ZvAfktH Press TV (@PressTV) September 25, 2021 Even though the Democrat party is surrendering to the Jew-haters of the Squad, openly becoming an ally of the mullahs of Iran is a bad look. That's why they have rolled out a damage control effort. Maybe they are realizing that a cackle-free Kamala is a real hazard. That would explain two new hires to her vice presidential staff: Vice President Kamala Harris has added two crisis communications veterans to her staff to work on long-term planning, after a bumpy first nine months and with the 2022 midterm elections looming in the distance, according to a report on Wednesday. Lorraine Voles, a crisis communications expert, and Adam Frankel, a speechwriter for former President Barack Obama, worked for Harris during President Biden's transition and are well versed in White House and corporate messaging, the Washington Examiner reported. Even though they control the media, academia, and government school systems, and most major corporations, it is not fun being a Democrat right now. Biden and Pelosi are falling apart and may be "finished," but the idea of Harris being an improvement on Biden should he resign or be twenty-fifthed out of office is turning out to be a fantasy. I'd suggest that they bring back the cackle, but even Democrats aren't dumb enough to fall for that. Photo credit: C-SPAN video screen grab (cropped). To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. When Heinrich Boll, the German writer and Nobel laureate, was a young man in his twenties, like many able-bodied youths of his time, he joined the Wehrmacht, the German Armed Forces of Nazi Germany. During World War 2, he served all over Europe as well as the Soviet Union. On November 9, 1939, while fighting in occupied Poland, Boll wrote to his parents back home in Cologne: It's tough out here, and I hope you'll understand if I'm only able to write to you once every two to four days soon. Today I'm writing you mainly to ask for some Pervitin. Some months later, he wrote to his family again: Perhaps you could get me some more Pervitin so that I can have a backup supply? Pervitin was Nazi Germanys wonder drug, one that was designed to enable pilots, sailors and infantry troops deliver superhuman performance. Soldiers who took Pervitin stayed awake for days at a time, walked for miles without resting, and felt no pain or hunger. Today we know this drug as methamphetamine, or crystal meth. Methamphetamine is an awfully potent drug. Even in small quantities, it stimulates the central nervous system releasing loads of dopamine that gives the drug user a prolonged euphoric high, increases alertness and concentration while removing fatigue. Methamphetamine also has a strong aphrodisiac effect that makes it a popular party drug. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that nearly 25 million people abuse crystal meth throughout the world. Methamphetamine was first synthesized in 1887, and was originally prescribed to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and obesity (meth causes loss of appetite), and as a nasal decongestant. During World War 2, the German armed forces fed their soldiers copious amount of stimulants including alcohol, opiates and methamphetamine to keep them perpetually high. The German high command believedbased on inputs from the director of the Military Medical Academy and the Institute of General and Military Physiology, Otto Friedrich Rankethat drugging and intoxicating troops would improve their self-confidence, concentration and the willingness to take risks, and at the same time reduce their sensitivity to pain, hunger and thirst, and the need for sleep. Ranke promoted methamphetamine as a miracle drug that would help Germany achieve victory over the Allies. Pervitin for German soldiers was dispensed in these tablet containers. Military-issued methamphetamine was available in the form of small pills under the brand name Pervitin, and was used by all branches of the combined Wehrmacht armed forces. The men called them Stuka-Tablets (Stuka-Tabletten) after the German dive bomber Junkers Ju 87, or Stuka, which had become a symbol of German air power. For others, it was Herman-Goring-Pills (Hermann-Goring-Pillen). Those on the frontlines liked to call them "tank chocolate" (Panzerschokolade), a reference to the superhuman strength these small white pills imparted to their selves. Between April and July 1940, more than 35 million tablets of Pervitin and Isophan (a slightly modified version) were shipped to the German army and air force. The instructions on the package recommended a dose of one to two tablets only as needed, to maintain sleeplessness. But more often than not, soldiers under extreme stress took more than the prescribed dose. Gerd Schmiickle of the 7th Panzer Division, recalled his observations on the effects of the stimulant after the fighting around Zhytomyr in Ukraine in November 1943: I could not sleep. During the attack I had taken too much Pervitin. We had all been dependent on it for a long time. Everyone swallowed the stuff, more frequently and in greater doses. The pills seemed to remove the sense of agitation. I slid into a world of bright indifference. Danger lost its edge. One's own power seemed to increase. After the battle one hovered in a strange state of intoxication in which a deep need for sleep fought with a clear alertness. Otto Ranke himself become addicted to the drug, and was reported to work for 50 hours at a stretch, on Pervitin, without feeling fatigued. Workers at the Temmler factory in Berlin that manufactured Pervitin for the German army and Luftwaffe. Norman Ohler, author of Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich, believes that the German invasion of France was made possible by Pervitin. No drugs, no invasion, Ohler told The Guardian in an interview. When Hitler heard about the plan to invade through Ardennes, he loved it. But the high command said: its not possible, at night we have to rest, and they [the allies] will retreat and we will be stuck in the mountains. But then the stimulant decree was released, and that enabled them to stay awake for three days and three nights. Rommel and all those tank commanders were high and without the tanks, they certainly wouldnt have won. One of the most fascinating account of this drugs powerful effects comes from Finland, which was at that time fighting alongside the Germans. Finland holds the unusual distinction of starting World War 2 as an Axis member, and then switching sides in favor of the Allies towards the end of the war. On March 18, 1944, Aimo Koivunen, a Finnish soldier assigned to ski patrol in the terrain of Kantalahti, in Finnish Lapland, was on his third day behind enemy lines when his group was ambushed by Soviet forces. After an intense firefight, the men managed to throw off their pursuers. The group then skied all morning, and by afternoon, Koivunen was extremely tired and on the verge of fainting. Koivunen remembered that he carried the group's entire supply of Pervitin in his breast pocket. He decided to take one. Without stopping, Koivunen dug into his breast pocket but with clumsy winter mittens it was difficult to pick one pill. So he grabbed a handful and popped them all in his mouth. Koivunen would later learn that he had taken all of the Pervitin in his pocketa total of 30 pills. Aimo Koivunen Within a few minutes an intense energy surged through his entire body. Koivunen described the sensation like being born a new man. With Koivunens new found energy the group made hasty progress through the snow. But the effects lasted only for a short duration. The overdose of methamphetamine began to get its hold on Koivunen, and he started to slip out of consciousnessthe very thing he wanted to avoid. When he woke up from his trace-like state, Koivunen found himself 100 kilometers away. He had lost his patrol, his ammunition and food. He had no recollection of this phase of his journey. Koivunen began to ski towards where he believed his lost team members would be waiting, while continuing to fight waves of drowsiness and hallucination. This state of delirium lasted several days, with alternating phases of wakefulness and sleep. After successfully slipping past another Russian partisan force, Koivunen stepped on a land mine and his leg was blown away. Unable to move, Koivunen laid in a ditch for a week at -20 C, waiting for help to arrive. When he was found, he had lost 43 kilos and his pulse rate was at 200 beats per minute. Koivunen had skied for over 400 kilometers surviving on pine buds and a Siberian jay that he caught and ate raw. A replica of Pervitine medicine box, similar to those issued in the military. These collectibles are available at 12 Euro apiece. Koivunens riveting account became the first documented case of a soldier overdosing on methamphetamine during combat. As the war progressed, German doctors became concerned about the detrimental effects of methamphetamine on soldiers health and behavior. In Shooting Up: A Short History of Drugs and War, historian ukasz Kamiensk writes: A day after the ingestion of the drug soldiers were generally in a much worse physical condition, some experienced health problems like excessive perspiration and circulatory disorders, and in a number of isolated cases death was reported. Also, the number of accidents among the Luftwaffe pilots increased noticeably. A soldier going to battle on Pervitin usually found himself unable to perform effectively for the next day or two. Suffering from a drug hangover and looking more like a zombie than a great warrior At times, the effect of Pervitin was extremely aggressive behavior, which might, to some extent, help explain why Wehrmacht soldiers turned into ruthless murderers, often committing the cruelest massacres of civilians. It also happened that soldiers on speed resorted to violence against their superior officers, which constituted a serious threat to army morale. The military tried to restrict the largescale use of Pervitin, and classified the drug as a restricted substance on July 1, 1941, under the Opium Law. Still, ten million tablets were shipped to troops that same year. Toward the end of the war, Germany began testing a new stimulanta pill code-named D-IX. It contained five milligrams of cocaine, three milligrams of Pervitin and five milligrams of Eukodal (a morphine-based painkiller). ukasz Kamiensk says that D-IX gave men an almost machine-like endurance, and Hitlers dream of turning Wehrmacht soldiers into near-robots looked almost real. But before the wonder drug could go into mass production, Germany lost the war. References: # Der Spiegel, https://www.spiegel.de/international/the-nazi-death-machine-hitler-s-drugged-soldiers-a-354606.html # History.com, https://www.history.com/news/inside-the-drug-use-that-fueled-nazi-germany # The Atlantic, https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/05/pilots-salt-the-third-reich-kept-its-soldiers-alert-with-meth/276429/ # http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1001/a05.html?5235 # Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/warstories/comments/dfhwjm/translation_of_the_story_of_aimo_koivunen_a/ # The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/sep/25/blitzed-norman-ohler-adolf-hitler-nazi-drug-abuse-interview The Queen has congratulated the makers of BBC programme Songs Of Praise as the show celebrates its 60th anniversary. The message will be read out in Sundays episode of the religious programme, which is being recorded at Westminster Abbey. Nearly 3,000 episodes of the programme have aired since its first transmission in 1961. Today is our 60th anniversary! We celebrate with a hymn that we adopted as our very own, recorded in @Wabbey Sun 3 Oct @BBCOne #SongsOfPraise pic.twitter.com/kF4toIbDaf BBC Songs of Praise (@BBCSoP) October 1, 2021 The Queen said: For 60 years Songs Of Praise has drawn together congregations and BBC viewers throughout the United Kingdom in collective worship. During that time, the programme has shown Christianity as a living faith not only through hymns and worship songs, but also by featuring the many people who have put their faith at the centre of their lives. I congratulate Songs Of Praise and all those involved in the programme on its 60th anniversary. Aled Jones (Isabel Infantes/PA) Aled Jones will be joined by past and present hosts including Katherine Jenkins, Sally Magnusson and David Grant. Sundays programme will also feature star guests and favourite hymns, as well as some special musical collaborations, according to a statement. Jones said: Ive been a Songs Of Praise presenter for over 20 years and its one of the biggest joys of my life. Its an honour to be able to share uplifting stories of faith with our dear audience and to gladden hearts with music that means the world to me. Heres to a future filled with wonderful Songs Of Praise! The 60th anniversary show airs on Sunday at 2.45pm on BBC One. NORFOLK, Va. (AP) Pat Robertson, who turned a tiny Virginia television station into a global religious broadcasting network, is stepping down after a half-century running the 700 Club on daily TV, the Christian Broadcasting Network announced on Friday. Robertson, 91, said in a statement that he hosted the network's flagship program for the last time on Friday, and that his son Gordon Robertson will take over the weekday show starting Monday. I will no longer be the host of the 700 Club," Robertson said on the show Friday, although he vowed to return from time to time, if hes had a revelation he needs to share. I thank God for everyone thats been involved. And I want to thank all of you. Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network started airing on Oct. 1, 1961 after he bought a bankrupt UHF television station in Portsmouth, Virginia. The "700 Club began production in 1966. Now based in Virginia Beach, CBN says its outreach extends to more than 100 countries and territories in dozens of languages through TV and video evangelism, online ministry and prayer centers. The 700 Club talk show can be seen in the vast majority of U.S. television markets. Pat Robertson had an enormous impact on both American religion and American politics, said John C. Green, an emeritus political science professor at The University of Akron. One of Robertsons innovations with the 700 Club was to use the secular talk-show format, which was a break from more traditional broadcasts of revival meetings or church services. Heres a well educated person having sophisticated conversations with a wide variety of guests on a wide variety of topics, Green said. It was with a religious inflection to be sure. But it was an approach that took up everyday concerns. Robertson attracted a large audience and went on to have several U.S. presidents as guests, including Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, the network said. Robertson was the son of a U.S. senator and received a law degree from Yale. He ran for president in 1988 and also founded the Christian Coalition, galvanizing American evangelicals into a conservative political force. He opened up a path that many people have followed, Green said. Surveys show that lots and lots of people view in one format or another religious broadcasting these days. But in politics, I think what he did was help cement the alliance between conservative Christians and the Republican Party. As 700 Club host, Robertson sometimes found himself in hot water for his on-air pronouncements. In 2005, he called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and warned residents of a rural Pennsylvania town not to be surprised if disaster struck them because they voted out school board members who favored teaching intelligent design. But Robertson also called for ending mandatory prison sentences for marijuana possession convictions. He later said on The 700 Club that marijuana should be legalized and treated like alcohol because the governments war on drugs had failed. After President Trump lost to Joe Biden in 2020, Robertson said Trump was living in an alternate realty and should move on, news outlets reported. Robertson will still appear on a monthly, interactive episode of The 700 Club and will come on the program occasionally as news warrants, the network said. Gordon Robertson, 63, is a Yale-educated former real estate lawyer who is less known than his father, if at all controversial. He is chief executive of CBN and has served as executive producer of the 700 Club for 20 years, and even longer as a co-host. He's also been hosting a show called 700 Club Interactive. He told The Associated Press on Friday that viewers should expect little to change about the show, which airs live from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays. The younger Robertson said he hopes to host politicians from both sides of the aisle, while focusing on news and other topics from a Christian perspective. He said he always wanted the show to be a beacon of light of what can happen when people get together and say, Lets do some good in the world today. Lets feed the poor," he continued. "Lets clothe the naked. Lets give shelter to people in need. When disasters strike, lets strike back with love and compassion. ___ This story has been corrected. Gordon's surname is Robertson, not Peterson. By Akriti Sharma (Reuters) -Former U.S. President Donald Trump asked a federal judge in Florida on Friday to ask Twitter to restore his account, which the company removed in January citing a risk of incitement of violence. Trump filed a request for preliminary injunction against Twitter in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, arguing the social media company was "coerced" by members of the U.S. Congress to suspend his account. Twitter and several other social media platforms banned Trump from their services after a mob of his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in a deadly riot on Jan. 6. That assault followed a speech by Trump in which he reiterated false claims that his election loss in November was because of widespread fraud, an assertion rejected by multiple courts and state election officials. Twitter "exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate," Trump's lawyers said in the filing. The filing was reported earlier by Bloomberg. Twitter declined to comment on the filing when contacted by Reuters. At the time of removing Trump's account permanently, Twitter said https://bit.ly/3FdtfID his tweets had violated the platform's policy barring "glorification of violence". The company said at the time that Trump's tweets that led to the removal were "highly likely" to encourage people to replicate what happened in the Capitol riots. Before he was blocked, Trump had more than 88 million followers on Twitter and used it as his social media megaphone. In the court filing, Trump argued Twitter allowed the Taliban to tweet regularly about their military victories across Afghanistan, but censored him during his presidency by labeling his tweets as "misleading information" or indicating they violated the company's rules against "glorifying violence". In July Trump sued https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-he-is-suing-facebook-twitter-google-claiming-bias-2021-07-07 Twitter, Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google, as well as their chief executives, alleging they unlawfully silence conservative viewpoints. (Reporting by Akriti Sharma and Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard and Frances Kerry) Hitting back, Captain said that Rawats claims were prompted by the 'pathetic situation' that the Congress found itself in the state New Delhi: An ugly public spat broke out between Harish Rawat, the Congress general secretary for Punjab, and former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh over the latters statement on Thursday that he will not stay in the Congress as he has been humiliated by the party. Taking the first shot, Rawat said that the Congress has always held Captain Singh and his family in high esteem and has given him important positions in the party and government. After meeting Amit Shah and the BJPs contact man, the theory of humiliation is being circulated to gain the sympathy of the people. The humiliation-based sympathy politics may help a person, but it will not help Punjab. Captain Amarinder was controlling both the government and the party from his farmhouse (home). No one asks him a question regarding his absence from the secretariat, visits in the districts, Rawat said. He added that Captain Singhs proximity with BJP leaders like Shah puts a question mark on his secular credentials and warned the Centre not to attempt toppling a majority government in the state. Alleging that the former Punjab chief minister was playing into the hands of people with whom he had no ideological ties, Rawat said Capt. Singh should have stood with the Congress leadership to save democracy. Capt. Singh, who resigned from the top post in the state last month, had met Shah in Delhi on Wednesday and said that he discussed the prolonged farmers stir against three agri laws with the Union home minister. Addressing a press conference in Dehradun, Rawat said, His proximity with Amit Shah and some other BJP leaders puts his secular credentials in doubt. Rawat advised Capt. Singh not to walk into the BJPs trap and become its mukhauta (mask) in Punjab. Hitting back, Captain said that Rawats claims were prompted by the pathetic situation that the Congress found itself in the state after a winning spree of four-and-a-half-years. Three weeks before stepping down as the CM, I had offered my resignation to Sonia Gandhi but she had asked me to continue, he said, adding, the that humiliating manner in which he was pushed into resigning just hours before the CLP meeting, which was convened to oust him, is a matter of public record. But I am no longer surprised that a senior and seasoned Congress leader like Rawat is questioning my secular credentials. It is quite evident that I am no longer trusted and respected in the party that I have served loyally all these years. The world saw the humiliation and the insult heaped on me and yet, Rawat is making claims to the contrary. If this was not humiliation then what was it? he asked. Rawat, he said, should put himself in his shoes, and then, perhaps, he would realise how insulting the entire affair was. The eighth edition of the 'Mitra Shakti' exercise will be conducted at Combat Training School in Sri Lanka's Ampara from October 4 to 15 The seventh edition of the Mitra Shakti exercise was conducted at Foreign Training Node (FTN) in Pune in 2019. (Image credit: pib.gov.in) New Delhi: India and Sri Lanka will carry out a 12-day mega military exercise from Monday with a focus on enhancing counter-terror cooperation. The eighth edition of the 'Mitra Shakti' exercise will be conducted at Combat Training School in Sri Lanka's Ampara from October 4 to 15, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday. "The aim of the exercise is to promote close relations between armies of both countries and enhance inter-operability and sharing best practices in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations," it said. The ministry said an all arms contingent of 120 personnel of the Indian Army will participate in the exercise along with a battalion-strength contingent of the Sri Lankan Army. "The exercise will involve tactical level operations at sub-unit level in an international counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment," it said in a statement. The ministry said that the exercise will go a long way in further strengthening the relationship between both the South Asian nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing synergy and cooperation at the grassroot level between both armies. Sri Lanka was rocked by a series of deadly bomb blasts in April 2019 in which over 300 people were killed. In the backdrop of the blasts, India and Sri Lanka enhanced their anti-terror cooperation. The seventh edition of the Mitra Shakti exercise was conducted at Foreign Training Node (FTN) in Pune in 2019. kW The Blue Oval reported 150,000 reservations on September 16th, and the base variant starts from $39,974 before incentives. Those figures are both great and bad news for the Ford Motor Company, which has to make as many trucks as technically possible in the first year of production. This implies loads of batteries, a plethora of microchips, and retailers that dont mark up the suggested price like they currently do with the 2021 Bronco.According to LightningOwners.com forum member EFX4, a salesperson has recently confirmed that the order bank is scheduled to open on October 26th. Thats when dealers will be able to convert reservations to orders, but its also worth mentioning that were dealing with mere speculation here. Another forum member by the name of Spade312 confronts EFX4 with the FMC Dealer portal, which doesnt mention any ordering information at all.Still, the Ford Motor Company will confirm the date in due time because the first units are due to arrive in dealer forecourts in the spring. Currently, in the pre-production stage, the F-150 Lightning is expected to number 80,000 units in the first year compared to 40,000 as previously anticipated.Including 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) of whatnots, the zero-emission pickup targets 230 miles (370 kilometers) for the standard battery and 300 miles (483 kilometers) for the large battery. On a fast charger, the long-range variant is capable of juicing up with 54 miles (87 kilometers) every 10 minutes. As long as you can find a 150-charging station, it should take you around 41 minutes from 15- to 80-percent state of charge.The XLT, which is better equipped than the commercial-oriented Pro mentioned earlier, kicks off at $52,974. The large battery costs $7,000 on top of that, which means $59,974 sans taxes and the federal tax credit. Including Google Maps, that is, as the search giant has recently started the work on a new widget based on the Material You design language and supposed to bring the app in line with the upcoming operating system. recent APK teardown of the latest beta build of Google Maps provides us with a closer look at this Google Maps widget, though right now, its important to keep in mind this version isnt yet available for public testers and those in the stable channel.This is because Google still seems to be in an experimental phase with the new widget, though theres a chance itd be released to everyone as part of an update coming alongside Android 12.The new widget is all about the looks, so it comes with visual effects already seen in other widgets prepared by Google ahead of the Material You launch. It includes a search box to let you easily find a specific address right from the home screen of your Android device, as well as shortcuts for the typical searches, such as home, restaurants, bakery, and groceries.Like the other Android widgets, it can easily be resized to better fit your screen, and its UI can adapt to the color of your wallpaper for more consistency.In the meantime, Google Maps is also getting some features that are actually useful . Google has announced a new fire layer that will be available alongside traffic and satellite to display information about wildfires, as well as evacuation details in partnership with various local organizations.This feature is already available on Android, and it should go live on iOS and the desktop as soon as this month. Gothams loved/loathed hero has had over the years a wide number of vehicles at his crime-fighting disposal. When it comes to two-wheeled contraptions, the most famous is the Batcycle , which in some iteration (read comic books), is a customized street motorcycle of undisclosed make.The first time the Batcycle was featured on the screen was in the 1960s TV series dedicated to the hero, when for a single episode only a Harley-Davidson with a sidecar was used. After that, mostly non-descript two-wheelers were deployed.The bike you see here, once a stock 2006 V-Rod , was not specifically designed for the caped crusader, but it would probably have no problem fitting into the superheros Universe. Riding on a 280 rear wheel conversion and wearing a full-black body kit, the ride also comes with an aftermarket exhaust system and a progressive suspension setup.The changes made to the American muscle bike are not that extensive (you can check all the extra bits in detail here ), but they are effective in sending across the message of a build made to impress.The thing was put together by a German custom shop that specializes in V-Rods and other Milwaukee machines, one that goes by the name X-Trem . And since these guys are not in the habit of telling people not directly involved how much a project costs, we are unable to tell you the price for the conversion.Whatever that may be, its probably just lunch money for Bruce Wayne. EV SUV Lets face it. Whether we like it or not, crossovers, SUVs, and trucks are here to stay for the foreseeable future. They have eaten away from the customer base of just about everything, from the sporty coupe (and stunning cabriolet) to the traditional sedan or the family-hauling minivan. These segments have started their slow ride into the sunset for a while, but theres an issue with their high-riding successors.With so many crossover SUVs being little more than glorified (and price-hiked) station wagons or worse, disguised minivans it seems the utility in the sport utility vehicle has taken a beating. Theres a big discussion about crossovers and even trucks (hello, 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick) architectures being more like cars with each passing iteration.But luckily, there are still some epic survivors. The Toyota Land Cruiser (yes, the J300 is forbidden fruit for U.S. fans, but the 2023 Lexus LX is coming , fret not) or Jeep Wrangler are big exceptions from the norm. And the Blue Oval has added the 2021 Ford Bronco for good measure, while the L663 Land Rover Defender still wants us to believe it has all the off-road chops.The future is sustainable, according to General Motors and the 2022 GMC Hummersiblings (truck and), though people might also want them to be practical. And perhaps have the option to leave the dealer lots with something that can be labeled as a true SUV: a rugged yet practical go-anywhere vehicle that can tackle both the asphalt jungle... as well as an actual jungle.Looking back just a little (ok, some decades, actually), it seems there werent as many crossover cash-grabbers. And, instead, there was a bunch of them true SUVs to choose from. Here's our take on the ones that deserve a comeback. Sure, it might have been a large list, but we are sticking to those nameplates of epic proportions.With Ford taking a huge leap of faith to reintroduce the Bronco, a revival of the hardcore Chevy K5 Blazer would be a no-brainer. For everyone, save for the GM head honchos. Seriously, we understand they are going EV, but how about the K5 beating everyone else and becoming a zero-emissions trail herald (remember the 1977 K5 Blazer-E from 2020)?Dodge has a very successful muscle car career, but how about augmenting the success of the Charger, Challenger, and Durango with a Ramcharger re-introduction? That would be a great way to answer the Bronco calling, especially if Dodge went the Ram 1500 TRX way and muted everyone with a 700+ horsepower SRT Hellcat configuration If General Motors doesnt want to do Chevy fans justice , how about playing it safer with a GMC Typhoon modernization? This one could go down the high-performance route just like its predecessor, providing an SUV answer to the Mustang and Challenger lot. Just saying (and thinking of the Trackhawk)...Other sensible entries into the list dont need to come with American DNA. For example, JDM fans might fancy a return of the little Suzuki Samurai. Or, perhaps, a better Toyota FJ Cruiser to remind us of the classic FJ era. Hey, even Europeans could contribute, if Lamborghini ever decided to bring back the Rambo Lambo, aka the LM002. After all, virtual artists have already envisioned the possibility based on the current Urus, naturally.We know that its hard to give them space in the lineup sometimes. But the impending EV revolution might actually make them easier to produce. And much more performance-capable, irrespective of the environment just like the Hummer EVs. And given the beta program of Android Auto is now available for more users, the Mountain View-based search giant releases new updates at a faster cadence, therefore giving people out there the opportunity to try out new features and enhancements in advance.This week, the company rolled out the very first Android Auto 7 build, and while its only available as a beta, it should be promoted to the stable channel in a matter of days.Of course, the company hasnt provided any changelog for this new release, but we already know that Android Auto is supposed to get some pretty big improvements rather sooner than later.For example, Google is working on bringing payment support to Android Auto . The feature will initially work for gas, with drivers allowed to simply pay for a refill right from the screen inside the cabin.The whole thing will be based on Google Pay, and the search giant explains that it has already worked with the largest companies in the United States to make sure this feature will be available at thousands of gas stations in the country.At the same time, Android Auto is also being improved with more subtle changes, such as the addition of games . This shows Google wants to further refine the experience in the car on every font, and without a doubt, this is good news for everybody, especially because until now, the application has struggled with various connection and stability bugs.If you do want to try out the latest Android Auto 7 beta, keep in mind this is still a preview release, which means it comes with an increased likelihood of bugs and other issues, so unless youre ready for a rollercoaster ride, youd better stay with the stable builds. 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. The school board of Newberg, Oregon, passed a resolution Tuesday banning teachers in the district from displaying political, quasi-political or controversial" symbols in the classroom, The Oregonian reports. Why it matters: The 4-3 vote comes after a couple of racist incidents happened in the school district, and the measure was approved despite teachers in the district rallying in opposition to it. Details: The policy states that no employee can "hang, post, erect, or otherwise display" anything "political, quasi-political, or controversial ..." It defined a controversial topic as "one that a professional educator could reasonably understand to have students on more than one side of said issue." American flags and Oregon state flags are exempt from the policy. The policy first banned Black Lives Matter and Pride symbols in all school buildings but was amended after outcry and over worries about litigation, per the Washington Post. What they're saying: We dont pay our teachers to push their political views on our students. Thats not their place, said Brian Shannon, vice chair of the Newberg school board, per the Post. The Strasbourg-based Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) described corruption as an important problem for Armenian society and made 18 specific recommendations after sending a fact-finding delegation to Armenia in 2015. They mostly related to the independence of judges and prosecutors as well as corrupt practices among them and members of Armenias parliament. GRECO has since released four interim reports on the current and former Armenian authorities responses to those proposals. The latest report publicized on Thursday says that only seven recommendations have been implemented satisfactorily so far. In particular, GRECO lamented a continuing lack of transparency in the legislative process in Armenia. It argued that over the past 18 months the countrys government-controlled parliament has passed 27 percent of laws under so-called urgent procedures involving short parliamentary debates and no public discussions preceding them. It also said that the authorities in Yerevan have still not enacted a code of ethics for members of the National Assembly. The GRECO report further notes that the Armenian Ministry of Justice is still empowered to seek disciplinary proceedings against judges. This is not compatible with judicial independence, it says. Proper appeal mechanisms have been provided for decisions on the recruitment and promotion of judges but not for dismissal decisions, adds the report. GRECO further questioned the efficacy of more powers given to the Corruption Prevention Commission (CPC), a state body that scrutinizes income declarations filed by judges and other senior state officials as well as their family members. Measures taken to strengthen operational independence of the CPC are yet to take effect and its resources are to be made commensurate with its substantially increased mandate and powers, it said. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has repeatedly claimed to have eliminated systemic corruption in Armenia since coming to power in 2018. In the last three years law-enforcement authorities have launched dozens of high-profile corruption investigations mainly targeting former senior state officials, including ex-Presidents Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sarkisian. Kocharian and Sarkisian now lead major opposition alliances. Their supporters as well as other critics of Pashinian say that most of those corruption cases are based on dubious charges and aimed at boosting the prime ministers popularity, rather than the rule of law. The GeoProMining group and the government announced the deals in a joint statement issued on Friday more than two months after law-enforcement officers raided the offices of the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine (ZCMC) in a crackdown promised by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. The statement said a GeoProMining subsidiary acquired 60 percent of ZCMC on Thursday and then granted a quarter of that stake to the Armenian government. The granted 25 percent of the shares constitute 15 percent of the equity of ZCMC that will consequently belong to the Republic of Armenia, it said. We intend to expand cooperation with the Government of Armenia, the GeoProMining owner, Russian billionaire Roman Trotsenko, was quoted as saying. The statement gave no clear reason for Trotsenkos lavish donation to the government. Nor it did specify from whom the Russian company purchased the majority stake in ZCMC. The Armenian mining giant employing some 4,000 people is based in Kajaran, a small town in southeastern Syunik province. A German metals group, Cronimet, officially owned 75 percent of its stock for many years. The rest of the company belonged to two obscure Armenian firms. ZCMCs ownership structure changed significantly but remained opaque after Cronimet reportedly sold its controlling stake in 2019. A former senior Russian government official, Mikhail Zurabov, became one of its new minority shareholders. ZCMC was believed to be controlled until recently by a group of individuals at odds with Pashinians government. One of them, former Syunik Governor Vahe Hakobian, is a senior member of the main opposition Hayastan alliance led by former President Robert Kocharian. Contacted by RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Friday, Hakobian refused to comment on the change of the companys ownership. Campaigning for the June 20 parliamentary elections, Pashinian pledged to crack down on ZCMCs corrupt shareholders and make sure that their shares are returned to the people. He accused the ZCMC management of banning workers from attending his campaign rally in Kajaran. The Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine, you have crossed the red line, which means that this blue hammer will first smash your heads, the prime minister declared during that rally. Whatever you say, your fate is sealed, you just quietly wait for your verdict. In July, masked officers of Armenias National Security Service (NSS) repeatedly searched ZCMCs offices and detained thee company executives. At least one of them remains under arrest. Also arrested were the mayors of Kajaran and two other Syunik communities affiliated with Hayastan. They are facing different charges rejected by them and the opposition bloc as politically motivated. Also in July, the Armenian parliament approved a government proposal to impose a new 15 percent tax on exports of copper and other metals. Government officials denied that the main purpose of the measure is to hurt ZCMC owners. ZCMC has long been one of Armenias top three corporate taxpayers. The government collected 41.7 billion drams ($86 million) in various taxes from it last year. GeoProMining already owned two other Armenian mining companies before the latest acquisition. One of them operates a massive gold mine located in eastern Gegharkunik province. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 67F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low near 50F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Executive Editor Christine Peterson answers your questions and takes your complaints about The Californians news coverage in this weekly feedback forum. Questions may be edited for space and clarity. To offer your input by phone, call 661-395-7649 and leave your comments in a voicemail message or email us at soundoff@bakersfield.com. Please include your name and phone number; they wont be published. The board of the Rosedale Union School District voted unanimously in favor of a letter on Tuesday that asks Gov. Gavin Newsom to overturn the A major industrial property that has sat idle for years in the heart of Bakersfield is coming back to life to refine used cooking oil, rendere The Many Bass Club held its September 2021 Tournament the weekend of Sept. 11 on Toledo Bend. Participants had the option to fish Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night or Sunday. The weather was hot and dry for the entire weekend with high temperatures still touching the 90s. Water temperatures were in the mid- 80s, and hazy skies welcomed the anglers. The lake level had fallen nearly a foot in the month prior to the tournament and was down to 168.15 by tournament time. Eleven anglers participated in the tournament, and only four of the anglers were able to catch a five fish limit under the tough conditions. The winning stringer, which included an impressive 11.03 pound Lunker, was caught Friday night in deep water. The second and third place stringers were caught Saturday in shallow water. It was a push for pounds at the 7th annual Techron TX Shootout presented by Bass Champs on Sam Rayburn Sunday, Sept. 12. Push came to shove as 175 teams didnt disappoint at the scales. The 1st place team was guaranteed $50,000 and over $100,000 was paid out overall. The event was originally scheduled for June 28th, but had to be postponed due to high water conditions on Rayburn. With the water temps in the 90s, Bass Champs made the decision to move to a three fish limit for conservation purposes. In the end Keith Combs and Shaine Campbell hit the jackpot with their three fish limit to win $60,000. The team won the guaranteed $50,000 and an additional $10,000 for fishing out of a qualified Skeeter Boat. The morning started out perfect with temperatures in the low 70s. Although it climbed into the upper 80s, it remained cloudy and breezy. When it is hot like it was, taking care of the fish in livewells becomes a major part of the job out on the lake. As an incentive to take great care of the fish caught, any fish brought in that was dead resulted in a pound penalty per deceased fish. Considering how tight the weights were, that can make a big difference in the standings. Also, with his many teams participating, Bass Champs offered a Zero bonus. Chad Potts explained When you have this many teams catching that many fish in temperatures like this, it puts a lot of fish in a position to undergo a lot of extra duress going through the weigh in process. We developed this conservation bonus to do two things. Cut down the number of bass being weighed in and released back into the lake a lot quicker, and give more teams who would not have won a check in the regular payout a chance to win for participating in this conservation effort. A $500 check was given out as a draw prize to incentivize anglers who didnt have a great day on the lake to release their fish before coming to weigh in. Kork Hudkins and Max Hudkins won that drawing. Although fishing has been tough on Sam Rayburn lately, it did not disappoint for many teams. There were 64 three fish bags weighed in over 10 pounds with an overall average weight of 3.90 pounds. There were also two fish over 10 lbs weighed in during the event. The teams of Steve Wright and Ronald Risenhoover weighed in a 10.12 pound fish and eventual Big Bass winners Randy Despino and Kevin Lasyone weighed in a 10.34 pound fish. That fish helped them win over $2,200 for 10th place, Big Bass, and the Techron Big Bass Bonus cash. The first team to breach 20 pounds was Sammy Christian and Allan Shivers. Their biggest fish weighed 8.50 pounds, and their limit hit 24.22 pounds to set the bar in both categories. Lee Batson and Jason Greer came in with their catch and heaved their biggest to the scales. It weighed 10.92 lbs! Adding the rest of their catch, they took over the lead with 25.06 pounds. But that was just the beginning. Jesse and Brandon Moody of Apple Springs hit second place overall having 27.96 pounds. We used a 6th Sense C-15 crank bait all day, the team reported. They had a nice kicker in their bag weighing 9.52 pounds. We lost a seven pounder earlier in the day that would have put us over the top! Bass Champs awarded them $10,000 plus another $250 from Lowrance. Lee Batson and Jason Greer, both of Heath, TX held onto a 3rd place win with their 25.06 lb sack. We stuck to brush piles all day with a 6th Sense Hybrid jig, they explained. We had a limit in the boat by 7am, then we headed to another brush pile. Jason landed our big bass (10.92 lbs) at 9 a.m. He named her Sarah. They received a third place check for $8,000 and got another $1,000 for winning Big Bass. The rest of the top 10 line up was quite tight: 4th $5,000 24.93 lbs David Curtis & Mark Mueck 5th $3,000 24.76 lbs James Chumley & William Flournoy 6th $2,500 24.51 lbs Terry Stevens & Daniel Metreyeon 7th $2,000 24.22 lbs Sammy Christian & Allan Shivers 8th $1,600 23.18 lbs Ricky Collins & Johnny McKee 9th $1,300 22.70 lbs Todd Driscoll & Shawn Malone 10th $1,150 22.45 lbs Bobby Vice & Ricky Guy Techron has been the premier sponsor for this annual event for the last few years. Joe DeFina, Business Manager for Techron flew from California to attend the event. This is such an awesome community, DeFina began as he surveyed the anglers and the crowd. Techron makes products that fit both diesel and gas applications, and later in 2018 we will introduce the new marine products as well. He continues This annual tournament is a grass roots opportunity for us to meet with the end-users, the consumers of our product. We appreciate this sport so much, and the men and women who participate in it in venues across the board. It is an honor to be a part of the Bass Champs series. Chad and his team run a first class operation. Next year we will feature Techron Marine products, and showcase the features and benefits of this new protection plus formula. I would like to thank everyone who participated in this tournament, and am looking forward to next year. Congratulations to all participants, especially those taking home checks! For full standings, click to www.BassChamps.com September 22 marks the official beginning of fall. Its a feel good time of year that ushers in cooler weather and a gradual chill to the water a one-two seasonal punch that almost always puts the slabs in the mood to chomp. Slab is a moniker crappie anglers sometimes use when referring to bragging-size fish. The criteria for the title varies with who you talk to. Lake Fork fishing guide Gary Paris draws the line at 1 1/4 pounds. Paris and his clients have boxed thousands of slabs over the years. The guide says man-made brush piles and bridge crossings rank among the best places to look for schools of the popular panfish from summer through fall on Fork and other East Texas hotspots. Good electronics and mapping technologies have played huge roles in Paris fishing strategies over the years. None have helped improve his game like LiveScope has. LiveScope is Garmins version of forward-facing sonar. Like Lowrance LiveTarget and Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging, the high-tech system provides real-time sonar images of structure, bait and swimming fish ahead of, below or around the vessel. Paris says LiveScope enables him to pinpoint schools of crappie at suspended depths, make precise casts to them and see how they react to his bait. More importantly, it gives him a good idea of how many fish are in a school and allows him to bird dog the fish when they move. LiveScope hasnt really changed the way I fish, he said. I still key on brush piles and bridges just like I always have, but it has made me way more effective at fishing them than I was before. I can actually follow the fish if they move left, right or under the boat, he said. You cant do that with traditional downscan or sidescan sonar. Paris says LiveScope comes in really handy when crappie relocate away from a brush pile or set of bridge pilings. Often times this happens because the bait moves or due to fishing pressure. More Information Sidebar: Three Steps to Shooting Performing the shooting technique is a simple, multi-step process: Release enough line so the jig falls between the bottom rod guide and the reel. Trap the line against the rod with the index finger on your rod hand. Grip the jig head firmly between the index finger and thumb on your free hand. Make sure the exposed hook is turned downward. Point the rod tip at the target dock with the line and jig parallel to the water. This will cause the rod to bend or load backwards, sort of like a bow and arrow. You might want to sit or kneel to get a lower angle. Release the jig and trapped line simultaneously. This causes the loaded rod tip to spring forward and sling-shot the bait towards the target. Sidebar: It's Not Your Brush Pile Frustration sometimes sets in when two crappie anglers collide around a brush pile. This is especially true when the angler who built it arrives and finds a stranger locked down on the spot and catching fish. The rub can get particularly raw when both parties are fishing guides who make a living off the resource, but only one of them claims to have had a hand in dropping the pile. Opinions are sure to vary as to what is right or wrong with those pictures, but in the eyes of the law it really doesn't matter. Once a brush pile leaves an angler's boat and sinks to bottom of public water, it automatically becomes fair game for anyone. If someone tries to tell you different, they are wrong. Those who press the issue too hard, make threats or retaliate could be pushing the limits of state law. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Sec. 62.0125 contains language related to the Harassment of Hunters, Trappers and fishermen, specifically the Sportsman's Rights Act. According to part 2c. of that law "no person may intentionally interfere with another person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife." And wildlife includes fish. A person who violates this section commits an offense classified as a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail. See More Collapse You might catch 2-3 fish real quick and then they quit, he said. Its easy to think that is all that was there, but a lot of times the school may just move and set up 25 yards to the left or right. I find them relating to open water pretty often. Without LiveScope, Id never know those fish were there. Paris says the same game plan can be applied on Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Lake O the Pines, Tawakoni, Cedar Creek or any other lake with an abundant crappie population. Learn to use it and youll catch more crappie wherever you fish, no doubt about about it. The downside to forward-facing sonar is it isnt cheap. Not to worry though. There are still plenty of fish to be caught without it around brush piles, bridges, boat docks and artificial fish structures. Sam Rayburn fishing guide Randy Dearman knows plenty about brush piles. Dearman has built dozens of fish hotels at varied depths. He thinks deeper piles in 25-30 feet of water are best from summer through winter. The guide says cloud cover, sunlight and thermocline can influence how and where the fish will position around brush piles. He almost always finds the fish suspended in the water column. "Sometimes they'll be on top of the brush, out to the side or right down in the middle of it, he said. Its trial and error. Each day is different. Very rarely will you find the fish right on bottom. Dearman likes to build his brush piles vertical in the water column. He prefers using sweet gums and willows. Tall stalks of switch cane placed in five-gallon buckets half filled with concrete also will work. Dearman weights his piles with 4-6 cinder blocks. He secures a one-gallon bleach jug to the tallest limb in the middle to help keep the tree standing vertical in the water column. Brush piles of all sizes will attract fish. Dearman is a fan of big ones. He thinks bigger piles attract more crappie than small ones. The guide prefers to build his fish hotels in the shape of a triangle. He likes to sink 3-4 brush piles spaced about 10 feet apart with enough in the middle to position his pontoon boat. This provides multiple customers ample room for dunking a shiner or jig vertical off the side. Bridges, Boat Docks and Other Stuff Bridge crossings are mainstays for crappie on plenty of lakes. Paris says anglers can catch fish soaking shiners vertical around bridge support columns, but he prefers to stay on the move and cast with small jigs when targeting the crossmembers. He always lines up parallel with the bridge and casts ahead of the boat. The key is to make a lengthy cast, then count the bait down a few seconds before beginning a slow, steady retrieve. The best depth can vary from lake to lake. At Fork, many of the crossmembers are about 20 feet deep when the lake is at full pool, Paris said. Dock shooting is a speciality tactic anglers can use to relies on to catch crappie from spring through fall on just about any lake with boat docks, slips and piers. Crappie pro Wally Marshall of Westminster has found success shooting docks at Cedar Creek, Palestine, Tawakoni, Fork, Conroe, Texoma, Athens and Toledo Bend. Marshall says bait fish gravitate to docks to feed, seek shelter and hide from larger predators. Crappie take advantage of the shade to ambush unsuspecting forage. The fish also are attracted to the cooler water beneath the canopy, and shooting is ideal for getting at them. Marshall says the magic is built around the presentation of the bait, usually a 1/16 or 1/32 ounce jig, paired with a medium/light spinning outfit and high visibility monofilament line in 4-6 pound test. Done correctly, shooting will catapult the jig at a low angle, parallel to the water, with enough velocity that it will sail far beneath the dock or whatever youre aiming at. Marshall claims he can shoot a 1/16 ounce jig about 60 feet with the right outfit. Shooting enables you to put a jig into the coffin corners the deepest, darkest places under that dock that are impossible to get to with a conventional cast, he said. Plus, it allows you to get a bait beneath a dock without getting so close that might spook fish that are hanging closer to the outside edge. Marshall says anyone can learn to shoot docks effectively with practice and persistence. Beginners can learn in their yard or driveway by sitting in a lawn chair and using a sawhorse positioned 15-20 feet away to simulate the dock. He suggests practicing with 1/16 ounce lead weight instead of a jig. Practice until you can consistently shoot the weight under the sawhorse and varied distances. Having the proper equipment helps flatten the learning curve. A sensitive rod is a key component. Marshalls favorite is a Lews 7 foot, medium/light action spinning model he helped design for shooting. Fittingly, the rod is called the Speed Shooter. Its made from sensitive IM8 graphite with a fast-tip action tip. Fall is hunting season in Texas, but don't make the mistake of storing your fishing gear away just yet. You could miss out on some of the best crappie fishing of the year. Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) The number of fires in Brazil's Amazon during September dropped to the lowest for the month in two decades, according to data from the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research. September is historically Brazil's worst month for forest fires and, while the data is positive, environmental experts question whether the trend will be confirmed by coming months. The number of Amazon fires was just over half the level recorded in September last year, according to the data. That helped push down the nationwide total, along with a sharp drop in the amount of fires in the Pantanal wetlands. Fires in September retreated to the lowest number for the month since 2018, several months before President Jair Bolsonaro took office. Since taking office, Bolsonaro has encouraged development within the Amazon and dismissed global complaints about its destruction as a plot to hold back the nations agribusiness. His administration also weakened environmental authorities and backed legislative measures to loosen land protections, emboldening land grabbers. More recently, he has sought to demonstrate heightened environmental commitment in the face of criticism from the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden and troubled institutional investors. At the United Nations this month, he credited his administration's redoubled efforts for the plunge of Amazon deforestation alerts in August, which followed a year-on-year decline in July. September results will be released in the coming week. Environmentalists roundly dismiss his shift as disingenuous and say his deployment of the military to the Amazon is ineffective for preservation; an Associated Press investigation last year found the same results. Marcio Astrini, executive secretary of the Climate Observatory, a network of environmental nonprofit groups, welcomed September fire data, but said he would need to see lower figures through at least year-end before declaring it a trend, particularly given still-elevated deforestation levels and limited enforcement. As government action in the Amazon is very weak, even with these variations, it's hard to say it will be maintained. Why would it be maintained?" Astrini said. "The government isnt there, there's no repression. So it depends on the will of the people who are deforesting, setting fires. Severe drought and early data at the start of the forest fire season had raised widespread concern that this year's blazes would reach the same destruction recorded in the past two years. But rainfall in the Amazon during August was significantly above average. That was the main inhibitor keeping ranchers from setting fire to felled trees in September, which seemed almost divine intervention, said Ane Alencar, science director at the Amazon Environmental Research Institute. By contrast in the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetlands, there has been a shift in behavior from last year leading to far fewer fires, despite the ongoing drought that has rendered the area a powder keg, Alencar added. Fires are down by more than two-thirds in the first nine months of 2020 after last year's explosion brought ruin to the local tourism industry. The disaster of last year served to help people better organize firefighting and prevention this year, Alencar said. The economic losses last year had an important impact in making people think more about their actions and, with peer enforcement, reduce the use of fire. A Beaumont man has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas. George Broussard, 32, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei on Wednesday. Todays guilty plea is another victory for the Department of Justices Project Safe Neighborhoods program and our effort to help make Beaumont a safer community, Ganjei said in the release. My office, along with the Beaumont Police Department and our other local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will never stop working to keep firearms out of the hands of violent criminals. According to court documents, police officers saw Broussard on March 9 in the 3700 block of Magnolia in Beaumont driving a vehicle without a front license plate, the release said When officers began to follow the vehicle, Broussard tossed a firearm from the vehicle and sped off. Broussard was apprehended and the firearm was recovered, the release said. Further investigation revealed that Broussard had an extensive criminal record including felony convictions for burglary of a building; unauthorized use of a vehicle; evading arrest with a vehicle; theft from a person; aggravated robbery; and two convictions for possession of a controlled substance, all in Jefferson County, Texas. As such, Broussard is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Broussard was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 27. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office. Broussard was at least the second man charged as a part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program to plead guilty in the few weeks. Jarrel Jakeem Joseph, 25 of Port Arthur, last week also pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation for the receipt of a firearm while under indictment According to court documents, on March 31, police saw Joseph and several other individuals fighting in the 1600 block of Vicksburg Avenue in Port Arthur. Joseph left the fight on foot and was observed discarding an object, which was found by law enforcement and determined to be a stolen semiautomatic pistol, a previous release from the Eastern District stated. Further investigation revealed that on Oct. 8, 2020, Joseph was placed on probation for seven years after a deferred adjudication of guilt for felony possession of a controlled substance in Jefferson County, Texas. Joseph is prohibited from possessing or receiving firearms as part of the deferred adjudication. Joseph was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 13 and faces up to five years in federal prison. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, the release said. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com A Jefferson County grand jury on Wednesday indicted two Beaumont men for first-degree felony murder. Deon Patrick Williams, 23 of Port Arthur, and Joaquin Garcia, 32 of Beaumont, were indicted in seperate cases. Williams indictment comes in connection with the death of Derrick Pitre at a local gas station in August. Port Arthur detectives said an officer witnessed shots fired just after 10 p.m. on Aug. 16 at Joe S. Speedy Mart gas station, 600 West Gulfway. The officer found Pitre, unresponsive, and another man both with gunshot wounds. Related: PAPD makes arrest for Speedy mart shooting Pitre and the other man were taken to a local hospital. Pitre was paralyzed at the time and unable to be interviewed, police said. But a witness was able to identified Williams as the alleged shooter. Williams was located at a home and arrested on an unrelated charge. When police searched the home, they found clothing and a handgun believed to be in connected to the shooting. Williams was read Miranda Warning and waived his rights and agreed to provide a statement about the shooting, detectives said in court documents. The statement, including details that corroborated with surveillance video and witness statements, led police to believe that Williams was responsible for the shootings of both men. Originally, Williams was accused of two counts of aggravated assault in relation to the incident. However, Pitre died on Aug. 25 as a result of the injuries received from being shot, police said. The other man who was shot also wished to press charges against Williams, according to court documents. Williams also was indicted on Wednesday for second-degree felony aggravated assault for which they said he did intentionally and knowingly and recklessly cause serious bodily injury to the second man. Deadly Stabbing Garcia also was indicted on a first-degree murder charge. He has been accused of fatally stabbing Norlan Moreno, 40, in April. Related: Beaumont man drove 200 mi. before being arrested in connection with stabbing Beaumont police officers received a call just before 7 p.m. April 20 from a woman who said she had reason to believe that her husband had been stabbed in their home on Charles Street in Beaumont. Moreno was dead in the home when officers arrived, according to court documents. Garcia was arrested in April by about 200 miles away by Victoria Police, after allegedly stealing the Morenos car. He was held on a $1 million bond. meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/megzmagpie Enterprise Rep. James White, R-Hilister, has announced his intention to become the first Republican primary challenger for incumbent Sid Miller in the race for state agriculture commissioner. White previously had teased in a radio interview that he may consider a run for the position after announcing a few weeks ago that he didnt intend to seek a seventh term as representative of Texass District 19. We get it. This is complex, difficult debate that has dragged on for nearly a decade. The cities of Beaumont and Port Arthur believe, with good reason, that they have a valid point of view. In turn, Jefferson County commissioners also believe, with good reason, that their concerns are being ignored. Feelings have set in over the years. Both sides think the other is being unreasonable. But even with that background, and the complexities involved, the taxpayers of Jefferson County deserve a fair compromise, whatever that may be. There has to be a reasonable way for Beaumont and Port Arthur to pay Jefferson County to house jail inmates brought there from those two cities. After all, the cities of Nederland, Port Neches and Groves do that. County officials maintain that Beaumont and Port Arthur are paying only 35% of what they should for each inmate. Beaumont officials reply that the discrepancy is more complicated than that. The cities say the county charges Nederland, Port Neches and Groves only $55 per day per inmate but $75 per day for Beaumont and Port Arthur. Yet Jefferson County Auditor Patrick Swain says that isnt true. Swain says Beaumont owes the county about $3.6 million for past jail fees and Port Arthur owes just under $1 million. County commissioners voted Tuesday to end their jail contracts with Beaumont and Port Arthur, effectively giving both cities a 30-day notice to either resolve the dispute or take their inmates elsewhere. Those two cities could, in theory, take their inmates to the Hardin County or Orange County jails, but those counties would require a fee for each inmate. That arrangement would also saddle the two cities with more time off patrol for police officers to drive inmates to those counties and the costs for the gasoline for that trip. Clearly, at best its a temporary solution. Texas has 253 other counties, and almost all of them have an arrangement like this for their cities using a central county jail. All the parties involved in this dispute need to get with city and county officials in some of those other places to find out how they handle jail billing. One ironic benefit of the pandemic has been a reduced use of jail for inmates accused of minor offenses. Many jails did that to reduce COVID-19 exposure for inmates and jailers. But there is also a growing realization that jails should be reserved for dangerous or violent inmates, not those accused of fairly minor crimes. If an accused inmate cant make bail, he cant work or go to school either. That makes it harder for him earn an honest living and more inclined to turn to crime. It also increases taxpayer costs for jailing inmates who could otherwise be released until trial. Local officials should be aware of this nationwide trend and make sure that jails are reserved for inmates who need to be there. But for now, Beaumont and Port Arthur must come to an agreement with the county to house any jail inmates, whether for major or minor offenses. Theres a fair solution out there, and our public officials must find it. Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned as Malaysias prime minister last month amid widespread discontent over his handling of the pandemic, has been appointed chairman of the governments COVID-19 task force, the new government announced Saturday. Separately, its top legal officer said there was no need to legitimize the appointment of Ismail Sabri Yaakob as Muhyiddins successor, an assertion that appeared to defy a decree by Malaysias ruler requiring the new prime minister to call for a vote of confidence in parliament as soon as possible. In a statement, cabinet secretary Mohammad Zuki Bin Ali said that Muhyiddins new role was based on the governments confidence in him to lead the national recovery strategy to achieve the best economic impact and restore the lives of people badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It said Malaysias king had been notified of the new appointment, which was agreed in a cabinet session on Wednesday. In a brief statement on Facebook, Muhyiddin said he was honored to accept the appointment and would carry out the task without receiving any payment. Malaysia is currently ranked as the sixth most COVID-impacted country in the world on a widely respected COVID-19 information dashboard that shows rolling totals for the past 28 days. Malaysia recorded 580,787 new infections and 7,342 deaths in that period, it shows. Muhyiddins controversial 17-month term in office coincided with the pandemic, and his fragile political coalition crumbled as new infections soared in July. Many Malaysians irate over confusing lockdown protocols, and suffering economic hardship accused the government of failure. The final blow for Muhyiddins government, however, was when the main party in his government the scandal-ridden United Malays National Organization (UMNO) withdrew support. His resignation on Aug. 16 cleared the way for UMNO to take the reins of power again, after being ousted in national elections for the first time in Malaysian history in 2018. AGs statement On Aug. 20, Ismail Sabri was appointed prime minister by King Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah, who announced that 114 of 220 members of parliament had privately declared support for the former defense minister. Two days earlier, the palace specified that Malaysias next prime minister would have to call for a vote of confidence in parliament to prove that he controlled a majority in the legislature. The PM nominee shall submit a motion of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat as soon as possible to legitimize the trust that he gained from the majority of the members of the Lower House, National Palace Comptroller Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said in a statement at the time. The kings decision marked a change from Feb. 2020, when he appointed Muhyiddin without requiring a confidence vote in the legislature. But on Saturday, Malaysias new attorney general the elder brother of the speaker of parliament signaled an apparent unwillingness to put the new government to the test. In a lengthy statement that did not use the words vote of confidence, Idrus Harun outlined the process by which Ismail Sabri was appointed, and underlined the kings ultimate authority in the matter. Clearly the appointment of the Most Honorable Dato 'Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob as the 9th Prime Minister is valid and in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Constitution, it said. If the appointment of a new Prime Minister still needs validation by any party other than His Majesty, it means that His Majesty's absolute power can be overcome by other parties. Taking such measures would be inconsistent with Malaysias constitution, he said. [B]ased on the facts and position on above, there is no need to legitimize the appointment of the Honorable Prime Minister and a Government that has been formed in accordance with the letter of the law, the attorney general concluded. Parliament is due to resume on Sept. 13, after a national emergency declared by Muhyiddins government caused it to be shut for months. Trouble ahead Opposition members and netizens heaped criticism on Muhyiddins new appointment, while analysts warned that the attorney generals statement could stir up trouble. Saifuddin Nasution, secretary -general of Peoples Justice Party (PKR), called the appointment very disappointing. "While holding the reins of government, Muhyiddin failed to manage the country's response to the Covid-19 epidemic, either in terms of health, economy or education. Muhyiddin is responsible for the suffering of the people at this time," he said. "He couldn't do his job when he was prime minister. What's the difference now?" asked a Twitter user under the name of Ho KH. Netizens generally expressed disappointment over the cabinet's decision to appoint Muhyiddin as NRC chairman, said Awang Azman Awang Pawi, a political analyst with University of Malaya. "Re-appointing him as NRC chairman and giving him ministerial status is seen as the PM's political interest for political support and maintaining ties with Bersatu," Muhyiddins political party, Awang Azman said. As for the vote of confidence, veteran lawyer Salim Bashir Bhaskaran agreed with the attorney-generals assertion that the process of appointing Ismail Sabri followed the tenets of the Malaysian Constitution. "The reason for the motion of no confidence to be considered is simply to comply with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's request for the prime minister to test his support in Parliament," he said, using the rulers Malay title. A refusal to honor the palace's request could have a negative impact on the government and strain relations with the royal institution, Awang Azman warned. "It will cause the relationship between the Palace and the Ismail-led government to be cold, as it was during the Muhyiddin-led government," the analyst said. "This is not welcome, because the people want political stability. The government led by Ismail Sabri must respect the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who wants legitimacy in Parliament, he said. Tunku Mohar Mokhtar, a political analyst from the International Islamic University of Malaysia, predicted that Saturdays developments were likely to whip up public opposition to the government. "With public dissatisfaction with the recently appointed line-up of cabinet members, and now the attorney-general's uninvited media statement as well as Muhyiddin's appointment, a new wave of rejection is likely to ensue," he said. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. When President Joe Biden proposed a massive expansion of the social safety net as the backbone of his domestic agenda in April, he laid out lofty stakes that extended well beyond his own legacy State police say a man from Alaska who had just arrived in Massachusetts for a vacation was killed when a long metal tool used to smooth freshly-poured concrete fell from a truck and pierced the windshield of his rental car Heather Boulger | Inside the Job Market: Companies need older workers. Here is why. Booster shot administration continues apace across the country. In the Berkshires, pharmacies and local testing centers, as well as Fairview Hospital, are all offering the shots for people who are eligible. President Biden received his booster shot on Monday. Three men were arrested Thursday, after authorities busted a "base of operations" for a heroin- and cocaine-distribution operation on First Street in Pittsfield, along with its alleged Orchard Street "stash house." A selfie taken by Troy E. Sargent, then later removed from his social media, shows him to have been present at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, according to a report by an FBI special agent. His lawyers Thursday asked a federal judge to dismiss his case, arguing that the government's indictment was "invalid." 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. Steve White and his family stand with a small group of community members in support of keeping school resource officers assigned to Pittsfield public schools. A bill in the Legislature would make Massachusetts the second state to provide free phone calls for people who are incarcerated. NORTH ADAMS In November 1983, Frances Buckley tried to become the first woman in the mayors office in the city. She had made history before: In January 1981, she became the first woman to hold the position of president of the City Council, according to reporting at the time in the Transcript newspaper. But, she lost the mayoral bid. John Barrett III won the election with about 61 percent of the vote, and the next day, Buckley told the Transcript that gender played a role in the election. There were some people who couldnt vote for a woman, she said. It was the psyche of some people, not the whole city. Added Buckley: I felt it shouldnt be a female-male thing; the person thats qualified should get the job. Nearly 40 years later, the city still has not had a woman in the mayors office. That soon will change, with only women Lynette Bond and Jennifer Macksey on the general election mayoral ballot in November. Even on the preliminary election ballot last month, all four candidates were women. Rachel Branch and Aprilyn Carsno campaigned alongside Bond and Macksey, but lost in the preliminary. Women vying for the mayors office now, and those who have run, say its about time a woman leads the city. Its really exciting for me to think that were finally going to have a woman [as] mayor, Buckley said in September, on the eve of the preliminary election, while sitting in her North Adams living room. The majority of the 39 cities in the commonwealth already have had a woman in the mayors office. Pittsfield, the only other city in the county, had its first woman in the mayors office when Anne Everest Wojtkowski served from 1988 to 1992. The milestone recently was achieved in some places, like Boston in March, Kim Janey became the first woman and the first person of color to hold the office. Women in leadership, Macksey said, thats important. Thats important. But, for me, my main goal is moving the city forward. Macksey said a woman in the office could inspire others. Im going to retire someday. Maybe a young girl would want to be mayor. I think its inspiring. It is pretty shocking the city hasnt yet had a woman at the helm, Bond said. One reason she thinks it took so long: One person, Barrett, was in the mayors office for 26 years. I think that was one of the issues, Bond said. But, I think its time. Its time for the city to look forward. Its time we do things differently. I think women can do that and can raise the bar and make the necessary improvements that we need to within our city. Bond, a member of the Planning Board, said she was asked to join that body. I think for a lot of women, its just being asked to step up. Branch is not surprised that a woman has not been elected mayor in the city. Not at all, she said, adding that it is because of the patriarchal systems in this city and our country. Representation is important, she said. It matters for womens equality. It matters because we havent got equal representation in our city, commonwealth or country. For Branch, identity is not enough, though. Ive seen it women elected because they are women and then they are running the same kind of agenda a man is doing and holding up a patriarchal system, she said. I want people to vote for me because of my background and my experience and care for the residents of North Adams. But, not just because Im a woman, she said before the preliminary election. Branchs most recent campaign was her third bid for mayor, and she said the other candidates, who are running for their first time, they are standing on my shoulders. Not just my shoulders ... all the women who have been fighting for womens equality for years. She pointed to Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman in Congress. Branch said she stands on the shoulders of Chisholm and women like her. Every woman who made steps to run for office, she said, I stand on their shoulders. Its about time Samantha Pettey, associate professor of political science at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, researches women running for office. She is not shocked that a woman never has been elected as the citys mayor. Sadly, no, she said. Across the country, women make up about one-fourth of the mayors leading cities with a population larger than 30,000, according to the Center for American Women and Politics, a part of Rutgers University. I think were actually pretty on par, Pettey said of North Adams. No one is doing quite well. In Massachusetts, most mayors dont have term limits, Pettey said, which can be a barrier. Thats really impeded women, she said. If there is a man who is a popular mayor, its easy to keep electing that same male into office, she said. In the 1990s, more women ran for office in the wake of Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Pettey said. Women were outraged Anita Hill wasnt taken seriously. That boosted women running for office. In 2018, there was an additional bump. Its attributed to Donald Trump running for office and his language around women, said Pettey, who also pointed to the 2017 Womens March as inspiration for some. Were still seeing that we will see how long this boost lasts. In North Adams, whoever wins the mayoral election will serve as a role model, Pettey said. Girls in North Adams can look at them and say, Oh, I have a female mayor. That immeasurable role model effect is important for future generations. Martha Coakley, the first woman to become Massachusetts attorney general, has felt that effect. She grew up in North Adams, and she doesnt remember having women in political positions of power in the city to look up to. When she graduated from Williams College in 1975, U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan, the first woman from the Deep South elected to Congress, spoke at the event. Thats part of what got me into government and public policy, Coakley said. I finally saw someone who was a woman and who ran successfully for Congress. That opened up a window I hadnt seen before. She added: As more women run and win, more woman say, Hey, I could do that, too. Why did it take North Adams so long? I dont think its different from any other city or town in Massachusetts, or frankly in the rest of the country, Coakley said. Incumbency is one reason, she said, pointing to Barrett, who served for more than two decades, and Richard Alcombright, who served four terms. She has seen the culture change in the past 20 years, with more women in politics. Women have been getting on the bench, Coakley said. Theyve been running for city council. Theyve been running for other municipal and state offices. But, instead of looking at why it took so long in North Adams, she is focused on another thought: This is good news. Its about time. I think youll see more and more women being successful as each two- and four-year periods go by. Buckley stands by her 1983 interview in the Transcript and still feels that some people were not ready to vote for a woman when she ran. Thats what I tell myself is the reason I wasnt elected, she said. She served several terms on City Council, and did not try to run again for mayor. Women had been in leadership positions in City Hall. Faith Carley, for example, was the first woman to ever sit on the North Adams City Council, when she was elected in 1923, according to a December 1923 article in the Transcript. Women were part of the government. But, there were very few women, Buckley said. Across Berkshire County, women make up about 20 percent of mayors, select board members and city councilors. Still, when Buckley got involved in politics in the 1950s, the climate was different than it is today, she said. Women were then the envelope stuffers. They were not the people who ran for office. And now, women are the ones who are running, she said. You look everywhere, and women are sort of running everything, it seems like. Shopping locally usually will cost more than at the big-box stores. As we seek a way out from under COVIDs dark clouds, though, a silver lining we should bring with us is a renewed valuing of the small businesses that bring vitality to our communities. A mother-son team is the latest to attempt to save one of the Berkshires' historic general stores They outgrew their tiny farm stand, and so farmers Peter Chapin and his mother, Jan Johnson, upgraded. They bought the historic Mill River General Store. Peter Chapin certainly hopes thats the case. The New Marlborough farmer along with his mother recently bought the Mill River General Store. Its a picturesque establishment evoking small-town culture and history of a uniquely New England variety. It also comes with a business model more difficult to manage than it was a few decades ago, much less when the store first opened nearly two centuries ago. No matter the quaintness or quality, its tough for a village store to compete with the modern scale of retail mega-complexes, chain supermarkets and the ubiquity of Amazon. The Mill River General Stores new proprietor is optimistic, however, and not just because he foresees efficiency in cutting out the middleman a bit by reaping a chunk of his inventory from what he sows on his farm. He also believes the pandemic shifted how many people shop in a way that could play in the stores favor. There seems to be a lot of support, not just in this area, but all over the place, in terms of people learning to go directly to farmers, he told The Eagle. Mr. Chapin is banking on that buy-local momentum continuing, and we hope hes correct. COVID-19 rocked the small businesses that dot our main streets. They run on the grit and ambition of their proprietors some family-owned and -operated, some surviving month to month therefore lacking the relative stability with which many larger corporate entities could weather the COVID storm. Last call: A look back at the hangouts, watering holes and favorite restaurants we lost during the pandemic COVID-19 has ravaged our restaurant and hospitality industry. Nearly one in five restaurants have closed in Massachusetts since the pandemic started, according to data released by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association last fall. In the Berkshires, as the winter and the pandemic drag on, restaurants struggle week-to-week to stay open with "For Sale" signs popping up all over the county. Not all of them survived; some sectors were hit disproportionately hard. If these small businesses might have been taken for granted before, let a lesson of this pandemic be that they need and deserve our support. They make up the backbone of our local economies, weaving into the social fabric of their communities while serving them in a way that no big-box store could. Thats true for general stores and farm stands as well as restaurants and storefronts, from villages like Mill River to cities like North Adams and everywhere in between. Yes, it is often cheaper to patronize bigger companies with roots outside the Berkshires, but Target and WalMart arent going anywhere. The future is not so guaranteed for small businesses, many of which unfortunately we lost since last year. For many, the times have been tough economically and made worse by COVID-19, but many others have the means to spend a little extra to support local businesses whose presence makes all of our lives richer in nonmonetary ways. It shows your neighbors hustling to live their dream that you care whether they disappear in the face of COVID and big competition. It helps preserve a unique contribution to your communitys character while becoming more familiar with where and how the products you consume are produced. It keeps money in our communities so it can be reinvested here instead of filtered out to private equity groups and wealthy investors elsewhere. Locally owned small businesses are the ones sponsoring Little League teams and fundraising for local causes and neighbors in need. We encourage Berkshirites to validate the Mill River General Store owners hopefulness for renewed support of the countys homegrown businesses. We wish them all luck as we approach a holiday season that will be critical for the future prospects of these local gems. STANLEY, ID - A simple call to Idahos Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline of reported illegal wildlife crimes in Custer and Blaine counties in southern Idaho has resulted in multiple-year hunting, fishing and trapping license revocations, jail time, and thousands of dollars in fines and restitution for three Missouri Residents. 21-year-old Grifen Whiteside and 25-year-old Dylan Davidson, pled guilty to six misdemeanors in Custer County and each received a 15-year license revocation, served 14 days in jail, received 10 years of probation and were fined $2,325. A third accomplice, Sydney Wallace, age 20, also of Missouri, received a one year hunting, fishing and trapping license revocation and was fined $715. Final sentencing for the trio concluded the summer of 2021. The lengthy investigation began August 14, 2019 when Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officers John Beer and Malcolm Clemenhagen discovered a dead pronghorn buck near Pettit Lake Road south of Stanley. Initially thinking the buck may have been accidently struck by a vehicle, the officers investigated but soon discovered a small caliber bullet hole in the hide, but no bullet. No bullet, no boot tracks or shell casings, and only a rough estimate of time of death gave the officers little to go on. The shooter also left the entire carcass, leaving no physical evidence that would connect them later to the crime. Fish and Game quickly alerted the media encouraging anyone with information of the crime to call the CAP hotline, where rewards are available and they can remain anonymous. Later the same week, the officers received information from CAP of a caller who reported they knew the people involved in the crime and personally observed cell phone photographs and video of the suspects illegally shooting even more animals. The caller also provided another witnesss name, who later confirmed the initial witnesss report plus more critical details. According to the second witness, Whiteside admitted to shooting the pronghorn and that Davidson and Wallace were visiting from Missouri and that he purchased a small caliber .17 HMR for the poaching spree. Our only hope was that someone with more information would report it, said Beer. It was our Hail Mary, but thankfully it paid off. After meeting with both the concerned citizens, the officers checked the Fish and Games license data base and determined that all three suspects did not bother to purchase Idaho hunting licenses for 2019. Both officers worked with Missouri Department of Conservation Agents to set up interviews of the suspects and conduct search warrants simultaneously in Missouri and Idaho. Idaho officers interviewed Whiteside and seized the rifle and his cell phone, while Davidson admitted to Missouri Agents that the trio shot at 15 pronghorn and about 10 deer, including the pronghorn found near the Pettit Lake Road. It was also admitted that they did not make any attempt to see if they had hit or killed any of the animals they shot at. Cell phones were also seized from Davidson and Wallace. Based on additional interviews and researching extensive digital evidence collected from the suspects phones, Idaho officers continued their investigation by searching multiple locations in Custer and Blaine counties with both a K9 dog and drones. At the conclusion, officers and prosecutors proved the trio was responsible for illegally killing two pronghorn, two red fox, a duck, an osprey, three chipmunks, two ground squirrels, and a Chinook salmon. It seems the three shot at anything that moved, Clemenhagen said. It was a shocking reminder of what some people are capable of. Davidson was charged with two felonies and multiple misdemeanors in Blaine County, but his days in court were not over. While his court case was ongoing in Blaine County, a condition of his release was that he not hunt, fish or trap in any state. However, Missouri Conservation Agents determined that he recently harvested a deer and multiple ducks in Missouri, a violation of his probation. Davidson was arrested on the probation violation, and as part of his plea deal in Blaine County, he received a lifetime Idaho hunting, fishing, and trapping license revocation, an additional 30 days of jail to serve, three year probation extension, and over $7,700 in fines, penalties and restitution. But the three Missouri violators didnt just lose their Idaho hunting privileges, they won't be hunting in 48 other states. Idaho is a member of the Wildlife Violator Compact, meaning that if an individuals hunting, fishing or trapping license is revoked by any of the 49 member states, all the remaining states will revoke the same license or privilege for the same time period. The teamwork between Idaho and Missouri led to a successful prosecution, but the citizens who reported the crimes are the real heroes, said Clemenhagen. Without those calls, this case would not have been made. The two individuals involved in the initial report to CAP each received enhanced rewards of $1,100. Both witnesses went above and beyond what we would typically hope for or expect, and CAP adjusted the rewards to reflect that, Clemenhagen said. Anyone with knowledge of any illegal wildlife activity are encouraged to contact their local conservation officer, the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline (208)-632-5999), or any law enforcement authority. Offering free land and power in Kyrgyzstan to set up manufacturing facilities Indian pharmaceutical companies are being offered free land and power in Kyrgyzstan to set up their manufacturing facilities. This information was shared by Asein Isaev, Ambassador, Embassy of Kyrgyzstan. Our government is willing to provide free land and electricity to Indian pharma companies willing to set up a plant in Kyrgyzstan, the Ambassador said speaking at an interactive session organised jointly by the Visvesaraya Industrial Research and Development Centre (MVIRDC) World Trade Center Mumbai, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Indian Chamber of International Business (ICIB). There is a blanket tax holiday for the first five years and companies located in Kyrgyzstan enjoy preferential market access to a population of more than 1 billion across Central Asia, CIS, European Union and other countries, he said adding that so far Indian pharmaceutical companies have signed over 35 joint ventures with the Central Asian nation. The new Kyrgyzstan government is committed to protecting the interests of foreign investors, who can open a company in just two steps and can get all mandatory licenses in eight days, Isaev said. Dr Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai said, We should resolve to triple India-Kyrgyzstan bilateral trade volume in the next three years as the current level of $44 million is below the true potential. South African businesses may be in for a major mandatory paradigm shift as of next year as it has been announced that the Employment Equity Act of 1998 is being amended. The Department of Employment and Labour hopes that the amended act will take effect in 2022. Employer branding agency Universum unpacks some of the finer details and possible pitfalls. According to the government page, the amendment of the EE Act of 1998 is intended: To reduce the regulatory burden on small business To empower the Employment and Labour Minister to regulate sector-specific EE numerical To promulgate section 53 of the EEA for the issuing of the EE Compliance Certificate Is there cause for concern? One of the major changes in the works is that the employment and labour minister will have the authority to set specific employment equity targets for different business sectors. Different occupational levels, sub-sectors or regions can also be determined by the minister.According to the ministry, the aim of the new legislation is to put revised rules into place for business dealings with the government and to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses.Ntsoaki Mamashela, the departments director of employment equity says, The expected introduction of five-year sector targets will mark the beginning of a clean slate. All current employment equity plans will fall away on 22 September 2022, and the new plans will have to be aligned with five-year targets. Self-regulation has not worked.It has been clarified that sector engagements on sector targets, which began in 2019, will continue. Several sectors, including mining, financial and business services, wholesale and retail and construction have already been in talks. The new EE Bill is now expected to go to the National Council of Provinces for consideration.All 18 economic sectors had already been engaged by 30 June 2021, an agreement has been reached with the financial and business service sector. Written responses to the proposed sector employment equity targets have been submitted by the remaining 17 sectors and are being analysed by the department. Follow-up engagements will take place until a consensus is reached.It is envisaged that the sector engagements will be concluded by February 2022 with proposed targets, Mamashela added.Some sectors have warned that the new targets could be a disadvantage to the economy, despite other sectors welcoming the proposed changes.According to news sources, Telkoms Siyabonga Mahlangu told parliament in April that it was already a challenge to make appointments and the new targets will be even more difficult to attain. He added that South Africa was already facing a tough economic climate.The unilateral imposition of targets by the minister which may not be practically implementable by electronic communications, operators and industry stakeholders may have the unintended effect of threatening existing jobs in a difficult economic climate.AgriSAs Christo van der Rheede added his voice to the concerns, stating that although lack of transformation in the agricultural sector needed to be acknowledged, sector-based consultations needed to take place as the employment and labour minister was being given too much power.The imposition of one-size-fits-all approach for targets would unlikely achieve the results we all yearn for. The agricultural sector is faced with a skills gap, and this remains a challenge in filling critical posts in the sector, he said.Pabi Mogosetsi, employer branding advisor and country manager for Universum South Africa comments, In challenging economic times, business at large in South Africa is collectively holding its breath to see the ultimate effects of the new legislation in action. Whatever those effects may be, however, it would seem that the change is inevitable whether it proves to be economically sustainable or not.She concludes, Businesses should brace themselves for the change and now is the best time to start preparing for readiness. The Department of Employment and Labour's changes could result in closer scrutiny in terms of compliance and it is critical that employers are mindful of whats to come. The Republic of Georgia's former President Mikheil Saakashvili made a surprise announcement earlier this week, confirming that he had returned to Georgia after eight years in exile - during which time he mostly lived in Ukraine, and was still politically active, even rising to prominence in Ukrainian politics. On Friday the government of Georgia issued the "shock" announcement that authorities have arrested Saakashvili, though perhaps entirely expected given the ex-president's 2018 conviction in absentia stemming from accusations of abuse of office. "I want to inform the public that the third president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, is arrested. He was transferred to a penitentiary institution," Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili informed a news conference Friday. In the prior conviction he had been handed a six year prison term, and recently had been warned that his return to his home country would result in arrest. Interestingly he said at the time the attempt to arrest him was orchestrated by Putin and pro-Russian actors. Often described as a "flamboyant pro-Western reformer" who ended his second term as president in 2013, he oversaw the disastrous August 2008 Russo-Georgia War, which many observers still blame on his series of blunders and initiating border aggressions while under the illusion that powerful Western allies like the US would back him. During his Ukraine exile, he had actually briefly served as governor of Odessa, before his dual citizenship was revoked, which officials said he wasn't supposed to have been issued in the first place. But his homecoming appears to have been calculated precisely to stir up mass opposition rallying and anger just ahead of national municipal elections targeting the ruling Georgian Dream Party, which Saakashvili has denounced as a "usurper government". According to AFP, his very arrest is likely to stir things up, potentially leading to clashes in the streets among political rivals: In a video posted on social media on Friday evening, Saakashvili said he was in Tbilisi and believed he was about to be detained, calling on supporters of his United National Movement to mobilize for Saturday's elections. "Go to the polls, vote and on (Sunday) we will all together celebrate our victory," he said. "I am not afraid of anything and you also should not be afraid." In an earlier video message, Saakashvili said he was in the western city of Batumi and had risked his "life and freedom" to return to Georgia from Ukraine. Saakashvili's last video before arrest. Says there is high chance of his arrest, but he is not afraid of anything and tells people not to be afraid either. Confirms he is in Tbilisi. Says vote tomorrow and lets celebrate the victory on 3rd. pic.twitter.com/B05G2LBuKk Andro (@ThisIsAndro) October 1, 2021 A local media video capturing the moment of his arrest showed a smiling and defiant ex-president as he was led away to the Rustavi penitentiary institution. One regional expert cited in Al Jazeera aptly described that "Now it seems he has put all his cards on the table and hes hoping that somehow this return will have an impact on Georgian politics which is very fractious at the moment." Meanwhile Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has indicated she has no plans to issue Saakashvili a pardon. So short of a mass upset change in Georgian politics, he's likely to be in prison a while for at least the immediate future. A teenage boy who robbed a Brandon convenience store with an imitation gun was sentenced to deferred custody on Friday afternoon after a judge said he is on the right path in life. Advertisement Advertise With Us A teenage boy who robbed a Brandon convenience store with an imitation gun was sentenced to deferred custody on Friday afternoon after a judge said he is on the right path in life. "Putting him into custody at this point would be more detrimental than it would be beneficial," Judge Donovan Dvorak said when sentencing a 17-year-old boy for robbery and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. "Its an exceptional circumstance where somebody does this and even as a youth doesnt go for a period of custody." According to a presentence report prepared before court, on April 29, 2020, at approximately 5:40 a.m., police received a report the boy, who was 16 at the time, was trying to break into cars while holding a machete. A witness in the 1100 block of 20th Street told police they called out to him at the vehicle but the boy just waved the machete at them. He then left heading west. Police searched the area and at 6 a.m., an officer saw the teen in the "vestibule" of the Rolln Pin Asian Restaurant, according to the report. At the time, he was trying to get into the restaurant, but it was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When the officer arrested the boy he was found with a black "machete-style" knife and a "scabbard" measuring 40 centimetres in length, the report reads. Then, on May 13, 2020, at approximately 3:30 a.m., police responded to a report the 7-Eleven on Willowdale Crescent had just been robbed. The cashier told police a young man wearing a hoodie flashed a handgun at him and told him to open the cash register, the police report reads. When police arrived, a customer said they saw the man running east into an alleyway, so officers called for a police dog to start tracking. The dog found the scent and tracked him to a nearby residence. When police knocked on the door, a woman said the teen had just arrived and she brought him to the door. He said the gun and stolen items, which included 12 packs of cigarettes worth $184, were in an upstairs closet. Officers arrested the boy and found the gun was a "revolver-style" cap gun. Despite the gun being fake, Crown attorney Caroline Lacey said the cashier at 7-Eleven would have assumed it was real. "Obviously, someone who sees that briefly in the moment would certainly assume that to be a real handgun," she said. While the teen doesnt remember the robbery because of how intoxicated he was, he is deeply remorseful. If it was an adult who committed the same crime, Lacey said, she would be asking for a multi-year prison sentence. "Theres a lot of issues with youth [people] having weapons in Brandon," she said. "Convenience stores, 7-Elevens in particular in Manitoba, have been deemed by the courts to have very vulnerable workers there and especially in the middle the night when they are often working alone." She asked the judge to sentence him to a nine-month conditional sentence order and one year of supervised probation. Defence lawyer Bob Harrison asked the judge not to sentence the boy to time in jail, saying he has been doing very well on bail in the community. Despite being on an 8 p.m. curfew for two summers, there are no allegations of him breaching it. Harrison said the case would be different if the accused had been sober and planned the robbery, but said he was in a "blackout" after consuming alcohol and Xanax. Speaking to the court, the teen apologized for the incident and said it wont happen again. "Im very sorry for what I have caused to the city and what I have done. I know what I have done is wrong, it wont happen again," he said. Dvorak sentenced the boy to six months of deferred custody, saying it should give him a clean slate in life. Dvorak put him on conditions, which he could be sent to jail for if he breaks them. "Our goal with everybody before the court, particularly with young people, is that they put what they were doing behind them and move on to be a productive member of society and do everything they can to make up for their errors in judgment," he said. "At this point, it looks like thats the direction youre taking and Im glad to hear that." dmay@brandonsun.com Twitter: @DrewMay_ Carol-Lynn Nothers lips turn blue when she sits up. Her purple cane sits beside her on a soft couch. Shes pale. Her blue hair is a sharp contrast to her white skin. Advertisement Advertise With Us KIMBERLEY KIELLEY/THE BRANDON SUN Carol-Lynn Nother (left) and Rylee Galiz sit with their arms full of the medications they take every day to control their POTS condition. The women met through a Facebook support group and hope to spread the word of the common syndrome that affects 80 per cent of women in their childbearing years. Carol-Lynn Nothers lips turn blue when she sits up. Her purple cane sits beside her on a soft couch. Shes pale. Her blue hair is a sharp contrast to her white skin. At 32, Nother was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS, four years ago. She used to walk almost 13 kilometres to work every day. Today she uses a chair lift to help her up the stairs at home. Rylee Galiz is a black belt master in Taekwondo. Today, she has a hard time getting around her yard. Thirteen years ago, Galiz was diagnosed with POTS. On any given day, the women have chest pain when they stand up. Medication Galiz was able to secure from a specialist at the South Health Campus - Cardiac Autonomic Disorders Clinic in Calgary has given her some quality of life. She found the clinic on her own and signed up for a research project to determine what was wrong with her. Waiting to see local specialists was taking too long. The autonomic testing that was conducted on her was invaluable but not available in Manitoba. Nother is still waiting for that day as she waits to be allowed into Alberta to see the same specialist Galiz did 13 years ago. But, the COVID-19 pandemic has put the brakes on that. When Nother attempted to book the same specialist in Calgary that Galiz did, she was told to find support for the debilitating disease in Manitoba. Alberta isnt allowing inter-provincial testing until their rising COVID-19 numbers start to decline, Nother was told. The testing in Calgary would provide Nother with a baseline to which Galizs specialist could then prescribe her the medication which could potentially give her back a semblance of her former self. Complex testing for POTS is not available in Manitoba, the women said. They lean on each other as Galiz helps Nother navigate the disease that has effectively stolen their lives and turned them into cane-, walker-, wheelchair- and chairlift-dependent. POTS is a form of dysautonomia. Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe various medical conditions that cause a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls the automatic functions of the body that we dont consciously think about such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and more. People living with different forms of dysautonomia have trouble regulating these systems, which can result in lightheadedness, fainting, unstable blood pressure, abnormal heart rates, chest pain, shortness of breath, malnutrition, and other symptoms. "I take eight pills to lower my blood pressure and eight pills to increase it," Galiz said. Some patients develop a reddish-purple colour in their legs when they stand, believed to be caused by blood pooling or poor circulation. Doctors with expertise in POTS have compared the function of POTS patients to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sufferers or congestive heart failure patients, according to the website. Twenty-five per cent of POTS patients are unable to work, with their quality of life comparable to someone with kidney failure on dialysis. POTS is estimated to impact between one to three million Americans, and millions more around the world, according to the Dysautonomia International website. The condition is a form of orthostatic intolerance that is associated with the presence of excessive tachycardia, or a heart rate thats too fast, and many other symptoms, upon standing. It isnt new and was known under other names including DaCostas Syndrome and Soldiers Heart. Its caused by a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Approximately 80 per cent of POTS sufferers are women from the ages of 15 to 50. Quite often the symptoms are misdiagnosed for anxiety or a panic attack. There are many causes of POTS. It is not a disease; it is a cluster of symptoms that are frequently seen together, which is why its called a syndrome. And that is where the difficulty lies. In a lot of cases, doctors cant pinpoint the cause with 16 potential underlying diseases and conditions. One in 100 teenagers develop POTS before theyre adults. Galizs 18-year-old daughter has the condition. In the beginning, before she was diagnosed, she fainted a lot. Today, its controlled. But, Galiz is worried its going to get worse over time. Thats why she is bound and determined to learn as much about the syndrome as she can. In the meantime, Galiz and Nother are on handfuls of medication. Nother lays on Galizs couch during the interview with the Sun. She wears cooling packs to regulate her temperature while staying horizontal ensures blood flow. Once she sits or stands, she runs the risk of fainting as blood pools in her legs and feet. "When I stand up, I have no detectable blood pressure," Nother said. Her 63-year-old mother is her primary caregiver but she still works, and Nother runs the risk of passing out at home alone. Personal Care had limitations and Nothers boyfriend helps fill the gaps. Galiz used to run 10 kilometres in 51 minutes five years ago. She had a full-time job. Now, its gone. Her husband, who works underground at Snow Lake, says its hard being away from home, knowing he cant be there for his wife all the time. She has an incredible support network though and has been there for Nother during the low points. "This is not a rare condition," Galiz said. "Its easily diagnosed. But theres nowhere for proper treatment or testing in Manitoba and that needs to change. I want [Nother] to get to Calgary." After seeing five cardiologists in the province, Nother has run out of options. "I have no options. I am stuck until the borders open." Nother and Galizs message is: if you think you have POTS, there is help. "You can have a better quality of life. Just dont give up." October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month. Go to dysautonomiainternational.org for more information. kkielley@brandonsun.com ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting nine new cases of COVID-19 today as Atlantic Canada continues to battle the pandemic's fourth wave. ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting nine new cases of COVID-19 today as Atlantic Canada continues to battle the pandemic's fourth wave. Health officials say the newly infected people range in age from under 20 to over 70. The province's active caseload is now 169, with a dozen people in hospital. Officials have identified four specific clustered outbreaks in recent weeks in the areas of Baie Verte, Twillingate/New World Island, Bishops Falls/Botwood and the Labrador-Grenfell Health region. Canada's four easternmost provinces have been slammed by rising cases tied to the fourth wave of COVID-19, with New Brunswick reporting the biggest surge in infections. As of Friday, that province had 677 active cases with 41 people in hospital due to the virus, including 15 patients in intensive care. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2021. VICTORIA - All sides in the old-growth logging dispute dug in deeper Wednesday after a British Columbia Supreme Court judge refused to extend an injunction against protest blockades on southern Vancouver Island. An RCMP officer stands by as protesters, left, are chained to a gate during an anti-logging blockade in Caycuse, B.C. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The National Police Federation says officers who enforced an injunction against blockades at a logging site on southern Vancouver Island were "the thin blue line between order and chaos." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jen Osborne VICTORIA - All sides in the old-growth logging dispute dug in deeper Wednesday after a British Columbia Supreme Court judge refused to extend an injunction against protest blockades on southern Vancouver Island. Forest company Teal Cedar Products Ltd. said in a statement it intends to appeal Justice Douglas Thompson's decision from Tuesday. Luke Wallace, a spokesman for the protest group Rainforest Flying Squad, said supporters will stay put at blockade camps at Fairy Creek, a remote area north of Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. "Teal Jones still has every intent of logging all the remaining old growth in that valley and the surrounding valleys, and so we will be present on that land until the reality is changed," Wallace said in an interview. "Until those forests are no longer under threat of deforestation." The B.C. government said in a statement it will not comment on matters that could still be before the courts. Thompson's ruling immediately lifted the injunction that had been in place since April. He said the RCMP's enforcement of the court order led to serious and substantial infringement of civil liberties. Teal Cedar and the RCMP asked the court to spend more of its "reputational capital" by granting the extension that would keep protesters at bay who may, or may not, be in breach of the injunction, the judge said in his decision. There have been more than 1,000 arrests at Fairy Creek since the original injunction went into effect. Teal Jones said the company will continue to legally log in its Tree Farm Licence 46 and will report any alleged illegal activity to the RCMP. In a statement, the company says it purchased the rights to the area 20 years ago to increase its supply of second-growth logs for a new mill "to process smaller timber." "To this day, most harvesting in the area is in second growth. We harvest some old growth as well as it has unique characteristics needed for some value-added products." The company says there are numerous protected areas within the tree farm licence. "It is a myth that old growth in the area is at risk." Teal Jones was disappointed by Tuesday's B.C. Supreme Court decision, it said in a statement announcing the appeal. "To do otherwise would be to allow anarchy to reign over civil society, and for misinformation campaigns to win over fact." The company also said if it cannot continue its work, it may be forced to lay off employees and shut down mills. In his decision, Thompson urged the B.C. government to consider further options to address the dispute beyond the injunction, including using criminal or provincial laws or even changing the laws. B.C.'s Ministry of Attorney General said in the statement it was reviewing the decision. Provincial Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said she will push the New Democrat government to live up to its promises to resolve old-growth logging issues when the legislature resumes sitting next week. "Absolutely, we will be once again asking this government why they are not taking their responsibility seriously, particularly now a judge of the B.C. Supreme Court has made it abundantly clear that it is the job of the government to address this," she said. The province approved the request this year of three Vancouver Island First Nations to temporarily defer old-growth logging across about 2,000 hectares in the Fairy Creek and central Walbran areas, but protests continued. The Rainforest Flying Squad said the old-growth forests outside of the deferred areas are still at risk of being logged. "We are still in Fairy Creek and the surrounding old-growth forests and protecting those forests until the government puts them under permanent protection," said Wallace. At the earlier hearing in Nanaimo, B.C., on the injunction request this month, lawyers representing the protesters said people from all walks of life with environmental concerns were being treated like terrorists. Thompson's ruling said the RCMP acted with "reasonable force" during much of the injunction period, but some video evidence presented showed "disquieting lapses in reasonable judgment." He cites video evidence showing police pulling off COVID-19 masks worn by protesters before dousing them with pepper spray. National Police Federation president Brian Sauve says in a statement the officers who enforced the injunction against blockades were "the thin blue line between order and chaos." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2021. Pfizer has submitted preliminary research to Health Canada on the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged five to 11. People walk by a COVID-19 vaccination sign in Montreal, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021. Pfizer says it has submitted preliminary research on the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged five to 11 to Health Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes Pfizer has submitted preliminary research to Health Canada on the effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged five to 11. The drugmaker confirmed Saturday it provided the initial trial data to the federal department for review as it prepares to make a formal submission seeking authorization to use the product in children. Pfizer said its formal submission could come later this month. Health Canada said in an email that Pfizer submitted the preliminary data for children aged five to 11 Friday afternoon, which was earlier than expected. The department said it expects the formal filing of the company's submission in mid-October. Pfizer Canada spokeswoman Christina Antoniou said the submission will be a request for full authorization. She said the new drug submission process for COVID-19 vaccines offers the same flexibility as the interim order authorization pathway did, including allowing the company to submit a rolling submission. "In other words, [it's] not an emergency use authorization but a full approval under which we would continue to submit new data as it becomes available," Antoniou said in an email. Pfizer's vaccine was initially given the green light for use in Canada last December under an interim order authorization and received full approval last month. The two-shot vaccine, developed in partnership with German pharmaceutical company BioNTech, is currently available for those aged 12 and older. The company is testing a lower dose of the shots in children. Pfizer and BioNTech said last week that researchers found the vaccine antibody responses in children were just as strong as those found in teenagers and young adults getting regular-strength doses. The companies submitted the research to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week and plan to request emergency use authorization of their vaccine in children ages five to 11 "in the coming weeks." The companies also plan to submit data to the European Medicines Agency and other regulators. In addition, research involving even younger children is also taking place. Pediatric studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine in children aged six months to age five is ongoing, with initial results expected before the end of the year, Antoniou said. Meanwhile, Health Canada approved the use of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine in kids as young as 12 in late August. The American drugmaker is also in the midst of vaccine trials for children younger than 12, with results expected sometime this fall. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2021. With files from The Associated Press. OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced backlash Friday over his decision to fly to British Columbia to spend time with his family on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to media as he visits a vaccine clinic in Ottawa on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced backlash Friday over his decision to fly to British Columbia to spend time with his family on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Native Womens Association of Canada (NWAC) said it is shocked that Trudeau ducked out entirely from a national day set aside to reflect on the legacy of residential schools. Lynne Groulx, the head of the political advocacy organization for Indigenous women, said in a statement that she is astounded by the "sheer level of callousness" of Trudeau's decision to take a trip to B.C. rather than attending events marking the historic day. She added it showed "disregard for what the First Nations, Metis and Inuit people have endured as a result of colonization. The prime minister flew to Tofino, B.C., on Thursday, where Global News filmed him walking along the beach at one point, refusing to comment. Later Thursday, Trudeau tweeted that he had spent some time that day having telephone conversations with residential school survivors from across Canada, "hearing their stories and getting their advice on the path forward." Alex Wellstead, a spokesman for the prime minister, said Friday that Trudeau "spoke with eight residential school survivors from across the country over several hours yesterday. It was an important opportunity to hear their stories of trauma and healing, and to hear their advice on the path forward. Thursday marked the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which was created this spring in response to one of the 94 calls to action put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that documented atrocities committed against First Nations, Metis and Inuit children in government-funded, church-run residential schools over more than a century. The day was already known as Orange Shirt Day, in honour of the experience of Phyllis Webstad, from the Stswecemc Xgattem First Nation in B.C., whose gift of clothing from her grandmother was taken away on her first day at a residential school. Groulx said in the statement that while Trudeau was not in the public eye, millions of other people across the country wore orange shirts, spoke out on social media and took part in ceremonies, reflecting on "the dark history of Canadas treatment of Indigenous people and what needs to be improved." Trudeau had participated in a ceremony on Parliament Hill on Wednesday night near the Centennial Flame, where mounds of stuffed toys and pairs of children's shoes have been left in honour of the children who never returned from residential schools. Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council on Vancouver Island, which includes the Tofino area, said Friday the organization had not heard from Trudeau and had no idea he was going to be in the territory on Thursday. She said he could have joined the Nuu-chah-nulth in Tofino for some brief remarks and left. I understand he's on vacation and wants some time off, but he shouldve prioritized the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is big for us and for us here. It was a really important day," Sayers said. "I always reflect back to how Trudeau says Indigenous Peoples are the most important relationship but he doesnt show it. He always says good things but doesnt follow it up with actions. Health Minister Patty Hajdu, who said she took part in a ceremony commemorating the day in her Thunder Bay, Ont., constituency, declined to answer questions Friday about Trudeau's trip. I cant speak to other peoples scheduling, Hajdu said. What I saw in my community was a commitment to reconciliation." "For me, it is hard to put into words how moving that day was," she said at a press conference in Ottawa on Friday, "and how moving it was to see so many citizens out meeting with Indigenous people and hearing stories that I know for sure some have never heard before." Blake Desjarlais, a Metis leader and newly elected NDP MP for Edmonton Griesbach, said Trudeau's actions increased the public perception that Thursday was "a family day" rather than a day for serious reflection about the treatment of Indigenous Peoples. "The first day requires a precedent," Desjarlais said. "It's hard to imagine the future of Sept. 30 without the prime minister's condolences, presence and messages." Trudeau's daily public itinerary said at first that he was in private meetings in Ottawa on Thursday, though this was later changed to reflect his actual location. One 75-year-old survivor who spoke Thursday to Trudeau "never thought in his lifetime that the would have the ear of the PM to talk about what he went through as a child," according to his counsellor, Sharna Sugarman. Sugarman said the man told her he was upset about media coverage focusing on the prime minister's family trip to Tofino, rather than Truth and Reconciliation issues. Sugarman, a Blackfoot survivor of the Sixties Scoop whose parents and grandparents went to residential schools, defended Trudeau's decision to spend time with his children. She said he has a track record fighting for Indigenous people. "The PM, in my opinion, has done his job, and if it weren't for his government, (Sept. 30) wouldn't have been marked as a day of mourning and reflection. It's not a holiday," she said. "He has kept a lot of promises to my people. Is he perfect? No. No one's perfect except a new-born baby." Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who was in Italy for global environment talks Thursday, said the prime minister has been clear there is no more important relationship for the government than its relationship with Indigenous Peoples. He has spoken with survivors across the country," he said. "I know how much this means to him. Groulx said Trudeau's decision to flit off to Tofino for a holiday rather than "taking the time his government set aside to reflect upon the tragedy of the Indian residential schools" gave the impression he did not take the issue seriously. It is almost as if he checked off one of the calls to action of the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) by declaring the statutory holiday, and then wiped his hands and said job done, lets move on, she added. Frank Caputo, Conservative MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, wrote to Trudeau on Friday to ask why he had not visited the site of the former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., where earlier this year Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation said ground-penetrating radar located what are believed to be the remains of 215 Indigenous children in unmarked graves. "Despite being in the province and only a short distance away from the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, you chose this important day to vacation," he wrote. On Thursday, Chief Rosanne Casimir of Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation said the community had twice invited Trudeau to join residential school survivors and their families. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2021. With files from Nick Wells in Vancouver and Mia Rabson in Ottawa. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size If you ever needed proof that influencers wield the kind of power the rest of us can only dream about, look no further than Abbie Chatfield. Subway sent me a $4500 voucher after I mentioned them on my Instagram stories, the former reality television contestant, 26, says, bemused. We are midway through a photoshoot to promote her role as host of Love Island Australias new behind-the-scenes show, Afterparty, which starts on Channel 9 (owned by Nine, the owner of this masthead) on October 14. The gig comes two years after Chatfield rose to fame on the 2019 season of The Bachelor where she was put through the reality TV ringer: framed as the series villain, dumped in the finale, and slut-shamed online for her sexuality. You need to have a villain, and I gave them that, Chatfield says. Abbie Chatfield: You need to have a villain, and I gave them that. Credit:Louie Douvis But Chatfield came to learn a valuable lesson: bad edit equals good opportunities. Its funny because they kept talking shit about me [online], so I became the main storyline on The Bachelor, which wasnt my plan, but it thrust me into this world of media, Chatfield says. And that opened up all these doors for me. Advertisement She was cunning enough to see the potential of having a point of difference. In a marketplace bloated with near-identical influencers content to sit, or pose, on the fence while flogging skinny teas, Chatfield would do the opposite. Everyone assumes influencers are idiots who have nothing to say, so when I started speaking about feminism, the US election, my abortion or my vibrator, people paid attention, Chatfield says. I have an opinion on everything, and I cant keep my mouth shut, so people saw me as this kind of anti-influencer influencer. That approach became a business plan for Chatfield, who has built an empire on the back of those qualities that attracted criticism when she appeared on The Bachelor. She has found a gap in the market, positioning herself as a feminist influencer, talking frankly and with humour about sex and sexuality, her body and mental health. Abbie Chatfield when she was a contestant on The Bachelor. Credit:Network Ten Shes been commissioned to write an entry-level handbook for baby feminists called So Lets Unpack That (which abbreviates to slut). Her weekly podcast Its a Lot attracts more than half a million monthly listeners with episodes such as Feminists Can Get Nose Jobs Babe and In Case You Havent Figured Out By Now I Am a Vaccine Slut a perfect snapshot of brand Chatfield. Then theres her range of hugely popular self-titled vibrators. A collaboration with sexual wellness company, Vush, the Abbie caused quite the buzz when released in April, selling out within days. The engine room of this ultra-modern millennial empire is Chatfields Instagram page which has more than 320,000 followers. A self-confessed chronic oversharer, Chatfield live streams her thoughts everything from slow Wi-Fi, anti-vaxxers and yes, a love of Subway. As a hair and makeup artist steps in to tend to Chatfields locks, I attempt the maths on how many footlongs you can get for $4000. Advertisement Thats too much Subway for anyone, Chatfield quips. I might give it to a homeless person, or like a shelter, no one needs that much Subway. Its not hard to see why Chatfield has managed to cut through. She is smart but self-deprecating, funny and flippant, switched on but happy to make a joke out of anything serious. The many faces of Abbie Chatfields Instagram. Lately, Chatfield has added another, perhaps surprising, string to her bow: public health warrior. Having received both doses of AstraZeneca, Chatfield has been encouraging her followers to get vaccinated. Each day she posts a poll asking people if theyre fully vaxxed while also regularly inviting health professionals onto her platform to help debunk vaccine misinformation. You need to have a villain, and I gave them that. Ignorant people make me fired up, and I cant help but share our exchanges, Chatfield says. It also empowers people who follow me to have those conversations with tricky people in their lives. While some influencers have stayed silent on the subject, Chatfield hasnt been afraid to deliver a savage one-liner to those who dont support vaccination. Advertisement I understand why they dont do it because anti-vaxxers are aggressive, and people cant be bothered paying the price or losing followers, Chatfield says. But as has been the case so often in her career, bucking the trend has paid off handsomely. Ive added 50,000 followers in the latest lockdown, and before that, it was plateauing, Chatfield says. Loading Its also allowed her to tap into a new demographic. She has this year appeared twice on ABCs The Drum discussing vaccination rates and the role influencers can play in effective COVID-messaging. However, for now, the focus shifts back to where it all began for Chatfield: reality TV. But in a role reversal, shell be the one dissecting the show, chatting to the Love Island contestants after each episode. Ive had a few followers get in touch on social media and say they were disappointed in me for signing on to host Afterparty, that I was complicit, Chatfield says. But would they prefer a talking head who wont call out bad behaviour, or do you want someone who has lived through it and survived? Advertisement What does former general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Hu Jintao think of the newly nuclear Anglo alliance? How does Russian omnigarch Vladimir Putins one-time placeholder President Dmitry Medvedev feel about his successors efforts to act on climate change? We will never know the answers to these questions. Both men have so far been spared the fate that traditionally befalls inconvenient persons in their homelands; were they to become vocal they would quickly be disappeared. Not so Australias former prime ministers. Much as the man currently in the job might wish he could have them whisked off to a gulag, the formerlies are here to stay. Former prime ministers Paul Keating, Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull have become a kind of Greek chorus warning the audience of the failings of prime minister Scott Morrison. Former prime minister Tony Abbott is less overtly critical, but his pronouncements will probably have more influence on Morrisons fortunes. A decade of long knives has left Scott Morrison with a long queue of men who once held his job and dont think much of his efforts. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen, Louie Douvis, Janie Barrett Australia has a surfeit of former prime ministers. Partly, this is a result of our democratic system in which the past is always with us heavily revised, but unbanished. Partly, it is a consequence of the decade of the long knives. When MPs came to realise that the prime ministership is technically the gift of the party room, they repeatedly regifted it peremptorily. Without relitigating the past well leave that to the former PMs we have an embarrassment of prime ministers who are embarrassed by the one currently in charge. Former prime ministers Keating, Rudd and Turnbull are especially irked. Keating, with a good dose of the yobbophobia which has made him so beloved at Wharf Review and so unpopular among the great unwashed, disparagingly characterises Prime Minister Scott Morrison as the prophet from the Shire. The prophet fails to appreciate our geostrategic position with the same subtlety as the oracle of Potts Point. The disappearance of journalist Juanita Nielsen on July 4, 1975, has become the stuff of urban myth. Her body? Its buried in the Blue Mountains. No, no, its under the third runway at Sydney airport. She was killed because she was opposing high-rise development, no, hang on, it was because she had a dirt file on powerful people that she was planning to publish in her Kings Cross newspaper. She had to go. You can hear them echoing down through the decades: It was a corrupt police officer, it was Abe Saffron and his Kings Cross henchmen. A property developer was behind it. It was Saffrons business partner, Jim Anderson. And for every year since, there seems to be an equal number of theories as to why she was murdered, who killed her and where her body might now lie. She was just 38-years-old when she disappeared, so many years ago, way back in the winter of 1975. Juanita Nielsen in October 1974. She disappeared on July 4, 1975 and was a newspaper publisher, journalist and activist, and heiress of the Mark Foy family. Credit:Nigel Scot Media Watch, and others, including myself and Peter Rees, author of the book Killing Juanita, recognised as the definitive account of the case, had raised serious questions about the credibility and veracity of claims made to the ABC by the star witness of the documentary, John Rossell Innes. But after a series of questions from Media Watch, the ABC removed the two TV episodes and two parts of the podcast from its website. The TV documentary aired last month, the podcast in July and August. For the lead host, Keiran McGee, it was to be a genuine journey of exploration. What sort of woman was her aunty, the missing heiress as she was so often described in the newspaper headlines? The documentary and the podcast started with a terrific concept: two of Juanitas relatives would investigate the case, but it was to be more than just what had happened to Juanita. Sadly, rather than clearing-up or clarifying the many whispers and rumours surrounding her murder, the recent ABC-TV documentary Juanita: A Family Mystery, along with the podcast Unravel: Juanita, has only added to them. According to Innes, and as reported by the ABC online: He (Arkins) was looking for someone that had investigatory experience but was not a detective someone that was unknown but experienced in these areas and who understood forensic inquiries. Why was he selected for this mission? He told the ABC that he and Arkins spent months preparing a cover story that would see him sent to jail and moved to a cell near Trigg. Innes told the ABC that in 1982, he had been approached by one of the NSW detectives investigating the Nielsen case, Karl Arkins, and asked to go undercover to help solve the murder. To go into Long Bay jail and see if he could prise some information out of one of the key suspects in Nielsens disappearance, Eddie Trigg. Innes was presented by the documentary as a successful corporate lawyer who had an extraordinary historical story to tell about Nielsen. In that, at least, the broadcaster was right, it was extraordinary. Rees, who has spent decades looking into the case, had never heard of him. I also had a long-standing interest in the case, having covered the lengthy 1983 inquest into her death as a reporter for the Herald. Up until his appearance on national television and in the podcast, Innes was unheard of in relation to the Nielsen disappearance. Innes did indeed go to jail at the end of November, 1982. That much can be verified. Its also true that Eddie Trigg was in jail at the same time, awaiting trial. In an online article published last month, the ABC reported: After months of planning, Innes was taken to the jail in a police van by Darlinghurst police where he occupied a remand cell opposite Trigg for nearly three months. Innes initial assignment was to investigate the money trail who was financing Juanitas suspected murder. Just why Innes was on the course is not clear. But a retired NSW detective, who was there at the same time and later attained the rank of superintendent, laughed at the suggestion theyd been lectured about cyber crime. We didnt even have bloody computers, he said. When he started the detective training course he was working as a loss adjuster for a private firm. The Sun-Herald has established that Innes did attend the course, but that it started in February, 1981 and went for just under three months. On his CV, he was not working for the A-Gs department, having left at the end of 1980 after working there for 17 months. Innes CV has him attending the detectives course in 1980-81, and he claims one of the subjects was cyber crime. According to the ABC, in the early 80s, he was a third-year law student working in the NSW Attorney-Generals Department when he was selected for a detective training course with the NSW police academy. The cover story, according to him, apparently extended to the media to reports in no less than three newspapers, The Sun-Herald, The Canberra Times and the Herald. These reports allegedly gave the cover story credence. By the time we finished, it looked like a law office. It was ridiculous, Innes said. Detective Arkins had arranged to have law books and other study material delivered to his cell. He told the program-makers that while he was in prison it had become known he was studying law. It was perhaps, at first blush, a plausible story. But it got better, a whole lot better if you believed Innes. He had been charged by detectives Arkins and Norm Maroney but not with the murder of Nielsen. Instead they had charged him and two others with conspiring to abduct her in the days before her disappearance. The articles said Innes had originally been charged with false pretences, passing dud cheques totaling $10,000. Initially granted bail, he had been placed on remand when he was further charged with a false application for an Australian passport. On November 28, 1982, The Sun-Herald, under the headline Defendant set to flee, say police, reported the following: An investigator with the Corporate Affairs Commission who faces 14 charges connected with the alleged running of a male brothel appeared in Waverley Court yesterday charged with making false statements to obtain a passport. Police alleged John Russell (sic) Innes, 24, of East Sydney made false statements while applying for a passport for a trip to New Zealand. Previously charged with passing the dodgy cheques, this time bail was refused. Once more there was a factual discrepancy. According to his CV, he left the Corporate Affairs Commission in July, 1979, having worked there for one year and eight months. Still, based on what Innes told the ABC, the elaborate operation was a resounding success. He was in jail, undercover. Another possibility is that he was in jail for passing false cheques. He went on to tell ABC viewers he had got talking to Trigg in prison about his court case and whether Eddie should plead guilty to conspiring to abduct Juanita Nielsen. While theyd been chatting, Innes said Trigg had made a number of confessions. Trigg told Innes that in exchange for pleading guilty, $70,000 was being held for him in the trust account of a firm of solicitors, Malcolm Johns and Co. The firm also acted for Abe Saffron. By pleading guilty he would avoid a trial and any nasty cross-examination. Then came the bombshell. I know exactly where she was killed, how she was killed, who killed her, how much they got paid and who paid him, he told the ABC. He said that Trigg had confessed to murdering Nielsen after she arrived at the Carousel nightclub in Kings Cross on the morning of July 4. Abe Saffrons business partner Jim Anderson in Kings Cross in 1983. The Carousel nightclub, the last place Nielsen was seen before she disappeared, was owned by Saffron and run by Anderson. Eddie Triggs also worked there. Credit:Julian Zakaras Trigg said to me, I took her into the restaurant and I throttled her. Now, it struck me at the time because who uses the word throttle? Its an unusual word to be using and its been embedded in my mind ever since. The Carousel was owned by Saffron. It was run by Saffrons business associate, Jim Anderson, who had gained notoriety years earlier by shooting dead gangster Donny The Glove Smith. Trigg, was the Carousels VIP bar manager. Theres no dispute hed asked Nielsen to go there on the pretext that the club wanted to buy advertising space in her newspaper. For decades, what happened after she arrived has remained a matter of contention. What we do know is that she was never seen again. But, according to the ABC: Within 24 hours of Trigg confessing to Juanitas killing, Mr Innes said he was extracted out of jail. He met Detective Arkins several times in the weeks after, and the police officer took pages of notes. Despite Mr Innes intel, there was no mention of Triggs confession by police at Juanita Nielsens coronial inquest in 1983. Abe Saffron at the Glebe Coroners Court on November 1, 1983 for the inquiry into the disappearance of Juanita Nielsen. Credit:Peter Morris But why had Innes waited 38 years to go public? Is his story backed up by any evidence? The short answer is not any evidence that we have seen. There are real questions as to whether much of what Innes told the ABC is a fabrication. The national broadcaster has published his spectacular claims without properly confirming his bona fides or credibility. In a statement on its website the ABC said new information came to light casting serious doubt on some of Innes claims. Some of this information had been unavailable to the content makers; some was available but not discovered. On the morning the ABC published its online story containing Innes claims, I called my colleague of many years, Peter Rees. Like me, hed never heard of Innes but some of his story rang distant bells for both of us, particularly the claim about the $70,000 being paid to Trigg to plead guilty. It had emerged during the 1983 inquest into Nielsens death. On October 11, 1983, a witness whose name was withheld gave evidence. I was in court that day reporting for the Herald. My article on October 12 said that a student, studying law, had told the court he had been in jail with Trigg at the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Long Bay between November, 1982 and February, 1983. The unnamed witness said Trigg had told him that money had been placed in a trust account. The firm of solicitors was Malcolm Johns and Co. The witness told the inquest: I said it would have to be a considerable amount of money to be looking at a three-year sentence. He then quoted a figure to me of $70,000. Under cross-examination by lawyer Wayne Barry, for Saffron, the witness agreed that at no time had Trigg actually stated that Saffron paid the $70,000. A few days later, Trigg told the inquest the law student was lying. He had never had such a conversation with him but added: If my solicitors have $70,000 there for me Ill certainly accept it. He also said hed heard on the prison grapevine that all the charges against the unnamed witness had been either dropped or dismissed and that the man was now managing three or four male brothels in the Sydney area. The witness, whose name was withheld, was John Innes. Juanita Nielsen in 1968. Credit:Richard John Pinfold In going on television he had revealed unique details which matched exactly with those in my reports in the Herald in October, 1983, and in the official transcript. So did Innes reveal his undercover operation to the inquest? He did not. He told counsel assisting Priscilla Flemming, Coroner B.J. Wilson, SM, and the jury that he had never met detectives Karl Arkins or Norm Maroney until the evening of September 4, 1983. (The inquest had started in August). Not only that, when Arkins and Maroney had come calling at his home in Mosman, he had typed up his own statement about what Trigg had allegedly told him while the two of them were locked up. Under cross-examination, once again by Wayne Barry, the following exchange occurred: Q. Would you agree with me that at no stage (did) the police put any restrictions upon you as to the contents of the statements that you typed? A. No. Q. So you were free to type in that statement whatever you wished? A. Well, within the context of the information they were seeking. Q. Yes, I appreciate that, but you were in charge of the typewriter and you could type whatever you wanted to type? A. Yes. The statement Innes had typed was read to the court. It included the story about Trigg saying he would get $70,000 for pleading guilty. There was no mention whatever of Trigg confessing to murder. Innes has claimed that he never revealed Triggs murder confession while in the witness box because he was never directly asked by any of the lawyers, which on its own raises questions. That claim appears to be shot to pieces at page 2673 of the transcript when the redoubtable Mr Barry and Innes had the following exchange: Q. Did the man Trigg ever say anything to you as far as his opinion was concerned as to what happened to Mrs Juanita Nielsen? A. No. Q. He never broached the subject at all? A. ... I didnt pursue that specifically by questioning him, no. So Innes tells the ABC that Trigg confessed to him in early 1983. But later that year he fails to include it while typing his own statement for the NSW Police and then fails to tell the inquest when specifically invited to do so. In his interviews with the ABC, Innes blamed Arkins for not following up Triggs alleged confession. Like every other lead that led to Saffron, it evaporated. Nothing was done with it. Author Peter Rees says the alleged involvement of Abe Saffron is a red herring and that all the evidence points to Saffrons business associate Jim Anderson acting independently in ordering the murder. Innes has told people that not only was his name withheld at the inquest but his evidence was as well. The latter is patently wrong. I was there. And what of the ABC reporting on this? Did the broadcaster have the transcript? If so, how could it possibly reconcile what Innes had told them about the undercover operation with what he had said under oath in 1983? It said Innes had no criminal record, when he did. It was read out at the inquest. He pleaded guilty to some of the charges (it appears others were dropped) and in his own statement to police he says he was placed on a bond for four years. The Sun-Herald has been told the NSW Police have no record on any running sheet or document of Innes being involved in any undercover operation. Arkins and Maroney have been notoriously media-shy since they started investigating the case in the 1970s. Killing Juanita: A True Story of Murder and Corruption by Peter Rees. Credit:Fairfax Archives But Peter Rees and I have been told separately that both men categorically deny any undercover operation. For John Innes, he is left between a rock and a hard place. He cant have it both ways. Based on what we know, either he lied to the ABC, perjured himself at the inquest or the facts fit together in a way that this reporter cannot fathom. The Sun-Herald sent John Innes a list of 14 questions and received a letter on Thursday from his lawyer threatening defamation proceedings, saying the questions were leading, accusatory. An hour or so after that letter, Innes sent a 10-page response to the questions. It was marked Not for Publication. Suffice to say he is sticking to his story, and we are no closer to getting answers. The ABC declined to say whether the program-makers had had a copy of the transcript of Innes evidence. A spokesperson referred to an earlier statement saying the TV and two episodes of the podcast had been taken down after serious doubts had emerged about his claims. The matter was still being reviewed. For Aunty, coming on the heels of the controversy over its Luna Park series, this is a failure of basic journalism. The ABC faithful deserve better and so does Juanita Nielsen. with Peter Rees Neil Mercer is a Walkley award-winning investigative journalist. Peter Rees is the author of 10 books, including Killing Juanita, a revised edition of which has recently been released. 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 At 15, Luca Gittany seems too young to take on the responsibilities of parenting. But the teenager is as diligent as any father when it comes to caring for his brood - spending up to two hours every morning feeding, cleaning and exercising his menagerie of pets. When I wake up, I first feed Thor, he says. I usually have his vegetables cut up and in the fridge the night before. Thor is a blue and gold macaw that accompanies Luca on walks to the park near his North Parramatta home, free flying around the green space before returning to his perch on Lucas shoulder. Luca Gittany at home with his Blue and Gold Macaw. Credit:Brook Mitchell When I take Thor to the park, so many people talk to me, he says. They love Thor. COVID-19 lockdowns sent many households looking for animal company in the past two years - there are plenty of pandemic puppies about - and experts say the opportunity for children to bond with a pet during long periods of isolation has significant mental health benefits. NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance will resign from state politics and says he will nominate for preselection for the federal seat of Gilmore with Prime Minister Scott Morrisons backing. The veteran Bega MP had been considering a tilt to replace Gladys Berejiklian after she resigned as NSW premier on Friday, but will instead attempt to move to federal politics ahead of the 2022 election. NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance. Credit:Louise Kennerley Mr Constance, who entered NSW Parliament in 2003, said he would resign as Transport Minister this week, and as the member for Bega by the end of the year. After almost 20 years serving in the NSW Parliament, today I have made the decision to nominate for local preselection for the federal seat of Gilmore, he said on Sunday. The salon chair has long been a secular confessional for women and men to pour out their heart while tidying up their locks. But hairdressers are asking clients to avoid one subject when they reopen their doors next Monday: COVID-19. Numerous salon owners told The Sun-Herald they were dreading hearing all about everyones experience of the pandemic and Sydneys long lockdown. Deborah Bradshaw, owner of Hair Angel in Balmain, wants to steer clients away from conversations about COVID-19. Credit:James Brickwood Deborah Bradshaw, owner of Hair Angel in Balmain, has even launched a campaign, Keep your mane sane, to encourage a COVID conversation-free environment in the salon. We are not trained therapists and the unintentional unload of their stresses, whether it may be a marriage breakup, work challenges or health concerns, can have a huge impact on the hairdresser, she said. NSW has reported 813 new local coronavirus cases from 98,266 tests, as health authorities warn against gatherings for Sundays NRL Grand Final. Ten people have died from COVID-19 since Fridays update, including a person in their 50s, three people in their 60s, two people in their 70s, three people in their 80s, and one person in their 90s. One of the deaths was a man in his 60s from western Sydney who caught COVID-19 at Mount Druitt Hospital. Dr Jeremy McAnulty of NSW Health. Credit:Edwina Pickles The man had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine but had underlying health conditions, NSW Healths Dr Jeremy McAnulty said. The search continues for two men after a 51-year-old was hit in the face during a shooting on Saturday. Police were called to reports of a disturbance between three men in a yard on Sparkes Road in Bray Park, north of Brisbane, about 2.30pm. The scene in Bray Park. Credit:Nine / Natarjsha Kramer Police said two men entered a room inside a home and threatened a 51-year-old man, who chased them from the property before one of the pair discharged a weapon. The 51-year-old suffered minor cuts to his face from the gunshot. Daylight saving begins today and, with Melbourne just weeks from emerging from its 18-month winter, preparations are under way for outdoor drinking, dining and shopping in the warm months ahead. We wont be standing elbow-to-elbow in crowded pubs. But pop-up cinemas and stages, clothing shops and bars will shut down streets, and take over green spaces, footpaths and car parks into the night once COVID-19 vaccination targets are met in time for summer. Moonee Valley mayor Cam Nation with Ari and Hazel Nair, aged nine and five, respectively, at Queens Park where a pop-up cinema could open once the road map allows. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui Melbourne is scheduled to open from October 26 under the state government road map released on September 19, but indoor retail and hospitality will still be banned until November 5 when 80 per cent of eligible Victorians are expected to be fully vaccinated. Outdoor dining was a major feature of last years summer, but indoor trade was allowed in small numbers as soon as Melbourne exited its extended second lockdown. Former Labor leader Bill Shorten has thrown his support behind mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for all federal MPs, declaring true leadership requires doing yourself what you ask others to do. He is the most senior MP from any of the major parties to back mandatory vaccination for federal MPs after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced more than 1 million workers in the state including MPs, judges, faith leaders and personal trainers had to get at least one jab in the next two weeks or be banned from their workplace. Labors NDIS spokesman Bill Shorten is the most senior MP from any of the major parties to back mandatory vaccination for federal MPs. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen NSW has also introduced mandatory vaccination for workers in schools, aged care and healthcare, but the Victorian move goes much further. Mr Shorten told The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age that if politicians were mandating vaccines for other people working in other sectors, I dont see how we [MPs] can be separate. Former prime minister John Howard has backed Treasurer Dominic Perrottet to be the next NSW premier, with the Liberal statesman describing the downfall of Gladys Berejiklian as a huge loss for the state. Mr Howard said Mr Perrottet was the best person to lead NSW at a time the whole state is grieving in the wake of Ms Berejiklians stunning resignation from political life. Former prime minister John Howard has endorsed Treasurer Dominic Perrottet for premier. Credit:Louise Kennerley I am very, very sorry that she is no longer the premier, Mr Howard said. The whole state is grieving because people respected her decency and honesty, and they acknowledge that she has done a particularly good job in managing the pandemic. I really like Gladys, and it is a big loss that she is gone. The large increase in ancestral remains at Australian museums despite the Australian governments Indigenous Repatriation Policy simply frustrates Mr Weatherall. Indigenous activist Bob Weatherall continues to question the commitment of museums to return ancestral remains. Credit:Tony Moore They should be emptying their cupboards, not filling them up, he says. I think it shows repatriation should be under Aboriginal ownership and control, not under government authority or a government science body. I think there is a huge conflict of interest there, and it needs to be sorted out. It is now the formal policy of the Australian and Queensland governments to return the remains of First Nations people to their local communities, despite its complexities. The Australian government says since 1990, 2710 First Australian ancestors and 2240 secret, sacred objects have been returned by the eight museums to their local communities. The overseas locations from where Australias Indigenous remains have been returned over the past 30 years. Credit:Australian government In one example in May 2021 three spears taken by Captain James Cook and his crew in 1770 were returned to the Gweagal people in NSW. They had been located at Trinity College at the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology. The Gweagal Shield remains in the British Museum. The Office of the Arts said the process of returning ancient remains is sensitive, complex and may take some time. The timetable for the return of ancestors with provenance to a community is usually determined by the museums in close consultation with the relevant traditional custodians, a spokeswoman said. The number of ancestors returned each year varies. Each return is community led and the timing is informed by the communities wishes and in accordance with their cultural protocols. In 2011, East Arnhem land chief law man Jacob Nayinggul is pushed in his wheelchair by ANU historian Martin Thomas as he supervises proceedings as human remains are finally returned to their ancestral home in Gunbalanya, in Arnham Land. Credit: It said increases in holdings of ancestral remains had to be discussed with individual museums. Two museums that are among the eight supporting the Indigenous Repatriation Program provided details from their Indigenous Remains collections. Queensland Museums ancestral remains holdings have doubled since 2010. On June 7, 2010, the Queensland Museum held 382 ancestral remains and 216 sacred, secret objects, according to documents on all museums provided by Mr Weatherall this week. However, by September 2021, the Queensland Museum said it held 1288 ancestral remains and sacred objects, which included many items which had not previously been recorded. A recent 12-month audit shows 809 ancestral remains bones and skulls and 479 sacred, secret objects. A Queensland Museum spokeswoman said some communities asked the Queensland Museum to hold remains for them when they were returned from other museums. They are held for communities. They are not on exhibition. Most recently Queensland Museum returned Burnett Rock engravings to the Bundaberg region; and ancestral remains to Malanda, in far north Queensland. Bob Weatherall says the role of museums in repatriating Indigenous remains to communities must be scrutinised. Credit:Tony Moore The Queensland figures were reflected in September 2021 data provided by the Indigenous Repatriation Program run by the federal Office of the Arts. That data, made public last Thursday, showed that in Canberra, a similar story emerged at the National Museum of Australia. In June 2010, there were 1346 ancestral remains at the National Museum of Australia, according to information provided by the museums to Mr Weatherall in 2010. However, in September 2021, there are 2738 individually numbered sets of ancestral remains, the museum said. These represent a minimum of 463 individuals, the National Museum said. It holds 49 sets of remains at the request of Indigenous communities. The Museum has returned the remains of over 1200 individuals and 350 secret sacred objects to communities, a spokeswoman said. The Indigenous Repatriation Program estimates about 30 per cent of these ancestors do not have provenance, which means they cannot be linked to a specific community or place. Mr Weatherall shakes his head slowly as I show him the 2021 figures from museums at his timber, suburban home in Brisbanes northside. He had a week earlier insisted that anywhere between 7000 and 10,000 ancestral remains were still held by the eight Australian museums. The figures from the museum in the Indigenous Repatriation Program suggests he is correct. Indigenous rights performer Bob Weatherall closes the Brisbane Festivals Restless Dream performance telling of his career of returning ancestral remains to Indigenous communities. Credit:Halfway His fight to have Indigenous remains returned to their communities, goes back four decades and was recognised this month at the Brisbane Festival. The Brisbane Festival honoured his work in bring ancestral remains home in the stage musical Restless Dream, a collaboration with Queensland band, Halfway. During one song Bloodlines No.2 Mr Weatherall sings in spoken verse: We tell them who we are and where we come from. We are Kamilaroi, bloodline descendants from the Balonne, Moonie, Culgoa, the McIntyre and Barwon rivers. Weve come to get you. Weve come to take you home. Bob Weatherall and the 1991 Edinburgh University declaration that he be entrusted with collecting Aboriginal remains. Credit:Tony Moore Mr Weatherall has lost faith with the museum repatriation program and suggests change. There needs to be a separation of the role of museums and the role of returning ancestors to their communities, he believes. It needs to be a Centre of Excellence for the repatriation of ancestors to get them all home, and it needs to be under the control of Aboriginal people. Bob Weatherall and Professor Marcia Langton, then an anthropology student at University of Queensland. They are pictured here in Brisbane protesting against Queenslands Indigenous affairs policies before the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Credit:Bob Weatherall Mr Weatherall has a proudly framed statement from the University of Edinburgh Senate dated September 30, 1991, which names him as an appropriate representative to receive all Aboriginal remains held by the university. Taliban fighters sit on the back of a pickup truck as they stop on a hillside in Kabul. Credit:AP Afghanistan is ground zero of post-9/11 counter-terrorism and our experiment of trying to address the violence committed by non-state actors like the Taliban, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, Ni Aolain told me. Thats led to 20 years of systematic human rights abuses in Afghanistan not only by the Taliban and other groups but serious violations by the Afghan government and acts of torture and violence by the US-led coalition, she said. I know there is a cry for clear, grand gestures from the international community, but we need something more old-fashioned and reliable. Syria with the Assad regimes sustained human rights abuses and the myriad terrorist groups operating within its borders provides a possible way forward. After the failure of the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (thanks to Russia and China), the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism was born. Created by a UN General Assembly resolution in 2016, the mechanism properly funded and with some heavy-hitting jurists on board has been collecting, preserving and analysing evidence of human rights violations in Syria with the aim of expediting criminal proceedings against perpetrators. Its already had some early success with the February sentencing in a German court of a former Syrian intelligence officer for complicity in crimes against humanity. Another trial is ongoing. In a separate action in July, a Syrian doctor was charged for his alleged role in torturing prisoners in military hospitals in Homs and Damascus. These are important advances for the principle of universal jurisdiction for such violations, which allows national courts like the ones in Germany to prosecute individuals for serious crimes against international law. A similar body could be established on Afghanistan. Those whove been gathering evidence on the Taliban and other groups for 20 years will continue to do so whether theyre part of the growing diaspora or members of the countrys civil society who were unable or unwilling to flee since the hardline Islamist group took control on August 15. Along with the evacuation of many of those working in the field, a significant collection of human rights records has been safely taken out of Afghanistan in these last weeks that could feed into those investigations, Ni Aolain said. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd (HMSI) on Saturday reported an 8 per cent decline in total sales at 4,82,756 units in September. The company had posted total sales of 5,26,866 units in the same month last year, HMSI said in a statement. Domestic sales in September this year stood at 4,63,679 as against 5,00,888 units in the year-ago month. Exports were at 19,077 units as compared to 25,978 units in September last year. Commenting on the sales performance, HMSI Director Sales & Marketing Yadvinder Singh Guleria said, "We are gaining back the momentum with each passing month witnessing a rise in customer enquiries." Stating that the coming few months will be decisive in determining the growth forecast with the year's most awaited time of festivals just around the corner, he said the company's network across India is all geared up and ready. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cairn Energy, Vodafone and other looking to settle retrospective will have to indemnify the Indian government against any future claims arising out of the said dispute. This will be in addition to their own undertaking to withdraw any pending litigation or proceeding before any forum and assurance that they wont pursue any further claims in the future. The indemnity bond will have to be furnished by the company and any other interested party with the income-tax authority and its resolution panel, according to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Under the new mechanism, can now settle their cases within 30-60 days. The specified 9 terms explaining the rules after considering detailed feedback from the and other stakeholders. Six of these conditions say that the companies concerned will irrevocably withdraw, discontinue and not pursue any law suits, arbitration, conciliation or mediation either in India or abroad. A company will also have to withdraw proceedings in respect of any award against the government and all Indian affiliates. While two conditions are related with a structure for dealing with possible litigations in future, the final condition concerns public declaration. The declarant and all the interested parties shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Republic of India and Indian affiliates from and against any and all costs, expenses (including attorneys fees and courts fees), interest, damages, and liabilities of any nature arising out of or in any way relating to the assertion or, bringing, filing or maintaining of any claim, at any time after the date of furnishing the undertaking, one of the conditions says. Another condition says, The declarant and all the interested parties shall refrain from facilitating, procuring, encouraging or otherwise assisting any person (including, but not limited to any related party or interested party) from bringing any proceeding or claims of any kind related to any relevant order or orders, or in relation to any award, order, judgment, or any other relief against the government or Indian affiliates in connection with any relevant order or orders. Indian affiliate is any department, agency, instrumentality, public sector company or any other entity of the government owned directly or indirectly in India or abroad. The interested company can start the process by submitting the undertaking within 45 days effective October 1. Post that the tax authority will have 15 days to pass an order. The government had during the monsoon session amended retrospective rules nullifying tax demands raised on transactions prior to May 28, 2012, which is when the controversial law came into force. Once these conditions are fulfilled, the government will refund the tax amount paid by the companies, without interest and penalty. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Saturday families committing suicide post COVID was a matter of concern and said suicide was not a solution to any temporary problem. His reaction came as a woman with her two children in the city outskirts ended her life on Friday a year after the death of her husband, who was a state-owned Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation employee, due to A few other instances have also taken place where some family members ended their lives due to financial stress post COVID-19 lockdown. "It (suicide) is a matter of concern for everyone. We need to stop people from committing suicide due to stress and various other reasons.. society and the government should think over it...People have to come together to help each other in difficult times," the Chief Minister said. He added that problems are temporary, for which suicide is not a solution. There will always be a solution to the problem, he opined. "Joy and sorrow are part of our life. We should calm ourselves and we must perceive victory and defeat and joy and sorrow as temporary," Bommai said. According to him, there are many reasons behind suicide including social, economic and personal. He said people take extreme steps in depression and it should be prevented. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) in and Haryana on Saturday held protests at many places against postponing of paddy procurement. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Friday had given a call for holding protests outside the residences of legislators in both states to register their protest over the delay in purchasing paddy crop. The Centre on Thursday postponed procurement of kharif paddy in and Haryana till October 11 as the crop maturity is delayed and moisture content in fresh arrival is beyond permissible limits owing to recent heavy rains. The procurement operation is undertaken by the central government's nodal agency Food Corporation of India (FCI) along with state agencies. Paddy procurement usually commences from October 1. Meanwhile, Haryana minister Anil Vij on Saturday said the farmers' agitation against the Centre's new laws is getting violent day by day. Farmers' agitation is getting violent day by day. Violent movement in the country of Mahatma Gandhi cannot be allowed., said Vij in a tweet. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the Centre to start purchase of paddy crop. #WATCH Protestors break barricades, police use water cannon against them, gathered outside the residence of Haryana CM ML Khattar in Karnal after paddy procurement delayed till October 10 in Haryana pic.twitter.com/ZPWqYp1JqU ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2021 The of are upset, the central government has postponed the purchase of paddy for 10 days, farmer is standing outside the mandis carrying lakhs of quintals of paddy on his tractor, said Kejriwal in a tweet. In Punjab, gathered outside the residences of several Congress legislators, including Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana K P Singh in Rupnagar and MLA Harjot Kamal in Moga and staged protests over delay in the purchase of paddy crop. Police personnel were deployed in strength to maintain law and order, said officials. Farmers expressed apprehension that they would suffer if their crop is not purchased at the grain markets. Paddy crop, though in small quantity, has started arriving in mandis especially in border areas of Punjab, said farmers. They questioned where the farmers, who have brought their crop at mandis, will go if their produce is not purchased. Some fear that they would be forced to sell their crop below the minimum support price (MSP) to private traders. A farmer in Haryana's Karnal said his paddy crop will get damaged by October 11 when the Centre would start procuring it. At some places, farmers even handed over memorandum to the Deputy Commissioners demanding commencement of paddy purchase. In Haryana's Ambala, police put up barricades to prevent farmers from laying siege to the residence of BJP legislator Aseem Goel. A fire fighting vehicle and a water cannon vehicle were also deployed outside the residence of the MLA. Tight security arrangement has been made outside the residence of Minister Vij at Ambala Cantonment, said officials. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's Chief of Defence Staff, General has met with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and discussed expanding multilateral cooperation with regional partners, according to Defence Department Spokesperson John Kirby. He said at their meeting on Thursday, Austin underscored the US commitment to supporting the Indian Armed Forces' "transition toward greater institutional integration and operational jointness". That refers to the ability of the armed forces and their equipment to operate together. While discussing increasing military cooperation between their countries, they considered priorities in new defence areas like space, cyber, and emerging technologies, he said. "They also discussed opportunities for expanding multilateral cooperation with regional partners," he said. "This historic meeting highlights the enduring strength of the US-India Major Defence Partnership as the two countries work in concert with like-minded partners to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific," Kirby said. Rawat's first visit to the Pentagon came a week after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden and the Quad summit of Modi, Biden and Prime Ministers Scott Morrison of Australia and Yoshihide Suga, of Japan in Washington. In a joint statement, Modi and Biden "reaffirmed the strength of the defence relationship between the and Idia and the unwavering commitment to India as a Major Defence Partner." They listed "defence information sharing, sharing of logistics and military-to-military interactions, strengthening cooperation in advanced military technologies, and expanding engagements in a multilateral framework including with regional partners" among areas they would work together. At the summit held under the shadow of growing aggressive stance by China in the India-Pacific region, the leaders said, "Wea-recommit to promotinga-the free, open,a-rules-based order, rooted ina-international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperitya-in the Indo-Pacific and beyond." Although the four countries have shied away from a formal military alliance, they have been holding joint naval exercises. The US, Australia and the United Kingdom formed a defence pact last month. Biden and Modi said that they looked forward to the inaugural meeting of the Industrial Security Agreement (ISA) summit for high-end defence industrial collaboration drawing on the "innovation and entrepreneurship in defence industries for co-development, co-production and expanding mutual defence trade". The weeklong ISA summit concluded in New Delhi on Friday with an agreement to establish the Indo-US Industrial Security Joint Working Group. India's Press Information Bureau said, "This group will meet periodically to align the policies and procedures expeditiously that will allow the defence industries to collaborate on cutting edge defence technologies." Anurag Bajpai, joint secretary in the Department of Defence Production, and David Bagnati, the assistant director at the Defence Technology Security Administration, led their sides at the summit. In the series of visits high-level by defence officials after Biden took office that began with a trip to India by Austin, Vice-Admiral G. Ashok Kumar, India's Vice Chief of Naval Staff, came to the US in June. He met with Vice Admiral Steve Koehler, the commander of the US 3rd Fleet that operates in the Indo-Pacific. The US Navy quoted Koehler as saying, "The US-India strategic partnership is one of our most critical relationships in the Indo-Pacific. Open discussion of shared and complementary capabilities not only strengthens our relationship, it increases our naval effectiveness as we work together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific." (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) --IANS al/shs (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Expressing hope that the pending issues between India and along the Line of Actual Control would be resolved soon, Army chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane said the increase in the deployment by Chinese troops across the border was a matter of concern. He said India had made matching deployments in terms of troops and infrastructure in its areas along the LAC and there was no way anyone would be able to behave in an aggressive manner again. Speaking to ANI, Gen Naravane, who is in for his two-day visit, said, "The situation at friction points has been normal for the past six months. The talks have been going on. We had the 12th round of talks last month, and also hopeful of having the 13th round of talks, maybe by the second week of October." He added, "When the talks had started, people were doubtful whether talks would resolve anything, but I am of the firm opinion that we can resolve our differences with dialogue and that is what has happened in the past few months." The army chief said, "The Chinese have deployed (their forces) in considerable numbers across Eastern and up to eastern command. There has been an increase in the deployment and it is a matter of concern for us. We are also carrying out matching developments in terms of infrastructure and deployment of troops. We are quite poised in order to meet any eventuality. Naravane, on Friday, had visited several forward in eastern and carried out a comprehensive review of India's operational preparedness in the backdrop of its prolonged military standoff with in the mountainous region. He was given a detailed briefing about the overall situation in the region at the headquarters of the 14 Corps, popularly known as the 'Fire and Fury Corps', that takes care of guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with in the Ladakh region, officials said. On the first day of his two-day tour of the region, Gen Naravane visited the strategically sensitive Rezang-La area and visited a war-memorial there to pay homage to the soldiers who laid down their lives in defending the country, they said. The Chief of Army Staff also called on Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Radha Krishna Mathur, and discussed the prevailing security scenario in the Union Territory. "Gen Naravane visited several forward areas in eastern Ladakh where he was briefed on the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness. He also interacted with the troops and complimented them for their resoluteness and high morale," an Army spokesperson said. His visit to the region came a day after he said that the "unprecedented" military standoff with China required an immediate response and large-scale mobilisation of resources at a time when the country was faced with the coronavirus pandemic. "The unprecedented developments necessitated large scale resource mobilisation, orchestration of forces and immediate response, all this in a Covid-infested environment," he said while delivering a lecture at an industry chamber on Thursday. Also on Thursday, India hit out at China for attempting to blame it for the border row and asserted that the "provocative" behaviour and "unilateral" attempts by the Chinese military to alter the status quo along the LAC in the region seriously disturbed peace and tranquillity. The comments by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi came in response to China's fresh allegations that the "root cause" of the tensions between the two countries was New Delhi following a "forward policy" and "illegally" encroaching Chinese territory. The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year in eastern Ladakh following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area. Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry. As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in the Gogra area last month. In February, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in line with an agreement on disengagement. Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the sensitive sector. Prime Minister paid tribute to former Prime Minister on his birth anniversary today. "Tributes to former Prime Minister ji on his birth anniversary. His life based on values and principles will always remain a source of inspiration for the countrymen," tweeted Prime Minister Modi. Shastri was born on October 2, 1904 in Mughalsarai district of Uttar Pradesh. He shares his birthday with Mahatma Gandhi. He entered politics at a young age as a satyagrahi in the Indian Movement.On August 15, 1947, he became the Minister of Police and Transport in independent India. Shastri became the Prime Minister of India in 1964 and led the country during the India-Pakistan war in 1965. He coined the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' which resonated with masses and was widely accepted. On January 11, 1966, he breathed his last in Tashkent after a cardiac arrest. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As & Co. races ahead with an experimental pill that could play a pivotal role in the fight against Covid-19, efforts are intensifying to bring the drug to developing countries that have struggled to vaccinate their populations. The global health agency Unitaid and its partners hope to reach an agreement as soon as next week to secure the first supplies of the antiviral treatment for lower- and middle-income nations, Philippe Duneton, its executive director, said in an interview. Unitaid has been in discussions with the company and generic manufacturers, he said. This is really what weve waited for all these months, he said. There is a window of hope with this treatment, and now we need to collectively make it work for people in less well-to-do countries. On the vaccine front, lower-income nations have been left behind. About nine months after the arrival of Covid shots, more than 55 countries have yet to vaccinate 10% of their populations. More than two dozen nations are below 2%. If the medication hits the market, it could be a turning point in the pandemic. Results Friday were so positive that and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP -- in consultation with independent trial monitors and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- elected to stop enrolling patients and begin the process of gaining regulatory clearance. plans to submit the data to other regulators worldwide. Licensing Deals The company earlier this year announced that it had signed non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements for the drug with five generic manufacturers in India in a bid to accelerate availability in more than 100 low- and middle-income countries following approvals or emergency authorization by local regulatory agencies. Potentially the drug could be very cheap to manufacture and available at a low cost in developing nations, benefiting millions of people, Andrew Hill, a senior research fellow at the University of Liverpool, wrote in an email. This could be a major advance in the treatment of Covid-19, he said. The company said in a statement that it expects to produce 10 million courses of treatment by year-end, with more expected in 2022. In June, the company agreed to a $1.2 billion supply deal with the U.S. government, under which it would provide 1.7 million courses of the treatment. A court while hearing a plea filed by Enforcement Directorate (ED) against former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, has ordered the leader to appear before the court on November 16. ED approached the court stating that Deshmukh was not appearing before ED officers despite multiple summons by the agency. ED appealed to the court that Deshmukh should be prosecuted under IPC 174 (Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant). The court said that with several summons issued by the agency to Deshmukh, his daughter and his lawyer, prima facie a case of non-attendance is made against him. ED is investigating the money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Deshmukh. It registered a case against Deshmukh and others based on a corruption case filed against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Deshmukh is accused of allegedly misusing his post while serving as Home Minister. It is also alleged that the leader through dismissed police officer Sachin Waze collected Rs 4.70 crore from various bars and restaurants in The money was allegedly laundered to the Nagpur-based Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan, an educational trust controlled by Deshmukh's family. Former Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh had levelled the charge. The CBI filed its FIR against Deshmukh on April 21 this year based on a Bombay High Court ruling on April 5. However, Deshmukh has repeatedly denied any misconduct. The ED had arrested Anil Deshmukh's personal secretary and personal assistant following raids in Mumbai and Nagpur on them and the NCP leader. His son-in-law was previously questioned by the CBI regarding the leak of an inquiry report. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) president and former party chief on Saturday paid tributes to Father of the Nation on his 152nd birth anniversary. and Rahul visited Raj Ghat and Vijay Ghat, memorials to and India's second prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, respectively, to pay floral tributes to them. In a tweet in Hindi, paid tributes to and posted the quote, "Vijay ke liye kewal ek satyagrahi hi kaafi hai (Only one 'satyagrahi' is enough for victory)", in a swipe at the government over the farmers' protest. He also used the hashtag farmers protest and posted a video collage with glimpses from the farmers' protest and Mahatma Gandhi's satyagraha for independence. MP at Vijay Ghat | ANI general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi with a reference to the farm laws. "The flag of Bapu's ideas of truth, non-violence and justice is still flying high in the farmers' 'satyagraha' against the black farm laws, in the fight for justice for the tribals of Sonbhadra and for the Dalit girl of Hathras, and in the rising voices for the ideology of love against the ideology of hatred," Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to Shastri in a tweet and said, "Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan tha, hai aur rahega." "Shastri ji's simplicity and determination are a source of inspiration even today. Salute to this son of Congress!" he tweeted. In a tweet, the Congress, on its official Twitter handle, said, "We pay tribute to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. As a guiding light, his ideals guide us to work for the nation and its people, following the path of peace and non-violence." In its tribute to Shastri, the Congress said he was an active participant in the freedom struggle against the British and contributed to nation-building until his last breath. Several senior Congress leaders, including Congress' chief spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Shastri. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has recommended probe by the (CBI) into the alleged murder case of Kanpur businessman Manish Gupta who died in a police raid at his hotel in on September 28. As per Union Home Ministry, on the request of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a recommendation has been sent to the CBI to take up the investigation of Manish Gupta's death. The Chief Minister has also ordered the appointment of Manish Gupta's wife Meenakshi Gupta as an officer on special duty (OSD) in the Kanpur Development Authority. Yogi Adityanath has also directed to give a financial compensation of Rs 40 lakh to the family of the deceased businessman. Yogi Adityanath has directed to transfer the murder case from to Kanpur. Till the time the case is not transferred to Kanpur and the CBI does not take up the case, probe will be carried out by a Special Investigative Team (SIT) in Kanpur. Manish Gupta's wife Meenakshi had demanded a CBI inquiry into her husband's death from Yogi Adityanath during a meeting in Kanpur. The Chief Minister had assured her of ordering a CBI probe soon. On the instructions of the Chief Minister, Police Commissioner Aseem Arun has formed the SIT to investigate the Manish Gupta murder case. Manish Gupta had died after being allegedly assaulted by the police at the Krishna Palace hotel in Ramgarhtal area of late in the evening on September 27. In this case, Ramgarhtal police station Inspector Jagat Narayan Singh, Phalmandi police post in-charge Sub-Inspector (SI) Akshay Mishra and SI Vijay Yadav, including six policemen have been suspended. An FIR has also been registered against all accused policemen. Meenakshi Gupta, had said on Friday that Chief Minister Yogi has taken swift decision like an elder brother. "I appeal to the Chief Minister to initiate a CBI investigation as soon as possible to get justice for my husband. The attitude of Gorakhpur police and local administration is questionable, so I can't trust them." --IANS vkt-rha/khz/skp/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday paid tributes to on his 152nd birth anniversary, urging people to participate in the Swachh Bharat campaign and make cleanliness a part of their lives. He also paid tributes to Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second prime minister of India, on his 117th birth anniversary. "My respectful tributes to the father of the nation, ji on his birth anniversary today. Universally revered as an apostle of peace and non-violence Gandhiji was an embodiment of selfless service, kindness and compassion," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted quoting Naidu. led the struggle to liberate India from colonial rule based on the values of truth and non-violence. His principle of 'ahimsa' (non-violence) will continue to guide us and the rest of the world in our shared quest for peace, harmony and universal brotherhood, he said. "The nation also celebrates Swachh Bharat Diwas as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, who had famously said 'sanitation is more important than independence'. I urge everyone to participate in Swachh Bharat campaign and make it a part of their lives," the vice president said. On the International Day of Non-Violence, Naidu urged people to resolve to take forward Gandhi's legacy of peace and non-violence. Violence can never solve any problem and dialogue is the only way forward to resolve even the most intractable issue, he observed. In his tributes to Shastri, the vice president said he was a man of utmost integrity, humility and competence. "He cared deeply for our defence personnel and farmers. His selfless and dedicated service to the nation will always be remembered, as also his famous slogan of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan," Naidu said. At Shastri's memorial Vijay Ghat, the vice president met family members of the former prime minister. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The decision on Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is expected in October, informed the top health experts in the country on Saturday. Speaking to ANI, the experts said that the approval of the vaccine shouldn't be delayed after reviewing the data. "Globally, the world is in need of vaccines and we have to ensure that this is a global war, and many countries are still not getting vaccinated. So we have to ensure that our vaccines should get the approval timely," said Dr Naveet Wig, Chairperson of the COVID Task Force for AIIMS, Delhi. "WHO will give the approval soon as it is a 'killed vaccine' which has been approved earlier also by other names from other countries," he added. Earlier on Friday, Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, Delhi said, "We are hopeful that now with all the data in and studies having been done it should happen soon rather than happening late." "The delay of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) will affect Indians especially students and who has international travel plans. The EUA is important because, without EUA, Covaxin will not be considered and accepted around the world by most of the countries," he added. WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Expert on Immunization (SAGE) will be conducting a meeting on October 5 regarding EUL to Covaxin. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army's Fire and Fury Corps organised a historic event on Saturday at Garrison, where a monumental was unfurled by R.K. Mathur, LG of Ladakh, on the hill overlooking valley. General M.M. Naravane, Chief of the Army Staff and Lieutenant General Y.K. Joshi, GOC-in-C Northern Command also attended the event. Lieutenant General PGKA Menon, GOC, Fire and Fury Corps and senior military and civil officials were also present. The grand ceremony was held to celebrate the 152nd birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi alongwith 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', commemorating 75th anniversary of India's Independence. "The flag which was unfurled is the largest hand woven and hand spun cotton Khadi Flag ever manufactured in India, measuring 225 ft by 150 ft and weighing 1,000 kg," the army said. "The flag is made by Khadi Dyers and Printers based in Mumbai which is affiliated to Khadi Village and Industries Commission." #WATCH LG Ladakh RK Mathur today unveiled the National flag created by Khadi & Village Industries Commission at an event organized by the Indian Army's Fire and Fury Corps, Ladakh pic.twitter.com/7wMmS4ua8y ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2021 Sura-Soi Engineer Regiment was entrusted with the responsibility to bring the from Mumbai to and also with the daunting task of installing the at the top of the high mountains overlooking Leh for the unveiling ceremony. "The ceremony included a series of events to mark the momentous occasion. The event commenced with the Brass Band of Scouts Regimental Centre alongwith students of Ignited Minds, performing the National Anthem when the flag was unveiled," army said. Advanced Light Helicopters of the Army Aviation Squadron carried out a fly past and showered flower petals over the national flag. This national flag is the world's largest flag made of Khadi. Its length is 225 ft, width 150 ft, and weighs 1400 kg. The flag covers 37,500 sq ft area. It took 49 days to complete this flag: Vinai Kumar Saxena, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission in Leh pic.twitter.com/uPGkX8egPR ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2021 #WATCH | 150 troops of Indian Armys 57 Engineer regiment carried the worlds largest Indian National flag made of khadi to the top of a hill at over 2000 feet above the ground level in Leh, Ladakh. It took two hours for troops to reach the top. pic.twitter.com/ZvlKEotvXy ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2021 (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) General Secretary on Saturday paid tribute to on the occasion of his 152nd anniversary and said the world should heed his message of peace and usher in a new era of trust and tolerance. Hatred, division and conflict have had their day. It is time to usher in a new era of peace, trust and tolerance. On this International Day of Non-Violence - Gandhi's birthday - let's heed his message of peace, and commit to building a better future for all," Guterres tweeted in is tribute to Gandhi. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule with utmost patience. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him accolades across the world. Globally, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. Several events were held in India and across the world to mark the occasion. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former President asked a federal judge to force to temporarily reinstate his account while he sues to permanently return to the social media network. Trumps request for a preliminary injunction against was filed late Friday in Miami, Florida. The Republican, who lost his bid for a second term in office, claims canceled his account in January under pressure from his political rivals in Congress. Twitter declined to comment on the filing. Trump had more than 88 million followers on Twitter. The company kicked him off its platform on Jan. 8, two days after a mob of his supporters carried out a deadly attack on the Capitol to prevent President Joe Bidens victory from being confirmed by Congress. Trump used Twitter and other social media platforms to falsely and repeatedly claim that the election had been rigged. Photo: Bloomberg Twitter exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate, the former presidents lawyers said in the filing. Trump also claims Twitter improperly censored him during his presidency by labeling his tweets as misleading information or indicating they violated the companys rules against glorifying violence. Numerous lawsuits filed by Trump and his supporters seeking to overturn the election result failed across the country due to a lack of evidence of mass voter fraud. Trumps own attorney general at the time, Bill Barr, and U.S. intelligence agencies agreed with state election officials that any fraud in the election wouldnt have changed the results. Trump also accused Twitter of inconsistently applying rules for posts about Covid-19, claiming news organizations had falsely claimed that social-justice protests in 2020 werent sources of infection while the attack on the Capitol was. This outright inconsistency is in line with a desire by defendant to placate government actors who generally approved of the protests of the summer of 2020 and generally disapproved of the events of January 6, Trump said. Trump didnt mention those protesting against police abuse often wore masks while almost none were seen among the rioters at the Capitol. India and Sri Lanka will carry out a 12-day mega military exercise from Monday with a focus on enhancing counter-terror cooperation. The eighth edition of the 'Mitra Shakti' exercise will be conducted at Combat Training School in Sri Lanka's Ampara from October 4 to 15, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday. "The aim of the exercise is to promote close relations between armies of both countries and enhance inter-operability and sharing best practices in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations," it said. The ministry said an all arms contingent of 120 personnel of the Indian Army will participate in the exercise along with a battalion-strength contingent of the Sri Lankan Army. "The exercise will involve tactical level operations at sub-unit level in an counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment," it said in a statement. The ministry said that the exercise will go a long way in further strengthening the relationship between both the South Asian nations and will act as a catalyst in bringing synergy and cooperation at the grassroot level between both armies. Sri Lanka was rocked by a series of deadly bomb blasts in April 2019 in which over 300 people were killed. In the backdrop of the blasts, India and Sri Lanka enhanced their anti-terror cooperation. The seventh edition of the Mitra Shakti exercise was conducted at Foreign Training Node (FTN) in Pune in 2019. PTI MPB http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg We bring the World to you"Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister on Friday called on Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Jana and held discussions on enhancing bilateral ties, and major global issues, including Europe's challenges, the Indo-Pacific and the Afghanistan situation. Jaishankar is in the central European nation as part of a four-day visit to Slovenia, Croatia and Denmark to enhance India-EU ties and for bilateral talks. Called on Prime Minister of Slovenia @JJansaSDS. Valued the discussion on enhancing our bilateral ties. Appreciated his insights and perspectives on major global issues including Europe's challenges, Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan, he said on Twitter. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar also held a cordial meeting with President of the National Assembly of Slovenia Igor Zorcic and discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations and increasing parliamentary exchanges and people to people contacts. On Thursday, he had a panel discussion with Slovenian counterpart Anze Logar at the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) on the subject of 'Partnership for a Rules-Based Order in the Indo-Pacific' here. There is a sharper awareness in Europe that what happens in the Indo-Pacific impinges directly on its interests, Jaishankar said. India-EU relations have emerged stronger as the world battles a global pandemic and that issues of trust and transparency, reliable and resilient supply chains have created common ground, he added. Slovenia currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union and has invited Jaishankar to attend the informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU states. The crisis in Afghanistan was on the agenda of the closed-door ministerial discussions on Thursday. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, two weeks before the US' complete troop withdrawal on August 31 after a costly two-decade war. This forced Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country to the UAE. The Taliban insurgents stormed across Afghanistan and captured all major cities in a matter of days, as Afghan security forces trained and equipped by the US and its allies melted away. Thousands of Afghan nationals and foreigners have fled the country to escape the new Taliban regime and to seek asylum in different nations, including the US and many European nations, resulting in total chaos and deaths. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unlike previous elections of the federal Parliament or Bundestag, about 59 per cent of German citizens were now in favour of a governing coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the liberal FDP, according to a new poll. The Politbarometer poll published by public broadcaster ZDF on Friday revealed that in contrast, a coalition of the conservative union CDU/CSU, the Greens and FDP was only supported by 24 per cent, reports Xinhua news agency. A continuation of the current grand coalition between SPD and CDU/CSU was the least favoured option with 22 per cent,according to the survey conducted among just over 1,200 people. A large majority of 76 per cent supported Olaf Scholz of the SPD as the next German Chancellor. Armin Laschet from the CDU, who never had great popularity ratings to begin with, plummeted to 13 per cent, according to the survey. Even among CDU/CSU voters, 49 per cent favoured Scholz and only 39 per cent backed Laschet. The SPD won Sunday's elections with 25.7 percent of votes, while its current senior partner CDU/CSU took 24.1 percent, preliminary results showed. Following the elections, the parties are now having meetings to discuss the establishment of a new government. Angela Merkel, who has been German Chancellor for nearly 16 years, announced in 2018 that she would not seek a fifth term, ending her political career once a successor is officially sworn into office. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister has said his government is in talks with some groups of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for "reconciliation" with the help of the Taliban in Afghanistan. The TTP, commonly known as Pakistani Taliban, is a banned militant group based along the Afghan-Pakistan border. It has carried out a number of major terror attacks across Pakistan and reportedly been using Afghan soil to plot terrorist attacks in this country. There were reports that the Afghan Taliban had set free some dreaded TTP militants, including its leading commander Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, after taking over the war-torn country in August. In an interview to Turkish government-owned TRT World news channel, Khan said there are different groups which form the TTP and some of them want to talk to the for peace, the Dawn News reported on Friday. "So, we are in talks with them. It's a reconciliation process," the prime minister said. When asked if the government was asking the militants to lay down arms, Khan said, "Yes, we forgive them and they become normal citizens." To a question on why the TTP was conducting attacks on Pakistan's security forces when they were in talks with the government, he said it was just a "spate of attacks". "We might not reach some sort of conclusion or settlement in the end but we are talking," Khan added. Responding to another query on whether the Afghan Taliban were acting as mediators between the TTP and Pakistan, the premier said: "Since the talks were taking place in Afghanistan, so in that sense, yes." The Taliban swept across Afghanistan in August, seizing control of almost all key towns and cities in the backdrop of withdrawal of the US forces that began on May 1. On August 15, the capital city of Kabul fell to the insurgents. The Taliban claimed victory over opposition forces in the last holdout province of Panjshir on September 6, completing their takeover of Afghanistan three weeks after capturing Kabul. The Taliban have put in place a hardline interim 33-member Cabinet that has no women and includes UN-designated terrorists. The Taliban last ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Earlier in September, President Arif Alvi had suggested that the Pakistani government could consider giving an amnesty to those members of the TTP who had not remained involved in "criminal activities" and who laid down their weapons and agreed to adhere to the Pakistani Constitution. Such an amnesty could be one of the ways to "establish peace", the president had said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for has called for a thorough probe into the killing of a Rohingya activist at a refugee camp in Bangladesh. Mohibullah, 46, chair of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and (ARSPH), was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, UN News reported. Bachelet described Mohibullah as "an exceptional defender, who despite the risks that his work entailed, nevertheless continued defending the rights of his people." The UN rights chief said that it is heartbreaking that a person who spent his life fighting to ensure that the violations committed against the Rohingya people were known world-wide has been murdered in this way. Bachelet said Mohibullah's words "were very powerful and highlighted the terrible situation of the Rohingya and today, four years later, they echo as a reminder that Rohingya are still waiting for justice and still waiting to return home." His death highlights the precarious situation of the Rohingya in both countries, she added, emphasising "we need to do much more to help this persecuted community, both in Bangladesh and in Myanmar." On Friday, Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW) had said Mohibullah was a vital voice for the community of Rohingya who had already suffered unimaginable loss and pain when they arrived as refugees in Bangladesh. "He always defended the rights of the Rohingya to safe and dignified returns and to have a say in the decisions concerning their lives and future. His killing is a stark demonstration of the risks faced by those in the camps who speak up for freedom and against violence." Meanwhile, the situation of roughly 600,000 Rohingya in Myanmar's Rakhine State remains dire, with many still confined in camps, and reports of alleged violations including unlawful killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, and high levels of extortion, UN News reported. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Friday extended for six months the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in (UNAMA), unanimously voting on a resolution that emphasises the importance of the establishment of an inclusive and representative government. The 15-nation Council voted on the draft resolution that extended the mandate of UNAMA until March 17, 2022. The resolution, stressing the important role that the United Nations will continue to play in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, recognises the need for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to and the important coordination role of the United Nations, and reaffirming that the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance requires all parties to allow full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, for United Nations humanitarian agencies and other humanitarian actors. It also reaffirms the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan, including those designated by the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015), and ensuring that the territory of should not be used to threaten or attack any country, to plan or finance terrorist acts, or to shelter and train terrorists, and that no Afghan group or individual should support terrorists operating on the territory of any country. The resolution "stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes across Afghanistan, and calls upon all Afghan and parties to coordinate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel throughout the country." The adoption of the resolution extending the mandate comes just over a month after the took control of Kabul and has now established an interim hardline government, whose cabinet members include UN designated terrorists. US Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said with the adoption of the resolution the Council has taken an important step to underscore the importance of the UN's work in Afghanistan during this critical moment for the country. She said over the course of this six-month extension, Washington looks forward to receiving reports from the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan, particularly for its vulnerable groups, and the UN's own recommendations about what their role and future in Afghanistan will look like. Noting that the current situation in Afghanistan is fluid and dynamic, she said the UN's role must always work to serve Afghans and advance their human rights and fundamental freedoms. We will stand by them in this goal. By extending UNAMA's work as assigned in Resolution 2543, we are emphasising the importance of the UN's continued commitment to human rights, civilian and child protection, humanitarian assistance coordination, and countless other functions, which will be fundamental to the future of Afghanistan, she said. Last week, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, while responding to a question on UNAMA's mandate renewal, had said that he believes it was not possible with the level of unpredictability that exists to do an entirely new mandate for UNAMA and the extension would be a technical roll-over. I hope that the consensus will be in a technical rollover for a short period, allowing time for a more clear perspective about what the situation is in Afghanistan and what the role of the UN should be, Guterres had said. He also said that he thinks it is prudent to do a technical rollover and to have the time to engage sufficiently to be able to have a more clear perspective about the future, to define the characteristics of the mandate of UNAMA that will necessarily be different from the present mandate, for different reasons. While a decision about the UNAMA mandate renewal will be taken by the Member States, Guterres had said he hopes it will be possible to have a short, technical rollover to allow for a more well-prepared, new mandate for UNAMA, taking into account the new realities. Speaking following the adoption of the resolution, Russia said it regrets that because of the position taken by some members of the Council, "the final version of the resolution does not take up the objective assessments of threats in Afghanistan from ISIL, nor does it take up the long standing drugs problem. And these continue to be lingering challenges not just for the country but for the region as a whole and beyond. We emphasise that neutralising these threats is key for the stability and security in the region. Passing over them in silence or downplaying them is unacceptable, Russia said, adding that we also can look positively at the signal sent by the Afghan. Afghan authorities when they say they stand ready to interact with the UN and ensure the security and safety of UN staff and the immunity of its premises. China said that Afghanistan is transitioning from a turmoil situation to stability. Afghans war has ended, however Afghan's problems still exist. The power and military interference and so called reconstruction are the root causes that caused the problems. The hasty exit of the United States has created new problems, which created further unpredictability in the country, China said. It said the community must fight terrorism forces and we must not allow any terrorist forces to impair the rights of Afghanistan and the neighboring countries. We hope the new authority in Afghanistan will cut their ties with all terrorist groups and to address both the root causes and symptoms of the problems. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of the assembly elections in seven states scheduled to be held next year, Congress appointed Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as All India Congress Committee (AICC) senior observer for the ensuing polls in "Congress President has appointed Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister, as Senior Observer for the ensuing Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, with immediate effect," read the official communique by the Congress party. In a tweet, Baghel said, "Hon'ble National President Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji has instructed me to be an observer for the assembly elections. It's a big responsibility. I will try my best to live up to the expectations of the top leadership. Resolve to change, Congress is the only option." The state of is scheduled to hold an Assembly election in 2022. Previously, in the 2017 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party bagged 312 seats out of the 403-seat Uttar Pradesh Assembly while Samajwadi Party (SP) bagged 47 seats, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) won 19 and Congress could manage to win only seven seats. The rest of the seats were bagged by other candidates. Notably, the Congress party has been out of power in the state since 1989, that is, for more than 30 years. The last Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh representing the Congress party was Narayan Dutt Tiwari from June 1988 to December 1989. Also, the Amethi Lok Sabha seat which remained loyal to the Gandhi family was taken away in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was defeated by BJP leader Smriti Irani. As of now, the daughter of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has been appointed as the general secretary of the All India Congress Committee in charge of Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat are due next year. Among these seven states, six are currently ruled by BJP or BJP-led coalition. Only, Punjab is ruled by the Congress government. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister on Saturday said his government will complete its full tenure of five years, amid internal rumblings in the in neighbouring Punjab, where Amarinder Singh resigned as CM, and Chhattisgarh. Speaking at a programme at his residence here to launch the 'Prashasan Sharon ke Sang and Prashasan Gaon ke Sang' campaign, Gehlot said there was speculation doing the rounds about and Chhattisgarh also after Punjab. "The government in will not only complete its five years but will again come back to power in the next assembly elections in the state," he said. Gehlot said that according to feedback from people, there is no anti-incumbency factor against his government. In Rajasthan, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot and Gehlot have been locked in a leadership tussle, while in Chhattisgarh after Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel completed two and a half years on the post in June, the T S Singhdeo camp claimed that the leadership in 2018 had agreed to give the post to him after the government completed half its term. Amarinder Singh resigned as chief minister, claiming that he was humiliated by the Congress, drawing a strong response from the party, with senior leader Harish Rawat saying that the party always gave him respect. On the launch of the campaign, Gehlot also said that he will allot the urban development and housing department again to Shanti Dhariwal, if the Congress wins in the next Rajasthan elections, as he has done hardwork with regard to the campaign. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the ongoing crisis in and Chhattisgarh units of Congress, Leader of Opposition in Assembly on Friday said the party should do a deep brainstorming on the issues. "The dissolution of the party is a matter of concern. The party should do a deep brainstorming on the issues. The current situation of is not good for the country," Hooda told ANI. The former Chief Minister's remarks came against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in as well as Chhattisgarh units of In Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu had tendered his resignation as Congress chief on September 28. He was reportedly upset over the bureaucratic setup and his commands not being followed after Cabinet expansion in Punjab. A minister and three Congress leaders, considered close to him, stepped down from their posts. On Thursday, former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said that he would quit the Congress party. This comes as a big blow to the Congress that was hoping to resolve the turmoil in the Congress unit of Punjab ahead of the Assembly elections early next year. Charanjeet Singh Channi took oath as the 16th Chief Minister of Punjab on September 20, days after Captain Amarinder Singh stepped down from the post of Punjab Chief Minister following months of infighting between him and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Amarinder Singh had resigned as Chief Minister on September 18 and had told the media that the Congress leadership had let him down. He had also taken a dig at Sidhu over his resignation, saying he is not a stable man. Sidhu was made PCC chief by Congress leadership in July to stem infighting in Punjab Congress ahead of next year's assembly polls but the party is now grappling with a fresh crisis. Now moving to Chhattisgarh, state health minister TS Singh Deo has been demanding a change of guard in the state. After the Bhupesh Baghel-led government completed two-and-a-half years in office in June, the supporters of TS Singh Deo raised the issue of rotational chief ministership. On the other hand, more than a dozen Congress MLAs are now camping in Delhi to extend their support to current Chief Minister Bupesh Baghel to continue to his post. Congress won the assembly polls held in December 2018 with a thumping majority. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday attacked the Congress, alleging that "preposterous lies" were being floated by party leaders in a "clear bid to cover up their mishandling of the crisis" in the state. His remarks came hours after leader Randeep Singh Surjewala claimed that 78 party legislators had sought Singh's ouster in a letter to the central leadership, and it was not party president Sonia Gandhi who made him quit. Pointing to "conflicting" numbers shared by AICC general secretary and Punjab affairs incharge Harish Rawat and Surjewala about the "purported" letter that expressed lack of confidence against him, Singh said it was "a comedy of errors". Rawat had said in a press statement on Friday that 43 MLAs had written to the high command on the issue. "It seems the entire party has become imbued with Navjot Singh Sidhu's sense of comic theatrics," Singh said, retorting, "Next they will claim that 117 MLAs wrote to them against me." "This is the state of affairs in the party. They cannot even coordinate their lies properly," Singh claimed. He claimed that the was in a "total state of disarray" and the crisis seemed to be escalating by the day, with a large majority of its senior leaders completely "disenchanted" with the functioning of the party. The fact of the matter, said the former chief minister, was that the 43-odd MLAs who had signed the said letter had been "forced to do so under duress". Having been pushed into a corner over its "mishandling" of the Punjab crisis, the is now in a total state of panic which was evident in the statements of its leaders, Singh claimed.. Singh said the "panic-stricken" party, which was grappling with internal chaos, was trying hard to shift the blame of its own failures. "It's sad to see the way they are resorting to blatant lies to justify their wrongdoings," he said in a statement. The Congress veteran alleged that "preposterous lies" were being floated by party leaders in a "clear bid to cover up their mishandling of the crisis" in Punjab. Early in the day, Surjewala said that when any chief minister loses the confidence of all of his legislators then he should not remain in his post. "Seventy-eight out of 79 legislators (in Punjab) had written for a change of the chief minister. Had we not changed the CM, then you would have accused us of being a dictator. Seventy-eight MLAs are on one side and a CM is on the other side, and you are not listening to them," he said while addressing the media here. Sonia Gandhi is Congress's president and the decision on changing the chief minister in Punjab was not taken by her. As I told you 78 MLAs had written and then we changed the CM," Surjewala added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday claimed that it was not party president who made Amarinder Singh quit as the chief minister but he had to quit after 78 party MLAs sought his removal. Surjewala's remarks came as Amarinder Singh had accused the leadership of "humiliating" him after he tendered his resignation as the CM. Amarinder Singh was replaced by Charanjit Singh Channi after the chose him as the new legislative party leader last month. Congress general secretary Surjewala said when any chief minister loses the confidence of all of his legislators, he should not remain in his post. Seventy-eight out of 79 legislators (in Punjab) had written for a change of the chief minister. Had we not changed the CM, you would have accused us of being a dictator. Seventy-eight MLAs are on one side and a CM is on the other side and you are not listening to them, said Surjewala while addressing the media here. is the president of the Congress party and the decision on changing the CM in was not taken by her. As I told you, 78 MLAs had written and then we changed the CM, added Surjewala. Notably, Amarinder Singh had earlier rejected the charge of the Congress leadership that he had lost the confidence of the MLAs. The former chief minister had said he would quit the Congress which he had asserted was going downhill with senior leaders being ignored. Surjewala said it was for the first time in Punjab a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste community became chief minister and a new history was created. He questioned the BJP whether they have any chief minister belonging to the SC. If the Congress has made a move, what is their problem? he asked the BJP. Surjewala also took a dig at the BJP, referring to changes of chief ministers in BJP-ruled states of Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Karnataka. To a question on some party MLAs of Chhattisgarh camping in Delhi, Surjewala said it is the party's internal matter. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 2 (ANI/PNN): Gandhi Films Foundation & Piql-Norway proudly announce their association to preserve the Gandhi Films Foundation Films for more than 500 Years with Piql Technology. An Announcement about this association has been jointly made today on 2nd October 2021 (152nd Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi) by Mr Nitin Potdar, Chairman of Gandhi Films Foundation from Mumbai, India & Mr Rune Bjerkestrand Managing Director, Piql, AS from Drammen, Norway. It is the first such attempt in India to preserve the Digital Data of scanned Films by Piql Process for long term preservation. Mr Ujwal Nirgudkar, Trustee, Gandhi Films Foundation, has taken the initiative for this association. Mr Subhash Jaykar, another trustee, selected two films for this project. Mr Ramesh Bajaj Piql, Associate from India, coordinated with Piql, Norway, for this project. Two Films are selected initially for this project. The first is a 14 Mins Documentary on Round Table Conference in London (1930-1932). This documentary also consists of Gandhiji's visit to Switzerland & Italy. The majority of the Audio content for this documentary is in English. The second Film is an 11 Mins Documentary on Salt March (Dandi Yatra, 12th March 1930) Gujarat, India. Audio for this documentary is in Hindi & English. The rights of these Films will always remain with Gandhi Films Foundation. Piql Process is a New Patented Process of writing digital data on Black & White Film, which has a life of more than 500 Years. This life can be extended further if the recorded film is stored at a sub-zero temperature at Piql's Arctic World Archive (AWA) in Norway. About this initiative, Mr Nitin Potdar, Chairman of Gandhi Films Foundation, Mumbai, said, "The Films of Gandhiji contain his valuable teachings that need to be preserved for our future generations. If we don't do it, I guess, we would be failing in our duty towards our Country." Mr Rune Bjerkestrand, Managing Director, PIQL, Norway, quoted, "We are delighted to be supporting this project and preserving this valuable cultural heritage for the future." (http://www.gandhifilmsfoundation.org/index-b4.php) The main aim of Gandhi Films Foundation is to Preserving Rare Clips for everyone eager to know about Mahatma Gandhi's dedicated life for humans. Many unknown cameramen in this world have shot these important events of freedom struggle and different parts of Gandhi's life with many difficulties, which made it possible for us to obtain these rare clips under one roof and present to the future generation through our website. Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, New Delhi, have obtained all these clippings and Gandhi Films Foundation preserving these rare clips for the students, researchers, and everyone interested in Mahatma Gandhi and eager to know about his dedicated life for human beings. The foundation aims to create perpetuate the memories of Mahatma Gandhi with the active participation of the common man in India. The objectives of the Gandhi Film Foundation is to create live memorials of Gandhiji instead of erecting his statues and thus created 48 institutions spread over all Indian states. (https://www.piql.com/) Piql is a specialist provider of digital preservation and long-term data storage. With a global footprint, we offer tailored services to a range of sectors, including historical and memory, audiovisual, private enterprise and government. Piql's purpose-built technology can keep data alive for hundreds of years without the need for migration. The data is secure, unalterable and can be recovered without the risk of data loss, no matter how long it is stored. It is the only service of its kind and the only offline, migration-free technology available for long term digital preservation. Piql also offers storage in the Arctic World Archive, an offline vault deep in an Arctic Mountain holding precious world memory. The Archive ensures the protection of the most sensitive and irreplaceable data for future generations. Growing all the time, the Archive holds treasures including The Scream by Edvard Munch, ancient manuscripts from the Vatican Library, historical space data from ESA, open-source code from Github, records from various national archives, among many others. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], October 2 (ANI/ATK): Founder and promoter of Medusa EXIM, Sonal Jindal had been invited as a speaker by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at their Public Forum 2021. The event was held on October 1, 2021, and the topic for the discussion at the forum was 'Digitalization for development: Benefits for MSMEs in developing countries.' The event witnessed some of the prolific speakers keeping their views on the topic. The panelist alongside Sonal Jindal included names like Crispin Conroy (Representatives to the WTO, International Chamber of Commerce), Torbjorn Fredriksson (Head of the ICT Analysis Section of the Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD), and Clarissa Iribagiza (CEO and eTrade for Women Advocate for East Africa, Mobile technology company HeHe Limited). The whole event was moderated by Natsaja Van der Geest, the Deputy Head of Strategy Advisory Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands. Giving an example of the major shift in the industrial revolution that happened due to the introduction of energy- 'electrification,' Sonal Jindal said that during this post-Covid period, the digital transformation is the need of the hour, which in a way a has brought a 'Digital Revolution.' The founder of Medusa EXIM also talked about the need for companies and industries to start introducing digital technology-driven approaches in their work to yield good results. Explaining the vast potential of technologies in the expansion and growth of a firm, she said that experimentation coupled with this new age transformation is the way forward and can be a boon for small and medium industries that contribute immensely to the development of the country. Harnessing data as a strategic asset is for sure the future that will help the industry to lead in the future. Talking about her experience after attending the event, Sonal said, "It was undoubtedly an enriching opportunity and I feel privileged to have got a chance to speak alongside such esteemed panelists. This will always remain with me and I will forever cherish the experience. We discussed the importance of the digital world and how Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are the backbone of a nation's economy, can utilize these technologies to their advantage. It was an interactive and insightful session that obviously contributed to my learning of the field." The WTO Public Forum 2021 focused on emphasizing 'Digitalization for development.' The panelists also stated their notions on topics that include affordable connectivity, trade-in ICT goods & market access, and the importance of trust and security in the digital economy. Owing to it all, not only the session was vibrant and knowledge-enhancing but also it allowed the leaders from the business fraternity to add more to their growth. This story is provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/ATK) DISCLAIMER (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Heavy rainfall hit North Chinas Shanxi province, causing floods and landslides that damaged railways and devastated villages. The rain started on Saturday and continued through the National Day holiday. In Puxian county of Linfen, a landslide killed four and injured one on Tuesday; in Qixian county of Jinzhong, train services were interrupted after a railway bridge was damaged Wednesday; and in the ancient town of Pingyao, a 25-meter section of a city wall was damaged on Thursday Oct 08, 2021 05:36 PM Modified On Oct 04, 2021 04:27 PM By Sonny for Tata Punch A range of game-changing SUVs of various sizes are going to become available this festive season, so keep your bank accounts ready The festive season for Indian buyers will really be getting underway soon and you can expect a host of new cars entering the market in October. It wont come as a surprise to know that most of the upcoming cars will be an SUV of some sort. Heres a list of models that are expected to be launched or unveiled in the coming month: Tata Punch (Reveal and Launch) Expected prices: Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh Rivals: Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Mahindra KUV100 NXT, Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite The HBX concept micro-SUV from Auto Expo 2020 is now production-ready and is called the Tata Punch. It will be the brands entry-level SUV offering with the same 1.2-litre engine as the Altroz that makes 86PS and 113Nm. The Punch features rugged styling inside-out and will be reasonably equipped for its segment with features like drive modes, cruise control, a semi-digital instrument cluster and 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The SUV has been unveiled and the prices will be announced on October 20. MG Astor (Launch) Expected prices: Rs 10 lakh to Rs 18 lakh Rivals: Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, Nissan Kicks MGs long-awaited rival to the Hyundai Creta is scheduled to launch in the early part of October. The Astor has already been showcased and detailed, were only waiting for the variant-wise breakdown with prices. Its stand-out technologies are segment-firsts: Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) and a voice-enabled digital AI assistant with a robot head that can turn and simulate expressions. The ADAS features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane assist. MG will be offering the Astor with the choice of 1.5-litre petrol (110PS/144Nm) and 1.3-litre turbo-petrol (140PS/220Nm) engines. It is likely to be launched on October 7. Mahindra XUV700 Introductory prices: Rs 11.99 lakh to Rs 19.79 lakh Rivals: MG Hector/Hector Plus, Tata Harrier/Safari, Hyundai Creta/Alcazar, Kia Seltos The successor to the Mahindra XUV500 seven-seater mid-size SUV was finally revealed to be the XUV700. Mahindra has also revealed the introductory variant-wise prices before opening the order books from October 7. Test drives will begin in a phased manner from October 2 with details on customer deliveries to be announced later on. The XUV700 packs powerful engine options, segment-first features, and choice of five- or seven-seater configurations. Its new 2-litre turbo-petrol engine offers an impressive 200PS/380Nm and the 2.2-litre diesel engine with up to 185PS/450Nm. Both engines get the choice of 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions, depending on the variant, with an all-wheel drive option for the top-spec diesel. Mahindras new mid-size SUV will be equipped with ADAS, dual-zone climate control, 10.25-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, and a 360-degree camera. Also read: Mahindra XUV700 vs. Rivals: Price Talk Toyota Fortuner Legender 4x4 AT (Launch) Expected price: Over Rs 40 lakh Rivals: MG Gloster When Toyota launched the facelifted Fortuner in India at the start of 2021, it also introduced a new Legender variant that packs a sharper and sportier design. It also gets some additional features such as ambient lighting, wireless mobile charger and a kick-to-open powered tailgate. Since launch, the Legender has only been offered with a single powertrain: 4x2 2.8-litre diesel (204PS/500Nm) mated to the 6-speed automatic. Now, Toyota will be offering it with the 4x4 diesel-automatic which is due to be launched in the first half of October with a few additional features, as well. Also read: Toyota Fortuner Legender: Review Skoda Rapid Matte Edition (Launch) Price: Rs 11.99 Lakh Rivals: Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Volkswagen Vento, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz The Skoda Rapid compact sedan now gets a new blacked-out limited edition variant called the Matte Edition. Its the first of its segment to get a matte-finish exterior from factory with gloss black for details like the boot spoiler, ORVMs, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The Rapid is offered with a 1-litre turbo-petrol making 110PS/175Nm with a choice of 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The Matte Edition is based on top-spec Style variant for a premium of Rs 30,000 for the manual and Rs 50,000 for the automatic. Related: Skoda Rapid Matte Edition Details Revealed Ahead Of Launch 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 John Kerry, career office-holder for a half century, was appointed Climate Czar by Joe Biden. A czar historically was a Russian emperor. So in his role of Climate Emperor, Lord Kerry visited 14 nations over the last nine months. His jaunt was described as a sales pitch to save the planet (Lisa Freidman, NY Times, Sept 21, 2021). So what impressive message did Kerry share guaranteeing a future for posterity? What hidden wisdom did he reveal to stop climate change in its tracks? According to Ms. Friedman of the Times, Kerry said, do what the science tells us! Thats it? With a law degree from Yale University and 50 years in government and thats the sum total of his message? Could he not have done something more impressive? Maybe he could have worn a Wizard suit while Greta Thunberg sang Let it Snow, Let it Snow. Perhaps someone in a polar bear costume could have joined her in a rendition of Buster Poindexters Hot! Hot! Hot! Even the medicine shows offered more than do what the science tells us. Before his investiture, Kerry used his Gulfstream GIVSP. In 2019, he jetted up to Iceland to receive the coveted Arctic Circle Award for leadership against Climate Change. When questioned about his private jet, he said it was the only choice for people like me (NY Post, Feb 3, 2021). People like Kerry couldnt be expected to have delays or canceled flights like ordinary folk now could they? Apparently wishing to avoid controversy, Kerry now flies commercial according to the Times story. Imagine seeing the Climate Emperor descending from a private jet to then lecture the rest of us on the evils of fossil fuels, CO2 and melting ice caps. What sacrifices the great man must now make, but alas, thats the life of a Climate Czar or rather Climate Emperor. Ralph Miller * * * Ralph Miller, John Kerry, the climate Czar, did exactly what his job called for him to do; nothing. The Obama administration is the first in my lifetime to use Czars as a loyalty award system for supporting the Democrat Party. Im surprised Biden hasnt appointed a paper towel and toilet paper Czar who could travel around the world and expound on the virtues of only using one square a day. Honestly, I would apply for that job and I would even be willing to make you my Concierge Czar and you could arrange for our sightseeing adventures. We could even give lavish gifts to the leaders of these countries and get rich with their thank you gifts to us. Lets not despair too much as help for Tennessee and Hamilton County is on the way. Greg Vital was absolutely the best choice to fill the position Mike Carter handled so well. Mike will be missed as a friend to many and a champion for all. Greg is cut from the same cloth. Coty Wamp should be our next district attorney general. Talk about a rock star, this lady is dynamite and in my many years I have yet to see anyone as sharp and dedicated as Coty is. The antics of our current general speak for themselves. As it gets closer to election time it will all be fleshed out as well as flushed out. She will work wisely with the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office and if we are wise citizens, it will be with Sheriff Austin Garrett. Sheriff Jim Hammond will be hard to replace but Chief Deputy Garrett is up for that task. On the national front, the Democrats in Washington have done all they could to insure that 2022 elections will give control back to the Republican Party. Communism will be forced to wait for a few more election cycles for we the people to get over the stupidity they have foist on us. Happy days will be here again. J. Pat Williams * * * Now don't you two, Ralp and J Pat, go gettin' all knotted up over the word czar. The term has been used by presidents dating far back. Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, Nixon, Ford on up to and including Trump have used the term. It's a term often used for high level officials appointed to oversee particular policies, both foreign and domestic, and has nothing to do with Russia. There's been an AIDS czar dating back to Clinton, Bush and Obama. And anti-poverty czar dating back to President Johnson. There's been everything from the auto czar to the bank bailout czar. There's even been a bird flu czar and birth control czar appointments under President Bush. So stop spreading the childish, immature, misleading, misinformation and start acting like responsible adults. Good Day Brenda Washington I would like to ask a few simple questions to anyone at CHI Memorial Hospital. Of course I dont expect a response. 1. Why is natural immunity being ignored? Isnt natural immunity science? 2. Can CHI clarify who is included in the unvaccinated category when daily or weekly COVID case numbers are given, at what point in the vaccination process would one move from the unvaccinated category to the vaccinated category? 3. If boosters are required in the future will they be required to be considered fully vaccinated and to maintain employment with CHI? 4. Now that we know the vaccinated can still acquire and spread the virus what evidence does CHI have that the unvaccinated spread the virus at a higher rate? 5. What precautions will CHI take to ensure the vaccinated do not spread the virus? 6. If religious exemptions are denied because it will cause an undue burden, what additional precautions is CHI now taking that was not previously taken to protect the vaccinated from the unvaccinated while the unvaccinated continue to work as they wait to be fired? 7. If the unvaccinated are indeed a threat to others around them and CHI believes this, how is allowing them to continue to work without providing additional protection measures for the vaccinated not negligence on CHIs part? 8. Is CHI aware Comirnaty is not available in the U.S. and is legally distinct from the BioNTech injection? 9. Is CHI prepared to take full financial and legal responsibility for any injuries linked to the injections employees receive due to the threat of the loss of their job? 10. Is CHI aware the legal definition of a vaccine according to U.S, Code Title 26 Section 4132 (a) (2) is: any substance designed to be administered to a human being for the prevention of 1 or more diseases. Does the injection prevent any diseases? 11. Is CHI aware the Nuremberg Code requires voluntary consent without the intervention of any element of force, fraud, duress, overreaching, or other ulterior form of constraint or coercion? 12. Does CHI believe threatening to fire employees unless they take the vaccine meets any of the above elements? Mike Lynn * * * Mr. Lynn poses interesting questions to be asked of any company requiring employees to take "The Jab" as a condition of continued employment. The "Nuremberg Code" may have been superseded by the more recent "Declaration of Helsinki" on an international scale. Here in the greatest nation ever to grace the face of Planet Terra, these United States of America, it might be educational to review the Code of Federal Regulations Title 45. The entire title is interesting, particularly Part 46. Almost 40 years ago I changed from providing technicians' hand tools to the philosophy of "you earn your living with your hand tools, you need to own them." This, at the recommendation of the technicians themselves. Apparently they were tired of hearing me complain about the expense of replacing lost/damaged tools. From that day forward technicians were required to provide personal hand tools with a minimum quantity, quality, and tool kit form. In the field a technician's tools directly reflect upon the image of a company. There were additional requirements, all of which were to the advantage of the technicians, but all agreed except for one. Go into an automotive shop and ask a mechanic to borrow a tool... he'd sooner exchange underwear than loan a ratchet and socket. A lawyer friend later commented "Roy, you're lucky. It's okay to change conditions of employment for new employees, but if one of your existing employees had complained you'd have been wishing you were only in a pit full of (poop) up to your chin with someone on the side fixin' to throw a bucket of snot at you." I hate when someone steals an expression from me, but it would be interesting to see what hay an enterprising attorney might make of changing conditions of employment... especially for those who've been working amongst the ill, infirm, and other lepers for several months without contracting the disease they're purportedly being saved from by taking "The Jab." Royce Burrage, Jr. The Cherokee Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America is grateful to the Chattanooga community including the many table hosts and sponsors of the 17th Annual Friends of Scouting Luncheon. This event was held on Sept. 28, at the Chattanooga Convention Center and featured Col. Mark Tillman, the pilot and commander of Air Force One during the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. This annual luncheon serves as the Councils largest, and most important, annual fundraiser. Including early pledges, luncheon sponsorships, and commitments made the day of the event over $370,000 was raised to support local Scouting. Officials are especially thankful for event sponsors including: Presenting Sponsors o Morning Pointe Senior Living o First Horizon o Publix Super Markets Charities Luncheon Sponsors o Astec Industries o Elders Ace Hardware o EPB Fiber Optics o HHM Certified Public Accountants o Mauldin & Jenkins o Mountain View Auto Group o Pinnacle Financial Partners Media Partners o Chattanooga Times Free Press o US 101 & Audacy Broadcasting o Gault & Associates The Cherokee Area Council has served youth in the greater metro area since 1915. Today the Council serves youth and adults in 11 counties across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Scouting participants enjoy year round Scouting programs, camps, character building and leadership development activities civic service, as well as achievement recognition programs. Kendrick Lamar has done it all as an artist. His albums, both his studio records and his mixtapes, are highly regarded by most hip-hop fans. Hes worked with a plethora of legendary artists, from Eminem to Jay-Z. Hes even worked with artists outside of his genre, having collaborated with Taylor Swift on more than one occasion. With several awards to his name, including and especially the coveted Grammy, it might be difficult to imagine that Kendrick Lamar has any career regrets. But even one of the most prolific rappers in Hip-Hop would do certain things differently if he could. One of those things includes getting an education. But through all of the awards and recognition the rapper received for his work, is getting a high school diploma one of them? Did Kendrick Lamar graduate high school? Kendrick Lamar | Santiago Bluguermann/Getty Images Kendrick Lamar went to Centennial High School in Compton during his teenage years and became the first in his family to graduate. Not only did Lamar finish high school, but he did so at the top of his game with an overall 4.0 GPA. Dr. Dre, who signed Lamar to his Aftermath label, also went to Centennial High. The Humble artist has always held education in high regard. He played principal for a day in Mount Pleasant High school in Rhode Island. There, he reminded the students about the value of education. Without education, you dont have anything, Lamar once told the high school according to Rap-Up.com. My teachers were great positive influences in my life. My middle school English teacher was probably the reason I became a rapper. He used to encourage me to write poetry and would challenge me, which helped me improve my vocabulary and made me enjoy writing. Kendrick Lamar once helped students understand Toni Morrison In 2015, Lamar tried to inspire students himself when he visited High Tech High school in New Jersey. High school teacher Brian Mooney used Lamars music to help his students understand a Toni Morrison novel. Mooney compared Lamars album, To Pimp a Butterfly, with the Morrison novel The Bluest Eye. This helped students engage with Morrisons novel on a deeper level. When Lamar got wind of this, the rappers manager contacted the teacher and asked if Lamar could visit Mr. Mooneys class personally. I was feeling incredibly grateful and humbled that my work received that much exposure and reached that wide of an audience that Kendrick himself read it, Mooney told the New York Times. Lamar visited the high school and proceeded to bond with both the teacher and the students present. When I talk to kids, Im really listening, Lamar said. When I do that, we have a little bit of a bigger connection than me being Kendrick and you being a student. Its almost like were friends. Because a friend listens. Kendrick Lamars biggest regret is not going to college In an interview with FUSE, Kendrick Lamar opens up about wishing hed realized the college experience. Not experiencing college, at least for a semester, that was my biggest regret, doing it while I was in my teens, Lamar said. Now, all these years have passed, I done got deep into a musical career, its gonna be hard to find time unless I really put my focus into it. In a 2015 Rolling Stone interview, Lamar echoed these regrets about college. I could have went. I should have went, he confides. He later revealed at the time that he was contemplating going back, Its always in the back of my mind. Its not too late. RELATED: Taylor Swift Said This Kendrick Lamar Song Made Her Feel Safe Dr. Jan Pol of The Incredible Dr. Pol grew up in the Netherlands. And he credits his early years for instilling in him a deep love of animals and a common-sense approach to whatever life brings. Heres more on the incredible veterinarian and the childhood that helped shape his destiny. The Incredible Dr. Pol star Dr. Jan Pol greets fans of the hit Nat Geo Wild reality show | The Walt Disney Company/Image Group LA via Getty Images Dr. Jan Pol lived under the Nazi regime in the Netherlands Dr. Pol in his 2015 memoir, Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow: My Life as a Country Vet, revealed his familys experience living under the Nazi regime during World War II. Everything the Pol family owned was under the eye of the authorities: their farm, their home, everything. During the war, we were not allowed to own anything; everything belonged to the occupier, Dr. Pol wrote. All the production was for the benefit of the occupier. These werent TV Nazis; they were the real thing. These people were very dangerous. They would come and inspect your farm, and if you got caught hiding anything, the best thing that would happen is they would take you to prison for a few years. How his childhood made him the incredible vet he became As a child in the Netherlands with five siblings, life may not have been easy but Dr. Pol recalled it as a happy time during which he found his calling. We all were expected to do chores every day, he wrote. We had all the farm animals we had about 20 cows, which we milked by hand; we had horses and chickens, turkeys, geese. We always had big dogs, still do. I learned from my father that if a farmer doesnt have respect for an animal, that animal will not work for him. He used to tell us, If you dont treat an animal right, that animal wont treat you right either.' By the age of 12, I decided I wanted to be a vet. I can still remember the day. It wasnt because I thought I could make a successful career out of being a vet. I didnt worry about that; I became a vet because it was the only thing I ever wanted to do. Dr. Pols family risked their own safety The family hid a calf or other livestock in order to make sure they would have some kind of sustenance for their own future. They would also aid the most vulnerable among those in their town. In those times, it wasnt just livestock that we hid, he recalled. For a time, we sheltered a young Jewish boy who was somewhere between my age and my next oldest brother, who was seven years older than me. There was also a Jewish family hiding in a little shed, which wasnt more than a deer-blind, in our woods. All the local people brought them food and the Nazis never found out about them. . . My parents never turned away one person. RELATED: The Incredible Dr. Pol: Where Did Dr. Jan Pol Receive His Veterinary Degree? Before marrying Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in 2018, Prince Harrys love life attracted a lot of attention from the press. However, he was still able to keep things low-key from time to time. According to a royal expert, Harry secretly reconciled with an ex-girlfriend a year before he met Meghan. Prince Harry| Koen van Weel / ANP / AFP via Getty Images In 2004, Harry began dating Chelsy Davy, the daughter of a Zimbabwean businessman. The couple had an on-and-off relationship that was reportedly volatile. Royal author Richard Kay once said, according to Express, You can tell that they have a very volatile relationship, horrendous shouting matches, screaming rows but then, they get back together again and I would say out of all of the royal romances going on theirs was the real true thing. It is the real deal and I suspect that if unless something catastrophic happens they will marry but it will be a very tempestuous marriage. Harry and Davy broke up in 2010. Davy told the Daily Mail in 2016 that she had a hard time dealing with the media attention. It was so full-on: crazy and scary and uncomfortable, Davy recalled. I found it very difficult when it was bad. I couldnt cope I was trying to be a normal kid and it was horrible. Prince Harry reportedly reconciled with Chelsy Davy in 2015 RELATED: What is Prince Harrys Ex-Girlfriend Chelsy Davy Doing Now? Although many people believe Harry and Davy broke up for good in 2010, author Katie Nicholl alleged that they tried to get back together in the summer of 2015. They reportedly had some moments of reconciliation without the press knowledge. You sort of get the feeling that neither of them were quite ever willing to completely let go of that love affair, Nicholl told InStyle. Theyd carved their names into one of the tree trunks on the family estate. It was such a love affair, it really was. Nicholl added, Right up until 2015 they were trying to give it another chance. I was quite struck by that and I think everyone thats been in love, you know, you never forget your first love, and in that respect I think Prince Harry was no different. However, things ultimately did not work out for Harry and Davy. How did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet? RELATED: Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys Marriage Works Because She Makes Decisions for Him, Royal Expert Claims A year after trying to get back together with Davy, Harry met Meghan. In the summer of 2016, Harry and Meghan went on a blind date at Soho Houses Dean Street Townhouse in London. According to the 2020 biography Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, which received some input from Meghan via a friend, Harry and Meghan hit it off instantly. A friend alleged, Almost immediately they were almost obsessed with each other It was as if Harry was in a trance. Their relationship moved quickly. For their third date, the couple flew to Botswana and spent time together in a luxury tent. As many fans know, Harry and Meghan announced their engagement in November 2017. Then, they got married in May 2018. The couple now has two children together. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne is facing legal trouble, and shes not the only Housewife to be embroiled in courtroom drama. The latest legal trouble for Jayne, though, comes on the heels of a season that closely followed her husbands legal issues. (L-R) Andy Cohen and Erika Jayne | Charles Sykes/Getty Images Its also shortly after a clip of an interview that really hasnt aged well for her. Fans know Jaynes spending habits well, but now those habits are being seen in a new light as information about the latest legal issues starts to become known. Erika Jayne is in hot water It all started with Jaynes husband. Tom Girardi was sued in 2020 for allegedly embezzling money from his law firm. This was money that was a settlement fund for Lion Air Flight 610 victims families. The Girardi and Kleese law firm never paid the victims families after the settlement was made. Lion Air Flight 610 crashed in Indonesia and left no survivors. Girardi and Kleese handled the resulting legal case. The case is ongoing, and recently Jayne was implicated and sued for $25 million. The plaintiff alleges that the law firm paid out expenses in that amount that were approved by Jayne herself. Jayne also filed for divorce from her husband, which she said was because of infidelity. Jayne has downsized her lifestyle since, but not drastically. She reportedly went from driving a Lamborghini to a Range Rover. Shes still spending exorbitant amounts of money. Jayne has bragged about spending over $40,000 a month on her glam team. This interview hasnt aged well On a clip of Erika Jayne and Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, Jayne answered questions about her lifestyle. She said that she has Botox and fillers done regularly. Look at this face, she says in the clip. She denies having a live-in housekeeper, but she does have one come seven days a week. She goes to a personal trainer at least four times a week. During the interview, Jayne says shes wearing more than $1000 worth of clothing, and she has a full team of hair and make-up artists for every day she works, which she says is six or seven days a week. She did say that she only sometimes travels in a private jet, and has one personal assistant. Jayne did say that she has no personal chef but added that she eats out often. In light of her legal troubles, this interview about her spending habits doesnt look good. Unaired footage of her spending is being subpoenaed, so we can only assume that interviews like the one with Cohen are also fair game. Jayne isnt the only Housewife in trouble Erika Jayne isnt the only Housewife facing legal trouble, though. Jen Shah, of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, was arrested in March 2021. The charges were money laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud. 12 minutes into season two, Shah was arrested. She, along with two other people, faces charges that carry a 30-year maximum sentence. Shah allegedly helped to build a telemarketing scheme that targeted people over the age of 55, says Womens Health. In short, Shah helped build lists of leads potential victims for telemarketers, then received a kickback from any money made. Shah has since pleaded not guilty. Her trial will be held in October 2021. RELATED: Jen Shah: RHOSLC Season 2 Filming as Law Enforcement Swarmed Production to Arrest Star Emma Watsons life has been anything but ordinary. At nine, she was cast in the Harry Potter movies. Playing Hermione Granger was the role of a lifetime. Not only did it catapult the actor into superstardom, but it also ensured shed be set for life. But despite already having a career and plenty of financial security, Watson still chose to pursue a degree. In 2014, the actor graduated from the illustrious Brown University. Emma Watson | Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images The Harry Potter star took a gap year before going to university Though Watson always had a passion for performance, she was equally enamored with educational pursuits. The daughter of two lawyers, she learned the value of education at a very young age. Watson completed secondary school whilst filming the Harry Potter movies, earning top marks. However, she chose to take a gap year before college in order to shoot the final two films in the franchise. RELATED: Harry Potter: Emma Watson Would Fall Asleep Anywhere While Filming In 2009, Watson announced that shed chosen to attend Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The school is one of the most elite institutions in the United States. But despite Browns challenging curriculum and low acceptance rate, some questioned why Watson chose to go to Brown. Many people assumed shed want to study at one of the top universities in the UK. Emma Watson never thought shed go to college in The States Funnily enough, Watson herself never thought shed got to Brown or any other school in The States. In a conversation with Interview Magazine, the actor opened up about how her feeling regarding schooling shited with time. RELATED: Harry Potter: Emma Watson Was Very Cynical About Deathly Hallows Being 2 Movies I never thought that I would want to go to America for university, Watson declared. As a child, I aspired to go to Oxbridge, because thats where my parents went. When my dad talks about his time there, he says it was the most incredible experience. Why did Watson choose Brown University? So what shifted within Watson and made Brown a viable option for her? According to the Noah actor, she liked that schooling in America focused on a breadth of study. Furthermore, she truly liked the curriculum that was offered at Brown. RELATED: Emma Watson Squashed Engagement and Retirement Rumors in 1 Fell Swoop I did a Shakespeare course at RADA [Royal Academy of Dramatic Art] last summer, and three-quarters of the students were from abroad, mainly the United States, Watson explained. I started talking to them about what they were doing at their schools, and I respected the approach. Here, I feel the specification is very narrow, whereas in America, youre encouraged to be broad and choose many different subjects. For someone who has missed as much school as I have, I want to go back and discover what else there is. I always loved schoolI was a proper, proper nerd. I just want that back again. The movie star also studied at Worcester College, Oxford Its pretty on-brand that Watson chose Brown so she wouldnt have to limit her studies. Eventually, she did make her wish of attending Oxbridge a partial reality. In her Junior year, she studied abroad at Worcester College, Oxford as part of the Visiting Student Programme. Ultimately, though she returned to Brown and graduated with a degree in English literature. tritec looks back on many years of company history. In 1976 Swedish group Assab Medicin AB founded ASSAB Medicintechnik GmbH, a German subsidiary based in Hanover. At that time the products were limited to CO2 incubators, laminar flow and cooling incubators. When in 1984 all of Assab Medicin ABs subsidiaries were to be sold off, the subsidiary in Hanover became the company tritec Gesellschaft fur Labortechnik und Umweltsimulation mbH. For the first few years after tritec was founded we continued to represent Assab Medicin AB, selling its products from Sweden. In 1985, shortly after the company was founded, sewage treatment technology was added as a product segment. These self-developed neutralisation systems were added to our product range. We gradually expanded our range to include refrigerators, deep freezers and freezer chests. Progress also continued on climatic equipment and we complemented our products in this area with the development of custom climatic rooms. Quality is maintained at a consistently high level, from electronics to the crafting of the smallest detail. Many sales partners throughout the world, some of whom have been providing customers with our special products since the inception of the company, speak for themselves. Starting at our base in Hanover we take our customers' requirements very seriously. We know how important individualised consultations are in this very specialised product area. Almost no two units are exactly alike; individual production is the order of the day, not just in execution. tritec frequently relies on its own in-house developments, specifically designed to meet the needs of our individual customers. To maintain flexibility following delivery we rely on a modular approach that enables individual parts to be exchanged quickly and easily. Upon customer request, the creation of GMP-compliant documents is also part of our service. Raman Microspectroscopy with Automatic Focus Tracking to Save You Time and Effort The new confocal Raman microscope inVia Qontor is Renishaws most advanced Raman microspectroscope. Building on the market-leading inVia Reflex, the inVia Qontor adds a new dimension to the performance and ease of use for which inVia is renowned. The inVia Qontor Raman microscope sees the ... more In this July 1 file photo, a makeshift memorial for the dozens of Indigenous children who died more than a century ago while attending a boarding school that was once located nearby is growing under a tree at a public park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque city officials plan to use ground-penetrating radar as they research the history of a site where dozens of Native American boarding school students are believed to have been buried more than a century ago. The Haines Long Term Recovery Group (HLTRG) facilitated the disposal of nearly 440,000 pounds of construction debris this month related to December flood and landslide damage. Seventeen households were able to dump debris at a disposal site near the landfill, at a cost of$106,116, which will be reimbursed by FEMA. Many organizations contributed to the project, including Chilkoot Indian Association (CIA). CIA also helped residents with transportation and demolition costs, allowed Team Rubicon to use tools and equipment and assisted with staff support. Steve Virg-In disposed of his entire house that was destroyed in a landslide along the Lutak Spur Road with financial assistance from CIA and labor from Team Rubicon, a nonprofit disaster relief group. Southeast Roadbuilders spent two days demolishing the ruins of his house. Because heavy equipment couldnt access his garage, Team Rubicon volunteers hand shoveled the sand that had piled up in the structure. We had around 30 dumpsters full of debris, Virg-In said. After the house was gone, we just crashed and burned, emotionally and mentally. Thirty-two years of our life, gone. (We were) feeling pretty ragged after nine months. The people (who helped) were amazing. There was genuine love and genuine concern all the way around. The long-term recovery group has been the greatest asset to us. Virg-In said he will work on turning the garage into a living space next spring. Kaitlin and Bryan Combs also benefited from the debris disposal. Team Rubicon volunteers cleared out dozens of bags of wet insulation after floods washed through the crawlspace in their First Avenue home. The crew also installed a new vapor barrier. When everyone showed up, I was very emotional, Combs said. Im so thankful that there are people that are willing to help strangers out. Im forever thankful. The effort to dispose of moldy insulation, splintered lumber, wet insulation and other damage was necessary before the long-term recovery group could begin the next step in disaster recovery and reconstruction. We couldnt rebuild without taking the trash out, said Sylvia Heinz, HLTRG coordinator. Now we can make materials lists and raise money to rebuild. We can see the light at the end of a very long, very expensive tunnel. Recovery is still going to take years. In the short term, Heinz said the first priority is addressing hazards to life and property. Ensuring adequate drainage for the winter months will be essential, she said, along with ensuring insulation and drywall is reinstalled to prevent pipes from freezing in homes that had significant damage. Other short- and long-term goals include mental health support, fundraising for reconstruction work, getting still-displaced residents into long-term housing, clearing natural debris and disposing of disaster-affected vehicles. The HLTRG has facilitated the spending of more than $1 million in disaster recovery funds not including debris disposal. Heinz said there are still 75 active cases where residents and families require assistance, including reconstruction efforts. Were turning over every stone to try to get as many resources to Haines as possible, she said. Daniel Darling, an evangelical author and the spokesman for NRB (National Religious Broadcasters), spoke out this month about his decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine in an op-ed in USA Today and a segment on MSNBC. As of Friday, his remarks cost him his job with the ministry. Darling was fired from NRB this week when he refused to sign a statement saying his pro-vaccine messaging amounted to insubordination, a source told CT on his behalf. In a statement, Darling said he was sad and disappointed that [his] time at NRB has come to a close. Darling joined NRB as its senior vice president of communications in April 2020, after a six-year stint as the vice president for communications at the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). NRB, which calls itself the largest association of Christian communicators, has more than 1,100 members working in Christian radio, TV, and other media. Part of the groups purpose, it says, is to advocate for the free speech rights of our members. In the aftermath of Darlings firing, some evangelicals raised concerns that NRB was defying its own stances around free speech and anti-censorship, or that it was aligning with conservative radio pundits at the expense of a leader like Darling. NRB CEO Troy Miller confirmed Darlings departure in an email to Religion News Service, which first reported the story, but he did not elaborate on whether his vaccine remarks were the reason. Dan is an excellent communicator and a great friend, Miller said. I wish him Gods best in all his future endeavors. The following day, Miller shared a longer response on Twitter saying, No NRB employee has ever been fired for their views on this subject. He said that he had issued a directive as CEO advising staff that this is not an issue that NRB is called to advocate for one way or another and from here out NRB stays neutral. According to a source familiar with the situation, Darling had not previously been asked to seek approval for media appearances. Back in the spring, the NRB CEO had called the vaccines stunningly effective in an email urging members to attend its convention last June. This summer, the spread of the delta variant has officials and community leaders once again urging vaccination. White evangelicals have become less hesitant toward the COVID-19 vaccine than they were in the spring, but in recent surveys, they still lag behind Americans overall. Darling described how the vaccine has been shown to save lives and how he didnt want to see anyone else die unnecessarily from the coronavirus. He lamented how a growing lack of trust in institutions played a factor in the current divides over the vaccine. There are not many things in the world today that are worthy of our trust, but I sincerely believe the COVID-19 vaccine is one of them, Darling wrote in an August 1 op-ed in USA Today. As a Christian and an American, I was proud to get it. He discussed the piece on Morning Joe, similarly telling host Joe Scarborough, When we get a vaccine we not only protect ourselves, but we are also doing our part to keep from spreading the virus and hurting our neighbors. The source speaking for Darling said that he was fired without severance. Friends, fellow evangelicals, and fellow Southern Baptists on Twitter defended Darling and criticized the move. Russell Moore, CT public theologian and Darlings former colleague at the ERLC, called the decision insanity and inexcusable. Nathan Finn, provost at North Greenville University, said, People are going to come out of the woodwork in his defenseand rightly so. In Darlings statement, he referenced Jesus prayer in John 17 and his desire that believers would unify and be one around the truth of the gospel. Im grieved that the issues that divide our country are also dividing Christians, he said. My desire is to build bridges and bring Christians together around our common mission of loving Jesus and loving our neighbor, but sadly we are sometimes tempted by the same things that tempt the world. Max Lucado urges Christians to live courageously amid cultural upheaval: 'God is working in our story' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Bestselling author Max Lucado understands that the Christian community is emotionally weary following a contentious presidential election, deep divisions within the Church and a pandemic. The challenges weve faced have the potential to undo us, Lucado, leader of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, told The Christian Post. Lets not underestimate the fact that we're all suffering from a mild case of PTSD. We've just been beaten up. We've sustained some trauma from all the experiences that we've gone through, and it's come at us from all angles. But its in times like this, the 66-year-old author contended, that Gods quiet providence is most at work. Relief and rescue will come, deliverance will come, he stressed. God gets His people through things. He always does. The question is not, 'Will God rescue His people.' The question is, 'Will you be a part of it?' In his latest book, You Were Made for This Moment: Courage for Today, Hope for Tomorrow, Lucado details how the biblical story of Esther highlights how God is still on the throne, God still has His people, God will still glorify Himself amid cultural upheaval. This book was born in a season of winter, he said. Were all searching for springtime. Everything about Esthers story is a reminder that God is working in our story, and He's gradually protecting His people working things toward His desired outcome. In his book, Lucado shares how Esthers story parallels that of many Christians today. Its ultimately a story about people trying to maintain faith in a foreign land, Lucado said, adding: We all can relate to that. We feel like we're on the outside looking in, many times, in our culture. Its an odd time in which we live, he added. The irony is not lost on me. They are all about pluralism. Accept everything except those of us who are not about pluralism. Its just the oddest thing. Initially, the pastor pointed out, Esther and Mordecai kind of blew it. Both, problematically, found success in a foreign land by hiding their Jewish identity. I think that's just pretty remarkable how they blended in, he said. They were so Persian in appearance, language, accent and culture. They had completely assimilated, so much so that nobody knew that they were Jewish. Now, there's a picture of people today. We can assimilate so much into the culture around us that people don't know about our faith. But ultimately, both Mordecai and Esther resurrected their faith and revealed they were Jewish and because of their courage, they saved a nation. It could have been a massive Holocaust, Lucado said. But God reversed what was certain death and turned it into certain life. The villain ends up being impaled on the very tool of torture and execution that he created for Mordecai and Queen Esther. The Jews, who were about to be destroyed, end up going to battle against those who are going to destroy them and they come out victorious. Now, we have one of the greatest stories in the Bible. Just when things seem to be terrible, Gods people come out victorious, he said. Though His fingerprints are on every page of the story, the name of God is never mentioned in the book of Esther something Lucado believes is significant. If you're going through a tough season, if you're going through a hard stretch, you don't hear God's name in your story, either, he said. I think that's one of the messages here, that God speaks loudest when He whispers in our lives. Lucado, who has been married to his wife, Denayn, for 40 years, is no stranger to trials. In September, the pastor announced he was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm, something he acknowledged in a message to supporters is a serious condition. In July, the grandfather tested positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. More broadly, the pastor told CP that hes chagrined by the recent, public downfall of his ministry peers, most publicly Ravi Zacharias. Nobody is more chagrined than I am over the fall of many of my colleagues, men of my age. We should be setting the example for the Church, and yet we've seen many stumble, he said. I do believe that for everyone that stumbles there are three hundred that are faithful. But we tend to focus on the ones that stumble, and rightly so because they bring embarrassment upon the Church. Hes also dismayed by the racial divides seen across the U.S. we cant just dismiss these deep wounds that exist, he said as well as the apathetic attitude many professing Christians have toward Church attendance in the aftermath of a pandemic. I think there are a thousand reasons for us to meet in person, he said. Now, if somebody has health concerns, if their body or health is compromised, it's not time. God bless you, I understand. But I am wanting to give a godly kick in the rump to those who might just be a little bit lethargic, Lucado said. It's evident, he said, that sin and secularization are increasingly permeating culture. Yet, the pastor emphasized that the Bible was written for times like these. We forget that the Bible was written by and for people who were a minority in their culture, he said. God is already doing a great work through you. You're the salt of the Earth. You're the light of the world. Instead of getting mad, Im just going to get focused on loving people and trying to encourage the Church and trusting God to walk us through. In uncertain times, Lucado challenged believers to read the book of Esther and be arrested by the presence of Gods quiet providence. Her story, Lucado said, is a reminder that God is working in our story even when its not evident. His fingerprints are on every page of your story, he said. Let's just stay focused on the big story. The big story is God's grace, His defeat of death, the Easter celebration, the return of Christ. Keep these big things the big things. Let them change you. Just trust Him. You Were Made for This Moment is now available. Greg Laurie on SoCal Harvest, why he's optimistic about Gen Z: 'We need a spiritual solution' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Greg Laurie, founder and lead pastor of Harvest Churches and Harvest Crusades, is excited about Generation Z. Though theyre dubbed the first truly post-Christian generation, with moral relativism behind the majority opinion of the group, Laurie believes Gen Zers are defined by their desire for significance and meaning making them ripe for the Gospel. We have a generation that hasnt heard the Gospel. Most of Gen Z doesnt come from any kind of a spiritual or religious background whatsoever. I would rather have a blank slate to work with, where they know nothing, and then tell them the truth than people with all kinds of prejudices, the 68-year-old pastor told The Christian Post. The Bible says, How will they hear unless someone tells them? Young people are looking for significance. They want their life to matter. They want to be noticed. And what I'm saying to them is, Your life does matter, you are noticed, God loves you, and God has a special plan for your life. I want to tell them how they can discover that plan for this life and the afterlife. With the goal of reaching thousands with the hope of Christ, Lauries Southern California Harvest Crusade will return to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, for one night only on Oct. 3. The ministrys first stadium outreach event in over a year, SoCal Harvest is free and will feature worship by Christian music artists Phil Wickham and for King & Country, as well as a message from Laurie. The pastor described the event as a "celebration," defined by "joy, worship and a powerful message." It means a lot to everybody to just get together again, Laurie said. With this pandemic, all the wrong things are up. Drug use is, up alcohol use is, up self-harm is up, suicides are up, divorce is up, and it's because people feel down. And Jesus said, Look up, because your redemption is drawing near. I think it's important for us to get together in person because we're better together. Laurie, along with Chuck Smith, pastor and founder of Calvary Chapel, founded SoCal Harvest in 1990, making the event the longest-running evangelistic outreach event in the U.S. Over the decades, SoCal Harvest has seen thousands of young people embrace Christianity a phenomenon Laurie hopes happens again this year. We're going to be together in one place at one time, worshiping the Lord, and then proclaiming the Gospel, he said. Its just so exciting to see thousands of people go down on the field and make a profession of faith to follow Christ. God willing, we're going to see that this Sunday night. The pastor is encouraging young people to bring their non-Christian friends to SoCal Harvest, stressing it's a "different kind of event than just bringing someone to a church." "It's great to take people to church, but you always have that fear what if this is the Sunday the pastor preaches on tithing? This event is designed from beginning to end, for a non-believer. We're trying to anticipate their questions and answer them. I'm speaking in a very understandable way, not assuming they know what the logical terms mean." Due to the pandemic, the in-person event was replaced last year by A Rush of Hope, a cinematic crusade that reached over 4 million people and yielded over 50,000 professions of faith. And though Lauries message hasnt changed since the '90s, SoCal Harvest will this year employ cutting-edge technology to further the Gospel. We're bringing some cinematic elements into the live event, Laurie shared. We have more screens, we have more tech, we have more everything. Its not to put on a show, but to enhance the experience and make it more immersive and actually draw the audience in closer to what we're saying. During the event, Laurie revealed he will share footage from Jesus Revolution, the forthcoming Erwin Brothers film that highlights the spiritual awakening in Southern California in the early 1970s known as the Jesus movement. Its an amazing thing to think that the last great spiritual awakening in America happened right here in California, and I would love to see another one, Laurie said. We're just praying that this could be a spark that could set something much larger into motion. Only the Lord can bring that about, but with God, all things are possible. God wants to send a spiritual awakening to America, he added. And we know we're really needing one right now. I think it's pretty clear at this point that this is not something that will be solved with a political solution, or a technological solution or a mere moral solution. We need a spiritual solution, and only God can bring that about. Click here to stay up to date on the latest information about SoCal Harvest. A livestream option will be available for those who are not comfortable or able to attend in-person. For those who attend in-person, the event will follow protocols employed by Angel Stadium. Over 2K sign petition demanding release of pastor imprisoned by Cubas communist regime Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment More than 2,000 people have signed a petition demanding the release of a Protestant pastor who's been imprisoned by Cuba's communist regime without trial for participating in peaceful protests that emerged across the country in July. The U.K.-based Christian group Christian Solidarity Worldwide submitted the petition with 2,070 signatures to Cuban Ambassador Barbara Montalvo Alvarez at the country's embassy in London on Thursday. The petition calls for the release of Pastor Rosales Fajardo, who has been detained without trial for over two months following the protests on July 11, which were said to be the largest in decades amid ongoing shortages of medicine and food during the COVID-19 pandemic. State Security officers arrested Fajardo in Palma Soriano. Later, they transferred him to the Boniato Maximum Security Prison outside the city of Santiago de Cuba in August. Hours after the protests erupted, President Diaz-Canel addressed the nation on national television, urging government supporters to confront the protesters on the streets. He also accused the U.S. of causing the crisis in Cuba by imposing sanctions. Fajardo, a pastor for 20 years who leads the Monte de Sion church, faces charges including disrespect and public disorder, punishable with an imprisonment between three and 20 years and has been held incommunicado for most of his detention. CSW continues to stand with the family of Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo as they wait for this husband and father to be returned home, CSWs head of advocacy Anna-Lee Stangl said, saying her group hopes the petition will send an important message to the Cuban authorities that the world is watching them and that their treatment of Pastor Rosales Fajardo is wholly unacceptable. Prison authorities havent allowed even his wife, Maridilegnis Carballo, to visit him. He can speak to his family only on a few three-minute phone calls, according to the CSW. Authorities have warned Carballo that their 17-year-old son, who was arrested with his father but later released, will face repercussions if she continues to speak out about her husbands plight. She has also been threatened with imprisonment herself for speaking to international human rights organizations about her husbands unjust detention, the group added. Fajardo has a history of enduring persecution from the communist regime. In 2012, for example, the government confiscated the pastors church property. The pastor has now spent over two months in prison in horrible conditions simply for participating in peaceful protests, CSWs head of campaigns, Dave Mance, said in a previous statement. According to the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project, about 59% of Cubans are Christian. Cuban Christians face constant government surveillance and infiltration even though the faith is growing in the island country. The Cuban government amended its Constitution in 1992, declaring it a secular state, instead of an atheist state, partially allowing religious activities. Since then, the percentage of the country's population that identifies as Christian has grown. However, the communist regime of Cuba continues to persecute Christians. A new constitution was adopted in 2019, which also lists the country as a secular state. Cuba has been a one-party state under the Communist Party of Cuba since the late dictator Fidel Castro overthrew the United States-supported dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1959. In 2008, Castros brother, Raul Castro, was elected president, followed by Miguel Diaz-Canel in 2019. Trans patient claims discrimination after hospital requires pregnancy test before surgery Hospital says care was 'medically appropriate and compassionate' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A trans-identified biological female alleges that a hospital in New York discriminated by requiring a pregnancy test even though the patient identifies as a male and says the nurses did not use preferred pronouns. Trey Lowery, who identifies as a male and underwent bariatric sleeve surgery at Highland Hospital in Rochester in July, is threatening to file a lawsuit after experiencing "discrimination" at the healthcare facility. Lowery expressed outrage after being asked to take a pregnancy test. As an affiliate of the University of Rochester Medical Center, Highland Hospital requires all biological females with female reproductive organs to undergo pregnancy testing before any surgery involving anesthesia regardless of whether they identify as female. Speaking with the local ABC affiliate WHAM, Lowery recalled that a nurse asked for a pregnancy test to be taken before surgery. "I told her why am I taking a pregnancy test when you guys know that I am a male and I'm fully trans?" Lowery said, adding that the nurse responded by saying, "I'm just doing my job." Lowery first went public in an interview with Rochester's City Newspaper, which was published Sept. 1. Maintaining that "they took my pride away," Lowery told the news outlet that "I felt like I didn't want to be here anymore, I wanted to kill myself because I worked so hard to be here like this, and I'm not getting appreciated for who I am." Additionally, Lowery complained about consistently hearing "she, she, she, she throughout the whole stay of me being there." The day after the surgery, Lowery received a phone call from Highland Hospital's chief executive officer. In addition to apologizing for the previous day's events, the Highland CEO reportedly offered Lowery the position of "spokesperson" for trans-identified people at the hospital. Lowery declined the offer and set up a Twitter account at the time of the City Newspaper's article publication. Lowery's Twitter profile reads, "I am a hard-working man and a loving husband who have been hurting in the worst way from Highland Hospital a Rochester New York." In a statement issued in response to Lowery's criticism, Highland Hospital asserted that it is "committed to providing the highest quality, compassionate, and safe care to all of our patients." Additionally, the hospital vowed that "when issues are brought to our attention, we conduct a thorough review to determine whether staff members took all appropriate steps to care for the patient." "Upon completion of our review of this patient's case, we believe that his care was medically appropriate and compassionate. However, we will continue to reflect on this individual's experience to see if there is anything we can do better." Another trans-identified biological female, Cori Smith, shared similar concerns about Highland Hospital with City Newspaper. Smith was admitted to Highland Hospital in 2014 to treat complications from an egg retrieval procedure. The hospital staff provided Smith with a female wristband. "I was like, 'You're not giving me a female wristband,'" Smith said. "They literally rolled their eyes, laughed it off, and responded, 'We're not doing that.'" The Rochester-based LGBT advocacy group Out Alliance's monthly magazine "Empty Closet" reported in 2018 that an ultrasound showed that Smith had severely swollen ovaries covered in cysts. When Smith requested the removal of the ovaries, the doctor treating the trans-identified female refused to perform the surgery. Describing the doctor as "outwardly transphobic," Smith filed a lawsuit against the hospital in 2017, seeking $750,000 in damages. While the lawsuit and subsequent appeals were dismissed, Smith maintains that "they just didn't treat me right." Smith also alleged that hospital staff used the pronouns "it," "she" and "they" as opposed to the preferred pronoun of "he." Smith accused the doctor of performing an "unnecessary and inappropriate" transvaginal ultrasound in front of eight nurses and hospital staff members. Because the doctor did not cover Smith with a gown during the procedure, nurses were allegedly "gawking and laughing." "It made me want to die. I couldn't figure out why they were all in there like it was some freak show and I was completely exposed," Smith said, according to Out Alliance. "They looked at me like I was disgusting and I felt disgusting." Smith expressed hope that "a hospital never allows for this to go on again," adding, "No medical provider should abuse you, neglect you, embarrass you, or refuse to call you by your correct gender." "I hope this situation can help stop some of the issues trans people face in healthcare facilities as well," Smith added. "From smaller missteps of gender pronouns, to much larger discrimination situations like mine these medical facilities should be aware of the seriousness of the situations at hand. Misgendering can lead to depression, increased anxiety, and can push someone to suicide." In 2018, the hospital responded to Smith's claims, stating that "appropriate medical treatment" was provided. "UR Medicine believes that Mr. Smith received appropriate medical treatment at Highland Hospital in response to his need for emergency care in November 2014," the statement reads. "This is based on a thorough review of the medical record by clinical professionals on Highland's patient safety team, a review which included interviews with Mr. Smith's attending physicians and other caregivers." The Biden Department of Health and Human Services announced this year that it would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in healthcare settings. In August, associations representing 3,000 healthcare workers sued the Biden administration over an HHS mandate that fear will force them to perform elective gender-transition procedures. The lawsuit focuses on HHS' interpretation of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act barring sex discrimination. The Biden administration interprets sex discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation even though neither term is expressly included in federal civil rights law. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment North Korea is infamous for having one of the worst human rights records on earth. In recognition of this fact, some human rights advocates dubbed September 24, 2021, as Save North Korean Refugees Day. Crossing the border into China is the only option for most North Koreans trying to escape from North Korea. Yet, when they arrive in China, they face a whole new set of dangers. Most North Korean defectors are women, and most are sold into human trafficking once they arrive in China, often as brides for Chinese men. Defectors who are caught by Chinese authorities and sent back to North Korea face an even worse fate, as the North Korean regime brutally punishes repatriated defectors. North Korean Freedom Coalition Chair Suzanne Scholte says that certain torture, imprisonment, and potential death await the defectors upon their forced return to North Korea. One Christian North Korean defector, Ji Hyeona, has shared her harrowing story of enduring a forced abortion in a North Korean labor camp after she was repatriated (the regime does not recognize half-Chinese children). She said: "Every night, I heard the screams of women going through forced abortions in the prison camp. I, too, could not avoid this fate, as I was three months pregnant with a half-Chinese, half-Korean baby in my womb. Where they placed me was not a hospital bed, but it was a desk. And a fearful-looking doctor forcibly pried open my legs and inserted forceps and started killing my baby in my womb by cutting up and shredding my baby." This is the level of cruelty experienced by repatriated defectors. The threat posed to religious freedom by these brutal repatriations should not be ignored. Upon their return to North Korea, one of the first questions defectors are asked by authorities is if they met any Christian missionaries. Responding in the affirmative would guarantee time in a labor camp or even a death sentence. Many North Korean defectors encounter Christianity for the first time while in China, either by South Korean missionaries ministering to them or by seeking help from Chinese churches. For newly converted Christians, returning to North Korea is all the more dangerous. The North Korean regime views religion of any sort as a threat to the Kim regimes stranglehold on the minds of its citizensa threat they will brutally suppress. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea has become even more isolated and repressive. The U.S. State Department recently issued a statement condemning the North Korean regime for the increasingly draconian measures [it] has taken, including shoot-to-kill orders at the North Korea-China border, to tighten control of its people under the guise of fighting COVID-19. With devastating conditions such as these, it is all the more important that China stop repatriating North Korean defectors. North Koreas human rights violations, especially those against repatriated defectors, are well-documented. China is party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, which states that refugees should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. With North Koreas long history of human rights violations, it is wrong for China to repatriate defectors back to North Korea. Instead, Beijing should cooperate with the South Korean government to help bring defectors to South Korea, a safe country that is ready and willing to take them. Letters sent to President Xi Jinping and Chinese ambassadors have called upon the Chinese government to uphold the human rights of the defectors and pursue a plan to resettle to willing countries, especially South Korea which offers defectors automatic citizenship. Activists are delivering appeals for a change in policy at more than a dozen Chinese embassies located around the world. Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused a brief pause in Chinas repatriation of defectors, they have since resumed, placing thousands of North Korean defectors currently in China at risk. Now more than ever, the Chinese government should be held accountable for sending defectors back to certain punishment in North Korea. Originally published at The Daily Signal. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Lets say that you believe that the future of your society is imminently threatened by the beliefs and activities of a significantly large group of people, i.e., your cultural and political opponents. Youd like to do something to counteract their influence and keep society from going completely off the tracks. Lets also say that you are a Christian seeking to obey Christs unequivocal command to lovethose very same people. Profound disagreement does not naturally mesh very well with love, but that is what the Christian is called to navigate. What does this look like in practical terms? Part of what it means to love a person with terrible ideas is to hope that they eventually come to discard those ideas and to believe the truth, both for their own good and for the good of others and, when possible, to help influence them in the right direction. In other words, sincere attempts at persuasionare an important aspect of loving your enemies, whenever you interact with them on the internet or, with increasing rarity, in the real world. Of necessity, persuasion requires foregoing the very real pleasures of sarcasm, one-upping, finger-wagging, name-calling, etc. Even if you can think up theological justifications for being a jerk, they just arent going to help you get defections from the other side. In other words, persuasion demands emotional discipline, a willingness to play the long game instead of indulging in quick, meaningless rhetorical victories. The task of persuasion also involves finding a point of mutual agreement and then working outwards from there. If, for instance, youre trying to convincea pro-choice advocate that abortion is wrong (as opposed to just shouting them down), you could start with a concept you both find obviously true: that unplanned pregnancies leave a lot of women in truly awful situations. From there, you can try to show that abortion is a bad long-term solution to this social crisis. Even if you fail to persuade your opponent on the spot, (which you probably will) you will have at least proven that some pro-lifers, at least, try to take all aspects of the abortion problem seriously. This could go a surprisingly long way. Of course, finding consensus with ones opponents has never been exactly easy. Our contemporary cultural climate makes it feel next to impossible. We live, apparently, in parallel universes that share only a handful of basic facts in common, and even these are given vastly different interpretations. But even and especially if your opponents prove intractable, Christs command to love them is still in full force. He elaborates: Pray for those who persecute you (Mt 5:44). Some Christians have suggested that this command can be fulfilled by prayers in the style of the imprecatory psalms: praying for Gods wrath and judgment upon the wicked. This interpretation clearly violates the spirit of what Jesus was saying here (see also Lk 9:54-55). He is telling his followers to pray that their enemies would find the truth, that good things would happen to them, and that they would be ultimately saved. Its not terribly difficult to pray all of this for faceless enemies in the abstract. Its very hard indeed to pray all of this when you start thinking of particular individuals. But here, as always, its best to make your prayers as concrete as possible. Is there ever a place for speaking sternly or even harshly to your opponents? Jesus did (You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? (Mt 12:34)), so the answer must be, Yes. But its very risky to take episodes of Jesus anger in the Gospels as blanket approvals for the vehement airing of our grievances. We are just not as adept as the Lord at acting from a pure desire for justice and truth, unmixed with various personal vendettas and petty hatreds. In other words, calling someone a snake canbewithin the bounds of Christlike behavior but not very often at all. This brings us to a final question: in trying to love their enemies, is it inevitable that Christians will be crushed by their more pragmatic cultural opponents? I honestly dont know, but I do know that if believers behave like just another faction in the ongoing culture wars, then any victory they achieve will be hollow indeed. We had to destroy the village to save it, an American commander in Vietnam once allegedly remarked. Destroying our Christian witness in order to save our culture creates an even worse paradox. To be sure, praying for the good of those who do and say reprehensible things; refusing to engage in slander; trying to speak reasonably and gently with people who are not necessarily treating you with the same respect none of these things seem to make much sense in a world such as ours that generously rewards the put-down, the well-crafted insult, the whipping up of violent emotions. Love for enemies is just another aspect of the foolishness of the Gospel. But the foolishness of God is stronger than man. Christian boy who suffered burns to 65% of his body in anti-Christian attack has slim chance of survival Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Christian boy who suffered burns to 65% of his body in an acid attack in eastern Indias Bihar state is in "very, very critical condition and is unlikely to survive, according to the doctor treating him. The family said they suspect Hindu nationalists are behind the attack because the boy is a leader in a local church and the area they live in has anti-Christian sentiments. The victim, identified as Nitish Kumar, was attacked with acid after he left his house in a village to go to the market in the early morning on Aug. 11. Now, Dr. K.N. Tiwari of the burn unit of Appolo Burn Hospital in Patna city said his survival chances are low, Morning Star News reported. Drenched, Nitish initially thought they had mischievously thrown water on him, the victim was quoted as saying. But soon my skin began to burn. The burning sensation increased with every passing second. I dropped the basket and ran toward my house [820 yards away] screaming and howling. The motorbike did not stop, and in his pain he couldnt see its license plate, he added. The acid burned 65% of his body, with 15% being deep burns, Sushma Sharma, a hospital volunteer treating Kumar, was quoted as saying. Dr. Tiwari said Nitish will need skin grafting. There is only one treatment for his condition, and that is skin grafting, but there is not enough skin left on his body to be used except for a socks-length portion on one of his feet and some portion of his chest. The little amount of skin left cannot cover the entire area of his body that is burned. The victims 17-year-old brother, Sanjeet Kumar, said: A month before the attack, some extremists spread word in the village that they would expel all the people who follow the Christian faith from the village. We also heard about it, but it did not deter us from our faith. And suddenly this attack took place. In December, Hindu extremists blocked the roads going to Sunday services and questioned Christians, he said. They would question everybody as to why do they go for prayer. They used to ask us if we had been given money or other allurement to attend the meetings, or were we forced to do so. So all of us clarified that nobody asks us to come to church. We all go to church of our own will, and we go there for the Lord. The family, which regularly holds Christian gatherings in their home, converted to Christianity two years ago after being delivered from an evil spirit, and the victim and his brother are active in the church and conduct daily prayer gatherings. Christians make up about 2.5% of Indias population, while Hindus comprise 79.5%. India ranks as the 10th worst country globally when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA's 2021 World Watch List. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged the U.S. State Department to label India as a country of particular concern for engaging in or tolerating severe religious freedom violations. Open Doors USA warns that since the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party took power in 2014, persecution against Christians and other religious minorities has increased. The group reports that Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences. Hindu extremists believe that all Indians should be Hindus and that the country should be rid of Christianity and Islam, an Open Doors fact sheet on India explains. They use extensive violence to achieve this goal, particularly targeting Christians from a Hindu background. Christians are accused of following a 'foreign faith' and blamed for bad luck in their communities. Christian boy severely injured in acid attack dies after 46 days in hospital Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A 16-year-old Christian boy from Indias Bihar state, who suffered burns to 65% of his body in an acid attack by suspected Hindu nationalists last month, succumbed to his wounds in the hospital this week. Nitish Kumar died at Apollo Hospital in Patna city on Sunday, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern reported Friday. The doctors have tried every possible way to revive Nitish, a local pastor, who helped the family, was quoted as saying. Every alternative day, the doctors gave one unit of blood and had regular dressing changed on almost the entire body. We hoped that he would bounce back to life, but we know God has His way and time. After Nitish Kumar was attacked, the family said Hindu nationalists were behind it because the boy was a leader in a local church and the area they live in had anti-Christian sentiments. The boy was attacked with acid after he left his house in a village to go to the market in the early morning on Aug. 11. Drenched, Nitish Kumar initially thought they had mischievously thrown water on him, the victim was quoted as saying. But soon, my skin began to burn. The burning sensation increased with every passing second. I dropped the basket and ran toward my house [820 yards away] screaming and howling. The attackers' motorbike did not stop, and in his pain he couldnt see its license plate, he added. The acid burned 65% of his body, with 15% being deep burns, Sushma Sharma, a hospital volunteer treating the teen's wounds, was quoted as saying. The victims 17-year-old brother, Sanjeet Kumar, previously said: A month before the attack, some extremists spread word in the village that they would expel all the people who follow the Christian faith from the village. We also heard about it, but it did not deter us from our faith. And suddenly this attack took place. In December, Hindu extremists blocked the roads going to Sunday services and questioned Christians, he said. They would question everybody as to why do they go for prayer. They used to ask us if we had been given money or other allurement to attend the meetings or were we forced to do so. So all of us clarified that nobody asks us to come to church. We all go to church of our own will, and we go there for the Lord. The family, which regularly holds Christian gatherings in their home, converted to Christianity two years ago after being delivered from an evil spirit, and the victim and his brother were active in the church and participated in daily prayer gatherings. Christians make up about 2.5% of Indias population, while Hindus comprise 79.5%. India ranks as the 10th worst country globally when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA's 2021 World Watch List. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged the U.S. State Department to label India as a country of particular concern for engaging in or tolerating severe religious freedom violations. Open Doors USA warns that since the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party took power in 2014, persecution against Christians and other religious minorities has increased. The group reports that Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences. Hindu mob brutally attacks pastor summoned to police station over claims of 'false' conversions Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Christian pastor summoned to a police station in Indias Chhattisgarh state was brutally beaten by a mob of 50 Hindu nationalists who were waiting for his arrival. The mob falsely accused Pastor Ankush Bariaya of converting Hindus illegally and began beating the pastor with shoes and fists inside the Purani Basti Police Station in the state capital of Raipur, U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said in a statement on Saturday. A witness at the scene was quoted as saying that the attack seemed to be "well planned." "I think the police knew about the attack before it took place. It is sad that Christians are not safe even inside the police station, the witness, believed to be one of the two pastors who accompanied Bariayar, added. The pastor who was attacked was quoted as saying: They told me to my face that they would kill me. I thought I was safe, being with the police in their premises, but I was wrong. In the beginning, the police did not do anything to protect me from the attack. After they hit me with the shoe and punched me in my face, the police then tried to stop them from beating me. Police registered a case against only seven of the people who were part of the mob, but then identified and arrested only two of them. Dont we have the right to go to the police station and talk to the police? Dr. Arun Pannalal, president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, asked when speaking to journalists. Why didnt the police stop the attackers and protect Pastor Bariayar? He continued: We have the right to choose any religion and propagate that religion. The government must take the strictest action against the attackers who brazenly attacked the pastor. This needs to be taken to the highest level of law and order in the state. The attack indicates the impunity enjoyed by many radical Hindu nationalists, William Stark, ICCs regional manager for South Asia, said. This is a symptom of a larger problem in India," he added. "Religious intolerance and religiously motivated violence have become so normalized that attacks on Christians in the presence of police, outside the station, have come to be expected. The only thing that has shocked Christians here is the location of the attack and not the attack itself. Christians make up about 2.5% of Indias population, while Hindus comprise 79.5%. India ranks as the 10th worst country globally when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2021 World Watch List. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged the U.S. State Department to label India as a country of particular concern for engaging in or tolerating severe religious freedom violations. Open Doors USA warns that since the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party took power in 2014, persecution against Christians and other religious minorities has increased. The group reports that Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences. Hindu extremists believe that all Indians should be Hindus and that the country should be rid of Christianity and Islam, an Open Doors fact sheet on India explains. They use extensive violence to achieve this goal, particularly targeting Christians from a Hindu background. Christians are accused of following a foreign faith and blamed for bad luck in their communities. Several Indian states, including Chhattisgarh, have anti-conversion laws, which presume that Christian workers force or give financial benefits to Hindus to convert them to Christianity. While the anti-conversion laws have been in place for decades in some states, no Christian has been convicted of forcibly converting anyone to Christianity. These laws, however, allow Hindu nationalist groups to make false charges against Christians and launch attacks on them under the pretext of the alleged forced conversion. Some of these laws state that no one is allowed to use the threat of divine displeasure, meaning Christians cannot talk about Heaven or Hell, as that would be seen as forcing someone to convert. And if snacks or meals are served to Hindus after an evangelistic meeting, that could be seen as inducement. Pat Robertson steps down from 'The 700 Club' to focus on teaching at Regent University Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment One of America's longest-standing television hosts, televangelist Pat Robertson is stepping down as the host of the Christian Broadcasting Network's "The 700 Club." In an announcement Friday, the 60th anniversary of the first live CBN broadcast, the 91-year-old founder of the network said he will focus his efforts teaching students at Regent University, the evangelical university he founded in 1977. Robertson is widely known as a political commentator, former Republican presidential candidate and former Southern Baptist minister. Robertson announced that his son, Gordon Robertson, who has served as co-host of "The 700 Club"for the past 24 years, will become the full-time host of the news-based program that has been around since 1966. "Today's show will be my final, as host," Robertson declared. "My replacement will be my very capable son." "'Good and faithful' doesn't even begin to describe my father's service to C.B.N. for 60 years," Gordon Robertson, who has two decades of experience as executive producer for "The 700 Club," said in a statement. Despite no longer being the host, the elder Robertson will not put "The 700 Club" entirely behind him. He plans to make occasional appearances starting in October 2021. Every month, Robertson will be featured in interactive episodes to answer viewer emails. Additionally, he will occasionally serve as a senior consultant on international news affairs for the program. CBN has studios in Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Jerusalem and broadcasts reach 174 countries and territories in 70 languages and dialects. "The 700 Club" has premiered various interviews with numerous world leaders, cultural influencers, religious leaders and celebrities. Over the years, Robertson has interviewed U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, George W. Bush and Donald Trump. To commemorate its 60th anniversary, CBN released a nearly two-hour documentary narrated by Kevin Sorbo showing the network's transformation and global impact through the years. Robertson said he will now focus on "serving, training and equipping" the 11,000-plus students at Regent University. "His legacy and the example of his prayer life will continue to lead The 700 Club in the years to come," his son said. "And the best part is, he is just going across the street to Regent University and will be on The 700 Club regularly in the future." According to Regent University's website, the 70-acre campus in Virginia offers associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from a Christian perspective in more than 150 areas of study. Regent University placed as one of the top colleges in Virginia on different occasions. The school is also ranked among top national universities by the U.S. News & World Report for two consecutive years: 2019 and 2020. Thoughts after losing our senior pastor to COVID Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Editor's Note: This is part one of a 3-part series about COVID-19 and its vaccine. You can read part 2 here. Only weeks ago, at Covenant Church in Texas, we lost our Senior pastor Ricky Texada to COVID-19. This pandemic is hitting close to home among people who are strong believers and integral to the church. Today, our nation continues to be in a critical situation with COVID-19. Last year, more than 300,000 people in the U.S. died of COVID the number three cause of death. People say, Oh, its like the flu. No, the influenza virus on average kills about 20 to 50,000 people a year, so this is far more than that. This present crisis has tested our nation, especially Christians. Scientific knowledge about this novel coronavirus has evolved over the past year, and there are still many unknowns. That void of knowledge has made way for fear including doubts about medical scienceto direct some peoples outlook. Pew Research recently reported that evangelical Christians are among the least likely to say they have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Because many scientists are not people of faith, certain doubts seem reasonable. Some believers feel that science is attacking faith, but we dont see it that way. When guided by a moral compass, we see science and faith working hand in hand. As a pastor (Mike Hayes) who has founded a Bible-believing church that has planted dozens of other churches, and a medical doctor (Tim Shepherd) who has since 1981 served thousands of patients in North Texas, we have come to this collective conclusion: All humans are born into a war zone. In this world, there are lots of ways to be hurt and lots of ways to die. We believe God sends us into this world to be agents of redemption. Before the time that we return to Heaven, were soldiers redeeming the time. Every day, we have the opportunity to battle for redemption and peoples lives to be agents of help and healing. We all have to make our own best decisions. People should have the right to choose. Where there are fears and doubts about this COVID vaccine, the way of wisdom is to find an experienced medical professional who can discuss with you about facts. After now four waves of COVID-19 across America, the loss of life has been significant. Weve all dealt with trauma, and front-line medical workers are coping with severe burnout. No one knows exactly how this is going to play out. We anticipate thatthanks in part to effective COVID vaccineswe will start to see this virus decline as an ever-present top threat. During this crisis, weve also seen a resilient church. For over a year, many believers couldnt attend in-person worship services. Many of them have lost family or loved ones to this virus, and have been afraid of the lasting impacts of this pandemic. Yet millions have supported their churches and lived out their faith in practical ways. Truly, our ultimate hope is in Jesus. Sometimes the darkest times may be the churchs brightest hour. Clergy won't be forced to perform gay weddings if UMC changes its stance, pastors panel says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment United Methodist clergy who oppose same-sex marriage won't be required to officiate gay wedding ceremonies if the denomination changes its stance on LGBT issues, according to a clergy panel. The Church of the Resurrection, a UMC megachurch based in Kansas and headed by the Rev. Adam Hamilton, held a clergy panel at its Leadership Institute event on Thursday evening. Hamilton, who's theological progressive and wants the UMC to change its biblically-based opposition to homosexuality that's cited in its Book of Discipline, moderated a church leaders panel to discuss the hotly debated issue within the mainline Protestant denomination. He asked the panel if they believed that all pastors should be required to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies, should the UMC remove its official opposition to gay marriage. Stan Copeland, the senior pastor of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church of Dallas, Texas, remarked that right now, pastors can already refuse to perform any wedding under their own convictions. I think, going forward, that that should be the same way in approaching same-sex marriages, said Copeland. It should be a prerogative of the pastor. Michael Bowie, national director of the group Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century, said that right now, a pastor should not have to be forced to perform a same-sex marriage. I believe, as Stan said, that its based on conviction. Right now, according to the Book of Discipline, we cant do it, said Bowie. I think its all about context, right now. Hamilton asked Bowie if the right now meant that he would be open to compelling pastors to perform same-sex weddings sometime in the future, possibly after the UMC changes its stance. Speaking for me, right now, I support same-sex gender relationships, Bowie responded. Right now, I am not convicted to do a same-sex marriage. Katie Dawson, the pastor of Immanuel United Methodist Church of Des Moines, Iowa, said, we dont force any pastor to marry anybody currently. Ive done weddings for folks and their pastors said no, I wont do your wedding, she added. We dont require pastors to do any of these weddings, and I dont think that would change. I would love to be in a church where everyone would want to, but I cant make anyone do anything. I can choose what I do. Hamilton had the audience vote on the issue using their phones. Shortly thereafter, as votes were coming in, Hamilton pulled up a graphic that showed around 90% of the attendees said pastors should be allowed to officiate gay weddings, but not be required to. The panel and Hamilton also denounced what they described as the fear-mongering often found in the homosexuality debate, taking issue with claims from both liberals and conservatives. Copeland rejected the claim by some that progressives were trying to have the UMC abandon fundamentals of the faith, such as belief in the resurrection or the Holy Trinity. Every time I hear that accusation, it causes me to wonder who folks are talking to, said Copeland, adding: Ive heard other criticism that is just as unfair about the traditionalists. Were not going to change our tenets of faith, said Bowie. I believe there has been a lot of fearmongering, a lot of misinformation thats been projected on this movement that has created a lot of division. Tom Berlin, author and senior pastor at Floris United Methodist Church of Herndon, Virginia, added that he often meets with progressives in the UMC, and he doesn't hear this conversation anywhere I go. Berlin also took issue with the claims of some progressives that UMC traditionalists plan to end female ordination if they found a new denomination, stating, I dont know any traditional people I know who would take away the ordination of women. The panel was part of a multiday gathering at the Church of the Resurrection known as the Leadership Institute. Other speakers at the event included Jasmine Smothers, lead pastor of First United Methodist Church of Atlanta, Georgia; Bob Goff, an attorney and bestselling author; Savannah Kimberlin, director of research solutions at Barna Group; and Kevin Murriel, senior pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the past several years, the UMC has been embroiled in a debate over its Book of Discipline, which labels homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching and prohibits clergy from officiating same-sex marriages. Although the UMC General Conference has repeatedly voted down efforts to change the language, large numbers of progressives in the UMC have openly resisted the denomination's official stance. In January 2020, a theologically diverse group of church leaders expressed support for a document titled Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation. The goal of the protocol was to finally end the theological debate between conservatives and progressives by giving conservative churches opposed to changing the UMC Book of Discipline an easier means of leaving the denomination. If approved, the protocol would allocate $25 million for theologically conservative Methodists to create their own denomination. It would also allow congregations and conferences to vote on whether to join the new denomination. Earlier this year, a group of UMC conservatives announced plans to form the Global Methodist Church as that new denomination, holding off further implementation pending approval of the protocol. Legislation aimed at approving the protocol measures are scheduled to be voted at the next UMC General Conference, presently scheduled for 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Originally, the global church legislative meeting was to take place in May 2020. However, the coronavirus pandemic prompted the UMC to postpone the gathering. Some Christian medical workers reject NY gov.'s claim vaccine is Gods answer to prayer Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment As thousands of healthcare professionals in New York state rushed to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate that went into effect Monday, 17 Christian professionals who filed a lawsuit seeking religious exemptions earlier this month stood firm in their convictions even under threat of losing their jobs. The mandate requires that more than 600,000 workers in public and private hospitals and nursing homes were to receive their first dose of the vaccine by midnight Monday to continue working on Tuesday. Religious liberty advocate group Thomas More Society is representing over a dozen workers, including Baptists and Catholics. In the lawsuit, the group argues New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is also Catholic, is disrespecting and bullying medical workers with sincerely held religious beliefs against the COVID-19 vaccine. "New York's Governor Hochul is using every strong-arm tactic she can to attempt to coerce employees into taking vaccines against their will," Thomas More Society Special Counsel Christopher Ferrara said in a statement Monday. "She is also demonstrating disrespect, at a minimum, if not outright hostility to the deeply held religious convictions of our clients as well as thousands of others. We have solid grounds for prevailing on our motion for a preliminary injunction." Ferrara contends that Hochul is trying to "coerce as many as possible into taking the vaccine before the court rules." "And now she threatens to declare a state of emergency she herself has created by calling for the firing of dedicated front line health care workers who treated patients for 18 months without being vaccinated often contracting COVID, recovering, and returning to front line medical care are now being depicted as disease-carrying villains," the lawyer said. "This is not science. This is demagoguery." On Sept. 14, U.S. District Judge David Hurd issued an order to temporarily prevent New York's health department from rejecting employer-approved religious exemptions to the vaccine mandate. The order was extended on Sept. 20 and will last until Oct. 12. According to the legal group, Hurd canceled a hearing scheduled for Tuesday and will deliver a decision by Oct. 12. Plaintiffs argue that the state's mandate, which allows a medical exemption, should also consider religious exemption requests. "The seventeen plaintiffs in this action practicing doctors, M.D.s fulfilling their residency requirement, nurses, a nuclear medicine technologist, a cognitive rehabilitation therapist and a physician's liaison are united in their conscientious religious objection as Christians to being inoculated at all, much less 'continuously,' with any of the available COVID-19 vaccines because they all employ fetal cell lines derived from procured abortion in testing, development or production of the vaccines," said the lawsuit filed by Thomas More Society. The Christian workers oppose abortion under any circumstances because they "believe that abortion is the intrinsically evil killing of an innocent." Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, has not objected to the COVID-19 vaccines and has even urged adherents to take it. High-profile Protestant leaders such as Pastor Robert Jeffress, leader of the 12,000-member First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, also noted that there "there is no credible religious argument against" COVID-19 vaccines. "Christians who are troubled by the use of a fetal cell line for the testing of the vaccines would also have to abstain from the use of Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Ibuprofen, and other products that used the same cell line if they are sincere in their objection," Jeffress argued. Hochul cited religious leaders' support for the vaccine in her fight against allowing religious exemptions to the vaccine mandate. "I'm not aware of a sanctioned religious exemption from any organized religion, in fact, they are encouraging the opposite," she argued this month. "Everybody from the Pope on down is encouraging people to get vaccinated." On Sunday, in an appearance at the Brooklyn-based Christian Cultural Center, Hochul told congregants that vaccines against COVID-19 are God's answer to "our prayers." She urged them to become her apostles by encouraging others to get their shots. "We are not through this pandemic. I wished we were, but I prayed a lot to God during this time, and you know what, God did answer our prayers. He made the smartest men and women the scientists, the doctors, the researchers. He made them come up with a vaccine. That is from God to us, and we must say, 'Thank you, God. Thank you,'" Hochul said. "I need you to be my apostles. I need you to go out and talk about it and say, we owe this to each other. We love each other. Jesus taught us to love one another. How do you show that love but to care about each other enough to say, please get the vaccine because I love you, and I want you to live. I want our kids to be safe when they're in schools. I want to be safe when you go to a doctor's office or to a hospital and are treated by somebody. You don't want to get the virus from them. You're already sick or you wouldn't be there," she pleaded. The medical workers seeking religious exemption in New York, however, disagree. "They do not accept the opinion expressed by certain other Catholic bishops, the Pope included that there is a therapeutically proportional reason to resort to abortion-connected vaccines which can justify 'remote' cooperation in abortion," the lawsuit argues. "They reject as a matter of religious conviction any medical cooperation in abortion, no matter how 'remote.'" "They believe in the primacy of conscience in this matter," the legal document adds. "While one may personally conclude that recourse to abortion-connected vaccines can be justified in his or her case, vaccination is not morally obligatory and must be voluntary, and those who in conscience refuse vaccination need only take other protective measures to avoid spreading the virus." The lawsuit further notes that the medical workers were not alone in rejecting the vaccine in the religious community. "They agree with the teaching of spiritual leaders, including certain Catholic bishops, who urge Christians to refuse said vaccines to avoid cooperation in abortion and to bear witness against it without compromise, and who defend the right to a religious exemption from vaccination with such vaccines," it said. The Christian medical workers whose identities are protected in court papers made it clear in their lawsuit that they are not "anti-vaxxers" who oppose all vaccines, but "believe as a matter of religious conviction that the ensouled human person, made in the image and likeness of God, is inviolable as a temple of the Holy Ghost." They also pointed to the potential side effects of the vaccines and "their fading efficacy, requiring 'booster shots,' their evident inability to prevent transmission or infection, and the fact that natural immunity is likely more protective than injections with the available COVID-19 vaccines." "These medical facts inform Plaintiffs' religious conviction against involuntary or coerced vaccination as an invasion of bodily autonomy contrary to their religious beliefs," the plaintiffs argued. "Given that the Vaccine Mandate requires that employers ensure that employees are 'continuously' 'fully vaccinated' as many times as the government advises Plaintiffs now reasonably fear that 'booster shots' of the same vaccines they consider immoral will soon be demanded by the government as a condition of employment and even normal life in society, as is already the case with the original vaccines." Medical journal editor apologizes for cover labeling women as 'bodies with vaginas' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The lead editor of the British medical journal The Lancet has issued an apology following outrage over a recent journal cover that labeled women "bodies with vaginas." For its Sept. 25 edition, the weekly peer-reviewed journal featured a quote on the front cover from a perspective piece that said, "the anatomy and physiology of bodies with vaginas have been neglected." The cover quote garnered outrage from many who, among other objections, viewed the choice of words as erasing women and bowing to transgender ideology. Richard Horton, editor-in-chief at The Lancet, issued a formal apology, saying that "we have conveyed the impression that we have dehumanised and marginalised women." "I apologise to our readers who were offended by the cover quote and the use of those same words in the review," stated Horton. "At the same time, I want to emphasise that transgender health is an important dimension of modern health care, but one that remains neglected." Horton went on to explain that the review quoted on the cover "is a compelling call to empower women, together with non-binary, trans, and intersex people who have experienced menstruation, and to address the myths and taboos that surround menstruation." "The review calls for greater efforts to overcome the lack of knowledge and stigma too often associated with menstruation," he continued. "These are serious issues that demand serious actions. We encourage people to read the full review and support a growing movement against menstrual shame and period poverty." Critics of The Lancet's cover quote included retired psychiatrist David Curtis, who took to Twitter to denounce the "bodies with vaginas" quote in a series of posts. "It's really difficult to imagine why any medical researcher would want to submit their paper to a Lancet journal when they are happy to refer to women on their front cover with language which would be considered inappropriate even in a red light district," tweeted Curtis. Claire Heuchan, a black feminist writer, also took to social media to criticize The Lancet cover quote, labeling it sexist and hypocritical. She contends that The Lancet has not referred to "bodies with penises." "This framing makes it sound like a coincidence that 'bodies with vaginas' have been neglected by medicine, as if it were not the product of a discrimination and oppression specific to the female sex," tweeted Heuchan. "Medical misogyny is exists - and refusing to acknowledge women perpetuates it." "Why is it that [The Lancet] acknowledge the specifics of male biology, and do so without dehumanising men as 'bodies with prostates', when they're out here talking about 'bodies with vaginas'? Why are men treated with dignity while 'women' is made unsayable? This is female erasure." In the United States, Harvard Medical School received pushback after it called women "birthing people" when promoting a panel discussion about "Maternal Justice" to be more inclusive nonbinary or trans-identified individuals. In June, the Biden administration was criticized for "bias-free language" policies that eliminate the use of gendered terms like "mother" and singular pronouns like "he" or "her." Critics pointed out that the administration's 2022 budget proposal erases the word "mother" and replaces it with the term "birthing people." UK university approves priest for chaplaincy after rejecting him over tweets on abortion, euthanasia Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An institution of higher education in England has agreed to recognize a Catholic priest as a chaplain after declining to do so due to his tweets about abortion and euthanasia. Fr. David Palmer of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham posted a statement from the University of Nottingham on Twitter Saturday, indicating that the institution had "introduced a revised procedure for the recognition of chaplains of all faiths who are nominated to work in the university Chaplaincy." The new policy essentially involves a new chaplain going through a one-year trial period to determine if "the role is right for both the individual and the multi-faith environment in Nottingham." "Following constructive and helpful dialogue with the Diocese of Nottingham over recent weeks, it has been agreed that Father David Palmer will be recognised under this procedure as university chaplain for the Catholic faith," the letter stated. Palmer responded to the news by proclaiming that he looks forward to "getting on with the job." Nottingham University have released a statement with the agreement of the Diocese of Nottingham. I look forward to getting on with the job, starting with Mass tomorrow morning. pic.twitter.com/WOZaHmBaGW Fr David Palmer (@FrDavidPalmer) September 25, 2021 Palmer announced on Aug. 9 that the bishop of Nottingham asked him to be a chaplain to university students. Two weeks later, he reported that the University of Nottingham would not "officially" recognize him as a chaplain because of his belief that "assisted dying is killing the vulnerable." He noted that his position on euthanasia aligns with the Catholic Church's teaching on the matter. "They objected to my Twitter account," he added. "When I asked which tweets they considered 'problematic' they mentioned two one where I had referred to 'assisted dying' as a plan to 'allow the NHS to kill the vulnerable' I was told that this language was not appropriate." According to Palmer, the university also expressed concern about one of his tweets calling abortion the "slaughter of babies." He stressed that he "refused to back down and defended both tweets as reflecting Catholic belief." "The abortion tweet was specifically referring to Joe Biden policies on abortion and his receiving of holy communion regardless," Palmer explained. On Sept. 9, a group of former lay chaplains at the University of Nottingham wrote a letter to the school's vice-chancellor urging the college to reconsider its refusal to recognize Palmer as a chaplain. The abortion tweet was specifically referring to Joe Biden policies on abortion and his receiving of holy communion regardless. Fr David Palmer (@FrDavidPalmer) August 24, 2021 "Fr. Palmer's views on the sanctity of life from the moment of conception until natural death are views we too share," they wrote. "We took the same stance whilst recognised by you as Catholic Lay Chaplains and believe Fr. David's views and language are within the lexicon of mainstream Catholicism. These are fundamental views of the Church, found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and articulated in far more robust terms than Fr. Palmer's by popes and saints down through the ages." Alleging that the refusal to recognize Palmer creates "the appearance of the deliberate targeting of a religious minority," they shared their belief that "strong articulation of the position of the Church on moral issues in no way negates the ability to offer pastoral support to individuals in their unique moments of need." "Catholic belief firmly expressed on topical issues currently the focus of national and international debate cannot be a litmus test for a lack of pastoral sensitivity," the former chaplains concluded. As part of the statement announcing Palmer's appointment, Registrar Paul Greatrix vowed to "fully respect and safeguard our community's freedom of speech and our chaplains' expressions of the tenets of their faith." The @UniofNottingham claim that Catholic Chaplaincy remains unchanged as the current chaplain would remain, (statement to BBC), referring to the Catholic, assistant, Lay Chaplain. A group of former UoN Lay Chaplains wrote to @ShearerWest to highlight how lacking this truly is pic.twitter.com/S9JXzXlDMq Fr Jonathan Whitby-Smith (@FrJWhitbySmith) September 13, 2021 In a separate tweet, Palmer expressed gratitude to the "lots of people" who "helped us behind the scenes." He specifically thanked Alliance Defending Freedom International and the Free Speech Union for providing "invaluable" legal advice. The initial refusal to recognize Palmer as a Catholic chaplain is not the first time the University of Nottingham has faced accusations of expressing hostility toward those who hold pro-life beliefs. In 2020, midwifery student Julia Rynkiewicz was suspended from her hospital placement due to her involvement with the pro-life Students for Life Society. After a four-month suspension and a "fitness-to-practice investigation," the University of Nottingham apologized to Rynkiewicz for suspending her and paid her an undisclosed settlement. ANCHORAGE, Alaska Alaska on Saturday activated emergency crisis protocols that allow 20 health care facilities to ration care if needed as the state recorded the nations worst COVID-19 diagnosis rates in the U.S. in recent days, straining its limited health care system. The declaration covers three facilities that had already declared emergency protocol, including the states largest hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Among the factors that led the state to activate the crisis of care standards include scarce medical resources within some facilities, limited staff and difficulty transferring patients to other facilities because of limited bed availability. Other factors included limited renal replacement therapy and oxygen supplies. According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, one person in every 84 in Alaska was diagnosed with COVID-19 from Sept. 22 to 29. The next highest rate was one in every 164 people in West Virginia. Statewide, 60% of eligible Alaskans are fully vaccinated. ___ MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: COVID-19 deaths eclipse 700,000 in US as delta variant rages Russia: Antibody tests for COVID-19 remain popular, factor in low vaccine rate Far-right protesters in Romania reject virus restrictions California to require COVID-19 vaccines for schoolchildren ___ See all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: ATLANTA Four parents are suing the Cobb County school district on behalf of their children, saying the failure of Georgias second-largest school district to require masks means their students cannot safely attend in-person classes because of their disabilities. The suit was filed Friday in federal court in Atlanta. It says the 107,000-student suburban Atlanta district is violating federal law governing how students with disabilities are treated in public schools. The lawsuit asks a judge to order the district to follow CDC guidelines on masks and other issues. The district has defended its stance amid repeated protests. Rather than using the known and available tools to mitigate the threat of COVID-19 and protect plaintiffs access to school services, programs, and activities, the district has acted with deliberate indifference to plaintiffs rights to inclusion, health, and education, the complaint alleges. The lawsuit asks that U.S. District Judge Timothy Batten Sr. order the district to follow CDC guidelines, including not only on masks but on issues like ventilation, physical distancing and contact tracing. Whether to require masks in Cobb schools has been the focus of protest for months. Like many in Georgia, Cobb lifted its mask order at the end of last year. Many districts reimposed mask orders as school began this August, because of the rapid spread of the delta variant of COVID-19. Cobb, though, dug in saying that masks would only be strongly recommended. ___ LAS CRUCES, N.M. New Mexico State University says less than a third of its students submitted proof of vaccination for COVID-19 by a Thursday deadline to otherwise undergo weekly testing or leave the university. While 72.3% of the universitys employees provided proof of vaccination, only 30% of students did, officials said Friday. Its not clear how many students who didnt submit proof of vaccination by the deadline plan to submit weekly test results, officials said. Were not where we want to be with our vaccinated students, said Jon Webster, the schools COVID-19 project manager. We want to make sure were protecting all of our students. Failure to submit vaccination information or weekly test results can result in student suspension or staff termination, officials said. Students can get vaccinated at any point in the semester and cease the weekly required testing once achieving full vaccination, Webster said. He said the university was continuing to reach out to students through text message, email, social media and other channels. Several students said Friday they were unaware of the mandates details, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden mourned the painful milestone of 700,000 American deaths from COVID-19, a day after the U.S. surpassed that mark on Friday. The president says in a statement the astonishing death toll is yet another reminder of just how important it is to get vaccinated. He says the nation has made extraordinary progress in the fight against the coronavirus in the past eight months because of vaccines. Biden says thanks to vaccines, hundreds of thousands of families have been spared the unbearable loss that too many Americans have already endured during this pandemic. He notes more than three-quarters of all Americans age 12 and up have received at least one vaccine dose, including nearly 94% of all seniors. Biden says: If you havent already, please get vaccinated. It can save your life and the lives of those you love. It will help us beat COVID-19 and move forward, together, as one nation. ___ RENO, Nev. -- Employees at all public universities and colleges in Nevada are required to get COVID-19 vaccinations by Dec. 1 or face potential termination. All new hires must prove their vaccination status under the new policy. Meanwhile, coronavirus case trends are improving in urban areas but have worsened in most rural parts of the state where vaccination rates are the lowest. The Desert Research Institute has the highest vaccination rate at 87% followed by the University of Nevada Reno at 82%. UNLV reported 75%. Rural Elko-based Great Basin College had the worst rate at 66%. On Wednesday, about 64% of all state employees had been fully vaccinated, in accordance with Gov. Steve Sisolaks order in July that required shots or proof of negative coronavirus tests, says DuAne Young, the governors policy director. Nearly 65% of residents age 12 and older have one vaccination and 56% are fully vaccinated, according to state data. ___ SALT LAKE CITY The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints thanked members who have followed church guidance, which has been to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Church President Russell M. Nelson spoke Saturday at a conference taking place again without full attendance due to the pandemic. For the first time in two years, leaders were back at the faiths 20,000-seat conference center, with several hundred people watching in person and others on television. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square returned to the conference. The Utah-based faith has repeatedly encouraged its 16 million members worldwide to limit the spread by getting vaccines and wearing masks. Last week, church officials announced masks will be required inside temples to limit the spread of the virus. Utah experienced a summer surge among unvaccinated residents, causing hospital ICUs to reach near capacity in early September. Data from the Utah Health Department showed in late September that state residents who are unvaccinated are nearly six times more likely to die from COVID-19 and seven times more likely to be hospitalized than those who are vaccinated. About 64% of Utah residents ages 12 and older were fully vaccinated. ___ BUCHAREST, Romania More than 5,000 far-right protesters have gathered in Romanias capital of Bucharest to reject new pandemic measures following a surge of coronavirus infections. Daily infections in the nation of 19 million have skyrocketed from approximately 1,000 cases a day a month ago to a record 12,590 new cases on Saturday. That was Romanias highest daily number of infections since the start of the pandemic. The increase is putting hospitals under pressure as intensive care units reach their capacity. The mostly mask-less marchers blocked traffic, honked horns and chanted Freedom! ___ PHOENIX Arizona reported nearly 100 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, a day after the states pandemic death toll passed 20,000. The state coronavirus dashboard reported 95 deaths and 2,942 confirmed cases, increasing Arizonas pandemic totals to 20,134 confirmed deaths and 1.1 million cases. Arizonas seven-day rolling average of daily deaths rose by a third in the past two weeks, increasing from 33 on Sept. 16 to 43 on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The rolling average of daily new cases declined during the same period, dropping from 2,742 to 2,621. The state also reported the number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds increased slightly to 1,798 on Friday. ___ JACKSON, Miss. The leader of a Mississippi pediatricians organization is urging school districts to keep mask mandates in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Anita Henderson of Hattiesburg is president of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She says about 30% of youths ages 12 to 17 in the state are vaccinated, and now is not the time to let our guard down. Mississippi has reported nine pediatric deaths from COVID-19. Some school districts are repealing mask mandates. Among them are the Madison County and Rankin County districts in central Mississippi and the Ocean Springs district on the Gulf Coast. Mississippi had a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations starting in July. Numbers have slowly decreased in recent weeks. However, Mississippi is among the lowest vaccinated states in the nation. ___ TOPEKA, Kan. Data from the Kansas state health department shows mostly rural counties have youth coronavirus vaccination rates far below the national average. A school pandemic workgroup received data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment this week showing in about a quarter of the states counties, less than 20% of vaccine-eligible children ages 12 to 17 had received at least one dose as of Sept. 24. Most of the low-vaccine counties are in western Kansas or other rural areas. U.S. regulators in May expanded the use of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12. The national vaccination rate for youth is 57%, according to a presentation by Marci Nielsen, a special adviser to Kelly. ___ NEW YORK Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied an emergency appeal from a group of teachers to block New York Citys COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public school teachers and other staff from going into effect. Sotomayor ruled on Friday, after the teachers filed for the injunction with her on Thursday to keep the mandate from going into effect. Under the mandate, the roughly 148,000 school employees had until 5 p.m. Friday to get at least their first vaccine shot. Those who didnt face suspension without pay when schools open on Monday. An original deadline this week was delayed after a legal challenge, but a federal appeals panel said New York City could go ahead with the mandate in the nations largest school district. In August, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett also denied an emergency appeal from students at Indiana University to block that institutions vaccine mandate. ___ WARSAW, Poland A gala concert on Saturday will open the 18th edition of the prestigious Frederic Chopin international piano competition that was postponed by a full year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Oct. 2-23 competition was scheduled for the fall of 2020, but authorities put off the popular event, expecting the coronavirus and social distancing would prevent the usual crowds from attending. The 87 participants from around the world begin Sunday with the performance of Xuanyi Mao from China. The winner gets a gold medal and a prize of 40,000 euros ($45,000) and prestigious recording and concert contracts. ___ The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 has eclipsed 700,000, with 100,000 people dying in the past three months when vaccines were available to any American over age 12. The milestone reached late Friday is deeply frustrating to doctors, nurses and public health officials and Americans who watched a pandemic that had been easing earlier in the summer take a dark turn. Tens of millions of people in the U.S. have refused to get vaccinated, allowing the highly contagious delta variant to tear through the country and send the death toll from 600,000 to 700,000 in 3 1/2 months. Florida suffered by far the most deaths of any state during that period, with the virus killing about 17,000 residents since the middle of June. Texas was second with 13,000 deaths. The two states account for 15% of the countrys population, but more than 30% of the nations deaths since the nation crossed the 600,000 threshold. ___ MOSCOW Antibody tests to detect the proteins produced by the body to fight coronavirus infection are cheap, widely available and actively marketed in Russia. Yet Western health experts say the tests are unreliable for diagnosing the coronavirus or assessing immunity to it. When Russians talk about the coronavirus over dinner or in hair salons, the conversation often turns to antitela, the Russian word for antibodies. President Vladimir Putin referred to them while bragging to Turkeys leader about why he avoided infection even though dozens of people around him contracted the coronavirus. But the antibodies the popular tests look for can only serve as evidence of a past infection, and scientists say its still unclear what level of antibodies indicates protection from the virus and for how long.. In Russia, its common to get an antibody test and share the results. Their use appears to be a factor in the countrys low vaccination rate even as the country reports record daily deaths and rising infections. Both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend vaccination regardless of previous infection. ___ American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue are joining United Airlines in requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as the Biden administration steps up pressure on major U.S. carriers to require the shots. The airlines provide special flights, cargo hauling and other services for the government. The companies say that makes them government contractors who are covered by President Joe Bidens order directing contractors to require that employees be vaccinated. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told employees late Friday that the airline is still working on details, but it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines. The pilot union at American recently estimated that 4,200 or 30% of the airlines pilots are not vaccinated. Earlier, White House coronavirus adviser Jeffrey Zients talked to the CEOs of American, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines about vaccine mandates. ___ NEW YORK The Broadway hit Aladdin is trying to keep COVID-19 contained. Disney Theatrical Productions said it will cancel all shows until Oct. 12 after additional breakthrough COVID-19 cases were detected. The show reopened Tuesday following some 18 months of being shuttered due to the pandemic, but was forced to close Wednesday when breakthrough COVID-19 cases were reported within the musicals company. There was a Thursday performance before Fridays was canceled. It was the first Broadway COVID-19 cancellation since shows resumed with Bruce Springsteens concert returning in July and Pass Over as the first play to debut in August. So-called breakthrough infections are detected in vaccinated people and tend to be far less dangerous than those unvaccinated. In many ways, the temporary closure proves that the monitoring system is working. Aladdin opened on Broadway in March 2014 and has become one of its highest grossing shows. ___ HARTFORD, Conn. - A retired Connecticut physician and surgeon voluntarily surrendered her license to practice medicine on Friday after being accused of providing fraudulent medical exemption forms through the mail. Dr. Sue Mcintosh had her license suspended last week by the Connecticut Medical Examining Board during an emergency hearing. A full hearing on the merits of the case was scheduled for Oct. 5. State officials, who had received an anonymous complaint about the doctor, allege Mcintosh provided an unknown number of blank, signed forms exempting people from the COVID-19 and other vaccines, as well as mandatory mask-wearing and routine COVID testing to people who sent her a self-addressed envelope. Mcintosh, who hadnt treated the patients, signed a letter included in the packet of bogus forms with the phrase Let freedom ring! She didnt respond to a request for comment. Christopher Boyle, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, said officials are considering whether to refer the case to state and federal law enforcement agencies. ___ MINNEAPOLIS A decline in COVID-19 cases across the United States over the past several weeks has given overwhelmed hospitals some relief, but administrators are bracing for yet another possible surge as cold weather drives people indoors. Health experts say the fourth wave of the pandemic has peaked overall in the U.S., particularly in the Deep South, where hospitals were stretched to the limit weeks ago. But many Northern states are still struggling with rising cases, and whats ahead for winter is far less clear. Unknowns include how flu season may strain already depleted hospital staffs and whether those who have refused to get vaccinated will change their minds. An estimated 70 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated, providing kindling for the highly contagious delta variant. If youre not vaccinated or have protection from natural infection, this virus will find you, warned Mike Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Nationwide, the number of people now in the hospital with COVID-19 has fallen to somewhere around 75,000 from over 93,000 in early September. New cases are on the downswing at about 112,000 per day on average, a drop of about one-third over the past 2 1/2 weeks. Like a newly opened restaurant still streamlining its kitchen, the recently introduced COVID-19 vaccination policies for diners and food workers on four islands in Hawaii are earning decidedly mixed reviews. The mayors who created the new rules say they may change or eliminate them later this fall, if public health statistics improve. Restaurants are now dealing with a number of issues, ranging from having to hire more security to protect their staff from angry customers to a decline in sales. For now, its up to restaurateurs to turn around any one-star experiences, either their own or customers. In Maui County which also includes the islands of Lanai and Molokai a portion of the newest emergency health rules, nicknamed Safer Outside, requires all diners over the age of 12 to present proof of COVID vaccination if they wish to eat inside. Otherwise, they can only dine outside, use a drive-through or buy takeout. All employees involved in food and beverage service must be vaccinated or present weekly proof of a negative COVID test an option not available to diners. Mauis new rules reduced restaurant and bar occupancy to 50%. The city and county of Honolulu announced similar rules with Safe Access Oahu regulations; however, the Oahu program doesnt exempt outdoor dining, although it does permit diners 12 and older to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the past 48 hours for onsite seating. Some restaurants in the resort areas of South and West Maui had already seen a decline in business due to the typical September slowdown, exacerbated by Gov. David Iges Aug. 23 request that visitors postpone travel to Hawaii. Many visitors heeded that call, and the state saw a significant increase in cancellations, with more than 50,000 room cancellations in Maui County alone, the Washington Post reported. That decrease is felt in restaurants as well. Within a few days of the Safer Outside launch, restaurateurs in the residential areas of Central, East and Upcountry Maui saw downturns in sales of 25% to 50%, according to the Maui News. Our thought after two days of this mandate is that we find it really hard to operate under these conditions, Jayse Sato, chef-owner of Umi Sushi in Wailuku, wrote on his restaurants Facebook page. The vaxxed say they will come out and support small businesses but we havent seen that yet. We are not trying to start a debate or any arguments, we just need business to go back to normal. Several Maui restaurateurs responded by offering only takeout or outdoor dining. Alexa Caskey, co-owner of Moku Roots, a vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Lahaina, posted on its Facebook page: We will proudly offer outdoor dining to everyone and indoor dining to no one until we can offer that to everyone again. So put your vaxx cards away, I dont want to see it, I want to see your beautiful smiling healthy faces, not your medical history. While noting that she is not anti-vaccination, Caskey said on the Sept. 21 edition of Hawaii Public Radios The Conversation that she found the new policy unnecessarily burdensome on small businesses and would prefer the state reintroduce its pre-testing policy for all travelers who want to avoid quarantine. However, state and local authorities are unlikely to require more pre-testing for travelers, given that visitors continue to account for about 1% of new cases, while community spread is now thought to account for some 92% of cases per the state's COVID-19 dashboard. Maui County has the lowest vaccination rate in the state, with 61% of residents fully vaccinated, while Honolulu has the highest at 70%, according to the state Department of Health. "It didn't feel right to me to segregate different people based on their medical history, Caskey said. We were really lucky that we have so much outdoor seating, because we just took the stance that we're not going to deal with this. The airy design of beachfront restaurants in resort areas freed most from having to deal with checking guests vaccination status, too. Maui County considers dining to be outdoors if it has 50% or less non-continuous or non-adjacent impermeable walls. That means Huihui, Kaanapali Beach Hotels innovative Hawaiian-themed restaurant and ocean voyaging academy that debuted in late June, can serve diners under its roof. However, current capacity rules allow for only 130 of its 258 seats to be used, including bar seating, according to John White, the hotels director of sales and marketing. The 5,000-square-foot restaurant hopes to add patio seating gradually as staffing still in short supply throughout Hawaii allows. We havent changed any guest-facing operations. We continue to see decent activity with a slight downturn due to lower occupancy following Gov. Iges announcement on Sept. 23, White noted. On the employee side, most of our staff have already received the vaccine, but we had the remaining handful get vaccinated per the mayors mandate. Vaccination rates were also already high at Merrimans Hawaii, which has a destination restaurant on each of the states four largest islands. The company made headlines in mid-August, weeks before the Oahu and Maui rules were announced, when it became the first in Hawaiis hospitality industry to require workers to be vaccinated. We were about 35% unvaccinated and 30% of our staff used this as an initiative to go out and get vaccinated, said chef-owner Peter Merriman, noting that less than 5% of some 300 to 400 employees across the state had left the company over the new policy. Its not easy to find employees right now, but its a cost were willing to bear. Randy Jay Braun/Courtesy of Merriman's Hawaii The catalyst for Merrimans staff vaccination policy was creating the safest possible place for our employees to go to work every day and a model that enables us to continue to operate while the pandemic is still out there, Merriman said. The best model for us is vaccination. We had a plan to extend it to guests, but the counties of Honolulu and Maui did it for us. Despite Maui Countys exemption, the Merrimans in Kapalua now requires proof of vaccination, even for outdoor seating. Its the safest thing for our employees, Merriman said. When you go in a restaurant, you take off your mask and eat. For our waiters, we want to make it as safe as possible for them, so at least theyre waiting on vaccinated people. The new policies on Oahu and Maui have been going pretty well for T S Restaurants, which includes the Dukes brand among its 13 restaurants in California and Hawaii, according to Dylan Ching, vice president for operations on Oahu and Kauai. As of last week, only one of the companys approximately 1,000 employees on Oahu and Maui had quit over the vaccinate-or-test mandate, Ching said. The restaurants also received many responses to internal job postings for new, really well-compensated positions to check customers vaccination or test records, according to Ching. The first few days of enforcing the new rules were not without hiccups, though. Weve had some upset people and weve had to turn a few different people away. Weve had diplomatic exemptions and military exemptions. Every half-hour theres a new question, but weve been able to make our way through it, Ching said. A Plainview man who has been driving for Walmart for just more than three decades celebrated a significant milestone this week. Robert Biles joined an elite group of just 14 others across the company to reach 4 million miles of travel for the company. Joined by family members, colleagues and supervisors, Biles was treated to a special reception that included sweet treats, balloons and a $15,000 check on Wednesday. Four million safe miles is a significant milestone. Its no easy feat. Only 14 drivers company-wide have ever reached it (theres currently one known driver thats racked 5 million). That took him (Biles) 30 years, said Troy Valdivia, safety operations manager for Plainviews Walmart Distribution Center. To date, Plainviews DC location has had at least three truckers (including Biles) reach the 4 million safe mile mark. The company has celebrated every one and theyve each been featured in The Herald. Celebrated drivers include Dwight Watson, who reached the milestone in 2017 and John Hanna, who was celebrated in 2019. Biles, a West Texas native, said he reached 4 million miles back in May. When drivers reach this milestone, theyre given the option of a new truck or cash. During Wednesdays celebration, Biles posed for photos with a giant check. He got his start working for Plainviews Walmart Distribution Center location back in 1991. It was April 22, to be exact, he said. Prior to his hire with the corporation, hed been driving for a smaller company that had a relative handful of drivers compared to Walmarts fleet. Back then, he said, Walmart hired some outside carriers. A man he worked with was one. So we would come over here, Biles said. As Biles joined in to help pull Walmart freight, he got to know other company drivers and learned more about the pay and benefits packages offered by the corporation. He had a wife and two kids and besides the medical benefits, Walmart offered a retirement program that appealed to him. I decided it was a good place to go to work, he said. It paid more too. He started a 90-day training period in which he worked as part of a team of two running routes to Arizona, which was common for new drivers looking to jump in for an eventual independent route. He started running his own routes after his official hire and hes never looked back. Biles was born in Amherst and grew up in Springlake. His career experience began with hauling hay on a farm and some oil field work in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was living in Tulia when he switched over to Walmart. He later moved to Plainview where he still resides today. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) Alaska on Saturday activated emergency crisis protocols that allow 20 medical facilities to ration care if needed as the state recorded the nations worst COVID-19 diagnosis rates in recent days, straining the states limited health care system. The declaration covers three facilities that had already announced emergency protocols, including the states largest hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. The state's declaration also includes the other two hospitals in Anchorage and facilities across the nations largest but sparsely populated state. Todays action recognizes that Alaska has an interconnected and interdependent health care system, requiring the need for activation of the states decision-making framework. That framework includes a progression of conventional, contingency and crisis standards, the state health department said in a statement announcing the activation. I want to stress that our health care facilities in Alaska remain open and able to care for patients. Alaskans who need medical care should not delay seeking it, even during these difficult times, said Adam Crum, the states health commissioner. Factors that led the state to activate the crisis of care standards include scarce medical resources at some facilities, limited staff and difficulty transferring patients because of limited bed availability. Other factors include limited renal replacement therapy and oxygen supplies. According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, one in every 84 people in Alaska was diagnosed with COVID-19 from Sept. 22 to Sept. 29. The next highest rate was one in every 164 people in West Virginia. Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, which was covered by the states announcement, on Friday activated its own policy because of a shortage of beds, staff and monoclonal antibody treatments, along with the inability to transfer patients. The move to Crisis Standards of Care is not something we take lightly, Fairbanks Chief Medical Officer Dr. Angelique Ramirez said in a statement. This is in response to a very serious surge of COVID in our community. The move came the same day the state reported 1,044 new cases, 108 of them in the Fairbanks area. The hospital says 35% of its patients on Saturday were being treated for COVID-19. Since March 2020, there have been 110,850 total COVID-19 cases in Alaska, which has a population of about 731,000. More than 24,000 new cases were reported in September as the delta variant drove a spike in cases in Alaska, which has never had a statewide mask mandate. The state health department said in all, 2,432 people have been hospitalized, and 557 Alaska residents have died. Statewide, 60% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated. The Fairbanks North Star Borough is the third worst region for vaccination rates in Alaska, with just under 52% of eligible residents vaccinated. Ramirez said the decision to move to crisis standards was because of many factors, including community spread caused by the low vaccination rates and a high number of patients waiting to be admitted. This impacts all patient care, those with broken bones, traumas, heart attacks, strokes, COVID, anyone needing medical care, Ramirez said. The care we are able to provide is highly fluid and can change day by day and even hour by hour depending on the availability of resources within our system and stateside. Heidi Hedberg, director of the state Division of Public Health, encouraged all residents to wear masks and get vaccinated. Every action you take helps prevent COVID-19 from spreading and protects you, your family, other Alaskans and our health care system. No one wants to use crisis standards of care guidelines, she said. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Law enforcement and education leaders in North Carolina are joining in a campaign it hopes will keep students from being exposed to online pornography and adult sex predators. The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, the state Department of Public Instruction and the nonprofit group The Third Talk have partnered on an internet safety video telling middle school and high school students about the dangers of online pornography, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported. Students will see the video in school. TBILISI, Georgia (AP) Georgians voted in municipal elections across the country that were seen as a test for the strength of the ruling party and which opposition parties hoped could lead to an early national election. The vote Saturday came a day after the arrest of exiled former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who had returned to the country to try to bolster opposition support despite facing prison on convictions for abuse of power that were declared after he left Georgia. Opinion polls showed more than half the electorate in the former Soviet republic were undecided ahead of the election in which the ruling Georgian Dream party and the United National Movement founded by Saakashvili are the main contenders. No results had been announced two hours after the polls closed. Official full results are expected on Sunday. A strong performance by the opposition could raise tensions if Georgians expect that to bring an early national election. Georgian Dream signed a European Union-brokered agreement in the spring under which an early parliament election would be held if the party gets less than 43% of the vote in the municipal ballots. But it later withdrew from the agreement because the UNM had not signed it, although that party signed after Georgian Dream pulled out of it. Georgian Dream's general secretary, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, said after the polls closed that the parliament election would take place in 2024. Saakashvili, who left Georgia in 2014 and became a Ukrainian citizen, was arrested hours after he posted videos on Facebook saying he had returned to the country. He was sentenced to up to six years in prison in absentia, and faces several other court cases stemming from his 2004-13 presidency on charges connected to the violent dispersal of a protest and a raid on a television station started by a political rival. President Salome Zurabishvili, a former ally who was Saakashvili's first foreign minister, said Friday that she will not consider offering him a pardon. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A North Carolina school board has passed a policy preventing critical race theory in its classrooms after county commissioners threatened to withhold nearly $8 million in funding. The Johnston County school board unanimously approved on Friday an updated policy on how history and racism will be taught, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported. Under the new policy, teachers could be disciplined or fired if they teach that American historical figures werent heroes, undermine the U.S. Constitution in lessons or describe racism as a permanent part of American life. A New York man has been arrested after authorities said he provided a forged COVID-19 vaccination card to his employer. New York State Police said the 24-year-old from Eaton, New York, was booked with second-degree possession of a forged instrument a felony. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Albuquerque police will seek a murder charge against a man now that a woman has died of injuries suffered when she was doused with gasoline and set on fire Sept. 24. Renee Benally, 42, died while being treated at a Texas burn center, department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said Friday. The west-central Illinois city of Quincy is betting people $3,500 in rent and moving incentives that they will like living there. The city of 40,000 along the Mississippi River has a variety of industries, including manufacturing, a fast-growing healthcare segment and a robust education sector all looking for workers. To keep the local economy humming, Quincy has established a new monetary incentive program to attract 5,000 new residents to the area by 2030. As business has expanded, the population base has not kept up, Mayor Mike Troup said. We want to make sure that businesses remain strong and focused on Quincy for all their future development. We have to find the workers that they need. A consultant suggested offering moving and housing rebates to encourage job applicants to choose Quincy over other localities. The city council agreed to try a pilot program. Under the Quincy Workforce Relocation Assistance Program, people who agree to move to Quincy can be reimbursed for their rent or lease up to $3,500 after six months. After one year in town, if they decide to buy a house, they are eligible for a property tax rebate of up to $5,000. People who work remotely also are eligible for the incentives even if they work for a company not located in Quincy. Quincys cost of living is 24.5% lower than the national average, Troup said. And our cost of housing is 52% lower than the national average both according to bestplaces.net. Three manufacturers in Quincy are using the incentives to entice job applicants to choose Quincy. They will be making offers to at least 10 people a month all of whom will be eligible for this program, Troup said. There are 700 good-paying jobs with benefits from just about every economic sector available in Quincy right now, Troup said. In addition, nearly every local business has a help-wanted sign in the window. We have reached out to different alumni groups from our public schools people who have graduated in the last 15 to 20 years to say Hey, are you tired of big city life? Are you ready to come back? Word is just getting out and the response has been exciting, Troup said. Quincy is on the western border of Illinois where Iowa and Missouri meet. Quincy has a diverse education system, including both public and parochial elementary and secondary schools, technical schools, a community college and a private four-year university. NEW YORK (AP) New York City officials have suspended nine firefighters without pay in connection with a string of racist messages and memes they shared on their phones, including ones that mocked the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year, according to a published report. A spokesperson called the suspensions the most severe punishments ever handed down in the history of the Fire Department of the City of New York, The New York Times reported in Friday's editions. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue are joining United Airlines in requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as the Biden administration steps up pressure on major U.S. carriers to require the shots. The airlines provide special flights, cargo hauling and other services for the government. The companies say that makes them government contractors who are covered by President Joe Biden's order directing contractors to require that employees be vaccinated. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told employees late Friday that the airline is still working on details, but it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines. The pilot union at American recently estimated that 4,200 or 30% of the airline's pilots are not vaccinated. Earlier, White House coronavirus adviser Jeffrey Zients talked to the CEOs of American, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines about vaccine mandates, according to three people familiar with the situation. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the calls were private. Airlines are large employers that fall under Biden's sweeping order that companies with more than 100 workers require employees to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing for the virus. However, they are also government contractors, who face a Dec. 8 deadline to enforce vaccination requirements without the testing option. Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airways said Friday they will require employees to be vaccinated as soon as Dec. 8 because they will be treated as federal contractors. This means employees may no longer opt-in for regular testing and masking in lieu of getting the vaccine, Alaska Airlines said in a memo to employees. Delta said it was still evaluating Biden's order. The airline previously said it will require vaccination or weekly testing and impose surcharges on unvaccinated employees. That would meet the Biden test for large employers but not the stricter rules for federal contractors. United Airlines took an early and tough stance to require vaccination. United said Thursday that 320 of its 67,000 U.S. employees face termination for not getting vaccinated or seeking a medical or religious exemption by a deadline earlier this week. Employees can seek waivers from the vaccines on medical or religious grounds. United is placing most of those workers on unpaid leave until COVID-19 rates come down. Southwest says it is studying Biden's order. Both Southwest and American are under pressure from their pilot groups not to require vaccinations but to instead offer options, including testing. The White House advisers calls with airline CEOs were reported earlier by Reuters. At least two members of Congress Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va. have proposed requiring that passengers on domestic flights be vaccinated or show proof of a negative test for COVID-19 before they fly. Anthony Fauci, the government's top expert on infectious disease, supports that approach for domestic flights, and travelers entering the country must present a negative test before boarding. The Biden administration has not ruled out the idea, which the airlines oppose strongly. LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) Jerry Bucher led a fascinating life. As a geophysicist, he traveled the world, performing important research. And there was no corner of the globe too far out of reach for that research, including Antarctica. Between research jaunts, Laramie was home. Seriously, Jerry was one of the most interesting people I ever met in my life, said Jessica Stalder, a friend of Buchers and executive director for Hospice of Laramie. While he led a unique and colorful life, Buchers most lasting impact on the Laramie community promises to be felt for years after his Aug. 11 death. Jerry has been a friend for a long time, and when I started at hospice, he was nothing but supportive, Stalder said. His parents passed with hospice (care), and he just had a soft spot for it. His support for the end-of-life care hospice provides local patients and their families prompted Bucher to donate his house and everything in it to Hospice of Laramie, the Laramie Boomerang reports. Potentially worth more than $300,000, the donation was just unbelievably generous, said Stalder. A rug for winter Thats why Fridays estate sale at 1408 Beaufort St. was more than a glorified garage sale. It was a celebration of Buchers life and his dedication to giving back. A retired registered nurse, Sue Vitullo was at the house bright and early Friday. She was on a mission to find something specific. Im looking for a rug, she said. Because winters coming and rugs keep your home warmer. Vitullo found just what she was looking for in Buchers house, a large, heavy area rug she paid $20 for. Its the perfect size, and its nice and warm, she said, adding it will likely find a home in her master bedroom. If you have a rug on your wood floor, youre halfway there. That the sale was a benefit for Hospice of Laramie also hit close to Vitullos heart. I think its a great idea, she said about the donation. Hospice is so important. My husband died of lung cancer in Montana, and those last days are really rough. You need help. You need people around to help you. Although her husband didnt have hospice care, Vitullo said that when she worked as a nurse, she saw the impact hospice services can have on the quality of life for patients and families in their last days. I sent people home all the time, and we got hospice for them, she said. Its not just the training (of the hospice workers), its because the family is exhausted because theyre taking care of a person all the time. Theyre worn out, theyre exhausted, theyre drained, theyre worried about money. Hospice gives them someone to talk to, and just love them and help them. Jerrys legacy That the sale of Buchers home will help pay for inpatient hospice services for numerous families possibly for years means his spirit in life lives on, said Lou Farley, spiritual advisor for Hospice of Laramie. This donation is incredible, he said. People talk about mortality and the end of life. I believe its in peoples generosity Jerry Buchers generosity that he didnt end. Hes still moving forward. And every patient that gets blessed with care and community and excellent nursing is being blessed by Jerry. So, he never really went anywhere. He just kind of diffused into our community. I really do believe that. While the donation of a house and everything in it is something Stalder hadnt heard of before, she said it wasnt the full extent of Buchers generosity. He had a long history of supporting organizations and projects around Laramie and Albany County. Many people around the community probably know him, she said. Hes been involved with so many organizations. Theres the group called The Curmudgeons, this group of older guys who do community service projects. He was involved with them. Shortly before his death, Stalder said Bucher donated $50,000 to the local skate park. I remember him telling me he went down to the skate park in the morning and there were a bunch of little kids there, and it looked very legit, she said. In the afternoons, it was teenagers, and it was legit. Nighttime? Not so much. Thats when Bucher decided to donate $50,000 to improve the lighting at the skate park. Those lasting impacts Bucher has left is why Farley believes Buchers spirit in Laramie is still alive and well. Whether people know his name or not, the next time an indigent patient comes into hospice and cant pay for their services, and we have the money from the sale of this house, that person is being blessed by Jerry, he said. The same is true for anyone enjoying a safer, more friendly skate park after dark, or any of a number of other anonymous lasting impacts Bucher has had on Laramie. After a month that saw border agents harassing Haitian immigrants from horseback and thousands of refugees crowded under a bridge near Del Rio, Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott took to the airwaves this week to elaborate on future plans for law enforcement at the state's southern border. In a wide-ranging Thursday interview on "The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show," Abbott lambasted President Joe Biden and spoke candidly about his decision to call for a state disaster declaration in June. The governor said the proclamation has allowed him to re-direct tax dollars and increase prison sentences for migrants apprehended at the border part of larger designs to create a system for the mass incarceration of undocumented people in the south of Texas. "We stepped up and created our own court system in south Texas where we are arresting and processing and then jailing people who are coming across the border for criminal trespass," Abbot told the hosts. "Because I declared a disaster in this region along the border, it immediately elevates the time in jail and the penalties for trespass in the state of Texas and it turns it into a six-month to a year behind bar penalty." Abbott praised the results of his controversial "catch and jail" policy currently being implemented by state agents. The mandate has been challenged by defense attorneys, leading to the release of 250 migrants found to be illegally held in prison for more than a month without charges. "We opened up thousands of jail cells where we now have more than a thousand people behind bars who crossed across the border illegally and trespass on areas in the state of Texas," the governor said, "and we arrested them for trespass." The disaster declaration mentioned by Abbott was one of several he's issued over the past year, and has allowed the governor to repurpose $250 million of appropriated funds for the construction of a border wall he's promised constituents in recent months. The governor explained to Clay and Sexton how taxpayer money has been successfully redirected by the state legislature to expand the catch and jail program and erect barriers. "All of this was capable because of funding provided by the state legislature where the state of Texas and Texas taxpayers themselves," Abbott said. "[State legislators] are coming with threenot coming up with, they've allocated, they've provided to us, they've budgeted$3 billion for Texas to be able to respond to this tidal wave of people coming across the border." The $3 billion border figure Abbott cited could stand to be just the beginning of the financial costs facing Texas for what many see as regressive policies recently enacted in the state. In April, Waco-based economist Ray Perryman published a study placing the cost of capital flight in response to the state's new voter restriction laws at $14.7 billion over the next four years. Perryman projects further damage to Texas' economic prospects in the aftermath of the state's September 1 passage of a near-total abortion ban. "Laws that are less inclusive, whether they make voting more difficult, limit opportunities based on gender identity, restrict access to health care for indigent persons, unreasonably limit flexibility in family planning, or misrepresent history in a racially biased manner, pose substantial risk to the Texas economy over an extended period," Perryman said. Ending his interview, Abbott told Clay and Sexton the Biden administration hasn't spoken to him about his actions at the border, and expressed joy at the idea of the state funding and enacting its own full-court press against immigrants. "None offered my help or any assistance," Abbott said. "[The Biden administration] never even offered any challenge to us, which is good because it means we are able to step up and do more than has ever been done to put up forces, put up barriers to try to do everything possible to prevent these people from coming in." Rain didnt stop thousands of protestors, including Top Chef hosts Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons, from showing up to publicly denounce Texas Sept. 1 abortion ban during Saturday's Houston Womens March. Lakshmi and Simmons took a pause from filming the culinary competition's latest season to march with protesters from Discovery Green to the steps of City Hall in downtown Houston, joining protestors in chanting my body, my choice and vote Abbott out." In their speeches, the hosts shared their personal stories about how abortion access hasand continues toimpact their lives. Lakshmi told the crowd her mother had once received an abortion at Planned Parenthood after suffering severe injuries in a car accident. At that time, not only could my parents not afford another child, but her body could not physically sustain another pregnancy, Lakshmi said. Its out of love for me that they made the difficult decision to do what was right for our family and its out of love for my mother and all families that I stand here today, ready to fight. Ariana Garcia Lakshmi said the restrictive Senate Bill 8, which outlaws abortions after six weeks of pregnancy and makes no allowances for instances of rape or incest, comes with horrific consequences, particularly for victims of sexual abuse. Lakshmi told the crowd she herself had been raped at the age of 16. My only saving grace was that I didnt become pregnant, Lakshmi said. I know how sexual violence can make people feel powerless and this bill is a knife in the heart to those very same people. Simmons told the crowd she initially had mixed feelings about filming the latest season of Top Chef in Houston because of Texas voter rights restrictions and the passage of SB 8, but said the citys stance on these issues contradicted the states and it was important to show support to the local community. Ariana Garcia I know that Houston is a deeply diverse and vibrant place, Simmons said. I know that my beloved restaurant industry, let alone the women of Houston and all of Texas, need our support now more than ever and that personally choosing to back out of coming here would only serve to hurt the local people and the local economies that I set out in my career to uplift and stand behind. Mayor Sylvester Turner, who attended the march, applauded "Top Chef" for continuing to film in the Bayou City, adding he finds most people in Houston and Harris County are opposed to bills like SB 8. Politics are not the same throughout the state of Texas, he said. If you end up closing the door on the state... the very same people that youre trying to lift up, you continue to push down. For 'Top Chef' to join in speaks volumes about them but at the same time it's about the city of Houston. We're a very inclusive city and what hurts one hurts us all." Ariana Garcia Both Lakshmi and Simmons said they are worried about Roe v. Wade being overturned in the Supreme Court, but plan to continue using their platform and status to take a stand and inspire others to share their voice. I think a lot of people in Texas feel like their voice doesnt matter because of voting rights and because of a lot of different laws, not just SB 8, Lakshmi said. A rally like this serves to unify people who are really passionate about their civic rights. Texas has set a precedent and a lot of states could fall along with it if we dont make this an issue of national crisis and demand action at the highest levels of justice, Simmons said. The most I can do is make sure people know where I stand and that I will support them. Lakshmi said she had a message to share with Gov. Greg Abbott. I think Abbott should take Biology 101, Lakshmi said. I think he should understand how womens bodies work, how reproductive cycles work and I think he should stay out of womens bodies. You have no right to decide what happens to my body. WASHINGTON - Thousands of protesters assembled at rallies in Washington and in cities across the country Saturday, decrying Texas's recent ban on most abortions and warning that the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority could impose further restrictions in the coming months. Amassing in downtown Washington before marching to the Supreme Court, a roster of speakers at the "Rally for Abortion Justice" spoke of a looming threat to Roe v. Wade and implored Americans to enlist in a nationwide campaign to preserve womens' abortion rights. "No matter where you live, no matter where you are, this moment is dark - it is dark - but that's why we're here," Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood, told the crowd. "It is our job to imagine the light even when we can't see it. It is our job to turn pain in purpose. It is our job to turn pain into power." The day of demonstrations, organized by the Women's March, was the first that the group has hosted since former president Donald Trump left office. It was Trump's 2016 election that inspired the first Women's March, which drew millions of protesters to Washington and around the country and is widely considered the largest single-day protest in the country's history, inspiring people to become first-time protesters, activists and politicians. Since then, attendance at subsequent marches has declined. But organizers are hoping to energize the movement around threats to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court case that protects a person's right to an abortion. With a 6-3 conservative majority on the high court, many now fear that Roe could be in jeopardy. As the day's events began into downtown Washington people streamed into Freedom Plaza from across the region and beyond, many of them mothers and daughters arriving together for what they said was their first protest. "I'm hoping my kids won't have to protest for their bodies," said Katie Donovan, 18, who arrived from Maine wearing a red tank top that read, "Keep Your Laws Off My Body." Her mother, Katrina Marianacci, 48, stood nearby with her other daughter, the two of them also wearing the same tank top, said she wanted the girls to "see what happens when women come together to fight for their rights." Lisa Santoro, who lives outside Philadelphia, drove to the rally in Washington with her two adult daughters, Molly and Abby. As a high school student in the 1980s, Santoro said she never feared that she would lose her legal right to an abortion. Now she worries her daughters won't have the same access. "Maybe we should have been out here marching for reproductive rights all along," she said. Earlier, a faith service was disrupted by two dozen counterdemonstrators. "Woe to you!" one man protesting abortion yelled. "The blood of innocent babies is on your hands!" To drown him out, the crowd erupted in singing and clapping, as one woman, Angela Jamison, 51, of Fairfax, Va., stepped in to point him back across the street where the counterdemonstrators were supposed to stay. Jamison said she attended the demonstration - her first - because she is afraid of what the Texas ban means for women across the country. "Where is this going to go?" she asked. "And we're minorities. Where will this stop? I felt like the world is changing." On Sept. 1, Texas's law state went into effect prohibiting abortion once cardiac activity is detected, around six weeks gestation, before most people know they are pregnant. Under the law, citizens can sue anyone that helps facilitate an illegal abortion in Texas, from the doctor who performs the procedure to an Uber driver who drives a patient to a clinic. The Supreme Court on Dec. 1 is to consider the constitutionality of a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks gestation, nearly 10 weeks before a fetus can survive outside the uterus. Roe v. Wade protects the right to an abortion before the point of fetal viability. If the law is allowed to stand, it will further empower other states to pass similar restrictions. Recent polls show Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade by a roughly 2-to-1 margin. A large majority of Americans also support allowing a person to receive an abortion in the case of rape or threats to her health. Abortion advocates were happy to see the words "abortion" included in the name of the March, said Aimee Arrambide, the executive director of Avow, an abortion rights group in Texas. "There is stigma surrounding abortion, even from people who support abortion access," she said. The title of the March is a nod to the reproductive justice movement, founded by women of color, which advocates not just for abortion to be legal, but accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status or any other barrier that might cut someone off from the procedure. This is not just a "Women's March," said Rachel O'Leary Carmona, executive director of the Women's March. She emphasized it as a coalition of more than 120 groups, including Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Black Feminist Future, focused on ensuring women are able to safely and legally access abortion and health care for their families. "Roe is the floor, not the ceiling," Carmona said. "Abortion rights, reproductive justice, is absolutely a part of voting rights and justice for immigrants, and racial justice because they can't be extracted from themselves. The most impacted communities across all those groups are communities of color." The march in Washington began at 10 a.m. with the faith service on Freedom Plaza. After the noon rally, the crowd is expected to march toward the Supreme Court. Organizers estimate 10,000 participants at Saturday's event, according to a permit issued by the National Park Service. Students For Life of America, a Virginia-based youth antiabortion group fighting to make abortion illegal in all circumstances, organized counterprotests Saturday in cities including Washington, Austin, and Jackson, Miss., said Kristan Hawkins, the group's president. "We're on the precipice of a big moment in the pro-life movement . . . something nearly 50 years that we have been fighting and working towards, which is the reversal of the Roe decision," Hawkins said. Members of Trust Respect Access Coalition, a network of Texas-based abortion advocacy groups, traveled to D.C. to testify Thursday in Congress and will join the Women's March on Saturday. In bringing their message to the nation's capital, they hope to communicate the national urgency of this law, which will soon pop up in state legislatures across the country, said Arrambide. Florida legislators have already introduced a similar law. "We need to nip it in the bud now before it gets worse," Arrambide said. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2) The government extended the pilot implementation of the alert level system in Metro Manila for two more weeks due to a high number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations in the capital region, a Department of Health official said Saturday. While the number of cases in the region declined, the healthcare utilization rate in 10 areas was still around 76%, while that of communities stood at 100%. Metro Manila is under Alert Level 4 until October 15. Lower alert levels are more lenient on economic activities. Hindi ho tayo pwedeng magbitaw muna dito sa ganitong alert level. Kailangan pa rin nating maging cautious because hospitals are still full, she said in a Laging Handa briefing. [Translation: We cannot let go of this alert level for now. We still need to be cautious because hospitals are still full.] The alert status will only be lowered once congestion in hospitals eases, Vergeire said. So 'pag nakikita nating lumuluwag na at bumababa ang admissions, that is the time we are going to de-escalate if ever, she added. [Translation: Once we see that hospital admissions are going down, that is the time we are going to de-escalate if ever.] She noted COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 response of local governments will also be considered in the classification of Metro Manila's alert level. Why did cases decline? The health official pointed out the new scheme cannot be solely credited for the downtrend in new infections. She said this may also be the effect of the stricter lockdowns imposed from August to September. She also said the DOH is confirming whether the decrease in case counts is artificial. She explained this possibility is being considered due to the recent drop in COVID-19 tests done. (CNN) -- Worker shortages have left UK service stations empty, created gaps on supermarket shelves and are forcing farms to cull pigs. Even the finance industry is starting to suffer. The situation could get much worse this winter if the British government doesn't relax its Brexit immigration rules, business leaders say. Farmers, bankers, retailers, transporters and restaurateurs have warned in recent weeks that tighter immigration rules put in place after Britain left the European Union are making it hard for them to find workers and keep their businesses running. Supermarkets are struggling to keep some specific foods stocked, while McDonald's temporarily stopped serving milkshakes and Nando's ran out of its signature peri peri chicken. Meat processors can't keep up with demand, and farmers are warning that there won't be enough turkeys at Christmas. Abattoirs can't cope with the number of pigs being reared. Banks are the latest to sound the alarm. TheCityUK, which represents the United Kingdom's huge financial services industry, said Thursday that its members were seeing "significant cost increases to securing the high-skilled talent that they need to compete on the global stage." "To stay competitive, we must have the best global talent. Without it, we will not be able to innovate in key growth areas like FinTech or green finance, nor build out our international trading networks," CEO Miles Celic said in a statement. "The UK must strive harder to modernize its immigration processes," he added. The financial sector is asking the government to make it easier for workers to come to the United Kingdom for short stints. It also wants the government to negotiate with other countries to allow workers to easily cross borders for roles with their current employer. The scale of the challenge facing UK employers has been highlighted over the past week, when a shortage of tanker drivers forced some service stations to close. British motorists resorted to panic buying, causing widespread gasoline shortages that persisted for days. The government responded with emergency measures that included temporary 5,000 visas for foreign truck drivers. Britain faces a much bigger shortfall of 100,000 drivers, according to industry groups, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson signaled that his government is unlikely to authorize more. "What we want to see is an emphasis on high wage, high skill a high productivity approach to our economy. What I don't think that people in this country want to do is fix all our problems with uncontrolled immigration," said Johnson. Driver shortages are affecting a range of industries, including retail. Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said that "drivers are the glue which hold our supply chains together," and warned of continued disruption this winter. "Christmas is about more than just food, so to avoid disappointment for millions of households during the festive season we urge the government to rapidly extend this program, both in size and scope, to [truck] drivers in all sectors of the retail industry," he said in a statement. Life after Brexit It was relatively easy for UK companies to recruit European workers when the country was a member of the European Union, which allows free movement of people within the bloc. Following Brexit, Britain shifted to an immigration system that prioritizes workers deemed "high-skilled" by the government. Industries are now openly lobbying the government in hopes of getting on the skilled workers lists. The hospitality industry, which has been rocked by coronavirus lockdowns, social distancing rules and high levels of uncertainty, now faces the prospect of a diminished workforce during the crucial holiday season. On Tuesday, 65 industry members, including Nick Jones, founder of Soho House, and Stuart Gillies, a former chief executive of Gordon Ramsay restaurant group, wrote an open letter to the government saying more hospitality jobs must be considered skilled "in order to save the industry under Brexit rules." "Hospitality is not a low-skilled career. There are many roles both in the kitchen and on the floor which require a high level of training and extensive experience eg, sashimi chef, sommelier, floor manager," the group wrote in the open letter, which was published in the Financial Times. Many companies are offering bonuses in hopes of recruiting UK workers, but they face a tight labor market. There were a record 1 million job vacancies between June and August, according to the Office for National Statistics. Pub chain Wetherspoon said Friday that while it has "received a reasonable number of applications for vacancies," it has struggled to find staff in some areas of the the United Kingdom including the West Country. Supply chains are meanwhile being pushed to the limit. National chicken production has already been cut back by 10% because of staff shortages, the British Poultry Council warned in August. Christmas turkey production will be slashed by a fifth, the industry group estimates. The UK government announced earlier this week that it would issue up to 5,500 temporary visas for poultry workers. But the intervention may come too late to prevent product shortages this fall and winter. "Supply chains are not something that can be simply switched on and off, so plans for production are already well underway and the necessary cut backs due to ongoing labor shortages have already been made," Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, said in a statement on Wednesday. Pig farmers are in trouble too, as a shortage of butchers and drivers prevents meat getting from farms to consumers. With a backlog of more than 100,000 animals, they now face the prospect of mass animal culling. "We are within a couple of weeks of actually having to consider a mass cull of animals in this country," National Pig Association Chairman Rob Mutimer told BBC Radio on Friday. One pig farmer who also spoke to the BBC said things were getting "pretty desperate" and it was increasingly likely she'll be forced to destroy the 1,600 pigs her farms produce weekly until more workers can be found. "This started 11 weeks ago, and the reason we were given was that the processing plant that our animals go to was short of labor and that they didn't have the people to actually butcher and deal with the meat in the supply chain. And that's been a constant message for 11 weeks," she said. "It's actually getting worse. We're being told that for next week, we're being cut again, and the cut's getting deeper." This story was first published on CNN.com "Time running out to save UK industry from worker shortages, say business leaders". 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 Vinaphone.biz scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 19 May 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the vinaphone homepage on Twitter + the total number of vinaphone followers (if vinaphone has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the vinaphone homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the vinaphone homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the vinaphone homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if vinaphone has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the vinaphone homepage on Delicious. Basic Information PAGE TITLE SIM So ep | SIM ien Thoai | SIM ep | SIM Vip | SIM Tu Quy | Mobifone | Vinaphone | SIM Sai Gon | DESCRIPTION Trung tam sim so ep Sai Gon gia goc cho ai ly va khach - sim so dep, sim gia re, sim dep, trung tam sim so dep, sim card, sim dien thoai,Sim Gia Re, Sim Dep, Sim Vip, Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone, Vietnamobile, Beeline, Sfone KEYWORDS sim so dep, sim dep, sim card, mobifone, vinaphone, so ep viettel, the gioi sim dep, the gioi sim so dep, sim card, sim tra truoc, sim tra truoc, sim gia re nhat viet nam, sim gia re nhat VN, sim 090909, sim 09.09.09, the gioi so dep, the sim, the gioi s OTHER KEYWORDS gi bn, 000 sim, 000 sim lc qu, 000 sim lc, sim lc qu, sim lc, lc qu The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE CHARSET AND LANGUAGE UTF-8 SERVER cloudflare-nginx (ASP.NET) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Operative System running on the server. Character set and language of the site. The language of vinaphone.biz as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Type of server and offered services. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for vinaphone.biz by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The type of Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND As COVID cases have been reported in more than 100 Connecticut school districts, the state has launched a project to test thousands of school-aged children for the coronavirus. More than 55 percent of school districts in the state have reported at least one COVID case in the past week, according to the latest state data released Thursday. Of the 204 school districts listed in the Connecticut database, 113 of them have reported COVID infections among students and staff. Though COVID is widespread in schools, the numbers are low and declining, according to school district officials. Five of the 113 school districts that reported COVID cases to the state last week have more than six cases in at least one school, according to the data. Due to privacy laws, if any school reports fewer than six COVID cases the state lists it as less than six. Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, said district leaders do not seem to be overly concerned about widespread infections. I have not heard their concern about mounting numbers, she said. Though few districts are reporting high COVID numbers in any individual school, there have been some clusters of cases. There are 10 schools in the state with more than six active COVID cases. In an effort to get a better picture of COVID spread in schools, the state has started Project COVID DeteCT, which keeps schools safe by catching cases before they spread to other students and other staff, according to Department of Public Health spokesperson Chris Boyle. So far, the program has been rolled out to 38 public school districts, which include 421 individual public schools and 39 individual state-approved private special education programs, and private or charter schools. The program offers free COVID testing to all students attending a Connecticut public school in grades K-6, as well as unvaccinated students in grades 7-12 in the states largest school districts: Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford and Waterbury. Were starting next week, said Jonathan Supranowitz, director of communications for the Greenwich school district. Were testing the younger students that are not eligible for the vaccine in Greenwich. Not every student will be tested for COVID. Supranowitz called it a pool test, and participating students will get tested weekly. Parents have to sign their children up to be a part of that testing, he said. Whoever has signed up will get tested. Though Boyle said the states goal is to provide COVID testing to as many students as possible, it will likely be hundreds if not thousands of students statewide. Though he couldnt share an exact number, Supranowitz said in Greenwich alone, Ill say its in the hundreds. The state announced Thursday a daily positivity rate of 1.26 percent for new COVID tests one of the lowest in weeks. Hospitalizations dropped a net of 16 patients for a total of 234. The state also announced Thursday there were 53 COVID-related deaths in the past week, bringing the total number to 8,629 Connecticut residents who have died with the disease. The state said Thursday 78 percent of children age 16 and 17 had been vaccinated, and 68 percent of children age 12 to 15 have received their doses. Manchester High School has more COVID cases than any other school in Connecticut with 14 active cases and 40 districtwide, according to the states data. Greenwich has 12 active COVID cases among students and faculty as of Thursday, according to district data, down two from Tuesday. Westport school officials told parents the district had 15 total COVID infections identified over the past week. We are actually trending down right now, Supranowitz said. On Tuesday, we added only five new reported positive cases our lowest since the second week of school. We are finding that our mitigation strategies are working right now, and overall, the staff, parents and students seem to be very determined to do all of the things to keep us safe, Supranowitz said. In New Haven, schools spokesperson Justin Harmon said the district had nine active cases and 49 people quarantined as of Wednesday. Since the start of the school year, 49 individuals have had cases of COVID confirmed after they presented in school 290 individuals have quarantined as a result, Harmon said. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United Nations chief informed Ethiopia on Friday that it has no legal right to expel seven U.N. officials and warned that severe restrictions on desperately needed aid to the conflict-wracked Tigray region have created a humanitarian and human rights crisis that is spiraling out of control. Tigray is facing a near-blockade by the government on deliveries of food, fuel and other humanitarian supplies, and children are reportedly dying of famine. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at least 5.2 million people in the region need humanitarian assistance including at least 400,000 living in famine-like conditions. Child malnutrition levels are now at the same level as they were at the start of the 2011 famine in Somalia, he warned. Ethiopia announced the expulsions on Thursday, accusing the seven officials of meddling in the countrys affairs and giving them 72 hours to leave. In a new statement Friday, Ethiopias foreign ministry accused some U.N. staff of failing to fulfill their mission independently and impartially and listing grave violations including the alleged diversion of humanitarian assistance to Tigray forces fighting government troops. Guterres said in a letter informing the U.N. Security Council of the expulsions, which was obtained by The Associated Press, that Ethiopias decision to expel critical members of the U.N. leadership team creates yet another obstacle to reaching Ethiopians, at a moment when all efforts should be focused on working together to save and protect lives, protect human rights and avert a humanitarian catastrophe. The Security Council held emergency closed consultations on Tigrays humanitarian crisis and expulsion order but took no action. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said a diplomatic note sent to Ethiopias U.N. Mission and conveyed to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during a phone call with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday stated the U.N.s longstanding legal position that the doctrine of declaring someone persona non grata -- or unwelcome -- does not apply to U.N. personnel. The application of this doctrine to United Nations officials is contrary to obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and the privileges and immunities to be afforded to the United Nations and its officials, he said. The doctrine of declaring someone persona non grata applies between one state and another state, Haq said. We are not a state. When issues are raised regarding U.N. personnel, Haq said, the requirement is that such concerns are appropriately conveyed to the organization. Its then for the secretary-general to make the necessary determinations and take the necessary steps to address the matter, the spokesman said. The diplomatic note to the Ethiopian government from the U.N. Office of Legal Affairs, which was also sent to the Security Council, said the secretary-general can't make a determination on the conduct of the 7 U.N. officials based on information provided by the foreign ministry. It noted the unprecedented nature of ordering the staffers expulsion without any information provided as to conduct that may have been incompatible with the performance of their functions. The legal office requested that the 7 officials not be required to leave Ethiopia and resume their official functions with the United Nations. It also requested that they be granted visas in compliance with the governments legal obligations, including the privileges and immunities to be accorded to the United Nations and its officials. Secretary-General Guterres said Thursday he was shocked by the announcement and expressed full confidence in the U.N. staff, saying they are guided by impartiality and neutrality. Fridays statement from Ethiopias foreign ministry echoed the governments earlier accusations that humanitarian workers are supporting the Tigray forces who have been fighting its soldiers and allied forces since November -- which aid workers deny. Thousands of people have died in the conflict marked by gang rapes, mass expulsions and the destruction of health centers, with witnesses often blaming Ethiopian soldiers and those of neighboring Eritrea. The U.N.s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, this week told The Associated Press that the crisis in Ethiopia is a stain on our conscience as children and others starve to death in Tigray under what the U.N. calls a de facto government blockade. Just 10% of needed humanitarian supplies have been reaching Tigray in recent weeks, he said. The remarks were one of the sharpest criticisms so far of the worlds worst hunger crisis in a decade. Memories of the 1980s famine in Ethiopia, which killed around 1 million people and produced images that shocked the world, are vivid in his mind, Griffiths said, and we fervently hope (this) is not happening at present. The AP, citing witness accounts and internal documents, last week reported the first starvation deaths since Ethiopias government imposed the blockade in June in an attempt to keep support from reaching Tigray forces. Richard Gowan, U.N. director of the International Crisis Group, told AP: The UN has worked very hard to maintain good relations with the Ethiopian government throughout the crisis (and) some diplomats, including U.S. officials, have felt that the U.N. was being too solicitous towards Addis Ababa. But he said Abiy seems to be angry that Martin Griffiths would take such a firm line on the crisis during his recent AP interview. Other grave violations by U.N. staff listed by the foreign ministry on Friday were violating security agreements, transferring communications equipment to be used by Tigray forces, dissemination of misinformation and politicization of humanitarian assistance and reticence in pressing for the return of trucks used in aid deliveries. Ethiopias government alleges the trucks are commandeered by Tigray forces; humanitarian workers have said instead that truck drivers fear further intimidation upon leaving Tigray and that there is little fuel. We are confident that the provision of humanitarian assistance will not be affected by the expulsions, the statement said, adding that Ethiopia will continue to cooperate with the U.N. and its agencies provided that their activities do not undermine the sovereignty of Ethiopia and pose a threat to its national security interests. Guterres said the U.N. and its partners are committed to providing aid, but it cant without adequate humanitarian supplies, including at least 100 trucks a day to Tigray alone, with additional supplies to Amhara, Afar and other regions. Fuel is also essential to deliver aid and provide critical services including water and health care, and cash is required to pay staff and suppliers, he said. A cease-fire and political dialogue are urgently needed, he said, warning that attempts to politicize humanitarian assistance undermine the core efforts of the United Nations to support the people. Guterres also warned that if the current trajectory continues, I fear for the future of many Ethiopian lives, and indeed for the stability of the country and the region. - Associated Press writer Cara Anna contributed to this report from Nairobi. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Dubais Expo 2020 on Saturday offered conflicting figures for how many workers had been killed on site during construction of the massive world's fair, first saying five and then later three. In a later statement, Expo apologized and described the initial figure as a mistake." Authorities had refused for months to publicly provide any figures for construction-related casualties in the run-up to the $7 billion fair rising from the desert outside Dubai, designed the burnish the city's reputation abroad and draw millions of visitors. The inconsistent statements came as the event and the United Arab Emirates as a whole long has faced criticism from human rights activists over poor treatment of the low-paid migrant laborers from Africa, Asia and the Middle East who keep the country's economy humming. When pressed to provide a number for worker deaths at a news conference Saturday morning, Expo spokesperson Sconaid McGeachin said without hesitation that we have had five fatalities now," adding, "you know, that is obviously a tragedy that anybody would die. But just after 5 p.m. Saturday and hours after an Associated Press report quoted McGeachin, Expo put out a statement that said: Unfortunately, there have been three work-related fatalities (and) 72 serious injuries to date. Just after 7 p.m., Expo issued another statement apologizing for the inaccuracy. Expo said that its 200,000 laborers who built the vast fairgrounds from scratch worked over 240 million hours. Over the past year, authorities had not offered any overall statistics previously on worker fatalities, injuries or coronavirus infections despite repeated requests from the AP and other journalists. The admission comes after the European Parliament urged nations not to take part in Expo, citing the UAE's inhumane practices against foreign workers that it said worsened during the pandemic. Ahead of Expo, businesses and construction companies are coercing workers into signing untranslated documents, confiscating their passports, exposing them to extreme working hours in unsafe weather conditions and providing them with unsanitary housing, the resolution last month said. McGeachin also acknowledged that authorities were aware of cases involving contractors withholding passports," engaging in suspect recruitment practices" and violating workplace safety codes. We have taken steps to ensure those have been addressed and very much intervened in cases on that, she said, without elaborating. Laborers in the UAE are barred from unionization and have few protections, often working long hours for little pay and living in substandard conditions. Most foreign workers, hoping to earn more than they would at home, come to the UAE and other oil-rich Arab states through recruitment agencies, part of a sponsorship system that ties their residency status to their jobs and lends their employers outsized power. Dubai's searing early autumn heat proved hazardous even for those visiting the site on its opening day Friday, with some tourists fainting in the 40 degree Celsius (104 degree Fahrenheit) humid weather. On the fairgrounds Saturday to mark France's National Day at Expo, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a news conference that his government was not part of the European Parliament resolution urging the boycott of Dubai's world's fair. Our relation with the United Arab Emirates is a strategic one, it's very close, Le Drian said when asked about concerns over labor abuses on site. If we need to say something to the United Arab Emirates' government we do so behind closed doors." There was no Emirati official present at the press conference. NEWPORT, Ark. (AP) A northeast Arkansas man was sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty Friday to killing a woman who went missing after going for a jog near her home. Quake Lewellyn, 29, of Jonesboro, pleaded guilty to capital murder and rape charges as part of a plea deal in which prosecutors agreed to not seek the death penalty. Prosecutors also agreed to dismiss kidnapping and abuse of a corpse charges. BRIDGEPORT Seventy percent of the citys non-school municipal employees have so far submitted proof they are vaccinated against the coronavirus under a new local mandate issued without fanfare in September. The remaining 30 percent have either not responded or are not vaccinated, said Rowena White, Mayor Joe Ganims director of communications, on Friday. The original deadline for participation was Sept. 27. What now happens to the hold-outs is the question. The order Ganim issued on Sept. 10 stated failure to adhere ... may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. There are an estimated 2,000 full, part-time and seasonal non-school staffers required to either get inoculated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing. We feel the policy ... is the best to keep our workplace safe, Eric Amado, director of labor relations, said Friday. Unclear is how the administration will deal with employees who refuse to participate. Amado said progressive discipline is being negotiated with the unions. Hopefully we dont get to that, Amado added. Its a work in progress, said White, acknowledging the possibility some staff simply were not aware of the mandate. She said Bridgeport, through its law department, is hoping to gain access to a state-managed vaccination database to cross-reference information and learn more about that 30 percent. Bridgeports vaccination rate has been inching up over the summer and currently stands at 59.34 percent of the population having received at least one shot. Of the three available vaccines, two require two shots. Meanwhile the local COVID case rate has fluctuated from red alert status earlier in the summer 15 or more cases per 100,000 down to orange with 11.7 cases per 100,000 people as of Sept. 11. More recently, as of Sept. 25, it went up to 14 cases per 100,000. Though it is Connecticuts largest city, Bridgeport is not the first government entity here to implement an internal vaccination policy something that is legal for employers to require. In early August Stamford Mayor David Martin announced a mandate, followed later that month by Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. On Aug. 19 Gov. Ned Lamont issued an executive order requiring all state employees, as well as municipal public school and childcare facility personnel, to receive at least one dose of COVID vaccine by Sept. 27, with those who fall under certain exemptions tested weekly. Lamont recently extended that deadline to 11:59 p.m. Oct. 4. His office has stated that individuals who do not meet the mandate will be placed on unpaid leave no later than Monday, Oct. 11, with the National Guard on call to fill in and provide critical state services should there be a personnel shortage. In Bridgeport there has been some confusion over the roll-out of the Ganim administrations vaccine protocol. Unlike his peers in the other large cities and the governor, Ganim did notify the media about the vaccine mandate. In fact as of mid-September, his new health director, Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, had declined to tell Hearst whether such a move was under consideration in Bridgeport. But a few days before that interview, in a Sept. 10 email to municipal workers, Bridgeport Human Resources Manager Sandra Ferreira had written, Effective immediately, all City of Bridgeport employees will be required to comply with the City of Bridgeport COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Mandate. Attached to her email was a notice, signed by Ganim, Chief Administrative Officer Janene Hawkins, Jackson-Shaheed and Amado, establishing a Sept. 13 deadline for the non-vaccinated to be tested at municipal testing sites and the Sept. 27 deadline for getting inoculated. The health, welfare and safety of our workplace, employees and safety is our top priority, read the notice. The obvious and intended purpose of this vaccination/testing mandate is to provide as safe a working environment as reasonably possible for all our employees and clients. Amado said Friday his office has been engaging with Bridgeports unions about the vaccine/testing requirements. But Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, one of the citys largest labor organizations, in a statement to Hearst Connecticut Media said one of its sub-groups public facilities staffers had not been consulted. Bridgeports public service workers have been on the front lines of this pandemic for the past 18 months. With employers across the state establishing vaccination policies, Council 4 is addressing the impact on workers through bargaining, Council 4 Executive Director Jody Barr said. Were bargaining impacts with employers at the state level, through our state employee union coalition, and were bargaining impacts with employers in individual municipalities like New Haven. Our goal is to ensure that the unsung heroes of this pandemic are treated in a safe, fair and consistent manner. James Meszoros, head of another large Bridgeport union the National Association of Government Employees, said some of his members have refused to be inoculated on the grounds of religious beliefs. We have to work on it to see what were gonna do, Meszoros said. However he also noted he has not been deluged with complaints about the requirement from members, either. I hardly got that many calls, Meszoros said. LASALLE, Colo. (AP) A dairy in northern Colorado has been fined nearly $25,000 after the death of a worker whose truck slipped into a pit filled with liquid manure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Shelton Land and Cattle LTD, which does business as Shelton Dairy Corp., on Sept. 24 for the March death of 44-year-old Juan Panzo Temoxtle, The Greeley Tribune reported Friday. Temoxtle was pulled from the cab of the vacuum truck and died at a nearby hospital. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT A man died after he was shot in the head outside of a city bar early Saturday morning, according to Bridgeports Office of Emergency Management Director Scott Appleby. Around 4:15 a.m. Saturday, the Bridgeport Emergency Communications Center received three alerts from its gunshot detection system near Arctic Street, as well as several calls from the area, Appleby said. BLACK CANYON CITY, Ariz. (AP) A dentist previously charged with doing illegal dental work in the Phoenix area has been arrested for the same crime in a neighboring county. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said 69-year-old Denis Froehlich was taken into custody Thursday night at his Black Canyon City home for practicing dentistry without a license and aggravated assault. Minnesota credit unions and the Minnesota Credit Union Network meet with Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.). (Minnesota Credit Union Network photo) Ten Leagues representing credit unions from 15 states have met with policymakers in-person and virtually over the past two weeks, part of credit unions fall advocacy efforts. In addition to members of Congress, many Leagues and credit unions met with staff at NCUA, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and others. Credit unions continued to share their concerns over proposed increased reporting to the Internal Revenue Services, as well as supported legislation that would increase financial access and inclusion. Hill visits will continue throughout the fall as Leagues and credit unions continue to engage with policymakers on credit union priorities. The most significant part of Keir Starmers speech on Wednesday was the bit that wasnt supposed to be in it. It came with sledgehammer irony at precisely the moment he was articulating how his strong family upbringing had instilled within him the importance of dignity and self-respect. My father was a toolmaker, he explained, before breaking from the published text to extemporise: Although in a way, so was Boris Johnsons. When he delivered the line, at first I thought Id misheard it. Then, when I realised I hadnt, I thought Id misunderstood it. And then I realised the truth. The leader of the Labour Party really had used the Prime Ministers father to attack Boris for being a tool from the main stage of his party conference. A few moments later, I got a text from a Tory adviser. Does Starmer realise Boris buried his mother on Monday? it said. I suspect he didnt. But I also suspect it wouldnt have mattered. As we saw in Brighton, Starmer is essentially a decent man. But he is also a weak man. And he is leading a rabble. The most significant part of Keir Starmers speech on Wednesday was the bit that wasnt supposed to be in it Since Starmer walked off stage the heckling of his more deranged party members ringing in his ears aides have done a respectable job of spinning several myths. The first is that he successfully took on the Left and drove through the package of internal reforms that he believes are necessary to usher Labour back into power. But the reality is the most important plank of his reforms a change to Labour rules that would have broken the stranglehold Corbynite members have over the election of their leader was dead on arrival on the South Coast. And as we will see in the months and years ahead, that retreat will cost him, his party and his country dear. The second myth was he did a Kinnock and delivered some hard truths to activists. He did neither. Take, for example, the most vicious scar carved across Labours face antisemitism. Wednesday was Starmers opportunity to tackle the issue head-on. He didnt mention it once. Earlier in the week, former Labour MP Ruth Smeeth, who is Jewish, had stood on the same stage. Looking her persecutors in the eye, she told them: You failed. Were still here. The best Starmer could manage was a name-check for another Jewish former Labour MP, Louise Ellman, who had rejoined the party. His way of drawing a line under Labours five-year antisemitic nightmare was, in effect, to boast: Look, weve got one of our Jews back! My father was a toolmaker, Starmer explained, before breaking from the published text to extemporise: Although in a way, so was Boris Johnsons As Starmers rambling address continued, and the heckling intensified, some people noted the bizarre nature of the interventions. They ranged from the disgusting (as he spoke about his mothers brave fight against the illness that would eventually claim her life) to the surreal (Free Julian Assange!). But there was a reason the interruptions were so unfocused. Labours leader wasnt brave enough to give his Corbynite opponents anything of significance to interrupt. Where Kinnock directly berated Liverpools Militant council for hiring taxis to scuttle round a city, handing out redundancy notices to its own workers, Starmer simply made an oblique reference to Labours 2019 manifesto. Who had written that manifesto? Whose bankrupt political ethos was contained within it? Who had led Labour to catastrophic defeat on the back of that manifesto? Starmer didnt have the guts to say. His other attempt to challenge his party wasnt delivered with clarity or courage, but hidden within a rhetorical device. If they are so bad, what does it say about us? he asked in relation to the Tories. A nation waited expectantly for the answer. Its still waiting. The final myth to emerge from Labours 2021 seaside gathering was the most pernicious. It was also the one seized upon most hungrily by Labours exhausted and embattled moderates. Namely that the tide has finally turned, and the rout of the Corbynites had begun. It hasnt. What we saw last week was not the beginning of Starmers battle for the heart and soul of his party, but the end. Brighton was the high-water mark. The next time Labour gathers, it is likely to be its final conference before a General Election. There will be no place for internal rows. No opportunity for arcane but important rule changes. We must unite and focus our fire on the Tories will be the mantra. And Keir Starmer will be leading it. Labours leader had the chance to sanitise his party. To take on the Corbynites, Momentum and their hard-Left fellow travellers and purge them. Instead, he chose to contain them. To leave them in place and hope that everyone forgets they existed. But people wont forget. Because Corbyn and his acolytes wont let them. Yes, their chance of a frontal assault on Starmers leadership has gone. So now they will embark on a prolonged period of guerrilla warfare against him. As Starmers rambling address continued, and the heckling intensified, some people noted the bizarre nature of the interventions They will point out with justification that the membership bloc they control still holds significant influence in any future leadership contest. And they will cling to the belief that contest wont take place against a backdrop of Corbynite defeat at the polls, but a defeat they can pin squarely on Starmer and the Labour centrists. Look at the narrative arc of Labours week. It began with Starmer throwing his own MP Rosie Duffield under a bus when he said it was unacceptable for her to say only a woman can have a cervix. It continued with Deputy Leader Angela Rayner calling Conservatives scum. And it ended with Starmer telling off-colour jokes about the Prime Minister and his father, simply to buy cheap laughs from delegates. This was supposed to be the moment Starmer and his team began to erase the Save Palestine! Eat the rich! graffiti from Labours brand. But they couldnt. And theres a reason they couldnt. Theyre too scared to. Starmer and Rayner dont really think all Tories are scum. Or that the path to power leads to ignoring basic female biology, or calling the Prime Minister a tool. But they believe thats what their members think. And theyre right. So they continue to pander to them, like schoolchildren who laugh along with the bully in the belief he wont turn his attention and fists on them. Last week I wrote how the hopes of Starmers MPs that he was the next Tony Blair were set to be dashed. This week we learnt that Keir Starmer isnt even destined to be the next Theresa May. Back in 2002, the then Conservative Party chairwoman showed how to really lay it on the line to your activists. Lets not kid ourselves, she said bluntly, theres a way to go before we can return to government. Theres a lot we need to do in this party of ours. Our base is too narrow and so, occasionally, are our sympathies. You know what some people call us? The nasty party. After their week in Brighton, Keir Starmer and his party still want to kid themselves. To believe that masterful obfuscation is a viable alternative to confrontation. That collective amnesia is preferable to acknowledging the sins of the past. That Corbynism can be coaxed and cajoled and finessed into the dustbin of history. Fine. Sir Keir can kid himself all he likes. But he wont fool the British people. The Germans could scarcely conceal their delight. According to Olaf Scholz, the socialist poised to succeed Angela Merkel as Chancellor of Germany, we can blame the shortage of lorry drivers, our half-empty supermarkets and closed petrol stations squarely at the feet of Brexit. Some might describe this as 'schadenfreude' taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. It is, of course, a German word. But Herr Scholz's assessment is shared by a troubling number of people in Britain. People who should know better. Wherever we look, captains of industry are demanding we reopen our gates to the cheap foreign labour that has done so much damage to our self-reliance. In this, the bosses have been aided by a Labour Party that instead of seizing the chance to get better pay for home-grown workers, is turning its back on them and demanding the return of the EU's free movement of people. Never mind the ruinous long-term consequences. According to Olaf Scholz (pictured), the socialist poised to succeed Angela Merkel as Chancellor of Germany, we can blame the shortage of lorry drivers, our half-empty supermarkets and closed petrol stations squarely at the feet of Brexit Part of the government's reserve tanker fleet based at a depot in Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire. Military drivers will be deployed to deliver fuel to forecourts from Monday as the crisis at the pumps continues Chief among the apologists for a low-wage economy is Rod McKenzie, the BBC executive turned managing director of the trucking industry's trade body, the Road Haulage Association. Brexit, he says, made British-based Continental lorry drivers feel insecure in their jobs and made them think: 'Maybe Britain's not for us.' So they went. Seventy per cent of the RHA's members wanted to leave the EU, yet McKenzie's association lobbied for the softest of soft Brexits with maximum rights for Polish and Bulgarian drivers to undercut our own. Not that McKenzie's is a solitary voice. The Remain lobby is both angry and influential, even now. The fuel crisis is an all-too-useful shroud and they are waving it with vigour. They always said that little old Britain simply couldn't hack it alone in the bleak post-Brexit world, that an exodus of truckers and fruit-pickers would bring us to our knees, and so it has come to pass. This is grotesquely untrue, of course. Yes, we are about 75,000 lorry drivers short. But the countries of the EU are also short of about 400,000 drivers, which will not be filled by Herr Scholz's beloved freedom of movement: one lorry driver relocating to Hamburg means one less staying in Warsaw. Germany needs another 60,000 drivers of heavy goods vehicles while Poland's shortfall is a whopping 120,000. Indeed, if we look at the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, a different picture emerges. Because while we have lost 12,700 EU truckers from our roads, the real damage has been done by the loss of about 55,000 British HGV drivers since the first quarter of 2020. This is grotesquely untrue, of course. Yes, we are about 75,000 lorry drivers short. But the countries of the EU are also short of about 400,000 drivers, which will not be filled by Herr Scholz's beloved freedom of movement: one lorry driver relocating to Hamburg means one less staying in Warsaw. Pictured: Freight lorries queue at the port of Dover in December 2020 And why don't British truckers want to drive on British roads? The answers are sadly obvious: scandalously low, irregular pay; long periods away from families; oppressive, EU-inspired bureaucracy; restrictive and unpleasant shift patterns; being expected to bunk down in the cab rather than having access to decent overnight stops; the disgraceful lack of respect. All the consequences, in other words, of a cut-price, dog-eat-dog haulage industry that has been allowed to mistreat British workers in this way thanks to the flood of drivers from lower-wage EU economies. Is it any wonder there are now more than 230,000 fully qualified holders of HGV licences who are no longer working in the haulage industry? And that's just the ones aged under 45. If only a third of them were to decide to return, the UK shortfall would disappear. Yet for a substantial part of the British economic and political establishment, Brexit remains unacceptable. For them, it is an unsettling manifestation of popular political will, one that prevailed against all the threats, all the blandishments and all the odds. It is more than five years now since the majority of the electorate decided by a huge numerical majority that it wanted to leave the EU. But the establishment still doesn't get it. Take Labour leader Keir Starmer. He is every inch a figure of the detached metropolitan elite, appalled and embarrassed by the perversity of voters in deciding they wanted to leave. In 2016, vast swathes of what were then Labour heartlands decided they wanted out. In 2019 they went still further and ejected dozens of Labour MPs in the party's supposedly safe Red Wall constituencies in the North. Few doubt they were impelled to do so by Boris Johnson's pledge to 'get Brexit done'. Yet at last week's Labour conference, Sir Keir solemnly assured his fractious party that he would 'make Brexit work', as if Brexit was something that had been forcibly imposed on a reluctant country. And what exactly does he mean? Most of us would reasonably conclude that Sir Keir's plan for the future involves a diluted form of EU membership, restoring the freedom of movement vaunted by Herr Scholz and the return of tens of thousands of cut-price EU workers. He clearly hasn't noticed the rebalancing going on in the haulage industry. Yet at last week's Labour conference, Sir Keir solemnly assured his fractious party that he would 'make Brexit work', as if Brexit was something that had been forcibly imposed on a reluctant country Wages for HGV drivers are increasing, in many cases substantially. British drivers can now demand higher pay, and employers, though sometimes grudgingly, are agreeing to it. It's the old law of supply and demand. If that law continues to operate as it has done for many centuries, we will see a good number of the missing 230,000 HGV licence holders returning to the industry. The same will eventually apply right across the economy, particularly in those vital trades that thanks largely to the self-indulgence of a comfortable elite we have come to disregard as suitable only for lowly immigrants. For them, Brexit will be working very well indeed, without any need for Sir Keir to trouble himself. And so it will for hundreds of thousands of British workers in many other sectors of our economy that have had a disproportionate reliance on Continental labour: butchers, fruit pickers, nurses, chefs, slaughtermen. This won't happen overnight, of course. And some short-term disruption of the kind we have been witnessing over the past few weeks is inevitable. It was always foreseen that the termination of a relationship that prevailed for almost half a century would generate a certain amount of turbulence. But one thing is certain: British workers can now demand a proper market rate for the important jobs they do, as well as acceptable, modern working conditions. And British employers will have to pay that rate and provide those conditions. The decent ones will, because Brexit is a revolution, albeit a very British one. The quiet, patient, ordinary people of this country have spoken. Sooner or later and I suspect very soon indeed Sir Keir, the members of the British establishment and their continental counterparts, including Herr Scholz, will simply have to listen. Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock once said that elections were won in years, not weeks. He was right. And those touting Sir Keir Starmer's recent conference speech as a sign that Labour is back on the path to power would do well to remember it. No General Election was won because of what happened at a party conference, or because of what a particular leader said in a keynote speech. Elections are won when political parties do the hard graft of securing the trust of the voters and presenting a clear-eyed programme that speaks their language and addresses their priorities. By this yardstick, Labour remains a very considerable distance from office. Those touting Sir Keir Starmer's (pictured) conference speech as a sign that Labour is on the path to power would do well to remember Neil Kinnock said that elections were won in years I wish it were not so. I am a Labour Party member of more than 20 years standing and a trade unionist to my core, but I have watched with increasing despair as my party and movement have torn themselves from their ideological moorings and alienated millions among the very voters they were created to represent. That Labour is no longer an object of affection for the British working class is entirely its own fault. Irrespective of the surprisingly positive outpourings from some quarters that accompanied the leader's conference speech, it faces a future as a middle-class pressure group rather than as a serious alternative for government. Jeremy Corbyn's elevation as leader did not cause the party's downturn in fortunes, and the slide will not be halted simply because he has departed the main stage. The party has been haemorrhaging support throughout post-industrial, blue-collar Britain once its lifeblood for 20 years or more. When New Labour rushed to embrace the global market, it said nothing of what that might mean for working-class communities, the so-called 'Red Wall' towns that now vote Conservative, for example. It said nothing about the deindustrialisation that would follow. About the rapid and unsettling population changes we would see. Or about Labour's transformation into a party of the professional and managerial classes, which preached a hyper-liberalism so alien to many in its traditional heartlands. A rupture was inevitable. Labour forgot many working-class voters held soft conservative views. Pictured: Leave Means Leave Brexit Campaign holds rally in Westminster, London, on the March 29, 2019 For years, I warned my colleagues in the movement that our priorities were no longer those of the people we purported to speak for, that we no longer looked or sounded like a party of the working class, and that we were headed for disaster. In response they accused me, and others like me, of being 'reactionaries' who harboured a nostalgic view of working-class communities. It is certainly true that, to win power, Labour has always needed to break out from its base and attract a layer of more liberal, middle-class supporters. The party has always been at its best and most successful when it has been able to hold that coalition what I describe as 'Hampstead and Hartlepool' together. But in recent times, the coalition has become virtually all Hampstead and hardly any Hartlepool. Labour made the mistake of believing that if it promised working-class voters a few quid more in their pockets and a few extra rights on the statute book they would ignore all the other stuff. Take, for example, the spread of a militant cosmopolitan liberalism that violated their sense of belonging and weakened cultural bonds. The loose immigration policy that created pressures in their neighbourhoods. The atomisation and individualism that was supplanting the idea of community. Or the party's immersion into a destructive identity politics and obsession with fringe causes that had little resonance with most ordinary people. The working class certainly did not ignore these things. They could see that 'their' party had fundamentally changed and that modish words such as 'diversity', 'equality' and 'inclusion' were valued more than 'family', 'community', 'nation' and 'work'. The dignity of work a concept rightly touched on by Sir Keir in his speech and central to the party's traditions meant nothing to New Labour. Tony Blair's ill-conceived insistence that 50 per cent of all young people should go to university demonstrated a deep prejudice against vocational and manual labour, which was looked upon as menial and dirty by the party's new, well-heeled ideologues. It is hard to imagine the high priests of the liberal Left ever countenancing their own offspring becoming truck drivers, fruit pickers, plumbers or care workers. The party forgot, too, that many working-class voters held soft conservative views, even though they held no affinity for the Conservative Party itself. They were patriotic. They respected the Armed Forces. Many loved the Queen. They often held true to traditional values and took a robust line on issues like law and order, immigration and national security. Some, God forbid, may have been faintly religious. Once upon a time, these people were perfectly comfortable voting Labour. But as the party began to look upon those who subscribed to 'faith, family and flag' as ignorant and almost certainly bigoted, so the relationship began to splinter. And the party came to be seen as one for student radicals, social activists, graduates and fashionable liberals living in cities and university towns. As a result, millions of working- class people stopped voting for it. No General Election was won because of what happened at a party conference, or because of what a particular leader said in a keynote speech (pictured: Sir Keir's speech on Wednesday) Today, we are seeing a fundamental realignment in British politics. The taboo of voting Tory has, for many working-class voters, been broken. Having done it for the first time, they won't hesitate to do it again provided Boris Johnson gives them reason to do so. While Sir Keir made some welcome noises in his conference speech, in particular focusing on the key themes of family and work, it would be a delusion to conclude that Labour is a changed animal and the working class will come flocking back. There are two groups vying for control of the Labour Party the professional liberal Left and the Corbynite radical Left. But neither points the way to redemption. The worst mistake the leader and his allies could make is to believe as I fear some of them do that the clock need only be wound back to the time immediately before Jeremy Corbyn. For that would be to fail to recognise the damage caused to the relationship between the party and its traditional vote during the Blair years. The so-called 'moderates' and 'centrists' are just as responsible for the party's plight as the Corbynites and revolutionaries. It was, after all, their supreme arrogance their view of themselves as the fount of all enlightenment that did so much to repel working-class voters. These people, sitting at their scrubbed pine tables in the trendier districts of our land, just assumed that the country would always move in their direction. For years, it did. But then it stopped. And, not being used to losing, they threw a tantrum and sought to blame everyone but themselves. What Labour needs is an internal revolution, a complete ideological overhaul. It must start to speak the language and reflect the priorities of ordinary voters. That means crafting a programme that fuses economic justice reducing the gap between rich and poor, tackling regional inequalities, revitalising our industrial base and so on with the cultural politics of belonging. The party must recognise again that millions of voters, especially those rooted in small-town, provincial Britain, are social and parochial beings with an attachment to place, family, tradition, community, stability and nation. These people once voted Labour in their droves. They will do so again only when they are sure the party no longer despises them. What on earth did Fatboy Slim make of Sir Keir Starmer striding on stage last week in Brighton to his club anthem Right Here, Right Now? After all, the Left-wing pacifist DJ had previously roasted Tony 'Cool Britannia' Blair for using the smash hit to 'boost credibility' during the 2004 Labour conference. 'It is better not to choose an anthem written by someone who openly opposes you,' Fatboy had warned. Good advice that Starmer's people ignored in pursuit of young and middle-aged voters they hope will return to a New Labour dancefloor. In a speech carefully crafted by Blair's former wordsmith, Starmer rapped robotically about how he wanted all children to have a rounded education and told conference that Fatboy Slim, or Quentin Cook as he then was (he later changed his first name to Norman), had been in his music class at Reigate Grammar in Surrey. What on earth did Fatboy Slim make of Sir Keir Starmer striding on stage last week in Brighton to his club anthem Right Here, Right Now? In a speech carefully crafted by Blair's former wordsmith, Starmer rapped robotically about how he wanted all children to have a rounded education and told conference that Fatboy Slim, or Quentin Cook as he then was (he later changed his first name to Norman), had been in his music class at Reigate Grammar in Surrey The human rights lawyer then gave a eulogy to the levelling-up achievements of the Blair era, with one major omission his illegal war in Iraq, something Quaker-raised Fatboy stridently opposed. And in a final flourish, Starmer cynically ended his 90-minute speech by paying tribute to the men and women of the British military who have risked their lives in Afghanistan, another failed Blair delusion. So would it be an 'attaboy' for Starmer from his old classmate Fatboy? After the Labour leader exited stage right, I jumped in a taxi to nearby Hove, where the DJ lives in a 'Millionaires' Row' of houses, each with its own private pebbled beach. Mr Slim came to the door unaware his anthem had once again been used by New Labour. Asked if he supported the Blair-apparent, the bespectacled DJ said: 'I don't want to chat.' Minutes later, he jumped into his Mini Cooper and sped towards Brighton, where the seafront bars were packed with smug Labour spin doctors talking up Starmer's new direction in the path to power. Right here, right now. Lord Blair has no right to speak on Sarah case I was shocked to hear former Met Police Commissioner and absentee Lord (Ian) Blair yesterday compare Sarah Everard's rape and murder by a serving officer to the collapse of an investment bank. The Met's top brass and bankers love a rotten-apple theory as it points away from problematic cultures. Barings Bank's 'rogue' trader Nick Leeson, who Blair referenced, and Wayne Couzens operated in toxic cultures of sexism and cover-up. Blair should know. Before entering the Lords, where he hasn't bothered to speak since March 2020, he presided over appalling clear-up rates on violence against women and the small matter of a mass shredding of police-corruption files. Ian, you're the last person I want to hear opining on the Everard case. While Dominic 'I wasn't paddleboarding' Raab was in Crete managing the fall of Kabul via WhatsApp, his old boss Theresa May enjoyed a luxury jolly of her own. The former PM jetted off on a two-week break in August, and managed to avoid chaotic airport queues by using the ultra-exclusive VIP Windsor Suite at Heathrow. She certainly took her time declaring the 8,400 freebie from the airport breaking the MP Code of Conduct, which requires all gifts to be registered within 28 days, in the process. Perhaps, having flown back three days after the Foreign Secretary, May, who oversaw three years of the Afghan war, didn't think it would be a good look to draw attention to her own flight of fancy while British citizens struggled to escape Taliban rule. There's more WFH buzz in the Civil Service an advert has gone up for a 'seasonal bee inspector', with the reassuring note that the successful applicant can work from home. As the mother of a bright, beautiful, kind, sweet, funny young woman with her whole life ahead of her, my heart breaks for Susan Everard. In every syllable, every word of her statement this week to the court about the murder of her youngest daughter, Sarah, I felt the unending agony of a mother who has lost, in the most brutal and final of circumstances, that most wondrous of gifts, her precious little girl. 'I yearn for her. I remember all the lovely things about her: she was caring, she was funny. She was clever, but she was good at practical things too. She was a beautiful dancer. She was a wonderful daughter.' As the mother of a bright, beautiful, kind, sweet, funny young woman with her whole life ahead of her, my heart breaks for Susan Everard. Pictured: Sarah Everard The heart shivers. It is almost too much. I can't even begin to comprehend the agony she must feel, the infinite ocean of pain that engulfs her every time she opens her eyes in the morning and remembers that the nightmare is real. Mrs Everard's statement was not only heart-rending in its eloquence and honesty, it was also an act of supreme bravery. It must have taken incredible self-discipline to stand before the perpetrator of these crimes, the abomination of a human being that is Wayne Couzens, and resist the urge to hurl abuse at him, or to launch herself across the courtroom at him, to rip his wicked, piggy little eyes out of his thick head. I can't say I would have had either the courage or the composure. But I'm glad she did. Because it brought Sarah back to life in a way that only a mother can. It made her real in a way she deserves to be, even though Couzens tried so hard to erase all trace of her. As powerless as she may have been in life, duped into submission by the lies of an officer who shames his entire profession, aided and abetted by draconian Covid laws that in my opinion should never have existed in the first place, in death she is a symbol of every woman who ever suffered at the hands of a pervert like Couzens. And her power gives all us women strength as mothers, daughter, sisters, grandmothers to finally take a stand against the misogyny that still dominates our police and other institutions. A misogyny that is so unconscious many don't even realise they're doing it. Because when someone like Philip Allott, Police Commissioner for North Yorkshire, goes on the radio and says that it is up to women to 'be streetwise about when they can be arrested and when they can't be arrested', and that Sarah 'should never have submitted to that,' you really get a sense of the scale of the problem. And, if what we are told about other officers, colleagues of Couzens, exchanging vile and abusing messages on a WhatsApp group are true, one can't help thinking that this is just the tip of an iceberg. I am not someone who believes in the inherent toxicity of the male of the species. And I don't agree with Harriet Harman when she says that misogyny should be reclassified as a hate crime for the simple reason that, aside perhaps from encouraging the odd scaffolder to moderate his language, I very much doubt it would deter the real women-haters. But when you look beyond Sarah's case, to the testimonies of young women and girls on platforms such as Everyone's Invited (which saw a wave of confessions following Sarah's death) you realise that something has gone very badly wrong in the way many some men see women. When you read these accounts, there is little doubt what the common denominator is: misogyny. It is, I'm afraid, real. The question is, where does it come from. Because when someone like Philip Allott, Police Commissioner for North Yorkshire, goes on the radio and says that it is up to women to 'be streetwise about when they can be arrested and when they can't be arrested', and that Sarah 'should never have submitted to that,' you really get a sense of the scale of the problem Ultimately, of course, all kinds of places. But in a civilised society such as Britain there is only one place that legitimises misogyny and, in so doing, converts thoughts into action: online porn. A world in which the sick scenarios such as the one carried out by Couzens are by no means unusual, and where the abuse of women during sex is commonplace. A world where violence against women is not only normal, but where the desire to explore and indulge those urges is normalised. A place where a pervert like Couzens can not only feel at home, but be part of an online community of like-minded individuals. And, of course, a place that is easily accessed via any number of electronic devices, free to view and totally unencumbered by any sort of censorship or law. Couzens, who was an avid consumer of online porn, was the person who ultimately extinguished Sarah's life. But the evil that emboldened him, that legitimised his actions in his twisted mind and that, in a thousand other ways, encourages a whole generation of men (and children: only recently the Children's Commissioner Rachel D'Souza warned that online porn was 'normalising' sexual assault in schools) to treat women as objects on which to vent their frustrations, play out their fantasies or blame their inadequacies, that's online porn. We as women can protest all we like. But until that changes, until someone has the strength and the courage to put a lid on that sewer, filth like Couzens will always crawl their way out to pollute our streets. And no girl, no woman will ever truly be safe. The Government has a chance to change that. It should do so. In memory of Sarah. In memory of so many victims. And for the future safety of all our daughters The joint committee of the Commons and Lords, chaired by the MP Damian Collins, is due to report on the revised Online Safety Bill at the end of December. As it stands, there is no recommendation for a paywall, or any kind of barrier to entry. Which means the culture that contributed to the death of Sarah will continue to embed in our young people as it has been doing for over a decade. The Government has a chance to change that. It should do so. In memory of Sarah. In memory of so many victims. And for the future safety of all our daughters. Why I must take issue with Carrie I love Carrie in person she's nothing like the sexist stereotypes you're always reading and it is typically generous of her to lend her considerable influence to an event in support of LGBT rights at Tory conference. But I am a little apprehensive about her allying herself with an organisation like Stonewall (co-organisers of the event), which, while highly respected and rightly so over the years for its work on gay rights has, of late, betrayed some rather less than tolerant views when it comes to women's rights. Specifically, the organisation's chief executive, Nancy Kelley, has said that so-called gender critical beliefs such as the notion that women have the right to single-sex spaces for their own protection, or that mothers should not have to style themselves as 'people who give birth' or 'chest-feeders' are as bad as anti-Semitism. That is a grotesque and unfair demonisation of a group of people myself included who are only trying to have an open and honest debate about these deeply complex issues in order to protect the hard-won rights of not just a handful of trans women but all women. Getting to see my GP is close to impossible My GP keeps sending me increasing hysterical texts. I need a blood test, a blood pressure check-up, a flu jab. Please can I ring the surgery and arrange these things. Delighted to not least because I've been trying to get an appointment for ages for something else that's been worrying me. Except every time I call I'm forced to listen to a long pre-recorded message about how busy they are and how I must only call in emergencies, and then I wait for ages while they fail to answer. And when I try to make an appointment online I can't because for some reason my password no longer works and I can't reset it because you guessed it to do that I have to speak to them over the phone. At this rate I'll end up like Spike Milligan. I told you I was ill All credit to the secondary school in Camberwell Ark All Saints Academy which has banned the use of street slang in classes. The usual suspects have attacked the move as elitist; but the truth, as any responsible parent or teacher knows, is that slang speak is not just about words it's about attitude. A child who uses slang terminology such as 'bare' (for lots) or 'long' (boring, tedious) and the perennial 'oh my days' is deliberately challenging adult authority in front of his or her peers. It's intimidating, disrespectful and hugely disrupting not just for teachers but also for those pupils who DO want to learn. Only Gina Miller could troll a man the day after burying his own mother and get away with it. 'Anyone seen Boris Johnson?' she tweeted on Tuesday, to which Boris's sister, Rachel Johnson, simply replied 'It was our mother's funeral yesterday, Gina.' How incredibly dignified of Rachel; and how crass of Miller, a woman whose hatred of Brexit renders her blind to all sense of decency. I confess that having been initially shocked by the seemingly draconian restrictions placed on Britney Spears by her father Jamie Spears during his 13-year conservatorship, now that she is finally free I'm starting to wonder whether there wasn't some truth in his concerns about her mental health. Her latest posts on Instagram in which she poses stark naked with only a few emojis to hide her modesty are not exactly reassuring. After all she's been through, it would be awful to see her suffer a setback. Let's hope I'm wrong. 'Bringing Sajid Javid back may yet turn out to be one of Boris's smartest moves. Last week he was one of the few voices of sanity in the whole Starmer/cervix row when, in response to the Labour leader's assertion that it is transphobic to say only women have a cervix, he pointed out in no uncertain terms that this was a 'total denial of scientific fact'. Now he has said care home workers who are not willing to get vaccinated should 'get out and get another job'. Bravo. I dont have a favourite Bond, but I do think its time for a female Bond, says Sir Keir Starmer in a bout of tediously predictable virtue-signalling. Would that be one with or without a cervix, Sir Keir? It is one of Covids most distinctive and curious symptoms: the loss of the sense of smell, which blights more than half of sufferers. Among the many things the virus attacks are the receptor cells in the nose, affecting their ability to function properly. While most people recover in a few weeks, for roughly one in ten the problem, called anosmia, lingers for a month or more. It makes life pretty miserable. The sense of smell is intrinsically link to taste, which means sufferers commonly find food and drink become, quite literally, flavourless. Now scientists have stumbled on a potential treatment for reawakening the senses: Vitamin A. While most people recover in a few weeks, for roughly one in ten the problem, called anosmia, lingers for a month or more The compound, found naturally in cheese, eggs and oily fish, is being added to nasal drops, which will be given to volunteers suffering from Covid-related anosmia, as part of a medical trial. While it may be some months before results are seen, there are several other remedies that experts say may improve matters. Here are some you can try now, and others that are on the horizon VITAMIN DROPS TO WAKEN SLEEPING CELLS There is already some compelling evidence that Vitamin A nose drops could be the anosmia treatment patients are desperate for. In April, a group of German doctors at the University of Dresden conducted a study similar to the proposed British one, trialling the drops in a group of patients over eight weeks. Half were given the drops alongside smell training which involves sniffing strong scents every day, such as rose and coffee, to stimulate nerve cells inside the nose. The other half were given smell training alone, and no drops. After eight weeks, 37 per cent of those using the drops reported a significant improvement in smell detection, compared with 23 per cent of the control group. A substance in the vitamin retinoic acid is known to repair damaged DNA in cells, which may explain the effect. The new study will use a similar method, and researchers will scan the brains of volunteers to build up a better picture of what happens. Professor Barry Smith, of the University of Londons Centre for the Study of the Senses, said: As the cells begin to recover, an area of the brain called the olfactory bulb expands. This suggests that the treatment will have a long-lasting effect. Professor Carl Philpott, the lead researcher and an ear nose and throat consultant, added: We will also look at activity in other areas of the brain linked to recognising smells. Its a very exciting moment for everyone in the field. TAKE A GOOD SNIFF AT SOME STRONG ODOURS Doctors have long debated the effectiveness of smell training for regaining senses. Some studies show it to be effective, while others have shown limited benefits. However, Prof Philpott says that the research conducted by his team at the University of East Anglia suggests it is worth trying. A study of 140 anosmia patients found that sniffing at least four odours including lemon, rose and eucalyptus twice daily for two months could significantly improve subjects sense of smell. Prof Philpott suggests buying rehabilitation kits online, or using strong-smelling spices or other pungent ingredients that are found in most kitchen cupboards. STEROID SPRAY TO SOOTHE THE NOSE A nose spray containing anti-inflammatory steroids could help patients smell again. The treatment is already offered to some with long-term smell loss following other viruses such as flu, and is effective in up to half of patients. Now experts believe it could also help those who have had Covid-19. Scientists at Benha University in Egypt are currently analysing the effect of a daily steroid stray on 100 people who lost their sense of smell following coronavirus. The study will test subjects smell using mint and garlic at the end of each week for three weeks and compare their results to a group undergoing smell training. Sometimes the virus causes the nerves to swell, which disrupts signals to the brain, says Prof Philpott. Steroids can be very effective for treating swelling and inflammation. But we need more evidence to prove that it works for Covid-related smell loss. SMOTHER EVERYTHING IN TOMATO SAUCE Perhaps the most wretched element of losing your ability to smell is the associated loss of taste. Prof Smith says his patients report a host of strange sensations alongside this from different foods all tasting the same to phantom tastes, such as rotting rubbish. Experts say that this is mainly due to the viruss effect on the nasal cells. While some may be able to detect sweet or salty, a depth of flavour comes from breathing in the scents of food as we eat, says Prof Philpott. If the smell disappears, everything taste odd or flavourless,. But there is one basic taste that shines through particularly well: meaty, savouriness called umami. Mushrooms are another ingredient that has umami in it that could help restore a sense of smell. [File image] We are born with a large number of tongue receptors that seek out this taste because it is in breast milk, so it is more easily detected. Try to add an umami ingredient into every dish, suggests Prof Smith. Thats mushrooms, tomato sauce, soya sauce, soya bean paste or miso. Youre more likely to taste them, and it will increase the intensity of other flavours too. TRY ADDING A SQUEEZE OF LEMON Citrus fruits such as lemon, orange and lime can stimulate receptors on the tongue that detect other flavours, says Prof Smith. Adding a squeeze of lemon to vegetables and even meat will help you pick up flavours much more quickly. 'The receptors that detect acid [as in citrus fruits] act rapidly, which can enhance the activity of tongue receptors that pick up other tastes. Citrus fruits such as lemon, orange and lime can stimulate receptors on the tongue that detect other flavours, says Professor Barry Smith. [File image] 'If you think of eating a banana, for instance, it sometimes takes a while to taste the flavour. But with lemon or lime, its an instant hit. There are other tricks to shock the tastebuds into action. Adding a tiny bit of chilli or ginger will at least make you feel a tingling or burning, says Prof Smith. If food is very boring, it livens up a meal, makings the sensation more interesting. I trained my nose to smell again One patient who credits smell training for bringing his senses back to life is 29-year-old David Soffer. He caught Covid in April 2020 and began to notice an absence of smell and taste almost instantly. Im a big coffee snob so I always take a nice sniff when I grind my beans in the morning, he says. And one morning, suddenly, there was nothing. Six months went by, with no improvement. You dont realise how much you take it for granted until you lose it, he says. It was miserable. David Soffer, 29, from Hampstead, North London, stumbled across the anosmia charity AbScent who helped him recover '95 per cent' of his taste and smell after catching Covid in April 2020 While researching the problem online, David, a marketing executive from Hampstead, North London, stumbled across the anosmia charity AbScent, which recommend smell training. He bought a kit from its website, which included four strong-smelling essential oils including eucalyptus, coffee and different floral notes. Within two months of smelling them for a few minutes twice a day, he noticed a difference. At first things smelt odd. The eucalyptus was like sniffing nappies. But slowly I started to pick up smells I recognised. Today, David says his sense of smell and taste is 95 per cent back to normal. He adds: Simple flavours like bananas I still find take a while for me to taste. But I can enjoy pretty much all the foods I love again. Individuals with a cervix. Pregnant people. Chestfeeding gestational parent. Bodies with vaginas. If youve not encountered these phrases before, you might think they belong in a science fiction novel. In fact, they are now used in British medicine as so-called gender neutral inclusive language. The idea is to make healthcare more welcoming and accessible to those who dont fit the standard model of being male or female. For instance, Government figures suggest that roughly 680,000 Britons do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. A transgender man who was born with female body parts might still have female anatomy and can become pregnant. Its one example of why many NHS trusts are adopting a broader approach to gynaecological and obstetric language. Inclusive language isnt only meant for gender non-conforming people co-parent may replace father for same-sex couples. Now listen to the debate - are you a woman, or a body with a vagina? Few would dispute that our NHS must be accessible to everyone. But there was an outcry last week at one phrase that was new to me. The Lancet, one of the worlds most influential medical journals, tweeted an image of the cover of its latest issue, which displayed a sentence that, in effect, replaced the word women with bodies with vaginas. The line was from a review of an exhibition on menstrual health at the Vagina Museum in London. It read: Historically, the anatomy and physiology of bodies with vaginas have been neglected. Many women, quite understandably, were furious. Editor Richard Horton was accused of dehumanisation and erasing women from a conversation that primarily concerns... women. But I have another concern: That when using phrases like this, a sizeable number of patients wont have the foggiest idea what youre on about a problem if you want to give public health messages that must be understood by everyone. The use of inclusive language isnt new. In 2016, the British Medical Association recommended its staff use pregnant people instead of pregnant women. For anyone who thought that wouldnt catch on, its a phrase that youll hear widely used in maternity care now. Then, in February last year, midwives at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust were told to start using terms such as chest milk instead of breast milk. The idea, Im told, is that some transgender men who give birth and nurse their children feel profound distress at being reminded theyre doing so with their breasts. Medically speaking, of course, men have breasts. You dont call male breast cancer chest cancer. Breast is already a gender- neutral term. In medicine, the chest usually refers to the thorax, which houses the lungs and heart, among other things. The Lancet, one of the worlds most influential medical journals, tweeted an image of the cover of its latest issue, which displayed a sentence that, in effect, replaced the word women with bodies with vaginas Speaking to The Mail on Sundays Medical Minefield podcast this week, Dr Alison Berner, a cancer specialist who also works in gender identity at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, said the idea was to assume nothing, perhaps use a neutral term as a starting point, and if in doubt, ask. She said a cisgender man one who was assigned male at birth and still identifies as a man may be fine with the term breast cancer, but added: There might be someone who experiences extreme distress from that term. Its about checking with each individual person whats all right for them. What about bodies with vaginas surely no one wants to be called that? But Dr Berner said: I am a cisgender woman and I have a body with a vagina. 'When I see a term like that I know its applicable to me and applicable to my trans male friends, if they have a vagina. Its an anatomically accurate term. EVE SIMMONS: 'When using woke phrases like this, a sizeable number of patients wont have the foggiest idea what youre on about a problem if you want to give public health messages that must be understood by everyone' What about the women who have been offended by it? She cited the risk of making a transgender person suffer dysphoria, a form of distress, adding: There will always be people who might be offended. But that is quite different to triggering dysphoria. It is a controversial view, and Im not sure how, in trying to be inclusive, you avoid pitting one group against another. Its perfectly fair for a woman to say, I dont want to be called a body with a vagina. I know I dont. What if terms such as pregnant people make it into doctors everyday speech? Would it confuse people? Many people already struggle to understand vital health information. An NHS report estimates that 43 to 61 per cent of adults have literacy and numeracy levels that mean simple messages in NHS leaflets can baffle them, and 43 per cent struggle to grasp instructions on a paracetamol packet. In healthcare, misunderstandings can lead to serious consequences. In 2016, the British Medical Association recommended its staff use pregnant people (above) instead of pregnant women Women who dont have an adequate grasp of health messages are less likely to attend screenings for breast and cervical cancer, less likely to attend follow-up appointments after an abnormal result and are more likely to have unplanned, complicated pregnancies. Terms like uterus and vagina may not be totally understandable by the general population, says Joyce Harper, an IVF doctor and Professor of Reproductive Science at the Institute for Womens Health. Its much more important to use language that people understand. Guidance from Imperial College London and the Institute of Global Health offered evidence-based instructions for health messages to improve the take-up of treatment. It stated: Make it simple. Use language, visuals and ideas that are easy to process quickly. People need to be able to understand what you are asking them to do and why it matters, and... act accordingly. Will bodies with vaginas do this? I dont think so. By trying to include one vanishingly small minority it may exclude larger numbers already facing struggles. Before writing this article, I did some digging among medical contacts to try and find out who exactly is coming up with these terms. It proved relatively fruitless. Just about every medic I spoke to said they werent sure, as any medical professional they knew who dealt closely with patients would consider most of the phrases too confusing. Some terms, such as pregnant people, are understandable and easy to use, they told me. But others certainly bodies with vaginas they would not recommend. So who would? [File pic] Some terms, such as pregnant people, are understandable and easy to use, they told me. But others certainly bodies with vaginas they would not recommend. So who would? Eventually, I spoke to one female doctor who told me that local health teams were often influenced by suggestions from equity steering committees. These groups are largely made up of volunteers who are asked to represent the community on important issues, and feed prorities back to health chiefs. But crucially, they are not usually healthcare professionals and, perhaps, lack in-depth knowledge of the repercussions of perplexing health messages for patients. Im also not sure Sophia Davis, author of the Lancet article, intended the phrase to be taken out of context. I emailed her to ask her thoughts, but got only a statement from the editor saying he was sorry people got upset. The piece uses the word woman many times. So why, of all the valuable passages in it, did the editor choose this sentence for his cover? Did he hope it would create useful discussion? What do YOU think of the term 'bodies with vaginas?' Tell us at health@mailonsunday.co.uk Advertisement Or did he just think that any publicity is good publicity? Call me cynical, but I think the latter is more likely. Many of the female doctors I approached on this toxic subject refused to speak. Dame Professor Clare Gerada, one of the UKs most senior female doctors and former chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: Its an area that will result in a lot of hate mail whatever my views, so I wont say anything. Sorry. Another said: People are just terrified of saying the wrong thing, so theyd rather not say anything. A third said simply: I am unable to help with this topic. In science, open communication, debate and critiques are key to understanding the truth. An absence of healthy discussion on the subject is the most disturbing thing of all. The Normal Heart Olivier Theatre, London Until November 6, 2hrs 50mins Rating: In all the time that Ronald Reagan was US President from 1981 to 1989 he rarely uttered the word AIDS, and not at all until 1985. This while almost 90,000 Americans, mostly gay men, died on his watch, stigmatised and ignored. Its a burning anger at this and other injustices that fuels Larry Kramers largely autobiographical drama of his battle with ignorance, prejudice and fear for years, a diagnosis meant almost certain, and painful, death over HIV and AIDS, and his struggle to set up a campaigning organisation in New York. The Normal Heart got its UK premiere in 1986, with The West Wing star Martin Sheen in the Kramer role of Jewish writer Ned. Its a powerful, political but also wrenching drama of the conflict between the abrasive, confrontational Ned (a barnstorming performance from a muscly, denim-clad Ben Daniels) and the authorities that refused to act while deaths and infections from a mysterious disease spread throughout the city, then the nation. The New York Mayor's assistant unpopular message and that of one overwhelmed doctor (Silent Witnesss Liz Carr, above) also alienates the newly liberated gay men Watching him eviscerate the New York Mayors assistant is reminiscent of Piers Morgan hounding Matt Hancock on Good Morning Britain. His unpopular message and that of one overwhelmed doctor (Silent Witnesss Liz Carr) also alienates the newly liberated gay men who refuse to accept that sex is killing them. AIDS then comes closer to home with his first boyfriend, journalist Felix, and later Ned is ejected from the organisation he co-founded. There is bitterness in this account too. Dominic Cookes visually sparse production, with a fire of remembrance burning above the stage, doesnt distract from a message that, with its talk of viruses and denial, is certainly timely. But like Russell T. Daviess recent TV drama Its A Sin, this is a hard-hitting and important reminder of the horror of those years. No Time To Die Cert: 12A, 2hrs 43mins Rating: The last time James Bond was driving his Aston Martin through Europe, with the woman he loved by his side, and uttered the fateful words We have all the time in the world was in On Her Majestys Secret Service, when George Lazenby was 007 and the late Diana Rigg Bonds beautiful new wife. And we all know what happened next. So when exactly the same words are uttered in No Time To Die, with Daniel Craigs Bond driving the woman he fell in love with in Spectre, Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux), we look at each other and think: Uh-oh. We never quite believe in the love between James Bond (Daniel Craig, above) and Madeleine Swann as we did in the love between Bond and Vesper Lynd, played so beautifully by Eva Green Its an important thought, but soon forgotten amid the explosions, machine-gun fights and an extraordinarily timely plot about an evil megalomaniac played with menace by Rami Malek planning to unleash a deadly airborne plague on the world. Yes, the film that had its release postponed three times by Covid-19 has something really quite similar at the heart of its storyline. Its a cruel irony, although ultimately one that may work to its advantage. The 25th Bond film, however, is not without its faults at nearly two-and-three-quarter hours, its overlong and over-complicated too, particularly in the clumsily constructed first third. Ana de Armas (above) is terrific if tragically under-used as Felix Leiters newest recruit in Cuba, while the similarly impressive Lashana Lynch doesnt concede a muscular inch as Nomi We also never quite believe in the love between Bond and Swann as we did in the love between Bond and Vesper Lynd, played so beautifully by Eva Green, in Casino Royale. Fifteen years on, Vespers presence and absence still has a role to play here. I miss you, says Bond quietly at her Italian grave. We all do. After two long scene-setting flashbacks and an inevitably more politically correct version of the once-iconic Bond opening titles, the story penned by Bond regulars Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, assisted this time by director Cary Joji Fukunaga and Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge begins with Bond in quiet retirement in the Caribbean. An extraordinarily timely plot about an evil megalomaniac played with menace by Rami Malek (above) planning to unleash a deadly airborne plague on the world Its not M (a splendidly buttoned-up Ralph Fiennes) who calls him back into action but his old American friend Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright). Seems theres a Spectre convention in Cuba which is odd given that its head, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), is still languishing in HMP Belmarsh. Ana de Armas is terrific if tragically under-used as Leiters newest recruit in Cuba, while the similarly impressive Lashana Lynch doesnt concede a muscular inch as Nomi, who in Bonds absence has been given his coveted 007 designation. Its just a number, he sniffs. Yeah, right. Despite its faults and I hated David Denciks over-the-top turn as a treacherous Russian scientist and some half-hearted nonsense about a bionic eye theres no doubt that No Time To Die provides a fitting, and suitably epic, finale to Craigs magnificent 15-year stint as Bond. Ive loved almost all of it Skyfall is a masterpiece and Casino Royale would have been if the poker game hadnt gone on quite so long. Here he signs off in style, bringing a new emotional sensitivity to the ageing Bond watch out for one wonderfully touching speech while retaining his extraordinary ability to kill or maim bad guys by the score. For anyone whos grown up with Bond, as I have, or found themselves re-energised by Craigs muscular turn in the role, this is a big moment, a big film and one youll definitely want to see on the big screen. As a proud Pank (Professional Aunt, No Kids) Edwina Ings-Chambers explains that while her deep feelings for her nieces and nephews may be different to a parents love, they matter every bit as much Edwina with her Nephew Charlie and niece Thea when they were younger, plus cats Mr Ginge and Mit I am a woman who hasnt had children. I didnt expect my life would pan out this way. I always, probably rather blithely, thought it would just happen one day. For me, there is no angst behind this life position; it isnt what I expected but it is also simply what it is. There is no secret sadness behind it all (though certainly some broken hearts from romantic adventures that Id thought might lead to the traditional marriage-and-kids scenario). I havent tried fertility treatment. I havent wanted to go it alone on the parenting route. Nor was I a hardcore career woman who simply forgot to reproduce as I scaled the ladders of success. I am a woman living her life. So I felt no great panic as the numbers marking my age went upwards and my fertility spiralled downwards and, as Ive got older, I went from assuming that Id be a mother to accepting that I might not and taking a sanguine que sera sera view on the situation. Still, not having children at least not having given birth to them seems to be something other people love to judge. I believe many see me as what Clare Boothe Luce (who wrote the play The Women) would describe as what nature abhors a frozen asset. Not having had children is a situation that some feel they can wield to make you appear and feel lesser than; I hate to bring up her past errors, but Andrea Leadsoms 2016 comments that shed make a better leader than Theresa May because she has children and therefore a very real stake in the future was so utterly lacking in emotional intelligence that it beggars belief. Who is anyone to prejudge the depth and breadth that my heart can reach? Other women will often write about how you cant know what love is until youve given birth. Really? Seriously? If my love hasnt been hot-housed by birth hormones then it cant be nearly as pure and all-encompassing as yours? I beg to differ. Who is anyone to prejudge the depth and breadth and height that my heart can reach? I know love as surely, as truly and consumingly as anyone else and I feel it for all of my nieces and nephews. I grant you that it may be different, but it isnt lesser. And, unless youve lived life from my side, how can anyone possibly measure my love? Why does it even need to be a competition? Love is love and surely thats what matters. So, yes, I am a woman who hasnt had children but I am a woman with children, for I am an aunt six times over or as a modern acronym would have me, Im a Pank (Professional Aunt, No Kids). I first wrote about this phenomenon almost a decade ago about the joy I get from being an aunt to my nieces and nephews, in order of age: Tom, Charlie, Ollie, Thea, Georgie and Bali. At the time, I still thought that kids of my own might come along but I was also increasingly aware that it may never happen and according to figures from the Office of National Statistics, 20 per cent of women in the UK wont have children. I am now officially one of that fifth of British women. As the realisation increasingly dawned on me that this was the direction in which I was heading, I made a conscious decision to up my efforts in auntyhood. I wanted to be fully part of the warp and weft of their lives, a crucial part of their security blanket in the world, a soft place where they knew they could always land no matter what. When I first documented being a Pank, one of my sisters-in-law, Lucy, said how great I was at turning up and playing with her kids while much of her time was taken up with processing getting the kids from A to B for school, sports, seeing friends and organising all the paraphernalia that came with it. However, when I found myself between jobs and working as a freelancer, I realised that it was just this kind of processing that I wanted to be part of. I wanted the nitty-gritty of it all, the school-gate stuff, the areas where you need to be dependable rather than just fun. And my days were now free to shape as I wanted. The possibility of a dream job in Paris came up but I chose to step back and let it pass me by. What I wanted most was to be more involved in the lives of my nieces and nephews. And to do it while they were still young enough for me to be properly embedded in their lives, so that they knew in their very core that I was really there for them. Id missed so many of their big events over the years as I was always away at fashion weeks and my work life was a whirling dervish of appointments. But, when everything was said and done, they were all that mattered. I wanted to know them better and vice versa. So I made myself available though it took some convincing; my sisters-in-law never wanted to impose and I had to keep telling them that I really meant it and that being a part of the school run was a huge joy to me. I wanted that commitment. Besides, the nitty-gritty is where real life is and I love every moment of the practical side of aunt-dom. I got things wrong, of course. I still feel guilty about the time I managed to get one niece from school to her ballet lesson on time, despite the odds, only to realise Id forgotten her twirling ribbon and she had to do the class without it. But I was able to be there for her ballet recital when she played a cat. When her niece Bali moved to Australia last year, it was like losing a limb, says Edwina I was first in line in the parents queue for a seat (and got to witness the very competitive pushing and elbowing by them all to bag the best view inside). Ive dropped off and picked up from boarding school. Ive gone in to talk to teachers when one niece was worrying herself sick about a lesson she hadnt finished. My inexperience is something I try hard to counter: picking up a niece one Sunday she told me she had to do a science project and create a 3D model of a blood cell. Blimey! I had zero practice at doing this kind of homework and none of the tools required at home that most parents would have accrued. I drove us straight to the nearest art shop and begged the staff for the best advice and products they could offer; all was well in the end. When I moved flats a few years ago I opted to rent a two-bedroom so that there was always somewhere they could come to stay in London. Since most of them have now left or are close to leaving school, they come to stay often. These days are some of the most joyous in my life, whether they end up spending a lot of time with me or simply use the place as a doss-house and a bag dump. That they know the door is always open to them is so important to me. And just as Ive got to know them all better, so they have come to know me, too, all my faults and idiosyncrasies, and love (and like) me nonetheless. There are downsides to having children as an aunt rather than a mother. None of the ultimate decisions are or should be mine to make. So when my youngest niece headed to Australia last year (her mothers homeland) the news that she and her parents were off even though it was temporary was heartbreaking. Not having her around was like losing a limb. Id lived around the corner from her for most of her life, always an eager babysitter, and many a weekend was spent with her, playing or chatting or cooking. Some friends told me I should be spending less time with my siblings children and out there finding a man to have children of my own with before it was too late. But I took a different view: these children were here now and I loved them. The other route seemed haphazard and with zero guarantees. Id let fate decide but I wasnt going to risk losing time and connection with the children that I did have in my life. So, here I am an aunt and not a mother. It isnt how I thought my life would look but I have no regrets. How could I be anything but grateful to have these wonderful young people in my life and to be lucky enough to be in theirs, to be close to them? So lets skip the judgment on women whose wombs may not have lived out their time in the way society expects. Lets stop making women lesser, reducing them to walking birth canals. Being an aunt is a great role and, as it turns out, its the one I was born to play. Are you a Pank? Wed love to hear from you at you.features@mailonsunday.co.uk Tom gladly summons up his courage at a seriously sustainable new arrival in London Fallows retired dairy cow burger magnificent flavour It looks like something dredged from the blackest depths of Hell, a Boschian vision of torment, a fire-blackened head awash in a sea of pain. One dead white eye stares up from the plate, mouth agape in some infernal scream, slathered in a sauce the colour of searing flame. But worry not, and screw your courage to the sticking place, for this cods head, bathed in sriracha butter, is one of the most beautiful dishes Ive eaten in years, a paean to piscine texture, with a soft purr of heat, all sweet, pearlescent cheek and gloriously gelatinous neck and jowl. Its the best part of a big fish, of course, and Im not alone in my adoration. Food cultures across the world venerate it, the star of many a curry, braise and stew. But a dish like this seems typical of Fallow, a small restaurant in Londons Heddon Street, with the tag line, Creative Cooking, Sustainable Thinking. Im not a fan of restaurant tag lines. The food should do the talking, but thats the only complaint I have about this West End gem. And far from being the sort of po-faced, hair shirted place that recycles dogma and distils its own smug, Fallow is fun. There are frozen margaritas, and cheeseburgers. Albeit made from dairy cow. The burgers that is, rather than cocktail. But retired dairy cow is not only blessed with magnificent flavour but uses a beast that is otherwise incinerator-bound. By the time you read this, the temporary Heddon Street site will have closed and theyll be reopening, at the start of November, in St Jamess. But youll still get everything we devoured charred corn ribs, hewn off the cob, lavished with lime, and smoked beef ribs, where the soft, fatty meat slips lasciviously off the bone. Mackerel, gleamingly fresh and knowingly cooked, comes in the most subtle of chilli broths, with small, sharp jolts of preserved lemon. This is a kitchen that revels in the art of acidity. Chef-proprietors Will Murray and Jack Croft met working at Dinner By Heston, and know my friend Damo. Which means a plate sent out unbidden, that doesnt appear on the bill; an intensely creamy mushroom parfait of astonishing autumnal depth. Pickled mushrooms add bite. Another immaculate dish, from a restaurant that is serious, sustainable and civilised. Seeing, though, as I didnt pay for that, I suggest you try it yourselves. About 40 per head; fallowrestaurant.com DRINKS: Ollys Chardonnay choices I recently attended the opening of the The Pig in the South Downs, a boutique wine shrine of a hotel complete with its own newly planted Sussex vineyard. Sipping Ridgeviews Blanc de Blancs I was reminded of the piercing splendour of top-class Chardonnay. In the past, it was too often weighty and heavy on the oak, but these days it is trending towards a laser-like focus of light refreshment. WINE OF THE WEEK Macon-Vergisson, Les Rochers, Domaine Guerrin & Fils 2020 (13.5%), 12.90, tanners- wines.co.uk. A peach dressed up as a lemon as good as white gets under 15. Specially Selected Limestone Coast Chardonnay 2020 (13.5%), 5.99, Aldi. Great value. Delivers bright refreshment on the peachier side. Grove Mill Chardonnay 2019 (13%), 9.75, The Wine Society. Superb to enjoy alongside fresh seafood, this bright Kiwi is a modern icon. Finest Chablis 2020 (12.5%), 13, Tesco. Lemony freshness with a creamy texture. What a wine to unwind with! In a matter of weeks, Britain and the world have moved from the 'roaring twenties' to the 'winter of discontent'. Even Chancellor Rishi Sunak, in his interview with the Mail acknowledges that shortages facing the economy are 'very real'. The notion that this is a 'Made-in-Brexit' crisis needs to be challenged. Maybe the shortage of HGV drivers, including those driving tankers, might be less acute were there more visas. Economic shock: Chancellor Rishi Sunak acknowledges that shortages facing the economy are 'very real' Also to be considered are Covid-19, the hold-ups at DVSA in testing new drivers and the lack of foresight by hauliers, who like to blame everyone else. In March 2020, as the pandemic spread across the globe, the International Monetary Fund described the downturn in the world economy as 'a crisis like no other', downgraded its output forecast by 6.3 per cent from January 2020 to minus 3 per cent and declared it be the biggest hit to the global economy since the Great Depression. The impact of that on shipping, global power generation, commodities and manufacturing was enormous as large parts of international trade infrastructure were mothballed. The world economy did bounce as vaccines gave us all hope. It is easy to forget that in the second quarter Britain's economy did expand by an unexpectedly strong 5.5 per cent. What we have learned in the last month is that bringing the global economy back to where it was in 2019 is not an overnight job. European gas prices surged in latest trading as shipments of liquid natural gas were diverted to China. In Germany and across the EU, the latest IHS/Markit survey shows that manufacturing the locomotive of German output is hamstrung by supply bottlenecks and rising prices leading to a fall in the index to its lowest level in eight months. In the US, President Biden's infrastructure spending is caught up in a Congressional quagmire. Biden has already been defeated on his plan to soak the rich to pay the bill. None of this will be very comforting to commercial drivers and ordinary motorists stuck in petrol queues and fearful about not being able to get on with work commitments. The winter will be difficult with global energy prices bubbling away, as Russia, through Gazprom pipelines, and Chinese demand disrupt markets. After the prolonged Covid economic shock, the 'coiled spring' of recovery jammed and loose talk about fuel deliveries created unnecessary chaos. Supply bottlenecks have become the new wrong-kind-of-rain for companies, from Wetherspoons to online electrical group AO posting disappointing financial results. In a trading nation as open as the UK, global factors will always have a big say. Nevertheless, there should be optimism that an economy that is as flexible, innovative and creative as that of Britain's will recover the lost ground. Power play Want to know what is next for Morrisons if Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) wins the Takeover Panel-sponsored auction? Take a look at the front cover of weekly business magazine EG, formerly Estates Gazette. It cross refers to an advertisement placed by MFG, the Motor Fuel Group, controlled by CD&R. The owner of 900 garage forecourts is seeking new sites for UltraRapid Electric charging. If the Terry Leahyheaded buyout wins the Morrisons shootout, MFG sites will likely be combined with Morrisons convenience stores, and possibly Morrisons forecourts, and could lead the journey to EV. At least it is a plan. Much less is known about the Fortress offer, a more financially driven buyer than CD&R. But that will likely make little difference to the compliant Morrisons board. Its willingness to prostrate itself in front of any buyer means that Andy Higginson and his fellow directors will have little choice but to accept the highest offer, fill their boots and retreat. As for protecting workers, suppliers, food security and the nation's tax base, forget it. There is an ambition deficit and moral vacuum at the top. Cheap shot bargain hunting in the foothills of the London Stock Exchange is regrettably in vogue. No recent deal demonstrates this more clearly than the 1.1billion bid for UK robotics pioneer Blue Prism from private equity sharks Vista Equity Partners. Rebel investor Coast wants more money and points out that the buyer is seeking to capture the Warrington-based firm at a 40 per cent discount to its January 2021 high. The battle for Morrisons will reach its dramatic finale today. Two private equity titans will battle it out in an action to own the supermarket group. British retail grandee Sir Terry Leahy will go head to head with American financier Joshua A Pack in a showdown that will see Morrisons sold for more than 7billion. Business royalty: Former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy (pictured) works for Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Former Tesco boss Leahy, 65, works for US private equity group Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, which has had a 7billion bid worth 285p a share already accepted by the Morrisons board. But in a five-round auction run by the Takeover Panel, 47-yearold Pack, a private equity magnate living in Texas and the founder of Fortress, hopes to come from behind to snatch victory. A source close to the deal last night predicted the supermarket would be sold for between 295p and 305p a share or 7.3billion. That would represent a whopping 68 per cent premium to the company's share price in June when the bidding war began. The deal will see Morrisons top brass walk away with mammoth pay cheques, with chief executive David Potts set to earn 20m from the deal if the board decides to honour share awards granted to him under long-term incentive plans. Leahy is British business royalty, a man who worked his way up from a council estate in Liverpool to run Tesco for 14 years. Pack is a chisel-jawed American go-getter and a father of four. In his 19 years at Fortress he has amassed a huge fortune and this year bought a 17m mansion in Dallas. The shoot-out is being refereed by the Takeover Panel and starts at 9am. The process could last five rounds if neither side drops out and throws in the towel early. Once the process is over the Takeover Panel will publish the private equity firm's final offers, followed by Morrison's board recommending one of them to shareholders as early as Monday. A vote by shareholders on the bids is set to take place on October 19. The auction has been hotly anticipated after a summer in which CD&R and Fortress have tussled for the supermarket. After three months no clear winner emerged and in early September the takeover panel stepped in to end the 'great uncertainty' suffered by the business, its employers and suppliers. The takeover by a private equity firm has sparked fury among business leaders and MPs who are worried Morrisons estate could be asset stripped and sold. There have also been concerns that any new owner may reduce the supermarket's tax bill, with off-shore shell companies set up ahead of the takeover. Morrisons' pension trustees will have to be consulted, although earlier this month they said an agreement had been reached with CD&R. Shares in Morrisons were up 0.9 per cent, or 2.5p, at 297p, giving the company a valuation of 7.1billion. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng ruled out future fracking in the UK yesterday amid warnings that the Government would need to raise taxes on gas. The minister said that too many communities would be disrupted in England and said nuclear and renewables was the answer to the energy crisis. Warning signs: Kwasi Kwarteng said that too many communities would be disrupted in England and said nuclear and renewables was the answer to the energy crisis Kwarteng told Conservative Home that he was previously 'very pro-fracking'. But he added that while he was an energy minister he discovered that fracking was far more disruptive than had been predicted. The UK government introduced a moratorium on fracking in 2019, banning activity in England with immediate effect. Reflecting on the company Cuadrilla's attempts to frack in Lancashire, Kwarteng said that 'walls were shaking and plates were falling off them'. He added: 'I think there were too many communities that were being disrupted. We're a small country. The fact that it can work in the United States, and it works successfully, it's what a thousand times bigger than England? 'They would frack in a hundred places, and maybe one would be successful. But we don't have that luxury here.' He concluded: 'So I get the whole fracking thing, but I don't think it's the answer. I think more nuclear is the answer. 'I think a wider range of renewable technology and things like tidal stream can help us as well.' It came as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned in a new report that taxes on gas should be increased to force homeowners to cut emissions. It also suggested that a tax incentive to reduce the number of flights would help to set the UK on the path to lowering carbon emissions. Celebrity eyebrow artist Kristin Fisher has spoken out for the first time about her cocaine conviction, lamenting she was enduring the most challenging time in her life. The glamorous 36-year-old was referring to months of lockdown which have affected her hugely-popular eyebrow salon in Sydney's Double Bay. 'I'm just a small businessperson and it's been bloody tough with no income in lockdown ... and the bills keep coming in, rent is $30,000 a month which I still owe from last year, my general manager died this year, I'm a single mum ... it's a lot,' she told Private Sydney. Fisher has steadily worked her way up to being the go-to brow technician for Sydney's celebrity crowd, and has notched up an impressive list of socialite friends through her years in the industry. And away from her professional life, the mother-of-two has had a tumultuous 18-months. She has lost a close friend and workmate to suicide, dealt with romance rumours, endured a hard lockdown and, to top it off, was caught with cocaine. Fisher was convicted and fined $550 after she failed to appear in court charged with possessing a prohibited drug and failing to comply with public health orders Nadia Fairfax quietly unfollowed Fisher and, as of recently, Fisher no longer has access to her former best pal's private Instagram account She was convicted of drug possession last week after failing to show up in court, but claims she was never received a notice to attend and hopes to have the conviction annulled. 'The policewoman, who recognised me and said I was the "eyebrow girl", gave me a tiny piece of paper and told me to expect something in the mail. I stuck it on the fridge, I have kids ... it disappeared, and I never received anything about going to court,' Fisher explained. 'I am not a bad person ... for God's sake I raised $250,000 for the bushfire victims, but no one wants to write about that.' Fisher's idea of struggling in lockdown may be different to most people with the socialite regularly taking to social media and uploading photos of expensive lunches. Shaved truffle spaghetti and gourmet pizzas are among some of her luxury indulgences. In one photo, Fisher even boasted of a picnic where she ate lunch provided by NOMAD - a fancy restaurant where sample banquets cost as much as $95. That was not including the $50 bottle of wine that was photographed resting on the picnic blanket. Fisher first found herself in the headlines back in June 2020, when she was forced to address whispers about her close relationship with leading hairdresser Tom Cole. The pair had been spotted getting cosy at the ritzy Intercontinental Hotel, a stone's throw from both their businesses. Confusingly, the hotel rendezvous came only months after Fisher boasted on social media she and husband Chris Barnes had renewed their wedding vows while on holiday in Las Vegas. Fisher shared photos of the impromptu ceremony, revealing they had a maid of honour and best man join them, and the group dined on Chinese food for the reception. In one photo, Fisher even boasted of a picnic where she ate lunch provided by NOMAD - a fancy restaurant where sample banquets cost as much as $95. That was not including the $50 bottle of wine that was photographed resting on the picnic blanket Even some of her closest allies (pictured with Fairfax) appear to have distanced themselves in the wake of her latest controversy Just 11 months earlier, Fisher renewed her vows in Las Vegas with Chris Barnes after 10 years together and seven years married But after word spread of her close relationship with Cole, Fisher revealed she'd separated from Barnes within months of returning home from the United States. She said at the time the split was amicable for the sake of their two children, Eddie and Lila, and both parties maintained they will forever be a 'family' despite going separate ways. Both her and Cole maintained they had separated from their partners at the time. In January 2021, Fisher endured a personal tragedy when her staff member and close friend, Michele Singh, took her own life hours after the pair had dinner together. Fisher had hosted a dinner at Sean's Panaroma in Bondi for her staff on the evening of January 17, posting several photos on Instagram of the happy occasion and thanking her employees for a 'big year'. Tragically, Ms Singh died alone in her home later that night. Police confirmed it was a suicide. The couple shared photos of the impromptu ceremony after the fact, revealing they had a maid of honour and best man and dined on Chinese food for the reception In January 2021, Fisher endured a personal tragedy when one of her close friends, Michele Singh (pictured togther), took her own life hours after the pair had dinner together The duo were dining with friends at Sean's Panaroma in Bondi on the evening of January 17 and the catch up was no different to any other Fisher occasionally speaks on the heartache she felt after learning of the tragedy, revealing she was a 'one in a trillion' friend who 'was so adored and cherished by all'. 'You've left a gaping hole in so many hearts and I will forever be grateful that you came into my life... I will cherish our friendship forever,' she said in a moving tribute two days after Ms Singh's death. Fisher kept a relatively low profile for a few months in early 2021, before a shock Covid case in mid-June sparked widespread lockdowns and business closures. After eight weeks without work, a fed-up Fisher announced she'd be taking her business to the local park and servicing her fully-vaxxed clients, exploiting an apparent loophole in the Covid public health orders. Cole's wife Mariah Roata was blindsided when customers told her of Fisher's alleged rendezvous' with her husband. The pair publicly called time on their marriage shortly after (Tom and Mariah pictured at their Bali wedding) Fisher first found herself in the headlines back in June 2020, when she was forced to deny whispers she was having an affair with leading hairdresser Tom Cole (pictured after a hair appointment at his salon) The move was lauded as 'genius' among some of her most high profile clients, many of whom offered their word that they'd be there. Local council told Daily Mail Australia at the time there was little that could be done to stop the move, given police are the only people who can enforce the murky rules. She spoke of her business struggles just last week, insisting she wasn't complaining but it had been 'the most challenging time of [my] life'. 'Imagine owning a business, that you've worked so hard at for 10+ years, and all of a sudden your entire revenue is cut in half,' she said. 'You and your employees are now on the dole. We all have rents and mortgages to pay. I have children to feed also. This has been hands down the most challenging time of my life. Because I'm alive, my family are healthy and we have the end in sight now.' What her clients didn't know was that Fisher was simultaneously dealing with a crisis entirely separate to keeping her business afloat. On July 17 patrol officers had pulled over a Kia Rio travelling down Curlewis Street in Bondi. What began as a routine traffic stop quickly shifted when police noticed Fisher 'frantic' in the passenger seat, trying to avoid police' gaze and scrambling to get out of the car. At her feet lay two bags of cocaine. In a happier life update, Fisher debuted her new romance with Jack Mann in September of this year, sharing several sweet snaps together at the beach Brooke Moody (pictured) was arrested alongside celebrity eyebrow artist Kristin Fisher after police found them both in possession of cocaine during a traffic stop in Bondi on July 17 The driver, later identified as 19-year-old private school graduate Brooke Moody, couldn't provide her passenger's name or a valid excuse for being outside of her own local government area. Both women were fined with breaching Covid health orders, while Fisher was charged with drug possession offences and Moody accused of being her dealer. The scandal slipped under the radar undetected for months until September 21, when Fisher was convicted in absence for drug possession. Her solicitor Michael Bowe hopes to have her conviction annulled when the matter returns to Waverley Court on October 6. Fisher insists she wasn't aware of the court date and would have been present if she had known, Mr Bowe said. What happened? Fisher and Fairfax unfollowed each other on Instagram at about this time, but it's unclear why. Pictured: screenshots demonstrating the women don't follow each other Fairfax's wedding to Michael Wayne was one of the society events of the year. The warring socialites are pictured in the centre of this photo, with Fisher in the lilac dress As news spread of Fisher's conviction, some of her celebrity friends began to distance themselves. Blogger Nadia Fairfax, who was regularly at Fisher's side, quietly unfollowed her on Instagram account as rumours swirled the former besties had had a 'big falling out'. Fairfax responded with a carefully worded statement that she continued to 'wish her well'. Fashion designer Pip Edwards also appears to no longer be following Fisher's personal Instagram, though the pair remain connected on the Kristin Fisher Eyebrows business page. In a happier life update, Fisher debuted her new romance with Jack Mann in September, sharing several sweet snaps together at the beach. Retailer Neiman Marcus Group said it had notified about 4.6million online customers that their personal information including names, contact information and credit card numbers may have been accessed in a data hack. The high-end department store chain said on Thursday it had notified law enforcement authorities about the breach, which it said happened in May 2020. The Dallas-based company confirmed that 'unauthorized access' had affected customer accounts, but did not confirm who had breached their systems. About 3.1million payment and virtual gift cards were affected, however, more than 85 per cent of which were expired or invalid, Neiman Marcus said. Fashion retailer Neiman Marcus revealed that 4.6million online customers have been affected by a cybersecurity hack 'At Neiman Marcus Group, customers are our top priority,' the company's CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck said in a news release. 'We are working hard to support our customers and answer questions about their online accounts. We will continue to take actions to enhance our system security and safeguard information.' After learning of the security breach, the fashion company had affected customers who had not reset their password since May 2020 to do so. Neiman Marcus is working with law enforcement and cybersecurity firm Mandiant to investigate the breach, according to CBS 21 DFW. CEO of Neiman Marcus, Geoffroy van Raemdonck, said in a press release 'customers are our top priority' and that the company will 'enhance our system security' following the attack The company, which emerged from bankruptcy in September last year, also said it had no evidence that online customer accounts for its Bergdorf Goodman and Horchow units had been affected. In 2017, the company paid $1.6million to settle a class-action lawsuit after a cyber breach. The incident exposed 350,000 customers' credit card data, which was caused by a malware system the company had installed all its credit card terminals. Neiman Marcus isn't the only company experience cyber hacks lately. McDonald's, Volkswagen, and the Colonial Pipeline experienced breaches in June of this year. McDonald's was hit by a data breach in June after unauthorized activity on its network exposed the personal data of some customers in South Korea and Taiwan, the same day Volkswagen announced a similar unauthorized interference. McDonald's Corp. said in a statement that it quickly identified and contained the incident on Friday and that a thorough investigation was done. 'While we were able to close off access quickly after identification, our investigation has determined that a small number of files were accessed, some of which contained personal data,' the burger chain said. The Dallas-based company faced another security breach in 2017 after the 350,000 customers' credit card info was stolen due to the malware system the company installed on their credit card terminals The fast-food giant said its investigation determined that only South Korea and Taiwan had customer personal data accessed, and that they would be taking steps to notify regulators and also the customers who may be impacted. No customer payment information was exposed. That same day, Volkswagen announced that a similar data breach of one of their vendors impacted over 3.1 million people in North America, NBC News reported Friday. The German car company added that the breach targeted information gathered by a sales and marketing vendor from 2014 to 2019, which had been left unsecured. Another 90,000 Audi customers and prospective buyers had sensitive data impacted relating to purchase or lease eligibility, the company said, before claiming it will offer free credit protection services to those individuals who were affected. The Colonial Pipeline was breached after the company's system was hacked using the single password used to access its systems remotely. Charles Carmakal, who consulted on the Colonial Pipeline's attack response, told Bloomberg News on Friday that the password was one used to access the company's virtual private network (VPN). VPNs allow staff to access work systems from their home computers by using a password, and have become common for many working from home during the COVID pandemic. Carmakal also told of how details of the same VPN password were later found leaked on the dark web. The account breached was for a 'legacy' virtual private network not routinely used by employees to which only a handful of employees at the company had access, a spokesperson for Colonial Pipeline confirmed to DailyMail.com. That password, though still functioning, had not been used to access the VPN for some time before it appeared on the dark web, Carmakal said. The account for the VPN which was used to breach Colonial Pipeline has since been deactivated. A helicopter pilot and his passenger were killed in a midair crash as the chopper collided with a small plane that was coming in to land, clipping the rotors of the copter in Arizona on Friday morning. The accident happened at around 7:30am in Chandler, southeast of Phoenix, as the fixed-wing plane, owned by Flight Operations Academy, clipped the chopper close to the perimeter of Chandler Municipal Airport, witnesses said. 'It looked like the landing gear caught one of the rotors, broke the rotor off, chopped the fuselage in half, took its tail off and then...the helicopter went straight down,' said Matthew Trent, who witnessed tragedy unfold. Incredibly, the two occupants of the plane, a flight instructor and a student pilot, managed to land safely on the runway at the airport and walked away without injury. A helicopter crashed and burned after the copter collided in midair over suburban Phoenix with a single-engine plane that landed safely at the airport Both occupants of the helicopter were killed while those in the plane walked out The collision happened Friday morning near Chandler Municipal Airport The pair traveling in the helicopter were killed when the copter, owned by Quantum Helicopters, crash-landed in nearby scrubland and burst into flames. Fire officials confirmed that two people died. Their identities and ages have not been released. The identities of the two survivors also was not released. The helicopter was completely destroyed, with its rotor blades strewn around the crash site and its distinctive blue fuselage virtually flattened by the impact of the crash. Both aircraft were owned by flight schools in the area. Local television cameras captured smoke billowing from the crash site at the airport's perimeter Thick black smoke could be seen in the air close to the airport following the crash Some posted about the incident on social media Student pilot, Tyler Detwiler, who trains at Chandler Airport, was doing a preflight inspection with his instructor when the crash happened. 'The helicopter went down really fast. They did collide in the air. The plane I know for sure was on final to land, so it was just about to be landing,' Detwiler told ABC15. He said he saw the helicopter began to spin out of control before slamming into the ground. 'As soon as it hit the ground it almost..it was quick. It was a quick fireball,' he said. Police say the National Transportation Safety Board has been informed and are conducting an investigation. Anyone who saw the crash or who has video of the incident is asked to call police at 480-782-4130. The plane managed to land on the runway at Chandler Municipal airport Both occupants were able to climb out of the plane and walk away without any injuried A digital marking firm that was awarded 40million of taxpayers' money to deliver Covid-19 PPE has been accused of allegedly forcing furloughed staff to work. KAU Media Group (KMG) allegedly forced its staff to work despite them being furloughed amid the Covid-19 pandemic and has been accused of threatening to fire them if they spoke out. It was alleged that the company wrongly claimed tens of thousands of pounds in furlough funding to deliver personal protective equipment (PPE). One employee claimed they formally complained to HM Revenue and Customs but said they did not receive a response. An audio recording reportedly hears director Mohammed Kashif Khokhar, 40, known as Kash, warning that anyone who spoke out would be 'removed from the business'. According to The Times and openDemocracy, the recording continues: 'If someone makes accusations about the business, about furlough or f***ing reporting to HMRC, they can go f*** themselves.' KAU Media Group was accused of allegedly forcing its staff to work despite being furloughed. Pictured: Directors Mohammed Kashif Khokhar (right) and Mohammed Abid Masood He reportedly said staff were asked to be 'reactive to clients' while on furlough, but denied allegations that they were being forced to work, claiming the information was 'taken out of context'. He claimed he has paid the furlough money back to HMRC. The firm were also accused of pocketing multimillion government deals to deliver protective equipment during the pandemic, which were reportedly awarded despite KMG having no experience with PPE. Despite claims of her lack of experience in the field, Khokhar claimed due to their position as a leading healthcare, advertiser, they had an understanding of the contacts needed to deliver PPE. Payslips, emails, WhatsApp messages and audio recordings show KMG staff were expected to work while being paid 80 per cent of their wages under Rishi Sunak's furlough scheme, according to The Times. One employee claimed: 'People got pretty upset about it, being forced to go against what they knew was right by the government.' Another member of staff alleged that all the employees were forced to work or had to resign. An audio recording reportedly hears director Mohammed Kashif Khokhar (left), 40, known as Kash, warning that anyone who spoke out would be 'removed from the business' It was alleged the firm wrongly claimed tens of thousands of pounds in furlough funding to deliver personal protective equipment (PPE). Pictured: KMG staff ski trip A staff email sent on March 27, 2020, reportedly confirmed KMG staff were on furlough, but one month later Khokhar allegedly sent a WhatsApp message telling staff with IT issues to go into the office - appearing to show that his staff were still working. Khokhar, who runs the firm alongside Mohammed Abid Masood, claimed he stopped claiming furlough in June when he realised his employees were working more than just making the occasional phone call to clients. The director claimed he has repaid HMRC the money claimed through the furlough scheme, but his employees have alleged that they have not been repaid the missing 20 per cent of their earnings. In a statement, KMG told the Times: 'Our staff were asked to be reactive if a client reached out during this period as there were no part-time furlough options available from the government. 'This has been communicated transparently to HMRC and we have paid back the furlough in full for that period.' A government spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Since the start of this global pandemic we have taken every possible step to get PPE to our frontline health and care workers to keep them safe. 'Decisions on whether to award contracts for PPE are taken by officials. COVID-19 procurement went through robust assurance processes and offers were assessed against the same criteria. Ministers are not involved in this process, and we have robust rules and processes in place in order to ensure conflicts of interest do not occur.' HMRC told The Times it could not comment on the company's furlough claims due to confidentiality rules. MailOnline has contacted KMG for comment. Daniel Andrews' compulsory vaccine mandate is set to cause chaos in Victoria, with tens of thousands of Victorian essential workers unable to work. The Victorian premier controversially issue a demand that all essential workers - including police, teachers, judges, MPs, professional athletes and truck drivers - will need to have their first jab by October 15 and be fully vaccinated by November 26. More than 1,000 police out of a total of about 21,400 officers will be off the beat, and 2,500 teachers out of about 50,000 forced from classrooms if vaccination levels hit 95 per cent in those sectors. Just over 80 per cent of Victorians have already received their first dose, and 50 per cent their second. But an unrepentant Dan Andrews said the mandate was essential to limit the spreading of the Delta strain of the virus so Victoria can re-open on October 26 - with the government hoping case numbers will drop. Up to 2500 teachers could be out of work across Victoria next month if they are not fully vaccinated Over 1000 police could also be off the beat if they don't have both Covid jabs by November 26 'It is critically important that we do not see these cases continue to climb and go up and up and up so that our hospital system is under immense pressure even before we open up,' he said. '(We) just won't do that to our nurses, to our doctors, to all of our teams of those dedicated health professionals.' 'Even after we get to 80 per cent (double-dosed) and the authorisations are no longer there, the mandate, the rule, the chief health officer direction will stay in place because cases will still be an issue then.' On Saturday, Victoria recorded 1488 cases and two deaths. A number of professional sporting organisations are 'highly recommending' their players be vaccinated - but at this stage are not forcing athletes to have Covid jabs. However, their hand was effectively forced by Andrews' announcement on Friday. AFL heroes, including Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury and Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield, have gone out of their way to promote the importance of being fully vaccinated to footy fans. In business sectors, the reaction the mandated jabs has been mixed. Tim Piper, the Victorian head of the employer association Ai Group, is backing the premier's directive, but Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang labelled the move draconian. 'What we do not advocate for is a law enforcement approach to vaccination that has the potential to criminally punish a business owners and sole traders if they or their staff have elected to not be vaccinated,' he told the Herald Sun. On Friday, national cabinet agreed on newly implemented national rules that will see vaccinations compulsory for anyone working across all health care settings in any state or territory. Other workers who will also be forced to get jabbed to stay in a job include cleaners, farmers, retail workers, personal trainers, spa workers and priests. The Western Bulldogs relayed to their fans the entire playing squad had their first vaccination jab - if athletes are not fully vaccinated by late November, they won't be able to train and play following the introduction of the mandate on Friday Unprecedented mandatory vaccine rules have been brought in for hundreds of thousands of the state's essential workers including farmers, personal trainers and cleaners to stem the spread of its Delta outbreak. Pictured is a Covid-19 vaccine being administered on August 25 in Melbourne Construction workers take their lunch break on a busy street to protest against the closing of worksite tea rooms on September 17. Dozens more essential professions will join tradesmen in needing a Covid-19 vaccine to keep their job Premier Daniel Andrews announced the mass vaccination order on Friday and dismissed suggestions that the mandate infringed on people's freedom to make their own decision on their healthcare. 'I'm not taking lectures on freedom from people who will hold all of us back,' Mr Andrews said. 'There's too much at stake. We're not making this decision for fun; we're not making it lightly or flippantly. 'This is what has to be done to get us open.' Mr Andrews said it was hoped the new order would accelerate vaccine numbers and push Victoria past the 80 per cent double-vaccinated threshold which will usher in the restoration of many pre-lockdown freedoms. Victoria's Covid-19 outbreak continues to surge (pictured, healthcare workers at a vaccination centre in Melbourne) 'This is about making sure that we go that extra mile to protect the road to opening [on October 26] or even a few days earlier,' he said. 'It will also make sure we can open, be free, and not have a health system overwhelmed with patients whose cases are completely avoidable.' Thursday's 51 per cent spike in cases in a single day was blamed on illegal gatherings on AFL grand final day last weekend, and had triggered some forecasts that case numbers could eventually reach 6,000 a day. Melbourne GP Mukesh Haikerwal told the Today Show on Friday 'they (cases) will probably double and double again.' Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said it would be 'devastating' if the plans to reopen the state were delayed. The announcement comes amid warnings Victoria's overcrowded hospitals are turning into 'apocalyptic war zones' as the Delta outbreak threatens to overwhelm its healthcare system (pictured, ambulances queued outside a Melbourne hospital) 'They really want to know that if we do the right thing and hit the restrictions, if we get vaccinated, that we can still open,' she said. The warning came amid warnings Victoria's overcrowded hospitals are turning into 'apocalyptic war zones' as the Delta outbreak threatens to overwhelm its healthcare system. An anonymous official said the state's health watchdog Safer Care Victoria had urged the state government to brace for a Covid-related surge in its hospitals when lockdown measures are relaxed. 'They basically told us to prepare psychologically because most of Victoria's going to think 'this is great'... as a healthcare worker, it'll feel like a war zone,' the official told The Age. 'I just can't fathom it. Some of the hospitals in Melbourne are already apocalyptic. Over 80 per cent of Victorians have received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while more than 48 per cent are fully vaccinated People are seen exercising along the Tan walking track in Melbourne on Sunday, September 19. Victoria recorded 950 new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases on Wednesday 'We knew that this was going to happen when we did eventually open up. Why wasn't the system better prepared? We've had time.' Deakin University epidemiology chair Professor Catherine Bennett on Wednesday predicted the outbreak was still a month away from peaking before infections start to drop in late October. However Professor Peter Collignon told the Herald Sun that predictions of 3,000 cases per day in the coming weeks is a 'a bit too pessimistic'. The Australian Medical Association's Victorian President Dr Roderick McRae on Thursday morning said the state's hospitals were now in crisis mode He said the forecast didn't take into account that Australia was heading into warmer weather - when respiratory illnesses abate - and that vaccination rates were steadily climbing. Victorian acting chief health officer Ben Cowie said on Wednesday the state's outbreak was likely still some time away from reaching its peak. 'We know from both modelling and experience in NSW our case numbers will continue to climb,' he said. 'But it is absolutely with in our power to slow the spread and to prevent thousands of cases and hundreds of people from becoming seriously ill and some people losing their lives.' A family from Arizona who went camping without their cellphones three weeks ago have not been seen since. Erika Irene Allison, 36, and Joshua Robert Martinez, 30, together with their teenage son, Psymon J. Kelly, 17, planned to set up camp at Katherine's Landing near Bullhead City area, close to the California/Nevada border. The family had planned to camp for a week to ten days beginning on September 11th. Joshua Robert Martinez, 30, and Erika Irene Allison, 36, went camping three weeks ago The Katherine's Landing, Arizona campsite is close to the Nevada/California border The family left their cellphone behind and Martinez did not bring his medication But when relatives found that they hadn't returned after two weeks, the Kingman Police Department and National Park Service were informed. The family did not take a cellphone with them nor Martinez's medication which is for a disability. National Park Service Park Rangers searched the Katherine's Landing area for the vehicle or missing family, but did not find them according to Fox 10 Phoenix. 'Members of their family attempted to locate Allison, Martinez, or Kelly at Katherine's Landing, Princess Cove, areas of Golden Valley, Oatman Rd, and along the Colorado River in the Bullhead City area. Martinez's mother contacted the Kingman Police Department on Monday, September 27 to report Martinez, Allison and Kelly as missing,' explained a police statement. The family were said to be driving a grey 2005 Toyota Corolla at the time of their trip. The vehicle, which was spotted on day the group left were said to have a king-sized memory foam mattress strapped to the roof, police said. 'Anyone who has seen Erika Allison, Joshua Martinez, Psymon Kelly, their vehicle or has information of their whereabouts is urged to contact the Kingman Police Department,' the police said in a statement. The family departed for Katherines Landing in the Bullhead City area on September 11 and had planned on camping out there for about a week. Relatives contacted the National Park's Service after not hearing from the family for two weeks 'They also had two dogs with them described as a female miniature pinscher chihuahua mix black and white in color and a large male dog, unknown breed, tan in color,' the police added. Police describe Allison as a 5'3" white female, weighing 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She had recently shaved her head, police said. Martinez, 30, is described as white male, who's 5'5", approximately 120-130 pounds. Psymon J. Kelly, 17, is described as a white male, 6 feet tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds. He has blond hair and brown eyes. The three family members have been entered as Missing Persons in the National Crime Information Center. Boris Johnson has savaged the 'infuriating' failure of the Metropolitan Police to take violence against women seriously, as pressure piles on under-fire chief Dame Cressida Dick. The Prime Minister said the public are right to question whether police are failing women in the wake of the damning revelations of the Sarah Everard case and the missed opportunities by the Met to catch her cop killer Wayne Couzens. Johnson held talks with Cressida Dick on Thursday about how to boost the low rate of prosecutions for rape in the hope of removing dangerous men from the streets. Boris Johnson has savaged the 'infuriating' failure of the Metropolitan Police to take violence against women seriously He told The Times: 'Are the police taking this issue seriously enough? It's infuriating. I think the public feel that they aren't and they're not wrong.' 'Do I fundamentally believe the police are on our side? Yes, absolutely they are. Can you trust the police? Yes you can. 'But there is an issue about how we handle sexual violence, domestic violence, the sensitivity, the diligence, the time, the delay, the confusion about your mobile phone. That's the thing we need to fix.' Only three per cent of rape cases reported to police last year resulted in a suspect being charged, a record low. The government has pledged to reverse the decline and set itself a target of 13 per cent. Earlier, Johnson ordered the authorities to 'come down hard' on officers found guilty of misconduct as a watchdog investigates multiple serving cops for allegedly exchanging misogynistic, racist and vile messages in a WhatsApp group with Couzens. He said on Friday: 'I do believe in the police. I do think that we can trust the police. And I think the police do a wonderful, wonderful job.' He added that 'hundreds of thousands' of officers would be 'absolutely heartsick'. But he said the Government needed to get to the bottom of 'what on earth' happened to ensure nothing like it occurred again. Meanwhile Priti Patel ordered police to take harassment and flashing more seriously and dismissed the idea that they were 'low level crimes'. Priti Patel ordered police to take harassment and flashing more seriously and dismissed the idea that they were 'low level crimes' Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, the Home Secretary said forces have been given ample resources to treat all reports of crime adequately. She said: 'I would say to all women: give voice to these issues, please... There is something so corrosive in society if people think that it's OK to harass women verbally, physically, and in an abusive way on the street. 'I want women to have the confidence to call it out. I don't see all of this as low level. 'I don't want to see postcode lotteries around the country. This is a very clear message to police to raise the bar: treat everybody in the right way. Make sure that when these crimes or concerns are reported, people are treated with respect, dignity and seriously.' Earlier, Patel said that those in power needed to come together to say that the current climate was 'unacceptable'. In an interview with the Evening Standard, she said: 'I don't just say this as Home Secretary. I think women have basically said that's it enough is enough. Johnson held talks with Cressida Dick on Thursday about how to boost the low rate of prosecutions for rape 'This was a monster that absolutely abused power and authority and that's an absolute scandal.' Despite the concerns about the Met's failings, Johnson backed Cressida Dick although there is understood to be growing frustrations in the Home Office that she is struggling to grapple violent crime and institutional misconduct. The PM said he wants to make sure women feel more confident in how their complaints will be handled going forward. To add to the Met's failings, it emerged last night that Wayne Couzens was named as a suspect in a sex offence 72 hours before he killed Sarah Everard. CCTV evidence of a car involved in an alleged flashing incident at a drive-thru McDonald's in February this year generated the name 'Wayne Couzens' as a suspect on Metropolitan Police systems and provided his address. But officers failed to realise that he was a serving officer and further inquiries were not made until after Miss Everard's disappearance on March 3. It had been known that Couzens' car was reported by staff at a McDonald's restaurant in Swanley, Kent, after two female workers said they had been flashed by a motorist there on February 7 and again on February 27. The complaint was made on February 28. But last night it emerged the CCTV evidence showing his number plate had actually brought up Couzens' name as a suspect on Met police systems. Yesterday a McDonald's worker who was flashed by the sexual predator blasted officers for 'not acting quickly enough'. The worker, who did not want to be named, said: 'The police took our statements and took away CCTV. If they had taken this more seriously, they could easily have figured out that he was a policeman who had committed these crimes. It emerged last night that Wayne Couzens was named as a suspect in a sex offence 72 hours before he killed Sarah Everard 'The police had three days to stop him but didn't. It could have stopped him from doing a lot worse.' A former head of Scotland Yard said police chief Dame Cressida must be held accountable for an 'appalling series of blunders' in the case. In a stinging rebuke Lord Stevens, who served as Met Commissioner between 2000 and 2005, said: 'You have to look at yourself and say can I continue? Can I continue with confidence? 'Can I continue in way that brings around the change that's necessary to make the public feel safe and in this particular instance, women safe. And further, have we got people in the police service who should not be there?' Meanwhile, two Metropolitan Police officers who swapped highly offensive messages with Couzens in the months before the murder are still on duty, it has been revealed. The constables are alleged to have been part of a WhatsApp group involving officers from three forces who fell under investigation after Couzens's phone was seized following his arrest. It is claimed they have been left on duty even after being placed under criminal investigation for allegedly exchanging sexist and racist messages with the sexual predator. Yesterday Sue Fish, a former chief constable of Nottinghamshire Police, criticised the Met's decision not to suspend the officers under investigation. 'That beggars belief. That clearly demonstrates the Met does not get it... does not get the seriousness,' she told the Guardian. The Met's decision contrasts with the actions of other forces who have suspended officers while the investigation continues. Viewed from space, the pale blue dot we know as Earth has dimmed since 2017, scientists have discovered. Researchers who have been steadily tracking our planet say it has lost brightness by the equivalent of half-a-watt per square metre, making it the equivalent of 0.5 per cent less shiny since 2017. It is not a difference anyone walking on Earth could notice, or even an astronaut in space, unless they had a specialist telescope. If less sunshine is bouncing back off the clouds it also means more sunshine is staying on Earth, which could contribute to global warming. But the reduction in Earthshine, also known as albedo, is due to a recent loss of clouds, which reflect back half of the suns rays, over the eastern Pacific Ocean. This is thought to have been caused by the warming of the ocean. And if less sunshine is bouncing back off the clouds it also means more sunshine is staying on Earth, which could contribute to global warming. Lead study author Professor Philip Goode, of New Jersey Institute of Technology, said: This was not what we expected at all, as for 17 years there has been scarcely any change in the Earths brightness. The brightness, or reflectiveness, of the Earth is measured using a telescope little larger than an amateur would use, at the Big Bear Solar Observatory in Southern California, by looking at the sunlight bouncing between the Sun, Moon and Earth. The study, in the Geophysical Research Letters journal, looked at the dimming of the Earth between 2017 and last year However, the scientists predicted the dimming will reverse itself in the next couple of years, because the ocean becomes cooler over time, based on the change in the Pacific current. The study, in the Geophysical Research Letters journal, looked at the dimming of the Earth between 2017 and last year. A Chicago cop who was caught on camera appearing to tackle a black woman who was walking her dog in a closed park has 24 previous allegations of misconduct, the woman's lawyer has said. Nikkita Brown complained she was attacked by the cop while walking her small dog in Chicago's Lincoln Park at around midnight on August 28. In bodycam footage released this week, Brown and her dog are seen walking away from the officer, before she turns around with her phone in her hand. The officer then tries to grab the phone, before tackling her - knocking her out of her shoes - and putting her in a body lock. The officer involved was identified by Brown's lawyers as Bruce R. Dyker, 51. Attorney Keenan J. Saulter says Dyker has been the subject of 24 allegations of misconduct during his career, which began in 1998. The complaints include 11 use of force reports, false arrest, operational/personnel violations, a traffic report, lock procedure violation, domestic violence, and verbal abuse, according to the law firm, citing the Citizens Police Data Project. Three of the complaints filed against him were sustained and resulted in disciplinary action. Nikkita Brown was walking her dog shortly after midnight on August 28 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 According to records, a complaint with the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) was filed on November 29, 2008 regarding a domestic incident in New Tazewell, TN. 'It was alleged that the Officer displayed and pointed his weapon at the Victim; failed to follow lawful orders by New Tazewell Police official; verbally abused Victim; and was arrested for three counts of aggravated assault.' 'During mediation, the Officer agreed to accept IPRAs finding of SUSTAINED for all allegations that the Officer displayed and pointed his weapon at the Victim; failed to follow lawful orders by New Tazewell Police official; verbally abused Victim; arrested for three counts of aggravated assault, and whose overall conduct brought discredit upon the Department.' Dyker agreed to a 20 day suspension. More recently, the city of Chicago reportedly settled a lawsuit filed by a Latino resident who claimed they were racially profiled and wrongfully arrested. Brown's lawyer Saulter released a statement claiming that an investigation into Dyker found that he had been assigned to traffic patrol 'due to his history of abusing his office as a police officer.' Brown's attorney has demanded that the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) reveal the identity of the officer (above) Data shows that his 24 allegations are more than 88% of other officers on the Chicago Police Department have received and his 11 Use of Force Reports are more than 84% of other officers on the Chicago Police Department. Brown told ABC News on last month that she thought she was going to be shot by the officer, who threatened to arrest her and to take her pet away. 'I thought I was going to die,' she said. 'I thought he was going to kill me. 'I had it in my mind that I was going to be shot.' Brown said that she was told to leave the closed area on the north end of Lincoln Park even though there were other people in the area - and she suspects it was because of her race. 'I walked past four kids that were behind me...white males. As soon as I saw the car pull up, I looked behind me to see if he said anything to the kids. He didn't,' Brown said. Dyker, has been placed on administrative desk duty while the August 28 incident is being investigated by Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). 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 wrapping his arms around her as she resisted. The officer nearly tackled Brown as he knocked her out of her shoes and put her in a body lock. 'Let go!' she screams as she struggles to break free from the officer. 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?' Brown told Good Morning America last month that she feared the situation would escalate once the officer got out of his car. 'I know that as soon as he got out the car, I'm thinking to myself, how can I kind of deter the situation? How can I deescalate the situation?' she said. Cell phone video shot by Brown and the officer's bodycam footage shows him getting out of his police cruiser. Nikkita Brown, The black Chicago woman who was tackled by a white police officer during a physical altercation caught on film while she walked her dog in a closed park last month, says she feared for her life 'I thought I was going to die,' she said. 'I thought he was going to kill me. 'I had it in my mind that I was going to be shot.' Brown is seen being nearly wrestled to the ground by the officer during the August 28 incident on the north edge of Lincoln Park 'Now understand this,' he begins. 'Please don't,' Brown interrupts. 'Please respect my space. It's COVID. Six feet.' 'Respect your space? I'm about to put handcuffs on you,' the officer replies. 'You don't have a mask on!' Brown objects. 'I don't need a mask! I'm outside!' the officer retorts. Brown told GMA: 'I'm clearly walking away. This man is getting out of this car. 'He's saying that he's going to take me to jail and I'm never going to see my dog again. This is ridiculous.' The officer then puts Brown in a bodylock and the two struggle as her dog is dragged around on a leash. The dog barks and climbs up the officer's leg as its owner screams for help. The struggle goes on for nearly two minutes during which Brown stays up on her feet. 'I knew if he got me on the floor, I would be dead,' Brown told ABC News. Finally, the officer lets go and Brown walks away. No arrests were made. 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 claims she is 'suffering from emotional trauma as a result of this brutal, unprovoked and unlawful attack by this Chicago Police Department Officer'. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (left) said she was 'deeply concerned' by the footage. Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown (right) asked for patience as the city's police oversight agency investigates the matter Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday she was 'deeply concerned' by widely circulated video of the incident, and Chicago's police superintendent asked the public for patience as the incident is investigated. A spokesperson for COPA said that the agency will investigate and then issue a recommendation as to what disciplinary action - if any - should be taken against the officer. 'We have a responsibility to investigate allegations of police misconduct and determine if they are well founded based on the facts and evidence of each case,' interim COPA chief Andrea Kersten said in a statement. 'If violations did occur, COPA will hold the officer accountable.' The Chicago Police Department released a statement saying that 'the officer in question has been placed on desk duty as the COPA investigates the video.' Saulter has asked that COPA reveal the officer's identity so that an official complaint can be filed against him. 'There were other individuals in the park that night. So we still have to come back around to the question of "why her?"' Saulter said. 'The worst scenario would have been that he writes her a ticket for being in the park after 11:00pm.' Saulter alleged that the officer in question has been involved in previous cases of racial profiling. Brown told ABC News that the incident has left her emotionally scarred. 'If anything, I should feel even more protected by a police presence as a single woman walking at night, not be fearful that I'm going to die at the hands of an officer,' Brown said. James Webb was the second administrator of NASA. He presided over the agency from 1961-68, at a vital time for the early days of space exploration. But in recent years his legacy has been questioned NASA has announced that they will not rename the James Webb Telescope ahead of its launch in December, despite a petition against honoring a space pioneer who some have now claimed was homophobic. Webb, who died in 1992 aged 85, was the second administrator in NASA's history, taking over at the request of John F. Kennedy in 1961. He ran the agency until 1968 and was instrumental in the Apollo programs that would see, the year after his departure, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon. In 2002 the agency announced that its $10billion new telescope - due for launch in December 2021 - would be named after him. Yet in recent years the decision has stirred criticism, and a petition this year to rename it has received 1,200 signatures. Organizers accuse Webb of being homophobic, due to his role in the 1963 firing of a gay NASA employee. Questions were also asked about his participation in a 1950-52 'Lavender Scare', when he was at the State Department, and 91 gay people were 'purged'. But on September 30 Bill Nelson, the NASA administrator, said they had decided against renaming the telescope. 'We have found no evidence at this time that warrants changing the name of the James Webb Space Telescope,' he told NPR. The James Webb Telescope is seen being assembled for the first time. The $10 billion telescope, 100 times more powerful than Hubble, will be launched in December The James Webb telescope is so large it will need to be folded inside the rocket, and then unfold once it is in orbit Technicians and scientists check out one of the Webb telescope's first two flight mirrors in the clean room at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland Nelson's decision has angered those who campaigned for the renaming of the $10 billion telescope, described by NASA as the largest, most powerful and complex space telescope ever built and launched into space. 'It will fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe,' NASA promise. The telescope will be launched into orbit in December 18 after 25 years of work by 1,200 scientists, technicians, and engineers from 14 countries. Webb is seen standing next to Kennedy as he presents the medal for distinguished federal civil service to Dr Robert R. Gilruth, director of the Manned Spacecraft Center. Astronauts Alan Shepard (far left) and John Glenn (second left) look on Webb is photographed at a NASA press conference in 1962 in Washington DC James Webb's role in 1950s 'Lavender Scare' and 1963 firing of employee who was arrested by DC 'Morals Squad' Webb's importance to the U.S. space program is unquestioned, but his attitudes have caused significant debate. His critics say he should not be honored when so many pioneers are ignored - particularly women and people of color. His supporters say he was a product of his time, and his actual involvement in the cases associated with him is contested. Webb was in the State Department during the 1950-52 so-called 'Lavender Scare', when 91 homosexuals were forced from their jobs. At the time it was illegal for gays to serve in the civil service, and being gay was seen as amoral. Gay people were often viewed as a target for blackmail. Webb's defenders say there is no evidence for his actions during the Lavender Scare. Webb speaks at the White House in 1963, with Kennedy to his right and Lyndon B. Johnson to his left Webb is also criticized for presiding over the firing of Clifford L. Norton in 1963, who was arrested by the Washington DC 'Morals Squad'. NASA accused him of 'immoral, indecent, and disgraceful conduct'. But Webb's supporters say that, as administrator of the agency, he would not have been involved in the firing of a low-level budget administrator. Furthermore, when Norton successfully sued for wrongful dismissal in 1969, Webb was not named at all in the case. Advertisement It is seen as an upgrade to the Hubble telescope, and is 100 times more powerful. It is so large it will fold, origami-style, to fit in the rocket, NASA say, and will unfurl 'like a Transformer' in space. Webb's actions have been the subject of intense debate. Trained as a lawyer, he was undersecretary of state in the State Department in the 1950s when there was concern that homosexuals were 'deviants' who could be open to blackmail because they were banned from serving in the civil service. Under direction from President Harry Truman, a purge of gay people was conducted, which became known as the Lavender Scare, and 91 State Department employees lost their jobs. Yet Webb's supporters - among them the team behind Chasing the Moon, the PBS documentary - point out that there was no evidence of Webb's direct involvement in the Lavender Scare. Webb was also at the State Department when the idea of psychological warfare was introduced. A more troubling case is that of Clifford L. Norton, a NASA budget administrator, who was arrested by the Washington DC 'Morals Squad' in 1963, and was subsequently fired for being gay. NASA accused him of 'immoral, indecent, and disgraceful conduct'. Norton sued in 1969 and won a landmark case, which outlawed forbidding homosexuals from serving in the civil service. Webb was the NASA administrator at the time, and so has been held responsible for the firing. Yet his backers say that he would not have been involved in the firing of a low-level employee like Norton. Furthermore, the Chasing the Moon team point out that Webb's name was never mentioned in the 1969 case, which was brought against the head of the civil service, John Macy. The organizers of the petition against Webb's honoring with the telescope were angered by the decision to proceed. 'NASA has decided to keep the name (Picked by a past NASA administrator to...change the tradition of naming space telescopes after scientists and honor another administrator?) - and "announced" it by leaking a barely there statement to limited journalists,' said Sarah Tuttle, an astrophysicist who created the petition with three others. 'This morning I am especially heartbroken because I'm spending the next two days attending the National NASA Space Grant Meeting. 'What a slap in the face, on the day that starts this meeting, to tell folks "Thanks for bringing minoritized folks up through the ranks - We don't actually care how our decisions impact them. Not even enough to reply to their questions." 'NASA is relying on cowardice & poor PR technique to leak that they will not be renaming the JWST, named after a career administrator who oversaw homophobic persecution & development of psychological warfare, ignoring the request for reconsideration from 1200 astronomers.' NSW has recorded 813 new Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths as the outbreak continues to dwindle in the state. Dr Jeremy McAnulty urged sporting fans to act responsibly ahead of the NRL Grand Final that will be held at Brisbane's Lang Park Stadium on Sunday. The massive sporting event is expected to draw in tens of thousands of spectators with thousands more to watch the match from their televisions in NSW. Dr McAnulty told residents to remain 'vigilant' and avoid any wild celebrations following the showdown. Of the new deaths, one person was aged in their 50s, three people in their 60s, two in their 70s, three in their 80s, and one in their 90s. The cases come as non-urgent day surgery is set to recommence in private health facilities on Tuesday as Covid-19 transmission rates continue to fall. NSW reported 864 new locally acquired cases on another one of its most deadly days Four were unvaccinated, five had received one dose, and one was double-jabbed. The fully-vaccinated resident had an underlying health condition. Non-urgent day surgery is set to recommence in private health facilities on Tuesday as Covid-19 transmission rates continue to fall. But non-urgent surgery at NSW public hospitals will remain postponed. 'This is to ensure we retain adequate system capacity, as well as patient, staff and public safety, for the delivery of healthcare services during the COVID-19 response,' NSW Health said in a statement. 'Emergency surgery and urgent elective surgery will continue to be performed in public hospitals during this challenging period.' There are currently 1,005 COVID-19 patients in hospital, with 202 people in intensive care, of which 99 are on ventilation. There were 98,266 Covid-19 tests conducted and 23,636 vaccines administered in the last 24 hours. Around 87.7 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received their first dose of the vaccine, and 65.2 per cent both jabs. Of the new cases, 196 were recorded in the south western Sydney local health district, 155 to the western Sydney LHD and 73 to the Sydney LHD. On Friday, NSW reported 864 new locally acquired cases on another one of its most deadly days. Fifteen deaths were also reported in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, taking the death toll for the current NSW outbreak to 352. NSW has recorded 813 new Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths as the outbreak continues to dwindle in the state Some 87.2 per cent of people aged 16 years and over have now received their first dose of vaccine, while 64 per cent of the state are fully inoculated, NSW Health's Jeremy McAnulty said Dr Jeremy McAnulty praised the high vaccination rates across NSW. 'This is fantastic news that vaccination rates are going up every day, so thanks to everyone for coming forward to protect yourself and families and others in the community,' he said. NSW Health on Friday also said it had detected virus fragments in sewage at Hastings Point and Ballina in the Northern Rivers region, Quirindi in the Northwest Slopes, and in Armidale and Tamworth. People in those areas were encouraged to seek COVID-19 testing with even minor respiratory symptoms. The suburb of Casino was placed into lockdown from midnight last night until October 11 when the rest of the state will begin reopening gradually. The stay-at-home order applies to anyone who has been in Casino since September 24. Friends and family are mourning a family who were killed in a horror crash involving an ice addicted driver. Heartbroken friends said their lives changed 'in the blink of an eye' after learning the family had died in a head-on crash at Redbank in Queensland. Kyle Stacey, 39, and Rani Holder, 37, were driving along the Ipswich Motorway with their two-year-old daughter in the backseat on Wednesday when the tragedy unfolded. The little girl had only recently celebrated her birthday. A speeding car, that was clocked travelling up to 180km/hr beforehand, drove the wrong way down the highway, colliding head-on with their vehicle. Rani Holder, 37 and Kyle Stacey, 39, (pictured) died along with their two-year-old daughter after a fiery head on collision with another driver allegedly addicted to ice Calvin Clack, 34, (pictured) was careening down the wrong side of the Ipswich Motorway when he collided head-on with an SUV with two adults and a two-year-old inside The girl and her parents stood no chance of surviving as their SUV burst into flames. The 34-year-old driver of the other vehicle, Calvin Clack, also died after being thrown from his sedan. Relatives and friends of the family have expressed their shock and disbelief that an 'innocent honest family' were taken so suddenly. Mr Stacey's ex-partner Hayley Ashcroft told the Courier Mail her life changed 'completely, in the blink of an eye' after receiving the phone call. 'To think that a person would purposely make a decision that kills an innocent honest family including a two-year-old. Just makes my head explode,' Ms Ashcroft wrote. 'That person didn't even live to suffer the consequences or even realise what tragedy he had caused.' Ms Ashcroft, who shares a child with Mr Stacey added the couple had 'the biggest hearts' because they wanted every they love 'to be happy'. The debris of Wednesday night's fatal collision is pictured on the Ipswich Motorway on Thursday morning The couple had reportedly been together since December 2019 with Mr Stacey tragically losing his brother only months prior. Katie Bates, a close friend of Ms Holder's, described her friend as 'truly one in a million', taking to Facebook to share her grief. 'Ive been trying all day to find the words to describe what you meant to me and there just isnt any over 24 years,' Ms Bates wrote. 'You were my one of my best friends, weve been though deaths, marriages, divorces, births and no matter what we always found time. I honestly am heartbroken that you, Kyle and your beautiful baby girl have been taken from us so tragically.' A woman who was driving west on the motorway said she believes she narrowly missed hitting the sedan moments before the deadly crash. The woman said the oncoming car appeared to be travelling between 150-180km/h. Four people including a two-year-old girl were killed in the collision on the Ipswich Motorway south-west of Brisbane. The scene is pictured after both cars caught fire A woman who was driving west on the motorway said she believes she narrowly missed hitting the sedan moments before the deadly crash. The crash scene is pictured She called triple-zero to report the wayward driver, but said by that point it was too late. 'It would have been not even a minute later the crash happened,' she said. Pictured: Calvin Clack Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski earlier revealed first responders only discovered there were three bodies in the 4WD after putting out the fire. 'It's an absolute tragedy, four lives snuffed out in an instant,' he told Sunrise. 'You can only imagine the tragic scene and the chaos that our first responders have had to deal with.' Deputy Commissioner Gollschewski said there would be a investigation into why the driver responsible for the deadly crash was on the wrong side of the road. '(It's) early days yet for us in terms of investigation, clearly those poor people in the four-wheel drive had no chance,' he said. 'They were doing everything that they should be doing, driving on the right side of the road.' A Donald Trump super PAC donor who claims former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski made unwanted sexual advances towards her last weekend has sent a statement to police outlining the allegations. Trashelle Odom, of Boise, Idaho, the wife of construction company executive, claims in the police report that the married Lewandowski touched her repeatedly while seated next to her at an event, followed her around, touched her leg and buttocks, and 'stalked' her throughout the evening. According to her statement to Idaho cops, Lewandowski repeatedly remarked about the size of his genitals. He also 'described his sexual performance and showed Odom his hotel room key.' Trashelle Odom, the Trump donor who has accused Corey Lewandowski of stalking and repeatedly touching her at a Las Vegas charity event, has been pictured with former President Donald Trump. Her husband John Odom is pictured left Super PAC donor Trashelle Odom has made a statement to police that former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, pictutred, made unwanted sexual advances The Super Pac donor and wife of Idaho construction exec claims married father-of-four Corey Lewandowski 'stalked' and repeatedly touched her during a Las Vegas fundraiser last weekend She said the Lewandowski swore while speaking about sex as he repeatedly approached her. 'Those statements, coupled with his demeanor and aggressive behaviors,' made Odom 'intimidated and frightened and fearful for my safety and that of my family members,' Odom said in a statement to police. 'It was as if he thought he had a sense of ownership over me, from the start,' she added. A lawyer for Lewandowski, who has been married since 2005 and has four kids, blasted the allegations as 'rumors'. Odom also alleges Lewandowski claims he wielded enormous power thanks to his connections to the former president and said he had committed violent acts earlier in his life. Odom was one of around two dozen major Republican Party donors at the event which took place during an event at the Westgate Las Vegas hotel for the Victoria's Voice Foundation, which focuses on substance abuse. The alleged events took place at the Westgate hotel in Las Vegas A group of GOP donors gathered at the Westgate's Benihana restaurant for the event Odom is said to have appeared uncomfortable at the event while Lewandowski appeared to be intoxicated. The statement was sent to police in Boise, Idaho, where Odom lives, with the intention of having it delivered to their counterparts in Las Vegas. The statement claims Lewandowski 'showed Odom his hotel room key' The three-page statement, which was seen by Politico, estimates that Odom rebuffed Lewandowski's physical advances 10 times. She accuses Lewandowski, 48, of following her around after leaving the dinner and that he remarked how she had a 'nice ass'. The married Lewandowski is then alleged to have continued his pursuit at a post-dinner reception. Earlier in the week, Odom made a similar statement as she went public with the allegations. 'I am coming forward because he needs to be held accountable,' Odom said. 'I am blessed to have a loving husband and family behind me. I want other women to know that you can be heard, too, and together we can stop terrible things like this from happening.' Odom wrote how she was afraid upon reaching her hotel room because Lewandowski's room was right next to hers. She tells how she timed her departure the following day to ensure she did not run into him. 'I went into my room crying and trembling as I did not know if I had just ruined everything that my family had worked so hard to grow,' Odom said in the statement. Corey Lewandoski is pictured above with his wife, Allison, and son Lewandowski's attorney, David Chesnoff refused to comment on the statement, saying he has yet to see it. 'It's premature to respond to something that hasn't been filed up until now and that we haven't seen and we will respond if appropriate,' Chesnoff said. Trashelle Odom's husband, John Odom, has also released a statement after the Trump team said they were cutting ties with Lewandowski, one of his longest-serving advisers and his first campaign manager. 'We believe in law enforcement, and are hopeful that the police and prosecutors will use this information to pursue justice,' John Odom wrote. 'For all others with information regarding this man's violent, harassing, and traumatizing behavior, we encourage you to speak up. Accountability is sorely needed.' John Odom's statement came after Lewandowski was fired from his role as head of the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again Action earlier in the week. Lewandowski served as campaign manager during the key early stages of Donald Trump's presidential campaign On Friday night, Lewandowski's attorney, David Chesnoff refused to comment on the police statement claiming not to have seen it yet 'Corey Lewandowski will be going on to other endeavors and we very much want to thank him for his service. He will no longer be associated with Trump World,' Trump spokesperson Taylor Budowich wrote on Twitter. Lewandowski was removed from the former president's orbit earlier after he was fired as his campaign manager in 2016. He would appear to return in 2017 when Trump offered him a job with his administration, which he rejected, telling friends that it was 'beneath him,' the Daily Beast reported. Three years later Trump appointed him to a Pentagon advisory board in the final weeks of his presidency, which President Joe Biden would block in early February. Queensland health minister Yvette D'Ath has fired back at Scott Morrison's plan to restart internation travel, questioning why any Australian would want to travel to Bali. On Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced plans for Australia to rejoin the rest of the world by easing its strict Covid border quarantine next month, ending 18 months under some of the toughest restrictions on the planet. However, while those in other states such as NSW are set to have their passports stamped, Queenslanders will remain grounded as the state keeps its borders tightly closed. Mr Morrison said there are tourism operators who will be confused by why residents can fly to Bali and Fiji but not the Sunshine State. When asked about the reopening plan during Saturday's press conference, Ms D'Ath issued a blunt response. 'I'm not sure how many people are going to be jumping on planes to Bali,' the health minister told reporters. She then referenced the huge Covid-19 case numbers at the popular holiday destination, where up to 142,000 locals have lost their lives. Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath has publicly questioned who would want to travel to Bali at the moment Once other states re-commence international travel as early as November, Queensland residents could still see their state borders closed (pictured, Brisbane Domestic Airport) Her response comes after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was blindsided by the reopening plan. She said it was disappointing that she wasn't notified of the plan ahead of national cabinet. 'I look forward to hearing about that plan. It has not been distributed in any papers to national cabinet, prior to national cabinets meeting,' she said. She said she would not agree to a plan until she had seen formal paperwork. Mr Morrison said that, from November 1, fully vaccinated Australians from states where more than 80 per cent of people are double-jabbed will be allowed to travel abroad freely - having been banned from leaving without a valid excuse since March 2020. Fully jabbed Australians and permanent residents returning from abroad will also be allowed to quarantine for just seven days at home rather than being locked up for 14 days in quarantine hotels. Sydney's International Terminal at Mascot is widely tipped to set the standard for others to follow. Those further north in Queensland will see a frustrating situation where their state borders remain closed - with international borders open in other parts of the country. Queensland is also not expected to hit its 80 per cent double vaccination target until at least December, casting further doubt over whether large volumes of guests will be able to enter the Sunshine State to see family and friends over the festive season. Earlier this week the Prime Minister said it was time to give Australians their lives back as vaccination rates improve. 'We have saved lives and livelihoods, but we must work together to ensure that Australians can reclaim the lives that they once had in this country,' he said. Qantas has already confirmed it will restart international flights from November 14, with three weekly return flights between Sydney and London and another three weekly flights between Sydney and Los Angeles, according to the Courier Mail. On Saturday, Queensland recorded two new local Covid cases, with two overseas-acquired cases also detected in hotel quarantine. Queensland's lower vaccination rate is the reason why other states could open their borders quicker than the Sunshine State (pictured, a commuter at Brisbane Domestic Airport) In welcome news, Brisbane is still expected to host the NRL Grand Final on Sunday - although the crowd will be capped at 75 per cent (pictured, grand finalists Penrith) The two new cases are children of the man announced as a confirmed Covid case on Friday who had been on the Gold Coast for four days. Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said it was still 'too early to say' whether the state has avoided a lockdown - despite no unlinked community transmission. The NRL Grand Final is also likely to be played at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Sunday - but the crowd could be at a reduced capacity of 50 per cent. As it stands, up to 39,000 fans will make their way through the gates, with the crowd 75 per cent of the usual capacity figure. I have had to make an extremely difficult decision overnight, but one which I feel obliged to do because of the love and respect that I have for the people of New South Wales and the high regard which I have for the office of Premier. I was advised late yesterday afternoon the Independent Commission Against Corruption would today release a public statement in which it will state it is investigating allegations made about me concerning matters relating to the former member for Wagga Wagga. As it will be clear from the ICAC statement, the issues which it is investigating are historic matters that have already been the subject of numerous attacks on me by political opponents during the last 12 months. Many of the matters were the subject of questions I was asked by the opposition while appearing before an estimates committee hearing earlier this year. I want to be very clear, in all the decisions I have ever made as a Minister or as Premier for New South Wales, my first consideration has always been the well-being and welfare of the people of this state. I state categorically, I have always acted with the highest level of integrity. History will demonstrate that I have always executed my duties with the highest degree of integrity for the benefit of the people of NSW who I have had the privilege to serve. As the leader of the New South Wales Government, I have expected the highest of standards of myself and my colleagues. I have made it clear on numerous occasions that if any of my ministers were the subject of allegations being investigated by an integrity agency or law-enforcement, then he or she should stand aside during the course of the investigation until their name was cleared. The reason for my stance was not to have made any presumptions as to their conduct, but rather to maintain the integrity of the public office which was held whilst an investigation was completed. That same standard must apply to me as Premier. However, standing aside is not an option for me as the Premier of New South Wales. The people of New South Wales need certainty as to who their leader is during these challenging times of the pandemic. I cannot predict how long it will take the ICAC to complete this investigation, let alone deliver a report, in circumstances where I was first called to give evidence at a public hearing nearly 12 months ago. Therefore, it pains me to announce that I have no option but to resign the office of Premier. My resignation will take effect as soon as the New South Wales liberal party can elect a new Parliamentary leader. In order to allow the new leader and government a fresh start, I will also resign from the New South Wales Parliament once I have consulted the electoral commission on appropriate timing for a by-election given the COVID restrictions. My resignation as Premier could not happen at a worse time, but the timing is completely outside of my control as the ICAC has chosen to take this action during the most challenging weeks of the most challenging times in the history of NSW. That is the ICAC's prerogative. Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being and something which I do not want to do, I love my job, and serving the community, but I have been given no option following the statement issued. To continue as Premier would disrupt the State Government during a time when our entire attention should be focused on the challenges confronting New South Wales. I do not want to be a distraction from what should be the focus of the state government during this pandemic, which is the well-being of our citizens. Notwithstanding the challenges of the last few years and few months in particular, I have never felt stronger, nor more confident in my leadership. I have absolutely no regrets during my time in public life. At times we all stumble, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start again stronger and wiser than before. I have done this many times, as we all have. My only regret will be not to be able to finish the job to ensure the people of New South Wales transition to living freely with COVID. However, I am extremely confident that whoever succeeds me will be more than capable of continuing this job. Please give them your trust and confidence. We will come through this period stronger, more resilient, and appreciating what really matters in life. I feel strong, energised and optimistic about the future of this great state. I want to thank the thousands of our frontline heroes who have kept us safe and kept us going during the darkest days in our state history. I owe you a debt of gratitude. Nothing that we can say or do will be able to demonstrate the significance of what you have done. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Liberal Party to whom I owe my career, the people of the electorate of Willoughby who have elected me five times to be their member of Parliament, my Parliamentary colleagues for their support and hard work, my outstanding and loyal staff past and present, and all the professional public servants with whom I have worked. I also want to thank my family and friends who have provided me with unconditional support and understanding when I have not been as present due to my responsibilities. Most importantly I want to thank you, the people of New South Wales. When the chips were down in the past years, in particular during the drought, bushfires and then COVID, we stood alongside each other. We have grieved and supported each other during these tragedies. I hope you know that you will remain foremost in my thoughts. The courage that you display in your lives every day has inspired me every step of the way. The courage and the support you have shown me has humbled me and made me a better leader and a better person. Serving you has been the greatest privilege of my life. Please know that every day I gave it my all and worked as hard as I could to create a better future for our state and its people. I truly believe that New South Wales is a place where every person, irrespective of their background and circumstances has the opportunity to be their best, to make a difference. So as I address you for the final time as your Premier, please stay the course and stay safe. We will be shortly out of this lockdown and be able to get on with our lives. NSW and its people will come out of this lockdown stronger, and together we will build a future full of optimism and hope. Finally, thank you again for giving me the honour of being your Premier. A further 52 locally acquired COVID-19 cases have been reported in the ACT along with three more deaths. The territory's total case count now stands at 939, of which 617 have recovered and 319 are active. ACT health chief Dr Kerryn Coleman says 30 of the new infections can be linked to existing cases. Ten of them were in quarantine, the status of 13 are under investigation and 29 are known to have been in community for at least part of their infectious period. Pharmacist Chloe Langfield gives Georgia Meir, aged 14, her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination at Cooleman Court Pharmacy in Canberra Pharmacist Chloe Langfield loads up injections of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Cooleman Court Pharmacy in Canberra Thirteen COVID-19 patients are in Canberra hospitals. Three of them are in intensive care and all three currently require respiration. Chief Minister Andrew Barr says plans to end the ACT's lockdown as scheduled in a fortnight's time will depend on Dr Coleman's advice. No one was walking away from the commitment to reopen, he said. However he continued to be concerned about the high case numbers and the high numbers also being recorded in neighbouring Queanbeyan. 'Our vaccination rates are a really significant way in which we can protect our community,' he told reporters on Saturday. Almost 92 per cent of ACT residents have now received at least one vaccine dose, while 63 per cent have had both jabs. More than 3240 virus tests were also conducted in the ACT on Friday. Dr Coleman said on Friday she hoped the ACT would not need to deviate from its mid-October reopening plan. Residents rare seen at the shore of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra A further 52 locally acquired COVID-19 cases have been reported in the ACT along with three more deaths (pictured: Canberra Centre in Canberra) 'All of that will play into next week's discussions. My aim is to leave the settings as we have announced moving forward,' she said. Mr Barr described Friday's new case number - also 52 - as a shock and an important reminder that the virus remained active in the community. 'When we get to higher vaccination rates and we start to further reduce our public health safety measures, daily case numbers like this will become the norm. We are not at that point yet,' he said. 'I don't want to rule anything in or out based on one day's numbers. They're not good. They're not where we want them to be. But one day isn't a trend.' The ACT on Friday relaxed restrictions slightly, including allowing two visitors to a home. Advertisement Gabby Petito's concerned family called the police in North Port, Florida, to file a missing persons report one day before she was officially reported missing and officers showed up at Brian Laundrie's home, it has emerged. Police records, obtained by WFLA, reveal Petito's family contacted the North Port Police Department and attempted to report her missing on September 10. But the family were told that, due to state law and the police department's policy, they must file the report in the place of her last known location. Partially-redacted call logs seen by DailyMail.com show two 911 calls were made that day to North Port police in connection to the Laundrie family home where Laundrie, 23, and Petito, 22, lived with his parents before their doomed cross-country trip. Both calls were classed as 'public service' calls, with the first made just before 4pm and the second around 6.30pm. It is not clear if these were the same calls made by Petito's family, but both were given the brief description of 'problem settled'. The following day - September 11 - Petito's family succeeded in reporting her missing in her native state New York, kicking off a huge search which culminated in her body being found in a Wyoming national park and her fiance going on the run. Petito's mom Nicole Schmidt (center) speaks at a press conference September 28 with stepdad Jim Schmidt (right). Gabby Petito's concerned family called the police in North Port, Florida, to file a missing persons report one day before she was officially reported missing, it has emerged Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito are pictured together. Her body was found September 19 and he is now on the run Call logs show three more calls connected to the Laundrie home were made on September 11 and were listed as 'follow up/investigation' and 'agency assist.' Response to the calls was described as 'problem settled,' 'no police action needed' and 'report submitted'. That day, after Petito was reported missing, officers turned up at the Laundrie home and seized the couple's white campervan. In total, at least 46 emergency calls have been made in connection to the home including 'missing person,' 'disturbance,' 'follow up/investigation,' 'agency assist,' 'special detail,' 'patrol check' and 'public service' between September 10 - the day before the missing persons report was filed - and September 27 - eight days after Petito's body was found and 10 since Laundrie was also reported missing. A nationwide manhunt for Laundrie has been underway for two weeks now, after his parents claimed the person of interest in Petito's homicide headed off on a hike at a nature reserve near their home in mid-September. Laundrie's family said Friday they believe he is still alive somewhere in Florida - as questions mount over his sister's previous claims about when she last saw him and whether both Laundrie and his mom are using burner phones. Steve Bertolino, the Laundrie family attorney, told People they think he is still in the Sunshine State and are hopeful he is safe. 'They are concerned but hopeful that he is found alive,' he said. Bertolino gave no further details about why Laundrie's family may think he is still in Florida or of any specific location. The search had initially centered around the Carlton Reserve close to their home - an alligator-infested nature reserve where Laundrie's parents claimed he was heading when he vanished September 14. But authorities are now largely focusing their manhunt around Fort De Soto Park, 75 miles north of the family home, where Laundrie went camping with his family days after returning from his campervan trip with Petito far earlier than expected and alone. It emerged Friday that Laundrie's sister Cassie saw her brother twice between the time he returned to Florida without Petito and when he went missing around two weeks later - despite her public statements to the contrary. Bertolino confirmed she saw her brother on September 1 when he came by her house - the same day he arrived back from the couple's cross-country van trip alone. Pictured his parents Christopher and Roberta. Their attorney said Friday they believe he is still alive somewhere in Florida Cassie saw him again on September 6 during a family camping trip to Fort De Soto Park. Attorney Steve Bertolino told WFLA that 'law enforcement agencies are well aware of these dates.' Cassie is to date the only member of the Laundrie family - including Laundrie himself - who has spoken publicly about Petito's disappearance and death. She claimed in an interview with ABC's Good Morning America on September 17 - two days before Petito's body was found in Wyoming - that she had not spoken to her brother since September 1 and that she 'wish[ed] I had more information' to give investigators. 'I haven't been able to talk to him. I wish I could talk to him,' Cassie said at the time. 'I've cooperated in every way that I can. I wish I had information or I would give more.' Cassie also described Petito as 'like a sister' to her and said she and her family 'want Gabby to be found safe.' 'Obviously me and my family want Gabby to be found safe,' she said. 'She's like a sister and my children love her, and all I want is for her to come home safe and found and this to be just a big misunderstanding.' But her version of events unraveled Friday, when Dog the Bounty Hunter - who joined the manhunt for Laundrie Saturday - revealed he had received a tip about Cassie joining her brother and parents at the campsite five days after she claimed they had their last alleged encounter. Bertolino claimed the apparent discrepancy in Cassie's version of events was a simple misunderstanding. 'Any prior communication by Cassie that does not reflect these dates is simply a difference of relating an answer to a question misinterpreted by Cassie or poorly posed by the inquirer,' he said. 'Law enforcement agencies are well aware of these dates.' It is not clear when authorities learned of Cassie's meeting with her brother - or of the family's trip to the campsite. Brian Laundrie's sister, Cassie, told ABC News on September 17 that she had not talked to her brother since his return to Florida, but now the family's attorney says she saw him twice - on September 1 and September 6 Bertolino added: 'To my knowledge, Cassie went for a day' to the campsite. Records from Pinellas County indicate that Brian and Cassie's mom Roberta Laundrie registered for a waterfront campground site at Fort De Soto Park between September 6 and 8. The family's attorney confirmed Brian and his parents stayed at the park - 75 miles from the Laundrie home in Florida - for one night leaving on September 7. Documents obtained by Fox News reveal Laundrie's mom changed her reservation for the campsite as Brian returned home. On August 31, she reportedly canceled a stay for two people from September 1 to 3, suggestion she may have known her son was heading home the next day. She then rebooked for three people from September 6 to September 8. The FBI is now examining surveillance footage from the Fort De Soto Park campsite. During a ground search on Wednesday, Dog the Bounty Hunter - who joined the search for Laundrie Saturday discovered a fresh campsite on Florida's Shell Island. Brian also visited the park with Petito just two months ago with photos showing the young couple at the beach and campsite. In one photo, Laundrie and Gabby are seen peering through the bars of a jail cell at an old fort. Questions have been mounting over when Laundrie's family last saw him and what they knew of his fiancee's disappearance. From the day Petito was reported missing, Laundrie's parents denied investigators access to their home to speak to their son. They then waited three days to tell authorities he was missing on September 17 - saying they last saw him heading for a hike on September 14. Now, speculation has swirled that both Laundrie and his mom are using burner phones. The Laundries stayed at the Fort De Soto Park between September 6-7. Their lawyer said they all left at the same time The Fort De Soto campsite in Florida is seen in exclusive DailyMail.com photos. New details have emerged about a camping trip Brian took with his parents there days before Petito was reported missing The campsite (pictured) is located in Fort De Soto in Pinellas County, Florida, close to St Petersburg and was visited by the Laundries days before Gabby was reported missing Two months ago Laundrie and Gabby Petitio visited the same spot and posted photos hiking and showing them relaxing on the beach. They also posted this photo behind bars Gabby (right) and Brian (left) are pictured at the campsite during the young couple's visit together two months ago The FBI is investigating a line of inquiry that Brian bought a burner from an AT&T store in North Port on September 14 - the day his parents claim they last saw him. Brian is said to have visited the store to purchase the phone accompanied by an older woman. Federal agents have seized surveillance footage from the store. This comes as Dog the Bounty Hunter's daughter Lyssa Chapman claimed the FBI believes Roberta is using a burner phone. The Laundrie family attorney said he had 'no comment' about her alleged use of a burner phone but told TMZ the family purchased a new phone but he 'believes it's the one Brian left behind at home' and notes that the 'FBI is already in possession of it'. Petito's phone, meanwhile, has never been found. Laundrie, 23, and his fiancee Petito, 22, set off in their white campervan on a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country trip from New York on July 2. The young couple were supposed to travel across America for four months. But, Laundrie returned to the North Port home the couple shared with his parents Roberta and Christopher early and alone on September 1. Petito's mom reported her missing September 11 after not hearing from her daughter for multiple days and coming up a wall of silence from Laundrie. Petito last spoke to her family on August 25 by phone and subsequent 'odd' texts from her phone sent alarm bells ringing. Laundrie lawyered up and refused to speak to cops about his fiancee's whereabouts before going on the run. His parents reported him as missing on September 17, telling authorities they had not seen him since September 14 when he went on a hike in the alligator-infested Carlton Reserve in North Port. Local police and the FBI have been searching for Laundrie, who has been named a person of interest in Petito's death, for the past 12 days. Newly-released bodycam footage has revealed Gabby Petito told cops Brian Laundrie had hit her and cut her face by grabbing her 'with his nail' during the August 12 domestic incident The never-before-seen footage from a second officer's body camera shows the cop pointing out 'new' marks on Petito's face and arm and her admitting that he cut her face with his nail On Thursday, newly-released bodycam footage revealed that Petito told cops Laundrie had hit her and cut her face by grabbing her 'with his nail' during a domestic incident less than two weeks before she was last seen alive. The never-before-seen footage from a second officer's body camera shows the cop pointing out 'new' marks on Petito's face and arm after pulling the couple's van over in Moab, Utah, on August 12. Asked if Laundrie had hit her, Petito answers: 'I guess.' 'He like grabbed me with his nail, and I guess that's why it looks, I definitely have a cut right here. I can feel it, when I touch it it burns,' she tells the officer. The 22-year-old, whose body was found on September 19, quickly backtracks and defends her fiance saying she 'hit him first' when he locked her out of their van and refused to let her in. Laundrie is also seen in the footage defending himself and pushing the blame onto Petito as soon as the cop arrives on the scene. He claims Petito was 'really worked up' and that he 'was just trying to push her away' when asked about allegations he had hit her. Body camera video from one Moab officer was released two weeks ago, while Petito was still a missing person, and in it portions of the conversation between the cop and the van-life couple were inaudible. This new footage from a second officer's body-worn camera offers a fresh look at the altercation that preceded Petito's disappearance and death. Last week, a probe was launched into the police handling of the August 12 incident and Moab City Police Department Chief Bret Edge has since taken a leave of absence pending the investigation. Meanwhile, the manhunt for Laundrie, who is a person of interest in Petito's homicide, entered its 12th day with the FBI and Dog the Bounty Hunter scouring separate areas in Florida. FBI agents on Thursday visited the home of Laundrie's parents in North Port and collected personal items belonging to Brian to help in the search. The focus of the search has now shifted to the Fort De Soto National Park, where Laundrie stayed with his parents after returning home from the campervan trip without Petito. Roberta Laundrie (right) has been accused of using a burner phone to keep in contact with her son, Brian, who is currently wanted by the police. Christopher (left) and Roberta (right) Laundrie visited their attorney in Orlando on Thursday The FBI is examining surveillance footage from the Fort De Soto Park campsite. A map shows the campsite's location to the Laundrie family home and the Carlton Reserve where authorities have focused their search and Laundrie's parents say he was headed Police in Moab, Utah, responded to a 911 call from a bystander who said they had seen a man slapping a woman outside the Mayflower grocery store before driving off in a white van. Bodycam footage from one Moab police officer was released on September 16. That footage shows Petito telling the officer she slapped Laundrie, while he is seen showing the cop scratches on his face and arm, which he claims were caused when she 'hit me with her phone'. The cops determined Petito was 'the primary aggressor' and separated them for the night. Now, the release of the bodycam from the second officer casts new light on the incident and what the couple told cops. Key moments of the cops' chat with the couple was inaudible in the previously-released clip. The two Moab police officers were also joined on the scene by two US Park Rangers, whose bodycam videos remain under wraps. Meanwhile, FBI agents arrived at the Laundrie home in North Port, Florida, Thursday afternoon to collect personal items belonging to the 23-year-old to help in the hunt. In the newly-released footage, Petit tells the officer Laundrie got 'frustrated' with her over her OCD and 'locked me out of the car.' 'I was just really stressed this morning trying to get a lot of work done and I was apologizing to him,' she says. She tells the cop she was saying 'sorry' to her fiance because of her OCD which meant she was 'organizing stuff'. 'I get so stressed out. I have OCD and I was like organizing stuff and sometimes I get this mean attitude when I'm not trying to be mean and I was trying to straighten things out,' she says. Police pulled over the couple's van in Moab, Utah, on August 12 following reports of a man hitting a woman The new bodycam shows Petito telling the cop the cut on her face 'burns' before defending her fiance saying she 'hit him first' when he locked her out of their van and refused to let her in Meanwhile, Laundrie is seen instantly defending himself and pushing the blame onto Petito as soon as the cop arrives on the scene He claims Petito was 'really worked up' and that he 'was just trying to push her away' when asked about allegations he had hit her Timeline of missing Gabby Petito's case July 2: Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie left Blue Point, New York for a cross-country road trip Gabby Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie left Blue Point, New York for a cross-country road trip August 12: Police in Moab, Utah respond to a domestic incident involving the couple. Petito tells an officer Laundrie hit her but cops decide she is the primary aggressor Police in Moab, Utah respond to a domestic incident involving the couple. Petito tells an officer Laundrie hit her but cops decide she is the primary aggressor Aug. 21: Petito's father, Joseph Petito, has his last FaceTime video call with his daughter who was in Salt Lake City, Utah Petito's father, Joseph Petito, has his last FaceTime video call with his daughter who was in Salt Lake City, Utah Aug. 24: Petito is last seen at a hotel in Salt Lake City with Laundrie Petito is last seen at a hotel in Salt Lake City with Laundrie Aug. 25: Petito makes final call to her mother, Nicole Schmidt, saying she was in Grand Teton National Park Petito makes final call to her mother, Nicole Schmidt, saying she was in Grand Teton National Park Aug. 25 or 26: The couple chats with the owner of a shop called 'Rustic Row' in Victor, Utah for about 20 minutes The couple chats with the owner of a shop called 'Rustic Row' in Victor, Utah for about 20 minutes Aug. 27: Video of Petito's van was taken by blogger Jenn Bethune, of Red White & Bethune, around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground; Petito's mom receives an 'odd text' from her phone Video of Petito's van was taken by blogger Jenn Bethune, of Red White & Bethune, around 6.30 pm at the Spread Creek Campground; Petito's mom receives an 'odd text' from her phone Aug. 29: The day that Wisconsin TikToker Miranda Baker claimed that she and her boyfriend were approached by Laundrie at Grand Teton National Park and asked them for a ride at 5.30pm The day that Wisconsin TikToker Miranda Baker claimed that she and her boyfriend were approached by Laundrie at Grand Teton National Park and asked them for a ride at 5.30pm Aug. 30: Petito's mom receives the last text from her phone: 'No service in Yosemite' receives the last text from her phone: 'No service in Yosemite' Aug. 31: Laundrie's mother Roberta cancels a camping trip for 2 to Fort De Soto campsite for Sept. 1-3 Laundrie's mother Roberta cancels a camping trip for 2 to Fort De Soto campsite for Sept. 1-3 Sept. 1: Laundrie returns to his parents' home in North Port, Florida in the van without Petito; Laundrie visits sister Cassie at her home Laundrie returns to his parents' home in North Port, Florida in the van without Petito; Laundrie visits sister Cassie at her home Sept. 4: According to his attorney, Laundrie purchases a new cell phone from a North Port AT&T store which he leaves at his home September 14 and is seized by the FBI Sept. 6-8: Laundrie and his parents visit Fort De Soto campsite in Florida, records show. The family's lawyer says they stayed only from Sept. 6-7. Brian's sister Cassie joins them - reportedly for the day on Sept. 6 Laundrie and his parents visit Fort De Soto campsite in Florida, records show. The family's lawyer says they stayed only from Sept. 6-7. Brian's sister Cassie joins them - reportedly for the day on Sept. 6 Sept. 10: The Laundries' neighbor Karyn Roberts says she saw Laundrie at the family home The Laundries' neighbor Karyn Roberts says she saw Laundrie at the family home Sept. 11: Petito's mom reports Petito missing to authorities in New York; Petito and Laundrie's van is impounded by police in Florida that same day but authorities are denied entry to their home to speak with Laundrie Petito's mom reports Petito missing to authorities in New York; Petito and Laundrie's van is impounded by police in Florida that same day but authorities are denied entry to their home to speak with Laundrie Sept. 12: Grand Teton National Park rangers search for Petito Grand Teton National Park rangers search for Petito Sept. 14: Laundrie issues a statement about Petito's disappearance through his lawyer; Laundrie reportedly buys a burner phone from an AT&T store in his hometown of North Port, Florida, with an 'older woman'; Laundrie is reportedly last seen by his parents leaving to go to the Carlton Reserve carrying a backpack Laundrie issues a statement about Petito's disappearance through his lawyer; Laundrie reportedly buys a burner phone from an AT&T store in his hometown of North Port, Florida, with an 'older woman'; Laundrie is reportedly last seen by his parents leaving to go to the Carlton Reserve carrying a backpack Sept. 15: Laundrie is officially named a person of interest in Petito's case Laundrie is officially named a person of interest in Petito's case Sept. 16: The August 12 domestic comes to light with bodycam from one officer released The August 12 domestic comes to light with bodycam from one officer released Sept. 17: Laundrie family attorney confirms his whereabouts are unknown and that his parents last saw him Sept. 14; Cassie tells GMA she last saw him Sept. 1 and describes Petito as 'like a sister' to her Laundrie family attorney confirms his whereabouts are unknown and that his parents last saw him Sept. 14; Cassie tells GMA she last saw him Sept. 1 and describes Petito as 'like a sister' to her Sept. 18: North Port police and the FBI start searching the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County for missing Brian Laundrie North Port police and the FBI start searching the Carlton Reserve in Sarasota County for missing Brian Laundrie Sept. 19: Bethune realizes she has video of Petito's van around 12am and submits the FBI with the footage 10 minutes later; Officials find a body near Grand Teton National Park that matches Petitos description Bethune realizes she has video of Petito's van around 12am and submits the FBI with the footage 10 minutes later; Officials find a body near Grand Teton National Park that matches Petitos description Sept. 21: Coroner confirms remains found in Grand Tetons belong to Petito. Her death is ruled a homicide but her cause of death is still under investigation Coroner confirms remains found in Grand Tetons belong to Petito. Her death is ruled a homicide but her cause of death is still under investigation Sept. 20 - 22: FBI and North Port police continue search for Laundrie in Carton Reserve FBI and North Port police continue search for Laundrie in Carton Reserve Sept. 22 : Neighbors say they saw the Laundrie family pack up their detached camper on the day Gabby was reported missing. DailyMail.com photos show the camper was back in the driveway two days later, on September 13 : Neighbors say they saw the Laundrie family pack up their detached camper on the day Gabby was reported missing. DailyMail.com photos show the camper was back in the driveway two days later, on September 13 Sept. 23: FBI issues an arrest warrant for Laundrie for 'use of unauthorized access device' for fraudulently using a Capitol One Bank debit card that was not his between August 30 and September 1 to spend $1,000; A probe is launched into the police handling of the Utah police incident on Aug. 12; Laundrie's parents visit their attorney in Orlando FBI issues an arrest warrant for Laundrie for 'use of unauthorized access device' for fraudulently using a Capitol One Bank debit card that was not his between August 30 and September 1 to spend $1,000; A probe is launched into the police handling of the Utah police incident on Aug. 12; Laundrie's parents visit their attorney in Orlando Sept. 25: Dog the Bounty Hunter joins the search for Laundrie Dog the Bounty Hunter joins the search for Laundrie Sept. 26: A funeral is held for Petito in Holbrook, New York, and her family launch a charity to help parents find missing children A funeral is held for Petito in Holbrook, New York, and her family launch a charity to help parents find missing children Sept. 27: Manhunt for Laundrie in the Carlton Reserve is scaled back after 10 day search doesn't find him. Dog the Bounty Hunter says Laundrie and his parents stayed at Fort De Soto Park from September 1-3 and September 6-8 - and that on the latter visit only the parents left Manhunt for Laundrie in the Carlton Reserve is scaled back after 10 day search doesn't find him. Dog the Bounty Hunter says Laundrie and his parents stayed at Fort De Soto Park from September 1-3 and September 6-8 - and that on the latter visit only the parents left Sept. 28: Laundrie's mom is accused of using a burner phone to contact her son Laundrie's mom is accused of using a burner phone to contact her son Sept. 29: Documents reveal Laundrie's mom canceled a reservation for the Fort De Soto Park campsite for two from September 1 to 3 and booked for three from September 6 to 8; FBI seizes surveillance footage from site; FBI investigates lead Laundrie bought a burner phone on September 14; Dog the Bounty Hunter searches the area near Fort De Soto finding a recently drunk can of Monster Energy at a makeshift campsite deep in the woods Documents reveal Laundrie's mom canceled a reservation for the Fort De Soto Park campsite for two from September 1 to 3 and booked for three from September 6 to 8; FBI seizes surveillance footage from site; FBI investigates lead Laundrie bought a burner phone on September 14; Dog the Bounty Hunter searches the area near Fort De Soto finding a recently drunk can of Monster Energy at a makeshift campsite deep in the woods Sept. 30: Bodycam footage from a second officer at the August 12 incident is released showing a distressed Petito admitting Laundrie hit her; FBI agents collect more evidence from the Laundrie home Bodycam footage from a second officer at the August 12 incident is released showing a distressed Petito admitting Laundrie hit her; FBI agents collect more evidence from the Laundrie home Oct. 1: It emerges Laundrie's sister had contact with him after she said she did. The Laundrie family said they believe he is alive somewhere in Florida It emerges Laundrie's sister had contact with him after she said she did. The Laundrie family said they believe he is alive somewhere in Florida Oct. 2: Petito's mother creates a new Twitter account and calls for Laundrie to turn himself into authorities in an 'angry' tweet. It is revealed that Petito's family tried to report her missing to North Port Police Department on September 10 but were told to file a report in her last known location Advertisement 'And I was just apologizing but I guess I said it in like a mean tone and he got really frustrated with me, and he locked me out of the car and told me to go take a breather, but I didn't want to take a breather.' 'And I wanted to get going. We're out of water.' Petito tells the cop Laundrie wouldn't let her back in their van which made her 'really mad.' The officer questions Petito about marks on her face and arm, which he says 'looks like someone might have hit you in the face.' 'Is there something on your cheek here?' he says. 'Did you get hit in the face?' Petito is seen lifting her hand up to her face and replying: 'Erm.' 'It kinda looks like someone might have hit you in the face?' the cop asks again. 'And then over on your arm - your shoulder right here that's new huh? You have a new mark.' Petito looks at her arm and then back at the cop, replying: 'Yeah I don't know.' The officer asks to see the other side of her face and asks her what happened. Petito claims at first that Laundrie's backpack struck her before finally admitting her grabbed her face and cut her with his nail. 'I'm not sure,' she says. 'It was happening really fast. I was trying to get back in the car and his backpack got me.' The cop presses Petito questioning her backpack theory and telling her two witnesses reported seeing Laundrie 'hit' or 'punch' her. Petito tells the officer she 'hit him first.' 'Well to be honest I definitely hit him first,' she says, telling the cop she 'slapped him a couple times.' The cop asks what Laundrie's reaction was to that, to which she replies 'to grab my arm.' 'Did he hit you though?' the officer asks, telling Petito they are trying to get to the truth. 'I guess,' she says, becoming more tearful as she makes the admission. 'I guess, yea. But I hit him first.' 'Where did he hit you?' the officer replies. 'Don't worry, just be honest.' Petito tries to defend Laundrie insisting: 'He didn't like hit me in the face. 'He didn't like punch me in the face or anything.' The cop replies: 'Did he slap your face, or what?' At this point, Petito says Laundrie 'grabbed me with his nail' and makes a grabbing motion on her face. 'Well he like, grabbed me with his nail, and I guess that's why it looks, I definitely have a cut right here,' she says. 'I can feel it, when I touch it, it burns.' In the footage, the cop also calls the witness to run through what he had seen at the Mayflower. The witness says he saw the couple 'sort of arguing a bit' and it seemed they were 'squabbling over a phone.' 'I want to say that he was trying to take her phone,' he says. Petito's cellphone has never been found since her disappearance and death. Laundrie, meanwhile, is now suspected of buying a burner phone on September 14 - the day he was reportedly last seen by his parents before he took off. The witness tells the cop Laundrie 'wasn't letting her' in the van so she 'hit him a few times', he says. The witness says it 'wasn't like a punch to the face' but more like 'children fighting.' However, he adds that 'it seemed like something was off - a weird vibe.' 'Did you ever see the male strike the female?' the cop asks. 'I think I saw maybe a push or a shove, but not a full on punch to a face or anything,' the witness says. 'You did see her slapping him though it sounds like?' the cop asks. 'Yes,' the witness replies. The very beginning of the footage reveals the moment the cop arrived on the scene and approached the driver's side of the door. Laundrie is seen inside while Petito is no longer in the passenger seat after the officer's colleague asked her to step out. The 23-year-old is seen instantly defending himself to the officer. The cop is heard telling Laundrie that police had received a 911 call about 'a male hitting a female' and then taking off in their white van. Laundrie looks toward the passenger sear and stumbles over his words holding his hands up. 'I - I - I don't want to try to defend myself by saying anything here but I pushed her away,' he tells the officer. 'She gets really worked up, and when she does she swings and she had her cell phone in her hand. So I was just trying to push her away.' He then looks through the passenger door window and asks if the officers 'are talking to my fiancee.' The first bodycam video of the incident revealed that the cops agreed Petito was 'the primary aggressor' and it was Laundrie who said he didn't want to pursue charges against her. Petito's body was discovered around one month later after Laundrie returned home from their campervan trip alone. The teenage mother from California who was left brain dead after being shot in the back of the head by a school safety officer will be taken off life support after her body is prepared for organ donation, her family have said. Mona Rodriguez, who has a five-month-old son, was shot as she drove away from the scene where she had earlier gotten into a fight with a 15-year-old girl near Millikan High School in Long Beach on Monday. The family of the 18-year-old addressed the media at a news conference outside the hospital on Friday afternoon. Mona's brother, Iran Rodriguez, said his sister would have wanted her organs to go to others in need. He said that she will be taken off life support sometime in the next 24 to 72 hours, after her body is prepared for the organ donation. Mona Rodriguez, a teenage mother, will be taken off life support the next 24 to 72 hours after her body is prepared for organ donation The 18-year-old was left brain dead after being shot in the back of the head by a school safety officer as she tried to flee a fight Mona's family confirmed that she will be taken off life support at a news conference on Friday A GoFundMe page created to raise funds to cover legal fees and funeral cost says that 'anyone who knew her knew how big her heart was, how full of life she was and how much she loved her family but most especially her son who was her entire life, pride and joy' 'The transition has begun,' Jerlene Tatum, a community activist who has been helping the family through the tragedy, told The Daily Beast. Mona was struck by a bullet while leaving the school in a car with the father of her child, Rafeul Chowdhury, 20, and his 16-year-old brother. None of the people in the car are enrolled at Millikan High School. Chowdhury and his younger brother, Shahreaf, are currently being investigated for their alleged involvement in the fight, police told KTLA. Harrowing video shows the moment the officer, who has not been named, fires two shots at the car, which nearly hits him as it speeds out of the parking lot. Chowdhury was driving the vehicle. Long Beach Police are investigating the officer's use of lethal force. The school safety officer, who has not been named, has been placed on paid administrative leave. Superintendent Jill Baker told KTLA that safety officers are 'highly trained and held accountable to the established standards in their profession.' Long Beach Police are investigating the officer's use of legal force and the school safety officer, who has not been named, has been placed on leave. Pictured: Millikan High School where the shooting took place The moment a teenage mother was shot in the back of the head by a school safety officer, leaving her brain dead, has been captured by cell phone video Mona's family arrived at the press conference outside Long Beach Memorial Care Hospital in California on Friday Manuela Sahagun, mother of Mona Rodriguez, center, hugs family members during a press conference on Friday Manuela Sahagun, left, mother of Mona Rodriguez, is hugged by Oscar Rodriguez, brother of Mona Rodriguez, after a press conference at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Oscar Rodriguez, Mona's brother, spoke at a candle lit vigil outside of Long Beach Memorial Medical Center as the family fought to keep her on life support Rodriguez's relatives gathered outside Long Beach Memorial Medical Center for a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night after learning that doctors planned to take the gravely injured woman off life support, reported ABC7. 'They're trying to take my sister away,' Oscar Rodriguez, Mona's brother, said on Wednesday as the family fought with the hospital. 'At first they had told me that I would be able to make the decision, and now they're taking that from me.' Alex Cervantes, Mona's cousin, told reported she did not deserve to get shot. 'She might have been doing something she wasn't supposed to, but she was unarmed,' he said. Luis Carrillo, a family attorney, called on prosecutors to bring charges against the officer who shot Rodriguez. 'This officer should be in jail right now,' he said at the vigil. 'The mother is suffering, every family member and friend is suffering.' Carrillo sent a letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday insisting that the office open an investigation into the shooting. Carillo claims that the incident meets the legal standing for murder or manslaughter charges against the officer. Speaking outside the school on Wednesday afternoon, Chowdhury told reporters that the officer had threatened his girlfriend and the 15-year-old girl she had been fighting with pepper spray. Rafeul Chowdhury, the father of Rodriguez's child, told reporters that the officer had not warned before firing his weapon. Pictured: Chowdhury (left) with civil rights activist Najee Ali He claimed that the girls stopped fighting, and that the officer did not warn them he would use his gun before firing. 'All we did is just got in the car and left,' Chowdhury said. 'He never told us to stop anytime soon, and the way he shot us, it wasn't right.' KTLA reported that Chowdhury added that he and Rodriguez had been trying to have a child for some time. 'Now we do, and she [Mona]'s gone,' he said. 'I just got to step up now and play the mother and the father role, and keep my son strong.' Civil rights activist Najee Ali also spoke outside the school on Wednesday. 'There's no excuse, no justification for this officer shooting in the rear passenger-side window of a car with a woman who's unarmed. Everyone in the car was unarmed,' he said. 'The fact is, he shot at someone in the passenger seat with no regard for anyone's life in the car.' 'The only way we stop these safety officers from shooting unarmed people and killing them is by having them prosecuted and held accountable for what they've done wrong to members of the community.' The family have launched up a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral and legal expenses, and to help support Rodriguez's son. 'Mona is leaving behind her mom, 4 brothers, and her sister but most importantly she's leaving behind her 5 month old baby boy Isael', the page reads. 'She was smart, beautiful, loving and anyone who knew her knew how big her heart was, how full of life she was and how much she loved her family but most especially her son who was her entire life, pride and joy,' Yessica Loza, Rodriguez's cousin wrote on the page. 'We are all heart broken and in pain never did we imagine we would loose[sic] her like this or so soon she had her entire life ahead of her and because of a careless act done by a school safety guard a 5 month old baby boy was left without a mother and we all lost someone we loved so much.' Western Australia premier Mark McGowan will keep state borders closed until 90 per cent of residents have been vaccinated. Mr McGowan has refused to bend under pressure from the federal government to reopen the border to states like New South Wales and Victoria by Christmas. 'We have plenty more to do,' he told Labor's State Conference. 'Doing our best to keep COVID-19 out of WA - so we can get as many people as possible vaccinated. So Western Australians don't needlessly die along the way.' The closure means thousands of families will be forced to celebrate the family holiday separated from their loved ones for the second year in a row. Western Australia premier Mark McGowan has indicated he will keep his state borders closed until 90 per cent of residents have been vaccinated Mr McGowan has refused to bend under pressure from the federal government to reopen the border to states like New South Wales and Victoria by Christmas Western Australia may not reach the 90 per cent vaccination target anytime soon with jab uptake in the state among the lowest in the country. Only 65.43 per cent of residents have received their first jab with 47.08 per cent double-vaccinated. The figure is lower than the national rate with 78.5 per cent of the country on first dose and 55.1 per cent on two doses. 'The only way to crush and kill this virus is together,' Mr McGowan said. 'Together, we followed the restrictions when they were introduced. 'Together, we have managed to get through the last 20 months of this raging virus, with only 1096 total cases in the course of the pandemic. 'That's a total NSW and Victoria have sadly exceeded many times on a daily basis.' Prime minister Scott Morrison has demanded state leaders open borders when vaccination rates hit 80 per cent to allow families to reunite at Christmas. The prime minister said he could not see any reason why Australians should be kept cooped up in their states after the milestone set by the national reopening plan. 'There comes a time when you just got to move on and get on with it,' he told Weekend Sunrise on Sunday. 'You've got to honour the arrangement you've made with the Australian people and that is once you get to 80 per cent vaccination, it is very clear that you can start opening up.' Western Australia may not reach the 90 per cent vaccination target anytime soon with jab uptake in the state among the lowest in the country Prime minister Scott Morrison has demanded state leaders open borders when vaccination rates hit 80 per cent to allow families to reunite at Christmas (pictured, people wearing face masks in Perth) Mr Morrison rebuked Queensland and Western Australian premiers Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mr McGowan for their refusal to open their borders on time. Ms Palaszczuk previously said she would like more research into the effect of Covid-19 on children before lifting border restrictions. Similarly, Mr McGowan has shown resistance towards the targets agreed upon at national cabinet and said his borders are unlikely to open before Easter 2022. While Mr Morrison admitted it was likely people would still have to check in to venues using QR codes and wear masks in some settings for a while, he demanded the rebel premiers give people 'their lives back'. 'I think that puts the big challenge on the premiers. I mean, they've had the power to do what they've been doing. They're not new powers. They've always had them, he said. 'Once you get to 80 per cent of your population that's vaccinated, it's very clear. I can't see any reason why Australians should be kept from each other. '[Reopening by Christmas] is within the gift of governments. And that's a gift I'd like to see us give them.' Former U.S. President Donald Trump asked a federal judge in Florida to force Twitter to reinstate his account on Friday. In July Trump sued Twitter, Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google, as well as their chief executives, alleging they unlawfully silence conservative viewpoints. Trump's request for a preliminary injunction against Twitter was filed late on Friday in Miami, Bloomberg News reports. The former president claims the social media company canceled his account in January under pressure from his political rivals in Congress. Twitter declined to comment. Trump's representatives did not immediately respond to request for comment outside business hours. Trump lost his social media megaphone this year after the companies said he violated their policies against glorifying violence. Former President Donald Trump greets supporters at a rally in Perry, Georgia last weekend Trump's Twitter account was suspended in January after the social media company said he violated their policies against glorifying violence Hundreds of his supporters launched a deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6 after Trump made a speech repeating his false claims that his election defeat was the result of widespread fraud. Those claims have been rejected by multiple courts, state election officials and members of his own administration. Twitter 'exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate,' according to the former president's request. A hero soldier-turned-Republican congressional candidate has used funds for a non-profit he created for veterans left 'high and dry' by the government to push his political ambitions after his 2020 defeat in western Oregon. Alek Skarlatos, 28, was hailed a hero when he tackled an ISIS terrorist on a Paris-bound train in August 2015. At the time, Skarlatos said he tried to kill the heavily armed man by yanking a pistol from the gunman's hand. He then turned the pistol on the terrorist, but the gun didn't fire. 'I was honestly trying my best to kill or restrain him,' Skarlatos said at the time. Now, Skarlatos is facing questions over where $93,000 in leftover campaign funds which he donated to his non-profit 15:17 Trust - a reference to the train attack - have gone. It's also being questioned whether it was properly used as the issue of corruption in campaign finance looms over his upcoming bid for a congressional seat. What is known of Skarlatos' nonprofit is that it has nurtured his political ambitions, providing $65,000, records show, to his 2022 bid for a rematch with longtime Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio in a district stretching from the college town of Corvallis to the Oregon shore. It's a seat that Republicans are targeting in their quest to win back the House. Campaign finance laws prohibit candidates from self-dealing and from accepting illicit money from often opaque and less regulated world of political nonprofits. That includes a prohibition on candidates donating campaign cash to nonprofit groups they control, as well as a broader ban on accepting contributions from such groups, legal experts say. Alek Skarlatos, pictured, started a nonprofit after his 2020 loss in Oregon, vowing to advocate for veterans 'left high and dry' by the country they risked their lives for' Skarlatos (C) shakes hands with Emmanuel Lebrun-Damiens, French Consul General in San Francisco, after being given his naturalization certificate during a ceremony January 31, 2019 But years of lax campaign finance law enforcement has fostered an environment where many candidates are willing to challenge the long-established boundaries of what's legal. 'You can't do that,' said Adav Noti, a former lawyer for the Federal Election Commission who now works for the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center in Washington. 'There's serious corruption potential. The law contemplates that.' Skarlatos' campaign did not make him available for an interview, did not address the activities of the nonprofit and would not say if Skarlatos currently holds a role with the group. Campaign manager Ross Purgason said the transactions were 'completely legal.' 'Despite an attempt to smear Alek Skarlatos, who served in Afghanistan, he was never paid a dollar,' said Purgason. In 2015, Skarlotos, a member of the Oregon National Guard, gained a measure of fame when he helped disrupt an attack on a train bound for Paris by a heavily armed man who was a follower of the Islamic State. Oregon congressional candidate and hero soldier Alek Skarlatos, right, speaks at the Douglas County Republican Party headquarters in Roseburg, Oregon Hailed as a hero, he appeared on 'Dancing with the Stars,' and was granted dual French citizenship It also led to a role starring as himself in the Clint Eastwood movie '15:17 to Paris' Hailed as a hero, he appeared on 'Dancing with the Stars,' visited the White House and was granted dual French citizenship. It also led to a role starring as himself in the Clint Eastwood movie '15:17 to Paris.' Once he turned to politics, his biography served as a cornerstone of his campaign against DeFazio, the chairman of the House transportation committee, who went on to beat Skarlatos by five percentage points in November 2020. He started the nonprofit the month after his loss, naming it 15:17 Trust - a reference to the train attack. It was registered in Virginia, with his campaign treasurer also serving as the group's treasurer, records show. 'Our service men and women are special people - heroes - who have and will put their lives on the line for ours, and we owe it to them to make sure they're taken care of,' Skarlatos said in a March 2021 fundraising email. 'This is why I am proud to announce that I am officially launching the 15:17 Trust, a new 501(c) 4 non-profit organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of and supporting our veterans.' But the group has had a decidedly low profile. It has an active online fundraising page, but its website is offline. A Facebook page is 'liked' by only ten people. Its Twitter account has zero followers and only one tweet from April, soliciting input for a survey on veterans' concerns. A search of media databases show no instance of the group being mentioned in news stories. Federal candidates and officeholders are allowed to donate campaign funds to nonprofit groups. But they are prohibited from donating to nonprofits that they control. Skarlatos' campaign account gave $93,000 in February to his 15:17 Fund. The law is intended to prevent candidates from sidestepping a prohibition on the personal use of campaign funds by routing money to a separate group that they could then use to collect a salary or payments. Pictured: Specialist Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler in Clint Eastwood's film about his heroics (L-R) Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler are pictured in a 2015 photo from Washington, DC after receiving medals for their roles in disarming the gunman (L-R) Skarlatos, Stone and Sadler were on holiday in Europe when they thwarted the train terror attack The 15:17 Trust, a new 501(c) 4 non-profit organization is 'dedicated to advocating on behalf of and supporting our veterans' according to Skarlatos Pictured: Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, speaks during a House Transportation Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington Separately, federal campaigns face tight limits on how much and who can give to them. That includes a ban on accepting donations from corporations, including nonprofits, which can accept unlimited sums from anonymous donors. Though the transfer of $65,000 from Skarlatos' nonprofit to his campaign was listed as a 'refund' in filings, that likely doesn't square with the law, said Noti, the former FEC attorney. 'You can't, months later, send a different amount from a nonprofit company to a campaign and say it was a refund for a larger amount that was transferred much earlier,' he said. Skarlatos has collected payments from his campaign in the past. During the 2020 campaign, Skarlatos paid himself more than $43,000 in mileage reimbursements, rent and expenses vaguely listed as 'contractor campaign staff,' records show. Its Instagram account has just two followers and no posts as of Saturday A Facebook page (pictured) for the nonprofit is 'liked' by only ten people, soliciting input for a survey on veterans' concerns In the two months after launching his 2022 GOP primary bid - the only period of time reflected yet in quarterly filings submitted so far - he's collected another $2,521 in mileage reimbursements. Skarlatos' required congressional financial disclosures show a diminishing stream of personal income in recent years. He reported making $40,000 from speaking fees, endorsements and residuals from his movie work in 2018. But his most recent filing, which was submitted in May 2020, shows that dropped to $20,000, which he bolstered by collecting somewhere between $5,000 and $15,000 in rent from properties he owns. (Congressional disclosures detail dollar values in ranges, not specific figures.) It's unclear if Skarlatos collected a salary from his nonprofit, though his campaign says he didn't. That's because the group, which is not listed in an IRS database of tax-exempt groups, has not yet released mandatory financial data, which all nonprofits are required to make public. The disclosure won't have to be filed with the IRS until next year. The woman whose mother's wish to abort her became the landmark Roe v Wade case has agreed to give her first ever television interview. Shelley Lynn Thornton, 51, was born in Texas before her mother, Norma McCorvey, won the right to an abortion. McCorvey, who died in 2017 at age 69, gave her baby daughter up for adoption as soon as she was born,in June 1970. McCorvey would win the case at the Supreme Court on January 22, 1973. Thornton's story was first told in The Atlantic last month and, on Monday, she will speak for the first time on ABC News. In a short clip of Monday's episode, released on Friday, Thornton seemed to remain mum when asked how it feels to be the baby that paved the way for America to legalize abortion nationwide. Shelley Lynn Thornton, a 51-year-old mother of three, has recorded her first television interview to discuss how it feels to be the 'Roe baby'. For decades pro-life activists wanted her to speak out, to promote their cause, but she never wanted to get involved in the debate until now MONDAY: The baby at the center of the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision speaks with @LinseyDavis almost 50 years later in her first-ever TV interview. Tune in to @ABCNewsLive at 7PM ET. pic.twitter.com/f96dWaAfhU ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) October 1, 2021 Thornton's interview with ABC's Linsey Davis will air on Monday, and ABC released a clip Friday Thornton said that her feelings about abortion were complicated, especially given her mother Norma McCorvey, known as 'Jane Roe', is pictured in January 1983. A decade earlier she had won a landmark abortion case - but the baby she wished to abort, Shelley Lynn Thornton, was born before the case concluded The interview comes as the debate over abortion rights has gained a fresh urgency. Texas recently passed the harshest abortion restrictions in the country, and the Supreme Court will hear arguments on December 1 over Mississippi's proposed ban. Thornton, who never met her birth mother in person before her death in 2017, told journalist Joshua Prager she had decided to speak out after more than half a century because she wanted to free herself from the 'secrets and lies.' 'Secrets and lies are, like, the two worst things in the whole world. I'm keeping a secret, but I hate it,' she said, in an adapted excerpt from Prager's new book 'The Family Roe: An American Story', published in The Atlantic. 'I want everyone to understand that this is something I've chosen to do.' The Atlantic tweeted the first photo identifying Thornton soon after the story was published and repeatedly through the day. Thornton, a married mother of three, said her views on abortion are now complex, saying 'I don't understand why it's a government concern.' But she revealed that, when she fell pregnant at 20, she decided abortion was 'not part of who I was.' 'My association with Roe started and ended because I was conceived,' she told Prager, whose book is published September 14. Norma McCorvey aka 'Jane Roe' (left) and her attorney Gloria Allred at the Supreme Court in 1989 McCorvey is pictured in July 2011. She would die in 2017, without ever meeting Thornton The Atlantic revealed that Shelley Lynn Thornton, 51, is the youngest daughter of Norma McCorvey in an adapted excerpt from journalist Joshua Prager's new book, out September 14 McCorvey, then 22 and living in Dallas, Texas, filed a lawsuit in 1970 under the name 'Jane Roe,' asking to be able to have an abortion. She was unmarried and had previously given birth to two other daughters, who she had given up for adoption. At the time, abortion was illegal except for where the mother's life was at risk. But McCorvey never got the abortion. The suit, which came to define reproductive rights across America, rumbled on until 1973. By this time, McCorvey had given birth to the baby, given her up for adoption and the toddler was two-and-a-half and living with new parents. Thornton had always known she was adopted and had longed to make contact with her birth mother, she told Prager in the excerpt of 'The Family Roe: An American Story', obtained by The Atlantic. But she said she has suffered from depression and anxiety for years - something she attributes at least in part to knowing she was 'not wanted' by her birth mom. 'When someone's pregnant with a baby and they don't want that baby, that person develops knowing they're not wanted,' said Thornton. McCorvey in 1998. Shelley Lynn Thornton, 51, has come forward to reveal that she is the youngest daughter of McCorvey - the woman known as Jane Roe Thornton was the only child of her adopted parents Ruth Schmidt and Billy Thornton, who - after being unable to conceive their own child - reached out to attorney Henry McCluskey to help them adopt. The couple took their baby home at three days old in June 1970, with no knowledge that she was at the center of the high-profile lawsuit. Thornton said that neither she nor her adoptive parents learned she was the infant dubbed the 'Roe baby' by the anti-abortion community until almost two decades later. In 1989, McCorvey publicly spoke out to say she wanted to track down her third child. The National Enquirer carried out an investigation with the help of a woman named Toby Hanft, who previously gave her own daughter up for adoption and was now working to connect birth mothers with the children they gave up. Hanft managed to identify and track down Thornton, who was 18 at the time. When Thornton found out her mom was Jane Roe, she said she knew little about the Supreme Court case other than it 'made it OK for people to go out and be promiscuous'. 'The only thing I knew about being pro-life or pro-choice or even Roe v. Wade was that this person had made it OK for people to go out and be promiscuous,' she told Prager. She said she was left 'shaking all over and crying' following the bombshell revelation. The Enquirer published its article in 1989 revealing the so-called 'Roe baby' had been found but, at her request, did not reveal Thornton's identity and she didn't meet with McCorvey. Melissa Mills (pictured), the eldest of McCorvey's daughters, has also spoken out to CBS after her half-sister's identity was revealed in The Atlantic The "Roe Baby" reveals identity as half-sister speaks to @CBSNews about their mother's legacy https://t.co/LvqGaBPoR4 CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) September 9, 2021 Two years after the Enquirer article was published and as an unmarried 20-year-old, Thornton told Prager she discovered she was pregnant. She was already planning to marry her partner Doug but she was 'not at all' eager to become a mother and Doug suggested they consider an abortion, she said. Thornton said her ties to the Roe v. Wade case had caused her to rethink her views on abortion. When the Enquirer had tracked her down, her adoptive mom Ruth told the journalist 'we don't believe in abortion,' she told Prager. The publication had then described her as pro-life because, The Atlantic reported, she had told the journalist 'she couldn't see herself having an abortion.' Thornton told Prager she was unhappy with this description because she regarded pro-life as 'a bunch of religious fanatics going around and doing protests.' However, she also didn't identify as pro-choice because 'Norma was pro-choice, and it seemed to Shelley that to have an abortion would render her no different than Norma,' Prager wrote. Thornton told Prager that she had come to the conclusion that religion and politics should not play a part in abortion law. 'I guess I don't understand why it's a government concern,' she said. But she realized that abortion was 'not part of who I was' and decided to keep the baby - a son - and ensure he felt wanted. 'I knew what I didn't want to do,' she said in the book excerpt. Norma McCorvey (left) and her attorney Gloria Allred (right) hold hands as they leave the Supreme Court building in Washington after sitting in while the court listened to arguments in a Missouri abortion case in 1989 'I didn't want to ever make him feel that he was a burden or unloved.' Thornton and Doug now have two more children - daughters born in 1999 and 2000. Thornton told Prager she had a difficult relationship with her biological mother and never met her in person before she died. She recalled a heated conversation in 1994 when McCorvey called her to say she and her long-term partner Connie wanted to visit her, according to The Atlantic. Thornton recalled that she asked her birth mom to be 'discreet' with her partner in front of her young son. 'How am I going to explain to a three-year-old that not only is this person your grandmother, but she is kissing another woman?' she recalled, per the book. Thornton said McCorvey shouted at her and told her she should be grateful to her for not aborting her. 'I was like, "What?! I'm supposed to thank you for getting knocked up and then giving me away,"' she told Prager. 'I told her I would never, ever thank her for not aborting me.' When McCorvey was dying in a Texas hospital in 2017, Thornton said she went 'back and forth' about finally visiting her. The revelation about the identity of the baby at the center of the landmark case comes as Roe v. Wade and the debate around abortion laws have taken center stage in the US once again. A group of protesters gather in Times Square, NYC, Saturday to rally against the new Texas law Texas Governor Greg Abbott (pictured) signed a new abortion law in May which took effect Wednesday But McCorvey died from heart failure aged 69 before they met. Thornton has reunited with her two half-sisters Jennifer and Melissa, however. Melissa Mills, the eldest of McCorvey's daughters, has also spoken out to CBS after her half-sister's identity was revealed in The Atlantic. 'My mom never had an abortion. No, she had Shelley before the abortion law passed,' she said in a clip of the interview which will air on CBS Mornings Friday. Mills said, despite the landmark abortion law being born from her birth mom's lawsuit, McCorvey wasn't told when the law passed. 'Yeah, quite a bit before I think and they didn't even call her. Mom didn't even know that the abortion law had passed,' she said. 'They didn't even include her on any of that so she really wasn't involved - they didn't want her to be. 'They said she really wasn't the type of person that they needed even though they used her case.' When asked 'what does Norma McCorvey mean to you?', Mills replied: 'That's my mom.' McCorvey, who revealed her identity as Jane Roe days after the 1973 Supreme Court ruling, became a pro-choice figurehead at abortion rights rallies alongside her attorney Gloria Allred. Later in life, she became a born-again Christian and she switched to a pro-life stance. However, in a deathbed confession first released in 2020 documentary 'AKA Jane Roe', McCorvey claimed she faked her conversion in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments by an anti-abortion group. Two religious leaders backed her claims, with one admitting 'the jig is up.' A heartless neonatal ICU nurse has been fired for mocking a newborn with a birth defect by posting photos of the sick infant on social media and writing 'your intestines posed to be inside not outside baby'. Sierra Samuels, who had worked as a nurse at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami since 2016, was fired Thursday following the outcome of a weeks-long investigation into a patient privacy breach, reported CBS Miami. Samuels had posted two photos on her Instagram of a baby in her care who had been born with a condition causing its intestines to be outside of its body. A heartless neonatal ICU nurse has been fired for mocking a newborn with a birth defect by posting photos of the sick infant on social media. Sierra Samuels pictured on Instagram 'My night was going great then boom!' she captioned the first photo of the baby (which is cropped out above) inside the hospital's newborn ICU Samuels then followed it up with the second photo (blurred) with a cruel caption reading: 'Your intestines posed to be inside not outside baby' and is followed up with '#gastroschisis' 'My night was going great then boom!' she captioned the first photo of the baby inside the hospital's newborn ICU. Samuels then followed it up with the second photo with a cruel caption reading: 'Your intestines posed to be inside not outside baby' and is followed up with '#gastroschisis.' Samuels' social media also features several photos of her on the job. Gastroschisis, which Samuels hashtagged, is a birth defect of the belly where the baby's intestines are found outside of its body, exiting through a hole beside the belly button. Sometimes the condition causes other organs, such as the stomach and liver, to be found outside the baby's body. The hospital learned about the disturbing privacy issue and first placed Samuels on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The mother of the child was also notified of the breach of privacy, the hospital told CBS Miami. The hospital confirmed Thursday she had been fired for violating a patient's privacy. Jackson Health System said in a statement that all employees go through regular training on its patient privacy policies and that any breaches are taken very seriously. 'Employees who violate these privacy rules, despite being educated, are subject to disciplinary action including suspension or termination,' the statement said. 'As soon as we learned of this potential breach, we immediately placed this employee under administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.' A litigation attorney told CBS Miami that patients have an expectation of privacy in a hospital - which Samuels breached. Samuels had posted two photos on her Instagram of a baby in her care who had been born with a condition causing its intestines to be outside of its body Samuels was fired Thursday following the outcome of a weeks-long investigation into the patient privacy breach She had worked as a nurse at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami (above) since 2016 David Weinstein said her actions also violated the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. 'In addition to the general HIPPA violation that we'd be looking at here there's a sense of decency about the rights and expectations we all have in our likenesses and our images,' he said. 'With images, you have a certain expectation of privacy that if you're in an area that you're in an area that you believe to be private and in this case a hospital, even more so.' Real Time host Bill Maher has expressed support for moderate Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, as they face down progressives in the party in a civil war over President Joe Biden's multitrillion spending plans. Maher opened his panel discussion of Friday night with journalists Matt Taibbi and Katherine Mangu-Ward by discussing the chaos on Capitol Hill between the warring Democrat factions. Progressives are threatening to tank Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure plan, which centrists support, if the moderate faction does not also back the broader $3.5 trillion social spending bill that is packed with their priorities. Maher noted that House progressives are 'very mad' at Sinema and Manchin for blocking the broader bill. 'They're mad at them because they're not progressive enough -- forgetting that they only got elected because they're not progressives! They're moderates,' Maher said. Real Time host Bill Maher has expressed support for moderate Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, as they face down progressives in the party Manchin and Sinema (seen on Thursday) are the key holdouts on Biden's $3.5T social spending plan, and progressives are blocking a $1T infrastructure bill as leverage to get their votes 'Here's my question: Does spending more money make you a better person?' Maher asked. 'And maybe these two, Sinema and Manchin, do they might have their thumb more on the pulse on the average Democrat in the country?' he asked. Both Manchin, from West Virginia, and Sinema, from Arizona, won close races in 2018 in states that have Republican governors, by garnering support from independents. Earlier, in his monologue, Maher also tackled the budget fights in DC, noting that Congress had passed an 11th hour stopgap measure on Thursday to prevent a government shutdown. 'You're cheering? Because we made it through 'til December 3. That's what they did!' Maher reacted. 'This is the equivalent of putting duct tape on your shower nozzle until you actually call the plumber.' 'This stupid, stupid game of chicken that they always play when a Democrat is the president and Republicans can make him look like an a**hole,' Maher said. 'And of course, at the last minute, Democrats had to back down. Nancy Pelosi blinked, which is itself new,' he added. 'Here's my question: Does spending more money make you a better person?' Maher asked Biden on Friday offered to slash more than a trillion dollars from his mammoth spending bill, in an attempt to save his political agenda from warring factions in his own party. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was again forced to delay a vote on Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which the centrists support, and admitted that 'more time is needed' after the two sides failed to reach a deal on the broader $3.5 trillion spending package. It was the third time the vote was delayed this week, after Pelosi previously vowed to bring the measure to the floor on Monday and Thursday, signaling a deepening stalemate even as party leaders insist progress is being made. In a desperate bid to appease the moderate holdouts, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, Biden in private meetings on Capitol Hill pleaded with House progressives to agree to cut some $1.5 trillion from the broader bill, according to lawmakers in the room. 'Manchin and Sinema should we just call them co-president at this point,' grumbled one Democrat leaving the meeting, according to The Hill. 'Is that what it's come down to?' President Biden made a rare visit to Congress on Friday after his huge legislative agenda stalled a night earlier as progressives and centrists in his own party went to war Progressives are flexing their muscles. Led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (left), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (right) they are threatening to tank Biden's bipartisan infrastructure bill In his private meeting with the House Democratic caucus, Biden told the lawmakers that 'I know a little bit about the legislative process,' a person familiar with the private remarks told the AP. The president also relayed an anecdote fit for the moment, telling them that when he moved into the Oval Office, he installed pictures of Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt, presidents who respectively led a 'deeply divided country and the biggest economic transformation - and that's just the kind of moment we're in,' according to Rep. David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat. Biden spent less than an hour with House Democrats during the rare presidential visit to Capitol Hill. As he left he appeared to concede tensions between progressives and centrists within his own party needed more than a quick bit of sweet talking if he was to save his domestic agenda. 'It doesn't matter if it is six minutes, six days or six weeks,' he told reporters. 'We are going to get it done.' A deadly blue-ringed octopus has been discovered by a little boy at a popular family swimming spot - as Australians are warned to keep an eye out for the terrifying creatures this summer. A member of the public found the deadly animal on Friday morning in the Ross Jones Memorial Pool at Coogee Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs and shared an image to Instagram. The picture captioned 'deadly but beautiful' showed the creature floating in the ocean pool amongst the seaweed. The blue-ringed octopus was spotted in the Ross Jones Memorial ocean pool at Sydney's Coogee Beach on Friday morning The mother of the young boy who noticed the octopus told Yahoo News Australia that he ran to inform Randwick City lifeguards at the beach as she watched the octopus in the pool. A Randwick City Council spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that lifeguards responded to the public's sighting but they were unsuccessful in finding the octopus as there was a lot of seaweed in the pool at the time. 'The lifeguards took a precautionary approach to respond to the concerns people had, so what they decided to do was to drain the pool - it's a tidal pool there so they can drain it - and they had it closed for a few hours,' they said. The pool was confirmed to have reopened later on Friday afternoon as the octopus was never found or seen again. Blue-ringed octopuses are the most common at Sydney's beaches but are often very difficult to spot as they are normally shy, camouflage well and try to hide. Individuals should keep a lookout for the hard-to-find deadly creatures this summer at popular sandy shores in Sydney. Randwick City lifeguards closed the ocean pool for several hours to drain the water out to locate the octopus but it was later reopened on Friday afternoon after no animal sightings Monty Python legend Terry Jones' children have launched a High Court battle with their late father's widow over the estate that he left her in his will. The Welsh-born comedian passed away last year at the age of 77, nine years after his marriage to the Swedish clothing designer Anna Soderstrom, 38. But now his two adult children from his first marriage, Bill Jones, 45 and his sister Sally, 47, have claimed their father's 2016 will, which entitled Ms Soderstrom to his home in Highgate, north London, does not stand. They claim he did not have the mental capacity when he wrote the will as he was suffering from dementia and have launched a legal bid under the 1975 Inheritance Act, which allows unhappy family members to claim for 'reasonable provision', according to The Sun. In March, Ms Soderstrom, who met Jones at a book signing event in 2005, sold the property in Highgate for 2.8million. Terry Jones' children have launched a High Court battle with their late father's widow Anna Soderstrom, 38, over the estate that he left her in his will Bill Jones, 45 and his sister Sally, 47, have claimed their father's 2016 will, which entitled Ms Soderstrom to his home in Highgate, north London, does not stand as he did not have the mental capacity as he was suffering from dementia. Pictured: The star's home in Highgate which was sold by his wife for 2.8million Bill Jones (pictured above with his father in October 2016), 45 and his sister Sally have launched a legal bid under the 1975 Inheritance Act But sources claim the money has gone towards legal fees as she faced inquiries from Mr Jones's family about the care of her daughter Siri, 12, who she shared with the Monty Python star. Whilst the contents of Jones' will have not been disclosed, Ms Soderstrom is thought to be the main beneficiary and is reportedly listed as the primary defendant in the case. The actor's wife will argue that her husband did have the mental capacity when he wrote the will. A source told The Times: 'Anna has been left baffled by it. She has no plans to disinherit his children. 'They are directors of the company that receives his royalties and she's happy for that to continue that is where the real value is.' They added: 'Anna is not a gold-digger, she is a very accomplished woman and they were together in a relationship for around 17 years.' Ms Soderstrom met Jones at a book signing event in 2005 when she was a 23-year-old student at Oxford and was a member of the university's belly-dancing club. The pair married soon after Jones' divorce to first wife Alison Telfer. He and Ms Soderstrom then had their own child, Siri, now aged 12, together. In 2016 it was announced that Jones had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia. It is a form of frontotemporal dementia where symptoms get progressively worse over time as the brain tissue which is important for speech and language deteriorates. Ms Soderstrom met Jones at a book signing event in 2005, when she was a student at Oxford, and was a member of the university's belly-dancing club The Monty Python star pictured above with his daughter Sally, who is now 47, in 1989 Terry Jones married his first wife Alison Telfer (pictured together) in 1970, and the pair shared children Sally and Bill Jones, who passed away in January last year, co-directed films Monty Python And The Holy Grail with Gilliam and was the sole director on Life Of Brian (pictured) and The Meaning Of Life The actor passed away at his home in Highgate, North London, in January last year. Along with Eric Idle, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Terry Gilliam, Jones formed the legendary Monty Python comedy troupe. Jones co-directed films Monty Python And The Holy Grail with Gilliam and was the sole director on Life Of Brian and The Meaning Of Life. He was responsible for some of the most iconic lines in British comedy, ones that would go on to make a huge impact on society. Following his death a message from the official Monty Python Twitter account read: 'Farewell dear Terry J. Two down, four to go. Love Terry G, Mike, John & Eric.' Film director Terry Gilliam described Jones as a 'brilliant, constantly questioning, iconoclastic, righteously argumentative and angry but outrageously funny and generous and kind human being', adding: 'One could never hope for a better friend.' While fellow Python star John Cleese said: 'It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away. 'Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of Life of Brian. Perfection.' He added: 'Two down, four to go.' A pensioner mauled in a ferocious attack by a Japanese Akita has been left with 'life-changing' injuries. The woman, in her early 70s, was savaged by the family pet at her home in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. She was left with catastrophic injuries including partial amputations, it is understood. A woman in her 70s was left with life changing injuries after she was attacked by a Japanese Akita at her home in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, pictured Police arrested a 40-year-old ban on suspicion of being in charge with a 'dangerously out of control' dog Police arrested a man, 40, on suspicion of being in charge of a dog 'dangerously out of control'. Emergency services raced to the three-bed semi in Grosvenor Road shortly before 2pm on Thursday. The woman was rushed to hospital by ambulance as police destroyed the animal at the scene. A friend said: 'She was in a bad way. There was blood everywhere. 'It was touch and go whether she would survive. 'It's just an absolute tragedy.' The dog - which is not a banned breed - was 'humanely' destroyed, West Midlands Police said. A force spokesman said: 'A man has been arrested after a woman suffered serious dog bites in Grosvenor Road, Wolverhampton shortly before 2pm yesterday (30 September). 'A woman, believed to be aged late 60s or early 70s, was taken to hospital and treated for injuries which are described as life changing.' The dog is believed to be a Japanese Akita, was humanely destroyed at the scene. The spokesperson added: 'A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control. He remains in police custody today.' Boris Johnson has arrived in Manchester on the eve of the Conservative Party Conference as he urged Britons to be 'very confident' despite fears over the HGV crisis, fuel shortages and Met Police blunders. The Prime Minister was upbeat as he declared Christmas will be better than last year and insisted there will be no 'uncontrolled immigration' to solve the HGV driver shortage. Johnson was later greeted at the Midland Hotel by new party chairman Oliver Dowden, and entered without answering questions from reporters . His rallying message comes as the government faces further pressure over a number of other issues, including the end of the furlough scheme, a rise in the energy price cap and the scrapping of a Universal Credit uplift worth 20-a-week to millions of families. However, just hours before thousands of Tory members descend on Manchester, he told the Times he is relaxed and adamant a brighter end to the year awaits for Britons. Other topics the Prime Minister discussed included: The success of Britain's vaccine rollout - the fastest in Europe The reasons behind two of the biggest tax rises in a generation How it is a 'disgrace' that investment has previously focused only on London and the south east Why even though 5,000 visas have been offered to foreign lorry drivers, there won't be any more Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at The Midland Hotel ahead of the annual Conservative Party Conference Johnson was greeted at the Midland Hotel by new party chairman Oliver Dowden, and entered without answering questions from reporters Home Secretary Priti Patel was also seen arriving in Manchester ahead of the Conservative conference Boris Johnson, pictured meeting President of the National Convention, Deborah Toon, has urged Britons to be 'very confident' in the economy and pledged this Christmas will be better than last year's damp squib An HGV used for lorry driver training and driving tests is seen at National Driving Centre in Croydon Police officers stand by a road block as final preparations take place ahead of the Conservative Party Conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex In a bid to ease the crisis at the pumps of recent days, the government is deploying military drivers to deliver fuel to forecourts from Monday. Almost 200 military personnel - including 100 drivers - have been undertaking training at haulier sites and will start deliveries to help relieve the situation at petrol stations, which ministers insist is stabilising. The Government also announced that a temporary visa scheme for nearly 5,000 foreign food haulage drivers that was due to expire on December 24 will now be extended to the end of February, following criticism of its attractiveness to drivers. However, Mr Johnson insisted this was a short-term measure and that he wanted the UK to progress with improvements in productivity by investing in people, skills and capital technology. 'We're not going to intervene and set pay and conditions but the facts speak for themselves,' he told the paper. 'What we're saying is that you can't simply reach for the lever marked 'uncontrolled immigration' in order to avoid making crucial investments in your company.' The disruption is part of an ongoing 'EFFing crisis' - made up of energy chaos, fuel shortages and empty food shelves, which is expected to last for months. Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said there needs to be an 'improvement' in the situation in the coming days and that the PM stands ready to review matters if there is any deterioration. But even if the fuel debacle is resolved, ministers expect problems in other areas to continue in the months ahead. A massive increase in the wholesale cost of gas has prompted a handful of energy firms to collapse, with consumers facing skyrocketing bills this winter. A huge shortfall in HGV driver numbers is already hitting supply chains, with empty shelves in some supermarkets, as industry chiefs predict there will be further food and potentially even toy shortages this Christmas. A shortage of food processing workers and butchers is adding to the disruption, with farmers warning they are running out of room because of growing animal numbers and they could soon be forced to start a 'mass cull'. An aerial shot shows the extent of the queues for fuel this morning at a Tesco petrol station in Ely, Cambridgeshire A learner lorry driver as he prepares to reverse an HGV at a centre in Croydon Mr Johnson swerved a question over whether he could guarantee shelves would be stocked over Christmas, but insisted it would be significantly better than last December, when he told families they should stay away from other loved ones due to a surge in Covid cases. What I confidently predict is that this Christmas will be considerably better than last Christmas,' he said. 'It will be considerably jollier and more festive. The yuletide spirit will flow in much greater abundance.' Amid concerns over how Britain's economy would bounce back from the devastating effects of the pandemic over the last 18 months, the PM called for confidence, insisting once global markets start moving at a greater pace, things will improve. He also defended recent tax rises, coming at a time when families are feeling the pinch more the ever due to hiked energy bills and the end of furlough, insisting the public want to build back better post-Covid, which requires investment. His vision of a high-wage economy is at the heart of plans to 'level up' the country, as he bemoaned the historic north-south divide and how investment has long been centred solely on London and the south east. 'It's madness so many parts of this country don't have the basic transport infrastructure that they need,' he said. 'We can fix that. That will make a huge difference to people's prospects. 'Very often the ability to get the right bus connection from your home to your place of work can make all the difference to the job you have.' A former police chief has claimed it has taken the death of a white woman for the issue of trust in policing to be addressed. Sue Fish, the ex-chief of Nottinghamshire Police, said every woman she knows would have got into the car with the Met Police firearms officer who used his warrant card to kidnap Sarah Everard and then raped and murdered her. Ms Fish also slammed Dame Cressida Dick for a lack of action in tackling misogyny in the Metropolitan Police, saying its safety guidelines have 'absolutely no insight whatsoever'. She rubbished them as 'completely absurd' and 'impractical' as fury grows at the handling of the Sarah Everard case. Scotland Yard bosses are believed to remain sceptical about recording misogyny as a hate crime despite the majority of other chief constables backing the move. Some senior officers are said to think the reform - drafted in March after Ms Everard's death - is not needed because present legislation is adequate. Ms Fish's powerful intervention was echoed by Alice Vinten, who served in the Met for more than 10 years as a constable before leaving the force in 2015. She hit out at the 'lads culture' during her time there and said women were still worried to report concerns about their colleagues. But she was shot down by former Met Commissioner Lord Blair, who said: 'It simply cannot be the case that this lads culture of the 1970s is surviving everywhere.' Meanwhile politicians including former Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and current Home Secretary Priti Patel also weighed into the debate. Mr Javid today called for a reform to policing in London but said he backed officers who do 'an amazing job'. Mr Johnson last night savaged the 'infuriating' failure of the Metropolitan Police to take violence against women seriously. And Ms Patel ordered police to take harassment and flashing more seriously and dismissed the idea that they were 'low level crimes'. Sue Fish (left), ex-chief constable of Nottinghamshire Police, blasted Dame Cressida's (right) force's safety guidelines as having 'absolutely no insight whatsoever' She rubbished them as 'completely absurd' and 'impractical' as fury grows at the handling of the Sarah Everard (pictured) case Ms Fish told BBC Breakfast: 'I think pretty much every woman that I know, and certainly me, would have got into that car with Wayne Couzens.' She said failing to do so means the offence of obstructing justice has been committed, as she warned there is a 'real imbalance of power' in terms of a police officer versus a member of the public - particularly a woman on her own. 'But also we think about communities of colour, the black community in particular, and this has been a significant issue,' Ms Fish added. 'Trust (in police) in the black community has been poor to non-existent for many years, and yet it's taken the death of a white woman to address, well, start to address, this issue, this very fundamental issue of trust in policing.' Government ministers and Scotland Yard have been accused of having a tone-deaf response to violence against women and girls after a string of suggestions over what action the public should take if they fear an officer is not acting legitimately. Ms Fish was also the latest former police chief to take a shot at Dame Cressida, slamming a lack of action in tackling misogyny in the Met. She called the guidelines 'completely absurd' and 'impractical', adding the force 'have absolutely no insight whatsoever'. Ms Fish, who was chief constable with Nottinghamshire Police in 2016 when it recorded misogyny as a hate crime, said it made a 'significant difference'. She told Newsnight: 'This isn't about an individual officer. This is about a prevailing culture within policing and it has to be broken. 'It has to have been broken many years ago.' She called for a public inquiry around policing and misogyny. But the Metropolitan Police is said to be sceptical about making misogyny a hate crime, the Times reports. Some senior officers are understood to believe the legislation as it currently is written is adequate. This is despite the government making it a key reform for all forces in March after Ms Everard was killed. Out of the 43 forces in England and Wales, 11 have already followed the new guideline. But chief constables are believed to be waiting for the Home Office to issue specific guidance on how to record the offences. The National Police Chiefs' Council debated it at a meeting earlier this week, with sources revealing the majority supported the change. Former Met commissioner Lord Blair (pictured) said: 'It simply cannot be the case that this sort of lads culture of the 1970s is surviving everywhere' But the Met is said to be unsure. Deputy Commissioner Sir Steve House said this summer Dame Cressida needed to be 'convinced' and is said to hold the same views. Despite this, Ms Vinten, who served in the Met for more than 10 years as a constable before leaving the force in 2015, said 'it was very much a lads culture'. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme women were worried to report concerns about their colleagues because this was still 'stigmatised'. Former Met commissioner Lord Blair disagreed, saying: 'It simply cannot be the case that this sort of lads culture of the 1970s is surviving everywhere.' But he admitted Ms Everard's case and the fact her killer Wayne Couzens was in the police had been a 'seismic shock for policy and it needs to be addressed'. He told the Today programme: 'I think the most important thing about the murder of Sarah Everard is that comparative cases are things like Dr Shipman, the Soham murders, the collapse of Barings bank, something that was so simply shocking - how can this have happened. 'The response of the Met needs to be the response to those kind of crises which is an independent inquiry to try to discover what are the processes that allowed this man - who's obviously a manipulative, homicidal maniac - to become a police officer.' He continued: 'But we do have to discover what is fact. The claim Couzens was called a rapist by his colleagues, the trial judge said this was the best murder investigation he'd every seen and that investigative team found no record of that phrase. Yet that's sort of circulating around as a fact when it isn't a fact.' He added of any future inquiry: 'This needs an absolutely forensic outside look. 'Something has gone wrong in vetting perhaps, although one thing I would also want to add is that although they discovered the car involved in the indecent exposure belonged to a Wayne Couzens, the police national computer doesn't tell you he was a police officer. 'Are we going to do this for every citizen of the country? What their occupation is... if you started to do that for police there would be calls for all occupations to do that.' He went on: 'I don't necessarily think [an inquiry] should be lawyer or judge led. It needs to be someone with an idea about organisational culture... 'I'm just saying I'm not sure it's a judicial issue. I think it's much more an organisational culture and internal procedures issue.' Politicians also weighed into the row, with former Home Secretary and now Health Secretary Mr Javid backing calls for an independent inquiry. He told Sky News: 'The police are there to protect us and what I saw as Home Secretary day in day out the police were doing an amazing job looking after the British people, protecting people. 'I saw things they did, quite heroic things, to save lives, a countless number of lives across the UK. 'But it's because of that, because they're there to protect us that that this appalling crime has had the shock it has across the country and rightly so. 'No one would have thought a police officer would be capable of this and that's why I think it is right there needs to be reform. 'I can't tell you - I wish I could - exactly what what that should be. I think it should be looked at properly and carefully and the police do need to be part of that reform.' He added: 'Look I'm a proud father of four children, which includes three girls, including two teenage girls and I think as any parent in the country over the past few days especially we would have all thought about our own families.' Meanwhile Prime Minister Johnson savaged the 'infuriating' failure of the Metropolitan Police to take violence against women seriously. He said the public are right to question whether police are failing women in the wake of the damning revelations of Ms Everard's case and the missed opportunities. Mr Johnson held talks with Dame Cressida Thursday about how to boost the low rate of prosecutions for rape in the hope of removing dangerous men from the streets. He told The Times: 'Are the police taking this issue seriously enough? It's infuriating. I think the public feel that they aren't and they're not wrong.' 'Do I fundamentally believe the police are on our side? Yes, absolutely they are. Can you trust the police? Yes you can. 'But there is an issue about how we handle sexual violence, domestic violence, the sensitivity, the diligence, the time, the delay, the confusion about your mobile phone. That's the thing we need to fix.' Only three per cent of rape cases reported to police last year resulted in a suspect being charged, a record low. The government has pledged to reverse the decline and set itself a target of 13 per cent. Earlier, Mr Johnson ordered the authorities to 'come down hard' on officers found guilty of misconduct as a watchdog investigates multiple serving cops for allegedly exchanging misogynistic, racist and vile messages in a WhatsApp group with Couzens. It emerged last night that Wayne Couzens was named as a suspect in a sex offence 72 hours before he killed Sarah Everard He said on Friday: 'I do believe in the police. I do think that we can trust the police. And I think the police do a wonderful, wonderful job.' He added that 'hundreds of thousands' of officers would be 'absolutely heartsick'. But he said the Government needed to get to the bottom of 'what on earth' happened to ensure nothing like it occurred again. Ms Patel ordered police to take harassment and flashing more seriously and dismissed the idea that they were 'low level crimes'. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, the Home Secretary said forces have been given ample resources to treat all reports of crime adequately. She said: 'I would say to all women: give voice to these issues, please... There is something so corrosive in society if people think that it's OK to harass women verbally, physically, and in an abusive way on the street. 'I want women to have the confidence to call it out. I don't see all of this as low level. I don't want to see postcode lotteries around the country. 'This is a very clear message to police to raise the bar: treat everybody in the right way. 'Make sure that when these crimes or concerns are reported, people are treated with respect, dignity and seriously.' Earlier, Ms Patel said those in power needed to come together to say that the current climate was 'unacceptable'. In an interview with the Evening Standard, she said: 'I don't just say this as Home Secretary. I think women have basically said that's it enough is enough. 'This was a monster that absolutely abused power and authority and that's an absolute scandal.' Despite the concerns about the Met's failings, Mr Johnson backed Dame Cressida though there are understood to be growing frustrations in the Home Office. The PM said he wants to make sure women feel more confident in how their complaints will be handled going forward. Meanwhile a human rights lawyer said she is tired of hearing police forces say they will 'learn lessons' in the wake of a tragedy, claiming institutions often put their own reputations first. Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, who chairs the Working Group on Misogyny and Criminal Justice in Scotland, said women experience harassment, stalking and flashing on a daily basis. The Labour peer said the police must take this seriously and not treat such incidents as trivial. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Baroness Kennedy said: 'Why should mothers have to tell their daughters when they reach puberty that they have to be careful going out and about, that it's passed on like some ritual, telling people the facts of life. 'The facts of life that they're going to be exposed to this kind of abusive behaviour. 'It really has to stop. And we have to be having better conversations amongst men, and men have to take responsibility for some of this, because in the daily round, women experience harassment, stalking, people flashing at them. 'It really has to end. And the police have to take it seriously and not see it as being trivial.' She pointed out Couzens, who was given a whole life sentence this week for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard, had already given out 'alarm signals' to colleagues. The police watchdog previously said he was linked to a flashing incident in 2015 and two more just days before he killed Ms Everard. Baroness Kennedy said: 'Here was a man who already had sent out alarm signals to colleagues, who... was on the inquiry lists in relation to flashing behaviour, and yet the police, somehow, are forgiving of that. 'None of it's acceptable. What we know is that institutions often will put their own reputations first. 'They also have come together to protect each other. That's got to end.' Baroness Kennedy said often things start with incidents such as flashing, being abusive to women in public spaces, and men feeling they can get away with it. 'And I'm afraid we have to be looking at male behaviour more generally, but the police certainly have to be taking women's complaints more seriously than they have done. 'This has been going on for many, many years and I'm rather tired of hearing police forces saying we're going to learn lessons from some tragedy. 'The lessons don't seem to be learned, and the lessons are that women's suffering of this kind of stuff has to stop, and women up and down the country are saying that. 'And you have to listen, and police forces are not doing that.' She said this will require more resourcing, more police, more money put into policing and the court system, and better processes of training police and those in the justice system. To add to the Met's failings, it emerged last night that Couzens was named as a suspect in a sex offence 72 hours before he killed Sarah Everard. CCTV evidence of a car involved in an alleged flashing incident at a drive-thru McDonald's in February this year generated the name 'Wayne Couzens' as a suspect on Metropolitan Police systems and provided his address. But officers failed to realise he was a serving officer and further inquiries were not made until after Ms Everard's disappearance on March 3. It had been known Couzens' car was reported by staff at a McDonald's restaurant in Swanley, Kent, after two female workers said they had been flashed by a motorist there on February 7 and again on February 27. The complaint was made on February 28. But last night it emerged the CCTV evidence showing his number plate had actually brought up Couzens' name as a suspect on Met police systems. Yesterday a McDonald's worker who was flashed by the sexual predator blasted officers for 'not acting quickly enough'. The worker, who did not want to be named, said: 'The police took our statements and took away CCTV. 'If they had taken this more seriously, they could easily have figured out that he was a policeman who had committed these crimes. 'The police had three days to stop him but didn't. It could have stopped him from doing a lot worse.' Advertisement New fissures have opened in the erupting volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma, spewing lava and ash into the air, with 1,000 buildings destroyed so far. The Cumbre Vieja volcano blew open two more fissures on its cone on Friday, with authorities reporting 'intense' activity in the area and saying it is more aggressive than when it first erupted on September 19. The new fissures, about 50 feet apart, sent streaks of fiery red and orange molten rock down toward the sea, parallel to an earlier flow that reached the Atlantic Ocean earlier this week forcing thousands to evacuate. The lava has either completely destroyed or severely damaged more than 1,000 properties, including homes and farm buildings, and devastated around 1,750 acres (709 hectares) of land. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pledged to help La Palma rebuild following the disaster, announcing that his government would approve 206 million euros (176 million) of aid funding next week. The Cumbre Vieja volcano continues to erupt on the Canary Island of La Palma, spewing lave into the air and down the slopes, as seen from Tacande de Arriba, Spain, October 2, 2021 Pictured: A building is seen in the shadow of the volcano as it erupts in the background, spewing lava into the air The Cumbre Vieja volcano continues to erupt on the Canary Island of La Palma, as seen from Tacande, Spain, October 2, 2021 This handout picture released by the Spanish Military Emergency Unit (UME) shows UME members monitoring the lava flow produced by the Cumbre Vieja volcano, in the northern area of the Canary island of La Palma on the night of October 1, 2021 Pictured: Lava can be seen being fired into the air from the Cumbre Vieja volcano, which continues to spew lava, on the Canary island of La Palma in El Paso on October 02, 2021 Molten lava can be seen behind the silhouette of a cross on the island of La Pala as lava flows from the volcano towards the sea An aerial view shows a rocky outcrop that extends Spain's La Palma coastline, after lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano poured into the ocean, in this screen grab taken from drone footage Lava from the new vents is carving a different path from previous flows and raising fears of more destruction, while fine ash forced islanders to don masks and goggles. The volcano was 'much more aggressive,' almost two weeks after it erupted on La Palma, said Miguel Angel Morcuende, technical director of the Canary Islands' emergency volcano response department. Overnight, scientists recorded eight new earthquakes up to magnitude 3.5. The eruption was sending gas and ash up to almost 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) into the air, officials said. The prompt evacuation of more than 6,000 people since the September 19 eruption helped prevent casualties. Meanwhile, a new area of solidified lava where thFe molten rock is flowing into the sea extends over more than 20 hectares. Officials were monitoring air quality along the shoreline. Two people watch from a distance as the umbre Vieja volcano continues to erupt, from Tacande de Arriba, Spain, October 2, 2021 An aerial view of a lava trail surrounding the Cumbre Vieja volcano, as it made its way to the ocean, in this screen grab taken from drone footage, Spain October 1, 2021 The Cumbre Vieja lava delta in the sea, from the port of Tazacorte, on October 1, 2021, in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain A drone operator uses his drone to take pictures of the outcrop that has been formed by lava purring into the Atlantic ocean on the island of La Palma UME members monitoring on a computer screen the lava flow produced by the Cumbre Vieja volcano, in the northern area of the Canary island of La Palma on the night of October 1, 2021 Shoes donated to assist people who lost their homes and belongings due to the volcano eruption in the Cumbre Vieja national park, are displayed on seats at Severo Rodriguez sports centre in Los Llanos de Aridane, on the Canary Island of La Palma in October 2, 2021 Sulphur dioxide levels in the area rose but did not represent a health threat, La Palma's government said. However, it advised local residents to stay indoors. It also recommended that people on the island wear face masks and eye protection against heavy falls of volcanic ash. The volcano has so far emitted some 80 million cubic meters of molten rock, scientists estimate, more than double the amount in the island's last eruption, in 1971. The lava has so far destroyed or partially destroyed more than 1,000 buildings, including homes and farming infrastructure, and entombed around 709 hectares. La Palma, home to about 85,000 people who live mostly from fruit farming and tourism, is part of the volcanic Canary Islands, an archipelago off northwest Africa that is part of Spain's territory. The island is roughly 22 miles long and 12 miles wide at its broadest point. Life has continued as usual on most of the island while the volcano is active. Satellite picture of lava flow following the eruption of a volcano on the island of La Palma, Spain September 30, 2021. The lava has created a 550 yard-wide pyramid as it has come into contact with the ocean and cooled. Fears were raised on Friday about more damage after a new fissure opened in the volcano on Thursday, around 1,300 feet north of the initial eruption site The Spanish Canary Island island to the north-west of Africa is continuing to expand (pictured in a satellite image) as the lava from the volcano hardens when it comes into contact with water, scientists have said Smoke rises from Cumbre Vieja volcano as seen from Valle de Aridane, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain, 01 October 2021 Lava from a volcano reaches the sea on the Canary island of La Palma, Spain, pictured on Wednesday September 29, 2021 Since erupting on September 19, lava flowing from the volcano has destroyed more than 800 buildings, as well as banana plantations, roads and other infrastructure. After meandering downhill to the coast for nearly 10 days, the lava reached the ocean just before midnight on Tuesday, less than a mile west of Tazacorte. On reaching the water, the lava cools rapidly, binding to the cliffside and enlarging the island's territory and has created a rocky outcrop more than 546 yards wide. Copernicus, the European Union's Earth observation programme, said on Thursday that its satellite imagery showed a D-shaped tongue of molten rock building up on the island's western shore measured 338 hectares (835 acres) by the end of Wednesday. A river of red-hot lava snaked downhill from the new fissure, which burst open late on Thursday around 1,300 ft to the north of the primary eruption site. Multiple vents have opened since the volcano began erupting on Sept. 19 but the Canaries Volcanology Institute described the latest opening as a new 'focus of eruption'. 'There is concern about the path of this new flow towards the sea, although it is expected to join up with the previous one within the next few hours,' said the head of La Palma's council, Mariano Hernandez Zapata on Friday. He said more houses had been engulfed by lava overnight on Thursday. 'We have more drama ahead, more people to take care of,' he told a news conference. This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies, shows a general view of lava flowing from the Cumbre Vieja volcano on Spain's La Palma island, Wednesday, September 29, 2021 Lava flowing from a volcano that devastated the Spanish island of La Palma continue to flow to the Atlantic Ocean as Mount Cumbre Vieja continues to erupt on the Canary island of La Palma in El Paso on September 30, 2021 People walk with an umbrella to protect themselves from ask that covers the floor as smoke rises in the background following the eruption of a volcano on the Canary Island of La Palma, in Tazacorte, Spain, October 1, 2021 The volcano has thrown out 80 million cubic metres of molten rock, regional leader Angel Victor Torres said, doubling the amount expelled during La Palma's last major eruption 50 years ago in half the time. Residents of Los Llanos de Aridane, one of the worst affected towns, have taken to carrying umbrellas and wearing eye protection as a precaution against the volcanic dust blanketing the streets and floating in the air. 'Last night the ash was irritating my eyes a lot, I had to use eye drops and my skin was stinging,' said Matilde Gonzalez Tavarez, a 45-year-old nursing assistant visiting her mother at a care home in Los Llanos. 'It's helplessness, fear, insecurity. You don't know what's going to happen,' she said, while street cleaners brushed away the carpet of black ash behind her. Juan Antonio Perez Gonzalez, 56, who runs a floristry business in the town, fears the worst is yet to come. 'I can't put a good face on it or give you good news because this is a calamity,' he told Reuters on Friday. He said many of the townspeople were preparing to pack up and leave. Trade winds typical of Spain's Canary Islands were helping dispel the plumes of water vapour and toxic gases that result when the lava, with a temperature of over 1,000C (1,800F), meets the ocean, where the water is 22C (71.6F). But authorities were on alert as Spain's weather forecaster, AEMET, indicated that the wind's direction could change later on Thursday and bring the toxic plumes towards the shore and further inland. The hydrochloric acid and tiny particles of volcanic glass released into the air can cause skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation. People use umbrellas to protect themselves from ash after eruption at Cumbre Vieja volcano in La Palma, Spain on October 01, 2021 A woman uses an umbrella to protect herself from ash from the volcano as another sweeps ash on the pavement in La Palma, October 1, 2021 People who have left their homes due to eruption at Cumbre Vieja volcano take shelter in a gym in La Palma, Spain on October 01, 2021 The direction the lava flow could take was also a source of concern. Molten fluid emanating from the volcano that first erupted on September 19 was still running downhill like a river and tumbling over a cliff into the Atlantic. But uneven terrain could make the lava overflow its current path, spread to other areas, and destroy more houses and farmland. At least 855 buildings and 19 miles (30km) of roads, as well as other key infrastructure, have been wiped out so far. Banana plantations that are the source of income for many islanders have also been either destroyed or damaged by volcanic ash. Residents of Spain's La Palma were struggling on Thursday to come to terms with the devastation wrought by the Cumbre Vieja volcano, which has been ejecting a destructive cocktail of ash, smoke and lava for more than 10 days. La Palma resident Carmen Rodriguez, who lost her home in the village of Todoque, was caught off guard by the advancing column of molten rock and was struggling on Thursday to come to terms with the devastation. 'We never thought that the volcano was going to reach our house, never,' she said, recalling how she rushed to salvage belongings during a last-minute evacuation before the lava engulfed her home. 'There were so many people and difficulties, there was a queue. Thankfully we were able to take the washing machine, the fridge and a cooker that I recently bought.' 'I only ask that they give us a place to live, that they give us a habitable house, nothing more,' she said. No casualties or injuries have been reported among La Palma residents since the eruption began. A police crime commissioner has issued a grovelling apology after he said women 'need to be streetwise' about being arrested in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder. Phillip Allot, commissioner for North Yorkshire Police, said he now realised his comments were 'insensitive' and wanted to 'retract them in full'. The Tory earlier said in a radio interview Ms Everard should never have 'submitted' to the arrest which led to her death on March 3 by former Met officer Wayne Couzens. The comments, made during an interview on BBC Radio York, were branded 'horrifically offensive' by one campaigner. North Yorkshire crime commissioner Philip Allot said Miss Everard 'never should have been arrested and submitted to that' Mr Allot tweeted last night: 'I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.' During the interview, BBC Radio York host Georgey Spanswick asked: 'How on earth do my stepdaughters, me, my friends, how do we protect ourselves now?' Mr Allot said: 'So women, first of all, need to be streetwise about when they can be arrested and when they can't be arrested. 'She should never have been arrested and submitted to that. 'Perhaps women need to consider in terms of the legal process, to just learn a bit about that legal process.' His comments were challenged by host Spanswick, who said: 'Why is it down to me Philip? Why is it down to women because actually, this is down to one man in the police force and there are serious doubts about this man's conduct?' Mr Allot later wrote on Twitter that his comments were not meant to imply 'victim blaming' but the tweet has since been removed. He has received angry feedback on social media, with some users even calling for him to resign. Mr Allot faced calls to resign on Twitter after making the comments, which were branded 'horrifically offensive' by a campaigner Janemortsdrizz posted on Twitter: 'No Philip. You told us that Sarah Everard is to blame for her own murder because she didn't question her false arrest by a serving police officer. DISGUSTING. RESIGN!' Victoria Wilkie tweeted: 'I'm disgusted by your comments. It's victim blaming... the only person to blame is him.' Another user, FedUpandBack, added: 'Nice victim blaming, you should be ashamed.' Before moving to London, 33-year-old Sarah Everard was originally from York, the area covered by Mr Allot's force, and her family still lives there. Lucy Arnold, of campaign group Reclaim the Streets, who organised a vigil for Ms Everard outside York Minster, was among those angered by Mr Allott's comments. Sarah Everard, 33, was kidnapped, raped and murdered after a false arrest by former Met officer Wayne Couzens on March 3 Conservative Mr Allot was elected as North Yorkshire crime commissioner in May 2021, replacing the previous incumbent, Julia Mulligan She said: 'I think frankly that was a horrifically offensive thing to say. Does anyone really feel like they can stand up to a police officer? 'I am very confident I know my rights, I know the law, but no I wouldn't feel confident at all.' In his earlier interview, Mr Allot was critical of the Met Police's handling of reports about Couzen's behaviour leading up to the murder. He said: A murderer typically commits seven crimes before going on to murder, that man we know committed at least two crimes. 'The police knew, so what should have happened is that it should have been picked up straight away.' The North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner's office has been approached for comment. Kelly Scherger had just left her family in their holiday caravan park at Victoria's Apollo Bay. All she needed was salt for their homemade spaghetti. 'I remember it to a T,' she says. Driving along the Great Ocean Road to the supermarket, she received a call from a home phone number, which was strange. They kept it brief. 'He basically said, "Just so you know, your test has come back and you've got breast cancer. Best if you come back now."' Kelly Scherger (left) had just left her family in their holiday caravan park at Victoria's Apollo Bay to drive to the supermarket when she received the call she had breast cancer (Pictured with McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse Louise James (right)) Before her coastal getaway, Kelly had found a lump. Her first ultrasound and fine needle aspiration (FNA) returned an atypical reading and her doctor said it didn't 'look like much'. She received the same result six weeks later, so was booked in for a biopsy after another six weeks. But with no family history and at 39, she never thought it would happen to her. Only after she arrived back at their holiday home and told her husband and three boys, did reality sink in. 'Not knowing anything apart from, "you've got breast cancer", is pretty scary. You just don't know what stage you are or where it is.' 'Googling everything' soon after didn't help and Kelly doesn't recommend it. Her family travelled home to Mildura the next morning, 10 days earlier than planned. So far she's endured four rounds of one type of chemotherapy every two weeks, another 16 rounds of another sort, radiation, surgery and endless Covid-19 restrictions. So far Kelly has endured four rounds of one type of chemotherapy every two weeks, another 16 rounds of another sort, radiation, surgery and endless Covid-19 restrictions (stock image) Normally those recovering from cancer are surrounded by family and friends. Kelly counts herself lucky she was allowed one support person at hospital, most of the time. 'But when the numbers went up again and lockdown here and lockdown there ... You go from home to chemo to home again.' She was also forced to cancel her 40th birthday party and two more family trips to the Gold Coast. 'That's where it's really hard, there's nothing you can look forward to in a pandemic,' she says. Early on, Kelly was supported by McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse Louise James who, after having worked in the role for eight years, found all the medical exemptions needed during Covid an 'absolute nightmare'. Mildura sits northwest of Victoria along the Murray River and close to the NSW border. Louise sees patients 100km away and over in South Australia, where Bendigo regional hospital can be closer to some than Adelaide. Then there are the stories she regularly hears. Women rapidly swabbed before getting out of their car to be greeted by workers in full PPE gear at side doors. Husbands locked out of hospitals in Melbourne during treatment. Young women having breast surgery or reconstruction alone. 'Yeah there's Facetime but it's just so distressing for them and their families,' she says. While Kelly thinks her diagnosis was too long after she first found the lump, Louise is just so thankful she looked in the first place. She wants all women to know their breasts well enough to notice when something is wrong. 'If it's caught early it's very treatable and curable,' she says. While it does depend on diagnosis, Louise says women who are supported by a specialised breast nurse have far better outcomes. McGrath Foundation chief executive Holly Masters wants Breast Cancer awareness month of October to empower women and men to take control of their health. McGrath Foundation chief executive Holly Masters (pictured) wants Breast Cancer awareness month of October to empower women and men to take control of their health 'At a time when things feel out of our control, a simple thing we can do is a monthly check on ourselves,' she says. Cancer Australia recently released a report on the impact of Covid between January and December, 2020. Diagnostic procedures for 14 types including breast, lung and ovarian, were down eight per cent or 163,595 fewer than expected for that period. Cancer doesn't stop for pandemics, bushfires or floods and one of Holly's greatest concerns is for women living with undiagnosed conditions. 'It doesn't matter if you thought you should have started checking 10, 20, 30 years ago, there's a very good time to start breast checks and that's today,' she says. All three women pointed out young women should be routinely feeling and looking for signs too of breast cancer as it is not just an elderly woman's disease (stock image) And breast cancer is not an elderly woman's disease: all three women point out young women should be routinely feeling and looking for signs too. Gather a group of 14 women and tell them that statistically, two will be diagnosed with breast cancer and the message really hits home, Louise says. But the fact that two thirds of breast cancer diagnoses for women over 40 are detected outside the surveillance screening program, is promising. 'I want the next generation of young girls to know their breasts so well they'll see any changes straight away. My mother would have never felt her breasts,' Louise says. Breast awareness extends beyond just this month, Holly adds. 'If you grow them, you really need to know them.' A former children's television star has been jailed for ten years after raping a woman and telling her her 'you're dying tonight'. Paul Ballard, 39, was found guilty on all counts at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday 30 July after denying rape, attempted rape, assault, criminal damage and threats to kill. During a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday he was sentenced to ten years in prison. That sentence will run consecutively to a nine-year-sentence which he is currently serving for killing two people while driving under the influence of cocaine. Former children's TV presenter Paul Ballard, 39, has been jailed for ten years after raping a woman and telling her her 'life is ending' Former child actor and TV presenter Ballard had starred on GMTV's programme Diggit from 1998 to 2002 with Fearne Cotton, Craig Doyle, and Reggie Yates. Ballard, from Theydon Bois, Essex, launched an attack on the woman shortly after 5am on September 19, 2020, in a hotel in Hatfield Heath. During the incident, the 39-year-old told her: 'Your life is ending. You're dying tonight.' But she fled the room and found a member of hotel staff, who then called the police. Paul Ballard, back row second from right, is pictured next to Reggie Yates (centre) and Fearne Cotton (bottom right) before the trio starred on GMTV's children's programme Diggit from 1998 to 2002 Police safeguarded the woman, who has been supported throughout the last 12 months by specialist officers. Ballard had claimed to have had consensual sex with the woman and denied he had threatened her. But the jury found him guilty on all counts. Speaking after sentencing today, the leading investigator Detective Constable Dan Lambert said: 'Today, Ballard has been sentenced to ten years in jail after subjecting the woman to a terrifying ordeal. 'Our priority throughout this investigation has been ensuring her welfare and securing justice for her. Pictured: The horrifying aftermath of the eight car pile-up in Romford, Essex last February that claimed the lives of Eileen Haskell, 64, and Richard Trezise, 48 'The strength she has shown has been remarkable throughout. 'As a force, we take crimes against women and girls extremely seriously and I very proud to have played a part in securing justice for Ballard's victim and he will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars as a result. 'I want to again pay tribute to the bravery shown by the victim in this case. Eileen Haskell, 64, (above) was driving when she was killed in the collision last February 'No one should ever have to go through the ordeal she has endured but I hope there is some comfort in the knowledge that her attacker is now behind bars for some time.' It comes after Ballard was convicted in August for killing two people in a horror car pile-up. He was driving between '88mph and 104mph' in a 30mph zone before he hit the back of Ms Haskell's Ford Kuga. Ms Haskell died in the crash, which took place on Squirrels Heath Road in Romford, east London, on February 20 last year. The second victim, school teacher Richard Trezise, 48, was waiting at a bus stop with members of his family when he was struck by a vehicle and killed in the pile-up. Eight cars were involved in the collision and at least seven people were treated in hospital. Cocaine addict Ballard was driving with his 12-year-old son in the front passenger seat and claimed he suffered a seizure before the crash, the Old Bailey heard. Ballard, of Woodland Way, Theydon Bois, Essex, admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. He denied two counts of causing death by driving whilst uninsured, which will not be pursued. As the battle to replace Gladys Berejiklian as NSW premier begins, one of the top contenders has promised not to change the state's lockdown exit plan if elected by his peers. Ms Berejiklian announced her resignation on Friday after the Independent Commission Against Corruption disclosed the 51-year-old was under investigation for potential breaches of public trust. She will also resign from parliament as soon as a by-election for her north Sydney seat of Willoughby can be held. Ms Berejiklian will remain premier until the Liberal Party elects a replacement. Planning minister and Pittwater member Rob Stokes - who has been described as a key ally of Ms Berejiklian - wants that to be him. Planning minister and Pittwater member Rob Stokes - who has been described as a key ally of Ms Berejiklian - wants to be the next NSW premier (pictured left) The 46-year-old sun-loving father (second from right) on Saturday said he'd been encouraged by the level of support from his party colleagues, many of who have urged him to nominate for leader The 46-year-old sun-loving father on Saturday said he'd been encouraged by the level of support from his party colleagues, many of who have urged him to nominate for leader. 'The NSW Liberal Party is blessed to have some very talented people in its ranks, who could all bring different qualities to the role of leader,' he said in a statement. 'But I believe my track record during my time in public office makes me the best candidate to lead the NSW government. 'I have the right balance of experience, vision and integrity needed during this crucial time in our history, as we continue to respond to and recover from the pandemic.' 'The NSW Liberal Party is blessed to have some very talented people in its ranks, who could all bring different qualities to the role of leader,' he said in a statement He said: 'I have the right balance of experience, vision and integrity needed during this crucial time in our history, as we continue to respond to and recover from the pandemic' Mr Stokes, who is a keen surfer in his downtime, is expected to go up against frontrunner Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, who has told the ABC he has received 'strong feedback' from his colleagues on the matter. 'I think Dom has strong claims to the job and he's putting them out there,' Mr Stokes earlier on Saturday told the ABC. '(But) I think I owe it to my community and to the people in NSW to at least provide them that choice,' he told 7News. Mr Stokes also praised Ms Berejiklian, expressing sadness over the end to her career and promising to abide by the roadmap out of lockdown that she unveiled only weeks ago. Mr Stokes also praised Ms Berejiklian, expressing sadness over the end to her career and promising to abide by the roadmap out of lockdown that she unveiled only weeks ago (Rob Stokes with Gladys Berejiklian) Who is Rob Stokes? * The 46-year-old is the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces. * He has been the Member for Pittwater on Sydney's Northern Beaches since 2007. * In his downtime Mr Stokes appears to enjoy his surfing - even handing out the winners' medals at last years Narrabeen Classic surfing competition. * He is married to Sophie Stokes. * Mr Stokes grew up in Mona Vale and attended fee-paying Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore) where he graduated with a Higher School Certificate in 1991. Advertisement Restrictions are due to ease across NSW gradually from October 11, after more than 15 weeks of lockdown for Greater Sydney in response to an outbreak of the Delta Covid-19 variant. Other potential contenders include Environment Minister Matt Kean, Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres, Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Attorney-General Mark Speakman. Whoever succeeds Ms Berejiklian has a tough act to follow. Prime Minister Scott Morrison led the tributes on Friday, lauding her 'heroic' qualities and saying she was a 'dear friend' and trusted by the community. Even state Opposition Leader Chris Minns on Saturday thanked the premier, declining to sink the boot into the Liberal party over her demise. 'I think Dom has strong claims to the job and he's putting them out there,' Mr Stokes earlier on Saturday told the ABC Mr Stokes, who is a keen surfer in his downtime, is expected to go up against frontrunner Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, who has told the ABC he has received 'strong feedback' from his colleagues on the matter 'There's plenty of time for politics... once the pandemic is over,' he told reporters. 'I cannot fault her dedication and hard work on behalf of the people of NSW, particularly over the last 15 weeks. 'I'm sure that... will not be forgotten.' Meanwhile supportive constituents have gathered outside her home with flowers and balloons while others put up handmade signs at her office reading 'We love Gladys' and 'Long live Gladys'. Other potential contenders include Environment Minister Matt Kean, Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres (right), Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Attorney-General Mark Speakman Ms Berejiklian's leadership endured bushfires, drought and storms and she navigated Covid-19, but after four-and-a-half years in the top job, she couldn't beat the ICAC. The anti-corruption watchdog says it is investigating whether she 'exercised public functions' in a position of conflict given her secret five-year relationship with ex-MP Daryl Maguire, revealed at its hearings in late 2020. Mr Maguire is accused of abusing his public office between 2012 and 2018. A teary and at times angry Ms Berejiklian said on Friday she had 'no option' other than to resign, but she continues to deny any wrongdoing. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he is backing out of an announced plan to run for vice president in next year's elections and will retire from politics after his term ends. Duterte announced the surprise decision Saturday after accompanying his former longtime aide, Sen. Bong Go, who instead filed his own candidacy for the vice presidency at a Commission on Elections center. 'The overwhelming... sentiment of the Filipinos is that I am not qualified and it would be a violation of the constitution to circumvent the law, the spirit of the constitution' to run for the vice presidency, Duterte said. 'Today I announce my retirement from politics.' His decision potentially paving the way for his daughter to contest the country's highest office. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he is backing out of an announced plan to run for vice president in next year's elections and will retire from politics after his term ends Duterte, 76, who polls show remains almost as popular as when he was swept to victory in 2016 on a promise to rid the country of drugs, is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term. The 76-year-old, known for his deadly anti-drugs crackdown, brash rhetoric and unorthodox political style, earlier accepted the ruling party's nomination for him to seek the vice presidency in the May 9 elections. The decision outraged many of his opponents, who have described him as a human rights calamity in an Asian bastion of democracy. But a recent poll by PulseAsia Research showed Duterte well back in second place among preferred vice presidents. A survey by Social Weather Stations showed 60 percent of Filipinos did not think Duterte's run for the vice presidency was in the spirit of the constitution. Duterte made the surprise announcement at the venue where he was expected to register his candidacy. He did not specify when he would leave politics. His close aide, Senator Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go, registered for the vice presidency instead. The tough-talking leader has not yet announced his preferred successor, but many expect it will be his daughter, Sara, who has been the front runner in recent polls. She would likely protect Duterte from criminal charges in the Philippines, and International Criminal Court prosecutors probing his deadly drug war, which rights groups estimate has killed tens of thousands of people. But the mayor of the southern city of Davao - a position held by her father before he became president - has said she would not run if Duterte sought the vice presidency. There was no immediate reaction from the president's daughter, who has gone on a weeklong medical leave. The tough-talking leader has not yet announced his preferred successor, but many expect it will be his daughter, Sara (pictured) who has been the front runner in recent polls Retired Filipino boxing star and senator Manny Pacquiao shows his certificate of candidacy for next year's presidential elections shortly after filing before the Commission on Elections at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Manila, Philippines on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 Philippine presidents are limited by the constitution to a single six-year term and opponents had said they would question the legality of Duterte's announced vice presidential run before the Supreme Court. Duterte took office in 2016 and launched a crackdown on illegal drugs that left more than 6,000 mostly petty suspects dead and alarmed Western governments and human rights groups. The International Criminal Court is investigating the killings. The election season kicked off Friday with candidates vying for thousands of posts from president to town councillor. The week-long registration process launches a typically noisy and deadly seven months of campaigning for more than 18,000 positions - but the raging pandemic and economic misery caused by Covid lockdowns could dampen the party atmosphere. Even if Sara misses the October 8 deadline for registration, she still has until November 15 to make a late entry into the presidential race - as her father did in 2015. Among other front runners for the top job are Duterte's ally Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, son and namesake of the country's former dictator, and ex-actor and city mayor Francisco Domagoso - known by his screen name Isko Moreno. Newly retired boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao registered on Friday to run for president. International Criminal Court judges last month authorised an investigation into the Philippines' deadly 'war on drugs' campaign under Rodrigo Duterte, saying the crackdown 'cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation' ICC judges authorized an investigation into the Philippines' deadly 'war on drugs' campaign, saying last month the crackdown 'cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation.' ICC judges gave the authorisation on September 15 after prosecutor Fatou Bensouda sought their permission to investigate the deadly government campaign. She said that a preliminary probe she began in February 2018 found 'a reasonable basis to believe that the crime against humanity of murder has been committed' in the Philippines between July 1, 2016 and March 16, 2019 under Duterte. In a written decision, judges who considered Bensouda's request found a 'reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation' into the killings saying they appear to amount to a crime against humanity under the court's founding statute. In July, Duterte attacked the court, saying he would continue his fight against drugs. 'I have never denied (it), and the ICC can record it: Those who destroy my country - I will kill you,' he said. Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda sought the court's permission to investigate the government campaign which has allegedly resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians Pictured: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) officials inspecting 1,100lbs of seized drugs on September 7. The 'war on drugs' in the country has seen thousands of civilian deaths at the hands of the police and security forces In a written decision, judges who considered Bensouda's request found a 'reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation' into the killings saying they appear to amount to a crime against humanity under the court's founding statute (pictured: Philippines police) The court said in a statement at the time that the judges ruled that 'based on the facts as they emerge at the present stage and subject to proper investigation and further analysis, the so-called `war on drugs' campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation, and the killings neither as legitimate nor as mere excesses in an otherwise legitimate operation.' They added: 'The available material indicates that a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population took place pursuant to or in furtherance of a State policy.' When Duterte announced he was withdrawing his country from the court in 2016, he defended the campaign as 'lawfully directed against drug lords and pushers who have for many years destroyed the present generation, specially the youth.' But there are widespread concerns Duterte used the 'war on drugs' as a facade to mask ruthless killings enforcing his rule. Human rights groups accuse Duterte of inciting deadly violence and say police have murdered unarmed drug suspects on a massive scale as part of the campaign. Police deny this, and Duterte says the police are under orders to kill only in self-defence. The tough-talking Duterte has repeatedly claimed the ICC has no jurisdiction over him and that he will not cooperate with what he has called an 'illegal' probe, even threatening to arrest prosecutor Bensouda Duterte was elected in 2016 on a campaign promise to get rid of the Philippines' drug problem, openly ordering police to kill drug suspects if their lives are in danger In their decision, ICC judges said that even though the Philippines had withdrawn as a state party to the court in 2016, the alleged crimes took place while Manila was still a signature to the court's Rome Statute, so it could still probe them. The probe will cover the period from 2011 to 2019. 'The court retains jurisdiction with respect to alleged crimes that occurred on the territory of the Philippines while it was a state party,' the judges said. Set up in 2002, the ICC is a so-called court of last resort and only becomes involved in probing the world's worst crimes if its member states are unable or unwilling to do so. The crackdown was Duterte's signature policy initiative which he has defended fiercely, especially from criticism from Western leaders and institutions which he says do not care about his country. More than 6,000 people have been killed in over 200,000 anti-drug operations conducted since July 2016, according to official data, but human rights groups estimate the number of dead could be several times higher. The tough-talking Duterte repeatedly claimed the ICC has no jurisdiction over him and that he will not cooperate with what he has called an 'illegal' probe, even threatening to arrest prosecutor Bensouda. Care home workers who refuse to take the Covid vaccine should 'get out and get another job', health secretary Sajid Javid has said. In a stern warning to vaccine refuseniks, Mr Javid said those working in care home with some of the most vulnerable people in the country 'should get vaccinated'. He also brushed off appeals from providers to 'pause' the legal requirement for staff in England to be fully vaccinated by November 11, amid warnings some homes will be unable to cope if workers are forced to leave. It comes after NHS workers hit out against 'blunt instrument' plans to make Covid jabs for staff compulsory by winter, with doctors and health service unions warning the policy could push out key staff 'at a time we can least afford it' and lead to discrimination. Health secretary Sajid Javid said those working in care home with some of the most vulnerable people in the country 'should get vaccinated' Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme Mr Javid said: 'If you want to work in a care home, you are working with some of the most vulnerable people in our country and if you cannot be bothered to go and get vaccinated, then get out and go and get another job. 'If you want to look after them, if you want to cook for them, if you want to feed them, if you want to put them to bed, then you should get vaccinated. 'If you are not going to get vaccinated then why are you working in care? 'If you think about your elderly relatives you might have in care homes, and the idea that someone wants to look after them and they don't want to take a perfectly safe and effective vaccine that has been approved by our regulators, been used all over the world, because somehow they have got some objection to this vaccine, then really, honestly, they shouldn't be in our care homes. 'They should go and get another job. I am very clear on that.' The health secretary is set to roll out plans to make Covid-19 vaccination a requirement for all members of NHS staff next month. It is believed by ministers that mandatory jabs for all NHS workers would help restrict the spread of the virus within hospitals and could 'save lives'. However NHS staff fear the plans could spark a mass exodus of healthcare employees. Nadra Ahmed, chair of the National Care Association, has urged the Government to put back the November 11 deadline for staff to have both jabs, saying it will have a knock-on effect on the NHS if homes have to reduce resident numbers. Ms Ahmed said care homes have already overcome significant resistance among staff to the vaccines. In November last year, shortly before the vaccine programme launched, she said just 40 per cent of staff had said they would get it. But 86 per cent of staff are now fully vaccinated, she said. Mr Javid brushed off appeals from providers to 'pause' the legal requirement for staff in England to be fully vaccinated The health secretary is set to roll out plans to make Covid-19 vaccination a requirement for all members of NHS staff this winter Ministers believe that mandatory jabs for all NHS workers would help restrict the spread of the virus within hospitals. (Stock image) She told Today: 'We are not anti-vaccine. What we are saying is we needed a bit more time to get people where they needed to be.' She said that without a delay to the deadline, the consequences for care homes and for the wider health sector will be severe. 'The situation is chronic now with staffing and that deadline will just add to it,' she said. 'We will have providers who are no longer able to staff their services safely and that can only mean they will have to be handing back contracts. 'They will have to be looking at whether they can minimise the number of beds that they use to keep themselves open, which will have a direct effect on the NHS's ability to discharge people out of hospital and into care settings.' Last month president of the hospital doctors' union the HCSA Dr Claudia Paoloni said using the 'blunt instrument of compulsion rather than persuasion' will put off hesitant key workers. She said: 'Our concern is that using the blunt instrument of compulsion rather than persuasion to ensure staff are vaccinated we could risk pushing out key NHS staff at a time when we can least afford it. 'The government itself acknowledges the variance in vaccine take-up between employers ranging from 74 to 94 percent. We know that many hospitals have been extremely successful in persuading apprehensive staff to be vaccinated. 'We encourage all NHS staff to be vaccinated but this is one part of a much bigger equation. 'Covid vaccination rates in the NHS have been high for a large part of the pandemic, but experience shows we also need measures to limit transmission in the community, maintain tough infection control in hospitals and provide adequate levels of PPE and regular testing for staff.' The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) expressed hostility at the plans too, and raised doubts that the plans would even increase uptake. And the NHS Confederation which represents NHS trusts across England said 'the focus must remain on increasing vaccine confidence' rather than forcing staff to take jabs. A member of the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) an independent body that advises the Government on vaccine policy said making jabs mandatory would feel 'like an admission of failure'. An anti-vaxxer mother who was hooked on conspiracy theories has died after admitting not getting the jab was the worst mistake of her life. Now, the heartbroken family of 24-year-old Abby Gibbs, who passed away following an almost three-week battle in intensive care, are now urging people to get their Covid vaccine. Abby's mother, Lynne Gibbs and brother, Lewis Gibbs described how the mother-of-three, of Brandon, County Durham, had left a mark on everybody she met. Ms Gibbs, who described Abby as her 'best friend,' said she had been known among everyone for her humour and loyalty to her loved ones. She said: 'She had a beautiful smile, she was just so kind - it was her smile and generosity, and humour that got everybody. The family of 24-year-old Abby Gibbs (pictured) who said not getting the Covid jab was the 'worst mistake of her life', passed away following an almost three-week battle in intensive care 'She would make us laugh to the point of crying, she was really funny - and was proud of her kids. 'She was my best friend, I could rely on her for anything and she would stand by her family through thick and thin.' Abby, a former apprentice hairdresser, was mum to Makayla, six, Harrison, five, and Fallyn, who turns three on Monday. Ms Gibbs said: 'She only ever wanted to be a mam, even from a very early age she was pushing prams with look-a-like babies in them. 'All she ever talked about was her kids, she was so very proud of her kids. 'She had even ordered clothes for one of her friend's kids who has not yet been born. 'At Christmas time, she would even go online and go on this website to help parents without much money and she would buy and send the toys to the kids. 'It just goes to show how much she loved her kids, and everyone else's kids.' Abby was admitted into intensive care at the University Hospital of North Durham, where she spent 17 days battling the virus, after falling seriously ill with Covid at the start of last month. She died on September 22. Ms Gibbs said: 'Abby was supposed to go the same day as me to have her vaccine, but she was that hooked on conspiracy theories, she decided not to go. 'The first day she was admitted, she said 'mam, I wish I had gone and got the vaccine - this is the worst mistake I have ever made'.' Only able to communicate with her children and family using Facetime, Ms Gibbs said Abby continued to provide for her family for as long as she could, even as her situation worsened. She said: 'She was in intensive care and she ordered online a full shop, with clothes - she was arranging stuff for the kids.' Explaining that her children had been at the forefront of her mind, Mr Lewis added: 'I was the last person she spoke to, and she said make sure you look after the kids - make sure they can have the best life they can.' Abby passed away in the same hospital she had been admitted to on Wednesday, September 22. Abby's mother, Lynne Gibbs and brother, Lewis Gibbs described how the mother-of-three, of Brandon, County Durham, had left a mark on everybody she met But in a huge torrent of support for her children and her family, last Sunday more than 150 people from across the community gathered in Brandon for a balloon release in memory of Abby. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has since been set up by close friends, which has so far seen more than 1,000 raised, in aid of helping to support Abby's children. Mr Gibbs said: 'We have just been so overwhelmed and impressed by the amount of support we have had from the community. 'This community in Brandon, it is so close-knit and it's just so special - we have been inundated with messages, cards and flowers and we don't know how to thank everybody enough.' Mr Gibbs, who said all of the family had now gone for their vaccine in the wake of Abby's death, said: 'We just hope this will help raise awareness to bring people forward. 'In Brandon when Abby died, the amount of people, you couldn't get a walk-in appointment for a jab, they had none left. 'I wouldn't wish this on anybody, to have to sit children down and tell them that their mum has gone to heaven. 'If Abby had been vaccinated she would still be here today. 'She will be missed by everyone.' Advertisement Extinction Rebellion activists claim to have blocked all major entrances to a private airport in protest against emissions from private jets. A stretched limousine was parked outside of the gates to Farnborough Airport in Hampshire as part of the protest. The protesters, including a former airline pilot, are raising awareness of the emissions caused by private flights. An Extinction Rebellion spokesman said: 'As world leaders gather for the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow this month, protesters are calling on the world's super-rich elite of celebrities, oligarchs and business leaders to ditch private flights. Extinction Rebellion activists protest outside Farnborough Airport in Hampshire in demonstration against emissions from private jets The protesters, including a former airline pilot, are raising awareness of the emissions caused by private flights A stretched limousine has been parked at the gates to Farnborough Airport in Hampshire as part of the protest Extinction Rebellion has today blockaded three key airport entrances, with activists locked on top of a three-metre high steel tripod at one gateway and to fuel barrels at a second 'These private flyers, just one per cent of the world's population, cause half of aviation's global emissions. Extinction Rebellion is also demanding the Government stops private flights now. 'The 30,000 private flights to and from Farnborough Airport each year carry an average of just 2.3 passengers, with each passenger responsible for the emission of nine times as much carbon as an economy flight to the US and 20 times that to Spain. 'The airport has permission to increase flight movements to 50,000 a year. 'In protest at this wanton level of pollution by the super-rich, Extinction Rebellion has today blockaded three key airport entrances, with activists locked on top of a three-metre high steel tripod at one gateway and to fuel barrels at a second. Protester Todd Smith, 32, a former airline pilot from Reading, Berkshire, criticised Farnborough Airport's move to offer sustainable aviation fuel as an alternative fuel The 30,000 private flights to and from Farnborough Airport each year carry an average of just 2.3 passengers, protesters say The airport says it 'is aware of a number of unauthorised persons gathering at the entrance to the airport' 'The third entrance is barricaded by a stretch limousine, with the driver locked on to the steering wheel and a protester dressed as a media mogul glued to the roof.' Protester Todd Smith, 32, a former airline pilot from Reading, Berkshire, criticised Farnborough Airport's move to offer sustainable aviation fuel as an alternative fuel. He said: 'The term 'sustainable aviation fuel' was coined by the aviation and fossil fuel industry to deceive the public and greenwash the utterly destructive nature of biofuels. 'Biofuels result in land grabs, deforestation, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, rising food prices and land-use emissions which can be worse than the fossil fuel they are replacing.' A spokeswoman for the airport said: 'Farnborough Airport is aware of a number of unauthorised persons gathering at the entrance to the airport. 'The airport is still fully operational. Authorities are continually monitoring the situation.' A popular burger restaurant has been slammed for naming one of its menu items 'The Ching Chong', a racially insensitive term often associated with individuals who have an Asian background. An image of the menu item from Johnny's Burgers, located in the southern Perth suburb of Canley Vale, was shared to a Facebook group after a woman noticed the controversial name. 'Burger restaurant in Perth is using racist names for their burgers,' the lady wrote on Saturday. A restaurant has been slammed online for naming one of its burger items 'The Ching Chong', a racially insensitive term given to Asians The burger, which costs $13.90, is advertised as an 'Asian burger with a BITE', consisting of a beef patty, fried egg, sriracha hot sauce with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and coriander. Johnny Wong, the restaurant owner, has come under fire before because of the controversial name and previously noted on social media that the burger was inspired by his Malaysian roots. However many believe the owner being Malaysian doesn't justify the use of the offensive term. Johnny Wong, the restaurant owner, has come under fire before over the controversial name and previously noted on social media that the burger was inspired by his Malaysian roots One user wrote: 'It's gross. He's taking advantage of his own people in order to sell a burger. It just encourages other people to use casual racism towards us.' 'I'm half Asian but I don't think you need to be Asian to understand that just because it's not offensive to one, doesn't mean it's ok! So disgusting and not funny at all,' wrote another. While a third said: 'Just because the owner is Asian does not mean it's ok!!!' Johnny's Burgers referring to the burger as 'controversial' in a Facebook post One user on Facebook, who was of Laos background, said they didn't find the burger name offensive but understood why others would. 'I'm half Laos and I don't find it offensive (each to their own obviously!) as the owner is also Asian himself but he definitely could've used a different word,' they wrote. Another also pointed out another burger on the menu called 'Honolulu Lulu' could also be seen as offensive because grilled pineapple was the only ingredient that made the burger 'Hawaiian'. One user also pointed out another burger on the menu called 'Honolulu Lulu', could also be seen as offensive 'Sorry just wanted to say that "Honolulu Lulu" is pretty disgusting too. Just because it has pineapple in it doesn't give the right to name it a main city of Hawaii, so offensive to Hawaiian and Polynesian people,' they said. 'I was gonna comment about that as well,' someone replied. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Johnny's Burgers for comment. A man has been fatally shot near a house party in south London, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed. Scotland Yard said they received reports of a shooting in Croydon, south London shortly before 5am today. The 35-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene on Birdhurst Road. Detectives investigating this morning's shooting in Birdhurst Road in Croydon, pictured todayt, believe the victim had attended a house party nearby Forensics officers have searched the area looking for evidence linked to last night's murder Police have closed a section of Birdhurst Road where the victim was shot dead last night A murder investigation has been launched, led by DCI Katherine Goodwin of Specialist Crime, and police are keen to hear from anyone who was at the house party. DCI Goodwin said: 'My thoughts are with the family of the victim. They will be supported by specialist officers. 'Although our inquiries are at a very early stage, I believe the victim may have attended a house party which continued through the early hours of Saturday morning, near to the scene of the shooting in Birdhurst Road, Croydon. 'Officers would like to speak to anyone who was at that party. 'Even if you do not think you saw or heard anything significant, please contact police if you were there. 'I also want to appeal for any witnesses, anyone with information or anyone who may have relevant dashcam or other footage to please get in touch.' There have been no arrests made so far. People are asked to call the incident room on 020 8785 8244 or Crimestoppers if they have information. Vice President Kamala Harris took an unexpected trip to Palm Springs, California Friday, but the White House didn't give a reason why. Harris will return to D.C. on Saturday, according to a one-sentence statement from the White House. 'The vice president will remain overnight in Palm Springs and return to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, October 2,' the official statement says. Harris flew out of Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at 11am Friday and arrived in Palm Springs - a little more than 100 miles east of Los Angeles - around 7pm. Reporters were not permitted to watch Harris leave Maryland, according to the Washington Times. Vice President Kamala Harris - pictured here in a Virginia airport on September 19 - flew our of Maryland Friday afternoon, but reporters weren't permitted to watch Harris leave The White House didn't give a reason for Harris' unexpected Friday trip to California. She's pictured here on September 30 arrives on the Senate floor in the Capitol Palm Springs Mayor Christy Gilbert Holstege said in a tweet, 'Welcome to Palm Springs, Madam Vice President! Palm tree @KamalaHarris' with an emoji of a waving hand. Local newspaper Desert Sun reported that the vehicle Harris rode in and her caravan were seen around 7:30pm on Ramon Road, which leads to downtown Palm Springs. Palm Springs Mayor Christy Gilbert Holstege's tweet welcoming the vice president A farmer who used a billboard to accuse a small village of being a 'lawless and godforsaken place' has shared his relief after charges against him were dropped. After being slapped with a 90 fine earlier this year, Carl Powell, 75, was hauled to court to face a public order offence in July after residents of Peopleton on Worcestershire, complained about Mr Powell's billboards. On the board, he described the small town as 'most definitely the nastiest village in Worcestershire' which was put up after a local planning row. Carl Powell (pictured outside Worcester Magistrates Court with a duplicate of his sign), 75, put up the billboard describing the village of Peopleton as a 'murderous, lawless and godforsaken place'. Charges of a public order offence against him have now been dropped The angry farmer placed the sign on an old grain dryer at his Stone Arrow Farm and was soon slapped with a 90 fine, and later summoned to court The other contained reference to field gates being taken off their hinges on October 24, 2018 to 'let stock onto the highway'. Now, after a lengthy row and a delayed trial, charges against Mr Powell of Stone Arrow Farm, Worcs., have been dropped. After his first court appearance in July, Mr Powell arrived at Worcester Magistrates Court brandishing the signs before being stopped by security. During his court appearance, Mr Powell, who chose to represent himself, said he was exercising his 'right to freedom of speech.' In his defence, Powell added that his sign is 'true and factual - and I can prove it that.' Mr Powell was due to appear in court again in August but due to the officer being on annual leave, a new provisional date was set for October 15. Mr Powell refused to pay up and was taken to Worcester Magistrates' Court charged with a public order offence, but charges have now been dropped. Pictured: Mr Powell carrying a sign saying 'truth is now a crime' on his farm The court heard at the time that Mr Powell displayed the sign on an old grain dryer 'with the intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress to the residents of Peopleton' Mr Powell, said: 'I have just received a letter from the courts saying the case is being discontinued due to a lack of evidence. 'It seems like there has finally been a bit of common sense applied, so I am very relieved.' However, between August and now, Mr Powell received a letter informing him of an unpaid fine. An enforcement officer then arrived at his farm with a notice to repossess some of his possessions to pay the fine. During his court appearance, Mr Powell, who chose to represent himself, said he was exercising his 'right to freedom of speech.' The court heard that that the sign was visible to road users and Mr Powell was issued with a fixed penalty notice Farmer Carl Powells stands behind a sign that says 'No trespassing. Violators will be shot. Survivors will be shot again' Mr Powell was fined 90 for the signs after residents (pictured is the church in Peopleton) reported him to the police but has refused to take them down West Mercia Police have since confirmed that the enforcement action against Mr Powell had been taken by mistake. Since cancelling the enforcement action, a spokesperson for West Mercia Police, said: 'The officer involved has confirmed he spoke with Mr Powell, discovered an admin error with the debt collector and the non-payment was deleted.' Mr Powell added: 'The whole affair with the enforcement officer caused me a bit of aggravation. 'I might decide to appeal against that for compensation. 'I think I will wait a bit though to give it a think.' Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was today urged to 'stop blaming everyone else for the fuel shortages' after he claimed petrol supply levels were 'close to normal range' despite South East England still being in a crisis. Nearly one third of petrol stations in the region are still dry or short on supply - with a Petrol Retailers Association survey finding 12 per cent in the South East have run out of fuel, and 17 per cent have one grade of diesel or petrol. Under 75 per cent of petrol stations have both diesel and petrol in London and the South East, as opposed to 90 per cent in other areas - with the figures in contrast to Mr Shapps's claims that the issue is almost entirely over. Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK, said: 'Grant Shapps must take his head out of sand, stop blaming everyone else for the fuel shortages and concede the most populated part of the UK is still a wasteland for fuel supplies. The reason is almost entirely down to his scaremongering actions over the last two weeks. It could have been avoided.' Pictured: Motorists put fuel into their cars at a Tesco petrol station in South East London today (left), which had some pumps out of fuel (centre), and a man fills a jerry can at a Shell station nearby (right). Bill White, the CEO of Buckhead City Committee (BCC), is pushing for the suburb to 'divorce' itself from Atlanta due to rising crimes rates Atlanta's wealthiest suburb is edging closer to separating itself from the city as it introduces a bill to Georgia's legislature that goes up for a vote next year. With rising crime rates in Atlanta, Bill White, the CEO of Buckhead City Committee (BCC), is pushing for the suburb where the average house price costs $1.4 million, to 'divorce' itself from Atlanta. 'We are living in a war zone in Buckhead,' White told Bloomberg Businessweek. 'Shootings and killings, it just never ends.' White, who officially filed to secede from the city in June, previously slammed Atlanta city leadership, including Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, accusing her of ignoring soaring crime in Buckhead and presiding over a demoralized and underfunded police department. It followed a shocking shooting in Buckhead on June 5, when father-of-three Andrew Worrell was struck twice by bullets while jogging at around 8.35am. He survived and after a stay in hospital was discharged and recovered at home. On August 7, Kenon Jennings died after he was murdered near a popular hookah bar Hide Kitchen & Cocktails in one of the neighborhood's booming strips of Buckhead. Jennings became one of the 121 people murdered in Atlanta as of this year, up from 98 last year. He also became the ninth murder, as of that week, in Zone 2, which encompasses Buckhead, up from the six murders the previous year. On August 7, Kenon Jennings died after he was murdered near a popular hookah bar Hide Kitchen & Cocktails in one of the neighborhood's booming strips of Buckhead. Jennings became one of the 121 people murdered in Atlanta as of this year, up from 98 last year. He also became the ninth murder, as of that week, in Zone 2, which encompasses Buckhead, up from the six murders the previous year. Pictured: The scene of the shooting Father-of-three Andrew Worrell was struck twice by bullets while jogging the morning of June 5. He survived and has since been released from hospital to recover at home Crime in Atlanta has risen this year. More than 100 murders have occurred since the start of the year, up from the 98 from the same period last year. A total of 577 shooting incidents have happened this year and 656 people have become shooting victims this year For White, it was just another push for the high-end suburb - which encompasses 24 square miles - to push for separate so the citizens could take public safety into their own hands. 'We filed our divorce papers at the city of Atlanta and our divorce is final,' said Bill White in an interview with Fox News in June. A bill has been introduced to de-annex the suburb from the city and it goes up to vote in next year. It's not clear exactly when the bill will be voted on. If it passes, White expects the new city of Buckhead to be up and running by June 2023, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. If the citizens of Buckhead managed to do it, they'll be the first Georgia city to break from an existing one. The break could harm the city of Atlanta financially, as Buckhead would take around 90,000 citizens with it, which is approximately one-fifth of the population, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Buckhead is one of the most expensive zip codes, with mansions lining the streets and glossy shopping centers sparkling downtown The suburb encompasses 24 square miles and the White says the Atlanta Police Department isn't cutting it. After the recent murder of Kenon Jennings on August 7, the citizens of Buckhead are pushing harder to separate their suburb Atlanta would lose 38 per cent of its current tax revenue, according to the Buckhead Community Improvement District. The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Buckhead Coalition, and the Buckhead Business Association have said they oppose de-annexation. On top of that, Buckhead's departure would unsettle Atlanta's black political class. African American residents of Atlanta have been working for 50 years to accrue black leadership in the city, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. If the suburb succeeds, it will be the first Georgia city to break from an existing one. It is estimated that 54 to 62 per cent of Buckhead citizens are pro-annex The suburb, which has seen rising crime rates since last year, has entered a bill into the Georgia Legislature to separate from the city and they plan to develop their own police department. It is planned to go up for voting next year More than 50 per cent of the city is black, according to 2019 census data, while the majority of Buckhead's wealthy community is white. A political scientist at Emory University Michael Leo Owens thinks the split will create a 'racial cleavage. BUCKHEAD, GEORGIA: ONE OF THE NATION'S WEALTHIEST ZIP CODES Buckhead is known as Atlanta's commercial and residential district, famed for its high-rise buildings and shopping centers, hotels and mansions. The neighborhood is a historically wealthy district and was once ranked the ninth richest zip code in the country with a median price of homes of $1,460,595, according to Forbes. American suburban luxury home in Buckhead, Atlanta Bloomberg named Buckhead the 20th richest zip code in the nation in 2011, when the average household net worth there was $1,353,189. The average household income was $280,631. Because of this, Buckhead is often called the 'Beverly Hills of the East/South', in reference to the upscale city in California. Buckhead is also known to have a few notable residents, including Georgia Republican Kelly Loeffler. Loeffler was among the wealthiest members of Congress until she lost her seat in January. In 2009, she and her husband spent more than $10million on a European-style mansion named Descante in the Buckhead neighborhood. Source: Bloomberg Advertisement 'I think that much of whats going on is about the inability of [White Buckhead residents] to have greater influence over the policy choices of the city of Atlanta,' he told Bloomberg Businessweek. Buckhead is one of the wealthiest zip codes in the nation and the 'epicenter of Republicanism in Atlanta.' 'All those things map on to each other to create, at a minimum, a racial cleavage, with regards to politics and elections in the city of Atlanta,' Owen told Bloomberg Businessweek. White disagrees - despite being the only suburb of Atlanta to vote for Donald Trump. White, himself, helped fund Hilary Clinton's campaign until she lost in 2016, then he switched his political leanings over to Trump. He argues the suburb leaving not about politics or race, but about creating a safe neighborhood. 'We are people who just want to take our community back,' White told Bloomberg Businessweek. 'Im not a Republican. Im not a Democrat. Im not an independent. Im not Black. Im not White. Im not gay or straight. Im none of those things,' he told the publication. White only moved to the city roughly three years ago, returning to his husband's hometown. 'We want all of us to start thinking that way because thats the way we win.' Unlike previous attempts to annex themselves, this time the group has gotten momentum underneath them. The BCC has raised almost $1million, with several $100,000 contributions coming in. Between 54 to 62 per cent of Buckhead's citizens agree the suburb should separate from the city, according to the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs and the BCC, respectively. Buckhead bolsters 82.4 per cent white and 14 per cent black citizens, according to Data USA, compared to the city as a whole who has a 51 per cent black community. But race isn't the center of the split, crime is. The suburb wants to create its own police department after blaming Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for the failings of the Atlanta force, who lost almost 200 officers last year. 'We love the Atlanta police department but we'll form Buckhead City with its own police department, with a significantly greater presence on the streets,' White told Fox News in June. The boundaries of their proposed new city are seen above White has called out Mayor Bottoms for the failings of the police department after almost 200 officers left the force last year. The police department fired back saying they weren't 'looking the other way' and it was a 'far-fetched notion' to think so Since 2021 began, murder has been up 23 per cent in Atlanta, the biggest city in the south. Rape has gone up 68 per cent and aggravated assault has gone up 17 per cent. A total of 577 shooting incidents have happened this year and 656 people have become shooting victims this year. 'What's going on here in Atlanta is pervasive,' White said in June. 'The police are saying we can't arrest ourselves out of this problem, and I have to say, on behalf of Buckhead City, we have not arrested enough in Buckhead.' The Buckhead City Committee CEO specifically called out Mayor Bottoms and the city's police department in ignoring a large homeless camp known locally as 'The Hill.' Lance Bottoms previously admitted she didn't know how to tackle her city's burgeoning crime problem. The encampment was discovered after an area reporter tracked a stolen Citi Bike to the location. 'It's a very dangerous place,' White said. 'There's security, they have weapons there's a lot of crime being committed by those men and women who are in those encampments.' The Atlanta Police Department released a statement in August, disagreeing with White's view of the force. 'To insinuate that were looking the other way when it comes to crime is a far-fetched notion,' the Atlanta Police Department said in a statement from August 4. The police force has also sworn in 150 members that are assigned to 'multiple specialized units' and are 'utilized on a regular basis in Buckhead.' 'Regardless of where their enforcement activity occurs, it has an impact on crime throughout the entire city, Buckhead included,' the statement read. Former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy and his US private equity backers are to be handed control of Morrisons after winning a dramatic 7billion poker game yesterday. A successful bid for the store which began in 1899 as an egg and butter stall in a Bradford market follows a four-month battle for the chain between some of the world's most powerful business moguls. It ended in a secretive auction with Sir Terry and his private equity paymasters Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) trumping a rival group of investment giants and billionaires by just one penny a share. At times, it seemed the build-up to the high-stakes deal could have been penned by writers of US TV show Billions, which portrays the often brutal world of high finance. At 8am yesterday, Sir Terry and his partners set up their base at the City of London offices of the investment bank Goldman Sachs for the final round of the fight for Morrisons. In expectation of a drawn-out endgame, caterers had supplied food and drinks for the 'war room' on the top floor. Private equity giant Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) has won the battle to buy supermarket giant Morrisons, bringing an end to a dramatic four-month takeover saga But in the event the highly anticipated auction was over in time for the winning bankers to head off for lunchtime drinks. Sir Terry made the winning bid of 2.87 a share flanked by Goldman Sachs executives, advisers from the law firm Clifford Chance and CD&R partners. They were in regular contact with CD&R chairman Don Gogel, regarded as one of the most powerful men in finance. A seven-minute taxi ride away at the offices of top law firm Slaughter and May, Josh Pack, managing director of rival private equity firm Fortress, had teamed up with investors including US property magnate Charles Koch. Their efforts, which cost the companies tens of millions of pounds, proved futile. The secret bids reached only the second round yesterday morning before Fortress threw in the towel. Officials at the Takeover Panel, the regulatory body that oversaw the auction, released news of the final bids at 12.12pm. It marks the end of Morrisons' 54-year stint on the London Stock Exchange. The sale price 61 per cent higher than four months ago, before the bidders emerged highlights the lengths to which private equity firms will go to get their hands on British businesses. CD&R's 7billion takeover, which will rise to nearly 10billion once debt is taken into account, has been given the green light by the Morrisons board. A successful bid for the store follows a four-month battle for the chain between some of the world's most powerful business moguls (stock image) Its chairman, Andy Higginson, recommended Sir Terry's offer last night, paving the way for a shareholder vote later this month. Mr Higginson said: 'CD&R have good retail experience, a strong record of developing the businesses in which they invest, and they share our vision for Morrisons.' Sir Terry said: 'We are gratified by the recommendation of the Morrisons board and look forward to the shareholder vote to approve the transaction. Morrisons is an excellent business with a strong management team, a clear strategy and good prospects.' Highlighting the appeal of British firms to foreign buyers, Mr Pack said: 'The UK remains a very attractive investment environment.' The Morrison family still has a 5 per cent stake in the company. It is impossible to know what Sir Ken Morrison, who died in 2017, would think of a private equity owner of the British supermarket, particularly given the reputation of such firms for using high levels of debt to buy companies and then pursue profits aggressively. But CD&R has made a series of assurances, including keeping the Morrisons head office in Bradford. Sir Ken inherited the firm in 1952 from his father, who originally set up a stall in Rawson Market, Bradford. He floated it on the stock market in 1967 and built it to become Britain's fourth largest chain. The price tag is just 2p a share more than the formal offer Sir Terry's team made in August to the board, but is higher than Morrisons shares have been for a decade. Former NBC News correspondent Ashleigh Banfield believes Katie Couric derailed her career after the veteran anchor revealed in her explosive new memoir that she felt threatened by the rising star. Couric wrote in the bombshell memoir titled Going There: 'For a minute there, Ashleigh Banfield was the next big thing; I'd heard her father was telling anyone who'd listen that she was going to replace me. In that environment, mentorship sometimes felt like self-sabotage.' DailyMail.com exclusively published details of Couric's explosive memoir earlier this week. It is out in late October and will be accompanied by an 11-city book tour. Banfield, who was at NBC with Couric from 2000-2004, told TMZ that her initial reaction to what was written in the memoir was anger. 'First I was mad about what she said about my dad because it wasn't true. He was senile and near 80 and he wasn't out telling people that,' she said, adding that she felt it was 'bad fact-checking and it wasn't meant in a mean way'. Former NBC News correspondent Ashleigh Banfield spoke on a passage from Katie Couric's memoir that revealed she was threatened by the rising star - and Banfield thinks the jealousy may have derailed her career at the network (pictured responding to the memoir on NewsNation) Couric (right) wrote in her memoir titled Going There: 'For a minute there, Ashleigh Banfield was the next big thing...mentorship sometimes felt like self-sabotage.' When Banfield (left) responded, she noted that in hindsight, she 'got a sense' Couric was behind her demise at NBC and has been 'going over the last 20 years' because at the time Banfield 'really didn't feel like I was a big deal' and Couric 'was everything' While on TMZ Live on Friday she recalled her time at the network, where she was awarded her own primetime show after her ground coverage of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, which earned her an Emmy Award. But in 2002 her show was suddenly cancelled. 'I had a million viewers at night at 9.00,' she told TMZ, seemingly trying to make sense of what happened. Banfield added: 'All I can think about is that I was at the top of my game... I was on the cover of Vogue magazine. There was a full, front-page story about me on the national newspaper in Canada, The New York Post was doing full-page stories. 'So the press on me was huge and it was positive and just - within an instant, with no warning, no explanation - it was just all over. Everything disappeared. 'They cancelled me. They took away my office, my phone, my desk. I wandered aimlessly, literally looking for desks to sit at for about 10 months. Then they cleared out a tape closet and put a desk in there and that's where I sat the rest of my contract.' When asked if she believed Couric had a hand in her demise at NBC, Banfield simply said that she heard rumors and, in hindsight, she 'got a sense,' Couric was behind it. However, when Banfield thought back to how she felt when she was working at the network, it seemed difficult for her to imagine Couric could do such a thing. 'Let's not forget, I really didn't feel like I was a big deal,' Banfield noted, adding that Couric 'was everything' on NBC. 'She made so much money and she was so important and she was so good at her job and I looked up to her. So I didn't believe that it was possible that anything could've been going on behind the scenes to derail me there. I really didn't believe it.' 'I've just been going over the last 20 years,' she said. 'I really wanted to live my life there, I love that family. I wanted to die there. I used to say, "They're not getting me out of here unless they take me out in a box,"' Banfield told TMZ. 'I'm still really not over it,' she said, adding how she remembered watching her 'adored colleagues - Lester Holt, Nora O'Donnell and Mike Brzezinski - moving ahead without me and I just could never understand why and no one would ever give me a reason'. She said of being driven off NBC: 'They cancelled me. They took away my office, my phone, my desk... Then they cleared out a tape closet and put a desk in there and that's where I sat the rest of my contract.' Banfield now hosts Banfield on NewsNation (pictured), which airs weeknights at 10pm In Couric's Going There, she detailed her experiences working for The Today Show, including the rivalries she felt with co-workers such as Banfield and her experiences with Matt Lauer, who she reportedly sent sympathetic texts to after he was fired in 2017 In the TMZ interview it was clear the 'unceremonious' way NBC drove Banfield off the network still hurts. 'It feels weird to say this but the emotional gut punch that it took to my soul and when NBC sort of kicked me to the curb - it lasted a long time... It broke my heart. It broke my soul,' she said. As for the line in Couric's memoir where she alludes that mentoring Banfield 'sometimes felt like self-sabotage,' Banfield 'really wondered if this is it'. She added: 'It's really hard to process this, I'm not gonna lie, because I have found the most joy in my career having women - and men - look up to me and ask for advice. 'I kinda get a charge out of it thinking I'm an elder statesman and that I could be that resource for people and I have loved doing it... And I've never felt that it derailed me in any way. The opposite - I got that all back. That investment has always come back to me. So the fact that it might not have happened for me, it's a bit heartbreaking.' So, according to Couric's memoir, while the rumors from more than two decades ago may be true, Banfield doesn't seem to hold a grudge, and attributed Couric's jealousy to competitiveness between women in the TV industry. 'I'll also say this - it's not easy for women,' Banfield told TMZ. 'And in the 90s it stank. We always felt like we were on the edge of being trashed and cast aside. 'Ageism for women was so palpable (that) I felt in my thirties that I needed Botox. So I don't think that it's wrong that Katie felt that way. I think that every woman no matter how successful they were felt like they were disposable on television.' Katie Couric, 64, was pictured on Friday walking along the beach in the Hamptons, close to her East Hampton home. It was the first time she had been seen in public since her explosive memoir - out on October 26 - was leaked Couric was all smiles as she walked along the beach on Friday in the sunshine Couric was seen with a friend taking a stroll in the sunshine, looking relaxed and happy despite the fallout from her memoir - in which she attacked Diane Sawyer, Martha Stewart and Ashleigh Banfield Banfield since worked as a correspondent for ABC News and co-anchored the CNN morning news. She now hosts Banfield on NewsNation, which airs weeknights at 10pm. Meanwhile, as Banfield was reliving her time at NBC thanks to Couric's shock memoir, the 64-year-old was spotted strolling in the sunshine along the beach in East Hampton, seemingly without a care in the world. On Friday she was pictured near the home, walking on the sand with a friend and looking relaxed and happy - despite the fallout from the explosive memoir. Her new book, obtained this week by DailyMail.com, has sent shockwaves through the media and show business worlds with its admissions that she deliberately avoided helping younger rivals, and that she even 'heard whispers' about co-host Matt Lauer, who was fired in November 2017 amid allegations of sexual misconduct. The women who were left 'damaged' by Lauer's actions spoke with Couric as she was writing her book, she revealed, although the former anchor didn't name them. In one story involving Lauer, she said that he would deal with women behind closed doors in his office, which was equipped with a desk button to lock the door. Couric writes that one unnamed producer was told by Lauer to come to the now-infamous office wearing a 'skirt that came off easily'. Former Today Show host Katie Couric admits that she 'heard the whispers' abut Matt Lauer's inappropriate office behavior in her new book She also claims that Lauer complained to her that he felt uncomfortable putting his arm around a female colleague to comfort her when she cried, over fears he could subsequently face an allegation of inappropriate behavior. Even before these allegations were made, Couric said her former co-anchor told her he thought that feminist movements such as #MeToo were becoming too powerful. She also used the memoir to tell how she hired a nanny when her now 30-year-old daughter Ellie was a newborn, who became 'delusional' and tried to sabotage her marriage, accusing her late husband of being a pedophile. EXCLUSIVE: Katie Couric rips into former TODAY Show colleagues, admits she froze out female rivals to 'protect her turf,' says her toyboy ex was a 'midlife crisis' and takes potshots at Prince Harry who stank of alcohol in her new memoir Katie Couric spares few from criticism in her new memoir, which she uses to settle scores from her four decades in TV, DailyMail.com can reveal. Over 500 pages in length, Couric tears into ex-boyfriends, former colleagues at NBC and CBS and ridicules A-list celebrities including Prince Harry. In 'Going There', Couric admits that she gave Ashleigh Banfield the cold shoulder early in her career because helping her would have been 'self sabotage'. She rips into Deborah Norville, who she replaced on the TODAY Show, for having a 'relentless perfection' which turned off morning show viewers. When Couric switched from TODAY to host the Evening News on CBS, staffers fought back with an 'insurgency' which left her feeling like Hillary Clinton because she was so under siege, she writes. Couric is just as blunt about her love life and says ex-boyfriend Brooks Perlin, who was 17 years her junior, was a 'mid-life crisis' while TV producer Tom Werner was a 'textbook narcissist'. Couric puts down Martha Stewart, saying it took a 'some healthy humbling (prison will do that . . .) to develop a sense of humor.' Even the Royal family end up in Couric's sights and she describes how Prince Harry stank of cigarettes and alcohol when they met, and how Prince Andrew cozied up to Jeffrey Epstein at a bizarre dinner at his New York mansion. DailyMail.com has seen the manuscript, which is out in late October and will be accompanied by an 11-city book tour. DailyMail.com has read the manuscript for Katie Couric's book 'Going There', which is out in late October and will be accompanied by an 11-city book tour Couric rips into Deborah Norville, who she replaced on the TODAY Show, for having a 'relentless perfection' which turned off morning show viewers. The hosts are pictured in 1990 The book has sparked outrage among people who have seen the manuscript, one saying that it 'should be called Burning Bridges by Catty Couric as it literally reads like Kitty Kelley wrote it about Katie', referring to the notoriously snarky celebrity biographer. Couric's last major gig was with Yahoo which ended in 2017. Another person said that after this book she will 'never get a job at any television network or cable channel ever again because she attacks everyone'. 'She'll be stuck with her newsletter and Instagram stories for the rest of her working life even though the book oozes of her desperation to be back on network television hosting her own show,' they said. 'Going There' does tell Couric's personal story including a moving chapter about the death of her father, whose shift into PR from journalism to have a steady income for his young family was Couric's inspiration to be a reporter. But as the book progresses that narrative gets sidelined for sideswipes at people Couric feels have maligned her. CONTEMPT FOR HER RIVALS Among the most striking passages is Couric explaining how she didn't stick up for other women at work because she saw them as a threat to her own career. She admits that she had bad feelings for Deborah Norville even though she replaced her hosting TODAY in 1991. Norville took two months off for maternity leave and Couric filled in - when Norville didn't return Couric got the job permanently. Couric claims there were 'residual bad feelings' towards Norville for her obvious differences with Jane Pauley, her former TODAY co-host who left in 1989 under acrimonious conditions. Couric writes that Norville had a 'major relatability problem' because she was too perfect at a time in the morning when people were still getting ready for the day. One colleague supposedly told Couric that 'with Deborah, people feel like they need to get dressed before they turn on the TV'. Couric admits that during her time at TODAY she was unwelcoming to other women because she felt like she needed to 'protect my turf.' She writes that she was aware that 'someone younger and cuter was always around the corner' and singles out Banfield as an example. Couric writes: 'For a minute there, Ashleigh Banfield was the next big thing; I'd heard her father was telling anyone who'd listen that she was going to replace me. In that environment, mentorship sometimes felt like self-sabotage.' Among the celebrities that Couric takes potshots at are Prince Harry. She recalled that the smell of cigarettes and alcohol seemed to 'ooze from every pore' in his body Couric's book is over 500 pages in length and she tears into former colleagues at NBC and CBS. She's pictured in 1992 with her colleagues on the TODAY Show. Left to right: Gene Shalit, Bryant Gumbel, Deborah Norville. Barbara Walters, Hugh Downs, Jane Pauley, Katie Couric, Willard Scott, Tom Brokaw She had little affection for Martha Stewart and at an awards ceremony in 1996 Couric roasted her with a snarky poem which said that 'anything I can do you (Stewart) can do better.' Stewart was unamused and Couric writes that it took a 'some healthy humbling (prison will do that . . .) to develop a sense of humor.' Among the celebrities that Couric takes potshots at are Prince Harry, who she met at a polo match in Brazil during his 'wild-oats sowing phase.' She recalled that the smell of cigarettes and alcohol seemed to 'ooze from every pore' in his body. Couric left Joan Rivers so angry after asking if she had plastic surgery on her short-lived talk show 'Katie' that they never spoke again. Backstage, Rivers said of Couric: 'Who does she think she is? She's on her knees blowing 14-year-olds', referring to Brooks Perlin, her much-younger boyfriend. MIXING WITH THE NOTORIOUS Couric was among those who attended the infamous 2010 dinner at Jeffrey Epstein's house when Prince Andrew was also there. She describes Epstein's $75million New York townhouse as 'Eyes Wide Shut with a twist - creepy chandeliers and body-part art'. Guests ate lasagna out of shallow bowls and Epstein 'held court' in front of the fireplace to the likes of Chelsea Handler and Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn, George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Rose. On the way home Perlin remarked how young the women were who took their coats. Couric writes: 'I couldn't imagine what Epstein and Andrew were up to, apart from trying to cultivate friends in the media. Which, in retrospect, they must have figured they'd need when the pedophilia charges started rolling in.' FAILED RELATIONSHIPS While Couric writes emotionally about the death of her first husband Jay Monahan from cancer, she also admits that her fame drove a wedge between them. Couric's celebrity status 'took up residence in our marriage like an overbearing houseguest', as she describes it, and claims that the bigger she got, the smaller Monahan felt. Couric calls her relationship with Brooks Perlin as something that 'screamed midlife crisis' and that she was 'rebelling' because she had never done anything 'particularly scandalous.' That rebellion sometimes went too far, like the night she drank so much she ended up in hospital on an IV drip - which she kept top secret, worrying that it would lead to headlines in the New York press like: 'Anchor hits Rock Bottom!' Couric writes that she regrets moving Perlin into her home without asking daughters so they had to deal with a 30-something guy walking around shirtless The relationship led to 'distance' between her parents and her children which Couric also regrets. Couric writes emotionally about the death of her first husband Jay Monahan (pictured) from cancer and admits that her fame drove a wedge between them Her relationship with Tom Werner ended when he dumped her by email and Couric brands him a 'textbook narcissist' who 'love bombed her' with flowers and gifts Couric is just as blunt about her love life and says ex-boyfriend Brooks Perlin, who was 17 years her junior, was a 'mid-life crisis. Pictured together in 2007 'Going There' describes a bizarre 15 minute date Couric went on with Michael Jackson whose hand felt like a 'dead fish' when she shook it. Her relationship with Tom Werner ended when he dumped her by email and Couric brands him a 'textbook narcissist' who 'love bombed her' with flowers and gifts. In her 20s Couric went on a date with Neil Simon, the late playwright who was 30 years her senior. They got back to his hotel, kissed and he had to stop because of his 'blood pressure medication' - Couric does not clarify what the exact condition was. Around the same age Couric went for dinner at an Italian restaurant with Larry King, even though he was 24 years older than her. Afterwards they went back to King's apartment where Couric described him making a 'lunge' for her on the sofa with his tongue and his hands. She pushed him off and a dejected King said: 'When I like, I really like'. UNFORCED ERRORS After leaving TODAY Couric joined CBS to host the Evening News and do special reports for 60 Minutes on a salary of $15million a year, making her the highest paid journalist in the world. It was a disastrous move and Couric describes how staffers felt she was an 'existential threat' to their existence. Couric admits to making a number of 'unforced errors' such as giving her office a glam makeover which was out of step with the unfussy culture at CBS. As CBS executives began talking publicly and privately against her, Couric writes that she suffered 'internal sabotage'. The book has sparked outrage among people who have read it and one said that it 'should be called Burning Bridges by Catty Couric'. She will 'never get a job at any television network or cable channel ever again because she attacks everyone,' one critic said Couric claims she was in an 'unwinnable' situation and her team 'thought we'd be greeted as liberators; instead we got an insurgency'. Things got so bad that Couric felt 'embattled, defensive, misunderstood. I guess you could say I was feeling like Hillary Clinton.' In 2011 Couric left CBS and felt that she 'never really belonged here' because 'the body had rejected the organ early on'. While Couric takes aim at numerous people in 'Going There', she does offer some moments of self analysis. When she joined TODAY, Couric announced to Monahan, her husband at the time: 'I used to want to be the most popular girl in school. Now I'm the most popular girl in the country'. Monahan called her 'gross' and hit her with a pillow. After being dumped by Tom Werner, Couric went to a therapist who asked her if she had ever considered the idea that not everyone was going to like her. Couric writes: 'Honestly I sort of hadn't'. Supporters have raised over $2 million for the marine who was jailed for defying orders to stop publicly criticizing America's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, 40, was arrested and jailed at the Camp Lejeune brig on Monday for breaking four military laws by refusing orders to stop posting videos that were critical of the military on social media. The Marine, who has served 17 years in the military, is scheduled to make his first court appearance in North Carolina next week, DailyMail.com has learned. The Pipe Hitter Foundation, founded by Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher - who was accused of murdering an ISIS prisoner of war i 2017 and then pardoned by Donald Trump - started the fundraiser, which has received more than 26,000 donations and raised a total of $2,081,913. It says that the donations will go towards funding mounting legal expenses, helping Scheller's wife and three kids financially and to aid Scheller's transition out of the military. Supporters have raised over $2 million for the marine who was jailed for defying orders to stop publicly criticizing the nation's Afghanistan withdrawal Scheller (pictured) was three years from retirement when he posted a scathing video criticizing superiors the same day that the 13 US troops were killed in Kabul 'Stu risked everything to stand up for what he believes,' the fundraiser said. 'LtCol Scheller stated in his first video that he was willing to lose his job, his retirement, and his family's stability to stand for accountability. And he did lose all three of those things.' 'Pipe Hitter Foundation stands with LtCol Stuart Scheller and his family #StandwithStu,' the fundraiser added. 'Stu is exactly the type of Marine we need at this moment in time to push back against the national security structure that has a long-demonstrated track record of inefficiencies, corruption, and failure.' Scheller, based in North Carolina's Camp Lejeune, was three years from retirement when he posted a scathing video criticizing superiors on August 26, the same day that the 13 US troops were killed in Kabul. 'I'm not saying we need to be in Afghanistan forever, but I am saying, did any of you throw your rank on the table and say, 'Hey, it's a bad idea to evacuate Bagram Airfield, a strategic airbase, before we evacuate everyone'?' Scheller Jr said in the widely-shared clip. Scheller was removed from command of the advanced infantry training battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the day after he posted his first video 'due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command,' according to Maj. Jim Stenger, a spokesman for the Marines. Rep. Louie Gohmert says his imprisonment 'appears to be for messaging, retribution, and convenience.' The brig is pictured A source close to the case says Scheller is staying in an area of the brig normally for murderers Scheller then sparked concern when, three days after his original video, he posted a 10 minute clip resigning from the military and threatening to 'bring the whole f****** system down.' Dressed in civilian clothing and seated in front of a chess set in what he said was 'an abandoned school bus in eastern North Carolina', Scheller's tone and language worried his supervisors. Speaking directly to his wife in the second clip, Scheller said: 'I don't know what decisions you're going to make in the next 72 hours,' without elaborating further. He then gave out his wife's Venmo and PayPal information. He appeared to threaten his bosses, saying: 'When I am done with what I'm about to do, you all are going to need the jobs and the security.' At the end of the clip, he declares, 'We're just getting started.' A military charge sheet accuses Scheller of contempt toward officials, wilfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer, failure to obey order or regulation, and conduct unbecoming of an officer or a gentleman. Scheller has been placed 'in pre-trial confinement' while he awaits an Article 32 preliminary hearing to determine if he broke the chain of command and is due to appear in court in North Carolina next week after his first court appearance was delayed. Scheller is seeking to be honorably discharged, with a source close to his legal team adamant that the gravity of his alleged offenses were insufficiently severe to seek a dishonorable discharge. Scheller has garnered support from the non-partisan Justice Warriors Caucus, an official congressional group that advocates for service members who've been unjustly incarcerated, who are calling for more transparency in his hearings. Members of the public and the media are prohibited from observing the high-profile case. Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller was jailed in a North Carolina brig Monday for defying orders to stop publicly criticizing US's Afghanistan withdrawal. He has served in the Marines for 17 years 'We believe that the military is trying to do this behind closed doors without proper oversight,' Derrick Miller, executive director of the caucus, told Dailymail.com. 'There's nothing that prohibits people from being admitted to this court procedure. 'The fact that they're trying to do this behind closed doors should be concerning to every American.' But a military spokesman told DailyMail.com that private proceedings are 'standard for Initial Review Hearings.' At least 36 congressmembers have signed a letter calling for Scheller's release in an initiative led by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), who said the Marine's imprisonment 'appears to be for messaging, retribution, and convenience.' Among the signatories are Madison Cawthorn, Paul Gosar, Bill Posey, Buddy Carter, and Bob Good. As he awaits trial he is being kept in an area normally reserved for suspected murderers, a source close to the case said. The brig at the Camp Lejeune base brig is not a pleasant place to be, said a man who once worked there. 'If you murdered somebody or molested a kid, you are generally going to spend most of your time in special quarters in a cell staring out of window,' Anthony Ricciardo said in a 2018 Reddit post. 'Lukewarm food will be brought up to you and a library cart will brought around every now and then for you to pick out a book to read.' The pre-trial holding facility was rebuilt in 2012, replacing a 44-year-old jail with the 'latest and greatest features,' the Marines said in celebrating its opening. Stuart Scheller Sr., the Marine's dad, said he does not believe his son will be released from jail. 'They want to keep his mouth shut,' he told DailyMail.com. 'They are under fire from many, many people across the nation, and flocked up.' Cathy Scheller, his mom, has questioned why he's receiving such hash treatment despite not harming anyone. 'He has not murdered anyone. You go through your whole list of reasons why he would be in prison, but speaking up isn't one of them,' she told Dailymail.com. 'I'm going to get inflammatory here, but I'm wondering: Is he a political prisoner? 'I don't know. I've never thought of political prisoners in the United States.' American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue are joining United Airlines in requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as the Biden administration steps up pressure on major US carriers to mandate the shots. The airlines provide special flights, cargo hauling and other services for the government. The companies say that makes them government contractors who are covered by President Joe Biden's order directing contractors to require employees to be vaccinated. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told his more than 100,000 employees late Friday that the airline is still working on details, but 'it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines.' The pilot union at American recently estimated that 4,200 - or 30 per cent - of the airline's pilots are not vaccinated. Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airways, who each employee more than 22,000 people, told their employees that they must be vaccinated as early as December 8, per the Biden administration's deadline, CNBC reports. American Airlines announced all of its more than 100,000 employees would be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with Alaska Airlines and JetBlue following suit American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, left, and JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes have issued vaccine mandates for all their employees. JetBlue set their deadline for December 8 Alaska Airlines also extended its $200 incentive for employees who get vaccinated from October 15 to December 1 JetBlue Chief Executive Officer Robin Hayes and Chief Operating Officer Joanna Geraghty told employees on Friday that the vaccine mandate was a company-wide policy affecting those working at the airports, support centers and at home. The executives also urged employees to get the jab before the holiday travel rush. 'Our customers count on us to get them where they're going during the holidays, and we need to be ready to fully comply with the mandate before the holiday peak starts and to help bring this pandemic to a close,' they said. A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines told CNBC that more and more employees are submitting proof of vaccination after the mandate was given and that the airline was extending its $200 incentive for staff to show proof of vaccination from October 15 to December 1. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue will all allow employees with religious and medical exemptions to opt out of the mandate. The move comes after United Airlines became the first major airline to mandate that all of its 67,000 workers be vaccinated in August. United Airline CEO Scott Kirby told CNN Business on Thursday that about 99 per cent of the company's employees are now vaccinated and that the mandate has served as a success story that other airlines should emulate. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby 'It's turning out to be a competitive advantage,' Kirby said. 'We've had people come to job fairs saying they came to United Airlines because they want to work for a company who puts employees safety first, that stands for doing the right thing.' Kirby added that he had been on calls with other airlines to offer advice on how to implement the vaccine mandates. On Saturday White House coronavirus adviser Jeffrey Zients talked to the CEOs of American, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines about vaccine mandates. Delta Airlines, which employees nearly 80,000 people, said it plans to impose $200 monthly surcharge on unvaccinated employee's company health insurance starting in November. Unvaccinated Delta employees are also undergoing weekly COVID-19 testing. The Atlanta-based airline said about 84 per cent of its employees were vaccinated. Southwest Airlines current offers a vaccination incentive of 16 hours of extra pay for employees and 13 trip segments for pilots and flight attendants. The company will also end COVID pay protection for staff in mid-November if they are unvaccinated. Airlines face the decision of whether or not pass vaccine mandates for staff as the US reached a grim milestone of 700,000 dead due to COVID-19. The nation continues to see surges of the Delta variant as the US reported more than 158,000 new cases on Friday and more than 2,400 new deaths, Johns Hopkins University reports. According to the CDC, more than 75 per cent of those eligible for the vaccine have gotten at lest one dose. Prince Harry may name the 'Royal racist' who he accused of asking about his son Archie's skin colour, experts warn. Insiders fear the Duke of Sussex could use his upcoming memoir to expose his family member. The 37-year-old is said to be personally looking into Princess Diana's life for the book - which has landed him a 15million advance from publishers. But sources fear he could be forced to disclose 'a lot' about the row as well as about his parents for the huge sum he is being paid. Insiders fear the Duke of Sussex (pictured with Meghan and Archie in South Africa in 2019) could use his upcoming memoir to expose his family member Royal expert Penny Junor (pictured) told the Sun: 'The publishers are going to want a lot for their money, such as naming this so-called racist' Royal expert Penny Junor told the Sun: 'The publishers are going to want a lot for their money, such as naming this so-called racist. 'He's researching his mother's life so he's going to be talking about his parents' marriage, the break up, the affairs. 'That could be incredibly damaging for his father and Camilla. Charles is going to be king and Camilla his queen.' The author added: 'The last thing they or the country needs is another upsurge of anger.' The Duke is reportedly ringing around Princess Diana's old friends as he prepares the memoir. It was previously believed much of the work would be done by a ghostwriter, leaving Palace sources 'surprised' by his hands-on approach. Prince Harry claimed in his interview with Meghan and Oprah Winfrey a member of the Royal Family asked about what colour Archie's skin would be The Duke is reportedly ringing around Princess Diana's (pictured) old friends as he prepares the memoir Prince Harry claimed in his interview with Meghan and Oprah Winfrey a member of the Royal Family asked about what colour Archie's skin would be. Prince William later denied the claims his family was racist while talking to reporters at a school in London. But the couple, who live in LA after leaving the Firm have kept a lid on the alleged culprit - leaving the public to speculate. The Duke's book is not the only one Buckingham Palace is bracing for - Magazine editor Tina Brown's The Palace Papers will be published in April. The sequel to Miss Brown's bestseller The Diana Chronicles, which was released in 2007, is 'full of nuanced details and searing insight', according to Penguin. The publisher said it would tell 'the real story' of the Royal Family over the 25 years since the death of Princess Diana. The title will 'irrevocably change the way readers perceive and understand the Royal Family', it added. Magazine editor Tina Brown's The Palace Papers: Inside The House Of Windsor The Truth And The Turmoil will be published in April just months before Prince Harry's tell-all memoir (Pictured: Tina Brown) Miss Brown wrote on Twitter yesterday: 'Excited to announce my new book... read how the monarchy tried to preserve itself amidst explosive headlines' (Pictured: Miss Brown's new book) The book is said to track the Queen's 'loosening grip' on the monarchy and is based on the former Vanity Fair editor's 'years of research and intimate access'. It will cover allegations surrounding Prince Andrew's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and Harry and Meghan's decision to quit as senior royals. Miss Brown wrote on Twitter yesterday: 'Excited to announce my new book... read how the monarchy tried to preserve itself amidst explosive headlines.' It was revealed in July that Harry has been writing a memoir for almost a year. It is due to be released in late 2022 and threatens to be as incendiary as the couple's Oprah Winfrey interview in March. Ben Brusey, publishing director at Century, an imprint of Penguin Books which is also publishing Harry's title, said The Palace Papers was a 'tour de force'. Worldwide deaths related to Covid-19 surpassed 5 million on Friday, with unvaccinated people particularly exposed to the virulent Delta strain. The variant has exposed the wide disparities in vaccination rates between rich and poor nations, and the upshot of vaccine hesitancy in some western nations. More than half of all global deaths reported on a seven-day average were in the US, Russia, Brazil, Mexico and India. While it took just over a year for the death toll to hit 2.5 million, the next 2.5 million deaths were recorded in just under eight months, according to a Reuters analysis. Worldwide deaths related to Covid-19 surpassed 5 million on Friday, with unvaccinated people particularly exposed to the virulent Delta strain The variant has exposed the wide disparities in vaccination rates between rich and poor nations, and the upshot of vaccine hesitancy in some western nations. Pictured: A hospital in Gaza People visit Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg's 'In America: Remember,' a memorial for Americans who died due to the coronavirus disease yesterday An average of 8,000 deaths were reported daily across the world over the last week, or around five deaths every minute. But the rate has been slowing in recent weeks. There has been increasing focus in recent days on getting vaccines to poorer nations, where many people are yet to receive a first dose, even as their richer counterparts have begun giving booster shots. More than half of the world has yet to receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to Our World in Data. The World Health Organization this week said its COVAX distribution programme would, for the first time, distribute shots only to countries with the lowest levels of coverage. Co-led by the WHO, COVAX has since January largely allocated doses proportionally among its 140-plus beneficiary states according to population size. An average of 8,000 deaths were reported daily across the world over the last week, or around five deaths every minute. But the rate has been slowing in recent weeks. Pictured: Mourners recite a prayer near the corpse of a Syrian who died of coronavirus during a funeral in the village of Barisha in the Idlib province this week Emergency personnel remove a victim on a stretcher after a fire in the Covid-19 ICU section of the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania yesterday 'For the October supply we designed a different methodology, only covering participants with low sources of supply,' Mariangela Simao, WHO Assistant Director General for Access to Vaccines, said in a recording of a conference presentation last week posted on the WHO's website. The US, which has been battling vaccine misinformation that has caused about one-third of the population to avoid inoculations, surpassed 700,000 deaths on Friday, the highest toll of any country. US cases and hospitalizations have been trending lower, but health officials are bracing for a possible resurgence as cooler weather forces more activities indoors. Russia reported 887 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, the largest single-day death toll it has recorded since the pandemic began and the fourth day in a row it has set that record. Russia (pictured, Moscow yesterday) reported 887 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, the largest single-day death toll it has recorded since the pandemic began and the fourth day in a row it has set that record Only 33 per cent of Russia's eligible population has received a first vaccine dose. As a region, South America has the highest death toll in the world accounting for 21 per cent of all reported deaths, followed by North America and Eastern Europe contributing more than 14 per cent of all fatalities each, according to Reuters analysis. However, India, one of the first countries ravaged by the Delta variant, has gone from an average of 4,000 deaths a day to less than 300 as its vaccination campaign is rolled out. About 47 per cent of India's eligible population has received a first shot, with officials administering around 7,896,950 doses per day over the past week, a Reuters analysis of Our World in Data showed. The Delta variant is now the dominant strain around the globe and has been reported in 187 out of 194 World Health Organization member countries. Powers allowing police to stop and search people they suspect are looking to glue and lock themselves to critical infrastructure are set to be unveiled by Priti Patel next week. The Home Secretary will use a speech at the Conservative Party conference to set out new measures for officers in a bid to stop the recent disruption caused by Insulate Britain protesters on the M25. Motorist bodies yesterday called for the police to take more robust action against the eco-group as it blocked three motorways around London. The cumbersome response to the activists has caused a simmering row between the Home Office and Department for Transport, which has led to legal action. Members of the group have so far ignored an injunction that was granted last month, aimed at preventing demonstrations on the M25. They once again targeted the motorway yesterday on the group's tenth day of protests in three weeks, while also grinding traffic to a halt on the M4 close to Heathrow and the M1. Car users reacted furiously as activists glued themselves to the road while some chained themselves together using bicycle locks. But Ms Patel is now set to announce new powers similar to the police's ability to stop and search people suspected of carrying knives, according to the Times. Powers allowing police to stop and search people they suspect are looking to glue and lock themselves to critical infrastructure are set to be unveiled by Priti Patel next week Given it can take officers 15 minutes to 'unstick' the hands of each protester who uses glue, the powers could have a significant impact on disruption Two Insulate Britain activists chain themselves together using bike locks near Heathrow Airport on the motorway yesterday Given it can take officers 15 minutes to 'unstick' the hands of each protester who uses glue, the powers could have a significant impact on disruption. It will also be revealed that participation in such protests, as well as action which obstructs the HS2 rail expansion project, could soon be viewed as a specific offence. Furthermore, the Home Secretary will look to close a loophole which current states that a highway is not treated as such once it is closed. This therefore limits the options police have when looking to charge suspects. The measures, which are still being finalised over the weekend, are set to be added to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, currently being debated in parliament. However, Whitehall sources remain wary that the government can only go so far in terms of restricting disruption. One told the paper: 'You're always going to get idiots glueing themselves to the floor you can't stop them leaving their homes, you can't lock them up indefinitely.' A further 39 activists were arrested yesterday for blocking the M4 near Heathrow Airport and the M1 close to Brent Cross in more misery for drivers who have also spent the past week queuing for fuel. Later on the group - who want the Government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 - then returned to the M25, which has been their focus over the past 18 days so far, and blocked junction 25 for Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps then announced that he had instructed National Highways to seek a further injunction covering major roads in the South East to prevent highways from being obstructed. It comes after the Government obtained a first injunction last week meaning anyone blocking the M25 could be found to be in contempt of court, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison or an unlimited fine. So far the first injunction, taken out on September 21, has had little to no effect on the protests - and appears to have made the campaigners even more focused on causing as much disruption as possible around the capital. The injunctions do not give the police extra powers, and instead give National Highways the ability to apply to a court to find someone in contempt of court. But this makes no immediate difference and can take months to sort. One angry driver told LBC radio: 'I don't understand what they are f***ing doing. Look at them... staring, like goldfish. I understand what they are doing but this isn't the way to do it, absolutely not. Sit outside Parliament.' A British-built spacecraft got its first glimpse of Mercury as it swung by the solar system's innermost planet last night. The BepiColombo mission made the first of six flybys of Mercury at 11.34pm yesterday, using the planet's gravity to slow the spacecraft down. After swooping past Mercury at altitudes of under 125 miles (200 kilometres), the spacecraft took a low resolution black-and-white photo with one of its monitoring cameras before zipping off again. The European Space Agency said the captured image shows the Northern Hemisphere and Mercury's characteristic pock-marked features, among them the 166-kilometer-wide (103-mile-wide) Lermontov crater. British-built BepiColombo got its first glimpse of Mercury as it swung within 125 miles of the solar system's innermost planet last night The joint mission by the European agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency was launched in 2018, flying once past Earth and twice past Venus on its journey to the solar system's smallest planet WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MERCURY? For all its bland 'dead' appearance, Mercury is a very interesting place It is the smallest planet in our solar system - only slightly larger than the Earth's moon. On its sunward half, the planet sizzles at a temperature of 510C (950CF while its night side maintains 210C (346F). It is the closest planet to the sun at a distance of about 36 million miles (58 million km) or 0.39 AU. Mercury has a solid iron core that measures more than half the planet's diameter. Earth, by contrast, has a solid core that's just 9.5 per cent of its overall girth. One day on Mercury takes 59 Earth days. Mercury makes a complete orbit around the sun (a year in Mercury time) in just 88 Earth days. Advertisement The joint mission by the European agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency was launched in 2018, flying once past Earth and twice past Venus on its journey to the solar system's smallest planet. The mission aims to deliver two probes into orbit in 2025. Five further flybys are needed before BepiColombo is sufficiently slowed down to release ESA's Mercury Planetary Orbiter and JAXA's Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter. The two probes will study Mercury's core and processes on its surface, as well as its magnetic sphere. The aim is to better understand the origin, processes currently at work, and evolution of the planet closest to our parent star. Travelling the 67 million miles to enter orbit around Mercury is no small task, requiring multiple flybys to speed up, or slow down, for orbital insertion. Gravitational flybys require extremely precise deep-space navigation work, ensuring that the spacecraft is on the correct approach trajectory. The spacecraft's cameras are positioned in a way to capture its solar arrays and antennas, and as the probe changes its orientation during the flyby, Mercury was seen passing behind the craft's structural elements. It is possible to identify large impact craters on the planet's surface in the photo released by ESA. Mercury has a heavily cratered surface much like the appearance of Earth's Moon, plotting its 4.6 billion year history. Mapping the surface of Mercury and analysing its composition will help scientists understand more about its formation and evolution. Even though BepiColombo is in 'stacked' cruise configuration for the flybys, it will be possible to operate some of the science instruments on both planetary orbiters, allowing a first taste of the planet's magnetic, plasma and particle environment. The mission is named after Italian scientist Giuseppe 'Bepi' Colombo, who is credited with helping develop the gravity assist maneuver that NASA's Mariner 10 first used when it flew to Mercury in 1974. It includes the ESA-led Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the JAXA-led Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, which will study all aspects of the planet - from its core to surface processes, magnetic field and its exosphere Mapping the surface of Mercury and analysing its composition will help scientists understand more about its formation and evolution Colombo is known for explaining Mercury's peculiar characteristic of rotating about its own axis three times in every two orbits of the Sun. He also realised that by careful choice of a spacecraft's flyby point as it passed a planet, the planet's gravity could help the spacecraft make further flybys. His interplanetary calculations enabled NASA's Mariner 10 spacecraft to achieve three flybys of Mercury instead of one by using a flyby of Venus to change the spacecraft's flight path. The BepiColombo mission will build on the successes of its predecessors to provide the best understanding of the Solar System's innermost planet to date. The battle to replace Gladys Berejiklian as NSW premier is heating up, with one senior cabinet minister throwing his hat in the ring and Australia's second longest-serving prime minister coming out in support of another. Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have emerged as the top contenders for the position, but Attorney-General Mark Speakman is also considering a tilt. Ms Berejiklian announced her resignation on Friday after the state's corruption watchdog disclosed the 51-year-old was under investigation for potential breaches of public trust. Former Prime Minister and Liberal legend John Howard has spoken out about who he thinks is the right candidate to succeed Gladys Berejiklian, who resigned on Friday Current treasurer Dominic Perrottet gets Mr Howard's backing, surely a huge advantage - should he decide to run She will remain premier until the Liberal Party elects a replacement, with Pittwater member Rob Stokes quick to stake his claim. The 47-year-old - who has been described as a key ally of Ms Berejiklian - is the first cabinet minister to publicly announce he will contest the leadership, saying 'many colleagues' had encouraged him to run. 'My track record during my time in public office makes me the best candidate to lead the NSW government,' he said in a statement on Saturday. 'I have the right balance of experience, vision and integrity needed during this crucial time in our history, as we continue to respond to and recover from the pandemic.' Mr Stokes has promised to abide by the roadmap out of Covid-19 lockdown Ms Berejiklian unveiled only weeks ago. Restrictions are due to ease across NSW gradually from October 11 after more than 15 weeks of lockdown for Greater Sydney. Former prime minister John Howard is backing Dominic Perrottet as Ms Berejiklian's successor. 'A number of talented MPs have been suggested as her replacement (but) I hope that Dominic Perrottet becomes the new Liberal leader, and therefore the next premier of NSW,' Mr Howard said in a statement. 'He has the intelligence, experience and commitment to reform that the state needs at this time.' NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman has indicated his interested in becoming NSW Premier Stuart Ayres, minister for Western Sydney and for tourism is understood to be interested in the top job NSW transport minister Andrew Constance (pictured left) with Ms Berejiklian is a contender to replace her Mr Perrottet, 39, has said he too enjoys support within the party, telling the ABC he has received 'strong feedback' from his colleagues. However a third cabinet heavyweight, Attorney-General Mark Speakman, has also indicated he will vie to become premier. 'I'm heartened by the encouragement I've received from colleagues to nominate and I'll have more to say tomorrow,' the 61-year-old said in a statement. Other possible candidates include Environment Minister Matt Kean, Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and Transport Minister Andrew Constance. Whoever succeeds Ms Berejiklian has a tough act to follow. Prime Minister Scott Morrison led the tributes on Friday, lauding her 'heroic' qualities, while Mr Howard said the state would grieve her departure. NSW minister for energy and environment Matt Kean is expected to have a tild at the NSW leadership NSW minister for planning Rob Stokes put his hat in the ring for the top job on Saturday Even state Opposition Leader Chris Minns declined to sink the boot in over her demise. 'There's plenty of time for politics ... once the pandemic is over,' he said. 'I cannot fault her dedication and hard work on behalf of the people of NSW, particularly over the last 15 weeks. 'I'm sure that ... will not be forgotten.' Meanwhile supportive constituents have gathered outside Ms Berejiklian's home with flowers and balloons, while others put up handmade signs at her office reading 'We love Gladys' and 'Long live Gladys'. Ms Berejiklian's leadership endured bushfires, drought and storms, and she navigated Covid-19, but after four-and-a-half years in the top job, she could not escape the ICAC. The anti-corruption watchdog says it is investigating whether she 'exercised public functions' in a position of conflict given her secret five-year relationship with ex-MP Daryl Maguire, revealed at its hearings in late 2020. Mr Maguire is accused of abusing his public office between 2012 and 2018. A teary and at times angry Ms Berejiklian said on Friday she had 'no option' other than to resign, but she continues to deny any wrongdoing. She will also resign from parliament as soon as a by-election for her north Sydney seat of Willoughby can be held. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has broken his silence after being handed a prison sentence for illegal campaign financing, playing down the conviction. Speaking on Saturday at a book signing, Sarkozy - who was convicted over his failed 2012 re-election bid - suggesting many people in France had doubts about this week's guilty verdict. Sarkozy, 66, made spoke on the conviction - his second conviction this year - at a Paris bookshop where he was to sign copies of his new book 'Promenades', which is focused on his literary and cultural influences. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy speaks with his supporters during a signing session for his new book 'Promenades' (walks), in Paris on October 2, 2021 Hundreds of people gathered at the Lamartine bookshop to greet the former leader despite the verdict, something Sarkozy said was 'very moving and very reassuring, regarding the state of the country's morale. People aren't fooled.' Sarkozy, who remains influential in conservative circles, was sentenced to a one-year prison term on September 30, but is unlikely to go to jail. He denies wrongdoing and has vowed to appeal the sentence, a move that in effect suspends it, and the judge said he could serve the sentence at home with an electronic tag. Sarkozy's supporters have criticised the verdict as politically motivated, but his second conviction this year marks a sharp fall from grace for the man who led France from 2007 to 2012. Sarkozy was found guilty in a separate trial in March of trying to bribe a judge and peddle influence in order to obtain confidential information on a judicial inquiry. He also denied wrongdoing in that case. The two convictions could force Sarkozy to play a more discreet role in next year's presidential election. He had not planned to stand but, as a popular figure on the political right, he would be expected to support his party's candidate. Speaking on Saturday at a book signing, Sarkozy - who was convicted over his failed 2012 re-election bid - suggesting many people in France had doubts about this week's guilty verdict Potential presidential candidates who also belong to Sarkozy's Les Republicains party - Xavier Bertrand, Valerie Pecresse and Michel Barnier - tweeted message of support for Sarkozy, saying they backed his decision to appeal. Prosecutors had been asking for at least six months of actual jail time for Sarkozy, along with a six month suspended sentence. His legal team have filed an appeal, which effectively suspends the sentence until their case is heard. Following the conviction, Supermodel Carla Bruni, 53, shared a photograph to Instagram showing her embracing her husband in her arms alongside a lengthy swathe of text written by Sarkozy in French to thank his supporters. She was photographed on the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday night, seemingly unfazed by the impending verdict. Thursday's sentence comes six months after Sarkozy was handed another one-year jail term with two years suspended for trying to bribe a judge. At the time, Bruni called the verdict 'senseless harassment' while vowing to fight on so 'truth will see the light'. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives to meet the readers of his latest book "Promenades" at a bookstore in Paris, France, October 2, 2021 Sarkozy's legal team have also lodged an appeal in that case, meaning he remains a free man for the time being. His legal woes are set to continue, however, with more corruption cases pending including allegations that he received millions in laundered money from former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. It is unlikely that Sarkozy will ever see the inside of a jail cell, but Bruni has alleged that was never the point of the allegations and believes her husband's political opponents wanted to disqualify him from taking another run at the presidency. 'They're all lies, incredible lies. I'm so surprised it lasted,' she told The Times in an interview earlier this year. 'I'm so surprised it became so political, but they achieved their goal because he's out of politics for ever.' In the campaign financing case, Sarkozy had been accused of spending almost double the 19.5million allotted for reelection campaigns under French law, during the 2012 reelection bid he lost to Francois Hollande. Carla Bruni, Sarkozy's wife who has staunchly defended him against corruption allegations, has yet to react to the latest sentence (pictured at Paris Fashion Week Wednesday night) Bruni posted a message from her husband to Instagram which translated to English as: 'I thank you from the bottom of my heart all those who have stood by me' Supermodel Carla Bruni, 53, shared a photograph to Instagram showing her embracing Sarkozy in her arms inside their home alongside a lengthy swathe of text in French following his conviction Prosecutors say Sarkozy was warned close to election day that his campaign had almost reached the spending limit, but that he continued organising large rallies. The campaign eventually spent nearly 37million, but could not prevent Sarkozy from losing the race. Sarkozy's allies were then accused of working with a PR company called Bygmalion to cover up the spending. The court heard how Sarkozy officials came up with the idea of setting up bogus 'conventions' that would appear on false invoices as part of the cover-up. During the hearing, Sarkozy's legal team told the court that the extra money did not go into his campaign, but instead helped make other people richer. They denied any 'fraudulent intent' while insisting that Sarkozy did not handle any day-to-day organisation and could therefore not be blamed. Sarkozy was not in court and was instead represented by lawyer Thierry Herzog (pictured), with the judge reprimanding him for 'undermining democracy' by not showing up Prosecutors admitted that Sarkozy was not directly involved in the cover-up, but said must have known his campaign over-spent and 'voluntarily' turned a blind eye to it. Lawyers also argued that, as head of the campaign, he must bear ultimate responsibility for how it was run and financed. The scandal has become known in France as the 'Bygmalion case', after the PR firm involved in it. Sarkozy refused to attend court today and left his legal team to represent him, just as he has done throughout the process. The snub led to severe criticism, with prosecutors Vanessa Perree and Nicolas Baietto accusing him of 'undermining the values of democracy'. Sarkozy was in the dock with 13 associates including members of his conservative Republicans party, accountants and heads of the Bygmalion group. Former colleagues found guilty alongside him included Jerome Lavrilleux and Guillaume Lambert. Jerome Lavrilleux, deputy director of Sarkozy's 2012 election campaign, faces journalists as he leaves court after hearing the verdict on Thursday Three of the defendants, who were connected to the PR agency Bygmalion, admitted producing fake receipts. Others are facing charges including forgery, breach of trust, fraud and complicity in illegal campaign financing, and have pleaded not guilty. Sarkozy, a right-wing conservative whose party was called the UMP (Union for a Popular Movement) had denied any wrongdoing. In March, Sarkozy was convicted of corruption and influence peddling and sentenced to three years in prison, two of them suspended. If still found guilty on appeal, he is likely to be able to serve his sentence at the home he shares with his third wife, the former supermodel Carla Bruni, 53, while wearing an electronic tag. Sarkozy is also facing allegations that he received millions in laundered money from the late Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy's conservative predecessor as President of France, the late Jacques Chirac, received a two-year suspended sentence in 2011 for corruption, but this related to his time as Mayor of Paris. The last French head of state to go to a prison cell was Marshall Philippe Petain, the wartime Nazi collaborator. Advertisement Hundreds of demonstrators descended upon the streets of London today in solidarity with protesters in the US opposing the abortion ban in Texas. Activists marched through Trafalgar Square as they attended the Abortion Rights campaign's rally after new rules introduced by the state of Texas last month banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The law in the US allows any private citizen to sue Texas abortion providers who violate the law, as well as anyone who 'aids or abets' a woman getting the procedure. The statute, which survived a Supreme Court challenge, sets minimum damages of $10,000 per banned abortion, to be paid out to the private citizen who sues another person who may have in some way helped make an abortion possible. Demonstrators descended marched through Trafalgar Square in central London today as they attended the Abortion Rights campaign's rally Activists took to the streets with placards and banners after new rules introduced by the state of Texas last month banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy Hundreds of protesters walked through central London in solidarity with protesters in the US opposing the abortion ban in Texas Abortion patients themselves cannot be sued, but the 'aiding and abetting' clause is broad, and might even apply to a cab driver who knowingly takes a woman to get a banned abortion. By handing off enforcement to private citizens, Texas avoided the legal pitfalls that doomed similar efforts in other states - but critics say that the move amounts to a hack of the legal system. Today, demonstrators took to the streets of London with placards and banners in solidarity with those fighting for abortion rights in the US state. Known as the Heartbeat Act, the Texas law bans abortions after ultrasounds can detect a foetal heartbeat, which can occur as early as six weeks and before many women even know they are pregnant. The abortion ban makes medical exceptions to save the life of the mother, but allows no exemptions for cases of rape or incest. The new law allows anyone to bring a suit against abortion providers, regardless of whether they have been personally harmed. Last month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott denied that Texas's restrictive new abortion law would force rape or incest victims to carry their pregnancies to term because women have 'at least six weeks' to get a termination. At a bill signing for the state's new election security legislation, a reporter asked Abbott why the state would 'force' victims of sex crimes like rape and incest to give birth. A woman walks through central London with a sign which reads: 'This is America: Forced pregnancy, Government-mandated, citizen-enforced.' Hundreds of people took to the streets of London today after a new law in the US state of Texas allowed any private citizen to sue Texas abortion providers who 'aid or abet' a woman getting an abortion Protesters hold placards as they march through Trafalgar Square during a rally held by the Abortion Rights campaign Demonstrators take to the streets after the the Heartbeat Act in the Texas law banned abortions after ultrasounds can detect a foetal heartbeat, which can occur as early as six weeks Demonstrators hold signs as they walk though the capital in support of those protesting against the abortion ban in the US state A group of demonstrators walk through central London today with a sign reading: 'For a woman's right to choose' Activists stand in solidarity with those fighting for abortion rights in Texas after the state allowed any private citizen to sue Texas abortion providers who violate the law 'It doesn't require that at all, because obviously it provides at least six weeks for a person to be able to get an abortion, so for one it doesn't provide that,' Mr Abbott replied. 'That said, however, let's make something very clear - rape is a crime, and Texas will work tirelessly to make sure that we eliminate all rapists from the streets of Texas.' In a White House speech President Joe Biden blasted the new law as 'un-American'. 'The most pernicious thing about the Texas law, it sort of creates a vigilante system where people get rewards to go out and - anyway. And it just seems - I know this sounds ridiculous - almost un-American what we're talking about,' he said. This is the terrifying moment an alligator rushed out of the water to grab a young boy's fish before making off with his fishing pole as the stunned child's father looks on. Sean McMahon was filming his 7-year-old son Dawson as the boy went fishing in the family's backyard on the Palm Coast in Florida when the young boy began reeling in his catch. 'It's alright, buddy. Keep going,' his dad said in the video, which was uploaded to Facebook. 'He's a fighter,' Dawson says as he continues to fight with the fish before dragging it onto land. Sean McMahon was filming his 7-year-old son Dawson (pictured) as the boy went fishing in the family's Palm Coast backyard when the young boy began reeling in his catch 'He's a fighter,' Dawson says as he continues to fight with the fish before dragging it onto land Within seconds, a massive alligator rushes out of the water and snatches the boy's catch in his mouth, causing Dawson to jump back in alarm. In his haste to leave, the alligator even took the boy's fishing pole along with him as he turned around and receded back into the murky water. 'Dawson caught a bass tonight and out of nowhere an alligator came up, ate the bass and ripped his pole into the water!' McMahon wrote. Thankfully, neither Dawson nor the alligator were injured during the wild scene. 'Dawson caught a bass tonight and out of nowhere an alligator came up, ate the bass and ripped his pole into the water!' McMahon wrote on Facebook In his haste to leave, the alligator even took the boy's fishing pole along with him as he turned around and receded back into the murky water Meanwhile, social media reactions ran the gamut from relief for the boy's safety to awe over the wild encounter. 'Dad didn't seem too surprised, zoomed in pretty quick too. Luckily his kid wasn't dragged in,' wrote Brenda Leech. 'One of a mothers worst nightmares,' commented Janina Elgogo. '...and this is why you teach them to stay away from the waters edge. Good boy for dropping that pole and running. That was a smaller gator but still big enough' another person wrote. 'Poor kid, so proud of his catch, then to lose it to an alligator. Glad he is safe,' one person commented 'Dad didn't seem too surprised.... luckily his kid wasn't dragged in,' another person wrote 'One of a mothers worst nightmares,' commented Janina Elgogo 'Good boy for dropping that pole and running. That was a smaller gator but still big enough,' Kerrie Gernentz Frederick wrote 'I'm guessing dad is not from Florida and doesn't know about gators ..lakes the distance you should keep near water in Florida..ect.. thank God this boy is alive,' a third posted. 'Poor kid. So proud of his catch, then (to) lose it to a gator. Glad he is safe.' Louise Crider commented. Roughly 1.25 million alligators live in the state of Florida, alongside 1,000 American crocodiles, not including hatchlings, according to Defenders.org. There have been been 23 fatalities caused by alligators between 1948 and 2016 in the Sunshine State, Enjuris reports. A dinner lady who scooped 1.7 million on the National Lottery in October 2003 still lives in her old family council house and continues to work in a school despite her good fortune. Trish Emson, 51, and her partner Graham Norton, 51, continue to work near their home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Instead of spending money on new cars and big houses, Ms Emson has refused to let the win change her life. Trish Emson, pictured, and her partner Graham Norton, left, scooped 1.7 million in the National Lottery in October 2003 - two weeks before the dinner lady from Rotherham, South Yorkshire fell pregnant with their son Benjamin Ms Emson, left, pictured with partner Mr Norton, right, still live in the same council house where they made their home before scooping 1.7 million on the lottery in October 2003 Even the cheque for 1.7m in October 2003 was not her biggest piece of good fortune. Two weeks after winning the lotto she fell pregnant, giving birth to their son Benjamin - who is now a 17-year-old sixth form student at his local comprehensive school. Ms Emson told The Mirror: 'Being rich doesnt make you posh or a better person. I dont like showing off and bragging about money and I cant be posh anyway. 'To look at me you wouldnt think I was a millionaire, but if I have to dress up I feel fake, I prefer my jeans. 'Weve been careful. I dont buy flash cars, Ive got a Kia and I still shop in Primark. The best thing we bought was the caravan in Cleethorpes. Its a big un. Actually Ive got two now. 'I bought one for my family and friends, for when they come down.' Ms Emson said she has been on a few holidays in areas in Spain such as Benalmadena, Benidorm, Ibiza. She also took her mother on a cruise. Ms Emson said she would have handed all the money back to get pregnant and start a family. She said she and her partner were trying for five-and-a-half years before falling pregnant a fortnight after her big win. She added: 'I really believe it was thanks to winning the lottery that I did get pregnant. I had my mind on something else and it just happened.' Danielle Roberts, 40, has had her medical license revoked by the New York State Department of Health after branding at least 17 women during her time in Nxivm The doctor who worked for NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere and branded at least 17 women without anesthesia has been stripped of her medical license. Danielle Roberts, 40, formerly of Halfmoon, New York near Albany, lost her medical license after the New York State Department of Health revoked it in a 3-0 decision on Friday. In agreement with the Board of Professional Medical Conduct, the Health Department found that Roberts engaged in 12 forms of misconduct and feared future patients would be branded, Albany's Times Union reported. Roberts sn't the first to be reprimanded for her involvement in NXIVM, a so-call 'self-help' that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor and racketeering. Leader Keith Raniere, 61, was sentenced to 120 years in prison and high up member and former actress Allison Mack, 39, was sentenced to three years prison for sex trafficking, racketeering, and forced labor. Nancy Salzman received three and a half years. The doctor, who does not face prison time, was allegedly defiant and evasive as she testified before the health committee, according to documents. The Health Department reported she refused to disclose her involvement in the group, the whereabouts of the branding videos, and who was in the room while she did the branding. The department also expressed that they were concerned by her 'distorted reality.' '[Roberts] denies being brainwashed, yet she expressed no real remorse, which represented to the hearing committee her distorted reality and the very real concern that others remain vulnerable to her future brandings,' the decision stated. Keith Raniere, 61, was the leader of Nxivm, a so-call self-help group, in Albany, New York Roberts branded Nxivm leader Keith Raniere's initials into the women with a cauterizing machine pen in a procedure that took 20 to 45 minutes to complete. The women were often naked and held down by other nude members while the procedure took place in Robert's home The department found she had committed misconduct that included 'willfully abusing a patient, practicing medicine with gross negligence, moral unfitness, services not authorized by the patient and failing to use appropriate infection control practices,' the decision stated. The former doctor allegedly branded the women inside her home with a cauterizing machine pen, burning the leader Keith Raniere's initials into their pelvic areas without anesthesia. An unidentified victim told the Health Department it felt like 'an acute fire in the most sensitive part of my body,' while another described it as 'incredibly painful.' Roberts told NBC Dateline that the women did not come to her for the brandings because she was a doctor. Roberts used a cauterizing pen (pictured) to brand the initials into the women's pelvic area, which one woman described it felt like 'an acute fire' 'These women didnt come to me because they thought I was a doctor,' she said in February. "They had no idea who the branding technician was going to be, you know? There was no patient-physician relationship.' The Nxivm doctor also claimed the women 'wanted it' and that they were 'laughing' while in the room with her while it happened. Sarah Edmondson, who was branded by Roberts, recalled to The New York Times she was told she would be given a tattoo as a part of initiation. She and the other women were instructed to bring nude images of themselves as collateral and among entering Roberts home, they were told to undress as they gathered around a massage table. While naked, three other women would hold down the one on the table while she was branded and was told to say 'Master, please brand me, it would be an honor,' five women told The New York Times. The New York Department of Health concluded that the brandings - which measure around two-by-two inches - begun after Roberts joined Dominus Obsequious Sororium (DOS), which was a 'secret women's group.' Roberts (far right) stood outside a New York City courthouse where Raniere's trial was held in 2016, still pleading allegiance to the group. The New York Health Department expressed that Roberts showed 'no remorse' during her hearing. The women she branded were a part of the DOS section of the group, which was a 'secret women's group' and the brandings were supposed 'building character, strength, and discipline' through pain The group was designed to 'empower women to build character, strength, and discipline by overcoming fears and pain to experience growth,' the department wrote in its decision. 'I wept the whole time, Ms. Edmondson told The New York Times as she recalled her experience. I disassociated out of my body.' The DOS was created by '1st line' or original members and that Roberts was a '2nd line' member. It required 'lifetime commitment' between 'master and slave,' as well as, an 'exchange of collateral, a necklace or collar worn 24 hours everyday to symbolize obedience and commitment, and a brand' that would be located in the 'pelvic region.' Collateral could come in forms of nude photographs, car and house titles, or written confession of sexual deviance or illicit drug usage, among others. The department also cited that the 'goal of the branding was to overcome and create solidarity,' and were done without anesthesia to 'intentionally cause them pain.' The women were also filmed during the procedure, which roughly took 20 to 45 minutes. The six women, listed only by their initials, were reported caused psychological pain and anxiety, as well as, at least second-degree burns, permanent scarring, and physical pain, the document stated. Many of the women became sick, which Roberts was made aware of during a birthday retreat for Raniere in 2016, but she didn't report the 'disease outbreak' to the Department of Health, as her medical license required. The decision was based on hearings that took place between June 2020 and March 2021. Roberts' lawyer Anthony Z. Scher told the Times Union that the decision was legally incorrect and that she was not acting as a doctor, but as a 'branding technician.' Roberts is considering an appeal. The decision also noted that Roberts choose the group over her duties as a physician. 'In other words, when faced with any conflict between NXIVM and her responsibilities as a physician, she chose NXIVM,' it said. He was sentenced to 120 years in prison in a Brooklyn courthouse after he expressing 'no remorse' for his crimes Roberts has five days to return her medical license to the New York Department of Health in Albany. Roberts was also one of the women who danced outside of Raniere's trial in New York City and pledged allegiance to the group. The 'cult' leader Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison in a Brooklyn courtroom in October 2020. Raniere's lawyers asked that he be sentenced to 15 years, but after telling the judge he had 'no remorse' for the crimes because he 'didn't commit them', Judge Nicholas Garaufis handed down the sentence that means he will spend the rest of his life in prison. Branding Raniere 'ruthless and unyielding' in crimes that were 'particularly egregious' because he targeted girls and young women, Judge Garaufis said: 'To him, the brave victims are liars. Mr. Raniere remains unmoved. [He] has therefore failed to demonstrate remorse.' He handed down the unusually high sentence in federal court in Brooklyn after hearing anguished statements by victims of a sex-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in Raniere's conviction the year prior, along with unrepentant remarks from the defendant himself. Raniere also asked former President Donald Trump for pardon at the end of his presidency, but was denied. A married Trump donor has told police she feared for her safety when former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski 'told her he stabbed a man in the back of the head and killed him,' at a Las Vegas fundraiser where he 'stalked' and repeatedly touched her, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. Trashelle Odom, of Boise, Idaho, the wife of a construction company executive, claimed in the police report obtained by DailyMail.com that the married Lewandowski said that he 'was from a bad part of Boston and to have killed people,' while seated next to her at the charity dinner at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas on on September 26. Odom claimed that on the night of the dinner - which she was personally invited to with South Dakota Gov Kristi Noem by American socialite Jackie Siegel - she was frightened when he allegedly told her: 'When I was 10, I stabbed someone over and over again, killing him. She added that the father-of-four told her that when he was older, he 'stabbed a man in the back of the head, also killing him'. 'I initially believed that he was joking and attempted to laugh it off,' she noted but the statements came after Lewandowski had already made unwanted sexual advanced towards her. 'Lewandowski proceeded to come on to me aggressively by first stating that, he works out twice a day, that he runs 400miles a week, and that's why he can last for eight hours at a time in bed,' Odom claimed Lewandowski said to her, according to the police statement. Donald Trump super PAC donor Trashelle Odom (pictured right with husband John Odom) told police she feared for her life when former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski 'told her he stabbed a man in the back of the head and killed him,' according to the police statement obtained by DailyMail.com Odom, of Boise, Idaho , the wife of construction company executive, claimed in the police report (pictured) that the married Lewandowski said that he 'was from a bad part of Boston and have killed people,' while seated next to her at an event that took place on September 26 'He went so far as requesting the suite number I was staying in and indicated he was staying in the 'Elvis Suite' which I now know as untrue,' Odom told police. 'Eventually, he showed me his room key, room 2991, which was next door to my suite, 2989, where I was staying with my sister and children.' 'Around that time' Lewandowski told Odom that 'he does not do anything with his wife - he gets sex elsewhere' and then 'commented that Gov Noem is hot,' according to the police statement. Odom told Idaho cops: 'Those statements, coupled with his demeanor and aggressive behaviors, I was intimidated...and fearful for my safety and that of my family members.' According to her statement, Lewandowski repeatedly remarked about the size of his genitals, too, describing that his 'd*** is four times bigger than a normal d***'. He proceeded to touch Odom multiple times. Odom told Idaho cops that political operative Corey Lewandowski told her: 'When I was 10, I stabbed someone over and over again, killing him.' Odom said he added that when he was older he 'stabbed a man in the back of the head, also killing him,' which made her fear for her life Odom's husband John Odom (pictured left with Odom, center) released a statement calling Lewandowski's behavior 'violent, harassing, and traumatizing' after the Trump team said they were cutting ties with Lewandowski, one of his longest-serving advisers and his first campaign manager Odom's husband John Odom released a statement after the political operative was fired fired from his role as head of the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again Action earlier in the week (pictured) Her statement to the police read: 'Lewandowski tried to hold my hand. I rebuffed him. Lewandowski used his pinky to play with my hand. I rebuffed him. Lewandowski grabbed the napkin off of my lap and touched my bare leg. I rebuffed him and pulled my dress over my bare skin to prevent him from touching me again. Odom noted that 'these were my first events as a member of the advisory board of this charity, so it was important to me to attend and be supportive'. 'I never expected to have this experience,' she added 'Lewandowski told me that he was 'sore from a workout' and proceeded to demonstrate where he was sore from a workout, on the side of his butt, and he (without my permission or desire) touched me there. Ultimately, I believe I rebuffed him approximately 10 times.' When she tried to get away from an aggressive Lewandowski and return to her room at the hotel where her sister was waiting for her, Lewandowski followed. 'While descending the stairs Lewandowski repeatedly commented, "Nice a**" to me.' Odom told the Idaho officers: 'It was apparent that my reactions to Lewandowskis stories, threats, and aggressive sexual advances were not normal for Lewandowski as (he) ultimately threw his drink at me, hitting my dress, shoe, and foot.' Odom noted that 'these were my first events as a member of the advisory board of this charity, so it was important to me to attend and be supportive'. 'I never expected to have this experience,' she added. 'Those statements, coupled with his demeanor and aggressive behaviors' made Odom 'intimidated and frightened and fearful for my safety and that of my family members,' she said in her statement to police. According to the police statement, Odom (pictured with husband) tried to change the subject and asked Lewandowski about his wife and kids, to which he replied that 'he does not do anything with his wife - he gets sex elsewhere' Odom (pictured with husband and children) told Idaho cops: 'Those statements, coupled with his demeanor and aggressive behaviors, I was intimidated...and fearful for my safety and that of my family members' The Trump team said they were cutting ties with Lewandowski, one of his longest-serving advisers and his first campaign manager, after Odom's allegations came to light. Odom's husband John Odom said in a statement after the political operative was fired fired from his role as head of the pro-Trump super PAC Make America Great Again Action earlier in the week: 'Today, my wife took the brave step of submitting a police report regarding the reprehensible behavior of Corey Lewandowski on September 26th, 2021. 'Our family wants to thank President Trump for taking swift and decisive action after learning of the events that took place that evening, and for his service to our nation as President, as well as for his future service.' John penned that he and his family 'believe in law enforcement, and are hopeful that the police and prosecutors will use this information to pursue justice'. 'For all others with information regarding this man's violent, harassing, and traumatizing behavior, we encourage you to speak up. Accountability is sorely needed,' he added. 'We are not public people, so it has meant a lot to us to have so many reach out to offer prayers and support. Our family offers our prayers and support to all families impacted by unsolved murders in the Boston area and elsewhere.' 'Corey Lewandowski will be going on to other endeavors and we very much want to thank him for his service. He will no longer be associated with Trump World,' Trump spokesperson Taylor Budowich wrote on Twitter. Lewandowski was removed from the former president's orbit years earlier when he was fired as his campaign manager in 2016. He would appear to return in 2017 when Trump offered him a job with his administration, which he rejected, telling friends that it was 'beneath him,' the Daily Beast reported. Three years later Trump appointed him to a Pentagon advisory board in the final weeks of his presidency, which President Joe Biden would block in early February. John penned that he and his family 'believe in law enforcement, and are hopeful that the police and prosecutors will use this information to pursue justice' The alleged events took place at the Westgate hotel in Las Vegas A group of GOP donors gathered at the Westgate's Benihana restaurant for the event A lawyer for Lewandowski, who has been married since 2005 and has four kids, blasted the allegations as 'rumors'. Odom also alleges Lewandowski claims he wielded enormous power thanks to his connections to the former president and said he had committed violent acts earlier in his life. The statement claims Lewandowski 'showed Odom his hotel room key' Odom was one of around two dozen major Republican Party donors at the event which took place during an event at the Westgate Las Vegas hotel for the Victoria's Voice Foundation, which focuses on substance abuse. Odom is said to have appeared uncomfortable at the event while Lewandowski appeared to be intoxicated. The statement was sent to police in Boise, Idaho, where Odom lives, with the intention of having it delivered to their counterparts in Las Vegas. The three-page statement estimates that Odom rebuffed Lewandowski's physical advances 10 times. She accuses Lewandowski, 48, of following her around after leaving the dinner and that he remarked how she had a 'nice ass'. The married Lewandowski is then alleged to have continued his pursuit at a post-dinner reception. Corey Lewandoski is pictured above with his wife, Allison, and son Lewandowski served as campaign manager during the key early stages of Donald Trump's presidential campaign On Friday night, Lewandowski's attorney, David Chesnoff refused to comment on the police statement claiming not to have seen it yet Earlier in the week, Odom made a similar statement as she went public with the allegations. 'I am coming forward because he needs to be held accountable,' Odom said. 'I am blessed to have a loving husband and family behind me. I want other women to know that you can be heard, too, and together we can stop terrible things like this from happening.' Odom wrote how she was afraid upon reaching her hotel room because Lewandowski's room was right next to hers. She tells how she timed her departure the following day to ensure she did not run into him. 'I went into my room crying and trembling as I did not know if I had just ruined everything that my family had worked so hard to grow,' Odom said in the statement. Lewandowski's attorney, David Chesnoff refused to comment on the statement, saying he has yet to see it. 'It's premature to respond to something that hasn't been filed up until now and that we haven't seen and we will respond if appropriate,' Chesnoff said. The prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has bragged about how police don't have a 'shred of evidence' linking him to at least five other cases including rape and murder. Convicted paedophile and rapist Christian Brueckner, 44, is being investigated over several other attacks, including on a 10-year-old girl, as well as the murder of a teenager in Belgium, German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said. But Brueckner said the latest move by the authorities to connect him to the other cases was a sign of how police were 'clutching at straws for new leads' to convict him. Brueckner is currently being held in a high security prison in Oldenburg, near Bremen in northern Germany. Investigators believe he abducted and killed three-year-old Madeleine in Portugal in 2007. In a new book, Wolters said German police felt 'there is good basis' to suspect Brueckner is responsible for a sex attack on a 10-year-old girl. The attack happened just six miles from Praia da Luz where Madeleine had disappeared one month earlier. A source told Sun Online that Brueckner 'is aware of the remarks and of the new allegations in this book. But he has been bragging how the police don't have a shred of evidence'. Christian Brueckner (right), the prime suspect in the case of Madeleine McCann(left), is being probed over at least five other sex crimes, a German prosecutor has revealed The source added: 'He says the new book about him is no better than a comic and that the decision by cops to contribute to it just proves how much they are clutching at straws for new leads. 'His legal team have repeatedly asked for the evidence which police say they have and they have repeatedly refused to hand it over. This, he believes, says it all.' The source also claimed Brueckner 'remains insistent he has nothing to do with Maddie's disappearance and believes police are simply courting publicity by continually linking him to the case'. The comments come after Wolters told British journalist Jon Clarke in an interview for his book My Search for Madeleine: 'We are investigating Christian B's possible involvement in this.' The lawyer said that Belgian investigators are also looking into Brueckner in relation to the 1996 killing of 16-year-old Carola Titze in De Haan, Belgium. 'A Belgian prosecutor had some concrete questions about Carola not long ago. They needed some information about Christian B and we gave it to them,' he said. Brueckner is also a suspect in the rape case of 20-year-old Irish woman Hazel Behan in Praia de Rocha, Portugal, in 2004. 'We only have Christian B as the suspect,' Wolters said. Three-year-old Madeleine, known as Maddie, vanished from a holiday apartment in Portugal's Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007. Pictured: Praia da Luz beach [File photo] In it the book, the German prosecutor said authorities were also considering whether Brueckner could have been involved in the disappearance of five-year-old Inga Gehricke - dubbed the 'German Maddie' - in 2015. The final case Wolters revealed Brueckner was being investigated in relation to was an incident at a children's playground in Messines, 40 miles from Praia de Luz, in 2017. A man was accused of carrying out a sex act in front of children, according to Wolters, who added: 'We have now picked up the investigation and he is facing several years in prison.' Brueckner has denied any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance. Tears coursed down the cheeks of 16-year-old Meghan Markle and her friends as they watched the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, and never more so than at the poignant moment when the cameras zoomed in on the Royal coffin. There, perched among the white flowers, was an envelope on which was written the one word, Mummy Prince Harrys last note to the mother who had now gone for ever. To Meghan and her classmates, it was an inconceivable tragedy: how could a glamorous humanitarian in the prime of life die in the cruel banality of a car crash? Dianas death in a Parisian underpass is at the heart of the profound discomfort he feels with being in the public eye According to family friends, Meghan was intrigued not just by her style but by Dianas independent humanitarian mission In the days following Dianas death in August 1997, she pondered the life of this remarkable woman. With her friend Suzy Ardakani, Meghan watched old videos of the 1981 wedding of Lady Diana Spencer as she then was and Prince Charles. Inspired by the Princess, the two girls collected clothes and toys for less privileged children. According to family friends, Meghan was intrigued not just by her style but by Dianas independent humanitarian mission. Such was Meghans interest that Suzys mother Sonia gave her a copy of my biography of the Princess, Diana: Her True Story, a copy which remained on her bookshelves for the next few years. As another of her childhood friends, Ninaki Priddy, would one day observe of Meghan: She was always fascinated by the Royal Family. She wants to be Princess Diana 2.0. Today for Harry, and increasingly for his wife, all roads lead back to Diana. His mothers cause-driven life and the tragic manner of her death has not only coloured Harrys relationship with his family, and the wider public, it has shaped the couples world view. Dianas death in a Parisian underpass is at the heart of the profound discomfort he feels with being in the public eye. No matter how friendly the media can be, every camera click and whirr reminds Harry of her terrible fate. He cannot let that feeling go: Every single time I see a flash, it takes me straight back, he said in an ITV documentary in 2019. As the Sussexes embarked on their own journey together through Royal life, not a day went by without a reference, a memory or a decision that related in some way to Harrys late mother. Diana was the third wheel in their marriage. The tone was set at the public announcement of their engagement, on Monday, November 27, 2017. Meghans ring, dominated by a conflict-free diamond from Botswana, the country where they fell in love, included small diamonds from Dianas jewellery collection so that Harrys late mother would be there to join us on this crazy journey. In a 20-minute interview with BBC presenter Mishal Husain, the Prince was clear about how his mother would have responded to her American daughter-in-law. Theyd be thick as thieves, without question, he said. I think she would be over the moon, jumping up and down you know, so excited for me. But the ghost of Diana would loom over the lives of Prince Harry and his new wife in less happy ways, too, as time passed and as Meghan grappled with a set of challenges uncannily similar to those that once faced the mother-in-law she never met. In Meghan, Harry found a woman who embodied the qualities he had been missing Without a mum, without a steadying, nurturing influence, Harry went off the rails Looking back, Harry was the first to admit that his life descended into total chaos in his 20s. The Prince struggled to process the black cloud of grief that enveloped his life from the moment he was woken from his sleep at Balmoral and told that his mother was dead. Millions around the globe watched as the 12-year-old walked behind his mothers coffin during the televised funeral. Many shed tears for him. But that was no help to a young man whose life was in pieces. Without a mum, without a steadying, nurturing influence, Harry went off the rails. He became notorious as an angry drunk who lurched out of London nightclubs, more than ready to lash out at the paparazzi who dogged his every step. For years, he was protected by highly paid public relations professionals who smoothed over his escapades any night-time indiscretions compensated for with charity work and, of course, his life as a professional soldier. By and large, the Prince retained the affection of the public. And, gradually, he became happy to express his personal hopes and dreams. At a birthday party in February 2016, he told television presenter Denise van Outen: Im not dating and for the first time ever I want to find a wife. And in Meghan, he found a woman who embodied the qualities he had been missing. When news first broke of Prince Harrys romance with Meghan, I was frequently asked would it last.The unhappy marriage and eventual divorce of his father and mother were hard to ignore. At the time I felt it was the wrong question. As anyone with even a passing knowledge of Harry would have realised, it was he who was the eager supplicant in this romantic drama. Meghan Markle was not some shy girl from finishing school, but a divorced woman of the world an active promoter of gender equality, of womens rights and, to use a Markle phrase, of being the change. Its hardly a slogan that springs to mind when considering the Monarchy, an institution defined by precedent and the past. As Diana once joked: the only thing they change is their clothes. Yet Meghan was beginning her Royal adventure at a critical moment in British Royal history. The House of Windsor very much needed a bit of gloss and glamour, some international appeal. Like Diana, Meghan was more than capable of providing it. Unlike Diana, however, Meghan was camera-ready, not camera-shy. She arrived at the gates of Buckingham Palace fully formed: a successful actor, a popular blogger and an acknowledged humanitarian. The only puzzle remained as to whether this ambitious, intelligent, modern and successful woman would stay the course. Had the Princess of Wales been present at Harry and Meghans wedding reception at Frogmore House in the grounds of Windsors Home Park, she would have admired Meghans chutzpah and self-confidence in breaking protocol, taking the microphone and giving her own short speech. Diana, in contrast, had been the one who stood at the back in school plays and pantos, terrified of being given a speaking part. Although they grew up a generation and a world apart, much still connected these two women. Both were glamorous and charismatic, both believed that they were invested with a power to do good in the world. At first, Meghan was seen as a bridge between the Monarchys past and its future. That sunny wedding day in May 2018 was a signpost to a glorious, more inclusive tomorrow. Yet, for many reasons, the young American was absorbed into neither the Royal Family nor the country. And from the earliest months, her complaints of loneliness, isolation and a lack of support had an all-too-familiar ring. Meghan, a girl in a hurry, took quite some time to get to grips with Palace politics, the immutable hierarchy and the endless deference. She came to realise, as Diana had done, that everything was not as it seemed in this looking-glass world. A generation later, Meghans observations of life in the Royal goldfish bowl were an uncanny echo of her late mother-in-law. Remember Dianas first impressions of the Palace: I couldnt believe how cold everyone was; how I thought one thing but actually another thing was going on. The lies and the deceit. For her part, Meghan felt she was judged on the basis of media-generated impressions rather than on her actual life. As she told Oprah Winfrey in that explosive interview: Its easy to have an image that is so far from reality. Theres a complete misalignment and theres no way to explain that to people. The media account of her life began to mirror the stories associated with Princess Diana. Around the same time that she was accused of making Kate cry in a row over bridesmaids, for example, Meghan found herself blamed for the premature departure of Royal staff. These included her personal assistant Melissa Touabti, whom she is said to have reduced to tears, temporary private secretary Samantha Cohen and her Scotland Yard bodyguard. Diana, too, had been blamed for a series of departures, from Prince Charless valet, bodyguard and private secretary to friends and members of his social circle. In a matter of months, Diana had gone from being a fairytale princess to according to less charitable accounts a fiend and a little monster. Other commentators talked about Malice in the Palace. At one engagement, the exasperated Princess told veteran Royal watcher James Whitaker: I am not responsible for any sackings. I dont just sack people. Meghan too found her public reputation collapsing almost overnight. From a certain point, whatever she did, Meghan was a divisive figure. Yet there had been no doubting the Sussexes popularity. When they launched their official Instagram site, @sussexroyal, they attracted a million followers in less than six hours. By January 2020, 11.3 million fans had joined their site. This popularity soon started to concern some courtiers, who once again saw shades of Diana, the charismatic newcomer potentially overshadowing the rest of the Royal Family, particularly the two immediate heirs to the throne, Charles and William. The danger to them is that Meghan is going to be bigger than Diana, a source told one journalist. Harry later told Oprah Winfrey that the couples tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand in October 2018 was the first time that the family got to see how incredible she is at the job. And that brought back memories. He was referring to his parents famous 1983 tour of Australia and New Zealand, during which Prince Charles became jealous of Dianas popularity. Meghan Duchess of Sussex attends a Commonwealth Day Youth Event at Canada House Princess Diana visiting Bristol during her pregnancy with her first son, Prince William In public, the Prince of Wales made light of the fact that during walkabouts, the crowds would groan when he went to their side of the road; in private, he criticised his wife. When we were working on her biography, the Princess had told me: The public side was very different from the private side. The public side, they wanted a fairy princess to come and touch them and everything will turn into gold and all their worries would be forgotten. Little did they realise that the individual was crucifying herself inside because she didnt think she was good enough. Why me, why all this publicity? My husband started to get very jealous and anxious by then, too. That same jealousy, in Meghan and Harrys view, was now directed at them. They were too current, too fresh, too challenging for what they saw as the old guard. Harry had always been prickly at any suggestion of criticism of his wife, and from now on he seemed even more sensitive and quick to take offence. At about this time, Meghans suicidal thoughts during her first pregnancy found a dark echo in the past. Even though she was happily married to Harry, Meghan felt a profound sense of isolation and loneliness during her first pregnancy, a feeling that she was somehow trapped in an unfriendly, unfamiliar and unforgiving new world. When Diana went to live at Buckingham Palace, shortly after her own engagement, she had come to feel like a captive in a Grimms fairy tale. As the walls of the prison house closed inexorably around her, the public knew nothing about her ordeal, choosing, instead, to celebrate Prince Charless good fortune. And when she was struggling with the eating disorder bulimia nervosa and post-natal depression following the birth of Prince William, thoughts of taking her own life had scudded across Dianas mind. I just wanted to keep my head above water, she once told me. As the controversy around the latest Royal couple mounted, characters from Dianas lifetime sometimes rode to Meghans defence. When Harry drew criticism for their use of private jets, for example, Sir Elton John, one of their hosts, mounted a defence of the Duke and Duchess and invoked the spirit of Harrys mother. Diana, Princess of Wales was one of my dearest friends, he said. I feel a profound sense of obligation to protect Harry and his family from the unnecessary press intrusion that contributed to Dianas untimely death. Not every parallel was negative. When Harry visited Botswana and Angola in September 2019, he made global headlines when he retraced his mothers steps in Huambo. Back in 1997, Diana had walked through a cleared Angolan minefield. Now that same minefield was a bustling shopping and community centre. During the visit, Harry donned the same body armour as his mother when he walked through a similarly marked-out minefield nearby, the Prince remotely exploding a mine during the event. The pictures reminded the world of Dianas legacy and gave Harry a global platform to talk about the progress that had been made. It has been quite emotional retracing my mothers steps, he said, subsequently adding: I lost her 22 years ago, but the memory of her is with me daily and her legacy lives on. Diana remains a constant inspiration to the couple, in the subtlest ways. In a Valentines Day Instagram post this year, shortly after stepping down as working members of the Royal Family, they revealed that they were expecting their second child. The comparisons with Diana were inevitable, of course. Both were and are controversial women who were agents of change in their own contrasting ways In years gone by, Diana, too, had welcomed Oprah Winfrey into her Kensington Palace apartment. When Harry and Meghan eventually sat down for their own TV interview with the US superstar TV personality, they made the criticism of the Royal Family by Dianas brother, Earl Spencer, at her funeral in Westminster Abbey seem mild by comparison. The rest is history. There were hopes, in this modern Cain and Abel drama, that William and Harry would be publicly reconciled at the unveiling of a statue of their mother on what would have been her 60th birthday on July 1. However, while the brothers seemed at ease and chatted amiably with the small group of attendees, mainly members of the Spencer family, there was no public overture of friendship. Meanwhile, Meghan, once again a new mother, stayed in California. The comparisons with Diana were inevitable, of course. Both were and are controversial women who were agents of change in their own contrasting ways. And it is clear the comparisons will continue to be made for some time to come. A 12-year-old boy has been airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a car as he crossed a dual carriageway. The youngster was left in a critical condition after the incident happened opposite a McDonalds on the A405 North Orbital Road in Watford. Police are trying to find witnesses after the boy was hit by a blue Honda Civic as he crossed the carriageway on Friday just before 3pm, reports The Watford Observer. A 12-year-old boy has been airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a car as he crossed a dual carriageway Hertfordshire Constabulary are urging the drivers of a dark coloured Range Rover and a small white van to contact them as they may have witnessed the collision. The driver of the car stopped at the scene, police said. The boy was treated by paramedics before being airlifted to Royal London Hospital where he is in a critical but stable condition. PC James Horn from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit said: 'A young boy received serious head injuries and is in hospital in a critical condition. The youngster was left in a critical condition after the incident happened opposite a McDonalds on the A405 North Orbital Road in Watford. Pictured: File image of the dual carriageway next to the McDonalds 'We are supporting his parents whilst we investigate the circumstances of what happened yesterday afternoon. If you have any dash cam footage, please do get in touch. 'We are also keen to trace the driver of a dark coloured Range Rover style 4x4 or SUV and a small white van which was behind a blue Nissan as they may have witnessed the collision.' Anyone with any information are asked to contact PC Horn at james.horn@herts.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting reference 462 of October 1. The public can also report information online, speak to an operator in the Force Communications Room via the online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting Op Presepio. After a body believed to be 19-year-old Miya Marcano's, her family held a candlelit vigil outside her apartment, as they have for eight days since she went missing - this one, they said, will be the last. Although it's not the outcome they prayed for, Miya's grandmother Violet Delville said that the discovery gives the family closure. 'Miya, we found you. Its not what we really wanted but I want you to know that we will always love you and we will continue to keep you in our hearts and well never forget what you meant to us,' she said this evening surrounded by candles, flowers and photos of her granddaughter. 'Wherever you are, remember that we always love you and we will never, ever forget you,' she said of the Valencia College sophomore. 'We are devastated. We are angry and we know our lives have now been changed forever,' Miya's cousin, Caili Sue, told The Sun. 'Everyone has been very somber since the announcement.' Miya's devastated parents did not attend the final vigil, according to NBC Miami. The body believed to belong to the missing student was uncovered today in a wooded area near an Orlando apartment complex where the man suspected of abducting her - 27-year-old Armando Caballero - once lived. After a body believed to be 19-year-old Miya Marcano's, her family held a candlelit vigil outside her apartment, as they have for eight days since she went missing - this one, they said, will be the last The 19-year-old was found a little less than 20 miles from her Arden Villas apartment, where she went missing last Friday Miya Marcano's family members are pictured today setting up a final candlelit vigil outside her Orlando apartment hours after a body believed to be hers was found less than 20 miles away 'We are devastated. We are angry and we know our lives have now been changed forever,' Miya's cousin, Caili Sue, told The Sun . 'Everyone has been very somber since the announcement' Miya's devastated parents (pictured yesterday on October 1) did not attend the final vigil, according to NBC Miami Search crews made the grim discovery near the Tymber Skan apartments in Orange County around 10:45am Saturday, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said during a Saturday press conference. Miya's family was driving to New Smyrna to search there when they got the news they most dreaded to hear: 'we were just going on a big search when we were called back and gave us this devastating news,' Delville said. A purse with Marcano's identification was also found near the body, Mina said. Police are still looking for two cell phones and her keys. 'Our hearts are broken,' Mina said at the conference. 'Hundreds of Orange County Sheriff's Office personnel were committed to this case and working very hard. Everyone wanted this outcome to be different. 'As a community, as a father, we are grieving the loss of Miya. We can't imagine the pain of Miya's family, loved ones, friends and really our entire community has gone through.' 'Devastated. Broken,' Marcanos cousin Sue said this evening. 'I cant even put into words how were feeling as a family. I feel defeated, I failed my cousin and I dont know how were going to get through this.' 'Her life was cut short. She was 19 years old. She had the whole rest of her life ahead of her.' Once her body has been returned, Sue said, Miya's family intends to hold funeral services in South Florida: 'We are not leaving without Miya - we will get justice for her once things die down and we bring her home.' The body of Miya Marcano, 19, - pictured here - was found in the area of Tymber Scan apartments in Orlando Saturday morning Authorities have looking for Marcano since she disappeared from her apartment last Friday A map of the major events in the tragic timeline of Miya Marcano's death. She was last seen in her apartment on September 24. On September 30, the only suspect Armando Caballero was found dead in a suspected suicide in his apartment in Seminole County. On Saturday, Miya's body was found less than 20 miles away from her apartment in a wooded area around the Tymber Skan apartment complex Miya's body was found in a wooded area around the Tymber Skan apartment complex in Orland (pictured) where the suspect once lived The 19-year-old was found a little less than 20 miles from her Arden Villas apartment, where she went missing last Friday. She left behind signs of a violent struggle, including bloodstains on a pillow. Caballero, 27, a maintenance worker in Marcano's building with a key to her apartment, is the only suspect in the case, Mina said. Police said Caballero was the sole suspect in Marcano's disappearance. He was found dead by an apparent suicide on Monday He was found dead in an apparent suicide in his apartment in the neighboring Seminole County on September 30. Mina said his cellphone records put him at the Tymber Skan apartments - where he and his family once lived - for about 20 minutes between 8pm and 9pm the same day Marcano vanished from her apartment, Sheriff Mina said. And nothing in the phone records ever indicated he returned prior to killing himself, the sheriff said. Mina said police used Caballero's cellphone records to track his whereabouts, which eventually led them Marcano's body. The sheriff said he and his department have already spoken to Marcano's family. 'I've spoken to Miya's family on a constant basis throughout this entire week, and so have our detectives, and their hope and their resolve was nothing short of amazing,' Mina said. 'Our heart goes out to them. ' Search crews found her body in a wooded area around the Tymber Skan apartments in Orange County around 10:45am Saturday, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said during a Saturday press conference Marcano's cause of death won't be determined until after the autopsy, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said 'Our hearts are broken,' Sheriff Mina said during a Saturday afternoon press conference Caballero - pictured here - was the lone suspect in this case Miya is pictured here during her high school graduation According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Marcano was last seen at around 5pm on September 24 at the Arden Villas apartments on Arden Villas Boulevard in Orlando, where she lives and works in the leasing office. A cause of death will be determined after the autopsy, but Mina said he's confident that they'll be able to piece together what happened to Marcano. At this point, Marcano said police know he entered her apartment around 4:30pm and was at Tymber Skan apartments, where her body was found, between 8pm and 9pm. Marcano's family said Miya, who attends Valencia College, was scheduled to catch a flight to Fort Lauderdale that night, but she never made it to the airport. While her distraught family was looking for her last Saturday, they said they came across Caballero outside. 'He was trying to leave. His lights were off. He said, "Are you looking for Miya?" I said, "Who are you?" He said, "Im the maintenance guy. I heard youre looking for me,"' Marcano's aunt Semone Westmaas told The Sun. Marcano's father, Marlon, then asked Caballero if he had been in contact with her, and her cousin Callie Sue said he appeared 'quite nervous.' Sue told the outlet that the interactions had seemed 'weird' because they had not yet announced Marcano had disappeared. Mina said during Saturday's press conference that this was Caballero's way of throwing off police and Miya's relatives off his trail. Last night, a couple hundred people gathered in front of Marcano's apartment in Arden Villas and prayed during during a candlelight vigil, not knowing the tragic news that would hit them less than 24 hours later. On October 1, a couple hundred people gathered in front of Marcano's apartment and prayed during a candlelight vigil Thomas Arrington (pictured) was travelling in a rented Ford Fusion northbound with his wife on I-95 near Danvers at around 8:23 am Friday when the accident occurred An Alaska grandfather visiting New England with his wife to see the changing fall leaves died in a freak accident after a piece of metal fell off of a dump truck and smashed through his rental car's windshield. Thomas Arrington was travelling in a rented Ford Fusion northbound on I-95 near Danvers at around 8:23 am Friday when a screed, which is a tool used to level and smooth freshly poured concrete, fell out of the truck and struck him through the windshield, according to Massachusetts State Police. The 69-year-old was driving the car and his wife, 68, was beside him in the passenger seat at the time of the fatal accident. Despite being mortally wounded, Arrington managed to steer the vehicle to safety before stopping the car. Pictured: the rented Ford Fusion's windshield after the piece of metal fell from a dump truck as the two vehicles traveled on the highway Arrington was hit and killed with a screed, pictured, which is a tool used to level and smooth freshly poured concrete, fell out of the truck and struck him through the windshield He spent his last breath making sure my mom was ok. The daughter of the Alaska man killed in #Danvers on 95 yesterday speaks about her giving father, a HS teacher and beloved grandfather. He and his wife just started their New England vacation. #wcvb pic.twitter.com/edf6UIGPMu Sera Congi (@seracongi) October 2, 2021 He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. 'They wanted to go in the fall so they could see the leaves and they were going to tour some lighthouses,' said Arrington's daughter, Jennifer Hoadley, who told WCVB about her father - a high school teacher and beloved grandfather. 'He suffered horrific injuries and stayed alive just long enough to get the car to a safe spot to save my mom's life. 'He spent his last breath making sure my mom was okay.' 'They wanted to go in the fall so they could see the leaves and they were going to tour some lighthouses,' said Arrington's daughter, Jennifer Hoadley (pictured) The 69-year-old was a high school teacher and beloved grandfather Arrington (L) and his wife (R), both of Palmer, Alaska, had just started their New England vacation after arriving in Massachusetts the previous day He and his wife, both of Palmer, Alaska, had just started their New England vacation after arriving in Massachusetts the previous day, the outlet reports. According to the New York Post, police were able to connect the screed that killed Arrington to a 2020 Ford F550 dump truck, which was being driven by a 21-year-old man who was working for a Massachusetts construction company. That employee has since reached out to state police and is fully cooperating with their investigation, cops said. The investigation into Arrington's death remains ongoing and will determine if the dump truck driver will face criminal charges or not. Advertisement Thousands of women across the country took part in a series of 660 marches to protest against the state's most restrictive abortion law. A crowd of more than 1,000 protesters gathered at the Texas Capitol, in Austin, as people chanted 'Abort Abbott,' in referenced to Texas Gov. Greg Abbot who signed into law a measure that bans abortions after six weeks in August. In New York, those marching included some celebrities. Jennifer Lawrence, who is expecting her first child, posed with her baby bump together with Amy Schumer. 'I dont have a uterus and she is pregnant but we out here @womensmarch @plannedparenthood #rallyforabortionjustice' wrote Schumer on Instagram. Schumer recently underwent a hysterectomy and appendectomy as a result of endometriosis. The Big Apple protests were replicated in other cities across the nation with the Texas state capital, Austin, being a focal point. Demonstrations were also held in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Columbus, Houston, Topeka and Washington D.C. in solidarity of women's reproductive rights. The demonstrations come days before the start of a new term for the Supreme Court that will decide the future of abortion rights in the United States, after appointments of justices by President Donald Trump strengthened conservative control of the high court. Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence attended the Rally for Abortion Justice event in New York City on Saturday Taking a stand: Patricia and Rosanna Arquette were also spotted attending the Women's March Action: March 4 Reproductive Rights event in Downtown Los Angeles Better together: The sisters were also spotted posing for a quick snap with actress Harlow Jane at the pro-choice event Making it clear: Debbie Allen was spotted spending time with Gloria Allred, who wore a cap with the phrase 'Protect Roe V. Wade on its front' Lawrence, 31, stood at Schumer's side while holding onto a handwritten poster with a pro-choice slogan in an Instagram post from the comedian, 40. Schumer, who is the cousin and Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer held a sign that read: 'Abortion is essential.' Lawrence also showed her support for a women's right to choose. The Hunger Games star held a hand-scrawled sign that read 'Women can't be free if they don't control their bodies.' Patricia and Rosanna Arquette were also seen attending the Women's March Action: March 4 Reproductive Rights event at Pershing Square in Downtown Los Angeles. Also in LA, Women's rights attorney Gloria Allred notably wore a hat that bore the phrase 'Protect Roe V. Wade' on the front. Hundreds gathered in Austin, Texas, to kick off the 660 marches scheduled on Saturday in a nationwide protest of the Texan six-week abortion ban that was passed into law in August Protestors in Los Angeles marched down the streets in solidarity of the women in Texas on October 2 Women's rights advocates marched with the Women's March banner in Los Angeles Protestors in Topkea, Kansas, also joined in to show their support for women's reproductive rights Protestors also gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to march in support of abortion rights in the US Protestors in Washington D.C marched along the capitol as they made their way to the Supreme Court as the high court prepares for a new term that could decide the future of abortion rights in the country New Yorkers also joined in the nationwide protests as they marched in the streets of Manhattan Many of the protestors in New York held up signs with images of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined in on the protest in Chicago's Daley Plaza A pregnant woman joined the protestors in Houston to stand in solidarity for women who choose to get an abortion The marches are part of 'a fight to secure, safeguard, and strengthen our constitutional right to an abortion,' Rachel O'Leary Carmona, executive director of the Women's March, said in a statement. 'And it's a fight against the Supreme Court justices, state lawmakers, and senators who arent on our side - or aren't acting with the urgency this moment demands.' The first Women's March of the Biden administration headed straight for the steps of the Supreme Court. Many thousands of women filled a square near the White House for a rally before the march. They waved signs that said 'Mind your own uterus,' 'I love someone who had an abortion' and 'Abortion is a personal choice, not a legal debate,' among other messages. Some wore T-shirts reading simply '1973,' a reference to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion legal for generations of American women. Protestors across the nation held up signs and yelled chants in support of women's rights. One person wrote over their own sign to read that they were someone who had an abortion Protestors in Philadelphia stood against the Texas law. One male protestor held a sign that read, 'Her Body, Her Choice!' Many of the protestors in Washington D.C. had signs alluding to the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a women's rights champion Each protest varied in size. A smaller amount of protesters gathered in Columbus, Ohio, to show their support One protestor wore a bloodied outfit of Lady Justice with a woman's reproductive organ crucified on a cross Another person dressed up as a character from the The Handmaid's Tale to protest restrictions' on women's rights Another protestor dressed as a handmaid joined protestors outside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta Maria Shriver, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, left, attended the Los Angeles march as the organization's leadership stood against the Texas law Protesters chanted and yelled into microphones as they stood by the Texas capitol building in Austin Women gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, with signs that communicated a women's right to choice Elaine Baijal, a 19-year-old student at American University, took cellphone photos with her friends and their signs as the event started. She said her mother told her of coming to a march for legal abortion with her own mother in the 1970s. 'It's sad that we still have to fight for our right 40 years later. But its a tradition I want to continue,' Baijal said of the march. The march comes a day after the Biden administration urged a federal judge to block the nations most restrictive abortion law, which has banned most abortions in Texas since early September. It's one of a series of cases that will give the nation's divided high court occasion to uphold or overrule Roe v. Wade. The Texas law was a focus of the speakers. 'Were going to keep giving it to Texas,' Marsha Jones of the Afiya Center for Black women's health care in Dallas, pledged to the Washington crowd. 'You can no longer tell us what to do with our bodies!' Alexis McGill Johnson, the president of Planned Parenthood nationally, told of women forced to drive many hours across state lines - sometimes multiple state lines - to end pregnancies in the weeks since the Texas law went into effect. Along with the protest in Austin, Texans gathered in Houston to speak out against the law Protestors in Kansas marched to the Statehouse in Topeka to voice their opposition One protestor in Ohio lifted a sign that simply read 'Trust Women' at the state's capitol building People gathered at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, to advocate for women's abortion rights New York City protestors marched with signs asking for abortion rights and the defense of Roe v. Wade Hundreds of protestors in Washington D.C. marched down Pennsylvania Avenue Protestors stood outside the US Supreme Court as Capitol officers looked on Protestors outside the Supreme Court building stood apart from the capitol officers who were dressed in their riot gear People held up signs that read, 'Women's Rights Are Human Rights' and 'Do Better,' in reference to the Texan law A pro-abortion rights advocate in Austin called for an end to the six-week abortion ban in Texas 'The moment is dark... but that is why we are here,' Johnson told the crowd packed into Freedom Square and surrounding streets. With the upcoming Supreme Court term, 'No matter where you are, this fight is at your doorstep right now.' Speaking at an unrelated event in Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins called the Texas law 'extreme, inhumane and unconstitutional' and said shes working to make Roe v. Wade the 'law of the land.' She said shes working with two Democrats and another Republican, and theyre 'vetting' the language of their bill. Collins declined to identify her colleagues, but said the legislation will be introduced soon. An opponent of women's access to abortion called this year's march theme 'macabre.' 'What about equal rights for unborn women?' tweeted Jeanne Mancini, president of an anti-abortion group called March for Life. The Washington D.C. protestors flooded Pennsylvania Avenue and adjacent streets on Saturday Those in Los Angeles celebrated the nationwide March as hundreds gathered in the city One of the more popular messages of the event was 'Ruth Sent Us' in reference to the late women's rights advocate Residents in Sioux City, Iowa, joined in on the nationwide protests. A women's rights advocate held a sign to block out a pro-life counter-protestor at the city's protest site Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot spoke with residents in support of Planned Parenthood and abortion rights 'Trust women' was another popular phrase throughout the protests. One woman held such a sign in Chicago Porchse Queen Miller, left, led a group of protestors in Atlanta, Georgia, on the way to the statehouse The Women's March has become a regular event - although interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic - since millions of women turned out in the United States and around the world the day after the January 2017 inauguration of Trump. Trump endorsed punishing women for getting abortions and made appointment of conservative judges a mission of his presidency. Without Trump as a central figure for women of varied political beliefs to rally against, and with the pandemic still going strong, organizers talk of hundreds of thousands of participants nationally Saturday, not the millions of 2017. Latina comedian and activist Cristela Alonzo hosted Saturday's rally in Washington, which featured speeches from many advocates and providers of abortion access. Actress Busy Philipps and swimmer Schuyler Bailar were to take part. Security in the capital was much lighter than for a political rally a few weeks ago in support of Trump supporters jailed in the Jan. 6 insurrection. No fence was placed around the U.S. Capitol, with the Capitol Police chief saying there was nothing to suggest Saturday's rally would be violent. Wayne Couzens, the armed police officer who raped and murdered Sarah Everard, was regularly deployed to guard MPs at the Houses of Parliament, it was revealed last night. Scotland Yard admitted for the first time that Couzens, 48, carried out protection duties in Westminster on five occasions between February and July last year, despite having a history of sexual deviance. Senior sources claimed he was even issued with an 'access all areas' pass to Parliament. Couzens, who was given a whole life sentence this week for the kidnap, rape and murder of Miss Everard, is understood to have guarded various parts of the Commons and Lords. He also is believed to have patrolled the US embassy while working in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command. Last night it was reported that Couzens brought a prostitute to a police party at a hotel, while another sex worker turned up at the station he was based in, demanding money. Wayne Couzens was deployed to guard MPs at the House of Commons on multiple occasions before he raped and murdered Sarah Everard, it has been revealed Couzens took a prostitute with him to a colleague's tenth wedding anniversary party at the Hilton Hotel in Maidstone, Kent. A source who was at the party told The Sun: 'He was quite open about her being an escort. He said, 'My wife can't make it so I've brought this brass with me.' ' In another incident, a prostitute reportedly turned up at Couzens' station when he was working in Bromley, South London, and demanded to speak to him because he owed her money. The Eastern European woman refused to leave until she saw Couzens, and he had to be called back from patrol. The report said he took her to a cashpoint and paid her money, later admitting to colleagues that she was a prostitute. Embattled Met Commissioner Cressida Dick faced fresh calls to resign over the scandal amid growing demands for a full independent public inquiry. A new YouGov poll found that 38 per cent of people believed Dick should resign, compared with 27 per cent who thought she should stay and 35 per cent who were unsure. Last night it was reported that 26 Met Police colleagues of Couzens have been convicted of sex crimes, including rape and possessing indecent images of children, since 2016. Two of the officers were jailed in April, a month after Sarah Everard was raped and murdered by Couzens in Kent. Additionally, five Met officers carried out sex attacks while on duty since 2010 and one was recruited last year despite a conviction for indecent exposure. The data was revealed by the Sunday Mirror following a Freedom of Information request. The newspaper reported that an additional 150 serving Met officers have convictions for other offences, ranging from assault to drugs. The armed police officer, 48, performed duties in the Houses of Parliament at least five times despite being nicknamed 'The Rapist' The revelation about Couzens guarding Parliament, which came 24 hours after the Met said they would not be commenting on where he had worked, sparked anger from MPs including Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Last night, Sir Lindsay said he was 'extremely concerned' at the revelation and would be seeking answers from the Met Commissioner over 'how this man could ever have crossed the parliamentary threshold'. He said: 'Like everyone, I have been sickened by the depravity of Wayne Couzens and heartbroken for the family of Sarah Everard. I have asked the Met to meet me urgently to discuss how this person could have been deemed suitable for deployment here.' The Speaker said he would also be seeking reassurance 'that at no time was anyone on the parliamentary estate put at risk'. Couzens' role guarding the Commons will bring fresh questions over the vetting process of officers after it emerged he was nicknamed 'the rapist' by his colleagues. He indecently exposed himself to women on at least three occasions, was addicted to 'brutal' pornography, habitually visited prostitutes and was reportedly the subject of three harassment claims by female officers by the time he murdered Miss Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive, in March. A former head of Scotland Yard said police chief Dame Cressida must be held accountable for an 'appalling series of blunders' Couzens's parliamentary duties were discovered after an inquiry by Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle (pictured) Labour MP Rosie Duffield said: 'It's chilling that someone whose nickname was 'the rapist' was guarding MPs when we are told that we are protected by a ring of steel. Knowing now that we had a murderer in our midst, I'm sure all women working in Parliament will want to see a thorough security review.' Ian Blair, who served as Met Commissioner from 2005 to 2008, said the force needed to be subjected to 'an absolutely forensic' investigation similar to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry led by Lord Macpherson that found the Met was 'institutionally racist'. Critics have accused the force of being 'institutionally misogynistic' after Miss Everard's murder. Couzens received up to 10,000 in pay over four months after he was arrested in early March for Miss Everard's murder, it emerged last night. He was not sacked by the Met until mid-July after he pleaded guilty to the killing. Lord Blair told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that he wanted 'an independent inquiry to try to discover what are the processes that allowed this man who's obviously a manipulative, homicidal maniac to become a police officer'. Home Secretary Priti Patel last night pledged 25 million for more CCTV cameras in streets and other measures to 'change the behaviour of perpetrators'. It came after Boris Johnson savaged the 'infuriating' failure of the Met to take violence against women seriously. A spokesman for the Houses of Parliament said: 'Wayne Couzens was never issued with a Parliamentary pass. He accessed the Parliamentary Estate with a MPS-issued temporary pass which gives limited access to the Parliamentary Estate. 'These passes are issued to police officers in PADP who are not regularly posted to the Parliamentary Estate. They are issued at the beginning of the shift, returned at the end, and are tightly controlled.' The Government has been condemned after refusing to release details of key email conversations involving leading scientists over the origins of Covid-19. This newspaper used Freedom of Information rules to obtain a cache of 32 emails about a secretive teleconference between British and American health officials held early in the pandemic. But officials blacked out almost every word before releasing the crucial documents. Before this discussion, several of the worlds most influential experts believed the new virus most likely came from a laboratory but days later, the scientists began dismissing such scenarios as implausible and branding them conspiracy theories. This newspaper used Freedom of Information rules to obtain a cache of 32 emails about a secretive teleconference between British and American health officials held early in the pandemic The critical call is at the centre of concerns that the scientific establishment tried to stifle debate on the pandemics origins, as damning new evidence emerges of US ties to high-risk research on bat viruses in Wuhan, where the first cases emerged in late 2019. The Mail on Sunday requested emails, minutes and notes on the call between Sir Patrick Vallance Britains chief scientific adviser and its organisers Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust medical charity, and Anthony Fauci, the US infectious diseases expert and presidential adviser. Yet when the documents were released they had page after page redacted with thick lines of black ink by Whitehall officials. Even the names of experts copied in on discussions were blocked and exchanges as trivial as one Edinburgh biologists thank you for being invited leaving only a few basic details about the call visible. The lines left intact include a demand for the discussions, involving 13 participants around the world, to be conducted in total confidence, and an intriguing email line suggesting we need to talk about the backbone too, not just the insert. That was possibly sent by Dutch virologist Marion Koopmans, a member of the World Health Organisation team that produced a widely criticised report into Covids origins. Such absurd state secrecy is highly contemptuous towards taxpayers and to a world that wants to know what caused this devastating pandemic to guard against similar catastrophes in the future. The Mail on Sunday requested emails, minutes and notes on the call between Sir Patrick Vallance Britains chief scientific adviser and its organisers Sir Jeremy Farrar (pictured), director of the Wellcome Trust medical charity, and Anthony Fauci, the US infectious diseases expert and presidential adviser The response was condemned by Tory MP and freedom of information campaigner David Davis. This is a matter of massive public and global importance, he said. It is hard to see why there should be such secrecy that it outweighs the immense public interest and requires them to redact this sort of important data. He is right. Such official obfuscation only serves to fuel concerns over a possible cover-up on Covids origins and about Britains strange silence on issues of such global importance, which surprises some close international allies. I began attempting to obtain details of Government notes and discussions with key participants at the start of August, yet these derisory blacked-out pages are all I have winkled out of Whitehall so far. A request for emails, notes or transcripts of Vallances conversations with Farrar on origins of Sars-CoV-2 (the strain of coronavirus that causes Covid-19), Wuhan Institute of Virology or Shi Zhengli, its infamous Batwoman expert, was rejected on cost grounds. The Government confirmed, however, that we hold the information that you have requested. This all begs an obvious question, just as with Chinas secrecy: why would officials not share such information if there was nothing to hide? said Tory MP Bob Seely, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Perhaps this is down to arrogant politicians and an army of aloof civil servants who believe the public does not have the right to know what is being done in their name. Tony Blair flipped from supporting Freedom of Information rules when in opposition to saying I quake at the imbecility of the idea when his government made them law, his memoirs revealed. And there has been a sharp rise in refusals to grant requests since the Tories took power in 2010. Yet surely the origins of the pandemic, an event that has caused such disruption and misery to so many, is of utmost public interest even if the implications might be profound for our relations with China or the unfettered pursuit of science? The pivotal role of this teleconference on February 1 last year emerged from emails obtained in the US and a recent book on the pandemic by Farrar. Two days before the call, the WHO had belatedly raised the alert level on the unfolding public health disaster. A request for emails, notes or transcripts of Vallances conversations with Farrar on origins of Sars-CoV-2 (the strain of coronavirus that causes Covid-19), Wuhan Institute of Virology or Shi Zhengli, its infamous Batwoman expert, was rejected on cost grounds The discussion was convened after Fauci, Americas Chief Presidential Medical Adviser, was sent an article from Science magazine examining how researchers were attempting to unravel the virus origins. The article, which Fauci hastily sent to other key officials, discussed controversies over risky gain of function research manipulating viruses in labs to make them more infectious and detailed work by British scientist Peter Daszak and his friend Prof Shi in sampling bats and finding new coronaviruses. The teleconference was led by Farrar, an expert on infectious diseases, who admits that he saw the huge coincidence of a novel coronavirus erupting in a city with a superlab that was home to an almost unrivalled collection of bat viruses. Many prominent scientists, including several participants on the call, feared the new virus looked engineered among them California-based immunologist Kristian Andersen, who told Farrar beforehand he was alarmed by Covids unusual properties. He said the binding mechanism looked too good to be true, like a perfect key for entering human cells while its furin cleavage site a feature not found on similar types of coronavirus that allows it to enter efficiently into human cells might be expected if someone had set out to adapt an animal coronavirus to humans by taking a specific suit of genetic material from elsewhere and inserting it. Farrar opened the discussion, which was then led by Andersen and Eddie Holmes, an Australian-based virologist who told the Wellcome chief before the call he was 80 per cent sure this thing had come out of a lab. Yet after their conference call, these same experts played leading roles in efforts to dismiss such fears as conspiracy theories in science journals and on social media. Farrar admitted he was torn on the origins in a follow-up email to Fauci, yet signed a notorious Lancet article secretly organised by British scientist Peter Daszak days later that condemned conspiracy theories alleging Covid was not natural, claiming they spread fear and prejudice, while incredibly praising Beijings open and transparent sharing of data. Farrar also convened a hugely influential Nature paper by Andersen, Holmes and three others insisting any type of laboratory-based scenario was not plausible. Farrar admitted he was torn on the origins in a follow-up email to Fauci (pictured), yet signed a notorious Lancet article secretly organised by British scientist Peter Daszak days later that condemned conspiracy theories alleging Covid was not natural, claiming they spread fear and prejudice, while incredibly praising Beijings open and transparent sharing of data Just three days after the conference call, Andersen emailed Daszak to discuss how to counter crackpot theories suggesting this virus being somehow engineered with intent when it was demonstrably not the case. Andersen, who deleted his combative Twitter account after emails emerged that exposed his earlier views, later said this was a textbook example of the scientific method in which a preliminary theory was rejected as more information emerged. Yet there remains no evidence to show Sars-CoV-2 spilled over naturally from animals. So we need to understand why these experts changed their minds so fast and so decisively that they scorned people with views they had held themselves only recently. This is why the Governments secrecy is both deplorable and dangerous, according to Gary Ruskin, head of the public health group US Right To Know that has exposed the activities of key experts including Daszak in this saga. Transparency is crucial to expose corruption, abuse of power and hidden conflicts of interest, he said. Even in the US, which is weak in science transparency, we have been able to unearth documents useful in pursuing the origins of Covid-19. Such efforts seem impossible in the UK. That is regrettable and subsequent generations may end up paying for it with their lives if we cannot use the tools of transparency to figure out how Covid-19 came upon us. It is, finally, accepted outside China there are two credible theories on the origins: natural spillover from animals, or some kind of laboratory incident. Concerns over a possible research incident have grown as fresh evidence emerges about the risky work of Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, and Shi, head of the Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases at Wuhan Institute of Virology. First, explosive documents detailing two grants in 2014 and 2019 to EcoHealth Alliance showed how the US was in effect outsourcing gain of function work to China even during a three-year period when it was banned in America. The US supported the construction of new chimeric Sars-related coronaviruses that combined a spike gene from one with genetic material from another and the resulting creation could infect human cells and have more potential to cause disease. So we now know beyond debate that speculative gain of function experiments on mutant bat viruses were taking place in Wuhan laboratories and in units that did not have top-level biosafety despite Batwomans vociferous denials. Then a team of researchers known as Drastic obtained an astonishing proposal by Daszak for a US grant to study pathogens by creating infectious bat coronaviruses in a lab and inserting genetic features designed to boost their ability to infect human cells. EcoHealth even proposed to work with Shi and another prominent US expert on introduction of appropriate human specific cleavage sites into Sars-like viruses an intriguing suggestion given the unusual cleavage site in Sars-CoV-2. The $14.2 million (10.5 million) grant bid was rejected. But did another funder pick up the proposal? At the very least, this proves the researchers were toying with precisely the sort of risky science that could have cooked up a virus eerily similar to the one behind the pandemic. It is baffling that the US Congress has not demanded that New York-based Daszak, who led efforts to crush debate over a possible lab leak despite obvious conflicts of interest, appear under oath and disclose all his organisations data. But this all begs another question: why is our own Government redacting key documents and refusing to share information it holds on events that might help us grapple with the mystery of the pandemics origins after almost five million deaths? Gabby Petito's father says that his daughter's death has inspired multiple people to leave abusive relationships as the search for her fiance and suspected killer continue. Joseph Petito tweeted that people have reached out to him to share that they have been inspired by her his daughter's tragic death to make preparations before leaving their abusive relationships. 'She is already saving lives,' he posted on Saturday. 'So many stories being sent to us about relationships being left with proper planning for safety, and people are being found due to her influence. We have much more work to do, but it's a start.' Joseph Petito tweeted that people have reached out to him to share that they have been inspired by her his daughter's tragic death to prep before leaving their abusive relationships Gabby Petito's father (pictured) says that his daughter's death has inspired multiple people to leave abusive relationships as the search for her fiance and suspected killer continue Petito, 22, pictured with her fiance Brian Laundrie. They were pulled over before Petito went missing after someone called 911 to report a domestic abuse incident involving the two The huge search for his missing daughter came to an end in September after her body was found at the Spread Creek campground in Bridger-Teton National Forest on the eastern edge of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming in September. Petito, 22, was reported missing on September 11 after being last seen alive on August 24. Her fiance Brian Laundrie returned home to Florida on September 1 without her, and refused to cooperate with authorities and is currently missing himself. As the search went on disturbing bodycam footage emerged showing police being called to an incident involving the young couple in Moab, Utah, on August 12 - 13 days before Petito was last heard from. In the video, an emotional Petito is seen with tears streaming down her face telling officers the couple 'have been fighting all morning' and admitting that she slapped him while Laundrie is seen with scratches on his face and arm. When an officer asks Petito if her boyfriend hit her, she replies 'I guess' and makes a grabbing motion on her chin. Laundrie admits he 'pushed her' during the altercation but the cops determine Petito was 'the primary aggressor.' Police initially pulled the couple after a man called 911 to report a domestic abuse incident involving the two. In the responses to Petito's post about his daughter, multiple people shared that Gabby's death gave them the courage to leave their abusive relationships. 'I'm not sure if you'll ever read this, but after your daughter's case became public I found the courage to leave my narcissistic and abusive relationship. She truly is saving lives continuously sending my love and prayers to you all. I'm sorry nobody was there to save her,' one person tweeted. 'I found the strength I needed after 10 long years...realizing this could have been me. GOD NEEDED GABBY IN HEAVEN MORE THAN WE DID ON EARTH,' another person shared. Someone else tweeted: 'Gabby inspired me to 'take that trip' with my kids that I was so nervous about last week. We had a blast! Her legacy will last forever. x' 'I'm writing to you from faraway part of Middle East, Iran. I just a left a very damaging relationship recently because of Gabby. Sending your family lots of love and I'm sure Gabby's watching over those who need help. She's a true angel,' another person tweeted. Brian Laundrie's sister, Cassie, told ABC News on September 17 that she had not talked to her brother since his return to Florida, but now the family's attorney says she saw him twice - on September 1 and September 6 The Fort De Soto campsite in Florida is seen in exclusive DailyMail.com photos. New details have emerged about a camping trip Brian took with his parents there days before Petito was reported missing The campsite (pictured) is located in Fort De Soto in Pinellas County, Florida, close to St Petersburg and was visited by the Laundries days before Gabby was reported missing Gabby (right) and Brian (left) are pictured at the campsite during the young couple's visit together two months ago The FBI is examining surveillance footage from the Fort De Soto Park campsite. A map shows the campsite's location to the Laundrie family home and the Carlton Reserve where authorities have focused their search and Laundrie's parents say he was headed Petito's tweet comes a few days after he shared a link to the Gabby Petito Foundation which will help families who are trying to search for their missing children. 'No one should have to find their child on their own.' the bereaved dad wrote. 'We are creating this foundation to give resources and guidance on bringing their children home. We are looking to help people in similar situations as Gabby.' As the nationwide manhunt for Laundrie continues, new details are emerging about the timeline of Petito's disappearance, including that her family called the police in North Port, Florida, to file a missing persons report one day before she was officially reported missing and officers showed up at Brian Laundrie's home. Police records, obtained by WFLA, reveal Petito's family contacted the North Port Police Department and attempted to report her missing on September 10. But the family were told that, due to state law and the police department's policy, they must file the report in the place of her last known location. Partially-redacted call logs seen by DailyMail.com show two 911 calls were made that day to North Port police in connection to the Laundrie family home where Laundrie, 23, and Petito, 22, lived with his parents before their doomed cross-country trip. Both calls were classed as 'public service' calls, with the first made just before 4pm and the second around 6.30pm. It is not clear if these were the same calls made by Petito's family, but both were given the brief description of 'problem settled'. The following day - September 11 - Petito's family succeeded in reporting her missing in her native state New York, kicking off the huge search for the 22-year-old. It was also revealed that Laundrie's sister saw her brother twice between the time he returned to Florida without Petito and when he went missing around two weeks later - despite her previous public statements to the contrary. A lawyer representing the Laundrie family confirmed on Friday that Cassie Laundrie saw her brother on September 1 when he came by her house - the same day he arrived back from the couple's cross-country van trip alone. Cassie saw him again on September 6 during a family camping trip to Fort De Soto Park, where authorities are now focusing their manhunt for her fugitive brother. Cassie is to date the only member of the Laundrie family - including Laundrie himself - who has spoken publicly about Petito's disappearance and death. Newly-released bodycam footage has revealed Gabby Petito told cops Brian Laundrie had hit her and cut her face by grabbing her 'with his nail' during the August 12 domestic incident She claimed in an interview with ABC's Good Morning America on September 17 - two days before Petito's body was found in Wyoming - that she had not spoken to her brother since September 1 and that she 'wish[ed] I had more information' to give investigators. 'I haven't been able to talk to him. I wish I could talk to him,' Cassie said at the time. 'I've cooperated in every way that I can. I wish I had information or I would give more.' But her version of events unraveled Friday, when Dog the Bounty Hunter - who joined the manhunt for Laundrie Saturday - revealed he had received a tip about Cassie joining her brother and parents at the Fort De Soto Park campsite five days after she claimed they had their last alleged encounter. Laundrie's family said Friday they believe he is still alive somewhere in Florida - as questions mount over his sister's previous claims about when she last saw him and whether both Laundrie and his mom are using burner phones. It was a deeply poignant meeting between two people who had separately been exploited by the shameful behaviour of disgraced BBC reporter Martin Bashir. One was Princess Dianas brother Earl Spencer, who was outrageously deceived by the journalist as part of a cynical plot to land an interview with his sister. The other was Michelle Hadaway, who was persuaded by Bashir to hand over bloodied clothes worn by her daughter Karen, one of two schoolgirls killed in the so-called Babes in the Wood murders. The venue, Dianas family home Althorp House, was where Bashir used forged documents to persuade Earl Spencer to help him. After exposing Bashirs lies and a BBC cover-up last year, Earl Spencer has become a formidable ally of Ms Hadaway. Bashir promised to subject Karens clothes to DNA tests in the hope of discovering clues about her killer but they vanished and have never been returned. It was a deeply poignant meeting between two people who had separately been exploited by the shameful behaviour of disgraced BBC reporter Martin Bashir. One was Princess Dianas brother Earl Spencer (pictured), who was outrageously deceived by the journalist as part of a cynical plot to land an interview with his sister Earl Spencer invited Ms Hadaway to Althorp as the BBC faced demands for another independent inquiry into its former reporter following an expose by this newspaper last month. They met last Wednesday in the Sunderland Room on the ground floor of the 500-year-old stately home in Northamptonshire. I was invited because, as a freelance journalist, I witnessed Bashir take Karens clothes in August 1991. I was stonewalled by the BBC when I tried to discover what he had done with them and was ignored for years after I blew the whistle. Last month, with Earl Spencers support, I submitted a 50-page dossier of documents detailing what BBC bosses knew about Bashirs investigation into the murder case. Earl Spencer listened intently as Ms Hadaway described her pain at the loss of her daughters clothes and treatment at the hands of the BBC. Ive had so many doors slammed in my face, she told him. The hardest thing has been being on my own with this for 31 years. I have had to hide so much, from my husband, and my children, to spare them, and no one powerful has ever spoken up for us. The bodies of Karen and her friend Nicola Fellows, both aged nine, were found in woodland near their Brighton homes in October 1986. Their killer, Russell Bishop, was acquitted of their murder the following year after a botched prosecution. He was finally convicted of the appalling crimes in 2018. The other was Michelle Hadaway (pictured), who was persuaded by Bashir to hand over bloodied clothes worn by her daughter Karen, one of two schoolgirls killed in the so-called Babes in the Wood murders In 1991, Bashir persuaded Ms Hadaway to hand over the clothes as part of an investigation he was carrying out for the BBC programme Public Eye. After listening quietly to her story, Lord Spencer told her: He must have seemed your knight in shining armour. Absolutely, she replied. My husband was sick, I had a small baby and older children, I had to look after them all and keep fighting. I thought he was reputable, as the BBC was so big and powerful. I thought someone good had come along wanting to help me so I trusted him. I was so vulnerable. The programme Bashir was working on was never broadcast and it does not appear as if the clothes were ever tested. The family asked for the clothes to be returned in 2004 so they could be given to Sussex Police who were reviewing the case. The BBC said it made extensive enquiries to find the clothes but the MoS was told by key journalists working alongside Bashir, and by the journalists agent, that they were not contacted. This has been denied by the BBC. Earl Spencer invited Ms Hadaway to Althorp as the BBC faced demands for another independent inquiry into its former reporter following an expose by this newspaper last month The Corporation has now tasked former BBC executive Paul Smith with launching a fresh bid to find the clothes. But Ms Hadaway believes the search will be futile. Where are they looking? To the north, to the south? Theyre long gone, she said. Ms Hadaway, 65, was accompanied by her daughter Lyndsey, whom she describes as her rock. Otis, Earl Spencers golden labrador, lay across Lyndseys feet throughout the meeting. Ms Hadaway is incredulous that Bashir claims he doesnt remember meeting her. How can anyone not remember meeting the mother of a murdered child and taking her clothes? Bashir even signed a receipt for the clothes, which Mrs Hadaway still has, making his denials even more unbelievable. He met me twice. The BBC even took me to their studios in White City in London. They sent a car for me, and showed me the studio where they said theyd film me. They got all the information out of me they wanted, told me about the tests they planned and primed me that the programme would be going out. Ms Hadaway believes Bashir should have been sacked for failing to return the clothes. She revealed that she told Bashir before he took the clothes that her family had been threatened in the years following her daughters death. She said: I was followed and we had anonymous calls, saying, Weve had your Karen, were coming back for Lyndsey. The caller wanted the clothes for Bishops defence campaign. Bashir deceived Earl Spencer by showing him two fake bank statements during a meeting at Althorp in August 1995. It was the opening salvo in a litany of lies deployed by the reporter to secure his interview with Diana later that year. Ms Hadaway believes Bashir (pictured) should have been sacked for failing to return the clothes The Metropolitan Police announced last month they would not launch a criminal investigation into Bashirs Diana interview, despite a devastating report by former Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson. The police say, You have to prove someone suffered as a result, Earl Spencer said, and Diana and many others absolutely did. Earl Spencer is now challenging the police decision. The police just hope it will all go away. But it wont. Ive been very clear to them on that point. Ms Hadaway is just as resolute. As the meeting ended, she said: I told the BBC that I would get to the end of this and I will. As parting shots go, it packed quite a punch. But then it had been coming for some time. In an open letter announcing his resignation from Portland State University in Oregon, assistant philosophy professor Peter Boghossian condemned his former employer as a 'social justice factory, whose only inputs were race, gender and victimhood and whose only outputs were grievance and division'. What had once been a bastion of free inquiry was gripped by 'a culture of offence where students are too afraid to speak openly and honestly'. His broadside echoed right across the United States. ENDURING divisions: 90 years on, Western Washington Universitys Black housing programme ad SEPARATED: Black and white guests are segregated for a barbecue on an Alabama plantation Like countless others, Prof Boghossian says he has been driven out of the job he loves by a growing army of diversity tsars, or 'diversicrats', and an $8 billion equalities industry which is fast establishing itself in Britain, too. Today, most US universities have entire departments headed by members of the equality 'police'. It recently emerged, for example, that Michigan University has a total of 82 'diversity officers' with a combined annual salary of more than 7.5 million. Top speakers like Dr Bernice King, daughter of Civil Rights campaigner Dr Martin Luther King, or Robin DiAngelo, author of the bestseller White Fragility, can charge up to 20,000 per campus speech. One professor told The Mail on Sunday that one of the most prestigious universities in Los Angeles now forces professors to undergo compulsory two-hour 'diversity training' sessions each week, overseen by a consultancy that charges a reported 250,000 a year. Never mind that one conclusion of the drive for justice is the very thing America fears most: the return of segregation and the growing racial divisions that implies. Last week, Western Washington University announced 'black only' housing as part of its diversity and inclusion programme. Boasting about designating an entire floor of the Alma Clark Glass Hall as reserved for 'Black Affinity Housing', the university's website proudly proclaimed the move 'will explore and celebrate the diversity of Black and African American people and culture'. It has been dubbed 'the crazy end game' of wokeism. 'The irony is that these rules have been brought in by well-meaning liberals after the horror of George Floyd [the Minneapolis man killed by a white policeman] but the end game is segregation, however you look at it,' said the university whistle-blower. Black and white students are now being encouraged to study separately and attend graduation ceremonies based on colour or gender. Columbia University in New York held separate ceremonies for Latin, Black, Native American and Asian students, as well as a 'Lavender' graduation for LGBTQ students. Two white male students studying in a 'multicultural' centre at Arizona State University were last month heckled by black students who claimed 'being white is not a culture' and kicked them out. The professor, who asked not to be named 'because speaking about things like this will get you instantly cancelled', told the MoS: 'Every university and college now has 'diversity tsars'. There are departments dealing with this stuff. You can't say anything for fear of being cancelled by the diversicrats. 'It's like living in Mao's China. We're at the point where it's interfering with what we're supposed to be doing, which is to broaden students' minds. 'Historically, university campuses were places for open and frank discussion, where honest debate could be had. But not any more. Everyone is now terrified of the diversity police. A whole industry has sprung up and it's very lucrative for those profiting from it, but the question is, does any of this actually help the students?' With salaries for a 'Diversity Dean' averaging 200,000 a year and support staff earning between 50,000 to 125,000, critics have argued the money would be better spent supporting minority students with scholarships. Alabama Governor Wallace attempting to block integration at the University of Alabama, standing defiantly at a door 'For decades now, certainly the two decades I've been teaching, when faculty jobs come up there's always the discussion about whether the job should go to a person of colour, a woman, or someone from the LGBTQ community. 'Speaking as a white man it's become increasingly hard in California to hire other white men. Affirmative action has shaped American higher education as we know it and it's been going on since the late 1960s.' It is easy to imagine that this is just an American problem. It's true that the US has deep and enduring problems when it comes to race and social justice. Yet on Friday it was reported that new students at St Andrews in Scotland where Kate and William met has introduced compulsory modules on subjects including sustainability, diversity and consent. Students will, for example, be pressured to acknowledge that 'personal guilt is a useful start point in overcoming unconscious bias'. The University of Kent has told its students to take a four-hour course covering such topics as white privilege, micro-aggressions and pronouns. This includes the strange suggestion that to feel comfortable using swearwords or wearing second-hand clothes could somehow be indicative of 'white privilege'. Still, there is some way to go before Britain reaches the depth of aggression experienced by Prof Boghossian, whose 1,600-word resignation letter claims he had swastikas daubed on his office door, accompanied by bags of excrement. He was spat upon and threatened, he says. He went through the misery of an official inquiry after he was falsely accused of perpetrating domestic violence. True, Prof Boghossian is both white and sufficiently brave, or reckless, to have made his case in public when most prefer to remain silent (and keep their jobs). He provoked the ire of social justice warriors when he co-authored a series of deliberately absurd academic papers and persuaded respectable publications to accept them. A journal of feminist geography published Prof Boghossian's thesis on 'human reactions to rape culture and queer performativity' based on the behaviour of dogs. It concluded that men, like dogs, should be put on leads. Another, published in a journal of feminist social work, was titled Our Struggle Is My Struggle and presented extracts from Mein Kampf glued together with modish academic jargon. From Chicago to San Francisco, 50-page 'diversity handbooks' are handed out to popularise such words as Latinx (to replace Latina or Latino) and 'adultism' (prejudiced thoughts against younger people in favour of older). Another source said pressure on colleges to hire diversity tutors has led to 'puerile' scenes during mandatory diversity training sessions for academics. Bus Station with Sign 'Colored Waiting Room', Durham, North Carolina 'There seems to be no qualification for these posts except skin colour,' he said, recounting one lecture which began with a so-called 'privilege walk'. 'It was: 'Step forward if you are a white male, take a step back if your ancestors were forced to come here from Africa or worked in the fields.' Then: 'Take a step forward if your parents are college graduates, step back if you grew up in the projects [housing estates].' ' A retired university administrator said: 'All this might have started with the best of intentions, but sober minds can't help but think the students are the ones who will suffer from this nonsense. How on earth have we found ourselves, in 2021, with racially segregated dorms? 'The irony is a lot of these policies were brought in by Left-wing intellectuals desperate to do the right thing. Their hearts were in the right place. But it's gone so far now that you have this ridiculous situation where black and white students are being forced apart. 'Campuses are becoming increasingly divided into sub-sets. You have the LGBTQ groups, the Mexicans, Native American Indians, Women of Colour, Lesbian Women of Colour, gender-fluid groups, BIPOC I can go on forever. There are so many different groups.' According to The Wall Street Journal, higher education in the US now stands for 'mob rule, civil ignorance and contempt for truth and free enquiry'. It concluded that: 'America's universities were once the leading edge of an advanced culture, reinforcing and expanding the country's best features. They steered differences of opinion away from rancour and toward well-regulated, informed debate. They welcome eccentric opinions, expanded the boundaries of thought and prepared students for citizenship. Segregation Sign at Greyhound Bus Terminal on Trip from Louisville, Kentucky, to Memphis, Tennessee 'None of that persists today. Far from being the leading edge of an advanced culture, the universities drag America back toward a more primitive state. They have contempt for the restraints and rules that define society, such as political neutrality in non-political institutions. For radicals, politics takes precedence over everything.' A mother of a 19-year-old student at an East Coast university said the college regularly hosts 'White Fragility' nights, which leave the campus 'in a constant state of hysteria about systemic racism'. She added: 'My daughter has to sit there and listen to how white people are the root of all evil. 'I sent her to university to broaden her education, to prepare her for the outside world. Instead she's being fed a diatribe about how all white people are evil. 'If universities want to effect meaningful social change we don't need them spending tens of thousands on diversity training departments. 'They are no substitution for meaningful human interaction. 'If we push our kids into ever-smaller, racially divided groups, how is that going to help them?' Infowars host and right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has said that a judge has 'crucified' the First Amendment after ruling that he will need to pay damages to Sandy Hook families after claiming the school massacre was a hoax. In a video released on his website, Jones claimed the state of Texas was 'coming after' him because he's 'standing in their way' after they 'crucified' the First Amendment. 'Every basic form of American liberty is being abolished and overturn as we speak. They're coming after me because I'm standing in their way. They're coming after me because they're coming after you,' he said. Jones could be facing financial ruin after being found liable for damages in three defamation lawsuits over his claims that the Sandy Hook school massacre was 'a giant hoax.' Judge Maya Guerra Gamble in Austin, home of Infowars, entered default judgments against Jones, Infowars and other defendants for what she called their 'flagrant bad faith and callous disregard' of court orders to turn over documents to the parents' lawyers. The rulings were issued Monday and released on Thursday. A jury will now determine the amount of damages Jones and the other defendants will have to pay the families of two children killed in the 2012 shooting. Though Jones' finances are murky, with nearly all of his income thought to be derived from the sale of dubious health supplements to his loyal followers, he is thought to have a net worth of roughly $5 million. Right-wing conspiracy theorists Alex Jones claimed the First Amendment has been 'crucified' after he lost three defamation lawsuits stemming from the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. He also claimed 'every basic form of American liberty is being abolished' Jones claimed on his Infowars show that the massacre in Connecticut was 'a giant hoax' involving 'crisis actors' meant to tighten gun control laws. Pictured: mourners gather at a makeshift memorial following the mass shooting on December 16, 2012 in Newtown He also claims that Texas law states 'you can't sue someone if you didn't say their name for defamation,' he said before claiming he hadn't mentioned anyone's name. 'I'm being sued by people whose names I've never said. This is clearly a way to attack the first amendment.' US libel law states the defendant can be sued for using someone else's name, likeness, or other personal attributes. Although the law can vary by state, such as the statue of limitations, the basics of the law stay the same state-by-state. Jones also attributes his loss to his entry-level lawyers because the judge and previous judge 'will never let me have the lawyers I want that are well known, famous, First Amendment lawyers.' He also claimed that Americans need to be 'good' and 'steadfast' and 'love each other,' before asking his followers to 'pray for our accusers and pray for those that persecute us, because that's what Christ told us to do.' The shooting at the Newtown, Connecticut, school on December 14, 2012, killed 20 first-graders and six educators. The gunman, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, fatally shot his mother at their Newtown home before going to the school, and later killed himself as police arrived. The shooting was portrayed on Jones' Infowars show as a hoax involving 'crisis actors' aimed at increasing gun control. Jones has since acknowledged the school shooting did occur. During a sworn deposition in 2019, Jones blamed his previous statements about the school shooting on 'a form of psychosis.' 'I talk four hours a day, and I cant remember what I talked about sometimes a week ago,' he claimed at the time. Families of some of the school shooting victims sued Jones, Infowars and others in courts in Texas and Connecticut over the hoax conspiracy, saying they have been subjected to harassment and death threats from Jones' followers. The Connecticut cases remain pending. Leonard Pozner, who lost his six-year-old son, Noah, sued Jones and Infowars, claiming defamation Neil Heslin , whose son Jesse was among the victims, was one of four parents to have sued 'Jones and others over what their attorney described as '5-year campaign of repulsive lies' Jones and his attorney in Connecticut, Norman Pattis, criticized the Texas judge's ruling in a statement on the Infowars website. 'It takes no account of the tens of thousands of documents produced by the defendants, the hours spent sitting for depositions and the various sworn statements filed in these cases,' they said. 'We are distressed by what we regard as a blatant abuse of discretion by the trial court. We are determined to see that these cases are heard on the merits.' Adam Lanza, 20, killed his mother before going to Sandy Hook Elementary School and opening fire on students and staff. He took his own life as police were closing in Jones' lawyers have denied the defamations allegations and argued his comments about the school shooting were protected by free speech. One of the Texas lawsuits was filed by Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah was killed in the shooting. The two others were filed by Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, whose son Jesse was killed. Several other families of the victims are suing on similar claims in Connecticut. Bill Ogden, a Houston lawyer representing the four parents in the Texas cases, said Jones and Infowars have failed to turn over documents for the past few years. He added such default judgments are rare. 'My clients have and continue to endure Defendants' five-year campaign of repulsive lies,' Ogden said in a statement, which quoted the judge's ruling. 'We believe the Court hit this nail on the head when it considered Alex Jones and Infowars "bad faith approach to this litigation," Mr. Jones' "public threats," and Jones' "professed belief that these proceedings are show trials."' Guerra Gamble said in her rulings that she was defaulting Jones and the other defendants after an 'escalating series' of admonishments by judges, monetary fines and other actions was ineffective in getting the defendants to turn over documents. The massacre claimed the lives of 20 first-grade students and six educators (pictured) In 2019, Jones was ordered by another Texas judge to pay $100,000 in legal fees to Heslin's lawyers for disregarding a court order to produce witnesses. Jones also was sanctioned in the Connecticut cases for violating numerous orders to turn over documents and for an angry outburst on his web show against an attorney for some of the victims' relatives. A judge barred Jones from filing a motion to the dismiss the case - a ruling that was upheld after being appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court, which declined to hear Jones' appeal in April. Protesters and political activists rowed towards US Sen. Joe Manchin's yacht this week, demanding to know why the senator refuses to support President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill. In a video capturing the exchange, Manchin, aboard his $700,000 house boat named Almost Heaven, assured the kayakers that Democrats were working to pass a reasonable bill. West Virginians waived signs saying 'don't sink out healthcare, and shouted at the Senator while he was aboard the vessel, which was moored on the Potomac River in Washington DC. 'We're working hard, we really are,' Manchin said, looking down at the protesters who paddled up to speak with him 'We want to get a good bill that's a balanced bill, that's well done. And I know it won't be enough for some, it will be too much for others.' When one of the protesters asked him he raise taxes for the wealthy, Manchin said that it would be a priority. 'That's the number one thing. We should be fixing the tax codes so everyone pays their fare share. We're taxing the rich, I agree. We're going to make the rich and the famous pay.' West Virginians are kayaking to Joe Manchin's yacht and demanding he explain why he's stopping the reconciliation bill from advancingpic.twitter.com/Q09OC1aEHo Eoin Higgins (@EoinHiggins_) October 1, 2021 Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, spoke to protesters from aboard his $700,000 yacht West Virginians shouted at the Senator while he was aboard the yacht, which is moored on the Potomac River in Washington DC Protesters kayaked to the ship to ask why their senator would not support his own party's $3.5 trillion infrustructe bill One protester urged Manchin to vote for the bill while Democrats controlled Congress Another protester pleaded with Manchin to pass the spending bill, saying that the Republican Party would likely take control of Congress in 2022. 'This is our one chance right now to pass the legislation. They're not going to pass something like this for the people,' the protester said. Manchin rebuked the statement and said the bill was a work in progress. Manchin remains committed to slashing the infrastructure bill by more than half as the moderate Democrat continues the feud with his progressive counterparts. Manchin, of West Virginia, had dashed hopes for a swift compromise on a framework when he refused to budge late Thursday on his demands for a smaller overall package, about $1.5 trillion. He stands with fellow moderate Sen. Krysten Sinema against the 96-member strong Congressional Progressive Caucus, who have banded together in a voting bloc against the infrastructure plan until Senate moderates agree to support the broader social agenda. Senators Joe Manchin, left, and Krysten Sinema, both moderate Democrats, are the key holdouts preventing the party from passing the ambitious spending bills Progressives are flexing their muscles. Led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (left), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (right) they are threatening to tank Biden's bipartisan infrastructure bill Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the caucus, condemned moderates for standing in the way of the bigger spending package. 'We won't let massive corporations, billionaires, and a few conservative Democrats stand in the way of delivering transformational progress for millions of working people,' she said BREAK DOWN OF THE $1.2T BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL $110 billion for roads and bridges $39 billion for public transit $66 billion for railways $65 billion for expanding broadband internet $25 billion to repair major airports $7.5 billion for the first-ever network of charging stations for electric vehicles $21 billion to respond to environmental concerns like pollution $73 billion to modernize America's energy grid FUNDING $650 billion in funding for the bill comes from existing, planned investments in the countrys roads, highways and bridges The remaining $550 billion over the next five years requires new spending Democrats wanted to fund the rest through tax revenues like a new gas tax Republicans wanted to raise money through fees issues on those who use the new infrastructure The bipartisan compromise, sure to raise heated debate, proposed using $205 billion in untapped COVID-19 relief aid and unemployment assistance that was turned away by some states Advertisement Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush blasted Manchin for now demanding that Democrats trim the budget package to $1.5 trillion after backing an earlier version of the massive plan. 'We need to be serious and right now when we are seeing from the conservative side and the small cadre of people is a fundamentally unserious pattern of negotiation,' Ocasio-Cortez told ABC News. Meanwhile, Biden has called on Democrats to unite while admitting on Saturday that the strained talks over his spending bills have left everyone frustrated. 'Everybodys frustrated, its part of being in government, being frustrated,' Biden told reporters before leaving the White House for a weekend stay at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. He pledged to 'work like hell' to get the two pillars of his domestic agenda passed into law, but refrained from laying out a new deadline. Biden added that he would soon travel around the country to promote the legislation and he acknowledged concerns that the talk in Washington had become too focused on the trillions in new spending and taxes in the bill. He pledged to do more to educate the public about the plan's new and expanded programs, which he contended have the support of the vast majority of the electorate. 'I'm going to try to sell what I think the American people will buy,' Biden said Saturday, adding, 'I believe that when the American people are aware of whats in it well get it done.' The president had gone to Capitol Hill on Friday for a private meeting with House Democrats that was partly a morale booster for the disjointed caucus of lawmakers. During the meeting, Biden had offered to slash more than a trillion dollars from his mammoth spending bill in an attempt to save his political agenda from warring factions in his own party. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, 'While great progress has been made in the negotiations... more time is needed to complete the task. After Pelosi again called off a planned vote on infrastructure in the face of progressive opposition, moderate House Democrats slammed the move as 'a sad day for our nation' and asked for the bill to be brought to the floor immediately. According to lawmakers in the room, Biden had also discussed a $1.9 trillion to $2 trillion-plus price tag for the larger package that would expand the country's social safety net. The White House and its allies in Congress are prepared for protracted negotiations. President Joe Biden admitted 'everyone is frustrated' regarding the stalled passing of his $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill in the House Without a broader deal, prospects for a vote on the companion public works bill stalled out as progressives refused to commit until senators reached agreement. Pelosi told colleagues that 'more time is needed' as they shape the broader package. The House passed a 30-day measure to keep transportation programs running during the stalemate, essentially setting a new deadline for talks, October 31. The Senate was set to follow with a vote Saturday, to halt the furloughs of more than 3,500 federal transportation workers, a byproduct of the political impasse. With Republicans solidly opposed to Biden's sweeping vision, the president and Democrats are reaching for a giant legislative accomplishment on their own - all to be paid for by rewriting federal balance sheets with tax increases on corporations and the wealthy, those earning more than $400,000 a year. The larger of Biden's proposals is a years-in-the-making collection of Democratic priorities with an ultimate price tag he says is zero, because the tax revenue would cover the spending costs. New Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries will use her speech to the Tory Party conference to throw down the gauntlet to the BBC following rows over the impartiality of its journalists. Sources said Ms Dorries, who was promoted to the Cabinet in Boris Johnson's reshuffle last month, hoped to use the speech to tell the corporation 'what was expected of it if it wanted to keep the licence fee'. The Mid-Bedfordshire MP, a best-selling novelist who appeared on ITV's I'm A Celebrity, has previously described the BBC as a 'Left-wing', 'hypocritical' and 'patronising' organisation which had too many 'dull, boring, male and ageing wig-wearing men' on presenting duties. A source said: 'The plan is to put the BBC on notice that its days as the voice of the Islington Left are numbered. Sources said Nadine Dorries, who was promoted to the Cabinet in Boris Johnson's reshuffle last month, hoped to use her Tory conference speech to tell the BBC 'what was expected of it' 'Nadine appreciates that it has a global reputation for the quality of many of its programmes, but the woke-infested news output needs addressing.' The BBC, which receives 3.52 billion a year from the licence fee, reacted with dismay to Ms Dorries's appointment after it emerged she had once described state-run television as 'more in keeping with a Soviet-style country', and backed a campaign to decriminalise non-payment of the licence fee. The Corporation's Royal Charter is due for renewal in 2027. As recently as last year, when she was outside the Cabinet as a Health Minister, Ms Dorries said: 'The BBC favours strident, very Left-wing, often hypocritical and frequently patronising views that turn people away.' BBC director-general Tim Davie was drawn into a row over the appointment of Jess Brammar to a senior role in BBC News, despite her having posted tweets critical of Brexit and the Government in the past after Mr Davie claimed to have made 'some progress' in delivering impartiality since he arrived a year ago. The Mid-Bedfordshire MP, who appeared on ITV's I'm A Celebrity (pictured in 2012), has previously described the BBC as a 'Left-wing', 'hypocritical' and 'patronising' organisation Ms Brammar's appointment was defended by a virulent collection of Left-leaning activists on Twitter who said her opponents were 'misogynistic'. Mr Davie defended the appointment by saying he thought the BBC would be 'in dangerous territory if previous political positions, tweets, goodness knows what else, rule you out from BBC jobs'. When Ms Dorries was appointed, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: 'What's great about Nadine Dorries is that she produces culture that people buy and actually want to see, rather than some of the more crackpot schemes we've seen being funded in the past by taxpayers' money. I think she'll bring realism to it.' Ms Dorries is the tenth culture secretary to have been appointed in just a decade, a rate of turnover which has dismayed BBC executives. Mr Davie says that while he expected a 'bit of theatre' from Ms Dorries, he hoped they could have a 'really serious, grown-up dialogue'. 'There's some good quality people in government and we'll have constructive conversations,' he said. Boris Johnson faced calls to apologise last night after saying never mind cancer outcomes and life expectancy look at wage growth. The Prime Minister sparked anger last night by appearing to put the well-being of the economy over surviving serious illness. In an interview with BBC North-East, Mr Johnson denied his plan to level up the country was an empty slogan and difficult to measure. The Prime Minister sparked anger last night by appearing to put the well-being of the economy over surviving serious illness Labour condemned the most chilling remarks last night, saying that it echoed the Prime Ministers alleged let the bodies pile high comment as he sought to avoid a third Covid lockdown He said: Ive given you the most important metric, which is: never mind life expectancy, never mind, you know, cancer outcomes look at wage growth. Labour condemned the most chilling remarks last night, saying that it echoed the Prime Ministers alleged let the bodies pile high comment as he sought to avoid a third Covid lockdown. Mr Johnson has always denied making the remark last October. But Tories hit back last night with Yorkshire MP Alexander Stafford saying: This is just Labour mischief. It is ridiculous to suggest the PM was belittling the importance of cancer outcomes and life expectancy. He was clearly saying that when it comes to levelling up for regions in the North, wage growth is the best measurement as wages historically are lower certainly in my region than in the South. Tory party sources also pointed out that the 36 billion investment in health and social care announced last month would help to improve cancer treatments across the country. Mr Johnsons latest comments came during a pre-party conference television interview when he was challenged to define what levelling up meant to the North-East region. Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: People who have lost loved ones to cancer will be sickened by the PMs remarks' The PM hailed the sense of positivity and energy in the region and stressed how, for the first time in 10 years, wage growth is now being experienced faster by those on lower incomes That is what I mean by levelling up. But Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: People who have lost loved ones to cancer will be sickened by the PMs remarks. He should apologise immediately. Life expectancy has stalled for those in the poorest areas. There is no levelling up without levelling up health. Its now clearer than ever that all Boris Johnson offers is just glib words and no action. Britain is to become a production hub for the worldwide supply of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. A landmark deal will see the firm's drug bottled in Swindon before being sent to Pfizer's vast depot in the Belgian town of Puurs and distributed around the world. The tie-up between Pfizer and Thermo Fisher Scientific, a US laboratory equipment maker which has an existing base in Swindon, will create 200 new jobs. The Pfizer-BioNTech jab was the first to be administered by a major western nation when Margaret Keenan, now 91, received a dose in December in Coventry. A landmark deal will see the Pfizer's drug bottled in Swindon before being sent to Pfizer's vast depot in the Belgian town of Puurs and distributed around the world (stock image) However, the vaccine has not until now been made or bottled in the UK, with supplies coming from Puurs. From early next year, Thermo Fisher will take on so-called 'fill and finish' duties for some of the Pfizer jabs, which involves putting the vaccine into vials and packaging them for distribution. Pfizer, which will continue to manufacture the drug at nine sites in the US and Europe along with those of 20 contractors across the world, said the Swindon deal will add 'significant capacity' to its global network. Thermo Fisher will invest 70 million to expand its existing manufacturing site, including two new manufacturing lines and ultra-cold storage. Pfizer has distributed 1.6 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses so far this year with a target of three billion for 2021 and four billion in 2022. The UK has ordered more of its vaccine than any other, buying 100 million doses this year with a further 35 million due in the second half of 2022. The Pfizer-BioNTech jab was the first to be administered by a major western nation when Margaret Keenan (pictured), now 91, received a dose in December in Coventry Pfizer UK manager Ben Osborn said: 'I'm delighted that through this agreement, the UK will be playing a role in producing vaccines to try to reach as many people around the world as quickly as possible. 'We work hard to ensure continuity of supply and, to date, we have been able to keep a steady flow of vaccines into the UK ensuring we are delivering according to the monthly allocations agreed with the UK Vaccines Taskforce.' The deal will bolster Britain's domestic coronavirus vaccine production industry. Oxford-AstraZeneca produce and package doses at sites in Keele, Oxford and Wrexham. while Novavax, which is yet to apply for approval for its vaccine, is manufacturing in Stockton-on-Tees. But the Government last month terminated a deal with France's Valneva to supply doses from its facilities in West Lothian, Scotland, despite ploughing taxpayer funds into the site. A row over 'vaccine nationalism' where countries push to get first access erupted earlier this year when the EU threatened to block AstraZeneca exports from Europe. Downing Street hopes the agreement could bolster Britain's self-sufficiency in vaccine production, with Boris Johnson keen to ramp up availability of jabs in the UK to prevent any future vaccine war disrupting supplies. Mr Osborn stressed that while the Pfizer jabs would be produced in Swindon, they would likely be exported. 'When it comes on stream, the doses produced in Swindon will be for our global supply chain,' he said. One billion doses have been allocated for low and lower-middle income countries at no profit this year and a further billion in 2022. Advertisement Greedy garage bosses were charging almost 3 for a litre of petrol yesterday amid warnings that the fuel crisis is worsening in London and the South East. Motorists are being told prices could rise by up to 5p a litre this week as industry chiefs claimed the situation is getting worse in London and parts of the South East. With Army personnel poised to start delivering fuel, The Mail on Sunday discovered one Gulf petrol station in West London charging 2.93 per litre for Super Unleaded a staggering 47 per cent more than its normal price of 1.98. Figures compiled by the FairFuelUK campaign group indicated that the average national price of a litre of petrol now stands at 141.9p, which is up from 136.5p. Meanwhile, diesel drivers are now paying 145.5p rather than the usual 139.2p. FairFuelUKs Howard Cox said that pump prices were likely to increase by between 3p and 5p next week and accused opportunistic petrol stations of profiteering. We want fair prices for consumers, Mr Cox said, but right now Britains motorists are being ripped off under the smokescreen of the chaos. Hardworking people are simply being fleeced. Greedy garage bosses were charging almost 3 for a litre of petrol yesterday amid warnings that the fuel crisis is worsening in London and the South East. Above: Fuel crisis rumbles on in Loughton, Essex Motorists are being told prices could rise by up to 5p a litre this week as industry chiefs claimed the situation is worsening An aerial shot shows the extent of the queues for fuel this morning at a Tesco petrol station in Ely, Cambridgeshire A driver fills up their Bentley at a petrol station in Baker Street, central London, today, as experts predicts the fuel crisis to worsen Huge queues again formed this morning at a petrol station in Ely, Cambridgeshire, amid fears the crisis is getting worse in the south east A customer at the Gulf petrol station at Sloane Services charging 2.93 a litre told The Mail on Sunday: Its not ideal, its certainly very expensive, but under the circumstances, I dont think Ive got much choice. A member of staff at the petrol station said: We are not responsible for setting the prices. Military personnel will start distributing fuel from tomorrow. At a Co-op filling station in Swanley, Kent, soldiers were yesterday given lessons by staff on filling the fuel station reservoir from a tanker. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) Brian Madderson said the shortage remains a really big problem. In London and the South East and possibly parts of eastern England, if anything it had got worse, Mr Madderson told Radio 4s Today programme. Part of the government's reserve tanker fleet based at a depot in Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire Part of the government's reserve tanker fleet based at a depot in Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire this morning In an exclusive interview with the Mail, Chancellor Rishi Sunak (pictured) said the supply problems are global and cannot be fixed by Britain alone 'No Fuel' signage is displayed at a closed filling station in Streatham Hill, south London, on Saturday morning Downing Street yesterday insisted there was plenty of fuel in the UK, and that shortages had been caused solely by panic buying. Pictured: A soldier in an oil tanker in Purfleet The decision to send in the Army (pictured: military at Buncefield fuel storage) to tackle the crisis comes after a week of U-turns in which ministers have flip-flopped on the issue Nearly 200 military drivers are being deployed to the worst-hit areas, Downing Street confirmed. Pictured: Military personnel seen at the BP Oil plant in Hemel Hempstead Herts Staff were this morning directing the queues as the panic buying continues amid Britain's ongoing fuel crisis He welcomed the announcement that military drivers are to be deployed, but warned it will have a limited impact. This isnt going to be the major panacea. Its a large help but, in terms of the volume, they are not going to be able to carry that much. We do need a prioritisation of deliveries to filling stations particularly the independent ones which are the neighbourhood retail sites in London and the South East starting immediately, he said. In an effort to encourage calm, Health Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday insisted that the fuel crisis is stabilising in most parts of the country and the military is being deployed as a precaution. I think it is right that as a precaution the Government has asked the military to help, he told Sky News. I think that is the right measure to take to make sure that people have all the confidence that they need. I think that will further stabilise the situation and give more confidence. Data from the PRA yesterday showed that 16 per cent of petrol stations have no fuel an improvement on more than a quarter on Friday. Mr Madderson said: In the North, Scotland, some parts of the Midlands there was a distinct improvement in fewer dry sites. Despite that, there are still concerns over the shortage of HGV drivers. The Government announced on Friday that 300 fuel drivers would be able to come to Britain from abroad immediately as part of a bespoke visa programme that will last until March. Another 4,700 other visas intended for foreign food haulage drivers will extend beyond the initial period of three months and will instead last from late October to the end of February. In addition, 5,500 poultry workers will also be allowed in to keep supermarket shelves full ahead of Christmas. The decision to deploy soldiers to start deliver petrol comes as Rishi Sunak warned shortages of goods could continue until Christmas. Pictured: Fuel tankers at Buncefield fuel storage Military drivers will be deployed to deliver fuel to forecourts from Monday as the crisis at the pumps continues No fuel signs are placed outside the forecourt of an Esso filling station in Wimbledon, South West London as the fuel supply crisis continues Petrol nozzles are covered at an Esso filling station in Wimbledon, South West London as the fuel supply crisis continues Petrol nozzles are covered at an Esso filling station in Wimbledon, South West London as the fuel supply crisis continues Advertisement Following a dramatic week on Capitol Hill, a moderate Democratic senator from Arizona slammed leaders of her own party over their 'inexcusable' failure to hold a vote on the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema one of the key holdouts on the budget bill took to Twitter Saturday, calling the canceled vote 'deeply disappointing' and a betrayal of the trust of the American people. 'The failure of the U.S. House to hold a vote on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is inexcusable, and deeply disappointing for communities across our country,' Sinema wrote. 'Denying Americans millions of good-paying jobs, safer roads, cleaner water, more reliable electricity, and better broadband only hurts everyday families.' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi canceled the vote on the Senate-passed infrastructure bill on Thursday as several far-left caucus members vowed to tank President Joe Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure plan, which centrists support, if the moderate faction does not also back the broader $3.5 trillion social spending bill that is packed with their priorities. Although Democrats did not have enough votes to pass the infrastructure bill, Sinema argues that cancelling it was 'an ineffective stunt to gain leverage over a separate proposal.' Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) slammed Democratic leaders on Saturday over their 'inexcusable' failure to hold a vote on the $1.2trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan 'My vote belongs to Arizona, and I do not trade my vote for political favors I vote based only on what is best for my state and the country,' she said. 'I have never, and would never, agree to any bargain that would hold one piece of legislation hostage to another.' Sinema also argued that she worked to deliver the infrastructure bill while also engaging in 'good faith negotiations' on the reconciliation package. 'Good-faith negotiations, however, require trust. Over the course of this year, Democratic leaders have made conflicting promises that could not all be kept and have, at times, pretended that differences of opinion within our party did not exist, even when those disagreements were repeatedly made clear directly and publicly,' she stated. 'Canceling the infrastructure vote further erodes that trust. More importantly, it betrays the trust the American people have placed in their elected leaders and denies our country crucial investments to expand economic opportunities.' In a statement released on Twitter, Sinema argued that delaying the vote was 'deeply disappointing' and a betrayal of the trust of the American people. Sinema's comments came after the vote was delayed for the third time this week. Pelosi previously vowed to bring the measure to the floor on Monday and Thursday, signaling a deepening stalemate even as party leaders insist progress is being made. She admitted that 'more time is needed' after the two sides failed to reach a deal on the broader $3.5 trillion spending package. However, she also issued a letter Saturday to fellow Democrats stating that she wants the legislation to be passed before the end of the month. 'There is an October 31st Surface Transportation Authorization deadline, after last night's passage of a critical 30-day extension. We must pass [Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework] well before then the sooner the better, to get the jobs out there,' Pelosi wrote. 'We will and must pass both bills soon. We have the responsibility and the opportunity to do so. People are waiting and want results.' Sinema's and Pelosi's statements were released just hours after Biden acknowledged his frustrations as Democrats strain to rescue a scaled-back version of his $3.5 trillion government-overhaul plan and salvage a related public works bill after frantic negotiations failed to produce a deal. 'Everybody's frustrated, it's part of being in government, being frustrated,' Biden told reporters Saturday before leaving the White House for a weekend stay at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. He pledged to 'work like hell' to get the two pillars of his domestic agenda passed into law, but refrained from laying out a new deadline. 'I support both of them. And I think we can get them both done,' he told Fox News. Sinema's comments come after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (front, right) released a statement saying she wanted the legislation passed by the end of October and as President Joe Biden (back, left) expressed frustrations over the failed negotiations BREAK DOWN OF THE $1.2T BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL $110 billion for roads and bridges $39 billion for public transit $66 billion for railways $65 billion for expanding broadband internet $25 billion to repair major airports $7.5 billion for the first-ever network of charging stations for electric vehicles $21 billion to respond to environmental concerns like pollution $73 billion to modernize America's energy grid FUNDING $650 billion in funding for the bill comes from existing, planned investments in the countrys roads, highways and bridges The remaining $550 billion over the next five years requires new spending Democrats wanted to fund the rest through tax revenues like a new gas tax Republicans wanted to raise money through fees issues on those who use the new infrastructure The bipartisan compromise, sure to raise heated debate, proposed using $205 billion in untapped COVID-19 relief aid and unemployment assistance that was turned away by some states Advertisement The White House also released a statement Saturday arguing that Biden left a meeting with caucus Democrats on Friday 'with the firm belief that there was a shared commitment from across the Democratic Caucus to deliver for the American people.' 'The President and his team will continue close engagement with Members of both the House and the Senate through the weekend,' the statement read. 'And he looks forward to not only welcoming Members to the White House next week, but also traveling the country to make the case for his bold and ambitious agenda.' Meanwhile, other Democrats have singled out Pelosi and other members of leadership for delaying the vote. Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer, a leader of the moderates, said in a statement Friday it was 'deeply regrettable' that Pelosi broke her commitment to hold a vote on the infrastructure bill, claiming 'a small far-left faction' of the House blocked the vote. Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, has clashed with those in the 'progressive' wing of the party over the two huge pieces of legislation Democrats are hoping to pass. He urged Democrats to pass the bipartisan infrastructure deal right away and then proceed to focus on the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill separately. 'It's deeply regrettable that Speaker Pelosi breached her firm, public commitment to Members of Congress and the American people to hold a vote and to pass the once-in-a-century bipartisan infrastructure bill on or before September 27,' he said. 'Specifically, the Speaker said, 'I am committing to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill by September 27. I do so with a commitment to rally House Democratic support for its passage.' That agreement was sealed with the vote of every Democrat in the House on August 24, which put the commitment in writing.' Gottheimer continued, slamming 'this far left faction' and accusing them of 'putting civility and bipartisan governing at risk.' 'Along with a group of Members, I've been working around-the-clock to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill, legislation we helped craft back in April with my Senate colleagues,' Gottheimer said in a statement Friday. 'But a small far-left faction of the House of Representatives undermined that agreement and blocked a critical vote on the President's historic bipartisan infrastructure bill.' Unlike Sinema and Gottheimer, Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington State, is pushing for the two bills to be linked. 'Let us be clear: our caucus supports the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. We see the harms that crumbling roads, structurally deficient bridges, and lead-poisoned water have on our communities. Updating our infrastructure is a necessary component to delivering a strong, stable economy that creates opportunity for all,' she penned in an op-ed to CNN on Monday. Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer, a leader of the moderates, said in a statement it was 'deeply regrettable' that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi broke her commitment to hold a vote on the infrastructure bill claiming 'a small far left faction' of the House blocked the vote Hours later, Gottheimer put out a statement slamming 'this far left faction' accusing them of 'putting civility and bipartisan governing at risk.' 'But equally necessary are the child care, elder care, health care, housing, education and climate actions currently included in the Build Back Better Act. Without both the infrastructure bill and the budget bill, our economic recovery will be slow, unstable, and weak. Millions of Americans will be left out or fall further behind.' Jayapal also blamed 'conservative Democrats' saying they were in the way of the president's agenda. 'A few conservative Democrats have suggested we should 'pause' this urgently needed legislation by moving forward without the Build Back Better Act and providing less help to families. But we will not leave behind child care, paid leave, health care, housing, education, climate action, and a long-overdue road map to citizenship.' She continued: 'We must deliver for American families. Our Progressive Caucus members will put our votes on the line to send the entirety of the Build Back Better agenda to President Biden's desk.' Unlike Sinema and Gottheimer, Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal (pictured), a Democrat from Washington State, is pushing for the two to be linked In a desperate bid to appease the moderate holdouts Senators Joe Manchin and Sinema Biden went to Capitol Hill on Friday for a private meeting with House Democrats that was partly a morale booster for the disjointed caucus of lawmakers. The president offered to slash more than a trillion dollars from his mammoth spending bill, in an attempt to save his political agenda from warring factions in his own party. He pleaded with House progressives to agree to cut some $1.5 trillion from the broader bill, according to lawmakers in the room. 'Manchin and Sinema should we just call them co-president at this point,' grumbled one Democrat leaving the meeting, according to The Hill. 'Is that what it's come down to?' In his private meeting with the House Democratic caucus, Biden told the lawmakers that 'I know a little bit about the legislative process,' a person familiar with the private remarks told the Associated Press. The president also reportedly relayed an anecdote fit for the moment, telling them that when he moved into the Oval Office, he installed pictures of Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt, presidents who respectively led a 'deeply divided country and the biggest economic transformation and that's just the kind of moment we're in,' according to Rep. David Cicilline, a Rhode Island Democrat. Biden, left, came down to the Capitol to meet with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and fellow Democrats on October 1. The party is split over the proposed bills Bill Maher DEFENDS Manchin and Sinema from furious progressives saying 'they might have their thumb on the pulse of the average Democrat' Real Time host Bill Maher has expressed support for moderate Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, as they face down progressives in the party in a civil war over President Joe Biden's multitrillion spending plans. Maher opened his panel discussion of Friday night with journalists Matt Taibbi and Katherine Mangu-Ward by discussing the chaos on Capitol Hill between the warring Democrat factions. Progressives are threatening to tank Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure plan, which centrists support, if the moderate faction does not also back the broader $3.5 trillion social spending bill that is packed with their priorities. Maher noted that House progressives are 'very mad' at Sinema and Manchin for blocking the broader bill. 'They're mad at them because they're not progressive enough -- forgetting that they only got elected because they're not progressives! They're moderates,' Maher said. Real Time host Bill Maher has expressed support for moderate Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, as they face down progressives in the party 'Here's my question: Does spending more money make you a better person?' Maher asked. 'And maybe these two, Sinema and Manchin, do they might have their thumb more on the pulse on the average Democrat in the country?' he asked. Both Manchin, from West Virginia, and Sinema, from Arizona, won close races in 2018 in states that have Republican governors, by garnering support from independents. Earlier, in his monologue, Maher also tackled the budget fights in DC, noting that Congress had passed an 11th hour stopgap measure on Thursday to prevent a government shutdown. 'You're cheering? Because we made it through 'til December 3. That's what they did!' Maher reacted. 'This is the equivalent of putting duct tape on your shower nozzle until you actually call the plumber.' 'This stupid, stupid game of chicken that they always play when a Democrat is the president and Republicans can make him look like an a**hole,' Maher said. 'And of course, at the last minute, Democrats had to back down. Nancy Pelosi blinked, which is itself new,' he added. Advertisement Biden spent less than an hour with House Democrats during the rare presidential visit to Capitol Hill. As he left he appeared to concede tensions between progressives and centrists within his own party needed more than a quick bit of sweet talking if he was to save his domestic agenda. He also attributed the failed negotiations to the usual atmosphere at the capital, but assured Americans that the bills were popular enough to pass. 'I'm a realist. I know how legislation gets done. There's no reason why both bills can't pass. It doesn't matter if it is six minutes, six days or six weeks. We are going to get it done,' he said. Pelosi said, 'While great progress has been made in the negotiations... more time is needed to complete the task. After Pelosi again called off a planned vote on infrastructure in the face of progressive opposition, moderate House Democrats slammed the move as 'a sad day for our nation' and asked for the bill to be brought to the floor immediately. According to lawmakers in the room, Biden had also discussed a $1.9 trillion to $2 trillion-plus price tag for the larger package that would expand the country's social safety net. The White House and its allies in Congress are prepared for protracted negotiations. Biden added that he would soon travel around the country to promote the legislation and he acknowledged concerns that the talk in Washington had become too focused on the trillions in new spending and taxes in the bill. He pledged to do more to educate the public about the plan's new and expanded programs, which he contended have the support of the vast majority of the electorate. 'I'm going to try to sell what I think the American people will buy,' Biden said Saturday, adding, 'I believe that when the American people are aware of whats in it we'll get it done.' The president said he believed the legislation will be signed into law with 'plenty of time to change the tax code for people next year.' It's a pivotal time for Biden and the party. His approval ratings have dropped and Democrats are restless, eager to deliver on his signature campaign promise of rebuilding the country. His ideas go beyond roads-and-bridges infrastructure to delivering dental, vision and hearing care for seniors, free prekindergarten, major efforts to tackle climate change and other investments that would touch countless American lives. Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, had dashed hopes for a swift compromise on a framework when he refused to budge late Thursday on his demands for a smaller overall package, about $1.5 trillion. The senator stands against the 96-member strong Congressional Progressive Caucus, who have banded together in a voting bloc against the infrastructure plan until Senate moderates agree to support the broader social agenda. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the caucus, condemned moderates for standing in the way of the bigger spending package. 'We won't let massive corporations, billionaires, and a few conservative Democrats stand in the way of delivering transformational progress for millions of working people,' she said Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush blasted Manchin for now demanding that Democrats trim the budget package to $1.5 trillion after backing an earlier version of the massive plan. 'We need to be serious and right now when we are seeing from the conservative side and the small cadre of people is a fundamentally unserious pattern of negotiation,' Ocasio-Cortez told ABC News. Without a broader deal, prospects for a vote on the companion public works bill stalled out as progressives refused to commit until senators reached agreement. Pelosi told colleagues that 'more time is needed' as they shape the broader package. Senators Joe Manchin, left, and Kyrsten Sinema, both moderate Democrats, are the key holdouts preventing the party from passing the ambitious spending bills Reps. Cori Bush (left) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (right) blasted Manchin for now demanding that Democrats trim the budget package to $1.5 trillion after backing an earlier version of the massive plan The House passed a 30-day measure to keep transportation programs running during the stalemate, essentially setting a new deadline for talks, October 31. The Senate was set to follow with a vote Saturday, to halt the furloughs of more than 3,500 federal transportation workers, a byproduct of the political impasse. With Republicans solidly opposed to Biden's sweeping vision, the president and Democrats are reaching for a giant legislative accomplishment on their own - all to be paid for by rewriting federal balance sheets with tax increases on corporations and the wealthy, those earning more than $400,000 a year. The larger of Biden's proposals is a years-in-the-making collection of Democratic priorities with an ultimate price tag he says is zero, because the tax revenue would cover the spending costs. The White House and Democrats also are focusing on raising the nation's borrowing limit before the United States risks defaulting on its obligations - a deadline the Treasury Department estimates will be reached no later than October 18. The House has already acted, but Republicans senators have indicated they will not provide votes for bipartisan passage and want Democrats to go it alone. 'I hope that the Republicans won't be so irresponsible as to refuse to raise the debt limit and to filibuster the debt limit,' Biden said Saturday. 'That would be totally unconscionable. Never been done before. And so I hope that won't happen.'' Meanwhile, Simena who called out her own party leadership on Saturday remains under scrutiny after she skipped town to see a foot doctor with plans to attend a big dollar fundraiser amid tense budget talks in Washington. She was seen leaving the Capitol late Thursday night after being holed up in talks all day. Her office said she remained in touch with the White House even while tending to her hurt foot. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., leaves a private meeting with Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., White House domestic policy adviser Susan Rice, Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese, and other White House officials on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. She flew home to Phoenix, where she had a medical appointment Friday, her office said. The NY Times reported she was to attend a high-dollar fundraiser retreat Saturday Sinema, a runner, broke her foot in June 'Senator Sinema is in Phoenix where she has a medical appointment today, and where she continues remote negotiations with the White House,' her office said in a statement Friday. 'Last night, Kyrsten and our team offered the White House continued discussions and negotiations for this morning. We're awaiting word from the White House for their availability,' the statement added. The Senate was not in session Friday, and most of the action was in the House where Biden attempted to resolve intra-party disputes on the infrastructure bill and reconciliation package. Amid the turmoil, the New York Times reported that Sinema had a big dollar 'retreat' for her PAC on Saturday, to be held at a high-end resort and spa. Earlier this week, the paper reported she attended a 'Sinema for Arizona' event in DC with lobbyists and supporters paying up to $5,100 to support her. Sinema broke her foot in June while running the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon in Washington state. She is an avid athlete and runner, competing in marathons and ironman triathlons. In the weeks after she was spotted in the Capitol hobbling on crutches and wearing a boot. Lawmakers who get health coverage for their Senate offices can choose from medical plans that have in-network doctors in Washington, D.C. Some progressives are boiling over at the first-term senator, including Rep. Mark Pocan claimed she has brought nothing 'but a designer purse' to leadership negotiations. 'Half of Manchinema has now shown us something. Waiting for the other half to show us something other than a designer purse,' said Pocan, in reference to Sens. Manchin and Sinema Progressive lawmakers have been boiling over at Sinema for failing to state precise objections to the reconciliation bill or a top number she can live with. 'Claims that the Senator has not detailed her views to President Biden and Senator Schumer are false,' she finally responded Thursday Pocan, a Wisconsin member of the substantial House progressive faction, tore into Sinema as the Arizona Democrat once again held a key role in Capitol negotiations, after shuttling repeatedly to the White House this week. 'Half of Manchinema has now shown us something. Waiting for the other half to show us something other than a designer purse,' Pocan told Forbes, referencing how the Simena and Manchina are deterring the bill's passage. His comment came after fellow progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) ripped Sinema this week. 'The president has already won me over. I'm on his side, as by the way is 99 per cent of the Democratic party,' the lawmaker fumed on CNN. 'We're willing to negotiate,' he said. 'Literally one senator one Senator, Kyrsten Sinema is holding up the will of the entire Democratic Party,' he said. Said Khanna: 'The President keeps begging her: tell us what you want. Put a proposal forward,' Khsanna said. He noted that progressive lawmakers had come down from an earlier push for $6 trillion in the 'human infrastructure' bill. 'How do you compromise ... when Sinema is not saying anything?' he asked. 'This is not progressives versus moderates. This is the entire Democratic Party and Joe Biden versus Kyrsten Sinema,' he added. 'I have no idea what she wants. I don't htink her colleagues know what she wants. I don't think the president knows what she wants. We don't know what she wants. it's really odd. Sinema defended herself against the criticism in a statement tweeted out by her office Thurdsay. 'Senator Sinema said publicly more than two months ago, before Senate passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, that she would not support a bill costing $3.5 trillion,' her office said. 'In August, she shared detailed concerns and priorities, including dollar figures, directly with Senate Majority Leader [Chuck] Schumer and the White House. Claims that the Senator has not detailed her views to President Biden and Senator Schumer are false.' Similarly, protesters and political activists have demanded to know why the Manchin refuses to support the $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill. In a video capturing the exchange, Manchin, aboard his $700,000 yacht named Almost Heaven, assured the West Virginian kayakers that Democrats were working to pass a reasonable bill. West Virginians are kayaking to Joe Manchin's yacht and demanding he explain why he's stopping the reconciliation bill from advancingpic.twitter.com/Q09OC1aEHo Eoin Higgins (@EoinHiggins_) October 1, 2021 Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, spoke to protesters from aboard his $700,000 yacht Protesters kayaked to the ship to ask why their senator would not support his own party's $3.5 trillion infrustructe bill One protester urged Manchin to vote for the bill while Democrats controlled Congress 'We're working hard, we really are,' Manchin said, looking down at the protesters who paddled up to speak with him 'We want to get a good bill that's a balanced bill, that's well done. And I know it won't be enough for some, it will be too much for others.' When one of the protesters asked him he raise taxes for the wealthy, Manchin said that it would be a priority. 'That's the number one thing. We should be fixing the tax codes so everyone pays their fare share. We're taxing the rich, I agree. We're going to make the rich and the famous pay.' Another protester pleaded with Manchin to pass the spending bill, saying that the Republican Party would likely take control of Congress in 2022. 'This is our one chance right now to pass the legislation. They're not going to pass something like this for the people,' the protester said. Manchin rebuked the statement and said the bill was a work in progress. He remains committed to slashing the infrastructure bill by more than half as the moderate Democrat continues the feud with his progressive counterparts. Isn't it all a bit late, Joe? Biden reveals he'll tour the country next week to sell his scaled back $2.3T budget package after humiliating no-vote and admits, 'everyone is frustrated' A casually dressed President Joe Biden acknowledged frustrations as Democrats strain to rescue a scaled-back version of his $3.5 trillion government-overhaul plan and salvage a related public works bill after frantic negotiations failed to produce a deal. 'Everybody's frustrated, it's part of being in government, being frustrated,' Biden told reporters before leaving the White House for a weekend stay at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. He pledged to 'work like hell' to get the two pillars of his domestic agenda passed into law, but refrained from laying out a new deadline. President Joe Biden admitted 'everyone is frustrated' regarding the stalled passing of his $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill in the House Biden said he would work 'like hell' to get the bill passed before going home for the weekend The president had gone to Capitol Hill on Friday for a private meeting with House Democrats that was partly a morale booster for the disjointed caucus of lawmakers. During the meeting, Biden had offered to slash more than a trillion dollars from his mammoth spending bill in an attempt to save his political agenda from warring factions in his own party. Progressives are refusing to move forward with the infrastructure bill until they can be sure centrists will not water down the bigger, $3.5trillion proposal. It proposes hiking taxes on the nation's wealthiest in order to fund a huge round of spending on free education, social care and green measures. In the Senate, moderates Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are key holdouts who have advocated for greater slashes to the president's infrastructure bill. Biden attributed the frustration the usual atmosphere at the capital, but assured Americans that the bills were popular enough to pass. 'I'm a realist. I know how legislation gets done. There's no reason why both bills can't pass.' Biden arrived at Delaware on Saturday morning. He plans to stay the weekend before going on a cross country trip to promote his signature spending bills Biden, left, came down to the Capitol to meet with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and fellow Democrats on October 1. The party is split over the proposed bills House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, 'While great progress has been made in the negotiations... more time is needed to complete the task. After Pelosi again called off a planned vote on infrastructure in the face of progressive opposition, moderate House Democrats slammed the move as 'a sad day for our nation' and asked for the bill to be brought to the floor immediately. According to lawmakers in the room, Biden had also discussed a $1.9 trillion to $2 trillion-plus price tag for the larger package that would expand the country's social safety net. The White House and its allies in Congress are prepared for protracted negotiations. Biden added that he would soon travel around the country to promote the legislation and he acknowledged concerns that the talk in Washington had become too focused on the trillions in new spending and taxes in the bill. He pledged to do more to educate the public about the plan's new and expanded programs, which he contended have the support of the vast majority of the electorate. 'I'm going to try to sell what I think the American people will buy,' Biden said Saturday, adding, 'I believe that when the American people are aware of whats in it well get it done.' The president said he believed the legislation will be signed into law with 'plenty of time to change the tax code for people next year.' It's a pivotal time for Biden and the party. His approval ratings have dropped and Democrats are restless, eager to deliver on his signature campaign promise of rebuilding the country. His ideas go beyond roads-and-bridges infrastructure to delivering dental, vision and hearing care for seniors, free prekindergarten, major efforts to tackle climate change and other investments that would touch countless American lives. Manchin, of West Virginia, had dashed hopes for a swift compromise on a framework when he refused to budge late Thursday on his demands for a smaller overall package, about $1.5 trillion. Manchin stands against the 96-member strong Congressional Progressive Caucus, who have banded together in a voting bloc against the infrastructure plan until Senate moderates agree to support the broader social agenda. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the caucus, condemned moderates for standing in the way of the bigger spending package. 'We won't let massive corporations, billionaires, and a few conservative Democrats stand in the way of delivering transformational progress for millions of working people,' she said Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush blasted Manchin for now demanding that Democrats trim the budget package to $1.5 trillion after backing an earlier version of the massive plan. 'We need to be serious and right now when we are seeing from the conservative side and the small cadre of people is a fundamentally unserious pattern of negotiation,' Ocasio-Cortez told ABC News. Progressives are flexing their muscles. Led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (left), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (right) they are threatening to tank Biden's bipartisan infrastructure bill Without a broader deal, prospects for a vote on the companion public works bill stalled out as progressives refused to commit until senators reached agreement. Pelosi told colleagues that 'more time is needed' as they shape the broader package. The House passed a 30-day measure to keep transportation programs running during the stalemate, essentially setting a new deadline for talks, October 31. The Senate was set to follow with a vote Saturday, to halt the furloughs of more than 3,500 federal transportation workers, a byproduct of the political impasse. With Republicans solidly opposed to Biden's sweeping vision, the president and Democrats are reaching for a giant legislative accomplishment on their own - all to be paid for by rewriting federal balance sheets with tax increases on corporations and the wealthy, those earning more than $400,000 a year. The larger of Biden's proposals is a years-in-the-making collection of Democratic priorities with an ultimate price tag he says is zero, because the tax revenue would cover the spending costs. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress will vote again on the Bill on Monday or Tuesday, after having to delay it three times 'We will and must pass both bills soon,' Pelosi said in a letter Saturday to fellow Democrats. 'We have the responsibility and the opportunity to do so. People are waiting and want results.' The White House and Democrats also are focusing on raising the nation's borrowing limit before the United States risks defaulting on its obligations - a deadline the Treasury Department estimates will be reached no later than October 18. The House has already acted, but Republicans senators have indicated they will not provide votes for bipartisan passage and want Democrats to go it alone. 'I hope that the Republicans won't be so irresponsible as to refuse to raise the debt limit and to filibuster the debt limit,' Biden said Saturday. 'That would be totally unconscionable. Never been done before. And so I hope that won't happen.'' Louisiana's largest health system is ratcheting up the pressure to get people vaccinated against COVID-19 and will start fining employees hundreds of dollars each month if they are married to someone who is unvaccinated. Ochsner Health has told its workers it will charge them a monthly premium of $200 if a spouse or domestic partner covered under an Ochsner health plan have not been vaccinated. Ochsner has said all employees must be vaccinated by October 29 to keep their jobs. Louisianas largest hospital system, Ochsner Health, will charge employees a fee for spouses and domestic partners who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 An email sent to employees explaining the policy of fines or 'fees' was sent out this week President and CEO Warner Thomas said the surcharge for unvaccinated spouses and partners is part of an effort to keep health premiums low for employees. As a self-insured organization, Ochsner bears the cost of COVID treatment for patients who are on its insurance plan. Unvaccinated people account for the vast majority of the health system's COVID patients. 'The reality is the cost of treating COVID-19, particularly for patients requiring intensive inpatient care, is expensive, and we spent more than $9 million on COVID care for those who are covered on our health plans over the last year,' Thomas said in a statement. The COVID vaccine fee for spouses will begin in 2022 and could deduct up to $2,400 yearly from the employee's paycheck. Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas, pictured, said the surcharge for unvaccinated spouses and partners is to keep health premiums low for workers The fee is only for domestic partners or spouses, not other dependents such as children who are covered by the employee's health insurance and are eligible for vaccination, according to a letter Ochsner leaders sent to employees. Thomas said the surcharge isn't a mandate because spouses and partners can choose other insurance coverage, and because they can also apply for a medical or religious exemption. The announcement was condemned by some on social media. Roughly 65.1% of eligible Americans have been fully vaccinated with about 45% from Louisiana 'This is a taste of what's coming. There is no end to the madness. Brace,' the Young Americans for Liberty, a libertarian student activism organization tweeted on Friday. 'We were celebrated last year,' Adara Allen, a nurse from Indiana told Fox News this week. 'But a few nurses did end up leaving due to the hospital not accepting their medical issues or having a reaction or adverse effect to the first dose of the covid vaccine.' In Allen's case, she was told to no longer attend the hospital after she refused the vaccine while she was pregnant. Vaccine mandates in various hospitals across the nations is seeing nurses and other healthcare workers quit their jobs or face the sack if they refuse to comply with the rules. Social media users were divided on the policy which has been announced by Ochsner Health Protests have been held with those involved holding signs the read: 'We are still essential,' 'Say no to vaccines and yes to freedom of choice,' 'Healthcare heroes demand medical freedom,' and 'Don't fire last year's heroes.' Meanwhile, Louisiana is trying to encourage more people to get the COVID-19 shot by offering them a cash incentive. Governor John Bel Edwards announced Friday that Louisiana's 'Shot for 100' program, which has been offering $100 cash cards to college students who get vaccinated, is expanding to offer the money to anyone who gets newly immunized against COVID-19. Those interested can get more info online at ShotFor100.com. 'If you've not yet been able to go sleeves up yet, we're hoping a cool $100 will help make the decision easier,' the Democratic governor's statement said. More than 2.1 million people in Louisiana are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, about 45% of the state's population, according to health department data. A prep school whose ex-pupils include Harry Potter actress Emma Watson is to rename its Christmas and Easter terms, apparently to avoid offending non-Christians. Emma Goldsmith, head teacher at Dragon School in Oxford, wrote to parents: 'Those of you who have been at the Dragon for some time will be familiar with the academic terms being known as Christmas, Easter and Summer terms. 'However, we will be moving to naming them Autumn, Spring and Summer from the beginning of the Spring Term. 'This is a slight tweak but one that I hope reflects a community which wants to be inclusive at every touchpoint.' Dragon School in Oxford, whose ex-pupils include Harry Potter's Emma Watson (pictured), is to rename its Christmas and Easter terms, apparently to avoid offending non-Christians The decision has sparked anger, with one parent saying: 'What is uninclusive about Christmas and Easter? Who has complained about the names of the terms? 'It has a Church of England ethos and the vast majority of pupils are Christian. What is the need to be 'inclusive at every touchpoint'? This is wokery run riot for no reason at all.' Despite the change, the 800-pupil school's Christmas charity sale, which has run since 1944, will go ahead with the same name. Ms Goldsmith, who became the 144-year-old school's first female head in March, urges parents and pupils to follow her on Instagram, where she styles herself as 'Head in Heels', explaining: 'It's not much of a secret that I love shoes.' Former poet laureate Sir John Betjeman was a former pupil and four years ago a plaque was unveiled to mark the centenary of his arrival at the school. One of his contemporaries was Hugh Gaitskell, the former Labour Party leader. Other well-known Old Dragons, as ex-pupils are known, include Scotland Yard Commissioner Cressida Dick, the actors Hugh Laurie, Tom Hollander, Tom Hiddleston and Jack Davenport, and comedian Jack Whitehall. The school said no one had complained about the Christmas and Easter term titles. Emma Goldsmith, head teacher at Dragon School (pictured) in Oxford, told parents that the change was to try and 'be inclusive at every touchpoint' Despite the change, the 800-pupil school's (pictured) Christmas charity sale, which has run since 1944, will go ahead with the same name In a statement to The Mail on Sunday, Ms Goldsmith said: 'The decision to rename our terms at the school is one of practicality and inclusivity. 'Our autumn term starts in September, for example, and to refer to it as Christmas term, when the children have already broken up long before the celebration, can sometimes lead to confusion.' She added: 'I've received such positive feedback from our community, who have remarked not only how much clearer the new term names are to understand, but also how thoughtful our decision was. 'With current pupils from across 35 different nationalities and all major religions, I am proud that we are able to reflect our diverse community, and that we remain respectful and inclusive to all those we represent. 'As you'd expect from a school with a Christian ethos, Christian celebrations play an important part in our calendar and we are already enthusiastically planning for the myriad of events, performances, services and concerts... with so much we've had to adapt or postpone over the past 18 months, this year's Christmas tree will be bigger than ever.' Gabby Petito's mother, Nichole Schmidt, broke her silence on Saturday with an angry tweet calling for Brian Laundrie to turn himself into authorities. 'Mama bear is getting angry!' Schmidt posted on Twitter using her account for the first time. 'Turn yourself in! @josephpetito agrees.#justiceforgabby #americasdaughter.' Within the first two hours, the tweet gathered 7.4K likes and 1.1K retweets as the manhunt for Laundrie continues. She then retweeted a photo of Gabby and her stepmother, Tara Petito, shared by Joseph Petito, Gabby's father, and a photo of Gabby as a child shared by Jim Schmidt, Gabby's stepfather. The account was created October 2021. Her bio reads: 'A mom on a mission, the fight for change and prevention will never end! My Gabby will never be forgotten!' The press conference marked the bereaved mother's first public statements since her daughter's body was found. Each family member wore a blue ribbon in memory of Gabby Schmidt's tattoo was inspired by her daughter's own 'Let it be' tattoo on her right forearm Gabby Petito's family on Tuesday revealed they got new tattoos in her honor, including one she had on her forearm saying 'Let it be' On Tuesday all four of Gabby's parents debuted tattoos honoring their slain daughter. They were joined by their lawyer on Long Island on Tuesday as they spoke to the media for the first time since the 22-year-old's body was found in Wyoming. Family attorney Richard Stafford renewed calls for Laundrie to surrender to authorities and slammed his parents for failing to cooperate in the search that turned up Gabby's remains. 'The Laundries did not help us find Gabby. They sure aren't going to help us find Brian,' Stafford said during the briefing. 'For Brian, we're asking you to turn yourself in to the FBI or the nearest law enforcement organization.' Laundrie, 23, who is considered a person of interest in Gabby's disappearance and death, remains at large after being reported missing on September 17. Cash rewards for information leading to his location have now hit $30,000. The FBI issued a warrant for his arrest on September 23 for 'use of unauthorized access device' for fraudulently using Gabby's Capitol One Bank debit card between August 30 and September 1 to spend $1,000. In a statement released by their attorney on Monday, the Laundries dismissed claims that they may have helped him flee and said they are 'concerned' for their son. Gabby (right) was killed while she was on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie (left) Gabby (left) made her final call to her mother (right) on August 25 saying she was in Grand Teton National Park, where her remains were later found Gabby's body was found on September 19 at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming - marking the end of an eight-day search. Her death has been ruled a homicide. During the press conference, the family refused to comment on Laundrie or his potential whereabouts, citing the ongoing FBI investigation. A nationwide manhunt for Laundrie has been underway for two weeks now, after his parents claimed the person of interest in Gabby's homicide headed off on a hike at a nature reserve near their home in mid-September. Laundrie's family said Friday they believe he is still alive somewhere in Florida - as questions mount over his sister's previous claims about when she last saw him and whether both Laundrie and his mom are using burner phones. Steve Bertolino, the Laundrie family attorney, told People they think he is still in the Sunshine State and are hopeful he is safe. 'They are concerned but hopeful that he is found alive,' he said. Bertolino gave no further details about why Laundrie's family may think he is still in Florida or of any specific location. The search had initially centered around the Carlton Reserve close to their home - an alligator-infested nature reserve where Laundrie's parents claimed he was heading when he vanished September 14. It has been revealed that Petito's concerned family called the police in North Port, Florida, to file a missing persons report one day before she was officially reported missing and officers showed up at the Laundrie's home. Police records, obtained by WFLA, reveal Petito's family contacted the North Port Police Department and attempted to report her missing on September 10. But the family were told that, due to state law and the police department's policy, they must file the report in the place of her last known location. Partially-redacted call logs seen by DailyMail.com show two 911 calls were made that day to North Port police in connection to the Laundrie family home where Laundrie, 23, and Petito, 22, lived with his parents before their doomed cross-country trip. Both calls were classed as 'public service' calls, with the first made just before 4pm and the second around 6.30pm. It is not clear if these were the same calls made by Petito's family, but both were given the brief description of 'problem settled'. The following day - September 11 - Petito's family succeeded in reporting her missing in her native state New York Almost a third of younger Britons prayed for Boris Johnson and the Tory government during the pandemic compared with only one in ten over-55s. A survey found 29 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 prayed for the Prime Minister, despite the perception that younger people are less supportive of Tories. The figure was higher among Muslims (44 per cent) than Christians (22 per cent). Graeme Cade, executive vice president of Savanta ComRes, which carried out the poll, attributed the prayers in part to Mr Johnson being hospitalised after becoming seriously ill with Covid. Almost a third of younger Britons prayed for Boris Johnson and the Tory government during the pandemic compared with only one in ten over-55s The findings came as Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he prayed as he created the furlough scheme to protect jobs in March last year. 'I said many a prayer,' the practising Hindu told the Daily Mail. The study also suggests younger Britons are twice as likely to pray than the over-55s, with 37 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds agreeing prayer had a positive role in society at the height of the pandemic. Researchers, who polled more than 2,000 people, found 51 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds prayed at least once a month and 49 per cent went to church or attended a religious service. The figures for those over 55 were 24 and 16 per cent. A survey found 29 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 prayed for the Prime Minister, despite the perception that younger people are less supportive of Tories. The figure was higher among Muslims (44 per cent) than Christians (22 per cent) Experts believe fear caused by Covid prompted the young to turn to religion. Mr Cade said: 'There's that tongue-in-cheek comment that people find religion on their deathbed. You turn to religion when faced with horrible circumstances. 'With Covid there has been a rise in online worship... through online channels and social media. So it became more prevalent in the world of younger people.' The survey was commissioned by the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, a project to build a 169ft arch of a million bricks, each representing an answered prayer. A former BBC executive has been hired by the controversial Chinese tech giant Huawei. Gavin Allen, who was head of news programmes for seven years, was appointed Huaweis executive editor in chief last week. Last year, the Government banned Huawei equipment from the UKs 5G network amid concerns that Chinas totalitarian government would use the technology to spy on Britain. Gavin Allen, who was head of news programmes for seven years, was appointed Huaweis executive editor in chief last week Announcing his new job on LinkedIn, Mr Allen said he was delighted to be joining the firm. He also said he had studied Chinese history, adding: Now hugely proud to be part of a world-class ICT organisation which truly values collaboration and innovation: a creative force for good. And no excuses now for not improving [my] Mandarin. Mr Allens appointment also comes amid a tense relationship between China and the BBC. BBC World News was taken off the air in China in February, accused of peddling fake news in its reporting of claims that Covid-19 escaped from a lab in Wuhan. Advertisement The middle-aged couple sauntered hand-in-hand through the centre of Zurich on a warm, late-August evening. The twilight was illuminated by the 11th Century Fraumunster church while cafe terraces hummed with people enjoying plates of air-dried beef and icy cocktails. As the couple passed me they left a trail of wet footprints in their wake despite being one of the busiest streets in Switzerlands largest city, the only thing the man was wearing was a pair of damp Speedos while the woman sported a black swimming costume. But no one except me batted an eyelid. Even at 9pm, the temperature by the banks of the River Limmat hovered around 30C (86F), and for locals a dip in the river or lake in the middle of town is nothing unusual at all. Splash out: The jetties of the Utoquai badi, which is divided into women/men/mixed sections The ace up Zurichs sleeve is its badis, or lake-side open-air swimming pools, some of which are more like nightclubs, featuring bars and DJs. Their humble 19th Century origins, though, were to give locals a place to scrub up when the washing facilities at home mainly consisted of a rag and bucket. And autumn is a perfect time to explore them, with the summer tourists gone. The one in which I like to start the day is Seebad Enge (seebadenge.ch; entry 6.60) because it catches the morning sun. I have a refreshing dip in the lake with the Alps in the background followed by a breakfast bowl of fruit and yogurt and a freshly brewed coffee. Then you can swim back to one of the floating pontoons for some sunbathing or, like many others, bag a table near the entrance and power up your laptop to use the badi as an al fresco office. Enge also has a sauna for chillier days and activities that range from massage and yoga to bootcamp workouts and stand-up paddleboarding. In the evenings, Frauenbad at Stadthausquai turns into a bar that is open to all - as long as everyone takes their shoes off An equally chic alternative is Seebad Utoquai (entry 6.60), a bathing club built on a series of wooden jetties over the lake, that first opened its doors in 1890. Its divided into women/men/mixed sections and its busy all day, from 7am when suited bankers strip off for a pre-office dip. Details can be found at stadt-zuerich.ch. Later on, smart ladies and gentlemen who lunch come to top up their vitamin D, spreading out thick towels so as not to get splinters from the floor planks while catching up with the papers. The terrace bar at La Reserve Eden au Lac Hotel is a lovely spot for sundowns, says The Mail on Sunday's Will Hide On a warm day Id save Utoquai for the afternoon, so you can pop over the road afterwards to the Philippe Starck-redesigned La Reserve Eden au Lac Hotel (lareserve-zurich.com) for sundowners. Take the lift up to the top floor and head right to the terrace bar, where a Summer Fizz of vodka, lemon, basil and watermelon will set you back 17, or turn left to the terrace of La Muna, a Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant with dishes such as creamy spicy tuna tartare and dragon roll sushi (mains cost about 25). A more egalitarian experience is to be found in the River Limmat itself where, at the Upper and Lower sections, youngsters congregate to plop into the water from the path, or, if theyre braver, to jump off bridges and float down on the swift currents. Head for heights: Enjoy panoramic views over Zurich from the top of the Uetliberg mountain TRAVEL FACTS Will Hide was a guest of the Swiss Tourist Board (myswitzerland.com) and 25 Hours Hotel Langstrasse (25hours-hotels.com) where room-only doubles start from 165. Some badis close from October: details at zuerich.com. Swissair (swiss.com) flies to Zurich from Heathrow (from 84 return) and Manchester from (from 128 return). Advertisement At the end you might bounce rather forcefully into the sluice gates, which can be a bit painful on the shins, but its just a quick walk back down to the terrace of the cool Panama Bar (panamabar.ch) to watch the world go by over a plate of calamari (10) or a juicy burger and chips (17). If you want to experience all this al fresco fun without taking the plunge, wait till evening. One of my favourite things to do on a balmy autumn evening is to slip off my shoes at the usually women-only Frauenbad at Stadthausquai, which admits men after 8pm when it transforms into the dreamy Barfuss Bar (barfussbar.ch). Barfuss barefoot in German is the rule. Leave shoes at the entrance and sidle up to the bar for an Aperol spritz and then sit with your feet dangling in the lake as you take in the gorgeous views over to the old town and, depending on the evening, listen to a local DJ. A 15-minute walk away you can do much the same at the equally cool Rimini Bar (rimini-ch), which until 6.30pm is the men-only Mannerbad Schanzengraben badi. If youre starting to think you have to have webbed feet to enjoy Zurich, fear not. Head to platform 22 of the main railway station and a little red train will take you on a 20-minute ride almost to the top of the citys own mountain, the 2,800ft Uetliberg (one-way tickets, 3.70). Once up there you can enjoy panoramic views over the city. Then you can either hop on the train to come back down again, or walk through the woods for two hours to Felsenegg and take the cable car. You probably wont see anyone hiking in swimming costumes but, in Zurich, never say never. Advertisement The big day has arrived and the question is whether to go for the couples teeth whitening or keep it simple with a romantic breakfast on our balcony. The latter, please. In 2013, my wife and I were getting married on the cruise ship Crown Princess, passing Spain, and now we are in the middle of the Caribbean on Regal Princess somewhere between Cuba and Haiti to renew our wedding vows. And were not alone. Were one of 658 couples on board in what turns out to be a record for this sort of thing. All together now: Princess Cruises broke a record when 1,443 couples reaffirmed vows Theres more than a touch of theatre. Two decks are awash with couples in smart suits and posh frocks. Fittingly, Regal Princess is a descendant of Princess Cruises Pacific Princess, the star of American TV comedy-drama, The Love Boat, which ran for almost a decade from 1977. Steering the show was Gavin MacLeod as Captain Merrill Stubing and he was steering us, aided by matron of honour Jill Whelan, his TV daughter Vicki. Captain Stubing, who sadly died in May this year, was nudging 90 on the cruise. He strutted his stuff in his stiff white uniform and cap, faced with a flotilla of couples wanting his blessing. Jill, all grown up but as perky as ever, told us how she got married on another Princess Cruises ship, Caribbean Princess although, she confesses to me in the bar later, that wasnt actually to the chap shes married to now. Also here is Michael, from the U.S., who is serious and trim in a logo-festooned blazer. Hes from Guinness World Records, and is monitoring this bid for the largest multi-location marriage vow renewal ceremony. Up to now, the biggest vow renewal consisted of 1,201 couples, out in Michigan in America. But wed joined forces with Royal Princess, heading from LA to Mexico, and Crown Princess, not far from us, for a triple whammy. In 2013, the Daily Mail's Nick Dalton and his wife got married on the cruise ship Crown Princess (pictured) In the mass event, my wife Deborah and I are beseeched to gaze into each others eyes and pledge a lifetime of joy. Even Captain Stubing renewed his vows with Patti, real-life wife of 44 years. There are all sorts. The elderly chap resembling Santa Claus (Its great to get away from the North Pole for a bit, he grins) and his good lady, dressed like someone whod arrived on the Mayflower. The couple in T-shirts saying Married 40 years and we still like each other. And we do! they tell anyone wholl listen. Love is in the air: Nick said the vow renewal ceremony brought back 'many memories' of his big day TRAVEL FACTS The Princess Tie The Knot At Sea package costs from 1,845, with a ceremony officiated by the captain, music, flowers, photos, cake and champagne (princess.com/weddingplanner). Advertisement The young couple married the week before the woman is in her wedding dress. The Australian couple married by the real captain, Tim Stringer, only that afternoon. People in ball gowns and tuxedos, high heels and shorts, all of whom had come on this week-long trip from Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Its theatre, but its strangely moving despite all the showbiz hoo-hah. We chose a shipboard wedding, having gone past the stage of wanting a hall full of family and vol-au-vents. And just inviting your closest friends simply alienates all those who thought they were your closest friends yet werent invited. Escorted by our teenagers, Georgia and Henry, the captain carried out the ceremony in a flower-bedecked room. There are photos of us leaning nonchalantly against the deck rail, and even a DVD, which well watch once we get through a decade of The Love Boat. Returning to the scene or close enough brings back many memories. And theres a mass jump for joy when Michael trumpets that the total number of vow renewals across the three ships is a record-breaking 1,443. Its a cross-section of humanity, all ages, all walks of life, said Captain Stubing later, when he was off duty with a glass of something. So emotional. And he was right. Rebecca Lobie was recently targeted by a troll who mocked her beloved horse tattoo on her derriere. And on Friday, she defiantly flaunted her bottom for her latest Instagram post. The 33-year-old sat on a sun lounge and appeared to be enjoying the beach view ahead of her. Nothing's going to stop her! Steve Irwin's 'hot niece' Rebecca Lobie defiantly showed off her derriere in a racy swimsuit for an Instagram post on Friday, after a vile troll mocked her horse tattoo She donned a racy red and white one piece swimsuit that drew attention to peachy rear. 'Island Vibes,' the blonde bombshell wrote in the caption. Rebecca's post comes after she recently called out a vile troll who mocked her derriere horse tattoo in the comments section of her Instagram post on Sunday. Sharing a screenshot of the nasty remarks she received from a stranger on her Instagram Stories, Steve Irwin's 'hot niece' detailed the extent of the bullying. Online: The 33-year-old called out a vile troll who mocked her derriere horse tattoo in the comments section of her Instagram post on Sunday The mother of two said that while she usually 'stays quiet', sometimes enough is enough. The nasty comments saw the troll asking whether she got the horse tattoo when she was 'ugly', and suggesting her children must be 'proud' to see their mother posing in revealing ensembles. Rebecca wrote online: 'Comments like these! Seriously bullying online is out of control.' The Queensland-based star went on to reveal that the tattoo has 'sentimental meaning' and urged the troll to 'stop commenting on things you have no idea about'. Awful: The nasty comments saw the troll asking whether she got the horse tattoo when she was 'ugly', and suggesting her children must be 'proud' to see their mother posing in revealing ensembles After receiving messages of support from fans, the blonde beauty later took to Instagram Stories, thanking them for their 'kind messages'. 'Thank you for the kind messages. I'm okay, I've learnt to have thick skin. I usually stay quiet about it but sometimes it's enough. It's not hard to be kind,' she wrote. It comes as the busty beauty continues to encourage fans to pay a $7 monthly fee for access to her 'exclusive' content. Appreciative: After receiving messages of support from fans, the blonde beauty later took to Instagram Stories, thanking them for their 'kind messages' Grateful: 'Thank you for the kind messages. I'm okay, I've learnt to have thick skin. I usually stay quiet about it but sometimes it's enough. It's not hard to be kind,' she wrote Rebecca is charging fans US$4.99 (AUD$6.80) for the first month's subscription on beckylobie.com, and US$9.99 (AUD$13.61) thereafter. For an additional US$55 (AUD$74.92), Rebecca says one video shows her 'fully naked... with just the seat belts covering up my [lemon emoji]. 'But don't worry, I made sure to pull back to give you a full view. We are just getting started,' she added. Tickled pink: The Queensland-based star often displays her ample assets and toned curves in racy Instagram photos For an extra US$34 (AUD46.31) she promises a 'nip slip' in a three-photo gallery. Rebecca, who is the daughter of Steve Irwin's sister Joy and her husband Frank Muscillo, resigned from Australia Zoo in December 2015. She recently discussed her new website in an interview with Daily Mail Australia, explaining that it is similar to subscription site OnlyFans but will use her own branding so she has 'more control'. New venture: It comes as the busty beauty continues to encourage fans to pay a $7 monthly fee for access to her 'exclusive' content Business: Rebecca is charging fans US$4.99 (AUD$6.80) for the first month's subscription on beckylobie.com, and US$9.99 (AUD$13.61) thereafter 'Having another platform to be able to share my content is something I have wanted to do for a while now and has always been a big request from people,' she said. 'I love creating content and engaging with my fans and this is another way I can.' Speaking about her decision to shun OnlyFans, Rebecca added: 'It has the same features if not more. I will be posting exclusive content, chatting with fans and going live.' Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West have a 'working relationship' but are 'not back together.' The 40-year-old reality star and the Hurricane hitmaker called it quits earlier this year after seven years together and, although theyve continued to spend time together, sources have insisted theyre only maintaining a platonic and work-based relationship. Kanye, 44, is said to still be 'styling' his estranged wife, and the pair are also co-parenting their four children, North, 8, Saint, 5, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2. An insider told Us Weekly magazine: 'They have a more of a friendship and working relationship as they coparent. Theyre not back together. Business friends and nothing more: Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West have a 'working relationship' but are 'not back together.' The couple were spotted out together in Malibu last night '[Kim] will be involved with Kanyes work ventures and he will be involved with hers.' Meanwhile, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum recently explained she realized her romance with Kanye was over after noticing they were 'getting along best' when Kanye was out of town. Speaking about the split, Kim said: 'I never thought I was lonely. I always thought that's totally fine, I could just have my kids, my husband moves from state to state. 'And I just am on this ride with him, and I was okay with that, and then after turning 40 this year, I was like, "No, I don't want a husband that lives in a completely different state to me." 'Never thought I was lonely': Kardashian said she didn't feel lonely until she turned 40 this year and was dealing with Kanye touring all the time Malibu dinner: Depsite not dating, the two still want to a restaurant in Malibu to get dinner together 'I thought, "Oh my God, that's when we're getting along the best" - but then that is sad to me, and that's not what I want. I want someone that we have the same shows in common. I want someone that wants to work out with me every single day...the little things are what I don't have.' And a source previously said the pair who split in February are 'focused on co-parenting.' They explained: 'It's very important to her that the kids spend as much time as possible with Kanye. Kim is trying to be supportive. She is focused on co-parenting. Nothing has changed otherwise. They are still moving forward with the divorce.' Focused on co-parenting: Sources say the couple are just focused on raising their kids together (Kanye pictured 2019) The former couple has been spending significant time with one another including having dinner in Malibu earlier this week. The reality star slipped into a skintight purple catsuit and a brown leather trench coat as she headed to the eatery with the rapper. At the end of their evening they even clambered into the same car together with Kanye in the driver's seat and Kim beside him. EastEnders fans have been left furious after learning that Liam Butcher has been recast with actor Alfie Deegan. In Friday's episode, Liam returned to help his sister Tiffany, played by Maisie Smith, who was trying to reconcile with her estranged husband Keegan by befriending Dotty who he had a one-night stand with. While having a drink with her sister Whitney Dean, Tiffany was stunned when Liam turned up to surprise the pair by opening a bottle of bubbly in the bar, and many fans flocked to Twitter to share their confusion over the re-casting of the character. 'What are the producers thinking?': EastEnders fans are furious as James Forde was replaced by Alfie Deegan (pictured) as his character Liam Butcher returned to the soap on Friday Many fans were furious to learn the role had been recast, meaning the previous actor James Forde had left the soap. 'I can't believe they changed Liam,' one disgruntled fan posted online. Another penned: 'Wtf are EastEnders thinking with that Liam recast!?!?!?!?!' One more wrote: 'Another re-cast from EastEnders it's like they have no respect for past characters and actors. I mean they even re-cast Lily with a really bad actress now Liam.' Outrage: 'I can't believe they changed Liam,' one disgruntled fan posted online, along with one who wrote: 'Wtf are EastEnders thinking with that Liam recast!?!?!?!?!' James Forde is pictured as Liam Butcher Confused: Many fans were left perplexed by the re-casting of the character, with one writing on Twitter: 'I can't believe they changed Liam' Another said: 'NAHHH what's happened to Liam Butcher. Why is he a full on road man now.' One more viewer wrote: 'This new Liam character looks different to the other one, doesn't he?' Others however were pleasantly surprised by his return to the soap, with many taking to Twitter to 'welcome' him back. One simply wrote: 'Welcome home Liam [clapping emojis]' Happy: Others however were pleasantly surprised by his return to the soap, with many taking to Twitter to 'welcome' him back Another penned: 'Good to have tiff Liam and Whitney scenes nice to have Liam back for a bit [sic].' 'I'm lovin Liam' [sic] another wrote, while one more said: 'Welcome back Liam in Eastenders.' Another speculated: 'EastEnders Liam was a nice surprise... I assume this short return is to lay the groundwork for a longer stint in the future.' Liam (Alfie Deegan), whose storyline saw him move to Germany back in 2015, looked different from when he last appeared on the show. Content: With furious fans desperate to see James reprise his role as Liam, James, 25, took to Twitter on Friday, urging viewers to not be upset Calling on fans: 'Appreciate the love people but don't be upset,' James (pictured) posted. 'I chose myself to be a builder and not an actor and I am genuinely happier than ever right now. Do what works for you and be happy' Previously Liam was portrayed by James Forde, but Alfie joined EastEnders for the short stint in the role as Tiffany and Whitney's brother, who has been living in Germany with his dad Ricky. With furious fans desperate to see James reprise his role as Liam, James, 25, took to Twitter on Friday, urging viewers to not be upset. 'Appreciate the love people but don't be upset,' he posted. 'I chose myself to be a builder and not an actor and I am genuinely happier than ever right now. Do what works for you and be happy.' Suspicious: His arrival on the Square on Friday's episode came seemingly out of the blue as he insisted he's back to support Tiffany Shock: While having a drink with sister Whitney Dean, Tiffany was shocked when Liam turned up to surprise the pair by opening a bottle of bubbly in the bar His arrival on the Square in the episode came seemingly out of the blue but he insisted he's back to support Tiffany. He can do no wrong in Tiff's eyes, but it is clear that Liam isn't telling them the full story. With plenty of experience working in cars with his dad, Liam is set to eye up The Arches in next week's episodes to make some money. And during Friday's episode, he left a conversation he was having with his sister to take a suspicious 'work phone call' which saw him apologising and insisting he he'd 'get money soon.' Surprise: He can do no wrong in Tiffs eyes, but it is clear that Liam isnt telling them the full story Bombshell: With plenty of experience working in cars with his dad, Liam will eye up The Arches in next weeks episodes to make some money Liam was last seen on screen in 2015 leaving Walford with Cindy Beale as they found themselves at the centre of Lucys murder investigation. Cindy gave the Beales an ultimatum when she wanted to put her child, Beth, up for adoption. Ian, realising they were going to expose the truth about Bobby, tried to get the couple to leave London for good. After trying and failing to bribe the Beales out of 100,000 Liam, Cindy and Beth jetted off to Germany where theyve built a life together. Way back when: Liam was last seen on screen in 2015 leaving Walford with Cindy Beale as they found themselves at the centre of Lucys murder investigation Tammin Sursok is no stranger to long-haul air travel. But the 38-year-old revealed terrifying details of an emergency plane landing she experienced back in 2012. In a TikTok video, shared on Thursday, she explained that she and her husband Sean McEwen decided to take a flight to Turkey. Scary experience: Tammin Sursok recalled the terrifying moment her 'plane dropped 10,000 feet mid-air' before doing an emergency landing on flight to Turkey with her husband Sean McEwen 'As we got on there was a weird dinging sound. So we asked the flight attendant and she said it was just a kid and everything was fine,' she recalled. 'All of a sudden when we were mid-air the plane dropped 10,000 feet but again were told that nothing was wrong.' The former Home and Away star said: 'Then we heard a bang and were told to pull down our shades and not look out the window. We didn't listen and saw them dumping all the fuel.' Trip: In a TikTok video, shared on Thursday, she explained that she and her husband Sean McEwen decided to take a flight to Turkey in 2012 Terrifying: Tammin explained, 'All of a sudden when we were mid-air the plane dropped 10,000 feet but again were told that nothing was wrong.' She wrote that the flight eventually had landed in an abandoned military air strip in Nova Scotia, Canada 'Then they told us to get ready to land but we were two hours over the ocean?! That we had lost all electrical power and were landing with no instruments.' She wrote that the flight eventually had landed in an abandoned military air strip in Nova Scotia, Canada. 'We waited for seven hours on the plane to be rescued. The airline apologised for the incident and offered us a $150 gift voucher,' she concluded. Evidence: She shared a photo from the incident and wrote that passengers: 'We were let out eight at a time for fresh air. We were waiting on the plane for seven hours' She shared a photo from the incident and wrote that passengers: 'We were let out eight at a time for fresh air.' She added: 'We were waiting on the plane for seven hours.' The Pretty Little Liars actress shared the apology letter from the airline and clarified she received a $100 gift voucher. Long-haul travel: Tammin's revelation of her terrifying flight ordeal comes after she recently flew from her base in Los Angeles, in the US to Australia in June Tammin's revelation of her terrifying flight ordeal comes after she recently flew from her home base in Los Angeles, in the US to Australia in June. She travelled with her husband and their two daughters - Phoenix, seven, and Lennon, two - to film a movie on The Gold Coast. The actress shared photos from the flight before they began their 14 days in mandatory hotel quarantine in Sydney. They live on a ranch in 1920s Montana in the dramatic new film The Power Of The Dog. But Kirsten Dunst and Benedict Cumberbatch looked worlds away from their role as they glammed it up on the red carpet for the New York Film Festival premiere of their Netflix movie on Friday. Kirsten, 39, stunned in a semi-sheer, shimmering black dress while her co-star, 45, sharpened up in a black suit. Looking good! Kirsten Dunst and Benedict Cumberbatch looked worlds away from their role as they glammed it up on the red carpet for the New York Film Festival premiere of their Netflix movie on Friday The Bring It On actress looked lovely with a rose pink ribbon cinched into her waist. A pair of stylish black heels with an ankle strap added a classic touch to the fashion forward look. She upped the drama with a bold red lick and smokey coat of eye shadow. Her blonde hair swept across her beautifully done-up face in a dramatic side part. Polished to perfection: The Bring It On actress looked lovely with a rose pink ribbon cinched into her waist Bold touch: She injected some drama with her bright red lip XOXO: Cumberbatch was joined by his stunning wife Sophie Hunter Benedict looked ultra handsome in his slick black suit with tie. The actor was joined by his stunning wife Sophie Hunter, who wowed in a classic black dress with peep toe heels. Benedict and his co-star were also seen attending a press conference about their new film. Group photo! The co-stars shared the spotlight with co-star Kodi Smit-McPhee and their director Jane Campion Stylish: Kodi exuded cool in a navy suit while Jane rocked a loose black dress with leg slit The superstars commanded the room as they sat on stage, discussing their new drama with director Jane Campion. In The Power of the Dog, Benedict plays 'sadistic rancher' Phil Burbank who strikes up a relationship with Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). While Cumberbatch isn't gay, he revealed in an interview with IndieWire that they did speak about him playing a gay character often, adding, 'It wasnt done without thought.' Double trouble! The director enjoyed a photo op with the Melancholia actress Let's chat: Benedict and his co-star were also seen attending a press conference about their new film Commanding the room: The Dr. Stranger actor kept it smart in his grey suit 'I feel very sensitive about representation, diversity, and inclusion,' he said at the Telluride Film Festival. 'One of the appeals of the job was the idea that in this world, with this specific character, there was a lot that was private, hidden from view,' he added. While it's never specifically stated what his character's sexual preference is, the actor has played a gay man before, portraying Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. Listen up: The Imitation Game actor listened on as Dunst shared her viewpoint Lights, camera, action: The superstars commanded the room as they sat on stage in their directors chair, discussing their new drama with director Jane 'It wasnt done without thought. I also feel slightly like, is this a thing where our dance card has to be public? Do we have to explain all our private moments in our sexual history? I dont think so,' he added. He also mentioned that director Jane, 'chose us as actors to play those roles. Thats her question to answer.' Kodi, 25, who plays Peter, is also a straight man, but he said there was a lot about his character that he relates to. He explained that he felt 'in touch with my feminine side', explaining that he was raised by his mother and sister. Kodi added that playing the role was 'experimental' and 'beautiful'. The Power of the Dog will debut in cinemas November 17 before arriving on Netflix December 1. Strictly Come Dancing bosses are reportedly 'frustrated' as Katie McGlynn's Hollyoaks filming commitments clash with her rehearsals for the show. The actress, 28, is currently juggling her role playing Becky Quentin on the Channel 4 soap with gruelling rehearsals for the BBC dance show alongside professional partner Gorka Marquez. However, it's said Strictly bosses are unimpressed the star's filming at Hollyoaks' Liverpool studios are cutting into her vital dance training, with it reported 'tensions are rising' backstage. Conflicts: Strictly Come Dancing bosses are reportedly 'frustrated' as Katie McGlynn's Hollyoaks filming commitments clash with her rehearsals for the show (pictured with Gorka Marquez) A source revealed to The Sun: 'Tensions seem to be rising as the actor struggles to juggle her two major commitments. 'There is no suggestion that Katie herself is to blame. She is being pulled in one direction by Hollyoaks and in the other by Strictly.' They added of the former Coronation Street star: 'But there's no doubt she is exhausted by her schedule and she isn't getting in as much practice as she would like with Gorka, who's even arranged rehearsal sessions in Manchester to make life easier for her.' Busy bee: The actress, 28, is currently juggling her role playing Becky Quentin on the Channel 4 soap with gruelling rehearsals for the BBC dance show alongside Gorka When contacted by MailOnline a Hollyoaks spokesperson said: 'Earlier this week exterior scenes were delayed by wet weather. 'We then rescheduled a scene so Katie could attend her training. We will all be rooting for her tonight.' MailOnline have contacted Strictly representatives for comment. The TV star, who resides in Manchester, at present spends a large proportion of her week in Liverpool filming scenes as Becky - a role which she landed in June this year - before travelling back down south for the Strictly live shows at weekends. Last weekend, the Rochdale-born beauty finished in the middle of the table with 22 points following her and Gorka's fiery tango. However, Strictly representatives have made it clear that the blame doesn't lay at Katie's door in the situation, with a spokesperson telling the publication: 'The suggestion that Strictly production is disappointed in Katie for any reason is categorically untrue.' Uh oh: However, it's said that Strictly bosses are unimpressed that the star's filming at Hollyoaks' Liverpool studios are cutting into her vital dance training, with it reported that 'tensions are rising' backstage While a Hollyoaks representative added: 'Earlier this week exterior scenes were delayed by wet weather. We then rescheduled a scene so Katie could attend her training. We will all be rooting for her tonight.' It comes amid reports that bosses are considering 'scrapping the show's live audience and re-introducing quarantine bubbles for celebrities and their professional dancers.' A crisis meeting is said to have been held after Tom Fletcher, 36, and his partner Amy Dowden, 31, tested positive for Covid despite having been double-jabbed. Issues: 'Tensions seem to be rising as the actor struggles to juggle her two major commitments. There is no suggestion that Katie herself is to blame' A source has revealed 'there is nothing they aren't willing to consider' in order to keep the show rolling full steam ahead. They told The Sun: 'These would be radical steps to take to increase safety on the set, but given the difficulties producers have had over the past two weeks, there's nothing they aren't willing to consider. 'But if they did have to go down this route, it would be a logistical nightmare and might leave some of the stars with a dilemma as many of them are juggling their dance training with their day jobs.' Decisions: It comes amid reports bosses are considering 'scrapping the show's live audience and re-introducing bubbles' after Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden contracting Covid Strictly's live shows currently take place before a small audience with cast and crew adhering to social distancing measures. It follows the news that Strictly bosses admitted they 'aren't bulletproof' to COVID-19 in the wake of Tom and Amy's positive tests. It's understood that show producers were quietly 'dismayed' after hearing of their shock diagnosis on Sunday, with the pair now ruled out of Saturday's show while they recover from the contagious respiratory bug. Amy, who received her COVID-19 vaccination prior to contracting the illness, had previously accompanied Tom and his McFly bandmates during their current UK tour. But the BBC tell MailOnline there are no plans to increase testing because they are 'satisfied' the measures they currently have in place are as good as they can be. Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:45pm on BBC One. She has just become In The Style's latest ambassador after signing a 1million deal. And Love Island's Liberty Poole looked on top of the world as she made a stylish appearance at Shocktober Fest in Crawley, West Sussex on Friday night. The former Nando's waitress, 22, showed off her toned and tanned legs in an oversized black leather jacket for the star-studded event. Star: Love Island's Liberty Poole looked on top of the world as she made a stylish appearance at Shocktober Fest in Crawley, West Sussex on Friday night She wore a thigh-skimming black dress under the jacket which featured a cut-out section around her taut midriff. Liberty completed her trendy look with a bright red handbag and chunky black biker boots as she posed confidently for the cameras. The beauty wore her long blonde tresses in a poker-straight style over her shoulders and opted for a glamorous makeup look complete with a pop of red lip to match her bag. Pins: The former Nando's waitress, 22, showed off her toned and tanned legs in oversized black leather jacket for the star-studded event Style: She wore a thigh-skimming black dress under the jacket which featured a cut-out section around her taut midriff Her appearance comes after she expressed her delight at becoming In The Style's latest ambassador after signing a 1million deal earlier this week. The Birmingham beauty has become the popular fashion brand's newest ambassador with a deal which could double to 2M with commissions and royalties on top. It was announced on Monday that the reality star will also launch her own clothing range with the brand over the coming months. Details: Liberty completed her trendy look with a bright red handbag and chunky black biker boots as she posed confidently for the cameras Glowing: The beauty wore her long blonde tresses in a poker-straight style over her shoulders and opted for a glamorous makeup look complete with a pop of red lip to match her bag Of her exciting collaboration, Liberty said: 'I am so excited to be exclusively working with In The Style! I've always loved that the brand is so inclusive and really empowers women, as that is something that I am extremely passionate about. 'I can't wait for everyone to see all the amazing things we have coming up, including my first ever clothing collection where the aim is to make girls everywhere feel confident 'in the style' they wear!' In The Style's CEO Adam Frisby said he was 'beyond excited' to have the blonde beauty on board. Success: Her appearance comes after she expressed her delight at becoming In The Style's latest ambassador after signing a 1million deal earlier this week 'Liberty's journey on Love Island is one that inspired many. Although she didn't find love, she found self love and I'm incredibly proud to have her join the brand and no doubt help In The Style empower lots of women around the UK,' he said. He continued: 'One of the things I'm most proud of about In The Style is that we live and breathe by our brand values, this includes inclusivity, female empowerment and being true to who you are. Liberty encompasses all of these values. 'Our audience inundated us with requests for this collaboration and we're delighted to have her as part of the ITS family.' Liberty was a fan favourite on this year's series of Love Island where she was coupled up with Jake Cornish from day one. Strike a pose: Liberty made sure she was commanding attention in the black outfit Scary: She posed with a creepy prisoner character Edgy: She completed the look with chunky biker boots However, things didn't end well for the pair as they ultimately decided to go their separate ways and walked out of the villa just four days before the final. Liberty, who currently boast over 1.5million followers on Instagram, has remained single since leaving the villa. She is the latest star to join forces with In The Style with former EastEnders actress Jacqueline Jossa also a brand ambassador for the company. Former Love Island star Olivia Attwood was previously an ambassador for the brand back in 2017 following her stint on the show as was ex-winner Dani Dyer. Having fun! Liberty posed with a clown as she arrived at the event Megan Thee Stallion was chief among the stars who lit up the stage at the Austin City Limits Music Festival this Friday. The sizzling sensation, who coined the phrase 'hot girl summer,' showed off her shapely legs in a pair of high-cut hot pink shorts and fishnets. Strutting her stuff across the stage, the 26-year-old slipped into a clinging bubblegum top decorated with the word: 'STALLION' and some corsetry. Looking fab: Megan Thee Stallion was chief among the stars who lit up the stage at the Austin City Limits Music Festival this Friday Megan sharpened her screen siren features with makeup and accessorized with a heart charm pendant, letting her hair fly free as she performed in front of a fan. She added an extra splash of dazzle to the ensemble with a set of shimmering bracelets on both of her wrists. Megan shared the stage with a couple of backup performers who complemented her outfit in midriff-baring hot pink gear. Meanwhile Billie Eilish's smoldering brother and co-writer Finneas could be spotted giving a solo performance during Friday's festivities. Aglow: Megan sharpened her screen siren features with makeup and accessorized with a shell necklace, letting her hair fly free as she performed in front of a fan When you got it: The sizzling sensation, who coined the phrase 'hot girl summer,' showed off her shapely legs in a pair of high-cut hot pink shorts and fishnets Trio: Megan shared the stage with a couple of backup performers who complemented her outfit in midriff-baring hot pink gear What a show: Friday night kicked off the first weekend of the festival which will also welcome guest next weekend in Austin's Zilker Park He was dashing as ever as he modeled a pastel suit over a white t-shirt, with his hair teased into an elegant coiff. Another member of the lineup was Machine Gun Kelly who lately has been hitting the headlines for his romance with Megan Fox. In a flourish of showmanship he could be seen performing on top of a towering platform painted to look like a large pill bottle. Meanwhile: Billie Eilish's smoldering brother and co-writer Finneas could be spotted giving a solo performance during Friday's festivities What a look: He was dashing as ever as he modeled a pastel suit over a white t-shirt, with his hair teased into an elegant coiff Friday night kicked off the first weekend of the festival which will also welcome guest next weekend in Austin's Zilker Park. Among the performers this Friday night alone are Miley Cyrus and George Strait, and the festival overall will play host to such artists as Modest Mouse, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Duran Duran, Tyler The Creator, St. Vincent and LeAnn Rimes. The festival is requiring all attendees to show either a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination upon arrival, according to its website. There he is: Another member of the lineup was Machine Gun Kelly who lately has been hitting the headlines for his romance with Megan Fox Wow: In a flourish of showmanship he could be seen performing on top of a towering platform painted to look like a large pill bottle After leaving the stage Friday night Megan swung by her Instagram page to post an album showing off her look. She treated her more than 25 million followers on the social media platform to a close-up of her long fingernails. In one of her pictures the Texas-born superstar planted both her hands on her derriere and presented it proudly to the camera. Megan, who originally hails from San Antonio, also included a picture of the glittering: 'STALLION' emblazoned over her bust. On display: After leaving the stage Friday night Megan swung by her Instagram page to post an album showing off her look The last detail: She treated her more than 25 million followers on the social media platform to a close-up of her long fingernails Hindsight: In one of her pictures the Texas-born superstar planted both her hands on her derriere and presented it proudly to the camera Legendary rocker David Lee Roth has announced his retirement from rock and roll. The Van Halen frontman, 66, surprised all when he announced he'll be done performing after his previously scheduled January 8th show at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. 'I am throwing in the shoes. I'm retiring,' Roth told the Las Vegas Review Journal. Farewell: Legendary rocker David Lee Roth has announced his retirement from rock and roll Icon: David seen performing with Val Halen in 1978 He didn't dive into details with the paper, going on to say: 'Im not going to explain the statement. The explanation is in a safe. These are my last five shows.' David plans on going out with a bang, set to rock at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on New Years Eve, New Years Day, January 5th, January 7th and finally on the 8th. Tickets for those shows go on sale 10am PST on Saturday morning. The announcement comes nearly a year after Van Halen had disbanded following the death of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Sad: The announcement comes nearly a year after Van Halen had disbanded following the death of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, David and Eddie are seen performing in Chula Vista, California back in September 2015 Trailblazer: Eddie (seen in May 2015) died from cancer just 10 days after original Van Halen bassist Mark Stone also died from cancer Eddie died from cancer just 10 days after original Van Halen bassist Mark Stone also died from cancer. Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen made the announcement that the iconic band had disbanded during a November 2020 appearance on The Howard Stern Show as he explained: 'You can't have Van Halen without Eddie Van Halen.' David grew up in Indiana before moving to Pasadena, California in his teens where he began his music career by singing solo in addition to an R&B inspired rock group called Red Ball Jets. Humble beginnings: Roth officially joined the band Mammoth - which featured members Alex Van Halen on drums and Eddie Van Halen singing and playing lead guitar - as lead singer before they changed their name to Van Halen in 1974, he is seen with Michael Anthony and Eddie Van Halen at the Palladium in New York in March 1978 Meanwhile another Los Angeles band named Mammoth - with - occasionally rented the Red Ball Jets' PA system for $10 a night. After a few failed auditions, Roth officially joined Mammoth as lead singer before they changed their name to Van Halen in 1974. Roth claimed the moniker as his brainchild as he felt like it offered long-term identity, aesthetic, and marketing advantages much like Santana. The band made their name in the Los Angeles area by performing original and cover songs before KISS frontman Gene Simmons took note and assisted them in producing a 29-track demo tape which created the framework for their first three LPs. Legends: They released their self-titled debut album in 1978 and earned significant national attention and radio airplay with singles including You Really Got Me and Runnin' With The Devil. The album hit number 19 on the Billboard 200 and eventually sold more than 12million copies by 2014 and has been certified Diamond by the RIAA, seen in London in October 1978 In early 1977, the band got their big break as Warner Bros. executive Mo Ostin and producer Ted Templeman signed them to a two album contract after seeing them during their four month stint at The Starwood. They released their self-titled debut album in 1978 and earned significant national attention and radio airplay with singles including You Really Got Me and Runnin' With The Devil. The album hit number 19 on the Billboard 200 and eventually sold more than 12million copies by 2014 and has been certified Diamond by the RIAA. Van Halen went on to record four more platinum albums over the next five years in addition to several world tours. Despite all of the success there was a creative rift between David and Eddie which all came to ahead when Roth left the band in August 1985 and brought along several employees who worked for the band. Rock legends: Van Halen went on to record four more platinum albums over the next five years in addition to several world tours, as David is pictured in Osaka back in September 1979 Sad: Despite all of the success there was a creative rift between David and Eddie which all came to ahead when Roth left the band in August 1985 and brought along several employees who worked for the band, the dynamic duo are seen in San Diego back in May 1984 Roth went on to focus entirely on his solo career after releasing EP Crazy From The Heat and accompanying film. He then assembled a virtuoso supergroup consisting of guitarist Steve Vai (previously of Frank Zappa's band), bassist Billy Sheehan (previously of Talas), and drummer Gregg Bissonette (previously of Maynard Ferguson's big band) before releasing solo LP Eat 'Em And Smile in July 1986. The album has plenty of success as it charted No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 as it sold over 2million copies in the US alone and Roth hit the road on an arena tour in support. Roth went on to release four more studio albums before reuniting with Van Halen in 1996 where he recorded two new songs for Van Halen's Best Of - Volume I album. They're back: The band went on to release their final album together - titled A Different Kind Of Truth - on February 7, 2012, as they are seen on the supporting tour for that release on March 2012 However the reunion was short lived as Roth and Eddie reportedly threatened each other during an infamous appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards in September 1996. Van Halen ultimately opted to bring in Gary Cherone for the vocalist job. Then over a decade later, Roth returned to Van Halen in January 2007 as they embarked on a 40-date arena and amphitheater tour. The band went on to release their final album together - titled A Different Kind Of Truth - on February 7, 2012. They remained an active band until Eddie Van Halen's death in October 2020. Elyse Taylor is known for her incredible figure, having modelled for the likes of Victoria's Secret. And on Friday, the Aussie stunner showed off her fit physique as she enjoyed a day at the beach. Sharing some sizzling images to Instagram, Elyse, 35, looked like the ultimate beach babe in a white string bikini. So hot she needs to cool down! On Friday, Victoria's Secret model Elyse Taylor showed off her incredible figure in a white string bikini while at the beach She showed off a deep golden tan on the day and had her long blonde locks out and over her shoulders. Elyse teamed the look with a beige beach hat and layered gold necklaces. The statuesque beauty also shared a selfie while sunbathing, smiling for the camera. Gorgeous: The statuesque beauty also shared a selfie while sunbathing, smiling for the camera Strutting her stuff: She has previously walked for the likes of Victoria's Secret Elyse hails from Sydney but is based in the US. Discovered at age 18, she moved to New York where she was immediately booked by major labels such as Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger, Moschino and Trussardi. Since then she has featured in campaigns for Estee Lauder and Victoria's Secret, having also starred in the lingerie brand's highly coveted annual fashion show with the likes of Miranda Kerr. On the mend: Back in July, Elyse revealed she was recovering from back surgery. At the time, she shared pictures from her hospital bed Back in July, Elyse revealed she was recovering from back surgery. At the time, she shared pictures from her hospital bed. Elyse had a microdiscectomy, which is performed for a herniated disc and relieves the pressure on a spinal nerve root by removing the material causing the pain. The mother-of-one also shared an eye-opening X-ray of her back, showing her disc pushing against her spine and nerves. Kaia Gerber appeared to be feeling bold as she swatched her pout with bright red lipstick on Friday evening. The 20-year-old model was seen with lively lips as she enjoyed an evening stroll around the SoHo area of New York City with a male pal. The daughter of Cindy Crawford draped her frame in the city's preferred hue of black, drawing all eyes to her face as she walked. Feeling bold: Kaia Gerber, 20-year-old model daughter of Cindy Crawford, opted for a bold red lip on Friday evening as she stepped out for an evening stroll with a male pal in NYC Kaia was pictured in stylish black slacks with a white mock neck top which exposed her midriff. She dressed up the look with a leather blazer and pounded the pavement in leather boots. Her brown locks were swept back into an equally chic low ponytail and she was seen deep in conversation with a male pal who rose to the occasion in a suit. The pair looked to be heading out for the evening and were pictured walking through the bustling city as night fell. Walk and talk: Kaia was seen in the company of a male companion for the night out All dressed up: The model's look for the evening included a leather blazer and black slacks Though Kaia has been nearly inseparable with her actor boyfriend Jacob Elordi for over a year, she seemed to spend time with friends on Friday. The model and the Euphoria star made their first official red carpet debut on September 25 as they attended the gala at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in LA. And despite rising to fame in the fashion industry under her super famous mom's guidance, Kaia has made the jump into acting. Booking a role on Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story spin offs: American Horror Stories, Double Feature and Death Valley, Gerber spoke about the auditioning process and being a fan of the creator's work. Out and about: Kaia was seen walking throughout SoHo with her friend as night fell Acting: Gerber was tapped for two different roles on Ryan Murphy shows and spoke about self-taping with her famous mom while chatting with ET 'I didn't have a connection to him, other than being a big fan of everything that he does,' she said, adding that she only met him recently at an event in LA. 'I just saw his name [attached]. I had no idea what the show was,' she told ET of Murphy's Death Valley which she first auditioned for. 'And I was so nervous and like, 'This will never happen, but I just can't pass up this opportunity up,' so, I taped with my mom,' she shared, before calling Crawford a 'trooper' who 'helped me a lot.' Kaia continued to say that despite her budding acting talent she still looks to her parents for approval. 'I'm still like the kind of kid that when something happens, I look up to my parents to be like, "Did you like it?,"' she said, adding that they gave her the seal of approval. Charlotte McKinney showcased her endless legs while out and about on Friday. The 28-year-old blonde bombshell was seen strutting her stuff as she headed to a business meeting in Los Angeles. Charlotte's business casual look included a stylish collared dress and simple black accessories. Head turning: The 28-year-old blonde bombshell was pictured showing off her endless legs in a stylish collared dress while she walked to a business meeting in LA on Friday afternoon The Baywatch star leaned into warmer Southern California weather as she donned a lightweight khaki dress with a cinching waist belt. Her slim legs were elevated with peep toe kitten heels and she opted for cohesion as she carried a small black purse. The Florida native wore her beach blonde locks down straight and shielded her eyes behind a pair of rectangular sunglasses. Adding another pop to the chic look she adorned her ears with small gold hoop earrings. On the go: The Florida born stunner was seen walking briskly in her business casual look Garnering fame after smouldering in a 2015 Super Bowl for Carl's Jr, she partnered up once again with the fast food chain this past summer for their first ever non-fungible token (NFT). The digital asset featured one of the shots from the commercial where she was seen chowing down on one of their burgers. 'Carl's Jr. was a launchpad for my career and I'm forever grateful for our partnership that sparked such a special moment in my life,' she said in a PRNewswire statement. McKinney has been in a relationship with tattoo artist Nathan Kostechko since 2017, and though they keep their romance relatively private she supported him publicly at his art exhibition recently. She was named the highest paid actress by Forbes last year with a whopping $43million for her role in Modern Family and hosting gig at America's Got Talent. So Sofia Vergara is no stranger to a shopping spree. The 49-year-old actress kept it casual as she headed to Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills to drop some serious cash. Chill: Sofia Vergara kept it casual as she headed to Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills to drop some serious cash The Colombian star donned a tie-dye long sleeved top along with distressed light blue cropped jeans. She teamed the look with a pair of black leather Golden Goose sneakers featuring shiny metallic silver midsoles and a leopard-patterned star on the side. Her signature highlighted blonde locks were worn down in a middle-part as she accentuated her natural looks with complementary make-up. Vibes: The 49-year-old Colombian star donned a tie-dye long sleeved top along with distressed light blue cropped jeans In the details: She teamed the look with a pair of black leather Golden Goose sneakers featuring shiny metallic silver midsoles and a leopard-patterned star on the side Sofia accessorized with a protective white KN95 face mask as she carried along a black leather Dolce & Gabbana logo-plaque woven shoulder bag which retails for $3,745. No doubt she spent quite a bit of money on even more designer digs as she had multiple bags carried to her black Range Rover including one from Chanel. Just days ago Sofia turned up the heat when she took to Instagram to share a photo of herself wearing nothing but coffee beans. The picture was shared with her 23.2 million followers to acknowledge the unofficial holiday National Coffee Day. Someone's feeling perky! Just days ago Sofia turned up the heat when she took to Instagram to share a photo of herself wearing nothing but coffee beans for National Coffee Day Underneath the photo the star wrote in the caption, 'Happy #nationalcoffeeday.' The America's Got Talent judge showed her sense of humor as she added, 'All Colombian cafe' with a crying laughing emoji. The undated image shows Sofia sprawled out over the beans - body twisted and toes pointed - as she poses with the strategically placed berries. Her eyes are closed and her blonde hair is set behind her in perfect spiral curls. Back for more: Wednesday night the blonde bombshell appeared on the photo sharing app again to document her night out with friends Wednesday night the blonde bombshell appeared on the photo sharing app again to document her night out with friends. In two photos shared to her Instagram grid, the Colombian born A-lister is seen partying it up with a small group of pals, which included Heidi Klum, 48, and two other unknown women. The snaps have a red glow to them, and show the four girlfriends laughing as they enjoy each other's company. 'Noche de ladies,' the post was captioned with two dancing lady and bottle of champagne emojis. Sharing a laugh: In two photos shared to her Instagram grid, the Colombian born A-lister is seen partying it up with a small group of pals, which included Heidi Klum, 48, and two other unknown women To finish off her mid-week posts, the 5ft7in beauty shared a mirror selfie that featured a full look at her ensemble for the night. With a white kitchen behind her, Vergara posed with one leg turned outward as she stood in black open-toe stiletto heels. The mother-of-one had a smoldering look on her face as she showed off her outfit of black jogger pants and a lacy, black, strapless corset that revealed ample cleavage. Styled in a center part, her long hair fell in loose ringlets. She held a dark-colored clutch and added a giphy that said 'ladies night' with a champagne flute. Smokin' hot: To finish off her mid-week posts, the 5ft7in beauty shared a mirror selfie that featured a full look at her ensemble for the night In August it was revealed that Sofia and Renata Black's lingerie brand, EBY, landed $6 million in funding. Launched in 2018, the company 'repositions underwear as a tool for empowerment rather than one of seduction.' Made with 'no-slip-grip' technology, which was patented by the brand, EBY's underwear has a one-of-a-kind style. Adding to the company's allure is the fact that ten percent of profits are donated to Seven Bar Foundation, a non-profit that provides women living in poverty with loans to start businesses. She's been bored while in hotel quarantine after recently flying out from the US to her native Australia. And on Saturday, Jessica Hart celebrated reaching the half way point of her mandatory 14-day isolation period with her daughter by posting a fun selfie. The 35-year-old shared a photo of herself beaming alongside her 10-month-old girl, Baby-Rae. Almost there! Jessica Hart and her adorable daughter Baby-Rae beamed for a selfie as the doting mother marked reaching the half point through hotel quarantine in Sydney, on Saturday Both mother and daughter shared the same piercing blue eyes as they smiled for the up close selfie. The former Victoria's Secret model wrote in the caption: 'All smiles over here,' along with the hashtags: '#quarantine' and '#halfway.' Last month, Jessica arrived in Sydney after taking a flight from her base in Los Angeles. Nice view! Last month, Jessica arrived in Sydney after taking a flight from her base in Los Angeles. The model shared a photo of herself looking out of the window inside her hotel quarantine, with the caption: 'Bored in the house' The model shared a photo of herself looking out of the window inside her hotel quarantine, with the caption: 'Bored in the house.' Two days earlier, she posted a photo of herself and little Baby-Rae on their flight back with the caption: 'Hello Australia. It's been a while.' Jessica announced she is expecting her second child with her fiance James Kirkham, back in June. Welcome to the land Down Under: Two days earlier, she posted a photo of herself and her toddler Baby-Rae on their flight back to Australia and captioned it: 'Hello Australia. It's been a while' She shared the happy news to Instagram, posting a video in which she admitted she's nervous about having two children under the age of two years old. At the time, Jessica said she was six weeks along in her pregnancy. 'The announcement is that I've just found out I'm pregnant again. It's exciting, after the initial shock of having two babes under two,' she said. She explained that daughter Baby will be 14 months old when she welcomes her newborn. Happy news! Jessica announced she is expecting her second child with her fiance James Kirkham, back in June Motherhood: She shared the happy news to Instagram with a video in which she admitted she's nervous about having two children under the age of two years old Jessica added that she needs to focus on her nutrition in coming months, as she's pregnant and breastfeeding at the same time and is 'predominantly vegan.' 'I'm sharing this so early because I want to go through it all with a community, so no matter what happens, you'll find out, but we'll have two kids under two, it'll be a wild ride and an exciting journey and I'm excited to share it with you,' Jessica said. Jessica and James, who became engaged in October 2020, welcomed their first child together on November 17. He's a movie star. But Luke Wilson cut a very casual figure while waiting for an Uber in New York City in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on Friday. The 50-year-old actor appeared to be enjoying his time in the pleasant early autumn weather as he propped himself off against a wall and struck a pose before his ride arrived. In the fresh air: Luke Wilson was seen waiting for an Uber in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on Friday Wilson cut a very casual figure, as he wore a light gray zip-up hoodie above pairs of white pants and brown work boots as he waited to be picked up. The performer is currently awaiting the release of the upcoming action-thriller feature, Gasoline Alley. The actor will portray a homicide detective following the case of an influential figure implicated in the death of three actresses who has to work outside of the law in an effort to clear his name. Also set to appear in the forthcoming feature are Bruce Willis and Devon Sawa, with the former playing Wilson's partner. Comfortable clothing: The performer wore a zip-up hoodie and a pair of white pants, as well as a set of work boots Staying occupied: The actor is set to star alongside Bruce Willis and Devon Sawa in the upcoming thriller feature Gasoline Alley Highland Film Group's CEO, Arianne Fraser, spoke to Variety in March and expressed that the project had 'all the ingredients for commercial success coupled with a storyline and production values that will elevate the film in the marketplace.' She also spoke about the project's commercial viability stating: 'our trusted worldwide partners are looking for these high-energy, splashy thrillers and this film ticks all the right boxes.' Highland's COO, Delphine Perrier, also gave the media outlet a little bit of information regarding Gasoline Alley's aesthetic. High expectations: Highland Film Group's CEO, Arianne Fraser, expressed that Gasoline Alley had 'all the ingredients for commercial success'; wilson is seen in 2019 She noted that the film would be 'packed with action combat scenes infused by a unique rockabilly atmosphere. It's going to be fantastic.' Its director, Edward Drake, remarked that the project would feature an 'incredible narrative about the darkest corners of modern society.' Production began in Georgia earlier this year, and Gasoline Alley does not currently have a release date. Wilson will also be seen in the forthcoming Netflix drama feature Plus/Minus. Keeping it going: Earlier this year, Wilson was added to the cast of the upcoming Netflix film Plus/Minus; he is seen in June The forthcoming project will follow a college graduate named Natalie, played by Lili Reinhart, whose life splits into two separate realities, one of which sees her staying in her Texas hometown and the other shows her moving to Los Angeles. The actor's casting was confirmed earlier this year by The Hollywood Reporter, who also revealed that Andrea Savage, Aisha Dee and Danny Ramirez had also signed on to appear in the program. Production on the feature wrapped in late August, and it has not received a release date as of yet. Andy Allen and his fiance Alex Davey celebrated with glasses of wine on what should have been their wedding day. The MasterChef Australia judge, 33, shared a photo of the pair together in an Instagram post on Saturday alongside an emotional caption. 'I was meant to marry this beauty today. Ah well, here's to next year, but more importantly loving you more than ever!' he wrote. Aww: Andy Allen and his fiance Alex Davey celebrated with glasses of wine on what should have been their wedding day. The MasterChef Australia judge, 33, shared a photo of the pair together in an Instagram post on Saturday alongside an emotional caption. Both pictured 'This bump in the road will only make the real deal day even more special. Thanks to all our family and friends for the best wishes.' Andy didn't give a reason for the postponement, however it's likely that recent lockdowns are a factor - and revealed the new wedding will take place in 2022. The TV star revealed he proposed to the 29-year-old beauty during a romantic getaway in New Zealand last year, before borders were closed. Delay: 'I was meant to marry this beauty today. Ah well, here's to next year, but more importantly loving you more than ever!' he wrote Andy, who has been dating Alex since 2016, said he was incredibly nervous about the proposal from the moment they flew out of Melbourne Airport. 'I was so scared about the ring going off in the scanner at the airport and having to drop down on one knee and propose in front of the security guards,' he told TV Week magazine. When it finally did come time to drop down on one knee, things didn't exactly pan out they way he hoped it would. Love: The TV star revealed he proposed to the 29-year-old beauty during a romantic getaway in New Zealand last year Andy said he wanted to find the most romantic spot he could on a 'nice secluded spot on the beach', but was forced to change plans when they arrived to a crowded stretch of sand. After finally finding a a quiet spot in a nearby headland, Andy asked for Alex's hand in marriage. 'She was so shocked, she basically collapsed on my shoulder,' he recalled. 'I pretty much had to ask her if it was a 'yes'. She was very shocked,' he said. The couple first sparked rumours they were engaged when Alex was spotted sporting a giant diamond ring on her left hand wedding finger when the pair stepped out for a romantic stroll in Melbourne in April last year. Curtis Stone and his wife Lindsay Price enjoyed a date night on Thursday. The pair looked loved up as they attended a preview of the Night Of The Jack Halloween event in Calabasas, California. The Australian celebrity chef, 45, and his actress partner, 44, cuddled up close as they posed on the red carpet. Loved up: Curtis Stone and his wife Lindsay Price enjoyed a date night on Thursday. The pair looked loved up as they attended a preview of the Night Of The Jack Halloween event in Calabasas, California. Both pictured Curtis looked casually cool in a navy blue T-shirt with a sleeveless puffer jacket in the same colour over it. He added a pair of black jeans and brown work boots, with the laces left loose and undone. The cook completed his look with a black cap that had a gold emblem embroidered on the front. Aww: The Australian celebrity chef, 45, and his actress partner, 44, cuddled up close as they posed on the red carpet A look: Beverly Hills, 90210 star Lindsay opted for a dark look with a striped top under a long coat with gold buttons Beverly Hills, 90210 star Lindsay opted for a dark look with a striped top under a long coat with gold buttons. She added leather trousers and pointed heels, and carried a crossbody purse with a gold chain strap. Lindsay opted for a rosy makeup palette with a matte nude lipstick, and wore her hair down and straight. Blue: Curtis looked casually cool in a navy blue T-shirt with a sleeveless puffer jacket in the same colour over it Laced: He added a pair of black jeans and brown work boots, with the laces left loose and undone Melbourne-born Curtis rose to fame on Australia cooking show Surfing the Menu and hosted season one of My Restaurant Rules. He is based in Los Angeles where he runs his acclaimed restaurant, Maude. Curtis has been married to Lindsay since 2013 and thee couple share two sons - Hudson, nine, and Emerson, six. Married At First Sight UK's much-anticipated finale reached screens on Friday, after being delayed a day by Channel 4's technical issues. In a surprise development, Amy Christophers and Joshua Christie vowed to stay married despite weeks of bickering, deciding to put their past to one side and move forward in their relationship. The final episode was aired a day late due to 'ongoing technical issues' across the Channel 4 network on Thursday - which meant a repeat episode was accidentally aired instead of the finale. At last! Married At First Sight UK's much-anticipated finale reached screens on Friday, after being delayed a day by Channel 4's technical issues They're engaged! Adam and Tayah also vowed to keep things going, with the hunk even proposing to the brunette so they could make their marriage legal Despite Amy and Joshua staying together, the vows didn't seem the most promising. 'You called me needy and let me tell you, I'm a strong independent woman, I don't need anyone.' Amy felt like she wasn't getting enough from Josh in terms of affection, saying: 'I ask myself am I being mugged off? Am I wasting my time on someone who is just not that into me? Moving forward: In a surprise development, Amy Christophers and Joshua Christie vowed to stay married despite weeks of bickering 'But as I was giving up, you fought for us and stepped up to meet me at my level where you've continued climbing.' Just as Amy revealed that she wanted to make their relationship work, Josh then voiced his thoughts, saying that he sometimes found she was 'selfish'. Josh said: 'But despite the difficulties we faced, I can truly see why we were matched. You are an incredible woman who brought things out in me that I never knew existed.' Appreciative: 'But as I was giving up, you fought for us and stepped up to meet me at my level where you've continued climbing', she said 'Selfish': Just as Amy revealed that she wanted to make their relationship work, Josh then voiced his thoughts, saying that he sometimes found she was 'selfish' He said thank you to Amy for teaching him the length of a piece of string and then proceeded to tie one around her wrist to symbolise that he wanted to keep trying with her. The finale also saw Morag agreeing to commit with Luke after she previously wasn't convinced that he was right for her. Adam and Tayah also vowed to keep things going, with Tayah agreeing to re-marry her husband. Making it work: The finale also saw Morag agreeing to commit with Luke after she previously wasn't convinced that he was right for her The series finale finally comes as Channel 4 failed to air the last show of the series on Thursday. Viewers were left fuming when they realised a previous episode of a popular reality show was playing instead of the finale in a disastrous blunder for the channel. Furious fans took to social media to complain, and the episode stopped after the first commercial break. For the next 30 minutes or so, viewers were faced with a purple screen with the message 'Programmes will continue shortly', punctuated with ad breaks, before the channel decided to air a repeat episode of Celebrity First Dates from 2016. A 'sonic wave' which took Channel 4 off the air at the weekend has continued to disrupt programmes throughout the past week. A spokesperson for E4 said: 'Following the incident at the weekend, ongoing technical issues have meant that Thursday night's episode of Married at First Sight UK was a repeat from Wednesday 29th September. 'We apologise to the fans of the show and have worked hard to get the episode to you this evening at 9pm. We hope that when you finally watch it you can find out whether Amy & Josh, Tayah & Adam and Morag & Luke renew their vows.' A reunion special scheduled to air on Monday will still go ahead as planned. The sixth season, which has been airing on E4 for the last three weeks, saw 16 singletons walking down the aisle to marry a stranger, before they embarked on a luxurious honeymoon, and moved in with each other and their fellow couples. Tim Robards has celebrated his last year in his 30s while in lockdown. Posting to his Instagram on Saturday, the doting dad shared an adorable series of photos from his low-key celebrations. 'Best birthday.... present was getting a sleep in and then unwrapping presents with this little one!' he began the post. Birthday blessings! The Bachelor's Tim Robards has celebrated his 39th birthday while in lockdown 'Thanks for all the bday wishes everyone! And thanks Elle for my first ever birthday card from you and my new shirt! I love it! (Thanks Mummy too),' he added. Alongside the sweet caption, Tim shared photos of his daughter helping him unwrap his gifts. In the pictures, the daddy and daughter duo are donning smiles from ear-to-ear. The birthday boy also modelled the new T-shirt purchased by his wife, Anna Heinrich. Daddy's helper: Alongside the sweet caption, Tim shared photos of his daughter helping him unwrap his gifts Nice shirt! He also modelled the new T-shirt purchased by his wife, Anna Heinrich It appears the former Bachelor has changed his tune as he was feeling a little less excited about the milestone birthday on Monday. At the time, he said he was having 'little mid-life crisis' as he came to terms with the idea of turning 40 next year. Taking to Instagram, the father-of-one shared a video of himself doing a strenuous workout in his home gym, defiantly revealing he was lifting similar weights to when he was 'in his early 20s'. Pushing through the 'mid-life crisis': Tim recently shared a video of himself doing a strenuous workout in his home gym, defiantly revealing he was lifting similar weights he did 'in his early 20s' 'I'm days off turning 39, which means I'm pretty much on my way to 40 and today was a little win amidst what must be a little mid life crisis haha - haven't dipped this heavy since early 20s!' he captioned the footage. Tim then continued his message by poignantly discussing how 'precious' life is. 'But on a semi serious note I don't think I'm alone being a man approaching 40 having some weird brain chatter going on,' he continued. 'I'm days off turning 39, which means I'm pretty much on my way to 40 and today was a little win amidst what must be a little mid life crisis haha - haven't dipped this heavy since early 20's!' he captioned the footage 'The biggest thing I'm realising is that time is so precious you don't get it back, and it's finite. 'Feeling like the "pause button" is getting stuck sometimes on the life remote lately, I'm more keen than ever to see just what potential I have and I'll keep telling myself I've not peaked yet!' He added that some days the self doubt 'creeps in', but other times he feels like he 'crushes it'. Family: Tim is a doting dad to his ten-month-old daughter Elle, who he shares with wife Anna Heinrich. All pictured 'Looking forward to more of those!' he added. 'Anyone else get those mid life feels?' Tim and his now wife Anna fell in love on The Bachelor Australia in 2013, and married in a stunning ceremony in Italy in 2018. They share one child, a daughter name Elle, who they welcomed 10 months ago. Paris Jackson showed off her edgy style credentials as she arrived at the Vivienne Westwood show for Paris Fashion Week on Saturday. The 23-year-old daughter of the late Michael Jackson wore a unique black asymmetrical dress with a daring sweetheart neckline and net skirt. She was joined at the event by model Georgia May Jagger, 29, who looked glamorous in a gold dress with a thigh high split. Fashion forward: Paris Jackson, 23, wore a unique black dress with a daring neckline as she joined Georgia May Jagger, 29, (right) at the Vivienne Westwood Paris Fashion Week show Paris posed up a storm as she arrived at the event, standing tall in a pair of navy blue platform heels with a ribbon bow on the front. Her body art was on display as she stood with her hand on her hip, with her naked arms and shoulders exposed to the air. She wore a pearl necklace with a Vivienne Westwood pendent to the front and accessorised with with some pearl and silver earrings. Work of art: Paris's body art was on display as she stood with her hand on her hip, with her naked arms and shoulders exposed to the air Bejeweled: She wore a pearl necklace with a Vivienne Westwood pendent to the front and accessorised with with some pearl and silver earrings Paris's wavy blonde hair could be seen swept to one side as she arrived at the bash as she was led out of her chauffeur-driven car by her hand by a member of her security team. The star appeared in a cheerful mood as she waved to onlookers waiting at the venue. Her thigh could be seen through the sheer material of the skirt section of her dress as she walked inside. Strike a pose: Once inside, Paris happily posed in her stylish outfit, ensuring photographers got a full view of her attire Statuesque: Paris stood tall in a pair of navy blue platform heels with a ribbon bow on the front, adding a few inches to her stature Stepping out: Georgia May looked happy to be at the event, with her bejeweled gold dress dazzling under the lights as she walked inside Once inside, Paris happily posed in her stylish outfit, ensuring photographers got a full view of her attire. Georgia May looked happy to be at the event, with her bejeweled gold dress dazzling under the lights as she walked inside. The garment featured a beautiful paisley pattern laid out in sequins across the material. Dazzling: The garment featured a beautiful paisley pattern laid out in sequins across the material Style queen: Georgie wore a pair of pointed black high-heeled shoes, with the splits in her dress leaving her long slender legs on display Front row: Paris and Georgia May had a perfect view from the front row at the Vivienne Westwood fashion show Friends in high places: Georgia May and Paris could be seen sitting with the likes of Evan Mock, Jordan Barrett and Miss Fame at the bash Georgie wore a pair of pointed black high-heeled shoes, with the splits in her dress leaving her long slender legs on display. Model Jordan Barrett, 24, cut a stylish figure as he posed outside the venue in a long khaki trench coat. He wore a pair of beige trousers which he teamed with a comfortable pair of black slides. Model behaviour: Model Jordan Barrett, 24, cut a stylish figure as he posed outside the venue in a long khaki trench coat Trendsetter: He wore a pair of beige trousers which he teamed with a comfortable pair of black slides Vivienne Westwood, 80, was joined by her designer husband Andreas Kronthaler, 55, at the show, with Vivienne showing off her signature style in a black and silver striped dress. She wore a brown sleeveless cardigan with metallic buttons as she stood alongside her partner. Andreas opted for casual attire and casually stood with his hand alongside his pocket at the event. Joel Edgerton announced the birth of his first child with his long-term partner Christine Centenera in May. But it turns out that the actor and his Vogue fashion director partner have in fact welcomed twins, believed to be little girls. The Australian star, 47, stepped out in Paris on Thursday with two prams - pushing one himself, with the other was handled by a woman who appeared to be a nanny. Double the fun: Joel Edgerton (pictured) welcomed twins with long-term partner, Vogue fashion director Christine Centenera, in May. Last week, he stepped out with two prams during a stroll in Paris with a woman who appeared to be a nanny or friend With Paris Fashion Week in full swing, Joel was on daddy duty, strolling with the tots in the sunshine while Christine was busy attending a Rick Owens showcase. The Boy Erased actor was dressed casually in a black shirt and blue shorts along with a bright beanie. Joel had on a blue surgical mask, which he pulled down to talk, and finished his look with dark sneakers. Baby love: It is believed that the actor and his girlfriend welcomed twin girls Out and about: With Paris Fashion Week in full swing, Joel was on daddy duty. Christine is pictured at the Rick Owens show on Thursday, the same day Joel was out with the twins He stopped to chat to the nanny on the street as they decided what direction to steer their walk. It was the first time Joel has been seen out with his children since announcing their birth. The actor and filmmaker shared the news in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in May, saying Christine, 39, had given birth a few days prior in Sydney. Lots to see: The new mother also attended the Chloe show that same day Busy mama: Christine also attended the Loewe show on Friday (pictured) 'I just ran away from the hospital for a moment. I can't even put it into words. I'm in love,' he said. The Red Sparrow star revealed he was worried about missing the birth, as he was filming a project interstate. 'I was very nervous because I was working in Queensland and there are some border issues with Sydney and Queensland that pop up,' he said. 'I was getting very nervous that I'd get stuck,' the Bright actor added. Fortunately, Joel was able to leave the set and return to Sydney in time for his child's arrival. Welcome: The actor and filmmaker shared the news that he was a new father in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in May, saying Christine, 39, had given birth a few days prior in Sydney 'I was working with some wonderful people who said, "We will move heaven and earth to make sure you don't miss something this important,"' he added. Christine had been pictured arriving at a North Sydney hospital earlier that month as she prepared to give birth. Looking calm and collected, she and her mother were seen carrying large suitcases from a taxi. Christine works as the fashion director for Vogue Australia and is also the designer of her own line, Wardrobe NYC. Dating: Joel and Christine debuted their relationship at GQ Australia's Men of the Year Awards in Sydney in November 2018. Pictured together on in 2019 The couple never officially confirmed they were expecting a child, even after photos surfaced of Christine with a visible bump in January. In February, the Daily Telegraph reported that Joel was 'thrilled' to become a father. Joel and Christine debuted their relationship at GQ Australia's Men of the Year Awards in Sydney in November 2018. Chrissie Swan has had an incredible body transformation over the past several months after giving up alcohol and exercising more. And on Friday, the media personality showed off her trim figure as she stepped out to grab a cup of coffee and some groceries in Melbourne. The 47-year-old had some leafy green vegetables poking out the top of her grocery bag, indicating that she's been sticking to her healthy new lifestyle. Stepping out: On Friday, Chrissie Swan showed off her trim figure as she stepped out to grab a cup of coffee and some groceries in Melbourne Chrissie was dressed in a sporty ensemble consisting of black leggings and a matching sweater from activewear brand Stax. She had a face mask on for safety and carried a medium sized cup of coffee in one hand. The TV host recently revealed the healthy food she carries in her backpack, along with a beaming selfie. She wrote: 'Contents of mystery backpack: Gozleme, tuna hand rolls, sashimi, smoked salmon, apples, dill, ice berg lettuce, truss tomatoes.' Healthy: The 47-year-old had some leafy green vegetables poking out the top of her grocery bag, indicating that she's been sticking to her healthy new lifestyle Earlier this year, Chrissie confirmed that as well as giving up alcohol, she now has a passion for walking every day and has taken up meditation as a hobby, in an Instagram post in July. After saying she had 'read everything there is to read about self care,' she took action during the city's 112-day lockdown 'I've never done anything about it, until now. Learning how to meditate kicked it off for me and I realised after the first 10 min block that it was the first time in ages I'd stopped and slowed down with my own well-being top of mind,' she said. Smart choices: The TV host recently revealed the healthy food she carries in her backpack, along with a beaming selfie The Nova radio host also revealed she 'doesn't put pressure on' herself, but walks 'somewhere' most days. 'Sometimes for 20 minutes, sometimes for an hour. Sometimes three little walks, sometimes none!' she said. When a fan asked if she ever lacks motivation, she added: 'The struggle is real. I get it and I have NEVER been a walker. 'I always wear activewear or at least runners - like just put them on straightaway because that's one less excuse. It's when I can't be f**ked I just say it's 10 minutes. Always ends up longer. First step is the hardest.' Dame Helen Mirren went incognito behind a facemask as she stepped out to a L'Oreal fitting in Paris during Fashion Week on Saturday. The actress, 76, abided by the local guidelines to wear the face covering on public transport as travelled in a taxi to her fashion appointment. The star could be seen wearing a beige raincoat over a dress with a red rose print. Star power: Helen Mirren, 76, wrapped up in a raincoat over her elegant red rose print dress as she headed to a L'Oreal fitting during Paris Fashion Week on Saturday She wore a pair of black tights to match the dark shades of her dress and her black high-heeled shoes. The Queen actress could be seen carrying a red woolen bag with a circular wooden handle packed full of belongings as she headed into the venue. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail to show the hoop earrings which hung from each of her ears. In style: The star could be seen wearing a beige raincoat over a dress with a red rose print as she headed to her appointment Dame Helen visited the Colorado earlier this month to promote her new film The Duke at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado. The flick, set for release in February next year, follows the story of a taxi driver, Kempton Bunton who steals Goya's painting of The Duke Of Wellington. Dame Helen transforms into dowdy cleaner Dorothy Bunton in a recent trailer of the newly-released film, where she stars alongside Jim Broadbent (who plays Kempton). In style: She wore a pair of black tights to match the dark share in her dress and her black high-heeled shoes Speaking about being part of The Duke, she said earlier this year: 'The whole story took me by surprise. You would want to take it with a pinch of salt if it wasn't all true. 'I loved the charm of the script; it was sweet and very endearing. I love the 1960s, it was a more naive, innocent time. 'Dorothy is the practical one, which the woman so often is in the family; she is keeping the family going. Kempton is the dreamer, but he is very committed and courageous in many ways. 'We should not only take a leaf out of Kempton's book, but also Dorothy's - dreaming is all very well, but you still need to pay the bills! So, let's hear it for the practical people in life too. 'It's very important when playing an old married couple that the audience believe that relationship. With Jim, I slipped into the role of his wife very easily, there was no effort on my part.' Ant Middleton has some harsh words for the UK version of SAS, called SAS: Who Dares Wins. The SAS Australia star, 41, says he only accepted the role on the local sister show because it was less produced. 'The UK version fell out of my grasp and was taken out of my grip, so I was worried about this version being the same,' he told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday. Tough talk: Ant Middleton (pictured) has some harsh words for the UK version of SAS. He said that he only accepted the role on the local adaptation because it was less produced 'It wasn't until I sat down with the heads of Channel 7 and they said, "we want you to run it and do what you do best", I knew it would be different.' Ant added that he is more than happy to cut ties with the UK version of the show. 'The last UK episode finishes on Sunday and then I am going to wipe my hands of them and move forward. Hopefully they leave me alone. 'There's a lot of witch hunting going on, there's no doubt about that,' he said. 'The UK version fell out of my grasp and was taken out of my grip, so I was worried about this version being the same,' he told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday Ant was dropped by Channel 4 due to his 'personal conduct', with the station claiming they will not work with him again. His departure came months after Ant sparked controversy by referring to Black Lives Matter protesters as 'absolute scum', and urging people to 'carry on as normal' and not change their habits amid the global Covid pandemic. A spokesperson for Channel 4 told MailOnline: 'Ant Middleton will not be taking part in future series of SAS: Who Dares Wins. Ant added that he is more than happy to cut ties with the UK version of the show: 'The last UK episode finishes on Sunday and then I am going to wipe my hands of them and move forward. Hopefully they leave me alone' he said 'Following a number of discussions Channel 4 and Minnow Films have had with him in relation to his personal conduct it has become clear that our views and values are not aligned and we will not be working with him again.' Following the statement, the adventurer, who found fame as the host of SAS: Who Dares Wins, took to social media and vowed to 'stay positive'. Ant's axing by Channel 4 comes after he sparked controversy by referring to Black Lives Matter protesters as 'absolute scum' last June. Ant took to social media and confirmed he would no longer be hosting SAS: Who Dares Wins, but said he was excited about the future. 'There's a lot of witch hunting going on, there's no doubt about that,' he added He wrote: 'Hi guys, I've got some news which is that after 5 incredible years I've decided it's time to move on from SAS Who Dares Wins UK. 'Big respect to my fellow DS its been a journey I'll never forget. Thanks to everyone that took part and made the show what it is. Really excited about the future and what's coming this year. Stay positive.' The TV tough guy, who took on the role in November, was said to have left his bosses furious after posting the since-deleted tweet, amid protests over racial injustice after the death of George Floyd in the US. On June 14, Ant tweeted: 'The extreme left against the extreme right. When did two wrongs make a right. It was only a matter of time. BLM and EDL are not welcome on our streets, absolute scum. What a great example you are to your future generation. Bravo.' Dropped: Ant was dropped by Channel 4 due to his 'personal conduct', with the station claiming they will not work with him again Ant subsequently apologised, releasing a video message where he said: 'I'd just like to clarify a tweet I'd put out at the weekend and deleted straight away once I'd re-read it and realised that it could cause offence. 'I put out a tweet or retweeted a video of the violence, the terror and chaos that was happening on the streets of London. 'Within that tweet I mentioned the BLM and EDL and the word 'scum'. At no point was I calling the BLM scum and comparing the two organisations. I want to make that really, really clear. 'The word scum was used to describe the people in the video that were violent, that were causing terror on the streets of London and setting a bad example for our future generations.' Alicia Vikander confirmed last month she and husband Michael Fassbender had welcomed their first child together earlier this year. And actor Michael, 44, was on dad duty in Paris on Saturday as he was spotted out walking with his offspring in a pram. The star cut a casual figure in a light grey tracksuit and a comfortable pair of trainers while he opted to wear a black face covering to keep himself and other safe from coronavirus. Doting dad: Michael Fassbender, 44, was on dad duty in Paris on Saturday as he was spotted out walking with the baby he shares with wife Alicia Vikander, 32 His baby could be seen sitting in a black pram as they headed out of their hotel in the French capital. Film star Michael, who married in Alicia, 32, in October 2017, had not previously revealed a pregnancy or confirmed they had become parents. The couple were spotted out and about with a baby during a recent trip to Ibiza and Alicia has now revealed she welcomed her first child earlier in 2021. Ready to roll: The star cut a casual figure in a light grey tracksuit and a comfortable pair of trainers while he opted to wear a black face covering During a recent chat with People magazine about her role in latest film Blue Bayou, Alicia touched on becoming a mother as she explained: 'I now have a whole new understanding of life in general 'That's pretty beautiful and obviously will give a lot to any of my work in the future.' The star added she feels 'more content and happy than I've ever been.' Parents: Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender welcomed their first child together earlier this year (pictured in 2016) When asked how life had changed since having a baby, she said: 'No, I think I'll wait with that one," she says. "I'm enjoying finding it out in the moment right now, more than anything.' The couple were also seen pushing a baby in a stroller during a day out in Paris in late August. While speculation was previously fuelled earlier that month when they were seen holding a baby while in Ibiza, Spain. 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. Michael and Alicia tied the knot in October 2017 - three years after they began dating, following meeting on set of The Light Between Oceans. Gordon Ramsay has come under fire for charging a whopping 31.50 for fish and chips at his new restaurant. The TV chef, 54, has priced a piece of gurnard fried in cider at 24.50 while a portion of chips is on the menu for 7 at The River Restaurant in London. The upscale eatery is due to open on October 11 in the fancy five-star Savoy Hotel. Pricey: Gordon Ramsay has come under fire for charging a whopping 31.50 for fish and chips at his new restaurant According to the website, the 'stylish and relaxed all-day dining restaurant' offers panoramic views of the River Thames and 'showcases the very best shellfish and seafood the UK has to offer'. On Friday Gordon shared a snap of the fish and chips on his Instagram but many were unimpressed with the price in the comments section. One woman wrote: 'Rather eat my local chippy. At least it's not kids' portions.' Delicious: The TV chef, 54, has priced a piece of gurnard fried in cider at 24.50 while a portion of chips is on the menu for 7 at The River Restaurant in London Exciting: The upscale eatery is due to open on October 11 in the fancy five-star Savoy Hotel (pictured second down is the fish dish and its price) Another user joked: 'Maybe one day if I win the lottery'. '25 for that fish! Rip off, I could eat for a week for that,' wrote a third. However, some of his supporters leapt to his defence and said they were excited to try the cuisine at The River Restaurant. 'A lot of jealous comments on this thread. If you don't like his food, cost, portions then follow those you aren't jealous of and leave those who appreciate good quality food to enjoy it,' wrote one woman. Reaction: On Friday Gordon shared a snap of the fish and chips on his Instagram but many were unimpressed with the price in the comments section Menu: The rest of the menu features a grill section, meat, sides and desserts MailOnline has contacted Gordon Ramsay's representatives for further comment. It comes after it was reported earlier this month the chef and restaurateur has further amassed his fortune by 6million over the pandemic. Gordon Ramsay's Bank Balance - which was axed after just one series - Gordon, Gino and Fred: Roadtrip, and new Fox series Next Level Chef are among those TV stints that have bumped up his bank balance by an astonishing figure. His Studio Ramsey production firm did not stop at churning out a range of shows, they went so far as producing YouTube segments, as well as Channel 4's The Fantastical Factory of Curious Craft, hosted by Keith Lemon. Money talks! It comes after it was reported earlier this month that the chef and restaurateur has further amassed his fortune by 6million over the pandemic (pictured in 2019) According to The Sun's reports, Gordon's Humble Pie Media and Humble Pie Productions are now worth a combined 9.5 million - up 7million from the year before. Documents revealed that the latter paid just under 1 million in tax, while the former paid 142,000, meaning the Hell's Kitchen star has made approximately 6 million during the pandemic. MailOnline contacted a representative for Gordon for comment at the time. The reality television personality has been splashing the cash on renovating his 7million mansion in London, with plans to introduce a wine room and a plant room, in addition to a basement bedroom. It is hoped that 'more usable living space' could be created for his family by these proposed renovations on the four-storey property. Alongside the expansion plans, Gordon intends to replace the four first floor bedrooms with a master one instead, which would cover the entire floor, two en-suite bathrooms and an impressive walk-in dressing room. Not only does the Michelin-star chef want to add a bedroom in the basement, he has also submitted proposals to extend it and replace the existing work with a modern glass design. Gordon is also the proud owner of three homes in Cornwall, his first one bought in 2015 for 4.4million. At the time, it was the second most expensive sale in the south-west county. He was granted planning permission which enabled him to knock it down, creating in its place a main house and a smaller second pad. His family still had somewhere to stay whilst the work was ongoing, as Gordon bought a second beach house worth 4million, located in the nearby village of Trebetherick. Gordon's third home in the surfing haven is an old Lloyds bank which he bought in 2017 for 2million. He won Tony Awards for turning the first two books of Hilary Mantels Wolf Hall trilogy into blockbuster theatre productions so why is the name of playwright Mike Poulton missing from posters for the forthcoming final instalment? Mike Poulton was strangely unavailable to adapt Hilarys third Tudor-era novel, The Mirror And The Light (poster, above) In a real-world saga that could come straight from the murky world of political intrigue chronicled in the books, I can report that dramatist Mike was strangely unavailable to adapt Hilarys third Tudor-era novel, The Mirror And The Light which will debut to much fanfare at the Gielgud Theatre this month. West End whispers indicate a falling out could be behind his absence. My theatreland mole says: Word is that Mike didnt want to write again for Hilary, even though it would surely have been the pinnacle of his career to complete the adaption of such a major trilogy. The rumour in the West End is he and Hilary had a row over authorship last time Hilary wanted more credit. 'Mike walked away acrimoniously after a power struggle which wouldnt have looked out of place in the books. Author Hilary Mantel (above) will be without her award-winning writer Mike Poulton when The Mirror and The Light debuts at the Gielgud Theatre this month Hilary Mantels third Tudor-era novel, The Mirror And The Light, in dress rehearsal at the Gielgud Theatre, London The Wolf Hall trilogy charts the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell amid the whispers and plots of the court of Henry VIII, and Mikes agency describes the first two plays as his versions. I found a Broadway programme for those plays which ran at the same time on alternate nights six years ago and it carries an unusual clarifying statement that hints at the current problem: These Broadway versions of Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies have been edited by Hilary Mantel from Mike Poultons original scripts first presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, and subsequently, with changes made by the adaptor, at the Aldwych Theatre. What a mouthful, adds my man. It shows that even back then there must have been some bad blood. A spokesman for the play conceded the statement was unusual, adding: The billing is really clear this time. Hilarys new playwright is actor Ben Miles, 55, who also plays Cromwell in the production. His name comes second on the poster. Cambridge's split! (No, not them...) Shock horror in aristo-land the Cambridges have separated! Thankfully, not those ones, but Scotlands equivalent the countrys premier peer, the Earl of Arran and Cambridge, and his wife. Although its a relief that William and Kate are still together, I am sorry to say Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 43, has parted ways with his wife, Sophie, 44, an interior designer. Earl of Arran and Cambridge, Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 43, has parted ways with his wife, Sophie, 44, an interior designer The couple, who are the toast of Scottish high society, married in 2011 and have three children. They have not revealed the reason behind their sad split. Alex presents the Queen with her crown when shes at Holyrood, so he took centre stage at the Scottish Parliament opening yesterday. My lips are sealed, but... Which politician has been lamenting loudly that his younger brother has got married in South-East Asia to someone he coarsely describes as a lady boy? Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman both wowed in leggy side split dresses as they stepped out for the second live show of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday. Tess, 52, looked sensational in a sequin black number with pointed shoulder detailing paired with strappy black sandals. Claudia, 49, meanwhile, donned a figure-hugging red dress with puffy sleeves and a round neckline. Wow! Tess Daly, 52, (L) and Claudia Winkleman, 49, (R) both wowed in leggy side split dresses as they stepped out for the second live show of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday Tess' blonde tresses were swept back into an elegant up-do with her side fringe framing her face. Her make up was applied flawlessly, complete with a smokey eye and neutral lip colour. Claudia's tanned and toned legs were on display in the sexy number which she paired with pointy red slip-on heels. The radio presenter's sleek brunette locks fell neatly over her shoulders. Gorgeous: Tess looked sensational in a sequin black number with pointed shoulder detailing paired with strappy black sandals Amazing: Claudia donned a figure-hugging red dress with puffy sleeves and a round neckline The pair both took to Instagram to post their outfits, with Tess captioning the post: 'Here we go again! See you soon' while Claudia wrote: 'Strictly is on soon.' The glamorous ensembles come as Strictly was thrown into chaos earlier this week when Tom Fletcher and his partner Amy Dowden tested positive for Covid-19 and were forced into self-isolation. Claudia and Tess wished them both well at the start of Saturday's show. Gorgeous: Tess' blonde tresses were swept back into an elegant up-do with her side fringe framing her face Stunning: Her make up was applied flawlessly, complete with a smokey eye and neutral lip colour Strictly bosses have said they 'aren't bulletproof' to COVID-19 in the wake of contestant Tom Fletcher and his professional dance partner Amy Dowden's positive tests. It's understood that show producers were quietly 'dismayed' after hearing of their shock diagnosis, with the pair now ruled out of Saturday's show while they recover from the contagious respiratory bug. Mayhem: The glamorous ensembles come as Strictly was thrown into chaos earlier this week when Tom Fletcher and his partner Amy Dowden tested positive for Covid-19 Amy, who received her COVID-19 vaccination prior to contracting the illness, had previously accompanied Tom and his McFly bandmates during their current UK tour. But the BBC tell MailOnline there are no plans to increase testing because they are 'satisfied' the measures they currently have in place are as good as they can be. 'Tom and Amy's positive test was the worst possible news,' an insider told MailOnline. 'After days of negative headlines about dancers not getting the jab, producers had hoped the start of the show would see them turn a corner and put this story to bed. 'So for Amy and Tom to go down with COVID was absolutely crushing news and left everyone dismayed.' Its the yawning after the night before Lila Moss and Stella Jones looked decidedly bleary-eyed after painting the town red last week a clear sign they find the hellraising lifestyle much harder than their party-mad parents. Their lack of stamina would no doubt mortify Lilas supermodel mum Kate and Stellas dad Mick, of punk pioneers The Clash, both renowned for their hardcore hedonism in their day. The best friends emerged last Wednesday morning to shop for art materials in Hampstead, North London, after celebrating Lilas 19th birthday the previous evening. The teenagers made a surprising contrast to both Kate, once nicknamed The Tank for her iron constitution and reputation for hard partying, and guitar legend Jones, also known for his rock n roll lifestyle Their lack of stamina would no doubt mortify Lilas supermodel mum Kate and Stellas dad Mick, of punk pioneers The Clash Wearing leather trousers and Dr Martens boots, Lila whose father is magazine publisher Jefferson Hack yawned in tandem with 18-year-old Stella, whose mother is film producer Miranda Davis. The teenagers made a surprising contrast to both Kate, once nicknamed The Tank for her iron constitution and reputation for hard partying, and guitar legend Jones, also known for his rock n roll lifestyle. They are close friends and have often been seen together on the London party circuit over the past 20 years. The Clash star was with the supermodel when she was infamously photographed snorting cocaine in 2005, a scandal that nearly ruined her career. Jones, now 66, was later quizzed by police about the Class A drug at the Metropolis recording studios in London where he was producing an album by Kates ex-boyfriend Pete Doherty. Now it seems their offspring are finding their way around the capitals party scene. The youngsters have been friends since childhood. Ten years ago, they were photographed together at a launch for Japanese brand Hello Kitty in London. Last Tuesday, Lila and Stella were photographed celebrating at a party thrown by Hack to celebrate 30 years of his trendy magazine, Dazed And Confused. The following evening they went out on the town again, to Mayfairs China Tang restaurant, where Kate, 47, threw a birthday party for her only daughter. The youngsters have been friends since childhood. Ten years ago, they were photographed together at a launch for Japanese brand Hello Kitty in London The best friends emerged last Wednesday morning to shop for art materials in Hampstead, North London, after celebrating Lilas 19th birthday the previous evening. Pictured, China Tang restaurant in Mayfair, London The celebrations came after the youngsters, both signed to Kates modelling agency, made an impressive impact on audiences at Milan Fashion Week during a joint show for Versace and Fendi. Lila, who has type 1 diabetes, won praise for proudly wearing an Omnipod insulin pump on her left thigh as she sported a high-cut gold-and-white swimsuit for the show last Sunday. Stella, who was dressed in a striking pair of green jeans and matching trainers for Wednesdays shopping trip, is also a promising model. She made three catwalk appearances at London Fashion Week last month for designers Simone Rocha, Yuhan Wang and Richard Quinn. She has also modelled for Marc Jacobs, Missoni and Fendi. Three weeks ago, she was photographed by Kates boyfriend Nikolai von Bismarck for the glossy fashion magazine Perfect, and she has also graced the cover of the Italian edition of Vogue. For a complete unknown, actress Agnes O'Casey boasts a rather impressive pedigree. The 25-year-old is the great-granddaughter of celebrated dramatist Sean O'Casey, whose plays about working-class Dublin life were performed in the West End and on Broadway and were even adapted for the big screen by Alfred Hitchcock. Ms O'Casey is making her TV debut in the eagerly awaited BBC drama Ridley Road as Vivien Epstein, a Jewish hairdresser in the Sixties who travels to London to track down former lover Jack Morris. When she learns that Morris, played by Tom Varey, has infiltrated a gang of neo-Nazis to destroy its leader, she joins him on his undercover mission. Ms O'Casey, who is known to friends as Aggi, was cast for her role in the four-part series that starts tonight while still at drama school and she is already being tipped for superstardom. Agnes O'Casey (pictured) is making her TV debut in the eagerly awaited BBC drama Ridley Road as Vivien Epstein, a Jewish hairdresser in the Sixties 'This is my first job and the idea that my first job would be so perfectly in line with everything I believe in is a dream come true,' she said recently. 'When it first came up I thought it was perfect. I was drawn to Vivien for many reasons. She's clever without realising she's clever. 'She's not particularly eloquent but she is truthful and principled. You watch her on this journey as she discovers her own ability.' Aggi was raised with the surname Kenig, but uses her paternal great-grandfather's name as a tribute. The memoirs of Sean O'Casey, who wrote Juno And The Paycock, were turned into a film a year after he died at 84 in 1964, starring Julie Christie and Dame Maggie Smith. Ms O'Casey studied drama at Dublin's prestigious Lir Academy, whose alumni include Normal People star Paul Mescal. As it happens, Ridley Road co-star Varey is the former real-life boyfriend of Daisy Edgar-Jones, who was Mescal's co-star in Normal People. But Ms O'Casey told The Daily Telegraph yesterday: 'In my third year I really lost confidence. I was daydreaming about getting on a plane and leaving. Then came the pandemic and our graduation showcase was cancelled. In some ways that saved me, because I think I was spiralling.' The London-born star's sister appears to have the acting bug, too. Ms O'Casey posted a photo of her and sibling Essy (above), announcing that her sister was 'going to drama school' Unlike others, she found auditions on Zoom liberating. 'I didn't have to go into a big, strange, intimidating building and wait in reception,' she explained. 'I just opened my own laptop in my own student bedroom... and the stars aligned.' The London-born star's sister appears to have the acting bug, too. Ms O'Casey posted a photo this month of her and sibling Essy with the caption: 'My lil sis all grown up and going to drama school.' Dyslexic Ms O'Casey went to a Steiner school. She said: 'I often found the pressure to be creative terrifying. It made me feel stupid. I remember trying to write a play the project overwhelmed me. But because of small class sizes, I had to get over my fear of being seen.' Varey, 29, who appeared in Game Of Thrones, said Ridley Road was 'about the universal message of standing up for what you believe'. Asked if they had to work hard at love scenes, Ms O'Casey quipped: 'Yeah, we hate each other!' But she added: 'When you're working with a great actor, it's so easy.' The drama, on BBC1 at 9pm, stars James Bond actor Rory Kinnear and ex-EastEnders Tamzin Outhwaite and Tracy-Ann Oberman. Gordon Ramsay's teenage daughter Tilly has defied her father by growing close to her handsome Strictly partner Nikita Kuzmin. Chef Gordon revealed he gave his youngest daughter one piece of advice when she signed up for the show, notorious for its stars forming romantic relationships. In an interview with this week's You magazine in The Mail on Sunday, Gordon recalled: 'I said to her, 'Please don't date the effing dancer.' ' Tilly responded equally sharply to her father, saying: 'Excuse me? Dad, I'm effing single, I'll date who I want.' Last week, pictures were published of the 19-year-old CBBC presenter enjoying a cosy night with Ukrainian dancer Kuzmin, 23, who is starring in his first series of Strictly. Chef Gordon revealed he gave his youngest daughter Tilly one piece of advice when she signed up for the show - not to date her Strictly partner Nikita Kuzmin He was seen dashing into her flat in South-West London after a day training together in a nearby studio. An onlooker said: 'They looked around for each other, then Tilly linked up with the dancer and they headed inside under cover of darkness.' While Tilly is single, Nikita has a long-term girlfriend, fellow professional dancer Nicole Wirt, who is based in Germany. Despite supporting the Strictly couple on her Instagram site before the pictures of her boyfriend and Tilly were printed last Sunday, Ms Wirt later fuelled more speculation that Nikita is growing closer to Nottingham University student Tilly. She posted a picture of a lonely figure alongside the words 'Don't get fooled It be like that', followed by a 'shhh' emoji. The night before, she had praised the pair's waltz in the first live show. Nikita may want to avoid Gordon, who tells You magazine of his fears for Tilly and her sisters Megan, 23, and Holly, 21. Last night, Tilly and Nikita danced the Charleston to Yes Sir! That's My Baby by Firehouse Five Plus Two and scored 34 out of a possible 40 the joint highest of the night Last week, pictures were published of the 19-year-old CBBC presenter enjoying a cosy night with Ukrainian dancer Kuzmin, 23, who is starring in his first series of Strictly 'It's very hard because there are so many little idiots out there that want to take advantage of our girls,' he says. Gordon, who became a father for the fifth time in 2019 when his wife Tana gave birth to Oscar, also reveals his fears about social media. 'I worry about social media exposure because it is a platform that is unedited and there are so many idiots on there who want to condemn and body shame,' he says. 'But we've taught the kids to be well-rounded, thick-skinned and incredibly polite.' Last night, Tilly and Nikita danced the Charleston to Yes Sir! That's My Baby by Firehouse Five Plus Two. Gordon and Tana were in the studio audience to watch. Tilly and Nikita scored 34 out of a possible 40 the joint highest of the night. Gordon shed a tear following the routine, with Craig Revel Horwood commenting: 'The energy was fantastic, I think you are fantastic. Brilliant.' He's SAS Australia's no-nonsense chief instructor who isn't afraid to get loud when telling the recruits what to do. And on Sunday, Ant Middleton revealed that fans have started requesting that he scream profanities in their faces when they meet him in the streets, as he soars to fame Down Under amid the show's growing popularity. 'I am getting noticed quite a lot here in Australia,' the British star, 41, told The Daily Telegraph. Request: On Sunday, Ant Middleton revealed that fans have started requesting that he screams profanities in their faces when he meets them, as he soars to fame Down Under amid the show's growing popularity 'They say, "I love your show, I love your books, now can you please shout in my face?". 'They will often ask to record a message of me b*****king their son or daughter, telling them to go to school or get out of bed.' The show, which sees a number of celebrity recruits take part in gruelling military-style challenges, has been a ratings smash for Channel Seven. Prior to that, Ant worked on the UK version of the show titled SAS: Who Dares Wins. 'They will often ask to record a message of me b*****king their son or daughter, telling them to go to school or get out of bed,' he added However, Ant was dropped by Channel 4 due to his 'personal conduct', with the station claiming they will not work with him again. His departure came months after Ant sparked controversy by referring to Black Lives Matter protesters as 'absolute scum', and urging people to 'carry on as normal' and not change their habits amid the global Covid pandemic. A spokesperson for Channel 4 told MailOnline: 'Ant Middleton will not be taking part in future series of SAS: Who Dares Wins. Gone: Prior to SAS Australia, he worked on the UK version of the show titled SAS: Who Dares Wins. However, Ant was dropped by Channel 4 due to his 'personal conduct', with the station claiming they will not work with him again 'Following a number of discussions Channel 4 and Minnow Films have had with him in relation to his personal conduct it has become clear that our views and values are not aligned and we will not be working with him again.' Following the statement, the adventurer, who found fame as the host of SAS: Who Dares Wins, took to social media and vowed to 'stay positive'. Ant's axing by Channel 4 came after he sparked controversy by referring to Black Lives Matter protesters as 'absolute scum' last June. Ant took to social media and confirmed he would no longer be hosting SAS: Who Dares Wins, but said he was excited about the future. Challenge: Following the statement, the adventurer, who found fame as the host of SAS: Who Dares Wins, took to social media and vowed to 'stay positive' He wrote: 'Hi guys, I've got some news which is that after 5 incredible years I've decided it's time to move on from SAS Who Dares Wins UK. 'Big respect to my fellow DS its been a journey I'll never forget. Thanks to everyone that took part and made the show what it is. Really excited about the future and what's coming this year. Stay positive.' The TV tough guy, who took on the role in November, was said to have left his bosses furious after posting the since-deleted tweet, amid protests over racial injustice after the death of George Floyd in the US. On June 14, Ant tweeted: 'The extreme left against the extreme right. When did two wrongs make a right. It was only a matter of time. BLM and EDL are not welcome on our streets, absolute scum. What a great example you are to your future generation. Bravo.' Ant subsequently apologised, releasing a video message where he said: 'I'd just like to clarify a tweet I'd put out at the weekend and deleted straight away once I'd re-read it and realised that it could cause offence. 'I put out a tweet or retweeted a video of the violence, the terror and chaos that was happening on the streets of London. 'Within that tweet I mentioned the BLM and EDL and the word 'scum'. At no point was I calling the BLM scum and comparing the two organisations. I want to make that really, really clear. 'The word scum was used to describe the people in the video that were violent, that were causing terror on the streets of London and setting a bad example for our future generations.' Kate Moss showed off her fashion credentials as she stepped out in Paris with her beau Nikolai von Bismarck on Saturday night. The model, 47, who is hosting a dinner in the french capital, looked sensational in a black dress with diamond detailing across the bust and a black faux fur coat, which had edgy safety pins attached to it. Her photographer boyfriend Nikolai, 34, looked dapper in a grey blazer which he paired with a navy blue coat and graphic shirt as they left their hotel. Looking good: Kate Moss, 47, showed off her fashion credentials as she stepped out at Paris Fashion Week with beau Nikolai von Bismarck, 34, on Saturday night Kate showed off her naturally beautiful looks with a subtle make up look complete with a sweep of eyeliner across her lids and a layer of glowing foundation. Her statement long blonde locks were styled in a middle parting and flowed as she strutted out of her hotel. Also leaving the hotel was former Victoria's Secret angel Karlie Kloss. The 29-year-old looked in high spirits as she smiled while wearing a full black outfit in the city of lights. Amazing: The model looked sensational in a black dress with diamond detailing across the bust, which she paired with a black faux fur coat which had edgy safety pins attached to it Suave: Kate's photographer boyfriend Nikolai looked dapper in a grey blazer which he paired with a navy blue coat and graphic shirt She wore a tiny bralette which flashed her washboard abs and baggy leather trousers. Covering up, the beauty wore an oversized black shirt over the top of the ensemble, and accessorised with a black leather bag which she held in her hand. Karlie wore a chain around her neck while wearing a make up look which enhanced her natural beauty. Naturally gorgeous: Kate showed off her naturally beautiful looks with a subtle make up look complete with a sweep of eyeliner across her lids and a layer of glowing foundation Amazing: Her statement long blonde locks were styled in a middle parting and flowed as she strutted out of her hotel in the French capital She looked stunning as she scraped her caramel coloured locks back into an elegant up do. The outing comes after Kate's daughter Lila celebrated her 19th birthday at a spectacular Disney-themed party last month, where she channelled the spirit of Tinker Bell. The supermodel was once known for her wild ways, but her longtime friend, DJ Fat Tony, revealed last year that she is now clean. Straight edge: The supermodel was once known for her wild ways, but her longtime friend, DJ Fat Tony, revealed last year that she is now clean More fun: Her producer pal - who himself has been sober for 13 years - said in an interview: 'Kate's been clean for over two years. Me and my sober mates now have a better time than we ever did when we used to drink and take drugs' Her producer pal - who himself has been sober for 13 years - said in an interview: 'Kate's been clean for over two years. Me and my sober mates now have a better time than we ever did when we used to drink and take drugs.' Kate was a member of The Primrose Hill Set - a name given to the all-star group of edgy residents of the leafy neighbourhood, who were known in their heyday for their raucous behaviour with stories of their antics becoming the stuff of legend. But the catwalk queen previously admitted she's tried to cut down on caffeine and nicotine, and enjoys having more quiet nights in with her beau. Beauty: Also leaving the hotel was former Victoria's Secret angel Karlie Kloss who looked in high spirits as she smiled while wearing a full black outfit in the city of lights She's spent the past few months encouraging fans to listen to health experts instead of 'wellness influencers' amid the Covid-19 vaccine debate. And The Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield's war on anti-vaxxers has clearly paid off in spades. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday, the 26-year-old reflected on her passion for lampooning vaccine misinformation on Instagram, and the sad reason why many influencers are scared to follow suit. 'People can't be bothered paying the price or losing followers': The Bachelor's Abbie Chatfield, 26, (pictured) revealed the sad reason many influencers are afraid to promote the Covid vaccine on Sunday - as she continues to grow her fan-club by lampooning anti-vaxxers online 'Ignorant people make me fired up, and I can't help but share our exchanges,' explained Abbie, who regularly uploads screen-shots of online arguments she shares with anti-vaxxers. Abbie said she hopes to empower others to stand firm against online users peddling harmful information, while noting that many influencers are still afraid to share their support for the vaccine. 'I understand why [other influencers] don't do it because anti-vaxxers are aggressive, and people can't be bothered paying the price or losing followers,' she said. 'Ignorant people make me fired up': Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday Abbie said she hopes to empower others to stand firm against online users peddling harmful information In fact, Abbie said she's only benefited from promoting the Covid vaccine, explaining: 'I've added 50,000 followers in the latest lockdown, and before that, it was plateauing.' It comes days after Abbie sarcastically thanked the anti-vaxxers who share her content for inadvertently helping to promote her pro-vaccine message. 'The anti-vaxxers are making whole posts about my Vax for Vibes content and I'm so glad they're in support,' she said in an Instagram Stories video. Scared of anti-vaxx crusaders: The reality star noted that some influencers refuse to promote the vaccine in fear of losing followers 'They're posting the whole video, they're advertising for me, getting my impressions up, making sure the word is spread about the Vax for Vibes campaign'. Abbie, who has received the AstraZeneca jab, revealed that she's even making money on social media thanks to the boost. 'I am so stoked they are getting hundreds of comments. And I am so glad that they want me to earn more money by getting me more impressions this week because they all tag me,' she said. 'I am so stoked': It comes days after Abbie sarcastically thanked the anti-vaxxers who share her content for inadvertently helping to promote her pro-vaccine message 'So they're now looking at my Instagram account, which is getting my impressions up and makes me more money. So thank you so much for paying my rent this month anti-vaxxers.' Vaccinations are vital to reducing the spread of preventable diseases, and any suggestion otherwise flies in the face of science and the advice of medical experts around the globe. The coronavirus vaccine is a safe and vital measure being taken to protect the community from the spread of the virus. Lindsay Price and her celebrity chef husband Curtis Stone spent some quality time together at a sporting event over the weekend. The American actress ensured all eyes were on her as she attended the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic event with her doting husband on Saturday. The 44-year-old stunned in a long white figure-hugging dress as she posed on the red carpet at the glitzy day in Los Angeles. Dressed to impress: Lindsay Price stunned in a white dress as she joined husband Curtis Stone at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic event in Los Angeles on Saturday She teamed the stylish frock with a pair of strappy heels, pearl earrings, and a purple clutch. Lindsay tied her long brunette locks in a high bun for the event. The Beverly Hills 90210 star let her natural beauty shine, opting for a neutral palette of makeup. Final touches: She teamed the stylish frock with a pair of strappy heels, pearl earrings, and a purple clutch Meanwhile, Curtis looked dapper in a navy jacket and matching coloured trousers. The 45-year-old teamed his ensemble with a pair of brown shoes, a belt and polka dot pocket square. The celebrity chef was all smiles as he posed alongside his wife shortly after arriving to the event. Natural beauty: Lindsay tied her long brunette locks in a high bun and let her natural beauty shine, opting for a neutral palette of makeup Melbourne-born Curtis rose to fame on Australia cooking show Surfing the Menu and hosted season one of My Restaurant Rules. He is based in Los Angeles where he runs his acclaimed restaurant, Maude. Curtis has been married to Lindsay since 2013 and the couple share two sons - Hudson, nine, and Emerson, six. Buju Banton, on Friday morning, chided members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for, according to him, allowing themselves to be used as State conduits to oppress the people of Jamaica. According to Buju, he was particularly chagrined by the fact that even though the police officers were left to go hungry whilst on duty during lockdown days in August which was proof that the authorities cared zilch about their welfarethe very same police officers were siding with the National Security Ministry, which caused them experience starvation. All dem bloodclaat police yah, wi pay oonu taxes and before oonu support wi and help di people dem, wi si oonu a abuse Jamaicans and beat Jamaicans. Oonu nuh si wha day oonu couldnt get no food. It a guh get worse becaw oonu dont know oonuself, Buju said on his Instagram live feed on Friday morning. The Voice of Jamaica artist was referring to media reports in late August, that members of the constabulary were upset that no provisions were made for them to be able to purchase meals while on duty during lockdown days, after Prime Minister Andrew Holness imposed seven days of no movement aimed at curtailing the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across the island. Alluding to the recent roughing up, arrests and hefty fines imposed on Jamaicans who have been found guilty of breaching the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA), Buju claimed that this was an indication that the police officers have gone scalawag. The whole mandate of our security forces is to protect the people; our own brothers, sisters, sons, daughters join these organisations, but they have gone rogue, he stated. You are fighting the people, killing the people and they dont know that they are not immune from whats coming. And soon and very soon, they will have to stand with the people. But they are busy making enemy of the people when they should be making friends of the people, because it is more of us, than it is them. On Tuesday, August 31, the Jamaica Observer had reported that the head of the Jamaica Police Federation, Corporal Rohan James, had described the no-food situation as a travesty that had affected police officers across the entire island, and that they felt disrespected. At the time, the Federation president had claimed that both Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson and National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang had been made aware of the situation, but that their responses were unsatisfactory. He had also pointed out that the tuck shops and canteens at the various police stations were closed on lockdown days. James had said that the police officers had expected that the authorities would have made arrangements with the various restaurants for them to provide meals. We cannot have a lockdown and police officers are performing duties and cannot access anything to eat. This is unacceptable; this is something that should be put in place for operational efficiency, he had told the newspaper. You cannot have hungry police officers out there and the audacity is that you expect police officers who are out there enforcing the law to incur additional costs at the states expense, James also added. The president had also noted that the situation had lowered the morale of the police who were of the view that their work and worth are not valued by the Government. The Gleaner newspaper in a separate report, had also reported that the rank-and-file members became restive after welfare support was slashed for personnel on duty during the coronavirus lockdown, with a single meal per day for patrolling cops while others fended for themselves. DancehallMag understands that Grammy-nominated Reggae artist Jah Cure was arrested by the police in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, last night. The Love Is artist, 42, allegedly attacked promoter Papa of Roots Vibes Promotion, and stabbed him in the abdomen. Papa, who confirmed the alleged attack, was hospitalized after the incident but subsequently made a report to the police. The circumstances that led to the attack were not immediately available. It is also unclear if Jah Cure, whose real name is Siccaturie Alcock, has been charged. The Reggae crooner was in Amsterdam as part of an expected three-month tour of Europe, which began in early August. His other appearances had included shows in Barcelona, Spain; and Belgium. In 1998, Jah Cure was sentenced to 13 years in prison for raping and robbing a woman at gunpoint. He served 8 years and during the last leg of his sentence, the singers popularity skyrocketed following the release of his hit singles Longing For (2005), and Love Is (2005)which he recently admitted were recorded illegallyand True Reflection (Prison Walls) (2007). His 2015 album, The Cure, earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Reggae Album that year. Last month, he announced that he was adding the final touches to a new album, titled Undeniable. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. Having directed two films in Tamil 3, and Vai Raja Vai superstar Rajinikanths daughter Aishwaryaa R. Dhanush is all set to direct one in Telugu. Lyca Productions will be bankrolling the family drama. Producer Allirajah Subaskaran says he shares a great rapport with Rajinikanths family. We have seen her directorial skills and shes truly amazing. We always wanted to collaborate with her creatively. Recently, she called and narrated a family drama script to us. We felt it was ideally suited for Telugu sensibilities. We thought it was also a great opportunity for us to bankroll a straight Telugu film, so we decided to team up with her, explains Subaskaran. Asked about the cast and crew, he says, We are yet to come to that stage, but we are planning to take the film on the floors in the next two months. Though Aishwaryaa declines to give details of the plot, she says shes thrilled with the opportunity to direct a film that has a universal plotline. Its an exciting phase for me and a challenging opportunity to venture into a genre which I have not touched upon so far. Its a family drama and I certainly believe it is ideal for a Pan-India audience, Aishwaryaa shares, adding that shes almost done with the script. Personifying the new-age actress, Sai Pallavi is as natural as they come. An actor who seems to celebrate imperfections, its no wonder the small-town yet adorable characters she takes in films have established a great connection with the audience in the last few years. Her Tollywood debut Fidaa (2017) was a runaway success. Her subsequent Telugu films, Middle Class Abbayi (2017), Kanam (2018) and Padi Padi Leche Manasu (2018), made her the poster girl of Tollywood. Now, her character Mouni from the recently released Sekhar-Kammula directorial Love Story has become everyones dream date of sorts and the actress is clearly on her way to superstardom. Speaking to audiences through her roles Especially when there is uncertainty about watching cinema in the theatres or staying home, thanks to the pandemic inertia, Love Story proved that movie lovers are game to step into theatres to watch a film with good content. I am glad the audience is enjoying the film in the theatres after a long time, and I first want to thank the Telugu audience for coming out in big numbers and supporting the film, says the actress. Theyve set an example across the country. It gives a lot of confidence not only to us but also to films currently in the making. For Sai Pallavi, Love Story couldnt have come at a better time and the super success means a lot to her. I feel this is a very important film as it talks about two social issues. The way people have been tweeting about the film says a lot about how they see it too, she says, heaping praises on the films director for his handling of sensitive issues. Sai Pallavi and Naga Chaitanya from Love Story As for what the success of the movie means to her, the actress first points out that it reinforces her confidence and belief as an actor. As also with the choices Ive been making in seeking challenging characters and roles, adds Sai Pallavi. Mouni, to her, is a very important character in how its been portrayed. I feel the character echoes with many women out there, which is why it resonated so well. Im happy Im Mouni. Perfecting her craft Sai Pallavi is one of the biggest names in the south-Indian film industry today. So how does she handle superstardom? I am thankful for the way people have made me feel here right from Fidaa, answers the actress. But more than stardom, I am gratified for the love thats been coming to me from the audience. The way theyve embraced me is overwhelming. I feel blessed, she says. This makes me more responsible, and Id try to keep entertaining the audience. But one prime reason the audience embraces her is for her fluency in Telugu, especially her perfection of the Telangana slang in both Fidaa and now Love Story. By no means is it a walk in the park for someone who is from a non-Telugu speaking state. I still need to work on and improve my language skills, she replies modestly while adding that shed done a lot of homework, workshops and rehearsals to get her lines right in Love Story. But when speaking Telugu outside [film sets], I still make mistakes. I am trying to get it right when speaking impromptu, and hopefully I will, soon. She may belong to a non-Telugu state, but Sai Pallavi has no qualms in admitting that Hyderabad, a city shes been frequenting, has become her second home. Indeed. The Telugu audiences have been so welcoming, entertaining them through films is indeed a great opportunity for me, she says. Then pointing out how Love Story showcases several historic and iconic locations like Purana Pul Bridge, Taramati Baradari, Koti Residency, British Residency, etc., which has a strong cultural connect, she tells us that shed also like to explore the cultural landscape of the city. Finding her grace People speak of Sai Pallavis acting skills as much as they rave about her dance moves. Be it her moves in Rowdy baby, the hit number in her 2015-MalayalamTamil film Premam, or those in Love Story, shes been publicly applauded even by industry megastars like Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu and Nagarjuna. I never had any formal training in dance, but I always loved to groove and participated in several cultural events and reality shows. But its very heartening to receive compliments from such big stars. says the actress, nevertheless reminding us that she suffered cramps and ligament pulls during her rehearsals. Hers has been an interesting journey. Sai Pallavi, who comes from a traditional and conservative family, rooted in strong middle-class values, graduated in medicine from Georgia a few years ago. Now having cemented her place in the south-Indian film industry, will medicine take a backseat? For starters, she tells us, she never planned anything in life. But Ill stick to the medical profession because I can at least take care of the people around me. I also want to learn more about body and health. However, I do love taking on challenging roles, she elaborates. Sai Pallavi has enjoyed the dizzying heights of success even as she has gracefully endured the lows. I dont care about success or failure. The integrity with which we approach any character or film is the same. So the effort is 100%. Sometimes, the results wont be in our favour but the idea is to keep learning and move on, says the effervescent actress. According to UK officials, decisions on vaccine recognition are made by ministers, taking into account public health factors. (Photo: PTI) London: The UK government on Saturday updated its official advisory for its nationals travelling to India following New Delhi's decision to impose reciprocal curbs on the British visitors from Monday, and said it was in close contact with Indian authorities on the issue. The updated travel advisory by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) noted an additional COVID-19 test on day eight and a 10-day mandatory quarantine for all travellers going to India from Britain from Monday. The advisory was updated a day after the Indian government announced that all British nationals arriving in India from the UK will have to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine from Monday irrespective of their vaccination status as part of a reciprocal action against the UK's new international travel rules with similar measures for Indians. The Indian authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing the rules for entry into India. We are in close contact with them, and will update FCDO Travel Advice on GOV.UK with the latest information on any changes to the rules, a UK government spokesperson said. The updated FCDO advisory states that all travellers irrespective of their vaccination status arriving in India must undertake a Covid-19 RT-PCR test on arrival at airport and on day eight after arrival, at their own cost, and undergo mandatory quarantine at home or at the destination address for 10 days. All such passengers under isolation/quarantine shall be regularly monitored by State/District Health Authorities, the advisory noted. The move follows India's vaccine certification not yet being officially recognised by the UK, requiring vaccinated Indian travellers to Britain to undergo the same level of PCR tests and quarantine restrictions as unvaccinated travellers from Monday when England's new travel norms come into force. UK government sources said on Saturday that the extension of vaccine certification to additional countries will be reviewed approximately every three weeks and that it continues to engage with the Indian government on the issue. The UK is continuing to work on expanding the policy to countries and territories across the globe in a phased approach. We are continuing to engage with the government of India on technical cooperation to expand UK recognition of vaccine certification to people vaccinated by a relevant public health body in India, sources said. We are working with an array of international partners and look forward to continuing the expansion of the policy to countries and territories across the globe in a phased approach. Extension of vaccine certification will be reviewed approximately every three weeks, they added. According to UK officials, decisions on vaccine recognition are made by ministers, taking into account public health factors. They said the UK is looking at expanding the role that vaccination can play more widely for those who have been fully vaccinated elsewhere to enter the UK. The UK has reiterated that it remains committed to opening up international travel again as soon as it is practicable and the extension of vaccine certification is a further step to enable people to travel more freely again, in a safe and sustainable way, while protecting public health. From Monday, England's traffic light system of red, amber and green countries based on levels of COVID-19 risk officially ends. However, despite India-manufactured Covishield recognised within the UK's eligible vaccine formulations and being the predominant vaccine used in India, it would not offer any advantage to vaccinated Indian travellers planning a UK visit. The Indian government had expressed its strong condemnation of such a move and warned of reciprocal measures if vaccinated travellers from India continued to be treated in a "discriminatory" way. On Friday, UK government sources said that talks between officials from the British High Commission in New Delhi and the Indian health ministry to agree on a vaccine certification system are ongoing. Fixed deposits in Karwan, Santoshnagar and other branches totalling Rs 63 crore were transferred to an individual account. Representational image/DC HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Central Crime Station (CCS) police apprehended three persons in relation to the Rs 43 crore fraud case reported by the Telugu Akademi on Friday. The police arrested B.V.V.N. Satyanarayana Rao, chairman and managing director of AP Mercantile Cooperative Credit Society Limited, Vedula Padmavathi, manager of operations, and Sayyad Mohiuddin, relationship manager. A case was registered based on the complaint lodged by the director of Telugu Akademi, Himayatnagar, regarding withdrawal of `43 crore by closing fixed deposits (FDs). It was revealed during investigation that the society had received fixed deposits amounting to Rs 60 crore from the bank. "The AP Mercantile Co-operative Credit Society opened fake accounts in the name of Telugu Akademi by using fake IDs. The accused persons are involved in similar offences in other two cases in CCS, Hyderabad," said the police. According to sources, misappropriation of fixed deposits has been reported at 53 different branches of Union Bank of India. Fixed deposits in Karwan, Santoshnagar and other branches totalling `63 crore were transferred to an individual account. The same manager was said to be working at the time of the transfer of funds and is reportedly a key accused in the case. Police officials are investigating the role of insiders from the Telugu Akademi who allegedly colluded with the manager in the scam. Officials of the Telugu Akademi filed three complaints with the CCS police, who are investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the state government ordered an inquiry into the case after the reports of misappropriation of funds in Telugu Akademi surfaced. Sources said the department of higher education claimed that it was necessary to conduct an inquiry simultaneously to bring out the facts. Accordingly, it has been decided to constitute a committee to inquire into the matter. Intermediate education commissioner Omer Jaleel will head the committee which will have representatives of the Board of Intermediate Education and Commissioner of Collegiate Education as its members. The committee had been directed to inquire into the matter and submit a detailed report within a week from October 2. Telugu Akademi should fully investigate the misappropriation of funds and take stern action against the corrupt officials, said ABVP state secretary Praveen Reddy. "Telugu Akademi has been operating successfully for decades," said Praveen Reddy, urging the government to take strict action against the culprits. Dialysis patients protest for welfare pension similar to Andhra Pradesh at the NIMS Hospital in Hyderabad on Friday (Deepak Deshpande/DC) Hyderabad: Over 50 kidney patients on dialysis held a protest at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, seeking welfare pension for them as is done in Andhra Pradesh. The AP government released Rs 10,000 per month for kidney patients undergoing dialysis under the Aarogyasri scheme. The Telangana Kidney Patients Welfare Association (TKPWA) has been seeking similar financial support from the government for the last four years. Association president Mohan said, "In 2019, we met the then health minister Etala Rajendar and submitted a letter to this effect. The issue had been raised in the assembly sessions. But so far, no such help has come to us." Mohan and other kidney patients say they take leave from work twice a week for dialysis. This affects our work. There are also young kidney patients aged 20 to 40 years, and their daily wages are foregone for the days they come to hospital. Many of us come from far and incur transport expenditure too. Hence, their plea for financial support. TKPWA has urged the government to look into their problems and give them some respite. HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Friday announced the creation of Telangana Haritha Nidhi (Telangana Green Fund) with contributions from MPs, MLAs, MLCs, IAS, IPS, IFS officials and state government employees every month. The contributions will be deducted from their salaries. Besides, a one-time contribution will be collected from students at the time of their admission. Replying to a short discussion on Haritha Haram in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said that Haritha Nidhi was aimed at bringing a sense of participation among all sections of society towards improving green cover and protecting the environment. He said the funds thus mobilised would be utilised for effective implementation of the Haritha Haram programme. All members, cutting across party lines, welcomed the Chief Ministers initiative and expressed their willingness to contribute to the fund. Accordingly, Rs 500 will be deducted from the salaries of MPs, MLAs and MLCs every month, while Rs 100 will be deducted from zilla parishad chairpersons, mayors of municipal corporations, Rs 50 from municipal chairpersons, MPPs, ZPTCs and Rs 10 from municipal councillors, sarpanchs, MPTCs and corporators. IAS, IPS, IFS officers have agreed to contribute Rs 100 each every month. The state government employees announced a contribution of Rs 25 each every month. All contractors who undertake government works have to contribute 0.1 per cent of their contract value to the fund. The Chief Minister stated that these contributions would fetch around Rs 30 crore every year. This apart, the Chief Minister announced that 10 per cent of the constituency development fund (CDF) should be transferred to the green fund. The government will collect an additional Rs 50 from every transaction during all registrations such as property, vehicle registrations etc. It will also collect Rs 1,000 towards green fund during renewal of licences for business establishments. Maintaining that the role of students was crucial in improving green cover and protecting environment, the Chief Minister said nominal contributions would be collected from students at the time of admissions for green fund to bring in a sense of participation in state government's green initiatives. Rs 10 will be collected from each student at the time of admissions in schools, Rs 15 during Intermediate admissions, Rs 25 during degree admissions and Rs 100 during professional courses admissions. "The TRS government has launched Haritha Haram in 2015 with an aim to plant 230 crore trees through rejuvenation of forests and plantation of new saplings, avenue and multi-layer plantations, and also development of urban and rural lung spaces. So far, around 237.42 crore saplings have been planted in the state since 2015, with an expenditure of Rs 6,556 crore. The programme achieved good results with green cover in the state increasing by over 3.67 percent within three years till 2017. The survival rate of saplings is also higher ranging from 80 to 95 per cent. The programme surpassed all our targets," Rao added. Hyderabad: Twenty five gelatin sticks, an equal number of detonators and other material hidden by Maoists in a forest area in Mulugu district of Telangana was unearthed on Saturday, police said. Police acted on information they received on Friday that explosive material was hidden in the forest area on the outskirts of a village in the district as per the orders of CPI (Maoist) leaders. A search was conducted at the area on Saturday morning and a plastic drum dug out from a spot. It was found to contain 25 gelatin sticks, 25 detonators, a cloth used for making red flags, a medical kit, a pen drive, a flash camera, a small Bluetooth speaker, a power bank, chargers, papers containing resolutions of certain meetings and revolutionary literature, besides other material, a police release said. All the items were seized, a 'panchnama' was conducted and they were shifted from there. The Maoists had hidden all the items in the forest area to target public representatives and police and also public and private properties, the release said. Mulugu district Superintendent of Police Sangram Singh G Patil appealed to the Maoists to shun violence and to join the mainstream of society, it added. KAKINADA: The Rajamahendravaram Police have denied permission to Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan to carry out repairs of the roads at Balajipeta at Rajamahendravaram on Saturday, Gandhi Jayanti day. Rajamahendravaram Urban Police district ASP Latha Madhuri said Jana Sena leaders had sought permission for arranging public meetings at Balajipeta. It was expected that there would be a convergence of 20,000 people for the meeting. Covid19 restrictions, permission could not be given. She said that the police suggested that Jana Sena leaders change their venue, but they did not agree to this. Meanwhile, Jana Sena East Godavari district president Kandula Durgesh said Pawan Kalyan would address the public at Balajipeta and later attend a Shram Danam programme at Hukumpeta and Balajipeta Road. He said the police were creating hurdles but the Jana Sena would hold the meeting. While Jana Sena chief was scheduled to visit Anantapur district to highlight the bad condition of roads there on Saturday, the Panchayat Raj wing took up repairs of the entire stretch in Kothacheruvu mandal. Further, Panchayat Raj superintendent engineer released a list of road formation works done in rural areas in the district with both state and central funds. According to party sources, Pawan Kalyan would reach Puttaparthi in the district on Saturday afternoon after addressing a public meeting at Rajahmundry. The Jana Sena chief would take part in a Shramadanam at a damaged road near Kothacheruvu mandal headquarters and address a public meeting at Kothacheruvu main circle. However, police denied permission for the programme at Kothacheruvu and confusion prevails over air traffic clearance for the special aircraft from Gannavaram to Puttaparthi airport, carrying the actor, following the bad weather conditions. However, the Jana Sena party was making necessary arrangements for the programme. New Delhi: Making it clear that Indian visa rules will be applied on a reciprocal basis and be different for every country, India on Friday decided to impose reciprocity on British nationals arriving in India from the UK. Britain has approved Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India, but has expressed problems with Indias CoWin vaccination certificate on technical grounds. The UK has still not withdrawn its decision to not accept Indias Indian Covid-19 vaccination certificates. As per government orders, from October 4 (Monday), all UK nationals arriving in India from the UK, irrespective of their vaccination status, will need a pre-departure Covid-19 RT-PCR test within 72 hours before travel; a Covid-19 RT-PCR test upon arrival at any Indian airport and a Covid-19 RT-PCR test on Day 8 after arrival in India. Besides, the British nationals will also have to undergo mandatory quarantine at home or in their destination address for 10 days after arrival in India. These are exactly the same rules that apply to Indian nationals arriving from India in the UK. Our new regulations will come into effect from October 4, and will be applicable to all UK nationals arriving from the UK, sources said, adding tghat this rule is specific only for UK nationals and will not affect Indian citizens travelling from the UK or citizens of any other country entering India through Britain. However, non-resident Indians (NRIs) who have UK passports will be impacted. The Indian high commission in London has conveyed the governments decision to the British authorities. In India, the health and civil aviation ministries have been asked to take steps to implement the new measures. Sources added that the new rules can be withdrawn if the UK agrees to accept Indias CoWin certificates but till that happens, these rules will remain. India does not insist on any vaccination certificate though it asks for a Covid-19 RT-PCR negative test report done before the journey. And even though there are home quarantine rules, it is not strictly followed or enforced. But in the case of UK nationals, the Indian government will be very strict in monitoring passengers, and if they are found to be violating these rules, they might be put under institutional quarantine. Officials said under the new reciprocal visa policy, the facilitation will depend on the applicants home countrys policy for Indians. Many countries have opened for tourists from foreign countries but have posed several restrictions for Indian travellers. The issues have been raised with the diplomats of the concerned countries to get the issues resolved, a senior home ministry official said. Nations like Germany, Canada, Australia and the United Arab Emirates have started accepting Indian travellers who have Covishield vaccination certificates. However, Germany has said that Indians must have their date of birth or passport number mentioned in the certificate, and just having an Aadhaar number will not be sufficient. Incidentally, the CoWin app has a provision to change the identity proof to the passport after having put in the Aadhaar number earlier. Australia, meanwhile, announced on Friday that it was hoping to allow international travel from November. Australia will first open for its own nationals returning home. It has said while it will recognise Covishield and some other vaccines, people will still have to undergo a seven-day mandatory quarantine. The Australian government later clarified that declaring certain Covid vaccines as recognised vaccines was separate to a regulatory decision on whether they are approved for use in Australia. A spokesperson of the Australian high commission in New Delhi said: Quarantine remains a matter for (Australian) states and territories. Currently, vaccination against Covid-19 does not change the requirement for mandatory quarantine for 14 days at the port of arrival. However, South Australia and New South Wales are already conducting pilots for modified entry arrangements for fully vaccinated individuals. Phillip then served as Additional Superintendent of Police, Kancheepuram, and survived the human bomb blast that killed Gandhi and others. (Photo: Twitter/@tnpoliceoffl) Chennai: Wearing the bloodstained cap and badge-- evidence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case - on the day of his retirement was a cocktail of emotions, says IPS officer Prateep V Phillip, who survived the ghastly attack that killed the former Prime Minister in a 1991 election rally near here. The senior official, who retired as DGP (Training) was allowed possession of the cap and badge by a city court recently, allowing him to wear them on his day of retirement. Phillip said he would pen a book on his experiences on the horrendous tragedy at Sriperumbudur on May, 21, 1991, that left at least another 14 dead after a suicide bomber of the LTTE blew herself up. A city civil court granted permission to the IPS officer to wear on the last day of his service, the bloodstained cap and name badge that he wore on duty when the former Prime Minister was assassinated. Phillip then served as Additional Superintendent of Police, Kancheepuram, and survived the human bomb blast that killed Gandhi and others. Phillip sustained injuries in the incident and due to the impact of the blast, his cap and name badge fell down. Since then, his cap and badge, which were part of the evidence from the scene of crime, collected by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), had remained in the custody of the trial court. Few days before his retirement, he moved the First Additional Sessions Court here seeking permission to take possession of the cap and name badge, as they were of "immense sentimental value" to him. The First Additional Sessions judge T Chandrsekharan on September 28, granted permission for interim custody, on own bond of Rs one lakh and ordered they should be handed over to the court on or before October 28 after the purpose was fulfilled. The officer retired on September 30. The cap and badge literally symbolised his blood, sweat and tears of his professional career which spanned about 34 years, the court further noted. "Holding the cap and badge, in my capacity, at the closure of 34 years of service life, symbolises the trauma I went through, the exhilaration, the law, sadness - a cocktail of emotions. I was the only person on the planet who underwent the ordeal," Phillip, who retired on Thursday as Director General of Police (DGP), Training, told PTI. The tragedy has transformed his life and perspective so much he resolved to dedicate his entire service life for the cause of the people. "Your life gets transformed and your perspective undergoes changes. The incident (assassination) made me think of what I can do for the people. This changed my career and I never aspired for position or power, but consistently involved in equipping and encouraging people," Phillip said, adding his sole goal in his service life was to humanise the police force. "Now taking stock after over three decades in service, I still find the Friends of Police (FoP) methodology and concept that I launched (in 1993) transforming countries across geographies," he claimed. His colleagues appreciated his innovative concept of FoP and said it worked very well. Post retirement, Phillip keeps himself active. He flagged off a run organised in Tenkasi to mark the Quit India Movement. "I ran with the FoP members for a distance of 1.2 km today. Now it is time for Fit and secure India," he said and added that the letter 'P' in FoP can stand for many things including people, peace, progress, principles and police. Asked what it meant to wear the bloodstained cap and the name badge on the last day of his service life, Phillip replied "more than wearing, they symbolised what I stood for and Tamil Nadu police adopted my idea of community policing through the FoP concept. It later spread throughout the country and beyond the borders. My idea influenced different domains throughout the world," he said. He said he had effectively used the FoP to tackle crimes, drugs and scams and formed even the sea shore committee. "In fact, my magnum opus Fillipisms 3333 Maxims to Maximise Your Life, was born out of my experience in Sriperumbadur. Now the second volume is on the way," he said. Asked how he would utilise his free time, he replied, "I have a lot to do. I will publish a book on the Sriperumbadur experience. I have already written 30 books containing 1.7 million words and it is in the process of getting published as one volume." This is for the second time Visakhapatnam is hosting the President Fleet Review. (DC file photo) VISAKHAPATNAM: The Eastern Naval Command, with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam, will host the Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) on February 21 next year. The schedule for the review has been finalised and the remaining events would be confirmed later. This is for the second time Visakhapatnam is hosting the President Fleet Review. President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam reviewed the fleet in 2006 in Visakhapatnam, said naval sources in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Every President as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces reviews the naval fleet once in his or her term as per tradition. Ships from Southern and Western commands, Indian Coast Guard and a few merchant ships belonging to Shipping Corporation of India will participate in the fleet review. Sources said the event could be for two days and President Ram Nath Kovind would attend on the second day on February 21 and review the fleet. It is not yet decided on conducting the operation display at RK Beach. If not held during the PFR, the event would be organised during MILAN, the biennial and multilateral naval exercise, that would be held a week after the fleet review. MILAN commenced in 1995, and was conducted at Andaman and Nicobar Command until 2018. It was to be held in March in 2020 but deferred due to Covid Pandemic. President Kalam created history by becoming India's first head of state to undertake an undersea sortie. During his fleet review held in Visakhapatnam in 2006, Dr Kalam travelled on the INS Sindhurakshak, a Russian-origin Kilo class submarine, for a duration of three-and-a-half hours. People handed over 11,675 memoranda to the BJP chief during his walkathon. Sanjay braved the hot sun and the monsoon rains, and the effect of Cyclone Gulab as his padayatra wound to an end. DC Image/Sriram Karri HYDERABAD: BJP state president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar completed the first phase of his Praja Sangrama Yatra on Friday in Husnabad in Siddipet district. In 35 days, Sanjay has walked 438 kilometres, covering eight districts and 19 Assembly constituencies. To mark the event, Sanjay will address a public meeting in Husnabad on Saturday. Union minister for women Smriti Irani will attend as chief guest. Sanjay began his padayatra from the Bhagyalakshmi temple at Charminar on August 28 after offering special prayers. He has met thousands of people of various sections and got the first-hand information on problems pertaining to agriculture, unemployment, education, irrigation and others. People handed over 11,675 memoranda to the BJP chief during his walkathon. Sanjay braved the hot sun and the monsoon rains, and the effect of Cyclone Gulab as his padayatra wound to an end. Around 300 volunteers participated in the padayatra. Second generation leaders of political families like T. Veerender Goud, Baddam Mahipal Reddy, Vikram Goud, Bharat Goud and others regularly followed the padayatra. Sanjay addressed 34 public meetings during the Praja Sangrama Yatra, focusing on the alleged lapses of the TRS government and being extremely critical of the Chief Minister. Sanjay also wrote a series of open letters to the Chief Minister on various issues during the padayatra. Former Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra and Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh, six Union ministers and 24 national leaders addressed the padayatra. BJP MPs and MLAs also extended their solidarity to the yatra. The BJP state leadership planned to conduct a public meeting in bypoll-bound Huzurabad on the last day of padayatra, but election code of conduct forced them to divert the padayatra route as well as public meeting to the neighbouring Siddipet district. Padayatra in-charge G. Manohar Reddy called upon party cadres and people to make the Husnabad meeting on Saturday a grand success. Sanjay brought several problems to the limelight with his padayatra, he said. Speaking to reporters at Potlapally village in Husnabad mandal, Manohar Reddy said the BJP state president interacted with a huge number of people and understood their grievances. Padayatra in-charge T. Veerender Goud, SC Morcha national secretary S. Kumar, BJP state official spokesperson Enugula Rakesh Reddy, state leaders J. Sangappa, Jayasri and others were present. Satyajit Rays iconic film, Shatranj ke Khiladi, based on a story by Munshi Premchand, comes to mind these days. The story, for the unfortunate few who have not seen this film, is about two declining nawabs in Lucknow obsessed with their game of chess even as the British march into Awadh and usurp the kingdom sending the hapless Nawab of Awadh into exile. The ongoing shenanigans in the Congress party are reminiscent of the two nawabs. The party is completely absorbed in its internal conflicts, quite oblivious, it would seem, to the larger and looming threat posed by the BJP. Some snapshots of the last few days come to mind to illustrate this. In Punjab, the Congress Party has split. Amarinder Singh, the sitting chief minister till recently, was forced to resign and has announced his decision to quit the party. The newly appointed PCC chief, Navjot Singh Sidhu, has peremptorily resigned. The new chief minister, Charanjit Singh Channi, is trying to placate Sidhu, and running from pillar to post to constitute his Cabinet and begin to govern. It is a veritable picture of chaos and confusion. This, when Assembly elections are but a few months away. The TV footage of a busload of MLAs sent by the chief minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, to New Delhi to demonstrate his strength to the high command, is illustrative of the confusion in Chhattisgarh. In the shadowy world of decision making in the Congress, apparently Baghel has been asked by the high command to resign to make way for his cabinet colleague, T.N. Singh Deo, on the earlier understanding that the two would equally share the leadership of the five-year term of the Congress government. Mr Singh Deo is waiting for this decision to kick in. Mr Baghel seems to be adamant to prevent it. What the Congress leadership wants is speculated upon. No one seems to know what is really happening. One of the few states where the Congress is still in power is crippled by the central leaderships inability to act decisively. Again, there is drift and confusion. In Goa, the Congress Oarty stands fatally fractured. Luizinho Faleiro, a stalwart of the Congress party, and two-term chief minister of Goa, has resigned from the party to join the TMC. Several leading Congressmen have accompanied him. In his public statement, Mr Faleiro denounced the leadership of the Congress Party and its inability to provide an effective opposition to the BJP, and declared that only Mamata Banerjee, the doughty chief minister of West Bengal, can effectively play that role. In a state which is going to the polls in a few months, the Congress is in a total mess. In New Delhi, Youth Congress workers protested outside the home of Kapil Sibal, who had the temerity to raise certain pertinent questions about the leadership of the party and the need for change. The workers came armed with tomatoes, and such like missiles, and indulged in a wanton act of hooliganism. The so-called G-23 within the Congress a group of leaders seeking a rethink on where the party is going and its effectiveness is a rather tepid formation. In over a year, all its members have been able to do is to send one letter to Sonia Gandhi, the interim Congress president. At this rate they could as well have been writing lullabies. But, be that as it may, the fact that someone in the existing leadership authorised this kind of hooliganism against one of the partys leaders for what can at best be called constructive criticism, speaks volumes for the creeping authoritarianism within the Congress, where any dissent, however remote, is seen as betrayal and equated with anti-party activity. The real irony, of course, is that at a time when Congress Party cadres should have been on the streets protesting against rising prices and rampant unemployment, the only reason for them to hit the streets was to attack another Congressman. In Rajasthan, a crisis is brewing. The Congress is in power under Ashok Gehlot, but Sachin Pilot is keen that the promise made to him to be made the chief minister is kept, and is sulking along with his supporters. Again, everything is shrouded in a veil of mystery and speculation. Was he promised this, or was he not? Who made the promise? Is he right to feel offended, or is it just the overweening ambition of a bright young leader? The interesting thing though, is that at the height of the crisis in Punjab, the Gandhi siblings, Rahul and Priyanka, gave an audience to Sachin, triggering speculation that some major change is afoot in Rajasthan. To do this when all energies needed to be focused on Punjab, is to say the least, bewildering. Why open up a front in Rajasthan when the fires in Punjab have still not been doused? But for the loyalists in the Congress, Rahul knows best. Perhaps, he is well intentioned. There is little doubt too that he does not falter in attacking the BJP. But the debilitating truth is that he wields supreme de facto power without de jure status. He is not the president of the party; he is not a formal office bearer; he is not the leader of the legislature party. Yet he calls the shots. And, in the midst of these entire crises, there is also the enduring snapshot of the Gandhis leaving for a suburb of Shimla for a holiday. The Indian National Congress is greater than what its current situation is. It is the party that fought for Indias freedom. Its values are enshrined in the Constitution. It has produced innumerable stalwarts who have immensely contributed to the nation. Above all, it is the countrys largest Opposition party, with a pan-Indian footprint. The million-dollar question is that if it cannot live up to its past, and play the role it must, how long can this vacuum sustain, or will some other entity replace it? The deputy governor Mullah Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi of the province has told the media about the creation of the battalion of suicide bombers at the northeastern province of Badakhshan which borders Tajikistan and China. (Representational image: ANI) Kabul: Taliban have created an exclusive battalion of suicide bombers that will be deployed to the borders of Afghanistan particularly in Badakhshan province. The deputy governor Mullah Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi of the province has told the media about the creation of the battalion of suicide bombers at the northeastern province of Badakhshan which borders Tajikistan and China, reported Khaama Press. Ahmadi said that the battalion is named Lashkar-e-Mansoori "Mansoor army" and will be deployed to the borders of the country. He added that the battalion is the same as the one that would conduct suicide attacks targeting the security forces of the previous Afghan government. "The defeat of the US would not be possible if not for this battalion. These brave men would wear explosive waistcoats and would detonate the US bases in Afghanistan. These are people with literally no fear who devote themselves for the consent of ALLAH." said Ahmadi, according to Khaama Press. The publication said that along with the Lashkar-e-Mansoori, Badri 313 is another battalion that is known as one of the most equipped and modern military groups that are deployed in Kabul International Airport. Badri313 is also said to be comprised of all suicide bombers, as per Khaama Press. The Tata Group may be willing to acquire around 15 per cent of Air India's total debt as a part of its financial bids to acquire the government's 100 per cent stake in the national carrier, Moneycontrol reported quoting sources. "The Tata Group as part of its bid has also proposed to negotiate and acquire a certain amount, at max 15 per cent, of Air India's debt if the government is willing to meet certain requirements set by them," a source told the publication. It is reportedly a big part of the discussions between the government and the Tata Group. Read | Air India sale: Third time lucky? DH couldn't independently verify the report. On Friday, reports suggested that Tata Sons emerged as the top bidder for the takeover of debt-laden state-run airline Air India but the bid is yet to be approved by a group of ministers headed by Home Minister Amit Shah. Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Secretary to the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) -- the government department responsible for privatisation -- in a tweet said the Centre has so far not approved any financial bid for Air India. Media reports indicating approval of financial bids by Government of India in the AI disinvestment case are incorrect. Media will be informed of the Government decision as and when it is taken. pic.twitter.com/PVMgJdDixS Secretary, DIPAM (@SecyDIPAM) October 1, 2021 The government is seeking to sell 100 per cent of its stake in the state-owned national airline, including Air India's 100 per cent shareholding in AI Express Ltd and 50 per cent in Air India SATS Airport Services Private Ltd. Also read: Govt looks to announce winning bid for Air India next month The Central government has proposed to wrap up the divestment by the middle of next month with the announcement of a winning bid for the national carrier. (With inputs from PTI) Twitter has appealed a French court decision that ordered it to give activists full access to all of its relevant documents on efforts to fight hate speech, lawyers and a judicial source said on Saturday. In July, a French court ordered Twitter to grant six French anti-discrimination groups full access to all documents relating to the company's efforts to combat hate speech since May 2020. The ruling applied to Twitter's global operation, not just France. Also read: Trump asks Florida judge to force Twitter to restart his account Twitter has appealed the decision and a hearing has been set for December 9, 2021, a judicial source told AFP, confirming information released by the groups' lawyers. Twitter and its lawyers declined to comment. The July order said that Twitter must hand over "all administrative, contractual, technical or commercial documents" detailing the resources it has assigned to fight homophobic, racist and sexist discourse on the site, as well as the offence of "condoning crimes against humanity". It also said Twitter must reveal how many moderators it employs in France to examine posts flagged as hateful, and data on the posts they process. The July ruling gave the San Francisco-based company two months to comply. Twitter can ask for a suspension pending the appeal. The six anti-discrimination groups had taken Twitter to court in France last year, accusing the US social media giant of "long-term and persistent" failures in blocking hateful comments from the site. The groups campaign against homophobia, racism and anti-Semitism. Twitter's hateful conduct policy bans users from promoting violence or threatening or attacking people based on their race, religion, gender identity or disability, among other forms of discrimination. Like other social media giants it allows users to report posts they believe are hateful, and employs moderators to vet the content. But anti-discrimination groups have long complained that holes in the policy allow hateful comments to stay online in many cases. Check out latest DH videos here: Mahatma Gandhi is inarguably one of the most revered names in Indian history. 'Bapu' used the principles of non-violence and truth to pave the way for the country's independence, thus emerging as the 'Father of the Nation'. Over the years, several filmmakers have highlighted different aspects of his life through their work. On Gandhi Jayanti, here is a look at five movies that celebrate the man and his ideals. Gandhi(1982) Ben Kingsley essayed the titular role in the Richard Attenborough-helmed classic, which won Academy Awards in multiple categories. Gandhi revolved around The Mahatma's personal struggles and highlighted how they played a role in helping him become an inseparable part of the freedom struggle. Everything about the classic--right from the performances to the production values-- was as right as rain, which helped it attain cult status. The cast included Rohini Hattangadi, Habib Tanvir, Saeed Jaffrey and Amrish Puri. The Making of the Mahatma (1996) The Shyam Benegal-directed movie revolved around the 21 years Gandhi spent in South Africa to hone his skills as a barrister. The film featured Rajit Kapur as the future 'Sabarmati Ka Sant' and proved to be a gamechanger for him. It won National Awards in two categories--'Best Actor' and 'Best Feature Film in English', which is no small feat. Hey Ram (2000) The Kamal Haasan-helmed classic revolved around the events leading up to Gandhi's assassination and highlighted the dilemma faced by Saket Ram, a man with a tragic past, who plans to kill the iconic leader. The film featured a hard-hitting climax and some stellar performances. It was shot simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil and had an impressive cast that included Rani Mukerji, Shah Rukh Khan, Nassar and Vasundhara Das. Naseeruddin Shah who played 'Bapu' in the biggie, impressed cinephiles with his natural performance. Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara (2005) The critically-acclaimed Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara was directed by Jahnu Barua, a noted filmmaker from Assam, and featured Anupam Kher in the lead role. The thought-provoking drama revolved around what happened when a retired professor started blaming himself for 'killing' Gandhi and subtly dealt with the consequences of ignoring the ideals Bapu stood for. Gandhi, My Father (2007) The Anil Kapoor-produced movie revolved around the troubled relationship between Gandhi and his son Harilal and hit clicked with critics due to the effective execution. It starred Darshan Jariwala as the Bapu' ' while the underrated Akshaye Khanna played his son. Progressive Democrats in Congress, who have long promoted a bold, liberal agenda but often shied away from using hardball tactics to achieve it, did something unusual this week: They dug in. The nearly 100-member caucus refused to support a $1 trillion infrastructure bill that is a major piece of President Joe Bidens agenda, seeking leverage for a bigger fight. Their stance forced House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to delay a planned vote on the measure and ultimately prompted Biden to side with them in saying that there could be no vote on the infrastructure legislation until agreement on a far broader, multitrillion-dollar social policy and climate measure. The manoeuvre drew plaudits from liberal activists who had watched with dismay in the past as their allies in Congress caved to pressure from Democratic leaders and surrendered in policy fights. And it signalled that the progressives enjoyed newfound influence, including the backing of a president long associated with his partys moderates. Things only happen here when there is urgency, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said Friday. Im just so proud of our caucus, because they are standing up for people who feel like they have not been heard in this country for a very long time. Also read: What happens if the United States defaults on its debt? Still, while the progressives scored a tactical victory, negotiations continued to whittle down the size of the social policy and climate bill, which was already much smaller than the initial $6 trillion to $10 trillion that many of them had envisioned. Their persistence also risked the collapse of both bills, angering moderates in the party who had delivered the slim majority to Democrats and are at the highest risk of losing their seats in the midterm elections. Despite its growing ranks, the progressive caucus has struggled for years to enact its agenda of providing more robust health care services, taxing the wealthy, reining in military spending and addressing climate change. Activists have grown frustrated as they helped elect members to Congress, who then fell in line, voting for whatever Democratic leaders put on the floor. In recent years, the caucus has tried and failed to cut military spending by 10% and struggled to enact major tenets of what it calls its Peoples Budget. High-profile progressives protested this year over a lapsing eviction moratorium. But the effort failed to muster enough support for Democratic leaders to put legislation on the floor to extend it. This week's machinations buoyed the movement. During a private meeting of the progressives Friday evening, lawmakers were celebratory as they discussed how they were able to hold the line for Bidens agenda. Read | How the US debt limit became 'a hostage that's worth ransoming' Its undeniable that this is a new era of progressive power, said Mary Small, national policy director of the Indivisible Project, a grassroots group. They had a list of what their priorities would be for the reconciliation bill, and theyve been dogged. Small said progressives won the battle of ideas before the battle of tactics: The social spending and climate change platform put forth by Biden stems in large part from the proposals of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., chair of the Budget Committee, who was the first chair of the Progressive Caucus. But bare-knuckled tactics were important too, Small said. They have a plan to deliver on their priorities rather than just talking about their preferred polices, she said. Kaniela Ing, climate-justice campaign director for Peoples Action, said many progressive activists were still upset about how Democrats allowed Republicans to weaken the Affordable Care Act with a slew of amendments when the party had control of both chambers of Congress. But he is now cheering the stance taken by the Progressive Caucus. Theyre doing exactly what we need to do, he said. The strategy is to pass exactly what Biden promised. Ing added that progressives were only responding to the political manoeuvres of centrist Democrats, who have sought to pass the infrastructure bill without the broader measures. The liberals tactics were reminiscent of those employed by the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, whose members routinely threatened to withhold their bloc of votes unless Republican leaders met their demands. More moderate Republicans, particularly those from competitive districts, became incensed with the group, blaming them for standing in the way of popular bills that were political imperatives. On Thursday, some politically vulnerable Democrats were similarly angry at their progressive counterparts for holding up a bill that had broad support. When Iowans tell me they are sick of Washington games, this is what they mean, Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, said in a statement after leaders announced the delay of the infrastructure vote. All at once or nothing is no way to govern. But unlike the Freedom Caucus, the progressives stand does not appear to have angered either their leaders in Congress or the White House. Jayapal said she had stayed in very close touch with the White House, and progressives said they had been encouraged by the message they had received from Ron Klain, the White House chief of staff. In meetings and discussions with progressive lawmakers, Klain has been blunt about Bidens belief that Democrats need to reach a framework agreement on broader social policy legislation before they can approve the infrastructure measure, according to three officials familiar with the discussions. That appears to have emboldened progressives. One person familiar with Klains calls said they left liberal lawmakers with the impression that the White House was encouraging them to hold firm against an infrastructure vote until a deal could be reached with two centrist Democratic senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who have demanded changes to Bidens $3.5 trillion plan. Progressives have feared that if the infrastructure bill passes, giving moderate Democrats a big win, Manchin and Sinema would have little incentive to give in to demands from the White House and progressives to retain as much as possible of Bidens $3.5 trillion proposal. Klain retweeted a post on social media from Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., a member of the Progressive Caucus, who said they were setting the Biden agenda back on track by delaying the vote on infrastructure. The White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, told reporters Friday that Klain was not arguing against or whipping against our own agenda. But we do feel strongly, and the president feels very strongly, about getting both pieces of these legislation done, she said. The stand progressive lawmakers made this week came amid a rise of activism aimed at Congress by the left. On Thursday, protesters held signs in front of the Capitol that said Pass Reconciliation First, and another group of activists paddled kayaks to confront Manchin in the waters next to his large houseboat docked at a Washington marina. Before the infrastructure vote was delayed late Thursday, Jayapal had warned caucus members not to gloat if they succeeded in stopping the bill in its tracks, according to a person with knowledge of her comments. But their success fueled an already poisonous relationship between some liberal Democrats and their more moderate colleagues. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., took aim Thursday night at Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., a leading centrist who had confidently declared that he was 1,000% sure that the infrastructure bill would pass that day. In Congress, we dont make predictions like this until we know we have the votes, Omar wrote on Twitter. Some of us get this, others bluff & fall on their face. Hopefully, @JoshGottheimer and the other 4% of Democrats will not obstruct but negotiate and help us get @POTUSs agenda done for the people. Read | US Fed warns of 'severe damage' if senators allow debt default In a statement, Gottheimer lamented that Speaker Pelosi breached her firm, public commitment to members of Congress and the American people to hold a vote and lashed out at a small faction on the far left. This far left faction is willing to put the presidents entire agenda, including this historic bipartisan infrastructure package, at risk, he said. Theyve put civility and bipartisan governing at risk. But progressives were betting that their supporters would not see it that way. On Friday, Jayapal sent a fundraising email asking donors to chip in $3 each to back her efforts. Last night, we held the line, it stated. We stopped attempts by corporate America and a few conservative Democrats to pass their small bill without President Bidens popular Build Back Better Act that makes long-overdue investments in working people, families and our communities. Corporations are FURIOUS. But progressives arent giving in. Check out latest videos from DH: The abortion rights battle takes to the streets across America Saturday, with hundreds of demonstrations planned as part of a new "Women's March" aimed at countering an unprecedented conservative offensive to restrict the termination of pregnancies. The fight has become even more intense since Texas adopted a law on September 1 banning almost all abortions, unleashing a veritable legal guerrilla warfare and a counterattack in Congress, but with few public demonstrations until now. Two days before the US Supreme Court, which will have the final say on the contentious issue, is due to reconvene, nearly 200 organisations have finally called on abortion rights defenders to make their voices heard from coast to coast. The flagship event will be held in the nation's capital Washington, where thousands are expected to march to the Supreme Court, which nearly 50 years ago recognised the right of women to have an abortion in its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. Also read: Biden administration urges halt to strict Texas abortion law Now the court, stacked by former president Donald Trump with conservative justices, seems ready to head in the opposite direction. It has already refused to block the Texas law and has accepted reviewing a restrictive Mississippi law that could provide an opportunity to overturn its precedent. Rallies are planned in these two conservative states' capitals, Austin and Jackson, as well as in more than 600 cities in all 50 states. According to the organisers, nearly a quarter million people are expected to turn out across the United States. "Together, we are joining hands to advocate for a country where abortion isn't just legal -- it's accessible, affordable and destigmatised," said the organisers of the Rally for Abortion Justice in a statement. The group called on Congress to enshrine the right to abortion in federal law, to protect it from any possible reversal by the Supreme Court. A bill to that effect was adopted a week ago in the House of Representatives, which is controlled by Democrats, but has no chance of passing the Senate where Republicans have enough votes to block it. In 2017, a first "Women's March" was held the day after Trump's inauguration, rallying millions of opponents of the Republican billionaire who had been accused of sexism. Since then, other demonstrations have failed to turn out such huge numbers, in part due to internal divisions over accusations of anti-Semitism levelled at one of the organisers. But that page seems to have been turned. "This year, we are united with a coalition of nearly 200 organisations," the organisers said. Participants will include small feminist groups, community and local organisations as well as the giant of family planning, Planned Parenthood. "We're taking to the streets once again, for the first time in the (Joe) Biden era," the statement said. "Because a change in the Oval Office hasn't stopped the politicised, perverse, and patriarchal desire to regulate our bodies. If anything, it's only gotten even more intense." That escalation has been spurred on by Trump's appointment of three conservative justices to the Supreme Court, emboldening local conservative elected officials across to the country to embark on an anti-abortion offensive. So far this year, 19 states have adopted 63 laws restricting access to abortions. If the high court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, every state would be free to ban or allow abortions. That would mean 36 million women in 26 states -- nearly half of American women of reproductive age -- would likely lose the legal right to an abortion, according to a Planned Parenthood report released Friday. The Food and Drug Administration on Friday scheduled three days of public meetings with its panel of independent vaccine experts for later this month, as the agency prepares to make high-profile decisions on whether to authorise emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 and booster shots for adult recipients of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The FDA typically issues its decisions within a few days of advisory committee meetings, during which members discuss safety and efficacy data. The timing of the upcoming meetings indicates that the agency intends to move quickly to decide whether to authorise both the booster and childrens shots. Also Read | EU finds J&J Covid shot possibly linked to another rare clotting condition The committee will meet on October 14 and 15 to discuss booster doses, and is tentatively scheduled to discuss Pfizers pediatric vaccine on October 26, the agency said. Its critical that as many eligible individuals as possible get vaccinated as soon as possible, Dr Peter Marks, the agencys top vaccine regulator, said in a statement. He added that the available data make clear that protection against symptomatic Covid-19 in certain populations begins to decrease over time, so its important to evaluate the information on the use of booster doses in various populations. Also Read | In Portugal, there is virtually no one left to vaccinate The decision to have the committee discuss the evidence for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots two weeks before it does so for Pfizers childrens vaccine appears to reflect the FDAs priorities and the availability of data. But the agencys decisions on those emergency use authorisations could come in quick succession. Pfizer and BioNTech have yet to formally ask the FDA to authorise emergency use of their vaccine for pediatric doses; they are expected to do so next week, according to people familiar with the companies plans. If regulators grant that request, it could help protect as many as 28 million children and ease the anxiety of parents across the nation. Dr Scott Gottlieb, a Pfizer board member, has said the FDA could decide as early as Halloween. Children rarely become severely ill from the coronavirus, but the delta variant drove nearly 30,000 of them into hospitals in August. Over the course of the pandemic, at least 125 children ages 5 to 11 have died of Covid-19, and nearly 1.7 million others in that age group have been infected with the virus. Also Read | Storied drugmaker Cipla eyes acquisitions after Covid windfall They account for 5% of Covid-19 cases and 9% of the nations population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pfizers vaccine has already been authorised for children 12 to 15 on an emergency basis and is fully approved for those 16 and older. Moderna has also sought emergency authorization to offer its vaccine to adolescents, but regulators have yet to rule on that request. Clearance of Pfizer-BioNTechs pediatric dose depends not just on the strength of the clinical trial data but on whether the companies can prove to the FDA that they can properly manufacture a new pediatric formulation. Dr Janet Woodcock, the FDAs acting commissioner, said again Friday that regulators would thoroughly review safety and efficacy data before ruling. We know from our vast experience with other pediatric vaccines that children are not small adults, she said in a statement. Read | Centre releases SDRF share for ex-gratia to Covid-19 victims' kin It may turn out that the decision on whether to approve Pfizers vaccine for children is more straightforward, however than the question of booster shots for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson recipients. Last month, the FDA authorised a booster shot for many recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine six months after their second shot, and the CDC recommended its use. But those actions followed fraught meetings of the advisory committees for both agencies. In the end, the government decided to offer a third shot only for those 65 and older and those who live in long-term care facilities. It is also offering booster injections to adults with underlying medical conditions and those who are at higher risk of exposure to the virus because of their jobs or institutional settings a broad category that includes health care workers and prisoners. Along with deciding whether to authorize boosters for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson recipients, the FDA is weighing whether people should be allowed to get a booster shot of a different vaccine than the one they originally received. Researchers with the National Institutes of Health have been conducting a so-called mix-and-match study in an effort to answer that question. Separately on Friday, the Biden administration provided new details on a rule it announced last month requiring federal workers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. The administration said in a memo that agencies could start enforcing that requirement on November 9. Employees who refuse to be vaccinated or provide proof of vaccination are subject to disciplinary measures, up to and including removal or termination from federal service, the memo said. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Worldwide deaths related to Covid-19 surpassed 5 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, as the Delta variant causes a surge in fatalities, mainly among the unvaccinated. The variant has exposed the wide disparities in vaccination rates between rich and poor nations, and the upshot of vaccine hesitancy in some western nations. More than half of the world has yet to receive at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, according to Our World in Data. Also Read | Delhi retaliates against UK's refusal to recognise Covishield vaccination certificates It took almost over a year for the Covid-19 death toll to hit 2.5 million, while the next 2.5 million deaths were recorded in 236 days, according to a Reuters analysis. More than half of all global deaths reported on a seven-day average were in the United States, Russia, Brazil, Mexico and India. Globally an average of 8,000 deaths was reported daily over the last week, accounting for five deaths every minute. There has been increasing focus in recent days on getting vaccines to poorer nations, where many people are yet to receive the first dose, even as their richer counterparts have begun giving booster shots. CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH The World Health Organization this week said that its COVAX distribution programme would, for the first time, distribute shots only to countries with the lowest levels of coverage. Co-led by the WHO, COVAX has since January largely allocated doses proportionally among its 140-plus beneficiary states according to population size. "For the October supply we designed a different methodology, only covering participants with low sources of supply," Mariangela Simao, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Vaccines, said in a recording of a conference presentation last week posted on the WHO's website. The United States, which has been battling vaccine misinformation that has caused about one-third of the population to avoid inoculations, surpassed 700,000 deaths on Friday, the highest toll of any country. Also Read | FDA panel likely to authorise Pfizer Covid-19 shots for children US cases and hospitalisations have been trending lower, but health officials are bracing for a possible resurgence as cooler weather forces more activities indoors. Russia reported 887 coronavirus-related deaths on Friday, the largest single-day death toll it has recorded since the pandemic began and the fourth day in a row it has set that record. Only 33% of Russia's eligible population has received a first vaccine dose. As a region, South America has the highest death toll in the world accounting for 21% of all reported deaths, followed by North America and Eastern Europe contributing more than 14% of all fatalities each, according to Reuters analysis. Also Read | Storied drugmaker Cipla eyes acquisitions after Covid windfall However, India, one of the first countries ravaged by the Delta variant, has gone from an average of 4,000 deaths a day to less than 300 as its vaccination campaign is rolled out. About 47% of India's eligible population has received the first shot, with officials administering around 7,896,950 doses per day over the past week, a Reuters analysis of Our World in Data showed. The Delta variant is now the dominant strain around the globe and has been reported in 187 out of 194 World Health Organization member countries. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Authorities told several thousand residents of La Palma to stay home because of worsening air quality as the erupting volcano on the Spanish island spewed red-hot lava and thick clouds of black smoke. Emergency services issued a lockdown order on Friday night for people in Los Llanos de Aridane and El Paso, two of the worst affected towns. "The new lockdown is as a consequence of the meteorological conditions... that prevent the dispersion of gases and keep them at low levels of the atmosphere," emergency services said in a statement. They said the lockdown would affect around 3,500 people. Those affected have been told to keep their doors and windows closed and to disconnect heating and air conditioning to prevent outside air from entering. Lava from La Palma eruption reaches the Atlantic ocean; See Pics Lockdowns had already been ordered in the areas of San Borondon, Marina Alta, Marina Baja and La Condesa. About 6,000 people have been evacuated from their homes since the Cumbre Vieja volcano began erupting on Sept. 19. More than 800 buildings have been destroyed on the island, which has a population of about 83,000 and is one of an archipelago making up the Canary Islands in the Atlantic. On Friday, lava flowed from a new vent in the volcano, which the Canaries Volcanology Institute described as a new "focus of eruption". The volcano was experiencing "intense activity", Miguel Angel Morcuende, director of the Pevolca response committee, told a news conference on Friday. But he also put the eruption into the context of the wider island. "Less than 8 per cent of the island is affected by the volcano. The rest is leading a normal life," he said. Check out latest DH videos here A peacekeeper died Saturday and three others were seriously injured in Mali's volatile north near the Algerian border when an improvised explosive device went off, the UN said. "One dead and three seriously injured after one of our teams hit an improvised explosive device near Tessalit", close to the Algerian border, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali said. Check out DH's latest videos: Former President Donald Trump asked a federal judge to force Twitter to temporarily reinstate his account while he sues to permanently return to the social media network. Trumps request for a preliminary injunction against Twitter was filed late Friday in Miami, Florida. The Republican, who lost his bid for a second term in office, claims Twitter cancelled his account in January under pressure from his political rivals in Congress. Twitter declined to comment on the filing. Trump had more than 88 million followers on Twitter. The company kicked him off its platform on January 8, two days after a mob of his supporters carried out a deadly attack on the Capitol to prevent President Joe Bidens victory from being confirmed by Congress. Trump used Twitter and other social media platforms to falsely and repeatedly claim that the election had been rigged. Twitter exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate, the former presidents lawyers said in the filing. Also read: Trump sues his niece and The New York Times over leaked tax documents Trump also claims Twitter improperly censored him during his presidency by labelling his tweets as misleading information or indicating they violated the companys rules against glorifying violence. Numerous lawsuits filed by Trump and his supporters seeking to overturn the election result failed across the country due to a lack of evidence of mass voter fraud. Trumps own attorney general at the time, Bill Barr, and US intelligence agencies agreed with state election officials that any fraud in the election wouldnt have changed the results. Trump also accused Twitter of inconsistently applying rules for posts about Covid-19, claiming news organisations had falsely claimed that social-justice protests in 2020 werent sources of infection while the attack on the Capitol was. This outright inconsistency is in line with a desire by defendant to placate government actors who generally approved of the protests of the summer of 2020 and generally disapproved of the events of January 6, Trump said. Trump didnt mention those protesting against police abuse often wore masks while almost none were seen among the rioters at the Capitol. Check out latest videos from DH: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 152nd birth anniversary, and urged people to assimilate his principles of non-violence and cleanliness. Patel was speaking at an all-faith prayer meet organised at Kirti Mandir, a memorial house in Porbandar, located close to Gandhiji's ancestral house, where he was born on this day in 1869. On the occasion, the chief minister appealed to people to pay "true homage' to the Mahatma by assimilating his ideals of non-violence and cleanliness. He also urged people to inculcate the Gandhian thoughts and his spirit in the heart through prayers. Patel called upon the people to make cleanliness an instinct and keep Gujarat at the forefront in the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Clean India movement as well as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) by realising Gandhiji's mantra of cleanliness. "Gujarat has been at the forefront of sanitation and water supply works through sustainable development," he said, and expressed confidence that the Gujarat of Mahatma Gandhi would achieve new heights. In the first phase of AMRUT Mission, Gujarat is placed at the third position in the country, having completed 305 important works at a cost of Rs 2,800 crore, Patel said. "As many as 95 projects related to safe drinking water supply have been completed in 31 cities. As a result, connections have been provided to 1.70 lakh houses," he said. Gandhiji's mantra of cleanliness was taken up by the prime minister as a social campaign to bring awareness across the country, which has become a huge public campaign. If Mahatma Gandhi gave us Swarajya, which paved the way for the uplift of the poor villages, the prime minister has started the journey of Surajya (good governance), Patel added. State Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, MP Ram Mokariya, MLA Babu Bokhiriya, other leaders and officials of the district administration were present on the occasion. A prayer meet was also organised at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, in which several Gandhians and school children participated. Sabarmati Ashram was set up by Gandhi on June 17, 1917, on the banks of the river Sabarmati. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday accused the Centre of bias, saying preventing people from offering prayers at mosques and shrines in Kashmir shows the Government of India's "disrespect" for the sentiments of the majority community. Preventing people from offering prayers & obeisance at mosques & shrines in Kashmir shows GOIs disrespect for sentiments of the majority community. Especially at a time when parks & public spaces are open & countless crowded govt functions held through the day. Reeks of bias. pic.twitter.com/cf1LJ9at0H Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 2, 2021 Mehbooba was reacting to the continuous closure of a few mosques and shrines in Srinagar city, including Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta here, for the past few weeks in the wake of a spike in Covid-19 cases. Check out latest videos from DH: India has retaliated against the British governments discriminatory travel rules and made it mandatory for the citizens of the United Kingdom arriving in the country from Monday onward to quarantine themselves for 10 days even if they have already been inoculated with Covid-19 jabs. New Delhi decided to retaliate as the British government has not yet revised its new travel rules, which refused to recognise the Covid-19 vaccination programme in India. The retaliatory measures imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government will require all UK citizens, including the ones already vaccinated, to undergo pre-departure Covid-19 RT-PCR tests within 72 hours before travelling to India. They will also have to undergo Covid-19 RT-PCR tests immediately after arriving at any airport, as well as on the eighth day after arrival in India, according to sources in New Delhi. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Civil Aviation will make arrangements for implementation of the new measures for the UK citizens arriving in India from Monday. The British governments new travel rules, which do not recognise the certificates issued by the Modi government to people inoculated with Covishield in India, will also come into force on Monday. CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH The diplomats and health officials of the two governments have been in touch over the past couple of weeks to address the British governments concerns over some aspects of the certificates issued through the CoWIN app to people vaccinated with the Covishield Covid-19 vaccines. The Government of India made arrangements for the certificates to show full dates of birth of the vaccinated beneficiaries and thus addressed one of the concerns of London. The British government, however, has not yet changed its new travel rules in order to recognise the certificates issued to the beneficiaries of the inoculation programme in India and to exempt them from mandatory quarantine requirement on arrival in the UK. The UK is continuing to work on expanding the policy to countries and territories across the globe in a phased approach, said a spokesperson of the British High Commission in New Delhi. We are continuing to engage with the Government of India on technical cooperation to expand UK recognition of vaccine certification to people vaccinated by a relevant public health body in India. The two governments are continuing discussion on technical cooperation to expand UK recognition of vaccine certification to people vaccinated by a relevant public health body in India, a spokesperson of the British High Commission in New Delhi said on Friday. Londons envoy to New Delhi, Alex Ellis, had earlier pointed out that the visitors from the UK had to remain in home quarantine for seven days upon arrival in India even after testing negative for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had raised the issue with his counterpart in the British government, Liz Truss, during a meeting in New York on September 21. Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla had also told journalists in New Delhi on Tuesday that India could take reciprocal measures if the UK continued with its discriminatory policy. The British governments new travel rules had initially stipulated that only the people, who had been inoculated with the vaccines, such as the double dose ones developed by the AstraZeneca PLC, Pfizer Inc and the Moderna Inc or the single dose one developed by the Johnson and Johnsons would be considered fully vaccinated and hence would be exempted from mandatory quarantine requirement on arrival in the UK. The Serum Institute of India (SII) manufactures the AstraZeneca PLCs vaccine in India as the company has authorised it to do so and market it as Covishield. But the British governments new travel rules had initially not included it in the list of the approved vaccines for treating travellers as inoculated and hence entitled for exemption from quarantine requirement upon arrival in the UK. After New Delhi had warned of reciprocal measures, the British government had on September 22 revised its travel rules to recognise the Covishield as one of the approved Covid-19 vaccines, but still refused to recognise the certificates issued to people, who had been inoculated with the jab in India. This meant that the people administered with the Covishield in India would still have to undergo mandatory quarantine on arrival in the UK from Monday, unlike the ones administered with the same jab or any other approved SARS-CoV-2 jab in the US or anywhere in Europe or in 17 other countries. New Delhi had called the British governments policy discriminatory and asked it to make changes in it. A citizen of India at present does not need to be vaccinated to travel to the UK. But a traveller from India, regardless of her or his vaccination status, must take a pre-departure test and must take a Covid 19 test on or before the second day and on or after the eighth day after arrival in the UK, apart from self-isolating for 10 days. The travellers from India to UK can also choose to shorten their home quarantine to around five days under the Test to Release service. The UK is open to travel and were already seeing a lot of people going from India to the UK, be it tourists, business people or students, said the spokesperson of the British High Commission. Over 62,500 student visas have been issued in the year ending June 2021, which is an increase of almost 30% as compared to the previous year. We want to make the process of travelling as easy as possible. Londons envoy to New Delhi, Alex Ellis, had earlier pointed out that the visitors from the UK had to remain in home quarantine for seven days upon arrival in India even after testing negative for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Check out the latest DH videos here: Amid speculation over the possibility of a leadership change in Chhattisgarh, the number of Congress MLAs known to be close to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel who are camping in Delhi is rising with more legislators reaching the national capital. The development is being viewed by many as a show of strength but sources in the Baghel camp insisted that the MLAs were reaching Delhi on their own accord and there was no show of strength going on. The demand for a change of guard reared its head in Chhattisgarh after Baghel completed two-and-a-half years as chief minister in June 2021. The camp of cabinet minister T S Singhdeo has claimed that the high command in 2018 had agreed to hand over the post to him after the government completed half its term. Brihaspat Singh, who is known to be close to Baghel and has been camping in Delhi, reiterated on Friday there was no question of a change at the top in the state and the Baghel-led government would complete its full term. Read | Chhattisgarh: Over dozen MLAs of ruling Cong reach Delhi, visit sparks leadership change speculation "We are here to meet AICC in-charge of Chhattisgarh PL Punia and waiting for him. We want to convey that Rahul Gandhi should extend the duration of his proposed tour to the state so that all MLAs can benefit from it," said Singh, the party MLA from the Ramanujganj seat of the state. When contacted, Punia had said on Thursday that he was in Lucknow and had no information about the MLAs being in Delhi as none of them had contacted him. According to sources, around 20 MLAs have already reached Delhi while about 10 more are set to reach the capital late at night. Singh had said on Thursday that around 15 party MLAs are in Delhi to meet Punia. Asked about the MLAs' visit to the capital, Baghel had told reporters in Raipur on Thursday, "Tell me one thing - can't legislators go anywhere. Every step should not be seen as politics. Anybody can go anywhere. Even you (mediapersons) tour with your friends and it doesn't mean every time the purpose is getting news." Similarly, if anyone has gone to Delhi it should not be seen through a political prism, said the CM. Downplaying the development, Singhdeo had said, "All 70 MLAs can go.... What is the issue if MLAs go to Delhi. All this went on in Uttar Pradesh also, what is new that is happening in Chhattisgarh." He had said it is the view of all MLAs that everyone would abide by the decision of the high command. The Congress high command summoned both Baghel and Singhdeo to Delhi in August to resolve the feud. It appeared that Baghel had managed to avert for the time being a leadership change when he told reporters in Raipur recently that party leader Rahul Gandhi had agreed to visit the state "on his invitation", and those talking about rotating the CM's post were promoting political instability. However, there has been constant speculation over the matter. Check out DH's latest videos The Opposition CPI(M) in Tripura has sought "appropriate" security cover for its senior leaders and MLAs complaining that many of them were coming under repeated attacks by workers of the ruling BJP in the state. In a letter to the chief secretary, Alok Kumar, CPI(M) state general secretary and MP, Jitendra Chowdhury on Friday also complained that BJP workers were not allowing the Opposition party to re-open its offices, which were attacked by them on September 8. The letter said apart from offices of media organisations, the miscreants attacked 39 offices of the Opposition party including the CPI(M) state committee office, four district committee offices, seven sub-divisional committee offices, 27 local committees' offices and one branch office on September 8. The miscreants had also used bulldozers in at least four places to demolish the offices of the Opposition party, it said. The former chief minister and veteran left leader, Manik Sarkar's convoy was attacked several times since BJP formed its government for the first time in 2018. Also Read | I control the police: Tripura CM Biplab Deb tells govt officers to not worry about contempt of court "There is no sign of respite in violent attacks even today. The miscreants are given free hand to commit whatever they want. The movement of Manik Sarkar, leader of the Opposition was prevented and thwarted several times. The MLAs namely Badal Chowdhury, Sudhan Das, Ratan Bowmik, and Shyamal Chakraborty were physically attacked and their cars vandalised, some more than once," it said. "The anti-communist violent frenzied move that the BJP miscreants had committed on September 8 throughout the state, is nothing but a pre-planned organised move chalked out at the top level of the party and had support from a section of the police authority," the letter said. The party asked Chief Secretary to direct the police to take cognisance of the cases filed in various police stations related to the attacks and initiate action. It also sought help to re-open the CPI (M) offices which remained closed since the attacks and direct the director-general of police to arrange a vehicular escort to the party secretary and state secretariat members of the CPI(M) Tripura and the Opposition MLAs, during their tour in the state. The state government recently informed the Assembly that 20 cases related to such violence have been registered between July 2018 and July this year and 36 persons arrested so far. Check out latest DH videos here Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has summoned former Meghalaya Chief Minister and senior party leader, Mukul Sangma, for a meeting in New Delhi on Sunday following reports that the Opposition party may face "a Punjab-like crisis" in the hill state. According to sources in Meghalaya Congress, Sangma and a few disgruntled MLAs are likely to meet Gandhi to discuss issues including AICC's recent decision to appoint Shillong MP Vincent H. Pala as the president of Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee. Sangma, 56, served as Chief Minister between 2010 and 2018 and is said to be upset and have felt sidelined with the appointment of Pala, the source said. The 53-year-old Pala, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Shillong, is also a senior leader in the party. Also Read | Former Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma reacts to buzz about joining Trinamool Congress The source said Gandhi "chipped in" following reports on Friday that Sangma, who is also Leader of the Opposition in the 60-member Assembly and 13 other MLAs are likely to quit the party and join Trinamool Congress. Gandhi took the development in Meghalaya very seriously as it happened during the crisis in Punjab. "Our future course of action will depend on the outcome of our meeting with Gandhi. But we sincerely believe that the matters raised by us can be sorted out," said the source in Sangma camp. The Congress camp went into a huddle as Sangma reportedly met TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata recently. Meghalaya has been a stronghold of Congress and it had emerged as the single largest party with 21 seats in the 2018 Assembly polls. The party, however, could not take the regional players on its fold following which the Conrad K. Sangma-led National People's Party (NPP) formed the government with the help of United Democratic Party, People's Democratic Front and BJP. NPP is part of the North East Democratic Alliance, a forum of BJP's regional allies in the region. Check out latest DH videos here Residents of a village in West Bengals Alipurduar district have found unique allies to keep wild elephants away from their homes and crops. Its bees. Nurpur village is in close proximity to the Buxa Tiger Reserve and has always been a target of wild jumbos who frequently enter and destroy the livelihood of the villagers. The elephants destroyed their crops, homes and often caused human fatalities. Villagers even stopped coming outside their houses at night in fear of getting attacked by elephants. About a year ago, a large number of villagers started migrating to other places in search of livelihood. But then a local NGO, Saontalpur Nagorik Adhikar Surokha Welfare Society, along with wildlife experts suggested that every household in the village start beekeeping. With about 33 acres of land being used for mustard cultivation in the village, the bees found a suitable condition and started to flourish. Locals said that within months of the bees settling in, elephants started to avoid the village. Not only did the bees keep wild elephants away but the residents started collecting about 20 liters of honey per month from each beehive. Saontalpur Nagorik Adhikar Surokha Welfare Society Secretary Sadananda Chakrabarti said that the villagers had been miserable due to frequent elephant attacks. Then we started consulting experts and suggested the villagers to start beekeeping. Now there has been no elephant attack for about a year. Agriculture and production of fruits have increased significantly. Even during the pandemic, the villagers are able to sustain themselves, said Chakrabarti. Praising the initiative, Ujjwal Ghosh, Chief Conservator of Forest of North Bengal said, Elephants are extremely smart animals. Research has shown that they prefer to stay away from bees due to their sting and noise. Since elephants have not entered the village for about a year it seems that the initiative has worked. But we need to observe for about another year to be sure, said Ghosh. Check out DH's latest videos Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said five crore households across the country have been provided with water connection and tap water now reached every household in about 1.25 lakh villages. Addressing gram panchayats and village water and sanitation committees (VWSC), the prime minister said the objective of the Jal Jeevan Mission was not just to make water accessible to the people, but a big movement of decentralisation. The prime minister said the vision of Jal Jeevan Mission was village-driven and women-driven movement, and its main base is mass movement and public participation. Pointing out that from the time of independence till 2019, only three crore households in the country had access to tap water, he said since the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019, five crore households have been connected with water connections. Today, water is reaching every household in about 1.25 lakh villages in about 80 districts of the country. In the aspirational districts the number of tap connections have increased from 31 lakh to 1.16 crore, he said, asserting that in just two years, more work has been done than was done in the last seven decades. He appealed to every citizen of the country who lives with an abundance of water, to make more efforts to save water, and called upon them to change their habits too. The prime minister also listed out measures to improve the health and safety of the daughters of the country such as toilets in every home and school, affordable sanitary pads, nutrition support during pregnancy and immunisation. Earlier, he interacted with gram Sabha and pani samiti members from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Manipur. The prime minister also launched the Jal Jeevan Mission app for improving awareness among stakeholders and for greater transparency and accountability of schemes under the mission. He also launched the Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh, where any individual, institution, corporate or philanthropist, be it in India or abroad, can contribute to help provide tap water connection in every rural household, school, anganwadi centre, ashramshala and other public institutions. Watch latest videos by DH here: By Rajesh Kumar Singh India is buying Australian coal thats been stranded inside China for months, according to people who have made the purchases, spotlighting how geopolitics is complicating Beijings battle against an energy supply crisis. The fuel is being bought at a $12 to $15 a ton discount to fresh shipments from Australia and is some of the cheapest thermal coal relative to its quality on the market, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they arent authorised to speak with the press. Indian cement makers and sponge iron plants are among buyers that are using the supplies to bridge domestic shortfalls. Also Read | Why is India facing a coal shortage? The development reflects the extent to which China-Australia relations have soured: China is battling a crippling energy crunch thats set to get worse as winter sets in, and yet it wont touch coal from Australia due to a geopolitical squabble. Indian firms have bought nearly 2 million tons of Australian thermal coal that has been sitting in warehouses at the Chinese ports, the people said. Stockpiles of the fuel at Indian coal-fired power plants, which produce nearly 70% of the countrys electricity, are near the lowest levels in four years and have prompted the state-owned miner Coal India Ltd. to direct more supplies to domestic utilities. Thats reduced shipments to other consumers, including aluminium makers, cement companies and steel mills. Also Read | Billions in welfare kitty, yet India's mining villages stay buried in poverty Prices for Australias Newcastle coal, considered an Asian benchmark, have surged close to a record. The discord between China, the worlds largest consumer and importer of coal, and Australia had stranded as many as 70 ships and 1,400 seafarers waiting to discharge their cargoes outside Chinese ports in January. Most vessels subsequently discharged their cargoes or diverted to other destinations. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Miffed with the Congress leadership, former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh is reportedly gearing up to launch his own political party, according to a report by the Hindustan Times quoting sources. Id fight my battle in the field, in the court of the people, Singh said, adding that he intends to meet the group of senior Congress leaders who had last year written to Sonia Gandhi, seeking an organisational overhaul of the party. Singh, who said that he will be meeting Congresss G-23 leaders on his next Delhi visit, may also consider an alliance or seat adjustment with the BJP in Punjab, as per the report. Also read: 'Proximity' with Amit Shah puts question mark on Amarinder Singh's secular credentials: Harish Rawat Questioning Amarinder Singh's "proximity" with BJP leaders like Amit Shah and his "secular credentials", Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat on Friday warned the Centre against any attempt to topple "a majority government" in the state. Singh, who resigned from the top post in the state last month and met Union Home Minister Shah in Delhi on September 29, dismissed Rawat's remark as "total nonsense", saying even his worst critics and enemies would not doubt his integrity. Read | Congress rubbishes Captain's 'humiliation' charge According to analysts, Singh's tie-up with the BJP likely depends on whether the Centre makes a climbdown on the contentious farm laws. If the Modi government works to resolve the farmers' issue, then it will smoothen Singh's path to either join the BJP or support it, they said. Multiple media reports suggest that Amarinder may call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, there is no official confirmation. Check out latest videos from DH: (With agency inputs) Amid criticism from Punjab and Haryana farmers, the Centre postponed paddy procurement from October 1 to October 11 stating that it has been done to protect farmers as the sale of paddy with high moisture content caused due to untimely rains might lead to rejection of the grain at buying centres and consequent loss to farmers. The decision to postpone paddy procurement in Punjab and Haryana is in the "overall interest of farmers and consumers, as well as to accept paddy stock as per FAQ specifications, to ensure quality procurement for millions of consumers under Public Distribution System (PDS) of National Food Security Programme. However, the moisture content is the main determining factor", the government said. Read | Delay in paddy procurement triggers row in Punjab, Haryana The Centres move didnt go down well with the farmers. They said that they would protest with paddy-laden tractor trolleys near the homes of BJP leaders. Why are farmers criticising the Centres move? Lakhs of quintals of paddy have already arrived in mandis from September 20. If the farmers delay harvesting the paddy by more than 11 days, the grain will no longer be of any use and the yield will go down, putting farmers at a loss. Since only the paddy crop is procured by the government at the minimum support price, if the farmers sell it to private players, they will be paid lesser than the MSP of Rs 1,960 per quintal. Read | Govt buys wheat worth Rs 85,581 cr, paddy worth Rs 1.64 lakh cr this marketing year so far By delaying procurement, the government wants farmers to sell the already ripened crop to private players first, and only then will it enter the market, Jagmohan Singh, general secretary, Bharti Kisan Union (BKU), Dakaunda told The Indian Express. He also mentioned that the paddy procurement had never been delayed in the past. The news website also quoted a farmer who was waiting for October 1 to harvest crops. He also stated that a private player offered him Rs 1,500-1,600 per quintal, which would cause him a loss of Rs 460-360 per quintal compared to MSP. By October 11, other crops will also mature and reach the mandis which would make it harder for the farmers to store all the crops. Not just the farmers, even the Opposition slammed the government for its move by calling it a conspiracy to end paddy procurement at MSP. Watch the latest DH Videos here: Haryana Police on Saturday used water cannons to disperse protesters as they broke the barricades outside the residence of Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar's house. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Friday had given a call for holding protests outside the residences of legislators in both states to register their protest over the delay in purchasing paddy crop. #WATCH Protestors break barricades, police use water cannon against them, gathered outside the residence of Haryana CM ML Khattar in Karnal after paddy procurement delayed till October 10 in Haryana pic.twitter.com/ZPWqYp1JqU ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2021 The Centre on Thursday postponed procurement of kharif paddy in Punjab and Haryana till October 11 as the crop maturity is delayed and moisture content in fresh arrival is beyond permissible limits owing to recent heavy rains. The procurement operation is undertaken by the central government's nodal agency Food Corporation of India (FCI) along with state agencies. Paddy procurement usually commences from October 1. Meanwhile, Haryana minister Anil Vij on Saturday said the farmers' agitation against the Centre's new laws is getting violent day by day. Farmers' agitation is getting violent day by day. Violent movement in the country of Mahatma Gandhi cannot be allowed., said Vij in a tweet. ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) October 2, 2021 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the Centre to start purchase of paddy crop. The farmers of Punjab are upset, the central government has postponed the purchase of paddy for 10 days, farmer is standing outside the mandis carrying lakhs of quintals of paddy on his tractor, said Kejriwal in a tweet. In Punjab, farmers gathered outside the residences of several Congress legislators, including Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana K P Singh in Rupnagar and MLA Harjot Kamal in Moga and staged protests over delay in the purchase of paddy crop. Police personnel were deployed in strength to maintain law and order, said officials. Farmers expressed apprehension that they would suffer if their crop is not purchased at the grain markets. Paddy crop, though in small quantity, has started arriving in mandis especially in border areas of Punjab, said farmers. They questioned where the farmers, who have brought their crop at mandis, will go if their produce is not purchased. Some fear that they would be forced to sell their crop below the minimum support price (MSP) to private traders. A farmer in Haryana's Karnal said his paddy crop will get damaged by October 11 when the Centre would start procuring it. At some places, farmers even handed over memorandum to the Deputy Commissioners demanding commencement of paddy purchase. In Haryana's Ambala, police put up barricades to prevent farmers from laying siege to the residence of BJP legislator Aseem Goel. A fire fighting vehicle and a water cannon vehicle were also deployed outside the residence of the MLA. Tight security arrangement has been made outside the residence of Minister Vij at Ambala Cantonment, said officials. (With inputs from PTI) Watch the latest DH Videos here: More to follow At least 12 policemen were injured after a bus carrying them fell into a ditch in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district on Saturday, a police official said. A total of 38 police personnel were on board the bus at the time of the accident, he said. It was going from Mainpat Police Training School in Surguja to Mungeli where the police personnel were to be deployed in view of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's visit there on Sunday. "The accident took place between Mainpat and Aamgaon villages in the morning," Surguja Additional Superintendent of Police Vivek Shukla said. The driver of the bus apparently lost control over the vehicle while negotiating at a sharp curve, due to which it fell into the ditch, injuring at least 12 jawans, he said. After being informed, a police team was rushed to the spot and the injured were shifted to a local hospital, he said. While eight injured personnel were discharged after a preliminary treatment, four others were referred to the district hospital for further treatment, Shukla added. The chief minister is scheduled to reach Mungeli on Sunday, while he was in Bemetara district on Saturday, an official communication said. Watch latest videos by DH here: RSS-affiliated ABVP has launched 150 helpline numbers to assist students in the admission process of various Delhi University colleges, a statement said on Saturday. The move comes a day after Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India launched a helpline number to address queries of students about admissions in DU. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has issued college-wise helpline numbers. To assist the students, a centralised helpline number 011-27662725 and WhatsApp number -- 9818459062 -- have also been made operational, a statement from the students' organisation said. Also Read | 100% cut-offs of DU colleges leave aspirants dejected "For the ongoing admissions, two helpline numbers on behalf of each college have been generated along with a centralised helpline number. "The Vidyarthi Parishad will set up its own helpdesk in each college of Delhi University along with a central helpdesk in front of the Arts Faculty of DU to assist the students," it said. Apart from the central number, 150 helpline numbers have been issued by ABVP for admission for 71 DU colleges. "Most of the issues of the students will be solved at the college level. Students can contact the college helpline for any problem like calculating the best of four marks, college selection, lack of considerations, non-approval on time for admission. "ABVP activists will also assist the students on all the platforms of social media," the statement read. ABVP national media convenor and Delhi state secretary Siddharth Yadav said the student outfit has also spoken to the administration for the smooth running of admission procedures so that the students do not face much problems. Check out latest DH videos here After widespread protests by farmers, the Modi government on Saturday relented and announced procurement of paddy in Punjab and Haryana from Sunday. The decision to begin paddy procurement was announced by Minister of State for Food Ashwini Choubey after Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his deputy Dushyant Chautala met him to discuss the issue. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and urged him to begin paddy procurement at the earliest. Read | Farmers break barricades, face water cannons in Haryana, Punjab during protest over paddy procurement The Centre had put off procurement of paddy in Haryana and Punjab, which usually begins on October 1, by ten days, citing late September rains in the two states and high moisture content in the grains. The decision triggered protests by farmer organisations, who contended that not all parts of the state had received rainfall in late September and the procurement should begin where farmers had already brought the crop to the wholesale markets. Keeping view of the interest of farmers, the Centre has decided that procurement of paddy in states of Punjab and Haryana for KMS 2021-22 will begin from Sunday, October 3, 2021, an official statement said. It added that paddy stock would be procured as per FAQ specifications to ensure quality procurement for millions of consumers under PDS of the National Food Security Programme. Check out DH's latest videos: A 1,000 kg handwoven khadi tricolour, the largest in the country, was unfurled atop a high mountain overlooking the Leh valley on Saturday to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti and the 75th anniversary of India's Independence, a defence spokesman said. Fire and Fury Corps organised a historic event at Leh Garrison where a monumental national flag was unfurled by Lieutenant Governor R K Mathur on a hill feature overlooking the Leh valley, Srinagar-based PRO Defence Col Emron Musavi said. He said Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane and GOC-in-C Northern Command Lieutenant General Y K Joshi also attended the event. Lieutenant General PGK Menon, GOC, Fire and Fury Corps and senior military and civil officials were also present. The grand ceremony was held to celebrate the 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi along with 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', commemorating the 75th anniversary of India's Independence, the defence spokesman said. He said the flag which was unfurled is the largest handwoven and handspun cotton Khadi flag ever manufactured in India and it measures 225 feet by 150 feet and weighs 1000 kg. The flag is made by Khadi Dyers and Printers based in Mumbai which is affiliated to the Khadi Village and Industries Commission. The Sura-Soi Engineer Regiment was entrusted with the responsibility of bringing the national flag from Mumbai to Leh and also with the task of installing it at the top of the high mountains for the unveiling ceremony. The ceremony included a series of events to mark the momentous occasion, Col Musavi said. The event commenced with the Brass Band of Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre along with the students of Ladakh Ignited Minds performing the National Anthem when the flag was unveiled, he said. The PRO Defence said advanced light helicopters of the Army Aviation Squadron carried out a fly past and showered flower petals over the tricolour, followed by students of the Lamdon Model School singing a patriotic song symbolising the spirit of nationalism. The chief guest addressed the gathering of about 500 people which included personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Vikas Battalion, besides veterans, veer naris, NCC cadets and school children, he added. Check out DH's latest videos: Girls wearing shorts and without headscarf would not be allowed entry into the iconic Bara Imambara of Lucknow. The decision was taken by the Hussainabad Trust, which looked after the building, after a video showing a girl dancing inside the premises went viral on social networking sites a few days back. Several Shia clerics had sharply criticised the incident and demanded strict rules for the tourists, who visited the Bara Imambara, which was used by the Shia Muslims to hold mourning congregations during Muharram. "It is a serious matter...a probe should be conducted and strict action should be taken against the girl," said senior Shia cleric Saif Abbas. "Imambara is not merely a tourist place....it is a religious place also...such activities cannot be allowed inside its premises," said an office bearer of the Trust here on Saturday. The Trust deployed volunteers in the Bara Imambara to distribute headscarf among the women visitors. "We are not allowing girls in shorts or in mini skirts," the office bearer said. The building was built in 1784 by the fourth Nawab of Avadh Asaf-ud-Daula as a major famine relief project. Its central hall was considered to be the largest arched hall in the world without any kind of support from wooden, iron or stone beams. It is also known as 'Bhulbhulaiya' (labyrinth). The term became popular as it was very difficult for the visitors to navigate without a guide. Watch latest videos by DH here: Militants hurled a grenade towards a CRPF bunker in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday evening but there was no damage due to the explosion, police said. "The incident occurred at about 6:50 PM. Militants hurled a grenade towards 40 Battalion CRPF bunker at K P Road in the south Kashmir district," a police official said. He said the grenade missed the target and exploded nearby without causing any loss. The attack came as militants shot dead a civilian in Srinagar this evening. Terrorists fired at Majid Ahmad, a resident of Chattabal Srinagar at Karan Nagar, injuring him critically, a police official said, adding that he was shifted to the nearby SMHS hospital where he succumbed to injuries during treatment. The area has been cordoned off and a hunt has been launched to nab the attackers, the official said. Check out DH's latest videos: Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday claimed that it was not party president Sonia Gandhi who made Amarinder Singh quit as the Punjab chief minister but he had to quit after 78 party MLAs sought his removal. Surjewalas remarks came as Amarinder Singh had accused the Congress leadership of "humiliating" him after he tendered his resignation as the Punjab CM. Amarinder Singh was replaced by Charanjit Singh Channi after the Congress chose him as the new legislative party leader last month. Congress general secretary Surjewala said when any chief minister loses the confidence of all of his legislators, he should not remain in his post. Read | Post or no post, will stand by Rahul, Priyanka: Navjot Singh Sidhu Seventy-eight out of 79 legislators (in Punjab) had written for a change of the chief minister. Had we not changed the CM, you would have accused us of being a dictator. Seventy-eight MLAs are on one side and a CM is on the other side and you are not listening to them, said Surjewala while addressing the media here. Sonia Gandhi is the president of the Congress party and the decision on changing the CM in Punjab was not taken by her. As I told you, 78 MLAs had written and then we changed the CM, Surjewala added. Notably, Amarinder Singh had earlier rejected the charge of the Congress leadership that he had lost the confidence of the MLAs. The former chief minister had said he would quit the Congress which he had asserted was going downhill with senior leaders being ignored. Also Read | Sonia Gandhi chips in as 'a Punjab-like crisis' brews in Meghalaya Congress Surjewala said it was for the first time in Punjab a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste community became chief minister and a new history was created. He questioned the BJP whether they have any chief minister belonging to the SC. If the Congress has made a move, what is their problem? he asked the BJP. Surjewala also took a dig at the BJP, referring to changes of chief ministers in BJP-ruled states of Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Karnataka. To a question on some party MLAs of Chhattisgarh camping in Delhi, Surjewala said it is the party's internal matter. Check out latest DH videos here A young Samajwadi Party office-bearer was shot dead allegedly by a fellow party affiliate in the Barra area here, a senior police officer said on Saturday. The incident took place on Friday evening and the deceased person has been identified as Harsh Yadav (20), a law student and resident of Damodar Nagar in Barra. Yadav was recently made the district vice-president of Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha of Kanpur Dehat, said an official. Police, however, claimed to have arrested prime accused Shivendra Singh (23), who has an affiliation with the SP, on Saturday morning in an encounter. Kanpur Police Commissioner Asim Arun said that the accused confessed to his crime during interrogation. Singh and Yadav had gone together outside for drinks and they fought over some issues related to liquor. An angry Singh took out an illegal pistol in his possession and fired at Harsh, who sustained bullet injuries on his head, forehead and stomach, resulting in his death, police said. Watch the latest DH Videos here: When Sukumaran K S was a boy, he and his friends played in a large, empty field across from his house in Pattanam, Kerala. One of their favourite games was to search around the coconut trees after it rained. The base of the coconut trees would fill with rainwater and there would be 500 to 600 tiny beads coming out of the soil, recalled the 66-year-old carpenter and artist. I would scoop them up and both my hands would be full. My friends and I would thread them on a string to play with. It was residents like Sukumaran who found the first clues to what may be one of Indias most important historic sites. For more than a decade, archaeologists have been excavating at this sleepy village, 25 kilometres north of Kochi, in search of Muziris, the 2,000-year-old port on the Malabar Coast. The soil of Pattanam may yield the remains of an important port in the ancient spice trade network with civilisations as far as the Roman Empire. Though he and his friends tossed aside the beads from childhood, Sukumaran has found other artifacts as an adult, including a miniature gold horse head and a brass weight. And just last year, two of the most significant finds were dug up near his house, objects of intricate, ancient Roman design. Listen to Episode 1, The Lost Port of Muziris, of the Scrolls & Leaves podcast to know more about these artifacts unearthed from Sukumarans yard, and other exciting finds in the search for the ancient port. Scrolls & Leaves is a world history show featuring stories from the margins of history, science, and cultures. The episodes are crafted in 3D sound, which convinces the listener that they are in the space theyre hearing about. In Season 1, Trade Winds, hosts Mary-Rose Abraham and Gayathri Vaidyanathan tell seven stories about how trade and migration across the Indian Ocean transformed us. On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy has launched Jagananna Swachha Sankalpam - Clean Andhra Pradesh (CLAP), a programme intended to provide better sanitation services in the rural and urban areas. As part of the programme, Reddy flagged off over 4,000 garbage collection vehicles from the Benz Circle in Vijayawada on Saturday. From collection to treatment of waste, CLAP aims to achieve source-level segregation of garbage, and mechanised door-to-door collection, with community participation. It supports on-site waste treatment while encouraging home composting methods. For primary segregation of waste at a household level, a three-bin system is being initiated with Green, Blue, and Red coloured bins for wet, dry, and domestic hazardous waste supplied to every household. DH Toon | Swachh Bharat 2.0 to clean up dirty politics? About 1.20 crore such bins are being procured at an estimated cost of Rs 72 crore to be offered to 40 lakh households in the state. For the door-to-door collection of waste, 3,097 diesel auto tippers are being deployed in Grade 1 and above category Urban Local Bodies. 1,800 electric auto-rickshaws will be introduced in grade 2/3 category ULBs and Nagar Panchayats, officials said. Both the vehicles would be equipped with wet, dry, and domestic hazardous waste partition bins, a hydraulic lift and a microphone for public awareness announcements. For the intermediate storage of segregated waste, 231 garbage transfer stations, estimated to cost about Rs 220 crore, will be set up in 124 ULBs, where primary waste collected from households is transferred, compacted and is transported to treatment plants. A 20 feet green belt will be developed around every garbage transfer station. For the safe disposal of masks and sanitary napkins, 6,417 incinerators are planned to be distributed at all the gram panchayats. Officials stated that work on 4,171 integrated solid waste management plants is also underway. Check out latest DH videos here Wearing the bloodstained cap and badge-- evidence in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case - on the day of his retirement was a cocktail of emotions, says IPS officer Prateep V Phillip, who survived the ghastly attack that killed the former Prime Minister in a 1991 election rally near here. The senior official, who retired as DGP (Training) was allowed possession of the cap and badge by a city court recently, allowing him to wear them on his day of retirement. Phillip said he would pen a book on his experiences on the horrendous tragedy at Sriperumbudur on May, 21, 1991, that left at least another 14 dead after a suicide bomber of the LTTE blew herself up. A city civil court granted permission to the IPS officer to wear on the last day of his service, the bloodstained cap and name badge that he wore on duty when the former Prime Minister was assassinated. Phillip then served as Additional Superintendent of Police, Kancheepuram, and survived the human bomb blast that killed Gandhi and others. Phillip sustained injuries in the incident and due to the impact of the blast, his cap and name badge fell down. Since then, his cap and badge, which were part of the evidence from the scene of crime, collected by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), had remained in the custody of the trial court. Read | Rajiv Gandhi's farsighted policies helped build modern India: Rahul Few days before his retirement, he moved the First Additional Sessions Court here seeking permission to take possession of the cap and name badge, as they were of "immense sentimental value" to him. The First Additional Sessions judge T Chandrsekharan on September 28, granted permission for interim custody, on own bond of Rs one lakh and ordered they should be handed over to the court on or before October 28 after the purpose was fulfilled. The officer retired on September 30. The cap and badge literally symbolised his blood, sweat and tears of his professional career which spanned about 34 years, the court further noted. "Holding the cap and badge, in my capacity, at the closure of 34 years of service life, symbolises the trauma I went through, the exhilaration, the law, sadness - a cocktail of emotions. I was the only person on the planet who underwent the ordeal," Phillip, who retired on Thursday as Director General of Police (DGP), Training, told PTI. The tragedy has transformed his life and perspective so much he resolved to dedicate his entire service life for the cause of the people. "Your life gets transformed and your perspective undergoes changes. The incident (assassination) made me think of what I can do for the people. This changed my career and I never aspired for position or power, but consistently involved in equipping and encouraging people," Phillip said, adding his sole goal in his service life was to humanise the police force. "Now taking stock after over three decades in service, I still find the Friends of Police (FoP) methodology and concept that I launched (in 1993) transforming countries across geographies," he claimed. His colleagues appreciated his innovative concept of FoP and said it worked very well. Post-retirement, Phillip keeps himself active. He flagged off a run organised in Tenkasi to mark the Quit India Movement. "I ran with the FoP members for a distance of 1.2 km today. Now it is time for Fit and secure India," he said and added that the letter "P" in FoP can stand for many things including people, peace, progress, principles and police. Asked what it meant to wear the bloodstained cap and the name badge on the last day of his service life, Phillip replied "more than wearing, they symbolised what I stood for and Tamil Nadu police adopted my idea of community policing through the FoP concept. It later spread throughout the country and beyond the borders. My idea influenced different domains throughout the world," he said. He said he had effectively used the FoP to tackle crimes, drugs and scams and formed even the sea shore committee. "In fact, my magnum opus Fillipisms 3333 Maxims to Maximise Your Life, was born out of my experience in Sriperumbadur. Now the second volume is on the way," he said. Asked how he would utilise his free time, he replied, "I have a lot to do. I will publish a book on the Sriperumbadur experience. I have already written 30 books containing 1.7 million words and it is in the process of getting published as one volume." Watch latest videos by DH here: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday kicked off tiger rallies in 18 tiger range states across 51 reserves in the country as part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' and Wildlife Week celebrations. The rallies will cover a distance of over 7,500 km in seven days (October 2 to October 8) traversing the diverse and picturesque landscapes spanning across India. The minister kicked off the rally virtually in three tiger reserves -- Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve in Karnataka, Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra and Sanjay Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh -- by waving a green flag. Tiger is not only a charismatic species, its presence is vital to regulating & perpetuating ecological processes. On #GandhiJayanti flagged off 'India for Tigers - A rally on wheels' in which all 51 tiger reserves will be participating at landscape level.#AzadiKaAmritMahotsav pic.twitter.com/0Ntp1NdAqW Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 2, 2021 Yadav also released guidelines on sustainable eco-tourism in forest and wildlife areas, field guide for monitoring the Ganges and Indus river dolphins, associated aquatic fauna and habitat; and Nagar Van guidelines. Besides, the minister released an online portal on wetlands, which is a single-point access to all information related to such ecosystems. The launch event was held at the Environment ministry headquarters in the national capital and was attended by Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Choubey, Environment Secretary R P Gupta, and Additional Director Generals of Forest Soumitra Dasgupta and S P Yadav. With the theme "India for Tigers - A Rally on Wheels", it will journey across 51 tiger reserves, 18 tiger range states where field directors, deputy directors and associated staff from respective tiger reserves will follow the assigned routes and unite at the designated focal point of celebration (the first nine tiger reserves designated during the inception of Project Tiger in 1973). It will conduct outreach activities along the way and at the focal point of celebration. With an aim to raise awareness on the importance of tiger conservation, the rally will bring together people from different walks of life and the large-scale coverage of the event will enable its global outreach, the environment minister said. Check out latest videos from DH: The UK government on Saturday updated its official advisory for its nationals travelling to India following New Delhi's decision to impose reciprocal curbs on the British visitors from Monday, and said it was in close contact with Indian authorities on the issue. The updated travel advisory by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) noted an additional Covid-19 test on day eight and a 10-day mandatory quarantine for all travellers going to India from Britain from Monday. The advisory was updated a day after the Indian government announced that all British nationals arriving in India from the UK will have to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine from Monday irrespective of their vaccination status as part of a reciprocal action against the UK's new international travel rules with similar measures for Indians. Also Read | Delhi retaliates against UK's refusal to recognise Covishield vaccination certificates The Indian authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing the rules for entry into India. We are in close contact with them, and will update FCDO Travel Advice on GOV.UK with the latest information on any changes to the rules, a UK government spokesperson said. The updated FCDO advisory states that all travellers irrespective of their vaccination status arriving in India must undertake a Covid-19 RT-PCR test on arrival at airport and on day eight after arrival, at their own cost, and undergo mandatory quarantine at home or at the destination address for 10 days. All such passengers under isolation/quarantine shall be regularly monitored by State/District Health Authorities, the advisory noted. The move follows Indias vaccine certification not yet being officially recognised by the UK, requiring vaccinated Indian travellers to Britain to undergo the same level of PCR tests and quarantine restrictions as unvaccinated travellers from Monday when Englands new travel norms come into force. UK government sources said on Saturday that the extension of vaccine certification to additional countries will be reviewed approximately every three weeks and that it continues to engage with the Indian government on the issue. The UK is continuing to work on expanding the policy to countries and territories across the globe in a phased approach. We are continuing to engage with the government of India on technical cooperation to expand UK recognition of vaccine certification to people vaccinated by a relevant public health body in India, sources said. We are working with an array of international partners and look forward to continuing the expansion of the policy to countries and territories across the globe in a phased approach. Extension of vaccine certification will be reviewed approximately every three weeks, they added. According to UK officials, decisions on vaccine recognition are made by ministers, taking into account public health factors. They said the UK is looking at expanding the role that vaccination can play more widely for those who have been fully vaccinated elsewhere to enter the UK. The UK has reiterated that it remains committed to opening up international travel again as soon as it is practicable and the extension of vaccine certification is a further step to enable people to travel more freely again, in a safe and sustainable way, while protecting public health. From Monday, England's traffic light system of red, amber and green countries based on levels of Covid-19 risk officially ends. However, despite India-manufactured Covishield recognised within the UKs eligible vaccine formulations and being the predominant vaccine used in India, it would not offer any advantage to vaccinated Indian travellers planning a UK visit. The Indian government had expressed its strong condemnation of such a move and warned of reciprocal measures if vaccinated travellers from India continued to be treated in a "discriminatory" way. On Friday, UK government sources said that talks between officials from the British High Commission in New Delhi and the Indian health ministry to agree on a vaccine certification system are ongoing. Check out DH's latest videos: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries, saying that their lives and works continue to be the guiding light in the present times. He garlanded the portraits of Gandhiji and Shastri in Mumbai on the occasion. Also see: Mahatma Gandhi 152 Birth Anniversary: Political bigwigs pay homage to 'Father Of the Nation' Thackeray said, "Gandhiji's life gives a message of self-sufficiency, dignity of labour, cleanliness and rural development. He has been a great ambassador of peace and non-violence." Talking about Shastri, the chief minister said he gave a strong leadership to the nation and his slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' continues to inspire. On the occasion, Thackeray hailed the 'safai mitras' (sanitation workers) and frontline workers for performing their duty of ensuring cleanliness during the Covid-19 pandemic, and said the union urban development department's decision to honour their work was commendable. Check out latest videos from DH: As the process for the privatisation of the state-owned Air India reaches its final lap, there are all indications that the Tatas will be the new owners of the Maharaja. In a clear case of life coming full circle, the Maharaja is likely to go back to the Tatas, who originally started the airline in 1932 under the leadership of JRD Tata. The airline was taken over by the government in 1953, but JRD Tata remained at its helm till the Janata Party government removed him. While a formal announcement on the winner is yet to be made, a Committee of Secretaries is said to have cleared the Tata bid as the winner. The Tata bid is said to be about Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 crore more than the reserve price of between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 crore set by the government. A formal announcement is expected after the Union cabinet clears the deal. The Tatas and SpiceJet's Ajay Singh had bid for Air India, with the Tatas emerging the winner in the race, which proved to be third time lucky for the government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's two previous attempts at privatising Air India had failed. Also read: Tata Group willing to acquire 15% of Air India's debt: Report Air India that the Tatas are getting now is a very different airline from the one JRD Tata started and mounted its first international flight with a brand new Lockheed Constellation L-749 on the Mumbai-Geneva-London flight route with Air India International (AII) 's colours. At that time, AII only flew on international routes. This was also the start of a glorious journey for the Maharaja. On its journey, Air India notched up many firsts to its credit. It was the first airline in Asia to induct the Boeing 707 in 1960. In an attempt to become India's ambassador abroad, Air India added a touch of India to its aircraft. The windows of the Boeing 747 in its fleet had jharokhas painted on the windows. Air India designed its own interiors for these aircraft. These glory days continued for two decades, but things began to sour for Air India towards the 1980s with people being inducted from outside the airline. Since Michael Mascarenhas retired in 2013 as managing director, a bureaucrat has almost always held the airline's top position. Read | Air India sale: Third time lucky? While Air India was ferrying passengers from India to various parts of the world, its domestic counterpart, Indian Airlines, was entrusted with flying passengers within the country, which it did very successfully till 1993 when private airlines were allowed to start operations. Like Air India, Indian Airlines, too, had a glorious past. By 1966, Indian Airlines Corporation (IAC) was operating over 100 flights a day over a route network of over 36,000 km and boasted of carrying one million passengers annually, making it one of the largest domestic airlines in the world. In 1969-70, the airline earned Rs 8.50 crore in foreign exchange. In its heydays, Indian Airlines introduced the concept of a metro shuttle in 1999 an hourly departure between Delhi and Mumbai at a time most people thought there was no market for so many flights. In 2007 the government merged Air India and Indian Airlines, which had both been created by the 1953 Air Corporation Act of Parliament - the entity which the Tatas are believed to have won. The new owners will get a 100 per cent stake in Air India which includes both domestic and international routes, and a 100 per cent stake in Air India Express, which was started in 2004 and primarily flies between Kerala and the Gulf. Also read: Govt looks to announce winning bid for Air India next month Besides this, the new owner will also get over 2,700 utilised slots abroad and over 4,400 slots at various airports in India. A slot is defined as the scheduled time of arrival or departure made available at an airport to an airline for operating regular flights. In addition, the new owner will also get 1,500 trained pilots and around 2,000 engineers to take care of the fleet. Eventually, the merger between Air India and Indian Airlines did not work as there were way too many differences in the work cultures of the two. Arvind Jadhav, the then chairman and managing director, told a parliamentary committee in 2010 that nowhere in the world had a merger been successfully completed. Meanwhile, Air India's fortunes were nosediving. The airline ran up losses year after year, and the situation became so dire that the government had to come up with a 10-year bailout package of over Rs 30,000 crore to save the airline in 2012. But even that did not seem to help. In June 2019, Hardeep Puri, then Minister of Civil Aviation, told the Lok Sabha that in 2014-15, the government infused Rs 5,780 crore, and the airline posted a loss of Rs 5,859.91 crore. The following year the fund infusion was to the tune of Rs 3,300 crore, with the airline reporting a loss of Rs 3,836.78 crore. The Maharaja's financial health continued to deteriorate. Given this situation, it left the government with little choice but to divest its stake in the airline. This time, the government sweetened the divestment by not predetermining the airline's debt levels and leaving it to the market to decide. In addition, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said that the buyer of a state-run company could carry forward losses of the erstwhile state-owned company and claim up to 30 per cent tax rebate annually. (The writer is a journalist) Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the authors own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH. In a self-explanatory note written in Young India, Mahatma Gandhi pictured his own persona aptly. The politician in me has never dominated a single decision of mine, and if I seem to take part in it, it is only because politics encircles us like the coils of a snake from which no one cannot get out easily, and I have been experimenting with myself and my friends by introducing religion into politics. Becoming one among the masses, a majority of whom followed age-old caste/class-ridden practices, and embracing poverty as a philosophy of life, he converted a huge mass of people and made them his spiritual soldiers, making imperialist war weapons look hollow and breaking the jaws of the religion of power. From Yeravada Jail in 1932, he sent a cable to his biographer William L Shirer. My politics is derived from my religion. Those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means. Though Gandhi, an unorthodox but devout Hindu, absorbed within himself the truths of other religions, he never believed Heaven reserves a definite comfortable place to only those who believe in my faith. Though influenced by the New Testament, he writes in his autobiography that he would not believe that Jesus alone was the son of God. If God should have sons, then all men are Gods sons. I accept Jesus as a martyr, an embodiment of supreme sacrifice, a great and divine teacher, but it is impossible for me to regard any religion as perfect, and I am convinced that Hinduism, with such defects precisely piercing into my eyes, is equally imperfect. Neither did Gandhi accept the Muslim theory of the Last Prophet and the Final Book. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who wore a badge of secularism on his sleeve, was unsentimental in his homage to Gandhi when he was killed. Jinnahs dry tribute that Gandhi was one of the greatest men produced by the Hindu community drew an aptly titled caption in New York Times, Jinnah sorrows for his Hindu foe. Jinnah started out as a constitutionalist who initially considered the idea of Pakistan an impossible dream, but gradually transformed himself to become so fanatical that against the pleadings of Lord Wavell, Gandhis several walk-ins into his grandly carpeted house, and many of his own followers requests, declared that he would prefer a moth-eaten Pakistan to living in Hindu-majority India. The atheist Jinnah wrote a new chapter in the history of India, making religion a great divider of hearts and minds. As the Pakistani-origin writer Ishtiaq Ahmed noted in his well-researched book on the founder of Pakistan, Jinnah, with his unexplainable malice, bordering on psychopathic disorder, against Gandhiji and Pandit Nehru, declared almost a war against whoever opposed the creation of PakistanJinnahs disenchantment with Congress and Gandhiji were not ideological but personal and strategic-tactical. With Gandhijis rise, the Congress was inclusively harmonised and became such a mass movement that he found it difficult to adjust and was not willing to play second fiddle and allow a Hindu like Gandhiji to become the leader of Muslims. Jinnah was supported by Churchill who, too, hated Gandhi. Ishtiaq Ahmed makes several references to rumours of a secret arrangement that Churchill had with Jinnah, promising to reward him with Pakistan for the support to the war effort and giving him his private postal address! Churchill, who did not become the Kings First Minister to liquidate the British Empire had a congenital dislike of Gandhi. He repeatedly mocked Gandhi as a malignant subversive fanatic and seditious Middle Temple lawyer posing as a fakir of a type well known in the East, striding half-naked up the steps of the Vice Regal palace. As Louis Fischer aptly put it: Churchill loved social traditions, Gandhiji smashed social barriers. Churchill lived in his own, and Gandhiji lived with everybody. To Gandhiji, the lowest Indian was a child of God. To Churchill, all Indians were a pedestal for the British throne. He would have died to keep England free, but also against those who wanted India free. But Gandhiji would not have hesitated to die to keep both England and India free. Churchill could not pardon Gandhi even in death, for freeing India, the jewel in the British crown. But to Gandhi, Churchill was inconsequential, as his fight was not against the British but against British colonisation. Gandhi was not killed by a lone misguided Hindu as his murder was meticulously planned. The role of the Hindu Mahasabha and V D Savarkar come up again and again for discussion, though it could not be proved in the court of law that Savarkar was part of the plot. What is undeniable is that Savarkar, another atheist, vehemently opposed Gandhis tolerant, all-embracing ideology and his path of Ahimsa to achieve freedom. But Gandhi never failed to acknowledge Savarkars role in the freedom movement. Gandhi wrote a touching letter to Bhai Savarkar condoling the death of his brother G D Savarkar. He took exception to the British government not releasing the Savarkars when other political offenders had been discharged. Gandhis three powerful contemporaries who opposed him ideologically and even his personal looks -- Jinnah, Churchill and Savarkar -- perhaps never knew that Gandhi never hated them. All of them, with their so-called modern attitudes, abhorred this half-naked fakir. He was a spiritual challenge to them! He was too deeply religious to hate anybody. To Gandhi, There is no other God than truth. I worship God as truth only, but I have not yet found him. Perhaps he, to whom religion means self-realisation or knowledge of self, was always in search of the Absolute Truth. Gandhi believed that politics had to be guided by religion which treats all beings as equal and removes excessive greed from life. To many today, deeply sucked into comfort-seeking lifestyles, Gandhi may look impractical and too naive for the complicated modern world. But no one, not even his worst enemies, would deny that he was a simple soul, yet a gritty one, who became a powerful weapon to make colonialism history. Gandhian ideals are not easy to follow, but to forget them or to find fault in him for the social divisions of India for narrow political messaging is a sin. Political parties are never tired of shamelessly using him as a marketing tool. Gandhis India is a much-invoked phrase on foreign soil. But as the Irish poet Gabriel Rosenstock wrote: Crowds gather/for a glimpse of you/Who can see the soul? The Mahatma, neither a saint nor a politician, is a challenge even today for bigoted power-seekers! (The writer is a scholar and educationist, and a former vice president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) You are blessed, Gandhi, you are God, Gandhi, Why have we become Satans today? Why did we forget the voice of our conscience? Why did we sacrifice our India? Thus ends the poem Gandhi, written by Kannada writer and poet Siddalingaiah, who died in June this year. Siddalingaiah who identified himself as a Marxist and Ambedkarite came closer to Gandhi later in life and wrote the poem, which calls Gandhi a God. D S Nagabhushana, an eminent Kannada litterateur, explains that starting from Govinda Pai to Kuvempu, U R Ananth Murthy to Devanooru Mahadeva and Siddalingaiah, most writers idolised Gandhi, and critiques were not attempted at except by some Dalit movement leaders in their political write-ups. This is because most of them were in awe of Gandhi, says Nagabhushana. Most of the literature produced had Gandhian ideas running as an undercurrent. But most authors were not critical of him; they romanticised Gandhi by not seeing him as a man of flesh and blood, he adds. Gandhi Kathana, a book by Nagabhushana, has been called neutral by critics and offers explanations to many of the seemingly controversial issues. More than 20,000 copies of it have been sold to date. Nagabhushana says all literary movements in Kannada from Navodaya to Navyottara have highlighted Gandhi and wrote about him. Jagadish Koppa, a Kannada author with many books on Gandhi, says: Gandhis image needs to be broken and rebuilt for the new era, while the events need to be judged keeping in mind the era in which they occurred. Taking the example of Gandhi and B R Ambedkar, he explains that at that point in time, Gandhis priority was to bring independence to entire India, while Ambedkar wanted adequate representation for Dalits. Both of them had disagreements that need to be placed at that point of history while analysing, he adds. Kannada scholar D R Nagaraj was one among the first writers to try to bring reconciliation between Gandhi and Ambedkar, with his The Flaming Feet and Other Essays: The Dalit Movement in India written in English. Prof S Chandrashekhar and Mogalli Ganesh are among other authors who wrote on Gandhi and Ambedkar. P Lankesh and Devanooru Mahadev also have contributed to Gandhi-based literature by means of many articles and stories. Kannada writer Bolwar Mahamad Kunhi wrote Papu Gandhi Bapu Gandhi Aada Kathe in 2011 when he felt children did not have any easy literature to know about Gandhi. Written in simple, lucid language, it has 18 fictionalised accounts of incidents from Gandhis life. More than one lakh copies of the book got printed. The book got translated into English and won many awards including the coveted Kendra Sahitya Academy award. It was also adapted into a play. A cinema based on it by P Sheshadri was released on October 1, 2021. Feminist perspective Dr H S Anupama is the author of Naanu Kastur, a novel written from a feminist perspective, through the eyes of Kasturba Gandhi. Kasturba came from a traditional background and got married at a young age. Anupama says adjusting to the idealist personality of Gandhi must have been quite challenging for her, which is why she chose to look at Gandhi from Kasturbas lens. Two more books that offer feminist perspectives on Gandhi are being translated into Kannada and being published, with assistance from Tamil Development Department under Tamil Nadu Education Department. Wooday P Krishna, the president of Karnataka Gandhi Smarak Nidhi explains the work of Gandhi Pratishtana over the years, wherein a lot of low-cost small Kannada books on various Gandhian thoughts came out, making it easier for Kannadigas to access Gandhian ideologies. The need to revisit Gandhi In Kannada, there are more than 500 books have been printed on Gandhi as per an estimate, but not all are in the market now. When there is such a vast written material available, what more needs to be written on Gandhi in Kannada? Nagabhushana says looking at Gandhian philosophy from the lens of todays digital age is a need of the hour. Theres a need to revisit Gandhian ideas and see what ideas are relevant, and what needs to be reinterpreted and reconstructed for today, he adds. A Narayana, Associate Professor at the School of Policy and Business, Azim Premji University, says that Gandhis idea of modern State is something that is yet to be covered in Kannada. Gandhi advocated grassroots level governance where small units build the state and Union governments. This idea has not been brought into Kannada literature yet, he says. Guruprasad D N, the Founder of Bengaluru-based Aakruti Books, says that there are not enough strong accounts in Kannada on Gandhis political philosophy, fights and ideologies, which made him the leader he was. Another problem he sees is in the way Gandhis death was covered. He says there is a dearth of books that give a real picture of the ideology behind the killing of Gandhi. The dangerous ideology that led to the killing of the Mahatma has not been explored enough in Kannada literature. I feel the literature has not espoused enough regret regarding the act, says Guruprasad. The market for Kannada books on Gandhi has kept on increasing, showing that Gandhi still piques the curiosity of the new age readers. This is why interpreting Gandhi, the icon of India with many complexities, multiple facets and philosophies, for todays generation is the need of the hour. Released: October 1, 2021 Convenient and safe drive-thru clinics to be held in Essington, Media, and Broomall Delaware County Council and the Department of Intercommunity Health are announcing multiple free public flu shot clinics to be held in October. Flu shots will be available to all residents of Delaware County, 3 years of age and up. No insurance is required, and no appointments are necessary. These will be drive thru clinics, which provide a safe and convenient process for residents to get vaccinated for the upcoming flu season. The drive-through format is especially safe and more convenient for older residents, those with disabilities, parents with small children, and those who may be immunocompromised and continue to exercise an abundance of caution during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. All residents are urged to get a flu shot. The intensity and severity of flu seasons are difficult to predict, and the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is dependent on many variables. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found immunization reduces the risk of flu illness by 40-60 percent during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine. Receiving a flu shot is the first and most important step in preventing the flu and decreasing the risk of severe flu-related illnesses. Each year, 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized due to complications from the flu. Flu Shot Clinic Dates and Locations The first clinic will be held on Thursday, October 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Tinicum Fire Company located at 99 Wanamaker Ave., Essington, PA 19029. The second clinic will be held Friday, October 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Middletown Fire Company located at 425 S. New Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063. The third clinic will be held Thursday, October 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Broomall Fire Company located at 1 N. Malin Road, Broomall, PA 19008. Only the Fluzone Quadrivalent Influenza vaccine will be used high dose vaccines for residents 65 years of age and older will not be available. Residents must wear a mask/face covering to the flu clinic and are asked to wear short sleeves to ensure that shots can be administered easily. In the event of inclement weather, please be aware that the flu clinic may be canceled. For more information or questions regarding the clinics please contact the Delaware County Call Center at (484) 276 2100. Shweta Tiwari gets custody of son Reyansh, says it was 'mentally exhausting' to have estranged husband Abhinav Kohli create ruckus everywhere Khatron Ke Khiladi contestant Shweta Tiwari and estranged husband Abhinav Kohli had been fighting a long battle for the custody of their son, Reyansh. When the TV actress had left for Cape Town to shoot the reality show, Abhinav had claimed that she kept Reyansh away from him and also had left the child alone despite him being sick. Now, the actress has finally gotten the custody of their child and has opened up about Abhinav Kohlis allegations in a recent interview. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shweta Tiwari (@shweta.tiwari) Talking to ETimes, Shweta said, This is what I wanted and I am honestly satisfied with the judgement. Abhinav would follow me everywhere I went in the last two years. He would end up in Delhi or Pune or wherever I travelled with Reyansh for my shows and create a ruckus. It was mentally exhausting for both, me and my child. He would not stop at that and would create a scene and end up at my doorstep anytime. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shweta Tiwari (@shweta.tiwari) She added, I had always allowed him the right to visit Reyansh. In fact, as per the previous court order, he was only supposed to speak to Reyansh on a video call for half an hour but I never stopped them from talking more because I understand. But that same person went on to paint me as a bad mother, someone who doesnt care about and is neglecting her childs health. I work for my family and to give them a good lifestyle, whats wrong in that? But he kept using that against me and I am glad that court dismissed those allegations. He alleged that I kidnapped Reyansh and kept him away from him, when I have proof that in all cases, he was aware of Reyanshs whereabouts all the time. Even during Khatron Ke Khiladi shoot, he tried to create yet another scene despite being fully aware of Reyanshs stay. We wonder what Abhinav would have to say now. Apple and Google are the two leading tech giants within the industry and considering that they are the top ones they seem to be always stuck in one lawsuit or another.However, this time the lawsuit is something that a lot of governments and developers agree on that it needs to change within the two tech giants' app stores and specially Apple.The South Korea Communication Commission had filed a lawsuit against Apple and Google to allow its developers charge users through third party applications.Both Google and Apple charges all developers and their applications a 30 percent commission out of what they make from their Play or App Store. While this seemed like a fair trade considering that the two platforms are providing developers a platform to introduce their applications to the world, many believed that the 30 percent was too much. Both the companies compromised on this and brought down the fee to 15 percent for some applications.However, the South Korean lawsuit issue revolves around the fact that Apple doesn't allow developers to charge users for in app tools or other features through any third party payment option. If any developers offer any tools or features in their app that need to be bought, the user will have to buy that particular thing directly off the app store. This did not sit well with a lot of developers because it bounded them to make payments within Apple.The South Korean government has issued a notice for the Apple to come up with an alternative plan and allow developers to make third party payments. Failing to do so will lead to consequences for the company.Apple is most likely to present its alternative plan by mid-October in South Korea . However, it is believed that the same plan will be implemented worldwide because Apple usually adopts a consistent approach throughout.Any specific date hasnt been given for when Apple will be presenting their new implementation in South Korea, however it is expected in Mid-October. Till then we can only hope what the new rules will be and will they operate globally.Photo: ymgerman via Getty ImagesRead next: iPhone 13 Pro Gets Fourth Place Ranking in DXOMark Camera Test Local Judge Eirinn McKiernan has described the legal aid system as 'a joke' after being told a defendant was unable to attend Dundalk District Court, as had a holiday booked in Majorca. Bernard Joyce (24) with an address at the time at Bay 9, Woodland Park, Dundalk had been due to have a book of evidence served on him for charges of affray at Woodland Park on April 17th last year, and allegedly producing an iron bar in the course of a dispute. The Defence solicitor informed the court last Wednesday morning that her client was not present as he was in Majorca. She explained that he wasn't expecting to have to be in the country and had the holiday booked, before his case - which had been listed last week, was "block adjourned". Referring to her notes, Judge Eirinn McKiernan remarked that Mr. Joyce had not attended on September first as a Covid test was booked for that date. When the judge asked why it wasn't brought to the State's attention, the solicitor explained she had told him the case was going back to October and it was only later in the day that the adjourned date was brought forward. Judge McKiernan said: "He's away on holiday and he's assigned legal aid. It's a joke - the whole system". The judge added:"If he's feeding me porkies - it's a very serious matter" and put back the case to later in the list, so evidence of the trip could be produced. When it was recalled a barrister told the court he had received confirmation of the defendant's itinerary. He added the accused was booked to fly out with his family that evening. Judge McKiernan put back the case to October 6th and extended time for service of the book of evidence. Adam Kings family have thanked the amazing staff at Cork University Hospital (CUH) for the level of care given to Adam after he suffered a small fall. In a post on social media, Adams father, David King said that The Late Late Toy Show star had a small fall yesterday and hurt his leg. Thankfully, no fracture this time but we had a long day of tests and checks. That's life with OI - falls, tests and checks! Adam had a little fall and hurt his leg. Thankfully, no fracture this time but a long day of tests. As always, made fun by the amazing staff @CUH_Cork. Please support their wonderful work by donating to @CUHCharity. Big hugs and thanks to Rachel for the play and smiles pic.twitter.com/Fzst0OhCQN Adam King Adventures (@AdamKingIRL) October 2, 2021 Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) also known as brittle bone disease is a genetic disorder that causes weak bones that break easily in addition to other symptoms. Back in April, Adam suffered a femur fracture but thankfully did not require surgery following the fracture. In his post on social media today, David King said the staff at CUH were amazing as always to deal with yesterday. As always, Adam's time in hospital was made fun by the amazing staff at CUH. He thanked one staff member in particular, Rachel Griffin, for taking the time to play with Adam during his hospital visit. Big hugs and thanks to Rachel for taking the time to play with Adam, for being his friend and for making him smile. You're amazing. Two men have been arrested following an armed robbery in Baldoyle, Dublin 13. The robbery took place at a convenience store shortly after 5pm, with Gardai responding to calls of an armed robbery in progress. Members of the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU), along with Garda units from Raheny and Clontarf attended the scene where the men attempted to force entry into a post office unit at the rear of the store, armed with a hand gun, pickaxe and hammer. Garda ASU officers entered the premises, disarmed and arrested two males, both aged in their 30s. No shots were fired during the incident. The men were taken to Clontarf and Raheny Garda stations and are being held under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939. The scene has been examined and the firearm removed for ballistic examination. Gardai are appealing for anyone with information regarding the incident to contact them at Howth Garda station on 01-666 49000, or through the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666 111. Gardai said investigations into the matter are ongoing, adding updates will follow. Teachers' unions were not "asking for a pandemic payment" for members when stating the efforts of teachers should be acknowledged, the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has said. Earlier this week, three teachers' unions issued a statement calling for the Government to include them in "any discussion around the acknowledgement of workers' contributions during the pandemic", as reported by the Irish Examiner. The Government is currently working on plans for a Covid bonus for frontline workers, however, there has been some confusion as to who will receive the payment. The unions said the "extraordinary efforts" of teachers, both in school and online, "have allowed schools to continue to prioritise teaching and learning while meeting children/young people's needs". Many teachers have since said they were not expecting to receive the bonus, prompting the INTO to release a statement on Friday, clarifying: "We are not asking for a pandemic payment, nor was that our position this week." "We have long called for healthcare workers, and other essential workers, to be acknowledged for their critical role during the darkest of days and that's what we will support at any discussions on the issue," the statement added. The INTO said the 'pandemic bonus' which teachers want instead is "much-needed investment in our primary and special schools". "We aren't looking for a temporary, personal financial reward, but rather long-term financial investment in our primary and special schools," the union added. Green Living Grant Scheme open for applications Applications have opened for the Green Living Grant Scheme. The Scheme has been created to assist Island residents with the reduction of carbon emissions and household energy bills, and provides financial assistance, up to a maximum of 6,000, to help make residential properties more energy efficient. The Scheme operates in two parts, the first provides a Manx Home Energy Audit, and the second provides funding of up to 50% towards the cost of energy saving solutions identified by the Manx Home Energy Audit. The Manx Home Energy Audits will be based on the UK Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and will provide an overall energy rating and a list of energy saving solutions in priority order for each property. To qualify for funding towards improvement works, home owners, landlords (up to six properties) and tenants must be in receipt of this certificate, have a gross household annual income of below 112k (before tax allowances), and have received an asset rating of D or lower for their property. Once the improvement works have been completed, a second Manx Home Energy Audit will be completed to measure the improvements made and to recertify the energy rating of the property. More details, including how to apply, can be found by visiting: www.iomdfenterprise.im/green-living Port St Mary RNLI raise 1000 from two events Credit: Sarah Keggen Two fundraising events by the RNLI in Port St Mary have raised over 1000. Last Saturday, the volunteer crew donned their yellow wellies and instead of taking to the water in one of the two lifeboats stationed in Port St Mary, they turned their hands to fundraising and hosted a car wash. For three hours there was a continuous stream of vehicles, looking to be made clean and sparkly, and whilst their owners waited, they were treated to refreshments kindly donated by Shoprite, as well as some delicious cakes baked by members of the stations fundraising branch. During the morning the crew proved that no job was too big or too small for them, as they cleaned not only a motorhome but also a local boat! The total amount raised from the car wash was just over 600, and combined with the nearly 400 that was donated at the car boot sale less than a week before, around 1000 has been raised by those who supported both events. The holidays are fast approaching and you know what that means: pumpkin spice everything, seasonal cheer, and family gatherings all while avoiding your QAnon adherent relatives like the plague. But when you do eventually get cornered by them, come prepared. In his latest book, How to Talk to a Science Denier, author Lee McIntyre examines the phenomenon of denialism, exploring the conspiracy theories that drive it, and explains how you can most effectively address your relatives' misplaced concerns over everything from mRNA vaccines to why the Earth isn't actually flat. The MIT Press How to Talk to a Science Denier: Conversations with Flat Earthers, Climate Deniers, and Other Who Defy Reason, by Lee McIntyre, published by The MIT Press. Belief in conspiracy theories is one of the most toxic forms of human reasoning. This is not to say that real conspiracies do not exist. Watergate, the tobacco companies collusion to obfuscate the link between cigarette smoking and cancer, and the George W. Bushera NSA program to secretly spy on civilian Internet users are all examples of real-life conspiracies, which were discovered through evidence and exposed after exhaustive investigation. By contrast, what makes conspiracy theory reasoning so odious is that whether or not there is any evidence, the theory is asserted as true, which puts it beyond all reach of being tested or refuted by scientists and other debunkers. The distinction, therefore, should be between actual conspiracies (for which there should be some evidence) and conspiracy theories (which customarily have no credible evidence). We might define a conspiracy theory as an explanation that makes reference to hidden, malevolent forces seeking to advance some nefarious aim. Crucially, we need to add that these tend to be highly speculative [and] based on no evidence. They are pure conjecture, without any basis in reality. When we talk about the danger of conspiracy theories for scientific reasoning, our focus should therefore be on their nonempirical nature, which means that they are not even capable of being tested in the first place. What is wrong with conspiracy theories is not normally that they have already been refuted (though many have), but that thousands of gullible people will continue to believe them even when they have been debunked. If you scratch a science denier, chances are youll find a conspiracy theorist. Sadly, conspiracy theories seem to be quite common in the general population as well. In a recent study by Eric Oliver and Thomas Wood they found that 50 percent of Americans believed in at least one conspiracy theory. This included the 9/11 truther and Obama birther conspiracies, but also the idea that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is deliberately withholding a cure for cancer, and that the Federal Reserve intentionally orchestrated the 2008 recession. (Notably, the JFK assassination conspiracy was so widely held that it was excluded from the study.) Other common conspiracy theories which run the range of popularity and outlandishness are that chemtrails left by planes are part of a secret government mind-control spraying program, that the school shootings at Sandy Hook and Parkland were false flag operations, that the government is covering up the truth about UFOs, and of course the more science-related ones that the Earth is flat, that global warming is a hoax, that some corporations are intentionally creating toxic GMOs, and that COVID-19 is caused by 5G cell phone towers. In its most basic form, a conspiracy theory is a non-evidentially justified belief that some tremendously unlikely thing is nonetheless true, but we just dont realize it because there is a coordinated campaign run by powerful people to cover it up. Some have contended that conspiracy theories are especially prevalent in times of great societal upheaval. And, of course, this explains why conspiracy theories are not unique to modern times. As far back as the great fire of Rome in 64 AD, we saw conspiracy theories at work, when the citizens of Rome became suspicious over a weeklong blaze that consumed almost the entire city while the emperor Nero was conveniently out of town. Rumors began to spread that Nero had started it in order to rebuild the city in his own design. While there was no evidence that this was true (nor for the legend that Nero sang while the city burned), Nero was apparently so upset by the accusation that he started his own conspiracy theory that it was in fact the Christians who were responsible, which led to the prevalence of burning them alive. Here one understands immediately why conspiracy theories are anathema to scientific reasoning. In science, we test our beliefs against reality by looking for disconfirming evidence. If we find only evidence that fits our theory, then it might be true. But if we find any evidence that disconfirms our theory, it must be ruled out. With conspiracy theories, however, they dont change their views even in the face of disconfirming evidence (nor do they seem to require much evidence, beyond gut instinct, that their views are true in the first place). Instead, conspiracy theorists tend to use the conspiracy itself as a way to explain any lack of evidence (because the clever conspirators must be hiding it) or the presence of evidence that disconfirms it (because the shills must be faking it). Thus, lack of evidence in favor of a conspiracy theory is in part explained by the conspiracy itself, which means that its adherents can count both evidence and lack of evidence in their favor. Virtually all conspiracy theorists are what I call cafeteria skeptics. Although they profess to uphold the highest standards of reasoning, they do so inconsistently. Conspiracy theorists are famous for their double standard of evidence: they insist on an absurd standard of proof when it concerns something they do not want to believe, while accepting with scant to nonexistent evidence whatever they do want to believe. We have already seen the weakness of this type of selective reasoning with cherry-picking evidence. Add to this a predilection for the kind of paranoid suspicion that underlies most conspiracy-minded thinking, and we face an almost impenetrable wall of doubt. When a conspiracy theorist indulges their suspicions about the alleged dangers of vaccines, chemtrails, or fluoride but then takes any contrary or debunking information as itself proof of a cover-up they lock themselves in a hermetically sealed box of doubt that no amount of facts could ever get them out of. For all of their protests of skepticism, most conspiracy theorists are in fact quite gullible. Belief in the flatness of the Earth is a great example. Time and again at FEIC 2018, I heard presenters say that any scientific evidence in favor of the curvature of the Earth had been faked. There was no Moon landing; it happened on a Hollywood set. All the airline pilots and astronauts are in on the hoax. Those pictures from space are Photoshopped. Not only did disconfirming evidence of these claims not cause the Flat Earthers to give up their beliefs, it was used as more evidence for the conspiracy! And of course to claim that the devil is behind the whole cover-up about Flat Earth could there be a bigger conspiracy theory? Indeed, most Flat Earthers would admit that themselves. A similar chain of reasoning is often used in climate change denial. President Trump has long held that global warming is a Chinese hoax meant to undermine the competitiveness of American manufacturing. Others have contended that climate scientists are fudging the data or that they are biased because they are profiting from the money and attention being paid to their work. Some would argue that the plot is even more nefarious that climate change is being used as a ruse to justify more government regulation or takeover of the world economy. Whatever evidence is presented to debunk these claims is explained as part of a conspiracy: it was faked, biased, or at least incomplete, and the real truth is being covered up. No amount of evidence can ever convince a hardcore science denier because they distrust the people who are gathering the evidence. So what is the explanation? Why do some people (like science deniers) engage in conspiracy theory thinking while others do not? Various psychological theories have been offered, involving factors such as inflated self-confidence, narcissism, or low self-esteem. A more popular consensus seems to be that conspiracy theories are a coping mechanism that some people use to deal with feelings of anxiety and loss of control in the face of large, upsetting events. The human brain does not like random events, because we cannot learn from and therefore cannot plan for them. When we feel helpless (due to lack of understanding, the scale of an event, its personal impact on us, or our social position), we may feel drawn to explanations that identify an enemy we can confront. This is not a rational process, and researchers who have studied conspiracy theories note that those who tend to go with their gut are the most likely to indulge in conspiracy-based thinking. This is why ignorance is highly correlated with belief in conspiracy theories. When we are less able to understand something on the basis of our analytical faculties, we may feel more threatened by it. There is also the fact that many are attracted to the idea of hidden knowledge, because it serves their ego to think that they are one of the few people to understand something that others dont know. In one of the most fascinating studies of conspiracy-based thinking, Roland Imhoff invented a fictitious conspiracy theory, then measured how many subjects would believe it, depending on the epistemological context within which it was presented. Imhoffs conspiracy was a doozy: he claimed that there was a German manufacturer of smoke alarms that emitted high-pitched sounds that made people feel nauseous and depressed. He alleged that the manufacturer knew about the problem but refused to fix it. When subjects thought that this was secret knowledge, they were much more likely to believe it. When Imhoff presented it as common knowledge, people were less likely to think that it was true. One cant help here but think of the six hundred cognoscenti in that ballroom in Denver. Out of six billion people on the planet, they were the self-appointed elite of the elite: the few who knew the truth about the flatness of the Earth and were now called upon to wake the others. What is the harm from conspiracy theories? Some may seem benign, but note that the most likely factor in predicting belief in a conspiracy theory is belief in another one. And not all of those will be harmless. What about the anti-vaxxer who thinks that there is a government cover-up of the data on thimerosal, whose child gives another measles? Or the belief that anthropogenic (human- caused) climate change is just a hoax, so our leaders in government feel justified in delay? As the clock ticks on averting disaster, the human consequences of the latter may end up being incalculable. The Biden administration plans to bring together 30 countries later this month to discuss the threat ransomware attacks pose to global economic and national security. Per CNN , the virtual meeting is part of what the president says will become an ongoing multilateral initiative to tackle the cybersecurity problem. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told the network the goal of the meeting is "to accelerate our cooperation in combatting cybercrime, improving law enforcement collaboration, stemming the illicit use of cryptocurrency, and engaging on these issues diplomatically." The term wastelands originates from land governance systems in the colonial period, and it has been criticised in academia and conservation for being ecologically flawed. Although wastelands have been redefined in the post-independence period, there has been little change in the assumption that they were unproductive, degraded, and in need of external intervention for improvement. The eradication of the term waste and a thorough revision of the wastelands atlas, which can then meaningfully address national and global targets of sustainable development, are argued for here. This article weaves together historical contexts around wastelands and proposes a new approach for their mapping. The United Nations has declared the third decade of the 21st century (2021 to 2030) as a decade of ecosystem restoration. The definition glossary of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN 2021) defines degradation as reduction or loss of biological or economic productivity of the land. In India, land is a vital natural resource for rural livelihoods and land degradation threatens the well-being of millions of people. There is a need to identify degraded lands and plan for ecological restoration for ensuring sustainable development. The onus of collecting information on the status of land lies with the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). The vision of the department is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is one of a handful of GOP governors trying to block school districts from requiring masks in the classroom. Under DeSantis direction, the state health department adopted a rule that gives families the ability to opt out of locally ordered school mask mandates. The state board of education approved another rule that allows parents to secure vouchers for their children to attend a different school if they encounter pushback on their refusal to use masks. The DeSantis administration threatened to penalize school officials financially if they bucked the rules. Much of DeSantis argument was based on his belief that parents have a right to determine whats best for their child, as well as his doubts about whether mask mandates are effective at curbing the virus in a school setting. (When we looked into the latter argument, multiple experts pointed to research showing that mask-wearing is effective in protecting children from COVID-19 and preventing COVID transmission in schools.) But DeSantis also cited some specific negatives for mask wearers health. In an executive order, DeSantis wrote that "masking children may lead to negative health and societal ramifications" and that "forcing children to wear masks could inhibit breathing, lead to the collection of dangerous impurities including bacteria parasites, fungi, and other contaminants, and adversely affect communications in the classroom and student performance." DeSantis press secretary, Christina Pushaw, told PolitiFact that "there are potential downsides to masking children for eight hours per day, from a developmental, emotional, academic, and medical perspective. These potential downsides are largely unexplored." She cited concerns raised in an op-ed by Marty Makary, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Cody Meissner, the chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Tufts Childrens Hospital, that said "masks can lead to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood" and that they "can be vectors for pathogens if they become moist or are used for too long." Makary and Meissner also warned of impacts on verbal and nonverbal communication. Other people aligned with DeSantis view have put the harm of kids wearing masks in even starker terms. During a panel discussion convened by DeSantis, clinical psychiatrist Mark McDonald said, "My position is simple: Masking children is child abuse," according to the Miami Herald. (Meissner was also on the panel.) Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., spoke out against a proposed school mask mandate by the Buncombe County Schools Board of Education, saying a mandate is "nothing short of psychological child abuse." And on the July 27 edition of his Fox News show, Tucker Carlson asserted that its a "scientifically established fact that masks pose a far greater threat to children than COVID does. So, strictly speaking as a scientific matter, this is lunacy." What does science say about whether masks can cause harm for the wearer? Generally, we found that concerns about significant negative impacts on breathing arent well supported. Worries about masks interfering with communication and serving as a barrier to social connection in the classroom may be more reasonable, experts say. Breathing concerns The first thing to note is that masks arent recommended for everyone. The American Lung Association, for instance, cautions people with preexisting lung disease to consult their doctor before wearing a mask regularly. In addition, the CDC does not recommend that children under 2 years old wear masks. Masks are also generally not recommended during heavy exercise. But what about people who do not fall into these categories? Could they be hurt by wearing a mask? Some of the most common concerns raised involve a lack of oxygen, or a buildup in carbon dioxide. We have previously found such concerns to be oversold, as have other fact-checkers. The issue "has been convincingly debunked," said Babak Javid, a professor of medicine at the University of California-San Francisco. We should note that studies specific to children have been rare, so most of the scientific literature has involved research on adults. Two studies on children used N95 masks, which are more sophisticated than the masks most school children will use, but even these found no significant impacts on breathing. Other peer-reviewed studies of adults have produced similar results. A mask "will add some resistance to the breathing process, meaning it may feel like it takes a bit more work to take a breath, but it won't materially change the makeup of air that comes through the mask," said Benjamin Neuman, a biology professor at Texas A&M University and chief viologist of the universitys Global Health Research Complex. One paper published in February 2021 looked at 10 previous studies of adults or children that addressed questions of breathing while wearing a mask. The authors expressed disappointment at how few studies looked specifically at the impacts on children, and they urged that more research is needed on that specific question. However, the paper found little reason for worry. "The eight adult studies, including four prompted by the pandemic and one on surgeons, reported that face masks commonly used during the pandemic did not impair gas exchange during rest or mild exercise," the authors wrote. A June 2021 study that seemed to indicate breathing challenges for masked children was retracted by the journal JAMA Pediatrics 16 days after its publication, due to methodological shortcomings and other concerns. David G. Hill, a physician and American Lung Association board member, has written that masks "absolutely" do not cause low oxygen levels. "We wear masks all day long in the hospital," Hill wrote. "The masks are designed to be breathed through and there is no evidence that low oxygen levels occur." Another reason medical experts arent too worried is that "the world has engaged in a massive study observational, but literally billions of people on mass mask wearing, and people are not dropping dead left, right and center," Javid said. Other possible impacts A few other complaints about masks sometimes surface, such as fear that they could concentrate toxins or harm the immune system. But these arent well supported either, experts say. As long as masks are regularly replaced or laundered, "theres no reason to worry about toxins, said Columbia University virologist Angela Rasmussen. And theres "no evidence that masks have any effect on the immune system or immune function," she said. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told PolitiFact that swabbing a students backpack would probably generate as many or more pathogens as swabbing their mask. And Nicole Gatto, an associate professor of public health at Claremont Graduate University, said that pathogens on masks may be evidence that theyre being kept "out of the mouths and noses of those who wore them, preventing people from potentially getting ill." While the scientific evidence for specific ills such as low oxygen or high carbon dioxide is weak, experts say its more plausible that the annoyances of masking could distract from in-class lessons and make it harder to hear other students or the teacher. In a September 2020 paper in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, the authors wrote that "while there are minimal physiological impacts on wearing a mask ... there may be consequential psychological impacts of mask wearing on the basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness." Such downsides may be especially acute for students who are English language learners, or those who are deaf or hard of hearing. "Masks interfere with lip-reading, which has a major impact on communication," Javid said. The reality is that "there is minimal evidence" on how severe these sorts of impacts could be for most children. "This is the first time in most of our lifetimes we have faced the prospect of continued isolation and masking, so it is not surprising we have insufficient evidence to guide us," said Amy Price, a senior research scientist at Stanford University. Still, there is evidence that children are adaptable. In a December 2020 study of childrens ability to read facial expressions of masked people, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that "while there may be some challenges for children incurred by others wearing masks, in combination with other contextual cues, masks are unlikely to dramatically impair childrens social interactions in their everyday lives." And child-development experts caution against assuming that any deficits from masks will linger over the long term. Most children "don't like wearing pants or shoes at first, but they adjust, like they do for all the other things we require of them," said A. E. Learmonth, professor with the cognition, memory and development lab at William Paterson University. "In many ways, a mask is just another article of clothing. In the beginning it could be distracting and uncomfortable, but like shoes, they will get used to it." Meanwhile, polling suggests that parents are open to masks in schools. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey taken in July and August found that 63% of parents wanted masks required in schools for people who are unvaccinated. Gabrielle Settles and Jason Asenso contributed to this article. MARKSVILLE, La. (AP) Two inmates who escaped from a Louisiana jail this week are back in custody but three others remain on the loose. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office said Kyle Cavalier, 19, and Davantae Williams, 20, were found Thursday in Alexandria by U.S. Marshals and Alexandria Police officers, KALB-TV reported. Kami Griffiths has a perfectly fine phone. It's your standard Samsung Galaxy smartphone with all the important apps, a decent camera and a screen big enough to watch videos. It's so fine, in fact, she's had it since 2016 without ever feeling the need to drop hundreds of dollars on an upgrade. Come next year though, Griffiths won't have a choice. That's the current deadline for when the only cellular network her phone can use will shut down forever. All of the major cellphone carriers - AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile - are planning to shut their older 3G networks in 2022. Like millions of people in the United States who use 3G phones and other 3G devices, she will have to buy a new device if she wants to text, make calls or even reach 911. When these deadlines do roll around, Griffith's own phone could be the least of her problems. Griffiths, who is an executive director and co-founder of Community Tech Network - a nonprofit that focuses on digital literacy in San Francisco - is worried that the group's clients, a mix of mostly older adults and low-income residents, will find themselves either without a working phone, or could struggle to figure out how to use a new device. "It's going to be very difficult for them. They're not going to be at all happy," said Griffiths, who notes older tech users have a harder time figuring out new devices. "If it works fine, they don't want to change a thing." - Why is this happening? 3G network technology has been around in the United States for two decades. Verizon launched the first 3G network in the nation in 2002, and 4G has been around since 2010. In 2019, carriers started slowly rolling out 5G networks and soon the big companies were launching 5G smartphones. Now they need to focus their resources on building out those newer networks, while saving money on maintaining the older ones. "The reason the carriers would like to get rid of old legacy tech is to free up that wireless spectrum," said Ian Fogg, vice president of analysis at mobile analytics firm Opensignal. "If you switch off older tech in most markets, most countries, your spectrum license allows you to use that with newer networks like 4G and 5G." - When do the networks shut down? The shutdown dates start in January 2022 and are spread out throughout the year. At this time, the dates are all confirmed and the carriers are proceeding as if they are set in stone. However, the Federal Communications Commission recently accepted comments from groups and people concerned about the shutdown, which could lead to a delay. Sprint's 3G: Jan. 1, 2022 AT&T's 3G: Feb. 22, 2022 Sprint's LTE: June 30, 2022 Verizon's 3G: Dec. 31, 2022 T-Mobile's 2G and 3G: Not yet announced - What happens to 3G phones after that date? Your phone will no longer be able to make phone calls. Apps and websites will not work over a cellular connection. You will not be able to dial 911. The phone will still be able to work over WiFi for certain tasks. - How do I know if I have a 3G device? The carriers say they've been alerting customers who are on older phones that services are ending, sending a combination of texts, letters, phone calls and emails. If you have a service plan and have not heard from your carrier, you should be fine but you can log into your account to double check. If you're still unsure, or wondering about an old device not on a cell plan, there are some ways to check. iPhones older than the iPhone 6 will no longer work for calls and data, including the iPhone 5, 5C and 5S. If you have a Samsung Galaxy S4 or older it is a 3G device, but newer models may still need an update to work. If you have other devices not mentioned here, go to your carrier or the manufacturer's website to look up a list of supported phones. Most people do not have to worry. The vast majority of phones in use are already on 4G and 5G networks. According to mobile network industry group GSMA Intelligence, in 2020 only 4 percent of all connections were over 3G in the United States. - Will it impact anything other than phones? Yes. Phones aren't the only technology impacted by the sunsetting of these networks. There are e-readers like the Kindle with 3G, portable Internet hotspots, kid's wearables, alarm systems, personal alarm devices, alcohol monitoring devices and various other Internet-of-things devices that rely on 3G. There are also non-consumer products like systems used by the trucking industry and school bus dispatchers. If you have any kind of home security system or medical alert devices, like the kind that can call for help if you fall, call the company to make sure it is still supported. - How do I get a new phone? Most carriers are offering free and low-cost replacement phones to customers with 3G devices, though the exact offers vary. For example, AT&T's free phone options depend on what's in stock and will be similar to your current device. If you're worried about having to learn your way around a new device, look for something that runs the same operating system from the same manufacturer. If you're ready for a big upgrade, see if your carrier has any offers or rebates for the newest smartphones. (Some older phones can continue working on 4G and 5G networks with a software update and a new SIM card from your carrier.) - What if I just really love my flip phone? Are you still using a 3G phone because you didn't want to upgrade to a smartphone? Or is the shutdown affecting someone in your life who you think might struggle with a newer device? The good news is there are plenty of new flip phones (a.k.a. feature phones) that work perfectly well on next-generation networks. That's only been the standard for the past two to three years for these devices, so make sure you buy a new device or carefully check network compatibility. - Do I need to cancel my carrier plan? If you decide that you would rather forge ahead without a phone than upgrade, then yes you need to cancel. Most carriers will let you cancel your plan without any penalty. However, if you forget to cancel your phone plan and don't upgrade to a working device, the company won't automatically stop charging just because you aren't able to access their network. - So, what do I do with this old phone now? The 3G shutdown is making millions of devices useless. They won't net much if anything on resell sites, but you can try to repurpose them. If it's a smartphone with WiFi, you may not have a phone, but it can still be repurposed as a nice tiny TV, portable radio, social media portal and game playing machine. Or at the very least, an alarm clock. Even an old 3G Kindle can still get books if you plug it into your computer and transfer them over. Companies don't make it easy to repurpose old electronics. They're often locked into proprietary systems, even when they become obsolete. But if you're willing to break a few rules you could even try taking them apart and experimenting with the software and hardware. "There's not enough attention to this idea that we should try to maintain the stuff we've already built and manufacturers don't have an incentive to do that," said Nathan Proctor, the director of the campaign for the right to repair, at the public interest group U.S. PIRG. "Maybe it can't be a phone any more, or it can't be a phone in the way it used to be, but I'd like to see the opportunity for it to be something." If all else fails, recycle it responsibly following these guidelines. The United States on Friday surpassed 700,000 deaths from the coronavirus, a milestone that few experts had anticipated months ago when vaccines became widely available to the American public. An overwhelming majority of Americans who have died in recent months, a period in which the country has offered broad access to shots, were unvaccinated. The United States has had one of the highest recent death rates of any country with an ample supply of vaccines. The new and alarming surge of deaths this summer means that the coronavirus pandemic has become the deadliest in American history, overtaking the toll from the influenza pandemic of 1918 and 1919, which killed about 675,000 people. This delta wave just rips through the unvaccinated, said Howard Markel, a medical historian at the University of Michigan. The deaths that have followed the wide availability of vaccines, he added, are absolutely needless. The recent virus deaths are distinct from those in previous chapters of the pandemic, an analysis by The New York Times shows. People who died in the last 3 1/2 months were concentrated in the South, a region that has lagged in vaccinations; many of the deaths were reported in Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. And those who died were younger: In August, every age group under 55 had its highest death toll of the pandemic. That month, Brandee Stripling, a bartender in Cottondale, Alabama, told her boss that she felt as if she had been run over by a freight train. Stripling, a 38-year-old single mother, had not been vaccinated against the coronavirus, and now she had tested positive. Get some rest, her boss, Justin Grimball, reassured her. I thought she would pull through and get back to work and keep on living, Grimball said. Last week, he stood in a cemetery as Stripling was buried in her family plot. A pastor spoke comforting words, her children clutched one another in grief and a country song, If I Die Young, played in the background. Her death came in the virus surge that gripped the country all summer, as the delta variant hurtled through the South, Pacific Northwest and parts of the Midwest. Close to 100,000 people across the United States have died of COVID-19 since mid-June, months after vaccines were available to American adults. The U.S. government has not closely tracked the vaccination status of everyone who has been infected with the virus, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has so far identified 2,900 people who were vaccinated among the 100,000 who died of COVID since mid-June. Vaccines have been proven highly effective in preventing severe illness and death, and a study from the CDC that was published in September found that after delta became the dominant variant, unvaccinated people were more than 10 times more likely to die of the virus than the vaccinated were. The study, which spanned from April to mid-July, used data from 10 states, New York City, Los Angeles County and King County, Washington, which includes Seattle. The pace of death has quickened, then slowed, then quickened again over the past 18 months as the virus has rippled across America in waves. The most recent 100,000 deaths occurred over more than three months, a considerably slower pace than when the pandemic reached its peak last winter. During that earlier surge, just 34 days elapsed between the nations 400,000th and 500,000th death. By late September, more than 2,000 people on average were dying from the virus each day, a level the country has not reached since February. But the recent deaths have left families and friends, some of whom said they had thought the pandemic was largely over, stunned and devastated. Weary doctors and nurses voiced frustration that many of the patients whose lives they were now struggling to save had shunned vaccines. Coroners, funeral home directors and clergy members were again busy consoling the grief-stricken and preparing the dead for burial. Wayne Bright, a funeral home director in Tampa, Florida, has been handling COVID-19 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, working long hours under difficult circumstances. Still, this summer has been different. About 40% of the most recent 100,000 people to die of the virus were under 65, a share higher than at any other point in the pandemic, and Bright has spent months bearing witness to what he calls premature grief. In one family, a father of teenagers died. A 16-year-old girl in another family lost her mother, aunt and cousin to the virus, all in quick succession. Now youre dealing with people in their 30s and 40s and 50s, he said. These are people who, without the pandemic, they would almost certainly be alive and live full lives. Its so much worse now than it was when the pandemic first happened. The delta variant is tremendously worse. It would be hard for me to define just how much worse it is. His own exhaustion runs deep. He works seven days a week and has lately been confronted with previously unimaginable problems: shortages of caskets, hospitals with full morgues and a need to schedule burials weeks into the future so cemeteries will have vaults available. It certainly has taken a toll, he said. And you just think, this just doesnt have to be. The delta surge has hit working-age Americans particularly hard. Older Americans are still more susceptible to the virus but have benefited from their willingness to be vaccinated: People 65 and older, who have been among the most vulnerable to serious illness from the virus, have the highest rate of vaccination of all age groups, at 83% fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. Vaccine mandates have begun to take effect in some states and within some companies, and on Friday, California became the first state to announce plans to add the coronavirus vaccine to other vaccinations required to attend school, starting as early as next fall. But only 65% of the eligible U.S. population is fully vaccinated. The nations vaccination campaign has been slowed by people who say they are hesitant or unwilling to get shots, amid a polarized landscape that has included misinformation from conservative and anti-vaccine commentators casting doubt on the safety of vaccines. Vaccination rates are lower for people in their 30s, and the number of people in that age group who died of the virus in August was almost double the number who died during January, the previous record month, according to provisional counts from the CDC. More than 3,800 people in their 40s died of COVID-19 in August, compared with 2,800 in January. Stephen Kimmel, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Florida, said younger people were particularly vulnerable to infection now because they have a relatively low rate of vaccination and are increasingly interacting with one another, leading to more opportunities to be infected. The delta variant is much more contagious than previous variants. If you look back when the virus first started, the mantra was, this seems to be a disease that affects older people more severely, and fortunately younger people dont seem to get as sick, he said. Younger people now feel this is a virus that wont affect them. In many parts of the South that weathered the worst of the summer surge, deaths from COVID-19 have only recently begun to slow down. James Pollard, the coroner in Henry County, Kentucky, outside Louisville, said he was seeing more deaths occur at home than at any other time during the pandemic. On a recent day, he said, an ambulance was summoned to return a coronavirus patient to a hospital, but the person died before the ambulance arrived. The families are going through a lot of initial pain and shock and when were getting 20-, 30-, 40-year-old people who are passing away from it, that makes it so much more difficult, he said. It has more of a lasting effect than any other natural death. He hears a frequent refrain: family members who vow to be vaccinated after losing a relative to the disease. The wave of delta deaths has been particularly high in rural areas of the South, where vaccination rates trail those of nearby metropolitan areas. Even though the raw number of COVID-19 deaths is higher in metropolitan areas because their populations are larger, the share of people dying of the virus in rural areas has been much greater. The outsize impact on the South propelled Mississippi ahead of New York and New Jersey for the most coronavirus deaths relative to population throughout the pandemic. Before the delta surge, the worst-hit states had been mostly Northeastern states that suffered dire early outbreaks, as well as Arizona. But Louisiana and Alabama have become two of the five states with the highest proportion of COVID deaths. Harold Proctor, the coroner in Floyd County, Georgia, said his office was handling twice the number of deaths compared with this time last year. At this point in the pandemic, he said, some families are so accustomed to hearing and reading about COVID-19 that they have a sense that deaths from the virus are commonplace. It does seem like they have more accepted that people will die of COVID now, Proctor said. Other families have expressed sorrow mixed with profound remorse that their dead relative was not vaccinated. The Rev. Joy Baumgartner, a minister in Beloit, Wisconsin, presided over a recent funeral that she described as the saddest, most grief-stricken I have ever experienced. The woman who died of COVID-19 was a 64-year-old church member, talented baker and frequent volunteer during group dinners on Thanksgiving. Her adult children had advised her not to receive a shot. When they arrived at the church, Baumgartner said, the womans children were full of regret, despairing over their actions and searching for a rationale. They condemned themselves, she recalled. I had to hold these people in my arms in front of this urn of ashes, asking God to help them through this. It was a never-ending week of excruciating pain. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. There are two races happening in Texas House District 118. One of them is the special election to fill the vacancy left last month when Democratic Rep. Leo Pacheco resigned to take a teaching job at San Antonio College. That race is headed for a runoff, and Democrats have good reason to be worried. On Tuesday, Republican candidate John Lujan, a retired firefighter and former District 118 rep, received 41.5 percent of the vote in a five-candidate field, earning more votes than his top two Democratic opponents combined. Lujan got major funding help from both Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan. With Republicans sensing a chance to flip this solidly Democratic seat, its likely that Abbott, Phelan and other GOP heavy hitters will make significant investments in Lujans runoff campaign against Democratic up-and-comer Frank Ramirez. If Lujan wins the runoff, Democrats can console themselves by writing it off as a low-turnout, special-election fluke. They can point to the fact that Lujans previous District 118 tenure, also the result of a special election, lasted less than a year and ended before he got to participate in a legislative session. Thats where the second District 118 election comes in. Its the 2022 midterm contest that will be decided in November of next year. This week, Texas Democrats got some nerve-wracking news there as well. On Thursday, Texas House Redistricting Committee Chairman Todd Hunter released a proposed map for the states 150 House districts. District 118, which winds its way up from the South Side of San Antonio to the Northeast Side of Bexar County, took on new Republican-leaning precincts that could make the district vulnerable to a GOP general-election victory. Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden carried District 118 last year with about 56 percent of the vote. The newly proposed District 118 would drop to about a 53 percent Biden district. This shift has created hard feelings in the Bexar County Democratic delegation. Those hard feelings are being directed at one of their own, Rep. Phil Cortez, who some members believe worked against their interests to appease Republican leaders. Eight of the nine members of the Bexar County delegation met for a Zoom call on Sept. 10 to talk about redistricting. The lone absent member was Republican Rep. Steve Allison. The delegation has traditionally worked together to craft a Bexar County map that the group can submit to the House Redistricting Committee. At this initial meeting, the delegation established a few ground rules: They would work by consensus, make as few changes as possible and not take advantage of the empty seat in District 118 to raid that district for votes or dump unwanted precincts on it. Cortez and Lyle Larson both had districts that had seen major population growth over the past decade, and they were asked to sort out those issues. Along those lines, Cortez gave up Helotes to Larson, who then gave up some precincts to Allison. In the eyes of some delegation members, Cortez took it upon himself to draw up his own Bexar County map, which Allison submitted to the Redistricting Committee as an alternate to the delegations proposal. This Allison/Cortez map is the basis for the new-look District 118 released Thursday by Hunter. That map is not the map the delegation agreed to, said Trey Martinez Fischer, a Democrat who is the dean of the Bexar County delegation. Cortez denies any suggestion that he worked behind anyones back. The map that Rep. Allison submitted was a map that was put together with input from every member of the delegation, Cortez said. Steve was talking to members; I was talking to members; our staffs were talking amongst each other. Cortez said he, Larson and Allison had the biggest changes in terms of population numbers, and so we were given the task of figuring out what we had to do to adjust for that. When you start adjusting one or two, you obviously start touching other members districts. There were two maps produced, but both of them were produced with input from all members. Allison said Cortez took the yeomans role on the alternate map. Allison said he decided not to go along with the group-submitted map because he had difficulties with the way (District) 118 was drawn. Allison said he thought the delegation-approved map was awfully extreme in favor of Democrats when it came to District 118 and that he and Cortez pulled it back. It still made it a Democratic district, but more competitive, Allison said. The redistricting conflict comes two months after Cortez abandoned his fellow Democrats during a quorum break in Washington, D.C., to block the passage of a restrictive GOP election bill. Cortez said he returned to Austin to negotiate with Republicans on the bill. But then, as now, Democrats questioned his loyalty. ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 The claim: What interest do we have in Afghanistan at this point with al-Qaida gone? We went to Afghanistan for the express purpose of getting rid of al-Qaida in Afghanistan, as well as getting Osama bin Laden. And we did. President Joe Biden. Biden is wrong to say that al-Qaida is gone entirely; officials in his administration have said the terrorist group remains active. PolitiFact rating: False. On the same day that Biden made his statement, a Pentagon spokesperson said al-Qaida is present in Afghanistan, but that it wasnt as powerful as it was 20 years ago. Recent reports from the federal government and the U.N., as well as comments from government officials in recent months, indicate that al-Qaida is still present in Afghanistan. Its future capabilities remain unclear. Discussion A United Nations report in June stated that a significant part of the leadership of al-Qaida resides in the Afghanistan and Pakistan border region. Al-Qaida is present in at least 15 Afghan provinces and is reported to number in the range of several dozen to 500 persons, the report stated. While al-Qaida maintains contact with the Taliban, it is laying low, and its longer term strategy is strategic patience for a period of time before it would seek to plan attacks against international targets again, the report stated. The Inspector General to Congress compiled information from various federal agencies about operations in Afghanistan and released the information in a report this summer. The Defense Intelligence Agency told the inspector general that the Taliban maintains a relationship with al-Qaida, providing safe haven for the terrorist group while publicly denying its presence in Afghanistan. Under a February 2020 agreement between the Taliban and the United States, the Taliban was supposed to prevent al-Qaida from using Afghanistan to threaten the U.S. Therefore, the Taliban is likely downplaying its relationship with the group. Tricia Bacon, an associate professor who directs the Policy Anti-Terrorism Hub at American University, said while al-Qaida has been seriously degraded, it has also received a morale boost from the Talibans victory. The group in Afghanistan is seriously weakened, but it has proven to be a resilient organization, capable of surviving despite immense counterterrorism pressure and of recovering from setbacks, Bacon said. Following the recent statements by Biden and administration officials, a Taliban spokesperson said in an interview with Saudi Arabias al-Hadath TV that al-Qaida is not present in Afghanistan in the first place, according to the Washington Post. But the spokesperson said there may be family ties between members of the two organizations. Bacon said the Taliban is being disingenuous and the statement does not accurately reflect the situation on the ground. About PolitiFact PolitiFact is a fact-checking project to help you sort out fact from fiction in politics. Truth-O-Meter ratings are determined by a panel of three editors. The burden of proof is on the speaker, and PolitiFact rates statements based on the information known at the time the statement is made. See More Collapse Laura Dugan, a professor of human security at Ohio State University, said Biden is correct in that the U.S. drove al-Qaida out of Afghanistan years ago and greatly diminished its centralized power. This was especially true after Osama bin Laden was killed. However, what is also true is that al-Qaida and the Taliban are closely aligned, and with the Taliban back in charge of Afghanistan, al-Qaida can move around more freely, which means that they can more easily plan large-scale attacks, Dugan said. The claim: In Afghanistan, all of the Americans who have wanted to come out have come out. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Schumer made claim on Sept. 3 as he discussed the rushed evacuations from Afghanistan after the U.S.-backed Afghan government and military fell to the Taliban. PolitiFact rating: False. the State Department has acknowledged that there are still somewhere around 100 American citizens who want to leave Afghanistan. Schumers office later said that he had misspoken. Discussion Schumer made the statement during an interview with a Syracuse ABC affiliate. Therell be a job for congressional oversight there always is, Schumer said. But at the moment, actually, Im still focused on trying to get some of those brave Afghans out. The Americans all of whom have wanted to come out have come out, praise God. But there are a lot of Afghans who risked their lives for our soldiers and others. Many got out, some didnt. And Im still working on trying to get some of them out. Schumer was wrong. On Sept. 7, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that there are still somewhere around 100 American citizens who want to leave Afghanistan. About PolitiFact PolitiFact is a fact-checking project to help you sort out fact from fiction in politics. Truth-O-Meter ratings are determined by a panel of three editors. The burden of proof is on the speaker, and PolitiFact rates statements based on the information known at the time the statement is made. See More Collapse Blinken was speaking from a news conference in Doha, Qatar, and he said the U.S. was working on additional flights to evacuate people from Afghanistan. On Sept. 6, U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, said four U.S. citizens from his district were part of the first successful ground evacuation since the U.S. left Kabul. Meanwhile, the current count of Afghans who want to leave but havent been able to evacuate yet is uncertain. However, as of late August, there were an estimated 250,000, according to estimates by nonprofits cited by the New York Times. Schumers office acknowledged his mistake. He misspoke and he regrets the confusion his comments have caused, Schumers office said in a statement to PolitiFact. He intended to say, as he has been saying, that the U.S. will get everyone out that wants to get out. And he will keep working with the Biden administration to help everyone who wants to get out. CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) Books about sex, LGBTQ issues and how to have a baby have public library employees in a deeply conservative Wyoming city facing possible prosecution after angry local residents complained to police that the material is obscene and doesn't belong in sections for children and teenagers. For weeks, Campbell County Public Library officials have been facing a local outcry over the books and for scheduling a transgender magician to perform for youngsters, an act canceled amid threats against the magician and library staff. The books are This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson, How Do You Make a Baby by Anna Fiske, Doing It by Hannah Witton, Sex is a Funny Word by Corey Silverberg, and Dating and Sex: A Guide for the 21st Century Teen Boy by Andrew P. Smiler, according to Susan Sisti, a local pastor who has been raising concerns about those and other books in the library. Its really easy to go into the library and look around a little bit and find a filthy book that should not even be in a public library, said Sisti, pastor of Open Door Church in Gillette. These books are absolutely appalling. Now, after a complaint filed with the sheriffs office, prosecutors are reviewing the case. They will seek appointment of a special prosecutor to weigh in as well before deciding whether to pursue charges, County Attorney Mitchell Damsky announced Friday. Investigators haven't contacted library officials about the case, leaving them unsure which books got the library in potential legal trouble, said the library's executive director, Terri Lesley. Told the list provided by Sisti, Lesley said library officials had reviewed a complaint about This Book is Gay and determined it belonged in the library's Teen Room. The decision was being appealed to the library board while library officials review pending complaints about the other four. In all, the library has been working through 35 recent complaints about 18 books, she said, a situation she said appeared to be quite unusual for a public library. It's unexpected, Lesley said. We are trying to be the force of reason, trying to work through these things using the policy we have in place review these books and do our due diligence. The LGBTQ advocacy group Wyoming Equality said it's up to parents to decide when their children should have access to such books. Maybe the answer is never. If its never, thats fine. But do you get to make that choice for other families? said the group's executive director, Sara Burlingame. The book dispute has gotten contentious and out of hand when it may have been resolvable by putting the books among material for adults, said Damsky, the prosecutor. "Personally, as a parent, I find the material to be just inappropriate for children and disgusting. But as a lawyer Im sworn to uphold the Constitution and thats why we are dealing with it with a fine-toothed comb, Damsky said. Sisti has been working with Hugh and Susan Bennett, who went to the Campbell County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday with concerns that the five books may have violated state child-sex laws. Sheriffs officials reviewed the complaint and referred the case, which was first reported by the Gillette News Record, to prosecutors. "It's very challenging to imagine how a child who's sexually immature, physically immature, if there's any reasonable purpose for exposing them to sexual behavior that's far beyond their physical and mental and emotional and intellectual abilities to understand," Hugh Bennett said. He called the books hard-core pornography to children. This Book is Gay, Sisti pointed out, includes illustrations of male and female genitalia and descriptions of oral and anal sex. But child access to all kinds of material on the internet might be pertinent to the case, suggested Damsky. What 9-year-old kid today cant access Pornhub or whatever they want, you know what I mean? Damsky said. The library already faced protests and threats last summer over plans for a performance by a transgender magician. The magician canceled the show due to the threats. The furor over the magician and the books prompted Wyoming Equality to talk with local officials about the threats and offer support to library staff. Local leaders had left Burlingame hopeful the rancor over the library would tone down, she said. It seemed like there was some kind of opportunity to put the brakes on this and can we talk to each other," Burlingame said. "It seems like the train has jumped the tracks. ___ Follow Mead Gruver at https://twitter.com/meadgruver Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Barbara Barb Savoy passed away at the age of 86 in Texas on August 19, 2021, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Debbie Savoy, who constantly cared for her after her stroke in 2012. Barb was born in Havre, MT on March 28, 1935, to Margaret (Gussenhoven) and Joseph Friesen. At a young age, she went to live with her grandparents, Anna and George Friesen. They lived in Donovan Park in Great Falls. She worked at Arios Western Wear and Saddle Shop until she met Walter Savoy on New Years Eve in Cascade in 1955. They were married on April 29, 1956, in Cascade. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Fort Shaw where they farmed and ranched. She raised five children, Sandra, Jim, Matthew, George, and Edward. While she was raising her family, she also worked at the Montana Hatchery, the state grain lab, and enjoyed the Farmers Market where she was famous for her pies. She was known for her excellent meals where friends were always welcomed with a full plate. She enjoyed doing ceramics, canning preserves and vegetables for the family, entering her products at the State Fair, and winning many ribbons. She also raised many orphan calves for the ranch. She was the most loving mom that any child could ever ask for. A memorial service will be held on October 2, 2021, at the Fort Shaw Bible Church (180 Ahren Street) in Fort Shaw at 12:00 p.m. Ive found a Friend, oh, such a Friend! Jesus loved me ere I knew Him; He drew me with the cords of love, And thus He bound me to Him. And round my heart still closely twine. Those ties which naught can sever, For I am His, and He is mine, Forever and Ever. Donald Merlin Richard Ebert, 65 of Choteau, passed away September 16th, peacefully, surrounded by loved ones at Benefis Peace Hospice in Great Falls. He succumbed to side effects of a brief illness. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home and a Celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home chapel with reception following at the Antler Bar. Don was born June 29, 1956 in Houston, Texas to Marjory Johns. At seven years old Don was adopted by his parents Charles and Mollie (Blatt) Ebert. Don spent his childhood in Anaconda, Montana where he attended elementary school and junior high. The family later moved to Chinook, Montana where he attended high school. He was a well-rounded child and even sang in the Treasure State Boys Choir. Don left school and enlisted in the US Army. He attended basic training at Fort Ord in California and radio teletype school at Fort Gordon in Georgia. After training he completed a tour in Vietnam. Once he returned home, Don spent a portion of time traveling around the US before eventually moving to Kalispell, MT. He later moved his family to Great Falls and attended Trade school to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Don met the love of his life and best friend Seleucia Amber Ambie Grady in Kalispell in 1993. They had 4 children: Dahn, Joshua, Charles, and Rhaenbow. In 1999 the family moved to Choteau where Don found his forever home. On October 6, 2012 Don and Ambie were married at the court house in Choteau. Don got a job working at the Log Cabin Cafe and continued to work there for the rest of the years he lived in Choteau. His official job title was dishwasher/maintenance, but he was truly the heartbeat of the restaurant completing all tasks associated with the restaurant at one point or another. Don was very hardworking and a man of many trades. Don never met a person he didnt call a friend. He was always the first person to offer to help a friend in need and never wanted a thing in return. Don enjoyed carving antler jewelry/knives, playing guitar, singing, making music, playing video games, fixing his vehicles, and fishing. Most of all Don loved spending time with his friends and family. Don is survived by his wife Seleucia Amber Ambie Grady Ebert of Choteau; daughters Dahn Ebert (Tyler) of Missoula; Rhaenbow Ebert (Blaine) of Choteau; son Joshua Ebert; sister Donette Frolin of Lyle, Washington; sister Mary Cameron of the Seattle area; brother Anthony John of Port Angeles, Washington; and brother Paul Roath of the Chicago area; grandchildren Torin Stephens and Sage Winters as well as numerous extended family and many friends. Don was preceded in death by his son Charles Eugene Ebert, parents Charles and Mollie Ebert, his biological mother Marjory Johns and sisters Midgie McGee and Barbara Ebert. In Lieu of flowers donations in Dons named may be made to his funeral at Gorder-Jensen Funeral Home directly or directly to the GoFundMe account (Celebration of Life for Don Merlin Ebert) at https://www.gofundme.com/f/celebration-of-life-for-don-merlin-ebert?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet ( Sun Times short link: https://bit.ly/3ia904C ) Condolences may be left on-line at www.gorderjensenfuneralhome.com Books that celebrate food and culinary traditions that we can't wait to get our hands on Rebel Homemaker: Food, Family, Life By Drew Barrymore November 2 is the release date for Drew Barrymores first-ever cookbook with her culinary partner in crime, Chef Pilar Valdes. Rebel Homemaker: Food, Family and Life will feature recipes interspersed with anecdotes from the actors personal life. The cover features Barrymore slurping on a bowl of pasta. She revealed on her eponymous talk show that she has been considering the idea of collaborating with Valdes for a while now. Food and Valdess friendship, she said, were a huge saving grace and something I could hook into when my life felt so floating. By Martha StewartBelieve it or not, this one will be American writer, host, and entrepreneur Stewarts 99th launch! Set to release at the end of September, Fruit Desserts is a collection of over a hundred fruit dessert recipes crumbles, crisps, pies, buckles, and desserts. According to the celebrity chef, the cookbook highlights fruits exclusive to each season, and offers easy-to-prepare desserts. Expect Red-Fruit Pavlova, Double-Crust Peach Slab Pie, Apple Fritters, Poached Pear, and Cranberry Pie, among so many other temptations. Bene Appetit: The Cuisine of Indian Jews By Esther David Sahitya Akademi Award-winning author and artist Esther Davids latest book is a holistic portrait of the little-known Bene Israeli community that has lived in India since 75 CE. She lays out a moveable feast, with heart-warming anecdotes and simple yet recipes. (It) is about a fast-diminishing mini-microscopic Jewish community of India, and how it has preserved the tradition of food,says David. Herself a Bene Israeli Jew, David attempts to record some of the communitys traditions before they are lost, describing its lifestyle, customs and food habits in detail, and also revealing some closely-guarded recipes of Indian Jewish dishes such as chik-cha halwa, rose biscuits, jumping potatoes, hameen, arook, Jewish biryani, pakoda curry, chicken with gongura leaves, agar-agar jelly and many more. The pages are illuminated with illustrations rendered in the authors trademark style. The Diabetic Cookbook By Michael Swamy If a diagnosis of diabetes has left you hungry for delicious food, or even if you just wantto eat healthier, Michael Swamys comprehensive cookbook is for you. An alumnus of Le Cordon Bleu, London, the chef, food stylist, food writer and travel photographer offers carefully-curated vegetarian, non-vegetarian and vegan dishes. Over 70 recipes across soups, salads, starters, breads, beverages and desserts will work to help you change familiar dishes by using superfoods and super ingredients to lower your blood sugar levels and to bring back the joy of fine food. Also see: Plating the past: Going back to the food of our fathers Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 1, 2021 / Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSXV:LKY)(OTC PINK:LKMNF)(FRA:LKY) "Lucky" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of a new independent board member, Mr. Roy McDowall. Mr. McDowall is a capital markets professional with over 25 years of experience with Canadian based boutique and bank owned investment firms, and most recently served as Managing Director, Head of Equity Sales for Macquarie Capital Markets Canada. He also held similar positions with Credit Suisse, CIBC World Markets, Orion Securities and National Bank Financial. Mr. McDowall is currently Head of Investor Relations and Communications at Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd., a Montreal-based mining company focused on operating and further developing the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia. Francois Perron, President and CEO stated: "We are extremely pleased to be adding Roy's expertise to our team at this very important stage of exploration." The Company also announces that subject to regulatory approval, it has granted stock options to acquire an aggregate of 7,755,000 common shares to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. The stock options, which are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plan, are exercisable until October 1, 2026 to acquire common shares at a price of Cdn $0.10 per share. In addition, subject to regulatory approval and pursuant to TSX Venture Policy 4.3, the Company has entered into shares for services agreements with respect to the debt restructuring pursuant to which it will issue an aggregate of 1,500,000 common shares for services valued in total at Cdn $150,000. About Lucky Lucky is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits. Lucky owns a 100% interest in the Fortuna Property. The Company's Fortuna Project is comprised of twelve contiguous, 550 km2 (55,000 Hectares, or 136,000 Acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador. Covid-19 Safety Protocols Lucky has strict rules in place for all workers arriving to and from field sites. All personnel are tested upon arriving and leaving and are tested every two weeks. All personnel are housed in separate and private accommodations and are isolated from the community. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Francois Perron" President and Chief Executive Officer Further information on Lucky can be found on the Company's website at www.luckyminerals.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Francois Perron, President and CEO, by email at investors@luckyminerals.com or by telephone at (866) 924 6484. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company 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. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will not update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements unless required by Canadian securities law. SOURCE: Lucky Minerals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/666550/Lucky-Appoints-New-Board-Member-and-Grants-Incentive-Stock-Options WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Dril-Quip, Inc. (DRQ) announced the resignation of Raj Kumar as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective November 1, 2021 to take another opportunity. The company specified that Raj Kumar will assist in a smooth transition of his duties and the company has engaged an executive search firm to conduct a search for its next Chief Financial Officer. Blake DeBerry, Dril-Quip's Chief Executive Officer, commented, 'We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. We have a strong finance team in place, and I am confident that they will continue driving our financial functions until our next Chief Financial Officer is appointed.' 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. Paxton, IL (60957) Today Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Thunder possible. Low 57F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Thunder possible. Low 57F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. MIAMI, Sept. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProChile USA is currently partnering with The Food Institute to put together an education and matchmaking program designed to highlight some of Chile's most innovative food companies and products, Chile Connected Food Innovation. Why a Food Innovation Program? Chile has one of the most sustainable wine industries in the world, with nearly all of the wines it produces falling under some category of environmental or social responsibility. Producers of 80% of the total Chilean wines on the shelves honor the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code. More than 60% of Chilean bottled wine exports, have joined the initiative to measure the carbon footprint aligned with the objectives of the Science-Based Targets Organization. One of Wines of Chile 2021's highlights is Vitata, the initiative of Valle Itata winemakers to export small yet fantastic productions of Cinsault, Moscatel, Pais and many other 'underground' wine varities. "Itata is a wine region that deserves more attention at the moment, and this area is shining because it has the fundamental elements for wine. I tell my clients to try the wines of the Itata Valley. These are vineyards that are more than 200 years old and that if they were in Europe, many people would be paying a lot of money for these bottles. These Chilean wines have received little attention. That is why it is the responsibility of these producers to tell their story. The uniqueness of this region will shine brightly on the planet of wine", Paul Grieco, Ph.D. in Terroir. From the Atacama Desert, through the Central Valley and up to the Austral region, Chile's variety of landscapes and geographical features make it an ideal environment for food production. As a result, the country is one of the main exporters in the world for fresh and dry fruits, salmon and seafoods, superfoods such as algae, maqui berries and more. The Magellan Region is internationally known for its extraordinary sheep and lamb meat production and can be currently found in stores such as Whole Foods USA. As Chilean startups grow internationally, many have attracted private capital and generated employment. This is reflected in investments including those made by Jeff Bezos in NotCo, Uber in Cornershop, and Fintual's participation in the renowned accelerator YCombinator. These achievements are largely due to Chiles mature technology ecosystem of highly innovative solutions that have been rapidly positioned with key players at the international level. Artificial Intelligence is too a thing for Chilean food startups, developing new ingredients and flavors such as chia spaghetti, chia milk, Betasal (table salt based on beet stalks), seaweed snacks and fungi-based products. Follow or contact ProChile USA here. Media Trends Group PR Team usa@mediatrendsgroup.com Related Images Image 1: Food & Wine made in Chile This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Sydney, July 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just released, this edition of BuddeComm report outlines the latest developments and key trends in the telecoms markets. - https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Suriname-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW The state-owned incumbent telco, Telesur, is the only provider of fixed-line and fixed broadband services in Suriname. The countrys fixed-line infrastructure is reasonably reliable in the more populated coastal region, though poor in the interior. Telesur started building out a fibre network in Paramaribo 2013, and in June 2018, the company started with the rollout of the National Broadband Project (TNBP), which was completed in 2019. Fixed teledensity and broadband penetration are slightly lower than average for Latin America and the Caribbean, while mobile penetration is significantly above the regional average and much higher than would be expected given the countrys relatively low GDP per capita. Many Surinamese have up to three mobile lines with different providers, which has pushed up penetration figures although the number of subscribers has fallen in recent years as consumers have responded to economic pressures. The mobile market supports only two players: Telesur (trading as TeleG), and Digicel (part of Digicel Group, a significant operator across the Caribbean and Pacific regions). In early 2015 Digicel acquired the only other operator, Uniqa, which only had about 5,000 subscribers. In January 2017 Digicel signed a deal to host the MVNO Transatel, which operates in a number of markets across the Caribbean and Latin America. In May 2020, through a successful refinancing activities, Digicel reduced its debts by more than 20% . Key Developments: Digicel restructures debt; Telesurs National Broadband Project completed; Telesur launches its 5G network in Paramaribo, markets triple-play offering and high-volume mobile data packages; Suriname ranked 81st internationally for mobile network speeds and 158th for fixed broadband speeds; Significant recent gold and offshore oil discoveries to boost economic growth; Report update includes recent market developments, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, ITU and regulator data to 2019. Read the full report: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Suriname-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?utm_source=GNW New York, July 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biomass Power Market Overview: According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Biomass Power Market Research Report, Feedstock, Application and Region - Forecast till 2027 the market is projected to be worth USD 108.64 Billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period (2021 - 2027), The market was valued at USD 54.1 billion in 2020. Increased Demand for Power Generation Biomass is a low-carbon, sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels that, when burned, produces bioenergy, which is regarded as a clean fuel for energy generation. Growing global energy demand is expected to boost bioenergy production via biomass, which will also assist the growth of the biomass power market. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), bioenergy power output increased by around 5% in 2019, which is only 1% less than the 6% annual power production rate required to satisfy the 2030 sustainable development scenario goals. Furthermore, renewable energy generated from biomass has a significant impact on global warming emissions since it reduces the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. Furthermore, boosting the supply of renewable biomass power would allow to replace carbon-intensive energy sources while reducing global warming emissions dramatically. As a result, rising demand for clean energy generation is likely to fuel expansion in the worldwide biomass power market throughout the forecast period. Get Free Sample PDF Brochure https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1692 Key Players The prominent players active in the global biomass power market are- Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc. (US) Orsted A/S (Denmark) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (Japan) Suez (France) Amerseco Inc (US) Licella Holdings Ltd (Australia) Vattenfall AB (Sweden) Xcel Energy Inc (US) VEOLIA (France) Ramboll Group A/S (US). Industry News In February 2021, Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) announced that its B&W Environmental division would design, supply, and install a flue gas energy recovery system as well as innovative water treatment equipment for a waste-to-energy facility in Europe. The contract is worth more than $13 million. Browse In-depth Market Research Report (155 pages) on Biomass Power https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/biomass-power-market-1692 Rising Energy & Power Demand Global energy demand has risen exponentially in recent years as a result of increasing urbanization and a fast-growing global population. The majority of the energy produced around the world comes from fossil fuels, which emit harmful GHG emissions when burned. Biomass, on the other hand, is a carbon-neutral carrier that can make major contributions to lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released a biomass action plan. The plan is intended to promote the use of biomass energy as a source of energy with enormous potential for power generation. As a result, increased energy and power demand is likely to fuel the growth of the worldwide biomass power market over the forecast period. Restrictions Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic to Impact the Global Market COVID-19's impact on the global economy is altering on a daily basis. It is proving to be a significant hurdle for the renewable industry, resulting in a raw material supply crisis and probable job losses. Companies in the energy and power industry are facing a number of issues as a result of a drop in electricity costs following the COVID-19 outbreak. Furthermore, the United States is one of the greatest markets for biomass power generation. The slowing of the country's economic growth has had an impact on the global generation and renewable energy investment. Similarly, during the COVID-19 crisis, there was a greater emphasis on renewable technologies; however, due to labor restrictions, fewer power plants were operational. As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), just 222 MW of solar and 25 MW of wind capacity were achieved in India in March, as all efforts were halted owing to the pandemic. Similarly, the majority of respondents in a survey done by the World Bioenergy Association (WBA) acknowledged the considerable impact of the pandemic on the bioenergy industry, leading to a reduction in investment and the cancellation of new investments in the bioenergy sector. However, due to fewer limitations, the solid biomass sector, including makers of wood pellets, has not seen a significant change in 2020. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on all businesses around the world. Due to the rapid growth, governments around the world have taken stronger measures for the functioning of industrial plants and offices, resulting in stricter lockdowns. The lockdown had a significant influence on the energy sector, with energy demand falling by 18% to 20% in 2020. Furthermore, the virus had a considerable influence on the bioenergy sector, with a particular emphasis on processed solid biomass like wood pellets, chips, forest residues, and others. The result was a modest decrease in revenues and a difficult position with controlling the cash flow of market participants. However, producers of industrial pellets faced difficulties in obtaining feedstock since the majority of the sector relies on forestry harvesting, which was hampered by national restrictions. Share your Queries https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1692 Market Segmentation The global biomass power market has been classified based on feedstock, technology, and end-use. By feedstock, the global biomass power market has been segmented into woody biomass, energy crops, agricultural residues, forest residues, biogas landfill & sewage gas, industrial & municipal waste. By technology, the global biomass power market has been segmented into anaerobic digestion, combustion, gasification, and co-firing. By end-use, the global biomass power market has been segmented into residential, commercial, and industrial. Regional Analysis APAC to Lead the Global Market with Largest Share The Asia Pacific biomass power industry is expected to account for the largest part of the global biomass power market. The Asia Pacific is one of the world's greatest markets for biomass power. Due to the region's growing population and rising per capita disposable income, there is an increased demand for energy. Furthermore, the fast-developing economies in this region are also the world's top polluters. Furthermore, due to the abundance of natural resources in the region, Asia Pacific is expected to grow significantly. Emerging economies like India and Indonesia are expected to grow significantly as a result of proposed government legislation to promote investment in the biomass power sector. Segmentation of Market covered in the research: Information by Feedstock (Woody Biomass, Agricultural Residues, Forest Residues, Biogas, Landfill and Sewage Gas, Energy Crops, Industrial & Municipal Waste), Technology (Anaerobic Digestion, Combustion, Gasification, and Co-Firing), End Use (Industrial, Commercial, and Residential), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America) To Buy: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1692 About Market Research Future: Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions. EBENE, Mauritius, Sept. 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ceridian (NYSE: CDAY; TSX: CDAY), a global leader in human capital management (HCM) technology, and PwC Mauritius announced an alliance where PwC Mauritius will provide consultation and implementation services to organisations seeking to optimise their operations through Ceridians award-winning HCM platform, Dayforce. Trusted by more than 5,100 customers globally, Ceridian applies modern technology to help HR and business leaders create value in a fluid, always-on workplace. Organisations benefit from a single solution for HCM that combines HR, payroll, benefits, workforce management, and talent management. PwC is one of the leading providers of consulting services to some of the worlds largest enterprises. Through this strategic partnership, PwC will help organisations seamlessly integrate our modern Dayforce platform into their technology ecosystems, while delivering enhanced choice, scale, and innovation, said Raja Nucho, Senior Vice President and Chief Partner Officer, Ceridian. Were thrilled to partner with PwC to deliver shared knowledge, industry expertise, and best-in-class services to our mutual customers. Ceridians collaboration with PwC Mauritius is part of the Ceridian Partner Network, through which businesses can access holistic services to modernise their HCM processes. System integrator partners combine their Ceridian expertise with deep advisory services to provide expert guidance on organisational, functional, and process development at the industry, regional, or global level. Were excited to work with PwC Mauritius to help organisations transform their human capital management processes for a redefined future of work, said Vidia Mooneegan, Managing Director, Ceridian Mauritius. Our partnership will help businesses to modernise their operations to meet the increasingly borderless, fluid, and on-demand nature of work. The global collaboration between Ceridian and PwC has reached the African continent, and its a privilege that the regional market expansion will be driven from Mauritius. As we help our clients prepare their organisation for the future of work and address challenges of the workforce of the future, we are collaborating with world class solution partners like Ceridian to accelerate our clients business transformation, and build sustainable solutions for them, said Jean-Pierre Young, PwC Mauritius Advisory Leader. Ceridians system integrator network delivers a world-class buying and service experience from beginning to end. With a focus on customers, it provides clear expectations at each stage of engagement alongside tight integration across stakeholders. Learn more about the Ceridian Partner Network here: https://www.ceridian.com/partners. About Ceridian Ceridian. Makes Work Life Better. Ceridian is a global human capital management software company. Dayforce , our flagship cloud HCM platform, provides human resources, payroll, benefits, workforce management, and talent management functionality. Our platform is used to optimise management of the entire employee lifecycle, including attracting, engaging, paying, deploying, and developing people. Ceridian has solutions for organisations of all sizes. Visit Ceridian.com or follow us @Ceridian . Media Contact: Fahd Pasha 647.417.2136 Fahd.pasha@ceridian.com About PwC At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. Were a network of firms in 157 countries with over 276,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. PwC in Mauritius is recognised as a thought leader and a change initiator, where more than 300 professional staff combine the resources of our global network with detailed knowledge of local issues. We favour an industry approach to serve a large number of companies doing business in Mauritius, ranging from multinationals, a cross section of local businesses, to public institutions. Find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/mu. PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details. 2021 PwC. All rights reserved. Media Contact: Ariane Serret +230 57473121 ariane.serret@pwc.com Two photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9d44cc48-beec-48fa-a330-d2636a107319 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b62f277-68ed-4521-8233-d51be9ebd376 BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 5G Americas, the wireless industry trade consortium and voice of 5G and LTE for the Americas, today announced the election of Uruguay operator Antel to its Board of Governors. Antel joins other key stakeholder entities committed to the progress 5G in North, Central and Latin America. 5G Americas is pleased to welcome Antel to the Board of Governors, stated Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas. We are honored to have another technology leader from the Latin America region contribute their expertise and insight to our association. Antel, the state-owned Uruguayan full-service telecommunications provider, headquartered in Montevideo, is a technology innovation leader in Latin America. It was the first operator to launch commercial LTE services in the region in late 2011, as well as the first operator in the region to launch a 5G commercial network in April of 2019. The operator provides fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity to more than 80 percent of Uruguayan households. Antel recognizes wireless communications' pivotal role as a catalyst for digital transformation and economic growth. We look forward to collaborating with other leading wireless companies from the Americas on technical and regulatory issues to help drive 5G adoption and promote measures that will help it meet its full potential, said Humberto Roca, Chief Technology Information Officer, Antel. About 5G Americas: The Voice of 5G and LTE for the Americas 5G Americas is an industry trade organization composed of leading telecommunications service providers and manufacturers. The organizations mission is to facilitate and advocate for the advancement and transformation of LTE, 5G and beyond throughout the Americas. 5G Americas is invested in developing a connected wireless community while leading 5G development for all the Americas. 5G Americas is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. More information is available at 5G Americas website and Twitter. 5G Americas Board of Governors Members include Airspan Networks Inc., Antel, AT&T, Ciena, Cisco, Crown Castle, Ericsson, Intel, Liberty Latin America, Mavenir, Nokia, Qualcomm Incorporated, Samsung, Shaw Communications Inc., T-Mobile US, Inc., Telefonica, VMware, and WOM. Contact: 5G Americas Viet Nguyen +1 206 218 6393 Viet.Nguyen@5GAmericas.org About Antel Established in 1974, Antel is a Uruguayan telecom company (Administracion Nacional de Telecomunicaciones) with over 6000 employees and revenues near $900 million. Headquartered in Montevideo, the company provides various types of communications services throughout the nation of Uruguay including mobile, broadband, fixed and Internet services. Antel is committed to closing the digital divide in providing a wide array of communication services to individuals, households, and businesses. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High Arctic Energy Services Inc. (TSX: HWO) (High Arctic or the Corporation) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lance Mierendorf as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective October 1, 2021, and reports on good progress in preparation for services of Rig 115 in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Executive Appointment Mr. Mierendorf initially joined the Corporation in April 2021 in a consulting capacity as Interim CFO to streamline and strengthen the finance and accounting processes within the Corporation and provide financial leadership for High Arctics growth initiatives. Mr. Mierendorf has over 20 years of experience in senior financial leadership positions for publicly listed oil and gas companies, including significant experience in the international energy sector. Mr. Mierendorf is a Chartered Professional Accountant with an extensive background in financial stewardship, strategic planning and analysis, equity financing, debt restructuring and building global finance teams. Previously, Mr. Mierendorf held Chief Financial Officer roles for Divergent Energy Services Corp. (TSXV: DVG) and Wentworth Resources Limited (AIM: WRL). Mike Maguire, Chief Executive Officer stated: I am pleased to welcome Mr. Mierendorf as a permanent member of the executive management team at High Arctic. Mr. Mierendorfs 20-plus years of wide-ranging financial management expertise in the energy sector, in both the domestic and international markets, will be invaluable to the Corporation as we look to take advantage of business opportunities in the improving global energy services market. Rig 115 Preparation in PNG In PNG crews have been assembled from within and abroad and are adhering to a Covid-19 vaccination program and bio-secure bubble to eliminate possible risk of an impact to the well abandonment project. The first 100 bed camp is now fully operational at the forward base location and loads have been received there for the second rig-site 100 bed heli-portable camp. Rig 115 equipment is 50% complete on preparatory mechanical activities and will soon be assembled at its storage location for an operational integrity test prior to shipping out. CEO Mike Maguire: Once again our terrific PNG staff and crews are demonstrating what meticulous planning and strong management can achieve in challenging circumstances. We are on schedule to commence services on site later this quarter. The recommencement of rig services is evidence of the growing momentum in the sector in PNG. Earlier this week there was an announcement of the signing of heads of agreement between the operator of the PNG-LNG project and the government of PNG regarding the Pnyang Gas Agreement and regarding an additional 10% equity stake in the project for the state owned Kumul Petroleum. This continued momentum toward PNG-LNG expansion, the progressing Papua LNG project, and the Santos - Oil Search merger reinforces our optimism for meaning near-term drilling activity. About High Arctic High Arctics principal focus is to provide drilling and specialized well completion services, equipment rentals and other services to the oil and gas industry. High Arctic is a market leader providing drilling and specialized well completion services and supplies rig matting, camps and drilling support equipment on a rental basis in Papua New Guinea. The western Canadian operation provides well servicing, well abandonment, snubbing and nitrogen services, and equipment on a rental basis to a large number of exploration and production companies. For further information, please contact: Mike Maguire Chief Executive Officer 1.587.318.3826 1.800.668.7143 High Arctic Energy Services Inc. Suite 500, 700 2nd Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 2W1 website: www.haes.ca Email: info@haes.ca ORANGE, Calif., Oct. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alignment Healthcare, a leading mission-based Medicare Advantage insurance company, today announced new Alignment Health Plan options designed to give nearly 7 million seniors across the country1 more choices, greater benefits and better access to care this Medicare enrollment season, including low to no premium Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, special needs plans for seniors with multiple chronic diseases, and an ethnicity-focused plan serving the Hispanic community. Medicare-eligible seniors can select one of Alignments plans available in 38 markets across four states during the annual enrollment period Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2021, for plan benefits starting Jan. 1, 2022. Todays seniors need and deserve more from their health coverage. With a consistent track record of improving clinical outcomes for our members, Alignment Healthcare has proven that its model of care which puts the interest of the senior first and foremost can work to the benefit of the entire health care system, said John Kao, founder and CEO, Alignment Healthcare. We have also demonstrated the power of purpose-built technology, when in the hands of a highly engaged care team, to provide the ultimate in personalized and coordinated care. As we expand to serve more seniors across the United States in 2022, this breadth of plan choice, enabling technology and a team driven by a serving heart culture, works together to ensure each senior receives the best care possible. More Diversity and Choice in 2022 Among Alignment Health Plans 42 plan offerings in 2022 is the ONE, or el UNICO in Spanish, a $0 premium HMO plan that will serve the unique needs of the growing Hispanic American community age 65 and over, a population projected to grow five-fold to 19.9 million by 2060.2 The plan features a Spanish-speaking provider network, along with Spanish-speaking service agents and in-language member materials. The ONE will be available in Clark, Nye and Washoe counties in Nevada; in Maricopa and Pima counties in Arizona; and as a co-branded plan with Rite Aid in six major California counties including Los Angeles and San Diego. With a zero to low monthly premium of $22.50, Alignment is also introducing a PPO option of its virtual-first AVA plan that gives Arizona, North Carolina and California members in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties the flexibility and convenience of seeing a doctor outside of the plan network or a specialist without a referral. Other new plans include Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) geared toward underserved and low-income seniors who are eligible to have both Medicare and Medicaid, and Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNP) for seniors diagnosed with chronic conditions such as diabetes, end-stage renal disease and heart disease. More Trusted Partnerships, More Coverage Through partnerships with locally trusted and nationally recognized health and hospital systems, Alignment ensures that the care of its tens of thousands of members are in the best hands possible. As its membership grows so too does its provider network to ensure more choice, access to care and flexibility. New providers in 2022 include: Cedars-Sinai, Hoag and Scripps Health in Southern California; CareMore Health, P3 Health Partners and Saint Marys Health Network in Nevada; and Abrazo Health, Arizona Care Network, Arizona Priority Care, CareMore and Dignity Health in Arizona. The company doubles its geographic footprint in 2022 with 16 new counties, making its plans available in 38 total markets across California, North Carolina, Nevada and its fourth state, Arizona. The additional markets include Pima and Maricopa counties in Arizona; Nye and Washoe counties in Nevada; and Avery, Buncombe, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Transylvania and Wilkes counties in North Carolina. The Alignment Difference Beyond clinical care, Alignment continues to address social needs of its members such as food insecurity, loneliness and lack of transportation, which have a direct and outsized impact on their health. Each of its health plans includes customized benefits, such as grocery allowances, free non-emergency medical transportation, virtual fitness classes, and pet care that help seniors navigate everyday challenges. Alignment members also have access to the companys 24/7 ACCESS On-Demand Concierge service as well as a special black card that can be used as a monthly debit card to buy eligible items at more than 50,000 retailers nationwide. All the plans are powered by Alignments data and technology platform AVA, which proactively monitors the health of Alignments members by identifying any gaps in their care and alerts care providers to medical needs in real time, giving seniors 24/7 access to the best of care. For more information on the companys product offerings, visit www.alignmenthealthcare.com. ABOUT ALIGNMENT HEALTHCARE Alignment Healthcare is a consumer-centric platform delivering customized health care in the United States to seniors and those who need it most, the chronically ill and frail, through its Medicare Advantage plans. Alignment Healthcare provides partners and patients with customized care and service where they need it and when they need it, including clinical coordination, risk management and technology facilitation. Alignment Healthcare offers health plan options through Alignment Health Plan and also partners with select health plans to help deliver better benefits at lower costs. Media Contact: Priya Shah mPR, Inc. for Alignment Healthcare alignment@mpublicrelations.com Y0141_22241EN_M _____________________________ 1 6,999,746 as of September 2021, https://www.cms.gov/research-statistics-data-and-systemsstatistics-trends-and-reportsmcradvpartdenroldatama-state-county/ma-statecounty-penetration-2021-09 2 https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/Aging%20and%20Disability%20in%20America/2018HA_OAProfile.pdf BANGOR, MAINE, Oct. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Husson Universitys School of Pharmacy (HUSOP) will be holding their 13th Annual White Coat Ceremony on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Gracie Theatre. During the ceremony, white coats worn by many health professionals and those in training, are presented to first-year pharmacy students. This symbolizes the beginning of the professional phase of their studies. The white coat ceremony dates back to 1989 and has become a tradition among colleges/schools of pharmacy, said James D. Nash, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, dean of the College of Health and Pharmacy. Wearing the white coat signifies to everyone in attendance that the student has earned the right to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and a professional career in pharmacy. After receiving their white coats, Husson University Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice Kacie Guerrette, PharmD, will lead the students in reciting The Oath of a Pharmacist. As part of this oath, students pledge to adhere to the highest standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism as they provide service to the community. Due to the pandemic, the ceremony is only open to first-year pharmacy students, Husson University School of Pharmacy faculty and staff, and guests with tickets. First-year students were each given a limited number of tickets for family and friends to attend in person. The healthcare challenges facing Americans today have made pharmacists more important than ever since they are valued members of interprofessional healthcare teams said Lynne Coy-Ogan, EdD, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. Pharmacists have played an important role during the pandemic in communities across the U.S. because of their ability to administer vaccines. During the white coat ceremony, these students will officially join a respected and honorable career field. Becoming a pharmacist requires countless hours of study, years of hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings, and the ability to pass a rigorous national exam, continued Nash. At Husson University we fully support students as they work to achieve career success. The keynote speaker at the white coat ceremony will be Mary Beatham, a practicing pharmacist and a member of the Class of 2013. She will talk about how Husson Universitys School of Pharmacy prepared her for career success, what the white coat ceremony meant to her, and professionalism. Shell also share some advice with the students about the value of clinical rotations. About the Speaker Mary Beatham is a life-long resident of Maine. She grew up in the Bangor-Brewer area and received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Husson Universitys School of Pharmacy as part of the inaugural class of 2013. She was the very first student admitted to the PharmD program at Husson. After graduating, Beatham worked in a community retail pharmacy where she developed a passion for rural health services and chronic care management. In 2017, she accepted the pharmacy director position at Katahdin Valley Health Center in order to further her professional development in ambulatory care pharmacy and help expand access to quality pharmacy services in some of Maines most rural and under-served communities. Today, Beatham lives just outside of Houlton, Maine where she runs a small hobby farm with her husband Christopher, her two children, and numerous animals. Husson Universitys School of Pharmacy prepares students for rewarding careers in the diverse field of pharmacy through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on practical experience. The school offers a wide range of local experiential placements, access to modern and dedicated labs and a robust advisor program. With one of the best student-to-faculty ratios in the nation, students receive individualized attention from dedicated faculty from the very beginning. Students have the opportunity to enroll in one of three different degrees programs. They include a Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Pharmacy degree, a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD), and/or a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA)/Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. The School of Pharmacy is just one of several schools that are a part of Husson Universitys College of Health and Pharmacy. Others include the School of Nursing, the School of Occupational Therapy and the School of Physical Therapy. About Husson University For more than 120 years, Husson University has shown its adaptability and strength in delivering educational programs that prepare future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent a superior value in higher education. The hallmarks of a Husson education include advanced knowledge delivered through quality educational programs in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. According to a recent analysis of tuition and fees by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is one of the most affordable private colleges in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu. # # # Attachments NEW YORK, Oct. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Koninklijke Philips N.V. (NYSE: PHG) between February 25, 2020 and June 11, 2021, inclusive (the Class Period), of the important October 15, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Philips securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Philips class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2147.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 15, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company had deficient product manufacturing controls or procedures; (2) as a result, the Companys Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-Level PAP) and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices and mechanical ventilators were manufactured using hazardous materials; (3) accordingly, the Companys sales revenues from the foregoing products were unsustainable; (4) the foregoing also subjected the Company to a substantial risk of a product recall, in addition to potential legal and/or regulatory action; and (5) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Philips class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2147.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 lrosen@rosenlegal.com pkim@rosenlegal.com cases@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com All amounts expressed in US Dollars BAMAKO, Mali, Oct. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Loulo Gold Mine - Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) The Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex is set to remain a major contributor to the Malian economy well into the future as it continues to replace the ore depleted by mining, Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow said here today. Mines operated in Mali by Barrick and its predecessor Randgold have spent some $8 billion in the country in the form of taxes, royalties, salaries and payments to local suppliers over the past 24 years. To date this year, it has paid $318 million to the government in taxes, royalties and dividends and invested more than $13 million in community wellbeing projects ranging from health and education to economic development initiatives such as its Business Accelerator program, designed to equip budding entrepreneurs with management skills. Speaking at a media briefing, Bristow said Loulo-Gounkoto was on track to meet its annual production guidance, with its new underground mine at Gounkoto the complexs third underground operation ramping up production. Through successful exploration it is on track to increase mineral reserves net of depletion for the third successive year and promising results from the Yalea Ridge and Gounkoto-Faraba targets reaffirm the potential for further life-of-mine extensions. Loulo-Gounkoto is one of the worlds greatest gold mining operations and it continues to confirm its status as a member of the industrys elite Tier One1 club as well as the largest private sector contributor to Malis GDP, Bristow said. In addition to the enormous value it creates for its stakeholders, Loulo-Gounkoto also aspires to a high level of social responsibility. Almost 40% of employees have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and 335 people have been vaccinated in the surrounding community. Security staff and other employees who come into contact with the community have undergone rigorous training in human rights. Work is also under way to secure the new certification standardized by the International Cyanide Management Institute. Loulo-Gounkoto is maintaining its commitment to the employment and advancement of host country nationals, in line with Barricks global policy, and people from the nearby Kenieba village have been successfully trained to operate key equipment at the new Gounkoto underground mine. The complex is almost entirely staffed and managed by Malian citizens. Enquiries President and CEO Mark Bristow +1 647 205 7694 +44 788 071 1386 Group Regional Manager, West Africa Mahamadou Samake +223 66 75 61 36 Investor and Media Relations Kathy du Plessis +44 20 7557 7738 Email: barrick@dpapr.com Website: www.barrick.com Endnote 1 A Tier One Gold Asset is an asset with a reserve potential to deliver a minimum 10-year life, annual production of at least 500,000 ounces of gold and total cash costs per ounce over the mine life that are in the lower half of the industry cost curve. Cautionary Statement of Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release, including any information as to our strategy, projects, plans, or future financial or operating performance, constitutes forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words continue, ramp up, on track, promise, potential, aspire, maintain, commitment, value, under way, guidance, would, should and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: Loulo-Gounkotos production guidance and performance; the ramp up of production from the new underground mine at Gounkoto; Loulo-Gounkotos ability to continue to increase mineral reserves net of depletion; opportunities for further life-of-mine extensions from the Yalea Ridge and Gounkoto-Faraba targets; and Barricks commitment to Mali and investment in the development of local communities, including to support Covid-19 vaccination initiatives, human rights training, and local employment and development programs. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of this press release in light of managements experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper, or certain other commodities (such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation, and exploration successes; the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Companys expectations; risks that exploration data may be incomplete and considerable additional work may be required to complete further evaluation, including but not limited to drilling, engineering and socioeconomic studies and investment; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; risks associated with projects in the early stages of evaluation, and for which additional engineering and other analysis is required; failure to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/ or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in the Mali and other jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may carry on business in the future; damage to the Companys reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Companys handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; employee relations including loss of key employees; increased costs and physical risks, including extreme weather events and resource shortages, related to climate change; and availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor. Barrick also cautions that its guidance may be impacted by the unprecedented business and social disruption caused by the spread of Covid-19. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect Barricks ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Barrick disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. NEW YORK, Oct. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Koninklijke Philips N.V. ("Koninklijke" or the "Company") (NYSE: PHG) from February 25, 2020 through June 11, 2021 (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleges violations of the Securities Act of 1934. If you purchased Koninklijke securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Koninklijke Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Rujul Patel toll free at (877) 779-1414 or rpatel@bernlieb.com The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Philips had deficient product manufacturing controls or procedures; (2) as a result, the Companys Bi-Level PAP and CPAP devices and mechanical ventilators were manufactured using hazardous materials; (3) accordingly, the Companys sales revenues from these products were unsustainable; (4) the foregoing also subjected the Company to a substantial risk of a product recall, as well as potential legal and/or regulatory action; and (5) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On June 14, 2021, Koninklijke issued a voluntary recall of its Bi-Level PAP and CPAP devices, as well as its mechanical ventilators, after finding that the sound abatement foam used in the devices could become toxic. On this news, Koninklijkes stock price fell $2.24 per share, or 3.98%, to close at $54.25 per share on June 14, 2021. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 15, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member. If you purchased Koninklijke securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit https://www.bernlieb.com/cases/koninklijkephilipsnv-phg-shareholder-class-action-lawsuit-fraud-stock-430/apply/ or contact Rujul Patel toll free at (877) 779-1414 or rpatel@bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2021 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Contact Information Rujul Patel Bernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (877) 779-1414 rpatel@bernlieb.com FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2010, file photo, jockey Inez Karlsson, left, is led to the track on Exchanging Kisses before the fourth race prior to the 28th running of the Arlington Million horse race at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill. The racetrack is expected to close after the completion of racing on Sept. 25, with ownership taking bids for the future of the land. (AP Photo/John Smierciak, File) Governor Northam Leads Chesapeake Executive Council in Signing Climate Directive Efforts to meet 2025 Chesapeake Bay restoration goals enhanced, prioritizing health of the Bay and energizing economic activity VIRGINIA BEACHGovernor Ralph Northam today joined Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Virginia Delegate David Bulova, Environmental Protection Agency Acting Regional Administrator Diana Esher, and representatives from the Chesapeake Bay watershed at a meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council to sign a directive that commits the Chesapeake Bay Program to addressing the increasing threats of climate change. The directive utilizes world-class scientific, modeling, monitoring, and planning capabilities to jumpstart the final phase of Bay restoration. We are making significant investments to meet the 2025 restoration deadline, said Governor Northam. As someone who grew up next to the Chesapeake Bay, its restoration has been a priority for my administration. I am proud of the concrete actions we have taken in Virginia to help protect the Bay, especially our collaboration with the watershed partnership to invest in the infrastructure and programing. Cleaning the Bay creates new job opportunities, grows economic activity, builds resilience, and protects this natural treasure and its waterways. The Northam administration spent more than a year developing a strong, science-based clean water blueprint that will reduce nutrient pollution and account for the impacts of climate change. At the Chesapeake Executive Council meeting, Governor Northam, Maryland Governor Hogan, and Chesapeake Bay Commission Chair and Virginia House of Delegate David Bulova joined their colleagues in signing a directive to acknowledge the urgency and consequences of climate change. This partnership recognizes the need to increase the resiliency of the watershed, including the need to significantly reduce water pollution. It also acknowledges the need to restore natural landscapes, habitats, public infrastructure, and communities so they can withstand adverse impacts from changing environmental and climate conditions. A clean Bay will generate more than $22 billion dollars each year in new economic value from improved commercial and recreational fishing, reduced drinking water treatment costs, resilience to climate change, and improved property values and quality of life in the region, said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Ann Jennings. It is time to lean in on these efforts, acknowledge the undeniable impacts of the climate crisis, and, most importantly, work across the watershed to respond appropriately using the best science and data to protect the Bay and our environment. The Council, chaired by Governor Northam, includes the governors of the six watershed states, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The panel establishes the policy direction to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. Over the past four years, Virginia has made historic investments in Chesapeake Bay restoration, with more than $700 million allocated to these efforts thus far. # # # Albemarle Corporations subsidiary, Albemarle Lithium UK Limited, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding equity of Guangxi Tianyuan New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. ("Tianyuan"), a lithium converter located in Guangxi, China. Under the terms of the agreement, Albemarle will acquire all outstanding equity from Tianyuans shareholders for approximately US$200 million, subject to certain adjustments. Albemarle expects the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, to close in early 2022. Founded in 2017, Tianyuans operations include a recently constructed lithium processing plant strategically positioned near the Port of Qinzhou in Guangxi. The plant has designed annual conversion capacity of up to 25,000 metric tons LCE and is capable of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. It currently is in the commissioning stage and is expected to begin commercial production in the first half of 2022. The acquisition of Tianyuan, which owns and operates a newly constructed lithium processing plant, aligns with our strategy to pursue profitable growth in line with customer demand. This will be a key component of our next wave of projects designed to increase our conversion capacity in a capital-efficient manner in the coming years. As the global transition to cleaner energy rapidly develops, this added lithium capacity will enable us to help our customers achieve their growth and sustainability ambitions. Kent Masters, Albemarle CEO China-based battery-maker CATL will acquire Canada-based Millenial Lithium in an all-cash deal of approximately C$377 million (US$298 million) (C$3.85 per common share), after topping an earlier offer by Ganfeng Lithium of C$3.60/share. After receiving the CATL offer, Millennial notified Ganfeng that this proposal constituted a Superior Proposal in accordance with the terms of the arrangement with Ganfeng. Ganfeng elected not to exercise its right to match and, as a result, Millennial terminated the Ganfeng Arrangement Agreement in accordance with its terms and entered into the CATL Arrangement Agreement. The CATL Arrangement represents a premium of approximately 6.9% to the value of the consideration offered pursuant to the Ganfeng offer. CATL has also reimbursed Millennial for the termination fee of US$10 million paid to Ganfeng in respect of the termination of the Ganfeng Arrangement Agreement. The transaction is expected to close by January at the latest. Millennial has 2 projects strategically located in the heart of the Argentinean portion of the Lithium Triangle covering approximately 24,000 hectares. Argentina is a favorable mining jurisdiction which hosts some of the worlds largest lithium resources. Hoegh Autoliners entered into a Letter of Intent (LoI) with China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. (CMHI) to build a series of its multi-fuel and ammonia-ready Aurora class vessels. Under the terms of the LoI, the first two vessels will be delivered in the second half of 2024. The Aurora class has DNVs new ammonia-ready notation, which makes it the first in the segment to be ready for operation on carbon-neutral ammonia. DNVs Fuel ready notation is applicable for ammonia, LNG, LPG and LFL (methanol) as a ship fueleither individually or for more than one fuel at the same time. It is built around two mandatory options, (D) Design and (Ti/Tc) Tank, with basic and optional levels of preparation that offer a simple framework for all involved parties in newbuildings. Optional attributes cover the structure, engine and machinery, piping and bunkering, and miscellaneous requirements. With all of the options, owners can choose to prepare for a later installation of any system or go ahead with the actual installation and obtain certification of the system during construction. Together with its capacity to carry up to 9,100 cars the Aurora ships will be the worlds largest and most environmentally friendly car carriers to be built. MAN has been working with Hoegh to optimize a propulsion system that can run on various biofuels and conventional fuels, including LNG. With what Hoegh CEO Andreas Enger called minor modifications, the system can transition to use future zero-carbon fuels, including green ammonia. Since 2008 Hoegh Autoliners has achieved a reduced carbon intensity of 37% across its fleet and is significantly ahead of the global IMO 2030-target of 40% reduction. The companys ambition is to reach a net-zero emissions target by 2040, making it a leader on the path to zero. We are excited to have secured delivery of the first Aurora class vessel already by 2024. It will be the first Ammonia-ready vessel in its segment and the largest car carrier ever built. The Aurora class will bring cargo efficiency to a new level and put us in the forefront of sustainable shipping. Andreas Enger China Merchant Industry has been expanding its shipbuilding business over the past two years and it is now the largest PCTC builder and the fourth largest shipbuilding group in China. China Merchant Industry owns Deltamarin, which has been tasked by Hoegh Autoliners to design the new Aurora Class. Hoegh Autoliners is a leading global provider of RoRo (Roll On Roll Off) transportation services delivering cars, high and heavy and breakbulk cargoes across the world. The company operates around 40 RoRo vessels in global trade systems and makes about 3,000 port calls each year. WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., raised eyebrows with a specific a phrase she uttered during a leadership team meeting. The massive agenda that Democrats were pushing, Pelosi told her colleagues, "was a culmination of my service in Congress." She repeated the phrase publicly later Thursday at her weekly news conference, leaving some Democrats with the impression that she was making a personal plea to deliver for their leader of the last 19 years as she ponders the end of her political career. Whether she retires next year or not, the next few weeks and months will serve as a major inflection point for Pelosi's legacy. If she can usher President Joe Biden's ambitious agenda into law, Pelosi will cement her place as one of the most powerful members of Congress in history of the country. But Pelosi could also oversee the implosion of the party's attempt to achieve long sought goals on education, heath care and climate if she cannot smooth over the bitter ideological divide among congressional Democrats. Such an outcome would leave Democrats reeling heading into next year's midterm elections and likely ending her career on a sour note, denting her reputation as a master legislator who always finds a way to deliver. After 19 years leading House Democrats, she is also facing the invetiable questions over whether she has lost a step or maintains the legislative acumen and determination that has defined her career. Pelosi, 81, is now trying to prove her doubters wrong by resetting her caucus in pursuit of twin goals that have been linked, then separated and are now back together: a $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan that was bipartisan when it passed the Senate, and a partisan proposal to reshape social policy, with a price tag possibly around $2 trillion. On June 24, just before Biden appeared with a bipartisan group of senators claiming an initial deal on infrastructure, Pelosi publicly declared she would not move the Senate's legislation until the more ambitious bill had also cleared the Senate. Washington Post photo by Jabin Botsford. "There ain't gonna be no bipartisan bill, unless we have a reconciliation bill," she told reporters, using the parliamentary term for the party-line proposal that cannot be filibustered in the Senate. On Monday evening, when a deadline hit for a promise she made to her moderate flank, Pelosi shifted to separate the two bills because Senate centrist Democrats opposed the $3.5 trillion price tag for a package that would rewrite laws governing Medicare, Medicaid, corporate taxes, early childhood eduction and climate change. "It all changed, so our approach had to change," she told Democrats. For four days, however, members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus held their ground and refused to support the infrastructure bill, while the two most conservative Senate Democrats, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, held firm in refusing to support the $3.5 trillion House proposal. By Friday morning Pelosi realized that Biden needed to deliver the bitter political medicine to centrists and liberals, summoning the president to talk to her caucus in a basement meeting room in the Capitol. She even made security take cellphones from lawmakers and staff entering the room to prevent leaks, but that didn't matter. Lawmakers heard the message. "He sent two practical realities," Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., a leader of the moderate New Democratic Coalition, said afterward. "One is that we have to get to an agreement on reconciliation and it's not going to be 3.5, and two, that that's going to be necessary to get an infrastructure bill across the finish line." With the two bills back together again, the House speaker is dug in on her pursuit of passing what could be the last major legislation with her stamp on it. Upon winning back the speaker's gavel in January 2019, Pelosi suggested she would likely serve just four more years. She has made clear she will not announce her retirement months before her departure, becoming a lame duck. "Get out of here," Pelosi told reporters who asked if "culmination" meant she was close to stepping down. But once the calender turns to 2022, major legislation is likely to take a back seat to campaigning and Republicans could easily win the handful of seats they need to claim the House majority in the midterm elections. Her closest allies don't question her power to deliver in the near term. "When has Speaker Pelosi ever failed on a legislative initiative that she and a Democratic President strongly support? She didn't even fail when she had Republican presidents, including George Bush, and most recently Donald Trump," Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., a lieutenant in her leadership team, told reporters. The question is whether she retains the same strong hand over a caucus where her legislative lore is a thing of the past to some - 60 percent of the 220 Democrats arrived after her first run as speaker ended in 2010 with a brutal 63-seat loss. This new political era allows younger ideologues gain prominent followings without anything near Pelosi's reservoir of experience and relationships, including an unlikely bond between the coal-loving Manchin and the San Franciso clean energy advocate. A daily consumer of the New York Times crossword puzzle, Pelosi approaches every major negotiation like a real-life puzzle, viewing Manchin - a fellow Italian Catholic - as a key piece to resolving this dispute. For several years she worked with him on saving pensions for miners, during which time Manchin noticed a small statue in her office of coal miner: a gift from a West Virginian, Jennings Randolph, to her father, Thomas D'Alessandro Jr., when the future senator and future Baltimore mayor served together in the House in the 1940s. After the pension law passed, in December 2019, Manchin gave her a new statue of a miner that sits in her office, with a personal inscription to her: "Thank you for keeping the promise to the coal miners who helped build this country." Pelosi acknowledged this week that she gets a certain amount of joy and fulfillment out of the chaos surrounding such protracted negotiations, shuttling one collection of liberals into her office followed by a group of moderates and then White House officials. She's always been strategic about when to deploy food, and some who've sat in her office believe she manipulates the room temperature to make negotiators comfortable or uncomfortable, depending on her motive. "Let me just tell you about negotiating," she told reporters Thursday. "At the end, that's when you really have to weigh in. You cannot tire. You cannot concede. It's this is - this is the fun part." Her tenacity now is reminiscent of how she kept Democrats focused on passing the Affordable Care Act in 2010, despite several rocky moments including a special election defeat that cost Senate Democrats a filibuster-proof 60-seat caucus. "The Affordable Care Act was remarkable, and I take some proprietary interest on that," she said, noting that this latest proposal ties together so many separate issues she has focused on since first winning election in 1987. "Each one of those is something we fought over the years for and now is coming together in a way that is transformative, not incremental." Her sharpest critics are nevertheless impressed by the audacity of her approach, particularly with just 220 seats on her side of the aisle, just a three-vote margin for victory. "You could argue she's been the strongest speaker in history," Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., the former speaker from 1995 through 1998, said during a Thursday visit to the Capitol. "She has shown more capacity to organize and muscle, with really narrow margins." Two newer Democrats, Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Stephanie Murphy of Florida, both elected in 2016, reflect the ideological battle of the past few weeks. Jayapal leads the progressive caucus, while Murphy leads the Blue Dog Coalition, a more conservative group that was decimated in 2010. Jayapal led the liberal wing in rejecting Pelosi's push the last few days to pass the infrastructure bill, holding the speaker to the initial pledge in June that it would not pass until the bigger legislation was ready. "We held the line," she told reporters walking down the House steps Friday evening, claiming victory. And Murphy fought to make Pelosi live up to an August pledge to move the infrastructure plan by the end of September. While that didn't happen, Pelosi did issue a letter to Democrats Saturday that set a new deadline, Oct. 31, for passing the infrastructure bill, at which point the more ambitious reconciliation plan might not be complete. Despite all this zigzagging, veteran Democrats remain calm. "There's a lot of hand-wringing and recrimination and gnashing of teeth, particularly among the people who haven't seen this play out, the people of the shorter tenure here. The ones who have been here a long time, you can see it. They're the calm ones," Rep. Matthew Cartwright, D-Pa.,, first elected in 2012, said Friday. "They've seen it play out. They know something good is going to come out of this." Haiti - FLASH : Special Assistant to President Biden apologizes for mistreatment of Haitian migrants Friday, October 1 at a press conference at the American Embassy in Tabarre, Brian Nichols Assistant Secretary for Americas Affairs and Juan Gonzalez Special Assistant to President Biden and Senior Director of the National Security Council gave an update on the 48-hour mission in Haiti during which they met representatives of key sectors around the crisis as well as government authorities. "I met with Haitian political stakeholders to reaffirm U.S. support for a Haitian-led solution inclusive among political, economic, and civil society stakeholders to strengthen Haitis institutions. I raised concerns about crime, violence and needed efforts to make Haiti safer. I met with PM Ariel Henry and Claude Joseph to reiterate our commitment to humane repatriation of migrants, support for inclusive discussions with civil society and political actors leading to Haitian-led solutions, and desire for justice in President Moises assassination. There is no solution that will work for Haiti and its people that will be imposed from the outside," said US envoy Brian Nichols. The envoy who said he was impressed by the extent of the crisis exit agreements and the strength of the Montana one, indicating to have encouraged Haitian actors to come together in order to forge a common vision for the future of Haiti affirming "the transition in Haiti will last as long as necessary to allow a large majority of Haitians to come to an understanding " being convinced that "the political actors must come together to forge a vision unique in the interest of the Nation." Nichols also referred to his meeting with Prime Minister Henry and Chancellor Joseph on the migration crisis and reiterated the American commitment to repatriate migrants to Haiti in humane conditions. On this subject, Juan Gonzalez the Special Assistant to President Biden apologized for the way in which Haitian migrants had been treated along the US-Mexico border, in particular by the horse patrol of border guards https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34807-haiti-politic-dhs-does-not-tolerate-abuses-against-migrants.html claiming "is not the way border officials or the Ministry of Homeland Security behave." "I want to apologize. I want to clarify that these agents did not receive any orders from the Department of Homeland Security. The Homeland Security Secretary, after viewing the footage, apologized and gave directions for this to be rectified. Migrants from Haiti and all migrants in general should be treated with dignity." Treatment that had been condemned by Joe Biden who as President had accepted the ultimate responsibility https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34830-haiti-flash-biden-denounces-the-treatment-of-haitians-at-the-border-and-takes-responsibility-for-it.html See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34886-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34830-haiti-flash-biden-denounces-the-treatment-of-haitians-at-the-border-and-takes-responsibility-for-it.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34820-haiti-flash-us-special-envoy-to-haiti-daniel-foote-resigns.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34812-haiti-migration-crisis-congresswoman-maxine-waters-revolted-and-angry.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34807-haiti-politic-dhs-does-not-tolerate-abuses-against-migrants.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34799-haiti-usa-democrat-nancy-pelosi-in-defense-of-haitians-stranded-at-the-mexican-border.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... An armored vehicle set on fire, 1 UDMO agent killed and another wounded On Friday evening, October 1st in Martissant, a group of heavily armed men attacked a broken down armored vehicle. The agents of the Departmental Unit of Maintenance of Order (UDMO) on board called for reinforcements which unfortunately arrived too late. Results 1 UDMO agent was killed and another injured. The armored vehicle was set on fire by the bandits. Thunderstorm : 2 young men struck down Thursday, September 30 in Bellevue, a locality of the 6th Matheux section (Arcahaie) were killed by lightning, confirmed Jean Talien Chery, Advisor of the Communal Section (Casec). Disagreement in the Transport Strike The Unified Movement of Haitian Transporters informs that it does not adhere to the strike slogan of Monday, October 4, 2021 launched by the "Force Syndicale pour Sauver Haiti". 5 countries will massively deport Haitians The International Organization for Migration (IOM) expects: The United States, Mexico, the Bahamas, Cuba and the Turks and Caicos Islands to deport Haitian migrants en masse See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34878-haiti-flash-more-than-1000-haitians-could-be-repatriated-every-day.html Kidnapping of a Dominican driver Carlos Luciano Diaz Morfa, the Dominican Minister of Defense, indicated that they were following very closely with the Haitian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (via the embassies) and the National Police of Haiti (PNH) the kidnapping in Haiti on September 22, 2021 of a Dominican truck driver Wilson Rodriguez (33) for whom the kidnappers demand $200,000 in ransom. South : D-3 back to school Friday, October 1, 2021, as part of the reopening of classes in the Great South, Prime Minister ai Ariel Henry held a strategic meeting with the Interministerial Commission, mainly composed of the Ministries of Education, Interior, Public Works, Social Affairs as well as of the National Federation of Magistrates (FENAM). The objective : to provide an overview of the state of progress of the various projects, with a view to adopting support measures aimed at the success of the start of the school year in the great South set for Monday, October 4, 2021, in the three departments affected by the earthquake of August 14. School calendar : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34788-haiti-flash-new-school-calendar-revised-2021-2022-official.html HL/ HaitiLibre Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help On September 16, a Hindu man in Bangladesh was arrested for allegedly posting objectionable content against Islam on Facebook. The incident took place in the Bhola district of Bangladesh. As per reports, the man has been identified as Gouranga Chandra Dey. The controversy began after a screenshot of a Messenger conversation between Gouranga and another man named Jayaram went viral on Facebook on September 15. The screenshot allegedly contained derogatory remarks against Islam. As a pre-emptive measure, Gouranga went to the police and lodged a complaint. However, he was arrested the following day on September 16 under Section 54 (arrest without warrant under reasonable suspicion) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Gouranga is the President of the Bhola District Puja Udjapan Parishad president and a politically active man. His family has been placed under house arrest for over 2 weeks now ever since he has been arrested. A team of police have been deployed in the area to prevent any law and order situation. The Hindu community has demanded the immediate release of Gouranga and has alleged that he was being framed in a false case. Again Controversial post by hacking the Facebook Account of a Hindu man. Police have arrested the Hindu man (Gouranga Chandra dey) in Bhola. Now His family is spending time in fear and panic.https://t.co/MkYBoqEfaw? Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 1, 2021 Family forced to stay indoors, shop shut down During the preliminary investigation, it was found that the account that was used to post objectionable content was created a few days prior to the incident. It has remained inactive ever since September 15. The victims wife Rina Rani Dey denied any wrongdoing by Gouranga and informed that she has not been able to step out of the house. This is despite the fact that her daughter is extremely sick. Meanwhile, the two shops that are owned by Gouranga have remained closed for over two weeks now. Rajkumar Dey, the younger brother of the victim, narrated how they have been living under fear in Bangladesh. Rajkumar, who helps run the shops owned by Gouranga, said, I am terrified. None of us can even think of going out. We do not have the courage to open our shop. A Hindu woman from Bhola district said that the alleged case of blasphemy has prompted attacks and Vandalism on Hindus, ahead of Durga Puja. A sevadar at the local temple expressed fear over the majority Muslim community holding marches and protests. We are a minority, he lamented. Gouranga Chandra Dey had earlier lodged a GD with the police alleging Facebook hacking. Later, a fake Account was opened with his name and bad comments were made about Islam from that Account. Bangladesh Hindu Unity Council (@UnityCouncilBD) October 1, 2021 Islamist organisations issue warnings, demand exemplary punishment for Gouranga Radical Islamist organisations such as Bhola District Muslim Unity Council have demanded exemplary punishment for Gouranga Chandra Dey for allegedly insulting their religion. The situation in Bhola has become tense after they launched marches and rallies to avenge the insult. According to Secretary Mobashbirul Haque Naeem, this is the third case of blasphemy in the past 2 years. Anything said against our religion will not be tolerated. They will protest against such actsThey are demanding action under the law. The sensitivity of the case has put pressure on the law enforcement authorities to expedite the probe. However, the Superintendent of Police (Bhola) Sarkar Mohammad Kaiser regretted that the investigation would take time due to technical limitations in the case. Hindu groups take out protest, demand immediate release of Gouranga On the other hand, Hindu groups have called on the government to take immediate steps to stop attacks on Hindus ahead of the Durga Puja. They also protested against the arrest of Gouranga Chandra Dey and demanded his immediate release. On Monday (September 27), the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad took out a rally to demand the release of Gouranga Chandra Dey. According to Kazal Debnath, a leader of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, several Hindu idols have been vandalised in different districts in the country ahead of Durga Puja. He has urged the government to take action, failing which mass protests will be organised. The protest rally began at National Museum in Shahbagh and ended near Teacher Student Centre (Dhaka University). Nirmal Chatterjee, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, stated that Goranga Chandra Dey was fabricated in a false case after his Facebook account was hacked by unknown miscreants. President Milon Kanti Dey said that the Hindu community in the Bhola district will not celebrate Durga Puja this year if Gouranga is not released. Meanwhile, the General Secretary of Sri Sri Durga Mata Mandir, Nepal Chandra Dey, claimed that Gouranga was being framed under a conspiracy for his active participation in electoral politics. Source : OpIndia The Spurs have signed forward/center Aric Holman, according to the RealGM transactions log. Terms were not reported but its safe to assume Holman received a non-guaranteed camp deal. Holman went undrafted in 2019 out of Mississippi State. He signed with the Lakers that summer and was soon waived. The Mavericks claimed him but also waived him during training camp. He played in the G League for the Texas Legends that season before signing with a team in Germany last year. He was on the Celtics summer league roster. He averaged 5.0 PPG and 1.8 RPG in 8.5 MPG during a handful of contests in Las Vegas. San Antonio also officially added guard Nate Renfro, according to the transactions feed. That pending signing was reported on Friday. The additions bump the Spurs training camp roster to the 20-man limit. Its likely both players will soon wind up with the G Leagues Austin Spurs. Three valet drivers for clubs in southwest Houston were fatally run down by a driver who then crashed into a ditch late Saturday night, Houston Police Department said. Before hitting the valets around 11 p.m., the suspect was doing donuts and burnouts before he sped away as an officer attempted to stop him near Fountain View and Fairdale, police said. The three valets, who were walking along the side of the road to get cars, died at the scene. The suspect and his passenger were taken to trauma centers, police said. READ MORE: 'A huge loss': 18-year-old Bellaire High School grad among valets killed by reckless driver One person decided they didnt want to get a ticket or potentially get arrested for a misdemeanor, Sean Teare, chief of the Harris County District Attorney Vehicular Crimes division, said. Weve all had an opportunity to at least look at some dash cam footage. Were still collecting a lot more evidence before we close this scene up. The driver faces up to four felony charges once it is determined whether he was intoxicated. Although the HPD traffic division is analyzing the suspect for intoxication, Teare said this may not effect the potential charges, as the charges are as high as they can be with each felony carrying anywhere from 5 years to life in prison. Teare said HPD and HCDA watched dashcam footage of the incident provided by the pursuing officer. The driver was travelling at least 60 MPH on the residential road. You can see the speed accelerate, and were not talking about a large street, Fairdale, he said.When this individual struck those three valets he went from a felony evading arrest to a felony murder. Thats a third degree felony up to three charges of first degree felony. Were talking about three individuals who were just out here working. They were out here doing their job. They were coming back from parking cars to get more cars. No identities were released. The story is developing. chevall.pryce@chron.com A 6-year-old was injured in a car crash after a man ran a red light and struck the parents vehicle. The crash took place at 10:45 p.m. Friday on 2001 St. Joseph Parkway. The crash put the parents vehicle up a pole and the 6-year-old suffered the most serious injuries, according to Houston Police Department. A crowd of more than 10,000 turned out Saturday in downtown Houston to encourage voter registration and to fight Texas restrictive abortion ban. Participants in the Womens March, organized by the nonprofit Houston Women March On, made their way from Discovery Green nearly a mile to City Hall, where Mayor Sylvester Turner greeted the crowd and proclaimed Oct. 1 as Womens Voter Registration Day. U.S. Reps. Al Green, Lizzie Fletcher and Sylvia Garcia attended, as did George Floyd Foundation executive director Shareeduh Tate, and DeAndre Hopkins mother, activist Sabrina Greenlee. Although rain started falling as the speeches began, the crowd didnt dwindle, even occasionally shouting in unison, vote him out or our bodies, our rights. A main focus at the event was abortion rights in response to Senate Bill 8, which effectively prohibits abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected at around six weeks into a pregnancy. It became law Sept. 1. Abortion activists say the new law disregards constitutional rights and forces women to seek unsafe abortion alternatives. Anti-abortion advocates favor the law as a way to protect unborn children. Our creator endowed us with the right to life and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion, Abbott said in a bill signing ceremony in May. TEXAS ABORTION BAN: UT law professor warns Congress of broader threat from Texas abortion ban But several Republicans, including Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, have criticized a provision in Texas near-total ban that empowers private citizens to sue doctors and others who help women obtain abortions, with the possibility of winning at least $10,000 in damages. As well, the Texas law allows no exceptions for rape or incest. Echoes of 1973 The Supreme Court in 1973 ruled in Roe v. Wade that a woman has a constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy in the first six months. The U.S. Supreme Court decision to deny an emergency request to block the Texas law was followed in September by the Justice Department filing suit. About 7 million women of reproductive age live in Texas, and providers performed about 54,000 abortions last year. The majority are at least six weeks into their pregnancies, according to abortion advocates. I have three daughters who are reproductive age and they should have a choice, said Denise Leisten, 59. Ronaldo Salgado, 24, said he hoped he someday has a daughter who can grow up without obstacles, including legislation. Other states to follow More states are expected to follow in Texas footsteps. Lawmakers in Florida, North Dakota, Mississippi, Arkansas, South Dakota and Indiana have signaled intentions to pass legislation similar to SB 8. The roster of speakers Saturday included celebrity chefs Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons, who are in Houston filming the upcoming season of Top Chef. They were accompanied by fellow Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio, who stood offstage showing support. VIGILANTE JUSTICE: Federal government makes its case against Texas abortion ban To be on the ground (in Houston), meeting people every day who live here, work here, and struggle and prosper here has been really informative and nurturing, Lakshmi told the Houston Chronicle. I'm happy that I get the privilege of doing the work that I already do with Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union here in Texas. Simmons said marching in Houston allowed her to bring more attention to the causes at hand. There are women's issues and voter, gun law and immigration issues that affect women as well as children and families, Simmons said. If I can lend my voice to these in some small way and make my time here as productive as possible, how could I say no? Nationwide rallies Womens marches took place in more than 500 cities across the U.S. Saturday. The protests emulated the womens marches that were held across the country in January 2017 after the election of President Donald Trump. The protests come just days before the Supreme Court reconvenes for its new nine-month term Monday. The court is expected to review whether all state laws that ban pre-viability abortions are unconstitutional. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg A former Washington state resident has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering the mother of his child in Houston. Jarrell Lamarck Darrington, 32, fatally stabbed Nancy Darlee Romeus, 23, in 2015 while visiting relatives in Houston during the holidays, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a press release. Regarding UT law professor warns Congress of broader threat from Texas abortion ban, (Sept. 29): As an adoptee who was fortunate enough to be conceived and born before abortion became legal, I am saddened to read articles by pro-abortion advocates invoking what if arguments trying desperately to punch holes in a law that was not blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court. The belief in many corners is that the pregnant woman is punished by being forced to carry the pregnancy to term and deliver a healthy baby, whereas my parents, childless for 11 years, prayed for the blessing of a child. A 36-year-old woman helped provide the answer to their prayer. I was a member of the Houston Fire Department, serving as a firefighter and paramedic for 33 years. I touched others lives. What if I had been aborted? I refuse to believe that the God I believe in blesses the shedding of innocent blood. Today our society seemingly accepts a sacrifice of the innocents, not to Molech, but to a different and more powerful god. Its name is Self. If a pregnancy gets in the way of a womans career or lifestyle or is otherwise inconvenient, the child she is carrying becomes expendable. Bob Blumrick, Houston Regarding Opinion: I have counseled rape survivors. Texas denies them legal abortions, (Sept. 29): As a former Houstonian and women's rights advocate in the 1970s, I want to thank Sonia Corrales for her recent op-ed on Texas denial of legal abortions. A few questions for so-called pro-lifers: Why are pro-lifers blaming women for killing the unborn, when it still takes two to tango (procreate)? Surely not all pregnancies happen through immaculate conception. Why are pro-life activists so concerned about the unborn children of living pregnant women and not about the thousands of women who are murdered every year in this country, often after being victims of domestic violence? Why is it not in their pro-life concerns to see the root causes of these terrible, violent acts against women? Lena M. Brooks, St. Paul, MN As state lawmakers plunge into the knotty, contentious process of redistricting, theres one thing we can be sure of: The end result will be ugly. In theory, lawmakers are redrawing lines for the benefit of their fellow Texans. In practice, theyre drawing for the benefit of themselves. Doing their dead-level best to choose their own voters instead of the other way around, theyll draw maps so twisted only a contortionist for Cirque de Soleil could possibly appreciate them. As a former Democratic state representative and a longtime redistricting consultant, Ive been drawing maps for 40 years. Ive seen gerrymandered districts so grotesque, they resemble a creature concocted in Dr. Frankensteins laboratory; theyre designed exclusively to protect the incumbent or the party in power. Ive seen Black, Hispanic and Asian voters either packed into one district so their voice will be muted, or scattered into numerous districts, so their influence will be diluted. Again, these shenanigans are designed to keep the incumbent or a particular party in power. THUMBS: Trump calls Abbott's election audit 'weak,' but governor hasn't caved yet At the risk of sounding naive, I want to remind my fellow Texans that it doesnt have to be this way. Traditional redistricting as a way of achieving the concept of one-person, one-vote should respect a set of basic principles: compactness, contiguity, equal population and preservation of communities of interest, such as cities, neighborhoods and regions. That means, for example, that Senate District 10, as proposed by Sen. Joan Huffman and the redistricting committee, wouldnt stretch from Fort Worth and Arlington through seven rural counties to Brownwood, simply to defeat an incumbent of the other party. That also means that the newly proposed Houston Senate District 17 wouldnt stretch from River Oaks to Matagorda Bay to protect the GOP incumbent. In other words, every Texan, as much as possible, would vote within a district drawn to best represent communities that share history, geography and, often, economic interests. Another basic principle is respect for voting rights. Unfortunately, Texas, like other Southern states, has a history of disrespect for minority voters, but theres something new now. In the 20th century, Texas suburbs were a bastion of GOP strength. Not so anymore. The national trends have reached Texas and the suburbs are becoming increasingly Democratic. Now discrimination against the college-educated in suburbs is the thing (theyre elites you know, favoring masks in schools, vaccination, more education and such). The need to pack or fragment voters whom the GOP fears now involves splitting up the suburbs. Apparently theres too much critical thinking going on in upscale and often white neighborhoods such as Bellaire and West University Place. Huffman packed those voters from her district into the neighboring SD 15, which is majority Black and Hispanic. Heres what would happen in 2021 if we relied on basic redistricting principles: 1. Our population is exploding in the big cities and their suburbs. Greater Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, the I-35 corridor from San Antonio to Waco are all communities of interest. They are also the economic engines of our state. Those drawing the maps would work to make sure that districts reflect those common interests. 2. Other historic regions are just as important in defining what we know as Texas: The Panhandle, the Piney Woods, the South Plains, Big Country, the Hill Country, South Texas, the Gulf Coast, the Costal Bend and the Trans-Pecos (where I live) are not only unique and special places, theyre communities of interest and would be respected as such. 3. Redistricting would respect Texas. Within the confines of this vast state are agricultural regions and oil- and gas-producing regions, distinct from centers of commerce and technology. Each has separate and distinct interests that deserve their own representation. A computer simply programmed for compact districts of equal population would produce a map that largely protects distinct communities. The Legislature, Im sorry to say, will not. Texas is becoming a closely divided state politically. Our state is changing and growing. Republican leaders in the Senate plan to impose a map that will give their party 19 of the 31 Senate seats. Determined to protect their own in this rapidly evolving state, the map they produce will not be pretty. It wont be fair, and it wont be fairly representational. Since GOP voting strength resides in rural counties, the map Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will seek to impose will slice and dice several rural regions into multiple pieces and attach these GOP base voters to parts of urban and suburban Texas. Their aim will be to stifle political voices in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and their fast-growing suburbs. The demonstration map presented here attempts to keep like places together and happens to be the mirror image of the GOP map. This more compact map a map more representational of the state we live in could produce as many as 20 Democratic senators. When you look at the map, you can see why Patrick and friends have no interest in compact districts. GRIEDER: Texas voters can expect to be the losers in the partisan redistricting process Why should there be extreme partisan gerrymandering in any direction? Why not find common-sense middle ground? Whats wrong with partisan proportionality? This demonstration map, attempting to base urban districts more around individual cities, shows what compact regions would look like. The D-FW region best shows that urban Senate districts can be based on individual cities and remain compact. Fort Worth, for example, has a district, as does the combination of Arlington and Grand Prairie. The city of Dallas has two, and northern suburban cities dominate two others. Harris County is less convoluted than under current law maps. In Central Texas, several districts are organized around the I-35 spine, an area that represents high-tech and high-growth modern Texas. A congressional map also drawn to respect compactness, contiguity and communities of interest likely produces 23 Democratic members out of 38. Thats not what we will see when the messy redistricting process comes to an end. The GOP, desperate to remain in power, will push a spaghetti bowl of community dissection drawn to produce 23 Republicans. The best solution, again, is to find a middle ground not an extreme in either direction. I realize that most Texans dont have time to dissect the redistricting process, even though their lives are affected every decade by how it is resolved. As David Daley, author of books on redistricting, points out, It is not trendy to suggest that redistricting matters; no one gets tenure or retweeted for making the case that the thing that put us all to sleep in high school civics is actually a chief cause of our democratic decay. As the redistricting process plays out in the coming weeks, as my Republican friends take advantage of every opportunity to perpetuate their power and influence, Im merely making the case for an end product that reflects the commonality within regions. Districts dont have to be ugly, or unrepresentative. They should reflect the natural beauty and simplicity that is Texas. Maybe one day we will have a redistricting commission with that computer programmed for compactness. Tidwell is a former Democratic state representative who has been involved in redistricting issues since 1981. He lives in Marathon. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Hudson, NY (12534) Today Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable. The BRPC's virtual annual meeting includes a video of North Adams Planner Kyle Hanlon, right, handing over the gavel to new commission Chairman John Duval, chairman of the Adams Board of Selectmen. BRPC, County Selectmen Hear About Baker-Polito Plans for ARPA Funds Ashely Stolba, undersecretary for community development in the Executive Office for Housing and Economic Development, speaks to the annual meeting of the BRPC and Berkshire County Selectmen's Association. PITTSFIELD, Mass. State officials have been hearing the same refrain from small businesses and local officials across Massachusetts: lack of housing, high housing costs and labor shortages. "I heard the same issues on the Cape as I did in the Berkshires, in the middle of the state in Lowell, in Salem," Undersecretary of Community Development Ashley Stolba told the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's annual meeting. "Everywhere we went, we've heard really so many of the same issues." Stolba was the guest speaker on economic recovery at the annual meeting on Thursday that was held in conjunction with the Berkshire County Selectman's Association. The meeting was held virtually this year and took a hiatus last year, both because of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit towns and businesses hard over the past year and a half. Stolba had participated in the Baker-Polito administration's "Statewide Small Business Tour" that traveled to 24 communities including Adams, North Adams and Williamstown. The tour was to promote the administration's Bill H.3922, An Act Relative to Immediate Covid Recovery that was referred to House Committee on Ways and Means. The bill proposes immediate disbursement of $2.915 billion of the state's $5.3 billion allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to support key priorities including housing and homeownership, economic development and local downtowns, job training, and workforce development, health care, and infrastructure. It would allocate $1 billion for homeownership and housing production, $900 million for infrastructure investments, $350 million for downtown development and job training programs, $240 million for workforce development and job training programs, $225 million for health care, $100 million for tourism and cultural facilities, and $100 million for increased broadband access. "What we're hoping to do to scale up existing programs that we already have," Stolba said. "This would make it somewhat easier to spend the money right away because we'd be using programs that we know work and people already love them." The housing allocations include $300 million dollars in first-time homebuyers assistance, $200 million to the Commonwealth Builder Program to help communities of color build wealth through homeownership, $200 million to fund 2,400 rental housing units, and $300 million to senior and supportive housing with the goal of creating 3,600 units. But Sheffield alternate Rene Wood wondered if small towns would see any benefit in these programs. "We have so few homes for sale and no one who is a working person yet afford them," she said. "We're flooded by New Yorkers, nothing against them, but this program while it's wonderful, I don't believe is going to help anyone in our community, I hope I'm wrong." Windsor delegate Douglas McNally said broadband made his community sell out of houses. "Basically what happened for years, we had houses on the market, but we built our own broadband network and the minute broadband was available, every home that was on the market sold and it sold above the asking price and right now, the time on the market in the town of Windsor is under three days," he said. "The problem is that small towns like Windsor, where we have a zoning because everything is well water and septic, and so on, you can't get a home cheap, you don't have town water, town sewer or anything like that, so you can't put in apartments." The town of Mount Washington is reportedly experiencing an Airbnb problem in which people are building houses and putting in small apartments without permits to rent through the online company. Lanesborough delegate Barb Davis-Hassan said the rental market has been "absorbed by the Airbnb market." In Stockbridge, the town is struggling with offering affordable housing because it has minimum four-acre zoning. The workforce development proposal would allocate $150 million for workforce credentials for entry and mid-level wages, $35 million to fund English for Speakers of Other Languages programs and Adult Basic Education, and $25 million for work readiness and essential skills programs. Mount Washington alternate James Lovejoy explained that really small towns struggle with having staff to manage grants, which makes annual funding such as state Chapter 90 favorable. Andrew Hogeland of Williamstown, of the Berkshire County Selectmen's Association, encouraged the administration to build in a lot of flexibility for these programs because of the varying community sizes in the state that have varying needs. "I want to make sure that there are funding programs that actually appeal to a lot of small towns, because especially given where we are, among the four western counties," he said. "There's a lot of very small towns, and they just can't take advantage of these programs so the more that designers of these programs keep those communities in mind, I think that we appreciate that very much." During this meeting, the Kusik Award named after the late Charles Kusik was presented to the Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative and the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Berkshire County for providing vital services to the county throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative was responsible for around 90,000 vaccinations from January through June at three locations in Northern, Central, and Southern Berkshire County. Northern Berkshire Emergency Planning Committee member Amalio Jusino and Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Programs Lia Spiliotes accepted the award on behalf of the vaccine collaborative. "In my many years of emergency management, I've never worked with such a great group of consummate professionals," Jusino said about the collaborative. "Their commitment, passion, dedication, empathy, and drive to cure in the world from this little place in Massachusetts was and continues to be unmatched." Spiliotes said the collaborative was able to reach people at the vaccination sites and from the mobile health units that were deployed into the community for greater accessibility. "We were able to do things on two fronts: one was we were able to get people to the three locations and make it easy for them and help them along, but we were also able to take vaccines out in the first four months that vaccines were available, we did about close to 5,000 vaccines on the mobile health unit and we continue to do vaccines on the mobile health unit, and in a year from this month, we'll have a fleet of three mobile health units," she said. "It's our hope that we can use what we have to complement all the other health agencies and health-care providers in Berkshire County that work so hard together, and that we can do something to really supplement and aid them in delivering care because at the end of the day, the people that we care about, the people that are important to us have very great needs in this community and all of us are there to support them." Williamstown Community Chest Executive Director Anna Singleton, Northern Berkshire United Way Executive Director Christa Collier, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Program Director Maeve O'Dea, and Berkshire United Way's Director of Volunteer Engagement Brenda Petell accepted the award for the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Berkshire County. Since March 2020, the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Berkshire County coordinated around $2 million through 132 grants to 95 nonprofits with a wide range of services. It is co-led by Berkshire United Way and Berkshire Taconic Foundation in partnership with Northern Berkshire United Way and the Williamstown Community Chest. "We decided at the beginning of this, March 19, that we needed to come together and mobilize all our resources and put forth into action what we do best, we needed to support our grantees, our community partners, and our member agencies, and establish this fund and get it up and running," Collier explained. "And by joining forces as the philanthropic organizations in Berkshire County, we really served as the bridge builders, we didn't initially know this at first but we were really able to form partnerships, we were able to be instrumental, and building trust within the communities we serve." They say everything is fair in love and war. This time around, Ek Thi Begum protagonist Ashraf Bhatkar has declared war to avenge lost love and is ready to raise hell against the goons behind her husband's death. Played by Anuja Sathe, Ashraf Bhatkar is a character we instantly root for. We see her as a demure lady, caring wife and expecting mother in season 1. However, things take a vicious turn when the underworld hoodlums kill her husband Zaheer (Ankit Mohan). MX Player Shocked by the tragic news, she loses her unborn child as well. With nothing left to lose, Ashraf decides to go against the underworld, particularly the mastermind behind her husbands brutal death - Maqsood (played by Ajay Gehi). Season 1 ends with a cliffhanger where Ashraf is grievously wounded by Maqsoods men and were left wondering, is she alive? Why We Liked Ek Thi Begum Season 2 Ashaf Bhatkar is back under the alias of Leela Paswan in season 2. This time around, shes twice as fearless and bold as she was in season 1. She teams up with underworld goon Ashwin (played by Hitesh Bhojraj) whos a drug dealer. Take a look at the trailer: Underworld, police and politicians are hunting for her, but shes relentless, dauntless and ready to avenge her husbands death. Directed by Sachin Darekar and Vishal Modhave, season 2 guarantees an edge of the seat thriller. Its fast paced, the dialogues are badass, and the performances will keep you hooked! MX Player Spread across 12 episodes, this crime-thriller brings to us the wrath, fury, and grit of a woman whos out to get justice at any cost. She fears no one - be it a gangster, corrupt politician, livid journalist or the police. Now streaming for free on MX Player, this series also stars Shahab Ali, Chinmay Mandlekar, Vijay Nikam, Resham Shrivardhankar, Rajendra Shisatkar, Nazar Khan, Sauraseni Maitra, Lokesh Gupte, Mir Sarwar, Purnanada Wandekar and Rohan Gujar in pivotal roles. Take it from us, the show makes for a riveting binge-watch. Click here to start watching! Army Chief General MM Naravane said that the Chinese troops have been deployed in considerable numbers" across eastern Ladakh and northern front. He said that it was a matter of concern, while adding that the situation is being continuously monitored. Chinese have deployed in considerable numbers all across Eastern Ladakh and Northern front right up to our Eastern command. Definitely, there has been an increase in their deployment in the forward areas which remains a matter of concern for us," he told ANI. "But we are monitoring all their developments. Based on whatever inputs we get we are carrying out matching developments in terms of infrastructure. At the moment, we are quite well poised to meet any eventuality," he said. #WATCH | "...Definitely, there has been an increase in their deployment in the forward areas which remains a matter of concern for us...," says Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane to ANI on the India-China border situation pic.twitter.com/9DRwRwZ4Ud ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2021 General Naravane is on a two-day visit to eastern Ladakh to take stock of India's operational preparedness in the backdrop of its prolonged military standoff with China in the region, that began last year. AFP/ FILE Galwan stand-off The stand-off in Galwan valley in May 2020 had taken a bloody turn when soldiers from both sides engaged in hand-to-hand combat, resulting in the death of 20 Indian service personnel and an undisclosed number of fatalites on the Chinese side. The two sides have since agreed to disengages and reduce tensions by withdrawing the heavy troop deployment along the LAC. Though a large portion of the troops that were deployed last year during the height of the tensions have been withdrawn, it is still far from normal. FILE IMAGE There are also concerns that China would try to open new fronts along the LAC. Earlier this week, there were reports of a fresh transgression from the Chinese side. PTI has reported that some 100 soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) had transgressed the LAC in the Barahoti sector in Uttarakhand in August. Google Maps The transgression took place on August 30, and the Chinese troops returned from the area after spending few hours, the report which quoted people familiar with the development said. The report added that over 100 soldiers and 55 horses transgressed over 5 km of Indian territory by crossing the Tun Jun La Pass, and did not result in a face-off between the two sides. Despite its shady nature and lack of clarity about its legal status in India, Cryptocurrencies are a rage among investors in the country and by all estimates, it is only going to grow in coming days. But due to its nature, dealing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and there have been a number of cases in India where people who thought they investing in digital currency lost millions and at times life's savings to fraudsters. Unsplash Now yet another such case has surfaced from Bengaluru, where a conman who was impersonating as a woman duped people in the name of cryptocurrencies investment and even was selling a piece of the moon. What happened? According to the cybercrime police, the accused, identified as Akash Narayana used a fake social media profile in the name of Uska Abubakar to prey on unsuspecting victims. 'She' introduced herself as a cryptocurrency expert and promised people huge returns or a piece of land on the moon. NASA Police launched a probe after a woman filed a complaint alleging that she was duped by the imposter. According to her complaint, on August 19 she was approached by a woman called Uska Abubakar to invest Rs 45,700 to get good returns. The complainant said she had transferred Rs 25,100 to the accused through Google Pay but later found that the promised profits never arrived and realised she had been cheated. Based on her complaint, the police have arrested a youth to whose account the money was transferred. It is still unclear if the arrested person was running the scam alone or if he was part of a larger network. Facebook is set to invest $50 million to build it "metaverse" - a digital world wherein people may use devices to exist and communicate in a virtual environment, bypassing the current dividing line between the digital and the physical. For this, the company is partnering with multiple organisations to make the metaverse real. For years, Facebook has invested hefty sums into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Now, a sum of all tech development seems to be nearing its summit with metaverse. Reuters Facebook announced that metaverse technologies will be built to be inclusive and empowering, with new XR Programs and Research Fund supporting the development over two years. Can we trust Facebook, the same company accused of neglecting user safety and privacy for years? Well, the company says that it intends to work with experts in four major areas including data safety and privacy. Essentially, Facebook wants users to be able to seek help in case they see something contentious on Facebook metaverse. Looks like Facebook is thinking in advance for the metaverse. The platform claims to not only be inclusive and accessible to all, but also wants to "encourage competition" in the digital-verse industry. What is a metaverse? Essentially, think of metaverse as social media 2.0. It is more interactive, immersive, and responsive than a phone screen. Coined by Neal Stephenson in a 1992 sci-fi novel called Snow Crash, metaverse refers to an intermingling of the physical, virtual and the augmented in an online space. Also read: Instagram Kids Version Put On Hold, After Public Outcry Against Facebook Metaverse is not just a Facebook product. In fact, once its first version is out, other companies are expected to join the metaverse, allowing free movement across platforms to do what they wish to do. AFP Even then, the 3D version of social media sounds like quite a challenge - for regulation of content and ensuring safety. Risks in a 3D space will be naturally higher because of its immersive capability. Zuckerberg doesn't seem to be worried, in fact he has pitched the metaverse as the closest thing to teleportation in conversation with The Verge. Moderation a key challenge In the recent past, Facebook has been facing considerable heat from countries that feel the platform does not do enough to weed out misinformation, but instead allows such opinions to grow on the platform. Very recently, internal documents showing Instagram's impact on teenage girls were leaked, wherein it was shown that the platform owned by Facebook causes body image issues among teenagers. Also read: Facebook Paid Billions Extra In Cambridge Analytica Case To Protect Mark Zuckerberg Reuters This Thursday, a Facebook executive will appear in front of US Senate to testify on how the platform affects the mental health of its young users. Initial partners for the Facebook metaverse fund include Howard University, which will assess diversity in the IT industry and how those lessons may be used to build a diverse metaverse. Seoul National University, along with the University of Hong Kong will assess safety, ethics, and design, according to Facebook, as reported by Reuters. Are you excited for the next true upgrade to our digital lives, or does this immersive shift worry you? Tell us how you feel in the comments below. For more technology and science content, keep reading Indiatimes. Suspected members of a criminal gang that used to make tutorial videos about how to bomb cash machines finally ran out of luck with the police in dramatic circumstances. Police in the Netherlands and Germany arrested gang members responsible for at least 15 bombings on cash machines after one of its members blew himself up testing an explosive device, AFP reported. File Photo/AP One suspect was killed and another was badly hurt in the Dutch city of Utrecht when a trial run went wrong at an illegal training centre for explosives attacks on ATMs, European Union police agency Europol said. "The criminals were making video tutorials which were given in person to other criminals," a Europol spokeswoman told AFP. File Photo/Shutterstock The main suspect, a 29-year-old, blew himself up when filming a tutorial video. His accomplice, a 24-year-old, was seriously injured and taken into custody," she added. The police started searching for these criminals when the local police of Osnabruck, Germany observed that there were some suspicious orders being placed in that area. Representational Image/Reuters As authorities began to investigate, it was revealed that the orders were reaching Utrecht in the Netherlands. This is where the two culprits were running their illegal training centre. "The pair was ordering different models of ATMs and recording tutorials on how to most effectively blow them up," the EU agencies said. "The cash machines were blown open using homemade explosive devices, posing a serious risk for residents and bystanders. However, by the time the police nabbed the criminals one of them had already lost his life to his own experiment. For more fun trending stories, click here. Elon Musk has become one of the best-known innovators in the world. He is known as the driving force behind PayPal, SpaceX and Tesla Motors. But in the mid-90s, Musk was thinking about how we use the web. Incidentally, his first four patents centered on ideas that are now integral to the way we search and communicate online. CEO Magazine While Larry Page and Sergey Brin introduced us to Google search, in 1998, Elon Musk had ideated about creating a search engine long before its eventual inception. Even before Yahoo, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote a thesis in 1993 on a Google-like search engine for his degree in The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. An old video has been doing the rounds on social media, where Elon Musk responds to few questions about his leaps from one venture to another. When asked about his long old thesis on Google, Musk replies, We could have built something similar to Google twenty years ago. He goes on to say that he worked on three independent things namely ultra-capacitors, solar panels, and the Google thing. As it remains, Musk-owned Tesla is currently doing phenomenal with electric vehicles. Whereas on the other hand, SolarCity, a Tesla subsidiary company, is gaining fast among the solar panel manufacturers. Screengrab/YouTube One could argue that if Elon Musk would have built a web page search engine rather than satellites, it could have been a whole lot different. Nevertheless, no one actually knows what big idea Elon Musk might have next in mind. But now that people are talking about it, maybe Elon Musk resurfaces his rusting project of a Google-like search engine. Yoga is all fun and games until you suffer a horrific injury. A woman's yoga class didn't go according to plan after she suffered a broken leg while performing a particular posture. The student, surnamed Wang, was attending her first-ever private lesson taught by a woman surnamed Li at the end of August in China's Anhui province, South China Morning Post reported. Representational Image/Ekhart Yoga During the class, Wang was told to practice the dragon pose, a hip-opening move with multiple variations stemming from a lunge-like posture. However, it all went awry after the teacher gave her instructions and said that her left leg was in the wrong position. Representational Image/Shutterstock She was pushing down on my thigh and pressed too hard. Suddenly, I just felt severe pain and could not move at all, Wang was quoted as saying. The yoga instructor soon called an ambulance and took Wang to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed she had a compound fracture on her femur. Wang needed surgery, reports said. Representational Image/Shutterstock She was in the hospital for 16 days and claimed she was still unable to walk. The yoga studio paid Wang 50,000 yuan (approximately 5,760) for her medical fees but refused to pay more when Ms Wang asked for compensation for future treatment. For more fun stories from trending, click here. The number of cases of Covid-19 have stabilised somewhat over recent weeks, according to the Chief Medical Officer. Dr Tony Holohan was speaking as the Department of Health confirmed 1,586 further cases of the virus. As of 8am this morning, there are 298 Covid patients in hospital, of which 56 are in ICU. Importantly and encouragingly, the incidence in children, particularly among those of primary school age, has fallen following an increase due to increased testing during the first few weeks after schools reopened. Dr Holohan said this is reflective of what was seen in earlier stages of the pandemic. "It continues to show that the school environment, and particularly the classroom environment, is a safe and appropriate environment. "The measures that have been taken in that environment is helping to keep children safe and is helping to protect and preserve the ongoing provision of education." Vaccination remains the best means of protection against Covid-19 as we head into the winter months, he said. The latest data shows that over 90% of people over the age of 16 are now fully vaccinated. Up tp October 1, there have been over 7,225,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered. Just under 90% of children and adults over the age of 12 have received at least one jab while 87% are fully vaccinated. The number of doses administered has been falling steadily over the past two months as more people are considered to be fully vaccinated. This week with 36,577 doses have been given compared to 63,059 the previous week. Although Ireland has one of the highest vaccine uptakes in the world, the CMO said it must be remembered that there are still people in the community who have not yet availed of a vaccine. If you are one of those people, or if you have influence over people who have yet to be fully vaccinated or have their second dose, now is the right time to come forward." As we head into the colder months, the CMO is reminding people to be mindful of the risks associated with socialising indoors. With the weather already getting colder and wetter there are fewer opportunities to meet people outside or enjoy outdoor dining. Dr Holohan has asked people to keep in mind the kind of risks that are important to avoid. There will be a greater emphasis on measures to reduce the spread of the virus such as wearing masks in the appropriate settings, social distancing and washing hands. It will be vital that anyone who experiences cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, sort throat, headache, temperatures should stay away from other people, stay home and contact their GP. "It is really important that you don't go to work, don't go to school, you don't go out socialising or invite other people into your home if you have symptoms," he said. Protesters gathered in Dublin on Saturday to demonstrate against the highly restrictive abortion law introduced in Texas. The protest took place to coincide with hundreds of similar demonstrations across the US. The Texan law effectively bans abortion before some women know they are pregnant, and there are no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Enforcement is solely left up to private citizens, who are entitled to at least $10,000 in damages if they are successful in suing not just abortion providers but anyone found to have helped a woman get an abortion. A large crowd gathered in OConnell Street on Saturday, with demonstrators carrying placards and signs sending support from Dublin to Dallas. Ailbhe Smyth, one of the leaders of the campaign that successfully led to the liberalisation of Irelands abortion law in 2018, told the crowd that Irish people understand the fear many women in Texas are feeling. Pro-choice activists in Dublin on Saturday (Dominic McGrath/PA) We understand your struggle. We know your fight. We are here to do whatever we can. We have been through it and we do not want it to happen again. Ms Smyth called the Texan law an absolute abomination and accused the Texas of creating a citizen police state. The law was signed by Republican governor Greg Abbott in May and took effect on September 1. Abortion providers there have described Texas clinics that are now in danger of closing while neighbouring states struggle to keep up with a surge of patients who must drive hundreds of miles from Texas. Other women, they say, are being forced to carry pregnancies to term. Ireland voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment in a 2018 referendum, ushering in a major liberalisation of Irelands abortion law and ending what was effectively a constitutional ban on abortion. Ms Smyth, who had campaigned for the removal of the amendment for decades, said that activists should not be complacent about the situation in Ireland. A sign at the protest in Dublin (Dominic McGrath/PA) Maybe we do need to write bodily integrity and the right to it into our constitutions, into our human rights law. So maybe it is time to start campaigning again for that to be in our own constitution. Because bodily integrity is not only for women, it is for all those, everyone, who in any way might find their rights in any way obstructed by the law. Rita Harrold, an abortion rights campaigner from Dublin, said: Were here today to send solidarity to the huge number of protests that are going to be going on all across the United States. She said that people shouldnt have to travel to access abortion. It is really relatable to us in Ireland, that people might be forced to do that. "Can you imagine how full Irish prisons would be if everyone that had given their friend 50, had helped her to organise a bus, had helped her to organise a train, had helped her to organise a ferry ticket, was in prison right now for all the Irish abortion journeys that weve had." Work has started on the near 30m redevelopment of the former Moores Hotel site in Cork a riverside site which was declared derelict three years ago after lying vacant for almost 15 years. Senior city officials visited the site on Morrisons Quay yesterday where main contractors, the Elliot Group, are poised to start structural demolition before embarking on the construction of a new four-to-six storey mixed-use development that will include a Premier Inn hotel and three office blocks. Officials said this proves the engagement with the owners of derelict sites can deliver results. The old bar in Moore's hotel. The buildings at number 11, 12, and 13 are all protected structures and are being retained and refurbished for re-use as office space. The 187-bed hotel will be built around and to the rear of the refurbished buildings, with a courtyard at the centre, and with additional ground floor office space, located on Catherine St. There is no basement and no plans for a car park. The demolition phase should be done by the end of November, with piling works and the erection of a tower crane due to take place in December. The downstairs interior. The project is due for completion and ready for fit-out by summer 2023, in the hope that the hotel will be ready for occupation by Christmas. The Elliot Group has just built the first Premier Inn in the Republic, in Dublin, and this new Cork hotel will be its second here as part of its ambitious plans to deliver 2,500 bedrooms across the country. Gary OSullivan, construction director with the Elliot Group, which is delivering the project for the Greenleaf Group and Warren Private, said they were delighted to be part of the regeneration of this part of the city centre. He said the buildings on site are in poor repair but they are working with experts to conserve, retain and restore as much of the original fabric as possible. We are dealing with the traditional methods, with lime mortar etc, to refurbish the buildings, he said. There are a lot of structural repairs to do inside the buildings. There has been a lot of water ingress over the years. A first-floor bedroom in Moore's hotel. And there are a lot of protected structures inside the building, the main structure of the roof, the staircase but we are working with JCA Architects and the city planners to ensure we retain these features of the building and put them back together as they were intended originally, when they were built. Morrisons Island is one of the most flood-prone areas in the city, and floods during very high tide and storm surge events. Among the conditions attached to the grant of planning was the need for demountable flood barriers. The city council has planning permission for a major public realm upgrade, which includes blended flood defences, along the quays. The project was the subject of a legal challenge by Save Cork City but last July, it failed to get High Court orders overturning An Bord Pleanalas permission for the project. The city council is still working on the detailed design work and is expected to be in a position to publish tenders for contractors before the end of the year. According to a detailed architectural heritage impact assessment report by JCA Architects, submitted as part of the planning application by Quakeside Ltd last year, Morrisons Island was noted as a residential area for members of the legal and medical professions from the first half of the 19th century. Downstairs in Moore's hotel. Lodgings in number 13 were advertised in the Cork Constitution in 1876 and a Mrs WH Moore had established a French school there by 1877. A hotel is first listed on Morrissons Island in 1893, with number 13 under the ownership of a William H Moore. The 1901 census identifies the house numbers of the hotel as 12, 13 and 14 with the property listed as a hotel and the head of the household Catherine H Moore, hotel proprietress. Over the years, the building was also used as a garda station and by the Cork School of Music before the hotel ceased trading in 2005. The properties at number 4 and 5 Fr Mathew St, a few hundred yards east of the former Moores Hotel site, were added to the citys derelict sites register in April. They are both linked to a company called Tumblegate Ltd, with an address at the South Link Park, Frankfield, Cork, and they have a market value of 1.5m. There were a few sniggers in the courtroom when the judge was called to appear before himself. It was January 2011, in Cahirciveen District Court and on the list of cases to be heard was one against Judge James OConnor. During a sitting of the court the previous July, Garda Tomas Hurley had, on patrol outside the courthouse, noticed that the judges car was not displaying an NCT cert. The garda did as he would for any other citizen and issued a summons. That took some people by surprise. Most gardai in the Kerry division would have found themselves in front of the judge in the course of their duty. The judge, were he minded, could make life easy or difficult for any of them in minor ways. After all, within the courtroom the judge was answerable to nobody. Garda Hurley surprised people by disregarding any grief he could be inviting on himself and just did his job. At the January sitting, Judge OConnor adjourned his own case to be heard by an independent judge. And that was the end of the matter, a rare occasion on which the theory that everybody is equal before the law was actually put into practice. Over the last week, allegations have emerged pointing to how when a judge encounters a vulnerable woman that comes before him, any engagement can be completely unequal. Three different women who have spoken to the Irish Examiner have alleged that James OConnor pursued them after family law hearings, contacting them through text and telephone calls and requesting to meet for a cup of coffee. These women all first encountered the judge when they appeared before him at a stage in life - the break-up of a relationship, sometimes including violence when they are by definition vulnerable. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy told the Dail on Wednesday that Judge OConnor abused his position to persistently and completely inappropriately pursue a vulnerable woman who was before his court on a family law matter for a sexual relationship. The TD, speaking under Dail privilege, also claimed that the judge lunged at one of the women when they were both alone in a room in a courthouse. One of the other women who complained of him made a statement to the gardai, who investigated her claims. That resulted in a decision that no case for a prosecution arose. The woman says that when the gardai were explaining the decision to her, one of them said it was really a boy meets girl situation. The woman complained to GSOC about the investigating gardai, but GSOC found none had acted inappropriately. She is now taking a personal injures case against the State over the matter. James OConnor has not made any statement on the various allegations and news reports. He retired in 2018 at 66 years of age after being refused an extension to his tenure as a serving judge. At the time, district court judges retired at 65 but could apply for one year extensions until their 70th birthday, and the vast majority did so. Being refused an extension was highly unusual, but that was what befell Mr OConnor. The Sheedy affair James OConnor was appointed a district court judge in 1998. A native of Glencar in Co. Kerry, his first posting was to the West Cork circuit. The following year, many miles from West Cork or the hustle and bustle of the district court, a judicial scandal exploded in Dublin. A man who had been jailed for four years was released early. Philip Sheedy had been drunk behind the wheel and killed a young mother when his car went out of control. He was then released early by Circuit Court judge Cyril Kelly. It was to turn out that Supreme Court judge Hugh OFlaherty also had an involvement in what transpired. The outcome was that OFlaherty and Kelly were told they would be impeached. Both resigned before the issue came before the Oireachtas. The Sheedy affair, as it came to be known, highlighted problems with the judiciary. While independence from the Oireachtas and Executive is vital in a democracy, within the judiciary itself there were no mechanisms to deal with issues that arose short of dismissal. Neither, for instance, was there any training. Judges once appointed were largely on their own, unanswerable to anybody unless they transgressed to a point where dismissal was warranted. And even then a major process in the Oireachtas, requiring a two-thirds majority, was required to get rid of somebody. At district court level, the prevailing system meant that the judge effectively had an independent republic in which he or she could do as they please within the court as long as they didnt break the law. As a result of the fall-out from the Sheedy affair, a committee chaired by then-Chief Justice Ronan Keane recommended in 2000 that a judicial council be established. This would act effectively as a body overseeing the judiciary and provide a mechanism for dealing with complaints. Judge OConnor and the poor box In 2005, Judge James OConnor transferred from West Cork to his native Kerry. He was perfectly entitled to move to his native county, but presiding over a district court in such circumstances can be fraught with difficulty. For instance, it is inevitable that at various stages solicitors would come before him with whom he may have had good or bad working relationships prior to his appointment to the bench. Having practiced as a solicitor he would have known a wide range of people, many of whom could end up before him. He would in all likelihood encounter former clients. He would know families going back generations. In order to adjudicate on the law without fear or favour he would require a steely capacity for unbiased judgement. Presumably, Judge OConnor believed he possessed such an attribute. His tenure was not without controversies of various hues. He was a great man for the poor box, the unusual system in which a defendant can make a contribution to charity to avoid a minor conviction. Apart from anything else this confers on the judge the power to determine an amount that should be paid outside any legislative parameters and allows him or her to nominate the charity to benefit. Judge OConnor used the system extensively. He collected more for charity than any other judges most years, and in 2016 and 2017, he was responsible for collecting between a quarter and third of all poor box funds in the whole state. He also had his favourite charities. In 2016, the Kerry district accounted for almost 400,000 out of around 1.5m nationally. The largest charitable donations from the Kerry money went to Christian Blind Mission (53,000) and Sightsavers International (53,000) and another charity fighting blindness, World Vision Ireland, received 10,500. Judge OConnors ability to raise such sums led to a motion being passed at Kerry County Council requesting that the judge meet with officials to see if he could divert some of the money to local causes rather than overseas. The local authority had spotted a new possible income stream through the judge who was raking in money in the stead of convictions for minor offences. At the council meeting, proposer Cllr Niall Kelleher said that 90% (of the money) goes to third-world charities overseas. We in Kerry have a fantastic fund in the community support fund. Cllr Michael Cahill, who seconded the motion, said the officials should meet with Judge OConnor who was a very solid man. It would be great if we could get a bit more, he said. There is no record of whether the meeting ever took place but the money kept rolling in for some lucky charities. The Judicial Council Meanwhile, the wheels of a different order of justice were grinding ever slower. It took 10 years to get as far as the very first step of enacting a law on a Judicial Council with the publication in 2010 of the general scheme of the Judicial Council bill. Much of what was contained in the general scheme would end up in the final bill, but it was to be dragged out at a snails pace for nearly another decade. During that time, as the rest of the state apparatus developed to befit a modern democracy, the judiciary languished in the past, each judge, particularly at district court level, effectively presiding over an independent republic. On her retirement in 2017, then-chief justice Susan Denham didnt hold back in expressing her frustration. She said the State lacked an institution which was the norm in other democratic states. She pointed out that despite 20 years talking about it there was still no judicial council. Quite obviously, Ms Denham felt the Executive and the Oireachtas were responsible for the complete failure to advance the issue. To the greatest extent, she was correct but in the years to follow the judiciary would also contribute to further delay over specifics, particularly to do with the mechanism to examine complaints. Susan Denham had had her own personal experience of the impotence of the system to deal with complaints against judges when she received correspondence about one incident involving Judge OConnor. The 'scum' controversy English national Paul Harrison, appeared before Judge OConnor at Killarney District Court in October 2016, and alleges the judge called him English scum. Harrison was up on a drug charge for which he eventually received a suspended sentence in the Circuit Court. He wrote to Chief Justice Denham complaining at what he considered an abuse of power. Judge Denhams secretary responded that the chief justice has no function in dealing with complaints in relation to members of the judiciary and there is no complaints procedure available through the office of the chief justice. At the time it was understood that the judge strongly denied the allegation. The matter was passed onto the president of the district court Rosemary Horgan, who initiated an inquiry. But irrespective of any outcome, there was nothing that she could do. One crucial element to the case was the absence of a Digital Audio Recording (DAR) of the court on the day in question. Practically all courthouses now have a DAR system and most judges are grateful for the recording in case of any allegations against them arise. Use of the DAR is entirely at the judges discretion, and Judge OConnor was reputed to be an infrequent user of it. That such a system to retain a record of proceedings was not mandatory was just one more indication of how much autonomy each judge had in their own circuit. The scum controversy was one of a number that were surfacing about Judge OConnor when he applied for an extension for one more year. Whereas the system had no jurisdiction over his conduct, he had reached a stage where his continued tenure was at the discretion of the Minister for Justice. In a highly unusual move, his application was rejected. Among the tributes to the judge on his retirement was one from Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy Rae. I am very sorry to see Judge OConnor going off the bench as being from a rural community himself, he had a great understanding of the issues and the problems people had in life, particularly coming from rural areas be they rural isolation, unemployment and depression. Judge James O'Connor who did not use the Digital Audio Recording system in court very much. Photo: Dominick Walsh When you have somebody sitting in judgement of people you need them to be able to look at the complete picture and I believe that Judge OConnor was very capable in that regard. The recent issues raised by three different women are unlikely to see any further inquiry into the retired judge. The government would have the option of appointing a senior counsel to examine aspects of Mr OConnors tenure in Kerry, but as of yet there is no political pressure for them to do so. Barring further revelations it is unlikely that the matter will be pursued. The only other avenue of inquiry would be on foot of a criminal complaint and there is no sign of that either. The personal injury claim that has been lodged by one of the women may well advance to a litigation stage and if so the state claims agency will be faced with a choice of settling or seeing the matter aired in open court. Meanwhile, the Judicial Council was finally established on 19 December, 2019. Various elements of the council have since begun operations, but the conduct committee is not yet up and running. The committee will provide a forum to examine complaints against judges and determine what action should be taken, and what sanction, in the event of upholding a complaint, should be imposed on a judge. It is expected that the committee will be fully operational by next Summer at the very latest. Until then, the system of independent judicial republics will continue to live on borrowed time. Findings from an inquest and hospital review into the death of a woman just hours after giving birth must provide learning for the medical community, bereaved families and campaigners have said. One leading community advocate has also called urgently for diversity training for healthcare workers following the hospital review finding the colour of Ms Nayyab Tariqs skin was one factor in delays to her care. Ms Tariq was just 28 when she died four hours after giving birth to a baby girl last year as her husband Ayaz Ul Hassan held her hand in the operating theatre at Mayo University Hospital. The inquest was the first into a maternal death following the passing of legislation making this mandatory. Coroner Patrick OConnor recorded a verdict of medical misadventure, and the inquest heard she died after a heart attack following post-partum haemorrhage, retained placenta, bleeding arising from ectopic deciduosis, and shock. In addition, an as-yet-unpublished review of her care found clinical delays in recognising she was in shock at the heart of the case which may have contributed to her death. The review, seen by the Irish Examiner, notes a number of signs Ms Tariq was in shock due to internal un-seen bleeding were missed because of failures in communication and record-keeping. It found, in relation to changing skin colour, which is one sign of shock: Skin pallor was initially less obvious due to ethnicity. Diane Ihirwe, social worker, community builder, and advocate said she was horrified reading about this case during the week. They agreed one reason this woman died was because they didnt know she was going pale, but there is no recommendation for anti-racism training or a diversity strategy, she said. Really if we mattered there would be at least one recommendation for staff or for how they teach, they would include some diversity training for people to realise this is a risk." Ms Ihirwe pointed to statistics showing that while migrant women make up 20% of the female population in Ireland, they make up 40% of maternal deaths. Chair of maternity advocacy group AIMS Ireland, Kyrisa Lynch, said: This is another maternal death in the migrant community. Ireland's maternal death rate, whilst within expected parameters for a developed country is disproportionately populated with non-Irish women. AIMS has previously called for research into this, and she said they again call on the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to do this. It is understood there is also concern in the medical community at the disproportionate number of migrant women who have died in the maternity services, with the growing number of inquests revealing hidden problems. Improved access to all maternity-related inquests, including that in Drogheda this week which recorded a verdict of medical misadventure into the death of Baby Willow Clarke in 2018, has been welcomed. Until now, bereaved families relied on the goodwill of their local coroner for a decision to grant an inquest. In the case of Dhara Kivlehan, originally from India, who died in 2010 one week after giving birth in Sligo hospital, it was 2014 before her inquest was held. In those four years, another woman, Sally Rowlette, who had a similar health condition, died giving birth at the same hospital. Their deaths and the drawn-out battle to be heard in a coroners court spurred the two bereaved husbands to join with a campaign, the Elephant Collective, calling for mandatory inquests. Between 2008 and 2014, a verdict of medical misadventure was returned on eight deaths, but campaigners were aware of other unheard cases. Sallys husband Sean Rowlette attended Swinford courthouse this week to support Mr Ul Hassan. He told the Irish Examiner it was a relief to see the family did not have to fight for an inquest in the way he had. We were fighting for 15 months [to get an inquest] and I know of other people years fighting for it," he said. Mr Rowlette welcomed the coroners verdict, noting the HSEs legal team had argued strongly for a finding of natural causes. Founding member of the inquest campaign and author of Untangling the Maternity Crisis, Dr Jo Murphy-Lawless, also supported Mr Ul Hassan. This has been a terrible week for maternity services in Ireland, for pregnant women, for new mothers, and for their families, she said. It is beyond credibility that another perfectly healthy young woman who gave birth in a high-tech well-equipped western hospital has died following post-partum haemorrhage and ensuing shock. She said inquests are a public record and also enable further learning in the wider medical community. AIMS asks the medical community to make public and widely available the learning from this case, she urged. This learning will come mainly from the review commissioned by the SAOLTA Hospital Group, which oversees Mayo hospital and is chaired by Dr Carmen Regan, an obstetrician at the Coombe Hospital in Dublin. It concludes: The review panel found that there were systems of care/service issues which may have contributed to Mrs As death. Earlier recognition and intervention may have altered the outcome in this case. Among the key clinical issues identified was the delay in recognition and treatment of shock due to haemorrhage. Midwives recorded a blood loss of 500ml when Ms Tariq was transferred from the delivery room to the operating theatre to have her retained placenta removed one hour after giving birth. But Ms Tariqs husband gave evidence he saw a pool of blood on the floor and raised this with a female staff member at the time; medical witnesses denied seeing this. Nayyab Tariq and her husband Ayaz Ul Hassan. The hospitals legal team submitted up to 25 people were involved in Ms Tariqs care; 18 people, including the pathologist, gave evidence. Obstetrician Dr Anca Trulea told the inquest it was not until 8pm staff realised the recorded blood loss was not consistent with Ms Tariqs condition. It is understood that while HSE guidelines say blood loss of up to 500ml is considered a minor post-partum haemorrhage, usually staff would not wait until the measurement went over 500ml before reacting with emergency procedures. It is understood while internal bleeding is uncommon, hospitals in Ireland would experience this and obstetric staff would be aware of it. However, senior obstetrician Dr Meabh Ni Bhuinneann was not called on until after 8:22pm. Surgery, which the inquest heard is the only way to identify this type of bleeding, was done at 8:50pm under her supervision. The hospital review highlights failures in communication at many stages with staff unaware of the growing risk of shock including a gap of 25 minutes when no blood pressure was recorded. We hear a lot about a just society from our political leaders. The need to look after our most vulnerable, to protect them. We hear a lot about how the State can be that force of protection and salvation for those who fall between the cracks or who simply cant fend for themselves. It all sounds wonderful, and while in Ireland we do have a generous welfare system, this State has a most shameful record of not only abandoning the most vulnerable but punishing them and those who speak out on their behalf. The case of 'Grace', which is once again back in the news, is a stark example of this. Grace is the intellectually disabled woman who spent 20 years in a foster home in the South-East of the country where she was subjected to the most horrific abuse and neglect. Calls from leading politicians, current and former, for health staff involved in the Grace case to be sanctioned are fully justified. We know there are calls for a full debate in the Dail next week on the matter. As the Irish Examiner revealed this week, the State Commission of Investigation into the mishandling of Graces case documented catastrophic failures by individuals who were charged with her care. Some of those involved have since died. Some have retired. Others, however, remain at their post, and some are in senior positions within our health service. The commissions report, formally published on Friday, documents the level of neglect, but worse it shows in my view disgraceful levels of amnesia from witnesses before it as to their failures. From allowing a couple with criminal convictions to become foster parents in the first place, to failing to act by way of removing Grace from the home when allegations of abuse surfaced against the foster father, to the years when she had no social worker or anyone keeping an eye on her, the list of appalling failures goes on and on. While the Commission concluded that systemic failures led to what happened happening, such conclusions have cut little ice with senior politicians who have been instrumental in fighting the system all the way along to have the truth emerge. While people like John McGuinness and former minister Finian McGrath (who established the Commission) have called for heads to roll, I fear such calls will fall on deaf ears. We simply dont do accountability in our public service. Far too often in the past, where clear instances of failure by public officials were identified, the blame fell on the system as opposed to individuals who escaped any sanction - or dare I say it the sack. One of the key events covered by the Commissions report into the Grace case was the 1996 reversal of a decision to remove her from the foster home. This was after an allegation of abuse had been made against the foster father. The foster parents appealed the decision, initially unsuccessfully, but matters took a turn after a letter from the foster father to Health Minister Michael Noonan was sent, seeking his help to stop Graces removal from the home. Michael Noonan had no comment to make when contacted about the report earlier this week. Picture: Gareth Chaney Collins While the Commission has cleared Mr Noonan and his junior minister Austin Currie of seeking to intervene in the matter by way of representation, it said they acted in accordance with custom and practice at the time. Both Mr Noonan and Mr Currie had no comment to make when contacted about the report earlier this week. However, the letter must have had some impact as the initial move to transfer Grace was delayed and later overturned altogether. The Commission said this was ultimately a matter for the South East Health Board to account for, but alas it concluded that no evidence or rationale was offered up by witnesses as to why Grace was left at risk in the home, where she languished for another 13 years. Despite an extensive paper trail all the way along during 1996 as to the proposed decision to remove Grace, when it comes to the reversal of that decision, all of a sudden there is nothing. The Commission report found that the rationale for the actual reversal of the decision to remove Grace and the decision of the health board to proceed with Graces removal following the representation process, was not recorded by the case conference in the finalised minutes. It went on to conclude, most pointedly, that quite apart from the absence of specific memory of the meeting itself, it was a remarkable feature of the evidence received that none of the officials who attended, with the exception of one, could explain the reason for the change from the decision to proceed to move Grace from Family X to a decision that Grace remain in her placement. Any fair reading of the report would lead one to conclude that something stinks here to high heaven. The absence of recollection or evidence beyond vague memories from those involved is a gaping hole in the Commissions report and goes to the heart of how the State failed Grace. As we know Grace was not alone. One girl, non-verbal, had been raped anally with implements over a prolonged period of time. All of this had been medically attested and confirmed. The young woman cannot be operated on today, because so much damage was done that to do so would threaten perforation of her bowel, which might kill her, is how Waterford TD, John Deasy, described what happened to Sarah, a girl we reported on back in 2017. Such horror was allowed to take place because of the failure of State employees to do their job. As a result, Grace was awarded 6.3m in a settlement with the HSE in 2016 to cover the cost of her care and for damages. That bill is footed by the taxpayer. But this story gets even more sinister. The whistleblower, who first brought this matter to the attention of the Dails Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has since been removed from their job. The matter was the subject of a High Court legal action. Rather than being praised and lauded for defending Grace, the whistleblower has paid a heavy price for seeking to do the right thing. Following my report on this on Thursday morning, one minister stopped me and said people often forget one thing. A public servants first loyalty is not to the public, but to the public body they work for. The resources of the State and taxpayers money are consistently used to defend the system as opposed to serving the people who are in theory their masters. If we want the just society, so often and so eloquently spoken of, then we need to do more than merely pay lip service to it. People who fail must once and for all be held to account. That is a just society. Far too often we reward failure and punish courage and bravery in this country. It's long past time we reverse that. 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. Subscribe or contribute 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. Sisters Guadalupe Flores, 15, right, and Estela Flores, 13, left, from East Los Angeles, get vaccinated with the Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine by licensed vocational nurse Rita Orozco at Esteban E. Torres High School in Los Angeles. The city has required all students 12 and older to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus to participate in on-campus instruction. Now the state of California is following with its own mandate. PHOTO DAMIAN DOVARGANES/AP MEDFORD, Ore. -- For the first time in the history of the pandemic, Jackson County has reported back-to-back months of 60 or more COVID-19 related deaths. But according to health officials with Jackson County Public Health, the amount of COVID-19 related deaths for the county in the month of September could rise in the coming days. "Sometimes we still have numbers that trickle in because it really depends when some of our providers will report some of those deaths," said Tanya Phillips with JCPH. "Usually through the first couple weeks we are still adding to that September total so we could very likely see September's death toll increase in the next coming weeks." In the first 12 months of the pandemic, Jackson County had around 76 deaths total but in just the last nine months that number has doubled, and is now knocking on the door of tripling last year's death toll. The other alarming fact is that the age of these victims is getting younger. "Looking at August and September the average age has decreased," said Phillips. "In August, the average age of those 60 individuals was 72.1. Looking at September so far, the average age was 67.7 years." At the beginning of the pandemic, Phillips told NewsWatch 12 that the average age from someone passing because of COVID-19 was around 80 years old. To help stop Jackson County's death toll from increasing even further, county officials are once again stating that vaccinations are the key. "I think it will really depend on our vaccination rates," said Phillips. "We still have a pretty large portion of our community that is not vaccinated so the more people that we can get vaccinated will help prevent that from happening." The latest information from the Oregon Health Authority shows that as of October 1, 2021 Jackson County has vaccinated 63% of its population 18 years and older. MEDFORD, Ore. Around 11 p.m. last night, the driver of a large truck crashed into the the back of the Oregon Employment Department office, causing damage to the Crown Market as well. Medford Police say an officer witnessed a traffic violation from a large truck and attempted to pull it over. Upon doing this, the driver began to elude officers. They began to pursue the truck but terminated the pursuit when it began to go into the downtown area. Not too long after, police say they received reports of a vehicle crashed into a building after it had run off the road. When police arrived, the driver of the vehicle had fled the scene. The truck hit structural beams in the building and caused significant damage to the surrounding area. Police have been unable to locate the driver at this time. This is an ongoing investigation and we will continue to keep you updated with new information. KINGSLEY Field, Ore. More than one hundred additional airmen from the 173rd Fighter Wing based out of Kingsley Field will be deployed to support overwhelmed Oregon hospitals, following a smaller deployment that began last week. The first group of 50 airmen were sent to hospitals in the Springfield-Eugene area, the 173rd announced last week. Now 105 more airmen will head out to hospitals in the Salem area. Oregon hospitals are at maximum capacity and our communities have asked for help from the National Guard, said Col. Micah Lambert, 173rd FW vice commander. Our activation can provide assistance that increases capacity and patient care. While the tasks we are being asked to perform are not direct patient care, this support will free up medical professionals and provide additional beds; that could be lifesaving. Governor Kate Brown announced on August 13 that she would activate up to 1,500 members of the Oregon National Guard to help hospitals with logistical support due to the surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, combined with ongoing staffing shortages. Like the first group, the newly activated airmen will be put to work in non-clinical roles; material handling, equipment support, COVID testing support, laundry and custodial services, and other tasks as needed. Our Airmen are highly capable, skilled, educated, and multifaceted individuals, said Lambert. We are teachers, private business owners, mechanics, students, commercial pilots, executives; we are in the community and we are your neighbors. We are citizen Airmen and ready to serve when called. Guardsmen who work in the medical field or as first responders are not part of the activation, as most are sorely needed in their civilian capacities. Sharon Durham of Wynyard, Sask., is seen in an undated handout photo. Durham says she is worried she will lose her eyesight or possibly die after a surgery scheduled in Edmonton for a rare cancer in her face was cancelled because she's not a resident of the province where hospitals are overwhelmed by COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Sharon Durham, *MANDATORY CREDIT* Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, left, MPP for Northumberland - Peterborough South David Piccini, second from right, and MPP for Durham Lindsey Park, right, look on as Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks during an announcement in the mock-up facility at the Darlington Power Complex, in Bowmanville, Ont., Friday, May 31, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston Ballot boxes for the Quebec general election are shown at a polling station on election day in Montreal, Monday, October 1, 2018. Quebec's municipal elections are taking place on Nov. 7, but already hundreds of mayors have been declared winners after nobody emerged to oppose them. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes Australia's Prime Minister has all but confirmed he won't join global leaders at crucial climate talks in Glasgow. Two more weeks of Covid-19 quarantine would be too much, Scott Morrison said on Friday, claiming that while there are "a lot of international interests," the most important audience for his yet-to-be-unveiled climate plan remains at home. "My first and most important group that I need to talk to about our plan is not overseas. It's right here in Australia," he said. "It's talking to people in regional Australia, how the deputy prime minister and I believe our plan will help them in their communities, how our plan will help them realize their future." With that remark, Morrison made it clear his loyalty lies with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, a cowboy hat-wearing, former accountant who leads the National Party, the Liberal government's coalition partner -- and not with international allies who are urging Australia to take greater action to cut emissions. Joyce says he wants to see the numbers before he agrees to any new climate targets, as he struggles to unite a party riven with differences over Australia's future relationship with coal. Morrison's refusal to commit to a target of net zero emissions by 2050 hasn't just isolated him on the international stage. Even within Australia's own borders -- aside from staunch pro-coal Nationals -- Morrison is looking more and more like he's being left behind. On Friday, even the Minerals Council of Australia, the country's mining advocacy group, announced it supported net zero emissions by 2050. The country's largest states have already announced large emission reduction targets, and surveys also show most Australian people support tougher climate action. Will Stefan, emeritus professor at the Australian National University's Fenner School of Environment and Society, said public opinion appeared to contradict the interests of Morrison's political allies and big business, who invest heavily in fossil fuels. "I think there's a growing gulf between what the Australian public wants and how our Prime Minister is behaving," he said. And that's a dangerous position for a Prime Minister to be in just months before a federal election. Selling Kodak cameras Part of the reason for Morrison's reluctance to take actions lies in the fact that he leads a coalition made up of the center-right, pro-business Liberal Party and the National Party, who traditionally advocate for regional workers and agricultural communities. The National Party has long opposed any action on climate change, claiming it will hurt rural communities. Joyce wants assurances the party's traditional supporters won't lose out in any broader transition to renewable energy. "It's the little old bush accountant saying that lots of clients have ideas, but (you need) to sit down with them and say, 'Okay, that's your idea, let's prudently go about this,'" Joyce told told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). He said whole towns rely on Australia's coal industry, and they shouldn't be forgotten. "It's not just those farms, not just the mines, it is the towns that are attached to the commerce of those industries," he said. "It is the hairdressers, the tire business. These people also rely on the Nationals to make sure that we don't pull the economic rug out from underneath them." While some Nationals support a move to net zero, others seem unlikely to budge, much to the frustration of some of Morrison's Liberal Party colleagues who want greater climate action. On Sunday, a coal-loving Nationals senator took to Twitter to say he was "deadset against net zero." A Liberal minister hit back, accusing him of "selling Kodak cameras ... when the iPhone is coming." The divisions are making life difficult for Morrison, who said he's working on a plan to bring his government "together on this issue." It's not clear when that plan will be released, but he has said it'll be ready before other leaders descend on Glasgow for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26 as it is the 26th UN conference on climate change. Despite being one of the largest per capita emitters of carbon in the world, according to the World Bank, the Australian government has dragged its feet on climate change action for decades. Australia's pledge to reduce its carbon emissions by 26% to 28% from 2005 levels by 2030 is far below commitments from similar developed nations, including the United States. And Morrison has steadfastly refused to commit to net zero by 2050, saying only the country will reach the goal "as soon as possible." Morrison's government has insisted that Australia is meeting its climate targets -- and even beating them -- but Stefan said the emission reduction target was "very weak." Experts have previously said Australia would need to cut its emissions by twice the current commitment, up to 50% by 2050, to keep warming below 2 degrees Celsius worldwide. And even greater cuts are needed to keep warming below the international target of 1.5 degrees Celsius. "They're talking about new technologies and so on, but they're avoiding, completely avoiding the way we can get our emissions down, rapidly at cost and with side benefits. And that's to go renewable," said Stefan. Part of the trouble is Australia is heavily reliant on mining for its economic prosperity. The country is one of the world's biggest coal exporters, bringing in around 50 billion Australian dollars ($36 billion) and employing more than 50,000 people, according to the government. With coal prices surging, some Nationals see no reason to cut off a lucrative source of revenue. But the rival argument is that Australia has an opportunity to generate masses of renewable energy and industries to replace jobs lost in fossil fuels. On Wednesday, as he announced plans to halve the state's emissions by 2030, New South Wales Environment Minister Matt Kean said Australia should "lead the world" on climate change, describing it as the "biggest economic opportunity of our lifetime." "The reality is that the world is changing rapidly ... We would be absolutely mad to miss it," he said. What the Australian people want Some politicians have pitched Australia's climate divide as a city versus country debate that will see the latter lose out. In an opinion piece published Monday, Nationals Sen. Bridget McKenzie accused her Liberal Party colleagues of forgetting about rural Australians and miners whose jobs would be lost by tough action on climate change. At a press conference with the Liberal Party's deputy leader, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, on a separate issue Wednesday, the two traded jabs over the government's climate policies. When Frydenberg said "climate change has no postcode," McKenzie responded by saying some Liberal Party politicians were trying to be "cool" by pushing for climate action. "Josh isn't one of them," she added. While politicians argue over the best way forward, rural Australians are getting on with it. They say they have no choice. With her family, third-generation farmer Ellen Litchfield operates Wilpoorinna, a sheep and cattle station 650 kilometers (400 miles) north of Adelaide in the Australian Outback, making her acutely aware of the threat of droughts to her and farmers like her. She said the idea that there was a divide between rural and urban voters was mostly cooked up by politicians, capitalizing on a nostalgia for rural Australia, to argue for the status quo. "I think that there's a lot more in common with the regional voter and the urban voter than they want us to believe," she said. Litchfield, who advocates for Farmers for Climate Action, said many regional workers see "the benefits of changing." "Mind the pun, but we're at the coalface of climate change every day. We're working out in the environment, we're seeing how things change," she said. "And feeling supported and like we are all working together, all the industries are working together to secure the future, would be a huge benefit for us." It isn't just Litchfield who supports climate change action in Australia. A poll by Essential Polling released on August 17 found more than 60% of respondents supported providing greater funding for solar power, introducing a carbon levy on polluters and putting in place a net zero carbon emissions target by 2030. ANU professor Stefan said government efforts to reduce emissions in some jurisdictions, such as his home in the nation's capital, Canberra, had been popular with the electorate. "This is a global problem, and we're all expected to do our fair share," he said. Whether Morrison can come up with a plan to balance the competing forces in his coalition remains to be seen. But whatever compromise he can offer will be pored over at length by the international community -- and by all Australians with votes to cast the next election. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. The endgame for Evergrande is still up in the air. But the troubled Chinese conglomerate is starting to get its priorities in order and foreign investors look to be bottom of the list. In recent days, the property giant has worked to clear some tabs with domestic lenders as it tries to sort through its $300 billion mountain of debt. But the firm has stayed silent on two interest payments to offshore investors that came due in the past few weeks. Those interest payments were due on dollar-denominated bonds: one for $83.5 million, and the other $47.5 million. Deadlines came and went with no official update. That suggests that the company's priority is to pay back Chinese investors first, if it can pay them back at all. It's also under huge pressure from Beijing to protect people who bought its apartments and have not yet taken possession of them. China's real estate sector and related industries are estimated to account for about 30% of GDP, and officials want to avoid a wider crisis. Last Wednesday, Evergrande announced it had agreed to sell part of its stake in a local bank to a state-owned business for nearly 10 billion yuan (about $1.5 billion). In a stock exchange filing, the developer said that its cash crunch had hurt the operations of Shengjing Bank "in a material way," and that the lender had demanded that all proceeds from the sale be used to resolve "financial liabilities" between the two parties. Evergrande also recently reached an agreement on interest due on a yuan bond, saying the matter had been "settled through negotiations." It might be some time before the company's future comes back into focus: Mainland China has just kicked off a major, week-long public holiday. But markets are open this week in Hong Kong, where Evergrande's shares and some of its bonds trade. And rumors about its fate could continue to rattle stocks. Evergrande shares were suspended from trading in Hong Kong on Monday. A stock exchange notice did not elaborate on the move. Adam Slater, lead economist at Oxford Economics, said that investors will keep an eye out for any developments, or even rumors. "Global markets may still react," he told CNN Business. No sign of a 'Lehman moment' Evergrande is China's most indebted developer, and its huge liabilities include nearly $20 billion in international bonds, according to data provider Refinitiv Eikon. But because foreign lenders hold a "relatively small share" of Evergrande's overall debt, their losses "won't be large enough to cause any significant international contagion," said Slater. "Imposing losses on them frees up funds to compensate domestic creditors, suppliers [or] consumers," he added. According to Slater, the scale of the potential damage to overseas creditors "looks manageable." He estimated that they could ultimately lose about $15 billion, assuming current bond pricing "accurately reflects the ultimate recovery value of Evergrande's offshore bonds." "This is not especially large as corporate defaults go," he noted. In recent weeks, international investors have been swayed by fears of contagion from Evergrande and a slowdown in Chinese growth. The situation last month prompted panic in global markets, as well as large protests in China. Some have even raised the possibility that a default by Evergrande could turn into China's Lehman Brothers moment, though many analysts say that is unlikely. Slater said that while a collapse of Evergrande would be significant, "it's not a 'Lehman moment.'" The priority for Chinese authorities "seems to be to prevent domestic contagion of Evergrande's problems, especially contagion that would hurt consumers and suppliers," he noted. "Markets assume probably correctly that the Chinese authorities will contain the impact of Evergrande's financial woes." Beijing has few good choices, though. It will want to protect the many Chinese people who have bought unfinished apartments from Evergrande, as well as construction workers, suppliers and small investors. According to recent analysis from Bank of America, Evergrande has sold 200,000 housing units that have not yet been handed over to buyers. The government will also want to limit the risk of other real estate firms going under. At the same time, Beijing has long been trying to rein in excessive borrowing by developers and it won't want to dilute that message. So far, experts say that potential outcomes include a Beijing-backed bailout, restructuring or default. China moves to protect consumers In recent weeks, the government has turned its focus to limiting fallout from the crisis and protecting ordinary people, though it has refrained from commenting on Evergrande directly. In a statement late last month, the People's Bank of China vowed to "maintain the healthy development of the real estate market, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of housing consumers." While it did not refer to Evergrande specifically, the central bank has been pumping cash into the financial system over the last few days to help stabilize the situation and calm nerves. Last Tuesday, it announced that it had added 100 billion yuan (approximately $15.5 billion) to the system, saying it was to keep liquidity going. Iris Pang, chief economist of Greater China at ING, said that the move was "a symbolic signal to the market, that the Chinese government is in control of the incident, and is not letting the incident become a crisis." But even if losses for overseas investors are relatively contained, the crisis could force some to rethink how they lend to other Chinese companies in the future, according to Slater. He warned that lenders could "decide to 're-price' China [risks] in the light of their treatment in the Evergrande restructuring, and in the light of what the Evergrande problems tell them about the broader risk/ reward trade-off in Chinese debt." "That in turn depends quite a lot on the exact way the Evergrande restructuring is organized," he added. CNN's Laura He contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. One mid-September evening in 2018, Joel Cusick found himself pointing a laser scanner at the butt of a bear named Otis. Cusick was taking a break from work, standing on a platform along the Brooks River in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve a world-famous spot for bear watching, as the giant mammals like to wade in the water to hang out and catch fish. Otis was a few hundred feet away, standing relatively still. Cusick, who works for the National Park Service's Alaska regional office, creates maps and trains people on GPS and the use of scanners in the field. He typically uses a laser scanner specifically, a terrestrial lidar scanner to measure the volume of stationary objects in the park like buildings and gravel piles. It's a $70,000 industrial-grade tool that sits on a hefty tripod. That evening, Cusick aimed it at Otis, and took a scan. Lidar is short for "light detecting and ranging" and is probably best known for its use in autonomous vehicles. A lidar scanner sends out millions of pulses of infrared light and measures how long it takes for them to return after hitting an object, such as Otis. These measurements form a point cloud that can then be used to build a three-dimensional map of the object. In a matter of seconds, Cusick could see what looked like pinpoints comprising Otis's rear on a tablet linked to the scanner. Computer software later processed the scan, creating a 3-D model that could be used to determine the width of the bear's behind. Cusick was excited; he didn't think his experiment would work. "I was like, 'Wow, I got a return I can measure the butt of Otis here!'" he recalled with a chuckle to CNN Business this week. That lightbulb moment for Cusick led to a multi-year effort to use a lidar scanner to unobtrusively estimate the volumes (and, through that, the weights) of some bears at Katmai as they fatten up for winter, which may help biologists understand more about the animals' health (about 2,200 brown bears live in the park). In 2019 and 2020, bears were scanned around the time of Fat Bear Week at the park an annual online competition, currently underway through Tuesday, where people can vote for the chunkiest (or chonkiest) brown bears as they get ready to hibernate for the winter. Though the lidar-assisted attempt at estimating the bears' weights was halted this year due to the pandemic, which made fewer employees available to help with the process, Cusick hopes it will continue in the future. It might sound simpler to use a scale to weigh bears, but it's impractical in the wild, where it might get chewed on. (Plus, you'd have to lure the bears onto the scale and get them to stand still for about 11 seconds or so.) In spring, bears in the wild may be weighed by biologists who fly in via helicopter, tranquilize the bear, push it into a net, and lift it via a pulley system. But, in addition to its intrusiveness, the method may not be possible in fall, when bears have fattened up for the winter. "A huge, huge upside of this method is it's noninvasive; we don't have to capture animals," said Lindsey Mangipane, an Anchorage-based polar bear biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. "It's a lot less logistically challenging for us as well." Estimating a bear's weight with lidar is much less disruptive, though it's still very much a complicated guessing game. For instance, those taking the scans are only able to capture part of the bear, because there's no way to put a scanner on the other side of the river, Cusick said. To make up for this, they may slice a bear scan in half and double the volume of the more complete side of the body to estimate the total volume of the bear. And while a 3-D scan can be used to determine the bear's volume (how much space it takes up, in three dimensions), it doesn't infer anything about its density, which is needed to help figure out how heavy it is. To get a good guess at density, which may vary from bear to bear depending on gender, bone structure, time of year, and many other factors, Cusick spoke with biologists who study the animals. They figured it would be reasonable to estimate a bear is made up of 60% water and 40% fat, he said, so he and his colleagues used those percentages in 2019 and 2020 to tease out, from the scanned volumes, estimates of the weights for a number of bears at Katmai. The overall process requires multiple people, Cusick said: one person performs the scan while another verifies the bear's identity, for example. The weight estimates, which for a single bear may be made with numerous scans, are also made independently by separate people and compared. It's currently impossible to know how accurate this method is, but Mangipane is hoping to validate the scanning technology by partnering with zoos to scan captive polar bears, whose weights are known since they can be trained to step on scales. Those known weights could be compared with weights derived from 3-D scans of the bears. Accuracy aside, Cusick said the results have been consistent: Last year, for instance, he and his colleagues used about 10 scans taken over several days of a bear known as 747. Two people independently estimated 747's weight from each scan, yielding 20 estimates that averaged 1,416 pounds. Each of the individual estimates were within about 100 pounds, Cusick said, and the average was an eight-pound difference from the bear's heft in 2019. 747 was estimated to be the most voluminous bear last year, as well as the heaviest. He was also voted to the top of the bracket by Fat Bear Week voters. While it will be impossible to know for sure which bear is truly the fattest this year, Cusick thinks 747 looks the biggest once more. "We all have our favorites," he said. "The anthropomorphism here is quite strong." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Alex Jones, the conspiracy theorist who hosts the right-wing commentary website Infowars, was found legally responsible in two lawsuits for damages caused by his claims surrounding the 2012 Sandy Hook school mass shooting, according to court documents released Thursday. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble issued default judgments on Monday against Jones and his outlet for not complying with court orders to provide information for the lawsuits brought against him by the parents of two children killed in the shooting. The rulings, which were first reported by the Huffington Post, effectively mean that Jones lost the cases by default. A jury will convene to ascertain how much he will owe the plaintiffs, the report said. An attorney for the parents, Mark Bankston, told CNN in a written statement that the rulings offers his clients "the closure they deserve." He added: "Mr. Jones was given ample opportunity to take these lawsuits seriously and obey the rule of law. He chose not to do so, and now he will face the consequences for that decision." Jones falsely claimed that the December 2012 shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, was a "giant hoax" carried out by crisis actors on behalf of people who oppose the Second Amendment. The shooter killed 26 people at the school -- 20 of whom were young children -- before killing himself. Several families of the victims sued Jones for defamation in both Texas and Connecticut courts. The Texas judge essentially ruled that Jones and his parent company, Free Speech Systems, "intentionally disobeyed" court orders when they didn't hand over certain documentations related to lawsuits against him. "The Court finds that Defendants' failure to comply ... is greatly aggravated by [their] consistent pattern of discovery abuse throughout similar cases pending before this Court," Gamble wrote in one of her rulings. "The Court finds that Defendants' discovery conduct in this case is the result of flagrant bad faith and callous disregard for the responsibilities of discovery under the rules." In 2019, Jones acknowledged the shooting was real during a sworn deposition he made as part of a defamation case brought against him by Sandy Hook victims' families. Jones' attorney, Brad Reeves, declined to comment when reached by CNN on Thursday, but a statement posted on Infowars from attorney Norm Pattis said the court's decisions were "stunning." "It takes no account of the tens of thousands of documents produced by the defendants, the hours spent sitting for depositions and the various sworn statements filed in these cases," the statement said. "We are distressed by what we regard as a blatant abuse of discretion by the trial court. We are determined to see that these cases are heard on the merits." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. EUGENE, Ore. -- The United States Postal Service is implementing new service standards that could affect mail going long distances. Some mail will take one or two days longer to end up at their destinations. The delays are part of a 10-year plan put in place by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. The idea is to shave off billions of dollars in operation losses. Rep. Peter DeFazio has been trying to remove DeJoy from office since August of last year. In a letter to President Joe Biden, he wrote: "It is clear he is a danger to the future and integrity of the USPS. We again urge you to work with Congress and remove him from office." MORE: Oregon lawmakers condemn proposed USPS changes Paul Steidler, a senior fellow and postal service expert at the Lexington Institute in Arlington, Virginia, told KEZI 9 News the changes will leave some people behind. "The bottom line is this very ill-conceived action is going to make mail delivery slower than it's been in the 1970s," said Steidler. He also said the plan will affect people living on the coast; it will take roughly five days to send a letter across the country, and those in rural areas will also be affected, according to Steidler. RELATED: FedEx is raising its shipping rates Gary and Joyce Frame live in Salem. They say getting important mail to their family across the country will make things more difficult for them. "We have a granddaughter and daughter on the East Coast in New Jersey, and when we sent, formerly, cards and letters they would get there in three days, now it takes about six to seven days," said Frame. The new services will affect roughly 40% of first class mail; that's about 20 billion letters, magazines, bills, checks, etc. over the course of a year. Normally, USPS sorts through about 50 billion pieces of first class mail in a year. Steidler said there are several issues with this new plan. "The problem is, when the postal service put this proposal forward, it did not envision saving a lot of money as a result of it, and it's also going to delay 40% of first class mail," said Steidler. Kasia Nielsen, a Eugene resident and a bookkeeper for a local business, said she had a conversation on Friday morning with her boss about how the new changes will affect them. "We had to kind of reassess how far out we are paying our bills that are due, and kind of thinking about if we should go electronic in this environment or pay bills that are further out and that's what we decided to do," said Nielsen. Another Eugene resident, Tana Mason, said she isn't worried about the expected delays. "We have had nothing but reliability, in spite of the stories we hear about others," said Mason. Steidler has some advice for people who still use a pen and paper to send letters and pay their bills. "You should think about going to electronic payment, or send it out at least five business days in advance; you can't wait until the last minute as far as that goes," said Steidler. Marina Hajek told KEZI 9 News she already follows this advice, so she's not pushing the envelope. "If I want to send any payment through mail, I just take into consideration that I have to do it a couple of days earlier," said Hajek. CORVALLIS, Ore. -- A new Oregon State University study is looking at the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in the Latino community. The study found that a lack of trusted medical resources, traumatic past experiences with medical care and widespread misinformation have contributed to vaccine hesitancy in this community. According to the university, the study recruited Latino families from around Oregon who had children ages 13 and older in grades 9-12, and who self-identified as Latinx, Latino or Hispanic. A total of 22 mothers and 24 youths took part. Researchers conducted 90-minute interviews with the mothers, 60-minute interviews with the teens and follow-up conversations with the mothers. Protecting the family should be at the center of promoting vaccines in communities that have collectivist values, Jonathan Garcia, author of the study and an associate professor in OSUs College of Public Health and Human Sciences, said. The other big piece of vaccine promotion is that systems of engagement are necessary to dispel mistrust, and that means addressing historical trauma. A major fear found from the study stemmed from the myth that the COVID vaccine causes sterilization. Nancy Vargas, co-author and an OSU doctoral student says it's important to get this information out to all BIPOC communities to ensure people feel safe getting vaccinated. She, alongside other researchers were invited to speak at the Eugene Springfield NAACP to talk about the historical mistrust in public health systems from BIPOC communities. "I think it should be equitable," Vargas said. "I think so many people will be more suspicious if they start with Latinos -- an effect of mistrust and something we call un effecto di disconfianzia. To encourage people to get vaccinated, I think they need people from the community to do campaigns -- people that are already involved and we know they're working for the good of the community." Vargas said there are a lot of systemic barriers in place that have made it difficult for some people in the Latino community to get the vaccine. To view the study CLICK HERE. Irish environmentalist Duncan Stewart, well-known as the host of RTEs Eco Eye since 2002, will offer his expertise and guidance to businesses across Kilkenny. Exclusively available to businesses in the southeast, enterprises are invited to attend the free Green for Micro conference on Friday, October 15 at 9.30 am, hosted online via Zoom. To register visit: www.localenterprise.ie/ Kilkenny The Green for Micro conference offers a unique opportunity to learn how to cut harmful emissions and make significant energy and bottom-line savings. It aims to support small businesses in the South East and break down environmental and sustainability challenges for their business. Keynote speaker, Duncan Stewart, will share his insights on how vital it is for businesses to address environmental issues within their business and how this will ensure the sustainability of small enterprises into the future. Expert speakers from 3 Counties Energy Agency (3cea) and the Southern Region Waste Management office will share useful tips on how to make simple changes, for example, how to manage waste in your business and how to access funding support for greener practises. The panel of speakers will demonstrate how investing time and resources in green issues will ultimately benefit small businesses. The programme will begin with an introduction and welcome from Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny. We want to encourage small businesses to learn more about how they can help Ireland move toward a greener net-zero economy. Beyond that, sustainable decisions make financial sense. We hope people will join us on October 15 to find out more, she said. Grainne Kennedy, Energy Engineer, 3cea said, Even the smallest change in a businesses consciousness and tweaks to its manufacturing processes can make a big difference. Any business of any size can have a profound effect on the environment. Were looking forward to telling people about the South East Green for Micro programme and how they can access funding to start their green journey today. Led by the Local Enterprise Offices in the South East, in partnership with 3 Counties Energy Agency (3cea), the South East Green for Micro programme was launched in April 2019, funded by Enterprise Ireland to assist local businesses with their low carbon transition. 3cea, an independent, not-for-profit energy agency, offered technical assistance for the project, helping participating enterprises examine their energy, waste, water, procurement and transport needs and make more informed, environmentally-friendly choices. For more information about energy grants available in the southeast, visit www.3cea.ie. To learn more about the Green for Micro conference on October 15, hosted online, visit: www.localenterprise.ie/ kilkenny A pill that could potentially treat Covid-19 is a "game-changer," but experts are emphasizing that it's not an alternative to vaccinations -- which remain the most effective path to ending the coronavirus pandemic if enough people get their shots. Roughly 255,767 people are becoming fully vaccinated in the US each day, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And a little over 65% of eligible Americans have been fully vaccinated, the data show. At the same time, the US hit a grim milestone Friday by surpassing 700,000 deaths from Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University's data. The US tops the world for Covid-19 deaths, followed by Brazil with nearly 600,000 fatalities, according to the data. The news from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics on Friday that they created an antiviral pill that can reduce Covid-19 hospitalization and death by 50% was hailed by health experts, although they cautioned it wasn't a replacement for vaccinations. "This can be used in conjunction with the vaccine. And it's not an alternative to vaccination. We still have to try to get more people vaccinated," Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, told CNN on Friday. Gottlieb acknowledged that the antiviral medicine could be effective for those who choose not to get vaccinated, as well as those who catch the virus while fully vaccinated. "This is the most impactful result that I remember seeing of an orally available drug in the treatment of a respiratory pathogen, perhaps ever," Gottlieb told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "I think getting an oral pill that can inhibit viral replication -- that can inhibit this virus -- is going to be a real game-changer." Merck said Friday it will seek FDA emergency use authorization for its molnupiravir medication "as soon as possible." If permitted, it would become the first oral medicine that fights viral infection for Covid-19. "If approved, I think the right way to think about this is; this is a potential additional tool in our toolbox to protect people from the worst outcomes of Covid," White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said Friday. Zients echoed Gottlieb's stance on vaccination, underscoring inoculation remains "far and away our best tool against Covid-19" because the shots can prevent people from getting infected in the first place. "And we want to prevent infections, not just wait to treat them once they happen," Zients said. Meanwhile, Louisiana reported Friday that a child at or under the age of four died from Covid-19. It was the state's 17th pediatric death from the virus. "We owe it to ourselves, our children and everyone around us to take advantage of the best protection we have, and that is the vaccine and wearing a mask," Louisiana State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter said. The Delta variant of the coronavirus has made child infections much more common than during the onset of the pandemic. More booster talks to come Americans who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines can expect to hear next steps for booster shots this month. The FDA will meet with its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee on October 14 and 15 to discuss those boosters for those vaccines, which have only been authorized for emergency use in those 18 and older. The committee will also consider data on "mix and match" use of boosters, the agency said Friday. Only Pfizer's Covid-19 two-dose vaccine has been fully approved by the FDA for people 12 and older. Pfizer's booster shot is authorized for emergency use in people 65 and older, people at high risk of severe disease and people whose jobs put them at risk of infection. More than 4.03 million people have received an additional dose of Covid-19 vaccine -- or booster -- since August 13. The FDA vaccine committee is also slated to discuss Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 on October 26. Pfizer has started submitting data about this age group to the agency but has not yet formally requested emergency use authorization. The committee of independent advisers typically discusses and makes recommendations to the FDA on vaccine authorizations and approvals. Then, the agency makes the final decision. Vaccine mandates continue coming into play As federal health officials consider booster shots, vaccine mandates are being implemented more widely -- and some are not happy with the move. On Friday, American Airlines told its US workers that they must follow the Biden administration's requirement to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The airline noted that its business with the federal government means it will be covered under the mandate but fell short of saying when the requirement takes effect. Religious and disability-related exemptions will be available, but there will be no "provision of a regular testing alternative," the airline said. "While we are still working through the details of the federal requirements, it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines," according to a memo CNN obtained from the airline management sent to employees. Meanwhile, Ochsner Health in Louisiana said it will charge employees enrolled in their upcoming 2022 health care benefits a fee for spouses and domestic partners who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 "This is not a mandate as non-employed spouses and domestic partners can choose to select a health plan outside of Ochsner Health offerings. As with our employee vaccination policy, spouses and domestic partners with medical and religious objections will be able to file exemption requests," Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas said in a statement this week. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Tesla said Saturday that it produced 237,823 vehicles in its third quarter and delivered 241,300, more than double the number of vehicles for the same period a year ago. In the 2020 third quarter, the company produced 145,036 vehicles and sold 139,300. That 64% increase in production suggests the electric vehicle maker will report strong earnings for the 2021 third quarter. It's unclear when the company will release those numbers, however, given that Tesla generally does not engage with the professional news media. The automaker's ability to turn out so many cars suggests it has somehow found a way to tame the supply chain issues and chip problems that have dogged the entire auto industry. The company also seems to be able to shrug off increased competition from traditional automakers that only now are pivoting to sell more electric vehicles. Analysts Daniel Ives and John Katsingris of Wedbush Securities said Tesla's production was roughly 10,000 more than their estimates. "Taking a step back, with the chip shortage a major overhang on the auto space and logistical issues globally, these delivery numbers were 'eye popping' and speaks to an EV demand trajectory that looks quite robust for Tesla heading into 4Q and 2022," Ives and Katsingris said. Separately, VW announced Friday that the ID.4 had 6,049 sales in Q3. In the past year, the compact EV sold a little over 12,000 vehicles. The German automaker is hoping to eventually pass Tesla in EV sales by rolling out cheaper alternatives like the ID.4, a compact crossover. Honda also emerged with some wins in the most recent quarter, setting a new annual sales mark with 82,446 electrified vehicle sales. In April, CEO Toshihiro Mibe said the company "will strive" to sell only battery-electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles by 2040 in the three major markets where it primarily sells cars -- North America, China and Japan. "The enduring nature of the microchip shortage and port congestion issues continue to constrain the entire industry, but we are encouraged by the record sales of Honda models where we have adequate inventory," said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations at American Honda. CNN's Chris Isidore contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. KIMT NEWS 3.- Midwest governors including Governor Tim Walz today announced a plan to dot the landscape with a bunch of electric vehicle charging stations. Walz and the governors of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin are joining a so-called memorandum of understanding. The goal is to expand electric vehicle infrastructure in the region. An estimated 105,000 new jobs are anticipated to get these charging stations online by 2030. The states will work together with the industry to build the transportation system of the future. The governors say adding charging stations will reduce harmful emissions, protect public health, and innovate. A pill has cut the risk of hospitalization or death from Covid-19 by half in a study, Merck and Ridgeback Therapeutic said Friday. This image shows Merck's new antiviral medication. Lou Ann Homan-Saylor lives in Angola at the White Picket Gardens where you can find her gardening or writing late into the night under the light of her frayed scarlet lamp. She is a storyteller, teacher, writer, actress and a collector of front porch stories. She can be contacted at locketoftime@aol.com. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota really wants to be president. She seems to think that she can reach her goal by becoming a mash-up of Donald Trump and Sarah Palin. And she's playing the part to the hilt, complete with alleged nepotism, apparent contempt for ethical norms and grousing that the media is treating her unfairly. According to news reports, largely based on reporting from the Associated Press, Noem created the appearance of having used her position to pressure a state regulator into giving her daughter a real-estate appraiser's license. (Noem denies any wrondoing.) The state requires applicants to take certain courses, pass both an exam and a background check, submit examples of their work and demonstrate 1,000 or more hours of work experience. After the South Dakota Appraiser Certification Program moved to deny the license application by Noem's daughter, Kassidy Peters, the agency's director, Sherry Bren, was summoned to the governor's mansion to discuss (as Bren said she was told in a text from her supervisor) "certification procedures." There she encountered Noem, Peters, Noem's former Chief of Staff Tony Venhuizen and Noem's former legal counsel Tom Hart, as well as South Dakota Labor Secretary Marcia Hultman, Bren's supervisor and director of Labor and Management Amber Mulder and senior staff attorney Graham Oey, according to Bren. Bren said Oey and Venhuizen attended via telephone. In November, several months after the meeting and after completing additional licensing requirements, Kassidy Peters became certified, Dawn Dovre, the director of public affairs at the Department of Labor and Regulation, said in an email to CNN. In December, Bren filed an age discrimination complaint. In March she left the agency, after the state paid her a $200,000 settlement, providing she withdrew her complaint. Noem denies asking for "special treatment," for her daughter. She tweeted: "Here are the facts: I have heard for years how difficult it is to become an appraiser in South Dakota, making it harder for South Dakotans to purchase a home. I have been working for years to fix that process, and I signed legislation to that effect this past session." And while her office declined to answer detailed questions about the meeting, a spokesman for Noem said that "The Associated Press is disparaging the Governor's daughter in order to attack the Governor politically -- no wonder Americans' trust in the media is at an all-time low." According to The Washington Post, "government ethics experts who reviewed the series of events at the AP's request said Noem's decision to include her daughter in the meeting created a conflict of interest regardless of what was discussed." And after the AP report was published this week, the state attorney general's office and a state senator said the matter would be reviewed. Noem, like Trump, doesn't seem much concerned about appearing to use her public office to give a relative an unfair advantage. (The former president, we all remember, gave his daughter and son-in-law high-level White House jobs.) Indeed, after the story broke, Noem used social media to blame the press and spin the story. It was a classic imitation of the Trump method, right down to the strange use of capitalization. "Listen, I get it. I signed up for this job," wrote Noem. "But now the media is trying to destroy my children. This story is just another example of the double standard that exists with the media... going after conservatives and their kids while ignoring Liberals #AskTheBigGuy" It was awkward for the governor to play the outraged-mom card, since her "kid" is a 27-year-old woman with a child of her own. The move recalls Palin's attacks on the press after she lost her bid to become vice president in 2008. Noem has a lot in common with Palin, the former Alaska governor. Noem governs a red state with a tiny population. Both women cultivate the image of gun-toting Western "mama grizzlies," as the cheeky Daily Mail website calls the political style. But while Palin was constrained by her association with a conventional running mate, John McCain, Noem has sought the national spotlight on her own, and she is following, in Trump, a powerful man who may determine her political future. While he sticks by his much-disproven Big Lie -- that he was cheated of a second term in the 2020 election -- Trump has been telling allies he's going to run again in 2024. Since the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, Trump and his followers have abandoned the former Vice President, Mike Pence. Trump, according to a recent book by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, warned Pence that if he didn't overturn the election that day, "I don't want to be your friend anymore." This leaves the running-mate slot wide open. Noem and lots of other state politicians seem to be trying to prove they are worthy. In July, Politico revealed that Trump allies are already talking about who might join the ticket. Among those mentioned were former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Senators Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. Given Trump's flair for showmanship, a woman could be a likely pick. But unlike Haley, who said this year that Trump had no future in the GOP, Noem has not spoken ill of the former president. Instead, she has piled on the flattery -- she gave him a replica of Mt. Rushmore with his face added -- and followed his dangerous lead on managing the Covid-19 pandemic. Rigidly opposed to mask mandates recommended by experts, Noem has talked as if she were managing to defeat the pandemic without taking much action, claiming in February that South Dakota, "got through it better than virtually any other state." This wasn't even remotely true, as South Dakota ended 2020 with the second highest rate of infection in the country. In the latest rankings published by The New York Times, South Dakota has the seventh worst record on Covid-19, with 241 deaths per 100,000 citizens and only 52% percent of its eligible residents fully vaccinated. In two states with comparably small populations, Maine and Vermont, the data show a much different picture. Vermont's death rate is just 51 per 100,000 and its vaccination rate is 69%. Maine has nearly the same record on vaccinations, 68% percent, and a death rate of 71 per 100,000. Will Noem's loose relationship with the facts bother Trump as he considers a veep choice? Are you kidding? I believe he would consider her willingness to stray from the facts a definite plus. The same would be true if the former president reflects on Noem's little nepotism scandal. Sure, it's being investigated by the state's attorney general. But that only makes her an even more authentic Trumper. I suspect that only the former president's daughter Ivanka would be more qualified in Donald Trump's eyes. And even he wouldn't be defiant enough to pick her. Right? The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Thirty-five years after it slammed the brakes on population growth by adopting a one-child policy, China announced Thursday that it would allow all married couples to have two children. The momentous move, revealed in a brief communique from senior Communist Party leaders Thursday night, comes as China is confronting slowing growth and a rapidly aging society, with the number of working-age people shrinking for three years in a row. Though China remains the worlds most populous nation, with 1.3 billion people, the population is expected to peak between 2020 and 2030 and then decline unless the birthrate now 1.18 children per woman starts rising. Chinese officials have credited the one-child policy adopted in 1980 at the dawn of Chinas reform and opening era with preventing 400 million births and helping the nation rapidly improve its economic fortunes and limit even greater strains on natural resources. Advertisement But in the West and in many parts of China, the policys implementation was criticized as overly harsh and even inhumane, with those who violated the rules subject to forced abortions and sterilizations and penalties including fines, harassment or the loss of their jobs. Even recently, couples have complained that authorities have forced them to give up their second children. Some parents have come forward with harrowing stories of babies who were taken away by fraud or kidnapping -- sometimes by government authorities who delivered them to orphanages and collected payments, claiming that the children (mostly girls) had been abandoned. That has led to a decline in the number of Chinese children adopted by Americans and other foreigners, who didnt want to be part of such coercive treatment. But there have long been many exceptions to the policy, and in late 2013, Chinese officials announced a major reform that allowed couples in which one of the parents was an only child to have a second baby. The news that China is to end its notorious one-child policy hardly comes out of the blue, said Peter Lloyd Sherlock, a professor of social policy and international development at the University of East Anglia in England. In reality, the policy has been phasing out over the past 15 years, with a reduction of sanctions in many parts of the country. Still, the changes in late 2013 did not lead to a huge surge in births. The National Health and Family Planning Commission said China recorded 16.9 million births in 2014, up 470,000 from 2013, which showed the new policy was having some effect. But by May of this year, only 1.45 million couples -- out of 11 million eligible ones -- had applied to have a second child. Like many couples in the West, a fair number of Chinese couples, particularly in urban areas, appear to have decided that having a second child is too expensive or too much trouble. Still, an unscientific survey of users on the Chinese social media platform Weibo conducted Thursday night showed 62% out of 30,000 respondents saying they would like to have have a second child. A sigh of relief. In my lifetime, I dont have to witness the disappearance of words like brother, sister, aunt and uncle from the Chinese language. He Caitou, well-known Chinese blogger A sigh of relief. In my lifetime, I dont have to witness the disappearance of words like brother, sister, aunt and uncle from the Chinese language, said He Caitou, a well-known blogger, after Thursdays policy change was announced. Details on the implementation of the new policy were not immediately forthcoming. To boost the populations balanced development, China will allow couples to have two children while continuing to hold on to family planning policy as a fundamental national policy and improve the population growth strategy, the official Xinhua News Agency said. History will probably render mixed judgments on the one-child policy, said Brantly Womack, a China expert at the University of Virginia. There will be no mixed judgments of its excesses -- not just on the forced sterilizations and abortions but the societal effects of a whole generation of only children. I think these things are indisputably negative effects, he said. The question will be whether it did have the population control effect it was intended to, and whether that was good for China. The world is unlikely to see another one-child policy like Chinas anytime in the near future, Womack predicted. The capacity China has to not only announce a policy like the one-child policy but actually apply it down to every village is rare, Womack said. Its even rarer in the kinds of countries that today still suffer from overpopulation. The effects of the one-child policy have rippled throughout Chinese society. Some sociologists blame it for creating a generation of selfish little emperors spoiled by their parents and grandparents. Because many couples preferred to have a boy rather than a girl if limited to one child, it was common for them to sex-select for boys or give up their girl babies. China now has 117 men for every 100 women, and in 2020, China is expected to have 30 million more men than women. One researcher just last week sparked controversy by suggesting men be allowed to share wives. With men feeling pressure to have a home to attract a bride, families have pooled their resources to help their unmarried sons buy property. That, some analysts say, has driven up real estate prices in some cities by 50%. While its still common around China to see red-and-white banners urging citizens to abide by family-planning rules, numerous exceptions have existed for years. For example, minorities, fishermen, some handicapped people, and rural families whose first child was a girl have long been allowed to have more than one child; local officials had substantial discretion to allow second births. Families who werent exempt from the policy had to pay fines if they had a second or third child or face other punishments. And that policy included celebrities; famed movie director Zhang Yimou, renowned for films like Hero and The House of Flying Daggers, last year paid $1.2 million in penalties after it was revealed that he has had two sons and a daughter. Because of the one-child policy and rapid urbanization and rising incomes, Chinas birthrate has fallen below the 2.5 per woman average globally and the 1.7 average in developed countries. A rate of 2.1 children per woman is considered the replacement rate to keep the population steady. Chinas working-age population defined by the government as people between 16 and 59 has fallen for three years in a row, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. It fell by 3.45 million in 2012, another 2.44 million in 2013, and 3.71 million in 2014. According to the United Nations, Chinas pool of workers could shrink by a total of 61 million by 2030. Moreover, Chinas cohort of workers is getting old. By 2050, 25% of Chinas population will be over the age of 65, while the number of young people who can support the retiree set will have shrunk. China now has a five-to-one worker to retiree ratio; if the birthrate were to continue as is, the ratio would be only 1.6 to one by 2040, demographers predict. Supporting retirees is one problem. Some economists also warn that a graying country also likely means lower economic growth, because retirees are not as voracious consumers as young people. Chinese leaders are already facing other downward pressures on economic growth as the country tries to move away from export-dependent factory jobs and heavy investment in infrastructure projects such as roads and airports. While many people both inside and outside China support ending the one-child policy on humanitarian grounds, a substantial number of experts question whether encouraging more people to have children will help Chinas economy. In a report this month, Beijing-based Cinda Securities cautioned that relaxing the one-child policy was not the catch-all solution to Chinas economic strains. It said China should focus instead on improving the productivity of its laborers and on improving efficiency by allowing markets to play a greater role in its economy. Reforms to the legal system could also foster economic growth, it added. The firms researchers also said the government should explore ways to give older people opportunities to work. Chinas current retirement age is 55 for women and 60 for men. The government has proposed raising those limits incrementally. Even if changes in government population policy could lead to increased birthrate and solve the problem of the aging population, the country would face a new problem of a booming population, the firm warned. China already has a large population . And more population growth will be a fatal trap for economic development because the country does not have enough resources. Others said the move to allow married couples to have two children still means that the state will play an invasive role in families intimate affairs. The move to change Chinas one-child policy is not enough. Couples that have two children could still be subjected to coercive and intrusive forms of contraception, and even forced abortions -- which amount to torture, said William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International. The state has no business regulating how many children people have. If China is serious about respecting human rights, the government should immediately end such invasive and punitive controls over peoples decisions to plan families and have children. Mei Fong, a former China correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and author of the forthcoming book One Child: The Past and Future of Chinas Most Radical Experiment, says that even with Thursdays announcement, China will be dealing with the hangover effects of the one-child policy for decades to come. Youve got over 100 million families that have only one child. Will this create an entitled, coddled generation unlike any other? What happens when these children grow up to shoulder support of ailing parents, in-laws, grandparents, in a nation that will hold more than half the worlds Alzheimer and Parkinson sufferers? And what is a Canadian-sized population of bachelors going to do for mates? she asked. The one-child policy, she added, was something straight out of Orwell or Huxley. Except its not science fiction, its real life. Tommy Yang in the Times Beijing bureau contributed to this report. Follow @JulieMakLAT for news from China MORE ON CHINA: Why is China ending its one-child policy? Key questions and answers China, angered over warship patrol near artificial islands, warns U.S. not to create trouble Did a Chinese casino really just pay $70 million for a 15-minute Martin Scorsese film? Ecuador officials will pardon at least 2,000 inmates following the deadly prison riot that killed at least 118 inmates on Tuesday, at the Penitenciaria del Litoral in Guayaquil. According to an official from Ecuador, the said move seeks to address the overcrowding at the detention facilities. SNAI prison authority director Bolivar Garzon said on Friday that the government would focus and prioritize elderly and female inmates, as well as prisoners with disabilities and terminal illness, Al Jazeera reported. Further details about the release of the said inmates were not furthered by the Ecuadorian officials. READ NEXT: 5 Dead, 15 Hurt in Bloody Ecuador Jail Riot Ecuador Prison Riot Kills 118 Inmates The move to pardon thousands of inmates in the Ecuador prison stemmed out as hundreds died following a prison riot in Guayaquil on Tuesday. The said incident was reported to also injure at least 79 inmates. The recent chaos in the said detention facility also marked Ecuador's worst-ever prison riot in its history, as prisoners on Tuesday were reported to utilize explosives and firearms against each other. On Thursday, authorities pointed out that Litoral prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador was back under their control following a major operation that involved at least 900 officers and soldiers. On Friday, Interior Minister Alexandra Vela confirmed that forensic units identified 41 victims from Tuesday's incident, while 21 bodies were delivered back to their families. Vela also pointed out that their government also sent 3,600 police and military reinforcements to prisons across the country to maintain peace and order. Ecuador Prison Riot The fight on Guayaquil prison was reported to break out when inmates from one wing of the detention facility were reported to crawl through a hole to make their way on the other wing, where they attacked their rival gang members. Officials pointed out that the motive for the gangs' fight who were known to have alliances with transnational criminal groups as over drug trafficking routes. According to local media, brutal killings could have been ordered from outside the prison, reflecting a power struggle from Mexican cartels on their way to Ecuador. Litoral prison was known to house inmates from different gangs including Los Choneros who were linked to Sinaloa Cartel. Meanwhile, Jalisco New Generation Cartel was also trying to forge alliances with Ecuadorian gangs to seize control of drug smuggling routes. "It's regrettable that prisons are being turned into territories for power disputes by criminal gangs," Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso said on Wednesday, as he announced a state of emergency in the prison system. Families of Ecuador Prison Riot Victims Waiting Outside Detention Facility As the identification of the killed inmates continues, families of the victims gathered outside the Litoral prison and Guayaquil morgue, seeking information about their loved ones. However, with some of the victims decapitated or dismembered, BBC emphasized that identifying the victims could take days. Police Official Henry Coral asked families to help speed up the identification of the victims by telling authorities for details such as tattoos, scars, and other distinguishing features of the victims. READ NEXT: Ecuador Prison Riot Casualties Rise to 79 This article is owned by Latin Post Written By: Joshua Summers WATCH: Police Stop Slaughter in Ecuador Prison After Rioting and Gang Massacre Kills at Least 118 Inmates - From South China Morning Post A man "wearing full ninja garb" set off a scramble among members of a U.S. Army special operations unit after he attacked them in the middle of the night in the California desert. The incident resulted in at least two injuries, according to police records. 'Ninja' Attacks U.S. Army Members According to NPR, the attack started at around 1 a.m. on September 18 when a sword-wielding man dressed as a ninja went to the Inyokern Airport in Kern County, north of Los Angeles. Authorities in Ridgecrest, California received a report about it. The statement of the Kern County sheriff's deputies on Friday said they found out that the mysterious man has assaulted a victim at the scene with a sword, and thrown a rock through a hangar window, that hit another victim in the head. Based on a Stars and Stripes report, the victims were members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). The report noted that the military personnel was present at the airport as part of their training exercises. READ NEXT: Gabby Petito Autopsy Will Reveal Her Body Had Obvious 'Signs of Trauma From Attack,' Forensic Expert Claims 'Ninja' Disobeys Deputies' Orders The incident report quickly drew attention after it was posted on social media. The report noted that a staff sergeant was smoking a late-night cigarette close to the airport hangar when an unknown man wearing a full ninja garb approached him with questions. The ninja attacker asked the member of the U.S. Army if he knew who he was and where his family was. The sergeant answered that he did not have any idea about his family and their location, prompting the man to slash him using a katana. The move hit the leg of the sergeant and his phone. After he managed to get away with the ninja attacker, the sergeant ran and jumped on a fence to reach a building, joining other members from his company. Once the captain knew the attack, he ordered his people to lock the doors and called 911 for assistance. Despite the defensive move made by members of the U.S. Army, the ninja attacker kicked and punched doors and windows. The Ridgecrest Police Department's blotter from that night said a 911 call came in from someone at the airport and said that 26 military members were "hunkered down in a hanger (sic) wondering where help is." Police officers located the ninja suspect on a nearby road. However, the sheriff's office said the ninja attacker refused to follow commands and brandished the sword at deputies. Projectile rounds were used but were ineffective. The man ran, and that's when deputies had a chance to use a Taser on him. The move from the deputies prompted the man to drop the sword, and deputies were able to take him into custody. He was later on identified as Gino Rivera. The 35-year-old suspect was arrested for attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a weapon, brandishing a weapon with the intent to resist or prevent an arrest, vandalism, and obstructing or delaying a peace officer in the performance of their duties. READ MORE: 17-Year-Old Boy Stabs Twin Sister to Death, Claims He Was Asleep When He Puts the Knife on Her Neck This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Jess Smith WATCH: U.S. Special Operations Soldiers Attacked By Ninja In California - From NewsBOT Military The Houston school shooting suspect has surrendered "without incident" when officers arrived at the scene within minutes after the call. The police noted that once inside the school they came upon the suspect armed with a rifle, according to an ABC News report. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said that the suspect had gained entry by shooting on the glass door and immediately fired upon one of the employees of the school. The employee was described as a white male and had sustained a gunshot wound to the back. The suspect was identified as a 25-year-old Black male and was known to be a former student of the school. Officers administered first aid to the wounded employee and was taken to the hospital. Finner said that he's in a "serious condition" and is in surgery. READ NEXT: 11-Year-Old Boy Shot Dead by 9-Year-Old Who Found Gun in Car Outside Dallas Store Houston School Shooting Finner said that nobody or any kid should witness the incident, "but it's the world that we live in," CBS News reports. YES Prep Southwest Secondary students were transported to a staging area where students could meet them, according to the school's administration. The school had asked parents to avoid driving around the premises and instead instructed them to meet their children at a nearby staging area. In a statement, the school said that the Houston Police Department had blocked the roads and is currently gathering information. A seventh grader who was evacuated from the school said that they saw blood and glass shattering everywhere when they were coming out. One parent identified as Tonya Armstrong said that her daughter called her and said a shooter was inside the school premises. Armstrong said that she was trying to be calm and she saw all the kids running out with their hands up and crying. One student said that the school had practiced active shooter drills just two days before the actual shooting. The student said that they were told to run outside, then into the gym, and get in a room. The student added that it was really scary and everybody was crying. She noted that they had just practiced lockdown and now it's really happening. U.S. School Shooting The recent school shooting had prompted one leader to call for action to prioritize child safety. Abbie Kaman, a Houston city council member and chair of public safety, said that people must do more than offer thoughts and prayers, according to an ABC 13 News report. She said that when the standard for a "good" school shooting scenario is that no students were shot, something is broken. Kaman noted that a child's right to safety must be prioritized over guns. There have been 14 school shootings since March despite thousands of schools remaining partially or entirely closed due to the pandemic, according to a June Washington Post report. The recent count was considered the highest total over that period during any year since 1999. In addition, more than a quarter of a million children have been exposed to gun violence during school hours since the Columbine High massacre 22 years ago. READ MORE: Colorado School Shooter Devon Erickson Sentenced to Spend Over a Thousand Years in Prison for 2019 Shooting This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: Houston school shooting update: The latest on the incident at YES Prep Southwest Secondary school - from KHOU 11 Law enforcement officials in Texas discovered the remains of a migrant hanging from a tree with his feet missing near the U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday. Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez told Breitbart that they have never seen anything like it in their county. He noted that they regularly find deceased migrants, "but never anything like this." Martinez said this is what their deputies and the Border Patrol agents have to deal with. Newsweek reported that the county sheriff noted that the body was naked with folded clothing next to him. Authorities believe that the man was hung with his own shirt and that his skeletal body had been in the area for at least a week. Investigators reported that both of the man's feet were removed, most likely by animals. According to The Sun, one foot was recovered at the scene as a search to locate the other was carried out Friday. Authorities also found two identification cards belonging to a Mexican male. Martinez said the circumstances surrounding the migrant's death remain unknown. READ NEXT: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Wants Pres. Joe Biden to Stop Sending Illegal Immigrants to the State Investigation of the Hanged Migrant The sheriff noted that they are not sure if the migrant was hanged or if he did it to himself, adding that they will have to wait on a full autopsy to determine what really happened. The Webb County Medical Examiner's Office in Laredo, Texas will conduct the complete autopsy. Deputies had already brought the remains to the county morgue, where they will try to obtain fingerprints from the decomposed body. Martinez said the investigation is currently being treated as a homicide. However, he noted that there are still too many variables to determine what actually transpired. The sheriff noted that his deputies had already processed the death scenes of around 100 migrants in Brooks County this year alone. He said the deputies had also processed a fatal crash were 10 migrants died and 20 more injured, apart from the 98 found on ranches. For the entire year of 2020, only 34 migrants were found dead compared to the 118 migrant deaths recorded this year, representing around a 250 percent increase, the sheriff noted. Martinez said: "This death, while an extreme situation, is yet another example of the tragic deaths occurring here." Migrant Influx at the U.S.-Mexico Border In March, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) noted that the U.S. is facing the biggest influx of migrants at its southwestern border in 20 years. Attempted crossings were mostly people from Central America and Mexico, but DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said most single adults and families are being turned away. Migrants are seeking a better life in the U.S. due to the ongoing poverty, corruption, and violence in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, Reuters reported. Haitian migrants have recently been among the people seeking to gain asylum in the U.S. Many believe that they will have a better chance of getting into the U.S. and staying in the country after President Joe Biden replaced former President Donald Trump. 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: More Than 12,000 Migrants Remain In The U.S. - From NBC News A Florida sheriff said police in Utah and North Port had missed their chances to take Gabby Petito's fiance, Brian Laundrie, into custody. In a press conference on an undercover child porn operation on Thursday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said he would have detained Laundrie right after he returned home in Petito's van without her. "I can tell you at this sheriff's office, when he (Laundrie) showed up with her (Petito) car and she was no place to be found, we never would have let him out of our custody that day," Judd noted. Judd's office was not directly involved in the investigation. The sheriff said he could "only speculate based upon news reports," Fox 13 reported. "And as you know, those are incomplete at best, and sometimes they can be fictionalized at worst," he noted. READ NEXT: Gabby Petito Search Led to Discovery of Missing Texas Man's Body in Wyoming; Brian Laundrie's Neighbor Got Into Scuffle With Protester Florida Sheriff Says Gabby Petito a Victim of Domestic Violence Grady Judd said they would have arrested Brian Laundrie since Gabby Petito was a victim of domestic violence. The sheriff noted that the incident in Moab, Utah on August 12, when police were called after receiving reports that Laundrie hit and slapped Petito was a clear domestic violence case. "I can tell you that according to Florida law, when she (Petito) was the victim of domestic violence originally, he (Laundrie) would have been arrested," Judd said. A new bodycam video obtained by Fox News on Thursday showed that Petito told a Utah cop that Laundrie assaulted her during their August 12 domestic dispute. A crying Petito told police that Laundrie "didn't like hit me in the face" or "didn't like punch me," but he cut her "with his nail." "Well he like, grabbed me with his nail, and I guess that's why it looks, I definitely have a cut right here... I can feel it, when I touch it, it burns," she reportedly said as she rubbed her cheek. The Moab Police Department came under intense scrutiny for its handling of the couple's dispute. Moab police chief Bret Edge already took a leave of absence, and the cop's involved are under investigation. Sister of Brian Laundrie Saw Him Twice After Returning to Florida Steve Bertolino, an attorney for the family of Brian Laundrie, said on Friday that Laundrie's sister, Cassie Laundrie, saw his brother twice after he returned to their parents' home in Florida. Bertolino noted that Cassie first saw her brother on September 1 when he stopped by her home. Bertolino said the next one happened on September 6, during the family's camping trip to Fort De Soto in Pinellas County. "Law enforcement agencies are well aware of these dates," the lawyer told News13's sister station, 8 On Your Side. Cassie Laundrie has said in a televised interview on September 17 that she had not spoken to her brother since he returned to Florida. "I haven't been able to talk to him. I wish I could talk to him... I've cooperated in every way that I can. I wish I had information or I would give more," Brian Laundrie's sister noted. To clear up any confusion, Bertolino said that Cassie simply misinterpreted the question. Gabby Petito disappeared on a cross-country road trip with Brian Laundrie. The couple was traveling to Oregon when the YouTuber stopped communicating with her family in Wyoming in late August. Brian Laundrie was named a person of interest by North Port police after returning home on September 1 or 10 days before Gabby Petito was reported missing by her family. On September 19, Petito's body was found at the Spread Creek Dispersed Campground near Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The FBI has already issued a federal arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie over debit card fraud. Gabby Petito's fiance remained on the loose as of Friday. READ MORE: Florida Campsite Documents Reveal Brian Laundrie and His Parents Went Camping After Gabby Petito Vanished This article is owned by Latin Post Written by: Joshua Summers WATCH: Domestic Violence Expert Analyzes New Video of Gabby Petito With Moab Police - From FOX 13 Tampa Bay Agreement has not been reached on multi-million euro proposal to overhaul Portlaoise Garda Station which would bring jobs and gaurantee the the choice of town as the HQ for the new Laois, Offaly Kildare Garda Division. The Office of Public Works is overseeing the project but the money will have to come out of the Department of Justice budget for Gardai. Unfortunately, the already delayed project is being further held up as the three entities try to reach an agreement. The project was included in the 2016-2021 National Development Plan. Two sets of outline plans were drawn up. The first was binned because the Defence Forces wanted a suitable location for soldiers to deploy from to Portlaoise Prison. A site was agreed but the project remains the of negotiations on money and timescale. The Leinster Express asked the OPW about the status of funding. "The funding for the redevelopment of Portlaoise Garda Station and the development of the new Defence Forces building at the Irish Prison Service Training Centre site is subject to ongoing discussions between the relevant parties; the Office of Public Works, Department of Justice and An Garda Siochana," it said. The Leinster Express also asked if the Garda Station and the new Defence Forces facility had to proceed in tandem. The OPW said agreement has not been reached on this either. "The redevelopment of Portlaoise Garda Station is a very complex project which requires the refurbishment, extension and alteration of existing buildings, as well as construction of new buildings within the site of the existing Garda Station and in addition, the construction of a new building for the Defence Forces on the Irish Prison Service site. "The exact sequencing of this multi-phased project is currently being discussed with the relevant parties; the Office of Public Works, Department of Justice and An Garda Siochana and has yet to be finalised," it said. The Leinster Express understands that scoping works have been carried out at the station to ascertain the extent of works needed on the building which was constructed in the early 1800s. It is believed to have been built on the site of an old fort. The OPW have said a design team has commenced work on the detailed design phase which will involve the extension and refurbishment of the existing Garda Station and custody suite, along with the provision of additional accommodation for An Garda Siochana on the adjacent site currently occupied by the Department of Defence. Planning permission for this phase of the project was granted earlier in 2021. The project also requires the provision of new accommodation for the Department of Defence on the site of the Irish Prison Service (IPS) Training Centre, Portlaoise, which is subject to a planning submission under Part 9 of the Planning and Development Acts 2001 (as amended). A period of public consultation in relation to this development is currently underway. The OPW say that following the detailed design and procurement process, it is expected that a project of this scale will take between 24 and 36 months to construct. It is hoped that the project will be included in the next National Development Plan. The Department of Pubic Expenditure and Reform has told Minister of State Sean Fleming that the Gardai list the project as a priority. There will be no insurance compensation paid out for the cancelled and unlicensed Electric Picnic 2021 but the organisers were covered for the previous year, according to the organisers. MCD Managing Director Dermot Desmond is a key player in the Laois festival which takes place in Stradbally. He has confirmed that the 2020 edition was covered by a global Live Nation insurance policy. It also extended to sister concerts in the UK. However, Mr Desmond also told the Irish Times that the insurance would not give pandemic cover to this years event. The famous Irish music promoter said there were no issues getting payment for 2020. The Irish Times reports that accounts for Live Nation which controls Festival Republic Limited reveal that 15.5 million was paid out to cover the cancellations of Electric Picnic, Leeds and Reading music festivals. Festival Republic's Revenues dropped from 56.4 million in 2019 to over 732,600 when the insurance payout was excluded. The compensation led to an rise in profits from 7.2 million in 2019. While Laois County Council refused a licence for Electric Picnic in August in line with public health guidelines, Mr Desmond said 1.6 million people attended its summer events in Britain. This included 90,000 a day attending the Leeds and Reading festivals. Festival Republic had applied for a licence to allow 70,000 people go to the Electric Picnic at Cosby Hall at the end of September. After extensive efforts to try to have Laois County Council reverse the refusal, Festival Republic finally called the event off in early September after the Government announced a reopening roadmap. The eased restrictions potentially would have allowed over 50,000 attend the event in Stradbally at the end of September. Full Irish Times story here For the next few months as we head into the Autumn and Winter, there will be lots of comments about making sure you are all wrapped up and cosy when heading out into the outdoors. Indeed it is important to maintain body heat at this time of year. However, it is also important that we keep our mind all wrapped up as well. The WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) programme is an ideal opportunity to explore personal wellbeing and to develop an action plan. Laois Connects and Mental Health Ireland are hosting the October WRAP programme. The WRAP - is a wellness and recovery approach that helps people to Decrease and prevent intrusive or troubling feelings and behaviours; Increase personal empowerment; Improve quality of life; Achieve their own life goals and dreams. The WRAP Facilitators will guide participants to developing their own WRAP, identify the wellness tools that will most benefit you and learn how to use these tools when needed, every day or when you have particular feelings or experiences. Upon registration all participants will be provided with a free copy of the WRAP book after session one. The key elements of WRAP include creating your personal Wellness Toolbox, a Daily Maintenance Plan. Core to these is supporting participants to create their personal Action Plan that sets out identify triggers and early warning signs of stress. Other topics addressed include crisis planning for the unexpected moments and challenges in life and post-crises planning Finola Colgan & Billy Vaughan, Development Officers and WRAP Facilitators with MHI, will deliver this programme in partnership with Laois Connects . The WRAP dates are Fridays 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th October from 10.00am > 12.30pm and will be facilitated by Finola Colgan and Bill Vaughan Development Officer Mental Health Ireland. To get the zoom link please email finola@mentalhealthireland.ie or 086 8353387 The programme is provided free of charge along with the WRAP book that will support your journey of participation. More on WRAP here. A man who is charged with a car-jacking incident in Newbridge had his case adjourned at Naas District Court. Before Judge Desmond Zaidan on September 22 was Stewart Wyse aged 28, with an address given in court as Apartment 3, Corbans Mill, Millbrook, Naas. At a previous court hearing, evidence was given that gardai received a report of an alleged hijacking of a Volvo vehicle at Morristown Biller, Newbridge at 11pm on September 13 last. It was alleged that the driver of the vehicle had a knife held to him and was told to get out of the car. It was also claimed in court that the knife cut his nose before he was pulled from the vehicle and kicked in the forehead. A day later the gardai in Newbridge went to Dublin where the defendant was arrested and a Volvo key was found in his possession. The court heard that during interview the defendant admitted having the key and had no permission to take the vehicle. Sgt Brian Jacob told Judge Zaidan that the alleged victim had sustained injuries. On September 22 last, Judge Zaidan was told that Mr Wyse is remains in custody after bail was refused. Judge Zaidan was told that Mr Wyse is due to receive further legal advice from his solicitor and he adjourned the matter to October 6 next. GARDAI are investigating a number of separate thefts from churches across the city and county. In one incident, which gardai believe was opportunistic, a woman's purse was stolen while she went to make a donation. "The lady from Germany went into the Sacred Heart church on OConnell Street (city centre) and sat for a few moments. She noticed another woman near her but thought nothing of it. When she went to make a donation to the church she realised her purse was gone, she was so shocked that a theft could happen in a church," said divisional crime prevention officer Sergeant Ber Leetch. In a separate incident, this day last week, two women were working in the church in Knocklong at around 3pm as they were preparing it for Mass that evening. "When they left the church, the women discovered that both of their cars had been broken into. The passenger windows were smashed and their handbags taken," said Sgt Leetch. Gardai at Bruff and Henry Street in Limerick city are appealing for anybody with information about what happened to please contact them. THE SUCCESS of Limerick farmers is mirroring our hurlers. Michael, Mary Ita and Alex McCarthy, Feenagh winning the NDC & Kerrygold Milk Quality Awards has been followed up by Sean Barry in the Grassland Farmer of the Year 2020 awards. The Pallasgreen man was named winner of the heavy soils / disadvantaged land category. Coincidentally, another Pallas man well able to handle disadvantaged land is Colin Ryan (Malachy), who was crowned national Poc Fada champion in the Cooley Peninsula on Saturday The winners were presented with their awards by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue in Teagasc Moorepark recently following a delay due to Covid. The competition recognises the top grassland farmers in the country who are growing and utilising more grass on their farms. The awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture with an overall prize fund of 30,000. Minister McConalogue congratulated one and all on their grassland management. The Grassland Farmer of the Year awards are part of the Teagasc Grass10 campaign supported by the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, AIB, FBD, Grassland Agro and the Irish Farmers Journal. Padraig Walshe, chair of Teagasc Grass10, said: Grass10 is a very important project for the promotion of best practice in grassland management. There are challenges ahead for all grassland farmers, however, the farmers who have participated in the Grass10 grass groups have improved their grassland management decision making. THE MODERN day equivalent of the gold rush in the Wild West could be coming to south east Limerick. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Eamon Ryan) has published a notice in the Limerick Leader of intention to grant a prospecting licence. It reads: Since it appears to the minister that there are minerals not being worked under the lands in the areas set out below, the minister intends to grant a prospecting licence for base metals, barytes, gold (ores of) and silver (ores of) to Aurum Discovery Limited in the following townlands in Coshlea Barony: Anglesborough, Ballygeana, Ballynamuddagh, Barna, Baunteen, Baurnagurrahy, Boolanlisheen, Carrigeen Mountain, Inchacoomb, Knocknagalty, Knocknascro. The notice makes clear that a prospecting licence entitles the holder to explore for mineral deposits and does not authorise mining of any minerals. The activities permissible under a licence are, in general, non-invasive and of minimal environmental impact. The minister has assessed the exploration programme proposed by the company and has determined that the activities are not likely to have a significant effect on the environment, reads the notice. Objections to the granting of the licence should be made to Geoscience Regulation Office, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin, D02 X285 within 30 days of September 15. The Leader asked one local, who is steeped in the area, if Theres gold in them thar hills? - Definitely some people are aware that there could be a possibility there is gold around. I know myself there are places where if you do a little bit of digging you will find stones with a metal flake, a goldy type of colour. I havent mentioned it to anyone. Whether it is gold or not I dont know but there is definitely minerals of some sort around here, they said. As we spoke, the local recalled a conversation with an elderly man years ago. I don't know how it came about, but he said that it would be an awful pity if there was gold found around because the whole palace would be dug up and it would be ruined. But for him to say that he must have been aware of the possibility it was there, they said. Judging by the list of townlands he says they are casting a wide net. Prospecting is one thing, finding something is another and then finding something that is economically exploitable is another thing all together. And if there is would people want a big mine ruining the tranquility and natural beauty of the area, said the local, who also pointed to the history and heritage. A LIMERICK woman paving the way in a male-dominated industry has received international recognition for her work. Murroe-born Marie Rainsford is taking a scissors to the barber industry and is looking to champion gender and ethnic balance in her 43 Thomas Street business, ODDS. Having been trained up at a local salon after school in her native village, the Limerick city-based female barber swept up in terms of top accolades at the OP Barber Awards ceremony in Birmingham - she received two distinctive nominations, one for for Most Creative Barber award - which she won, and the other for the Barber of the Year award. From left to right: Emma Marcey Collins, Ellie Ainsworth, Marie Rainsford all working at ODD Barber shop This win is huge, as I am a female in a male-dominated industry. You can count on one hand the number of female barbers in the city alone that have been internationally recognised, she stated. Setting up her own internal business within ODD owner Emma Collins co-creative space, Marie is looking to level the playing field through a gender-neutral space catering for all ethnicities. She added: Its amazing in here. Its one of the first barber shops that caters for both men and women. Its very inclusive and its a big deal, as most barbers wont cut womens hair. Customers love it. There is real banter back and forth. Everyone feels equal in there and they are not afraid to come into the shop, added Marie, who stated that the business is the first of its kind in the city. As part of her nominations and win at the awards, the northeast County Limerick woman has been appointed into the OP Awards education team, where she will be travelling internationally to share the tricks of her trade. Having travelled all over Australia and Canada before Covid hit, she is looking forward to hitting the road again. I love education and teaching, and this award and position opens huge doors, meaning that I can travel and share what I know. It will give me the opportunity to show that I can do it. I dont like putting a gender mark on anything. Anyone should be able to achieve anything they want regardless of gender, she concluded. It's the weekend and Ronan O'Meara has been scouring the TV schedules to find movies to watch over the next seven days...starting tonight. Here are 16 to choose from....enjoy! Rocketman: Saturday, Channel 4 @ 9pm A young boy in 1950's Britain called Reginald learns to play the piano. In the late 60's he makes friends with a (your) song-writer called Bernie Taupin and Elton John is born. Dexter Fletcher's 2019 biopic is a great watch that isn't afraid to delve into the darker aspects of it's subject's life. Throw in a (crocodile) rocking turn from Taron Egerton and some fantastically realised musical sequences and you have a fine way to spend Saturday night ('s alright for fighting). The Truth: Saturday, BBC4 @ 9pm A famous actress has written her autobiography and her daughter has issues with the depiction of their relationship on the pages within. Hirokazu Kore-eda's first film made outside of his native Japan is a layered and upsetting look at the lies we tell ourselves to help get through our days and the complexities of mother/daughter relationships. Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche both do exquisite work here. Without A Clue: Saturday, Talking Pictures TV @ 10.25pm Everybody knows the story of Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr Watson. But what they don't know is Dr Watson was the brains of the operation and Holmes has just there to take credit for his skills. Without A Clue one wasn't particularly well received on release but it's a fun twist on an old story and Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley obviously have a good time in their parts which translates to the screen. Mountains Of The Moon: Sunday, TG4 @ 12.05am (Midnight) Captain Burton and Lieutenant Speke head to Africa to find the source of the Nile and claim it and it's resources for the Brits. Things......let's just say things don't go too easily for them. A handsomely mounted epic of the type you rarely see anymore while that somehow manages to feel intimate despite it's scope. Our own Patrick Bergin leads the way as Burton with Iain Glen doing nicely as Speke. Keep an eye out for Omar Sharif too. Sanctuary: Sunday, RTE One @ 1.30am Larry and Sophie are in love and want to consummate their relationship. Both have special needs and incredulously in Ireland of the past it was illegal for them to be together. But sure aren't laws made to be broken. A beautiful, funny and lighthearted drama that isn't afraid to shy from heavy asides on bodily autonomy and personal independence. Kieran Coppinger and Charlene Kelly are both brilliant in their parts. Flash Gordon: Sunday, ITV4 @ 2.05pm You want cheese? Here you go. There's enough here for everyone. This 1980 take on the classic comic book sees Flash Gordon and Dale Arden escaping a dying Earth and when they crash land on Mongo they find themselves being chased down by Ming The Merciless. One of the nuttier sci-fi epics that came out of the 80's but it's so much fun, packed with wonder, imagination and a wicked Queen soundtrack. Sam Jones may be the lead but Max Von Sydow and Timothy Dalton own the film. Rosie: Monday, BBC One @ 12.20am (midnight) The Davis family are in big trouble. They're homeless and spend their days in their car trying to sort out accommodation for the night. Their kids are having trouble in school and mam Rosie is feeling helpless. This recent Irish drama is a heartbreaking indictment of the appalling state of modern day Ireland and the disastrous agencies running it. Sarah Greene and Moe Dunford are flawless in an upsetting and thought provoking story from Roddy Doyle. Crossfire: Monday, BBC Two @ 2.20pm A man is dead, killed in a bar full of off duty soldiers. One of them did it but who dealt the fatal blow and what was his motive? As witnesses are questioned the events of the night play out from different points of view. An interesting and, for the time, an unusual slice of film noir that takes a look at the hate that brews in the head of too many people, even to today. Robert Mitchum, Gloria Grahame and a vile Robert Ryan lead a solid cast. Hunger: Tuesday, Film4 @ 1.55am Bobby Sands was an IRA prisoner in the Maze prison outside Belfast in the early 80's. He was one of many and to get the British government to see them as prisoners of war they resorted to extreme measures. A superb film. Yes it's brutal and grim as hell and at some points even seems comparable to a body horror film but you will not be able to look away. Michael Fassbender is immense in the lead. His 17 minute one take chat with Liam Cunningham will stay with you for quite a while. Woman At War: Tuesday, Channel 4 @ 2.10am To most people Halla leads a quiet life but in secret she's a die hard environmentalist who isn't afraid to break the law to make life hard for the local factory. Just as she's about to attempt a huge coup de grace another aspect of her life comes calling and she's torn between her past and her future. An odd and a times surreal comedy about the choices we make and the chances we take. It's worth your time though and Halldora Geirharsdottir is a memorable lead. Rebecca: Tuesday Talking Pictures TV @ 9am Alfred Hitchcock's superlative adaption of the Daphne Du Maurier novel is about a new bride trying to deal with the presence of her husband's dead first wife in her new home. A wonderful looking and hugely influential film led by magnificent turns from Laurence Oliver, Joan Fontaine and especially Judith Anderson as the looming Mrs Danvers. Quite different to Hitchcock's other films in tone and all the more enjoyable for it. Forget the Netflix version, here is the one to see. Hidden Figures: Thursday, Film4 @ 6.30pm During the space race of the 1960's NASA hired three women who were skilled mathematicians to do calculation work. They were also black so were treated like dogs. Hidden Figures is their story. A fine watch, one full of humanity but also justifiable anger at the horrors of racism and segregation. A mighty cast including Taraji P.Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Mahershala Ali and Kevin Costner bring a very important story to life. 78/52: Thursday, BBC4 @ 11.30pm In 1960 Alfred Hitchcock shocked the world with the murder of Marion Crane in a shower in the film Psycho. The scene was created with 78 camera setups and 52 cuts and this documentary tells us all about the work that went into it and the effect it had on a worldwide audience. Not just documentary a for Hitchcock fans. If you've any interest at all in film making you'll enjoy a behind the look scenes at a seminal moment in cinema. Patti Cake$: Friday, Film4 @ 1.50am Patricia Dombrowski, a.k.a. Killa P, a.k.a. Patti Cake$ is trying to become a rapper. She's a white girl from New Jersey and no one will take her seriously. So she knuckles down. A joyous underdog tale and one of the best films of 2017, that on the surface looks silly and cringeworthy but a fiercely committed turn from Danielle MacDonald will have you begging for her to find the success she needs. Cathy Moriarty as her gran adds loads of fun. Imitation Of Life: Friday, TCM @ 4.55pm Sarah Jane has a secret and it's tearing her apart. She's an African American woman who can pass for white and in 1950's America it ensures an easier life for her. But what of the people she's left behind? Douglas Sirk's intense and emotional drama about race and class may be 62 years old but it still packs a hell of a punch. Susan Kohner, Juanita Moore and Lana Turner are truly excellent in their parts. Captain Kronos : Vampire Hunter: Friday, Talking Pictures TV @ 9.05pm A village is plagued by unusual deaths and when the supernatural is suspected Captain Kronos and his assistant Hieronymus Grost (what a name) are called in to take care of business. This Hammer horror production from 1974 is a joy to watch, with the usual vampire business given a new twist by the addition of some genuinely exciting swashbuckling action. An unusual blend of genres but an entertaining one. Horst Janson does well in the lead. As always visit hamsandwichcinema.blogspot.com/ for more film and tv chat. Dubai: Amid growing business ties between India and UAE, the Reserve Bank of India has granted permission to Emirates NBD, the government-owned bank of UAE, to open two more branches in India, visiting trade minister Piyush Goyal informed the 9th meeting of the High Level Joint Task Force on Investments held in Dubai. "Payment of one company was held up. That has been resolved," Goyal told reporters. Emirates NBD has maintained a representative office in India since 2000 and got permission from RBI to open its first bank branch in Mumbai in 2017. Among other countries, the group has operations in UAE, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Austria, Germany. Goyal said the task force had resolved many outstanding issues including granting income tax break to subsidiaries of sovereign wealth funds and looks forward to exploring new opportunities for collaboration. The task force also discussed revising the existing bilateral investment treaty. "Both sides have held several rounds of discussion and talks will be fast-tracked," he added. Goyal said UAE government has invited prime minister Narendra Modi to visit the country during the next six months of the Dubai Expo 2020 where India has opened a pavilion. "PM Modi may agree to visit UAE in next six months," Goyal said. The writer is in Dubai at the invitation of industry body Ficci. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Expressing hope that the pending issues between India and China along the Line of Actual Control would be resolved soon, Army chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane said the increase in the deployment by Chinese troops across the border was a matter of concern. He said India had made matching deployments in terms of troops and infrastructure in its areas along the LAC and there was no way anyone would be able to behave in an aggressive manner again. Speaking to ANI, Gen Naravane, who is in Ladakh for his two-day visit, said, "The situation at friction points has been normal for the past six months. The talks have been going on. We had the 12th round of talks last month, and also hopeful of having the 13th round of talks, maybe by the second week of October." He added, "When the talks had started, people were doubtful whether talks would resolve anything, but I am of the firm opinion that we can resolve our differences with dialogue and that is what has happened in the past few months." The army chief said, "The Chinese have deployed (their forces) in considerable numbers across Eastern Ladakh and up to eastern command. There has been an increase in the deployment and it is a matter of concern for us. We are also carrying out matching developments in terms of infrastructure and deployment of troops. We are quite poised in order to meet any eventuality." 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. With an aim to re-engage at diplomatic and political levels, an all-arms contingent of 120 personnel of the Indian Army on Saturday departed for Sri Lanka joint exercise Mitra Shakti. The exercise will be conducted at Combat Training School, Ampara in Sri Lanka from 4 to 15 October. The Indian Army will participate along with a battalion of the Sri Lankan Army. "The aim of the exercise is to promote close relations between armies of both countries and enhance inter-operability and sharing best practices in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations," a statement by the ministry of defence read. The eighth edition of the exercise will involve tactical level operations at the sub-unit level in an international counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment and will go a long way in further strengthening the relationship between both the South Asian nations, as per the statement. It will also act as a catalyst in bringing synergy and cooperation at the grass-root level between both Armies, the ministry informed. The seventh edition of Exercise Mitra Shakti was conducted at Foreign Training Node (FTN)in Maharashtra, India back in 2019. Deepening ties After a lean phase, India and Sri Lanka have decided to re-engage amidst the huge financial crisis and the severe Covid-19 wave that has gripped the island country. Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla will be in Sri Lanka on Saturday on a three-day visit, where he will call on top leadership including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister GL Pieris and his counterpart Jayanth Colombage. During his trip, the Foreign Secretary will also travel to Kandy, Trincomalee and Jaffna and also visit Jaffna cultural centre which is being built with India's assistance. As an immediate neighbour, India has stepped on the accelerator and is being a first responder to the Covid crisis in Sri Lanka. New Delhi has supplied to Colombo 100 tons of liquid medical oxygen, 26 tons of medicines and delivered half a million Covid vaccines. India has also aided the Suwa Seriya programme and provided free ambulances which now runs in all provinces of Sri Lanka and played an instrumental role in its fight against Covid-19. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Click here to read the full article. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is defending Speaker Nancy Pelosi and progressives plan for passing both the bipartisan infrastructure bill and a reconciliation bill expanding the social safety net in tandem after centrist Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) wrote a letter accusing the speaker of breaking an agreement with moderates. The Speaker didnt break any promises, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted on Saturday. The Speaker didnt break any promises. The arbitrary date 9 people insisted on was in the Aug rule vote to proceed on a $3.5T bill. That bound $3.5T w/ Sept date. Challenging $3.5 also challenged their date. Thats ok! Right > rushed. We can still Build Back Better together! https://t.co/DQQCSpRVrf Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 2, 2021 Gottheimer released a letter criticizing Pelosi on Friday after she declined to bring the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill to the House floor for a vote by September 27. Its deeply regrettable that Speaker Pelosi breached her firm, public commitment to hold a vote and to pass the once-in-a-century bipartisan infrastructure bill on or before September 27, the congressman wrote. Another moderate, Rep. Stephanie Murphy, who co-chairs the Blue Dog Coalition, also expressed in a statement that she was profoundly disappointed and disillusioned the vote was delayed. But Ocasio-Cortez pointed in a tweet to an NPR article from August where Pelosi is quoted saying that the consensus is to go with a two-track solution and acknowledging that The votes in the House and Senate depend on us having both bills, according to an NPR source familiar with a caucus call between Democrats. Pelosi, in an August statement, said, I am committing to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill by September 27. That is likely the commitment Gottheimer claims Pelosi broke, but AOC said in her tweet that the deadline was an arbitrary date for a different vote the Aug[ust] rule vote to proceed on a $3.5 [trillion] bill. The partys progressive and moderate wings are currently engaged in a stand-off as each group advocates for their preferred strategy for accomplishing President Bidens agenda. A small number of moderate Democrats want to pass the bipartisan bill as soon as possible, while the nearly-100-member Progressive Caucus refuses to support the bipartisan bill unless the larger $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill also gets a vote. Included in the Build Back Better reconciliation bill are so-called soft or human infrastructure priorities such as child care, universal kindergarten and community college, and paid family and medical leave. The bipartisan bill funds more traditional types of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, pipes and broadband. Ocasio-Cortez in later tweets on Saturday also addressed concerns from moderates that the fate of the infrastructure bill will determine Democrats success in the midterms, saying that those same members are halting voting rights legislation, referring to the For the People Act that would expand voting rights and implement new laws around political fundraising and ethics. I dont see how it makes sense to frame this infra[structure] bill as the #1 determinant of the midterms when the same slow-walkers here are halting voting rights, she tweeted. [Congress] could pass the best bill ever & its all a wash if Black & underserved voters are systematically disenfranchised next [year]. Sign up for Rolling Stone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Celebrities took to the streets of Los Angeles and to social media to support the March for Reproductive Rights on Saturday. The Womens March coordinated more than 500 gatherings nationwide to voice support for reproductive rights and speak out against Texas recent law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy before most women discover that they have conceived with no exceptions for incest or rape. Among the participants at the L.A. march were Alyssa Milano, Debbie Allen, Patricia and Rosanna Arquette, Christine Lahti and Raven-Symone. The stars joined notables such as womens rights attorney Gloria Allred, Planned Parenthood L.A. president Ken Lambrecht and Planned Parenthoods Sue Dunlap. As pictured above, Allen brought her granddaughter, Shiloh, to the march and held her while giving her speech. I wanted to bring her today because what is the world that I am raising her into, what is going to happen with Shiloh when she becomes of age and needs to make a choice. She should be able to make a choice, Allen said. I am standing tall with every woman in this country and around the world. It is time for us to proclaim our equality, our justice, our freedom. Milano, Rosanna Arquette and Patricia Arquette also made speeches. Here we are again, having another moment where we demand to be heard, because the stakes have never been higher, Rosanna Arquette said. What have we learned since we were last together? That equal rights have a ceiling? We learned that despite all our promises for protecting Roe v. Wade, all our rights could be obliterated with the stroke of a corrupt governors pen. University of Texas at Austin freshman and Dallas resident Paxton Smith also joined the march in L.A. Smith drew nationwide attention in June when she changed her valedictorian speech to give an impassioned plea against Texas restrictive legislation. I cannot give up this platform to promote complacency and peace, when there is a war on my body and a war on my rights, Smith said in her speech. The college freshman recently spoke at Varietys Power of Women event, in which she continued to encourage others to fight the new legislation. The time for silence on the issue has come and gone, Smith said. There is no more time for complacency, there is no more time to wait and see what happens next, because the very thing we are afraid of is happening right now. And the unbearable truth is that could soon be the reality for far more than just Texans. Milano also voiced her support of the march on Twitter, writing: Today I march for women. But men Ive got some words for you too so get ready. Today I march for women. But menIve got some words for you too so get ready. #WomensMarch Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 2, 2021 Amy Schumer posted a photo on Instagram of her at a march with Jennifer Lawrence. Schumer, who recently had surgery to remove her uterus due to her endometriosis, wrote: I dont have a uterus and she is pregnant but we out here. See more shows of support below. Outside of the Mid City Inn in Euless, Texas, Jason Alan Thornburg was often seen reading his Bible, talking about God and expressing a desire to help people. He would pass out religious fliers and invite people into his room, denizens of the inn told local news stations. But now police allege Thornburg's room is where, in a matter of days, he killed three people, dismembered their bodies and stored their remains in plastic containers. Police also said Thornburg, 41, is believed to have transported the remains to a dumpster 25 miles away from the inn where he set them on fire, according to an arrest affidavit. He described the killings to police as "sacrifices," the affidavit states. "This was shocking, it's unsettling, and we knew that bringing someone to justice in this case was paramount," Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes said at a news conference this week. Thornburg has been charged in the killings of the three people - a 42-year-old man named David Lueras and two women police have not publicly identified. But the killings were not Thornburg's first, he told police in an interview before his arrest on Monday, according to the affidavit. Thornburg said that, in May, he sacrificed his roommate by slicing his throat in Fort Worth and setting their home ablaze, the affidavit states. Police had been investigating the death of the roommate, 61-year-old Mark Jewell. When police asked if he had committed more sacrifices, Thornburg said he had also sacrificed the body of his girlfriend in Arizona, according to the affidavit. Fort Worth police said charges will soon be filed against Thornburg in the killing of his roommate. It was not immediately clear Thursday morning if Thornburg had an attorney to speak on his behalf. Around Sept. 17, Lueras showed up at Thornburg's room, No. 113 at the Mid City Inn, and stayed with him, according to the affidavit. But Thornburg told investigators that he believed Lueras needed to be sacrificed. So Thornburg cut his throat and dismembered his body using a straight blade in the room's bathtub, Thornburg told police, the affidavit states. Thornburg allegedly kept the remains in plastic storage bins. About two days later, a female acquaintance of Thornburg's stopped by, and Thornburg told police he believed she, too, needed to be sacrificed, according to court records. So he cut her throat, dismembered her body and stored her remains in storage tubs, according to the affidavit. Two days later, another woman showed up. Thornburg told police he strangled her after initially trying to stab her, according to the affidavit. Like the others, he dismembered her body and placed the remains in storage tubs, the affidavit states. Neighbors began noticing a strong odor wafting up from Thornburg's room, WFAA reported. On Sept. 21, late at night, police believe Thornburg transported the remains of all three victims to a dumpster and set it on fire. The next morning, police found the mutilated bodies. They were able to identify Lueras because of a tattoo on his back and a medical implant discovered on his body. Fort Worth police said on Tuesday the other two motel victims have been identified, but investigators declined to name them. In May, Thornburg was considered a person of interest after the house he shared with Jewell exploded, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. But the medical examiner did not rule Jewell's death a homicide, saying the cause was inconclusive, and police did not seek Thornburg's arrest. Thornburg spoke at Jewell's funeral, the Star-Telegram reported. He called his roommate, and fellow student of scripture, a "good friend." BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) More than 5,000 far-right protesters marched Saturday in Romanias capital of Bucharest to reject upcoming new restrictions that authorities hope will combat an alarming surge of COVID-19 infections. Daily COVID-19 infections in the European Union nation of 19 million have skyrocketed from around 1,000 daily cases a month ago to 12,590 new cases on Saturday. That was Romanias highest daily number of infections since the pandemic started. The rise is putting the countrys hospitals under serious pressure as intensive care units reach near-capacity nationally. Authorities have said that new restrictions will be implemented when an areas infection rate exceeds 6 per 1,000 residents over a 14-day period. Bucharests infection rate Saturday stood above 8 per 1,000 residents. The mostly mask-less marchers blocked traffic, honked horns and chanted Freedom! One placard read: Green certificates = dictatorship. The demonstration was organized by Romanias far-right AUR party. The new restrictions expected to take effect in the next few days will require people to wear masks in public and make shops close at 10:00 p.m. Restaurants will remain open at half capacity but only for people with COVID-19 passes. The protest angered some medical workers. Beatrice Mahler, hospital manager of Bucharests Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumology, said Saturdays protesters believe their right to freedom is above our right to health. The situation in hospitals is serious, she told The Associated Press. We have patients hospitalized in beds in the hallway all with extremely severe forms of COVID-19. The protest came a day after a deadly fire tore through an intensive care unit in a hospital in Romanias port city of Constanta, killing seven COVID-19 patients. The cause of Fridays blaze is not yet known, but President Klaus Ioannis said that Romania had failed in its fundamental mission to protect its citizens. The pandemic has highlighted the poor condition of Romanias overstretched health care system. The Eastern European country has the lowest spending on health care in the EU's 27 nations relative to GDP at 5.2% compared to a bloc average of 10%. Romania has fully vaccinated only 33.5% of all adults, making it the second-least vaccinated EU nation after Bulgaria. It has seen more than 37,390 confirmed virus deaths. ___ Follow all AP stories on the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. MILAN (AP) U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Saturday he thinks enormous progress can be made at the upcoming U.N. climate talks in Scotland but more governments must come up with concrete commitments in the next 30 days. Kerry attended a preparatory meeting in Milan where delegates from around the world sought to identify where progress can be made before the U.N. climate change starts in Glasgow on Oct. 31. The 12-day summit aims to secure more ambitious commitments to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius with a goal of keeping it to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. The event also is focused on mobilizing financing and protecting vulnerable communities and natural habitats. The bottom line is, folks, as we stand here today, we believe we can make enormous progress in Glasgow, moving rapidly towards the new goals that the science is telling us we must achieve, Kerry said. That means achieving a 45% reduction in carbon emissions in the next 10 years. This is the decisive decade, Kerry said. Kerry, a former U.S. senator and secretary of state, said that countries representing 55% of the world's gross domestic product Britain, Canada, Japan, the United States and the 27 European Union members have submitted plans that hit the 1.5 degrees target by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But the American diplomat also noted that the 89 new national submissions ahead of the summit would only cut emissions by 12%, and that the sum of all 191 submissions as they are currently written would increase emissions between now and 2030 by 16%. Kerry declined to single out any country but said there are ways to achieve lower emissions that aren't that expensive, including organizing power grids and making transmissions more efficient. China is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, and the United States is second. Kerry said U.S. President Joe Biden has had constructive talks on the subject with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Kerry also highlighted commitments by India's leader to install 450 gigawatts of renewable power over the next decade. Glasgow, my friends, is around the corner. It is the starting line of the race of centuries and the race of this decade," he said. All countries have to sprint and join together to understand that we are all in this together. Kerry added This is the test of collective multilateralism to the highest level that I have seen in my public career. The European commissioner for climate action, Frans Timmermans, separately underlined the importance of meeting the $100 billion annual funding commitment to help vulnerable countries fight climate change during 2020-2025, as demanded by youth activists who met earlier in Milan. Timmermans said the financing needs going forward would be much greater than that amount and that public funding alone would not be able to cover the anticipated price tag, which runs in the trillions. Already the Earth has seen a 1 degree Celsius temperature change and unpredictable weather patterns that have destroyed harvests and killed livelihoods around the world, Timmermans said. "So there can be no doubt in anybodys mind that we are fighting for the survival of humanity, and that the climate crisis and the threatening ecocide are the biggest threat humanity faces,'' Timmermans said. We need to change, and we need to change radically and we need to change fast. Thats going to be bloody hard. Thats the bad news.'' Alok Sharma, Britain's president for COP26, said delivering on (the) $100 billion is absolutely a matter of trust. He also said the presence of youth delegates and activists, including Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate, ahead of the climate summit preparatory meetings had energized the process. As we go forward of the next few weeks and into COP, we must always keep the voices of the young people foremost in our minds and think about what their response would be to the outcomes that we reach,'' Sharma said. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change at https://apnews.com/hub/Climate-change. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results 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. Longford County Childcare Committee in collaboration with Westmeath County Childcare Committee and Longford Westmeath Children and Young People's Services Committee are delighted to launch the 3rd update of the Guide to Services for Young People with Disabilities in Longford and Westmeath. It was highlighted through previous research carried out that families and carers of young people with additional needs require access or signposting to information regarding services. The Guide to Services for Young People with Disabilities in Longford and Westmeath is a comprehensive, signposting resource that can be accessed online. The guide contains information on: Professionals & services supporting people with disabilities; Professionals and services in the Irish education system; The progression of disability services; Early Intervention Team & School Aged Team; Steps to having a child assessed; Immunisations and developmental milestones; List of disabilities and supports for each; Communication tools and language and etiquette; Education and transport; Day care, residential and respite services and Benefits and allowances. Carrieann Belton, Coordinator Longford County Childcare explained, this document is an empowering tool for families, carers, young people and professionals which enables them to find local resources and support. Angela Lock Reilly, MSc in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies from UCD who was the researcher on this project and who is the parent of Jacob stated that it is essential that information and resources are updated and available for parents, ultimately we need local area coordinators to support families in each county. This free guide is available in online format on both LWCYPSC, Longford and Westmeath County Childcare Committees websites. www.longfordchildcare.ie www.westmeathchildcare.ie Others, Local News, Business & Finance By Long Island Published: October 01 2021 HIA-LI is hosting its 33rd Annual Trade Show and Conference on Thursday, October 14 at the Hilton Long Island, 598 Broad Hollow Road in Melville. HIA-LI, one of Long Islands largest business advocacy organizations, is hosting its 33rd Annual Trade Show and Conference on Thursday, October 14 at the Hilton Long Island, 598 Broad Hollow Road in Melville. The event, running from 9:00am to 3:00pm, is Long Islands largest business-to-business trade show. More than 100 exhibitors will represent a full spectrum of Long Island business sectors, including technology, energy and the environment, manufacturing, finance, hospitality, healthcare, media and advertising, education, government, and workforce development. The trade show will feature an Executive Breakfast with prominent Long Island business leaders, as well as a full schedule of complimentary seminars and breakout sessions covering an array of business-oriented topics. In addition, sponsors and exhibitors will provide special offers, prizes, and promotions. The HIA-LI Trade Show Executive Breakfast will focus on long-term economic growth strategies for Long Island. It will take place between 8:00am and 10:00am and will be moderated by Mitch Pally, CEO of the Long Island Builders Institute. Panelists will include Kelley Coughlan-Heck, Executive Vice Principal at TRITEC; Joe Campolo, Board Member of HIA-LI and Managing Partner at Campolo Middleton & McCormick, LLP; Scott Burman, Principal with Engel Burman; and Michael Brod, Managing Director with Rechler Equity Partners. Among the topics to be addressed at the trade shows complimentary seminars and breakout sessions include: Accelerating Business Growth Through Increased Leadership Effectiveness; Five Mistakes Businesses Make When Designing and Marketing Their Website; Is Your Data and IP Secure with a Remote Workforce?; Leveraging Changes in Buyer Behaviors to Improve Your Bottom Line; Black Belt Selling: Creating True Mastery in Your Sales Strategy and Process; among others. Its essential for the Long Island business sector to emerge strongly from the jarring downturn triggered by COVID-19, said Terri Alessi-Miceli, president and CEO of the HIA-LI. The HIA-LI trade show provides an ideal opportunity to help make this happen. Regional business leaders will be re-engaging in person for the first time in a long time. This shows timing is ideal. Business networking remains essential to business growth, especially amid the circumstances imposed by todays pandemic, said Richard Humann, PE, President and CEO of H2M architects + engineers and Chairperson of the HIA-LI board. Our trade show will help Long Island business leaders and entrepreneurs the anchors of our regional economy find new customers, new clients, and new partners. (Alliance News) - Military drivers will be deployed to deliver fuel to forecourts in the UK from Monday as the crisis at the pumps continues. Almost 200 military personnel, including 100 drivers, have been training at haulier sites and will start deliveries to help relieve the situation at petrol stations, which UK government ministers insist is stabilising. The government also announced that a temporary visa scheme for nearly 5,000 foreign food haulage drivers, which was due to expire on December 24, will be extended to the end of February, following criticism of its attractiveness to drivers. It comes as opposition parties raised the prospect of a parliamentary recall to address wider labour shortages and supply chain disruption. Keir Starmer said the temporary visa scheme would not be up and running "for weeks", and added that the prime minister should, if necessary, recall Parliament to rush through legislation to ensure the shelves remain stocked in the run-up to Christmas. The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Boris Johnson "must immediately recall Parliament and convene cross-party talks to set out steps to effectively tackle the Brexit crisis". He added: "The severe labour shortages, soaring costs, empty supermarket shelves, ongoing fuel crisis and trading barriers are all inflicting serious and lasting harm." In an announcement on Friday evening, the UK government said 300 fuel tanker drivers would be able to come to the UK from overseas "immediately" under a bespoke temporary visa which will last until March. Some 4,700 other visas intended for foreign food haulage drivers will be extended beyond the initially announced three months and will last from late October to the end of February. A total of 5,500 poultry workers will also be allowed in to help keep supermarket shelves stocked with turkeys before Christmas. The government has said these workers, who can arrive from late October, will be able to stay up to December 31 under the temporary visa scheme. But the government added the visas will not be a long-term solution and it wants employers to invest in the domestic workforce instead of relying on overseas labour. It said it is also working with the industry to find long-term solutions to the shortage of HGV drivers and to encourage more people to enter the logistics sector by improving pay and conditions. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the fuel situation is "stabilising" in most parts of the country and the military is being deployed as a "precaution". He told Sky News on Saturday morning: "I think it is right that as a precaution that the government has asked the military to help. I think that is the right measure to take to make sure that people have all the confidence that they need. "I think that will further stabilise the situation and give more confidence." But the chair of the Petrol Retailers Association said fuel shortages are getting worse in some parts of the country. Brian Madderson said it remains a "really big problem" in London and the South East. He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "In London and the South East and possibly parts of eastern England, if anything it had got worse." Madderson welcomed the announcement that military drivers are to be deployed from Monday, but warned it will have a limited impact. "This isn't going to be the major panacea," he said. "It's a large help but in terms of the volume, they are not going to be able to carry that much. "We do need a prioritisation of deliveries to filling stations a particularly the independent ones which are the neighbourhood retail sites a in London and the South East starting immediately." He said rising world oil prices mean motorists should expect higher prices at the pumps when filling stations are resupplied. "Expect anything from 1, 2 or even 3p a litre increases at the pump. This is not profiteering. This is genuine wholesale price increases causes by global factors." The government has said there is no national fuel shortage, but Chancellor Rishi Sunak told the Daily Mail there is global disruption to supply chains in other industries. He told the paper: "These shortages are very real. We're seeing real disruptions in supply chains in different sectors, not just here but around the world. "We are determined to do what we can to try to mitigate as much of this as we can. "As you can imagine there's an enormous amount of focus on this from the government because we know how important this is. My kids will be very upset with me if there isn't a proper Christmas." The Financial Times reported millions of British Christmas dinners will be saved by turkeys being imported, after the chief executive of the British Poultry Council, Richard Griffiths, told the paper the country's big producers had reduced consumption by about a fifth this year because Brexit had cut off their supply of cheap labour. A turkey farmer told the paper imported birds are likely to come from France and Poland. By Ben Hatton and Gavin Cordon, PA Political Staff source: PA Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Apart from his mind-blowing work on the professional front, Ranbir Kapoot is also a style maven and a big sneakerhead who has left no stone unturned in wearing some of the zaniest shoes. Take the time when he was seen in an expensive Dior pair and then again when he wore Air Jordan shoes worth Rs 70,000. Ranbir certainly knows how to grab our attention with his style sense. Viral Bhayani Viral Bhayani Coming to the current scenario, the actor celebrated his 39th birthday with his lady love Alia Bhatt. The couple spent a short vacation in Jodhpur, and as they were coming back, they were both seen around the airport. Apart from the adorable pictures of the two, what grabbed our eyes was Ranbir's look. He was seen in his usual clothes - a sweatshirt teamed with cargos. However, his sneakers were a catch once again. Take a look at the details here. Adidas Ranbir is seen wearing Yeezy Boost 700. The sneakers are designed with grey and black suede overlays with premium leather. Furthermore, it has blue mesh underlays and reflective heel and three stripe details. As for more, the full-length drop in the boost midsole offers comfort and stability. Adidas As for the price, these sneakers cost Rs 22,278 approximately. The Wave Runner shoes are one of the most accessible pairs of Yeezy's one can find. Viral Bhayani Greg Lauren We also liked the way Ranbir paired these shoes with his edgy outfit. His distressed hoodie too blended perfectly with the overall look. This one is Greg Lauren's Fragmente distressed-finish hoodie which costs way more than the sneakers. Constructed with cotton fabric, this one is a piece to wear on relaxed days. Ranbir has done a great job by pairing the tattered sweatshirt with olive coloured cargo pants. These have huge pockets, and it's going well with the rest of the look. Viral Bhayani As for the accessories, he wore a black beanie and squared sunglasses that added more appeal to his style. Both Ranbir and Alia took a short vacay to celebrate his birthday. Alia also posted a picture with Ranbir to wish him on the special occasion. They were staying at a luxurious retreat, worth more than a lakh, as per reports. On the work front, Ranbir has Shamshera and Brahmastra in the pipeline this year. Milingo Lungu, the lawyer appointed to run Zambia's biggest integrated copper producer, has been arrested and charged with money laundering, according to a statement from the Zambian government on Wednesday September 29. The allegations are that Mr Lungu, jointly acting with other persons between May 22, 2019, and August 15, 2021... did engage in theft involving 110.4 million kwacha and US$250,000. He obtained money by false pretenses, amounting to US$2.2 million, and he has also been charged for money laundering on the same amount. The money is said to have come to his possession by virtue of him being the provisional liquidator of Konkola Copper Mines," Drug Enforcement Commission public relations officer Mathias... AG Nessel Joins Coalition in Fight for States' Power to Enact Public Health Policies That Will Protect Against Opioid Overdose Deaths AG Nessel Joins Coalition in Fight for States' Power to Enact Public Health Policies That Will Protect Against Opioid Overdose Deaths Attorney General Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746 Public inquiries: 517-335-7622 October 1, 2021 LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 11 attorneys general in a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Supreme Court to hear a case supporting states' rights to enact public health policies that can prevent opioid overdose deaths and treat those suffering from opioid use disorder. The coalition, led by District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine, is asking the Supreme Court to review a ruling by the U.S Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit that prevents Safehouse, a Pennsylvania nonprofit, from operating a lifesaving "safe injection site" that can prevent opioid overdose deaths. This medically-supervised site would afford those who consume opioids immediate medical care in the event of an overdose. The Trump Administration sued to prevent Safehouse from operating the program. "Preventing Safehouse and entities like it from operating will not save lives or reverse the harm inflicted by this ongoing epidemic - it only penalizes people struggling with an opioid addiction," Nessel said. "It should be up to individual states and communities to oversee and implement public health policies and I join my colleagues in urging the Supreme Court to hear this case." Medical supervision saves lives because death can occur within minutes of using heroin or fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid, often too quickly for emergency responders to arrive on the scene. These sites also reduce the risks associated with public usage and contaminated needles. Safehouse also plans to offer drug treatment options, primary medical care, and wraparound social services that can help treat those suffering from opioid use disorder. There are approximately 120 safe injection sites operating in ten countries around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 136 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Opioid deaths have been on the rise in the United States since 1999. The death toll now totals nearly 500,000. In their brief, the attorneys general support Safehouse and urge the Supreme Court to hear this case because: This is an issue of national importance that requires innovation at the local and state levels: The opioid crisis affects every state in the nation, including the District, which has been disproportionately impacted by the crisis. States have reported startling numbers of overdose deaths and other dire consequences stemming from opioid use disorder. Many states and local governments are considering safe injection sites as one way to prevent overdose deaths and promote public health. The Court's decision about the future of Safehouse could impact the future of other similar sites. The opioid crisis affects every state in the nation, including the District, which has been disproportionately impacted by the crisis. States have reported startling numbers of overdose deaths and other dire consequences stemming from opioid use disorder. Many states and local governments are considering safe injection sites as one way to prevent overdose deaths and promote public health. The Court's decision about the future of Safehouse could impact the future of other similar sites. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the opioid crisis and reinforced the need for more solutions: According to the American Medical Association, every "state has reported a spike or increase in overdose deaths or other problems during the COVID-19 pandemic." And individuals with substance use disorders are at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure and of severe disease due to COVID-19. Safe injection sites like Safehouse offer users medical care along with life-saving support, including immediate access to sterile injection equipment, opioid reversal agents like Naloxone, and pathways into drug treatment programs. According to the American Medical Association, every "state has reported a spike or increase in overdose deaths or other problems during the COVID-19 pandemic." And individuals with substance use disorders are at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure and of severe disease due to COVID-19. Safe injection sites like Safehouse offer users medical care along with life-saving support, including immediate access to sterile injection equipment, opioid reversal agents like Naloxone, and pathways into drug treatment programs. States have a well-established role in enacting public health and safety programs: States are on the front lines battling the opioid crisis and have historically enjoyed broad powers to protect public health. For example, many states have implemented Good Samaritan laws, which encourage victims and bystanders to seek help for those experiencing a drug overdose by offering limited immunity from drug-related charges. States have also implemented needle exchange programs, which provide clean needles to prevent the spread of diseases. It is crucial that states and localities maintain the flexibility to act quickly to adopt public health solutions that address their residents' needs. Joining Attorney General Nessel in this brief are the attorneys general from Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. A copy of the brief is available here. You are here MDHHS, Food Bank continue Flint mobile pantries during October FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 30, 2021 CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will continue to provide nutritious food by the truckload to Flint residents throughout October. MDHHS has provided the Flint mobile food pantries since February 2016 in partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint. October's mobile food pantry distribution will have plenty of delicious, vitamin-rich produce and proteins, including potatoes, carrots, onions, hard squash, ground turkey and cheese. October dates for distributions are: Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 Ballenger Hwy. Monday, Oct. 4, at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. End Times, 4002 S. Dort Hwy. Monday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road. Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m. Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Hwy. Thursday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. American Muslim Community Services, 4800 S. Saginaw St. Saturday, Oct. 9, at 9 a.m. Flint residents can also pick up free nutritional food at the three Flint Help Center locations: Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Highway, open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays; Asbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Road, open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Greater Holy Temple, 6702 N. Dort Highway, open Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Information about additional food distributions will be announced as they are scheduled. To check food distribution schedules, visit the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan website at FBEM.org and find the updated schedule on the Mobile Pantry Distribution page, or call 810-239-4441. # # # ABOARD THE SEABIRD (AP) An Italian offshore supply vessel on Saturday rescued 65 migrants, including women and children, fleeing Libya to Europe on a crowded, wooden boat. The migrant boat was drifting after its engine stopped working and was spotted by the Seabird, an NGO monitoring aircraft flying over the central Mediterranean. Those on board were not wearing life vests and were eventually rescued in international waters by the Asso Ventinove supply vessel near the Bouri oilfield following a request to do so from the Seabird. An Associated Press journalist flying with Seabird witnessed the rescue. Connecticut officials announced a settlement Friday with Eversource over the electric utility's response to Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020, which left thousands of people without power for days. Under the deal, Eversource has agreed to return $103.4 million to consumers and provide more accountability during future storms, Gov. Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong announced. Eversource also has agreed not to apply for a rate increase until at least January 2023, for rates that would not go into effect until at least January 2024, the governor's office said. With this settlement, ratepayers get some well-deserved relief in the short-term, and in the long-term they get more security that something like this wont happen again," Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. The storm hit Connecticut on Aug. 4, 2020, with rain and high winds, leaving roughly 800,000 utility customers without power at its peak. Local officials complained that an inability to contact the utility made it difficult to tell residents when or where crews would be coming to restore power. Many towns did not see a utility truck for more than two days and some people were in the dark for over a week. Under the agreement, $65 million in Eversource funds are to be immediately returned to customers in the form of credits on their December and January electric bills. The company said $10 million will be used to assist customers who are having difficulty paying their utility bills. The average customer will see a total credit of $35, the governor's office said. The agreement also will require Eversource to create a new Connecticut-based president of its state operation, Connecticut Light & Power, to improve local control and to add new seats to its governance board for representatives from Connecticut. Eversource officials, who had defended their storm response and said power was restored as quickly as possible, also have agreed not to appeal a $28.4 million penalty levied by Connecticut regulators, who found the response to Isaias inadequate. Eversource spokesperson Tricia Modifica said the deal is a reflection of the company's deep commitment to Connecticut, and will provide tangible relief as customers continue to deal with COVID-19 and prepare for the winter. We learned valuable lessons as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias and weve carried forward numerous improvements that have changed how we communicate during storms," she said. "We are intent on winning over hearts and minds in Connecticut by demonstrating our commitment to both customers and Connecticut leadership, at a time when we must work together to deliver a new clean energy future. SALEM, Ore. (AP) Oregon's attorney general filed lawsuits Friday against two counties that had adopted ordinances that sought to nullify new statewide gun safety laws and declaring themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries. In her lawsuits against Yamhill and Harney counties, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum asked the circuit courts in those jurisdictions to declare the ordinances invalid and void" because they conflict "with paramount state law. Gun safety laws exist to help keep guns out of dangerous hands and keep people safe. A county commission simply doesnt get to override state law in this way, Rosenblum said. The ordinances, passed by county commissioners in the two counties earlier this year, did not apply to local, federal or state firearms regulations that were in effect as of last February. But they did encompass a bill passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor on June 1 that mandates the safe storage of guns and bans them from the Oregon State Capitol and Portland International Airport. The new law, that went into effect on Sept. 24, also allows public school districts, community colleges and universities to set their own policy banning guns. Yamhill County Counsel Christian Boenisch had warned the county commissioners that their ordinance might pre-empt state gun laws, which state law prohibits, the McMinnville News-Register reported. The two Yamhill County commissioners who voted for the ordinance argued at the time that no countys Second Amendment ordinance had yet been challenged in court. That changed on Friday. Rosenblum noted that other Oregon counties have enacted similar illegal ordinances and warned that the lawsuits filed on Friday are sending them the message that further action could be taken. . ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) Pakistani Taliban targeted security forces in a vehicle travelling near the Afghan border on Saturday, killing four soldiers and one policeman, the military said Saturday. In a statement, they said the attack took place in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan, and that an operation was underway to strike back against the militants. PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) Police have arrested a juvenile in connection with the shooting of a 14-year-old Rhode Island girl. The boy was arrested Thursday and taken to the state's juvenile detention facility pending arraignment in family court, Pawtucket police said. They did not disclose his exact age. Police said they also recovered a gun. The girl was shot in the leg in the middle of the afternoon on Sept. 24, but investigators said she was not the intended target. She was taken to Hasbro Childrens Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. No names were released because of their ages. Hearst Connecticut Media file photo PORTLAND The Portland Fair, scheduled to begin Friday, has been cancelled this year due to last-minute circumstances that could jeopardize participants health and safety, officials said. A statement on the fairs website says current conditions at the Portland Exchange Club grounds require infrastructure repairs at a significant cost. These are labor-intensive and time-consuming, the statement read. Karen Ducey/Getty Images SEATTLE (AP) Ahead of Seattles COVID-19 vaccination deadline for city workers, Interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz is urging department employees to get vaccinated, warning of a possible staffing challenge if they fail to do so. In a letter sent to staff Friday, Diaz said the agency appears to still have hundreds of unvaccinated employees, based on the latest vaccination information submitted to the department, The Seattle Times reported. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Friday defended her administration's handling of her daughter's application for a real estate appraiser license, attempting to brush aside questions about a meeting she held last year that included her daughter, Kassidy Peters, and the state employee who was overseeing her application. I never once asked for special treatment for Kassidy, the Republican governor said in video posted on YouTube days after The Associated Press first reported on the meeting. She is my daughter and I'm proud of her. I raised her to accomplish things on her own. The meeting happened after the Department of Labor and Regulation moved to deny Peters the license. Four months later, in November 2020, Peters received her certification as a residential appraiser, according to the department. A week after Peters received her license, the state employee who directed the agency was allegedly pressured to retire by Noems Cabinet secretary. The state employee, Sherry Bren, eventually received a $200,000 payment from the state to withdraw an age discrimination complaint and leave her job. The state's attorney general, as well as Republican and Democratic lawmakers, are looking into the episode. Until the video, Noem had released limited statements about the meeting, calling the AP's report a political attack and insisting she didn't seek special treatment for her daughter. In the video, Noem did not mention the July 2020 meeting in her office or that the agency had indicated it would deny Peters her license. Noem said Peters had followed all the same steps as other appraisers, taking 200 hours of classroom education and gaining more than 1,500 hours of experience over the course of more than a year. The Department of Labor and Regulation has denied a record request from the AP for agreements between the agency and Peters that would shed light on how Peters' application progressed and whether her work samples met federal standards. Although the department acknowledged those records state they are open to public inspection, the agency's attorney argued that they were exempt. An appeals office later ruled that the department was right to deny the records. However, Brad Johnson, an appraiser from Watertown, was riled by the department's decision to withhold the documents. Any appraiser understands that anything we sign with the state of South Dakota can be public, he said. Noem, 49, has generated speculation about a possible 2024 presidential run bid by forming a federal political action committee, assisting with campaigns across the country and attending many of the same events as other potential GOP hopefuls. Though Noem has said she is focused on reelection in 2022 and hasnt publicly indicated that she plans a White House bid, she has visited the key early presidential campaigning states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, and shown a willingness to jab at potential rivals. In a statement released with the video Friday, the governors office said the shortage of appraisers is a nationwide problem that had been exacerbated in South Dakota due to barriers to getting certification. In the video, the governor said that since her daughters certification, she has made changes to the process to streamline it for the future. The certification program no longer requires people looking to get an entry-level license to take a test. My administration started fixing that process and it was way too difficult, she said. Appraisers weren't getting certified and South Dakotans were having to wait much longer to buy a home than in other states. However, the governors ability to change the program is limited because the state must meet federal standards for certifying appraisers. In its statement, the governor's office included quotes from three real estate professionals who praised Noem's move. "It is way too tough for young folks to enter this field, said Brian Gatzke, an appraiser from Brookings who is a political backer of the governor and has donated to her congressional and gubernatorial campaigns. However, Johnson, the appraiser from Watertown, said that the governor's apparent interference in the licensing of her daughter has worried other appraisers in the state. Federal regulators are currently auditing the certification program, raising concern that if they find something amiss, it could affect everyone with an appraiser license from South Dakota. Any appearance that something is not right in our appraiser certification program puts a black eye on the industry and we dont appreciate it, he said. SEOUL, South Korea U.N. human rights investigators have asked North Korea to clarify whether it has ordered troops to shoot on sight any trespassers who cross its northern border in violation of the country's pandemic closure. They were referring to a report by a news site focused on North Korea, Daily NK, which published a photo of what it said was a poster describing an August 2020 proclamation prohibiting acts that impede the closure of the northern border, shared mostly with China and a smaller section with Russia. The poster describes a 1-2 kilometer (0.62-1.24 mile) buffer zone and says any person who makes an unauthorized entry to North Korea shall be shot unconditionally. It also says trespassers from other countries found on the North Korean side of the Yulu and Tumen rivers will be shot without prior warning. In an Aug. 23 letter posted on the website of the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, the special rapporteurs expressed concern about the alleged order. They also asked North Korea to confirm reports that it made the distribution of South Korean cultural products or sexual content punishable by death under a law adopted last December. Daily NK published photos of a document that supposedly spells out the law, aimed at stemming out reactionary thought and culture. The site said the law prescribes the death penalty for import or distribution of cultural contents from South Korea and other hostile nations such as the United States and Japan and does the same for sexual material. The U.N. rapporteurs' letter came weeks after activists from the South Korea-based Transitional Justice Working Group asked the U.N. to press North Korea over the alleged moves. We are concerned over the shoot-on-sight policy for unauthorized entry into the buffer zone along the northern border, as well as over the death penalty, without judicial guarantees, imposed on acts that appear to be guaranteed by international human rights law relating to the rights of freedom of opinion and expression and the right to take part in cultural life, said the U.N. letter. It asked the North to provide information on the number of executions carried out under the alleged law against reactionary culture. The letter was signed by Tomas Quintana, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea; Morris Tidball-Binz, special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Irene Khan, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. North Korea has never publicly acknowledged shoot-on-sight orders or executions over consumption of capitalist cultural content, and it wasnt immediately clear whether the country would respond to the U.N. letter. The rapporteurs said they would release the reply if they received one. Army Gen. Robert Abrams, who was the top commander of U.S. troops in South Korea before retiring this year, told a forum last September that North Korea had put special forces along its border with China to keep out smugglers and that they had shoot-to-kill orders in place aimed at preventing the virus from entering the country. Later that month, North Korean troops shot and killed a South Korean government official who was found on a makeshift raft drifting near the sea boundary between the countries. The North said its troops then burned his raft in an anti-virus step. North Koreas northern border with China was a transit point for smuggled goods, and it was unclear whether the alleged order would apply to the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone separating the Koreas. South Koreas Unification Ministry, which handles affairs with the North, said Friday it couldn't confirm the reports about the Norths extreme border controls and death penalties. North Korea closed its border to nearly all traffic nearly from the start of the pandemic last year, banned tourists and flew out diplomats and other authorized foreigners in hopes of sealing itself off from the coronavirus. It claims to have not confirmed a single case of infection, despite widespread skepticism. A Massachusetts storage company accused of selling an airman's belongings while he was deployed overseas must pay thousands of dollars in fines and compensation, the Justice Department announced Thursday. In February 2019, Tech. Sgt. Charles Cornacchio, who is based at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, deployed to Qatar. In July of that year, PRTaylor Enterprises LLC, a company doing business as Father & Son Moving & Storage, auctioned off all his stored belongings, according to a federal lawsuit. Cornacchio did not find out about the sale for another month, while he was still deployed. The items included military gear; mementos that belonged to a cousin who had been killed in action while also serving in the military; his grandfather's military medals; a dresser handmade by his great-grandfather; and family photographs. Read Next: B-2 Rolled Off Runway at Whiteman in Emergency Landing The Justice Department said the auction was a violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a broad set of legal protections for both active-duty and reserve troops. According to the SCRA, anyone storing a service member's property must obtain a court order before selling or disposing of it. Father & Son Moving & Storage, based in Billerica, Massachusetts, did not do so, violating federal law, prosecutors say. The Justice Department has aggressively enforced the SCRA, going after several companies who sold off service members' property in recent years. In 2020, the department sued a Florida towing company, Target Recovery Towing Inc., alleging they auctioned off a Marine's car while she was deployed. The company settled and was ordered to pay the Marine $17,500 and a $2,500 federal fine. Later that year, federal prosecutors went after another Florida towing company, ASAP Towing and Storage, alleging it auctioned off dozens of service members' vehicles. The company was ordered to pay out compensations totaling up to $99,500 and a $20,000 fine. The city of San Antonio, Texas, also agreed to pay $47,000 to two service members after they complained the city unlawfully auctioned off their vehicles. Prosecutors say Father & Son Moving & Storage knew Cornacchio was in the military and deployed abroad, adding that he was even in uniform at the time company movers came to pack up his belongings. The company settled the suit and will pay Cornacchio $60,000 in compensation, as well as a $5,000 federal fine. It also was ordered to create policies to prevent further SCRA violations. "This settlement should send a clear message to all storage facility operators that federal law prohibits them from auctioning off a servicemember's possessions without a court order," Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in a statement. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Army Planned to Delay Moves for Thousands of Soldiers, Families During Holidays, But Changes Order WASHINGTON The leaders of a House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection said Thursday they have sought records related to calls from Gen. Mark Milley, the top U.S. military officer, to his Chinese counterpart in the turbulent final months of Donald Trumps presidency. Reps. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., said in a statement that they had already asked for records connected to the calls, which Milleys spokesman has said were intended to convey reassurance to the Chinese military and were in line with his responsibilities as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The House committee asked the Defense Department in August for a broad swath of records related to the November election, the transfer of power to President Joe Biden and the Jan. 6 insurrection. The Select Committee has sought records specifically related to these matters and we expect the Department of Defense to cooperate fully with our probe, Thompson and Cheney said in the statement. A soon-to-be published book by Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, Peril, says Milley told Gen. Li Zuocheng of the Peoples Liberation Army that he would warn him in the event of a U.S. attack. General Li, I want to assure you that the American government is stable and everything is going to be okay, Milley told him in an October call, according to the book. We are not going to attack or conduct any kinetic operations against you. Another call was placed two days after the Jan. 6 insurrection. The statement from the leaders of the panel, created by the House to investigate the insurrection, comes as it reviews thousands of pages of documents requested from multiple federal agencies and technology companies about the insurrection and its origins. Thompson and Cheney said in the statement that the panel is dedicated to telling the complete story of the unprecedented and extraordinary events of January 6th, including all steps that led to what happened that day, and the specific actions and activities that followed between January 6th and January 20th, 2021," the day Biden took office. Milley was appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 2019 by Trump and has remained in the position in Bidens administration. Both Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have said they have confidence in Milley as some Republicans in Congress urge his firing. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans serving on the panel along with Cheney, said in an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday that he believes there is a lot more to the story, and thats why I think its important for the Jan. 6 committee to deal with it. Kinzinger said lawmakers should get the full answers before we start jumping to making it political. He said it will also be important for Congress to hear from Milley, who is scheduled to testify in the House Armed Services Committee this month. Milley believed the president suffered a mental decline after the November election, agreeing with a view shared by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a phone call they had on Jan. 8, according to officials. Milley also asked senior officers to swear an oath that Milley had to be involved if Trump gave an order to launch nuclear weapons, according to the book. Associated Press writers Padmananda Rama, Lolita Baldor and Robert Burns contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) Alek Skarlatos, a hero soldier-turned-Republican congressional candidate, started a nonprofit shortly after his 2020 defeat in western Oregon, pledging to advocate for veterans left high and dry by the country "they put their lives on the line for." The group, which Skarlatos seeded with $93,000 in leftover campaign funds, has done little since then to advance that cause. What it has nurtured, though, are Skarlatos' political ambitions, providing $65,000, records show, to his 2022 bid for a rematch with longtime Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio in a district stretching from the college town of Corvallis to the Oregon shore. It's a seat that Republicans are targeting in their quest to win back the House. Campaign finance laws prohibit candidates from self-dealing and from accepting illicit money from often opaque and less regulated world of political nonprofits. That includes a prohibition on candidates donating campaign cash to nonprofit groups they control, as well as a broader ban on accepting contributions from such groups, legal experts say. But years of lax campaign finance law enforcement has fostered an environment where many candidates are willing to challenge the long-established boundaries of what's legal. "You cant do that, said Adav Noti, a former lawyer for the Federal Election Commission who now works for the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center in Washington. "Theres serious corruption potential. The law contemplates that. Skarlatos' campaign did not make him available for an interview, did not address the activities of the nonprofit and would not say if Skarlatos currently holds a role with the group. Campaign manager Ross Purgason said the transactions were completely legal." Despite an attempt to smear Alek Skarlatos, who served in Afghanistan, he was never paid a dollar," said Purgason. In 2015, Skarlotos, a member of the Oregon National Guard, gained a measure of fame when he helped disrupt an attack on a train bound for Paris by a heavily armed man who was a follower of the Islamic State. Hailed as a hero, he appeared on Dancing with the Stars, visited the White House and was granted dual French citizenship. It also led to a role starring as himself in the Clint Eastwood movie 15:17 to Paris. Once he turned to politics, his biography served as a cornerstone of his campaign against DeFazio, the chairman of the House transportation committee, who went on to beat Skarlatos by five percentage points in November 2020. He started the nonprofit the month after his loss, naming it 15:17 Trust a reference to the train attack. It was registered in Virginia, with his campaign treasurer also serving as the group's treasurer, records show. Our service men and women are special people heroes who have and will put their lives on the line for ours, and we owe it to them to make sure theyre taken care of, Skarlatos said in a March 2021 fundraising email. This is why I am proud to announce that I am officially launching the 15:17 Trust, a new 501(c) 4 non-profit organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of and supporting our veterans. But the group has had a decidedly low profile. It has an active online fundraising page, but its website is offline. A Facebook page is "liked" by only nine people. Its Twitter account has zero followers and only one tweet from April, soliciting input for a survey on veterans' concerns. A search of media databases show no instance of the group being mentioned in news stories. Federal candidates and officeholders are allowed to donate campaign funds to nonprofit groups. But they are prohibited from donating to nonprofits that they control. Skarlatos' campaign account gave $93,000 in February to his 15:17 Fund. The law is intended to prevent candidates from sidestepping a prohibition on the personal use of campaign funds by routing money to a separate group that they could then use to collect a salary or payments. Separately, federal campaigns face tight limits on how much and who can give to them. That includes a ban on accepting donations from corporations, including nonprofits, which can accept unlimited sums from anonymous donors. Though the transfer of $65,000 from Skarlatos' nonprofit to his campaign was listed as a refund" in filings, that likely doesn't square with the law, said Noti, the former FEC attorney. You cant, months later, send a different amount from a nonprofit company to a campaign and say it was a refund for a larger amount that was transferred much earlier, he said. Skarlatos has collected payments from his campaign in the past. During the 2020 campaign, Skarlatos paid himself more than $43,000 in mileage reimbursements, rent and expenses vaguely listed as contractor campaign staff, records show. In the two months after launching his 2022 GOP primary bid the only period of time reflected yet in quarterly filings submitted so far he's collected another $2,521 in mileage reimbursements. Skarlatos' required congressional financial disclosures show a diminishing stream of personal income in recent years. He reported making $40,000 from speaking fees, endorsements and residuals from his movie work in 2018. But his most recent filing, which was submitted in May 2020, shows that dropped to $20,000, which he bolstered by collecting somewhere between $5,000 and $15,000 in rent from properties he owns. (Congressional disclosures detail dollar values in ranges, not specific figures.) It's unclear if Skarlatos collected a salary from his nonprofit, though his campaign says he didn't. That's because the group, which is not listed in an IRS database of tax-exempt groups, has not yet released mandatory financial data, which all nonprofits are required to make public. The disclosure won't have to be filed with the IRS until next year. COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) Federal prosecutors in Maryland are recommending 25-year prison sentences for two neo-Nazi group members, calling them domestic terrorists who prepared for a civil war, discussed how to break racist mass killer Dylann Roof out of death row and talked about assassinating a Virginia lawmaker. Former Canadian Armed Forces reservist Patrik Jordan Mathews and U.S. Army veteran Brian Mark Lemley Jr. are scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 28 after pleading guilty to gun charges in June. They have been jailed since their January 2020 arrest at a Delaware apartment where the FBI had installed a closed-circuit television camera and microphone. The surveillance equipment captured them talking about planning an attack during a gun rights rally at Virginias Capitol in Richmond, destroying rail lines and power lines, and how Mathews briefly considered trying to assassinate a Virginia lawmaker, prosecutors wrote in a court filing Thursday. After Mathews found a home address for the speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates on the internet, he and Lemley pondered an attack on the speaker's route to work because they concluded that there probably wasn't a good sniper location near the lawmaker's home, prosecutors said. "In Mathewss view, the Speakers murder would probably accelerate their gun control agenda, which in turn Mathews hoped would spur a violent reaction," prosecutors wrote. But they ultimately set aside the idea, waiting to see if Virginia lawmakers would pass gun-control legislation, prosecutors said. Eileen Filler-Corn, who is Jewish, was sworn in as speaker on Jan. 8, 2020, but prosecutors dont name her in their court filing. Hoping for a civil war that would decimate racial and ethnic minorities and subjugate women, the defendants joined forces with each other and others, studied violence, tested their weapons skills, stockpiled munitions and supplies, and planned to kill on a large scale in pursuit of their goals, prosecutors wrote. Filler-Corn said in a statement that she was told Thursday that the two men had discussed targeting her. This is extremely disturbing, and it should disturb all Americans, she said. This pattern of using violence to intimidate the leaders and symbols of our democracy undermines the core values of our democracy itself. Defense attorney Ned Smock said Lemley, who served in Iraq during his time in the Army, lost his way during a difficult time in his life and has taken responsibility for the nonviolent crimes he has committed. Smock said prosecutors have focused on things that Lemley and Mathews privately discussed instead of the crimes for which they were charged. But these are only words. Mr. Lemley has never engaged in violence, he did not plan to initiate violent action, and he took no steps toward carrying out any of the acts mentioned in these recordings," Smock said Friday in a statement to The Associated Press. Smock said he is asking for a prison sentence of two years and nine months for Lemley. That would be at the low end of the sentencing guidelines range calculated by the courts probation department. The high end of the calculation for Lemley is three years and five months, according to Smock. Mathews and Lemley Jr. were charged along with a third member of The Base. The group has been a leading proponent of accelerationism, a fringe philosophy that advocates using mass violence to hasten societys collapse. The third co-defendant, William Garfield Bilbrough IV, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty in December to helping Mathews illegally enter the U.S. from Canada in 2019. The FBI also heard Lemley and Mathews talk about trying to free Roof, who was sentenced to death for killing nine members of a Black church congregation in South Carolina in 2015. They discussed how many people it would take to break into the maximum-security prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, where Roof is an inmate, how many guards would be there and how a shootout would happen, prosecutors said. Can you imagine Dylann Roof broked out of jail? Mathews said, according to prosecutors. The Base would be known as the guys who broke out Dylann Roof. Defense attorneys filed their sentencing memos under seal on Thursday. A lawyer for Mathews, Joseph Balter, said the memo for his case contains confidential personal information, including health records. Balter didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment on Friday. Mathews and Lemley pleaded guilty to charges including illegally transporting a firearm and obstruction of justice, for destroying cellphones when FBI agents raided their apartment. Mathews pleaded guilty to four counts that carry a combined total of 50 years in prison. Lemley pleaded guilty to seven counts punishable by a maximum of 70 years. None of the defendants faced terrorism-related charges, but prosecutors are seeking a so-called terrorism enhancement at sentencing that could lead to a significant increase in a prison term if U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang agrees to apply it. The case against the three men charged in Maryland was part of a broader investigation of The Base. In January 2020, authorities in Georgia and Wisconsin arrested four other men linked to the group. India records over 20,000 new COVID cases again after 3 days 30-09-2021 10:30 India witnessed yet another surge in daily Covid cases on Thursday, pushing the daily tally over 20,000 cases after three days. According to Union Health Ministry's report on Thursday morning, as many as 23,529 new Covid-19 cases were registered in the last 24 hours. India had reported less than 20,000 Covid-19 cases for the last three days. On Wednesday, 18,870 cases were registered, while on Tuesday and Monday, India registered 18,795 and 19,859 cases respectively. In the same time span, India recorded 311 Covid related deaths against 378 fatalities reported on Wednesday. With this, the total Covid fatality in the country climbed to 4,48,062. The overall Covid fatality rate remained at 1.33 per cent for the last few weeks. Out of the total cases reported in the last 24 hours in the country, 12,161 have been registered in Kerala and 3,187 cases in Maharashtra. In the same time span, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have reported as many 1,624 and 1,084 cases respectively. Mizoram recorded 1,380 cases, while West Bengal and Karnataka reported 748 and 539 new cases respectively. According to the Union Health Ministry's data, the active cases in the country stand at 2,77,020, which is 0.82 per cent of the total positive cases so far in the country. With the recovery of 28,718 Covid infected patients in the last 24 hours across the county, the cumulative recovery rose to 3,30,14,898, which is 97.85 per cent of the total cases reported since early last year. The cumulative number of Covid vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 88.34 crore (88,34,70,578), out of which 65,34,306 were administered in the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's report. Overall, 56.89 (56,89,56,439) crore Covid samples were tested so far in the country, out of which 15,06,254 were tested on Wednesday. India reports 18,870 new COVID cases in past 24 hours 29-09-2021 10:30 India reported less than 20,000 Covid-19 cases for the third straight day, recording 18,870 new cases in the last 24 hours and taking the total caseload to 3,37,16,451, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday. India had reported 18,795 new cases on Tuesday and 19,859 on Monday. With 378 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, India's cumulative Covid related fatalities has risen to 4,47,751, till Wednesday morning. The fatality rate remained at 1.33 per cent for the last few weeks. The decline in daily Covid cases was witnessed as Kerala, which has been reporting almost half of the total cases for the last few weeks, has improved marginally. According to the Union health Ministry's report, 11,196 new cases were registered in Kerala on Tuesday against 11,699 reported on Monday. Maharashtra, which has the second highest daily Covid cases after Kerala, had registered 2,844 cases on Tuesday. The country's active caseload further dropped to 2,82,520, according to the Union Health Ministry's data. The active cases comprise 0.84 per cent of the total infections -- the lowest since March 2020 -- while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.81 per cent -- the highest since March 2020. A total of 3,29,86,180 Covid infected patients recovered, out of which 28,178 were discharged in the last 24 hours. The cumulative number of Covid vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 87 crore (87,66,63,490), out of which 54,13,332 were administered in the last 24 hours, according to the ministry's report. Only five states -- Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Mizoram -- are currently reporting more than 1,000 cases every day. In three states -- Bihar, Rajasthan and Jharkhand, and union territories -- Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and also Chandigarh -- the active case count has fallen below 100. India reports below 20,000 new COVID cases for second straight day 28-09-2021 10:40 The daily Covid tally in India remained below 20,000-mark for the second consecutive day with 18,795 new cases registered in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry's data released on Tuesday morning stated. The country registered 19,859 cases on Monday, which was the first time after over 200 days when Covid cases were reported below the 20,000-mark. India has been reporting daily cases between 30,000 to 35,000 daily for the last few weeks, however, with improvement in Covid situation in Kerala which has been reporting around 15,000 cases daily, the number of Covid cases have come down. Karala registered 11,699 new Covid cases on Monday. The country's active caseload further dropped to 2,92,206, according to the Union Health Ministry's data. With 179 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, India's total Covid fatalities rose to 4,47,373. So far, 3,36,97,581 people have been infected in the country, of which 32,9,58,002 have recovered, according to the ministry's report. A steady slowdown in the rest of the country has brought the number of active Covid-19 cases below the 3-lakh mark for the first time in six months. Only five states -- Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Mizoram -- are currently reporting more than 1,000 cases every day. In three states -- Bihar, Rajasthan and Jharkhand, and union territories -- Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and also Chandigarh -- the active case count has fallen below 100. India reports 26,041 new COVID cases, 276 deaths in past 24 hours 27-09-2021 11:10 India's fresh Covid cases continued to decline as 26,041 new infections and 276 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday. The country on Sunday had reported 28,336 fresh Covid cases and 260 deaths. However, the death toll has reported a rise of 16 on Monday taking the total to 4,47,194, as per the data shared by the Union Health Ministry. The active cases have seen a decline of total 3,856 cases in the last 24 hours, taking India's active caseload to 2,99,620 which accounts for less than one per cent of the total Covid cases.The active cases in India is 0.89 per cent of the total cases. India's recovery rate from the ongoing pandemic currently stands at 97.78 per cent. As per the health bulletin, the number of daily recoveries from the pandemic have also registered a rise. The recovery of 29,621 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients to 3,29,31,972. The weekly positive rate in India is less than 3 per cent for 94 days and currently stands at 1.94 per cent. However, the daily positivity rate is also less than 3 per cent from the last 28 days and presently stands at 2.24 per cent. The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 11,65,006 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 56.44 crore (56,44,08,251) cumulative tests. Under the mass vaccination drive, a total of 38,18,362 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 86 crore and stands at 86,01,59,011 as per the provisional reports till 7 a.m. Monday. This has been achieved through 83,64,110 sessions. Active COVID cases drop below 1% as India logs just over 29,500 new ones 25-09-2021 11:30 India on Saturday reported 29,616 fresh Covid cases in the past 24 hours. Of these, the highest number was reported from Kerala with 17,983 new infections and 127 fatalities. At the same time, the entire country reported 290 total deaths, as per the Union Health Ministry health bulletin. The Covid toll in India now stands at 4,46,658. India's active caseload stands at 3,01,442 which accounts for less than one per cent of total covid cases, the Union Health Ministry updates showed. The total number of active cases in India is 0.90 per cent. The recovery rate currently stands at 97.78 per cent which is the highest since March 2020. As per the health bulletin, a total of 28,046 people have recovered from Covid across India in the last 24 hours, pushing the total recovery to 3,28,76,319 so far. The weekly positive rate in India is less than 3 per cent for 92 days and currently stands at 1.99 per cent. The daily positivity rate has also remained less than 3 per cent for the last 26 days and presently stands at 1.86 per cent. Under the mass vaccination drive, a total of 71,04,051 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 84.89 crore and stood at 84,89,29,160 as per provisional reports till 7 a.m. on Saturday. This has been achieved through 82,99,312 sessions. More than 82.57crore (82,57,88,115) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far by the union government and through the direct state procurement category. More than 94 lakh doses are in the pipeline. More than 4.15 crore balance and unutilized Covid vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered, as per the data shared by the Union Health Ministry. At 31,000 new cases, India's active COVID load lowest in 188 days 24-09-2021 11:55 India reported 31,382 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, even as the active cases declined to its lowest in 188 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The daily Covid fatality crossed the 300-mark yet again as 318 people died in the last 24 hours, pushing the total death count to 4,46,368. The fatality rate stood at 1.33 per cent for the last few weeks. India had registered 282 deaths on Thursday and 383 on Wednesday. Kerala, which has been reporting the maximum new cases for the last few weeks, witnessed yet another spike on Thursday as it reported 19,682 new cases against 19,675 on Wednesday. Similarly, Maharashtra also continued to witness a rise in the new cases. The state reported 3,320 new cases on Thursday against 3,608 reported on Wednesday. As per the Union Health Ministry's data, a total of 32,542 people recovered in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative recoveries so far to 3,28,48,273. The Covid recovery rate stands at 97.78 per cent. At present, India has 3,00,163 active cases, the lowest in the last 188 days, which is 0.89 per cent of the total positive cases registered since 2020. The daily positivity rate declined to 2 per cent, which remained below 3 per cent for the last 25 days. The weekly positivity rate was at 2.07 per cent, remaining below 3 per cent for the last 91 days, according to the health ministry. A total of 55.99 crore (55,99,32,709) Covid samples have been tested so far in the country, out of which 15,65,696 were tested in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry data said. Till date, the country has administered 83.39 crore (84,15,18,026) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 72,20,642 inoculations were done in the last 24 hours, health ministry's data said. Door-to-door COVID vaccination allowed for disabled: Govt 24-09-2021 06:00 The Indian government has allowed door-to-door Covid vaccination for differently-abled people and those with restricted mobility, officials said. Addressing a press briefing on the Covid situation, NITI Aayog's Dr V.K. Paul said that guidelines have been issued in this regard. "We are starting vaccinations at home for those who are not able to visit the vaccination centres. Advisory has been issued. SOPs will be follow," he said. Noting the process will be effective, safe, nurturing, supportive and will follow the standard operating procedure, he said that persons with restricted mobility, disability and special needs that hamper their accessibility to the vaccine centres will get the vaccines at their home, and for this, teams will be formed at the local levels with the support of state government. It is advised that a list of such potential beneficiaries and their caregivers may be prepared in the catchment area of every planning unit and collated at the district level, he added. At 31,923 COVID cases, India sees slight surge in infections 23-09-2021 11:10 With 31,923 new Covid cases registered in the last 24 hours, India's daily new cases on Thursday crossed the 30,000 mark yet again. With this, the total coronavirus case tally in the country has increased to 3,35,63,421, according to the data updated by Union Health Ministry and Family Welfare on Thursday. However, the country witnessed slight dip in daily Covid related deaths as 282 fatalities were registered in the last 24 hours against 383 deaths on Wednesday. The total Covid fatality in the country has risen to 4,46,050. The fatality rate remained at 1.33 per cent for the last few weeks. Kerala, which has been reporting the maximum new cases for the last few weeks, witnessed yet another spike on Wednesday as it reported 19,675 new cases against 15,768 on Tuesday. Similarly, Maharashtra also continued to witness a spike in new cases as it reported 3,608 new cases on Wednesday. As per the Health Ministry's data, a total of 41,990 people recovered in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative recoveries so far to 3,28,15,731. The Covid recovery rate stands at 97.77 per cent. At present, India has 3,01,640 active cases, the lowest in the last 187 days, which is 0.90 per cent of the total positive cases registered since 2020. The daily positivity rate declined to 2.09 per cent, which remained below 3 per cent for the last 24 days, while the weekly positivity rate remained at 2.11 per cent, remaining below 3 per cent for the last 90 days, according to the health ministry. A total of 55.83 crore (55,83,67,013) Covid samples have been tested so far in the country, out of which 15,27,443 were tested in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry data said. Till date, the country has administered 83.39 crore (83,39,90,049) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 71,38,205 jabs were given in the last 24 hours, health ministry's data said. India reports 26,964 new COVID cases, a spike in fatalities 22-09-2021 11:50 India reported 26,964 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours which remained below the 30,000 mark for the second consecutive day, Union Health Ministry's data showed on Wednesday. However, the country witnessed a spike in daily Covid related deaths as 383 fatalities were registered in the last 24 hours. The total Covid fatality in the country has risen to 4,45,768. The fatality rate remained at 1.33 per cent. There were 26,115 cases and 252 deaths on Tuesday. Out of total fresh Covid cases reported in the last 24 hours across the country, 15,768 were reported from Kerala alone while Maharashtra witnessed a slight surge in new cases as there were 3,131 new cases against 2,583 cases on Tuesday, according to the Union Health Ministry's report. As per the Health Ministry's data, a total of 34,167 people infected with Covid have recovered, pushing the cumulative recoveries so far to 3,27,83,741. The Covid recovery rate was reported at 97.77 per cent on Wednesday. At present, India has 3,01,989 active cases, which is 0.90 per cent of the total positive cases registered since 2020. The daily positivity rate declined to 1.69 per cent, which remained below 3 per cent for the last 23 days, while the weekly positivity rate remained at 2.08 per cent, remaining below 3 per cent for the last 89 days, according to the health ministry. A total of 55.67 crore (55,67,54,282) Covid samples have been tested so far in the country, out of which 15,92,395 were tested in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry data said. Till date, the country has administered 82.65 crore (82,65,15,754) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 75,57,529 jabs were given in the last 24 hours, health ministry's data said. At 26,115 new COVID cases, India sees dip in infections 21-09-2021 11:50 India's daily Covid tally marginally improved with 26,115 new cases in the last 24 hours against the 30,000 plus cases that were reported daily for the last few days. Out of total fresh Covid cases reported in the last 24 hours across the country, 15,692 were reported from Kerala alone while Maharashtra accounted for 2,583 cases, according to the Union Health Ministry's report. India also witnessed slight dip in daily Covid related deaths in the last 24 hours and with 252 fatalities, the total death tally in the country so far reached 4,45,385. The fatality rate has remained at 1.33 per cent for the last few days. Also, the number of recoveries in the last 24 hours was higher than the numbers of new positive cases registered. According to the Union Health Ministry's data, a total of 34,469 people infected with Covid have recovered, pushing the cumulative recoveries so far to 3,27,49,574. The Covid recovery rate was reported at 97.75 per cent on Tuesday. At present, India has 3,09,575 active cases, which is 0.92 per cent of the total positive cases registered since 2020. The daily positivity rate declined to 1.85 per cent, which remained below 3 per cent for the last 22 days, while the weekly positivity rate was at 2.08 per cent, remaining below 3 per cent for the last 88 days, according to the health ministry. A total of 55.50 crore (55,50,35,717) Covid samples have been tested so far in the country, out of which 14,13,951 were tested in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry data said. Till date, the country has administered 81.85 crore (81,85,13,827) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 96,46,778 jabs were given in the last 24 hours, the data added. India records over 30,000 COVID cases, 295 deaths in a day 20-09-2021 12:40 India's daily Covid cases continued to cross 30,000 mark for the last few days with 30,256 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, data released on Monday showed. With 295 deaths registered in the same time span, the total Covid fatality has risen to 4,45,133, the Union health Ministry's report said. The fatality rate has remained at 1.33 per cent for the last few days. The overall active cases in India stands at 3,18,181, which is 0.99 per cent of the total, the lowest since March 2020. In the same time span, a total of 43,938 Covid-infected patients recovered, pushing the country's total recoveries to 3,27,15,105. The Covid recovery rate in the last 24 hours remained at 97.72 per cent. The daily positivity rate was reported at 2.57 per cent, which remained below 3 per cent for the last 21 days, while the weekly positivity rate was at 2.07 per cent, remaining below 3 per cent for the last 87 days, according to IMD. A total of 55.36 crore (55,36,21,766) Covid samples have been tested so far in the country, out of which 11,77,607 were tested in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry. Till date, the country has administered 80.95 crore (80,85,68,144) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 37,78,296 jabs were given in the last 24 hours, the data has showed. Almost half of India's Covid cases are being reported from Kerala which recorded 19,653 fresh cases on Sunday. Kerala remained the top affected Covid state in the country, with a positivity rate of over 17 per cent. It also recorded 152 deaths. Maharashtra registered 3,413 new Covid cases on Sunday, as per the Union Health Ministry's report. COVID origins probe: The Lancet does U-turn over lab leak theory 19-09-2021 17:00 After facing backlash for its coverage of the origins of the Covid pandemic, the much-acclaimed scientific journal -- The Lancet has now published an 'alternative view' from 16 scientists. The international team of health experts, in the open letter, make an appeal for an "objective, open, and transparent scientific debate about the origin of SARS-CoV-2". Scientists "need to evaluate all hypotheses on a rational basis, and to weigh their likelihood based on facts and evidence, devoid of speculation concerning possible political impacts", the authors wrote. The Lancet, had in February last year, published an open letter that "strongly condemned conspiracy theories" surrounding the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin. Earlier this year, it was revealed earlier that Peter Daszak -- a British scientist and president of the US-based non-profit EcoHealth Alliance that has a direct connection with China -- had secretly orchestrated the now-infamous letter. The firm has also funded research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). In the new open letter, the scientists discuss the possibility that laboratory research might have played a role in the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. "We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin", they said, in a statement that "imparted a silencing effect on the wider scientific debate". However, "there is no direct support for the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2, and a laboratory-related accident is plausible", the authors stated. "It might seem small, but after 18 months of complete denial, the very act of [The] Lancet agreeing to publish this letter acknowledging the origins of Covid-19 remains an open verdict, is a very big deal," Professor Nikolai Petrovsky of Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, one of the signatories, told Daily Mail on Sunday. "For a leading medical journal like Lancet to agree to finally open its doors to a letter from scientists highlighting the ongoing uncertain origins of Covid-19, indicates how far we have come in 18 months in requesting an open scientific debate on the topic, but also indicates just how far we still have to go," he added. Further, the new letter also implored China to open up and allow access to proper investigation. While the first joint World Health Organisation-China Study concluded that the laboratory origin was "extremely unlikely", WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared that all hypotheses remained on the table including that of a laboratory leak. China has, meanwhile, resisted a second full and unrestricted probe into the origins of the outbreak by WHO, accusing the global health body of "arrogance" and a "disrespect for common sense". "While we need more evidence, the world will remain mired in dispute without full engagement of China, including open access to primary data, documents, and relevant stored material to enable a thorough, transparent, and objective search for all relevant evidence," the authors wrote. India reports 34,403 new COVID cases, 320 deaths in past 24 hours 17-09-2021 13:10 In the past 24 hours, India reported 34,403 new Covid-19 cases and 320 fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry's latest report on Friday. With the new fatalities, the country's cumulative death toll increased to 4,44,248. The fatality rate has remained at 1.33 per cent for the last few days. This is the second consecutive day that the number of single-day cases were above the 30,000 mark. On Thursday, the figure was 30,570 cases on Thursday. With a reduction of 3,867 active cases in a span of 24 hours, the overall number stood at 3,39,056, which is 1.03 per cent of the total Covid infections reported in the country since early 2020. In the same time span, a total of 37,950 Covid-infected patients recovered, pushing the country's total recoveries to 3,25,98,424. The Covid recovery rate in the last 24 hours remained at 97.64 per cent. The weekly positivity rate, which currently stands at 1.97 per cent, has been less than 3 per cent for the last 84 days. A total of 54.77 crore Covid sample tests were conducted in the country, according to the Union Health Ministry. Till date, the country has administered over 77.24 crore (77,24,25,744) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 63,97,972 jabs were given in the last 24 hours, the data showed. Kerala, which has been reporting the highest daily Covid cases for the last few weeks, has registered 17,681 new infections, while Maharashtra reported 3,783 new cases, according to the Health Ministry's report. On Thursday, the Ministry insisted on extra caution for the upcoming festival season. "Covid safe festivities this year will be a determining factor in our fight against the pandemic," Covid task-force's V.K.Paul said. 1 out of every 500 Americans have died due to COVID: Report 16-09-2021 09:50 As the US' Covid-19 death toll exceeded 663,000 this week, it meant that roughly one in every 500 Americans succumbed to the disease since the onset of the pandemic early last year, a media report said. "The goal of testing, mask-wearing, keeping six feet apart and limiting gatherings was to slow the spread of the highly infectious virus until a vaccine could stamp it out. The vaccines came but not enough people have been immunised, and the triumph of science waned as mass death and disease remain," Xinhua news agency quoted The Washington Post report as saying on Wednesday. AS of Thursday morning, the country's overall death toll stood at 666,615, while the cases have increased to 41,536,813. "While the Covid death toll overwhelms the imagination, even more, stunning is the deadly efficiency with which it has targeted Black, Latino, and American Indian and Alaska Native people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. "The pandemic has brought into stark relief centuries of entwining social, environmental, economic and political factors that erode the health and shorten the lives of people of colour, putting them at higher risk of the chronic conditions that leave immune systems vulnerable to the coronavirus. Many of those same factors fuel the misinformation, mistrust and fear that leave too many unprotected. "Many people don't have a physician they see regularly due in part to significant provider shortages in communities of colour. If they do have a doctor, it can cost too much money for a visit even if insured. "There are language barriers for those who don't speak English fluently and fear of deportation among undocumented immigrants," the report added. According to The Washington Post, people older than 85 make up only 2 per cent of the US population, but a quarter of the total death toll. One in 35 people 85 or older died of Covid-19, compared with 1 in 780 people age 40 to 64. Death rates for younger groups, 40 to 64 years old, are much lower, but racial inequities grow larger, it said. In the younger working-age group, 18 to 39 years old, the racial differences are even greater, with Covid-19 killing Blacks and Hispanics more than three times as often as Whites, and Native Americans almost nine times as much, the report added. Covid-19 deaths and cases in the US have climbed to levels not seen since last winter, wiping out months of progress and potentially bolstering President Joe Biden's argument for sweeping new vaccination requirements. Fifty-four per cent of US adults said the worst of the outbreak is still to come, despite widespread vaccination efforts, according to a Pew Research Center report released on Wednesday. At 27,176 new cases, India's daily tally below 30,000 in past 4 days 15-09-2021 11:30 India witnessed a marginal spike in new Covid cases on Wednesday after a few days of continued decline in daily cases. In the last 24 hours, India registered 27,176 cases, pushing the total Covid-19 cases so far in the country to 3,33,16,755. However, the daily Covid tally in the country remained below 30,000 for the last four days, according to the Union Health Ministry's report on Wednesday. A total of 25,404 new cases were registered on Tuesday, 27,254 on Monday and 28,591 on Sunday. With 284 new fatalities registered in the last 24 hours, the country's total Covid death toll increased to 4,43 497. The fatality rate has remained at 1.33 per cent for the last few days. The number of active cases has also declined by 11,120 and the current active cases are 3,51,087, which is 1.5 per cent of the total Covid infection reported in the country since early 2020. In the same time span, a total of 38,012 Covid-infected patients have recovered, pushing the country's total recoveries to 3,25,22,171. The Covid recovery rate rose to 97.62 per cent on Wednesday, as per the Ministry's data. The weekly positivity rate was reported at 2 per cent, which is less than 3 per cent for the last 82 days, while the daily positivity rate was 1.69 per cent, which remained below 3 per cent for the last 16 days. India has so far tested a total of 54.60 crore (54,60,55,796) Covid samples, out of which, 16,10,829 were conducted in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry. Till date, the country has administered over 75.89 crore (75,89,12,277) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 61,15,690 jabs were given in the last 24 hours, the data showed. India records 27,254 new COVID cases in past 24 hours 13-09-2021 12:20 India witnessed a slight dip in new Covid cases yet again as in the last 24 hours 27,254 fresh cases were registered, the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs said on Monday. The country has been reporting a dip in new Covid cases for the past few days. A total of 28,591 new Covid cases were recorded on Sunday. At the same time, the country reported 219 Covid related deaths in the last 24 hours, a sharp decline in comparison to Sunday's 338 fatalities. With the number of deaths reported on Monday included, the country's overall Covid related deaths have risen to 4,42,874. The fatality rate was reported at 1.33 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry's report on Monday. The number of active cases also reported to have declined by 10,652 and the current active cases are 3,74,269, which is 1.13 per cent of the total Covid infection reported in the country since early 2020. In the last 24 hours, a total of 37,687 Covid-infected patients recovered, pushing the country's total recovery numbers to 3,24,47,032. As per the data, the Covid recovery rate rose to 97.55 per cent. The weekly positivity rate was reported at 2.11 per cent, which is less than 3 per cent for the last 80 days, while there has been a slight increase in daily positivity rate, which reported at 2.26 per cent against Sunday's 1.87. However, the daily positivity rate has been below 3 per cent for the last 14 days. India has so far, a total of 54.30 crore (54,18,05,829) Covid samples tested, out of which 12,08,247 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry. India has so far administered over 74.38 crore (74,38,37,643) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 53,38,945 doses were administered in the last 24 hours. India logs 33,376 new COVID cases, 308 deaths in past 24 hours 11-09-2021 12:40 India logged 33,376 new Covid-19 cases and 308 fatalities in the last 24 hours, which increased the overall infection tally and death toll to 3,32,08,330 and 4,42,317, respectively, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's (MoHFW) latest data revealed on Saturday. According to the data, currently, there are 3,91,516 active cases which constitute 1.8 per cent of the total infections, while the national recovery rate stands at 97.49 per cent with 3,23,74,497 people having recuperated from the disease till Saturday. With 25,010 people testing positive for the virus and 177 deaths, Kerala remains the worst-affected state, followed by Maharashtra which recorded 4,154 new cases and 44 fatalities. Meanwhile, 54,01,96,989 samples have been tested up to Friday with 15,92,135 samples being tested in the last 24 hours, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) tweeted. On the vaccination front, nearly 73 crore vaccines have been administered across the country, the Ministry said on Friday. Around 58 per cent of the country's adult population has received the first dose while close to 18 per cent have been fully inoculated. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the Covid-19 situation and the progress of the vaccination drive in the country. "In a few geographies, districts with high test positivity as well as the week-on-week test positivity rate in the country", the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement. "It was discussed that across the world there are countries where the number of active Covid cases continues to remain high. In India too, the figures from states like Maharashtra and Kerala indicate that there can be no room for complacency," the statement added. The Prime Minister also underscored the need to pace up the entire process to ensure increased oxygen availability, including oxygen concentrators, cylinders and PSA plants. Meanwhile, experts are worried that the festive season can play a huge role in increasing infection cases and thereby cautioning masses against mass gathering, urging them to continue following Covid-19 guidelines. India registers a 14% spike in daily COVID cases 09-09-2021 11:50 India witnessed a spike of 14 per cent in the daily new cases on Thursday as the country recorded 43,263 new infections in the last 24 hours. This is the second consecutive day that the rise had been reported. On Wednesday, the daily Covid tally was 37,875 new infections. With 338 Covid related deaths in the last 24 hours, the death toll rose to 4,41,749, Health and Family Welfare Ministry's data said on Thursday. India had reported 369 deaths on Wednesday. The fatality rate was reported at 1.33 per cent. At the same time, in the last 24 hours, a total of 40,567 Covid-infected patients had recovered, pushing the country's total recovery numbers to 3,23,04,618. As per the data, the Covid recovery rate stood at 97.48 per cent. The total active cases rose to 3,93,614, which is 1.19 per cent of the total Covid cases reported in the country. While the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.43 per cent, which remained below the 3 per cent mark for the last 76 days, the daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.38 per cent for the last 10 days. Out of the total new cases reported on Thursday, 30,196 cases were reported in Kerala, 4,174 in Maharashtra, while 1,587 cases were reported in Tamil Nadu, according to the health ministry's report. The report also said that a total of 53,68,17,243 samples for Covid-19 have been tested in the country, of which 18,17,639 were tested in the last 24 hours. On the other hand, India has so far administered over 71 crore (71,65,97,428) doses of Covid vaccines, out of which 86,51,701 doses were administered in the last 24 hours. Kerala breathes easy as more samples of Nipah test negative 08-09-2021 11:10 Three days after the first Nipah case surfaced at Kozhikode, Kerala, when a 12-year-old boy succumbed to the deadly virus, on Wednesday 20 more samples that were sent for testing at the NIV laboratory, Pune turned negative. State Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday told the media that one cannot completely claim things are fine, but the results give us cheer. "According to the rules of Nipah spread, after the last case is reported, then one waits for 21 days and then for another 21 days, if there are no more fresh cases, then one can say Nipah spread has been contained, so we have to wait more and as such things are fine," said George. The results of the 20 samples which were negative included five from those who had symptoms and 15 were those who had direct contact of the deceased. On Tuesday, 10 samples also reported negative. "Now we are awaiting the results of another 21 more samples, while 68 people are under observation at the Kozhikode Medical College hospital. So at the moment things are under control," said George. State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran said the department will cooperate with all to see samples are collected from bats and domestic animals from the present location, especially in and around the areas of the victim's house and for that a team of officials from NIV Bhopal is on the way. Meanwhile, the locality of the deceased continues to be cordoned off as a matter of caution. Daily COVID cases decline for second day as India vaccination nears 70 crore 07-09-2021 12:50 The decline in the daily Covid cases continued for the second consecutive day on Tuesday with 31,222 new cases registered in the last 24 hours, pushing the total cases to 33,058,843 in India as the vaccination numbers reached near 70 crores. At the same time of 24 hours, India registered 290 deaths, taking the total Covid related deaths to 4,41,042. The mortality rate stands at 1.33 per cent, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family report on Tuesday. A total of 42,942 Covid-infected patients recovered or were discharged in the last 24 hours taking the total recovery to 3,22,24,937. The Covid recovery rate was reported at 97.48 per cent. At least 42,942 people have recovered in the last 24 hours. Weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.56 per cent, below the 3 per cent mark for the last 74 days, while the daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.05 per cent for the last seven days. A total of 53,31,89,348 samples for Covid-19 have been tested in the country so far, of which 15,26,056 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, according to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). At the same time, a total of 1,13,53,571 doses of Covid vaccines were administered in the last 24 hours, pushing the total vaccination in the country to 69,90,62,776, till Tuesday morning. At 38,948, India sees slight decline in daily COVID cases 06-09-2021 11:30 After registering over 40,000 Covid cases daily in the past few days, India witnessed a slight decline with 38,948 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, pushing the total to 3,30,27,621, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday. At the same time, the country registered 219 new deaths due to Covid, taking the cumulative fatalities to 4,40,752. The mortality rate stands at 1.33 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry. A total of 43,903 Covid infected patients recovered or discharged in the last 24 hours taking the the tally of Covid recovery to 3,21,81,995. The Covid recovery rate was reported at 97.44 per cent, according to the health ministry's report. The active cases in the country stand at 4,04,874, which accounts for 1.23 per cent of the total cases. As per the ministry's data, India's daily Covid positivity rate was reported to be at 2.76 per cent for the last one week, while the weekly positivity rate was at 2.58 per cent. It has remained below 3 per cent for the last 73 days. A total of 53,14,68,867 Covid samples were tested so far in the country, of which 14,10,649 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, ministry's data said. India has so far administered 68.75 crore doses of Covid vaccines, including 25,23,089 doses in the last 24 hours. Kerala continued to witness a high number of cases with 26,701 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, till Sunday evening. Several of its districts recorded a high number of new cases. Kozhikode recorded the highest number of cases with 3,366 followed by Thrissur (3,214), Ernakulam (2,915), Malappuram (2,568), Palakkad (2,373), Kollam (2,368), Thiruvananthapuram (2,103), Kottayam (1,662), Alappuzha (1,655), Kannur (1,356), Idukki (1,001) and Pathanamthitta (947), the Kerala government's press release said on Sunday. On Sunday, a 12-year-old boy was reported to have died of Nipah virus in Kerala. At 45,352, India sees marginal decline in daily COVID cases 03-09-2021 10:50 India reported a marginal decline of 1,740 cases and logged 45,352 fresh Covid infections in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall country's tally to 32,903,289. The country also witnessed 366 deaths in the same time span, taking the death toll to 4,39,895, according to the health ministry's updated data on Friday. On Thursday, India reported 47,029 new coronavirus cases and 509 deaths. The active caseload has also reported a substantial growth of 10,195 and stands at 3,99,778. The active cases account for 1.22 per cent of the total cases in India. At the same span of time, a total of 34,791 Covid patients were discharged, pushing the overall recoveries to 3,20,63,616. The recovery rate currently stands at 97.45 per cent. According to the ministry's release, the weekly positivity rate is at 2.66 per cent, which is less than 3 per cent for the last 70 days. At the same time, the daily positivity rate is reported to be 2.72 per cent. India's cumulative vaccination coverage has crossed the 67 crore landmark on Friday. With the administration of 74,84,333 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage figure stands at 67,09,59,968 as per the provisional reports of the Health Ministry. This has been achieved through 70,34,846 sessions. The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 16,66,334 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted 52,65,35,068 tests. More than 65 crore vaccine doses have been provided to the States/UTs so far through the Government of India free of cost channel and through direct state procurement category. Further, more than 1.20 crore doses are in the pipeline. Around 4,36,81,760 balance and unutilized Covid vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered, said the Health Ministry data released Friday morning. India's fresh COVID cases near 50,000, biggest surge in a month 02-09-2021 12:20 India reported 47,029 new coronavirus cases and 509 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this the country's overall caseload rose to 3.28 crore (3,28,57,937) and the death toll increased to 4.39 lakh (4,39,529). The total number of active cases presently stands at 3.89 lakh (3,89,583). Kerala contributed 32,803 cases or nearly 70 per cent of new cases and a third of deaths. The total number of those affected in the state by the viral infection now stands at 40,90,036. The test positivity rate was reported at 18.76 and with 173 deaths, the number of fatalities increased to 20,961, the Kerala government release said. Meanwhile, India's cumulative Covid-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 66 crore mark. Over 81 lakh doses of vaccines were administered in the last 24 hours. India's recovery rate currently stands at 97.48 per cent. The total active case accounts for 1.19 per cent of the total caseload. The weekly positivity rate stands at 2.62 per cent, which remained less than 3 per cent for the last 69 days, while the daily positivity rate has been reported at 2.80 per cent. According to data shared by the health ministry, India has conducted a total of 52.48 crore tests so far. India logs 41,965 COVID cases, inoculates 1.33 crore in a day 01-09-2021 11:20 India on Wednesday witnessed surge in new Covid cases with 41,965 fresh coronavirus infections were reported in the last 24 hours, against Tuesday's 30,941 cases. At the same time the country created a record in vaccination with 1.33 crore people inoculated in a single day. With this, the total tally rose to 3,28,10,845, according to Union Health Ministry's data released on Wednesday. Out of total fresh Covid infections reported on Tuesday, 19,622 of them were from Kerala alone, the highest among the states. India also recorded more deaths against previous day. According to the Health Ministry, on Wednesday, India reported as many 460 deaths due to Covid, while on Tuesday 350 deaths were recorded. Now, the cumulative deaths due to Covid in the county has risen to 4,39,020 till Wednesday morning. In the last 24 hours, the number of active cases in India were reported at 7,541 to stand at 3,78, 181. The active caseload accounts for 1.15 per cent of the total cases, health ministry's data shows. At the same time span, a total of 33,964 Covid patients were discharged, pushing the overall recoveries to 3,19,93,644. The recovery rate stands at 97.51 per cent. The weekly positivity rate stands at 2.58 per cent, which remained less than 3 per cent for the last 68 days, while the daily positivity rate reported at 2.61 per cent. According to data shared by the health ministry, a total of 16,06,785 Covid samples were tested in the last 24 hours, taking cumulative tests to 52,31,84,293, till Tuesday. Meanwhile, 1.33 crore doses of Covid vaccines were administered in India, the highest ever single-day vaccination, pushing the total vaccination in the country to 65.41 crore, Health Ministry's report said. Ongoing demand recovery and intensifying concerns about supplies sent crude prices higher for a sixth consecutive week. West Texas Intermediate on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose three of five trading days, beginning with Mondays $1.47 jump. Prices gained 85 cents Friday to close at $75.88 per barrel, up from $75.45 at Mondays close and a 2.6 percent increase for the week. The posted price ended the week at $72.36, according to Plains All American. Natural gas prices on the NYMEX had a volatile week, beginning with a 56.6-cent jump Monday and a 40-cent plunge Wednesday that was followed by a 39-cent rise Thursday and a 25-cent drop Friday to close the week at $5.62 per Mcf, down from $5.706 at Mondays close. After two very rough years in the oil business and a decade of low natural gas prices, we are pleased to see prices rise, Ben Shepperd, president, Permian Basin Petroleum Association, told the Reporter-Telegram by email, a day after hosting the associations 59th Annual meeting. I think what we are seeing is a combination of increased demand as the world tries to crawl out of COVID, trouble in Europe because of their struggles with intermittent energy sources and lower storage numbers because of decreased production over the last year, he continued. Tommy Taylor, assistant general manager and director of oil and gas development at Fasken Oil and Ranch, and chairman-elect of PBPA, said at the annual meeting that while he hopes prices dont get too high, he believes they are in a good place. He noted that natural gas prices had hovered in the $2 range for a number of years. Fasken currently is operating two rigs and will be adding a third, he said The price of oil is good, said Jeff Sparks, chief operating officer of Discovery Operating. Speaking amid the PBPA annual meeting, he said the stronger prices will help the economics of not only his new wells but older wells. The rise in natural gas prices will certainly help his legacy wells, he said. They arent big producers his newer wells will certainly produce more but the higher prices will make a big difference in keeping those wells active, he said. That is important not only for his company but the royalty owners and truckers that depend on those wells, Sparks said. Its important to me to do all I can to keep those wells going. I can do that with better prices, he said. Tim Dunn, chief executive officer of CrownQuest Operating, said after the PBPA annual meeting that prices are certainly better than a year ago. He also said he doesnt expect a significant impact on activity levels, explaining that most companies had hedged oil prices, and while current prices levels are providing more cash than projected, its not a lot. Dunn predicted that prices will have to stay at present levels for a year or two before operators significantly change their focus on capital discipline, which he said has been good for the industry. As for CrownQuest, Dunn said the company is sticking with the plan it has had in place for six years, which is to reach a plateau of 150 wells a year. I see no reason to change that, he said. PARIS (AP) Valentino gave its pared down fashion audience a taste of real Parisian life on Friday. Its show featured flower stands, traditional bistro chairs and tables at which guests, including singer Giveon and The Crown star Vanessa Kirby, were served wine by waiters. Members of the public stared on from real-life cafes in Le Marais outside the venue in disbelief. But they too got some of the action when, to vibrant applause, the models spilled out onto the real Parisian streets following the show in myriad sparkling, color-rich designs. Here are some highlights of Spring 2022 collections presented Friday: VALENTINO In the heart of Paris most fashionable and streetwise district Le Marais, Valentinos Pierpaolo Piccioli let his hair down. It made for a vibrant and varied collection entitled On the Streets of Paris. For spring, his aim was to show fashion as it should be - worn on the street. And that he did literally. There were gleaming gold sequins, eye-popping color, baggy jeans and sheeny Juliette sleeves that smacked of the 80s. This season, the Italian designer moved in a welcome disco-infused direction. Yet, the designs remained finessed despite the street-musing: One loose, menswear suit in emerald had a silk foulard collar in lavender flapping out delicately from underneath. Silken material ensured that this collection maintained a real sense of luxuriance throughout. (This is) street not meant as streetwear but conceived... as real life, clarified the house of Picciolis intentions. When the show ended, like true Parisians, guests were handed bouquets of local flowers sourced from real flower sellers in the Ile-de-France region, while the models strutted around the city streets to thunderous cheers. ISSEY MIYAKE IS SOFT The elasticity of water was the anchor for Issey Miyakes collection, which featured swimming caps and vividly colored hats resembling marine creatures. But it was shape in its purest form that began Fridays collection against a backdrop of minimalist square paneling. A sporty vest, pared-down and in pale pastel, set the spring tone. It was the top part of a dress whose skirt was constructed with flattened Japanese lanterns. This idea of flattened, three-dimensional shapes ran throughout the 40 looks. The lantern motif also reappeared on several key items one with the hole positioned on the models chest like a talisman. Instead of regular lantern ribbing, the Japanese house, which is known for its use of techno fabrics, employed elastic pleating to give the bottom of its lightweight dresses structure and bounce. The house called this the link rings motif. It was a soft and wearable display. RAF SIMONS SHE-WOLF OF WALL STREET Paris Fashion Week has for years now blurred the boundaries between mens and womens fashions. Raf Simons took this tried-and-tested theme for his spring show, but pushed a little further. This was a collection exploring androgyny in the corporate office -- the last place that would spring to mind as a non-binary safe space. It was a lot of fun. In the Bourse de la Commence, a finely tailored business-like jacket filed by above a gray skirt with a flounce cut on the bias. Models sported non-gender-specific, grunge-style hair the long styles that were all the rage in the mid-1990s. Simple oversize tops, and large swathes of bare fabric, added the Minimalist touch often associated with the Belgian designer, who once designed for Dior. But there was also a splashing of color that broke up the collection, which employed an otherwise mute palette. Red prints infused the front of a black jacket while blue text on a skirt looked almost like it had been sprayed on as graffiti. MCQUEEN RECRUITS PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTISTS With many houses still only a digital presence during Fashion Week, some are engaging in focused campaigns to promote their designs. Alexander McQueen is one. The brand launched a global art-fashion campaign this season in which it enlisted photographers to snap their popular Tread Slick book in a natural world setting. Photographers such as Katie Burnett, Max Farago, Gwen Trannoy and Charlie Gates took part in the project photographing the chucky soled boots by the water's edge, on rocks, next to flowers and covered in foam bubbles. It's probably as romantic as fashion week gets. ___ Thomas Adamson can be followed at Twitter.com/ThomasAdamson_K The Nonprofit Management Center presented the annual Beacon Awards, which honor nonprofit organizations, their staffs, programs and community partners. The event was held Thursday at the Odessa Marriott and Conference Center. The 2021 awards winners are: Excellence in Governing Board Leadership (board member) Nicole Lancto, Midland Festival Ballet Excellence in Organizational Leadership (CEO or executive director) Kristi Edwards, Centers for Children & Families Program Excellence Rays of Hope Childrens Grief Center, Hospice of Midland Excellence in Collaboration Midland Unified Command Team; City of Midland, Midland County Midland Health Department, Midland Health, Midland ISD Judge Pat Baskin Family Volunteer of the Year Award Audrey Curry, Adult Big Ideas for the Greater Good, Youth W.D. Noel Volunteer of the Year Award Kay Crow, Adult Vanessa Bustamante, Youth Outstanding Generations Graduate Britney Mann -- The Judge Pat Baskin Family and W.D. Noel Volunteer of the Year Awards are intended to increase awareness of the importance of volunteering in our community. The Judge Pat Baskin Family Volunteer of the Year Award is designed to acknowledge volunteers who are residents of Midland County, and the W.D. Noel Volunteer of the Year Award acknowledges Ector County residents. HOUSTON (AP) A former student of a Houston public charter school shot and wounded the campus principal Friday before quickly surrendering to police, authorities said. The 25-year-old man shot through a locked, glass door at YES Prep Southwest Secondary, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said. No students were hurt. Police initially identified the wounded as a school employee, but a statement from the YES Prep charter system later identified him as Principal Eric Espinoza. In a letter to students and families, YES Prep CEO Mark DiBella said Espinoza was grazed by a bullet from behind. He was taken to a hospital and was expected to be released Friday. We had an incredibly frightening day and are immensely grateful there were no life-threatening injuries, DiBella said in the letter. Police did not release the name of the shooter but said they were able to quickly identify him because he was a former student. Police also did not release a motive, but Finner said authorities were investigating whether the shooter and wounded man had any past interactions. The shooting happened at about 11:45 a.m. A line of students in masks streamed out of the school just before 1 p.m., holding their hands up to show officers they were not carrying a weapon. Multiple students told reporters in Spanish and English what they witnessed. Some said they saw blood while leaving the building, and others said they hid and blocked doorways with furniture like they had practiced in drills to survive a shooting. Parents could be seen having tearful reunions as they met their children in a parking lot near the school. You dont want anything like this to happen, Finner said, but I want to commend those students. Every student Ive seen coming out, they were calm. The administrators, the teachers, outstanding job. I want to commend them. ... They train for it. YES Prep Southwest Secondary serves students in sixth through 12th grades. The shooting Friday happened about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the site of one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. A then-17-year-old armed with a shotgun and a pistol opened fire at Santa Fe High School in May 2018, killing 10 people, most of whom were students. The suspect has been receiving mental health treatment at a state hospital since December 2019. Doctors say he remains incompetent to stand trial on state capital murder charges. He also faces federal charges in a sealed criminal case. A Texas judge has found Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones liable for damages in three defamation lawsuits brought by the parents of two children killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre over his claims that the shooting was a hoax. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble in Austin, home of Infowars, entered default judgments against Jones, Infowars and other defendants for what she called their flagrant bad faith and callous disregard of court orders to turn over documents to the parents' lawyers. The rulings were issued on Monday and released on Thursday. The cases now head to trial for juries to determine the amount of damages Jones and the other defendants will have to pay the families. The shooting at the Newtown, Connecticut, school on Dec. 14, 2012, killed 20 first-graders and six educators. The gunman, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, fatally shot his mother at their Newtown home before going to the school, and killed himself as police arrived. The shooting was portrayed on Jones Infowars show as a hoax involving actors aimed at increasing gun control. Jones has since acknowledged the school shooting did occur. Families of some of the school shooting victims sued Jones, Infowars and others in courts in Texas and Connecticut over the hoax conspiracy, saying they have been subjected to harassment and death threats from Jones' followers. The Connecticut cases remain pending. Jones and his attorney in Connecticut, Norman Pattis, criticized the Texas judge's ruling in a statement on the Infowars website. It takes no account of the tens of thousands of documents produced by the defendants, the hours spent sitting for depositions and the various sworn statements filed in these cases, they said. We are distressed by what we regard as a blatant abuse of discretion by the trial court. We are determined to see that these cases are heard on the merits. Jones' lawyers have denied the defamations allegations and argued his comments about the school shooting were protected by free speech rights. One of the Texas lawsuits was filed by Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah was killed in the shooting. The two others were filed by Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, whose son Jesse was killed. Several other families of the victims are suing on similar claims in Connecticut. Bill Ogden, a Houston lawyer representing the four parents in the Texas cases, said Jones and Infowars have failed to turn over documents for the past few years. He added such default judgments are rare. My clients have and continue to endure Defendants 5-year campaign of repulsive lies, Ogden said in a statement, which quoted the judge's ruling. We believe the Court hit this nail on the head when it considered Alex Jones and Infowars bad faith approach to this litigation, Mr. Jones public threats, and Jones professed belief that these proceedings are show trials. Guerra Gamble said in her rulings that she was defaulting Jones and the other defendants after an escalating series of admonishments by judges, monetary fines and other actions was ineffective in getting the defendants to turn over documents. In 2019, Jones was ordered by another Texas judge to pay $100,000 in legal fees to Heslin's lawyers for disregarding a court order to produce witnesses. Jones also was sanctioned in the Connecticut cases for violating numerous orders to turn over documents and for an angry outburst on his web show against an attorney for some of the victims' relatives. A judge barred Jones from filing a motion to the dismiss the case a ruling that was upheld after being appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear Jones' appeal in April. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) California will become the first U.S. state to require COVID-19 vaccinations for children to attend public and private schools in person in a mandate that could effect millions of students. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced that the coronavirus shot will be added to 10 other immunizations already required for school kids, including those for measles and mumps. Exemptions would be granted for medical reasons or because of religious or personal beliefs but the exemption rules haven't been written yet pending public comment. Any student without an exemption who refuses to get the vaccine would be forced to do independent study at home. We want to end this pandemic. We are all exhausted by it, Newsom said during a news conference at a San Francisco middle school after visiting with seventh graders. Vaccines work. Its why California leads the country in preventing school closures and has the lowest case rates," Newsom said. The mandate will be phased in as the U.S. government grants final vaccine approval for age groups. Currently, children 12 to 15 can only get the Pfizer vaccine under an emergency authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Vaccines for children 5 to 11 are still in the testing stage. Under California's mandate, students in seventh to 12th grades would have to be vaccinated by the semester following full U.S. approval of the shots for their age group, probably meaning by next July. It will be even longer for children in kindergarten through sixth grades. The mandate eventually will affect more than 6.7 million public and private school students in the nations most populous state. California already has a mask requirement for schoolchildren. Until now, Newsom had left the decision on student vaccine mandates to local school districts, leading to a variety of different orders. In Los Angeles, a vaccine mandate for eligible students is set to take effect in January. The announcement drew swift reaction from parents, including some who said they should have the final choice of whether to vaccinate their children. Im furious. On so many levels, said Jenny Monir, a Los Angeles mother of two who said she felt Newsom's mandate was made more for political than public health reasons. Were just pawns in an elite game. Janet Meadows, whose children are in first grade and preschool, said shed consider homeschooling her children before vaccinating them. The 41-year-old from Kern County said shes worried about the health effects of the not-yet-approved shots for children. I dont think we know enough about the vaccine to make our children get it, she said. Theres just a lot of unknowns. We dont need to rush into this right now. Others praised Newsom's announcement. Im delighted to see that were trying to get this health crisis under control, said Andrew Patterson, father of an elementary school student in San Francisco. And we have lots of other vaccine requirements. I dont see why this one would be any different. California has one of the highest vaccine rates in the country 84% of people 12 and older have gotten at least one shot, and 70% are fully vaccinated. But only 63.5% of children ages 12 to 17 have received a dose and the state has a vocal minority skeptical of both the vaccine and the governments assurances of its safety. Newsom has been one of the most aggressive governors on coronavirus restrictions, issuing the nations first statewide stay-at-home order in March 2020 that was soon followed by 41 other states. More recently, Newsom required Californias roughly 2.2 million health care workers and most state employees to get vaccinated to keep their jobs. The governor was emboldened after easily defeating a recall effort last month fueled by anger over his handling of the pandemic. He says he interpreted his landslide victory as an endorsement of his vaccine policies. Newsom hasnt backed all vaccine mandates, however. He recently opposed a requirement for prison guards that a federal judge imposed. Critics used that example to say Newsom is driven more by politics than science, noting the labor union of corrections officers had donated to his campaign to defeat the recall. California kids made the mistake of not giving millions to his campaigns, Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley tweeted Friday. Kiley was among 46 candidates who ran to replace the governor during the recall election. Newsoms announcement comes as COVID-19 infections in most of California have dropped markedly. The statewide positivity rate for the last week was 2.8%, and the average number of daily cases was about 6,355, roughly half what it was when the latest surge peaked in mid-August. Hospitalizations have fallen by 40%. In Los Angeles County the nations largest, with more than 10 million residents just 1.7% of people tested for the virus have it, and daily infections are down by half in the last month, when most kids went back to school. Californias largest teachers unions back the vaccination mandate, as does the California Association of School Boards. ___ Associated Press journalists Jocelyn Gecker and Haven Daley in San Francisco, Amy Taxin in Orange County and Terry Chea contributed. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) A flurry of laws passed by the Nevada Legislature earlier this year take effect on Friday ushering in reforms that Democratic lawmakers who have majorities in both the state Senate and Assembly have long campaigned to implement. Five years after the the state's voters approved legalizing recreational cannabis in Nevada, business owners can now apply for licenses to establish on-site consumption lounges, where adults can smoke, dab or eat THC-laced edibles that they buy. A law introduced by Assemblyman Steve Yeager that allows the Cannabis Compliance Board to start accepting applications takes effect on Friday. Once licensed, the lounges will become the first public places in Nevada where cannabis products can be consumed recreationally. The state's emerging cannabis industry has promoted the lounges for their economic development potential and pitched them as a draw for the millions of tourists who visit Las Vegas annually but can't legally use the products in places like hotels. The permitting system created under the new law prioritizes Black and Latino applicants who have been adversely affected by provisions of previous laws which criminalized activity relating to cannabis." A points-based system to score applicants was introduced after data showed the state's cannabis industry to be disproportionately white and male a finding that concerned lawmakers and advocates who said it pointed to the racial disparities in how drug offenses were prosecuted before legalization. Licensing fees for the lounges range from $10,000 to $100,000 but can be reduced for applicants affected by previous drug laws. Nevada is now among seven states that now permits cannabis lounges. Other new state laws taking effect: POLICE USE OF FORCE Following the 2020 protests after last year's police killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, lawmakers passed a bill changing the standards for when Nevada law enforcement officers can use deadly force. It requires departments to adopt de-escalation techniques as part of their training and use deadly force only when it is objectively reasonable under the circumstances. The law also limits police use of restraint chairs, restricts officers from shooting rubber bullets or tear gas indiscriminately to disperse protests and requires departments to routinely submit use-of-force reports to the state Attorney General. NO KNOCK WARRANTS After the death of Breonna Taylor during the police raid of her home in Kentucky, statehouses throughout the country moved to limit the kind of no-knock warrants that were the pretext used to enter the Black woman's home. In Nevada, a bill sponsored by Attorney General Aaron Ford that turns into law Friday narrows when departments can seek no-knock warrants to instances where they're necessary to prevent destruction of evidence or protect the safety of officers. Law enforcement agencies said the warrants were rarely issued or used in Nevada. Ford argued it was necessary to enshrine what was previously only police department policy into state law. PATTERN AND PRACTICE INVESTIGATIONS Another measure promoted by Ford expands his office's jurisdiction to investigate police misconduct. The Attorney General can now conduct pattern and practice investigations in light of alleged police misconduct to determine whether the misconduct stems from departmental policies, customs and culture or individual officers. Supporters said external oversight will help combat discriminatory patterns and practices, while opponents, including the union representing Las Vegas deputy sheriffs, decried it as political and unnecessary. PAY EQUITY AND TRANSPARENCY Employers can no longer ask job applicants about their salaries under a new law aimed at combatting gender-based inequity. Employers including private companies, governments and schools must not ask about salary histories and must specify a salary range for prospective workers under the new law, or face administrative penalties and fines of up to $5,000 from the state labor commissioner. DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS Tens of thousands of drivers have their licenses suspended annually in Nevada, most because they don't pay traffic tickets. Courts can no longer suspend the drivers licenses of people who dont pay fees, fines or traffic tickets under $5,000 under a new law. Democrats in support of the law said license suspensions disproportionately affected low income residents. Advocates said license suspensions often exacerbated problems, making it more difficult to maintain jobs and leading to mounting fees including one required to reinstate suspended licenses. The Department of Motor Vehicles will start sending postcards to drivers deemed safe who are eligible to have their licenses automatically reinstated under the new law, whether they can pay their fines and fees or not. ___ Sam Metz 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. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) As North Korea goes back to its pattern of pressuring South Korea to get what it wants from the United States, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un has emerged as the face of its campaign of mixing weapons demonstrations and peace offers. If long-stalled negotiations resume, U.S. and South Korean officials will likely find themselves dealing with Kim Yo Jong, whose promotion to a key government post this week formalized her status as her brothers top foreign policy official. ___ RISING STAR? Amid a freeze in nuclear diplomacy between Pyongyang and Washington, Kim Yo Jong shocked South Korea in June last year when she ordered the destruction of an empty, South Korean-built liaison office inside North Korea. Weeks later, she said North Korea would never reengage with Washington unless it takes irreversible steps to abandon its hostile policy mainly referring to economic sanctions against the North and U.S.-South Korea joint military drills. The North has maintained its position until now, while rejecting the Biden administration's offer to resume talks without preconditions. Recently however, Kim has taken center stage again, issuing two separate statements offering conditional talks with South Korea. At the same time, the North carried out its first known missile tests in six months. This week, she was named a member of the State Affairs Commission, a high-level decision-making body led by her brother. Kim Yo Jongs promotion likely reflects her brothers assessment that she is effectively performing her role as international spokesperson for the regime," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Seouls Ewha University. ___ NORTH KOREA'S NO. 2? Believed to be in her early 30s, she suffered brief setbacks in January when she lost her position as an alternative member of the ruling Workers Partys powerful Politburo and was demoted to vice department director of the party from her previous title of first vice department director. Experts speculated Kim Jong Un held her responsible for policy failures or he worried about her too rapid rise. Kim Yo Jongs entrance to the commission, an executive branch office that her brother created in 2016 after spending years consolidating his power, could further solidify her political standing, which South Koreas spy agency described as North Koreas No. 2. Her inclusion in the State Affairs Commission will lend further official weight to her statements as she will now be speaking as a foreign policy official formally put in charge to deal with Washington and Seoul, said Hong Min, an analyst at Seouls Korea Institute for National Unification. In a shakeup announced Thursday, First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Sun Hui, a veteran diplomat who has been deeply involved in the nuclear diplomacy with the U.S., was excluded from the commission. That shows Kim Yo Jong has her brothers full support in assuming a more decisive role in managing relations with Seoul and Washington, Hong said. In her new job, Kim Yo Jong will likely lead future North Korean delegations in talks with Seoul or Washington, said Kim Yeol Soo, an expert at South Koreas Korea Institute for Military Affairs. She could also be a special envoy to Washington, playing a role similar to her brothers top intelligence official who in 2018 helped set up a summit with then-President Donald Trump, the analyst said. In 2018, she became the first member of the Kim dynasty to travel to South Korea after the 1950-53 Korean War, attending the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics and meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in to convey her brothers desire for the two to meet. __ OLD PLAYBOOK? Analysts say North Korea is reviving its familiar playbook of combining missile tests and peace overtures to win outside concessions from the Biden administration, which has shown no willingness to ease sanctions unless Pyongyang makes progress on denuclearization. Starting Sept. 11, North Korea has tested a new cruise missile that could potentially carry nuclear warheads, launched a ballistic missile from a train as well as a hypersonic missile still being developed. On Friday, the North said it tested a new anti-aircraft missile, which some experts say was in response to South Koreas acquisition of advanced U.S. fighter jets. While offering talks, including an inter-Korean summit and the reconstruction of the destroyed liaison office, Kim Yo Jong said South Korea must first abandon double-dealing standards and hostile polices. Some observers say she wants South Korea to persuade Washington to relax the sanctions. She also wants South Korea to stop criticizing the Norths weapons development as part of efforts to get an international recognition as a nuclear power. North Korea has maintained a suspension on the testing of nuclear bombs and long-range missiles targeting the American homeland for more than three years, indicating it wants to keep its diplomatic options with Washington alive. Midland County Records A city of Midland employee was arrested Thursday on a warrant by Midland police for continuous sexual assault of a child. Matt Carr, a city engineer, was charged with continuous sexual assault of a child under 14, a first-degree felony charge. Being that its quite literally the largest state in the lower 48, it should come a surprise to none that Texas boasts more than a handful of superior Airbnb properties. And by handful, we mean several thousand. With options that range in variety from a stay in a historic estate renovated, designed and owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines to a beautifully appointed chapel to an Italian-style villa on a sheep farm and apparently even Texass own Serengeti (what?!), Texans need not ever leave home to find an adventure. That said, sometimes what you need is not really an adventure at all, but rather somewhere you can go to unplug and enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Somewhere where you arent totally inundated with work emails and text notifications. Im talking, like, out in the middle of nowhere which, to be fair, can be quite the adventure in and of itself. Especially in the Lone Star State. As fate would have it, middle-of-nowhere Texas, frankly not unlike the rest of Texas, just so happens to also be a hotspot for Airbnbs of both the opulent and eclectic variety. Below, a list of properties were currently coveting in varying degrees of off-the-gridness The Mining Ruin Lofthouses exterior Airbnb Mining Ruin Lofthouse Location: Terlingua Rooms: 1 Rating: 4.96 Vibe: Historic mining ruins in the desert get a quaint, Santa Fe-inspired makeover. Amenities: Unbeatable views of the Chisos Mountains and Big Bend National Park. Spacious porch with a day bed. Fire pit. Full kitchen. Outdoor shower. Other things to know: There is no wifi on the premises and the bathroom is separate from the house, but only a few steps from the back door. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: The most immersive West Texas stay Ive ever had. The place was cozy, well decorated, clean, and perfect for disconnecting a little. Betty was a generous host! View from the hunker living room Airbnb Modern Solar Home South of Marfa Location: Marfa Rooms: 2 Rating: 4.87 Vibe: Could be an architectural art installation. Amenities: World-class views. Near Chinati Hot Springs. Access to lots of great hikes. BBQ grill. Indoor fireplace. Prime stargazing. Other things to know: No cell service (though there is wifi), and when they say remote, they mean remote. There is a little store in Ruidosa in the event of an emergency, but do be sure to provision accordingly. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: Michael has managed to sustain a truly remarkable home in an environment not typically conducive to 5-star accommodations. Despite being well off the grid, the house includes thoughtful details that must have taken heroic amounts of time and energy to realize. This is an extraordinary place in the world run entirely on solar power and miles from other homes, and yet as relaxing as an ocean-front mansion. The Naturalist Boudoirs exterior Airbnb The Naturalist Boudoir Location: Lumberton Rooms: 1 Rating: 4.86 Vibe: Bohemian love shack in Costa Rica, but actually in Texas. Amenities: Outdoor hot tub and shower. Small patio and outdoor seating area. Lots of natural light. BBQ grill. Breakfast provided. Record player. Other things to know: The bed is suspended and swings. Thats it, thats the tweet. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: : Charming, wooded, private, romantic getaway. Our absolute favorite thing was the outdoor shower, and laying in bed looking out the big windows for signs of wildlife. Interior shot of the birdhouse Airbnb The Birdhouse by Skybox Cabins Location: Glen Rose Rooms: 2 Rating: 4.98 Vibe: Your childhood treehouse got an HGTV-worthy makeover. Amenities: Balcony. BBQ grill. Endless views of Texas hill country. Fire pit. Animals. Other things to know: To access the Birdhouse, you must climb the stairs up to a platform in a neighboring tree and then walk the cable bridge directly into the second-floor bedroom, so if youre afraid of heights do be aware. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: Absolutely loved it here! Its so beautiful and relaxing. The craftsmanship is amazing, and its close to Dinosaur Valley state park for hiking. Excellent hosts! A great vacation away from the hustle and bustle, 100% recommend. Wish I couldve stayed longer. View from the upstairs balcony of the hammock house Airbnb Hill Country Hammock House Location: Round Mountain Rooms: 1 Rating: 4.99 Vibe: A beautiful, mid-century modern McDonalds play place for adults. Amenities: Outdoor soak tub. Bedroom balcony with two-person hammock deck. Surrounded by lakes. Wifi. Outdoor fire pit. Near Longhorn Cavern State Park. Other things to know: Spiders, scorpions and grasshoppers are not uncommon on the property or in Texas country in general. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: The Hammock House is an incredible experience. Only an hour from Austin, you feel like youre the only person for a hundred miles. The house is extremely comfortable with a beautiful shower, bedroom and kitchen. The hammock porch and tub offer perfect places to star gaze or read. The treehouses interior, said to be a blend of Bauhaus contemporary and warm rustic elegance Airbnb An Extraordinary Treehouse Escape Location: Dallas Rooms: 2 Rating: 4.92 Vibe: Where you go to feel like youre off-the-grid, possibly in Southeast Asia, when youre not actually prepared to go totally off-the-grid. Amenities: In walking distance of White Rock Lake. Indoor fireplace. Wifi. Natural light. Secluded but technically still in the city. Lots of hanging plants. Other things to know: Weekday stays through December 2021 may be impacted by the noise of a neighboring construction site, though several reviewers report that the house is exceptionally well insulated. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: What. A. Place. Im surprised this house hasnt been featured on a Netflix show about most unique vacation rentals. Soon enough, Im sure! As soon as you pull into the property youre transported out of Dallas and and feel like youre in your own world. We found ourselves wanting to spend more time at the house than exploring the city. Hope to be back someday! The perfect setup to enjoy a fire from the comfort of your bed Airbnb The Glass Tiny Home Location: Hondo Rooms: 1 Rating: 4.99 Vibe: A tiny, glass garage, but make it chic. Amenities: An hour from San Antonio. Fire pit. Hot tub. Private pool. Little patio. Outdoor shower. High-speed wifi. BBQ grill. Other things to know: The deer and longhorns on the property are plentiful, so be prepared for sightings. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: Wow! Our stay at The Glass House was exceptional. The location is so quiet and peaceful. We enjoyed morning coffee on the patio while watching the birds and antelopes, afternoon soaks in the small private pool and nightly stargazing. The accommodations were quaint, comfortable and very welcoming. Devin and Sheri were easy to communicate with and made sure that everything exceeded our expectations. Twisted Horns Ridge is now our new favorite place to go when we want to escape to the Hill Country. We cant wait to return! An interior shot of the Falling Star Ranch Airbnb The Falling Star Ranch Location: Fredricksburg Rooms: 1 Rating: 4.89 Vibe: Couples wellness retreat on a ranch. Amenities: Hot tub. BBQ grill. Outdoor shower. Large deck and patio area. Indoor rock fireplace. Other things to know: Due to the ranchs location being outside in the hill country, you may have several critter encounters particularly in the warmer months. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: Absolutely amazing place. Quite & secluded yet still a quick 10-15 min drive to town. Exceptionally clean and comfortable. The patio area is stylish & inviting. We enjoyed everything this place has to offer, from the indoor fireplace stationed between the comfy bed and jacuzzi for 2, to the outdoor shower & hot tub. This is absolutely the best choice for your next romantic getaway. Living area at the Sycamore Treehouse Airbnb Sycamore Treehouse at HoneyTree Farm Location: Fredricksburg Rooms: 1 Rating: 5.0 Vibe: Like West Elm opened a design studio among the native pecan trees. Amenities: A walk-in rain shower and full size soak tub. Views of the Palo Alto creek. Strong wifi signal. HEPA air filter. Lots of natural light. Other things to know: Technically only three feet off the ground on one side, the treehouse is very accessible, though a steep creek bank gives the impression of being up high in the trees. An alternative to The Birdhouse. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: Just yes. Worth every penny. Perfect location and space, easiest check in/out, peaceful and short drive from so much of the areas finest attractions though, the space was so magical I didnt even want to experience much of anything else because that meant Id have to leave! I could go on but Ill leave it at this if you want peace and enjoy nature, this one is an absolute winner! The Butterfly Cottages exterior Airbnb The Butterfly Cottage Location: Red Rock Rooms: 1 Rating: 4.98 Vibe: A clean and contemporary ecophiles fort in the woods. Amenities: Access to miles of trails. An abundance of animals of both the wild and farm variety. Near the Circuit of the Americas F1 racetrack. An on-site Chartres-style Medieval labyrinth. Spacious deck right off of the bedroom. Other things to know: The cottage has neither a stove nor a microwave just a coffee machine, electric kettle, mini fridge and sink so be sure to pack non-perishable snacks. Actual thing a reviewer said about this house: Fantastic stay, exactly as described and exactly what we needed! The cottage is awesome, it was so nice to open up the garage-style door to bring the outside in. The hiking trails were so much fun, we really enjoyed walking the property. For more travel news, tips and inspo, sign up for InsideHook's weekly travel newsletter, The Journey. The post The 10 Best Off-the-Grid Airbnbs You Can Rent in Texas appeared first on InsideHook. Human resources departments at businesses across the face difficult questions regarding President Joe Bidens vaccine mandate. The mandate was enacted reduce the spread of COVID-19 among workers, but many businesses face hard questions regarding the vaccine mandate or testing requirements. Bidens new plan is a joint effort with the Labor Department to require all businesses with 100 or more employees to ensure their workers are either vaccinated or tested once a week. Companies could face thousands of dollars in fines per employee if they dont comply. Laura Miller, director of The Society for Human Resource Management, said that businesses are in a position they have never been before. What are things like this going to do the people within a business? Miller asked. Are they going to divide the coworkers one against each other? We are in a tightrope situation right now. The mandate would require workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or get weekly testing. The testing costs would not be covered by the federal government and would have to be paid for by either the employee or employer, Miller said. First and foremost the most important thing is the safety of our employees, Miller said But second is the cost of the testing to the businesses and employees because some of this might cost the employee money. Biden said in an address at the White House that people not receiving the vaccine are costing everyone else. We have been patient, but our patience is wearing thin, Biden said. Your refusal to get the vaccine has cost all of us. This weeks wanted The following are being sought on arrest warrants, according to various sheriffs departments. The addresses listed are the last known addresses provided by the warrants and may be outdated. Tristin N. Allen, 21, of 247 E. Wolcott St. is being sought on a warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court on an aggravated battery charge. He is a white male standing 5 foot 5 and weighing 160 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Krissa N. Gernigin, 19, of 1314 State St., Alton, is being sought on a warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court on a burglary charge. She is a white female standing 5 foot 5 and weighing 130 pounds. She has blond hair and green eyes. . Submit tips anonymously at tipsubmit.com, by calling 217-243-7300 or by text messaging CRIMES (274637) with payout as the first word of the tip. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Dallas M. Gregory, 25, of 1710 Linden St. was arrested at 7:51 p.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of West Morton Avenue on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine. Eric M. McCormick, 41, of 506 Seventh St., Manchester, was arrested at 7:51 p.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of West Morton Avenue on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Compiled by David C.L. Bauer SANAA, Yemen (AP) Clashes between Yemeni separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates and a rival splinter group in the southern port city of Aden killed at least 10 people including four civilians Saturday, security officials said. The fighting has taken place in Adens residential neighborhood of Crater, where the presidential palace and other government buildings are located, they said. It pits forces of the secessionist Southern Transitional Council against an armed religious group that was once part of the council, according to the officials. The armed group is led by Brig. Imam al-Noubi, a Salafi officer who commanded a faction of the separatist militia known as the Security Belt. He fell out with the council leader two years ago, according to one official. The officials said a dozen fighters were also wounded in the clashes, which had subsided by Saturday evening after the Security Belt deployed reinforcements, including armored vehicles, to the neighborhood. The Security Belt called for Craters residents to remain at their homes, as Adens security forces and counter-terrorism forces clear the area from some groups and terrorist hotbeds. Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire and shelling that hit apartment buildings. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media, and the residents did so for fear of reprisals. The Southern Transitional Council is an umbrella group of heavily armed and well financed militias propped up by the UAE since 2015. It hopes to restore an independent southern Yemen, which existed from 1967-1990. The council controls large swathes of territory in southern Yemen, including Aden, which serves as an interim capital of the internationally recognized government of exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. The clashes in Crater come two weeks after protests in Aden and other southern cities over dire living conditions amid an unprecedented drop in the value of the local currency, the rial. The rial lost 36% of its value in July, according to the U.N. humanitarian agency. One U.S. dollar trades at more than 1,000 rials in the black market. The currency collapse has made it difficult for most Yemenis to afford basic needs including food. Yemen has been convulsed by civil war since 2014, when Iran-backed Houthi rebels took control of the capital of Sanaa and much of the northern part of the country, forcing Hadis government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war in March 2015, backed by the United States, to try restore Hadi to power, and threw its support behind his internationally backed government. The conflict has deteriorated largely into a stalemate and spawned the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands of Yemenis live in famine-like conditions. More than 20 million of the countrys some 30 million people need some form of humanitarian aid, according to the U.N. By AHMED AL-HAJ Associated Press US envoy says climate summit can yield enormous progress View Photo MILAN (AP) U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Saturday he thinks enormous progress can be made at the upcoming U.N. climate talks in Scotland but more governments must come up with concrete commitments in the next 30 days. Kerry attended a preparatory meeting in Milan where delegates from around the world sought to identify where progress can be made before the U.N. climate change starts in Glasgow on Oct. 31. The 12-day summit aims to secure more ambitious commitments to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius with a goal of keeping it to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. The event also is focused on mobilizing financing and protecting vulnerable communities and natural habitats. The bottom line is, folks, as we stand here today, we believe we can make enormous progress in Glasgow, moving rapidly towards the new goals that the science is telling us we must achieve, Kerry said. That means achieving a 45% reduction in carbon emissions in the next 10 years. This is the decisive decade, Kerry said. Kerry, a former U.S. senator and secretary of state, said that countries representing 55% of the worlds gross domestic product Britain, Canada, Japan, the United States and the 27 European Union members have submitted plans that hit the 1.5 degrees target by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But the American diplomat also noted that the 89 new national submissions ahead of the summit would only cut emissions by 12%, and that the sum of all 191 submissions as they are currently written would increase emissions between now and 2030 by 16%. Kerry declined to single out any country but said there are ways to achieve lower emissions that arent that expensive, including organizing power grids and making transmissions more efficient. China is the worlds biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, and the United States is second. Kerry said U.S. President Joe Biden has had constructive talks on the subject with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Kerry also highlighted commitments by Indias leader to install 450 gigawatts of renewable power over the next decade. Glasgow, my friends, is around the corner. It is the starting line of the race of centuries and the race of this decade, he said. All countries have to sprint and join together to understand that we are all in this together. Kerry added This is the test of collective multilateralism to the highest level that I have seen in my public career. The European commissioner for climate action, Frans Timmermans, separately underlined the importance of meeting the $100 billion annual funding commitment to help vulnerable countries fight climate change during 2020-2025, as demanded by youth activists who met earlier in Milan. Timmermans said the financing needs going forward would be much greater than that amount and that public funding alone would not be able to cover the anticipated price tag, which runs in the trillions. Already the Earth has seen a 1 degree Celsius temperature change and unpredictable weather patterns that have destroyed harvests and killed livelihoods around the world, Timmermans said. So there can be no doubt in anybodys mind that we are fighting for the survival of humanity, and that the climate crisis and the threatening ecocide are the biggest threat humanity faces, Timmermans said. We need to change, and we need to change radically and we need to change fast. Thats going to be bloody hard. Thats the bad news. Alok Sharma, Britains president for COP26, said delivering on (the) $100 billion is absolutely a matter of trust. He also said the presence of youth delegates and activists, including Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate, ahead of the climate summit preparatory meetings had energized the process. As we go forward of the next few weeks and into COP, we must always keep the voices of the young people foremost in our minds and think about what their response would be to the outcomes that we reach, Sharma said. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change at https://apnews.com/hub/Climate-change. By COLLEEN BARRY Associated Press Illinois troopers expressway shooting death ruled suicide View Photo CHICAGO (AP) The death of an Illinois State Police trooper on a Chicago expressway has been ruled a suicide, the Cook County Medical Examiners office said Saturday. An autopsy found District Chicago Trooper Gerald Mason, 35, died of a gunshot wound to the head, the medical examiners office said. His age was initially reported as 36 on Friday by state police. The 11-year state police veteran died Friday shortly after the shooting around 2 p.m. on the inbound lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway on the citys South Side, authorities said. He was an amazing District Chicago trooper, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said during a news conference Friday evening. The troopers mother, Linda Mason, told the Chicago Sun-Times that her son had wanted to be an officer since he was a toddler. He was a Chicago native who dedicated his life to policing, she said. He was a sweetheart, and he loved everybody, she said. He just wanted to protect people and make this city and state better. On Thursday, the Illinois State Police announced it would more than double patrols in the Chicago area beginning Friday in response to a surge in shootings on expressways over the past two years. There have been more than 185 shootings on expressways in the region this year, according to the agency, compared to a total of about 130 shootings last year, and just over 50 in 2019. The Hereford Civic Center will be the site of a day-long discussion on the Ogallala aquifer paradigm on Oct. 27. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will mark the conclusion of Regenerate 2021 field days that have been hosted by Holistic Management International, the Quivira Coalition, and the American Grassfed Association. Discussion during the event will center on the inevitability of the Ogallala aquifer needing to be depleted to zero. The event is entitled Coming Together Around the Water Table. The lineup of speakers will address their experiences and philosophies of incorporating holistic management into strengthening the water future. HMIs Wayne knight will discuss support opportunities available to help producers test water saving principles on their land with minimal risk with the support of fellow producers. Richard Teague, Professor Emeritus of Grazing Ecosystems Ecology, will speak about his research with Planned Grazing and how it improves soil health and its sustainable base that helps improve ecosystem function and ranch/farm production. Francisco Abello, an agricultural economist from Texas A&M University, will discuss trends and implications of water shortages both locally and globally, highlighting crises, issues and challenges, plus achievable and established solutions. R.N. Hopper, a no-till farmer of Petersburg, and Chris Grotegut, a Hererford area farmer and rancher, will provide insight from their perspective. The day will include a field trip to Groteguts farm near dawn, allowing participants to see firsthand how he has accomplished savings and stabilized water levels. Advance registration for the session is now open until Oct. 20. The cost is $50, which includes lunch. To register, contact the Quivira Coalition office at 505-820-2544 or send an email to conference@quiviracoalition.org. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) Jurors hearing the case against U.S. Air Force airman Mark Gooch heard lengthy testimony Friday from a cellphone data expert who mapped the route that Gooch allegedly drove the day a Mennonite woman was kidnapped from northwestern New Mexico. Sasha Krause, who worked at a publishing ministry in the Mennonite community, was found more than a month later with a gunshot wound to the head in a forest clearing outside Flagstaff, Arizona. Gooch, 22, faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in her death. No DNA evidence, eyewitnesses or fingerprints tie Gooch to the crime. The prosecutor is asking the jury to look at various puzzle pieces that, when assembled, show Gooch traveled from Luke Air Force Base, where he was stationed in metropolitan Phoenix, to the Mennonite community in Farmington, New Mexico, where Krause was gathering materials for Sunday school when she disappeared. Testimony from Sev Dishman, a cellphone expert and retired Army sergeant major, took up much of the day Friday. He led jurors through an extensive presentation that explained types of cellphone data, concentration of cell sites and degree of accuracy for location data. Dishman acknowledged on cross-examination from Gooch's attorney, Bruce Griffen, that none of the evidence directly places Gooch at the church compound or in the forest, nor does it explain what happened at either location. The data puts Gooch's cellphone within a half-mile of the church and 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) from where Krause's body was found based on the phone's communication with cell sites, Dishman said. Gooch's phone also was the only device that communicated with the same sites as Krauses phone before her signal dropped off west of Farmington, Dishman said. The data created a path from the air base early on Jan. 18 past Flagstaff's snow-capped mountains and through the Navajo reservation, where receipts showed Gooch stopped for food and then for gas in Farmington. Two photos taken on Gooch's phone showed spots along Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff. Gooch's cellphone records indicated his phone was around the Mennonite church for a couple of hours before returning on the same route, but with a detour in the forest outside Flagstaff after midnight. Surveillance video at the base showed his car returned at about 7 a.m. the day after he left. Dishman explained gaps in the cellphone data by the lack of cell sites on the vast Navajo Nation and near Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument where a camper discovered Krause's body. Location data would be more accurate, he said, if a cellphone user had GPS on. Any location data produced by AT&T, which relies on assisted GPS, has to be corroborated, Dishman said. Both Krause and Gooch had AT&T service, he said. Records showed the Google location history from Gooch's phone had been deleted. Gooch had asked his brother, Samuel, to remotely wipe his phone and SD cards, cancel automatic payments and drain an account, according to a recorded jail conversation between them and testimony from Samuel Gooch earlier this week. Jurors are expected to hear the entire conversation between Mark Gooch and Coconino County Sheriff's Detective Lauren Nagele, who questioned him at the air base in April 2020, sometime next week. In the interview, Gooch acknowledged traveling to Farmington when Krause was reported missing. He said he had time for a long drive, wanted to stop at a ski resort outside Flagstaff and then decided to check out a Mennonite church service near Farmington since he already was hours into the weekend trip and craved the fellowship. He denied kidnapping or killing Krause. Gooch said he thought he returned to the air base around 2 a.m. the next day, according to the interview. No one else had access to his phone that day, he said, according to sheriff's records. There's no indication Gooch and Krause knew each other. Gooch grew up in a Mennonite community in Wisconsin but never officially joined the church. Krause, 27, taught school in Texas, where her parents still live, before moving to New Mexico. The trial continues Tuesday. The City of Plainviews tax rate is set at 0.8518/$100 valuation for the next fiscal year. City Council officially approved the rate this week during the first regular scheduled meeting at the new City Hall location. The tax on the average $100,000 homestead is $851.80 for the year. The rate marks a 1 cent increase from last years rate, which was originally proposed at the start of budget talks this summer. The increase covered the additional pay for the Police and Fire Department. The Council accepted the rate with a 6-1 roll call vote with Council member Teressa King voting against the increase. King has been vocal about not wanting to raise taxes throughout this budget process. Council members also voted unanimously to approve the FYI budget which includes a 3% cost of living adjustment for all city employees and a step pay increase for all eligible employees. The police and fire departments will also receive an additional 2% pay adjustment for a total of 5%, which is meant to improve retention and be generally more competitive in the recruitment pool. The budget also provides room for two full-time employees a utility billing manager and a director of economic development in partnership with Hale County and the Economic Development Corporation. The vote for the budget was also taken by roll call with everyone voting in favor of it. The council then unanimously approved a 3% step increase to the water conservation step rate structure. This is the rate paid for number of gallons used. It was emphasized that this is not base rate increase. The average home using 5,000 of gallons of water a month would see a $0.46 increase on their monthly bill. Mayor Charles Starnes noted during the meeting that the rates should be an incentive for water conservation. The council also approved the first reading of changes to an ordinance regarding junked vehicles. The change adds aircraft and watercraft to the list of what could be considered junked vehicles that cannot be parked in right-of-way view in residential zones. If a junked vehicle is on private property and its been inoperative for 30 days, notification will be given to the owner and to the property owner starting the clock on a 10-day period in which the vehicle owner must remove it or receive a citation. City Attorney Matt Wade said the changes to the ordinance, which is not new for the city, simply brings the ordinance up to date with current state laws. He emphasized to the council that the junked vehicle must meet a set list of criteria to be considered inoperable. He also noted that property owners have the right to appeal these citations in Municipal Court should they disagree. The council passed the first reading of this change unanimously. The second reading will likely be at the next City Council meeting. If the council passes it then, the changes to the ordinance will officially take effect. Following the presentation about the ordinance, the council approved the purchase of a new pumper truck for the Plainview Fire Department before going into a closed session and then adjourning immediately after. Other items approved during this meeting include authorization of the mayor to sign for a Texas Department of Transportation grant for a routine TxDOT maintenance project, a resolution denying Southwestern Public Service Companys proposed rate increase request, and previous meeting minutes. These items were approved together in one motion regarding the consent calendar. Plainview Austin Heights Empowerment And Development (Plainview AHEAD) is hosting its annual Walter Griffin Street Toy Drive from now through Dec. 1. The toys collected will be delivered to local children on Dec. 12 at the communitys annual Christmas party. Hundreds of San Antonians took to the streets of downtown as part of this year's nationwide "Ban Off Our Bodies" Women's March on Saturday. The protest intended to mobilize around a person's right to abortion access and reproductive rights. Spurred by the passing of Texas' most restrictive anti-abortion law to date and copycat bills across the country, the march mirrored dozens across the U.S. protesting Senate Bill 8's passing. The law bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy a period before many women know they are pregnant. It also does not make exceptions for rape and incest. The demonstrations come days before the start of a new term for the Supreme Court that will decide the future of abortion rights in the United States. Event organizers encouraged attendees to wear the color orange, a reference to Wendy Davis' 13 hour-long filibuster in 2013 to block Senate Bill 5, which detailed earlier restrictive abortion regulations for Texas. With SB 8 now Texas law as of September 1, an estimated 3,000 demonstrators in gathered at Milam Park for speeches, sign-making and voting rights advocacy. "We don't give a damn about your misogynist, patriarchal values, because we will rise," Kimiya Factory, an organizer with Black Freedom Factory, said to the gathering crowd. Jess Elizarraras/MySA Speeches included testimonials from Planned Parenthood South Texas' Mara Posada and Lilith Fund board member Amanda Reyna. "This march is monumental," Factory tells MySA. "The numbers we are seeing are indicative of the crisis that the state of Texas is in legally. It's important we show up in numbers to send the state of Texas a message that our bodies are our bodies and our rights to that will not change regardless of any legislation passed." Mother Lucy Lopez, 38, brought her 14-year-old daughter Maci Koch to show her abortion should be accessible and legal. She tells MySA women should have a right to make a choice. "The law is limiting and forcing women to be in situations that they don't need to be in," Lopez said while holding tears back. "It's too restrictive of a ban and a law that is reasonable." John-Paul Garrigues for MySA John Campa, 49, brought his 10-year-old nephew and 11-year-old niece to teach them about using their voices to support their beliefs. "I'm trying to teach them government overreach," Campa said. "I don't think that it's right that a woman can't choose what she wants with her body. I don't think the government should have a say so." San Antonian Vanessa Martinez, 45, spoke to the crowd regarding SB8, saying it's made people feel like they can't talk to anybody. SB8 allows private citizens to sue anyone helps someone receive an abortion. "That's intentional," she said to the crowd. "Greg Abbott is intentionally shaming women and silencing them, and other Texans that need abortions. Every Texan that needs an abortion should not be silent. They should not be ashamed." Since SB8's passing, the Texas Legislature has also passed SB4 during its latest special session. SB4 limits mail-order access to abortion-inducing pills. John-Paul Garrigues for MySA Joaquin Castro shared his thoughts on the protest, saying, "Inspiring to see so many San Antonians taking a stand for the right to control their own bodies." *The story has been updated to reflect the correct size of the crowd. The threatened species, known as the "horny toad," or horned lizard, is reproducing in Texas. Horned lizards are not yet an endangered species but aren't as plentiful in some areas where they once thrived, and they are threatened by loss of habitat, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. TPWD has been working to bring back the species in Texas with breed-and-release programs at zoos, private landowners, and conservation groups across the state. On Thursday, September 30, TPWD announced on Facebook it released a batch of Texas horned lizards raised at the San Antonio Zoo into the wild, near Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area west of Llano. The zoo hopes to release even larger numbers of slightly older horned lizards in the spring, TPWD stated. The Texas horned lizard or "horny toad" is a flat-bodied and fierce-looking lizard, according to TPWD. The head has numerous horns, all of which are prominent, with two central head spines being much longer than any of the others. This lizard is brownish with two rows of fringed scales along each side of the body. On most Texas horned lizards, a light line can be seen extending from its head down the middle of its back. It is the only species of horned lizard to have dark brown stripes that radiate downward from the eyes and across the top of the head. They can be found in arid and semiarid habitats in open areas with sparse plant cover. They commonly are found in loose sand or loamy soils as horned lizards dig for hibernation, nesting, and insulation purposes, according to TPWD. (Natural News) In this new episode of Lawfare, Tom Renz speaks with Ana Garner about mobilizing individuals in fighting the tyranny of the Biden administration. They also discuss how the NIH has funded the coronavirus outbreak that began in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The theory that the COVID-19 pandemic was sparked by the escape of a virus from a Chinese laboratory increased tensions between Washington and Beijing. It also raised questions about the possibility of the U.S. funding for bat coronavirus research at the lab being put in the middle of the controversy. U.S. Senator Rand Paul has repeatedly accused the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) director, Anthony Fauci of lying about the countrys financing of gain-of-function research that enhanced bat viruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, suggesting that Fauci has been complicit since the beginning of the pandemic. Paul implied that Fauci misled the Congress during his testimony in May, where he said that the U.S. never funded a gain-of-function project at the institute. Paul said that Fauci stated that the NIH never and does not now fund gain-of-function research, yet it was done entirely in the Wuhan institute with funds from the NIH. However, records show that the grant, which was first awarded in 2015 and renewed in 2020, went to EcoHealth Alliance, a global environmental health nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and public health from the emergence of disease. The project aimed to include characterizing coronaviruses present in the populations of southern China, and conducting surveillance to detect spillover events of such viruses to people. Renz and Garner also speak about the comparisons of the tyranny in handling COVID-19 to Hitler and the Nazis, saying that those who opposed stay-at-home requirements early in the pandemic charged state officials with behaving like Hitler and imposing Nazi-style orders, where non-essential workers got put on a train to be killed. In this same sense, Garner noted that the government is saying the unvaccinated individuals are carriers of the COVID-19 disease, but this is not necessarily true, as many vaccinated individuals are still carrying breakthrough variants of the virus. Use of COVID-19 vaccine for children can be dangerous One area of concern for Garner is the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines for children 12 to 15 years of age, which can be dangerous, considering the adverse effects that the vaccines can have on adults. The FDA approval could also mean big changes in terms of vaccine requirements for students and workers. At least five routine childhood vaccines have been previously required for children attending school or childcare, and those shots have been fully approved by the FDA. Hemi Tewarson, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy said that the COVID-19 vaccine is a little different from others because of the way that it was developed. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now available for children ages 12 and older in the United States, but the company said that it expects to have trial data on children ages 5 to 11 by the end of September, and have those vaccines authorized for the younger ages shortly after. They are also looking into vaccines for children as young as two years old. All these are concerning for Garner, who says that the dangerous jab tore her up, knowing that it is a depopulation agenda that the people are facing. Whether for children or for adults, taking the vaccine is a risk for people who may experience adverse effects, whether they are children or adults. (Related: CovidVaccineVictims.com documents heartbreaking stories of vaccine injures, deaths. Through her organization, New Mexico Stands Up!, Garner is working with fellow lawyers to protect the rights of individuals through public interest legal action and to provide additional support to people who are facing the loss of health freedom due to the dangerous vaccine mandates that the Biden administration is pushing for. Listen to Tom Renzs and Ana Garners conversation about the COVID-19 virus, vaccines, and possible legal actions to stop the government from suppressing medical freedom at Lawfare with Tom Renz, Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. on Brighteon.TV. Sources include: Brighteon.com SCMP.com News.Yahoo.com (Natural News) A Maryland pharmacy accidentally injected a 4-year-old girl with a COVID-19 vaccine instead of the flu shot she was scheduled to receive. On September 18, Victoria Olivier brought her daughter Colette to a Walgreens in the Baltimore area for their familys seasonal flu shot. Ahead of the appointment, her mother struck a deal with her that she would receive a treat if she cooperated, so she eagerly volunteered when the pharmacist asked who in their family wanted to go first. However, the mood quickly changed when the pharmacist realized that she had accidentally given the young girl a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine instead of the flu shot. The vaccine has not been authorized for children younger than 12. Although Pfizer has been seeking federal clearance to give its vaccine to elementary school-aged children, that clearance would pertain only to children ages 5 to 11 and they would be given just a third of the dosage that has been administered to adults and children aged 12 and older. However, in the initial stages of vaccine development at the pharmaceutical giant, researchers evaluated dosages of 10, 20 and 30 micrograms in three age groups. They ultimately decided on a lower dosage level but did test the amount that was given to Colette in the first stage of their study. Victoria Olivier said that they were all stunned by the pharmacists admission and that no one knew what to do. She began to fear that her daughter might need to go to the hospital or could develop life-threatening side effects from getting an adult dose. She sought advice from a 24/7 nurses hotline and the Poison Control Center but was unable to get straight answers about what might happen to the girl. So far, she has not shown any major side effects. However, Johns Hopkins Division Of Pulmonary And Critical Care Medicines Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos said that the dose does play a role in side effects. As the child receives a higher dose, he said, the probability of side effects increases. Although he believes the probability of harm is low overall, he said: It got our attention, [the] human error, now we investigate how likely the dire outcome is. He added that the girl should undergo close monitoring and follow up with health care professionals. When these types of mistakes come into the spotlight, he said, it can help prevent future occurrences. FDA hopes the girl will still get her flu shot The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of the incident, yet they somehow believe that the young girl should go back and get her flu shot despite what happened. A representative of the FDA said that vaccination providers must report administration errors to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. They added: FDA has not evaluated data pertaining to the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for use in children younger than 12 years of age, nor has FDA approved or authorized the vaccine for emergency use for this pediatric population. We are glad to hear that the child is doing well and hope that she eventually received her flu vaccine. Walgreens spokesperson Phil Caruso told the media that these mistakes are extremely rare. We are in touch with the patients family and we have apologized. Our multistep vaccination procedure includes several safety checks to minimize the chance of human error. Weve recently reviewed this process with our pharmacy staff in order to prevent a future occurrence, Caruso said. Despite their worries about what may happen to the girl because of the vaccine mistake, the Olivier family has said that they are not planning to file a complaint about the incident with the Maryland Board of Pharmacy. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk SeattleTimes.com FoxNews.com (Natural News) Dr. Bryan Ardis tells his viewers that there is a cheap and effective drug approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that can treat a Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infection: ivermectin. Ardis shares a document from the NIH website showing ivermectin as one of the three drugs in a chart titled Characteristics of Antiviral Agents that are Approved or Under Evaluation for the Treatment of COVID-19. The other drugs in the chart are remdesivir and nitazoxanide. It is an extremely important chart. Everybody needs to have it, says Ardis in The Dr. Ardis Show on Brighteon.TV. If you have a loved one battling COVID-19 at a hospital, Ardis says you can take a copy of that chart and show the doctors that ivermectin is an approved drug to treat the disease. You will save the life of your loved ones and can hold the hospitals accountable to the doses the doctors cant tell you they dont know how to use that drug, the NIH tells you how to use that drug, Ardis points out. That chart could have saved the life of Veronica Wolski, a known patriot from Chicago who died from COVID-19 at AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center. According to her friend, Nancy Ross, Wolski had been asking the hospital for ivermectin but her requests had been repeatedly denied. Remdesivir is an antiviral medication that targets a range of viruses. Coronaviruses have genomes made up of ribonucleic acid (RNA). Remdesivir interferes with one of the key enzymes the virus needs to replicate RNA, preventing the virus from multiplying. However, many patients who received remdesivir have developed multiple organ failure and/or acute kidney failure. Those severe adverse effects are actually listed in the NIH chart. Ardis shares another document that can help explain why hospitals prefer treating COVID-19 patients with remdesivir. This chart, titled New COVID-19 Treatments Add-On Payment (NCTAP), is from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. Through the NCTAP, the Medicare program provides an enhanced payment for eligible inpatient cases that use certain new products with current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval or emergency use authorization to treat COVID-19. The only drug that falls under that category is remdesivir. That enhanced payment refers to a 20 percent bonus payout given to hospitals for all COVID-19 patients they select to treat with remdesivir over any other drug. They are actually bribing the hospitals and the doctors to select remdesivir, says Ardis, noting that the CMS is currently paying out $2,400 for a five-day treatment of remdesivir. Meaning, hospitals are getting $480 extra for every patient they put under the remdesivir protocol. For the sake of comparison, ivermectin is less than $2 per tablet. For the uninitiated, the only treatment for the disease approved by the FDA involves remdesivir. It is approved for use in adults and children at least 12 years old who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms). Ivermectin proven safe and effective Severe adverse effects, bribery and huge difference in price aside, Ardis says remdesivir is simply not as effective as ivermectin in treating COVID-19 patients. Ivermectin is proven safe and effective. It has never killed anybody or caused acute renal failure. This is a very much approved drug. On June 1, the Desert Review reported that ivermectin significantly reduced the COVID-19 infections in Delhi, India, which has a population of over 30 million. Delhi health authorities began treating patients with ivermectin on April 20. At the time, it was dealing with nearly 30,000 new cases daily. By the end of May, COVID-19 cases in the metropolitan area plummeted to less than 1,000 new cases per day. (Related: Widespread ivermectin use has caused a 97% drop in coronavirus cases in Delhi, India.) WHO not sold on remdesivir Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a conditional recommendation against the use of remdesivir in hospitalized patients, regardless of disease severity, as there is no evidence that remdesivir improves survival and other outcomes in patients. The recommendation is part of a living guideline on clinical care for COVID-19. It has been developed by an international guideline development group, which includes 28 clinical care experts, four patient-partners and one ethicist. Budesonide more effective than remdesivir Budesonide is another more effective and less risky treatment for COVID-19 compared to remdesivir. Researchers at the University of Oxford have found that early treatment of inhaled budesonide reduced the need for urgent care and hospitalization in people with COVID-19 by as much as 90 percent. The study has also found that inhaled budesonide given to patients with COVID-19 within seven days of symptoms reduces recovery time. Participants allocated the budesonide inhaler has had a quicker resolution of fever, symptoms and fewer persistent symptoms after 28 days. The study has also demonstrated that theres a reduction in persistent symptoms in those who received budesonide. Doctors have prescribed budesonide for more than 20 years as preventive medicine for asthmatics. Dr. Richard Bartlett, a strong proponent of the drug, has written a paper with case reports describing favorable outcomes for two of his patients with the regimen. A lab study in the U.S. has also shown that budesonide inhibited the ability of a coronavirus to replicate and inflame the airways. Watch the Sept. 29 episode of The Dr. Ardis Show here: You can catch new episodes of The Dr. Ardis Show with Dr. Bryan Ardis every Wednesday at 10-11 a.m. on Brighteon.TV. Follow Pandemic.news for more news and information related to the coronavirus pandemic. Sources include: Brighteon.com Covid19TreatmentGuidelines.NIH.gov CMS.gov TheDesertReview.com (Natural News) Arizonas Maricopa County has recently become a battleground for election integrity due to the ongoing audit there. In light of this, journalist and podcast host Ann Vandersteel headed to the Arizona State Capitol to talk about what has transpired there as of writing. She tackled the election audit during the Sept. 28 edition of her show Steel Truth on Brighteon.TV alongside her guests. Vandersteel says: So much history is being made right here in the state capitol of Arizona. Who knew the most corrupt county in the country would be playing out in real time? The drama is absolutely high, the suspense is epic. But you know what, America? This is how We The People get [things] done. She adds that the domino in the state capitol in Phoenix will tip the rest of the country to do the right thing. Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake then shares her thoughts about the election audit with Vandersteel. The erstwhile news anchor turned Republican candidate remarks mainstream medias refusal to acknowledge the audits findings that suggest evidence of widespread fraud. The corrupt media never does the right thing and they always tell half-truths, which [is] really a fancy word for lies. They have the attention span of a gnat, that they werent able to listen to what came out of the report and bring the facts to the people, Lake says. What we found was that [President] Joe Biden won if youre counting hundreds of thousands of fraudulent votes, Lake adds. So they put the half-truth in there. Joe Biden won, but they left out if you count maybe hundreds of thousands of fraudulent votes.' Vandersteel agrees with this, comparing it to being given $100 in $20 bills but with the $20 bills being counterfeit. Obviously, state laws [and] election laws were broken, Lake adds. There was no way that this could have even been certified with what we knew, yet it was certified by our secretary of state and our governor. They said it was a perfect election but it was a shoddy, shaky [and] fraudulent election and we all know that. (Related: Jeff and Shady criticize mainstream media for trying to condition the minds of Americans ahead of Arizonas election audit Brighteon.TV.) Vandersteel also touches on Sharpiegate Vandersteel also touches on the Sharpiegate issue in her program. The matter involves Arizona residents claiming that the use of Sharpie permanent markers has resulted in the ink bleeding through and damaging ballots. Maricopa County residents whose ballots were invalidated by the use of Sharpie markers have taken the county to court as a result, Fox News reports. Entrepreneur Jovan Hutton Pulitzer then introduces the concept of kinematics to Vandersteel and relates its role to the ongoing audit. He says: Kinematic artifact detection basically means looking at the physical evidence [and] the historical evidence of the vote that is the ballot. If you look at the paper, then you can understand what happened. Pulitzer reiterates that kinematic analysis looks at the ballots alone, not the counting machine. You can always manipulate the machine, so we look at the paper. Youre looking at the physical to determine what happened in the virtual, he says. The entrepreneur also points out that there have been more than 10,000 duplicate votes cast, a fact which is in the audit summary. According to Pulitzer, the fraudulent votes often have the same name, phone number, address but with a different voter ID. Not only did they vote multiple times, but they [also] voted across different precincts [and] different counties. Thats where the crimes occur, he adds. (Related: Patrick Byrne talks election fraud with Clay Clark Brighteon.TV.) Pulitzer tells Vandersteel that kinematics helps expose crimes, with him using it to expose one of the cons that Arizona put in place to help this [fraud] occur. He notes that prior to the 2020 presidential elections, Sharpie markers were forbidden as their ink bled through the paper and rendered the ballot invalid. Arizona State Secretary Katie Hobbs then makes a special announcement. She says that the state will print its ballots on a special paper optimized for Sharpie markers for the upcoming election, ostensibly to avoid ink bleed-throughs. Aside from this, the ballots columns would be moved to prevent any ink bleeding through from touching other spots. However, Arizona purportedly had different plans when Nov. 3, 2020, arrived. The new ballots have not been printed on the special paper, and they have been printed without the calibrations moving the columns to their old spots. Sharpies have also been passed to voters, rendering their votes uncountable in the machines and leading to the fiasco in Arizona. Click here to watch the full Sept. 28 episode of Steel Truth with guests Kari Lake, Jovan Hutton Pulitzer and Joe Oltmann. Steel Truth airs Mondays to Fridays, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, on Brighteon.TV. VoteFraud.news has more about the ongoing election audit in Arizona. Sources include: Brighteon.com FoxNews.com (Natural News) In every place where wearing a mask is required by the government, the number of people dying with the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) is substantially higher compared to places where people have returned back to living their normal, pre-covid lives. In Oregon, for instance, where wearing a mask is something of a fetish, the number of active cases of the Chinese Virus is skyrocketing. Since August 24 when Gov. Kate Brown reinstated a statewide mask mandate, Wuhan Flu cases have soared by 73 percent. Cases and hospitalizations are at a record high, Brown admitted in a statement while also praising masks for being really progressive. Masks are a quick and simple tool we can immediately deploy to protect ourselves and our families, and quickly help stop further spread of COVID-19, she added without providing a shred of proof to back these claims. The situation is similar in South Korea, another mask haven. Despite 99 percent mask compliance, Fauci Flu cases in the Asian country have seen record highs for the past three months straight. Singapore is also seeing a spike in new cases thanks to its mask mandate. That country is on day 527 of a continuous mask mandate and 82 percent of its population is now fully vaccinated, and yet sicknesses and deaths are higher than they have ever been since the beginning of the plandemic. Pretty incredible feat of media gaslighting that no one is asking politicians and experts how they can continue justifying mandates, tweeted a person who shared these and other statistics for the world to see. Unmasked Orange County is doing better than masked Los Angeles County In the United States, Minnesota, of all places, is currently seeing the most new cases emerge compared to any other state including Florida, which we were all told would be a giant morgue thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis pro-freedom policies. It turns out that DeSantis was right, and whoever runs Minnesota is wrong. Freedom is the best policy, and it just so happens that freedom saves more lives than tyranny ever has. Orange County, Calif., is another shining example of how freedom is the best way to go. While next-door Los Angeles County brought back its mask mandates and is now pushing vaccine passports, it is seeing much more sickness, misery, and death compared to unmasked Orange County. I dont know if Ill ever get over that LA mandates masks 2+ months ago, neighboring Orange County didnt mandate masks, yet the county without a mandate did better and followed the same trajectory, the same Twitter user wrote about this comparison. If sanity & science still existed, wed be done pretending masks matter. Arizona and Nevada offer another side-by-side look at the benefits of freedom over fascism. Fully open and mask-free Arizona, it turns out, is far outperforming the masked Branch Covidian land of Nevada. And finally, Denmark. The European country recently ended all covid restrictions and returned completely back to normal, and since that time covid itself has all but disappeared. Once again, freedom is the best remedy. Freedom makes people healthier, happier and more resistant to diseases that spread through the air, as well as those that spread through the government and the mainstream media. None of this is to say that mask mandates have no effect, writes Selwyn Duke for The New American. In fact, studies have found that masks become as pathogen-laden Petri dishes on peoples faces, can restrict oxygen intake and induce dangerously high carbon dioxide levels in peoples bloodstreams, may introduce unhealthful plastic microparticles into wearers systems, can cause skin problems, may exacerbate anxiety and breathing difficulties in children, and can lead to altered facial development in kids due to continuous mouth-breathing. Chinese Virus tyranny is the real pandemic. To keep up with the latest, visit Fascism.news. Sources for this article include: TheNewAmerican.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Last week, Michael A. Sussmann, a partner in Perkins Coie, a law firm representing the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of making false statements to the FBI about his clients and their motives behind planting the rumor, at the highest levels of the FBI, of a secret Trump-Russia server. After a months-long investigation, the FBI found no merit to the rumor. (Article by Paul Sperry republished from RealClearInvestigations.com) The grand jury indicated in its lengthy indictment that several people were involved in the alleged conspiracy to mislead the FBI and trigger an investigation of the Republican presidential candidate including Sullivan, who was described by his campaign position but not identified by name. The Clinton campaign project, these sources say, also involved compiling a digital dossier on several Trump campaign officials including Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, George Papadopoulos, and Carter Page. This effort exploited highly sensitive, nonpublic Internet data related to their personal email communications and web-browsing, known as Internet Protocol, or IP, addresses. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan figures prominently in a grand jury investigation run by Special Counsel John Durham into an alleged 2016 Hillary Clinton campaign scheme to use both the FBI and CIA to tar Donald Trump as a colluder with Russia, according to people familiar with the criminal probe, which they say has broadened into a conspiracy case. Sullivan is facing scrutiny, sources say, over potentially false statements he made about his involvement in the effort, which continued after the election and into 2017. As a senior foreign policy adviser to Clinton, Sullivan spearheaded what was known inside her campaign as a confidential project to link Trump to the Kremlin through dubious email-server records provided to the agencies, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. To mine the data, the Clinton campaign enlisted a team of Beltway computer contractors as well as university researchers with security clearance who often collaborate with the FBI and the intelligence community. They worked from a five-page campaign document called the Trump Associates List. The tech group also pulled logs purportedly from servers for a Russian bank and Trump Tower, and the campaign provided the data to the FBI on two thumb drives, along with three white papers that claimed the data indicated the Trump campaign was secretly communicating with Moscow through a server in Trump Tower and the Alfa Bank in Russia. Based on the material, the FBI opened at least one investigation, adding to several others it had already initiated targeting the Trump campaign in the summer of 2016. The indictment states that Sussmann, as well as the cyber experts recruited for the operation, coordinated with representatives and agents of the Clinton campaign with regard to the data and written materials that Sussmann gave to the FBI and the media. One of those campaign agents was Sullivan, according to emails Durham obtained. On Sept. 15, 2016 just four days before Sussmann handed off the materials to the FBI Marc Elias, his law partner and fellow Democratic Party operative, exchanged emails with the Clinton campaigns foreign policy adviser concerning the Russian bank allegations, as well as with other top campaign officials, the indictment states. The sources close to the case confirmed the foreign policy adviser referenced by title is Sullivan. They say he was briefed on the development of the opposition-research materials tying Trump to Alfa Bank, and was aware of the participants in the project. These included the Washington opposition-research group Fusion GPS, which worked for the Clinton campaign as a paid agent and helped gather dirt on Alfa Bank and draft the materials Elias discussed with Sullivan, the materials Sussmann would later submit to the FBI. Fusion researchers were in regular contact with both Sussmann and Elias about the project in the summer and fall of 2016. Sullivan also personally met with Elias, who briefed him on Fusions opposition research, according to the sources. Sullivan maintained in congressional testimony in December 2017 that he didnt know of Fusions involvement in the Alfa Bank opposition research. In the same closed-door testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, he also denied knowing anything about Fusion in 2016 or who was conducting the opposition research for the campaign. Marc [Elias] would occasionally give us updates on the opposition research they were conducting, but I didnt know what the nature of that effort was inside effort, outside effort, who was funding it, who was doing it, anything like that, Sullivan stated under oath. Sullivan also testified he didnt know that Perkins Coie, the law firm where Elias and Sussmann were partners, was working for the Clinton campaign until October 2017, when it was reported in the media as part of stories revealing the campaigns contract with Fusion, which also produced the so-called Steele dossier. Sullivan maintained he didnt even know that the politically prominent Elias worked for Perkins Coie, a well-known Democratic law firm. Major media stories from 2016 routinely identified Elias as general counsel for the Clinton campaign and a partner at Perkins Coie. To be honest with you, Marc wears a tremendous number of hats, so I wasnt sure who he was representing, Sullivan testified. I sort of thought he was, you know, just talking to us as, you know, a fellow traveler in this in this campaign effort. Although he acknowledged knowing Elias and his partner were marshaling opposition researchers for a campaign project targeting Trump, Sullivan insisted, They didnt do something with it. In truth, they used the research to instigate a full-blown investigation at the FBI and seed a number of stories in the Washington media, which Elias discussed in emails. Lying to Congress is a felony. Though the offense is rarely prosecuted, former Special Counsel Robert Mueller won convictions of two of Trumps associates on charges of that very offense. An attorney for Sullivan did not respond to questions, while a spokeswoman for the National Security Council declined comment. After the 2016 election, Sullivan continued to participate in the anti-Trump effort, which enlisted no fewer than three Internet companies and two university computer researchers, who persisted in exploiting nonpublic Internet data to conjure up derogatory information on Trump and his associates, according to the indictment. Prosecutors say the operation ran through at least February 2017, when Sullivan met with another central figure in the plot to plant the anti-Trump smear at the FBI. But now the goal was to compel agents to continue investigating the false rumors in the wake of the election, thereby keeping Trumps presidency under an ethical cloud. On Feb. 10, 2017, Sullivan huddled with two Fusion operatives and their partner Daniel Jones, a former FBI analyst and Democratic staffer on the Hill, to hatch the post-election plan to resurrect rumors Trump was a tool of the Kremlin. As RealClearInvestigations first reported , the meeting, which lasted about an hour and took place in a Washington office building, also included former Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. The group discussed raising money to finance a multimillion-dollar opposition research project headed by Jones to target the new president. In effect, Jones operation would replace the Clinton campaigns operation, continuing the effort to undermine Trump. Its not clear if Sussmann attended the Feb. 10 meeting, but he was apparently still involved in the operation, along with his crew of data miners. The day before the meeting attended by Sullivan, Sussmann paid a visit to the CIAs Langley headquarters to peddle the disinformation about the secret server this time to top officials there, according to the sources familiar with Durhams investigation. During a roughly 90-minute meeting, Sussmann provided two officials at the intelligence headquarters updated documents and data hed provided the FBI before the election, RealClearInvestigations has learned exclusively. Then, on March 28, 2017, Jones met with the FBI to pass on supposedly fresh leads he and the cyber researchers had learned about the Alfa Bank server and Trump, and the FBI looked into the new leads after having closed its investigation a month earlier. That same month, FBI Director James Comey publicly announced the bureau was investigating possible coordination between Moscow and the newly sworn-in presidents campaign. Despite the renewed push by Jones, the FBI debunked the tip of a nefarious Russian back channel. Agents learned the email server in question wasnt even controlled by the Trump Organization. It wasnt true, Mueller confirmed in 2019 testimony. Read more at: RealClearInvestigations.com and Conspiracy.news. (Natural News) In the weeks and months after the death of George Floyd a vicious and malicious cancel culture purge swept academia, with professors who expressed views not in complete sync with radical campus opinion being subjected to firings and attempted firings, harassment and intimidation, and defamation. (Article by William A. Jacobson republished from LegalInsurrection.com) Some of the cases we covered in that time period included St. Josephs Math Professor Gregory Manco, Harvard Law Professor Adrian Vermeule, Cornell Chemistry Prof. David Collum, UCF Psychology Prof. Charles Negy, U. Chicago Geophysicist Prof. Dorian Abbot, McGill Univ. Anthropology Emeritus Prof. Philip Carl Salzman, U. Miami Law Prof. Dan Ravicher, USC Business Prof. Greg Patton, Princeton Classics Prof. Joshua Katz, several Skidmore College professors, University of North Texas Music Theory Prof. Timothy Jackson, Michigan State Physics Prof. Stephen Hsu, and of course, me. Since then, the list has expanded. In many if not most of the cases, Presidents, Deans, and other administrators were aiders and abetters. But of all the cases, the attack on Prof. Gordon Klein at UCLAs Anderson Business School was perhaps the most insane truly other-worldly. Prof. Kleins alleged offense was that he insisted on treating black students equally. He refused a request by a white student to allow black students preferential treatment on final exams. Because such a racial preference would violate UCLAs anti-discrimination policies (and maybe even the law), Klein refused. Students then launched a defamatory campaign against Prof. Klein, and the cowards who run UCLAs Anderson School capitulated, denouncing and suspending Klein. He eventually was reinstated because he did absolutely nothing wrong but not before his reputation and career were severely damaged. We covered Prof. Kleins situation initially in these posts: Prof. Klein has just filed a lawsuit in California state court, and among the things he wants, is for UCLA administrators to be held personally liable. In the Complaint, Prof. Klein alleges, among other things: INTRODUCTION 1. Plaintiff Gordon Klein (Plaintiff), a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA or University), was severely punished by UCLA after he refused to implement a different grading policy solely for black students. 2. This dispute originated in June 2020 when a non-black student asked Plaintiff to grade his Black classmates differently than other students. Plaintiff rejected this request, knowing that his employment contract and California law required him to apply the same grading standards and requirements to all students. He also refused because his faculty supervisor recently had encouraged instructors to reject requests for special exam accommodations. 3. After Plaintiffs email reply to the student was posted on social media, some furious individuals called Plaintiff woefully racist and organized an online campaign to attack Plaintiff and the UCLA Anderson School of Management (Anderson School), where Plaintiff teaches. The Anderson School hastily buckled under this pressure and sought permission from the University to impose disciplinary sanctions on Plaintiff, including terminating his employment.1 But, as noted below, the University rebuffed the Anderson School, warning that the School may not take any action . . . at this time against Plaintiff. 4. Despite this firm directive, the Anderson School administration abruptly suspended Plaintiff from his teaching duties, banned him from its campus, and hired others to replace him in future scheduled courses. Moreover, the Dean of the Anderson School, Defendant Antonio Bernardo (Bernardo), disparaged Plaintiff to alumni and the general public based on the private communications between Plaintiff and the student who had requested preferential race-based grading policies (Student). Dean Bernardo even went so far as to publicly disclose the adverse personnel action the School had improperly imposed on Plaintiff. 5. After examining the facts, the University eventually closed its investigation and reinstated Plaintiff.2 Later, the UCLA Senate Committee on Academic Freedom criticized the Anderson School administration, noting that it had violated Plaintiffs rights and, more broadly, that such conduct chills instructors from expressing views that differ from prevailing campus orthodoxy. 6. Plaintiff brings this action not only to redress the wrongful conduct he has endured but also to protect academic freedom. The Complaint provides details on the nature of preferential treatment demanded and the shameful capitulation at the Anderson School: 19. After the homicide of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, a group of students and others initiated a coordinated email campaign for the claimed purpose of encouraging UCLA instructors to grant final exam accommodations for their Black classmates. 20. These students circulated online a document entitled Letter Writing for Finals Accommodations for Black Students. This template asked professors to adopt grading policies that exercise compassion and leniency with Black students. In particular, according to the Student, an objective of this template was to encourage professors to give only black students optional, no-harm final exams. A no-harm exam is a test whose score is counted as part of a students course grade only if it raises the students overall blended course average, but not if it diminishes it. Students who take an exam on a no-harm basis thus tend to receive higher course grades than those who do not. 22. On or about June 1, 2020, in apparent response to this concerted email campaign, Plaintiffs immediate supervisor at the Anderson School, Professor Judson Caskey (Caskey), circulated guidance strongly encouraging Anderson School instructors to follow the normal procedures if students ask for accommodations such as assignment delays or exam cancellations. That is, according to the Universitys investigation, Caskey advised faculty not to make exam-related adjustments or grant accommodations on the basis of race, protests, or police brutality. 23. That same day, a faculty colleague informed Plaintiff that, if instructors did not capitulate to these students demands, they would be labeled with the hurtful and derogatory term yt, or whitey, and their supervisors contact information would be highlighted in red on a spreadsheet circulated among participants of the online email campaign. The color red signaled to allies that they should email complaints to the non-capitulating professors supervisors. In response, to protect individual faculty members from harassment, several UCLA academic departments banded together to issue joint statements of refusal. Notably, the Anderson School did not. 24. Plaintiffs faculty colleague further told him on that occasion that, rather than resist this pressure campaign, many professors were giving away unearned A grades like free candy at Halloween. . 31. Although UCLA has argued that the Student posed reasonable exam administration inquiries, in reality, the Students request was exceedingly unreasonable and, indeed, unworkable. For instance, offering black students no-harm exams effectively would give them the option to not take the final exam in a class where final exam performance was the entire basis for their course grade, leaving an instructor without any data on which to base course grades. Moreover, adoption of the Students request would have imposed on Plaintiff the unseemly and cumbersome task of determining which students studying remotely were black. The Complaint then alleges as series of actions by the administration to publicly shame Klein, including public announcements, official tweets, and disclosure of employment action taken against Prof. Klein: 43. Bernardo knew or should have known that widespread public disclosure of his decision to place Plaintiff on administrative leave and relieve Plaintiff of his teaching duties (the Confidential Personnel Action) would have devastating consequences for Plaintiff. Moreover, Bernardo knew or should have known that public disclosure of the Confidential Personnel Action would violate the Universitys admonition he had received the previous day that further inquiry is warranted before action can be taken against Plaintiff. And Bernardo knew or should have known that public disclosure of the Confidential Personnel Action would violate University rules prohibiting such disclosure. 44. Additionally, the above email created the false impression that Plaintiff was not committed to an equitable learning environment, that Plaintiff had demonstrated a disregard for the core principle of equal treatment for all, and that Plaintiff had engaged in an abuse of power. None of this was even remotely true. 47. Indeed, the extraordinary nature of the Confidential Personnel Action itself, combined with Bernardos accusations about Plaintiff, created the public misperception that Plaintiffs conduct must have inflicted severe harm on a student and been so egregious that it rose to being an abuse of power untethered from the core principles of the University. Therefore, Defendants public disclosure of the Confidential Personnel Action in and of itself has resulted in substantial harm to Plaintiff, as herein alleged. Moreover, in our modern world of instantaneous and far-reaching online communication, it was reasonably foreseeable by Defendants that their accusations against Plaintiff and their public disclosure of the Confidential Personnel Action would be widely circulated online, thereby dramatically multiplying Plaintiffs reputational damage. Although he eventually was reinstated, Prof. Klein alleges continuing damages: 66. As a proximate result of Defendants unlawful conduct herein alleged, Plaintiff began losing clients of the Expert Witness Practice immediately following media reports in June 2020 of these actions and events. Media reports intensified after Defendants publicized the Confidential Personnel Action and undertook public attacks against Plaintiff. For example, on or about June 3, 2020, Plaintiff was interviewed for an expert witness engagement by lawyers from one of the premier law firm clients of the Expert Witness Practice, following which the attorney and client immediately agreed to retain Plaintiff. That day, an intermediary who arranged for the interview emailed Plaintiff stating: Gordon, good news! [The attorney and client] would like to retain you for the [] case. A few days later, however, after Defendants unlawful public disclosure of the Confidential Personnel Action had been widely reported by the media, Plaintiffs engagement on the case was terminated. Plaintiff has not received any further work from this premier client. In addition, the intermediary with whom Plaintiff had a longstanding business relationship modified its website to eliminate any mention of its association with Plaintiff, and its marketing head has ceased all communications with Plaintiff. 67. Similarly, also on or about June 3, 2020, another longstanding elite law firm client of the Expert Witness Practice suddenly terminated Plaintiffs existing engagement on a major antitrust case. This client even refused to pay an invoice that Plaintiff previously had transmitted for past services rendered regarding this ongoing case. 68. Simply put, the Expert Witness Practice largely dried up as a proximate result of Defendants unlawful conduct herein alleged. The damage from weaponized students, often aided and abetted by woke faculty and weak administrators, has had a profound chilling effect in academia. People like Prof. Gordon Klein deserve hero status, they stood tall and refused to bend the knee or apologize for insisting on treating all people equally. Read more at: LegalInsurrection.com and Smeared.news. (Natural News) A new study suggests that the eruption of Mount Vesuvius two millennia ago may have killed the inhabitants of the ancient city of Pompeii because it lasted longer than 15 minutes. The majority of the victims died of asphyxiation, or suffocation, caused by a giant cloud of ash and toxic gases. In a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers said that the residents would have survived if the pyroclastic flow a dense, fast-moving flow of solidified lava pieces, volcanic ash and hot gases that was unleashed by Vesuvius lasted for only a few minutes. But the gases and ash from the pyroclastic flow engulfed the city for nearly 20 minutes. Duration of pyroclastic flow is key to surviving an eruption Over just two days, the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. 79 generated more than 100,000 times the thermal energy created during the 1945 nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The deadly eruption buried Pompeii, a once-thriving city of 20,000 people, as well as the nearby towns of Oplontis, Stabiae and Herculaneum under ash, mud and rock fragments. It has been estimated that at least 2,000 Pompeii residents lost their lives due to the eruption. Some were killed by the rain of volcanic rocks while others were trampled by the panicked throng of people rushing to get out of the city. Most choked to death due to the pyroclastic flow, which created a giant, toxic cloud that was more dangerous than lava. This was because such clouds travel faster and reach temperatures of up to 1,800 degrees. Past studies suggested that the eruptions first pyroclastic surges likely made the six-mile trek from Vesuvius to Pompeii in a matter of a few minutes. For their study, researchers from Italys University of Bari Aldo Moro and the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), as well as researchers from the British Geological Survey, developed a computer model of the eruption to quantify the effect of the pyroclastic flow on Pompeii residents. While survival was virtually impossible at Herculaneum, which was located near the foot of the volcano, the model showed that inhabitants of Pompeii could have survived if the pyroclastic flow lasted for just a few minutes. But the cloud covered the city for around 17 minutes, which was long enough to kill anyone who breathed the air. As such, most of those who died likely suffocated in their homes and beds or on the streets and squares of the ancient Roman city. Those 15 minutes inside that infernal cloud must have been interminable, Roberto Isaia, a senior researcher at the INGVs Vesuvius Observatory, told the Guardian. The inhabitants could not have imagined what was happening. The Pompeians lived with earthquakes, but not with eruptions, so they were taken by surprise and swept away by that incandescent cloud of ash. (Related: Volcanic eruption triggered worst mass extinction in Earths history study.) The researchers said that pyroclastic flows are the most devastating product of explosive eruptions. They noted that these scorching rivers of mud, lava and ash are generated by the collapse of the eruptive column inside a volcano. This results in volcanic ashes running along a volcanos slopes at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour, at high temperatures and with a high concentration of particles. The researchers concluded that the duration of the pyroclastic flow is key for survival in areas that are relatively farther away from an erupting volcano, as the temperature and strength of the current are diminished. It is very important to be able to reconstruct what happened during Vesuviuss past eruptions, starting from the geological record, in order to trace the characteristics of the pyroclastic currents and the impact on population, said Pierfrancesco Dellino, a professor of volcanology and the lead researcher of the study. Vesuvius remains active to this day. It has blown off its lid several times since its devastating eruption that obliterated Pompeii, with the last one being in 1944. Today, more than two million people live around the volcano and on its lower slopes. Visit Disaster.news to learn more about volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk TheGuardian.com Britannica.com MARSHFIELD, MA - NOVEMBER 29: Boxes carrying a total of 30 Kemp's ridley sea turtles, the world's most endangered species of sea turtle, are unloaded in the hangar at Marshfield Municipal Airport before being loaded onto a plane headed for North Carolina on November 29, 2017 in Marshfield, Massachusetts. The New England Aquarium along with volunteers have rescued over 180 endangered and hypothermic turtles from Cape Cod Bay in the past two weeks and have been flying them to other locations after rewarming them at their turtle hospital. (Photo : Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images) On September 24, a wandering turtle was seen inside Japan's second-busiest airport, Narita International Airport, causing up to several planes to be delayed. The turtle caused the airport's operations to be momentarily halted for 12 minutes, creating aircraft delays. A Turtle in Tokyo's Busiest Airport The animal was discovered on the runway by a pilot. The pilot was ready to take off when he noticed a turtle and alerted the traffic controllers, who dispatched airport personnel to capture the critter. The turtle, was identified as a red-eared slider, a North American species that has become invasive in Japan. which weighed over 2 kilos and was around 30 cm in length, was reportedly observed strolling over the runways of Narita International Airport, according to media sources. The reptile was removed with the aid of a net after the personnel searched the whole 4,000-meter runway area. However, the search effort resulted in a 12-minute halt in airport operations and the cancellation of five planes. The Narita International Airport Corporation allegedly stated that runways are forced to close due to airplane components or birds, but that tiny animals are "rarely found." The critter may have come from the airport's retention pond, which is within 100 meters from the runway, according to Narita International Airport Corporation authorities. Officials said they'll confirm the turtle's species to see whether it can be reintroduced to its native environment. According to The Guardian, an All-Nippon Airways (ANA) Airbus A380 flight was one of seven whose departure was delayed owing to a turtle rescue effort. When the turtle appeared, the plane was preparing to take off on a journey to Okinawa, a Japanese island in the south. The light and dark blue pictures of sea turtles on the nose of the ANA Airbus A380 are a coincidence. It was done in July to commemorate the company's service to Hawaii, where the creatures are sacred. Also read: Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, Several Other Birds and Fishes Declared Extinct by U.S. Government Cayote Delaying Three Flights in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport A coyote on the runway may appear strange, but it's a very regular sight in the Phoenix metropolitan region, even in urban areas around Arizona. Some travelers in Arizona can thank a cunning coyote for delaying their flight. According to USA Today, the animal caused three flights to be canceled on Monday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Perhaps he was only attempting to apprehend the rogue Road Runner. Employees guided the coyote off the airfield and into the Salt riverbed, according to an airport spokeswoman who talked to AZ Central (a USA Today affiliate). No one was hurt, even the coyote. Wildlife can also cause direct damage to equipment, such as the pigeon that got into a flight at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport or the owl that slept inside a Virgin Australia jet engine. Fortunately, none of the animals were hurt. Employees work to keep local wildlife away from the runway's machinery for the most part. If an animal gets in the path, it is generally moved to a safe location (humanely). Also read: Pregnant Mom Lost Unborn Baby Due to Infection From Pet Cat's Feces Despite rising calls to halt the hunt, Norwegian whalers killed at least 570 minke whales in 2021. This is in spite of a global prohibition on commercial whaling, Norway has approved an annual kill quota of 1,278 minke whales for the 2021 whaling season. International Mandate Although the International Whaling Commission (IWC) placed a global moratorium on commercial whaling in 1982, Norway publicly opposed it, and commercial whaling resumed 11 years later. More than 14,000 minke whales have been slaughtered in the nation since then. Highest Death Rate in Recent Years The number of minke whales killed by Norwegian whalers has risen to its highest level in five years, drawing condemnation from environmentalists. According to the conservation organization Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Norwegian whalers killed at least 570 minke whales during the 2021 season. Last year, 503 minke whales were slaughtered. "Killing hundreds of minke whales is completely unacceptable, especially considering the critical role they play in our seas," Vanessa Williams-Grey, the charity's policy manager, said. "In the fight against climate change, whales are our allies." "It's awful that it comes only days after the world's largest dolphin massacre off the Faroe Islands, and in the middle of climate and species extinction problems, as well as a worldwide pandemic," she said. Related Article: Culture or Cruelty? People Are Outraged After 1500 Dolphins Were Massacred in Faroe Island Whales on Marine Diversity Whales contribute to maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem via the way they feed, excrete, migrate, and dive. Despite the declining public interest and widespread international condemnation, Norwegian whalers have continued to murder whales for economic purposes. Death Report According to a recent survey done by Respons Analyse in September, eating whale flesh has been losing popularity in recent years, commissioned by the Animal Welfare Institute, WDC, and Noah (Norway's biggest animal protection organization). Only 2% of the more than 1,000 people polled indicated they eat whale meat regularly, down from 4% in 2019. Those under the age of 35 are especially unlikely to consume it frequently. The water should be closed to whaling and opened to tourists, according to more than half of the responders. According to studies, one out of every five harpooned whales does not die immediately and is left to expire slowly. Nevertheless, it is deemed objectionable by 65 percent of Norwegians. Furthermore, female whales account for two-thirds of all hunted whales, with nearly half of them pregnant. "As Iceland and Greenland have previously recognized by constructing whale sanctuaries in places that host responsible whale-watching and other ecotourism activities, live whales can play an essential part in Norway's tourism economy," said Susan Millward, head of AWI's marine animal program. Loud Opposition Millward continued, "We encourage the incoming Norwegian government to listen to its citizens and establish comparable whaling-free zones, particularly in major tourism destinations like Svalbard and Finnmark." Whale meat is exported from Norway to Japan, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Also Read: Dead Dolphins, Turtles Are Washing Ashore in Sri Lanka: Could the Cargo Ship Fire be Blamed? For more animal, don't forget to follow Nature World News! A new massive volcano off the eastern coast of the island of Mayotte has officially birthed subsequent to the largest underwater eruption ever recorded in world history. The new feature rises 820 meters (2,690 feet) from the seafloor, now appearing after the huge seismic event that rocked the island in May 2018. It is currently the largest active submarine eruption ever documented. "Since 10 May 2018, magmatic activity has occurred offshore eastern Mayotte (North Mozambique channel), associated with large surface displacements, very-low-frequency earthquakes and exceptionally deep earthquake swarms," authors wrote in a new study. "Here we present geophysical and marine data from the MAYOBS1 cruise, which reveal that by May 2019, this activity formed an 820-m-tall, ~5 km volcanic edifice on the seafloor. This is the largest active submarine eruption ever documented." The birth of this giant volcanic edifice helps scientists understand deep Earth processes after an occurrence of major volcanic eruption. An undersea mountain that had not been there before Days later the volcanic event that started on 10 May 2018, a magnitude 5.8 quake rocked a nearby island. Scientists could not initially explain such strange seismic wave, but they had linked it somehow to an ongoing seismic swarm that's been rumbling the archipelago of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. The signals pointed to a location around 50 kilometers from the Eastern coast of Mayotte, wherein a number of French governmental institutions immediately sent a research team to check it out; and there it was, an undersea mountain that wasn't there before. Lead researcher and geophysicist Nathalie Feuillet of the University of Paris in France, along with her team, began monitoring the region in February of 2019 using multibeam sonar to map the area of seafloor and set up a network of seismometers. This network detected 17,000 seismic events between 25 February and 6 May 2019, with additional 84 unusual events. With this data, the researchers were able to reconstruct how the new volcano may have formed. Also read: New Lava Lake in Nyiragongo Allows Volcano to 'Breathe,' Avoiding Catastrophic Limnic Eruption Tectonic processes below the new volcano According to findings, the formation started with a magma reservoir deep in the asthenosphere located directly below Earth's lithosphere. The tectonic processes below may have caused damage to the lithosphere, draining the magma reservoir up through the crust and producing swarms of earthquakes in the process. As the material made its way to the seafloor, its eruption produced 5 cubic kilometers of lava, building the new volcano. This explains the unusual finding that negates the general principle that most earthquakes are much shallower. Here, the low-frequency events were likely generated by a shallower, fluid-filled cavity in the crust that may have "repeatedly excited by seismic strain on faults close to the cavity." Researchers wrote that this Mayotte magmatic event is "comparable to those observed during eruptions at Earth's largest hotspots." "Future scenarios could include a new caldera collapse, submarine eruptions on the upper slope or onshore eruptions. Large lava flows and cones on the upper slope and onshore Mayotte indicate that this has occurred in the past." Also read: Australia's Daintree: World's Oldest Tropical Rainforest Returned to its Aboriginal People Norwich church Gaia art shows climate emergency St Peter Mancroft, Norwich made a public declaration of a climate emergency at it welcomed Luke Jerrams Gaia Earth Artwork for October. The declaration, read out by Revd Dr Fiona Haworth, Associate Priest at St Peter Mancroft and project lead for the Gaia Exhibition, read Here at St Peter Mancroft, we are committed to taking action on Climate Change. We acknowledge that Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and the greatest threat to our well-being, globally and locally. Climate Change is already driving conflict, poverty and migration. We have seen over the summer the devasting impact if extreme weather events in flooding and wildfires around the globe. At St Peter Mancroft, we declare a climate emergency and commit to educating ourselves about the actions we can take as individuals, families, and communities; and to working with people of goodwill, of all faiths and none, for a sustainable and viable future for ourselves, our children, and for our planet home. We will tell the truth about the climate emergency, and the impact of human activity on global heating. We will call on others to do the same. We will take action by doing all we can as individuals and a community to lessen our impact on the planet and to safeguard the planets resources. We will engage with governments and corporations encouraging them to take the necessary action to protect and preserve the earth. We will seek justice. The climate emergency has arisen through deeply systemic injustice. We will listen to the voices of those already suffering, and we will actively seek ways to work for the good of all. MP Clive Lewis and the Lord Mayor were present and made statements in the shadow of Luke Jerrams enormous 6m in diameter globe that dominates the churchs interior and hangs, suspended above the Chancel, so that visitors can wander underneath it and experience an new perspective on our fragile planet. The declaration comes at the start of a months worth of events, exhibitions and workshops around the theme of climate change and the environment. School visits and other activities in partnership with the Norwich Science Festival will also encourage children to engage with our planet. There are also opportunities for visitors to book to climb the 63-steps to the Infinity Ringing Chamber home of the worlds first peal in 1715 to experience Gaia from above. Speaking at the launch event, The Lord Mayor said that the Gaia art installation helped him to see himself in proportion to the rest of the world and that Gaia, named after the Mother of All in Greek Mythology hung in the church like a mother patiently waiting. The Lord Mayor ended his speech saying that we much each take personal action on climate change Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, spoke of the magnificent art installation which reminded him of the interconnectedness of humanity. Clive Lewis is one of the co-sponsors on the Climate Bill and stated that he was pleased that the church was taking a stand on the climate emergency. Gaia enables us to see the scale of the huge challenge but also the beauty of whats at stake said Clive Lewis. There is so much to be done, and we need public support, anger and determination to encourage MPs and businesses to move faster. Climate migration is already taking place. Designed by Luke Jerram, Gaia allows us to see our planet, floating in three dimensions. We can share the experience of astronauts in a feeling of awe for our planet home. This viewpoint provides a new appreciation of the inter-dependence of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the natural environment. A specially made surround-sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture. The Gaia model has already been displayed in the UK and around the world, including Liverpool Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral, the Natural History Museum, Hong Kong and Taipei. In the lead-up to COP 26, the hosting of Gaia will enable the church and the city to explore the wide-ranging implications of the climate crisis. Gaia will be in St Peter Mancroft until 31st October 2021. More information and details on all the events taking place can be found at www.stpetermancroft.org.uk/Gaia Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Multimedia Specialist Anthony Zilis is a multimedia specialist at The News-Gazette. His email is azilis@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@adzilis). Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Opinion: Jim Dey Jim Dey I Will Madigan have to spend his own money on his defense? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded $15.88 million to the Wayne State University School of Medicine's Department of Emergency Medicine to be the epicenter of a national study on viral infections that present in emergency departments across the county. The project, "Enhancing U.S. Surveillance of Laboratory Confirmed SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Other Respiratory Viruses through a Network of Emergency Departments," will continue for three years. Jeffrey Kline, M.D., professor and associate chair of Research for the Department of Emergency Medicine, is the overall principal investigator on the project, which will spread to emergency departments in 21 states and the District of Columbia, and 100 hospitals for surveillance of viral infections. Data will be obtained from the electronic medical records at the participating hospital systems. Each participating system will receive a portion of the $15.88 million and will have an on-site principal investigator. The project will run now through August 2024. "If we are successful at the end of year three, we hope for this to be renewed for years to come," Dr. Kline said. The study is based on the Registry of suspected COVID-19 in Emergency Care, or RECOVER, a large clinical registry of patients from 155 emergency departments in 27 states tested for SARS-CoV-2 from March to September 2020, which Dr. Kline founded. This study network will be known as RECOVER-CDC. Patients will be identified based upon their reason, or chief complaint, for visiting the emergency department. We will report data on patients who have chief complaints suggestive of viral syndromes, including but not limited to cough, fever, muscle aches, sore throat, nasal congestion and respiratory distress. We will then determine how many are being tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and other viruses as part of usual care and, importantly, their vaccination status. We will then follow the patients to determine if they are admitted to the hospital or not, and their outcomes and diagnoses within 30 days." Dr. Jeffrey Kline, M.D., professor and associate chair of research, Department of Emergency Medicine The researchers aim to determine the frequency of testing symptomatic patients for viral infections, the results of those tests, the outcomes and diagnoses of patients with known or suspected viral infections, and the associations of outcomes with vaccine status. "We will have many other questions. For example, of key interest for my own research is the association of viral infections with the diagnosis of blood clots," Dr. Kline said. The study team includes Assistant Vice President of Research and Professor of Emergency Medicine Phillip Levy, M.D., as co-investigator; Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Core Robert Welch, M.D., for analytics oversight; and BERD Core statistician Liying Zhang, Ph.D., with initial support from the Department of Emergency Medicine's Director of Grants Management LynnMarie Mango, M.P.H. The award number for this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contract is 75D30121C11813. With prevalence of developmental disorders on the rise, the need to understand brain development has never been more critical. Development of the brain is strongly influenced by the cranium, but this relationship has not been adequately studied because of limitations in imaging technology. Now, researchers from Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Children's National Hospital are working together to develop techniques that will provide greater insight into this relationship. Their studies will be funded by The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, which has awarded them $3.5 million. Natasha Lepore, PhD, of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, studies methods to interpret brain imaging data. "There's a lot of interaction between the skull and the brain," she says, "and we want to better understand how they grow together." Currently, studies on typical brain and cranium development are limited. One reason for this is that imaging techniques are optimized to best visualize either bone or soft tissue, but not both. The brain-;mostly composed of water, protein and fat-;doesn't show up well on computerized tomography (CT) scans, which use X-ray images. In addition, radiation exposure limits the amount of CT scan data available in children. On the other hand, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are excellent for brain images but are not optimal for surrounding bone. This presents researchers with a dilemma if they want to see the brain and the skull together in one image. Fortunately, research barriers like these are often overcome by collaboration. Dr. Lepore will work with Marius George Linguraru, DPhil, MA, MSc, Principal Investigator in the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children's National Hospital. Dr. Linguraru works on a set of tools for cranial phenotyping, using existing CT images from typically developing children. In their collaboration, Dr. Lepore and Dr. Linguraru will extend the tools to MRI scans, allowing the team to analyze the brain and cranium simultaneously. The pair has received a $3.5 million award over 5 years. The tools we develop together will help us to better understand the healthy growth of children. We will have the ability to analyze the joint cranial and brain development from large medical image datasets of pediatric patients." Marius George Linguraru, DPhil, MA, MSc, Principal Investigator This, the team says, will be invaluable to the medical community. "These tools will help clinicians to better assess, diagnose and plan treatment for infants with cranial deformities," says Dr. Linguraru. Collaborations like this allow expertise to be shared across specialties, ultimately benefiting children in need. Exceptional pediatric care is a result of teamwork; not only doctors, nurses and clinical staff, but also biomedical research, which arms clinicians with the information they depend on. "We need to have a clear idea of what is expected in normal development," says Dr. Lepore. "This allows doctors to detect and better understand differences in development." (Newser) Nicko Silar was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. She suffered brain damage and died nine months later. Her mother, Teiranni Kidd, is suing the hospital, claiming Nickos death was preventable. Her own doctor, obstetrician Katelyn Parnell apparently agreed that the babys birth injury could have been prevented, saying so in a text message to the hospitals nurse manager, the Wall Street Journal reports. Parnell knew the Mobile, Alabama, hospital where Nicko was born on July 16, 2019, was struggling with a ransomware attack, but thought Kidd would be able to deliver safely. Kidd did not know about the attack at the time. The hospital, Springhill Medical Center, worked around the attack instead of paying the ransom, relying on older technology. Hospitals are prime targets because attackers apparently believe administrators will pay up to save lives. Kidds lawsuit claims that the attack cost her daughter her life. story continues below Springhill staff didnt even know about the attack at first, per the WSJ. The hospital said it would not affect patient care, but an anesthesiologist who worked there during the attack, Jeffrey Planchard, disagreed, telling WSJ that having access to previous anesthesiology records is crucial. While Kidd was in labor, nurses were coping with a lack of monitors. Instead of a monitor at a nurses station visible to all the staff in the department, Nickos fetal heartbeat was being printed out onto a paper strip with only one nurse checking on it. Parnell said she would have done an emergency Caesarean section had she seen the signs of distress recorded on the paper. But Nicko was born unresponsive, needing CPR. She spent her short life needing constant care. The hospital denied any wrongdoing, and blamed Parnell, the obstetrician, CBS News reports. (Read more ransomware stories.) (Newser) The adventures of the honey-loving bear Winnie the Pooh have captivated childrenand their parentsfor nearly 100 years. Fans now have a chance to own a central piece of Pooh's history, when a countryside bridge from southern England goes up for auction next week. The author of the hugely popular Pooh series of books, AA Milne, often played with his son, Christopher Robin, at the bridge in the 1920s. It became a regular setting for the adventures of Pooh and his friends in the series that launched in 1926. The bridge, originally called Posingford Bridge, was built around 1907 and officially renamed Poohsticks Bridge in 1997 by the late author's son, whose toy animals were the basis of the Pooh series, per the AP. story continues below The bridge was taken down in 1999 after being worn out by visitors and was replaced by a newer structure funded largely by the Disney corporation. The original bridge was dismantled and stored in Ashdown Forest Centre in East Sussex, until the local parish council recently gave permission for it to be restored and rescued. The bridge, which measures 29 feet long by 15 feet wide, has now been fully restored using local oak for any missing elements. The auction coincides with the centenary of Pooh's arrival in the world, when Christopher Robin received a fluffy teddy bear from the luxury department store Harrods on his first birthday. James Rylands of Summers Place Auctions describes the bridge as "one of the most important iconic literary objects there is," laying out hope that it could go for $338,000way beyond the $54,000 to $81,000 estimate placed on Tuesday's auction. Rylands said there's been interest from around the world, but he hopes that the bridge stays local. "I do hope it stays in Sussex, because it obviously has great relevance to the locality," he notes. "But if it does end up in the United States or indeed Japan, I have no doubt it will be a little bit loved over there as well." (Read more Winnie the Pooh stories.) (Newser) Not without you. My dear friend. You that I love." Marie Antoinette sent these expressions of affectionor more?in letters to her close friend and rumored lover Axel von Fersen. Someone later used dark ink to scribble over the words, apparently to dampen the effusive, perhaps amorous, language. Scientists in France devised a new method to uncover the original writing, separating out the chemical composition of different inks used on historical documents, the AP reports. They tested their method by analyzing the private letters between the French queen and the Swedish count, which are housed in the French national archives. That allowed them to read the original words and even identify the person who scratched them outFersen himself. story continues below Its always exciting when you discover that you can know more about the past than you thought you could, said historian Rebecca L. Spang, who studies the French Revolution at Indiana University, and was not involved in the study. The letters were exchanged between June 1791 and August 1792a period when the French royal family was kept under close surveillance in Paris, after having attempted to flee the country. Soon the French monarchy would be abolished, and the next year both Marie Antoinette and her husband, Louis XVI, would be beheaded. In this time, people used a lot of flowery languagebut here, it's really strong, really intimate language. We know with this text, there is love relationship, said Anne Michelin, a material analyst at the Sorbonne's Research Center for Conservation and co-author of the research published Friday in the journal Science Advances. The wide-ranging letters, penned on thick cotton paper, discuss political events and personal feelings. The redacted phrases, such as madly and beloved, don't change the overall meaning, but tone of the relationship between the sender and receiver. Marie Antoinette and Fersen met in France when they were both 18. They kept in touch until her death. In 18th century western Europe, theres a kind of cult of the letter as a form of writing that gives you access to a persons character like no other, said Deidre Lynch, a historian who studies the periods literary culture at Harvard and was not involved in the study. Like a metaphorical state of undress, theyve let their hair down and show who they really are, she said. But savvy writers were also aware that their letters may be read by multiple audiences. Some correspondents in 18th century Europe famously employed secret codes and so-called invisible ink to hide their full meaning from certain eyes. The letters exchanged between Marie Antoinette and Fersen, who never married, were altered after the fact. Certain portions of text were scribbled out in dark ink. His family kept the correspondence until 1982, when the letters were purchased by the French national archives. In eight of the 15 letters the researchers analyzed, there were sufficient differences in the chemical composition of the inksthe proportion of iron, copper and other elementsthat they could map out each layer separately, and thus recover the original text. This is amazing, said Ronald Schechter, a historian who studies Marie Antoinette's library at the College of William & Mary in Virginia and was not involved in the study. He said that the technique could also help historians decipher redacted or censored phrases and passages in diplomatic correspondence, sensitive political correspondence, and other texts that have eluded historical analysis due to redactions." (Read more Marie Antoinette stories.) (Newser) The first Women's March of the Biden administration headed straight for the steps of the Supreme Court on Saturday, part of nationwide protests demanding continued access to abortion in a year when lawmakers and judges have put it in jeopardy. Thousands filled the streets surrounding the court, shouting "My body, my choice" and cheering loudly to the beat of drums, the AP reports. Many waved signs that said "Mind your own uterus," "I love someone who had an abortion" and "Abortion is a personal choice, not a legal debate," among other messages. Some wore T-shirts reading simply "1973, a reference to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that made abortion legal. story continues below Elaine Baijal, a 19-year-old student at American University, took cellphone photos with her friends and their signs. She said her mother told her of coming to a march for legal abortion with her own mother in the 1970s. "It's sad that we still have to fight for our right 40 years later," Baijal said. Organizers said hundreds of abortion-themed protests were planned around the country Saturday. The Supreme Court starts a new term on Monday that will decide the future of abortion rights in the US. On Friday, the Biden administration urged a federal judge to block the nation's most restrictive abortion law, which has banned most abortions in Texas. The Texas law motivated many of the demonstrators and speakers; one protest took place at the state Capitol. Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood nationally, told of women forced to drive many hours across state linessometimes multiple state linesto end pregnancies since the Texas law went into effect. "The moment is dark ... but that is why we are here," Johnson told the crowd packed into Freedom Square and surrounding streets. "No matter where you are, this fight is at your doorstep right now." In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke at rallies in Seneca Falls and Albany. I'm sick and tired of having to fight over abortion rights," she said. An opponent of access to abortion differed online. "What about equal rights for unborn women?" tweeted Jeanne Mancini, president of the group March for Life. (Read more Women's March stories.) (Newser) Former President Donald Trump has gone to court to force Twitter to reinstate his account while a lawsuit against the social media platform progresses. The filing late Friday in Miami asks for a preliminary injunction against the company, the Washington Post reports. The permanent ban is censorship, the filing contends. It also says Twitter "exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate." Twitter and Trump's office did not comment Saturday on the filing. story continues below The ban also violates Florida's new social media law, argues Trump, who lives in the state. That legislation bars social media companies from knowingly removing politicians from their platforms, per the Verge, and mandates that the sites apply their standards consistently. Trump's filing says Twitter has not met the "consistent" test. The law hasn't taken effect yet, however; it was blocked by a judge, and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is appealing that decision. Twitter kicked Trump off two days after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, citing concern over possible "further incitement of violence." Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube did the same thing. The new filing says that in making the decision, Twitter was "coerced by members of the United States Congress"his political opponents. Trump has sued Twitter and its CEO, Jack Dorsey. Trump's new filing points out that Twitter has not removed the account of the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan, per CNN. His account had 88 million followers when it was shut down. (Read more Donald Trump stories.) What is hybrid work? This is work completed through a mix of remote and on-site means. How popular is it? Globally, 53% of workers seek a hybrid working model where over half of their work is remote, according to a recent press release posted by PR Newswire. Fortunately for workers, there are signs that employers are taking note. In surveying 2,000 employers, the UK's Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that 63% of these intended to expand hybrid working, as ITV has reported. A lot of research has been done on the subject of hybrid working as it emerges as an increasingly accepted post-pandemic work practice. So, what does this research suggest about whether, if you are an employer, you should implement a hybrid working system for your own employees? Is hybrid working here to stay? The figures certainly give that impression. In one study, 82% of workers have reported feeling at least as productive with hybrid working as they did with pre-pandemic working methods. Many workers have also expressed anxiety about returning to the office. In the study, this discomfort was especially pronounced in Australia, the UK and Canada - with, respectively, 53%, 52% and 51% of workers in these countries admitting to feeling it. Alain Dehaze - the Chief Executive Officer of HR solutions company the Adecco Group, which commissioned the study - commented: "For those who are not bound to being physically present to perform their work, it is obvious that we will never return to the office in the same way and that the future of work is flexible." What constitutes 'flexible' working? We can garner an insight from the CIPD's reaction to the findings of its own study on hybrid work. The association called the productivity advantage of hybrid working "clear", but added that it was crucial for employers to implement hybrid working in a manner that prioritized "wellbeing, communication and collaboration to recognize people's individual preferences". Claire McCartney, the CIPD's senior policy advisor for resourcing and inclusion, explained: "Not everyone is able to work from home, either because the nature of their job doesn't allow them to, or for wellbeing reasons." She added that employees "who can't work from home should still be able to benefit from having more of a choice and a say in when and how they work". How could you accommodate workers' varying preferences? Some measures suggested by Ms McCartney include working total contracted hours over fewer days or sharing jobs with other people. When flexible options like this are on the table for your employees, you could find your business with less use for a permanent, long-term physical base. Hence, you could consider, for now, renting a flexible serviced office from BE Offices rather than committing your business too strongly to any specific workplace. A serviced office booked on a short-term basis could provide various crucial features - like high-speed internet connectivity, on-site security and pro-working lounges - but remain easy to relinquish if abrupt changes in your employees' circumstances would force a change of plan. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain topped the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in tourism capital investment in 2020, the fDi Intelligence Tourism Investment Report 2021 has said. Bahrain secured $492 million of tourism capital investment last year, largely as a result of investments from Dubai-based Emaar Properties and real estate developer Eagle Hills. Capital investment into MEA last year decreased 82 per cent from 2019, dropping to $1.6 billion. The number of tourism jobs created in the region also experienced a similar decline, falling from approximately 17,400 in 2019 to 2,800 in 2020. But despite the pandemic, Bahrain ranked first in MENA for the number of tourism jobs created in 2020 and second for the number of tourism FDI projects. Prior to COVID-19, Bahrain was attracting around one million visitors a month on average and the tourism sector contributed around 7 per cent to GDP. Also, as the first country in the GCC to diversify the economy, the Kingdom has focused on highlighting its tourism sector to cater to a larger group of visitors through new tourist attractions such as hotels, restaurants and retail stores. During the pandemic, the country continued developing its strategy to transform its tourism sector, allocating more than $10bn to tourism infrastructure projects, including the $1.1bn modernisation of its international airport. More recently, Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrains sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, also announced several new upscale property projects in the country. Accor, a hospitality group with over 400 hotels, Minor Hotels, which has a portfolio of 527 hotels and resorts, and Hilton DoubleTree, have all unveiled plans to launch new properties in the kingdom. Bahrain is now home to global hotel brands including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Rotana, Intercontinental, Wyndham and Sofitel. The kingdom is also growing its portfolio of five-star hotels and it is set to have around 9,300 rooms by the end of 2022. Despite the obvious challenges, we have continued to progress with our ambitious tourism infrastructure and real estate plans, which have attracted some of the worlds most renowned hotel brands and the Gulfs largest property development groups, including Emaar," Mahmood Al Aradi, chief investment officer at Bahrains Economic Development Board, said. As the pandemic eases and restrictions are lifted, there will be a greater opportunity for regional connectivity and cooperation. We hope to welcome even more foreign hospitality groups looking to capitalise on Bahrains position as an outwardly-facing, expanding tourism hotspot. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com A field survey conducted by the Ministry of Industry Trade and Tourism on various Tea and coffee containers sold in Bahrain found cancerous substances like Asbestos in 13 % of the products tested. The majority of the products, 87% of the products collected for testing from the markets of Bahrain, were safe and devoid of Asbestos. Based on the findings, the testing and Metrology Directorate withdrew the unsafe products from the market. The move is per ministerial Order No (3) of (1996) that bans the import, manufacture and circulation of products with Asbestos. Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Assistant Undersecretary for Local and Foreign Trade, said they conducted the survey in two phases and are planning to do more in the coming period. The samples, he said, were collected from different points of sales, countries of origin, brands and capacities. We also collected tea and coffee containers of various sizes and types. Tests followed Australian Standard AS 4964 for the qualitative identification of Asbestos in bulk samples. Quality tests followed three sequential stages. First, using a microscope and the second and final through X-ray diffraction techniques. The tests returned results showing that 87% of the samples were identical and devoid of Asbestos, while 13% of the samples had results that did not match and harmful asbestos, said Shaikh Hamad. Authorities, he said, seized all violating Tea and coffee containers from the shops across all governorates of the Kingdom. The ministry is also pursuing administrative and legal measures against violating shops. Shop owners are also directed to import products free of carcinogenic substances such as Asbestos. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The national pavilion of Bahrain themed Intensity Weaves Opportunities opened doors yesterday, bringing to fruition the year-long preparation for the first world fair in the Middle East- the Dubai 2020 Expo. Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and the Commissioner-General of the Bahrain Pavilion, Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, representatives of the GCC pavilions, and diplomats were present at the opening ceremony. In her inaugural speech, Shaikha Mai said, Our message to the world is that culture makes miracles, promotes countries and spreads hope in a world recovering from a crisis that hit all aspects of life. Bahrains pavilion is a reflection on our ancient heritage and history, the beauty of our architecture, our past and modern innovations. We made these achievements under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The national pavilion, Shaikha Mai said, is the culmination of several successful participation in international forums. These participations promote the intensity of Bahraini civilisation and human components that exist in a relatively small geographical area, she said, adding that this density constitutes a ground for creating promising opportunities in the economy, culture and sustainable development. Shaikha Mai explained that Bahrains pavilion reflects the concept of density through a unique architectural design and diverse cultural programme. The pavilion, she said, will have the participation of musicians, artists, and craftsmen from Bahrain. Those welcoming visitors at the pavilion also wore clothes designed by Bahraini fashion designer Hala Kexo with the Bani Jamra Textile Factory. The opening ceremony followed a presentation of melodies by Galali Folklore Troupe. Visitors to the pavilion, themed Density as an enabler of opportunities, said they experience walking through a dense forest inside the pavilion. The pavilion, designed by Christian Keres Zurich AG, is a physical and spatial experience of density, exploring future possibilities in a dense world. The structure consists of 126 columns of 11cm in diameter and 24m in height that join each other at several points, exploring three-dimensional possibilities inspired by geometric gypsum ornaments of traditional Bahraini architecture. The columns are made of steel, whereas the outer facade is composed of aluminium, showcasing one of the main exports in Bahrain. Bahrains pavilion is located in the Opportunity district, while the other two are themed Mobility and Sustainability. What do you see created by Bahrain-based textile designer Muhairi Boyle was the opening event of the pavilion. The exhibition focuses on the nobility of textile craft in Bahrain and the beauty of sails of the Banoosh ships used for pearling. Dubai is hoping to boost its economy by attracting 25 million business and tourist visits to the world fair, which is on 4.3 sq km (1.7 sq miles) of the desert. Chosen eight years ago to follow the 2015 Expo in Milan, Italy, Dubai event cost around $6.8 billion. Thousands of people toured Dubais Expo 2020 on the opening day yesterday, braving hot temperatures as the Covid-delayed world fair finally opened its doors one year late. HARTFORD Leaders from the states Big 3 defense and aerospace contractors said Friday that they face an unprecedented rush to develop next-generation technologies to remain competitive at home while enabling the U.S. military to maintain its strategic advantages abroad. The new machinery being sought from companies with Connecticut ties include lightweight aircraft engines that can travel longer distances, nuclear submarines that never need to be refueled and faster attack-reconnaissance helicopters. Representatives from Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky and Electric Boat said Friday the need for such advanced technology is being spurred by a realignment of the U.S. militarys focus from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to peer adversaries such as Russia and China. Executives from the companies spoke at a global security forum in Hartford hosted by the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, which continues Saturday. Competition with China, in particular, has put pressure on U.S. companies to produce new technologies at a breakneck pace, Thomas Prete, the Pratt & Whitney vice president of engineering, told an online and in-person audience. The timeline of where they are is much further along than anybody ever thought and their trajectory to catch up is unprecedented, Prete said. For companies like Pratt, a division of Raytheon Technologies, he added, its about going faster. We can't take eight years to design a new fighter engine. Weve got to do it in half the time and in half the budget. Connecticuts historic manufacturers of submarines and helicopters described facing similar demands. Electric Boat, for example, was once relied upon to build one submarine a year at its shipyard in Groton, or even less than one a year, the companys chief information officer, Ken Jeanos, said Friday. Now, the company has orders to produce two Virginia-class attack submarines each year and recently began production on its Columbia-class of ballistic missile submarines, replacing the old Trident subs. That brings annual output to three ships at EB, a unit of General Dynamics. At Sikorsky, Vice President of Enterprise Business Transformation Mike Ambrose said the company, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, had invested over $1 billion to develop Future Vertical Lift technology aircraft for the U.S. Army. That includes the X2 helicopter as an eventual replacement for the Black Hawk, the workhorse of the defense fleet. When you start to look at how the missions evolved, aircraft have to go faster, they have to go further, they have to be more supportable, they also have to be more connected, Ambrose said, to far-flung bases. The output of Connecticuts three largest defense contractors, in addition to a web of more than 700 suppliers in the state, make Connecticut the sixth-largest recipent of defense spending in 2019, according to the Department of Defense. That year the total number of defense contracts awarded to companies in the state reached its highest level in decades, according to a report by the states office of military affairs. The $37.1 billion in contracts awarded to companies in the state that year was led by Navys largest-ever shipbuilding contract with Electric Boat to build nine Virginia-class submarines, as well as billions more for Pratt & Whitney to develop engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and for Sikorsky to build dozens of helicopters, including the new, heavy-lift CH-53K King Stallion. Outside experts said this week this week that defense spending was likely to remain robust in the future as the military seeks new hardware. There is a shift away from the kind of conflicts weve seen, or equipping for the kind of conflicts weve seen over the past couple decades, said Richard Aboulafia, Vice President of the Teal Group in Virginia. Hunting guerillas, basically, counter-insurgency warfare and back towards actual big, peer-adversary standoffs. Its completely different equipment, completely different procurement. Another development that experts said could have ramifications in Connecticut was the controversial recent deal between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia to share nuclear submarine technology, scutlling the later countrys deal to purchase diesel submarines from France. Jeanos, the CIO from Electric Boat, was asked about the development, known as AUKUS, on Friday but said it was too early for the company to say what its involvement will be. We will offer to be a participant that assists, Jeanos said. But as of right now, really, our focus is the demand thats been brought upon ourselves by the U.S. Navy. Richard Pettibone, senior government and industry analyst at Forecast International, said agreements such as the submarine deal with the Australians reflected a larger pivot toward conventional defense strategies that would likely be a boon for Connecticut contractors. They're going to keep humming right along because the need for defense has just continued to be at the forefront of our policy, Pettibone said. I dont see any change coming because it just seems like the world is getting more and more bellicose. Tara Carr, Pat Del Monaco, Julia Pemberton and Jean Speck make up a unique sisterhood in western Connecticut. In this years municipal elections, they are the only four women running for the highest elected offices at the local level in the greater Danbury area. These women make up just 18 percent of the total candidate pool of those vying for mayor and first selectman. Three Del Monaco, Pemberton and Speck are incumbents endorsed by local Democratic committees. Carr is the only one endorsed by a local Republican committee. She is also a newcomer to politics. Out of the 14 municipalities reviewed by the News-Times for this story, only three have women as top bosses. The municipalities reviewed are: Danbury, Ridgefield, New Fairfield, Redding, Bethel, Newtown, Sherman, Kent, New Milford, Brookfield, Bridgewater, Roxbury, Washington and Southbury. Twelve of the 14 are holding a mayoral or first selectman race this year, but only one-third of them have a woman in the contest: Brookfield, Kent, New Fairfield, and Redding. Carr is running in Brookfield, Del Monaco in New Fairfield, Pemberton in Redding and Speck in Kent. These numbers are not an anomaly, though this year marks a dip in candidacy numbers and representation. In the past four municipal election cycles, these towns have seen a single-digit number of candidates in their first selectman or mayoral races. In 2019, there were only five women running in the area In 2017, there were seven, and in 2015 and 2013, there were six. During interviews, most of the candidates said they were surprised by the numbers. Thats really low, Kent First Selectman Jean Speck said. Others did not find the numbers as surprising. In our little neck of the woods, I think thats pretty significant, and Im proud of those gals for stepping up, said Tara Carr, the Republican candidate in Brookfield who is running against incumbent Steve Dunn and petitioning candidate Austin Monteiro. While I'm disappointed at the numbers, Im not surprised by the numbers, said Patricia Russo, executive director of The Campaign School at Yale, a nonpartisan leadership program that aims to help women get elected. Russo pointed to the pandemic. Im not surprised, she said, because women were so disproportionately hit so deeply and so badly a year and a half ago when this all started. Women lost their jobs or were furloughed from their jobs, and then the schools closed so they lost their child care. They lost teachers, right? So, suddenly they're homeschooling. Accordingly, The Campaign School noted a slight dip in women running for office this year, Russo said. But already theyre starting to see interest pick up for next years elections. Specifically, Russo noted an uptick in younger women and women of color. It's such a breath of fresh air, and it just reflects on who we are now as a society. We truly look like America. We are a reflection of our country, which is phenomenal to me, she said. I'm heartened by the numbers that Im seeing for next year. Russo has also observed a slight increase in the number of Republican women showing interest. She called this year a blip. I think two years from now were going to be having a very different conversation. A half-century of women in power In November of 1969, a woman in Clinton became the states first female first selectman. Marge Scully, a Democrat, won by just 37 votes. Two years earlier, Ann Uccello had been elected Hartfords mayor, but Scully made history as the first woman elected to the highest office in a Connecticut town. Scullys bold step would soon be followed by other women across the state, including Barbara Wagner, who was elected Westons first female first selectman in 1973. A New York Times article from 1972 captured the tug between then-avant garde political aspirations and traditional roles of local women at the time. For years the women have poured the coffee, run the postage machines and campaigned for minor political offices, it reads. But in unusual numbers in Fairfield County this fall, they are running for major political posts and in four towns they are running for the top elective offices. Two young girls in Weston, Julia and Jean, would see a classmates mother become the new first selectman that next fall. Julia would watch as Wagner rolled by during town parades, waving from the car. A decade later, as Jean was graduating high school, she saw her boyfriends mother, Helen Speck, clench the top position in 1983. That image of strong female leadership stuck with the girls. Now, many decades later, Julia Pemberton is seeking her fifth term as Reddings first selectman in Novembers election. Jean Speck, who married her high school sweetheart, is running for her second term in Kent. Both Redding and New Fairfield have had strong and significant stretches of women leading local government. In the past five municipal election cycles, New Fairfield has been the only town of the 14 reviewed by the News-Times to have two women vying for first selectman at the same time. The 2019 election marked the only time a man ran against a female candidate. This year, Del Monaco runs unopposed. In Redding, Pemberton said women have held the reigns for the majority of the past 40 years. Standing strong in a (still) male dominated field Although Connecticut has its female trailblazers, political representation continues to skew male. Women make up about one-third of the state legislature, the highest percentage the state has ever had. Currently, there are nine women in the 36-member state Senate: one Republican and eight Democrats. Yet, Del Monaco, Speck and Carr say that the gender disparity in politics was nothing new to them. All three previously worked in male-dominated fields. At a certain point you stop thinking of yourself as being a woman or a female engineer or a female candidate, said Del Monaco, who was a chemical engineer. You just have to know the issues, take a position and communicate that issue to people. Carr, who served 25 years in the military, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, was often the only woman around, she said. As a Republican, Carrs candidacy is perhaps even more of an outlier, since her party typically has fewer women running for elected office than the Democrats. However, the idea of potentially walking back into a male dominated profession is nothing new to me, she said. Carr echoed Del Monacos reflection on gender and work: I never saw myself as a female soldier, she said. Never did it cross my mind that I shouldnt or I couldnt do something because I was a woman. It was my job to soldier first, not to be a female soldier. Speck worked in public health, and said shes been heartened by progress in gender equity among leadership roles in that arena. This year, she is facing three male candidates. Qualities of a leader While the women running for first selectman may have different politics, platforms, and experiences, they share the conviction that representation is important. Women can bring a different lens, Speck said. We need to have people of all genders. People who are non-binary should be in leadership positions because everybody brings something different to the table. Laura Smits, president of the League of Women Voters of Connecticut, said the more people see themselves represented, the more they believe they too can hold those leadership positions. Smits didnt see the low percentages of local women candidates as a harbinger of bad tidings, but rather a symptom of having 169 different municipalities, or fiefdoms as she described them, in Connecticut, each with constantly shifting politics. In 2021, candidates have found that the old adage all politics is local holds true. Constituents care more about a candidates ability to lead and get things done than about gender. They looked at you as a person and what were you saying you could do for them, Pemberton said of local residents strong history of voting women into office. The group reported few local instances of gender-biased comments on their candidacy. Still, Speck said that she hopes one day to change the title selectman to a more inclusive term. Instead of dwelling on being a woman in a still-male-dominated world, each spoke of role models from greats like Amelia Earhart, Madeleine Albright and Ella Grasso, to more intimate heroes like mothers, fathers, sisters, and in-laws who propel them forward. What I say to all girls is, You can be anything you want to be, Del Monaco said. It was a message her mathematician mother gave her growing up. Del Monaco took it to heart. NEWTON, Miss. (AP) A 6-year-old boy is recovering after surgery Friday for a gunshot wound suffered a day earlier at his elementary school in Mississippi. According to a statement from the Newton Municipal School District, the gun discharged in the backpack of a student at Newton Elementary School. The bullet hit the child in the leg. He was airlifted to a hospital in Jackson, where he underwent surgery. ROXBURY When witnessing someone littering in town, its important to hold that person accountable, said Roxbury First Selectman candidate Bruce Tuomala Thursday evening at a candidates debate held at Shepaug Valley High School in Washington. Tuomala, a Republican, is running against Patrick Roy, a Democrat. Current Roxbury First Selectman Barbara Henry is retiring after 24 years of service. The hour-long debate was sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Litchfield County and moderated by Pat Donovan. Each candidate had two minutes to respond to questions, and the opponent had an opportunity for a 30-second rebuttal. The debate was streamed for those unable to attend in person. It comes down to personal responsibility. I have Libertarian values. Its a behavioral issue, said Tuomala, in regard to the topic of littering. He added its very hard to police people....You need to make sure the behavior is being reinforced This is bad. Dont do this. Whats the matter with you? from the public. If you see someone, talk to them, ask them why they did that. In Roys response about littering, he said aside from the town taking responsibility, its also the job of the Public Works department to help with this issue. He added there are residents who regularly take part in organized street clean-up groups, and said he, too, would like to get involved himself in that initiative. Im a person who enjoys being out in the field, rolling up my sleeves, and getting dirty as necessary being involved in the process, Roy said. Roy has served on the Board of Finance and was a manager at Lowes Home Improvement, with 200 employees reporting to him. Tuomala, Danburys former economic development director, has worked as a corporate executive, strategy consultant, government official, nonprofit consultant and volunteer, entrepreneur and business owner, and has served as a member of numerous boards. In response to complaints of theft of traffic signs, lack of sidewalks, potholes and speeding, Roy said there needs to be more of a police presence in town. There needs to be some accountability to let people know that this is our town and thats not allowed, Roy said. If we had a stronger police presence, a little bit more of an impression of control, people would know Not in our town. Additionally, Roy said speed signs are ineffective. There is no penalty, there is never going to be an officer there people just blow through those signs, he said. Part of the responsibility of a first selectman is to protect this community. And I see that theres more accidents and its becoming more rampant. I think we do need to slow people down and I think there needs to a cop and police cars. If you never have the threat of seeing an officer, you're not going to pay attention to it. In his response, Tuomala said the number one way to reduce crime is deterrence. There has to be a threat of some kind of consequence before you do something, he said. He spoke about omnipresent policing where you are in different places all the time, he said. Unlike his opponent, he added that signs can be useful. With current technology, Tuomala said there are now signs that capture speed, time and date. All they have to do is add the camera, he said, reiterating his opinion that personal behavior is of critical importance. Also, unlike Roy, Tuomala said he doesnt think, based upon discussions with law enforcement, that adding police will make any difference in deterring speeding. He said there is already enough police presence in town. Instead, he said we need to change how we manage it. Additionally, Tuomala said cost should be considered. If we get more police, well be paying for it. Thats an issue for the town do they want to pay more taxes to get more police? he asked. In response a question that pertained to the new residents in town, most likely as a result of the pandemic, Roy said he hopes they get involved in the community and become part of it. Additionally, in regard to home businesses in town, he said he would consider improving cell phone communication to support residents home businesses. There are still plenty parts of this town where you cant get a cell phone signal or you cant conduct business from your home, so giving them the opportunity to work from home would be a great avenue, he said, adding if elected, he would also support existing local businesses in town. In regard to small businesses in town, Tuomala said the first thing people want to know when he tells them hes running for First Selectman is will he attract the same number of new businesses to town as he did in his role in economic development in Danbury. He said he has no interest and no plan to economically develop Roxbury and would like to ensure the town remains rural. He said while he supports home businesses in town, and mentioned utilizing the local library as potential space for this, the overall picture is ... of all the businesses we have, from the market to the distillery to the pizza place ... I would suggest there is no commercial opportunity for business here.... We are fine with what we have, said Tuomala. He added the surrounding towns, which are within ten minutes distance from Roxbury, have a lot of services and businesses, so I dont see Roxbury needs them. I dont want the town to change. Once you start it, it starts to build so I would not be supportive. On many occasions throughout the debate, Tuomala spoke about what he said is the importance of establishing strong relationships. Many things can affect Roxbury outside of Roxbury and a big way that you find out about those things is through networking, through understanding relationships, Tuomala said. I developed this network and it takes a long time to develop these relationships. It took me four years to do that. He then questioned his opponent I would say Patrick, what contacts do you have? It takes a long time to build. In response, Roy said he, too, has developed strong relationships, and brought up some, such as the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (COG). Building relationships has always been part of my career. Im not a legislator, Roy said. I have no interests other than serving this community and listening to the people of this community, making the best decisions. In his closing statement, Tuomala mentioned the nonprofit group Desegregate Connecticut. Tuomala said he was very disappointed there werent any questions during the debate about Desegregate Connecticut, which he said is the most important issue in the town and what Hartford is trying to do change our local zoning and and land use. According to the Desegregate Connecticut website, this is a a coalition of neighbors and nonprofits advocating for more equitable, affordable, and environmentally-sustainable land use policies in Connecticut with a focus on expanding the diversity and supply of our housing stock. Tuomala said, Im really running to keep Hartford from affecting our local zoning. In Roys closing remarks, he reiterated hes not a politician. Its not about what Im going to do, he said. Its what were going to do together. sfox@milfordmirror.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Two juveniles have been charged with murder in the shooting deaths of two teenagers in Kansas City, police said Friday. The juveniles, who are 15 and 17, were each charged with two counts of murder and two counts of armed criminal action in the deaths of Dominik Simmons and Dominique Nelson, who were both 15 when they were killed, The Kansas City Star reported. WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) West High School seniors Matthias Holmes and Saheed Pryce liked the jobs they started in the summer. The work has continued this fall, adjusted for their school schedules. Its going so well that both are considering careers in the field after graduation and college. As apprentices at John Deere Waterloo Operations, they are already making progress toward that potential future and earning a wage. It sets up a long-term goal for you to follow if youre interested, said Pryce, noting that he plans to stick with the manufacturing field. He and Holmes are among four students enrolled in the Waterloo Career Center chosen for high school registered apprenticeships at John Deere. They are taking advanced manufacturing courses that earn Hawkeye Community College credit and teach computer numerical control machining plus other skills needed in a factory. Completing the classes is a component of the apprenticeship, which includes a minimum of 2,000 hours between classroom and work time. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports this is the second year Deere has worked with the career center on the apprenticeships in Waterloo. Two apprentices worked for the company last year. It allows for us to provide training to our future employees to fill that pipeline, said Kari Kristensen, a coordinator with Deere in the component manufacturing area. And now, were seeing a void, especially in the CNC experience here in the Cedar Valley. Two other students are completing similar apprenticeships at DC Industries and Criterion Manufacturing. The career center also works with companies for electrician and plumbing apprenticeships. Waterloo Community Schools officials said an information technology apprenticeship is slated to begin this spring through the center. At John Deere, the students received eight days of training this summer in the facility where they were placed. After that, weve matched them with a variety of CNC experiences on the floor, said Kristensen. Pryce and Holmes spent the summer working at Drivetrain Operations from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays and moved to Engine Works beginning Aug. 30. During the school year, they work from 7 to 10 a.m. before heading to classes. The students are paired with production employees who volunteer to help them learn the needed skills. For the most part, we switch every week and we learn a different process, said Holmes. Initially during the summer, they were operating machinery like lathes before moving on to the heat treat process, which hardens parts being manufactured to make them stronger. They have gone through a number of other rotations since then and have already learned a lot. Personally, I didnt know anything about machining at all, before he started high school, said Pryce. But he and Holmes took an introduction to metals class as freshmen at West. The teacher had welding booths and welders and some foundry equipment. It was really cool to have the hands-on, said Holmes of that class. We started making molds like they do at the foundry. As juniors, they both enrolled in the Waterloo Career Centers machine theory class, part of the advanced manufacturing program. Thats when they learned about the apprenticeship. Theyre currently enrolled in the machine operations class. Holmes has learned about some of the programming that is involved in manufacturing and the way robotics is used on the factory floor. I thought that was really interesting because I think thats something I would pursue, he said. Pryce said the most interesting thing Ive seen here involves maintenance efforts. The department gets work orders when something needs to be repaired or another maintenance issue emerges. Its like a puzzle they have, to put things together, he explained. Maintenance staff have to determine whats the best way to get this done. Working in that area wouldnt have crossed my mind until I seen it and found it interesting, said Pryce. They will continue with the apprenticeship at least through graduation and up to three months afterward. Apprentices can go on to college or apply for a job with the company. Because of their time in the factories, they may have some ideas about what to pursue. The benefit is that they get exposure to all these jobs, said Elizabeth DeWinter, wage employment administrator for Deere. By the time they graduate, they know the direction they want to go. Across the company at facilities in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, an additional 33 high school students began the work-based learning portion of their apprentices in June. Since starting in 2019, officials said Deere has successfully prepared 27 students for careers in manufacturing. Thirteen of those have been hired as full-time employees upon graduation. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICERS OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2021 /CNW/ - Halo Collective Inc. ("Halo" or the "Company") (NEO: HALO) (OTCQB: HCANF) (Germany: A9KN) today announces the issuance of 32,244,961 common shares of the Company to certain independent consultants, related parties, and a supplier of the Company, in lieu of cash consideration (the "Compensation Shares") at a price of C$0.035 per Compensation Share, being the closing price of the common shares of the Company on September 24, 2021. On September 30th, 2021 the Company issued 32,244,961 Compensation Shares in satisfaction of approximately C$1,128,573.77 in fees, payables, and other compensation accrued between March 2021 to September 2021 and payable to independent consultants, related parties and a supplier of the Company. 2,488,537 Compensation Shares were issued to related parties (within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")) and such issuances are considered "related party transactions" for the purposes of MI 61-101. 2,488,537 Compensation Shares were issued to Kiran Sidhu, a director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Such related party transactions are exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities being issued to the related parties nor the consideration being paid by the related parties exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The recipient of the Compensation Shares and the extent of such participation were not finalized until shortly prior to the completion of the issuance described herein. Accordingly, it was not possible to publicly disclose details of the nature and extent of related party participation in the transactions contemplated hereby pursuant to a material change report filed at least 21 days prior to the completion of such transactions. All of the Compensation Shares were issued pursuant to an exemption from the prospectus requirement of applicable securities laws. 27,376,062 of the Compensation Shares issued are subject to a hold period expiring on the date that is four (4) months and one day from the date of issuance. In addition, Green Times Consulting Ltd. received 12,400,620 Compensation Shares as part of the issuance. Green Times Consulting Ltd. was compensated for investor relations consulting work primarily in Europe. About Halo Collective Inc. Halo is a leading, vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, extracts, manufactures, and distributes quality cannabis flower, oils, and concentrates and has sold approximately eleven million grams of oils and concentrates since inception. The Company continues to expand its business and scale efficiently, partnering with trustworthy leaders in the industry who value Halo's operational expertise in bringing top-tier products to market. Halo currently operates in the United States in Oregon and California, Canada, Southern Africa in the Kingdom of Lesotho, and the United Kingdom. The Company sells cannabis products principally to dispensaries in the U.S. under its brands Hush, Mojave, and Exhale, and under license agreements with Papa's Herb, DNA Genetics, Terphogz, and FlowerShop*, a cannabis lifestyle and conceptual wellness brand that includes G-Eazy as a partner and key member. As part of continued expansion and vertical integration in the U.S., Halo boasts several grow operations throughout Oregon and two planned in California. In Oregon, the Company has a combined 11 acres of owned and contracted outdoor and green house cultivation, including East Evans Creek, a six-acre grow site in Jackson County with four licenses owned and operated by Halo and two third-party licenses under contract to sell all of their product to Halo; Winberry Farms, a one-acre grow site located 30 miles outside of Eugene in Lane County with a license owned and operated by Halo; and William's Wonder Farms, a three-acre grow site in Applegate Valley, under contract to sell all of its product to Halo pending the closing of Halo's acquisition of its licenses and business assets. Halo has recently acquired Food Concepts LLC, a master tenant of a 55,000 sq.ft. indoor cannabis cultivation, processing, and wholesaling facility in Portland, Oregon operated by the Pistil Point entities (the "Pistil Point Acquistion"). In California, the Company is building out Ukiah Ventures, a planned 30,000 sq. ft. indoor cannabis grow and processing facility, which will include up to an additional five acres of industrial land to expand the site. Recently, Halo partnered with Green Matter Holding in California to purchase a property in Lake County, developing up to 63 acres of cultivation, comprising one of the largest licensed single site grows in California. Halo also plans to expand its operations in California by opening three dispensaries in North Hollywood, Hollywood, and Westwood, one of which may serve as the first FlowerShop* branded dispensary. In Canada, Halo acquired three KushBar retail cannabis stores located in Alberta as a first in its planned entry into the Canadian market, leveraging its Oregon and California brands. With the KushBar retail stores as a foundation, the Company plans to expand its foothold in Canada. Halo has also acquired a range of software development assets, including CannPOS, Cannalift, and, more recently, CannaFeels. In addition, Halo owns the discrete sublingual dosing technology, Accudab. The Company intends to spin-off these assets and its intellectual property and patent applications into its subsidiary Halo Tek Inc. and expects to complete a distribution to shareholders on a record date to be determined by Halo. Halo has recently announced its intention to reorganize its non-U.S. operations into a newly formed entity called Akanda Corp., whose mission will be to provide high-quality and ethically sourced medical cannabis products to patients worldwide. Akanda will seek to deliver on this promise while driving positive change in wellness, empowering individuals in Lesotho, and uplifting the quality of the lives of employees and the local communities where it operates, all while limiting its carbon footprint. Akanda will combine the scaled production capabilities of Bophelo Bioscience & Wellness Pty. Ltd., Halo's Lesotho-based cultivation and processing campus located in the world's first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) containing a cannabis cultivation operation, with distribution and route-to-market efficiency of Canmart Ltd., Halo's UK-based fully approved pharmaceutical importer, and distributor that supplies pharmacies and clinics within the U.K. With a potential maximum licensed canopy area of 200 hectares (495 acres), Bophelo has scalability that is arguably unmatched in the world today. For further information regarding Halo, see Halo's disclosure documents on SEDAR at www.sedar.com Connect with Halo Collective: Email | Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only Halo's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Halo's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results including, but not limited to Halo's planned expansion into the Canadian retail market, the expected size and capabilities of the final facility planned at Ukiah Ventures and the size of Halo's planned cultivation facility in Northern California, the ability of Bophelo and Canmart to serve international markets, Halo's proposed transaction involving Akanda and the proposed activities of Bophelo and Canmart. By identifying such information and statements in this manner, Halo is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Halo has made certain assumptions. Although Halo believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Among others, the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements are the following: delays in obtaining required licenses or approvals, delays or unforeseen costs incurred in connection with construction, the ability of competitors to scale operations in Northern California, delays or unforeseen difficulties in connection with the cultivation and harvest of Halo's raw material, changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; and the other risks disclosed in the Company's annual information form dated March 31, 2021 and other disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Halo does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to Halo or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice. Non-Solicitation This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell nor the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these 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 any such state or jurisdiction. SOURCE Halo Collective Inc. For further information: Halo Collective, Investor Relations, [email protected] Related Links https://haloco.com/ VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 1, 2021 /CNW/ - Havn Life Sciences Inc. (CSE: HAVN) (OTC: HAVLF) (FSE: 5NP) (the "Company" or "Havn Life") provides an update on its operations. On August 3, 2021, the Company announced it had harvested its first crop of psilocybin-containing mushrooms (the "Products") from its operations in Jamaica, and that the Company would be exporting the harvested psilocybin to Canada for safety and quality control testing by its lab partner, Delic Labs. The Company notes that the anticipated importation of the Products to Canada is intended to occur during Q4 2021 or Q1 2022, and that such importation requires a Health Canada license which the Company does not currently possess. The Company has a pending application for such license but there can be no assurance that it will be received by Q4 2021, or at all. On September 17, 2021, the Company entered into a memorandum of understanding with Mycrodose Therapeutics, the holder of a Controlled Substance Registration Certificate for psilocybin from the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration, pursuant to which the Company and Mycrodose Therapeutics aim to negotiate a definitive arrangement to permit the importation of the Company's Products into the United States of America. The Company notes that it is in negotiations for similar definitive arrangements for the importation of Products into Canada, though to date no such arrangements have been finalized. The Company notes that aside from Canada and the United States, it is also focused on the United Kingdom as a potential market for its Products. However, as with Canada and the United States, importation of the Products into the United Kingdom is highly-regulated and requires licenses and permits which the Company does not currently possess. At this time, the Company is not actively considering any other export market. HAVN Retail On July 29, 2021, the Company announced that it received a "Fulfillment by Amazon" designation from Amazon.ca for the Company's line of natural health products, allowing for the distribution of such products on Amazon's platform within Canada. On September 21, 2021, the Company announced that it secured a partnership with Horizon Grocery + Wellness, Western Canada's leading distributor of organic and natural health products, and a partnership with Well.ca, one of the largest online natural health retailers in Canada. On September 28, 2021, the Company acquired patented natural health formulations from Bennett's Choice, adding to its existing line of natural health products, in consideration for a cash payment of $200,000 and the issuance of 2,707,275 common shares in the capital of the Company (such common shares being subject to a 36-month escrow, with 1/6th of such common shares being released every six months). About HAVN Life Sciences Inc. HAVN Life Sciences is a biotechnology company pursuing standardized extraction of psychedelic compounds for the creation of APIs, the development of natural health products, and innovative therapies to support brain health and enhance the capabilities of the mind. Through its research division, HAVN Labs, the company has developed an end-to-end supply chain of standardized, naturally derived psychedelic compounds for research that will define the future of modern medicine. With its new line of natural health products, HAVN Life offers a full range of high-quality mushroom and plant extracts that help boost immune function, reduce inflammation and support a healthy lifestyle. Purchase our products and find out more at yourhavnlife.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to statements regarding the anticipated importation of Products into Canada, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, the Company's ability to secure the necessary approvals, permits and licenses for such anticipated importation of Products into Canada, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, the negotiation of definitive arrangements for the importation of Products into the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom, the Company's business, products and future of the Company's business. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance and developments to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risk that the Company will not be able to secure the necessary approvals, permits or licenses for the importation of Products into Canada, the United States of America or the United Kingdom, risks that the Company will not be able reach definitive arrangements with third-party license holders for the importation of Products into the United States of America, Canada or the United Kingdom as anticipated, or at all, risks that the Company's products, including the Products, and plans will vary from those stated in this news release and the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this press release. SOURCE HAVN Life Sciences Inc. For further information: Investor Relations: [email protected], 604 687-7130; Media: [email protected], 647 896-8078 Related Links https://havnlife.com/ When Sri Lanka found it difficult to repay Chinese debt, they gave away their lands to China. After the Hambantota port, China wanted to take control of the Colombo port. This was surely undesirable to both Sri Lanka and India. But now, Adani Ports has entered into a staggering $700 million deal with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority(SLPA). Billionaire Gautam Adani-led groups Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd signed an agreement with Sri Lankas state-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority(SLPA) to develop and run the strategic Colombo ports Western Container Terminal. Adani Ports will hold a 51% stake in the Western Container International Terminal and become the first-ever Indian port operator in the Island nation. The agreement is a (BOT) Build-Operate-Transfer agreement with its local partner John Keels Holdings and the SLPA to develop the WCT at the Colombo port. The two local partners will have 34% and 15% stakes, respectively, in the joint venture. China is expectedly shocked by Indias move to counter its expansionist strategy in the Indian Ocean. India has to pay $700 million to secure the port from the Chinese. The move will prevent China from using the western port terminal to build its military base and dominating the Indian Ocean. Adani Groups is also celebrating its 14th strategic port acquisition with this deal. It is good news for India and its soft power as its private sector is controlling major ports of the world. China is using its notorious debt trap strategy to take control of the foreign lands by giving a significant amount of loans to economically weaker nations, knowing fully well the nations inability to pay back those loans. In lieu of the bad loans, China captures the infrastructure that it helped build in that country and the sovereign foreign land that these infrastructure projects stand on. Many congress leaders of the Punjab Congress are said to be in touch with Captain Amarinder and may join his new party if he indeed forms one. This, along with Captain Amarinders own image in the state, will ensure a readily available voter base for the new party. Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh has already announced that he will indeed be leaving the Congress party. The announcement has made the intentions of Amarinder Singh joining another party or forming his own political party very clear. Speculations about the same caught pace after Captain Amarinder Singhs meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and NSA Ajit Doval. After meeting Amit Shah on Wednesday, Captain Amarinder tweeted about the hour-long interaction and said that he urged the Union Home Minister to resolve the crisis around the three controversial farm laws. Amarinder Singh, however, categorically put an end to the speculations of him joining the BJP, the same day he left the Congress party. Any presumptions of the former CM joining the BJP seem impractical seeing the current scenario in Punjab. Anti-BJP sentiments are extremely high in the state after the introduction of the three contentious farm laws in India. Such an alliance might be harmful to Captain Amarinder Singhs image as a pro-Punjab leader. The possibility of external support by the BJP to Captain Amarinders own political party can nevertheless still be a viable political solution for both the parties in Punjab trying to capture the power vacuum created by the Congress lacking any tall leaders. Captain Amarinder Singh has, in the past, steered clear of directly and staunchly attacking PM Modi and the central government. Amarinder Singhs bipartisan support to the central government in the aftermath of the Uri and Balakot surgical strikes show his nationalistic principles which align with the ideology of the BJP, for which he has often received praise from the partys leaders. Captain Amarinder Singh, being an army veteran and a political leader of high stature, definitely has the option of floating his own political party. The former CM is credited for being the driving force behind the Congress partys resounding victory in the 2017 Punjab assembly polls over the incumbent SAD-BJP alliance. Many congress leaders are said to be in touch with Captain Amarinder and may join his new party if he indeed forms one. This, along with Captain Amarinders own image in the state, will ensure a readily available voter base for the new party. This will also mean that the Congress party will run a risk of losing Punjab if enough sitting MLAs decide to join Captain Amarinder in his new political endeavour. India is going to implement a reciprocal quarantine policy for British citizens coming to India. This comes after the UK governments travel advisory mandated a 10-day quarantine for even fully vaccinated Indians, who took the Covihield vaccine, travelling to the country. Sources say the new travel rules will be applicable from Oct 4. According to sources, the Indian travel advisory mandates a 10-day quarantine at home or the destination address for UK nationals. It is, however, unclear if the rules will be applicable only for British passport holders or by PIO and OCI card holders as well. The measures also include a compulsory RT-PCR test on arrival in India and an RT-PCR test on Day 8 after arrival. This move was anticipated after India strongly condemned the discriminatory move by the British authorities. The UK government received heavy backlash for not recognizing the Indian digital vaccination certificates. The UK said that their reservation was about the Indian vaccination certificate format that did not include the certificate holders date of birth. The Indian government later added the option to download an international format of the vaccination certificate which includes the persons date of birth. However, this did not result in a change of quarantine rules for Indian citizens. The British government is yet to respond to the reciprocal travel restrictions by India. Sources suggest that New Delhi is waiting for the UK governments response to decide on the future course of action. The EU earlier kept Covishield out of the list of recognized vaccines while including the AstraZeneca vaccine on the same list. However, member states, including the UK, later individually recognized the vaccine for considering a person as inoculated. NORWALK As James Bloom tidied up the bar Friday morning at Spacecat Brewing, hours in advance of the new brew pubs grand opening, a device on the counter rattled to life, reeling off a receipt for another advance online order of crowlers for pickup later in the day. When one of Connecticuts most renowned brew masters in the house, word gets around town in a hurry. Opening its doors for the first time at 2 p.m. on Friday, Spacecat Brewing landed in Norwalk as the citys first brew pub since the closure of Iron Brewing on Washington Street at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Spacecat Brewing is the creation of James Bloom and Jeff Dunn, who worked together previously at Remedy Partners, a Norwalk insurance company acquired two years ago by Signify Health. Bloom and Dunn recruited Roger Krackow as head brewer, with Krakow having held the same role at Two Roads Brewing, which has built up a national following from its roots in Stratford. Before joining Two Roads in 2013, Krakow was a captain in the U.S. Army, having served in Iraq. Like Two Roads, Spacecat Brewing is located in an old mill building with banks of windows illuminating exposed brick and polished wood floors, the design by Norwalk-based Beinfield Architecture. The taproom can accommodate more than 100 people, with a lengthy patio for outdoor service when weather allows. Bloom and Dunn plan to have a rotation of food trucks on site, beginning this weekend with the East Norwalk seafood eatery Knot Norms, which recently opened a second location in Newport, R.I. Growing up in Weston where he was a standout runner, Bloom attended the University of Rhode Island. After working for a retail running shoe store in Southampton, N.Y., he landed at the Remedy Partners, where he worked more than three years, building a rapport with Dunn who worked in his department. We would just talk about, What do we want to do? pig farming or coffee roasting or something, Bloom said. I got to the point where I just couldnt work in an office anymore. I spent nearly four years there. It was time to go do something else. With Dunn having been a home brewer at that point for several years, the two gravitated toward the possibility of a brew pub. Spacecat Brewing is located at 57 Chestnut St. adjacent to East Coast Kombucha, with the building once housing a clothing label manufacturer. The structure is located in an Opportunity Zone, under a business incentive program created by the Trump administration that awards tax incentives to startups and real estate development that create jobs in qualifying districts. Spacecat Brewing will be open Friday through Sunday in the early going, with plans to add more days in time. Krackow plans to have a rotation of a dozen beers initially and more varieties to follow. The initial tap list includes a Harvest Moon nod to Oktoberfest, a Belgian blonde dubbed Back to Earth and Cosmic Candy, described as a kettle-soured ale fermented with orange, peach and mango, but without the cheek-puckering intensity of a traditional gose. As Bloom and Dunn described the lineup, the countertop machine clattered back into motion, with Tree Cat and Felix IPAs on the newest advance order, along with some crowlers of Cosmic Candy. We did a lot of gymnastics, Dunn said of the process to arrive at the recipe for Cosmic Candy. But it came out great. Includes prior reporting by Leeanne Griffin. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman "TONIGHT TONIGHT The headlines boldface capital type seems to shout from the ad in The Bridgeport Telegram, urging readers to step along with the jolly throng at a concert featuring the eight marvelous music men who made up Kreglings Melody Boys. It was 1924 and cities across Connecticut were roaring to the new music of jazz. The decade began on the heels of the great pandemic of 1918 and the wounds and loss of World War I still fresh. The 18th Amendment had recently banned the sale of alcohol, and Coast Guard boats prowled Connecticut waters in search of bootleggers, but enough booze got through that the party kept going. African American-led jazz bands like Kreglings Melody Boys were everywhere. In this nation syncopation simply is our meat. Most of the people that I know would rather jazz than eat, read a national column printed in The Bridgeport Telegram in 1922. Yet not everyone was dancing to the tune of the modern world. Bordering the advertisement for the Kreglings Melody Boys performance on Oct. 18, 1924, is a menacing ad that jumps like a dissonant chord from the page. Join The Ku Klux Klan the ad says, above an address in Fairfield where interested readers could write for more information. The 1920s are this really fascinating decade, says Ilene Frank, chief curator at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford. When we look back, a lot of people think about flappers and the music and Great Gatsby-type feelings and vibes, and that was absolutely part of it. But it was also, in our country, a time of really great change. She adds, Theres grief and sadness, having come out of World War I and then having the Spanish flu devastate the country. And so, while it is easy for us to focus on the Roaring Twenties good times, like any decade there are definitely pros and cons. And there are absolutely tensions that are existing in society. Some of that change was positive. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920, and women began to take a more direct role in political life. Mary Townsend Seymour, a civil and womens rights activist from Hartford, became the first African American woman in the U.S. to run for state office in the 1920s. She is defeated, of course, but she is standing there making her claim to political office, Frank says. Immigration also picked up in the state, and during the 1920s nearly 30 percent of the states residents were not born in the U.S. The Northeast had the highest proportion of foreign-born residents anywhere in the country and sometimes double the national average. So, anyone whos living in Connecticut and in New England in the 1920s is seeing these waves of immigrants come in from new countries like Italy, Russia and Poland, Frank says. Not everyone was happy about the states increasing diversity. Tapping into racism and fear of immigrants, the Ku Klux Klan gained a foothold in the state, and by 1926 they claimed to have a membership of about 65,000 people. In the 20s in Connecticut, they had racist views against Blacks, but a lot of their movement, and their protesting is really anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic, Frank says. Their advertisements from the time targeted Italians, Jews and others with negative stereotypes. Despite this dark undercurrent, there were also aspects of 1920s Connecticut that fit our vision of the Roaring Twenties, including, as already mentioned, the nations newfound love of jazz. The 20s is the height of the Harlem Renaissance, so there is this whole burgeoning artistic and literary culture thats happening from this really great collection of artistic and intellectual African Americans in Harlem, and those writers and those performers are coming here, Frank says. Jazz just becomes the pulse or the sound of urban centers. The wild parties and decadent side of the decade were also on full display in Connecticut. The wealthy began buying up more property on Connecticuts coast, and walls around private communities and the states beaches went up. Extravagant parties were thrown for elites, and some of them may even have inspired one of the best-known novels about the time period. Scott Fitzgerald, and Zelda, rented a house along the Sound in the early 20s in Connecticut, and some people think that that was part of the inspiration for writing The Great Gatsby, Frank says. This article originally appeared in Connecticut Magazine. You can subscribe here, or find the current issue on sale here. Sign up for the newsletter to get the latest and greatest content from Connecticut Magazine delivered right to your inbox. On Facebook and Instagram @connecticutmagazine and Twitter @connecticutmag. CHICAGO (AP) What started with three unarmed men attempting to burglarize a Southwest Side electronics store one night in April 2012 ended in a hail of gunfire from Chicago police officers as the friends tried to flee the scene in a stolen van. One of the men died. The other two suffered life-altering injuries and faced murder convictions. A jury found John W. Givens and Leland Dudley, both 32 at the time, responsible for the death of their friend, 27-year-old David Strong, under Illinois felony murder statute in 2015. Judge James Linn sentenced Givens and Dudley to more than 30 years in prison. As the two men fought their cases in criminal court, they waged another legal battle in civil court. Along with Strongs estate, Givens and Dudley sued the city over police officers decision to fire at least 75 rounds into the getaway van. The civil suit was filed in 2012, in Cook County Circuit Court. Judge Bridget J. Hughes threw out Givens and Dudleys claims for compensation for their injuries. But a jury awarded Strongs estate $1 million in their wrongful death claims, according to court records. However, the financial relief didnt come to Strongs family, including his 10-year-old son. The judge quickly nullified the verdict based on the jurys answers to two special interrogatories prepared by the city. ___ The nonprofit news outlet Injustice Watch provided this article to The Associated Press through a collaboration with Institute for Nonprofit News. ___ Interrogatories are written questions about the facts of a case that any party in a lawsuit may ask a jury to answer separately from their verdict. Despite their findings that Strongs estate deserved compensation, when the jury was asked whether they thought police officers engaged in a legally unjustified course of action, which showed an actual or deliberate intention to harm David Strong, they answered no. When asked whether the officers acted in an unjustified manner, which showed an utter indifference or conscious disregard for the safety of others, they also answered no. These kinds of special interrogatories, usually presented to juries in state court after their verdicts in civil suits, function to reverse monetary damages they award. Attorneys representing the city of Chicago have used the maneuver in other police killing cases over the years. While juries arent typically told that their answers to the interrogatories could reverse their verdicts, defendants can use them to do just that. Hughes agreed with the city that these answers invalidated the jurys decision to award Strongs family $1 million. But on Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the First District Appellate Court issued an opinion that reversed the decision, reviving not just the possibility of a $1 million in compensation for Strongs estate but also for Dudley and Givens to revive their injury suit against the city. The appellate courts decision reversed the trial courts determination that Givens and Dudleys convictions for murder, aggravated battery to a police officer, and possession of a stolen vehicle disqualified them from seeking civil damages. Im ecstatic, Givens mother, Valencia Givens, said Thursday about the appellate court decision. The shooting left her son bound to a wheelchair, and she thinks the city owes him compensation for his physical and psychological injuries. It plays a big part in Johns life, the memories of going through all of that. Justice Terrence Lavin delivered the appellate courts decision, with Justices Nathaniel Howse and Cynthia Cobbs concurring. The appellate panel characterized the special interrogatories presented by the city as convoluted and confusing. The questions posed to the jury were impermissibly compound in their wording, and for that reason alone they were improper and should be stricken, the opinion said. The appellate court found that the question about officers deliberate intention to harm Strong was impossibly narrow, while the one about their conscious disregard for the safety of others was too broad. The justices also found that Hughes, the trial court judge in the civil case, had improperly excluded testimony by an investigator and supervisor from the Independent Police Review Authority (now the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, or COPA). The two employees had initially found the officers shooting that night to be unjustified. You dont shoot unarmed burglars, the supervisor, Lorenzo Davis, told The Chicago Tribune in 2016. You move out of the way of the vehicle. You dont fire into a vehicle. The agency eventually fired Davis and the investigator and ultimately ruled that the shooting was justified. The COPA didnt respond to a request for comment. The city can request a rehearing from the appellate court within 21 days of the opinion being issued and could also petition the Illinois Supreme Court to consider an appeal. In other words: Its still possible that the city wont pay Strongs family, and that Givens and Dudley wont be able to sue the city for their injuries. A spokeswoman for Chicagos law department said Wednesday the citys lawyers are still assessing next steps. Legal experts predict that the appeal is likely and not simply because the citys lawyers are worried about the payouts to Givens, Dudley, and Strongs estate. The city might also hope to avert setting a legal precedent that would allow other people convicted under the felony murder statute to sue them for deaths and injuries caused by cops, the experts said. Shifting Blame in a police shooting Dudleys and Givens murder convictions highlight Illinois history of charging people for murder when someone else such as a police officer kills their accomplices in another crime. Known as the felony murder rule, the law allows someone accused of a forcible felony, such as armed robbery, arson, or carjacking, to be held accountable if someone dies as a result of the crime. State lawmakers recently changed the statute as part of the massive criminal justice overhaul signed into law earlier this year. If the same scenario from the bungled burglary played out today, Dudley and Givens couldnt be charged with murdering Strong. But the changes to the law are not retroactive. In January, Gov. J.B. Pritzker pardoned Givens, and the Illinois Department of Corrections paroled him back to the Chicago area. Givens, now 42, has been focused on finding employment. His mother and attorneys said he was quickly able to secure a job cutting meat while seated in a slaughterhouse, but he had to quit within five months because of persistent pain in his legs. He is now uninsured, in need of a new wheelchair, and confronting how his disability makes it harder to find work. Marissa Jackson, a third-year law student at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, is currently preparing Dudleys executive clemency petition. Jackson said the old felony murder statute allowed the police to avoid scrutiny by shifting blame from their own reckless and unjustified actions to accomplices like (Givens and Dudley), who neither killed nor intended to kill anyone. Dudley, now also 42, lost nearly 40% of his skull in the shooting and suffers from brain damage, seizures, and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result, according to his attorneys. He remains incarcerated at the Centralia Correctional Center. Northwestern Universitys Center on Wrongful Convictions will soon be filing a clemency petition on his behalf, according to Steven Drizin, Jacksons supervisor and co-director of the Center. Drizin called the appellate court decision to allow Givens and Dudley to pursue civil claims an incomplete victory. (Dudley) may be able to recover damages in the future for what the police officers did to him, but what he really needs is to be released as soon as possible, Drizin said. The year after Givens and Dudley were convicted, the Independent Police Review Authority released a trove of records and video from police shootings, including theirs. The dashcam and surveillance tapes showed more than a dozen officers milling around the street outside the Little Village shop moments before a van bursts out of a closed garage door in reverse, appears to graze one of the officers, and plows into a parked truck on the curb. The hailstorm of police bullets didnt stop until officers shot out the vans tires. The nearly two dozen officers at the scene were responding to a 911 call from a neighbor living above the electronics store who reported the break-in. The appellate court opinion released Tuesday noted that even though Givens, Dudley, and Strong didnt comply with cops orders to come out of the shop with their hands up, the officers on the scene were warned several times over their radios that the burglars were preparing to exit the adjacent garage in the van. Still, they crowded densely around the garage door and began shooting as soon as they perceived officer Michael J. Papin to be run over, even though he wasnt. In the event of a retrial, the fired IPRA staffers testimony could undermine the citys claims that the shooting was justified based on the officers assessment of danger in the situation and alleged injuries to Papin. Attorney Brion Doherty, who represented Strongs estate and Givens in the civil suit, says Papins injuries were exaggerated in reports filed by his fellow officers and werent supported by much more than photographs of his reddened flank. He also argues that the van grazing Papin didnt amount to the type of aggravated battery that would justify deadly force. Papin reported only a minor injury. He didnt fire any shots himself, according to documents released by the city. Two of Papins fellow officers, Anthony Rosen and Michael Curry, however, each fired 18 times. Six others fired between one and 11 shots at the van. Civil rights attorney Elizabeth Mazur said she and other attorneys who regularly sue the city over police violence in state and federal court will closely watch the outcome of this case. She said it is a powerful example of how police often make crime scenes more not less dangerous when they arrive. From her perspective, the courts are responding to broader public discourse about polices role in public safety. As a civil rights attorney whos filed claims against police for excessive force, its always risky to bring a case when your client or the estate is of someone whos engaged in unlawful conduct, Mazur said. Its interesting that the jury found in favor of the estate of Mr. Strong, and I think thats recognizing that even though he was involved in committing this crime, he shouldnt have been summarily executed for it. GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) At Grand Islands University of Nebraska Extension campus, Sandra Barrera Fuentes connects the citys Spanish-speaking residents with the resources needed to start their own businesses. This includes licenses, inspections, paperwork and various trainings. Everything that has to do with opening a business, she explained. Barrera Fuentes is also the founder of the Grand Island Latino Network, which meets and hosts sessions online to connect Grand Islands Hispanic community with other resources that might be needed. Every month, GI Latino Network hosts lunch talks and coffee table discussions, and has a robust group on Facebook. These services are all free and presented completely in Spanish. The Grand Island Independent reports that Barrera Fuentes came to Grand Island in 2000 from Colombias capital city of Bogota. In Colombia, she earned a bachelors degree in accounting, and from UNL has a masters degree in financial planning. She is also a Central District Health Department board member and serves on Gov. Pete Ricketts Commission on Latino Americans. Barrera Fuentes enjoys being able to help Grand Islands potential Hispanic entrepreneurs as a UNL Extension rural prosperity educator. This year alone, through UNL, 90 people have started new businesses in Grand Island. Because many of those are husband and wife efforts, it is really 180 people, she said. We get complaints about workforce, she said. They try to find employees, but, I say, we had 90 people, they quit being employees to become employers. In September, Grand Island hosted the states first Latino Small Business Conference. The event had 100 participants locally and 55 people from the Omaha area. People liked it, she said. It was the first conference for them, too. They never attended a conference. They have done workshops and small classes, but not a conference. It was good learning opportunity for them. A key effort for Barrera Fuentes is Grand Islands Fourth Street, which hosts many Hispanic businesses. We want to see better streets, sidewalks, illumination. We need paint, she said. We have them to start, but we need to see people on Fourth Street so we can increase sales. Working with the city of Grand Island and Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, tours of the streets businesses are hosted in April and October. When we started five years ago, the people didnt know how many businesses we have on Fourth Street, she said. From Broadway, we have 220 businesses. How many are Latinos and how many Anglos? It is 50/50. Barrera Fuentes also works to dispel pervasive rumors about Fourth Street. People think theyre selling drugs, and its not safe, she said. We had 300,000 people who came to the State Fair and they did not know we have Fourth Street. We have to be proud of what we have in the city. We have to improve the street and we can bring visitors to Fourth Street. Grand Island Latino Network is a critical communication source for Grand Islands Spanish speaking community. It also benefits the UNL Extensions efforts, Barrera Fuentes explained. One thing they saw when we started this is that we dont have communications, she said. We have events, grants. We have positions, services, and they say, what is that? Nobody has information. We dont know about the positions. Were losing money for grants. The best way to share information is through meetings. Meetings are hosted at the UNL Extension campus at Central Community College, but have gone virtual since the pandemic started. Roughly 20 people attend the meetings with an email network of 200 people. The meetings focus on what is happening in the community, Barrera Fuentes said. This includes updates from agencies such as Hope Harbor, and local events, such as Nebraska State Fair. Also offered are trainings for disasters, health care and social media, and city tours. Any training that is good for the group, we try to have it, she said. A key effort has been COVID-19 guidance. We have COVID numbers, and campaigns we have around, she said. We promote vaccines. Right now, they dont know where to go for tests. They dont know where to go for vaccination. We share information here and for whats happening in the community. All of this is done in Spanish because it makes the group feel more comfortable and makes the information as clear as possible, Barrera Fuentes said. We have people from Cuba now, but they dont know any English, and they come to the group because it is the biggest group right now in Grand Island, she said. Being able to help so many people in so many ways is a passion for Barrera Fuentes. When you do things with passion and love, your imagination is going to be huge, she said. Any opportunity to help Latinos in anyway is my job. I never feel its hard for me. Im happy to come here. I dont feel its a job. Its a mission. We can do many things for people. She added, Its a nice community. I want to see everybody together, and free and happy. NEW HAVEN Marna Borgstrom has overseen a major expansion of the Yale New Haven Health System since she was named CEO in 2005, with five hospitals spanning the shoreline from Greenwich to Westerly, R.I. Borgstroms strengths a health care executive, however, come not just from her experience since she began as an administrative resident in 1978. They are rooted in her ability to relate to her staff and patients with genuine warmth, and to support others along the way, say those who have worked with her. The influences she has had stretch far beyond New Haven. Valerie Powell-Stafford was an administrative fellow in 1990 at Yale New Haven. Now she is CEO of Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla. Marna was this great role model for me, and I still reflect upon what I learned from her as a working mom as well, Powell-Stafford said. I would look at her in awe at how she was able to balance this very demanding career, as well as a family. Powell-Stafford said she has made the lessons Borgstrom taught her a part of her life and leadership. One is not to bring the concerns of work home, but to devote home life to family. Also, she did a great job at listening and making sure that all the appropriate stakeholders were at the table when important decisions were made, Powell-Stafford said. Contributed photo And Powell-Stafford said she has followed Borgstrom in supporting other women in the health care field. Shes done a great job in promoting women in particular and making sure we have opportunities, she said. Thats something Im very intentional of as well. Borgstrom, 67, announced Sept. 15 that she will retire on March 25, 2022, 43 years after she joined the hospital, planning to stay for a short time before moving back to the West Coast, where she, her husband, Eric, and their sons, Christopher and Peter, lived. Her successor, Christopher OConnor, like Borgstrom chosen from within Yale New Haven Healths executive ranks, will be only its fourth CEO since 1976. When James Rawlings worked at Yale New Haven Hospital as assistant vice president for community health, and the hospital was a tenth of the size it is now, with fewer than 4,000 staff, She could tell you almost every employees name as she walked down the hallways, he said. Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Borgstroms ability to connect personally wasnt confined to her co-workers, either, Rawlings said. She could walk in every community, including the heavily Black neighborhoods in the Hill area around the hospital. She had that magnetism, that gravitas, he said. Borgstrom was born in Baltimore and grew up in Connecticut. Eric Borgstrom is from north of Seattle, and we both always thought that we would love to live there, Borgstrom said. But you know, one thing led to another and I just kept having new opportunities. And I never did the same thing for more than a couple of years. But while she would have found the same challenges in another setting, she said, theres something very important about working with a team of people who you feel like you can get work done with. So when Joseph Zaccagnino retired early, at age 59, Borgstrom became what she calls the accidental CEO. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media I realized that, if I didnt throw my hat in the ring, I would probably have to look for another role, because somebody new would come in and they would build their own team, she said. Friday was her 16th anniversary as CEO. Once she rose to the health systems leadership, she didnt sit in the chair; she transformed the chair, said former Mayor John DeStefano Jr. One of the ways was how she improved the relationship between the hospital and Yale University. Yale New Haven is the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine. Marna was part of creating a much healthier relationship. She worked at it. I think it was a goal, DeStefano said. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Research and jobs Borgstrom said the partnership with Yale is one of the strengths of the health system. The deans of the medical school have been good enough to include me and members of our team in a lot of their leadership meetings, she said. I know not just the clinical leaders who we support, but I know basic science chairs and the research-teaching-clinical care community is very integrated at Yale, more so than other places. Dr. Nancy Brown, dean of Yale Medical School, wrote in an email, Marna has consistently supported graduate medical education. She has led a drive for standardized excellence across the system. She has also articulated a vision for greater alignment between the medical school and health system, one we are poised to realize. Yale University She added, The creation and growth of Smilow Cancer Hospital has allowed us to deliver cutting-edge cancer care to patients across the state of Connecticut. As one of the two largest employers in New Haven, along with Yale, Yale New Haven is critical to the city, but also attracts related businesses. Our new factories dont make guns. They create jobs and private sector businesses in New Haven, including pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers, DeStefano said. The neurology center on the St. Raphael campus is going to be meaningful not only for patient care and for research but for the economic benefit of the city, he said. DeStefano said he and Borgstrom did have differences. There were times the city had issues with collection procedures and had issues about unionization of the workforce, he said. That said, on balance the community worked through those issues and continues to work through those issues. Only food service workers are unionized at Yale New Haven Hospitals two campuses. A pandemic Borgstrom and her decades of experience were tested when COVID-19 hit Connecticut in March 2020. She remembered a town hall on Zoom with 8,500 employees, trying to reassure them. One of the things COVID did was, it tested our ability as a reasonably large organization to pivot. And we pivoted magnificently well, she said. Greenwich was the first hospital to have a high number of COVID patients, Borgstrom said. They were overrun. At one point Greenwich wasnt doing anything except COVID and well-newborn deliveries, and those were terrifying. And its a relatively small hospital and they were under siege. And what we were able to do as a system is we moved: If they needed nurses, if they needed computers, if they needed respirators, we moved them from New London, we moved them from Bridgeport, we moved them from New Haven and it was real time. We created an incident command group who managed and made real-time decisions and I cant think of a bad decision that was made. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Borgstroms response went beyond Yale New Haven Health. When she received a Friday evening call in April 2020 from Kathleen Silard, CEO of independent Stamford Hospital, saying she didnt know whether shed have enough ventilators and other equipment to make it through the weekend. I said, you know, Kath, Ill get back to you, but we will figure out how to treat you as if youre a member of the Yale New Haven Health System, Borgstrom said. By 10 p.m., a plan had been worked out with Bridgeport Hospital, St. Vincents Hospital, the ambulance companies and others. What they did in a matter of a couple of hours was, they load balanced so that we never hit a crisis in any of the Connecticut hospitals that weekend or during the pandemic for that matter, Borgstrom said. Gov. Ned Lamont named Borgstrom, Hartford HealthCare CEO Jeffrey Flaks and Nuvance Health CEO John Murphy to lead the health system response team when COVID hit. I found her to be an exceptional partner, said Flaks, who began his career as an intern at Yale New Haven Hospital in 1992. I consider Marna a role model, an incredible values-driven principled leader, Flaks said. Shes a consummate professional and Marna is honorable to her core, and I believe shes a very special and unique leader. Flaks said, When we were responding to the unknown, when there was tremendous uncertainty, she has great wisdom, and she remains thoughtful and curious, and I found her to be a tremendous thought partner. She was so steady and she was so purposeful and always focused on the betterment of what was right for the community. Lamont said in a statement that when he became governor, no one could foresee the enormous impact of COVID-19 on Connecticut. In trying to navigate through this pandemic, I knew I had a friend who was an expert in the field to help me and our state respond, and that was Marna, Lamont said. She has been a partner since day one during some of the most trying times our state has ever seen. She offered balanced and thoughtful input and helped us most directly at our toughest moments. I wish her all the best on an extremely well deserved retirement. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media Jennifer Jackson, CEO of the Connecticut Hospital Association, said Borgstrom has been a force behind the hospitals standing and working together, and that was immensely important during COVID. Borgstrom was instrumental in all the hospital CEOs in the state getting together [and she] set up a variety of groups so we would have shared learning, she said. I dont know of anyone in the health care field that has made a greater impact or is respected more than Marna Borgstrom, Jackson said. Shes just an incredible person and were all better for having worked with her. Im just going to miss her terribly. Borgstrom has overseen the acquisition of the financially struggling Hospital of St. Raphael, incorporating it into Yale New Haven Hospital, then adding Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London and Westerly Hospital in Rhode Island to further the health systems reach. Milford Hospital was purchased and became part of Bridgeport Hospital. Smilow Cancer Hospital was built. In 2010, Northeast Medical Group, which numbers 130 medical practices from Westchester County, N.Y., to Westerly, was added to the health system. Epic But for Borgstrom, the expansion of the health system into an integrated whole would not have been possible without one mundane but important element: a unified electronic records system, known as Epic. She called that probably the best decision I helped drive because, at that time, all the hospitals literally were on different systems. They didnt talk to each other. Our business systems were different. She retold a story from the New York Times Magazine about a 39-year-old man who went to Westerly Hospital in severe pain. He had swallowed a breath mint, but the cause of his pain couldnt be determined, and he was flown by helicopter to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was finally diagnosed with a rare disorder. To Borgstrom, the ability for doctors in New Haven to call up the patients medical records and prepare for surgery and other procedures before he arrived is what makes the increasing size of todays health care systems worthwhile. Thats the classic example of why, if youre a patient, it makes a difference, that a system of caregivers can not only talk to each other, but they can share information in real time, Borgstrom said. Doctors in New Haven didnt need to repeat the diagnoses and tests that had been done at Westerly. Those things happen all the time. Thats when I feel really proud of the work that weve been able to do, because it made a difference in that persons life. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Borgstrom regularly gives credit to her staff as highly professional but also the kind of people who, if I had a free Saturday evening and I was going out to dinner, which Im not doing these days, I would probably choose to go out with many of my colleagues as much as anybody else because I really enjoy their company. I enjoy their spouses. A lot of us have been to one anothers childrens weddings. Those relationships are important, she said, because this is not something that is a job, its a way of life. And I have worked with really great people. As for her leadership style, Borgstrom said its important to be passionate and intelligent, but, even more, you have to be real, because people have pretty good meters of insincerity. And I get a lot of things wrong and any leader is going to, but what people have to know is that youre there for the long haul and that youre going to fix, as best you can, what didnt work and bring people along with you. And I think that, whether youre a man or a woman, those are the kinds of things that I try to impart to people about what it takes to be successful. Also, she said, I think that vulnerability is an enormously important asset, almost in any leadership position. Ive always believed that you have to lead with your heart as much as your head. This is not just a thinking business. This is a feeling business. She said one of the things shes missed most during COVID is the hugs. Before the pandemic, Borgstrom was at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital when a nurse received an award. I had never met her before. She comes up and hugs me. And I liked that. Its part of who I am. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382 Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media HAMDEN A 26-year-old man was found dead at a gas station in Hamden Friday morning, according to the Hamden Police Department. Local police and fire personnel responded to the US-1 Petrol gas station on Dixwell Avenue around 7:45 a.m. Friday for a report of a sudden death. Officials pronounced the 26-year-old man dead at the scene, police said. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) Police in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are still searching for a gunman or gunmen who opened fire at a hotel party, injuring six people. The shooting happened just before 10:30 p.m. Friday at the Ramada by Wyndham Cedar Rapids Hotel. Police said on Facebook that several dozen people were at a birthday party in a conference room when a disturbance broke out among some attendees, and several shots were fired. GUILFORD The Bead Hive was more than a bead shop. It was a community or even like family, some long-time customers and staff said. Tucked away in Strawberry Hill Plaza, one of the last bead shops in the state was to close its doors Saturday. Long-time shop owner and jewelry designer Rena Mulrain is retiring after 27 years, to relax and focus on making her own jewelry line, she said. Days before closing, patrons streamed in, some saying tearful good byes to Mulrain as they loaded up their trays with treasures and supplies. In between waiting on customers, Mulrain was teaching a student how to make a peyote-stitch bracelet all while fielding questions about the right clasp or perfect bead cap from others waiting their turn, standing at her elbow. Its been gratifying to Mulrain. Since her customers learned she was closing, Ive realized how important I am to peoples lives, she said, with a note of surprise. Long-time employee Joan Wenzel of Guilford echoed this: Its a big part of my life. Keelin Brett, an accomplished professional jewelry designer who has worked at the shop for 15 years also holds the place in her heart. I am so thankful for the Bead Hive, she said. Its never really been a shop to me were a family. Instead of spending holidays together, we create together. I will miss that terribly. Another veteran staffer compared the store to a clubhouse, one that welcomed all who wandered in. This was the place where customers would bring in grandmothers broken necklace to have it repaired or learn to fix it themselves. It was the place to learn how to stitch an intricate beaded bracelet or make a quick pair of earrings with Swarovski crystals for a night out. And, it was the place for dad to bring his young daughter to pick out special beads to make a necklace for mom for Mothers Day with help from staff to finish off the masterpiece, employees and fans fondly recalled. Some patrons became addicted to the craft and could whip out Kumihimo necklaces, a Japanese form of braiding using teeny tiny seed beads on a disk-loom. Others became experts at painstaking bead embroidery, Mulrain noted. Old Lyme jewelry designer Carol Dorman summed it up: The Bead Hive is like a friend I miss it already. Its more than a store. She added, Ive been going to the Bead Hive for 30 years, long before it was open, when it was more like a club. Dorman also lamented its closing because online shopping for beads is just not the same for her. Buying semi-precious gemstones is a tactile experience, she stressed. You can see it, feel it, touch it. And theres more to the experience in the Bead Hive, she said. You can socialize its the whole thing get ideas, you learn things. A teacher to remember Dorman said she has a real connection to Mulrain: Im going to miss Rena. She always had classes they were wonderful up until the last day. Barbara Yager of Madison, who started out as a complete novice, echoed this. Its a community of people who love to bead, Yager said. Rena is so encouraging. Ive learned so much from Rena that I can call myself a bead artist. When trying to master a new complicated design or technique, Mulrain would tell her, You, YouTube and me we gotcha. Now, Yager said, Im really fearless. Teaching comes naturally for Mulrain, who taught first, second and third graders in Woodbridge for 30 years before embarking on this second career. Plus, she is a good listener, she said. Often Ive compared myself to a bartender or hairdresser, you hear things you dont hear anywhere else, Mulrain said with a laugh. Its like Las Vegas they dont go out the door. Mulrains teaching style resonated with Brett, who recently studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Renas one of those rare teachers thats filled with an absolute passion for what she does, Brett said. She never tells you what to make or how to execute a specific design. Like all great teachers, she leaves that up to you, but teaches you how to tackle your idea, Brett said. Humble beginnings The Bead Hive started as an informal club of sorts in the early 1990s. Master beader, the late Barbara Lynch, was teaching a class at the former Guilford Handcrafts Center (now the Guilford Arts Center). There, Mulrain and two other students who were besotted with beadwork got together and rented a space in the former Bittersweet Farm in Branford. At Bittersweet, Wed buy beads and sell them to each other, Mulrain recalled. Later they had a small shop there open a few days a week and started the Connecticut Bead Society, thats when Mulrain and Lynch became partners and lifelong friends. Soon after in the mid-2000s, Lynch and Mulrain rented a storefront on State Street in Guilford and opened a shop in the Audubon Arts District in New Haven, only to close both locations around 2010 and combine them into a mega-bead store at Strawberry Hill. But the demand for brick and mortar bead stores was slipping, so the shop moved to a smaller space in the plaza a couple of years later. Lynch was beloved by her beading students and would host Wednesday bead nights where she would come up with an original but challenging design and teach participants how to master it. And there would be snacks lots of snacks, and sometimes wine. Those were special days and special times, Mulrain recalled. Mulrain was considered a classical beader, as she preferred stringing. However, when Lynch insisted she learn to master a very complex hand-sewn, seed bead necklace, Mulrain got to work. Her necklace ended up winning first prize in a competition years later. Mulrain noted that Lynch, who headed the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy at Southern Connecticut State University with her husband, Ed Lynch. for years, saw beading as therapeutic for all. Barbara used beading as a helpful tool in dealing with pressure of daily life, Mulrain said. She used it as an outlet, a way of dealing with stress and depression. When Lynch was terminally ill in 2011, Mulrain said her best friend told her, The most important thing is I taught you to seed bead. Mulrain became a master beader herself and said shes loved sharing her wealth of knowledge. Im amazed at how much I know I cant get over it, she said, with a smile. I just love all of it, she said. Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Oladimeji Smith who was abducted on 27 September in Lekki Lagos, has regained his freedom. His Eko club first announ... Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Oladimeji Smith who was abducted on 27 September in Lekki Lagos, has regained his freedom. His Eko club first announced his freedom, according to a statement by Prince Mobolaji Ajasa-Oluwa, the social secretary. The President, Hon. (Barr.) Taju Jaiye Agoro GCHB and the Executive Committee of Eko Club announce with joy to all well meaning members of Eko Club that offered sincere and earnest prayers for the release of one of our members Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Oladimeji Smith M/N 1246 who was recently kidnapped by gunmen that he has been released. We thank Almighty Allah SWT for answering our prayers and appreciate all our blessed members for the prayers and efforts, Ajasa-Oluwa said. Lagos Commissioners of Police Hakeem Odumosu said Smith was released in the early hours of Saturday. He said he handed over Smith to his family. According to Odumosu, the persistent operational activities along the border corridors of Lagos and the recent onslaught on kidnappers in the forest led to the release of the retired Air Vice-Marshal. Smith was abducted by armed masked men who bundled him into a boat, speeding off from the site, near Blenco Mall, where he was supervising work in the area. The Air Vice Marshal is a cousin to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith, a former inspector general of police. As a military engineer, he held several positions such as the Chief of Logistics, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters and Chief of Defence Communications, Defence Headquarters, Abuja before his retirement. The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, CCSOs, in Katsina State on Saturday, said it was disturbed by the level of poverty and hunger ... The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, CCSOs, in Katsina State on Saturday, said it was disturbed by the level of poverty and hunger caused by unemployment and the high cost of living. These, according to them, made it difficult for the majority of Nigerians to afford even two meals per day. In a statement by the Chairman of the Coalition, Abdulrahman Abdullahi on Saturday, the group is calling on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, complete the 10 megawatts Lambar Rimi Windmill Power Project in the state, which has taken a longer time than expected The group, therefore, is calling on the Federal Ministry of Power, to expedite action, towards the completion of the project, so that it can serve the purpose it is meant for. The statement also called on the Federal Ministry of Transport, Works, and Housing to expedite action on the Kano-Katsina Road Project, which it said, work is very slow and quite disappointing. It said they are worried about the prices of basic essential commodities which have increased beyond ordinary man, adding that, the high cost of foodstuffs in most cases, led to citizens involvement in criminalities, as they could not afford to feed themselves The group, therefore, called on the government at all levels to do everything possible, to reduce the high cost of foodstuffs so that Nigerians will be able to feed themselves. The group while commended the state government in its efforts towards ensuring peace and stability, also pleaded with the government to join the Open Government Partnership, OGP, like other states of the federation. The group also further commended the state government for the full implementation of the Child Protection Law, to mitigate the cases of Child Rights abuses in the state. The group further called on the government to make more efforts aimed at boosting the Internally Generated Revenue, to reduce overdependence on the Federation Accounts Allocation. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Some clouds. Low around 60F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low around 60F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. The October calendar is filling with food events. A few Oktoberfest celebrations already have begun, and Deutsches Haus kicks off its annual event a little later than usual, but it will run for four weekends. Here are food events coming up this month. Oktoberfest at Faubourg Brewery Faubourg Brewery kicked off its Oktoberfest last weekend. This weekend (Oct. 1-3) features a bigger slate of musical acts, plus Oktoberfest beers, German food, games and more. Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots performs Saturday. Bon Bon Vivant performs Sunday. There is free shuttle service to the brewery from Brieux Carre. See the event website for details. Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest Deutsches Haus holds its Oktoberfest on Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 22-23 to Nov. 12-13. The array of German food includes schnitzel with mushroom sauce, bratwursts, knackwursts, weissewursts, beef goulash, sauerkraut, red cabbage, brat burgers, flammkuchenm, apple strudel and more. There are German beers, wines and schnapps. The beer list includes a Festbier made by Urban South Brewery for Deutsches Haus as well as beers from Paulaner, Spaten, Ayinger, Warsteiner, Bitburger and more. There also is music, Dachshund races and more. Admission is $10 at the door. Black Restaurant Week Black Restaurant Week in New Orleans is Oct. 8-17, and participants include Ma Mommas House of Cornbread, Chicken & Waffles, Vegan Wit-a-Twist, Dooky Chases Restaurant and more. There also are participants throughout the region, such as Odom's Kitchen in Baton Rouge. The promotion is organized by a group that founded the effort in Houston six years ago. The original concept was to help Black-owned businesses that didnt have budgets for advertising and marketing campaigns. The focus this year is combatting the economic hardships of the pandemic, which has forced the closure of many Black-owned businesses nationwide. In 2020, Black Restaurant Week helped participating restaurants increase sales by more than a third, according to the group. Participation is open to restaurants, caterers and food trucks. For a list of participants in New Orleans, see the group's page for Gulf Coast restaurants. Old Fashioned Week Elijah Craig Bourbon is raising up to $100,000 for the Restaurant Workers Community Foundation with its promotion of Old Fashioneds. The liquor company (Heaven Hill Distillery) has pledged to donate $5 for each photo of an Old Fashioned made with Elijah Craig bourbon posted to Instagram with the hashtag #oldfashionedweek from Oct. 15-24. There's also a sweepstakes for a home bar kit full of Elijah Craig merch. There is a list of participating local bars and other promotions on the event website. Southern Food & Beverage Museum Brunch Series The museum hosts a series of Sunday brunches by different chefs in October. Poppy Tooker hosts a drag brunch with food by chef Jason Goodenough (who ran Carrollton Market) on Sunday, Oct. 2. Cristina Quackenbush presents a Filipino-style Kamyan brunch on Sunday, Oct. 16. Barrow's restaurant prepares a catfish brunch on Sunday, Oct. 23. Colleen Allerton and Camille Staub of Luncheon host a Halloween brunch on Sunday, Oct. 30. Find full menus and tickets on the Southern Food & Beverage Museum website. Top Taco The taco and tequila drinks competition returns, but to a new location in LaFreniere Park in Metairie. Attendees can sample creative and traditional tacos from more than 30 restaurants, as well as cocktails, and vote for their favorites. The event raises funds for the PLEASE Foundation, which provides mentoring and scholarships to at-risk youth. Find tickets and details at the Top Taco website. Yes. A new building will give the team a needed boost. It's better to just renovate the Smoothie King Center. No, save the money. The problems with the team run much deeper. Only if the Pels raise the money with a bake sale. Vote View Results Duplain W. Pete Rhodes III, president of Duplain W. Rhodes Funeral Home in New Orleans, died Sept. 23 of lung cancer at West Jefferson Medical Center, said his sister, Duplynn Joan Rhodes,. He was 61. Rhodes was vice president of the Louisiana Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, a licensing agency that regulates the profession. He also had been the boards secretary and treasurer. In a statement on the agencys website, board President Rodney McFarland Sr. said of Rhodes, His knowledge and meticulous attention to detail during his attendance at every meeting of the board helped guide his fellow board members and colleagues to improve the quality of service to the funeral profession. Rhodes, a lifelong New Orleanian, spent his career working at the business that his grandfather, Duplain Rhodes Sr., founded in 1884 as Rhodes Undertaking Co. to work with African Americans in a segregated society. He had been its president since 1989. He was a calm person who made things happen, Duplynn Rhodes said, and he did it very quietly. His sister said he acquired his nickname, Pete, because that was what their father called everybody. A graduate of St. Augustine High School, Rhodes attended LSU and Morehouse College. He earned a degree in mortuary science at Worsham College in Wheeling, Illinois. Duplynn Rhodes credited him with revitalizing the Crescent City Funeral Directors, an organization of African American funeral homes that had been dormant after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. The organization, she said, exists to set standards for the profession and ensure that customers are treated honorably. 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 He was active in national organizations of funeral directors and was a member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. From 1997 to 2001, Rhodes was a member of the Louisiana Judiciary Commission. He also was an investor with the Jazzville Group that helped bring to New Orleans the Harrahs casino, which is to be renovated and renamed Caesars New Orleans. Survivors include his wife, Sherry Landix Rhodes; a son, Duplain W. Rhodes IV; a daughter, Alexis Erique Rhodes, all of New Orleans; a daughter Amanda Duplynn Rhodes of Campbell, California; four sisters, Sandra Rhodes Duncan, Duplynn Joan Rhodes, Stephanie Rhodes Navarre and Kathleen Rhodes Astorga, all of New Orleans; and two grandchildren. A public viewing will be held Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at D.W. Rhodes Pavilion, 3933 Washington Ave. Tributes will begin at 4 p.m. A funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Beacon Light International Baptist Church, 1937 Mirabeau Ave. Visitation will be held there from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Metairie Cemetery. CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this story's headline incorrectly stated the age of Rhodes Funeral Home. A year ago, hospitals braced for a flu season collision with the coronavirus that never came. The widespread use of masks and social distancing all but wiped flu off the map, leading to one of the mildest flu seasons on record worldwide. But precautions waned this spring, and respiratory viruses came back in full force during the summer, when typically those viruses lay low. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, filled childrens hospitals and affected adults, too, leaving some hospitals scrambling for oxygen and staff. Now, doctors are using that experience to forecast what might happen when distancing is more relaxed during flu season, which stretches from October through March, when respiratory viruses typically flourish. During a particularly nasty season in 2019, flu caused 15,000 hospitalizations and more than 1,600 deaths in Louisiana. Over the last 18 months, roughly eight times as many deaths have been blamed on the coronavirus. +5 Ochsner will make unvaccinated spouses of employees pay $200 per month to remain insured As the deadline nears for Ochsner Health employees to get vaccinated or lose their jobs, the health system is also increasing pressure for emp When we got to the spring of '21, people had their masks off. We did see a rise in parainfluenza and RSV, and we are concerned that we may see a resurgence of that in the fall and winter, especially for children, but we even saw it for adults last spring, said Dr. Robert Hart, Ochsner Health chief medical officer. Hospitals plan every year for an influx of respiratory viruses during the winter months by shoring up staffing. But a collision of flu with COVID could strain already weary hospital staffs once again if the state doesnt respond as soon as there is evidence of an uptick. If we don't buckle down quickly we could get into some problems, Hart said. Normally, the flu activity in Australia is a harbinger of what is to come for the U.S., said Dr. Frank Welch, medical director of the state immunization program at the Louisiana Department of Health. Thats not going to work this year. Australia was in complete lockdown several times, said Welch. They had very little flu activity there. As a result, its not clear what flu will look like here as people relax while the surge from the delta variant wanes. Everything is topsy-turvy, said Dr. John Schieffelin, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Childrens Hospital New Orleans. Its a big unknown. The delta wave has crested, but Louisiana remains in dangerous territory After a record-breaking summer of COVID cases that stretched Louisiana hospitals to their breaking point, the delta wave has finally subsided Vaccine news in your inbox Once a week we'll update you on the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Because there was so little flu over the past year, that has also made it difficult to tell whether the flu shot, which is reformulated each year based on the strains of virus circulating, will be a good match. Even if it's not perfect, the shot will still decrease illness severity, hospital admissions and death, said Schieffelin. And a flu shot is especially important because a lot of time has passed since people were exposed, leaving a lot of people without any protection from prior exposure. Because weve had almost two years now of people being cautious, we have a lot of people, especially younger children who are nonimmune to all of these things, said Schieffelin. If masks come off and people go back to business as usual, we could have a very busy winter. And while coronavirus numbers are trending downward, there are still a large number of people in the hospital -- 838 on Friday, about the same as in late July, when the delta wave was taking off. And though hospitals are seeing fewer COVID patients come in, the sickest patients are lingering, said Dr. Katherine Baumgarten, leaving fewer resources for people with other respiratory viruses. What were still seeing is patients in the ICUs, said Baumgarten. Were still seeing a large number of patients that had serious COVID that were still trying to treat and see if we can get them to recover. +12 Monoclonal antibodies, which Louisiana relied on during 4th surge, are in shorter supply now Louisianas supply of monoclonal antibody treatments, a drug the state has relied on heavily to try and keep COVID-19 patients from becoming c Louisianas flu season typically begins in late October and really ramps up during January, February and March. Doctors recommend getting a flu shot now because it takes a few weeks for the bodys immune system to boost protection. A British clinical trial published Thursday found that its safe to get both a flu shot and a coronavirus vaccine at the same time. The state will begin flu fairs in mid-October, including drive-thru events that offer both, said Welch, but doctors office and pharmacies should already have a supply of shots. Anyone over 6 months old can get a flu shot, but influenza is most dangerous for adults over age 65, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions, such as heart or lung disease. People who do not fall into those categories can protect others by getting one themselves. There are more treatments for COVID, such as monoclonal antibody infusions, than there have been at other times during the pandemic, but the state's vaccination numbers remain low. If flu does gain a foothold in an unprotected population and COVID cases increase over the winter the way they did in 2020, it may lead to hospitals once again being overwhelmed. Doctors urged masking, hand-washing and staying home when sick to keep both viruses from making a comeback. Nobody wants all these mandates and closures, said Schieffelin. But the more we do now as a community, the more likely we are to slow this thing down and get back to normal sooner. The New Orleans Police Department arrested police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson's son on allegations that he battered an officer Friday at Sewerage & Water Board headquarters. Shane Ferguson, 24, who works for the S&WB, called the utility and argued with staff members because he was angry over his payroll check, police wrote in criminal court records. He is accused of telling one staffer, "I'm going to f--- you up" and another, "I'll ... punch the piss out you." Ferguson then purportedly showed up at the S&WB's headquarters at 625 St. Joseph Street and continued screaming, ignoring repeated commands to leave. Someone at the S&WB called police, and after officers arrived, Ferguson slapped one, spit on another and damaged a patrol cruiser's door frame and window by kicking them as he was arrested and brought to jail, investigators wrote in the records. Ferguson was booked on two counts of battery of a police officer, two counts of simple assault, criminal trespassing and criminal damage to property. A Police Department spokesperson declined comment on the case other than to say, "This incident is being treated as any other incident of this nature would be." Bail for Ferguson wasnt immediately set. Friday wasnt his first arrest. 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 He was accused of punching his ex-girlfriend on Jan. 18, 2019, the same day his father was sworn in as police superintendent. Authorities charged Ferguson with domestic abuse battery, but the Orleans Parish district attorneys office dropped the charge about six months later, saying the woman who accused Ferguson of punching her was no longer cooperating with prosecutors. The most serious counts Ferguson is now facing are battery of a police officer and criminal damage. In most cases, those misdemeanor crimes can carry as long as six months in prison. Note: This post was updated to include details on the arrest from court records. Domestic violence charges against NOPD chief's son dropped; case was set for trial Monday The Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office on Monday dropped a domestic violence charge against the son of Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson. A Marrero man who was shot by Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies during a wild West Bank car chase Thursday night that included ramming deputies' vehicles and driving against traffic had earlier tried to rip open the doors of three businesses using a strap tied to the back of his pickup truck, authorities said. Marlon Boudoin, 52, was shot twice during the chase and was still hospitalized in stable condition Friday, said Capt. Jason Rivarde, a Sheriff's Office spokesperson. An unidentified deputy suffered a broken hand in a crash after Boudoin intentionally reversed into the deputy's patrol vehicle, Rivarde said. An undisclosed number of deputies opened fire during the chase, which ranged up and down the West Bank Expressway between Ames and Barataria boulevards, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said. "Several of my officers shot at different locations trying to end the pursuit with the suspect ramming his vehicle," Lopinto said. Investigators accused Boudoin of a series of attempted burglaries and thefts reported in Marrero Thursday night. +2 2nd suspect booked in murder of motorcyclist shot and killed on west bank last year Authorities have arrested a second suspect accused in the death of James White, who was gunned down while riding his motorcycle near Westwego At 7:45 p.m. a business owner reported to the Sheriff's Office that a man in a green pick-up truck had just tried to force open the doors of his building in the 2600 block of Batararia Boulevard by using a strap tied to a truck, according to Rivarde. The driver fled when confronted by the owner. As deputies were investigating, the department received another call about 8:15 p.m. regarding a man in a dark-colored truck who used the vehicle to pull open the door to a locked cage containing propane tanks in the 5200 block of the West Bank Expressway, Rivarde said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up About 25 minutes later, another call came in reporting a man in a green Chevrolet pick-up truck who was seen trying to tie a strap to the front door of a business in the 4800 block of the West Bank Expressway, Rivarde said. At 9:45 p.m., the Sheriff's Office received a report of a man who'd entered a store in the 7300 block of the West Bank Expressway, filled a shopping cart with merchandise and then forced his out of the building without paying. The man drove off in a truck, Rivarde said. A deputy spotted a truck that matched the description of the truck in the shoplifting incident on the West Bank Expressway, the strap still dangling from the rear of the vehicle, according to Lopinto. The deputy tried to pull the truck over, but the driver, later identified as Boudoin, put the vehicle in reverse and slammed into the patrol car, injuring the deputy's hand, Lopinto said. The truck sped away, kicking off the chase that included several other law enforcement agencies, including State Police and the Westwego Police Department, according to authorities. Boudoin is accused of ramming several deputies during the pursuit, Lopinto said. At least three deputies shot at Boudoin at different locations during the chase. New Orleans Police Department officers are prohibited from firing at the driver of a moving vehicle if the driver is not wielding a second form of weapon, such as a gun, according to the use of force policy adopted under a federal consent decree. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office does not have a similar policy and Sheriff's Office officials have previously said that a vehicle alone can be considered a life-threatening weapon. The chase continued onto a set of railroad tracks before the truck ended up in a ditch near the intersection of Barataria Boulevard and Fourth Street where Boudoin was taken into custody. Once released from the hospital, he will be booked with two counts of attempted burglary, theft, attempted theft and aggravated flight from an officer, Rivarde said. Additional charges are expected. Ramon Vargas contributed reporting to this story. Days after Hurricane Ida tore through Kenner, Mayor Ben Zahn's administration went on a truck shopping spree, dropping nearly $1 million on 20 new vehicles, including several that cost more than $70,000 apiece. The trucks and SUVs, purchased from Lamarque Ford in Kenner, were parceled out to city employees and departments for use in storm recovery efforts. The purchases are detailed in documents obtained through a public records request, and subsequent statements by city leaders highlight the desperation with which they sought new trucks to bolster an aging and damaged fleet in the wake of a major natural disaster. +5 Hurricane Ida landed a haymaker on Kenner. How is the city responding? When the first drops of water landed inside Donald Wolbers' second-story bedroom in Kenner Sunday night, the 39-year old figured it wouldn't b "The fleet was already crippled" when the storm hit, Chief Administrative Officer Deborah Foshee said during a Sept. 17 Kenner City Council meeting. In a later statement, Foshee said the storm "significantly damaged" two city vehicles and six windshields were busted. Nevertheless, the current city fleet was not sufficient to deal with the level of devastation, she said. "We literally went to Lamarque and said 'We need whatever you have,'" Foshee told the council. But the truck buys have intensified already simmering conflicts between the mayor and the council. Council members have sharply questioned the prices paid for the vehicles, who is driving them, and why the council wasn't told more about the purchases earlier in the process. "When these things are done without our knowledge and input, it devalues the value of legislative oversight," Council member Kristi McKinney said Thursday. "I would like to dig deeper." Kenner took a big hit from Hurricane Ida. The storm's vicious winds tore through the city, ripping off roofs and downing powerlines, poles and trees. When city leaders emerged after the storm, they found several major streets impassable and three main city buildings so damaged as to be unusable. Thousands of homes suffered significant damage. Between Sept. 6 and Sept. 9, the city agreed to purchase 15 vehicles, including five Ford F-250 pickup trucks, one F-350, four Ford F-150s, two Toyota Tacomas, one Dodge Ram 1500 and two smaller trucks. Most the trucks were used, but four of them cost $68,000 or more, including one for which the city paid $84,870, the records show. Two weeks later, the city was back at Lamarque, purchasing five additional new vehicles, including two F-250s, two Ford Explorer SUVs and an F-150. In all, the city agreed to purchase 20 vehicles from Lamarque, paying just over $935,000, the records show. The trucks have been assigned to various members of the city's administration connected to emergency response, Foshee said in a statement. For instance, Fire Chief Terence Morris was assigned the F-350, and Deputy CAO Chad Pitfield, who has headed much of the city's storm response, is driving one of the F-250s. Jon Cryer, the assistant director of emergency management, was assigned one of the F-250s. Adam Campo, the city's director of internal audit, was assigned a Toyota Tacoma, according to records provided by Foshee. Campo, who helped oversee the city's response to a recent cyberattack, was using the truck to move IT equipment around the city, Foshee said. Some of the trucks are assigned to departments, such as wastewater or code enforcement, the records show. Three of the trucks are simply listed as "fleet" vehicles. Foshee said she had driven one of those a few times to help move things out of the damaged City Hall building. Zahn has also used one from the motor pool, she said. Any employee who had a car allowance surrendered it if they were assigned a vehicle, Foshee said. Pitfield, who coordinated the purchase, got comparison prices for the used vehicles and purchased the new ones under state and parish procurement rules, she said. He had also checked with other dealerships, she said. Foshee said that the city may actually end up making money off the vehicles once they are able to file for FEMA reimbursements for equipment used for Ida response. The federal government, she said, will pay the city a fee for each hour the truck is used, and some of them are being used 14 hours per day. "The fact that we are getting paid for them may put us in a better position to to keep some of them at the end," Foshee told the council on Sept. 17. "That's an exciting opportunity." Get hurricane updates in your inbox Sign up for updates on storm forecasts, tracks and more. e-mail address * Sign Up If the reimbursements that come in don't come close to making the trucks a good value, the city could sell them, she said. Council member George Branigan, however, worries Kenner taxpayers might get stuck with the tab. "This money was paid out of the general fund, and I don't want the taxpayers to be tagged with this if FEMA doesn't pay," he said Friday. "I think this is an irresponsible move on their part." After being contacted by a reporter about the purchases, Branigan complained in an email to Foshee that he had to learn the details from the news media. Foshee sent a tart reply. "George, seriously?" she wrote. The city had simply responded to a public records request from The Times-Picayune, Foshee replied. Pitfield had compiled Branigan's information as quickly as he could while focusing on recovery efforts. "Chad is busy actually putting the city back together," she wrote to Branigan. "Could you please let up on the employees long enough for us to get through this?" Branigan insisted that his goal was to keep a close eye on city finances. "If these vehicles are not paid for, the city is in a jam for a million dollars and that, my dear, is a lot of money," he fired back in an email to Foshee. Pitfield also chimed in on the email thread, implying that questions about the purchases were simply political gamesmanship. "Every single one of these vehicles WAS a necessity and STILL IS a necessity for this emergency," he wrote. "It's shameful that this is even a focus at this point." The tension continued during Thursday night's City Council meeting, when Zahn questioned why Branigan had not sought information on the more than $5 million the city had spent on things like generators, light boards, barricades and other hurricane-related equipment. "I just find it a little concerning that it's only the vehicles for employees" that are being questioned, Zahn said. "I'm insulted by this." +5 More than 12,000 loads of storm debris already removed in Jefferson Parish since Hurricane Ida DRC Emergency Services has been cleaning up after storms in Jefferson Parish for almost 15 years, but the debris-removal contractor has alread If Lamarque had more trucks to sell, Pitfield added, the city would be first in line. "If they call me tomorrow and tell me they have two F-250s, I am going to go get them," he said. "We need them. Our fleet is in horrible condition." It's going to be another year until Apple's iPhone 14 generation will be released, but there are already rumors about the expected upgrades to Apple's new flagship smartphones. A sketchy leak from China now claims that Apple will offer the iPhone 14 Pro models in a massive 2TB storage configuration. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , E-Mobility , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Human 2.0 , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Rumor , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker Apple's iPhone 13 smartphones have been out on the market for barely a week, but there are already rumors and leaks regarding the upcoming iPhone 14 generation and some of its most anticipated upgrades. For its new flagships, the Cupertino-based company supposedly plans to upgrade the available storage configurations including one massive top-of-the-line storage capacity that is usually only found in notebooks. According to an article by MacRumors, a sketchy Chinese website expects Apple to release an iPhone 14 Pro configuration with 2TB of internal storage. In comparison to the recently released iPhone 13 Pro, which for the first time ever is offered with 1TB of storage, that would mean another doubling of the capacity of its largest storage configuration. The additional storage would certainly come in handy for the huge ProRes video files that can quickly fill up the storage of the iPhone 13 Pro within minutes. This speculative storage upgrade is purportedly made possible by Apple's switch to modern QLC flash storage. A previous DigiTimes rumor has also anticipated this change, but it did not mention the existence of a 2TB model. In the end, a possible iPhone 14 Pro Max with 2TB of storage would almost certainly break the record for the most expensive iPhone ever, given that the iPhone 13 Pro Max with 1TB of storage is already priced at US$1,599 on Amazon. The insidious malware has sneaked into the Google Play Store via legitimate looking apps and has apparently caused significant financial damage for millions of Android users. But a little bit of caution is all that is necessary to thwart the plans of the malicious GriftHorse trojan. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , E-Mobility , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Human 2.0 , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Rumor , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker Security researchers issued a warning regarding a cunning piece of malware for Google's mobile operating system Android, which is the world's most popular OS and runs on a multitude of devices, like the current flagship Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (from US$1,199 on Amazon). Because of the high number of Android smartphones that are in use, the trojan has already managed to infect more than ten million devices in 70 countries worldwide. According to an article by the German website heise, the sneaky malware made its way into the Google Play Store by hiding in the code of 200 legitimate looking Android apps. After the installation of the app, the trojan employed a cunning approach in order to steal money from countless Android users. In simple words, GriftHorse activated expensive mobile subscriptions via text message without the user's consent. For all this to happen, careless users had to fall into multiple traps. After downloading and installing of one of the affected applications, users were confronted with fake winning notifications, which consequently lead them to a website on which they were prompted to enter their phone number. From there on, GriftHorse supposedly activated the aforementioned expensive subscriptions via text message. Google has since deleted all infected apps from the Play Store, but some applications remain available for download on several websites that host Android APKs. Android users should therefore remain vigilant, especially since most anti virus applications cannot yet detect and combat the GriftHorse trojan for Android. NAIROBI, Kenya Somalis fear a U.S. decision to withdraw troops from their country will be seen as a victory for the Qaeda-linked militants who have wreaked havoc there for years, and sow the potential for further chaos at an especially delicate moment for Somalia and the region. Somali presidential elections are scheduled in just two months, war is erupting in neighboring Ethiopia, and the militants, from the Shabab, are still strong despite years of American-led raids and drone strikes. The timing of Fridays Pentagon announcement, some Somalis say, is terrible. The fight against global terrorism is still ongoing and we must still win the battle for peace and security to prevail, said Ayub Ismail Yusuf, a Somali senator, who called the U.S. decision untimely on Twitter. We must not give up on our successes. At Mogadishu University, Abdullahi, a 23-year-old political science student, said he feared the Shabab will now be able to strike without fear in the capital. PARIS Chemical munitions experts have for years compiled information that Syrias government has used these banned weapons against its own people, a war crime that so far has gone unpunished and been dismissed with a sneer by President Bashar al-Assad. Now the first criminal inquiries that target Mr. al-Assad and his associates over the use of chemical weapons may soon get underway. In a major step to hold Mr. al-Assad and his circle accountable for some of the worst atrocities committed in the decade-old Syria conflict, judges at a special war crimes unit in Frances palace of justice have received a complaint about chemical weapons attacks in Syria, filed by three international human rights groups. The complaint, which lawyers said the judges would likely accept, requests a criminal investigation of Mr. al-Assad, his brother, Maher, and a litany of senior advisers and military officials that formed the chain of command. Outraged by a long-ignored slaying in Honduras, lawyers are urging a human rights court in Central America to force governments to better protect transgender people in a region where they are targets. April 29, 2021 In a region where experts put the life expectancy for transgender women at only 30 to 35 years, Vicky Hernandez didnt make it even that long. Ms. Hernandez was 26 when she was found shot in the eye on a Honduras street, a slug of unknown caliber and a used condom beside her body. Twelve years later, investigators still have not run forensic tests on that evidence. It is still not clear whether the authorities ever performed an autopsy. And two other transgender women who reported having witnessed a police patrol car roll up to Ms. Hernandez just before she ran off and went missing were themselves killed within a year of her death. Tell us about Chinas involvement in Hong Kongs elections. China has overhauled Hong Kongs election system. Before anyone can run for office, they will have to pass a screening committee set up by Beijing. The central government had gotten worried that pro-democracy residents were going to try to sweep the upcoming legislative elections. So Beijing passed another top-down order, as it had with the security law. There are a few major changes. Only patriots, defined by a screening committee, will be allowed to run for office. Also, in the past, half of the seats in the legislature were directly elected (the other half were reserved for representatives of industry groups, often dominated by pro-Beijing candidates). Now, less than a quarter will be directly elected. Many pro-democracy leaders are in prison. What does that mean for the movement? Those sentenced range from some of the most veteran pro-democracy leaders to people in their 20s who had been considered the next generation. The government is sending a message: Anyone who becomes too prominent, or too vocal, is putting themselves at risk. These figures were definitely important in boosting public morale and giving people someone to rally around. NAIROBI, Kenya A day after retaking the capital of the northern Tigray region of Ethiopia, rebel forces have indicated they have little appetite for a truce threatening to drag out the brutal eight-month-long civil war that has embroiled the Horn of Africa nation. Getachew Reda, a senior Tigrayan leader, said that Tigrays forces would not hesitate to enter Eritrea, and even try to advance toward its capital, if that is what it would take to keep Eritrean troops from attacking again. And he claimed that in recent days, Tigrayan forces had killed many Ethiopian troops and militia fighters, and took more prisoners. We want to degrade as many enemy capabilities as possible, he said in a telephone interview with The New York Times on Tuesday. We are still in hot pursuit so that enemy forces will not pose a threat to our Tigray in any way. He spoke a day after the rebel forces, known as Tigray Defense Forces, retook the regional capital Mekelle in a stunning turnabout. It was a major blow to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, who last November launched an offensive into the region that he promised would be over in the span of weeks. A loud blast rocked northern Tehran near the headquarters of the state broadcasting company in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to security authorities speaking to official state media. The explosion of an unidentified object happened inside Mellat Park, a vast and popular green space in the capital adjacent to the headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. There were no casualties reported, Iranian media said, and it was not certain if the blast was the result of an accident or an attack. There was only one explosion, Hamidreza Goudarzi, the deputy security chief for Tehran Province, said in a statement to the Tasnim News Agency. Asked if this was a terrorist attack, Mr. Goudarzi said investigators were at the scene, looking into the scope and details of the explosion. WASHINGTON The U.S. military conducted a drone strike against Shabab fighters in Somalia on Friday, the second attack in a week since the Biden administration paused such military action against the Qaeda affiliate in East Africa when it took office six months ago. The targeted Shabab fighters were attacking Somali forces in the Galmudug area in northern Somalia, in the vicinity of Qeycad, said Cindi King, a Pentagon spokeswoman. The attack struck Shabab fighters and equipment during a military operation by the Danab, an elite American-trained Somali commando force, and other Somali government soldiers, according to a statement from the Somali government. As it did after the drone strike on Tuesday near Galkayo, slightly north of the latest attack, the Pentagon said its Africa Command authorized the airstrike to defend allied Somali forces who had come under attack as American military trainers advised them remotely. U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in support of combatant commander-designated partner forces under the 2001 A.U.M.F., said Mrs. King, referring to the authorization of military force passed by Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Vice President Kamala Harris added, We will not stand by and allow our nation to go back to the days of back-alley abortions. The first election that could test Democrats capacity to energize voters over abortion rights comes on Sept. 14 in California, where voters will determine the fate of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who faces a recall effort. Mr. Newsom warned on Twitter that the Texas abortion ban could be the future of CA if the recall were successful. In Virginia, Democratic candidates for the states three statewide offices and House of Delegates pounced on the issue on Thursday. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who is running to recapture the office in November, said the fight for abortion rights would help motivate Democratic voters who might be complacent after the party captured full control of state government in 2019 and helped Mr. Biden win the state last year. We are a Democratic state. There are more Democrats, Mr. McAuliffe said. But this is an off-off-year, and getting Democrats motivated to come out, thats always the big challenge. Eyeing 2022, the Democrats Senate campaign arm has signaled it will use abortion rights as a cudgel against Republicans running in states like Florida, New Hampshire, Nevada and North Carolina. Democrats planning campaigns for governor next year are preparing to brand themselves as the last line of defense on abortion rights, particularly in states with Republican-controlled legislatures. People are now waking up to the fact that the battle will now be in the states, and they recognize that the only thing, literally the only thing standing in the way of Pennsylvania passing the same ban that Texas just passed, is the veto pen of our Democratic governor, said Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania attorney general, a Democrat who has said he expects to enter the race to succeed Gov. Tom Wolf. Ive given up on the politicians in Washington. I dont think we can count on them anymore. The World Health Organization is monitoring a new coronavirus variant called Mu known by scientists as B.1.621 and has added it to the list of variants of interest because of preliminary evidence it can evade antibodies. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, said the United States was also monitoring the new variant, which was first identified in Colombia in January and now makes up 39 percent of all cases there. The W.H.O. says the variant has the potential to evade immunity provided by vaccines and antibodies, and because of that, it was listed as a variant of interest on Aug. 30. Still, Dr. Fauci said it is not at all common in the United States, where the highly contagious Delta variant makes up 99 percent of all Covid-19 cases. He said the new variant has a constellation of mutations that suggests it would evade certain antibodies, but there is so far very little clinical data supporting that conclusion. AUCKLAND, New Zealand Six people were injured in a knife attack at a supermarket in New Zealand on Friday, an outburst of violence that the prime minister labeled a terrorist attack that had been carried out by a violent extremist inspired by the Islamic State. The suspect, a Sri Lankan national, was shot and killed by the police, officials said. He had been under constant, active surveillance at the time of the attack at the market in West Auckland, they said. The suspect was not immediately identified. A violent extremist undertook a terrorist attack on innocent New Zealanders in the New Lynn Countdown in Auckland, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at a news conference, referring to the supermarket. What happened today was despicable, it was hateful, it was wrong, she added. It was carried out by an individual not a faith, not a culture, not an ethnicity, but an individual person who is gripped by ideology that is not supported here by anyone or any community. He alone carries the responsibility for these acts; let that be where the judgment falls. Anger is spreading, and not only in the streets. Opposition lawmakers in Parliament tried to pass a vote of no confidence in Mr. Prayuth, accusing his government of squandering the monthslong head start Thailand had to fight the coronavirus. That effort failed on Saturday, even though some members of the prime ministers coalition had briefly fanned speculation that they might support his ouster. This summers vaccine rollout, already late, was further hampered by manufacturing delays. A company with no experience making vaccines, whose dominant shareholder is Thailands king, was given the contract to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine domestically. The governments failure to secure adequate imported supplies has made matters worse. Only about 15 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, and social inequalities have let the young rich leapfrog ahead of older, poorer people. Antigovernment protests, which now occur daily, are growing more desperate, and security crackdowns more aggressive. In August, at least 10 demonstrations were broken up with force. At one, a 15-year-old boy was shot and is now in intensive care. The police have denied firing live ammunition. Earlier, people said they were not coming out to protest because of Covid, but now the thinking has changed to, You stay at home and you will die anyway because of the governments inability to take care of people, said Tosaporn Sererak, a doctor who was once a spokesman for the government unseated by the 2014 coup. In a sign of improving weather and fire conditions in much of California, all but five of the states 20 national forests will reopen late Wednesday after they were closed to all visitors for 15 days. The forests are set to reopen at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, two days earlier than planned, the Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement. Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien said some factors are more favorable now. We are constantly evaluating weather and fire conditions in California, as well as regional and national firefighting resources available to us so that we can ensure the safety of the public and our firefighters, she said. Over the past two weeks, including the long Labor Day weekend, hiking, picnicking and camping on Forest Service land which includes parts of the popular Pacific Coast Trail were banned. The Pacific Coast Trail Association had advised hikers to leave the trail in late August. The storm damaged eight high-voltage transmission lines that supply power to New Orleans along with scores of the companys towers throughout the state. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were without power for days. Ida damaged or destroyed 31,000 poles that carry lower-voltage distribution lines in neighborhoods, nearly twice as many as Hurricane Katrina, according to Entergy. Lawmakers and regulators require utilities to ensure safe, reliable service at an affordable cost. The grid failure after Ida is the latest display of how power companies are struggling to fulfill those obligations as climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather. In California, electricity providers have been forced to shut off power to tens of thousands of customers in recent years to prevent their equipment from setting off wildfires and to reduce energy demand during heat waves. In February, the grid in most of Texas failed during a winter storm, leaving millions of people without power and heat for days. While Entergy has been upgrading its transmission network to bear wind speeds in excess of 140 miles per hour, a lot of its transmission equipment in and around New Orleans was built to withstand wind gusts of around 110 miles per hour, or a Category 2 storm, according to an analysis of regulatory filing and other company records by McCullough Research, a consulting firm based in Portland, Ore., that advises power companies and government agencies. Entergy said that analysis was inaccurate but wouldnt say how many of its transmission structures were built to withstand 150 mile-per-hour winds. The company has said that its towers met the safety standards in place at the time of installation but older standards often assumed wind speeds well below 150 m.p.h. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, a professional group whose guidelines are widely followed by utilities and other industries, recommends that power companies that operate in areas vulnerable to hurricanes install equipment that can withstand major storms and return service quickly when systems fail. In coastal areas of Louisiana, for example, it says large transmission equipment should be designed to withstand winds of 150 m.p.h. A North Carolina court struck down the states voter identification law on Friday, citing persuasive evidence that a Republican-dominated state legislature had rushed it to passage at least in part to make it harder for Black voters to cast ballots. It was the second time in five years that a court had invalidated a North Carolina voter identification law as racially discriminatory. In 2016, a federal appeals court ruled against a different version of the law, saying it had targeted Black voters with almost surgical precision. The ruling on Friday, by a three-judge panel of the state Superior Court in Raleigh, effectively makes permanent a temporary ban on the law that a court had imposed after its passage in 2018. In the 2-to-1 decision, the judges stated that they did not find that the Republican lawmakers who approved the law acted out of racial animus, but rather that they wanted to depress Black turnout because most African Americans cast ballots for Democrats. BRUSSELS Until this week, the so-called pivot to Asia by the United States had been more of a threat than a reality for Europe. But that changed when the Biden administration announced a new defense alliance against China that has left Europe facing an implicit question: Which side are you on? It is a question that European leaders have studiously sought to avoid since former President Barack Obama first articulated that America should pivot resources and attention to Asia as part of its rivalry with China. European leaders hoped that the relationship between the two superpowers could remain stable and that Europe could balance its interests between the two. Then the Trump administration sharply raised the temperature with China with tariffs and other trade barriers. And now the Biden administration on Wednesday announced an alliance between the United States, Britain and Australia that would help Australia deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific and, in doing so, also tore up a $66 billion deal for Australia to buy a French fleet of diesel-powered subs. Europeans want to defer the moment of truth, to not make a choice between the two, said Thomas Gomart, director of the French Institute of International Relations, or IFRI. The Biden administration, like the Trump one, is provoking the moment of choice. France was enraged. Yet if it was a humiliation as well as the cancellation of a lucrative defense deal it possibly did have a silver lining for Frances broader goals. President Emmanuel Macron of France has been Europes loudest proponent of strategic autonomy, the idea that Europe needs to retain a balanced approach to the United States and China. WALLER COUNTY, Texas At a roadside bar on farm road 359, where the sprawl of Houston gives way to horse stables and hay rolls, Cindy Schmid and her friend Gail Mikeska gather every Thursday to eat, drink and talk about everything: family, country music, the hard right turn of Texas politics. We think very differently politically, said Ms. Mikeska, a conservative who owns more than one gun and is generally happy with the trajectory of the state. Im a Democrat, said Ms. Schmid, whose only gun is an inoperable Civil War antique. I think Texas is losing its freaking mind. In the span of a few months, the nations second most populous state followed what was perhaps the most conservative legislative session in state history with a special session packed with even more of the prerogatives of the right flank, a pronounced political shift that has caught even many conservative residents off guard. The Legislature is set to convene another special session Monday to consider further laws on cultural issues, such as transgender athletes, and to redistrict the state, likely in favor of Republican members. American Airlines told employees on Friday that it would require all U.S.-based employees and some international crew members to be vaccinated. In a letter to employees signed by the companys chief executive and presidents, American said the move was necessary because of its status as a government contractor. Last month, President Biden announced that employees of government contractors would be required to be vaccinated, with only limited exceptions. The airlines letter gave no timetable, but the White House has said the deadline for employees of current contractors to be vaccinated is Dec. 8. While we are still working through the details of the federal requirements, it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines, the letter said. WASHINGTON The United States and the European Union took a step this week toward a closer alliance by announcing a new partnership for trade and technology, but tensions over a variety of strategic and economic issues are still simmering in the background. The establishment of the Trade and Technology Council, which aims to establish a united front on trade practices and sophisticated technologies, is a significant test of whether President Biden can fulfill his pledge to mitigate trans-Atlantic tensions that soared under President Donald J. Trump. The Biden administration has long described Europe as a natural partner in a broader economic and political confrontation with China, and it criticized the Trump administration for picking trade fights that alienated European governments. But while officials on both sides say trans-Atlantic relations have been improving, the U.S.-Europe reset has been rockier than anticipated. The inaugural meeting of the Trade and Technology Council in Pittsburgh this week was nearly scuttled after the Biden administration said it would share advanced submarine technology with Australia, a deal that enraged the French government. For speed demons or demons wedded to hellacious fossil-fuel power the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing checks off quite a list. A supercharged, 668-horsepower V-8. A top speed above 200 miles an hour. All-day track thrills that would leave any E.V. depleted and gasping, as demonstrated on my endorphin-rushing test laps at Virginia International Raceway. Another feature pushed the Blackwing into too-good-to-be-true territory: a manual transmission. That optional six-speed puts these supersedans (theres also a smaller Blackwing, the CT4-V) in rare company. Fewer than 1 percent of American cars are sold with a stick. The Blackwings are also among models that have a gasoline engine and manual transmission, a pairing that increasingly appears to be a last dance of technology. Showroom E.V.s have no driver-selectable gears whatsoever. And Cadillac says the Blackwing models will be the last of its ultrahigh-performance cars to employ internal combustion. Investors keep a close eye on how much cash young, fast-growing companies are consuming, in case they run out. Rivians operations used up $850 million in the first half of this year, roughly the same amount as in all of last year. It said it had $3.7 billion of cash in hand at the end of June, which includes money it raised when it issued $2.7 billion worth of preferred stock in January. It also borrowed $2.5 billion through convertible promissory notes in July. Rivian has over $10 billion in investments from Amazon, Ford Motor and several Wall Street firms. The filing said Amazon had plowed $1.35 billion into Rivian through stock investments and $490 million by purchasing the notes sold in July. Fords investments total $1.24 billion. T. Rowe Price, the mutual fund company, has invested $2.6 billion. The filing did not say what percentage of Rivians stock those investors own. During its often rocky ascent, Tesla had production problems that put great strain on its finances. Teslas chief executive, Elon Musk, also made missteps that got the company into regulatory trouble and created other controversies. But the company appears to have won the backing of investors its $777 billion value on the stock market is 10 times that of General Motors. Rivians founder and chief executive, R.J. Scaringe, a studious engineer with a Ph.D. from M.I.T., has kept a relatively low profile and has avoided overselling what the company can do, industry experts say. His compensation was $1.3 million last year, according to the filing. But his pay this year could be much larger, provided Rivians stock performs well. In January, Rivians board granted Mr. Scaringe 6,785,315 shares and a performance-based option to purchase up to 20,355,946 shares. Rivian said in the filing that it started delivering its truck, the R1T, in September, but it did not say how many vehicles it delivered in the month and a company representative declined to provide a number. Rivian plans to start delivering its S.U.V., the R1S, later this year. The cheapest model of the truck costs $67,500 and the S.U.V. $70,000. In the filing, the company said that, as of Sept. 30, it had roughly 48,390 orders for its truck and S.U.V. in the United States and Canada from customers who each had paid a refundable deposit of $1,000. The Rivian models are part of a wave of electric vehicles coming into the market to challenge Tesla. Earlier this year, Ford Motor began selling an electric sport utility vehicle, the Mustang Mach-E, and Volkswagen rolled out an electric S.U.V. of its own, the ID.4. Ford is poised to add an electric version of its popular F-150 pickup truck next year. The F-150 is a work truck and would not compete directly with Rivians truck, which is marketed more as a leisure vehicle. The possible links between the officers, who were not named in the report, and the Oath Keepers came to light in a hacked database that listed names, contact information and personal information of people affiliated with the group as recently as 2017. The New York Times could not independently confirm whether any of the people listed in the database were active-duty police officers. It was also impossible to determine from a review of the database whether any of the people named in it were currently engaged with the Oath Keepers, or whether they had participated in the Jan. 6 attack. A Police Department spokesman confirmed that the WNYC-Gothamist report was the subject of an internal investigation, but he declined to answer further questions, including whether any department employees had previously been disciplined for affiliation with a militia group. The Oath Keepers were founded in 2009 and primarily draw their members from active and retired law enforcement and military personnel. More than 20 group members are facing criminal charges in connection with the Capitol riot. Mr. de Blasios comments, and his insistence that Police Department members who are active in the Oath Keepers or similar groups be investigated and fired, adds a new twist to an already difficult problem for police forces across the United States, which have struggled to identify and formally discipline members they believe harbor extremist views. Davis wiggled out of the mess, using a typical Facebook tactic of saying that the company was misunderstood and that its own research was narrow and misconstrued. That cynical approach is a go-to for Facebook, which specializes in muddying even its own waters as they get too hot. It will not work this time despite the fact that Blumenthals gaffe has been something of a distraction. The company whistle-blower a product manager, according to my sources is expected to appear before Congress next week, representing a chink in the armor of tech companies, which spend a lot of money and time making sure that their staff is so well compensated (and fed) that they dont question the deleterious impact of their work. The whistle-blower is also expected to appear on 60 Minutes this Sunday. I predict a flood of these kinds of leaks, as well as continued and now-bipartisan scrutiny by Congress on the practices of social media companies like Facebook. Lawmakers may seem dumb, but theyre not stupid, and they are primed to move to legislation that will eventually rein in tech. Rather than focus on Blumenthals boneheaded finsta mistake, Id look to someone like Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts. He was a key player in passing the important Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act in 1998, and he used a metaphor that I wrote about in a previous newsletter that is starting to stick to Facebook in a bad way and that may ultimately help lead to more stringent legislation: Instagram is that first childhood cigarette meant to get teens hooked early. Exploiting the peer pressure of popularity and ultimately endangering their health. Facebook is just like Big Tobacco, pushing a product that they know is harmful to the health of young people, pushing it to them early. Also, Facebook can make money. IG stands for Instagram, but it also stands for Insta-greed. Finsta-confusion aside, Insta-greed is easy for anyone to understand. It would be great if Facebook executives understood it, too. As I have pointed out over and over, the platform is so toxic because executives have failed to manage what they have wrought, not because of the stylings of some kind of cabal of tobacco executives, who I do think were truly without morals. As Mike Masnick of Techdirt correctly wrote this week: The issues, which become clear in all of this reporting, are not of a company that is nefariously run by evil geniuses toying with peoples minds (as some would have you believe). Nor is it incompetent buffoons careening human society into a ditch under a billboard screaming MOAR ENGAGEMENT! MOAR CLICKS! It seems pretty clear that they are decently smart, and decently competent people who have ended up in an impossible situation and dont recognize that they cant solve it all alone. They cant and, more important, they wont have to soon enough. A more perfect regulatory union Speaking of regulation which is going to be a major part of the narrative for tech over the next few years the first meeting of the Trade and Technology Council this week was an important step forward. Formed in the summer by the United States and the European Union, the group met in Pittsburgh as part of an effort to coordinate on important tech issues and standards across an array of areas like artificial intelligence, data governance, cyberattacks and more. When Michael Gandolfini was filming his role in The Many Saints of Newark, a period crime drama that casts him as a precocious teenage troublemaker named Tony Soprano, he was having trouble sleeping and would stay up late at night, working on his scenes for the next day. Sometimes he would reflect on the motivations of his character, whose loyalty is torn between two paternal figures: his frequently absent father, a New Jersey gangster named Johnny Boy; and the films protagonist, a charismatic mobster named Dickie Moltisanti. In his efforts to get inside his character, Gandolfini would try to identify with Tonys desire to please both men. He would find himself drawn back to Johnny Boy and repeat the wish to himself like a mantra. As Gandolfini recalled recently, I was always like, I want to make my dad proud. I want to make my dad proud. WASHINGTON President Biden, facing an intraparty battle over his domestic agenda, put his own $1 trillion infrastructure bill on hold on Friday, telling Democrats that a vote on the popular measure must wait until Democrats pass his far more ambitious social policy and climate change package. In a closed-door meeting with Democrats on Capitol Hill, Mr. Biden told Democrats for the first time that keeping his two top legislative priorities together had become just reality. And he conceded that reaching a deal between the divided factions on his domestic agenda could take weeks. Im telling you, were going to get this done, Mr. Biden told reporters Friday afternoon, appearing hand-in-hand with Speaker Nancy Pelosi after he left the closed-door gathering with Democrats. He added: It doesnt matter when. It doesnt matter whether its in six minutes, six days or six weeks. Were going to get it done. The decision was a blow to his partys moderate wing, the driver behind efforts to separate the measures and score a quick victory on the traditional roads-and-bridges bill its members badly wanted to begin campaigning on. It was a win for the liberal flank, which has blocked any action on that bill until Senate Democrats unite around an expansive bill to confront climate change, expand the frayed social safety net and raise taxes on the rich. That appears to have emboldened progressives. One person familiar with Mr. Klains calls said they left liberal lawmakers with the impression that the White House was encouraging them to hold firm against an infrastructure vote until a deal could be reached with two centrist Democratic senators, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who have demanded changes to Mr. Bidens $3.5 trillion plan. Progressives have feared that if the infrastructure bill passes, giving moderate Democrats a big win, Mr. Manchin and Ms. Sinema would have little incentive to give in to demands from the White House and progressives to retain as much as possible of Mr. Bidens $3.5 trillion proposal. Mr. Klain retweeted a post on social media from Representative Jared Huffman, Democrat of California and a member of the Progressive Caucus, who said they were setting the Biden agenda back on track by delaying the vote on infrastructure. The suggestion that Ron Klain or anyone from the White House was urging members to vote against or oppose any aspect of the presidents agenda is false and doesnt even make sense, Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said. Members of the caucus have been pretty clear publicly on where they stand and what they need from their colleagues in Congress to move forward and our focus has been trying to move the process forward to get relief to the American people On Saturday, Ms. Jayapal said the White House did not lobby progressives against voting for the infrastructure bill and did not need to. Frankly, no one could have changed our minds, she said. Ms. Jayapal said she planned to be in Washington all weekend negotiating on the legislation and continuing to push for a vote on the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill before proceeding with the infrastructure bill. I want a vote, Ms. Jayapal said, because I want to be assured that there is no delay, and that theres no misunderstandings about what we agreed to. At one point, while eating steak florentina, a traditional Tuscan dish, I had to chew it for 10 minutes to get it down my throat, he said. Other times, I just had to get rid of the food, he said, sounding disgusted with himself for wasting a good meal. Tucci who lives in London with his wife, Felicity Blunt, a literary agent, and his children, including their daughter Emilia, who was born in the middle of his treatments said he didnt think twice about making the show. There was no way I wasnt going to make it, he said. Ive wanted to tell for a long time the story of Italy and the disparate cuisine in every region. Was it also about restoring a sense of normalcy to his life? Yeah, I suppose so, he said. Tucci, who grew up in Katonah, N.Y., has written cookbooks before, and Taste contains several recipes, including a simple one for a Negroni and a more complex one for timpano, a baked drum of dough stuffed with pasta, ragu, meatballs, eggs and other delights that features in his 1996 movie Big Night. The book contains nostalgic tributes to lost Chinese-Cuban restaurants and a recollection of when he ate minke whale in Iceland (Never had vaguely assuaged guilt tasted so good). But its focus is on the role food has played in his life, whether its the time, aged 13, that he stumbled upon his grandmother on her back porch skinning a squirrel (I looked at her as though she were mad, Tucci writes, and she looked back at me quizzically, as if I were the one who was mad), or when he defeathered pheasants with his wife. For anyone not interested in food, it would have been eye-wateringly boring, Blunt said in an email of their gastronomic conversations. But for me it was a delight. Under pressure from authors, Blushing has offered more transparency, and says that it is now providing monthly royalty payments, and that since the first quarter of 2020, it has used an automated royalty tracking system to generate payments. A lawyer for Ms. Wills said that she believes she has fulfilled her contractual duties to her authors and continues to do so and that Blushing wishes to move on from this small group of past authors and disgruntled past employees and put its energy into focusing on the talented and passionate authors they have the privilege to represent. The enormous appetite for romance and erotica, a nearly $1.5 billion industry, has stoked a feeding frenzy among publishers for new content. Romance sales exploded in the past 15 years, following the rise of e-books and self-publishing, and the commercial and cultural juggernaut Fifty Shades of Grey, which brought hard-core erotica from the fringes into the mainstream. Romance readers a majority of them women tend to be voracious consumers who buy dozens of books a year. Romance accounts for nearly 20 percent of the overall adult fiction market, drawing the largest audience of any genre, according to NPD BookScan. Around 60,000 romance and erotica books were published in 2020, up from nearly 35,000 a decade earlier, according to data from Bowker, which tracks publishing trends. On top of major companies like Harlequin, Avon and Berkley, which are owned by large multinational corporations, a constellation of smaller, independent romance publishers sometimes operate in a gray area between corporate publishers and vanity presses, which charge authors to publish their work. The independent presses tend to offer writers small advances of four to five figures but a higher cut of royalties, a share of profits. Often, they attract writers, mostly women, who have little professional publishing experience and arent represented by lawyers or agents who can help them evaluate a contract. Writers who really want to get published are so easy to take advantage of, and there are more and more people out there to take advantage of, said Mary Rasenberger, chief executive of the Authors Guild. While every creative field has horror stories about artists who are underpaid and exploited, the dynamics of the romance industry can be especially difficult to navigate. Despite the ascendance of erotica, theres a lingering stigma attached to the genre, which is written largely by and for women, and is still sometimes dismissed as shameful or unserious. Many romance authors publish under pen names and keep their professional and personal identities separate, and some write in secret for fear of being judged for writing about sex, and more particularly about women enjoying sex. Ms. LaPointe, 66, became disillusioned with Blushing after she discovered it had added clauses to her contracts without telling her. The additions included claiming rights to foreign editions, audiobooks, and film and television adaptations, according to contracts shared with The Times. Her royalty payments were erratic she said she sometimes made $3,000 in a quarter, and other times Blushing would claim she owed the company money for advances that it hadnt made back in sales. She recently started self-publishing and is making far more on her own, but Blushing still has rights to 31 of her books. Scott Kirby, the chief executive of United Airlines, reached a breaking point while vacationing in Croatia this summer: After receiving word that a 57-year-old United pilot had died after contracting the coronavirus, he felt it was time to require all employees to get vaccinated. He paced for about half an hour and then called two of his top executives. We concluded enough is enough, Mr. Kirby said in an interview on Thursday. People are dying, and we can do something to stop that with United Airlines. The company announced its vaccine mandate days later, kicking off a two-month process that ended last Monday. Mr. Kirbys team had guessed that no more than 70 percent of the airlines workers were already vaccinated, and the requirement helped convince most of the rest: Nearly all of Uniteds 67,000 U.S. employees have been vaccinated, in one of the largest and most successful corporate efforts of the kind during the pandemic. The key to Uniteds success, even in states where vaccination rates are at or below the national average, like Texas and Florida, was a gradual effort that started with providing incentives and getting buy-in from employee groups, especially unions, which represent a majority of its workers. He was also unfamiliar with Mr. Lewis, a stalwart civil rights activist who was beaten by police officers and sustained a skull fracture during the 1965 Bloody Sunday protests as he and hundreds of others tried to march from Selma, Ala., to Montgomery. Mr. Lewis died of pancreatic cancer in July 2020. Mr. Mayol said there was something ethereal about the statues. I stopped because I like the color, and they look like angels, he said. They are up in the sky and looking at us to see changes. So Hess, 22, of Los Angeles said she felt the message would have had more impact if it highlighted all the people harmed by the police, though she understood why the artist had chosen Mr. Floyd and Ms. Taylor. It would be better if, like, every single person who died from police violence last year got their own stand, and the whole park would be covered, she said. The killing last year of Mr. Floyd, 46, by Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer who was subsequently fired and convicted of murder, inspired Mr. Carnabuci. Already feeling emotionally drained from the pandemic lockdown, Mr. Carnabuci said he had felt helpless while watching the protests unfold. His wife encouraged him to put his sorrow into his art, and he said he had wanted to capture the moment in a meaningful way. We actually started thinking about making an exhibition and bringing the pieces around to sort of keep the awareness up, he said. And even raise some money for foundations that are geared toward those in need. A number of individuals have approached me with respect to running for higher office, she said, even as she repeatedly insisted that her focus was on her current job. But asked to characterize those conversations, Ms. James did not shy away. That I should consider it because of my leadership, because of my ability to speak truth to power, because of my experience and because of my ability to unite the state, she said. Im still focused on the office of attorney general, but I thank them for their comments. Her comments came after she spoke briefly at a gathering of the Brooklyn Democratic Party at Juniors, a restaurant known for cheesecake and political events. The scene there offered one of the most vivid illustrations yet of how the Democratic primary has begun to take shape in the past week, with the nascent contours of a campaign trail coming into view. Ms. Hochul, the states first female governor, was there as well, part of her breakneck public schedule as she also moves aggressively to try to cement a huge fund-raising advantage in advance of the primary. She spoke before both Ms. James and Jumaane D. Williams, New York Citys public advocate, who announced this week that he had formed an exploratory committee and was considering his own run. (Great job as public advocate! Ms. Hochul cracked wryly.) Ms. Hochul, Ms. James and Mr. Williams made the rounds through a room packed with party activists and elected leaders who clamored for selfies and hugs in between bites of scrambled eggs and sips from precariously balanced coffee cups. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is also thought to be weighing a run, also dropped by, a day after he and the others were at a gathering of Bronx Democrats. It is possible that Ms. James may not ultimately challenge Ms. Hochul. She does not have a history as a strong fund-raiser, though her allies are hopeful that as the potential first Black female governor in America, she would attract national attention and support should she run. She would also have to give up her current job to run for governor, and she might prefer to seek another term as attorney general instead boosted, perhaps, by the attention her recent activity has attracted. Ms. Goldberg also correctly identifies the biggest threat to free exchange right now: Republican-sponsored laws to restrict classroom discussions around race. But the rest of us cant fight that movement if were promoting our own culture of censorship. We need to get our own free-speech house in order, or bad actors will impose an even worse one on us. Jonathan Zimmerman Philadelphia The writer is a professor of education and history at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of Campus Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know. To the Editor: I have a 35-year-old daughter who lives in Oakland, Calif. I am an East Coast lefty liberal and am more politically active than my daughter, whose political leanings are only slightly left of mine. But when she comes to visit I have to watch what I say because of the stubborn arguments that likely ensue if I happen to make a casual or joking remark that she considers politically incorrect or triggering. It does make me sad, as well as mad. Im a big fan of Michelle Goldberg, but when I read that she believes that it would be very unlikely for someone to get fired over something like a Nazi salute, I was reminded of the incident described in a 1999 Washington Post story about David Howard, an aide to D.C.s mayor, who was forced to resign (though later rehired) because of correctly using the word niggardly (meaning stingy), and then being accused of racism. Purity censoring needs to be carefully watched, and reined in, from all sides, especially where common sense and humor may be victims. Mary Emerson Newport, R.I. To the Editor: Cancel culture in the academy is not just harming individuals but gutting whole academic fields. Departments are refused needed faculty, tenure is denied, grants are unavailable, brilliant graduates are unable to find jobs. Curriculums are forced on departments, eliminating subjects and viewpoints, cheating students of a diverse knowledge of a complex world. Not teaching the history of racial injustice is yet another deprivation of knowledge. The horrors of racism must be taught, along with the rest of our history; students need to know the whole messy story. Zealots on both sides of the spectrum are refusing to confront and teach the complexities of the world. We are surrounded by shades of gray. Acknowledging this might just help us to lower our voices, listen and even learn from one another. Name: Marie Tomanova Age: 36 Hometown: Mikulov, Czech Republic, a castle-laden town near the Austrian border. Now Lives: In a one-bedroom apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan with her husband, Thomas Beachdel, an art historian and curator. Claim to Fame: Ms. Tomanova is a photographer and wide-eyed documentarian of New York who uses her Contax T3 camera to capture city club kids, gallery habitues and whatever denizens of rooftop parties and East Village parks happen to cross her path. I take pictures to capture a feeling of closeness, she said. In an introduction to Ms. Tomanovas 2019 photo book, Young American, the photographer Ryan McGinley wrote, I wish all of Americas youth culture looked like Maries photos of downtown. We will continue to face scrutiny some of it fair and some of it unfair, he said in the memo. But we should also continue to hold our heads up high. Here is Mr. Cleggs memo in full: OUR POSITION ON POLARIZATION AND ELECTIONS You will have seen the series of articles about us published in the Wall Street Journal in recent days, and the public interest it has provoked. This Sunday night, the ex-employee who leaked internal company material to the Journal will appear in a segment on 60 Minutes on CBS. We understand the piece is likely to assert that we contribute to polarization in the United States, and suggest that the extraordinary steps we took for the 2020 elections were relaxed too soon and contributed to the horrific events of January 6th in the Capitol. I know some of you especially those of you in the US are going to get questions from friends and family about these things so I wanted to take a moment as we head into the weekend to provide what I hope is some useful context on our work in these crucial areas. Facebook and Polarization People are understandably anxious about the divisions in society and looking for answers and ways to fix the problems. Social media has had a big impact on society in recent years, and Facebook is often a place where much of this debate plays out. So its natural for people to ask whether it is part of the problem. But the idea that Facebook is the chief cause of polarization isnt supported by the facts as Chris and Pratiti set out in their note on the issue earlier this year. The rise of polarization has been the subject of swathes of serious academic research in recent years. In truth, there isnt a great deal of consensus. But what evidence there is simply does not support the idea that Facebook, or social media more generally, is the primary cause of polarization. The increase in political polarization in the US pre-dates social media by several decades. If it were true that Facebook is the chief cause of polarization, we would expect to see it going up wherever Facebook is popular. It isnt. In fact, polarization has gone down in a number of countries with high social media use at the same time that it has risen in the US. Specifically, we expect the reporting to suggest that a change to Facebooks News Feed ranking algorithm was responsible for elevating polarizing content on the platform. In January 2018, we made ranking changes to promote Meaningful Social Interactions (MSI) so that you would see more content from friends, family and groups you are part of in your News Feed. This change was heavily driven by internal and external research that showed that meaningful engagement with friends and family on our platform was better for peoples wellbeing, and we further refined and improved it over time as we do with all ranking metrics. Of course, everyone has a rogue uncle or an old school classmate who holds strong or extreme views we disagree with thats life and the change meant you are more likely to come across their posts too. Even so, weve developed industry-leading tools to remove hateful content and reduce the distribution of problematic content. As a result, the prevalence of hate speech on our platform is now down to about 0.05%. But the simple fact remains that changes to algorithmic ranking systems on one social media platform cannot explain wider societal polarization. Indeed, polarizing content and misinformation are also present on platforms that have no algorithmic ranking whatsoever, including private messaging apps like iMessage and WhatsApp. Elections and Democracy Theres perhaps no other topic that weve been more vocal about as a company than on our work to dramatically change the way we approach elections. Starting in 2017, we began building new defenses, bringing in new expertise, and strengthening our policies to prevent interference. Today, we have more than 40,000 people across the company working on safety and security. Since 2017, we have disrupted and removed more than 150 covert influence operations, including ahead of major democratic elections. In 2020 alone, we removed more than 5 billion fake accounts identifying almost all of them before anyone flagged them to us. And, from March to Election Day, we removed more than 265,000 pieces of Facebook and Instagram content in the US for violating our voter interference policies. Given the extraordinary circumstances of holding a contentious election in a pandemic, we implemented so called break glass measures and spoke publicly about them before and after Election Day to respond to specific and unusual signals we were seeing on our platform and to keep potentially violating content from spreading before our content reviewers could assess it against our policies. These measures were not without trade-offs theyre blunt instruments designed to deal with specific crisis scenarios. Its like shutting down an entire towns roads and highways in response to a temporary threat that may be lurking somewhere in a particular neighborhood. In implementing them, we know we impacted significant amounts of content that did not violate our rules to prioritize peoples safety during a period of extreme uncertainty. For example, we limited the distribution of live videos that our systems predicted may relate to the election. That was an extreme step that helped prevent potentially violating content from going viral, but it also impacted a lot of entirely normal and reasonable content, including some that had nothing to do with the election. We wouldnt take this kind of crude, catch-all measure in normal circumstances, but these werent normal circumstances. We only rolled back these emergency measures based on careful data-driven analysis when we saw a return to more normal conditions. We left some of them on for a longer period of time through February this year and others, like not recommending civic, political or new Groups, we have decided to retain permanently. Fighting Hate Groups and other Dangerous Organizations I want to be absolutely clear: we work to limit, not expand hate speech, and we have clear policies prohibiting content that incites violence. We do not profit from polarization, in fact, just the opposite. We do not allow dangerous organizations, including militarized social movements or violence-inducing conspiracy networks, to organize on our platforms. And we remove content that praises or supports hate groups, terrorist organizations and criminal groups. Weve been more aggressive than any other internet company in combating harmful content, including content that sought to delegitimize the election. But our work to crack down on these hate groups was years in the making. We took down tens of thousands of QAnon pages, groups and accounts from our apps, removed the original #StopTheSteal Group, and removed references to Stop the Steal in the run up to the inauguration. In 2020 alone, we removed more than 30 million pieces of content violating our policies regarding terrorism and more than 19 million pieces of content violating our policies around organized hate in 2020. We designated the Proud Boys as a hate organization in 2018 and we continue to remove praise, support, and representation of them. Between August last year and January 12 this year, we identified nearly 900 militia organizations under our Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy and removed thousands of Pages, groups, events, Facebook profiles and Instagram accounts associated with these groups. This work will never be complete. There will always be new threats and new problems to address, in the US and around the world. Thats why we remain vigilant and alert and will always have to. That is also why the suggestion that is sometimes made that the violent insurrection on January 6 would not have occurred if it was not for social media is so misleading. To be clear, the responsibility for those events rests squarely with the perpetrators of the violence, and those in politics and elsewhere who actively encouraged them. Mature democracies in which social media use is widespread hold elections all the time for instance Germanys election last week without the disfiguring presence of violence. We actively share with Law Enforcement material that we can find on our services related to these traumatic events. But reducing the complex reasons for polarization in America or the insurrection specifically to a technological explanation is woefully simplistic. We will continue to face scrutiny some of it fair and some of it unfair. Well continue to be asked difficult questions. And many people will continue to be skeptical of our motives. Thats what comes with being part of a company that has a significant impact in the world. We need to be humble enough to accept criticism when it is fair, and to make changes where they are justified. We arent perfect and we dont have all the answers. Thats why we do the sort of research that has been the subject of these stories in the first place. And well keep looking for ways to respond to the feedback we hear from our users, including testing ways to make sure political content doesnt take over their News Feeds. But we should also continue to hold our heads up high. You and your teams do incredible work. Our tools and products have a hugely positive impact on the world and in peoples lives. And you have every reason to be proud of that work. It was moderates preference for the infrastructure measure that drove progressive Democrats in the House to threaten to bring down the $1 trillion public works legislation. Their fear was that those more centrist House and Senate Democrats would not rally behind the safety net and environmental programs if they had already won much of what they wanted in the public works bill. Progressives said they had to be sure the rest of the Biden agenda would be enacted once the infrastructure measure was signed and saw their ability to hold up the measure as leverage. In the middle has been Mr. Biden, who considers himself a savvy bipartisan deal maker, but whose skill at courting compromise has not translated into an ability to forge a quick agreement among the warring factions within his party. In the absence of that agreement, Ms. Pelosi on Friday pulled back from a vote on the infrastructure bill. The move, which angered moderates who fumed that she had gone back on a promise, bought those involved in the negotiations more time to find some kind of consensus and get both the public works bill and social policy measure to Mr. Bidens desk. Leaders of the progressive bloc were quick to point out that it was just a sliver of their fellow Democrats who were standing between Mr. Biden and his legislative goals. Four percent of Democrats are opposing passing the presidents agenda right now, said Representative Pramila Jayapal, the Washington Democrat who is the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. That is the group we are concerned about. House moderates say they want to pass some version of the social policy package, though they have raised objections to various details. And Mr. Manchin, while insisting he wants to spend no more than $1.5 trillion on that bill, laid out his objectives for it, giving the administration hope that a process that may look messy at the moment would ultimately lead to a measure that could become law. We know that compromise is inevitable, said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary. But the good news is, is that there is agreement among most Democrats, if not every single one of them, that we need to get something done; that we need to do more to rebuild our roads and railways and bridges; that we need to cut costs for the American people; we need to address the climate crisis. Marcia Freedman, who was the first American-born woman to serve in the Israeli Parliament, known as the Knesset, and who helped lead the feminist movement in Israel in the 1970s, died on Sept. 21 at her home in Berkeley, Calif. She was 83. She had been diagnosed with renal and heart disease, her daughter, Jennifer Freedman, said in confirming the death. Ms. Freedman, who was born in New Jersey, had been pursuing her doctorate in philosophy at Stanford when, in 1967, she received an offer to spend a year in Israel teaching at Haifa University. She became part of Israels nascent feminist movement and ended up staying 14 years, although she returned often after that for extended periods. As an active feminist, Ms. Freedman caught the attention of Shulamit Aloni, a left-wing champion of civil liberties, and her Ratz party, known as the Civil Rights Movement. Ms. Aloni asked Ms. Freedman to join her partys slate, and in 1973 the party won three seats, one of which went to Ms. Freedman. Even as Democrats see the struggle over abortion rights as a winning political fight, party strategists worry that a decline in enthusiasm could be another harbinger of whats expected to be a difficult midterm election next year for their party. Already, Democrats find themselves struggling to respond to a series of public health, economic and foreign policy crises. As party factions bicker and Mr. Bidens approval ratings sink, his domestic agenda remains mired in a legislative standoff in Congress. Other issues that would motivate the Democratic base, including legislation that could enact abortion rights into federal law, face an uphill climb to passage given the partys razor-thin congressional margins. In interviews and polling, voters who believe abortion should remain legal say they worry about the future of abortion rights and say that restrictions, such as a new law in Texas that effectively bans abortions after about six weeks, make them more likely to vote in the midterm elections. But they are also skeptical that the constitutional right to an abortion will be completely overturned and view managing the pandemic as far more urgent. And some of those who became activists during the Trump administration now prefer to focus on state and local politics, where they see more opportunities to enact change. Other solutions to protect abortion rights proposed by liberal groups including an expansion of the Supreme Court remain divisive among independent voters. Judy Hines, a retired gym teacher in a conservative rural county in western Pennsylvania who is active in Democratic politics, has not been to a march in more than a year and a half, and since she has a family member with health issues, she did not attend on Saturday either. The evangelical leader Pat Robertson said on Friday that he was stepping down as host of the The 700 Club after more than 50 years at the helm of a program that channeled Christian conservatism into millions of American homes and turned him into a household name. Its been a great run, Mr. Robertson said on the show, adding that his son Gordon Robertson would take over as host. Mr. Robertson, 91, made the announcement at the end of the broadcast on Friday, the 60th anniversary of the Christian Broadcasting Network, which Mr. Robertson started in a small station in Portsmouth, Va., in 1961. The 700 Club grew out of a series of telethons that Mr. Robertson began hosting in 1963 to rescue the network from financial troubles. At the time, Mr. Robertson said he was unable to pay for a suite of offices the network had added to the station. Mr. Cruz is not the only reason nearly every foreign ambassadorship and many other State Department positions remain unfilled: The Biden White House was notoriously slow to begin offering foreign policy nominations, exasperating even its Democratic allies. But unless Mr. Cruz backs down, it could be months before Mr. Biden has his picks in capitals like Beijing, Jerusalem, Cairo and Berlin, and in important policymaking positions at the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. A minor breakthrough came at the end of September, after Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, saying he would take the long way, cleared several hours on the Senate floor to advance some of the State Department nominees. Six were confirmed this past week, most by wide margins, including assistant secretaries of state for European, African, and East Asian and Pacific affairs. But many dozens are still waiting. State Department officials say the shortage of confirmed senior personnel is straining their ability to conduct diplomacy. They point to the example of Bonnie Jenkins, who was officially nominated in March to be the State Departments top arms control officer but not confirmed until July 21 just a few days before she departed for strategic arms talks with the Russians in Geneva. Mr. Cruz and other Republicans say a 2017 law the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, devised to force a reluctant President Donald J. Trump to impose sanctions on Moscow requires Mr. Biden to penalize Nord Stream 2 AG, the company in charge of the pipeline project, which is a subsidiary of the majority state-owned Russian energy company Gazprom. They say an administration report finding that the company facilitated deceptive transactions should trigger the 2017 measure. Mr. Cruzs allies say he felt misled by early statements from Mr. Blinken suggesting he would work to stop the Nord Stream project, which helped persuade Mr. Cruz to lift earlier holds on nominees, including Mr. Bidens pick for director of the C.I.A., William J. Burns. This is not something he does lightly or with relish. This is just something he is deeply, deeply concerned about, said Victoria Coates, a former national security aide to Mr. Cruz who also worked in the Trump White House. He feels like they lied to him, and they are not understanding how serious this is. Edha Gupta and Christina Ellis, two high school seniors in York County, Pa., were furious when they read last month in a local paper that their teachers had been effectively banned from using hundreds of books, documentary films and articles in their classrooms. The list, which was created in 2020 by a diversity committee in the Central York School District, was meant to serve as a resource guide for students and teachers as they grappled with the racial and social turmoil that followed the murder of George Floyd. It included a documentary film about James Baldwin and a statement on racism by the states association of school administrators. It also included childrens books like a A Boy Called Bat, about a third grader with autism, I Am Rosa Parks, and Cece Loves Science, about a curious girl who loves experiments. But what began as an effort to raise awareness somehow ended with all of the materials on the list being banned from classrooms by the districts school board in a little-noticed vote last November. Some parents in the district, which draws about 5,000 students from suburban townships surrounding the more diverse city of York, had objected to materials that they feared could be used to make white children feel guilty about their race or indoctrinate students. I dont have enough adjectives to explain how dedicated he was to his fellow Rohingya brothers and sisters, Ms. Lee added. Mr. Mohib Ullah traveled to Europe and the United States to raise awareness of the plight of Rohingya Muslims, who have endured decades of state persecution in Myanmar. Many had their citizenship essentially stripped from them after a xenophobic military dictatorship targeted ethnic minorities. By the 2000s, once-vibrant Rohingya communities were depleted, as the authorities limited their worship, education and health care. The Myanmar authorities mandated that Rohingya women control the number of children they bore so that the Muslim population of Rakhine State would not compete with the Buddhist one. After a civilian government began sharing power with the military in 2015, the pogroms against the Rohingya intensified. Elected leaders and military officers alike maintained that no such group called the Rohingya existed, referring to them instead as Bengalis, to imply that they were interlopers from Bangladesh rather than an ethnic group that called Myanmar home. In a speech before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva in 2019, Mr. Mohib Ullah tried to describe all the ways in which the Rohingya were denied their humanity, from their citizenship to their very name. He was cut off after two minutes under council rules. Imagine you have no identity, no ethnicity, no country, nobody wants you, he said in Geneva. How do you feel? This is how we feel today as Rohingya. He visited the White House that same year and met President Donald J. Trump as part of a gathering of persecuted religious minorities from all over the world. Although he could have tried to claim asylum while in the United States or Europe, Mr. Mohib Ullah instead returned to the refugee camp, with its filthy latrines, crowded shelters and deadly landslides and fires. LAHORE, Pakistan Before Shahid Zaidi was born, before his home was an independent country, his father opened a portrait studio and captured the nations emerging history. His father, Syed Mohammad Ali Zaidi, captured a Hindu couple in 1939. The man wore a conservative double-breasted suit, hair slicked, while the woman sported a sari, with earrings dangling and bangles on her wrists, the exact colors eluding the black-and-white negative. The next year he captured a Muslim couple, Mansoor and Nuzhat Muzaffar, the bride in a shimmer-trimmed shalwar kameez and a matha patti, an ornamental headpiece, and the groom resplendent in a qulla, a wedding turban. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan Pakistan is holding talks with factions of the Pakistani Taliban, a banned militant group responsible for some of the countrys worst terrorist attacks, and would forgive members who lay down their weapons, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday. Although details of the talks were unclear, negotiations with the group known as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or T.T.P., would be the most significant development since similar efforts failed in 2014 and Pakistan turned to a massive military operation to diminish the group. There are different groups which form the Pakistani Taliban, or T.T.P., Mr. Khan said in an interview with the Turkish state television station TRT World. We are in talks with some of them on a reconciliation process. We might not reach some sort of conclusion or settlement in the end, but we are talking. In a statement soon after Mr. Khans interview, the T.T.P. called on its fighters to continue their attacks. It denied divisions in its ranks and made no acknowledgment of the ongoing talks. It also claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a Pakistani military convoy on Friday, the latest in a spate of such attacks. ROME In the five years since Virginia Raggi became mayor, mayoral election on Sunday, the citys newspapers, frustrated residents and a long list of candidates jostling to replace Ms. Raggi have attacked her on an issue that they say encapsulates just how uncivilized it has become: marauding packs of wild boars. Her critics call them Raggis Boars, swapping viral videos of pigs in Roman dumpsters. If we want to make a zoo, we are on a good path, Carlo Calenda, one of the candidates running against Ms. Raggi, said on Italian television. The perceived weakness of Ms. Raggi has drawn 21 opponents across the political spectrum. The main challengers in her re-election bid include a conservative lawyer and two center-left politicians with national profiles. But fringe characters, including Dr. Seduction and a Gladiator re-enactor who calls himself Nero, have also jumped at the chance of replacing Ms. Raggi, who trails badly in the polls. TAIBEH, Israel After a day of work in construction, Alaa Sarsour, 25, showered, dressed and walked the short distance to his friends pre-wedding henna party in a cobbled alley festooned with ribbons in the old heart of Taibeh, an Arab town in central Israel. Suddenly, mid-celebration, a wild burst of bullets split the cool night air, hitting Mr. Sarsour and five other guests. Mr. Sarsour died in his brothers lap, relatives said, apparently the victim of a simmering feud between the gunman a friend of the groom who had been at the party moments earlier and a member of Mr. Sarsours family. The shooting last week was just one of at least 16 homicides in Israels Arab communities last month, and one of nearly 100 so far this year. The killings not by Israeli soldiers but by Arab criminals account for about 70 percent of all Israeli homicides, though Arabs represent just over 20 percent of the population. The surging violence has shocked the country and put a spotlight on what the government acknowledges to have been decades of neglect of crime in Arab communities. Nobel Prize season is upon us once again. Every October, committees in Sweden and Norway name laureates in a variety of prizes in the sciences, literature and economics, as well as peace work. In total, six prizes will be awarded. Like everything else, the Nobels are making adjustments for the pandemic. Last year, some events were canceled in favor of a digital ceremony for the winners. The Oslo ceremony for the peace prize was smaller than in most years, with a limited audience. This years festivities will be a mixture of digital and physical events. Laureates will receive their Nobel Prize medals and diplomas in their home countries in December, the organization said. Fat Bear Week, an annual contest celebrating the pre-hibernation weight gain of bears in Alaskas Katmai National Park, is underway. Last years winner was Bear 747, pictured above. How much is he estimated to weigh? The OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions (WGB) is a multilateral body that monitors the implementation of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (Convention) and related anti-bribery instruments. The Convention is the only legally binding instrument globally to focus on the supply of bribes to foreign public officials. The WGB, a recognised global leader in the fight against foreign bribery, comprises 44 Parties and serves as the Conference of Parties to the Convention. Through an open-ended, peer-driven monitoring mechanism, the WGB ensures that member countries thoroughly fulfil their international obligations to combat foreign bribery. The WGB review process culminates in country reports containing recommendations, which are publicly available on the OECD website, at: Country reports on the implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. The WGB also develops good practices, including through horizontal and thematic studies, for preventing and detecting foreign bribery and enforcing foreign bribery laws, and engages with non-members, other OECD bodies, international organisations, and business and civil society as appropriate. Finally, the WGB provides, on the margins of its meetings, a forum for law enforcement officials to discuss good practices and horizontal issues relating to the investigation and prosecution of foreign bribery. The WGB is seeking to designate a dynamic individual to become its new Chair and lead the body in its weeklong, quarterly meetings (March, June, October and December), and other events as necessary. Main responsibilities The main responsibilities of the Chair working closely with the OECD Anti-Corruption Division, which serves as the Secretariat to the WGB include: Chair or otherwise lead discussions of the WGB during and between its plenary meetings. Lead the WGB in conducting its work, including the peer-review monitoring mechanism related activities (e.g. support the discussion and adoption of the evaluation reports, participate in high level missions and send correspondence on behalf of the WGB), and proactively propose solutions when necessary. Play a leading role in the development and monitoring of policy, good practices and standards for the WGB. Represent the WGB in relevant international fora, when appropriate, and engage with relevant stakeholders. Steer the work of the WGB Management Group, which acts as a sounding board to assist the Chair in the conduct of ongoing work and in preparing the agenda and documents of the plenary meetings. Candidate profile Candidates should be citizens of a Party to the Convention1 and endorsed by a Party to the Convention, whether or not of their nationality. Parties can endorse as many candidates as they wish. The ideal candidate should: Be able to demonstrate technical legal expertise, extensive public or private professional experience or academic credentials, preferably related to international corruption and foreign bribery issues. Extensive knowledge of the international legal framework and national laws to combat economic and financial crimes would be a strong asset. Be able to take a rigorous and analytical approach and develop a deep understanding of all the matters that arise. Be neutral, independent and impartial. Have international experience and standing with leadership, representation, negotiation, problem solving, and consensus building skills, if possible, in multilateral fora. Be fluent in at least one of the two official languages of the OECD (English and French). An ability to engage in the other and knowledge of other languages would be considered an asset. Demonstrate willingness, availability and ability to carry out this function and to steer the monitoring process and other policy-related projects on foreign bribery undertaken by the WGB. Terms and conditions The successful candidate shall serve for a term of four years, renewable once. In order to ensure a smooth transition from the current Chairmanship, the successful candidate will be expected to attend the WGB meetings of October and December 2022 at the OECD headquarters in Paris and will further take the appointment as Chair in January 2023. Expenses in connection with the Chairs duties will be covered, subject to the decision by the WGB; no other compensation will be paid. The successful candidate will be asked to complete a declaration on conflicts of interest twice a year. Procedure for application Candidates to the position must submit their C.V. and letter of motivation to the Secretariat of the WGB before 31 October 2021. Applications and questions should be sent to: Mr Patrick Moulette Head, Anti-Corruption Division Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, OECD patrick.moulette@oecd.org Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with the WGB in a plenary confidential session in March-June 2022, and asked to complete a form on conflicts of interest provided by the Secretariat. This is an equal opportunity vacancy, and applications of all qualified candidates who are citizens of a Party to the Convention, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities are welcome. 1 Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States. Opalesque Industry Update - Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Mercer Global Advisors, which is majority owned by Oak Hill Capital and Genstar Capital, has acquired Quest Capital Management, a wealth management firm located in Dallas, Texas. Quest serves approximately 660 clients with assets under management (AUM) of approximately USD1.5 billion. Quest was founded in 1987 and is managed by its six shareholders Kalita Blessing, CFP, CAP, AEP, CSRIC, President, Dennis Moore, CFP, MBA, Chief Operating Officer, Robert Cox, CFP, CDFA, Wealth Advisor, Chandler Ferguson, CFP, CIMA, Wealth Advisor, Carl Kunhardt, CFP, CIMA, AEP, Wealth Advisor, and Chris Young, CFP, CPWA, AEP. Quest offers comprehensive wealth management services to high-net-worth individuals, families, and their businesses. Quest's shareholders and seventeen staff members will all be joining the Mercer Advisors' team. Blessing says: "We are very proud of the firm we have built and remain dedicated to serving our clients with excellence. As a fiduciary to our clients, we have an obligation to ensure their needs are met for generations to come. With that in mind, we needed to consider partnering with a national firm that could deliver on that promise beyond our lifetimes. My partners and I have no intention of exiting our practices anytime soon but solving for succession sooner rather than later brings immediate benefits to our clients by accessing Mercer Advisors' in-house family office services such as estate planning and tax return preparation. This merger will also provide career development opportunities for our staff beyond what we could offer and that is most important to us." Moore, Chief Operating Officer, adds: "We were keen to expand our service offering, and add real horsepower to our middle and back-office resources to create scaled efficiency. Dave Barton, Mercer Advisors Vice Chairman, whom we worked with to complete this business combination, communicated this strong value proposition early and often, and the Quest partners agreed it was best for Quest, our loyal clients, and our staff." David Barton, Vice Chairman, adds: "Kalita, Dennis, Chris, Rob, Chandler, and Carl, have built an incredible business with a strong brand in Texas. They represent the very definition of trust, dependability, and exceptionalism. We are proud to partner with them and increase our already strong presence in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. We make each other better." Dave Welling, Chief Executive Officer of Mercer Advisors, says: "The Quest leadership group have assembled a strong team and are highly respected in our industry. Their involvement and contributions to their community and local philanthropic organisations demonstrate their strong character. This is the type of talent we seek to add to our team and we look forward to expanding on the services to help better serve the current and future Quest clients." Java Burn [COFFEE] Supplement - Java Burn supplement is immaculate digestion driving forward jump of your life that helps with burning fat in the most difficult areas. The JavaBurn weight loss formula upholds your natural limits and empowers you to be better. To sum up, it is an incredible and sensible fat-burning supplement that mixes 100% natural ingredients and relies upon old-fashioned Japanese thinning procedures. (VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE) Order Java Trinamool Congress, which is trying to expand to other states, is in touch with Meghalaya Congress legislators. The Congress party is struggling with internal crises in several states, including Punjab and Chhattisgarh. As per the reports, a fresh turmoil is likely to hit the party in Meghalaya as former chief minister Mukul Sangma is likely to jump ship. Sangma and about a dozen other MLAs of the Congress party from Meghalaya are expected to switch over to the Trinamool Congress, the ruling party in West Bengal, which is trying to expand to other states as well. As per sources, the TMC, which is seeking to expand its footprints and enter national politics, is in touch with Congress legislators from the northeastern state. Earlier, a veteran Congress leader from Goa Luizinho Faleiro had quit the party and joined the TMC. Since July, nearly 50 terrorists, mostly from Pakistan's Punjab province and tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, have infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir and are currently active. Islamabad: After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the number of Pakistan-based terrorists has surged in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since New Delhi abrogated Article 370 in 2019, a media report said. Many of the terrorists crossing into Jammu and Kashmir are affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) groups based in Pakistan fighting with the Haqqani network, a Taliban faction in Afghanistan. They are entering into Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan, EU Today reported citing Nikkei Asia. Since July, nearly 50 terrorists, mostly from Pakistan's Punjab province and tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, have "infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir and are currently active". The number of active terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir was at its peak in 2018. After that, the number started declining as the government tightened the security while abolishing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. But as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, a surge in the number of terrorists has been reported. Experts have raised fears of attacks because of the surge in the number of terrorists in the area. Analysts have also highlighted that they believe that Let and JeM did not help the Taliban in Afghanistan, but both groups have their presence in the region. The two groups also have links to the Haqqani Network, and it could lead to provocative actions. Courtesy: ANI Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane said India had made matching deployments in terms of troops and infrastructure in its areas along the LAC, and there was no way anyone would be able to behave aggressively again. Leh: Expressing hope that the pending issues between India and China along the Line of Actual Control would be resolved soon, Army chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane said the increase in the deployment by Chinese troops across the border was a matter of concern. He said India had made matching deployments in terms of troops and infrastructure in its areas along the LAC, and there was no way anyone would be able to behave aggressively again. Speaking to ANI, Gen Naravane, who is in Ladakh for his two-day visit, said, "The situation at friction points has been normal for the past six months. The talks have been going on. We had the 12th round of talks last month, and also hopeful of having the 13th round of talks, maybe by the second week of October." He added, "When the talks had started, people were doubtful whether talks would resolve anything, but I am of the firm opinion that we can resolve our differences with dialogue and that is what has happened in the past few months." The army chief said, "The Chinese have deployed (their forces) in considerable numbers across Eastern Ladakh and up to eastern command. There has been an increase in the deployment and it is a matter of concern for us. We are also carrying out matching developments in terms of infrastructure and deployment of troops. We are quite poised in order to meet any eventuality." Courtesy: ANI Earlier, 24 News had given fake news about the customs of Sabarimala temple, quoting from the fake documents provided by Monson Mavungal. Hindu organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have begun massive agitation against the 24 News Malayalam channel for peddling fake news against the Sabarimala temple. Earlier, 24 News had given fake news about the customs of Sabarimala temple, quoting from the fake documents provided by Monson Mavungal. VHP and Bajrang Dal organised a protest march to the Alappuzha bureau of 24 News. Earlier, the VHP had demanded an apology from 24 News for trying to break Hindu unity and giving fake news against the Holy Sabarimala temple. At the time when the Kerala government ruled by CPIM tried to break the customs in Sabarimala, 24 News had tried to divide the Hindus, who were leading massive protests against the state government. Globally, Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tribute to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary at Raj Ghat. Paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, PM Modi on Saturday (October 2) said Bapu's principles are globally relevant and give strength to millions. "Tributes to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. I bow to respected Bapu on Gandhi Jayanti. The life and ideals of Pujya Bapu will continue to inspire every generation of the country to walk on the path of duty. His noble principles are globally relevant and give strength to millions," he tweeted. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against British colonial rule with utmost patience. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him worldwide. Globally, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. Several events were held in India and across the world to mark the occasion. Courtesy: ANI Mahatma Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against the colonial British rule with utmost patience and led to India achieving its independence in 1947 New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind paid floral tributes to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his 152nd birth anniversary at Raj Ghat on Saturday (October 2). Paying tribute to Bapu, President Kovind asked people to take pledge to strive for making India the country of his dreams. "Homage to Bapu on #GandhiJayanti. It is a special day for all Indians to remember Gandhiji's struggles and sacrifice. Let us take a pledge that we will continue to strive for making India a country of Gandhiji's dreams while adhering to his teachings, ideals and values," said Kovind in a tweet today. Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. "My respectful tributes to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi Ji on his birth anniversary today. Universally revered as an apostle of peace and non-violence Gandhiji was an embodiment of selfless service, kindness and compassion," tweeted Vice President of India. Leaders across the political spectrum also paid homage to the father of the nation at Raj Ghat. Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi reached Rajghat to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also reached Rajghat to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to the father of the nation at Rajghat. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against the colonial British rule with utmost patience. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him accolades across the world. Globally, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. Several events were held in India and across the world to mark the occasion. Courtesy: ANI Mutual respect between Gandhi and RSS is not widely known. The poll bugle has been sounded, and political leaders are busy delivering campaign speeches as per the culture and tradition of their parties. In one such speech, the party leader proclaimed that the vote this time around would be a choice between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse. Those who follow the Gandhian ideology pay special attention to their utterances and never take the name of Godse. I have participated in many such discussions on Gandhiji in the Sangh, but never heard Godse mentioned. It is indeed ironic that those whose actions and policies are in direct opposition to the Mahatmas life and legacy, who rely on falsehood and violence as a political weapon, seek to use his name insincerely for narrow political gains. Like with most aspects of the Sangh, when it comes to the RSSs relationship with Gandhiji, people often make presumptions without the requisite examination of the facts. Even so-called scholars rarely attempt a holistic study of the subject. To set the record straight, the material available on Gandhis relationship with the Sangh needs to be carefully examined. Despite disagreeing with him and his surrender to the extremist and jihadi elements among the Muslim community, the RSS has always admired his efforts to broaden the public support for Bharats freedom struggle through simple means like the Charkha and satyagraha and considered this as his greatness. If one understands Gandhijis insistence on constructive programmes like gram Swaraj, Swadeshi, cow protection, and the abolition of untouchability, his affinity and perseverance for the eternal Hindu thought is undeniable. Dr K B Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS, was an active participant in the non-cooperation movement of 1921 and the civil disobedience movement of 1930. For his involvement, he served two rigorous prison sentences. When the Mahatma was sentenced to six years imprisonment on March 18, 1922, the 18th of every month was celebrated as Gandhi Day. Whilst Gandhiji was in prison, some of his self-professed followers were serving their own interests in the name of patriotism. Hedgewar flagged this discrepancy in his speech on Gandhi Day in October 1922: Today is a very auspicious day. It is a day to listen and mull over the values and qualities found in the life of a noble soul like Mahatmaji. Those who take pride in being called his followers have an additional responsibility to follow these qualities. In 1934, when Gandhiji was residing at the Jamnalal Bajajs residence, he attended a camp of the RSS being conducted nearby. During his conversations there, he was happy to learn that the camp included swayamsevaks from the Scheduled Castes, and everyone lived together in the fraternity. Later, when Gandhiji was staying in what was then called a Bhangi colony (sweepers colony) after Independence, a morning shakha used to be conducted in front of his residence. As per his wishes, more than 500 Swayamsevaks, above the mandal level, assembled, and Gandhiji addressed them. He started his address with these words: I had visited the RSS camp years ago at Wardha. At that time the founder Shri Hedgewar was alive and I was impressed by their rigorous discipline, the complete absence of untouchability and simplicity. Since then the sangh has grown. I have always believed that any organisation which is inspired by the ideal of service and self-sacrifice, is bound to grow in strength. On January 30, 1948, when Sarsanghchalak Shri Guruji (M S Golwalkar) got the news of Gandhijis assassination, he sent a condolence telegram to Devdas Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel. Guruji wrote: Shocked at the news of the fatal cruel attack and tragic loss of greatest personality. Countrys loss is unbounded in these critical times. God help shoulder responsibilities grown heavier and fulfil the void caused by the loss of incomparable unifier. On the occasion of the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi, a statue of Gandhiji was unveiled by Golwalkar. In his address, he said: Mahatma Gandhi was born like any other common man, but he attained the status of a great man due to his deeds and love in his conscience. We should mould our life on his lines My last meeting with Mahatma ji was in 1947. At that time riots broke in Delhi. Even those who were non-violent by tradition had become cruel, rogue and heartless Mahatma Ji said to me: See, what is happening? I said: This is our misfortune. British used to say when we leave; you people will slit each others throats. Today, the same thing is happening. It is bringing disrepute to us in the whole world. In the prayer meeting of that day, Gandhi Ji took my name with pride and expressed my thoughts. It was my great fortune that the great Mahatma took my name. In this entire context, I reiterate that we should imitate Gandhiji. If we act on Mahatma Jis thoughts we shall reawaken the great Hindu Dharma that imparts such lessons. This speech has been published in collected works of M S Golwalkar, vol.1 page 208-221. Commenting about the relationship between Gandhi and the RSS without considering these facts is a disservice to the truth. The Sangh has kept Gandhijis ideals alive through its work on rural development, organic farming, cow conservation and protection, social equality and harmony, imparting education in ones own language and swadeshi economy and lifestyle and shall continue to do so. That is more than can be said for those who talk about Gandhi only during election campaigns. This year is the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji. I humbly pay tribute to his memory. (The writer is the joint general secretary of the RSS) Mahatma Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against British colonial rule with utmost patience. New York: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday (October 2) paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 152nd anniversary and said the world should heed his message of peace and usher in a new era of trust and tolerance. "Hatred, division and conflict have had their day. It is time to usher in a new era of peace, trust, and tolerance. On this International Day of Non-Violence - Gandhi's birthday - let's heed his message of peace, and commit to building a better future for all," Guterres tweeted as a tribute to Gandhi. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against British colonial rule with utmost patience. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in 'Swaraj' (self-governance) and 'Ahimsa' (non-violence) won him worldwide. Globally, Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. Several events were held in India and across the world to mark the occasion. Courtesy: ANI Guwahati: Unhindered entry of Rohingya and Myanmar citizens through different borders in the North East has become a security concern for the region and India. Fourteen Myanmar nationals trying to board a flight to Delhi with fake Aadhaar cards were arrested at Imphal airport on Saturday (October 2). These people are using fake aadhar cards to board the flight. The chief minister of Manipur N Biren Singh said that the state government has taken this matter very seriously. Stringent actions will be taken up against those people who enter the country without proper documents. There are almost 6000 Myanmar refugees taking shelter in Manipur. Most of them are Rohingya. Scores of Rohingyas had been arrested in Assam also in the past several months. Assam police arrested 24 Rohingyas in Guwahati and Badarpur railway station while travelling to Delhi and Agartala in July this year. Police also arrested 3 Indian Muslim handlers of the arrested Rohingyas. These handlers help the Rohingyas to enter Assam, Tripura through Bangladesh borders and Manipur, Mizoram through Myanmar border. One Indian Muslim handler, Aman Ullah of Nagrota Jammu, was also arrested from Guwahati with a group of Rohingyas, including women and children. In his confession before the railway police, Aman Ullah said that he was trying to set up a network base for Arakan Rohingya Solvency Army (ARSA) in Assam and North East. After his sensational confession, the case has been transferred to NIA for further investigation. It has been learned from the intelligence agency in Guwahati that few Bangladesh based Islamic militant organizations are helping displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar to establish its radical terrorist outfit. Reports suggest that Pakistani notorious intelligence agency ISI is behind this planning. The ARSA is trying to get sympathetic support from Muslims in Assam and Manipur. It is worth mentioning that a section of migrant Muslims in Assam is demanding refugee status for Rohingyas in the state. In that case, it will be slightly easy for the ARSA to find sympathy and support in the Muslim areas of Assam bordering Bangladesh. The scenario is not much different in Manipur. If this plan of the Rohingya Muslims actualized in the North East, it would be a major security concern for the region and the country. Moreover, Assam police, last month, had arrested 26 Myanmar nationals who were travelling to Delhi using fake aadhar cards and college identity cards to study Bibel in the national capital. Wafa is among the thousands of Afghans who lost their job or source of income after the Taliban took over Afghanistan and the democratically elected government fell off. Firoz Koh: Zabiullah Wafa, who once used to report for media outlets in western Ferz Koh city of Badghis province in Afghanistan, is now working as a labourer and making bricks to feed his 10-member family. Wafa is among the thousands of Afghans who lost their job or source of income after the Taliban took over Afghanistan and the democratically elected government fell off. He worked as a journalist in Badghis province for the last ten years but was laid off and left unemployed due to the financial drawbacks of the local media, Khaama Press News Agency reported. "After the Taliban takeover, local media outlets laid me off and it has been two months for me to be wandering without a job. To feed my family I decided to join my father in making constructional bricks," said Zabiulah Wafa as reported by Khaama Press News Agency. Wafa said that hundreds of Afghan journalists were living in similar conditions and requested the international community to help them and stand by them. Over 150 media outlets in Afghanistan have shut down their operations in the last month as they struggled to carry out their day-to-day functions after the Taliban takeover. In addition to the economic crisis, the Taliban are restricting the right to information to the journalists, which has hampered the work of scribe organisations, Tolo News reported. "Media are dependent on advertisements but there is no advertisement right now. They will face financial problems in absence of ads," a journalist informed. Earlier, the Taliban-appointed Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Zabihullah Mujahid, has said, "No restriction has been imposed on the free media in the country." Courtesy: ANI A few days ago, the Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein (TCSL) had also organised a peace march in protest against China for the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. Dharamshala: Beijing's claims that the 70 years of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s rule have improved the lives of Tibetans are based on vague historical facts and distort present-day realities, exiled Tibet government in India said in a book released ahead of China's National Day. Tibet's exiled leader Sikyong Pema Tsering has refuted claims made by China in a White Paper, "Tibet Since 1951: Liberation, Development and Prosperity," released in May, Radio Free Asia reported. "It is not 70 years of liberation, but in fact 70 years of suppression and oppression," the exiled leader said at the event held to launch a book titled 'Tibet: 70 years of occupation and oppression. "In the last 70 years, the Chinese government has constantly subjugated the Tibetans inside Tibet in the name of infrastructure development and evolution," Sikyong Pema added. "The subjugation of Tibetans is pursued by means of increased securitisation, intensified surveillance and a narrative on development, all of which are used as a political tool to integrate Tibet with China," The exiled government was quoted as saying by Radio Free Asia. A few days ago, the Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein (TCSL) had also organised a peace march in protest against China for the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. The march was taken out from the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights to the UN Human Rights Council building in Geneva on September 24. Tibet has been ranked as the second least free region in the world, according to the latest report "Freedom in the World 2021: A Leaderless Struggle for Democracy," based on a study of political freedom around the world. Tibet was a sovereign state before China's invasion in 1950, when the People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered northern Tibet. Courtesy: ANI The visit of the Foreign Secretary will provide an opportunity to review the bilateral ties, the progress of ongoing bilateral projects and ongoing cooperation to tackle Covid related disruptions. New Delhi: At the invitation of the Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla will pay an official visit to Sri Lanka commencing Saturday (October 2). The four-day visit to end on Tuesday (October 5) will be Mr Shringla's first to Sri Lanka as the Foreign Secretary. "Sri Lanka occupies a central place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Foreign Secretary's visit signifies the importance both countries attach to strengthening their close and cordial relations in all spheres of mutual interest," an MEA statement said here. The visit of the Foreign Secretary will provide an opportunity to review the bilateral ties, the progress of ongoing bilateral projects and ongoing cooperation to tackle Covid related disruptions. Just a week back in New York, on the sidelines of UNGA, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar met the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, G.L. Peiris. "Pleased to meet Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris, this time in his new capacity. A comprehensive discussion on our close relationship.Look forward to working with him to advance our shared agenda," Dr Jaishankar had tweeted on September 22 after meeting his Sri Lankan counterpart. Sri Lankan Minister Peiris had briefed Dr Jaishankar about the pragmatic and tangible action taken to resolve residual matters after the end of the conflict in May 2009, citing the fact that the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry and Justice Ministry were working collaboratively to address key issues, such as revisiting the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and releasing LTTE prisoners. Sri Lanka is also working towards empowering independent institutions and taking up matters such as the Office of Missing Persons, Office for Reparations, Office of National Unity and Reconciliation, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and the SDG Council. This visit of the Indian Foreign Secretary is also coming in the backdrop of Colombo's keenness to boost defence ties with India. Mr Shringla had earlier handled Indo-Lanka ties during his stint as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. India is keen to enhance people to people contacts and favours the need for a practical conclusion of the number of projects pending implementation in the island nation. Lately, Sri Lanka has banned the Chinese 'organic' fertiliser overdetection of bacteria. Its outline is unique and is used in countless local emblems and promotional materials. Its the site of dates, engagements, public events and casual hangouts. Forty years after its construction, the Midland Tridge continues to hold a special place in Midlanders hearts. What makes a bridge a Tridge? The impetus for the Tridges construction came in 1969, when a group of citizens from Ward 2 asked the city council for a footbridge across the Tittabawassee River. Although the Dr. Mark E. Putnam bridge included a walkway, residents claimed it was too narrow for pedestrians to safely navigate. In the early 1970s, a riverside development group met with a consultant to discuss ways to make the area around the Chippewa and Tittabawassee river more attractive. Ideas were batted around including a clear plastic tunnel to cross the river. It was Carl and Esther Gerstacker who proposed the concept for a three-legged bridge. Its a statement of Carl and Esther Gerstackers love for Midland. I dont go by without thinking of how their whole goal was to make Midland the best town in America, said Bill Schuette, executive vice president and assistant treasurer of the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation. A project to build a pedestrian bridge didnt begin until 11 years later. The bridge was informally called the Tridge early on, referencing its three spans connecting the farmers market area with Currie Park and a floodplain that would come to be known as Chippewassee Park. (Midland) really doesnt have much in the way of natural resources. I hope this Tridge will help us rediscover our one natural resource, said Carl Gerstacker in 1981, referencing the river. Construction would total approximately $732,000. The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation encouraged the community to match $366,000 while the Midland City Council committed $35,000 each year for three years. Meanwhile, David Rooke and Bob Caldwell spearheaded a fund drive to raise $261,000 as a supplement. Local students were encouraged to help raise money through penny drives and other fundraisers, thus helping cement a lasting feeling of ownership and enthusiasm for the Tridge that would last for years to come. More Information Tridge trivia Did you know.... The Tridge was designed by Commonwealth Associates of Jackson and built for a design load of 85 pounds per square foot of deck area and to handle 1,500 people at a time. The original arches weighed more than 11,000 tons total. Once they were in place, sections of the walkway were floated beneath the spans before being hoisted into place. The Tridge is made up of one 31-foot central pillar supporting three spokes. Each spoke is 180 feet long by 8 feet wide. The Tridge has received multiple awards. Keep Michigan Beautiful presented its Michigan Plaque to the Midland Area Community Foundation and the City in 1982. In 1983, the Engineering Society of Detroit awarded the Building Recognition Award to the City, Commonwealth and Gerace Construction. The Tridge was featured in the Michigan History Magazine's 1997 calendar. See More Collapse The history of the Tridge reflects three qualities we value in this great city of ours: bold ideas, the determination to get it done and a community of people coming together to make it happen, said Sharon Mortensen, president and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation. Permits were obtained in September 1980 and in the following February, Gerace Construction won the bid to build the unique bridge. A groundbreaking ceremony took place May 13, 1981. It took less than five months for construction to be completed. The Tridge was dedicated on Oct. 4, 1981, with about 5,000 in attendance. The dedication included live music, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a Frisbee contest among various family activities. In the years to come, Im sure one of the great fun things to do in Midland will be to trudge across the Tridge, Esther Gerstacker said at the dedication ceremony. Tunes, trots and more Esthers words came to pass as the Tridge has become the backdrop and inspiration for countless local events. In the early 1980s, a lunch hour musical session series called Brown-Bag-It performed in front of the landmark, drawing hundreds of visitors. A childrens petting zoo was set up for over 15 years on the farmers market side. In 1992, Judge Henry Hart and a group of friends began the tradition of the Labor Day Tridge Walk, similar to the annual walk held on the Mackinac Bridge. The Midland event has evolved over the years with several community entities acting as hosts, including The Salvation Army, Midland Area Community Foundation and the Chippewa Nature Center. I think there are a lot of people sitting around home wondering what to do on Labor Day morning, Hart said in 1993. I think thats our attraction. Were filling the void. The Tridge is the site of the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. Initiated in 1995, participants can run, walk or bike for an hour along the Chippewa Trail, starting at the Tridge and donate food to local food pantries. Around 250 people participate each year. The Tridge is also a focal point for summer events including the citys Fourth of July Fireworks display, River Days in August and the Tunes by the Tridge concert series throughout the summer. The structure provides inspiration for various creative projects. In 1982, elementary school students participated in an art contest that centered on the Tridge and its related activities, with winning entries displayed at the Tridge, in local stores and in the 1983 City of Midland calendar. This year, Creative 360 held a series of classes that depicted the Tridge like Vincent van Goghs famed Starry Night painting. There be trolls here As former Daily News Accent Editor Michael Roberts once said, with every Tridge comes a troll. Roberts penned a series of columns, beginning shortly after the Tridge was built, featuring a troll. Popularity built for the columns, and Roberts wrote a dozen entries before becoming the assistant managing editor of features and business for the Cincinnati Inquirer. Mary Lou Russell, a friend of Midlander Helen James, drew a likeness of the troll based on Norwegian troll designs. The image was used in only a few select places, including on the cover of the Tridges dedication pamphlet and on the Daily News weather page, as Norwegian legends tell of trolls controlling the weather. In 2002, contractor Bob DeZomits created a model of a troll for the first summer sculpture series in Downtown Midland. Local artists painted and decorated the models which were displayed along Main Street for a few months before being auctioned off that autumn. Maintaining Midlands landmark Much upkeep is needed to keep a 40-year-old wooden structure in top condition. The Tridge has undergone no less than three stain and paint jobs and in 1997 new and improved lighting fixtures were installed. Shortly after the Tridge was erected, the MACF established the Tridge Endowment Fund to provide grant dollars to the City of Midland for the structures maintenance and enhancement purposes. According to Mortensen, the fund has given just shy of $400,000 over the years. A lot has gone into maintenance. Were looking at a structure thats 40 years old, Mortensen said. In 2017, the Tridge underwent its first major renovation, costing $2.7 million, after it was damaged by floodwaters that June. Once again, the Gerstacker foundation provided the lions share of the projects funding with $2.5 million; the rest was covered by the Tridge Endowment Fund. The decking, railing posts, overhead cross beams, arch lights and lighting system were replaced and the entire structure was re-stained. The former decking was salvaged and used to create bridges for the Midland City Forest bike trail. The renovation included the installation of a new LED light system, which can be programmed to change colors for special occasions and holidays. The Tridge was reopened the following spring and a rededication ceremony was held on May 12, 2018. This week, the Midland City Council accepted a donation of $174,500 from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation to cover the full cost of staining and painting the Tridge. The Tridge is a family tradition. The Tridge is a community tradition. The Tridge is a Gerstacker Foundation tradition, said Schuette and Gerstacker Foundation President Lisa Gerstacker in a joint statement. Connecting parks and hearts Community leaders describe the Tridge as a catalyst for the community, bringing economic and social growth to the area at a time where there were not many outdoor activities for the downtown area; Chippewasse Park was created shortly after the Tridge was built and the Pere Marquette Rail Trail wasnt established until 1993. Now the Tridge is used as a connection point on multiple levels. Schuette calls the Tridge a bridge to everywhere, adding that it has been embraced by the community because of its unique structure. Its a gathering place. Its a place to picnic, its a place for music, its a place for exercise and reflection, you name it. Its multipurpose and really helped to connect the community, Schuette said. Mayor Maureen Donker recalls when Broadway and film star Kristen Chenoweth came to the Midland Center for the Arts for a concert, audience members were quick to correct her when she talked about a big, funny-looking bridge in Downtown Midland. Its a symbol of their home, Donker stated. That Tridge brings us together. I love how the Tridge was designed to connect us and I believe it continues to connect us with one another, Mortensen stated. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin. Friday, Sept. 24 10:22 p.m. A deputy called a Mount Haley Township female who had questions about her ex-boyfriend taking a television of hers. The female did not wish to file a report but wanted the ex-boyfriend contacted and asked to return the television. The deputy attempted to contact the ex-boyfriend but was unable to make contact. 10:11 p.m. A deputy spoke with a Warren Township resident who had questions about a child custody issue involving her estranged husband. The female was advised to contact the courts to set up a child custody agreement with the courts. 7:42 p.m. A deputy responded to a Larkin Township home for a report of a verbal argument between a mother and her 14-year-old daughter. Both parties stated there was an argument but no assault. Both parties agreed to leave each other alone for the night and talk the matter over the next day. 7:15 p.m. A deputy assisted a Michigan State Police Trooper with an accident on a Homer Township roadway. 7:07 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to a property damage complaint at a Lee Township residence. The 83-year-old Lee Township female said her mailbox and trashcan were hit by a vehicle. The vehicle description was unknown. 6:45 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to be on the lookout for a vehicle on a Lee Township roadway reported as driving erratically. A deputy searched the area and was unable to locate the vehicle. 6:11 p.m. Officers responded to a larceny in the area of Orchard Drive and West Main Street. 6:07 p.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of East Haley Street and Washington Street. 5:37 p.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of Eastman Avenue off ramp and Eastman Avenue. 5:22 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to a City of Coleman residence regarding a civil dispute. A 27-year-old male and a 57-year-old male exchanged nonverbal gestures. There is a long-standing dispute over the property line. Both were advised to leave each other alone. 4:37 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to Ingersoll Township regarding a verbal between a 15-year-old Ingersoll Township female and her 41-year-old mother. There was no assault. The parties were arguing over school choice. 4:13 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to Lee Township after a 36-year-old Lee Township female reported her 22-year-old female neighbor's dogs were in the complainant's yard acting viscous. The complainant wished that the dog owners only be warned at this time. The deputies spoke with the dog owner who advised that she would do a better job keeping the dogs on her own property. 3:49 p.m. A deputy assisted a Gratiot County deputy at a residence in Jasper Township. A 19-year-old Jasper Township male was arrested at his residence by Gratiot County on a bond violation warrant. The male was arrested by Gratiot County without incident. 3:40 p.m. A 73-year-old male reported $200 in damage to a vehicle. No suspects are currently known. 3:36 p.m. Officers responded to a fraud on East Baker Street. 1:48 p.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of Eastman Avenue and Cinema Drive. 12:30 p.m. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Eastman Avenue. 11:45 a.m. A 19-year-old Midland Township male was arrested at his residence for probation violation. He was lodged at the Midland County Jail. 10:54 a.m. A Parked Midland County Patrol car was damaged accidentally by an employee from a nearby business. The Midland City Police handled the investigation. 2:34 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Geneva Township residence regarding a report that there were flashlights in the woods behind the residence. Deputies checked the area but were unable to locate any lights in the woods. 2:19 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Warren Township residence regarding a verbal dispute between a 26- year-old male, and a 26-year-old female. Both parties were separated, and no physical assault occurred. During the investigation, deputies discovered a bag of drugs. A report is being sent to the Prosecuting Attorneys Office. 1:01 a.m. A 25-year-old Midland woman was arrested after a traffic stop for operating while intoxicated in the City of Midland. She was transported to the Midland County Jail without incident. 12:30 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Larkin Township residence for a verbal domestic. Deputies contacted a 38-year-old Larkin Township male who advised his wife, a 35-year-old Larkin Township female, and he was arguing about having kids. The male said his wife became upset from the arguing and called 911. The female left the residence prior to the deputys arrival. 12:03 a.m. Officers responded to a driver operating with a suspended license in the area of Eastman Avenue and Pheasant Ridge. Developmental assets are building blocks young people need to grow into strong, resilient, caring adults. Since the 1980s, Search Institute has surveyed more than 5 million adolescents and found that youth with more assets are more likely to reach their full potential. Armed with this knowledge, the Midland community has been on a mission to build assets in youth since 2004, when the framework was first introduced by The Legacy Center. By educating schools and youth serving agencies, our community successfully increased the number of assets held by youth between 2005 and 2016. Collaborating with local school districts, The Legacy Center and Midland Kids First will be conducting the Midland County Youth Study in October, measuring developmental assets for the fourth time since 2005. Using the Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors study, the agency surveyed nearly 6,000 students in each of the past three surveys. The results demonstrated that young people had increased the number of developmental assets they held by 10%. The average number of assets held in 2016 was 21.9. Of significance, each of four original priority assets increased over this 10-year period. These original four priority assets include: Positive Peer Influence, Restraint, Resistance Skills, and Adult Role Models. Through the 2016 study, The Legacy Center identified an additional priority asset of Achievement Motivation. While assets increased throughout the three studies, the average number of risk-taking behaviors among teens had declined during that same period of time by nearly 16%. These changes resulted from the intentional efforts of the Midland area community. Our community has rallied behind the concept of developmental assets since we introduced them locally in 2005. Local school districts, youth-serving agencies, the faith-based community, and others have adopted asset-building strategies that are making a difference. The Midland County Probate Court has applied the developmental assets framework in evidence-based programs and in collaboration with multiple youth-serving agencies, resulting in a dramatic reduction in delinquency and recidivism. This has also resulted in a remarkable reduction in the percentage of offenders siblings coming into the court system. The implementation of the developmental asset framework throughout our community has had a significant impact on the wellbeing of our youth, and the Midland County Youth Study continues to show that progress over time. The survey had been slated for the fall of 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic. One year later, there is a significant need to understand the impact of the past 18 months on the youth in our community. In the coming weeks, schools will send information about the survey home to parents. Parents are encouraged to allow their children to participate in this anonymous survey. This is a unique opportunity for youth to tell us what is going well in their lives and what they are concerned about, and as well as share their values, perspectives, and experiences. The 2021 study is being conducted in partnership with the administrations of Midland County ESA, Midland Public Schools, Bullock Creek Schools, Meridian Public Schools, Coleman Community Schools, Academic and Career Education Academy (ACEA), and Windover. The survey is being funded by Midland County Youth Action Council, St. Johns Episcopal Church, Midland County ESA, Community Mental Health for Central Michigan, Noon Rotary Community Needs Committee, and Midland Kiwanis Club. Kathryn Tate is the president and CEO of The Legacy Center for Community Success. TLC envisions strong communities where individuals, youth, and families thrive and work toward that vision using proven strategies in literacy, youth development, and substance use prevention. Pam Singer is the president and CEO of Midland Kids First. MKF provides evidence-based interventions for at-risk youth to assure they become well-adjusted, responsible, and contributing members of the community. Photo: (Photo : STR/AFP via Getty Images) A pair of American siblings finally came home to the U.S. three years after being barred from leaving China. Cynthia and Victor Liu are now back on U.S. soil following years of trying to lift the Chinese authorities' exit ban imposed on them. According to CBS, Cynthia and Victor Liu did not have any criminal records, and it wasn't clear why China imposed a ban on the American siblings. It's also unclear if the Liu siblings' case was tied to Meng Wanzhou, the Huawei executive detained in Canada. The day the exit ban on the American siblings was lifted was also the day Canada agreed to let go of Wanzhou after China released two Canadian citizens. The Liu siblings arrived in the U.S. Sunday, September 26, which also coincided with the request to drop the extradition of Wanzhou from Canada to the U.S. The White House press secretary, however, made it clear that the cases are not connected. Read Also: New York Woman Learns Her Longtime Gynecologist is Her Biological Father Father's Criminal Ties The American siblings, who were then 27 and 19, were visiting family and paying their respects to their grandmother in China in 2018. After the family affair, the brother and sister, together with their mother, Sandra Han, were barred from returning to the U.S. Both children had American passports, but the Chinese government regarded them as Chinese citizens under the jurisdiction of their laws. CNN reported that the Liu family was under investigation for economic crimes because of their father, Liu Changming, who has been missing since 2007. Changming has outstanding cases of illegal loans, and a warrant for his arrest has been logged with worldwide Interpol since 2015. However, the American siblings explained that they had been estranged from their dad and have had no communication with him for years. Before their exit ban, Victor was supposed to start his second year at Georgetown University while Cynthia was up for a new job in a New York firm. In 2019, through their lawyers, Cynthia relayed their trauma of not being allowed to go home even if they had not done anything wrong. They have also sought help from Sen. Ed Markey and then-President Donald Trump, who met with President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit. "Victor barely understands the language," their attorney David Pressman said. "It's bewildering, it's difficult, it's stressful." Warning on China's Exit Bans The U.S. State Department warned American travelers that China "arbitrarily enforces local laws" like exit bans to pressure people to help with their investigations, especially those with relatives in the country. However, exit bans may also be imposed on disputes involving their citizens and foreigners. Meanwhile, Markey issued a joint statement with Sen. Elizabeth Warren following Cynthia and Victor's return. The senators said that the siblings were used as pawns but nonetheless praised the efforts to ensure their return. Markey and Warren are still working on the release of the American siblings' mother. Related Article: Florida Mom Reunites With Abducted Daughter After a 14-Year Search Photo: (Photo : LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images) A key point in the Arizona abortion law that will allow the prosecution of women, doctors, and providers who abort a fetus with a genetic abnormality, has been temporarily blocked. U.S. District Judge Douglas Rayes said its criminalization is "unconstitutionally vague" and must be clarified. The judge also underscored a portion of the law that may be incorrectly misconstrued, which requires providers to inform the woman that it's illegal to get an abortion for a genetic abnormality. Rayes said that the Arizona abortion law doesn't bar the procedure for such cases; however, those liable could be prosecuted if the doctor knew the woman's real motives before the procedure. "This problem is exacerbated by the reality that the decision to terminate a pregnancy is a complex one," Rayes said in his order. "Often is motivated by a variety of considerations, some of which are inextricably intertwined with the detection of a fetal genetic abnormality." Read Also: Texas Abortion Law: Biden Justice Department Sues for 'Unconstitutional' Ban What This Means for Women The injunction means that women whose pregnancies have been diagnosed with genetic abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, may get an abortion. Doctors who provide the abortion will also not be liable for prosecution or prison time if the order is in effect. National Council of Jewish Women Arizona president Civia Tamarkin said that this order had given the choice back to the women who may face a very complex and difficult future if they go on with the pregnancy. Supporters also said they remain confident that the law will prevail amid the discrimination against women's reproductive rights. Gov. Doug Ducey signed the Arizona abortion law, or Senate Bill 1457, in April 2021. Except for the provisions on pregnancy termination for genetic abnormalities, its implementation has taken effect as of September 29. However, the preliminary injunction is not a win for pro-abortion advocates because other aspects of the law are still in effect. For instance, the judge has not blocked the provision on categorizing fetuses, fertilized eggs, and embryos as "people" who have the same constitutional rights as other human beings. More Court Battle Ahead Meanwhile, about 90 new abortion restrictions will still be enacted by states across the country this year after Republicans in the legislature have pushed harder on efforts to restrict or ban abortion procedures. The Guttmacher Institute said that these restrictions had been the highest in years, signaling a threat in the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling from 1973, which established a nationwide right to abort a baby before the 24th week of pregnancy. It comes as judges have declined to block the Texas abortion law that only allows abortion before the sixth week of pregnancy. On the other hand, judges in Missouri have also put a hold on its abortion law, which has the same provisions as Arizona and South Dakota on genetic abnormalities. The hold is currently under appeal with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Related Article: Salesforce Willing to Relocate Dallas Employees and Their Families Over Texas Abortion Law Photo: (Photo : PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images) A group of California parents filed a lawsuit against the public school system, which has asked the students to recite prayers addressing Aztec gods who demand human sacrifices under its ethnic studies curriculum. According to Fox News, the California public school system approved its new Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum in March for implementation in the new school year. The course has a section asking students to chant prayers to Tezkatlipoka, the Aztec god honored by making human sacrifices. However, three parents told the San Diego courts that the chanting is "blatantly unconstitutional." The counsels of the California parents under Thomas More Society said that they are not opposed to their kids learning about other cultures and religions. However, they believe that the California Board of Education went beyond their directives after asking students to recite "Nahui Ollin," a religious prayer addressing one of the Aztec gods. Read Also: Students Are Stealing School Items for 'Devious Licks' Tiktok Trend, Prompts School Officials to Raise the Alarm The curriculum also includes an affirmation of a "divine force" called Ashe and references to Hunab Ku, a creator deity or the Supreme Being in the Aztec Culture. While teaching other religions is appropriate and inclusive, the parents also said that asking the students to say the prayers is "offensive." No Response to Remove Curriculum The lawsuit comes after the California Board of Education failed to respond to the California parents -- Eric Gonzales, Steve Houbeck, and Jose Velazquez -- who wrote a letter asking to remove the particular school requirement. Californians for Equal Rights Foundation president, Frank Xu, supported the removal as it suggested "an unlawful government preference toward a particular religious practice." Xu also said that maintaining these aspects of prayer in the curriculum appears to endorse the Aztec religion and the glorification of rituals involving "gruesome human sacrifice and human dismemberment." Purdue University anthropology professor Dr. Alan Sandstrom also attached his name in the lawsuit and said that he sees the goals of the curriculum but believes including the chants was a "mistake." The professor said that the particular religious activity is not fit for public schools. Their lawyers also pointed out that reciting prayers in public, regardless of religion or faith, is prohibited in state schools. For Student Engagement Under the Lesson Resources for the curriculum, the school board believes that the activities will improve student engagement, energize the children and unite their understanding of ethnic principles and values. Scott Roark of the state's Department of Education said that the chants are not mandatory and they are not forcing the students to invoke the Aztec gods. He has also refused to comment on the lawsuit since he needs to review the complaints. Nolan L. Cabrera, a professor at the University of Arizona, believes that the lawsuit is a "concerted attack on ethnic studies," and it's senseless for some California parents to think that the school is "trying to establish the Aztec religion." The professor said that the curriculum is a cultural affirmation, especially for many students exposed to their Chicano heritage. Related Article: Newsom Abolishes Single-Family Lots in California to Fix Housing Crisis Disclaimer: I am sorry, this time round I shall not be able to tell you whether I am being serious or comical? I myself dont know. In 1907 Wilhelm Von Osten, a German mathematics teacher demonstrated the numerical skill of his horse Hans - Clever Hans as it later came to be known throughout Germany - and caused a minor sensation. But diligent scientific investigations proved that the horse was keenly observing his trainer and responding to the cues from his body language to nod at the correct answer. The Clever Hans syndrome had its brief period of fame, but it did provide an important methodology in conducting animal intelligence experiments. Observer-expectancy effect is widely used in studies in animal cognition. Every now and then the Indian voters vote one way or the other and the results naturally go in favour of one party/group or the other. Predictably, the results throw the commentators, analysts, strategists and believers in democracy into raptures. A lot of inspirational verbiage, heavy jargon and statistical tools like bar graph, pies, chart and scatter diagram are all yoked by violence together to establish, scientifically, the wisdom and the perspicacity of the voter. The act of unseating the ruling charlatan is taken as an evidence of the maturing of democracy just as installing him five or ten or fifteen or twenty years earlier had then been declared an act of great maturity. It seems that the primal state of immaturity is the default position of the Indian voter, the state of equilibrium, the state of maximum entropy to which having shown its maturity on election eve, he quietly retires. The fact of the matter is that the voters choices are no more intelligent than that of Clever Hans or the roadside fortune telling parrot. The high costs involved and the mammoth organising capability required to make an all India presence, has already narrowed the choice of acceptable alternatives to the two major political alliances. The paid media has ensured that you dont know a thing about them for sure and you have to vote by blind instinct or prejudice. Those who know both could describe them only in the memorable phrase of Stalin: they are both worse. The voters respond to certain inducements, blandishments or subliminal appeals. Loan waiver, free electricity, free laptop, free liquor, freedom to smooch in the Echo Park or Sanjay Gandhi Udyan (a great vote catcher among the young in Bihar sometime back), Mandir, Masjid, Mandal, Kamandal, caste, community, are some surefire formulas. At the end of the day long association with power has the same effect as living in the same underwear for long: they both stink and need to be changed, purely in the interest of hygiene. Nothing clever or exciting about that! If you take elections for what they are a farce, a masked ball, a carnival, you can enjoy them as the most memorable show on earth. "Free elections", says the maverick thinker, commentator and polemicist Slavoj Zizek, "involve a minimal show of politeness when those in power pretend that they do not really hold the power, and ask us to decide freely if we want to grant it to them." For full participation, the pretense must be taken very seriously. You must prattle in your dunces cap pretending it be a crown. (I remember a line of a song I heard as a child: "Mat kaho ki sir pe topi hai, ye kaho ki sir pe taj hai." My generation was indoctrinated in this business of topi pahanna and pahnana as children. The would-be tormentor/oppressor/excoriator would appear behind the mask of a servant, a chowkidar, a benefactor, a reformer, a pauper and beg for your vote. The electorate must play his role of prince with all the seriousness at his command and having granted the supplicant pauper - his vote be prepared to be heard no more. Those like me who can see the tree for the wood enjoy democracy as a farce, and those many who dont, suffer it as tragedy. India Today magazine once referred to Manoje Nath, a 1973-batch IPS officer, as being fiercely independent, honest, and upright. Besides his numerous official reports on various issues exposing corruption in the bureaucracy in Bihar, Nath is also a writer extraordinaire expressing his thoughts on subjects ranging from science fiction to the effects of globalization. His sense of humor was evident through his extremely popular series named "Gulliver in Pataliputra" and "Modest Proposals" that were published in the local newspapers. In this episode of The Full Nerd, Gordon Mah Ung, Brad Chacos, Alaina Yee, and Adam Patrick Murray discuss the deluge of Intel 12th-gen Alder Lake leaks that have hit the Internet, and whether the latest updates on the GPU front mean youll be able to buy a graphics card any time soon. Hey hardware testers: Theres this cable you can unplug from your PC to prevent uploading your secret Alder Lake scores to the Internet. Apparently you dont know that, as Gordon points out. In fact, there are so many leaked performance numbers out now that Gordon reckons you could almost assemble a full review if you checked your conscience at the door. In the next segment, Brad brings us up to date on the GPU drought and what might change our fortunes. Plus, Gordon has a theory about why the Chinese government has banned cryptomining and limited hours for gamers. You can view the video embedded above or you can watch The Full Nerd episode 192 on YouTube (subscribe to the channel while youre there!) or listen to it on Megaphone.fm if you prefer the audio alone down below. Speaking of audio, you can subscribe to The Full Nerd in iTunes (please leave a review if you enjoy the show). Were also on Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or you can point your favorite podcast-savvy RSS reader to: https://feeds.megaphone.fm/IDG8935300959 If you want to wear your geekiness on your sleeve, check out our Full Nerd merch! Have a PC- or gaming-related question? Email thefullnerd@pcworld.com and well try to answer it in the next episode. You can also join the PC-related discussions and ask us questions on The Full Nerds Discord server. Finally, be sure to follow PCWorld on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch to watch future episodes live and pick our brains in real time! A centralised cyber security system has been set up by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) as part of its enhanced effort to deal with electronic fraud and cyber risks in the banking sector. Known as the Financial Industry Command Security Operation Centre (FICSOC), the system is to be hooked up to the individual security information and events management (SIEM)/security operation centres (SOCs) of banks and other institutions to receive real-time reports and trigger actions, when necessary. The Governor of the BoG, Dr Ernest Addison, said at a news conference last Monday that the system would help the BoG undertake real-time monitoring of transactions in all banks and other deposit-taking institutions. Set up The establishment of FICSOC was completed this year by Virtual Infosec Africa (VIA), an indigenous company, allowing banks and other institutions regulated by the BoG to start connecting their systems to it. It is expected that the successful operationalisation of the centralised command centre would help reduce electronic fraud such as theft and duplication of automated teller machines (ATMs), which more than doubled last year. First bank To get the system started, the central bank has named the Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADB) as the first institution to be connected to FICSOC to help check malpractices in electronic and financial technology transactions. The ADB has thus become the first bank to be hooked up to the system after successfully setting up its SIEM/SOC earlier this year. Dr Addison, who was answering a question on how the central bank was working to reduce electronic fraud in the financial sector, said FICSOC and the subsequent hooking up of the security centres of financial institutions were a sure way of fighting the canker. Our financial services are becoming more technology driven, and with technology, the risks associated with ATMs and point of sale (PoS) fraud also go up. Fortunately, we are looking closely at that, he said during the press conference to announce the banks policy decision for the last quarter of the year. We have what we call FICSOC, the security operating centre of the central bank, which monitors our cyber resilience real-time. Currently, we are in the midst of setting up the financial industry SIEM/SOC. I believe the BoG is ready and the ADB is getting connected to that FICSOC, he said. Earlier this month, the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) busted one Bachir Musa Aminou with 656 ATM cards, a development which Dr Addison said was being investigated. Other banks To help address some of those challenges, Dr Addison said the BoG directed banks to set up and maintain SIEM/SOCs to be connected to the industry command centre. The directive was contained in the Cyber and Information Security Directive issued by the BoG in October 2018, which, among other things, mandates banks and other institutions to use the SIEM/SOC for network security event monitoring, compliance reporting and user activity monitoring. He said after the ADB had successfully been connected to the command centre, other banks and deposit-taking financial institutions would follow, making it possible for the central bank to track electronic transactions in real-time. Hopefully, a year from now, we should have all 23 banks in the financial industry SOP and it will allow us to monitor the cyber risks associated with the entire banking system in Ghana, he said. ADB MD When contacted, the Managing Director of the ADB, Dr John Kofi Mensah, said it was out of a desire to provide full-proof services for customers and stakeholders that the bank worked hard to meet the requirement and subsequently became the first to be connected to the industry command centre. He described the process as tasking, yet fulfilling, and expressed the hope that its full deployment would help minimise incidents of fraud in the banking sector. Dr Mensah said the ADB used a local firm, the VIA, which built FICSOC, to execute its project, in line with its commitment to grow local businesses. He added that the SIEM/SOC was linked to the recent granting of an ISO 27001 certification to the bank in recognition of robust cyber security measures put in place. Peace of mind The Chief Executive Officer of VIA, Mr Emmanuel Sekyere Asiedu, said the company was proud to be executing the systems for the central bank and the ADB. He said it was structured in such a way that its full deployment would give peace of mind to the regulator, the banking public and stakeholders. He said the solution was world class, robust and standard, which that made it impossible for third parties to infiltrate. BoGs report on banking industry fraud In its Executive Summary on the Banking Industry Fraud report for 2020, the BoG reported that many routine activities of institutions, including financial transactions that usually would have been undertaken in-person, were conducted online. It said customers who were not used to digital/electronic methods of making financial transactions were compelled to use them and, consequently, some sections of the banking sector were exposed to heightened levels of fraud-related risk due to the increased patronage of electronic/digital products and services. The report also said the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic propelled the use of digital/electronic modes of transacting business, leading to a higher exposure to fraud. In the report, the BoG indicated that 2020 recorded a marginal increase in reported fraud incidents, with a minimal decrease in losses. The reduction in losses was mainly due to a reduction in the rate of success for most fraud types. A total of 2,670 cases were recorded in 2020, compared to 2,311 in 2019. The reported value of fraud for 2020 was GH1.0 billion, compared to GH115.51 million in 2019. The notable increase in the value reported was as a result of high values recorded in attempted correspondent banking fraud (forgery of SWIFT advice), the executive summary said. It further indicated that although the banking sector did not suffer any losses from any of the correspondent banking fraud attempts, it posed a reputational risk to some banks, whose staff were found culpable in two of the three reported incidents. 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 Wayoe Engineering and Construction (WEC) has been awarded a contract for the SLS Infrastructure Project in Ghana for the supply and installation of Structural Steelwork, Mechanical Equipment, Piping & Platework (SMPP) Installation project by DRA Global for Newmont Ahafo Mine. DRA Global is a diversified global engineering, project delivery, and operations management with an impressive track record spanning more than three decades. The scope of the work includes the construction of Surface Fans, Refrigeration Plant, Potable Water, Fire Water System, Sewage System, Hydrocarbon Storage Shed, Waste Ore Pass Facility, warehouses, and associated works. Dr. Stephen Wayoe, CEO of WEC, says that the award of this contract by Newmont & DRA Global signifies WEC as being the partner of choice in engineered project solutions & continued construction excellence and that we look forward to delivering this project safely & successfully. Customer focus being a core value of WEC, they are further modernising its fabrication capabilities having constructed a new Fabrication facility that is 70% automated and capable of fabricating + 600 tons of steelwork, platework and piping per month, which will guarantee an efficient fabrication process at the highest quality for our valued clients across the continent. Source: Peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video For the first time in about 60 years, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has purchased gold to augment its gold reserves and shore up the countrys foreign assets. The bank bought 280 kilogrammes of the precious metal this year under a historic gold purchase programme meant to double its gold reserves and supplement the traditional ways that the country has built reserves over the years. It has since set aside GH200 million to be used to purchase 540kg of gold produced domestically this year. Although gold purchase is a critical component of central banking across the world, the BoG only returned to the business this year after exiting it around 1961. It now aims to buy more than 17,500kg about 17.54 tonnes of the precious metal in the next five years. Giving an update on the programme which took off in June this year, the Director of the Financial Markets Department at the BoG, Dr Steve Opata, told the Daily Graphic in Accra last Monday that the initiative had been successful and the bank was on track to hitting its target for the year and the next five years. Read the full article in today's edition of the Daily Graphic. Thank you Source: Daily Graphic 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-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, has advocated an overhaul of the national education curriculum at all level to be science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-led. If the focus is to churn out graduates with the requisite skills to respond to the demands of national transformation, then the curriculum, which serves as a guide for training, and formation of our manpower needs, must reflect same, she said. Prof. Dickson said there must be a conscious effort on the part of all stakeholders in education to ensure that STEM education was hinged on critical thinking and hands-on experience. Speaking on the second day of this years National Education Week programme in Accra on the topic, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Education and National Development, she said there was the need to encourage the youth to study STEM-related programmes in the various universities in the country. On the theme, Reimagining education for national transformation, the four-day event focuses on promoting STEM education in the country, especially among girls. The event brought together stakeholders to review the performance of the sector in the previous year and to chart a new course for the sector for the overall improvement of education in the country. Teachers Prof. Dickson added that in developing a good curriculum, it must go hand-in-hand with training the teachers and technicians charged with the responsibility of administering the curriculum. Additionally, making available the necessary resources such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries and online resources increase the chances of developing that all-round graduate. I am, therefore, of the opinion that for the nation to succeed in training the necessary manpower to respond to the demands of national transformation, the teachers, lecturers, technicians and supporting staff should not be left out, she further added. Scholarship Prof. Mrs Dickson suggested that the National Scholarship Secretariat could support the course for the study of STEM by devoting a portion of its scholarships to the study of STEM-related programmes at all levels for both male and female students. We must continue to work at ensuring that the teaching and study of STEM related courses is done in an abreast manner; and begin to make the learning of STEM more practical. That will enhance learning by our students and pupils, and inculcate into them a sense of appreciation of the potential of STEM. There should be conscious effort to demystify the study of STEM-related programmes, especially for the girl child, Prof. Mrs Dickson proposed. The Deputy Minister in charge of General Education, Rev. Joseph Ntim Fodjour, in a welcome address, said even though there had been significant achievement in the education sector, there was still lots of work to be done. Education Strategic Plan He said the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) expanding from 2018 to 2030 had key targets for education outcomes expected to be achieved. For instance, proficiency in literacy among Primary Two pupils is expected to reach at least 40 per cent by the year 2030 from a low of two per cent in 2016. At Primary Four, 65 per cent of students are expected to reach proficiency in English and 50 per cent are expected to reach proficiency in Mathematics, while in Primary Six, at least 65 per cent of students are expected to reach proficiency in English and 55 per cent in Mathematics, he said. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has debunked and described as false and unfounded an allegation made by The Inquisitor newspaper against one of its subsidiaries, the Cocoa Marketing Company (Gh.) Ltd (CMC). The newspaper claimed in a story in its recent publication that the shipment of Ghanas cocoa to the global market was under threat, as companies involved in the exercise were crying foul over maltreatment by CMC. But in a press statement issued by COCOBOD in response to the story, its management said the allegation is ill-considered, false and malicious. CMC, the statement read, has over sixty (60) years of experience in the shipment of cocoa and performs that role exceptionally with highly skilled and competent staff. All of its operations, including the determination and allocation of shipments, are well defined and structured to prevent any individual or group of individuals from having undue leverage in determining which shipping lines get freight allocations, the press statement further read. It added that neither COCOBOD nor CMCs attention had been drawn to any threat(s) and/or intimidation from its staff or have by themselves issued any threat to any shipping line in the determination and allocations of shipments as falsely alleged by the newspaper. Hence, COCOBOD has asked the newspaper to retract the false story and render an apology. We would, therefore, advise that the paper retracts the publication and offer an unqualified apology to the regulator of Ghanas cocoa industry, COCOBOD, and its subsidiary, since such unfounded publications tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Ghanas cocoa industry in the international business arena. The management of COCOBOD also advised the general public to disregard the inaccurate information put out by the newspaper, which it said, is aimed at undermining the progress made by the Board in recent years. Source: Peacefmonline.com/ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. There have been protests in Nigerias capital Abuja with demonstrators carrying placards reading, #BuhariMustGo. The demonstrations coincided with the countrys independence day anniversary. Police dispersed the protesters by firing tear gas canisters. It is unclear if anyone was arrested. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore had asked Nigerians to demonstrate across the country on independence day. President Muhammadu Buhari in his independence day speech downplayed the enormity of the security challenges in the country and the crashing value of Nigerias local currency, the Naira. Ignoring the kidnapping of more than 1,000 schoolchildren in the northwest, President Buhari said that Nigerian security services had made tremendous progress and were winning. On Twitter although some people are posting celebratory messages, many are criticizing the government using the hashtag #NigeriaAt61: Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The social media platform Twitter, which is currently banned in Nigeria, says it looks forward to being reinstated there following "productive" discussions with its government. Their statement follows Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's announcement that the month-long ban on Twitter will be lifted, but only after certain conditions are met. An unnamed Twitter spokesperson said on Friday: We continue to engage with the Nigerian government and we are committed to charting a path forward to the restoration of Twitter for everyone in Nigeria. We continue to engage with the Nigerian government and we are committed to charting a path forward to the restoration of Twitter for everyone in Nigeria. Discussions with the Nigerian government have been respectful and productive we look forward to seeing the service restored very soon."Discussions with the Nigerian government have been respectful and productive we look forward to seeing the service restored very soon." Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications and Digitalization, has reiterated governments commitment to activities geared towards strengthening Ghanas cyber security framework. The Government as a cybersecurity enabler will continue to make the necessary efforts, including relevant budgetary allocations to support our national cybersecurity development activities, she said. The Minister gave the assurance on Friday at the official launch of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2021, Cyber Security Authority (CSA) and the Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) Directive. The theme for this years National Cyber Security Awareness Month is Ghanas Cybersecurity Act 2020: Its Implications and the Role of Stakeholders. Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said World Economic Forums Global Risks Report 2020 stated that cybercrime damages might reach US$6 trillion an amount that would be equivalent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the worlds third-largest economy. She said it was, therefore, important that Ghana had taken adequate steps towards safeguarding its cyber ecosystem and urged stakeholders to play their part to ensure achievement of the goal. According to the World Economic Forum, cyberattacks against CIIs rated the fifth top risk in 2020. Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said Ghana was part of the few African countries formalizing the protection of CIIs a step that would protect the countrys investments in digitalization developments and ensure it reaped the full digital dividends associated with digital transformation. The Minister said the fact that Ghana was embarking on that new journey did not imply the nations immunity to cyber-attacks and that the nation was more prone to cyber-attacks more now as it expanded the various digital channels and platforms both in the public and the private sectors. 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 Avalynn Kwok, 4, holds her dad Manny Kwok's hand outside Lynn Valley Elementary School as her parents drop her off for her first day of kindergarten in North Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck , Cookies . cookies. The Berkeley County Sheriffs Office has not mandated for employees to get the COVID-19 vaccination, but employees are expected to use caution as they see necessary. COLUMBIA More than four months after resigning as president at the University of South Carolina amid a plagiarism scandal, Bob Caslen remains bitter about how his 21-month tenure ended. The biggest regret of my life is that I went to University of South Carolina, Caslen told The Post and Courier on Sept. 30. If I had to do it all over again, I would never have gone to the University of South Carolina. Caslens statement was prompted by the release of emails from a week in May when he delivered commencement addresses with uncredited material, resigned after a barrage of criticism and was replaced by former USC President Harris Pastides. In those emails, Caslen, a retired three-star Army general and combat veteran who ran West Point, called USC the most hostile community he had ever encountered. This place sucks so bad, Caslen wrote to then-S.C. State University President James Clark on May 9 as social media criticism grew over his addresses delivered during the previous two days. I dont know how anyone can stand it. At some point you have to ask why do you put up with this stuff. It is insane. I dont know how you can stand living here. After USC Student Affairs Vice President Dennis Pruitt sent an email praising the commencement exercises, Caslen replied: I cant help but comment on this community and its hostility. By far the most hostile and destructive community Ive ever been a part of. Not sure how anyone can stand being here, and those of you who have been here a while I have the utmost respect for your perseverance. Caslen, 67, did not back away from his comments in a recent interview. You have a good description of what I felt and what my wife felt, Caslen told The Post and Courier. If I were a member of the South Carolina community, I would ask myself, Why does a guy like him who's been in all these different communities throughout his entire life, feel this way about our community? Caslen said he was used to criticism as a senior Army officer and a leader at West Point, where he dealt with professors, parents, alumni and politicians. But USC was different. There's a degree of respect and professionalism that exists within those communities that does not exist at the University of South Carolina, Caslen said. Its just, I want to do whatever is necessary to tear you down; I will do that. That's South Carolina, whether that comes from the Legislature. whether that comes from the alumni, whether that comes from certain faculty or students. That's the way they operate. Despite the treatment he described receiving, Caslen said he planned to stay at USC for three to five years: "I made a commitment and I would honor my commitment." Caslen took responsibility for the plagiarism, which he said was not intentional. He told The Post and Courier that he offered to resign every time he spoke with USC board Chairman Dorn Smith after the speeches, but his requests were rejected repeatedly over four days. My first comments to Dorn were that, This is not good, and if it gets to a point where it becomes national news or it discredits the university, then you're going to need somebody else and I will resign, Caslen said. Every day I talked to him, I said, I'm ready to resign. Don't pull the university through all this. I will leave. " Smith was more concerned about the president mistakenly congratulating graduates for getting diplomas from the University of California at the end of one commencement ceremony than about the plagiarism repeated during three events, Caslen said. Smith did not return multiple messages. Circumstances changed by the evening of May 12, when Smith finally accepted the presidents resignation. Things were elevating. It got to CNN. It got to The Washington Post. It got to the national level, Caslen said. I lost trust. I lost public trust, and I lost trust with faculty and students. And when you lose trust, there's no way you can lead. Caslen struggled to win approval at USC after he arrived in 2019 as the result of a troubled presidential search. The search was tainted by accusations that the school failed to come up with a full slate of qualified finalists and trustees were influenced by lobbying from Gov. Henry McMaster, who wanted Caslen despite his lack of a traditional background for a major university leader. The board initially voted to reopen the search rather than pick one of four finalists. Caslen, who was considered the favorite, opted out of consideration, but a group of USC trustees visited his Florida home and changed the general's mind. Caslen was elected president in a contentious 11-8 vote that took place with protesters shouting outside the boardroom. The division that search created never fully healed, even after Caslen was credited for how well he guided USC through the COVID-19 pandemic, bolstered diversity in the administration and worked to win more cutting-edge military research work. Caslen said that some USC trustees were waiting for a moment to pounce when he made a mistake. It was just like the community, the people who didn't want me to be here just tolerated me, Caslen said in an interview. What was amazing to me was to watch the reaction of (some) board members when the commencement went down because people who I thought had turned the corner, being nice to me and inviting me down to their house, all of a sudden just turned away from me. As USC searches for a new president, Caslen suggested his potential successors look at his experience in Columbia. Of course, they will say, Well, you're not a Bob Caslen and youre the right fit and he was the wrong fit, he said. My advice is make sure you come with your eyes open because I regret coming to the University of South Carolina. In a statement issued Oct. 1, USC said it was grateful for Caslen's service: "We wish him all the best in his future endeavors." What emails reveal Under a public records request, The Post and Courier received nearly 3,800 pages of emails to Caslen, Pastides and the USC board covering a nine-day period from Caslens Columbia commencement speeches and just after trustees formally hired Pastides as interim president. The messages reveal the anger USC leaders faced after Caslen's University of California and plagiarism missteps, the support the president received from a community he has said despised him, and the relief at Pastides return from retirement after an 11-year run leading the university. Caslens emails showed how he took responsibility for failing to credit material from a commencement speech given by Admiral William McRaven, who oversaw the raid that killed terrorist Osama bin Laden. McRaven himself told Caslen that he was not offended. But the messages also showed how Caslen remained angry over his treatment by some university staff and alumni. They can do what they want with me, Caslen wrote to a campus minister on May 11, the day before he resigned. So if they want me to go, then that would be a liberation! Supporters sent messages to trustees asking Caslen to stay as calls for his ouster grew in the days after his gaffes. He is a war hero who ran into the Pentagon when it was on fire to save others. He saved our asses during COVID pandemic, Phillip Buckhaults, a USC cancer genetics professor, wrote. You owe him a wide lane on this minor infraction. Do not embarrass the University of South Carolina brand by pretending that this guy is somehow not up to our standards of honor. ... Tell the mob to go home. But critics questioned why Caslen was allowed to linger in his job. As the parent of an incoming USC student, I am already seriously considering forcing him to transfer, a parent whose name was redacted wrote to the board on May 8. Hes made USC graduation the laughing stock of the country. What are you waiting on to remove him? Andrew Patterson, a physical therapist, wrote: To have him sully and ruin what should be our students most proud day is humiliating. I have never been less proud of my alma mater and am afraid it will only get worse as long as he is our leader. Reports that the board did not accept Caslens initial offers to resign drew angry responses. The man even tried to resign, and this inept and irresponsible board told him no? What is the matter with you people? said an email signed by a deeply disappointed alumnus of the University of California. Wrong USC May 7 started with some typical work for a university president, emails showed. Caslen got messages about edits to an announcement naming Pharmacy School Dean Stephen Cutler as interim provost with Bill Tate heading to Louisiana State University, negotiations in replacing the schools head of research, preparations for U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn's visit to the Salkehatchie campus to talk about broadband and reservations for a Mothers Day brunch. That night, Caslen would lead the first of three commencements at Williams-Brice Stadium over two days. Near the end of the roughly three-hour, in-person and livestreamed ceremony, a slip of the tongue would propel the first-term president to viral status. He congratulated graduates of the University of California. The gaffe earned Caslen a mix of laughs, boos and confused remarks from the remaining crowd, which by that time had dwindled. A number of students and alumni took to social media upset that the president didn't appear more prepared for the occasion. The remark was painful to many in the university community because of a longstanding fight with the University of Southern California over the right to use the "USC" abbreviation. The next day, John von Lehe, who was board chairman when Caslen was hired, emailed to tell the president to keep his head up. We have weathered a lot worse than this, von Lehe wrote. Consider it a bump in the road toward our goal of excellence. In an interview, Caslen said he was distracted that night by graduates leaving the stadium after getting their diplomas, drinking in their seats and shouting to relatives in the stands. He also said he was a bit tired after hours in the May heat. Still, he admitted, A higher standard is expected, and I failed to meet the higher standard when I said California not Carolina. But that was just his first problem. Plagiarism discovered Caslen repeated uncredited lines from McRaven, the admiral, during all three USC commencement ceremonies on May 7 and 8 in Columbia, according to a review of university videos. The passage, first used during a 2014 graduation ceremony at the University of Texas, was added after Caslen said he noticed that his earlier commencement speeches did not commend students for getting through the COVID pandemic. I told my speechwriter, Someones got to say, You did great job. I need something about resilience and I need something about persevering in tough times, Caslen said. And there was that McRaven quote, and I said, Put it in there. The lines, which were found among inspirational quotes Caslen collected in a book, were added without attribution, according to copies of the speeches USC provided. Media reports about the plagiarism began to surface in the days after the speeches. This is worse, Pastides said in an email after he was forwarded a news story. Caslen sent apologies to the board on May 9 and to the public on May 10. Several members of the university community said they were upset he did not mention the University of California comment in his apology. You have forever tarnished that day for me, my family, and my classmates. From now on, when someone asks me when I graduated and I tell them, their response will be Oh, I remember that. Isn't that when the president didn't know the name of the school?" wrote a graduate whose name was redacted as the university said it was complying with federal privacy laws. University leaders were more charitable. Former USC President John Palms wrote: I appreciate your sending this. Stay well. USC Honors College Dean Steve Lynn noted that an inadvertent unattributed quote would warrant nothing more than a caution for a student: Theres a clear distinction between an oversight, an innocent mistake on the one hand, and an intention to deceive on the other hand. Caslen repeatedly took the blame for the omission in responses to emails, including one to Stanley McChrystal, a former U.S. commander in Afghanistan, using the same statement I said it and I own it. In an interview, Caslen said, I'm not going to throw my speechwriter under the bus, but, having said that, speechwriters normal responsibility is to ensure that whatever is said by the boss is legitimate. Caslen said, he never told the speechwriter that she should have caught the error. I did not want to pass the blame, he said. I'm a man of integrity. If I started having those conversations, it would be me shirking my responsibility and I was not going to do that. In the days soon after the speeches, Caslen tried to go on with school business. He worked to help a student with trouble finding housing, emailed the parent of a potential business school student, sought information on a student who was assaulted on campus and reviewed legislative initiatives and a research proposal related to laser technology, emails showed. But it was clear the swirling controversy was troubling him. Ive been thinking more about what you told me this morning about the incident at graduation. You, understandably, seemed both troubled by the response and upset that it happened, an exercise partner wrote before offering words of encouragement. After the apology went out, more letters of support began to pour into Caslens inbox, including one from McRaven. Candidly, I was flattered that you would find my words worth repeating," McRaven wrote. "Rest assured you never, ever owe me an apology for anything period." One after another, university personnel, parents and students wrote to say they stood behind him, thanking him for his work guiding the school through the coronavirus pandemic. The head of the faculty senate sent an email that said there were still concerns, but the apology helped. There were also detractors who called the incident embarrassing and the apology not enough. How can you effectively lead, at this level, at this position going forward? What would you say to a student guilty of an honor violation of this nature? What COULD YOU say? wrote a person whose name was redacted from documents by the university, citing federal education privacy law. By May 11, Caslen and his team were still trying to finalize agreements for a new set of online courses and announce the search for a new head of research, but it became clear the events of graduation were becoming all-consuming, based on Caslens correspondence. The next day, Caslen wrote to inform Michael Matthews, the co-author of his book, The Character Edge: Leading and Winning with Integrity, of what was happening. Caslen was worried over the impact on podcasts and book sales, and they began strategizing over how to handle an upcoming speaking engagement. By that evening, Caslen was done at USC. "Things are going in the wrong direction here (faculty and students), so I submitted my resignation this evening and my Board Chair accepted it," Caslen wrote to Matthews. Matthews suggested later that they continue with the speaking event, telling Caslen he has the support of their hosts. Caslen thanked Matthews, telling him, It is a very lonely place right now Ill be looking for venues to defend my own personal character, and hopefully this may be an opportunity to do so. Caslen began making plans for moving out, just two hours after he told top university leaders about his resignation. I want to get out of here as quickly as possible, he wrote to a staffer. Caslen spent his final days responding to notes of support, many from the university and his circle of military friends, stating they know his character and stand behind him, including West Points superintendent and the president of its alumni association. Despite everything, many in the USC community stood beside him. I believe you singlehandedly brought USC back from the brink when all other universities of our caliber were shell-shocked by COVID," wrote Hossein Haj-Hariri, who heads USC's engineering and computing departments. "We would have been in a very different place with a traditional president." Patricia Witherspoon wrote: To err is human. Im extremely disappointed that other humans cant extend grace! Caslen received messages that he was a victim of cancel culture. You, like President Trump, were never given a chance to succeed and for that I am truly sorry, USC alum Amy Dawson wrote. I dont know what happened to our school. A group of recent graduates invited him to come to Jakes for a beer in Five Points. (Let me know) when youre on the way. Drinks on me!, the student wrote. Pastides returns USC announced Pastides temporary return when Caslen resigned, which was welcome news to many. Relieved that you are back, even if its only on an interim basis. I hope that you can influence the board to pick someone like yourself who will bring honor and respect to our state university, retired Michelin North America President Richard Wilkerson wrote. Staff expressed their appreciation for their former boss and his wife to end their retirement in Folly Beach. I admire you all the more for agreeing to step back in the fray and help the university we all love so much to heal and move forward, USC Enrollment Vice President Scott Verzyl wrote. You and Patricia are making quite a sacrifice and I greatly appreciate it. Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, dean of the USC School of Medicine in Greenville, joked: I wasnt sure if I should send you condolences or congratulations. And, in light of the way Pastides was back in office, university staff had a public relations firm check Pastides speeches for plagiarism. Everything weve scanned so far gets a clean bill of health for original authorship and the proper use of citations, Jon Hukill, a vice president at Washington, D.C.-based kglobal, wrote in an email. Weve come across no red flags. Thad Moore contributed from Charleston. Correction: An earlier version of this story contained a quote from an email that USC Board Chairman Dorn Smith did not send. The Reconstruction period presented a vision of a multiracial democracy, enabling formerly enslaved African Americans in the South to vote, obtain land and serve in elected positions. What's interesting is while most White Jews sided with the White majority, there were a handful who joined the Republican Party and supported the Reconstruction-era government, said attorney Robert Rosen, who helped found the Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina. The Jewish connection to the Reconstruction era is among many other topics explored in a new web series launched by the group during the pandemic. The online series explores many topics, including Jewish history, South Carolina Jews and Reconstruction, Jewish merchants and the Jewish community's role in the Civil War. Events take place at 5:30 p.m. Sundays. People can sign up for sessions or check for specific program dates online at jhssc.org. Rosen and U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel started the online conversations in July 2020. This was after it had become clear that the historical society would not be able to hold its two annual meetings. The online effort was designed to keep people engaged with the nonprofit throughout the year, exploring interesting topics with experts. Gergel expected around 50 guests to join. They've seen hundreds in a single session. Weve had people from all over the country," Gergel said. "It's been an interesting journey." Charleston has deep Jewish history. During the Early Republic, the city boasted the largest Jewish Population in America, Gergel said. Charleston is also home to Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, which contains the oldest sanctuary in continuous use for Jewish worship in America. Jews struggled for fair treatment at local educational institutions. At the College of Charleston, Jewish students had been forced to take required classes on Christianity as a part of the schools curriculum until Jewish student Solomon Cohen petitioned the Board of Trustees in 1855 for an exemption. The digital conversations pointed to some of these struggles in education. One Sunday Conversation discussed the use of Jewish quotas at medical and dental schools from the 1920s to the 1960s. The historical society also led a session on the role Jews played in the Civil War, noting the Jewish community served in armies on both sides of the conflict and that some Jews owned slaves. Nationally known historians and academic professionals have served as guests to the series, including Yale professor David Blight. Blight, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his biography "Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom," spoke about Reconstruction as a "political revolution" that saw 1,500 black men in the South elected to office. People of Jewish descent also ascended to local and statewide political offices throughout South Carolina. Francis Lewis Cardozo, the biracial son of a Jewish merchant, was elected South Carolina Secretary of State in 1868. He was the first African American elected to a statewide office in the country. There was also Abraham Solomon, who served as auditor in Richland County, and Williamsburg County's Melvin J. Hirsch. Also, the Darlington area "punched above its weight in terms of Jewish Republicans," said Reconstruction historian Hyman Rubin III. African American progress was met with backlash by White Southerners who imposed political terror and violence to reclaim power, putting an end to Reconstruction. Historians who studied the era in the following years largely viewed Reconstruction as a "terrible mistake," especially since it had allowed Blacks to vote, Blight said. This view began to change in light of Jewish suffering in Europe. New consideration was given to the Reconstruction period amid the backdrop of the United States' fight against Nazism during in World War II, Blight said. The racial violence imposed against Jews in Europe, along with the subsequent rise in America of the civil rights movement in the '50s, led new scholars to examine the gains made by Reconstruction, Blight said. "There was a whole new, younger set of historians asking very different questions," Blight said. The Sunday Conversations series helped earn Gergel and Rosen the Order of the Jewish Palmetto from JHSSC, the society announced Sept. 27. The award has been presented six times previously and is given to those who have given far and beyond expectations, the society said. (Gergel and Rosen) each represent the best of us, and we are most grateful to their willingness to provide their expertise and energy these past 18 months in creating the (Sunday Conversations) program," said society President Lilly Stern Filler. GEORGETOWN Firefighters at Georgetown County's two fire departments say they have reached their breaking points and are now asking residents to call their council members and demand change. Issues with turnover, recruitment, pay and required overtime were outlined in two separate statements this week from the unions at Georgetown County Fire/EMS and Midway Fire Rescue. "We always do everything possible to be there for anyone who needs our help. We always will. We need you now. Please, help us so we can continue to provide you the best quality service possible," Midway said in its Sept. 26 statement on Facebook. Kevin McLaughlin, president of Midway's union, has been at the department for 11 years and said the main issue is applicants aren't coming through the doors like they used to. "We're barely getting a trickle of applicants at this point, and getting qualified applicants has become rather challenging," he said. The county's emergency management director, Brandon Ellis, said there are 30 vacancies between the two departments as of Sept. 29, and that normal staffing is about 120 between the two. People are leaving their positions for a variety of reasons, Ellis said, from retirement to leaving fire service entirely. Though the reasons for the vacancies vary, McLaughlin and both statements said pay has a lot to do with it. Base pay for a firefighter/EMT is $36,212, Ellis said, and $44,120 for a firefighter/paramedic. In Myrtle Beach, firefighter/EMTs now make $43,005 to $66,757 and firefighter/paramedics now make $50,005 to $73,757, based on training and experience levels. Though McLaughlin makes around $48,000 as a master firefighter/paramedic, he said he struggled for years at lower pay before getting his promotion. A single father to a 10-year-old daughter, McLaughlin said he had to get a second job at Marlboro County Rescue at one point. And his situation is not unique many firefighters he works with also have second jobs, he said. "It's not to buy goodies, it's not to buy boats and mountain houses. It's to survive," McLaughlin said. Originally from New Jersey, McLaughlin worked as a volunteer firefighter in his neighborhood before moving to Georgetown in 2011 to become a full-time firefighter. Though the hours are long and the work is stressful, he loves what he does because he can help people on their worst days, he said. But that passion hasn't been as strong lately, as both unions say their shifts have changed to 48 hours on, 24 hours off, when they're supposed to be the other way around. The new overtime schedules are exhausting the already short-staffed departments, McLaughlin said, and Ellis said these shifts are required to ensure the same level of service and capabilities is being given to residents. But even then, the vacancies are so impactful that some services and capabilities have had to be cut back anyway, Ellis said. What used to be five advanced life support ambulances staffed at Georgetown County Fire/EMS is now down to four advanced life support and once basic life support ambulance. The Georgetown County Fire/EMS union statement also said there is only one person on a fire engine when it arrives to a call, while the National Fire Protection Association recommends four people. Ellis said Georgetown County Fire/EMS has always operated with only one person per fire engine because of budget constraints. The same statement also said two engines have had to be shut down on multiple occasions in the past month due to short staffing; the number of EMTs and paramedics on an ambulance has had to shift on some from one of each to only two EMTs; and that firefighters can't expect longevity pay. "You can work here for 20 years and the new employee that was just hired will be paid the exact same you are. So there is no incentive to stay," Georgetown County Fire/EMS' statement said. Ellis said nothing in either of the statements was inaccurate, adding that while some firefighters who have worked at their department longer than others may have a higher salary, there is currently no system to ensure salary growth based on merit or training. Many firefighters have had enough, McLaughlin said, and now is the time for their fellow residents to stand up with them. "We need them to get in the ear of their council persons, and just very bluntly tell them that this is not acceptable any longer," McLaughlin said. "If the people see this as being wrong, then they can stand up and say this is wrong and go to the council meeting to speak and tell them." Georgetown County council chairman Louis Morant could not immediately be reached for comment. Georgetown County Council meets next at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Howard Center in Georgetown. A teacher was arrested early Oct. 1 on allegations she was intoxicated and struck a woman with her vehicle in downtown Charleston and fled the scene. Kendall Jordan Lee is charged with hit-and-run with great bodily injury, a felony with a penalty up to 10 years in prison. Lee is also cited in Charleston City Court with driving under the influence, a first offense. She appeared in bond court around 2:30 p.m. via teleconference. Austin Elliott, her defense attorney, told Judge Richardine Singleton-Brown the fourth-grade school teacher had close ties to the Charleston community, while also highlighting Lee's lack of a criminal record. It has not been made public where Lee teaches. However, Charleston County School District spokesman Andy Pruitt said Lee is not an employee of the district. Lee's husband, father, a friend and pastor were also present in the courtroom to speak on her behalf. Jean Bartlett, Lee's friend in attendance, said the 45-year-old is an incredible person and a mother of two young children. This experience would certainly change Lee's life and the lives of her loved ones, Bartlett told the judge. Singleton-Brown set Lee's bail at $21,119.50 and $992 for the felony and misdemeanor charges, respectively. Both are personal recognizance bonds, meaning Lee could be released from custody without having to first make the payments to the court. The judge didn't believe the woman posed a flight risk, nor was Lee a danger to the community, Singleton-Brown said. Charleston police officers were dispatched around 8 p.m. Sept. 30 for reports that a woman was struck while trying to enter her parked vehicle at Cannon and Felix streets, Inspector Michael Gillooly said. The woman did not appear to suffer life-threatening injuries, but she remained hospitalized Oct. 1, Gillooly said. Multiple witnesses were in the area at the time and managed to capture the suspect vehicle's license plate. Officers went to the address where the vehicle was registered and found a 2016 Volvo XC90 parked in the driveway, Gillooly said. The inspector said officers determined at the residence the driver was Lee. Lee was booked into the Charleston County jail shortly around 1 a.m. Oct. 1, according to Sheriff's Office records. A hearing date had not yet been set for Lee's hit-and-run charge, but she is scheduled to appear at 11 a.m. Nov. 18 for the DUI charge. Rarely does a single event or experience define our character or determine our future. Parents and other role models pass on their lessons. Classroom teachers fill us with questions and open our eyes to the world. Museums reveal the magical properties of art and history. Our neighborhood streets provide us with an arena for play and social interactions. Sometimes, though, we get to do something that can pull us from our orbit, something that changes irrevocably how we perceive those around us. In 1998, a group of 12 high school students from the Charleston area six African Americans and six Jews joined an initiative that would do just that. It was called Operation Understanding, a cross-cultural program meant to reinforce bonds forged between Blacks and Jews during the civil rights movement and to promote dialogue and understanding. They visited Black churches and Jewish synagogues. They listened to guest speakers. They entered into dialogue about race and culture. They challenged one another. They argued. They bonded. The highlight of the experience was a tour of the South to visit major civil rights destinations and Jewish landmarks, several participants said. The tour exposed the students to the harsh realities of history, and to the particular challenges faced by each group. The kids gained a better understanding of anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish oppression over the centuries, which culminated with the Holocaust, and they gained a better appreciation of the traumas of slavery and segregation the long legacy of racism in America. Program organizers Eileen Chepenik and Anne Sbrocchi, attuned to today's hyper-partisanship, protests against police bias and violence, a rise in anti-Semitism, and what appears to them as historically low supplies of empathy, wondered aloud recently what lessons their students learned 23 years ago, and whether their participation in the Operation Understanding program informs who they are today. The program Looking back at that special experience, some students recalled its impact and mused on how Operation Understanding influenced their values, careers and worldview. I think about it every single week of my life, participant Andrea Zucker said. History tours often have been used to bring the past back to life and instill in participants a greater understanding of the trials and tribulations endured by previous generations. The late Georgia Democratic U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a leader of the civil rights movement during the 1960s, famously led an annual march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. He was joined by students, legislative delegations, movement veterans and even presidents. Holocaust sites such as the German concentration camp Auschwitz, the Warsaw Ghetto and Anne Franks house in Amsterdam all receive many visitors seeking to gain a fuller appreciation of what happened to Jews during World War II. This spring, Polly Sheppard, a survivor of the Emanuel AME Church shooting, and Margaret Seidler, a White advocate of racial reconciliation, traveled together to key civil rights sites in Alabama and Georgia, learning lessons about the freedom movement and the way history is recorded (and ignored or distorted) in public spaces. In the 1990s, the Charleston Jewish Federation took cues from Operation Understanding D.C., which brought a cohort of students to Charleston one summer, and from the College of Charleston, which had initiated its African American-Jewish Connection program, and then sponsored a similar trip in 1999 organized by documentary filmmaker Virginia Friedman. The colleges program brought students together every six weeks or so for various programs and dialogue, according to Marty Perlmutter, who was director of Jewish Studies at the time. Once exposed to the D.C. initiative, local organizers created a Charleston version meant for rising high school seniors, establishing a nonprofit and securing grant money and donations to fund the effort. The program would include 12 kids, kick off in January during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, and continue throughout the calendar year. It served five groups of students before the funding ran out. Together, participants attended worship services, broke bread and marked holidays. They learned about how Jewish and African American cultures are expressed. They toured the South, and each made several public presentations by the end of the year. During the tour, students visited the National Voting Rights Museum and Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma; the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where the Montgomery Bus Boycott had been planned, and the 16th Street Baptist Church where four young girls were killed in a 1963 Ku Klux Klan bombing; Tuskegee University, where they learned about George Washington Carver; Atlantas William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, and the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple, which had been bombed by white supremacists in 1958; and the Southern Poverty Law Center, which for years has battled racism and exposed hate groups in the U.S. They learned what a poll test entailed. They heard from veterans of the civil rights movement. They contemplated the violence and degradation required to uphold institutionalized segregation. They even made a trip to Washington, D.C., to walk through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It was an eye-opener and heart-opener for these kids, Sbrocchi said. I always said from the beginning that the real payoff would come years in the future, Chepenik added. I know we made a difference in 60 lives, Sbrocchi said. The chaperone Damon Fordham was a graduate student at the College of Charleston when he was tapped for the role of tour chaperone and counselor. He said he was happy to join the initiative, providing historical context and guiding discussions. He remembered when the students met with Selma Mayor Joseph Smitherman, who had once called Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther Coon, and who told the teenagers that he could relate to Blacks because his father had run out on him, too. The students were shocked by his patronizing racism, and called him out during a Q&A session, Fordham said. At a Chinese restaurant in Birmingham, after a visit to the 16th Street Baptist Church and learning about how police had used dogs and firehoses in 1963 to attack protestors in the street, some resorted to telling jokes about Asians. One of the students put a stop to it, saying, This is what led to what we just witnessed, Fordham recalled. They were absorbing the lessons of the past. At the Jewish Heritage Museum in Atlanta, a tour guide told the group a story about her father, a shoe salesman in Munich, who was detained by the Nazis and surely would have been killed, except that his captor recognized him as the man who had given him a free pair of shoes when he was a child too poor to purchase them. Do good deeds, the guide said. You never know what might happen. Fordham said that it did not go unnoticed by some of the students of Operation Understanding that Charlestons Jews rightly had a newly installed monument in Marion Square commemorating their greatest collective trauma, the Holocaust, but African Americans had no similar monument in Charleston recalling the horrors of slavery and Jim Crow even though Charleston was the epicenter of the slave trade in North America. The students While attending Academic Magnet High School, Kristen Kirkland had been part of Charlestons Jack and Jill chapter, a nonprofit that works to improve the lives of African American youth and their families. So she knew about issues facing the Black community. But she wasnt so familiar with Jewish history, she said. Her visit to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., was particularly emotional. Within the group, where trust and friendship were nurtured, hardly any topic was off limits. At one point, Kirkland recalled, they debated who, historically speaking, had it worse a futile argument neither side could win, to be sure, but perhaps inevitable among teenagers exposed to such cruelty and horror. The civil rights tour struck Kirkland forcefully. It made me sad to see how both (our Black and Jewish) ancestors really, really struggled, she said, adding that the realization drove home for her how meaningful participatory democracy is, how important it is to vote. I do remember realizing that it wasnt just Blacks who went through discrimination. ... It made me a lot more understanding of other peoples cultures. Today, Kirkland is a 40-year-old chemist, consumer safety officer for the Food and Drug Administration and active volunteer with the Urban League in Washington, D.C., working on economic empowerment issues. * * * Estee Perlmutter was a student at Academic Magnet High School when she joined Operation Understanding. Back then, Academic Magnet was a bit more diverse, and so was Perlmutters previous school, Buist, so her circle of friends included African Americans. She was aware of their troubled history, but it wasnt a topic that often came up. These were just friends hanging out together, enjoying slumber parties and outings. As Jewish person, I dont really think about the Holocaust on a daily basis either, she said. The program forced Perlmutter to consider how racism and anti-Semitism manifest in society. It gave me greater appreciation for what African Americans had been through, and what a rich and marvelous community they had, she said. We all grew really close. She had grown up in a home of educators who encouraged their kids to put themselves in the shoes of others, so Perlmutter was predisposed to the lessons Operation Understanding taught. Ive always had an interest in social justice, and working with the underserved, she said. Today, she is a nurse practitioner serving people who contend with economic and social barriers that limit their access to health care. Lately shes been administering COVID vaccines at construction sites, Mexican restaurants and jails. * * * Clay Middleton, who attended Burke High School, had learned a little about Anne Frank and the Holocaust, and about slavery and Jim Crow, but only enough to pass the tests, he said. Operation Understanding expanded his knowledge exponentially. As he got to know more about Jewish culture and history, he began to recognize areas of convergence: shared values and perspectives that strengthened the bonds between the two groups. He also gained a better appreciation for the determination and sacrifice of previous generations. We have what we have now because of what they did, together, Middleton said. One group cannot do it alone. Perhaps the most profound moment for him was something he heard while visiting the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, which had served as a meeting place for civil rights organizers. There, at 10:22 a.m. on Sept. 15, 1963 Youth Day 19 sticks of dynamite planted outside the basement by three Klansmen exploded, killing four girls and injuring 22 others. The students from Charleston met with family members of the girls. One of the students asked Chris McNair, father of Denise, why he didnt leave Birmingham after the bombing. His reply has stuck with Middleton all these years. If your house is burning, Chris McNair said, you cant put it out by being away from it. Today, Middleton, a major in the S.C. Army National Guard, works for a public affairs firm advising Democratic Party leaders. He and his wife set up the Clay and Nicole Middleton Family Fund, which distributes need-based scholarships to graduating high school students. * * * For Andrea Zucker, a student at Ashley Hall when she joined Operation Understanding, the program caused her to realize, with relief and excitement, that she was part of a community of caring young people interested in grappling with difficult issues. Dont be a bystander to hate, her father Jerry Zucker had told her. Take action, lead by example. And here was a chance to do just that. It was really amazing to have a space to have safe and honest conversations, a place to have difficult conversations, she said. She and others learned to recognize privilege and implicit bias, and to foster empathy for others. It absolutely shaped who I am today, Zucker said. Today, Zucker supports a capital fund that requires investors to go through racial bias and diversity training. And she does volunteer work around criminal justice reform. This interest in advocacy work took root in her youth. The things that I learned and explored through Operation Understanding are very much part of it, she said. The present The Charleston Jewish Federation continues to highlight anti-Semitism and injustice, engaging high schoolers in its annual Remember Project and advocating for hate crimes legislation by sponsoring the Stamp Out Hate SC Coalition. The Remember Project designates a cohort of student "ambassadors" who raise pubic awareness of the Holocaust and other genocides. Stamp Out Hate is a response to the increase in racist and anti-Semitic abuse and violence in the U.S. Participants in the effort are pushing for stronger criminal penalties, robust sentencing guidelines, statutes against vandalism, a statewide data-collection system, mandatory reporting to the FBI, law enforcement training and the explicit identification of groups in need of protection. Tours of civil rights sites and Jewish landmarks in the South were extremely beneficial, but costly and difficult to maintain, Sbrocchi and Chepenik said. The textbooks and classroom discussions are no substitute for that kind of experiential learning. "You felt the heaviness of what (racist oppression) was like," Sbrocchi said. "Now, as I look back, that heaviness is still there." GOOSE CREEK Police arrested two people, one a girl under 18, in connection to a fatal shooting earlier this week in a Goose Creek neighborhood. Ashonti Pope, 22, was booked around 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 into the Berkeley County Detention Center on one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder, said Capt. James Brown, a Goose Creek police spokesman. A juvenile girl turned herself in to Goose Creek investigators Sept. 29 and was booked into the Charleston Department of Juvenile Justice on one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder, Brown said. Officers had responded around 4 p.m. Sept. 27 to the area of Army and Delmont drives, in a neighborhood just east of North Goose Creek Boulevard, to reports of shots fired. They found a man with a gunshot wound to his head, Brown said. The victim, who has not yet been identified, was taken to a local hospital but died two days later as a result of his injuries. Goose Creek investigators questioned witnesses at the scene and were able to identify possible suspects, Brown said. The girl, whom police had identified as one of the suspects, turned herself in the same day the victim died, he added. Members of the U.S. Marshals Service were called to help locate Pope, the second suspect, due to the suspect being armed and dangerous, Brown said. Authorities found Pope Oct. 1 and turned him over to Goose Creek investigators, who subsequently arrested him. Bail had not been set for any of Pope's four charges, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. The relationship between Pope, the girl and the victim was not made clear. Many familiar with Charleston or South Carolina history know Fort Johnson as the site from which Confederate forces first fired on Fort Sumter in 1861, widely recognized as the first shot fired in the Civil War. But its really so much more than that. Its also: The first fortification built outside peninsular Charleston (at a place called Windmill Point and later renamed to honor Royal Gov. Nathaniel Johnson). The site of at least four different fortifications since 1708, including one built, burned and replaced before the Revolutionary War began. The location of a sturdy triangular tabby fort overseen by British Lt. Emmanuel Hess, who also designed Fort Dorchester, the Horn Work in what today is Marion Square and Fort Lyttleton in Beaufort. Home to one of only a few Martello Towers built in the United States; these massive circular fortifications were common in Europe but rare in the United States. The place where South Carolinas crescent flag was first flown, after Col. William Moultries forces, whose leaders included Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Francis Marion, captured it from the British in 1775. The site where the Hunleys first crew drowned after the submarine got entangled in ropes, tipped and filled with water after a test run. The general area of Point Comfort, the citys early 19th century quarantine facility that held newly imported enslaved persons during the final years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. So its not surprising that when the U.S. Department of Interior was looking to establish more national battlefield parks in the 1930s, South Carolina recommended Fort Johnson instead of either Fort Sumter or Fort Moultrie (which together ultimately became the Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park). Today, Fort Johnsons rich history is barely interpreted at all for a host of reasons. A large part of its fortifications were damaged by war and later lost to erosion, and trees have grown up and obscured its commanding views of the harbor, its entrance and Morris Island. The forts oldest surviving building, a brick powder magazine near the James Island shore closest to Fort Sumter, remained hidden, buried under a protective layer of earth for almost two centuries. The historic site eventually became the campus for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and other state and federal agencies that find its waterfront location useful. Those agencies havent harmed whats left of the historic sites, but they have done little to preserve or interpret them. Theres an opportunity to change that, especially with the states recent purchase of May Forest, 23 acres at the end of Fort Johnson Road next to DNRs campus. Originally part of the forts footprint, its been inhabited for decades by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. Some preliminary archaeological surveys have shown both Confederate and Union encampments on the site, which also contains a large earthen magazine from which the nuns created a sort of shrine. As DNR takes ownership of May Forest (the nuns are still there for a little longer, and the site isnt open to the public yet), its expected to place it into the Heritage Trust program and eventually survey, document and protect what history remains there. The agency also is expected to do some master planning that would balance its desires for the site with its potential as a public park and historic site. Doug Bostick, CEO of the S.C. Battleground Preservation Trust, realizes that the agency understandably doesnt want a lot of tourists traipsing around, but he also feels strongly that Fort Johnson and May Forest are a valuable time capsule of Charlestons history and should be seen as such. Hopefully, weve got some kind of a ball rolling, he says. Its got a huge history. The 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, which will kick off in 2025, provides a fitting deadline for moving forward, for further examining Fort Johnsons complicated, three-century history and for explaining to new generations that so much more happened here than the firing of that first shot. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. The Murdaugh saga began with questions about South Carolinas criminal justice system: Why didnt police conduct a sobriety test on the obviously intoxicated Paul Murdaugh (or anyone else) after the fatal 2019 boat crash that he apparently caused? Why were criminal charges filed nearly two months after an accident whose investigation was complicated more by relationships than by facts and then only after a lawsuit pointed clearly to Mr. Murdaughs culpability in Mallory Beachs drowning death? The murder of Paul and his mother, Maggie, two years later amplified questions about the solicitors office why had Solicitor Duffie Stone recused himself so quickly after the boating accident but not until two months after the murders? and why was Alex Murdaugh serving as a part-time volunteer solicitor in the office his great-grandfather, grandfather and father had run for 85 years: What was in it for the solicitors office? And what was in it for him? As the story morphed from small-town curious to Southern gothic strange, and its tentacles stretched beyond those three deaths to allegations of drug addiction, embezzlement, insurance fraud and legal improprieties, questions emerged about the judiciary. I mean, beyond the questions we already had about the judiciary in Hampton County, once dubbed the nations third-worst judicial hellhole because of the eye-popping verdicts that the Murdaugh law firm kept pulling down in lawsuits against railroads and other deep-pocketed, out-of-state defendants. The latest question: Why, after recusing herself from the boating case because she was so close to the Murdaughs, did Circuit Judge Carmen Mullen apparently sign the never-filed order that was supposed to give (but still hasnt delivered) a too-small portion of a secret $4.3 million insurance settlement to the sons of the Murdaugh housekeeper who died in the Murdaugh home in 2018? Mr. Smith goes to court On Wednesday, the questions reached into South Carolinas uniquely special judicial selection system, when House Ways and Means Chairman Murrell Smith showed up in a Lexington courtroom before Judge Daniel Hall defending the owner of the convenience store that sold beer to the underage Paul Murdaugh before the boat crash: Doesnt Mr. Smith also chair the state Judicial Merit Selection Commission, which decides who can and cant seek election or reelection to the bench? Isnt Judge Hall up for reelection next year? Isnt he the only circuit judge whos opposed for reelection? And can you imagine how much pressure he must feel to see things Mr. Smiths way in the wrongful death lawsuit against Mr. Smiths client? Mr. Smith's sudden appearance in the saga also renews questions about why he chairs both of those powerful committees and until this year also chaired the House Ethics Committee. This sort of power hoarding would seem remarkable even in the traditionally insular 46-member Senate, let alone the 124-member House. Of course, this part of the saga has less to do with the Murdaughs than with the way well-off people yield influence in our government. Greg Parker might well have pursued the same legal strategy if the man accused in Ms. Beachs death had been named John Doe rather than Paul Murdaugh. Recall, for example, that Mr. Parker mounted a campaign earlier this year to convince the Legislature to change a law so he couldnt be held accountable in the death that resulted from an afternoon of underage drinking that his business allegedly facilitated. For today, though, let's confine our discussion to Mr. Smiths role as chairman of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission. The problem here isnt that Murrell Smith is representing Mr. Parker while hes chairing the commission or at least thats not the big public policy/ethics in government problem. The problem is that Mr. Smith is chairing the commission while hes a legislator. Politics or merit? The Judicial Merit Selection Commission was created in 2004, along with a change to our state constitution, after a colleague and I exposed the wretched political horse-trading of the old selection process best illustrated by the three-way trade that put the least qualified candidate on the S.C. Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals and reelected a Circuit Court judge whom a legislative screening committee said didnt understand the basics of the law. (Then-Sen. Robert Ford said he "had to sell my soul to 10 devils" to make it all work.) The commission was supposed to replace politics with merit only the three candidates nominated by the commission are allowed to seek election by mimicking the gold-standard merit-selection process while maintaining South Carolinas dubious distinction as one of only two states that still allows the legislature to hand-pick the judiciary. The reform has weeded out barely qualified candidates who in years past likely would have been elected, but it hasnt addressed because it wasnt meant to address the more fundamental flaw in our judicial selection system: the fact that one of the three supposedly co-equal branches of government has total control over the selection of another, while the third is cut completely out of the loop. The most obvious way to fix this would be to let the governor select the judges, from a short list of candidates nominated by a merit selection panel, with the Legislature confirming the pick; a S.C. twist would allow legislators to dominate or even take all the seats on the selection panel. The twist we ought to be able to convince the Legislature to adopt would let the Legislature keep selecting the judges, with the governor appointing the Merit Selection Commission. In which case Mr. Smith would just be another very powerful lawyer-legislator representing his client before a judge that the Legislature will either reelect or depose in a few months. South Carolina wisely strips people of the right to vote when theyre convicted of a felony. Were not nearly so wise when it comes to another constitutional right: the right to possess guns. This despite the fact that there's a connection between a history of committing serious crimes and the propensity to kill or injure other people. While the list of felonies in S.C. law goes on for 7,821 words, the list of crimes for which you lose your right to own a gun is only 502 words. That shorter list contains what the Legislature has defined as violent crimes even though a number of violent crimes arent on the list, and the list includes some crimes that are indeed bad but that frequently are committed without any violence. We dont mean to suggest that South Carolina is too quick to take away criminals voting rights. Its not. But as SLED Chief Mark Keel argues, were way too slow to take away their gun rights. The Post and Couriers Seanna Adcox reports that Chief Keel is searching for ways to fight an alarming increase in homicides in our state: up 51% in the past five years, and up 25% from 457 to 571 last year alone. Thats still fewer killings than we routinely had just a couple of decades ago, but its more than 500 people killed in South Carolina last year. SLED is joined by prosecutors and sheriffs and police chiefs including Charleston Chief Luther Reynolds, who has been quite vocal about it in calling for a commonsense law to expand the list of criminal convictions for which people would lose their gun rights, and increase the criminal penalties for using a gun in violation of the prohibition. Now its true that felons have their voting rights restored after they complete their entire sentence, including serving probation thats often longer than the prison sentence and paying fees and fines, whereas the states very limited ban on violent criminals possessing guns is open-ended. But it still reflects a legislative mindset that puts a higher priority on owning guns than on voting and it's hard not to see a connection between that mindset and some of the lowest voter participation numbers and highest gun death numbers in the nation. Whatever you think of the former, surely were all concerned about the latter. Fortunately, its easy to come up with a way to do a better job of keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, and in so doing reduce the number of innocent people who are injured and killed by criminals. And please note: We're not talking about keeping guns away from innocent people. We're talking about keeping them away from criminals people who have been convicted of crimes. The most obvious is to increase the criminal sentence for illegal possession of a gun. The penalty under current law is a fine of up to $2,000 and up to five years in prison. Thats the punishment for first conviction or third conviction or tenth conviction. The penalty seems a bit low for first offense and tremendously low for subsequent convictions. H.3708 by Democratic Rep. Seth Rose and H.3418 by GOP Rep. Bruce Bryant, a former sheriff, would increase penalties for the first and subsequent convictions Mr. Rose to as much as three years for first offense and 15 for third, and Mr. Bryant as much as 10 years for first offense and a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 for third. The trickier fix concerns who should be prohibited from owning a gun again. Both representatives propose applying the ban to anyone convicted of a crime that carries a sentence of a year or more. We dont object to that approach; the problem is that the National Rifle Association objects, and so the bills haven't even been considered. You remember the NRA? The organization that used to say lawmakers just need to focus on criminals with guns? The organization that used to work with the police rather than treating them as enemies? An NRA spokesman told Ms. Adcox the bills would mean thousands of South Carolinians with nonviolent misdemeanor convictions immediately losing their Second Amendment rights. Sort of like the tens of thousands of South Carolinians with nonviolent misdemeanor convictions who already lose their voting rights, although not permanently. If thats a real concern rather than cover for being against keeping guns out of the hands of criminals its easier to address: Copy the federal law, which prohibits gun ownership for anyone convicted of a felony; after all, thats what most people think the law is already. (We need a state law because while the FBI and other federal agents can enforce federal laws in South Carolina, in most cases S.C. police cant.) Simply mirroring federal law isnt a perfect fix, because some crimes that South Carolina classifies as felonies are actually less serious than some we classify as misdemeanors, and vice versa. But lawmakers could easily carve out exceptions felonies for which the ban doesnt apply, and misdemeanors for which it does. In general, though, our law should work the way former Sheriff Bryant envisions it: If you commit a felony, you should not be allowed to have a firearm. South Carolina is known as one of the top states in the country for its largemouth bass fishing. But the largemouth bass has an overlooked cousin that also inhabits the waters of the Palmetto State. Smallmouth bass are considered some of the toughest battlers and quite popular among freshwater anglers. They aren't native to South Carolina, but state fisheries biologists began introducing them into upstate waters in the 1980s. Lake Jocassee, where the 9-pound, 7-ounce state record was caught in 2001, is probably the best-known smallmouth fishery in South Carolina. But the Broad River above Columbia is another popular place for anglers to target smallmouth. Once he learned of the Broad River smallmouths and sampled the fishery, former Charleston resident Mike McSwain became so enamored with the fish that he moved to the area and now guides for smallmouth from an Old Town canoe. McSwain said smallmouth can be found all along the Broad River, which has its beginnings in North Carolina and eventually joins the Saluda near Columbia. He said one reason the fishery is so good on the lower Broad River is that there aren't many public access points, which means you really have to work to fish that section. "Fall is an unbelievable time. When they get fired up to start feeding for colder weather coming, they school up more in the fall. Fall is the time of year when we get a good bite. We're going to work that area pretty hard before we leave it," he said, adding that fall is a good time to catch those 4- to 6-pound smallmouths. "We see a lot of schooling fish flaring up and swimming around with a fish that you have on the hook, sometimes 4 or 5 other fish right there with the fish that's being caught. That's one of the things that makes fall so cool for us is that the big fish tend to group up." McSwain said in the fall he's caught two fish on the same lure, with the second fish attacking the other fish's mouth to try and get that lure. "If we get a big fish on in the fall, and if I'm the one that gets the fish, I'll have my client throw in right past me. Since that's the time of year when they tend to school up, that's when we tend to get more double hookups. The smallies are fired up when they see that fish being caught." McSwain said one of his memorable trips was with Pure Fishing executive Brad Rutherford and a couple of his engineers who design fishing tackle. "We had four of us and we all seemed to double up a lot. We'd go an hour without a bite and all of a sudden we'd have two 4-pounders on. Fall is that time of year that when someone gets a fish on you want to throw another lure out there and light up that pool." McSwain said in fall he likes to fish big baits big swim baits and big jigs. He said lures that imitate crawfish are good because crawfish, while active in the river year-round, are more active when the water starts cooling. McSwain said he also uses some big topwater lures as well such as a Whopper Plopper. "We're targeting 4- and 5-pound fish. It's kind of like fishing for muskies. You're not going to get as many bites on a 5- or 6-inch swim bait, but that's what we throw a lot more of in the fall targeting big fish," McSwain said. "Compare that to the 2- or 3-inch swim bait you fish in the summer. In a nutshell, we're beefing up our size." He said that the water temperatures are slow to respond to air temperatures on the Broad River and the water temperature will stay in the mild range. "We are still keying on oxygenated areas, the same places you would fish in summer and spring. The water hasn't cooled off so much that these fish are looking for deep pools. They're still active. Our water temperature isn't going to get too cold for these fish until January, usually," McSwain said. "They're going to be concentrated in oxygenated areas where there's flow, current and ambush points, the same shoals I fish the rest of the year. I'm not in waders in the river until well in October. The water is slow to cool which makes the fall bite a long one on this river, as long as we don't have tropical storms screw it up. It's big fish time and it's also a great topwater time." Take the Troops Fishing The Charleston chapter of Military Appreciation Day will hold its seventh annual Take the Troops Fishing on Oct. 9. The captain's meeting will be held Oct. 8 at Rivers Edge Marina and the Troops and Captain's dinner will be held Oct. 9 at Rivers Edge Marina. All active duty military personnel from all branches of service and National Guard are invited to participate in this free fishing event (not a tournament). Troops can register online and will be paired with a boat, pier or surf captain. Visit militaryappreciationday.org. East Cooper-Sea Islands CCA banquet The East Cooper and Sea Islands chapters of CCA South Carolina will hold their annual Celebrating Conservation Banquet and Auction at 6 p.m. on Oct. 15 at Omar Shrine Auditorium, 176 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant. Call Jay Brown at 843-224-0028; J.R. McCroskey at 843-906-2431; or the CCA State Office at 803-865-4164 or visit ccasouthcarolina.com. America's Boating Club America's Boating Club Charleston will hold a boating safety class Nov. 6 at 1376 Orange Grove Road, Charleston. The class begins at 9 a.m. and ends around 4 p.m. Successful participants earn the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Boater Education Card. The cost is $25 for adults and youth 12-18 are free. Call 843-312-2876 or email lynes@tds.net. Rasmussen Reports asked 1,000 likely voters these questions: 1* In a congressional hearing this week, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, testified that his recommendation was to keep 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Would that have been better than a complete U.S. troop withdrawal? 2* In an interview last month, President Joe Biden denied that his advisers recommended keeping 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, which is contradicted by General Milleys testimony. Who do you believe is telling the truth, President Biden or General Milley? 3* Do you agree or disagree with this statement: Biden cant avoid the consequences of his actions [in Afghanistan]. He must resign? Rasmussen says that in answer to the first question, respondents think it would have been better to keep 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, by a 60%/24% margin. The rest is behind a paywall, but John Nolte gives us the numbers: When asked whom they believe about the 2,500 troops recommendation, Biden or Milley, only 21 percent believe Biden told the truth about not receiving the recommendation, while 57 percent believe Milley. This is one of those plague on both their houses questions, but I think the majority is right about this one. The third question is a real doozy. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: Biden cannot avoid the consequences of his actions in Afghanistan. He must resign? A majority of 55 percent strongly (41 percent) or somewhat (14 percent) agree he must resign. Only 39 percent somewhat (10 percent) or strongly (29 percent) disagree. By 55% to 39%, voters say Joe Biden should resign the presidency? You can critique these numbers on the ground that poll respondents have been led into that conclusion by the prior questions, which most have answered by saying that withdrawing all troops was a bad idea, and Biden is lying about having been advised to the contrary by the military. Still, the results are stunning: in this context, 55% say Biden must resign. Remarkably, only 29% strongly disagree. I think this charts another data point in the rapid collapse of Joe Biden and his administration. American voters will put up with a fair amount of failure, but there is a limit, and Joe Biden seems to have reached it less than one year into his term. For what it is worth, I dont want Joe Biden to resign. That would only give us Kamala Harris. It is remarkable that Harris is no better than Biden, and in some respects worse, despite not suffering from dementia. We need, not Bidens resignation, but rather a GOP sweep in next years elections. I think that will happen. The great unknown is how much damage the Democrats, desperate and with their backs against the wall, will inflict via multi-trillion dollar spending and tax packages, designed mostly to fund lavishly and guarantee power to Democratic Party constituencies. Turning my attention to literary pursuits yesterday, I checked the headlines for reports that Dems had worked out their differences to ram through the dystopian nightmare embedded in their prospective multitrillion dollar reconciliation bill. When news came that President Bidens minders in the White House daycare operation had let him out for a pep talk to House Democrats in the afternoon, I feared they might be getting somewhere, but no. They wouldnt even let him take a question from his allies in the caucus (tweet below). David Marcus comments in the New York Post column Josiah Bartlet he aint: Joe Biden goes groveling. INSIDE the caucus: At the end of his remarks, BIDEN offered to take questions from members but his staff jumped in. He didn't take any questions. Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris) October 1, 2021 Speaker Pelosi sent a message to her caucus after they gave up for the long legislative day she had engineered: Dear Democratic Colleague, Today, President Biden honored us with his first in-person visit to our Caucus. He received a heros welcome! His presentation on the values of the Biden vision was warmly and enthusiastically received. We look forward to a successful enactment of the Build Back Better Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. While great progress has been made in the negotiations to develop a House, Senate and White House agreement on the Build Back Better Act, more time is needed to complete the task. Our priority to create jobs in the health care, family and climate agendas is a shared value. Our Chairs are still working for clarity and consensus. Clearly, the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill will pass once we have agreement on the reconciliation bill. Tonight, we will pass a critical 30-day extension of the surface transportation authorization. More updates to come. Many thanks to all in our Caucus for your energetic and principled leadership For The People. Woo hoo! Keep nope alive. Politicos Sarah Ferris et al. report Its not a success: Dems head home after infrastructure stalemate. Subhead: Frustrated lawmakers worry their failure to deliver either a deal on a social spending bill or an infrastructure vote could have lasting consequences. Here are the opening paragraphs of the Politico story: President Joe Biden deflated the air of urgency around a bipartisan infrastructure vote and tamped down liberal dreams of a $3.5 trillion spending bill in a speech before House Democrats Friday. Hours later, Democratic leaders conceded defeat at least for now. After weeks of trying and failing to find a legislative solution both the progressive and centrist wings of the caucus could support, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her team passed a bill temporarily funding expiring transportation programs and sent frustrated members home until they can find a solution. President Joe Biden deflated the air of urgency around a bipartisan infrastructure vote and tamped down liberal dreams of a $3.5 trillion spending bill in a speech before House Democrats Friday. Hours later, Democratic leaders conceded defeat at least for now. After weeks of trying and failing to find a legislative solution both the progressive and centrist wings of the caucus could support, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her team passed a bill temporarily funding expiring transportation programs and sent frustrated members home until they can find a solution. And thats not all. They add a bit further down in the story: While several Democrats hoped Bidens rare appearance Friday his first in-person huddle with House Democrats as president would rally support for the $550 billion infrastructure bill, he actually did the opposite. There is more Schadenfreude for us in Samuel Chamberlains New York Post story Moderate House Dems blast Pelosi, far-left after Biden spending bills holdup. Andrew Stiles piles on in the Free Beacons Pelosis Children: House Democrats Get Kindergarten Treatment. Having worked into the mid afternoon with his pep talk to House Dems, Biden went home to Delaware for the weekend to recharge his batteries. At Breitbart Charlie Spiering reports Joe Biden Bails to Delaware After Agenda Deadlines Stall in Congress. Sister Toldjah reads the tea leaves in RedStates Heres How We Know Joe Bidens Meeting With House Democratic Caucus Was an Epic Failure. An era of good feelings has not broken out among Senate Democrats either. John Fund accentuates the negative in the NR Corner post Democrats Wonder What Schumers Game Plan Is. The Manchin memo published by Politico earlier this week appears to be the source of heartache for Senate Dems. Schadenfreude alert: Senator Elizabeth Warren, vice-chair of the Democratic conference, said she was not pleasantly surprised by this news, in a classic case of understatement. David Harsanyis New York Post column steps back to make a few sobering points: It is almost certain that the vast majority of Americans have no idea what is even inside the reconciliation bill. Who knows? That may be the case for most of Congress. As of this writing, we dont know how the reconciliation battle will play out. For Democrats, the consequence of ObamaCare was the loss of 1,000 seats nationally, including in state legislatures, and, perhaps, the presidency of Donald Trump. Maybe they believe it was worth the price. Im not sure what the cost will be for altering American governance in this manner with a single bill corruptly crammed through the budget process, but it will be unprecedented and, almost surely, make American politics far worse in every way imaginable. Democrats will work something out in the end and, whatever it is, it wont be pretty. I should add that in its story on yesterdays developments the Wall Street Journal posits the delay as a tactical move. The Journal story is Biden Says Democrats Should Delay Infrastructure Vote Until Deal Reached. I think that means they dont have the votes to get the job done at present, which is obvious. If they did, they would have gotten it done yesterday. UPDATE: Posted at 10:58 a.m. (Eastern), a few hours after I wrote the post above, this mornings Politico Playbook adds angles that should be taken into account by somebody with analytical skills beyond my own. Co: * wpisz sowa kluczowe np. stanowisko, pracodawca Gdzie: * mozesz wpisac wiecej niz jedno miasto oddzielajac je przecinkami Branza: Administracja biurowa Administracja publiczna Badania i rozwoj Bankowosc / Leasing Budownictwo / Nieruchomosci / Architektura Dzia techniczny Edukacja / Praktyki / Staze Elektryka / Elektronika / Energetyka Finanse Grafika / Kreacja artystyczna / Fotografia HR Informatyka / Telekomunikacja Inne / Pozostae Inzynieria / Projektowanie / Technologia Konsulting Kontrola jakosci Ksiegowosc / Audyt Logistyka / Transport / Zakupy Marketing / Reklama / PR Media / Sztuka / Rozrywka / Wydawnictwa Obsuga klienta / Call center Ochrona osob i mienia Organizacje pozarzadowe / Wolontariat Praca fizyczna Prawo Produkcja / Przemys Rolnictwo / Lesnictwo / Ochrona srodowiska Sport i rekreacja Sprzedaz Turystyka / Hotelarstwo / Gastronomia / Katering Ubezpieczenia Zarzadzanie Zdrowie / Medycyna / Farmacja * przytrzymaj klawisz CTRL i zaznacz myszka wybrane pozycje, aby wybrac wiecej niz jedna opcje Region: dolnoslaskie kujawsko-pomorskie lubelskie lubuskie odzkie maopolskie mazowieckie opolskie podkarpackie podlaskie pomorskie slaskie swietokrzyskie warminsko-mazurskie wielkopolskie zachodniopomorskie zagranica * przytrzymaj klawisz CTRL i zaznacz myszka wybrane pozycje, aby wybrac wiecej niz jedna opcje Znajdz oferty: zawierajace fraze: zawierajace ktorekolwiek ze sow: nie zawierajace sow: szukaj takze w tresci ogoszen The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, says two soldiers were killed and 12 others injured in a recent attack by suspected bandits in Kagara, the council headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area of the state. The governors spokesperson, Mary Noel-Berje, in a statement said the bandits also suffered heavy casualties but did not give details. The governor said the gunmen ransacked the palace of the emir of the town, in a mission to abduct the monarch who was reportedly absent during the attack. The governor spoke on the attack when he visited soldiers receiving treatment at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Specialist Hospital, Minna. Mr Bello disclosed that some of the injured soldiers were taken to Kaduna for medical attention. The governor said the bandits are in alliance with terrorists, considering their increasing numbers and the way they plan and carry out their attacks. READ ALSO: He said the situation calls for a review, adding that aside the kinetic efforts being made, a support system will be evolved for those deprived of their livelihood through banditry and cattle rustling. The governor enjoined citizens to be security conscious and report suspicious activities around them. Harbouring bandits The statement also raised concern that some rural communities were reportedly harbouring bandits. Very soon we will tag those communities as same elements as bandits. If you are harbouring any bandits and you know, you are one even if you dont carry gun because you are risking the lives of our security agents. We have lost quite a few of them (security personnel) since it started and we dont intend to lose more. What we are calling for is a safe environment and for everyone to support the ongoing operation by the security agents, the governor said. Hospital visits The governor also visited others, including a victim of gas explosion from Kagara at the surgical ward of the hospital who has been on admission for over two months. Meanwhile, the governor expressed dismay over the poor state of the hospital, which he said gulped huge amounts of cash to renovate a few years back. He said the issue will be investigated as he believes something was fundamentally wrong and someone was not doing his job. I am extremely angry because I remember when we came, we spent a lot of money to renovate the entire hospital and in less than four years, for this hospital to be like this, then something is fundamentally wrong. So, I am not happy and I am angry, very angry, he said. The governor also ordered repair of the dialysis machines in the hospital and directed the Commissioner for Finance to release funds immediately to that effect, the statement said. The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, has pledged to deepen diplomatic relations with Nigeria, especially in tackling regional and security issues. This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Embassy of France in Nigeria on the goodwill message by Mr Macron to President Muhammadu Buhari, in commemoration of Nigerias 61st Independence Anniversary celebration. The statement quoted Mr Macron to have reaffirmed his personal commitment to the relationship between France and Nigeria leading to economic and demographic power. I firmly believe that it is in the mutual interest of our two countries to strengthen this relationship on all fronts. Since my visit in July 2018, the ties between our two countries have continued to strengthen, especially in the economic field. I was happy to welcome you in Paris on May 18, on the occasion of your participation in the Summit on the financing of African economies. The creation of the Franco-Nigerian Business Council, which met last June at the Palace of Versailles, we hope, will allow the birth of many structuring projects between French and Nigerian companies. He commended increase in the number of Nigerian students in France to further contribute to deepening of the ties between both countries. He also assured that more would be done by both countries to achieve desired goals. The number of Nigerian students present in France has been increasing at a sustained rate over the past three years. I am delighted that they can contribute to the growth of Nigeria and the development of ties between our two countries. The few days of young Nigerian artists, entrepreneurs and creators in the New Africa-France Summit, in Montpellier, will make it possible to intensify the exchanges between French and Nigerian civil society. We can do even more together, because France and Nigeria share many common interests, both on regional and security issues and on global issues. I therefore hope that our countries will intensify their exchanges on all these subjects, Mr Macron said. He expressed best wishes to President Buhari and Nigerians on the independence anniversary celebration. (NAN) The Federal Government has pledged to improve on infrastructure at all the rail stations along Warri-Itape route to ease the plights of passengers patronising rail services on that axis. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation made the pledge on Saturday in Lokoja, while addressing journalists after the inspection of facilities at the rail stations on the route. Ms Ajani said that power supply was the major challenge facing the stations, thereby, making it difficult to power the stations with boreholes and other equipment. The main problem we have in Itape-Warri railway route is the power and those who are familiar with the case know that the procumbent process was stalled. And we are trying to resolve this with both Federal Ministry of Justice and public procurement for us to be able to proceed and make sure that we have light. Most of the stations here have boreholes, but the boreholes have to be powered by light for us to pump the water to the reservoirs and to serve the stations, Ajani explained. She said the situation was a huge challenge which was the reason for the visit, to proffer solutions to them. And in the terms of solving this power problem, I know that we have awarded the contract to Mikano company to supply generators to all the stations so that the places can be powered so water can run in the stations. And going back home, we have to know why the delay in the installation of those generators. Ms Ajani said that the visit was to further assess other challenges based on the passengers complaints so as to capture what could not be done in 2021, to include them in the 2022 budget. READ ALSO: Lagos to divert traffic at Yaba for railway construction According to her, the government is also planning to collaborate with private sector operators to build hotels in all the stations for those who may arrive late and the ones intending to catch up with the morning trains to their destinations. The government cant do everything but we are trying to make sure that private individuals can come in and partner with us and build those hotels at the stations. This is to address accommodation issues for our clients, she said. (NAN) Retired Air Vice-Marshal Sikiru Smith who was kidnapped by yet-to-be-identified gunmen, has regained his freedom, the police said in Lagos on Saturday. Police spokesman in Lagos State, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the development when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He did not mention where Mr Smith was released, where he is currently, or whether or not ransom was paid. I can confirm to you that AVM Smith has been released today. That is all I can say for now, Mr Ajisebutu said. Masked gunmen abducted Mr Smith on Monday on the Ajah-Badore Road, in Lagos State. A Save-Our-Soul audio released by his driver, Odiji, a corporal, said Mr Smith was abducted from a work site in Ajah, and forcibly whisked away in a boat that sailed towards the Ikorodu area of the state. READ ALSO: In the one minute and four seconds audio, the corporal said: Good evening house. Please, this is an emergency. I am Cpl. Odiji, attached to AVM Smith. Oga was just moved from the site we were working. Some gunmen wearing masks just came and pulled him out of the site. They shot everywhere and took him away. I was nearby where he asked me to fix his vehicle. I am his driver. As I was coming back, I saw them where they went on a boat through the water. I was not armed. So, I ran to the site and found Ogas glasses and where he struggled with them before they took him off. Please, somebody should pass the message. They went from `Blenco area in Ajah and sailed towards Ikorodu area on water. Mr Smith is a cousin to a former Inspector-General of Police and current Chairman of the Police Service Commission, retired I-G Musiliu Smith. (NAN) A Kwara state High Court, sitting in Ilorin, has sentenced one Jamiu Isiaka to 28 years at the Mandala Correctional Centre, Ilorin, for impersonating presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, to commit fraud against a South Korean national. The Ilorin Zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had on June 14, 2019, arraigned the defendant on four-count charges, to which he pleaded not guilty. Delivering judgement on Thursday, however, Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar held that the prosecution had tendered enough evidence to convince the court that the defendant was guilty as charged. The court found Mr Isiaka guilty of the charges and sentenced him to seven years in prison, on each count, to run concurrently. The judge ordered the forfeiture of some properties recovered from the convict, which were proceeds of his unlawful activities. The forfeited properties included a four-bedroom bungalow, located at Oke-Foma, Ilorin; a Toyota Corolla car; plasma television; home theatre; freezer; generator; washing machine; and an LG air conditioner, to the Federal Government. In addition, the court also ordered restitution to the victim of the crime. The prosecution had averred that Mr Isiaka had presented himself as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), late Maikanti Baru, to Keun Sig Kim, a South Korean, to defraud him of N30 million. While parading himself as a senior government official, the convict deceived the foreign national to collect various sums of money under the pretence of securing, for his victim, NNPC approved marketing form and license certificate, to buy crude oil in Nigeria, the court heard. In the course of interrogation, the defendant claimed that he used the money to conduct sacrifice for the petitioner. According to him, part of the money was used to buy a vulture, elephant skin, elephant intestine, the skull of a lion and liver of a gorilla; all used as ingredients for the sacrifice. In the course of the trial, counsel to the EFCC, O. B Akinsola, called two witnesses, including a police detective, Dare Folarin, who narrated how the defendant was arrested and several fraudulent funds traced to his bank accounts. The prosecutor tendered evidence on how the defendant obtained the sum of $88,521 from his victim, under the guise of helping him to procure approval from the NNPC. He said the offence was contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. (NAN) The police command in Bayelsa has confirmed the release of Gbalipre Turner by his abductors. The 70-year-old father of the Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Marvin Turner, was abducted on September 5, at Kpansia, Yenagoa. In a statement on Saturday, the commands Public Relations Officer (PRO), Asinmi Butswait, said the victim was released at Oluasiri, Nembe Bassambiri, in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa. Mr Butswait said that the victim was hale and hearty and had been reunited with his family. He said police operatives had earlier mounted pressure on the kidnappers which led to the release of the victim. He added that the suspects had been identified and efforts were ongoing to apprehend them. He explained that the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa Command, Echeng Echeng, had ordered officers to sustain the ongoing investigation to arrest the suspects. (NAN) The police command in Delta State has arrested one Solomon Ebe over alleged possession of 340 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition concealed inside a bag of garri. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Warri. Mr Edafe said that the suspect was apprehended on Friday by the patrol team of the Bomadi Police Division. He said that the police operatives were in a stop and search duty in the Bomadi/Tuomo Road in Bomadi Local Government Area of the state. On Oct. 1, 2021 at about 07:30 hrs, policemen attached to Bomadi Divisional patrol team while on stop and search duty in Bomadi/Tuomo Road intercepted a cyclist conveying one Ebe who carried a bag containing garri. The operatives who were on reasonable suspicion decided to search the suspect and the bag. Upon search, 340 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition hidden inside the garri were recovered. The suspect was arrested while investigation is ongoing, he said. Similarly, Mr Edafe said that the command had also apprehended one Ejiro Efemijoghor for allegedly being in possession of an English double-barrel gun and 26 live cartridges. The police spokesman said that the suspect was arrested on Wednesday by the operatives attached to the Commands Raider Squad. On Sept. 29, at about 0300hrs, acting on credible information, Operatives attached to the Commands Raider Squad raided Utuloho Street, Ozoro in Isoko North. In the process one English double barrel gun and 26 live cartridges were recovered in possession of one Efemijoghor. The suspect claimed that the gun belongs to her husband, he said. Mr Edafe said that the command was investigating the matter. (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara Command has confirmed the alleged killing of a herdsman by yet to be identified gunmen in the state. This is contained in a statement signed by the Command Spokesman, Babawale Afolabi, and made available to reporters in Ilorin on Friday evening. According to the statement, the unfortunate incident happened few days after a reported invasion of farm settlement at Oro Ago, allegedly by some gunmen, where one person died. The report of the deceased was brought to our office on Friday, through our Divisional Officer in Oro Ago, Officer Najimu Lawal. This Fulani herdsman, simply known as Ibrahim or lbro, was attacked and hacked to death by the assailants, he said. Me Afolabi said that the killers were still at large. He said that the attack took place on September 30, as gunmen in their large number allegedly stormed the premises of the cattle rearer and left him in the pool of his blood. READ ALSO: Ogun residents raze Fulani settlement over abduction of woman by suspected herdsmen The spokesman said that the deceaseds brother had lost his life early in 2021, at the same address with the victim. Me Afolabi said that manhunt has been launched for perpetrators of the criminal act. He assured that the NSCDC in collaboration with other security agencies would arrest the perpetrators and ensure prosecution after investigations. (NAN) The Force Commander (FC), Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim, has pledged to reinforce troops operational capacities with equipment and other essential materials, which will improve surveillance and tactical manoeuvre in the fields. Mr Ibrahim, a major general, made the pledge during his operational visit to Mallam Fatori and Damasak in MNJTF Sector 3 area of responsibility recently, MNJTF spokesperson, Muhammad Dole, a colonel, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. He commended the FOB Mallam Fatori and HQ 5 Brigade Damasak for winning several tactical victories against the BHT/ISWAP insurgents in their previous encounters. He said the significant and progressive achievements of the troops had paved the way for the resettlement and relocation of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees to their ancestral homes. Mr Ibrahim congratulated the troops for their operational successes by dislodging terrorists camps and denying them freedom to operate. He stated that operations remained the best test of a troops fighting spirit, adding that good training and physical skills are essential elements in the life of a soldier. I assure you that MNJTF HQ will reinforce your operational capacities with equipment and other essential materials, which will improve surveillance and tactical manoeuvre in the fields, he said. READ ALSO: The Force Commander also cautioned the troops on the misuse of social media in a way that might cause them more harm than good by being a source of intelligence on the activities and movements of troops to terrorists. He, however, commended the troops for exhibiting high level of discipline and display of determination to fight the terrorists. He further urged them to remain on high alert and cautious so that they can swiftly end BHT/ISWAP terrorists madness and return safely home. (NAN) Gunmen kidnapped Ibrahim Garba, Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Transport, and his son on Friday, Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Kuryas, said in Minna on Saturday. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that father and son were kidnapped from their home in Zungeru in Wushishi Local Government Area after a wedding ceremony had been held in Mr Garbas house. The police commissioner said investigation had begun into the abduction and assured that the perpetrators would be tracked down. We have since deployed armed security personnel to the area to rescue the victims, he said. Mr Kuryas appealed to residents to provide timely and useful information to security personnel deployed across the state to ensure the arrest and prosecution of criminal elements. All we require from members of the public is to assist us with credible information on movement of dubious characters in their midst for necessary action, the police commissioner told NAN. (NAN) As the Conference Committee of the National Assembly begins harmonising the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, PREMIUM TIMES deems it necessary to reiterate the need to pass an electoral law that would fully accommodate both electronic voting and the electronic transmission of results. We are firmly convinced that such step would safeguard Nigerias democracy. The main purpose of the Conference Committee is to reconcile the two versions of the Amendment Bill as respectively passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives. Whereas the House of Representatives version of Clause 52 gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the power to determine the procedure for voting and transmission of election results, the Senates version states that INEC can only do so with the approval of the National Communications Commission (NCC). Understandably, civil society organisations (CSOs) have drawn attention to the fact that the Senates version would compromise the independence of INEC, and is thus contrary to public and national interest. We agree with the CSOs and urge the committee to integrate both electronic voting and the electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Amendment Bill. Our reasons are not far-fetched. Electronic voting or e-voting is the use of electronic machines to aid in voting and counting. It works with either computers connected to the Internet or an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) that records votes by means of a ballot display. The EVM is a computerised box-like machine that comes with an attaching ballot box, where generated ballots drop in that voters use to cast their vote. The digitisation and digitalisation of just about every aspect of modern life has been a major outcome of the technological revolution. It has seen super-fast computers and smart phones revolutionise banking. It is forcing central banks globally to deal with the threat to their ability to create fiat money from crypto-currencies. The virtualisation of stock markets has aided the transition from the open outcry system, favoured by the famous halls in New York, London and Paris, to automated algorithms that initiate and complete buying/selling decisions. In all of these, the surprise is that elections, given their importance to the governance of our societies, remain largely unaffected by this revolution throughout the world. Only two countries have an established tradition of e-voting India and Brazil. Both countries have had very free, fair and credible elections through e-voting. Currently, however, President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil is determined to scrap e-voting because the polls indicate that he might not win the forthcoming election if it is free and fair. Significantly, the United States was the first country to introduce voting machines in the world; but it is still a contested method in the country. Other countries such as Estonia, Namibia, Philippines and Mongolia have made valiant efforts to introduce and regularise e-voting, but in most of them it remains a contested methodology. For Africa, the cost of paper ballot elections, with their massive logistics requirement, movements of hordes of ad hoc voting staff and security officials, high security printing costs, slow and ponderous counting, often open to manipulation and fraud, is the best case that can be made for the transition to e-voting. The problem is that because electoral credibility often requires trust, the evidence of the eyes of citizens, in most parts of the world, points that e-voting is viewed with suspicion. The Indian example, where results are never contested, offers scant consolation. This trust deficit has been overcome in the southeast Asian country by decades of use. Indian voters know it is a credible system. The burning question is: What if the system is hacked and results changed? It appears that exercised by this concern, President Buhari refused to sign the Electoral Bill preceding the 2019 elections because his party worried that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was capable of hacking the proposed electronic transmission of results, even if there was no evidence that the fear was justified. As the blockchain technology develops, it has become clearer today that it is possible to do e-voting without the fear of hacking. Nonetheless, technology assurance may not be enough to put the fear at bay. In 2018, Kaduna State became the first state in Nigeria to conduct an election using an electronic voting system. The feat was repeated on September 4. The Kaduna State Government had in 2018 substituted the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 10 of 2012 and other Matters Ancillary, with the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2018 to pave the way for electronic voting in the State. Section 16 (3) of the law provides that the State Independent Electoral Commission shall have the power to determine the method by which voters may be verified and accredited for the purpose of casting their votes. It states that: Such verification and voting shall be through the use of approved electronic devices, smart card reader and electronic voting machine. In the election that followed, Governor Nasir El-Rufai was reported to have lost his polling unit. His response was: People were laughing that I lost my polling unit, but you know, it is democracy that wonthose that claim that the machines were programmed were ashamed when it was reported that APC lost in my polling unit. Clearly, the best advert for electronic voting is that both in the 2018 and 2021 local government elections in Kaduna State, the ruling party did not win all the seats. The security situation in the state however made it impossible to conclude the elections in all parts of Kaduna State. Meanwhile, the National Assembly has been reluctant to even go as far as allowing for the electronic transmission of votes. As is well known, the black hole in Nigerias electoral process is the collation of results. Elections would normally go smoothly at the polling unit level and be counted openly in the presence of voters and the results posted. People would go home happy at the transparency of the process. The trust issues with our elections seem to take place at the collation level, where presumed winners sometimes turn into losers. It was for this reason that INEC proposed the change in the Electoral Act that would allow for the electronic transmission of results directly from the polling unit to INEC State and National headquarters. While the House of Representatives has accepted the provision, the Senate has refused to accept it justifying this by using the National Communications Commission (NCC) as an alibi. The NCC went to the National Assembly to claim that only half of the polling units (50.3 per cent) in the country have 3G network to transmit election results. The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, was a leader of the Eighth Senate that extensively debated the provision and passed it. Why is the Senate today suddenly opposed to the provision? On October 13, INEC Position Paper 1: Electronic Transmission of Results was published by the electoral management body, where it outlined in detail its 10-year experience in test running electronic transmission of results. It demonstrated clearly that 93 per cent of polling units have adequate infrastructure for electronic transmission of results and has worked out how to cover the remaining 7 per cent. Contrary to the new position of NCC, there are no technological hurdles in the country today to the electronic transmission of results. The concerns of the Senate can only be political. PREMIUM TIMES calls on the Senate to adopt the progressive position of the House of Representatives in the current Joint Committee work to reconcile the two versions of the Bill. The use of technology since 2011 has initiated a positive trend in improving the quality and integrity of Nigerian elections and the trend should be sustained. PREMIUM TIMES believes that INEC should continue its adoption of relevant technologies and pursue with vigour its research on how best to introduce electronic voting to Nigeria in the nearest future. Dakunji community in Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area in Plateau, on Saturday accused the military of invading the village to illegally arrest and brutalise a villager. Chairman, Dakunji Concerned Citizens Forum, Pam Logyang, made the accusation at a news conference in Jos. Mr Logyang said that operatives of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) a military task force set up to maintain peace in Plateau stormed the village at midnight on September 13 and arrested one Davou Nyango. On the midnight of Sept. 13, the military without prior notice or warrant of arrest went to the residence of Nyango, a former Transitional Secretary of Jos South Local Government Council, broke into his house and took him away. The armed military men, numbering more than 15 shot sporadically into the air while the ordeal lasted, he said. Mr Logyang said members of the community traced and found Mr Nyango at the Area Command in Bukuru, near Jos before he was transferred to OPSH headquarters in Jos. He added that Mr Nyango was detained for nine days and was brutalised leading to damage to his right eye. He said also that the incident left the victim and the community physical and emotionally traumatised. The forum demanded that the military repair Mr Nyangos damaged house, compensate him and also pay his hospital bills as he was still treating his damaged eye. Mr Logyang said the community had pledged to work cordially with the military adding that all military actions must be in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and military extant law. We arrested Nyango but In a reaction, the Military Information Officer in the area, Ishaku Takwa, admitted that the military arrested and detained Mr Nyango, but denied torturing him. It is true that one Davou Nyango was arrested and detained by the military after his name was mentioned by a suspect who committed a crime. We carried out our investigation and discovered that he was not involved in the said crime so we released him; we are still investigating, if there is the need, we will invite him again. It is not true that we brutalised him. I saw him the day he was released and he was hale and hearty, Mr Takwa said. (NAN) The Nigerian Police have submitted a case file to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, recommending the prosecution of Olanrewaju Suraju, the Chairman of HEDA, an anti-corruption organisation. The police recently said a report accusing Mr Suraju of peddling falsehood against a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, is not fake. HEDA had claimed its findings indicated the report did not emanate from the police. But a top official of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit, the police unit which issued the document, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the document was produced by the leadership of his team. Mr Adoke, one of those the EFCC is prosecuting for alleged fraud in connection with the OPL 245 saga, popularly referred to as the Malabu scandal, had petitioned the police accusing some unnamed persons of circulating fabricated evidence against him to unduly incriminating him. The former attorney-general said an e-mail submitted to a court in Italy was never written by him as claimed just like the tape of a purported interview he granted an Italian journalist. Mr Adoke asked the police to help uncover those who manufactured those pieces of evidence and bring them to book. In a two-page report earlier reported by PREMIUM TIMES, the police alleged that Mr Suraju circulated false information about Mr Adoke via his organisations social media accounts without verifying its authenticity. Malabu and case file In the letter dated September 20, and addressed to the AGF, the Head of the IGP Monitoring Team, Ibrahim Musa, an assistant commissioner of police (ACP), said he was directed by the IGP to forward the duplicate file for vetting, advice and possible prosecution. The letter with Reference Number: CR3100/IGP.SEC/MU/ABJ/ADM/T.4/Vol 2/134, is titled: Forwarding of Duplicate Casefile No: CR:169/2021: Re: Criminal Conspiracy, Defamation, of character and Forgery. It reads in part, I am directed by the Inspector General of Police vide a letter no: SB:4099/CP SEC/ABJ/VOL.5/12 dated 17th September 2121 to forward the duplicate case file in respect of the above-mentioned subject for vetting, advice and possible prosecution. Mr Musa had on September 2, 2021, submitted the report of his teams investigation to the IGP and asked that the case file be forwarded to the AGF. On September 17, the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, Idowu Owohunwa, wrote to Mr Musa, saying the IGP had upheld the recommendations contained in his memo and directed strict compliance. In the letter to the AGF, the police said, the totality of the conduct of Olanrenwaju Suraju is a calculated attempt to subject the complainant to media trial and falsify relationship between the complainant and Aliyu Abubakar while their cases are still ongoing in court, thereby misleading the public. Hence a prima facie case of cyberstalking, giving false information and criminal defamation with intent to incite can be sustained against Mr Olarenwaju Suraju. The police also accused the activist of using the social media handles of his organisation to spread falsehood against Mr Adoke. Mr Suraju has denied any wrongdoing, saying Mr Adokes complaint to the police was aimed at diverting attention from investigations into the Malabu saga. The Malabu controversy The Malabu case, in which the e-mail and audiotape evidence complained about by Mr Adoke had featured, involved the transfer of about $1.1 billion by Shell and ENI through the Nigerian government to accounts controlled by a former Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete. Investigators and activists suspect Mr Etete bribed some top officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration after Eni and Shell controversially acquired OPL 245, one of Nigerias richest oil blocks. Mr Etete had awarded the block to his Malabu Oil and Gas Limited while serving as petroleum minister in the late Sani Abacha`s government. Being the AGF who advised the then Goodluck Jonathan administration on the OPL 245 transactions at the time, Mr Adokes name has repeatedly featured in matters connected to the deal. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had also accused Mr Adoke of accepting N300 million from Abubakar Aliyu, a controversial businessman and one of Mr Etetes cronies. Mr Adoke had, however, denied any wrongdoing, saying his transaction with Mr Aliyu was a property purchase deal that fell through after he could not raise the monetary balance for the asset. While Shell and Eni, alongside their managers, were the main defendants in the case in Italy and have been acquitted, Messrs Adoke, Etete, and Aliyu have pending EFCC cases in Nigeria. We rushed into renewable energy without any thought. The schemes are largely hopelessly inefficient and unpleasant. I personally cant stand windmills at any price -James Lovelock. So the conservative who resists change is as valuable as the radical who proposes it perhaps as much more as the roots are more vital than grafts. It is good that new ideas should be heard, for the sake of the few that can be used; but it is also good that new ideas should be compelled to go through the mill of objection, opposition, and contumely; this is the trial heat which innovations must survive before being allowed to enter the human race. It is good that the old should resist the young, and that the young should prod the old; out of this tension, as out of the strife of the sexes and the classes, comes a creative tensile strength, a stimulated development, a secret and basic unity and movement of the whole. Will Surant, author of The Lessons of History. Across the world, there is renewed drive towards the phasing out of non-renewable energy sources in favour of renewable energy. Renewables refer to energy sources that do not get depleted with use. Non- renewables, on the hand, are those sources that get exhausted with use. Examples of non-renewables would include coal, oil, gas and nuclear energy. Save for nuclear, the rest are also called fossil fuels. They are so called for the simple reason that they are formed from dead animals and plants in underground layers of rock and sediment in the earth deposited over millions of years. Scientific studies suggest that the combination of pressure and heat transforms the remains of animals and plants into oil and coal. While crude oil is cracked for products like gasoline and diesel for vehicles and plants, plastics and other products for manufacturing, natural gas is used for cooking, heating, cooling, and firing gas engines. Natural gas is pumped through wells just like crude oil and is found near oil deposits underneath the earth surface. Coal, on the other hand, is a solid fossil fuel that could be used for heating homes and powering generators, turbines and other machines. It is also buried below the earths surface and the process of extracting it is by mining, quite unlike other types of fossil fuel. Nuclear energy comes from uranium, a radioactive element which is extracted, again from mining like coal. The mined uranium is further refined into fuel. Nuclear energy has a more sinister and dangerous use as a weapon of mass destruction remember that terminology? Nuclear energy, quite unlike fossil fuel, produces zero emission and therefore is adjudged to be a relatively clean source of energy. Power is generated through fission. Fission simply refers to the process of splitting uranium atoms which generates heat which in turn creates steam that powers turbine engines for production of electricity. Renewable energy on the other hand, refers to naturally replenishing sources of energy which have the added advantage of being clean with negligible carbon emission. Renewable energy sources would include solar, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal and biomass. They are clean and more sustainable energy sources but face the challenge of relative high cost and inefficiency. With time, these gaps are being bridged through advancement in technology and, in the wake, renewable energy is being embraced the world over. The universal adoption of renewable energy could spell doom for countries like Nigeria whose economies are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Many high energy consuming countries have set deadlines for phasing out internal combustion engines in favour of electric vehicles. This transition could deal a big blow to crude oil producing countries. The timetable for phasing out hydrocarbon fired vehicles are pretty tight with the following notables: 2025 for Norway, 2025 for India, 2030 for Germany and France and 2040 for the UK. Countries with unstable electricity supply would find it difficult to embrace electric vehicles since charging would remain a challenge. Statistics, however, shows that renewable energy now accounts for about 20% of the global energy supply. While the push to take that number up continues, it is an incontrovertible fact that the world still has a long way to go in the displacement of fossil fuels as the choice for mainstream energy usage. In fact, a few years ago, the mantra for the world was that we were entering the world of gas. It was touted everywhere as the fuel for the future. It is with this in mind that we intend to take a look at Nigerias gas utilisation and make recommendations on what should be done to take advantage of the massive reserves while the party lasts. Nigerias proven gas reserves currently stands at 206.53 trillion standard cubic feet (scf) as at 2019, according to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). This places the country as the seventh largest in the world in terms of gas reserves. But that seems to be where the strength ends. Having humongous reserves which, by the way, we did not prospect but found accidentally as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Silva, was quoted to have disclosed recently, can only translate to a strength if we are able to utilise same. Out of these reserves, an estimated 50% is associated gas while the other half is non associated gas. We are known to mindlessly flare associated gas which comes out with crude oil during production. Statistics shows that currently, over 60% of associated gas is flared, making Nigeria one of the least utilisers of gas it produces. There is general agreement that something drastic ought to be done to redress the situation. Nigerias gas flare out programme continues to sound like a ballroom dance, one step forward, several steps backward. The first serious effort made in extraction and utilisation of gas is the Liquified Natural Gas Project in Bonny which came on stream in 1999 with the rollout of the first two trains. Having taken the final investment decision for the seventh train, and awarded the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract to a consortium of Saipem, Chiyoda and Daewoo last year at a cost of $10billion, it is expected that the production capacity of NLNG would increase from the current 22 million tonnes per annum to 30 million when completed. It is important to add that Nigeria has other similar projects like the Oso Gas to Liquid Project, Escravos Gas Project, Ekpe Gas Compression Project, Belema Gas Injection Project, Obigbo Node Associated Gas Gathering Project, Cawthrone Channel Gas Injection Project, the Odidi Associated Gas Gathering Project, the West African Gas Pipeline Project, following the NLNG project. In all these projects, the primary objective is to eliminate flaring and not necessarily to utilise natural gas finds. While we were battling with flaring and its negative effects on the environment, the rest of the world was investing in gas as alternative energy to power industrial and residential needs. As global warming and environmental issues take centre stage in energy discourse, a principled stand has been taken by global investors to go green and gradually phase out funding for gas projects in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere ostensibly in order to decarbonize the universe. In pursuit of decarbonization, The World Bank, for instance, has increased its allocation to climate change initiatives by 35%. This has had a direct negative impact, as financing for new gas projects particularly in Africa has reduced. Meanwhile, prior to this time, there was a clear understanding that gas fired power solutions were but a transitional solution to the global clean and green power initiative. The worlds biggest multilateral financial institution European Investment Bank has set a deadline of December this year as when it will stop funding non-renewable energy projects, particularly fossil fuel energy projects. These developments are happening when back home, we are dealing with major energy deficiency challenges. Should the world wait for us to catch up before continuing its journey towards decarbonization? The answer is no. Should we jump into the fray of renewable energy with the rest of the world given that that is the way of the future, while pretending that our problems are not there? Again, the answer is No. According to the World bank, Nigeria has the largest energy deficit in the world. Over 85m people representing over 43% of the population do not have access to grid electricity. This, the World Bank continues, costs the country about $29b in annual economic loses which also translates to over 2% of GDP. All these are missed opportunities in productivity, slowing down industrialisation and economic growth. Breaking this further down, Nigeria has a total installed generation capacity of 12,552 megawatts of electricity, mainly from hydro and gas sources. Of this number, an average of 4,000 megawatts gets to the final consumers. The balance is lost as a result of inefficient transmission and distribution, and other bottlenecks in the value chain. That we are exporting electricity to other African countries like Benin Republic, Chad, Niger and Togo is not a matter for todays discourse. That we are also supplying gas to Ghana under some agreement referred to as the West African Pool is also not within the contemplation of this essay. There is no doubt that Nigerias inability to light up the country is largely responsible for the massive poverty, intolerable unemployment rate and near collapse of the economy. According to the Electricity Consumption and Economic Growth, 2021, a 1% rise in electricity consumption leads to a 1.72% rise in economic growth. What this means is that the country can double its GDP growth rate by simply moving transmitted electricity from the present 4,000MW to 6,000MW which can happen without increasing the installed capacity. In its editorial on July 8, 2021, Thisday Newspaper lamented the lack of an integrated approach to electrification of the country, where about 50% of the population has no access to electricity. Even those that have access hardly have power for more than 50% of the time. This column strongly believes that the government should declare an emergency on electricity and move single mindedly to significantly improve the delivery of electricity to homes and industrial complexes. Secondly, we believe that the focus should not necessarily be renewables immediately but gas, which we have in abundance. It is either it is massively deployed in cylinders for homes or piped to homes and commercial locations for massive adoption. We know many people would argue that we have significant amount of sunlight, and that solar energy is the best for massive deployment. While we do not disagree, we believe that this source of energy may not be the low hanging fruit that people want us to believe for the simple reason of cost and efficiency. As more improvements are made and as research supports the production of silicon in Nigeria to bring down the cost of solar panels we shall go back to this debate. The country sits on a huge reserve of gas but produces and consumes very little gas. In 30 years, the country has only doubled its gas utilisation capacity from a very low base of 200 to 1.2mcf of gas daily, according to DPR. Other uses of natural gas including heating, cooling, transportation cannot be overemphasised. We are not unaware of the funds spent on improving electricity supply by previous governments which are reported to have gone down the drain. While efforts at recovering the funds should continue, the country should not let that deter it from making further investments. The country should decentralise and deregulate the electricity industry completely. The 27 generating companies for over 200m people is grossly inadequate. There should be incentive for more Nigerians to join this business. Above all, any thought about foreign capital investment in this sector should be perished. From the stance of the World Bank and other multilateral agencies, it is clear that this sector would soon be starved of funds. Other foreign investors would follow the lead of the multilateral agencies. This is understandable as no one wants to end up with stranded assets in a foreign land. This is where local capital should come into significant play. The technology is available locally, local capital should logically locate it. Conclusively, while we agree that the way of the future is renewable energy and also concur that Nigeria is blessed with abundant sun, hydro and wind, to some extent, to make renewables the dominant source of energy, we hasten to add that the country and indeed the rest of the world is not there yet. Between now and the time the global community will be ready, it would be better and cheaper for us to consolidate on gas which we have in abundance and provide stable electricity for our people and economy while waiting for the transition. It is therefore on this note that we join Carlo Rubbia in arguing that a distinction between renewable and not renewable energy is academic. Our position can change in future, by then we should have been able to connect 80% of our people to grid electricity, providing them with affordable power, at least 80% of the time. Alex Otti is a Nigeria economist, banker and politician. As of 2008, there was a phenomenon called Africa Rising Many of the kids of those who had left in the second wave, and many like myself, people who had grown up in Nigeria, went abroad to study and stayed to work. There was real hope in Nigerias future, and then we did something foolish, and 2015 happened, followed by the fourth wave, which, as I said earlier, is arguably the most dangerous for Nigeria. In his independence day speech, President Buhari failed to mention anything about the doctors strike that has paralysed the health sector. He also failed to mention anything about kidnappings, which have become a frighteningly regular occurrence in the country. He neglected to mention the unemployment crisis. These three in many ways have contributed to the japa wave that we are currently witnessing, something which he only mentioned in passing, that so-called leaders run abroad to hide. These three things I mentioned health, security, and jobs, more than a lot of other things, symbolise the hope lost by young Nigerians. And it is the potentially productive middle-class that is running. The elite, as always, have one leg in, and one leg out, because Nigeria is their farm, and as in the days of old, you work on the farm and take the fruits elsewhere to enjoy. Hypocrite that Buhari is, it has not occurred to him that he is just the same. All his kids schooled abroad, his wife lives in Dubai, and whenever he has a headache, he goes to London. He will probably move there after his eight ruinous years are done in 2023. And oh, pretty much every Nigerian who can afford it now has a second passport. Many of such people are Buharis pals. In the past five centuries, Nigerias biggest export has been human beings. From the time of the Slave Trades (both Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Saharan), people have left the shores of this environment, either involuntarily, or voluntarily. Zenciye Emine Hanm and Ali Bey were from the Kanuri area of what is today Nigeria, and they got married in Ottoman Turkey and in 1883 begat Ahmet Ali, who went on to become the worlds first black pilot. There are many other examples of people from the area that became Nigeria, or from Nigeria itself since 1914, who achieved their potentials in other climes, and therein lies the rub, something that Buhari has made a lot worse in his six years of maladministration. Four years ago, my friend, Tunde, wrote about why many Nigerians were getting out: Basically it is to put their kids in a position where those kids could achieve their potentials in life, and this is what is fuelling a lot of the current migration. It is tragic. The third wave started under Abacha and it was caused by suffering, pure and simple. This meant that, rather than being middle class-driven, it was driven by the lower classes, and as a result, saw the advent of a huge number of illegals. Again, growing up in Benin City, I saw this happen. Many people saw the few young girls and boys who had gone to Belgium return with wads of forex and build houses. It produced a near stampede Since independence, Nigeria has witnessed three great periods of mass migration. The current one, the fourth, is to my mind the most dangerous. You see, the first one started in 1966 and ended in 1973. It was brought about by the mayhem of 1966 and the subsequent war, and was in the main by people from what we now call the South-East and South-South. It reversed when Nigeria saw an oil boom and there was more money than we knew what to do with it. Essentially, that first migration wave was brought about by hopelessness and ended with the return of hope. Most of those who took part in it returned. Then the economy collapsed in 1980, and the next year, the second great wave began. First, when we chased away the Ghanaians in a wave of xenophobia, and then by the time Buhari came to power, it had accelerated into the Andrew-don-check-out phenomenon. This wave grew even bigger after Buhari was kicked out, and Babangida started his ill-fated structural reforms. Unlike the first wave of migration, most of those who left in this second wave did not return. Some of them have never even set foot in Nigeria since they left. This second wave saw, for the first time, other countries deliberately targeting Nigerian professionals. I remember growing up on a university campus in the late 1980s, and pretty much every week, we knew of one doctor or the other who had moved to Saudi Arabia to work. By the very early 1990s, this second wave had slowed to a trickle. This was because most of those left behind could no longer afford the cost of migration. Yes, migration is a costly business, legal or illegal, and for the most part, especially the legal, those who can afford it tend to be the cream of society, something well talk about soon. The third wave started under Abacha and it was caused by suffering, pure and simple. This meant that, rather than being middle class-driven, it was driven by the lower classes, and as a result, saw the advent of a huge number of illegals. Again, growing up in Benin City, I saw this happen. Many people saw the few young girls and boys who had gone to Belgium return with wads of forex and build houses. It produced a near stampede as many, even as it became clear what their compatriots had to do in those foreign lands to make the money they were now splashing about, just didnt care. For them, a little bit of prostitution or gang activity was a small price to pay to avoid death by poverty, and many paid it. The third wave is sometimes indistinguishable from the first because the gap in between them was less than half a decade. But both are distinct. One was driven mainly by the middle class and was largely legal, the other was driven mainly by the lower classes, and was largely illegal. Both never quite stopped, in short, even during the years of hope that followed the countrys return to civilian rule, the illegal one arguably escalated, but something new happened. The excellent trainers who trained the current crop are all either old and retired, or ageing and retiring, or tired and are leaving like their students. At some point, we simply wont have lecturers to train enough new doctors, and the Saudis will stop organising medical fairs to recruit Nigerian doctors. Its called terminal decline, and its affecting all sectors in the country, not only the health sector. As of 2008, there was a phenomenon called Africa Rising. The sub-prime crisis in the West, and the economic growth we saw in places like Nigeria, engendered a sense of hope such that for the first time there was a flood of people returning. Many of the kids of those who had left in the second wave, and many like myself, people who had grown up in Nigeria, went abroad to study and stayed to work. There was real hope in Nigerias future, and then we did something foolish, and 2015 happened, followed by the fourth wave, which, as I said earlier, is arguably the most dangerous for Nigeria. You see, our British overlords left us a functional, if not broad-based educational system in 1960. This system was, for its purposes, capable of producing an adequate number of people to fill in the gaps left by the first wave of post-independence mass migration. Nigerias educational standards began to deteriorate, ironically, during the period, between the first and second migration waves, when drunk with oil boom money, the government took over all schools. By the time the economy collapsed, education was one of the things that started to suffer from funding gaps. But even after the second wave, the education sector could still fill the gaps created by people leaving. Now, it no longer can. Nigeria has a jobs creation problem, true. But often not talked about is Nigerias lack of skills problem. Our education is simply not fit for purpose, and if the current trend continues, we will simply have no doctors (for example) to fill the gap created by those leaving. The excellent trainers who trained the current crop are all either old and retired, or ageing and retiring, or tired and are leaving like their students. At some point, we simply wont have lecturers to train enough new doctors, and the Saudis will stop organising medical fairs to recruit Nigerian doctors. Its called terminal decline, and its affecting all sectors in the country, not only the health sector. Cheta Nwanze is a partner at SBM Intelligence. NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Oct. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie today announced new data on the investigational use of risankizumab (SKYRIZI) in Crohn's disease, upadacitinib (RINVOQ) in ulcerative colitis and HUMIRA (adalimumab) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) will be presented as live presentations and e-Posters at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week Virtual 2021, to be held October 3-5. AbbVie is presenting a total of 13 abstracts, across a broad range of studies in IBD, including two late-breaking maintenance studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of risankizumab in Crohn's disease and upadacitinib in ulcerative colitis at 52 weeks. "Our long-term commitment to IBD has yielded favorable results, and the data we are presenting at UEG Week Virtual 2021 shows the potential of AbbVie's pipeline to help transform the way IBD is treated," said Chiedzo Mpofu, vice president, global medical affairs, immunology. "We continue to work to evolve the standards of care and improve symptom control and quality of life for people living with IBD." Four presentations will feature data from the pivotal Phase 3 U-ACHIEVE and U-ACCOMPLISH studies evaluating the efficacy, safety and rapidity of symptom control with upadacitinib in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. These studies evaluated improvements in abdominal pain, bowel urgency and fatigue. During UEG Week Virtual 2021, results of the pivotal Phase 3 maintenance study, in which the primary endpoint of clinical remission (per Adapted Mayo Score) was met, will be disclosed as a late-breaking presentation.3 Additionally, all secondary endpoints, including endoscopic improvement, histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement and corticosteroid-free clinical remission at week 52 were met and will be presented.3 Clinical remission (per Adapted Mayo Score) is defined as Mayo score 2, with a stool frequency subscore (SFS) 1 and not greater than baseline, rectal bleeding subscore (RBS) of 0 and Mayo endoscopic subscore 1.3 New data highlighting the impact of upadacitinib on health-related quality of life will also be presented. Top-line induction results were previously announced in December 2020 and February 2021. Top-line maintenance results were announced in June 2021. Other presentations will focus on risankizumab as an induction therapy in patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease. Analysis from two Phase 3 studies emphasizing early symptom relief will be shared, along with a pooled analysis evaluating clinical response after an additional 12 weeks of risankizumab treatment in subjects who failed to achieve clinical response initially. Additionally, results from the Phase 3 FORTIFY study will be presented as a late-breaker. This presentation will highlight the efficacy outcomes of continued treatment with risankizumab (360 mg), which met the co-primary endpoints of endoscopic response and clinical remission at week 52.4 Clinical remission was defined by Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) in the U.S. analysis plan and by stool frequency and abdominal pain (SF/AP) in the OUS analysis plan.4 Top-line induction results were issued in January 2021. "We are excited by the strong research AbbVie is producing in IBD, addressing the high unmet needs," said Remo Panaccione, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the IBD unit, University of Calgary. "More treatment options are needed to help control symptoms and improve quality of life for patients suffering from moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease." AbbVie abstracts in the UEG Week Virtual 2021 program include: Upadacitinib Abstracts Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Patients with ulcerative colitis report improvements in abdominal pain, bowel urgency, and fatigue with 8-week upadacitinib treatment in two Phase 3 Trials: U-ACHIEVE and U-ACCOMPLISH; OP021; live abstract-based session; Oct 3 ; 12:00-12:12 CEST ; Efficacy of upadacitinib induction therapy in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis by biologic inadequate responder status: results from two randomized Phase 3 studies; OP017; live abstract-based session; Oct 3 ; 10:42-10:54 CEST ; Rapidity of symptom control with upadacitinib induction therapy in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis: results from two randomized Phase 3 studies; OP043; live abstract-based session; Oct 3 ; 13:54-14:06 CEST ; Upadacitinib treatment improves health-related quality of life among patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis: results from the Phase 3 induction studies U-ACHIEVE and U-ACCOMPLISH; P0497; e-Poster presentation; Oct 3 ; 9:00 CEST ; Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib maintenance therapy in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis: results from a randomized Phase 3 Study; LB11; live abstract-based session; Oct 4 ; 10:30-10:42 CEST Risankizumab Abstracts Crohn's Disease (CD) An additional 12 weeks of risankizumab therapy induces clinical response in patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease who failed to achieve clinical response after an initial induction period: 24-week pooled analysis of two Phase 3 studies; OP125; live abstract-based session; Oct 4 ; 15:48-16:00 CEST ; Risankizumab as induction therapy in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who failed 1 vs >1 prior biologic treatment: results from the MOTIVATE study; OP194; live abstract-based session; Oct 5 ; 14:06-14:18 CEST ; Risankizumab induction therapy provides early symptom improvements in abdominal pain and stool frequency in patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease: results from two Phase 3 induction studies; P0476; e-Poster presentation; Oct 3 ; 9:00 CEST ; Efficacy and safety of risankizumab as maintenance therapy in patients with Crohn's disease: 52 week results from the Phase 3 FORTIFY study; LB13; live abstract-based session; Oct 4 ; 10:54-11:06 CEST Adalimumab Abstracts Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Mechanisms of non-response to adalimumab in inflammatory bowel disease: peripheral proteomic and transcriptomic profiling from the SERENE-CD and SERENE-UC studies; OP195; live abstract-based session; Oct 5 ; 14:18-14:30 CEST ; A higher induction dosing regimen of adalimumab does not enhance modulation of downstream blood molecular markers in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis: results from the SERENE-CD and SERENE-UC studies; P0453; e-Poster presentation; Oct 3 ; 9:00 CEST ; The impact of non-medical switching from originator to biosimilar infliximab vs continuing on originator in inflammatory bowel disease: results of Project NORTH; P0420; e-Poster presentation; Oct 3 ; 9:00 CEST Disease State Abstracts Prognostic value of intestinal ultrasound parameters for long-term outcomes in IBD patients one year interim results of the TRUST BEYOND study; OP123; live abstract-based session; Oct 4 ; 15:24-15:36 CEST The full scientific program for the UEG Week Virtual 2021 is available here. AbbVie will also host a virtual media education event on October 6 from 9:00 AM 10:00 AM CDT (4:00 PM 5:00 PM CEST), featuring a panel of experts discussing the burden of living with IBD, unmet needs in the management of IBD and AbbVie's commitment to the IBD community, following UEG Week Virtual 2021. Interested media can reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] to register. Risankizumab (SKYRIZI) is part of a collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and AbbVie, with AbbVie leading development and commercialization globally. About Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, idiopathic, immune-mediated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the large intestine that causes continuous mucosal inflammation extending, to a variable extent, from the rectum to the more proximal colon.5,6 The hallmark signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis include rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, tenesmus (a sense of pressure), urgency and fecal incontinence.5,7 The disease course of ulcerative colitis varies between patients and can range from quiescent disease to chronic refractory disease, which in some cases can lead to surgery or complications, including cancer or death.6,8 The severity of symptoms and unpredictability of disease course can lead to substantial burden and often disability among those living with the disease.9 About Crohn's Disease Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic disease that manifests as inflammation within the gastrointestinal (or digestive) tract, causing persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain and rectal bleeding.6,10-11 It is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time.6,11 Because the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease are unpredictable, it causes a significant burden on people living with the diseasenot only physically, but also emotionally and economically.9 About Upadacitinib (RINVOQ) Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is a selective and reversible JAK inhibitor that is being studied in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.12-19 In human cellular assays, RINVOQ preferentially inhibits signaling by JAK1 or JAK1/3 with functional selectivity over cytokine receptors that signal via pairs of JAK2.12 RINVOQ is approved by the European Commission for adults (15 mg and 30 mg) and adolescents (15 mg) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. RINVOQ 15 mg is approved by the European Commission for adults with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, adults with active psoriatic arthritis and adults with active ankylosing spondylitis. RINVOQ 15 mg is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. Phase 3 trials of RINVOQ in rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis are ongoing.13-19 The use of upadacitinib in ulcerative colitis is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities. About Risankizumab (SKYRIZI) SKYRIZI is an interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-23 by binding to its p19 subunit.20,21 IL-23, a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes, is thought to be linked to a number of chronic immune-mediated diseases, including Crohn's disease.20 In April 2019, SKYRIZI received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. The approved dose for SKYRIZI is 150 mg, administered by prefilled pen or prefilled syringe at week 0 and 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter. SKYRIZI was also approved in psoriasis by the European Commission in April 2019. Phase 3 trials of SKYRIZI in psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are ongoing.22-24 The use of risankizumab in Crohn's disease is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities. About HUMIRA in the European Union25 HUMIRA is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease. EU Indications and Important Safety Information About RINVOQ (upadacitinib)12 Rheumatoid arthritis RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). RINVOQ may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate. Psoriatic arthritis RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more DMARDs. RINVOQ may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate. Ankylosing spondylitis RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis in adult patients who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy. Atopic dermatitis RINVOQ is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy. Contraindications RINVOQ is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to the active substance or to any of the excipients, in patients with active tuberculosis (TB) or active serious infections, in patients with severe hepatic impairment, and during pregnancy. Special warnings and precautions for use Immunosuppressive medicinal products Use in combination with other potent immunosuppressants is not recommended. Serious infections Serious and sometimes fatal infections have been reported in patients receiving upadacitinib. The most frequent serious infections reported included pneumonia and cellulitis. Cases of bacterial meningitis have been reported. Among opportunistic infections, TB, multidermatomal herpes zoster, oral/esophageal candidiasis, and cryptococcosis have been reported with upadacitinib. As there is a higher incidence of infections in patients 65 years of age, caution should be used when treating this population. Viral reactivation Viral reactivation, including cases of herpes zoster, was reported in clinical studies. The risk of herpes zoster appears to be higher in Japanese patients treated with upadacitinib. Vaccinations The use of live, attenuated vaccines during or immediately prior to therapy is not recommended. It is recommended that patients be brought up to date with all immunizations, including prophylactic zoster vaccinations, prior to initiating upadacitinib, in agreement with current immunization guidelines. Malignancy The risk of malignancies, including lymphoma is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Malignancies, including nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), have been reported in patients treated with upadacitinib. Consider the risks and benefits of upadacitinib treatment prior to initiating therapy in patients with a known malignancy other than a successfully treated NMSC or when considering continuing upadacitinib therapy in patients who develop a malignancy. Hematological abnormalities Treatment should not be initiated, or should be temporarily interrupted, in patients with hematological abnormalities observed during routine patient management. Cardiovascular risk RA patients have an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders. Patients treated with upadacitinib should have risk factors (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia) managed as part of usual standard of care. Lipids Upadacitinib treatment was associated with dose-dependent increases in lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Hepatic transaminase elevations Treatment with upadacitinib was associated with an increased incidence of liver enzyme elevation compared to placebo Venous thromboembolisms Events of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported in patients receiving JAK inhibitors, including upadacitinib. Upadacitinib should be used with caution in patients at high risk for DVT/PE. Adverse reactions The most commonly reported adverse reactions in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis clinical trials (2% of patients in at least one of the indications) with upadacitinib 15 mg were upper respiratory tract infections, blood creatine phosphokinase (CPK) increased, alanine transaminase (ALT) increased, bronchitis, nausea, cough, aspartate transaminase (AST) increased, and hypercholesterolemia. The most commonly reported adverse reactions in atopic dermatitis trials (2% of patients) with upadacitinib 15 mg or 30 mg were upper respiratory tract infection, acne, herpes simplex, headache, CPK increased, cough, folliculitis, abdominal pain, nausea, neutropenia, pyrexia, and influenza. The most common serious adverse reactions were serious infections. The safety profile of upadacitinib with long term treatment was generally similar to the safety profile during the placebo-controlled period across indications. Overall, the safety profile observed in patients with psoriatic arthritis or active ankylosing spondylitis treated with upadacitinib 15 mg was consistent with the safety profile observed in patients with RA. In atopic dermatitis, dose-dependent increased risks of infection and herpes zoster were observed with upadacitinib. Based on limited data, there was a higher rate of overall adverse reactions with the upadacitinib 30 mg dose compared to the 15 mg dose in patients aged 65 years and older. The safety profile for upadacitinib 15 mg in adolescents was similar to that in adults. The safety and efficacy of the 30 mg dose in adolescents are still being investigated. Dose-dependent changes in ALT increased and/or AST increased ( 3 x ULN), lipid parameters, CPK values (> 5 x ULN), and neutropenia (ANC < 1 x 109 cells/L) associated with upadacitinib treatment were similar to what was observed in the rheumatologic disease clinical studies. This is not a complete summary of all safety information. See RINVOQ full summary of product characteristics (SmPC) at www.ema.europa.eu. Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information. About SKYRIZI (risankizumab) in the European Union21 SKYRIZI (risankizumab) is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy. Important EU Safety Information about SKYRIZI (risankizumab)21 SKYRIZI is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. SKYRIZI may increase the risk of infection. In patients with a chronic infection, a history of recurrent infection, or known risk factors for infection, SKYRIZI should be used with caution. Treatment with SKYRIZI should not be initiated in patients with any clinically important active infection until the infection resolves or is adequately treated. Prior to initiating treatment with SKYRIZI, patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis (TB) infection. Patients receiving SKYRIZI should be monitored for signs and symptoms of active TB. Anti-TB therapy should be considered prior to initiating SKYRIZI in patients with a past history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed. Prior to initiating therapy with SKYRIZI, completion of all appropriate immunizations should be considered according to current immunization guidelines. If a patient has received live vaccination (viral or bacterial), it is recommended to wait at least 4 weeks prior to starting treatment with SKYRIZI. Patients treated with SKYRIZI should not receive live vaccines during treatment and for at least 21 weeks after treatment. The most frequently reported adverse reactions were upper respiratory infections, which occurred in 13 percent of patients. Commonly (greater than or equal to 1/100 to less than 1/10) reported adverse reactions included tinea infections, headache, pruritus, fatigue and injection site reactions. This is not a complete summary of all safety information. See SKYRIZI full summary of product characteristics (SmPC) at www.ema.europa.eu. Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information. Important EU Safety Information about HUMIRA (adalimumab)25 HUMIRA is contraindicated in patients with active tuberculosis or other severe infections such as sepsis, and opportunistic infections and in patients with moderate to severe heart failure (NYHA class III/IV). It is also contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to the active substance or to any of the excipients; serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported. The use of HUMIRA increases the risk of developing serious infections, including hepatitis B reactivation, which may, in rare cases, be life-threatening. Rare cases of lymphoma and leukemia have been reported in patients treated with HUMIRA. On rare occasions, a severe type of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma has been observed and often results in death. A risk for the development of malignancies in patients treated with TNF-antagonists cannot be excluded. Rare cases of pancytopenia, aplastic anaemia, demyelinating disease, lupus, lupus-related conditions and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported in patients treated with HUMIRA. The most frequently reported adverse events across all indications included respiratory infections, injection site reactions, headache and musculoskeletal pain. Please see the full SmPC for complete prescribing information at www.EMA.europa.eu. This is not a complete summary of all safety information. Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information. About AbbVie in Gastroenterology With a robust clinical trial program, AbbVie is committed to cutting-edge research to drive exciting developments in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. By innovating, learning and adapting, AbbVie aspires to eliminate the burden of IBD and make a positive long-term impact on the lives of people with IBD. For more information on AbbVie in gastroenterology, visit https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/therapeutic-focus-areas/immunology/immunology-focus-areas/gastroenterology.html. About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram. Forward-Looking Statements Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. ### References: Alatab, S., et al. The global, regional, and national burden of inflammatory bowel disease in 195 countries and territories, 19902017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Jan;5(1):17-30. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(19)30333-4. IBD treatment plan 'needs to be a continuous conversation'. Healio. 2020. Available at: https://www.healio.com/news/gastroenterology/20200225/ibd-treatment-plan-needs-to-be-a-continuous-conversation. Accessed on September 15, 2021 . Panaccione, R. Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib maintenance therapy in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis: results from a randomized Phase 3 study. United European Gastroenterology Week Virtual 2021. LB11. Ferrante, M. Efficacy and safety of risankizumab as maintenance therapy in patients with Crohn's disease: 52 week results from the Phase 3 FORTIFY study. United European Gastroenterology Week Virtual 2021. LB13. Gajendran M., et al. A comprehensive review and update on ulcerative colitis. Dis Mon. 2019 Dec;65(12):100851. doi: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2019.02.004. Epub 2019 Mar 2 . The Facts about Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. 2014. Available at: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Updated%20IBD%20Factbook.pdf. Accessed on June 21, 2021 . Ulcerative colitis. Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. 2020. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ulcerative-colitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353326. Accessed on June 21, 2021 . Monstad, I., et al. Clinical course and prognosis in ulcerative colitis: results from population-based and observational studies. Ann Gastroenterol. 2014; 27(2): 95104. Mehta F. Report: economic implications of inflammatory bowel disease and its management. Am J Manag Care. 2016 Mar;22(3 Suppl):s51-60. Kaplan, G. The global burden of IBD: from 2015 to 2025. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Dec;12(12):720-7. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2015.150. Crohn's disease. Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. 2020. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353304. Accessed on June 21, 2021 . RINVOQ [Summary of Product Characteristics]. AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG; September 2021 . Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/rinvoq-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Pipeline Our Science | AbbVie. AbbVie. 2021. Available at: https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/pipeline.html. Accessed on June 21, 2021. A Study to Compare Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib to Dupilumab in Adult Participants With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis (Heads Up). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03738397. Accessed on June 21, 2021. A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Adult Participants With Axial Spondyloarthritis (SELECT AXIS 2). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04169373. Accessed on June 21, 2021. A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of ABT-494 for the Induction of Symptomatic and Endoscopic Remission in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease Who Have Inadequately Responded to or Are Intolerant to Immunomodulators or Anti-TNF Therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02365649. Accessed on Accessed on June 21, 2021. A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib (ABT-494) in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis (U-ACCOMPLISH). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03653026. Accessed on June 21, 2021. A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Participants With Giant Cell Arteritis (SELECT-GCA). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03725202. Accessed on June 21, 2021. A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Subjects With Takayasu Arteritis (TAK) (SELECT-TAK). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04161898. Accessed on June 21, 2021 . Duvallet E., Sererano L., Assier E., et al. Interleukin-23: a key cytokine in inflammatory diseases. Ann Med. 2011. Nov 43(7):503-11. SKYRIZI [Summary of Product Characteristics]. AbbVie Ltd. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/skyrizi-epar-product-information_en.pdf. A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Participants With Crohn's Disease. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03105102. Accessed June 21, 2021 . A Study Comparing Risankizumab to Placebo in Participants With Active Psoriatic Arthritis Including Those Who Have a History of Inadequate Response or Intolerance to Biologic Therapy(ies) (KEEPsAKE2). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03671148. Accessed on June 21, 2021 . A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Induction Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Risankizumab in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2021. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03398148. Accessed on June 21, 2021 . HUMIRA [Summary of Product Characteristics]. AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co KG; September 2021 . Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/humira-epar-product-information_en.pdf. SOURCE AbbVie Related Links https://abbvie.com/ "The US and international community must not underestimate this consequence and legitimate fear many Ethiopians have." Tweet this "The TPLF has a very long history of media manipulation and human rights abuses, requiring CNN and other independent media to validate and disclose sources. This kind of reporting is having a devastating impact on the 112 million Ethiopians at a time when the nation could spiral into further conflict, putting the entire stability of the Horn of Africa at risk." Fighting broke out between the TPLF and Ethiopian government forces in November 2020 when TPLF attacked one of the federal military bases in Tigray. Since the start of the Tigray conflict, there have been numerous massacres or war crimes committed by the TPLF terrorist regime in Mai Kadra Amhara (2020), Galikoma in the Afar region (2021), Agamsa Amhara (2021), TPLF shelling of Debre Tabor (2021), and massacres in Chena Village, Dabat in Ethiopia's Amhara region (2021). These incidents are reminiscent of TPLF's history although many media sources fail to inform audiences of this fact when reporting on the current Tigray conflict. Throughout its 27-year oppressive rule, the TPLF regime incited ethnic conflict. Its goal was to break up the Ethiopian population by ethnic identity while controlling the nation's resources for the benefit of a single ethnic minority groupthe Tigray populationcomprising 4 percent of the population. "The TPLF is designated as a terrorist group by the Ethiopian Parliament and is fighting to get its money and power back. Similar to another terrorist group, the Taliban, the TPLF will revert back to its autocratic rule if it regains power. The US and international community must not underestimate this consequence and legitimate fear many Ethiopians have," said Tafari. The EACC is urging US policymakers to foster peace and democracy in Ethiopia consistent with its longstanding commitment to spread democracy and human rights throughout the world. Ethiopian American Civic Council: Is one the largest Ethiopian American diaspora community in the United States with approximately 750,000 members in all 50 states. The EACC represents all of the nearly 90 Ethiopian ethnic groups. The EACC is a US-based, 501(c) 4, nonprofit organization. SOURCE Ethiopian American Civic Council (EACC) WESTPORT, Conn., April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- FinTron Invest, one of the youngest investment firms to become a FINRA Member Broker-Dealer (all founders 25 and under), announced today the launch of their newly licensed investing company headquartered in Westport, Connecticut. FinTron will offer investing services through its new, fully connected, all-in-one investing and investment education app, designed by the mobile generation for the mobile generation. The FinTron app is currently available on IOS devices, coming soon to Android. There has been a significant outflow of millennials relocating from Connecticut over the past few years. With its operations headquartered in Westport, Connecticut, FinTron will contribute to the state economy by providing new employment and internship opportunities to local college students and graduates. FinTron currently employs over 30 staff and contractors. With its new app features, including fractional trading in over 600 stocks and ETFs, budgeting tools, and on-demand / jargon-free education, FinTron will provide financial education tools and resources to today's mobile generation in Connecticut and the surrounding areas. "Connecticut has been instrumental to FinTron's development - providing us with so many great resources, including the Connecticut Micro-Enterprise Grant, tax credits to early investors, and access to local events that helped us further establish the FinTron brand and product offering," said FinTron's 25-year-old Founder and CEO, Wilder Rumpf. "As young professionals, these are major accomplishments, and we want to do everything we can to give back to our home state." "The students found FinTron's simulated trading game to be engaging, enjoyed monitoring the progress of their stock, investigating various companies, and purchasing a variety of stocks. The students felt they were becoming a shareholder in the company. The students were enthusiastic when they saw their simulated stock value rise and even more motivated when they knew there was an incentive to win. I was excited to see how much they enjoyed using the program; they found it easy to navigate." - Rosemarie Scioletti, Stratford High School Teacher and Game Administrator "The simulated FinTron Challenge is a really good supplement for an introductory finance class. I'm dealing with a variety of levels of experience and interest in finance, and I find the user interface is very approachable for my students and helps to make the topic less intimidating. Compared to alternatives on the market that I've used in class and also used personally, it's a big step forward." - Doctor Michael Gorman, Professor and game administrator About FinTron FinTron is on a mission to make investing, saving, and budgeting accessible, understandable, and doable for the Mobile Generation through our all-in-one investing, and investment education app. We promote financial freedom for the Digital Generation through better education, affordable financial products, and socially responsible give-back programs. FinTron Invest brokerage accounts are powered by industry leading FinTech APEX Clearing Corp., offering fully SIPC insured accounts. For generations, personal finance has been done the old, complicated way. For this generation, there's FinTron. To learn more about FinTron, please visit our website , and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook . Contacts: FinTron Wilder Rumpf Founder and CEO, FinTron [email protected] Media Michael Herley for FinTron [email protected] 203.308.1409 SOURCE FinTron Invest Related Links https://www.fintroninvest.com SAO PAULO, Sept. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MOSS, the first and largest environmental platform in the world to tokenize carbon credits, today announced the listing of the MCO2 token on Gemini, crypto exchange and custodian. Launched by MOSS in March 2020, MCO2 is equivalent to one carbon credit, a digital asset that certifies the prevention of one ton of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere. Through the certification process and the minting of MCO2 tokens, funds are sent to conservation projects in the Amazon. The sale of MCO2 has allocated US$13 million towards conservation projects in the Amazon, preserving an area of 1.3 million hectares approximately the size of Connecticut, or a small country like Jamaica. In the process, MCO2 tokens have helped preserve approximately 500 million trees and prevented the emission of 1,300 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. "This listing of MCO2 is further evidence of our business model's success and recognition that the use of blockchain is key to environmental sustainability," says Luis Adaime, founder and CEO of MOSS. "We're excited about our prospects working with one of the most respected exchanges for cryptocurrency and the global exposure that it will bring to the MCO2 token." The listing of MCO2 on Gemini represents a new milestone in MOSS's history given that the exchange currently has 56 million active users from 100 countries. The MCO2 token is already available on platforms such as Probit and Mercado Bitcoin. Globally, it is possible to purchase the carbon credit token on exchanges such as Uniswap. It's been a busy time for MOSS. The company has partnered with One River Asset Management to offset the first carbon neutral bitcoin fund in the world. MOSS has also offset all of Skybridge's crypto holdings. In Brazil, MOSS has announced a partnership with GOL, Brazil's largest airline, to enable its customers to offset their emissions through the purchase of the MCO2 token. The company also completed the acquisition of One Percent, a startup targeting sustainable NFTs, and has a project to globally launch NFTS from the Amazon Rainforest in the near future. For more information about MOSS, visit moss.earth. About MOSS and the MCO2 Token MOSS is a climate tech company focused on environmental services with global operations. In 2020, it created the first carbon credit-backed token used to offset greenhouse gases. In its one year of existence, MOSS and its customers have sent more than US$ 13 million to the Amazon, which has helped to preserve approximately 500 million trees. The MCO2 token is already listed on platforms such as Mercado Bitcoin and FlowBTC as well as globally on ProBit, Uniswap and now Gemini. A carbon credit is a digital certificate that is equivalent to avoiding the emission of one ton of CO2 in a given year through forest conservation, clean energy, and biomass projects, among others. SOURCE MOSS EARTH Related Links https://moss.earth Make confident decisions using our benchmarks and analysis. - Request a Free Sample Report Helicopter Tourism Market: Decline in global crude oil prices to drive growth The considerable decline in global crude oil prices is a key driver contributing to the helicopter tourism market growth. The decline in standard aviation fuel prices will be a significant advantage for airline or helicopter companies. Air travel will become more affordable and helicopter companies will get associated with the tourism business. Forming alliances with major resorts and tourism companies to drive the revenue for the helicopter companies. Know more about COVID-19 Crisis and Recovery Analysis? Request Free Sample Research Report As per Technavio, the growing popularity of helicopter travel will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other significant trends and market drivers that will influence market growth over 2021-2025. Helicopter Tourism Market: Growing Popularity of Helicopter Travel The popularity of helicopter travel over conventional methods of transportation will gain traction. The increasing prosperity of countries and business developments will result in great demand for inner-city air travel. Helicopter tourism is being considered by a number of countries across the globe for being favorable and convenient. Get lifetime access to our Technavio Insights. Subscribe now to our most popular "Lite Plan" billed annually at USD 3000. View 3 reports monthly and Download 3 Reports Annually! Helicopter Tourism Market: Segmentation Analysis This market research report segments the helicopter tourism market by Type (General and Customized) and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA). 54% of the market's growth will originate from North America during the forecast period. The US is the key market for the helicopter tourism market in North America. Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions. The customized helicopter tours that take up the customer's preferences will generate significant amounts of profits to facilitate the helicopter tourism market growth in North America over the forecast period. Know more about the in-depth market insights that assist global businesses to obtain growth opportunities. Download Free sample report Related Reports Cultural Tourism Market by Type, Category, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Spa Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025 Scope of Helicopter Tourism Market Report: Report coverage Details Base Year 2020 Forecast Period 2021-2025 Incremental Growth $ 871.35 million CAGR Decelerating at 17.31% No. of Pages 120 Segmentation By geography- APAC Europe North America South America MEA By type- General Customized Drivers Decline in global crude oil prices Increasing use of commercial helicopters Growing popularity of helicopter travel Challenges Cost-intensive tours Inconvenience associated with helicopters Mounting number of accidents Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Challenges Market Drivers Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio Related Links https://www.technavio.com/ WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthony "Tony" Curti, CIC, LIC, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan has been installed as president of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents during the organization's September 23, 2021 board meeting in Detroit. Curti was sworn in together with his four fellow national officers: Gerald F. Hemphill, CIC, LUTCF of Richmond, Virginia, President-elect; Richard A. Savino, CIC, CPIA, of Warwick, New York, Vice President/Treasurer; Ariel Rivera of Puerto Rico, Secretary/Assistant Treasurer; and Wayne F. White, CPA, CPIA, PFMM of Conway, Arkansas, Immediate Past President. All the officers will serve one-year terms that begin on October 1, 2021 and run through September 30, 2022. "Insurance agents plus technology is the winning combination in insurance distribution," said Curti. "Emotional intelligence and relationship-building are fundamental in our business. Today, these traits and others can be married with tech innovation to best serve clients. I am proud to carry the mantle for the industry as we progress." Curti pointed out that PIA adapted quickly to changes in the business environment prompted by the coronavirus crisis. "PIA was quick to adjust to COVID circumstances because we had already invested in technology and had strong prior knowledge to rely on. We adapted very well, which is what independent insurance agents are uniquely positioned to do." He added that PIA's aggressive advocacy has produced legislative and regulatory victories that have added to agencies' bottom lines. "It is also important for all agents to remember that we are in the relationship business," Curti added. "As has been demonstrated by the ongoing success of PIA's agency-company council, The PIA Partnership, agencies and carriers are stakeholders with an interdependence that drives our business. Each of us has a stake in our mutual success." Curti was elected to the executive committee of PIA in 2018 and has served as a board member for nine years. He also has completed three terms as president of the Michigan Association of Professional Insurance Agents and still serves on their board. Tony began in insurance with Curti Insurance Agency, Inc., a family-owned firm. After the sale of the Curti Agency, he held senior insurance leadership positions at the U.S. insurance subsidiary for ABN Amro Bank, NV. In 2012, Tony joined fintech and top 10 global broker Acrisure as a shareholder/Agency Partner where he today serves as an Operations executive. He's held multiple senior positions, interfacing with Acrisure's insurance agencies and brokers, as well as Home Office colleagues in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tony is an adjunct professor in Finance, at Walsh College, in Troy, MI. He has previously served on the faculty of the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC), involved with risk management and insurance studies. Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA's web address is http://www.pianational.org. This press release is online at: https://www.pianational.org/detail-pages/news/2021/10/01/tony-curti-installed-as-president-of-pia-national SOURCE National Association of Professional Insurance Agents Related Links pianet.com The Bahamas is ready to continue to bring visitors the unparalleled vacation experience it is known for. Tweet this Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Launches Romance Magazine On the heels of its incredibly successful trade and consumer virtual romance expo, From The Bahamas With Love, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation launched its digital romance magazine by the same name. The magazine features exclusive wedding planning content including top venue recommendations, bachelorette party planning inspiration and made in The Bahamas decor and styling tips. Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina Expansion and Reconstruction Expected by Q4 2021 Famous among yachters, the highly anticipated reopening of Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina at Paradise Landing is slated for completion Q4 2021. Lighthouse Pointe Reopens to Guests On March 25, Grand Bahama Island's Lighthouse Pointe reopened to guests as part of the phased reopening of the Grand Lucayan Resort. The property features 200 guest rooms and a number of on-site restaurants. John Watling's Distillery Reopens The famed Bahamian distillery, John Watling's Distillery, reopened to visitors at the end of March. Free tours are available to visitors seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m The Bahamas Launches Digital Payment Portals for Boaters and Fishermen - The Bahamas Customs & Excise Department and Ministry of Finance have developed electronic portals for boating and fishing permits to be booked online. Click2Clear, SeaZPass and Go Outdoors Bahamas ensure the ease of travel for all boaters and fishermen traveling to The Bahamas. AWARDS AND ACCOLADES The Bahamas Awarded Bronze in 2021 Adrian Award - The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will honor the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation with a Bronze Adrian Award in the Integrated Marketing Campaign category for its Still Rockin' campaign. Following Hurricane Dorian, BMOTA's Still Rockin' campaign highlighted the country's 14 major islands unimpacted by the storm, which contributed to the country's record-breaking year of 7.2 million visitors in 2019. The Bahamas Honored with Nine Nominations in World Travel Awards The Islands of The Bahamas have been selected as a shortlisted nominee in the 28th annual World Travel Awards and are nominated in the lead beach, cruise, dive, honeymoon and overall destination categories. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is also nominated in the Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board 2021 category. Voting is open now through August 2, 2021. PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS For a complete listing of deals and packages for The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages. PRESS INQUIRIES Anita Johnson-Patty Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation [email protected] Weber Shandwick Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Related Links http://www.bahamas.com The new VertX Grand creates a new standard in cabinet design. It's sleek and feature-rich cabinet is designed to stand out on any casino floor and its "best of breed" components have been carefully selected to maximize the gaming experience by balancing functionality, precision and entertainment. This exclusive library of new games for the VertX Grand includes eleven truly exciting and innovative themes designed to delight players while meeting the high expectations players everywhere have come to expect from Gaming Arts. Leading off the new VertX library will be the Let's Spin series which are fast-paced new games that will bring out the true gambler in any player with their industry first game mechanics. The library also includes the new Pub series which provide players an exciting world tour of great Pubs across the globe from Kaleigh's Irish Pub to Isabella's Tequileria to Anastasia's Tavern to Sofia's Cellar. When the drinks start to flow, so does the player excitement and wins! In addition, Kung Fu Empress and Jackpot Go will also make their debut. The new lineup of VertX games doesn't stop there. Gaming Arts' Casino Wizard electronic table multi-game, which has taken the country by storm with unparalleled performance will soon have a big brother, Casino Wizard VIP. Casino Wizard VIP will include a greatly expanded game lineup with some of the most intriguing side bets available anywhere, all of which can only be found exclusively on Casino Wizard VIP. Many new games for the dual screen Phocus cabinets will also take center stage including the fast-paced Quick X series, Fortune Finders, Cash Quest and Cyber Dragon. Premiering as well are several new games for Gaming Arts' HaloTop wheel cabinet including the fun-loving Gumball Game, the hilariously scary Spooky Spins and Fortune Flip. Jean Venneman, newly promoted to COO of Gaming Arts, commented, "This is a very exciting time for the company as we continue to expand into new markets with a host of new games and products and we fully expect the VertX Grand to continue this success and greatly increase placements. The initial response to VertX Grand has been tremendous, well exceeding early estimates. With over 200 units in backlog already and growing rapidly." "I could not be prouder of the entire Gaming Arts family who have exceeded expectations in the creation of this wonderful new cabinet line along with a historic number of new games," Venneman concluded. As the world leader in keno systems and high stakes bingo, Gaming Arts will also continue its tradition of innovation in these areas including the new TITO enabled and completely self-contained EZ Keno kiosk along with exciting new bingo offerings. DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH JUMBO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD In addition to this exciting lineup of new games and products, Gaming Arts is pleased to announce it has entered into a distribution partnership with Jumbo Technology Co., LTD (Jumbo). Under this Agreement, Gaming Arts will be the exclusive distributor for certain Jumbo casino games in North America. Headquartered in Taiwan, Jumbo has been a major force in the gaming space across Asia for over 25 years. The first product to be launched will be the amazing Ocean Phoenix multi-player fishing game which will be on display at G2E 2021. This game has taken Asia by storm with game mechanics never before seen in North America. The platform for Ocean Phoenix is the massive ARK-65 6-seat gaming cabinet. Ocean Phoenix is sure to turn many heads at G2E. "This is an exciting announcement for Gaming Arts," said Mike Dreitzer, CEO of Gaming Arts. "We are honored to partner with our friends at Jumbo, as we bring their product into the North American market. The Ocean Phoenix game is an extraordinarily fun and unique game that is unlike any other, so we are eager to get customer feedback at G2E," Dreitzer concluded. About Gaming Arts - Gaming Arts, LLC is an end-to-end gaming equipment technology provider of electronic gaming machines, electronic table games, bingo, keno, and emerging technologies. Gaming Arts is privately owned and operated, with its business headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is licensed in approximately 135 jurisdictions. To learn more, visit www.gamingarts.com or call 702.818.8943. Media Contact Bree Gonzales Marketing Manager 725.223.4592 SOURCE Gaming Arts, LLC Related Links http://gamingarts.com NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. EXPERT ALERTS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Environmental Social Corporate Governance MEDIA JOBS Senior Research Analyst (Matrix) Yardi Systems ( Denver, CO ) ) Senior Research Analyst (Publishing) Yardi Systems ( Denver, CO ) OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES 5 Tips to Build Your Social Media Brand as a Journalist Blog Profiles: Furniture Restoration Blogs Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Diane Forbes Berthoud Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer/Vice President University of Maryland, Baltimore "The work of equity, diversity, inclusion is not a solo job. It's not the Chief Diversity Officer saying, 'This is the way.' It is really understanding both the principles and the values, sharing those in a leadership role, and bringing everyone into that picture to achieve a cohesive vision and to have outcomes that will really move the institution toward greater excellence." Importance of advancing EDI for employers, leadership development, women's leadership, EDI research, race processes in organizations, best practices in higher education both private and public, strategic planning for diversity, equity, and inclusion and the process of accountability and leadership development for leaders and others in the institution. Website: https://www.umaryland.edu/about-umb/university-leadership/diane-forbes-berthoud-phd-ma/ Media contact: Charles Schelle, [email protected] Environmental Social Corporate Governance Kristen O'Grady COO & Head of Product Seeds Investor "While ESG investing has taken the financial industry by storm, financial advisors still need help to lead the values-based investing conversation with their clients and deliver to them balanced, multi-asset class portfolios that clearly and transparently map to their personal values." ESG, Impact Investing, and Values-based investing. The yawning gap between what values-based investors want and need and what financial advisors are currently able to deliver. How financial advisors can deepen their client relationships around ESG and values-based investing. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenogradymba/ Website: www.seedsinvestor.com Media contact: Bob Hallman, [email protected] **************** MEDIA JOBS: Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://www.cisionjobs.com/jobs/united-states/ **************** OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES: Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected] 5 TIPS TO BUILD YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA BRAND AS A JOURNALIST . Nearly half of U.S. adults get news from social media. These tips will help journalists build a credible social media brand and grow an audience. BLOG PROFILES: FURNITURE RESTORATION BLOGS . Here's our latest blog roundup. If you're in the market for a new pandemic hobby or side hustle, these furniture restoration blogs can be a great resource. **************** PROFNET is an exclusive service of PR Newswire. To contact ProfNet: [email protected] or 800-776-3638, ext. 1 SOURCE ProfNet Related Links http://www.profnet.com COLUMBUS, N.J., Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rashmi Srikanth MD is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Doctor for her exemplary contributions in medicine and her professional excellence at Capital Health Primary Care- Columbus. Rashmi Srikanth MD Proudly serving Columbus, New Jersey, and the surrounding communities, Dr. Rashmi Srikanth MD is a board-certified family practitioner with six years of professional excellence in her field. She is currently practicing at Capital Health Primary Care- Columbus, a group practice consisting of three other doctors dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare. As a family practitioner, Dr. Srikanth offers a vast repertoire of expertise, including integrative medicine, women's health, and all acute and chronic conditions. In light of her academic achievements, Dr. Srikanth completed her undergraduate studies at Rutgers University, followed by her medical degree at UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick/Piscataway, NJ. She went on to complete her Family Medicine Residency at the Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, NJ. Since then, she remains abreast of the latest advancements in her field and maintains an active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She was also recently recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Throughout her career, Dr. Srikanth has also devoted her time to leadership and community service roles with local and international organizations, including Healthy Families for Life, Tar Wars American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Spanish Speakers (LISTOS), Adakum Educational Foundation, Experiential Learning International, Himalayan Health Exchange Program, Vencemos Barreras Juntos "Overcoming Barriers Together," and the American Medical Association (AMA). In her spare time, Dr. Srikanth enjoys Indian classical dancing, singing, and doing fun projects with her kids. Dr. Srikanth dedicates this honorable recognition to her mother, Anuradha Srinivas, who motivated her to become a doctor and to her husband, Srikanth Rajagopalan, for his unwavering support for her medical profession. To learn more, please visit https://www.capitalhealth.org/our-locations/primary-care-columbus/meet-our-team/rashmi-srikanth-md. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Juan Monteverde, founder and managing partner at Monteverde & Associates PC, a national securities firm rated Top 50 in the 2018-2020 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report and headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City, is investigating Riverview Financial Corp. ("RIVE" or the "Company") (RIVE) relating to its proposed acquisition by Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, RIVE shareholders will receive 0.4833 shares of Mid Penn per share they own. The investigation focuses on whether Riverview Financial Corp. and its Board of Directors violated securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties to the Company by 1) failing to conduct a fair process, and 2) whether the transaction is properly valued. Click here for more information: http://monteverdelaw.com/case/riverview-financial-corp. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. About Monteverde & Associates PC We are a national class action securities litigation law firm that has recovered millions of dollars and is committed to protecting shareholders from corporate wrongdoing. We were listed in the Top 50 in the 2018-2020 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. Our lawyers have significant experience litigating Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Class Actions. Mr. Monteverde is recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Securities Litigation in 2013, 2017-2019, an award given to less than 2.5% of attorneys in a particular field. He has also been selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2017-2020 Top Rated Lawyer. Our firm's recent successes include changing the law in a significant victory that lowered the standard of liability under Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act in the Ninth Circuit. Thereafter, our firm successfully preserved this victory by obtaining dismissal of a writ of certiorari as improvidently granted at the United States Supreme Court. Emulex Corp. v. Varjabedian, 139 S. Ct. 1407 (2019). Also, over the years the firm has recovered or secured over a dozen cash common funds for shareholders in mergers & acquisitions class action cases. If you owned common stock in the Company and wish to obtain additional information and protect your investments free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan E. Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 971-1341. Contact: Juan E. Monteverde, Esq. MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC The Empire State Building 350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4405 New York, NY 10118 United States of America [email protected] Tel: (212) 971-1341 Attorney Advertising. (C) 2021 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. SOURCE Monteverde & Associates PC Related Links http://www.monteverdelaw.com Brahmandam is an 18-year gaming-industry veteran, with a history of spearheading innovation and systems R&D in the brick and mortar sector. Now, he is on a mission to optimize casino operations, improve the customer experience, and boost casino profitability by using artificial intelligence. Brahmandam is CEO of Gaming Analytics. He says, "The future of AI for casinos is moving swiftly it is important for operators to have a plan." Some fear is, there will be lost jobs that result from AI in casinos. Brahmandam explains, "There will be a job re-alignment resulting from AI not job losses per se. A realignment means career maps will change employees will spend less time on tedious work and less time behind a computer. Meaning, there will be more time for team-building activities and more time to focus on customers and creating a best guest experience. Operators should start planning for the AI realignment now. Meanwhile, jobs that require creativity and compassion will see increased demand." Brahmandam says many casinos are currently adopting AI as a means to improve slot floor design and to create marketing campaign with better targeting and detailed personas; these benefits are realized immediately. Next, his team of data scientists is working on AI platforms that will create a safer gaming environment for the operator and the guest by integrating responsible gaming and fraud alerts into the software. Brahmandam says, "The AI disruption in casinos is exciting and is rapidly accelerating. It is important for operators to plan for the disruption now. With a good plan, employee engagement will increase, the guest experience will improve, and casino profits will be higher." About Kiran Brahmandam CEO of Gaming Analytics, Kiran is an 18-year veteran in the gaming industry. While spearheading innovation and systems R&D in the brick-and-mortar sector, his products generated over 1B in revenue. In 2017, he founded Gaming Analytics his mission improve the casino floor and maximize profits by using artificial intelligence. Kiran holds a Master of Science in Computer and Information Systems from Southern Illinois University. He earned his Executive Education degree from the Harvard Business School. He is available to meet with media and peers at G2E. [email protected] About G2E G2E is taking place this October 4-7, 2021 (Education: October 4-7 | Expo Hall: October 5-7) at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, NV. Global Gaming Expo (G2E) is the largest gathering of global, commercial, and tribal gaming professionals in North America. Take advantage of new educational content that is fast-paced and actionable and experience first-hand the new products and innovative technologies showcased on the expo floor. https://www.globalgamingexpo.com/ About Gaming Analytics Gaming Analytics, Inc. is a leader in artificial intelligence for the gaming industry, providing the simplicity of a search engine with the power of machine learning. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. www.gaminganalytics.ai About "The Future of AI for Casinos" The session details are as follows: LOCATION G2E 2021 Sands Expo Convention Center Location: Innovation Lab Main Stage @ G2E October 5, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. Click here for event listing. Media contact: Philip James Media [email protected] www.philipjames.co SOURCE Gaming Analytics Inc. Related Links https://www.gaminganalytics.ai/team OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vishal M. Kothari, MD, FACS, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Surgeon for his outstanding contributions to the fields of Medicine & Education and acknowledgment of his professional excellence with Nebraska Medicine Lauritzen Outpatient Center. Vishal M. Kothari, MD, FACS Board Certified General Surgeon Dr. Kothari, is currently serving patients within the Nebraska Medicine healthcare network. He practices at Nebraska Medicine Lauritzen Outpatient Center in Omaha, Nebraska, and also sees patients within the Bariatrics Center at the Nebraska Medical Center, as well as the Multispecialty Clinic at Village Pointe Health Center. At these offices, the highly trained medical professionals are dedicated to providing quality, expert services for a wide range of issues including acid reflux, gallstones, appendicitis, hernias, intestinal surgery, minimally invasive surgery, swallowing problems, weight loss, and weight loss surgery. Dr. Kothari can also perform surgeries at Nebraska Medical Center, Village Pointe. Having accrued 15 years of professional experience in his field, Dr. Kothari offers a vast repertoire of expertise in complex abdominal wall reconstruction (foregut), hernias, hiatal hernias, all bariatric surgeries, and gastric bypass. In addition to providing quality healthcare, he has served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Nebraska since 2011, where he educates his students on Minimally Invasive and Bariatrics. He continues to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and integrity in all of his professional endeavors. To prepare for his distinguished career, Dr. Kothari completed his undergraduate studies at Lehigh University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in pre-medical accelerated studies. He went on to obtain his Medical Degree from Drexel University College of Medicine. Following his medical degree, Dr. Kothari completed a General Surgical Residency At North Shore LIJ in Manhasset, New York, and a Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Fellowship at the University of Nebraska. With his commitment to excellence, Dr. Kothari is Board Certified in General Surgery. Remaining abreast of the latest industry developments, Dr. Kothari maintains active memberships and affiliations with various professional organizations, including the Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Hernia Society, American Board of General Surgery, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kothari has contributed to several publications. A pillar of his community, Dr. Kothari participates in the annual hernia event, sponsored by the University of Nebraska. He and other dedicated medical professionals collectively provide services to the underinsured, and disadvantaged. Dr. Kothari dedicates this recognition in the loving memory of his father, Mayur Kothari, MD. He also dedicates this recognition to Dmitry Oleynikov, MD. For further information, please visit https://www.nebraskamed.com/nebraska-medical-center/lauritzen-outpatient-center and https://www.unmc.edu/. Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634 [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com Brussels, Oct 2 : The European Commission has postponed its free trade negotiations with Australia for a month, a spokesperson of the EU executive said here on Friday. The decision came on the heels of a dispute between the two sides over the Australian government's decision to cancel a multibillion-euro submarine deal with France and sign an agreement instead with the US and the UK, Xinhua news agency reported. "The next round of negotiations has been postponed for a month. Substance prevails over speed when it comes to negotiations and this extra month will allow us to prepare better for the next round," the European Commission's spokesperson in charge of trade, Miriam Garcia Ferrer, said at a news conference, adding that the decision was taken "a few days ago". Asked whether it was the EU's retaliation against Australia, the Commission's chief spokesperson Eric Mamer replied: "The EU is not in the business of punishing anybody. Australia is a partner of the European Union. We have ongoing trade negotiations, which are very specific beasts. The substance of the negotiation is one that involves a lot more effort, so it is not unusual that such decisions are taken." Garcia Ferrer insisted that the postponement did not mean the end of negotiations, adding that there were several pending issues, such as market access, rules of origin, intellectual property, public procurement and sustainable development. "There is quite a lot of work that needs to be done in those areas so that's why we need some more time to reflect on the next stage," she said. In 2016, Australia signed the 90-billion-Australian-dollar ($65.4 billion) deal with the French majority state-owned Naval Group on the purchase of 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines. But Australia cancelled the deal last month as part of an alliance with the US and the UK that will give Australia at least eight nuclear-powered submarines. Los Angeles, Oct 2 : Two people were killed after a helicopter and a fixed-wing plane collided in the air above an airpark in US' Arizona, authorities said. The collision happened around 7:30 a.m. local time near Chandler Municipal Airport in Chandler, a city in the southeast part of the Greater Phoenix area, Xinhua news agency reported citing a local news outlet. The plane was able to land but the helicopter crashed and caught on fire. Two people onboard the helicopter died, the news outlet reported, citing local fire department officials. The Chandler Police Department said in a tweet that police officers "are at the scene of a mid-air collision between a plane and helicopter" and asked anyone who possibly witnessed or caught this incident on camera to contact the department. New York, Oct 2 : India's Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat has met with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and discussed expanding multilateral cooperation with regional partners, according to Defence Department Spokesperson John Kirby. He said at their meeting on Thursday, Austin underscored the US commitment to supporting the Indian Armed Forces' "transition toward greater institutional integration and operational jointness". That refers to the ability of the armed forces and their equipment to operate together. While discussing increasing military cooperation between their countries, they considered priorities in new defence areas like space, cyber, and emerging technologies, he said. "They also discussed opportunities for expanding multilateral cooperation with regional partners," he said. "This historic meeting highlights the enduring strength of the US-India Major Defence Partnership as the two countries work in concert with like-minded partners to sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific," Kirby said. Rawat's first visit to the Pentagon came a week after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden and the Quad summit of Modi, Biden and Prime Ministers Scott Morrison of Australia and Yoshihide Suga, of Japan in Washington. In a joint statement, Modi and Biden "reaffirmed the strength of the defence relationship between the United States and Idia and the unwavering commitment to India as a Major Defence Partner." They listed "defence information sharing, sharing of logistics and military-to-military interactions, strengthening cooperation in advanced military technologies, and expanding engagements in a multilateral framework including with regional partners" among areas they would work together. At the summit held under the shadow of growing aggressive stance by China in the India-Pacific region, the leaders said, "Wea-recommit to promotinga-the free, open,a-rules-based order, rooted ina-international law and undaunted by coercion, to bolster security and prosperitya-in the Indo-Pacific and beyond." Although the four countries have shied away from a formal military alliance, they have been holding joint naval exercises. The US, Australia and the United Kingdom formed a defence pact last month. Biden and Modi said that they looked forward to the inaugural meeting of the Industrial Security Agreement (ISA) summit for high-end defence industrial collaboration drawing on the "innovation and entrepreneurship in defence industries for co-development, co-production and expanding mutual defence trade". The weeklong ISA summit concluded in New Delhi on Friday with an agreement to establish the Indo-US Industrial Security Joint Working Group. India's Press Information Bureau said, "This group will meet periodically to align the policies and procedures expeditiously that will allow the defence industries to collaborate on cutting edge defence technologies." Anurag Bajpai, joint secretary in the Department of Defence Production, and David Bagnati, the assistant director at the Defence Technology Security Administration, led their sides at the summit. In the series of visits high-level by defence officials after Biden took office that began with a trip to India by Austin, Vice-Admiral G. Ashok Kumar, India's Vice Chief of Naval Staff, came to the US in June. He met with Vice Admiral Steve Koehler, the commander of the US 3rd Fleet that operates in the Indo-Pacific. The US Navy quoted Koehler as saying, "The US-India strategic partnership is one of our most critical relationships in the Indo-Pacific. Open discussion of shared and complementary capabilities not only strengthens our relationship, it increases our naval effectiveness as we work together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific." (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis) New Delhi, Oct 2 : UN University-led experts have created a new public tool that generates instant, accurate street-level resolution maps of floods worldwide since 1985. The free online World Flood Mapping Tool will help all countries but especially those in the Global South, where flood risk maps are rare and often badly out of date. Created by the UN University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health in Hamilton, Canada, with support from Google, MapBox and other partners, the tool lets users adjust variables to help locate gaps in flood defences and responses, and to plan future development of all kinds -- for example, where to build or upgrade infrastructure, or develop agriculture. Simple to use, the tool, at https://floodmapping.inweh.unu.edu, requires only internet access to obtain a flood map at 30-meter resolution -- street by street level. Says UNU-INWEH Director Vladimir Smakhtin: "Floods in the past decade have impacted the lives of more than half a billion people, mainly in low and middle-income countries, and resulted in damages of nearly $500 billion -- roughly equal to the GDP of Singapore. More recent floods worldwide have added to a fast growing toll of upended lives, damage and deaths. "An estimated 1.5 billion people -- greater than the population of Europe -- live at risk of exposure to intense flooding." "We need to prepare now for more intense and more frequent floods due to climate change and hope this tool will help developing nations in particular to see and mitigate the risks more clearly." Hamid Mehmood, a GIS and remote sensing specialist at UNU-INWEH who led the tool's development, says a UNU-INWEH survey showed a majority of flood forecasting centres in flood-prone countries lack the ability to run complex flood forecasting models. He adds that floods like those this year in Europe that killed more than 200 people and caused billions of dollars in damages are now up to nine times more likely because of climate change. "As temperatures continue to rise the number of flood events will increase along with their severity," he said. "No place is immune. And yet remarkably few regions, even in wealthy countries, have useful, up-to-date flood maps because of the cost and difficulty of creating them." The World Flood Mapping Tool uses the Google Earth Engine combined with decades of Landsat data since 1985 -- a vast catalog of geospatial data enabling planet-scale analysis capabilities. Layers of Landsat information for a selected region and specified timeframe identifies temporary and permanent water bodies while integrating site-specific elevation and land-use data. This produces a detailed map of flood inundation in recent decades, with available overlays of population, buildings and land use, which can be used for community planning, building zoning, insurance assessments and more. To validate the technology, maps generated in less than a minute using the new tool were compared to documented flooding events in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Cambodia, India, Mozambique, Sri Lanka and Thailand, with 82 per cent accuracy achieved. The new tool will also reflect new floods soon after they occur to provide the most up-to-date maps to help assess overall flood impacts and plan for the future. "Painting a detailed picture of the historical and potential flood risk areas will be invaluable for any urban and regional planning department," says project collaborator Duminda Perera of UNU-INWEH. The new World Flood Mapping Tool enables governments, funding agencies, and disaster management authorities to hone in on the highest potential risk locations of flooding in the future. Knowing exactly where flooding will occur can maximise the effectiveness of investments in public infrastructure and reduce costs. Seoul/Washington, Oct 2 : White House Press Secretary Jenn Psaki has reiterated the US' commitment to engage with North Korea, saying that Washington is prepared to discuss a "full range of issues" with Pyongyang, the media reported on Saturday. Psaki made the remark on Friday after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accused the US of harbouring a hostile intent toward the North, reports Yonhap News Agency. "We remain prepared to discuss the full range of issues," Psaki said when asked about Kim's speech at a parliamentary meeting earlier this week. In his speech on Wednesday, Kim argued the US' hostile policy toward the North has not changed eight months after the new Joe Biden administration took office. He called the administration's outreaches to Pyongyang for dialogue "a petty trick for deceiving the international community and hiding its hostile acts". During her briefing on Friday, Psaki noted the North was yet to respond to US overtures. "We've made specific proposals for discussion with the North Koreans, but have not received a response to date," she said. The White House Press Secretary also said her country would support dialogue between the two Koreas. "In terms of potential discussions between the North Koreans and the South Koreans, obviously, we've made our own outreach of potential engagement." The White House official's remark also comes after a series of missile launches by North Korea that Pyongyang claims included the test launch of a new hypersonic missile. The US earlier condemned the missile test, along with the test launch of a short-range ballistic missile on September 15, as violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit the North from developing or testing any nuclear and ballistic missiles. Psaki said the US was continuing to assess the recent North Korean missile launches to confirm the type of missiles involved. New Delhi, Oct 2 : BJP president J.P. Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting at the party headquarters in New Delhi to discuss strategy for Manipur Assembly elections. According to sources, apart from Nadda and Shah, party national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, who is also the election in-charge for Manipur, and party's state in-charge Sambit Patra were also present in the meeting. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was also there in this meeting to discuss the preparations for the assembly election. The meeting was convened late in the evening on Friday at the party headquarters in New Delhi. The top BJP leaders held deliberations over the political situation in the state and discussed strategy for all 60 Assembly seats of the state. In the 2017 assembly elections, the BJP had won 21 out of 60 seats in Manipur, and formed government for the first time in the state with the support of independent legislators and regional parties. BJP is now eyeing more seats this time to form government on its own. In order to strengthen the organisation, Nadda also changed the state president a few months back. BJP's main contest is with the Congress party. However, due to frequent exodus of MLAs and party leaders, the Congress has become much weakened than before in Manipur. Jaipur, Oct 2 : The Rajasthan government has terminated the services of RPS officer Hiralal Saini and a female constable who were seen doing sexual activities in a swimming pool recently. The video had gone viral on the social media. The two were also seen in the video making shameful gestures in presence of the six-year-old son of the female constable. The RPS officer Hiralal Saini and the female constable were produced in POCSO court on Friday. The court meanwhile rejected the bail application of Saini. While rejecting the bail, the court said that the investigation has not been completed yet. Therefore, the benefit of bail cannot be given to the accused. The bail application was presented by Hiralal Saini's advocate. After the rejection of bail, suspended RPS Hiralal Saini was sent to jail. Two videos of Saini and a female constable had surfaced with a 6-year-old child taking a bath in the pool. Both were also seen doing obscene acts with the child. The videos were made at a resort in Pushkar. The woman's husband had filed a complaint. Soon after the video surfaced, the DGP suspended both of them. Disciplinary action has also been taken against 6 other police officers who have been accused of dereliction of duty in the entire episode. Berlin, Oct 2 : Unlike previous elections of the federal Parliament or Bundestag, about 59 per cent of German citizens were now in favour of a governing coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the liberal FDP, according to a new poll. The Politbarometer poll published by public broadcaster ZDF on Friday revealed that in contrast, a coalition of the conservative union CDU/CSU, the Greens and FDP was only supported by 24 per cent, reports Xinhua news agency. A continuation of the current grand coalition between SPD and CDU/CSU was the least favoured option with 22 per cent,according to the survey conducted among just over 1,200 people. A large majority of 76 per cent supported Olaf Scholz of the SPD as the next German Chancellor. Armin Laschet from the CDU, who never had great popularity ratings to begin with, plummeted to 13 per cent, according to the survey. Even among CDU/CSU voters, 49 per cent favoured Scholz and only 39 per cent backed Laschet. The SPD won Sunday's elections with 25.7 percent of votes, while its current senior partner CDU/CSU took 24.1 percent, preliminary results showed. Following the elections, the parties are now having meetings to discuss the establishment of a new government. Angela Merkel, who has been German Chancellor for nearly 16 years, announced in 2018 that she would not seek a fifth term, ending her political career once a successor is officially sworn into office. Paris, Oct 2 : French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said that serious actions were needed for his country and the US to get out of the crisis following the submarine row. The crisis "has not ended only because the dialogue has resumed", Le Drian told a hearing at the French Senate Commission on International Affairs. "It will continue. And in order to get out of it, serious actions will be needed, not words," he said. France's Ambassador returned to the United States on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after he was recalled for consultations over the scrapping of a 2016 purchase contract of French-made diesel-electric submarines by Australia, reports Xinhua news agency. Last month, Australia, the UK and the US announced a new security partnership known as AUKUS, under which the first initiative is the delivery of a nuclear-powered submarine fleet to Australia by the other two. The French Foreign Minister, who had condemned the trilateral move with harsh words such as "lying" "betrayal" and "backstabbing", told the Senate that "at no time" had the Australians "openly expressed their wish" to break the contract with France or "mentioned discussions with other partners". For the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in the Senate, this situation raised the question over the action of French diplomatic and intelligence services relating to the knowledge and anticipation of this event. "Have we really been the dupes of a pact under construction for 18 months, as it is revealed by the news now? Should we add this humiliation to the camouflet?" asked Christian Cambon, president of the Committee. "Neither the Americans nor the British took the initiative of informing the French authorities," replied Le Drian, once again denouncing the "betrayal". "It happened in a very small circle," he added when explaining why the intelligence services had seen nothing. On the upcoming actions, the minister said France also needs to reconsider its relations with Britain. "London should know that it has violated its obligations, including under the agreement on trade and cooperation," he said. Noting that France will not question the main mission of the NATO, which "is our collective defense", Le Drian reiterated that the consequences of this crisis could impact strategic relations within the alliance. France has initiated a revision of NATO's strategic concept and will continue with this work at the summit of the trans-atlantic alliance in Madrid next year, he said. France has repeatedly pledged that it would make "developing a European Union security strategy" a priority when it takes on the bloc's presidency at the start of 2022. New Delhi, Oct 2 : There are roughly 350 million women in rural India and as men from the villages move to the cities in search of jobs, women are left behind to fend for themselves and their families. Now, a team of social scientists have penned a paper on how these women can generate income for their families with the help of innovative and sustainable technologies. Social scientists Chocko Valliappa and Dr Nirmalesh K Sampath Kumar have written a paper titled 'Appropriate Technologies for Value Addition in Rural Indian Villages,' published by Springer Nature Switzerland AG in a 511-page volume on 'Smart Villages-Bridging the Global Urban-Rural Divide'. According to the researchers, once the problems in rural communities have been identified, innovative science and technology (S&T) methods can be applied to them, helping rural women to generate income by staying within their own communities. The authors pointed out that the gainfully employed women workforce has dropped by 10 per cent since the 1990s, with only 20 per cent women gainfully employed today. "These women have the potential to contribute to the economy, besides generating an income for themselves and their families in a sustainable way," said Valliappa. The authors have proposed the adoption of latest technologies, under a smart village model, to improve the economic prospects of villages and meet their aspirations. A beginning has already been made by the Sona College of Technology at the Women's Technology Park (WTP), Salem in Tamil Nadu, where it is running five projects, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, training nearly 800 women and successfully turning them into entrepreneurs through sustainable schemes. Among a host of innovations is a solar power dryer, which helps dehydrate vegetables like tomatoes, lemon rinds, spinach, bananas and drumsticks etc, all within a couple of hours. "The idea is to help rural women to set up cottage industries close to farms to help process vegetables and fruits and prevent them from rotting. There is further value addition up the food chain, creating candies from dried products or simply powder for use in soups," Valliappa said. There is a tile-making unit, for fashioning concrete slabs for use in pavements. Tiles in different hues and in various geometric designs are fabricated by mixing concrete with steel slag (collected from a local steel plant) and poured into moulds. "Science and technology interventions have the potential to empower women and create economic growth and it is important that we use it to create impact at all possible levels," said Dr Kumar, Director, Knowledge Transfer and Valourization at Sona College. Lucknow, Oct 2 : The Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh has roped in film actress Kangana Ranaut as the brand ambassador of its highly ambitious scheme 'One District One Product' (ODOP). Additional Chief Secretary of UP, Navneet Sehgal said that film actress Kangana Ranaut met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday who presented her ODOP products. Yogi said, Kangana will be the brand ambassador of the ODOP scheme. The Yogi government has launched One District One Product (ODOP) scheme with an aim to encourage such indigenous and specialized products and crafts of UP that are not found anywhere else. According to an official, the actress during the meeting praised the works being done by Yogi Adityanath. Chennai, Oct 2 : On the assurance given by the Tiruvallur District Collector that their issue would be sorted out in the coming week, the retrenched workers of Hindustan Motors/Hindustan Motor Finance Corporation Ltd and their family members wound up their indefinite sit-in protest at the collectorate on Friday late night, a worker said. They began their protest on Friday morning demanding back their land or a job in PCA Automobiles India Private Ltd. Car maker PCA Automobiles located in Tiruvallur is a joint venture between global automotive manufacturer Stellantis Group and India's C.K. Birla group. Hindustan Motors Ltd/Hindustan Motor Finance belonged to the C.K. Birla group. "The Collector spoke to CPI's Tamil Nadu unit Secretary R. Mutharasan and assured him that the matter will be sorted out on Monday and requested the protest be called off," E. Srinivasan, Secretary of the Hindustan Motors Land Giving Farmers Progressive Association told IANS. "We have called off the protest for now. If the matter is not resolved then we will restart our protest," H. Ismail, one of the retrenched workers whose grandfather's land was acquired by Hindustan Motors in 1968 told IANS. The protest was flagged off by CPI MP K. Subbarayan Friday morning. According to a worker the state government does not want a protest on the day of Gandhi Jayanthi. The workers were earlier employed by Hindustan Motors Ltd/Hindustan Motor Finance Corporation Ltd at its Tiruvallur car plant rolling out Japanese Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's models like Lancer, Pajero and also under contract manufacturing deal for Isuzu Motors MU 7 model. Later about 175 permanent workers and over 150 contract workers were retrenched by Hindustan Motor Finance Corporation and the plant was transferred to PCA Automobiles. "We were retrenched despite an agreement signed between the two joint venture partners that the workers will be absorbed by PCA Automobiles," Ismail said. "Based on this Employee Transfer Agreement, Hindustan Motor Finance Corporation got permission from the Tamil Nadu government to transfer the plant and other assets to PCA Automobiles. Post transfer of assets, the workers -- permanent and on contract -- were sent out," Srinivasan had told IANS. According to Srinivasan, Hindustan Motors acquired about 356 acres of agricultural land from 1968 at Tiruvallur for its earthmoving equipment division. Initially Hindustan Motors bought the land directly from the owners. But it was not able to get the extent it wanted and sought the District Collector's help. Later the company deposited the land cost with the government treasury and the government transferred the land to the company, Srinivasan said. At that point of time, the District Collector had assured that the land owners will be employed by the company at its earthmoving equipment plant. However, the landowners were not given employment as promised earlier and after protesting Hindustan Motors employed 82 persons -- mostly the grandsons of the landowners -- in 1980s. "After a decade of protests another batch of 82 workers were hired as trainees in 1997," Srinivasan said. Srinivasan and Ismail said Hindustan Motors confirmed the trainee workers only after 10 years. Hindustan Motors hived off a sizable portion of the land for its car plant to roll out Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's models like Lancer, Pajero. And some workers of the Hindustan Motors' earthmoving equipment division were transferred to the car plant. Some years later, the Indian company transferred the plant to Hindustan Finance Corporation and then to PCA Automobiles while sending out permanent and contract workers. Hindustan Motors sold its earthmoving equipment division (that made dumpers, loaders and others) to Caterpillar, US. Barring the 22 workers whose grandfathers had given their land to the factory and some others, the majority of the permanent workers had agreed to take lump sum compensation from Hindustan Motor Finance Corporation. "The company had deposited the lump sum in our bank accounts without our consent. We wrote to the company, Tamil Nadu government and also to PCA Automobiles stressing our demand for jobs and the amount deposited would be treated as our monthly wages," Srinivasan had said. According to Srinivasan, the PCA Automobiles plant has about 190 acres of land of which about 150 acres are vacant. "We want our land back so that we can do farming and manage our families," Srinivasan said. "Our land is there. The old owner -- C.K. Birla group and new owner Stellantis Group -- are also there. The car plant is also rolling out Citroen brand cars. Only we are not there. This is not just," Ismail and Srinivasan said. Jakarta, Oct 2 : Police have arrested four Indonesian hackers on suspicion of an international scam that harmed companies in South Korea and Taiwan involving a $5.94 million, a police officer said. The Indonesian Police's Director of Cyber, Brigadier General Asep Edi Suheri, said the suspects sent fake emails with notification of a change in the account number of a company to its partners, reports Xinhua news agency. "Then the company partners transfer the fund to that account," Suheri explained. With this Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud scheme that has been carried out since last year, a food and beverage company SW in South Korea lost $5.74 million, while a technology company WWHF in Taiwan lost about $200,000. The police have secured evidence, namely $2 million in cash, two mobile phones, 14 automatic teller machine cards, and a number of fake company data. The police are still looking for a number of other suspects. Juba, Oct 2 : More than 5,000 missing South Sudanese citizens who were displaced as a result of the conflict in the North African country have been traced and reunited with families since 2018, a top International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) official said. Pierre Dorbes, head of the ICRC delegation in South Sudan, said the charity will continue to engage with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to trace other missing persons and reunite them with their immediate families, reports Xinhua news agency. According to ICRC, thousands of civilians were separated from their families after the outbreak of civil strife in South Sudan in December 2013. "We urge the transitional government of national unity to support efforts to trace the missing people. The families who are missing their beloved ones need support specifically the elderly people," Dorbes said in a statement issued in Juba. Kot Bol Nyuar, undersecretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, said that efforts have intensified to help locate missing persons and reunite them with next of kin. "We are making effort to make sure all the missing persons in the country are found and reunited with their families. It is time for peace and every citizen deserves to enjoy this relative calm with their beloved ones," Nyuar said. ICRC said that more than 4,000 cases of missing persons displaced by conflict and violence were being followed up. According to ICRC, the families of missing persons often experience mental and emotional trauma hence the need to offer them psychosocial support. As a result of the conflict that ended in February 2020, more than 1,500,000 civilians fled South Sudan, while 2,100,000 others were displaced. It also resulted in the deaths of over 400,000 people. New Delhi, Oct 2 : For those looking for killer makeup without killing their wallet, Morphe is more than just a beauty brand, it's a brand created for creators and dreamers. The global Gen Z brand adds to your makeup repertoire. The #MorpheBabe can let her passion and creativity for beauty fly high by blending the rules. Formulated with nourishing ingredients, its vast offering and variety of cool makeup palettes, will effortlessly change the way you do beauty. Whether you need an upscale glam look or something bold and festival-worthy, there's a palette to suit your style. The brand started with professional-yet-affordable brushes and went on to dominate in colour, with irreverent and irresistible eyeshadow palettes, lip colours, and more. Commenting on the launch -- Eden Palmer, Vice President of Global Brand, Morphe, says, "Morphe is thrilled to be strategically expanding our global distribution and launching this month with Nykaa, India's largest omnichannel beauty destination. As a global brand with a young, and extremely diverse customer base, we view this partnership as the perfect opportunity to continue our global growth and bring the brand to Morphe fans in India. We're confident that the values of Nykaa's customers are aligned with our brand pillars of artistry, inclusivity and accessibility and synergistic with our mission to offer aspirational, high-performance, and affordable artistry products while nurturing a positive, inspiring, and connected community of makeup lovers. We couldn't be more excited about the promise and the potential of this relationship." Bestsellers available on Nykaa include -- Eye Obsessed Brush Set, Flawless Beauty Sponge, 18f Truth Or Bare Artistry Palette, 35g Bronze Goals Artistry Palette, Jaclyn Hill Palette Volume II, Lip Crayon Lylas, and more. In India, Morphe will be available on the Nykaa website + app and in select Nykaa stores from August 26, 2021 onwards (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) United Nations, Oct 2 : Seventy-five countries have called for global solidarity for vaccine equity at the General Debate of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. The pandemic knows no borders, the only solution lies in global solidarity, unity and multilateral cooperation, said the countries in a joint statement. "We call on all states and stakeholders to strengthen solidarity and international cooperation to contain, mitigate and overcome the pandemic and its consequences, ensure protection for those most affected, including women, children, youth, the older persons and persons with disabilities, and take measures to counter misinformation, disinformation, stigmatization, racism and xenophobia," Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying. The joint statement recognizes the need to begin treating the Covid-19 vaccine as a global public good for health. It commends the contributions made by relevant countries and platforms such as Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and its vaccine pillar, the COVAX facility, for promoting vaccine accessibility and affordability through bilateral and multilateral channels. However, vaccine equity is still far from being reached. The progress on vaccine roll-out has been widely uneven and unfair and many countries, in particular the developing world, still lack adequate access to available and affordable vaccines, said the statement. "We are also worried by disturbing trend of vaccine nationalism and stockpiling of vaccine doses beyond need. In that regard, we welcome the World Health Organization's call to prioritise vaccinating the people most at-risk around the world who are yet to receive their first dose." The joint statement calls on all states and relevant stakeholders to step up coordinated and concerted efforts for fair and equitable distribution of vaccines in developing countries. It also calls on capable vaccine-producing countries to translate their commitments into action and ensure timely and adequate delivery of vaccine support to receiving countries. The joint statement encourages support to the ACT Accelerator and COVAX and calls on international financial institutions and other international organisations to provide financial support for vaccine procurement and for strengthening production capabilities in developing countries. It welcomes the efforts of civil society, the private sector, academia and all relevant stakeholders in vaccine research, production and delivery, and calls on all states and all stakeholders to strengthen global solidarity and jointly promote the fair, affordable, equitable, timely and universal distribution and strengthen local production of vaccines around the world. New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Covid-19 pandemic has created unprecedented stress on healthcare infrastructure in India, leaving other infectious diseases largely unattended and raising their risk of outbreaks, according to a White Paper by FICCI-Elsevier released on Saturday. Other than Covid, India has a high burden of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, which kills nearly one person in the country every minute. The White Paper by FICCI's working group on infectious diseases and a team of experts from AIIMS Jodhpur, thus called for developing a concrete strategy to deal with other infections and their aftermath. The paper revealed that the delay in detection, diagnosis and treatment may lead to nearly 20 per cent more deaths in adults due to tuberculosis during Covid. It noted that the pandemic reversed the achievements which were gained in past years in terms of the decrease in the number of cases of HIV and the decrease in children and adolescents who will access treatment. Models project 10 per cent more deaths due to HIV over the next five years. Further, due to the pandemic national vaccinations programmes were also suspended and as a result, an estimated 20-22 lakh infants (approximately 260 lakh children per year) who are inoculated every month, were not vaccinated, increasing the threat of an outbreak of vaccine-preventable disease. "New, existing, and re-emerging infectious diseases are estimated to be the cause of one-fourth of all deaths across the globe. The exponential rise in Covid cases during the pandemic shifted the health system's priority to treating affected patients, severely impacting the care for patients with non-Covid diseases," said (Hony) Brig Dr Arvind Lal, Chair, FICCI Swasth Bharat Task Force, in a statement. "Disruptions in screening, case identification, rehabilitation, and referral systems have further resulted in a substantial decrease in the diagnosis of other infectious diseases as well as Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)," he added. The paper recommends a dire need for the Indian healthcare ecosystem to focus on point-of-care solutions. This will bridge the gaps and strengthen healthcare professionals to tackle such epidemics and pandemics in the future. Chennai, Oct 2 : Former Director General of Police (DGP)-Training Prateep V. Philip had one wish prior to his retirement - to sport the name badge and the cap-that he had worn on May 21, 1991, his advocate Sanjay Pinto said. It was on that fateful day that former Prime Minister and Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi was killed by a female suicide bomber belonging to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sriperumbudur. Philip, a 1987 batch officer was then an Assistant Superintendent of Police (SP) at Kancheepuram District was on security duty at Sriperumbudur when the blast occurred. He was thrown away and was hopsitalised. His name badge and the blood stained cap were found at the site. "Philip wanted to file a petition to get back that name badge and the cap. We had asked for permanent custody as they were just case exhibits and all avenues for appeal in that assassination case has been exhausted," Pinto told IANS. However the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) counsel said the agency is agreeable for interim custody of those for two items and not for permanent custody. Philip retired on Sep 30, 2021 with his wish granted by a City Court on Sep 28, 2021. He had to execute a bond for Rs 100,000. As per the court order, Philip can be in the possession of the name badge and the cap till Sep 28, 2021 and has to hand them back to the court on or before that date. The court had agreed that the two items are of sentimental value for Philip, "a reminder of the call of duty during his formative years in the service of nation and quite literally symbolize his blood, sweat and tears over 34 years of his professional career as accentuated by his counsel." San Francisco, Oct 2 : One of the largest airshows in the US has returned to Southern California after a year off due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The annual Pacific Airshow line-up will feature the US Air Force Thunderbirds, US Navy Blue Angels, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, US Army Golden Knights, US Air Force ACC F-35 Demo Team and the US Marine Corps V-22 Osprey Demo Team this year in three days over the weekend in Huntington Beach, according to the air show's official website. Organisers said that dozens of other military aviators and civilian performers will also make up the roster of the show, reports Xinhua news agency. Since its launch in 2016, the airshow has seen an explosion in popularity year after year, attracting millions of spectators every fall. The show has grown to be the largest airshow in the country by attendance. Chennai, Oct 2 : DMK leader and former lawmaker Veerapandi A. Raja died of cardiac arrest in Salem on Saturday, which happened to be his birthday as well. Raja was the son of former Minister late Veerapandi S. Arumugam, who was a DMK strongman in Salem district. Raja was rushed to the hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and leaders of other political parties condoled Raja's death. New York, Oct 2 : The Emmys for news programming and documentaries, live-streamed this past Wednesday, generally dont draw much attention, but one award-winning film has raised disturbing questions regarding the newest weapon in the hands of people who wish to distort the way history is recorded for future generations: Artificial Intelligence (AI). 'In Event of Moon Disaster', a 2019 film that won the Emmy for the best interactive documentary, red flags the potential mainstream use of 'deepfake', a manipulative tool used at present by the porn industry to swap the faces of adult film actors with those of celebrities to make viewers believe that they are watching sexual acts being performed by famous people. Indian actresses such as Aishwarya Rai, Katrina Kaif and Kajal Aggarwal have been targets in the past of the 'deepfake' industry. The term 'deepfake' owes its origin to an account by that name on the social media aggregator Reddit, which only posted celebrity face-swap porn. According to a 2019 report quoted by 'Scientific American', "non-consensual deepfake pornography accounted for 96 (per cent) of the total deepfake videos online". The use of this technique, however, may no longer be limited to porn. In the hands hate-speech mongers and extremist politicians, it can become a deadly force for misinformation. The award-winning documentary, which can be accessed through https://moondisaster.org, shows Richard Nixon, who was the President of the US during the moon landing on July 20, 1969, delivering a speech he never got to give. The speech, written by Nixon's speechwriter (and the man behind the famous 'On Language' column in 'The New York Times'), William Safire, was to be delivered in the terrible eventuality of the Apollo 11 team of Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin not being able to return to earth. The lyrical homage drafted by Safire in a memo to President Nixon, which was read out by the British actor Benedict Cumberbatch on the BBC's Newsnight programme in 2015, began with the words: "Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace." And it ends with: "For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind." Fortunately for the world, Nixon never had to deliver the speech. In a report published last year, 'Scientific American' recounted how media artists Francesca Panetta and Halsey Burgund at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology teamed up with two AI companies, Canny AI and Respeecher, to create a posthumous 'deepfake'. The synthetic video shows Nixon giving a speech that he actually never intended to deliver. The AI-generated likeness of him, according to 'Scientific American', "shines new light on a quickly evolving technology with sizable implications, both creative and destructive, for our current digital information ecosystem". Will it be the new tool in the hands of the factories that generate content to misinform and misguide people? It's a new danger that fake news hunters will have to beware of. Srinagar, Oct 2 : A woman and her nephew were grievously injured on Saturday in a bear attack in J&K's Tangmarg area. Police said 50-year old Zoona Begum and her 30-year old nephew, Javaid Ahmad were injured by a bear in Nilsar village of Tangmarg area while they were grazing their cattle in the nearby forest area. "After the bear injured Zoona Begum, her nephew, Javaid tried to chase it away. The bear attacked Javaid as well leaving both of them in a grievous condition. "They have been shifted to hospital for treatment", police said. Belagavi : , Oct 2 (IANS) Karnataka Police have arrested a person in connection with stabbing a married woman multiple times in the moving bus allegedly for informing about their affair to his wife in Sankeshwar town of Belagavi district. The arrested person is identified as Praveen Kamble (28), a resident of Chikkodi. The woman has been shifted to hospital and her condition is said to be serious. According to the police, the incident took place on Friday evening. The accused after coming to know that the victim is travelling in the bus, he joined her in the journey and picked a fight. Praveen stabbed her with a knife multiple times in the moving bus. The fellow passengers, shocked by the development, tried to rescue the victim. But, the accused wielded a knife at them and prevented them from helping her. However, the vehicle was stopped and she was shifted to hospital. Police sources explained that both accused and victim had an affair and continued it even after their marriages. The things took an ugly turn when the victim called up the accused's wife and chided her for marrying him and told her that she was interested in him. After this, the accused's wife took him to task and questioned him about the lady's call. Enraged by this development, the accused had attacked the lady, police said. Further investigation is underway. Nagpur, Oct 2 : In a shocking incident, the Nagpur Police have arrested at least three women pimps who allegedly tried to 'sell the virginity' of a 12-year-old girl to a customer for Rs 40,000, police said here on Saturday. "We have arrested three accused so far and further investigations in the case are underway," Nagpur Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar told IANS. The Nagpur Crime Branch's Social Service Branch managed to rescue the minor girl safely before she became a victim to the pimps' evil designs to push her into the flesh trade, police said. The sinister incident happened when one of the accused lured the girl to her home in Omnagar, Koradi locality on the pretext of a birthday party, and the two other accomplices contacted a customer with the Rs 40,000 deal. Following a timely tip-off by a local NGO, the SSB sleuths sent in a decoy customer who confirmed the goings-on and alerted the police. A crack police team comprising women officials raided the premises to save the girl and nab the three main culprits present there. The accused have been identified as Archana Vaishampayan, 38, Ranjana Meshram, 45 and Kavita Nikhare, 30 and they have been remanded to police custody. According to police, the prime accused, Vaishampayan is said to have lured the little girl on the promise of giving her Rs 5000 to help for her mother's cancer treatment. The accused also convinced the girl's mother to send her to work as a caretaker for Vaishampayan's two-year old son, without revealing her actual motives. After the girl reached the party spot, Nikhare was tasked with finding a customer, and made the promise of the girl's virginity in return for Rs 40,000. Following the rescue, the minor girl has been shifted to a government shelter home and police are trying to trace the other accomplices of the accused trio to know since how long they are in the racket, etc. Manila, Oct 2 : Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday announced his retirement from politics, adding that he will not contest for Vice President during the 2022 presidential elections. "Today, I announce my retirement from politics," Xinhua news agency quoted the 76-year-old leader as saying to journalists. Concerning his surprise announcement, Duterte, who took office in 2016 for a six-year term of presidency, said that he is heeding the Filipinos' "overwhelming sentiment" for him to quit politics. "The universal sentiment of the Filipinos is that I am not qualified. It would be a violation of the constitution to circumvent the law, the spirit of the constitution. "And so in obedience to the will of the people who, after all, placed me in the presidency many years ago, I now say to my countrymen I will heed your wishes," Duterte said. He was at the poll body on Saturday in Metro Manila to accompany his former long-time aid and Senator Christopher Go, 47, who filed his candidacy for Vice President. Candidates for the 2022 elections could file their certificate of candidacy from October 1 to 8. The elections will be held on May 9, 2022. Srinagar, Oct 2 : Sajad Lone, chairman of Peoples Conference (PC), said on Saturday that former chief minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah should quit electoral politics to consolidate Muslim votes. Speaking to media at a party function during which senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Nizamuddin Bhat joined the PC, Sajad was asked to give his opinion about Dr Abdullah's statement that attempts are being made to split the Muslim votes in J&K. Lone said, "Farooq Abdullah should decide not to fight elections and support us so that votes are diverted to one side and do not get split". For Nizamuddin Bhat who joined the PC, it is a home coming of sorts. Bhat started his political career under Sajad's father, Late Abdul Gani Lone who was the founder of the PC. Lone was assassinated by unknown gunmen on May 21, 2002 in Eidgah grounds in Srinagar. New Delhi/Leh, Oct 2 : India and China are to hold 13th round of military talks for disengagement at the Line of Actual Control in mid October, said Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane in Leh on Saturday. The Army chief visited forward locations in Ladakh and reviewed operational and logistic preparedness of the force as winter sets in. Talking to media persons, General Naravane said that the huge deployment of Chinese People's Liberation Army deployment across Line of Actual control is a matter of concern. He however expressed the disengagement would happen through dialogue. General Naravane, who is on a two-day visit to Ladakh, along with several senior Army officials attended the unveiling of "Khadi national flag" that has been installed in Leh on the occasion of the 152nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh R.K. Mathur on Saturday inaugurated the national flag made up of Khadi cloth, the largest such national flag in the world. It is stated that the length of the flag is 225 feet, width 150 feet and it weighs 1,000 kg. General Naravane reached Ladakh on Friday and on his first day of visit he interacted with the troops and complimented them for their steadfastness and high morale, while being deployed in some of the harshest terrain, altitude and weather conditions. A day before his visit to Ladakh, General Naravane in Delhi had said that developments along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh added to the ongoing legacy challenges on India's active and disputed borders on the Western and Eastern Front. While speaking at the 116th annual session of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on Thursday, General Naravane had said as far as Northern neighbour is concerned India has an outstanding border issue. Responding to continued aggression by China at the border, he had stated, "We are well prepared to meet any misadventure that may occur as we have demonstrated in the past. Such kinds of incidents will continue to occur till the time a long term solution is reached, that is to have a boundary agreement... That should be the thrust of our efforts so that we have lasting peace along our Northern borders." He also has stated that the unprecedented developments at Northern Borders necessitated large scale resource mobilisation, orchestration of forces and immediate response, all this in a Covid infested environment. India and China have been engaged in border disputes for the last 16 months. Twelve rounds of commander level talk have taken place so far and 13th round is scheduled to happen in mid October. New Delhi, Oct 2 : The Central government has notified rules for implementing the 'Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021'. Accordingly, the amendment bill notified on October 1, 2021, will enable the scrapping of the contentious retrospective tax demand provisions. It was passed by the Parliament in the Monsoon Session. Significantly, the notification of the bill is expected to end the much stretched tax disputes with UK's Cairn Energy, and Vodafone Plc. The Bill has amended the Income Tax Act, 1961 so as to provide that no tax demand shall be raised in future on the basis of the said retrospective amendment for any indirect transfer of Indian assets if the transaction was undertaken before May 28, 2012 - when the finance bill was passed by the Parliament in 2012. "The 2021 Act also provides that the demand raised for offshore indirect transfer of Indian assets made before May 28, 2012 shall be nullified on fulfillment of specified conditions," the Ministry of Finance said in a statement on Saturday. "Such as withdrawal or furnishing of undertaking for withdrawal of pending litigation and furnishing of an undertaking to the effect that no claim for cost, damages, interest, etc, shall be filed and such other conditions are fulfilled as may be prescribed." Besides, the amount paid or collected in these cases shall be refunded, without any interest. This Bill would give Cairn Energy and Vodafone Plc a window to do away with the arbitrations and settle their long-drawn tax disputes with the government. An arbitration tribunal in The Hague had pronounced its award on December 21, 2020 in favour of Cairn Energy Plc and Cairn UK Holdings Ltd (CUHL), making the Indian government liable to pay an arbitration award of $1.2 billion to it. Recently, the government confirmed in the Parliament that a French court has directed the freezing of certain properties of the Indian government in the matter pertaining to the Cairn arbitration award. Further, in the Vodafone arbitration case, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled in favour of the company last year. The court ruled that the conduct of India's Tax Department is in breach of "fair and equitable" treatment, thereby rendering Vodafone not liable to pay a retrospective tax demand of more than Rs 20,000 crore raised by Indian authorities. Mumbai, Oct 2 : As the short film 'Friction' featuring Sanjay Kapoor and Shweta Kawaatra is released on YouTube -- the story revolves around a complicated relationship of a married couple with a child -- the actor says unless child actors are well-directed, instead of appearing cute, they can come across as "irritating". In the short film, Sanjay has a couple of crucial scenes with the child actor Purab Mody. Directed by Sumit Suresh Kumar, the film is written and produced by Mandhir Sahni. Sharing his experience of working with a child actor, Sanjay, who was recently seen in the web series 'The Last Hour', told IANS: "I would like to give the full credit to our director Sumit on this. You see, child actors need to be directed correctly so that they deliver their best performance. They are innocent, so extracting the performance is in the hands of the director. "It is extremely difficult at times to make the child look loving rather than irritating. In Indian cinema, I have noticed that child actors are shown as 'too cute', blabbering lines in a certain way and trying to be over-the-top. But things have changed." Citing an example from his earlier films, he said: "When we were making 'Mr India' I saw how Shekhar (Kapur, the director) made it happen. Those child actors came across as real, relatable. I still remember when I went to the theatre to watch the film 'Masoom'. "Throughout the film, whenever those moments and close-up shots came on-screen, looking at Jugal Hansraj, the houseful audience reacted at once. ... Shekhar really knew how to direct child actors. It was the same with Sumit in our film 'Friction'." The story is narrated from the viewpoint of a contemporary middle-aged couple, Rahul and Roski, and their 10-year-old son Rishi. A call from Roski sends Rahul on a whirlwind journey spanning the happenings in his past. What ensues, alters the three lives forever in ways that no one can fathom. In the end, Rahul is left to ponder over what he wishes would have been versus what has become. Continuing his conversation with IANS, Sanjay said: "On one hand I found the story very relatable because in every couple, in every intimate emotional relationship, there is some friction. That is only natural. On the other hand, when it came to casting a child actor, he had to look like he was a part of the family. In our story, it is a family of Rahul, Roski and their son Ishan. Since the little one is looking like a part of the family, his presence and performance are so adorable." (The film 'Friction' has been released on the YouTube channel of Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films.) (Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at arundhuti.b@ians.in) New Delhi, Oct 2 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the main idea behind the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' was to list the contributions of unsung freedom fighters and use their spirit of sacrifice for the development of the nation. Speaking at the flag off of the National Security Guard's Sudarshan Car Rally and flag in of the cycle rallies by the various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) here at Red Fort, he said that Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is a pledge for the development of the nation. He said that 1000 troopers of the para military forces have paid tributes to these unsung heroes across the country and after covering over 41,000 kilometres, their rallies culminated at Rajghat after paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi. At small places during the course of their rallies, they paid tribute to the memory of these heroes and made people aware of their contributions, he added. He said that we were all born after the independence of our country. "We now can't die for our country but we can live with the country to make it prosper." Shah said that we all should endeavour to follow the development path of 'Atmanirbhar' and if the youth, scientists and technocrats of the country decide to achieve self reliance, the country will become self reliant in many ways and soon India will achieve the target of a five trillion dollar economy, a clarion call given by Prime Minister Modi ji. "if the youth decide not to violate traffic rules, if they decide not to waste food, just imagine how India will prosper in a big way, " he said. "If we pledge to strive for the development of our country in the 75th year of Independence, many of us will see the 100th year of Independence, but I am sure, the nation will emerge as a great power by then," he added. The Home Minister added that the troopers of the CAPF have been serving in extremely hostile conditions ranging from minus 40 degree temperature to 43 degree celsius on the borders, in dense forests and protecting our boundaries. Over 35,000 troopers have sacrificed their lives in protecting our nation. Shah said the NSG car rally will cover thousands of kilometres and will pay tribute to the freedom fighters. He also mentioned about the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries and narrated how Gandhiji fought against British rule without shedding blood and without using arms while Shastri ji showed the path of simplicity to the next generation. Mumbai, Oct 2 : Actor Kinshuk Vaidya has turned host for a crime thriller television show titled 'Jurm Ka Chehra'. The actor said he had to change his popular image of the chocolate boy next door for hosting this kind of a show. "Jurm Ka Chehra is a great take on today's contemporary crime which prevails in society. The show's primary target is the youth of the country, it has the millennial touch to it and we wanted to portray it like this," Kinshuk said. Talking about how he has prepared for playing the host of this crime show, Kinshuk said: "To make the young audience connected to the show, the makers wanted to have a young host but with a stern look. In order to do that, I had to grow my stubble, moustache and be the not-so-chocolate boy next door which the audiences have seen me portraying." Opening up on why crime shows are necessary in the present time, the actor shared: "To be honest, people aren't really aware of contemporary online crimes, cyber frauds, financial frauds, and others. We wanted to throw light on these crimes that affect the middle-class society who gets blackmailed for even the smallest of the needs. Also, a show that marks the dark world as understandable to the audience is quite necessary." 'Jurm Ka Chehra' airs on The Q channel. New Delhi, Oct 2 : Supreme Court judge justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Saturday praised women lawyers for actively participating in the #MeToo movement, a global campaign which focused on the experiences of sexual violence of survivors and encouraged them to open up on their experiences. Justice Chandrachud said the creation of a case-type-specific database is the need of the hour and pointed out that such a database being compiled was seen in 2018 with the rise of the #MeToo movement. Justice Chandrachud said: "The rise of the #MeToo movement, where young women lawyers started offering their services free of cost to assist women who have been sexually harassed, has even led to creation of databases of lawyers, who could be approached for specific issues". Justice Chandrachud was speaking at the launch of 6-week long 'Pan India Legal Awareness and Outreach Campaign' of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). Justice Chandrachud added that such an exercise should be conducted at an institutionalized level, presently legal aid cases through NALSA are only assigned to empanelled lawyers, who may not have a specialized practice area. "It may be worthwhile for NALSA to solicit support from young lawyers who are passionate about certain specific issues. This will provide comfort to hesitant individuals to see legal aid without the fear of being shamed or harassed", he added. Justice Chandrachud emphasized that a similar exercise can be conducted perhaps for the members of the transgender or sexual minority communities. "Many of individuals in these communities are closeted and do not seek legal aid of the fear of disclosure of their identities. A number of them face significant threat to life by society and even from their own family members", he said, adding that it may be beneficial for them to reach out to lawyers who specialize in these cases. "The provision of legal aid services can be enhanced if lawyers dedicated to a particular cause and are responsible for only those cases," Justice Chandrachud said. President Ram Nath Kovind, who launched the legal awareness and outreach campaign, said, "As a country, our aim is to graduate from 'women development' to 'women-led development'. Therefore, increasing the number of women in National Legal Services Institutions is as important as reaching out to the largest possible number of women beneficiaries". He added that there are about 11,000 women lawyers among over 47,000 panel advocates at the district level and about 17,000 women para-legal volunteers out of the total number of nearly 44,000. Justice S.K. Kaul, also a judge in the Supreme Court, supported justice Chandrachud's suggestions in connection with #MeToo movement. He said person giving legal aid must have empathy, otherwise that person will not have his/her heart on the issue. New York, Oct 2 : People with Covid-19 infection develop abnormal blood clots from high inflammation, leading to serious health complications and mortality. A new study has shown that blood thinners can potentially reduce the bad effects of Covid-19. Blood thinners are medications prescribed to prevent blood clots in patients with a prior blood clot in their lungs or legs. They also prevent blood clots in the brain secondary to abnormal heart rhythms, like atrial fibrillation. While blood thinners are the standard of treatment in these diseases, researchers from the University of Minnesota and Basel university in Switzerland looked at the data to see if it also helped Covid-19 patients. The results published in Lancet's Open Access EClinical Medicine showed that patients on blood thinners before having Covid-19 were admitted less often to the hospital, despite being older and having more chronic medical conditions than their peers. Blood thinners, regardless of if they are being used, before being infected with Covid-19 or started when admitted to the hospital for treatment of Covid-19, reduced deaths by almost half. Moreover, regardless of the type or dose of the medication used, hospitalised Covid-19 patients benefit from blood thinners, the researchers said. "Unfortunately, nearly half of the patients who are being prescribed blood thinners for blood clots in their legs, lungs, abnormal heart rhythms or other reasons, do not take them. By increasing adherence for people already prescribed blood thinners, we can potentially reduce the bad effects of Covid-19," said lead author Sameh Hozayen, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Minnesota University's medical school. "At most centres around the world now, there are protocols for starting blood thinners when patients are first admitted to the hospital for Covid-19, as it is a proven vital treatment option. Outside of Covid-19, the use of blood thinners is proven to be life-saving for those with blood coagulation conditions,"Hozayen added. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, Oct 2 : Bharatiya Janata Party National President J.P. Nadda on Saturday appealed to party workers across the country to buy Khadi products from Khadi India stores and shops by October 7. He urged BJP workers that from October 2-7 they must promote Khadi products, visit Khadi Village Industries and buy Khadi products for themselves and motivate other people to buy Khadi as well. Nadda made this appeal while interacting with the media after visiting the Khadi India store at Connaught Place in New Delhi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. He bought clothes and shoes for himself. Talking to the media after garlanding Mahatma Gandhi's statue, Nadda claimed that Khadi has been promoted and popularized at a fast pace in the country after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014. The BJP leader claimed that the production of Khadi in the country has increased by 188 per cent in the last seven years. Even during the Covid-19 crisis, the annual turnover of the Khadi industry has reached Rs 96,000 crore which is a big achievement in itself. He said due to the promotion of Khadi by the Central government, there has been an increase of 129 per cent in its sales and nearly six lakh new employment opportunities have been created in this sector. Saluting Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, Nadda said the BJP government is following the path shown by these great leaders and campaigns like the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan', 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Gram Swarajya' are symbols of the vision of a 'New India'. New Delhi, Oct 2 : Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha MP Varun Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on those who raise slogans of Godse Zindabad and said that such people should be publicly shamed. Talking to IANS, Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi said we should not forget the respect India has got at the international level is due to Mahatma Gandhi and the ideals on which Mahatma Gandhi treaded. Gandhi said those who are tweeting 'Godse Zindabad' should be publicly shamed. Criticizing those who raised Godse Zindabad slogans, Varun Gandhi told IANS that such people should not be allowed to come into the mainstream of Indian politics at all. "Let me tell you today on Gandhi Jayanti, the whole country is remembering the Father of the Nation. From President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, national president of the main opposition Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, leaders of all political parties, chief ministers of all the states and the common man of the country also bowed down to Bapu and paid tributes. Mahatma Gandhi was remembered today in many countries of the world. But sadly, on this day, Nathuram Godse Zindabad is also trending on Twitter," he said. Attacking those who get such slogans trending on Twitter, Varun Gandhi wrote, "India has always been a spiritual superpower, but it is the Mahatma who laid the spiritual foundation of our country through his existence and gave a moral right which is our greatest strength even today. Those tweeting Godse Zindabad are embarrassing the nation." Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also condemned the Twitter trend, saying that the glorification of Godse is the result of the hatred that is being sown in the society. New Delhi, Oct 2 : Pakistan has been fighting a losing battle over the credit for Basmati. A consignment of Pakistani rice was also rejected by the EU recently. Hence, what it could not sell in open market, it could sell through social media - thanks to the 5th Gen Warfare skills. Disinfolab said in a report that taking advantage of this campaign, from September 30, the Pakistani accounts started another campaign to malign India by boycotting Indian Food products. The 'boycott business' come with an economic logic, it added. Analyzing this campaign gave interesting details about the mechanics of Pakistan troll factories. While they have been pushing the anti-India agenda, after few days realizing the opportunity to sell rice, launched this campaign, the report said. These accounts are part of various troll groups of digital Pakistan. From the analysis of these accounts, we see that associate themselves with Pak military, ISI, ISPR etc. It has not yet been confirmed if the rice brands being promoted belong to Pak Fauj, or are independent of them, the report said. These accounts while using the same template in their tweets also tag the same set of troll groups which they are part of so that other members of these groups can amplify these tweets. Troll groups like @WeareTeamGP, @EmergingTeam, @WeTeamISP_, @WEareISPIANS, @WeAreVOIK are the key groups pushing the Pakistan rice on social media. Chandigarh, Oct 2 : Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday urged the Railway Board Chairman to withdraw the cases registered by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) against farmers for staging protests during their agitation. A spokesperson for the Chief Minister's Office said the Chief Minister has impressed upon the Railway Board Chairman to take a sympathetic view of the matter and consider the withdrawal of cases against the members of various farmers' organisations. As part of the ongoing agitation against the farm laws enacted by the Central government, the farmers had staged sit-in protests on railway tracks in Punjab. Chandigarh, Oct 2 : Protests erupted across agrarian states Punjab and Haryana on Saturday with the Central government postponing procurement of paddy in both states to October 11 due to the recent heavy rainfall. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha had given a call for holding protests outside the residences of legislators and Members of Parliament in both states. Farmers put up tents outside the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Karnal where paramilitary forces were deployed. At several places Haryana Police baton-charged and used water cannons on farmers. In Panchkula, near here, the police baton-charged farmers when they were going to protest outside BJP MLA Gian Chand Gupta's home. Seeing the statewide anger of the farmers, Khattar along with Agriculture Minister J.P. Dalal rushed to New Delhi to meet Union ministers and seek a solution to end the deadlock amidst the ongoing agitation against the three agricultural laws. Before leaving for the national capital, Khattar said, "Farmers will not have to face any problem in paddy procurement." The original procurement date for paddy at the minimum support price (MSP) was October 1 in Punjab. In Haryana, it was officially due to have started on September 25. At most places, farmers have broken police barricades and are sitting outside the entry-exit gates of the residences of the legislators. BKU leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said, "We had already warned the state government not to delay the paddy procurement. The government must immediately begin the process to avoid any further losses to the farmers. In case the government fails to begin procurement immediately, they should brace for a massive agitation." Adding fuel to the fire, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said the agitation of farmers is getting violent day by day. "The violent movement in the country of Mahatma Gandhi won't be allowed. The leaders of farmers should keep patience during the agitation," Vij said in a tweet on Saturday. The Centre on Friday said delaying the paddy procurement was in the "overall interest of farmers and consumers as well because of the untimely rains, maturity of paddy grains is delayed". As per the Indian Meteorological Department data, rainfall during September 2021 was 77 per cent and 139 per cent above normal in Punjab and Haryana, respectively, a release from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said. A day earlier Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and requested him to take back the decision to postpone the paddy procurement by 10 days. As a protest, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal accompanied a trolley filled with paddy to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) head office here to get the moisture content of the food grain checked. "It is the Punjab government's responsibility to come to the aid of farmers after postponement of paddy procurement by 10 days by the government of India," said Badal. Chandigarh, Oct 2 : With the approaching festive season, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota on Saturday stressed on the need to intensify vigil and directed the intelligence officers to stay alert round-the-clock. Chairing a high-level meeting in Mohali, near here, the DGP, who was accompanied by ADGP Varinder Kumar, ADGP Internal Security R.N. Dhoke and ADGP Counter Intelligence Amit Prasad, reviewed the situation of internal security in the state. The meeting took place at a time when the state has been witnessing recovery of grenades and RDX-laden tiffin boxes, besides recovery of other arms and ammunition, signalling major attempts being made by anti-national elements to disturb law and order in the state. After the briefing, the DGP expressed satisfaction that Punjab Police has been doing great job on the counter-terrorism front and various modules busted. "The situation in the state is absolutely peaceful and Punjab Police is ready for any challenges," an official statement quoting Sahota said. New Delhi, Oct 2 : Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) Chairman Anurag Kundu has welcomed the recent Delhi High Court's order on the squashing of petty crime cases against minors and said these children can't wait forever to get justice. Recently, the Delhi HC junked 1,108 criminal cases against minors for non-completion of trial by the Juvenile Justice Board (Children's Court) related to petty offences committed by minors. After the court's decision, criminal cases against 1,108 children have ended. Criminal cases against 795 children will be decided in the next hearing by the High Court. All these cases are pending between six months to one year. The court has sought a response from the DCPCR and will pronounce an order soon on this matter. According to the DCPCR, a total of 2,773 children are being tried for minor offences, 1,282 children for serious crimes and 1,683 children are facing tial in heinous crime cases. Welcoming the decision, Anurag Kundu told IANS, "There are laws and policies related to children which must be implemented, the DCPCR will ensure that the Delhi HC order is strictly implemented not only on paper but also in reality. Apart from this, it is important that if any child needs rehabilitation then the DCPCR will help him/her." He said even during the Covid-19 crisis, minor crime cases increased considerably. Now all those children against which criminal cases have been squashed, they will be able to start their life afresh. According to the Delhi child rights body, as many as 1,320 cases were pending in the six juvenile courts of the national capital till December 31, 2020 which increased to 1,903 cases till June 30, 2021. This should not have taken place. Of these criminal cases against minors, investigation of 795 cases of petty crimes are pending between six months to one year and 1,108 cases for more than one year. The Juvenile Court in Delhi has been told that there has been an increase of nearly 44 per cent criminal cases against children in the last six months. Mumbai, Oct 2 : With audiences for the format expanding and streaming services making them more accessible, documentaries have broken out from the stereotype of being just film festival fixtures. Participating in a panel discussion titled 'Decoding Documentaries' here, filmmakers Claire Cahill, Dylan Mohan Gray and Leena Yadav shared their perspective on the genre. The discussion was hosted by Netflix. Talking about the planning and research that goes into a documentary, Dylan Mohan Gray, who directed 'Bad Boy Billionaires', said: "So much of what we do in documentaries is about creating relationships of trust with different kinds of people. I understood the importance of diversity of voices and to allow the audience to triangulate what they felt about the story." 'Bad Boy Billionaires' is an anthology based on the lives and crimes of four prominent Indian businessmen -- Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Subrata Roy and Ramalinga Raju. "During my research," Gray continued, "I realised that the story is quite different from the one that was put out there, it's much more complex than that. The story is about many other things, it touched upon so many interesting aspects of Indian culture and society. This, to me, was fascinating." 'Crime Stories: India Detectives', on the other hand, centres around how the police cracked four cases. Sharing her pre-production experience, series producer Claire Cahill said that 'Crime Stories: India Detectives' took almost three years to be made. "Our first trip to Bangalore was in 2018," Cahill said, recalling the preparations for the series. "When we started our conversations with the commissioner, we found that he was very responsive about the idea of making a series that followed live investigations." Continuing her account, Cahil recalled: "These conversations progressed. We obtained all necessary permissions over a period of 18 months and the filming continued for over five months. The process of gaining trust, having conversations with all the parties in order to cover an investigation in the way we did, involved an enormous amount of work." Leena Yadav, showrunner and co-director of the upcoming docu-feature 'House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths', recounted how difficult it was to get people who were a part of the incident to talk. "Those were very difficult conversations, I must admit," Yadav said. 'House of Secrets' recreates the horrific case of 11 members of a family in the Delhi neighbourhood of Burari died in their house as a result allegedly of an occult practice gone wrong. Even while working on a film with such a gruesome storyline, there's invariably a moment worth remembering fondly. Yadav recalled one such "beautiful incident". She said: "When we were interviewing members of the family, one of them came up to me and thanked me, saying that this was like therapy for him. That was when I felt we were doing the right thing. We covered 400 hours of interviews and having those conversations were definitely difficult and emotionally draining, but this has been a big learning for me." 'House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths' is releasing on Netflix on October 8. Sharing the OTT platform's perspective, Tanya Bami, Director, International Originals, at Netflix India, said: "It is magical to sit in a room with a creator who has a vision and to go through that experience through their eyes. Netflix strives to bring creative excellence by enabling their vision. We want to narrate stories that are authentic and relevant." Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 2 : Kerala Excise and Local Self Government Minister M.V. Govindan on Saturday said the addiction free campaign of the state Excise Department and Vimukthi Mission will be ramped up by forming 'Vimukthi Clubs' in all the educational institutions before the Gandhi Jayanti next year. Inaugurating a month-long, state-wide addiction free awareness campaign on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations here, the Minister said addiction-free programmes will be organised in over 20,000 wards in local self-governments across the state with public participation. The Minister said the campaign should take the message down to the ward level by enlisting the support of all sections of the society. "We are living in times when even children fall prey to this evil. This will seriously affect the future generations. The activities of Vimukthi Mission should reach to all educational institutions in the state as our ultimate aim is to root out this menace", said Govindan. Kerala Transport Minister Antony Raju said all should be alert to efforts by vested interests to sabotage programmes against addiction and this has to be properly factored in while planning and carrying out the addiction-free campaign. A series of programmes will be held across the state during the month highlighting the consequences of addiction to drugs and intoxicants. The main aim of the Vimukthi Mission is to spread awareness among the youth regarding the ill-effects of drug abuse. Messages of Mahatma Gandhi, who waged a relentless battle against drug addiction through his constructive programmes, will be propagated on a mission mode as part of the campaign, whose prime target is youth. Hyderabad, Oct 2 : Ending the curiosity of the audience, filmmaker SS Rajamouli has announced that his much-awaited magnum opus 'RRR' will release in theatres across India on January 7. The multi-lingual film brings together Tollywood actors Ram Charan, Jr NTR and Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn under one banner for the first time. Announcing the news on Twitter, the 'Baahubali' director wrote: "07.01.2022. It is." Jr NTR also posted the news on social media and wrote: "07.01.2022. It is!!! Get ready to experience India's Biggest Action Drama in cinemas worldwide." The movie was earlier scheduled to release in October but got postponed as many theatres are still not operating due to the pandemic. Kolkata, Oct 2 : The flood situation in seven south Bengal districts is snowballing into a political controversy. On Saturday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee increased pressure on the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), asking it not to release water without informing the state else the state will be forced to demand compensation. The BJP, however, held Banerjee responsible for the flood situation in the state. Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister said, "In the last three days, they (DVC) have released more than 10 lakh cusec of water, most of which has been released without informing the state. This is a crime and the state is not going to sit and watch. If they do it again, the state will be forced to demand compensation." Asking the Jharkhand government to work out a comprehensive plan, Banerjee said, "We have evacuated more than five lakh people and have made arrangements for their food and rehabilitation. We have faced so many cyclones, but we didn't receive a single penny from the Central government. This cannot continue. "The Centre should start dredging the canals so that the additional rain in Jharkhand doesn't come down as a curse on Bengal. I shall write to the Prime Minister and will ask the Chief Secretary to take the matter up with the Agriculture Ministry." Reacting to the Chief Minister's remarks, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, "The embankments are not repaired properly and it is because the Chief Minister asked them not to do that. She needs Rs 18,000 crore for her 'Lakshmir Bhandar' project and so the money has been diverted, endangering the lives of the people. "When 50 lakh people were suffering, she was busy with her election campaign because whatever might happen, she will have to stay as the Chief Minister. Even God will not pardon a crime like this." State BJP President Sukanta Majumdar said, "This is a normal thing... A dam has some capacity and if the dam doesn't release water, it will break and that will lead to widespread floods. She is speaking unscientific things. Without accusing others, she should have made preparations so that the flood situation could have been controlled." Accusing the Centre, Trinamool MP Aparupa Poddar said, "The Centre is deliberately releasing water to put people in trouble. This is unfortunate." Imphal, Oct 2 : Fourteen Delhi-bound Myanmar nationals, including a woman, were detained by the security personnel at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal, the police said on Saturday. The Manipur government has ordered an inquiry into the entry of the Myanmar nationals into the state, which shares 398 km international borders with the neighbouring country. A police officer said that the 14 Myanmar citizens tried to travel to the national capital using fake Aadhaar cards, but they were apprehended by the security personnel on Friday when they were about to board the Delhi-bound IndiGo flight. The Myanmar nationals, mostly in their early twenties, told the security personnel that they had crossed into Manipur through the porous border. The foreign nationals were subsequently handed over to the Singjamei police station in Imphal West district for further legal action. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said that the state government has taken this matter very seriously and stringent action would be taken against those who enter the country without proper documents. The incident took place three weeks after 26 Delhi-bound Myanmar nationals, including 10 women, were arrested on September 12 from a private lodge at Rehabari after they arrived in Guwahati from Mizoram. Of the 26 Myanmar nationals, seven were teenagers while the rest were aged between 20 and 28 years. Myanmar nationals, including Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar and the refugee camps in Bangladesh, are often detained in different northeastern states after they illegally enter India in search of jobs or get trapped in human trafficking. Since March, around 11,500 Myanmar nationals have taken refuge in Mizoram after the declaration of state of emergency in Myanmar on February 1. Four northeastern states - Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram - share 1,643 km unfenced borders with Myanmar. Jaipur, Oct 2 : Amid the crisis the Congress is facing in Punjab and Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said the Congress government in his state will complete its five year tenure, and also form the next government. "Our bureaucrats are the first ones to remain tense on the issue discussing if the government shall continue or not. This is a burning topic in the secretariat too. But our government will continue in Rajasthan for the next five years. Also, we will form the government in the next tenure too," he added. Gehlot said this while addressing a programme organised on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. He launched the campaign Prashasan Gaon Ke Sang and Prashasan Shaharon Ke Sang. "Nothing will go wrong for me for the next 15-20 years now... if someone wants to be sad, let him be. "After the blockage in my artery, treatment has been done. The prayers of the people of the entire state have yielded fruits. Nothing is going to happen to me now," he added. Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Sachin Pilot camp, he said the Opposition keeps saying that Chief Minister has locked himself in a room. "We did shut ourselves in a hotel room for around 34 days due to 'courtesy' of Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan and others. With the 'blessings' of our MLAs, that time also passed," he said. New Delhi, Oct 2 : India and the UAE will aim to ensure speedy normalisation of air transport operations between the two countries. Accordingly, the need for normalisation of air transportation, was discussed at the ninth meeting of the 'UAE-India High Level Joint Task Force on Investments' held in Dubai on Saturday. "Given the importance of air transport in facilitating bilateral ties and people-to-people connections, both sides agreed that their respective civil aviation authorities should continue to work together on a priority basis, for their mutual benefit, to ensure the speedy normalisation of air transport operations between the two countries," the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said . Saturday's meeting was co-chaired by Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles. The Joint Task Force was established in 2013 as a key forum for promoting economic ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India, which were further strengthened by the signing of the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement' between the two countries in January 2017. Besides, the meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing discussions for the 'India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement'. "In this regard, both sides appreciated the efforts made to expedite discussions towards a well-balanced agreement that will considerably deepen bilateral economic ties and benefit the economies of both countries." According to the statement, participants also considered the ongoing efforts to amend the UAE and India's longstanding 'Bilateral Investment Treaty' and noted the importance of concluding the negotiation process as soon as possible. "At the meeting, discussions were also held on exploring mutually beneficial methods and incentives to facilitate further investment from UAE sovereign investment entities in key priority sectors in India. The positive steps made by the Indian government in this context were noted and both sides agreed to continue to focus on ways of providing tax incentives to certain UAE sovereign investment entities." "The importance of active involvement from the UAE Special Desk within Invest India, the National Investment Promotion Agency of India, in expediting the resolution of both legacy issues and current difficulties experienced by UAE companies and banks in India was discussed." New Delhi, Oct 2 : A week-ago, he told women lawyers that "with your anger, you shout, you demand, and press for 50 per cent representation in judiciary". He led from the front to break the 21-month-long deadlock and recommended nine judges for appointment to the Supreme Court. He wholeheartedly speaks about his commitment to fill up hundreds of vacancies in high courts. In June, he had said that the mere right to change the ruler, once every few years, by itself need not be a guarantee against tyranny and public discourse, it is an inherent aspect of human dignity and essential to a properly functioning democracy. Meet the Chief Justice of India, N.V. Ramana, who has a 360-degree view on systemic issues, which plague access to justice for the common people. And it seems he is willing to go the extra mile to make people feel that law and its institutions are for everyone. Whether it is a courtroom or a podium at a function, Ramana speaks profusely that the vulnerable and downtrodden should not be denied access to justice. At a function on Saturday, he said that socio-economic justice would be impossible to achieve without providing equal access to justice and in a democratic country, it is the faith and trust of the people that sustains the institutions. On the administrative side, he led from the front to end the nearly two-year-long impasse in the Supreme Court collegium with regard to appointment of judges to the top court. Ramana took over the top legal post in the country from S.A. Bobde, who retired without sending even a single recommendation for appointment to the apex court. In his short stint so far, Ramana has sent nine names to the Centre, which have been approved in few weeks' time. It was reported that Justice R.F. Nariman had insisted on including the name of Justice Akil Kureshi, Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, in the list of judges recommended for elevation to the top court. However, when he was overlooked by the Supreme Court collegium, which is headed by Ramana, no formal protest was lodged by any Bar body. Justice Kureshi, during his stint as a judge in the Gujarat High Court, had remanded current Home Minister Amit Shah to CBI custody in 2010 in a fake encounter case. The names of the nine judges were sent to the Centre after the retirement of Nariman on August 12. Ramana has also vehemently spoken about the need for 50 per cent representation for women in the judiciary. Addressing women advocates of the Supreme Court, who had organised a felicitation function for him and the newly appointed judges to the top court, the CJI had said: "With your anger, you shout, you demand, we need 50 per cent representation. It is not a small issue; it is an issue of thousands of years of suppression. You are entitled, it is a matter of right. Nobody is going to give a charity." Ramana has also shown his willingness to accept a long-pending demand of the Supreme Court Bar Association in connection with the nomination of apex court lawyers for appointment as high court judges. He allowed the SCBA to form a search committee to identify the deserving and meritorious candidates. On the judicial side, a bench headed by the CJI had said that it intends to set up a technical committee to probe the allegations of snooping on citizens, particularly journalists, activists, opposition leaders etc., using the Pegasus spyware. The top court had expressed its dissatisfaction with the government's refusal to file a detailed affidavit in the controversial matter. The case is likely to put the Centre in the dock, as the apex court has sought a detailed reply from the government on the issue. In another matter regarding vacancies in tribunals, a bench headed by the CJI had threatened suo moto stay on the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, as it asked the Centre to reinstate the acting NCLAT chief, Justice Ashok Iqbal Singh Cheema, who was asked to retire 10 days before due date. In July, a bench headed by the CJI had questioned the Centre on the utility of having a sedition law even after 75 years of gaining Independence from the British, and had also frowned on the misuse of law by the police against the people. Ramana had said: "It is a colonial law that was used by the British to silence Mahatma Gandhi, Tilak. Still, it is necessary after 75 years of Independence!" In a matter connected to fast-tracking of trial in criminal cases against former and sitting MPs and MLAs, a bench headed by the CJI had ordered that no case can be withdrawn without the high court's approval. Through this order, the top court put a judicial oversight over the state's decisions to withdraw cases against politicians. Speaking at the 75th Independence Day celebrations organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, Ramana, citing the nature of contemporary debates in the Parliament, had said: "Now it is a sorry state of affairs. We see the legislations. Lots of gaps; a lot of ambiguity in making laws. There is no clarity in the laws. We do not know what for purpose laws are made, which is creating a lot of litigation, inconvenience and loss to the government, as well as inconvenience to the public." (Sumit saxena can be contacted by sumit.s@ians.in ) Jana Sena actor Chief K. Pawan Kalyan during the shramadana and addresses a public meeting at Balajipet, Rajamahendravaram on Saturday. October 02,2021at Rajamahendravaram.(Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Jana Sena actor Chief K. Pawan Kalyan during the shramadana and addresses a public meeting at Balajipet, Rajamahendravaram on Saturday. October 02,2021at Rajamahendravaram.(Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Addressing huge gatherings in East Godavari and Anantapur districts, Pawan Kalyan targeted the ruling YSRCP for the 'sorry state of affairs' in the state. Amaravati, Oct 02 (IANS) By succesfully completing shramdaan by filling up potholes on roads in the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, leading Telugu movie star and Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan has again made it clear that he is in no mood to tone down his attacks on the YSRCP government in the state. Addressing huge gatherings in East Godavari and Anantapur districts, Pawan Kalyan targeted the ruling YSRCP for the 'sorry state of affairs' in the state. Landing at Rajahmundry on Saturday morning, Pawan Kalyan filled up some potholes and later addressed a public gathering. Pointing to the apparent attempts by the state government to stop his party's supporters and the public from attending the event, Pawan Kalyan declared that his party would never bend down to any pressure. "Instead we will rise further," he said. From Rajahmundry, Pawan Kalyan flew to Bengaluru and from there travelled by road to Anantapur district in the afternoon. After repairing some potholes there, he addressed a public gathering, where he again raised the mis-governance issue. "The youth are migrating from here. Industries are being threatened. There should be no scope for fear in a democracy," he said. He also claimed that the Jana Sena Party will come to power in the state after the next Assembly elections scheduled in 2024. On his birthday (September 2), the film star-politician had launched a three-day social media campaign to call attention to the sorry state of roads in the state. He had also announced that he would personally do 'shramdaan' or service in the form of repairing the roads if the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led state government did not act in the matter. The campaign had garnered massive response from all parts of the state, with people sending images of damaged roads in their localities. Ahead of Pawan Kalyan's programme on Saturday, the state government had sprung into action. Many potholes were repaired in the localities he visited, with reports coming in of Jana Sena Party workers not being allowed to reach the venue of his events. --IANS pvn/arm Abu Dhabi, Oct 2 : Ruturaj Gaikwad, a free-stroking but technically sound opener, has set the ongoing IPL 2021 on fire with his blistering knocks. The 24-year old Gaikwad, slammed his maiden IPL ton on Saturday in the match against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi in a most thrilling way, hitting the final ball of the innings for a maximum. He raced to his hundred in just 60 balls, smashing five huge sixes and nine boundaries. The batsman came into the limelight after his late-season heroics for CSK in IPL 2020. CSK were losing games, but Gaikwad was among the runs and hit three consecutive half-centuries back then. Continuing his superb batting form from IPL 2020, Gaikwad also played some entertaining knocks in the first leg of IPL 2021 in India. However, he is batting at a completely different level in UAE. His scores in the UAE leg of IPL 2021 read: 101*(60), 45(38), 40(28), 38(26), 88*(58), 62*(49), 72(53), 65*(51). During his maiden century innings, the opener who represents Maharashtra at the domestic level showed his elegant strokeplay and left everyone in awe. After Saturday's knock, Gaikwad also became the first player to get to 500 runs in IPL 2021 and took the Orange Cap from KL Rahul. He also became the seventh Chennai Super Kings batsman to get past 500 runs in an IPL season. Suresh Raina, who batted at No. 3 on Saturday, has done it three times for the three-time IPL champions. Despite his slim figure, the CSK opener Ruturaj is capable of hitting big sixes. He already has struck 20 sixes this season in 12 matches, so far. Gaikwad, who hails from Pune, has been a consistent performer for his state team Maharashtra. He was the highest run-getter for Maharashtra in the league stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2018-19. He rose through the age-group system of the Maharashtra team and consistently made it to the India A side as well. His batting revolves around deft touches and timing than the modern-day power-hitting module that we see with most young batsmen. At the IPL 2019 Player Auction, the Chennai Super Kings secured his services at his base price of Rs 20 lakh. He has already repaid them handsomely. Latest updates on IPL 2021 Abu Dhabi, Oct 2 : Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube hit blazing half-centuries to lead Rajasthan Royals to a splendid seven-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in match 47 of IPL 2021 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium here on Saturday. Rajasthan made an imposing chase of 190 look easy by hunting down the target with 15 balls to spare. The win means that Rajasthan now have ten points from 12 matches and leapfrog Mumbai Indians to be at sixth place in the points table which has four teams at ten points. Rajasthan got off to a flying start, making 81 runs in the power-play against a Chennai bowling attack missing Deepak Chahar and Dwayne Bravo. Yashasvi Jaiswal came out all guns blazing, smashing boundaries against every bowler. Josh Hazlewood came under severe thrashing from the youngster, taken for seven boundaries, including the last one, a flat-six over long-off, taking him to a whirlwind half-century in just 19 balls. Evin Lewis supported Jaiswal well before pulling to fine leg off Thakur. Jaiswal fell on the first ball after power-play to a short ball from KM Asif. Despite losing both openers in quick succession, Rajasthan didn't lose the run-making assault. Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson put up a match-defining partnership of 89 runs in 58 balls. Dube, promoted to number four, was more aggressive of the duo, welcoming Ravindra Jadeja with a six over long-on in the ninth over. He extended the thrashing by hitting Moeen Ali for back-to-back sixes in the next over. Dube brought the half-century of the partnership with a four clubbed over mid-wicket off Sam Curran followed by a six over the same region in the 12th over. The all-rounder then reached his half-century in 31 balls with a single off Thakur. Though Samson fell while pulling off Thakur in the 16th over, Rajasthan were well on course to chase the target. Debutant Glenn Phillips walloped Curran for a four and six, before finishing off the chase with a single off Moeen Ali. Earlier, Gaikwad displayed an exhibition of timing and classical hitting to reach his first century in the IPL. It was a fine batting effort by the youngster, whose first 50 runs came in 43 balls while the next 51 runs came in a jaw-dropping 17 balls and feasted 'n Rajasthan's listless bowling. Gaikwad was well-supported by Ravindra Jadeja's blitzkrieg in the end apart from useful contributions by Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali. Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis added 44/0 in power-play. While Gaikwad creamed debutant Akash Singh for two fours in the opening over, du Plessis took back-to-back boundaries against Chetan Sakariya in the fifth over. Tewatia broke the partnership in the seventh over, getting du Plessis easily stumped by Samson. Tewatia had his second wicket of the match as Suresh Raina's promotion to three in his 200th match for Chennai ended with a slog-sweep to deep mid-wicket. Despite the two quick dismissals, Gaikwad and Ali struck boundaries and rotated the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking. Gaikwad brought up his half-century in 43 balls, his second of the UAE leg of the tournament. From there, Gaikwad accelerated, hitting Tewatia for two sixes on the trot in the 15th over. Though Tewatia had Ali stumped, it didn't make Gaikwad slow down. In the next over, he took two fours and a six off Akash Singh to enter into the 80s. Though Ambati Rayudu fell cheaply, Gaikwad continued to collect boundaries with pristine timing. Jadeja took two fours and a six on the first three balls of the final off Rahman. Gaikwad finished off the innings by smacking a six over deep mid-wicket, which took him to his first IPL hundred. But it wasn't enough to prevent Chennai's first loss in the UAE leg of the tournament. Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 189/4 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 101 not out, Ravindra Jadeja 32 not out, Rahul Tewatia 3/39, Chetan Sakariya 1/31) lost to Rajasthan Royals 190/3 in 17.3 overs (Shivam Dube 64 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 50, Shardul Thakur 2/30, KM Asif 1/18) by seven wickets. Latest updates on IPL 2021 Cap rates in the single tenant net lease sector reached a new historic low The Boulder Group announced the release of its 3rd Quarter Net Lease Research Report today. Cap rates in the single tenant net lease sector reached a new historic low for all three asset classes in the third quarter of 2021. Cap rates for retail, office and industrial fell to 5.80%, 6.80% and 6.70% respectively. Significant investor demand combined with limited supply of quality net lease assets remains the primary driver of continued cap rate compression in the sector says Randy Blankstein, President, The Boulder Group. Furthermore, during the third quarter, the 10 Year Treasury yield decreased to its lowest levels since the first quarter of 2021. As pricing within the net lease sector remains at all-time highs; owners are taking advantage and adding properties to the market. Property supply increased by approximately 9% in the third quarter, driven by an increase in retail and office properties. Property supply in the industrial sector decreased by more than 11% in the third quarter. The significant demand for industrial assets is causing many transactions to occur prior to a public marketing process, adds Jimmy Goodman, Partner, The Boulder Group. This contributed to the decline in supply of net lease industrial product. In the third quarter of 2021, less than 25% of the retail property supply had more than 15 years of lease term remaining which is below the historical average. High quality tenants with long term leases experienced the biggest decline in cap rates. Investment grade rated tenants including 7-Eleven, AutoZone and Fresenius experienced the greatest amount of cap rate compression for new construction properties. 1031 exchange and private investors primarily seek assets with long term leases and creditworthy tenants, John Feeney, Senior Vice President, The Boulder Group adds. The limited supply of long term leased assets created competition amongst all buyer profiles resulting in the cap rate compression experienced in the third quarter. Transaction activity in the net lease sector is expected to remain active throughout 2021 and continue through 2022. However, the demand for this asset class will be met by supply pipeline issues. The majority of new construction properties are concentrated in dollar stores and quick service restaurants. For the past two quarters investors were carefully monitoring potential tax changes related to the American Families Plan. In mid-September the House Ways and Means Committee released its tax proposal which did not include Section 1031 exchange elimination or modification. Market participants will continue to monitor the situation as any legislative changes could impact the overall net lease market, according to Blankstein. To view the full report: https://bouldergroup.com/media/pdf/2021-Q3-Net-Lease-Research-Report.pdf About The Boulder Group The Boulder Group is a boutique, Chicago-based investment real estate services firm specializing in transaction and advisory services for single tenant net lease properties. Founded in 1997, the firm has closed over $6 billion of net lease property transactions. The firm provides a full range of brokerage, research, advisory, and financing services nationwide. The level of annual, single-tenant transaction volume consistently ranks the firm in the top 10 companies nationally, according to industry benchmarks determined by CoStar and Real Capital Analytics. Heat Pump City of the Year the Queens Quay scheme is the first large-scale, high temperature heat pump deployment in the UK Star Renewable Energys supplied the heat pumps for Queens Quay district heating scheme in Clydebank which has been awarded a top accolade by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA). Now in its eleventh year, the EHPAs annual Heat Pump Awards recognise the most efficient, smart and sustainable heat pump projects across Europe. The largest project of its kind in the UK, the Queens Quay district heating scheme has been named European Heat Pump City of the Year in the EHPA Awards 2021. Supported by the Scottish Government, the project saw Star Refrigerations renewable company, Star Renewable Energy, joining forces with West Dunbartonshire Council and Vital Energi to deliver Britains first industrial water source heat pump. Councillor Iain McLaren, Convener of the Councils Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee, said: This is a huge achievement and I want to say a big congratulations to the team for getting this recognition, which shows we are truly leading the way. This system is the first of its kind in Scotland and I am proud that West Dunbartonshire is using this natural resource to provide energy, not only to help us achieve our Net Zero targets, but also to support residents and help eliminate fuel poverty. Star engineered the heat pumps for the award-winning district heating scheme as part of the 250M Queens Quay regeneration project. The water source heat pump will provide low carbon heating and hot water to around 1,200 new homes and businesses in the area. Star Refrigerations Group Sustainable Development Director, Dave Pearson, said Water source heat pumps have been in use in mainland Europe for several years, but the Queens Quay scheme is the first large-scale, high temperature heat pump deployment in the UK. We are delighted that the Queens Quay heat pump project has been recognised as leading the way in delivering low carbon district heating. West Dunbartonshire Councils core objective was to invest in technology that would produce more affordable heating and hot water for the developments businesses and residents, whilst keeping carbon emissions to a minimum. The heat pump system uses pioneering renewable energy technology to extract cold water from the River Clyde at a rate of 125 litres per second. Two 2.65MW industrial heat pumps use ammonia as a working fluid to harness the ambient heat of the river water (typically between 6-12C) delivering it up to 80C. Hot water is then supplied via a 2.5km pipe network to heat residential and commercial buildings across the 23-hectare flagship development. Scott Lutton, Operations Director for Vital Energi, said Were delighted for West Dunbartonshire Council and the wider team for this award win. Its a truly great achievement, putting water source heat pumps and heat network schemes at the forefront of the road to net zero. Working collaboratively with West Dunbartonshire Council highlights how effective these partnerships can be and we look forward to growing the network further. The EHPAs Heat Pump Award Ceremony took place on 29 September 2021 at Gare Maritime in Brussels, with five outstanding initiatives receiving awards. Presented alongside the Heat Pump Forum 2021, the event saw major players in the heating and cooling industry discussing green heat recovery, decarbonisation and a climate-neutral Europe. Dave Pearson added: Utilising water as a renewable energy source for heating has a long list of benefits compared to burning fossil fuels. From 2025 there will be a national ban on gas heating for new homes, which means building developers and local authorities need to start exploring low carbon options. The challenge is bigger though as all existing buildings must decarbonise too. Industrial water source heat pumps have the ability to transform the way the UK generates low carbon heat. Any buildings (new or old) connected to a renewable heating network such as Clydebanks will be achieving emissions approximately 80% lower than burning gas. For existing buildings there is no simpler way to meet their decarbonisation obligations. The only barriers are a lack of policy to allow local authorities to force buildings to achieve reductions. Realistically, inner city decarbonisation is only achievable with district heating so this must be compulsory. Additionally, electricity policy (that currently adds 200 to 300% to the cost of generated power even if used for a heat pump) must be reversed so that the costs are lower. Star believes there is extraordinary potential for water source heat pumps to be deployed in various locations across the UK. In England alone, it is estimated that more than 6GW of renewable heat can be extracted from rivers and canals. The long coastline of Wales and Scotland also offer potential for heat pumps to extract further heat from the sea. Inspired by the success of the Queens Quay project, many local authorities are now looking to invest in large scale district heating systems. Star Renewable Energy and Vital Energi are already currently working with other clients and local authorities to help them achieve their vision and develop further district heat pump projects in the UK. To find out more about Star Refrigerations large scale heat pumps visit https://www.neatpumps.com About Star Refrigeration Star Refrigeration is the UK's largest independent industrial refrigeration engineering company. Founded in 1970, Star has been pioneering natural refrigeration and heating technology ever since, and the Star Refrigeration Group of companies encompasses several brands including renewable business enterprise Star Renewable Energy (SRE). SRE focused on large (>500kW), high temperature heat pumps ( >60C and up to 85C). SRE was set up to support the decarbonisation of the heating sector by delivering large heat pump systems for district heating and industrial processes. Stars large heat pumps, Neatpumps, have enough capacity to supply large buildings and entire cities with both district heating and cooling at lower cost and less carbon emissions. When using renewable electricity, Neatpumps generate heating and cooling with zero CO2 emissions. Contact Information Dave Pearson Group Sustainable Development Director Star Refrigeration Tel: +44 (0) 141 6387916 Mob: +44 (0) 7976 607746 Twitter: @wasteheatuser We are extremely proud of our outstanding medical teams that make this award possible, - Kenneth Davis, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in specialty care in New York State and one of the top 5 medical centers in the world for gastroenterology, cardiology, and cardiac surgery in Newsweeks Worlds Best Specialized Hospitals 2022 list. The annual list ranks the top 250 hospitals for cardiology and oncology, the top 150 for cardiac surgery and pediatrics, and the top 125 each in endocrinology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery, and pulmonology. The Mount Sinai Hospital received top honors in 10 specialties overall. This is the second year in a row that The Mount Sinai Hospital was assessed in Newsweeks annual medical specialty survey and ranked among the top in the world in the following disciplines: gastroenterology (No. 3 worldwide), cardiology (No. 4), cardiac surgery (No. 4), pulmonology (No. 6), neurosurgery (No. 8), neurology (No. 11), oncology (No. 22), pediatrics (No. 23), orthopedics (No. 25), and endocrinology (No. 29). We are extremely proud of our outstanding medical teams that make this award possible, said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Mount Sinai Health System. To receive this distinction by a global audience is a great honor. This ranking reflects a commitment to providing equitable, high-quality care to our patients and underscores Mount Sinais relentless pursuit of knowledge, understanding, and answers to the worlds most complex health problems. We do this in service of each patient and family we treat and care for, as well as the millions of families and communities around the globe through research collaborations that advance understanding of health and the human condition. This honor is a testament to the compassion and dedication of our entire staff, who work tirelessly to deliver exceptional care to our patients. I am deeply proud of every member of our community. From our operations and support teams to our physicians and nurses, everyone has made this global recognition possible, says David L. Reich, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Mount Sinai Hospital. This has been a challenging year for our community, but our team continues to respond by making world-leading advances in science that improved clinical care. According to Newsweek, these rankings are provided to help patients and their loved ones know which hospitals or state-of-the-art facilities have the most accomplished physicians and offer the highest level of care. Developed in partnership with global data research firm Statista Inc., Newsweek invited over 40,000 medical experts (medical doctors, health care professionals, hospital managers, and directors) in more than 20 countries to an online survey. Participants were asked to recommend and rank hospitals based on their expertise in one primary medical field and were able to choose an optional secondary area of expertise. Results were compiled, weighted, ranked, and then validated by an international board of experts. The Mount Sinai Hospital is the flagship hospital of the Mount Sinai Health System, one of the nations leading health care systems, comprising eight hospitals, an award-winning medical and graduate school, and a large network of ambulatory centers and practices. About the Mount Sinai Health System The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest academic medical system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical and graduate school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. We advance medicine and health through unrivaled education and translational research and discovery to deliver care that is the safest, highest-quality, most accessible and equitable, and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,300 primary and specialty care physicians; 13 free-standing joint-venture centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island; and more than 30 affiliated community health centers. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked in U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of the top 20 U.S. hospitals and among the top in the nation by specialty: No. 1 in Geriatrics and top 20 in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Neurology/Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology/Lung Surgery, Urology, and Rehabilitation. Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital is ranked in U.S. News & World Reports Best Childrens Hospitals among the countrys best in four out of 10 pediatric specialties. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked among the Top 20 nationally for ophthalmology. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools," aligned with a U.S. News & World Report "Honor Roll" Hospital, and No. 14 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding. Newsweeks The Worlds Best Smart Hospitals ranks The Mount Sinai Hospital as No. 1 in New York and top five globally, and Mount Sinai Morningside as top 20 globally, and The Worlds Best Specialized Hospitals ranks Mount Sinai Heart as No. 1 in New York and No. 4 globally and the Division of Gastroenterology as No. 3 globally. For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Remember 10 years ago when consultants thought traditional public relations was dead? They were wrong. It may be hard to believe, but this year marks the 20th anniversary of Penman PR, Inc. The public relations firm with the differentiated business model and practices was founded in October 2001, three weeks after 9/11. Penman PR is joined in celebration by the following innovations that were also launched in 2001: Apple introduced its macOS X 10.1 code-named Puma XM Radio released its service to the public Apple introduced the iPod and the first Apple earbuds VIA introduced the Mini-ITX and the first ITX motherboard form factor The original Xbox console was released in North America Managing partners Dana Summers and Patti D. Hill are thrilled to celebrate this milestone where they work. The two have made plans to travel to various locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. About Penman PR Penman PR is differentiated by its services, leadership, methodologies and notable achievements and the companys edge, energy and power are as profound as its history. Founded three weeks after 9/11, old PR practices were discarded in favor of those that embrace innovation and entrepreneurship. The companys seasoned and polished PR professionals understand clients and media needs and are well known by both for its home run plays. Penman PR has been representing complex companies and technologies for 20 years. Additional information about Penman PR is available at: http://www.penmanpr.com/ Kelli Berner, Chief People Officer for The Champion Companies Were so proud to be included ... for the sixth straight year because it comes from the direct feedback of our team members and it validates our mission to always put our people first when it comes to culture and business decisions, said Champion President and CEO Brian Yeager The Champion Companies is celebrating its sixth straight appearance on the list of Best Places to Work in Central Ohio. In addition, Chief People Officer Kelli Berner is being recognized in the inaugural HR Impact Awards, which highlights those who go above and beyond in human resources at companies throughout the region. The Best Places to Work results were calculated from anonymous employee surveys conducted by Quantum Workplace in conjunction with Columbus Business First. Employees gave feedback on workplace culture, their relationship with their supervisors, and their overall satisfaction. Were so proud to be included on the Best Places to Work list for the sixth straight year because it comes from the direct feedback of our team members and it validates our mission to always put our people first when it comes to culture and business decisions, said Champion President and CEO Brian Yeager. Berner was selected as an HR Impact Honoree from a nomination pool of more than 60 applicants for her dedication to employee wellbeing and her personalized approach to professional development, meaning each of Champions team members has an individual development plan to help them achieve and feel fulfilled in their career. Under her HR leadership, Champions culture has flourished over time through the implementation of many programs that make employees feel valued, and keep their passion alive at work. Im inspired every day by our Champion team, who I truly believe are the hardest-working group of people in Central Ohio, said Berner. Its an honor to be recognized for an award in my field, which is my passion and never feels like work because of the people I get to spend my days with. Champion and Berner will be recognized, along with the other great Central Ohio companies on this list, at the Best Places to Work Awards gala on November 3, at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. *** About The Champion Companies Founded in 2010, The Champion Companies is a real estate investment, development and management firm. Champion owns and manages 5,000 Class A apartments in Central Ohio. Champion has been named a Columbus Business First Fast 50 company for eight consecutive years. Champion has also been recognized for its philanthropic efforts as a 5-time recipient of the Corporate Citizenship Award and a recipient of the Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service. In 2019, Neel Patels parents put the house where he and his older sister grew up, in Champaign, Ill., on the market. Within a week, they got an offer, says Patel, 38, via Zoom from his parents new house in Irvine, Calif., where he was visiting from Los Angeles. Though that initial offer fell through, with Patels parents staying an additional two years in Illinois, the impending move from a family home became one of the inspirations for his second book and debut novel, Tell Me How to Be, out in December from Flatiron. In the novel, 28-year-old Akash Amin is struggling in Los Angeles. Hes got a lot of secrets hes barely keeping, leading to troubled relationships with his family, his boyfriend, and alcohol. No one in his family knows that hes gay. His dreams of becoming a songwriter arent panning out; in fact, hes broke and just hanging on, traumatized by the past and grasping for something, anything, to change his story. One night, nearly a year after his fathers unexpected death, he gets a call from his mother, Renu. She wants to make sure hes booked his ticket home for his fathers puja (a ceremony to honor the memory of his father), but also, Theres something else, she tells him. Its the house... Its sold. Its a cinematic setup, a last visit home to confront the pastAll our memories are here, Renu addsas well as the present. (Also complicated: Akash and his brother, Bijal, arent exactly on speaking terms after an incident at Bijals wedding.) But betrayals cut deep, and theres a lot to unpack as the Amins pack up the house and try to find a space where memories can survive alongside the truth. Throughout 2020, writing Tell Me How to Be, Patel was in Illinois, waiting out the pandemic in the home where he grew up, which I think probably helped, he says. Able to revisit key spots that figure into the book and his own lifelike his school, the farmland of the surrounding area, and places where he used to hang out as a kidhe found himself going down a nostalgic, frequently painful memory lane. I was just either laughing or crying, he says. Yeah. I cried a lot writing it. And when Patels parents actually did moveafter Tell Me How to Be was finishedPatel went home for a final goodbye. It felt so much like the book, he says. I didnt realize I was going to be so emotional about it, saying goodbye to uncles and aunties that Id grown up with and realizing that its just not going to be the same.... I have a very complicated relationship with it, because itll always be home, and yet it wasnt always a hospitable place. But I also became who I am there, and I overcame things there. Patel moved to Los Angeles seven years ago. Hed been in ChicagoI actually didnt even finish college, which is, really... thats like committing a federal crime in the Indian community. Its really taboo. I cant do schooland he knew he wanted to be a writer, but he didnt have an agent or any publications to his name. I was kind of lost in life, Patel says. I had all this ambition, especially growing up in the type of family that I was in, and being in this community of South Asians, where like, literally, everyone is a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer. And I knew that I had to do something. The move to L.A. was pivotal and allowed him to see the Midwest through a different lens, and examine my own experience there. He began writing and publishing short stories, often featuring first-generation Indian Americans. I had certain things to say about the Indian community and about my experience, he says. When I had, I think at the time, 10 stories, I was like, Okay, I think I have a book, he says. And I actually picked the best time to go out to agentsit was two days after Trump won the election. I was like, I think we probably need these stories. He was right; within a month he had an agent. His 2018 short story collection, If You See Me, Dont Say Hi, was longlisted for the Story Prize and the Aspen Words Literary Prize, and was a best of the summer pick from Book Riot, the Guardian, Vanity Fair, and the Wall Street Journal. Patel dug even deeper into his own life for Tell Me How to Be, which he describes as literally like a piece of me in that the essence of it is so me that I think this is the closest to me that I will ever put out in a book form. Though the first draft didnt include RenuIt was just Akash, and it was a totally different story, and it was terribleonce he found her, he knew something had clicked. I just had that mothers voice in me, and was literally three lines in when she talks about Susan Lucci. Then she talks about slapping people and throwing wine, and I was like, Okay, Im onto something here. Renu, like Patels own mother, is Indian by way of East Africa. I was very inspired by my mom, he says. Because my mom and a lot of immigrant womenand specifically South Asian immigrant womenessentially are leading lives that they didnt really choose for themselves. I dont think my mom thought, Oh, I want to leave everyone I know behind and go to a country Ive never even seenshe had never been to America, which I cant imagine. And then to be with a man that I think shed only met a couple of times. What does that look like years later? Patel has some similarities to Akash, as well. In my school there might have been like two other Indian kids, he says. So it was that kind of intersection of being queer, but also being brown and from another place. Now, I look at people and think, Wow, people go to prom with their same-sex partner or friend. We just never would have been able to do that. Its also no accident that Akash is a songwriter. Music is a universal language, a bridge to the outside world, Patel says. I had my very different private life at home, where another language was spoken, we ate different food. And then you go to school, and youre in a totally foreign space. But I remember people talking about certain music videos or songs that came out that I also loved, and being able to participate in those conversations. For that period in time, were all kind of the same. Were all connected by that. Patel is now at work on a third book, alternating between novel and TV writing. His Audible short story, Townie, came out earlier this year, and he has a film, titled Doing Itabout a 25-year-old South Asian woman whos a virgin and, through a mix-up, gets a job teaching sex edin development with YouTuber Lilly Singh attached. Hes excited about all of it, and so are his parents. At first it was hard, because they dont know anyone who does this, he says. But once they started to see all the potential, and other South Asianspeople like Hasan Minhaj and Lilly Singhdo this, its not such a mystery anymore to them. It feels possible. Jen Doll is the author of the YA novels Thats Debatable and Unclaimed Baggage (both from FSG) and the memoir Save the Date: The Occasional Mortifications of a Serial Wedding Guest (Riverhead). DEAL OF THE WEEK Brown Exposes the Crown for Crown At Random Houses Crown imprint, Gillian Blake bought U.S. rights to Tina Browns The Palace Papers. The publisher said the book, subtitled Inside the House of Windsorthe Truth and the Turmoil, is set to be published Apr. 12, 2022, and will detail how the monarchy reinvented itself after the traumatic years when Dianas blazing celebrity ripped through the House of Windsor like a comet. Continuing the examination that Brown, a founder of the Daily Beast and former editor of the New Yorker, began in 2007s The Diana Chronicles, The Palace Papers is full of powerful revelations, nuanced details, and searing insights and will irrevocably change the way readers perceive and understand the Royal Family. Blake is set to coedit the book with Ben Brusey, publishing director at Century, a division of Penguin Random House UK, which will release it simultaneously. Eric Simonoff at William Morris Endeavor represented Brown in the deal. Tor Invests in Self-Published Six In a U.S. rights agreement, Tor bought Olivie Blakes The Atlas Six and two other novels. The planned trilogy was sold by Molly McGhee via Amelia Appel at Triada US Literary Agency. The Atlas Six was self-published in 2020 and went on, Tor said, to become a bestseller at numerous online retailers. The book features magicians vying to join a secret society and asks at what cost does knowledge come? McGhee compared it to Donna Tartts The Secret History. The e-book edition of The Atlas Six is now available from Tor, and a revised edition will become available in both e-book and hardcover in March 2022. Blake is one of the pen names of Alexene Farol Follmuth, who has written a number of SFF projects; her YA book My Mechanical Romance, written under her real name, will be published by Holiday House in May 2022. Carrolls IRA Plot Unravels at Putnam Mark Tavani at Putnam bought North American rights to Rory Carrolls There Will Be Fire, after what the publisher said was a competitive auction. The book, subtitled The IRA Plot to Kill Margaret Thatcher and the Hunt for the Bomber, is set for 2023. Carroll, a reporter for the Guardian, was represented by Will Lippincott at Aevitas Creative Management. According to Putnam, There Will Be Fire is the first in-depth examination of the 1984 IRA bombing in Brighton that threatened the life of thenprime minister Margaret Thatcher and led to one of the greatest manhunts in British history. It will detail how the incident altered the course of two nations. Foreign rights to the book have sold to publishers in, among other countries, the U.K. and Spain. Medies Nightbloom Lights Up Algonquin Ghanaian author Peace Adzo Medie sold Nightbloom to Algonquins Kathy Pories. The world rights agreement was brokered by Kiele Raymond at Thompson Literary. The novel follows two girls from Ghana who, the publisher said, grow up to lead very different lives an ocean apart, until a family crisis reunites them 20 years later. Nightbloom, Algonquin added, attests to the strength of female bonds. Medies debut novel, His Only Wife, was a Reese Book Club Pick and a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Dial Goes Dark with Schuster Glow in the F*cking Dark, a mix of memoir and self-help by Tara Schuster, was acquired in a world rights agreement by Annie Chagnot at the Dial Press. Monika Verma at Levine Greenberg Rostan represented the author. Dial said the title inspires readers to heal their pasts, get off the good enough plateau, and light up their souls so that they can radiate strength and certainty even in the worst of circumstances. Schuster (Buy Yourself F*cking Lilies) is a former executive at Comedy Central. Atria Visits Hayss Cloisters Atria Books bought world rights to The Cloisters by Katy Hays and said it plans on making the novel its lead title for spring 2023. Natalie Hallak preempted the book, in her first acquisition for the Simon & Schuster imprint, from Sarah Phair at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. The Cloisters follows a woman who joins a group of researchers at the Cloisters (the Metropolitan Museum of Arts satellite in Upper Manhattan that focuses on medieval art) and is drawn into a mystery after one of her colleagues turns up dead. Atria said the debut was pitched as The Maidens meets Ninth House and called it a propulsive tale of toxic obsession, the lethal effects of unbridled ambition, and the echoing consequences of the choices we make. Hays was previously a PhD candidate in art history at UC Berkeley. Robins Stars Shine at Orbit At Orbit, Angeline Rodriguez bought world English rights to Emery Robins The Stars Undying from Fox Literarys Isabel Kaufman. The publisher said the debut novel, which is slated for fall 2022, is a space opera inspired by the lives of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. In it, a princess must choose between an ambitious commander (and his beautiful and volatile lieutenant) and the wishes of the godor machinethat whispers in her ear. Robin is a paralegal who lives in New York City. Nat Geo Gets Luxurious with Fitzsimmons In a world rights acquisition, Allyson Johnson at National Geographic Books bought 100 Hotels of a Lifetime by Annie Fitzsimmons. The publisher said the book, subtitled The Worlds Ultimate Stays and slated for fall 2025, is an illustrated guide to the grand histories, one-of-a-kind experiences, and lush hideaways of 100 of the worlds most remarkable hotels. Fitzsimmons is the luxury travel and advisor editor at Afar Media. She did not use an agent in the deal. When Hachette Book Group acquired Workman Publishing, HBG CEO Michael Pietsch observed that Workman was one of the biggest, if not the biggest, remaining independent trade publishers left in the U.S. Based on available data, a case could indeed be made that Workman was the largest of its kind. Which has raised a question in publishing circles: why are there so few independent publishers of size? There is a dearth of what can be called midsize publishers that fall between the Big Five and the many independent publishers with sales of $20 million or less. The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt trade division, with 2020 sales of $192 million, was what could have been considered a mini-major before it was acquired by HarperCollins. The Scholastic trade group, with sales of $355 million in the fiscal year ended May 31, is a major player in the childrens trade market, but as part of a $1.3 billion publisher, it is clearly not independent. Other trade publishers that could be considered midsize that are also part of larger companies are Disneys publishing division and Abrams, which is owned by the French company La Martiniere Groupe, which was itself acquired by Media Participations. Other trade publishers that qualify as a midsize independent, based on NPD BookScan market share data, are (ordered alphabetically, not by market share) Andrews McMeel, Chronicle, Kensington, Norton, and Sourcebooks. Many of the smaller trade publishers are distributed by three companiesIndependent Publishers Group, Ingram Publisher Services, and National Book Networkthat combined represent about 900 publishers. The revenue for each of those distributors is the equivalent of a midsize publisher, with Ingram by far the largest of the three. Jed Lyons, president and CEO of the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group and its sister company NBN, cited two reasons why its difficult to build a midsize publishing house: time and money. The key to being a successful midsize publisher is having a quality backlist, and that takes time to build, Lyons said. He noted that it took RLPG 45 years, and lots of acquisitions, to create his companys 80,000-title strong backlist containing both academic and trade titles. Building a publisher also requires access to capital to support expansion, either by organic growth or through acquisitions. Smaller companies dont have the access to cash that the larger companies have, and Lyons said that as he grew he had some near death experiences, usually tied to concerns raised by banks. Lyons offered a final reason for the current paucity of midsize publishers. Theyve been picked off, he said. All of the Big Five companies became the size they are through series of acquisitions that began years ago. Among the larger deals over the past 10 years are HarperCollinss 2014 purchase of Harlequin (which was not an independent but was a mini-major), HBGs purchase of Perseus Book Group (which made its share of purchases before it was acquired), and Penguin Random Houses acquisition of Rodale Books assets. David Lamb, partner in the M&A broker Book Advisors LLC, said one reason for the lack of midsize publishers is that many of the more successful smaller presses are comfortable in their own publishing lanes, and that though they look for annual growth, they do not have the interest, time, or resources to engage in major expansions. Given the dearth of midsize publishers, Lamb said it is all but impossible that a new player would be able to create a publisher that could compete with the Big Five, short of buying one of the Big Five. At the same time, Lamb said, the biggest publishers will likely continue to make acquisitions in an effort to gain more economies of scale and greater operating efficiencies, which would lead to higher profits. He wouldnt rule out the possibility of a company coming along that could build something the equivalent of a Perseus (which had book revenue of about $100 million when it was sold). He noted that some of the best-known smaller indies and niche publishers have older owners who may be looking to cash out, and with the high prices HMH and Workman received, it appears to be a good time to sell. Ken Fund, executive director of Quarto Group, which had sales of $127 million last year, wasnt so sure there is a company that would be interested in doing a rollup of smaller publishers, explaining that even as books have done well during then pandemic, investors dont see publishing as an exciting investment opportunity. If there is a company considering building a midsize publisher, Fund has this bit of advice: Develop a strategic vision and stick to it. In order for an independent publisher to survive, the company needs to know where it fits in the publishing ecosystem. For Quarto, that means sticking to its knitting in such areas as illustrated nonfiction, arts and crafts, and home improvement, Fund said. These may not be the sexiest categories, but there is an audience for these books. Over time they will sell in bestseller numbers. It may take a few years, but sales will get there. Similar to Lyons, Fund said Quarto has focused on building its backlist, which annually accounts for about 65% of its revenue. Though this might be a good time to sell, one publisher that is not for sale is Kensington Publishing. After a couple of difficult years, its completing one of its better ones in the fiscal year ended September 30, said president and CEO Steve Zacharius, with sales up about 30% over fiscal 2020. He attributed Kensingtons ability to operate as a midsize publisher to its relationships with authors, noting that, for example, Fern Michaels and Kat Martin have left the publisher for bigger houses and then returned. Publishing is a business based on relationships, he added, and it makes a difference when an author can meet with the top executives at a company. Zacharius said he was sorry to see Workman get acquired, but acknowledged its tough being in the middle. He said Kensingtons budget only allows it to invest in certain areas, which is one reason why the house still licenses its audiobooks rather than publishing them itself. We cant put money into everything, Zacharius noted. Priorities at the moment include investing in IT upgrades and adding to publicity and marketing, with a focus on digital marketing in particular. Zacharius is looking at some modest expansion in the new fiscal year. Kensington was one of the first general publishers to enter the African American market in a significant way with the 2003 launch of Dafina, and Zacharius said he is looking to do more in that area. He would also like to expand cozy mysteries, another area of strength for Kensington, while adding more thrillers and nonfiction. In the latter category, Zacharius has high hopes for Dance Theatre of Harlem, a $50 book that, he noted, has received good initial orders ahead of its October 26 release. Zacharius, Fund, and Lyons dont really see the Big Five as direct competitors. Were in different leagues, Lyons said. He noted that the agents RLPG regularly works with know how much it can spend on a book and dont offer projects outside of its budget. They may not always be happy with the size of the advance, but they are grateful we buy a lot of books, Lyons added. We publish in areas where we dont go head-to-head with the Big Five, Fund said, adding that books from Quarto and other independent publishers make up a large portion of bookstores offerings. One area where midsize indies can run into competition with the bigger players is in looking for companies to buy, which Lyons, Zacharius, and Fund said they are all doing. No one wants to stay in place, Fund said. The problem facing smaller buyers is something Lamb alluded to: Ive never seen multiples so high, Fund noted, referring to the formula publishers use to acquire companies (usually based on sales and/or earnings; HBG paid $240 million to buy Workman, a multiple of 1.8 of Workmans revenue of $134 million). International interest While U.S. companies and investors may be cool to the publishing business, international publishers remain interested in getting a piece of the worlds largest book market. Quarto, though based in the U.K., generated $63 millionabout half of its 2020 salesin the U.S. and looks to continue to grow its presence here. U.K.-based Bloomsbury Publishing has made no secret of its interest in expanding in the U.S., a market that generated about $75 million for the publisher last year. A potentially major new player is Astra Publishing House, which is backed by Thinkingdom Media Group, the Beijing-based company that previously acquired Boyds Mills Press and took a majority stake in Minedition. Last month, Astra announced the creation of a childrens book division, Astra Books for Young Readers, under which the company has organized its roster of childrens book lines. Asked what advice Lyons would offer someone who wants to build a midsize publisher in the U.S. today, he offered this: You need lots of determination. The contorted lines of railways and gas pipes across the South Caucasus bear the imprint of a torrid history. Whether breakaway republics from Georgia or the Azerbaijan-Armenian dispute, frozen conflicts have forced nations to move against geographys imperatives. But if this has damaged one country above others, it is Armenia a nation whose diaspora twice outnumber it. Over 80% of the former Soviet republics borders have been closed for more than 30 years, stunting its economic development.But the reason for this fiscal debility has recently disappeared. As the Soviet Union collapsed, Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan descended into conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region within the latters borders but with a mixed population. Azerbaijan suffered serious territorial losses nearly a fifth of its country. In response, along with ally Turkey, it closed its border with Armenia. But a rerun of the conflict last year reversed most of Azerbaijans past losses and with it, the justification for Armenias economic isolation. Tensions remain high. Borders are yet to be renormalized, leaving the situation as before: a slither of border with Iran to the South (along difficult mountain roads), and one with Georgia to the North (itself not a well-connected country).With few natural resources, the geopolitics has posed major problems for Armenias development since independence. Many of its young now emigrate when they can. This could all now change with economic reintegration. The November ceasefire agreement committed both countries to reopen the transport lines that existed between them in Soviet days. The most obvious place to begin is the reestablishment of a 1946 train line that ran parallel to Armenias southern border with Iran. It would be easy to sell to both domestic audiences, many of whom see ones gain coming only at the others expense. The line would connect Armenia into the regional train network, reestablish a rail freight line with Iran at the transit town Julfa, and most importantly, gain a prized part in the so-called middle corridor the fastest freight line stretching from China to Europe through Turkey and Central Asia, bringing the benefit of wider trade, transit fees, and foreign investment. For Azerbaijan, it would connect its mainland to its exclave Nakhchivan. Reachable now only through lengthy circumnavigation, it is the worlds largest landlocked exclave and holds special significance in Azerbaijani culture. Consequently, the Armenian government has been talking tough on whether to restore the link, hoping to win concessions. Yerevan has said the November 9 peace accord does not imply the opening of a corridor from Azerbaijan through Armenia to Nakhichevan. But term nine of the agreement states:The Republic of Armenia shall guarantee the security of transport connections between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Yerevan may be overplaying its hand.The government is right to identify the high value Azerbaijan places on reconnecting with Nakhchivan. However, taking an uncooperative stance may push Azerbaijan to consider building a fresh line on the Iranian side of the border. Allowing this to happen would be a catastrophic miscalculation by the Armenian administration, condemning its economy to isolation for decades to come. We know which route is preferable for Azerbaijan. For one, the cost of the line through Armenia is cheaper. Though most of the rail line has been looted, tunnels and track ballast remain to run a new one through and upon. Establishing a new line through Iran would require expensive work to clear the path; not to mention the logistical difficulties posed by American sanctions on Tehran. But these costs pale in comparison to the symbolic importance of linking Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan once again. That is why the Armenian government must cooperate now, or risk being left behind. Leaders have failed to compromise before. Following the first war,the first President of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, warned there was a choice when it came to the Karabakh problem: war or peace? The first would be the result of a maximalist Armenian position on the disputed territory: not giving up an inch of land, despite it breaching international law; then achieving recognition of Karabakhs independence or merging with Armenia.The second would be a compromise on the issue where both Armenia and Azerbaijan came to a political settlement: some form of autonomy which preserved the rights of Armenians in Karabakh as a part of sovereign Azerbaijan. Yet many leaders at the time maintained a maximalist position whilst pretending peace would last indefinitely. Meanwhile, Armenias economy suffered in isolation, as Azerbaijans grew exponentially from its rich natural resources. Azerbaijan was never going to accept the status quo on Karabakh; unable to enter its internationally recognized territory, with over 800,000 internally displaced persons wishing to return to their homes. If compromise was not found, war was the only other path. Ter-Petrosyans words were not heeded. Uncompromising stances led to the breakdown of a peaceful and diplomatic solution. The resulting loss of most of Karabakh last year was greater than what could have been negotiated. Now again, the government argues from a false sense of strength that Armenia can go without regional integration and still thrive economically. But this will only hinder generations to come, as the decisions on those before have for the young today. Many will continue to leave the country. As the recent war demonstrated, nobody will come running to Armenias aid over Karabakh. It must instead rely on itself. Missing out on regional integration will only weaken the country. The question now is whether Yerevan will pursue peace with prosperity or peace without prosperity. Prof. Ivan Sascha Sheehan is the executive director of the School of Public and International Affairs at The University of Baltimore. Opinions expressed are his own. The Chinese Communist Party made strategic investments in key industries and companies over the last 20 years. Until recently, few in the West seemed to notice or care. Among those who were paying attention, many actually praised Beijings focus on tomorrows technologies. However, it was dangerously naive to ignore the CCPs desire to overtake America as the worlds most powerful economic, military, and cultural power. Not only would dominance in next-generation information technology help place Beijing at the leading edge of global industrial competition, but it would also provide the Chinese Communist Party a mechanism to expand its international influence. Thankfully, Beijings strategy ran into bipartisan opposition in the United States. Four years ago, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and I began briefing major American companies, universities, and others on how the Chinese Communist Party used firms like Huawei, ZTE, Alibaba, and Tencent to infiltrate and ultimately undermine our institutions. At the time, Huawei was a titan of the smartphone industry, shipping more phones globally than any company besides Samsung. Today, Huawei is falling off the map thanks to a concerted effort by the United States and crippling sanctions imposed during the Trump administration. Shipments plunged by 41% in the last quarter of 2020 and even further this year. Huawei sales even fell off in China. Our aim is to survive, Huaweis deputy chairman meekly suggested earlier this year. The company is likely to survive in some form because the CCP believes it is in the regimes interest to save its national champion. But Huaweis stunning fall from an unstoppable juggernaut to one struggling to survive should serve as a blueprint for how American policymakers should approach China. After multiple legislative efforts to restrict Huaweis access to U.S. markets including critical national security areas the Trump administration blacklisted the Chinese Communist Partys largest telecom company in 2019, cutting it off from advanced computer chips and its operating system. It took years of effort often to the ridicule of mainstream media, industry elites, our allies, and even some in Congress to focus public policy on the national security threat posed by companies like Huawei. Two years later, we are finally seeing the results. The challenge now is to move forward the policies and initiatives that strengthen Americans digital security and the security of our nation. The lesson for America and its freedom-loving allies and partners across the world is that we cannot sit idle and hope things will get better. We cannot naively hope that so-called American companies will suddenly stop working with the genocidal regime in Beijing. And we cannot assume that the communist regime will suddenly quit committing genocide, stealing corporate secrets, and undermining Western competitors because of the Biden administrations doctrine of robust commercial engagement. One of the most obvious places to start is Beijings continued exploitation of our capital markets. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and I took a step in that direction in 2020 when President Trump signed our Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act into law. But as Evergrandes impending collapse shows, there is much more we can and must do to protect American investors from fraudulent Chinese companies. We should also do more to confront the Chinese Communist Partys ongoing genocide of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim groups in Xinjiang. The Trump administrations genocide determination was a good first step. Other nations should do the same, and President Joe Biden should personally endorse my Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which passed the Senate unanimously earlier this year. Similarly, we should place sanctions on the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences the worlds largest research organization in response to Beijing blocking a real investigation into the origins of COVID-19. Ultimately, we will need to outcompete Chinese state-backed companies in critical industries. In some cases, American companies are leaps and bounds ahead of our nearest Chinese rival. Take vaccines, for example. Across the world, people want Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, not Sinovac and Sinopharm. In other areas, like investment in new materials, rare-earth minerals, and even advanced robotics, China is pushing ahead. We cannot just assume nationless corporations will care about the future of America. For more than a decade, Chinas rise and Americas decline were viewed as inevitable. It led Wall Street, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley to slide America to the back burner and pander to the Chinese Communist Party. And many times, Washington simply didnt care. Thankfully, we are now coming to grips with the consequences of overreliance on communist China. Huaweis fall is simply the first step in a decades-long effort to correct our lopsided relationship with China and secure a new American century for our great people. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 10/02/2021 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. bartender Wells Adams has revealed how the show's producers caught Ivan Hall sneaking around with Alexa Caves in a hotel behind the scenes.'s seventh-season cast, including Ivan -- who originally competed on The Bachelorette's sixteenth season last year -- had to evacuate their resort in Mexico and stop filming for one night due to a potentially dangerous tropical storm.When Wells confronted Ivan on Tuesday night's episode, Ivan admitted he had spent time with Alexa in her hotel room when the cast was supposed to stay in their assigned rooms and follow protocol.According to Wells, it was actually Alexa who "broke down" and "spilled" the beans about Ivan breaking the rules to visit her in the middle of the night, when Ivan's roommate Noah Erb claimed to be sleeping, Us Weekly reported "A producer was next door to [Alexa's] room. She heard people talking late into the night," Wells revealed on Wednesday's episode of his "Your Favorite Thing with Wells & Brandi" podcast.Alexa, an esthetician from Chicago, IL, who competed on The Bachelor's 24th season starring Peter Weber , was staying at the hotel because she was scheduled to appear on soon."[Alexa] obviously [is] quarantined away from everyone, [and the producer was] like, 'Who is this person talking to? What's going on?'" Wells said."How we found out about it was she called and asked for a wake-up call at, like, five in the morning. When we found out about that, we were like, 'What is she waking up for? She's not going to set today? Why are you getting up at five in the morning?' -- We heard voices, wake-up call, like, what's going on?"Ivan told Wells he had been hoping to meet Alexa in Paradise and found a producer's phone in his room with an alleged screenshot of the cast's different room numbers."I didn't go searching for anything," Ivan claimed."So you saw a producer's phone and you grabbed it and saw what room number she was in?" Wells asked."Yeah, to be quite frank, I saw it. I saw Alexa's name," Ivan replied, adding that he had made a super impulsive decision to meet up with Alexa that night.Ivan elaborated during his tense conversation with Wells, "We were talking on her balcony and we hit it off... It was wrong of me. I shouldn't have gone around the system. My mind was just in a weird place... Love makes you do, like, weird and crazy things. I made a mistake."On their podcast, Brandi Cyrus asked Wells to clarify how Ivan could have just stumbled across a producer's phone with Alexa's room number on it."You get taken to a room... [and] you're stuck there. You're not allowed to leave the room, they take your keys away, you're just stuck there," Wells explained, according to Us."So if you ever need anything, the producer has to come and give it to you. So like, 'Hey, we need some chips and, you know, a case of beer and whatever,' producers have to come and bring it to you."Wells therefore believes a producer had spent some time in Ivan's hotel room."We're all friends, we're working on a show together, everyone knows each other -- and so I think what happened is that a producer had everyone's room number on their phone. And because you have your mask, and your phone doesn't read [your face], she had turned off her face notification, so she could get to, like, all the information," Wells claimed."And so she left the phone in the room. I think [Ivan] went over and was like, 'Oh, here's a phone,' realized it opened up and the first thing was everyone's room number. And then he bailed."Wells also suggested to Brandi that Noah was lying when he claimed to have fallen asleep that night following a brief conversation with Ivan.Wells, in fact, said Ivan's roommate "knew a lot more than he let on.""I don't know this for a fact, but like, Noah, you would have to know that someone's gone. You know your roommate's gone," Wells noted."But I still maintain that that was a pretty insane thing that happened because a lot of things needed to happen."Wells went on, "The hurricane needed to happen, we had to take everyone over there, a producer had to leave a phone in the room, he had to see the number, he had to go over to that room, he had to hang out there, he had to completely not say anything about it, then hook up with [ Chelsea Vaughn ] the next day, then get called out for it all within 24 hours."Wells revealed that he had no time to prepare for his pre-Rose Ceremony confrontation on the beach with Ivan."I remember getting ready for the Rose Ceremony. And there was, like, a lot of powwows going on with production. And I'm like, 'Guys, what is going on?'" Wells recalled.Wells said he had been given "an entire script" of things he was supposed to say when addressing the cast ahead of the Rose Ceremony."You know, 'How's everyone doing? I'm seeing love here. It's so beautiful.' And I learned this entire script -- this happened to me so many times this season, by the way -- I learned this entire script and they're like, 'Scrap it. We're going rogue,'" Wells explained."And I was like, 'What does that mean?' And they're like, 'Just go ask Ivan to talk. He's got something to tell you. Something happened last night, when everyone was back at the [hotel].'"Wells disclosed that Ivan proceeded to unload his story and there was "a lot" more to their conversation than what was shown on Tuesday night's episode.Ivan apologized to the other bachelors and bachelorettes for going around the system, and he ultimately left Paradise alone and single."I don't want anybody to feel bad for me at all," Ivan said in his final words. "I made a choice and I have to own that choice, and I'm going to continue thinking about this and regretting it, and I'll live with this the rest of my life."Following Ivan's departure from Paradise, Alexa never made it on the beach.It therefore appears the couple's sneaky tactics ruined both of their chances to find love on the show.The finale of 's seventh season is set to air on Tuesday, October 5 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group A Turkish man reported missing after a night of drinking in the woods was found after he unknowingly joined his own search party. ADVERTISEMENT Beyhan Mutlu, 50, from Inegol, said he was in Cayyaka for a construction job when he and his friends spent an evening drinking in the woods. Mutlu said he went back to a friend's villa to sleep at about 2 a.m., but his friends thought he had drunkenly wandered off into the woods and reported him missing to the police. The construction worker said he woke the next morning and encountered a search party who said they were seeking a missing person. Mutlu said he joined in the search and didn't realize he was the person they were looking for until other search party members started shouting out his name. "They called my name, 'Beyhan Mutlu.' I said, 'Oh, that's me,'" he told the Daily Sabah. Mutlu was interviewed by police and released. "What happened is all like a joke," he said. A New York couple whose wedding plans were interrupted by border closings from the COVID-19 pandemic held a ceremony at the U.S.-Canada border so the bride's parents and grandmother could attend. ADVERTISEMENT Karen Mahoney and Brian Ray, ski instructors who live in Cadyville, N.Y., said they were hoping the Canadian border would reopen in time for their wedding when they planned it for September, but they had to come up with a new plan when the date approached and crossings remained banned. Mahoney, who met Ray 35 years ago when he taught her how to ski, said it was important to her that her parents and 96-year-old grandmother, who live in Quebec, attend her wedding. "She's my only living grandparent, the only grandparent I've ever known, so it was very important for me for her to be there to watch the happiest day of my life," Mahoney told CNN. "The most important part of the day for us was the promises we told to each other, and we wanted my parents and grandmother to witness that." Ray contacted a man he identified as "Border Brian," a childhood friend who earned his nickname by joining the Border Patrol. Brian arranged for the couple to hold a wedding ceremony at the Jamieson Line Border Crossing, where Burke, N.Y., meets Quebec. "He was off-duty at the time and ... let the other agents who were on duty know what was going to transpire," Mahoney told CBS News. "He arranged so that it would be uninterrupted." FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! The couple said the rules for the ceremony included each attendee staying on their own side of the border and no objects being passed across the line. Mahoney said her grandmother was overjoyed to be able to attend. "She was extremely excited," the bride said. "I've seen her once in two years. So, it was very emotional; we both cried. And she expressed to me later that to witness the happiest day of my life is a moment she would never forget." Mahoney's father, Paul Mahoney, said getting to attend the wedding from across the border was the next best thing to being able to walk her down the aisle. "We would not have missed it. Not for the world," he told WTPZ-TV. The couple held their originally planned ceremony the next day in New York with the rest of their guests. "I got to marry the most beautiful woman in the world two days in a row," Ray said. Around 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to a shooting in the 200 block of Morton Avenue, according to an email from ACCPD Public Information Officer Shaun Barnett. The High Meadows Fund has announced that a $6 million gift is going to the Vermont Land Trust to help diversify farm ownership, make farming more economically viable and promote farming practices that contribute to clean water, healthy soil, and climate resilience Community members gather at Brattleboro Union High School to show their support for the school in a circle of love on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, after graffiti threats were discovered in the school earlier in the week. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. WASHINGTON (AP) The future of abortion rights is in the hands of a conservative Supreme Court that is beginning a new term Monday that also includes major cases on gun rights and religion. The court's credibility with the public also could be on the line, especially if a divided court were to overrule the landmark Roe v. Wade decision from 1973 that established a womans right to an abortion nationwide. The justices are returning to the courtroom after an 18-month absence caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and the possible retirement of 83-year-old liberal Justice Stephen Breyer also looms. It's the first full term with the court in its current alignment. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the last of former President Donald Trump's three high-court appointees, is part of a six-justice conservative majority. Barrett was nominated and confirmed last year amid the pandemic, little more than a month after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Trump and Republicans who controlled the Senate moved quickly to fill the seat shortly before the 2020 presidential election, bringing about a dramatic change in the court's lineup that has set the stage for a potentially law-changing term on several high-profile issues. With abortion, guns and religion already on the agenda, and a challenge to affirmative action waiting in the wings, the court will answer a key question over the next year, said University of Chicago law professor David Strauss. "Is this the term in which the culture wars return to the Supreme Court in a big way? Strauss said. No issue is bigger than abortion. The justices will hear arguments Dec. 1 in Mississippi's bid to enforce a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Lower courts blocked the law because it is inconsistent with high court rulings that allow states to regulate but not prohibit abortion before viability, the point around 24 weeks of pregnancy when a fetus can survive outside the womb. Mississippi is taking what conservative commentator Carrie Severino called a rip-the-Band-Aid-off approach to the case by asking the court to abandon its support of abortion rights that was laid out in Roe and the 1992 case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Mississippi is among 12 states with so-called trigger laws that would take effect if Roe is overturned and ban abortion entirely. By a 5-4 vote in early September, the court already has allowed a ban on most abortions to take effect in Texas, though no court has yet ruled on the substance of the law. But that vote and the Mississippi case highlight the potential risk to the court's reputation, said David Cole, the American Civil Liberties Union's legal director. The arguments advanced by Mississippi were considered and rejected by the Supreme Court in 1992, Cole said. The only difference between then and now is the identity of the justices, he said. Jeff Wall, a top Justice Department lawyer under Trump, said the court could sharply expand gun rights and end the use of race in college admissions, but only abortion is likely to move public perception of the court. I still dont think thats going to create some groundswell in the public, unless its accompanied by some kind of watershed ruling on abortion," Wall said. In early November, the court will take up a challenge to New York restrictions on carrying a gun in public, a case that offers the court the chance to expand gun rights under the Second Amendment. Before Barrett joined the court, the justices turned away similar cases, over the dissents of some conservative members of the court. Until Barrett came along, some justices who favor gun rights questioned whether Chief Justice John Roberts would provide a fifth, majority-making vote for a more expansive reading of the Second Amendment, said George Washington University law professor Robert Cottrol, who said he hoped the court would now broaden gun rights. More than 40 states already make it easy to be armed in public, but New York and California, two of the nation's most populous states, are among the few with tighter regulations. The case has gun control advocates worried. An expansive Second Amendment ruling by the Supreme Court could restrict or prohibit the sensible solutions that have been shown can end gun violence, said Jonathan Lowy, vice president and chief counsel at the gun violence prevention group Brady. Lowy included state laws requiring a justification to carry a gun as examples of such sensible solutions. A case from Maine gives the court another opportunity to weigh religious rights in the area of education. The state excludes religious schools from a tuition program for families who live in towns that don't have public schools. Since even before Ginsburg's death, the court has favored religion-based discrimination claims and the expectation among legal experts is that parents in Maine who sued to be able to use taxpayer money at religious schools will prevail, though it's not clear how broadly the court might rule. Affirmative action is not yet on the court's agenda, but it could still get there this term in a lawsuit over Harvard's use of race in college admissions. Lower courts upheld the school's policy, but this is another case in which the change in the composition of the court could prove decisive. The court upheld race-conscious admission policies as recently as five years ago but that was before Trump's three appointments accentuated the court's conservative tilt. Among other notable cases, the justices will consider reinstating the death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The Biden administration is pushing for the capital sentence, even as it has suspended federal executions and President Joe Biden has called for an end to the federal death penalty. The court will also weigh two cases involving state secrets, the idea that the government can block the release of information it claims would harm national security if disclosed. One case involves a Guantanamo Bay detainee who a lower court said was tortured in CIA custody. The other involves a group of Muslim residents of California who allege the FBI targeted them for surveillance because of their religion. Decisions in the most of the big cases won't come before spring because the justices typically spend months drafting and revising majority opinions and dissents. Around then, Breyer might signal whether he is planning to retire from a job he has held since 1994. Retirement announcements often come in the spring, to give the president and the Senate enough time to choose and confirm a nominee before the court returns from its summer break and begins hearing cases again in October. The consequences of Ginsburg's decision to remain on the court through Barack Obama's presidency and her death while Trump was in the White House can't be lost on Breyer, said Tom Goldstein, the founder of the Scotusblog website and a frequent advocate before the court. It's overwhelmingly likely hell retire this term, Goldstein said. The courthouse still is closed to the public, but live audio of the court's arguments will be available and reporters who regularly cover the court will be in attendance. The tradition-bound court first provided live audio in May 2020, when the court began hearing arguments by telephone during the pandemic. Justice Brett Kavanaugh will participate remotely from his home next week during oral arguments after testing positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. The court said Friday that the 54-year-old justice has no symptoms. ___ Associated Press writer Jessica Gresko contributed to this report. TUPELO, Miss. (AP) Tupelo celebrated the diversity of its population last weekend with the return of the Celebration of Cultures event. Held Sunday afternoon at the Oren Dunn City Museum in Tupelo, the event featured six different countries the Bahamas, Ghana, India, Mexico, Japan and the US as well as four additional vendors and booths from the Family Resource Center of North Mississippi (FRC); tutoring program and resource center El Centro; and multicultural church Soma Tupelo. Though they initially planned for a smaller program, the event drew a crowd of more than 100 attendees despite a hiatus last year because of the pandemic. The strong turnout surprised Shanta Jones, the program director for Tupelo Parks and Recreation. Jones originally restarted the program back in 2016 following a nine-year hiatus. Jones said she hopes attendees learned from the event and could gain a greater appreciation for other cultures. We all come together to try to understand one another where were at from the country that were from through music, dancing, and food, Jones said. We just want to celebrate each other in unity. That sentiment was felt by Celebration of Cultures newcomer Shyla Macwan from India. Macwan displayed traditional outfits such as a sari and sold India snacks and dishes like samosas, butter children and puloa. Despite it being her first year taking part in the event and initially being unsure of how it would go, Macwan said it was wonderful. Everyones been so nice and so warm and generous, Macwan said. I dont feel like Im from a different nation, but I feel the love and warmth from everybody. I thank God for this blessing and opportunity. Various flags of different countries lined the entrance to the event. Tables representing the different countries featured food, traditional games, handmade items, clothing, jewelry and more. The program, which was created more than two decades ago, opened with prayer, the pledge of allegiance and national anthem. One moment, attendees were dancing together to the Cha Cha Slide. The next, they were watching as Tony Wallace, head instructor of the New Albany and Tupelo based martial arts school Kinetic Kick, demonstrated different techniques. Spanish music was performed while others shared cultural dances. FRC, one of the participating organizations, provided materials in multiple languages sharing their services and programs, and gave away bucket items as door prizes, said Dell Hatch of the FRC. Sheila Davis, the program director for FRC, also announced the FRC recently received $100,000 for a racial equity grant to help families of color in the community. Esi Osei represented her native Ghana with her crafts of pillows, jewelry, shirts, bags, neck pillows and more in traditional prints. Each item was handmade in Tupelo with African fabrics and beads. Osei, whos been in Tupelo for six years, began making items four years ago for family and friends. She began producing on a larger scale with encouragement from them. For Osei, Celebration of Cultures provides a chance to educate others on the different cultures Tupelo has. Its also education for the young kids, to get to know and embrace other cultures, too, Osei said. The City of Tupelo is doing a good job. Shanta is wonderful, coordinating all this, and Im happy there is something like this. At the Japanese table, children and adults alike gravitated towards games like Daruma Otoshi and Kendama. Kumi Richardson, one of the exhibitors, said they decided to host traditional games to allow the audience a chance to observe and participate. We can simply demonstrate, but if the audience can participate, I think they can enjoy it much more and then they can remember more, Richardson said. An ensemble performed folklore dances. One of the dancers was St. James Catholic Church Hispanic coordinator Raquel Thompson. Folklore is very important for their culture from Guadalajara, Thompson said, and the dance and music that is part of Mexico. St. James celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month held from Sept. 15 until Oct. 15 each year, and every year they participate in Celebration of Cultures. This is not only one culture; its a mix of every culture and this is what its always about, so (were) very happy and enjoy (that) we can be here, Thompson said. Last year, because of the pandemic, we didnt have it so this year we were all for it. Patrice Stone, from the Bahamas, opted to bring woven items, wood carvings, conch shells and a display with the history, national currency and symbols of the Bahamas. She said she relishes having a venue to share her culture with her Mississippi family. Its important for us to share our different cultures because we are all from one race, which is the human race, Stone said. MANILA, Philippines (AP) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday announced he was retiring from politics and dropping plans to run for vice president in elections next year, when his term ends, paving the way for his politician daughter to make a possible bid for the top post. Speaking before reporters, Duterte said many Filipinos have expressed their opposition to his vice-presidential bid in surveys and public forums. The overwhelming sentiment of the Filipino is that Im not qualified, and it would be a violation of the constitution, Duterte said. I will follow what you wish, and today I announce my retirement from politics." The 76-year-old leader, known for his deadly anti-drugs crackdown, brash rhetoric and unorthodox political style, earlier accepted the ruling partys nomination for him to seek the vice presidency in the May 9 elections. The decision outraged many of his opponents, who have described him as a human rights calamity in an Asian bastion of democracy. Duterte announced his surprise withdrawal from the election after accompanying his former longtime aide, Sen. Bong Go, who registered his vice presidential candidacy instead under the ruling party at a Commission on Elections center. Philippine presidents are limited by the constitution to a single six-year term, and opponents had said they would question the legality of Dutertes announced vice presidential run before the Supreme Court if he pursued it. While two past presidents have run for lower elected positions and won after their terms ended in recent history, Duterte was the first to consider running for the vice presidency. If he did pursue the candidacy and win, that could elevate him back to the presidency if the elected leader dies or is incapacitated for any reason. Dutertes withdrawal could pave the way for the possible presidential run of his daughter Sara Duterte, who is currently the mayor of southern Davao city. She has been prodded by many supporters to make a bid to succeed her father and has topped independent public opinion surveys on who should lead the country next. But after her father initially declared that he would seek the vice presidency, Sara Duterte announced she would not run for president, saying she and her father have agreed that only one Duterte would run for a national office next year. Shortly after Duterte announced he was backing out from the vice-presidential run, his daughter filed her papers for reelection in Davao city, although speculation remains rife that she will eventually withdraw from her mayoral reelection bid and seek the presidency. President Duterte took office in 2016 and immediately launched a crackdown on illegal drugs that has left more than 6,000 mostly petty suspects dead and alarmed Western governments and human rights groups. The International Criminal Court has launched an investigation of the killings, but he has vowed never to cooperate with the inquiry and allow ICC investigators into the country. Duterte was a former longtime Davao city mayor, government prosecutor and legislator in a colorful political career that spanned more than three decades. He will be remembered by many for his extra-tough approach to criminality that earned him monikers such as Duterte Harry, after Clint Eastwoods police character who had little regard for the law. When he exits from politics, he would likely be hounded by lawsuits arising from his violent anti-criminality campaign. He cited that concern in July as one of the reasons he accepted the ruling PDP-Laban partys nomination for him to be its vice-presidential aspirant. A U.S.-based human rights group said Duterte would do everything in his power to support a friendly successor and would harness his lingering influence in retirement to shield himself from an array of potential criminal charges. Duterte will back a candidate who can give him that protection, said Carlos Conde of Human Rights Watch. Eluding accountability for human rights abuses is Dutertes primary concern as his presidency winds down. ___ Associated Press journalists Kiko Rosario and Aaron Favila in Manila contributed to this report. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Authorities in New Mexico's largest city said they were looking for a shooter who killed a neighbor and wounded his dog while they were out for a walk. Shawn Lynch, 34, was walking his pit bull, Yessenia, last week when a neighbor with a history of violence yelled at him from a parked SUV, accusing him of looking at him the wrong way, according to an arrest warrant that Albuquerque police issued for the suspect this week. According to witness accounts documented by police, 22-year-old Xavier Marquez grabbed a 9 mm pistol, got out of the vehicle and shot the dog in the rear. When Lynch yelled back, Marquez fired around 10 shots, four of which hit Lynch. One bullet went through a wall in the apartment complex where the men lived, landing in a mattress where a woman was lying in her bed. No one else was injured in the Sept. 22 shooting. Marquez drove away on a moped, and Yessenia limped to her dog bed, leaving a trail of blood, according to the police warrant. The animal is getting care and recovering. Lynch's death five days later added to the record number of homicides in Albuquerque this year, which reached 85 as of Monday. Nationally, homicides were up nearly 30% last year, the largest one-year jump ever, according to FBI data released this week. Police wrote that Marquez was an involved party in two Albuquerque homicides this summer, writing in a warrant that one police report listed him as wearing a ballistic vest. Marquez wasn't charged in those cases but was arrested on Aug. 20 after punching two strangers, including an off-duty police officer, court records show. He was released on the condition that he wouldn't keep any guns and went to a court hearing scheduled this month. Albuquerque assistant public defender Hadley Brown, who supervises Marquez's attorney in the assault case, declined to comment. Brown wouldn't release the name of the attorney. Police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos declined to comment on the summer homicide cases involving Marquez and the departments efforts to arrest him. The pit bull that was shot survived after veterinarians removed a 9 mm bullet fragment from its leg, according to city animal control officials. Shes actually doing really well. Its amazing how resilient animals are when something this traumatic happens, said Albuquerque Animal Welfare spokeswoman Desiree Cawley, adding that Lynchs family is still deciding who should take care of the dog when it recovers. ___ Attanasio 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 under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT A city man pleaded guilty Friday to a racketeering offense stemming from a gang-related shooting in front of the state courthouse last year, according to Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut Leonard Boyles office. Destine Calderon, 26, admitted Friday that he participated in drug trafficking for the Greene Homes Boyz, or GHB/Hotz, a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes housing complex in Bridgeports North End. The gang is known for distributing heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills, according to the U.S. Attorneys office. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) Sign-waving, chanting crowds rallied in Illinois Saturday to protect abortion rights just weeks after Texas restrictions all but banned the procedure in that state. Thousands of people gathered in Daley Plaza in Chicago chanting, Our body, our choice, before marching through the Loop. In Springfield, several hundred people gathered on the south side of the Old State Capitol plaza, just two of 650 similar actions around the country, according to Planned Parenthood of Illinois. The Women's March has become a recurring event since the first one was staged in Washington, D.C., just after the inauguration of former President Donald Trump, a staunch abortion opponent. But it took on a new urgency Saturday, with the Texas law scheduled to wend its way through the court system and clinics outside of Texas filling up with appointments. Just two day after the Texas law took effect, Planned Parenthood saw the first women from Texas arriving in Illinois for the procedure, said Brigid Leahy, senior director or public policy. They are trying to figure out paying for airfare or gas or a train ticket, they may need hotel and meals, Leahy said. They have to figure out time off of work, and they have to figure out child care. This can be a real struggle. Prominent among the Springfield crowd were the Illinois Handmaids, a group of women in red robes and white bonnets reminiscent of the automatons of Margaret Atwoods dystopian novel, The Handmaid's Tale, carrying signs that said, Mind Your Own Uterus and Mother By Choice. Although abortion is more accessible in Democratic-controlled Illinois than in many other places, both rallies in Chicago and the capital called for repeal of the state's parental notification law, requiring an adult family member to be told about an abortion planned by a woman under 18 at least 48 hours in advance. In Chicago, before Crystal Rosales spoke, several women walked by the microphone and said, I've had an abortion, and I'm here to support Crystal, reported the Chicago Tribune. Then, Rosales explained that she made the hardest decision of my life when she learned of her pregnancy in 2012. She said she dealt with guilt, shame and sadness, but finally concluded, Abortion is health care. Abortion is essential. And abortion is freedom. Jack Paciolla of Springfield attended the Capital rally. We should be past this point where, they dont have a choice over their bodies? Paciolla said. We shouldnt be able to ban it. It (the abortion issue) has been decided, theres precedent, why are we still dealing with this? Its ridiculous. ___ Follow Political Writer John OConnor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor Coronavirus developments around New England: ___ RHODE ISLAND More than 90 health care facilities have requested a 30-day extension to meet Gov. Dan McKees requirement to get all workers vaccinated against COVID-19, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced Friday. The list includes some of the largest hospitals in the state, including Rhode Island Hospital and the Miriam Hospital, along with dozens of nursing facilities. A total of 92 health care facilities have requested extensions to meet the vaccine requirement, which took effect Friday. All have plans to meet the mandate by Oct. 31, according to the health department. Another 215 facilities reported that they have are in compliance with the requirement, including Kent County Memorial Hospital and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital. McKee announced in August that all health care workers would be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 1. On Friday, the health department separately ordered a Cranston dentist to stop practicing after he told The Providence Journal he would defy the mandate. The agency said Dr. Stephen Skoly must stop seeing patients until he meets the requirement. The order gives Skoly 10 days to request a hearing. He told The Journal on Thursday that he would notify patients that he is not vaccinated. ___ CONNECTICUT Bridgeport officials say 70% of the city's non-school city employees have submitted proof they've been vaccinated against the coronavirus, days after the deadline for all such workers to get vaccinated or submit to weekly tests. Rowena White, a spokesperson for Mayor Joe Ganim, told Hearst Connecticut Media on Friday that the remaining 30% of workers in Connecticut's largest city have either not responded to requests for vaccination status or are not vaccinated. The original deadline was Sept. 27. It's not clear yet what will happen to employees who are not complying. Ganim's Sept. 10 order mandating non-school workers to get vaccinated said failure to adhere ... may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. An estimated 2,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal non-school workers are required to either get inoculated or submit to weekly testing. City officials said they're hoping to avoid disciplining workers and gain vaccination information about the non-complying workers through a state-managed vaccination database. ___ VERMONT People in Vermont who still need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or who are eligible for booster shots have opportunities across the state. One location that is available is the COVID-19 Resource Center on the former campus of Southern Vermont College in Bennington. People can register for the shots in Bennington and elsewhere in the state through the Vermont Department of Health's website. While our region is faring better than other parts of the country, testing, vaccination and booster injections are critical to reducing transmission of the virus, Dr. Trey Dobson, the chief medical officer at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, said in a statement. These services offered at the center are essential for a rapid return to a highly functioning society uninhibited by mitigation measures and frequent school and work absence due to disease, he said. Registration for booster shots opened Friday for people 65 and older and for those ages 18 to 64 with underlying medical conditions that put them at risk for severe illness with COVID-19. In order to be eligible, an individual must have received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least 6 months ago prior to getting the booster. ___ NEW HAMPSHIRE New Hampshire public health officials hope to set up four new COVID-19 testing sites in the coming weeks. With demand for tests increasing, Health Commissioner Lori Shibinette said her agency is in contract negotiations with a private vendor to set up sites around the state. We would likely be setting those up in some of our more population-dense areas, so some of the cities, or if there is a known gap in testing services in a specific area of the state, she said. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Lifer! Lifer! Roman Pommerening excitedly pointed to the bright yellow bird flitting through the brush. At just 6 years old, Roman, who has already identified about 100 birds, added the magnolia warbler to his ever-growing list of birds spotted for the first time or lifers. Roman may have been one of the younger birders at the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsins third outing Sunday, but that didnt stop him from leading the way. The budding ornithologist can differentiate male and female wood ducks based on the whistle of their call and has seen about seven peregrine falcons his favorite bird and, in his book, the fastest living thing in the universe. He knows more than all of the adults in our family, Romans mother, Ashley Pommerening, said. He wants to be an ornithologist so its cool to see him connect with other birders, especially other birders of color because this is his passion. Sparking such aha moments is exactly why Jeff Galligan and Dexter Patterson created the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin. Both avid birders, Galligan and Patterson were often some of the only people of color at various birding events throughout Madison. Then on Juneteenth of this year, they got together and decided to form an organization dedicated to making birding more accessible, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. Though still new, the club has already hosted three bird walks and plans to host at least one a month. The club also recently partnered with the Madison chapter of the Feminist Bird Club for Swift Night Out, when more than 60 people gathered to watch hundreds of chimney swifts roost at dusk. The walks have drawn about 15-20 people of all ages, experience levels and racial identities. Patterson said each event brings plenty of new faces. Anybody who is down with equity and inclusion in the outdoors is welcome, Galligan said. Up until a year ago, you just didnt see anything about Black birders, so even if you thought you liked birds, what are you going to do with that? Because nobody who looks like you is doing it. The push to create the group came in part from the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, Galligan said. The deaths instilled a sense of urgency in Galligan and made him want to give back to his community. Black birders received national attention in June 2020 after a video of a white woman calling the police on a Black man birding in New York Citys Central Park went viral. In response, biology graduate student Corina Newsome organized Black Birders Week five days of online panels and workshops about diversity in the outdoors. After seeing the impact of Black Birders Week, Galligan wanted to find a way to make birding more accessible at a local level. Offhand comments and pointed looks have made Galligan feel unwelcome in many birding spaces for over a decade, and he decided it was time to build his own birding community. Ive never felt connected to anything related to birding in this part of the country, said Galligan, who is originally from Oregon. Thats bothersome, but the best way to combat that is to do this kind of thing. ... Its time for people to understand that everybody has a right to our natural spaces. Delia Unson and her husband, Chuck Heikkinen, have traveled the world for birds. Unson, who moved to Madison from the Philippines in 1979, has made lifelong friends through birding, but in Madison, Galligan was one of the only other birders of color she would see. The BIPOC Birding Club gave Unson a sense of camaraderie she said she hasnt found in other birding organizations. Unson said other groups havent been as friendly and members stay quiet so as not to scare off birds. But on the trail Sunday, children chased after each other while the adults chatted. Making birding fun is where Patterson comes in. A former student of Galligans at Madison Area Technical College, Patterson started birding because of the pandemic push. Birding got him outside, made him more mindful and helped him lose 40 pounds. Patterson also started making videos for the TikTok app detailing his birding adventures. Im trying to turn it on its head a little bit like, Hey birding is fun. Birding is for everybody. Its not just old people out in the woods, Galligan said. Thats what its all about, getting more Black and brown kids outside to say, Hey this is for you. For Patterson, birding is bigger than birding. It helps connect those with similar interests, gives people a stake in protecting animal habitat and can even be a career path, he said. Galligan said part of the clubs goal is to get younger children interested in STEM careers, showing them they can be anything they want to be because the sciences can sometimes seem inaccessible. The immersive nature of birding also makes people more attentive to, and invested in, the environment, Galligan said. In the coming months he hopes to establish the club as a nonprofit so that it can raise money for various conservation efforts. When youre connected to birding, youre connected to the Earth and its processes and all the things we need to be aware of to protect and maintain it for future generations, Galligan said. Everybodys children or nephews or nieces are inheriting the Earth. It really doesnt matter what you look like or where you come from. So I believe that everybody needs to have a seat at that table. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) One woman is dead after an accident on Swope Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri. The accident happened just before 8 a.m. Saturday. The woman killed was 44, but her name has not been released. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla began his four-day visit to Sri Lanka on October 2, Saturday. During his visit to the island nation, he will be meeting senior Sri Lankan officials, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and will assess bilateral ties between the two Asian neighbours. The Indian Foreign Ministry informed that Shringla arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday on an invitation from his Sri Lankan counterpart Jayanath Colombage. The Foreign Ministry said in a press statement that the tour will contribute towards the long-standing multi-faceted relations and deepen bilateral ties between the two nations. Foreign Secretary Shringla will also travel to Kandy, Trincomalee's eastern port district and the country's northern city of Jaffna. After taking charge as India's foreign secretary in January, last year, this is Shringla's first trip to Sri Lanka. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will visit Sri Lanka from 2-5 October, to review the bilateral ties, the progress of ongoing bilateral projects and ongoing cooperation to tackle Covid related disruptions: MEA (file pic) pic.twitter.com/6s2Y3ywox4 ANI (@ANI) October 1, 2021 Benefits of Harsh Shringla visit to Sri Lanka The Indian High Commission said on Friday that Shringla's trip will give an opportunity to evaluate bilateral connections, advance current initiatives and address ongoing collaboration to combat COVID-related issues. It should be mentioned that Shringla's visit comes days after Ahmedabad-based Indian multinational conglomerate, the Adani Group, signed a deal with the Port Authority of Sri Lanka to construct the Colombo Port's West International Container Terminal. According to the Government of Sri Lanka, the $700 million 'Build-Operate-Transfer' contract is the biggest foreign investment within the country's port industry. While the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that Sri Lanka holds a vital part in India's 'Neighbourhood First' police and Shringla's visit reflects the significance in ensuring strong and cordial relationships among the two nations in all sectors of common interest. Harsh Shringla's Sri Lanka tour also comes at a time Colombo is experiencing economic difficulties, and the Indian foreign secretary is expected to examine if India can help the island nation in its crisis. Shringla's trip to the neighbouring nation is also expected to include discussions over the construction of the West International Container Terminal at Colombo port. During his meetings in Colombo, Shringla is expected to restart the discussion on India's position on the long-pending Tamil problem. India has repeatedly urged Sri Lanka to fulfil its pledges to safeguard the Tamil community's interests and maintain the country's multi-ethnic and multi-religious identity. The Tamil population in Sri Lanka has been advocating for the adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, enacted after the 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan deal. (Image: ANI) In response to Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane's briefing on the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) at the Indo-Pak border, Major (retired) Gaurav Arya said that the real question that remains is what India plans to do to eliminate terrorism. Referring to the Army chief's statement that no activity can take place without the help of Pakistan, Major Arya said that it is a 'well-founded statement'. General Naravane had asserted that Pakistan should not support any terror-related activities and said that such activities cannot take place unless terrorists have the support of Islamabad. Citing his own experience, Major Gaurav Arya said, "I was along the line of control in the late '90s and I have seen it myself on how Pakistan Army helps terrorists get into Jammu". Questioning what India's next move would be in eliminating terrorism from the source after knowing about Pakistan's role in fueling terror activities, Major Gaurav Arya said that killing terrorists or carrying out anti-terror operations is only a surface solution. "Pakistan will keep manufacturing terrorists and send them to India for the next 100 years," he added. General Naravane on border security "There were no ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army from February till June-end. But of late there have been increased infiltration attempts that weren't supported by ceasefire violations. In 10 days, there have been two ceasefire violations. The situation is regressing to pre-February days," news agency ANI quoted General Naravane as saying. Earlier General Naravane had said that the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force face different challenges due to the peculiar environment of contested challenges and the ongoing proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir. Further stating that the Indian Army is focused on safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India throughout the year, the Army chief had said, Maintaining high levels of readiness and operation preparedness to meet all contingencies is part of Army's culture. COVID underscored timelessness of many fundamental principles that lay in the foundation for resilient structures and processes. Combined Annual Training Camp in Srinagar According to a press release from the Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO), the Indian Army is assisting in the organisation of a Combined Annual Training Camp at Tangdhar village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district from September 29 to October 5, under the umbrella of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Group, Srinagar. The press release added, Directions to carry NCC to border villages of Kashmir are being implemented in a very short time. (Image: ANI/Twitter) Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday addressed the valedictory session of the Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) through a virtual conference. During the session, he spoke on several factors including the Union government's aim of shifting public transport to green and clean sources of energy. Mentioning the National Hydrogen Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union minister Gadkari said that the initiative seeks to develop hydrogen technologies for the benefit of the mobility sector and will help India become a leader in the production and usage of green hydrogen. Gadkari also spoke about the efficiency of hydrogen and called it the fuel of the future. The Union minister said that the initiative will help India in its mission to achieve zero carbon emissions. Speaking about the country's automobile sector, Gadkari said that the sector will soon take India's manufacturing to new heights, particularly under the recently launched 'Production Linked Incentive' scheme. He informed that the scheme will help boost the advancement of automotive technology products in the Indian auto sector and lower fossil fuel emissions. Addressing valedictory session of 'Symposium on International Automotive Technology - SIAT 2021' https://t.co/nFJ58o8bn6 Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) October 1, 2021 Centre's plans on developing India's transport landscape During his address at the SIAT 2021, Minister Nitin Gadkari also spoke about the Centre's plans for improving the transport landscape in the country by introducing flex-fuel vehicles which will help automobiles to run on 100% ethanol and petrol. Mentioning countries like the USA, Brazil, and Canada, he said that India will also soon allow such flex engine-based vehicles and that it will help in transforming mobility in India. Earlier on Friday, while laying the foundation stone for a flyover from Rajaram Bridge in Pune, Gadkari said, "In the next three to four months, I will be issuing an order, mandating all vehicle manufacturers to power vehicles with flex engines. Speaking about road safety, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways said that a concept is being considered for achieving zero accidents and zero loss of lives as the country still reports 1.5 lakh deaths every year in road accidents. Gadkari also urged vehicle manufacturers to focus more on salvaging from scrapped vehicles under the view of the shortage of semiconductors. He asked the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the organisers of the symposium to shift to more efficient and cheaper alternative sources. (Image: @NitinGadkari/Twitter) The Uttar Pradesh Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested one more person in the illegal conversion case. According to reports, the ATS authorities have arrested Dheeraj Jagtap, a resident of Yavatmal from Kanpur. According to the details provided by the UP ATS, the accused propagated religious hatred in WhatsApp groups by sharing radical messages. The UP ATS has arrested over 14 persons so far in the illegal conversion racket. Among these, six are from Maharastra, while three are from Nagpur. ATS sources further informed that Jagtap himself had converted to Islam 10 years ago. Earlier, UP ATS arrested two others identified as Mohammad Idrees Qureshi and Mohammad Salim from Muzaffarnagar. The accused arrested are known to be associates of Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, who was arrested earlier in connection with the case. According to Uttar Pradesh ATS, Siddiqui told in the interrogation that they used to get a lot of money from the operatives abroad for religious conversions. While Atif alias Kunal Chowdhary who was one of Siddiqui's associates working for the past 2 years, was arrested from the Anand Nagar area of Nashik. UP ATS arrests Islamic Scholar in illegal conversion racket Earlier on September 22, the UP ATS arrested Islamic scholar Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui. The 64-year-old Islamic scholar is one of the biggest clerics from western UP whose name came up during the investigation in the Umar Gautam case. Siddiqui was nabbed in Meerut and had been on the radar of security agencies due to suspicious activities. "Investigation shows Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui runs Jamia Imam Waliullah trust that funds several madrassas for which he received huge foreign funding. Investigation shows Maulana Kaleem Siddiquis trust received Rs 3 crores in foreign funding, including Rs 1.5 from Bahrain. Six teams of ATS have been formed to investigate this case," Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said in a press conference. Illegal religious conversion racket The conversion racker came to light when the Uttar Pradesh police in June had arrested Umar Gautam along with eight others. Following the arrest, the UP Police had informed that the racket involved the conversion of deaf children and women to Islam and more than 1,000 people were converted. Police statement further said that more than a dozen deaf and dumb children in Noida were also converted. The police said that during the interrogation, the arrested accused confessed to converting nearly 250 to 300 people every year. With ANI inputs BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, on Saturday, justified Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks over opposition misleading India's farmers and said the opposition is using the farm laws to revise political fortune. Referring to PM Modi's interview with Open Magazine, Gaurav Bhatia said that a strong and clear message has been sent to the opposition. In the interview, Narendra Modi called out the 'intellectual dishonesty' of political parties, stating that they were spreading misinformation over the pro-farmer reforms they had promised in their election manifestos. Stating Jan 26 farmers protest as a shameful act, BJP spokesperson said, "Through the interview, once again the Prime Minister has expressed his interest to discuss the farmers' issue and resolve the same through meaningful dialogue". He added, "According to 2019 Congress general election manifesto of Congress, chapter 7, point 11, they mention to do away with MSP act whereas the Modi government has not done away with Mandi. The Centre government has introduced another market for the farmer's betterment". Gaurav Bhatia said that Swaminathan Commission reports are very important. It was not implemented for seven years, but PM Modi did it. The Modi government has increased the MSPs of mandated Kharif crops to help farmers profit 50% more than the production costs. The decision was made according to the Swaminathan Committee's C2 formula of calculating the cost of cultivation, including the imputed cost of capital and the rent on the land to give farmers 50% returns. This formula was adopted by PM Modi in his first term of governance too. In the following years, PM Modi has aimed to facilitate farmers to achieve 100% production returns. He said that there are many measures taken by the Centre government in accordance with farmers development, due to which the farmer's stand firm by PM Modi. Further lashing out at the opposition, he stated, "The opposition is unaware of their acts and is indulged in shallow politics". Gaurav Bhatia informed that the opposition doesn't think about the development of th4e country and the wellbeing of the people as they have opposed Article 370, triple talaq and GST. They have the ideology to oppose Modi irrespective of his vision towards the development of the country. Its high time opposition takes responsibility and functions for the betterment of the nation. Speaking on PM Modi's efforts to cheer and encourage people to achieve their goals, Gaurav Bhatia said, "Spirit to encourage people through Maan ki Baat and other programs are inherited in the government. The programmes are conducted to help people to achieve their objectives". PM Modi's interview On completion of 20 years of governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the opposition over the farm laws and slammed them for opposing the same reforms that they had once grandiosely promised. PM Modi said, "There are political parties which will grandiosely make promises before elections, even put them in their manifestos. Yet, when the time comes to deliver on the same promises, these same parties and people do a complete U-turn and worse spread the most malicious kind of misinformation on the promises they themselves had made. If you look at those who are opposing the pro-farmer reforms today, you will see the real meaning of intellectual dishonesty and rajneetik dhokhadhadi." Image: PTI/ANI The Shiv Sena on Saturday attacked the Centre for discussing the problems of a state with the "dismissed" Chief Minister. Referring to Captain Amarinder Singh, Sena's remarks came after the recent meeting between former Punjab Chief Minister and Union Minister Amit Shah in the national capital. Shiv Sena in its mouthpiece, Saamna opined that the Home Minister has no right to discuss border security with a former Chief Minister. It instead stated that if the matter of border security is important, then it should have been discussed with the incumbent Chief Minister of Punjab, Charanjit Singh Channi instead of Captain Amarinder Singh. "Has anyone started infiltrating the border like Kashmir and Ladakh? If this issue is really important then the Home Minister should discuss it with the present Chief Minister of Punjab. What is this method of discussing the problems of the state with the dismissed Chief Minister? The central government is starting this new tradition, which is not fair," said Saamna. 'Amarinder woke up about border security': Shiv Sena The Saamna editorial further attacked Captain Amarinder Singh for 'waking up' on the border security issue only after resigning as the Chief Minister of Punjab. It also alleged that Singh's decision to stay away from Congress would harm the grand old party. These remarks by Sena come after Singh announced that he met Amit Shah to discuss the ongoing farmers' agitation and urged him to resolve the crisis by immediately repealing the three farm laws. "Pakistan is infiltrating every day, but after leaving the post of Chief Minister, Amarinder woke up about border security," said Saamna. "Amarinder Singh had clarified that he will not go to the BJP, but after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it seems he will harm the Congress by staying out," it added. Sena demands 'full-time' Congress President Earlier on Friday, Shiv Sena hit out at its MVA ally Congress and blamed it for preventing Rahul Gandhi from undertaking reforms in the party. In an editorial in Saamna, Sena leader Sanjay Raut hailed Rahul Gandhi to appoint a Dalit leader as the Chief Minister of Punjab and spoke about Navjot Singh Sidhu's resignation. Raut asserted that Congress could not fight back without a full-time president. "It is the wish of the people that Congress should wake up, enter the battlefield and usher in a new vigour in politics. But for that, Congress requires a full-time president. What is the use of a body without the head? There is no point in making concessions to Amarinder or Sidhu. BJP wants to swallow the Assembly by breaking Congress. This is funny. Even BJP cannot win without Congress and even BJP needs the Congress tonic. But when will the Congress leadership understand this?" he said Punjab Congress crisis Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu stepped down from his post barely a week after the Congress party appointed a new Chief Minister for the state. Sidhu affirmed that he will never compromise on Punjab's future and the agenda for the welfare of the state. Sources revealed that Sidhu was unhappy not only for being ignored for the CM's post but also for the appointment of Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota and Amar Preet Singh Deol as the DGP and Advocate General respectively. Moreover, things stirred up when former CM Amarinder Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Delhi. Having resigned owing to the humiliation meted by the Congress leadership, Singh has ruled out joining BJP but vowed to defeat Sidhu from whichever seat he contests. However, sources told Republic TV that he will float a new party that will have a tacit understanding with like-minded parties in the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls. Meanwhile, Congress is likely to set up a coordination panel to address Sidhu's concerns. With ANI inputs Image: PTI A joint European-Japanese spacecraft will perform the first of six Mercury flybys, each honing the spacecrafts trajectory with the ultimate goal of shedding enough energy, the European Space Agency informed on October 1. According to a release issued by the agency, the BepiColombo mission will make the first of six flybys of Mercury at about 11:34 pm GMT (7:34 pm EST). The mission comprises two science orbiters which will be delivered into complementary orbits around the planet by the Mercury Transfer Module in 2025. It said the flybys will use the planets gravity to slow itself down. According to the press release, when the spacecraft hovers by Mercury down to an altitude of 200 kilometres, it will assemble its first data and photographs before rushing off again. Tonight, @BepiColombo will perform the first of six #Mercuryflyby(s), each honing the spacecraft's trajectory with the goal of shedding enough energy after its two years falling towards the Sun to be caught by the innermost planets gravity https://t.co/y9gvi5uVCN pic.twitter.com/oOqo3mrp1C ESA Operations (@esaoperations) October 1, 2021 The ESA-led Mercury Planetary Orbiter and the JAXA-led Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter, Mio, will study all aspects of this mysterious inner planet from its core to surface processes, magnetic field and exosphere, to better understand the origin and evolution of a planet close to its parent star, as per the release. The joint mission by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and European Space Agency was launched in 2018. During the journey, the spacecraft will fly once past Earth and twice past Venus while approaching the hottest planet in the solar system. Mission named after Italian scientist Giuseppe Bepi Colombo "This first Mercury flyby will alter the spacecraft's velocity by 2.1 km/s with respect to the Sun, with the spacecraft passing just 198 km from the planets surface half the altitude of the International Space Station at 01:34 CEST on the morning of 2 October," the European Space agency said in a statement on Friday. "For all of this to happen, BepiColombo must approach the planet from precisely the right position, and this has taken months of meticulous planning from the Flight Dynamics experts at ESA's mission control in Darmstadt, Germany," the statement added. The space mission is named after Italian scientist Giuseppe Bepi Colombo. The Italian scientist, mathematician and engineer at the University of Padua is popularly recognised for developing the gravity support manoeuvre that NASAs Mariner 10 first used when it cruised to Mercury in 1974. ESA researchers say Mercury 'most notorious' planet in solar system According to the European Space agency scientists, reaching Mercury is actually more challenging, despite being much closer to Earth than Jupiter and Saturn. The researchers termed it the most notorious planet of the solar system. According to some estimates, it would take less energy to get to the dwarf planet Pluto than it takes to get to Mercury. The reason for that is Mercurys closeness to the Sun. A spacecraft aiming to not only fly past Mercury while in orbit around the Sun but to enter into orbit around the planet directly has to constantly brake against the gravitational pull of the star. (With inputs from AP, Image: @BepiColombo) The birth of a new underwater volcano has been officially declared to be formed between East Africa and Madagascar, three years after an earthquake rocked the ocean floor of the archipelago. The experts have recently recorded an 820 meters rise of a huge new feature that emerged from seismic events in the past. Scientists are now evaluating the development to further learn about the lesser-known deep Earth processes. Did you know that this is the largest underwater eruption ever documented? Indeed, this newborn volcano in the Mozambique Channel has released a volume of at least 5 km3 of lava over an 11-months period! pic.twitter.com/40Pv5qt9Mo SeaExplorer Glider (@SeaExplorerUUV) September 27, 2021 A 5.8 magnitude earthquake birthed the volcano The emergence of the new volcano is being accredited to the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the region around 50 kilometres from the East coast of Mayotte. The event happened around three years ago, on 15 May 2018, just five days after the seismic events originally began, reported Science Alert. As confused as the scientists were initially, the on-site surveillance by the French government revealed a never-seen-before undersea mountain. The researchers were reported saying that the recorded submarine eruption is the largest to have been documented to date. What caused the volcano formation? As per Science Alerts report, the team of scientists led by geophysicist Nathalie Feuillet from the University of Paris in France were monitoring the region since February of 2019. Devices like multibeam sonar and seismometers were reportedly used by scientists to trace any seismic event. Reports reveal that the team mapped a sea-floor area of 8,600-square-kilometer with a network of seismometers that dived 3.5 kilometres. By analysing the data obtained from these devices, the experts assumed that the seismic events must have started from the layer directly beneath the Earth's lithosphere called the asthenosphere, which is filled with molten mantle. They further went on to add that the tectonic processes must have produced swarms of earthquakes after damaging the two layers. According to them, this was followed by a huge eruption that spewed 5 cubic kilometres of lava and eventually, a volcano was created. Published in Nature Geoscience, the research said that more events could follow in the future such as a new caldera collapse, submarine eruptions on the upper slope or onshore eruptions. They also revealed that the volume of lava that this new volcano has produced equals that from Earths largest volcanic hotspots. (Image: Unsplash) With more than a 50 per cent record-high spike a day earlier, Australias second-most populous city Victoria re-entered the lockdown, and public venues were back to operations with a heavily slashed capacity. Areas of Greater Shepparton, Moorabool Shire in Victoria, Casino in NSW once again reinstated the COVID-19 lockdown for seven days, while Brisbane was asked to proceed with NRL grand final at reduced seatings, the governments Acting Chief Health Officer announced on October 1 press briefing. The lockdown was reimposed after Victoria recorded 1,488 new cases of COVID and five deaths, the highest ever daily increase in cases for the state. COVID-19 cases in NSW, meanwhile, spiked to a new 813, while Queensland also detected two new coronavirus cases from the hypervirulent delta variant as authorities scrambled to put the positive diagnosed into strict home quarantine. On the advice of the Acting Chief Health Officer, Greater Shepparton will enter a seven day lockdown from 11:59pm tonight, Friday 1 October. pic.twitter.com/393KIFIEni Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) October 1, 2021 The City of Greater Shepparton and the Shire of Moorabool will enter a seven-day lockdown commencing at 11:59 pm tonight, Friday 1 October, with restrictions the same as those in the City of Latrobe, Mitchell Shire and metropolitan Melbourne, Chief Health Officer (CHO) Brett Sutton, Health Minister Martin Foley and COVID-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar announced the new measures on Friday at a state presser in a press update. Under lockdown restrictions, you can only leave home for limited reasons: necessary goods and services, caregiving or compassionate reasonsincluding medical care and getting a COVID-19 test), authorised work or permitted education, exercise and outdoor social interaction in limited groups, and getting a COVID-19 vaccine locally, the CHO added. Govt blames large social gatherings for new COVID-19 cases Victorias government blamed the new COVID-19 outbreak on the large social gatherings, otherwise prohibited by the state, and indoor parties over the AFL grand final weekend. These, as per the Australian press, contributed to nearly one-third of the total cases that added to the COVID-19 surge recently. The government identified several primary schools and childcare centres as COVID-19 exposure sites as health authorities ramped the testing and tracing of the contacts. Greater Shepparton is the latest region to go back into lockdown in Victoria on Friday as Premier Daniel Andrews cautioned about the highest ever daily deadly surge of the COVID-19 across the state. In a drastic measure, the Victoria government announced on October 1 that anyone who had been into the Tier 1 exposure site areas must get tested and isolated for 14 days regardless of whether positive or negative results. All non-essential movements were banned for the residents, except for trips to the pharmacy and the purchase of necessary goods and services just once a day per household. The state also prohibited outdoor social interaction, giving an exception to just once a day in a group of 4 if urgent. People were allowed to move only 15km from their homes for shopping and exercising, according to the Australian local reports. Physical workout and training were only permitted to the fully vaccinated. Image: AP Chinese authorities have been auctioning off the property of Uyghur refugees and raising millions of US dollars amid the mass internment of its own citizens in Xinjiang province. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has already attracted a lot of flak for mishandling and allegedly torturing thousands of Ugyghurs- a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority community with a distinct culture. Now, a report published in Taiwan News disclosed that Chinese officials have auctioned Uyghur assets valuing over US$84.8 billion since 2019. It further added that real estate made the majority of the assets, all of which were sold on online platforms. All the property came from at least 21 people, including Abdujelil Helil, an exporter detained for what the CCP said was terrorism financing in 2017. Subsequently, he was coerced into surrendering the US $1Billion of assets. Notably, the report stated that the auction primarily targeted business people and aimed to destabilise the Uyghur trade. Ethnic cleansing? China has detained more than a million Uyghurs, reasoning that it needs to 'eliminate extremism.' Earlier, the European Parliament had observed that Chinese authorities were deliberately sending Uyghur women of childbearing age into forced abortions, intrauterine injections and sterilisation. However, Beijing has consistently denied allegations of forced labour and other claims of human rights abuses in the area, which is home to about 11 million Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority that speak a language closely related to Turkish and have their own distinct culture. The US State Department estimates that since 2017, up to two million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other ethnic minorities could have passed through the camp system, which China calls vocational training centres designed to fight extremism. This comes as a discreet report stated that China was wary about the Talibans promises to crack down on the Uyghur separatist group East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM). Last week, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen had said in an interview with Global Times that several ETIM members had been told to leave the war-torn country because the Taliban had categorically told them that Afghanistan couldnt be used to launch attacks against other nations. Shaheens comments then immediately caught Chinas attention, which had already raised concern over the fate of ETIM following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Image: AP The latest report by a French-based research body recently described how "Machiavellian" China has built a network to exert its influence worldwide. The Strategic Research Institute of France's renowned Military College's (Irsem) report - titled Chinese influence operations-- a Machiavelli moment - is written by an intelligence expert and China specialist Paul Cheron in partnership with political scientist Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer. According to Radio France Internationale, the report dug through the layers of secret and not-so-secret institutions, actions and designs used by China to manipulate western opinions. The report is the "most extensive analysis of China's propaganda machine ever published in French, the media outlet said. According to the report, China, for a long time, wanted more to be loved than feared and it wanted to project a positive image of itself in the world. The report also states that China in recent years has shown another side of the country to the world. It goes on to add that Beijings influence operations have hardened considerably and its methods now increasingly resemble those employed by Moscow. Quoting Machiavelli's The Prince, the authors said that China today thinks that "it is safer to be feared than to be loved. Further, while highlighting Chinas influence, the report stated Beijings means of exerting influence abroad from most benign public policy to the most malignant clandestine activities. It said that Chinas activities include attempts to aggressively manipulate public opinion abroad through think tanks, Confucius Institutions" and media. The report also stated that Beijing is viewed with increased scepticism. It also emphasised that the EU, United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and other countries maintain a greater wariness when it comes to relations with China. Growing concerns over China Meanwhile, amid growing anti-China sentiment across the globe, while some nations are showcasing a united front to tackle its growing assertiveness, others seem to be not showing much interest. Ever since Joe Biden took over the US presidency, he embarked on a strategic path to counter China and its surging global influence. From stirring support among allies to joining blocs that display the strength of countries in the face of Beijing, his administrations agenda is fairly clear when it comes to the Communist nation. Several nations have raised their voices against China regarding its repression of Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and claim on Taiwan and the South China Sea. Most recently, the US announced a defence strategic pact with UK and Australia angering China, yet again. Chinas embassy in the US called out Washington, London and Canberra of Cold War mentality and ideological prejudice. Meanwhile, European nations are also mulling to develop deep Indo-pacific ties amid China concerns. Even Japan, which has avoided any direct remarks against China has revamped its policy recently. (With inputs from ANI) On the occasion of the National Day of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1, around 150 protesters gathered outside the Chinese consulate in Austria. Additionally, as per news agency ANI, the Tibetan community in Vienna also organised a bicycle protest against China on October 1. Approximately 30 bicycle riders across Austria took part in the event and 20 others from the diaspora were present to welcome the riders in front of the Chinese Embassy in Vienna. Reportedly, the event started around 12 PM (local time) on Friday in front of the Chinese embassy in the European nation with the crowd chanting slogans such as "Free Tibet", "Long live Dalai Lama" and "what we want, we want freedom." Meanwhile, other demonstrators raised slogans such as Coronavirus belongs to China, Tibet belongs to Tibetans and stop the genocide in Tibet. Eventually, the bicycle rally made its way to the United Nations (UN) and then to the Federal Ministry buildings in Minoritenplatz public square. Anti-China protest in Taiwan Meanwhile, on Chinas National day, a group of Hong Kong students and human rights activists also held an anti-China demonstration in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei on Friday. As per The Associated Press report, the protesters waved flags with Hong Kong independence written on them and chanted Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" outside the parliament building. The demonstrators denounced China for the violation of international conventions and oppressing human rights in Hong Kong Tibet and Uyghur, the ethnic Muslim minority. The protesters in Taiwan, the island which is also claimed by China, called on the global community to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics. The Hong Kongers in Taipei called on the self-ruled democratic government of the island to introduce more stringent measures to assist the people of Hong Kong. The former British colony, Hong Kong has witnessed a drastic increase in Chinas clampdown on its autonomy. From controversial national security bill to other measures that have stiffened the mainlands group on Hong Kong have been widely criticised by other nations, activists. IMAGE: AP/ANI (With Agency Inputs) The Ministry of Environment announced on October 1 that Denmark's first Biodiversity Council has been established to advise the government and parliament (Folketing) on nature initiatives. The Danish Minister for Environment, Lea Wermelin, has selected the chairman and eight other members of the Council. "In the future years, the Biodiversity Council will play an essential part in the work of increasing Danish biodiversity and nature, and we will have an experienced woman at the helm in Signe Normand, who can offer a lot of experience and expertise to the work," Wermelin said, Xinhua reported. Signe Normand is a professor of ecoinformatics and biodiversity at Aarhus University's Department of Biology, as well as the centre's manager. Biodiversity Council aspires to offer knowledge in sectors relevant to biodiversity The establishment of a Biodiversity Council is part of an environment and biodiversity package aimed at giving Danish nature a 'historic boost.' In December 2020, the administration and supporting parties reached an agreement on the package. The Biodiversity Council also aspires to 'offer knowledge in a wide range of sectors relevant to biodiversity,' such as land and freshwater, inland waters and the high seas, as well as legal, socio-environmental, and behavioural elements of biodiversity, such as outdoor life. The UN Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) will be held in two parts in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in southwest China, while the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) will be held later this year in Glasgow, Scotland. Image: Leawermelin@Twitter/Unsplash Dutch police have raised serious concerns about the safety of women police officers in Afghanistan, who had served under the previous Ashraf Ghani government, and urged the Dutch cabinet and other European countries to evacuate at least 700 female police officers from the war-torn country. Notably, Afghan women police officers trained by the Dutch and EUPOL Afghanistan-- a European Union mission supporting the reform efforts of the Ashraf Ghani led Afghan government in building a civilian police service in Afghanistan-- had worked on sensitive files, such as human rights and criminal cases related to rape and domestic violence. At least 4,000 Afghan women officers worked closely with Dutch Police According to the Netherlands Police, these Afghan women officers are now facing serious threats from the Taliban. Dutch police have informed that a total of 4,000 policewomen had worked closely with them until the Taliban's recent takeover of Afghanistan. Russian news agency Sputnik reported that at least four female police officers have been shot by Taliban terrorists in the last three months. According to the report, the Taliban has access to the personal data of Afghan police, including their addresses. In a letter it sent to the Dutch Parliament, the Netherlands Police wrote, "Afghan policewomen have been in serious danger since the extremist outfit came to power in Afghanistan. Their situation cannot but concern the Dutch police officers who participated in the mission there. The Taliban have direct access to the personal data of the Afghan police, including biometric data and addresses of our female police colleagues." Asserting that "we cannot undermine their trust in us now," Dutch Police added, "We must deliver them to a safe place in the Netherlands or other EU member states as soon as possible." Afghan interpreters threatened by Taliban According to a report by Kabul based Gandhara News, Afghan translators who worked for the Netherlands were also called by the Taliban to appear in court. In a letter sent to their homes, The Taliban asked the interpreters concerned to appear in the court and warned them of serious action on their family members if they failed to comply with the orders. Quoting a threat letter from the Taliban, the Dutch public television, NOS, said, "Several translators are in hiding and their parents will be harshly penalised as a lesson for other traitors if they don't turn themselves in." Reports of harassment and brutalities against women surge after Taliban takeover It should be mentioned here that violence against rights activists and protesters in Afghanistan has become a common occurrence after the Taliban took over the country's government. Reports of harassment and brutalities against women had started emerging from the country since the very first day of their takeover. However, despite grave threats from the terror outfit, a number of women are organising protests in cities across the country, demanding rights being denied to them under the extremist regime. Despite making promises to provide women with equal rights in education, jobs and other sectors, the Taliban-led Afghanistan government is planning to proffer Afghan women as second-class citizens, according to multiple reports. According to a report published in Pakistan based media outlet News International, Afghan women will be under unabated suppression in their own country under the Taliban in the name of their "monopolised version of Islam". (With inputs from ANI, Image: AP) A fact-finding committee of the European Union's legislature suggested on Friday that Hungary's government may have been behind alleged spying on Hungarian journalists, politicians and business figures through the use of a powerful spyware tool. Speaking in Budapest, the head of a European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) delegation said while on an official visit to Hungary this week, her team had interviewed several Hungarian journalists whose phones had been infected by Pegasus, a malicious spying software. Several of the journalists, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield said, told them that the Pegasus affair had been "quite traumatising". An investigation by a global media consortium published in July showed that Pegasus, a military-grade spyware from Israel-based NSO Group, an infamous hacker-for-hire outfit, was used in Hungary to infiltrate the digital devices of a range of targets - including lawyers, an opposition politician and several government-critical journalists. The malware infiltrates phones to collect personal and location data, and can surreptitiously control the phone's microphones and cameras. In the case of journalists, that lets hackers spy on reporters' communications with sources. Hungarian officials have declined to confirm or deny whether the government used the Pegasus software, but have maintained that all secret surveillance activities are conducted in accordance with Hungarian law. The LIBE committee was in Hungary to gather information on judicial independence, media pluralism, fundamental rights, academic freedom and the functioning of democratic institutions, part of a so-called Article 7 procedure launched against Hungary in 2018 for breaches of the EU's fundamental values. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Mikheil Saakashvili, the former President was arrested after returning to Georgia, according to the authorities. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili made the announcement hours after Mikheil Saakashvili claimed on Facebook that he had returned to Georgia. Saakashvili was convicted in absentia on charges of abuse of power and has lived in Ukraine in recent years. The nature of the arrest was not immediately clear, but Georgian TV carried a video showing Saakashvili being taken into detention by police in handcuffs and with a huge smile on his face on Friday evening. In a Facebook video, Saakashvili stated that he was in Batumi, Georgia's second-largest city. Saakashvili stated in the posts that Saturday's elections were crucial for Georgia and that he had called for a protest in Tbilisi on Sunday, promising to attend. Saakashvili's efforts to unite Georgians could derail the ruling party's intentions Saakashvili's efforts to unite Georgians could derail the ruling party's intentions to achieve a majority in the election of mayors and local assemblies, which is largely viewed as a vote of confidence in the national administration and could lead to early elections next year. In April, the European Union mediated a settlement between the ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition factions, including Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement, Georgia's second-largest political force. A video of Saakashvili and Ukrainian parliament member Yelizaveta Yasko declaring their love and being "together" was posted on his Facebook page just hours after his detention on Friday. They claimed the footage was taken before he left for Georgia. Saakashvili served as president from 2004 to 2013 and was known for his tireless attempts to combat Georgia's widespread corruption. However, Georgians were more concerned with what they regarded as his dictatorial tendencies and erratic conduct. Saakashvili fled Georgia shortly after the 2013 election, in which he was unable to run, which was won by Georgian Dream's candidate. Ukraine has requested that Georgia explain the facts Serhiy Nikiforov, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's spokesman, said that Ukraine has requested that Georgia explain the facts and the grounds for this action in relation to this Ukrainian citizen. Although the foundation for such a prosecution is unclear because Ukrainian residents do not require permits to visit Georgia, the Georgian prosecutor's office announced a case had been started against Saakashvili for illegally crossing the border. (With inputs from AP) (Image: AP) The German government on Friday called for the humane treatment of migrants at the European Union's external border with Belarus. Thousands of people from Syria, Iraq and other conflict-ridden countries have traveled to Belarus in recent months in the hope of crossing into Poland. From there, many aim to seek shelter in other EU countries such as Germany. The 27-nation bloc has accused Belarus of helping the migrants in an effort to put pressure on the EU, which has placed sanctions on the government of authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Human rights groups, meanwhile, have criticized Poland's treatment of the migrants, who are pushed back to Belarus despite worsening weather conditions. A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday that Lukashenko was instrumentalizing refugees and migrants, and that is totally unacceptable. At the same time effective border protection must always uphold humanitarianism and applicable law, Steffen Seibert told reporters in Berlin. From the point of view of the German government, the most important thing is that the people who are now at the border ... get the necessary support quickly, especially now when temperatures are dropping," he said. Humane solutions for these people have to be found quickly. He said Merkel had discussed the issue with Poland's prime minister during a visit to Warsaw last month. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Russia celebrated its first royal wedding on October 1 in more than a century, at least 104 years after the assassination of Tsar Nicholas II and his family. The Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov married Victoria Romanovna Bettarini on Friday at St. Isaacs cathedral in St Petersburg in a lavish ceremony. The Grand Dukes great-grandfather, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, was one of the Romanov family members who fled to Finland in 1917 to escape the Russian Revolution. The Romanov dynasty reportedly ruled Russia for over three centuries before Tsar Nicholas II was abdicated in 1917. Mikhailovichs great-grandfather was a cousin of Russias last Tsar who was killed by a revolutionary firing squad with his wife and five children in 1918. The Romanov dynastys rule end in 1917 was followed by the Bolshevik revolution and 70 years of Communist rule, as per a BBC report. The first Russian royal wedding in more than 100 years was conducted by the countrys Orthodox clergy. The Guestlist of 1,500 people had prominent names As per the BBC report, the guest list of 1,500 people for the royal wedding had prominent names including a monarchist and billionaire with close ties to the Russian government; Konstantin Malofeev and Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. As per a Firstpost report, hundreds of foreign guests travelled to Russias second city for the Orthodox Christian ceremony including the former King and Queen of Bulgaria, Prince Rudolph and Princess Tilsim of Liechtenstein. The 40-year-old Grand Duke studied in Oxford but has reportedly spent most of his life in France. Mikhailovich has previously worked at the European Parliament and Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel. The couple moved to Russia only three years ago and Bettarini converted to the Orthodox faith in 2020. As per BBC, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesperson told the reporters that the Kremlin wishes the newlyweds well and added that This marriage does not belong on our agenda anyway. Additionally, Firstpost stated that Bettarinis wedding dress train featured the coat of arms of the Russian empire which was embroidered in gold. Reportedly, she wore a diamond-studded tiara made by the high-end jewellers Chaumet. Apart from the 1,500 guests for the Russian royal wedding, over 500 guests were invited to attend the wedding dinner to be held at the citys Museum of Ethnography later on Friday. The last wedding in Russia was of an heir to the Romanovs; that of Nicholas II and Alexandra, over a century ago. Image: Instagram/@grand_duke_george_of_russia Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on September 18 at a joint press conference with his Tajikistan counterpart Emomali Rahmon that a new chapter is emerging in the relations between both nations. Raisi, who visited the Tajik capital Dushanbe, described the cooperation agreements signed during the trip as proof of their will to broaden the bilateral ties. As per the official website of Iran government, Raisi said, What is more important than the written agreements is the two countries' will and decision to develop relations in various fields. Raisi also said, A new chapter in the relations between the two countries is taking place and I hope this visit will be a turning point in Tehran-Dushanbe relations and cooperation." Further, Raisi also referred to the history of Iran-Tajik relations following the victory of the Islamic Revolution but emphasised the need for a plan to use all the capabilities of the countries to elevate the ties. He said, The trade and economic capacity that exists today between Iran and Tajikistan is not acceptable and this capacity must be developed to reach the acceptable level. The two countries also have good grounds for cooperation in the field of cultural and arts, he added. Tajik and Irans views on Afghanistan are close: Raisi Notably, Iranian President Raisi said that Tehran and Dushanbe share similar views regarding the situation unfolding in Afghanistan. He said, Both countries believe that the interference of outsiders in Afghanistan has caused a lot of problems for the country and that the outsiders must be driven out. He also stressed that outsiders could not create or provide security for Afghanistan and said, The issue of Afghanistan must be resolved by the people of this country and with the cooperation of neighbouring countries and countries in the region that feel responsible towards Afghanistan, and our cooperation with Tajikistan and Afghanistan's neighbours can pave the way for Afghans to determine their own destiny. Iranian presidents official website quoted Raisi as saying, "We believe that the problem of Afghanistan should be solved by the Afghans themselves. A dialogue between Afghans should be formed, of course, by facilitating and preparing the space for the Afghans to make their own decisions. IMAGE: AP Reacting to the Taliban's decisions to restrict education for girls, Qatar expressed grave concern over the extremist group's resolution and suggested Kabul take an example from Doha regarding running the Islamic system. The statement from Qatar's top diplomat Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani came after the Taliban commanded several restrictions on women, including refusal to permit them to return to their schools and colleges. Thani recommended the terror organisation take a step back and look at Qatar's policy for girls. Terming the move very disappointing for the Afghan women, Thani, during a press conference on Thursday with European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell in Doha, urged the Taliban-led government to take their decision back. "The recent actions that we have seen unfortunately in Afghanistan, it has been very disappointing to see some steps being taken backwards, said Sheikh Mohammed during the presser. "We need to keep engaging them and urging them not to take such actions, and we have also been trying to demonstrate for the Taliban how Muslim countries can conduct their laws, how they can deal with the women's issues." The top Qatari diplomat asked the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to look over the Middle East country policies in which they maintain equal rights for women including the right to a job. "One of the examples is the State of Qatar, which is a Muslim country; our system is an Islamic system [but] we have women outnumbering men in workforces, in government and in higher education." Afghani women protest for reopening of schools for girls in Kabul Meanwhile, on October 1, expressing displeasure over the Taliban-led government's decision to bar women from educational institutions, a group of women staged a protest at Afghanistan's national capital, Kabul. The women protestors were quoted by TOLO news as saying that the closing of schools and colleges for women's education is a violation of their fundamental rights. Apart from female students, teachers and lecturers also participated in the demonstration against the extremist organisation in Kabul. They called the closing of schools and universities a matter of grave concern that can deeply alter the future of learning for girls in the war-torn country. Despite security forces stopping the female protestors, they continued their demonstration, staying firm on their demands. According to TOLO News, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Zabiullah Mujahid, said the protestors could get permission for education from the Ministry of Justice. (With inputs from ANI, Image: ANI) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has informed that his government is having a dialogue with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), showing his willingness to 'forgive' the terrorist outfit which killed hundreds of Pakistanis in terror attacks. In an interview with TRT World News, Khan said that his administration may pardon TTP if an agreement could be reached. However, experts have warned Islamabad to remain cautious especially amid the recent unfolding of events in Afghanistan. Indian Army Major General (retired) G.D. Bakshi said that Pakistan's decision to hold take is a new low even for Islamabad. "Hillary Clinton once told if you nurture snakes in your backyard, you cannot hope that it will only bite your enemy, you should not be surprised if they bite you. This is precisely what Tehreek-i-Taliban has done," Bakshi said adding that the Imran Khan administration should not expect help from the rest of the world, as they are themselves approach the terrorist organisation for talks. Defence experts, who were quoted by news agency ANI, asked Pakistan to tread carefully amid the recent developments in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover. Pakistan defence analyst Brigadier (retd) Haris Nawaz said that if Americans can negotiate the Doha agreement with the Taliban then why not Islamabad. "We will negotiate with them on our terms, if they agree with that and that all those involved in a crime will have to go through the court of law but many of those who were junior persons playing under their arms can be given amnesty." Imran Khan says Pakistan govt in talks with banned TTP Pakistan PM on Friday said that his government is in talks with the banned TTP to convince them to surrender extremism and abide by the country's Constitution. "There are different groups which form the TTP and some of them want to talk to our government for peace. So, we are in talks with them. It's a reconciliation process," Pakistan PM said in an interview with Turkish government-owned media. He said that talks are taking place in Afghanistan. This development comes after reports suggested that the Afghan Taliban released some top TTP terrorists, including Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, following taking control over Afghanistan in August. Recently, the Pakistan People Party (PPP) lashed out at Imran Khan over his decision to hold talks with the banned group. PPP vice president Sherry Rehman said that the statement of forgiving TTP (members) is akin to sprinkling salt on the wounds of dead soldiers' families." She also questioned why Parliament and political parties were not informed about dialogue with the TTP. A woman in Cambodia, who was employed at a Chinese-owned casino, died after her employers forced her to continue working even though she was infected with COVID-19. According to ANI, the deceased woman identified as Hean Sreynich used to work at The Century Casino. Sreynich had contracted the deadly virus five days ago and she died of food poisoning and dehydration, the doctors consulted by the victims family said. Sreynichs cousin Ros Leng reportedly said that her family has urged Cambodian authorities to order the Chinese owner of the casino to pay them compensation for forcing her to continue working while ill. Leng said that the casino did not inform Sreynichs relatives about her death or offer to pay them her salary. Leng also added that the family learned about her demise from her coworkers. The news of Sreynichs death comes days after it was reported that around 437 employees of The Century Casino had contract COVID-19. A group, in a Facebook live stream, had said that they were forced to perform their jobs, including managing online gambling platforms, while they were ill. The group even claimed that they had been forced to remain inside the building since March without any treatment. Cambodia's COVID-19 crisis Meanwhile, Cambodias official daily coronavirus case numbers tumbled 76 per cent in one day after PM Hun Sen told officials to stop administering rapid tests to people who dont show symptoms. According to Nikkei Asia, Cambodia on Friday reported 232 cases, down from 978 the previous day. The countrys health ministry informed that the numbers were detected via PCR testing, suggesting that positive cases from the rapid antigen tests were not counted. This comes amid a time when Cambodias caseload had been steadily rising in recent weeks. The dramatic fall in cases on Friday, on the other hand, came after audio emerged of the Prime Minister instructing officials to only test people who exhibit symptoms. In the audio clip, Hun Sen is heard complaining that authorities were needlessly going into the community and finding asymptomatic carriers. He is heard instructing his subordinates to stop proactive testing, and instead, set up sites where people experiencing symptoms could get tested. (With inputs from ANI) Tibet's exiled leader in India, Sikyong Pema Tsering, stated in a book released ahead of China's National Day, that Beijing's claims of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has improved Tibetans' livelihoods are based on shaky historical facts and distorted current realities. China's claims in the White Paper "Tibet Since 1951: Liberation, Development, and Prosperity," released in May, were challenged by him. The exiled leader remarked at an event to promote a book titled "Tibet: 70 Years of Occupation and Oppression" that it is not 70 years of liberation, but rather 70 years of suppression and oppression. The Chinese government has enslaved Tibetans inside Tibet for the past 70 years under the name of infrastructural development and evolution; he said as reported by ANI citing Radio Free Asia. "The subjugation of Tibetans is pursued using increased securitisation, intensified surveillance and a narrative on development, all of which are used as a political tool to integrate Tibet with China," Tsering was quoted as saying. The Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein (TCSL) organised a peace march a few days ago to protest China's worsening human rights situation in Tibet. On September 24, a march was held from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the UN Human Rights Council building in Geneva, reported ANI. According to the latest report, "Freedom in the World 2021: A Leaderless Struggle for Democracy," Tibet is the second least free territory in the world, based on a study of political freedom around the world. It should be mentioned here that Tibet was a sovereign state before China invaded northern Tibet in 1950 with the People's Liberation Army (PLA). China criticised at 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council Meanwhile, on September 30, delegates from the United States, Denmark, Germany, and the European Union chastised China at the 48th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council for imposing a record of rights in Tibet. The member mentioned above states underlined their displeasure with Beijing's restrictions on Tibetans' religious, linguistic, and cultural rights. Furthermore, the United States stated unequivocally that China-linked economic exploitation, systematic racism, and surging destruction. It is worth mentioning here that Tibet is currently ruled by the Chinese Communist Party leadership in Beijing, and Chinese officials and authorities are in charge of Tibet's local affairs. Image: AP/ANI Marta Lucia Ramirez, Colombia's Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. Ramirez used the opportunity to propose Colombia as a gateway for India in all of Latin America. Ramirez said that they would like to propose Colombia as a conduit for India's involvement in all Latin American countries and economies. She further expressed that they respect how essential Indian enterprise, technology and principles will be in overcoming COVID's consequences and improving the living standards of all people. She also talked about the importance of India's and Colombia's ties being strengthened. What did Lucia Ramirez say? She said, "We came as a delegation from the Colombian government, in order to strengthen the relations, to know each other better, in order to use democracy as a strong linkage between India and Latin America. Today, on the International Day of Non-Violence, we want to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's life, and how he taught the entire humanity about values of Democracy, respect, for dignity for everyone in the entire world. We know that he was the person who made India move forward as a united nation." On Thursday, Marta Lucia Ramirez met with Indian Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi. Lucia Ramirez is in India for four days, she also met EAM Jaishankar earlier today. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Marta Lucia Ramirez is in Delhi with a business group for a series of meetings spanning all facets of bilateral ties. Science and technology, vaccine research, and biotechnology are all given special attention. Ramirez is in India to seal important cooperation Ramirez stated that they came to India to seal important cooperation that will allow them to produce vaccines in Colombia. Both countries have formed partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to make COVID-19 vaccines and to continue space exploration and utilisation. Meenakshi Lekhi, India's Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS), met with Lucia Ramirez on Monday to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties. In a tweet, Lekhi said that representatives from both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Space Cooperation during the meeting. (With inputs from ANI) (Image: ANI) Iranian National Army has commenced military exercises near the countrys border with Azerbaijan, marking an apparent display of power as regional conflict continues to escalate. On Friday, Irans state television showed tanks, helicopters, artillery and soldiers being deployed in unspecific areas in northwestern Iran. Later, the army disclosed that as a part of their drills named 'Conquerors of Kheibar', they were testing long-range missiles and other achievements but stopped short of stating a timeframe for the exercises. Iranians living at the northwestern border greet #Iran's armed forces arriving in the region for the Conquerors of Khaybar war games. pic.twitter.com/ZlvYM2xs79 Iran Military (@Iran_Military) October 1, 2021 Watch #Iran's massive deployment exercise in the north-western border region pic.twitter.com/7RxcYIPg7y Iran Military (@Iran_Military) September 29, 2021 Diplomatic relations between Iran and Azerbaijan were established in the 1990s. However, Azerbaijan being secular non-muslim state shares close ties with Israel- the regional adversary of Iran. Last year, Baku bought high-grade weapons, including UAVs that it used during the Azeri-Armenian conflict-from the zionists, leading to a diplomatic flare-up and heightened tensions on its border with Iran. It is imperative to note that earlier in September, Azeri forces conducted joint military drills with Turkish and Pakistani special forces. 'Zionist presence' Last Thursday, Irans newly appointed foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian spoke to Azeri envoy regarding the matter and cited the zionist presence in the area as a reason behind the military drills. We do not tolerate the presence and activity against our national security of the Zionist regime, or Israel, next to our borders. And we will carry out any necessary action in this regard, Amirabdollahian said. Although he asserted that Azeri-Iranian relationship were important, he said that Tehran had the right to conduct military drills. Speaking at a press conference earlier, a spokesperson for the Islamic Republics Foreign Ministry had asserted that the drills were a question of Iran's sovereignty and added that the country will not tolerate presence of zionist regime near its international borders. Indirectly accusing its adversary of intrusion, Saeed Khatibzadeh had asserted that Tehran will take all measures it deems necessary to safeguard national security. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic conducted surprising military drills on their shared border, eventually attracting ire from Azeri President. Every country can carry out any military drill on its own territory. Its their sovereign right. But why now, and why on our border? he said in an interview with Turkish news agency Anadolu highlighting that the drills were the first since the independence of Azerbaijan 30 years ago. (With inputs from AP) Image: IrnaEnglish/twitter The signing of agreements between India and Colombia was witnessed on Saturday by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Colombian counterpart Marta Lucia Ramirez. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Colombian Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia Lucia Ramirez is on a four-day visit to India for extensive engagements encompassing all facets of bilateral ties. Science and technology, vaccine research and biotechnology will be discussed, according to MEA. EAM Jaishankar took to the microblogging site Twitter and wrote, "Wide ranging discussions on our expanding partnership with Colombian VP and FM @mluciaramirez. Agreed to focus more on health, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and space. Will give impetus to our trade and investment, especially energy, IT, pharma and auto sector." In the following Tweet, he wrote, "Our close cooperation in multilateral fora will be strengthened." Wide ranging discussions on our expanding partnership with Colombian VP and FM @mluciaramirez. Agreed to focus more on health, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and space. Will give impetus to our trade and investment, especially energy, IT, pharma and auto sector. pic.twitter.com/R83EeJzrRO Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 2, 2021 Luca Ramrez meets Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Marta Luca Ramrez also met with Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi yesterday and extended an invitation to visit Colombia. Naidu stated on this occasion that despite global challenges, both countries had maintained an upward trend in trade. He urged continuing efforts to boost trade in high-potential areas such as IT, pharmaceuticals, autos and auto parts, chemicals and textiles. Naidu encouraged Colombia to join the International Solar Alliance, India's key endeavour in the fight against climate change. Representatives from both countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Space Cooperation during the meeting, according to Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS) Meenakshi Lekhi. Lekhi also met Lucia Ramirez last month to boost bilateral ties between the two countries. India-Colombia relations On January 19, 1959, India and Colombia established formal diplomatic ties. Colombia and India signed a trade agreement on July 14, 1970, but it never materialised due to both nations' economic prohibitions on foreign goods and geopolitical concerns. Colombia did not open an embassy in New Delhi, India, until March 1972. In the following year, India opened an embassy in Bogota. The Bogota embassy was closed in 1993, then reopened in 1994. Colombia's embassy in India also manages diplomatic ties with Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh and provides consular aid to Colombians living there. (Inputs from ANI) Image: Twitter/@DrSJaishankar A group of Hong Kong students and human rights activists held a protest on China's national day in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, on Friday. Protesters waved flags with "Hong Kong independence" written on them and chanted "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" outside the parliament building. They condemned China for violating international conventions and repressing human rights in Hong Kong, Tibet, and Uyghur. They called on the international community to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics. They urged the Taiwanese government to introduce more concrete measures to assist the people of Hong Kong. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) About 45 days after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, independent media group Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC), restarted all of its activities on October 2. The AJSC stated that 'some activities' were halted following the country's political and governmental changes. They posted an update on Twitter with a statement that read, "After the political and government change in the country, some activities of the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) were stopped. AJSC has started its normal activities as before." The caption of the post read, "Restarting of the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee Normal Activities." Taliban's 'Draconian' rule for media The Taliban's reappearance in Afghanistan aroused fears among many that journalists might be targeted in order to silence the opposition. Two Afghan journalists were recently abused in police custody after reporting a women's rally in Kabul. Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, declared during the first press conference on August 17 after the group conquered Kabul that the media will remain 'free and independent' as long as they work according to "Islamic principles," and serve 'national interests.' According to Human Rights Watch, Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have put broad limitations on the media and freedom of expression, as per ANI reports. Taliban security personnel have also unjustly imprisoned and beaten journalists. According to the leader of a journalists' advocacy group, the Taliban have detained at least 32 journalists since taking over Kabul on August 15, according to Human Rights Watch. (With inputs from ANI) Image: Shutterstock/Representative Image India endorsed the execution of the Juba Peace Agreement in Sudan and voiced support for the transitional government led by Abdalla Hamdok on Friday. The news broke during a virtual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level event on Sudan hosted by Norway's UN envoy in New York. In a tweet that was shared earlier today, Pratik Mathur, Counsellor in India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations wrote, "Participated in #UNGA High-Level Virtual Event on #Sudan w/h @antonioguterres organized by @NorwayUN expressed support for Transitional Government led by @SudanPMHamdok & implementation of Juba Peace Agreement. @UNITAMS receives #India's support for its role in the peace process." Participated in #UNGA High Level Virtual Event on #Sudan w/h @antonioguterres organized by @NorwayUN expressed support for Transitional Government led by @SudanPMHamdok & implementation of Juba Peace Agreement.@UNITAMS receives #India's support for its role in peace process pic.twitter.com/94JmiksJnZ Pratik Mathur (@PratikMathur1) October 2, 2021 Juba Agreement for Peace includes a wide range of topics According to Human Rights Watch, Sudan's first year of a three-year democratic transition following President Omar al-Bashir's resignation in 2019 was marked by a failing economy, political tensions and ongoing popular rallies for justice and reforms. The pandemic of COVID-19 added to the difficulties. Sudan's transitional government and many of the country's major armed factions signed the Juba Agreement for Peace in October 2020. The Agreement is extremely complicated and includes a wide range of topics, including governance, security and transitional justice, and is meant to guide future constitutional negotiations. Juba, South Sudan's capital signed the peace agreement between the Sudanese government and several armed movements to end decades of conflict in Darfur, South Kordofan and the Southern Blue Nile, which resulted in millions of people being displaced and hundreds of thousands killed, with the participation of many sponsors, most notably the United Nations on Saturday, October 3, 2020. A number of Western countries were present at the signing ceremony The presidents of Chad, Djibouti and Somalia, as well as the prime ministers of Egypt and Ethiopia, the Emirati Minister of Energy, the US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan and representatives from some Western countries, were present at the signing ceremony in Juba's Freedom Square. The Sudan Liberation Army Movement, the Arko Minawi branch, the Justice and Equality Movement, and the popular movement, Malik Aqar's wing, were among the armed organisations that signed the Juba Agreement and other factions. (Inputs from ANI) Image: Facebook/@Pratik Mathur, AP On Friday, October 1, TS Trimurti, India's Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations, met with President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid, and reassured India's support to the 'Presidency of Hope.' "It was good to meet with Permanent Representative of #India to the UN H.E. Tirumurti. Reassured of India's support to the #PresidencyOfHope. Look forward to working together during #UNGA76[sic]," wrote Shahid on Twitter. He has been campaigning the 'Presidency of Hope' narrative since being elected as the President of the 76th UNGA session. During Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla's visit to the Maldives in November 2020, India backed the island nation for the chair of the 76th United Nations General Assembly, according to ANI. Last week, Shahid commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unwavering support for the 'Presidency of Hope,' saying that India is totally committed to multilateralism and the UN. In an interview with the UN News, Shahid had stated that hope is desperately needed for billions of people battling around the world with the COVID-19 pandemic and other devastations, and the General Assembly, as the UN's representative body, is best positioned to give substance to that hope. He went on to say that he will "never give up hope that mankind would rise to the occasion" on challenges like climate change and equitable access to COVID. He intends to lead by example to assist the UN to achieve the "gold standard" on subjects like gender equality and also emphasised the value of multilateral collaboration and the notion that global crises necessitate coordinated global action, according to the UN News. It was good to meet with Permanent Representative of #India to the UN H.E. Tirumurti. Reassured of Indias support to the #PresidencyOfHope. Look forward to working together during #UNGA76 pic.twitter.com/ffmBP3mHMO Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) October 2, 2021 UNGA President emphasises addressing global crisis with coordinated global action In his closing addressing to the 76th UNGA session, he claimed that 194 speakers, including 100 heads of state gave their views on the renowned green marble podium. "I hope you are as heartened as I am by the strong showing of our return to in-person diplomacy," said the Assembly President, who was pleased to see the UN's corridors and cafeterias packed with discourse, debate, laughter, and compromise once more. He did point out, however, that just 18 of the 194 speakers this year were women, implying that more needed to be done to equalise the balances, reported UN News. He also asserted that the UN must address concerns like COVID-19, climate change, peace, security, and instability risks. He went on to say that each of these concerns is so prominent and there is no time for complacency as the world is calling for more actions, according to the UN News. (Image: @AbdullaShahid/Twitter) From October 4 to 15, the eighth iteration of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral joint exercise Mitra Shakti will be held at the Combat Training School in Ampara, Sri Lanka. The exercise would include an all-arms contingent of 120 Indian Army personnel and a battalion from the Sri Lankan Army, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence. The statement suggests that the exercise's goal is to establish closer ties between the military of both countries, improve interoperability, and share best practices in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. According to the ministry, the exercise will involve tactical level operations at the sub-unit level in an international counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment. It will go a long way in further strengthening the relationship between the two South Asian nations and will act as a catalyst to bring synergy and cooperation at the grassroots level between both Armies. More about Mitra Shakti The Mitra Shakti is a combined military exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan forces. It's also known as the Joint Training Exercise between India and Sri Lanka. Mitra Shakti-VII, the last iteration of the Mitra Shakti exercise, took place in Pune from December 1 to 14, 2019. It is one of India's most major joint military exercises with other nations. Mitra Shakti is a counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training programme for subunits. Under the United Nations (UN) mission these operations are trained in rural and urban environments. The Mitra Shakti exercise is designed to integrate the dynamics of UN peacekeeping missions. The Mitra Shakti workout entails discussions that are both practical and comprehensive and exercising tactics. It aims to improve the interoperability and operational capability of both armies' forces. Mitra Shakti exercises between India and Sri Lanka Six Mitra Shakti exercises have taken place between India and Sri Lanka, with the first taking place in Colombo in 2014 and the second in Pune the following year. In 2016, the third exercise took place in Ambepussa, Sri Lanka. The fourth exercise was held in Pune for the second time in 2017. In 2018, the fifth Mitra Shakti exercise was held in Sri Lanka and in 2019, Pune hosted the event once more. The eighth iteration of the exercise is scheduled to take place in Ampara, Sri Lanka. (Inputs from ANI) Image: Twitter/@adgpi Wildlife photographer, Anup Shah, a resident of the United Kingdom, recently won the grand prize at 'The Nature Conservancy's 2021 Global Photo Contest' for a photograph of a gorilla surrounded by butterflies captured in the Central African Republic. He will receive a camera package valued at $4,000, according to BBC News. The photo, titled Malui, was chosen as the winner after beating out over 1 lakh entries. The brilliant photograph showcases a western lowland gorilla walking out cheerfully through hundreds of butterflies. The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organisation that works across 72 countries to protect the lands and rivers that all living things rely on. It claims to be guided by science in developing on-the-ground solutions to the world's most pressing problems, such as climate change. The charity organisation located in the United States has been working since 1951 to build a world where humans and nature can coexist. "I like photos that keep dragging you in. The gorilla's face; tolerance or bliss? It's really hard to tell and the insects draw you there," Ben Folds, the competition's judge and renowned musician was quoted as saying by BBC News. It should be mentioned here that Shah also got an honourable mention in the Wildlife category for his captivating photograph of wildebeest running through Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Nature Conservancy's Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Meg Goldthwaite, described the photographs as "amazing and lasting reminders of nature's brightness and awe-inspiring power." "These scenes from throughout the world astound, thrill, and move us year after year. They energise us as we continue the crucial mission of safeguarding the lands and rivers on which all life depends," she was quoted as saying by LADbible, a British social media publisher. Nature Conservancy has over one million members worldwide It should be mentioned here that Prathamesh Ghadekar's photograph of fireflies gathered around a tree before a downpour won the People's Choice prize. The image was created with a tripod and 32 shots, each with a 30-second exposure. Meanwhile, the photo of a baby orangutan being prepared for surgery by Belgian photographer Alain Schroder won first prize in the 'People and Nature' category. Brenda, a three-month-old orangutan, is surrounded by veterinary workers in the photo, reported LADbible. Notably, as of 2021, the Nature Conservancy has over one million members worldwide and had preserved over 119,000,000 acres of land and thousands of miles of rivers. (Image: Facebook/ @Amazing Nature/ Anup Shah) Coronavirus deaths in Russia hit a record high on Friday for the fourth straight day, and confirmed cases continued to surge as well. Russia's state coronavirus task force reported 887 deaths, the country's highest daily number in the pandemic. The previous record, from a day earlier, stood at 867. The task force also reported 24,522 new confirmed cases from Thursday -- the highest daily tally since late July. The Russian government has no plans to impose a lockdown, according to Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, the head of the task force. In Moscow, a rapid antigen test, in addition to a PCR test, is now required for all the citizens who have symptoms of a cold. Teachers taught to empty classrooms, with remote studying will continued for schoolchildren in the Pskov region until October 11. Russia has had only one nationwide lockdown, at the beginning of the pandemic in the spring of 2020. The country's authorities have shunned imposing tough restrictions ever since. Peskov pointed out that many regional governments have their own infection-control measures, but he wouldn't say whether the Kremlin considered those rules sufficient. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Taiwans Premier Su Tseng-chang has criticised the record number of Chinas military jets entering into the islands air defence zone as an act of bullying. Taiwans defence ministry has said that 38 Chinese military jets including nuclear-capable bombers entered its air zone in two waves including 25 and 13 planes. An additional 20 planes also flew through Taiwans air zone on Saturday, according to the ministrys update on its official Twitter account. While a self-ruled democratic island, Taiwan, calls itself a sovereign state, China has increased its claim on the island and calls it a breakaway province. In several instances, the officials of Chinas Communist government have revealed that it would use military force to curb the islands independence. For over a year, Taiwan has been flagging Chinas incursions into its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). As per the DW report, the record number of planes flying in Taiwans air zone amounted to a large display of force on Chinas national day which is celebrated on October 1. If the Chinese planes that were flown near the island on Friday are taken into account, the number amounts to an unprecedented 38. Taiwan defence ministry also said on Saturday that it sent combat aircraft to warn away the Chinese aircraft and missile systems were deployed to monitor the Chinese warplanes. As per DW, Su told reporters, China has been bellicose and damaging regional peace while engaging in many bullying acts...It's evident that the world, the international community, rejects such behaviour by China more and more. 25 PLA aircraft (J-16*18, SU-30*4, H-6*2 and Y-8 ASW) entered #Taiwans southwest ADIZ on October 1, 2021. Please check our official website for more information: https://t.co/C7012S8hSo pic.twitter.com/HoalLl3Ewx Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. (@MoNDefense) October 1, 2021 13 PLA aircrafts (J-16*10, H-6*2 and KJ-500*1) entered #Taiwans southwest ADIZ on October 1, 2021. Please check our official website for more information: https://t.co/0I7yRp7A6o pic.twitter.com/BHU0N81A1s Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. (@MoNDefense) October 1, 2021 20 PLA aircraft (J-16*14, SU-30*4 and Y-8 ASW*2) entered #Taiwans southwest ADIZ on October 2, 2021. Please check our official website for more information: https://t.co/ga0zLOIC4d pic.twitter.com/SA59EdkJW5 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. (@MoNDefense) October 2, 2021 China has said its flights are to protect the sovereignty While China is yet to comment publicly on its latest incursions on Friday and Saturday, it has previously said that such flights were to protect the mainlands sovereignty. As per The Guardian, Beijing has also said that such measures are aimed at 'collusion' between Taiwan and the United States which is also one of the most significant supporters of the island. The previous largest incursion of Chinese warplanes in Taiwans air zone included 28 aircraft and was carried out in June. IMAGE: AP/Twitter The Taliban has formed an exclusive suicide bomber unit that will be deployed around Afghanistan's borders, particularly in Badakhshan province. According to Khaama Press, the province's deputy governor Mullah Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi informed the media about the formation of a suicide bomber unit in Badakhshan, which borders Tajikistan and China. The battalion will be called the Lashkar-e-Mansoori, according to Ahmadi, and will be deployed to the country's borders. He went on to say that the battalion is the same one that was planning suicide strikes against the former Afghanistan government's security forces. As per the reports of Khamma Press, Badakhshan province deputy governor Mullah Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi said, ''the defeat of the United States would not have been conceivable without this battalion. These brave soldiers would destroy the US bases in Afghanistan while wearing explosive waistcoats. These are those who have no fear and devote themselves to Allah's approval.'' Badri 313 is made up entirely of suicide bombers Along with the Lashkar-e-Mansoori, Badri 313 is another battalion that is known for being one of the most well-equipped and sophisticated military units stationed at Kabul International Airport. According to Khaama Press, Badri 313 is made up entirely of suicide bombers, and is a military unit of Afghanistan's Islamic Emirate. The name of the unit is linked to the Haqqani network, which is said to have provided them with training. It has been alleged that Taliban forces such as the Badri 313 were "vital in the takeover of Afghanistan." The Red Unit is another unit of Taliban's military. The Taliban released propaganda on the Badri 313 Battalion in numerous local languages including English and Arabic in July and August 2021. During the withdrawal of US and NATO soldiers from Afghanistan, the Taliban made an aggressive and swift offensive against Afghan government forces, capturing Kabul. On September 6, it declared victory over resistance forces in Panjshir, the last holdout province in Afghanistan, completing their takeover three weeks after conquering Kabul. Treatment of women in Taliban-led Afghanistan Meanwhile, the Taliban-led Afghanistan government continues to treat Afghan women as second-class citizens despite promises to guarantee equal rights in schools, jobs, and other areas. Women in Afghanistan have second-class citizenship, which implies that they do not have the same rights as men. According to a story released by Pakistani news outlet News International, Afghan women will continue to be oppressed in their own country by the Taliban, who will take away women's rights and freedom in the name of their 'monopolised vision of Islam.' (Inputs from ANI) Image: AP On Friday, October 1, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet called for a comprehensive investigation into the assassination of a Rohingya activist in a Bangladesh refugee camp. 46-year-old Md Mohibullah, the head of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar on September 30. "A remarkable human rights champion who, despite the risks that his profession required, persevered to protect the rights of his people," Bachelet said of Mohibullah as reported by UN News. The ARSPH was established in August 2017 and now accommodates over 750,000 Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, who have faced widespread massacres, rapes, and persecution at the hands of the army and security forces, reported UN News. Bachelet stated, according to UN News, that it's heartbreaking to know that a man, who dedicated his life striving to protect Rohingya people's rights, has been assassinated. She termed Mohibullah's words as incredibly powerful that underlined Rohingya's horrible condition. She stated that Mohibullah's words still reverberate today as a reminder that the Rohingya are still awaiting justice. She went on to say that his death shows Rohingya's dire situation in both countries, emphasising, "We need to do much more to support this persecuted group, both in Bangladesh as well as in Myanmar." On Friday, October 1, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), Meenakshi Ganguly said that Mohibullah was a critical voice for the Rohingya community, which had already suffered immeasurable loss and sorrow when they arrived as refugees in Bangladesh. According to the UN Human Rights Office, insecurity has been developing dramatically in Kutupalong's camp, with rising criminality and conflicts between different communities, reported UN News. Absolutely devastated at news of cold blooded killing of Ko Mohibullah, Chair of ARSPH, in Cox's Bazar Refugee Camps.He was a courageous defender of Rohingya Human Rights.May you rest in peace, dear friend.Sharing pics of him attending 2019 Mar HRC. pic.twitter.com/U4j3wCASKz Yanghee Lee (@YangheeLeeSKKU) September 30, 2021 Mohibullah advocated for Rohingya rights at world forums It is worth mentioning here that Mohibullah, a teacher by profession, rose to prominence as a worldwide representative of the Muslim ethnic minority. He was the chair of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, and he had advocated for Rohingya rights at both the White House and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. The Rohingya people have been labelled "one of the world's most persecuted minorities" and "some of the world's most oppressed people," according to a report by The Associated Press (AP). Image: Twitter/ @ Nznn Ahmed/AP President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid stated on Friday at his first press conference since the annual high-level week that multilateralism remains the only option to address common concerns. COVID-19 remains a huge problem that "will not be over until everyone achieves universal vaccination." Shahid told reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York, announcing plans for a high-level meeting in January to assess the worldwide vaccination effort. Shahid was certain that they have the capacity to vaccinate the entire world. The UNGA President also claimed to have gotten two doses of the Covishield vaccination, which is made in India. AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish pharmaceutical corporation, created the Covishield vaccine, which is manufactured in India by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune. UNGA President will hold an event on October 26 to the second threat of climate change In response to the second threat of climate change, the president will hold an event on October 26 titled "Delivering Climate Action for People, Planet, and Prosperity." Shahid also stated that he will continue to host "Holhuashi Dialogues," noting that a Holhuashi is a Maldivian gathering place where people can debate significant topics and ideas. According to him, five such sessions will be held to bring the spirit of Holhuashi to the Assembly and provide a platform for discourse, exchange of views and solution discussion. He also said that this aligns with a series of events they have planned in the month of October around the issue of climate change in the lead up to COP26. "A stronger gender lens is needed" As the pandemic's effects worsen, Shahid says it's becoming evident that a stronger gender lens on response and recovery is needed in order to rebuild effectively. According to current statistics, closing the gender gap will take over 135.6 years if they don't take the required efforts to change the tide. As per the press conference, the President will be flying to the United Arab Emirates right away to attend the Dubai EXPO 2020, followed by an official visit to the Maldives, and finally to Serbia for the Conference on the 60th Anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement's First Conference. The United Nations General Assembly's 76th session began on September 14, featured the world's largest annual gathering of leaders, and ended on September 27. (Inputs from ANI) Image: ANI UN humanitarians believe that the economic crisis and COVID-19 have worsened the already dire situation of civilians in northwest Syria. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), violence was reported across northwest Syria during September, with increasing airstrikes along the battle lines in southern Idlib and nearly daily reports of violence, as per the reports of Xinhua. The UN is especially concerned about increasing COVID-19 cases, with more than 1,000 people testing positive every day in northwest Syria. According to OCHA, the overall number of positive cases increased by 170 per cent in the last month, totalling more than 71,715 cases, with 1,151 deaths. On top of a significant oxygen deficit, there is a lack of testing equipment for COVID-19. Furthermore, in the Northwest, only about 3% of the population is vaccinated. COVID-19's spread will further pressure an overcrowded system with 1.6 million people living in congested camp settings. COVID-19 claims the life of a 20-day-old newborn in Northern Syria The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has climbed dramatically in recent months, including by more than 26% from August to September. COVID-19 has also claimed the lives of a 20-day-old newborn and a 17-year-old pregnant girl in Northern Syria, according to Save the Children. Furthermore, 97 per cent of the people in Northwest Syria are poor, relying on humanitarian help for food, medicine and other essential services, as per Xinhua. The UN delivers help to millions of people each month, including COVID-19 vaccines, through a cross-border method originating in Turkey. At the end of August, the first cross-line convoy from Damascus to World Food Programme facilities in Northwest Syria provided aid. However, according to OCHA, there is still more work to be done. Funding shortages are hampering the delivery of humanitarian help According to Xinhua, OCHA further stated that funding shortages hamper the delivery of humanitarian help, with only around two-thirds of the $513 million needed for life-saving assistance being received. The UN continues to urge all parties to carry out their commitments under international humanitarian law to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure and for all member states to continue and enhance their generous donations to Syrians in need. Image: AP/ Unsplash Prosecutors in El Salvador said Friday police have arrested 30 suspects who allegedly shared child pornography photos on the messaging platform WhatsApp. An inspection of the suspects phones revealed sexual images of children, adolescents and disabled people. Henri Gutierrez, the head prosecutor for the township of Zaragoza, said the investigation started in 2018. Gutierrez said the search extended across much of the country and netted two ringleaders who allegedly used WhatsApp accounts registered to Mexican numbers to share the images. Those imaged appear to have been distributed to accounts in Mexico and Guatemala, and also as far away as Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam and Ghana. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) A report by the United Kingdom's Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that COVID-19 infections among school children (2-11 years) have rapidly increased in the week ending September 25. According to the latest statistics released by the ONS, one in every 20 children of secondary school age was infected with the deadly virus in the United Kingdom. As per the report, the risk of children getting infected with the coronavirus was very low, but, the data highlighted a significant increase in COVID cases among school-age children. The ONS, in its report, claimed it was the highest number of cases ever reported for this age group. However, it said that coronavirus cases among school-children between the age group of 12 to 24 years have decreased in the week ending September 25. "The positivity rate in England has increased among children, with rises in the groups aged two years to school Year 6 and school Years 7 to 11 in the week ending 25 September 2021," Office for National Statistics said in a press release on October 1. "There were also early signs of a possible increase for those aged 70 years and over. In the same week, the positivity rate decreased for those in school Year 12 to age 24 years and levelled off for those aged 35 to 69 years," it added. Overall coronavirus cases continue to fluctuate in the United Kingdom Notably, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson-led government has started the vaccination drive for all 12 to 17-year-olds in schools across the United Kingdom. ONS, a non-ministerial department that reports directly to the UK Parliament, said that the overall coronavirus cases continued to fluctuate in the United Kingdom, with the positivity rate increasing in England and Wales in the week ending September 25. It is worth noting Britain revoked almost all COVID restrictions on July 19, at a time when the highly contagious Delta variant ravaged the country's medical infrastructure. Despite running COVID vaccination drives at full speed, a notable proportion of people remain either unvaccinated or partially protected. (Image: PTI) UKs Queen Elizabeth II is privately paying for her son Prince Andrews legal battle against sex abuse charges, The Telegraph reported on Friday, 1 October. The Duke of York is being sued for the sexual assault of a minor and has been reportedly getting hefty financial assistance from his mother, the Queen. According to the media outlet, Queen Elizabeth is privately paying Prince Andrews legal terms as he has no discernible income. The Telegraph stated that the Queens annual income for her own Duchy of Lancaster estate is being used to pay for the legal fees, which is around $2000 an hour. The whole legal cost is expected to be in the millions, with the civil lawsuit expected to stretch on for months or possibly years. The media outlet suggested that Queen Elizabeth has already spent millions of pounds even though the case is just getting started. Accusations against Prince Andrew Prince Andrew is being sued by Virginia Giuffre who alleges that she was sexually assaulted at 17. Giuffre, who is also an accuser of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, claimed that she was brought to the UK at the age of 17 to have sex with Prince Andrew. The case alleges that Prince Andrew abused Giuffre at the London home of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and at Epstein's homes in Manhattan and the US Virgin Islands. It also claims that the prince engaged in sexual acts without her consent and also after knowing how old she was and that she was a sex-trafficking victim. However, Prince Andrew, who is UKs Queen Elizabeth IIs second son, has denied the claims against him. Prince Andrew's lawyer Andrew Brettler stated at a court hearing that Giuffre's lawsuit is baseless, nonviable and perhaps unconstitutional, according to Sky News. Prince Andrew has disputed all of Giuffre's allegations. In a written order, Loretta A Preska, District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York stated that the duke has the right to request information about the settlement between Giuffre and Epstein. Now, the next meeting in the case would now be on October 13. (Image: AP) Former US President Donald Trump, who was banned from Twitter and Facebook in the wake of the US Capitol attack on January 6, has now asked a federal judge in Florida to force the microblogging platform to reinstate his account. Trump in July sued Twitter, Facebook and Google along with the chief executives, alleging that the platforms are unlawfully silencing the conservative viewpoints. On October 1, the ex-US President requested a preliminary injunction against Twitter in Miami. As per Sky News report, in the preliminary injunction against Twitter Trump has said that Twitter was coerced by Congress members to suspend his account that had tens of millions of followers. Jack Dorseys Twitter was one among several tech giants that chose to ban Trumps social media accounts in the wake of the shocking insurrection of the US Capitol by his supporters on January 6 when Congress convened to certify the election win of now US President Joe Biden. The riot outside the US federal building came immediately after a speech by Trump and claimed multiple lives. In the address, the defeated Republican reiterated baseless claims of election fraud in the presidential elections that took place in November 2020. As per Sky News, Trumps lawyer said that Twitter 'exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate.' The filing has also reportedly added that Twitter has allowed the Taliban to tweet constantly about the military activities in Afghanistan. However, the former US Presidents lawyer noted that Trump was censored even during his time at the White House and that his posts were labelled as misleading information or glorifying violence. Trump says he shouldve banned Twitter Earlier in June this year, when Nigeria banned Twitter, Trump said he should have banned the social media giant during his four-year tenure. Lamenting his leniency towards social media during his presidency, Trump issued an official statement through his website said that he should have taken action against Facebook but its founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg kept calling the former US President. While criticising social media giants including Facebook and Twitter, Trump said on Tuesday, "Who are they to dictate good and evil if they themselves are evil? Perhaps I should have done it while I was President. But Zuckerberg kept calling me and coming to the White House for dinner telling me how great I was. 2024?" IMAGE: AP/Pixabay In a rescue operation, firefighters pulled out a kitten that got stuck inside a pipe in Texas, USA. The life-saving operation was conducted by the El Paso Fire Department, who immediately rushed to the cat's rescue after someone informed them over a call. The incident was recorded on camera, which is now extensively surfacing on social media platforms, winning the hearts of netizens. The video of the kitten's rescue was first uploaded by the El Paso Police Department. The video opens with rescue officials cutting a pipe using a sharp blade. While one officer is seen cutting the pipe, the other rescuer is seen calmly holding the kitten with both hands. One can also see that the pipe wherein the kitten got stuck is quite narrow. After cutting the pipe, the rescuers also used liquid lubricants, after which the little cat was finally out of the trap. Kitten viral video: Firefighters saving kitten wins internet, Watch Interestingly, in the last part of the video, the kitten is seen freely walking after hours of hardship, which is actually robbing the hearts of viewers on social media. Whoever came across the video couldn't resist reacting to it. Some lauded the efforts of the rescuers, while others showered love on the little cat. Since the video went online, it has amassed more than 3000 views and numerous comments. One user who came across the video said, "Awesome job guys!!![sic]," another user wrote, "You all are awesome[sic]." "Great!" posted a third. Some dropped heart emoticon while some liked the post. In a similar incident, a video of cat rescue surfaced on social media where the security officials rescued a kitten from inside a car's engine. After a lengthy struggle, the rescuers managed to pull the cat out of the engine, and the video of the unusual rescue was posted on social media by the Ramapo Police Department. Many users on social media appreciated the efforts of security officials, while some enquired about how the cat got into the engine. See the rescue video below. On Thursday, Officer Genito, Officer Simpson, and Dog Control Officer McGrath responded to a residence on Viola Rd for a report of a kitten that was trapped in the engine compartment of a car. After a lengthy struggle, they were able to safely remove the kitten from the car. pic.twitter.com/eaSUvPISoo Ramapo Police Dept. (@Ramapo_PD) September 19, 2021 (Image: Facebook/@Elpasopolicedepartmnet) Hungry Cambodians risk health to scrounge for scrap metal as two more succumb to coronavirus in Vietnam. Laos is struggling to contain an outbreak of the coronavirus in a popular tourist district that caters to Chinese gamblers, while in neighboring Cambodia, food insecurity is causing the countrys poor to collect scrap metal to buy food, authorities and residents of the Southeast Asian countries said Monday. Dr. Sisavath Southanilaxay, deputy director of Laos Department of Infectious Disease, and a representative of the countrys COVID-19 protection unit, told a news conference Monday that the country had confirmed 47 new cases of the coronavirus. Of these, 38 were in Bokeo province, home to the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which caters to Chinese tourists. Additionally, authorities found four new cases in the capital Vientiane, three in Champassak province, and two in Savannakhet province. Bokeo is one of Laos hotspots for local COVID-19 transmission. Local media reported Monday that of the northwestern provinces 345 confirmed cases, 199 were Laotians, and 95 were Chinese. The rest were 41 Myanmar citizens, nine Thais and one Vietnamese. The Thailand-based Manager Online news website Friday reported that most of the provinces transmissions have occurred within the SEZ, with the rest occurring in nearby Tonpheung district. A member of the provinces Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control told RFAs Lao Service May 12 that lax enforcement on movement restrictions were to blame for increasing caseloads. A lot of workers sneak out of the SEZ and spread COVID-19 in the community, the taskforce member said. Our doctors and nurses from all five districts of the province are now focusing on the SEZ trying to contain the spread. The biggest problem is that there are up to 5,000 workers of many different nationalities in the SEZ and almost all of them are not working because of the lockdown, so they have nothing to do and nothing to eat. Thats why they sneak out, the taskforce member said. An official of the Health Department of Bokeo Province told RFA, Because the number of new cases keeps increasing in the SEZ and Tongpheung District, were spraying and disinfecting in many places including the market, offices and homes where infected people live. A worker who is stranded in the SEZ told RFA that police were blocking the roads that lead to the outside. If they see workers sneak out from the SEZ, the police will take them straight to a quarantine center, said the SEZ worker. A resident of Tonpheung told RFA, Were just waiting at home for the vaccine rollout. In central Luang Prabang province, health authorities are following up on the case of 10 Chinese rail workers and two Lao drivers from nearby Luang Namtha province who were dispatched from their last job in adjacent Oudomxay province. Among the team, one person tested positive for COVID-19, so 11 entered quarantine for 14 days, while the confirmed case receives treatment from a hospital. One of the workers tested positive in Oudomxay province. They wanted to test him again there, but he came to Luang Prabang right away. He is in quarantine and officials will test him again, an official of the Luang Prabang COVID-19 Special Unit told RFA. News that a COVID-19 positive worker traveled to the Luang Prabang has scared residents of the province. All the villages here are concerned about COVID-19 spreading, so all the houses are closing their gates to protect themselves from outsiders, a resident told RFA. In the Lao capital Vientiane, which authorities divided into zones and classified them into colors based on COVID-19 transmission risk, five villages in the city limits are closing down. Authorities said that they are concerned that the virus could spread to other parts of the city, so they ordered the five villages, all in so-called red zones to shut down for 14 days until May 30. Residents are not to leave their homes except to buy food and other essentials. At Phay village, on May 12, there were 13 cases that we defected on the same day, an official of the citys COVID-19 Prevention Unit told RFA. Right now, all the alleys in the village are closed and do not allow people to come in and out, and those who have had contact with infected people have been tested. We are still waiting on the results, the official said. A Phay village resident told RFA, The market inside the village is still open The market in front of the temple sells noodle soups from the early morning until 5 p.m. As of Monday, Laos has confirmed 1,638 cases of the virus with two deaths and 584 recoveries. Cambodian scrap metal Many unemployed Cambodians have resorted to scrounging for scrap metal as prolonged border closures have prevented them from trying to find work in Thailand. Gathering in large groups to collect scrap metal has taken a toll on the would-be migrant workers health. As of Monday, four of the scrap metal collectors have lost their lives to COVID-19, while 360 others have tested positive for the virus. In the city of Poipet in the northwestern Banteay Meanchey province, scrap metal collectors told RFA that they had no choice because authorities have not delivered food relief amid the countrys third coronavirus outbreak. We are so poor that if we miss a day of scavenging, we will not have anything to eat, Totj Lim, a 53-year-old scrap metal collector told RFAs Khmer service. Totj Lim works every day to support his family of seven and cannot adhere to distancing restrictions because of a lack of food. Food is more important than not catching the disease. We could avoid it by taking safety measures, but if youre hungry you cant avoid it. When youre hungry, youre not peaceful, he said. Doum Sophorn, a 47-year-old-resident of the same commune told RFA that her family of five rely on scrap metal collected by her husband so they can afford rice. Prior to the pandemic her family could make between 30,000 and 50,000 riel (U.S. $1 = 4070 riel) per day, but now they can only manage about 20,000, not quite enough for their needs. We lack food, and I am not saving anything. What I earn in one day is eaten that day, she said. We go out at a risk. Were not allowed to go out, but we have no food to eat. I can make only 30,000 riel for two nights. I spend my days organizing the scrap metal that my husband brought home, she said. Kang Vatey, another resident, told RFA she also goes out to collect metal at a time she should be recovering from a recent childbirth. No matter how sick I am after delivering my baby, I must still join my husband to collect scrap metal every day. We pull the cart through the rain and wind so our children can eat. But its never enough, she said. I put my two children to sleep in the cart and mosquitos eat them alive, but if I left them at home no one would take care of them. They cry a lot because they are hungry, and I cry too because I have no food to give them, she said. Srel En, a local commune chief, denied claims that the government is not providing food, saying that his commune distributes food daily. Those who do not have food to eat should report it to their village commune chiefs. We have food stocks at the commune hall, so it is not difficult, he told RFA. We stock about four of five hundred packages of food to help needy people. We have opened 10 telephone numbers and the commune chiefs number is also open, he said. Authorities however have not distributed food evenly, according to Din Puthy, president of the Cambodia Informal Economy Reinforced Association, a labor organization group. The people are starving almost to the point of dying. This is not a joke. The government has not done enough. Even the ones who get 25 kilograms [55 pounds] of rice and soy sauce dont have enough to live on, Din Puthy said. As of Monday, Cambodia has confirmed 22,544 cases with 154 deaths. Two deaths in Vietnam Vietnams Ministry of Health reported the countrys 36th and 37th deaths on Saturday and Monday, the first deaths since September. The 36th death was an 89-year-old woman who had diabetes and high blood pressure, while the 37th was a 34-year-old man who suffered severe pneumonia, brain injury and meningitis. Local media reported Monday that 20 COVID-19 patients are using ventilators at the general hospital of the northern Bac Ninh province. The hospital has requested the Treatment Subcommittee of Vietnams National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control to hold consultations for severe cases. Vietnam has witnessed many severe cases since the beginning of the fourth outbreak on April 27. At the consultation, Mr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment under the Ministry of Health requested to review the resuscitation and emergency capacity of provincial hospitals. Vietnam reported 187 new confirmed cases on May 16 and 182 more as of 6.p.m, May 17. The country of 95 million people has confirmed a total of 4,359 new cases including 1,320 local transmissions since April 27. Reported by RFAs Lao, Khmer and Vietnamese Services. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya, Sok Ry Sum and Anna Vu. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Muhib Ullah's brother says the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) was behind the killing, but the rebel group denies the charge. Muslim men carry the body of Rohingya leader Muhib Ullah during his funeral at Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhina, Bangladesh, Sept. 30, 2021. UPDATED at 12:13 pm ET on 2021-10-04 Bangladesh police said Friday they had arrested a Rohingya man in connection with the killing of a prominent refugee leader this week, even as a Rohingya rebel group rejected allegations that it was behind the murder. A suspect identified as Mohammad Selim, 27, (alias Lomba Selim), was arrested from a refugee camp in Coxs Bazar district on Friday morning, police said. Rohingya leader Md. Muhib Ullah was shot dead in his office at the Kutupalong camp in Coxs Bazar by at least five unidentified gunmen Wednesday night. He was buried at the camp on Thursday evening amid tight security as thousands of Rohingya attended his funeral. Based on preliminary investigation, we think Selim might have involvement with the murder, Ukhia police chief Sanjur Morshed told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, without providing details. Police will produce the accused in court on Saturday and seek permission for his interrogation in police custody. Also on Friday, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) rebel group said that Muhib Ullah was reportedly assassinated by unidentified transnational border-based criminals. It is time for to hold the criminals accountable instead of finger pointing with baseless and hearsay accusations, ARSA said in a statement via Twitter. ARSA issued its statement a day after Muhib Ullahs brother, Habib Ullah, accused the rebels of killing the Rohingya refugee leader. All the killers of my brother and great Rohingya leader are members of ARSA, Habib Ullah, who was outside the office when the killing took place and saw men fleeing the scene, told BenarNews. I recognized only a few of them [the killers] as the others were wearing masks. They had been working in the camp against repatriation while my brother was in favor of it, he said. Habib Ullah said he would not name the suspects because he was concerned for his own security. However, Naimul Haque, commanding officer of the Armed Police Battalion Unit-14, said the rebel group was not present in Bangladesh. ARSA does not exist in Bangladesh. Rival refugee groups sometimes use the name of ARSA to spread panic, Haque told BenarNews. Muhib Ullah, 50, was among about 740,000 stateless Rohingya Muslims who crossed into the southeastern Bangladeshi district four years ago as they fled a brutal offensive launched by Myanmars military in their home state of Rakhine in August 2017. Myanmar conducted the crackdown after deadly raids on police and military outposts in Rakhine state that authorities blamed on ARSA rebels. Myanmar declared ARSA a terrorist group on Aug. 25, 2017. Also on Thursday, Habib Ullah filed a murder case with the Ukhia police accusing unnamed people of the killing. In his complaint, he said his brother had disputes with extremist Rohingya groups and that he never compromised. Thats why my brother became a target of the extremist group, he said in a statement that was part of his police complaint. Police question a motorcyclist at the Kutupalong refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh as part of increased security after the fatal shooting there of Rohingya leader Muhib Ullah, Oct. 1, 2021. [Sunil Barua/BenarNews] Brave and fierce advocate Meanwhile, an independent media organization in Myanmar posted a video dated Friday purportedly showing Muhib Ullahs widow complaining about insufficient security for her husband. He needed security. The police should have been guarding him, a woman who Mizzima TV identified as Muhib Ullahs wife, Nasima Khatun, said in the video posted on YouTube. They didnt even come after he was shot, she alleged. Habib Ullah said his brother was killed because of his popularity among Rohingya and his global standing. Muhib Ullah represented the Rohingya community before the United Nations and at the White House in Washington, where he expressed concerns about his fellow refugees to then-President Donald Trump in 2019. Among those who paid tribute to Muhib Ullah were United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and an international group of 27 Rohingya organizations. Muhib Ullah was a brave and fierce advocate for the human rights of Rohingya Muslims around the world, Blinken said in a statement issued Thursday. We urge a full and transparent investigation into his death with the goal of holding the perpetrators of this heinous crime accountable. We will honor his work by continuing to advocate for Rohingya and lift up the voices of members of the community in decisions about their future. Bachelet and the Rohingya organizations echoed the call for a thorough investigation into the killing. It is heartbreaking that a person who spent his life fighting to ensure that the violations committed against the Rohingya people were known world-wide has been murdered in this way, Bachelet said in a statement issued Friday. In their statement, the Rohingya organizations also expressed concern for the around 1 million refugees who and live in camps in and around Coxs Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh. The camp situation remains particularly precarious, said the organizations with members in the U.S., United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Norway, and Sweden. Refugees live in cramped quarters with limited freedom of movement, access to education or health service, they said. While tributes to Muhib Ullah have poured in from abroad in the two days since he was gunned down, Bangladeshs government has yet to issue a statement offering condolences to his family or condemning the murder of the high-profile refugee on its territory. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. UPDATE: This story has been updated to clarify that Habib Ullah, he victim's brother, was outside the office when the shooting took place. Chinese rule in Tibet 'bears all the fundamental characteristics of colonialism,' Tibet's exile government the Central Tibetan Administration says. Sikyong Penpa Tsering (C) and other Tibetan exile officials announce release of the CTA report, Sept. 30, 2021. Claims by China that 70 years of Beijings rule have improved Tibetans lives and that Tibet has always belonged to China distort present-day realities and ignore historical facts, Tibets India-based exile government said this week in a new report. In a report released on Thursday, a day before Chinas Oct. 1 National Day, the Dharamsala, India-based Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) refuted claims made by China in a White Paper, Tibet Since 1951: Liberation, Development and Prosperity, released in May. It is not 70 years of liberation, but in fact 70 years of suppression and oppression," Tibet's exile leader Sikyong Pema Tsering said at an event held to launch the CTA report. "In the last 70 years, the Chinese government has constantly subjugated the Tibetans inside Tibet in the name of infrastructure development and evolution." China has maintained its rule in Tibet only by establishing an oppressive regime that uses force and the instillment of fear among the people, the CTA said in its report, titled Tibet: 70 Years of Occupation and Oppression. Today, the subjugation of Tibetans is pursued by means of increased securitization, intensified surveillance and a narrative on development, all of which are used as a political tool to integrate Tibet with China, the exile government said. Chinese rule in Tibet bears all the fundamental characteristics of colonialism, the CTA said. It relies, as other colonial regimes have, on the narratives of superiority and virtue of Chinese culture and ideology and the backwardness of the Tibetan Other. Claims by Beijing that Tibet has always been a part of China come only from relationships between the Dalai LamasTibets national and spiritual leadersand the rulers of Mongol and Manchu empires that had themselves conquered China centuries before, according to the report. Contrary to Chinas claim, Tibet was not historically a part of China, but was seized by force as the Peoples Liberation Army invaded Tibet from 1949 to 1951. The claim that Tibet was liberated is part of a narrative aimed at legitimizing what was and continues to be an illegal occupation of Tibet, the CTA said. Sikyong Penpa Tsering and other exile Tibetan officials announce release of the CTA report. Photo: Central Tibetan Administration Masters of the Country In its White Paper released in May, Beijing claims that People in Tibet enjoy the right to be masters of the country and the region in accordance with the law, and that under Chinese rule Tibet has enjoyed rapid and sustained growth thanks to social harmony and stability. But China has long denied the Tibetan people the right and freedom to develop their country according to their vision and needs, the CTA said in its report, adding, Since occupation, China has been on a looting spree in Tibet: logging Tibetan timbers, mining Tibetan mineral resources, [and] damming and diverting Tibetan rivers. Tibetans are constantly required to show gratitude to the Chinese government as a minority population happy for Beijings help, the exile government said. [And] any perceived failure by the Tibetans to show subordination is seen not only as a sign of ingratitude but also as a political crime which needs to be corrected with coercion and re-education. Finally, claims by Beijing that it protects and promotes use of the Tibetan language are contradicted by education policies mandating classroom instruction in Chinese, with school graduates who lack Chinese language skills increasingly marginalized in professional occupations. The education policy implemented by the Chinese government not only downgrades the use of the Tibetan language, but also aims at eradicating the Tibetan identity, Sikyong Penpa Tsering said in remarks at Thursdays launch of the report. Tibetan graduates are facing increasing difficulty finding jobs, Tsering said. Chinas repeated assertions that it has peacefully liberated Tibet from feudal and backward rule over the last 70 years are contradicted by the violence of its conquest and occupation, according to the CTA report. In short, the euphemism peaceful liberation is similar to the image propagandized and popularized by China today, where the phrase Peaceful Rise of China is sold in the market. In reality, the rise of China is not peaceful at all. Rather it has been violent, with increasing repression in Tibet, East Turkestan, Southern Mongolia and now Hong Kong, the CTA said. Reported by Lobsang Gelek for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney. Video footage of fighting with Ho Chi Minh City police goes viral as many rural laborers rush to go home. A traffic jam is seen in morning rush hour after restrictions imposed for the past three months due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic were lifted, in Hanoi, Vietnam, October 1, 2021. Crowds of Vietnamese people rushed checkpoints and clashed with police Friday as the country began lifting months-long coronavirus lockdowns and travel restrictions in Ho Chi Minh City and other large cities, videos obtained by RFA showed. At checkpoints around Vietnams largest city, Ho Chi Minh City, laborers from rural areas broke barricades and fought with police, while others knelt in the street and pleaded with the police to let them through, saying they had run out of money to stay in the city, the videos showed. Several thousand immigrant laborers in Ho Chi Minh City attempted to leave the city, state media reported, causing heavy congestion in many of the checkpoints. In one incident in southern Vietnams Binh Duong province, at least one person was injured when members of the militia used batons on the crowd of people gathered Thursday night and Friday morning and demanding that authorities remove barricades to allow them to leave. Video of clashes like the one in Binh Duong went viral on social media in the country of 98 million people. Vietnam had been among the most effective countries in tackling COVID-19, reporting no deaths through late July 2020a record that was attributed to effective contact tracing, strict quarantines, and early testing. After weathering three waves of the virus with confirmed cases numbering in the low thousands, a fourth wave arrived in April 2021, causing the current outbreak, with a caseload rapidly approaching 800,000. During the fourth wave, the country locked down its largest cities and forbade residents from leaving their houses except to procure food, a move that has led to widespread unemployment and loss of income. Other people became stranded far away from their homes due to the lockdowns, some of which lasted longer three months. Local state-run outlet Voice of Vietnam reported that, starting Friday, Ho Chi Minh city planned to transport by bus anyone who wishes to return to their home province. At midday Friday, many people were still waiting for their turn to go through the checkpoint on Highway #1 in the citys Binh Chanh district. The Zing online newspaper reported Friday that provinces west of the city had sent traffic police to the area to escort busloads of people to their hometowns. They formed a convoy of buses with more than 1,000 passengers bound for 13 provinces. Several hundred people on motorbikes joined the convoy. People returning from Ho Chi Minh City are required to quarantine in local facilities. Provincial leaders asked returning citizens not to simply return home on a whim, but to register ahead of time to ensure safety, local media reported. For Ho Chi Minh Citys residents, a trip outside the city remains forbidden. While they are now allowed to travel within the city, they may not move between Ho Chi Minh and other jurisdictions. As of Friday, Vietnam had confirmed 790,755 cases of COVID-19 and 19,301 deaths according to data from Johns Hopkins Universitys Coronavirus Resource Center. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Eugene Whong. ASHGABAT -- Authorities in Turkmenistan, where the government has yet to officially register a single case of coronavirus, have extended school holidays indefinitely amid reports on the ground of a spike in deaths believed to be caused by COVID-19. "The situation with the virus in Ashgabat is very bad. People who are infected with the virus are constantly being brought to the hospitals. About one of every two are sick with it," an Ashgabat-based health official told RFE/RL. Some schools opened on September 1, but students were immediately told that as of September 4, they will be back on holiday. Schools for older students didn't even open, and aren't expected to until next month at the earliest, according to one official. It is now being recommended that classes should be conducted online in secondary schools from October 1, the Ashgabat-based education official, who asked not to be named, said. Meanwhile, funeral parlors in Ashgabat are said to be overwhelmed with work as dozens die of COVID-19 each day. Workers at funeral parlors told RFE/RL that because of the rapid increase of daily COVID-19 deaths, the price of caskets has dramatically increased in recent weeks, adding that many of those who do not have enough money are having to bury their loved ones in plastic bags. Local authorities across the country have been urging families and religious clerics to ask those who have lost someone to refrain from organizing post-burial gatherings and prayers in an attempt to stem the spread of the virus. In addition, all public events, weddings, birthdays, and other gatherings have been banned across the country. No official reason was given for the ban. BISHKEK -- The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry has appealed to authorities in neighboring Tajikistan to facilitate the passage to their common border of hundreds of ethnic Kyrgyz who fled Afghanistan amid a major Taliban surge that is raising security concerns in neighboring former Soviet republics. The ministry also said on July 15 that it had turned to the United Nations for assistance in bringing to Kyrgyzstan ethnic Kyrgyz who entered Tajikistan from Afghanistan -- many with livestock -- on July 13-14. According to the ministry, 91 Kyrgyz men, 77 women, and 177 children from the village of Andemin in Afghanistan's Vakhon district in the Badakhshan region are currently in Tajikistan and require assistance to reach Kyrgyzstan. While fleeing Afghanistan, the ministry said, two Kyrgyz children had died of unknown causes. Semi-nomadic Kyrgyz have lived on the Afghan side of the Pamir Mountains since the 16th century. The number of ethnic Kyrgyz living in Afghanistan is believed to be just over 1,000. In recent days, hundreds of Afghans, including soldiers and local police, have reportedly fled into neighboring Central Asia countries. U.S. President Joe Biden has pledged that the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan will be completed by early September. With that deadline nearing, the Taliban have unleashed an offensive and now control about one-third of the countrys 421 districts and district centers in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, U.S. forces vacated their largest base in Afghanistan at Bagram, north of Kabul. The rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces, and Taliban battlefield successes, are stoking concerns that the Western-backed government in Kabul may collapse. TBILISI -- Tensions are high in Georgia as ballots cast for mayors and local councils across the deeply polarized South Caucasus country are being counted amid early claims of victory by both the ruling party and the main opposition force and allegations of electoral fraud. The October 2 vote is viewed by the opposition as a referendum on the ruling Georgian Dream party. It was already set to be contentious before exiled former President Mikheil Saakashvili returned on the eve of the election to rally the opposition party he founded, the United National Movement (ENM), and other opposition groups -- only to be arrested within hours. With 45 percent of precincts counted, preliminary results from the Central Election Commission early on October 3 showed Georgian Dream leading nationwide with 45.5 percent compared to 31 percent for ENM. The rest of the vote was split among 50 parties, with the For Georgia party third at nearly 7 percent. Official full preliminary results are expected later on October 3. The opposition is seeking to use the elections as leverage to demand early elections if the ruling party fails to get more than 43 percent of the national vote. In the capital, Tbilisi, preliminary results with 31 percent of precincts counted pointed to incumbent mayor Kakha Kaladze of Georgian Dream getting 41.6 percent, while ENM party chief Nika Melia was at 28.5 percent. Georgian Dream supporters gathered outside party headquarters on a central Tbilisi square after polls closed, with Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili congratulating them for their "great victory." "Today, we finished polarization in the country, the era of hate and lies," he said, referring to the opposition. Meanwhile, Melia said Georgian Dream had "completely lost the capital." "They lost the political center," he insisted, adding that the opposition will hold a majority in the Tbilisi city council. Hours earlier, the opposition leader accused the ruling party of "voter intimidation and vote-buying," and urged Georgians to "be mobilized so that Georgian Dream can't manipulate election results." Nongovernmental organizations monitoring the elections reported dozens of suspected cases of electoral fraud across Georgia, including vote-buying, violations of the secrecy of the ballot, and "carousel voting" -- where voters are bussed into multiple polling stations as an organized group. According to the Central Election Commission, 366 complaints were filed with the district election commissions during election day, most of them being "procedural deficiencies [that will] require disciplinary action against commission members." An independent union of journalists, the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, reported cases where journalists were cursed, threatened, or physically assaulted at polling stations. Voters cast ballots for mayors in 64 municipalities, as well as nearly 2,100 members of local self-governing councils. Voter turnout nationally stood at nearly 52 percent, according to election authorities. The local elections come as the country has been in a protracted political crisis since Georgian Dream won parliamentary elections a year ago. Opposition parties claimed the vote was unfair and fraudulent, while international observers said it had been competitive and that fundamental freedoms were generally respected. Under an EU-brokered agreement reached in April to defuse the paralyzing political crisis between Georgian Dream and opposition parties, early parliamentary elections were to be called in 2022 if Georgian Dream received less than 43 percent in local elections. But in July, Georgian Dream leader Irakli Kobakhidze annulled the so-called April 19 agreement, blaming the opposition for its failure and claiming most other key provisions had been met. At the time, Kobakhidze said that smaller opposition parties signed the agreement, but the larger "radical opposition" blocs including the main opposition ENM refused to join the deal. Georgian Dream was founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the reclusive billionaire who served as prime minister. Observers say the election and its aftermath could usher in a period of instability in the country with aspirations of joining Western institutions. "Today's vote is probably a culmination of the monthslong political crisis that has a good chance to drive Georgia into more instability and less prospects for development," Olesya Vartanyan, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, told RFE/RL. "[It's] difficult to say if the ruling party will even want to demonstrate its readiness for compromise after it withdrew from the April 19 agreement that included a step-by-step plan on how to start getting out of Georgia's stagnation and regular crisis situations. Many in the opposition are also very frustrated with the lack of results," she said. The arrest of Saakashvili adds extra fuel to the country's political crises. The former president, who was convicted in absentia in 2018 and has lived in Ukraine in recent years, announced plans earlier this week to fly home for the vote, despite facing prison, claiming he wanted to help "save the country." Saakashvili published a handwritten letter on Twitter on October 2, and in several opposition media outlets, in which he asked supporters to vote for his ENM. "I want to ask you all to go to the elections so that not a single vote is lost, and after that, we will have to defend the results of the referendum together," Saakashvili said. In a video posted on Facebook before his arrest, Saakashvili, who was stripped of his Georgia citizenship, also called on his supporters to protest following the election. "Everyone must go to the polls and vote, and on October 3 we must fill Freedom Square (in central Tbilisi). If there are 100,000 people, no one can defeat us," he says in the video. "You see -- I risked everything -- my life, freedom, everything, in order to come here. I want only one thing from you -- go to the polls." In recent years, Saakashvili has held several top government positions in Ukraine, and was briefly the governor of the Odesa region. He has been a Ukrainian citizen since 2015 and heads the executive committee of Ukraine's National Reform Council. In 2018, he was sentenced in absentia to a total of nine years in prison after being found guilty of abusing his authority in two separate cases related to trying to cover up evidence related to the 2005 beating of an opposition lawmaker and about the killing of a Georgian banker. With reporting by Civil.ge, AFP, and Reuters After the Georgian elections ended on October 2, different polling agencies released exit polls with contradictory results. Both the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition United National Movement claimed victory. Georgian Dream leaders like Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze greeted supporters in a rally in the capital, Tbilisi. Kaladze's challenger from the United National Movement, party leader Nika Melia, also celebrated in Tbilisi. JARINJE/BRNJAK, Kosovo -- Two crossings along the Kosovo-Serbia border were reopened to traffic on October 2 as ethnic Serbian protesters removed vehicles, Kosovar special police units withdrew, and NATO troops moved in as part of an EU-mediated deal to defuse a tense standoff sparked by a dispute over vehicle license plates. The pullout of Kosovo special police units, cars, and trucks at the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings was completed at around 3 p.m. local time with no incidents reported, putting an end a potentially explosive situation pitting Kosovar Albanian and Serbian communities against one another. The crossings were blocked by local ethnic Serbs after Kosovar authorities on September 20 ordered all drivers entering Kosovo from Serbia to use temporary, 60-day, printed license plates. The government said the move was in retaliation for measures in Serbia against drivers from Kosovo that have been in place since 2008, when the country declared independence from Belgrade. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence and therefore its right to impose rules and regulations such as registering cars and trucks. Makeshift barricades erected by local Serbs at the border crossings prompted Kosovo's government to send in police units. Serbian military jets and helicopters, meanwhile, also buzzed the border in a show of force. The barricades included dump trucks with Serbian flags on their side, and piles of trees. Under the deal, workers removed the barricades and Kosovar authorities ordered the withdrawal of its special police units. Troops from the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo, KFOR, will deploy at the crossings for the next two weeks in an effort to help ensure cross-border traffic resumes without problem. "As from this weekend and for the next two weeks, KFOR will maintain a temporary robust and agile presence in the area...to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities living in Kosovo," the force said in a statement. The European Union brokered talks between Serbian and Kosovar government officials in Brussels this week to break the impasse. EU and U.S. officials also called for dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade to continue to normalize their relations, which remain strained despite substantial cross-border commerce. RFE/RL's Balkan Service correspondents Arton Konushevci reported from Jarinje and Sandra Cvetkovic from Gracanica It was obvious months ago that Kyrgyzstan would be facing electricity problems by the end of the year. Now, as the calendar moves into October, that time has arrived. The head of the National Energy Holding Company, Talaybek Baygaziev, has warned of impending power shortages and said one way the state company will be saving electricity is by giving cities and towns over to the dark of night. Kyrgyzstan uses hydropower to generate most of its electricity, and this has been a drought year. The volume of water in the Toktogul hydropower plant (HPP), which supplies some 40 percent of Kyrgyzstan's electricity, is currently 12.3 billion cubic meters (bcm), compared to 15.2 bcm at this time last year. On September 25, the chairman of the cabinet of ministers, Ulukbek Maripov, instructed the National Energy Holding Company to take all necessary measures to ensure the Toktogul reservoir had sufficient water -- 15-16 bcm -- in it by April 2022. That means less water released to power the turbines at the Toktogul HPP. So to help keep electricity in people's homes, Baygaziev said the lights will have to go out on the streets. Baygaziev said that to meet the energy needs of the autumn-winter period this year, the power company will impose "restrictions on the lighting of secondary streets, advertisements, and facades of shops, cafes, and other nonresidential customers." The National Energy Holding Company oversees the five companies that provide electricity and heating to regions around Kyrgyzstan, and the order has gone out to those companies to cut electricity to the places that Baygaziev mentioned. However, Baygaziev's attempts to justify the cuts elicited some derision from media outlet Kaktus.media, which published what it described as Baygaziev's top 10 quotes on the targets of the cutoffs. Of electric signs on restaurants, Baygaziev said, "An advertisement for restaurants -- for their food. If a person comes to eat, they know about this, and there is no need to turn on 100 light bulbs." Baygaziev also said the lights would be turned off in city parks, something that was not on his list. "The parks we have are lit until morning. Normal people go out walking before 10-11 (p.m.) and after that they go to rest," Baygaziev said. "A park also needs to rest." Kyrgyzstan imports electricity from other Central Asian countries, and Baygaziev mentioned that one-third of the electricity Kyrgyzstan currently consumes is imported. The National Energy Holding Company's solution is radical, but it comes out of desperation. The streets of Kyrgyzstan's cities, including Bishkek, are poorly lit even with all the lights turned on; in non-downtown neighborhoods, it is nearly pitch black on moonless nights despite the lighting from residences. But the coldest months of the year are coming soon. And although Azamat Kuramaev, the press secretary for the National Energy Holding Company, told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, known locally as Azattyk, that there were so far no restrictions on home use of electricity, the shortages are likely to worsen as winter sets in. The dark nights of winter in towns and cities won't make either Kyrgyzstan's power companies or the government more popular. Moldova's parliament on March 31 voted to introduce a 60-day state of emergency to fight the coronavirus pandemic, a decision condemned by allies of pro-Western President Maia Sandu as a ploy to delay early elections. The Eastern European country of 3.5 million has been in political limbo since Sandu defeated the Moscow-backed incumbent Igor Dodon in the presidential election last November. Moldova had recorded 228,370 coronavirus cases and 4,915 deaths as of the evening of March 30. Acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi said the rate of infection had climbed to 635 per 100,000 over the past two weeks. Ciocoi said the measure was needed to contain the rapid spread of the virus, reduce the pressure on hospitals, and give the government more powers to enforce lockdown measures that were being resisted. "Two patients apply for every vacant bed," he told parliament. Fifty-two out of the 101 members of parliament voted in favor of the measure. Sandu is pushing for a snap election to consolidate her power after accusing parliament, which is controlled by Dodon's Socialist party, of undermining her authority and her anti-corruption agenda. Dan Perciun of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), which Sandu led before winning the presidency, said the vote was solely designed to delay snap parliamentary elections, which cannot legally be held during a state of emergency. Sandu and Dodon have wrestled over the formation of an interim government, putting forward rival candidates for prime minister. Sandu has asked the Constitutional Court to allow her to dissolve parliament in order to break the deadlock. With reporting by Reuters and Interfax BUCHAREST -- Thousands of people have protested in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, to reject new measures by the authorities to curb an alarming surge of COVID-19 infections. The participants in the October 2 rally organized by the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) blocked traffic, honked horns, and chanted slogans such as "Freedom!" Most of them did not wear a mask. Similar protests were held in other Romanian cities as health authorities registered 12,740 new cases on October 2, Romania's highest daily number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic. The infection rate in the capital also reached its highest level so far -- 8.28 per 1,000 residents -- putting the country's hospitals under serious pressure with intensive-care units reaching near capacity. Late on October 2, the ROVaccinare platform noted in a Facebook post that while crowds were demonstrating in Bucharest and elsewhere, "hundreds of doctors are fighting to save the lives of some patients with severe forms of COVID-19." A Romanian has died every 8 minutes in the last 24 hours due to the disease, and 92 percent of them were not vaccinated, it said. Romania has fully vaccinated only one-third of all adults, making it the second-least-vaccinated EU member state after Bulgaria. The new rules and restrictions, which were adopted earlier this week by the National Committee for Emergency Situations, were published in the official gazette on October 2. They will require people to wear masks in public and make shops close at 10 p.m. Restaurants will remain open at half-capacity but only for people with COVID-19 passes. The protests came a day after seven people were killed in a fire at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients in Romania's port city of Constanta -- the third deadly hospital blaze in the country in less than a year. With reporting by AP A noted migrant rights defender who was being held at a Moscow airport and faced deportation to Uzbekistan says she has left Russia on a flight to Armenia. In a brief interview before her flight departed on October 2 from Sheremetyevo airport, Valentina Chupik told RFE/RL that she was unsure of the legal details of her case, but that she unexpectedly received an Uzbek passport this morning, and then got a PCR test for COVID so she could board a flight. "After that, I was given the opportunity to turn on the phone a little. Then they put me on plane," she said. "I'm on a plane. I have to turn off the phone, now we're taking off," she said. It wasn't immediately clear if Armenia was Chupik's final destination, or whether she would be flying on further. An Uzbek citizen and rights activist, Chupik fled Uzbekistan in 2006 after authorities there tried to take control of her human rights organization. She has lived in Moscow since then, running a nongovernmental organization called Sunrise of the World that provides legal defense and assistance to migrant workers from Central Asia. On September 25, she was detained at Sheremetyevo after returning to Russia from Armenia. According to her, officers of Russia's Federal Security Service informed her that she has been deprived of her refugee status since September 17 and banned from entering Russia for 30 years. The move was made, the officers told her, because she presented either false information or forged documents to Russian authorities when she applied for refugee status in 2006. Chupik, who called the assertion "absolute nonsense," said that she might be jailed, tortured, or even killed while in custody if she is deported back to Uzbekistan. Earlier, one of Chupik's aides told RFE/RL that they had filed asylum requests with Ukrainian diplomats in Moscow and Kyiv. Chupik's plight has drawn the attention of rights activists in Russia, as well as the Committee for the Prevention of Torture, which asked the European Court of Human Rights to intervene on her behalf. With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service KAZAN, Russia -- Authorities in Russia's Tatarstan region have arrested the son of late Tajik Islamic cleric, an opposition leader, at Tajikistan's request. Relatives of Barakatullo Ghoziev told RFE/RL on September 5 that a court in Tatarstan's capital, Kazan, had approved his arrest last month. The Soviet district court in Kazan confirmed to RFE/RL that the 35-year-old was detained for a period of 40 days starting from August 15. The move came, it said, at the request of Tajik authorities, who accuse Ghoziev of high treason and inciting religious hatred. The court added that Ghoziev's possible extradition to Tajikistan was pending. Relatives insist that the charges against Ghoziev are groundless. If extradited to Tajikistan and subsequently convicted, Ghoziev could face up to 25 years in prison. Ghoziev's father, Said Qyomiddin Ghozi, aka Eshoni Ghozi, a popular Islamic cleric and a leading opposition figure, was kidnapped in the Russian city of St. Petersburg in November 2017 and brought to Tajikistan, where he faced a trial that his supporters and relatives called politically motivated. He was killed during a prison riot in the city of Vahdat in 2019 while serving a 25-year prison term he was given after being found guilty of inciting hatred, high treason, and public calls to overthrow the government. His other two sons, Saidmuhammadi and Saidhasan, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms on high-treason charges in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Saidishoq Boboev of the Civil Committee For Defense Of Political Inmates in Tajikistan told RFE/RL that his group had asked human rights organizations to assist in preventing Ghoziev's extradition to Tajikistan, where, according to Boboev, he would face torture and no chance of a fair trial. DUSHANBE -- Tajikistan has awarded posthumously two former Afghan political figures, Ahmad Shah Masud and Burhanuddin Rabbani, with the country's third-highest honor, the Order of Ismoili Somoni. Afghanistan In Turmoil: Full Coverage On Gandhara Read RFE/RL's Gandhara website for complete coverage of developments in Afghanistan. Gandhara is the go-to source for English-language reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and its network of journalists, and by RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal, which offers extensive coverage of Pakistan's remote tribal regions. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon signed the decree awarding the two men the honor on September 2. According to the decree, Masud and Rabbani were recognized for their contribution to ending a devastating 1993-97 civil war in Tajikistan. Ahmad Shah Masud, nicknamed the Lion of Panjshir, was one of the leading military commanders of the Afghan resistance to Soviet troops from 1979-89 and fought against the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan from 1996-2001. After Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan, Masud served as defense minister from 1992 until his assassination on September 9, 2001. Rabbani served as Afghanistan's president from 1992 to 2001. Between 1996-2001 his authority was not recognized by Taliban militants, who controlled many regions of the country. Rabbani was killed on September 20, 2011, by a bomb attack during a meeting with Taliban representatives at his home. Both Masud and Rabbani were ethnic Tajiks involved in peace talks that ended the war in Tajikistan in 1997. The signing of the decree awarding the two men the honor comes as the Taliban battles resistance forces in the Panjshir Valley, which is mainly populated by ethnic Tajiks. Tajikistan has officially stated that Afghanistan's new government under the Taliban must include Tajiks, Uzbeks, and representatives of the country's other ethnic groups. ISFARA, Tajikistan -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has assured residents of the countrys volatile Vorukh exclave within Kyrgyzstan that it will not be part of any land swap between the neighboring countries as they seek a solution to halt border disputes that frequently turn violent. Rahmons statement during a trip to meet with residents of the exclave on April 9 comes weeks after a top Kyrgyz official publicly stated that Bishkek is ready to include the exclave in a land exchange. "There have not been any talks about the possible exchange of Vorukh for another territory in the last 19 years [since the border delimitation negotiations started], and there is no possibility for it. I am making this statement because of various reports have been spread via the media regarding the issue recently. Border demarcation is a long process and there is no place for emotions in the matter," Rahmon said, calling on Vorukh residents to live peacefully with those on the other side of the border. Rahmon added that agreements on almost half of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border issues have been reached during more than 100 rounds of negotiations held between Dushanbe and Bishkek since border delimitation talks started in 2002. Rahmon also said that Tajikistan had fully finished all work outlined in a joint road map on border delimitation agreed on between the two countries in 2016 and accused Bishkek of failing to stick to the plan for "unknown reasons." On March 26, the chief of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev, said that Bishkek is ready to give 12,000 hectares of land from Kyrgyzstan's southern region of Batken to Tajikistan in exchange for the territory of Vorukh. Tashiev also said that Kyrgyzstans long-standing border issues with another neighbor, Uzbekistan, had been "100 percent fully resolved" after talks in Tashkent. Many border areas in Central Asia's former Soviet republics have been disputed since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The situation is particularly complicated near the numerous exclaves in the volatile Ferghana Valley, where the borders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan meet. Vorukh is one such exclave, where in July 2019 Tajik officials said one Tajik man was killed and seven more wounded after Kyrgyz villagers used hunting guns in clashes that erupted over a move by Tajik residents to install Tajik national flags on the Isfara-Vorukh road near the exclave. Kyrgyz officials in the Batken region temporarily moved more than 650 residents from the village of Ak-Sai from the area for safety and security reasons in the days following the clashes. Another volatile exclave, Sokh, which sits inside Kyrgyzstan, is an ethnic Tajik-populated Uzbek territory where shootings have been common for years. In 2013, border crossings through Sokh were closed for several weeks after Sokh residents clashed with Kyrgyz border guards over the installation of electric power lines to a new Kyrgyz border post. Five Sokh residents were reportedly wounded by Kyrgyz border guards and at least 30 Kyrgyz citizens were subsequently taken hostage. Bill Clayton, a wildland firefighting expert who saved countless lives and entire towns during a career that spanned 50 years, died Sunday at the age of 77 of natural causes at his home in Carlsbad. He was a legend in the fire service, said lifelong friend and recently retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief Ray Chaney. Youd be driving up to this giant atomic bomb-looking column of smoke, be a little nervous or have that sense of apprehension, and then youd hear Bills voice on the radio: Monte Vista division thirty-three zero seven responding in his gruff, low-tone voice, Chaney said. And you got this sense of calm because you knew you had a man of his caliber that was going to be there to support you no matter what circumstance you were going to be involved with. Advertisement Clayton was the most decorated firefighter in the history of what is now known as Cal Fire. He fought the 1970 Laguna fire and the 2003 Cedar fire during his time with both the U.S Forest Service and then the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, as well as thousands of others in between. He was a multiple winner of the Medal of Valor, the highest award given to firefighters in the state. City of San Diego Fire Chief Brian Fennessy remembered Claytons sense of humor and talent for telling stories and sharing lessons learned. He said Clayton was a true icon whose historical knowledge of wildland fire in San Diego County was unprecedented. A friend since 1978, Fennessy said his friend was a great teacher and a great leader and mentor. He remembered when President George W. Bush came to San Diego following the 2003 firestorms to inspect the devastation by helicopter with Clayton by his side. Later that day, Bush invited Clayton to tour Air Force One. He and George really hit it off, Fennessy said. And you can see that. Thats the way Bill was with everybody. Clayton originally retired after 40 years of service in 1998, but found the quiet life unacceptable. I think he missed it, said Chaney, who was Claytons godson. I think he missed the family. I think he missed the camaraderie. I think he missed the action. I think he missed that sense of purpose. He soon returned to active duty as a division chief and in 2003 was one of the incident commanders for both the Paradise fire in Valley Center and then the Cedar fire a couple days later. On the morning of Oct. 26, 2003, Clayton had already forced his way through the Paradise fire to find one woman burned to death near her car and a 16-year-old girl severely injured by flames that trapped her in her automobile. Then Clayton received an urgent call from the dispatch center that 50 to 60 people -- later determined to be closer to 200 -- were trapped in the Valley View Casino in Valley Center and that flames were reaching the building. Clayton drove to the casino, speeding through several firefronts and dodging arcing power lines whipping in the wind. On the way, he and another firefighter rescued a man about to be overtaken by the blaze. When Clayton got to the casino, flames were lapping at the buildings rear and a 10,000-gallon propane tank was about to explode. In acrid, blinding smoke, Clayton ran to several fire engines he had ordered to the casino and gave instructions for the fire attack. When he went inside the casino, he found an almost surreal scene, according to Medal of Valor nomination papers. About 200 elderly patrons were panicking. An injured horse running wild inside had kicked a badly burned patron to the ground. Clayton managed to scare away the horse and then turned to the frightened crowd, assuring them they would live if they followed his instructions. All survived. Two days later, he was one of two incident commanders of the Cedar fire, the worst wildland blaze the county had ever experienced. Many homes were lost but he was able to lead a firefight that saved downtown Julian. He was also there when a Northern California firefighter, Steven Rucker, was killed while protecting a home in Wynola, just west of Julian. He recalled during a 2006 interview finding Rucker, slamming his helmet on the ground and pouring water from his canteen on him. Even though he was dead, I didnt want his body to desecrate anymore, he said. He suffered heavy smoke inhalation during the casino ordeal and contracted pneumonia while working the Cedar fire. Clayton retired again from Cal Fire in 2006. He then became the Sycuan Fire Departments chief for several years and then, almost right up to his death, has kept busy doing consultation work. Hes taught fire instruction all over the globe from Portugal to South America to Australia to all over the United States, Chaney said. He was a subject matter expert as a wildland firefighter. One of Claytons proudest moments came in 1997 when he and others drove through a wall of 50-foot flames and saved a teen-age boy, his mother and grandfather, just before fire overtook their Lake Wohlford area home. He won his first Medal of Valor for the rescue. I wish my father had been able to see me get the governors Medal of Valor, he said during a 1998 interview. His dad, a former chief of Camp Pendletons fire department, had died the year before. He was one of the few gentlemen and he really believed in honor and chivalry and being a mans man, Chaney said. He lived life to the fullest. Anybody in his shoes would feel great satisfaction in a life well lived. Clayton is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Rock Church in Point Loma, 2277 Rosecrans St. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones 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. Reaction a Bamako sur les propos de Macron Au Mali, les reactions aux propos peu amenes du president Macron, jeudi, a l'encontre des autorites de transition et notamment du Premier ministre Choguel Maiga. Les partis M5-RFP et le parti Yelema reagissent sur RFI mais du cote des autorites de Bamako, silence radio alors que sur le terrain, la cooperation avec Paris se poursuit. Au Mali, les propos virulents et peu diplomatiques d'Emmanuel Macron font reagir. Apres les accusations, samedi dernier a la tribune de l'Assemblee generale de l'ONU, du Premier ministre de transition Choguel Maiga d'un abandon en plein vol de son pays par la France, le president francais a notamment parle jeudi soir d'une honte, qui deshonore ce qui nest meme pas un gouvernement , denoncant un gouvernement peu legitime issu de deux coups d'Etat... Jeamille Bittar pour le M5-RPF Pour Jeamille Bittar, le porte-parole du mouvement M5-RFP qui soutient les dirigeants de la transition joint par Francois Mazet, cette sortie est une deception et les Francais sont desormais des ennemis voiles qui doivent quitter le Mali. Cest le neo-colonialisme qui continue. Les Maliens nont pas, aujourdhui, de visibilite par rapport a cette presence militaire francaise en Republique du Mali. Il y a beaucoup de non-dits. Comme la France avait deja decide de changer de methodologie et de changer de strategie -sans concertation prealable- nous preferons avoir aujourdhui des mercenaires, que davoir des ennemis voiles en amis . RFI : Pour vous, on en est la ? Les Francais sont devenus des ennemis voiles ? Oui, des ennemis voiles. Je ne dis pas le peuple francais, les gens francais je parle de la politique francaise a lheure actuelle ; nous disons non et nous allons nous assumer jusquau bout ! Cest a nous, maintenant, de decider de qui peut rester, qui ne peut pas rester ! Les Francais doivent partir. Ils nous ont abandonnes Nous, nous disons que ce nest plus a eux de nous dire quils vont partir. Le peuple va demander simplement a ce quils partent . Hamidou Doumbia pour Yelema De son cote le parti Yelema critique le ton paternaliste du president francais et considere de maniere generale que cette guerre diplomatique ne fait que renforcer les jihadistes. Gaelle Laleix a joint Hamidou Doumbia, secretaire politique et porte parole du parti Yelema Le ton du president Macron est un peu paternaliste. Il aurait du retenir les lecons de ce qui sest passe a Pau. Les populations africaines netaient pas du tout contentes du fait quon ait convoque, dune certaine maniere leurs responsables. Le president Macron aurait pu utiliser un ton beaucoup plus diplomate, aurait du adopter une autre demarche qui aurait pu permettre dapaiser les tensions Nous avons un peuple qui souffre depuis plus de dix ans de terrorisme ! Que les populations entendent cette guerre diplomatique qui ne dit pas son nom, ca renforce encore les jihadistes. Les deux Etats doivent se comprendre, discuter dun partenariat gagnant-gagnant. Et il faut que les deux Etats tirent les lecons necessaires de ce qui sest passe. Sil y a exasperation, cest que les populations ont du mal a voir lefficacite de lintervention des forces etrangeres sur le territoire malien . Sur le terrain, la cooperation se poursuit A Bamako, officiellement, un peu comme si pour le moment on refusait lescalade, il ny a pas de reaction apres la sortie du president francais, rapporte notre correspondant, Serge Daniel. Et sur le terrain, cest main dans la main que les troupes francaises et maliennes travaillent. Ainsi, selon des informations fournies par la force francaise Barkhane et confirmees de source militaire malienne, les militaires des deux pays ont encore traque ensemble, ces derniers jours, des terroristes dans le nord du Mali. Cest le cas dans la region de Gossi, ou le Groupement tactique desert de Barkhane et une campagne des forces armees maliennes ont neutralise des groupes terroristes. Dans la meme region, ce sont les militaires maliens, avec le soutien aerien de Barkhane, qui ont mene des operations de reconnaissance dans un secteur quils frequentaient peu. California hit the lowest coronavirus case rate in the nation Friday thanks not only to high vaccination and masking, but also to a state culture that generally embraces public health precautions, experts said. Despite the highly contagious delta variant, which accounts for essentially all COVID cases in California, coronavirus infections are plummeting in the state, with a 32% drop in average weekly cases as of Thursday compared to a month earlier 25 per 100,000 people, down from 33 per 100,000. In much of the country outside the Northeast, case rates are at least double, or even five times higher, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Californias ability to reduce the spread of the virus lies partly in vaccinations. Among residents 18 and older, 69% are fully vaccinated, according to the New York Times vaccination tracker. Thats good, but nowhere near good enough, said Stephen Shortell, dean emeritus at UC Berkeleys School of Public Health, who said it may take a 90% vaccination rate to achieve herd immunity because of the delta variant. California is the 19th state by vaccination percentage. We are not the most vaccinated state, said Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chair of UCSFs Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. But we are also a state that has not completely abandoned the other mitigation methods. California requires mask wearing at schools, on public transportation, and in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. Masks in other indoor settings are recommended. The Bay Area has been far more aggressive than the state. In eight of the nine counties, masks are required in nearly all indoor public settings restaurants and bars being the main exceptions, though San Francisco, Berkeley and Contra Costa County require people to be vaccinated to enter those venues. Case rates in the region have plunged faster in recent weeks than those statewide. Experts say many residents go beyond the rules. I think in California, there is a social norm around masking, said Arnab Mukherjea, chair of Cal State East Bays public health department. If you go outside, 75% of people are wearing masks. The state had the lowest COVID rates in the country on Friday, with 114 weekly cases for every 100,000 residents, according to the CDCs tracker map. Wyoming has one of the highest state rates, with a weekly figure of 659 cases per 100,000 residents. Only half of its residents 18 and older are fully vaccinated trailing every state except West Virginia. Wyomings governor lifted the states mask mandate in March. In a way, the idea of American independent thinking is working against us in the pandemic, said Dr. Robert Siegel, an immunology expert at in Stanford University, who is teaching a course called the Vaccine Revolution this semester. Connecticut and Vermont have the highest vaccination rates in the nation, with 79% of adults having gotten their shots in each state. Not coincidentally, Connecticuts seven-day case rate was nearly as low as Californias on Friday, and Vermonts was only slightly higher than Connecticuts. Dr. Tim Lahey, infectious disease expert at the University of Vermont Medical Center, credited not just his states high vaccination rate, but its science-based leadership for its comparatively low weekly COVID rate of 151 cases per 100,000 residents. Jae C. Hong/Associated Press Lahey also referred to his states ethos of neighborliness as critical to its success. 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. If the small inconvenience of wearing a mask could protect my neighbor, I wear one with a smile, he said. Similarly, if the science, my own self-interest and the protection of my neighbors all are promoted by getting a vaccine, Im happy to join my neighbors in line. California has not quite cultivated a Vermont-like reputation for neighborliness. But a similar approach has evolved over decades that set the stage for Californias pandemic-era health actions, experts said. In 1995, after California became the first state to ban smoking in workplaces influencing about half the states, including Vermont and Connecticut we made it socially acceptable to broadly adopt public health practices, said Mukherjea of Cal State East Bay. But the states commitment to public health alliances among key groups goes back to the 1980s, said Dr. John Swartzberg, an infectious disease expert at UC Berkeley. Early on, those most at risk for getting sick and dying from AIDS clashed with public health officials. But we really ironed it out, Swartzberg said. We realized we were all on the same team, and we did a spectacular job. Up and down the state, he said, we made a cultural shift that positioned us really well for tackling the pandemic in ways that other states didnt have in place. Swartzberg hastened to say that public health systems in many other states also work well with their communities. Even so, he added, I do think that, even if we are not unique, then at least culturally we were prepared for these times. Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov Richard Treiber had the epiphany in December 2015, while ambling down a busy road in Richmond. Squinting at the northern shoreline, he saw a bare stretch of land and knew exactly how to fill it: with cannabis. Enough cannabis, he later said, to inject 500 jobs and up to $11 million in annual tax revenue into the local economy, and enough to draw tourists to a city long dominated by its Chevron oil refinery. The 18.8-acre development that crystallized in Treibers mind that day was the type of hub that many investors and entrepreneurs began contemplating when California voters legalized sales of recreational marijuana in 2016: solar-powered green houses, nurseries, tasting rooms something akin to a Ferry Building for cannabis. And, as it turned out, the land was for sale. When the first phase of Treibers PowerPlant Park opens with 19 marijuana greenhouses, perhaps as early as February, it could be a shining model for a market that never lived up to expectations. It could, moreover, turn a struggling East Bay city into a regional powerhouse for marijuana. Or it could be another quixotic idea that goes up in smoke. During six years of planning, Treiber has run out of money and seen his timeline upended more than once. Yet hes also made tantalizing promises to the city, including that 5% of his net profits go to charity. Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Sitting in his office in Point Richmond, surrounded by drawings and dioramas of the project, as well as a Bible and a painting of Abraham Lincoln, Treiber radiated optimism. Although PowerPlant is still a sprawling construction site, hes anticipates that at the beginning of 2022 hell be open for business, with the entire campus of 45 greenhouses according to city planning documents built by next fall. I think of it like the Apple of cannabis, he said, comparing PowerPlant Park to the Silicon Valley companys glossy headquarters in Cupertino. On the campus you have retail, distribution, transportation, full-blown cultivation, he added. There is no project like this in the state. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt, whose sons architecture firm is designing the project, praised some of its elements. The park-like setting would attract tourists; mixing different types of businesses would allow them to split the costs of operating and licensing; reliance on solar power would align with Bay Area values. Yet Butt also tried to be pragmatic about PowerPlants potential impact. While he agreed the campus would bring revenue, jobs and visitors to Richmond, he didnt see it as a major economic engine. Butt sits on the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, one of two boards that has to approve PowerPlant before the city grants building permits. He plans to recuse himself from any votes on the project. To date, Treibers company, Divine Development Group, has applied for eight different types of cannabis licenses at the development, including cultivation, processing and drive-through sales. Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Cannabis regulatory consultant Sean Donahoe has seen others try the campus concept, with mixed results. In Sacramento, the 11-acre Natura Life + Science campus survived its first year of business unscathed. But last month the Canadian company Aurora Cannabis Inc. closed a campus in Edmonton, saying in a statement that after a painstaking review, it had to make tough yet responsible changes. A few observers noted that ambitious developments are particularly risky in the Bay Area, because land is so expensive and plans get mired in a web of permitting and government bureaucracy. Such hindrances might explain why winery-style cannabis centers arent popping up in neighboring cities, said PowerPlant architect Andrew Butt, who has helped plan other cannabis facilities. Campuses take a lot of space, Butt said, and theres only so much land in the Bay Area. Most of these (operations) are happening in industrial buildings. Frankly, he added, its challenging to get developments of any kind permitted and built, and the larger and more complex they are, the harder it is. At one point, cannabis entrepreneurs in Oakland had discussed the possibility of greenhouses near the airport, according to Donahoe, but the dream never came to fruition. Treiber, however, is a gritty entrepreneur, eager to prove his skeptics wrong. 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. He tells a captivating story about his initiation into the cannabis world, after his then-5-year-old son was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in 1998. Doctors prescribed a cocktail of psychotropic drugs, which Treiber described as different compounds of amphetamines that made his sons condition worse, he said. Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle So Treiber did some research and decided to make his son quit the medications at age 13, switching to a regimen of cannabis. He deemed the shift a success and soon became enthralled with the marijuana industry, purchasing a delivery service in San Diego in 2014 and then growing 700 plants at his old house in Novato. The Fire Department shut that operation down in 2015 because Treiber had refashioned the wiring in the house to accommodate his crop. That led me to try to find space, he said, explaining how, on a brittle winter afternoon, he wound up on Richmond Parkway, scanning for property to buy. He acknowledged that he struggled to raise enough money for his estimated $30 million venture, draining his family savings before he submitted the preliminary drawings. I cant tell you how many times this project has been on life support, he said, pointing to several financial lifeboats, including his mother, who borrowed against her home in San Francisco; the landowner who leased him the parcel, then chipped in $1.4 million to help get through the permitting process; and tenants who made down payments on 28 greenhouses. Still, he confronted another recent setback, when PowerPlants solar engineer determined that an off-grid solar panel system would not generate enough electricity to power the parks first phase. Treiber said he hopes to use a neighboring solar farm once he finishes building all four phases. His business targets are aggressive: an output of 140,000 pounds of cannabis a year. In his office, the indomitable businessman keeps a box of gift-wrapped products: tinctures, balms, vapor cartridges, glass pipes, euphoria-inducing gummy candy. In five months Treiber expects visitors will flock to Richmond for these items, placing orders online to pick up at a drive-through window. The setting, rife with palm trees, picnic tables and landscaped walkways leading to the Bay Trail, is idyllic, he said. And beyond the security gates, the road can fit nearly 200 cars at a time. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan Marilyn Nieves/Getty Image A federal judge in San Francisco sentenced a San Mateo man to 11 years in prison for receiving child pornography that involved four underage girls, the youngest of whom was 13, authorities said. Adrian Kyle Benjamin, 25, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography and admitted in a plea agreement, filed on Friday, that he started contacting a 14-year-old girl in Washington in 2018 and enticed her to engage in sexually explicit conduct and to send him visual depictions of her engaging in the conduct, officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California said Friday. For many Californians, a Central Valley town that has played a monumental role in 20th century Black life has been hidden away in the cracks of history. Some 250 miles southeast of San Francisco, the town Allensworth was Californias first-ever town founded and governed by Black people, and a monumental icon to Black freedom around the turn of the 20th century. The dusty Tulare County town was founded in 1908 by Col. Allen Allensworth, a former enslaved person who dreamed of establishing a self-sufficient haven for Black people to break free of discrimination that abounded in the period following the Civil War. California purchased the land in 1974 to maintain it as a historic site for visitors. For the last 10 years, the Friends of Allensworth, a nonprofit, has hosted an annual rededication event to bring visitors to the site, to preserve its history and bring communities together. The event was canceled last year because of the pandemic, but it returns on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m for a day of square dancing, horse and buggy rides, arts and crafts, historic games, storytelling, food vendors, tours, and more. Friends of Allensworth president Sasha Biscoe said the event can bring in up to 500 people a year, and the parks other annual events such as Juneteenth and a May festival can bring in up to 1,000 people, many of whom either make the drive from the Bay Area or Los Angeles, or rent buses and come as a big group. The organization regularly partners with Amtrak to bring scheduled special trains at a discount from Southern California and Northern California to the park, which is a short shuttle ride away from the Amtrak Allensworth station stop. This year, Amtrak is offering a 50% discount to visitors who take the train for the event. More than a century after its founding, the park is a mix of historic, restored and reconstructed buildings from its early days, when hundreds of Black people flocked to the tiny town in search of an oasis away from the racial violence of post-Reconstruction America. It was constructed basically for the same reasons that all the other all-Black towns were constructed, said Biscoe. It was still a nightmare to be an African American, during enslavement and after enslavement. Their assumption was that life was going to be free, but that did not happen. Allensworth and four other men had selected the town because the land was fertile and inexpensive. By 1914, the town had a population of a few hundred people, a post office, a grocery store, a cafe, a general store, a hostel, dairy businesses and had become a voting precinct and judicial district. There, Black people could prosper through farming and other ventures, and be free from Jim Crow laws that dominated African American life. But a few factors started to lead to the towns eventual decline. Water supplies dwindled, and soil conditions deteriorated, forcing many to flee the area. Those who remained were forced to dig deeper wells. As they did, arsenic levels rose. The rail station stop was moved to the nearby town of Alpaugh, and in September of 1914, Colonel Allensworth was struck and killed by a motorcycle during a trip to Monrovia. You lose your leader, you lose your water, and you lose that train spot, said Biscoe. It just brought the town to its knees. By the 1960s, the town was mostly abandoned, with near-all of its community having moved away and many of its structures dilapidated. But by the late 1960s, an effort began to recognize the towns historic significance, and various community organizations led by former resident Ed Pope, who worked for the states parks department rallied to restore the town as a state historical site. In 1972, Governor Ronald Reagan authorized its establishment as a historic site and in 1974 California State Parks purchased land on Allensworth and helped to restore and reconstruct some of its old buildings including the historic schoolhouse, a Baptist church, the library, the courthouse, and the Colonels house. Now, the town itself is still home to a small population of mostly migrant workers, Biscoe said. The Friends of Allensworth association is also working with the state to secure funding for a new visitors center, and is working on upgrading the campsites to have electricity and water. Many visitors come and camp on the campgrounds, which are open to the public. Annie Vainshtein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avainshtein@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @annievain LANSING, Mich. (AP) An expert told Michigan's redistricting commission Friday that some of its draft congressional maps would be fairer to Democrats than current gerrymandered seats but that legislative districts especially in the House would still favor Republicans. Lisa Handley, a consultant who was hired to advise the 13-member panel, provided it with anticipated partisan-fairness data including measures such as the efficiency gap. The formula determines which party is more efficient at translating votes into victories and can help gauge whether one party has an unfair advantage. I would try to get these numbers down," she said. The commission, which voters empowered to draw district lines instead of partisan lawmakers, is expected to make changes before voting on draft proposals. Residents will be able to weigh in on those maps at five public hearings from Oct. 18-26. Handley produced a composite of the results of 13 statewide elections over the last decade and projected that, under a draft Senate map, Democrats would win 52% of the vote but 47% of the seats, resulting in a 20-18 GOP majority. The efficiency gap would be 8.4%. A score near zero is considered politically neutral. That is ... above the goal of where the commission would want to be, Julianne Pastula, the panel's lawyer, said at its meeting in Troy. Using these metrics, trying to go back in and make those adjustments to have an impact on these scores, would be advisable. The bias would be even greater in the House, where Republicans could take 48% of the vote but 55% of the districts for a 61-49 edge, Handley said. The Michigan Democratic Party this week raised concerns that the panel of four Democrats, four Republicans and five independents might repeat mistakes of decades past" when the GOP-led Legislature and Republican governors controlled the process and gerrymander the maps. Handley was impressed, though, with some of the draft congressional plans. Under one, Democrats could win 52% of the vote to the GOP's 48% and hold a 7-6 advantage. Three of the seats would be tossups. Michigan is losing a seat due to the census. 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. Under the 2018 constitutional amendment creating the commission, districts cannot provide a disproportionate advantage to any political party. But the partisan-fairness data is lower on the list of criteria, behind requirements that districts have equal population, comply with federal law, be geographically contiguous and reflect Michigan's diverse population and communities of interest. Other factors complicating the process are the Voting Rights Act's requirements that district boundaries allow minority voters an equal opportunity to elect representatives of their choice and the fact that Democratic voters are more geographically packed than Republicans. Commissioner Anthony Eid, an independent, said having the partisan-fairness software is very useful because I think now we know the work we need to do as a commission in order to get these numbers closer to zero. ... We might have to get a little creative, but I think there is a way to do that. ___ Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00 BOISE, Idaho (AP) Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin has made public a collection of documents to journalists Thursday shortly after a judge again ordered her to reveal the records. The public records included feedback from the public regarding her newly created Education Task Force, which was tasked with investigating alleged indoctrination in the states public school system, something McGeachin said was necessary to protect our young people from the scourge of critical race theory, socialism, communism and Marxism. Several journalists first requested copies of the public records months ago. But McGeachins office mostly denied the requests, telling some reporters it would cost them hundreds of dollars to access the materials and cited exemptions to Idahos public records law that didnt apply to the documents. McGeachin also falsely claimed in public Facebook posts that the journalists were only seeking the records to encourage employers to retaliate against anyone who expressed concerns about the state's public education system In July, the Idaho Press Club sued McGeachin for the documents on behalf of Audrey Dutton and Clark Corbin with the Idaho Capital Sun, Blake Jones with Idaho Education News and Hayat Norimine with the Idaho Statesman. In August, 4th District Judge Steven Hippler sided with the state press association and ordered McGeachin to release the documents. In the scathing ruling, Hippler said McGeachins attempts to withhold the documents were baseless and frivolous, noting that she tried to use an exemption that applied to hunting and fishing licenses to to keep the materials hidden. After that ruling, McGeachin did not release the documents for weeks. When some journalists pressed again to get the public records, McGeachins attorneys asked the judge to reconsider his motion, effectively delaying their release. She never followed up the legal request with a required court filing that would have explained her legal arguments in more detail. On Wednesday, the Idaho Press Club asked Hippler to hold McGeachin in contempt of court for keeping the documents hidden. The next day, the judge denied McGeachins motion for relief, requiring the lieutenant governor to release the records. Her office did so a short time later. This approach is nothing short of sandbagging ... She cannot now attempt a second bite of the apple under the guise of unique and compelling circumstances. Any other conclusion would erode the publics right to prompt examination of public records under the Act, the judge wrote in Thursdays order. McGeachin did not respond to repeated requests for comment from The Associated Press. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The documents released Thursday included thousands of comments from people who identified themselves as parents, students and concerned citizens, the Idaho Statesman reported. Many of the comments were in opposition to the task force, with some saying McGeachin was supporting censorship. Others said children need to learn history and how to think critically. Some of the comments in support of the task force expressed concerns that critical race theory was being taught in schools, although educators have said critical race theory isnt taught at the preschools, elementary or secondary school level. ___ This story has been updated to correct that the Idaho Press Club's motion to hold McGeachin in contempt of court was filed Wednesday, not Thursday. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The Biden administration on Friday urged a federal judge to block the nation's most restrictive abortion law, which has banned most abortions in Texas since early September and sent women racing to get care beyond the borders of the second-most populous state. But even if the law is put on hold, abortion services in Texas may not instantly resume because doctors still fear that they could be sued without a more permanent legal decision. That worry underscores the durability of Senate Bill 8, which has already withstood a wave of challenges. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman of Austin, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, presided over a nearly three-hour hearing but did not say when he will rule. The law bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected, which is usually around six weeks, before some women know they are pregnant. To enforce the law, Texas deputized private citizens to file lawsuits against violators and has entitled them to at least $10,000 in damages if successful. The Biden administration says Texas has waged an attack on a womans constitutional right to abortion. A state may not ban abortions at six weeks. Texas knew this, but it wanted a six-week ban anyway, so the state resorted to an unprecedented scheme of vigilante justice that was designed to scare abortion providers and others who might help women exercise their constitutional rights, Justice Department attorney Brian Netter told the court. So far, abortion providers trying to block the Texas law have been rejected at every turn. That makes the lawsuit filed by the Justice Department their best chance yet to deliver the first legal blow to the GOP-engineered restrictions, which were signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May and took effect Sept. 1. Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Woman's Health, said some of the 17 physicians at her four clinics are ready to resume normal abortion services if the law is put on hold. Preparations began this week when some doctors gave patients found to have cardiac activity information to comply with another restriction requiring a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion so that they would be ready to be called back. Its not the hundreds of people weve had to turn away," Hagstrom Miller said in an interview. But there is a significant group of people who have said, Please, let me do whatever I can. Keep me on a list, and call me if you get an injunction.'" But the majority of her physicians, Hagstrom Miller said, remain wary and fear lawsuits absent a permanent court ruling. Clinic staff are also worried. Of course, we understand that," she said. Abortion providers say their fears have become reality in the short time the law has been in effect. Planned Parenthood says the number of patients from Texas at its Texas clinics decreased nearly 80% in the two weeks after the law took effect. Some providers have described Texas clinics that are now in danger of closing while neighboring states struggle to keep up with a surge of patients who must drive hundreds of miles. Other women, they say, are being forced to carry pregnancies to term. This is not some kind of vigilante scheme, said Will Thompson, defending the law for the Texas Attorney General's Office. This is a scheme that uses the normal, lawful process of justice in Texas. If the Justice Department prevails, Texas officials would likely seek a swift reversal from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which previously allowed the restrictions to take effect. The Texas law is just one that has set up the biggest test of abortion rights in the U.S. in decades, and it is part of a broader push by Republicans nationwide to impose new restrictions on abortion. 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 Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court begins a new term, which in December will include arguments in Mississippis bid to overturn 1973's landmark Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing a womans right to an abortion. Mississippi has told the court it should overrule Roe and the 1992 decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey that prevent states from banning abortion before viability, the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb, around 24 weeks of pregnancy. Last month, the court did not rule on the constitutionality of the Texas law in allowing it to remain in place. But abortion providers took that 5-4 vote as an ominous sign about where the court might be heading on abortion after its conservative majority was fortified with three appointees of former President Donald Trump. Ahead of the new Supreme Court term, Planned Parenthood on Friday released a report saying that if Roe v. Wade were overturned, 26 states are primed to ban abortion. This year alone, nearly 600 abortion restrictions have been introduced in statehouses nationwide, with more than 90 becoming law, according to Planned Parenthood. Other states, mostly in the South, have passed similar laws that ban abortion within the early weeks of pregnancy, all of which judges have blocked. But Texas' version has so far outmaneuvered courts because it leaves enforcement to private citizens, not prosecutors, which critics say amounts to a bounty. Texas officials argued in court filings this week that even if the law were put on hold temporarily, providers could still face the threat of litigation over violations that might occur between then and a permanent ruling. At least one Texas abortion provider has admitted to violating the law and been sued but not by abortion opponents. Former attorneys in Illinois and Arkansas say they instead sued a San Antonio doctor in hopes of getting a judge who would invalidate the law. How will COVID-19 impact your life next year, in 2025 or in a decade? Will you be masked in perpetuity? Will a vaccine-resistant variant emerge that sets the world back to square one? To fully understand COVID-19 and its long-term implications for our society, it is important to first understand some key definitions in infectious diseases epidemiology. An epidemic is an infectious outbreak that causes disease within a large number of people in one region. A pandemic, meanwhile, is the spread of that disease to multiple countries or continents across the world. In the history of epidemiology, experts have never counted individuals without symptoms into these definitions. A case was previously defined as a symptomatic person who displayed signs of illness stemming from a pathogen. The virus that causes COVID-19 changed all that, however, due to its potential for viral transmission even when a person has no symptoms. Massive testing across the planet, therefore, became necessary to try to interrupt chains of transmission. But testing cannot identify every asymptomatic person. Nor do we accurately document all symptomatic coronavirus infections, since mild or moderate symptoms can resemble those of other respiratory viruses like the flu. This leaves us in the position of counting all positive tests (whether a patient is ill or not) as cases. We mainly track COVID-19 by documenting the prevalence of severe disease as manifested by hospitalizations. An epidemic of COVID-19 in the Bay Area becomes endemic when the disease is manageable locally (e.g., not causing an undue burden of hospitalizations or health care utilization) but is not likely to be eliminated due to inherent properties of the pathogen. Elimination means reducing the symptomatic incidence of disease in a certain geographical region to zero. Eradication, meanwhile, means reducing the incidence of the disease worldwide to zero. Inherent properties of a pathogen that make it eradicable include the inability to be hosted in animals, clear signs and symptoms that are distinctive to the pathogen (e.g., the distinctive skin eruptions or pox of the smallpox virus) so it can be recognized and contained, a short period of infectiousness, acquisition of natural immunity for life and, eventually, a highly effective vaccine. Only rinderpest (a disease of cattle) and smallpox have been successfully eradicated from the planet. Most serious infections we encounter cant be eradicated but can be controlled by ongoing vaccination or treatment. Controlling a disease means it becomes endemic after being brought to low circulation levels and impact. Measles, a highly transmissible respiratory virus, is likely not eradicable but does lead to high levels of immunity among adults who were exposed as children. However, measles also killed many who were nonimmune until a vaccine was developed in 1963. Mass inoculation has allowed for its current high level of global control. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacteria with overlapping syndromes to other respiratory viruses, but is controlled in the U.S., thanks to ongoing vaccination of children and antibiotic treatment (and prophylaxis) of symptomatic disease. Only increasing vaccine hesitancy among parents in the U.S. over the past 10 years has led to increasing outbreaks of pertussis. The COVID-19 virus has features that make it unlikely to be eradicated, including its ability to live in animals, its high level of transmissibility (especially of the delta variant), its similarities to other respiratory viruses (allowing it to hide in plain sight) and the ability of the virus to be transmitted during asymptomatic or presymptomatic infection, which allows carriers to spread the disease without knowing theyre making others sick. Even though we tried masks, distancing, ventilation, testing and contact tracing to various levels of success around the world, only mass immunity can bring COVID-19 under control. Fortunately, safe and effective vaccines for the disease were developed in a relatively short time compared to the history of any other vaccine (the first vaccine for influenza was developed in 1942, 24 years after the 1918 flu pandemic). These vaccines are the key to turning COVID-19 into an endemic a controlled, communicable disease. Remember that the definition of control means the reduction of disease (manifested by symptoms caused by the pathogen), not the elimination of asymptomatic cases. Since the vaccines are remarkably and persistently effective in preventing severe cases of COVID-19, they will most safely serve as our conduit to control. Antibodies generated by the vaccines will naturally wane, but the vaccines generate B cells that get relegated to our memory banks and will continue to protect us in perpetuity. T cells generated by the vaccines also protect us from severe disease and are unfazed by the variants. So, what will COVID-19 endemicity look like? It will look like the old normal. If we can tamp down viral circulation (an effort that requires global vaccine equity) and defang the virus (or reduce its ability to cause severe disease) through ongoing vaccination, endemicity allows life to get back to the way it was. Outbreaks of severe disease will still occur among populations unwilling to be vaccinated, like we have seen in the Bay Area with measles, but mandates can help increase vaccination uptake. As the ranks of the vaccinated grow and circulation of the virus decreases, COVID-19 will go the way of other respiratory viruses over which we have control, like measles. Hospitals will test those with a severe respiratory ailments and tailor treatments (antivirals, steroids and other anti-inflammatories for COVID-19) to whichever infectious agent is causing the symptoms, be it COVID-19, flu or bacterial infection. Moderate COVID-19 symptoms may be treated by your doctor with monoclonal antibodies or outpatient antivirals when available. Mild respiratory symptoms (like other common colds) will not require treatment. Youll stay home and rest up. The burden COVID-19 continues to impose before authorities declare endemicity will be determined by localized societal priorities. Denmark dropped all safety restrictions on Sept. 10 after achieving a 74% vaccination rate (80% for those over 12) and low cases. Norway dropped restrictions on Sept. 25 at a 67% full vaccination rate. Portugal dropped most of its restrictions on Friday with an 85% vaccination rate. Ireland will lift remaining restrictions on Oct. 22 with a 90% vaccination rate (80% for those over 12) The U.S., meanwhile, continues to suffer heavy COVID-19 hospitalizations in many states. Some regions, like California, with low hospitalizations and high vaccination rates (now over 74% first dose) are still keeping restrictions like masking in place. We here in California are on the verge of endemicity for this non-eradicable infection. A reduction in serious cases over the coming months should facilitate this transition. COVID-19 has surprised us before, but no vaccine-preventable or immunity-inducing infection has ever raged on as an ongoing pandemic in the history of humanity. As we learned from HIV, ongoing mutations usually incur costs to viral fitness or render the virus weaker. We have a moral obligation to vaccinate the world to prevent undue suffering, but a vaccine-resistant variant (due to the in-breadth T cell response generated by the vaccines) is unlikely to emerge. Defanging COVID-19 and stripping it of its ability to cause severe disease will relegate it to the fate of the four other circulating cold-causing coronaviruses. It will become endemic. The key to this normalcy is immunity, preferably through vaccination and not natural infection. From there, the last hurdle remains the psychological acceptance that endemicity has arrived, and that we are safe to return to normal. Monica Gandhi is an infectious diseases doctor and professor of medicine at UCSF. She serves as director of the UCSF Center for AIDS Research and medical director of the Ward 86 HIV Clinic. Twitter: @MonicaGandhi9 San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston wants his district to be an eviction-free zone in the wake of the states expired moratorium. Preston kicked off a tenant outreach campaign on Friday in the Fillmore, which he represents, to educate area residents about ways to avoid eviction and obtain rental assistance. Prestons District Five also includes Haight-Ashbury, Japantown, Lower Pacific Heights, Cole Valley and the Inner Sunset, and Preston hopes more city officials join the effort. It is unclear whether we will see a surge in evictions that is big or small. We know more eviction attempts are coming, Preston said at Fridays event. Right now there are significant protections that can ensure that folks dont lose their homes. But the problem is, most people dont know about those protections. The big change from yesterday to today is that a lot of these protections are not automatic. People will need to take a step, learn their rights and assert them in order to prevent eviction, he said. We are going to be doing a blitz of outreach, we are going to be emailing texting and calling every renter in District Five. Roland Li/The Chronicle City efforts include an emergency ordinance passed this week that bans no-fault evictions due to owner move-ins, condo conversions, breach of contract, capital improvements, renovations and demolition of a unit. The measure was passed unanimously at the Board of Supervisors and lasts for 60 days, and Preston hopes to extend it through the end of the year. Evictions are now allowed for nonpayment of rent after the state order expired. Tenants also have the right to free legal counsel if they face eviction. Preston plans to hold education sessions every two weeks, starting on Thursday at Rosa Parks Elementary School, along with contacting renters through phone and email. The city also has $192 million in tenant rental relief funding, and 13,261 San Francisco households have requested a combined $148.6 million in assistance. Evictions are prohibited if a tenant applies for those funds. Applications can be found at housing.ca.gov. Activists at the event blamed Gov. Gavin Newsom for allowing the ban to expire, saying he caved to pressure from the real estate industry. Shame on Gavin Newsom and every single legislator who has put the real estate lobby before their most vulnerable constituents, said Jackie Fielder, founder of the Daybreak Political Action Committee and a former state senate candidate. Now Playing: San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston wants his district to be an "eviction-free zone" in the wake of the state's expired moratorium. Video: Roland Li Preston, who founded advocacy group Tenants Together in 2008, has sparred with landlords over previous measures. The San Francisco Apartment Association, a landlord group, and the Small Property Owners of San Francisco Institute sued to block Prestons July legislation exempting businesses shut down by the pandemic from paying back rent. We were very careful in doing this law, Preston said Friday of the rent relief bill. The landlord lobby likes to file lawsuits, but I think were on very solid ground. Charley Goss, government and community affairs manager at the San Francisco Apartment Association, said that a lawsuit against the no-fault eviction measure was less likely. I dont anticipate a legal challenge to the no-fault eviction moratorium extension, but our lawyers are reviewing their options, he said. 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. Roland Li/The Chronicle Goss said his group was trying to encourage landlords to work with tenants, and a number of protections will decrease the number of evictions. We are really focused more on helping landlords and tenants get connected to the rental assistance program and making sure their applications for rent relief are complete and submitted, he said. We dont anticipate any rush to evict, or any eviction cliff starting in October. He said any renter who has paid 25% of their rent between September 2020 and September 2021 is permanently protected from eviction for missing rent. The San Francisco Apartment Association and its members recognize that this is a period of great personal and economic stress, and it is our belief that fully utilizing the rental relief resource is a crucial step to establishing certainty and stability for tenants and landlords, Goss said. Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf Anne Morse had seen him around the neighborhood for a couple of years, but over the summer, he started sleeping across her doorstep, a Hello Kitty blanket wrapped around him. Morse said the man looked to be in his 60s. He had few teeth and sores on his feet. His overnight stays grew more frequent and longer. Sometimes he lingered until late afternoon on her front stoop on Union Street. He left behind his belongings and even bottles of urine. Like many San Franciscans in her situation, Morse feels conflicted. Shes 74, lives alone and doesnt feel comfortable with him there. But she doesnt feel right about calling the police who will likely shoo him off to somebody elses stoop. She wants to help him find a real bed under a real roof not a kids blanket on a strangers landing but her numerous messages to the citys 311 call center for city services, the Homeless Outreach Team, Mayor London Breed and others over three months have gone nowhere. Her inability to communicate with the man, who she said speaks Vietnamese, makes it harder. With all the money that is spent for homeless people in this city, I dont see why someone cant find a place for this person to sleep, she wrote on July 14, later forwarding me the notes she took about trying to help the man. Its a great question, and one thats even more confusing with the increasing number of city outreach teams charged with helping people living in distress on our streets. The citys move away from relying on police and toward sending specially trained outreach teams is important and smart, but many residents and even a city supervisor dont know whom to call when. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2019 And somewhat surprisingly, the citys emergency czar said the best numbers to call are often 911 or the nonemergency police line even in a city full of people hesitant to beckon police, a major reason the new outreach teams were created in the first place. Supervisor Hillary Ronen has called for a hearing to figure it all out. By her count, there are 10 different teams run by at least three city departments under a variety of acronyms HOT, SORT and SCRT (called skirt by city officials) to name a few that all have somewhat similar goals, but varying hours, client capacities and ways of contacting them. Ronen got the idea for the hearing after two recent heartbreaking encounters. On a trip to Grocery Outlet, she saw an elderly man who was hunched over with his pants down. Hed soiled himself and reeked. On another outing, Ronen encountered a different elderly man screaming in his wheelchair near the Embarcadero. She asked him what he needed, and he said a trip to the hospital. Ronen said she was reluctant to call 911, not wanting to involve police and not considering either incident a life-or-death medical emergency. So she did what she usually does in those situations: texted the fire chief, an inside track not available to the vast majority of San Franciscans. The chief sent an ambulance for both men. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle I know this is happening every day, Ronen said. I know Im not the only one uncomfortable calling 911. Who are people supposed to contact? Often, the answer is 911 or the nonemergency police line at 415-553-0123, according to Mary Ellen Carroll, director of the Department of Emergency Management. Both numbers go to the same dispatch center where those answering the phones are trained to determine whether to send police, paramedics, fire engines or one of the new outreach teams. Calls to 311 go to a different center, but Carroll stressed those are for calls not related to people in need such as reporting feces, needles or graffiti. Its counterintuitive, but its the way many mental health crisis teams are dispatched around the country, including the revered CAHOOTS team in Eugene, Ore., thats often cited by city officials here as a model. Created 31 years ago, the team Crisis Assistance Helping Out On the Streets sends mental health professionals for crises involving mental illness, homelessness and addiction. And the way to access them? Yes, through 911 or the police nonemergency number. I know people dont want to call 911, but our people are highly trained to get the right resources to the right situations, Carroll said. She explained that having all dispatchers under one roof is the trend nationally because its simple and cost-effective. Creating a separate call center just for mental health calls would be expensive and redundant and miss incidents in which police or fire crews actually should be sent. And creating a new number for mental health calls thats diverted to the current dispatch center could confuse the public even more, she said. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 2019 But Ronen said shes aware of instances in which people call the center hoping a mental health team will respond, but get police instead. The mayor puts out all these press releases creating these new teams, Ronen said. People expect it (the teams) to be there, and then its not there. Breed said in a statement that the city is in the middle of a major transformation for how it responds to mental health crises and homelessness and that people should be patient. Change like this does not happen overnight, she said. Everything is on the table to make these teams more effective and more efficient. Carroll said her department is hiring someone to coordinate the teams and that, within a year, they should be better organized, better coordinated and their results clearer. The mayor has announced some teams that havent started yet, further confusing matters. Breed in May announced the Street Wellness Response Team, which will be able to check on people who arent in immediate crisis, but appear to need help like the man sleeping on Morses doorstep but five months later, it isnt yet operating. Carroll said that in Morses situation, calling the police nonemergency number is currently the right thing to do even though she doesnt want police to respond. If people want a number that guarantees they wont get a police response, that doesnt exist, Carroll said. 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. Lets hope the initiatives grow rather than repeat what weve seen in the past: too many efforts announced with great fanfare arent expanded. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2019 Remember the citys effort in 2019 to track the 237 sickest people living on our streets and target intense services across a variety of city departments at them? The good news is that 70% were housed, according to the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, while the rest received temporary shelter beds, remained on the streets, died or fell off the citys radar. The bad news is that while the city will continue to target services to that group, its not adding any more to the list as its attention has shifted to those living in shelter-in-place hotels during the pandemic. Confounding matters more, some teams arent dispatched by the 911 call center. The Homeless Outreach Team has its own number, which Morse tried several times, but the team rarely returns calls of people asking for help for a homeless person. They do return calls from homeless people themselves. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2019 A spokesperson for the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing said its very likely a team checked on the man on Morses stoop, but wouldnt have let her know because of privacy laws. Its also possible the team tried to help him, but he declined. Morse emailed more notes from Sept. 8, describing more calls she made that seemed to lead nowhere. I guess this is just one more unsolvable problem, she said, lamenting that a city with a $13 billion budget cant or wont provide shelter and services for everyone sleeping on its streets. On Sept. 18, she emailed again. The man had clambered up the front steps at 4 a.m., waking her up, and stayed all day. Her district supervisor gave her numbers shed already tried. Using Google Translate, she finally typed a note in Vietnamese that he could stay there sometimes, but not all the time. She printed the message and handed it to him. He appeared to read it and then walked away. She said she felt guilty as she made herself a nice dinner and slept in a warm bed. She hasnt seen him since. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf When most people think of Mug Root Beer, they might associate it with a slice of their favorite pizza, a fizzy root beer float or even that grinning bulldog featured on the soda label. But theres a high chance that most people wont connect it to San Francisco and theyd be wrong not to. The root beer brand has Bay Area origins dating back to 1940, when it first hit the market in San Francisco as Belfast Root Beer. It was first made by San Francisco-based Belfast Beverage Company, mostly known as a sparkling water and ginger ale maker since 1877. The company continued to make its own brand of sodas, but by 1925, it was bought by another locally based entity, the New Century Beverage Company, co-founded by a young local named Angelo Campodonico. OpenSFHistory / wnp27.50283 Campodonico first got his start in the food industry as a busboy at North Beachs Fior dItalia in the early 1900s. He didnt keep the job for long before he ventured off on his own to open a saloon in 1907. The following year, he expanded past owning a bar and co-founded the New Century Beverage Company, a soda bottling company in San Francisco that also produced some fizzy drinks of its own before acquiring the Belfast Beverage Company. By the time Campodonico purchased the Belfast company, he experienced success with a different soda that is also still sold to this day: Crush soda. The orange citrus soda was added to New Century Beverage Companys roster in 1918 and, as historic articles describe, people nearly lost their minds at the ingenuity. This was named Orange Crush, made from the real juice of California oranges, and was an innovation that immediately won the competition of the public, the San Francisco Chronicle wrote in 1927. San Francisco Chronicle archives Two years after the Belfast purchase, in 1927, Campodonico moved his soda manufacturing plant to a much larger facility at 820 Pacific St. in Chinatown, where the modern facility was lauded as growth to the city. It also saw an upgrade with a fleet of trucks, which helped make smoother deliveries than the horse delivery system of earlier in the 1900s. Campodonico steadily gained success in the beverage industry and became a fixture in the community; he often encouraged locals to stop by the plant and see the soda-making process for themselves. We have customers in all parts of the city, and even have a route as far as Halfmoon Bay down to the peninsula, and we believe those who drink our products would like to see how they are made, particularly the carbonated beverages, Campodonico told the San Francisco Chronicle in 1927. Then in 1936, Campodonico sat on a gold mine when the New Century Beverage Company gained permission to franchise Pepsi-Cola products and became the Bay Area arm of their operation, under one condition: He had to sell 1,200 cases of Pepsi a month, a huge sales number at the time. Compare that figure to the companys bottling production numbers by 1986, which was cranking out 1,200 cases a minute at three different Bay Area facilities. Its the second-ranking privately owned Pepsi bottler in the country 750 employees, three bottling plants and $100 million-plus in revenues, the Chronicle wrote in 1986. Over the years, the soda brand evolved its advertising methods to match the times. The catchphrase, You havent tasted Root Beer like this in years! filled 1950s newspaper advertisements and billboards featuring large glass vessels of soda topped with thick, white foam. The San Francisco Examiner It was around this time that the soda took on the title Belfast Old Fashioned Mug Root Beer, a mouthful of a name. That name was featured in another very 1950s ad at the time, where the soda company got creative and illustrated cartoon characters having a grand time while imbibing the sugary drink. A character with a buzz cut tells the reader, Anybody who doesnt drink Belfast Old Fashioned Mug Root Beer is a square, while another character whos dancing proclaims, The whole gangs drinking Mug Root Beer these days. In other words, if youre not drinking Mug Root Beer, you cant sit with us. Eventually, the sodas name was officially shortened to Mug Root Beer, and the company attempted to add newer tag lines to their brand over the years. In the 1970s, one commercial on radio station KFRC claimed the soda was the one root beer with true draft taste. By the 1980s, TV jingles added their own tag lines that claimed Mug Root Beer is one of a kind and another that rejoiced, I love my mug! featuring comedian Phyllis Diller. Mug Root Beer even became the preferred drink of Jahja Ling, who in 1983 became the associate conductor of the San Francisco Symphony. In a profile piece by the San Francisco Chronicle, Ling shared that he couldnt make it through his rigorous 13-hour workday without Mug Root Beer. He reportedly carried two cans of the beverage with him during his shifts. Different Campodonico family members continued to operate the New Century Beverage Company until they finally sold the company to Pepsi in 1986. At that point, Mug Root Beer became part of the Pepsi family, which later got rid of the root beer vessel completely and opted for a bulldog quirkily named Dog as its new soda mascot. In 2019, a dated advertisement for Belfast Old Fashioned Mug Root Beer resurfaced in the East Bay some decades after it was first painted. The 1950s soda advertisement was discovered in Oakland near the Fruitvale BART station. San Francisco Ghost Signs, a blog and Instagram account, shared that the finding occurred during the remodel of a building at San Leandro Street and 34th Avenue. The painted billboard had been concealed under wooden panels and, despite its years unnoticed, the advertisement was in relatively decent shape. Another poster painted onto stucco was found at 1521 Webster St. in Alameda before the 2019 discovery and promptly restored. Locals wont find the production facility in San Francisco anymore. Pepsi continued producing its sodas in the city and later moved to a factory at 17th Street and Valencia Street in the Mission before eventually closing the San Francisco outpost in the early 1990s. Though with some luck, you might still catch remnants of vintage Belfast Old Fashioned Mug Root Beer billboards to remind us of its Bay Area roots. DISCLAIMER: For your safety, please consult your doctor before using Delta 8 if you have underlying health conditions or if you intend to use it for medicinal reasons. And note that excessive consumption of Delta 8 can lead to addiction. (Ad) I feel you, dude. Choosing a Delta 8 brand to get your D8 products from can be so challenging. Especially when trying to pick out a reputable and trustworthy brand. This stuff is still pretty new on the cannabis market, after all. This article reviews the top 12best Delta 8 brands. Buckle up, and let's finish the journey! You'll be feeling that unique anxiety-free Delta 8 high in no time. Honest. Best Delta 8 BrandsQuick Overview We'll go into more detail on each Delta-8 brand below, but let's get these quick FAQs out of the way first: What Is Delta 8 THC? Delta 8 THC is a mild psychoactive cannabis compound extracted from the hemp plant. The U.S. Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, removing hemp from the Drug Enforcement Administration Schedule of Controlled Substances act. As a result, the Delta 8 THC is currently a federally legal THC variant. Is Delta 8 Legal? The U.S. 2018 Farm Bill removed Delta 8 THC from the controlled substances list, making Delta 8 with less than 0.3% Delta -9 THC technically federally legal. However, ironically, 12 states, including Arizona and Colorado, where recreational weed is legal, have blocked the sale of Delta 8 THC. However, since Delta 8 is illegal in some states, you might want to check your state's local laws to see if they allow you to buy Delta 8 THC products to avoid breaking the law and to ensure safer shipment. Best Delta 8 THC CompaniesReviews 1. 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Our favorite products are the Delta-8 Coated CBD Flower and the Dunga Doobie Pre-Rolls; both are of high quality and come in multiple flavors to give you a lulling and subtle high. Get high, watch a Red Sox game, live your best Boston Hempire life. Products: Flowers | Wax | Dabs | Gummies Best Brands for Delta EightBuying Guide What's the Quality Like? Delta 8 THC items are more effective in producing the desired effect if they're of high quality. Check for brands that undertake third-party testing on their D8 items if you're looking for a high-quality D8 brand. Still, you can also gauge quality from customer reviews. Just make sure they're real and not paid for! Purity versus Spectrum? Purity and spectrum are just as crucial as quality. Look for brands that use all-natural ingredients and hemp that is free of pesticides and heavy metals. This way, purity, and potency are improved. The spectrum also dictates how much THC remains in the end product. Choose brands that offer full-spectrum ingredients so that you may benefit from THC without the possible side effects of concentrated THC. It's all a little confusing, but the Delta-8 brands are pretty good at explaining it all! Do They Use Third-Party Lab Testing? Lab testing is a necessity, ensuring that you only receive high-quality Delta 8 products. However, "lab testing" implies the company did it themselves, which could be biased. "Third-party lab testing," on the other hand, means that an outside organization did the lab testing, so it's maybe more reliable and less likely to be biased. Reputable Delta 8 THC brands also usually publish these reports on their websites, so you can read through them if you're concerned. What's the Brand Reputation Like? Products from well-known brands bring some confidence. Product quality, safety, and purity of D8 products are more likely if the brand has a good reputation. Before purchasing a new brand, gauge its reputation by reading its past reviews on forums like Reddit/r/Delta8. I know it's obvious, but still. Delta-8 is still a new and emerging market, so it's important to keep an eye on new and upcoming brands to separate the wheat from the chaff. Or you know to separate the good hemp from the crap hemp. How Much Does It Cost? Hemp plants contain small THC amounts; thus, D8 production expenses can get really high. Considering this, if a brand is selling their D8 products at a ridiculously low price, the products may not be pure. As if often true in lifeyou get what you pay for. On the flip side, be skeptical of brands selling Delta 8 THC products at sky-high prices. This could be them feigning quality to make more money. Figure out what the typical price range is and get the average. Best Delta 8 OnlineFAQs Is Delta 8 Safe? Delta 8 is extracted mainly from the hemp plant, which has extremely low levels of THC. Delta 8 is also regulated by law to contain less than 0.3% of Delta-9 THC, so in theory, it shouldn't cause the usual side effects of normal THC. However, it's still a fairly new product, and research is ongoing. So, to be safe, we advise speaking to your doctor beforehand, and especially if you feel any adverse effects from taking Delta 8. It WILL get you high, but it's a different high from the Delta-9 THC found in regular weed. As with any marijuana product, start small and test your limits. Is Delta 8 Regulated by the FDA? Delta 8 THC is not currently regulated by the FDA as a new drug ingredient. This, therefore, implies that the Drug Exclusion Rule shouldn't apply to Delta 8 THC products. That could change soon, so keep that in mind. What's the Shelf Life of Delta 8? Delta 8 has a shelf life of up to 2 years. If kept well in an airtight package and stored in a cool, dark place away from moisture, Delta 8 can stay in mint condition for up to 2 years. Is Delta 8 Used by Medicinal Marijuana Patients? Yes, Delta 8 is used by some medical patients just like marijuana. Delta 8 is used by marijuana patients to calm their nerves, ease body aches, increase their appetite, and more. But it's important to know that these people have spoken with their doctor to come up with a medical plan. Do not assume that D8 is for medicinal purposes if you haven't spoken to your doctor about using Delta 8 for medicinal reasons. Is Delta 8 Legal at the Federal Level? Yes. Delta 8 is currently legal at the federal level as long as it contains less than 0.3% Delta -9 THC. In 2018, the U.S. Congress passed the Farm bill, approving all hemp products, which includes Delta 8 THC. However, at the local level, each state has its own laws with Delta 8; please look up your local laws before purchasing any products from this list. What Makes Delta 8 Different From CBD? Unlike CBD, Delta 8 is a psychoactive cannabinoid; it influences the mind and can be used both recreationally and medicinally. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid and is mostly used for medicinal use. In other words, D8 gets you high, and CBD doesn't. Is Delta 8 Safe If I Was Addicted to Marijuana in the Past? Delta 8 is a mild psychoactive drug. However, since you have been addicted to marijuana in the past, you should speak to your doctor before purchasing any of these products. You don't want to repeat history! Does Delta 8 Show Up in Drug Tests? Yes, Delta 8 can show up in a drug test since drug test screenings can't differentiate hemp THC from cannabis plant THC. Although D8 contains low levels of THC, it might be detectable in a heavy user. Keep this in mind if you're due to be drug tested. How Can I Avoid Purchasing Fake Delta 8 Products? To avoid purchasing fake Delta 8 products, you need to shop from a reputable company. If Delta 8 is being sold at a ridiculously low price, be skeptical of that. Read Reviews. Most reviews are genuine user opinions. Read reviews to see what people think about the Delta 8 THC brands, what they offer, and gauge their trustworthiness. Forums like Reddit's r/Delta8 can be very helpful for this. Have a Good Look Through the Company Website. A D8 brand's website will show you just how concerned and dedicated to safety it is. A well-put, user-friendly website shows great potential. However, a very complex or clunky website might be a bad sign. Does the Site Have Too Many Inappropriate Ads? If there are too many inappropriate ads, it's most likely that it is a dodgy Delta 8 online store and just a front to lead people to the advertised sites. Does the Company Have a Registered Address? Trustworthy companies have registered addresses that can be used to contact them. On the other hand, fake companies might not have registered addresses, so you don't have a way to reach them. The TakeawayWhat Are the Leading Brands of Delta 8 THC? We really hope you enjoyed this brand overview. We think Delta 8 THC is a great alternative to weed and maybe even better considering its potential health benefits. With these reputable brands, your ideal Delta 8 THC stores and products are just a click away. For a start, Diamond CBD seems to be the best all-around D8 brand, with a great range of high-quality D8 products, year-round discounts, and great guarantees. However, Exhale and Delta Extrax are also worthy top brands with impressive tailored Delta 8 THC products. If you're new to Delta 8 THC, note that Delta 8 THC produces different effects to that of the regular old D9 stuff we're all used to. Read the guides on D8 brands' websites to see what products are best suited to you. *This article is provided by an advertiser. Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice nor to diagnose any condition. Any studies cited here may be preliminary, and may or may not be peer reviewed, and may or may not have sufficient participants to be statistically relevant. Anecdotal accounts should not be taken as scientific results. Products discussed in this article are not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplements. Consult your doctor about possible interactions, allergies, and if you are considering using a natural and/or dietary supplements for any condition. Individual results will vary. MESA, Ariz. (AP) Police say an argument among neighbors erupted in violence in a suburban Phoenix community, resulting in the shooting deaths of two people on a residential sidewalk. Mesa Police Department said Friday that 41-year-old Justin Keith Peterson was arrested in connection with the killing of 39-year-old Ivana D. Liversedge during the argument shortly before midnight Thursday. HOUSTON (AP) A driver fleeing from police in Houston struck and killed three valets before crashing in a ditch, authorities said. A patrol sergeant saw the driver doing doughnuts, or driving in circles and leaving tire tracks on the pavement, in a parking lot Friday night and tried to stop the vehicle as it sped away, Assistant Police Chief Yasar Bashir said. PRATTVILLE, Ala. (AP) An Alabama city is giving its employees an additional paid holiday after its City Council voted to recognize Juneteenth. The holiday marks June 19, 1865, when federal troops entered Galveston, Texas, some two months after the Civil War ended. The day, also known as Freedom Day, was established to mark the end of slavery in the country. Prattville City Council District 2 Councilman Marcus Jackson, the sole Black member on the panel, lobbied for the recognition. Ideas ranged from a city-sponsored event to a holiday, The Montgomery Advertiser reported. Its a good day in Prattville, Jackson said. Im very appreciative that the City Council passed the resolution unanimously. Having the paid holiday is important because it marks a day when a large group of Americans learned about their freedom. It is our shared history, as Americans. We have made great progress since then. But we still have to work on our efforts to ensure diversity and inclusivity. Having this paid holiday can help keep a spotlight on those efforts. Juneteenth became a federal holiday this year after President Joe Biden signed an executive order. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey followed by making it a state holiday. Iveys move was made just before June 19. Most local governments follow the states holiday schedule, which provides for 14 paid holidays for state employees. Prattville Council President Jerry Starnes sponsored the move to add Juneteenth to Prattvilles holiday list. I think it is important to observe an important day in history, he said. I thought the actions making it a holiday this year were a little quick. We really didnt have any time to prepare. The council sets the holidays when we approve the budget. So this gives us plenty of time ahead of next year. Prattville gives employees 12 holidays a year now, including one personal day taken at the employees request. At one time, Prattville followed the state holiday schedule, but things have changed. About five years ago, Mayor Bill Gillespie Jr. did away with the federal holidays of Presidents Day and Columbus Day. In their place employees were given the Friday after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve as holidays. Earlier, former Mayor Jim Byard Jr. ended Confederate Memorial Day and Jefferson Daviss Birthday. He did not replace those paid days off. The only Confederate-related holiday Prattville recognizes is the combined Martin Luther King Jr./ Robert E. Lee birthdays. Other local governments also recognized Juneteenth this year, including the City of Montgomery and the Autauga County Commission, which follow the state holiday schedule. MOSCOW (AP) When Russians talk about the coronavirus over dinner or in hair salons, the conversation often turns to antitela, the Russian word for antibodies the proteins produced by the body to fight infection. Even President Vladimir Putin referred to them this week in a conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, bragging about why he avoided infection even though dozens of people around him caught the coronavirus, including someone who spent a whole day with the Kremlin leader. I have high titers, Putin said, referring to the measurement used to describe the concentration of antibodies in the blood. When Erdogan challenged him that the number Putin gave was low, the Russian insisted, No, it's a high level. There are different counting methods. But Western health experts say the antibody tests so popular in Russia are unreliable either for diagnosing COVID-19 or assessing immunity to it. The antibodies that these tests look for can only serve as evidence of a past infection, and scientists say it's still unclear what level of antibodies indicates protection from the virus and for how long. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention says such tests should not be used to establish an active COVID-19 infection because it can take one to three weeks for the body to make antibodies. Health experts say tests that look for the viruss genetic material, called PCR tests, or ones that look for virus proteins, called antigen tests, should be used to determine if someone is infected. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. In Moscow and the surrounding region, millions of antibody tests have been done at state-run clinics that offered them for free. Across the country, dozens of chains of private labs and clinics also offer a wide variety of antibody tests for COVID-19, as well as tests for other medical conditions. In some cities I went to, I needed to take a PCR test and it wasnt possible, but I could take an antibody test -- it was much easier, said Dr. Anton Barchuk, head of the epidemiology group at the European University in St. Petersburg and an associate professor at the Petrov National Cancer Center there. Antibody tests for COVID-19 were first widely publicized in Moscow in May 2020, shortly after Russia lifted its only nationwide lockdown, although many restrictions remained in place. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced an ambitious program to test tens of thousands of residents for antibodies. Many Muscovites greeted this enthusiastically. Contrary to Western experts, some believed antibodies represented immunity from the virus and saw a positive test as a way out of restrictions. The test looked at two different types of antibodies: ones that appear in ones system soon after infection, and ones that take weeks to develop. To their surprise, some of those who tested positive for the former were handed a COVID-19 diagnosis and ordered to quarantine. Irina Umarova, 56, spent 22 days confined to her studio apartment, without experiencing any symptoms. Visiting doctors took six PCR tests that came back negative. But they also took more antibody tests, which continued to show a certain level of antibodies. They kept telling me I was infected and needed to stay home, she said. More interest in antibody testing came this summer when Russia had a surge of infections. The demand for tests spiked so sharply that labs were overwhelmed and some ran out of supplies. Thats when dozens of regions made vaccinations mandatory for certain groups of people and restricted access to various public spaces, allowing in only those who were vaccinated, had had the virus, or had tested negative for it recently. Daria Goryakina, deputy director at the Helix Laboratory Service, a large chain of testing facilities, said she believed the increased interest in antibody testing was connected to the vaccination mandates. In the second half of June, Helix performed 230% more antibody tests than in the first half, and the high demand continued into the first week of July. People want to check their antibody levels and whether they need to get vaccinated, Goryakina told The Associated Press. Both the World Health Organization and the CDC recommend vaccination regardless of previous infection. Guidance in Russia has varied, with authorities initially saying that those testing positive for the antibodies weren't eligible for the shot, but then urging everyone to get vaccinated regardless of their antibody levels. Still, some Russians believed a positive antibody test was a reason to put off vaccination. Maria Bloquert recovered from the coronavirus in May, and a test she took shortly after revealed a high antibody count. She has put off her vaccination but wants to get it eventually, once her antibody levels start to wane. As long as my antibody titers are high, I have protection from the virus, and there is no point in getting injected with more protection on top of it, the 37-year-old Muscovite told AP. High-profile officials, like Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of the upper house of parliament, both have been quoted as saying they didnt need to get vaccinated due to having high levels of antibodies, but they eventually decided to get their shots. Contradicting guidelines may have contributed to Russia's low vaccination rate, said Dr. Anastasia Vasilyeva, leader of the Alliance of Doctors union. People dont understand (what to do), because theyre constantly given different versions" of recommendations, she said. Even though Russia boasted of creating the world's first vaccine, Sputnik V, only 32.5% of its 146 million people have gotten at least one shot, and only 28% are fully vaccinated. Critics have principally blamed a botched vaccine rollout and mixed messages the authorities have been sending about the outbreak. Dr. Simon Clarke, an associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading in England, said antibody tests shouldnt influence any health-related decisions. Getting an antibody test "is for your own personal satisfaction and curiosity, he added. Barchuk, the St. Petersburg epidemiologist, echoed his sentiment, saying there are too many gaps in understanding how antibodies work, and the tests offer little information beyond past infection. But some Russian regions disregarded that advice, using positive antibody tests to allow people access to restaurants, bars and other public places on par with a vaccination certificate or a negative coronavirus test. Some people get an antibody test before or after vaccination to make sure the shot worked or see if they need a booster. Dr. Vasily Vlassov, an epidemiologist and a public health expert with the Higher School of Economics, says this attitude reflects Russians' distrust of the state-run health care system and their struggle to navigate the confusion amid the pandemic. Peoples attempt to find a rational way of acting, to base their decision on something, for example the antibodies, is understandable -- the situation is difficult and bewildering, Vlassov said. And they opt for a method thats available for them rather than for a good one. Because there is no good method to make sure that you have immunity. - Follow all of APs pandemic coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear an appeal of a lower court ruling that found new laws banning schools from requiring masks and a series of other measures were unconstitutional. The high court decision came two days after the justices turned down Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich's request that the provisions in state budget legislation be allowed to take effect. The laws will remain blocked until the court hears the case and issues a ruling. The court set arguments for Nov. 2 after agreeing to Brnovich's request to bypass the Court of Appeals. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper issued a ruling Monday blocking the school mask ban and a host of other provisions in the state budget package from taking effect as scheduled on Wednesday. She sided with education groups that argued the bills were packed with policy items unrelated to the budget and violated the state constitution's requirement that subjects be related and expressed in the title of bills. Cooper's ruling cleared the way for K-12 public schools to continue requiring students to wear face masks to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. At least 29 of the state's public school districts issued mask mandates before the laws were set to take effect, and some immediately extended them after Cooper's ruling. The districts account for about a third of the 930,000 Arizona students who attend traditional public district schools. Arizona cities and counties can also enact mask requirements and other COVID-19 rules that would have been blocked by the budget bills. Republican opponents of school mask requirements and local COVID-19 restrictions are powerless to immediately pass new versions of the laws even if GOP Gov. Doug Ducey calls a special legislative session. That's because there are two GOP vacancies in the closely split House, and Republicans no longer have the votes to pass bills without Democratic support. Cooper's sweeping ruling also struck non-virus provisions that were slipped into the state budget and an entire budget measure that had served as a vehicle for a conservative policy wish list. They included a required investigation of social media companies and the stripping of the Democratic secretary of state of her duty to defend election laws. Brnovich had urged the court to strike down Cooper's ruling, saying the groups that sued had no legal right to challenge the bills, that the issue was political and outside the courts' jurisdiction and that Cooper wrongfully concluded they violated the constitution. Attorneys for the group of education advocates that sued, including the Arizona School Boards Association, had urged the high court to set aside the attorney general's request for a rapid ruling. "The trial court relied on well-settled precedent and properly ruled that each of the challenged laws was passed in violation of the constitution," their filing said. If the Supreme Court upholds Cooper's decision, it will have far-reaching ramifications for the Legislature. Republicans who control the Senate and House have long ignored the constitutional requirement that budget bills deal only with spending items. Lawmakers have packed them with policy items, and this year majority Republicans were especially aggressive. A spokesman for Ducey, C.J. Karamargin, on Monday called Coopers ruling clearly an example of judicial overreach. PHOENIX (AP) The Arizona Supreme Court has upheld utility regulators' decision to allow consolidation of several communities into a single wastewater service district with rate increases or decreases in different parts of the new district to make them uniform. The justices' ruling Friday said rates approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission for the consolidated district don't violate a state constitutional provision barring discrimination in rates paid by customers and locations in similar circumstances. MIAMI (AP) Authorities say they have found the body of a missing Florida college student who disappeared a week ago. A maintenance worker who entered her apartment unauthorized the day she disappeared and later killed himself is the prime suspect. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said Saturday that authorities found Miya Marcanos body in a wooded area near an apartment building. Authorities said the 19-year-old vanished on the same day a maintenance man improperly used a master key to enter her apartment. Her family reported her missing after she missed a flight home to South Florida on Sept. 24. The sheriff previously said Armando Caballero, a maintenance worker at the apartment complex where Marcano lived and worked, is considered the prime suspect. Caballero, 27, apparently killed himself; his body was found three days after Marcano was last seen. Marcano had repeatedly rebuffed romantic advances by Caballero. Detectives spoke to Caballero after the Valencia College student was reported missing, but had no evidence to detain him at that time. They obtained a warrant for his arrest after learning he had entered her apartment before she disappeared. His body was then found inside a garage. Cellphone records from Caballero led them to the apartment complex near where Marcano was found and showed he was there for about 20 minutes the night she was reported missing, Sheriff Mina said. At one point, Caballero also previously lived at that apartment complex. Nothing in the records indicate that he ever returned there before he killed himself, he said, adding deputies are not looking for any other suspects. The FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were among the hundreds of authorities searching for Marcano. Meanwhile, friends and family held a prayer vigil and passed out flyers desperate to find the missing teen. At this time, we cannot identify a cause of death, so I dont want to speculate on that, Mina said of Marcanos death during a news conference Saturday. Mina says they notified her parents just hours ago, adding our hearts are broken. Everyone wanted this outcome to be different," he said. As a sheriff, as a father, obviously we are grieving at the loss of Miya. Caballero's criminal history revealed one prior arrest in 2013 for using a destructive device resulting in property damage and discharging a weapon on school property, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. An arrest report said Polk County sheriffs deputies were called to the campus of Warner University after a report of a bomb going off inside a dorm. The explosive turned out to be a toilet bowl cleaner concoction inside a plastic drink bottle. The report said Caballero admitted to using the improvised explosive as a prank on other residents of the dorm. No one was injured. The apartment complex where Marcano and Caballero worked, Arden Villa, released a statement saying all potential employees are vetted through a national background check services provider, and no records of burglary or sexual assault were found involving Caballero. TROY, N.Y. (AP) An upstate New York county is being forced to send human bodies to a hospital 50 miles away for autopsies because its prominent medical examiner has not been vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to county officials. Rensselaer County moved autopsies on Friday to Glens Falls Hospital from Albany Medical Center Hospital, which requires everyone who works there to be vaccinated, Richard Crist, the county's director of operations, told the Times Union. In September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced its guidelines for COVID-19 booster shots, stipulating that an extra dose of the Pfizer vaccine should be taken by those over age 65, people with underlying health conditions and those who live or work in high-risk settings, such as hospitals. The extra doses can be taken six months after the final vaccination. But in August, President Joe Biden made a statement urging all Americans to get booster shots, a plan that the Food and Drug Administration rejected, saying it was still unsure of both the safety and value of the extra doses. The conflicting messaging has many Americans wondering: Is it ethical to receive a COVID booster shot as a young, healthy person? SFGATE spoke with two experts to glean their opinions: Dr. Monica Gandhi, a leading COVID expert and a professor of medicine at UCSF, and Govind Persad, a professor of ethics at Sturm College of Law in Denver. Gandhi and Persad both agreed that global vaccine equity is an incredibly pressing issue. But they differed on their approaches to the ethics question. Gandhi was adamant that there is something unethical about getting a booster shot, as a healthy person under age 65. What I mean by that is that 11 billion doses are needed to vaccinate the world, she continued. There are currently actively vulnerable people dying because they dont have access to a vaccine. She pointed out that the United States has hoarded five vaccine doses for every American, and its faltered on its promise to provide 500 million doses to countries with vaccine access issues. Biden made that pledge at a G7 summit in June. Months later, his administration has thus far sent only 160 million doses to 100 countries, according to CNN. I was so excited after the G7 meeting, thinking, we live in a good country, yay, yay, yay, Gandhi said. We've given out a [number of doses] so horrendously low I dont even want to say it. Gandhi, however, said that those who fall under the CDCs guidelines should get a booster shot, as they are safe and effective. Its the difference between tailored medicine, a conversation between a provider and patient, as opposed to blanket recommendations, she concluded. Persad took a slightly different stance. He said the ethics of whether to decide to get a booster shot should not fall on the individual. The onus should not be on them to be thinking about, will getting a booster affect access in developing countries? he said. I almost feel like the premise is not something I find that helpful. The question he posed instead was: Is a policy of either recommending or permitting broad receipt of boosters by healthy people at a low medical risk ethical, if those doses could instead be used to protect people at high risk? I think thats probably either not ethical, or its a hard case to make that it would be ethical, he added. The bottom line in Persads opinion: If you personally dont think the policies around booster shots are ethical, try to work to change those policies by, say, calling your elected officials. I dont think an individual getting a booster is doing something harmful, he said. Buying spare doses, however, to sit in freezers and go unused is indefensible in his opinion. I just think that having people personally not take boosters is not the right thing to do, he said. The way to do it is to try to advocate for policies that would reduce our waste here and also work on being able to get vaccines to places [in need]. CLALLAM BAY, Wash. (AP) A COVID-19 outbreak at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center continues to grow, according to health officials. The outbreak at the prison on the Olympic Peninsula northwest of Seattle began in early August with five staff members, The Peninsula Daily News reported. The state Department of Corrections dashboard shows it had grown to 55 staff members and 107 inmates as of late September. The dashboard also shows the people lodged at the facility as of last Saturday had a higher rate of full vaccination at over 50% than the staff at nearly 41%. Dr. Allison Berry, health officer for Clallam and Jefferson counties, said there's been an uptick in vaccination demand by prison staff this week, as the vaccine mandate compliance date approaches. Rachel Ericson, deputy communications director for the DOC, said this week that no one in custody with COVID-19 at Clallam Bay has been hospitalized but three staff members have been. Clallam Bay Corrections Center, like all Washington State correctional and work release facilities, follows the WA State DOC COVID-19 Screening, Testing and Infection Control Guidelines protocols to safely house COVID-19-positive incarcerated individuals separately from healthy individuals, Ericson wrote. Berry said shes received reports that mask-wearing among staff members has been intermittent despite state regulations requiring it. Ericson didn't return phone calls from the newspaper for further comment regarding prevention protocols. BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) A Canadian company plans to bring ferry service back to Bar Harbor next year, restoring service between Maine and Nova Scotia. Bay Ferries operated ferry service from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, for more than a decade before moving to Portland and ending service in 2009. Bay Ferries tried to return for the 2019 season but failed to get the ferry terminal renovated and approved in time. Then came the pandemic that scuttled service in 2020 and 2021. Now the company is ready to try again with a high-speed catamaran-style ferry called The Cat. BALTIMORE, Md. (AP) More than 100 years after her great-grandfather first opened his seafood stall in Baltimores Lexington Market, Faidley Seafood owner Damye Hahn and her son, Will, drove to Washington to help ensure the family business lasts for generations more. Hahn spoke at a news conference Wednesday sponsored by the Independent Restaurant Coalition, an advocacy group that is urging Congress to replenish the federal governments Restaurant Revitalization Fund, designed to help businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Many restaurants like Hahns were denied relief during the initial round of funding, which provided over 100,000 grants but had more than twice as many applicants. Theres 177,000 people that were left out, weve got to replenish the whole program, she said. The event at Tortilla Coast, blocks away from the U.S. Capitol and a regular haunt for lawmakers and staff, according to the restaurants owner, included two congressmen who are working on legislation to provide an additional $60 billion to restore the fund. The neighborhood restaurant is a quintessential building block of livable communities, said Rep. Earl Blumenauer, an Oregon Democrat and sponsor of the Restaurant Revitalization Replenishment Act. Restaurateurs already have enough debt, they dont need more debt, they needed cash to be able to weather this storm. Restaurant owners have criticized the U.S. Small Business Administrations initial rollout of the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund as unfairly selecting winners and losers in the economy. Those who received funding in the first round of grant distribution including large companies such as The Greene Turtle, Phillips Seafood and various Atlas Restaurant Group eateries are better positioned to compete for resources and labor at a time when prices for both are skyrocketing. Zack Mills, executive chef and partner of True Chesapeake Oyster Co., which operates a restaurant in Hampden and food stalls in Mount Vernon and in Virginia, said all three businesses were denied funding through the federal program after the money ran out. How long can you float? said Mills, adding that his businesses have been operating at a loss for a year and a half now. In the earlier round of aid distribution, Congress initially mandated that priority go to businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans. Faidley Seafood is one of nearly 3,000 businesses that had been approved to receive funding before their prioritization was held up in litigation. Over the summer, Hahn and other Baltimore area business owners who had missed out on funding through the program organized behind Thiru Vignarajah, former state deputy attorney general, who signed on as a spokesman for their cause. The group set up a website for restaurant owners to share issues they encountered receiving funding. The group got more than 400 responses. Though slated initially for Maryland business owners only, the group quickly began hearing from people across the nation from candy makers in California to a fried chicken purveyor in Kansas, Hahn said. Every state in this entire country has people that applied that didnt get funded, she said. Among the complaints is that those who received funding are able to raise salaries and poach employees away from businesses that lost out and are struggling. Im talking to restaurants that were saying, I didnt get the relief. I cant raise the salaries of my employees. But those who did get the relief are now calling my employees and stealing them away. And now I dont have anybody, she said. Hahn originally set out to help just those businesses that, like hers, had been approved for funding only to see it withdrawn. But after realizing the scale of the problem two-thirds of applicants received nothing, she began to see things differently. The hospitality industry is like a brotherhood or sisterhood, she said. Everybody has stepped up to help each other. In collaborating with the Independent Restaurant Coalition, Hahn has honed her media savvy. She held back promoting the cause during the U.S. departure from Afghanistan. In the midst of all that turmoil, nobody was going to talk about restaurants, she said. We said, OK, this is not the right news cycle. Hahn is hopeful the timing is right now. She praised Marylands U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat who chairs the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship and led an effort to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. In August, he sought unanimous consent to approve legislation that would add $48 billion to the fund, calling it a matter of fairness and a matter of absolute need. The bill was blocked by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican who argued that providing relief to restaurants would only add to the nations growing debt and encourage future lockdowns. Thats the day I think I threw the shoe at the TV, Hahn said. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for Cardin said the senator is working to advance bipartisan proposals, including targeted relief to restaurants and other small businesses still struggling under the burdens of COVID-19. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is one of multiple issues Hahn said shes bringing to the attention of lawmakers. Others include a lack of visas available for crab pickers an issue she said has contributed to the skyrocketing price of crab meat and threatens the crabbing industry as a whole. For these poor crab processors, theres only like 11 of them left on the Eastern Shore, she said. What happens if they go away? Mills and others present Wednesday expressed concern for what the coming months will hold as the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus spreads and many restaurtants see a drop in reservations. You wonder, how much longer this will last versus how much longer we can last? he said. Tortilla Coast owner Geoff Tracy called himself one of the fortunate few operators who received relief through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The money, he said, allowed him to survive the past 18 months: to bring back 200 employees and make needed repairs. Still, he noted, overall sales are down about 75% compared to pre-pandemic levels. At Faidley Seafood, the restaurants woes sound like proof of Murphys Law. Half of its business comes from tourism, a sector of the economy that all but disappeared in 2020. While the restaurants income dropped 70% during the pandemic, its expenses didnt change. The city continued to charge the company rent at Lexington Market. Staff still needed to get paid. There are more mundane stressors, too, from problems with the air conditioning at Lexington Market to a shortage of plastic that impacts everything from cups to the individually-wrapped saltine packets the eatery serves with coddies and soup, Hahn said. Frying oil has doubled in price. After a year of upheaval, Hahn believes it will be years before the supply chain stabilizes. Despite the headaches, Hahn has no plans to close her familys business. After five generations and 135 years, hers wont be the generation to throw in the towel, she said, walking with her son near the U.S. Capitol on a cloudless fall afternoon. The business, she pointed out, has survived not only the Great Depression and two world wars, but the flu epidemic of 1918. Quits not in our vocabulary, she said. Thats why Im here. BOSTON (AP) It's time for the Blessing of the Animals at Boston's Old North Church. The North End celebration scheduled for Sunday draws people of diverse faiths and backgrounds, and is considered especially important this year because pets have helped so many people cope through the pandemic. NAPLES, Fla. (AP) East of the Southwest Florida city centers, where dense cypress domes and live oaks dripping with moss replace concrete and stucco, the world wakes up differently. The din of the early commute in natural Florida is not blaring horns or humming tires but chirping tree frogs and whispering wings. At Dinner Island Wildlife Management Area, which straddles the Collier-Hendry border, an overcast August morning breaks on the ranchlands where cattle are free to roam forever. The 20,000-acre preserve was purchased under a large, statewide land acquisition program that began in 2001 under former Gov. Jeb Bush. Florida Forever, touted as the largest land acquisition program of its kind in the United States by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, aims to find willing sellers of undeveloped land to conserve in perpetuity. That work continues. Cattle rest at Dinner Island Ranch Wildife Management Area in Hendry County. The land was purchased in the early 2000s with Florida Forever funds. There is land adjacent and near the property that is on the priority list for purchase. What allowed us to be so successful with Florida Forever is we made sure it would benefit every part of the state, said David Struhs, who served as FDEP secretary under Bush. We didnt just want the south, north, east, west, urban, rural or environmental or agricultural interests. We knew that it had to be big and long-lasting enough where it would touch across all those geographic and economic areas. To date, the program has purchased about 850,000 acres of land with approximately $3.2 billion. FDEP collects money from real estate transactions, called document stamps, to fund its acquisitions. But Dinner Island, where cattle egrets hitch rides on heifers and purple pickerel flowers line the wandering gravel roads, is only a small portion of a more ambitious potential buy: nearly 250,000 acres stretching from Big Cypress National Preserve north to Okaloacoochee Slough, called Panther Glades. That tract is ranked seventh on the programs priority list, along with projects such as Blue Head Ranch in Highlands County and the Apalachicola River near the Florida-Georgia border. The state has already bought large tracts in the area, but nearly 40,000 acres remain on the priority list. The list, updated most recently in May, contains 37 Critical Natural Lands as well as a plethora of other potential buys. The department offers two options for landowners: buying the land outright, called fee simple; or placing a conservation easement on the land, called less-than-fee. But lands on the priority list are still privately held, and the state could miss the opportunity to put natural landscapes into conservation if it doesnt move quickly. Matthew Schwartz, executive director of the South Florida Wildlands Association recalls when Virginia land developer Eddie Garcia wrote to the state asking it to purchase his land within the Panther Glades and did not get a response. Florida Power and Light instead bought the land with plans to build power production plants. Deer feed at Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Hendry County. The land was purchased in the early 2000s with Florida Forever funds. There is land adjacent and near the property that is on the priority list for purchase. In 2012, Schwartz wrote to the Florida Public Service Commission in opposition of FPLs purchase: The history of development in South Florida shows that projects like this will not long stand in isolation. Development follows development. Thats the biggest incursion having a massive industrial facility going in on the east side of very pristine panther habitat, Schwartz said in a recent interview. A range of benefits With estimates of Floridas population growing between 800 to 1,000 people a day, sprawling development can threaten the diverse subtropical landscape. Florida Forever is one of the most popular programs out there, Schwartz said. If I talk to people about Everglades restoration, they roll eyes because its been decades and they have not seen results. People love Florida Forever. And in Southwest Florida, at least, the program is conserving what scant land is left to the Florida panther. The panther is in Southwest Florida because that is all the habitat that is left now and its disappearing because of gigantic land development in Lee and Collier counties, he said. Panther Glades is even way more important now than when it was put on the priority list 20 years ago, Schwartz said. But the benefits of conserving land stretch beyond providing habitat for panthers. Wetlands and non-paved uplands absorb water and help to filter that water, said Meredith Budd of the Florida Wildlife Federation. Flooding, sea-level rise, toxic algae blooms, these are all aggravated by the fact that we are losing open spaces. Focusing on the health of rivers can be done in part by protecting the health of the lands around them. You know, we have the most straightforward way to help our water resources: protect the land, Budd said. Scenes from Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Hendry County. The land was purchased in the early 2000s with Florida Forever funds. There is land adjacent and near the property that is on the priority list for purchase. It comes down to the quality of life for Floridians, she said, which is supported by the environment. From the springs in the north to the Everglades in the south. And of course, you dont want to forget that in addition to water quality and habitat for environmental benefits, our environment here in Florida is inextricably tied to the states economy. And what makes Florida Forever unique is that its a willing seller program. Nothing is being taken away from anyone that doesnt want it to be taken, Budd said. In September 2020, Fort Myers-based Alico Inc. sold 10,702 acres of its Alico Ranch land in Hendry County to the Florida Forever program for $28.5 million. Jim Strickland, vice president of the nonprofit Florida Conservation Group, advocates for landowner conservation programs and keeping agricultural lands operational. Strickland, a cattle rancher, said Florida Forever is one option for his fellow ranchers to remain sustainable. If youre not profitable on a piece of dirt you cant be sustainable, he said. I am not anti-development, but we need the opportunity for these folks to have other options than putting a for sale sign on their property. Any landowner can offer a portion of their land to the program for a price, and Strickland said the recognition of what this open land does for society is going to be of paramount importance. Scenes from Dinner Island Ranch Wildife Management Area in Hendry County. The land was purchased in the early 2000s with Florida Forever funds. There is land adjacent and near the property that is on the priority list for purchase. Were on the cusp of climate change, and Florida is kind of the epicenter I think, he said. If were going to be part of the solution, Florida Forever is one of the answers. Florida Forever was, during the Jeb Bush years, one of the nations best programs that vetted lands and prioritized conservation lands in the nation, he said. A $3 billion start Struhs remembers traveling to the Everglades Coalition annual meeting in February 1999 following Bushs inauguration. On the way back to Tallahassee he was seated with the governor and the head of Floridas Office of Policy and Budget. Thats when he began talking very seriously about proposing a substantial signature investment into land acquisition and land restoration, Struhs recalled. I remember at the time thinking this is almost too good to be true. Struhs, the head of the states environmental agency, was supposed to be the one lobbying the governor for such resources and here Bush was making the pitch right in front of the states budget hawk. I thought I had to pinch myself, Struhs said. Florida at that time was in a very propitious moment in its history with lots of people moving in, he said. There were lots of land transactions and lots of revenue from the doc stamps. I remember it was not just the governor, but key legislative leaders making the connection that if there was ever a time to pay for conservation, preservation, and restoration of land, this was probably that moment in history because there was this reliable stream of resources. The program was the follow-up to its predecessor and similarly voluntary program, Preservation 2000, which sunset as Bush took office. Struhs said the new administration had to make an early decision to let the conservation program expire or continue the efforts. The governor clearly wanted to build on that record, he said. Alligators make ther way through a canal at Dinner Island Ranch Wildife Management Area in Hendry County. The land was purchased in the early 2000s with Florida Forever funds. There is land adjacent and near the property that is on the priority list for purchase. There was a recognition that the state needed to make substantial investments into land acquisition and restoration that extended beyond environmental preservation into infrastructure for water supply and flood control, he said. One of Struhss cherished memories was pitching the idea to Bush that the program needs to focus not only on lands that would benefit the Everglades, but the springs and recreational opportunities in north Florida. We wanted to make sure we had the support of the entire Legislature, not Republicans or Democrats, but we wanted every legislator to feel like there was something in this for them. Preserving some one-of-a-kind sites For Peter Kleinhenz, conservation chair of Apalachee Audubon Society in Tallahassee, Florida Forever is one of the best decisions the Legislature has ever made. Tracing the boundary between Jefferson and Taylor counties in north Florida, the Wacissa/Aucilla rivers flow into the Gulf but not before going underground and resurfacing about 30 times, a phenomenon called river sinks. About 15,000 acres surrounding these sinks is on the high priority list for Florida Forever, and with good reason, Kleinhenz said. The area encompasses a trio of unique features: natural, cultural, and geologic, he said. The Wacissa River is spring-fed and flows clear until it reaches the dark Aucilla where the sinks begin. And along the Wasicca, the oldest records of humans in North America were found. It totally flips what we understand about colonization in this region on its head, Kleinhenz said. Theres evidence of every Native American group found along the Wasicca. The natural and unique beauty of the area is accentuated on the Slave Canal, where Kleinhenz says one of the most gorgeous and wildest paddles exist. Its like stepping back in time, he said. Cattle rest at Dinner Island Ranch Wildife Management Area in Hendry County. The land was purchased in the early 2000s with Florida Forever funds. There is land adjacent and near the property that is on the priority list for purchase. Other areas in the state are also listed as a high priority. From the Apalachicola River in the Panhandle to Blue Head Ranch in Highland County and Wekiva-Ocala Greenway that spans Lake, Orange, Seminole, and Volusia counties. Its this vast, statewide scope that Struhs said makes the program so successful. Faltering funds In recent years, however, Florida Forevers funding revenue has hit a series of slumps. As a nascent program, the budget was set at $3 billion to extend 10 years, providing a coffer of $300 million each year. During the 2009-10 fiscal year, which followed the 2008 recession, the Legislature did not fund the program and its been nowhere close to its initial budget since. As of May, the programs appropriation budget clocked in at just under $57 million. In 2014, 75% of Florida voters passed Amendment 1, which was meant to bolster the revenue streams for the states land acquisition fund. Just more than a year later, environmental groups filed lawsuits claiming the funding had been misspent as the money went toward salaries and employee benefits. Wild flowers are abundant at Dinner Island Ranch Wildife Management Area in Hendry County. The land was purchased in the early 2000s with Florida Forever funds. There is land adjacent and near the property that is on the priority list for purchase. Eventually, in 2019 the 1st District Court of Appeal would rule against the groups. While funding has dwindled in recent years, Struhs remembers when the program began, there wasnt that initial clamoring and competition for resources. People knew that this rising tide was going to lift all the boats, he said. Thats why some people, such as Budd, are still pushing for more funding. Land conservation is not a red issue, its not a blue issue, its a green issue, she said. People can unite with the understanding that our economy and our quality of life is contingent on protecting our natural resources and if we dont have adequate funding for this important program, then the states most environmentally significant areas may be at risk for conversion. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) A 23-year-old Florida man was arrested after authorities say he fatally shot a man over a parking spot Saturday. Gilbert Bush was trying to park in a spot where Charles Edward Bentley was standing with a group of friends. The two got into an argument and Bentley pulled out a gun and shot Bush multiple times, St. Petersburg police said in a statement. MOODY AIR FORE BASE, Ga. (AP) An Air Force base in Georgia has retired a helicopter used to fly combat rescue missions since 1994. Airmen and spectators gathered at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta for the final ceremonial flight of the HH-60G chopper. JALALABAD, Afghanistan (AP) Gunmen shot and killed two Taliban fighters and two civilians on Saturday in the eastern city of Jalalabad, a Taliban official said. Two other civilians were wounded in the attack, said Mohammad Hanif, a cultural official for the city's surrounding province, Nangarhar. LAS VEGAS (AP) Think about it, and a quilt is the perfect gift for someone whos still navigating pain, fear and loss from the Route 91 Harvest festival shootings. A quilt is warm, soft, inviting, something a grieving family member or still-struggling concertgoer can literally wrap themselves in. And if its a handmade quilt, it carries with it the good emotional vibes of its creator. Over the past three years, the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center has shared the comfort of quilts with survivors, family members, first responders and attendees of the Oct. 1, 2017, country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip that ended in gunfire, the deaths of 60 people and injuries to hundreds more. Fifty-eight people died that night. Two additional deaths were later attributed to the shooting. Through the centers 1 October Anniversary Quilting Project, donated handmade quilts are distributed via a raffle to people affected by the shooting to serve as both a means of remembrance and a gift of emotional and physical comfort. Raffle ticket registration runs through Oct. 31 and winners will be notified by Nov. 5. The program began in the months that followed the shootings, Tennille Pereira, Vegas Strong Resiliency Center director, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The first year, a local quilting guild reached out to Clark County wanting to donate some quilts, she said. That effort which was similar to a project that followed the 2016 Pulse nightclub shootings in Orlando, Florida was so well-received, and such a moving thing for the survivors and bereaved families, that we decided to do it again. This years raffle marked the projects fourth quilt distribution. Last year we got around 900 requests and I think we had 100 quilts, Pereira said. Previous distributions saw quilts sent to Canada and states as far away as Alaska, Pereira said, reflecting the reality that many of the more than 20,000 concert ticket holders were tourists. The quilts, which the volunteer quilters create year-round, include personalized touches. According to Pereira, this years collection includes a quilt that bears the names of the shooting victims and another with a Vegas Golden Knights theme. The experience can be moving for both quilters and recipients. Pereira said one quilters husband died recently, and she decided to make a quilt as part of her healing and working through her grief. Pereira knows of one young woman who was pregnant when she attended the concert. I think it was the second year she got a quilt and she uses it as a baby blanket, Pereira said. He loves the quilt and uses it all the time. He uses it to watch cartoons and takes it to the park as a blanket. He loves the quilt and uses it all the time. He uses it to watch cartoons and takes it to the park as a blanket. Carolyn Arostegui has made three quilts for the project over the past three years. Shes been making quilts since she was a teenager during the late 60s and figures she makes three to five a year on average. Making quilts for Route 91 families is really a terrific thing to do, she said. You feel so good making the quilt and you know that whoevers going to get your quilt will just love it. I just hope (they) can feel all the love that went into it. For both quilters and recipients, it has so much meaning, Pereira says, and the project is healing for both sides. DOHA, Qatar (AP) Qatari citizens voted for the first time in elections for an advisory council on Saturday a long-delayed step that aims to give people in the autocratic sheikhdom slightly more say over how they're ruled. The experiment," as Qatari officials have described the vote, comes as the 2022 World Cup casts a global spotlight on the hereditarily ruled nation and generates pressure for reform. Qatar first introduced plans for the legislative elections in its 2003 constitution, but authorities repeatedly postponed the vote. Qataris on Saturday headed to the polls to choose two-thirds of the 45-member Shura Council, which drafts laws, approves state budges, debates major issues and provides advice to ruling emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The body does not have sway, however, over matters of defense, security and the economy. The vast majority of the nearly 300 candidates are men, with nearly all hailing from the same family or tribe in several districts. The country's electoral law, which distinguishes between born and naturalized Qatari citizens, and bars the latter from electoral participation, has drawn criticism from rights groups. In a report last month, Human Rights Watch described the system as discriminatory," excluding thousands of Qataris from running or voting. The disqualifications have sparked minor tribal protests that led to several arrests. Sheikh Tamim, who previously elected all the council members, will handpick the remaining 15 members of the body and retain ultimate authority over decision-making in the energy-rich country. Like other Gulf Arab states, Qatar bans political parties. Foreign workers outnumber Qatari citizens in the tiny country of 2.8 million nearly nine to one. Among the sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf, only Kuwait's parliament has genuine sway over the government, with lawmakers empowered to introduce laws and question ministers. The elected body, however, clashes frequently and raucously with the emir-appointed Cabinet, blocking major initiatives and hampering economic development. The move brings Qatar more in line with the United Arab Emirates, where citizens vote for a limited number of seats in a consultative parliament that advises the government. PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. (AP) One Johnson County, Kansas, community has already adopted a ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth, and another is considering doing so. The Kansas City Star reports that the Prairie Village City Council will discuss the ban at a meeting Monday. The council earlier voted 10-2 to direct city staff to draft an ordinance similar to the one adopted last year in Roeland Park, which prohibits mental health professionals from using conversion therapy. COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) A federal judge in Kentucky who upheld St. Elizabeth Healthcares COVID-19 vaccine mandate has rejected a request to reconsider his decision, the Kentucky Enquirer reported. The order was filed in district court in Covington on Thursday, a day before the deadline for employees to be vaccinated or receive a medical or religious exemption. U.S. District Judge David Bunning wrote that the claims raised by employees who have fought the mandate clearly did not merit injunctive relief. The suit was filed in early September by 40 employees at St. Elizabeth's, which has a staff of around 11,200 associates and physicians, according to its website. The lawsuit followed announcements by most of Kentucky's major hospital systems, including St. Elizabeths, that they would require all workers without a medical or religious exemption to be vaccinated. In his Thursday ruling, Bunning pointed to a 1905 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which upheld a Massachusetts law requiring residents to be vaccinated against smallpox. Bunning also addressed an accusation that referring to COVID-19 as an unprecedented global pandemic was political. Whether called an unprecedented global pandemic or a less ominous description, the COVID-19 situation has been, by any objective measure, something that everyone, including the hospital and its employees, has been dealing with for more than 18 months, Bunning said. Calling it unprecedented isnt political, at all. Rather, it is merely a recognition of its extraordinary nature. Public health officials repeatedly have declared the vaccines as safe and highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. Dr. Steven Stack, Kentuckys public health commissioner, has described the COVID-19 vaccines as a miracle of modern science. ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) Healthcare workers are on the frontlines of the nations response to COVID-19. To show the local healthcare heroes some love and say thank you for what they do, students from several local schools have written letters of encouragement and made goodie bags to be delivered to Baptist Health Hardin staff. Baptist Health Hardin in a provided statement said, Our community is outstanding. At times, it can be easy to think that we are in this pandemic all alone. But to have cards, letters, and treats from students who took time out of their day to tell our team that they appreciate them and love them is so meaningful. No one could ever imagine how much these notes and treats mean to staff caring for patients. On the morning of Sept. 24, East Hardin Middle School students loaded a van with more than 200 goodie bags and letters to be sent to the healthcare staff. The seventh-grade students in Angela Vanmeter and Holly Tabors language arts classes at the Glendale middle school came up with the idea while reading the book Pay it Forward. The idea of pay it forward is you do an act of kindness for someone and then they in turn do another act of kind for someone else, Vanmeter said. She said they began talking with their classes about acts of kindness and what they might be able to do for the community or the school. They decided on doing something for the Baptist Health Hardin staff. Vanmeter said they got the information out to other classes and asked for cards and donations. They made posters and even did a video. Based on the idea of the book that weve been reading we just wanted to do something for the community to give back and its been very good for our kids and us teachers as well. It feels good to do something good for somebody else, she said. The kids have really embraced this. East Hardin Middle School student Shyla Cortez said it made her happy to work on this project. I just love it so much. I bought a lot of stuff for the health care workers, and I made little key chains for them, she said. Fellow student Maggie Stuecker said health care workers do a lot for others and are appreciated but felt this would let them know we are believing in them, and we are thinking about them every single day. I feel like what were doing will help the health care workers a lot, she said. HCS Superintendent Teresa Morgan said health care workers always have had a tremendous responsibility. However, their burden has been extremely heavy for the last 18 months as COVID-19 has made a deep impact on our society, she said. We hope these symbols of appreciation from our students, their families and our staff help our local health professionals understand that we truly are thankful for their dedication and sacrifice during these very difficult times. St. James Catholic Regional School students also wrote messages to local health care workers. Principal Sister Marie Hannah said doing so was a lesson of gratitude, empathy, and compassion for the students. We wanted to boost the spirits of those working tirelessly day after day and remind them we are thankful for the care they are providing to our community. Our students were excited to express their gratitude and offer encouragement. We continue to pray for those serving in healthcare, she said. During the Governors Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week, Morningside Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Amy Key said she had her students write letters of encouragement and thanks. I have a personal connection to the hospital with friends who work there, and I have been sharing with my reading classes just how tired they are, she said. We wanted to do what we could to put a smile on their faces. A lot has been asked of the hospital staff and our kids were excited to do what they could to help. LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) La Crosse has a relatively small Muslim community, but its ready to assist any immigrants from Afghanistan who settle in the area. Wahhab Khandker says that Othman Bin Affan Mosque in La Crosse has provided resources to Afghans being treated in La Crosse hospitals and is working with a larger group helping raise funds and supplies for nearly 13,000 Afghans housed at Fort McCoy. We are in touch asking what we can do over there, Khandker said. We will take care of anyone who comes to La Crosse. Fort McCoy is one of eight military installations across the country housing Afghan immigrants who fled their country after the United States ended its 20-year military mission in Afghanistan last month, the La Crosse Tribune reported. Khandker is a member of Afghan Refugee Aid Coordination La Crosse, a group created in August to support Afghan immigrants staying at Fort McCoy as they await their permanent living arrangements in the United States. The group consists of 88 people from 36 organizations and has been meeting regularly to raise funds and spread the message that the immigrants are welcome in western Wisconsin. Khandker doesnt use the term refugee to describe the newcomers and prefers to call the newcomers immigrants. Khandker, a professor emeritus of economics at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse who retired last year, hasnt been to Fort McCoy but maintains contact with people who have. Through his work with the La Crosse group, Khandker identified three areas of need: Clothing: He said many of the immigrants left Afghanistan with the clothing on their backs and described a female who has been wearing the same dress every day. Communication: He said most immigrants still have relatives in Afghanistan and are having difficulty making contact with them. Food: Muslims require meat meant for human consumption be slaughtered according to Islamic law. Khandker said there is only one place in La Crosse that sells Halal food. Khandker said the immigrants at Fort McCoy have been able to meet their spiritual needs. Muslims pray five times a day and can do so on their own. Prayer doesnt necessarily require clergy, he said. Its just between you and God. Its not fancy or a difficult thing to do. We dont need an intermediary. Khandker said Fort McCoy has plenty of space for the faithful to pray, but there is a shortage of Qurans. He said a Muslim organization from Chicago has provided 1,500 Qurans since the immigrants arrived. While Othman Bin Affan is the closest mosque to Fort McCoy, Khandker said it isnt large enough to provide large-scale assistance. He said the local mosque has provided a dozen Korans and prayer rugs to immigrants being treated at Gundersen. We are only 60 people here, he said. We are limited in what we can do. Khandker said if Afghan immigrants choose to settle in La Crosse, the mosque will likely require a larger facility. He arrived in La Crosse in 1983 and has seen the Muslim community steadily grow. A call to prayer last week drew nearly 20 men to the mosque. When I came to La Crosse, I didnt know any Muslims over here, he said. Our members are either doctors, professors, engineers or businessmen. We give a lot of service to the community. We contribute as much as possible. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) New Mexico State University says less than a third of its students submitted proof of vaccination for COVID-19 by a Thursday deadline to otherwise undergo weekly testing or leave the university. While 72.3% of the university's employees provided proof of vaccination, only 30% of students did, officials said Friday. Its not clear how many students who didnt submit proof of vaccination by the deadline plan to submit weekly test results, officials said. Were not where we want to be with our vaccinated students, said Jon Webster, the school's COVID-19 project manager. We want to make sure were protecting all of our students. Failure to submit vaccination information or weekly test results can result in student suspension or staff termination, officials said. Students can get vaccinated at any point in the semester and cease the weekly required testing once achieving full vaccination, Webster said. We are seeing new submissions continue to come in, so we expect our final verified total to be significantly higher than what were seeing today and to continue to rise over the next several weeks as some students and employees receive their second dose and update their cards," Webster said. He said the university was continuing to reach out to students through text message, email, social media and other channels. Several students said Friday they were unaware of the mandate's details, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. Sophomore Alvaro Oliva said hes vaccinated but hadnt heard of the requirement. You get a whole bunch of emails from your classes and all that jazz, but the emails slip through, Oliva said. However, senior Alisa Schott said it would be hard to not have heard about the requirement. Its kind of everywhere, Schott said. My professors talk about it all the time." Freshman Ester Bocanegra said she's partially vaccinated and didnt know which website to use to submit information. Im sure people are confused, she said. Sophomore Issac Duarte said students are focused on other things right now, especially midterms. The vaccination is not really something thats a priority for us, he said. The universitys main campus is in Las Cruces. It also has campuses in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Grants and elsewhere. MACON, Ga. (AP) A Marine who took the stage at a Georgia rally for former President Donald Trump was not among the service members shown lifting children over an airport wall in Afghanistan in a photo that began circulating in August, a spokesperson tells The Telegraph of Macon. The newspaper reports that Kelton Cochran, a spokesperson for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, said Lance Cpl. Hunter Clark was not in the picture showing multiple Marines lifting children over an airport wall in Kabul during an airlift after the U.S.-backed government fell to the Taliban. Cochran didnt say whether Clark could have been in a different photo or video. MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) Two Connecticut men have been accused of allowing federal food aid recipients to redeem their benefits for cash and other ineligible items at a convenience store while charging them a nearly 50% premium for the transactions. The owner of the Manchester store and gas station and a man who helped operate it were indicted by a federal grand jury on food stamp fraud charges and arrested last month, Acting Connecticut U.S. Attorney Leonard Boyle announced Friday. LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) At least one person has been arrested after more than 175 bronze vases were stolen off graves in two southwest Louisiana cemeteries. More than 100 vases were stolen from Consolata Cemetery in Lake Charles and, next door, nearly 70 vases were taken from Prien Memorial Park. Kevin Leger said seven of his loved ones are buried in Prien Memorial Park, KPLC-TV reported. My grandmother has got her vase missing, my sister, Micheal Lejeune, my mommy and daddy, and his brother and his wife all missing their vases, Leger said. Theres no words, no words that could comprehend when you come out to the graveyard and you just see your families graves just desecrated like this. It shouldnt be like that." Sue Way said she went to visit her husband's grave recently to recognize his birthday and found his bronze vase stolen too. I was heartbroken, heartbroken for my husband but for all these other graves that had been desecrated, and I cant imagine what kind of person would do this, Way said. At least one arrest has been made in connection with the investigation: Kenneth Stillson, 36, of Ragley. He faces several charges including aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, desecration of graves, obstruction of justice, aggravated flight from an officer and illegal possession of stolen things. He was being held without bond at the Calcasieu Parish Jail. It was unknown if he has an attorney. All 112 vases stolen from Consolata Cemetery have been recovered, and 34 of the stolen vases from Prien Memorial Park Cemetery have also been recovered, authorities said. Bubba Brasseaux, managing director at Prien Memorial Park, said they are working to get in touch with the families of those affected by the thefts. When someone steals something off their grave, it brings all those emotions back. Its kind of like reliving their death again because the pain is still there and now theres just more pain because of whats happened, Brasseaux said. If anyone has a loved one interred in Prien Memorial Park, and they are concerned that their final resting place may be affected, they can feel free to contact our office, and we will be happy to assist them, the cemeterys general manager, Joel Brinkley, said in a statement. SOLEN, N.D. (AP) The Morton County Sheriffs Office is seeking information about the vandalism and theft of road signs in south-central North Dakota, near the South Dakota border. The Bismarck Tribune reports road crews on Thursday found that about 15 signs at intersections on a 6-mile stretch north of Solen had been run over or stolen. GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) Before Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials and others cut the ribbon on the John Oliver Cabin accessible trail Tuesday, Friends of the Smokies emeritus founding board member and former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Gary Wade remembered a poignant moment in U.S. history. To put this event today in historical perspective, Wade said, standing with the Cades Cove valley at his face and the cabin behind him, 81 years ago this month, Secret Service agents placed a blanket over the wheelchair of the president as he was lifted to the Rockefeller Monument to dedicate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the park which is now the most visited in the U.S. And, if Cades Cove were a park of its own, the Smokies would still be No. 1, but Cades Cove would be in the top six. Isnt it remarkable how many people enjoy this? he gestured to the valley, and isnt it entirely appropriate today given a person in a wheelchair dedicated this park so many years ago, now were able to access the John Oliver Cabin. Moments later, three people in wheelchairs traveled up the path to the cabin for the first time. According to park officials, its the second accessible path in GSMNP Sugarlands Valley Nature Trail is the other one and the first to feature a historical site. Park Superintendent Cassius Cash told the crowd of about 70 gathered Tuesday that the motivation to create accessible trails kicked into gear a couple of years after he came into the top GSMNP role in 2015. I issued this challenge to staff about three years ago about how I wanted to make more opportunities here, make the park more accessible, Cash said. We have over 850 miles of trails in the park and its hard to believe that ... we didnt have one thats designated (for accessibility). ... But here we are today. The project recognizes the need to accommodate any person who might not be able to traverse trails in the traditional ways. Many people in their 70s and 80s, for instance, said Tuesday they were thankful to have an easy-to-walk path to the historical site. Hiker, former firefighter and wheelchair user Carly Pearson said it was an honor to be able to hike up to the spot. Weve come to the time where we are no longer sidelined by circumstances and physical barriers, Pearson told the crowd. Being immersed into the natural environment allows opportunities to enjoy our lands independently. The half-mile, paved trail is approximately 8 feet wide, providing space for wheelchairs or other mobility devices to pass one another. It is compliant with Architectural Barriers Act standards, park officials said. Funding for the project was made possible through a $150,000 donation provided by the National Park Foundation and a $57,000 donation provided by the Friends of the Smokies. It is such an honor to partner with Superintendent Cash and his staff in helping fulfill this vision of making park experiences more accessible, Sharon Pryse, board of directors chair for Friends of the Smokies said in a news release. She and others have invested in the Smokies history and sustainability said Tuesday the trail was a significant part of how the Coves heritage will be preserved for everyone. I want people to enjoy this park, said Judy Morton, emeritus Friends of the Smokies board member. Her grandfather, Ben Morton, helped found the park. Thats what my grandfather wanted. The park, in its founders vision, was meant to be preserved. Thats happened in numerous ways and now its the most popular park in the country, with 12.1 million visitors in 2020 alone. Morton was among many Tuesday whose roots burrow deep into Cades Cove history. John Olivers great-great-great-grandson, John Oliver, was present with his wife Lori. Cades Cove has a special place in my heart, Oliver said. The couple lives in Townsend and still sees the place in many ways as a part of their familys home. Im glad its preserved, he said of the cabin, and that people get to enjoy it. It means a lot to our family. The Oliver family settled at that site in 1818. John Oliver said Tuesday that part of his familys lore is the fact his ancestors might not have survived Cades Coves winters were it not for the Native Americans. Past and future co-mingle at the new accessible trail to Olivers homesite. What represents heritage to some people also represents a vision to others. We talk about needing to create the next generation of users, supporters and advocates of the Park Service, Cash said in an interview after the ribbon-cutting as the small crowd started to use the trail for the first time. But I think in our mind, we kind of say and people of all abilities at the same time. People often think about nationalities, backgrounds and ethnicities, he added, but sometimes forget able-bodied and non-able-bodied people. Thats changing now. I want to see how the public enjoys this trail and then well look at whats next, Cash said. Mike Groll/AP ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) A plastics company in upstate New York agreed to pay $23.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit claiming it knowingly polluted well water with a toxic chemical. The Times Union reports the proposed settlement, agreed to by Taconic Plastics, would benefit hundreds of residents in Rensselaer County whose drinking water was contaminated with a manufacturing chemical. MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (AP) An Alabama police officer who was shot in a recent confrontation with a gunman who also wounded another officer died Saturday from his wounds, his department said. Sheffield Police Sgt. Nick Risner, 40, died at Huntsville Hospital where he was taken after Friday's shooting, Police Chief Ricky Terry said. We would like to thank the community and everyone who has prayed for Sgt. Risner, his family and the Sheffield Police Department during this time, Terry said in a statement. Authorities said at a news conference Friday evening that the officers werre shot after events that began when Brian Lansing Martin, 41, of Sheffield fatally shot and pushed an individual out of a vehicle in Muscle Shoals in northwest Alabama. That person has not been publicly identified, pending notification of next of kin. After abandoning his victim, Martin stole another vehicle, according to authorities. Sheffield Police said their officers spotted the vehicle and chased Martin back into Muscle Shoals, behind a Walmart. There, Martin and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies exchanged gunfire, according to police. During the confrontation, Risner and Sheffield police Lt. Max Dotson were shot. But Dotson was protected from severe injury by his vest and was treated and released from a hospital. Risner was shot through the windshield of his vehicle. Martin also was shot. He is listed in stable condition at Huntsville Hospital. Charges against Martin have not yet been filed. Martin had previously served time for manslaughter in his fathers death in 2011. In that case, Martin pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2013 to 10 years. Records show he was released in 2016. Terry lamented the officer's death, saying it should not have happened. The justice system failed not only Sgt. Risner, but his family and everyone who has been affected by his passing, Terry said. This incident should have never happened, because a coward who should still be in prison was walking the streets. To lose an officer in the line of duty is a tragedy and there are just not enough words to express how saddened we are." Risner served nine years with the Sheffield Police Department as a K-9 officer. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve for eight years. He is the second Alabama police officer to fall to hostile gunfire this year and at least the third to be shot in the line of duty in less than 24 hours this week. On Thursday, a police officer investigating drug sales in Warrior, Alabama was hospitalized in stable condition after being shot multiple times. Risner is survived by his parents and a daughter. "Sgt. Risner performed a heroic act by protecting the Shoals Community from the shooter from entering the Walmart parking lot. If the shooter would have entered the Walmart parking lot, there is no telling how many lives would have been in danger, Terry said. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Risner was a hero who was senselessly killed. We often take for granted the safety of our neighborhoods and communities while every minute of every day heroes sworn to protect and serve us venture into harms way," Marshall said. Sergeant Risner was such a hero. We live our lives in security because of the bravery and commitment of men like Sergeant Risner. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on the day of Risner's internment. We offer our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family, his fellow officers and his community, Ivey said in the directive. We also pray for the safety of all of our men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to ensure the protection of our communities. WASHINGTON (AP) Alek Skarlatos, a hero soldier-turned-Republican congressional candidate, started a nonprofit shortly after his 2020 defeat in a western Oregon race, pledging to advocate for veterans left high and dry by the country "they put their lives on the line for." The group, which Skarlatos seeded with $93,000 in leftover campaign funds, has done little since then to advance that cause. What it has nurtured, though, are Skarlatos' political ambitions, providing $65,000, records show, to his 2022 bid for a rematch with longtime Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio in a district stretching from the college town of Corvallis to the Oregon shore. It's a seat that Republicans are targeting in their quest to win back the House. Campaign finance laws prohibit candidates from self-dealing and from accepting illicit money from often opaque and less regulated world of political nonprofits. That includes a prohibition on candidates donating campaign cash to nonprofit groups they control, as well as a broader ban on accepting contributions from such groups, legal experts say. But years of lax campaign finance law enforcement have fostered an environment where many candidates are willing to challenge the long-established boundaries of what's legal. "You cant do that, said Adav Noti, a former lawyer for the Federal Election Commission who now works for the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center in Washington. "Theres serious corruption potential. The law contemplates that. Skarlatos' campaign did not make him available for an interview, did not address the activities of the nonprofit and would not say whether Skarlatos currently holds a role with the group. Campaign manager Ross Purgason said the transactions were completely legal." Despite an attempt to smear Alek Skarlatos, who served in Afghanistan, he was never paid a dollar," said Purgason. In 2015, Skarlotos, a member of the Oregon National Guard, gained a measure of fame when he helped disrupt an attack on a train bound for Paris by a heavily armed man who was a follower of the Islamic State group. Hailed as a hero, he appeared on Dancing with the Stars, visited the White House and was granted dual French citizenship. It also led to a role starring as himself in the Clint Eastwood movie 15:17 to Paris. Once he turned to politics, his biography served as a cornerstone of his campaign against DeFazio, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who went on to beat Skarlatos by 5 percentage points in November 2020. Skarlatos started the nonprofit the month after his loss, naming it 15:17 Trust a reference to the train attack. It was registered in Virginia, with his campaign treasurer also serving as the group's treasurer, records show. Our service men and women are special people heroes who have and will put their lives on the line for ours, and we owe it to them to make sure theyre taken care of, Skarlatos said in a March 2021 fundraising email. This is why I am proud to announce that I am officially launching the 15:17 Trust, a new 501(c) 4 non-profit organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of and supporting our veterans. But the group has had a decidedly low profile. It has an active online fundraising page, but its website is offline. A Facebook page is "liked" by only nine people. Its Twitter account has zero followers and only one tweet from April, soliciting input for a survey on veterans' concerns. A search of media databases shows no instance of the group being mentioned in news stories. Federal candidates and officeholders are allowed to donate campaign funds to nonprofit groups. But they are prohibited from donating to nonprofits that they operate. Skarlatos' campaign account gave $93,000 in February to his 15:17 Fund. The law is intended to prevent candidates from sidestepping a prohibition on the personal use of campaign funds by routing money to a separate group that they could then use to collect a salary or payments. Separately, federal campaigns face tight limits on how much and who can give to them. That includes a ban on accepting donations from corporations, including nonprofits, which can accept unlimited sums from anonymous donors. Though the transfer of $65,000 from Skarlatos' nonprofit to his campaign was listed as a refund" in filings, that likely doesn't square with the law, said Noti, the former FEC attorney. You cant, months later, send a different amount from a nonprofit company to a campaign and say it was a refund for a larger amount that was transferred much earlier, he said. Skarlatos has collected payments from his campaign in the past. During the 2020 campaign, Skarlatos paid himself more than $43,000 in mileage reimbursements, rent and expenses vaguely listed as contractor campaign staff, records show. In the two months after launching his 2022 GOP primary bid the only period of time reflected yet in quarterly filings submitted so far he has collected another $2,521 in mileage reimbursements. The payments Skarlatos' collected from his campaign were made at a time when he had an inconsistent stream of personal income, according to his congressional financial disclosures. He reported making $40,000 from speaking fees, endorsements and residuals from his movie work in 2018. But in 2020 that income dropped to $20,000. His most recent disclosure, which was filed this past week, shows he has earned at least $78,000 this year. But it did not reveal any income from his nonprofit and did not indicate whether he holds a role with the group. Who works for the nonprofit, as well as who has earned income from it, will become clearer next year when the group files publicly available tax paperwork. ATLANTA (AP) Four parents are suing the Cobb County school district on behalf of their children, saying the failure of Georgia's second largest school district to require masks means their students cannot safely attend in-person classes because of their disabilities. The suit was filed Friday in federal court in Atlanta. It says the 107,000-student suburban Atlanta district is violating federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Those laws govern how students with disabilities are treated in public schools. Rather than using the known and available tools to mitigate the threat of COVID-19 and protect plaintiffs access to school services, programs, and activities, the district has acted with deliberate indifference to plaintiffs rights to inclusion, health, and education, the complaint alleges. Earlier this week, when the Southern Poverty Law Center threatened the lawsuit on behalf of the students, Cobb schools told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that as is the case with any issue, individual student needs are supported on a student-by-student basis and we actively encourage any student or family to discuss their needs with their local school. The lawsuit asks that U.S. District Judge Timothy Batten Sr. order the district to follow CDC guidelines, including not only on masks but on issues like ventilation, physical distancing and contact tracing. It also asks for monetary damages and attorneys fees. It also asks Batten to issue a temporary restraining order as soon as possible. Numerous lawsuits have been filed nationwide seeking to force schools to require masks under federal disability law. Whether to require masks in Cobb schools has been the focus of protest for months. Like many in Georgia, Cobb lifted its mask order at the end of last year. But many districts reimposed mask orders as school began this August, because of the rapid spread of the delta variant of COVID-19. Although some districts have since lifted mask orders, an Associated Press count found that more than half of Georgia's 1.7 million students were required to wear face coverings in school at the peak of the most recent COVID-19 surge in the state. Cobb, though, dug in saying that masks would only be strongly recommended. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale last month delivered a ringing defense of the policy, noting cases were declining in Cobb schools as they were in schools and among the general population statewide and saying there was no proof that requiring masks lowered cases in schools. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued two studies in recent months finding masks were effective in lowering cases and advises that masks should be mandatory for all in schools when the virus is spreading rapidly, regardless of vaccination policy. The suit said Ragsdale's position is based on dubious research and cherry-picked data. Cobb wasn't alone in this stance. Cherokee and Forsyth counties never imposed mask orders last year, when Cobb did. But Cobb has been riven by conflict, with a narrow conservative majority on its school board holding the line against groups demanding masks. The suit alleges the four white Republican members of the school board form a politically and race driven majority voting bloc that is disregarding the position of three Black Democrats on the board. The lawsuit says the students are more at risk from COVID-19 because of their medical conditions. One has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, one has compromised immune system stemming from earlier leukemia, one has an airway clearance impairment called bronchiectasis and one has severe asthma and a history of pneumonia. Plaintiff children have requested that defendants implement effective COVID-19 safety protocols like they did last year so that they can go to school. But those requests have been denied or ignored," the lawsuit states. "Now, plaintiffs are at home, isolated away from their peers, where they receive an inadequate virtual education or no education at all. Georgias recent peak was especially bad among children. A roaring epidemic that coincided with the start of school saw a two week-period before Labor Day when nearly 1 in 50 school-age children statewide recorded confirmed infections and 1 in 70 in Cobb. For the the first time in the pandemic, the per-capita rate among children ages 5-17 exceeded the per-capita rate among adults 23 and older. Although new cases are falling sharply, data released Friday shows school-age children still have a higher per capita infection rate than adults. The statistics also show case rates remain nearly three times as high than before school started. ___ Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy. CLEVELAND (AP) So many prescription painkillers were dispensed in Lake County, Ohio, between 2012 and 2016 that the amount equaled 265 pills for every resident. Just to the south, the flood of prescription opioids during the same period equated to 400 pills for every resident of Trumbull County. Attorneys say efforts to address the ensuing overdose epidemic has cost each of the financially struggling counties at least $1 billion. Now those counties want major national pharmacy chains that were involved in much of that distribution to pay. In a bellwether federal trial starting Monday in Cleveland, Lake and Trumbull counties will try to convince a jury that the retail pharmacy companies played an outsized role in creating a public nuisance in the way they dispensed pain medication into their communities. This will be the first time pharmacy companies, in this case CVS, Walgreens, Giant Eagle and Walmart, have gone to trial to defend themselves in the nation's ongoing legal reckoning over the opioid crisis. The trial, which is expected to last around six weeks, could set the tone for similar lawsuits against retail pharmacy chains by government entities across the U.S. The trial will center on the harm to the counties and the response by the pharmacy chains, which have argued in court filings that their pharmacists were merely filling prescriptions written by physicians for legitimate medical needs. The trial also has a human dimension, watched closely by those whose family members are part of the roughly 500,000 Americans whose deaths are attributed to opioid abuse over the past two decades. People need to realize that drug addiction is a family disease, and everyone in the family is affected by it, said Sharon Grover, whose daughter died after becoming addicted to prescription pain pills and then heroin. Im never going to be the same. Grover, who lives in the small Trumbull County community of Mesopotamia Township, said she believes her daughter, Rachael Realini, started using prescription painkillers around 2013, but missed any signs of her addiction. By 2016, she told her mother she needed help. When pain pills became scarce, she turned to heroin to feed her habit. She looked terrible, Grover said of her daughter, a registered nurse and mother of two small children. We hugged, and I told her we would get through this. Attempts at rehabilitation in Ohio and Florida failed. Realini was found dead at her home in April 2017 from a fentanyl overdose, an autopsy showed. No other drugs were found in her system. An attorney for the counties, Frank Gallucci, said that is similar to the pattern seen throughout their communities: Heroin and synthetic fentanyl have largely replaced prescription painkillers, which have been harder to obtain as the industry has been forced to dial back on dispensing. Another major pharmacy chain, Rite-Aid, settled with Lake and Trumbull counties, which are located outside Cleveland. The Trumbull settlement was $1.5 million; the Lake County amount has not been disclosed. The trial starting Monday before U.S. District Judge Dan Polster is part of a broader constellation of federal opioid lawsuits about 3,000 in all that have been consolidated under the judge's supervision. Jim Misocky, an attorney and special projects coordinator in Trumbull County, along with Lake County Administrator Jason Boyd, said the ongoing opioid crisis has been a burden financially. They cited increased costs for their courts, jails, foster care, law enforcement and addiction treatment The financial burden is especially acute in Trumbull County, where there have been thousands of job losses in recent years in steelmaking, auto manufacturing and automotive supply companies. It's been a big hit on the budget, Misocky said. We don't have a lot of wealth in this community. Trumbull County has had to hire a part-time pathologist in the county coroner's office, Misocky said. When the county morgue fills up, bodies are sent to Cleveland or Lake County for autopsies. Lake County's Boyd said addiction treatment facilities there are well beyond capacity. That's an issue we hear about continuously, he said. Where are we going to treat these people?' Attorneys for the two counties say 80 million prescription painkillers were dispensed in Trumbull between 2012 and 2016, according to data made public earlier through the court. In Lake County, it was 61 million pills. In trial briefs, the pharmacy companies argue that they followed guidelines established by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the state of Ohio in how their stores dispensed painkillers. Attorneys for CVS, based in Rhode Island, said the allegations against the company are completely unfounded. The evidence presented at trial will show not only that CVS met the legal requirements for distributing prescription opioid medications in Lake and Trumbull Counties, but that it exceeded them, attorneys for the company wrote. Attorneys for Illinois-based Walgreens said the two counties were using confused and contradictory legal theories against other defendants before they landed on the idea to sue retail pharmacy chains. The trial will be the fourth in the U.S. this year to test claims brought by governments against different players in the drug industry over the toll of prescription painkillers. Verdicts or judgments have not yet been reached in the others. With trials ongoing and others queued up, many of the most prominent defendants have already reached settlements. Sometimes, they involve a small number of governments or just one defendant such as Rite Aid. The nation's three largest drug distribution companies, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson, along with drugmaker Johnson & Johnson, reached a $26 billion nationwide settlement earlier this year. A federal bankruptcy judge recently approved a settlement for Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, that is potentially worth $10 billion. The global consulting firm McKinsey & Company earlier this year agreed to pay nearly $600 million for its role in advising drug makers on how to boost sales of prescription opioid painkillers. And in Ohio, lawsuits filed by two larger counties, Cuyahoga and Summit, against drug distribution companies were settled for $260 million before the start of trial in November 2019. Grover believes the pharmacy giants bear a large responsibility for her daughter's addiction and is glad they're on trial. The pharmacy companies are the biggest drug dealers there are, Grover said. Theyre white collar drug dealers, and they need to be held accountable. ___ Associated Press writer Geoff Mulvihill contributed to this article from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. MIDDLEBORO, Mass. (AP) A motorcycle driver was killed Friday night after crashing into a telephone pole in Middleboro following a brief chase with an officer, according to police. A Lakeville police officer attempted to stop the motorcycle around 11:45 p.m. after seeing it going 68 miles per hour in a 40-mile-per-hour zone on Lakeville's Main Street, according to a statement from Lakeville and Middleboro police. KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) Police in Kansas City, Kansas, are asking for the publics helping in solving the fatal shooting of a woman as she was driving away from church. WDAF-TV reports that police still have no leads in the Sept. 18 death of 62-year-old Lillian Jackson. Police say she was the unintended victim of shots fired between people in two vehicles. MOSS BLUFF, La. (AP) The faith journey of Carmen Miller began at home. It took her to a small country in South America for five years. Now shes home again, helping care for parents who held nightly family Bible studies and prayer time for three children in the middle of their full-sized bed. The teen-aged Miller who thought she would grow up, get married and have at least eight children is the single 51-year-old chaplain at First Baptist Christian Academy in Moss Bluff where she talks to children about their heart, she said. I do everything from bandaging a finger to helping them check their heart, Miller said. The school has children as young as 2 there for Mothers Day Out up to eighth graders. I grew up in church my whole life, she said. My parents were Christians, not just church attenders. They served and loved and lived out their belief. Miller made a profession of faith (a public declaration) and was baptized when she was 7. On Nov. 29, 1983, she was at a church service at First Baptist Church of Moss Bluff when she sensed Gods presence. He said to me, Carmen you know all about me, you know Bible verses and songs, but you dont know me, she recalled. Her prayer was to make Jesus Christ the boss of her life. After getting her Bachelor of Science in radiology at McNeese, she continued to have the feeling that God wanted her to do something for Him. She moved to Memphis to attend seminary. During the day she took classes. She worked full-time at night as an X-ray and lab technician. After I graduated in 2000, I still didnt know what God wanted me to do, she said. Friends Charles and Brittany Shirey were missionaries in Suriname. Miller had been on mission trips since her youth. The mission of her church groups first visit there was to build a radio tower to broadcast Bible stories to the Aukan people in the interior jungle. Ironically, the village witch doctor helped harvest the wood with which the broadcast station would be built. She headed up a medical mission trip with doctors and nurse practitioners. Charles was home on furlough when Miller asked him for help with a project. While I was there, he asked me to pray about becoming the chaplain at the school in Suriname. When she saw him again, he asked her if shed been praying and her answer was, she didnt know what a chaplain did. She couldnt even know how to spell it. He asked her to pray about it again. Something was going on in my heart, some change, and I didnt know what it was, she said. She began to pray. In the midst of trying to memorize the Bible story about Jonah, the reluctant minister who landed in the belly of a whale, she got to the verse, Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time God was telling her he was giving her a second chance. She didnt think much of Gods timing, she said with a chuckle; she was memorizing Scripture. It was then she remembered when a word of the Lord came to her the first time. A minister had asked her to be involved in the childrens ministry at his church. She didnt pray about it. She just told him no. She called Charles. I think God wants me to come down there, she told him. Her parents werent keen on the idea. She wasnt totally convinced, but a conversation with a friend and mentor Vickie Barto and a verse in the Bible at the right time helped her decide. The verse was Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you, wherever you go. When she was given the contract to sign and she saw the yearly salary, in black and white, a little more than $7,000, she froze. She knew it would be that amount. But there it was right in front of her in writing. My flesh was like, I cant do this, she said. She finally signed, but she was full of doubt. On her way back from pre-field training, she passed under not one, but two overpasses with graffiti that read, Trust Jesus. When Miller returned to Moss Bluff in July of 2013, it wasnt long before her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her mother has had two surgeries and told her family, Whether God chooses to take me home or walks with me through this, I win either way. Her father, always active and hard working, was diagnosed as having Lewy Body Dementia and depends on Miller. She doesnt think now is the time to inquire about nursing homes. Shes worried that pandemic lock downs could keep her from visits. There are days I dont pass the test, she said. On those days, when the load seems heavy, she turns to Psalm 3. One of the verses is, I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. For anyone who has ever felt like God wanted them to do something and they still havent figured it out, whether they are 7 or 70, Miller suggests, Dont worry so much about what youre going to do that youre not about His business right now. Hes planted you where he wants you. Courtesy of SF Recreation and Park Department San Francisco firefighters extinguished a fire at the playground at Sue Bierman Park on Thursday night. The blaze destroyed a pirate ship-themed children's play structure as well as a slide and rubber safety surfacing, according to a press release from the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. This is heartbreaking and infuriating, said SFRPD general manager Phil Ginsburg in the press release. This playground was a dream that neighborhood families worked very hard to achieve. HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) Jacob Hannah says its only fitting that a nonprofit that is training former coal miners to transition to renewable energy jobs will have its building powered by the sun. Hannah, conservation coordinator at Coalfield Development, gathered with workers, city officials and others Wednesday at West Edge, the old Corbin factory, for a Flip the Switch celebration of the solar array installed on the saw-tooth roof of the building. We believed that if any place deserved a pivotal investment in the next wave of energy, it would be the region and people that have historically powered the world, and now today we are doing just that, Hannah said. A 294-solar panel project at Coalfield Developments West Edge factory in the Westmoreland area of Huntington is the largest for a nonprofit organization in West Virginia. The end results speak for themselves, Hannah said. The array will produce enough power to offset the usage of all the operations within West Edge and save Coalfield Development over $135,000. West Edge focuses on workforce redevelopment, social enterprise incubation and many other opportunities, according to Hannah. There are several enterprises at West Edge, and one of them, Solar Holler, did the solar panel installation. Our mission from the very start was to make solar affordable, accessible and achievable for everyone in West Virginia, said Dan Conant, founder and CEO of Solar Holler. Through our solar financing, were helping homes, businesses, churches, homeless shelters and other community nonprofits switch to solar and lower their energy costs in year one of the project. Conant said he was proud of the work done by the installation team. Dozens of Solar Holler and Coalfield Development employees attended the ceremony. Solar projects arent typically done on a saw-tooth roof because it takes specialized engineering and specialized mounting equipment, he said. They are very hard, but this team is amazing and got the job done. The project included job training components in support of the continued development of the solar workforce in central Appalachia. Alongside the West Edge installation, Coalfield Development incorporated a Level 100 certificated course for a class of 15 local trainees to learn the foundations of different renewable energy technologies. The growth of solar is creating new opportunities for our electricians and showing young folks here in the Huntington area that there are good jobs right here at home, said Greg Spears, the assistant business manager at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 317. Were hopeful Congress passes an infrastructure package thats good for solar and really jumpstarts the industry here in Appalachia. Wed love to see more projects, like West Edge, keeping electricians busy and delivering all kinds of benefits to our community. Hannah said the total cost of the project is $184,000. It will generate 122.2 kilowatts of power with 150,500 kilowatt hours in annual production. He said a grant from the Honnold Foundation helped fund the project. The remaining cost was financed through Solar Hollers nonprofit program. This is the first-of-its-kind financing program for nonprofits in West Virginia, Conant explained. Solar Holler builds, finances and maintains the array of solar panels for the next 25 years, and Coalfield Development is locked in with a fixed-month solar service payment through 2046. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said mapping technologies done by Solar Holler shows the potential for hundreds of similar rooftop projects with the city alone. There could be over 350,000 solar panels installed just in Huntington, Williams said. Im excited to see more and more local businesses take advantage of solar and the savings it can deliver. What this West Edge project shows is that we can help local businesses free up thousands even tens of thousands of dollars to invest in and strengthen their businesses. Williams also said he is recommending that Huntington City Council give $1 million for the black box theater within West Edge and other environmentally friendly economic development activities. The money would come from the citys $40 million in federal rescue plan funding. MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) About 1,450 people jailed illegally as minors in Tennessee can claim part of a $11 million class-action settlement, but fewer than 200 people have filed eligible claims, the Daily News Journal reported. The lawsuit revealed the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center regularly locked up children for misdemeanor charges, including truancy, school fights and disobeying parents, plaintiffs' attorney Kyle Mothershead said. The suit started by challenging the incarceration of children arrested at Hobgood Elementary School in Murfreesboro before expanding to include other youth jailed at the detention center on minor charges. Tennessee law strictly prohibits the pretrial incarceration of children unless they are charged with a violent felony, a weapons offense, or a probation violation, according to the complaint filed in July 2017. Under the terms of a June 2021 settlement, eligible plaintiffs will receive $4,800 per each illegal incarceration and $1,000 per arrest. The original plaintiffs will receive a larger settlement. They include Kazmere Watts, who will receive about $31,000 after he was incarcerated for seven days for a school fight. He punched another student but that student wasn't seriously injured. That was the first time I ever got into trouble, said Watts, who was a freshman at Oakland High School in 2014. I wasnt trying to hurt him. Youre a kid. You do foolish stuff. In June, Nashville Chief U.S. District Court Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr. issued a preliminary injunction ending Rutherford County's policy of incarcerating youths on misdemeanor charges. The county of more than 340,000 people sprawls to the southeast of Nashville and has Murfreesboro as its seat. Rutherford County should never have arrested (Watts), Crenshaw wrote. The juveniles that are arrested in Rutherford County are being deprived of their procedural due process rights, which is unquestionably irreparable harm. Elligible plaintiffs must file their claims by Oct. 29, or they won't receive a share of the settlement. Because of the statute of limitations, only those born on or after Oct. 14, 1997, qualify. Thousands of children were illegally incarcerated under this regime, said Mothershead. He added that county officials in 2004 ignored a consulting firms advice that the juvenile detention center was locking up too many children. More information about the settlement is available on the claims administrator website at www.rutherfordjuvenilesettlement.com. LM Otero/AP NEW YORK (AP) Former President Donald Trump has asked a federal judge in Florida to force Twitter to restore his account, which the company suspended in January following the deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol. Trumps attorneys on Friday filed a motion in U.S. District Court in Miami seeking a preliminary injunction against Twitter and its CEO, Jack Dorsey. They argue that Twitter is censoring Trump in violation of his First Amendment rights, according to the motion. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The University of New Hampshire and a tree care association have received grants from the U.S. Department of Labor to educate workers and employers on workplace safety and health. UNH was awarded nearly $178,000 to provide the training to small business employers and employment support staff. The target audience includes illiterate and low literacy workers, along with young, disabled or other hard-to-reach workers. LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) The family of an 18-year-old woman who was left brain dead after being shot by a Southern California school safety officer says she will be taken off life support in the coming days. The family of Mona Rodriguez on Friday urged California's attorney general to open an independent investigation into the shooting in Long Beach about a block from Millikan High School, saying the officer should be criminally charged for his actions. Rodriguez was involved in a fight Monday in a parking lot near the school, then got into the passenger seat of a car. As the car sped away, the officer began shooting, striking Rodriguez in the back of the head, police spokesperson Arantxa Chavarria said. The Los Angeles Times reports social media video appears to show the officer firing at least two shots at the sedan after it passed him. This officer had no business carrying a badge and gun, said Luis Carrillo, an attorney for Rodriguez's family. She was no imminent threat when this criminal officer went boom." Rafeul Chowdhury, the father of Rodriguez's 5-month-old son, said he was driving the car and that his 16-year-old brother was in the back seat when the shots were fired. He said no one in the car was armed. School safety officers are not permitted to fire at a moving vehicle or at fleeing suspects, according to a use-of-force policy from Long Beach Unified School District's school safety office. Firearms may be discharged only when reasonably necessary and justified under the circumstances, such as self-defense and the protection of others, the policy states. A spokesman for the Long Beach Unified School District said the district was "reviewing multiple aspects while cooperating with the police investigation. Current and former city leaders, firefighters, BART board members and community members on Saturday morning will pause to remember the 25 people killed in the 1991 Berkeley/Oakland Firestorm in the East Bay Hills, Oakland fire officials said Friday. Saturday's event at 10 a.m., at the Rockridge BART Station, at 5660 College Ave., is meant to mark the 30th anniversary of the fire that killed Oakland Fire Department Battalion Chief James Riley and 32-year-old Oakland police Officer John Grubensky. A small fire on a private Oakland Hills property ignited Oct. 19, 1991, and was put out that day by firefighters from Oakland and the East Bay Regional Park District. But, the next morning, embers ignited, and a blaze broke out that burned 2.5 square miles of mostly residential property. The inferno destroyed about 3,500 homes and apartments, injured 150 and forced about 10,000 people to evacuate. Speakers Saturday will share memories of the fire and reflect on the resilience of the community. The names of each person who died will be read aloud. Outside the Rockridge BART station in 1994, a mural was created with 2,000 hand-painted tiles, erected by members of the Firestorm Community Mural Project, and in 2016, the mural was rededicated. A plaque was also unveiled with the names of those who died. Fleet Week in San Francisco returns this year after last year's event was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic, kicking off on Sunday and lasting through the following Sunday. Bay Area residents can once again see the U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilots practicing in and around San Francisco skies next week, ahead of the waterfront air show happening next weekend, on Oct. 8, 9, and 10. The weeklong tradition welcomes dozens of U.S. Navy vessels and aircrafts to honor the city's military ties. This year's event marks the 40th Fleet Week. On Friday, San Francisco public safety leaders said they're expecting scaled back crowds this year -- but a turnout nonetheless. This year's air show will feature some of the usual tricks like skydivers, a helicopter, and a parachute team, among other things, but the Blue Angels are also set to debut their new aircraft, the F-8 Super Hornet, organizers said. Amid the festivities, public safety officials will be on guard in case of any large-scale emergency. San Francisco Public Health Director said that while COVID-19 numbers have been trending downward over the last two months, showing "encouraging signs," Fleet Week attendees must still wear masks. Department of Emergency Management officials are encouraging residents and attendees to sign up for Alert SF to receive public safety messages during Fleet Week. To sign up, text "fleetweeksf" to 88877. For more information to buy tickets, visit https://fleetweeksf.org. Three public agencies in Sonoma County are seeking comment from the public on plans released Friday that look at the status of underground water basins and identify actions needed to make sure they are sustainable in the coming decades. The Petaluma Valley, Sonoma Valley and Santa Rosa Plain groundwater sustainability agencies each released their final draft groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs), which under state law are required to look at ways to maintain the groundwater supply over a 20-year time period. The plans for the three agencies are available at www.SonomaCountyGroundwater.org and people are asked to comment through Oct. 31. There will also be virtual meetings to learn more about the plans, one on Oct. 7 for the Petaluma Valley agency, on Oct. 12 for the Sonoma Valley agency, and on Oct. 13 for the Santa Rosa Plain agency. All three will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Zoom, and participants must RSVP at the www.SonomaCountyGroundwater.org site. An apartment fire displaced 16 people including 10 children early Friday afternoon in unincorporated Castro Valley, Alameda County fire officials said. Crews were dispatched at 12:26 p.m. to Redwood Court after firefighters received reports of a residential fire. When the crews arrived, they upgraded the report to a working structure fire because flames were coming from the second floor of the four-unit building, according to fire officials. Crews prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby trees and knocked it down in 25 minutes. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Personnel with the American Red Cross responded to help the displaced residents, which made up four families. Health care workers are required to get vaccinated against influenza by November 15 if they risk potential expose to patients directly or indirectly, Sonoma County Health Office Dr. Sundari Mase announced Friday. The public is also recommended to get vaccinated to prepare for flu season this year, which runs from November to May. As health care workers continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Mase said two viruses spreading simultaneously could put a strain on Sonoma County hospitals. Health care workers and residents can receive flu vaccines in most clinics, pharmacies and health care facilities. A 30-year-old at-risk Fremont man is missing and police are asking for help locating him, police said Friday. Michael Yeary was last seen Tuesday night and may be driving a red 2008 Ford Explorer with Pennsylvania license plate No. KYJ9984. Yeary is described as 6 feet tall, 240 pounds with blonde hair and green eyes, according to police. Anyone with information on Yeary's whereabouts can call Fremont police at (510) 790-6800, send them an anonymous message by texting TIP FREMONT PD followed by the message to 888-777 or alert them on the web at https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/6216337. A magnitude 3.2 earthquake struck the East Bay early Friday evening, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake hit at 7:15 p.m. about two miles north of San Leandro. There have been no reports of injuries or damage. There are no further details at this time. A San Francisco children's playground near the Ferry Building will remain closed after a fire late Thursday night badly damaged it, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department officials said. Firefighters responded around 11:30 p.m. to Sue Biermann Park, located at Washington and Drumm streets. Although firefighters were able to successfully extinguish the blaze, it destroyed a slide, a pirate ship, and rubber safety surfacing, park officials said. A separate nearby children's play area at the park was not damaged. However, the entire play area remains closed and parts that were not damaged in the fire may reopen next week, according to park officials. Both the San Francisco Fire Department and the Police Department are investigating what caused the fire. Sue Biermann Park opened in 2011. After the neighborhood group Friends of the Waterfront Playground advocated for a new state-of-the-art playground, the playground was built in 2013, with its $870,000 price tag being funded mostly through private donations and corporate sponsorships. The National Weather Service forecast for Saturday for the San Francisco Bay Area calls for mostly sunny skies with highs ranging from the 60s and 70s along the coast to the 80s around the Bay and the 90s in the inland valley regions of the East Bay, the North Bay and Santa Clara County. Overnight lows Saturday will be in the 50s. Copyright 2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Amanda Bartlett/SFGATE When I recently moved into my 1927-era Inner Richmond apartment and noticed what appeared to be a slightly rusted old phone adorning the wall of the entryway, I was mystified. The box-shaped device was made of a steel hardware and outfitted with an earpiece connected to a cord, as well as a button and a small speaker. It no longer worked, and having never seen one before, I thought I might be one of the only people in San Francisco who still had one. Little did I know they were ubiquitous. They still are. Rep. Dan Crenshaw is facing a $5,000 fine for dodging the metal detectors inside the U.S. Capitol this week, joining the ranks of six other lawmakers who have also chosen to bypass the security screening. Crenshaw refused to walk through the checkpoint to enter the House floors, according to a House Committee on Ethics statement released Thursday. A police memo identified Crenshaw as one of two men to enter the House Representatives Republican Cloakroom in a 10-minute period on Thursday, September 23 without proper processing. The Houston-based Republican will have the aforementioned fine deducted from his pay if he doesnt appeal within 30 days. "The Committee notes that the mandatory publication of a fine notification does not itself reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee," the statement said. "Pursuant to Section 1(b)(1) of House Resolution 73, Representative Crenshaw may appeal the fine to the Committee. Upon a determination regarding any appeal or if no appeal is received within 30 days of the Members notification of the fine, the Committee will make a further public statement regarding this matter." Added security measures were installed at the seat of the legislative branch following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 during which five people were killed. House Resolution 73, adopted in February, authorizes the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives to impose a $5,000 fee for a first-time offense in failing to comply with official protocols and $10,000 for subsequent offenses. Since their installation, metal detectors at the Capitol Rotunda have been a point of contention among conservatives, with some in the senate and congress demanding they be allowed to carry firearms to the House floor. A number of Texas lawmakers, including Rep. Louie Gohmert, Randy Weber, Van Taylor and now Crenshaw, have been recorded and fined for walking around the machines, according to the Washington Post's Katie Shepherd. Gohmert subsequently joined Georgia congressman Andrew Clyde in filing a federal lawsuit against House Sergeant of Arms William Walker and House Chief Administrative Officer Catherin Szpindor over the fines, claiming the metal detectors are unconstitutional and "unfairly" target Republican representatives. Crenshaw has previously called the new machines a virtue signal for liberals, despite being among lawmakers who called out U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for bypassing the metal detector in February without paying a fine, according to Fox News' Jon Brown. When youre a liberal theres a propensity for action, even if that action is not effective, Crenshaw told Fox News. Theres a propensity for virtue-signaling even when that signaling is not effective. Flipping Out star Jeff Lewis has placed his remodeled Los Angeles mansion back on the market for $5.5 million. The interior designer, known for his volatile personality and show-stopping home remodels, starred in a reality TV show that followed his personal and professional antics. Now, for a fan of the designer's aesthetic, this L.A. abode is move-in readywith no renovation or reality TV drama required. The home first came on the market in August 2020 for $5.8 million. The price dropped to $5.5 million the following month, and then the listing was removed in November. It reemerged in August for $6 million, was removed shortly thereafter, and then relisted at the current lower price. The home flipper tapped Million Dollar Listing stars Josh and Matt Altman with Douglas Ellison to list the home. On his Sirius XM radio show, Lewis explained the recent price cut. Hes ready to move on to a new home and a new project. He hopes to have a new baby via surrogate. Lewis has a daughter with his former partner, Gage Edward, according to People magazine. "So I reduced my house half a million dollars so I can get out of here," the Bravo star said on the show. "I talked to Matt Altman about it. I'm not going to sit here and hang on to a little bit of money when I really need to get it moving. Lewis, who runs his own boutique design firm, picked up the property in 2016 for $3,125,000. As anyone knows from watching the Bravo series, which ended in 2018, Lewis is a taskmaster when it comes to every design detail. While that means working for him is challengingthe results are spectacular. City and ocean views (Realtor.com) Open plan (Realtor.com) Living room (Realtor.com) Dining room (Realtor.com) Family room (Realtor.com) Kitchen with marble counters (Realtor.com) Bedroom (Realtor.com) Balcony (Realtor.com) Deck with pool (Realtor.com) Perched above the Sunset Strip and boasting ocean and city views, the three-bedroom home offers 3,947 square feet of living space. It is set behind a gated courtyard and tall hedges. Guests enter the home through double steel and glass front doors. ___ Watch: Inside Christina Haack's Brand-New $10.3M O.C. Mansion ___ The main living area features an open floor plan, a high ceiling, and natural light. A great room with a custom wet bar extends through sliding glass doors to an outdoor deck for classic California living. The oversized chef's kitchen is equipped with stained white oak cabinetry, marble countertops, and top-of-the-line appliances. The master suite offers city views, a large dressing room, and a master bath with a free-standing tub. The deck out back leads to a pool and spa overlooking the city skyline. Other perks include a Sonos sound system, security system, and Lutron lighting. The home is located close to shops and restaurants on Sunset Boulevard. Previously, Lewis reportedly sold the Sherman Oaks home he shared with Edward. The modern compound, which Lewis redesigned from the ground up, had been listed for just under $5 million. Lewis, 51, now hosts the radio show "Jeff Lewis Live!" He's reportedly set to star in an unscripted celebrity design show to air on IMDb TV, according to Variety. The post 'Flipping Out' Star Jeff Lewis Looks To Sell Renovated L.A. Mansion for $5.5M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Few movies captured the changes in the Bay Area quite like The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Directed by Joe Talbot and starring Jimmie Fails, the 2019 film was a powerful look at the harsh realities of gentrification, but in the broader sense, it explores the myths we tell ourselves about the places that raised us. The film scored dozens of awards and nominations, including winning the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Collaboration at Sundance, as well as becoming an indie box office success story, earning $4.6 million on a budget of $2 million. Two years later, Talbot and Fails childhood best friends who wrote the film together seem just as conflicted with the city as Fails character when he finds out the true history of the Victorian he lovingly restored in the movie. I think its kind of sad that I dont feel the same way I used to about [San Francisco], says Fails. I wouldnt want to be from anywhere else, Ill say that. I still love the city with all my heart, but I dont see myself here for much longer. I think its lost some of the things I loved about it. One thing is the diversity, thats a huge part of what made San Francisco what it is. Growing up around all these different cultures and everyone being together, theres a desire to learn about these other cultures because your friends are from these different backgrounds, says Fails. David Moir After the pair spent much of the pandemic sheltering together at Talbots parents house (theyre not homeowners despite the films success), Talbot has now decamped to Los Angeles to work on his forthcoming projects, and Fails is considering following in his footsteps soon. Talbot says hes always happy to return to San Francisco after his travels, but the changes are noticeable. Its in some ways a little scary every time you come home. Itll only be a few months between times I come back to the city. But another building is gone, and a new ugly modern monstrosity is up in its place. Thats always kind of a gutting feeling, says Talbot. Even so, the pair still have plenty of pride in their city. Theres a feeling here that whenever you leave the house, on the best days in San Francisco, you just feel like theres a sense of excitement, says Talbot. You could be just getting something to eat, but you end up not coming home until 1 a.m. because someone picked you up in a car and drove you out to Oakland, and you got into some st out there and came back to the city and wound up at Dolores Park. Peter Prato He also notes two up-and-coming Bay Area hip-hop artists who give him faith in San Franciscos artistic future. Jordan Gomes, who acted in Last Black Man, performs as Stunnaman 02 and recently penned a 49ers anthem played at their games. And Talbot calls Qing Qi the kind of person who you just want to listen to tell you about how they see the world. Despite being disappointed in the San Francisco artist exodus to Oakland and Los Angeles, Fails says he is still excited about one of San Franciscos forthcoming catalyst for the arts: the new India Basin Project. I got to go ask questions about if they were involving the community in the new project, and why theyre deciding to clean it up now. Stuff like that. They answered a lot of my questions, and it seems like that will be something that helps bring the arts and the community back, and create jobs for people over them, amongst other things. David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Image Fans of the The Last Black Man in San Francisco will be excited to learn about an outdoor screening of the film at Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema in Precita Park on Oct. 2, as well as a new Blu-ray collectors edition. The deluxe release features a foreword from filmmaker Charles Burnett (To Sleep with Anger, Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation), drawings from the notebook carried by Mont in the film, an oral history, essays by Alicia Garza and Danny Glover as well as three deleted scenes and directors commentary from Talbot. The Blu-ray release comes after the film's distribution company A24 produced a physical map of the city comprising Talbot and Fails' favorite local haunts. As far as the pairs next projects, Fails recently starred in a short film called Slow Pulse, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, but as a duo, theyve been relatively quiet. Expect an announcement in the coming months as to the nature of their second movie, but in the meantime, Talbot did confirm that the film wont be about San Francisco. It will be quite different from Last Black Man in San Francisco, says Talbot. I guess all I can say is its going to be a very strange period piece. Its not set in San Francisco, its set halfway across the world. In this weeks developments, a new regional carrier will start flying later this month from Reno-Tahoe Airport to eight destinations in California, Oregon, and Washington State; pilot unions at American and Southwest suggest that holiday flight schedules could be affected if they dont get exemptions from vaccine mandates; Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduces a bill requiring domestic passenger vaccinations or negative COVID tests; Singapore Airlines will bring back SFO-Hong Kong flights next month; international route news from JetBlue, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Delta, Icelandair, Air New Zealand and Qantas; Thailand will end quarantine requirement for vaccinated foreigners in November; American Airlines has a new code-sharing partner in India and United adds one in South Africa; European start-up Norse Atlantic wants to fly to Ontario, Calif.; Avelo adds Burbank-Tucson service; and the TSA reduces the cost of renewing PreCheck membership. ExpressJet, a carrier that operated regional flights for United Airlines under the United Express banner until its contract expired last year, is putting on a new identity as aha!, based at Reno-Tahoe Airport. The new carriers strategy is to fly 50-seat Embraer ERJ145 jets to regional destinations that currently have no non-stop service into Reno. (Whats with the name? The company says aha! Is the air-hotel-adventure leisure brand of ExpressJet Airlines.) Its initial schedule, due to begin Oct. 24, includes three flights a week from Reno/Tahoe in each of eight markets: Fresno, Eureka/Arcata, Ontario, and Bakersfield, Calif.; Redmond/Bend, Eugene/Springfield and Medford/Ashland, Ore.; and Paco/Tri-Cities, Wash. In the coming months, aha! plans to reach more than 20 destinations from Reno-Tahoe in the western United States, the company said. In addition to offering flights in underserved markets, aha! will soon partner with resorts, casinos and attractions to bundle value-priced vacation packages, the company said. The carriers website is at www.flyaha.com. Pilots at American Airlines and Southwest Airlines the nations two largest carriers -- are digging in their heels against mandatory COVID vaccinations and are warning that any attempts to enforce compliance with such an order could result in a shortage of flight deck personnel as the airline industry heads into what is expected to be a booming holiday travel season. While United, Frontier and Hawaiian have all made vaccinations mandatory for their workforces, and Delta is charging unvaxxed workers an extra $200 a month for health insurance, American and Southwest have not imposed a mandate. But the pilot unions at those two airlines are concerned that the Biden administrations mandatory vaccination plan for any company with more than 100 employees could be a real problem for their members, and they want an exemption from it, arguing that potential side effects from the shots could be career-ending for some pilots due to the strict medical testing requirements they face from the Federal Aviation Administration. Capt. Eric Ferguson, president of Americans Allied Pilots Association, told his members that the union is not opposed to a vaccine mandate for other airline employees, but when it comes to pilots, you need to have the option not to get vaccinated. And the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association argues that each pilot should be able to decide whether or not to get the vaccine. United Airlines had set a deadline of this week for all its employees to get the shots and was planning to terminate several hundred who had not done so, but that deadline has been pushed back to Oct. 15 after several employees filed a class action lawsuit against the airline. About 98% of Uniteds workforce has already received shots, and CEO Scott Kirby said on CNBC this week that if United is allowed to move ahead with firing non-compliant employees, it would not have any impact on the airlines operations. Pool/Getty Images The latest proponent of a COVID vaccine mandate for all domestic airline passengers is Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D.-Calif.), who introduced legislation to that effect this week. Feinsteins U.S. Air Travel Public Safety Act would require all passengers to be fully vaccinated, or to show a recent negative test result or proof of recovery from COVID-19. The Biden administration recently announced that it plans to reopen the U.S. to foreign travelers in November, but only those who have proof of vaccination. We know that air travel during the 2020 holiday season contributed to last winters devastating COVID-19 surge. We simply cannot allow that to happen again, Feinstein said. Similar legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives last month by Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) On Nov. 2, Singapore Airlines will bring back San Francisco-Hong Kong-Singapore service, operating three flights a week (departing SFO on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays). Its a Fifth Freedom route, which means travelers can take just the SFO-Hong Kong portion or continue on to Singapore. On the same date, Singapore said, it will revive daily New York JFK-Frankfurt-Singapore service another Fifth Freedom route. Both routes will use 777-300ERs with first class, business class, premium economy, and regular economy seating. Singapore Airlines is a member of Uniteds Star Alliance. In other international route developments, JetBlue this week started its second London route, supplementing its New York JFK-Heathrow service with flights from JFK to Londons Gatwick Airport. JetBlue is using the same A321LR transatlantic configuration that it offers on the Heathrow route; it will operate four flights a week to LGW through October, then increase to daily service. Turkish Airlines has resumed service to Istanbul from Dallas/Ft. Worth its 11th U.S. gateway with four flights a week. The Dutch carrier KLM said that in view of the easing of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Netherlands in both directions this fall, it now plans to bring back previously suspended service to Amsterdam from Miami and Las Vegas, offering three flights a week in both markets effective Dec. 6. Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images Delta plans to resume a pair of pandemic-suspended U.K. routes for next summer, operating daily Salt Lake City-London Heathrow flights beginning March 26 and Boston-Edinburgh service five to seven days a week during July and August. Icelandair is continuing to replace the aging 757-200s on its U.S. routes with new Boeing 737 MAX 8s. The latest destination to get the MAX 8 is Portland, where Icelandair will start flying it to Reykjavik twice a week as of Oct. 9. Air New Zealands winter schedule update includes three weekly flights between Auckland and Los Angeles Jan. 1-March 26, but a continued suspension of service to other U.S. gateways including San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago. Qantas announced this week that it plans to resume a couple of international long-haul routes in November instead of in December as previously planned, including three weekly flights between Los Angeles-Sydney and London-Sydney. But dont get too excited that news doesnt apply to you unless youre an Australian citizen or permanent resident or their family members. And even those passengers will have to provide a negative COVID test result and vaccination certificate and will have to quarantine for even days after arrival. At this stage, all other international routes that were scheduled to resume from 18 December 2021 will continue as planned, Qantas said, subject to government and regulatory approval. The latest transpacific destination to announce reopening plans is Thailand, which said it will end its mandatory quarantine Nov. 1 for fully vaccinated foreign visitors to Bangkok and nine regions of the country, including popular destinations like Chiang Mai and Pattaya. During October, the mandatory quarantine period for vaccinated visitors has been reduced from 14 to seven days. After announcing or strengthening partnerships with two South American carriers in recent weeks, American Airlines is now adding a new partner in India. The deal with IndiGo, Indias largest airline, should bring more traffic to the two India routes that American will soon start New York JFK to Delhi on Oct. 29 and Seattle-Bengaluru (Bangalore) on Jan. 4. The agreement will put the AA code onto 29 IndiGo domestic routes from those two gateway airports. Americans AAdvantage loyalty members will be able to earn miles on code-share routes operated by IndiGo, and passengers in the Flagship business cabin on AAs new India routes will be able to use IndiGos lounges at the Delhi and Bengaluru airports. The partnership is expected to start in October, subject to U.S. and Indian government approvals. Chris Reynolds/MCT United Airlines is also adding an overseas code-sharing partner as part of its growing African presence. The new partner, subject to government approval, is Johannesburg-based Airlink, which flies from that city to 40 destinations in the Southern Africa region. MileagePlus members will be able to earn and burn miles on Airlink. United currently flies to Johannesburg from its Newark hub five days a week and plans to initiate Newark-Cape Town service on Dec. 1. Elsewhere in Africa, United flies from Washington Dulles to Accra, Ghana three times a week and has announced plans to launch Dulles-Lagos, Nigeria service on Nov. 29. United also has a partnership with South African Airways, a Star Alliance member carrier, but SAA is just starting to resume operations this fall on a limited route network within Africa. Norse Atlantic, the new low-cost European carrier that hopes to pick up some of the transatlantic market abandoned by Norwegian Air last year, has its eye on flights from Oslo to Ontario, Calif. Thats one of the three U.S. airports targeted by the company in its application with the U.S. Transportation Dept. for a foreign air carrier permit. The other two are New York Stewart International Airport, 60 miles up the Hudson River from Manhattan; and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Norse hopes to serve those two from Oslo as well. Both Stewart and Ft. Lauderdale were previously served by Norwegian. Norse plans to start flying next summer, initially using three 787s in a two-class configuration, and eventually to add transatlantic service to other points in Europe. In domestic California route news, the low-cost start-up Avelo Airlines has announced plans to start operating seasonal service Dec. 16 between its Hollywood Burbank base and Tucson, Arizona, with twice-weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays. When it began operations last spring, Avelo had a Burbank-Phoenix route but dropped it after a few months. Elsewhere, United is slated to end its Denver-Rochester, Minn. service Oct. 30, and Delta will eliminate Salt Lake City-Durango, Colo., flights Nov. 1. Frontier Airlines said it will add service to Tampa in November and December from Rochester, N.Y.; New York LaGuardia; Green Bay, Wis.; Bloomington, Ill.; and Columbus, Ohio, with two to four weekly flights in each market. Is it time to renew your five-year membership in the Transportation Security Administrations PreCheck program? TSA this week said it has reduced its online renewal fee for PreCheck from $85 to $70, effective immediately. First-time enrollment still costs $85. The eight-year-old PreCheck program provides expedited airport screening lanes for members, who do not have to take off their shoes, belts, or light jackets, or remove laptops and liquids from their carry-ons. TSA said that in the past month, 96% of passengers in TSA PreCheck lanes waited less than five minutes to go through airport security checkpoints. The number of foreign tourist visits to Indonesia is still small due to the slow economic development, especially in areas that depend much on tourism as the main economic driver, the agency's Head Margo Yuwono said in a statement on Friday. Jakarta, Oct 2 (IANS) As many as 1,061,530 foreign tourists visited Indonesia between January to August this year amid the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the country's Central Agency of Statistics. Yuwono pointed out that the foreign tourists entering the country during that period consisted of 79,080 people by air, 301,340 by sea and 681,110 by land, reports Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, the number of foreign tourists arriving in Indonesia in August 2021 reached 127,310, a decrease of 21.19 per cent compared to 161,550 in the same month of 2020, he said. There was also a 6 per cent decline compared to the number of similar visits in July 2021. Last month, Indonesia reopened a few of its borders to foreigners after the Ministry of Law and Human Rights issued a ministerial regulation that reopens applications for tourist and limited stay visas for fully-vaccinated travellers. Previously, only foreigners with diplomatic and service visas are allowed to enter the country. Travellers who want to enter the archipelago, both Indonesians and foreigners, must be fully-vaccinated besides showing vaccine certificates and negative PCR test results taken no longer than 72 hours prior to the departure time, according to the Transportation Ministry. Upon arrivals, the travellers have to take another PCR tests and must undertake eight days of quarantine if declared negative. One more negative result of the PCR test will be required on the eighth day. Both Indonesians and foreigners are required to fill out the Electronic Health Alert Card (E-HAC) inside the PeduliLindungi contact tracing application. A foreigner must also show a proof of being covered by health insurance, which is expected to cover the individual's health expenses, including for Covid-19, while staying in Indonesia. --IANS ksk/ 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! Faces were blank. There was little to show that this was the place where I might find the ways and means of enhancing my sons sex life. I scurried into the workshop to find a place, not right at the back where I wanted to hide, but in a middle row where there was a seat available right on the aisle. This would be good enough for a discreet exit I thought should I want to flee. A reassuring sight was the presenters a thin, pale man in jeans and a windcheater, and a plump woman in leggings and a striped A-shaped top, up front, persevering with the customary electronic glitches of a PowerPoint presentation. Loading Eventually they projected a title slide that boldly shouted EMPOWERING DISABILITY RIGHTS WITH TOOLS FOR SEXUAL FULFILMENT. Inspired, I wanted to call out, Give me clues about the ethics and mechanics of procuring an appropriate prostitute for my son! Many workshop attendees (me included) were yawning and fidgeting. A photograph popped up of a clear-eyed, smiling woman with a pixie haircut. This was Elizabeth Hastings, public servant and disability self-advocate. In 1993 she became Australias first Disability Discrimination Commissioner when the Keating Labor government passed the Disability Discrimination Act. Our presenter announced, This was the first federal legislation to protect the civil rights of people with disabilities, laying open the way for them to demand their sexual rights. A new speaker motored his wheelchair to the front of the room. He introduced himself as Dr George Taleporos. He was not a medical doctor, he said, but he had just been awarded a PhD based on research into body image and sexuality and how they are affected by physical disability. Could this be relevant, I wondered, to Julians experience as a person with more of an intellectual than a physical disability? Had Julians self-esteem been damaged by his arrested sexual exploration with Toula? I had further pause for thought when Dr Teleporos launched into an account of sexual facilitation. This is where a support person sets things up for a person with a disability to engage in sexual activity. As far as I knew, Julian was sufficiently physically competent to be able to reach orgasm without assistance. The sort of sexual facilitation he required was of a social nature. The vexed question for me was how could I, as Julians mother, set him up for sexual activity? An answer of sorts came in a tool kit of sex aids distributed by the next presenter. She was a representative of Sexyland, a shop she described as a play centre for adults. She described how sex toys could be adapted to suit people of all abilities and sexual preferences. She spoke about such things as pneumatic aids and switches that would assist people with disabilities to pleasure themselves. Meanwhile, various dildos and other flesh-coloured rubbery devices moved quickly from hand to hand along the rows. I passed them on, avoiding eye contact with the man who took them from me. As the workshop covered the ways and means of technical facilitation of sexual biofeedback loops, I fell into a foggy mood of vague unhappiness. Sexual spontaneity was beginning to seem impossible for a person with a disability. The most intimate relationship a person might have would be with their attendant carer or support worker. But, of course, there were strict rules around how that person could facilitate but not participate in sex acts with their client. There was always the risk of the sexual abuse of vulnerable people. Rather than a persons sex needs being kept as private as most of us might prefer, it was a factor of safety to have a number of people around a person with a disability who knew of his or her options and choices for sexual satisfaction. Loading The next presenter was a sex worker who told us that she specialised in working with people with disability. It hit me that this was the service that might be right for Julian. A slim blonde with a husky voice, she was otherwise unremarkable, dressed neatly in a pale pink shirt tucked into loose brown trousers. Her name was Rachel. She had a degree in psychology and a diploma of massage. Her specialty was house calls to people with disabilities, appointments sometimes made by their parents. Immediately my mind presented obstacles. One would have to wonder about the cost of sexual service provision. How many sessions would it take for the closeness to take effect? And, once effected, how frequently would the encounters be repeated? From Julians reported enthusiasm for Toula, it occurred to me that he might not need so much of the preliminary session. On the other hand, what if he came to like Rachel too much? What if he wanted to see her every day? When he discovered a new computer game or a video, he tended to obsess over it. We learnt that it was fine to let him indulge in the new thing to his full; in a few weeks his interest would wane to the extent that he/we could get his life back into balance. Could we afford for him to follow this pattern with a sex worker? I like the fact that my job is always about pleasure. I take it slow, the first time with a special client. We might talk a little, hug a little; we might spend all of the first time just getting used to closeness. I foresaw another problem. Once sexually ignited by a worker employed for that purpose, he might start to see any female support worker as sexually accessible. I was sure he could be brought to understand the difference, but it would be painstaking, involving lots of reassurance and reinforcement. I wasnt ready to face the stress and social risks of putting my son in a position where he had to learn how to differentiate sex from other types of human services. Loading I like the fact that my job is always about pleasure, Rachel said. I take it slow, the first time with a special client. We might talk a little, hug a little; we might spend all of the first time just getting used to closeness. People with disabilities yearn to be touched. Many of them receive handling by care-staff assisting them with personal hygiene. But that is not the same as sensual touch. I come into their bedroom with the signal that I am there for the special private purpose of making love. I drew a breath. I hadnt expected the love word. It had my mind whirling. I thought making love was essentially a euphemism for sexual intercourse, something that need not involve love. Yet Rachel the sex worker deliberately favoured use of the phrase making love for her approach to meeting the sexual needs of the vulnerable. She said she brought a tender touch and love as kindness and sensitivity to her transactions for their sexual relief. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions (ACCC) Scamwatch website has revealed an 89 per cent jump in the number of people falling victim to scammers so far this year. About 213,000 Australians have lost an average of $11,000 each. Last year, the average across the same period was just $7000. More than half the scams reported this year have come by phone. Credit: The $175.6 million in losses so far in 2021 have already surpassed those reported for the whole of 2020. Sadly, people aged 65 and older have lost the most money. They account for $49.1 million of the losses. The head of the Minerals Council of Australia says the development of a nuclear submarine fleet provides the nation a great opportunity to build a domestic nuclear power capacity. The council, which counts uranium miners among its members, has long supported the pro-nuclear case in a decades-old debate over the potential of a domestic nuclear energy industry for Australia, which the submarine announcement may reignite. Australias only nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights in southern Sydney. Credit:ANSTO Not only will we develop the skills and infrastructure to support this naval technology, but it connects us to the growing global nuclear power industry and its supply chains, said Minerals Council chief executive Tania Constable in a statement. While Australia has one third of the worlds uranium supplies, it has limited its nuclear capacity to a single world-class medical research reactor at Lucas Heights in Sydney. As the contest to decide the next premier of NSW intensifies, the Liberal Partys biggest and most influential faction was anything but united on Saturday evening. A day after Premier Gladys Berejiklian sensationally resigned, at least three ministers from the partys moderate faction were considering a tilt at replacing her. The contenders: Dominic Perrottet, Andrew Constance, Stuart Ayres and Andrew Constance Credit:Composite Every NSW Liberal premier this century has belonged to - or been notionally aligned with - the most socially progressive faction of the party. However, a deal between their leader, Environment Minister Matt Kean, and the hard right-aligned Treasurer Dominic Perrottet could soon see that change. Senior Labor Party members doubt the local bona fides of Tu Le, who currently lives in Fowler, grew up next door, and nominated for preselection, but not of Senator Kristina Keneally of Scotland Island, who even as NSW premier never so much as sniffed in this direction before appointing herself as the candidate (Also a parachuter: Claims that candidate who missed out to Keneally was also a blow-in)? This laughable attempt to smear Le defies all logic and will only turn off more voters. Angelique Vongsaya, Canley Vale Keneallys supporters for the seat of Fowler have questioned the credentials of Tu Le to be the local candidate. But lets examine the scenario. Tu Le has been a Labor member of various adjoining branches since her university days. She moved into the electorate of Fowler last year because of her engagement. It was well before Chris Hayes announced his intention to not contest the seat. On the other hand, Keneally has not even moved into the area. It is dependent on her winning the seat. In the event of Labor losing the seat because of the kerfuffle, she will stay put on Scotland Island, 43km away. The crux of the matter is Le not only lived in the area but also joined the Fowler branch before Hayes announcement to quit. Her move into the electorate was not opportunistic. You can make up your mind about Keneallys intention to move into Fowler. Thiam Ang, Beecroft Detonating over Dutton Stephen Brook backs Peter Dutton to be the post-Morrison Liberal leader and next prime minister (Not likeable, but a likely leader?, September 26). Surely he cant be serious. Duttons record in Parliament includes a cruel attitude to refugees most notably the Murugappan family from Biloela that threatens to outdo the present Prime Minister. Dutton offended hundreds of immigrants in Melbourne, and to add insult to injury, he made enemies of millions of French citizens when, along with PM Morrison, he junked the $90 billion submarine contract with a few hours notice. Diplomacy seems an alien concept to Dutton. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin (ACT) The prospect of having an ex-policeman replace an ex-marketing man as PM is highly predictable. After so many years of a run of ineffective, intentionally confusing and often divisive leaders whose main concern is self-survival, the prospect of stability through the lens of law and order is, initially, attractive. However, our highest political office requires a statesman who empathises with the aspirations of all Australians not just the politically powerful few. Duttons resume of demonising, dog-whistling and denouncing the many voiceless minorities is hardly a CV worthy of representing our complex, nuanced multicultural country on the world stage. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why One juvenile offender in Queensland to date has been fitted with a GPS ankle monitor, Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard says. Since May, Queensland courts have had the power to issue tracking devices to repeat offending teenagers who were deemed suitable under the new police program. The controversial trial was part of a $98.4 million funding package to crack down on youth crime by the state government, and was aimed at targeting hardcore recidivist offenders. The trial began in May in north Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Townsville and the Moreton and Logan regions. Magistrates were given authority to order 16- to 17-year-olds who were serious repeat offenders to wear GPS devices if they were given bail. Inspiration can be a fickle thing for artists, unreliable as a politicians promises. The solution is to get on with it. Because the muse rewards the working class of artist a notion that likely would receive a nod from Australias wartime Prime Minister John Curtin, a Labor legend whose historic Perth home I recently stayed at as a writer in residence. Former Prime Minister John Curtin. Credit:Staff photographer I arrived at the humble bungalow intending to finish a draft of a new book, set in Fremantle during the second world war, seeking inspiration from the history of the area. Bangkok: In proceedings supporters say are meant to discredit her, a former ally of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has testified at her corruption trial that he had handed to her large amounts of cash and gold. A Special Court in the capital Naypyitaw is hearing four corruption cases against Suu Kyi, each carrying a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment, the longest possible prison term of the several offences with which she has been charged. Aung San Suu Kyi has appeared in a closed court in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Credit:AP All the proceedings against the 76-year-old are closed to the public and press. She has been detained by the military at an undisclosed location in Naypyitaw since the February 1 military coup that deposed her government. Like other top members of her party and government, Phyo Min Thein, who testified on Friday, was arrested by the military when it took power. The allegations of pay-offs were first raised in March by the military junta and have been denied by her lawyers. Manila: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday he was retiring from politics, a surprise move that fuelled speculation he was clearing the way for his daughter to run to succeed him. Today, I announce my retirement from politics, Duterte said, accompanying loyalist Senator Christopher Bong Go from their ruling PDP-Laban party as he registered to run for vice president. Duterte had been expected to run for vice president. He is not eligible to run again for the top job as the constitution sets a single-six-year term limit for the president. Dutertes decision to retire may pave the way for his daughter to run for office. Credit:Getty Images Political observers had long suspected Duterte could spring a surprise, such as a presidential run by his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, next year. Taipei: China has infuriated Taiwan by marking the founding of the Peoples Republic of China with the largest ever incursion by the Chinese air force into the islands air defence zone. Taiwanese fighters scrambled against 38 Chinese aircraft in two waves on Friday, the Taiwan Defence Ministry said. It said Taiwan sent combat aircraft to warn away the Chinese aircraft, while missile systems were deployed to monitor them. China has been wantonly engaged in military aggression, damaging regional peace, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters on Saturday morning. A Taiwan Air Force F-16 fighter jet flies alongside a Chinese H-6K bomber during an earlier incursion. Credit:File The first wave of incursions comprised 18 J-16 and four Su-30 fighter jets plus two nuclear-capable H-6 bombers and an anti-submarine aircraft, while the second had 10 J-16s, 2 H-6s and an early warning aircraft, the ministry said. No member of the Romanov family ever thought we would come back here, he said in an interview on the eve of the nuptials. Raised in both Spain and France, Romanov was educated at Oxford and worked for several European Union institutions as well as Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel group before starting his own consultancy. According to his official biography, he is related to every royal family in Europe. He and Bettarini, now Romanovna, began dating while they lived in Brussels, but the pair moved to Moscow two years ago to run the philanthropic foundation they established together in 2013. Bettarini, who also founded a consulting company, said in an interview that she wrote two novels during the COVID-19 pandemic, including one called Aristocrazy. Russian Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov and his Italian now wife Victoria Romanovna Bettarini before the lavish two-day wedding celebrations. Credit:Russian Imperial House Romanov first travelled to Russia as an 11-year-old, for the funeral of his grandfather, Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich Romanov, in 1992. Born in Finland by happenstance, Vladimir and his family had escaped the fate suffered by Nicholas II and Alexandra, and their children and relatives: execution in 1918 at the hands of the Bolsheviks who had taken over Russia. The wedding on Friday represents, at least in part, the evolving memory of the Russian empire and the family that ruled it for 300 years. Under communism, the Romanovs were often portrayed as backward and responsible for familial and societal collapse. But since the 1990s, the familys legacy has been embraced by the powerful Russian Orthodox Church, which canonised Nicholas II, Alexandra and their five children in 2000. The veneration of the royal family is the embodiment of this monarchist attitude that exists in the church, said Andrei Zolotov, a Russian journalist who has covered the Orthodox Church for three decades. Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed in 1918. Credit:Alamy/File In 2008, 90 years after they were executed, the Romanovs were legally rehabilitated, or recognised as victims of unfounded repression rather than as enemies of state. The modern Romanovs union was blessed by the Russian Orthodox Churchs top official in St Petersburg, Metropolitan Varsonofy, and Romanovs mother, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna. While the leadership of the church recognises Vladimirovnas claim to the throne, there are other Romanovs who dispute it. The bride converted to Russian Orthodoxy and took the name Victoria Romanovna. She is not of noble blood and her mother-in-law decided to limit her access to royal titles. During the ceremony, in keeping with Russian Orthodox tradition, friends and relatives of the bride and groom took turns holding crowns above their heads. Relatives took turns in holding imperial crowns above the couple, Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov and Rebecca Romanova Bettarini. Credit:Getty Images Despite the grandeur, the three-day wedding extravaganza featured controversial elements. Among the men in Romanovs coterie was Konstantin Malofeev, a conservative businessman who has been an ardent advocate for a return to monarchy since falling in love with The Lord of the Rings as a teen. As a law student, he wrote his dissertation on legal avenues to restore Russian royalty. But Malofeev has been under US and EU sanctions since 2014 for allegedly funding pro-Russian separatists fighting in Ukraine. In an interview, he said he was delighted at what the couples wedding represents to conservatives. This wedding is a restoration of tradition, he said, adding the nuptials and the re-emergence of the Romanovs, should not be viewed through the prism of politics. Loading This is not about current political events. This is the heritage of Europe. The families present here built Europe as we know it. Malofeev is believed to be well-connected to the Kremlin, as is Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as Vladimir Putins chef, who owns the catering business that provided food for some of the wedding events. Prigozhin was indicted by US prosecutors for alleged connections to a troll factory that investigators say spearheaded Russian fake news efforts to meddle in the 2016 US election. This year he was added to the FBIs wanted list. Despite connections to Kremlin-linked officials, and a tacit government consent for a limited monarchial presence, Moscows response to the wedding was tepid. Putin doesnt plan to congratulate the newlyweds, said President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, whose daughter attended the celebration. This wedding has nothing to do with our agenda. Loading Support for a return to the monarchy in Russia is mixed. According to the independent Levada Centre, only 3 per cent of respondents to a 2016 survey said they would support a return to the pre-1917 monarchic system. A survey the following year by the state-owned VTsIOM found that 68 per cent of Russians are categorically against autocracy as a form of government, though the same number of people aged 18-34 were tolerant of the idea of monarchy. Across the street from the cathedral, Olga, 57, was giddily taking photos of the wedding guests as they emerged. I wish I had known in advance about the wedding, I would have come earlier to see the event, she lamented, declining to provide her last name. She said she would favour the type of constitutional monarchy the United Kingdom has, in which the royal family plays a ceremonial role above politics. The worlds attention will be focused on Scotland for next months climate summit, the Queen told Scottish parliamentarians on Saturday, adding that they would have an important role making a better, healthier world. The Queen opened the Scottish Parliament on Saturday with fond remarks, four months after an election that returned a pro-independence majority pledging to hold a new referendum on whether to leave the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth II delivers her speech in Scotland. Credit: Next month, Britain will host the COP26 climate summit in Scotland, which British officials bill as the last chance for world leaders to commit to firm targets to reduce emissions for the next decade and avert catastrophic global warming. The eyes of the world will be on the United Kingdom - and Scotland in particular - as leaders come together to address the challenges of climate change, Elizabeth said in a speech. New York: Former US president Donald Trump has asked a federal judge to force Twitter to temporarily reinstate his account while he sues to permanently return to the social media network. Trumps request for a preliminary injunction against Twitter was filed late on Friday (Saturday AEST) in Miami, Florida. The Republican, who lost his bid for a second term in office, claims Twitter cancelled his account in January under pressure from his political rivals in Congress. Twitter declined to comment on the filing. Donald Trump was ejected from Twitter after the US Capitol riot. Credit:Bloomberg Trump had more than 88 million followers on Twitter. The company kicked him off its platform on January 8, two days after a mob of his supporters carried out a deadly attack on the Capitol to prevent President Joe Bidens victory from being confirmed by Congress. Trump used Twitter and other social media platforms to falsely and repeatedly claim that the election had been rigged. Astronauts observe a hurricane and aurora from space, satellites watch lava flow from an erupting volcano and astrophotographers get awarded for spectacular celestial shots. These are some of the top photos this week from Space.com. Hurricane Sam (Image credit: NASA) NASA astronaut Megan McArthur shared this image of Hurricane Sam as seen from the International Space Station on Wednesday (Sept. 29). The massive storm is churning in the Atlantic Ocean and fortunately doesn't appear to pose a big threat to folks on land. "Another hurricane? I do not like them, Sam I Am," McArthur wrote in a tweet posted on Wednesday, referencing the classic Dr. Seuss children's book, "Green Eggs and Ham." Full story: Astronaut snaps stunning photos of massive Hurricane Sam from space "The Golden Ring" (Image credit: Astronomy Photographer of the Year 13) Photographer Shuchang Dong of China won the 2021 Astronomy Photographer of the Year award from the Royal Observatory Greenwich in England thanks to this gorgeous view of a solar eclipse. The image, dubbed "The Golden Ring," was taken from the Ali region of Tibet on June 21, 2020. Dong's "The Golden Ring" also took first place in the competition's "Our Sun" category. Full story: Solar eclipse looks otherworldly in 'Golden Ring' astrophotography shot La Palma and its active volcano (Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey) This satellite view shows La Palma, which is one of the Canary Islands, and the lava flowing from its Cumbre Vieja volcano as seen on Sept. 26, 2021. In this view, the lava is pouring down the coastal mountain range as it approaches the Atlantic Ocean. The photo was taken by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on NASA's Landsat 8 satellite. "After Cumbre Vieja split open and began erupting on Sept. 19, 2021, a slow-moving wall of basaltic lava began bulldozing its way through populated parts of one of the Canary Islands," according to a statement from NASA's Earth Observatory. "Lava flows have destroyed nearly 400 homes, covered dozens of kilometers of roads, and consumed farmland on the island of La Palma as they creep down the western flank of the volcanic island toward the ocean." Full story: Bright lava flows, smoke pour from La Palma volcano eruption in new Landsat photos Aurora seen from space (Image credit: Thomas Pesquet/ESA/NASA) An astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this photo of an aurora snaking above Earth. European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet snapped this image on Aug. 20 and shared it via Instagram and Twitter. "Another aurora but this one is special as it is so bright," Pesquet wrote in an image caption. "It is the full Moon lighting up the shadow side of Earth almost like daylight." It's not clear whether the lights were the northern lights, known as the aurora borealis, or their southern counterpart, the aurora australis, according to Business Insider. Full story: Superbright aurora lights up Earth's night side in incredible image from space California Dreamin' (Image credit: Terry Hancock) U.S. photographer Terry Hancock captured this shot of the California Nebula from Whitewater, Colorado, spending seven nights photographing this nebula 1,000 light-years from Earth with narrowband and broadband filters. It took home the top prize in the "Stars and Nebulae" 2021 category from the Royal Observatory Greenwich's Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition. -- Stephanie Pappas Full gallery: Photos: Astrophotographers capture stunning views of the night sky for 2021 contest Typhoon Mindulle looks pretty from space but is actually wreaking havoc in Japan (Image credit: Jaxa/Akihiko Hoshide) The creamy swirl of Typhoon Mindulle can be seen in this image taken by Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide from the International Space Station. Mindulle, also called Typhoon No. 16, brought strong winds and heavy rain to the Pacific coast of eastern Japan on Friday (Oct.1), causing disruption to airlines and train services, according to local media. "Typhoon No. 16 approaches Japan. Everyone, please be careful," Hoshide tweeted early in the morning on Friday. With sustained winds of nearly 75 mph (120 km/h) and gusts of up to 95 mph (150 km/h), Mindulle will move further to the north over the weekend and will continue affecting weather in the northeast of Japan in the upcoming days. -- Tereza Pultarova Asteroid explorer Lucy prepared for launch (Image credit: NASA) NASA's asteroid explorer Lucy is being encapsulated into a rocket fairing ahead of its launch on Oct. 16. Lucy is the first spacecraft ever to explore the so-called Trojan asteroids, space rocks orbiting the sun in the orbit of Jupiter. The spacecraft, named after a fossilized australopithecus skeleton and a Beatles song, will embark on its 12-year journey from Cape Canaveral atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. During its landmark mission, Lucy will study up close eight different asteroids. Before it reaches its destination, it will take a close-up look at a space rock named Donaldjohanson, after the anthropologist that discovered the famous Lucy skeleton. Lucy will zoom past Donaldjohanason, located in the main asteroid belt between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter, in 2025. -- Tereza Pultarova First images of International Space Station with Nauka module released by Roscosmos (Image credit: Roscosmos) The first images of the International Space Station with the Nauka module attached, taken during a relocation of the Russian Soyuz capsule on Tuesday (Sept. 28), have been released by the Russian Space Agency Roscosmos. Cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, who piloted the Soyuz capsule during the relocation, shared the images on Twitter on Wednesday (Sept. 29). "Yesterday, we re-docked the Soyuz MS-18 manned spacecraft from the Rassvet module to the new Nauka module," Novitsky said. "All according to plan! We managed to take unique images of the ISS in the new configuration." -- Tereza Pultarova Weather satellite captures launch of NASA's new Earth-watching spacecraft (Image credit: NOAA) The Goes 17 weather-forecasting satellite captured the moment when an Atlas V rocket with NASA's new Earth observation spacecraft Landsat 9 aboard lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Monday (Sept. 27). Perched 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometers) above Earth's surface with a stable view of the American continent, Goes 17, operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, detected the streak created by the rocket as it sped through Earth's atmosphere in its water vapor channel. -- Tereza Pultarova Space tourists planting trees before trip to space station (Image credit: Roscosmos/Anton Shkaplerov) Russian actress Yulia Peresild and movie director Klim Shippenko plant trees at Russia's Cosmodrome Baikonur in Kazakhstan as part of a preflight ritual in an image shared by Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov on Twitter today (Sept.27). Peresild and Schippenko will spend three weeks at the International Space Station filming a movie called The Challenge. They are scheduled to launch on Oct. 5 together with Shkaplerov on board Russia's Soyuz MS-19. They are expected to return to Earth on Oct. 17 with the current ISS commander Oleg Novitskiy. -- Tereza Pultarova Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com. Earth is reflecting less light into space, Mars' seasonal changes make it harder for NASA's Ingenuity helicopter to fly in its skies and space station crew members have made room for a film crew that will soon reach the orbiting laboratory to shoot a movie. These are some of the top stories this week from Space.com. Landsat 9 starts its climate-change monitoring mission. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches the Landsat 9 satellite to orbit from Space Launch Complex 3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, on Sept. 27, 2021. (Image credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA) NASA's latest Earth observing satellite launched this week to continue on a longstanding mission of monitoring climate change and managing land resources. On Wednesday (Sept. 27), the Landsat 9 satellite launched into orbit atop a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Landsat 9 will replace the aging Landsat 7 satellite, which has been in orbit since 1999. Full story: NASA launches powerful Landsat 9 satellite to monitor climate change, forest cover and more Dragon cargo ship returns to Earth. A shot of the SpaceX CRS-23 Dragon cargo capsule departing the International Space Station on Sept. 30, 2021. (Image credit: NASA TV) On Thursday night (Sept. 30), a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft returned to Earth off the coast of Florida with 4,600 pounds (2,900 kilograms) of science experiments and other gear. The cargo capsule undocked from the International Space Station earlier that day while the International Space Station was traveling over the Pacific Ocean. One of the many things it returned from space is a sensitive microgravity experiment. Full story: SpaceX Dragon cargo ship returns to Earth with gravity-sensitive experiments Related: Skywatchers see SpaceX's Dragon cargo craft streak across the night sky as it returned to Earth Mars' seasonal changes make it harder for Ingenuity to fly. NASA's Perseverance rover acquired this image of the Ingenuity Mars helicopter on the floor of Jezero Crater. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) On Tuesday (Sept. 28), NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced that its Ingenuity Mars helicopter will get adjustments to help it fly in the future. This is because the Red Planet's atmosphere has been thinning as a result of seasonal changes. When Ingenuity attempted its 14th flight on Sept. 18, it couldn't get off the ground. Full story: Mars helicopter Ingenuity aborted latest flight attempt because of anomaly Cosmonauts and one astronaut make room for a space film crew. The Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft during a relocation maneuver on Sept. 28, 2021. (Image credit: NASA) Three astronauts on the International Space Station moved a crew capsule to another section of the orbiting laboratory to make room for a film crew that will arrive soon to shoot part of a movie on the station. "Today's relocation is complete, the stage now set for next Tuesday's arrival of the Soyuz MS-19," NASA spokesperson Rob Navias said. "A lot of activity coming up at the International Space Station over the course of the next few days." Soyuz Cmdr. Oleg Novitsky, a cosmonaut with Russia's space agency Roscosmos, piloted the crew capsule during the short 40-minute ride. Full story: 3 astronauts move Soyuz to new space station dock ahead of film crew arrival NASA is not budging on James Webb Space Telescope's name. The James Webb Space Telescope is the biggest orbital telescope ever built and is scheduled to be launched into space on Dec. 18, 2021. (Image credit: NASA/Desiree Stover, CC BY) People have been criticizing the name of NASA's next-generation telescope, arguing that the incredible work of the new spacecraft shouldn't be associated with the person it is named after. James Webb was NASA's second administrator who led the agency from 1961 to 1968. Critics have pointed out that he was complicit in discrimination against gay and lesbian NASA employees during his tenure. According to media reports, NASA will not be renaming its James Webb Space Telescope. Full story: Despite complaints, NASA won't rename James Webb Space Telescope: report Outer winds have sped up in Jupiter's Great Red Spot. This 23-second looped animation of Jupiter's Great Red Spot, created with data from the Hubble Space Telescope, represents approximately 10 Earth hours (or one Jovian day) of activity. (Image credit: NASA/ESA/Michael H. Wong (UC Berkeley)) The winds that form the outer rim of Jupiter's Great Red Spot have increased in speed by 8% between 2009 and 2020. Researchers uncovered this dramatic change thanks to the decade-long observations taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. Jupiter's Great Red Spot is currently larger than planet Earth. Full story: Jupiter's winds of change show increased storm speeds in Great Red Spot Scientists peer at the strange atmosphere of a 'hot-Saturn.' Artists impression of exoplanet WASP-127b . (Image credit: NASA) Astronomers studied the atmosphere of an exoplanet using data from the Hubble Space Telescope and the ESPRESSO Spectrograph at the European Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile. They found that the clouds of exoplanet WASP-127b are peculiar, with strange signs of sodium and water vapor signals. This world outside our solar system was discovered in 2016 and has a mass similar to Saturn. Full story: Astronomers reveal strange clouds on 'fluffy' alien planet WASP-127b Blue Origin names 2 of the passengers for its next suborbital flight. Chris Boshuizen (left) and Glen de Vries (right) are two of the four space tourists scheduled to fly on Blue Origin's second crewed flight on Oct. 12. 2021 (Image credit: Blue Origin) Blue Origin recently announced two of the four crewmembers of its next suborbital flight. The company will launch Chris Boshuizen, co-founder of Earth observation company Planet Labs, and Glen de Vries, vice chair for life sciences and healthcare at French software company Dassault Systemes. The company's New Shepard rocket is scheduled to launch on Oct. 12, and the people who will take the remaining two seats on this flight will be announced soon. Full story: Blue Origin sets date for next crewed space trip, names 2 passengers Earth is reflecting less light, which could worsen climate change. An image taken from the International Space Station in 2011 shows Earthshine on the moon. (Image credit: NASA) Scientists at Big Bear Solar Observatory in Southern California have found that Earth is reflecting less light as its climate continues to change. Since light that is not reflected out to space is trapped in the Earth system, the change in brightness could potentially increase the pace of human-caused climate change. Their findings were based on two decades of combined data from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Full story: Climate change is making Earth dimmer See also: Vanishing ice is warping Earth's crust Reports emerge of North Korean "hypersonic" missile. A Hubble Space Telescope image of AG Carinae, an unstable star that is on the brink of exploding. (Image credit: KCNA via NK News) On Tuesday (Sept. 28), North Korea's state-run media outlet KCNA announced that the nation conducted a test launch of Hwasong-8. This new "hypersonic missile" was topped with a hypersonic gliding vehicle warhead. Outside experts aren't so sure, however, of the speed of this missile. Full story: North Korea tests new hypersonic weapon: reports Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. STAMFORD Scores of people line up each day outside the Connecticut Passport Agencys office at 850 Canal St., in the citys South End. But since the beginning of September, only a handful of them have gotten their pictures taken at the Passport Pro shop next door. Passport Pro owner Kurt Olson blames the plunge in foot traffic at his store on a photo-taking pilot program that resumed Sept. 1 at the passport center, after the COVID-19 pandemic had forced its suspension in March 2020 several weeks into its roll-out. If the situation does not change soon, Olson fears that Passport Pro could go out of business by the end of this year. Compounding Olsons distress is his frustration about a dearth of communication from the Connecticut Passport Agencys parent organization, the U.S. Department of State, and bewilderment about why the passport center is adding photography to its workload amid a massive nationwide backlog in applications. They just cut off the flow of business to me by taking the photos themselves, Olson said. Its like a tap being turned off. In response to an inquiry from Hearst Connecticut Media, the State Department declined to directly answer questions about Olson. But it confirmed through a spokesperson that it is running a Secure Live Photo pilot across the U.S., at 26 passport facilities with public counters including the Stamford site, which is the only passport agency in Connecticut. Photos are not contracted or conducted by third-party vendors, according to the spokesperson. During the pilot, we only take photos for customers who appear at our agencies with no photos or unacceptable photos, the spokesperson said in an email. The photo pilot is designed to mitigate fraud, improve applicants customer service experience and modernize our operations. We will continue to run Secure Live Photo as a pilot program as we gather and analyze data to determine the programs impact and identify next steps. Fighting to stay in business Having operated Passport Pro for the past 10 years, including eight years at his current location, Wilton resident Olson, 62, has navigated an arduous past 18 months. Passport Pro was essentially closed between March 2020 and March 2021 because of the pandemic, he said. After resuming with extremely limited business, it fully re-opened in June. The business has survived with the help of two loans from the Small Business Administration that Olson said total in the six-figure range. In addition, he has received unemployment benefits. Foot traffic at Passport Pro this past summer was averaging about 50 percent of pre-pandemic levels, a decline that Olson largely attributed to the Connecticut Passport Agency re-opening with an appointment-only policy for applicants. But he believed he could survive because he expected turnout to soon improve. Ive survived through hard work, said Olson, who has a bachelor of fine arts in photography from California College of the Arts. I love this business. Im very good at it, and Im very proud of it. Olson said that demand dissipated when the pilot returned next door on Sept. 1. With the Passport Agency again taking photos for free for those with rejected pictures or without a headshot, those applicants no longer needed to go to Passport Pro, which charges $16.95 for a photo. Before the launch of the pilot in February 2020, about 90 percent of Olsons customers had been applicants who visited him after the Passport Agency rejected the photos they brought. In total, he was seeing a daily average of about 40 to 50 customers in his approximately 100-square-foot shop. He said he can take and process a photo in a minute. The State Department spokesperson said Secure Live Photo has not increased wait times for customers in Connecticut, and the number of applicants served is approximately five to seven per day. Wen Kai, a teacher from Manhattan, is one of those who got his picture taken inside the Passport Agency. He said officials there rejected the photo he brought because the background was too light. He needed the passport so he could fly to London to meet his son, who is a student at the University of Cambridge. I thought they might tell me to go to the guy next door, he told Hearst, while waiting outside the passport center on Sept. 24 to pick up his passport. I imagine he (Olson) is pretty miffed because hes set up shop here. A lack of communication from the State Department has further incensed Olson. He said he ran into an employee of the Passport Agency at the end of August who responded to his questioning by telling him that the pilot would soon restart. But Olson said no State Department official has ever reached out to him about the photo-taking next door. They act like I dont exist, Olson said. Its insulting. The State Department spokesperson said programs such as Secure Live Photo are centrally managed by Passport Services in Washington, D.C., and local management is not obligated to contact photo vendors regarding changes to our operations. Surge in applications The State Department has resumed the pilot as its passport agencies contend with a massive workload amid a resurgence in Americans travel abroad. By early summer, the department was grappling with a reported backlog of nearly 2 million passport applications. Processing times are running 16 to 18 weeks for routine applications and 10 to 12 weeks for expedited requests, according to some passport centers websites. Why are you taking on additional services when you cant even do your core service, which is passport issuance to all the applicants who need one? Olson said. Passport agencies accept two types of appointments. The first group comprises those who need a passport to travel within 72 hours for a qualifying life-or-death emergency. Those with non-emergency urgent travel requests must make an appointment within three business days of their international trip. Even with those conditions, the Connecticut Passport Agency still faces a glut of applications. On a number of occasions during the past week, scores of people have waited on lines snaking down the block to submit documentation and pick up their passports. A large number of the applicants who come to Stamford are New York City residents. Out-of-state applicants interviewed by Hearst said they went to Stamford because it was the nearest location where they could make an appointment in time for their trips. Holly Shallow, of Brooklyn, N.Y., had been trying since June to get a passport to visit family in Jamaica. Shallows first appointment at the Passport Agency on Sept. 23 fell through because the center temporarily closed that day, a development Shallow did not learn about until arriving in Stamford that morning. That setback forced Shallow to postpone flying to Jamaica by one day and return to Stamford on Sept. 24. My flight was for this morning, at 8 a.m. Yesterday, because they closed, I had to go through the madness of trying to figure out how to change my flight, Shallow, a technician for a security-and-construction company, said on Sept. 24, while waiting on the passport pickup line. Today, I got up at 3 a.m. Yesterday, I got up at 3 a.m. ... Its a very frustrating situation. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, reiterated his call for the State Department to speed up its processing of applications. While I understand the financial and personnel strain the pandemic has placed on the State Department, they need to do better, Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. As the world opens back up, too many people in Connecticut are missing long-awaited reunions with loved ones overseas because of the passport backlog. Thats why Ive called on the State Department to devote additional personnel and resources to increase their capacity and return processing times to pre-pandemic levels. That wont just help people reconnect with family, friends and business abroad, it could create jobs here at home in the federal government. Thats a good thing. Seeking a resolution To help remedy the situation, Olson reached out last year to the offices of Murphy and Connecticuts other U.S. senator, Richard Blumenthal. A subsequent inquiry from Blumenthals office about the programs goals and impact on Olsons business prompted a response last November from a State Department official who informed him about the launch of Secure Live Photo. I urge the State Department to limit their use of this pilot program, so it does not impact Mr. Olsons business and other similar small businesses around the country, Blumenthal said in a statement. Murphy declined to comment on Olsons situation because his office does not comment on casework for individual constituents. In the meantime, Olson is still seeing a small number of customers who come in before their appointments and have not had photos rejected. He also takes photos for other countries passports. But he said Passport Pro might not last until 2022 if business does not soon pick up. With obligations such as paying off a mortgage and the education of his son, who is a senior at Dickinson College, Olson said that Passport Pros demise would deal a serious blow to my financial well-being. Why does this pilot program have to be in Stamford? Olson said. Cant they just move it somewhere else where it doesnt have this impact? pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott Starting in October, Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras (GCTYO) students will be able to audition to form string quartets and receive weekly private instruction from a Stamford Symphony musician. The chamber program for beginner and intermediate level students is part of a new partnership between the Stamford Symphony and the GCTYO. At GCTYO, we are determined to give our students the best music experience possible, said Christopher Hisey, Music Director at GCTYO in a press release. I believe this new partnership and program will open the door for our students and give them new perspectives as they learn from the coaches from Stamford Symphony. We cannot wait to get started this October. Problems that arose at a Connecticut weight-loss camp before it closed in July included missing campers and falsified documents, newly released investigative records indicate. After weeks of investigations, a witness list 34 people deep, and pages upon pages of interviews and inspection notes, a fuller picture of the goings-on at Camp Shane informed by state documents obtained by Hearst Connecticut through a Freedom of Information Act request is taking shape. The state document release included an investigation narrative, interview summaries, a case summary, a license surrender affidavit, and the Notice of Proposed Licensure Action and Statement of Charges sent to camp owner David Ettenberg. The weight-loss camp located at the South Kent School abruptly shuttered on July 13, and surrendered its 11-day-old license on Aug. 23, at which point the Office of Early Childhood and Department of Children and Families terminated their joint investigation. The investigation was announced in July after the camp closed its doors, but the OEC officially launched its investigation on July 8. Since Ettenberg legally surrendered the license prior to the completion of the state investigation, violations that would be substantiated were not formally presented to the owner, the investigation summary explained. In the affidavit surrendering his license, Ettenberg denies all charges set forth, but agreed that if he tried to reinstate or obtain a new license from the agency in the future, it would mean that the allegations would be deemed true. Ettenberg has not responded to multiple requests for comment since mid-July when he said he shut camp down due to staffing issues. The allegations in the records also include: A camper sleeping on a common area couch. Campers walking around unsupervised at night and in lightning storms, and who were encouraged to work out until they vomited. Counselors leaving campers unsupervised to hang out and party in the lounge. A counselor who yelled at and threatened to fight a camper. Falsified medication administration training documents presented to the state. Inappropriate comments of a sexual nature by a male camper toward a female camper. Multiple reports of campers being bullied. And the day before camp officially shut down, an 8-year-old girl suffered a serious head injury at camp. Her parents were leaving to pick her up when they got the phone call. The OEC investigation summary states that multiple families, many from out of state, reported trying to contact the camp about concerns with their child and not receiving any response via email, text or phone for extended periods of time. Medical oversight concerns The most continuously reported investigation concerns, which were repeated throughout interviews with parents, campers, and a counselor, were lack of proper medical oversight and mishandling of medication. In the final summary, the camp licensing specialist summed up her medical concerns: Serious medical needs of the campers were not met when the operator failed to provide anyone trained to provide the necessary medications, failed to prepare the staff for emergency situations, and failed to seek medical assistance from trained professionals in a timely manner. Lack of supervision and untrained/uninformed staff led to campers being injured and not properly cared for. Earlier in the report, the investigation revealed that multiple campers had reported experiencing injuries, including sprains, knee injuries, smashed toes, and serious sunburn. Campers were not allowed to seek medical attention for up to a week in some instances. Other campers were told if they left camp to seek medical assistance, they could not return due to COVID-19 restrictions, the documents read. Despite multiple requests from the state, the operator of the camp never located a medically trained individual to administer medications, according to the documents. Additionally, the camp presented the state with falsified medication administration training documents, allegedly signed by a doctor who ran a training in 2019. The physician whose name was presented on the training certificate said that the signature on the certificate is not his, the report states. The doctor, whose name is redacted, provided the OEC with samples of his signature. The certificate submitted by Camp Shane indicates a full training for oral, topical, inhaled and injectable medications as well as auto-inject medication. The signature is found to NOT be the signature of the physician, the documents said. Former camp director and girls head counselor Jennifer DAmbrosio, who goes by Bella, quit her job on June 29 because she was concerned about camp administration and the safety and well-being of campers, she said in an interview with Hearst Connecticut Media. DAmbrosio was also interviewed at least two times by the OEC. Her name has been redacted in the report, labeled as first director, but her identification was independently confirmed by Hearst Connecticut Media. DAmbrosio said she was hired two days before arriving at the camp, claiming the camp was in disorder when she arrived and that there was no paperwork ready for opening. The summary of the conversation between the investigator and DAmbrosio included concerns about not having appropriate staff, no guidance counselor, no paperwork about medical problems, no paperwork to the nutritionist regarding allergies and food restrictions, no certified medical staff on site, and no trained person for the behavior therapy program. The fact that there was no medical person on campus, no information for counselors about the serious medical conditions of some of the campers and that there was a lot of medication concerns contributed to [redacted] deciding to leave the camp, the summary states. The OEC interview summary included a physician whose name was redacted from documents, along with parts of the summary of his interview. The doctor told the OEC, according to the documents, that he had been asked to serve as camp doctor 10 days before the start of camp but declined due to the fact that he had a family vacation scheduled. He assumed the camp had found another physician. This was not the case. The doctor agreed to help out until a replacement was found. After an initial visit to the camp on June 30, the doctor reported having immediate concerns about the way medications were being administered. The doctor also said that he recommended that the camp close on more than one occasion to due to lack of safety. Camper discomfort The new state investigation documents also show repeated instances of camper discomfort, at times the result of alleged comments of a sexual nature made by male campers towards female campers, and at others a result of bullying and a counselors alleged prior arrest that a camper found online. One violation description reads: operator took pictures of campers during Zumba class without their consent causing them to feel uncomfortable and ill at ease. When Ettenberg was asked about this, he explained that he took pictures of a lot of the activities on the camp for the purpose of posting on an advertising website, the interview summary reads. In interviews with an OEC employee, a male counselor whose name has been redacted said that a female camper informed him that a male camper had made her feel uncomfortable when he made sexual remarks about her. Another male counselor who was hired to do Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) despite not being trained in the technique prior to camp reported that he had a conversation with a female camper who told him that an older boy (who left the camp prior to [REDACTED] arriving at camp) tried to force her to have sex. Further details were not revealed to the CBT counselor, but he told investigators that he felt he should report what he was told. The counselor estimated that the female camper was around 15 or 16 years old. Problems until the end Issues persisted through the camps official shut-down on July 13. Parents were alerted of the camp's closure via email at 7:51 a.m. on July 11. The email, obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media, said the children had to leave by the following Tuesday. In interviews, parents said they tried to figure out how to get their kids home safely with little notice booking expensive flights, calling relatives nearby or driving to the camp themselves. On the day the camp closed, according to the investigation documents, one parent drove onto campus and picked up not only her own child, but another child as well without being asked for any identification. The records also indicate that another parent picked up her child earlier on June 30 and did not have to sign the child out or show any identification. Camper Stellan Petto, 14, said in an interview that his general experience at camp, which included getting the wrong dosage of his essential hormone medication, definitely left me with some trauma. Now at home with his mother in North Carolina, Stellan has entered his freshman year of high school. With some distance from his camp experience, he said hes feeling better. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) A federal judge is deciding whether to block the nations most restrictive abortion law, which has banned most abortions in Texas since early September and sent women racing hundreds of miles to get care outside the state. The Biden administration on Friday urged U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman to suspend the law, saying Texas has waged an attack on a womans constitutional right to abortion. But even if the law is put on hold, abortion services in the second-most populous state may not instantly resume because doctors still fear that they could be sued without a more permanent legal decision. That worry underscores the durability of Senate Bill 8, which has already withstood a wave of challenges. Pitman, based in Austin and who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, presided over a nearly three-hour hearing Friday but did not say when he will rule. The law bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected, which is usually around six weeks, before some women know they are pregnant. To enforce the law, Texas deputized private citizens to file lawsuits against violators, and has entitled them to at least $10,000 in damages if successful. A state may not ban abortions at six weeks. Texas knew this, but it wanted a six-week ban anyway, so the state resorted to an unprecedented scheme of vigilante justice that was designed to scare abortion providers and others who might help women exercise their constitutional rights, Justice Department attorney Brian Netter told the court. So far, abortion providers trying to block the Texas law have been rejected at every turn. That makes the lawsuit filed by the Justice Department their best chance yet to deliver the first legal blow to the GOP-engineered restrictions, which were signed into law by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May and took effect Sept. 1. Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Woman's Health, said some of the 17 physicians at her four clinics are ready to resume normal abortion services if the law is put on hold. Preparations began this week when some doctors gave patients found to have cardiac activity information to comply with another restriction requiring a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion so that they would be ready to be called back. Its not the hundreds of people weve had to turn away, Hagstrom Miller said in an interview. But there is a significant group of people who have said, Please, let me do whatever I can. Keep me on a list, and call me if you get an injunction. But the majority of her physicians, Hagstrom Miller said, remain wary and fear lawsuits absent a permanent court ruling. Clinic staff are also worried. Of course, we understand that, she said. Abortion providers say their fears have become reality in the short time the law has been in effect. Planned Parenthood says the number of patients from Texas at its Texas clinics decreased nearly 80% in the two weeks after the law took effect. Some providers have described Texas clinics that are now in danger of closing while neighboring states struggle to keep up with a surge of patients who must drive hundreds of miles. Other women, they say, are being forced to carry pregnancies to term. This is not some kind of vigilante scheme, said Will Thompson, defending the law for the Texas Attorney General's Office. This is a scheme that uses the normal, lawful process of justice in Texas. If the Justice Department prevails, Texas officials would likely seek a swift reversal from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which previously allowed the restrictions to take effect. The Texas law is just one that has set up the biggest test of abortion rights in the U.S. in decades, and it is part of a broader push by Republicans nationwide to impose new restrictions on abortion. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court begins a new term, which in December will include arguments in Mississippis bid to overturn 1973's landmark Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing a womans right to an abortion. Last month, the court did not rule on the constitutionality of the Texas law in allowing it to remain in place. But abortion providers took that 5-4 vote as an ominous sign about where the court might be heading on abortion after its conservative majority was fortified with three appointees of former President Donald Trump. Ahead of the new Supreme Court term, Planned Parenthood on Friday released a report saying that if Roe v. Wade were overturned, 26 states are primed to ban abortion. This year alone, nearly 600 abortion restrictions have been introduced in statehouses nationwide, with more than 90 becoming law, according to Planned Parenthood. Other states, mostly in the South, have passed similar laws that ban abortion within the early weeks of pregnancy, all of which judges have blocked. But Texas' version has so far outmaneuvered courts because it leaves enforcement to private citizens, not prosecutors, which critics say amounts to a bounty. Texas officials argued in court filings this week that even if the law were put on hold temporarily, providers could still face the threat of litigation over violations that might occur in the time between a permanent ruling. At least one Texas abortion provider has admitted to violating the law and been sued but not by abortion opponents. Former attorneys in Illinois and Arkansas say they instead sued a San Antonio doctor in hopes of getting a judge who would invalidate the law. FAIRFIELD Fairfield lifted the current indoor mask mandate effective immediately First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick announced Friday. Kupchick said the decision to lift the mandate came as a result of many positive trends over the last few weeks and after consulting with the health director and emergency management director. The town instead will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, which recommends masks be worn indoors and when in close contact with others. The town also said if residents feel more comfortable wearing a mask while indoors, they should continue to do so. Over the last several weeks, we have seen a consistent downward trend across case rates and hospitalizations, which has also been seen statewide and across the country, Kupchick said. Both national and state public health professionals have advised the peak of the delta variant wave is likely behind us and our health director also advised me that, while conditions can always change and future increases could occur, it currently appears that this wave peaked in the town of Fairfield about two weeks ago. Kupchick said she put the mask mandate into effect on Aug. 23 to ask residents and neighboring towns to join her as an added layer of protection against the very contagious delta variant. Westport and Easton joined. As of Friday, neither Westport or Easton had announced they were lifting the mandate and officials could not be reached for comment. The decision to implement the mandate was based on Fairfield entering the states red category at the time, the highest category for positivity rates, and the high transmission category from the CDC. Hospitalizations statewide and in Fairfield County were also climbing as the variant begin peaking. We put this temporary measure into effect while all indicators were trending in a negative direction, Kupchick said. I made it clear that we would continue to monitor all data and lift the mandate when multiple indicators consistently trended in a positive direction. Since the announcement of the mask mandate, Fairfields number begin to stagger and then ultimately fall. This week, Fairfield County was downgraded by the CDC from high transmission into the substantial category and the town has been downgraded by the state from red to orange. Fairfields case rate is 11.99 per 100,000 residents as of Friday and the states positivity rate is at just 1.26 percent, according to state data. Kupchick said Fairfields vaccination rate was an added factor for her decision to lift the mandate. The percentage of the population that is vaccinated climbed since the announcement of the mandate. Fairfield currently has 67 percent of its population fully vaccinated and 71 percent have received at least the first dose. The age group with the lowest vaccination rate is those ages 18 to 24, which currently sits at 63 percent. Kupchick said Fairfield expects these numbers to be higher due to data that shows most of the university students in town are vaccinated. These vaccination rates are counted in the students home states, however, Fairfield University sits at 92 percent vaccinated and Sacred Heart University reports being over 90 percent vaccinated as well. Vaccination is the most important defense against severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19, Kupchick said. While vaccine breakthrough cases have occurred in Connecticut, the majority of those cases, are reporting symptoms to be mild and have not resulted in severe illness or hospitalizations. Kupchick said out of the nearly 2.3 million people that have completed their vaccine series, less than 0.6 percent of Connecticuts fully vaccinated residents have contracted the virus. The most severe cases tend to be in unvaccinated individuals, Kupchick said. Kupchicks lift of the town mandate has no effect on the school mask mandate, which comes from a governor executive order. She said town leaders do not have the authority to change that policy. Businesses however, have the authority to continue requiring masks for their employees and customers. I hope our residents will be respectful of the decisions of businesses that choose to require masks or not, and to also be respectful to residents in town who choose to wear a mask, or not, Kupchick said. I have done my best to guide our town through the pandemic and make thoughtful, informed decisions for our community, she added. We have all been through a lot together over the last 18 months and emotions continue to run high. Im asking our community once again to please be respectful to each other regarding differences of opinion because in the end, we are neighbors. 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 (879) 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 (791) Oct 2021 (215) Freshly elected leader of USR PLUS Dacian Ciolos said on Saturday, at the beginning of the party's Congress, that the merger has made the party stronger, and stressed the importance of cooperation between its two member categories. In this regard, Ciolos said that there are members in USR PLUS who are "one click away", but also others, for whom "the click is still at a distance". "We are stronger through this merger, but we need to know that we are, at the same time, even more alone. However, we must break through and learn to work with each other even if we are apparently different. We largely have two member profiles in the party. Those at a click away and those for whom the click is still at a distance, although the former are said not to exist, to be virtual, not real - although they have always been there, have morally, politically and financially supported this project, even if they haven't taken to the streets to campaign, always and all of them. The others, for various reasons, are not yet familiar or accustomed to living online. They are just as real and part of the world and our motivation. They bring us closer to the everyday realities of our society, and their perspective and expectations are a good compass for the things we need to do. So it is time to bring these two member profiles together in our party, to stop denying or dividing them, because - extrapolating to the external reality of the party - this is our duty to all Romanians, to unite them and bring them together," affirmed Ciolos. The USR PLUS leader voiced his conviction that "outside" USR PLUS, "there is no party that believes so much in modernizing the country," with as much power and conviction, Agerpres.ro informs. "This congress has the potential to change the history of this country. Today we can say without a doubt that Romania has a reformist, pro-European party, deeply marked by democratic liberalism. The fact that today a necessary merger process is being brought to an end shows us that all those who believe in reform and democracy have finally found a place where they can work and fight for a better Romania," Ciolos also specified. President Klaus Iohannis declared on Saturday, after receiving the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen for the Unity of Europe, that the completion of Romania's integration in the Schengen Area should be an objective for the Union European, and not just for our country. "In order for the Schengen Area to become fully functional and efficient, it is necessary for all Member States that meet the conditions to be part of it. Romania is one of the states that has been acting as a de facto member of the Schengen for over 10 years. The completion of this integration process is not only an objective for Romania, but it should be an objective for the European Union," Iohannis underlined. He opined that in order to achieve the goal of consolidating the Single Market, a fully functional and efficient free movement area is needed. The head of state considers that the European Single Market is the link between the EU member states, that it defines the essence of the European project and brings concrete benefits to the citizens of Europe. "It is our duty to ensure that all our efforts guarantee the maintenance of this common good - the Single Market and its four fundamental freedoms, whose importance has been highlighted by the health crisis," said Klaus Iohannis, Agerpres.ro informs. According to him, the challenges posed by the pandemic have revealed a number of weaknesses both in the health sector and at the social and economic level. "These is clear proof of the need to strengthen the European Union's strategic resilience, both internally and in the immediate vicinity," Iohannis said. According to a statement from the Presidential Administration, the Board of Directors of the Society for the Conferring of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen decided to award President Klaus Iohannis the prize for 2020 in recognition of his merits as he "has led Romania to espouse a pro-European policy committed to the rule of law", "for the efforts made to strengthen the European Union and promote cooperation between its Member States", as well as for being "a great proponent of fairness, of protection of minorities and of cultural diversity, as well as being a leading mediator and bridge-builder between Western and Eastern European societies". The relationship with the United States is the dimension in which Europe must continue to invest the most in terms of partnerships, President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday upon receiving the the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen for the Unity of Europe. "Among partnerships, the EU-US relationship certainly remains the piece of resistance and the dimension in which Europe must continue to invest the most. Europe needs the continuation of the US commitment to ensure its security, stability and common prosperity, just as the United States needs a strong Europe, capable of managing crises in its neighborhood," Iohannis said. He affirmed that the United States and the European Union remain "the cornerstones of global democracy." "A genuine democracy cannot manifest itself without the capacity of the citizen, of the new generations of European citizens, to participate in the public sphere, to make their voice heard. This capacity must be formed through European education, so as to provide opportunities for all to develop critical thinking, to develop resistance to manipulation, misinformation or propaganda. I believe that there is room for reflection on the way tools such as Erasmus+ can be used more effectively to respond to the need for education in order to develop critical thinking regarding the risks associated with informational aggression, but also for strengthening participation in democratic processes," Iohannis also declared. According to him, even if young people must remain the priority group in this endeavor, it would be extremely useful if these efforts related to democracy and citizenship become part of lifelong learning plans. On the other hand, he appreciated that for Romania the accession to the European Union meant "returning to the family" with which it shared the same values and principles, Agerpres.ro informs. In his opinion, freedom of speech and democratic values are cherished by Romanians precisely because they have lived for decades in a society in which freedom of expression was not possible. "For us, the European project is a political, economic and social project that has enhanced Romania's modernization. In our turn, today we make an important contribution to the European construction. Supporting the European project, avoiding divisions, getting involved in EU decision-making represent an intrinsic dimension of the deeply pro-European profile of Romania. The spirit of the Sibiu Declaration of May 9, 2019, the spirit of Sibiu - fully demonstrates this profile. This award reminds me of the value of the European Union for the Member States, for the citizens and for the history of this continent. We have the duty to consolidate this project, which remains the only viable option for a democratic, prosperous and stable Europe," Iohannis added. Thursday, September 30, 2021, marked 14 years since the enthronement of His Beatitude Daniel as Patriarch of Romania. For the Romanian Orthodox Church, these years have been memorable, with efforts to keep pace with an ever-changing world while preserving its saving values. All this has been coordinated with pastoral insight by the actual leader of the Romanian Orthodox. We present a summary of Patriarch Daniels 14 years of leadership, with their main 14 historical facts. 1. The Basilica Press Centre In a world overwhelmed by information, Patriarch Daniel saw the presence of the Orthodox Church in the Romanian media as a primary necessity. In less than one month after being enthroned patriarch, on October 27, 2007, His Beatitude established the Basilica Press Centre, made of five components: Radio Trinitas, Trinitas TV, the Lumina publications, the Basilica news agency and the Press and Public Relations Office. 2. The Basilica Travel Agency Another innovation within the administration of the Romanian Orthodox Church was establishing a pilgrimage agency. It met the faithfuls wish to be more than tourists at the holy places of Christianity. Now, the Romanian Orthodox Church organizes tours guided by its clerics. The Basilica Travel Agency was inaugurated in 2007. 3. 33 canonizations In less than a year from the enthronement, four saints were proclaimed: Atanasie Todoran of Bichigiu, Vasile of Mocod, Grigore of Zagra and Vasile of Telciu were publicly proclaimed as Holy Martyrs and Confessors of Nasaud in May 2008. Other 29 canonizations followed. Here is the list of the 33 saints. 4. The renovation of the Patriarchal Palace The building named today The Patriarchal Palace was turned into a Conference Centre after being transferred by the state to the Romanian Patriarchate on December 6, 2010. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century on a plot of land owned by the former Metropolis of Wallachia, the institutional predecessor of the Romanian Patriarchate, Basilica.ro informs. It was on the very spot where, on January 24, 1859, the Electoral Assembly of Wallachia, presided by Metropolitan Nifon, voted for its unification with Moldavia by electing Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, who had already been elected as Prince of Moldavia. Between March 2014 and December 2015, the historical monument was subjected to extensive consolidation and restoration works financed by the European Union, the Government of Romania and the Romanian Patriarchate. Today the palace is open to the public for guided tours. 5. The Holy and Great Council Patriarch Daniels contribution the the Holy and Great Council of Crete (2016) has been recognized and appreciated throughout Orthodoxy. The Council offered not only dogmatical decisions but also practical pastoral and missionary guidance which can be further amended or improved by a future Synod of the Orthodox Church. 6. The Consecration of the National Cathedral At the centennial anniversary of the Great Union of 1918, which made the state of Greater Romania, Patriarch Daniel fulfilled a mandate from our ancestors: building a National Cathedral. The consecration of the Cathedral was officiated by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and Patriarch Daniel on November 25, 2018. 7. The social work Although the National Cathedral remains the landmark of Patriarch Daniels leadership, even greater effort was made for people in difficulty. During the last 14 years, the Romanian Orthodox Church invested in its social-philanthropic work more than double the cost of the National Cathedral. In cooperation with the authorities, hundreds of social institutions and programs were established, which benefitted thousands of Romanians. Only in 2020, the money spent by the Church on philanthropy amounted to 38 million Euros. 8. Visits of the leaders of Autocephalous Churches The visits of many leaders of Autocephalous Churches to Romania in the last 14 years prove both the good relations with the sister-Churches and Patriarch Daniels authority within the Orthodox world. Among them were the two visits of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, in 2010 and in 2018, Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandrias visit in 2011, Patriarch John of Antiochs visit in 2016, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalems visits in 2011 and in 2018, Patriarch Kirill of Moscows visit in 2017, at the same time with the visits of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania and of Metropolitan Rastislav of the Czech and Slovak Lands. 9. Pope Francis visit Another historic event of Patriarch Daniels first 14 years of patriarchate is Pope Francis visit as a pilgrim to Romanias National Cathedral on May 31, 2019. When he left Romania, Pope Francis reminded Romanians, through a declaration offered to the press: You have a great patriarch. 10. Improving the Statute of the Romanian Orthodox Church Between 2011 and 2019, under Patriarch Daniels leadership, the Holy Synod worked on many improvements of the Statute for the Organization and Functioning of the Romanian Orthodox Church. They were published in the Official Gazette on February 10, 2020. See here the main changes. 11. New eparchies and parishes for the Romanian diaspora The mass migration of Romanians to Western Europe and to other parts of the world has determined the Romanian Orthodox Church to follow its faithful overseas. Patriarch Daniel established in 2007 new eparchies: the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, the Diocese of Spain and Portugal, the Diocese of Northern Europe. In recent years Romanian Orthodox parishes have been established overseas, wherever Romanians are present in greater numbers: in Japan, in Syria, in Southern Africa, in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai). 12. Electing bishops on the vacant thrones of the Metropolis of Bessarabia The care for the Romanian diaspora was manifested simultaneously with the care for the Romanians historically living around todays borders of the Romanian state. An important step was the election, in 2018, of two bishops for the previously vacant diocesan thrones within the Metropolis of Bessarabia: Bishop Antonie of Balti and Bishop Veniamin of Southern Bessarabia. 13. Promoting and supporting natural family A remarkable accomplishment of the Church in recent years has been protecting Christian faithful and Christian values in face of the new ideologies that go against Christian morality. Patriarch Daniel has often called upon society to protect the natural family and regularly offered advice for parents and youth. The Church has encouraged and supported families in need through various social and educational programmes. The Referendum for Marriage organized by a lay initiative and held in 2018 offered the Church the opportunity to evaluate the degree of secularization of the Romanian society, as well as the main positions in society regarding the affirmation and protection of moral values based on faith in God and on the bimillennial Christian history of the Romanian people. Although the results of the referendum almost unanimously favourable to natural marriage could not be legally validated, the Romanian Patriarchate announced that an incomplete success calls upon more hope and more work. 14. The Church during the Pandemic The Romanian Orthodox Church has been constantly confronted with new challenges in the last 14 years. But it remained present in society throughout these challenges also from the start of the Covid-19 health crisis. In March 2020, people coming from Italy were quarantined in locations kindly offered by Romanian monasteries. There followed many fundraisers within the Church to buy medical devices, to support those in isolation. The material support actions were accompanied by technology-based prayer as a way of community-building from the distance. Isolation, fear, denial or even rebellion slowly turned into assuming responsibility within communities. Although faced with restrictions, disease and death, Romanian Christians learned once more that suffering helps us better understand the deeper meaning of life. By fighting the consequences of the pandemic, the clerics have been the most exposed to catching the new virus. Starting with Archbishop Pimen, many abbots, spiritual advisors and clerics moved to the Heavenly Victorious Church. The official celebrations for Patriarch Daniels 14 years of service Patriarch Daniels official celebration is set on September 30, the date of His Beatitudes enthronement. Thursday, September 30, 2021, started with the Divine Liturgy officiated at the Bishop Gregory of Greater Armenia Chapel of the Patriarchal Residence. The liturgy was followed around 12:00 by a Te Deum office at the Summer Altar of the Holy Emperors Constantine and His Mother Helen Patriarchal Cathedral. The Thanksgiving for the 14 years of service was officiated by His Grace Varlaam of Ploiesti, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop. Messages were transmitted at the end of the ceremony from officials. Due to recent pandemic restrictions, the ceremony was held with a small number of participants: the patriarchal auxiliary bishops, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, the permanent members of the National Church Council and the permanent members of the Bucharest Archdiocese Council. Congratulation messages can be sent to the Patriarchal Cabinet via e-mail (cabinet.patriarhal@patriarhia.ro), fax (0040.21.406.71.62) or through the surface post at Str. Patriarhiei, nr. 2, RO-040161, Sector 4, Bucuresti. Back in 2016 the U.S. Air Force concluded that over two decades of problems with the efficiency, and morale, of the personnel (missileers ) who maintain and operate the 450 Minuteman ICBMs were unresolved but that modernizing the ancient missiles and launch facilities was proceeding as was a proposal to develop and build a replacement for the Minuteman III LGM-30 ICBMs. The current Minuteman entered service in 1970, replacing earlier Minuteman and Minuteman II models. A more modern ICBM, the LGM-118 Peacekeeper, also known as the MX, was retired in 2005 after being negotiated away in the START II nuclear disarmament treaty. Peacekeeper entered service in 1986 and only 50 were built before the post-Cold War budget cuts and disarmament treaty requirements eliminated those. In 2010 it was agreed that a replacement for the aging Minuteman III was needed because a modernization program would only keep the LGM-30 viable until the early 2030s. Despite that do-or-die deadline it still took a decade of arguments over the design, number and timeline for the new Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) ICBM to be signed. It will cost about $100 billion to replace existing Minuteman IIIs with similar GBSDs that will be easier to maintain and upgrade and will be ready on time. This will be difficult because the first GBSD launch has to take place by 2023 and be operational by 2029. By 2036 all 450 Minuteman IIIs will be replaced by 609 GBSDs. Most (400) will be installed in silos while the others will be used for spares and regular test launches. New maintenance facilities for GBSD will be ready by then. Given past performance in this area these tight deadlines will not be met and the U.S. will be without ICBMs for a while. At that point the new navy SSBNs (nuclear powered ICBM carrying subs) will be entering service, or not. This is not a prediction but part of a trend that began in the 1990s and has proved impossible to change. Meanwhile billions are being spent each year to repair and replace aging components of Minuteman missiles. The air force justified the cost of the $100 billion GBSD program by pointing out that current costs of maintaining Minuteman missiles would cost more than the GBSD. There were similar problems with the leadership and personnel of the ICBM force. Since the 1990s there have been growing problems with the leaders, support personnel and launch crews of the three brigade size units (Wings in the air force) that live and work in the upper-Midwest bases containing the underground silos and above ground living and working facilities for those who guard, operate and maintain these Minuteman missiles. These problems largely stayed out of the news until, after 2001 the problems got worse and the media picked up on, and published, a growing number of stories about sloppiness handling nuclear warheads and the missiles themselves. The air force leadership kept telling an impatient Congress that solutions were being applied. More senior officers, in addition lower ranking personnel, were found to have failed to do their jobs and were often dismissed. Nothing seemed to work and the situation got worse. By 2016 it was clear that one major reason the problems persisted was because so much of the equipment on these missile bases was so old that many components were no longer made and the shrinking air force budget cannot meet demands for expensive improvisations. As a result the missile bases are considered a bad assignment because so much stuff is ancient and breaking down. All this was made worse by the post-Cold War air force leadership stressing zero defects, micromanagement and political correctness. This stuff made matters worse at the missile bases. These three items made it particularly difficult to admit that they were key problems and as a result morale among officers and airmen was low and staying low because despite the headlines about fixing the problem, things got worse, especially when it came to living and working conditions in these rural bases. The problems were particularly harsh during cold weather, which in this area, near the Canadian border, have always been a challenge. The problems got so bad after 2010 that some officers were punished for being too harsh in their efforts to improve discipline and performance of subordinates. While Air Force commanders want discipline and performance improved in the missile forces, it must be achieved in a politically correct manner. That, a 2016 analysis of the situation concluded, had become a major part of the problem and a massive obstacle to any solutions. After a few years studying the problem the air force concluded there was apparently a breakdown in training and leadership at the ICBM squadron (which controls 50 silos) and wing (which controls three squadrons) levels. Air force leadership also believed that there is still an attitude problem among those who maintain and operate the ICBMs. Launch officers are the ones who live with and launch ICBMs. Two launch officers control 10 silos (each containing an ICBM). These two officers work 24 hour shifts to monitor the readiness of those missiles and, if they receive orders, both must agree to launch their missiles. Each pair of launch officers is in a separate command capsule (underground bunker) and five of these bunkers are in the same area, each with 10 nearby ICBM silos. Each pair of launch officers can, if need be, take over control of another launch control teams missiles if that launch teams bunker is destroyed or put out of action. The air force also had to deal with the fact that the launch officers were so bored that fewer officers are willing to take the job and many of those assigned to missileer duties suffered low morale, which expressed itself in a higher rate of getting into trouble and twice the court martial rate of the rest of the air force. There was more domestic strife at home. Its been this way for decades but has gotten worse since the Cold War ended in 1991 and the likelihood that the nukes would ever be used diminished considerably. With low morale came sloppiness and that started to get noticed after September 11, 2001. Problems with training, leadership, and attitude among nuclear weapons operators was first noted in the 1990s, after the Cold War ended. The problems have been getting more and more attention in the last decade. Back in 2009, it became obvious that the situation was getting worse. Thats because twice that year the air force had to relieve the commander of a combat wing. One was a B-52 bomber wing while the other was a Minuteman ICBM wing. In the case of the ICBM wing two other senior officers were also relieved (one of them the guy in charge of the Wing Maintenance Squadron). In both cases the reason was "loss of confidence in his ability to command." That's milspeak for "too many little things have gone wrong and you are making your bosses nervous." There was some recognition of morale problems. That occurred when many older NCOs and officers, some of them now retired, pointed out the harmful impact of a major air force post-Cold War reorganization. In 1992 SAC (Strategic Air Command), which had control of air force nuclear bombers and missiles since 1946, was disbanded and the ICBMs, and their crews, were transferred to the new Space Command. SAC had long been the butt of many jokes, for being uptight and fanatical about security, discipline, and the myriad details for handling nukes. Everyone tolerated this because, after all, SAC had charge of all those nukes, heavy bombers, and ICBMs. When Space Command took over, they eased up on the tight discipline and strictness about procedure that had been the hallmark of SAC for decades. The old timers complained but many of the young troops liked the new, looser, attitudes and that led to relaxed standards and nothing good. Among the many changes was one that now officers operating the ICBMs were no longer career "missileers," but Space Command people. Time that used to be spent on studying nuclear weapons security and missile maintenance issues was now devoted to subjects of more concern to Space Command (like satellites and communications, for example). Standards fell and efficiency slipped. In 2005, the missile crews lost their Missile Badge and had it replaced with a generic Space Command badge. SAC was now but a memory. One of the responses to the growing problems with handling and accounting for nuclear weapons was to impose the dreaded zero tolerance/no defects policy. That approach was already being recognized as counterproductive but because nukes were involved something had to be done and zero tolerance was the easy (although worst) way to deal with it. Now the air force finds itself with a morale and performance problem that has gotten worse. Despite studies showing that commercial firms had found ways to solve similar problems, the generals put in charge of the nuclear weapons have not, so far, accepted this as a solution and continued to insist that the problem is not as bad as it appears (it is) and that they have it under control (they dont). The most senior air force management is somewhat aware of how this has gone off the rails but continue to have problems dealing with it. This persistent problem resulted in an attempt to bring back the old SAC attitude. This is one of those rare cases where it was recognized that the Good Old Days were better, or in this case, meaner, tougher, more effective, and safer. In 2009 that led to the establishment of the Global Strike Command (GSC). This outfit would, as SAC once did, controlled all air force nuclear weapons and delivery systems (ICBMs and heavy bombers). This came after 16 years of trying to do without SAC. Bringing SAC back to life proved much more difficult than anyone thought. For one thing, sixty years ago commanders could do politically incorrect things as long as it got the job done. In the 21st century this sort of roughness is no longer tolerated. The effort to revive the SAC era attitudes appears to have failed, but not for want of trying. In 2008, the air force brass reinstated the Missile Badge, for any missile crew member who belonged to a missile crew that was certified CMR (passed some strenuous inspections to be declared Combat Mission Ready). The badge had been used for decades, until 2005, when it was withdrawn and replaced by the generic "Space Wings" of the Space Command. SAC, it turned out, had been coming back quietly for quite some time, both for the bomber units as well as the missile ones. But the new SAC was not nearly as efficient as the original SAC. As the recent failures indicate, not everyone has gotten with the program. Among the new SAC people there were many who were still Space Command at heart. This is attributed to the fact that with the end of the Cold War in 1991, the strategic nuclear weapons were no longer as crucial as they had been since the late 1940s. For decades the United States and Russia (as the Soviet Union) each had thousands of nuclear armed ballistic missiles (and a few hundred bombers) aimed at each other. That got the attention of people in SAC and encouraged everyone to concentrate. After 1991, the incentive was no longer there and it is still not there. But when you are handling nukes, the old SAC fanaticism is still the best way to go. But there was another problem. The air force has lost its appetite for improvising and coming up with practical solutions for any problems encountered. The officers and NCOs who staffed SAC in the early years were World War II veterans who understood the need to be quick and practical at detecting and fixing problems. They were replaced with a generation of Vietnam War vets but by the 1990s these were all gone and solutions tended to be more bureaucratic and cover your ass than practical. So while the SAC attitudes may be back, the mentality that made those hard-ass attitudes motivate people are not there. It turned out it was all an attitude problem and it was the senior leaders who were most responsible. Still no sign of a fundamental change and out on the northern prairie airmen still struggle to make a broken system work. Mark Gooch, 22, awaits opening statements in his trial at the Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. Gooch is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Sasha Krause, 27, in early 2020. (Jake Bacon, The Arizona Daily Sun/AP) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. Jurors hearing the case against U.S. Air Force airman Mark Gooch heard lengthy testimony Friday from a cellphone data expert who mapped the route that Gooch allegedly drove the day a Mennonite woman was kidnapped from northwestern New Mexico. Sasha Krause, who worked at a publishing ministry in the Mennonite community, was found more than a month later with a gunshot wound to the head in a forest clearing outside Flagstaff, Arizona. Gooch, 22, faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in her death. No DNA evidence, eyewitnesses or fingerprints tie Gooch to the crime. The prosecutor is asking the jury to look at various puzzle pieces that, when assembled, show Gooch traveled from Luke Air Force Base, where he was stationed in metropolitan Phoenix, to the Mennonite community in Farmington, New Mexico, where Krause was gathering materials for Sunday school when she disappeared. Testimony from Sev Dishman, a cellphone expert and retired Army sergeant major, took up much of the day Friday. He led jurors through an extensive presentation that explained types of cellphone data, concentration of cell sites and degree of accuracy for location data. Dishman acknowledged on cross-examination from Goochs attorney, Bruce Griffen, that none of the evidence directly places Gooch at the church compound or in the forest, nor does it explain what happened at either location. The data puts Goochs cellphone within a half-mile of the church and 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) from where Krauses body was found based on the phones communication with cell sites, Dishman said. Goochs phone also was the only device that communicated with the same sites as Krauses phone before her signal dropped off west of Farmington, Dishman said. The data created a path from the air base early on Jan. 18 past Flagstaffs snow-capped mountains and through the Navajo reservation, where receipts showed Gooch stopped for food and then for gas in Farmington. Two photos taken on Goochs phone showed spots along Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff. Goochs cellphone records indicated his phone was around the Mennonite church for a couple of hours before returning on the same route, but with a detour in the forest outside Flagstaff after midnight. Surveillance video at the base showed his car returned at about 7 a.m. the day after he left. Dishman explained gaps in the cellphone data by the lack of cell sites on the vast Navajo Nation and near Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument where a camper discovered Krauses body. Location data would be more accurate, he said, if a cellphone user had GPS on. Any location data produced by AT&T, which relies on assisted GPS, has to be corroborated, Dishman said. Both Krause and Gooch had AT&T service, he said. Records showed the Google location history from Goochs phone had been deleted. Gooch had asked his brother, Samuel, to remotely wipe his phone and SD cards, cancel automatic payments and drain an account, according to a recorded jail conversation between them and testimony from Samuel Gooch earlier this week. Jurors are expected to hear the entire conversation between Mark Gooch and Coconino County Sheriffs Detective Lauren Nagele, who questioned him at the air base in April 2020, sometime next week. In the interview, Gooch acknowledged traveling to Farmington when Krause was reported missing. He said he had time for a long drive, wanted to stop at a ski resort outside Flagstaff and then decided to check out a Mennonite church service near Farmington since he already was hours into the weekend trip and craved the fellowship. He denied kidnapping or killing Krause. Gooch said he thought he returned to the air base around 2 a.m. the next day, according to the interview. No one else had access to his phone that day, he said, according to sheriffs records. Theres no indication Gooch and Krause knew each other. Gooch grew up in a Mennonite community in Wisconsin but never officially joined the church. Krause, 27, taught school in Texas, where her parents still live, before moving to New Mexico. The trial continues Tuesday. This photo released by the Kern County Sheriffs office shows the sword used to attack U.S. Army Special Forces troops at Inyokern Airport in the Mojave Desert on Sept. 18, 2021. (Kern County Sheriffs office) Nonlethal rounds failed to stop a sword-wielding man dressed as a ninja who authorities say injured two special operations soldiers, then brandished his blade at sheriffs deputies last month at a California airport, according to authorities. Deputies from a Kern County Sheriffs Office substation in Ridgecrest, Calif., responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon Sept. 18 at Inyokern Airport, the office said in a statement posted Friday on Twitter. The airport is located in the Mojave Desert, near Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. When deputies arrived on the scene, they found some 26 special operations soldiers training at the airport hunkered down in the hangar after an attack by a man dressed as a ninja, Ridgecrest Police Department records show. Stars and Stripes first reported details of the incident, which was revealed in a military report leaked on social media, earlier this week. Officers discovered the suspect had assaulted one victim with a sword and hit another victim after tossing a rock through a hangar window, the sheriffs office said. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Gino Rivera, was booked for attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a weapon, brandishing a weapon with the intent to resist or prevent an arrest, vandalism, and obstruct/delay a peace officer in the discharge of their duties, according to the Kern County Sheriffs Office. The victims were identified as a staff sergeant and captain with F Co., 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, according to the report posted on social media. A spokesman for the Armys Special Operations Aviation Command confirmed the incident occurred, but declined to provide further details. The staff sergeant was outside the hangar smoking when the ninja-clad Rivera approached and asked the soldier if he knew who he was. The soldier did not. Rivera then asked if the soldier knew where his family was the soldier did not prompting Rivera to slash the soldiers phone, knee and leg with a sword. This photo, released by the Kern County Sheriffs office, shows Gino Rivera, the suspect in a bizarre attack against service members at Inyokern Airport in the Mojave Desert on Sept. 18, 2021. (Kern County Sheriffs office) The soldier then ran through the parking lot and jumped a fence before entering the hangars admin building, where the staff sergeant and an unnamed captain began locking doors and calling 911, the leaked report said. Rivera gave chase, kicking and punching the buildings doors and windows before leaving to grab a large piece of asphalt that he tossed through the window, . When Ridgecrest Police responded to the scene, Rivera refused to follow commands and brandished the sword at deputies, authorities said. Non-lethal rounds were deployed but were ineffective, the sheriffs office said in Fridays statement. Rivera ran and continued to disobey commands. He dropped the sword after a taser was deployed, authorities said. Deputies used control holds to take Rivera into custody, the sheriffs office said. Officials said the wounded soldiers were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The military report on social media said the two soldiers both required multiple stitches for their wounds before returning to duty. Rivera was being held on a $125,000 bond with a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 25, said inmate information on the sheriffs department website. Crime and courts Naval officers pose in front of a warship named for Sen. Carl M. Levin, D-Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer was christened on Saturday. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty) BATH, Maine The future USS Carl M. Levin was christened Saturday by the Michigan senator's daughters, who simultaneously smashed bottles of Champagne against the warship's bow at Bath Iron Works. Daughters Erica Levin, Laura Levin and Kate Levin Markel honored their late father, the longtime Armed Services Committee chairman, who died at 87 on July 29 after battling cancer. Afterward, they waved from the ship's deck about 30 feet above the assembly as a band played "Anchors Aweigh." Levin's nephew, U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich., said his "Uncle Carl" was "overwhelmed by the honor." "I can honestly say, amidst all the accolades he received in fifty years of public service, this one meant most to him, and it truly captures his devotion to our nation," said the congressman, who was joined at the event by other family members, including Carl Levin's wife, Barbara, and Levin's older brother, former U.S. Rep. Sander Levin. The warship's namesake served for 36 years in the U.S. Senate and served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, becoming an expert on defense matters. Before that, he was an attorney and member of the Detroit City Council, serving four years as president. He was universally praised by those who spoke at the event for his work on behalf the military, service members and veterans. The current chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, called him a "fearless, selfless leader." Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who counted Levin as a "cherished friend," called him a "model of integrity, intelligence and commitment." Others attending the event included Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, Gov. Janet Mills and Maine's other U.S. senator, Angus King; and Navy officials including the ship's prospective skipper and crew. It was a smaller-than-normal ceremony. Because of the pandemic, it was an invitation-only event with several hundred guests instead of a typical gathering of several thousand people. Shipbuilders were encouraged to watch a livestream of the event. While Levin died before Saturday's milestone, he had visited the shipyard a couple of times to meet with shipbuilders. He attended a ceremony that marked construction of the ship in 2019, when he and his daughters donned visors and participated in welding their names on a plate that went on the ship. Kate Levin Markel told the crowd that her father's connection to the ship "kept his spirits high through his last days" and that he had even prepared a thank you speech before he passed away. Another sister, Erica Levin, read the address in which Levin thanked shipbuilders and spoke of the "incredible honor" of having a ship bearing his name. Christening of a Navy warship marks a milestone in construction. More work must be completed before sea trials are conducted and the Navy takes ownership before formal commissioning. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers like the future USS Carl Levin are the workhorse of the U.S. fleet. The 510-foot-long destroyers can easily top 30 knots while simultaneously waging war with enemy ships, submarines, missiles and aircraft. They're also built to withstand chemical attacks. A Chinese J-16. Chinese warplanes made multiple incursions close to Taiwan on Saturday as their second recent major display of military might continued for a second day. (Wikipedia Commons) (Tribune News Service) Chinese warplanes made multiple incursions close to Taiwan on Saturday as their second recent major display of military might continued for a second day. Twenty Peoples Liberation Army aircraft conducted flights near the territory on Saturday, Taiwans defense ministry said on Twitter. That follows the 38 planes that buzzed the area Friday, according to a ministry estimate: 13 in the air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in nighttime hours and 25 earlier in the day. Taiwans military continues to respond with radio warnings, and has deployed its air defense missile systems to monitor the activity. Foreign minister Joseph Wu said in a tweet that the 38 jets flown into Taiwans ADIZ on Friday was the largest number of daily sorties on record. Chinas latest show of force came after Beijings Taiwan Affairs Office issued an angry denunciation of Wu on its official Weibo account. China derided his efforts to strengthen Taiwans international relations as shrilling and moaning, and the buzzing of flies. The statement followed Wus assertion, in a Sept. 27 speech to the Hoover Institution in the U.S., that Taiwan is under constant threat from China, including gray zone tactics and information security attacks. China is attempting to lure Taiwans diplomatic allies and exclude it from important international organizations, Wu said. Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council hit back at Chinas criticism of Wu, calling it unprecedented verbal abuse in the international community. China has increased its diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan over the past year. The Chinese air force made more than 500 incursions into Taiwans ADIZ in the first nine months of 2021, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng told lawmakers, compared with more than 300 a year in the past. The latest incursions came as the National Day holiday started on the mainland to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the country. Fridays flights included sorties by 28 J-16s a China-built strike fighter and four SU-30s, the Taiwan defense ministry said in a statement. The SU-30 fighter is built by Russias Sukhoi Aviation Corp. and is used in multiple roles. Another 16 J-16s, four SU-30s and two Chinese-made Y-8s flew on Saturday. Some 24 PLA aircraft flew into Taiwans air defense identification zone a week earlier, one day after Taiwan announced it had requested to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. In June, Chinas airforce sent 28 planes close to Taiwan in what was then the biggest sortie this year. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A Canadian who U.S. prosecutors allege is behind influential English-language propaganda videos for the Islamic State has been brought to Virginia to be prosecuted. Mohammed Khalifa, 38, was captured by Kurdish forces in Syria in 2019. At that point, according to prosecutors, he had been with the Islamic State for six years. He started as a fighter, according to court documents, before becoming involved in the translation and dissemination of English-language propaganda. He ultimately led ISISs English-language media arm, prosecutors allege, whose output included videos, audio statements and an online magazine. Prosecutors say Khalifa narrated over a dozen ISIS recruitment videos, including two of the groups most influential efforts at luring Westerners: Flames of War: Fighting Has Just Begun, in 2014, and Flames of War II: Until the Final Hour, in 2017. In the videos, according to court records, Khalifa encouraged supporters to try to join the Islamic State abroad or, if they could not, to launch attacks in their home countries. One video included a voice recording of the man who declared his allegiance to ISIS before committing a massacre at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando in 2016. Others showed brutal executions, including of Syrian prisoners who were forced to dig their own graves and a Jordanian pilot being burned alive. As alleged, Mohammed Khalifa not only fought for ISIS on the battlefield in Syria, but he was also the voice behind the violence, Raj Parekh, the acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, who also is one of the prosecutors handling the case, said in a statement. Khalifa promoted the terrorist group, furthered its worldwide recruitment efforts, and expanded the reach of videos that glorified the horrific murders and indiscriminate cruelty of ISIS. Khalifa, who was born in Saudia Arabia, also was responsible for translating material from Arabic to English, prosecutors said. He is charged with conspiracy to support a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. Its the second case involving the Islamic States propaganda arm recently brought to the federal court in Alexandria, Va., where many high-profile international terrorism cases are prosecuted. Parekh and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Fitzpatrick also are handling the case against two men accused of helping to kill American and British hostages on behalf of the Islamic State, executions that were featured in gruesome propaganda videos. One of the pair pleaded guilty last month; the other is to go to trial next year. At the time the Flames of War videos were released, American authorities had no idea who the narrator was; the FBI sought the publics help in identifying him in 2015. After his capture, Khalifa identified himself to multiple news outlets as the mysterious propagandist. In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. after his capture, Khalifa said, I had a normal life back in Canada, I was doing very well for myself, and I decided to give it up knowing . . . what I was sacrificing in the process. That was a decision I made, and I stuck to that decision. According to the CBC, Khalifa was an information technology specialist in Toronto when he joined the Islamic State. He said he was himself radicalized by propaganda videos ones narrated by Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen who joined al-Qaida and was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Yemen in 2011. I came here to fight jihad not just to defend Syrians, but because its an obligation to fight the tyrants, remove them from power and establish the Shariah, all with the aim of reestablishing the Islamic caliphate, he wrote in an email to a close relative just after leaving Canada, according to court records. Amarnath Amarasingam, a Canadian extremism researcher at Queens University, was the first to identify Khalifa as the voice of violent ISIS videos. People said he was crazy, Amarasingam recalled, when he said the man calling himself Abu Ridwan al-Kanadi sounded distinctly like people I grew up with in Toronto. Now, Amarasingam says he hopes to learn whether Khalifa held any higher position in the Islamic State beyond being producer of English propaganda. Hes a significant person, in that, whenever Westerners interacted with ISIS media, ISIS claims, ISIS radio, he was the voice we heard, Amarasingam said. He also went with ISIS to the last holdouts. As the Islamic State was collapsing in 2018, Khalifa told FBI agents, he was ordered to flee but chose to stay and fight. In a gun battle with the Syrian Democratic Forces in January 2019, his AK-47 jammed and he surrendered, according to prosecutors. Court records did not indicate whether Khalifa has a lawyer. Boys stand on the rubble of a house destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Aug. 25, 2017. Airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition targeted Yemen's capital early on Friday, hitting at least three houses in Sanaa and killing at least 14 civilians, including women and children, residents and eyewitnesses said. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (Hani Mohammed/AP) SANAA, Yemen Clashes between Yemeni separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates and a rival splinter group in the southern port city of Aden killed at least 10 people including four civilians on Saturday, security officials said. The fighting has taken place in Aden's residential neighborhood of Crater, where the presidential palace and other government buildings are located, they said. It pits forces of the of the secessionist Southern Transitional Council against an armed religious group that was once part of the council, according to the officials. The armed group is led by Brig. Imam al-Noubi, a Salafi officer who commanded a faction of the separatist militia known as the Security Belt. He became a dissent two years ago after he fell out with the council leader, according to one official. The officials said a dozen fighters were also wounded in the clashes, which had subsided by Saturday evening after the Security Belt deployed reinforcements, including armored vehicles, to the neighborhood. The Security Belt called for Crater's residents to remain at their homes, as "Aden's security forces and counter-terrorism forces clear the area from some groups and terrorist hotbeds." Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire and shelling that hit apartment buildings. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media, and the residents did so for fear of reprisals. The Southern Transitional Council is an umbrella group of heavily armed and well- financed militias propped up by the UAE since 2015. It hopes to restore an independent southern Yemen, which existed from 1967-1990. The council controls large swathes in southern Yemen, including Aden, which serves as an interim capital of the internationally recognized government of exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. The clashes in Crater have come two weeks after protests in Aden and other southern cities over dire living conditions amid an unprecedented drop in the value of the local currency, the Rial. The rial lost 36% of its value in July, according to the U.N. humanitarian agency. One U.S. dollar trades at more than 1,000 rials in the black market. The currency collapse has made it difficult for most Yemenis to afford basic needs including food. Yemen has been convulsed by civil war since 2014 when Iran-backed Houthi rebels took control of the capital of Sanaa and much of the northern part of the country, forcing Hadi's government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war in March 2015, backed by the United States, to try restore Hadi to power, and threw its support behind his internationally backed government. The conflict has deteriorated largely into a stalemate and spawned the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands of Yemenis live in famine-like conditions. More than 20 million of the country's some 30 million people need some form of humanitarian aid, according to the U.N. previous coverage US officials: Biden aide to meet Saudi crown prince on Yemen Many artists in Kabul have kept their art works hidden in their homes since the Taliban took the capital. (Lorenzo Tugnoli/for The Washington Post) When the Taliban last ruled Afghanistan 20 years ago, the group banned music, outlawed human images and idols and blasted away two 1,500-year-old Buddha statues an act of desecration that shocked the world. Now the Islamists are back in power, and Afghan artists and filmmakers many who flourished during the past two decades are scrambling to hide, protect or even destroy books, paintings and other works of art. Throughout history, conflict, political and religious upheaval, and abrupt changes in government have forced the artistic and intellectual class to conceal cultural creations both as an act of survival and to preserve the heritage itself. Sometimes people safeguard art and artifacts to shield them from physical destruction during war or in the hopes that others wont plunder them for money. In some cases, art and cultural heritage are targeted as threats to authoritarian regimes. Here are some places in past decades where art, artists and culture went underground. Iraq: 2003. After the 1991 Gulf War, Europes art market was flooded with treasures plundered from Iraqi museums. So when the United States geared up again to invade Iraq in 2003, staff at the National Museum of Antiquities in Baghdad moved quickly to protect some of the most important artifacts. Museum personnel scrambled to tuck the relics away in secret storage, blocking doors and lining them with sandbags and foam, said Corine Wegener, director of the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative. Some items were stored deep and sealed off behind painted, concrete walls. There was some sense that they didnt know what U.S. soldiers might do. They didnt know what their own people in the area might do amid the chaos of war, said Wegener, who deployed to Iraq as Arts, Monuments and Archives officer in the Army Reserve. As in any major disaster or political instability, things can turn pretty quickly from safe to not safe depending on what certain bad actors in the population thought they could get away with, Wegener said. Some of the subterfuge worked, but not all of the artifacts were protected. Looters still made off with some of the countrys most significant vases, tablets and statues such as the Mask of Warka, one of the oldest depictions of a face, or a duck paperweight from 2070 BC. At the Smithsonian, Wegener now helps train institutions on how to emergency plan for evacuations or safe storage of art and artifacts in times of human conflict or natural disasters. Her work included helping store movable collections from the Mosul Cultural Museum ahead of the Islamic State takeover of much of northern Iraq in 2014. By that time, most of the collection was already in storage, she said. So what ISIS was able to intentionally destroy in that museum, it was tragic, it was many, many, many objects, she said. But it could have been so much worse. Cambodia: 1975. Cambodias Khmer Rouge regime seize power in 1975 and systematically targeted artists, intellectuals and musicians as part of a brutal campaign to remake the country as a classless, agrarian society. Some people targeted by dictator Pol Pots genocide painters, writers and performers and others survived by posing as taxi drivers or stashing away evidence of their crafts. The regime allowed some musicians to continue to perform, as long as the music served its interests. We almost lost our cultural identity because the Khmer Rouge targeted the artists, according to Phloeun Prim, executive director of Cambodian Living Arts, an organization dedicated to revive Cambodian art and cultural identity. The organization was founded by a musician who survived the Khmer Rouge because he was forced by the regime to perform propaganda. But we never lost our artistry, he said. Even as Cambodian refugees fled between 1975 and 1979, some people were gathering children in camps to teach them music and traditional dance. We were leaving behind our country, Prim said. But we had to preserve our cultural identity. Mali: 2012. The Malian city of Timbuktu was long home to libraries full of ancient manuscripts collections of scholarly works, poetry, letters and copies of the Koran. When Islamist insurgents seized the city in 2012, they began burning libraries with texts that they deemed idolatrous. But an ambitious operation to evacuate and protect the precious manuscripts was already underway. Using cars, carts, canoes and even fruit crates, groups of librarians, book collectors and local families transported the texts in metal boxes to private homes and other safe places around Timbuktu, the BBC reported. They rescued their citys heritage piece-by-piece, ferrying it out first in vehicles and then later by boat, according to National Geographic. Germany: 1933. Adolf Hitler, as German chancellor in the early 1930s, opposed modern art as degenerate and said that it was a mark of societys moral decline. But his move to confiscate art was motivated by both commercial and ideological concerns. His Nazi regime seized radical art pieces from state-owned museums, destroying some while selling others to prepare for war. As a result, some modernist artists and collectors began hiding their art to prevent confiscation by Nazi troops. A stash of roughly 1,500 modern works were found buried among stacks of rotting groceries in the German city of Munich in 2013. Both before and during World War II, many museums in Europe and Britain moved, hid and stored parts of their collections to protect original or irreplaceable works from air raids and firebombing. Hide them in caves and cellars, but not one picture shall leave this island, Winston Churchill said in 1940 of the collection at the National Gallery in London. Some paintings were stored safely underground in slate mines in Wales. The British Museum also sent precious works by Michelangelo and Raphael to an underground cave equipped with a heating system, the BBC reported. The Louvre in Paris almost completely emptied its collection into scattered safe houses in the French countryside. Notably, Leonardo da Vincis Mona Lisa was sent to five different evacuation locations during the war. Iran: 1979. In Iran, one of the worlds valuable collections of 20th century modern art is on display deep underground, accessible via a spiral staircase. The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is the permanent home to Van Goghs, Picassos and at least 15 pieces by Andy Warhol. Some of the paintings such as Jackson Pollacks Mural on Indian Red Ground or Mark Rothko works are valued in the hundreds of millions During the revolution of 1979, the museum took its 1,500-strong collection into a basement vault. There are double doors: first, a heavy door with a deadbolt and then another 6-inch steel door with a combination lock, reported the outlet. The main gallery was used to display revolutionary propaganda after the revolution. The vault-protected collection remained largely intact. The Washington Posts Sudarsan Raghavan contributed to this report. Marcie Richmond, a physician with California Medical Assistance Team, administers a COVID-19 test to a patient at a drive-thru testing site in Indio, Calif., May 19, 2020. (Matthew Ramelb/U.S. National Guard) LOS ANGELES (Tribune News Service) The California National Guard has dispatched medical teams to three beleaguered hospitals in Northern California and the Central Valley, where exhausted health care workers are weathering another surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Teams of 16 people have been deployed to assist health care staffs at Memorial Hospital and Mercy Hospital Southwest in Bakersfield and Mercy Medical Center Redding, said Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, a California National Guard spokesman. Another Bakersfield hospital, Adventist Health, has requested help from the National Guard, and a 14-person team is expected to arrive Saturday, said Daniel Wolcott, president of Adventist Health Kern County. We still need more nursing and clinical support, he added. The deployments come as rural areas of Northern and Central California face their most intense COVID-19 surge yet. The populations vaccination rate lags far behind that of the rest of the state, despite highly effective and free vaccines being available for months. Local health officials have battled widespread distrust of the vaccines, skepticism about the coronavirus and anger over mask mandates and lockdowns. The calls for help come as some California hospitals prepare to sever ties with workers who have refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine and did not receive valid medical or religious exemptions. At least one short-staffed Central Valley hospital has said it approved a relatively high rate of religious exemptions in order to avoid an exodus of staff. Wolcott said Adventist has been experiencing ongoing staff shortages, and Californias order that all health workers be vaccinated by Sept. 30 was not a key factor in the need for National Guard assistance. He said 90% of the hospitals full- and part-time workers are vaccinated, and the remainder have qualifying exemptions. Its more due to the fact that theres such a shortage of nurses nationwide, Wolcott said. Weve had so many nurses leaving to travel to places like Florida, Louisiana and Texas. Another Central Valley hospital, Kaweah Health Medical Center in Visalia, is paying $250 to $300 per hour for travel nurses to address staffing shortfalls, chief executive Gary Herbst told the Los Angeles Times this week. The pandemic has exacerbated a staffing shortage that is impacting health care providers across the state, prior to the states vaccine requirement, said Chad Burns, a spokesman for Dignity Health, which runs Memorial and Mercy Southwest in Bakersfield and Mercy in Redding. Another Dignity spokesperson, Christine McMurry, told the Record Searchlight that the Fawn fire, which forced some staff members to evacuate, had left the Redding hospital shorthanded. Mercy made its first request for additional staff Aug. 24 and a second, which McMurry described as a plea for help, Sept. 24. She said the National Guard team is expected to stay for two weeks. The National Guard is helping in the emergency department and in other areas of the hospitals as needed, the company said. Mercy reported an average of 94% occupancy over the last seven days, the fullest the hospital has been since the pandemic started, according to The Times COVID-19 tracker. About 38.7% of Shasta County residents are fully vaccinated, compared with 60.1% statewide. Bakersfield Memorial reported a 96% occupancy over the last seven days. About 43.2% of Kern County residents are fully vaccinated. California National Guard teams have been sent to support overwhelmed hospitals across the state at multiple times during the pandemic. In December 2020, the National Guard had teams in place in 13 hospitals from Los Angeles to Imperial County. In the early days of the states massive vaccine distribution drive, soldiers helped administer shots at two federally operated sites in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. National Guard teams were deployed last month in hospitals in Indiana, Georgia, Oregon and elsewhere across the country. ___ 2021 Los Angeles Times Visit at latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In this May 15, 2018 file photo, Alek Skarlatos, right, speaks at the Douglas County Republican Party headquarters in Roseburg, Ore. Oregon congressional candidate and hero soldier Skarlatos formed a nonprofit to advocate for veterans after he lost his 2020 race. The group has done little to advance that cause since then. But it has helped get the Republicans bid for a 2022 rematch with longtime Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio off the ground. (Michael Sullivan, The News-Review/AP) WASHINGTON Alek Skarlatos, a hero soldier-turned-Republican congressional candidate, started a nonprofit shortly after his 2020 defeat in western Oregon, pledging to advocate for veterans "left high and dry" by the country "they put their lives on the line for." The group, which Skarlatos seeded with $93,000 in leftover campaign funds, has done little since then to advance that cause. What it has nurtured, though, are Skarlatos' political ambitions, providing $65,000, records show, to his 2022 bid for a rematch with longtime Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio in a district stretching from the college town of Corvallis to the Oregon shore. It's a seat that Republicans are targeting in their quest to win back the House. Campaign finance laws prohibit candidates from self-dealing and from accepting illicit money from often opaque and less regulated world of political nonprofits. That includes a prohibition on candidates donating campaign cash to nonprofit groups they control, as well as a broader ban on accepting contributions from such groups, legal experts say. But years of lax campaign finance law enforcement has fostered an environment where many candidates are willing to challenge the long-established boundaries of what's legal. "You can't do that," said Adav Noti, a former lawyer for the Federal Election Commission who now works for the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center in Washington. "There's serious corruption potential. The law contemplates that." Skarlatos' campaign did not make him available for an interview, did not address the activities of the nonprofit and would not say if Skarlatos currently holds a role with the group. Campaign manager Ross Purgason said the transactions were "completely legal." "Despite an attempt to smear Alek Skarlatos, who served in Afghanistan, he was never paid a dollar," said Purgason. In 2015, Skarlotos, a member of the Oregon National Guard, gained a measure of fame when he helped disrupt an attack on a train bound for Paris by a heavily armed man who was a follower of the Islamic State. Hailed as a hero, he appeared on "Dancing with the Stars," visited the White House and was granted dual French citizenship. It also led to a role starring as himself in the Clint Eastwood movie "15:17 to Paris." Once he turned to politics, his biography served as a cornerstone of his campaign against DeFazio, the chairman of the House transportation committee, who went on to beat Skarlatos by five percentage points in November 2020. He started the nonprofit the month after his loss, naming it 15:17 Trust a reference to the train attack. It was registered in Virginia, with his campaign treasurer also serving as the group's treasurer, records show. "Our service men and women are special people heroes who have and will put their lives on the line for ours, and we owe it to them to make sure they're taken care of," Skarlatos said in a March 2021 fundraising email. "This is why I am proud to announce that I am officially launching the 15:17 Trust, a new 501(c) 4 non-profit organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of and supporting our veterans." But the group has had a decidedly low profile. It has an active online fundraising page, but its website is offline. A Facebook page is "liked" by only nine people. Its Twitter account has zero followers and only one tweet from April, soliciting input for a survey on veterans' concerns. A search of media databases show no instance of the group being mentioned in news stories. Federal candidates and officeholders are allowed to donate campaign funds to nonprofit groups. But they are prohibited from donating to nonprofits that they control. Skarlatos' campaign account gave $93,000 in February to his 15:17 Fund. The law is intended to prevent candidates from sidestepping a prohibition on the personal use of campaign funds by routing money to a separate group that they could then use to collect a salary or payments. Separately, federal campaigns face tight limits on how much and who can give to them. That includes a ban on accepting donations from corporations, including nonprofits, which can accept unlimited sums from anonymous donors. Though the transfer of $65,000 from Skarlatos' nonprofit to his campaign was listed as a "refund" in filings, that likely doesn't square with the law, said Noti, the former FEC attorney. "You can't, months later, send a different amount from a nonprofit company to a campaign and say it was a refund for a larger amount that was transferred much earlier," he said. Skarlatos has collected payments from his campaign in the past. During the 2020 campaign, Skarlatos paid himself more than $43,000 in mileage reimbursements, rent and expenses vaguely listed as "contractor campaign staff," records show. In the two months after launching his 2022 GOP primary bid the only period of time reflected yet in quarterly filings submitted so far he's collected another $2,521 in mileage reimbursements. Skarlatos' required congressional financial disclosures show a diminishing stream of personal income in recent years. He reported making $40,000 from speaking fees, endorsements and residuals from his movie work in 2018. But his most recent filing, which was submitted in May 2020, shows that dropped to $20,000, which he bolstered by collecting somewhere between $5,000 and $15,000 in rent from properties he owns. (Congressional disclosures detail dollar values in ranges, not specific figures.) It's unclear if Skarlatos collected a salary from his nonprofit, though his campaign says he didn't. That's because the group, which is not listed in an IRS database of tax-exempt groups, has not yet released mandatory financial data, which all nonprofits are required to make public. The disclosure won't have to be filed with the IRS until next year. In this handout image provided by The White House, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of the national security team are said to receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House on May 1, 2011, in Washington, D.C. (A classified document visible in this photo was obscured by The White House. (Pete Souza, The White House/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Its the highly secure space in the White House where presidents have gone to watch video feeds as U.S. forces killed terrorists Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Its where President Joe Biden learned in August that a suicide bomber killed 13 American service members in Kabul. But the Situation Room is also a technology throwback, with some equipment that hasnt been updated in 15 years. Now the Pentagon has proposed shifting almost $46 million previously approved for other programs to accelerate an ongoing overhaul, adding to about $44 million backed by Congress for the project since fiscal 2017 and $10 million requested for fiscal 2022, according to Pentagon budget documents. The Situation Room is actually a series of rooms, a command center on the lower level of the White Houses West Wing for the president and senior administration officials to conduct secure briefings and calls. Sit Room staff provide 24-hour monitoring of international developments, according to the nonprofit White House Museum. A person familiar with the operation, who discussed the secure facility on condition of anonymity, said its staff also connects calls with heads of state and monitors major domestic events. Funds are required for renovations that will update the security and technology since the last renovation in 2006, including audio-visual improvements to enable broadcast quality display and production capability to include flexible infrastructure for rapid upgrades, according to a Defense Department budget document for fiscal 2022. The money sought for improvements will continue to upgrade and secure critical systems that support classified voice, data and video used in the White House Situation Room and throughout the National Security Council for the president, vice president and senior staff, according to the document. Not surprisingly, much of what that spending will support is classified, like the full capabilities of the Situation Room itself. Some of the funding would also upgrade systems used at locations outside Washington, known as Continuity of Government sites, that were created during the Cold War in case of a catastrophic attack on the nations capital. The Pentagon request to shift funds to the Defense Information Systems Agency for the Situation Room is part of a reprogramming request for unspent fiscal 2021 funds that Congress is reviewing. In addition, $10 million is being requested as part of the still-pending fiscal 2022 budget, according to agency spokesman Dillon McConnell. Intelligence agencies also are participating in the upgrade and its funding, the person familiar with the project said. The multilayered system includes equipment such as servers at off-site locations and is protected by layers of backup, encryption and hardening against physical attack, the person said. The Situation Room has been the site of many tense and historical moments since it was created in May 1961 out of frustration on the part of President Kennedy after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, according to the White House Museum. During President Donald Trumps term, the White House released an October 2019 photo of him in the Situation Room watching the commando raid that killed al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State leader, in Syria. It also has been the site of less momentous events. In December 2017, its where Trumps chief of staff, John Kelly, fired Trump adviser and former Apprentice celebrity Omarosa Manigault Newman. Despite the rooms reputation for tight security, she secretly taped the conversation. This year, Biden and his team were gathering for an update on the airlift evacuation from Afghanistan when he learned of the Aug. 26 terrorist attack at Kabul airport. As the president arrived in the Situation Room, one of the first updates he received, of course, was about the attacks on the ground in Kabul, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at the time. Commanders on the ground and the region, using the secure communications link to the nerve center of the White House, gave Biden briefings as updates rolled in. The most famous photo was what then-White House Photographer Pete Souza called Frame 210 taken on May 1, 2011: President Barack Obama and his National Security team watching a live drone video beamed into a laptop and listening to a satellite-radio feed of the Seal Team 6 raid that killed bin Laden, the mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks. The image shows Obama and top advisers crammed together in a small room. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, who was then a one-star general, explained in an interview how that came about. Webb, whos now the three-star commander of the Air Education and Training Command, said he was told by White House staff that he wasnt authorized to have access to the president but you can set up your stuff. If we have a question, well come get you. So Webb and a tech sergeant operated a laptop in a small annex in the Situation Room complex to monitor the raid in Pakistan. Then everybody kind of naturally migrated, and they float in over the series of the hours, he said. First was then-Vice President Biden, who asked Hey General, whats going on? I kind of walked him through what he can expect, Webb said. Then it kind of got busy, Webb said. He said he looked around and found, Whoa, everybodys in here, including Obama, who let Webb keep his seat. Webb is seen in uniform in the center of the White House photo. I spent a lot of time explaining to them what was going to occur but as more people came in, I just unplugged the laptop headset so they could hear the audio. That included the now famous Geronimo EKIA call sign by a commando on the ground signaling that Bin Laden was dead. Souza later wrote that the president stood up to shake hands with General Webb and a few others but there was no cheering or fist-bumping. It was an oddly subdued reaction to a historic moment. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Emily Romero, 11, and her mother Gypsy Romero attend a rally in Freedom Plaza on Saturday as part of demonstrations across the country in support of abortion rights. (Amanda Voisard/for The Washington Post) WASHINGTON Thousands of protesters marched at rallies in Washington and in cities across the country Saturday, denouncing Texass recent ban on most abortions and warning that the U.S. Supreme Courts conservative majority could impose further restrictions in the coming months. Amassing in downtown of the District of Columbia before walking in a clamorous procession to the Supreme Court, a roster of speakers bemoaned a looming threat to Roe v. Wade and implored Americans to enlist in a nationwide campaign to preserve womens abortion rights. No matter where you live, no matter where you are, this moment is dark it is dark but thats why were here, Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood, told the crowd at the Rally for Abortion Justice. It is our job to imagine the light even when we cant see it, Johnson said. It is our job to turn pain into purpose. It is our job to turn pain into power. By 1 p.m., the crowd had swelled to the thousands as people spilled into the streets on either side of Freedom Plaza, clustering in pockets in the shade, their eyes on the stage. Not only is abortion health care, but at my organization we also believe its self-care, Marsha Johns, executive director of the Ayiha Center, a Texas-based abortion rights organization, told the throng. You can no longer tell us what to do with our bodies. At that, the protesters erupted in cheers, many hoisting homemade signs and chanting, Abortion is healthcare! The day of demonstrations, organized by the Womens March, was the first the group has sponsored since former president Donald Trump left office in January. Trumps 2016 election catalyzed the first Womens March, which drew millions of protesters to Washington and around the country and is widely considered the largest single-day demonstration in the countrys history, inspiring people to become first-time protesters, activists and politicians. Attendance at subsequent marches has declined. But organizers are hoping to energize the movement around threats to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court case that protects a persons right to an abortion. With a 6-3 conservative majority on the high court, many now fear that Roe could be in jeopardy. In addition to the protest in Washington, organizers said they planned more than 600 demonstrations across the country, including New York City, where thousands could be seen marching across the Brooklyn Bridge toward Foley Square. In downtown Chicago, where several thousand abortion rights protesters gathered, Kathy Flora, 50, said the Texas ban compelled her to travel in from the suburbs to attend her first demonstration. I just cant believe its gotten to this point, to be honest, she said. I thought it was supposedly settled law. At a protest in Jackson, Miss. a group of women in their 60s questioned whether younger women would fully grasp the consequences of Roe being overturned. Lisa White, 65, who traveled 170 miles from her home in Bay St. Louis, Miss., said the way womens rights are being slashed across the board evokes reminders of her youth when she said her aspirations of going to law school were dismissed by men who thought women should be barefoot and pregnant. I was not taken seriously, said White, who attended law school in Connecticut. I had to fight for everything I got. In San Francisco, the thousands of marchers along Market Street included Jessie Reynolds, 20, a student who said she began to follow politics only recently after becoming aware of the Black Lives Matter movement. That was my coming to Jesus moment, she said. Referring to the abortion rights movement, she said she hoped the march would put the fire back in women. I wasnt a part of this fight up until this year and Im hoping that a lot of other people have turned that switch on. As the days events began into downtown Washington, people streamed into Freedom Plaza from across the region and beyond, many of them mothers and daughters arriving together for what they said was their first protest. Im hoping my kids wont have to protest for their bodies, said Katie Donovan, 18, who arrived from Maine wearing a red tank top that read, Keep Your Laws Off My Body. Her mother, Katrina Marianacci, 48, stood nearby with her other daughter, the two of them also wearing the same tank top, said she wanted the girls to see what happens when women come together to fight for their rights. Lisa Santoro, who lives outside Philadelphia, drove to the rally in Washington with her two adult daughters, Molly and Abby. As a high school student in the 1980s, Santoro said she never feared that she would lose her legal right to an abortion. Now she worries her daughters wont have the same access. Maybe we should have been out here marching for reproductive rights all along, she said. The demonstration also drew hundreds of antiabortion protesters, including a couple of dozen who sought to disrupt a morning faith service hosted by abortion activists at Freedom Plaza. Woe to you! one man protesting abortion yelled. The blood of innocent babies is on your hands! To drown him out, the crowd erupted in singing and clapping, as one woman, Angela Jamison, 51, of Fairfax, Va., stepped in to point him back across the street where the counterdemonstrators were supposed to stay. After the speeches at Freedom Plaza, thousands of protesters marched along Pennsylvania Avenue, led by an all-female drum line and chanting, My body! My choice! At the Supreme Court, they were met by another group of counterprotesters who greeted them with a banner that read We are the pro-life generation. Abortion harms women! the counterprotesters chanted as a live band played Christian rock. Were leading what should be the true message of a womens march, said Michele Hendrickson, 35, the director of strategic initiatives for Students for Life of America. If we want to talk about women empowerment, then we shouldnt be feeding women a lie that they need abortion to succeed. Alveda King, an evangelical minister and antiabortion activist who is the niece of Martin Luther King Jr., stood in front of the Supreme Court and prayed. We are crying out for the babies, King said. What youve done in Texas, do it across the country. As the march ended outside court, protesters and counterprotesters exchanged chants Pro- life! Pro women! one side shouted, My body! My choice! the other side countered until U.S. Capitol Police officers separated them. On Sept. 1, Texass law state went into effect prohibiting abortion once cardiac activity is detected, around six weeks gestation, before most people know they are pregnant. Under the law, citizens can sue anyone that helps facilitate an illegal abortion in Texas, from the doctor who performs the procedure to an Uber driver who drives a patient to a clinic. The Supreme Court on Dec. 1 is to consider the constitutionality of a Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks gestation, nearly 10 weeks before a fetus can survive outside the uterus. Roe v. Wade protects the right to an abortion before the point of fetal viability. If the law is allowed to stand, it will further empower other states to pass similar restrictions. Recent polls show Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade by a roughly 2-to-1 margin. A large majority of Americans also support allowing a person to receive an abortion in the case of rape or threats to her health. Abortion advocates were happy to see the words abortion included in the name of the March, said Aimee Arrambide, the executive director of Avow, an abortion rights group in Texas. There is stigma surrounding abortion, even from people who support abortion access, she said. The title of the March is a nod to the reproductive justice movement, founded by women of color, which advocates not just for abortion to be legal, but accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status or any other barrier that might cut someone off from the procedure. Rachel OLeary Carmona, executive director of the Womens March, described the movement as a coalition of more than 120 groups, including Planned Parenthood and Black Feminist Future, focused on ensuring women are able to safely and legally access abortion and health care for their families. Roe is the floor, not the ceiling, Carmona said. Abortion rights, reproductive justice, is absolutely a part of voting rights and justice for immigrants, and racial justice because they cant be extracted from themselves. The most impacted communities across all those groups are communities of color. Yet to some Black feminists, the rally seemed like a White womans march, as 24-year-old Devonn Thomas put it, saying there needed to be more focus on disparities that hurt minority womens access to abortion. Thomas, who identifies as queer, said that she is the daughter of a queer mother too, and that her mother always taught her the importance of the right to choose. But that choice, she said, has always been easier for wealthier White women while minority women have faced barriers. Abortion rights is still white power if its not given to Black people as well, Thomas said. The Washington Posts Donovan Thomas, Sarah Thomas, Ellie Silverman and Scott Clement contributed to this report. The Government has backed down on a proposal to merge three art forms into one subject at NCEA-level education. But some remain unhappy, with one academic going as far as saying the arts were still being thrashed by the Ministry of Education. On Thursday Education Minister Chris Hipkins released the new NCEA subject lists, which would be rolled out across the curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa at levels 1, 2 and 3 the final three years of secondary school between 2023 and 2025. One new Maori performing art subject mau rakau (a traditional martial art) - has been introduced at level 2 and 3. Two previously proposed new subjects, raranga (weaving) and whakairo (carving), have been scrapped in the final line-up. A controversial merging of painting, printmaking and sculpture into a single subject left painting in the clear, but saw the latter merge into one visual arts subject. Photography has been expanded to photography and moving image; and music is shifting into two subjects: making music and music studies, separating theory from practice. University of Auckland Centre for Arts and Social Transformation director Peter OConnor says the arts were being gutted in Aotearoas mainstream schooling. The number of students taking the arts at NCEA level had almost halved, he says. It sits within the wider context of visual arts and music being decimated ... this is about constricting it even further, making the arts less and less accessible in schools, says Peter. The arts were being completely and totally marginalised, Peter says. This is deliberate policy. Its not by accident, its by plan ... these kinds of changes do nothing to strengthen the arts, in fact they further marginalise options and opportunities. The reality is the arts have effectively been killed off in New Zealand schools and there doesnt seem to be any plan or vision to address that. Its death by neglect. Other changes include two new subjects outdoor education and whaiora under the health umbrella; and the languages Latin and Bahasa Indonesia being discontinued. Gagana Tokelau and Vagahau Niue would be introduced as languages at levels 2 and 3. A new computer science subject would be introduced; as well as Pacific studies and tourism at levels 2 and 3. Maori studies, a proposed new subject, would not be introduced. Meanwhile in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa; te reo Pakeha the study of English through an explicit reo Maori and ao Maori lens would be introduced as a level 1-3 subject, and toi whakairo the study of the history, art, and practice of Maori and other indigenous carving would be introduced for levels 2-3. Te Hitori o Aotearoa and Tauhokohoko are being removed pending further engagement. Post Primary Teachers Association president Melanie Webber says she was excited about Pacific studies and mau rakau. In reality, very few schools offer painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and design. ... [There needs to be a] staff level of specialisation, says Melanie. The addition of mau rakau in the arts and Pacific studies in social sciences means that the identities, languages and cultures of akonga (students) will be better recognised. The ministry would develop the new subjects alongside experts from the education sectors and industry. Andre Chumko/Stuff The next MIQ room release will take place at noon on Tuesday, with the on-line lobby opening at 11am. MBIE said about 3700 rooms will be available for the period between October and January. It will be the third time rooms have been released under the new lobby system, in which people are randomly placed in a queue when the room release time hits. Meanwhile, more boaties are working on plans to bring Kiwis stuck in Australia back across the Tasman. As long as the boats are at sea for at least 14 days, crew won't have to stay in a MIQ facility in this country. Business groups want the Government to involve them in improving the MIQ booking and self-isolation system. BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope says the MIQ system now is "a disaster", with an upcoming self-isolation trial a chance to spur innovation through collaboration. For many people getting a spot in MIQ is no guarantee of a happy ending. Craig Jull booked a spot in last Tuesday's room release, with the aim of bringing his nine-year-old daughter over from Argentina. But he's had to give up the spot because he can't find matching flights. On Friday, the Ministry of Health reported 19 new cases of Covid in the community, the same number as the day before. That took the total number of cases in the Delta outbreak to 1268. Most of the recent cases are from two new sub-clusters that emerged in recent days. Tourism operators, hospitality and accommodation providers across the South Island don't expect the school holidays will provide relief to those already facing massive drops in revenue. With Auckland at alert level 3, many are not seeing the usual school holiday demand. NZ Post is suspending pick-ups of Auckland freight this weekend, and asks customers to be patient as it deals with a staggering number of parcels. It warned deliveries in and out of the city could be delayed by up to five working days. Business groups have expressed dismay that the boundary around Auckland is likely to remain, even if the city moves down a level. It's being suggested people should be able to cross the boundary if they are vaccinated and test negative for Covid. Retirement village operators have been advised that they cannot require staff to be vaccinated, unless the staff member occupies a high risk role. The country has thousands of staff working in about 420 retirement villages with about 47,000 residents. A new tap and go function on the NZ Covid tracer app will be trialled at Victoria University of Wellington and a number of small businesses from Monday. People with a compatible phone and the latest version of the NZ Covid Tracer app will be able to hold their phone against a small near field communication (NFC) tag to record a diary entry. The Malaghan Institute is working on a New Zealand-made booster shot for Covid-19, and aims to have a clinical trial underway by October 2022. Christchurchs first drive-through Covid-19 vaccination clinic has opened to everyone as companies offer free public transport to booked appointments. Its part of a regional bid to get at least 90 per cent of the eligible population vaccinated with their first dose by Labour weekend. Aucklands doctors are now being paid to make calls to patients still waiting to get their jab. The programme will focus on reaching about 110,000 eligible Maori and Pacific community members in Auckland who have yet to receive their first dose. Global toll The number of confirmed Covid cases worldwide has passed 234 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of deaths attributed to Covid is approaching 4.8m. The US has more than 43.5m cases and nearly 700,000 deaths. India has more than 33.75m cases and more than 448,300 deaths, while Brazil shows more than 21.4m cases and nearly 596,800 deaths. Nearly 6.26 billion vaccine doses have been delivered. Australia is poised to reopen its international borders from November to again allow its citizens to come and go without seeking permission as states close in on key coronavirus vaccination targets. Drugmaker Merck says its experimental Covid-19 pill reduced hospitalisations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the coronavirus. If authorised, the drug would be the first pill shown to treat Covid-19. All Covid-19 therapies now authorised in the US require an IV or injection. What should I do? Anyone who wants to get tested can find their local testing centres by visiting the Ministry of Health website. Quarantine-free travel from Australia has been suspended. Auckland is currently at alert level 3. The upper Hauraki moved from level 3 to level 2 at 11.59pm last Saturday. The Section 70 direction applying to people who left the area before September 20 at 7.30pm was lifted on Thursday. The country outside of Auckland is at Delta alert level 2, with masks mandatory for people over the age of 12 when accessing essential services such as supermarkets. People should use the Covid-19 tracer app. If you are sick, call your GP before you visit, or Healthline on 0800 358 5453. To avoid contracting and spreading the virus, wash your hands properly, cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow and throw tissues away immediately. Reach out, find support from people who care, connect with your community or help a neighbour in need. Bay of Plenty You will be driving the Roller and also required to help out the team hands on. You will be working around Tauranga, for... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz An Auckland-based truck driver who travelled to Palmerston North for work purposes has tested positive for COVID-19. The case was detected in a routine surveillance test which was done in Auckland yesterday, and which returned a positive result earlier today. The person has been tested regularly, as required for essential workers travelling out of Auckland, and had previously returned a negative test result on September 24. The persons infectious period is determined to be from September 28. As per surveillance testing protocol, essential workers who are permitted to cross Aucklands boundaries are not required to self-isolate until they return a negative test result, as they undergo regular tests. The person is currently isolating at a facility in Palmerston North. Auckland Regional Public Health Service has completed its initial interview with the person. Whole genome sequencing is underway. Two household contacts have been identified and are self-isolating. The hours worked by the driver means their contact with other people is limited. A small number of exposure events are in the process of being worked through by public health staff. Any that are locations of interest will be listed on the Ministry of Health website. The Ministry of Health anticipate the first of a handful of locations will be published this evening. More information on this case will be available tomorrow. Palmerston North testing centres open on Sunday: Drive-through Community Testing Centre, 575 Main Street, 10am-8pm City Doctors White Cross, 22 Victoria Avenue, 8am-8pm The Palms Medical Centre, 445 Ferguson Street, 8am-8pm For a list of all testing centres open tomorrow, visit Healthpoint: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19/ 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. Lawton, OK (73501) Today Some clouds. Low near 65F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low near 65F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. With Telegram, you can create group chats with up to 200 people so you can stay connected with everyone at once. Plus, you can share videos up to 1GB, send multiple photos from the web, and forward any media you receive in an instant. All your messages are in the cloud, so you can easily access them from any of your devices. For those interested in maximum privacy, we've added Secret Chats, featuring end-to-end encryption to ensure that a message can only be read by its intended recipient. When it comes to Secret Chats, nothing is logged on our servers and you can automatically program thEnter your state heree messages to self-destruct from both devices so there is never any record of it. We built Telegram to make messaging safe again so you can take back your right to privacy. Private Telegram messages are heavily encrypted and can self-destruct. Cloud-Based Telegram lets you access your messages from multiple devices. Fast Telegram delivers messages faster than any other application. Distributed Telegram servers are spread worldwide for security and speed. Open Telegram has an open API and protocol free for everyone. Free Telegram is free forever. No ads. No subscription fees. Secure Telegram keeps your messages safe from hacker attacks. Powerful Telegram has no limits on the size of your media and chats. We Can do It! Help make messaging safe again spread the word about Telegram. Unsend Messages We hope everybody had a great celebration. We at Telegram certainly did. One of our engineers got so excited about the new year that he mistakenly shared awful stickers with his Mom. To fix this, he quickly added a way to unsend recently sent messages. This smart move saved his morning, and it can still save yours! If you use Telegram v.3.16 or later, you can now unsend any weird messages you shared within the last 48 hours. Network Uses The holiday season is in high swing in many parts of the world, so we figured some of you folks are busy traveling. If that's the case, you may want to check out the new Network Usage section that shows exactly how much data you consumed while in roaming or wi-fi or whatever. Don't forget to hop on the hotel wifi before any serious Telegramming in foreign lands. And remember that you can toggle automatic media download in Telegram Settings. T.me Links This is the perfect season to meet new people. Want to give them some contact information, but a phone number seems like too much? That's exactly the reason we added usernames and Telegram.me links waaay back in 2014. Starting today, you can use t.me instead of telegram.me. Take a napkin, write t.me/username in no time, and give it to someone before they can get away. This also works with channels: t.me/telegram Public groups: t.me/snowballfight And stickers: t.me/addstickers/NickSantini Android Developers Never Sleep 85% of Telegram users are on Android. Our CEO is worried that, if ignored, this Android population can start a rebellion and dethrone him. To please the mob, he made us introduce the following features to the Android app: Messages from one sender are now neatly grouped together, and scrolling up shows the date right away, making the chats easier to navigate. The app now restores your previous scroll position when you switch back to a chat. Very useful when somebody sends you a saga in 1,000 messages, and you want to patiently read them in the right order. Sharing files (a feature we had since forever) has become easier because you see a list of recently downloaded files right on the sharing screen. We now support GBoard, the Google keyboard that can apparently send cat GIFs. And for those 2 users that already have Android 7.1 installed, we are happy to announce that we've added a fast action menu with frequent chats to your home screen. All hail the early adopters! Back to the important stuff: the cowboy, the clown, and the sick face emoji (also known as the exfoliating green tea mask face emoji) have found their way to Android. We support all of them now. What do these emoji mean? When are you supposed to use them? Is the singular form of emoji in fact emojus? To answer all these questions with utmost accuracy, we've also added support for the question emoji. What's New: macOS version updated to 8.1.3 Android version updated to 8.1.2 Windows version updated 3.1.1 Desktop: Turn any of your group chats into a hop-on, hop-off conference call. Get up to several thousand participants in each voice chat. Control the number of speakers with flexible admin tools. Chat Folders and More Organize chats into Chat Folders if you have too many chats. Create custom folders with flexible settings, or use default recommendations. Pin an unlimited number of chats in each folder. Swipe between folders to easily access all of your chats. View detailed statistics about the growth of your channels and the performance of their posts. Send :dice: to any chat to try your luck and get a random number from the animated dice. Other Features: Telegram for Android has now reached version 5.0 and received a major overhaul in the design department. It is now much easier to access shared media from the profiles of users, groups and channels. Custom languages. Crowdsource a cloud-based language pack for Telegram using our Translations platform then apply it in real time. Instant View 2.0. View web pages instantly with support for more types of content. New design for profiles, notifications and sounds, and general settings. Profile pages offer quick access to shared media. Crisp previews, increased loading speed and more info in shared content sections. Swipe navigation when viewing image documents. Previous release notes: Secret Chats Secret chats are meant for people who want more secrecy than the average fella. All messages in secret chats use end-to-end encryption. This means only you and the recipient can read those messages nobody else can decipher them, including us here at Telegram (more on this here). On top of this, Messages cannot be forwarded from secret chats. And when you delete messages on your side of the conversation, the app on the other side of the secret chat will be ordered to delete them as well. You can order your messages, photos, videos and files to self-destruct in a set amount of time after they have been read or opened by the recipient. The message will then disappear from both your and your friend's devices. All secret chats in Telegram are device-specific and are not part of the Telegram cloud. This means you can only access messages in a secret chat from their device of origin. They are safe for as long as your device is safe in your pocket. Themes, Multiple Accounts and More: Introducing Multiple Accounts on Android and Themes on iOS in Version 4.7. Happy winter holidays, everyone! To reinforce the festive mood, were updating Telegram for the second time this December, adding features youve been asking for. With version 4.7 for iOS, you can change what your Telegram looks like in the new Appearance settings. Choose between four different themes, including a minimalistic one (Day) and two dark themes (Night and Night Blue). The Day theme also allows you to pick an accent color for the entire app, like pink or purple. Multiple accounts The Android app already supported multiple themes, so it had to go further with 4.7 by supporting multiple accounts. You can add up to three accounts with different phone numbers to your Telegram app, and then quickly switch between them from the side menu. Notifications will keep coming from all accounts, unless you change this in the Notification settings. Quick replies Neiman Marcus Group confirmed that an unknown group of hackers breached its computer systems. Although the massive online attack is believed to have taken place back in May 2020, around 3.1 million consumers are still affected right now. "We will continue to take actions to enhance our system security and safeguard information," said Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy Van Raemdonck. He added that their top priority right now is to ensure the safety of their customers. On the other hand, the giant luxury brand explained that their customer support team is currently doing its best to answer all the questions provided by their audiences about their accounts. These efforts are essential during a massive data breach since they would allow the affected customers to know if their banking accounts are included in the massive breach or if their banking details are affected by the online computer system hacking campaign. Neima Marcus' Leaked Banking Details According to CNET's latest report, the customer banking details that were leaked include payment card numbers, contact information, consumer names, as well as expiration dates, and gift card numbers. Also Read: Welsh Government Broke Data Protection Laws at Least 300 Times Since 2019: Report However, the security experts confirmed that the leaked gift card numbers don't contain PINs. On the other hand, NMG claimed that the CVV numbers of the card expiration dates were also not compromised. On the other hand, the giant luxury retailer also explained that 85% of the affected virtual gift cards and banking accounts were already expired, claiming that the hackers were unable to acquire the active payment cards. Neiman Marcus is just one of the companies that fell victim to various hacking groups. Aside from this retailer, T-Mobile also suffered from a massive breach, which forced the telco's CEO to apologize to their customers. On the other hand, Microsoft was also victimized because of its recent Power Apps' default permission settings vulnerability. NMG's Efforts To Solve the Massive Data Breach Neiman Marcus published a press release to show how they would solve the massive system breach. NMG's security team explained that they now require an online account password reset, which is specifically implemented for the affected customers. The luxury brand also launched a dedicated call center service, which consumers can contact by dialing (866) 571-9725. This customer service is active seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. CST. For more news updates about Neiman Marcus data breaches and other serious security threats, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Fujitsu Says Stolen Data Marketed in Marketo, a Famous Marketplace Used by Cybercriminals, is Not Theirs This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : GettlyImages/ SOPA Images ) Blue Origin Blue Origin is embroiled in another controversy as 21 employees claimed that the company had ignored safety concerns because it is focused on getting ahead in the space race. The employees, including the firm's former head of employee communications, also accused the company of having a toxic environment. Safety Issues According to BBC, aside from reports of sexual harassment, a while blower claims that Blue Origin also has safety issues. The whistleblower stated that the space firm ignored safety concerns because it wanted to win the space race against other billionaires. After the report was released, Blue Origin denied all claims and said it has a solid safety record. However, the whistleblower stated that more than 1,000 reports regarding the engines that power the rockers have never been investigated and addressed. Also Read: Blue Origin vs. Virgin Galactic: Differences of New Shepard and Unity-22 Spacecrafts from Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson A Blue Origin spokesperson said that the company gives numerous avenues for its employees, including an anonymous hotline that is available 24/7. They will investigate all new claims of misconduct and ignore the safety protocol. The spokesperson added that the company has no tolerance for discrimination or harassment in the workplace. The employees, led by Alexandra Abrams, Blue Origin's former head of internal communications, wrote a letter revealing the workplace environment in the company and sent it to the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority or FFA before Lioness published it on Sept. 30. Raising concerns over the standards of the firm's rocket, New Shepard, which Jeff Bezos used to travel into space back in July, the writers stated that engineers who signed on to the essay said that they are lucky nothing happened to the rocket so far due to its poor condition. The letter also stated that the company has never addressed more than 1,000 reports of issues connected to the rocket's engines. A lot of Blue Origin employees said that they would not fly on the rocket. The FAA regulates rocket launches in the United States and said that they take all safety allegations seriously, and they are now reviewing the information that was sent to them. Sexism and Harassment Aside from the safety concerns, the employees also claimed that Blue Origin's management has a particular brand of sexism as numerous senior staff members and managers display inappropriate behavior towards female employees. A senior executive was reported to HR several times for harassment. However, there was no action taken, and the executive was later placed on a panel that oversees the appointment of a new senior HR position, according to Reuters. Another Blue Origin executive was notorious for sexist behavior that new female employees were warned to stay away from him. The group alleged that the executive was protected because he has a close personal relationship with Bezos. The final straw was when he groped a female employee, and he was finally fired. A spokesperson of Blue Origin stated that Abrams was let go two years ago after repeated warnings for issues involving federal export control regulations. Meanwhile, Abrams told CBS News that she never got any warnings from the company related to export control issues. In July, Blue Origin made the first flight of its New Shepard rocket ship, with Bezos onboard. However, he received backlash due to unnecessary spending, and several Blue Origin employees resigned as a result. The rocket is built to serve the surging market for space tourism. Blue Origin's New Shepard is facing stiff competition from SpaceX and Virgin Galactic. Related Article: Blue Origin Memes: Elon Musk Agrees with Entries Throwing Shades at Space Company Amidst Lawsuit This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Healthcare at home may be something that is rising now, especially as people are getting more into technology and are barred by the physical and social restrictions of the pandemic. However, staying at home does not mean that people would get less of the care they need, but it would help with low to moderate cases that also want to be with the family. Healthcare at Home: Technology Helps to Fulfill It Sadly, the global pandemic has pushed people away and restricted them to the bounds of their homes before the rolling out of the vaccine. However, when the vaccine came, another more deadly variant like the Delta strain and Lambda threat has plagued the public, further having restrictions despite not yet getting over the first one. Technology has shown the public that people can connect and continue with their lives and jobs despite being remote or not being present physically. The same goes with healthcare, as several cases of COVID are advised for homecare, and telehealth has given doctors and patients a chance at face-to-face interaction. It was said that it is more dangerous to be staying at hospitals as it could expose a person more to the virus compared to before. Well, to be fair, staying at hospitals then bring high risks of picking up viruses or infections too, with the phenomenon called "nosocomial infections, as it is a place where it is treated. It only means that sometimes, and not only during the pandemic, home is also the safest place to be, especially with regards to viruses and external threats which people cannot control. Read Also: Why is Medicare Advantage so Difficult? Tech Wearables for Health Needs The future of healthcare is at home, and Health Tech Magazine expands on this, especially with the ongoing evolution of tech, as well as the many innovations that aim to help people. Wearable technology is popular these days, as they aim to bring health monitoring to be more accessible, and without the massive price tag it has before. Moreover, several monitoring devices are also available for the home setup, something which can bring healthcare closer to a person, right on one's roof. This only means that patients would have more options or choices of staying at home and renting out equipment or hiring a personal healthcare assistant. The innovations present now could potentially help patients feel more at ease when staying at home, as this does not mean that their case or condition would be left unattended. Saving Money for Home Healthcare? Healthcare at home may also be grounds for saving money or costing a person more. This is not a clear-cut win for home healthcare yet, as it would depend on the cause and severity of a person's condition, whether home care is the best option for them. This may also be a ground for insurance disputes, as some companies still do not recommend staying at home for hospitalization to be covered. Nevertheless, healthcare at home would soon evolve and help people be closer with the family in the face of hard situations. Related Article: Speedy $15 Antigen Rapid Testing Give Results Valid for 24hrs and Can be Used to Fulfil Testing Requirements This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Pixabay/PhotoMIX-Company) Tesla app Nikola's $2 billion patent infringement lawsuit against Tesla that was filed in 2018 has been administratively closed by a federal judge. The case was pulled off the North District Court of California's docket because the two automakers stopped responding. Nikola has been given a deadline of Oct. 6 to give a reason why the case should continue. Otherwise, the court will permanently dismiss the case. Nikola's Case Against Tesla Dismissed Judge James Donator wrote in an order that Nikola has "dropped the ball," and the 2018 action is languishing without any explanation or good cause, according to The Verge. The case is now administratively closed, and Nikola is ordered by the court to show cause in writing. It needs to be given by Oct. 6. Nikola needs to convince the court to continue the case, or else it will be dismissed for failure to prosecute. Both companies have stopped responding to the court's requests over the past few months. Donato wrote that on July 7, the court asked the two car companies to schedule new hearing dates for the case. However, neither company responded to the request. Also Read: Tesla FSD Patent Asks to Use mmWave Radar for Sensing Objects on the Road-4D Radar and Still No LiDAR? On Sept. 2, the court vacated other proceedings on claim construction because of the lack of response. As of Sept. 30, neither company has advised the court of proposed new hearing dates. The representatives for both Tesla and Nikola declined to comment on the matter, according to Freight Waves. Nikola has had to spend a lot of time and money solving several company issues. After going public last year, the company's founder Trevor Milton was accused of fraud after short-selling the research firm Hindenburg Research. Milton was also accused of faking a video of the company's truck driving down a road, according to Forbes. The automaker conducted its own investigation into the fraud allegations, and they found out that some of them were true. Milton was indicted by the Department of Justice in July for multiple counts of fraud, while Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil complaint. Nikola Accused Tesla of Infringing Patents In the case filed in 2018, Nikola accused the automaker of infringing patents that the company had filed for its hydrogen-powered trucks. Nikola stated that Tesla is using the same mid-entry doors, wraparound windshield, and aerodynamic fuselage on its Tesla Semi. The company also accused Tesla's recruiter of poaching their chief engineer and claimed that it was enough evidence that Tesla wanted their designs. By stealing the design, Nikola stated that Tesla was causing a lot of confusion in the auto industry. Letting the infringement continue would eventually cost Nikola $2 billion in sales. Tesla stated at the time that it was obvious that the lawsuit had no merit at all. The two car companies have argued over the last three years regarding the patents that would make it to trial. Last year, Tesla accused Nikola of stealing the design from a Croatian company called Rimac, but no proof was presented. In 2020, Tesla lost a bid with the trademark office and was not able to invalidate the said patents. Nikola wants to move forward with the lawsuit but gives no reason why they won't respond to the court's requests. Despite the case against one if its patents, the automaker did not stop revealing them to the public. In July, Tesla revealed its patent for its electric trucks. In May, Tesla revealed its bulletproof armored patent for its cybertruck. Related Article: Tesla Laser Wipers, More Efficient Than Traditional Models, Appear on a New Patent: Effectiveness, Safety, and Other Details This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has snapped a photo of the Perseverance Rover as it came across the rover at the right place and right time as it passed by. It showed the look of the Mars rover from space, and it can be mistaken as a rock that has a slightly different look to it from afar, especially as its color is somehow themed after the planet. The tandem of Mars Ingenuity helicopter and Perseverance rover is known to be aiming to find out the history of the Red Planet and if there ever were signs of life here. The studies now aim to see if Mars is a viable planet that humans can live on, something which would help in making it another planet to thrive and create a civilization. Mars Recon Orbiter Captures Perseverance Rover on Mars Rock The Perseverance rover is only minding its own business, especially as it attempts to collect intact rock samples from the Red Planet after having failed attempts as it drills down. As it continues its daily mission of exploring the area of the Jezero Crater, Perseverance has had a special visitor in the form of NASA's MRO. The MRO or Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has snapped a photo of the Perseverance Rover, something which the team of HiRISE from the University of Arizona, in partnership with NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The main goal of the image is not to take a photo for Perseverance but to see the area on a larger scale from the rover's cameras. This is more of a satellite's eye view or bird's eye view for the Earth, as it aims to evaluate the region and the possible route that the Perseverance would take or traverse as it continues with its mission. The said location was 2,300 feet or 700 meters away from its original landing site back in February, when the rover set its wheels first on the Red Planet. Read Also: Earth Has Lost A Bit of Its Brightness, And That's NOT A Good Thing How to Track the Perseverance Rover The HiRISE team would not take photos all the time and would not be the one to update on the location of the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter during their stay in the Red Planet. However, do not fear. They still can be tracked, as they provide a real-time positioning system that can tell where they are and the journey which these spacecraft already covered. NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover location website can tell the public what the small car-sized martian vehicle is up to, and where it is now, as it goes around to do its supposed mission. Mars Mission: Human-Ready? The Mars mission has been a long, curated plan of NASA, something which has been under development for a long time now for human missions. For now, it is still under monitoring from rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance, along with the help of the Ingenuity space helicopter. That being said, NASA's Mars mission is not yet human-ready as of the moment. Even SpaceX's Starship mission that is bound for the Red Planet is not yet quite there, despite people thinking that the space industry is close to breaking the barrier and making life multi-planetary. Related Article: Ingenuity Helicopter's 14th Flight Has Not Pushed Through This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Royal Caribbean has rolled out a contact tracing wristband that cruise ship passengers, both guests and crew, are required to wear while on the ship. The contact tracing wristband is known as Tracelet and was created thanks to a partnership between Royal Caribbean and TraceSafe. The data collected by Tracelet can only be accessed by the cruise ship's staff. Royal Caribbean assures guests that the data will be deleted 24 days after the end of a guest's cruise. Royal Caribbean's Contact Tracing Wristband Royal Caribbean, the cruise line that owns the Symphony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, has rolled out a contract tracing wristband called Tracelet. According to the Royal Caribbean website, the Tracelet "is a comfortable, water-resistant, hypoallergenic wearable worn by all guests and crew during the cruise." Guests who refuse to wear the Tracelet will not be allowed to sail. As to why it is mandatory for everyone to wear it, Royal Caribbean says that the wearable "helps us with contact tracing in the unlikely event of an onboard health concern." The Tracelet is not just used for contact tracing. According to a report by MobiHealthNews, the wearable can also be used as a room key or as a payment method on the ship. Related Article: Luxury Cruise Ships are Back! Storylines Shares Success Story of Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic Data That the Tracelet Collects According to a separate post on the Royal Caribbean website, the contact tracing wristband tells the company "how close you've come to people who have been identified as COVID-19 risks and how long you were near them." Data collected by Tracelet can be accessed only by the staff and will be deleted 24 days after the end of a guest's cruise. Cruises and COVID-19 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cruise ship travel is at Level 3 as far as COVID-19 risks are concerned. Level 4 is the highest risk classification of the CDC. "The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is high," according to the CDC. CDC recommends that people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 should avoid going on cruises. It also recommends that those "with an increased risk of severe illness" should likewise avoid cruise ship travel. Last year, several cruises had to quarantine their passengers for long periods of time as COVID-19 rampaged throughout the world. Many have shared their COVID-19 experiences online, including a couple who were passengers of the Diamond Princess and tested positive for COVID-19. While many quarantined passengers were eager to go home, other passengers thought they were having the best cruise of their lives as they quarantined on cruise ships. This was mostly due to the fact that they were provided free food and internet, among other things. Also Read: Cruise Ship Quarantine Culminate in More Coronavirus Patients Four Times Higher Than in Any of the Worst Infected Areas in China This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isabella James 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google Docs' Voice Typing feature allows its users to type by merely speaking or dictating the words they want to input in the word processing platform. Google Voice Typing Thanks to this feature by Google, there is now an option to avoid letting your hands do the work in writing your documents. As per the Google Support page about Voice Typing, the feature is available for both the Docs and Slides, which rivals Microsoft Office's Word and Powerpoint. The support page further said that the feature is only available via Google Chrome, which means that the accessibility feature will not work on other web browsers, such as Safari or Microsoft Edge. However, mobile phone users could type by speaking with the need of a Chrome browser, according to Business Insider. They could write using their voice directly on the Google Docs app through the smartphone keyboard. Google Voice Typing: What It Does Aside from allowing its users to type by simply saying it out loud, the Voice Typing feature also flaunts an option to edit by using voice commands, which includes placing the proper punctuations, and even formatting. However, it is worth noting that the voice command editing feature is limited to the English language only. On the other hand, the voice typing feature is available in numerous languages, such as Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, French, English, Filipino--to name a few. Meanwhile, the supported punctuation and formatting functions include a question mark, comma, period, exclamation point, creating a new line, and generating a new paragraph. How to Type by Speaking in Google Docs So, here's how to type by using your voice in Google Docs: Go to Google Docs by using the Google Chrome browser. Once it is open, select the "Tools" section from its toolbar. Then, click the "Voice Typing" option (or you may also use the keyboard shortcut "command+shift+S, which opens the said feature). Once the Voice Typing feature is activated, a microphone logo should appear on the left side of Google Docs. Click the microphone logo from the left to start typing by speaking. Then, start speaking with a clear, and loud enough voice at a normal pace. Once you are finished typing via voice, click the microphone icon on the side to turn off the feature. Read Also: Google as Microsoft Bing's Most Searched Word! Search Engine Company Says Users Choose It Because They Want To How to Use Voice Commands As mentioned, Google Docs also gives its users an option to use voice commands to edit the punctuations and formatting of their text. To cut to the chase, here's how it works. To edit a document, simply say the keywords "cut," "paste," "copy," as well as "insert a page break," and "insert header." Related Article: Google Docs Smart Reply Offers Faster Collaboration Using AI! Workspace, G Suite to Receive the Feature This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ascension Parish sheriff's deputies arrested three Prairieville residents Friday in connection with a Sept. 25 bar stabbing that left a man with life-threatening injuries. Blain Garret Scott Jr., 37, stabbed the man at Mom's Bar off La. 42 in Prairieville after a fight, deputies said in a statement Friday. Fight at Prairieville bar ends in stabbing; deputies seeking suspect Ascension Parish sheriff's deputies are seeking the public's help in finding a man who stabbed someone at a Prairieville bar Saturday night. Arriving deputies had found the victim at the bar with multiple stab wounds shortly after 10 p.m. Sept. 25. Deputies did not provide a motive for the stabbing or fight. Scott was booked Friday with one count of attempted second-degree murder, deputies said. Detectives also arrested Courtney Fredericks, 36, and William Fredericks, 39, and booked them each on counts of being an accessory after the fact to attempted second-degree murder, deputies said. Earlier this week, deputies had said they were looking for the man who stabbed the victim and also a woman who was with the assailant. What he learnt, Liu says, was not to just rebel against them, although that was certainly a big part of that, but to also understand where they were coming from, to be able to empathise with them and to be able to love them despite all of our differences, and all the events that had happened. Thats a part of Shans journey as well. Director Cretton says the defining quality of Marvels heroes is they are flawed. And they have a weakness that is somehow also a superpower, and because [of that] theyre struggling with things that all of us struggle with, he says. To me, thats the secret sauce ... [to] not forget the intimacy, to not forget the relationships and the characters because that is what makes a Marvel movie special. At the London premiere of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings were (from left) Benedict Wong, Michelle Yeoh, Simu Liu, Sandra Oh and director Destin Daniel Cretton. Credit:AP Theres a lot of things that make him pretty different but his inner journey is something that I find very special and relatable to me as a young man who doesnt know his place in the world, who also has not learnt to deal with the pain and the trauma of his past. Watching him step into his superpowers which hes doing by looking inside himself and learning to deal with the good, the bad, everything he has inside him, and he has to learn to own it, and thats when he finally becomes a fully realised person. I really relate to that journey. While the film was in development, certain creative choices were made. Shang-Chis father, as written in the comic book, was the racially problematic Fu Manchu, so he was replaced with Xu Wenwu, alias the Mandarin. One unexpected upside to that process is the demonstration that comic book canon can be more flexible than hardliners and by-the-book traditionalists might argue. Cretton says the shift also plays into the comic book tradition of allowing new writers and artists to re-interpret established canon. What I love is watching characters change over time, watching new artists and writers take a character on a different spin, some changing gender, or changing certain things about these characters, and watching them become adapted to a new generation, he says. Menger Zhang, Simu Liu and Awkwafina in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. In particular, Cretton says, Marvel Studios under the stewardship of company president Kevin Feige operates from the same tradition as the comic books they draw their stories from. They hold on to the things we love about those characters but bring them into something that is fresh and exciting to everybody, Cretton says. The film pairs its younger cast Liu, Awkwafina (as Shang-Chis best friend Katy) and Menger Zhang (as Shang-Chis sister Xu Xialing) with two Asian acting legends, Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh. Leung plays Shang-Chis father, Xu Wenwu, and Yeoh plays Ying Nan, one of the guardians of Ta Lo, a mystical other realm inhabited by Chinese mythological creatures, in which part of the film is set. Ive idolised Tony and Michelle since the first time I saw Tony in Chungking Express, and Michelle in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Cretton says. Its so nice when you meet a legend, and they surpass what you had in your mind. One of the things people dont realise is how intimate a film set gets and how everybody is connected, and how [certain actors] can really lift the mood of an entire shoot. The next step was transforming Liu, who was best known as the confident son of a TV sitcom family, into a martial arts superhero. Luckily during his transition from accountant to actor, Liu had worked as a stuntman on the films Kill Order and Seven in Heaven, and the television series Heroes Reborn and Designated Survivor. Screen legend Tony Leung plays Shang-Chis father Xu Wenwu. But there is, notes Liu, something of a double standard for Asian, or Asian-American actors. Theres always this idea that were only as good as our martial arts, and if you see an Asian actor on the screen, then they must know martial arts, or here must be some sort of martial arts involved, he says. While the genre has been very empowering for us, it also can be limiting, in that it can become a stereotype. And while martial arts are front and centre in Shang-Chi this is, after all, a Marvel blockbuster Liu says they are not the most important thing to inhabiting this character. There is a dimensionality, the way that he responds to everything around him, how he shows vulnerability, what hes like with his best friend. Those are the things that make Shan, or Shang-Chi, who he is, and, hopefully, thats why I was cast. For his part, Cretton came to Shang-Chi never having directed a martial arts movie but put himself on a crash course of research. I watched every Jackie Chan movie there is, I was hooked on Donnie Yen and the Ip Man series, and Bruce Lee was my idol as a kid, says Cretton. I love them, but Ive never been able to make one before. That research also took Cretton to Chans stunt double Andy Cheng who, along with martial arts superstar, was in part of the now-iconic movie sequence in which Chan slides down a 24-storey skyscraper in Rotterdam. (The scene is in the 1998 film Who Am I.) I remember going, how the hell did you guys do that? And Andy said, we just did it, Cretton says. Unusually, but perhaps unsurprisingly given the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was produced in two pieces, divided by the lockdowns in Australia in early 2020. When filming was paused part-way through the film, Cretton shifted the post-production unit into action, working remotely to edit the completed sequences and at least get the film part-way through its post-production before filming resumed. We started editing the first third of the movie, which we had already shot, and then we were also able to really plan out our third act in a way that we didnt fully have the time for otherwise, says Cretton. I kept working throughout the entire process while I was holed up in Sydney, which was at the time, the best place in the world to be, so I feel very lucky. Loading When production halted between March and July 2020, Liu made the decision to stay in Australia. I love Sydney, I love Australia, and also, I thought that maybe there was a chance that we could get going again sooner than we actually did, Liu says. I ended up remaining in Sydney the whole time and it was really great. We were in this interesting pocket reality where people were going out. When production resumed in July, it did so with great caution, Liu adds. We were tested three times a week, we were very diligent with on-set COVID-19 protocols, social distancing, mask-wearing, all of that. Its really a testament to the crew, their dedication and their discipline that we managed to get it done, and get it done with zero positive cases. We all knew that we had to do our part to make sure this thing got to the finish line. Australia was just an absolute blast to shoot in. Its such a wonderful country, and Sydney is a great city with a lot of nature and city blended seamlessly. I have very, very fond memories of Sydney. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings opens in Sydney on October 11. It will lead to social disharmony, difficulties in workplaces and massive demonstrations. The Andrews governments decision to ban many unvaccinated workers from Victorian workplaces is not only a human rights overreach but also a political decision the government may wear like a crown of thorns for months to come ( Division over states no jab, no work rule , The Age, 2/10). The vaccines are effective in preventing COVID-19 or, at the very least, greatly reducing its symptoms. Let us continue to encourage and incentivise inoculations up to and beyond 80 per cent so we can enjoy a freer, happier and more united society in 2022. Tony Devereux, Nunawading Try this word instead What a pity we are still using the word mandatory, which seems to attract such angry responses. As ethicist Simon Longstaff said so eloquently on Q&A (ABC, 30/9), using the word conditions instead, is perfectly reasonable. Conditions are part of many job descriptions and have been for many, many years, with no problems. People can then choose if they really want to apply for jobs with conditions they dont want, or cant adhere to. Joan Lynn, Williamstown Legitimate, but selective There is legitimacy in the arguments Jon Faine puts forward in What really lies beneath? (The Sunday Age, 26/9). BHP has fired up its $140 million-plus nickel sulphate plant in Kwinana that will make enough of the crucial battery ingredient for 700,000 electric vehicles a year. The plant, located on the site of BHPs 50-year-old nickel refinery, is being commissioned after extended times for design and construction saw the cost soar from $US43 million ($60 million) to more than $US100 million ($139 million). BHPs new Nickel Sulphate plant in Kwinana, WA. BHP Nickel West asset president Jessica Farrell on Friday said the plant that will support 80 jobs was a first for Australia and BHP. Elon Musks Tesla, the worlds largest EV manufacturer, is a foundation customer after a supply agreement was signed in July. When the nickel sulphate plant reaches full capacity, it will be the second-biggest in the world and use 85 per cent of the nickel BHP produces in WA. Western Australian nurse Renee Freeman feels a part of herself died last September when she caught COVID-19 at a Melbourne aged care home. Its like I am a completely different person, the 45-year-old said. Ms Freeman was part of a team of seven volunteer healthcare workers from WA who raced across the Nullarbor to help Victorian nurses battle one of Australias worst coronavirus outbreaks last August. Perth nurse Renee Freeman is suffering from long COVID after catching the virus while volunteering in Victoria in 2020. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola She was caring for elderly patients at the Royal Freemasons Gregory Lodge in Flemington when she contracted a severe bout of coronavirus, despite wearing full personal protective equipment and following infection protocols. Washington: Joe Bidens legislative agenda is hanging in the balance. So, quite possibly, are the US Presidents hopes of winning a second term and the Democrats chances of retaining control of the Congress in next years midterm elections. And theres no sign of a resolution any time soon. The week in Washington has been dominated by infighting between progressive and moderate Democrats over how to shepherd two giant spending bills through Congress. President Joe Biden speaks with reporters as he departs after a House Democratic Caucus meeting on Capitol Hill on Friday. Credit:AP The legislative process is rarely pretty, but this weeks negotiations have been especially unsightly and acrimonious. Especially when you remember that this is a single party trying to make a deal with itself rather than bridge the divide between Democrats and Republicans. It was a sign of how badly things had deteriorated that Biden made a rare trip from the White House to the Capitol on Saturday (AEST) to address the Democratic House of Representatives caucus. He knows the gridlock at the Capitol is reinforcing perceptions that his presidency is adrift and that he has lost control of events. Performances of the Broadway production of Aladdin have been canceled through October 10 due to an outbreak of Covid-19 within the fully vaccinated company. The show reopened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on September 28 with several understudies and standbys performing. The September 29 performance was canceled after cases were detected in the company, but the show resumed performances on September 30 after no new positive tests were detected (and with, according to social media, several touring cast members performing the affected tracks). However, further positives were detected today. "Given my evaluation of this real-world data, I believe these positive cases are most likely related to an exposure from one positive case," said Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, the Epidemiologist working with Disney Theatrical Productions. "This 12-day pause allows the Aladdin company ample time to ensure that people with breakthroughs recover, and any other potential breakthroughs are identified before the Aladdin company gathers again "Daily PCR testing allows us the opportunity to detect a positive case before it is contagious. This allows us to isolate it before anyone else is put at risk, as we have done several times with the Aladdin company. Morning and evening swabs collected on Thursday, September 30th returned highly accurate negative molecular PCR test results for all cast, crew and musicians that affirmed a safe performance environment for our company and audience." Performances are expected to resume on Tuesday, October 12. Batavia, NY (14020) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 61F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 61F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Retail therapy is spending to feel better, and science has proven our addiction to the chemical high that comes from shopping. (Iakov Filimonov/Shutterstock) 4 Bad Spending Habits You Need to Break Today Imagine a reality where you can afford to move into your dream house, send your kids to college without debt, and give so generously that it transforms your community. If only right? Wrong. With a few changes to your spending habits, you actually can turn your financial dreams into reality. How Bad Spending Habits Mess Up Your Life Culture encourages bad money habits all the time through things like impulse shopping, convenience buying, and retail therapy. But I dont want you to spend your life like a rat in a wheel chasing something that is never going to fulfill you. You have to stop these four bad spending habitsand Ill show you how. Bad Money Habit No. 1: Spending on Impulse Impulse buying is kind of funat least in the moment. You walk into the store for milk, and before you know it, youve bought three bags of marked down holiday candy. Oops! This is normal. Americans spend $183 on impulse every month. Why do those impulse purchases get the better of us? Personally speaking, its hard to say no when we think were getting a deal. I love a good sale as much as anyone. The good news is, there are many ways to overcome impulse spendinglike waiting 24 hours before clicking that checkout button. But the most important way is learning to tell yourself no. Bad Money Habit No. 2: Spending Without Tracking Itll be really hard to succeed at managing your money if you dont track your purchases. Listen, if you make a plan for your moneyaka a budgetbut you dont actually stick it, your budget wont work. And let me bust one other myth while Im here: Budgets dont tell you what you cant dothey show you what you can do. I like to say budgets give you permission to spend! And when you track your purchases in a budget, youll see where your money is going every month. You may be surprised how much youre spending on pizzaand that leads us to the next bad money habit we have to conquer. Bad Money Habit No. 3: Spending on Convenience Delivery apps, valet parking, and the drive-thruweve all spent money on these conveniences. With apps, its so easy to have dinner delivered straight from your phone. But paying for these conveniences can really add up. Thankfully, convenience spending has a simple cure: planning ahead. My husband, Winston, and I plan and prep our weekly meals on Sundays so that when dinner time rolls around, we never feel the need to grab takeout at the last minute. Figure out where you spend on convenience, and try planning ahead instead. Youll see significant savingsI promise! Bad Money Habit No. 4: Spending to Feel Better Self-care is important, but I want to be clear: Retail therapy is not self-care. Retail therapy is spending to feel better, and science has proven our addiction to the chemical high that comes from shopping. So yes, purchases can make you feel bettertemporarily. But after the Amazon-induced happiness fades away, youre left with a guilty shopping hangover. You can drop this habit if you drop the comparisons (Im looking at you, social media!) and stay away from stores when your emotions are high. You can do this, you guys! With a little sacrifice and some self-control, that dream house wont seem so far away, college tuition will look more like a molehill and less like a mountain, and generosity will become second nature. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a press conference at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on June 8, 2021. (Montinique Monroe/Getty Images) Abbott Calls for Tougher Penalties for Illegal Voting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called on the states lawmakers to impose harsher penalties for illegal voting, building on earlier efforts that saw the Republican leader push for a forensic audit of the 2020 election. Abbott asked the Secretary of the Texas Senate on Sept. 30 to identify legislation for consideration during the current special session that would raise the penalties for illegal voting after an earlier bill, SB 1 (pdf), reduced the punishment to a misdemeanor from a felony. The State of Texas has made tremendous progress in upholding the integrity of our elections, Abbott said in a statement. By increasing penalties for illegal voting, we will send an even clearer message that voter fraud will not be tolerated in Texas. Earlier in September, Abbott signed into law SB 1, an election reform bill that its supporters say shores up election integrity, but whose detractors say establishes obstacles to voting. Besides establishing new ID requirements for voting by mail and making ballot harvesting a third-degree felony, the bill also changed the crime of illegal voting from a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, into a Class A misdemeanor, which can be resolved via a fine. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the state Senate, praised Abbotts move to increase the punishment for illegal voting. Patrick wrote on Twitter that the Texas House had added the amendment lowering the penalties at the last minute, and the change went undetected until he and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton discovered it. Paxton weighed in on Abbotts move as well. An outstanding decision to demand increased penalties for vote fraudsters. I have always been in favor of swift & sure justice on those who attack the heart of our constitutional republic. I will continue to muster all my resources to defend election integrity, he wrote on Twitter. Earlier, Abbott had pushed for an audit of the 2020 general election in four Texas countiesHarris, Collin, Dallas, and Tarrant. The Texas Secretary of States office announced on Sept. 28 that it would be carrying out the audit, with phase oneinvolving verifying the accuracy of voting machines, assessing cybersecurity, and examining voter rollsalready underway. The review was announced shortly after former President Donald Trump called on Abbott to audit the election and shortly before an audit in Arizona was announced to have uncovered inconsistencies. Trump won Texas in the 2020 election by about 630,000 votes, but said in a letter to Abbott that he heard that Texans want an audit. Your citizens dont trust the election system, he wrote. Texans know voting fraud occurred in some of their counties. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a Democrat, recently told reporters that the sensational announcement of an audit by the state is nothing more than a political ploy by a former president and someone whos trying to curry favor. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. The logo of insurer Allianz SE is seen on the company building in Puteaux at the financial and business district of La Defense near Paris, outside Paris, France, on May 14, 2018. (Charles Platiau/Reuters) Allianz Must Face Investor Claims Over Funds Collapse, US Judge Rules NEW YORKA U.S. judge said Germanys Allianz SE must face investor claims it wrongly abandoned the investment strategies it promised to use on hedge funds that suffered massive losses as the COVID-19 pandemic shook markets early last year. In an 81-page decision, U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla in Manhattan said investors could try to show Allianz was negligent and lacked good faith in managing its Structured Alpha funds. She also dismissed some state law-based claims. Thursdays decision addressed 12 lawsuits, including two proposed class actions, in which investors claimed to suffer more than $4 billion of losses. The insurer faces more than two dozen such lawsuits, seeking at least $6 billion. Allianzs funds used complex option strategies to generate predictable returns without excessive risk, but according to the investors, imploded in February and March 2020 after quietly removing hedges designed to minimize losses. According to court papers, the Structured Alpha Global Equity 500 fund lost three-quarters of its value, lagging its benchmark by nearly 60 percentage points. Two other funds once worth $2.3 billion were liquidated, locking in investor losses. Failla said the investors could try to show that Allianz breached terms of a private placement memorandum for the funds, which she said the insurer portrayed as a glorified advertising brochure, the substance of which [it] could ignore at will. Allianz and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lawyers for investors in the proposed class actions did not immediately respond to similar requests. On Thursday, Allianz said its top asset management executive Jacqueline Hunt was leaving her day-to-day role, and announced changes to its board. The changes follow Allianzs Aug. 1 announcement that the U.S. Department of Justice was investigating the Structured Alpha funds. That probe includes a review of whether Allianz fund managers misrepresented the funds risks to investors, three people with knowledge of the matter said earlier in September. Another U.S. regulator, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, is also probing the funds collapse. The cases include In re Allianz Global Investors US LLC Alpha Series Litigation, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 20-05615. By Jonathan Stempel A pharmacy tech pours out pills of hydroxychloroquine at Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah, on May 20, 2020. (George Frey/AFP via Getty Images) American Spending on Top 20 Drugs Nearly Doubles the Rest of the World Combined The United States outspent every other country in the world combined when it came to the top-selling 20 pharmaceutical drugs, according to a recent analysis of company financial filings by Public Citizen. Americans spent a total of $101.1 billion, while the rest of the world spent $56.8 billion, on the top 20 drugs. The key findings of the analysis report (pdf) indicate that U.S. consumers overpay for drugs, and do not necessarily intake more than people from other countries. The best-selling 20 drugs brought $157.8 billion in total global revenue for pharma companies with the U.S. accounting for 64 percent of the revenue pie. The sizable disparity makes the U.S. market essentially a cash cow for Big Pharma, which is fighting efforts to decrease the spending. Deceptive TV ads paid for by Big Pharma try to frighten and mislead Americans about new legislative efforts that would empower Medicare to negotiate drug prices, said the report. Medicare is currently prohibited from setting prices on drugs. If Medicare is given the authority to negotiate with drug manufacturers, Americans could see a significant lowering in medicinal costs. The billions in cost-savings that could be used to improve and expand Medicare, including by increasing access to treatments as well as to dental, hearing and visual care. According to the reports key findings, 11 of the 13 pharmaceutical companies selling these top drugs made more money in the United States from these drugs than they did in the rest of the world combined. Back in 2019, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, a bill that allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate prices with pharma companies in the Medicare program. This applies to 250 prescription drugs each year, including the 125 expensive ones offered under Medicare Part D or sold commercially. Under H.R. 3, prices would be compared and based on those in the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and Japan. Prices would be made available to insurers and organizers that sponsor Medicare Part D, and they will be able to enter into further negotiation for more discounts. If the manufacturer refuses to enter negotiation, an excise tax of up to 95 percent of the drugs sales can be applied on the company. Negotiation that uses an upper limit based on international prices, such as the one proposed in H.R. 3, is expected to reduce costs for patients in Medicare Part D and the commercial market through lower beneficiary premiums and cost-sharing, according to a report in The Commonwealth Fund. Some of the drugs with the biggest sales disparities include Gilead Sciences HIV medication, Biktarvy, and Humira, an autoimmune disease drug from AbbVie, which had U.S. sales revenues that were respectively five times and four times more than the rest of the world. Are Oral Statements Binding in Real Estate Transactions? Dear Monty: Are oral statements binding in real estate transactions? The seller requested 30 days after close. She moved out before closing and has a new residence. At closing, she made a verbal agreement with everyone in the room. The title officer, both real estate agents, and I heard her say she would be out in 14 days. When the time limit passed, she asked for another seven days, but now that has passed. She is asking for another five days. I have made arrangements based on her verbal agreement. I hired painters and carpet installers, and I gave the notice to vacate my apartment. I will have an extra months rent plus a penalty. All her furniture is gone. All that remains is miscellaneous stuff. Does her verbal agreement stand? Montys Answer: When the agents wrote the purchase agreement, the contract stated the seller would be out in 30 days. In the states I am familiar with, oral representations are not enforceable. With the extensions she is asking for now, despite the oral representation, it appears by contract that there is no default. Both real estate agents were reticent in not requesting an amendment to the contract of sale at the time the buyer made the statement. Under the law, real estate brokers and agents have a responsibility to reduce oral conversations such as the one you described into a document memorializing the event. Had that taken place, you would not have the financial loss you may now experience. Most states have online resources to help. Here is an example in my home state: DSPSComplaintForm.wi.gov/dspslsconlinecomplaint.aspx Some Options to Consider No. 1: Contact your agent, preferably by email, and suggest that they reach out to the listing agent and ask the two of them to solve this problem for you. Ask for the brokers email address as they may not be aware of the situation. It is unclear if you have done this. Some real estate agents will resist the idea. Some will recognize that they erred and help. If they waffle, consider pushing back and threaten to file a complaint with state regulators. No. 2: Contact the seller by email (the listing agent will have it). Tell her that if her belongings are not out by a specific date and time, you will put them out on the curb, and she can pick them up anytime. This action is a demand letter, and option No. 3 below is a more powerful demand letter. No. 3: Consider contacting your attorney and ask them to write the demand letter. Most people will respond to such a letter. Your attorney will review the documents and advise you who should receive the demand letter. No 4: As a last resort, incentivize the seller. Offer her cash (other than a lawsuit) to remove her belongings immediately. It sounds counterintuitive under the circumstances, but it may save time and be more cost effective. Based on this writers experience, situations such as this one are frequent in residential real estate. There are fundamental reasons mistakes are common in this business. The culprits are low entry-level requirements, high agent turnover rates, and lack of proper training and supervision. Many industry practices are flawed, and your story is an example of the financial risks to be wary of when buying or selling a home. Californians React to Newsoms Vaccine Requirement for Public School Students As California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Oct. 1 that all public school children will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccine after it receives full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Californians shared conflicting responses to the news and how it may affect them and their children. Currently, the government has approved the Pfizer vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and above, and older high school students in either public or private schools will be required to get the shot. Additionally, only emergency authorization for the vaccine has been granted for 12- to 15-year-olds, meaning that when the FDA approves it for that age group, seventh-graders and above will need to get it prior to attending class. The requirement is likely to be implemented by either January or July 2022. Mari Barke, chair of the Orange County Board of Education, said that it should be up to parents to decide whats best for children. Im certainly not proud that California is the first state to mandate this. I think parents are the best to make these types of decisions for their children, so Im very disappointed, Barke told The Epoch Times. I believe strongly in parental rights and parents knowing whats best for their children. This vaccine has had the least testing of any vaccine. Its not a virus that is killing lots of children unless they have severe co-morbidities, and I think its government overreach. Barke said that due to this measure, she believes a lot of parents will be taking their children out of school in order to homeschool them. Many parents dont want their children masked in school, let alone vaccinated, she said. I really think youre going to see a huge amount of children coming out of schools and being homeschooled, she said. Were not in a state of emergency. Were not in one for adults, never mind children. A medical volunteer prepares the Moderna coronavirus vaccination for a patient at Lestonnac Free Clinic in Orange, Calif., on March 9, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Jon Schrank, a parent of a student within Tustin Unified School District, said he feels the move is typical government overreach. [The mandate is] not unexpected. As soon as Newsom won the recall, we all sort of knew that all these little things were going to start to come about from him, Schrank told The Epoch Times. My opinion is, its typical government overreach. Im not an anti-vaxxer. Im pro-choice, and thats your business, its not my business. So the fact that theyre making this happen for a bunch of kids that have no risk of really getting terribly ill from it [is not good]. Schrank said that those who are for the mandate will argue that the students will spread it to the adults who are more vulnerable, but he pointed out that if the adults are vaccinated, that should take care of the problem. If youre worried about it, get the vaccination, thats your business, he said. I dont think we need to have the government telling us what we need to do with our children. Thats my point of view. If I want to get the vaccine for my kid, then I would do it. If I dont want to do it, that should be my choice. Its no longer about personal choice, its about government intervention. Schrank added that the mandate will likely only force parents to put their children back into virtual education like last year, which caused many students to fall behind. California Governor Gavin Newsom discusses the states plan for homelessness initiatives in Los Angeles on Sept. 29, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) On Twitter, Newsom cited other vaccination requirements as evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine should be required as well. CA will require our kids to get the COVID-19 vaccine to come to school, the governor wrote on Twitter. This will go into effect following full FDA approval. Our schools already require vaccines for measles, mumps and more. Why? Because vaccines work. This is about keeping our kids safe & healthy. Others were also supportive of the measure, referring to it as a common-sense solution to the pandemic. This common sense measure will save lives! Gabriel Olvera wrote in a tweet. Thank you! Our kids deserve a safe healthy school! Our school in Fresno county still not wearing masks! Teachers have been out, kids have been out! Lets get this done! Myrna Ansel also noted on Twitter. I appreciate the vaccination mandate. I just hope this leads to an off ramp for masking and all the other covid protocols in schools. I want to be able to volunteer in the classroom again and the kids to also have some of the fun things school brings, Krissy Reagan added in a comment. A sign for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service building is seen in Ottawa in a file photo. As China and Russia attempt to reshape the international system and constrain the democratic West, Canada could do much more with its trusted partners in the Five Eyes alliance to counter the challenge, a new report says. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) Canada Should Work More With Five Eyes to Counter China and Russia Threats: Report Canada should collaborate more with its partners in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance to confront the challenges China and Russia pose to the liberal democracies in the West, a new report says. Titled Evolving the Five Eyes: Opportunities and Challenges in the New Strategic Landscape, the report says the members of the Five EyesCanada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealandcould work together to expand the ability of the alliance to counter China and Russia on a wider range of fronts, particularly in the areas of technology, information, military, and economics. Over recent years, the international security situation has worsened and become increasingly fluid and dynamic, marked by hybrid warfare, grey-zone tactics, and non-kinetic threats; this entails political warfare, economic warfare, cyber operations, and strategic messaging against a target state without the use of conventional military means, write authors John Hemmings and Peter Varnish. Both Russia and China are waging increasingly aggressive campaigns of political warfare (also known as below-threshold conflict) designed to undermine the social, economic, and political resilience of the Five. Hemmings is an associate professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in Hawaii, and Varnish is an expert in defence and security technologies and a visiting professor at the University of Coventry. The report is a joint publication released on Sept. 30 by the DKI APCSS and the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa. Changing Threats The reports executive summary says that state competition is changing toward deniable, intrusive, and non-military threats against all sectors of society and that liberal democracies are increasingly on the back foot and looking for collective ways to respond and deter. Richard Fadden, a former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, writes in the reports foreword that China and Russia are taking increasingly assertive actions to reshape the international system and constrain the liberal democratic West using a range of non-kinetic tools. While the threats from China and Russia are different in level and kind, they present a challenge that requires a collective response, adds Fadden, also a former national security adviser to Canadas prime minister. The report says that while the threats posed by China and Russia are similar to the political warfare threats from the Soviet Union during the Cold War, today, unlike that period, the two regimes are challenging global governance, maritime law, and international diplomacy. [T]he Five must develop the capability for analyzing and countering China and Russias interference and propaganda, and develop practical non-military ways to deter them, the report says. Following Chinas rise as an economic power, its neighbours and the Five Eyes countries have grown dependent on it for trade and economic growth. But unlike the Western states that link sanctions to human rights transgressions, China has publicly denied any such [economic coercive] policies while at the same time quietly pursuing them, the report says, quoting Christina Lai, a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University. For example, it says Canada and Australia have been targeted by the Chinese communist regime. The regime targeted Canada following the arrest of Huaweis senior executive Meng Wanzhou, and it set its sights on Australia after Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for a public inquiry into the origins of the COVID-19 global pandemic. In the case of Canada, Chinese authorities restricted canola and meat products. The canola bancosting the industry $1 billionwas based on allegations of harmful organisms found in the crop, the report said, adding that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency did not identify any such concerns. Recommendations Hemmings and Varnish compiled 12 recommendations from defence and security experts across the Five Eyes countries. The recommendations include creating a counter-interference handbook for analyzing Chinese and Russian interference both within Western democracies and in other countries. The experts also suggest creating a Five Eyes Defence Policy Bureau and boosting political and security consultation among the five nations to address the economic warfare intended to degrade any members sovereignty. On the technology front, they recommended creating a Five Eyes tech centre that could foster collaborative projects to allow co-development of the most promising technologies into practical products. In addition, they suggest creating interagency public-private working groups to coordinate on technology standards and establishing a fusion centre to undertake classified analysis and operations on information operations and interference. Our hope is that this papers recommendations will foster evolutionnot revolutionwithin the Five Eyes grouping, the authors write. This might include discussions leading to the solutions for urgent and immediate threats and will also open up for discussion and debate long-term structural changes within the security and defence communities of our Five nations. CCP Propaganda Focused on Overseas Chinese: Part 1 News Analysis In a recent report on the China threat, the French Military School Strategic Research Institute (IRSEM) identified the Chinese regimes three-pronged attack consisting of psychological warfare, public opinion warfare, and legal warfare. The attack is all part of a massive propaganda campaign focused on overseas Chinese. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claims ownership of anyone of Chinese descent, anywhere in the world, and they are working hard to influence, recruit, co-opt, ostracize, or silence ethnic Chinese in other countries. In 2017, Xi Jinping called for closely uniting with overseas Chinese in support of the Chinese dream. The Chinese diaspora, including both Chinese nationals abroad (Huaqiao) and foreign nationals of Chinese heritage (Huaren), number about 60 million. Xi sees these people as being integral to achieving the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese state, and China taking center stage in global politics. Beijings overseas propaganda is largely carried out through a CCP arm called the United Front Work Department (UFWD), which often targets overseas Chinese communities. Much of the propaganda is subtle, just nudging foreign, public opinion in a direction conducive to the interests of the CCP. Some of it is more overt, influencing local politics, damaging media integrity, facilitating espionage, and increasing unapproved technology transfer. The UFWD also supports economic espionage and CCP influence on university campuses. Through its propaganda programs in overseas Chinese communities, the CCP also seeks to undermine social cohesion and exacerbate racial tension, raising support for the CCP or intentionally causing divisions among the Chinese diaspora. Most Chinese diaspora do not support the CCP and do not wish to be pawns in Chinas global game. But CCP propaganda serves to drive a wedge between this group and their local communities. One of the subtle disinformation programs that the CCP ran last year was targeting the diaspora in an online campaign, linking COVID-origin theories with anti-Asian racism. Much of this campaign was focused on discrediting Chinese virologist Yan Limeng, who published a paper claiming that SARS-CoV-2 was made in a Chinese government laboratory. One of the goals of CCP disinformation campaigns may not be to convince skeptics, but to draw attention away from more authoritative theories. It also helped to shift lab-origin theories away from mainstream audiences, relegating them to the fringes of dark web conspiracy theories. Another tactic taken by the CCP is to spin their interpretation of news from other countries in such a fashion as to conclude that the CCP way is best. In 2018, the Partys mouthpiece Peoples Daily ran a piece, praising Xis systematic elaboration of the advantages of Chinas Party system and how he has educated the world on building a better political system. Such commentary will usually be accompanied by reports of some sort of chaos or political turmoil in the United States, India, or Nigeria, arriving at the conclusion that democracy causes disorder, while the CCP system provides stability for citizens. The Communist Party line is that Western societies do not want the Chinese diaspora to know that the CCP system is better at providing the world with a China solution a better political system, according to the Peoples Daily. And for this reason, the West discredits Chinese overseas media, in order to prevent the diaspora from finding out the true benefits of a one-party, totalitarian regime. Between April and June, the hashtags #StopAsianHate and #LiMengYan were tweeted and retweeted 30,000 times by more than 6,000 suspicious accounts, all posting the same memes with English phrases. The vast majority of these tweets were made during normal business hours, Beijing time. This campaign was identified across American social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, Google Groups, and Medium, as well as non-U.S. platforms such as TikTok, VK, and a Russian amateur blog site. Actions of the UFWD are difficult for democratic societies to address because some of the programs fall into the category of freedom of speech, while others are covert actions and espionage that are hard to detect. Extraterritorial activities of the CCP and the UFWD often violate international law such as the abduction of Swedish national Gui Minhai in Thailand and Lee Bo, a British citizen in Hong Kong. Additionally, they regularly threaten exiled ethnic Uyghurs and Tibetans who speak out against the regime. In other examples, the CCP was aided by foreign governments in extraditing Taiwan citizens suspected of fraud in Kenya, Cambodia, and Spain. The CCP funds overseas Chinese schools, as well as Confucius Institutes, where Party opinions are disseminated and opposing voices are suppressed. A report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute determined that China News Service, the second-largest state-run media group, operates at the behest of the UFWD to influence Chinese diaspora. By controlling diaspora media, funding research at think tanks, and using WeChat and other social media to censor, surveil and control discourse, the UFWD facilitates espionage and unsupervised technology transfer. A view of the Confucius Institute building on the Troy University campus in Troy, Ala., on March 16, 2018. (Kreeder13 via Wikimedia Commons) About 70 percent of the Chinese diaspora live in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia. To win their support, Beijing offers them a variety of incentives, including money, access to education, support for their businesses, and protection for their intellectual property. In Malaysia, where nearly 23 percent of the population are ethnic Chinese, CCP officials regularly conduct visits to Chinese communities, endorse pro-China political candidates, and attend meetings of Chinese political parties. In 2018, the Chinese ambassador supported the candidacy of the president of the Malaysian Chinese Association. In the United States, multiple Chinese scientists have been arrested for technology theft, while thousands of other suspected instances of espionage and coercion are under investigation. In Australia, Canada, the UK, and the United States, on-campus organizations have been heavily infiltrated by the UFWD, spying on international students, suppressing academic freedom, and mobilizing students to protest in support of the interests of the CCP. During the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in China, Chinese students and diaspora in Australia, Canada, the UK, the United States, Argentina, Japan, and the Czech Republic were told to buy out PPE and other medical supplies in local pharmacies and ship them back to China. Much of this effort was directed by the UFWD linked agency, the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. Buying up medical supplies in foreign countries created shortages, increasing the demand for Chinese imports, driving up prices, and ultimately benefitting the CCP economically. This also puts Beijing in the position of a benevolent savior, dolling out much-needed medical supplies as part of its international public relations campaign. Read part 2 here. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. China Appoints New Xinjiang Governor Amid Abuse Accusations The Chinese regime has appointed a new governor for Xinjiang where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is accused of carrying out mass detentions and other abuses against members of the Uyghur and other Muslim minority groups. A former vice governor, Erkin Tuniyaz gained some notoriety for delivering a vociferous defense of the communist regimes policies in the northwestern region, particularly the use of facilities critics call detention centers. Tuniyaz, 59, is an ethnic Uyghur and a veteran CCP member. He studied law at CCPs Central Party School between 2009 and 2011 after obtained a masters degree in economics in 1999 from Xinjiang University. He worked his way up through a variety of posts in Xinjiang and received his appointment late Thursday. The regions most powerful official is Communist Party Secretary Chen Quanguo, who is accused of overseeing the mass detentions and all-enveloping surveillance of minorities. In his February video address to the United Nations, Tuniyaz said: All trainees of these facilities had graduated by October 2019 and the centers educated and rehabilitated people to prevent them from falling victim to terrorism and extremism, Tuniyaz said. Observers say the camp system has been expanded with more permanent facilities, while ex-detainees say they were subjected to brutal conditions and political indoctrination intended to separate them from their traditional culture and religion. Under the assimilation drive, the state has forced Uyghur to undergo sterilizations and abortions, an Associated Press investigation found. Many in the camps have been sentenced in secret, extrajudicial trials and transferred to high-security prisons for things like having contact with people abroad, having too many children and studying Islam. People deemed less of a risk, like women or the elderly, have been transferred to a form of house arrest or forced labor in factories. Epoch Times Staff contributed to this report. A Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location in a file photo. (Taiwan Ministry of Defense via AP) China Sends Another 20 Fighter Jets Into Taiwan Airspace After Previous Huge Incursion China sent another 20 fighter jets into Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Oct. 2, just one day after the communist regime deployed 38 fighter jets over the island nation in the largest display of force to date. In a government statement issued on Oct. 2, the Taiwanese military said the aircraft involved included 14 J-16 jets, 4 SU-30 planes, and 2 anti-submarine aircraft. That incursion was followed by Chinas largest display of force this year after the communist authorities sent dozens of military jets that included multiple H-6 bombers with nuclear capabilities. Taiwan said it responded to the invasion by deploying air patrol forces and tracking the Chinese aircraft on its air defense systems, according to the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense. 20 PLA aircraft (J-16*14, SU-30*4 and Y-8 ASW*2) entered #Taiwans southwest ADIZ on October 2, 2021. Please check our official website for more information: https://t.co/ga0zLOIC4d pic.twitter.com/SA59EdkJW5 Ministry of National Defense, R.O.C. (@MoNDefense) October 2, 2021 Taiwan said the Oct. 1 incursion came in two waves and happened on the same day that China commemorated the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) takeover of the mainland in the late 1940s. During the CCPs first maneuver, 25 fighter jets crossed the nations ADIZ, Taiwan said. The second wave of hostility included an additional 13 planes later that night. The ADIZ is a specific area beyond a countrys sovereign territory within which the country requires the identification, location, and air traffic control of aircraft in the interest of its national security. Taiwan had sharply criticized China on Oct. 2 after the previous days intrusion. The self-ruled island has complained about a year or more of repeated missions by Chinas air force, often in the southwestern part of its ADIZ close to the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands. China has been wantonly engaged in military aggression, damaging regional peace, Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters on Saturday. Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang (C) arrives at the Parliament in Taipei on Sept. 24, 2021. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images) The first batch of Chinese aircraft flew in an area close to the Pratas Islands, with the two bombers flying closest to the atoll, according to a map issued by the Taiwanese defense ministry. The second group flew down into the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines, a key waterway that links the Pacific with the disputed South China Sea. China has sent military planes toward the self-ruled island that it has claimed is part of its territory on a near-daily basis in the last couple of years, and stepped up military harassment with drills. A J-15 fighter jet landing on Chinas sole operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, during a drill at sea on April 24, 2018. (AFP via Getty Images) The CCP claims that Taiwan is its territory, in spite of the fact that Taiwan has been self-governing since 1949, and that China has never governed Taiwan. Last week, the communist regime flew 24 fighter jets toward Taiwan, one day after the island nation applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)a trade group that China also applied to join. Beijing labels any foreign governments engagement with Taiwan as a challenge to its sovereignty. It squeezes Taiwans international space, trying to isolate the Asian democracy from global groups like the World Health Organization. China also runs afoul of nations that wish to establish closer ties with Taiwan, like Lithuania and Japan, who donated vaccines to Taiwan this year. Frank Yue and Reuters contributed to this report. From NTD News Continental Restructures Technology Unit, Downsizes Board BERLINGerman car parts maker Continental announced plans for a restructuring that will combine from the start of next year business activities around connectivity, mobility, and high-performance computers, it said on Thursday. Its tires business and the ContiTech division, focused on rubber technologies, will become independent group sectors, while its Automotive Technologies branch will split into five business areas including a new focus on smart mobility and user experience, a statement said. The restructuring is a further step by Continental to reorganize its business after spinning off its power-train unit Vitesco in mid-September. Mobility of the future is sustainable, automated, and connected, Chief Executive Nicola Setzer said in a statement. We are thus making the most of the potential presented by our unique strong technology position in all of these fields. As part of the restructuring, management board members Helmut Matschi and Frank Jourdan will step down, nearly three years before the end of their contracts. That will shrink Continentals board to five members from Jan. 1. The meat-eating dinosaurs Ceratosuchops inferodios, in the foreground, and Riparovenator milnerae, in the background are seen in an undated artist's rendition. (Anthony Hutchings/Handout via Reuters) Englands Isle of Wight Was Isle of Fright, With Two Big Dinosaur Predators Fossils found on a rocky beach show there was double trouble on Englands Isle of Wight about 127 million years ago, with a pair of large previously unknown dinosaur predators living perhaps side by side, both adapted to hunting along the waters edge. Scientists on Wednesday announced the discovery of fossils of the two Cretaceous Period meat-eatersboth measuring about 30 feet long (9 meters) and boasting elongated crocodile-like skullson the southwest of the island, one of Europes richest locales for dinosaur remains. They are examples of a type of dinosaur called a spinosaur, known for long and narrow skulls with lots of conical teethperfect for grasping slippery fishas well as strong arms and big claws. One is named Ceratosuchops inferodios, meaning horned crocodile-faced hell heron. The name refers to a heron because of that birds shoreline-foraging lifestyle. Ceratosuchops had a series of low horns and bumps ornamenting its brow region. The second is named Riparovenator milnerae, meaning Milners riverbank hunter, honoring British paleontologist Angela Milner, who died in August. It may have been slightly larger than Ceratosuchops. Each are estimated to have weighed around one to two tons, with skulls around a yard long, according to Chris Barker, a University of Southampton PhD student in paleontology and lead author of the study published in the journal Scientific Reports. Both would have been heron-like shoreline hunters, wading out into water and thrusting the head down quickly to grab things like fish, small turtles, et cetera, and on land would do something similar, grabbing baby dinosaurs or the like. They would basically have eaten anything small they could grab, said paleontologist and study co-author David Hone of Queen Mary University of London. Spinosaurs were part of the broad group of bipedal meat-eating dinosaurs called theropods that included the likes of Tyrannosaurus rex. As semiaquatic hunters, spinosaurs targeted different prey and lacked the massive, boxier skull, and large serrated teeth of T. rex, which inhabited North America about 60 million years later. Ceratosuchops and Riparovenator roamed a floodplain environment bathed in a subtropical Mediterranean-like climate. Forest fires occasionally ravaged the landscape, with fossils of burned wood found throughout Isle of Wight cliffs. With a large river and other bodies of water attracting plant-eating dinosaurs and hosting numerous bony fish, sharks, and crocodiles, the habitat provided Ceratosuchops and Riparovenator plenty of hunting opportunities, Barker said. These two dinosaurs may have lived at the same time, perhaps differing in prey preference, or may have been separated a bit in time, the researchers said. There was a third roughly contemporaneous spinosaur named Baryonyx, whose fossils were unearthed in the 1980s, that lived nearby and was about the same size, maybe slightly smaller. Partial remains of Ceratosuchops and Riparovenator were discovered near the town of Brighstone. Ceratosuchops is known from skull material, while Riparovenator is known from both skull and tail material. There are braincase remains for both, giving particular insight into these creatures. Naomi and Lydia Hassebroek order food from Taco Bell in Brooklyn, New York, on June 23, 2020. (Caitlin Ochs/Reuters) Fast-Food Chains Close Some Indoor Seating as Cities Mandate Vaccine Checks NEW YORKAs New York, San Francisco, and a few other cities and counties require restaurants to check proof of COVID-19 vaccination to dine indoors, some fast-food chains are simply shutting their seating areas altogethera move that may dent their sales. The burger chain White Castle shut the seating sections in its more than 20 New York City locations in September, after New York City began asking customers over the age of 12 to prove they received at least one does of the vaccine in order to eat indoors. By eliminating dine-in options, restaurants are forced to rely entirely on carry-out, drive-thru, and delivery orderswhich are generally more profitable. That also means they can eliminate costly labor required to clean seating areas and check customers proof of vaccination, and perhaps have an extra employee work the kitchen or counter instead. White Castle Chief Operations Officer Jeff Carper said the chain was able to redeploy some labor to focus on drive-thru, delivery, and pick-up, for instance. Taco Bell, a unit of Yum Brands Inc., said it encouraged customers to place digital orders for pickup and delivery, adding that our restaurants comply with federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines to keep our team members and customers safe. Two Taco Bell locations that Reuters visited had closed their indoor seating. At McDonalds Corp., franchisees consider multiple factors when deciding to close indoor seating, including COVID-19 case counts, local regulations, and staffing levels, the company said. On Sept. 16, 3 of the 8 McDonalds locations in New York City visited by Reuters had closed their indoor seating. We continue to monitor the Delta variant closely and, as we have throughout the last 18 months, remain able to adapt quickly while maintaining our safety standards, the company said. Overall, consumer spending at restaurants has rebounded from last years mid-pandemic lows, up 9 percent to $440 billion in the 12 months ended in August, according to data from The NPD Group/CREST. But the first mandate to check for proof of vaccination went into effect in New York City on Aug. 17, and the city began to enforce the requirements as of Sept. 13. Inspectors for New York City visited 18,182 establishments by Thursday, giving out 2,211 warnings and 6 violations of $1,000 for failing to check vaccination cards. King County, Washington, home to Seattle, will require restaurants to check proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test beginning Oct. 25. San Francisco began requiring indoor diners to show proof that they had been fully vaccinated on Aug. 20. By Hilary Russ A firetruck is seen at the site of COVID-19 hospital Matei Bals, after a fire broke out in Bucharest, Romania on Jan. 29, 2021. (Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos via Reuters) Fire at Romanian COVID-19 Hospital Kills Seven People BUCHARESTSeven people died on Friday when a fire broke out in a Romanian intensive care unit treating COVID-19 patients, officials said, the countrys third deadly hospital fire in less than a year. Video footage showed patients jumping out of windows from the hospitals lower levels and firefighters carrying people out. Emergency personnel assist the people evacuated after a fire broke out at the intensive care unit of a COVID-19 hospital in Constanta, Romania on Oct. 1, 2021. (Costin Dinca/Inquam Photos via Reuters) The countrys emergency response unit had initially said nine people had died, but Transport Minister Lucian Bode later said there had been a miscommunication between firefighters and hospital staff. Firefighters extinguished the fire at the hospital in the eastern city of Constanta at around 07:55 GMT, having brought in additional teams from nearby counties. Enraged relatives of the patients gathered outside the hospital in protest and prosecutors have opened an investigation into the causes of the fire. In February, a fire killed four patients at a COVID-19 hospital in the capital Bucharest. Last November 10 people died in an intensive care unit at the Piatra Neamt county hospital. I am appalled at the tragedy, President Klaus Iohannis said in a statement. It is a new terrible drama which confirms the lacking infrastructure of Romanias healthcare system, placed under unimaginable pressure by the fourth wave of the pandemic. There were more than 12,500 COVID-19 patients, including 373 children, being treated in Romanian hospitals on Friday, including 1,391 in intensive care units. Medical personnel assist the people evacuated after a fire broke out at the intensive care unit of a COVID-19 hospital in Constanta, Romania, on Oct. 1, 2021. (Costin Dinca/Inquam Photos via Reuters) The number of new COVID-19 infections in Romania reached 10,887 on Friday, and intensive care units across the country were running out of space, with a new wave of infections beginning to hit the country. Even before the pandemic, Romanias healthcare system had been under pressure, dogged by corruption, inefficiencies, and politicized management. The country has one of the EUs least developed healthcare infrastructures. The state has built one hospital in the last three decades, spends the least on healthcare in the EU, and tens of thousands of doctors and nurses have emigrated. Reuters contributed to this report. A judicial officer looks at his watch prior of a trail against a 96-year-old former secretary for the SS commander of the Stutthof concentration at the court room in Itzehoe, Germany, on Sept. 30, 2021. (Markus Schreiber/AP Photo) Former Nazi Camp Secretary, 96, Caught After Skipping Trial ITZEHOE, GermanyA former secretary for the SS commander of the Stutthof concentration camp skipped the start Thursday of her trial in Germany on more than 11,000 counts of accessory to murder. She was picked up several hours later and ordered held in custody. The 96-year-old woman left her home near Hamburg in a taxi on Thursday morning, a few hours before proceedings were due to start at the state court in Itzehoe, court spokeswoman Frederike Milhoffer said. The court issued an arrest warrant and delayed the reading of the indictment until the next scheduled hearing on Oct. 19 because that couldnt be done in the defendants absence. The accused woman previously had announced that she didnt want to come to court, but that did not provide sufficient grounds for detaining her ahead of the trial, Milhoffer said. Given the womans age and condition, she had not been expected actively to evade the trial, Milhoffer added. Police found the defendant and she was brought to the court on Thursday afternoon. A court statement said that she was being taken to a detention center. Prosecutors argue that the woman was part of the apparatus that helped the Nazis Stutthof camp function during World War II more than 75 years ago. The court said in a statement before the trial that the defendant allegedly aided and abetted those in charge of the camp in the systematic killing of those imprisoned there between June 1943 and April 1945 in her function as a stenographer and typist in the camp commandants office. Despite her advanced age, the German woman was to be tried in juvenile court because she was under 21 at the time of the alleged crimes. German media identified her as Irmgard Furchner. Efraim Zuroff, the head Nazi hunter at the Simon Wiesenthal Centers office in Jerusalem, told The Associated Press that if she is healthy enough to flee, she is healthy enough to be incarcerated. Her flight, he added, should also affect the punishment. The case against Furchner relies on German legal precedent established in cases over the past decade that anyone who helped Nazi death camps and concentration camps function can be prosecuted as an accessory to the murders committed there, even without evidence of participation in a specific crime. A defense lawyer told Der Spiegel magazine that the trial would center on whether the 96-year-old had knowledge of the atrocities that happened at the camp. My client worked in the midst of SS men who were experienced in violencehowever, does that mean she shared their state of knowledge? That is not necessarily obvious, lawyer Wolf Molkentin said. According to other media reports, Furchner was questioned as a witness during past Nazi trials and said at the time that the former SS commandant of Stutthof, Paul Werner Hoppe, dictated daily letters and radio messages to her. Furchner testified she was not aware of the killings that occurred at the camp while she worked there, dpa reported. Initially a collection point for Jews and non-Jewish Poles removed from Danzignow the Polish city of GdanskStutthof from about 1940 was used as a so-called work education camp where forced laborers, primarily Polish and Soviet citizens, were sent to serve sentences and often died. From mid-1944, tens of thousands of Jews from ghettos in the Baltics and from Auschwitz filled the camp, along with thousands of Polish civilians swept up in the brutal Nazi suppression of the Warsaw uprising. Others incarcerated there included political prisoners, accused criminals, people suspected of homosexual activity and Jehovahs Witnesses. More than 60,000 people were killed there by being given lethal injections of gasoline or phenol directly to their hearts, or being shot or starved. Others were forced outside in winter without clothing until they died of exposure, or were put to death in a gas chamber. By Markus Schreiber and Kirsten Grieshaber A Cruise self-driving car, which is owned by General Motors Co., is seen outside the companys headquarters in San Francisco where it does most of its testing, in California, on Sept. 26, 2018. (Heather Somerville/Reuters) GMs Cruise, Alphabets Waymo Win Permits to Offer Self-Driving Rides to Passengers in California SAN FRANCISCOGeneral Motors Co.s Cruise and Alphabet Inc.s Waymo self-driving car subsidiaries on Thursday became the first companies to receive autonomous vehicle permits to offer rides to passengers in California. Cruise has obtained a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to offer driverless rides to passengers at night in some parts of San Francisco, and Waymo has won a permit from the regulator to deploy autonomous vehicles with safety drivers behind the wheel. The DMV said it would allow commercial service for the companies, but said they would need to obtain another permit from the California Public Utilities Commission to start charging passengers for rides. Another company, Nuro, last year received a California self-driving deployment permit, but that was for delivery of goods, not passenger rides. The California DMV said the new permit would allow Cruise to operate its vehicles within designated parts of San Francisco between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. at a maximum speed limit of 30 miles per hour. Waymo vehicles which have safety drivers behind the wheel are approved to operate on public roads within parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties with a speed limit of no more than 65 mph, the DMV said. The two companies have ramped up testing in San Francisco, with Cruise using GMs electric Bolt EV vehicles and Waymo running Jaguar all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUVs. Waymo started public testing in San Francisco in August, with a backup driver behind the wheel. Waymo has given paid, driverless rides hailed through its app in limited suburban areas in Arizona. Waymo wrote on Twitter on Thursday that its new permit will help us build on our efforts to bring our AV technology to many more CA residents. Self-driving startups are scurrying to commercialize the expensive technology and raise fresh funds, after missing their earlier deadlines for deployment, hampered by technological hurdles. Cruise, which also counts Softbank and Honda as investors, earlier this year raised a fresh $2.75 billion from investors like Walmart while Waymo has raised $2.5 billion this year. Reuters in May reported that Cruise and Waymo had earlier this year applied for approval from the California DMV to deploy their self-driving vehicles in San Francisco, setting the stage for the biggest tests yet of the technology in a dense urban environment. By Hyunjoo Jin, Jane Lanhee Lee, and Paresh Dave The logos of mobile apps Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, Google, and Messenger displayed on a tablet on Oct. 1, 2019. (AFP via Getty Images/Denis Charlet) Group Calls on Government to Reconsider Its Fundamentally Flawed Approach to Combating Harmful Online Content Governments strategy to regulate the internet draws criticism in submissions to Canadian Heritage An expansive federal law proposal to combat harmful online content is not only fundamentally flawed but also violates Canadians freedom of expression and privacy rights, warn internet law experts, who are calling on the Liberals to overhaul their approach. The main problem with the so-called online harms proposal lies in its ability to filter content and block websites, which endangers the survival of a free and open internet in Canada and beyond, reads a submission to the Department of Canadian Heritage by the Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) at the University of Ottawas Faculty of Law. In an effort to combat hate speech and other ills, the proposed law threatens the free expression and privacy rights of the very equality-seeking communities that it seeks to protect, Yuan Stevens and Vivek Krishnamurthy said in the CIPPICs Sept. 28 submission. The CIPPIC is calling on the government to overhaul its approach to regulating online platforms from the ground up in order to address the problems caused by harmful online content. The online harms proposal combines some of the worst elements of other laws around the world, the experts say in their submission. We are seriously concerned about numerous elements of the proposed lawsuch as the lack of adequate transparency requirements, the loosened requirements for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to obtain basic subscriber information, the various jurisdictional issues raised by the law, and whether an administrative body like the Digital Recourse Council should be able to determine what speech is legal under Canadian law. In July, Canadian Heritage launched a public consultation to gather feedback on the proposed law, which it said will be part of an overall strategy to combat hate speech and other harms. The government aims to present a new legislative and regulatory framework this fall, with rules to make social media platforms and other online services more accountable and transparent in combatting harmful online content, said a Canadian Heritage press release upon announcing the public consultation, which ended Sept. 25, shortly after the election. Specifically, the new law will target online posts in five categories: terrorist content, content that incites violence, hate speech, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and child sexual exploitation content. Its one of three pieces of controversial legislation related to internet regulation crafted by the Liberals. The previously introduced Bill C-10 would require social media platforms and internet streaming companies to make financial contributions to support Canadian content, and Bill C-36 would allow individuals to file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission if they experience hate online. Alongside these two proposed laws, the new proposal aims to combat hate speech and other harms and will be introduced by the Liberals when Parliament resumes. The CIPPIC said it finds the scope of the strategy concerning, particularly the stipulation that platforms block unlawful content within 24 hours of being flagged, as well as alarming requirements for online service providers to proactively monitor and filter content as well as report information on users to law enforcement. The group argues that the 24-hour blocking requirement will lead to an overzealous attitude by social media platforms to remove contenteven vast amounts of lawful contentto avoid the risk of liability under the proposed legislation. Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault speaks with the media in the foyer of the House of Commons on Feb. 3, 2020. (The Canadian press/Adrian Wyld) Massive New Bureaucratic Super-Structure Michael Geist, the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, said in his submission that one of the fundamental problems in the governments approach is to treat the five categories of harmful content as equivalent and requiring the same legislative and regulatory response. It makes no sense to treat online hate as the equivalent of child pornography, he wrote. By prescribing the same approach for all these forms of content, the efficacy of the policy is called into question. Geist said the proposed approach envisions a massive new bureaucratic super-structure to oversee online harms and Internet-based services that would be unwieldy and could jeopardize due process. For example, adjudicating over potentially tens of thousands of content cases is unworkable and would require massive resources with real questions about the appropriate oversight. Similarly, the powers associated with investigations are enormously problematic with serious implications for freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Part of the online harms proposal includes requiring online service providers to report some kinds of content to the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The CIPPIC said that such reporting, when combined with the proactive monitoring, pose an unacceptable risk to the privacy rights of Canadians. Such measures should have no place in the laws of a free and democratic society, it said. In its Sept. 25 submission to Canadian Heritage, the Citizen Lab at the University of Torontos Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy said the scope of the proposal is overbroad and incoherent, as the five categories of harmful content have little in common other than that they are illegal. In our view, any legislative scheme that purports to unite all of these disparate kinds of content under a single framework is incoherent, counterproductive, and constitutionally untenable, said Citizen Lab, whose research includes the areas of communication technologies, human rights, and global security. In truth, the categories are united by almost nothingconstitutionally, factually, practically, or ethicallyother than the proposed remedy of content removal. Members of the Taliban patrol on a pickup truck in Kabul, on Sept. 30, 2021. (Bulent Kilic/AFP via Getty Images) Gunmen Kill 2 Taliban, 2 Civilians in Eastern Afghan City JALALABAD, AfghanistanGunmen shot and killed two Taliban terrorists and two civilians on Saturday in the eastern city of Jalalabad, a Taliban official said. Two other civilians were wounded in the attack, said Mohammad Hanif, a cultural official for the citys surrounding province, Nangarhar. No one claimed responsibility for the shooting, but the ISIS terrorist group, which has a strong presence in Nangarhar and considers the Taliban an enemy, has previously claimed several attacks against them, including several killings in Jalalabad. The two civilians killed were Sayed Maroof Sadat, a former spokesman for the Nangarhar department of agriculture, and his cousin, Sharif Sadat told the AP. Sadats son was among the two wounded, he added. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August, attacks by ISIS against them have increased. The rise has raised the specter of a wider conflict between the two extremist groups. On Friday, Taliban terrorists raided an ISIS hideout north of Kabul, killing and arresting an unspecified number of militants, a Taliban spokesman said. ISIS activity in Nangarhar province has also led to Taliban crackdowns there. House Passes 30-Day Extension for Highway Funding The House of Representatives voted 36551 on Friday to extend for one month the authorization for surface transportation funding. The funding was set to be renewed in the over $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed by the Senate, but House Democrats have failed to advance the measure as part of an impasse over the larger $3.5 trillion welfare package, which is a signature part of President Joe Bidens agenda. Earlier in the day, the Department of Transportation furloughed 3,700 employees due to the funding lapse. It is unclear if the furlough will be lifted for all the workers, since some of the funds in the extension bill would not be released until Oct. 15. Biden made a rare visit to Capitol Hill on Friday in a bid to resolve the stalemate between the Democratic Partys moderate and progressive wings. The moderates want to quickly pass the Senate-approved infrastructure bill, while progressives want to hold up the measure until a deal is reached on Bidens mammoth $3.5 trillion welfare and climate change bill. During a 40-minute meeting with lawmakers, Biden said the infrastructure bill could be delayed while cuts are made to bring the welfare bills price tag down to $2 trillion. It doesnt matter whether its in six minutes, six days, or in six weeks. Were going to get it done, Biden said. The delay on both bills compounds the pressure on several critical legislative deadlines. Congress has until about Oct. 18 to raise the nations borrowing limit beyond $28.4 trillion, according to an estimate by the Treasury Department. Six weeks later, on Dec. 3, time runs out to avoid a government shutdown. A bill suspending the debt limit through December 2022 passed the House on Wednesday, but Senate Republicans are likely to block it when it comes up for a vote next week. The $3.5 trillion social welfare and climate bill is held up due to opposition by Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. Either of the two can block the bill due to the Democrats razor-thin majority in the Senate. Reuters contributed to this report. A staff wearing a face shield sells fish at Japan's supermarket group Aeon's shopping mall as the mall reopens amid COVID-19 outbreak in Chiba, Japan, on May 28, 2020. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters) Japans August Household Spending Seen Falling on Pandemic Hit: Reuters Poll TOKYOJapans household spending likely slipped back into contraction in August, when the government expanded emergency curbs to contain the coronavirus, a Reuters poll showed on Friday. The government this week ended a state of emergency it had imposed to combat the pandemic, as the number of new cases and deaths has come down rapidly in September and the strain on the medical system is easing. Household spending likely shed 1.5 percent in August from a year earlier, according to a median forecast from a Reuters poll of 18 economists, after a 0.7 percent increase in July. Month-on-month, spending is forecast to have dropped 2.0 percent in August, declining for a fourth straight month. Real consumer spending is expected to be negative from the previous month, said economists at Mizuho Research Institute. Services spending decreased from the previous month due to the spread of the coronavirus, while goods consumption saw impact from bad weather and downward pressure on (demand for) home electronics. The worlds third-largest economy has bounced back from a sharp contraction in the first three months of the year thanks to solid business spending and positive private consumption, growing an annualized 1.9 percent in the second quarter. But the resurgence in COVID-19 over the summer is likely to have hit private spending and overall growth in the third quarter. The government will release a preliminary estimate for July-September gross domestic product on Nov. 15. Fridays poll found that Tokyos core consumer price index, which includes oil products but excludes fresh food prices, was likely to rise 0.2 percent in September from a year ago, marking its first year-on-year growth since July last year. Other data next week is expected to show the current account posting a 1.54 trillion yen ($13.84 billion) surplus in August, narrowing from 1.91 trillion yen in July. The government is due to release the core CPI data for Tokyo on Oct. 5 at 8:30 a.m. (Oct. 4, 2330 GMT), the household spending data on Oct. 8 at 8:30 a.m. (Oct. 7, 2330 GMT), and the current account balance on Oct. 8 at 8:50 a.m. (Oct. 7, 2350 GMT). A vial of the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine by Johnson & Johnson in July 2020. (Johnson & Johnson via AP) J&J Vaccine Possibly Linked to 2 More Serious Health Conditions, EU Regulator Finds The European Unions drug regulator on Oct. 1 recommended updating the label for Johnson & Johnsons COVID-19 vaccine with warnings for two more serious health conditions likely linked with the vaccine. The European Medicines Agencys Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) concluded that the use of the J&J vaccine is possibly linked with vein clotting and an immune condition that causes the immune system to attack blood platelets. The PRAC has concluded that there is a possible link to rare cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, the committee meeting highlights stated. Venous thromboembolism is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in a leg, arm, or groin, and may travel to the lungs causing a blockage of the blood supply, with possible life-threatening consequences, the committee said. Janssen, a J&J subsidiary, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. After reviewing new evidence, the PRAC concluded that theres a reasonable possibility that the clotting condition is linked with vaccination using the J&J vaccine. The committee recommended listing venous thromboembolism as a rare side effect in the product information for the J&J vaccine. The committee also found that the use of the J&J and the AstraZeneca vaccines is linked to an immune condition that causes the bodys immune system to target healthy platelets needed for normal blood clotting. Very low levels of blood platelets can be associated with bleeding, and have serious health consequences, the committee said. The PRAC recommended listing the immune condition as an adverse reaction with an unknown frequency for both the J&J and the AstraZeneca vaccines. The regulator agreed to send warning statements directly to health care practitioners regarding both the clotting and the immune condition. The communication about the immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) mentions that cases of the condition have been reported in the first four weeks after vaccination and included serious cases with very low platelet counts. If an individual has a history of ITP, healthcare professionals should consider the risk of developing low platelet levels prior to administering the vaccine. In individuals with a history of ITP, it is recommended to monitor platelet levels following vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, the communication to doctors stated. The message to doctors regarding VTE said that instances of the condition were rare, but that the risk of the condition should be considered for those with increased risk factors for blood clots. The message also noted that patients presenting with one of the two conditions should be checked for the other. This is important, to assess a potential diagnosis of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which requires specialized clinical management, the communication said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the J&J vaccine for emergency use on Feb. 27, 2021. Less than two months later, on April 23, the FDA amended the authorization to include information about a very rare and serious type of blood clot in people who receive the vaccine. The clotting condition in that case was separate from the one flagged by the European regulator on Oct. 1. The FDA didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Lava flows following the eruption of a volcano, in Tacande de Arriba, on the Canary Island of La Palma, Spain, on Oct. 1, 2021. (Juan Medina/Reuters) Volcanic Activity on the Increase on Spanish Island The Spanish island of La Palma registered a dozen of small earthquakes on Saturday as its volcano continued to rumble. The National Security Department said the level of activity was similar to the volcanic tremors registered in the first days of the eruption. According to the Canary Islands Volcanological Institute, a small emission point opened in the volcanos cone on Saturday. The volcano had already blew open two more fissures on its cone on Friday. Lava flowed from a new vent in the volcano, which the Canaries Volcanology Institute described as a new focus of eruption. The volcano was experiencing intense activity, Miguel Angel Morcuende, director of the Pevolca response committee, told a news conference on Friday. But he also put the eruption into the context of the wider island. Less than 8 percent of the island is affected by the volcano. The rest is leading a normal life, he said. Authorities advised people to limit time outdoors in parts of La Palma on Saturday. However, emergency services lifted a stay-home order that had been in effect in Los Llanos de Aridane, El Paso, and areas of Tazacorte, places near the volcano that had been affected by poor air quality. In response to the improvement in air quality measurements in the area, the lockdown in Tazacorte, El Paso, and Los Llanos de Aridane will be lifted, the services said in a statement. They advised people to continue to avoid spending a prolonged amount of time outside and said vulnerable groups including children and the elderly should remain indoors. The Cumbre Vieja volcano began its fiery eruption on Sept. 19 and has destroyed more than 800 buildings. About 6,000 people have been evacuated from their homes on the island, which has a population of about 83,000 and is one of an archipelago making up the Canary Islands in the Atlantic. Reuters contributed to this report. Ships line the horizon seen from Seal Beach, Calif., as they await to come ashore to the Port of Los Angeles, on Jan. 12, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Los Angeles Cargo Ship Backlog Peaks, Supply Chain Issues to Last for Months While the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach saw record amounts of cargo volume and a record number of container ships waiting to unload in September, the worst of the backlog may be over. However, the effects on the global supply chain are expected to remain for months. On Sept. 30, 90 container ships were at port, down from 97 from the day before, according to Kip Louttit, executive director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California. A total of 62 container ships were anchored or adrift compared to 64 the day before, and 28 were at berth, down from 33. Fourteen container ships are scheduled to arrive over the next three days, which is three fewer than the normal level of 17 based on 2018/9 pre-COVID levels, Louttit told The Epoch Times via email. The twin ports saw about 412 vessels arriving during September, which was 32 more than expected. In September 2020, only 344 vessels arrived. Due to the high number of vessels in the San Pedro Bay waiting to unload their cargo, some of these ships are drifting more than 20 miles away from port. Ships wait to come ashore at the Port of Los Angeles, in Long Beach, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Congestion Effects Salvatore Mercogliano, an associate professor of history at Campbell University in North Carolina and adjunct professor at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, said that on average, the ships that are waiting to unload are nine to 12 days away from berth. By the time they clear this logjam, its going be post-Christmas, post-New Years, Mercogliano told The Epoch Times. An exporter who had been loading and shipping at least three vessels per week from Los Angeles to Latin and Central America, said now he only has three ships every other week, a dramatic decrease for his busy company. Were down 66 percent capacity all of a sudden, so now we cant ship, every vessel is overbooked. Its a snowball effect, the owner told The Epoch Times. The exporter said that the trucking company he usually uses had to send its drivers home, as his regular business was cut to a fraction. He said exporters hoping to fill empty containers to ship overseas have canceled or are holding off on orders because they have no idea how long it will take to get their merchandise on the ships to other countries. One of his clients had to pay for weeks of chassis fees and storage, which he said cost more than the ocean freight to take the two containers to their destination in Guatemala. The client had to place his workers on hold because they couldnt move the merchandise in their Southern California warehouses. Pre-COVID it was fine; even during COVID we werent seeing this level of dysfunction, he said. Cargo containers at the Port of Los Angeles, in Long Beach, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Reasons for the Backlog Mercogliano said there are a number of reasons for the current backlog at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. First, the COVID-19 pandemic created disruptions in the supply chain, starting with factory shutdowns in China. Other disasters, such as the Suez Canal closing for six days and powerful typhoons hitting Asia, have also had an effect. Next, demand for goods has increased in the United States and other places around the world as people have been spending more time at home and ordering items online. The nature of shipping has also changed in recent years, with much larger container vessels being used. This reduced the cost of freight, allowing people to become accustomed to bringing goods from the other side of the world to their doorstep on demand. The larger ships, while they can carry more cargo, the infrastructure ashore wasnt designed to take it. And so you have these much bigger ships dumping much larger numbers of cargo on the ground, Mercogliano said. The roads, the railways, the trucking cant take it. Next, many shipping companies have merged with other large container companies, increasing the amount of traffic to Los Angeles and Long Beach. Weve never seen this volume of ships in those ports, Mercogliano said. Theres only so many trained longshoremen, for example; there are only so many trained crane operators to work every available crane. Then you have cranes that typically are shut down for maintenance, which also impacts the situation. Meanwhile, the ports at Los Angeles and Long Beach are not as automated as many other ports around the world. Cargo is being loaded in terminals in East Asia that are working 24/7, whereas the receiving ports, at least on our end, are not. They are working two shifts in LA and Long Beach, and weekends are hit-and-miss depending on the port and the terminal, Mercogliano said. In a Sept. 17 statement, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles announced that they would expand the hours that trucks could pick up and return containers to try to help reduce congestion. We are in the midst of an historic surge in cargo, and our terminal operators and other supply chain partners are giving their all to keep it all moving, said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero in a Sept. 21 statement. We welcome this pilot project as a first step toward extending gates to 24/7 operations, and we encourage our cargo owners and trucking partners to give this innovative program a try. Around 40 percent of all cargo containers entering the U.S. each year move through the San Pedro Bay ports, along with approximately 30 percent of all container exports. Lt. Col. Who Spoke Out on Afghanistan Risking His Livelihood for Americans: Parents The U.S. Marine who called for accountability after the messy U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan is risking a lot for fellow Americans, his parents say. He is an American war hero. He has fought for his men and women that follow him. Hes fought on the battlefield for them. I believe he has risked his life for his fellow service people and Americans. He is now risking his livelihood for them. He saw a misjustice happening at the top and he felt that they should be held accountable for it, Cathy Scheller, Stuart Schellers mother, said on NTDs The Nation Speaks. Stuart Schellers father, Stu Scheller Sr., said support from fellow Americans will greatly help his son. The Marine Corps will win the battle, he said. But America is going to help Stuart win the war. Stuart Scheller was dismissed from command after publishing a series of videos calling for U.S. military leaders to step up and own the obvious mistakes that were made during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The United States left over 100 Americans behind in the Middle Eastern country after completing the withdrawal on Aug. 30. Additionally, 13 U.S. service members were killed in a suicide bombing attack on the Kabul airport, which troops were holding for approximately two weeks to facilitate evacuations after the Taliban routed the U.S.-backed Afghan forces. Military leaders have said they were shocked by how quickly the Taliban captured the country and were caught off guard. But none have so far resigned and they have by and large painted the evacuation effort as a success, pointing to the over 120,000 people, primarily Afghan nationals, that the United States evacuated or facilitated the evacuation of before pulling out. Stuart Scheller said he wanted senior leaders to admit mistakes were made. After being removed from command over his videos, he resigned in late August. He was thrown in the brig recently and remains there at this time. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 5. Stuart Scheller is suspected of violating four articles outlined in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including Article 88, which prohibits the use of contemptuous words toward superiors, a Marine spokesperson told Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas). Stuart Schellers parents are advocating for his release and helping raise funds for his defense. They and the Pipe Hitter Foundation have raised over $2 million so far. I do know that he broke rank and I know that he knows that there are consequences for that. But he didnt hurt anyone. He didnt do any violent crimes. He spoke up on Facebook. And yes, there is a chain of command and there should be punishment for that, Cathy Scheller said on NTD. But that chain of command that we saw broken, we also just saw broken on the Senate floor. That chain of command was broken. Our son has been given a gag order and thrown in prison and strip searched and thrown in isolation and is facing prison for breaking his chain of command. Im fine if thats the exact punishment that is taken out all the way across the board for anyone who breaks command, she added. Scheller Sr. said that the congressional hearings this week, which saw Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Gen. Kenneth McKenzie questioned sharply by members of Congress and appearing to lie about at least one matter, made evident that senior military leaders are not accepting responsibility or accountability for their failures. Milley was asked by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) whether he would resign when informed military leaders had urged President Joe Biden to keep troops in Afghanistan but Biden chose to complete the withdrawal anyways. It would be an incredible act of political defiance for a commissioned officer to just resign because my advice wasnt taken. This country doesnt want generals figuring what orders were going to accept and do or not, Milley said. Milley later called the end of the war a strategic failure while Austin defended the evacuation effort, noting that it moved many people out of the country. Was it perfect? Of course not, he said. A Malian soldier of the 614th Artillery Battery is pictured during a training session on a D-30 howitzer with the European Union Training Mission (EUTM), in Mali on March 23, 2021. (Paul Lorgerie/Reuters) Mali Receives Four Helicopters and Weapons From Russia BAMAKOA cargo plane delivered four helicopters, weapons, and ammunition from Russia to Mali late on Thursday, Malian interim defense minister Sadio Camara said. He said Mali had bought the helicopters in a contract agreed in December 2020 to support its armed forces in their battle alongside French, European, and U.N. troops with insurgents linked to ISIS terrorist group and al Qaeda. Mali bought these helicopters from the Russia Federation, a friendly country with which Mali has always maintained a very fruitful partnership, he told local media on the tarmac after the plane landed in the capital Bamako, adding that the weapons and ammunition were given by Russia. The delivery comes at a moment of tense relations between Mali and its key military partner France over reports Bamako could recruit Russian mercenaries as Paris reshapes its 5,000-strong counter-terrorism mission in the region. Diplomatic and security sources have told Reuters that Malis year-old military junta is close to recruiting the Russian Wagner Group, and France has launched a diplomatic drive to thwart it, saying such an arrangement is incompatible with a continued French presence. Meanwhile, Malis prime minister on Saturday accused Paris of abandoning Bamako in a speech at the United Nations. Responding to this charge for the first time, President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday questioned the legitimacy of the Malian authorities overseeing a transition to elections after two coups in just over a year. What the Malian prime minister said is unacceptable. Its a shame. And that dishonors what isnt even a government, he told Radio France International. Reuters has been unable to reach the Wagner Group for comment. Merck's antiviral pill against COVID-19 is seen in an undated photograph. (Merck via AP) Merck Shares Soar on COVID-19 Pill Trial Results, Vaccine Stocks Dip Shares of Merck & Co surged on positive clinical trial results of its experimental antiviral COVID-19 pill while high-flying stocks of vaccine companies and makers of other coronavirus therapies were bruised. Merck shares jumped as much as 12.3 percent and hit their highest level since February 2020 after data showed the companys pill molnupiravir could halve the chances of dying or being hospitalized for those most at risk of contracting severe COVID-19. Meanwhile, shares of vaccine makers such as Moderna Inc, Pfizer Inc, and partner BioNTech SE crumbled. Moderna shares fell 13 percent in midday trading, while Pfizer, which is developing a COVID-19 pill of its own, fell 1.3 percent. U.S. shares of BioNTech dropped 11 percent. Profit-taking was a likely factor behind the selloffs, some analysts said. Others believe the promise of an oral drug that can be taken at home could change the public perception of risks associated with COVID-19. We see modest perceived headwind to vaccine stocks such as MRNA (Moderna) if the market thinks people will be less afraid of COVID-19 and less inclined to get vaccines, if there is a simple pill that can treat COVID-19, Jefferies analyst Michael Yee wrote in a client note. Despite the recent dip, Moderna shares are up over 395 percent over the past year and 1,734 percent over the past five years. Pfizer stock is up nearly 25 percent over the past year and around 35 percent over the past five years. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2 or the novel coronavirus. Merck said Friday that results from a clinical trial into its COVID-19 pill cut the risk of hospitalization or death in half for adults who were deemed at risk but not hospitalized. Based on the findings, Merck plans to apply to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) soon for emergency use authorization for its drug, which works by inhibiting the replication of the virus that causes COVID-19. The only drugs authorized to treat COVID-19 so far are monoclonal antibodies, which run over $2,000 each and take more time to administer than a pill. However, clinical trials on drugs approved for other uses, including the antidepressant fluvoxamine and cytokine inhibitors sarilumab and tocilizumab, have shown tentative or mixed evidence against the disease. Ivermectin, an inexpensive antiparasitic drug, has been mired in controversy, with a group of Republican lawmakers supporting doctors who advocate for the right to use it to fight COVID-19, while physician and pharmacist groups, including the American Medical Association, strongly oppose prescribing ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients. Zachary Stieber and Reuters contributed to this report. Michael Spavor Thanks Canada, World, Asks for Privacy After Chinese Prison Release OTTAWAMichael Spavor is thanking Canadians and the world for their support one week after his 1,020day ordeal in Chinese prison came to an end. Spavor, along with Michael Kovrig, were released a week ago after the United States dropped its prosecution of Chinese hightech executive Meng Wanzhou. The two men had been arrested and convicted of spying by China in what is widely seen as retaliation for the RCMPs Dec. 1, 2018, arrest of Meng at the Vancouver airport on an American extradition warrant. The saga came to an end when the U.S. entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with Meng that resulted in charges against her being dropped and the extradition request withdrawn in a Vancouver court. Meng, who was under house arrest in Vancouver in a luxury mansion, was set free and was on a chartered airliner back to China at the same moment as Kovrig and Spavor departed on a plane out of China accompanied by Dominic Barton, Canadas ambassador to the country. Spavor arrived in his hometown of Calgary early Saturday morning aboard a Canadian Forces Challenger jet, along with Kovrig, and the pair were greeted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before Kovrig made the final leg of his journey to Toronto. Im overjoyed to be finally reunited with my family. Its humbling as I begin to understand the continued support that weve received from Canadians and those around the world, thank you, Spavor said in a statement that was released Friday by Global Affairs Canada. Im appreciating being outside and the simple things around me. Spavor and Kovrig spent almost all of their time in captivity in separate prisons, much of it in solitary confinement. The message included an attached photo of a smiling Spavor and a large grey dog. A statement from Global Affairs accompanying the photo and statement said: At this time, the family requests that you continue to respect their privacy no further comment will be provided. By Mike Blanchfield More US Airlines Impose Vaccine Mandates: American, Alaska, JetBlue More U.S. air carriersAmerican Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBluehave announced that theyll be requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The move comes as the Biden administration has ramped up pressure on airlines to require vaccines as part of a broader strategy to boost inoculation rates in the country. President Joe Biden signed an executive order in September requiring federal contractors to mandate shots for employees, with the White House later setting a Dec. 8 deadline for them to get the vaccine. The airlines say they provide special flights and other services for the government, so placing them under Bidens mandate. While we are still working through the details of the federal requirements, it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines, Doug Parker, American Airlines chief executive, told employees in an Oct. 1 memo. Alaska Airlines stated in a memo to employees on Oct. 1 that it would require staff to get the vaccine, with no testing option available, although the possibility to apply for an exemption on religious or medical grounds will be offered. This means employees may no longer opt-in for regular testing and masking in lieu of getting the vaccine, the memo reads, according to The Associated Press (AP). Andrea Schneider, Alaska Airlines senior vice president of people, was cited by The Seattle Times as saying that Bidens vaccine mandate applies to the companys subsidiaries and some contractors. After careful review of this order, we have determined that Alaska, Horizon, and McGee employees (including certain contractors and vendors) do fall under this federal vaccine mandate due to our significant work for the federal government, alongside the other major U.S. airlines. This policy will replace our company policy of vaccination or testing that we announced earlier this month, Schneider told employees in an email, according to the AP. JetBlues CEO Robin Hayes and COO Joanna Geraghty told employees in an email on Oct. 1 that getting a COVID-19 vaccine would now be a condition of employment. Based on the guidance issued, all JetBlue crewmembersregardless of working in the operation, a support center, or at homewill be required by the government to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to continue performing their role, they wrote, according to CNBC. Airlines approaches to Bidens mandate have varied, with Delta saying on Oct. 1 that it was continuing to evaluate the administrations plan, while Southwest said it continues to strongly encourage employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, a union representing pilots for several major U.S. airlines warned that COVID-19 vaccine mandates could lead to travel disruptions during the upcoming holiday travel season if pilots are forced to choose between getting the vaccine or leaving their job. The union called for alternatives to getting the COVID-19 vaccine, such as regular testing or proof of natural immunity. Shoppers enter and exit the Neiman Marcus at the King of Prussia Mall, United States' largest retail shopping space, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Dec. 8, 2018. (Mark Makela/REUTERS) Neiman Marcus Says 4.6 Million Customers Notified About Data Breach Retailer Neiman Marcus Group said on Thursday it had notified about 4.6 million online customers that their personal information including names, contact information and credit card numbers may have been accessed in a data hack. The high-end department store chain said it had notified law enforcement authorities about the breach, which it said happened in May 2020. About 3.1 million payment and virtual gift cards were affected, more than 85 percent of which were expired or invalid, Neiman Marcus said. The company, which emerged from bankruptcy in September last year, also said it had no evidence that online customer accounts for its Bergdorf Goodman and Horchow units had been affected. Nigerian Military Says Air Strike Hit ISIS, Playing Down Alleged Civilian Deaths ABUJAThe Nigerian military said on Thursday a deadly air strike hit an ISIS terrorist camp and that casualties could not be determined, after witnesses said the attack had killed dozens of civilians in the northeast, where the country is waging a 12-year war against jihadist insurgents. Two Nigerian Air Force planes bombed and killed dozens of civilians, mostly fishermen, at a fish market in Daban Masara village, a victim and a resident told Reuters on Tuesday. Necessary steps were taken to ensure that the presence of the terrorists was ascertained and the strike was precise and professionally executed, the Nigerian military said in a statement. The military said the site of the air strike was a well-known enclave of ISISs West Africa branch, adding that fishing is banned in the area. The military has for years banned fishing because of its alleged ties to funding the terrorists. Although casualty figures could not be ascertained, the strike was verified to be successful in disrupting (ISIS) logistics movement and foot soldiers, the statement said. The air strike comes two months after the U.S. government transferred six A-29 Super Tucano fighter planes to Nigeria to assist in its war against Islamist terrorists. Sources familiar with the matter said six remaining A-29s should arrive from the United States over the next week or thereabouts. The sources added that mitigating civilian harm is a serious concern and an issue where the United States will continue to engage with its Nigerian partners. Orange County Health Care Workers Protest Vaccine Mandate FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.Around 60 health care workers and Orange County residents gathered Oct. 1 in downtown Fountain Valley, California, to protest the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers. The California Department of Public Health issued an order in August requiring all health care workers to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30. A recently established organization, Americas Healthcare Workers for Medical Freedom, initiated this Stop the Mandate Rally. The rally took place near the intersection of Talbert and Brookhurst in Fountain Valley. The protesters at the rally consisted of MemorialCare workers, patients, and local residents. Protestors gather to oppose the vaccine mandate for health care workers in Fountain Valley, Calif., on Oct. 1, 2021. (Mei Li/The Epoch Times) Nicole Chou, a nurse who works at Orange Coast MemorialCare Medical Center, told The Epoch Times that she came out because the hospital announced in August that unvaccinated workers may be terminated. She mentioned that she got both doses earlier this year and she had suffered severe side effects following the vaccine. So basically, they are telling us that you have to get the vaccine, or you can possibly be terminated, Chou told The Epoch Times. I noticed after I took the vaccine that I was having some severe headaches Ive had an issue with taste; certain things taste funny to me now. Chou said she would not consider getting a booster and emphasized that getting the vaccine should be a choice. Chou explained that she only got the vaccine because she wanted to protect her family and be a good example to her patients, adding that she thinks the vaccine should not be forced upon health workers by their employers or by the government. Felicia Wafford, one of the protesters at the rally said she believes that people have the right to decide what to put into their bodies and said she is concerned about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. We already know there are studies that show that it creates heart inflammation, blood clots. We dont know whats going to happen to your bodies. We know if it can create organ failure. Is that going to affect fertility? We dont know these answers, yet theyre mandated, Wafford told The Epoch Times. Protestors gather to oppose the vaccine mandate for health care workers in Fountain Valley, Calif., on Oct. 1, 2021. (Mei Li/The Epoch Times) The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a safety monitoring program that helps to track adverse events following any vaccination, including deaths. Since December 2020, VAERS received approximately 8164 cases of death and 1,541 reports of myocarditis or pericarditis among people ages 30 and younger relating to the COVID-19 vaccine as of Sept. 22, 2021, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Why I dont agree with the vaccine is because when the state dictates what to do with our bodies, then this is a totalitarian. This is what China, and North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, those countries do. They do whatever they want with the citizens, Salvador Flores, a rally organizer and health care worker, told The Epoch Times. Orange Coast MemorialCare was not immediately available for comment. Ozy Media founder Carlos Watson speaks onstage during OZY Fest 2018 in New York City, on July 22, 2018. (Matthew Eisman/Getty Images for Ozy Media) Ozy Media Shuts Down Amid Allegations of Deceitful Business Practices Ozy Media, the digital media company embroiled in controversy after reports that one of its top staffers impersonated a YouTube executive in the context of funding talks with investment bank Goldman Sachs, is shutting down. The companys board of directors announced the decision in an Oct. 1 statement. At Ozy, we have been blessed with a remarkable team of dedicated staff, the statement said. Many of them are world-class journalists and experienced professionals to whom we owe tremendous gratitude, and who are wonderful colleagues. It is therefore with the heaviest of hearts that we must announce today that we are closing Ozys doors. The announcement came on the heels of an expose by The New York Times, which claimed that Ozy co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Samir Rao pretended to be a YouTube executive on a conference call with Goldman several months ago as the investment bank was closing in on a $40 million investment in the media company. Raopretending to be the YouTube executivereportedly said on the call that Ozy was well-regarded by YouTube and popular on the platform, while praising the leadership of the co-founder and chief executive, Carlos Watson. After the misrepresentation came to light, an investigation was begun, reportedly involving the FBI, and Watson apologized on behalf of Rao and the company, attributing the incident to a mental health crisis. Watson on Oct. 1 sent a letter to company investors, according to Axios, that read, in part: As you know, Ozy has been materially and adversely affected by recent events. After considering all alternatives and input from many of you, we have determined that ceasing operations and beginning the process of winding down the company with an eye toward preservation of value is in the best interest of all stakeholders. A financial restructuring advisory firm will be helping bring Ozy operations to a close, Watson said in the statement. Watson co-founded Ozy in 2013 with Rao. Both are Harvard graduates and both at one point worked for Goldman Sachs. On Oct. 1, Watson resigned from NPRs board of directors, while Ozy Medias chairman, billionaire hedge fund manager Marc Lasry, stepped down earlier in the week. Ozy produces left-leaning podcasts, television series, and events. Company officials didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington about the end of the war in Afghanistan on Sept. 1, 2021. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo) Paramount Challenge: Military Suicides Rise by 16 Percent Suicides among U.S. service members increased 16 percent in 2020 from a year earlier, sparking a commitment from military leaders to redouble prevention efforts. There were 580 self-inflicted deaths in 2020, up from 498 in 2019, according to newly released data from the Department of Defense. The findings are troubling. Suicide rates among our service members and military families are still too high, and the trends are not going in the right direction, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement, calling suicide prevention a paramount challenge for the Pentagon and vowing to redouble our efforts on the front. Most of the suicides were among males under 30. The majority killed themselves using firearms. Officials arent sure whats driving the increase, which continues a trend seen in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic may have played a role, authors of the Pentagons annual suicide report said. Military officials and lawmakers and other officials around the country imposed strict rules during the pandemic, which some experts say may have led to an increase in mental health issues. While there is no clear understanding of what is causing the increase in suicides, we realize we have to do better in preventing suicide and ensure resources are available and readily accessible, said Christine Wormuth, secretary of the Army, and Gen. James McConville, chief of staff for the Army, in a joint statement. One of the things that is bedeviling about suicide is that its often very hard to connect dots in causalitywhat leads somebody to make that decision, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters in Washington. Its difficult to denote specific causality with suicide on an individual basis, let alone on an institutional basis. And I think thats why its so difficult for us to speak to it with any specificity, except to say we take this very, very seriously. The suicide rate among service members jumped to 28.7 suicides per 100,000 in 2020 from 20.3 in 2015. The newest increase changed the rate by about 2 per 100,000. The Defense Suicide Prevention Office says the previous jump was statistically significant but the latest one is not. Still, actions are being taken across military branches to try to prevent future suicides, including ramping up support for troops and their families since the start of the pandemic. Officials are also planning to focus on addressing perceived barriers to seeking help among members, especially younger ones. Getting this right is personal for all of us at the Department. Yet, prevention can be complex. As the scientific research about suicide prevention continues to evolve, we continue to do everything possible to stop these tragedies. No two individuals are identical, and no two life experiences are identical. So we are working to address a range of risk factors and enhance protective factors for members of our Armed Forces, Major Gen. Clement Howard, acting executive director of the Office of Force Resiliency, said in a statement. Additionally, military leaders are increasingly speaking out about the topic, including sharing their own issues. Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a video message last year that he had sought help. In a new video released Sept. 30, he said he experienced many emotions over the past year, including anger, frustration, and confusion, but that he had received an outpouring of support after disclosing his struggles. Honestly, I didnt expect that sort of response. I didnt expect it because I didnt think seeking help was that extraordinary. Asking for help is just the right thing to do. Its no different than being seen by a medical provider for a physical injury or illness. And we all will be equally supportive if and when you choose to seek professional help, he said. Parents of Jailed Marine Go to Battle; Australias Extreme Lockdown Enforcement The parents of Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller are waiting to hear their sons fate. On August 26, amid the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Scheller aired his frustrations on social media, demanding accountability from senior military leadership. Now, the decorated Marine is facing the consequences. Schellers parents, Cathy and Stuart Sr., tells how theyve joined the battle their son started. Then, in America Q&A we ask if people around the country think passengers deemed unruly should be put on a national no-fly list? And in Australia, where pandemic lockdowns are some of the harshest in the world, police enforcement is strict and sometimes violent. Now, after 18 months, some Australians have had enough. Rebel News chief Australian correspondent Avi Yemini details more. EpochTV Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus EpochTV Twitter https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Pelosi Delays Infrastructure Vote Amid Democrat Infighting: More Time Is Needed Progressives, moderates at loggerheads House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Friday delayed a vote on a Senate-passed infrastructure bill, drawing criticism from some members of her party. So-called progressives and moderates within the caucus are battling over a $3.5 trillion budget proposal. The Congressional Progressive Caucus, a bloc of nearly 100 House members, doesnt want to pass infrastructure without the lower chamber first passing the mammoth budget piece, but moderates say the proposals should be considered separately and have urged a vote on the infrastructure bill. Pelosi, who had already delayed the vote at least once, told members late Friday that great progress has been made in intra-party negotiations. But more time is needed, she added in a note. Our chairs are still working for clarity and consensus. Clearly, the bipartisan infrastructure bill will pass once we have agreement on the reconciliation bill. Some members went public with criticism of Pelosi over the delay, noting she promised to hold a vote by a certain date. Its deeply regrettable that Speaker Pelosi breached her firm, public commitment to Members of Congress and the American people to hold a vote and to pass the once-in-a-century bipartisan infrastructure bill on or before September 27, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, said in a statement. Gottheimer took a swipe at the progressives, describing them as a small faction on the far-left and arguing that House leadership should not let them obstruct advancement of the infrastructure package. Theyve put civility and bipartisan governing at risk, he said. Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), a member of the caucus, said she was disappointed and disillusioned by this process and also referenced how Pelosi pledged the infrastructure bill would be considered by Sept. 27. The tactics have befuddled Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a moderate who has repeatedly said he wont support such a large budget piece after the trillions Congress has approved for COVID-19 relief and other measures in the past 18 months. Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) speaks to reporters following a caucus meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington on Oct. 1, 2021. (Tom Brenner/Reuters) Because Democrats hold slim majorities in both legislative chambers, any group in the House or a single senator that opposes a bill threatens to doom its chances, particularly if Republicans also oppose it. The GOP unilaterally opposes the budget piece while some members have said theyd vote for infrastructure. In the Senate, 19 Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the bill in August. President Joe Biden is siding with the progressives, putting pressure on Pelosi and other Democrats to continue to link the two bills and to reach an agreement on the $3.5 trillion package before voting on infrastructure. Biden went to Capitol Hill on Friday to meet with Democrats to try to break the logjam. He was really clear that we need to get both bills done, and thats what were going to do, Rep. Primalaya Japayal (D-Wash.), chair of the progressive caucus, told reporters on Capitol Hill. Biden acknowledged in meetings that the $3.5 trillion price tag would likely need to come down to garner more support from Democrats, who hope to ram the larger bill through Congress using reconciliation, which prevents needing any Republican votes. These are his proposals. These are his bold ideas, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters before the meetings, adding later, And he wants to make the case directly to members. Members who met with him said he circled a number around $2 trillion. Biden expressed optimism while walking with Pelosi, telling reporters, Were going to get it done. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), a member of the progressive caucus, took to Twitter to tell supporters that the push to pass both bills isnt over. Negotiations are messy. But we made progress, he said. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks to the media after Philippine Senator Christopher "Bong" Go filed his certificate of candidacy to join the vice presidential race in Pasay City, metro Manila on Oct. 2, 2021. (Lisa Marie David/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Philippine Leader Rodrigo Duterte Announces Retirement From Politics Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday that he will not be running for vice president in the 2022 elections and will instead retire from politics. Dutertes move came as a surprise to many, as he announced in August he would be running for vice-president. Speculations have now fueled that he might be clearing the way for his daughter to succeed him. The overwhelming sentiment of the Filipino is that Im not qualified, and it would be a violation of the constitution, Duterte said. In obedience to the will of the people I will follow what you wish and today I announce my retirement from politics, he added. In the Philippines, presidents are limited by the constitution to a single six-year term and opponents had said they would question the legality of Dutertes announced vice-presidential run before the Supreme Court if he pursues his bid. Polls had suggested that Duterte in tandem with Sara Duterte, his daughter who is currently the mayor of Davao City, as the presidential candidate would be a strong pairing, political analysts previously said. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) and his daughter Sara Duterte arrive for the opening of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference in Boao, Hainan province, China, on April 10, 2018. (AFP via Getty Images) This allows Sara Duterte to run, said Antonio La Vina, professor of law and politics at the Ateneo de Manila University. She sees through the fathers scheme or it is a drama to confuse everyone. But after her father initially declared that he would seek the vice presidency, Sara Duterte announced she would not run for president, saying she and her father have agreed that only one Duterte would run for a national office next year. It is not the first time Duterte announced he is retiring from politics, as in 2015, he entered the presidential election race at the last minute and ultimately won by a huge margin, making some political analysts skeptical about the decision. I would take his announcement with a lot of salt, Carlos Conde, Philippines researcher for New York-based Human Rights Watch told Reuters. But assuming that hes really going to retire, that doesnt mean he wont get the protection from the ICC that he craves. The 76-year-old leader is known for his deadly anti-drug crackdown, brash rhetoric, and unorthodox political style. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to media as he visits a vaccine clinic in Ottawa on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick) Trudeau Accused of Callousness for Heading to Tofino Instead of Reconciliation Events OTTAWAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau faced backlash Friday over his decision to fly to British Columbia to spend time with his family on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Native Womens Association of Canada (NWAC) said it is shocked that Trudeau ducked out entirely from a national day set aside to reflect on the legacy of residential schools. Lynne Groulx, the head of the political advocacy organization for Indigenous women, said in a statement that she is astounded by the sheer level of callousness of Trudeaus decision to take a trip to B.C. rather than attending events marking the historic day. She added it showed disregard for what the First Nations, Metis and Inuit people have endured as a result of colonization. The prime minister flew to Tofino, B.C., on Thursday, where Global News filmed him walking along the beach at one point, refusing to comment. Later Thursday, Trudeau tweeted that he had spent some time that day having telephone conversations with residential school survivors from across Canada, hearing their stories and getting their advice on the path forward. Alex Wellstead, a spokesman for the prime minister, said Friday that Trudeau spoke with eight residential school survivors from across the country over several hours yesterday. It was an important opportunity to hear their stories of trauma and healing, and to hear their advice on the path forward. Thursday marked the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which was created this spring in response to one of the 94 calls to action put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that documented atrocities committed against First Nations, Metis and Inuit children in government-funded, church-run residential schools over more than a century. The day was already known as Orange Shirt Day, in honour of the experience of Phyllis Webstad, from the Stswecemc Xgattem First Nation in B.C., whose gift of clothing from her grandmother was taken away on her first day at a residential school. Groulx said in the statement that while Trudeau was not in the public eye, millions of other people across the country wore orange shirts, spoke out on social media and took part in ceremonies, reflecting on the dark history of Canadas treatment of Indigenous people and what needs to be improved. Trudeau had participated in a ceremony on Parliament Hill on Wednesday night near the Centennial Flame, where mounds of stuffed toys and pairs of childrens shoes have been left in honour of the children who never returned from residential schools. Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council on Vancouver Island, which includes the Tofino area, said Friday the organization had not heard from Trudeau and had no idea he was going to be in the territory on Thursday. She said he could have joined the Nuu-chah-nulth in Tofino for some brief remarks and left. I understand hes on vacation and wants some time off, but he shouldve prioritized the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is big for us and for us here. It was a really important day, Sayers said. I always reflect back to how Trudeau says Indigenous Peoples are the most important relationship but he doesnt show it. He always says good things but doesnt follow it up with actions. Health Minister Patty Hajdu, who said she took part in a ceremony commemorating the day in her Thunder Bay, Ont., constituency, declined to answer questions Friday about Trudeaus trip. I cant speak to other peoples scheduling, Hajdu said. What I saw in my community was a commitment to reconciliation. For me, it is hard to put into words how moving that day was, she said at a press conference in Ottawa on Friday, and how moving it was to see so many citizens out meeting with Indigenous people and hearing stories that I know for sure some have never heard before. Blake Desjarlais, a Metis leader and newly elected NDP MP for Edmonton Griesbach, said Trudeaus actions increased the public perception that Thursday was a family day rather than a day for serious reflection about the treatment of Indigenous Peoples. The first day requires a precedent, Desjarlais said. Its hard to imagine the future of Sept. 30 without the prime ministers condolences, presence and messages. Trudeaus daily public itinerary said at first that he was in private meetings in Ottawa on Thursday, though this was later changed to reflect his actual location. One 75-year-old survivor who spoke Thursday to Trudeau never thought in his lifetime that the would have the ear of the PM to talk about what he went through as a child, according to his counsellor, Sharna Sugarman. Sugarman said the man told her he was upset about media coverage focusing on the prime ministers family trip to Tofino, rather than Truth and Reconciliation issues. Sugarman, a Blackfoot survivor of the Sixties Scoop whose parents and grandparents went to residential schools, defended Trudeaus decision to spend time with his children. She said he has a track record fighting for Indigenous people. The PM, in my opinion, has done his job, and if it werent for his government, (Sept. 30) wouldnt have been marked as a day of mourning and reflection. Its not a holiday, she said. He has kept a lot of promises to my people. Is he perfect? No. No ones perfect except a new-born baby. Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who was in Italy for global environment talks Thursday, said the prime minister has been clear there is no more important relationship for the government than its relationship with Indigenous Peoples. He has spoken with survivors across the country, he said. I know how much this means to him. Groulx said Trudeaus decision to flit off to Tofino for a holiday rather than taking the time his government set aside to reflect upon the tragedy of the Indian residential schools gave the impression he did not take the issue seriously. It is almost as if he checked off one of the calls to action of the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) by declaring the statutory holiday, and then wiped his hands and said job done, lets move on, she added. Frank Caputo, Conservative MP for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, wrote to Trudeau on Friday to ask why he had not visited the site of the former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., where earlier this year Tkemlups te Secwepemc First Nation said ground-penetrating radar located what are believed to be the remains of 215 Indigenous children in unmarked graves. Despite being in the province and only a short distance away from the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, you chose this important day to vacation, he wrote. On Thursday, Chief Rosanne Casimir of Tkemlups te Secwepemc First Nation said the community had twice invited Trudeau to join residential school survivors and their families. With files from Nick Wells in Vancouver and Mia Rabson in Ottawa. By Marie Woolf An adult student taking notes on Xi Jinping thought in a class at the Party School of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, during a government-organized tour for foreign journalists in Beijing on June 26, 2019. (Leo Ramirez/AFP via Getty Images) Root Cause of Chinas Shortage of Professional Talent Commentary With China facing a shortage of professional talent, a specific conference was held to address the situation, which indicated a fundamental problem of the Chinese government. From Sept. 27 to 28, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a Central Talent Work Conference. The importance of the conference was shown by the participation of all seven members of the Standing Committee of the Central Political Bureau of the CCP. Given that its technology companies have been sanctioned one after another, the senior members of the CCP put forward the slogan of independent innovation in science and technology. Despite this, Xis speech at the conference revealed the root cause of the predicament faced by the CCPthe shortage of professional talent. Huawei and Meng Wanzhou According to Xinhua News Agency, Xi Jinping stated: The Partys leadership in talent-related work has been comprehensively strengthened. The scale, effectiveness, and comparative advantages of our talent pool have been steadily increasing. Our nation already has a large-scale, outstanding, well-structured, and prominent talent pool. Given that the fields of science and technology in China have had no breakthroughs, the statement by Xi is clearly unconvincing. The CCP used to promote Huawei, a major Chinese multinational technology corporation, hoping that it would dominate the internet industry. Nonetheless, the great ambition of Huawei was thwarted by the diplomatic disputes over microchips that are essential for the making of its electronic products. On Sept. 25, Meng Wanzhou, Huawei chief financial officer who had admitted to using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions, arrived in China after spending three years under house arrest in Canada while fighting extradition to the United States. Because Huaweis 5G technology was developed by people who previously worked for Nortel Networks Corporation headquartered in Canada, Meng Wanzhou, who was thus valued by the CCP and living a luxurious life in Canada, is expected to not leak any more secrets of Huaweis stealing intellectual property after returning to China. Stolen Knowledge The CCPs lack of technological expertise can be seen in the speech given by Xi Jinping who said, It is essential to raise our awareness of unexpected situations and focus more on the cultivation of our own talents. Xis statement inadvertently denies the aforementioned achievements in talent-related work and points out that the development of Chinas science and technology over the past few decades was based on stolen Intel. Once the thefts are interrupted, the CCP will encounter difficulties in no time. Can the CCP really cultivate its own talents despite having said it will do so? We have the largest higher education system in the world, Xi said at the conference. And the system is fully capable of producing a large number of talents and experts. The reality is that the CCP used to vigorously promote the Thousand Talents Plan in an attempt to steal advanced technologies from the United States and other Western countries on a larger scale. Concerning the deterioration of the relations between China and the United States, Japan, and European countries, this plan is on the verge of termination. Under the circumstances, a large number of Chinese students looking forward to studying in the United States have been denied a visa or repatriated to China because they were suspected of technical theft or being affiliated with the Chinese military. University students attend an opening ceremony of the new semester in Wuhan in Chinas central Hubei Province on Sept. 10, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) The reason the CCPs Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been censuring the United States is exactly because Chinas higher education system cannot produce the professional talent it needs. CCP Is the Arbiter of Talent After mentioning a lot of cliches about talent-related works, Xi Jinping suddenly said, We must establish a utilization mechanism of talents based on trust, as reported by Xinhua News Agency. Such a CCP-style approach indicates the crux of Chinas talent-related problem, that is, the judgment of talent is based mainly on the trust of officials, not the abilities one has. To be recognized as talented in China, one must stand for and show loyalty to the CCP. In China, only those who are recognized by CCP officials can be deemed talented and valued. As for the large number of real talented people who are unaware of politics, they can only step aside as no one will consult their opinions or ongoing projects. Should they disobey the unreasonable instructions of, or appear cleverer than, the CCP, they might even be ostracized or suppressed. It is for these reasons that many Chinese with real abilities, who are commonly seen in the high-tech companies in the United States and other Western countries, were forced to leave China, a nation where they became useless. It seems impossible for the CCP, which has been adopting adverse policies, to retain and produce its own talented citizens. It is necessary to be talent-oriented, trust talents, respect talents, treat talents kindly, and tolerate talents, Xi Jinping emphasized in his speech, in which he then said in a contradictory manner: To do a good job of talents, we must adhere to the correct political direction, insisting that the party must manage talents. It can thus be seen that the CCPs political work of recruiting talent will continue as usual, and will end up in failure. The root cause of the CCPs talent-related problem and its overall decline in economy, technology, and social system is that its senior officials have been demanding that the party must manage everything, including talents. Conclusion The United States and other Western countries have been decoupling from China, making the Chinese realize that the CCPs so-called system advantage and national governance are factually incorrect. While enthusiastically praising Xi Jinpings speech, CCP mouthpiece Xinhua News Agency also published a commentary titled Xin Zhiping: Reading the Successful Code of the Chinese Miracle, which continues to promote the so-called miracle worked by the strong leadership of the party. Be that as it may, the truth is, however, the opposite. The rapid economic and technological growth of China in the past few decades has mainly benefited from its close contact with the United States and other Western countries. It is precisely because of this strong leadership of the party, manifesting in the CCPs concealment and spread of the Coronavirus as well as its provocative Wolf Warrior diplomacy, that China is ostracized by the major countries of the world. The Chinese miracle then disappeared. Chinas development does require a large number of talented people. To have more of these talents stand out for China, the CCP must dispel its notion that the party must manage everything, including talents and build a proper system in which the real talents are in charge of the nation. Only by doing so can China return to the world stage in the near future. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Second Thoughts About That FBI Report of a 40% Spike in Anti-Black Hate Crime The FBIs latest annual report on hate crimes seemed to deliver more grim news about race relations in America, announcing a nearly 40% rise in anti-black hate crimes in 2020. Major news outlets trumpeted the headline-grabbing statistic, noting that it coincided with a rise in white nationalism and came amid a surge in anti-black hostility caused by summer 2020 protests. Attorney General Merrick Garland quickly promised a comprehensive response by the Department of Justice. But a closer look at the data reveals a more complicated picture. Some of the biggest increases in anti-black hate crimes occurred in Democratic Party strongholds yet, perhaps surprisingly, almost no increases were reported in major cities riven by the racially tinged protests and riots after George Floyds murder. Its no surprise, then, that experts caution against using these numbers to claim an epidemic of anti-black crimeboth because of the FBI datas limitations, as well as the small absolute and relative size of the reported increase. The recent FBI dataset tallies reported hate crimes, not the number proven in court. Its unknown whether the true number of hate crimes committed in 2020 is higher or lower than the FBIs reported total. On one hand, not all crimes are reported to police, which could lead to undercounting. On the other, its likely that some portion of reported hate crimes would not withstand legal scrutiny, meaning the FBIs figures might be inflated. The high evidentiary threshold required to prove a hate crime in court is illustrated by the fact that Derek Chauvinthe white cop cast as a racist convicted of murdering George Floyd last yearwas not charged with a hate crime. Whether the FBIs data over or understates the true number of hate crimes, the total number of reported anti-black hate crimes is relatively small. In 2020, the FBI recorded a total of 7,759 hate incidentswhich the FBI defines as one or more offenses committed by the same offender, or group of offenders acting in concert, at the same time and placein a country of 330 million people. Assailants with anti-black biases allegedly initiated 2,755 such incidents, targeting some 3,769 victims. This was the highest number of anti-black incidents recorded by the FBI since 2008, but at that time there were 13,690 law enforcement agencies submitting hate crime data, versus the 15,136 agencies reporting such data last year, reflecting the imprecise nature of hate crime statistics. What was the nature of these reported crimes? Most of the anti-black offenses recorded by the FBI in 2020 were acts of intimidation and vandalism; roughly 1,200 (approximately 30%) involved violence. One bias-motivated crime is too many, of course, but the number of reported black hate-crime victims pales in comparison to the reported black victims of other crimes. For example, there were over 189,000 reported black victims of aggravated assault in 2020more than 50 times the number of victims in all anti-black incidents combined. Black homicide victims dwarfed the total number of victims of all anti-black incidents in 2020. According to the FBIs Expanded Homicide Data, there were more than 9,900 black homicide victims recorded by the FBI in 2020. Of the more than 3,700 black victims in single offender/single victim homicide cases, over 85 percent of the offenders were black. Among all anti-black offenses reported nationally in 2020, the FBI recorded a total of five murders and nonnegligent manslaughtersless than 1/10th of 1% of the total homicides committed against African Americans. While the absolute increase is relatively small, theres no doubt that reported anti-black hate incidents rose significantly in 2020. A majority of states (37) reported year-over-year increases to the FBI. However, only 14 of these statesincluding Ohio, which submitted its figures after the FBI released its reportsaw increases of more than 20 cases. Further, state data available on the FBIs Crime Data Explorer site reveals that just six statesCalifornia, Ohio, Texas, Oregon, Indiana, and Coloradowere responsible for more than half of the national increase between 2019 and 2020. Charles Lehman, a fellow at Manhattan Institute and an expert on policing and public safety, told RealClearInvestigations that one reason the number of reported anti-black hate crimes varies significantly across states is that state and local police departments differ in how they classify criminal incidents. In other words, some states are more willing than others to label certain criminal incidents as hate crimes. State laws, too, vary with respect to hate crimes, which can affect the types of incidents that are ultimately reported as such. Lehman pointed to the disparity between Alabama and Arizona as an illustrative example, noting that Alabama has more than twice as many black residents as Arizona but recorded only seven anti-black hate incidents in 2020 compared with Arizonas 124. City-level data complicates the story further. Several solidly blue cities that figured prominently in the summers protestsMinneapolis, Portland, New York, Kenosha, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Chicagodid not record meaningful increases in anti-black hate crimes between 2019 and 2020. Minneapolis recorded nine anti-black hate incidents in 2020 after failing to report in 2019. Portland and New York City each had two additional reported anti-black hate incidents between 2019 and 2020; Seattles total fell from 84 in 2019 to 52 in 2020. Chicago had five total reported incidents in 2020, down from seven in 2019. Kenosha and Atlanta recorded zero incidents in both 2019 and 2020. Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, cautioned that municipal hate crime data can be imperfect. The problem is, when you get to a place like Kenosha, or some other places, they have no levels of reporting. During these kinds of protests, when 911 systems are overwhelmed, you may not get all those [hate crime] reports in. In addition, there are issues with regard to trust [with] those police departments, Levin told RealClearInvestigations. Sample size is also a significant issue with hate crime data. The relatively small number of anti-black hate crimes reported annually makes it difficult to distinguish genuine trends in the data from random noise. The issue is underscored by the FBIs findings regarding hate crimes perpetrated against other groups. Asian Americans, for example, suffered a 70% increase in reported hate crimes during 2020to a total of 274. This was trumpeted as a surge in anti-Asian hate incidents, but the absolute numbers are so small relative to the population that its unclear whether the increase is due to a bona fide spike in hate against Asian Americans or randomness. Some researchers argue that traditional hate crime statistics are unreliable more generally. Jacob Kaplan, the chief data scientist in research on policing reform and accountability at Princeton University, explained in his book on the FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting initiative (UCR) that hate crimes are the most difficult category of crime to track at the national level because of reporting irregularities and the relative infrequency of hate crimes. [The hate crimes dataset] is also the most under-reported UCR dataset with most agencies not reporting any hate crimes to the FBI. This leads to huge gaps in the data with some states having zero agencies report crime, agencies reporting some bias motivations but not others, [and] agencies reporting some years but not others, he said. While these problems exist for all of the UCR datasets, it is most severe in this data. This problem is exacerbated by hate crimes being rare even in agencies that report themwith such rare events, even minor changes in which agencies report or which types of offenses they include can have large effects. Lehman echoed Kaplans concerns about underreporting, noting that the number of jurisdictions that actually report [hate crimes] at all is small and varies wildly, and peoples willingness to report also varies significantly. Levin argued that the Bureau of Justice Statistics National Crime Victimization Survey proves that a significant number of hate incidents go unreported each year. He also claimed that southern states such as Mississippi and Alabama have historically underreported the number of hate crimes, which has had the effect of depressing the national numbers. We were having more hate crimes in Eugene, Oregon, than in multiple Southern states combined for a while, he said. The reporting disparities across states and localities make it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions about reported hate crime data. The nebulous nature of hatemost crimes involve some element of malice, after alladds to the challenge. Despite these limitations, Lehman argued that the reported surge in anti-black hate crimes warrants federal attention. I think it warrants serious attention, he said. In absolute terms, non-hate crimes are a much bigger deal, and Id prefer limited resources go there. But we should always take it seriously when theres a spike in heinous offenses, and I think hate crimes qualify. South Dakota Governor Addresses Reports Over Daughters Licensure South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, shared a statement by video late Friday to address media reports about an alleged meeting she held last year that included her daughter and a state employee who was overseeing her daughters application to become a real estate appraiser. Noems daughter, Kassidy Peters, was present at a meeting in July 2020 with Noem and Sherry Bren, who oversaw the South Dakota Appraiser Certification Program, as well as with several others, Bren had told The Associated Press. The AP reported that Peterss application to become a residential appraiser was initially declined, citing a July 27 letter from Peters supervisor. Both Noem and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation have not confirmed nor denied that the meeting as reported by the AP had taken place. Following the publication of the APs report on Sept. 28, South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, a Republican, said he is reviewing concerns raised to him over the 2020 meeting. Meanwhile, the states Department of Labor and Regulation said that there was no denial to Peterss application and she was certified in November 2020. In a video message posted on Friday, Noem said, Theres a lot of speculation and innuendo in the media and I wanted to take a second to set the record straight. I never once asked for special treatment for Kassidy. She is my daughter and Im proud of her. I raised her to accomplish things on her own just like my parents raised me. She added, Other appraisers went through the exact same process that Kassidy did, and Ill be honestmy administration started fixing that process and it was way too difficult. Appraisers werent getting certified and South Dakotans were having to wait much longer to buy a house. This system had been broken for decades. [The system] was designed to benefit those who were already certified and to keep others out, she continued, adding later, Im focused on making it easier for young South Dakotans to enter this field, and that will make it easier for South Dakotans to purchase a home. Noem said that the media is ignoring the facts, such as how she has made changes to the process to become a certified appraiser to streamline it for the future. The certification program will no longer require people to take an exam before they start their training, Noem said, noting that appraisers were having to pass a license-level exam before theyd even taken the classes necessary to pass it. My department of Labor and Regulation is fixing that. Weve revised other processes and were still looking at streamlining other requirements. Noem said that her administration has been working for three years to eliminate barriers to licensure in general by cutting red tape, and accused media outlets of having ignored on reporting the efforts of Noems administration with regard to this matter, and would rather attack her daughter in order to score cheap political points against her. In a statement on Oct. 1, Noems office shared remarks from three real estate professionals who thanked Noem for having streamlined the appraiser certification process. According to the governors office, a shortage of appraisers is a nationwide problem thats exacerbated in South Dakota because of prior barriers to entry in appraiser certification. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor sits during a group photo of the Justices at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2021. (Erin Schaff/Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Supreme Court Justice Denies Appeal to Block Vaccine Mandate for New York School Staff Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Friday denied an emergency request filed by a group of teachers to block New York Citys school COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Four teachers filed for the injunction on Thursday with Sotomayor, seeking to stop the mandate from going into effect on Friday. Sotomayor, an Obama nominee who oversees emergency requests from New York, denied the teachers petition (pdf) without comment. She also did not refer the case to the full 9-member court for review. The decision effectively allows the mandate to go forward. Vinoo Varghese, an attorney for the teachers, said in an email, We are disappointed, but the fight for our clients due process and those similarly situated will go on. The citys vaccine mandate requires public school workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by 5 p.m. on Friday. Otherwise, they would be placed on unpaid leave until September 2022 unless they were approved for a religious or medical exemption. COVID-19 is caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as the novel coronavirus. The New York teachers had filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in Brooklyn federal court last month, arguing that mandatory vaccinations violate their rights to due process and equal protection under the law, citing the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment. The teachers argued that the mandate interferes with their freedom to work in their profession and discriminates against them because other municipal workers who dont work for schools can opt out of the vaccine by undergoing weekly COVID-19 tests. The teachers appealed to the Supreme Court after the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Manhattan, denied their case on Monday. The panel did not explain their ruling, which reversed a decision by a federal judge last week to block the vaccine mandate. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Taiwan Questions Chinas Suitability for Pacific Trade Pact, Fears Obstruction TAIPEIChinas restrictive practices present fundamental problems for its application to join a major pan-Pacific free trade pact, and if it joins before Taiwan there is a risk it could block their application, the islands economy minister said. Taiwan and China both applied last month to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), but China says it opposes Taiwan joining. The Chinese regime claims the island as its own, despite the fact that Taiwan is a de facto independent country, with its own military, democratically-elected government, and constitution. If China enters first, certainly there is a risk of them obstructing Taiwan, Taiwan Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua told Reuters in an interview late on Thursday. Taiwan joining anything, they oppose. The Chinese regime says it has the right to represent Taiwans 23.5 million people in international bodies regardless of the islands claim that it is an independent country. Beijing has numerous issues, from internet censorship to labor rights, that call into question whether it can reach the CPTPPs high standards, she added, saying those requirements are set to challenge Chinas very fundamental systems. If China can change these, I think changing this system and then entering (the trade pact) is not a bad thing. But the prerequisite is that if this system is not changed, why can they enter CPTPP? This is an issue I dont really understand, she added. Look at their informationnothing can enter. Facebook cant enter, Google cant enter, Wang said, referring to the Chinese communist regimes blocking of both major sites, which it does to a slew of Western internet firms including Twitter, all in the name of national security. The original 12-member agreement, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), was seen as an important economic counterweight to the Chinese regimes growing influence. But the TPP was thrown into limbo in early 2017 when then-U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States. The grouping, which was renamed the CPTPP, links Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer, has applied to join under the name it uses in the World Trade Organization (WTO)the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. Taiwan is also a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation grouping. Wang said Taiwan was not aware of any CPTPP member objecting to their application, in contrast to the disquiet expressed by Japan in particular about Chinas bid. At the very least after we submitted the written application, weve not heard that any member opposes, not like after China applied, when some countries brought it up. Taiwan has been angling for free trade deals with other countries, especially other democracies. Wang said if it joined, it would not need to seek a separate agreement with Australia, or fellow CPTPP applicant Britain. While talks to enter the WTO went on for more than a decade, Wang said she did not think it would take that long for the CPTPP, but added it was hard to give a timetable. I think if the political obstacles can be reduced as much as possible, I dont believe talks will go on for decades. The Road of Possibilities Arriving in Africa, the plane lands at night. As you step outside, youre enveloped in the damp heat, setting off into a night of car horns, dust, and headlights. To get your bearings, you impatiently wait for the morning, when the sun rises and you can finally discover the city. The director brings us along on his journey, starting in Ouagadougou and heading west to Conakry, a trip of over 2,000 kilometers (over 1,200 miles)discovering an Africa of possibilities. About Mythical Roads: Whether remote or packed with tourists, recent or old, famous or forgotten, certain routes are paved with legends. This series explores itineraries that have made history across five continentssome roads and rivers that separated countries, and others that formed links, creating pathways for traders, fortune-seekers, evangelists, conquerors, and travelers. As historical symbols, these routes now ignite the imaginations of millions of people in search of adventure and freedom. The original and poetic approach of this series casts a new light on these mythical roads. Throughout the journey, the routes unfold through the eyes of the men and women who live and work along them, and who continue to sustain the legends. Personal adventures alternate with extraordinary explorations, unforgettable encounters, and surprising developments. Follow EpochTV on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV Parler: https://parler.com/#/user/EpochTV You May Also Like: People hold signs calling for freedom of choice during a rally protesting vaccine mandates in Monterey, Calif., on Sept. 26, 2021. (Cynthia Cai/The Epoch Times) To Comply, or Not to Comply: Virginia State Employee Chooses Termination Over Obedience For Nancy Orr, the decision to make her own medical decisions came with a high price. Getting fired in September from her executive assistant position at Richmonds Library of Virginia wasnt exactly a surprise, however, because, as she told The Epoch Times, she saw it coming. Like many people at the beginning of this, I wore a mask, and tried to honor what they were recommending, Orr said. In December 2020, she had contracted the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, the pathogen that causes COVID-19. Her physician, Leland Stillman, who has now moved his practice (Leland Stillman, MD) from Virginia to Orlando, Florida, had prescribed her ivermectin, which she said reduced her symptoms within hours. Stillman told The Epoch Times that Orr was one of many patients he had prescribed ivermectin beginning last year, with great results. I still prescribe it to patients because I dont see any downsides, and there are tremendous upsides, Stillman said. What kind of doctor doesnt prescribe a therapy that he knows is effective, with documented efficacy in the literature, and is safer than Tylenol? Orr said she now has lab-verified immunity. But thats not recognized under this executive order, Orr said. In August, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam enacted an executive order that requires state employees to show proof of vaccination or be tested weekly. Orr said she stopped wearing the mask months prior because she said, in addition to having natural immunity, wearing the mask causes her respiratory distress, raising her heart rate, which leads to high blood pressure. To Comply, Or Not To Comply After having COVID-19, she considered the testing, mask, and vaccine unnecessary for her, but as government guidelines turned into mandates, the ominous choice loomed: to comply, or not to comply. I could not in good conscience participate in the process because I see it explicitly as a vaccine passport, Orr said. They dont have the right to that information. They dont have the right to segregate people based on their medical status, and its not based on anything scientific because we now know that the fully vaccinated can be infected and transmit the virus. Privileging people based on their medical status is discriminatory, Orr added. Its immoral, unethical, illegal, and unconstitutional, Orr said. She considered the religious and medical exemption that was available due to her COVID-19-recovered status, but decided against it. I just realized that if I chose a medical exemption, I would be validating or even declaring participation by declaring my vaccine status, and its simply none of their damn business, Orr said. Its private medical information, and just because someone issues an executive order, that doesnt make it legal, and it certainly doesnt make it moral or ethical. Americans With Disability Act Defense Orr said she turned to an individual rights advocacy organization called The Zunga, described by one of its members, John Jay Singleton, as an organization of professionals that provides representation for people to exercise their rights within the framework of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to Singleton on The Zungas website, Everyone is regarded as having a disability, being that everyone is regarded as having a contagious disease. This is where it all begins: everyone can express their rights that are being violated through the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under the COVID-19 protocols, Orr said people are classified as having an infection, which is a qualifying disability under the ADA. Because of this, she said, if one is deemed disabled, that person has the right to invoke protection under the ADA, which she said means she has the right to decline any accommodation that is being offered, such as the testing, masks, and vaccines. Using templates and guidance from her membership with The Zunga, she filed a complaint of discrimination against the Library of Virginia and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. There is an active investigation, Orr said. I will also be filing a federal lawsuit for wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation based on the disability they regarded me as having, which resulted in the termination of my employment. At 63 years old, Orr said she had planned on working at the library until she retired. Uncomfortable and Distressing Im not a person of significant means, so Im taking a considerable financial hit, Orr said. Its been uncomfortable and distressing. Orr doesnt expect to triumph with her complaint against the library, she said, since medicine and government have been weaponized, adding that she doesnt think shell even be able to get unemployment. But Im following through because this is in alignment with what I believe to be true, Orr said. Meanwhile, she said, shes moving on with her life, getting involved politically, and seeking out others who are not complying. No Strings on Me Leading up to her termination, she experienced anxiety and sleepless nights, she said, as narratives around COVID-19 policies veered further out of the bounds of rationality. I couldnt stomach it anymore, Orr said. I personally see everyone involved in this as complicit in criminal activity in perpetuating Gov. Northams order. At the very least, her consolation today is that she is free, proclaiming: there are no strings on me. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Perry, Ga., on Sept. 25, 2021. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) Trump Asks Judge to Force Twitter to Reinstate His Account Former President Donald Trump asked a federal judge to force Twitter to reinstate his account in a civil lawsuit filed in Florida on Friday. Trump, along with several other plaintiffs, says that Twitters ban of his account violated the First Amendment and likely violated Floridas newly-enacted Stop Social Media Censorship Act. The former president filed a request for a preliminary injunction against Twitter in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, arguing the social media company was coerced by members of the U.S. Congress to suspend his account. He then suggested that Twitters ban of his account should be regarded as a government action for First Amendment purposes as its the result of the States exercise of coercive power.' Twitter exercises a degree of power and control over political discourse in this country that is immeasurable, historically unprecedented, and profoundly dangerous to open democratic debate, Trumps lawyers said in the filing (pdf). The Epoch Times has reached out to Twitter for comment. The ban will affect the 2022 elections if Trumps account is not reinstated, Trumps lawyers said in the filing, citing constitutional lawyer Alan Dershowitz. Plaintiff faces loss of his donor and merchandising platforms, and ability to communicate his views, content, and endorsements of local candidates, read the filing. Twitter and several other social media platforms banned Trump from their services after the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Before he was blocked, Trump had more than 88 million followers on Twitter and used it as his social media megaphone. At the time of removing Trumps account permanently, Twitter said his tweets had violated the platforms policy barring glorification of violence. However, Trump argued in the court filing that Twitter allowed the Taliban to tweet regularly about their military victories across Afghanistan, but censored him during his presidency by labeling his tweets as misleading information. In July, Trump sued Twitter, Facebook, and Alphabets Google, as well as their chief executives, alleging they unlawfully silence conservative viewpoints. Reuters contributed to the report. A screen displays the company logo of Uber Technologies Inc on the day of its IPO at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on May 10, 2019. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters) Uber Temporarily Suspends Brussels Service in First for Europe BRUSSELSUber Technologies Inc. joined a protest of its drivers in Brussels on Thursday with an unprecedented suspension of its service in the Belgian capital. Rules dating back to 1995 prohibit drivers from using smartphones, meaning those that use the Uber app to pick up customers and to drive them to their destination risk losing their vehicles, Uber said in a blog. This is not acceptable in 2021, Uber said, adding the sector had been waiting seven years for reforms. In an email to clients, the hail-riding company said its services would be unavailable for three hours in the morning because the Brussels government had failed to present a reform plan before the summer, contrary to its pledge to do so. Uber said the suspension was exceptional and unprecedented in Europe and that it stood with the 2,000 independent drives who use its app daily and who fear for their work and are worried for their future. During the suspension, hundreds of Uber drivers drove their cars in a procession through central Brussels to the office of the regional premier, who met a delegation. The Brussels government said it had set out a draft law on Tuesday to reform rules for taxi and ride-hailing services. By Marine Strauss Ultrasounds have changed how we seeliterallyfetal problems within the womb before the baby is born. But this helpful technology brings its own issues. (Pang_Oasis/Shutterstock) Unexpected Side Effects of Ultrasound Gel This widely used endocrine disruptor may be harming your unborn baby In 2017, Emalee Morem was 40 weeks pregnant with her first child. At the urging of her providers, she had an extra ultrasound, just to make sure the baby was OK. After the scan, Morem and her husband went out for lunch. But sitting in the sunshine on the patio at the restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Morem started to feel uncomfortable. My belly felt very hot while we were eating, Morem says, and when I got home, I looked at my belly and saw this horrible red, patchy rash. Though the rash wasnt painful, Morem was concerned. It didnt hurt, but it obviously wasnt normal, she says. And Im sure it was from the ultrasound gel. After the ultrasound they just wiped my belly with a dry paper towel or cloth, so my belly didnt get washed off well, I could still smell the gel on my skin, and the rash was exactly where theyd had the gel and doppler. The discomfort, Morem says, was short-lived. It went away after a few hours, but it freaked me out at the time. I was afraid of getting more ultrasounds, too. Two weeks later, Morem gave birth to a healthy 7-pound 14-ounce baby girl. An Endocrine Disruptor? Could the gel that caused a topical rash on Morems abdomen be problematic for another reason? Our bodies use hormoneschemical signalsto regulate many different processes. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that alter our normal hormone levels. Phthalates and certain phenolsincluding parabens and triclosanare considered endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Because pregnancy, like puberty and menopause, is a time of enormous hormonal changes, its especially important to steer clear of hormone disruptors. Indeed, studies have shown that unnatural changes in hormone levels can contribute to many negative health effectsespecially when it comes to reproduction and fetal development. While each formulation varies by brand, research suggests that some of the gels used to conduct prenatal ultrasound scans may be causing hormone disruption. These thick gels are slathered over a womans abdomen to provide a continuous liquid medium for the sound to pass through, without air bubbles that would disrupt the signal. They contain a variety of fragrances and dyes, as well as a chemical called propylparaben, which is a phenola chemical compound extracted from coal tar. Ultrasound gels may also contain phthalates, used to bind the fragrance and the color. Dr. Carmen Messerlian and her colleagues in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard University sought to uncover whether exposure to ultrasound gel disrupts the endocrine system. They published their results, Ultrasound gel as an unrecognized source of exposure to phthalates and phenols among pregnant women undergoing routine scan, in the International Journal of Environmental Health in 2017. Teaming up with clinicians from Massachusetts General Hospital, Messerlians team analyzed the urine of a dozen pregnant women who were already participating in a fertility study. As part of the fertility study, the women were all undergoing one routine ultrasound in the second trimester. So the Harvard scientists took three urine samples from each woman: One before the scan, a second sample one to two hours after the scan, and a third urine sample 7 to 12 hours later. Each urine sample was then sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where CDC scientists then analyzed them for the presence and quantity of 19 different phthalates and 11 different phenols. Phthalates Peak 7 to 12 Hours After Ultrasound Scans The analysis found that phthalates reached peak concentrations in the pregnant womens urine at approximately 7 to 12 hours after exposure to ultrasound gel. In addition, the concentration of almost all the chemicals tested in the womens urine was highest in the third urine samples, nearly eight hours after the scans. Since all of the pregnant women tested reportedly ate something or used some kind of personal care products (which often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals), this may have affected the results. However, the consistency in timing across all 12 study participants suggests that high phthalate concentrations in the womens urine were due to ultrasound gel exposure. While additional research is needed, this pilot study potentially identifies a previously unknown source of phthalate and paraben exposure among pregnant women undergoing routine ultrasound examination, the researchers concluded. How Does Ultrasound Work? Prenatal ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of a pregnant womans growing baby while the baby is still inside the womb. Ultrasound is super high-frequency sound waves we cannot actually hear; its basically based on the same principle as radar or echolocation, said Dr. Lise Eliot, a neuroscientist at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, when I interviewed her several years ago. You put out a sound and if theres something in the environment, it will reflect back on that. They reflect the sound waves through the mothers abdomen and the baby is the structure that reflects the sound waves. With the technology, you can take the reflected sound waves and create a two- or three-dimensional image of the child. A Routine Part of Prenatal Care Ultrasounds are used to find out the babys gender and positioning and to look for any anomalies, some of which can sometimes be surgically repaired before the baby is born. The most severe form of spina bifida, myelomeningocele, can be operated on during gestation, for example. At the same time, if an ultrasound uncovers that a fetus has a severe medical condition or a genetic anomaly that is not compatible with life, doctors will often recommend terminating the pregnancy. Once used sparingly, ultrasound has now become a routine, unquestioned part of standard medical prenatal care. In fact, ultrasounds during pregnancy are considered such an essential component of modern maternity care that the majority of obstetricians believe it would be impossible to provide high-quality maternity care without doing them. A woman who chooses not to get any ultrasoundseither because she would never choose abortion or because she has concerns over the safety, necessity, and reliability of the procedureis often met with unabashed astonishment and pushback from her providers. American women enjoying healthy pregnancies will routinely have four to five ultrasounds per pregnancy, regardless of risk. Pregnant women who are considered high risk, can expect to be told they need an ultrasound scan at every appointment. I interviewed one New Jersey mom, Jen Simon, who had 30 ultrasounds during her first pregnancy. Even though she was only 5 feet 3 inches tall and her husband just 5 feet 6 inches, their New York City-based doctors told the Simons they needed so many ultrasounds because the baby was too small. I was told I was lucky I wasnt getting three a week, Simon said. But are these scans even necessary in the first place? Consider this: One study, published in 1993, of more than 15,000 pregnant women revealed that ultrasound scans dont improve fetal outcomes. Another study, of more than 2,800 women, showed that pregnant women who received five ultrasound scans were more likely to have growth-restricted babies than pregnant women who received only one, suggesting that the ultrasound scan itself may be partially causing the very condition it is seeking to monitor. If youre low-risk, theres honestly very little justification for doing more than one, says my colleague and co-author, Dr. Paul Thomas, a pediatrician based in Portland, Oregon. Even one ultrasound may not be necessary, unless your plan would be to abort a non-viable fetus. Reasons to Be Cautious At the same time, there is a growing body of scientific evidence linking exposure to ultrasounds in utero to brain challenges and other health problems in young children. For example, a 2016 study published in the journal Autism Research by scientists from the University of Washington examined the records of 2,644 children with autism. These scientists found that boys exposed to ultrasound in the first trimester had more severe autism symptoms, including decreased IQ and increased repetitive behaviors, than babies who hadnt been exposed. Research conducted by Dr. Manuel Casanova, professor of biomedical sciences at the University of South Carolina, has also shown that early exposure to ultrasounds can trigger ill-timed migration of brain cells that can lead to brain disruption and autism. Alternatives to Ultrasound Gel One way to avoid exposure to endocrine-disrupting ultrasound gel is to tell the ultrasound technician that you dont want to use the standard ultrasound gel. Bring some organic coconut oil with you to your appointment and ask the technician to use that instead. Some technicians will also simply use water to make the transducer move more easily instead of the gel provided. Problem solved. And Thomas says you can take some simple steps to make an ultrasound scan less risky for your growing baby. Many technicians may not be aware that obstetric guidelines stipulate that ultrasounds should be done for the least amount of time at the lowest possible setting. This is called ALARA or As Low As Reasonably Achievable. If you want to have an ultrasound or your doctors really insistent, make sure you ask the technician to check that their machine is set as low as it can be to get the needed image, Thomas suggests. Tell your doctor and the tech that you want the ultrasound done at the least possible exposure for the shortest amount of time. These are actually the current guidelines, but most doctors dont follow them. A Boeing 737 MAX airliner with United Airlines markings is pictured at the Boeing Factory in Renton, Wash., on Nov. 18, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images) United Airlines Cuts Number of Workers Facing Termination Over Vaccine Noncompliance CHICAGOUnited Airlines on Thursday trimmed the number of employees who are facing termination for defying the companys COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The Chicago-based carrier said only 320 U.S.-based staff are now not in compliance with its COVID-19 vaccination policy, marking a 46 percent drop in the past two days. Excluding those who have sought an exemption, United said 99.5 percent of U.S.-based employees now have been vaccinated against COVID-19. United, which in early August became the first U.S. carrier to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all domestic employees, had asked for proof of vaccination by Monday or face termination. It later softened its position, saying workers could save their jobs if they chose to get vaccinated before their formal termination meetings. Since Monday, more employees have provided a proof of vaccination, a company spokesperson said. The airline expects a further decline in the number of unvaccinated staff in coming days. A military personnel guides a Chengdu Aircraft Corporation's J-10 for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) after its flight demonstration programme at the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, in southern China's Guangdong province on Sept. 28, 2021. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) US Heading Toward New Cold War With Chinese Regime Amid Beijings Rising Aggression: Experts There is a strong case that a new cold war is brewing between the United States on one side, and China with Russia on the other, according to a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel. Having served as a Cold Warrior during the last decades of geopolitical tension between the United States and the former Soviet Union, Robert Maginnis said that todays adversarial, power-grabbing nature of the Chinese regime and its alliance with Russia remind him of what he witnessed first-hand with the rise of the Soviet Union. I have seen this before and now Im seeing it again, he told The Epoch Times. Analysts have been making this comparison since the latter stage of the Trump administration when the United States started taking increasingly tougher actions to combat a range of threats posed by the Chinese communist regime. The Biden administration has broadly continued to confront the regime over its aggressions, placing an emphasis on building alliances to present a unified front in countering Beijing. In September, the United States, Britain, and Australia launched a new security partnership, known as AUKUS, focusing on the Indo-Pacific, a move widely viewed as an effort to target the regimes military assertiveness in the region. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently suggested the United States and Chinese regime mend their completely dysfunctional relationship, warning of the alternative of a potential new cold war. In response, White House press secretary Jen Psaki affirmed that the United States was not looking for a cold war with Beijing, and characterized the relationship as not one of conflict, but of competition. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) disagreed, contending that the United States is in the early stages of a new cold war with China. Sidelining Europe With regard to the AUKUS partnership that saw the United States and the UK support Australias acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, Maginnis said, an alliance with the Aussies is not particularly surprising. He considers Australia to be a solid ally in the southern Pacific with a very good foothold through the region. The deal drew anger from France, which ended up losing out on an earlier agreement signed in 2016 to provide Australia with submarines. There were ongoing concerns about delays, cost overruns, and major questions about whether the submarine would meet Australias defense requirements, which had been publicly debated for years. Nevertheless, the diplomatic fallout has caused some analysts to suggest a widening rift between Anglophone countries and Europe in their approach to China. Dan Steiner, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and global strategist, said there appears to be a lack of vision inside the Biden administration with regard to foreign policy, but added the AUKUS partnership could be a small indication of whats to come. Maginnis and Steiner agreed that there are similarities between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and what the United States is forming under AUKUS. Maginnis pointed out, NATO was a very concerted, synchronized effort to challenge the Soviet Unions expansion into the rest of Europe. Both retired military officers said AUKUS is the beginning of the United States trying to form a NATO version in Asia to counter the Chinese regime. Shortly after the launch of AUKUS, President Joe Biden hosted a summit in Washington with leaders from Japan, India, and Australia. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, also known as the Quad, similarly seeks to address the Chinese regimes growing military and economic might in the Indo-Pacific region, analysts say. Between AUKUS and the Quad, Steiner said the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can make a good argument that the United States is abandoning Europe unlike in the days of old. The Chinese regime is able to say the AUKUS deal and Quad meeting are just indictive that the U.S. doesnt care about Europe or NATO anymore, Steiner said. Accordingly, the Chinese regime will leverage the fracture that has taken place between the United States and France to suit their agenda, he said. They are telling the world, you cant trust the United States, and theyre going to continue to push the story that the U.S. is shifting away from Europe. To Steiner, it is clear that the United States is attempting to realign itself with partners that are more capable of dealing with the CCP. Barriers to the New Alliance Steiner said there are barriers to forming such an alliance, suggesting the CCP realizes that many of the nations the U.S. would attempt to form an alliance with are already addicted to Chinas economic spider trap. The regime has its tentacles in most of the nations that the United States would try to align with in Asia, and these include Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, according to Steiner. In contrast, he said, the countries that originally joined NATO in 1949 had no financial or economic ties to the Soviet Union. Its going to be far more difficult to form an Asian version of NATO than it was to form NATO at the end of World War II, he said. An Explosive Regime To Maginnis, the bourgeoning alliances are ganging up against an explosive Chinese military in recognition of the growing threat posed by the CCP. The Chinese regime considers the United States their enemy, [adding that] the military posture of both the Chinese and the Russians is exploding around the world, he said. The CCP is coming close to the point of being able to challenge the United States in the nuclear sphere, Maginnis said, pointing to mid-year reports about the construction of nearly 120 new missile silos near the northwestern city of Yumen, and another 110 silos in the far western Xinjiang region. As the threat from the CCP builds, Maginnis said the alliance relationship between the Chinese regime and Russia also becomes a growing concern, heightening the prospect of a new cold war. Their first joint naval drill occurred in 2017, and more recently, he said, China and Russia are also aligning their positions in Afghanistan. The Chinese regime is expanding its influence all over the world, Maginnis said. Its unlike anything seen in the past. US Senate Approves 30-Day Extension of Federal Highway Funding After House Passage The U.S. Senate on Oct. 2 approved a 30-day extension of funding for federal highway programs. A day after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the extension, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) brought it to the Senate floor by asking for unanimous consent. The move lets a bill pass without a recorded vote but enables a single senator to block it through an objection. No senators objected. The bill, introduced by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), is meant to resume funding for federal highway programs, including the Highway Trust Fund. The funding lapsed on Oct. 1. Fresh funding was part of the Senate-passed infrastructure bill, although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has delayed a vote on the bill multiple times amid infighting in her caucus. The highway extension bill now heads to President Joe Bidens desk. Biden went to Delaware for the weekend, and it isnt clear when he aims to sign the legislation. The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Democrats delaying the passage of the infrastructure bill led to the furlough of more than 3,700 Department of Transportation workers. Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, said the group appreciates Congress passing the temporary extension but called for approval of the infrastructure bill. This particular extension doesnt include any new funding for state departments of transportation until October 15, leaving them without support from their federal partners for weeks while they continue the work of moving people and goods through our communities, he said in a statement. Vaccine Mandate for Australian Authorised Workers in Victoria A million Australians who are authorised workers in the state of Victoria have two weeks to get their first COVID-19 vaccination to keep working on site, as construction industry prepares to reopen with strict safeguards in the state. Premier Daniel Andrews says all Melbourne and regional Victoria residents on the states authorised worker list must have a first dose by Oct. 15 and a second by Nov. 26. Without meeting the statewide mandate, retail workers, personal trainers, MPs, journalists, faith leaders, judges, police, lawyers, actors and professional sportspeople will not be able to continue working on site. The Oct. 15 deadline will not replace Victorias separate vaccine mandate timelines for aged care, healthcare, freight, construction and education workers. Mr Andrews said the decision, based on health advice, would encompass one to 1.25 million authorised workers in Victoria, many of whom have already had their first dose. This is critically important to keep the case numbers down so that we can open up on October 26, get our freedom back, get the economy going again and deliver the national plan, he told reporters on Friday. The state government also unveiled its plan to restart the construction industry after a two-week shutdown in Melbourne and other locked-down regions. Under the plan, constructions sites can reopen from Tuesday for workers who have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. They must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 13. All operators will need to formally attest their site complies with the industry-wide health directions. Workforce caps remain for some building sites, except for outdoor state government projects, and single-dose workers can set up ahead of Tuesdays reopening. Fully vaccinated workers can move between regional Victoria and Melbourne, while tearooms will reopen with enhanced cleaning, density limits and additional ventilation. The preference is for these meal breaks to be taken outside wherever possible, Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said. Widespread transmission of the virus within the industry and poor site compliance were cited as reasons for the shutdown on Sept. 21, the same day Melbournes CFMEU headquarters was damaged by angry protesters. The protests began in opposition to mandatory vaccinations for the construction sector and the closure of building site tearooms, before morphing into a wider anti-lockdown and anti-mandatory vaccine movement. A fully trained COVID marshal is required to watch over every construction site in the state. Treasurer Tim Pallas said there will be hefty fines for sites caught in breach. Construction workforce caps will be removed when Victoria hits its 80 percent double-dose vaccination target. The broadened vaccination mandate comes as Victoria recorded 1143 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases and three deaths on Friday, taking the death toll from the current outbreak to 44. Greater Shepparton and Moorabool Shire, to the west and north of Melbourne, will both will enter snap, seven-day lockdowns from 11.59 p.m. on Friday to contain growing outbreaks. Twelve new cases were reported in Greater Shepparton and six in Moorabool on Friday, and health authorities are concerned about possible onward transmission. Lockdown restrictions will mirror those in metropolitan Melbourne, with the exception of the nightly curfew. Residents of both regions are being urged to come forward for testing, with two pop-up sites to be opened in Melton. Meanwhile, Andrews flagged an announcement on the Victoria-NSW border next week, declaring it would basically open. For exposure sites visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites A woman is pictured at an event at Huawei Cybersecurity Center in Brussels on May 21, 2019. (Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images) What Huawei Dreads Most Is More US Sanctions Commentary Huaweis financial report for the first half of 2021 shows a sharp decline in its revenue. The companys senior executives have talked about their difficulties on different occasions, revealing that Washingtons sanctions and technology ban have significantly affected the Chinese tech giant. On Aug. 6, Huawei disclosed its H1 financial report. According to a statement, the company generated $49.5 billion in revenue during the first half of 2021, with the largest decline coming from its consumer business revenue, which includes handsetswhich fell to $20.9 billion from $39.5 billion in the first half of 2020. Huaweis rotating chairman Eric Xu said the company wanted to survive and do so sustainably, which implies that Huawei was hard hit by Washingtons sanctions. Huaweis revenue growth trend was curbed by the sanctions imposed by the United States in May 2019. Huawei recorded only a 3.8 percent increase in 2020, following a 19 percent increase in revenue in 2019. As the U.S. has imposed four rounds of sanctions over the past two years, our 5G smartphones are affected, and we have to go with 4G; and our 5G microchips are used like 4G, Richard Yu, Huaweis consumer business CEO, said at an event to mark the release of the companys latest flagship model P50 in July. Yus comments reveal that Huaweis core consumer business has been losing ground due to Washingtons sanctions and export bans on Huawei. Its been pointed out that P50-series phones suffer from a lack of adequate peripheral 5G parts, such as radio frequency filters. Huawei could no longer source bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filters from Broadcom and thus had to sell the P50 as 4G phones, Asia Times reported. The report indicated that such filters convert electrical energy into acoustic or mechanical energy and are widely used for many new 4G and 5G bands. According to a Chinese report, filters in China use either surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology or BAW technology, and their production is dominated by U.S. and Japanese manufacturers. Attendees walk past a display for 5G services from Chinese technology firm Huawei at the PT Expo in Beijing on Oct. 31, 2019. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo) Murata Manufacturing Co., a Japanese manufacturer of electronic components, had a 50 percent global market share of SAW filters in 2020, according to its annual report. U.S. manufacturers of BAW filters, Broadcom Inc. and Qorvo, account for 87 percent and 8 percent of the global market of BAW filters, respectively. China-made RFICs (radio-frequency integrated circuits) are used in 2G, 3G, and 4G frequency bands. Few domestic manufacturers of SAW and BAW filters are able to mass-produce the products. Most Chinese filters are used in medium- and low-end products only. Chinese producers arent able to provide the high-performance 5G RFICs needed by Huawei. Washingtons restriction orders on chips have also affected Huaweis server vendor business, aside from its high-end handset business. Speculation on the internet suggests that Huawei plans to sell its server business and that the local branch of Chinas watchdog for state-owned enterprises in the eastern city of Suzhou will take over. If that turns out to be true, Huawei will have to sell another premium asset. In 2020, it sold its smartphone brand Honor to a consortium of more than 30 companies. This time, Huawei is said to be selling its server business that uses Intel/AMD chips (based on X86 architecture). Huawei has found it difficult to have a stable supply of X86 chips because of U.S. sanctions. According to Chinese media reports, X86 architecture is the absolute mainstream system adopted by Chinas server CPU market. This system is highly reliant on Intel and AMD in terms of core components, and the X86 CPUs are purchased from Intel and AMD. Once these companies are prohibited by the United States from selling their products to China, Chinese X86 server service providers could see their businesses shut down. Huawei may not be able to escape Washingtons bans even if it sells its businesses to other companies, which the United States may include in the Entity List as well. At a press conference on Sept. 13, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced that China has set up more than 1 million base stations, accounting for more than 70 percent of the global base stations. China has more than 400 million 5G end-usersthe largest user group in the world. Chinas shipment of 5G handsets reached 168 million, a year-on-year growth of 80 percent. However, Huaweis P50 handsets show that, even with 5G chips, they dont necessarily have the function of 5G. Moreover, as long as the United States bans the export of filter technology used in 5G RFICs, smart electronic products of various Internet of Things types wont be able to have 5G functions. The survival of Huawei isnt just an issue for the company and its supply chain alone. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) really wants the United States to relax the ban on Huawei, because U.S. technology is crucial for Chinas entire 5G industry. Huawei executive Meng Wanzhous warm homecoming shows that the CCP is hoping that the United States will further lift the restrictions on the company. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) Outsiders have long profited from Africas riches of gold, diamonds, and even people. Digital resources have proven no different. Millions of internet addresses assigned to Africa have been waylaid, some fraudulently, including through insider machinations linked to a former top employee of the nonprofit that assigns the continent's addresses. Instead of serving Africa's internet development, many have benefited spammers and scammers, while others satiate Chinese appetites for pornography and gambling. New leadership at the nonprofit, AFRINIC, is working to reclaim the lost addresses. But a legal challenge by a deep-pocketed Chinese businessman is threatening the bodys very existence. The businessman is Lu Heng, a Hong Kong-based arbitrage specialist. Under contested circumstances, he obtained 6.2 million African addresses from 2013 to 2016. Thats about 5% of the continents total more than Kenya has. The internet service providers and others to whom AFRINIC assigns IP address blocks arent purchasing them. They pay membership fees to cover administrative costs that are intentionally kept low. That left lots of room, though, for graft. When AFRINIC revoked Lus addresses, now worth about $150 million, he fought back. His lawyers in late July persuaded a judge in Mauritius, where AFRICNIC is based, to freeze its bank accounts. His company also filed a $80 million defamation claim against AFRINIC and its new CEO. Its a shock to the global networking community, which has long considered the internet as technological scaffolding for advancing society. Some worry it could undermine the entire numerical address system that makes the internet work. There was never really any thought, particularly in the AFRINIC region, that someone would just directly attack a foundational element of internet governance and just try and shut it down, try and make it go away. said Bill Woodcock, executive director of Packet Clearing House, a global nonprofit that has helped build out Africas internet. Lu told The Associated Press that hes an honest businessman who broke no rules in obtaining the African address blocks. And, rejecting the consensus of the internets stewards, he says its five regional registries have no business deciding where IP addresses are used. AFRINIC is supposed to serve the internet, its not supposed to serve Africa, Lu said. Theyre just bookkeepers. In revoking Lus address blocks, AFRINIC is trying to reclaim internet real estate critical for a continent that lags the rest in leveraging internet resources to raise living standards and boost health and education. Africa has been allocated just 3% of the worlds first-generation IP addresses. Making things worse: the alleged theft of millions of AFRINIC IP addresses, involving the organizations former No. 2 official, Ernest Byaruhanga, who was fired in December 2019. It's unclear whether he was acting alone. The registrys new CEO, Eddy Kayihura, said at the time that hed filed a criminal complaint with the Mauritius police. He shook up management and began trying to reclaim wayward IP address blocks. Lu's legal gains in the case have stunned and dismayed the global internet-governance community. Network activists worry they could help facilitate further internet resource grabs by China, for starters. Some of Lus major clients include the Chinese state-owned telecommunication firms China Telecom and China Mobile. It doesnt seem like hes running the show. It seems like hes the face of the show. I expect that he has got quite a significant backing thats actually pulling the strings, said Mark Tinka, a Ugandan who heads engineering at SEACOM, a South Africa-based internet backbone and services provider. Tinka worries Lu has access to an endless pile of resources. Lu said allegations hes working for the Chinese government are wild conspiracy theories. He said hes the victim of ongoing character assassination. While billions use the internet daily, its inner workings are little understood and rarely subject to scrutiny. Globally, five fully autonomous regional bodies, operating as nonprofit public trusts, decide who owns and runs the internets limited store of first-generation IP address blocks. Founded in 2003, AFRINIC was the last of the five registries to be created. Just shy of a decade ago, the pool of 3.7 billion first-generation IP addresses, known as IPv4, was fully exhausted in the developed world. Such IP addresses now sell at auction for between $20 and $30 each. The current crisis was precipitated by the uncovering of the alleged fraud at AFRINIC. The misappropriation of 4 million IP addresses worth more than $50 million by Byahuranga and perhaps others was discovered by Ron Guilmette, a freelance internet sleuth in California, and exposed by him and journalist Jan Vermeulen of the South African tech website MyBroadband. But that was far from all of it. Ownership of at least 675,000 wayward addresses is still in dispute. Some are controlled by an Israeli businessman, who has sued AFRINIC for trying to reclaim them. Guilmette calculates that a total of 1.2 million stolen addresses remain in use. Someone had tampered with AFRINIC's WHOIS database records which are like deeds for IP addresses to steal so-called legacy address blocks, Guilmette said. It's unclear if it was Byahuranga alone or if other insiders or even hackers were involved, he added. Many of the misappropriated address blocks were unused IP space stolen from businesses, including mining giant Anglo American. Many of the disputed addresses continue to host websites that have nonsense URL address names and contain gambling and pornography aimed at an audience in China, whose government bans such online businesses. When Kayihura fixed his sights on Lu this year, he told him in writing that IP address blocks allocated to his Seychelles-registered company were not originating services from within the AFRINIC service region contrary to the justification provided. Lu would not discuss the justifications he provided to AFRINIC for the IP addresses hes obtained, but said hes never broken any of AFRINICs rules. Such justifications are part of what is typically an opaque, confidential process. Kayihura would not comment on them, citing the legal case. Nor would the two men who were AFRINIC's CEOs when Lu received the allocations. Emails obtained by the AP show that in his initial request for IP addresses in 2013, Lu made clear to AFRINIC that his customers would be in China. In those emails, Lu said he needed the addresses for virtual private networks known as VPNs to circumvent the Chinese governments firewall that blocks popular websites like Facebook and YouTube there. He said he discussed this with Adiel Akplogan, AFRINIC's first CEO, in Beijing in a 2013 meeting cited in the emails. Akplogan, who stepped down in 2015, would not comment on any discussions he may have had with Lu on the subject. Akplogan's successor, South African internet pioneer Alan Barrett, would say only that all appropriate procedures were followed. By that time, in 2016-17, Lu said his company, Cloud Innovation, had quit the VPN business and shifted into leasing address space. Lu notes that other regional registries including RIPE in Europe and ARIN, the North American registry routinely allocate address blocks outside their regions. That may be so, experts say, but Africa is a special case because its still developing and vulnerable to exploitation even if AFRINICs bylaws dont explicitly ban geographical outsiders from obtaining IP space. Unlike at other regional registries, AFRINICs stewards neglected to forge strong alliances with governments on the continent with the resources to fend off legal challenges from wealthy usurpers, said Woodcock of the Packet Clearing House. The governmental relationships necessary to get it treated as critical infrastructure were never prioritized in the African region, he added. This is not a threat coming from Africa. This is a threat from China." The international registry community has rallied to the aid of AFRINICs embattled reformers. ARINs president, John Curran, said in a statement of support that the Mauritian court should also consider whether any fraud was committed in awarding the IP addresses to Lu. His legal battle has potential for significant impact to the overall stability of the Internet number registry system, he wrote. A mutual assistance fund of more than $2 million created by the regional registries is available and has been offered should AFRINIC need it to keep running during the court fight. The AP found several pornography and gambling sites aimed at a Chinese audience using IP addresses that Lu got from AFRINIC. While those sites are banned in China, they can still be accessed there via VPNs. Lu said such sites make up a minuscule part of the websites using his IP addresses and his company has strict policies against posting illegal material like child pornography and terrorism-related content. He said he does not actively police the content of millions of websites hosted by those leasing from his company, but all actionable complaints of illegal activity are immediately forwarded to law enforcement. It is not clear whether the police investigation into Byaruhanga has advanced. Mauritian police did not respond to attempts to determine if they have even sought to question him. Byahuranga is believed to be living in his native Uganda but could not be located for comment. Akplogan, his former boss, said he was not aware at the time of Byahurangas alleged misappropriation of addresses. I dont know how he did it, said Akplogan, who is Togolese and now based in Montreal. And for those who know the reality about my management of AFRINIC they know very well that its not something that I will have known and let it go (on). Inducted two years ago into the Internet Societys Hall of Fame, Akplogan is currently vice president for technical engagement at ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), the California-based body that oversees the global network address and domain name businesses. - Bajak reported from Boston and Suderman from Richmond, Virginia. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) In a school in a remote corner of the Afghan capital, a cacophony of childrens voices recite Islams holiest book. Sunshine streams through the windows of the Khatamul Anbiya madrassa, where a dozen young boys sit in a circle under the tutelage of their teacher, Ismatullah Mudaqiq. The students are awake by 4:30 a.m. and start the day with prayers. They spend class time memorizing the Quran, chanting verses until the words are ingrained. At any moment, Mudaqiq might test them by asking that a verse be recited from memory. Attention is turning to the future of education in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, with calls among urban educated Afghans and the international community for equal access to education for girls and women. The madrassas Islamic religious schools for elementary and higher learning, attended only by boys represent another segment of Afghan society, poorer and more conservative. And they too are uncertain what the future will hold under the Taliban. Most of the students hail from poor families. For them, madrassas are an important institution; it is sometimes the only way for their children to get an education, and the children are also sheltered, fed and clothed. At night they lie on thin mattresses, preferring the ground over rickety bunk-beds, until sleep comes. Like most institutions in Afghanistan, madrassas have struggled in the decline of the countrys economy, which has accelerated since the Taliban takeover on Aug. 15. The Taliban which means students originally emerged in the 1990s in part from among the students of hard-line madrassas in neighboring Pakistan. Over the past two decades, madrassas in Afghanistan have steered clear of militant ideologies, under the eye of the U.S.-backed government fighting the Taliban. Now that government is gone. Staff at Khatamul Anbiya were cautious when asked if they hoped for greater support from the new Taliban rulers. Regardless, with or without the Taliban, madrassas are very important, explained Mudaqiq. Without them, people will forget their religious sources The madrassa should always be there no matter what government is present. It doesnt matter the cost, it should be kept alive. Historically, the Afghan government has lacked the resources to provide education in rural areas, enabling madrassas to grow in influence. The madrassa system has been kept alive largely through community-driven efforts; most of its funding comes from private sources. But with financial shortfalls as a result of U.S. sanctions and freezes from international monetary institutions, public salaries have not been paid. Madrassas are not seeing the same funding they used to. The young boys who grow up in the madrassa system can qualify to become religious scholars and experts. The schools usually teach a conservative interpretation of Islam and have been criticized for an overreliance on rote-learning over critical thinking. But for some, the system is just a way to get basic education and stay fed. Between religious study the young men convene in large seating areas for a meal of bread and hot tea. Before sunset, they play marbles until its prayer time the last before nightfall. ___ This story has been corrected to show the date of the Taliban takeover as August 15, not October 15. CAIRO (AP) A major crackdown in western Libya has resulted in the detention of at least 4,000 migrants, including hundreds of women and children, officials said Saturday. The U.N. said at least one young migrant was shot dead and 15 others injured, including two in serious conditions, in the crackdown. The raids took place Friday in the western town of Gargaresh as part of what authorities described as a security campaign against illegal migration and drug trafficking. The Interior Ministry, which led the crackdown, made no mention of any traffickers or smugglers being arrested. Officials said Friday that 500 illegal migrants had been detained but on Saturday reported that number had reached 4,000. Gargaresh, a known hub for migrants and refugees, is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) west of Tripoli, the Libyan capital. The town has seen several waves of raids on migrants over the years, but the latest one was described by activists as the fiercest so far. Since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has emerged as the dominant transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, hoping for a better life in Europe. Human traffickers have benefited from the chaos in the oil-rich nation and smuggled migrants through the countrys lengthy border with six nations. They then pack desperate migrants into ill-equipped rubber boats in risky voyages through the perilous Central Mediterranean Sea route. The detained were gathered in a facility in Tripoli called the Collection and Return Center, said police Col. Nouri al-Grettli, head of the center. He said the migrants have been distributed to detention centers in Tripoli and surrounding towns. Libyas detention facilities are miserable, overcrowded places where migrants have suffered from abuses and severe ill-treatment, according to rights activists. A government official said authorities would deport as many as possible of the migrants to their home countries. He said many of the detained had lived illegally in Libya for years. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media. Tarik Lamloum, a Libyan activist working with the Belaady Organization for Human Rights, said the raids involved human rights violations against the migrants, especially in the way some women and children were detained. Lamloum said many detained migrants have been registered with the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, as refugees or asylum-seekers. Vincent Cochetel, the agency's special envoy for the Central Mediterranean, told The Associated Press that initial reports were that at least one person was killed and 15 injured in the crackdown. He said in some cases security personnel used excessive force and drove people out of their homes. We should not be surprised if people are scared and will try to leave by sea, he said. Georgette Gagnon, the U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator for Libya, said unarmed migrants were harassed in their homes, beaten and shot in the crackdown which has also seen a communication blackout in Gargaresh. Among the injured were five by gunshots with two of them being treated in an intensive care unit, she said in a statement late Saturday. The statement didn't elaborate further details. The crackdown comes amid a spike in crossings and attempted crossings of the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. Libya's coast guard has intercepted around 25,300 migrants and returned them to Libya's shores so far this year. Over 1,100 migrants were reported dead or presumed dead off Libya in the first nine months of 2021, but that number is believed to be higher, according to the U.N. migration agency. Hundreds of migrants were seen in images posted on social media Friday by the Interior Ministry sitting clustered together in a yard with the banner of the Collection and Return Center in the background. Other images from Gargaresh purporting to show migrants show them with their hands tied behind their backs. An aerial photo showed men lying face down on the ground at a crossroads, with military trucks and guards around them. Country restrictions lifted for Sandbox arrivals PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that from yesterday (Oct 1) Thailand has lifted the listing of countries per the level of COVID-19 transmission risks for Sandbox tourists. tourismeconomicsCOVID-19Coronavirushealth By The Phuket News Saturday 2 October 2021, 11:59AM The quarantine requirements for vaccinated and non-vaccinated tourists arriving in the country (click to enlarge). Image: TAT Now the seven-day stay for Sandbox tourists is open to visitors from any country in the world, the TAT has announced. Image: TAT This means Thailand is now welcoming travellers from any country in the world to the Sandbox programme, the TAT said in its announcement. More details on the situation under the reduced mandatory stay of seven days will be made available as soon as possible, the TAT announcement said. The TAT in a separated released also announced that under new quarantine regulations approved by the Royal Thai Government, fully vaccinated foreign tourists visiting Phuket, Surat Thani, Phang Nga and Krabi via the relevant Sandbox programmes can now stay for only seven days before being able to move on to other parts of Thailand. The reduced quarantine time applies to those visiting under the Sandbox programme to Phuket, Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Ko Tao), Phang Nga (Khao Lak and Ko Yao) and Krabi (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai and Railay Beach). It also means that fully vaccinated tourists can now travel straight to the designated areas of Phang Nga and Krabi upon landing in Phuket, and stay there for seven days. Details of travel requirements under the seven-day quarantine for fully vaccinated foreign tourists, as well as requirements for non-vaccinated or partially-vaccinated tourists under the 10-day quarantine for arrivals by air and 14-day quarantine for arrivals by land were announced through yet another release, explaining as follows: 7-day Quarantine For travellers who have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by Thailands Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) or the World Health Organisation (WHO) no less than 14 days before their travel date, they are required to present the vaccine certificate (either the original or a printed copy) at the point of entry into Thailand. During the quarantine, they are required to undergo two RT-PCR tests first upon arrival on Day 0-1, and the second before finishing the quarantine period on Day 6-7. 10-day Quarantine Travellers who have not been vaccinated, without a vaccine certificate, or partially vaccinated, and who arrive in Thailand by air will be required to enter a 10-day quarantine, and undergo two RT-PCR tests first upon arrival on Day 0-1, and the second on Day 8-9. 14-day Quarantine Travellers who have not been vaccinated, without a vaccine certificate, or partially vaccinated, and who arrive in Thailand by land will be required to enter a 14-day quarantine, and undergo two RT-PCR tests first upon arrival on Day 0-1, and the second on Day 12-13. In order to be eligible to enter in Thailand, vaccinated international travellers still need to have all of their advance arrangements in good order for arrival and entry, the TAT advised. These include a valid visa or re-entry permit, a Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, a COVID-19 health insurance policy, confirmation of Alternative Quarantine (AQ) hotel booking, and a medical certificate with a RT-PCR laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected issued no more than 72 hours before departure, it added. Interested vaccinated foreign tourists are recommended to enquire at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in their home country for more details, the TAT noted in its release. Outrigger announces management team for Thailand PHUKET: Outrigger Hospitality Group has announced its senior management team that will open three resorts in Southern Thailand this high season. tourism By The Phuket News Saturday 2 October 2021, 10:00AM High season return for (from left) Tony Pedroni, Leah Matters and Sergey Kutuzov as part of new Outrigger Hospitality Group appointments in Thailand. Tony Pedroni, has been appointed Area General Manager, Thailand. He will be supported by Sergey Kutuzov, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, Thailand, and Leah Matters, General Manager, Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort. They will be assisted by a dozen or so other managers, soon to be announced, many with area responsibilities in finance, security, HR, engineering and purchasing. The appointments come as Outrigger establishes its presence in three of the most sought-after beach locations in Asia. Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort and Outrigger Surin Beach Resort in Phuket are scheduled to open Dec 15. Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort is scheduled to open on Lamai Beach before Easter 2022. An Irish national with more than 30 years of professional experience, Tony Pedroni has enjoyed a career spanning seven countries and three continents, spent largely with Marriott International and Outrigger Hospitality Group. Mr Pedroni is a graduate of the Swiss Hotel Management School HOSTA in Leysin, Switzerland. Sergey Kutuzovs hospitality career spans nine years in Thailand working with MINOR, Accor and Dusit and six years in Dubai, UAE, working with Starwood and Accor. Mr Kutuzovs career began in his hometown of St Petersburg, Russia, with Kempinski Grand Hotel Europe. Mr Kutuzov holds a bachelors in physics from St Petersburg State University and is a school of management graduate from there as well. Leah Matters has held senior roles with Outrigger in Australia and Thailand since 2008, notably as General Manager of Outrigger Twin Towns Resort and then Resort Manager of the former Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, 2015-21. Ms Matters is particularly strong on guest satisfaction policy implementation and resort social media engagement. Our new team is a dynamic mix of experience and enthusiasm, said Damian Clowes, Regional Managing Director, Asia Pacific, for Outrigger Hospitality Group. We aim to re-establish Outrigger among the top beach resorts in Thailand for families and couples. Mr Pedroni added that Outrigger has a history of higher than average guest satisfaction levels among its competitive set. This was evidenced by the previous Outrigger in Phukets inclusion in the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame for Excellence and other travel industry awards. Guest experience and satisfaction will once again be core deliverables at our new properties, said Mr Pedroni. Outrigger will shortly announce food and beverage concepts and room type options for its Khao Lak and Phuket properties ahead of their scheduled Dec 15 opening. PPRP vows to keep Prayut as premier candidate BANGKOK: The ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) will back Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-chas bid for another term at the next election, according to a party source. politics By Bangkok Post Saturday 2 October 2021, 02:03PM Photo: AFP. PPRP leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon reportedly told a meeting of party heavyweights on Thursday (Sept 30) that the PPRP will nominate Gen Prayut as prime minister in the next poll, reports the Bangkok Post. I am the party leader and the prime minister is Gen Prayut, the source said, quoting Gen Prawit telling the gathering of senior party members. He will be with us til death do us part. No divisiveness. No conflict. Gen Wit Devahastin na Ayudhya, chairman of the PPRPs strategic committee; party secretary-general Capt Thamanat Prompow; and party treasurer Narumon Pinyosinwat were reportedly present at the meeting, where attendees discussed local elections and the national contest. According to the source, Gen Prawit expects the party to win 150200 House seats in the general election after professionals have been brought in. The PPRP won 112 House seats in the 2019 poll. Gen Prawit yesterday (Oct 1) declined to comment on media reports saying that Col Suchart Chantarachotikul, chief of the PPRPs southern strategic team, would defect to a new party. On Thursday, Col Suchart said he would join a new party to be formed by the former permanent secretary for interior Chatchai Phromlert while noting that Mr Chatchais party was his first choice because it would back Prayut as prime minister. The PPRP leader simply walked away when asked by reporters if the party would back Prayut in the next election. Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday it is too early for his party to discuss their political fortunes or say who it will nominate or back as prime minister in the next election. He said the party will instead focus on its work and its responsibilities. Slow start to Phuket reopening PHUKET: The reopening of Phuket to allow domestic visitors onto the island got off to a slow start yesterday (Oct 1), with no surge in the number of vehicles and people wanting to come onto the island. tourismCOVID-19Coronavirushealth By The Phuket News Saturday 2 October 2021, 11:25AM Officers manning the Phuket Check Point at Tha Chatchai have yet to report any people being refused entry to the province under the new conditions, which allow any domestic visitors who have been fully vaccinated and have tested negative for COVID-19 within seven days before arriving. Only a handful of people presented themselves to be tested by antigen test kit (ATK), which is allowed for Phuket residents only under the new screening measures, which came into effect yesterday. It was not reported if any of the few entering the province yesterday tested positive. The rest of those arriving already had their paperwork ready, with most of those coming onto the island being regular delivery drivers and local residents. Phuket officials over the past week since announcing the new easing of entry requirements that came into effect yesterday have launched a campaign to inform people of the relaxed measures but explaining clearly, even in English, the requirements that are still in place. In clarifying the new entry measures to officials on Thursday, Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong confirmed that the Phuket Check Point will be open 24 hours a day again. V/Gov Pichet also repeated that all people will be allowed onto the island as long as they have been fully vaccinated and can prove testing negative for COVID-19 by RT-PCR test or antigen test kit (ATK) no more than seven days before arrival. Also allowed back into Phuket are people who have recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months. People who are registered on a house registration document (tabien baan) in Phuket may bring their own ATK that has been approved by the FDA and conduct the test at the checkpoint, Officials will issue a document confirming the negative test result that can be used for seven days, V/Gov Pichet said. This will help reduce congestion at the checkpoint, he added. Children under 6 years old are exempt from the vaccination and test requirements, as are emergency medical staff and rescue workers, and patients travelling in ambulances. Children from 6-18 years of age who are not eligible for vaccination must be tested for COVID-19 by RT-PCR or antigen test method up to seven days prior to arrival, V/Gov Pichet said. The same rules apply to those arriving in Phuket by sea transport, V/Gov Pichet added. All arrivals must download and install the Mor Chana app on their phones and have location sharing enabled at all times while on the island, V/Gov Pichet said. All arrivals must also register their travel details through the gophuget.com web platform and be issued a QR code that they can show officials at the checkpoint on arrival. Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Rain. Thunder possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall may reach one inch.. Tonight Rain. Thunder possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall may reach one inch. BETHALTO On Friday morning, many Bethalto residents gathered around what once was the Kleins store to celebrate new life given to the building. Amiee Long of Bethalto and her business partner Jamie Slaten opened The Co-Op at Klein Hall, 128 W. Central St., in Bethalto. The two business owners had a small ribbon cutting that featured Martha Smith and Mary Ann Magac, the daughters of the original store owner, Bob Klein. Both Smith and Magac were excited about the future for the business. Its nice to someone in this building again after so long, Smith said. According the Magac, the left side of the store once focused on over the counter medicine and soda while the right side was a gift shop. I can just think of him (Klein) smiling down on the fact that there is a gift shop in here again, Magac said. The Co-Op at Klein Hall features 18 different small businesses that take up a shelf or a table in the building. The products sold include jewelry, accessories, gifts, boutique items, spirit wear, clothing, gourmet food products, decor and bath products. More Information The Co-Op at Klein Hall Businesses Killer Cups & Twisted Tumblers - Scott and Paula Steiner Buddha's Boutique - Kelsey Galbraith Lemon Tree Signs & Decor - Chloe Datillo Miss Mae's Pens - Melissa Antoine Cooley's Goat Milk Soaps - Dawn Cooley Steinkraft Woodworks - Marissa and Josh Stein Mamaw's Closet - Robin Ripper Dottie's Emporium - Leah Galbreath R&R Design - Rhonda Miller Foster - Calvin Soong-Wilson Since 7th - Sierra Maguire and Erica Hale Wonders by Whitney - Whitney Walker Piasa Coffee Colorful E - Ellah Brown Leslie Avenue Candle Co. - Allison Hill Sweet Penny Maes - Amy French PK's Boutique - Jennifer Whorl SMBH - Shane Hosto See More Collapse Calvin Soong-Wilson, owner of Foster, said that he started his brand to bring awareness to foster care. He also said a portion of sales will go to organizations that support foster care. I wanted the opportunity to do something good for the community, Soong-Wilson said. Rhonda Miller, co-owner of R&R Design, said she handles seasonal items which, as of now, are mostly Halloween themed. Sierra Maguire, co-owner of Since 7th, said that she is proud of the people coming together, adding she was super excited. The Co-Op at Klein Hall is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday. The store plans to hold a larger grand opening sometime in November. CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) A helicopter and a single-engine plane collided in midair Friday near a suburban Phoenix airport, sending the helicopter crashing into a field and killing both people on board. The plane landed safely, and the flight instructor and a student inside were not hurt. The collision happened in the city of Chandler near its municipal airport, said police Sgt. Jason McClimans. He said no one on the ground was hurt but the airport would remain closed for several hours. The Chandler Fire Department received reports of a fire in a brush field next to the airport shortly before 8 a.m. Crews found a large plume of smoke and the wreckage of the helicopter on fire but were able to extinguish it relatively quickly, fire officials said. They inspected the helicopter and found the bodies of the two people on board. The Maricopa County medical examiner's office will determine their identities. The chopper was operated by Quantum Helicopters and the plane by Flight Operations Academy. Both are flight schools, according to McClimans, of Chandler Police. Richard Bengoa, owner of Flight Operations Academy, told The Associated Press the four-seat plane is used mostly for flight training. The only people aboard were the flight instructor and the student pilot. Though officials did not allow Bengoa to get close to the plane, he said it appeared from a distance that its landing gear had been damaged. He said he had no information about how the collision happened and was not allowed to speak with the instructor or student. Bengoa described his operation as more of a family business to kind of promote aviation and help people get their licenses. A statement from the Federal Aviation Administration also indicated evidence of damage on the Piper PA-28 aircraft's landing gear. The agency listed the helicopter as a Robinson R22. The airport's control tower was operating at the time of the collision. But FAA officials declined to say how many of the staff were there, noting that detail will be part of the overall investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the cause of the collision and crash. Police are seeking any witnesses or people who may have filmed the ordeal. Chandler Municipal Airport does not provide commercial airline service. Most of the flights there are for chartered trips, private excursions and training. It's considered one of the nations 50 busiest general aviation airports with more than 200,000 flight operations a year, according to Chandler's tourism office. Dodge City Community College in Kansas operates its DC3 Flight Instructor Program out of the Chandler airport. The school said in a statement on its Facebook page that officials are working to notify the appropriate families of those involved in the incident. Authorities have not mentioned any ties to a specific training program. ____ Davenport reported from Phoenix. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) A leading Islamic State media figure and foreign fighter has been charged in U.S. federal court in Virginia with conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, federal officials said Saturday. Mohammed Khalifa, a Saudi-born Canadian citizen who was a leading figure in the Islamic State of Iraq, was captured overseas by the Syrian Democratic Forces in January 2019, federal officials said. He was recently transferred into FBI custody, at which point he was first brought to the Eastern District of Virginia. As alleged, Mohammed Khalifa not only fought for ISIS on the battlefield in Syria, but he was also the voice behind the violence, said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Through his alleged leading role in translating, narrating, and advancing ISISs online propaganda, Khalifa promoted the terrorist group, furthered its worldwide recruitment efforts, and expanded the reach of videos that glorified the horrific murders and indiscriminate cruelty of ISIS." Khalifa, 38, served in prominent roles within the Islamic State starting in 2013 and continuing until his capture by the SDF in January 2019 following a firefight between Islamic State fighters and the SDF, officials said. In addition to allegedly serving as an Islamic State fighter, Khalifa allegedly served as a lead translator in the group's propaganda production and the English-speaking narrator on multiple violent recruitment videos. The complaint in federal court also alleges Khalifa traveled to Syria in the spring of 2013 with the intent of becoming a foreign fighter and ultimately joining the Islamic State. He joined the group in or around November 2013 and swore allegiance to then-Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In early 2014, he was recruited to join the group's Media Bureau partly due to his linguistic capabilities as a fluent English and Arabic speaker. Prosecutors say Khalifa played an important role in producing and disseminating Islamic State propaganda across multiple media platforms targeting Western audiences. He focused primarily on enticing supporters to travel to Islamic State-controlled areas to join or to conduct attacks in the West, including in the United States, on the group's behalf. He also actively participated in armed hostilities on behalf of the Islamic State, according to the complaint. The complaint alleges Khalifa assisted in the translation and narration of approximately 15 total videos created and distributed by the Islamic State. The productions narrated by Khalifa include two of the most influential and exceedingly violent propaganda videos, the complaint said. The videos, containing English narration by Khalifa, were part of a media campaign promoting violence committed against U.S. citizens and other countries citizens in order to incite further violence against the United States, allied nations, and their citizens. The videos depict glamorized portrayals of the Islamic State and its fighters as well as scenes of violence, including depictions of unarmed prisoners being executed, depictions of Islamic State attacks in the United States, and footage of attacks and fighting in what is described as Syria and Egypt, a news release from the U.S. attorney's office said. If convicted, Khalifa faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. EDWARDSVILLE Author Jan Jacobi is back touring after a one-year hiatus for his latest young-adult book, Lincoln in Springfield, which picks up where his first book, Young Lincoln, took readers. Jacobis new book covers about Lincolns early years in Springfield, his growth as a lawyer and politician, his marriage to Mary Todd and his term as a congressman from Illinois. Jacobi will be at the fourth annual Edwardsville Book Festival 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 9 in Edwardsville City Park. The festival will feature regional authors and booksellers, music and storytelling, kids activities, crafts, food and drink. After a year hiatus, I am finally back on the Young Lincoln trail which has taken me from coast to coast but mostly in St. Louis and Springfield, Illinois, said Jacobi, of St. Louis. Lincoln in Springfield, published by Reedy Press, is the second book in Jacobis award-winning series of young adult novels about Lincoln. It will appeal to students in middle and high school, as well as adults. Lincoln is the first-person narrator in the series, a perspective Jacobi introduced in Young Lincoln which brought him critical recognition. Staying true to the historical record, Jacobi presents a flesh and blood Lincoln who is a real person. The book retells Lincoln breaking off his engagement to Mary Todd when he got cold feet and was entranced with a young woman sharing a room with Todd at the home of her older sister and her husband, Ninian Edwards, a former Illinois governor for whom Edwardsville is named. Lincoln in Springfield also will be featured at the 32nd annual Alton Band and Orchestra Builders Olde Alton Arts and Craft Fair 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Alton High School, 4200 Humbert Road. Young Lincoln tells a story of Lincolns birth in Kentucky and the familys move to Indiana when he was 7 years old, where he spent 13 years before he came to Illinois. Lincoln in Springfield continues the saga of his development as a young professional and politician. Lincoln yearns to forge his own path, albeit on a borrowed horse. He starts as a fledgling lawyer in Springfield and 10 years later serves his first term as a Whig Congressman representing Illinois in Washington D.C. The portrait of the presidential Lincoln begins to emerge, though not without stumbles. Jacobi has taught English and humanities for seventh and eighth grades for 49 years. Hes also been assistant headmaster at one school and head of middle school at another. In 2014, St. Louis Magazine named him Middle School Teacher of the Year. Young Lincoln won a Best of Illinois History Award and a Nautilus silver award for middle grade fiction. Lincoln in Springfield is available at www.reedypress.com. EDWARDSVILLE Three people were indicted Thursday by a Madison County grand jury for possession with intent to distribute cannabis and psilocybin. Hunter A. Voegele, 22, of East Alton; Dillon M. Voegele, 23, of Madison; and Jacob T. Epperson, 21, of Granite City, were each indicted Sept. 30 for unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, all Class X felonies, and unlawful possession of psilocybin with intent to deliver, all Class 1 felonies. Dillon Voegele was also indicted for unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony, and an additional unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, a Class 1 felony. The charges were all originally filed Sept. 14 by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois. According to court documents, on Sept. 13 the three allegedly were found to have more than 5,000 grams of cannabis with the intent to deliver and more than 50 grams of psilocybin with the intent to deliver. Dillon Voegele was also allegedly found to have 2,000 grams of cannabis with the intent to deliver and a Walther Arms PPS 9 mm handgun. He has a 2020 Madison County conviction for mob action, making him ineligible to possess weapons. Bail was originally set at $200,000 each. A Wood River man also was indicted Thursday on charges related to three separate indictments. Jacob D. Board, 29, of Wood River, was indicted for burglary and attempt predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, both Class 1 felonies; aggravated criminal sexual abuse and failure to report an accident involving personal injury or death, both Class 2 felonies; and harmful materials, a Class A misdemeanor. The burglary and failure to report charges were originally brought by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. The sex assault and abuse charges were presented earlier this year by the Wood River Police Department. According to court documents, on Jan. 23 Board allegedly committed a substantial step toward predatory criminal sexual assault of a child by propositioning a now 11-year-old child, rubbing her buttocks and showing the child pornography online. On June 11, Board allegedly was involved in a motor vehicle accident in the 2800 block of Godfrey Road that resulted in serious injuries to another person, but failed to report it. On June 19, he allegedly entered a home in Alton to commit theft. In an unrelated case, Edward J. Cochran, 29, of Christopher, was indicted for aggravated unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, a Class X felony; residential burglary, a Class 1 felony; and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 2 felony. The charged were originally filed Sept. 10 by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. On Sept. 4 Cochran allegedly entered a home in Pontoon Beach to commit a theft and was found to be in possession of multiple firearms. He has a 2021 Jackson County conviction for armed robbery, making him ineligible to possess weapons. Bail had been previously set at $85,000. Two other indictments were issued Sept. 30. Keith L. Johnson, 43, of Granite City, was indicted on two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, both Class 1 felonies. The case was originally presented by the Granite City Police Department and filed Sept. 8. On Sept. 15 and Sept. 29 Johnson allegedly delivered one gram or more of cocaine to a confidential source. Bail was originally set at $150,000. Ashley N. Houin, 32, of Florissant, Missouri, was indicted for residential burglary, a Class 1 felony. The case was originally presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department and charges issued Sept. 10. On Sept. 4 Houin allegedly entered a home in Pontoon Beach to commit theft. Bail was originally set at $85,000. RABAT, Morocco (AP) Millions of Moroccan students returned to school on Friday for in-person classes after a prolonged summer vacation. The government had planned to reopen schools back in September but postponed the start date because of virus fears. The North African kingdom has the continent's highest vaccination rate and virus infections are now receding. The school reopening came a month after the government kicked off an ambitious vaccination campaign for children aged 12 to 17, becoming one of the first African countries to inoculate that age group. School staff and teachers across the country greeted waves of students who showed up for the first day at school. Many safety measures are still in place. They are required to mask up at all times, use hand sanitizer and respect social distancing guidelines. In the Abdeslam Sayeh middle school in Rabat, 95% of students are vaccinated, according to director Touria Tourayf, who expressed hope Friday that this will be more like a normal school year at last. The students were also eager to return to study in the classrooms. They felt how important it is to attend school and study in classrooms, as well as their closeness to their classmates and teachers, said Islamic education teacher Hajar Yazghi. Overall Morocco has registered more than 933,000 infections and 14,000 deaths from COVID-19, according to the Health Ministry. In recent weeks, the country has witnessed a drop in infections. More than 50% of the population is fully vaccinated, according to figures by the Health Ministry. As a result, the government has decided to ease some COVID-19 restrictions, notably allowing the assembly of 50 people for wedding ceremonies and other events. ___ Houda Benalla in Rabat, Morocco contributed. ___ Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ELSAH Principia College has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, two of the countrys leading college rankings. In its 2022 Best Colleges rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Principia College No. 5 for Most International Students for National Liberal Arts Colleges and No. 6 for Best Value for National Liberal Arts Colleges. Overall, the college climbed to No. 59 out of 222 schools this year, ranking in the top third of liberal arts colleges in the nation. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees is facing an existential budget crisis and appealing for urgent funding of $120 million to keep essential education, healthcare and other services running, the agency's chief said Friday. We keep struggling, running after cash, Philippe Lazzarini told a small group of reporters. The financial situation is a real existential threat on the organization, and we should not underestimate this because it might force the organization to decrease services, he added, and if that happens we risk to collapse very quickly. At stake is the agency's ability to keep 550,000 children in school, provide health care for thousands, and pay the salaries for its 28,000 staffers in November and December, Lazzarini explained. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency known as UNRWA was established to provide education, health care, food and other services to the 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were forced from their homes during the war surrounding Israels establishment in 1948. Lazzarini added that it wasnt clear for agency officials if yes or no we will be able to keep our activities in November and December. He emphasized the importance of the United States returning as a major donor to UNRWA this year after former president Donald Trump stopped all funding in 2018. The Biden administration announced in April it would provide a total of $235 million to projects in the West Bank and Gaza as well as to UNRWA. But Lazzarini said the U.S. funding has been offset by decreased funding from other donors as a result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and no information from potential donors in the Middle East. He pointed to the United Kingdom's decrease in its overseas aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of GDP, and the decline in Arab support to UNRWA from $200 million in 2018 to about $89 million in 2019 and $37 million in 2020. He said UNRWA's uncertain funding has generated anxiety among Palestinian refugees that the lifeline provided by the agency could be weakened, and a feeling of being abandoned by the international community. In an effort to reverse this trend, Lazzarini said Sweden and Jordan will be co-hosting a conference in mid-November in Brussels whose main aim is to ensure more predictable multi-year funding for the agency. He said UNRWA is seeking $800 million a year for three years for its core" activities education, health care, and social protection and safety nets. UNRWA also has a separate emergency budget which provides humanitarian aid to Gaza and Syria, he said. This year that budget was around $500 million, and he said it will probably be similar in 2022. There are now 5.7 million Palestinian refugees, including their children and grandchildren, but Lazzarini said UNRWA only helps the 550,000 in school and 2.8 million who have health benefits. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) A top U.S. official on Friday apologized for how Haitian migrants were treated along the U.S.-Mexico border, saying its not how border officials or the Department of Homeland Security behave. The comments from Juan Gonzalez, the U.S. National Security Councils senior director for the Western Hemisphere, came during a two-day official visit to Haiti to talk with local leaders about migration and other issues. I want to say that it was an injustice, that it was wrong, he said. The proud people of Haiti and any migrant deserve to be treated with dignity. The U.S. government recently came under fire for its treatment of Haitian migrants, with images showing men on horseback, corralling Haitian asylum seekers. Gonzalez was visiting with Brian Nichols, U.S. assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, amid ongoing expulsions of Haitians from the U.S. to their homeland. Since Sept. 19, the U.S. has expelled some 4,600 Haitian migrants from Del Rio, Texas on 43 flights, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Gonzalez said the gathering of migrants along the border is a public health emergency and warned those who are thinking of leaving not to risk their lives. The danger is too great, he said. Gonzalez and Nichols previously met with Haitian Americans and Cuban Americans in Miami on Wednesday and with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, members of the civil society and political leaders in Haiti on Thursday to talk about migration, public safety, the pandemic and efforts to help those affected by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the countrys southern region in mid-August. Nichols said that during their visit, they heard many people talk about the challenges that Haiti faces, noting that theres a surprising amount of agreement on potential solutions. There is no solution that will work for Haiti and its people that will be imposed from the outside, he said, referring to recent criticism about the involvement of the U.S. and other countries in Haitian affairs as it tries to recover from the earthquake and from the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise at his private home. However, we in the United States are committed to providing the Haitian people the support they need to succeed and implement their own vision. Nichols said the conversation with the prime minister was constructive, adding that the U.S. is encouraging consensus and a holistic vision. The future of Haiti depends on its own people, he said. The United States is committed to working with the people of Haiti to support as they work to bring prosperity and security back to their country. Nichols said a technical team from the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement will visit next week as Haiti struggles with a spike in gang-related violence, with the bureau's assistant secretary visiting in upcoming weeks. He said later this month, the undersecretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights will visit with other senior officials to talk about police and security issues. ___ Associated Press writer Danica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico contributed to this report. MEG BEAL, Westerly volleyball, senior: Beal had 13 aces and 28 assists in three Westerly victories. Beal also contributed 15 digs for the Bulldogs. ZOOT BOSCHWITZ, Chariho football, senior: Boschwitz completed 14 of 16 passes for 176 yards in the Chargers 42-6 win over Central Falls/Blacksone Valley Prep. Boschwitz threw three touchdown passes. MADDIE PERKINS, Wheeler girls soccer, senior: Perkins scored two goals and assisted on another in the Lions 3-0 victory against Tourtellotte. WILL SAWIN, Stonington boys soccer, senior: Sawin, a senior, scored four goals and assisted on three others in a pair of Stonington victories. For the season, Sawin has 11 goals and 10 assists for the Bears. Vote View Results The energy supply market is shrinking fast as providers go out of business. The closure of small suppliers is also affecting those that use companies which automatically switch households to the best available gas and electricity deal. My family recently became one of the millions of households hit by the closure of an energy supplier when People's Energy collapsed. It is one of ten companies along with HUB Energy, PFP Energy, MoneyPlus Energy, Utility Point, Green, Avro Energy, Enstroga, Igloo and Symbio which have closed since August. I am now left with a more expensive energy deal, which wasn't what I expected when I signed up to auto-switching website Look After My Bills (LAMB) back in 2019. Let down: Marc Shoffman was switched to suppliers that have gone bust, leaving him with higher bills LAMB is one of several switching services that use your energy usage data and fancy algorithms to save you time and money by automatically changing your supplier when cheaper deals become available. The website had a strong reputation after attracting record backing of 120,000 from entrepreneurs on BBC show Dragons' Den in 2018. A year later, it was acquired by comparison website GoCompare in a 12.5million deal. But it has now twice moved me to energy companies which have subsequently collapsed. AUTO-SWITCH WORKED WELL... TO BEGIN WITH I was pleased with my first auto-switch in April 2019 when I saved the equivalent of 113.64 a year by moving from Tonik Energy to Scottish Power. That deal was due to end in May 2020 but, a month before it ended, LAMB found me a new deal with small supplier Simplicity Energy that saved me 218.65 annually. Unfortunately, the company wasn't around long enough for my family to fully benefit. Simplicity went bust in January this year. Energy regulator Ofgem has a supplier of last resort scheme to manage gas and electricity supplies if a provider fails. This gives some comfort, but you still have to check meter readings and download your latest bill to check your new supplier isn't ripping you off. That is extra hassle, especially when you thought an auto-switching service would take all the administration away. Simplicity's customers were taken on by British Gas Evolve and LAMB's customer service assured me, after I complained, that 'your next switch will be to a reputable and financially stable supplier with good customer service ratings'. This provided reassurance when I was moved to People's Energy in March 2021 with the promise of an 80 annual saving. But following the collapse of People's Energy last month, my family was back in a supplier of last resort scheme. British Gas has taken over People's Energy contracts, so my energy supply is assured, but my bills will rise. The standing charges and unit rates now used to calculate my bills are higher than what I was paying with People's Energy. Calculations from comparison website Energy Helpline show that an average medium-sized household like mine, with two adults and two children, would typically pay 904 annually for gas and electricity on my old People's Energy fixed rate tariff. However, the British Gas People's tariff that I have been moved to is 370 more expensive at 1,274 per year. Suddenly, I am paying more than 300 extra for my energy despite signing up with an auto-switching service to save money on my bills. ...BUT THEN THE OPTIONS STARTED DRYING UP LAMB paused its auto-switching service a few days ago, stating it will return 'as soon as we can access energy deals that are right for you'. That leaves me, and many other families, with a more expensive contract than before and with no choice but to arrange our own switch if we want to get a better deal. This comes as suppliers are increasing tariffs off the back of rising wholesale gas prices and increasing demand. Additionally, the Ofgem price cap for default energy deals the rates customers pay once a contract ends rose this month by a record 139 to 1,277 a year. Energy Helpline has warned that there are currently no fixed tariffs that are cheaper than this price cap, making it harder to find a competitive low-cost deal that locks in a decent and predictable monthly payment. To make matters worse, I now don't even have an auto-switching service to help me. Gareth Kloet, director of partnerships at GoCompare, says that many failed energy suppliers were not badly run they were let down by regulator Ofgem and the level of the price cap that made it hard for them to compete. He says: 'The failure of these companies is a symptom of an energy market facing rising wholesale prices, the regulator not supporting them, and not having as large financial reserves.' WILL ENERGY MARKET EMERGE STRONGER? The auto-switching and energy comparison markets are now under extreme pressure. Rival auto-switching website Flipper exited in August due to the adverse market conditions. Another provider, Labrador, is currently advising customers to stick with their current supplier while Switchcraft says it is only putting through a handful of switches due to the limited number of deals available. It expects the market to remain quiet. Both Labrador and Switchcraft switched customers to suppliers that have failed in recent weeks. Labrador chief executive Jane Lucy says it is important to offer customers the choice to switch to smaller challengers if they are cheaper as long as there is no risk of losing supply or credit in their account. She adds: 'To help customers make informed choices, we publish information regularly on suppliers which may be in financial difficulty.' Andrew Long, founder of Switchcraft, adds that there is validity in working with smaller suppliers which offer the best prices and better customer service. He adds: 'Up until a couple of weeks ago, we hadn't had any situation where we had switched people to a supplier that then went bust.' Users of comparison websites are facing similar issues. GoCompare, CompareTheMarket and Uswitch have all paused their energy comparison services while prices remain so high and deals so uncompetitive. Comparisons and switching can still be done through MoneySuperMarket and Energy Helpline, but both warn users that the number of deals has reduced. Experts are unsure if, and when, it will be worth switching energy deals. Consumer website Resolver's Martyn James says: 'I was advising people to hold fire for a month while the dust settled before looking at switching options. But it now looks likely that most suppliers will have high prices for a while.' I feel let down by Look After My Bills they haven't looked after me. But, hopefully, the energy market will emerge from this crisis a stronger one with a number of financially stable suppliers which households can switch to and from to extract the best energy deal for them. Fund management charges eat into investors' returns. The higher they are, the bigger the hurdle the investment manager has to overcome in order to deliver positive outcomes for those that have entrusted their hard-earned money to them. Sadly, some investment managers aren't very good at hurdling and don't justify the fees they earn for nothing better than mediocre work. In any other profession, they would have long been sacked, but it's a fact of investment life that most investors don't vote with their feet and take their money elsewhere. As a result, substandard investment performance doesn't get punished like it should do. Forward thinking: There are a few investment houses that realise their investors and shareholders deserve a better deal Thankfully, there are a few investment houses and a number of dynamic boards of investment trusts that realise their investors and shareholders deserve a better deal. Especially given the trying times we now all find ourselves in. Thank goodness, I say. We consumers and industry all need to share a little bit of the pain that is around. Edinburgh-based investment house Baillie Gifford is leading the charge. In recent weeks, it has tickled down the annual charge it applies to investment fund UK Equity Alpha from 0.55 per cent to 0.47 per cent. It has also reconfigured the charges it takes from investment trust US Growth which means that as the fund's net assets (that is, assets less any borrowings) grow beyond 1 billion, any amount above that figure will attract an annual charge of 0.5 per cent instead of 0.55 per cent. Baillie Gifford has enjoyed a rich vein of investment form in recent years on the back of its commitment to some of the world's leading growth stocks. Trusts such as Scottish Mortgage have delivered spectacular returns as a result one and three-year returns of 42 per cent and 148 per cent. Indeed, with assets of 21billion, Scottish Mortgage is by far the country's biggest investment trust and a constituent of the FTSE100 Index. Its annual charges are 0.3 per cent. Baillie Gifford says it has chipped away at fund charges on more than 15 occasions since 2013. Its view, as expounded by marketing director James Budden, is that it wants to be 'as competitive on fees as possible as they are the only element of investment returns which can be guaranteed'. You could argue that Baillie Gifford should be even more generous over fund fees. Yet in reducing charges, it's doing the right thing and its focus on value for money should be applauded. It's not alone other investment houses such as JPMorgan have also chipped away. But there's a big chunk of the retail investment industry that has so far done the square root of nothing. Time for them to lower their hurdles. While regulator pontificates, empires have been and gone While the regulator pontificates about helping its 'staff work at pace,' its investigation into the circumstances behind the sudden suspension of investment fund Woodford Equity Income in 2019 could not be any slower. It seems no further forward than it was 27 months ago. Empires have been and gone in the time the Financial Conduct Authority has spent wondering what to do with those involved in this investment debacle. Pace? Snail pace, more like. For investors who have lost money in Woodford, a little ray of light did shine last week when law firm Leigh Day said it had commenced court proceedings against Link, the company responsible for ensuring Woodford Equity Income adhered to all the rules (it didn't). Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. R.G. writes: I am sending you a string of emails I have received from Lodore Investment Management. Its representative Charles Stone comes across on the phone as a very genuine person, but I would very much appreciate your views. Imposter: Lodore stole the identity of a farming firm based in the Lakes Tony Hetherington replies: My views are that there is not a bargepole big enough that would make me tell you to touch the deal that is on offer, nor a spoon long enough that would let me advise you to sup with this devil. Lodore's website and emails say that it operates from a large office block near Euston Station in London. It advertises: 'Since the mid-1980s, Lodore have been offering a variety of specialist services to help grow and sell alternative investments.' It claims to spend years working with clients to maximise their wealth, adding that, 'we act as asset managers and we like to build partnerships with our clients'. And the company gives its registration number as 00166329, which records at Companies House confirm is the right number for Lodore Limited, which has been in business since 1920. Yet everything you have been told, and everything claimed in Lodore's email and on its website is complete and utter lies. Lodore in London is an impostor, a clone that has stolen the identity of the real Lodore, which has its registered office in Liverpool and is a land and farming business based in the Lake District. Accountant Clive Plummer, who has looked after the real Lodore's affairs for many years, told me: 'We are genuine, innocent bystanders. They are using the real company's number.' The real Lodore has been contacted by three people who thought it operated the Euston investment business. Plummer reported the clone to Action Fraud and to the Financial Conduct Authority but, he says, they were not interested: 'The FCA told us to take your problems away unless it is you that is being scammed.' Lodore's approach to you came out of the blue. It claimed to have a system for searching escrow accounts in banks and then tracing people who could claim those funds. There is no such system, but the fake Lodore said it had found 10,485 that was due to you from an unsuccessful investment you made many years ago. The snag was that you had to pay 1,550 up front as legal fees to get the money released. You were asked to send this to a bank account in the name of JEM Limited, a tiny company set up two months ago and registered to a flat in South London. Needless to say, do not part with a penny. There is no pot of gold at the end of this particular rainbow. It would have been nice to have a comment from the fraudsters about all this, but soon after I began enquiries they seem to have gone to ground, with their phone unanswered and unwilling to accept messages. If they have gone forever, then good riddance. Losing out on Wetherspoon staff's free shares plan G.J. writes: While in the sixth form, my granddaughter worked part-time at a Wetherspoon pub, and at university she worked at two other Wetherspoon pubs until last year, when she was furloughed. When lockdown ended, she needed a full-time job but her manager was not interested so she had to quit. She was in the share incentive plan, and bought shares as well as receiving some free, but when she resigned she was told she was not entitled to them. She believes she has lost thousands of pounds. Tony Hetherington replies: Wetherspoons and its boss Tim Martin have a good reputation for being customer-friendly, so I asked whether it was true that free shares had been snatched back from your granddaughter just because there was no full-time job available for her. I was given details of all her shares, showing she bought 39 shares and was given 97 free. But the free shares have strings attached. They cannot be sold for three years, and are lost if you leave the job within three years of having been granted them, leaving your granddaughter with just 13. The result is that she has received 368 as share sale proceeds, but on the slightly brighter side she has only forfeited about 600 and not thousands. WE'RE WATCHING YOU: Forger jailed...but the scammers are still free A forger who helped hide the proceeds of a multi-million pound investment scam has been sentenced to 28 months in jail, despite no prosecutions being brought against those the Financial Conduct Authority has named as being involved in the scam itself. Stephen Allen pleaded guilty to forging a deed which concealed the real ownership of a stake in a London property. The real owner was Renwick Haddow, one of seven individuals named by the FCA as being behind a series of unauthorised investment schemes operating under the title of African Land or Agri Capital. I warned in 2010 that Agri Capital's plan to invest in fields growing rice, with the promise of 50 per cent capital gains in the first year, was both illegal and backed by bogus guarantees. Three years later, in 2013, the FCA began legal action to freeze the scheme and recover investors' money. One of the ringleaders, Robert McKendrick, tried to divert funds into his wife's name, and in 2019 he was jailed for contempt of court. Now Stephen Allen has followed him, for hiding Renwick Haddow's ownership of a London property worth more than 1million. Mark Steward, the FCA head of enforcement, said: 'This is a serious facilitating offence. The FCA will pursue those who facilitate financial crime as well as principal offenders.' However, the FCA itself has named the principal individual offenders in the Agri Capital scam as Marcia Hargus, Richard Henstock, Alan Meadowcroft, Mark Ayres, Mark Gibbs, and of course Haddow and McKendrick yet not one of these has been prosecuted. The only prosecutions have been against the two men involved in hiding the ill-gotten gains. An FCA spokesman explained that prosecuting people who run unauthorised investments scams 'can become a very technical case'. He added that the watchdog 'prioritised action that might help victims get some money back'. The defendants were ordered to hand back 18.7million for the benefit of their victims. So far, the FCA has received just 580,000, leaving more than 18million unaccounted for and not a single criminal conviction. Who says crime doesn't pay! And when will MPs wake up to the fact that the FCA just isn't up to the job? If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Tens of thousands of investors who lost money in the winding up of multibillion pound investment fund Woodford Equity Income run by high-profile manager Neil Woodford may have to wait another three years for compensation if the regulator fails to intervene in the meantime. This was the stark admission made late last week by law firm Leigh Day as it started court proceedings against Link on behalf of investors who lost money in the meltdown of the Woodford fund in 2019. As authorised corporate director, it was Link that had a regulatory duty to look after the best interests of investors in the 3.8billion fund. Leigh Day claims Link failed to carry out these requirements, both in the run-up to the fund's suspension in June 2019 and afterwards as it took the shock decision to break up the fund, crystallising losses for investors. Fall-out: Neil Woodford's investment fund, Woodford Equity Income, was suspended Boz Michalowska, a partner at Leigh Day, says it could take up to three years for the case against Link to get to court. 'It's why we have started the process now, so Woodford investors won't have to wait any longer,' she told Wealth last week. Her hope is that Link may agree to a settlement before the case is heard in court, although this is unlikely. Link has already said it will 'vigorously' defend itself against any proceedings. Alan Miller is co-founder of the True and Fair Campaign, whose aim is to bring about a more customer-focused financial services industry. Miller, a fund manager, has repeatedly called for Woodford investors to be compensated and welcomes Leigh Day's decision to take Link to court. But he believes Woodford investors have been hung out to dry by the regulator. 'Significant compensation,' he says, 'should already have been paid.' Woodford Equity Income was run by Neil Woodford, who in the 2000s established a reputation at asset manager Invesco for being one of the country's finest investment managers. On the back of his success, he set up his own investment house Woodford Investment Management. The flagship Equity Income fund was launched in 2014, with funds Income Focus and Patient Capital following shortly afterwards. Yet it wasn't long before Equity Income began to experience problems. Although it was labelled an equity income fund a defensive investment style built around holding some of the UK's most dividend-friendly companies its portfolio comprised a big chunk of assets in illiquid stocks. Some were unquoted and most paid no income whatsoever. According to documents presented last Thursday by Miller at a webinar organised by shareholder campaigning group ShareSoc, 30 per cent of Woodford's portfolio was in illiquid stocks as early as the end of 2014. This position ratcheted up to 40 per cent by the end of 2018. It was a big factor in the fund's suspension in June 2019 as a multi-million pound redemption request from a big institutional investor could not be met. 'The risk profile of Woodford Equity Income's portfolio was off the scale, compared with a fund such as Invesco High Income, which Woodford had previously managed,' says Miller. 'You're talking about a portfolio which would have normally taken more than 11,000 days to liquidate way off the scale, even when compared with smaller company funds.' Leigh Day's charge sheet against Link is extensive. It claims the overseer failed to ensure the fund had no more than 10 per cent of its portfolio in unlisted companies. It also allowed Woodford to construct a portfolio that compromised the ability for investors to redeem their shares promptly. Finally, Leigh Day says Link aggravated investor losses by winding up the fund after sacking Woodford, resulting in the disposal of some assets at rock-bottom prices. This last point was highlighted last week when gene sequencing company Oxford Nanopore a former Equity Income holding made a successful stock market debut. The stake that Woodford had held in Equity Income was sold by administrators for nearly 98million, half its current value. Leigh Day is seeking compensation from Link that will recover all the investment losses incurred by Woodford investors plus a sum to reflect the return that investors should have enjoyed if the fund had been managed prudently (in line with a fund tracking the FTSE All-Share Index). The law firm is not the only one seeking compensation on behalf of investors. Harcus Parker, Slater and Gordon, and RGL Management are also pursuing claims. It is likely that at some stage the four litigation specialists will pursue a group claim. This would enable them to pool resources and present the strongest case possible. Any Woodford investor joining a claim will do so on a 'no win, no fee' basis. So in Leigh Day's case, it will take a 30 per cent fee from any compensation it wins from Link. ShareSoc is backing Leigh Day's claim. On Friday, Link reiterated that it had 'acted at all times [with regards to Equity Income] in accordance with applicable rules, as well as in the best interests of all investors'. The Morrisons board has given the go-ahead for a historic takeover after a knockout bid by a US private equity giant advised by former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy. It has emerged in documents that Leahy's team sweetened the deal ahead of yesterday's dramatic auction with a 660million property pledge to the company's pension funds. Clayton Dubilier & Rice made a winning 7 billion offer for Morrisons yesterday afternoon during the auction overseen by officials from the Takeover Panel, ending a 15- week battle for control. Go-ahead: Shareholders will have the final say later this month, but are highly unlikely to block the offer The 2.87 per share bid eclipsed a rival one by a group of private equity firms and billionaires by just 1p per share. The purchase is expected to be two-thirds funded by debt about twice the amount currently owed by Morrisons. Recommending the bid last night, Morrisons chairman Andy Higginson said: 'Today's final offer from CD&R represents excellent value for shareholders while at the same time protecting the fundamental character of Morrisons for all stakeholders. 'CD&R have good retail experience, a strong record of developing and growing the businesses in which they invest, and they share our vision and ambition for Morrisons. We remain confident that CD&R will be a responsible, thoughtful and careful owner of an important British grocery business.' Shareholders will have the final say later this month, but are highly unlikely to block the offer which is the highest price the shares have reached for almost a decade. CD&R has agreed the deal with the Morrisons pension funds, secured against Morrisons property, after trustees voiced concerns that the debt-fuelled deal would 'materially weaken' the long-term financial health of the pension scheme. It followed secret meetings between CD&R and the pension fund trustees last month and the eyewatering figure has since been released in documents relating to the bid. It also guarantees regular updates to trustees about the financial position of the supermarket and the strength of the covenant provided by the chain under its new owners. CD&R outbid a consortium of investors backed by Japanese tech mogul Masayoshi Son and US property billionaire Charles Koch. The mood in the Goldman Sachs top floor office, which Leahy and CD&R top brass had made their base for the day, was said to be 'jubilant' yesterday afternoon. The sale will mean an end to 54 years on the London Stock Exchange, where the supermarket's shares have been traded since it was listed by company patriarch Sir Ken Morrison, who took over in 1952. It was founded by his father as an egg and butter stall in Bradford's Rawson Market in 1899. CD&R has made a raft of assurances to the Takeover Panel to help get the deal over the line, which includes keeping the Bradford head office. Despite concerns that a private equity buyer may plunder the chain's property assets, valued at 5.8billion, CD&R has insisted Morrisons' freehold ownership is a 'particular strength of the business which has been carefully preserved over many years and will continue to be a cornerstone of Morrisons'. It said in August it 'does not intend to engage in any material store sale and leaseback transactions'. It cited other investments, including forecourts giant Motor Fuel Group, which it said maintained 'high levels of real estate ownership'. But senior retail sources said last night that a sale of some property for development or to lease back was 'inevitable'. One boardroom-level retail source said: 'There are ways of extracting value from the property private equity is an arcane art.' Five City sources spoken to by the MoS estimated that between 1billion and 1.5billion of property would need to be sold off for the investor to make a return that would be typical by private equity standards. But CD&R said it planned to open more stores, grow the supermarket's online business and sell more to wholesale customers, including convenience stores. Assurances given in statements will be valid for a year, but City sources said it was likely that Morrisons would be 'morally' held to account if any were broken. The MoS revealed in July that CD&R was locked in a decade-long court battle over allegations that it 'asset stripped' another US company and left it 'on the verge of bankruptcy'. The firm strongly refutes the claims. It is also likely the tax arrangements of CD&R will be scrutinised after it had lined up an entity in the Grand Cayman tax haven to run the supermarket giant. Apple is under fire for making tens of billions of pounds from gamers who appear to have become addicted to mobile phone apps. Court documents show that Apple made a staggering 64 per cent of its gaming revenues from just one per cent of smartphone gamers in 2017. These gamers spent an average of $2,694 (1,985) annually. Gambling experts said the figures were a 'red flag' and alleged that Apple is profiting from the kind of business tactics used by gambling firms. The figures emerged in a legal case over allegations that Apple has abused its power to take excessive commissions from third-party mobile phone apps. 'Red flag': Apple's Tim Cook, with Laurene Powell Jobs, its founder's widow US Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said: 'From what little evidence there is in the record, these consumers frankly appear to be engaging in impulse purchasing and both parties' profits from this sector are significant. The Court...notes it as an area worthy of attention.' Betting giants have faced relentless criticism for targeting a small number of consumers who become addicts and end up spending more than they can afford. Apple, run by chief executive officer Tim Cook, takes 30 per cent commission on all purchases in games downloaded from its App Store. It does not publish figures for revenues from the store, but data provider Sensor Tower estimated it made revenues of $38.5billion in 2017. The court document revealed that gaming made up 76 per cent of App Store billings, or $29billion, suggesting that high-spending gamers netted $18.7billion for Apple in 2017. Matt Zarb-Cousin, director of Clean Up Gambling, said: 'This is a business model where you need to find people who will become addicted, and get them to spend their money until they have spent it all. 'There are very similar features that we see in gambling, with behavioural addiction, and creating the sort of products that are more immersive. Social gaming uses a lot of the same tactics that the gambling industry uses.' The court documents revealed that Apple has specifically designed its platform to cater to customers who spend large amounts of money on gaming. The judgment said: 'The App Store is primarily a game store and secondarily an 'every other' app store.' Dr Rachael Kent, an expert in the digital economy and a lecturer at King's College London, said: 'That is a huge sum for one person to be spending each year. 'It is quite shocking, and it tells you that this is a regular practice. It is a red flag. With the figure being so high, it definitely raises concerns around gambling, addiction and compulsions.' Gambling giants face tough new regulation in the Government's Gambling Act. Children's charities are particularly concerned that gaming apps which do not require age verification can be dangerous for children. Barnardo's co-chief executive, Lynn Perry MBE, said: 'It cannot be right that some children are at risk of spending hundreds of pounds while gaming. There is a need to curb techniques that reward children for spending more and more time and money on gaming platforms, increasing the risk of addiction and related mental health problems.' Apple did not respond to a request for comment. Rolls-Royce is poised to land 'billions of pounds' worth of orders for mini nuclear power stations from Eastern European nations, the boss of a major investor has said. A consortium led by the engineering giant has secured 210million of funding from private investors for its small modular reactors (SMRs) programme in the UK. That is set to unlock the same amount of funding from the Government, allowing Rolls-Royce to kick-start the project. An announcement is expected imminently and green investment fund IP3 said an endorsement by the Government should pave the way for the technology to be exported to other countries. A good sign: Green investment fund IP3 said an endorsement by the Government should pave the way for the technology to be exported to other countries IP3 has been sounding out pension funds and institutional investors about pouring cash into a multi-billion pound fund to invest in small nuclear infrastructure. It is also advising energy providers and governments on developing nuclear power projects. IP3 chief executive Mike Hewitt, a retired US Navy rear admiral, told The Mail on Sunday that eastern European nations including Poland, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Hungary, Estonia and Bulgaria are developing 'aggressive plans' for nuclear. He said Rolls-Royce's project was 'among the frontrunners', adding: 'Rolls-Royce is uniquely positioned as a British brand-named company which is used to a factory approach in stamping out aircraft engines. If the UK commits to allow the build of the first three or four reactors, you can move into production, then it is in prime position to be the reactor of choice for other countries.' IP3 is advising large Polish energy supplier ZE PAK on the development of a plan for nuclear plants. Rolls-Royce said it was in discussions with interested parties over 'export opportunities around the world, including in Europe'. Its investment consortium is aiming to build a fleet of 16 factory-built reactors by 2035 to complement larger power plants. IP3 hopes the consortium can land hundreds of millions of pounds more in taxpayer funds to move the project through the design and regulatory assessment phase and into production. The gas bills crisis has sharpened the focus on investment in nuclear to build up the UK's energy supplies and complement renewable energy sources as Britain tries to hit net zero carbon by 2050. Britain is already facing a hole in its nuclear supplies with six large plants due to be taken offline by 2030. Nuclear industry sources warned that Rolls' programme is in its infancy compared with technology being developed in North and South America and China. Several UK sites have been mooted for the SMRs, including Copeland in Cumbria. Hewitt said: 'We are extremely confident we can come in and bring in outside capital to invest in these projects if the Government puts in the requisite equity to start the project and reduce the risk. 'The Prime Minister has a plan to boost Britain's green energy and nuclear SMRs are a significant part of that. There are a lot of pension funds, institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds keen to back nuclear hybrid systems.' Government backing for the SMR programme would be a further boost for Rolls-Royce, which has finally sold its Spanish business, ITP Aero, for 1.5billion as it attempts to slim down. It also clinched a 1.9billion deal to supply parts for the US Air Force's fleet of B-52 bombers into the 2050s. Shares have jumped 35 per cent to 1.42 in the past two weeks, spurred in part by optimism that long-haul travel is returning a key income stream for Rolls-Royce. Meanwhile, new chairman Anita Frew took charge last week and is under pressure from US activist investor Causeway Capital to refresh its board. Octopus Energy boss Greg Jackson has been at the epicentre of Britain's gas crisis and he has dark shadows under his eyes to show for it. He says in usual times running the fast-growing renewable energy business he gets by on 'five and a bit' hours sleep. But since last Sunday, when Octopus was appointed to take on the 580,000 customers of failed supplier Avro Energy, 50-year-old Jackson and his team have been working around the clock to manage the fallout of the biggest casualty of the crisis-hit energy market. Crisis: Greg Jackson and his team at Octopus have been working flat out 'We had meetings at midnight Friday, 8am Saturday, 3pm Saturday and then 8am Sunday to make sure we are getting everything in place,' he says. 'Two of our most senior managers immediately moved into hotels near Avro's offices, so that we can do as much work as we can to look after Avro's customers.' Octopus, which now has 3.1million UK retail customers, took on Avro through the 'supplier of last resort' process run by regulator Ofgem, when energy companies who have capacity to absorb more customers submit bids to take on the business. Jackson says the cost of taking on Avro's orphaned customers was 'a very significant undertaking', financially and operationally. Energy firms have to meet the upfront costs themselves but can recoup some of the costs of transferring and supplying the customers of the failed supplier via an 'industry levy' that ultimately falls on customer bills. Octopus financed the Avro deal through 'trade routes', before announcing a long-planned $600million investment last Monday from Generation Investment Management, a fund co-founded by former US Vice President Al Gore. The deal to give Generation IM a 13 per cent stake values Octopus at $4.6billion (3.4billion) outstripping the 3.3billion market cap of British Gas owner Centrica. The investment, plus a further $55million from existing investor Origin Energy, will be used to increase Octopus's headcount from 1,800 to more than 3,000 within 18 months by expanding its export business and its Kraken technology platform, which is licensed to 17million customers through deals with third parties. Octopus is currently in 12 countries and is opening a new hub in Manchester, creating 300 jobs, adding to hubs in London, Brighton, Leicester and Warwick. But even Octopus's long tentacles can only stretch so far. Jackson reveals that he suggested to Ministers that any supplier failure larger than Avro would be too big for the energy industry to absorb, and should be run under the 'special administration' process by a major accountancy firm appointed by the Government. Ministers put the plans into practice last week by asking restructuring firm Teneo to be on standby in case of a major supplier failure that cannot be handled through the supplier of last resort process. Ten energy firms have gone bust since August, affecting more than 1.7million households. Jackson says the Government could run a major energy firm until the market stabilises likely to be at least until next summer before then being broken up and sold off. If there are widespread failures of small suppliers over the winter, Jackson suggests Ofgem may be better off 'bundling' bust firms together, perhaps managing the administration of three or four firms together. Jackson compares the plans to the intervention in the 2008 financial crisis, when the Government created a so-called 'bad bank' to hold stakes in bailed-out businesses. He says: 'All that would be designed so that you can minimise the cost of supplier of last resort processes and really address the issues when the market normalises. That way there would be less cost to the bill-payers and the public.' Last weekend, it emerged that Octopus could be eyeing a takeover of Bulb Energy, which has about 1.7million customers in the UK. Jackson clams up when asked whether there is any truth in the speculation. 'We just can't comment on any M&A rumours involving our own company.' He is back to his usual gregarious self when talking about how to fix Britain's energy market, after being invited to a crisis summit with Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and around 20 other industry bosses as the gas crisis flared up in September. Jackson says Kwarteng's round-tables are 'lively' and highlight 'differing opinions between industrial leaders'. His own view is that the Government should tackle soaring energy bills by 'dramatically' driving renewable generation to bring costs down and reduce Britain's reliance on gas particularly foreign imports. He says: 'Let's build our way out of this by more energy independence for Britain. If we can make electric heating cheaper than gas, then you can see that energy independent future for the UK, with low-cost green power replacing expensive carbon-emitting gas.' He applauds last week's announcement that the Government will switch taxes from household electricity bills to gas bills a policy Octopus has been pushing for over the past year. Now he wants Ministers to speed up the permissions for connecting new renewable generation to the National Grid and reduce the charges suppliers pay to access this. To illustrate the point, he says Octopus pays 5p per unit to buy solar electricity but then has to raise the cost to around 17p per unit when it supplies it due to network charges. 'That's bonkers,' he says. 'Renewable generation should be able to access the [electricity] wires much more cheaply.' He is a staunch supporter of the energy price cap, which he says will save UK households facing 'colossally higher' bills this winter, and means energy companies can't 'sneak in high margins under the cover of high wholesale costs'. Yet some smaller firms now want the cap to be scrapped, arguing they should be free to raise prices like food retailers. 'This is fascinating,' Jackson says. 'I'm pretty sure the former Big Six now support the price cap, and some of the companies disappearing out of business no longer do. It used to be the other way round.' He suggests the Government should introduce regular stress tests for suppliers with more than 20,000 customers perhaps every three months to ensure they are 'hedging' their fixed-price contracts to lock in prices in the wholesale market. He adds: 'I have been surprised by the lack of prudence with which some companies were run.' Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday he was retiring from politics, a surprise move that fuelled speculation he was clearing the way for his daughter to run to succeed him, despite her filing for re-election as mayor. Today, I announce my retirement from politics, Duterte said, accompanying loyalist Senator Christopher Bong Go from the ruling PDP-Laban party as he registered to run for vice president in next years election. Duterte, 76, had been expected to run for the No. 2 job, a plan which most Filipinos oppose as violating the spirit of the constitution, which sets a one-term limit for the president to stop power from being abused. In obedience to the will of the people, who after all placed me in the presidency many years ago, I now say to my countrymen, I will follow your wish, Duterte said as he urged the public to support the candidacy of his longtime aide. Political analysts say it is crucial for Duterte to have a loyal successor to insulate him from potential legal action, at home or by the International Criminal Court, over the thousands of state killings https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/international-court-approves-investigation-into-philippines-war-drugs-2021-09-15 in his war on drugs since 2016. Duterte, a maverick leader famous for his embrace of China and disdain for the United States, a close ally, remains popular even as his opponents accuse him of being authoritarian and intolerant of dissent. More than 60 million Filipinos will vote in May for a new president, vice president and more than 18,000 lawmakers and local government officials. Political observers had long suspected Duterte could spring a surprise, such as a presidential run by his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, next year. Duterte-Carpios filing for re-election as Davao mayor, which happened shortly after her father announced his retirement, did little to douse speculation she has still her eyes set on the presidency. She has topped opinion surveys on prospective candidates, but said last month she was not running for higher office next year because she and her father had agreed only one of them would run for national office in 2022. The older Dutertes decision not to join the race next year would clear her way. This allows Sara Duterte to run, said Antonio La Vina, professor of law and politics at the Ateneo de Manila University. She sees through the fathers scheme or it is a drama to confuse everyone. Candidates have until Friday to register, but withdrawals and substitutions are allowed until Nov. 15, leaving scope for last-minute changes of heart, like the 11th-hour entry of Duterte for the 2016 election, which he won by a huge margin. Political analyst Earl Parreno said he suspected the Dutertes were using the same playbook and that Duterte-Carpio would join the race at the last minute. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment. SOURCE: REUTERS ANCHORAGE, Alaska Alaska on Saturday activated emergency crisis protocols that allow 20 health care facilities to ration care if needed as the state recorded the nations worst COVID-19 diagnosis rates in the U.S. in recent days, straining its limited health care system. The declaration covers three facilities that had already declared emergency protocol, including the states largest hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Among the factors that led the state to activate the crisis of care standards include scarce medical resources within some facilities, limited staff and difficulty transferring patients to other facilities because of limited bed availability. Other factors included limited renal replacement therapy and oxygen supplies. According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, one person in every 84 in Alaska was diagnosed with COVID-19 from Sept. 22 to 29. The next highest rate was one in every 164 people in West Virginia. Statewide, 60% of eligible Alaskans are fully vaccinated. ___ MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: COVID-19 deaths eclipse 700,000 in US as delta variant rages Russia: Antibody tests for COVID-19 remain popular, factor in low vaccine rate Far-right protesters in Romania reject virus restrictions California to require COVID-19 vaccines for schoolchildren ___ See all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: ATLANTA Four parents are suing the Cobb County school district on behalf of their children, saying the failure of Georgias second-largest school district to require masks means their students cannot safely attend in-person classes because of their disabilities. The suit was filed Friday in federal court in Atlanta. It says the 107,000-student suburban Atlanta district is violating federal law governing how students with disabilities are treated in public schools. The lawsuit asks a judge to order the district to follow CDC guidelines on masks and other issues. The district has defended its stance amid repeated protests. Rather than using the known and available tools to mitigate the threat of COVID-19 and protect plaintiffs access to school services, programs, and activities, the district has acted with deliberate indifference to plaintiffs rights to inclusion, health, and education, the complaint alleges. The lawsuit asks that U.S. District Judge Timothy Batten Sr. order the district to follow CDC guidelines, including not only on masks but on issues like ventilation, physical distancing and contact tracing. Whether to require masks in Cobb schools has been the focus of protest for months. Like many in Georgia, Cobb lifted its mask order at the end of last year. Many districts reimposed mask orders as school began this August, because of the rapid spread of the delta variant of COVID-19. Cobb, though, dug in saying that masks would only be strongly recommended. ___ LAS CRUCES, N.M. New Mexico State University says less than a third of its students submitted proof of vaccination for COVID-19 by a Thursday deadline to otherwise undergo weekly testing or leave the university. While 72.3% of the universitys employees provided proof of vaccination, only 30% of students did, officials said Friday. Its not clear how many students who didnt submit proof of vaccination by the deadline plan to submit weekly test results, officials said. Were not where we want to be with our vaccinated students, said Jon Webster, the schools COVID-19 project manager. We want to make sure were protecting all of our students. Failure to submit vaccination information or weekly test results can result in student suspension or staff termination, officials said. Students can get vaccinated at any point in the semester and cease the weekly required testing once achieving full vaccination, Webster said. He said the university was continuing to reach out to students through text message, email, social media and other channels. Several students said Friday they were unaware of the mandates details, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden mourned the painful milestone of 700,000 American deaths from COVID-19, a day after the U.S. surpassed that mark on Friday. The president says in a statement the astonishing death toll is yet another reminder of just how important it is to get vaccinated. He says the nation has made extraordinary progress in the fight against the coronavirus in the past eight months because of vaccines. Biden says thanks to vaccines, hundreds of thousands of families have been spared the unbearable loss that too many Americans have already endured during this pandemic. He notes more than three-quarters of all Americans age 12 and up have received at least one vaccine dose, including nearly 94% of all seniors. Biden says: If you havent already, please get vaccinated. It can save your life and the lives of those you love. It will help us beat COVID-19 and move forward, together, as one nation. ___ RENO, Nev. -- Employees at all public universities and colleges in Nevada are required to get COVID-19 vaccinations by Dec. 1 or face potential termination. All new hires must prove their vaccination status under the new policy. Meanwhile, coronavirus case trends are improving in urban areas but have worsened in most rural parts of the state where vaccination rates are the lowest. The Desert Research Institute has the highest vaccination rate at 87% followed by the University of Nevada Reno at 82%. UNLV reported 75%. Rural Elko-based Great Basin College had the worst rate at 66%. On Wednesday, about 64% of all state employees had been fully vaccinated, in accordance with Gov. Steve Sisolaks order in July that required shots or proof of negative coronavirus tests, says DuAne Young, the governors policy director. Nearly 65% of residents age 12 and older have one vaccination and 56% are fully vaccinated, according to state data. ___ SALT LAKE CITY The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints thanked members who have followed church guidance, which has been to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Church President Russell M. Nelson spoke Saturday at a conference taking place again without full attendance due to the pandemic. For the first time in two years, leaders were back at the faiths 20,000-seat conference center, with several hundred people watching in person and others on television. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square returned to the conference. The Utah-based faith has repeatedly encouraged its 16 million members worldwide to limit the spread by getting vaccines and wearing masks. Last week, church officials announced masks will be required inside temples to limit the spread of the virus. Utah experienced a summer surge among unvaccinated residents, causing hospital ICUs to reach near capacity in early September. Data from the Utah Health Department showed in late September that state residents who are unvaccinated are nearly six times more likely to die from COVID-19 and seven times more likely to be hospitalized than those who are vaccinated. About 64% of Utah residents ages 12 and older were fully vaccinated. ___ BUCHAREST, Romania More than 5,000 far-right protesters have gathered in Romanias capital of Bucharest to reject new pandemic measures following a surge of coronavirus infections. Daily infections in the nation of 19 million have skyrocketed from approximately 1,000 cases a day a month ago to a record 12,590 new cases on Saturday. That was Romanias highest daily number of infections since the start of the pandemic. The increase is putting hospitals under pressure as intensive care units reach their capacity. The mostly mask-less marchers blocked traffic, honked horns and chanted Freedom! ___ PHOENIX Arizona reported nearly 100 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, a day after the states pandemic death toll passed 20,000. The state coronavirus dashboard reported 95 deaths and 2,942 confirmed cases, increasing Arizonas pandemic totals to 20,134 confirmed deaths and 1.1 million cases. Arizonas seven-day rolling average of daily deaths rose by a third in the past two weeks, increasing from 33 on Sept. 16 to 43 on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The rolling average of daily new cases declined during the same period, dropping from 2,742 to 2,621. The state also reported the number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds increased slightly to 1,798 on Friday. ___ JACKSON, Miss. The leader of a Mississippi pediatricians organization is urging school districts to keep mask mandates in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Anita Henderson of Hattiesburg is president of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She says about 30% of youths ages 12 to 17 in the state are vaccinated, and now is not the time to let our guard down. Mississippi has reported nine pediatric deaths from COVID-19. Some school districts are repealing mask mandates. Among them are the Madison County and Rankin County districts in central Mississippi and the Ocean Springs district on the Gulf Coast. Mississippi had a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations starting in July. Numbers have slowly decreased in recent weeks. However, Mississippi is among the lowest vaccinated states in the nation. ___ TOPEKA, Kan. Data from the Kansas state health department shows mostly rural counties have youth coronavirus vaccination rates far below the national average. A school pandemic workgroup received data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment this week showing in about a quarter of the states counties, less than 20% of vaccine-eligible children ages 12 to 17 had received at least one dose as of Sept. 24. Most of the low-vaccine counties are in western Kansas or other rural areas. U.S. regulators in May expanded the use of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12. The national vaccination rate for youth is 57%, according to a presentation by Marci Nielsen, a special adviser to Kelly. ___ NEW YORK Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied an emergency appeal from a group of teachers to block New York Citys COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public school teachers and other staff from going into effect. Sotomayor ruled on Friday, after the teachers filed for the injunction with her on Thursday to keep the mandate from going into effect. Under the mandate, the roughly 148,000 school employees had until 5 p.m. Friday to get at least their first vaccine shot. Those who didnt face suspension without pay when schools open on Monday. An original deadline this week was delayed after a legal challenge, but a federal appeals panel said New York City could go ahead with the mandate in the nations largest school district. In August, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett also denied an emergency appeal from students at Indiana University to block that institutions vaccine mandate. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. ___ WARSAW, Poland A gala concert on Saturday will open the 18th edition of the prestigious Frederic Chopin international piano competition that was postponed by a full year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Oct. 2-23 competition was scheduled for the fall of 2020, but authorities put off the popular event, expecting the coronavirus and social distancing would prevent the usual crowds from attending. The 87 participants from around the world begin Sunday with the performance of Xuanyi Mao from China. The winner gets a gold medal and a prize of 40,000 euros ($45,000) and prestigious recording and concert contracts. ___ The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 has eclipsed 700,000, with 100,000 people dying in the past three months when vaccines were available to any American over age 12. The milestone reached late Friday is deeply frustrating to doctors, nurses and public health officials and Americans who watched a pandemic that had been easing earlier in the summer take a dark turn. Tens of millions of people in the U.S. have refused to get vaccinated, allowing the highly contagious delta variant to tear through the country and send the death toll from 600,000 to 700,000 in 3 1/2 months. Florida suffered by far the most deaths of any state during that period, with the virus killing about 17,000 residents since the middle of June. Texas was second with 13,000 deaths. The two states account for 15% of the countrys population, but more than 30% of the nations deaths since the nation crossed the 600,000 threshold. ___ MOSCOW Antibody tests to detect the proteins produced by the body to fight coronavirus infection are cheap, widely available and actively marketed in Russia. Yet Western health experts say the tests are unreliable for diagnosing the coronavirus or assessing immunity to it. When Russians talk about the coronavirus over dinner or in hair salons, the conversation often turns to antitela, the Russian word for antibodies. President Vladimir Putin referred to them while bragging to Turkeys leader about why he avoided infection even though dozens of people around him contracted the coronavirus. But the antibodies the popular tests look for can only serve as evidence of a past infection, and scientists say its still unclear what level of antibodies indicates protection from the virus and for how long.. In Russia, its common to get an antibody test and share the results. Their use appears to be a factor in the countrys low vaccination rate even as the country reports record daily deaths and rising infections. Both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend vaccination regardless of previous infection. ___ American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue are joining United Airlines in requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as the Biden administration steps up pressure on major U.S. carriers to require the shots. The airlines provide special flights, cargo hauling and other services for the government. The companies say that makes them government contractors who are covered by President Joe Bidens order directing contractors to require that employees be vaccinated. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told employees late Friday that the airline is still working on details, but it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines. The pilot union at American recently estimated that 4,200 or 30% of the airlines pilots are not vaccinated. Earlier, White House coronavirus adviser Jeffrey Zients talked to the CEOs of American, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines about vaccine mandates. ___ NEW YORK The Broadway hit Aladdin is trying to keep COVID-19 contained. Disney Theatrical Productions said it will cancel all shows until Oct. 12 after additional breakthrough COVID-19 cases were detected. The show reopened Tuesday following some 18 months of being shuttered due to the pandemic, but was forced to close Wednesday when breakthrough COVID-19 cases were reported within the musicals company. There was a Thursday performance before Fridays was canceled. It was the first Broadway COVID-19 cancellation since shows resumed with Bruce Springsteens concert returning in July and Pass Over as the first play to debut in August. So-called breakthrough infections are detected in vaccinated people and tend to be far less dangerous than those unvaccinated. In many ways, the temporary closure proves that the monitoring system is working. Aladdin opened on Broadway in March 2014 and has become one of its highest grossing shows. ___ HARTFORD, Conn. - A retired Connecticut physician and surgeon voluntarily surrendered her license to practice medicine on Friday after being accused of providing fraudulent medical exemption forms through the mail. Dr. Sue Mcintosh had her license suspended last week by the Connecticut Medical Examining Board during an emergency hearing. A full hearing on the merits of the case was scheduled for Oct. 5. State officials, who had received an anonymous complaint about the doctor, allege Mcintosh provided an unknown number of blank, signed forms exempting people from the COVID-19 and other vaccines, as well as mandatory mask-wearing and routine COVID testing to people who sent her a self-addressed envelope. Mcintosh, who hadnt treated the patients, signed a letter included in the packet of bogus forms with the phrase Let freedom ring! She didnt respond to a request for comment. Christopher Boyle, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, said officials are considering whether to refer the case to state and federal law enforcement agencies. ___ MINNEAPOLIS A decline in COVID-19 cases across the United States over the past several weeks has given overwhelmed hospitals some relief, but administrators are bracing for yet another possible surge as cold weather drives people indoors. Health experts say the fourth wave of the pandemic has peaked overall in the U.S., particularly in the Deep South, where hospitals were stretched to the limit weeks ago. But many Northern states are still struggling with rising cases, and whats ahead for winter is far less clear. Unknowns include how flu season may strain already depleted hospital staffs and whether those who have refused to get vaccinated will change their minds. An estimated 70 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated, providing kindling for the highly contagious delta variant. If youre not vaccinated or have protection from natural infection, this virus will find you, warned Mike Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Nationwide, the number of people now in the hospital with COVID-19 has fallen to somewhere around 75,000 from over 93,000 in early September. New cases are on the downswing at about 112,000 per day on average, a drop of about one-third over the past 2 1/2 weeks. CHESTER, Mont. (AP) Trevor Fossen was running late for a wedding Saturday afternoon when he turned onto a dusty, gravel road in rural Montana as a westbound train approached the crossing in front of him. The train never made it to the crossing. The next thing Fossen saw was a wall of dust fill the sky. I started looking at that, wondering what it was, and then I saw the train had tipped over and derailed, said Fossen, a 29-year-old farmer. It was an Amtrak Empire Builder en route from Chicago to Seattle that had derailed, killing three people and injuring dozens. Investigators still don't know what caused the crash. Fossen and at least nine other people called 911, setting off a chain reaction of help from residents in the nearby towns of Joplin and Chester as people jumped into action to get people off the train and care for injured passengers and those who were stunned and had suffered bumps, bruises and other less serious injuries. Volunteer emergency responders, firefighters, law enforcement, medical providers and regular citizens all worked together to help those whose trip was so suddenly and violently interrupted, embodying the spirit of a rural part of Montana's Hi-Line region near the Canadian border. Fossen said he started to help first responders get a handful of people out of a train car that was leaning, then moved back to three cars that were detached from the train and were lying on their sides. He and others helped get a badly injured woman out of a car. Others helped unload the baggage car near the front of the train. The three who didnt survive were identified as Donald Varnadoe, 74, and Marjorie Varnadoe, 72, a married couple from Georgia; and Zachariah Schneider, a 28-year-old from Illinois. All died at the scene, the Liberty County Sheriffs Office said. Dale Fossen, Trevor's uncle, farms nearby and arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. The 75-year-old amateur photographer said he wasnt sure what he could do to help, but he observed the chaotic scene and took some pictures with his cellphone. Some passengers stood in the dust, looking bewildered, he said. Others tended to their wounds. I saw a small child, mother and father, sitting on the railroad tracks right behind the first car that I saw laying sideways," he said. "The little girl was crying. Dale Fossen said he walked over a rise and saw the three cars on their sides. I could see people standing on top of the middle car and ladders and I saw them trying to cut a hole in the roof that was laying on the side, he said. The effort to cut into the rail car failed, even with the Jaws of Life equipment. He talked to one passenger who said he was in one of the cars when it started to tip sideways and a large spring went through the windshield by him. So he grabbed ahold of something as the car tipped over, Fossen said. He said the only thing that kept him from going underneath the train was him holding on. Meanwhile, Liberty Medical Center in the small community of Chester called in all of its staff including housekeeping and most responded, said Bev Halter, director of human resources. They triaged 31 patients Saturday evening. We may be a small Critical Access Hospital in a remote location, but we were able to show the size of our commitment to being here for those in need," Halter said in a statement. We are so thankful for this facility, our employees, and the community who pulled together to provide the best response and care possible. People who were seriously injured were taken by ambulance or flown to other hospitals in the region that had called and offered their help, said Sarah Robbin, the Disaster and Emergency Services coordinator for Liberty County. Six people remained hospitalized Tuesday. Those who were not seriously hurt were loaded onto school buses and the senior citizen bus and taken to a school gym and community center in Chester, where residents helped them charge their cellphones to call families and health care workers evaluated them. Some took showers, and the passengers were offered food. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Ricky Maan, owner of the Chester Supermarket, said he provided water and ice, made some pizzas and allowed residents to take whatever else was needed for the passengers, including napkins, wipes and bandages. I told my cashier, dont charge them, said Maan, whose family bought the grocery store five years ago. We can help those people who already hurt." He added: We like to help all the time. This is our community. . . . We used to live in a big city, we never see like this. But in small town, everybody is like, once something happens, is all together." A religious group brought in ingredients to make sandwiches. Some people drove passengers to Great Falls or Kalispell that night to reunite them with hospitalized family members, and others took passengers to Great Falls to catch a flight home, officials said. Recordings of the 911 calls to the Liberty County sheriff's office included some breathless passengers asking for help, describing injuries to fellow passengers including two men with cuts on their heads and at least one Amtrak employee describing a co-worker's injuries and saying there were more than 90 people on board. People who had been driving along the highway and saw the derailment also called to make sure it had been reported. We've had a derailment. It's urgent, one passenger said. Get as many ambulances out there as you can. Robbin, the Disaster and Emergency Services coordinator, said the response across the Hi-Line was fantastic. We cant thank our partners enough, who came from everywhere and did what they needed to do, and its just going to be one of those things that I dont know that well ever be able to repay, but know that when they put out the call, we will be there for them, she said. The county is offering a counselor-led debriefing on Wednesday. This is for community members to discuss their experiences and for those that may be struggling to process the recent events in our community, the notice states. A counselor will be available on Thursday for individual discussions, as needed. Please reach out to your neighbors, friends and family members, to support them during this time, the notice says. The rail line was reopened to traffic early Tuesday, said Lena Kent, a BNSF Railway spokesperson. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) After eight years of planning and billions of dollars in spending, the Middle East's first world's fair opened Friday in Dubai, with hopes that the months-long extravaganza will draw both visitors and global attention to this desert-turned-dreamscape. The coronavirus pandemic pushed Expo 2020 back a year and may affect how many people flock to the United Arab Emirates. But the six-month-long exhibition still offers Dubai a momentous opportunity to showcase its unique East-meets-West appeal as a place where all are welcome for business. Not long ago, the site of the 1,080 acre (438 hectare) Expo was barren desert. Now, it's a futuristic landscape buzzing with robots that bark automated orders at bare-faced visitors to mask up, a new metro station, multi-million dollar pavilions and so-called districts with names like sustainability and opportunity" all built, like much of the Gulf, by low-paid migrant workers. More than 190 nations are using their pavilions to spotlight their greatest tourist attractions, discoveries and ambitions. The American pavilion, paid for by the UAE after the U.S. could not raise the funds in time, boasts a replica of the Space X Falcon 9 rocket and takes visitors on a conveyor belt past multimedia infomercials for American inventions. It also displays a Quran that belonged to the nation's third president, Thomas Jefferson, as an example of how religious freedom is woven into the very fabric of American society. China's vast, lantern-shaped pavilion focuses on the nation's space ambitions and future inventions, featuring a Transformer-like car that SAIC Motor hopes will function one day also as a submarine and helicopter. Draped over Italy's pavilion is 70 kilometers (40 miles) of rope made from 2 million plastic bottles. The main attraction, though, is a marble 3-D replica of Michelangelos biblical hero, David. The 5.2 meters (17 feet) high nude giant is not easily accessible visitors must must enter separate floors of a building to view it at eye-level or peer up from its feet. Public nudity is outlawed in the UAE, where traditional Muslim norms largely prevail. The UAE's falcon-shaped pavilion, by far the site's largest, takes visitors on a two-hour-long immersive experience through dunes of real orange sand and footage from the country's 50-year history. Other attractions include an African food hall, a massive mirror-like fountain with silver cascades of water flowing back and forth, a recently excavated royal Egyptian mummy, concerts and performances from around the world, and the option to dine on a $500 three-course meal with glow-in-the-dark cuisine. As night fell and the call to prayer echoed musically through the grounds, pavilions came to life with lights, lasers and kaleidoscopic shows. Isabel Fu, 50, said she flew in for Expo all the way from Beijing to see the kind of changes that well see in the future, the technology that makes us look forward to the next era. Upon her return to China, she faces 21 days of quarantine. Since first making a splash in London in 1851, world fairs have long served as an opportunity for nations to meet, exchange ideas, showcase inventions, promote culture and build business ties. For more than a century, global exhibitions have captured the imagination and showcased some of humanitys most important innovations. The first world's fair held in the United States in 1876 debuted Alexander Graham Bells telephone, the typewriter, a mechanical calculator and Heinz Ketchup. One of its main buildings, Memorial Hall, is now a museum. Other fairs introduced inventions like the sewing machine, the elevator, carbonated soda, the Ferris wheel and, in 1939 in New York, the television. This year's Expo is unfolding as the virus continues to course across the world, with untold numbers still working and studying remotely and connecting to the world virtually. It's unclear how many visitors Dubai can attract, and how much the Expo will stimulate its tourism-driven economy especially in the blistering early autumn heat, which on Friday caused tempers to flare, some visitors to faint and most people to sweat through their shirts. We're dying! Humans can't tolerate this weather, exclaimed 35-year-old Warda Abadi from Saudi Arabia as she shepherded her limping mother into the shade. To enter the Expo site, visitors must show a negative PCR test or proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Dubai's ruler and the force behind the emirate's transformation, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, described Expo 2020 as a chance to showcase the best of human excellence. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. It offers a platform to forge a united worldwide effort to build a more sustainable and prosperous future for all of mankind, he told guests at the Expo's opening ceremony. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince and de-facto ruler of the UAEs seat of power, Abu Dhabi, emphasized the ethos of this land as a meeting point for cultures and tolerance. Whether Iran or Israel, every nation is welcome at Dubai's Expo. The space marked for Afghanistan's pavilion, however, appeared vacant weeks after the Taliban takeover of Kabul. It makes me very proud to see so many different kinds of cultures, countries and traditions coming to my country for the first time, said Isa Nuaimi, a 25-year-old government pilot from the Emirati city of Al Ain. Human Rights Watch, however, said that the UAE's efforts to promote itself as an open and tolerant country remain at odds with its human rights abuses, including the suppression of peaceful criticism, jailing of activists and pervasive government surveillance. The UAE has embarked on a decades-long effort to whitewash its reputation on the international stage, the rights group said. The Expo site will attempt to dazzle visitors with a centerpiece dome, marketed as the worlds largest 360-degree projection screen. Some world's fair structures remain iconic markers of the human journey and our industrial evolution. None more so than the Eiffel Tower, which was constructed in Paris, not only to be the tallest structure in the world at the time, but to serve as the entrance to the 1889 world's fair. The Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, built for the 1962 world's fair, also continues to enjoy global prominence. While most fairs were held in Europe and the United States, none have been hosted in the Middle East until now. ___ Follow Aya Batrawy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ayaelb and Isabel DeBre at https://twitter.com/IsabelDeBre NASHVILLE, Ga. (AP) A south Georgia mayor has been convicted of theft and property damage after he used an excavator without permission last year and damaged it. Local news outlets report Taylor Scarbrough, 57, of Nashville was convicted Wednesday of theft by conversion, theft by deception and criminal damage to property in the second degree, court records show. He was acquitted of theft of services. A judge Thursday sentenced Scarbrough to six months in jail, to be followed by another nine-and-a-half years on probation, according to court records. Gov. Brian Kemp had earlier suspended Scarbrough from the Nashville mayor's post and Scarbrough resigned before he was sentenced. District Attorney Chase Studstill said Scarbrough will also have to complete 200 hours of community service. A judge will hold a hearing later this month on forcing Scarbrough to pay restitution for the damage. Mayor Pro Tem John Clayton, who has been serving as acting mayor, told The Valdosta Daily Times the Nashville City Council will meet next week to consider a special election. Scarbrough's term would have run through December 2023. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Scarbrough used James Hobbs' excavator without permission in August 2020 and caused significant damage to the machine. Video showed some parts of the excavator were heavily dented. Hobbs valued the damage at $12,000. Hobbs said he was working for Scarbrough and left his excavator on the mayor's land overnight. Hobbs said Scarbrough did not have permission to use the equipment. Scarborough disputed Hobbs, saying he did have permission. He admitted to damaging the machine, but said Hobbs did not give him enough time to file an insurance claim to pay for the damage. LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) La Crosse has a relatively small Muslim community, but its ready to assist any immigrants from Afghanistan who settle in the area. Wahhab Khandker says that Othman Bin Affan Mosque in La Crosse has provided resources to Afghans being treated in La Crosse hospitals and is working with a larger group helping raise funds and supplies for nearly 13,000 Afghans housed at Fort McCoy. We are in touch asking what we can do over there, Khandker said. We will take care of anyone who comes to La Crosse. Fort McCoy is one of eight military installations across the country housing Afghan immigrants who fled their country after the United States ended its 20-year military mission in Afghanistan last month, the La Crosse Tribune reported. Khandker is a member of Afghan Refugee Aid Coordination La Crosse, a group created in August to support Afghan immigrants staying at Fort McCoy as they await their permanent living arrangements in the United States. The group consists of 88 people from 36 organizations and has been meeting regularly to raise funds and spread the message that the immigrants are welcome in western Wisconsin. Khandker doesnt use the term refugee to describe the newcomers and prefers to call the newcomers immigrants. Khandker, a professor emeritus of economics at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse who retired last year, hasnt been to Fort McCoy but maintains contact with people who have. Through his work with the La Crosse group, Khandker identified three areas of need: Clothing: He said many of the immigrants left Afghanistan with the clothing on their backs and described a female who has been wearing the same dress every day. Communication: He said most immigrants still have relatives in Afghanistan and are having difficulty making contact with them. Food: Muslims require meat meant for human consumption be slaughtered according to Islamic law. Khandker said there is only one place in La Crosse that sells Halal food. Khandker said the immigrants at Fort McCoy have been able to meet their spiritual needs. Muslims pray five times a day and can do so on their own. Prayer doesnt necessarily require clergy, he said. Its just between you and God. Its not fancy or a difficult thing to do. We dont need an intermediary. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Khandker said Fort McCoy has plenty of space for the faithful to pray, but there is a shortage of Qurans. He said a Muslim organization from Chicago has provided 1,500 Qurans since the immigrants arrived. While Othman Bin Affan is the closest mosque to Fort McCoy, Khandker said it isnt large enough to provide large-scale assistance. He said the local mosque has provided a dozen Korans and prayer rugs to immigrants being treated at Gundersen. We are only 60 people here, he said. We are limited in what we can do. Khandker said if Afghan immigrants choose to settle in La Crosse, the mosque will likely require a larger facility. He arrived in La Crosse in 1983 and has seen the Muslim community steadily grow. A call to prayer last week drew nearly 20 men to the mosque. When I came to La Crosse, I didnt know any Muslims over here, he said. Our members are either doctors, professors, engineers or businessmen. We give a lot of service to the community. We contribute as much as possible. Update: Rensselaer County can't perform autopsies with M.E. refusing vaccine (Oct. 4, 2021) TROY Rensselaer Countys chief medical examiner, Dr. Michael Sikirica, has refused to get vaccinated for COVID-19, forcing the county to send bodies for autopsies to Glens Falls Hospital instead of Albany Medical Center Hospital, county officials confirmed Friday. The autopsies Sikirica does for the county typically are done at Albany Med, which requires vaccinations for those working at its facilities. It started today. Albany Med is requiring vaccinations. Were transporting (bodies) all the way to Glens Falls, said Richard Crist, the county director of operations and spokesman. Dr. Sikirica is not employed by Albany Med, but consistent with our policy, physicians who do provide services on our campus must be vaccinated, said Matt Markham, vice president for communications for the hospital. Sikirica is probably the Capital Regions best-known pathologist: He is relied upon by area district attorneys as an expert witness at murder trials to describe how homicide victims were killed. In the past, he has performed autopsies in Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties. Sikirica referred questions to Crist when he was reached at his office in Waterford and asked to comment on why he has not been vaccinated. Sikirica earns a county salary of $78,773 plus benefits as chief medical examiner, according to the county budget. Sikirica is still performing the autopsies, but not in Albany, Crist said. Instead of making a 10 mile trip to Albany Med for autopsies, officials, police officers and prosecutors will now have to journey about 50 miles to Glens Falls. Rensselaer County has 100 to 120 autopsies performed annually, according to the county. Its a requirement to provide the service and were fulfilling our legal responsibility, Crist said about the autopsies. Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly said the relocation of the autopsies is another unexpected outcome of the pandemic. "It's certainly inconvenient for us. We'll make it work," Donnelly said. Its anticipated that there could be a ripple effect across the Capital Region due to Sikirica working for up to seven counties, Crist said. This is a regional issue. Schenectady County relies on Sikirica to perform autopsies in suspicious deaths. We request him in suspected homicides. Theres not a lot of them, District Attorney Robert M. Carney said Friday. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Carney said Sikirica told him he expected he would be able to continue his work at Glens Falls Hospital and Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville. It will be up to the counties to decide whether to transport bodies to either of those hospitals or rely on other forensic pathologists who work at hospitals in Albany and Schenectady. Albany County Coroner Tim Cavanaugh said the county no longer uses Sikirica for autopsies. It will not impact us at all. He does none of our cases, Cavanaugh said. Albany County had 315 autopsies in 2020. Albany County uses pathologists at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady where it now conducts its autopsies. Cavanaugh said all of the doctors the coroners office relies on are vaccinated. An Ellis Hospital spokesman said anyone working at the hospital is required to be vaccinated. A spokesman for Glens Falls Hospital could not be reached Friday to find out that medical centers position on vaccinations for those working at its facilities. The situation with Sikirica is happening at a time when the Capital Region, like the rest of the country, is finding it more difficult to hire pathologists and forensic pathologists to handle autopsies because of their dwindling ranks. Their work is considered critical in criminal cases where causes of death are important pieces of evidence during trials. DALLAS (AP) United Airlines says the number of employees facing termination for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 has dropped nearly by half, to 320, after more of its 67,000 U.S. workers provided evidence of vaccination. An airline spokeswoman said Thursday that the declining number of potential firings shows that the company's policy of requiring vaccinations is working. United Airlines announced in August that it would require U.S. employees to get vaccinated, calling it an important safety measure. Employees faced a deadline this Monday to upload images of their vaccination cards showing that they had gotten at least one shot. The airline said Tuesday that 593 employees faced termination. On Thursday, United reduced that number and said that more than 99% of its workers have either become vaccinated or applied for a medical or religious exemption. People whose exemption requests are approved will be put on medical or other leave status and could lose their income. Our vaccine policy continues to prove requirements work," spokeswoman Leslie Scott said in a statement. In less than 48 hours, the number of unvaccinated employees who began the process of being separated from the company has been cut almost in half." Chicago-based United has the toughest vaccination policy among major U.S. airlines. Delta Air Lines is requiring vaccination or weekly testing, but will begin charging unvaccinated workers on the company health plan a $200 monthly surcharge starting in November. American and Southwest have offered incentives for employees to get vaccinated, but have not indicated how they will comply with President Joe Biden's order that employers with more than 100 workers require vaccination or weekly testing. Both airlines are based in Texas, where state officials are trying to limit mandates for vaccination and mask-wearing, and resistance to vaccination is stronger than in many other parts of the country. Pilot unions at American and Southwest are resisting mandatory vaccination and are pushing instead for alternatives such as COVID-19 testing. According to their union, 4,200 of American's 14,000 pilots are not vaccinated. United's experience underscores that very few workers usually fewer than 1% are willing to quit or get fired because of vaccination mandates. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Novant Health, a North Carolina hospital system, said this week that about 175 of its 35,000 employees were fired for failing to get vaccinated. At Houston Methodist hospital system, about 150 of the 26,000 employees were fired in June. Like mask-wearing, Biden's order to require workers at large companies to get vaccinated or tested regularly has become a political issue. A poll released Thursday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that Biden's order is supported by three-fourths of Democrats but only one-fourth of Republicans. Six United employees who got exemptions are suing the airline in federal district court in Texas, claiming they are being discriminated against because of medical conditions or religious beliefs. United has said the lawsuit has no merit. ___ David Koenig can be reached at www.twitter.com/airlinewriter Employees at all public universities and colleges in Nevada are required to get COVID-19 vaccinations by Dec. 1 or face potential termination [October 01, 2021] H3C Technologies Kicked off Digital Tour 2021 in Russia, Presenting New AD-NET 6.0 Solution MOSCOW, Russia, Oct. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- H3C Technologies, the Leader in Digital Solutions, held Digital Tour 2021 in Russia. During the event, the company presented its new solution for software-defined networking (SDN) - H3C Application-Driven Network 6.0 (AD-NET 6.0), including the goals for the Russian market. A key theme of Digital Tour 2021 was the discussion of advanced technologies as well as opportunities for digital transformation. More than 70 representatives from more than 40 companies in different sectors attended the event. Looking back at the economic environment in the past year, the pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation of production processes. It has become an important nexus for various areas, such as distance education, teleedicine, and digital government. So today, when working with customers and partners around the world, the key challenge for H3C is to look closely at the various industries in terms of improving its solutions and increasing digitalization. "By accelerating the digital transformation of traditional enterprises and the application of smart technologies in the industry, together we will share the benefits of the digital economy and create a better digital future." said Yan Kuo, the country manager of H3C Technologies in Russia. To this end, the company unveiled its new AD-NET 6.0 solution at the event, which extends digital transformation across industries. AD-NET 6.0 uses a cloud-centric and container-based architecture and enables business interoperability in various scenarios. With a single digital platform, the solution combines management, control, and analytics capabilities with the potential of artificial intelligence and convergence of all scenarios spanning campus network, WAN, and data centre through AD-Campus, AD-WAN, and AD-DC. AD-DC solutions help realize the resilient deployment of a network and accelerate tenants' isolation at cloud-based data centers. AD-Campus solutions also provide the benefits for user authorization and streamline operation and maintenance at mobile offices. H3C's AD-WAN solutions visualize the traffic and application and ensure the quality of key services. Application networking solutions based on SDN have been widely applied in the industries. It provides reliable and nimble network infrastructure for the digital transformation of society. In addition, at the event, the company's experts highlighted their interest in the Russian market in terms of developing the digital economy in Russia. H3C Technologies has many advantages in terms of its ability to implement the Digital Economy 2024 plan. Fulfilling its mission as a high-tech leader, the company acts as a technology partner, working with government and corporate customers to complement each other's strengths. Last year, H3C had a turnover of RMB36.79 billion, and it is projected to reach RMB100 billion as early as 2025. The Russian market is a priority for H3C today. Guided by its international strategy, H3C efficiently integrated with partners and local resources in Russia, and has achieved balanced development in many sectors including government, telco, oil and gas, finance and retail, etc. Looking to the future, H3C is committed to being a trusted partner and dedicated to becoming a major player in the Russian ICT industry. "We will continue to invest in our team's professionalism, in new opportunities in Russia, and join forces with our partners to support customers from various industries in their digital transformation." Yan Kuo expressed. SOURCE H3C [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 02, 2021] CBDCs are Designed to be Very Stable; Majority of Central Banks Exploring CBDCs: IMF NEW DELHI and MUMBAI, India, Oct. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "About 80-100 Central Banks around the world, including G20 nations, are exploring the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and are in some sort of pilot or testing stages," Tobias Adrian, Financial Counsellor and Director Monetary and Capital Markets Department, International Monetary Fund said at the Global FinTech Fest. The three-day Fest, which concluded on 30 September, was attended by over 26,000 delegates from 121 countries. Policymakers, technocrats, investors, founders, economists, bankers, participated in the Fest. The event was organised by National Payments Council of India (NPCI) and Fintech Convergence Councill (FCC) and Payments Council of India (PCI) of Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). "CBDCs are designed to be very stable, stable in value, low transaction cost and backed by the Central Bank for added consumer confidence, very different from bitcoins which fluctuate in value and are more like an investment asset," Tobias Adrian said. Central Banks around the world are rushing in to think about CBDCs as it is very appealing for Central Banks to go along with technological progress. Also, there could be a lot of innovations in Central Banks issued digital currencies, especially across payments, lending platforms. "CBDCs could indeed be somewhat similar, not necessarily be, to bitcoin assets, could be based on blockchain technology, could be available in wallets. It depends on the design whether it is based on existing payment systems or using very powerful blockchain technologies," Tobias Adrian mentioned. Meanwhile, he warned that cybersecurity could be a major challenge for CBDCs. "You need to make sure that the system is resilient against cyberattacks." It's not the technology alone but the intersection of technology and human. Secondly, CBDCs might undermine existing banks so banks need to upgrade their technologies to compete. Finally, cellphones, not all today have cellphones for transacting CBDCs. On expensive cross-border payments, Adrian envisioned that cross-border transfers would be a lot cheaper for small amount of payments. There are some wallet exchanges available that allow one to convert US dollar into rupee stable coin, with an implicit fee that is cheaper. However, there are a lot of discussions going on between Central Banks of various countries to make the cross-border payments cheaper. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1629838/GFF_Logo.jpg SOURCE Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 02, 2021] Ushering in a New Era of Medical Education at NTHU National Tsing Hua University's plan to establish a post-baccalaureate program in medicine has been approved at a recent cross-ministerial meeting held at the Ministry of Education. The school's recruitment and admission application process will begin by the end of 2021, and the first class of government-sponsored students will be enrolled in September 2022. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211001005043/en/ College of Life Science dean Kao Ruey-Ho (left) and Department of Medical Science chair Chen Linyi (right) prepare for the post-baccalaureate program in medicine. (Photo: National Tsing Hua University) NTHU President Hocheng Hong said that NTHU already has a strong foundation in cross-disciplinary research in medical science, including big data analysis, application o artificial intelligence (AI), bioengineering, material science, and nuclear medicine, by which the school is well-positioned to train physicians specializing in more than one expertise. As such, this new program represents a quantum jump in medical education in Taiwan. President Hocheng said that NTHU already has sufficient number of faculty members, funding, and infrastructure for the new program. In addition to the existing 180 faculty members teaching related courses, the program has recently recruited an additional 71 full-time faculty members, and 87 physician scientists from leading medical centers throughout Taiwan as adjunct faculty members. Moreover, the provisional office of this program has raised NT$2 billion for medical education. An ongoing plan for establishing a state-of-the-art teaching hospital and medical complex in the Taoyuan Aerotropolis next to the Taoyuan International Airport is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The post-baccalaureate program in medicine is a four-year program, open for graduates from all disciplines. The government-sponsored students will be required to serve in a public healthcare facility for six years. They will have an opportunity to undertake an additional two years of advanced training in a medical center. NTHU will draw on its extensive experience in student recruitment to admit only those applicants who meet the stringent admission qualifications, the innovative student selection process could open a new path for medical education in Taiwan. The post-baccalaureate program in medicine will be part of the future College of Life Sciences and Medicine (currently the College of Life Science). Dean of the College of Life Science, Kao Ruey-Ho, former Superintendent of Tzu Chi Medical Center, said that applicants who apply directly to NTHU will be evaluated based on test scores, transcripts, and interviews, to select students who have demonstrated academic excellence, as well as a passion for medicine and public welfare. Government-sponsored students in the program will take several courses designed to prepare them for practicing in a rural area, such as Community Medicine Practicum, and make good use of AI diagnosis and telemedicine technology; they will also attend seminars on altruism and dedication to public health, which will be taught by laureates of the Medical Contribution Award. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211001005043/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] For the most part, TKC tends to avoid conversation about what other people want to do with their gross bodies. But let's not mince words . . . All things considered, argumentation over 'reproductive rights' is REALLY just a debate about killing kids. There are quite a few distractions over race, class, gender and partisan slap fighting . . . But, at the end of the day, there's simply no arguing with the tragic fact that all of those piles of aborted fetal tissue would have been babies under better circumstances. As always, it's far too easy to get philosophical and carried away with bourgeoisie middle-class activism when the smell of blood is far away. Even more interestingly . . . Our conservative pals have offered a great deal of entertaining arguments about medical self-determination juxtaposed with COVID vaccine mandate orders from The Prez Biden White House. Admittedly, pregnancy isn't airborne but the rhetorical tactic is appreciated in much the same way that considerations about men having babies and the abortion rights of doods have made this debate even more dreadfully ridiculous. Accordingly . . . We share info about this morning's march which advocates for "birthing people" rather than women and celebrates the hideous virtues of abortion which might not inspire as many voters as organizers mistakenly contend. Women's March For Reproductive Rights Kansas City 2021 Further reading from both sides of the debate . . . Women's March holding first post-Trump event this weekend The Women's March on Saturday will hold its first rally since former President Trump Donald Trump Nigerian president to lift Twitter ban if certain conditions are met Grisham calls Kushner 'Rasputin in a slim-fitting suit' Federal court orders FEC to rule on NRA shell entity campaign allegation MORE left office, signaling a new era for the organization that was one of the largest movements to oppose Trump. Here's what you need to know about Saturday's reproductive rights marches Women and allies will gather at more than 600 marches across the United States on Saturday in support of reproductive rights, with the largest rally expected in the nation's capital, according to organizers. Jeanne Mancini: Women's March doesn't speak for me or many others who value human lives Those expecting this year's Women's March on Washington to be a gathering that welcomes all women will be disappointed. Instead, they'll find a monolith of thought almost exclusively focused on pro-abortion ideology. Sadly, from the beginning, the march has been about extremism. It should come as no surprise that this year's March would make support for abortion its macabre theme. Our favorite link of the day reminds us that THERE ARE MANY PROGRESSIVES AND DIVERSE COMMUNITIES WHO ALSO OPPOSE ABORTION and the MSM narrative is merely a myopic dialectic that couldn't possibly capture the true complexity of American political debate. Ahead Of Women's March, Feminists, Liberals, LGBTQ Persons To Announce New Pro-Life Group Activists plan to announce a pro-life group at the progressive Women's March, one composed of 'fetal rights advocates from across the ideological spectrum.' The Women's March is returning on Saturday, this time in support of abortion rights The Women's March group is organizing protests across the United States in support of abortion rights: a response to the recent restrictive law passed in Texas. Developing . . . This week quite a few denizens of the local discourse focused on attacking students for racist online chatter and stupid signs. This topic makes TKC uncomfortable because we believe that the only adults who have any business considering student life are parents, teachers and administrators. It's cringe-y and just a bit disturbing to watch social justice warriors target youngsters they don't know over opinions gleaned from news content. And yet . . . The topic of racism, misstatements and nasty school chatter dominated the news cycle in Kansas City this week . . . Accordingly, we share another collection of mainstream stories focused on the issue of racist student chatter aimed at adult audiences who haven't yet learned to focus on life AFTER high school. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news link . . . Racial incidents alleged at 2 Kansas City-area schools RAYTOWN, Mo. (AP) - A suburban Kansas City school district is investigating a report that a teacher used a racial epithet during a discussion in class. Raytown Superintendent of Schools Allan Markley said in a letter to parents and guardians that a Raytown High School teacher used an epithet generally directed at Black people during class on Wednesday. Raytown School District's second racial incident in a week KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Raytown C-2 School District Superintendent Dr. Allan Markley sent a letter to high school parents and guardians Friday about an outdated version of a worksheet containing racial and sexual slurs. This letter comes just two days after a teacher at Raytown High School was accused of saying the n-word during a class discussion. Raytown student says she was suspended for reporting racial slur RAYTOWN, Mo. - Parents stood in front of Raytown South Middle School on Thursday, holding a sign that read, "My kid was suspended for reporting a racial slur made by a student." It's the same school district where students reported a teacher used a racial slur in class the day before. Raytown parent upset over racial incidents in school district RAYTOWN, Mo. - The Raytown School District is investigating an incident where a teacher used a racial slur in class. Parents of high school students received a letter Wednesday from Superintendent Dr. Allan Markley which said the teacher used the N-word during a discussion in a classroom. Kansas City NAACP and Park Hill School District release joint statement KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Missouri, branch of the NAACP and the Park Hill School District released a joint statement Friday, a couple of weeks after a group of Park Hill South High School students created a petition to reinstate slavery. Olathe superintendent said steps being taken following racist homecoming proposal by: Heidi Schmidt Posted: / Updated: OLATHE, Kan. - The Olathe School District said it is taking steps to make sure everyone in the district feels welcome after a racist homecoming sign surfaced on social media. The photo appears to show a student asking a date to Olathe South's homecoming. Kansas City-area high schools, districts and organizations discuss improving diversity curriculum KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A racist homecoming sign in the Olathe School District and a petition to bring back slavery in the Park Hill School District have made headlines in the last two weeks. The Olathe School District said diversity and inclusion is something they're working on. You decide . . . For our blog community, the topic of securing labor protections for workers at New KCI was more important than most of the background slap fighting over money. And so . . . FIRST ON TKC!!! OHM FINALLY HAS THEIR UNION DEAL IN PLACE FOR NEW KCI!!! Whilst this critical topic wasn't that big of a deal for cranky council dude Kevin . . . Our blog community was actually rather concerned about the labor debate and offered coverage that middle-class media overlooked. Accordingly . . . We should mention that right now the newspaper is reporting late breaking campaign finance news from 2019. Apparently, the concessions front runner gave Mayor Q a campaign donation for $1,000 two years ago which isn't even his lunch budget for the week. Meanwhile . . . Our blog community believes this news of the union deal holds a greater impact for workers across the metro and plebs at the ground level. TKC is FIRST to break this news as debate over the deal continues and heads toward the council for a final vote next week. Developing . . . Thanks to KICK-ASS TKC INSIDERS . . . We hinted at this power play earlier in the year and now it's news fact . . . Here's what most TKC readers don't know . . . Mr. Gerling is unlikely to meet any real opposition and the start of his career as an elected officials is an event that has garnered interest across Missouri. The bench for the Missouri Democrats isn't deep and Geoff Gerling stepping into the limelight seems to signal a welcomed shift in leadership away from activists and toward serious campaigners who understand the mechanics of ground game election work and getting out the vote. Accordingly, here's the FIRST peek at his announcement . . . Gerling Announces Candidacy for County Legislature South Kansas City resident and longtime Democratic leader Geoff Gerling has announced his candidacy for the Jackson County Legislature in the 4th District. This position has been held by Dan Tarwater for the past 27 years who is not seeking re-election. The district includes Kansas City south of Meyer Boulevard, Grandview and part of Lees Summit. Gerling is a lifelong Jackson County resident who built a career in non-profit fundraising and community engagement before becoming the Executive Director of the Jackson County Democratic Committee in 2016. Geoff has been appointed to a number of city and county boards and commissions over the past decade and also served on the board of the South Kansas City Alliance for six years. As someone deeply familiar to the inner workings of county government, he can begin on Day One to fight for the people of Jackson County. The 4th District deserves a legislator who is one of them someone who is from our area, grew up in a working-class family, and strives every day to improve the lives of others. I will use my experience and knowledge of our local government to move Jackson County forward. I will be accessible to the people, hold other county officials accountable, and help achieve immediate and long-term improvements for our communities. Geoff grew up in the Raytown School District, graduated from UMKC, and has been a resident of the 4th District continuously since 2005. He resides near Martin City with his wife and they are expecting their first child this fall. The campaign will be announcing several endorsements and public events through the end of the year. ### Developing . . . No. 2551 FIVE WITNESSES TO HISTORY by John H. Lienhard Click here for audio of Episode 2551 Today, we witness history. The University of Houston's College of Engineering presents this series about the machines that make our civilization run, and the people whose ingenuity created them. T he largest Kill Devil Hill, four miles from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, is topped by a lovely monument honoring the Wright Brother's flight on Dec. 17th, 1903. One marker on the flat ground just north of the hill shows where all four flights began that day. Four more stones show where each landed. Above: the Wright Monument. Below: the big stone on the left marks where all four flights began and the other four mark where they ended. The distances seem very short for two reasons. One is foreshortening in the picture. The other is that the Wrights flew into a 27 mph wind and travelled much further in the air than over ground. And south of the hill is a fine full-size bronze replica of the aeroplane and seven human figures. Orville Wright lies on the lower wing piloting the machine. Wilbur runs along just behind the wing tip he'd been steadying. But the other five, so lifelike, arrest my eye. They too have names and faces. W. C. Brinkley had come over from Roanoke Island. Johnny Moore, a teenager from the next town had also heard about the flight that day. The other three came down from the US Life Saving Station in Kitty Hawk. For these are the fearful Outer Banks, adjacent to countless shipwrecks. The tough brave men who manned the lifeboats befriended the Wrights. Now they were here to see the flight. They were John T. Daniels, W. S. Dough, and A. D. Etheridge. The Wrights knew they were about to make history, and they had a vintage Gundlach Korona box camera. Wilbur had to assist in the takeoff so he asked John Daniels to take the picture. Daniels had never taken a photo. But the Wrights set up their camera and said: Just squeeze the bulb when we're airborne. The sculpture shows Daniels just after he'd taken his first photo -- the first photo of an airplane in flight. Of course, he was so excited he wasn't sure he'd remembered to squeeze. But once developed, the glass plate proved to hold one of the famous photos of all time. And Daniels' story goes on. After the fourth and longest flight, the brothers paused to discuss what next. Then a sudden gust caught the plane and overturned it. Daniels was standing by the lower wing inside the guy wires. Instead of ducking out, he held on. The plane flipped with Daniels tangled in the engine, propellers, and controls. It was badly wrecked; the engine ruined, and Daniels? Well he was miraculously unhurt, but he was now first to photograph flight and almost first to die in an aeroplane. Later, the brothers went in to Kitty Hawk to pay their respects to the Rescue Station and to use its telegraph to let their family know they'd be home by Christmas. After our own visit to the dunes, we asked where to find a good restaurant and were directed to the Black Pelican in Kitty Hawk. Once there, we found more than just food. For this was in the old Rescue Station building where Daniels lived. Here Orville and Wilber found friends and their telegraph link back to Ohio. So the homespun details emerge. As they do, we see just how human history changed. We find ourselves sharing the awe of those five -- privileged to be a part of that moment. Daniels, Dough, Etheridge, Brinkley, and Moore watched as a small aeroplane clattered into the gray air, and as Earth shifted upon its axis. I'm John Lienhard at the University of Houston, where we're interested in the way inventive minds work. (Theme music) L. Wescott and P. Degen, Wind and Sand: The Story of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk. (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Pubs, 1983). My thanks to Margaret Culbertson for this intriguing book. This Eyewitness to History website gives a fine account of the first flights in Orville's own words. This Vintage Aircraft site describes the photo-taking. Click here for a picture of Etheridge and Daniels later in life, and here for the famous photo. Color photos on this page are all by J. Lienhard Above: The Wright Monument as it appears at night. Below right, lest he be forgot, is the fifth witness, Willie S. Dough. Bottom: The entire tableaux. The Engines of Our Ingenuity is Copyright 1988-2009 by John H. Lienhard. Previous Episode | Index | Home | Next Episode Ukraine military is set to buy another four Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles from Turkey. Thats according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant-General Valeriy Zaluzhny, who spoke with the Report Eastern European Bureau. "One complex was purchased this year by order of the Defense Ministry. Besides, to meet the needs of the Armed Forces, it is also planned to buy four more such complexes in 2021-2022. In the future, we intend to supplement our arsenal with the UAVs of domestic production." The commander-in-chief said the Army would focus on training personnel in operating Bayraktar TB2 drones. Read also: Turkish strike UAV with Ukrainian engine set to be accepted for service by security forces "Because, firstly, we need to learn to operate them effectively and secondly, we must definitely know the tactics of their application. Its not enough to just buy Bayraktars, he said, adding that the Ukraine military is now learning how to properly use these UAVs. As Ukrinform reported, in early August Ukraine tested Turkeys Bayraktar TB2 strike drones. Earlier, Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Myroniuk said the Turkish UAVs would become for the Ukrainian Navy part of the system to deter Russian aggression and defend Ukraine at sea. Ukraine received the first batch of Bayraktar drones back in 2019. Photo from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine im Over the past day, October 1, 14 ceasefire violations by the armed formations of the Russian Federation were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine. Over the past 24 hours, on October 1, 14 ceasefire violations were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation area, weapons banned under the Minsk agreements were used five times, the JFO press center posted on Facebook. Near Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka, the enemy fired 120-mm mortars at Ukrainian positions. In the direction of Avdiivka, the Russian armed formations used mortars of 120-mm caliber twice. The populated area came under fire, causing damages to residential buildings and the adjacent territory. No casualties among the civilian population were reported. Ukrainian positions near Lebedynske came under grenade launchers of various systems. Near Luhanske, the enemy opened fire using large-caliber machine guns. Near Vodiane and Novoluhanske, Russian mercenaries used grenade launchers of various systems and small arms In the direction of Krymske, the Russian-occupation troops fired from 82-mm mortars, anti-tank grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns. As a result of enemy shelling, two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded. They were taken to a medical facility; their health status is satisfactory. Ukrainian defenders returned fire to the enemy shelling, forcing them to cease attacks. As of 7 a.m. on October 2, no ceasefire violation was recorded. iy The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine and the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects of Malta have agreed to mutually lift the existing restrictions on scheduled air services between the two countries. The Ukrainian ministrys press service announced this on its Facebook page, Ukrinform reports. The agreement provides for the removal of restrictions on: the number of designated airlines, departures/destinations in the territories of both countries, the introduction of an unlimited number of flights during scheduled flights. According to the ministry, the new agreement is expected to increase the number of flights between the countries, as well as help reduce the cost of tickets. In October, Ukraine and the European Union plan to sign the Common Aviation Area Agreement. Due to this, Ukrainian carriers will get expanded access to the EU market. As Ukrinform reported, in 2022, Ukraine will receive 25% more permits from Bulgaria for international cargo transportation services. iy The Ukrainian Presidents Office is "very disappointed" with the arrest of Mikheil Saakashvili in Georgia and is awaiting for an official statement. Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the President's Office, told reports in Truskavets, where a meeting of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction is taking place, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "As to Saakashvili, there is an official position. We are very disappointed with the behavior of Mikheil Nikolozovich [Saakashvili], a citizen of Ukraine. We are waiting for ... a clear answer from the relevant Georgian authorities and then we will make a decision after consultations at the level of foreign ministers, Podoliak said. As reported, Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia's former president, was detained in Georgia on October 1. He went on a hunger strike. Saakashvili served as president of Georgia from 2004 to 2013. He left the country after loosing the 2013 election. After that, a number of criminal cases were initiated against the politician. On some of the charges, he was convicted in absentia. In 2015, Saakashvili was deprived of Georgian citizenship. He has been a citizen of Ukraine for almost six years. iy Aguiratou Diallo (right) and her family, who were internally displaced following violence, pictured in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso, in January. UNHCR/Moussa Bougma UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply concerned by the humanitarian consequences of recent violence in Burkina Faso that has killed 45 people and forced more than 17,500 people to flee their homes over the past 10 days. Gunmen carried out a series of attacks in three separate regions, burning down houses and shooting civilians dead. The assailants also ransacked health centers and damaged homes and shops. In the East Region more than 4,400 people fled to the towns of Foutouri and Tankoualou following an attack on the village of Kodyel. In the North Region, violence pushed 10,200 people to flee towards Ouahigouya an area that already saw arrivals earlier this year. While in the Sahel Region, over 3,200 people have been recently displaced. Our teams are seeing an increasing trend of people fleeing towards larger, more secure urban centres. Most people are arriving with few or no belongings. Some have been generously welcomed by host families, while others have sought refuge in public buildings such as schools and other temporary shelters. They are in urgent need of food, shelter, clean water, and health care. In Ouahigouya, our teams and partners are registering new arrivals and providing psychological support and shelter assistance. Insecurity in some areas of the East and Sahel Regions is limiting our ability to reach those most in need. UNHCR calls for concerted action towards peace and stability and stands in solidarity with the Burkinabe authorities and the victims of violence. Together with our partners, we are ready to assist those newly displaced and to support the authorities and host communities on the frontlines of the response. Violence in Burkina Faso has forced more than 1.14 million people to flee their homes in search of safety in just over two years. The country continues to host more than 20,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly from Mali. More resources are needed to address the growing humanitarian needs. Funding for UNHCRs response remains critically low, with only 22 per cent of the US$ 91.6 million requested so far received. For more information on this topic, please contact: Internally displaced families living at a hosting site in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso. UNHCR/Moussa Bougma As attacks on civilians and security forces by jihadist groups in Burkina Faso become more frequent and increasingly violent, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for concerted action to address record-breaking numbers of people forced to flee inside the country and across international borders. According to new figures from the Burkinabe government - released this week, more than 1.3 million Burkinabe have been internally displaced in just over two years. Six per cent of Burkina Fasos population is now displaced inside the country. The speed of internal displacement shows no sign of slowing as attacks on civilians and security forces continue unabated. In the first half of 2021, 237,000 people fled their homes to other parts of Burkina Faso, a sharp increase compared to the 96,000 registered during the second half of 2020. UNHCR is equally alarmed by an acceleration in the numbers of people from Burkina Faso forced to cross a border to reach safety. Since January, more than 17,500 people have fled to neighbouring countries, nearly doubling the total number of refugees from the country in just six months. There are now 38,000 Burkinabe refugees and asylum seekers across the region. Neighbouring Niger is home to 11,400 Burkinabe asylum seekers, up from 7,400 at the beginning of the year. UNHCR, its partners and the authorities are providing food, shelter, relief items and health care. Unfortunately, as violence and insecurity continue to impede humanitarian access. Last month, some 900 asylum seekers arrived in Niger from Solhan in Burkina Faso after fleeing the deadliest attack in the country since 2015, when 130 people were killed. Mali currently hosts 20,000 Burkinabe asylum seekers, with 6,600 people arriving in Timbuktu region this year alone. As security conditions limit humanitarian access in this part of Mali, it is possible this number is higher. In northern Benin, a UNHCR mission recently registered 179 Burkinabe asylum seekers. But thousands more are reportedly living in border areas inaccessible to humanitarian workers for security reasons. UNHCRs government partner in Benin, the National Committee for Refugees, is currently preparing a contingency plan to assist at least 4,500 asylum seekers. Continuing this worrying trend, Cote dIvoire received its first Burkinabe asylum seekers in May when some 430 people arrived seeking safety. UNHCR, together with UNICEF, Caritas and our governmental partner have provided shelter and hygiene kits. UNHCR reiterates its call for concerted action towards peace and stability in Burkina Faso and neighbouring Central Sahel countries, Mali and Niger, which are also experiencing a sharp rise in violence and displacement. Together with our partners, we stand ready to assist those newly displaced and to support the authorities and host communities on the frontlines of the response. More resources are urgently needed to address growing humanitarian needs in Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries. UNHCRs funding requirements for the Central Sahel in 2021 is US$259.3 million. So far only half of the funds requested have been received. For more information on this topic, please contact: Donatien, 35, is on his phone negotiating the rent for a house he hopes his family can move into when they return home to Burundi. He and his wife and three children were among a group of 159 Burundian refugees who decided to return home a 72-kilometre drive across the Nemba border point into Burundi. We have come home because a country is like a parent. When you are away from your parents, you feel like something is missing, said Donatien, as he waited to go through COVID-19 testing and screening at the Kinazi transit center in Burundi. Four years ago, he left everything behind when political violence displaced over 300,000 Burundians. He fled with his family to neighbouring Rwanda. I left my country because there was a lot that happened that caused people to scatter, he said. We kept talking to relatives, friends and neighbours who remained, to know what progress there was in our community. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is facilitating the return of Burundian refugees who have decided to go back home. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi talks with Donatien's family at the border crossing in Kirundo Province, Burundi. UNHCR/Will Swanson Burundian returnee Donatien, 35, sits with his daughter at the Kinazi Transit Center in Muyinga, Burundi. UNHCR/Will Swanson Donatien stands with his family at the border crossing in Kirundo Province, Burundi. UNHCR/Will Swanson Donatien and his family cross from Rwanda into Burundi at the border crossing in Kirundo Province, Burundi. UNHCR/Will Swanson Since 2017, at least 145,000 Burundian refugees have been assisted to return home, with more than 25,000 coming from Rwanda in recent months. On average, 2,000 people are being assisted to voluntarily return each week from Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi accompanied a convoy from Rwanda during a multi-country visit to the Great Lakes region. He spoke to families like Donatiens who were aware of the challenges awaiting them but expressed happiness to finally be going home. We have come home because a country is like a parent. What is now very important is that these returns are sustainable those who want to go back to Burundi need to have access to basic services including jobs when they arrive, said Grandi. He also reiterated UNHCRs commitment to continue facilitating the voluntary return of Burundian refugees, adding that it is crucial that the Burundian government ensures the conditions for a safe and dignified return that respects the returnees rights and aspirations. The return of refugees places great responsibility on the shoulders of the government, especially in ensuring security in areas of return, he added, and we all must work together to ensure that these returns are anchored in the countrys progress. During his visit, the High Commissioner met President Evariste Ndayishimiye. They discussed the importance of continuing to build conditions for refugees to return in safety and dignity. They also agreed that more support must be given to the communities to which refugees are returning, for reintegration to be successful. In February, UNHCR, the government of Burundi and 19 partners launched the Joint Refugee Return and Reintegration Plan which appeals for US$ 104.3 million from the international community to assist returnees and the communities where they are returning. Less than ten percent of the funding needed to support the reintegration of returnees in Burundi has been committed, despite the increase in the number of refugees returning from around the region. Donatien is filled with anxiety but also expectation as he thinks about what the future will hold. He will receive a small grant to help his family settle back home and hopes to start a business to support his family. We hope the government has the courage and energy not to allow what happened in the past to happen again. Those coming back feel encouraged and need help to continue with their lives, he said. The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) flag will be lowered on Monday, Oct. 4, in memory of UNO supporter, advocate, and champion Walter Scott, Jr.. Scott passed away on Sept. 25, 2021, at the age of 90. Chancellor Li: Remembering Walter Scott, Jr. More About Walter Scott Known throughout Omaha and the world as one of the city's most influential philanthropists, Scott helped champion projects across the city such as the CHI Health Center, TD Ameritrade Park, attractions at the Henry Doorly Zoo, and a truly impressive expansion of the UNO campus, beginning with the Peter Kiewit Institute in the late 1990s all the way through projects like Baxter Arena, which opened in 2015. Scott spent his entire career working for Omaha's Peter Kiewit Sons' Inc., eventually serving as chairperson and CEO. Under his leadership, the company stood out as one of the nation's largest engineering firms. As a lover of education and champion of UNO, Scott's legacy and impact is so engrained that the Scott Campus was dedicated in his honor in 2017. Scott is survived by six children, 19 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. (@FahadShabbir) (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 02nd Oct, 2021) ABU DHABI, 2nd October 2021 (WAM) - The General Headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Police mourned the death of four of its medical team members who passed away in an air ambulance plane crash while on duty on Saturday. The four martyrs are: Lieutenant Colonel Pilot Khamis Saeed Al Holi, Lieutenant Pilot Nasser Mohammed Al Rashedi, civilian physician Shahid Farouk Gulam and civilian nurse Joel Qiwi Sakara Minto. The Abu Dhabi Police GHQ extended condolences to their bereaved families and colleagues, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest their souls in eternal peace. (@FahadShabbir) N'Djamena, Oct 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Oct, 2021 ) :Chadian police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters who had gathered on Saturday to condemn the military junta which took power after the death of president Idriss Deby Itno. The rally was called by the Wakit Tamma, a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups, to denounce the Transitional Military Council. The TMC is headed by 37-year-old Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, the son of the president who died in April fighting northern rebels after more than three decades in power. Deby junior has promised "free and democratic" elections following an 18-month national dialogue process of reconciliation. But he recently refused to rule out prolonging the transition period if "certain conditions" were not fulfilled. Chadian authorities had approved Saturday's march, but on a different route to that taken by the protesters. The approved route, along a three-kilometre (two-mile) avenue in the city centre, "is very far from our base and it's difficult to gather everyone in this place," one opposition leader, Succes Masra, of the Transformateurs party, told AFP. An AFP reporter said police fired tear gas to break up the protest in front of the Transformateurs headquarters, and Masra said several people were injured. "We were violently dispersed," said one demonstrator, Anasthasie, 28. Police spokesman Paul Manga told AFP that "when the route is not respected and the demonstrators block traffic it creates problems for public order". (@FahadShabbir) Paris, Oct 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Oct, 2021 ) :The European-Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft has sent back its first images of Mercury, the nearest planet to the Sun, the European Space Agency said Saturday. The images were obtained almost three years after the unmanned mission vessel was launched aboard an Ariane 5 Rocket. The cameras attached the BepiColombo provided black-and-white images, the ESA said in a statement. But as the spacecraft arrived on the night side of the planet, conditions were "not ideal" for taking images at its closest approach to the planet, an altitude of 199 kilometres (124 miles), so the closest was from about 1,000 km. The region shown is part of Mercury's northern hemisphere, including large craters and an area flooded by lava billions of years ago. "The flyby was flawless from the spacecraft point of view, and it's incredible to finally see our target planet," said Elsa Montagnon, Spacecraft Operations Manager for the mission. The BepiColombo mission will study all aspects of this mysterious inner planet from its core to surface processes, magnetic field and exosphere, "to better understand the origin and evolution of a planet close to its parent star", said the agency. Mercury is also the only rocky planet orbiting the Sun beside our own to have a magnetic field. Magnetic fields are generated by a liquid core but given its size, Mercury's should have grown cold and solid by now, as Mars did. This anomaly might be due to some feature of the core's composition, something BepiColombo's instruments will measure with much greater precision than has been possible so far. On its surface, Mercury is a planet of extremes, vacillating between hot days of about 430 degrees Celsius (more than 800 degrees Fahrenheit) to super-frosty nights of minus 180C (minus 290F). Those days and nights last nearly three Earth months each. Earlier missions have detected evidence of ice in the deepest recesses of the planet's polar craters. Scientists speculate that this may have accumulated from comets crashing onto Mercury's surface. BepiColombo is due to make five more flybys of Mercury during a complex trajectory that will also see the satellite fly past Venus and Earth. It could not be sent directly to Mercury, as the Sun's pull is so strong that a huge braking manoeuvre would be needed to place the satellite successfully, requiring too much fuel for a spacecraft of this size. The mission will last for around another five years. The gravity exerted by the Earth and Venus -- known as gravitational assist -- allows it to slow down 'naturally' during its journey. Vilnius, Oct 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Oct, 2021 ) :Doctors in Lithuania said on Friday they had removed over a kilogram of nails and screws from the stomach of a man who started swallowing metallic objects after quitting alcohol. The man, who was not identified for reasons of patient confidentiality, was admitted to hospital in the Baltic port city of Klaipeda with severe abdominal pain. An X-ray of his stomach showed up pieces of metal -- some measuring up to 10 centimetres (four inches). "During the three-hour operation with X-ray control, all foreign bodies, even the smallest ones, in the patient's stomach were removed," said surgeon Sarunas Dailidenas. The hospital provided local media with a photograph of a surgical tray heaped with nails and screws. "We've never seen anything like it," Algirdas Slepavicius, head surgeon at Klaipeda Hospital told local media. The doctor said that the man had begun swallowing the metal objects over the last month after he had stopped drinking. The patient was in a stable condition following the operation, he added. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday expressed his grief and sorrow over the demise of legendary comedian Umar Sharif KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Oct, 2021 ) :Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday expressed his grief and sorrow over the demise of legendary comedian Umar Sharif. He said, 'Umar Sharif was a great actor.' The CM said that the services of Umar Sharif would always be remembered in the world of comedy. He said, 'The provincial government played its full role in protecting Umar Sharif's dear life.'He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. TBILISI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd October, 2021) Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said she would not pardon former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who had been detained earlier in the day. On Friday, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said that Saakashvili had been detained in Georgia. "All are equal before the law. Many ask whether President Saakashvili will be pardoned, there is one answer, simple and final no, never," Zourabichvili said at a briefing. According to Zourabichvili, the foremer president arrived in Georgia to destabilize it. The president added that she would not pardon Saakashvili in order to "be honest with the people who have suffered from his regime." The first Sunday of September is observed as Bible Sunday. The whole month of September is a Bible month for the Catholic Church in Malawi. Stella Zulu Malawi. Malawian Bishops have encouraged the faithful to develop a culture of reading and meditating on the Word of God in order to get spiritual insights that will help them act according to the will of God for their lives. Bible month This was said on the declaration of September as a Bible Month in the Malawian Catholic Church, meant to help Catholics understand the importance of the Bible in their lives and encourage them to make it a habit to read, meditate, and understand the teaching of the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In their message, the Bishops, through the Chair for the Pastoral Commission, Bishop Peter Musikuwa, said Christians need to constantly and consistently read the Bible to acquire spiritual insights. Gods Word is a source of nourishment and spiritual growth. Its importance in our daily lives obliges us to know and fully appreciate it. The Bible month, therefore, gives Catholics the opportunity to continue deepening their relationship with God by listening attentively to His word, a message from the countrys Bishops said. Own a Bible The Bible Month theme is Obedience is better than Sacrifice from 1 Samuel 15:22. The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) through the Pastoral Commission encourages all Catholics to own a Bible, read, meditate, and act on the Word of God. This years Bible Month reflection falls within a period when the Universal Church is celebrating the Year of Saint. Joseph, one of the Bible figures who obeyed Gods will in their lives. The Bishops, therefore, invite the whole Catholic family to seriously meditate on the life of this saint. Celebrating the Year of Saint Joseph The Bishops explain: The year of St. Joseph has to be fruitful for all of us, an obedient Father, who protected Mary and Jesus and taught his Son to do the will of God. We have to fully understand that the Bible is the Word of God qualified by St. Gregory as a letter from God, the fountain of all truths. The existence of the Bible is the greatest blessing which humanity ever experienced, the Bishops said. Listen to Bible programmes on Catholic Radio The Bible Coordinator for Lilongwe Archdiocese, Fr. Henry Zulu, said the Church has lined up several activities to guide Christians in dioceses, parishes and Small Christian Communities (SCCs) during the whole month. He said: families are encouraged to recite the prayer for the family using the Bible; all Christians are encouraged to listen to Bible programmes on Catholic radio stations; parishes and pastoral agents are being asked to organise recollections for the youth during holidays, and to observe Bible enthronement. Exchange the Holy Bible as a gift Fr Zulu encouraged the faithful to buy a bible and exchange gifts of the Holy Bible. The Church started celebrating the Bible Month after the Holy Fathers declaration made in 2019, a year that marked the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bible apostolate established to promote the Word of God among Catholics. (Amecea News) Irish Church leaders to mark the Partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland with a Service of Reflection and Hope. By Lisa Zengarini Irish Church leaders have announced a special Service of Reflection and Hope on October 21 to mark the centenaries of the establishment of Northern Ireland and the Partition of Ireland in 1921, reiterating their common commitment to peace, healing and reconciliation in the British islands. The location chosen for the venue is Saint Patricks Church of Ireland Cathedral, in Armagh, due to its significance as Irelands ecclesiastical capital a status which has its origins in the 5th Century, when the present site of the Church of Ireland cathedral was presented to Saint Patrick for building his great stone church. Both the Irish Catholic and Anglican primates of Ireland sit in Armagh in their respective cathedrals which are both dedicated to the Irish Patron Saint. Deepening relationships to promote reconciliation The special Christian act of worship will involve people from diverse backgrounds and traditions, and with different beliefs and aspirations, coming together to pray for the healing of past hurts and to seek Gods guidance in a spirit of hope for the future. It is part of the joint efforts promoted this year by the Anglican Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of Ireland to encourage inter-community peace and reconciliation through dialogue with a focus on relationships. Journeying together for peace This was pointed out last March in their joint St Patricks Day Message. The statement, entitled In Christ We Journey Together, emphasizes the need to be intentional in creating spaces for encounter with those who are different from us, and those who may feel marginalised in the narratives that have shaped our community identity and, in doing so, to face difficult truths about failings in our own leadership in the work of peace and reconciliation. It welcomes the progress that has been made through the peace process in building relations of mutual respect and trust across the British islands (UK and Ireland). While acknowledging that there is still much work to do, and that these relationships are often tested, they note that our communities have also demonstrated great resilience, solidarity and compassion, evident most recently in the response to Covid-19. The Message places particular emphasis on the interconnectedness of the people of the UK and Ireland, saying that what is undeniable is the reality that we have to live in a shared space on these islands, and to make them a place of belonging and welcome for all. In a message addressed to the second meeting of the Economy of Francesco held on Saturday in Assisi, Pope Francis commended young activists across the world for their enthusiastic commitment in promoting a new people-centred and sustainable economy in the aftermath of COVID-19. By Lisa Zengarini Over 200 young entrepreneurs, economists and activists gathered in Assisi on Saturday for the second meeting of the Economy of Francesco, the worldwide movement for economic justice initiated by Pope Francis in 2019. The initiative is aimed at involving young business people and Economics scholars in promoting change for a more human and sustainable economy that leaves no one behind, in the spirit of St. Francis. Participants in todays meeting at the Domus Pacis in Santa Maria degli Angeli were joined (virtually) by other young activists gathered in over 40 Hubs across the world. They discussed projects, proposals and processes carried out during the past year to revive the economy in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Economic inequalities amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic In a video message, Pope Francis thanked them for their enthusiasm in carrying out the mission to give a new soul to the economy. He highlighted the urgent need to change the present economic paradigm, as the world struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, which, he noted, has dramatically amplified the deep inequalities caused by the present profit-centred economy: Over the past two years we have been confronted with all our failures in caring for our common home and family. We often forget the importance of human cooperation and global solidarity; we also often forget the existence of a responsible reciprocal relationship between us and nature, he said. Stewards of the goods of the Earth, not masters Pope Francis once again pointed out that we are stewards of the goods of the Earth which has been entrusted to us by God not masters: The pandemic has reminded us of this profound bond of reciprocity; it reminds us that we have been called to care for the goods that creation gives to all; it reminds us of our duty to work and distribute these goods so that no one is excluded. Finally, it also reminds us that, immersed in a common sea, he said. The need for a more just, sustainable and solidarity-based economy Hence the urgent need to seek new ways to regenerate the economy in the post-Covid-19 age, so that it may be more just, sustainable and solidarity-based, that is, more mutual and for a new, integral paradigm, capable of forming the new generations of economists and businesspeople who respect our interconnection with the Earth. The message further highlighted that the mission of an inclusive, sustainable and supportive economy includes the regeneration of all present social systems. It said that by instilling the values of fraternity, solidarity, and care for our Earth and common assets in all our structures we might address the greatest challenges of our time, from hunger and malnutrition to the equitable distribution of vaccines against Covid-19. Young people are the present and the world needs their courage Commending the young people involved in the The Economy of Francesco for their commitment, Pope Francis strongly encouraged them to continue their work withcreativity and inspired by the Gospel: Let your ideas and dreams emerge and through them bring to the world, to the Church and to other young people, the prophecy and beauty of which you are capable. You are not the future: you are the present. Another present. The world needs your courage. Now, the message concluded. The Economy of Francesco, a movement initiated in 2020 rooted in St. Francis' spirituality The Economy of Francesco movement initiated in 2020, following an invitation launched by Pope Francis who, on May 1 2019, convened young scholars and business people in the city of Assisi to reflect on the economic and environment crisis of our times. The title of the event refers primarily to Saint Francis, the Poor of Assisi and the patron saint of environment who epitomizes fraternity and care for the poor and creation. The first meeting in November 2020 Initially scheduled for March 26-28, 2020 the first meeting was postponed to November 19 to 21 last year and held online. In the lead-up to that meeting 12 groups organized on-line discussions to prepare proposals. In todays event participants shared further proposals and projects carried out over the past year. Discussions have involved prominent personalities with whom these young people have established a fruitful dialogue. These include, among many others, Indian environmental activist Vandana Shiva and US economist Jeffrey Sachs, Professor at Columbia University, USA. The governments of Japan and the United Kingdom have begun negotiating the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) to deepen defense ties between the two global powers. Once concluded, the agreement will allow both nations and their militaries to address global security challenges and counter shared threats, the UK Ministry of Defense said. The RAA will outline terms and conditions under which Japanese and British military personnel can perform activities in each others nations. Bilateral activities like joint exercises and training will become easier and quicker to facilitate. Japan is Britains close security partner in Asia, with shared values and common strategic interests. This sends a clear signal about our determination to deepen bilateral defense cooperation, and the UKs commitment to the Indo Pacific region, UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement. UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also stated that deepening defense ties with Japan is a critical part of ensuring an open and secure Indo-Pacific. A Strong security and economic partnership with Tokyo is important for Britains long-term interests, she added. Experts believe that the mention of shared threats by the UK Defense Ministry refers to the Chinese regime. Closer cooperation with Japan plays into the UKs strategic shift to focus on the Indo-Pacific, as outlined in the countrys Integrated Review published in March. The Government of Japan and the Government of the UK will work on the negotiations in order to realize the early conclusion. The first round of negotiations will take place on October 7, said a statement from Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs. UK-Japan RAA negotiations come on the heels of Londons recent submarine partnership deal with the United States and Australia. The move is seen as a step towards better containing Chinese aggression. Back in July, Wallace had announced that both the UK and Japan would protect and uphold the rules-based international order. Wallace and his Japanese counterpart, Nobuo Kishi, agreed to discuss possibly collaborating on Tokyos next-generation FX fighter, specifically its engine systems and subsystems. In September, British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth made its first port call in Japan. Kishi met with the strike groups commander. HMS Queen Elizabeth had participated in joint exercises with warships from Japan, Canada, United States, and the Netherlands before arriving at the Japanese port of Yokosuka near Tokyo. European countries interest in (Chinas) unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas contributes to the peace and stability in this region I expect the port call will contribute to a further development of Japan-British defense cooperation, Kishi said to reporters. Another British ship, HMS Richmond, a Type 23 frigate that arrived in the Indo Pacific together with HMS Queen Elizabeth, recently passed through the Taiwan Strait, a narrow waterway separating China from the island nation. After a busy period working with partners and allies in the East China Sea, we are now en route through the Taiwan Strait to visit #Vietnam and the Vietnam Peoples Navy, a Sept. 26 tweet from the official account of HMS Richmond stated. China claims Taiwan to be its territory. As such, Chinese authorities did not respond well to HMS Richmond sailing through the Taiwan Strait. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman for the Peoples Liberation Army Eastern Theatre Command that oversees the Taiwan Strait, called the incident a publicity stunt. He said that the ships passage was performed with bad intentions to undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In an interview with SCMP, Zhou Chenming, a researcher from the Yuan Wang military science and technology institute in Beijing, said that HMS Richmonds transit showed that the UK wanted to play a bigger role in the Indo-Pacific region. The Royal Navy plans to send more fleets to the Asia-Pacific to meet Londons ambitions to resume Britains influence in the region London realized that the US so far doesnt have enough warships to take care of the Far East area, so its a good opportunity for the Royal Navy to share the responsibility with the US allies like Japan [and] Australia in the region to contain a rising PLA Navy, Zhou said. On Sept. 28, North Korea launched a short-range missile into the Sea of Japan. This was the third missile launch conducted by Pyongyang this month. The missile was initially detected by the South Korean military at around 6:40 am. We are analyzing the situation and intention of North Koreas missile launch Also, we think the missile launch is regrettable at a time when we urgently need to stabilize the situation in the Korean peninsula, Boo Seung-chan, South Korean Defense Ministry Spokesman, said at a news briefing. Kim Jong-uns influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, had reached out to Seoul on Sept. 24 and 25, stating that her country was open to resuming talks. She criticized South Korea for calling Pyongyangs missile tests a provocation, and asked that Seoul abandon its hostile policies and unfair double standards. Some South Korean officials are seeing the missile launch in a positive light. They believe that a mellow response to the incident by Seoul could lead Pyongyang to respond favorably to South Korean President Moon Jae-ins recent proposal of officially ending the seven-decade-old Korean War. In an interview with the Associated Press, analyst Shin Beomchul of the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy said that the missile launch was testing the South Korean government to see if it would impose a double standard and call it a provocation. He warned that if South Korea and other nations fail to respond strongly to the event, North Koreas status as a nuclear nation would be solidified. A spokesperson from the South Korean Defense Ministry made it clear that even though they have placed calls on the military hotline linking the two nations, North Korean officials have been unresponsive. The missile splashed down outside the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Japan. Tokyo believes that the projectile could have been a ballistic missile, and stated that it amped up surveillance and vigilance efforts. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide accused North Korea of threatening the peace and safety of Japan and the entire region. If North Korea did fire a ballistic missile, the act would be in violation of a UN ban on such activities. However, the United Nations would likely not impose new sanctions on Pyongyang because the projectile was a short-range weapon. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said that even though there was no immediate threat from the launch, North Koreas illicit weapons program had a destabilizing effect on the region. It reiterated that Washington had an ironclad commitment to defending Japan and South Korea. On Sept. 13, North Korea tested a long-range land-attack cruise missile (LACM). Two days later, on Sept. 15, the country tested two ballistic missiles, violating UN regulations. In the LACM test, the missile reached a distance of 932 miles. The LACM is said to have potentially come from China or Iran. In an interview with The Epoch Times, Richard Fisher, a senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center (IASC), pointed out that China and Iran had secured Russian KH-55 LACMs from Ukraine between 1999 and 2001. Irans Soumar LACM bears a close resemblance with the KH-55. As China has assisted North Korean ballistic missiles and has an advanced long-range land attack cruise missile (LACM) production base, it is very likely that China has enabled North Koreas new long-range LACM There is also a good chance that Iran provided LACM technology to Pyongyang, Fisher said. If the North Korean LACM is developed from KH-55, it can potentially reach a range of 1,864 miles, extending the threat to the Philippines and Taiwan. North Korea is also claiming to have launched a hypersonic missile for the first time. These weapons are much faster and can fly at lower altitudes than existing ballistic missiles. As such, they can maneuver with greater flexibility, presenting a significant threat to targets. South Korea stated that they are capable of intercepting such missiles. One flight test is far from enough to successfully develop this kind of technology For them, lauding the technical achievement this represents is a big part of whats going on at least at this stage, Vann Van Diepen, a former weapons analyst for the National Intelligence Program, said to WaPo. China is currently grappling with a power crunch due to a coal shortage and administrative push to limit electricity use to comply with Beijings carbon emission targets. Local governments in many regions have asked businesses to limit electricity consumption or even shut down operations on specific days. Foreign businesses operating in the country are now becoming wary of their futures, with some even considering investing in factories in other countries. The power cuts have affected export hubs like the province of Guangdong, which accounted for roughly 23 percent of Chinas exports this year until August. Companies rely on policy stability and predictability They need advanced notice for disruptions to power supply to ensure safety and business continuity, Matt Margulies, vice president for China operations at the U.S.-China Business Council, said to CNBC. They also need to be consulted with to find nuanced solutions that meet the needs of all stakeholders. A one-size-fits-all approach will be disruptive, increase costs, and hurts confidence in the market, he said. Johan Annell, the partner at consulting company Asia Perspective that works with European firms operating in Asia, stated that some firms were on the fence about investing in China and have paused their plans for now. Some businesses are considering shifting investments into Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam. The bigger the uncertainty regarding the power crunch, the longer these businesses might hesitate. Annell believes that the current situation in China could last for the next two quarters. In an interview with SCMP, Ker Gibbs, president of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Shanghai, said that the power rationing measures have resulted in many lost business opportunities, wasted raw materials, and canceled orders. AmCham represents around 1,200 companies. Gibbs complained that some businesses are being asked to shut down temporarily, and are only given a notice period of one or two hours. Such abrupt closures not only cause safety issues, but also damage equipment. The organization is seeking more advanced notice from authorities so that its members can manage their power situation better. Whats happening now is negotiations on how to deal with it cutting production back during certain peak times, shifting to different shifts or alternating work days Its kind of like getting back to the bad old days when there was really a systemic lack of [power generation] capacity before 2010, said Gibbs. European businesses are also worried about Chinas energy disruptions, which create an immediate risk to some sectors, such as the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Some fear that the situation will worsen once winter arrives. The EU Chamber of Commerce has pointed out that alternative energy systems of power generation, which include solar and wind energy, are unstable and incapable of competing with coal-based and hydropower plants in terms of stability. As the power crisis looms, the Chinese regime is seeking to attract more foreign capital into the country. However, the government is being selective in the kinds of foreign investments it allows. According to Adam Dunnett, secretary-general at the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, foreign businesses now have to show Beijing that they have something the Chinese regime requires. Moreover, the foreign business should not be a competitor to Beijings needs and interests. The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR says Cameroon continues to be one of the world's most neglected displacement crises, with refugee needs increasing far more quickly than are available resources. The central African country is home to about 500,000 refugees, most of them having fled the troubled Central African Republic and Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria. Raouf Mazou, the UNHCR's assistant high commissioner for operations, says that this week he met with humanitarian agencies and Cameroonian government officials, including Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, to look for ways to reinforce humanitarian actions to help displaced persons and refugees. In August, countries surrounding Lake Chad reported an increase in the number of people displaced in Chad, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Niger. Cameroon said at least 1,500 former Boko Haram militants have arrived on its northern border with Nigeria since May, when the Islamist group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, was declared killed. Cameroon also reported that more than 40 villages were razed and 10,000 citizens fled northern Cameroon to Chad after a violent conflict between herders and fishers in August. Mazou visited Cameroon's Far North region on the border with Nigeria and Chad, where he met with representatives of some 4,000 displaced people in the northern border village of Zamai. Mazou said they desperately need civil registration documents so they can integrate into their new communities. "If there is one thing that is essential, it is the issue of civil registration. They kept on repeating the same thing, they kept on saying our children are here, they cannot go to school. When we asked, Why can't they go to school? one of the key reasons why [is that] we [displaced persons] don't have documents for them [displaced children]. Of course, there is also the issue of the cost. Even if primary education is free, people do have to pay an amount of money, but the issue of documentation for them is absolutely crucial," Mazou said. Speaking to local media, including Cameroon state broadcaster CRTV, Mazou said there are more than a million displaced Cameroonians in the country. The UNHCR says Cameroon, with a population of 26 million, is also home to about 500,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Among the refugees, 120,000 are Nigerian citizens fleeing Boko Haram terrorism, and 321,000 are fleeing violence caused by the political tensions in the Central African Republic. Cameroon says other refugees are from Chad, Senegal, Mali and Niger. Xavier Bourgois, the UNHCR's spokesperson in Cameroon, says the agency has limited means to help people seeking refuge. He said the UNHCR has only 44% of the $100 million it needs to provide emergency humanitarian services for refugees and displaced Cameroonians and to assist host communities that share their already stretched resources with displaced people. In February, Cameroon said 5,000 of the 120,000 Nigerians, mostly women and children, who fled across the border fleeing from Boko Haram terrorists have agreed to voluntarily return to Nigeria. The UNHCR says about 4,500 Nigerians have returned. Those remaining are still worried about their security should they return to Nigeria. Several thousand Central African Republic refugees have also returned to their home country. Cameroon says a majority are still scared of insecurity and violence after the December general elections there. Botswana sent 296 troops to Mozambique Monday to join soldiers from other Southern African Development Community, or SADC, countries. The SADC troops are being deployed for the first time to quell a deadly Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado, Mozambiques northernmost province. President Mokgweetsi Masisi saw off the troops at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in the capital Monday morning. Masisi, who is the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security, said the deployment is part of the regions effort to promote stability in member nation Mozambique. Today, we witness yet another milestone in our set out objectives of propelling the peace agenda through our region in following through on the SADC mandate aimed at facilitating the peaceful conditions in the northern part of the Republic of Mozambique in Cabo Delgado, in particular, he said. Masisi warns the troops to brace for an unconventional war in Cabo Delgado. I am alive to the fact that you will be facing a deceptive enemy which is likely to use asymmetric warfare, unconventional and underhand war tactics against yourself and the population you will be protecting. As professionals, you stand for much more than they do, and you must avoid emulating them and sinking to their level, he said. Botswana becomes the second SADC nation to send troops to Cabo Delgado, after South African soldiers landed in Mozambique last week. Rwanda, which is not a member of the regional 16-member bloc, also sent 1,000 troops earlier this month. Adriano Nuvunga, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development in Maputo, welcomes the arrival of foreign troops but is worried about the coordination of the operation. These are troops from different nations, different cultures (and) different codes of operation. Its a further challenge for Mozambique to coordinate this. Its a further militarization, which can fuel the conflict with consequences for the local communities, for humanitarian situations and abuse of human rights, said Nuvunga. Last month, SADC resolved to send troops to fight Islamist insurgents in the oil-rich Cabo Delgado region. The civil unrest has claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people while an estimated 800,000 people have been displaced. Africa's Sahel region is seeing the worst effects of climate warming anywhere on the planet, according to the United Nations. Farmers bear the brunt of the changes because 80% of the Sahel's economy is agrarian. Art Melody, a musician in Burkina Faso who raps in the local Djula and Moore languages, knows from experience the negative impact on farm production because he is a farmer himself. His songs convey the fear and emotion felt by millions of people across the region because of the impact of global warming. Art Melody says his grandparents have told him the rainy season used to start in April but now can start in July, so there is less rain and more heat. The U.N. says the impact of desertification and drought on farmers is one of several factors causing the Sahel conflict in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Combatants include terror groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida. More than two million people have been displaced because of the fighting, and more than 20,000 people have been killed since 2012, according to data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. "When there's a drought, it's a disaster, it's hell," said Ibrahim Thiaw, executive secretary of the U.N. Convention to Combat Desertification. "When that situation happens, you have two options flight or fight. Either you flee because there is no way you can produce anymore, or you fight with your neighbors for the limited resources that are still there." Conflicts often arise between ethnic groups that traditionally grow crops and those that herd livestock, since land usually cannot be used for both purposes. While that is a major obstacle, new techniques and technologies can help integrate agricultural production with livestock farming through agro-ecological actions, says Marc Gnasonre, a representative of a Burkinabe farmers union. As for Art Melody, his songs attempt to raise awareness of the plight of farmers because, he says, if people's eyes are closed, they will always end up destroying everything, whether it is plants or human relationships. Until the effects of climate change in the Sahel are mitigated, farming will likely get harder and the Sahel's conflict will likely get worse. A recent report found that community leaders in Burkina Faso are exploiting internally displaced women, demanding sex or money in return for food aid. One local official said these reported incidents could be the "tip of the iceberg" in a displacement crisis of 1.3 million people. At an unofficial camp in the Centre North region, IDPs say they do not receive food aid from the state or nonprofits. One woman, who is not being named for her safety, said she has been forced to take desperate measures in order to eat. She said she stayed in the shelters for six months without having enough to eat unless she had sex with people distributing food. Many women in the area, she said, were contracting sexual diseases as a result. She survived in these conditions until her husband came back and they were able to rent a small house. A report last month by The New Humanitarian, a media outlet focusing on humanitarian issues, found that eight IDPs had been forced into sex in exchange for food aid in the Centre North region. "From the reporting that I did and the women that I spoke to, it seemed like everyone knew that this was happening," said Sam Mednick, a reporter with The New Humanitarian. "Few people were really willing to talk about it. The women I spoke to said they knew other women who had also registered for food and were having a hard time finding food assistance and thought they were being propositioned in the same way that they had been either for sex or for money in order to add their names to the registration lists." The report also said an inter-nonprofit system to prevent and address sexual exploitation and abuse is not fully set up. A local official from a town with a large IDP population, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told VOA the size of the sex-for-food scandal is likely much bigger than has been reported so far. He said that there are so many women who approach them to express their concerns, but he does not have the exact number. He estimates between 20 to 30 displaced women have reached out so far. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which provides much of the aid, refused to give an on-camera interview, but did respond to questions via email. Asked why the system for preventing cases of sex-for-food aid had not been properly set up, the response was: "The Government of Burkina Faso, supported by the U.N., has a toll-free number for filing complaints in all cases of sexual or gender-based abuse. Focal points are in place to detect any sign of sexual abuse or exploitation and humanitarian and other workers are trained on their responsibilities and accountability." Burkina Faso's ministry for humanitarian affairs did not respond to VOA's request for comment. As Somalia marks three decades since a dictator fell and chaos engulfed the country, the government is set to hold a troubled national election. Or is it? Two regional states refuse to take part, and time is running out before the February 8 date when mandates expire. A parliament resolution allows President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and lawmakers to remain in office, but going beyond February 8 brings "an unpredictable political situation in a country where we certainly don't need any more of that," U.N. Special Representative James Swan said this week. Amid the campaign billboards and speeches in the capital, Mogadishu, is a sense of frustration as people are urged to support candidates but again cannot directly take part. "Nobody has ever asked us what we want or whom we would choose as president," said Asha Abdulle, who runs a small tea shop. "Every president wants to extend his tenure and at least add one more year, so why can't they make it official and hold elections every five years instead of four?" wondered Abdirisaq Ali Mohamed as he watched TV at a hotel. The uncertainty is ripe for exploitation by the Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist group, which has threatened to attack the polls. Meanwhile, the country is adjusting to the withdrawal of 700 U.S. military personnel, completed in mid-January. A successful election means Somalia's government can move on to address urgent issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, a locust outbreak and hundreds of thousands of people displaced by climate crises such as drought. Despite its insecurity, the Horn of Africa nation has had peaceful changes of leadership every four years since 2000, and it has the distinction of having Africa's first democratically elected president to peacefully step down, Aden Abdulle Osman, in 1967. But the goal of a direct, one-person-one-vote election in Somalia remains elusive. It was meant to take place this time. Instead, the federal government and states agreed on another "indirect election," with senators and members of parliament elected by community leaders delegates of powerful clans in each member state. Members of parliament and senators then elect Somalia's president. Opposition leaders and civil society groups have objected, arguing it leaves them no say in the politics of their own country. Now the regional states of Jubbaland and Puntland have refused to take part, objecting to issues including how electoral management bodies should be appointed and delegates selected. That includes delegates from the breakaway region of Somaliland, which considers itself an independent country though it is not internationally recognized. Jubbaland and Puntland finally appointed electoral commissioners late this week, a sign of progress. "No partial elections or parallel processes," the U.S. Embassy said as it encouraged political leaders to meet on remaining issues. On Saturday, Somalia said the president assured the international community he was willing to "fulfill free, fair and transparent elections." The opposition alliance, which includes two former presidents and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre, has urged the president to let all stakeholders play their rightful roles in the election. "You promised that once president you will be a good Somali elder. You were given to lead a united people in a peaceful way," said one former president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He himself benefited from an extra year in office when elections were not ready. He also warned that Jubbaland and Puntland could go the way of Somaliland, with Somalia's unity at stake. "There's no way that Somalia will go back to the 1990s," Mohamud said of an era in which local warlords ran rampant in Mogadishu and an attempt by the U.S. military to intervene collapsed when the bodies of its soldiers were dragged through the streets. The objecting states have been given plenty of time to take part in the election, said Ibrahim Hassan Haji, an electoral commission member from Southwest state. "Otherwise, we will be forced to go ahead without them and select their quotas of [delegates] from here in Mogadishu," he said. But the head of the local Hiraal Institute think tank, Hussein Sheikh Ali, said holding a partial election would not be tolerated in a country where clans are still "armed to the teeth." Instead, "it is always the 'sixth clan' [the international community] that intervenes" in such crises and a road map is usually agreed upon, added political analyst Liban Abdullahi. The U.N. special representative, however, said any resolution must come from Somali leaders, whom he urged to "be imaginative." He would not say how the international community might respond to a vote that goes ahead without all states involved. Haiti's government published a draft new constitution Wednesday and again promoted the idea that such reform is needed as the country remains mired in crisis since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. "A new constitution would not be a panacea to resolve all of our problems," Prime Minister Ariel Henry said. "But if we manage to agree on this way of organizing governance in a more balanced and efficient way, it will be a point of departure for other agreements on the future of our country. Haitian politicians and everyday people are deeply divided over how their poor and disaster-prone nation should be run right now, as it tries to recover from the killing of Moise in his residence on July 7. The government formed after the assassination, led by Henry, wants general elections to be held as soon as possible, while the opposition says there should be a transitional government for two years. Besides legislative elections -- which actually should have been held in 2018 but were delayed -- and presidential elections, the government wants to push through a constitutional reform that Moise had already begun. The new charter would strengthen the powers of the president, at the expense of parliament. It would do away with the position of prime minister and create a vice presidency, which would be filled at the same time as the president in a single round of voting. Such an arrangement is designed to help Haiti avoid the gridlock it is painfully used to in getting things done: now, every time there is a new government, parliament needs to approve the prime minister's policy agenda, and this is always tied up in endless debate among lawmakers. Defenders of the new constitution say it would help battle the chronic problem of corruption by making it easier to hold trials in regular courts of government officials, cabinet ministers and the president once he or she leaves office. As it stands now, the rarely used procedure for trying such officials is for the lower house of parliament to bring charges and the senate to hold a trial. "Immunity is not synonymous with impunity," said Mona Jean, a lawyer who sits on the committee that drafted the new constitution. "A government job must not be a source of illicit enrichment." Henry did not specify how he thinks the new constitution should be voted on. Moise had proposed a referendum, scheduled by the electoral administration for Nov. 7, but the idea proved controversial, with critics saying it violates the current constitution. It was written in 1987 after the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship and forbids "any popular consultation aimed at modifying the constitution through a referendum." Cash-strapped Southeast Asian countries should look beyond China and its Belt and Road Initiative for economic help as Beijing is seen focusing more domestically, analysts say. Regional governments have looked at the BRI to bolster their economies in coming years, but analysts have told VOA that Chinese generosity and foreign investment have limits and that Beijing is more concerned with shoring up its own economy than with new initiatives to promote post-pandemic growth elsewhere. In recent years we have to say that the development of BRI, for example, the trade like investment, are slowing down. Its not as robust as, lets say, five years ago, Kaho Yu, principal analyst in Asia politics and energy at Verisk Maplecroft in Singapore, said. He said pandemic lockdowns had worsened already significant delays in building infrastructure projects, with geopolitical tensions and anti-Chinese sentiment also affecting investment. The BRI Launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the BRI is the centerpiece of Chinese foreign policy, with investments in 70 countries as well as in international organizations. According to the American Enterprise Institute, signed BRI contracts totaled $46.54 billion by last year with Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries taking the lions share of 36% to be spent on infrastructure projects ranging from highways and ports to railroads and dams. Decades of strong growth ended with the pandemic, though, and all countries suffered steep economic contractions in 2020. A much-vaunted rebound failed to materialize this year as the delta variant took hold. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi toured Indochina last month after ASEAN country ministers held an online BRI summit to discuss new initiatives needed to promote post-pandemic growth. Analyst Yu said BRI would remain a cornerstone of Beijings foreign policy for the foreseeable future and ASEAN, given its proximity to China, was better positioned to win investment dollars than countries in other parts of the world. However, having said that, it is unlikely to see those megaprojects which we have been seeing over the last few years, he said. Problems at home Beijings problems at home have been highlighted by the case of China Evergrande, which has $305 billion worth of liabilities, and regulators warning of a systemic risk to the Chinese economy if its second-largest property developer fails to meet debt obligations. David Totten, managing director of Emerging Markets Consulting, said the pandemic had resulted in Chinese companies taking a big hit in terms of delays to their implementations of planned projects and in terms of their financial situation. So probably a very good time to consolidate, focus on what theyve got, execute, make them successful projects, and expanding into further, more peripheral locations in newer projects perhaps should take a backseat for the time being, he said. Beijing has also announced it will cease building coal-burning power plants abroad. The decision could affect 44 coal plants totaling $50 billion earmarked for Chinese state financing, Global Energy Monitor, a U.S. think tank, told Reuters. I think youre going to see some rocky periods ahead as Chinas industrial development, economic development, is retooled, analyst Keith Loveard said. The statement that they will not fund overseas coal-fired power stations, he said, is quite a game changer for Indonesia, a country for which coal remains a major foreign exchange earner. Need to diversify In August, ASEAN granted dialogue partner status -- meaning higher-level access to the groups summits -- to Britain, which is redefining itself after Brexit.Britain is the first country afforded that privilege in 25 years, joining 10 others, including Australia, China, Russia the European Union and the United States. The Biden administration has bolstered U.S. efforts in Southeast Asia, in part, as a means of countering China, and could move forward on the US-ASEAN Expanded Economic Engagement Initiative to promote increased trade, investment, and economic cooperation. Initially launched in Cambodia in 2012 it was part of then-U.S. President Barack Obamas pivot to Asia policy, as he sought to make this region a higher strategic priority. The sensible thing for ASEAN would probably be to diversify their international relationships, perhaps hope that the recent change at the White House in America opens up further opportunities for them to build those partnerships, Totten said. However, the blocs relevance is being challenged by outside alliances as relations between China and Western nations hit their lowest ebb since the Cold War amid Beijings the South China Sea claims. That includes a revised Indo-Pacific strategy with groups like the Quad Australia, India, Japan and the US emerging to further counter expanding Chinese interests, which Beijing would like to see protected by its chief ASEAN ally, Cambodia, when Phnom Penh assumes the ASEAN chair next year. Analysts said that puts ASEAN countries in a difficult position where they will have to balance their own interests between China and the West as everyone emerges from the pandemic. Obviously ASEAN has taken a big hit with COVID but I think generally everybody looks forward to a resolution of that situation but in the meantime, its been economically very expensive for them all, Totten said. Burkina Faso on Friday suspended the Norwegian Refugee Council from conducting humanitarian aid work in the country, citing critical interviews given to the media, including VOA. In a letter from Helene Marie Laurence Ilboudo-Marchal, minister for humanitarian affairs, the government cited interviews that NRC representatives had carried out with Voice of America and the French newspaper Le Monde as its reason for suspending the groups activities. The NRC said in a statement Friday that it was working in dialogue with the government to address any concerns they may have in order to resume respectful and collaborative relations, and our humanitarian work. The NRCs earlier interviews included claims that the government has been slow to register internally displaced people, citing a group of about 500 IDPs in the city of Ouahigouya who they said had been waiting weeks for registration and had not received aid. The NRC also made a plea to the government to allow it to step in and assist with registration. Government's defense In an exclusive interview with VOA this week, Bakouan Yipene Florent, a spokesperson for the ministry of humanitarian affairs, rejected the claims that the IDPs in Ouahigouya had not received aid. He said that going back to the point of IDP registration, as soon as they arrived at the site in Ouahigouya on June 12, a team was deployed immediately and handled the enumeration process. Florent noted that IDPs are registered only after they have been officially counted and some initial aid is provided, including food and $100 for each family. He said the government had put in place a two-month plan for assistance for the group of IDPs. When theres an influx of IDPs, Florent said, they can't be registered because traumatized people can't immediately answer necessary questions. When the first assistance ends and there has been psychological support, registration can proceed, he said. Conflict with extremists, bandits There are 1.3 million IDPs in Burkina Faso, which has been embroiled in a six-year conflict with armed groups linked to Islamic State, al-Qaida and local bandits. The U.N. has called it the worlds fastest-growing humanitarian crisis. Refugee advocacy groups have criticized the government recently because of a ban it placed on journalists visiting official IDP sites. The government said the ban was aimed at protecting the dignity of IDPs and the safety of journalists. Daouda Diallo, of the Collective Against Impunity and the Stigmatization of Communities, a Burkinabe human rights group, criticized the suspension of the NRC in an interview with VOA. He said the decision showed a disregard for the fate of civilian populations that benefit from the NGO's work. The letter from the humanitarian minister said the country was doing its best to assist IDPs under difficult circumstances. During the three-day World Internet Conference held in Wuzhen, China, this week, the country's biggest tech tycoons rushed to show their support for Beijing's "common prosperity" initiative. Their enthusiasm for the initiative comes amid a yearlong crackdown on the country's tech industry, where several high-profile companies have faced investigations and fines. Formerly high-flying celebrity CEOs are now keeping a low profile. Daniel Zhang, CEO at e-commerce giant Alibaba group, said his company's donation of $15 billion to the initiative over the next five years represented its willingness to help China achieve its goal of prosperity for all. Zhou Hongyi, billionaire entrepreneur and chairman and CEO of the country's largest Internet security firm, Qihoo 360, said his company will donate an as yet undisclosed sum to the initiative and step up to help smaller firms thrive. Stressing the need to develop these enterprises, Zhou said, "Our success depends on our country's policies. We must take the initiative to align our development with our national strategies and serve our country with science and technology." Lei Jun, CEO of consumer electronics manufacturer Xiaomi, said that technological development must be used to achieve social good and that tech companies should help build a good life for everyone. Other tech giants, such as technology conglomerate Tencent, online agricultural marketplace Pinduoduo and food delivery platform Meituan, answered Beijing's call before the Sept. 26-28 gathering, pledging financial support for social causes. 'Common prosperity' initiative During his first eight years in office, Chinese President Xi Jinping occasionally mentioned the term "common prosperity." Since February, when he declared China had eliminated poverty, "common prosperity" has become one of his favorite themes. At a meeting of the Communist Party's Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs on Aug. 17, Xi stressed that those who are already rich need to guide and help others achieve prosperity. "Common prosperity means prosperity for all, not just a few people," Xi said, according to a meeting note published by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency. "We can allow some to get rich first, but we must then launch a scientific public policy to make sure every citizen can have their fair share." Central to achieving common prosperity is a concept known as the three distributions, first introduced by the Chinese economist Li Yining in the 1990s. According to the explanation from China's National Development and Reform Commission, the first distribution of wealth comes through market competition. The second is achieved through the state via taxes, subsidies and social welfare programs. The third distribution taps enterprises and individuals to redistribute their wealth through voluntary donations. 'Third distribution' "The target of this round of the common prosperity initiative is the wallet of wealthy domestic entrepreneurs," said Lu Jun, founder of the influential nongovernmental organization Beijing Yirenping Center, in a phone interview with VOA Mandarin. His NGO focuses on eliminating discrimination and defending the rights of disadvantaged groups. Wang Hsin-Hsien, a political science professor and chair of the East Asian Studies Institute at National Cheng-Chi University in Taiwan, told VOA Mandarin that businesses are essentially forced to make charity donations under the current system. "China's current common prosperity initiative is controlled by the party-state. That means large enterprises must make donations in order to show that they are choosing the right side. So I don't think these donations will be voluntary," he told VOA Mandarin via phone. "This is not the charitable donation we see in Western countries, because eventually the money will be returned to the state for redistribution," he added. Meanwhile, analysts say this new wave of donation will not likely help boost China's civil society. NGOs under microscope China has been tightening its grip on NGOs since 2016, demanding they provide specific funding sources and membership information or face being banned. This year, China announced a new wave of crackdowns targeting NGOs. In May, the Ministry of Civil Affairs started to target "illegal NGOs with measures such as limiting their access to conference venues, publicity resources and manpower," according to the state-owned news outlet China Daily. "The moves were part of a sweeping campaign launched last month by the ministry and 21 other central agencies to clamp down on the unregistered NGOs, which have masqueraded as foundations, industrial associations and other nongovernmental groups to rake in money from the public," China Daily said. Lu told VOA Mandarin that the NGOs that can survive or get funding will be those that align their goals with the government's agenda unlike many NGOs outside China, whose views diverge from those of the government. "I don't think this is necessarily good news for NGOs, as I believe the money donated by private companies will go to the government-run or government-affiliated NGOs," he said of the third distribution. "Beijing won't allow companies to donate to independent NGOs freely, let alone the ones they don't like, such as NGOs working on human rights, labor rights and women's rights." At the virtual COVID-19 summit on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly last week, U.S. President Joe Biden announced an additional donation of 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to low-income and lower-middle-income countries, bringing total U.S. pledged donations to 1.1 billion shots. "I made and I'm keeping the promise that America will become the arsenal of vaccines as we were the arsenal of democracy during World War II," Biden said at the summit. Here are some facts and context surrounding that claim. How many doses has the US pledged and shipped? Of the 1.1 billion doses the U.S. has promised, nearly 172 million have been shipped to more than 100 countries, according to the State Department. Most are distributed via COVAX, the global vaccine-sharing initiative co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the World Health Organization; and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and some through bilateral agreements. This makes the U.S. the global leader in both pledged and shipped doses, according to data compiled by the Duke Global Health Innovation Center as of October 1. The next-largest pledges come from the European Union (500 million), France (120 million), and the United Kingdom, Germany and China (100 million each). Countries that have shipped the most donations after the U.S. are China (47 million), EU (33.8 million), Japan (21.5 million) and Germany (9.9 million). The 1.1 billion doses pledged is in line with the administration's commitment to donate three shots for every shot administered domestically. So far, 392 million shots have been given in the U.S. The question is when the U.S. will deliver on the rest of its commitment of almost 1 billion doses. "The claim about being an arsenal of vaccines for the world is a great talking point," said Krishna Udayakumar, founding director of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center. "It would be great to see put into action." The U.S. has shipped only 15% of the 1.1 billion doses it has promised. It is lagging behind other countries with considerably less ambitious donation goals, including China (46%), Japan (30%) and the EU (25%). When and to whom will the rest be shipped? The White House said 200 million more doses would go out by year's end, and the remaining 800 million will be sent by September 2022. "The world can't wait that long," said Matthew Kavanagh, director of the Global Health Policy and Politics Initiative at Georgetown University. He said the U.S. should be ramping up shipments now, particularly if it wants to meet its target to support the WHO's goal of having at least 70% of the world's population fully vaccinated in every country and income category by September 2022. The administration has not provided a plan identifying the countries slated for future shipments. Jeremy Konyndyk, executive director of the U.S. Agency for International Development's COVID-19 Task Force, said countries already signed up with COVAX and ready to receive and distribute the vaccines would be first in line. Those that are not will be supplied with vaccines as their capacity to receive them grows. "It's really hard to project over that full time period where any individual country will shake out," Konyndyk said. "We're kind of working it out and making adjustments as we go along depending on how the pandemic evolves." How much surplus does the US have? The administration does not make public the number of doses it has in reserve and those it has secured for domestic needs in the production pipelines of vaccine manufacturers. The numbers are constantly in flux, an administration official told VOA. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 82 million doses have been distributed across the country but not yet administered. Humanitarian organizations allege that the U.S. is sitting on an even larger stockpile. "They must now get these doses and more of the 593 million excess doses the U.S. will have by the end of the year out the door and into the arms of people in low- and middle-income countries," said Dr. Carrie Teicher, director of programs for Doctors Without Borders USA, responding to Biden's announcement of an additional 500 million doses. Data compiled by analytics company Airfinity on COVID-19 vaccine stock in the U.S., EU, U.K., Canada and China countries with the biggest surpluses show an excess of close to 670 million doses by the end of September. This projection factored in those countries offering booster shots to people 12 and older six months after their second doses. Airfinity data also predict that 241 million doses of vaccines stockpiled in the Group of Seven leading industrial nations will expire by December without immediate redistribution. Is the global vaccine shortage a question of production capacity or distribution? Airfinity data show vaccine manufacturers currently produce 1.5 billion doses per month. It forecasts a total global production of 12.2 billion doses for 2021, of which 6.5 billion are Western vaccines and 5.7 billion are Chinese. This would mean the goal set by the WHO of 11.3 billion doses required to vaccinate the world's population could be achieved in months, providing wealthy nations do not continue to cushion their reserves to provide booster shots and guard against new variants before lower-income countries get their first shots. "Wealthy countries bought up most of the world's supply of vaccines and have not moved fast enough in creating a global plan to get these vaccines delivered and distributed where they are needed around the world," said Sarah Swinehart, spokesperson for the ONE Campaign, an organization formed to fight poverty and preventable diseases. High-income countries have now administered almost 100 doses for every 100 people, while low-income countries have administered just 1.5 doses, according to the WHO. If there is high production capacity, why aren't producers exporting them? "If we're going to be the arsenal of vaccines, we actually have to export vaccines, not just donate them once in a while," said Udayakumar of the Duke Global Health Innovation Center. Separate from the doses donated by the administration, American vaccine producers have exported 161 million doses for sale, far below China (1.1 billion) and the EU (nearly 800 million). Most exports still go to higher-income countries, and some export restrictions are still in place. This week, the EU extended a mechanism to potentially limit vaccine exports until the end of 2021 because of the bloc's need to secure booster shots. India, the world's largest manufacturer of vaccines, stopped exports in April to focus on inoculating its own population as infections surged. It will resume exports in October. The WHO is also urging scaling up manufacturing through technology transfer. In June, it announced the first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub, to be set up in South Africa. The world health body also called for the so-called Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement waiver, or TRIPS waiver, the suspension of intellectual property rights for vaccines at the World Trade Organization, so that countries can access vaccine "recipes" and produce their own without fear of legal action. The TRIPS waiver proposal, submitted by South Africa and India in October 2020, is supported by more than 100 countries, 100 Nobel laureates and prominent human rights groups, but it cannot move forward without the consensus of all WTO members. The EU, U.K. and Switzerland oppose the waiver. Didn't the US support the TRIPS waiver? We have not seen the full weight of the U.S. diplomatic corps engaging on this topic, said Matthew Rose, director of U.S. policy and advocacy for the Health Global Access Project. "In multiple TRIPS council meetings, the U.S. has been mostly silent in reaching a consensus and moving the council to text-based negotiations," he said. In May, the U.S. said it broadly supported the proposal to waive TRIPS, but it has since declined to support the proposal as it is, in effect helping prolong negotiations. Instead of leading, the Biden administration has largely stayed on the sidelines of TRIPS negotiations, said Abby Maxman, president and CEO of Oxfam America, an organization aiming to end global poverty. "We cannot vaccinate 70% of the world with the same tools that have vaccinated only 1% of Africa so far." The office of U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who is leading the TRIPS waiver negotiations at the WTO, did not respond to a request for comment. The TRIPS waiver received little attention at the COVID-19 summit that Biden convened. Except for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, no other leaders from wealthy nations, including Biden, mentioned it in their remarks. White House press secretary Jen Psaki told VOA that the administration expects TRIPS waiver negotiations to be a lengthy process and that it has "never been the only basket that we're focused on." VOA's Nike Ching contributed to this report. Editor's note: This story has been updated to add the EU's share of donated vaccines. Polls closed Saturday in Georgian municipal elections, a day after the dramatic arrest of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, who called from police custody for the country's "peaceful transition to a genuine democracy." The detention on Friday of Georgia's foremost opposition figure upon his return from exile raised the stakes in the polls seen as a key test for the increasingly unpopular Georgian Dream ruling party. In comments to AFP through a representative, who visited him in prison on Saturday, Saakashvili said, "Georgia needs a peaceful transition towards a genuine democracy where political opponents are not locked up on falsified charges or forced into exile." "I am not seeking any political office. I am just determined to fight to the end against the oligarchic rule which kills Georgian democracy," he said. He was likely referring to former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, a powerful oligarch and ruling party founder who is widely believed to be calling the shots in Georgia despite holding no political office. The founder of Georgia's main opposition party, the United National Movement (UNM), and president from 2004 to 2013, Saakashvili, 53, said Friday that he had returned from Ukraine, where he heads a Ukrainian government agency steering reforms. The flamboyant pro-Western reformer, who in 2003 led the peaceful "Rose Revolution" that ousted Communist-era elites and still commands a fiercely loyal following, was detained shortly after his arrival in connection with a 2018 conviction in absentia on abuse-of-office charges. He has denied wrongdoing and denounced his sentence of six years in jail as politically motivated. Following his arrest, he went on a hunger strike, Georgia's rights ombudsperson said. 'We are all equal' Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili defended the decision to detain Saakashvili, saying that "we are all equal before the law, political leaders and ordinary citizens." Both the ruling party and the opposition said after polls closed at 1600 GMT that they were set to win the elections. Turnout stood at 41% by 5 p.m. (1300 GMT), said the central election commission, which was expected to start releasing vote results on Sunday. Standing in a long queue of voters outside a polling station in central Tbilisi on Saturday afternoon, painter Luka Samushia, 27, said: "It will be difficult for the government to falsify vote results if the turnout is high. "They must go. They can't jail Saakashvili and remain in power," he added. The municipal elections were being watched inside and outside Georgia for signs of the ruling party backsliding on democracy. Critics have accused Georgian Dream in power since 2012 of using criminal prosecutions to punish political opponents and journalists. Interpol turned down requests from Tbilisi to issue a red notice against Saakashvili. Opposition parties decried widespread fraud and refused to take their seats after last October's parliamentary elections, which Georgian Dream won narrowly. They have since staged mass protests, demanding snap polls. The EU mediated an interparty agreement in May, under which Georgian Dream pledged to hold a snap parliamentary vote if it won less than 43% in Saturday's local elections. The ruling party withdrew from the pact in July, but the European Union and the United States urged the EU-aspirant country's government to implement the agreement that envisages sweeping political and judiciary reforms. Saakashvili insists the deal remains in place. With concerns mounting in the West over the ruling party's democratic credentials, the United States has hinted at possible sanctions against Georgian Dream officials. Greece has rejected a request by the European Union to set up an independent process to monitor border controls and illegal migration. The Greek snub is said to have infuriated Brussels, which has been extremely critical of Athens for its alleged illegal practice of migrant pushbacks. The rejection could imperil millions of dollars in financial support that Greece needs to boost its capabilities in fending off illegal migration. That is especially true as Europe braces for a wave of Afghan migrants streaming to the West after the Taliban takeover. Asked in parliament, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis offered a blunt response about whether he would allow the EU to establish an independent watchdog to monitor border controls and illegal migration. He said that while the government in Athens was open to discussing the formation of independent monitoring committees on migration across the EU, Greece alone was not willing, as he put it, to go it alone. Mitarakis said that to create such a watchdog that would oversee how Greece is fending off illegal migrants and whether illegal pushbacks are taking place is not among the governments priorities. There is no such issue, he insisted. He asserted it is Greeces sovereign right to defend its border as it sees fit. Greece has increased patrols along the Aegean Sea coast and erected a massive steel wall along its land frontiers with Turkey to fend off a fresh deluge of migrants. Greek leaders also are considering setting up floating barriers along the Aegean waterway that divides Greece and Turkey. And with the West bracing for a new migrant exodus from Afghanistan, Athens says it is preparing a major media blitz to make known that it is no longer allowing free passage to illegal entries. Reports from the U.N., humanitarian aid organizations and migrants are documenting the increasing numbers of migrants that are being turned away often using nefarious practices such as pushbacks. Senior U.N. officials in Greece contacted by VOA said at least 450 cases of illegal pushbacks had been documented this year cases they say have been submitted to a local prosecutor to investigate. Aid groups put the number much higher. The Norwegian-based Aegean Boat Report, which counts such activity, said Saturday it had documented 700 pushbacks since March 20, 2020. Thats a total of 19,200 people it claims authorities have repelled, either nudging their rafts out of Greek waters or at times stripping the motors from their boats, leaving migrants and refugees adrift in high seas. Forcing migrants to turn around is a serious breach of international law, violating asylum seekers' right to safe passage and protection. Croatia, France, Spain, and Italy all European Union member states that face similar migration challenges also have been accused of engaging in unlawful, sometimes violent pushbacks. But in Greece, U.N. officials and aid groups warn the practice is not just routine, it also is being conducted in a more ruthless way with masked agents picking up migrants and refugees who have illegally crossed into Greece, and then tossing them back into life rafts, towed across the Aegean Sea and sent back to Turkey. With the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan spurring new waves of migration to the West, aid agency officials tell VOA they are concerned illegal pushbacks may become excessive. EU officials in Athens were not available for comment. But local media reported that migration officials in Brussels were enraged with Greeces refusal to allow monitors. Local media also reported the EU is set on freezing some $17.4 million in aid to help revamp Greeces coast guard with new equipment and vessels. Since surging to power in 2019, Greeces center-right government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has adopted a stiffer stance on illegal migration a policy that has seen migrant inflows drop by a dramatic 90% in that two-year period. With inflows of Afghans steadily increasing, the government in Athens insists it will not let up regardless of the cost. Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who led last month's coup in Guinea, promised to respect the country's international commitments while transitioning to civilian rule as he was sworn in as interim president on Friday. Doumbouya, who led the overthrow of President Alpha Conde on September 5, was sworn in by Supreme Court head Mamadou Sylla for a transition period of unspecified length. The new interim president spoke of his commitment that neither he nor any member of the junta would stand in any future elections that the military has promised to organize after the transition period. His administration's mission, he said, is to "re-found the state" by drafting a new constitution, fighting corruption, reforming the electoral system and then organizing "free, credible and transparent" elections. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Supreme Court with local personalities and foreign envoys in attendance, including the Chinese and Russian ambassadors, as well as Doumbouya's wife and mother. Later Friday, in a message to the nation read on television, Doumbouya said that "in the coming days a prime minister will be appointed and then a government as well as various organs of the transition." He also announced the creation of a body to fight corruption. Many Western nations limited their presence at the swearing-in to lower-rank diplomats. Doumbouya again said nothing about how long he will remain the interim leader of the impoverished West African nation. But he promised to "respect all the national and international commitments to which the country has subscribed." Before the swearing-in, Supreme Court president Sylla compared Doumbouya's task to piloting a ship "loaded with many painful events, numerous demands and immense and urgent expectations". He urged the new leader not to let himself be diverted "by the force of the waves of demagogy and the storm of the personality cult." The ceremony was held on the eve of a public holiday celebrating the 1958 declaration of independence from France. Doumbouya, 41, will serve as transitional president until the country returns to civilian rule, according to a blueprint unveiled by the junta on Monday that does not mention a timeline. Until then he retains the right to hire, and fire, an interim prime minister. The September 5 coup, the latest bout of turbulence in one of Africa's most volatile countries, saw the overthrow of 83-year-old president Conde. The deposed leader is being held at an undisclosed location. Conde became Guinea's first democratically elected president in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015. But last year he pushed through a controversial new constitution that allowed him to run for a third term in October 2020. The move sparked mass demonstrations in which dozens of protesters were killed. Conde won re-election but the political opposition maintained the poll was a sham. The turbulence has sparked deep concern among Guinea's neighbors. The coup is the second to take place in the region, after Mali, in less than 13 months. The region's bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is demanding that elections be held within six months and that Conde be released. Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world, despite abundant reserves of minerals including iron ore, gold and diamonds. Since Chinas government declared all cryptocurrency transactions illegal last week and banned citizens from working for crypto-related companies, the price of bitcoin went up despite being shut out of one of its biggest markets. Experts say large-scale Chinese miners of cryptocurrency the likes of Bitcoin and Ethereum will take their high-powered, electricity-guzzling servers offshore. Exchanges of the digital money and the numerous Chinese startups linked to the trade also are expected to rebase offshore after dropping domestic customers from their rosters. The shift highlights how virtual currencies can evade government regulation. The exchanges have been pushing offshore anyways, and with the exchange business you need cloud infrastructure, you need developers, you need management to move things in the right direction, and so whether that is sitting in Taipei, San Francisco, Singapore or Shanghai, it doesnt really matter those businesses are very virtual, said Zennon Kapron, Singapore-based founder the financial consulting firm Kapronasia. The real impact weve probably seen though is in the miners, and most of those miners [are in] the process of shifting overseas or [have] already completed moving overseas, he said. Strongest anti-crypto action to date On Sept. 24, the Peoples Bank of China, Beijings monetary authority, released a statement saying cryptocurrencies lack the status of other monetary instruments. The notice, issued in tandem with nine other government agencies, including the Bureau of Public Security, declared all related business illegal and warned that cryptocurrency transactions originating outside China will also be treated as crimes. Explaining the ban, Chinas official Xinhua News Agency reported Friday that cryptocurrencies have disrupted the controlled economys financial systems and contributed to crimes such as money laundering. Cryptocurrencies digital commerce tools that arent linked to a centralized banking authority first appeared in China around 2008. Chinese banks began to prohibit the use of digital currencies in 2013 and stepped up regulations after 2016. China was the worlds biggest Bitcoin miner and supported the largest exchange by volume, according to the news website CryptoVantage. It says many of those who suddenly made millions when Bitcoin prices soared four years ago were in China. Chinese miners and traders head to Singapore The Chinese ban carries penalties for international exchanges that do business with people inside China, and news reports indicate international crypto exchanges are trying to cut ties with Chinese clients in recent days. But the companies themselves are largely staying quiet. A spokesperson for digital currency exchange Coinbase said Wednesday it does not have anything to share at this time about the crackdown in China. U.S.-based Worldcoin Global, a new type of cryptocurrency, did not reply to a request for comment. Chinas growing pressure on crypto over the past few years had prompted stakeholders to leave the country, Kapron said, adding that less than a quarter of the country's original cryptocurrency peer-to-peer lending startups small firms that connect individual lenders and borrowers remain in China. Mining for digital currency the process of using computers to enter bitcoins into circulation and verify cryptocurrency transactions in exchange for a payout should get easier overseas as Chinese exit the market, Kapron said. Smaller operators, he added, may be able to mine more easily without the competition of giant Chinese operations. Singapore looms as a prime go-to place for operations that need not be physically onshore. The country had accepted about 300 cryptocurrency license applications as of July. From China, e-commerce giant Alibaba as well as digital financial firms Yillion Group and Hande Group have applied, news reports in Asia say. Other Asian countries lack the legal welcome mat that Singapore has extended, said Jason Hsu, vice president of the Taiwan Fintech Association industry group. Where would that money flow to? I think its a question that needs to be answered, Hsu said. I think in Asia, Singapore would be a destination for them to go to. Singapore obviously has the clearest regulations and also wants to attract more digital fintech [financial-technology] companies. Outside Asia, Amsterdam and Frankfurt are establishing their footprint as international centers for financial technology, said Rajiv Biswas, Asia Pacific chief economist with market research firm IHS Markit. Financial technology covers cryptocurrency. Western Europe ranked this year as the worlds biggest crypto economy in the world with inflows of more than $1 trillion or 25% of all global trade, activity, news and data service Chainalysis says. Europes surge follows similarly rapid growth in 2020. Eventual resurgence for crypto in China? Authorities in China are targeting crypto now as part of a wider crackdown on overnight riches and to clean out the wild, wild West, Hsu said, referring to largely unregulated market sectors. The trade will go underground for now, he forecasts, and China will eventually come out with an official digital currency issued through major banks. Several countries are considering adopting new digital currencies that would allow people to exchange money without an intermediary, such as a bank. Proponents argue these currencies could capture the benefits of cryptocurrencies that make exchanging money easy, but without the price volatility of decentralized digital assets like bitcoin. Chinese authorities may eventually swing to a more tolerant view of non-state-sanctioned digital currencies, though subject to strict criteria on whats legal or otherwise, said Song Seng Wun, economist in the private banking unit of Malaysian bank CIMB. Blockchain, the core technology behind the public transaction ledger that makes crypto commerce transparent, could continue to develop in China for other ends, he added. Auwal checked his two guns before another night of patrolling his village in Nigerias northwestern state of Kaduna. I have decided to arm myself with these guns to protect my family because the government has failed to keep us safe, said Auwal, whose real name like those of other volunteers and of the village itself is not disclosed here for security reasons. Auwal belongs to a volunteer youth patrol trying to protect the community from criminal gangs so-called bandits who swoop in on motorcycles to kidnap people, steal livestock and otherwise spread terror. With abductions and violent attacks rampant in northern Nigeria, some civilians like Auwal have grown impatient with government security forces inability to protect them and have taken up arms themselves. Kaduna state is at the epicenter of violence that has traumatized Nigeria, Africas most populous country. Kidnapping for ransom has surged, with Kadunas government reporting 1,723 people kidnapped in the first six months of 2021, compared with nearly 2,000 for the entire previous year. Many of the bandit attacks have been deadly, with at least 545 people killed from January through June. Buhari's pledge The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, elected in 2015 after campaigning to improve security, has faced criticism for the rising violence. In early September, Buhari ordered security agencies to step up their efforts to protect the public, especially in the besieged north. Separately, several states Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina in September began trying to curb bandit gangs by banning motorcycle use, limiting petrol sales and interrupting telecommunications service. Meanwhile, some communities have become increasingly self-reliant. Aliyu, another young man in Auwals village, said rising insecurity compelled him to join the patrols, which sometimes get donations of weapons and money from elders and other neighbors. This has become necessary to keep our families safe, Aliyu said. Cattle rustlers and kidnappers have been terrorizing us. They are killing us, too. We cant fold our arms and allow this to continue. Nasiru Sanis support for community patrols came after an attack on his familys compound one night in December. Through the window, I saw six people with guns. They shouted, We are Boko Haram. We will kill you if you dont open the door, Sani said. They put their guns through my window and started firing into the room. I held one of the guns, but they overpowered me. They shot me several times. The 40-year-old spoke from the Kaduna hospital where he was treated in January for multiple gunshot wounds. While recovering, Sani also was trying to free his pregnant wife. They kidnapped my wife, Sani said, and demanded a ransom of 500,000 naira just over $1,200. We raised the money and sent someone to deliver it. But they abducted the messenger, too, and asked for more money. Sanis wife finally was released in late February, after he paid a total of 1 million naira, or more than $2,400. She gave birth to a son in March. Risks of civilian patrols When communities resort to armed civilian patrols, members often are risking their lives. In Kaduna state, bandits killed at least four vigilantes in Dande village in May and another five in Udawa community in September, according to local media reports. In neighboring Niger state, bandits killed 30 vigilantes in a single incident in June. Sometimes, patrols suffer self-inflicted wounds. Neighborhood patrols say theyve been getting guns through back channels, especially after a 2019 federal ban on civilian gun ownership. But those weapons can be defective, as a man named Jafar explained. His homemade gun unexpectedly discharged during patrol, wounding his hand. Nonetheless, Jafar reasoned, Its better to sustain this injury than to be kidnapped from my house. Kidnappers may demand a ransom that I cannot afford. Armed civilian patrols have been accused of vigilante justice, including summary executions. In Niger state alone, at least 86 people were arbitrarily killed in the first four months of 2021, according to the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, a group representing ethnic Fulani herders. Security analysts have attributed most kidnapping attacks to young, nomadic Fulani men, fueling anti-Fulani sentiment that has exposed others to random attacks. Fatalities have been reported in other parts of the country, too. The federal ban on civilian gun ownership is reinforced by Kaduna state law, said the states security commissioner, Samuel Aruwan. He said violators face prosecution. It is illegal to possess firearms without a license, he said. There is no justification for individuals or citizens to take arms against fellow citizens. If you feel someone is threatening you, you should report to security agencies. Contrary view In August, northern Katsina states Governor Aminu Bello called for civilians to arm themselves against so-called outlaws. But some security experts say arming civilians escalates problems. In certain instances, community leaders or militia leaders distribute weapons, security expert Kabir Adamu told VOAs Hausa Service. The consequence is it further drives the conflict. This report originated in VOAs Hausa Service. A local jihadist leader and 18 fighters were killed during a military strike on their base in Mozambique's insurgency-hit north, a bloc of southern African nations said Saturday. Al-Qaida-linked jihadists have been terrorizing Mozambique's gas-rich Cabo Delgado region since 2017, raiding villages and towns in a bid to establish a caliphate. Local jihadist leader Rajab Awadhi Ndanjile was killed along with 18 other fighters in an offensive on September 25 on the militants' base in the Nangade district of Cabo Delgado, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional grouping said. Many members of the 16-nation bloc have deployed troops in Mozambique to fight the insurgents. SADC said Ndanjile recruited and indoctrinated fighters and was involved in the first attack in the region and "subsequent attacks on villages" as well as the "abduction of women and children." In July, Rwanda sent 1,000 troops to Mozambique, the first country to do so. Several other SADC members followed suit. South Africa has deployed nearly 1,500 soldiers in the neighboring country. The insurgency has killed more than 3,300 people half of them civilians and displaced at least 800,000 from their homes over the past four years. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will hold talks with United States' Secretary of State Antony Blinken on October 5. The two will aim to work on restoring confidence between the two countries, said a statement issued by Le Drian's office. Diplomatic relations between the United States and France hit a low point last month, after Australia cancelled a previous $40 billion submarine deal with France to build instead at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology. In retaliation, France briefly withdrew its ambassador to the United States, although the envoy has since returned to Washington. U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron have already held talks since the row over the submarine deal, pledging to begin "in-depth consultations" on bilateral relations. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei demanded "action, not words" from the United States if it wants to revive Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, challenging new U.S. President Joe Biden to take the first step toward a thaw. Iran has set a deadline of next week for Biden to begin reversing sanctions imposed by his predecessor, Donald Trump, or it will take its biggest step yet to breach the deal banning short-notice inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog. "We have heard many nice words and promises, which in practice have been broken and opposite actions have been taken," Khamenei said in a televised speech. "Words and promises are no good. This time [we want] only action from the other side, and we will also act." The United States on Wednesday urged Tehran to reverse and refrain from steps harming its pledges under the accord. Biden aims to restore the pact under which Iran agreed to curbs on its disputed uranium enrichment program in return for the lifting of sanctions, a major achievement of the Obama administration that Trump scrapped in 2018, calling the deal one-sided in Iran's favor and reimposing a wide range of sanctions. Iran and the United States are at odds over who should make the first step to revive the accord. Iran says the United States must first lift Trump's sanctions while Washington says Tehran must first return to compliance with the deal, which it began violating after Trump launched his "maximum-pressure" campaign. Highlighting the urgency of a diplomatic solution to the standoff, German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a rare phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in which she urged Tehran to take steps ensuring its return to full compliance. "It is now time for positive signals that create trust and increase the chances of a diplomatic solution," Merkel told Rouhani, according to a statement by the chancellor's spokesman. Iran has accelerated its breaches of the deal's restrictions in recent months, culminating in an announcement that it will end snap inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Feb. 23. Such inspections, which can range anywhere beyond Iran's declared nuclear sites, are mandated under the IAEA's "Additional Protocol" that Iran agreed to honor under the deal. It signed up to the Protocol in 2003 but has not ratified it. U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a press briefing that Washington was aware of Tehran's plan to cease snap inspections. "As we and partners have underscored, Iran should reverse these steps and refrain from taking others that would impact the IAEA assurances," Price said, adding: "The path for diplomacy remains open." More advanced centrifuges on tap An IAEA report on Wednesday said Iran had informed the IAEA of plans to install more of its advanced IR-2m centrifuges at its main underground enrichment plant at Natanz, in a further move apparently meant to pile pressure on Washington. The IAEA reported on Feb. 1 that Iran had brought a second cascade, or cluster, of IR-2m machines online at Natanz, and was installing two more. The 2015 deal says Iran can only enrich with far less efficient, first-generation IR-1 centrifuges. Iran recently began enriching uranium to 20% fissile purity at another site, Fordow, well above its previous level of 4.5% and the deal's 3.67% limit, though still well below the 90% that is weapons grade. Iran had enriched to 20% before the deal. Refining uranium to high levels of fissile purity is a potential pathway to nuclear bombs, though Iran has long said it its enrichment program is for peaceful energy purposes only. European parties to the deal, which have called on Tehran not to halt snap inspections, will discuss the issue with the United States on Thursday, the French Foreign Ministry said. Rouhani played down the importance of the snap inspections, saying that ending them would not be a "significant step," as Iran would still comply with obligations under a so-called Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA. "We will end the implementation of the Additional Protocol on February 23 and what will be implemented will be based on the safeguards," Rouhani said at a televised cabinet meeting. "The Additional Protocol is a step beyond safeguards." Iran's envoy to the IAEA said on Wednesday that the agency's director general, Rafael Grossi, would visit Tehran on Saturday to discuss the country's plan to scale back cooperation with inspectors next week. After enduring a decade of war in Syria, Boshra al-Moallem and her two sisters seized their chance to flee. Her brother, who escaped years earlier to Belgium, had saved enough money for their trip, and word was spreading online that a new migration route into Europe had opened through Belarus. But the journey proved terrifying and nearly deadly. Al-Moallem became trapped at the border of Belarus and Poland for 20 days and was pushed back and forth between armed guards from each side in an area of swamps. She endured cold nights, mosquitoes, hunger and terrible thirst. Only after she collapsed from exhaustion and dehydration did Polish guards finally take her to a hospital. I didnt expect this to happen to us. They told us its really easy to go to Europe, to find your life, to run [from] war, the 48-year-old said as she recovered this week in a refugee center in eastern Poland. I didnt imagine I would live another war between the borders." Al-Moallem is one of thousands of people who traveled to Belarus in recent weeks and were then pushed across the border by Belarusian guards. The European Union has condemned the Belarusian actions as a form of hybrid war against the bloc. Originally from Homs, Al-Moallem was displaced to Damascus by the war. She said Belarusian officials tricked her into believing the journey into the EU would be easy and then used her as a weapon in a political fight against Poland. But she also says the Polish border guards were excessively harsh, denying her water and using dogs to frighten her and other migrants as the guards pushed them back across to Belarus, over and over again. For years, people fleeing war in the Middle East have made dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, seeking safety in Western Europe. But after the arrival of more than a million people in 2015, European Union nations put up concrete and razor-wire walls, installed drone surveillance and cut deals with Turkey and Libya to keep migrants away. The far less protected path into the EU through the forests and swamps of Eastern Europe emerged as a route only after the EU imposed sanctions on the regime of the authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, following a flawed election and a harsh crackdown on protesters. Suddenly people from Iraq, Syria and elsewhere were flying to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on tourist visas and then traveling by car many apparently aided by smugglers to the border. The three EU countries that border Belarus Poland, Lithuanian and Latvia accuse Lukashenko of acting to destabilize their societies. If that is indeed the aim, it is working. Poland denied entry to thousands of migrants and refused to let them apply for asylum, violating international human rights conventions. The country has had its behavior criticized by human rights groups at home and abroad. Stanislaw Zaryn, a spokesman for Poland's special services, told The Associated Press that Polish forces always provide help to migrants if their lives are endangered. In other cases, while it might pain them not to help, Zaryn insisted that Poland must hold its ground and defend its border because it is being targeted in a high-stakes standoff with Belarus, which is backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Poland is of the opinion that only by thoroughly securing our border with Belarus are we able to stop this migration route, which is a route artificially created by Lukashenko with Putins support. It was artificially created in order to take revenge on the entire European Union," Zaryn said. With six migrants found dead along the border so far and small children returned to Belarus this week, human rights workers are appalled. They insist Poland must respect its obligations under international law to allow the migrants to apply for asylum, and not push them back across the border. The fact that these are Lukashenkos political actions directed against Poland and directed against the European Union is obvious to us," said Marianna Wartecka with the refugee rights group Fundacja Ocalenie. "But this does not justify the actions of the Polish state. Archbishop Wojciech Polak, the head of Polands Roman Catholic Church, also weighed in, giving his support to medics seeking access to the border to help. We should not allow our brethren to suffer and die on our borders, he said. Lukashenko denies that his forces are pushing people into Poland, but his state media have seized on Polands response to depict the EU as a place where human rights are not respected. After traveling from Syria to Lebanon, al-Moallem, who was an English teacher in Syria, flew to Minsk, and from there took a taxi with her sisters and a brother-in-law to the border. Belarusian forces then guided the group to a spot to cross into Poland. Crying as she told her story in English, al-Moallem said that Belarusian forces told them: Its a really easy way to get to Poland. Its a swamp. Just go through the swamp and up the hill, and you will be in Poland." And when we were trying to get up the hill, Polish border guards pushed us back. Families, women, men, children. The children were screaming and crying, she recalled. I was asking Polish border guards, Please just a drop of water. Im so thirsty. Ive been here without a drop of water. But all they would do is snap back: Go to Belarus. We are not responsible for you. That happened repeatedly, with the Belarusian forces taking them back, sometimes giving them nothing more than some bread, and then returning them the next night. During her ordeal, she took videos of the desperate migrants with her phone and posted some to Facebook. Her videos and her account to the AP provide rare eyewitness evidence of the crisis at the border. Such scenes unfold largely out of public view because Poland, following Lithuania and Latvia, declared a state of emergency along the border, which prevents journalists and human rights workers from going there. The Polish government's measures, which also involve bolstering border defenses with soldiers, are popular with many Poles. The conservative ruling party, which won power in 2015 on a strong anti-migrant platform, has seen its popularity strengthen in opinion polls amid the new crisis. Despite Poland's efforts, there are reports that some asylum-seekers have managed to cross into the EU undetected and headed farther west, often to reunite with relatives in Germany. Al-Moallem says she and her relatives plan to leave the center where they are staying now and travel across the EU's open borders to their brother in Belgium. They plan to seek asylum there. All she wants, she said, is for her family to be reunited after years of trauma and "to feel safe. Authorities in Pakistan confirmed Saturday that an overnight ambush of a security convoy in the countrys northwest had killed five paramilitary forces. A military statement said a clearance operation is in progress to eliminate any terrorist found in the area in North Waziristan, a volatile district next to the countrys border with Afghanistan. The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, is reported to have claimed responsibility for the deadly ambush. TTP, an alliance of extremist groups, has waged terrorist attacks in Pakistan for many years, killing thousands of civilians and security forces. Pakistan has conducted sustained military operations against the group's bases near the Afghan border, killing thousands of militants and forcing others to flee to Afghanistan. The security action, officials say, has significantly degraded the militant threat and led to a marked reduction in violence. But TTP attacks have spiked in recent weeks, particularly in northwestern and southwestern parts of the country, killing dozens of security personnel. Peace talks Fridays ambush came on the same day Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said in an interview that his government was engaged in talks with some groups of the TTP to try to persuade them to lay down arms in return for an amnesty. Khan said the negotiations were taking place in Afghanistan, where TTP leaders have taken shelter, and the new Taliban rulers of the neighboring country are acting as intermediaries. There are different groups which form the Pakistani Taliban or TTP, yes, so we are in talks with some of them on a reconciliation process, Khan told the Turkish state-owned broadcaster TRT World. We might not reach some sort of conclusion or settlement in the end, but we are talking. he said. A spokesperson for the TTP has reportedly denied divisions in its ranks but did not question Khans assertions the two sides are engaged in peace talks. The Afghan Taliban, who regained power in Kabul in August after ousting the Western-backed government, are under international pressure to disallow transnational militants from using Afghanistan for launching terrorist attacks against other countries. The United States and the United Nations have both designated TTP as a global terrorist organization. TTP leaders denounce the Pakistani constitution as un-Islamic and demand that Islamic law, or Shariah, be enforced in Pakistan. It also wants release of its members captured by security forces during counterterrorism operations. But senior Pakistani security officials rule out accepting any TTP demands, insisting the amnesty would be offered within the framework of the countrys constitution and law that require the militants to surrender their firearms. Dozens of Polish news outlets have expressed anger over a media ban at the border with Belarus, part of a state of emergency imposed by Warsaw following an influx of migrants. Thousands of migrants mainly from the Middle East have crossed or tried to cross the border from Belarus into the eastern EU member states of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland in recent months. The EU suspects the influx is being deliberately engineered by Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko in retaliation against increasingly stringent EU sanctions on his regime. Poland has responded to the influx by sending thousands of soldiers to the border and earlier this month imposed a 30-day emergency banning non-residents including journalists from the border area. The government's actions are in conflict with the principle of freedom of speech, the media organizations said in a joint statement published on their sites. To eliminate the media is unacceptable and incompatible with the standards of a democratic country, they added. Some media outlets have covered claims from NGOs that Polish guards have pushed migrants back toward Belarus. The statement was released by 30 media organizations, and more newsrooms have since added their backing. In a separate statement released Monday, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) declared a "press freedom state of emergency" in Poland. It said Poland had fallen 46 places in RSF's World Press Freedom Index since the Law and Justice (PiS) party came to power in 2015. It is now ranked 64 out of 180 countries. RSF also condemned a recent draft law that if enacted would prevent companies from outside the European Economic Area from holding a controlling stake in Polish media companies. Critics see it as an attempt to silence the main independent news channel TVN24, which is often highly critical of the government and whose network TVN is majority owned by United States group Discovery. The mosquito-borne disease malaria kills more than 400,000 people each year, the vast majority in Africa. Target Malaria, an international group of scientists, is working in Burkina Faso on a genetic solution. Abdoulaye Diabate, with the West African countrys Research Institute for Science and Health, said the objective of Target Malaria is to develop a genetic control tool specifically applied to mosquitoes to be able to drastically reduce or eliminate the density of mosquitoes. The scientists are genetically modifying mosquitoes so their offspring will be only male, and any females they mate with after release will also produce just males. Since only female mosquitoes spread malaria, the disease should drop off quickly along with their population. In village of Bana, where the genetically modified mosquitoes were first tested in 2019, locals were initially worried about the experiment. Kiesiara Sanou, a Bana village elder, said that at the beginning, people thought the survey would release mosquitoes in the village that could cause more diseases. But since working with Target Malaria, theyve come to understand exactly what the purpose is and now even help them with tasks like collecting the mosquitoes. Genetically modified mosquitoes are just one malaria solution that has been tested in Burkina Faso. The country also pioneered pesticide-infused mosquito nets. Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute in April announced that a malaria vaccine tested in Burkina Faso had a breakthrough 77% efficacy. Target Malaria said climate and environment play a large part in the countrys cutting-edge malaria research. Naima Sykes, of Target Malaria, said that according to the WHO 2019 World Malaria Report, over 94% of malaria cases and deaths took place in Africa. Sykes added that when finding institutions to partner with, Target Malaria sought out institutions in countries with a significant malaria burden and a strong desire to do something about it. The West African Organization for Coordination and Cooperation in the Control of Major Endemic Diseases was set up in the 1960s and headquartered in Burkina Faso. The research institutes Diabate points out that its scientists are the third generation of malaria researchers. When you grow up in Burkina Fasos environment, malaria becomes part of your daily life, and it can make you think its inevitable that you will have it, Diabate said. But he said that when he went to school, his mind opened up, and he soon realized what the source of the problem was. Thanks to researchers hard work, said Diabate, Africas deadly malaria problem is closer to being solved. Taiwan accused Beijing of bullying and damaging regional peace Saturday after Chinese fighter jets and bombers made their largest-ever incursion into the island's air defense zone. Beijing marked its National Day on Friday with its biggest aerial show of force against Taiwan, buzzing the self-ruled democratic island with 38 warplanes, including nuclear-capable H-6 bombers. That was followed by a new record incursion on Saturday by 39 planes, according to Taiwan's defense ministry. Democratic Taiwan's 23 million people live under the constant threat of invasion by China, which views the island as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary. Under President Xi Jinping, Chinese warplanes are crossing into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on a near daily basis. But Friday's incursion sparked a particularly sharp rebuke from Taipei. "China has been bellicose and damaging regional peace while engaging in many bullying acts," Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters Saturday. "It's evident that the world, the international community, rejects such behaviors by China more and more." Taiwan's defense ministry said it scrambled its aircraft to broadcast warnings after 22 fighters, two bombers and one anti-submarine aircraft entered the island's southwest ADIZ Friday. A second batch of 13 jets then crossed into Taiwan's ADIZ later Friday, in a rare night incursion, bringing the total to 38. The ADIZ is not the same as Taiwan's territorial airspace but includes a far greater area that overlaps with part of China's own air defense identification zone and even includes some of mainland China. Rising tensions Mass incursions used to be rare. But in the last two years Beijing has begun sending large sorties into Taiwan's ADIZ to signal dissatisfaction at key moments and to keep Taipei's ageing fighter fleet regularly stressed. Last week, 24 Chinese warplanes flew into the area after Taiwan applied to join a major trans-Pacific trade pact. Friday's show of force came the same week Beijing accused Britain of "evil attentions" after it sent a frigate to sail through the Taiwan Strait. China claims the strait as its own waterway, along with most of the disputed South China Sea. Most other nations view them as international waters open to all. Beijing has ramped up pressure on Taipei since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has said she views the island as "already independent" and not part of a "one China." Last year, Chinese military jets made a record 380 incursions into Taiwan's defense zone, and the number of breaches for the first nine months of this year has already exceeded 500. The previous single-day record was on June 15 when 28 jets breached Taiwan's ADIZ. Xi has described Taiwan becoming part of the mainland as "inevitable." 'Don't mess around' U.S. military officials have begun to talk openly about fears that China could consider the previously unthinkable and invade. Protection of Taiwan has become a rare bipartisan issue in Washington, and a growing number of Western nations have begun joining the United States in "freedom of navigation" exercises to push back on China's claims to the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Britain sent a warship through the Taiwan Strait Monday for the first time since 2008. The Chinese People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command accused Britain of acting out of "evil intentions to sabotage peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." Alexander Huang, associate professor at Tamkang University in Taipei, said he believed the latest aerial incursion was not just about sending a message to Taiwan. "There's three other carrier attack groups in the region, two American and one British," he told AFP. "China is sending a political message to the US and UK [Britain] on her national day: Don't mess around in my area." Canadian, French and Australian warships have all made voyages through the Taiwan Strait in recent years, sparking protests from China. Thousands marched Saturday in Bucharest to protest restrictions that begin Sunday to combat a jump in coronavirus infections. The European nation of 19 million is seeing a shocking rise in the daily number of coronavirus cases. A month ago, the number was about 1,000 new cases a day. On Saturday, Romania reported more than 12,500 new cases, its highest number since the pandemic began in March 2020. Protesters, mostly maskless, gathered outside government offices, shouting, "Freedom, freedom without certificates," and "Down with the government," according to Reuters. One sign read: "Green certificates = dictatorship," The Associated Press reported. The demonstration was organized by Romania's far-right AUR party, the AP said. The rising cases have strained the nations hospitals intensive care beds are nearly full and the protests angered some medical workers. "The situation in hospitals is serious," Beatrice Mahler, hospital manager of Bucharest's Marius Nasta Institute of Pneumology, told the AP. "We have patients hospitalized in beds in the hallway all with extremely severe forms of COVID-19." The restrictions scheduled to take effect Sunday include requiring masks to be worn in public and shops to close at 10 p.m. local time. Public spaces such as restaurants, theaters and gyms can remain open some at only partial capacity for customers who have COVID-19 passes, meaning they are fully vaccinated or show proof they have had the illness caused by the coronavirus. Romania has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the European Union; 33.5% of all adults are fully vaccinated, second only to Bulgaria. There is a weekend curfew in effect for unvaccinated Romanians, and there are plans to make vaccinations mandatory for health care workers, Reuters said. Since the pandemic began, Romania has recorded nearly 1,250,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 37,000 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University's Coronavirus Resource Center. Russias vaccine Russias health minister, Mikhail Murashko, said Saturday that some paperwork needed to be finished before its Sputnik V vaccine could be registered with the World Health Organization (WHO). The shot has been approved in more than 70 countries and is used widely in Russia. If it wins approval from the WHO and the European Medicines Agency, that could make it available to other markets, Reuters said. The WHO could not be immediately reached for comment, Reuters added. Nicaragua shots Nicaragua has OKd two Cuban-made vaccines for use in the Central American nation, Cuban manufacturer BioCubaFarma said Saturday. Cuba developed three coronavirus vaccines, all of which are awaiting official recognition by the WHO, Reuters reported. Nicaragua authorized Abdala and Soberana for emergency use. Iran, Vietnam and Venezuela have also OKd the Cuban vaccines for emergency use in their countries. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. Twitter has appealed a French court decision that ordered it to give activists full access to all of its relevant documents on efforts to fight hate speech, lawyers and a judicial source said on Saturday. In July, a French court ordered Twitter to grant six French anti-discrimination groups full access to all documents relating to the company's efforts to combat hate speech since May 2020. The ruling applied to Twitter's global operation, not just France. Twitter has appealed the decision and a hearing has been set for December 9, 2021, a judicial source told AFP, confirming information released by the groups' lawyers. Twitter and its lawyers declined to comment. The July order said that Twitter must hand over "all administrative, contractual, technical or commercial documents" detailing the resources it has assigned to fight homophobic, racist and sexist discourse on the site, as well as the offense of "condoning crimes against humanity". It also said Twitter must reveal how many moderators it employs in France to examine posts flagged as hateful, and data on the posts they process. The July ruling gave the San Francisco-based company two months to comply. Twitter can ask for a suspension pending the appeal. The six anti-discrimination groups had taken Twitter to court in France last year, accusing the US social media giant of "long-term and persistent" failures in blocking hateful comments from the site. The groups campaign against homophobia, racism and anti-Semitism. Twitter's hateful conduct policy bans users from promoting violence or threatening or attacking people based on their race, religion, gender identity or disability, among other forms of discrimination. Like other social media giants, it allows users to report posts they believe are hateful, and employs moderators to vet the content. But anti-discrimination groups have long complained that holes in the policy allow hateful comments to stay online in many cases. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is calling on Bangladeshi authorities to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the killing of Rohingya activist Mohib Ullah while he was visiting a Coxs Bazaar refugee camp in Bangladesh earlier this week. Bachelet paid tribute to the prominent human rights defender, who she said spent his life fighting to end decades of discrimination against the Rohingya people. She said Ullah lost his life while seeking to restore his peoples basic rights in Myanmar, including their rights to nationality, land, health, and education. Ullah was shot and killed by unknown assailants Wednesday in Kutupalong, the worlds largest refugee camp, housing more than 800,000 Rohingya. The refugees fled there in August of 2017 to escape persecution and violence in Myanmar. The high commissioners spokesman, Rupert Colville, says the Rohingya are still waiting for justice and still waiting to return home. He says there has been an alarming increase in violence, criminality, and rising tensions among groups in the Kutupalong camp. He adds anti-Rohingya sentiment also has been rising within Bangladeshi communities. Whoever was responsible for his murder, Mohib Ullahs death is a clear example of the insecurity in the camp, and the apparent attempts to silence moderate civil society voices. The high commissioner is calling for a prompt, thorough, and independent investigation, which should be conducted not only to identify and apprehend his killers, and expose their motives, but also to define what measures are needed to better protect vulnerable civil society leaders, while avoiding further securitization in the camps, he said. Colville said the high commissioner understands the huge challenges Bangladesh faces in hosting Rohingya refugees. Nonetheless, Bachelet asserts Bangladesh must ensure the safety, protection, and basic rights of the refugees in Coxs Bazar. She said that also applies to Bhasan Char, a remote island where thousands of Rohingya have been relocated. Meanwhile, in Myanmar itself, the situation of approximately 600,000 Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State remains dire, with many still confined in camps, said Colville. "Alleged violations include unlawful killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, and high levels of extortion. Colville said it is regrettable the global spotlight has moved away from the plight of the Rohingya people. He added that the high commissioner is calling on the international community to do more to help the persecuted community, both in Bangladesh and in Myanmar. Analysts say that as North Korea advances its weapons systems while it rejects the Biden administrations offer for talks, there are growing signs of a potentially destabilizing rift between Washington and Seoul on whether to ease sanctions on Pyongyang. South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong said Friday the United States and South Korea should consider easing sanctions on North Korea as a way to entice Pyongyang to the negotiating table. I think that now, time is ripe for the consideration of sanctions relief, said Chung during a parliamentary session in Seoul on Friday when asked whether sanctions on North Korea should be eased. Chung, who attended the U.N. General Assembly last month with President Moon Jae-in, said, If we let the status quo continue, it will lead to the strengthening of North Korean missile capabilities. He made the remark in a September 23 interview with The Washington Post. Chung previously served as Moons national security adviser and played a mediating role between Washington and Pyongyang by conveying North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns eagerness to meet with former President Donald Trump when he visited the White House in March 2018. Chung announced the first summit between Kim and Trump, but talks between Washington and Pyongyang stalled in October 2019. Since taking office in May 2017, Moon has been prioritizing lasting rapprochement with Pyongyang and inter-Korean cooperation over denuclearization, a position that has often run counter to Washingtons policy on North Korea. David Maxwell, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Seouls call for sanctions relief will generate significant friction in the alliance as the U.S. resists the ROK push for sanctions relief. ROK is an acronym of South Koreas official name, the Republic of Korea. In response to Chung's remarks, the U.S. State Department on Friday stressed the need for maintaining sanctions on North Korea. The DPRK continues to fund its WMD and ballistic missile programs through sanctions evasion efforts in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," a State Department spokesperson told VOAs Korean Service. DPRK refers to North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. It is important for the international community to send a strong, unified message that the DPRK must halt provocations, abide by its obligations under U.N. Security Council resolutions and engage in sustained and intensive negotiations with the United States, said the spokesperson. United Nations sanctions on the DPRK remain in place, and we will continue to implement them, including through diplomacy at the United Nations and with the DPRKs neighbors, the spokesperson continued. Pyongyang so far has dismissed Washingtons repeated offer of dialogue without preconditions. Kim, in a speech made to the regimes Supreme Peoples Assembly on Thursday, described the offer as a petty trick for deceiving the international community and an extension of the hostile policy pursued by the successive U.S. administration. While opposing diplomatic engagement with the U.S., Kim offered to restore severed inter-Korean communication lines starting in October. Many experts see this proposition as a way to encourage South Korea to push for sanctions relief while driving the wedge between Seoul and Washington. Evans Revere, a former State Department official with extensive experience negotiating with North Korea, said, Its been clear to me that there is a significant gap between the U.S. and the ROK on how to deal with North Korea, but it is also clear that the two allies are doing their best to manage their differences and create the impression that they are on the same page. Joseph DeTrani, who served as the U.S. special envoy to the Six-Party Talks on denuclearization from 2003 to 2006, called on the two allies to stay in sync, saying it is of paramount importance in dealing with North Korea. According to Scott Snyder, director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, the Biden administration believes sanctions relief should come only as a reward for the Kim regime making steps toward denuclearization because Pyongyang has a history of violating past agreements. For this framework to be altered, South Korea must provide a convincing argument and compelling evidence for how and why a different approach would yield better results, said Snyder. While seeking sanctions relief, Pyongyang has been advancing its missile technology. North Korea conducted four rounds of missile tests in September with the latest test of newly developed anti-air missile on Thursday, according to its state-run Korean Central News Agency. The regime said Wednesday it had test-fired a new hypersonic missile. Earlier in September, Pyongyang tested rail-launched short-range ballistic missiles for the first time and new long-range cruise missiles that aim to evade missile-defense systems. Revere thinks granting sanctions relief before Pyongyang resumes dialogue and without its taking action toward denuclearization would be a major mistake. Two days after taking Kabul, the Taliban promised the media would be "free and independent," but now the group has laid out the limits of that freedom. In a September meeting with representatives from several Afghan media outlets, Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi, acting head of the Taliban's Government Media and Information Center (GMIC), announced a publishing/broadcasting guide containing 11 directives. Several of the rules are similar to laws and editorial policies under Afghanistan's elected government. The main way they deviate is by eliminating references to international norms. Other rules give the Taliban wide control over content. These include directives saying that media should coordinate with the GMIC when preparing content and report "carefully" on events not confirmed by an official. Under the government ousted in August, Afghan media could publish or broadcast without submitting content to officials in advance. Watchdogs and local journalists view the directives as a sign that the Taliban plan to censor content inside the country. "The new rules plainly mean censorship," Sadaqat Ghorzang, a TOLOnews reporter for the eastern provinces, told VOA. "It does not only create problems for journalists to do their job, which is providing information to the people, but also violates freedom of expression." Shinkai Karokhail, a former Afghan parliamentarian, described the directives as "a clear warning to the journalists" against criticizing the Taliban leaders and their actions. Not only does the Taliban's new guide "impose limitations on journalists," but it is against freedom of the press, she told VOA. 11 rules A copy of the guide, which was circulated online and discussed by media watchdogs, contained 11 rules. Under rules 1-3, media and journalists are forbidden from publishing or broadcasting anything against Islam, insulting national figures, or violating privacy. Rules 4-6 instruct journalists to follow the principles of journalism and balance news reports and to not distort content. Rules 7-8 say that matters that have not been confirmed by officials or could have a negative impact on the public's attitude should be treated with care. Rule 9 demands that media outlets be impartial and truthful in their coverage. And 10 and 11 advise journalists to coordinate with the GMIC when working on "detailed report(s) on an issue." Rules 1-6 and 9 are based on media laws and a code of ethics that lay out professional standards established under the elected Afghan government. However, international watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) noted that unlike those laws, the new directives do not reference international norms. This could allow the guides to be "misused or interpreted arbitrarily," RSF said. At least four of the directives could also give the Taliban wider powers to control and censor media content, RSF said. It said the rules requiring that journalists coordinate with the Taliban's GMIC and not report matters until they are confirmed officially suggest a return to prior censorship: The government has the power to review and potentially block content before it is broadcast. RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire described the guidelines as "spine chilling." They can be used coercively and "bode ill for the future of journalistic independence and pluralism in Afghanistan," he said in a September 22 statement. Media reaction Afghan journalists say the guidelines show the Taliban plan to control and censor news and information in the country and silence any criticism of their rule. TOLOnews reporter Ghorzang said the directives contain several ambiguities. "The new rules say that journalists have to respect national and religious values. Well, journalists have been doing so," he said. "It is not clear what they want to communicate. Are the national and religious values different for them? They should provide details on what Islamic and national values are." The requirement that journalists consult with the Taliban before broadcasting reports "raises questions about the independence of media and freedom of speech in the country," he said. Rules open to interpretation Qayum Safi, a journalism lecturer at Afghanistan's Khurasan University who has worked for different media outlets, said that without a framework, such rules could be open to interpretation. "Under the previous government, we had a constitution and other laws that provided a framework for media to operate," he said. Since the Taliban took over, "there is no clear framework for journalists in the country; therefore, the directives are open to multiple interpretations and can be misused." The Talban should have consulted with all the stakeholders before drafting the rules, Safi said. "They should have involved all sides, groups and organizations who are involved with journalists." Ali Haqmal, a reporter with the daily 8 Sobh newspaper, said the guide imposes restrictions on press freedom. "For example, it says national personalities can't be insulted. This can mean no criticism of any kind, as any criticism can be interpreted as an insult." The rule about coverage of events not officially confirmed "could also impede the speed and free flow of news," he said. Sifatullah Zahidi, a reporter based in Helmand province, said the Taliban's rules give the group control over what can be published. "A journalist has to inform what issue he wants to cover to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," he said, using the Taliban's official name for the country. "If they (the Taliban) like it, the journalist will cover it. Otherwise, he will not be allowed to cover the issue." So far, the Taliban have not indicated what the penalties for noncompliance will be, and it is unclear how the guide, which has not been passed into law, will work with existing legislation. In the past six weeks, however, media watchdogs have reported that the Taliban have used violence, arrests and threats against journalists. In a statement released Friday, Human Rights Watch said the Taliban had detained at least 32 journalists, several of whom were beaten in custody, and that some had been warned about their reporting before being released. Most were news crews covering women's protests against Taliban's rule early this month. Amid the violence and uncertainty, more than 150 media outlets have closed, according to the International Federation of Journalists. Additionally, the IFJ says, around 90% of media workers are "currently without access to employment or wages due to media shutdowns." Malawi has deployed soldiers to distribute fuel at gas stations after a strike by fuel tank drivers this week led to shortages. The drivers are pressuring the government for a minimum wage increase and to ensure local drivers get contracts they say are dominated by foreign transporters. Tanker drivers started the strike Monday in the country's major cities of Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu. On Wednesday they blocked the road in the capital Lilongwe, resulting in some arrests. Government spokesperson Gospel Kazako told a press conference Thursday that the strike is surprising, considering that government officials already addressed all the demands the drivers raised during a similar strike in November 2020. He said among the demands was that the government should review the minimum salary for drivers, which was at about $60 per month. "Government had to go all out listening to their problems," Kazako said. "Government made directives and this was made into law that there shouldn't be any international truck driver who should be paid less than MK140,000." That figure is equivalent to about $170 per month. But drivers have yet to receive the increased salaries. This, they said, is largely because their employers are going through financial difficulties due to lack of business from the government. They said the strike is also aimed at pushing the government to award their employers local fuel supply contracts they say are dominated by foreign transporters. This spurred truck owners to join the strike on Wednesday. Kazako, also Minister of Information, said he believes the strike is a ploy to sabotage government operations. George Khaki, president of the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi, said the strike is baseless. "If they wanted to have industrial action, that industrial action should have been against their employers. Not against the government, because the government is not a party to the employment contract," he said. "This is where they are getting it wrong and it is unfortunately an unlawful strike." The strike led to panic buying this week at the few Malawian gas stations which had fuel. Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority said the country has enough gas to last for a month, but the problem is the failure to supply the pump stations because of the strike. To address the problem, Kazako said the government has deployed the military to help distribute fuel. Starting Thursday night, soldiers began escorting fuel tankers to pump stations and, in some cases, are driving the tankers themselves. In a statement Thursday, Acting Public Information Officer for the Malawi Defense Force, Major Emanuel Kelvin Mlelemba, said the move is in line with its constitutional role in assisting civilian authorities to maintain essential services in times of emergency. Meanwhile, the striking drivers maintain they will not resume work until their demands are met. The U.S. pharmaceutical company Merck announced Friday its experimental COVID-19 pill known as Molnupiravir reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the coronavirus. In a statement on its website, the company said early results of its Phase 3 testing were so strongly positive that an independent data monitoring committee, in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, cut short the trials. Recruitment into the study is being stopped early due to those positive results. The company said it will be seeking approval from health officials in the U.S. and drug regulators around the world. As the first pill that could be used to treat COVID-19, it represents a major breakthrough in efforts to stem the pandemic. Meanwhile, Friday was the deadline set by the World Health Organization for reaching the global target of countries fully vaccinating 10% of their populations against COVID-19. The WHO's African region says 15 countries on the continent have reached that goal. In a virtual briefing Friday, the WHO's Africa Program area manager for immunization, Richard Mihigo, said those results show progress, yet 70% of African countries missed the milestone. He said half of the 52 countries with COVID-19 vaccination programs in Africa have inoculated less than 2% of their populations. Mihigo said Africa has received more than 200 million vaccine doses to date and administered about 71% of them, with 60 million people now fully vaccinated, which represents just over 4% of the total population in Africa. Some information for this report came from the Associated Press and Reuters. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A Zimbabwean, Clifford Phiri, allegedly killed his wife, Maggie Ndlovu, recently in Nyamandlovu, about 50 kilometers north of the country's second largest city, Bulawayo, after allegedly accusing her of infidelity. Police claim that Phiri struck her with a log several times. One on One with Joe Korkowski, as heard Saturdays on KXRA-1490AM (@7:40am) and KXRA-92.3FM (@8:00am), as well as each Sunday morning on KXRZ Z99.3fm (@10:15am). The interview is also re-broadcast on Monday mornings on KX92 at 10:00am and on Z99 at 9:10am. 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 Reykjavik, Capital Region (26 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short : At Kringlan mall I was on the laptop and the whole desk moved including the screen | 3 users found this interesting. Reykjavik, Capital Region (25.9 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Lunch table, heard the rumbling first and then felt it for a good 4-5 seconds | 3 users found this interesting. Breiholt / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : First I heard the sound then small shake and few seconds bigger shake | 2 users found this interesting. Reykjavik (26.9 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was in my living room, it startled me a bit but I knew what it was and it wasnt intense | One user found this interesting. Airport / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake : I was in the airport snd felt a huge bump. Like a huge gust of wind hit the building or a huge truck hit it. Airport / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake : I was in the airport snd felt a huge bump. Like a huge gust of wind hit the building or a huge truck hit it. Airport / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Quick shake in airport - i was on the 2nd floor and it felt like something ran into the metal beam next to me KOPAVOGUR / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s :) | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s Reykjavik / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : like if it was wind | One user found this interesting. Keflavik Airport / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : Felt like a large object bumped the building | One user found this interesting. Rey / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Faible tremblement | One user found this interesting. Seltjarnarnes, Capital Region (26 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s Reykjavik (25.4 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt Reykjavik (27 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s Reykjavik, Capital Region (25.9 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Lunch table, heard the rumbling first and then felt it for a good 4-5 seconds Grindavik, Southern Peninsula (9.5 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s Kopavogur (23.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s Reykjavik, Capital Region (26.6 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Hafnarfjordur, Capital Region (17.5 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short 105 Reykjavik (26.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / very short Reykjavik 105 (27.8 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Reykjavik (25.2 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Loud crack and shake in Icelandair hotel Kopavogur, Capital Region (25.9 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Reykjavik (26.9 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : No comment Hafnir (24.4 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short Very short shaking (reported through (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short Seltjarnarnes, Capital Region (26 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s Seltjarnarnes, Capital Region (26.4 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s Reykjavik (20.8 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s Reykjavik (22 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 10-15 s Breiholt / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : First I heard the sound then small shake and few seconds bigger shake Sky Lagoon / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s Skolavorustig 20 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Keflavik International Airport / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s Reykjavik / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short Skolavorustig 20 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Reykjavik / not felt Keflavik / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Reykjavik / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s Reykjavik, Sigtun / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s Keflavik Airport / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / very short Reykjavik / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s Reykjavik / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Reykjavik / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Reykjavik / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 2-5 s Reykjavik / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Keflavik / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short Nothing (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short Keflavik / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s Reykjavik / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Slight shaking of my 4th floor hotel room I Kopavogi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s Reykjavik / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : shaking bed Austurgata 17 Hafmarfiri / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Reykjavik / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s Reykjavik / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : The frame of the four poster bed I was sitting on moved from side to side Reykjavik / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / very short (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / very short Reykjanesbaer / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s The search for Brian Laundrie, the fiance of Gabby Petito, is heading into another week and authorities seem no closer to finding him. Laundrie has been charged with using two financial accounts that did not belong to him between August 30 and September 1. No charges have been brought against him in the death of Petito, whose body was found in Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest. Petito's manner death was ruled a homicide. The search is continuing as investigators try to piece together what happened to Petito, 22, and Laundrie, 23, on their road trip through the West this summer. The couple had posted online regularly about their travels with the hashtag #VanLife, but those posts abruptly stopped in late August. Laundrie returned to his parents' home in North Port, Florida, on September 1 without Petito, police said, and was home for about two weeks. His parents told authorities September 17 that they last saw him three days earlier. Several experts told CNN on Thursday that time is of the essence in the search for Laundrie. The conditions in south Florida make finding forensic evidence extremely difficult. "Time is that one thing that we are constantly fighting in law enforcement," said Bryanna Fox, a former FBI special agent and associate professor in the department of criminology at the University of South Florida. Laundrie's parents released a statement Monday evening through their attorney, Steven Bertolino, according to multiple media outlets. "Chris and Roberta Laundrie do not know where Brian is. They are concerned about Brian and hope the FBI can locate him," the statement read. "The speculation by the public and some in the press that the parents assisted Brian in leaving the family home or in avoiding arrest on a warrant that was issued after Brian had already been missing for several days is just wrong." Bertolino did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment. Here's why experts say it's been taking authorities so long to find Laundrie. The more time passes, the less evidence there will be Laundrie essentially had a multi-day head start on law enforcement. When his parents told police their son had disappeared, he had already been gone for three days. His parents said Laundrie told them he was headed to the Carlton Reserve, a 25,000-acre nature reserve near the family's home in North Port. A source close to Laundrie's family told CNN's Chris Cuomo that Laundrie left their home without his cell phone and wallet. Bertolino told CNN on Wednesday that Laundrie actually purchased a new cell phone on September 4 at an AT&T store in North Port. The fact that Laundrie left those two key items behind may mean there's very little digital or forensic evidence for authorities, said Fox, the USF professor. The cell phone would've helped investigators know who Laundrie was communicating with and where he may have been, while his wallet would've told them where he's spending money. "Unlike other fugitives or people that are missing, we typically have reason to believe they're in a populated area," Fox said. "In this case, it looks like he attempted to maybe go off the grid and is not living in society. So it makes it even harder to find him." Investigators have been searching for Laundrie at the reserve, but the conditions in south Florida make it difficult to find evidence -- or any possible remains. "Down in Florida, during the summer and wet time, a body can start to skeletonize in less than five to seven days," said Chris Boyer, executive director of the non-profit National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). "And with predators, you can lose a lot of evidence that way." Fox told CNN the tropical conditions "are among the harshest on forensic evidence." "The odds of finding it get slimmer every day, so time is obviously really of the essence," she said. Another location, Fort De Soto Campground in Pinellas County, has also become an area of interest, though no official law enforcement body is investigating the campground. Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman was searching for Laundrie at the campground Monday and Tuesday after receiving a tip, his spokesperson told CNN. Authorities have to balance tips and actual evidence Petito's death and the search for Laundrie has become an obsession for many, spurring digital detectives to comb through the couple's online trail and try to solve the case. "It's very hard to remain missing when the world is looking for you, or just your family. It is really, really difficult today to remain intentionally missing," said Michelle Jeanis, an assistant professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Department of Criminal Justice who specializes in missing persons. Jeanis said while the public is eager for updates on this case, "it seems that we have limited information for a very good reason." Fox said researchers at USF found that media and social media are powerful and positive tools in identifying missing people. At the same time, that intense interest has highlighted how race and gender impact which of the nearly 90,000 unsolved missing persons cases get attention, and which ones don't. But there's also a negative side to the onslaught of internet sleuths and media coverage. "People who may be even well-intentioned could be passing on tips to law enforcement and instead of law enforcement having to find a needle in a haystack, it's now more like a grain of sand on a big beach," Fox said, explaining that every tip must be investigated. Another problem authorities are running into is lack of resources. Boyer explained that crime doesn't stop just because there is a missing person, and there are beat cops who still have to investigate and respond to other crimes in the community. There's still hope to find Laundrie Despite time and resources being issued in the search for Laundrie, each expert who spoke to CNN said there's still a chance to find him. Fox said the only way Laundrie will be able to continue evading police is if he's "absolutely perfect" in hiding. "In other words, he has to be perfect and make zero mistakes. Law enforcement, to be able to find him, they either have to find one clue or catch one mistake he made and that could blow the whole case open," she said. The public continues to be eager about this case, said Jeanis, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette professor, but "law enforcement is surely trying to take all the steps necessary to ensure safe and protected scenes and collecting evidence." "The public has to be patient, and that can be hard to do in the time where we have feelings where we think we can be more helpful," she said. "We're all just looking for red flags and they could be meaningless." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. An officer is fighting for his life in Huntsville Hospital, a person has died and two others were injured in a series of shootings Friday afternoon in Muscle Shoals. Authorities said in a press conference Friday evening that Brian Lansing Martin of Sheffield shot and pushed an individual out of their vehicle near the 800 block of Avalon Avenue. That individual has not been publicly identified, pending notification of next of kin. Brian Lansing Martin Brian Lansing Martin After abandoning his victim in the street, Martin stole another vehicle. Sheffield Police spotted the vehicle and chased Martin back into Muscle Shoals, behind the Walmart on Avalon Avenue. There, Martin and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies exchanged gunfire. Muscle Shoals Police Chief Clint Reck said a bullet came close to an officers face but no officers in his department were injured. Sheffield Police werent as fortunate. An officer was hit but protected from severe injury by his vest, while another was shot through his vehicles windshield and had to be flown to Huntsville Hospital in critical condition. We just ask that the community pray for my officer and my department, Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry said. Martin was also shot. He received medical treatment at the scene from officers before being transported to Huntsville Hospital, where he was in stable condition as of Friday evening, Terry said. WAAY 31 was at Huntsville Hospital as a motorcade of law enforcement vehicles arrived. Huntsville Police blocked streets near the hospital as officers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Huntsville PD and Colbert County Sheriffs Office arrived. Martin had previously served time for manslaughter in the case of his fathers death in 2011. In that case, Martin pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced in 2013 to 10 years. Records show he was released in 2016. Several North Alabama agencies shared their support on social media as news of the officers injuries spread. Our thoughts and prayers are with the two Sheffield police officers shot in the line of duty today, Madison County Sheriffs Office posted on Twitter. Sending thoughts and prayers to their families as well as the citizens of Sheffield during this difficult time. "We hope they both make a full recovery, Huntsville PD said of Facebook, adding they are also thinking of the officers, the department and the officers families. Colbert County Sheriff's Office encouraged people to focus their prayers on the Sheffield officer at Huntsville Hospital, his family and "his entire LEO family in blue." "It takes a team," the department said on Facebook, praising each of the three city police departments Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Florence that responded to the call Friday. They also offered prayers for the Sheffield officer whose bulletproof vest caught the bullet, saying, "We pray for him as well, as he faces the traumatic thoughts of the danger he was in." It was the second incident in 24 hours that left an officer injured in Alabama. A detective in Warrior was shot multiple times while investigating a possible drug sale. The officer in that case is recovering at a Birmingham hospital but expected to be OK. Former U.S. Attorney Jay Town said nearly 250 law enforcement officers have been shot so far in 2021, with 44 dying as a result. As a nation of laws, theres no way to consider this situation anything but dire, Town said of the two shootings in Alabama. WAAY-31 will have more on this story as it is made available. Muscle Shoals Police said they were called to the 800 block of Avalon Avenue around 1:45 p.m. Friday for a pedestrian possibly struck by a vehicle. When officers arrived, Muscle Shoals PD said, they found the victim, later identified as 58-year-old William Clare Mealback Jr. of Cypress Inn, Tennessee, in the eastbound lane of Avalon Avenue. He had been shot once in the head and once in the chest. His death is now being investigated as a homicide. According to police, eyewitnesses said there appeared to be a struggle between at least two people inside a vehicle, and during the struggle, Mealback was shot and thrown from the passenger's side of the car. The suspect has been identified as 41-year-old Brian Lansing Martin of Sheffield. Police said after abandoning Mealback in the street, Martin stole another vehicle. Sheffield Police spotted the vehicle and chased Martin back into Muscle Shoals, behind the Walmart on Avalon Avenue. That's when Martin and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies exchanged gunfire. Sheffield Police Sgt. Nick Risner was shot multiple times and flown to Huntsville Hospital in critical condition. Risner died at Huntsville Hospital on Saturday morning. Here's the announcement from Sheffield Police Department. PREVIOUS: SHEFFIELD POLICE SGT. NICK RISNER DIES FROM INJURIES AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY Muscle Shoals Police said family and friends of Mealback told them he and Martin were close friends for about five years. Police said they learned, through family, that Mealback couldn't drive because of a medical condition. Family said Martin normally drove when the two were together, using Mealback's vehicle to do so. Muscle Shoals Police said their investigation is ongoing and more charges for Lansing are pending at this time. As of Friday evening, the Powerball lottery is up to $635 million. We know many Alabamians have traveled across state lines to grab a hopefully winning ticket. WAAY-31 went to Lincoln County, Tennessee, on Friday, where theyre selling lots of lottery tickets. There have been lulls here and there, but since the morning, it's been people walking in and out of Magic Mile to buy several Powerball tickets all day long, like clockwork. "You have to be in it to win it," said Roosevelt Connely. "I just want to win the lottery to bless a few people that I know," said Beverly Perry. There was rarely a moment in someone wasn't walking in asking for a Powerball ticket at Magic Mile on Friday. Many people came from Alabama. This is because Alabama does not have a state lottery. "Alabamians, we spend billions of dollars every day going to Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, just giving them money," Perry said, "and the state of Alabama really needs to get the lottery, so then that way the money can stay in Alabama." When an Alabamian comes across state lines and plays the lottery, it actually helps Tennessee children with higher education funds and parents with pre-K costs. Many people, like Connely, say Alabama should look into it as well. "We can do the same thing in Alabama that we're doing in Tennessee, and that is make education begin to be real," he said. If you haven't gotten your ticket yet for the Powerball, you still have some time. The winning numbers will be drawn Saturday night. Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry has released the names of his two officers who were shot in the line of duty Friday. Sgt. Nick Risner is in critical condition in Huntsville Hospital. Sgt. Nick Risner Sgt. Nick Risner Lt. Max Dotson was treated at Helen Keller Hospital. His vest protected him from bullets. He was discharged and told WAAY 31's Breken Terry that he was headed to Huntsville to be with Risner. Risner is a K-9 officer who has been with the department since March 2012. Ask anyone in the Shoals, and Risner is a well-known, well-loved and well-respected officer in the Sheffield and surrounding communities. A Florence native, he also served in the Army Reserves for eight years. His family and fellow officers say if anyone can pull through this, it's Nick. Authorities said in a press conference Friday evening that Brian Lansing Martin of Sheffield shot and pushed an individual out of a vehicle near the 800 block of Avalon Avenue. That individual has not been publicly identified, pending notification of next of kin. After abandoning his victim in the street, Martin stole another vehicle. Sheffield Police spotted the vehicle and chased Martin back into Muscle Shoals, behind the Walmart on Avalon Avenue. There, Martin and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies exchanged gunfire. Muscle Shoals Police Chief Clint Reck said a bullet came close to an officers face but no officers in his department were injured. Sheffield Police werent as fortunate. Lt. Dotson was hit but protected from severe injury by his vest, while Risner was shot through his vehicles windshield. We just ask that the community pray for my officer and my department, Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry said. Martin was also shot. He received medical treatment at the scene from officers before being transported to Huntsville Hospital, where he was in stable condition as of Friday evening, Terry said. Stay with WAAY 31 for updates. Sgt. Nick Risner of the Sheffield Police Department has died from the injuries he sustained when he was shot in the line of duty Friday in Muscle Shoals. Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry released this statement Saturday morning: It is with a heavy heart that the Sheffield Police Department is sad to report that Sgt. Nick Risner, who was involved in the shooting in Muscle Shoals yesterday, has succumbed to his injuries this morning at 9:52 a.m. at Huntsville Hospital. We would like to thank the community and everyone who has prayed for Sgt. Risner, his family, and the Sheffield Police Department during this time. We are thankful for Sgt. Risners 8+ years of service with the Sheffield Police Department. Sgt. Risner performed a heroic act by protecting the Shoals Community from the shooter from entering the Walmart parking lot. If the shooter would have entered the Walmart parking lot, there is no telling how many lives would have been in danger or lost yesterday." Ask anyone in the Shoals, and Risner, who worked with a police K-9, was a well-known, well-loved and well-respected officer in Sheffield and the surrounding communities. A Florence native, he also served in the Army Reserves for eight years. Sheffield Police Lt. Max Dotson also was shot Friday. He was treated at Helen Keller Hospital. His vest protected him from bullets. He was discharged and immediately went to be with Risner, he told WAAY-31's Breken Terry. Authorities said in a press conference Friday evening that Brian Lansing Martin of Sheffield shot and pushed an individual out of a vehicle near the 800 block of Avalon Avenue. That individual was identified as William Clare Mealback Jr. After abandoning his victim in the street, Martin stole another vehicle. Sheffield Police spotted the vehicle and chased Martin back into Muscle Shoals, behind the Walmart on Avalon Avenue. There, Martin and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies exchanged gunfire. Muscle Shoals Police Chief Clint Reck said a bullet came close to an officers face but no officers in his department were injured. Sheffield Police werent as fortunate. Lt. Dotson was hit but protected from severe injury by his vest, while Risner was shot through his vehicles windshield. Martin was also shot. He received medical treatment at the scene from officers before being transported to Huntsville Hospital, where he was in stable condition as of Friday evening. Gov. Kay Ivey said she's devastated to learn Sheffield Police Sgt. Nick Risner succumbed to his injuries Saturday morning. She posted this statement on Facebook, saying she offers her heartfelt prayers to his family, his fellow officers and his community. Ivey also said flags should be flown at half-staff on the day of Risner's funeral. That hasn't been announced yet. Attorney General Steve Marshall also said in a Facebook post, "Today, we mourn the loss of Sheffield Police Sergeant Nick Risner, a hero who was senselessly struck down in the line of duty. Please pray for his family, friends, and fellow officers. #ThinBlueLine" Marshall released the following statement as well: We mourn the loss of Sergeant Nick Risner, a hero who was senselessly struck down in the line of duty. Responding to a report of a victim in a roadway Friday afternoon in Muscle Shoals, Sergeant Risner was met by hostile gunfire during the ensuing chase of the suspect. Sergeant Risner suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to Huntsville Hospital, where today he tragically succumbed to the injuries he sustained. We often take for granted the safety of our neighborhoods and communities while every minute of every day heroes sworn to protect and serve us venture into harms way. Sergeant Risner was such a hero. We live our lives in security because of the bravery and commitment of men like Sergeant Risner who vigilantly stand guard against evil. We can never repay their sacrifice. Please pray for Sergeant Risners family, friends, and fellow officers." Risner, 40, had served nine years with the Sheffield Police Department, where he was a K-9 officer, according to Marshall. Risner also served in the U.S. Army Reserve for eight years. Marshall's office said he is the second Alabama police officer to fall to hostile gunfire this year and the third officer to be shot in the line of duty in less than 24 hours. He is survived by his parents and a daughter. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville also released the following statement: "This weekend, my heart is with the brave men and women of the Sheffield Police Department. Please join me in mourning the loss of Sgt. Risner and praying for the recovery of Lt. Dotson." Sheffield Police Sgt. Nick Risner died Saturday after being shot while serving in the line of duty. While no charges are filed against him as of noon Saturday, law enforcement officials have named Brian Lansing Martin as the suspect in the Friday shooting that led to Risners death and the injury of Lt. Max Dotson. Martin had previously served time for manslaughter in the case of his fathers death in 2011. In that case, Martin pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced in 2013 to 10 years. Records show he was released in 2016. Martin is reported to be in stable condition at Huntsville Hospital. In his announcement of Risners passing, Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry called out the circumstances he believes led to Fridays tragedy. The justice system failed not only Sgt. Risner, but his family and everyone who has been affected by his passing, Terry wrote. ... This incident should have never happened, because a coward who should still be in prison was walking the streets. (Read Terrys full statement below.) Authorities said in a press conference Friday evening that Martin shot and pushed an individual out of their vehicle near the 800 block of Avalon Avenue. That individual has not been publicly identified, pending notification of next of kin. After abandoning his victim in the street, Martin stole another vehicle. Sheffield Police spotted the vehicle and chased Martin back into Muscle Shoals, behind the Walmart on Avalon Avenue. There, Martin and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies exchanged gunfire. Muscle Shoals Police Chief Clint Reck said a bullet came close to an officers face but no officers in his department were injured. Saturday morning after Risners passing was announced, the American flag at the Muscle Shoals Walmart was lowered to half-staff. Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry's complete statement: It is with a heavy heart that the Sheffield Police Department is sad to report that Sgt. Nick Risner, who was involved in the shooting in Muscle Shoals yesterday, has succumbed to his injuries this morning at 9:52 a.m. at Huntsville Hospital. We would like to thank the community and everyone who has prayed for Sgt. Risner, his family, and the Sheffield Police Department during this time. We are thankful for Sgt. Risners 8+ years of service with the Sheffield Police Department. Sgt. Risner performed a heroic act by protecting the Shoals Community from the shooter from entering the Walmart parking lot. If the shooter would have entered the Walmart parking lot, there is no telling how many lives would have been in danger or lost yesterday. The justice system failed not only Sgt. Risner, but his family and everyone who has been affected by his passing. This incident should have never happened, because a coward who should still be in prison was walking the streets. To lose an officer in the line of duty is a tragedy and there are just not enough words to express how saddened we are. Sgt. Risner died a hero, and his legacy and memory will be with Sheffield Police Department and the Sheffield community forever. Although Sgt. Nick Risner is no longer with us, he is continuing to save lives by being an active organ donor. The Sheffield Police Department would like to express their thanks to the Tuscumbia, Florence, Muscle Shoals and Huntsville police departments, as well as ALEA and Colbert County Sheriffs Office for their support during this time. Please continue to pray for the Risner family. Sheffield Police Chief Rick Terry released a statement Saturday saying Sgt. Nick Risner "performed a heroic act" when he protected the Shoals community from entering a Walmart parking lot and putting even more lives in danger. WAAY 31 spoke with a Walmart employee who was in the parking lot and witnessed the deadly shootout Friday that led to Risner's death Saturday. Risner had been one of several law enforcement officers to take part in the car chase and gunfire exchange, but he was one of only two that was hit by a bullet and the only one to die from his injuries. Walmart employee witnessed shooting in Muscle Shoals Walmart employee witnessed shooting in Muscle Shoals Brandon Staggs said he had been heading back into work at Walmart when he heard the gunshots and realized someone was shooting close by. He said he was in shock. Its not like you see on TV," Staggs said. "You dont go running; you freeze." Staggs said the Walmart parking lot was full, and everyone was in pure disbelief. "I froze right when it happened," he said. "Our customers froze right when it happened. Youre just staring, and youre trying to convince yourself youre not seeing what youre seeing." "Because I saw the police cars and I saw the smoke, but Im thinking, Oh a car is on fire'; youre thinking, Oh a fireworks gone off. Youre doing all these things, trying to convince yourself youre not seeing what youre actually seeing, he said. But his mind wasn't playing tricks on him. Staggs was actually witnessing multiple shots being fired, right next to where he works. I could see them ducking and weaving," he said. "... And then you could just see the smoke, and you could see the ricochets coming off the mall over here." Staggs said he will forever be grateful for the officers' heroic efforts. He feared what would have happened if the shooter got any closer. They stopped him 100 feet from Walmart," Staggs said. "You know, what would have happened if he would have gotten there and done something terrible? We really owe a debt of gratitude to Sheffield, Muscle Shoals and all the surrounding police. I dont know what wed do without them." Authorities would later identify the shooting suspect as Bryan Lansing Martin of Sheffield. According to Muscle Shoals Police Department, Martin was riding in a car with William Clare Mealback Jr. when eyewitnesses say the two got into an argument. Martin then shot Mealback in the head and chest, pushed him from the vehicle onto Avalon Avenue and left the scene. He was later spotted in a stolen vehicle by Sheffield Police and chased back into Muscle Shoals, where he and officers from multiple agencies exchanged gunfire. Martin was shot and taken to Huntsville Hospital, where he was reportedly in stable condition as of Friday evening. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Dave Grohl cant immediately recall which visit to the White House it was. Maybe the time he was invited to say a few words about The Who when George W. Bush gave the former hellraisers a medal. Or it might have been the time Barack Obamas people asked him to sing at a similar ceremony for Sir Paul McCartney. This time he was scared, though, because a reckoning loomed. On the same trip to Washington, his multimillion-album-selling rock band Foo Fighters was booked at the 9:30 Club, an underground hangout hed played with his first teen punk band in the 80s. The Foo Fighters, from left, Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel, Dave Grohl, and Pat Smear perform at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 12. Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) I heard that my heroes were all going to be there, Grohl says, namechecking righteous dudes from Scream, Black Flag, Husker Du, Fugazi and Minor Threat. I was nervous because I was actually in town to play the f---ing White House. I was so terrified that I wouldnt be accepted by my old friends; that Id be seen as some kind of sell-out. Loading The weird guilt trip carries sombre echoes. In his darkest hours, Kurt Cobain was consumed by the ethics of independence crushed by the phenomenal mainstream success Nirvana had so bitterly reaped. In many ways, that bands most successful survivor personifies this corporate-cultural fait accompli. Today, WealthyCelebrity.com lists Dave Grohl as the fourth richest drummer alive. Hes the rock star US presidents ask for by name. He gets where this is going, but hes not buying it. Foo Fighters run their own label, own their own studio, answer to nobody, he says. Theres no boardroom full of people making any of these decisions for us. We always call ourselves the highest-paid garage band in the world ... When I think of stardom, I think of other people. Advertisement As it happened, that night at the 9:30 Club showered nothing but love on the homecoming hero who must be thoroughly sick of being called the nicest man in rock. Ethical showdown averted. Chalk up another happy ending in the life of astonishing good fortune recounted in his new memoir, The Storyteller. A life of astonishing good fortune is recounted in Dave Grohls memoir. Credit:Magdalena Wosinska In truth, The Humblebragger might be a more accurate title. But listen, you would be too if you were just lounging in a van one arvo and Iggy Pop banged on the door to see if there was a drummer he could borrow. Grohl was 21 when that outrageous boys own dream came true. Nirvana knocked a few months later. Fast-forward a decade or three and it was Tom Petty, McCartney, Mick Jagger I never wander into that rehearsal space or onto that stage feeling like I am of the same calibre or merit as these people, he says. The book is meant to be read [as] through the lens of someone who is having an out-of-body experience. When these things happen to me I feel like theyre happening to someone else. A young Dave Grohl barbecuing in Virginia in 1999. Credit:Danny Clinch Born from a spontaneous series of Instagram lockdown posts, The Storyteller is an episodic montage of these surreal meetings, from Little Richard in an airport limo to dinner with AC/DC to Joan Jett reading the authors kids a bedtime story. Over nearly 400 pages, Grohl has so many names to drop that theres no room for that story about jamming on Led Zeppelin with Prince, or the time he played a Neil Young song on a David Bowie album. Advertisement Befitting his all-American sweet guy image, its the authors mother who beats all contenders to emerge as the hands-down hero of his life story, rooted in the Happy Days-cum-Brady Bunch suburbia of North Springfield, Virginia. Both of my parents were brilliant writers, Grohl says. Not only the written word, but the spoken word was taken seriously. I mean, we would have articulation drills at the dinner table, where my mother would give us a subject and wed have to talk about it for three minutes without breaking speech. I f---ng hated school, but I loved doing that. Dave Grohl with his hugely influential mum, Virginia Hanlon Grohl. Credit: Andreas Neumann Virginia Hanlon Grohls heart-warming relationship with her son has been on the record since her 2017 book, From Cradle To Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars (now a Paramount+ TV series). It only makes Dads fleeting profile in The Storyteller more conspicuous. One of the reasons why he just sort of slips in and out of the book is because he just kind of slipped in and out of my life, Grohl explains. Two years ago, he wrote an affectionate eulogy in The Atlantic about the late James Harper Grohl, a buttoned-down political reporter/consultant who took a dim view of his sons middling school reports and punk-rock aspirations. Dave Grohl was both inspired and intimidated by his father James Harper Grohl My father wasnt the greatest communicator, he says today. He could write one hell of a Republican speech but he and I did not have a decent relationship when I was young. Ultimately, I dont know if he knew how to be a father. He had a very difficult relationship with his own father. And I think it influenced his parenting. Advertisement At the same time, I really looked up to him. There was so much about him that I admired and was inspired by and I was intimidated by. He was an intellectual titan. He was so culturally versed in the arts and literature and he was a classically trained musician with perfect pitch. The father-son thaw occurred by email, eventually, as Foo Fighters stormed the world in the late 1990s. Every time he would send me an email, it was poetry. It was eloquent. It was entertaining. It was emotional. It could be one paragraph about making a pork roast at home and it read like Shakespeare. I felt like he was challenging me to write. After a few months he wrote me and said, Youre becoming a great writer, David. Your writing has punch and punch has power. That may have been my lifes greatest validation [although] he probably is rolling in his grave that Id write for The Atlantic. Dave Grohl with his wife Jordyn and daughters Violet, Harper and Ophelia. Grohl Juniors journalistic tentacles have expanded way beyond the odd left-leaning magazine article these past eight years. His documentary Sound City, his Sonic Highways TV series and the forthcoming What Drives Us are the kind of hands-on American histories that only a journeyman rock star could make: someone with lived experience, learned craft, and a contact book that reaches from Fugazi to McCartney to Obama. Theres a certain elegiac undertow to the films that Grohl has also been making. Credit:Magdalena Wosinska Advertisement Although ostensibly celebrations of music, and contagiously passionate ones at that, theres a certain elegiac undertow to these films, a documentation of people and places and creative techniques that need preserving, not just in memory but in the bricks and mortar of imperilled live venues and recording studios. But hes not the kind to say die. Ive had long conversations about rocknrolls death rattle for a decade and a half, he sighs. Now, is it at the top of the charts at the moment? No. Will it be again? I dont know. But the fact that it hasnt been for so long, and theres still rocknroll bands in the corner bars, and in the theatres, and in the arenas, and some in the stadiums, to me, that means maybe its doing OK. And that being said we sold 250,000 tickets in a day a few weeks ago, in England, so Im not the one to ask. You need to ask my daughter, whos 15 years old, who listens to Joni Mitchell all day long, and then she listens to the Misfits, and then she listens to the Suburban Lawns, and then she writes songs with her friends who play drums and guitars and love rocknroll. Nirvana in 1994, from left, David Grohl, Krist Noveselic and Kurt Cobain. Credit:Dave Geffen Company In a world where crumbling universities compete with cool rock colleges and presidents hand out medals to old counter-culture rebels, its fair to assume Violet Grohl and her little sisters will get more encouragement from their old man than he did from his own. Its sadly too late for his friend Kurt, but the ethically suffocating punk rock scene that Grohl describes surviving is simply no more. The world may be divided in all kinds of ways, but at a Foo Fighters gig, everyone is the same as everyone else. Obviously there are certain types of people that I would hope dont associate themselves with our band, he says, [but] for the most part, when we go out to play shows and you have 10, 20, 30, 40, 50,000 people joining in the chorus of the song, the energy of that communion, the energy of that connection, I think is healing in some way. I look out at the audience and I can kind of read people. I know that this guy might be a bit more conservative than this person over here. But when I see them join together and sing, it gives me hope. Maybe theres something to being the person that can deliver a song and bring everyone together. Advertisement Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size What a day it is. A cloudless spring afternoon at Mackenzies Point, a flat shelf of rock poking out over the Pacific Ocean on the jagged southern headland between Sydneys Bondi and Tamarama beaches. Tourists flock to this lookout, snapping selfies against a perfect, uninterrupted stretch of horizon where vivid blue sky meets deep blue ocean. On a perfect day just like this one in 1982, Elton John came to shoot a video for his hit song Blue Eyes, his white grand piano standing in the middle of this clifftop perch, encircled by a low stone wall. Less than eight years later, this same spot would be the site of a horrific murder, the bare rock flecked with blood stains leading to the edge of the precipice. Scattered nearby were a pair of tinted prescription glasses, a light blue handkerchief smudged with red, a mans wristwatch with a broken band, two keys on a ring and a page from a letter between mother and son the belongings of a whippet-thin Thai man with floppy black hair called Kritchikorn Rattanajurathaporn. On a frigid night in July, 1990, Kritchikorn, 31, stumbled here in a blood-soaked shirt, woozy from concussion after he and his companion, Geoffrey Sullivan, were subject to a savage Clockwork Orange-like attack by three young men wielding a claw hammer, a pipe and their fists. Sullivan was left lying in a pool of blood nearby; Kritchikorn, who had only arrived in Australia four months before, was chased along the cliff edge where he was either pushed or lost his footing, landing on a narrow ledge some metres below, before over a period of hours falling to another ledge. Here he would lie shivering, drifting in and out of consciousness, before turning and falling into the choppy waters below, where he would gasp for air for frantic seconds before drowning. Two days would pass before police divers discovered Kritchikorns body wedged between rocks below the surface. As our five-episode podcast Bondi Badlands, which launches today, explains, Kritchikorn was one of three men murdered on this headland in 1989 and 1990; it was also the scene of a number of assaults, a rape, a miraculous escape and a much earlier mysterious disappearance. The unvarnished fact is that late at night, Marks Park, a grassy verge capping the headland and the concrete pathway skirting the cliff face, had been a gay beat a place where homosexual men would socialise and hook up since at least the late 1920s. Gangs like the Bondi Boys (otherwise known by their graffiti tag PTK, or People that Kill) would prowl here, carrying out brazen acts of violence; its likely that at least a few were serial offenders; perpetrators of an anti-gay murder spree that swept across Sydney at the time. This is no simple whodunnit; it involves a tangled tale of hate crimes involving multiple suspects, gangs comprising up to 30 members, some of whom circulated among other gangs across Sydney, composing a dark mosaic of murder. Teenage boys represented the bulk of these killers, but there were young women, too. As our podcast shows, these types of homicide cases are among the toughest to solve. Kritchikorns slaying was one of the few at the time to receive a thorough police investigation. We will never know if he was still alive as he lay on that ledge, unconscious and out of view, after police arrived. In this case, at least, he was awarded a competent murder investigation by Detective Sergeant Steve McCann of Waverley police, resulting in his three killers being brought to justice and serving time in prison. This is a lot more than can be said for the other men killed here, or for that matter, the vast majority of other murders of gay men blighting Sydney at the time. Advertisement Almost a year to the day earlier, on another freezing night in July 1989, Ross Warren, a handsome, charismatic weatherman and newsreader from WIN-TV in Wollongong, vanished on this headland in the early hours of a Saturday morning. The 25-year-old left a few clues behind his chocolate-brown Nissan, parked on a nearby street, his wallet tucked away in the glove box, and a thick clump of his keys, attached to a brass ring, discovered by two of his friends in a honeycombed rock face a couple of days later. Warrens mysterious disappearance drew a frenzy of media attention, but even this wasnt enough to drive a proper investigation by Bondi police. Within three weeks of Warrens disappearance, which is the focus of the first episode of our podcast Bondi Badlands, the senior detective coordinating the so-called investigation closed the case without a body being found, although he speculated it might wash up on a shoreline. Earlier, on this long afternoon spent with the dead, I stopped at another point on the concrete pathway skirting the cliff face, past the Bondi Icebergs pool, surveying the rock platform 10 or more metres below. I fixed on the spot where a 31-year-old barman called John Russell landed after being dragged along the pathway and likely hurled over the cliff in the pre-dawn darkness of a hot November morning, only four months after Warren disappeared. I pictured Russell in the moonlight, surrounded by his attackers, knowing there was no way out, but fighting for grim life anyway. He had his best years ahead of him that night, having just inherited $100,000 from his maternal grandfather, whod run Clacks Cakes, a decades-old Bondi institution. Russell had been saying his farewells to Bondi: within days, he was to move to his dads property in Wollombi, in the Hunter Valley. Hed planned to build a kit home there and spend a year travelling around Australia. Credit: Advertisement Back in the 1980s, Bondi was still known as a working-class area, albeit a rapidly gentrifying one: many locals paid rents in decaying art deco apartments with names like the Cairo Mansions or the Venice Flats, and street crime along the foreshore wasnt unusual. This is where John Russell grew up; hed long learnt to keep his wits about him. He was a man who exuded decency, warmth and strength, but he could also be handy with his fists in the bars along Oxford Street where he worked during much of his 20s, he was the first barman called on to remove drunk troublemakers. And on the night of his death, Russell put up a real fight: inflicting damage on one of his killers, evidenced by a bunch of blond hairs still clutched in his left hand when his body was found at the cliff base hairs containing the DNA of his murderer. Less than a year earlier, in December 1988, the body of a brilliant, 27-year-old mathematician from the US, Scott Johnson, was found at the base of cliffs at Manlys North Head. Like John Russells, Johnsons death was dismissed by police as not suspicious, as a likely suicide. Scotts brother Steve Johnson, a highly successful IT entrepreneur, hired investigative journalist Dan Glick in 2007 to look into the death. What he unveiled was a decades-long testament to police inaction. Last year, Steve offered to match the existing million-dollar police reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Scotts death. Within a couple of months, a man from Sydneys Lane Cove, Scott White, was arrested for the alleged murder. A pre-trial hearing is due to begin in January next year. White, who is now 50, has pleaded not guilty. Cliffs were the easiest weapon; you didnt have to carry anything with you. All you had to do was go to a certain location and hurt someone or push them off the edge. In what was perhaps another watershed moment this year, a 75-year-old man was arrested for the murder of Raymond Keam, a martial arts expert and father of two who was found beaten to death in January 1987 at Alison Park, Randwick, then a well-known gay beat in Sydneys east. Stanley Early, also known as Spider, has been extradited to NSW after he was arrested in south-east Melbourne in August; this followed a million-dollar reward offered some months earlier. (Rewards of $100,000 have also been offered for information leading to the killers of Ross Warren and John Russell, as well as a French man, Gilles Mattaini, who disappeared from the Bondi coastal stretch in 1985.) Its quite possible that there were other clifftop murders in and around Bondi, and across other locations on Sydneys northern beaches, in the years preceding the major thrill-kill years of the late 1980s. As Sue Thompson, a former state ombudsmans investigator who joined the police force in 1990 to coordinate its liaison with the gay and lesbian community, tells me in the podcast: Cliffs were the easiest weapon; you didnt have to carry anything with you. All you had to do was go to a certain location and hurt someone or push them off the edge. Things did not change magically in 1984 [when homosexuality was decriminalised in NSW]. In fact with the advent of AIDS, hate violence increased. Advertisement For Thompson, becoming a liaison officer was deeply personal: one of her close friends, a gay man, had been murdered only months before she took the role, and she was less than impressed with the police response. The gay communitys mistrust of police at the time wasnt helping to quell the violence. Things did not change magically in 1984 [when homosexuality was decriminalised in NSW], Thompson outlined in one of her reports. In fact with the advent of AIDS, hate violence increased. It was my job to bring peace between police and the gay and lesbian communities and effect organisational change in police culture. If there remains any doubt that gay mens lives were seen as of less value at that time, look at how these murders were investigated by the Bondi police. Ross Warren? A four-page police statement on his disappearance was not even forwarded to the Missing Persons Unit. There were no comprehensive door-knocks, no record of police divers searching the headland after his disappearance, not even an appointed investigator, despite friends and colleagues insisting this was not a suicide. John Russell? His clothes were washed without any forensic analysis. The only person who gave evidence at the first inquest into his death in July 1990, which lasted all of 35 minutes, was a sergeant from Bondi police, who dismissed it as death by misadventure. Russells younger brother Peter strode out of the courtroom in disbelief and disgust. The Warren and Russell cases lay dormant. Then, on a brisk autumn day in 2000, a detective at Sydneys Paddington Police Station, Steve Page, was moved by a series of letters from Ross Warrens mother, Kay, who had one simple request: for her son to be officially declared dead, so she could tend to his affairs. As Sydney partied to the Olympics, Page created a new investigation code-named Taradale and began joining the dots between the two murders. Detective Steve Page led an investigation into the murders at Bondi, Operation Taradale, that would consume years of his life. He has since left the force. Credit:James Brickwood After 18 months of solid investigation, Page needed more witnesses to come forward and more public attention on the cases. He struck on the idea of staging a re-enactment of John Russells fall from the Bondi clifftops using a weighted, flexible dummy, and chose a quiet news day, a Sunday morning. As a result of the media attention, a handful of people came forward to tell their stories, among them a man who had been dragged to the cliff edge only a month after Russells death. Lets throw him off where we threw the other one off, one of his assailants had yelled, near the same spot Russell had met his fate. But the man, 22 at the time, had made a miraculous escape and lived to tell his story. Sadly, it was after this that another strange disappearance on the headland came to light, that of 27-year-old Gilles Mattaini. Lets throw him off where we threw the other one off, one of his assailants yelled. Advertisement Operation Taradale rattled more than a few cages, and resulted in a coronial inquest in 2005. In her findings, deputy state coroner Jacqueline Milledge delivered a scathing assessment of the early police investigations into the murders of Russell and Warren, describing them as lacklustre, disgraceful and shameful to a packed courtroom while applauding Pages work in unveiling a dark web of hate. A dummy was thrown over the cliff at Bondi as a re-enactment of John Russells murder. The re-enactment made the evening news and resulted in new witnesses to the violence coming forward to police. In the late 1980s and early 90s, Sydneys gay and lesbian community was under siege (bashings and murders of gay men were also happening in Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, but not on the same scale). Something, however, broke after the murder of Kritchikorn Rattanajurathaporn. The escalating violence brought a sea of angry protestors that filled Macquarie Street in front of state parliament. Activists splattered red paint over 11 city buildings, including state parliament, the Downing Centre court complex, and the headquarters of Channel 10 and The Sydney Morning Herald, then located in Jones Street, Ultimo. Self-defence classes were springing up in inner-city gyms and community groups, and a group of gay volunteers some of them former members of the army, navy and police force began foot patrols along Oxford Street and Darlinghurst Road. Oxford Street foot patrol in 1991. Credit:Reuters Advertisement And the years of thunderous outrage at the ruinously high price of renewable energy remember Barnabys $100 leg of lamb? - that belongs in historys fan-forced oven of overheated hype. While power prices did rise sharply in the tumultuous years of outages and chaos, in the past three years the average annual household power bill has fallen by $307, according to the SA government. With electricity, the more renewables that come in, the lower the prices go, the chair of the federal governments Energy Security Board, Kerry Schott, told The Australian this week. Point for point, the experience of South Australia demolishes every one of those three scare campaigns run by the federal Liberal-Nationals over the past decade. It has only one left: that a pledge to make further cuts in carbon emissions will destroy jobs in regional areas. How does that claim look to South Australias Liberal Premier, Steven Marshall? Weve been the beneficiary of billions of dollars of investment in renewables, he tells me, and beyond that a whole new group of investors because its more environmentally aware and sustainable. Some of the largest companies in the world are coming to South Australia, Amazon for example. We just havent attracted these sorts of companies before. Amazon this year opened a new office for research into machine learning and artificial intelligence in Adelaides Lot 14 tech hub. Microsoft and Nokia recently opened a centre at Lot 14 to explore how space and 5G technologies can boost digital transformation. These businesses are not drawn by the renewables in themselves, says Marshall, but by what they have come to represent: Sustainability is fundamental to all the large tech sectors around the world. These are companies that want to align themselves with the values they want to represent. In South Australia we are reorganising ourselves around renewable, climate and creativity these are all points of difference. The interface of sustainability, tech and creativity is one where we can see tremendous opportunity. Then treasurer Scott Morrison with a lump of coal in Parliament in February 2017. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Heres a critical point. New investment is not only flowing into new industries but also to old. The grid is stable, prices are coming down, investment is rolling in and the future is looking bright for traditional industries, says Marshall. Theres no doubt that we are going to go from the highest-cost, least-reliable energy in the world to very sustainable, low-cost, very reliable energy that will support jobs in the traditional sectors that had been struggling in Australia. He gives the example of steel. We were told steel manufacturing wont happen in Australia any more. COVID has shown we need to have sovereign capability in steel as well as so many other areas. Cheap, reliable, renewable energy is a huge advantage for steelmaking and other manufacturing, he points out. Remember how the South Australian town of Whyalla was going to be wiped off the map according to Tony Abbott? Even two years after Abbott abolished the Gillard governments carbon tax, the BHP-owned Whyalla steelworks was on deathwatch and in 2016 went into administration. British investor Sanjeev Guptas GFG Alliance bought it, expanded it and announced a Greensteel plan to make steel from entirely renewable energy, green hydrogen in particular. Guptas empire was thrown into disarray when its main financier, Greensill Capital, collapsed this year. Premier Marshall says that the steelworks is already a very viable business, the green steel technology is almost there now and once GFGs finances are sorted I think we will see more steel and green steel made at the plant. All of this is exactly as outlined by the eminent Australian economist Ross Garnaut. His 2019 book Superpower sketched a future where Australia takes advantage of the fact that it has the worlds lowest-cost renewable energy to transform itself into a manufacturing powerhouse and to be an economic superpower of the future post-carbon world. Steven Marshall aims to make South Australia a green hydrogen energy superpower. We will soon have enough renewable energy to satisfy all our states demands, when it will be able to export electrons to the rest of Australia through the promised $2 billion connector line to NSW. Ultimately, SA expects to be able to export five times more renewable energy than the states own needs. With green hydrogen, the skys the limit, says Marshall. Japan and South Korea have announced plans to become green hydrogen economies. We are working on a range of projects to make it, convert it to ammonia and export. We will not only affect our own environmental credentials but improve the environmental credentials of these overseas economies. We are getting inquiries from investors right around the world. Renewable energy export plans are booming across Australia. The Sun Cable project is investing $30 billion to send electricity from the worlds biggest solar farm in the Northern Territory, through an undersea cable, to supply 15 per cent of Singapores power needs from 2027 and abating 8.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year. Its expected to create thousands of jobs and add $8 billion to the NT economy. Remember Scott Morrisons ridiculous 2019 scare campaign against electric vehicles? That theyd end the weekend because they were too feeble to tow boats or trailers? This week, Ford Motor announced that it would spend $US11 billion to build three factories to make fully electric versions of its F-150 and Super Duty pick-up trucks. It would be Fords biggest manufacturing investment in the firms 118-year history. The Morrison government is out of scare lines. And this week we saw that its out of excuses, too, when another Liberal government delivered its new carbon emissions targets. The NSW government said it was raising its sights instead of cutting emissions by 35 per cent by 2030, it would cut by 50 per cent. This is the short-term target that economies will need to achieve to demonstrate that theyre serious about delivering a net zero target by 2050. This brings NSW exactly into line with targets set by US President Joe Biden. And, carefully timed to pressure Morrison, it leaves the federal government exposed the 26-28 per cent cut by 2030 pledged by the Abbott government is now revealed to be seriously inadequate. The Abbott target was devised to match the US. But now the US has doubled its, leaving Australia as a first-world laggard. Even Australias own states of NSW, Victoria and SA are in line with the US target. How can Canberra not? If Australia maintains its current targets, it will be inviting pariah status international investors will avoid it, creditors will charge it a carbon criminal premium, and the EU will seek to impose carbon tariffs on its exports. The global climate summit scheduled for Glasgow on November 1 is putting the federal government under irresistible pressure to upgrade its ambitions. Morrison is out of scare lines and down to his last excuse you cant just announce a target unless you have a plan. Loading What does Steven Marshall say to that? We have a plan, were implementing it, and the results are extraordinarily positive for our state. If the federal government cant produce a plan, whose fault is that? Morrison needs to produce a plan, unify his party, and bring or bribe the Nationals along. He has a month to do it. Anything less will be an abject failure of leadership. A poor choice in a boyfriend and a grant to a regional shooting club will be added to a bottle of Grange and a job for the boys in the trifecta of trip-ups that has seen the downfall of three Liberal premiers. While two former Labor ministers Eddie Obeid and Ian Macdonald look set to be jailed in the wake of industrial-sized corruption uncovered by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, a chain of less spectacular events has seen the political demise of Liberal premiers Nick Greiner, Barry OFarrell and now Gladys Berejiklian. Then NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian fronting the media after her revelations before a 2020 ICAC inquiry. Credit:Jessica Hromas Love is blind is as good a political epitaph as any for Ms Berejiklian. Her choice of the backbencher nicknamed Dodgy Daryl Maguire as her secret lover was one thing, but her willingness to turn a blind eye to his activities appears to have been fatal. Under the ICAC Act, a Minister of the Crown has a public duty to notify the commission of possible corrupt conduct. In an intercepted call with Mr Maguire in 2017, he was heard rattling on about his efforts to broker a $330 million land sale at Badgerys Creek. I dont need to know that bit, said the then-premier, appearing to turn a blind eye to his worrying activities. The decision taken by ICAC would have followed weeks of careful investigation and deliberation. Once the facts were collected they would have been placed before independent persons of the highest integrity. Irrespective of how difficult it would have been to make, the decision would have been taken free of any political considerations. This was obviously an important and difficult moment for the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). The announcement of an inquiry to look into the conduct of any politician is fraught, but when it involves the premier it is 10 times more difficult than usual. Apart from anything else, ICACs decision is bound to attract a partisan political backlash a matter to which I will return. The resignation of the NSW premier is a dramatic political event, but it should not be allowed to cloud the larger issue at stake the preservation and protection of integrity in the public sector. A glance at the terms of references of ICACs investigation demonstrates that the matter is sufficiently serious matter to warrant this course. The central issue is now a familiar one it involves the questionable allocation of public money through grants. Specifically, the commission is investigating the 2017 $5.5 million grant given to the Australian Clay Target Association in Wagga Wagga for its clubhouse, in Maguires electorate, while Berejiklian was Treasurer. Maguire is accused of later trying to profit from the fit-out of the clubs new headquarters. The Premier has maintained that she followed all proper processes. There is an additional question over whether the Premier personally approved the allocation of $20 million in funds for a Wagga Wagga music conservatorium while she was in a secret relationship with Maguire. Berejiklian has insisted she did not approve the funds. Sports rorts, car park rorts it is becoming a sadly familiar theme. What is under investigation is whether public money was taken from where it should have been allocated and reallocated as a favour to a politician. If that happened it is a disgrace. We have seen too much of this going on, and needs to be exposed for what it is. Loading The underlying issue is important. For that reason we should be pleased that this matter is going to receive a public airing. We need to know what is going wrong with these grants schemes. That public airing, incidentally, helps everyone involved. It may well be that ICACs investigations disclose no wrongdoing on the part of Berejiklian and if that occurs we will all be grateful and relieved. The fact that it will be the subject of a public hearing will allow all of us to be better informed and permit each of us to make our own judgments. Most journalists based in Jerusalem who report exactly what they see in front of them are trolled and abused. As an indication of how far right much of the pro-Israel lobby has leant, correspondents of The New York Times traditionally one of the newspapers most supportive of Israel have been systematically targeted. I knew that if I reported the truth about the treatment of Palestinian children in the West Bank, I would be the target of a backlash which would be tough, nasty and prolonged. I knew that the report would not encourage a debate about the central theme of the story whether it was fair that in the West Bank there is one law for Jewish children and one for Palestinian children but rather a round of attacks on me. Over four months, Id become the fittest Id been since I was 18. I needed to be: I was about to face the full fury of Australias pro-Israel lobby. I was busy working on a story Stone Cold Justice as a guest reporter for Four Corners. I knew the hardline supporters in Australia of Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories well enough to understand that this story would unleash a propaganda fatwa against me. As someone whod tried to avoid running most of my life, I was surprised to find myself, at the age of 52, pounding along the old railway track in Jerusalem, sweating under the Middle Eastern sun but determined to be ready for the prize fight. Jodi Rudoren, who was from an observant American Jewish family and came to Jerusalem to report for that paper when I was there, was attacked even before she landed in Israel. Her crime? After she was announced as the new NYT correspondent, an Arab American sent her a note of congratulations. She replied with a thank you in Arabic: Shukran. For that, she became a target. Later, a prominent US-based pro-Israel lobby group branded her a Nazi bitch. Having lived with these sorts of attacks for many years and this book will lead to a new round I believe that they are a deliberate tactic. I think the aim is to make journalists and editors decide that, even if they have a legitimate story that may criticise Israel, it is simply not worth running it because it will cause more trouble than its worth. As Agence France-Presse correspondent Philippe Agret says, the aim is to exhaust journalists and editors so they think twice before writing anything critical of Israel. Over my time as a journalist and editor, Ive upset a lot of powerful people. As the editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, I dismayed both major party leaders in Australia at that time John Howard and Paul Keating along with a few others, such as Kerry Packer. Keating and Packer were the most ferocious, but Howard was not far behind. He once unleashed on me while we were having pre-dinner drinks at The Lodge over the Heralds coverage of the Mabo and Wik decisions: Youve murdered me politically in my own hometown. Keating once got a member of his office to ring me to say that I was editing the second most corrupt newspaper in the country. Keating was outraged by stories wed been running about his connection to a piggery. Please tell your boss that he knows how to wound us, I told his staffer. Please relay to him that wed either prefer not to be on his list at all or wed rather be No.1 we dont like coming second for anything. I added: Just out of interest, which is the most corrupt newspaper in the country? His staffer replied: The West Australian. But nothing matches the fury of the right-wing supporters of Israel, who are often bundled together and described as the pro-Israel lobby. When I refer to the pro-Israel lobby, I include the Israeli embassy in Canberra, several of the formal lobby groups, and several individuals who are affiliated with these groups activists who support the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. WA is facing COVID threats from a virus-riddled ship docked at Fremantle and an international diplomat who tested positive while in self-quarantine at a Northbridge apartment complex. The oil and chemical tanker, Stolt Sakura, berthed at Fremantle on Saturday amid concerns some crew members had flu-like symptoms after departing Singapore. On Sunday, Premier Mark McGowan confirmed the virus had swept through the ship, with 12 out of 22 crew testing positive. Four have been transferred to hospital, while the remaining infected crew will isolate on the ship. We expect more positive cases to be identified from testing. Most have reported mild or no coronavirus symptoms, he said. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When the Hazelwood coal-fired power station announced it would be shutting its doors in March 2017, it was Tony Abbott, from the backbenches, who demanded the federal government intervene. The former prime minister, who 18 months earlier had been deposed by Malcolm Turnbull, said if the federal government was serious about tackling Australias looming energy crisis, then the last thing it should be doing was closing 20 per cent of Victorias baseload power supply, even if it did involve burning coal. Nationals MP Darren Chester, whose electorate of Gippsland was home to the hundreds of workers employed at the 50-year-old plant, was furious at the call for a bailout, suggesting it was far too late and even the company didnt want it. Nationals MP Darren Chester is taking a break from the party room. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen It is unhelpful for him to be providing false hope in my electorate when hundreds of workers are to be displaced, Chester said at the time. Our focus as a government needs to be on developing alternative uses for the extremely valuable coal resource in the Latrobe Valley and investing in infrastructure that will create more jobs and opportunities for the region. Chester knew then, as he still says now, that coal communities like his would one day have to come to terms with a rapidly changing economy. He wasnt cutting them loose by any stretch; he was simply preparing them for the inevitable shift. Advertisement Four years on and most of the Coalition are singing from the same song sheet. The world is changing and fossil fuels are no longer regarded as the future, even if they are not, just yet, a thing of the past. But the climate remains vexed for the Nationals, who proudly represent regional Australia, and have in the past decade slowly grown their traditional appeal beyond farmers and graziers to encompass the resources sector. Their leader Barnaby Joyce led the charge against the Gillard governments carbon tax and has for years cast doubt over man-made climate change. Now it has fallen to Joyce to negotiate what some of his colleagues fear could be the death knell for the resources sector in Australia: an agreement to transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The pro-fossil fuels stance has delivered the Nationals electoral success, particularly in Queensland, where the Coalition holds 23 of 30 seats. The Sunshine state and resource-rich Western Australia are the only two states where the government holds the majority of seats. Its MPs know this well. But Chesters dramatic decision to walk away from the federal Nationals party room this week is not based on the partys climate stance. His views are basically widely shared by many of his colleagues. They are that the party must be at the table when negotiating any pact, regional Australia must not pay the price but that the Nationals cannot afford to be seen as climate deniers. Advertisement Victorian senator Bridget McKenzie says you wont hear her challenging climate science either. She just wants to make sure that the regional constituencies and industries she supports arent adversely affected by mandated climate targets. Despite her personal attacks on some cool for climate Liberal colleagues this week, she hasnt spoken against net zero. She just wants to see the plan to get there. Chester is still a Victorian National and a member of the Coalition, but he will not attend party room meetings for the foreseeable future. His decision to step out, albeit temporarily, was a reflection of the spiteful, personality-driven internal spats within the party over the past five years. The move threatens to derail any climate debate the party has in the coming weeks. Its out of sadness rather than anger. Its a degree of frustration, he said this week. The party room and the way its working at the moment is quite dysfunctional. His criticism is reserved for some of his extreme right-wing colleagues, namely Queenslanders George Christensen and Matt Canavan, over their outspoken views about COVID-19 restrictions, vaccinations and climate. But the internal clashes run much deeper. Advertisement The lingering wounds from the ousting of Michael McCormack three months ago show no signs of healing any time soon. And it is that challenging backdrop Joyce now has to navigate if he is to reach any deal with his Liberal partners on Australias emissions targets. Nationals MPs Mark Coulton, Michael McCormack and Darren Chester in June Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The 21-member partyroom has for many years been at differing ends of the political spectrum on issues ranging from same-sex marriage and abortion to economic, COVID-19 and climate policy. Im not sure why people are surprised that climate isnt settled within the Nats, one senior party source said this week. Just look at the past 10 years. Apart from the Greens none of these fights have been easy for political parties. And you need to have the fight. There are many within the Nationals who arent giving up on coal, even coal-fired power, for a second. They think the idea of setting a target for net zero emissions is the stupidest thing a nation whose wealth is tied to a booming resource sector could do to itself. Canavan, who says hes deadset against net zero, last week joined with retiring Flynn MP Ken ODowd and his potential successor, Colin Boyce, to call for a new taxpayer-funded coal-fired power generator on the site of the damaged Callide power station in central Queensland. Advertisement Another Queenslander, Resources Minister Keith Pitt, says hes just deadset against doing dumb things. My colleagues will put forward their views, and at the moment its a blank canvas, Pitt said of the discussions set to occur in the Nationals partyroom this week. So Joyce is wedged. The Liberals believe it is critical electorally for them to strengthen their climate credentials with voters who, party officials say, are telling pollsters more and more that they simply just want governments to get on with tackling climate change. Loading It is not the top voting priority across the nation, but it has become critical in Liberal-held inner-city seats. If Joyce wants to remain deputy prime minister after the election, a position he feels was unfairly taken from him for three years, then he has to consider the concerns of the Liberals when navigating his own partyroom. Queensland MP David Littleproud, whose electorate of Maranoa boasts coal-fired power stations, gas fields and coal mines, this week went into the lions den for a Nationals minister Triple Js youth-oriented current affairs program Hack to defend the partys net zero debate. Advertisement Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello and Environment Minister Matt Kean attended Ms Berejiklians final press conference as Premier on Friday. Loading Resigning at this time is against every instinct of my being ... I love my job and serving the community, but I have been given no option, Ms Berejiklian said. Ms Berejiklian also took aim at the ICACs timing given the critical point NSW finds itself in during the pandemic, but said she was left with no alternative than to resign from public office. My resignation as premier could not happen at a worse time, but the timing is completely outside of my control as the ICAC has chosen to take this action during the most challenging weeks of the most challenging times in the history of NSW, she said. She said standing aside was not an option during the pandemic when NSW needed certainty. History will demonstrate that I have always executed my duties with the highest degree of integrity for the benefit of the people of NSW who I have had the privilege to serve, Ms Berejiklian said. My only regret will be not to be able to finish the job to ensure the people of NSW transition to living freely with COVID. Gladys Berejiklian walks away from office and from the NSW Parliament. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Ms Berejiklians colleagues were left shaken by her announcement, but factional bosses immediately began planning for her replacement. Mr Perrottet is expected to announce over the weekend his intention to contest the leadership. One of Ms Berejiklians most strident supporters Environment Minister Matt Kean is likely to be deputy leader if Mr Perrottet is elected, however, Planning Minister Rob Stokes is also a contender for premier. Outside contenders for premier are Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres and Transport Minister Andrew Constance. The departure of Ms Berejiklian plunges the Coalition further into minority government. A byelection in her seat is unlikely to happen until after Parliament rises for the year. One of the first challenges for the new premier will be to negotiate an agreement with two key crossbenchers, Alex Greenwich and Greg Piper, for their guarantee of supply and confidence. This is likely to be conditional on the new premier committing to a conscience vote on Mr Greenwichs voluntary assisted dying bill, which he will introduce to Parliament on October 14. Mr Greenwich and Mr Piper have both indicated that the bill is their priority, and Ms Berejiklian had made a promise to her MPs that there would be no more conscience votes in this term. Ms Berejiklian was first embroiled in the ICAC scandal in October 2020, when she revealed to the commission that she was in a close personal relationship with Mr Maguire for five years, including after he was forced to quit Parliament. The inquiry last year heard tapped phone calls between Ms Berejiklian and Mr Maguire during their five-year secret relationship. Loading The ICAC confirmed earlier this year it would extend Operation Keppel, which was set up to investigate Mr Maguire, who allegedly used his position in Parliament to further his business dealings. Liberal MPs were in talks on Friday about leadership options, although Oatley MP Mark Coure, a prominent moderate, cancelled a faction meeting on Friday night. Mr Coure told colleagues this is a tough day for our state, our party, but most importantly the Premier. We will no doubt have a follow-up meeting over the weekend. After her announcement, many of Ms Berejiklians colleagues issued statements of support and thanks. Loading Mr Perrottet said Ms Berejiklian had worked tirelessly during the pandemic and put the states welfare ahead of her own with unstinting dedication to public service. I would like to offer my gratitude and thanks to Gladys Berejiklian for the leadership and strength she has shown throughout her career and especially during one of the most challenging periods any leader could ever encounter, Mr Perrottet said. Mr Kean said he was proud to have served under Ms Berejiklian as Premier. She has shown how much evidence-based, diligent leadership can achieve in an age of mistruths, conspiracy and misinformation, he said. No doubt over coming months there will be much public discussion over what has occurred today, its circumstances and the wisdom of this weeks decisions that brought it about. Queenslands opposition health spokeswoman is a member of a fake union that told members to go to a rally where anti-vaccination speakers promoted a false conspiracy theory that four children had died after being vaccinated. Liberal National MP Ros Bates says she supports vaccination, but she is also a member of the Nurses Professional Association of Queensland, which is associated with the Red Union Support Hub. Opposition MP Ros Bates is a member of a nurses association that invited members to a freedom rally. Credit:Harrison Saragossi Red Union is harnessing anti-vaccination sentiment to recruit members. The group claims it is rapidly attracting members in NSW and Victoria because of its opposition to vaccine mandates, which Australias top medical advisers said on Friday should be introduced nationwide to protect healthcare workers and their patients. The nurses association, which has shared a video from a nurse who falsely claims coronavirus vaccines do not work, has been branded a fake union by Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus. BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) A lack of answers from Hungary's government about alleged spying on journalists, politicians and business figures has raised questions for a fact-finding committee of the European Union's legislature on whether the government itself may be behind the surveillance. The head of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, said Friday that while on an official visit to Hungary this week, her delegation interviewed several Hungarian journalists whose phones had been infected by Pegasus, a malicious spying software. An investigation by a global media consortium published in July showed that Pegasus, a military-grade spyware from Israel-based NSO Group, was used in Hungary to infiltrate the digital devices of a range of targets including at least 10 lawyers, one opposition politician and several government-critical journalists. Speaking at a news conference in Budapest, Delbos-Corfield said that several of the journalists the delegation spoke with said the Pegasus affair had been quite traumatizing. The malware infiltrates phones to collect personal and location data, and can surreptitiously control the phones microphones and cameras. In the case of journalists, that lets hackers spy on reporters communications with sources. Delbos-Corfield said the Hungarian governments refusal so far to confirm or deny whether it was responsible for the spying was of great concern for the European Parliament. While the malware was shown to have been used in other EU countries, elsewhere it seems that its not coming from the governments of the member states," she said. Im not saying for sure, because I have doubts about this, but Hungary is the case where today, we have a clear sign that it was done by the government itself, Delbos-Corfield said. Hungarian officials, without denying having used Pegasus, have maintained that all secret surveillance activities are conducted in accordance with Hungarian law. Justice Minister Judit Varga declined to appear for questioning by the Hungarian Parliament's national security committee and told reporters in July that every country needs such tools. Its an illusion if anyone tries to make an issue out of it, Varga said. The LIBE committee was in Hungary to gather information on judicial independence, media pluralism, fundamental rights, academic freedom and the functioning of democratic institutions, part of a so-called Article 7 procedure the EU launched against Hungary in 2018 for alleged breaches of the bloc's fundamental values. Delbos-Corfield said the delegation had met with refusal to answer questions and clear hostility in meetings with Hungary's Constitutional Court and the Curia, its highest court. Delegates were twice threatened with contempt of justice in meetings with the Curia, she said. The delegation originally planned to be in Hungary in March 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the visit. We came with concerns. Those concerns are there since 2018, at least.These concerns remain, Delbos-Corfield said. Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo has instituted another mask mandate, but just for us civilians. A picture is worth a thousand words, as you can see from an image I posted on Twitter, where Fred is unmasked and huddled cheek to cheek with six other people just over a week ago. The rules apparently dont apply to him. He was in a tent. This is why these regulations are stupid. An enclosed tent is OK, but a barbershop or gym is not? Nationwide there are a ton of Freds. Gavin Newsom at the French laundry, Gretchen Whitmers trip to Florida when her state was locked down. They dont practice what they preach. Its theater. Republican Town Committee Vice Chair Jackie Budkins and Selectwoman Lauren Rabin have almost unilaterally supported Freds policies, and look they are in the picture without masks. You believe in this stuff and practice it, or you dont and youre a hypocrite. You can see from that photo that they dont believe in it. No social distancing, no masks. But per Freds policy, a waiter in the background wears a mask. They tell me I must wear one in the gym. Ironically, thats where the highest concentration of healthy people, the people who probably do not get COVID as badly, hang out. As a Republican, (which Fred claims to be), I will stand up against anyones attempt to mask me or my kids. I will not comply! And dont give me that crap about it being for other people. Thats a strawman. Fred doesnt follow his own rules. If you practice hocus-pocus COVID theater, thats your choice. But management at the expense of our liberty, with do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do mandates, is no management at all. Its just a mess of petty tyranny, ego and incompetence. Thats not what I voted for. Greenwich Representative Town Meeting member Carl Higbie is a former Navy SEAL who was chief of external affairs for the Corporation for National and Community Service under President Donald Trump. Today Some patchy fog early, then becoming partly sunny and quite warm. Tonight Becoming mostly cloudy with a spotty shower late at night. Tomorrow Mainly cloudy, brisk, and not as warm with a shower or two or some patchy drizzle. The Middle Easts first world's fair has opened in Dubai, after eight years of planning and billions of dollars spent. The emirate hopes the months-long extravaganza that opened to the public on Friday will draw both visitors and global attention, and stimulate its tourism-driven economy. Organizers say 192 nations are represented at the fair. This years Expo 2020 is happening amid a global pandemic and it's unclear how many tourists will visit after the exhibition was delayed a year due to the coronavirus. Attractions include a replica of the U.S.-made Falcon X rocket, a real royal Egyptian mummy and a towering 3-D replica of Michelangelos David. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Some patchy fog early, then becoming partly sunny and quite warm. . Tonight Becoming mostly cloudy with a spotty shower late at night. Partnerships Officer (Family Farming), Rome, Italy Organization: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Country: Italy City: Rome Office: FAO Rome Closing date: Tuesday, 19 October 2021 2102641 Partnerships Officer (Family Farming) Job Posting: 28/Sep/2021 Closure Date: 19/Oct/2021, 9:59:00 PM Organizational Unit : PSU Job Type: Staff position Type of Requisition : Professional Grade Level : P-3 Primary Location: Italy-Rome Duration : Fixed term: 2 years with possibility of extension Post Number : 2001098 CCOG Code : 1A10 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 persons 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 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind. The Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the identification, strengthening and stewardship of strategic partnerships with UN agencies and non-state actors (NSAs) including civil society, academia and research institutions, family farmers and indigenous peoples organizations and parliamentarians. The Division leads FAOs engagement in the UN Development System repositioning, develops capacities, fosters dialogues, scales up programmes and advocates for FAOs corporate positions in support of FAOs new Strategic Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It ensures that multi-stakeholder processes and strategic interventions globally and locally are an integral part of FAOs work and provides targeted support for successful collaboration with NSAs and UN agencies. The Division has the lead responsibility for the promotion of the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS RAI) and the implementation of the Food Coalition, the UN Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028) and the FAO Policy on Indigenous Peoples. It is also in charge of FAOs e-learning programmes and access to scientific and technical data through knowledge platforms and enhanced information policies and standards, promotes and facilitates knowledge sharing on sustainable food security and nutrition among various stakeholders. Reporting Lines The Partnerships Officer reports to the senior Partnerships Officer, Coordinator under guidance of the PSU Director. Technical Focus Contribution of Family Farming to FAOs Four Betters and to the SDGs. Key Results Support the development of partnerships in Headquarters and Decentralized Offices in support of the strategic objectives of the Organization. Key Functions Identifies, assess and develops, with the appropriate technical divisions, possible collaborations and partnerships with private sector entities for the fulfilment of the Strategic Objectives, both at Headquarters (HQ) and decentralized levels; Provides guidance and support to staff at Headquarters (HQ) and in Decentralized Offices (DOs) on the use of corporate requirements related to partnerships with the private sector; Elaborates an annual work plan with the priorities and main activities of private sector entities, which will be aligned with FAOs Strategic Objectives and programmes; Coordinates and monitors all operations and activities related to the Multi-Donor Trust Fund in support of mobilization of resources from the private sector; Establishes links with different FAO entities and governing bodies, including the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and other relevant regional and national fora on policy discussions to strengthen partnerships with private sector entities; Identifies and develops fundraising proposals in collaboration with key stakeholders both at HQ and decentralized offices in support of FAOs strategic objectives and country programming frameworks; Develops tools for capacity building among staff in HQ and DO to strengthen FAOs capacity of partnering with the private sector; Contributes to the elaboration and execution of the Monitoring and Evaluation system of FAOs partnerships; Participates on multi-disciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices. Specific Functions Contributes to structuring and conducting policy dialogues, trainings, and seminars on inclusive, integrated and innovative public policy processes for the support of family farming; Participates in multi-disciplinary, inter-divisional and inter-regional teams and collaborates with other UN agencies to promote the exchange of knowledge and policy solutions for the support of family farming; Supports technical and institutional innovations to strengthen family farming through the engagement of FAO staff and other actors; Engages and promotes partnerships with family farmers organizations; Supports continuous liaison with global and regional family farmers organizations to ensure their involvement and continuous participation in the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF); Carries out capacity development activities (online and offline) to strengthen producer organizations, CSOs, and other relevant actors, with a focus on young farmers and womens needs; Supports project planning and implementation in the framework of the UNDFF; prepares relevant documents and reports; and liaises with donors and other relevant parties; Drafts various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports, inputs to publications; training/learning programs, including the management of e-consultations; Contributes to the organization and delivery of UNDFF-related consultations, meetings, conferences at global, regional and national levels, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; Prepares documents and background materials related to the UNDFF International Steering Committee meetings, and supports organizational matters as needed; Supports continuous liaison with IFAD to assist the implementation of the UNDFF, to develop fundraising proposals and to support processes leading to the UN General Assembly; Supports Senior Managements outreach and advocacy efforts related to the UNDFF; Represents the Unit at external and interagency meetings as required. CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements Advanced university degree in international relations, economics, agricultural sciences, social sciences, or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization; Five years of relevant experience in strategic partnerships, engagement with state and non-state actors, facilitation of multi-actor collaboration, quantitative and qualitative analysis of data and information of family farming, food and agricultural and food systems-relevant issues; Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) Competencies cuUp925 Dh7qKS Results Focus Teamwork Communication Building Effective Relationships 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 Extensive knowledge of food systems, food security and nutrition, sustainable development, and generational sustainability of family farming; Extent and relevance of experience in building alliances, partnerships and networks for sustainable food systems; Deep understanding of the governance of the UN Decade of Family Farming and related UN Procedures; Extent and relevance of experience in drafting reports and strategic plans and in evidence based agri-food policy assessments; Experience in organizing meetings, seminars and capacity development activities. 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. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1632854242681 Internship - Child Protection Intern, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Childrens Fund Country: Malaysia City: Kuala Lumpur Office: UNICEF Kuala Lumpur Closing date: Tuesday, 12 October 2021 Internship - Child Protection Intern, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Malaysian only) Job no: 544986 Position type: Internship Location: Malaysia Division/Equivalent: Bangkok (EAPRO), Thailand School/Unit: Malaysia Department/Office: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Categories: Child Protection UNICEF works in some of the worlds toughest places, to reach the worlds most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up. For every child, protection UNICEF is the United Nations Childrens Fund, which has more than 10,000 staff members working in 190 countries and territories around the world. Since 1954, UNICEF has been joining forces with the Government of Malaysia to improve the wellbeing of children. More information on what we do in Malaysia is available at https://www.unicef.org/malaysia/. With the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals as our guide, UNICEF works with the government and others who are passionate about child rights to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow healthy and happy; live safely; and achieve their full potential. We are looking for an intern to contribute to our team for a period of 3 months in 2021, with potential extension up to an additional 3 months if need arises. We offer supervision, career guidance, exposure and participation to UNICEF programme planning and implementation, and the opportunity to work FOR EVERY CHILD. About us | UNICEF Malaysia How can you make a difference? Under the guidance and supervision of the UNICEF Chief of Child Protection (CP), the Child Protection Intern supports the effective implementation of programmes under the Child Protection section. Initiatives may include but not be limited to: Children Affected by Migration Violence Against Children Social Service Workforce Strengthening Child Online Protection Justice for Children Roles and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: Support desk reviews and analysis of background documents, review of draft reports and Terms of Reference (ToR), including keeping record of comments, providing suggestions for improvements and ensuring that comments are incorporated and addressed as needed. Logistical and administrative support for key meetings and events with government counterparts, partners and other stakeholders including preparation, interpretation, drafting minutes of meetings, summaries of reports, and other relevant documentation as needed. Support the implementation of activities under Child Protection programmes including organizing webinars and online events. Support the monitoring of progress of activities under Child Protection programmes. Support review of relevant research and studies, development of knowledge products and materials on child protection, and collation of data/documentation as required. Other tasks that may arise related to the work areas of the Child Protection section. To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have... Our ideal candidate has an impressive analytical mind, a keen understanding of international development in an upper-middle income country and sound judgment. How and Why are among your favourite words, and you are always looking to understand what works, and what doesnt, to help transform international development. You have a desire to help UNICEF Malaysia and its partners to do their work better for children, and to help collect the evidence they need to improve the programmes that they deliver. This includes excellent listening and communication skills and the ability to learn and share knowledge, encouraging the learning of others. Currently enrolled in a graduate (Masters) or undergraduate (Bachelors) or have graduated within the past two years. Field of study in International Development, Child Protection, or other relevant Social Science. cuYvpiI Dh7qKS Demonstrable proof of excellent academic performance. Demonstrable excellence in verbal, written and interpersonal communication in English (including active listening and information synthesis and strong writing abilities). Good interpersonal skills and ability to work within a multi-cultural team. Previous relevant work or volunteer experience, including in survey methodology, highly desired. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Have no immediate relatives (e.g. father, mother, brother, sister) working in any UNICEF office Be proficient in English. Fluency in the working language of the office you are applying to is required. For every Child, you demonstrate... UNICEFs values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. The UNICEF competencies required for this post are: Solid understanding and familiarity with child rights Excellent communication skills including both written and verbal use of language Ability to work well with people and in a team High standard for quality of work and drives for results Quick learner and strong research skills Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances Other Information 2.5 days a month, observe UN Holidays at the duty station The intern will receive a basic stipend of RM1,690 a month Currently, the intern is expected to work remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions in travel. Should COVID-19 restrictions be lifted, the intern may be expected to work in UNICEF Putrajaya office at least three days of the week and remotely for the other working days. To view our competency framework, please visit here. Click here to learn more about UNICEFs values and competencies. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. Remarks: Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. Advertised: Sep 29 2021 Singapore Standard Time Application close: Oct 12 2021 Singapore Standard Time Link to the organizations job offer: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1632914699824 CLEVELAND (AP) So many prescription painkillers were dispensed in Lake County, Ohio, between 2012 and 2016 that the amount equaled 265 pills for every resident. Just to the south, the flood of prescription opioids during the same period equated to 400 pills for every resident of Trumbull County. CLEVELAND (AP) So many prescription painkillers were dispensed in Lake County, Ohio, between 2012 and 2016 that the amount equaled 265 pills for every resident. Just to the south, the flood of prescription opioids during the same period equated to 400 pills for every resident of Trumbull County. Attorneys say efforts to address the ensuing overdose epidemic has cost each of the financially struggling counties at least $1 billion. Now those counties want major national pharmacy chains that were involved in much of that distribution to pay. Sharon Grover stands over the grave of her daughter, Rachael, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at Fairview Cemetery in Mesopotamia, Ohio. Grover believes her daughter started using prescription painkillers around 2013 but missed any signs of her addiction as her daughter, the oldest of five children, remained distanced. A bellwether trial is set to start Monday in federal court in Cleveland to determine whether retail pharmacy chains are liable for opioid crisis costs in two Ohio counties. Grover lives in Trumbull County, Ohio, which along with Lake County, have sued four retail pharmacy chains to recover public nuiscance costs the opioid crisis continues to inflict on their communities. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) In a bellwether federal trial starting Monday in Cleveland, Lake and Trumbull counties will try to convince a jury that the retail pharmacy companies played an outsized role in creating a public nuisance in the way they dispensed pain medication into their communities. This will be the first time pharmacy companies, in this case CVS, Walgreens, Giant Eagle and Walmart, have gone to trial to defend themselves in the nation's ongoing legal reckoning over the opioid crisis. The trial, which is expected to last around six weeks, could set the tone for similar lawsuits against retail pharmacy chains by government entities across the U.S. The trial will center on the harm to the counties and the response by the pharmacy chains, which have argued in court filings that their pharmacists were merely filling prescriptions written by physicians for legitimate medical needs. The trial also has a human dimension, watched closely by those whose family members are part of the roughly 500,000 Americans whose deaths are attributed to opioid abuse over the past two decades. People need to realize that drug addiction is a family disease, and everyone in the family is affected by it, said Sharon Grover, whose daughter died after becoming addicted to prescription pain pills and then heroin. Im never going to be the same. Grover, who lives in the small Trumbull County community of Mesopotamia Township, said she believes her daughter, Rachael Realini, started using prescription painkillers around 2013, but missed any signs of her addiction. By 2016, she told her mother she needed help. When pain pills became scarce, she turned to heroin to feed her habit. She looked terrible, Grover said of her daughter, a registered nurse and mother of two small children. We hugged, and I told her we would get through this. Attempts at rehabilitation in Ohio and Florida failed. Realini was found dead at her home in April 2017 from a fentanyl overdose, an autopsy showed. No other drugs were found in her system. Sharon Grover holds a photograph of her daughter, Rachael, at Fairview Cemetery, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, in Mesopotamia, Ohio. Grover believes her daughter started using prescription painkillers around 2013 but missed any signs of her addiction as her daughter, the oldest of five children, remained distanced. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) An attorney for the counties, Frank Gallucci, said that is similar to the pattern seen throughout their communities: Heroin and synthetic fentanyl have largely replaced prescription painkillers, which have been harder to obtain as the industry has been forced to dial back on dispensing. Another major pharmacy chain, Rite-Aid, settled with Lake and Trumbull counties, which are located outside Cleveland. The Trumbull settlement was $1.5 million; the Lake County amount has not been disclosed. The trial starting Monday before U.S. District Judge Dan Polster is part of a broader constellation of federal opioid lawsuits about 3,000 in all that have been consolidated under the judge's supervision. Jim Misocky, an attorney and special projects coordinator in Trumbull County, along with Lake County Administrator Jason Boyd, said the ongoing opioid crisis has been a burden financially. They cited increased costs for their courts, jails, foster care, law enforcement and addiction treatment The financial burden is especially acute in Trumbull County, where there have been thousands of job losses in recent years in steelmaking, auto manufacturing and automotive supply companies. It's been a big hit on the budget, Misocky said. We don't have a lot of wealth in this community. Trumbull County has had to hire a part-time pathologist in the county coroner's office, Misocky said. When the county morgue fills up, bodies are sent to Cleveland or Lake County for autopsies. Lake County's Boyd said addiction treatment facilities there are well beyond capacity. That's an issue we hear about continuously, he said. Where are we going to treat these people?' Attorneys for the two counties say 80 million prescription painkillers were dispensed in Trumbull between 2012 and 2016, according to data made public earlier through the court. In Lake County, it was 61 million pills. In trial briefs, the pharmacy companies argue that they followed guidelines established by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the state of Ohio in how their stores dispensed painkillers. Attorneys for CVS, based in Rhode Island, said the allegations against the company are completely unfounded. The evidence presented at trial will show not only that CVS met the legal requirements for distributing prescription opioid medications in Lake and Trumbull Counties, but that it exceeded them, attorneys for the company wrote. Attorneys for Illinois-based Walgreens said the two counties were using confused and contradictory legal theories against other defendants before they landed on the idea to sue retail pharmacy chains. The trial will be the fourth in the U.S. this year to test claims brought by governments against different players in the drug industry over the toll of prescription painkillers. Verdicts or judgments have not yet been reached in the others. With trials ongoing and others queued up, many of the most prominent defendants have already reached settlements. Sometimes, they involve a small number of governments or just one defendant such as Rite Aid. 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. The nation's three largest drug distribution companies, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson, along with drugmaker Johnson & Johnson, reached a $26 billion nationwide settlement earlier this year. A federal bankruptcy judge recently approved a settlement for Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, that is potentially worth $10 billion. The global consulting firm McKinsey & Company earlier this year agreed to pay nearly $600 million for its role in advising drug makers on how to boost sales of prescription opioid painkillers. And in Ohio, lawsuits filed by two larger counties, Cuyahoga and Summit, against drug distribution companies were settled for $260 million before the start of trial in November 2019. Grover believes the pharmacy giants bear a large responsibility for her daughter's addiction and is glad they're on trial. The pharmacy companies are the biggest drug dealers there are, Grover said. Theyre white collar drug dealers, and they need to be held accountable. ___ Associated Press writer Geoff Mulvihill contributed to this article from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. ANCHORAGE, Alaska Alaska on Saturday activated emergency crisis protocols that allow 20 health care facilities to ration care if needed as the state recorded the nations worst COVID-19 diagnosis rates in the U.S. in recent days, straining its limited health care system. FILE - In this Tuesday, May 25, 2021 file photo, travelers watch a JetBlue Airways aircraft taxi away from a gate at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va. According to three people familiar with the situation who spoke on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue are joining United Airlines in requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, just as the Biden administration steps up pressure on major U.S. carriers to require the shots. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) ANCHORAGE, Alaska Alaska on Saturday activated emergency crisis protocols that allow 20 health care facilities to ration care if needed as the state recorded the nations worst COVID-19 diagnosis rates in the U.S. in recent days, straining its limited health care system. The declaration covers three facilities that had already declared emergency protocol, including the states largest hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Among the factors that led the state to activate the crisis of care standards include scarce medical resources within some facilities, limited staff and difficulty transferring patients to other facilities because of limited bed availability. Other factors included limited renal replacement therapy and oxygen supplies. According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering, one person in every 84 in Alaska was diagnosed with COVID-19 from Sept. 22 to 29. The next highest rate was one in every 164 people in West Virginia. Statewide, 60% of eligible Alaskans are fully vaccinated. ___ MORE ON THE PANDEMIC: COVID-19 deaths eclipse 700,000 in US as delta variant rages Russia: Antibody tests for COVID-19 remain popular, factor in low vaccine rate FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, file photo, Evelyn Guillen with her three-year-old son, joins anti-vaccine protesters outside the Los Angeles Unified School District administrative offices in Los Angeles. Parents in California on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, had mixed reactions to Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to mandate coronavirus vaccinations for schoolchildren once they're fully approved by the FDA. Some welcomed the move as a way to keep children safe and classrooms open for learning and to try to put the pandemic behind. Others blasted the decision as premature, noting there is still no vaccine approved for the youngest children and questioning whether it's necessary. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) Far-right protesters in Romania reject virus restrictions California to require COVID-19 vaccines for schoolchildren ___ See all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: ATLANTA Four parents are suing the Cobb County school district on behalf of their children, saying the failure of Georgias second-largest school district to require masks means their students cannot safely attend in-person classes because of their disabilities. The suit was filed Friday in federal court in Atlanta. It says the 107,000-student suburban Atlanta district is violating federal law governing how students with disabilities are treated in public schools. The lawsuit asks a judge to order the district to follow CDC guidelines on masks and other issues. The district has defended its stance amid repeated protests. Rather than using the known and available tools to mitigate the threat of COVID-19 and protect plaintiffs access to school services, programs, and activities, the district has acted with deliberate indifference to plaintiffs rights to inclusion, health, and education, the complaint alleges. The lawsuit asks that U.S. District Judge Timothy Batten Sr. order the district to follow CDC guidelines, including not only on masks but on issues like ventilation, physical distancing and contact tracing. Employees work at the LabQuest laboratory, a clinic that does antibody testing and processing, in Moscow, Russia, Monday, July 12, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) Whether to require masks in Cobb schools has been the focus of protest for months. Like many in Georgia, Cobb lifted its mask order at the end of last year. Many districts reimposed mask orders as school began this August, because of the rapid spread of the delta variant of COVID-19. Cobb, though, dug in saying that masks would only be strongly recommended. ___ LAS CRUCES, N.M. New Mexico State University says less than a third of its students submitted proof of vaccination for COVID-19 by a Thursday deadline to otherwise undergo weekly testing or leave the university. While 72.3% of the universitys employees provided proof of vaccination, only 30% of students did, officials said Friday. Its not clear how many students who didnt submit proof of vaccination by the deadline plan to submit weekly test results, officials said. Were not where we want to be with our vaccinated students, said Jon Webster, the schools COVID-19 project manager. We want to make sure were protecting all of our students. Failure to submit vaccination information or weekly test results can result in student suspension or staff termination, officials said. Students can get vaccinated at any point in the semester and cease the weekly required testing once achieving full vaccination, Webster said. He said the university was continuing to reach out to students through text message, email, social media and other channels. Several students said Friday they were unaware of the mandates details, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. A student reacts while receiving a doze of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a health worker at a school in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Pakistan government started a drive to vaccinate school children ages 12 and above to protect them from the coronavirus. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary) ___ WASHINGTON President Joe Biden mourned the painful milestone of 700,000 American deaths from COVID-19, a day after the U.S. surpassed that mark on Friday. The president says in a statement the astonishing death toll is yet another reminder of just how important it is to get vaccinated. He says the nation has made extraordinary progress in the fight against the coronavirus in the past eight months because of vaccines. Biden says thanks to vaccines, hundreds of thousands of families have been spared the unbearable loss that too many Americans have already endured during this pandemic. He notes more than three-quarters of all Americans age 12 and up have received at least one vaccine dose, including nearly 94% of all seniors. Biden says: If you havent already, please get vaccinated. It can save your life and the lives of those you love. It will help us beat COVID-19 and move forward, together, as one nation. ___ RENO, Nev. -- Employees at all public universities and colleges in Nevada are required to get COVID-19 vaccinations by Dec. 1 or face potential termination. All new hires must prove their vaccination status under the new policy. Meanwhile, coronavirus case trends are improving in urban areas but have worsened in most rural parts of the state where vaccination rates are the lowest. The Desert Research Institute has the highest vaccination rate at 87% followed by the University of Nevada Reno at 82%. UNLV reported 75%. Rural Elko-based Great Basin College had the worst rate at 66%. An employee, left, works at one of Invitro's drop-in clinics for antibody testing in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. The tests are cheap, widely available and actively marketed by private clinics nationwide, and their use appears to be a factor in the country's low vaccination rate even as daily deaths and infections are rising again. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) On Wednesday, about 64% of all state employees had been fully vaccinated, in accordance with Gov. Steve Sisolaks order in July that required shots or proof of negative coronavirus tests, says DuAne Young, the governors policy director. Nearly 65% of residents age 12 and older have one vaccination and 56% are fully vaccinated, according to state data. ___ SALT LAKE CITY The president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints thanked members who have followed church guidance, which has been to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Church President Russell M. Nelson spoke Saturday at a conference taking place again without full attendance due to the pandemic. For the first time in two years, leaders were back at the faiths 20,000-seat conference center, with several hundred people watching in person and others on television. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square returned to the conference. The Utah-based faith has repeatedly encouraged its 16 million members worldwide to limit the spread by getting vaccines and wearing masks. Last week, church officials announced masks will be required inside temples to limit the spread of the virus. Utah experienced a summer surge among unvaccinated residents, causing hospital ICUs to reach near capacity in early September. Data from the Utah Health Department showed in late September that state residents who are unvaccinated are nearly six times more likely to die from COVID-19 and seven times more likely to be hospitalized than those who are vaccinated. About 64% of Utah residents ages 12 and older were fully vaccinated. ___ BUCHAREST, Romania More than 5,000 far-right protesters have gathered in Romanias capital of Bucharest to reject new pandemic measures following a surge of coronavirus infections. In this image provided by the University of Utah Health, medical professionals look after a COVID-19 patient in the intensive care unit on July 30, 2021, in Salt Lake City. The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 700,000. It's is a grim and frustrating milestone as the nation confronts a surge in infections and deaths driven by the delta variant and the refusal of millions of Americans to get vaccinated. (Charlie Ehlert/University of Utah Health via AP) Daily infections in the nation of 19 million have skyrocketed from approximately 1,000 cases a day a month ago to a record 12,590 new cases on Saturday. That was Romanias highest daily number of infections since the start of the pandemic. The increase is putting hospitals under pressure as intensive care units reach their capacity. The mostly mask-less marchers blocked traffic, honked horns and chanted Freedom! ___ PHOENIX Arizona reported nearly 100 COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, a day after the states pandemic death toll passed 20,000. The state coronavirus dashboard reported 95 deaths and 2,942 confirmed cases, increasing Arizonas pandemic totals to 20,134 confirmed deaths and 1.1 million cases. Arizonas seven-day rolling average of daily deaths rose by a third in the past two weeks, increasing from 33 on Sept. 16 to 43 on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The rolling average of daily new cases declined during the same period, dropping from 2,742 to 2,621. The state also reported the number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds increased slightly to 1,798 on Friday. ___ FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2021, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talk to each other during their meeting in the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test for the coronavirus and share the results. Putin referred to his own test results while talking to Erdogan, bragging about how he avoided infection even though dozens of people around him caught the virus, including someone who spent a whole day with him. (Vladimir Smirnov/Sputnik, Kremlin/Pool Photo via AP) JACKSON, Miss. The leader of a Mississippi pediatricians organization is urging school districts to keep mask mandates in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Anita Henderson of Hattiesburg is president of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She says about 30% of youths ages 12 to 17 in the state are vaccinated, and now is not the time to let our guard down. Mississippi has reported nine pediatric deaths from COVID-19. Some school districts are repealing mask mandates. Among them are the Madison County and Rankin County districts in central Mississippi and the Ocean Springs district on the Gulf Coast. Mississippi had a significant surge in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations starting in July. Numbers have slowly decreased in recent weeks. However, Mississippi is among the lowest vaccinated states in the nation. ___ TOPEKA, Kan. Data from the Kansas state health department shows mostly rural counties have youth coronavirus vaccination rates far below the national average. A school pandemic workgroup received data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment this week showing in about a quarter of the states counties, less than 20% of vaccine-eligible children ages 12 to 17 had received at least one dose as of Sept. 24. Most of the low-vaccine counties are in western Kansas or other rural areas. U.S. regulators in May expanded the use of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12. The national vaccination rate for youth is 57%, according to a presentation by Marci Nielsen, a special adviser to Kelly. ___ Maria Bloquert speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at her apartment in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. In Russia, it's common to get an antibody test and share the results. Bloquert recovered from the coronavirus in May, and a test she took shortly after revealed a high antibody count. She has put off getting vaccinated but wants to get a shot eventually, once her antibody levels start to wane. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) NEW YORK Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied an emergency appeal from a group of teachers to block New York Citys COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public school teachers and other staff from going into effect. Sotomayor ruled on Friday, after the teachers filed for the injunction with her on Thursday to keep the mandate from going into effect. Under the mandate, the roughly 148,000 school employees had until 5 p.m. Friday to get at least their first vaccine shot. Those who didnt face suspension without pay when schools open on Monday. An original deadline this week was delayed after a legal challenge, but a federal appeals panel said New York City could go ahead with the mandate in the nations largest school district. In August, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett also denied an emergency appeal from students at Indiana University to block that institutions vaccine mandate. ___ WARSAW, Poland A gala concert on Saturday will open the 18th edition of the prestigious Frederic Chopin international piano competition that was postponed by a full year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Oct. 2-23 competition was scheduled for the fall of 2020, but authorities put off the popular event, expecting the coronavirus and social distancing would prevent the usual crowds from attending. The 87 participants from around the world begin Sunday with the performance of Xuanyi Mao from China. The winner gets a gold medal and a prize of 40,000 euros ($45,000) and prestigious recording and concert contracts. ___ Esperita Garcia, 88, who suffers from COVID-19, stands outside at her daughter's house in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. Garcia was inoculate in May of this year with her first shot of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine and since then she is being waiting for her second dose. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 has eclipsed 700,000, with 100,000 people dying in the past three months when vaccines were available to any American over age 12. The milestone reached late Friday is deeply frustrating to doctors, nurses and public health officials and Americans who watched a pandemic that had been easing earlier in the summer take a dark turn. Tens of millions of people in the U.S. have refused to get vaccinated, allowing the highly contagious delta variant to tear through the country and send the death toll from 600,000 to 700,000 in 3 1/2 months. Florida suffered by far the most deaths of any state during that period, with the virus killing about 17,000 residents since the middle of June. Texas was second with 13,000 deaths. The two states account for 15% of the countrys population, but more than 30% of the nations deaths since the nation crossed the 600,000 threshold. ___ MOSCOW Antibody tests to detect the proteins produced by the body to fight coronavirus infection are cheap, widely available and actively marketed in Russia. Yet Western health experts say the tests are unreliable for diagnosing the coronavirus or assessing immunity to it. When Russians talk about the coronavirus over dinner or in hair salons, the conversation often turns to antitela, the Russian word for antibodies. President Vladimir Putin referred to them while bragging to Turkeys leader about why he avoided infection even though dozens of people around him contracted the coronavirus. But the antibodies the popular tests look for can only serve as evidence of a past infection, and scientists say its still unclear what level of antibodies indicates protection from the virus and for how long.. In Russia, its common to get an antibody test and share the results. Their use appears to be a factor in the countrys low vaccination rate even as the country reports record daily deaths and rising infections. Angelique Ramirez, chief medical officer at Foundation Health Partners in Fairbanks, poses for a photograph in front of the emergency entrance at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on Friday, Oct. 1, said it activated the Crisis Standards of Care policy because of a critical shortage of bed capacity, staffing and monoclonal antibody treatments, along with the inability to transfer patients to other facilities. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend vaccination regardless of previous infection. ___ American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue are joining United Airlines in requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, as the Biden administration steps up pressure on major U.S. carriers to require the shots. The airlines provide special flights, cargo hauling and other services for the government. The companies say that makes them government contractors who are covered by President Joe Bidens order directing contractors to require that employees be vaccinated. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told employees late Friday that the airline is still working on details, but it is clear that team members who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to work at American Airlines. The pilot union at American recently estimated that 4,200 or 30% of the airlines pilots are not vaccinated. Earlier, White House coronavirus adviser Jeffrey Zients talked to the CEOs of American, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines about vaccine mandates. ___ NEW YORK The Broadway hit Aladdin is trying to keep COVID-19 contained. Disney Theatrical Productions said it will cancel all shows until Oct. 12 after additional breakthrough COVID-19 cases were detected. The show reopened Tuesday following some 18 months of being shuttered due to the pandemic, but was forced to close Wednesday when breakthrough COVID-19 cases were reported within the musicals company. There was a Thursday performance before Fridays was canceled. It was the first Broadway COVID-19 cancellation since shows resumed with Bruce Springsteens concert returning in July and Pass Over as the first play to debut in August. So-called breakthrough infections are detected in vaccinated people and tend to be far less dangerous than those unvaccinated. In many ways, the temporary closure proves that the monitoring system is working. Aladdin opened on Broadway in March 2014 and has become one of its highest grossing shows. ___ HARTFORD, Conn. - A retired Connecticut physician and surgeon voluntarily surrendered her license to practice medicine on Friday after being accused of providing fraudulent medical exemption forms through the mail. Dr. Sue Mcintosh had her license suspended last week by the Connecticut Medical Examining Board during an emergency hearing. A full hearing on the merits of the case was scheduled for Oct. 5. State officials, who had received an anonymous complaint about the doctor, allege Mcintosh provided an unknown number of blank, signed forms exempting people from the COVID-19 and other vaccines, as well as mandatory mask-wearing and routine COVID testing to people who sent her a self-addressed envelope. Mcintosh, who hadnt treated the patients, signed a letter included in the packet of bogus forms with the phrase Let freedom ring! She didnt respond to a request for comment. Christopher Boyle, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, said officials are considering whether to refer the case to state and federal law enforcement agencies. 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. ___ MINNEAPOLIS A decline in COVID-19 cases across the United States over the past several weeks has given overwhelmed hospitals some relief, but administrators are bracing for yet another possible surge as cold weather drives people indoors. Health experts say the fourth wave of the pandemic has peaked overall in the U.S., particularly in the Deep South, where hospitals were stretched to the limit weeks ago. But many Northern states are still struggling with rising cases, and whats ahead for winter is far less clear. Unknowns include how flu season may strain already depleted hospital staffs and whether those who have refused to get vaccinated will change their minds. An estimated 70 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated, providing kindling for the highly contagious delta variant. If youre not vaccinated or have protection from natural infection, this virus will find you, warned Mike Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. Nationwide, the number of people now in the hospital with COVID-19 has fallen to somewhere around 75,000 from over 93,000 in early September. New cases are on the downswing at about 112,000 per day on average, a drop of about one-third over the past 2 1/2 weeks. OTTAWA - A key argument from government lawyers last week as to why the Federal Court should not reinstate Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin as head of Canadas vaccine rollout campaign was that if he wasnt happy with the decision, he should have filed a grievance with his commander. Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin arrives to be processed at the Gatineau Police Station in Gatineau, Que., on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. Government lawyers told a Federal Court judge that she should not reinstate Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin as the head of Canadas vaccine rollout campaign because if he wasnt happy with the decision, he could have filed a grievance with his commander.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - A key argument from government lawyers last week as to why the Federal Court should not reinstate Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin as head of Canadas vaccine rollout campaign was that if he wasnt happy with the decision, he should have filed a grievance with his commander. The comment was a reference to the militarys grievance process, the only legal recourse Canadas rank and file have to raise concerns about everything from their work environment or a performance evaluation to disciplinary action taken against them including being kicked out of uniform. That's exactly what this process is intended to deal with, Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth Richards said of Fortins demand during the two-day Federal Court hearing, in which the senior military officer was asking Justice Ann Marie McDonald to quash his removal from the vaccine effort in May. Edwards later warned that if the judge agreed to Fortins request, other troops would try to sidestep the very process that Parliament set out for Canadas military to address complaints from the troops. Yet only four months ago, a retired Supreme Court justice, following a review of Canadas military justice system ordered by Parliament, had saved some of his sharpest criticisms for that very grievance system, calling it broken and asserting that Canadian troops deserve better. While Morris Fish would not comment on Fortins case, he told The Canadian Press in an interview this week that his sentiments about the grievance system remain unchanged and that immediate reforms are needed to ensure the military is properly treating those in uniform. Canada owes them an acceptable alternative to the rights and obligations of which they're deprived, Fish said. I attach great importance to the need for reform of the grievance system. I think it's urgent. In his report, Fish noted Canadian military personnel have fewer ways to express concerns or complaints than civilian Canadians do. They cannot unionize or collectively negotiate working conditions, pay and benefits. They also dont have an independent body to seek redress if they have been treated unfairly. Their main recourse is to file a grievance, on virtually any subject, to a superior who did not make the original decision, who has four months to respond. If time expires or the complaint is rejected, it can be appealed to the chief of defence staff or a proxy, who does not face a deadline. In his report Fish argued that while or perhaps because Canadian troops give up some of their rights by putting themselves under the militarys disciplinary system and setting aside normal labour rights, they are owed some way of bringing up legitimate complaints and concerns. The military grievance system, in particular, has not done that for decades and it does not do so now, he wrote. Fish is not the first retired Supreme Court justice to take aim at the military grievance system. In fact, it received sharp criticism from two other top court justices who were charged with reviewing the military justice system in 2003 and 2011 and reporting their findings to Parliament. Much of the concern has revolved around a backlog of grievances that have yet to be addressed. In 2003, that number stood at nearly 800. By last March, it had ballooned to 1,350, with many cases having sat in the queue for years. Retired colonel Michel Drapeau, now a lawyer specializing in military cases, noted that equates to one grievance for every 50 to 60 full-time service members. Such a high plurality is unknown even in a unionized work environment and should be cause concern, Drapeau said in an email. For a regular force with barely over 60,000 members, this is an astonishing number that may demonstrate either a leadership crisis, or a morale crisis, or both. Fish's report cites one example of a service member fighting his forced retirement for medical reasons. The initial grievance was filed in October 2009 and finally rejected four years later. The Federal Court heard the case and sent it back to the defence chief in December 2014 for a second look. Over six years later, the matter is still pending, Fish wrote. This is just one example. I was informed of several other cases that were referred to the (defence chief) between 2012 and 2015 and that are still not resolved in 2021. Fortins lawyers in Federal Court referenced the backlog and Fishs report last week in explaining why their client had not brought a grievance about his removal from the vaccine campaign, though they contended the bigger reason was because the decision was political and thus not subject to the grievance system. The commander of Canadas Armed Forces himself, acting chief of defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre, acknowledged in March that the overall grievance situation was unacceptable, and does little to inspire the trust of our sailors, soldiers and aviators. To that end, Eyre ordered commanders to triple the number of grievances they are processing by November, warning that a failure to demonstrate commitment to getting their grievance house in order could lead to consequences. A Tiger Team was also created to work on the backlog. Justice Department lawyers highlighted Eyres plan in Federal Court, suggesting it had addressed the concerns raised by Fortins lawyers. Yet Fish, in his report, raised several questions about Eyres plan. In addition, of the 12 recommendations that Fish made for fixing the system, the military has so far committed to implementing less than half. 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. Among those it has not committed to is establishing a working group to look at the creation of an independent tribunal, a move supported by the Defence Departments top bureaucrat, deputy minister Jody Thomas, among many others. Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan's spokesman Daniel Minden says the government has accepted all of Fish's recommendations "in principle," and that an update will be provided to a parliamentary committee and the public in due course. Eyre, in his directive, made no secret of where he stood on an independent tribunal as he warned commanders if they didnt do better, the system would be taken out of the military's hands. The status quo could result in the removal of the grievance system from the CAF for execution by a civilian external, independent body, he wrote. "The failure to afford our personnel a CAF-owned mechanism through which to provide recourse for its members calls into question our very status as a profession and undermines the very principles of command." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2021. A donation of $1.58 million from the estate of Cheryle D. Christensen and Manitoba Provincial Parks Endowment Fund will assist new projects at Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park. 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. A donation of $1.58 million from the estate of Cheryle D. Christensen and Manitoba Provincial Parks Endowment Fund will assist new projects at Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park. The province made the announcement Friday, saying it will match the Christensen estates donation on a two-to-one basis, generating approximately $100,000 a year in perpetuity for projects and activities that will contribute to the development and preservation of the park. The funds will help the Hecla Historic Village to continue preserving local history, Dean Amundson, chairman of Hecla Historic Village Association, said in a news release. Theyll also go toward projects that enhance ecological integrity and public experiences, including the construction of an open-air shelter over the Blue Streak II, the historic fishing boat at the village. It is one of the last whitefish boats from Lake Winnipeg to feature entirely wooden construction; the shelter will help preserve it for future generations, the release said. The Provincial Parks Endowment Fund encourages private and philanthropic contributions while enabling the province to follow the wishes of donors who want to leave a legacy of support for parks. Managed by the Winnipeg Foundation, the $20-million fund is expected to generate as much as $1 million per year to assist in offsetting the increased costs of enhancing and sustaining parks, and has a matching formula that provides $1 for every $2 donated from other sources. It seemed that all of Canada glowed orange, in act or in mind. On the streets of Winnipeg, a sea of people marched in orange shirts, carrying orange signs. On social media, people shared text posts on orange backgrounds, urging more attention to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action. It seemed that all of Canada glowed orange, in act or in mind. On the streets of Winnipeg, a sea of people marched in orange shirts, carrying orange signs. On social media, people shared text posts on orange backgrounds, urging more attention to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action. Even city buses though not orange marked the day on their digital signs. If you'd come to me 10 years ago and told me this week would happen, I wouldn't have believed you. If you'd told me that on the last day of September 2021, everything from a cocktail bar to a Botox clinic would close to remember the children and survivors of residential schools, I would have said you were telling me about a dream. An orange shirt that reads Every Child Matters hangs in the trees at the site of the former Brandon Indian Residential School. (Tim Smith / Brandon Sun files) Not the kind we seek to create, but the kind that disintegrates upon waking. Maybe that was just my lack of faith, to think that Canada could not change. Maybe it was just the brevity of my own historical view, locked in the narrow window of my time. Maybe the cynicism was an inevitable result of years spent hearing Indigenous people tell us about the harm colonization has done and is still doing to their lives. For so long, we heard those truths but it rarely translated into action. Canada knew, you see. It knew about the residential schools, almost from the beginning. In 1907, Peter Bryce, a government physician, blew the whistle on the atrocious conditions and high mortality rates in the schools; at the time, media coverage of the report was damning. For so long, we heard those truths but it rarely translated into action. This week, University of Manitoba Indigenous studies professor Sean Carleton and student Kathleen McKenzie reflected on that reporting in an article on ActiveHistory.ca, touching on some of the most clear-eyed responses. "Indian Schools Deal Out Death," blared a headline in Victorias Daily Colonist newspaper. A Toronto paper urged public pressure to ensure the crisis wasnt buried by the government, so that "the scandalous procession of Indian children to school and on to the cemetery may possibly be stopped." Well, we know how that turned out. The schools persisted for nearly 90 years after the report. Children kept dying. Families kept being broken. Language and culture kept being stolen, and while the public knew, for a time at least, how dire the conditions were, it clearly did not muster enough concern to bring that damage to a halt. So how much trauma could have been prevented had there been action? If we ask ourselves that question, then we must also recognize that the same could be said today; after all, as Carleton and McKenzie write: "the cycle of Canadian indifference and inaction in the face of ongoing injustice for Indigenous peoples continues today." CP The Peace tower and other government buildings in the nations capital were lit orange on the eve of the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. (Adrian Wyld / Canadian Press files) Yet the widespread observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation shows there's hope for that cycle to be broken. There was the march down Winnipeg's Main Street to the powwow in St. John's Park, where the number swelled into the thousands; across Canada there were ceremonies, gatherings, acts of solidarity and education. To me, it has always seemed as if Canadas capacity to listen to Indigenous people always moves in fits and starts. It is as if each topic begins as too hot for white Canadians to touch; but slowly, we are able to collectively get closer, led there by the patient and persistent efforts of those Indigenous voices calling for justice. How damning, still, that it usually takes a tragedy to push that rising consciousness into action. Consider how long advocates fought to bring attention to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls; in Winnipeg, it took the 2015 death of Tina Fontaine to shock the broader community into awareness and spur new efforts to understand and better address the factors that put her and others at disproportionate risk. This year, it was the discovery of 215 unmarked graves in Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation that released the surge of attention on the horrific legacy of the residential schools, even though the fact of such widespread deaths had been known and documented for generations. If the country can paint itself orange and tune, for one solid day, into Indigenous voices, then we can also commit to harnessing that energy to shine a brighter light on the path forward. It's too soon to say whether that surge will translate into meaningful action. Yet the surge itself is change, and it is potential. If the country can paint itself orange and tune, for one solid day, into Indigenous voices, then we can also commit to harnessing that energy to shine a brighter light on the path forward. It's only a beginning, though. The path may be lit more brightly, but it's still up to us to walk it. The fate of reconciliation in Canada rests not on one day of remembrance and reflection, but on what comes after. For Indigenous people, it was a day of mourning, community and healing. For the rest of us, the day will only be as meaningful as it serves to steel our resolve that the harms of colonization must be confronted. They are not in the past. They are not over. It's been said many times, but as we go forward from Sept. 30, we must remember that colonization in Canada has never ended. We mourned the children stolen by residential schools, but what matters now is what transformation we will support in their memory. What slows the progress to reconciliation isn't just labyrinthian political and bureaucratic hurdles, but also a lack of imagination. We are forging ahead to a place that doesn't yet exist: there's no living example of what a decolonized Canada could look like. The good news is we do not go there in the dark. Indigenous writers and visionaries have showed us the map. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action have shown us the map. And the connections of solidarity forged around this week's events also gives a sense of how to navigate the road ahead. 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. And yes, reconciliation can be difficult and dizzyingly complex, if you wish to pick apart all of its infinite tangles. But the starting point for the discussion can be very simple. Things were taken from Indigenous people: land, language, culture, economic opportunity, self-determination. They need to be given back. For Indigenous people, it was a day of mourning, community and healing. For the rest of us, the day will only be as meaningful as it serves to steel our resolve that the harms of colonization must be confronted. So let's talk safe housing. Let's talk clean water. Let's talk about a child-welfare system that devastates Indigenous families at massively disproportionate rates. Let's talk about economic justice, in a nation where billions of dollars in wealth has been extracted from Indigenous territories. And let's talk about land. Australia is not exactly a model for decolonization, but this week it returned nearly 400,000 acres of land to the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, who have called the area home for tens of thousands of years, and will now once again be the lone stewards of their precious forests. Canada could do the same. Is it possible? If you'd told me 10 years ago that much of the country would pause Thursday to listen and reflect and remember, I wouldn't have believed you. A decade from now, we may look at news of hope and say the same. Thursday showed that Canada is listening, perhaps more than ever. Now it's time to put that into action. melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca Manitoba has been presented with a rare opportunity to sidestep the worst of the delta-inspired fourth wave of COVID-19. Unfortunately, rather than doing what needs to be done, the Progressive Conservative government is once again tinkering while the pandemic burns its way through the health-care system. Manitoba has been presented with a rare opportunity to sidestep the worst of the delta-inspired fourth wave of COVID-19. Unfortunately, rather than doing what needs to be done, the Progressive Conservative government is once again tinkering while the pandemic burns its way through the health-care system. On Friday, Health Minister Audrey Gordon and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief public health officer, outlined a series of minor changes to public health orders that, on their own, shouldn't be expected to stem the rise of the fourth wave. All metrics associated with the novel coronavirus are moving in the wrong direction. Case counts are starting to climb again, as are ICU and general hospital admissions. Although a disproportionate number of the new cases are from the notoriously under-vaccinated Southern Health region, Winnipeg is also seeing an increase. ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Health and Seniors Care Minister Audrey Gordon. And what did the Tory government do at this pivotal moment? It might be easier to tell you what it didn't do. They weren't prepared to really restrict the activities of non-vaccinated Manitobans. Although previous public health orders prevent the unvaccinated from attending sporting or cultural events or visiting bars, restaurants, movie theatres or fitness centres, the new public health orders continue to allow anyone without a COVID-19 vaccine to do pretty much what they were doing before, albeit in slightly smaller numbers. When these new rules kick in Oct. 5, unvaccinated citizens will still be allowed to shop in non-essential businesses, attend faith-based services, visit other households and travel back and forth from neighbouring regions or provinces without quarantine requirements. The province was also not prepared to limit the movements of unvaccinated Manitobans within the province. Even though fewer people are allowed to visit non-essential businesses in the Southern Health region, they are free to drive to Brandon or Winnipeg, where capacity reductions are not being implemented. There was also no effort to expand vaccine mandates more broadly in private workplaces. Previous public health orders allowed unvaccinated Manitobans to continue working in retail and hospitality businesses, even as admission to those businesses was restricted to the fully vaccinated. Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief public health officer. THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES/John Woods The rules unveiled Friday confirm, once again, this government is unable, or unwilling, to acknowledge two fundamental realities about the pandemic and how its raging in the southern-most region of the province. First, the majority of the unvaccinated are not just averse to needles, they are indifferent to social and economic restrictions. Over the summer, news organizations including the Free Press documented the flouting of basic pandemic rules in communities in southern Manitoba, and the inability of public health officials to enforce those rules. And second, given the nature of the virus, it really only takes one unvaccinated person to spark an outbreak. Allowing any number of unvaccinated Manitobans to assemble indoors for a household gathering or church service creates an unreasonable risk. Cutting down on the number of unvaccinated people visiting someone else's home, or attending that service, does not substantially reduce that risk. The most troubling aspect of Friday's public health orders is that they, once again, provide an example of Tory government doing exactly what medical and scientific experts outside government have been begging them to not do. We've suffered enough to know that tinkering only delays the surge, it does not avoid it. In the prelude to both the second and third waves, external experts begged the provincial government and public health officials to act more urgently to curb transmission. In both instances, government refused and in doing so, triggered what were, at that time, the worst COVID-19 outbreaks on the continent. We've suffered enough to know that tinkering only delays the surge, it does not avoid it. What does work? Short, intense lockdowns measured in weeks, not months curb surges and give us time to vaccinate more people. That is more important than ever given that targets for vaccine-driven herd immunity are moving once again. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief medical officer of health, said Friday it may be necessary to vaccinate 80 per cent of all Canadians to contain the delta variant, as opposed to 80 per cent of those 12 and over. The province said Friday that 81 per cent of eligible Manitobans are fully vaccinated. But that's only 68 per cent of the entire population. An incredible 445,000 people are still unvaccinated, either by choice or because they are too young for a vaccine. 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. We need time to get to that higher threshold, and the approach from Gordon and Roussin is simply not going to get the job done. The new rules outlined Friday are confusing, utterly unenforceable and, thus, doomed to fail. The only way to stop household gatherings indoors or outdoors from contributing to surging case counts is to ask all Manitobans to stay in their own homes for a few weeks. We have a very slim chance to avoid being crushed by the fourth wave but only if we abandon a strategy that we all know has only ended in tragedy. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca When members of Manitobas Progressive Conservative party elect a new leader this month, the question they may want to ask themselves is: of the two candidates in the race, which one would the NDP prefer? Opinion When members of Manitobas Progressive Conservative party elect a new leader this month, the question they may want to ask themselves is: of the two candidates in the race, which one would the NDP prefer? Whoever that is, party members who had until Friday to buy a membership to vote in the Oct. 30 contest should choose the other one if they want a chance at winning the next provincial election. Manitoba's Tories are struggling badly in the polls, especially in Winnipeg, where they have fallen well behind their NDP rivals, thanks mostly to the damage caused by former premier Brian Pallister. If a provincial election were held today, the Tories would be annihilated. Fortunately for them, the next election is not scheduled until October 2023. They have two years to rebrand and convince the voting public that all traces of their former leader have been expunged from the party. That will not be easy to do. The Tories political opponents, mainly the NDP, will remind Manitobans at every opportunity how badly the Pallister government managed the pandemic, especially during the third wave when 57 critical-care patients had to be airlifted out of the province. The NDP will talk a lot about the Tories attempt to eliminate English-language school boards (Bill 64) and how they bungled health-care reform. Of the two candidates vying for leadership, MLA Heather Stefanson will have the most difficulty distancing herself from those political liabilities. She was, after all, the health minister during the third wave. She also supported Bill 64 (one of five bills government intends to quash next week when the house resumes sitting) and seconded the motion to introduce it last year. Stefanson brings a lot of baggage to the race the NDP would surely exploit, including her ties to Pallister when she served as deputy premier. Kinew would love nothing better than to stand on a stage with her in a leaders debate and ask where she was during the pandemic when critical-care patients couldnt be treated in their own province. Thats not to say the Tuxedo MLA couldnt make the case that those things occurred under Pallisters watch and that she would pursue a different agenda. It may take some convincing, but Stefanson could argue that under her leadership, the Tories would take a more collaborative and consultative approach to governing. Whether Manitobans would buy that is unclear, although she would have two years to prove herself. Former Conservative MP Shelly Glover doesnt bring any of that baggage to the table. She has a clean slate, at least when it comes to Pallister. She wasnt a member of his government and doesnt have to make excuses for his actions. Glover openly criticized Pallisters handling of the pandemic before she entered the leadership contest. She would be in a strong position to take on Kinew without having to answer for the Pallister government record. Glover is also Metis and fluently bilingual. 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. She has other baggage, though. The NDP would remind Manitobans that the former Winnipeg Police Service officer served as a member of Parliament under former prime minister Stephen Harper, whose brand of Conservative politics doesnt sell well in many parts of Manitoba, especially in Winnipeg. Glover also got off on the wrong foot last month when she declared her opposition to vaccine mandates and later to "economic lockdowns." Her muddled stance on governments pandemic response appears directed at the anti-vax segment of the party; a strategic move to pick up support from those opposed to governments proof-of-vaccination policies. Stefanson has played a similar game, although to a lesser extent. She says shes opposed to "mandatory vaccines" but supports governments vaccine policies. Meanwhile, Stefanson has the benefit of caucus support and could transition to power more seamlessly than Glover (who doesnt have the backing of a single Tory MLA). However, that could work to Glovers advantage by signalling a clean start to a new PC government. Tory members have a big decision to make. If theyre looking for advice on who their next leader should be, they should ask some of their NDP friends who they prefer. tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca Manitoba's Progressive Conservative party is no longer sinking since its biggest anchor (former premier Brian Pallister) was thrown overboard. Manitoba's Progressive Conservative party is no longer sinking since its biggest anchor (former premier Brian Pallister) was thrown overboard. And while the Tories are still sailing through shoals with the NDP still strongly in place to win if an election were held now they have bounced up from previous polling depths, according to the latest Probe Research omnibus survey on provincial party support. The survey of 1,000 Manitobans, taken Sept. 7-20 just after Pallister stepped down Sept. 1 and interim Premier Kelvin Goertzen was appointed by the PCs shows the gap between the Tories and NDP has narrowed to seven percentage points from the high-water mark of 18 percentage points reported in a June survey. "That has happened in a remarkably short time," said Probe pollster Scott MacKay. "The sinking has been stopped. Even with uncertainty as to who the next leader will be (the PCs are hold a vote Oct. 30), a lot of people have come back. "It has to be what this was: Brian Pallister leaving." David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister Longtime Tory political strategist Barbara Biggar believes the shifting political fortunes bode well for the chances of the PCs in the next election, slated for 2023. "There's no question the trending is heading in the right direction, and quickly," said Biggar, who has been a part of every Tory campaign dating to the days of leader Gary Filmon. "When I see already we are back to a tie in the southeast of Winnipeg, and gained significant ground in others areas of the city, it looks likely to be a very competitive race in 2023." Biggar said the numbers show Manitobans are responding to Goertzen's approach to interim premier. "Manitobans like a quieter style of leadership," she said. "They like a quieter style, consultative, and mild conservatism. It is allowing the rebound to very quickly turn." Political scientist Chris Adams, rector of St. Paul's College at the University of Manitoba, said the numbers are coming back quickly for the Tories but they are still far behind. "The NDP are up 11 points since the (2019) election and the Conservatives are down 12 points," said Adams. "If they went to the ballot box now, the PCs would be ousted right now." MacKay said what's also interesting is the rise in poll numbers for the Tories is also occurring when the party doesn't have a permanent leader in place. "I say this without any scientific information, but Goertzen has such a different style than Pallister, that it reminds people this is what we could have had," he said. "But they have a long way to go, but they are going in the right direction." As for the NDP, while provincially there is now only seven percentage points separating it from the Tories, its strength in Winnipeg remains high. The NDP has a 23 percentage point lead in the capital city, where more than half the province's seats are located. Adams said these numbers don't bode well for Tory hopes at this time: "You can't win a provincial election without a good support in Winnipeg." MacKay said women are powering the numbers, as they support the NDP over the Tories by a two-to-one margin. Meantime, the PCs have popped up in three areas of Winnipeg, rising seven per cent (to 30 per cent) in the southwest part of the city; up 12 per cent in the southeast (to 38 per cent); and up 11 per cent in the northeast (to 32 per cent). For the Liberal party, nothing much has changed. Across the province, Liberal support is at 12 per cent, compared to 14 per cent in June and 11 per cent in March. In Winnipeg, it has been a constant 16 per cent since March. 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. "Up until 10 years ago, we used to see the Liberals get more support between elections and then it dwindled before election day," said Adams. "We're not seeing that now. I think it is because people are already thinking whether they like the government or not and who to vote for." Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said: "I cannot be governed by polls. We are getting candidates on board. We are fundraising. That's not going to change... What I see is a very strong anti-Pallister and anti-PC vote. People are desperate to get rid of the PCs." Biggar said the Liberal numbers are a concern outside that party, too. "They are absolutely flat," she said. "Conservatives always need Liberal numbers to be higher... There's no doubt the PCs are peeling straight off the NDP numbers. "If I was Wab Kinew, I would be very concerned." Probe said with 95 per cent certainty the survey results are accurate within plus or minus 3.1 per cent. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca Manitoba's health minister has blamed COVID-19 for longer wait times in Winnipeg hospital emergency rooms. "We're in the middle of a pandemic, and we are seeing a number of individuals presenting to our ERs that are now COVID-positive. Many of them are being tested for the first time when they enter the ERs," Audrey Gordon said at a news conference Friday to announce tightened pandemic restrictions. "There have been a great deal of challenges all across our ER settings," Gordon said when asked about reports of some patients waiting nine hours at the Health Sciences Centre in August. "We're very committed to bringing those wait times down; wait times mean that a Manitoban is waiting for care," she said. "We continue to look at strategies... and redeployment of staff where we feel the need is greatest." Monthly reports by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority show average hospital wait times in August had increased dramatically from August 2020. The median wait time for all Winnipeg hospitals was 2.57 hours in August, compared to 1.58 in the same month last year. It ticked up from 2.53 hours in July. In August, the longest median ER wait time 3.19 hours was at Grace Hospital. In August 2020, Grace also topped the list at 2.02 hours. The WRHA report includes the 10 per cent of patients who had the longest waits. In August, that segment's longest wait was 9.33 hours at HSC, a slight improvement from 9.53 in July but much longer than 5.92 in August 2020. At all Winnipeg hospitals, 10 per cent of ER patients had to wait an average 7.07 hours in August, compared to 4.5 in August 2020 and 6.93 hours in July. The NDP blames the lengthy ER waits on Progressive Conservative government cost-cutting. "Unfortunately, right now, because of cuts, the PCs have created a staffing crisis in emergency rooms," said NDP Leader Wab Kinew. "We've seen ER wait times go through the the roof. "We've been in this pandemic long enough to expect that our government could fix the relationship with nurses, hire people to work in our health-care system and ensure that every Manitoban has access to emergency care when the need it." 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. As a fourth wave of COVID-19 arrives in Manitoba, it's more important than ever to reduce emergency room wait times, Kinew said. "With the pandemic continuing to drag on, we want to ensure that people who present as a result of COVID can be seen quickly, but if you're needing care for another reason perhaps an accident or a heart attack you want to get that emergency care as soon as possible." In the ICU, Manitobans can expect non-pandemic care will be impacted, with COVID-19 patients admitted to critical care at a rate of two per day, said Dr. Perry Gray, chief medical officer with Shared Health. Health officials said more COVID-19 patients were admitted to intensive care during the week of Sept. 19 than throughout the entire month of August. As of Friday, all COVID-19 patients in ICU were not fully vaccinated and 50 per cent of patients were from the Southern Health region. with files from Danielle Da Silva carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca SINCE the pandemic hit Canada in early 2020, there has been a federal election and six elections in the provinces and territories. In all but one of those elections, voter turnout was lower than in the previous pre-pandemic elections. Opinion SINCE the pandemic hit Canada in early 2020, there has been a federal election and six elections in the provinces and territories. In all but one of those elections, voter turnout was lower than in the previous pre-pandemic elections. Given the anxieties and distractions facing voters, as well the limits on the types of campaigning that could occur, lower turnouts were predictable. However, the results continue a slow, steady trend of declining turnouts, with only occasional upticks when a new leader or exciting issues aroused otherwise disillusioned and apathetic voters. Low turnout is unhealthy in a democracy. It means the voting population is not representative of society at large. Young adults, Indigenous peoples, less well-educated and lower-income citizens (these categories overlap) are less inclined to vote, compared to other socio-economic groups. Under our simple plurality voting system with three or more parties competing, the winning party often obtains less than 50 per cent of the votes cast, and this represents an even lower percentage of the eligible voters. These patterns lead potentially to governments that are seen to be less legitimate, less responsive and less effective. There are multiple causes of declining turnout, including: widespread disillusionment with the political process, especially among younger adults; increased attachment to other forms of political participation, such as demonstrations and boycotts; falling participation in community organizations, including churches, service clubs and political parties; the rise of social media that do not involve direct personal interaction; the pressures and stress associated with precarious work and raising families; and the relative absence of civics education that promotes the concept of active citizenship. Given the multiple causes of low turnout, there is not a single, simple solution. The least costly response would be to adopt a compulsory voting (CV) law. More than 30 countries have tried CV rules, with enforcement ranging from strong to mild or not at all. Experience elsewhere indicates turnout increases when CV is adopted. However, the percentage increases that result seem to depend mainly on the stringency of the CV law and the prevailing rate of turnout prior to its adoption. CV laws require citizens to show up at the polls, but nothing prevents them from casting empty or spoiled ballots, perhaps as a protest against the choices offered. Some research indicates compulsion leads in some countries to a strong norm that voting is a responsibility of citizenship. The leading example of a western democracy that relies on CV is Australia, which adopted the model in 1924. In principle, non-voters are required to pay a modest fine ($20-$50), but this can be avoided by writing a letter offering a "valid" reason, which can be as simple as "I had a sick child" or "I was out of town on business." Turnout rates are regularly over 90 per cent, and 70 per cent of Australians approve of CV. The philosophical, legal and political debates over CV are too numerous and complicated to be fully covered here. Opponents of CV argue that non-voting is a form of political speech that allows citizens to send the message they are not satisfied with political choices, or they believe voting is futile because nothing changes. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees eligible citizens the right to vote. Opponents of CV argue there is an inverse right not to vote. If CV were introduced, would it be done through a constitutional amendment, or the election acts at the national and provincial level? What would qualify as a valid reason for non-voting? What sanctions would be used to ensure compliance? If fines were used, would a court or some other public body adjudicate appeals of those fines? Would it be appropriate to have CV nationally, or only in some provinces? Lots of questions, few easy answers. 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. Some opponents of CV argue it will bring ill-informed voters to the polls in greater numbers. This may lead to "random" voting by indifferent voters, which would offset votes cast by more conscientious, better-informed voters. Apart from the elitism reflected in such claims, the fact is all of us have trouble understanding the complexities of modern government. Moreover, CV might encourage all parties to make more serious efforts to reach voters from all socio-economic backgrounds. Intuitively, one might assume that by bringing a higher percentage of lower socio-economic voters to the polls, CV might favour more left-of-centre parties that present progressive policies for economic and social reform. There is indeed some evidence that this can happen, but a lot would depend on the dynamics of party competition in a particular jurisdiction, including the number of parties that are competing for public office. How low must turnout fall to justify CV? Again, there is no easy answer. In 2015, U.S. president Barack Obama suggested CV should be considered when turnout in midterm congressional elections dropped to 38 per cent. In our most recent federal election, the preliminary estimate of turnout was 58 per cent. In earlier decades, turnouts in Canadian elections were in the 70-80 per cent range. I do not favour adoption of CV at this time. It is not a panacea for what ails democracy. Even in established democracies that operate under CV, the levels of public disillusionment with the political process are comparable with the level in Canada today. Instead of CV, we should encourage political parties to give Canadians more reasons to pay attention to public affairs and to vote. Paul G. Thomas is professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba. Its more than a bit ironic and, certainly, a whole lot more than slightly galling that Canadas prime minister would mark the nations inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a big, outrageous, insulting, arrogant and defiantly audacious lie. Its more than a bit ironic and, certainly, a whole lot more than slightly galling that Canadas prime minister would mark the nations inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a big, outrageous, insulting, arrogant and defiantly audacious lie. After attending a public ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday evening, Justin Trudeau very quietly joined his family on an early-morning flight that spirited them off to Tofino, B.C., for a vacation. To reiterate: the prime minister opted not to attend any of the ceremonies that actually took place on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; instead, he went for a walk on the beach with his wife. Trudeau faces backlash over Tofino trip Click to Expand Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to media as he visits a vaccine clinic in Ottawa on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Posted: 7:56 PM Oct. 1, 2021 OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced backlash Friday over his decision to fly to British Columbia to spend time with his family on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Native Womens Association of Canada (NWAC) said it is shocked that Trudeau ducked out entirely from a national day set aside to reflect on the legacy of residential schools. Read Full Story This was occurring at the same time the posted itinerary issued by the Prime Ministers Office stated he was in "private meetings" in Ottawa. It wasnt until a Global TV news crew located Mr. Trudeau on the beach in Tofino and attempted to question him about his choice of relaxation over retrospection that the PMO replaced the scheduling misdirection with the vacation-travel truth. Officials then attempted to buttress the feeble fib and one can only imagine the desperate, futile scrambling that went into crafting this "rationale" by stating the prime minister spent a good portion of his holiday-bound jet flight talking on the phone with residential-school survivors. According to Mr. Trudeaus official Twitter account: "I spent some time on the phone today with residential school survivors from across the country, hearing their stories and getting their advice on the path forward. By listening and learning, we can walk down that path and advance meaningful reconciliation together." Seriously. It makes reference to "walk(ing) down that path ... together," when the prime ministers clear intention Thursday was the pursuit of a leisurely stroll in the sand. If youre going to lie about your primary objective on a day set aside for the solemn consideration of truth, at least summon up the courtesy of making the prevarication mildly plausible. When confronted by the Global TV reporter with questions about why he hadnt accepted invitations from First Nations to attend ceremonies in B.C., Mr. Trudeau offered no response. In Globals posted footage, he doesnt even turn to face the camera to acknowledge hes been caught. Instead, he keeps his back turned and continues his beach walking, eventually slinking away through an opening in the pines as security personnel keep the TV crew at bay. ADRIAN WYLD - THE CANADIAN PRESS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers his remarks during a ceremony on Parliament Hill on the eve of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on Sept. 29, 2021 in Ottawa. One might be inclined to suggest, in a tone revealing a justifiable level of outrage, that the prime minister owes Canadians an explanation. But really, he does not the explanation for Thursdays display of reality detachment can be found in the catalogue of Mr. Trudeaus past entitlement-imbued missteps. From visits to the Aga Khans island to the bungling of the SNC-Lavalin scandal to the clumsy serio-comedy of the WE Charity unravelling, he has consistently and without much hint of self-awareness shown himself to be a product of privilege who seems to consider himself unbound by the rules that apply to ordinary folk. That he has expended so much of his political capital proclaiming himself to be an ally of Indigenous peoples and a champion of reconciliation does, however, make Thursdays vacation promenade something of an unsolvable problem. Mr. Trudeau need not feel compelled to explain himself, but neither should he expect Canadians Indigenous and otherwise to forgive or forget his decision to turn this Sept. 30 into a personal day for untruth and recreation. HOUSTON (AP) A former student of a Houston public charter school shot and wounded the campus principal Friday before quickly surrendering to police, authorities said. People gather east of YES Prep Southwest Secondary school after a shooting on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 in Houston. An employee at the Houston charter school was shot and wounded by a former student, police said. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said a 25-year-old man surrendered after being surrounded by police. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP) HOUSTON (AP) A former student of a Houston public charter school shot and wounded the campus principal Friday before quickly surrendering to police, authorities said. The 25-year-old man shot through a locked, glass door at YES Prep Southwest Secondary, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said. No students were hurt. Police initially identified the wounded as a school employee, but a statement from the YES Prep charter system later identified him as Principal Eric Espinoza. In a letter to students and families, YES Prep CEO Mark DiBella said Espinoza was grazed by a bullet from behind. He was taken to a hospital and was expected to be released Friday. We had an incredibly frightening day and are immensely grateful there were no life-threatening injuries, DiBella said in the letter. People walk along the road outside YES Prep Southwest Secondary school after a shooting on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 in Houston. An employee at the Houston charter school was shot and wounded by a former student, police said. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said a 25-year-old man surrendered after being surrounded by police. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Police did not release the name of the shooter but said they were able to quickly identify him because he was a former student. Police also did not release a motive, but Finner said authorities were investigating whether the shooter and wounded man had any past interactions. 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 shooting happened at about 11:45 a.m. A line of students in masks streamed out of the school just before 1 p.m., holding their hands up to show officers they were not carrying a weapon. Multiple students told reporters in Spanish and English what they witnessed. Some said they saw blood while leaving the building, and others said they hid and blocked doorways with furniture like they had practiced in drills to survive a shooting. Yes Prep Southwest Secondary school 8th grader Kimberly Mendez, 14, right, to embrace her father Rudis and sister Ashley, 16, 11th grade, in a parking lot on the corner of Hiram Clarke Rd. and W. Fuqua St. after an alleged shooting took place at her school, YES Prep Southwest Secondary school, on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, in Houston. An employee at the Houston charter school was shot and wounded by a former student, police said. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said a 25-year-old man surrendered after being surrounded by police. (Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle via AP) Parents could be seen having tearful reunions as they met their children in a parking lot near the school. You dont want anything like this to happen, Finner said, but I want to commend those students. Every student Ive seen coming out, they were calm. The administrators, the teachers, outstanding job. I want to commend them. ... They train for it. YES Prep Southwest Secondary serves students in sixth through 12th grades. The shooting Friday happened about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the site of one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. A then-17-year-old armed with a shotgun and a pistol opened fire at Santa Fe High School in May 2018, killing 10 people, most of whom were students. The suspect has been receiving mental health treatment at a state hospital since December 2019. Doctors say he remains incompetent to stand trial on state capital murder charges. He also faces federal charges in a sealed criminal case. On Sunday, Boris Johnson will walk among his Conservative faithful for the first time since October 2019, as members of the UK's governing party gather in the English city of Manchester for their 2021 conference. He does so as Britain faces numerous crises, from fuel shortages bringing its roads to a grinding halt to energy prices soaring due to unusually low gas supplies. There are serious concerns that the UK will experience food shortages as it approaches Christmas, while supermarket shelves are already looking bare in some areas. It's hard to fathom that the last time Johnson attended a party conference, he did so as the new leader and, in the eyes of many, a conquering hero on a mission to finally deliver Brexit -- an issue that had paralyzed the UK since 2016. Since then, Johnson has won a parliamentary majority, delivered a version of Brexit harder than many dreamed -- or feared -- possible, been engulfed in numerous scandals for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and faced harsh criticism from many of his former supporters, who now question his competence. Some are quick to blame Johnson's extreme interpretation of Brexit -- introducing hard trade barriers with Britain's closest trading partner and restricting the ability of Europeans to work in the UK -- for the shortages. Others blame the shock of a global pandemic that has impeded movement between countries and disrupted supply chains. The truth is it's probably a combination of the two. What's tricky for Johnson, though, is that industry leaders and logistics experts are increasingly united in their belief that these problems could have been mitigated had the Prime Minister and his government heeded their warnings months, and in some cases years, before pumps ran dry and shelves emptied. The most pressing issue is without question the shortage of fuel. The reason for these shortages is simple: there are not enough qualified tanker drivers to deliver fuel to filling stations. Labor shortages are also partly responsible for the other woes facing Brits. From seasonal workers who pick and process fresh food to, again, drivers delivering that food in and out of cold stores, the UK could be on its way to a grim winter if fuel or food is scarce in the run-up to Christmas. Capping off the potential for seasonal misery: heating homes could suddenly become much more expensive due to gas shortages. While this one cannot be solely blamed on Brexit, the government can be questioned on why a small island with a large population has among the lowest gas storage capacity in Europe. Can Britain's bleak winter be avoided? The short answer is yes, according to those who best know the issues at hand. Claire Walker, co-executive director of the British Chambers of Commerce, told CNN that while business accepts the government has "made clear its priority is to transition from a reliance on EU workers to a focus on the domestic workforce," an undertaking such as this "requires careful planning and close working between business and government." Unfortunately, many of those working in the affected industries point to a trend in the thinking of Johnson and his government that suggests they might not be willing to smooth this transition if it tramples on their Brexiteer principles. "The government has consistently made decisions that seem to prioritize Brexit over avoiding potential disasters," says Anna Jerzewska, founder of Trade and Borders, a consultancy that advises importers and exporters. She points to the summer of 2020, when the UK had the option to remain in the EU's customs union and single market a little longer, to cope with the strains on supply chains presented by the collision of Brexit and Covid. "While they can credibly claim that Covid was a disaster no one could predict, we did know that leaving the transition period during a winter spike would create huge issues. They had time to put procedures in place but chose not to. And all the while, they left clients like mine, in the middle of a pandemic, without guidance on the post-Brexit arrangement until the very last minute." When it comes to gas shortages, consecutive governments declined to build up the UK's capacity to store liquid gas, instead relying on a just-in-time supply chain -- as it does with many other critical products like foods and medical equipment. "There is nothing preventing the government from maintaining gas reserves or PPE stockpiles. It's just that we seem to like living life on the edge," says Sam Lowe, senior fellow at the Centre for European Reform. "Just-in-time is a perfectly valid way to run your economy," he adds, but "when you are fundamentally changing your entire economic model and living through an unprecedented crisis, it makes sense to have reserves of critical products to avoid a crunch-point crisis." Charitable onlookers might say that predicting the need to stockpile because of the pandemic would require appointing Nostradamus to your cabinet. However, the potential for a pandemic has been high on the UK's risk radar for years now. The UK's 2015 National Risk Register placed "Influenza pandemic" as its first bullet in the section labeled "The highest priority risks." In 2017, the register made specific mention of airborne human diseases. A government spokesperson responded to the criticisms made by interviewees in this article by saying that the "recent challenges that have arisen across Europe are the result of a unique and unprecedented combination of issues, and we are working closely with businesses to support them through this period." They said that the government is in regular contact with the food and farming organizations and industry to help them manage the situation." They added that "domestic gas storage capacity has had little bearing on the price of gas" and that "UK is not dependent on Russian oil or gas" as it "benefits from access to gas reserves in British territorial waters and secure sources from reliable import partners, such as Norway." One way or another, it seems Johnson had ample time to cushion the blow for British citizens. The question is, why didn't he? To get an answer, CNN spoke with multiple current and former government officials, all of whom worked with Johnson during the period when such decisions could have been made. All spoke on the condition of anonymity. "When we first came into office, the country had been exhausted by Brexit's deadlock," says a former senior adviser to Johnson. "All we talked about was how to call an election, win a majority and do Brexit. We genuinely feared if it dragged on any longer it could lead to something nasty happening in society. There was limited capacity for anything else." Another senior government adviser described the focus of the time being solely on delivering Brexit with a smile, even though fears over driver shortages and medicine supply chains were already causing departmental headaches. Other government officials say that this insistence on optimism meant that Johnson had blind spots when it came to the realities of Brexit and Covid dovetailing. "He doesn't like dealing with a reality. He only wants to go out and tell the public that everything's going great," says one former senior official. "We tried to tell him that at some point shortages of all sorts were likely and he can't just smile and pretend things are not happening." On one hand, Johnson has been unlucky, a former government minister and Johnson loyalist says. "It is entirely reasonable for a new government to look at all of the hypothetical things that could happen, including a pandemic, and ask how likely it is to hit while we are in office." However, the former minister concedes that it is, on the other hand, entirely reasonable to ask why "a government introducing once-in-a-generation changes like Brexit wouldn't do everything in its power to stop even the least likely disaster compounding Brexit difficulties." Could it really be that the reason the UK was so ill-prepared for events that had been predicted is simply because Johnson doesn't like dealing in bad news? Even his closest allies admit that blind optimism is a trait of this Prime Minister. "I would never want to temper Boris' enthusiasm, but he does need to hire people who make up for his weaknesses and are more interested in getting down into the detail than top-level, good news vision type stuff," a former senior adviser to Johnson says. There are short-term fixes for Johnson, should he want to lessen these crises. He could further U-turn on short-term visas, allowing more foreign workers to plug gaps. He could seek a closer relationship with the EU to shore up supply chains and stockpiles. However, until there is sufficient pressure on Johnson from either the public or his party to do so, any options that involves more immigration or more Europe is a nonstarter for the man who embodied Brexit. The fuel crisis has damaged Johnson badly, though it hasn't handed the opposition Labour Party sufficient polling gains that should worry Johnson on the assumption that the shortages will soon end. He is, despite all of this, still a relatively secure leader with a big majority and broad public appeal. The question Johnson's Conservative delegates must consider as they gather for the first time since the world turned upside down: is the man who, two years ago, used a feel-good platform to bulldoze through the Brexit deadlock and get a specific job done also the best man to lead in a crisis? And if not, then how can they displace a popular leader with a majority before the next scheduled election in 2024? The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced on Friday early result that indicate their experimental oral antiviral drug molnupiravir might halve the risk of death or hospitalization from Covid-19. In a news release, the company said 7.3% of 385 patients who received the antiviral were either hospitalized or died from Covid-19, compared with 14.1% of the 377 patients who received a placebo, which does nothing. Full data from the molnupiravir trial has not yet been released, and this data has not yet been peer-reviewed or published. But Merck says it will seek authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration, and if it's granted, the drug could be the first antiviral treatment available orally to fight Covid-19. "This is the most impactful result that I remember seeing of an orally available drug in the treatment of a respiratory pathogen, perhaps ever," Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Friday. "I think getting an oral pill that can inhibit viral replication -- that can inhibit this virus -- is going to be a real game changer." Antiviral treatments are a type of antimicrobial -- treatments which kill or otherwise inhibit the development of microorganisms such as bacteria (fought by antibiotics), fungi (fought by antifungals), or, in this case, a virus. Some of the more familiar antivirals are those developed to treat herpes, HIV and the flu. "Most people have heard of Tamiflu, and they've heard of acyclovir," said Dr. Myron Cohen, a professor of medicine, microbiology, immunology and epidemiology at the University of North Carolina. Acyclovir is a type of antiviral used to treat chickenpox, herpes and shingles. "We didn't develop a ton of other antivirals," he said. What makes molnupiravir different Another antiviral, remdesivir, is currently the only drug approved by the FDA for the treatment of Covid-19. Remdesivir, which is made by Gilead Sciences and sold under the name Veklury, is administered by intravenous infusion, so it's not as simple as swallowing a pill. And remdesivir doesn't work for all Covid-19 patients. Studies have shown mixed results; it doesn't seem to reduce the risk of death, but it does seem to help people feel better faster, when it's given early in an illness. The National Institutes of Health's Covid-19 treatment guidelines recommend remdesivir for hospitalized Covid-19 patients who need supplemental oxygen, but the World Health Organization recommends against using it outside of clinical trials. Molnupiravir would be simpler for patients -- no IV required -- and it works differently, by changing the SARS-CoV-2 virus to inhibit replication. "It actually gets incorporated into the genetic material of the of the virus and introduces errors," Dr. Daria Hazuda, chief science officer with MSD, Merck's label operating outside of the US and Canada, said in a briefing with the Science Media Center in the UK on Friday. "So, over a number of incorporations, the errors make the virus less able to replicate." Dr. Mark Denison, a virologist at the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, said the way molnupiravir works, called mutagenesis, is what separates it from remdesivir. "The two basic mechanisms are either chain termination, which I call the delayed stop sign, or mutagenesis, which is like blowing potholes in the road as the car is driving along. It's just damaging the genome," he told CNN. What an antiviral pill could mean for Covid-19 Cohen, who has previously worked on molnupiravir, said when looking at results for an antiviral drug like molnupiravir, he wants to see three things. "Stop progression of disease, so you take them and you forget about it, right?" he said. "The second thing we'd like the pill to do, if you're taking it for symptomatic disease, is stop long Covid, right? It's not just 'Don't let me get progressed and die -- don't let me have lingering cough, lingering headache.' " Cohen said his third goal would be for "treatment to serve as prevention," so someone with Covid-19 is less likely to transmit it to others. "We'd like it to wipe out the SARS-CoV-2 replication in the nose so fast that your nose is no longer a danger to me," he said. Former Baltimore City Health Commissioner and CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen told CNN on Friday that having an antiviral drug which could prevent a Covid-19 infection from becoming severe is "crucial." "We already have monoclonal antibodies that do this and actually are pretty effective. The problem is they require an infusion or injections. That's really burdensome for the individual, that's burdensome on the health care system," she said, referring to Covid-19 treatments made by Regeneron, Eli Lilly and GlaxoSmithKline and Vir. "It would be a total game changer if somebody, when they're diagnosed with mild Covid, early on in their treatment are able to take a pill at home. That relieves the burden on the health care system. That also really helps the individual." Still, an antiviral can't replace a vaccine. White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said during a briefing on Friday that the best way to think of such a drug is as an additional tool, to be used alongside vaccines. "This is a potential additional tool in our toolbox to protect people from the worst outcomes of Covid," Zients said. "I think it's really important to remember that vaccination, as we've talked about today, remains far and away our best tool against Covid-19. It can prevent you from getting Covid in the first place. And we want to prevent infections, not just wait to treat them once they happen." What's next for molnupiravir There's still a lot to learn about the drug and who it might work for. The trial detailed Friday focused on adult patients who were considered high-risk for severe Covid-19, most commonly because of obesity, older age, diabetes and heart disease. None had been vaccinated against Covid-19. Molnupiravir is also being studied as post-exposure prophylaxis -- researchers are looking at whether it can prevent spread of the virus within households, after someone has been exposed but hasn't yet tested positive. Merck said Friday is plans to submit an application to the FDA for emergency use authorization as soon as possible, and to other regulatory bodies around the world. In anticipation of the trial results, the company said it has been producing molnupiravir at risk, and expects to have 10 million treatment courses available by the end of the year. Merck has already sold 1.7 million treatment courses to the US government, if it gets authorization or approval from the FDA. The company said it will offer tiered pricing to provide access around the world, and will work with generic drug manufacturers to speed availability to low- and middle-income countries. The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. EATON, N.Y. (UPDATED) A Madison County man was arrested by New York State Police after allegedly using a fake COVID-19 vaccine card. Devin R. Kemp, 24, of Eaton, was arrested Friday and charged with possession of a forged instrument, a D felony. State police say they were contacted by the state health departments Vaccination Complaint Investigation Team on Sept. 27, after Kemp allegedly presented a fraudulent vaccine card to his employer, a private company in Marcy. Kemp was arraigned and is still in the Oneida County jail. The New York State Department of Health released a statement about this case saying, in part, "This arrest should serve as a reminder that vaccine-related fraud is criminal behavior with serious consequences. New Yorkers can report vaccine-related fraud by calling 833-829-7226 or emailing STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov. The health department says it will also "continue to work with law enforcement to crack down on forged vaccination documentation." LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)- The Greater Lafayette community welcomed the month of October by lighting up Riehle Plaza. The annual event kicks off breast cancer awareness month with a proclamation from both West Lafayette and Lafayette mayors, dance performances, and testimonies from survivors of breast cancer. However, this year was different than in years past. The YWCA, which hosts the event, not only held the event to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but also Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the 4th Annual Power of the Purse Challenge all at the same time. Lindsey Mickler the president and CEO of the YWCA of Greater Lafayette hopes shining a light on all three will help shine a light on the work they do in the community. "We have had to cancel or reschedule at least three fundraisers maybe four," said Mickler. So it does impact your bottom dollars and at the end of the day, it takes money to provide these services 24/7 365. For more information about services offered by the YWCA click here. A helicopter collided with an airplane in the air above the Chandler Municipal Airport in Arizona early Friday morning, the Chandler Fire Department said. The police officer took a bruised toddler from an abusive home. She took his heart. Incentives for businesses to recruit apprentices further extended by Welsh Government The Welsh Government is further extending incentives to support businesses in recruiting apprentices in Wales until February 2022. The Apprenticeship Employer Incentive Scheme is a key part of Welsh Governments Covid Commitment to support businesses and workers in recovering from the impacts of coronavirus. The incentives have already seen more than 5,500 new apprentices recruited since August 2020. The incentives had been due to close yesterday (30th September 2021), but will now continue to support businesses until 28th February 2022. Under the scheme businesses are able to claim up to 4,000 for each new apprentice they hire under the age of 25. The 4,000 incentive will be available to businesses that are employing a young apprentice for at least 30 hours per week. Welsh businesses could also receive 2,000 for each new under 25 year old apprentice they employ for less than 30 hours a week. For workers aged 25 and over, businesses can access 2,000 for each new apprentice they hire on a 30 hour or more contract, and a 1,000 incentive for apprentices working less than 30 hours. Payments are restricted to ten learners per business. Dedicated funding is also available to recruit disabled people. A total of 18.7m was allocated to support the scheme in 2021-22. Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: The Welsh Government has provided crucial support to businesses and workers throughout the pandemic and todays announcement further builds on that. We recognised the particular economic impact of COVID-19 on people aged under 25 and we are already seeing the positive impact the Employer Incentive Scheme is having for that age group, as well as others. I want to see that continue alongside our ambitious Young Persons Guarantee. The Welsh Government is determined that there will be no lost generation in Wales as a result of the pandemic. Apprenticeships can help future proof, motivate and diversify a workforce offering people the chance to gain high-quality vocational skills. They are also crucial to our ambitious post-Covid economic recovery plans. Thats why we have committed to creating a further 125,000 all-age apprenticeship places over the next five years. We are a small country but we have big ambitions, and our aim is to create a culture in Wales where recruiting an apprentice becomes the norm for employers. The Welsh Government Were in Your Corner campaign encourages firms the length and breadth of Wales to take advantage of recruitment and skills support for new and existing employees available via the Skills Gateway for Business. For more information visit the Business Wales Skills Gateway. The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund. NHS staff and donor families trek up Snowdon to raise vital awareness of Organ Donation Week NHS staff and donor families have taken part in an emotional trek up Snowdon in memory of loved ones and to raise vital awareness for those still waiting for a donor. The regions Organ Donation team held a special hike up the highest mountain in Wales to mark this years Organ Donation Week. A number of NHS staff and donor families joined the walk that was organised by North Wales three Organ Donation Specialist Nurses, Abi Roberts, Phil Jones and Helen Bullock. As the group reached the summit, they marked the emotional moment by holding photos of loved ones and individuals who have given the gift of life. One of those individuals in the photos was Joanne Williams, from Colwyn Bay, who was just 40-years-old when she sadly passed away following a motorbike crash in 2015. Her stepmother, Shirley Williams, said: It was Easter Sunday in 2015 and it was a beautiful day. Joanne and her boyfriend came to see us and said they were going on a motorbike ride to Betws-y-Coed. We hadnt heard anything from them by late in the afternoon but then received a call that we needed to go to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor as there had been an accident. Sadly her boyfriend died at the scene but Joanne needed surgery. When we finally got to see Joanne she was on a life-support machine in the Intensive Care Unit. Sadly Joanne never regained consciousness as her injuries were so severe. During that time at the hospital Shirley and Joannes father, Alan, were approached by Specialist Organ Donation Nurse, Abi Roberts, who asked if they had considered organ donation. When we were asked about organ donation it was a very easy decision to make, we are both firm believers in organ donation and we had previously discussed the subject with Joanne and we knew she was too. Joanne was a very bubbly, clever and fun loving girl with an infectious laugh and would light up any room with her love for life. Although it was a huge tragedy for us we are glad that something good was able to come out of this and lives have been saved because of Joanne. It was wonderful to see a photo of Joanne held by one of the nurses at the top of Snowdon, a lovely tribute to all those who have provided the gift of life, added Shirley. Specialist Nurse, Abi, along with her colleagues Phil and Helen would like to thank all those who took part in the walk to help raise awareness of organ donation. Abi said: We were delighted that so many people and families of donors wished to join us to mark this special week. Despite the weather we made it to the summit and it was emotional to see family members of donors take that special moment to remember their loved ones. The main message we want to get across this week is how important it is to speak to your family members about organ donation. Its really important that families know their loved ones wishes to give them the certainty to support their decision at such a difficult time. Organ donation is a very personal decision, it can never minimise the grief of a bereaved family but many families, such as Joannes, say it does provide them with some comfort knowing that their relative have helped to save and transform the lives of others. To find out more about organ donation and to register your decision please visit www.organdonationwales.org Police issue warning over Asian gold burglary trend A crime trend involving burglaries at the home addresses of Asian families in neighbouring forces is emerging, targeting Asian gold. Thieves are looking for high purity and high value gold jewellery often bought as wedding gifts in British Asian families and passed down through generations. As a result, police are now advising the Asian community in North Wales in particularly in eastern areas to take extra precautions to secure their valuables and protect their homes from being targeted. It comes following a burglary reported in North Wales on Wednesday (September 29th) where 2,000 worth of cash and Chinese gold was stolen from a Chinese familys home, next to a busy retail park, during the daytime. The incident near Caernarfon Road in Bangor happened sometime between 9.35am and 3pm on Wednesday. Detective Sergeant Jenna Hughes said: Our aim is not to scare, but to alert the Asian community to be vigilant of this emerging crime trend where high value gold jewellery is being targeted in neighbouring forces. Although we have not received many reports locally this year, usually, when we have seen these types of burglaries happen in nearby force areas in the past, areas of North Wales, usually in the east, have also been targeted. As the nights become darker during the autumn and winter months, we do also usually see an increase in these type of burglary offences. Its important that people are aware of these offences and to take extra precaution to secure their valuables. As well as improving security with CCTV and burglar alarms, we would also advise keeping such high-value items in a safe deposit box or bank, taking a number of photos and itemising jewellery on home insurance policies. Security lighting can be used to make offenders feel vulnerable and observed and locking all windows and doors before leaving the house is advised. DS Hughes added: Consider the location of any valuables within your home, particularly cash and jewellery and work with your neighbours to keep an eye on each others properties. A home that looks empty is far more likely to be targeted, so its worth making sure your home looks occupied. If you notice any suspicious activity surrounding your home or work address, I urge you to report it via 101, or via the live web chat immediately. Anyone with information following the burglary in Bangor is asked to contact police on 101 or via the live webchat, quoting reference 21000677511. For up to date information about crime, appeals, prevention advice and general policing activity in your local area, sign up to our community alerts messaging service for free, here: https://www.northwalescommunityalert.co.uk/ The draconian state of emergency proclaimed by Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapakse on August 30 must be taken as a warning to workers not only in Sri Lanka, but around the world. Facing an upsurge of the COVID-19 pandemic and a growing international economic crisis, the capitalist class is setting up a dictatorship to try to crush the rising working class struggles. STF commandos patrolling Mahara, north of Colombo, after attack on prison inmates (Photo: Shehan Gunasekara) Rajapakse imposed the state of emergency amid a fall of the Sri Lankan rupee, food shortages and massive price increases for key food items. A kilogram of rice and sugar have doubled to 250 and 220 rupees, respectively. Shoppers wait in long queues to purchase sugar from state-owned Cooperative Wholesale Establishment shops. Rajapakse claims the state of emergency will ensure public security and well-being, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community. However, it in fact authorizes an extraordinary crackdown on workers and the rural poor. It grants Rajapakse far-reaching dictatorial powers to take any measures as appear to him to be necessary or expedient in the interests of public security and the preservation of public order, and the suppression of mutiny, riot or civil commotion, or for the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community. Rajapakse can thus amend or suspend laws, ban strikes or other struggles, proscribe political parties, and censor the media. Even before this, Rajapakse had enacted repressive laws, like the Essential Public Service Act, declared on May 27 and renewed last week, which bans strikes in virtually the entire public sector, or nearly one million workers. He has also appointed several former and in-service military officers to top civilian posts. While schools are closed, most workplaces, especially export industries like the garment industry, are considered essential and remain open as the island faces a Delta-variant driven surge of COVID-19 infections. As a result, according to undercounted official figures in Sri Lanka, overall cases have surpassed 488,000 and the total death toll 11,000. These reactionary measures have been met, however, by a rising tide of workers struggles. For over two months, about 250,000 public school teachers have been striking to demand higher salaries. Previously, workers in health, postal, railway, ports, power, tourism and garment sectors have held strikes and protests against economic hardship and unsafe health conditions in the pandemic. Unrest is mounting among petroleum workers over cuts to overtime and wages. Rajapakse has now responded by intensifying his drive towards a presidential dictatorship resting on the military and right-wing, fascistic elements. The Sri Lankan ruling elite is especially concerned that the growing working class struggles are drawing together Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim workers, thereby undermining the communal divisions it has systematically incited and stoked to safeguard its rule. Against increasing threats of state violence and repression, the critical task is to politically mobilize the working class and arm it with an understanding of the situation it faces. Above all, this means explaining that the best allies of workers in Sri Lanka are the workers in other countries and around the world. Indeed, the developing class struggles in Sri Lanka are part of an international upsurge of the working class. Workers in various sectors, including health, education, transport and auto in the US, Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand have engaged in struggles, including strikes and protests over better wages and conditions and against unsafe health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the force that must be mobilized to defend their Sri Lankan brothers and sisters in the struggle against the Rajapakse governments draconian threats. In every country, workers face the same essential problemsthe same refusal to mount a scientifically-based fight to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic, and the same turn to dictatorship by the ruling elite. Former US President Donald Trump, abetted by the Republican Party and sections of the military and police, is openly promoting a fascist movement. This led to the events of January 6, when mobs of his fascistic supporters stormed the Capitol, trying to block Congress certification of Joe Bidens election victory. Although the January 6 coup attempt failed, fascistic forces around Trump are continuing their plots and are in contact with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is calling for a far-right coup to topple his factional opponents in the judiciary and the political establishment. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu-supremacist Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) government is whipping up chauvinism and far-right forces against Muslims and other minorities in order to divide and weaken the working class. Sri Lankas history has shown time and again that in countries of belated capitalist development, the capitalist class is organically incapable of establishing a democratic regime. Only the independent revolutionary intervention of the working class, rallying the broader oppressed masses, can resolve these issues through a struggle for socialism that is international in scope. This was elaborated by Leon Trotsky, the co-leader of October 1917 Russian Revolution with V. I. Lenin, in the theory of Permanent Revolution. Sri Lanka has been ruled under emergency law for much of the three-quarters of a century since it became formally independent from Britain in 1948. The Sri Lankan bourgeoisie imposed a state of emergency to forestall or try to crush every great historic eruption of opposition by workers and the rural poor. This included the 1953 Hartal (a general strike and business shutdown), the 1971 rural youth rebellion, and the nearly 30-year anti-Tamil racialist war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 1983-2009. The current state of emergency has been imposed under qualitatively changed conditions, with a far more intense economic and political crisis of global capitalism. In every country, bourgeois rule is discredited by the ruling elites criminal and murderous policies towards the pandemic, which placed the profits of the corporate and financial oligarchy above human lives. Globally, total reported coronavirus cases have risen to over 227 million and total deaths are above 4.6 million. Statistical estimates cited by Britains Economist magazine show over 15 million have died of COVID-19. Every faction of the ruling class, Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim alike, are implicated in this horrific policy and the turn to dictatorship. Opposition parties like the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA), while making token criticisms of Rajapakses state of emergency, are silent on the threats to the democratic rights of working and toiling people. The United National Party (UNP) has not even bothered to criticize Rajapakse, tacitly backing his dictatorial moves. All these parties, as participants or supporters of past governments, have a long record of endorsing emergency rule and other repressive laws and IMF austerity measures against working people. The great task is to politically arm and unify an international political vanguard as the working class enters into a direct political struggle against bourgeois rule. In particular, this means unifying Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim workers against the policies of austerity and dictatorship epitomized by the Rajapakse government. Above all, this means a struggle to establish the unity of workers in Sri Lanka with their class brothers and sisters in South Asia and internationally. The construction of an International Workers Alliance of Rank and File Committees, as called for by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), is a crucial step in building this unity of the international working class in struggle. Food delivery worker in NYC. (Credit: Julia Justo via Wikimedia Commons) On September 23, New Yorks City Council passed legislation, consisting of six individual bills, supported by the citys Democratic mayor, Bill de Blasio, which purportedly addresses some of the most egregiously oppressive conditions faced by the citys roughly 80,000 food delivery app workers. These workers face among the worst super-exploitation and life-threatening conditions of any section of the working class in New York and around the world in an industry that has grown exponentially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not surprisingly, while the legislation is being hailed in the media as historic, what was adopted by the Democratic-controlled City Council is a sham, designed to give the impression of addressing the brutal conditions faced by these workers while leaving things fundamentally unchanged. As the WSWS has reported in the past, these workers, mostly immigrants and many of them undocumented, are extremely vulnerable to exploitation, which is facilitated by the fact that they are employed as independent contractors by companies such as Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats, rather than as regular employees. While employee status would certainly not guarantee significant improvements, as the burgeoning struggles of workers around the world clearly attest, the fiction of being independent and their own boss leaves food delivery workers in an even worse situation. In an indication of just how inconsequential the new legislation really is, Grubhub reportedly expressed support for the measures. Food delivery app workers employment is completely at the whim of the companies. With no regular or predictable income, they are forced to work long hours to make what usually amounts to below the citys minimum wage of $15/hour, which is totally inadequate in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Some companies have been skimming tips, which are an essential part of workers incomes. Distances to be traveled to make a delivery are unlimited, with workers subject to demotion in priority of being allocated assignments if they decline overly long trips. Workers, traveling by bicycle or motorbike, are expected to make deliveries under all weather conditions, including recently through streets flooded by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. They receive no paid days off, no medical insurance, and no compensation for the purchase or repair of their vehicles. They are even denied the use of toilet facilities by some of the restaurants for which they make deliveries. Nor are there any protections from the increasingly violent and sometimes deadly thefts of their rides, the loss of which makes it impossible for them to continue working. Electric bikes cost in the neighborhood of $2,000. In addition, a number of workers have been killed when struck by motorists, often hit-and-run, the latest only last week in Brooklyn. A recent study found that 49 percent of app delivery workers had been involved in some sort of accident or crash. In all, 16 workers have been killed in the last two years. The New York City legislation leaves the fundamental issue of employment status (i.e., independent contractor vs. employee) unaddressed and provides merely cosmetic remedies for a few of the others. It supposedly provides guarantees against a few of the most exploitative practices of the app companies. Among the legislations provisions are those that: Prohibit companies from charging fees to workers for providing their pay; Require disclosure of gratuity policies; Prohibit companies from charging workers for the necessary insulated food bags; Allow workers to specify maximum distances they are willing to travel and territories within which they will work; and Require restaurants to provide workers access to bathrooms. Patricia Campos-Medina, executive director of the Worker Institute at Cornell Universitys School of Industrial and Labor Relations in collaboration with Los Deliveristas Unidos, who conducted a recent survey ( Essential but Unprotected ) of conditions experienced by food delivery app workers, was quoted by the New York Times as characterizing the new legislation as a floor which represents workers basic rights. It is nothing of the sort. The legislation assumes that members of this atomized, oppressed and impoverished workforce, without even the minimal protections of existing labor laws, and dependent on the arbitrary whims of the app company for employment, will be in a position to challenge violations of the new laws protections without retribution. Even if these minimal protections were to be fully implemented, which is doubtful, delivery workers would still be left struggling under horrendous conditions. Workers would still have no guaranteed income, health insurance, paid vacations, compensation for purchase or repair of their vehicles, or protection against the punitive reduction in work allocations or dismissal. Despite the huge growth in the food-delivery industry since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which will only continue as the disease continues to spread, these companies are struggling to make a profit, prompting fierce competition and ever greater pressure to wring profits from their workers. They have expended great efforts to block or gut any legislation that would in any way impede their freedom to set their prices and exploit their workforce. For example, last year in California, the companies sponsored Proposition 22, which allowed them to continue classifying workers as independent contractors. The New York City legislation also contains a provision to study what delivery workers should be paid. Such studies are notorious as mechanisms for delay and finding equitable results based on what the companies say they can affordin other words, maintaining the status quo. The deadline for delivery of the study is January 1, 2023. Currently, food delivery companies are fighting new city regulations that place limits on the fees that they can charge restaurants for their services. Efforts have been made by a number of organizations that are associated with the Democratic Party, including Los Deliveristas Unidos, to promote the unionization of the food delivery workers, with the assistance of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ. Workers should be extremely wary of these efforts, which are directly or indirectly associated with existing unions, such as the Teamsters, which is mounting a major effort to unionize Amazon workers. The SEIU has played a major role in blocking or limiting strike actions by health care workers during the pandemic and enforcing sellout contracts that have left workers understaffed and underpaid. Statewide legislation, promoted by Uber, was proposed earlier this year to facilitate unionization of gig workers. The effort failed, as it was exposed as a mechanism designed to subordinate workers interests to those of the union bureaucracies. The proposed legislation would, among other things, have included a provision to establish a labor peace agreement, under which no strikes, protests or other such actions by the workers would be permitted. Workers would have had no effective voice in fighting for their demands and, as has become the primary role of these organizations over the last half century, the unions would function as labor contractors, catering to the interests of the companies while obtaining a new source of revenue to support the union bureaucrats via members dues. It is telling that the more than year-long campaign by Los Deliveristas Unidos to pressure politicians to adopt legislative protections for delivery workers has yielded nothing more than this pitiful fig leaf of a law. Such efforts are predicated on the conception that the capitalist political establishment, specifically the Democrats, along with thoroughly corrupt unions, can be pressured to provide improvements to workers living standards. This is a fiction and a diversion. Workers have been subjected to unrelenting attacks on their economic wellbeing for half a century at the hands of both political parties, with the collaboration of the unions. The impact of the pandemic has only intensified this process. No effective struggle can be waged against these attacks while accepting the limits of capitalism. The only way forward for workers is through the building of new organizations of strugglerank-and-file committeesin every workplace, that are completely independent of both the trade unions and the Democratic Party and based on an international socialist program. On October 1, parents and educators around the world participated in an international demonstration against the deadly school reopening policies of the ruling elites worldwide. Initiated by UK parent Lisa Diaz and the parent group SafeEdForAll, the call for parents to keep their kids home from school on Friday was widely supported by workers in the UK, the US, Germany, Canada, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, France and other countries. The demonstration articulated the striving by the international working class for a scientific policy based on saving lives and eradicating COVID-19 once and for all. A significant feature of the October 1 strike was that it was organized independently of the trade unions and capitalist parties. In every country in which workers participated, not a single trade union endorsed or even mentioned the event. This reflects the decades-long degeneration of the unions from genuine workers organizations into arms of the corporations and state. This process has been sharply expressed during the pandemic, throughout which the unions have partnered with governments to coerce workers back into the schools and factories. An online town hall held Thursday by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in partnership with the far-right parent group Open Schools USA (OSUSA) is a sinister example of this process. The panel featured four scientists, including OSUSAs choices Jay Bhattacharya, co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration (GBD) which calls for herd immunity through the natural infection of all young people, and Tracy Heg, who opposes the use of masks by children and authored a discredited study that claimed COVID-19 vaccines led to more hospitalizations among adolescents than the disease itself. Deliberately seeking to legitimize their positions, the AFT allowed them to dominate the discussion. The AFT could not stand more exposed. Educators widely denounced the event on Twitter for its affiliation with both OSUSA and the GBD, and attendance at the event itself was extremely low. Additionally, the entire mitigation perspective that has been pushed by the AFT, in coordination with the Democratic Party, supposedly in opposition to the ruthless herd immunity strategy of the Republicans, has been laid bare as a total fraud. From New York City to Chicago and other Democratic-led districts, the limited mitigation measures have been increasingly scrapped in the name of keeping schools open. In her opening remarks, AFT President Randi Weingarten admitted that she had secretly communicated with OSUSA for the past six months. OSUSA is thoroughly hostile to public education and public health, calling for parents to dis-enroll their children en masse until schools lift mask mandates, vaccine recommendations and all social distancing measures. This is not the first time Weingarten has met with far-right and fascistic elements. In 2014, she traveled to the Ukraine to lend cover to the ultra-right nationalist coup, and in 2017 she met, also secretly, with Trumps fascist advisor Steve Bannon whom she called a smart guy. The point of the event was to work together toward the shared goal of keeping schools open, said Weingarten. She falsely insinuated that Erich Hartmann and Michelle Walker, the OSUSA members and the event co-moderators, represent parents and that Weingarten herself represents educators. Painting a picture of hostility between educators and parents, she said, Parents and teachers have to be able to talk to each other. We have to regain trust. In other words, the unions seek to find common ground with extremists and pseudo-scientists, while opposing the independent initiative of rank-and-file educators and parents who are fighting to end the pandemic. The composition of the panel was also telling. Conspicuously missing were rank-and-file teachers themselves, parents who want the most robust safety measures including remote learning, and students. Heg, who claimed that she did not want to see children or adults get sick, used her time to downplay the risks of COVID-19 to children. She repeatedly touted the response to the pandemic by European governments, ignoring the fact that the continent accounts for a quarter of all global COVID-19 deaths. The UK, which has not required students to wear masks at all in schools, registered over 59,000 cases in the first two weeks of this semester. Yet Heg said she has not seen an unacceptable number of outbreaks in European schools. Remarkably, Weingarten bestowed praise upon Heg for a study on rural schools in Wisconsin, to which Weingarten said she was indebted. The WSWS previously discredited the use of the study in drawing unscientific conclusions on the safety of reopening schools. One of the most cynical moments of the night was Bhattacharya thanking educators for their work. He said, what you do is perhaps the most important job in our society, and then went on to thank himself as an educator. Bhattacharya is a close ally of Floridas fascistic Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, among the most vicious opponents of public education. In August 2020, Bhattacharya served as Floridas expert witness to provide the pseudo-scientific justification for DeSantis criminal school reopening policies. Policies guided by the philosophy of the GBD, that society should fully reopen no matter the rate of transmission, is what has led to children and K-12 educators dying at a rate of at least three per day since mid-August. The AFTs choice of panelists were Patrice Harris, a child psychiatrist and former president of the American Medical Association, and Irwin Redlener, a pediatrician, professor and director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at The Earth Institute at Columbia University. While Harris injected racial politics and focused on the impact of the pandemic on minority communities, Redlener was the only one to attempt to put forward a scientific perspective. He repeatedly referred to the fact that over 207,000 children were officially infected with COVID-19 last week and rejected the notion that personal choice is a legitimate factor in addressing an unprecedented public health crisis. However, his opposition amounted to calling solely for mitigation measures in schools. Both Harris and Redlener failed to challenge the ludicrous statements made by Heg, including the claim that children are 20 times more likely to be infected outside of school than in school, and no one denounced the far-right credentials of Bhattacharya, one of the foremost advocates of herd immunity through mass infections. The bulk of the event was devoted to a ridiculous discussion between the four panelists on the single question of whether or not masks are effective. While Bhattacharya and Heg repeatedly claimed that there was no good evidence for wearing masks, Harris and Redlener let them raise these doubts without any serious rebuttal. Multiple studies, including one done in Bangladesh, have shown masks to be a critical tool in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. Totally excised from the meeting was the possibility of eradicating COVID-19, which the worlds foremost epidemiologists, virologists and public health scientists have advocated for and made clear is entirely attainable. Not once were the words eradication or elimination uttered by any of the panelists. Walker voiced the need to learn to live with the virus, which no one challenged, and every participant agreed that schools should be open. The entire event must serve as a grave warning to educators and parents in the US and internationally. Two months into the full reopening of schools in the US, the working class is increasingly animated by a massive opposition to the pandemic policies of the ruling elites. At the forefront of this struggle is the fight to close schools and stop child infections, embodied in the October 1 global online picket-line. It is under these conditions that the union bureaucracies, deeply connected to the capitalist state, see an important ally in the far-right, who will serve as a bludgeon against the growth of the class struggle. But the working class, the only revolutionary force in capitalist society, will not stand for this. Lisa Diaz, in her video announcing the strike, spoke for millions worldwide when she said, Were sick of the lies. Were sick of the gaslighting. Were sick of you paying scientists to say ridiculous things like children dont catch it in schools. We wont take it anymore. As the trade unions seek to foster a working relationship with the most backward, far-right, and anti-scientific elements, the working class must draw the decisive lessons and resolutely break with these rotting institutions. The objective interests of the working class lie in mounting a worldwide movement to eradicate COVID-19. To carry out this task in the most conscious and scientifically guided manner requires building independent, democratic organizations that unite workers across all industries and national borders. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) will serve as the infrastructure for such a movement and will assist in coordinating the struggles of workers across the globe. Workers in a hog slaughter and processing plant (Wikimedia Commons) Strikes in recent months at Olymel and Exceldor slaughterhouses in Quebec have highlighted the terrible conditions in which meatpacking workers in Canada operate, as well as their growing determination to fight against these conditions. Faced with increased competition in international markets, which consume 50 percent of the beef and 70 percent of the pork produced in Canada, the big meat companies, like Cargill, Olymel and Maple Leaf, have consolidated their operations into ever-larger plants in order to reduce production costs. While there were 235 slaughterhouses in Ontario in the early 2000s, there are now only 120. According to a 2009 report by the Food Processing Labour Sectoral Committee, from 1995 to 2007, the proportion of hogs slaughtered in all of Canada by the four largest plants increased from 77 percent to 90 percent. This concentration of production is even more significant in the beef industry, where two plants, Cargill in High River and JBS in Brooks, both in Alberta, account for 70 percent of beef processed in the country. If you add Cargills Guelph, Ontario plant, that figure rises to 85 percent. At the same time, there has been an ever-intensifying assault on meatpacking workers, who have had major concessions imposed on them in contract after contract, making conditions in the industry increasingly intolerable. According to Statistics Canada, the average wage in the meatpacking industry was $21.51/per hour in 2019. Many workers earn less than this grossly inadequate wage. For example, the hourly rate was $20.10 at Cargill after three years of service in 2019, and it was just $14.85 after two years for Class 1 workers at duBreton. In recent years, workers have been subjected to wage freezes and outright pay cuts, with the result that a significant proportion of workers now need a second and even third job to support themselves and their families. The conditions in the meat processing plants are among the worst imaginable. Workers work in a wet and cold environment with large temperature variation. The smell of blood and animal waste is omnipresent. The slaughter industry has the usual hazards associated with heavy manufacturing and manual labor. Added to this are the physical and biological hazards inherent in handling stressed animals about to be slaughtered. These conditions, combined with ever-increasing production quotas, result in high workplace accident and injury rates. Data from the province of Alberta, for example, shows that the manufacturing sector had the third-highest rate of injuries in 2019, with the largest proportion (19 percent) involving meat processing and packaging. Among the worst plants was Olymels Red Deer, Alberta plant, which had 283 injuries in 2019 and 248 injuries in 2020. The arduous conditions that prevail in slaughterhouses lead to high turnover and understaffing, resulting in overwork for those employed in the industry. Even before the pandemic, there were 28,000 vacancies nationwide. To fill this labor shortage, companies are turning to temporary foreign workers, one of the most exploited sections of the working class. According to Canadas Department of Employment and Social Development, the governments of Justin Trudeau in Ottawa and Francois Legault in Quebec launched a pilot project in early August that calls for a 10 to 20 percent increase in the maximum number of temporary foreign workers employed in low-wage positions. A temporary foreign workers right to remain in Canada depends on their keeping the job with the employer named on their work permit. This reality makes it almost impossible for foreign workers to challenge horrendous working conditions. In addition to receiving lower wages than their Canadian counterparts, they often live in crowded conditions. Some are employed by employment agencies that pay them less than the regular workforce and fail to provide proper training to avoid injury. The pandemic has been particularly difficult for these workers because of their precarious status. As infections increased in the factories, fear of the virus was combined with fear of protesting their conditions and having their employers terminate their contracts. During temporary closures, foreign workers were often abandoned. At duBreton in Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec, during a temporary closure due to an outbreak, the employer reportedly went so far as to tell some foreign workers, who had no money to eat, to go to a food bank. Meat industry workers have been the victims of such callous disregard throughout the pandemic. Meat processing plants are ideal environments for airborne virus transmission, as is the case with COVID-19, because of their cold, damp environment. In addition, because of the way the facilities are designed and how space is allocated to allow for assembly line work, distancing is nearly impossible. Despite these significant hazard factors, so-called essential workers were forced to work in crowded factories without any protection throughout the first wave of the pandemic. Following the May 2020 award of $77 million in federal grants to help protect workers, the meat industrywhich never shut down its plantsused the governments back-to-work policies to bring production back to pre-pandemic levels. As all levels of government abandoned the most minimal measures to limit the spread of the virus, workers were forced to put their lives at risk to fatten the bosses stock portfolios. In the next two pandemic waves, companies hid infections in factories and tried to blame workers when they contracted the disease. Press reports have revealed that some companies insisted workers who had been in contact with the virus return to their jobs while they were waiting for test results or had not completed their quarantine. After a year and a half of the pandemic, thousands of meat processing workers have contracted COVID-19. At Cargill High River alone, an outbreak in late April and early May 2020 infected 949 of the plants 2,000 workers. Authorities said the outbreak was responsible for more than 1,550 additional cases. Hundreds of workers had to be hospitalized, many of whom will retain long-term effects from the disease. There were also more than a dozen deaths among workers or their families, including three at Olymel in Red Deer, three at Cargill in High River and one at Olymel in Vallee-Jonction, Quebec. This human and social catastrophe unfolded with the full complicity of the pro-capitalist unions. While workers demanded protective measures and equipment and the closure of plants unable to guarantee their safety, the unions constantly suppressed their opposition. They actively collaborated with employers and governments to keep factories open that had become death traps and denounced calls for job action as illegal. As Washington state carpenters begin their third week on strike, the Pacific Northwest Carpenters Union (NWCU) has initiated a fifth round of contract negotiations aimed at producing another sellout agreement and shutting down the strike as quickly as possible. Striking carpenters in downtown Seattle last week [WSWS Media] In preparation, the NWCU noted on its latest bargaining update that the strike will be suspended not if the latest agreement is accepted by the membership, but when it is sent to members for ratification. This could be as early as next week as the union continues bargaining Associated General Contractors (AGC) consortium. Carpenters went on strike on September 16, their first strike since 2003, only after the NWCU and its parent union the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) tried to push through four separate pro-company tentative agreements, all of which would have continued to erode carpenters living standards amid skyrocketed costs in Seattle and the surrounding area. Moreover, the NWCU only called out 2,000 of its 12,000 members on strike, citing no-strike clauses signed in various agreements with the AGC and state and local Democratic Party politicians. The determination of the union to impose another pro-management deal has run up against a determined wall of opposition on the part of workers. There have been constant calls by workers on social media for the union to expand the strike, by both increasing the number of pickets and the number of locations on strike. A number of pickets have been organized independently of the union for precisely these reasons and have met with some success. Carpenters report that at many of the sites where they have set up wildcat pickets, other workers at those sites, both carpenters and other trades workers, have also walked off in solidarity. At the same time, however, rank-and-file initiated efforts to expand the strike have been called unauthorized by the union and attempts have been made by the bureaucracy to shut them down and victimize the workers involved. The anger felt by workers toward the NWCU for its conduct during the strike intensified Thursday when it emerged that the best offer put forward by the union was for a wage increase of $14.75 per hour over three years, countered by the AGC with an offer of a mere $9.81 per hour over three years. Many workers were outraged at the company proposal. A common sentiment on the Peter J. McGuire Facebook page, which has been a rallying point for many of the more militant members of the rank-and-file, was, Sheeesh biggest f**k you in the world.' Another noted, Looks like its time to start striking [Project Labor Agreements] and no strike clauses, a reference to the many works projects where the NWCU has ordered workers to remain on the job. Other carpenters directed their disgust at the union. Melina Harris sardonically noted, They [the AGC] were obviously impressed with hundreds of workers picketing an empty hole, a storage yard, an almost completed job. Those actions were a seriously bad FU to the membership. Not ok, not respectful, not reality. That Sucked. Others demanded to know why the union began with an offer below the $15 per hour increase over three years that many workers see as the absolute minimum raise needed. One striker, Chris, speaking to the World Socialist Web Site, remarked on how little information has come from the union itself. Im frustrated that I havent heard this information from my council. It could be hearsay, it could be true. I dont know what to believe. There has been no official statement other than they are returning to [the] table on Tuesday. He continued, Its 40 cents more than TA3, which is horrible. I heard the same on Facebook I hope its false, but the fact that I dont know seems absurd. Its almost as if they want us to panic and let our imaginations run. I firmly believe that my council are a bunch of Union Busters. I understand the last strike in Portland, OR for the carpenters ended in a decrease in pay due to a lawsuit because of some violence. If the AGC really is in league with our council maybe thats the situation they are trying to create. Shapiro said early on that if we went on strike, we would lose money. I know I sound like a conspiracy theorist, and I hope Im far-fetched, but they sure havent been on our side. A further Facebook post exposed the fact that the union leadership, header by Evelyn Shapiro, who makes $259,038 from just her NWCU position, has willfully kept workers in the dark about the negotiations. In the Local 30 contract negotiations zoom meeting, a bargaining committee member just verified that through the entire bargaining process, they in fact could have been telling us everything going on about the negotiations, but instead they have been instructed not to by the Chair, Evelyn Shapiro and the Co-Chair, Jeff Thorson, until today when they were given permission to speak about it. So we have been kept in the dark on purpose throughout this entire process!! The NWCU has also demanded that the 10,000 workers they have kept off the picket lines pay a Strike Assessment. In a letter sent to its members on September 24, the union demanded that workers pay an amount not less than two hours pay for each day worked during the strike for the purpose of establishing a strike and defense fund. In the letter, the union makes clear that these funds will either be collected via check voluntarily or via a bill to workers sometime in October. The growing rebellion by carpenters against the NWCU is a reflection of a broader movement by workers to organize themselves independently of the trade unions, which have been transformed into corporate labor police and appendages of the Democratic Party working to isolate and suppress struggles. This is true for carpenters, as well as auto workers, teachers, nurses and all sections of the working class. As the WSWS has warned since the beginning of the strike, the union will not respond to rank and file pressure by waging a more militant fight. In fact the NWCU has only become more determined to isolate and end the struggle. For workers to carry their fight forward, the strike must be taken into their own hands by forming a rank-and-file committee, completely independent of the NWCU, to prepare for joint action with other sections of workers, including Washington state educators, Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing workers, and broader sections of workers nationally and internationally. A few days after Germanys general election, the outlines of the future federal government are beginning to emerge. The Greens and the Liberal Democrats (FDP) have taken the initiative to hold initial talks. Green Party leaders Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck met with FDP leader Christian Lindner and FDP Secretary-General Volker Wissing as early as Tuesday evening for confidential talks, the location and content of which remained top secret. Selfie of Volker Wissing, Annalena Baerbock, Christian Lindner and Robert Habeck (Instagram image) All four participants in the talks subsequently posted a selfie on Instagram showing the former election campaign opponents as trusted friends. It bears the text: In the search for a new government, we sound out common ground and bridges over divisions. And even find some. Exciting times. On Friday, the Greens and FDP consulted further. The first substantive issues are to be deepened, as FDP Secretary General Wissing announced. Only after that, do the two parties each want to talk separately with the Social Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU). On Sunday, the Greens will meet with the SPD, and the FDP with the CDU/CSU. Since all parties have so far ruled out a government coalition with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), both the Greens and FDP will be needed to form a government majority. The only alternative to a traffic light (SPD, Greens, FDP) or a Jamaica coalition (CDU/CSU, Greens, FDP)named after the respective party colourswould be a continuation of the current grand coalition between the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats. However, neither the CDU/CSU nor the SPD want that. Olaf Scholz of the SPD, which emerged from the election as the strongest party, with a 1.6 percentage point lead over the CDU/CSU, is considered the most likely next chancellor. Despite his partys devastating losses, however, CDU leader Arnim Laschet is still seeking the chancellorship. CSU leader Markus Soder could also try to become chancellor of a Jamaica coalition, as FAZ editor Berthold Kohler writes. He may have lost out to Laschet in the election to become the CDU/CSUs candidate for chancellor, but that has no legal standing. The Bundestag (federal parliament) can elect any German citizen as chancellor; he or she does not even have to be a member of parliament. Regardless of who ultimately becomes chancellor, the closing of ranks between the FDP and the Greens shows the character of the coming government. It will be a class warfare government, pushing through massive social cuts, mass layoffs in the auto industry, herd immunity policies, the building of a police state and an accelerated military build-up in the face of growing opposition. Economically, the FDP is a neo-liberal party that shamelessly represents the interests of the financial oligarchy. The principles from which it will not deviate under any circumstances are: tax cuts for the rich and adherence to the debt ceilingwhich can only be realized through further social cuts. It is a law-and-order party that is close to the AfD on many issues. A year and a half ago, Thomas Kemmerich, a member of the FDP in Thuringia, had himself elected minister president by the AfDwith the knowledge of FDP leader Lindner, who only called him to order after much hesitation. During the general election campaign, the Greens had tried to lend themselves a more social, democratic and, above all, climate-friendly image. But no sooner is the election over than they have dropped the mask and embraced the FDP. This shows their real role. Like the FDP, they represent wealthy social layers determined to defend their privileges against the demands of the working class. Newsweekly Der Spiegel has explained in detail how the fundamental convictions of the big business and ecological parties, long considered irreconcilable, can be reconciled with some verbal sleight of hand. The cash gifts to the rich are renamed investments and instruments for unleashing the economy. The debt ceiling, which forces the federal, state and local governments to pursue a strict austerity policy, will remain in place. Green Party Chairman Robert Habeck is a master of such manoeuvres. On foreign policy and military issues, as well as stepping up the powers of the state at home, the FDP and Greens have long pulled in the same direction. Both advocate a more aggressive foreign policy course and accelerated rearmament. Both Scholz and Laschet are pursuing the same course. Most representatives of the ruling class, however, are more confident that Scholz can push it through than Laschet, who has been badly battered by the CDUs election defeat. The SPDs candidate for chancellor is urgently promoting an alliance with the FDP and the Greens. Something fits together if you want to bring it together, he said Tuesday. The three parties have different but overlapping ideas of progress, he said. Adding, that also applied to the FDP. Scholz is on the far right of the SPD. He is a law-and-order politician and a lobbyist for business. He also has close ties to the trade unions, which play a key role in suppressing the class struggle. In 2001, Scholz gained notoriety for his role as Hamburgs state interior minister, when he introduced the forced administration of vomit-inducing agents to gather evidence from suspected drug dealers. From 2002 to 2004, as secretary-general of the SPD, he backed the Schroder government in introducing its Agenda 2010 welfare cuts and labour reforms. From 2007 to 2009, he further developed Agenda 2010 as federal labour minister. From 2011 to 2018, as Mayor of Hamburg, Scholz enjoyed the trust of the notorious pfeffersacke (moneybags), the business elite of the Hanseatic city. In this capacity, he organized the brutal police operation during the G20 summit in 2017. Hundreds of youths were beaten up, legally persecuted and sentenced to draconian punishments for protesting against a gathering of heads of state and government with the blood of numerous crimes on their hands. For the past four years, Scholz has been finance minister of the grand coalition, where he continued the austerity policies of his predecessor Wolfgang Schauble, only to give away the billions he saved to corporations in the coronavirus pandemic. The supposed left in the SPD are fully behind Scholz. Norbert Walter-Borjans, who had defeated him in the 2019 election for party chair, immediately distanced himself from the demand for a relaxation of the debt ceiling, which he had advocated during the election campaign. Since this would require a two-thirds majority and the CDU/CSU would not agree, it was unnecessary to fight over this with the Greens and FDP in the coalition talks, he told the Rheinische Post. Laschet hardly differs from Scholz politically. But after the CDUs election defeat, many do not trust him with the necessary authority to push through the right-wing course against all odds. He does not even have the unqualified support of his own party. Anger is boiling, especially in the eastern German states, where numerous CDU deputies lost their direct mandates to the AfD or the SPD. No one in eastern Germany wants a chancellor Armin Laschet, Spiegel quotes a CDU candidate who lost to the AfD. But calls for Laschets resignation and a renewal of the CDU/CSU are also piling up in other parts of the party. After the election, what had become apparent during the campaign was confirmed: the interests and concerns of the vast majority of working people find no expression in the bourgeois party system. Only the independent intervention of the working class can put an end to the ruthless policies of militarism and austerity. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) participated in the election to provide a socialist orientation and perspective to such a movement. IYSSE Australia members oppose the AUKUS alliance and anti-democratic electoral laws In this video members of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Australia explain the connection between the Australian governments preparations for war and the passage of anti-democratic legislation aimed at deregistering non-parliamentary parties. The AUKUS alliance, announced on September 15 and drawn up behind the back of the population is a new tripartite partnership between Australia, the US and UK which dramatically escalates the Australias involvement in US preparations for war against China. It is a significant step towards Australias acquisition of nuclear weapons. The new electoral laws, passed within 24 hours and with Labor Party support, require all parties without members of parliament, including the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), to treble their membership from 500 to 1,500 by December 2. The IYSSE calls on students and young people to become electoral members of the SEP and help keep the only genuinely anti-war party registered. Asia India: Social health workers hold nationwide strike About 10 million low-paid social healthcare workers stopped work for the day on September 24 as part of a long-running struggle for permanent jobs, better pay and life insurance cover. Strikers included Anganwadi (day care workers), midday meal workers and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers. Workers also demanded risk allowance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Major states involved were Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Around nine trade unions were involved in the strike. Punjab Roadways workers strike again demanding permanent jobs Punjab Roadways contract workers blocked the Bathinda city bus stand during a two-hour demonstration on September 24. They were demanding the government honour an agreement reached with their union earlier this month. The Punjab Roadways Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers Union, representing around 8,000 contract and outsourced workers from the state-owned Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), called off a nine-day strike on September 14 after talks with the government. The workers were demanding permanent jobs, equal pay for equal work and that the bus fleet be increased from 2,500 to at least 10,000. At least 75 percent of the state-owned bus fleet was off the road. The union claimed it had reached a deal with the government on all workers demands but nothing was concrete. A union leader told workers that the government assured them that salaries would increase by 30 percent and then 5 percent every year. He said the government had given its word that the bus fleet would soon be increased by 900 buses. But the government stalled on the issue of permanent jobs saying it needed a week to decide. The union had given the government two weeks to implement the agreement, which it has not done. Maharashtra state bank employees protest Bank of Maharashtra workers walked out and protested at the banks head office in Pune on September 22 over several demands. This included recruitment to fill vacancies, withdrawal of the banks administrative transfer policy and provision of security at branches and ATMs. Workers claimed that the bank is not recruiting staff to fill vacant positions caused by death, resignation, retirement and promotions. The strike involved members of the All India Bank of Maharashtra Employees Federation, Bank of Maharashtra Karmachari Mahasangh, Bank of Maharashtra Karmachari Sena and Mahabank Navnirman Sena. Tamil Nadu short-term contract nurses demand permanent jobs Nurses recruited for COVID-19 work protested inside the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) complex in Chennai on September 28 demanding permanent jobs. Around 3,000 nurses who passed the Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRB) exams were recruited in April and May last year on a temporary basis with their contracts extended every six months. The Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRB) was constituted by the state government with the objective of making appointments to various categories of staff in the Health and Family Welfare Department by way of direct recruitment. Nurses now fear that their jobs could be at risk because they are being moved from the control of DMS to respective Deputy Directors of Health Services and Collectors in the state. Pakistan power utility workers protest against privatisation Workers from the Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and its regional distribution companies demonstrated in Punjab provinces on September 20 in their long struggle against the Imran Khan governments plan to privatise the public utility. Workers also condemned the severe understaffing that has led to dangerously unsafe working conditions, stagnant salaries in the face of the skyrocketing cost of living and the continued failure to pay allowances to many workers. They demanded permanent jobs for all contract and temporary workers and condemned the arbitrary transition of large numbers of workers. The protests were called by the All Pakistan WAPDA Hydro Electric Workers Union as part of a day of demands, a manoeuvre by the union in the face of growing discontent among the workers. The union called off a strike and demonstration in Islamabad in September after the government gave a false commitment to comply with workers demands. The union has prevented nearly 200,000 permanent and many more thousands of casual workers taking a decisive struggle against the government, a struggle that would be immediately appealing to other government sector workers facing similar threats of job and income loss under the governments privatisation agenda, drafted in consultation with the International Monetary Fund. Bangladeshi rideshare bikers hold national one-day strike Super-exploited app-based rideshare bikers in Bangladesh staged a national strike on Tuesday and demonstrated outside the national Press Club in Dhaka pushing six demands, including against police harassment. In a protest against police harassment on Monday one rider set his bike on fire to show his anger and frustration at the intolerable treatment by police. Demands were for lowering the commission extracted by ridesharing companies to 10 percent of the fare instead of the current 25 percent, exemption of advance income taxes on ridesharing vehicles and ensuring rideshare parking spaces. Around 20,000 riders are organised by several groups under the App-Based Drivers Union of Bangladesh, a platform for the Dhaka Ridesharing Drivers Union, Sammilito Riders of Chattogram and Kothay Jaben Ridesharing Group. Taiwan telecommunication workers protest for pay rise Chunghwa Telecom workers demonstrated outside the companys headquarters in Taipei on Tuesday over long-pending labour grievances, the companys planned restructure and an 8 percent pay increase. A spokesperson for the Chunghwa Telecom Workers Union complained that their pay rise proposal was not even on the agenda of the companys extraordinary board meeting the previous day. The union also demanded that any restructuring and transformation plan be fully discussed before it is implemented. Chunghwa Telecom has a workforce of about 22,000 people. The union told the media it has not yet set a timetable for a strike. Taiwanese fishermen demand labour rights On Thursday, labour organisations and workers protested outside the Executive Yuan building in Taipei against the horrendous working conditions facing migrant fishermen, widely defined as forced labour. Migrant fishermen working in coastal fishing filed 1,521 complaints to the Ministry of Labor between 2017 and 2019, which have not been properly addressed, according to the Control Yuan. Campaign representatives delivered a petition signed by 70 fishermen to the National Cabinet, which includes demands to improve fishermens living and working conditions, implement sound wage and brokerage systems, eliminate debt bondage practices, and more. Australia Port workers at Patrick Stevedores strike Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) workers at Patrick Stevedores terminals in Sydney (Port Botany), Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle are taking protected strike action following 18 months of failed negotiations to reach a deal on the companys proposed enterprise agreement (EA). Workers planned to strike for 48 hours at Port Botany this weekend, and for 12 hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Melbourne for the month of October. MUA members at Patricks Fremantle terminal downed tools for 48 hours last weekend while Melbourne members stopped work for 24 hours at the same time. Patricks 900 stevedores voted in August 2020 to take protected industrial action after rejecting the companys proposed EA which the union claimed scrapped 50 pages of conditions. Workers imposed overtime bans and a series of rolling stoppages beginning in September 2020, but the union called off all industrial action at Patricks Port Botany terminal later in the month ahead of potential stop orders from the Fair Work Commission due to an alleged threat to the economy. Patrick has offered annual pay increases of 2.5 percent in a four-year agreement, but an MUA spokesman said that Patricks claim that it wanted to roll over the previous agreement was false and that the stevedore was insisting on changes that will increase the number of casuals at Port Botany, threatening job security. MUA members at Melbourne and Brisbane terminals have already accepted an in-principle agreement but are striking to support of their colleagues in Sydney and Fremantle. Truck drivers at FedEx strike for secure jobs About 3,000 drivers and other workers from logistics company FedEx walked off the job for 24 hours across Australia from midnight on Wednesday evening over job security, after last-minute talks over the companys proposed enterprise agreement reached deadlock. The Transport Workers Union said workers want the company to commit to job security provisions like caps on the use of outside contracts, commitments to allocate work to existing employees before contracting, and same job, same pay conditions for labour hire as full-time employees. The strike followed a 24-hour walkout by around 2,000 drivers from Australia Post-owned StarTrack on September 23, and a 24-hour stoppage by 4,000 workers at Toll and its subsidiaries on August 27 with the same demands as FedEx drivers. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka will hold an online public meeting to discuss the necessary program to fight the Sri Lankan presidents new repressive emergency laws. The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, via Zoom and live-streamed through the partys Facebook page. The emergency regulations were proclaimed by President Gotabhaya Rajapakse at the end of August and rushed through the parliament, with the support of the majority of the ruling party, along with very limited criticism from the opposition parties. Although the government claimed the law was to ensure public security and well-being, and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community, its actual target is the working class and the rural poor, who are entering into struggles against the governments attacks on their social and democratic rights. The Rajapakse government is facing an unprecedented economic crisis and is forcing workers and the poor to bear the full burden of this crisis. Yesterday, the government lifted coronavirus-related limited travel restrictions and health care policies, in line with the demands of big business. Its concern is to send everyone back to work in the interests of profit generation. Public anger is rising over the criminal mishandling of the pandemic. The Rajapakse regime has repeatedly ignored the advice of health experts and has failed to strengthen the public health system as case numbers and deaths from the highly infectious Delta variant continue to mount. Government schoolteachers, who have been on strike for three months over their salary demands. They are joined by health workers nationally who have taken strike action involving tens of thousands for better working conditions, pandemic safety measures, and allowances. Workers throughout the island confront the urgent need to build an independent and united movement to defend and advance their struggles. Every trade union, however, has worked to cover up the real danger of the new emergency laws, which are aimed at preventing such a unified movement. In this context, the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) has issued a statement entitled Oppose Sri Lankan presidents repressive state of emergency and is intervening in the working class, among the youth and other oppressed sections to build awareness about the dangers posed by the new regulations. Workers must be mobilised on the basis of a socialist perspective, which will be discussed at the forthcoming SEP meeting. We urge workers, students, youth, intellectuals and World Socialist Web Site readers to attend the meeting and participate in this important discussion. Date: Sunday, October 10 Time: 4 P.M. Please register for the meeting here. Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday announced Australias international border will reopen next month for states that have reached 80 percent vaccination rates for people over 16, even as the countrys COVID-19 infections hit new highs. Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison [Credit: AP/Kiyoshi Ota] This may start within weeks for New South Wales (NSW), the most populous state, where the current Delta outbreak began in June after the state government refused to implement even limited lockdown measures for 10 days. Fully vaccinated Australians and permanent residents arriving in NSW will be able to home quarantine for just one week, instead of quarantining at a hotel for a fortnight, pending the supposed success of a brief state home quarantine trial. Commercial flights out of Australia also will resume for vaccinated Australians. These moves will effectively end 18 months in which restrictions on international travel have limited the arrival of the virus, except for constant leaks from the inadequate quarantine hotels. Morrisons announcement marks an acceleration by his Liberal-National Coalition government of a roadmap agreed by the bipartisan National Cabinet in July, which said international travel would gradually reopen once 80 percent of eligible people were vaccinated nationally and in the relevant state. This speedup was effectively accepted by yesterdays meeting of the National Cabinet of federal, state and territory government leaders, mostly from the opposition Labor Party. They collectively noted the progress being made on these fronts by Morrisons Liberal-National government. Morrison portrayed the decision as a gain for ordinary people. Its time to give Australians their lives back, he said. That is after denying entry to tens of thousands of Australian citizens and residents for a year and a half by refusing to provide decent and sufficient quarantine facilities. In reality, the acceleration is being undertaken to satisfy the demands of the corporate elite for a faster full reopening of the economy despite soaring Delta infections. An article in the Financial Times, the London-based voice of international finance capital, this week declared: Australia is making big mistakes in failing to reopen to the world, with business leaders accusing the government of putting politics before science ahead of a looming general election. Increasingly fed up with COVID-19 lockdown policies, and a failure to rollout vaccines that would allow the economy to open up, the leaders of many of Australias biggest companiesincluding BHP, Macquarie and Qantashave said the nation will have to learn to live with the virus, as many other countries have done. This is a demand that Australian governments must suppress the widespread working-class opposition to being forced to return to unsafe workplaces and schools, under conditions in which hospitals are already unable to cope. Scientists and health experts are warning of rising infections in coming weeks as schools and workplaces reopen. Its time for corporate Australia to turn its disquiet and rumblings into a roar, Greg ONeill, chief executive of Melbourne-based fund asset management company La Trobe Financial, told the Financial Times. Its time for courage and honesty. Not politics. Living with the virus means that infections must be allowed to spread in Australia, as globally, infecting thousands more people, killing hundreds and inflicting the still fully-unknown effects of long COVID on many more. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been over 108,000 confirmed cases in Australia and more than 1,300 people have died. These numbers are already rising quicklyover 2,350 cases and 12 deaths were reported todayas limited existing restrictions are lifted. So far, the toll remains much lower than in other countries, such as the UK, where 59,000 children were infected with COVID-19 in the first two weeks of school reopenings and new cases have risen from 2,000 a day in May to nearly 35,000 a day over the past month. In the United States, more than 200,000 new pediatric infections each week have been reported over the past five weeks, mostly the result of school reopenings. The September 29 Financial Times article featured a declaration by Graham Turner, chief executive of travel company Flight Centre. The borders should have never been closed, he told the newspaper. Were making some very big mistakes here. Together with Qantas, the national air carrier, Flight Centres profits would be most directly boosted by open borders. Turner accused Morrison of being scared of making a wrong move. Decisions were being made for political reasons and that was the most frustrating thing for business. Turner said he had spent five weeks working in London over July and August and theyve still got a lot of infections but theyre back to normal. Yesterday, Turner threatened to mount a legal challenge against internal border closures if state governments did not adopt reasonable plans to scrap them within weeks, accusing them of costing his company $100 million a month. Until now, border closures have confined COVID-19 cases to low figures in most states and territoriesQueensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territoryallowing their governments to posture as protecting their populations. The Financial Times article seized upon, and inflated, a month-old open letter to Australias governments, dated September 1, by the Business Council of Australia (BCA), representing the largest conglomerates operating in Australia. Signed by 79 companies, including the major banks, Uber, Credit Suisse, Bain, Boeing, Bupa and Shell, the letter declared that it was necessary to open up society and live with the virus. Governments had to stay the course in imposing a plan to end restrictions once vaccination rates reached 70 percent and 80 percent. However, the open letter did not use the phrase big mistakes, as the article suggested. That came from Turner, reflecting a stepping up of the corporate pressure on the federal and state governments. Pointedly, the Financial Times article said political pressure was mounting on Morrison, whose conservative coalition government has a threadbare majority, is trailing in the polls and is embroiled in multiple scandals. Two days later, on October 1, the BCA chief executive Jennifer Westacott issued a new statement welcoming the Morrison governments rolling back of restrictions as critical and citing analysis by the EY global consulting giant estimating the cost of international border closures to be around $7.6 billion per month. This will help send the message to the world that Australia is open for new jobs and investment, Westacott stated. She also insisted that the next step was to end all state and territory restrictions, including border closures. Now, state and territory leaders must release their domestic reopening plans and stick to them, Westacott said. At stake was our international reputation as a good place to do business. As the interventions by the BCA and the Financial Times demonstrate, the ruling capitalist class is intent on driving up profits, regardless of the cost in terms of working-class health and lives. Dr Miguel Nicolelis speaking at TEDGlobal 2014, October 5-10, 2014, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Credit: James Duncan Davidson/TED) The World Socialist Web Site interviewed Brazilian physician and neuroscientist Dr. Miguel Nicolelis on Monday, September 27. Dr. Nicolelis was until earlier this year a full professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Duke University and is world-renowned for his pioneering research on the brain. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr.Nicolelis volunteered to coordinate the Scientific Committee advising the Northeast Consortium, composed of nine Brazilian state governments ruled by the Workers Party (PT) and its allies. He abandoned this post in February of this year, after his insistent warnings of the imminence of a second catastrophic wave of COVID-19 were ignored by these so-called progressive governors. In line with Brazils fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro, they insisted on a criminal policy of reopening economic activities that resulted in massive death. Over the past months, Dr.Nicolelis has given numerous interviews to the Brazilian and international press striving to raise popular awareness of the grave threats posed by the uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus. For doing so, Dr. Nicolelis is facing harassment and threats, he told the WSWS. WSWS: We would like to thank you for accepting our invitation. We are teachers, part of the Rank-and-File Committee for Safe Education in Brazil (CBES-BR), which is an initiative of the World Socialist Web Site. We are striving to establish a network of rank-and-file committees around the world for the global eradication of the COVID-19 pandemic. What has happened to the global strategy to combat the pandemic? How did it go from something so obvious to scientists, doctors and public health officials, to a utopia? Is it acceptable to advocate that we must live with such an infectious and lethal virus? Miguel Nicolelis: I have been saying, since the beginning of the pandemic, that trying to fight a collective organism like a viruswhose survival as a species depends on collective action, not on one viral particle, but on the coordination of an explosive number of particlestrying to fight a collective organism through individual attitudes has not the slightest chance of working out. I coined this phrase when I started working at the Northeast Scientific Committee, when I was still naive enough to think that there were politicians who would believe in science and do what must be done. This naivety of mine lasted a year. In February of this year, I quit after realizing I was working 20 hours a day voluntarily and nobody wanted to hear about the pandemic. Even though we had known since November, when we gave our first big warning, that the second wave in Brazil would be explosive, because these same politicians refused to postpone the elections [for mayors, held in October 2020]. The electoral campaigns and the reopenings after the first wave resulted in a potential effect, a viral potential energy, that exploded in February and was the greatest tragedy in Brazilian history. When politics clashes with biology, biology always wins by a landslide. In the few places, like New Zealand, where the government from the beginning decreed that it would eradicate the virus, it succeeded. When a community policy was adopted, victory came. Because science today is much better prepared than it was, for example, during the influenza pandemic, when people didnt even know it was a virus and there wasnt enough technology to develop vaccines as quickly as there is now. In the countries that tried to clash with the pandemic, even big countries like the United States and Britain, it was a catastrophe. The UK bet on the insanity of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and two scientiststwo madmen in factwho were convinced that this herd immunity was possible. It is not. And people have died in Britain at an unbelievable rate per capita, if you consider that their health care system is one of the best in the world. Or it was, not anymore. In the United States, it was the same thing. And, now we can say, it happens whether its the Republicans or the Democrats. Joe Biden went and decreed victory. The CDC lifted mask mandates, a decision that was perhaps the biggest catastrophe in the CDCs history. And it has turned out like this: more people have died in the United States than in the 1918 pandemic. In Brazil it was a case of every man for himself. In the first wave, despite the great loss, we managed to flatten the curve with social isolation and some regional lockdowns, especially in the Northeast where, at that moment, the governors were so terrified that they listened to us. But after their electoral agenda was resolved, and thats what apparently they were interested in, they stopped doing so. Because in the second wave they did nothing. In March and April of this year we lost 190,000 people monthly in Brazil from all causes. Before the pandemic, the monthly average of deaths in the country was 90,000 to 100,000. That is, we basically doubled the number of deaths per month in the second wave of the pandemic. The second wave itselfthose 60 to 90 days, from the beginning of March to the end of Maywill go down as the greatest catastrophe in Brazilian history. Cemetery workers place crosses over a common grave after burying five people at the Nossa Senhora Aparecida cemetery in Manaus, Brazil [Credit: AP Photo/Felipe Dana] The number of deaths in Brazil started to drop in June, but it went to 165,000 and stayed there in July. It dropped to 145,000 in August and only now, in September, are we having a respite. Why is this? When you have a mega peak, as we had in March and April, still with the Gamma variant, the variant runs out of susceptible people. But by the end of May, the Delta variant arrived in Brazil. In the United States, which is comparable to Brazil in terms of territory, Delta took three months to explode. And that is exactly what is happening in Brazil. We had a peak of Gamma; Gamma had nowhere to run, because it infected a lot of people; infections fell, but now this trend is reversing itself. The under-reporting in Brazil has started to reach absurd levels. We recently had 150,000 infections in a single day, out of the blue. The next day, we had a negative number of minus 2,000 infections, which doesnt make any sense. International organizations released a note saying that they dont trust whats happening with data here. Something that very few people are paying attention to is the number of deaths. Cases started to drop in Brazil, but the number of deaths is still between 600 and 800. Therefore, much less testing is occurring. Data is being repressed. Only yesterday, Brazil reached 40 percent of people vaccinated with the two shots. And 40 percent is just not enough. As the UK has shown: if you have 66 percent of the population vaccinated, you will have 40,000 infections a day, but 200 deaths, and hospitalizations decreased. The US has shown that with 55 percent of people vaccinated, you will have, as they had last week, 250,000 cases and 3,000 deaths once more. My biggest fear is that we allow Delta to explode, and it may not be as serious as the second wave was, but we are going to create a new Brazilian variant, a Gamma Plus, or a Delta Plus Brazil. Because we are going to have between 100,000 and 200,000 infections a day. These 34,000 infections that we are seeing, in my opinion, are three to four times underreported. The deaths are at least 30 percent underreported. We have probably reached 800,000 deaths in Brazil since the beginning of the pandemic. But suddenly everybody has embarked on this fantasy that the pandemic is over, or it is under control. It is not under control. Fiocruzs [the Brazilian public health institution] reports are themselves kind of terrifying, because they say that everything is getting better, but then they show the map and the transmission rate in the whole country is, with very rare exceptions, epidemic. So, to answer your question, there seems to be a mutual interest of the public administrators, the institutions that rule the world economyespecially here, where we are the third tier of the world financial systemand even the media in saying that the pandemic is under control or is ending. But there are variants occurring around the world because we have abandoned a global strategy. The United States has become a hotbed of variants. Any country that has more than 100,000 infections a day is a breeding ground for mutations. We are helping the virus to preserve itself by not having a global proposal along the lines of New Zealands. And what is behind this, obviously, are economic interests and administrators who are not prepared for the 21st century. In Brazil, I am known as progressive, left-wing figure, and I must say that everyone failed the pandemic test. All Brazilian political tendencies behaved below the level of mediocrity. Nobody said: The pandemic is the priority, keeping people fed and alive is our priority, forget about the rest. And when scientists, like me, from below tried to tell these people, Look, we have an idea of what to do, they responded, Oh, no. We cant have a lockdown in Brazil, the effects are too bad, the governors dont want it. WSWS: Could you speak about the study you recently published in Nature Scientific Reports? MN: It was a study done with some colleagues who were volunteering to help the Northeast Scientific Committee. But it was not done within the Committee. We didnt receive any support to produce science. The British scientific committee ran on a budget of one million pounds a day. It is the largest scientific committee in the world at the moment, the SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies). We were running on zero! Think about that. You are advising nine states which together are like the United Kingdom in population and area. But in this study, our work was to track the spread of the virus, how it spread. And we were shocked. When the virus arrived here last year, Sao Paulo was the biggest super-spreader city in Brazil, and maybe in the world. In the first three weeks of March 2020, it spread 85 percent of the cases. Sao Paulo has the biggest international airport in Brazil, and it was carnival; a lot of people arrived, and it has the biggest road hub in the country. We mapped out what we called the highways of death in Brazil. And we have isolated 21 federal highways that were responsible for 30 percent of the cases. It is an incredible statistic. And then we researched why the distribution of deaths throughout Brazil was not homogeneous, but completely biased towards the Brazilian coast. We found an explosive correlation with the distribution of ICU beds, which is totally centralized in the big cities in Brazil. The distribution of deaths and ICU beds coincide in a correlation above 90 percent, showing that, despite everything, the inequality of high complexity medical resources throughout the country killed a lot of people. Because many of them arrived in the capital already dying, or about to die. WSWS: Is it possible to make an analogy between what happened to Sao Paulo, as the spreading center of the pandemic in Brazil, with the schools? The schools as being spreaders, vectors? MN: It would be very interesting to do another study using schools from different states, the same analysis we did for airports and road hubs. Because Im pretty sure were going to find super-spreader schools or state school systems. I used the following argument at the beginning of the Northeast Scientific Committee, which helped a lot. In South Korea, which was the country that best tracked cases in the world, they showed that an elementary school excursion, with about 50 students, was the biggest super-spreader event in the country in that period. They went to the beach, spent eight hours there, and two hours in a closed bus with an asymptomatic child transmitting. Teachers, staff, familiesthey had to shut everything down. The southern United States is now having record pediatric ICU admissions. The US has never seen anything like it. Texas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, all are having pediatric ICUs at full capacity. And more than that, they are detecting cases of chronic COVID in children. Which shows that, as I said before, this is a virus you dont want to catch. The fact that 90 percent of the people will be asymptomatic with their first infection doesnt mean that it is okay to catch this virus. No, because 20 to 30 percent of those who dont even know they have COVID, because they have no symptoms, will have chronic [long] COVID. And chronic COVID attacks any organ in the body: nervous system, heart, lung, intestine, glands. We are seeing cases of diabetes from chronic COVID. It is a scary thing. It attacks the cells of the pancreas. So, when you talk about schools reopening with teachers who are not yet vaccinated, with children who are not even close to getting the first dose of the vaccine, it is the Colosseum method all over again. You throw them in the Colosseum and see who the lions eat and who they miss. WSWS: Some of the chronic COVID symptoms are neurological. There are studies, for example, that say there is a significant loss of IQ and gray matter in people who have had COVID-19. Can you talk about that as a neuroscientist? MN: I saw this very early on because, obviously, neurology is my field. My colleagues in the United States said, we threw the coronavirus into neuron culture and it was devastating. And not only that, the blood vessels of the brain, brain capillaries are attacked in the same way as the capillaries of the heart or the lung. Because it is a vascular disease, it is not a typical respiratory virus. It is really a biological bomb. People talk about loss of taste, smell. But you have also hearing damage, visual damage, and lots of strokes. And we began to see psychiatric disorders, people going into delirium, which shows a significant degree of neurological damage. At the beginning of the first wave, there were several people who committed suicide by jumping out of hospital windows. In Bahia, in Salvador, there were at least three cases of patients who woke up in a delirium and simply jumped out the window. So, the neurological issue is very serious. And even more so when we talk about teenagers and children, who are still in a phase of neurological development. WSWS: Would it be conceivable to bet on these damage not being permanent and let children become infected? MN: You cant bet on it. Because you have people, for example, who had COVID last year and still havent recovered their sense of taste and smell. The reports on strokes are really scary; there are widespread vascular lesions. It is the same thing that happens to the lungswhere we first discovered itbut now it is known to happen in every organ in the body. Without knowing what this chronic COVID is, because we will have to wait years to see the consequences, you cant open schools. And we had some pediatricians coming to our committee last year saying, but the kids are having cognitive distress. My argument was that of course they are, socialization is critical in childhood cognitive development. But between that and dying of COVID or having a disorder for the rest of your life, I would leave all my kids at home. I have three, they are all grown up, but if they were children, they would not go to school at all. The cognitive disorder at this age is recoverable, there is time. The brain plasticity allows you to recover, because they have a lot of brain plasticity at this age. Assuming that the child already speaksthe critical period of speech is earlier, but this happens mainly in the familyit is possible to recover. So, saying that schools must be opened because children need to socialize ... If the price to be paid is to have children with a cognitive disorder, a neurological disorder, an intelligence disorder for the rest of his or her life, no. It is not an acceptable price to pay. And there has never been this debate here in Brazil. WSWS: What you said about policymakers is of course not limited to them. Unions, like the National Confederation of Education Workers (CNTE) in Brazil, signed a document saying that in some cases the harmful consequences of pandemic control measures (including school closures) outweigh the direct risks arising from coronavirus. In founding our rank-and-file committee, we argued that a development of the workers movement depends on its connection to science and on its coordination at a global level. MN: I have a very peculiar political view. The world has lost the notion that the problems faced by our species are global; it is our planet that is in crisis. This parochial view of defending the political agendas of nation states; if you project yourself into the future, the only path this leads to is our extinction and probably that of the planet. We have problems that can no longer be dealt with on a regional or national level. China changing the distribution of coal-fired power plants affects Uruguay. A virus appearing in Africa affects the world. I thought that Brazil needed to be refounded from a political-institutional point of view. But in reality, it is not Brazil that needs to be refounded, it is the planet. This pandemic has shown that we have no global governance capable of combating our serious existential problems. If we continue with Brazil having one policy, the United States another, and England another, in relation to global warming, vaccines, etc., we are hopeless. From the political point of view, the world needs a completely different discussion. And this campaign, this grassroots movement for education in England that I saw on Twitter [the October 1 parents strike] is one of the examples of what must be done. We have to simply bypass these people and create global planetary communication mechanisms through which we demand that certain things are done, because without global coordination nobody will be left here. Until recently, this situation was bearable, but not any more. Brazil, which has the largest underground fresh water aquifer reserve on the planet, is running out of water. China is running out of water; California is running out of water. The limit is being reached. And when you have higher temperatures, less water, and all the problems we are discussing, you have viruses. We wont have just one pandemic, but multiple pandemics in parallel. Because by raising the temperature by 1C, you increase the chance of a virus jumping from an intermediate host to us. And only from the bottom up will we change this situation. Because mothers will understand that their children cannot die or have sequelae for the rest of their lives because some jerk wants to open the schools. This new global policy will come from the bottom up because people will see that we are not leaving anything to our children and grandchildren. New South Wales (NSW) passenger train services ground to a halt on Tuesday morning as more than 8,000 train drivers, guards and other railway workers across the state carried out a four-hour strike. The industrial action was taken as part of ongoing negotiations over new enterprise agreements (EAs) with Sydney Trains and NSW Trains, the government-owned corporations that operate the states railways on behalf of Transport for NSW (TfNSW). Screenshot of the railway workers digital picket [Source: Facebook/RTBUNSW] Following weeks of limited work bans, the workers walked off the job at 8 a.m. Tuesday and a small group staged a brief protest outside Sydneys Central Station. Due to COVID-19 public health orders the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) could not hold a mass rally and instead carried out a digital picket via Zoom and Facebook. The first speaker was Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President Michele ONeil. She invoked the 1917 NSW rail dispute, declaring that: At its height, 100,000 workers were on strike. The strike lasted for six weeks. There were constant marches in the major cities and protests in smaller towns in NSW and in Victoria. And regular Sunday protests in the middle of Sydney had 150,000 people attending. The attempt to draw a parallel between the struggles of 1917 and the actions of the unions today is a pathetic fraud. ONeil represents an organisation that has done everything it can for the past forty years to suppress strikes and impose the dictates of the banks and the corporations. To the extent that the unions call strikes, they are of limited duration, as with Tuesdays stoppage, and are aimed at letting-off steam as the officials prepare a sell-out agreement. The ACTU and its affiliates, moreover, have not led struggles by thousands of train staff. Instead they have overseen the destruction of thousands of rail jobs, and the imposition of the increasingly intolerable conditions that have provoked the current dispute. ONeils demagogic and historically-inaccurate remarks were an attempt to head-off mounting anger among workers over this record of betrayal, and to cover-up the fact that the unions of today are the equivalent of the company unions of the early 20th century, which did the bidding of bosses and the governments against workers they falsely claimed to represent. Proving the point, RTBU NSW Branch Secretary Alex Claassens followed ONeil by pleading for greater collaboration with the government and transport management. He said: Its quite clear that we need those senior managers to come to the table, we need Transport for NSW to come to the table, we want the government to come to the table. Because until they show up, were not going to get anywhere. Plans for further industrial action were outlined in only the broadest of terms. The sole motion passed at the meeting stated: Our membership endorses the action taken thus far and resolves to support taking whatever future action is necessary to ensure our rights are upheld and we get the respect we deserve. Sydney Trains and NSW Trains are offering a wage rise of just 0.3 percent this year and 2.5 percent in each of the next two years. The RTBU is demanding 3.5 percent per annum, less than the rapidly increasing cost of living, especially in Sydney, where house prices are tipped by ANZ Bank to increase by 23 percent this year. Even the paltry 3.5 percent figure will come with concessions. Under the NSW Labour Expenses Cap, introduced by the Labor government in 2008, any public sector wage increase of more than 2.5 percent means commensurate cost savings must be found elsewhere in the organisation. The RTBU will not challenge this provision, as it showed in the 2018 EA negotiations, when the union agreed to job cuts in exchange for a 3 percent wage rise. Sydney Trains and NSW Trains are also demanding greater rostering flexibility, including the removal of limits on weekend work, night shifts and minimum shift lengths. As well, the companies are seeking changes to the EAs that will make it easier for them to alter workers job descriptions. These demands, along with the reduction of the maximum redundancy payout from 64 weeks to 12 weeks, make clear that TfNSW is attempting to prepare the way for major restructuring. One component of this is the introduction of the New Intercity Fleet (NIF), which has so far been stymied by the opposition of workers, who have refused to crew the new trains because of safety concerns. The new trains are designed for driver-only operation, with the guards role replaced by a bevy of CCTV cameras the driver would monitor in addition to driving the train. While TfNSW insists that it does not intend to sack guards, they will instead become customer service guards. This can only be seen as the first step to phasing-out guards or replacing them with less qualified workers. Even under the initial plans for the NIF, guards will no longer open their doors at each station, instead relying on the CCTV monitors, prompting concerns that they will miss auditory cues to trouble on the platform. More broadly, the moves to restructure the railways are motivated by the drive to full privatisation of the states transport services. The transfer of Sydneys Region 9 bus routes into private hands in April 2022 will mark the end of government-operated buses in the city, while Newcastles bus service was privatised in 2017. The operation of Sydney Ferries was contracted out in 2012, while the citys light rail networks and the fully automated Sydney Metro train line are privately operated. The RTBU, which cautiously welcomed the privatisation of buses in Newcastle, has enforced this transfer of public transport into corporate hands, which has brought about the slashing of routes, declining on-time performance and the destruction of working conditions. The Sydney Morning Herald revealed in August that the NSW government had engaged consultancy firm PwC to prepare a report on how the states entire transport network could be placed into a commercial corporation with a board and management independent of the government. Striking Inner West Light Rail Drivers [Source: RTBU Tram and Bus Express] Also on Tuesday, around 60 drivers from the Inner West Light Rail (IWLR) service walked off the job from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. These workers are members of the RTBUs Tram and Bus division. In a stark demonstration of the extent to which the RTBU seeks to atomise its membership, not a single word was uttered about the light rail workers strike during the railway workers digital picket. The RTBU Facebook page also contains no mention of the IWLR strike. The issue at the heart of the IWLR dispute is itself a product of the unions isolation of workers and endorsement of the enterprise bargaining system, which forces workers to negotiate separate wage deals, not only per company, but, frequently, per worksite. The IWLR workers are demanding parity of pay and conditions with drivers on the CBD and South East Light Rail (CSELR) line, which is also operated by Transdev. IWLR workers earn up to 15 percent less per hour than their counterparts on the CSELR and advance more slowly through pay grades. CSELR drivers can reach the highest pay grade after three years, while those on the IWLR have to put in at least five years of service. Rail workers must reject the divisive tactics of the RTBU and appeal to their counterparts throughout the transport sector and the working class more broadly to mount a unified struggle against the assault on jobs, pay and conditions. The entire record of the union demonstrates that it will do everything it can to enforce the stepped-up drive for privatisation and the assault on conditions that this will inevitably entail. Workers require their own independent organisations, including rank-and-file committees, in order to counter the management-union preparations for a sell-out, fight privatisation and secure a decent, well-paid job for all transport workers, without the threat of retrenchment. The alternative to the endless corporatisation of the sector and the drive to sell it off is the struggle for a workers government, that will place all mass transport, along with the banks and corporations, under public ownership and democratic workers control. The October 1 school strike called by UK parent Lisa Diaz, a member of the SafeEdforAll (Safe Education for All) parent group, met a broad response yesterday. Thousands registered their support on social media, with many making short videos and sharing the hashtags #SchoolStrike2021, #SittingDucks and #October1st. Given the widespread pledges of support from parents, workers and students all over the globe, Lisa posted a video on the eve of the strike, saying, Tomorrow is #SchoolStrike2021! Im humbled & overwhelmed by the supportboth here in the U.K. & globallywe may be miles apart, but were united in our fight for justice. Thank you from all of us from @SafeEdForAll_UK. Backing for the strike came from the UK, United States, France, Germany, Spain, Israel, Sri Lanka, Japan, Australia and other countries. A number of those participating posted photos of their childrens school uniform, hung up alongside a mask, to indicate their opposition to sending children into unsafe schools. One of the most shared tweets from the day came from a parent in the UK who reported that her daughter has been sick for 18 months from an infection that she caught in school. She posted a drawing comparing the reopening of schools to sending soldiers over the trenches in World War I. Summarizing the significance of the global event, World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board Chairman David North stated: October 1, 2021 is a date that will live in history. The thousands of workers who have responded to Lisa Diazs call to action and joined todays Global Online Picket Line are acting on behalf of countless millions across the globe. While governments and the rich are concerned only with the impact of the pandemic on the stock markets and corporate profits, the working class is concerned with the cost to human life. COVID-19 cannot be lived with. It must be eradicated. Todays action is a great step forward in the fight against the pandemic. But it is the beginning, not the end, of the struggle. We must build on todays achievement, and increase our efforts to mobilize the working class on a global scale in action. Numerous video statements were posted from all over the world, many of which were compiled by the WSWS throughout the day. Lucy Garrard, a member of SafeEdforAll, said in her video, The media and the government are downplaying the effect of COVID in children, trying to persuade everyone its over, everythings okay. It isnt. Parent Fran tweeted, I support #SchoolStrike2021 because it is frankly sociopathic to send innocent children into schools with no mitigations with a highly infectious, potentially fatal virus circulating. Children cannot protect themselves; it is up to adults to do so. Solidarity. Twitter user Little Hoppy Saul said, Children are being infected in schools daily, in large numbers. Its not inevitable that they would contract COVID. It was a choice. A choice that was made by the Department for Education. Barbara Slaughter, a veteran of the Trotskyist movement in the UK, stated, Lisas initiative in calling for todays action is a brave act of defiance. She speaks on behalf of millions of working-class families all over the world. And thats why her call has had an international response, because shes telling the truth. A UK teacher, Ruth, warned in her video, COVID is absolutely ripping through our schools, through our children and then through our families too We have the right to be safe, the right to health and the right to an education. And our children cant have all of those things at the moment. Parent Sarah said, Im doing this recording in my garage because I dont want my children to know that ten children have already died of COVID this month. There are no mitigations in schools, theyre an unvaccinated population. Its completely unacceptable. Hemantha Welihena, a teacher and member of the Teachers-Students-Parents Safety Committee of Sri Lanka, posted a video saying, Around the world, everyone should support the fight against the reopening of schools and the herd immunity policy. Children are the future generation of society. Martin Mauer, a teacher in the state of Saxony, Germany, and a member of the Network of Action Committees for Safe Education, said in support of the strike, All the establishment parties are implementing a policy of mass infection. They are sabotaging the simplest measures such as quarantining, sacrificing the health of millions of children, in the economic interests of the banks and the corporations. Cheryl Crisp, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party in Australia, gave the partys wholehearted support for the school strike, stating, To force unvaccinated children into schools with no protections has nothing to do with their education but everything to do with the demand that their parents are free to go to work to produce, to make profits for their employees. She added, The working class, the only force which stands for the interests of science, life and society, must now take matters into his own hands. This strike is the beginning of that stand. UK retired teacher and WSWS writer Margot Miller said, I think I can speak for the profession. We care passionately about the health, the education and the happiness of our children. But what happiness is there if children catch COVID, become ill, develop long COVID, pass the virus to families and lose loved ones? Adam, from London, explained, I work in the accommodation environment of a well-known university Its immoral to send children back to schools under misinformation and lies while the government suppresses the truth in relation to COVID and the pandemic. David OSullivan, a bus driver from London and a founding member of the London Bus Rank-and-File Committee, said, Lisas call should be shouted from the rooftops to oppose the governments herd immunity experiment on children It is only through the intervention of the mass of the working class that things are going change. The support of the Socialist Equality Group in New Zealand was expressed by leading member Tom Peters, who said the strike was setting an example for workers across the world who are seeking to fight back against the murderous policies that are causing COVID-19 to spread out of control. Parent Kelly Taylor tweeted, I support the school strike and am keeping my child at home today. 59,000 children were infected in the 1st two weeks of school. A National Health Service worker in southern England posted a video stating, As a health worker, I fully support the school strike today called by Lisa @Sandyboots2020. I cannot agree more with this courageous action in safeguarding children from COVID-19. A 38-year-old mother of three from Chicago said, Our politicians are failing us and we are saying enough is enough We cant pretend away a virus that has already infected almost six million children in our country alone Our children are not expendable. And I refuse to put mine in harms way so that the economy can recover. Phyllis, a public-school teacher in Detroit of 25 years and member of the Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, posted, I support your #SchoolStrike2021 movement 100 percent Schools are no longer schools. They have become cesspools of a deadly yet preventable infections. This has to end. Laurent Lafrance, an educator and member of the Cross-Canada Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, said in a video, The situation in Canada is the same as in every countryWere now in the fourth wave of the pandemic, people are continuing to die, and kids are being massively infected in schools. Sergi Ginebrera tweeted, I support @Sandyboots2020 for her brave initiative #SchoolStrike2021 #SittingDucks #October1st, especially when Germany is lifting today most of restrictions like allowing big parties, full sport events, no mask mandate at primary schools. All the effort now for nothing? Socialist Equality Party (UK) supporter Jude said in her video, Parents supporting this action are doing a right thing, and teachers too. They must break, totally, with those that oppose them, and build this wonderful international movement so that we can eradicate covid together across the world. Significantly, the school strike was supported by a number of scientists. Malgorzata Gasperowicz, a developmental biologist and a researcher at the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary, tweeted a statement from ZeroCovidCanada declaring, We encourage all Canadian parents to participate in the strike on October 1. Professor Colin Davis from the University of Bristol in England tweeted, Solidarity with all those who are striking. My children are not attending school today. My daughter commented that she feels for the teachers who are having to teach despite a current Covid outbreak in her year. Professor Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist who is a senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, tweeted, I wasn't able to participate in this, but I fully support parents who are protesting the lack of basic mitigations in schools that have essentially meant >160,000 children with COVID-19 in just the last *2 weeks*. This is reckless endangerment of our young. Yesterdays strike was the result of initiatives carried out by workers independently of the trade unions and left political parties, which at every stage have worked to implement the homicidal policies of the ruling class. It marked an important step forward in the struggle of the international working class against the pandemic, articulating its striving for a policy based on saving lives, not private profit. The Pennsylvania Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, which includes educators in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio, wishes to express its condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of Evan Seyfried. Seyfried was a Kroger grocery store worker alleged to have suffered systemic and repeated abuse and psychological torture by his right-wing manager for his insistence on wearing a mask to work during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The result of this unrelenting abuse, many months in the making, was suicide. Participants at the July 24 Evan Seyfried memorial [Credit: WSWS Media] Workers at Kroger and throughout the food and service industry must draw lessons from Seyfrieds tragic death. The alleged abuse of Evan was only a particularly brutal expression of the enforcement of unsafe working conditions during the pandemic, combined with an unjust exercise of power by a supervisor, and the complicity, if not outright endorsement, of the company. A lawsuit filed by Seyfrieds father specifically names store manager Shannon Frazee and assistant manager Joe Pigg as the parties responsible for his sons death, but the abuse by managers was only possible because of the policies pursued by the company and the indifference of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union to the working conditions of its dues-paying members. Kroger, the largest grocery store chain in the US with approximately 2,600 stores and 465,000 employees, has a history of employee abuse and disregard for COVID-19 safety protocols, including mask mandates, social distancing, providing supplies and time for proper disinfection of surfaces, and purposeful failure to communicate with workers about possible workplace exposures. So many stores are guilty of ignoring basic safety measures, in fact, that it cannot be chalked up to the individual stores themselves, or even their managers. Corporate policy is the driving force behind so many dysfunctional stores and store managers. The Kroger stores in Ohio, Virginia, Texas and Indiana, for example, have made efforts to prevent their employees from wearing masks, and many stores fail to provide basic sanitary products which lead to workplaces being inadequately disinfected. In stores across multiple states, Kroger workers are not told about potential or likely exposures, and management knowingly allows employees to report to work after a positive COVID-19 test. Likewise, employees allege that the Little Clinic in some Kroger stores allows admittance to those with likely signs of COVID-19, thereby potentially infecting workers and customers alike. Adding insult to injury, Kroger has made every effort to curtail hero pay for frontline workers during the pandemic, up to and including sending letters to many employees demanding repayment. In California, three stores, two Ralphs and one Food 4 Less, both subsidiaries of The Kroger Company, opted to permanently shut their doors to avoid pandemic pay increases, laying off 250 employees. And in the Milford, Ohio, Kroger store in which Evan Seyfried worked, the company fired employees to avoid paying them their hero pay. These heartless measures have been implemented while the supermarket giants revenues increased from $122.29 billion in 2019 to $132.5 billion in 2020, and CEO Rodney McMullen was awarded a 6 percent raise in 2021, increasing his annual compensation to $22.4 million. Meanwhile, the median Kroger employees pay has decreased 8 percent to $24,600. As the company endorses abuse against its employees and an overall lack of safety in its individual stores, the UFCW has done nothing to fight for workers rights and safety. Despite countless grievances filed by employees and a multitude of OSHA violations, the UFCW remains largely silent on matters of worker safety. The union officials are indifferent to the conditions facing workers because they have maintained or increased their standard of living even as the rank-and-file members have suffered. The salary of UFCW International President Anthony Marc Perrone, for example, tops $300,000, with an additional over $30,000 in benefits and other perks. Among the list of UFCW office holders, there are well over 100 individuals whose salaries are over $100,000. While everything is done to make workers at Kroger and throughout the food and service industry feel weak and isolated, the reality is that workers across the US and internationally are standing up to oppose similar exploitative and unsafe conditions. The teachers and faculty members of our committee from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio have been deeply moved by the tragic and unnecessary death of Seyfried. We also believe that the only way to end the pandemic is through the working class coming together and demanding a scientific policy be implemented to eradicate COVID-19. For this reason, we urge workers throughout the food and service industry to build rank-and-file committees as a means of organizing against the abusive actions of management and indifference of the unions. We invite you to attend the next meeting of our committee in order to build solidarity between educators and grocery workers. Sign up today to receive a link to the meeting and to find out more about establishing rank-and-file committees at your workplace. A new study published in The Lancet found that US law enforcement killed at least 30,800 people from 1980 to 2019. The study, conducted at the University of Washington School of Medicines Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, also found a sharp increase in police killings over the period covering almost 40 years. During the 1980s the mortality rate associated with police violence was 0.25 per 100,000. By the 2010s the rate jumped up to 0.34 per 100,000, an increase of 38.4 percent. Moreover, researchers discovered that more than half of fatal encounters with police in the United States went unreported at the same time. The study estimated 55 percent of deaths from police violence were not reported or were misclassified in official government databases between 1980 and 2018. These unreported killings represent more than 17,000 deaths at the hands of US police that were kept from public view over a period covering almost 40 years. However, this troubling statistic is still likely an underestimation of the real impact of police brutality. A demonstrator raises their hand while facing off against a perimeter of police as they defy an order to disperse during a protest against the police shooting of Daunte Wright, late Monday, April 12, 2021, in Brooklyn Center, Minn. [Credit: AP Photo/John Minchillo] The new study provides a clearer picture of the issue of police violence in the United States. However, it does not fully account for the real social toll. Whats missing from this report is the untold number of victims that are brutalized by police but survive the physical and emotional scars bore by the victims and their families and the immeasurable suffering inflicted on families and communities that lose a loved one at the hands of police. To grasp the extent of underreporting of police-involved killings, researchers compared data from the US National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), a government database that collates all death certificates, to three common open-source databases on fatal police violence: Fatal Encounters, Mapping Police Violence and The Counted. Open-source databases collect information from news reports and public record requests, encompassing a wider range of incidents. The paper noted a Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study found that police killings accounted for 293,000 global deaths from 1980 to 2019. In 2019, the US accounted for 13.2 percent of the 8,770 global deaths at the hands of police, while only accounting for 4 percent of the worlds population. The difference these practices have on loss of life is staggering: No one died from police violence in Norway in 2019, and three people were recorded to have died in England and Wales from police violence between 2018 and 2019, the researchers wrote. Researchers discovered the top five states with the highest underreporting rates were Oklahoma, Wyoming, Alabama, Louisiana and Nebraska. The states with the highest mortality rate of police brutality were Oklahoma, Washington D.C., Arizona, Alaska, Nevada and Wyoming. Additionally, the paper found that men are killed by police at significantly higher rates than women, with 30,600 police-involved deaths recorded among men and 1,420 among women between 1980 and 2019, a difference of over 2,000 percent. The study suggested several factors are behind the underreporting, including clerical mistakes wherein a coroner or medical examiner may fail to indicate police involvement in a death certificates cause of death section. However, the grim reality is that the cover-up of police murders is a conscious policy of the American ruling class and police state. The researchers noted the fact that coroners and medical examiners are often embedded within police departments and may feel substantial conflicts of interest that disincentivize them from indicating law enforcement involvement in a death. The study cited a 2011 survey of National Association of Medical Examiners members that found 22 percent of respondents reported having been pressured by an elected official or appointee to change the cause or manner of death on a certificate. The national media and the Democratic Party frame police violence as a purely racial issue. Following the sentencing of former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin, President Joe Biden claimed the murder of George Floyd ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism imbedded in American society. The race, not class mythology of police killings has been incessantly promoted by the Democratic Party and its political satellites. Regardless of a victims skin color, the epidemic of police violence in America devastates families and impacts entire communities. However, this is not how police brutality is presented in the national media. Undoubtedly, racism plays a role in many police murders and accounts for the fact that minorities are killed at rates disproportionate to their share of the national population. However, a more thorough analysis shows that the killing of minorities by police is only one aspect of the reign of terror by American police against the working class. A 2018 analysis of police violence statistics published by the World Socialist Web Site found that when economic and social demographics of the cities and counties where people are killed by police are taken into account, the glaring racial disparities that are the focus of the media and the Democrats largely disappear. Rather, police violence is concentrated on the poorest and most disadvantaged men and women. We noted: Police violence is focused overwhelmingly on men lowest on the socio-economic ladder: in rural areas outside the South, predominately white men; in the Southwest, disproportionately Hispanic men; in mid-size and major cities, disproportionately black men. Significantly, in the rural South, where the population is racially mixed, white men and black men are killed by police at nearly identical rates. What unites these victims of police violence is not their race, but their class status (as well as, of course, their gender). In 2020, police killed 475 white people, 241 black people and 169 Hispanic people, as well as 126 people of unknown race. Police violence affects all sections of the working class. Presenting police violence as a racial issue only serves to divide the working class and obfuscate the social processes behind police killings. In truth, the epidemic of police violence in America is reflective of a society defined by immense and ever-growing social inequality. For decades, conditions for American workers have become more dire as their real wages stagnate and social programs have been eliminated in favor of the militarist aims of American imperialism. The financial crisis of 2008-09 exacerbated the misery of the working class, as well as police killings. Significantly, the study published in The Lancet recorded a sharp uptick in police killings around this time, further indicating a link between Americas social crisis and police killings. This is further established by the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. While workers and children are forced into unsafe environments, endless sums of money are made available to the ultra-wealthy to continue their bonanza of financial speculation on Wall Street. Meanwhile, poverty, hunger, homelessness and death have become commonplace among the working class. The rise in police killings in the United States is the manifestation of the social inequality that pervades American society. Rather than being a black vs. white issue, it is the armed representatives of the capitalist state (frequently minorities themselves) carrying out their social function: protecting the property of the wealthy and violently suppressing working-class opposition to the capitalist system. Ending police violence requires the abolition of the capitalist system, which police ruthlessly defend with a bloody fist. News that fully vaccinated travelers from India and many African countries will face mandatory quarantine in the UK, despite a relaxation of the country's inbound travel rules, has caused an outcry and accusations of discrimination. The UK's revised travel advisory will take effect on October 4 and visitors from its list of "high risk" countries -- including India, more than 20 African countries and most Latin American nations -- will still have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days despite being fully vaccinated. According to the new travel guidelines, passengers from the US, EU, and 18 other territories who have received full doses of UK-approved vaccines, including formulations of approved vaccines such as the Indian-made AstraZeneca shot branded Covishield, will not have to quarantine when they arrive in the UK. No African country was included in the UK's green-listed countries. However, nearly half of 54 countries on the UK's high-risk list, also known as the "red list" -- comprising predominantly developing nations -- are from Africa. The backlash against the UK's revised travel policy had initially stemmed from the reported exclusion of the Covishield shot from the list of approved coronavirus vaccines. Covishield is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine maker. The African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control (ACDC) had described Covishield as the "backbone" of the COVAX initiative, a global vaccine sharing initiative for low- and middle-income countries. The vaccine was later included in an updated guideline released by UK authorities following a strong reaction from the Indian government and the Africa CDC. The Africa CDC had questioned why the UK, a major financier of the COVAX scheme, would decline to recognize vaccine certificates from recipients of shots donated by COVAX. "If you send us vaccines and we use those vaccines, and you say you don't recognize people that have been immunized, it sends a very challenging message for us," John Nkengasong, director of the Africa CDC said at a press conference last week. "It's a message that creates confusion within our own population and a message that doesn't really speak to solidarity and cooperation." George Jobe, the executive director of Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), told CNN the UK's stance on vaccine certificates could hurt Africa's already slow Covid vaccination drive. "When we consider what we have gone through in Africa for people to get vaccinated amid all sorts of negative information and myths surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine, this news can affect the exercise to vaccinate as many people as possible because it may be misunderstood as though the vaccine being administered in Africa has no efficacy," Jobe said. "The UK government should revisit its stand." The UK government acknowledges there is "frustration" with its new travel policy. The British High Commission has issued statements in parts of Africa including Nigeria and Ghana saying: "We understand that there has been some frustration that new UK travel rules, coming into force on 4 October, will continue to require people traveling to the UK from Ghana to self-isolate despite having received two doses of recognized Covid-19 vaccines in Ghana." It adds that: "The UK is committed to opening up international travel and we are using our Covid-19 vaccination certification process to enable those wishing to enter the UK to do so safely." The UK has also faced criticism for leaving African countries on its list of high-risk destinations, even as Covid numbers were declining rapidly on the continent, according to the WHO. Thousands of South Africans have signed a petition calling on UK authorities to remove the country from its red list, as the country exits the third wave. African countries have been significantly less affected by the pandemic compared to other parts of the world. South Africa's minister of international relations and cooperation, Naledi Pandor, has described remaining on the UK's red list as "a political punishment." "Keeping us on the red list sounds like a political punishment of some kind that we do not understand at all," Pandor said in an interview with CNN. "Furthermore, I was horrified... to be informed by a South African citizen that a travel agency she was using to plan a trip to the United Kingdom said there's also some statement from the UK that if you come from a red list country, even if you are vaccinated, they do not recognize your vaccine amount. I find this astounding," Pandor added. Fears over vaccine card fraud The issue of whether the Indian variant of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be accepted for travel has confused travelers since the European Union refused to include it in the European Union Digital Covid Certificate in July. The certificate enables fully vaccinated people to travel freely within the EU and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the AstraZeneca shot (branded Vaxzevria) which is manufactured by vaccine makers in Europe, the US, South Korea, and China. The EMA said this version was licensed within the EU but the Indian version of the AZ vaccine produced by SII was not. Covishield has since become accepted across parts of Europe, with more than a dozen European countries now recognizing the shot for travel. The delay in approving the Covishield vaccine appears to be because of fears over vaccine certificate fraud. The British high commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, has said that "Covishield is not the issue," but suggested instead that the exclusion of double-jabbed Indian travelers from the UK's quarantine waiver appears to be because of unresolved issues on India's vaccine certificates. There were currently technical conversations ongoing between the builders of the Indian and UK vaccine apps with the aim of moving India and other countries on to its quarantine waiver list, Ellis said. The UK has said in its statements that they are working "in partnership with the US and EU to recognize vaccine certificates from other countries as part of a phased review of the many Covid-19 vaccine certificates issued across the world." The European Union's law enforcement agency had earlier raised alarm over the "illicit sale of false negative COVID-19 test certificates." In a February report, Europol stated forged Covid documents were sold for up to 100 ($134) in the UK. In July, the US Department of Justice announced that it had arrested a California doctor for running a fake Covid-19 immunization and vaccine card scheme. Security researchers at cybersecurity firm Check Point Software also reported that vaccine certificates from various countries including the US were selling on the dark web for around $200 each. Some experts say the illicit trade in vaccine cards and digital passports is to be expected. "Not everyone has access to the vaccine; rollouts are slow in many countries, and people are tired of lockdowns and curfews," said Michela Menting, who covers cybersecurity for ABI Research. "If people can easily get hold of a fake passport to avoid restrictions, then they will, and an illicit market will spring up around it." The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. 2020 wasn't just Europe's hottest year on record. It was the hottest year by quite a bit and one of the three hottest years globally in recorded history, according to a new climate report. Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. (You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.) 1. Afghanistan US diplomats in Kabul warned American citizens early this morning to immediately leave several gates into the airport following what one US official called a "very specific threat stream" from a branch of ISIS. The US believes ISIS-K, a sworn enemy of the Taliban, wants to sow mayhem at the airport and is capable of carrying out attacks. The Taliban's new rule in Afghanistan has raised fears of a revival of al Qaeda, ISIS and other terrorist entities. In a February deal with the US, the Taliban pledged to prevent al Qaeda and other terror groups from using Afghan soil. Though the Taliban has so far kept such terrorist entities at bay, US officials worry now that the US is on its way out, there is less incentive for such efforts. The dissolution of US intelligence on the ground in Afghanistan makes this possibility even more grave. 2. Coronavirus Moderna has completed its submission to the FDA for full approval of its Covid-19 vaccine for people 18 and older. Meanwhile, Pfizer and BioNTech have begun submitting data for full approval of a third "booster" dose of their vaccine. As expected, full FDA approval of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine is leading to more mandates. The Pentagon is requiring all US military service members to get fully vaccinated against Covid-19 immediately. Disney World also reached a deal with two employees unions to require vaccinations among applicable staff. In a worrying turn, some people have been ingesting ivermectin, a drug used to de-worm livestock, as a treatment for Covid-19. Some hospitals and poison control centers have seen an uptick in such cases as some Republican elected officials and conservative media figures irresponsibly tout the drug. 3. Capitol riot The House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot has demanded a large collection of documents from several US government agencies. The wide-ranging requests cover communications related to former President Trump's family members and any communications between Trump or his allies and "any DOJ official" in the days before and after January 6. The committee has also requested information from the National Archives, which houses all of Trump's records from his time as president. Trump yesterday said he would invoke executive privilege to try to block the investigation but didn't specify how he would go about that. Ultimately, Trump could try to go to court to stop the committee from obtaining some of these documents. 4. Extreme weather Search and rescue efforts have been suspended in Tennessee following a weekend of destructive floods that claimed 20 lives. Now, it's up to the National Guard and the state Transportation Department to begin massive cleanup efforts. In the West, the region around Lake Tahoe in California and Reno, Nevada, is experiencing the worst air quality in the country by far as several large wildfires burn nearby. The Air Quality Index, an indicator of how unhealthy the air is, spiked to 694 in Tahoe City on Monday; an AQI between 300 and 500 is considered "a health warning of emergency conditions." As if that weren't enough, more hurricane activity could happen around the Gulf of Mexico soon. The National Hurricane Center gives the Gulf area an 80% chance of a tropical system developing in the next few days. Check your local forecast here>>> 5. Hong Kong Hong Kong's national security police are investigating the group behind the city's annual June 4 vigil, which commemorates pro-democracy protesters who died in the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. As part of the investigation, the group must submit meeting records and personal details of all its directors and members, including addresses and other contact information. Police claimed such information will help them investigate possible crimes against national security. The group, the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, has reportedly considered disbanding under the city's controversial new security law as more protesters, journalists and pro-democracy figures have been arrested. BREAKFAST BROWSE Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson is turning 16 Hoo boy, nothing makes you feel old like realizing child stars are growing up. Fossil confiscated in Brazilian police raid is one of the most complete pterosaur skeletons ever found This piece of news could send you down the fascinating rabbit hole of illegal (or at best, questionably legal) fossil trades. New Bob Ross documentary paints a complex portrait of the artist's life and the battle that followed it Don't worry, it won't ruin any happy little memories. The new 'Matrix 4' trailer dropped at CinemaCon It's been a whole 18 years since "Matrix 3" came out, if you're keeping track. (And yes, Keanu Reeves is in this one!) OnlyFans suspends proposed ban on sexually explicit content The company said its banking partners assured it the site could be "a home for all creators." TODAY'S NUMBER $5 million That's how much the FCC has proposed as a fine against right-wing political operatives Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman for apparently violating US robocalling laws. An investigation found the two men allegedly created hundreds of robocalls designed to discourage voting in the 2020 election. TODAY'S QUOTE "I feel like the world's biggest porn star." Spencer Elden, who appeared as a naked baby on the cover of Nirvana's 1991 album "Nevermind." Elden made the comment to the Sunday Times in 2007. He is now suing the band, claiming the iconic record cover is an example of child pornography and exploitation. AND FINALLY Show me the (ripped, waterlogged) money Did you know if you have messed-up bills, you can take them to the US Treasury and they'll give you fresh ones in return? Here's how they make sure you're getting every crusty, musty dollar you're owed. (Click here to view.) The-CNN-Wire & 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved. VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - A local college is preparing for a fun way to kick off homecoming. Saint Mary of the Woods College hosted its Bed Races competition Friday. It's exactly what it sounds like. Students took to the racecourse down The Avenue on campus, in rolling beds. It's a homecoming tradition. Faculty and staff say the event is a popular kickoff to fall homecoming, and a fun way to come together. "I think community this year is even more important. Getting them connected to each other. Feeling like they're a part of campus, but also feeling like they're integrated into the Terre Haute community," Nicole Hageny, the Associate Director of Campus Life of SMWC said. Team Llama took home first place bragging rights this year. St Mary's homecoming takes place all weekend. JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - There is some good news concerning the pandemic in Mississippi but more action is needed. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said experts are seeing an ongoing decline in the number of new cases and hospitalizations. He noted that 1.5 million Mississippians have received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine. The number of Black Mississippians vaccinated is well above the national average, he added. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said booster shots are now available at county health departments for those eligible. Open this link to schedule a booster appointment. But even with all the positive news, continued action is needed. This were going to lose anyway mentality that were playing now drives me bonkers, Dobbs said. How many people have died in Vermont? 250 the whole pandemic. How many people have died in Mississippi? Were going up to 10,000. There are two roads you can take, right? Lets do a little Robert Frost. Lets take the non-death road, right? Hes referring to Frosts famous poem The Road Not Taken. Dobbs said the state still has ample supplies of the monoclonal antibody treatment. So if you get Covid and need the treatment, he asks you to please consider using it. COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) Police in Columbus want your help finding the person who shot someone overnight outside a convenience store and stole the victim's car. The carjacking happened before midnight Friday at the Sprint Mart on Military Road just off of Highway 82. Columbus police are looking for a 2012 Nissan Altima similar to this one following a shooting October 1, 2021. Columbus police are looking for a 2012 Nissan Altima similar to this one following a shooting October 1, 2021. Police Chief Fred Shelton said the shooter took off in the victim's 2012 silver Nissan Altima. Officers later found that car abandoned on Sand Road. A helicopter flew the victim to a hospital in Jackson to be treated. You can call Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151 to anonymously share information about the shooting, or you can do that using the P3 Tips app on your smartphone or tablet. Glen Kamara was booed by the home fans before being sent off in the 1-0 defeat (AFP via Getty Images) Sparta Prague have released a statement praising the young fans who booed Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara for creating a wonderful and unique atmosphere during their Europa League match on Thursday. Kamara was booed by some of the 10,000 schoolchildren who attended the match six months after he was racially abused by Slavia Pragues Ondrej Kudela, an incident that saw the Czech Republic defender receive a 10-match ban from Uefa. Sparta Prague were serving a Uefa stadium ban following a separate incident of racist abuse towards Monacos Aurelius Tchouameni last season, but the schoolchildren were permitted to attend their sides 1-0 win over Rangers along with some accompanying adults. Rangers manager Steven Gerrard confirmed that the club have launched an official complaint with Uefa and has called for more severe punishments for racist abuse. However, Sparta Prague have released a statement rejecting the unfounded accusations of racism, which they say are unacceptable, desperate and ridiculous. The statement continued: On behalf of the clubs board, players, coaches and all staff, we would like to thank the children for a wonderful and unique atmosphere. This match will go down in the clubs history in a positive sense. Booing could be heard at the Letna Stadium every time Kamara touched the ball, while there were loud cheers when the Finland international was sent off for a second yellow card in the second half. Ive spoken to Glen, he is okay, but our conversation will remain private, Gerrard said. Sadly, these things keep raising their head far too often and, unfortunately, the punishments are not severe enough. Read More Jurgen Klopp criticises Governments red list exemption decision Home form not as important as picking up points, says Burnley boss Sean Dyche Manchester City are probably the best team in Europe, says Jurgen Klopp LISBON, PORTUGAL - SEPTEMBER 29: Tourists check their cellphones outside Belem Tower by the Tagus River at the end of the afternoon during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic on September 29, 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal. The use of protective mask outdoors has not been longer mandatory as of September 13, but according to the measures of the third phase of the deconfinement associated with the pandemic, as of October 01 the use of masks is still mandatory in shops, schools (except at outdoor playgrounds), theaters, cinemas, congress halls, event venues, health establishments and services, residential or foster care facilities, or home support services for vulnerable populations, elderly people, or people with disabilities. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) Portugals health care system was on the verge of collapse. Hospitals in the capital, Lisbon, were overflowing and authorities were asking people to treat themselves at home. In the last week of January, nearly 2,000 people died as the virus spread. The countrys vaccine program was in a shambles, so the government turned to Vice Adm. Henrique Gouveia e Melo, a former submarine squadron commander, to right the ship. Eight months later, Portugal is among the worlds leaders in vaccinations, with roughly 86% of its population of 10.3 million fully vaccinated. About 98% of all of those eligible for vaccines meaning anyone over 12 have been fully vaccinated, Gouveia e Melo said. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times We believe we have reached the point of group protection and nearly herd immunity, he said. Things look very good. On Friday, Portugal ended nearly all of its coronavirus restrictions. There has been a sharp drop in new cases, to about 650 a day, and vanishingly few deaths. Many Western nations fortunate enough to have abundant vaccine supplies have seen inoculation rates plateau, with more than 20% of their populations still unprotected. So other governments are looking to Portugal for possible insights and are watching closely to see what happens when nearly every eligible person is protected. False dawns in the coronavirus pandemic have been as common as new nightmare waves of infection. So Portugal could still see a setback as the delta variant continues to spread globally. There have been worrying signs from Israel and elsewhere that protection offered by vaccines can fade over time, and a worldwide debate is raging over who should be offered booster shots and when. Portugal may soon start offering boosters to older people and those deemed clinically vulnerable, Gouveia e Melo said, and he was confident they could all be reached by the end of December. But for the moment, as bars and nightclubs buzz with life, infections dwindle and deaths plummet, the countrys vaccination drive has succeeded even after encountering many of the same hurdles that caused others to flounder. Story continues The same flood of misinformation about vaccines has filled the social media accounts of the Portuguese. The country is run by a minority left-wing government, a reflection of its political divisions. And, according to public opinion polls, there was widespread doubt about the vaccines when they first arrived. Gouveia e Melo has been credited with turning it around. With a background working on complicated logistical challenges in the military, he was named in February to lead the national vaccination task force. Standing 6 feet, 3 inches, the admiral made it a point to wear only his combat uniform in his many public and television appearances as he sought to essentially draft the nation into one collective pandemic-fighting force. The first thing is to make this thing a war, Gouveia e Melo said in an interview, recalling how he approached the job. I use not only the language of war, but military language. While politicians around the world have invoked a similar martial rhetoric, he said it was critical to his success that he was widely seen as detached from politics. He quickly assembled a team of some three dozen people, led by elite military personnel including mathematicians, doctors, analysts and strategic experts from Portugals army, air force and navy. Asked what other countries can do to bolster their own vaccination efforts, he did not hesitate to offer his best advice. They need to find people who are not politicians, he said. Before the pandemic, Portugal was fortunate to have a robust national vaccination program. It grew out of the countrys devastating experience battling polio, which was still affecting the country after Gouveia e Melo was born in 1960. He recalls when the daughter of a family friend fell ill from the disease and the suffering that followed. Manuela Ivone da Cunha, a Portuguese anthropologist who has studied anti-vaccination movements, said that vaccine doubters and anti-vaxxers are in the minority in Portugal, and they are also less vocal than they are in many other countries. Leonor Beleza, a former Portuguese health minister who is now the president of the Champalimaud medical foundation, said Portugals rollout clearly benefited from the discipline stemming from the nomination of a military officer. He formulated a communications policy about what was happening that gave credibility and trust, she said. As the task force devised the most efficient system to safely stream the most people through inoculation centers, they used troops to build confidence in the system. People could see the vaccines were safe as soldier after soldier got shots. At the same time, the task force made a point of showing doctors and nurses getting their shots, as well, to drive home the message of vaccine safety. While other countries have featured doctors, nurses, police officers and soldiers in their vaccine campaigns, Gouveia e Melo said the consistency of the messaging was critical. Still, as the campaign moved onto younger age groups over the summer with less than half of the public vaccinated there were signs that resistance was building. In a submarine, the admiral said, you are in a slow ship trying to catch faster ships. You have to position yourself and be smart about how to do it, he said, and seize the opportunity when it arrives. In July, Gouveia e Melo seized such an opportunity. Protesters were blocking the entrance to a vaccination center in Lisbon, so he donned his combat uniform and went there with no security detail. I went through these crazy people, he said. They started to call me murderer, murderer. As the television cameras rolled, the admiral calmly stood his ground. I said the murderer is the virus, Gouveia e Melo recalled. The true killer, he said, would be people who live like it is the 13th century without any notion of reality. I attempted to communicate in a very true and honest way about all doubts and problems, he said. But not everybody welcomed his approach. We dont really have a culture of questioning authorities, said Laura Sanches, a clinical psychologist who has criticized Portugals mass vaccination rollout as too militaristic and called for it to exclude younger people. And the way he always presented himself in camouflage army suits as if he was fighting a war together with the language used by the media and the politicians, has contributed to a feeling of fear that also makes us more prone to obey and not question, she said. Still, the public messaging campaign including an aggressive television and media blitz made steady progress. In the beginning, we had some 40% who were unsure, Gouveia e Melo said. Now, according to polls, he said, only 2.2% do not want the vaccine. As he stepped down from the task force this week, the admiral said he felt the country was on a good course. But, ever the submariner, he cautioned that vigilance would remain essential to ensuring that this war was won. 2021 The New York Times Company Frankies 77th Anniversary Hilary Michelson Thanks to the staff at St. Croix Hospice in Iowa, 97-year-old Frankie King was able to ring in her wedding anniversary in style. When King married her husband on Sept. 16, 1944, she didn't have a wedding gown to wear on the occasion. But decades later, for the couple's 77th wedding anniversary, King finally got the chance to don a white dress during a reenactment of her wedding hosted by the hospice center on Sept. 24. The moment was an emotional one for everyone involved. "It was so hard to keep from crying behind the lens as I got to witness the emotion with this beautiful couple, and the love and compassion that their team poured into preparing this event for them," Hilary Michelson, a photographer and staff member at St. Croix Hospice, tells PEOPLE. RELATED: Iowa Couple Recreates Wedding Photos to Celebrate 50th Anniversary: 'Something to Aspire to' King was helped into the dress by the couple's daughter, Sue Bilodeau, before she walked out to greet her husband, who waited outside by a makeshift altar surrounded by flowers in his Air Force uniform. "The light in her eyes I wish everyone could have seen it. She told me she felt so beautiful," St. Croix Hospice Aide Kacie Derr said in a statement to PEOPLE. RELATED: Adopted Woman Asks Both of Her Dads to Walk Her Down the Aisle on Wedding Day: 'It Was Amazing' "It was so touching to be a part of that," she added. "I've never worked for a company that would do something so wholesome and heartfelt for someone." To complete the moment, the facility's music therapist played 1940s songs as King walked toward her husband. Frankies 77th Anniversary Hilary Michelson "Words cannot express the gratitude our family has for the amazing staff at St. Croix for making this day happen," Bilodeau wrote on social media. "Just to see my Mom looking in her mirror prior to the ceremony and seeing Dad's smile light up when he glimpsed Mom in her beautiful dress. Couldn't see through the tears." Story continues Many on social media were moved by Michelson's photographs, which showed the happy couple in love so many years after they first walked down the aisle. "Breathtaking moments captured in so many ways," one commenter wrote on Facebook. RELATED VIDEO: Daughter Uses Her Mother's Wedding Dress For Big Day Reveal Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. Michelson said she couldn't have been happier to capture the special occasion. "My experience in working with end-of-life care has taught me so many valuable experiences," she says. "The most important of them all being that there's going to be a day where all we have are these little moments frozen in time. That's what motivates me behind the camera making sure I capture those memories for families." Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. New Delhi: One of the most prominent political personalities who stood out during India's independent movement, late Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904. He was the second Prime Minister of India from 1964 till 1966. Lal Bahadur Shastri's famous slogan was 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan', with him contributing immensely in the freedom struggle. On the special occasion of Shastris birth anniversary, let's take a look at The Tashkent Files - a film based on his mysterious death. Helmed by Vivek Agnihotri, the film starred Shweta Basu Prasad, Mithun Chakraborty, Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Tripathi in the lead roles. Watch the official trailer here: Here are the top reasons why this movie is a must-watch: 1. The film uncovers many important facts about Lal Bahadur Shastris life which were still under the wraps and help us to know him better as a person. 2. Its a film which will raise the feeling of patriotism in you. 3. It is not only about the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri but also reminds us he along with Mahatma Gandhi celebrates their birth anniversary on the same day, as every time whenever 2nd October is described it is related to Mahatma Gandhi only. 4. Shweta Basu Prasad has done a commendable job of a young journalist who turns into an investigating journalist and uncovers the mystery. 5. Mithun Chakraborty, Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Tripathi have proved their mettle and did justice to their role. New Delhi: The topmost forest Department Official in Tamil Nadu has issued a hunting order for a wild tiger, that is said to have caused the deaths of two people and livestock in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). Officials and a multi-disciplinary team of experts are preparing to capture the adult male tiger, being referred to as MDT 23, on Saturday (October 2, 2021). This is to be noted that the hunting order empowers officials of MTR to hunt the tiger MDT 23 under Section 11(1) (a) of the Wildlife Protection Act, in strict adherence to the guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). As per the order, the entire operation which is being conducted with assistance from Kerala Forest teams and Special Task Force would be photographed, videographed and documented. According to the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, the said tiger has been preying on livestock in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and adjoining areas since July this year. This predator is also said to have killed an individual on September 24, following which efforts were underway to track, tranquillize and capture it. However, the capture operation has not been successful thus far, owing to the terrain, inclement weather and disturbances by the local population. The tiger has continued to prey on livestock and also killed another person on Friday. It is notable that the tiger did not consume the humans that it happened to kill. Owing to the danger that this tiger poses to human lives, the demands of the locals and the reports of field officials, Dr Shekhar Kumar Niraj, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, issued the hunting order. This is not a man-eater tiger, the unfortunate instances of people getting killed were because they ignored the warnings and ventured into the forests where the tiger was roaming. What has been issued is not a shooting order, our first priority is to trap and capture the tiger, shooting (if at all) will be the last resort, Dr Niraj told Zee Media. Queried on the course of action after capture, he said that the tiger would have to undergo a medical examination by expert vets, following which decision on moving it to a zoo and or similar options can be considered. Live TV New Delhi: India recorded 24,354 new COVID-19 cases and 234 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall caseload to 3,37,91,061 and the total death toll to 4,48,573, as per data released by the Ministry of Health on Saturday (October 2, 2021). Out of these, Kerala contributed 13,834 fresh cases and 95 deaths. Over 25,455 recoveries were also recorded in the country in the last 24 hours, taking total recoveries to 3,30,68,599 and the active caseload now stands at 2,73,889, which is the lowest in the last 197 days. #COVID19 | Of 24,354 new cases reported in India in the last 24 hours, Kerala recorded 13,834 new cases and 95 deaths yesterday ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2021 The recovery rate presently stands at 97.86 percent, the highest since March 2020. The country reported a weekly positivity rate of 1.68 percent which is less than 3 percent for the last 99 days. The daily positivity rate stands at 1.70 percent, less than 3 percent for the last 33 days. As many as 57,19,94,990 samples tested up to 1st October including 14,29,258 samples tested on Friday, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Meanwhile, Indias COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 89.74Cr (89,74,81,554), with the administration of 69,33,838 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 87,06,441sessions. Live TV New Delhi: Delhi University (DU) announced its first cutoff list for undergraduate admissions for the year 2021 on Friday (October 1, 2021). The record cut-offs left many students, who have scored above 90 percent feel dejected and are now scouting for alternatives. As the first cutoff acted as a wave of shock among the students, many individuals now are eagerly waiting for the second one hoping that it can make things more accessible for them. It may be noted that according to the announcement made by the university on September 27, 2021, the second cutoff list for admissions in the prestigious university is going to be released on October 9 and followed by the third one on October 16. Nearly 70,000 seats under various courses are up for grabs. The admissions under the first cutoff list will start from October 4 at 10 am and will go on till October 6 at 11.59 pm. For more details on the admission and schedule the students can check the official website of Delhi University- du.ac.in. Students can also check the cut-offs and other information on admission.uod.ac.in. Students need to note that the admission procedure will be the same as last year, which means the entire DU UG Admission process would be done online in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Heres step-by-step admission process for admissions in DU UG courses: 1. As soon as the university releases its First Cut off list 2021, the students will have to choose a college of their choice and respective course on the admissions portal dashboard. 2. The students must check the cut-off carefully and see if they are eligible for the choice they are filling. 3. Once this is done, students need to complete the DU UG Admission form in all respects, as these forms will later be duly verified and checked by the members of the admissions committee. 4. After filling the forms in the correct manner, it will be transferred to the Convenor of admissions who will then keep a check on the recommended cases for admissions, following which the forms will be sent to the principals of respective colleges for approval. 5. The students must note that the colleges can reject an application, but will have to give a reason or remark why they did so. 6. If the application is accepted, the next step for the students is to upload the necessary documents on the portal for verification. 7. Here is the list of documents Class 12 or qualifying exam marksheet and passing certificate, Class 10 marksheet and passing certificate, Caste certificate/EWS Certificate (if applicable), Transfer Certificate from school, Migration Certificate from Board, Character Certificate and OMR form of University Registration. 8. The students need to be careful while uploading the documents as in case any of these documents are missing or have problems, their admissions might get forfeited by the respective college. 9. After the documents are uploaded, the students will have to pay the admission fee and save the receipt for future reference. 10. Once they have made the payment, the students will receive a confirmation from the respective college stating the status of their admission with them. New Delhi: The Election Commission on Saturday issied an order to freeze Lok Janshakti Party's poll symbol which effectively bars both Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Kumar Paras' factions from using it till dispute is settled by the poll panel. The commission also said that the two factions can use free symbols available to field their candidates for the bypolls to two assembly seats in the coming days but the name of Lok Janshakti Party or its symbol 'bungalow' cannot be used. "Both the groups shall be known by such names by as they may choose for their respective groups, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party Lok Janshakti Party," the order read. Both will have to submit their application to the commission for the name of their party and the new symbol by October 4 at 1 pm. Also, both the groups have been asked to give more evidence and documents by November 5 as they lay claim on the party symbol. This rules out the use of "Banglow" symbol for the upcoming assembly by-election. They will get different symbols. Earlier in June, both Chirag Paswan and newly-elected LJP national president Pashupati Kumar Paras had written to the EC claiming right on the party symbol. On June 13, Paras, the younger brother of LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan was recognised as the leader of LJP in Lok Sabha in place of Chirag Paswan after the five of six-party MPs gave a letter in his support. The Speaker accepted Paras as the floor leader of the LJP in the lower house. In a revised list of floor leaders of parties, Paras was listed as the Lok Sabha LJP leader. The LJP was formed by former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan in 2000. Paswan passed away in October 2020. Live TV New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India as a nation of opportunities and said that he believes India can achieve anything. The prime minister stated that it shows the strength of democracy when the nation picked a poor individual like him and put their trust in him with such huge responsibilities. PM Modi also added that he gets awed by the kind of country we are. In an interview with the 'Open Magazine', the prime minister said, I dont get awed by the trajectory of my own life. I get awed by the kind of country we are and our people, who can pick a poor child and make him reach where I have. I feel privileged that the people of this country have given me such huge responsibilities and continue to repose their trust in me. This is the strength of our democracy. PM Modi also said that he perceives his journey to the top position in a very different light. He said, As for me selling tea as a child and later becoming the prime minister of our nation, I see this very differently from how you see it. I feel that the 130 crore people of India have the same capabilities that I have. What I have achieved, can be achieved by anyone. If I can, anyone can! ALSO READ | Rajneetik dhokhadhadi: PM Narendra Modi hits out at Opposition for opposing pro-farmer reforms In the eyes of the world, being prime minister and chief minister may be a very big thing but in my own eyes, these are ways to do something for the people, he added. Additionally, the prime minister revealed that he believes that Indians can achieve anything. Where I started, where I reached, what I did, what my individual experiences are, these things do not matter much. What matters is that this shows that any Indian can achieve anything, PM Modi said. Live TV Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday (October 1) arrested the man accused in the killing of a police inspector. Police in Srinagar have arrested the accused involved in the killing of Inspector Parvez Ahmad. He has been identified as Muheeb Bashir Dar son of Bashir Ahmad Dar resident of Manganwagi, a police spokesperson said. An FIR in the matter was registered in Nowgam. It is pertinent to mention that on the evening of June 22 this year the inspector was martyred when he was on his way to the mosque to offer prayers during which he was fired on by two armed terrorists. The accused arrested is also involved in many other terror-related incidents. Meanwhile, on a specific input regarding the movement of terrorists and their planning to attack security forces, a joint checkpoint was established at Mujhmarg Junction by Shopian Police, 1stRR and 178Bn CRPF. During checking, a suspicious person was intercepted who on seeing the search party tried to flee from the spot but the alert party apprehended him tactfully. He has been identified as Kamran Bashir Hajam son of Bashir Ahmed Hajam resident of Babapora, an active terrorist of proscribed terror outfit LeT. During the search, one Hand Grenade and 29 rounds of 7.62 mm calibre were recovered from his possession. Accordingly, an FIR has been registered at PS Zainapora. Further investigation is going on. This is the second active terrorist captured alive on Friday in south Kashmir. Earlier, an active terrorist was held in Pulwama. Besides police also apprehended three associates along with arms and ammunition in Kulgam. A huge cache of arms and ammunition recovered from them. Live TV New Delhi: Former IRS officer Preeta Harit on Friday (October 1, 2021) resigned from Congress and said that the management is really bad and that it felt like being an orphan in the party. Harit, who was inducted into Congress in 2019, said she had joined the party to work for the rights of the Dalit Bahujan community but the party is ignoring their issues. "The management is really bad here. It feels like being an orphan. They did not make use of our services. I have joined the party to work for the rights of the Dalit Bahujan community. But the party is ignoring their issues. There is so much confusion in the Congress party, we do not know whom to report and who will assign us work," Harit told ANI on her resignation from Congress. Harit is the founder of Bahujan Samyak Sangathan and prior to joining Congress, she was serving as Principal Commissioner, Income Tax Department. Her resignation has added to the woes of Congress which has been jostling to settle the turmoil in Punjab and Chhattisgarh. In Punjab, veteran Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh had stepped down from the Chief Ministerial post and has said that he would quit the party. Later, Navjot Singh Sidhu also tendered his resignation as Punjab Congress chief and was reportedly upset over the bureaucratic setup and his commands not being followed after Cabinet expansion in Punjab. Subsequently, a minister and three Congress leaders, considered close to Sidhu, also resigned. Live TV In Chhattisgarh, state health minister TS Singh Deo has been demanding a change of guard in the state. Soon after the Bhupesh Baghel-led government completed two-and-a-half years in office in June, the supporters of TS Singh Deo raised the issue of rotational chief ministership. On the other hand, more than a dozen Congress MLAs are now also camping in the national capital to extend their support to Baghel to continue to his post. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: Expressing hope that the pending issues between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) would be resolved soon, Army chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane said the increase in the deployment by Chinese troops across the border was a matter of concern. He said India had made matching deployments in terms of troops and infrastructure in its areas along the LAC and there was no way anyone would be able to behave in an aggressive manner again. Speaking to ANI, Gen Naravane, who is in Ladakh for his two-day visit, said, "The situation at friction points has been normal for the past six months. The talks have been going on. We had the 12th round of talks last month, and also hopeful of having the 13th round of talks, maybe by the second week of October." He added, "When the talks had started, people were doubtful whether talks would resolve anything, but I am of the firm opinion that we can resolve our differences with dialogue and that is what has happened in the past few months." The army chief said, "The Chinese have deployed (their forces) in considerable numbers across Eastern Ladakh and up to eastern command. There has been an increase in the deployment and it is a matter of concern for us. We are also carrying out matching developments in terms of infrastructure and deployment of troops. We are quite poised in order to meet any eventuality." Pakistan Army supporting terrorist infiltration Naravane said that Pakistan Army supported two infiltration attempts by terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) through ceasefire violations and have been strongly told by the Indian Army to not indulge in such activities. "There were no ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army from February this year till June-end. But, of late, there have been increased infiltration attempts that were not supported by ceasefire violations," Army Chief Gen Naravane told ANI. "In the last ten days, there have been two ceasefire violations. The situation is regressing to pre-February days," he added. His remarks came after he was asked if the Pakistan Army was supporting the recent spurt in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and infiltration attempts along the LoC. India and Pakistan had entered into an agreement in February this year after which both sides had seen complete silence in terms of ceasefire violations. The Pakistan Army had also stopped supporting infiltration attempts by terrorists by firing at Indian posts to "divert their attention but that process has started again. "We have conveyed through hotline messages and DGMO level talks that take place every week that they (Pakistan) should not give support to any terror-related activities," Naravane said. Live TV New Delhi: Here's a tale of success and inspiration. Hailing from Haryana, Pooja Yadav cracked the UPSC exam in 2018 and became an IPS officer. She left her job in Germany to pursue a career in police force. But Pooja had her share of difficulties and from giving tuition to students to occassionally working as a receptionist, she dabbled in several side jobs to meet her expenses. Jobs abroad after M.Tech Born on September 20, 1988, Pooja's spent her childhood in Haryana, from where she did her early education as well. After this, she did her M.Tech in Biotechnology and Food Technology and worked in Canada and then Germany for a few years. Switch to UPSC According to a report published in DNA quoting UPSC Pathshala, after working in Canada and Germany for a few years, Pooja Yadav realized that instead of contributing to the development of India, she was working for the development of another country. So decided to leave her job and appear for UPSC exam. She followed her dreams and began preparing. But it wasn't immediate success. She cleared the exam on her second attempt was appointed as an IPS officer of 2018 cadre. Gave tuitions, worked as receptionist to meet expenses While she always had the support of her family, be it when she pursued MTech or UPSC, her family was not finacially very well off. So Pooja gave tuitions as well as worked as receptiont to meet her expenses while she pursued her education. Married to IAS officer Vikalp Bharadwaj According to media reports, Pooja married IAS Vikalp Bhardwaj on February 18 this year. The two had met at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. Vikalp is from 2016 batch. An officer of Kerala cadre, he has requested reprtedly requested for transfer to Gujarat cadre post marriage. Also read: Meet IAS officer Swati Meena, who cleared UPSC exam at 22 and took on mining mafia Active on social media She may hold important designation, but like any other youngster Pooja is very active on social media and has about 2.7 lakh followers on Instagram. She reportedly believes that there is no better platform than social media to interact with the public and exchange views for the betterment of people's lives. Live TV New Delhi: The Centre has decided not to go ahead with the plan to make PhD the minimum qualification to hire assistant professors this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, ANI reported. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told the media, "The ministry has put a temporary hold on PhD for assistant professor recruitment and PhD would not be mandatory for this post as of now but has not been cancelled." The Ministry of Education has lifted the compulsory PhD criteria temporarily to allow universities to fill the vacancies. Education Ministry sources told the news agency, "Around 10,000 posts vacant in the Central universities including teaching and non-teaching staff and the ministry had given instruction to fill up this vacancy soon. "Education Ministry had received several requests from candidates who wanted to apply for the post but were unable to fulfil their PhD requirement, asking to postpone the 2018 guidelines," the sources added. Candidates possessing postgraduate degrees, who have cleared the National Eligibility Test, will continue to remain eligible for recruitments to the assistant professor posts. In 2018, the University Grants Commission (UGC) modified the criteria for recruitments for entry-level posts at universities and colleges. It had given a three-year window to candidates to complete their PhDs and asked all universities and colleges to start applying the criteria for recruitment from the 2021-22 academic session. Former Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announcing the new regulations had said, The new recruitment for universities will be only PhD holders. We have given time of three years. So from 2021, assistant professor (entry-level position) will have to hold PhDs. (With agency inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (October 2, 2021) will interact with Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSC) on Jal Jeevan mission via video conferencing. The prime minister took to his official Twitter handle and wrote, "At 11 AM tomorrow, 2nd October, I would be taking part in an interesting programme relating to Jal Shakti and rural empowerment. I would interact with Gram Panchayats and Pani Samitis. Jal Jeevan Mission App and Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh would be launched." At 11 AM tomorrow, 2nd October, I would be taking part in an interesting programme relating to Jal Shakti and rural empowerment. I would interact with Gram Panchayats and Pani Samitis. Jal Jeevan Mission App and Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh would be launched. https://t.co/N01N4wlFZV Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2021 PM Modi will launch the Jal Jeevan Mission application for improving awareness among stakeholders and for greater transparency and accountability of schemes under the mission. The prime minister will also launch Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh, where any individual, institution, corporation, or philanthropist, be it in India or abroad, can contribute to help provide tap water connection in every rural household, school, Anganwadi centre, ashram shala, and other public institutions. According to a release issued by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), the nation-wide Gram Sabhas on Jal Jeevan Mission will also take place during the day. The Gram Sabhas will discuss planning and management of village water supply systems and also work towards long-term water security. "Pani Samitis play a key role in planning, implementation, management, operation and maintenance of village water supply systems. Out of over 6 lakh villages, Pani Samitis/ VWSCs have been constituted in around 3.5 lakh villages. More than 7.1 lakh women have been trained to test the quality of water by using Field Test Kits," it reads further. On August 15, 2019, Prime Minister had announced the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide clean tap water to every household. At the time of the launch of the mission, only 3.23 Crore (17 per cent) rural households had a tap water supply. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, in the last two years, more than 5 crore households have been provided with tap water connections. As of date, about 8.26 Crore (43 per cent) rural households have a tap water supply in their homes. Every rural household in 78 districts, 58 thousand gram panchayats, and 1.16 lakh villages are getting tap water supply. Till now, tap water supply has been provided in 7.72 lakh (76 per cent) schools and 7.48 lakh (67.5 per cent) Anganwadi centres.Jal Jeevan Mission is implemented in partnership with States with a budget of Rs. 3.60 lakh crores. Further, Rs. 1.42 lakh crore has been allocated to PRIs as a tied grant under the 15th Finance Commission for water and sanitation in villages for the period 2021-2022 to 2025-2026. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hit out at the Opposition for opposing pro-farmer reforms and called it a 'Rajneetik dhokhadhadi'. PM Modi said that these were the same people who wrote letters to chief ministers asking them to do the exact same thing that his Government has done. "If you look at those who are opposing the pro-farmer reforms today, you will see the real meaning of intellectual dishonesty and rajneetik dhokhadhadi," PM Modi said in an interview to the 'Open Magazine'. The Prime Minister added that these were the same people who wrote in their election manifesto that they would enact the same reforms that the BJP government has brought. "Yet, just because some other political party, blessed by the will of the people, is enacting the same reforms, they have made a complete U-turn and in a brazen display of intellectual dishonesty, completely disregard what will benefit the farmers and only seek what they think will benefit them politically," he said. The Prime Minister stated that the Centre is committed to empowering the small farmers in every way and that his government is ready to sit together and discuss those issues. "Many meetings have also been held in this regard but no one till now has come up with a specific point of disagreement that we want this to be changed," he said. Prime Minister Modi said that he takes decisions based on Mahatma Gandhi's talisman that sees how his decisions will benefit or harm the poorest or weakest person. "While taking decisions, I stop even if the slightest of vested interests is visible to me. The decision should be pure and authentic and if the decision passes through all these tests, then I firmly move forward to implement such a decision," he added. The Prime Minister also said, "In such a large country as India, is it possible to make a decision which is acceptable to 100 per cent people? Although if a decision is not acceptable to even a small number of people, they are not wrong. They may have their own genuine concerns but if the decision is in the larger interest, then it is the responsibility of government to implement such a decision." This is to be noted that several farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, have been protesting at Delhi's borders against three farm laws since November 2020. They have been demanding the legislation be repealed. Live TV New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (October 2, 2021) paid tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 152nd birth anniversary. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul visited Raj Ghat and Vijay Ghat, memorials to Mahatma Gandhi and India's second prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, respectively, to pay floral tributes to them. In a tweet in Hindi, Rahul Gandhi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and posted the quote, "Vijay ke liye kewal ek satyagrahi hi kaafi hai (Only one 'satyagrahi' is enough for victory)", in a swipe at the government over the farmers' protest. He also used the hashtag farmers protest and posted a video collage with glimpses from the farmers' protest and Mahatma Gandhi's satyagraha for independence. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi with a reference to the farm laws. "The flag of Bapu's ideas of truth, non-violence and justice is still flying high in the farmers' 'satyagraha' against the black farm laws, in the fight for justice for the tribals of Sonbhadra and for the Dalit girl of Hathras, and in the rising voices for the ideology of love against the ideology of hatred," Priyanka Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. Priyanka Gandhi also paid tributes to Shastri and recalled his 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' slogan. "Farmers and soldiers are the pride of India and hailing them reflects the sentiments of crores of Indians. This sentiment of crores of Indians was conveyed in the 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' slogan of former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri given at a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj," she said in a tweet in Hindi. Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to Shastri in a tweet and said, "Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan tha, hai aur rahega." "Shastri ji's simplicity and determination are a source of inspiration even today. Salute to this son of Congress!" he tweeted. In a tweet, the Congress, on its official Twitter handle, said, "We pay tribute to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. As a guiding light, his ideals guide us to work for the nation and its people, following the path of peace and non-violence." In its tribute to Shastri, the Congress said he was an active participant in the freedom struggle against the British and contributed to nation-building until his last breath. Several senior Congress leaders, including Congress' chief spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Shastri. Live TV Kanpur: A couple and their son were bludgeoned to death in the Uchwa area here on Saturday (October 2), police said. The perpetrators allegedly fled the scene with the deceased's motorcycle after executing the killings, a senior police officer said. The deceased persons are Prem Kishor (45), his wife Geeta (39) and their son Naitik (12). According to police, Raj Kishor, a driver attached with the additional district and sessions judge, got a call from his neighbour that a milk packet was lying outside his brother Prem's shop and that he was not answering any calls. Raj reached his brother's grocery shop-cum-residence, and when he entered inside by breaking the locks, he found Prem's body, along with those of his wife and son, covered in a blanket, the official said. Injury marks found on victims' heads suggested that they were hit brutally with an unknown heavy object which resulted in their death, said DCP (headquarters) Sanjiv Tyagi. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of murder, he said. An investigation has been launched into the matter, he added. ALSO READ: Meet IPS officer Pooja Yadav, who left her MNC job in Germany and cracked UPSC Live TV New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday (October 1) recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the suspicious death of a Kanpur-based businessman in a Gorakhpur hotel. The UP government has made the recommendation to the Centre and till CBI takes over businessman Manish Guptas death case, the SIT formed by Uttar Pradesh Police will continue with the investigation. The 36-year-old businessman died on Monday night after a police raid in a Gorakhpur hotel in which he got injured. Guptas family has alleged he was beaten to death by police during the raid. A case of murder was registered against six policemen on Wednesday in connection with his death. It is alleged that the accused policemen opened the door in the hotel room in the name of checking and beat Manish Gupta badly, due to which he later died. Earlier, the UP police had denied the charge and said Manish received a head injury after he fell on the ground due to drunkenness. Meenakshi, the wife of Manish Gupta, had alleged her husband died after police assaulted him. "My husband was murdered in that hotel, he was killed by a policeman. There was no blood on the scene even though my husband was beaten bloody. Two of his friends said that there was blood everywhere, but the hotel staff cleaned it up," she had told the reporters. Meanwhile, the UP government has ordered the appointment of Meenakshi Gupta as an officer on special duty (OSD) in the Kanpur Development Authority. The chief minister has directed for enhancing the financial help to the bereaved family to Rs 40 lakh, the UP government said in a statement. Amid flak from the Opposition over the Kanpur businessmans death, CM Yogi Adityanath had met relatives of the businessman during his Kanpur visit on Thursday, following which the Chief Minister's Office announced a job for Gupta's wife and an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh. Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav who also visited the house of the businessman on Thursday had demanded a CBI probe into the incident under the supervision of a sitting judge of the high court. (With agency inputs) Live TV New York: United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres on Saturday (October 2, 2021) paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 152nd anniversary and said the world should heed his message of peace and usher in a new era of trust and tolerance. "Hatred, division and conflict have had their day. It is time to usher in a new era of peace, trust and tolerance. On this International Day of Non-Violence - Gandhi`s birthday - let`s heed his message of peace, and commit to building a better future for all," Guterres tweeted in his tribute to Gandhi. Hatred, division and conflict have had their day. It is time to usher in a new era of peace, trust and tolerance. On this International Day of Non-Violence - Gandhi's birthday - let's heed his message of peace, and commit to building a better future for all. Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 2, 2021 Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar town of Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi or Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi adopted a non-violent resistance and was at the forefront of the freedom struggle against colonial British rule with utmost patience. This led to India finally achieving its independence in 1947. Fondly known as Bapu, his unwavering belief in `Swaraj` (self-governance) and `Ahimsa` (non-violence) won him accolades across the world. Globally, Gandhi`s birth anniversary is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence. Several events were held in India and across the world to mark the occasion. Live TV New Delhi: As part of its 2021 recruitment drive, Oil India Limited (OIL) has invited applications for various Grade C, Grade B and Grade A vacancies. It has announced as many as 35 vacancies at www.oil-india.com. The recruitment drive is being held to fill up posts including Superintending Engineers, Superintending Medical Officers, Senior Medical Officers, Senior Security Officer in Assam. ALSO READ | Indian Oil (IOCL) Recruitment 2021: Several vacancies announced across India, salary up to Rs 1,05,000 Oil India Limited Recruitment 2021: Name and number of posts GRADE C Superintending Engineer (Drilling): 1 Superintending Medical Officer (Radiology): 1 Superintending Engineer (Environment): 3 Superintending Medical Officer (Orthopaedic Surgeon): 1 GRADE B Senior Medical Officer: 4 Senior Security Officer: 1 Senior Officer (Electrical): 6 Senior Officer (Electronics & Communication): 2 Senior Officer (Land/Legal): 2 Senior Officer (Mechanical): 10 Senior Officer (Geophysics): 1 Senior Officer (Instrumentation): 2 GRADE A Confidential Secretary: 1 Oil India Limited Recruitment 2021: Scale of Pay GRADE C: Rs 80,000 - Rs 2,20,000 GRADE B: Rs 60,000 - Rs 1,80,000 GRADE A: Rs 50,000 - Rs 1,60,000 Oil India Limited Recruitment 2021: Last date Candidates can ONLY apply ONLINE through the link available on the Oil India Limited website till October 10 (11:59 PM). Live TV New Delhi: Three women who were allegedly operating a sex racket in Maharashtra's Nagpur were arrested for forcing a minor girl into flesh trade for a sum of Rs 40,000, the police said on Saturday. The women were taking advantage of the minor girl's need for money to get her mother treated for cancer, an official told PTI. The police's Social Security Branch (SSB) raided a home in Om Nagar on Friday on a tip off and rescued the girl and arrested the three women operating the racket. Police arrested three women, who had arranged a customer for Rs 40,000 and promised monetary help to the minors poverty stricken family. The girl needed the money for her mothers treatment, who is suffering from Cancer. The police is verifying the claim. The women have been charged under relevant sections of the IPC, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act as well as and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act provisions, the official said. New Delhi: To control the spread of COVID-19 infection during the upcoming festival season, the Gautam Buddh Nagar police on Thursday (September 30) extended restrictions under CrPC Section 144 till October 31. Among the coronavirus curbs, unauthorised protests, rallies, and social gatherings will remain prohibited in view of the pandemic. No public activities except for essential services are allowed between 11 pm and 6 am, Additional DCP (Law and Order) Shraddha Pandey said in the order. Only 100 people are allowed for indoor wedding functions and not more than area size in open venues. Shopping malls, restaurants can operate at maximum 50 per cent crowd capacity. Public transport like buses, metro and cabs would ply at 50 per cent passenger capacity while only two passengers are allowed in auto-rickshaws, the order said. Any violation would be met with legal action under Indian Penal Code section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), the order stated. The orders have been issued ahead of festivals like Gandhi Jayanti, Durga Puja, Eid-ul Milad and Valmiki Jayanti. Commissioner Alok Singh has told officers to ensure strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols including social distancing and face covers. During a meeting at the police headquarters in Noida, Singh directed the force to remain vigilant during the festive season. He has also asked officers to complete preparations for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls due next year, and keep a tab on people who may cause mischief in view of the elections. Officers across Noida and Greater Noida have been directed to monitor social media and take strict action against anti-social elements who resort to circulating objectionable content or misleading information online with an objective to create tension, an official statement read. (With PTI inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Renowned Pakistani comedian Umer Sharif died on Saturday (October 2) in Germany due to his grave health illnesses. The news of his tragic demise was confirmed by Dr Mohammad Faisal, who is Pakistan's ambassador to Germany. He had taken to Twitter to mourn the loss of the legendary comedian. He wrote, "With deep sorrow, it is announced that Mr Umer Sharif has passed away. In #Germany. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Our CG is present at the hospital to assist the family in every way." Take a look at his tweet: With deep sorrow it is announced that Mr. Umer Sharif has passed away. In #Germany. Our deepest condolences to hie family and friends. Our CG is present at the hospital to assist the family in every way. Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) October 2, 2021 Indian comedian Kapil Sharma also took to Twitter to mourn his death. Alvida legend may your soul Rest In Peace #UmerShareef pic.twitter.com/ks4vS4rdL0 Kapil Sharma (@KapilSharmaK9) October 2, 2021 Before his death, the comedian was ailing from medical conditions and had even appealed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan - Imran Khan to allow him a visa so that he can travel overseas to get treated as per a report in Dawn. Although he reportedly boarded an air ambulance to a hospital in the US, he had to stop over in Germany due to his worsening health. Later, the comedian passed away at a hospital in Germany. He was known for his legendary comedy stage plays such as 'Buddha Ghar Pe Ha' and 'Bakra Qistoon Pe' in 1989. Later, he went on to host his own late-night talk show titled 'The Shareef Show' which became immensely popular with many stars appearing on it as guests. Umer has also featured on the Indian stand-up comedy show - 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge' alongside Shekhar Suman and Navjot Singh Siddhu. New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has plans to open 166 standalone Aadhaar enrolment and update centres across the country, an official statement said on Saturday. At present, 55 Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs) out of the 166 planned centres are operational in addition to about 52,000 Aadhaar enrolment centres run by banks, post offices and state governments. "UIDAI plans to open 166 stand-alone Aadhaar Enrolment and Update Centres in 122 cities across the country," the statement said. The ASKs are open on all days of the week and have so far catered to over 70 lakh residents including Divyang persons. The operational centres have a capacity to handle up to 1,000 enrolments and update requests per day for Model-A ASKs, upto 500 enrolments and update requests per day for Model B ASKs and up to 250 enrolments and update requests per day for Model C ASKs. Also Read: Xiaomis Mi With Diwali Sale: Check top offers on Redmi Note 10, Mi 11 series, bank discounts and more As on date, over 130.9 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated. The Aadhaar Seva Kendra has online appointment system and token management system which guides residents to relevant stages of the Enrolment/ Update process in a hassle-free manner, a PIB statement said. Also Read: Google security official faces lawsuit for mocking gay employee: Report New Delhi: Post Office offers a slew of safe and secure investment schemes for Indian investors planning for their future. In one such endowment scheme known as Gram Sumangal Rural Postal Life Insurance Scheme, Post Office offers bumper returns along with several other benefits. The scheme was introduced by Post Office in 1995. Investors get to select from six different insurance plans. In one such option, investors can get Rs 14 lakh at the time of maturity by investing just Rs 95 daily. Investors of the scheme also get a maximum sum assured of Rs 10 lakh. In case, the investor lives till the time of maturity, Post Office also provides a moneyback facility. In case of the death of the investor, the nominee is given the sum assured along with the bonus. Policy Sumangal scheme is available for two tenures of 15 years and 20 years. The minimum age for investing in the policy is 19 years while the maximum age is 45 years. In a 15-year policy, 20-20% money-back is available on completion of 6 years, 9 years and 12 years. The remaining 40% money is provided to the investor as a bonus on maturity. Similarly, in a 20-year policy, 20-20 per cent of the invested sum is available on the terms of 8 years, 12 years and 16 years. The remaining 40% sum is provided along with maturity as a bonus. How to get Rs 14 lakh? If a 25-year-old person starts investing in the policy for 20 years with a sum assured of Rs 7 lakh, he or she will have to pay a premium of Rs 2853 every month. The premium comes around Rs 95 on a daily basis. Investors will receive Rs 1.4 each in the 8th, 12th and 16th years at the rate of 20-20%. Finally, in the 20th year, Rs 2.8 lakh will also be available as a sum assured under the scheme. The scheme offers a Rs 48 bonus per Rs 1000 invested. This means that the bonus on Rs 7 lakh would be Rs 33,600. For the entire 20 years, the annual bonus will stand at Rs 6.72 lakh. Also Read: YES Bank reduces home loan rates to 6.7%. Check where it stands compared to other banks So, including Rs 7 lakh sum assured and Rs 6.72 lakh bonus, investors will receive about Rs 13.71 in 20 years. Out of the total corpus, Rs 4.2 lakh will already be available as money back and Rs 9.52 lakh will be given together on maturity. Also Read: Piyush Goyal clears the air around Air India sale, says Centre has not taken any decision so far Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday wrote to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) ordering them to withdraw all the cases registered against members of the farmers organisations who sat on dharna on the railway tracks. CM Channi's order directs RPF chairman for immediate implementation of withdrawal of cases against the agitating farmers. Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) had been sitting on a dharna on the railway tracks near Amritsars Jandiala station in protest against the Centre's farm laws. On March 11, they called off the protest after 169 days. The KMSC had said it decided to suspend the dharna in view of the wheat harvest season and to strengthen the ongoing protest at Delhi borders. Punjab CM's decision comes a day after the newly appointed Punjab chief minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. At the meeting, the two leaders reportedly discussed issues related to the farmers agitation at the border points of Delhi. Channi said he requested the PM to roll back the three contentious agriculture laws. "I asked the PM to resolve the matter of farmers' protest and resume dialogue with the protesting farmers. I demanded that the three laws should be withdrawn," Channi said after his meeting with the PM. He added, "I also requested the PM that the Kartarpur Corridor, which was closed due to COVID-19 pandemic, should be reopened at the earlies." Farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting against the three farm laws at Delhi's borders since November 2020 and have been demanding the legislation be rolled back. Meanwhile, the Punjab CM also removed the income limit for girl beneficiaries of Ashirwad Scheme who have lost both parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also approved family pension for government employees appointed after January 1, 2004. Live TV New Delhi: A senior manager on Googles global security team crudely joked about a company security guard in text messages, part of a pattern of workplace harassment against the gay, Black employee, according to a lawsuit filed by the employee this week. David Brown, who according to the lawsuit is jointly employed by the Alphabet Inc unit and security company Allied Universal, is seeking unspecified monetary damages for alleged physical and emotional harassment at Googles Los Angeles offices based on his sexual orientation and race, which it says took place between 2014 and last year. Google and Allied Universal did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Many major companies including Google last year stepped up efforts to create more inclusive worksites after social protests calling attention to racism. Some workers at Google, including over 2,000 who signed an open letter on the issue in April, have said the company does not sufficiently hold perpetrators accountable. Brown`s supervisor accounted for much of the alleged problematic behavior, including "grabbing him on the buttocks, kicking him in the groin, throwing him through a window head first and brutally grabbing his nipples," according to the lawsuit, which was filed in a state court in Los Angeles. The supervisor, Henry Linares, was fired for other reasons this year, according to the filing. A LinkedIn profile indicates he left Google and Allied Universal in July. He did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Google`s senior manager for global community operations, Rus Rossini, "participated in the discrimination and sexual harassment and took no corrective action," the lawsuit further alleges. During a chat last year about items missing from Google`s offices, which were quiet due to the pandemic, Rossini messaged the supervisor, "Strip searches for all," according to the lawsuit and a screenshot of the exchange seen by Reuters. After the supervisor responded that, "David is going to love that," Rossini followed, "Tell David to bend over." The supervisor, who shared the screenshot with Brown, responded, "hahah I`ll tell him you said Hellooo." Rossini did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He remains employed at Google, according to a LinkedIn profile. Also Read: Petrol Price Today: Petrol, diesel prices hiked for 3rd day straight, check rates in your city Brown`s attorney V. James DeSimone said Rossini should have addressed the abuse, especially after Brown "turned those screenshots to human resources, implicating Rossini in the harassment. Also Read: Remember Chacha Chaudhary? He is now the mascot for Namami Gange programme New Delhi: New Delhi: The Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 15 is just a few hours away from the premiere night on Colors, the makers are leaving no stone unturned to keep the fans hooked with the excitement. While some are still guessing the names of the contestants entering the Bigg Boss house, here is big news coming directly from the house. Well, the good news is that Bigg Boss OTT winner Divya Agarwal will be hosting the curtain Raiser show. Well, thats not all, the show will also be graced by some other ex-contestants of Bigg Boss including Aly Goni, Pavitra Punia, Devoleena and Rashmi Desai who will be special wild guests for the show. For the unversed, this years theme of the show is a jungle and the contestants will get a survival kit for the initial days and will have to manage everything on their own. The Salman Khan hosted Bigg Boss 15 will premiere on Saturday (October 2), 2021 at 9:30 pm. You can catch episodes of Bigg Boss 15 on Colors TV from Monday to Friday at 10:30 pm. On Saturday and Sunday, the show will air at 9:30 pm; as every season Salman Khan will feature on the show and interact with the contestants on weekends. There will be many exciting faces entering the Bigg Boss 'mad house' such as Karan Kundrra, Akasa Singh, Shamita Shetty, Nishant Bhat, Sahil Shroff and Pratik Sehajpal among others. New Delhi: One of the most popular and loved hosts of the nation, also known as the Sultan of the Stage, Maniesh is self-admittedly, one of Amitabh Bachchan's biggest admirers. After having co-anchored KBC with the legendary actor in 2014, Maniesh Paul stirs excitement for returning to the stage for the quiz show, with a social media post. Posting a picture from the sets of KBC with Amitabh Bachchan, Maniesh Paul said, "Haan haan haan!!!!yesssss Kab?kahan?kaise?kyon? Jaldi bataaonga!! Love you @amitabhbachchan sir #mp #bigb #bachchansir #fanboy #superstar #shehensahaofbollywood". Currently, Maniesh Paul is creating a huge buzz across social media for his podcast, inviting varied personalities from different walks of life to share and discuss their stories inspiring the audience. Shooting for Dharma Productions' Jug Jugg Jeeyo at the moment, Maniesh Paul is also looking at a range of interesting projects to be announced soon in the future. New Delhi: The counting of votes to the crucial Bhabanipur by-election in West Bengal will take place on Sunday, October 3. All eyes are going be on the results for this seat as the fate of Mamata Banerjee's Chief Ministership lies on that seat. The counting of votes for the polls which were held on September 30 will begin at 8 am tomorrow. There will be 21 rounds of counting in the Bhabanipur constituency. While the Trinamool Congress claims is confident of Mamata's victory the BJP has claimed to have given a very good fight in Bhabanipur. Bypoll to Bhabanipur was necessitated after TMCs Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay vacated the seat in May making way for Banerjee to contest from the seat. In the 2016 assembly polls, Banerjee had retained the Bhabanipur seat but for the West Bengal assembly elections in 2021, she had filed her nomination from Nandigram, but had to face defeat by a margin of 1,956 votes to BJPs Suvendu Adhikari former TMC leader. As per the rules of the Constitution of India, she has to become a member of the state assembly within six months of her assuming office as Chief Minister. Now, she has to be elected to the West Bengal assembly by winning this bypoll before November 5 to retain the chair. Contesting against Mamata Banerjee is Priyanka Tibrewal, a 41-year-old lawyer and vice-president of BJP's youth wing in West Bengal. While, the Left Front fielded Srijib Biswas to fight against Banerjee and Tibrewal. Apart from south Kolkata's Bhabanipur, the by-elections were held for Jangipur and Samserganj seats in Murshidabad district, too. The election to Bhabanipur constituency saw a modest turnout of 53.32 per cent. Samserganj recorded 78.60 per cent voter turnout, while Jangipur 76.12 per cent till 5 pm, as per Election Commission data. Though, voting was reportedly to be largely peaceful, and no major incident of violence or electoral malpractice was reported, EC officials said. Bypoll in Odisha's Pipili Besides West Bengal, counting of votes for by-election in Pipili Assembly constituency in Odisha will take place on October 3, too. The bypoll was necessitated due to the demise of sitting MLA Pradeep Maharathy on October 4 last year due to COVID-19. Originally, the bypoll was scheduled on April 17 but had to be rescheduled to May 16 after Congress candidate Ajit Mangaraj died due to COVID. However, it was later deferred owing to the second wave of the pandemic. Live TV New Delhi: The targeted killing of the minority Sikh community in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan has reached its peak with the assassination of a young Unani physician Satnam Singh who had migrated to safety in Peshawar from the Orakzai Agency of KPK. According to reports, as many as thirteen Sikhs have been killed in KPK by militants in the past six to seven years. It also includes the killing of Dr Swaran Singh, a former advisor to Chief Minister Parvez Khan Khattak. Following this, many Sikh families have shifted to Hasanabdal, Lahore, and Nanakna Sahib which have a sizeable Sikh population. Late Hakim Satnam Singh was in his clinic when a few unidentified persons shot him dead on Thursday (September 30, 2021). The incident has further panicked the minuscule Sikh community of KPK and has attracted wider condemnations from Sikh leadership across the world. Pakistans only Sikh Senator Gurdeep Singh who hails from Mingora city of Swat district of KPK raised the issue of killing of a Sikh in the Senate on Friday. Subsequently, Chairman of Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani directed the Inspector General of Police, KPK, to furnish the report on the assassination of Satnam Singh, an action which served as a balm to the wounds of the tiny Sikh community. Gurdeep Singh said, I am not sure who was behind the killing of Satnam Singh but it is sure that the rouge elements want to scarce minority communities and destabilize the country (Pakistan) so they targeted a Sikh. However, he said that it was sure that Satman's killing was a targeted killing since he was shot dead in his shop. On the other hand, Paks Sikh right activist Radesh Singh Tony claimed that a message was being circulated in social media wherein Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) had taken the responsibility for the killing of Satnam Singh. According to a statement released by ISIS-K which is viral on the Internet, it reads, Khorasan province - by the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted a follower of the polytheistic Sikh sect, in the area of (Faqirabad) in the city of (Peshawar), with pistol shots, which led to his death, praise be to God. Sikh leadership in India has censured the killing of Satnam Singh and has asked the Pakistan government to ensure the safety of Sikhs and take stern action against the perpetrators of Satnam Singhs killers. The former chief minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh said, Sad to know about the brutal murder of Hakeem Satnam Singh in Peshwar. Such a brutal attack against a minority community in Pakistan cant be tolerated. Singh also urged the Ministery of External Affairs to take up the issue at the highest level and ensure justice. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Bibi Jagir Kaur said that there had been several attacks on Sikhs in Pakistan in the recent past. She asked the Imran Khan government to ensure the safety of Sikhs and ensure that such incidents didnt happen again. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Manjinder Singh Sirsa appealed to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to address the issue of safety of Sikhs in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said that the Sikh community was panicked after ISIS-K took responsibility for the killing of Satnam Singh.