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Carbon monoxide poisoning suspected in deaths of couple

NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. (AP) — Carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected in the deaths of an elderly couple in western Pennsylvania, authorities said. The bodies of Joseph and Freda Polinski, both 88, were found late Thursday night after a relative unable to contact them went to their North Huntingdon Township home, the Westmoreland County coroner’s office said. Authorities said emergency responders confirmed carbon monoxide levels within the residence and fire department crews ventilated the home to allow investigators to process the scene. There was no immediate word on the source of the gas. Toxicology tests are being done to confirm the cause of death, but that will take several weeks, the coroner’s office said. The coroner’s office and township police are investigating. Lauren Eckel, 40, who lives across the street, called the couple “genuinely nice.” Joseph Polinski continued to cut his own grass and shoveled the walks in the winter, and each time he went outside to do yardwork, Freda would watch to make sure he was OK, Eckel said. ADVERTISEMENT Roger Newman, 65, who lives next door, said the couple lived in the community for at least two decades and mostly kept to themselves. “I was shocked when I heard,” Newman said. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas found in fumes produced by furnaces, stoves, lanterns, and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. The gas can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, poisoning people and animals. Each year, about 50,000 people are taken to hospital emergency departments due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and more than 400 deaths are attributed to such exposure annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mass Poisoning

Climate crisis: Madagascar drought worsens

Women, children have to walk for hours to get to food distribution points; families living on raw red cactus fruits, wild leaves and locusts By Anshika Ravi Published: Thursday 15 July 2021 South Madagascar is experiencing its worst drought in four decades: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that 1.14 million people are food-insecure and 400,000 people are headed towards starvation. Most districts in the south of the African country are in the grip of a nutrition emergency. Global acute malnutrition in children under five has almost doubled since January 2021, touching 16.5 per cent in April, according to an assessment conducted by the country’s health ministry. The WFP has termed the situation catastrophic and stemming not from war or conflict, but from climate change. It recently said women and children “had to walk for hours” to get to the food distribution points. Lola Castro, WFP’s regional director in southern Africa, said in June that the situation was “very dramatic and desperate” and that adults and children were ‘wasted’. WFP Executive Director David Beasley said “while the region has contributed nothing to climate change, it is paying the highest price.” The UN News quoted an official saying that families have been living on raw red cactus fruits, wild leaves and locusts for months. To help stop a preventable tragedy from unfolding, the WFP said the agency needs $78.6 million dollars to provide lifesaving food for the next season. Climate risk Since 2015, the southern part of the country has experienced below average rainfall in five years. The severity of the current drought has been the fiercest since 1981, according to WFP and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). They said harvest for 2021 of crops such as rice, maize, cassava and pulses were expected to be less than half the five-year average. Food security challenges may get exacerbated due to rising temperatures, reduced rainfall in dry season and increased variability in the distribution of rainfall, warned the UN agencies. Madagascar has among the highest poverty rates in the world. It was ranked as the fourth most vulnerable nation to climate impacts in the 2020 Global Climate Risk Index. Around 80 per cent of its population lives in rural areas. Most people in the south of the country depend on rain-fed, small-scale agriculture to survive. But climate change has had the most disastrous repurcussions: Streams, rivers and small dams built for irrigation have dried up. In some areas, locust invasion has destroyed fields of maize.

Droughts

Aeroflot Flight 663 crash

Aeroflot Flight 663 was a Soviet passenger flight from Tbilisi International Airport to Krasnodar International Airport that crashed on 24 August 1963, in the Kutaisi region. The crash involved an Aeroflot Avia 14. All 27 passengers and 5 crew on board were killed. The aircraft had a serial number of 602107 and was released by Avia (Prague) on February 23, 1957. The passenger capacity of the cabin was 18 seats, although the aircraft was technically a cargo plane. The airliner was sold to the Soviet Union's Head Department of the Civil Air Fleet, where it received the registration number СССР-L1617 and was sent to the Tbilisi Joint Aviation Division of the Georgian Territorial Administration of the Civil Air Fleet. In 1959, a re-registration was carried out, which changed the registration to CCCP-61617. According to one source, the airliner was converted into an Avia 14M (Il-14M) model at an unknown date. [1] The total operating time of the aircraft was 11,682 hours. [2][1] Aeroflot Flight 663 was a passenger flight from Tbilisi International Airport to Krasnodar International Airport. At 10:08, the flight landed at Kutaisi International Airport, its first stop. At 10:45, the flight departed from Kutaisi, and after 3–4 minutes, an altitude of 600 meters was reported. In response, the dispatcher instructed to follow the main route at an altitude of 1,500 meters, while monitoring the weather conditions. At 10:52 the aircraft was reported to continue to Sukhumi at an altitude of 1,500 meters. The flight took place between cloud layers in conditions of heavy precipitation, but the ground was still visible. After that, the crew did not contact or answer calls. [3] After departing from Kutaisi, Flight 663 began to deviate to the right of the route. In the Khoni area, the crew unexpectedly encountered a severe thunderstorm, with the lower cloud limit being 300–400 meters, and the visibility not exceeding 3 kilometers. Despite bad weather, Heteshvili decided not to return to the airport or follow the roundabout through Poti, but instead try to bypass the thunderstorm on the right side of the mountains. Bypassing to the right, the plane was flying at an altitude of 900 meters when it hit a zone with heavy rain, which the radio operator reported to the ground at 10:52. At 10:53, the flight, 32 kilometers north-west of Kutaisi airport and 7 kilometers north of Gegechkori, crashed into the mountainside at 900 meters. The aircraft was completely destroyed and caught fire. All 32 people on board were killed. [3] The total on board should have been 5 crew members and 24 passengers. But while studying the wreckage, three stowaway passengers were also found. [3] According to the weather forecast, a thunderstorm was expected on the main flight route, with stratocumulus and cumulonimbus clouds having a lower limit of 600–1000 meters and a horizontal visibility of 4–10 kilometers. The pilot knew that there was a thunderstorm on the main route from Kutaisi to Sukhumi, while on the roundabout (via Poti) weather conditions were good. A flight that left Kutaisi earlier determined that the main route to Sukhumi was impossible, therefore, requested permission to follow the detour route. However, the crew of Flight 663 did not receive this information before departure. This was probably caused by the fatigue of the pilot, who, at the request of the deputy chief of the airport, was delayed from the night shift and had been working for around 14 hours. At 10:38, the control tower was informed that cloud cover had dropped from 1100 to 450 meters, however, this information was not communicated to the crew of Flight 663 either. When the crew tried to circumvent the thunderstorm in the conditions of limited visibility, they did not notice that they were right on the mountains. The lack of visibility and communication resulted in the aircraft colliding with the mountain. [3] According to the commission, the cause factors were:[3]

Air crash

Famine-stricken Madagascar donations pour in from ‘World News Tonight’ viewers

(NEW YORK) — Donations have poured in from thousands of “World News Tonight” viewers in the wake of our report on Southern Madagascar, a country on the verge of the world’s first climate change-induced near-famine in modern history. Unlike other countries, where extreme hunger and near-famine conditions are caused by war, conflict, or isolated weather events, southern Madagascar is facing these conditions because of a years-long drought caused by climate change. The conditions there make the land here too arid to farm and leading to crop failure. The severe lack of rain has led to depleted food sources and dried-up rivers. Climate change has also led to sandstorms affecting these lands, covering formerly arable land and rendering it infertile. “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir and his team traveled to Madagascar to report on the worsening situation, as aid organizations and the Malagasy government rush to fill in the gaps of food and water in this region. Since our report aired Monday, the World Food Programme said they received support from more than 22,000 donors, raising $2.7 million, which will go towards helping the people of southern Madagascar. Arduino Mangoni, the deputy country director of the World Food Programme in Madagascar, told ABC News he had “never seen people, especially children, in this situation that we’re seeing here.” “As they cannot plant, it’s affecting their food security,” Patrick Vercammen, the World Food Programme’s emergency coordinator here, told Muir during a visit to Akanka Fokotany, an affected village. “Having sandstorms in this kind of landscape is not something usual and having the effects of sandstorms shows that nature is changing, the environment is changing, and the climate change is affecting this area more than the rest of Madagascar.” The situation has led to widespread malnutrition affecting more than 1 million people, and pockets of what the United Nations classifies “catastrophic” food insecurity signaling deepening hunger. Madagascar has produced 0.01 percent of the world’s annual carbon emissions in the last eight decades, but it is suffering some of the worst effects. “It is not fair…these people have not contributed to climate change because they do not have electricity, they do not have cars etc., and they’re paying probably the highest price in terms of the consequences of climate change,” Mangoni said. The children are the most affected, with at least half a million kids under the age of five expected to be acutely malnourished, according to the World Food Programme and UNICEF. In fact, the agencies say about 110,000 children are already in severe condition, suffering irreversible damage to their growth. As the country enters the lean season – that dangerous time during which people wait for the next successful harvest — the need to provide food to those at risk of starvation has become more urgent. Aid workers warning that, without action, they could run out of food resources by the end of the year. The World Food Programme is working together with the Malagasy government to alleviate some of the most acute needs in this region; prevent and treat children experiencing malnutrition; and build infrastructure and knowledge to make the population of southern Madagascar more resilient in the face of drought. They’re supporting more than 700,000 people in dire need, and the need is expected to grow.

Famine

Montana Tech Will Study Ground at Collapsed Mine

Experts from Montana Technological University will soon begin to analyze the what lies underground in Black Hawk neighborhood where homes have been evacuated because ground over an abandoned mine collapsed. Montana Tech Will Study Ground at Collapsed Mine BLACK HAWK, S.D. (AP) — Experts from Montana Technological University will soon begin to analyze the what lies underground in Black Hawk neighborhood where homes have been evacuated because ground over an abandoned mine collapsed. A law firm representing some of the residents of Hideaway Hills recently announced another possible mine has been discovered besides a surface mine and the collapsed mine. “This concept of this new third mine we find very alarming, very concerning that this is a possibility, and we’re quite satisfied that the community’s come together and so have the various law firms have come together Fox Rothschild, Fitzgerald, and Beardsy Law Firm to agree that we need to have more study to figure this out,” says Patrick Ealy with Fitzgerald Law Firm. So next month, Montana Tech experts will search for answers, K OTA-TV reported. “It’s like a ticking time bomb almost, you really don’t know like when the grounds going to collapse or where it might or whose going to be there,” neighbor Heather Kusick said. At least 30 people who lost their homes when the ground collapsed and exposed the abandoned mine have now signed on to a lawsuit seeking compensation from the state of South Dakota. The Hideaway Hills residents say the state mined underneath the entire neighborhood up until 1993 but failed to reclaim or warn buyers about the now-collapsing mine.

Mine Collapses

Florida Man Kills Woman After Early Release From 40-Year Sentence for Murder

Police in South Florida charged a man on Saturday for the murder of a single mother, about a year after he was released from prison early. Eric Pierson is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Erika Verdecia, according to News4Jax. Verdecia's corpse was found outside Fort Lauderdale on Saturday after a three-week search. Police reported that, following his arrest, Pierson confessed to stabbing the woman four times with a screwdriver on September 25. In 2020, he received an early release after serving 27 years of a 40-year sentence for brutally beating and strangling Kristina Whitaker, 17, to death in 1993. For this, he was charged with and found guilty of second-degree murder. Her death is credited with creating a push in the state for longer prison sentences and other stricter reforms. In Florida, police charged Eric Pierson on Saturday with first-degree murder for the death of Erika Verdecia. Last year Pierson was released early from a 40-year sentence for murder. In this photo, a representational image of police crime scene tape taken in Orlando after the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016. One of the other results of Whitaker's murder was the end of parole for prisoners in Florida. Prisoners are now required to serve at least 85% of their sentence. Despite this change, Pierson was still eligible for it as the change was not retroactive, allowing him to receive his early release in 2020. Pierson also served time for murder several years prior to killing Whitaker. In 1985, he was convicted of first-degree murder after breaking into a woman's home and slitting her throat. He was released on parole after serving four years of an 18-year sentence. Verdecia was first reported missing by her family on September 27, three days after she had left home and two days after Pierson said that he killed her. A friend told the family that she had seen her at a sandwich shop with a "grimy" man. The owner of the shop told the family that the man was Pierson. Verdecia leaves behind a six-year-old daughter. Her mother, Carmen Verdecia, indicated to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that the family will push for Pierson to receive the death penalty. "Why is this guy in the streets? Why?" Carmen Verdecia said. "He's going to pay this time. We're not going to stop until we see him in the electric chair."

Famous Person - Commit Crime - Sentence

Asiana Airlines Flight 162 crash

Asiana Airlines Flight 162 was a regular short-haul international passenger flight from Incheon International Airport near Seoul, South Korea, to Hiroshima Airport in Hiroshima, Japan. [1] On 14 April 2015, the Airbus A320-232 aircraft touched down short of the runway, struck the localizer array, skidded onto the runway on its tail, and spun 120 degrees before finally coming to a rest on the grass, opposite the terminal building. The aircraft suffered substantial damage to the left wing and engine. Of the 82 people aboard, 27 (25 passengers and two crew) were injured, one seriously. [2][3][4] The aircraft involved, an Airbus A320-200 registration HL7762, was delivered new to Asiana Airlines in 2007, making the aircraft seven years old at the time of the accident. The aircraft was written off as a result of the incident,[5][6] making it the 32nd hull loss of an Airbus A320. [1] The 47-year-old captain had 8,242 flight hours, including 1,318 hours on the Airbus A320. The 35-year-old co-pilot had 1,588 flight hours, with 1,298 of them on the Airbus A320. [7]:15–16 Actual names of the crew were not disclosed. The transport ministry's Osaka Regional Civil Aviation Bureau stated that the crew tried to land the aircraft in darkness and inclement weather without access to an instrument landing system. At this airport, aircraft normally approach from the west because the instrument landing system is installed only at the eastern end of the runway. On this occasion, the pilot was instructed by an air traffic controller to approach from the east due to the wind direction. Bureau officials were reported to have stated that the pilot attempted to land in poor weather with low visibility while using such aids as the lighting near the centre-line of the runway that indicates glide angles (normally used in good weather conditions). [8][9] The Japanese Transportation Safety Board (JTSB) opened an investigation into the accident. [2] Hiroshima Prefecture Prefectural police also launched an investigation on 15 April. [8] South Korean investigators and airline officials traveled to Japan to join the investigation on 15 April. [9] On 16 April, investigators began debriefing the captain and first officer. One investigator from the JTSB stated that a downdraft during approach may have contributed to the inadequate altitude at the runway threshold. [10] The METAR (weather conditions) for the time did not indicate any unusual weather or wind shear. The weather was low overcast with almost no wind. [2] Recovered flight data shows that, after autopilot disconnect, the aircraft began a slow and controlled descent below the normal glide slope approach path about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi; 2.2 nmi) prior to impact. [2] It struck the localizer 325 metres (355 yd) before the runway threshold in a nose-high attitude 148 metres (162 yd) short of the runway, with the main gear making contact with the ground 12 metres (39 ft) further on. After exiting the runway, the aircraft rotated until it came to rest facing the direction it had landed from. [11]

Air crash

1967 anti-Chinese riots in Myanmar

Burmese population against Chinese people in Burma. The trouble flared in Rangoon on 26 June 1967, largely in response to the People's Republic of China's attempt to spread the cultural revolution ideology amongst Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asian countries such as Burma. The riots caused a deterioration in Sino-Burmese relations which did not normalize until 1970. Burma was the first non-communist country to recognize the People's Republic of China after its founding on the 21 September 1949. Burma and China settled their border disputes and signed pacts of non-aggression. Burma drove out Kuomintang exiles. Following its independence from Britain, Burma, under U Nu, adopted a position of neutrality so as to minimize foreign interference, especially from China. In 1954, Burma and China entered the Pauk Phaw ("fraternal") era of their diplomacy. It was a time of warm and productive ties between the two nations in the time of the Cold War. The improvement in relations came as a result of the waning of the Communist insurgency in Myanmar and Burma’s stance on the Korean War. For China, the relationship with Burma provided a buffer between China and the Western Bloc. During Zhou Enlai's first visit to Burma in 1954, China and Burma agreed to follow the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence". In November 1954, U Nu visited Beijing. The two nations agreed to cooperate in trade matters. For example, Burma had had difficulty exporting rice due to the Korean War. Mao Zedong had previously assured Burma that China would not operate communist parties in Chinese communities and would encourage such communities to behave lawfully. Mao’s words were formalized in the "China-Burma Communique" of December 1954. In 1956, the Prime Minister of China, Zhou Enlai visited Burma. He stated that Chinese people who held Burmese citizenship should not be allowed to join overseas Chinese organizations and those who held Chinese citizenship should not participate in Burmese political affairs. Other issues in the Sino-Burmese relationship included the presence of Kuomintang in Burma, a border dispute, and the operation of the Communist Party of Burma. Following the 1962 Burmese coup d'état lead by the Burmese commander-in-chief, General Ne Win, relations between Burma and China remained stable. The new government in Burma, the Union Revolutionary Council maintained a policy of positive neutrality and non-alignment. Two days after the coup on 2 March 1962, China recognised Burma's new government. Two months later, the revolutionary council implemented the "Burmese way to socialism" a new socioeconomic foundation. Then, on 4 July 1962, the revolutionary council founded the Burma Socialist Program Party to lead a socialist revolution in Burma. In 1964 and 1965, Burma's economy was nationalised. This process affected 6,700 Chinese stores, two Beijing based banks and Chinese schools and foreign language newspapers in Burma. Despite the effects on its interests, China continued to support Burma's economic plans. In June 1964, the Chinese government informed General Ne Win of an imminent coup. In July 1964, Zhou Enlai made a secret trip to Burma in support of Ne Win. However, by late 1965, China was frustrated that Burma had not taken a side against the US in the Vietnam War. China was also frustrated by Burma's refusal to allow the training of anti-Indian Mizo insurgents in its territory. In addition, Ne Win began to seek ties with the international community. He visited India, the Soviet Union, Pakistan, Czechoslovakia, Thailand, and Japan. In 1966, he visited the US. At this time, Burma received technological assistance from the Soviet Union while China's offer of assistance were dismissed. China was failing to gain political and economic dominance in Burma. In response, China instigated elements of the Cultural Revolution in Burma and lent support to the Burma Communist Party. From 1966, the government of the People’s Republic of China called for Chinese communities throughout Southeast Asia to support the Cultural Revolution. As early as 1952, the Burmese government had asked all Chinese schools in Burma to register under the Private School Act. However, few did so. In 1962, of 259 Chinese schools in Burma, 183 (70 percent) proclaimed their support of the People's Republic of China. In 1963, Burma brought a new private schools registration act applying to all private schools with over twenty students. In 1965, the BSPP government nationalised private schools. Teachers of Chinese private schools who did not hold Burmese citizenship were dismissed. Students were no longer allowed to display political badges other than the Burmese national emblem and the picture of the general, Aung San. In 1966, it was estimated that 470 private schools supported the Cultural Revolution while 200 did not. Chinese students in Burma were defying the Burmese government's instruction to not wear badges depicting Mao Zedong with support of the Chinese embassy in Rangoon. On 22 June 1967, discord occurred between students and teachers at the Rangoon Number 3 National Elementary School (the former Chinese Girls' Middle school). A similar dispute took place at the nearby Zhong Zheng Middle school and continued until the police intervened.

Riot

2006 Shree Air Mil Mi-8 crash

On 23 September 2006, a Shree Air Mil Mi-8 helicopter crashed on a chartered flight from Phungling to Ghunsa in Eastern Nepal. The accident killed all 24 passengers and crew on board, including an expedition of World Wide Fund for Nature. [1] The helicopter involved with the accident was a Mil Mi-8 MTV 1. On board the helicopter was an expedition of World Wide Fund for Nature returning from an conservation event in Taplejung District, where the Government of Nepal handed the management of the park around Kanchenjunga to the local people. The WWF team included Chandra Gurung and Harka Gurung. Other passengers on board the ill-fated helicopter included politician Gopal Rai. [2][3] The helicopter took off at 10:45 NPT on 23 September 2006. Shortly afterwards, the helicopter was declared missing. Two days later, the wreckage of the helicopter was found south-west of Ghunsa. [4] Bad weather was assumed to have caused the crash at the beginning. [5] The final report on the accident the committee of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal stated that the pilots entering cloudy areas in unfamiliar terrain as well as bad crew resource management were the main causes of the accident. It furthermore criticized the operating airline, Shree Air, on their training proceedings. [1] A day of mourning was observed throughout Nepal and schools and public offices were closed on 27 September 2006. [5]

Air crash

Daeyeonggak Hotel fire

Coordinates: 37°33′39″N 126°58′58″E / 37.560882°N 126.982714°E / 37.560882; 126.982714 The Daeyeonggak Hotel fire was a skyscraper fire in Seoul, South Korea on 25 December 1971, that killed 164 people and injured 63 people. [2] It remains the deadliest hotel fire in world history. The 22-storey Daeyeonggak Hotel (also called Hotel Taeyongak) was a luxury hotel completed in 1969. [3] It had 222 rooms. [4] The fire burned for ten hours. [5] Many were unable to find the exit in the darkness. The fire department's ladders only reached the eighth floor, trapping those from the ninth to the 22nd storeys. [5] At least 38 people died leaping from windows to escape the inferno, some clinging to mattresses in an attempt to survive the fall. [5] 12 helicopters were mobilised to try to rescue guests from the roof using aerial slings. One man fell to his death from a helicopter. [5] The authorities arrested eight people in connection with the disaster. [6] These included Kim Yong-san and four other hotel officials, who were charged with carelessness and improper construction, as well as two former city officials and a fire officer on charges of negligence. [4] The 162nd death was that of Yu Sien-yung, the minister of the Taiwanese embassy in Seoul, who lived alone in the hotel. He was trapped in the burning building for more than 10 hours and died in hospital, aged 64, on 4 January 1972. [7] The design of the building was said to have played a part in the high death toll. The two internal staircases were designed for use in case of lift failures and not as fire exits, and filled with smoke during the fire, acting as chimneys. [3][5] The building had no external emergency staircase. The walls between the hotel rooms were not sufficiently fire resistant, hastening the spread of the blaze. [3] The tower lacked many other safety features, including battery-operated exit lights. Two senior fire services officers of the Hong Kong Government flew to Seoul on 11 January 1972 to confer with the South Koreans on fire prevention. [6] The building was remodeled after the fire. There was another fire there on 27 February 2010.

Fire

Four mine workers trapped, feared dead in Orkney

Four mine workers are trapped and feared dead at the Tau Lekoa mine in Orkney, following "seismic activity" on Friday afternoon. National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu confirmed the incident, saying the seismic activity took place at 12:00 on Friday afternoon. As a result, five mine workers were trapped, although one was rescued immediately after. He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, Mammburu said. Four mine workers remain trapped and rescue teams are currently on site. "The mine workers have stopped responding to communications, which is a major concern," he told News24. NUM president Joseph Montisetse told eNCA a team was working around the clock to rescue the trapped workers. The station reported that the last contact with the trapped mine workers was at 17:00 on Friday. Dozens dead near Canadian-owned mine in Burkina Faso Dozens of people were still missing on Thursday after an ambush on workers near a Canadian-owned mine in Burkina Faso killed at least 37, the worst such attack for years in a nation plagued by jihadist violence. Lisa Bernhard has more. Workers feel impact of end to Navajo coal power One of the largest coal fired power plants in the American West will close before year end. The closure means hundreds of mostly Native American workers who supported the plant’s operation must now choose between early retirement or relocation. Striking mine workers Striking mine workers from Lanxess at Bleskop, near Rustenburg said their strike will continue until their demands are met. WATCH: Coal trucks set alight in Hendrina, Mpumalanga Protesting workers from believed to be from the Optimum mine reportedly set alight 6 coal trucks and a bakkie on Thursday morning because they had not been paid in months. Rescuers search for Brazil dam survivors Rescue workers in Brazil are searching for survivors after a dam at an iron ore mine was breached. Hundreds of people are still missing. 300 missing, mass devastation in Brazil dam burst Roughly 300 people are missing in Brazil after a dam at an iron mine burst. It's the second major disaster in that country linked to mining company Vale SA in the last three years. Hundreds missing after dam collapses in south-eastern Brazil Rescue teams in the state of Minas Gerais are frantically searching for survivors after a dam burst at an irone ore mine unleasing a torrent of mud. At least seven dead, hundreds missing after Brazil dam collapse At least seven people have died in Brazil’s southeastern state of Minas Gerais after a dam burst on Friday at an iron ore mine, according to the local mayor. Hard rock will slow final efforts to reach Spanish child trapped in well, says miner Euronews spoke to the former head of the mining group that will lead the final push in the mission to save a 2-year-old boy from a well in southern Spain WATCH: NUM challenges government to save jobs at Optimum mine The National Union of Mine Workers marched to the Union Buildings on Wednesday to demand that government intervention in Tegeta's business rescue process. India's Supreme Court slams state government for failing to rescue trapped miners India's Supreme Court has criticised the Meghalaya state government for failing to rescue trapped workers in a ""rat-hole' coal mine after some 21 days. #India #miner #trap Indian miners get trapped in flooded coal mine for 15 days Rescue workers are trying to reach 15 coal miners who got trapped underground after floodwaters from a nearby river rushed into the mine in Meghalaya, India. Three rescued from West Virginia mine Three people missing since last weekend were found alive Wednesday and rescued from an underground coal mine in southern West Virginia, authorities said. TV news video later showed them emerging from an ambulance as friends and family cheered. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. End of dialog window. This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. In 2017, an accident after seismic activity at the same North West mine claimed the lives of three mine workers, according to Times Live.

Mine Collapses

The world's first wooden satellite will launch this year

WISA Woodsat, a nanosatellite that measures 4 by 4 by 4 inches (10 by 10 by 10 centimeters) and weighs about 2.2 lbs. (1 kilogram), uses a special type of coated plywood (called WISA) for its surface panels. The wooden satellite will launch as part of a mission, designed by Arctic Astronautics, a Finnish company manufacturing cubesat kits for students. The aim of the mission is to test the behavior and durability of these plywood panels in the extreme conditions of space and assess its suitability for future missions. The satellite will be outfitted with two cameras, one of which will be attached to a metal selfie stick, allowing the mission team to observe how the satellite's plywood surface changes in the space environment. Related: Startup bluShift Aerospace launches its 1st commercial biofuel rocket from Maine "The base material for plywood is birch, and we're using basically just the same as you'd find in a hardware store or to make furniture," Woodsat chief engineer Samuli Nymanm, who is also the Arctic Astronautics co-founder, said in a statement . "The main difference is that ordinary plywood is too humid for space uses, so we place our wood in a thermal vacuum chamber to dry it out. Then we also perform atomic layer deposition, adding a very thin aluminum oxide layer." So how can a satellite made with wood survive outer space? Aluminum oxide, a chemical compound typically used to encapsulate electronics, will help to prevent the wood from releasing any gas in the space environment, according to Nymanm. It will also protect the surface against the exposure to corrosive atomic oxygen , which can be found at the fringes of the Earth's atmosphere. This type of oxygen, created when strong UV radiation from the sun splits normal oxygen molecules, was first discovered after it damaged the thermal blankets of NASA's early Space Shuttle missions. This atomic oxygen will likely darken the plywood panels. The satellite, however, should survive in the extreme environment, the company said in the statement. In addition to the coating, engineers will also test various varnishes and lacquers on sections of the wood. Aside from the two cameras, the satellite will also carry a set of pressure sensors that will monitor pressure in onboard cavities especially in the spacecraft’s first days in orbit. The satellite will also run an experiment that will test the use of a novel 3D-printed electrically conductive plastic material, which could pave the way for possible future onboard 3D printing of power and data cables directly in space, the European Space Agency, which helps Arctic Astronautics test the satellite, said in a separate statement . The satellite, which is powered by nine small solar cells, will be equipped with an amateur radio payload that will allow hobbyists to relay radio signals and images around the globe. Arctic Astronautics previously flew a wooden cubesat on a weather balloon, which, however, didn’t pass the karman line, the boundary between the atmosphere and space. The current Woodsat is a new generation of the technology. It will be launched into its 300 and 370 miles (500 and 600 kilometers) polar orbit on Rocket Lab 's Electron rocket in November of this year. UPM Plywood, which manufactures plywood, and technology design company Huld, are partners on the project. "We foresee a lot of possibilities in the future by using the knowhow developed in this mission," Matti Anttila, Space Business Development Director from Huld, said in the statement.

New achievements in aerospace

President Donald Trump’s diplomatic debut

“We’ll be watching this meeting very closely” to judge its execution, said one official from a major U.S. ally whose leader will likely meet with President Donald Trump soon. | Getty It's President Donald Trump’s diplomatic debut. And the world is holding its breath. Trump’s meeting on Friday with British Prime Minister Theresa May — his first sit-down with a foreign leader as president — comes with high stakes for the normally cozy “special relationship” of the two allies. It also represents a major test for an erratic and untested politician on the global stage, a day after he inflamed relations with Mexico’s president on Twitter. “The unpredictability of it is unnerving. She does not know how it’s going to go,” said Julianne Smith, a former national security aide to Vice President Joe Biden. Foreign governments, which have been bewildered by Trump and unclear about his intentions, will be monitoring the meeting for clues. Will he go off-script and embarrass May or put his guest on the spot? Or will his White House staff choreograph the event smoothly? “We’ll be watching this meeting very closely” to judge its execution, said one official from a major U.S. ally whose leader will likely meet with Trump soon. European officials are carefully watching to see how the leader of a country that recently voted to leave the European Union plays her relationship with a new U.S. administration that has shown sympathy with right-wing populists movements on the continent. White House By ELI STOKOLS The differences between Washington and London often don’t go much fyrther than pronunciation. But as May’s forceful remarks Thursday to congressional Republicans in Philadelphia made clear, she and Trump may be speaking different languages when it comes to dealing with Russia and the future of the European Union. “It's a trap to be too aligned with Trump” right now, said a European diplomat. “This guy is a total unknown.” “At the same time, it's difficult for her to be too independent,” given Britain’s looming departure from the EU, he added. Privately, the British leader may not relish sitting down with Trump, whose condemnations of Muslims she has called “divisive” and whose coarse talk about women she labeled “unacceptable.” But both the White House and Downing Street are sending positive signals about the meeting, and diplomatic insiders in both Washington and London said that the two leaders both stand to gain from a smooth and friendly confab. Trump is eager to show that he is a credible world leader. May wants to demonstrate that Britain’s strategically invaluable alliance with the U.S. endures in a changing world order. May began seeking Trump’s favor even before he was sworn in. Officials from her Conservative Party government have paid regular visits to Trump Tower — including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who came despite having said last year that he was “genuinely worried” Trump might become president and joking that he would avoid Manhattan due to “the real risk of meeting Donald Trump.” Most striking was a kick to the shins her government delivered to Secretary of State John Kerry in December after he criticized Israeli settlement building in a speech. May’s spokesman called the speech, which infuriated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not “appropriate.” That startled Kerry aides but pleased Trump officials — especially Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, an Orthodox Jew and strong Netanyahu supporter. May’s remarks to congressional Republicans sent more positive signals to Trump, including a passage that drew parallels between Trump’s election and her country’s “Brexit” vote to leave the EU. Just as the U.S. is “renew[ing] your nation just as we renew ours,” May said, adding: “We have the opportunity to lead, together, again.” But May is hardly in perfect alignment with Trump. When President Barack Obama first met with May’s predecessor, David Cameron, in March 2009, Obama noted the “shared set of values and assumptions between us.” White House By ELI STOKOLS Eight years later, that set is substantially reduced. While May is critical of the EU, for instance, she does not hope for its demise the way Trump adviser Stephen Bannon does. “It remains in our interests, and those of the wider world, that the EU should succeed," May said. Although May is overseeing Brexit’s implementation, she opposed her nation’s decision to withdraw from the EU, which Bannon and other nationalist thinkers denounce for smothering state sovereignty and heritage. “The days of the United States backing the European project are over,” said Nile Gardiner, director of The Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom. May’s address to Republicans also urged caution on the question of rebooting relations with Moscow — something Trump has called one of his top foreign policy goals. “We should not jeopardize the freedoms that President [Ronald] Reagan and Mrs. [Margaret] Thatcher brought to Eastern Europe by accepting President Putin’s claim that it is now in his sphere of influence,” May said. The British leader also hinted at her discomfort with Trump’s rhetoric about Muslims. While calling for a campaign to defeat Islamic radicalism, she added that “we should always be careful to distinguish between this extreme and hateful ideology, and the peaceful religion of Islam and the hundreds of millions of its adherents” — echoing Obama administration language that many conservatives found too conciliatory. The White House and No. 10 Downing Street have each signaled that the leaders will talk about a new trade deal between Washington and London, one of many bilateral agreements Britain will need to strike in the aftermath of its departure from the EU’s economic network. The subject of trade also has political resonance: During a visit to London last April, President Barack Obama warned that Britain would be “in the back of the queue” for a trade deal with Washington if it voted to leave the EU. White House By ISAAC ARNSDORF, JOSH DAWSEY and SEUNG MIN KIM Trump clearly doesn’t agree and appears happy to reward British voters for defying Obama, as well as their own political and financial elites. But any boastful talk of a new economic partnership will be just that for now. By law, Britain can’t even begin direct trade negotiations with another country until it has exited the EU, a process expected to take years. “The U.K., and the U.K. media, will be looking for evidence that it will indeed be possible to deliver a U.S.-U.K. trade agreement in short order,” said Peter Westamacott, who served as British ambassador to Washington from 2012 to 2016. “The reality is that complex trade agreements cannot be delivered overnight, unless one side is prepared to settle for an unbalanced deal. In practice, they take years to complete,” he added. “And in this case, there are plenty of really difficult issues in financial services, agriculture and so on, which are likely to prove contentious.” “Trump will be eager to promise her the moon,” Smith said. “But I think they’re essentially kidding themselves if they think they’re going to have big breaking news on the trade front.”

Diplomatic Visit

GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Camden County

Waverly, GA (December 10, 2021) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an officer involved shooting investigation in Waverly, Camden County, GA. On Friday, December 10, 2021, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate the incident that occurred on Amber Drive in Waverly. One man was shot and died. At 11:33 a.m., the deputies from the Camden County Sheriff’s Office were located at 161 Amber Drive, Waverly, GA, to arrest Christopher Paul Raborn, age 40. Raborn’s mother answered the door and said she did not know if her son was in the home. She let deputies in and went with them to Raborn’s bedroom. Raborn was behind the bedroom door holding a handgun. One of the deputies was in the bedroom with Raborn and his mother telling him to drop his weapon. During the incident, the deputy shot Raborn. Raborn died at the scene. No officers were injured. A handgun was recovered from the scene. The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, it will be turned over to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review. 

Famous Person - Commit Crime - Investigate

Victoria’s Belt and Road deal with China torn up

The Australian government has torn up Victoria’s controversial Belt and Road agreement with China, saying it falls foul of the country’s national interest, in a move that will further inflame tensions between Canberra and Beijing. China’s foreign mission reacted swiftly on Wednesday night, warning the decision would put any recovery in the relationship between Australia and its largest trading partner in jeopardy. The cancellation of Victoria’s Belt and Road Initiative deal with China was an early test of new Commonwealth powers to veto state government agreements with foreign governments. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen “This is another unreasonable and provocative move taken by the Australian side against China,” said a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy. “It further shows that the Australian government has no sincerity in improving China-Australia relations. It is bound to bring further damage to bilateral relations, and will only end up hurting itself.” Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced on Wednesday night that the Belt and Road Initiative deal – which tied the state to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature initiative to bankroll infrastructure projects around the world – has been cancelled under the Commonwealth’s new foreign veto laws. The federal government also announced it was cancelling two Victorian government education agreements – one struck with Iran in 2004 and another with Syria in 1999. They have been ruled unlawful under the laws passed late last year. Senator Payne said she considered the agreements to be “inconsistent with Australia’s foreign policy or adverse to our foreign relations”. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been locked in an ongoing feud with the Morrison government over its decision to sign on to the $1.5 trillion global infrastructure initiative, which would have allowed for Chinese investment in Victoria and for Victorian companies to participate in Chinese government projects overseas under the BRI banner. Mr Andrews has always defended the deal on the basis it would provide more jobs and economic opportunities for the state. The federal government and national security experts were concerned that China was using the Victorian agreement as a propaganda win to claim the Victorian government had broken ranks with Australia’s China policy. They are also worried that China was using the BRI to load up poorer countries with debt and reduce Australia’s influence in the region. The Chinese government has maintained the BRI is an economic co-operation initiative, which “upholds the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and transparency”. “It has brought tangible benefits to the participating parties,” the Chinese embassy spokesperson said. “The BRI co-operation between China and the Victoria state is conducive to deepening economic and trade relations between the two sides, and will promote economic growth and the well-being of the people of Victoria.” No financial commitments had been made under the arrangement, which was largely seen as symbolic, but it had driven foreign policy disputes between Victoria and the federal government after more than a year of tension with Beijing. Diplomatic sources in Canberra, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said the scrapping of the deal could set a precedent for other countries attempting to balance the economic firepower of China with its international ambition. State governments had until last month to provide a list of all of their agreements with foreign governments and Victoria listed its two BRI deals with the Chinese government as potentially falling within the new regime. The Commonwealth ruled that both agreements contradicted Australia’s foreign policy, which has been reworked to compete with China’s infrastructure spending blitz in the region. The new foreign veto scheme requires the Foreign Minister to cancel agreements that states, territories, local governments and universities enter into with an overseas government if they contradict Australia’s national interest. Announcing the new laws last year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was “vital that when it comes to Australia’s dealings with the rest of the world we speak with one voice and work to one plan. “Australians rightly expect the federal government they elect to set foreign policy. While many agreements and partnerships are of a routine nature ... Where any of these agreements undermine how the federal government is protecting and promoting our national interests they can be cancelled.” The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald revealed last year that Victoria did not consult the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before signing a key “framework agreement” with the Chinese government for the BRI on October 23, 2019. While Victoria briefly consulted DFAT on an earlier memorandum of understanding with Beijing in 2018, and made some changes based on its advice, the Andrews government decided not to show the draft version of the more substantial framework agreement to the Commonwealth a year later before signing it. Both agreements have now been ruled invalid. A spokesperson for the Victorian government said the Foreign Relations Act was “entirely a matter for the Commonwealth Government”. “The Victorian Government will continue to work hard to deliver jobs, trade and economic opportunities for our state,” the spokesperson said. Previously Mr Andrews had repeatedly defended the deal, saying last year that it was all about Victorian employment and that Australia’s relationship with China might improve if the Commonwealth focused on jobs. “The agreement, like all agreements that Victoria enters into, and I expect the Commonwealth and other states are no different – it’s all about making sure that more Victorian product is sent to our biggest and smallest customers,” the Premier said in December. “Whether it’s to China or any other part of the world, it’s all about jobs. “We would be probably better off in our relationship if all of us focused on the fact, and I think the Prime Minister and all of us ... are all about having the best economic partnerships with customers, large and small, in every part of the world because that means jobs and prosperity and profitability for families back home.”

Tear Up Agreement

A Franklin woman is accused of stealing from and fatally poisoning a friend with eyedrops

A Franklin woman allegedly stole thousands of dollars from a family friend she was caring for, fatally poisoned her with eyedrops, and staged the scene to look as if an overdose occurred, according to a criminal complaint.  Jessy R. Kurczewski, 37, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, theft of moveable property (money) greater than $10,000 in value, and theft of moveable property (money) between $10,000 and $100,000 in value, according to online court records and a criminal complaint.  A $1,000,000 arrest warrant was issued for Kurczewski on June 4, online court records show.  According to a criminal complaint:  On Oct. 3, 2018, a deputy was dispatched to Meadow Grass Circle in Pewaukee shortly before 5 p.m. when Kurczewski called police and said her friend, the resident of the address, was not conscious or breathing.  Upon arrival, the deputy found an unconscious woman in a recliner with a "large amount" of crushed medication on her chest and on a plate near her. The deputy noted a "large number" of prescription medication bottles by her as well.  Pewaukee Fire Department personnel confirmed the woman was deceased. Based on initial observations, investigators believed this could have been caused by a drug overdose, the complaint said.  The victim is not named in the criminal complaint. In an Oct. 3, 2018, statement, Kurczewski said she had been checking in on the victim two to three times daily to care for her, according to the criminal complaint.  Kurczewski said she was a family friend of the victim and also the victim's power of attorney. She said the victim had no family and didn't really have contact with anyone besides her.  Kurczewski said the victim's behavior "was odd" throughout the week leading up to her death. When Kurczewski checked the victim's pills, there were either too many or not enough, she noted.  Kurczewski said there was "a possibility" the victim was suicidal but believed the victim wouldn't have wanted to leave her cats behind.  People who knew the victim told officials that they didn't believe she "would intentionally or unintentionally overdose," the criminal complaint said.  A cousin of the victim contacted the Waukesha County Medical Examiner's Office to "make sure that the will filed in probate was authentic and wanted to make sure there was nothing suspicious about the death," the complaint said. The cousin thought it was "suspicious" that the victim would leave her "entire estate" to Kurczewski.  Waukesha County Medical Examiner Linda Biedrzycki informed authorities that the victim's toxicology results from the autopsy showed that the victim had a fatal dose of Tetrahydrozoline in her system. Tetrahydrozoline is the main ingredient in eyedrops, the complaint noted.  Biedrzycki said there should not be any Tetrahydrozoline in someone’s blood, and that the amount found in the victim would be "impossible" to have just by using it in eyes.  The victim's death was ruled a homicide, the complaint said.  Kurczewski called the medical examiner's office "multiple times" for the toxicology results and showed "a great deal of interest and curiosity," according to the complaint. The results were not shared with her at that time.  On July 9, 2019, a search warrant was conducted at Kurczewski's residence, the criminal complaint said, and Kurczewski was arrested and placed on a probation and parole hold at the Waukesha County Jail.  Between July 9 and July 19, 2019, detectives spoke with Kurczewski six times, some at her request, according to the criminal complaint.  When detectives told Kurczewski about the Tetrahydrozoline from the victim's toxicology results, Kurczewski said the victim was “known” for eyedrops and that she purchased them in "great volume." Kurczewski said she never saw the victim squeeze any drops into her mouth, however.  When detectives told Kurczewski that the medications listed in the victim's toxicology results were all within "therapeutic ranges" and it was Tetrahydrozoline that killed her, Kurczewski said it was what the victim wanted, the criminal complaint said.  When detectives told Kurczewski that the medical examiner thought the pills and scene were staged, Kurczewski denied staging anything, killing the victim, assisting in her death or giving her eyedrops, the complaint said. Kurczewski said the victim "must have" staged her own suicide with the crushed pills.  In a later interview, Kurczewski said she saw the victim drink Visine with vodka before her death. She had "no rational explanation for not disclosing this information to detectives" in prior interviews, the complaint said.  Kurczewski said she had “saved” the victim from herself numerous times. The last time she knew the victim had Visine in vodka was the night before her death, Kurczewski said.  Later, Kurczewski said a water bottle at the scene of the incident had six bottles of Visine in it. Kurczewski said when the victim told her she wanted that bottle, Kurczewski brought it to her, knowing that it had Visine in it, the complaint said.  Kurczewski "didn't think" it would kill the victim because the victim had been "drinking it regularly for so long," according to the complaint.  Kurczewski said "she knows she’s probably going to prison for the rest of her life for helping" the victim "do what she wanted," the complaint said.  An inmate at Taycheedah Correctional Institution said that while she was roommates with Kurczewski, Kurczewski had "an emotional breakdown" and stated that she gave the victim "several bottles of Visine to kill her." The roommate stated that Kurczewski said "everyone thinks she did it for money," but she did it to stop the victim's suffering.  Kurczewski told detectives she had items in a storage unit under someone else’s name, including recordings of the victim's wishes, a partial firearm, dated Visine bottles, and papers that the victim signed, according to the criminal complaint. She said she wouldn't release them until she was ready and asked to have her probation hold lifted to "get things in order." Later, Kurczewski said the items were not in a storage shed, but rather, buried "several feet underground at Whitnall Park in freezer bags." Officers used a map that Kurczewski assisted in creating to attempt to locate the items, but none of the items were found.  Kurczewski told detectives she could find the items if they let her go to the park herself. Kurczewski was allowed to watch detectives at Whitnall Park via video call so she could direct them to where she said she buried the items. No items were found.  According to the criminal complaint, Kurczewski had committed fraud multiple times in the past and had a gambling problem.  The victim's financial activities "changed over time as contact with Kurczewski increased," the complaint said. The victim's financial activity began to "more closely resemble" Kurczewski's financial activity.  The total fraud believed to have been committed was approximately $290,210, the complaint alleges. About $130,204 was believed to have been "transferred fraudulently" by check from the victim to Kurczewski.  "The amount was arrived at based on the different places of credit card activity, the amounts, the frequency of use and based on the continued activity after" the victim's death, the complaint said. 

Mass Poisoning

Mississippi flood of 1973

The Mississippi flood of 1973 occurred between March and May 1973 on the lower Mississippi River. [1] The flooding was the third most severe along the U.S.'s Mississippi River during the 20th century. A series of unusually cold winters in the river basin concluded in the winter of 1972-1973, when high precipitation saturated much of the watershed, especially in the Ohio Valley and lower Mississippi Valley. This was followed by more rain in early 1973, with river flow cresting on March 31 at Red River Landing, Louisiana, and a heavy snowmelt in the Rocky Mountains which caused western tributaries such as the Missouri and Arkansas to form a final catastrophic high in June. [2] The flood resulted in the largest volume of water to flow down the Mississippi since the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Both the Bonnet Carre Spillway and the Morganza Spillway were employed. The Bonnet Carre was fully opened between April 7 and June 14 for a record 75 days. The 1973 flood was the first time the Morganza Spillway was opened: from April 19 through June 13. At Memphis, Tennessee, the Mississippi was over flood stage for 63 days, more than that of the historic 1927 flood, and the river was above flood stage for an even longer 107 days at upstream Cairo, Illinois. [3] Out of the seven largest floods on the Mississippi between 1927 and 1997, the 1973 event ranked third in both volume discharged and duration but only sixth in flood height. [2] Over $250 million of damages were incurred mainly in the Mississippi Valley states of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. The largest single inundation, south of St. Louis, Missouri, was caused by a series of catastrophic levee failures on the west bank of the river and ultimately covered almost 9,400 square miles (24,000 km2). [4] The Morganza Spillway was opened, flooding portions of the Atchafalaya River basin in Louisiana and causing the deaths of thousands of head of livestock and white-tailed deer. [5] The 1973 flood was notable for nearly causing the failure of the Old River Control Structure above the Mississippi River Delta, which would have sent the Mississippi's main channel flowing into the Atchafalaya River and bypassing most of the delta region including the major port of New Orleans, Louisiana. [6] In spite of record high flows, flood stages were not as high as past events. [1] Red River Landing, Louisiana reached 58.22 feet on May 13 and was 9th highest crest of record. The flood stage at Baton Rouge was 42.10 feet on May 10. Farther down the River at Donaldsonville the flood stage reached 32.30 feet on April 9, which was the 10th highest crest of record. At Reserve, the crest was 24.50 ft on April 8, 7 highest on record. On April 7, New Orleans crested at 18.47 ft. The flow past Baton Rouge peaked at 1.38 million cubic feet per second (ft3/s) on May 13. The project design flood capacity at Baton Rouge is 1.38 million ft3/s (39,077.25 m3/s). The flow past New Orleans peaked at 1.257 million ft3/s (35,594.28 m3/s) on April 15; the project design flood flow is 1.25 million ft3/s with the balance flowing through the Bonnet Carre Spillway. Discharge through the Bonnet Carre Spillway increased the level of Lake Pontchartrain to 3 feet above normal, peaking at 14.7 feet at mid-lake.

Floods

First moments of violent Markham bank robbery caught on surveillance video

New surveillance video exclusively obtained by CP24 captures the initial moments of a violent bank robbery in Markham that injured four employees Wednesday night. The incident occurred at an RBC bank near 16th Avenue and Markham Road shortly after 8 p.m. on Wednesday. In the video, the suspects are seen getting out of a dark-coloured vehicle and entering the bank. The suspects could be seen moving inside the bank. They were not seen in the video leaving the bank through the front doors. York Regional Police say four people were injured during an armed bank robbery in Markham on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. About six minutes later in the video, a York Regional Police cruiser is seen pulling up to the bank and begins inspecting the area. York Regional Police said three suspects, armed with knives and a gun, ordered everyone to get down on the ground, and demanded cash from the safe. Two employees were stabbed during the robbery and two others were kicked in the face, police said. York Regional Police arrived at the scene with patrol cars, K9 officers, and tactical units a short time after the robbery was first reported. "Officers quickly set up a perimeter and members of the canine unit tracked the suspects who were hiding in a house under construction," police said in a news release issued on Thursday. The suspects were arrested without incident and police later learned that the vehicle they were using had been stolen in a violent carjacking in Toronto on Feb. 10. The three have been linked to additional robberies throughout the GTA, police said, and the investigation into those incidents is ongoing. The suspects, who are 13, 15, and 16 years old, are facing a number of charges, including robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault, disguise with intent, and unauthorized possession of a firearm. The teens, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, will appear in a Newmarket courtroom at some point today. The mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti, said while the injuries the employees sustained were serious, it is fortunate that the robbery did not result in a loss of life. "I just wish the victims a speedy recovery," the mayor said. "It is a very brazen approach that these three individuals came in and started a violent attack on the employees. It is one more serious incident that underscores that serious action, immediate action needs to be taken on gun violence."

Bank Robbery

US announced it will withdraw from the UNESCO

The US has announced it will withdraw from the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), accusing the body of “anti-Israel bias”. Heather Nauert, US state department spokesperson, said on Thursday the US would establish an “observer mission” to replace its representation at the Paris-based agency. In a statement announcing its withdrawal, Israel called the US administration’s decision “courageous and moral”, and accused UNESCO of becoming a “theatre of the absurd”. “The prime minister instructed the foreign ministry to prepare Israel’s withdrawal from the organisation alongside the United States,” Benjamin Netayanu’s office said in a statement. Irina Bokova, the outgoing UNESCO head, called the US withdrawal a “loss to multilateralism”, saying she is convinced that “UNESCO has never been so important for the US, or the US for UNESCO”. At a time when “conflicts continue to tear apart societies across the world, it is deeply regrettable for the United States to withdraw from the United Nations agency promoting education for peace and protecting culture under attack,” she said. Thursday’s development demonstrates the US administration’s “complete and total bias” towards Israel, says Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, a political party comprising mostly secular intellectuals. “This behaviour is counterproductive and shameful,” he told Al Jazeera by phone. “Sooner or later they will see Palestine in every UN agency. Will the US respond to that by withdrawing from the WHO or the World Intellectual Property Organization? They will be hurting only themselves.” The US was angered in 2011 when UNESCO members granted Palestine full membership of the body, despite opposition from its ally Israel. That year the US stopped paying its dues to the 195-member organisation but did not officially withdraw. The US opposes any move by UN bodies to recognise the Palestinians as a state, insisting that this must await a negotiated Middle East peace deal. UNESCO is best known for its work to preserve heritage, including maintaining a list of World Heritage sites, and programmes to promote education in developing countries. “UNESCO is about promoting our ideals and values through culture, education and science,” Francois Delattre, France’s UN ambassador, said in New York, adding that “we need an America that stays committed to world affairs.” Russia’s foreign ministry said it regreted the decision, adding that the move would disrupt a number of important projects planned by UNESCO. “We share the concern by many countries that the activity of UNESCO has been too politicised lately,” the ministry said in a statement. Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, said through a spokesperson that he “regrets this development deeply”. Barghouti, of the Palestinian National Initiative, said it is “as if Israel is dictating US policy not only in the Middle East but also in international organisations. “This is going to have a very harmful effect on the idea of the US being a mediator between the Palestinians and the Israelis.” Israel has long been at loggerheads with UNESCO, particularly over its decision to admit the Palestinians as members in 2011. In July, the UN body declared the Old City of Hebron in the occupied West Bank an endangered World Heritage site. Netanyahu announced a $1m cut in funding to the UN, saying the UNESCO vote ignored Jewish ties to the site. A UNESCO resolution on Jerusalem in May strongly criticised Israel’s occupation of the eastern part of the city. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. End of dialog window. Given the increased targeting of reporters and changing media landscape, it is time to discuss the state of journalism. UN’s cultural arm voted 12 to three to give heritage status to the Old City of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Tibetan activists fear World Heritage Site status for Hoh Xil may lead to displacement of Tibetan population.

Withdraw from an Organization

Chinese-owned Ramu Nickel plant spills 200,000 litres of 'toxic' slurry into the sea

A Chinese nickel mine operator has apologised after accidentally spilling an estimated 200,000 litres of toxic slurry into a bay in Papua New Guinea's Madang province, turning the water bright red and staining the shore. Mining authorities in PNG said the spilled material was a mineral-rich slurry that had been piped to the processing plant at Basamuk Bay from a nickel mine site 135 kilometres inland. Mineral Resources Authority managing director Jerry Garry told the ABC's Pacific Beat program the slurry was "very acidic". "In terms of the heavy metals — in terms of nickel, cobalt, magnesium — they are very toxic," he said. Mr Garry said the spill occurred when an electronic fault caused a pump failure, which went undetected by workers, leading to an overflow. The spill occurred on August 24, and photos showing the contamination caused outrage on social media. "The people from the village they went down to the beach … and they realised the water was contaminated and the colour had turned to red," Nigel Uyam, a local villager who took the first photos of the spill, told the ABC. "They are angry … we are trying to control the angry people and we are trying to control the situation." Authorities said compensation would be pursued and a punishment would also be imposed on the plant operator, Ramu Nickel, which is owned by the Metallurgical Corp of China (MCC). Ramu Nickel's vice-president, Wang Baowen, said the company was extremely concerned about the incident and "committed to address any compensation". The spill is the latest incident in the Ramu Nickel mine's short but troubled history. The $2 billion project was the first Chinese resource investment in Papua New Guinea. The start of operations were delayed by a year as landowners fought an unsuccessful legal battle to prevent it from dumping waste into the sea by a process known as deep-sea tailings disposal. A clash of cultures saw local staff fight Chinese employees in 2012, while armed villagers attacked the mine site in 2014, injuring staff and destroying property and equipment. A Chinese worker was killed and two local staff injured in a workplace accident in 2016 that saw the mine temporarily closed — that same year slurry leaked from the pipeline connecting the mine to the processing plant. "People have been raising concerns about the way the plant has been operating for years," Gavin Mudd, an associate professor at RMIT University's engineering department, told the ABC. "If this happened in Australia, there would be heads rolling." Despite the toxic nature of the spill, the mineral authority's inspector found no immediate safety concerns and no reason to shut down the plant's operations. Residue samples have been sent to Australia for testing, with results expected in under a month.

Environment Pollution

1981 Hong Kong riots

Multiple disturbances broke out on Christmas Day of 1981 and New Year's Day of 1982 in Hong Kong. Since the majority of the participants were youths, the riots were also named as the Christmas youth riots of 1981 and New Year youth riots of 1982. The riots had a long-term impact on the government's youth policy. A riot broke out in the early morning of Christmas Day, 25 December 1981 in Central, Hong Kong. In a minor road accident, a car driver accidentally hit a pedestrian near the Mandarin Oriental hotel around 1:30 am, arousing unrest among the youth in the area that eventually evolved into a riot. In the ensuing chaos, 11 were injured and 7 cars were damaged. The police deployed the Police Tactical Unit (PTU) to disperse the crowd. At 5 AM, the riot subsided and 18 were arrested. The same day, the Government of Hong Kong increased the number of policemen patrolling major business areas and kept cars away from the Central District. The day after the incident, Secretary for Home Affairs Denis Bray dismissed characterisations of the event as rioting, calling it "just some disturbances caused by kids who had too much to drink". He said there was no apparent motivation, attributing the disorder to "high spirits with some spirits out of bottles as well". A senior police commander also stated that the events were "definitely not a riot". Another disturbance broke out early New Year's Day of 1982, when crowds of youth began heckling revellers. The police had anticipated trouble, and had deployed hundreds of officers (both uniformed and plainclothes) to disperse the crowds. Nine people were arrested and released on bail. The Government of Hong Kong addressed the increasing "problems" with youth, citing disobedience in school and the popularity of snooker and arcade games among youth. The government channeled additional resources into youth welfare. Two other riots in 1982 and 1984 were ignited by football fans and a tax on taxis.

Riot

American west stuck in cycle of ‘heat, drought and fire’, experts warn

As fires propagate throughout the US west on the heels of record heatwaves, experts are warning that the region is caught in a vicious feedback cycle of extreme heat, drought and fire, all amplified by the climate crisis. Firefighters are battling blazes from Arizona to Washington state that are burning with a worrying ferocity, while officials say California is already set to outpace last year’s record-breaking fire season. Extreme heatwaves over the past few weeks – which have smashed records everywhere from southern California to Nevada and Oregon – are causing the region’s water reserves to evaporate at an alarming rate, said Jose Pablo Ortiz Partida, a climate scientist for the Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit advocacy group. And devoid of moisture, the landscape heats up quickly, like a hot plate, desiccating the landscape and turning vegetation into kindling. “For our most vulnerable, disadvantaged communities, this also creates compounding health effects,” Ortiz said. “First there’s the heat. Then for many families their water supplies are affected. And then it’s also the same heat and drought that are exacerbating wildfires and leading to smoky, unhealthy air quality.” In northern California, the largest wildfire to hit the state this year broke out over the weekend and has so far consumed more than 140 sq miles (362 sq km). The Beckwourth Complex grew so fast and with such intensity that it whipped up a rare fire tornado – a swirling vortex of smoke and fire. Meanwhile, the Bootleg fire in southern Oregon engulfed more than 240 sq miles (621 sq km) and has doubled in size three times over the weekend. After the fire disrupted electric transmission lines, California’s power grid operator asked residents to conserve electricity on Monday evening to avoid brownouts. “The fire behavior we are seeing on the Bootleg fire is among the most extreme you can find and firefighters are seeing conditions they have never seen before,” Al Lawson, an incident commander for the Bootleg fire, said in a statement. The intensity of the fires in California and Oregon is “not something you used to see” so early in the season, absent the strong late summer and fall winds that fuel the west’s biggest fires, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the University of California, Los Angeles. The unprecedented drought gripping the west, alongside “mind-blowing” heatwaves, are fueling extreme fires this year, Swain said, adding that the extreme conditions could set the stage for “considerably worse” fires in late summer and fall. Historically, September and October have been the worst months for megafires in California. This week, smoke from the various fires in the west is expected to carry across the country, reaching up into Minnesota and bleeding into central Canada. Forecasters are predicting that the intense high temperatures that came last weekend as a heat dome smothered the west are likely to ease later this week, and the south-west is likely to see some drought-relieving rain throughout the week. Still, large swaths of the west, including California, the Pacific north-west, and the northern Rocky Mountain region are expected to face dangerous conditions, including the possibility of dry lightning and strong winds. “All of these fires bear some sign of climate change, which is really a threat multiplier,” said Faith Kearns, a scientist at the California Institute for Water Resources. “We have always had fires in the west. The landscape is in many ways forged in fire. But the intensity of the fires we’re seeing now, that some of these fires are happening so early in the summer, those things are definitely concerning.” For climate scientists and fire ecologists who have been warning for decades that global heating would bring on hotter heatwaves, drier droughts and more fire, “it can be really demoralizing and very frustrating to find ourselves here,” Kearns said. “Maybe this year will finally be the one to heighten our sense of just how vulnerable we are.” Whether that leads to big changes in the public’s will to address the climate crisis and adapt to a landscape that is expected to burn with increasing intensity “remains up in the air”, she said.

Droughts

14 Celebrities You Didn't Know Have Been Divorced

We may think we know everything there is to know about our favourite celebrities, but every now and then a little factoid will pop up that surprises us. Whether it's an unexpected child (did you know Alfie Allen AKA Theon Greyjoy was a dad ?) or a Las Vegas wedding , there are certain things those in the public eye choose to keep shrouded in privacy. One such thing is divorce, a phenomenon which is common everywhere, but particularly prevalent in the hyper-concentrated world of Hollywood marriages. While some celebrity splits are hard to ignore, with the details plastered over every tabloid, others manage to occur out of the limelight. Keep reading to see 11 celebrities who've been through very low-key (or entirely secret) marriages and divorces. Read this next Celebrity 11 Celebrities Who've Used Surrogates 1 / 0 Michelle Williams: Oscar nominee Michelle Williams split from her husband of less than a year, musician Phil Elverum, in April 2019. The split was reportedly amicable and the former spouses remain friends. It was Williams' first marriage. 2 / 0 Anna Camp and Skylar Astin: These Pitch Perfect co-stars married in September 2016, but announced they were divorcing after two years of marriage in mid-2019 due to "irreconcilable differences". The split actually marked Camp's second divorce, with the 37-year-old actress divorcing first husband Michael Mosley in 2013 after three years of marriage. 3 / 0 Melissa Benoist and Blake Jenner: Though she married her Supergirl co-star Chris Wood in 2019, Melissa Benoist has actually tied the knot before, to her Glee co-star Blake Jenner in 2013. The pair split in 2016 and finalised their divorce a year later, citing "irreconcilable differences". 4 / 0 Elisabeth Moss: The Handmaid's Tale star recalls her 2011 divorce from her husband of two years, actor Fred Armisen, as being "traumatic". "Looking back, I feel like I was really young, and at the time I didn't think that I was that young," she told New York Magazine. Armisen, meanwhile, has admitted to being a "terrible husband" to Moss. Still, the actress said she regrets nothing. "At the same time, it turned out for the best," she told NY Magazine. "I'm glad that I'm not there. I'm glad that it didn't happen when I was 50. I'm glad I didn't have kids. And I got that out of the way. Hopefully. Like, that's probably not going to happen again." 5 / 0 Will Smith: It's hard to imagine a world where Will and Jada Pinkett Smith weren't a package deal, but back in his Fresh Prince days, Smith was married to Sheree Zampino Fletcher (pictured). The pair divorced in 1995 after roughly three years of marriage and it was later revealed that Smith began dating Jada Pinkett before his divorce with Fletcher was finalised. How do we know this? Because Jada herself admitted it ... to Fletcher. "I did not understand marriage. I didn't understand divorce. I will say that I probably should've fell back," Jada admitted to Fletcher on her talk show Red Table Talk. On the plus side, Jada and Will and Fletcher all have a great relationship, and Smith and Fletcher are cordial co-parents of their 26-year-old son, Trey. 6 / 0 Zooey Deschanel: The New Girl actress spent two years married to Death Cab For Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard (pictured) before filing for divorce in 2012. Deschanel then remarried, to executive producer Jacob Pechenik, and the couple had two children, daughter Elsie Otter, born July 2015, and son Charlie Wolf, born in May 2017. Sadly, Deschanel and Pechenik announced their split in September 2019 after four years of marriage. Read this next Celebrity 11 Celebrities Who've Used Surrogates 7 / 0 Olivia Wilde: Now happily married to actor Jason Sudeikis with two children, Wilde actually spent the years from 2003 to 2011 married to Italian-American filmmaker Tao Ruspoli (pictured), who also happened to be a low-key Italian prince. Following their divorce, Wilde admitted in interviews that getting married at 19 was a big mistake. "I really had a sense that I had stunted my growth. I think that's one of the things that made me feel so uncomfortable in my marriage. It was really no fault of my husband. It was me realising that I had sort of arrested development," she said. 8 / 0 Macaulay Culkin: Child star Macaulay Culkin has lived multiple lives in his 38 years. Aside from starring in the uber-successful Home Alone movies and having an eight-year relationship with Mila Kunis, Culkin also got married to Supernatural actress Rachel Miner when he was only 18. The pair got engaged in 1998 and married a year later, but got divorced after roughly two years of marriage. 9 / 0 Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson: Yes, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively might seem like they were made for each other, but before the stars aligned and brought them together, Reynolds was married to another famous Hollywood blonde: Scarlett Johansson. The mostly-forgotten couple tied the knot in 2008 and rarely appeared in public together until they announced their divorce in October 2010. Both actors kept commentary on their relationship to a minimum, but Johansson did admit that they struggled to spend time together with their hectic work schedules. "We have no time for dates. We work and then go home and—I, anyway—just stare at the wall for a few hours before I go to sleep," she told Time Out in 2009. Johansson also spent three years married to second husband, French journalist Romain Dauriac, with whom she has one daughter, Rose. 10 / 0 Bradley Cooper: Now that he's with supermodel Irina Shayk, it's easy to forget Cooper spent almost a year married to actress Jennifer Esposito , before their divorce in 2007. Cooper reflected on their brief marriage in an interview with Howard Stern, saying: "It was just something that happened. The good thing is, we both realised it...Sometimes you just realise it. It just wasn't right." 11 / 0 Solange Knowles: The singer married her childhood sweetheart, Daniel Smith, in 2004, when she was only 17. The marriage lasted only three years, but the pair continue to co-parent their 14-year-old son, Daniel Julez Smith Jr., together. These days, Knowles is happily married to music video director Alan Ferguson. Knowles has said that her divorce contributed to her feeling much older than she is. "Just going through a marriage and a divorce—which I essentially did by 21—will give you an insane amount of perspective on life," she said. 12 / 0 Emmy Rossum: While Rossum is now married to husband Sam Esmail, few know that she had a secret year-and-a-half-long marriage to music producer Justin Siegel from 2008 to 2010. Siegel filed for divorce in 2009, but Rossum has said it wasn't "the end of the world". "Everyone messes up in relationships and has peaks and valleys in their personal lives," she told InStyle Hair. "When I realised it wasn't the end of the world and I would keep on standing, I knew it was going to be OK." Read this next Celebrity 11 Celebrities Who've Used Surrogates 13 / 0 Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray: Few could forget that these two dated during their stint on One Tree Hill, but it's often overlooked that they actually tied the knot and were married for a grand total of five months in 2005/2006. In a 2018 interview, Bush reflected on the brief marriage and implied that she felt pressure to get married in order to not let people down. "When you have bosses telling you that you're the only person that gets a person to work on time..." Bush said. Murray responded by releasing a statement via his rep, which read: ""Chad conducts himself in a completely professional manner and would never marry for any reason but love. Thirteen years since his divorce from Sophia, he has a very happy family life with his wife and children." Murray is now married to actress Sarah Roemer, and Bush remains single. 14 / 0 Anna Faris: While her divorce from second husband Chris Pratt was well-publicised, Faris' first marriage, to actor Ben Indra (pictured), is less well-known. Faris and Indra were married from 2004 to 2008, and Faris left Indra after realising she had strong feelings for Pratt, who she met on the set of their 2007 film Take Me Home Tonight. "Sure, I get to proclaim that I didn't fuck Chris before I left Ben, but what is there to celebrate in that? It didn't make me a hero," she wrote in her book. "After all, I wanted to. Desperately. And I had feelings for him, obviously, even if I wasn't honest with myself about what those were."

Famous Person - Divorce

Ansei great earthquakes

The Ansei great earthquakes (安政の大地震, Ansei no Dai Jishin) were a series of three major earthquakes that struck Japan during the Ansei era (1854–1860). The earthquake was blamed on a giant catfish (Namazu) thrashing about. [by whom?] Ukiyo-e prints depicting namazu became very popular around this time. 1854 Iga-Ueno earthquake, one which registered 7.4 on the Richter scale and struck the Kansai region. [3][4] The 1858 Hietsu earthquake struck Hida Province (modern-day Gifu Prefecture) on April 9, 1858. [5]

Earthquakes

Indus Mining Services fined $60,000 over bee sting death at Western Australian mine

A Victorian man who flew from Brisbane to Hobart on flight VA702 today has tested positive to COVID-19 and has not been allowed to board a flight to Melbourne A Watch & Act warning is in place for a fire in the northern parts of Mokine, in WA's Northam Shire. Keep up to date with ABC Emergency A mining contractor has been fined $60,000 over the death of a contractor who suffered a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting. The contractor he was employed by pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe working environment In February 2018, 34-year-old engineering surveyor Glenn Morton was working alone at Iluka Resources’ Cataby mine site, about 150 kilometres north of Perth, when he was stung. He self-administered an EpiPen and radioed for emergency assistance but co-workers found him unconscious and unresponsive some minutes later. He died in hospital two weeks later. Indus Mining Services pleaded guilty in the Moora Magistrates Court for failing to provide a safe working environment in which a contracted employee was not exposed to hazards. The company was also ordered to pay $6,000 in costs on top of the fine. Mines Safety Director at the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Andrew Chaplyn, said bees were known to be prolific and a problem at the Cataby mine site.  While Indus informed Iluka Resources of the worker's allergy, it did not convey that his condition was life-threatening or that he had previously been hospitalised for a bee sting. "Employers should ensure site managers are aware of the significant information in a worker's medical assessment to ensure their employees are not exposed to hazardous working environments," Mr Chaplyn said. Glenn's wife Carly Morton has welcomed the successful prosecution of the company involved but she has renewed her calls for an inquest into the fatality. "As a wife, $60,000 seems very, very low for the magnitude of what has happened with Glenn but legally if that is a fair fine then I’m pleased that that’s what happened," she said. She said the coroners court has declined a request for an inquest but she believes it could uncover more information and raise awareness about the dangers of allergies. "There are still questions about exactly transpired on the site, why the Epipen medication didn't work, where the communication breakdown happened and the coronial process would have been such an opportunity to try and find answers to those questions," she said. Mrs Morton said employers and employees should work together to make a safe work place. "I think there needs to be a discussion and a responsibility for both parties, the responsibility for the employer to have a frank conversation, to do a risk assessment, to work with the employee, to come up with strategies." Advocacy group Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia chief executive Maria Said said employers needed to have systems in place to protect workers with insect allergies. "It is important that workplaces understand that they too have a responsibility in caring for people that disclose special medical needs," Ms Said said. "Once a person discloses their potentially life-threatening allergy, workplaces need to consider their allergy in whatever work they need to do. "For someone who works, especially in a remote area, in the outdoors, that to me rings alarm bells. What processes were in place?" Ms Said said allergies need to be taken seriously in the workplace. "I would say (bee sting) is the most common insect allergy that we have in Australia," she said. "It is important that there is a community awareness of just how serious bee sting allergy and other insect allergy can be." We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Organization Fine

Malaysian workbarge sinks, 121 crew rescued

An offshore workbarge sunk at the Baram field in Malaysian waters this morning, sparking a huge rescue operation. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has confirmed that offshore vessel Sapura Constructor reported that it had received an emergency signal from the sinking Dayang Topaz, located around 7.7 nautical miles from Kuala Baram, Miri. The Sapura Constructor sailed to the area to track the exact location of Dayang Topaz, and found the ship sinking. 62 crew are reported to have still been onboard the vessel, while another 125 crew jumped into the sea. Maritime Rescue Coordination Center launched a massive search and rescue operation by sending out a number of rescue ships and coordinated nearby ships owned by Shell and Petronas to the site. So far, 121 crew have been rescued while one was found dead and four others are missing. The search and rescue operations are ongoing, while the cause of the incident is still under investigation. Photos seen by Splash indicate the ship hit a platform in the Baram field. The 2012-built vessel Dayang Topaz is owned by Malaysia’s DESB Marine Services, which is part of Dayang Enterprise Holdings. Panic kills! especially in an area full of sharks. It’s a wrong statement. The vessel did not sink.

Shipwreck

India's Chandrayaan-2 Moon Orbiter Releases Vikram Lunar Lander

On Sept. 2, the Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-2 moon orbiter successfully released its Vikram lander in lunar orbit as seen in this illustrated depiction. The two halves of India's moon mission have parted ways in preparation for the tensest moment of the entire endeavor. Today (Sept. 2), the Chandrayaan-2 mission split into two separate spacecraft: an orbiter that will circle the moon's poles for about a year and a lander that will, later this week, attempt India's first touchdown on the moon . "All the systems of Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter and Lander are healthy," Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) officials said in a statement . The separation occurred around 3:45 a.m. EDT (745 GMT). So far, both spacecraft are faring well in their separate orbits, ISRO officials added. Related: India's Chandrayaan-2 Mission to the Moon in Photos The Chandrayaan-2 mission launched in July, taking the slow road to the moon, where it arrived in orbit on Aug. 20. Since then, mission control staff at ISRO conducted a series of orbital adjustments to put the spacecraft on track for the south-pole-oriented mission. The orbiter component of the mission builds directly on the legacy of India's first moon mission, Chandrayaan-1 , which carried the instrument that identified water ice buried in dark craters near the lunar south pole. The spacecraft carries eight different science instruments onboard, including two cameras, devices to identify different elements in the moon's regolith and to calculate the amount of water ice with it, and an instrument that will measure X-rays emitted by the sun. The Vikram lander of the Chandrayaan-2 mission, with the rover Pragyan on its ramp, as seen before the spacecraft's July 2019 launch. Now, the lander component is on its own, with several days on its schedule to orbit the moon, endure a series of health checks and fine-tune its position for landing. That dramatic moment will come on Sept. 6 at about 4:25 p.m. EDT (2025 GMT) at the end of a 15-minute powered-descent phase, according to Spaceflight Now . The mission's landing zone is on a plateau between two craters and is farther south than any moon landing site to date — a key requirement for the landed component to follow up on Chandrayaan-1's icy discovery. The landing will occur early in the lunar day in order to maximize the data that can be gathered before the harsh lunar night freezes the spacecraft out of operation. The lander, called Vikram, carries three experiments: one to study the moon's ionosphere, one to study temperature within the top 4 inches (10 centimeters) of the lunar surface and one to study moonquakes . The lander also carries a laser retroreflector that scientists will use to precisely measure the distance from Earth to this patch of the moon, even long after the lander runs out of energy. Vikram also carries a rover, dubbed Pragyan, that weighs about 60 lbs. (27 kilograms). The rover is scheduled to leave its berth on the lander about 4 hours after arrival on the lunar surface. Pragyan carries two instruments that will help the rover identify elements near the mission's landing site. If the landing is successful, the maneuver will mark India's first soft landing on the moon, making it the fourth country to accomplish that feat, after the Soviet Union, the U.S. and China.

New achievements in aerospace

France accuses Biden of sinking Australia submarine deal

French FM says US-UK-Australia defence deal was a ‘stab in the back’, as he draws parallels between Biden and Trump. France has accused US President Joe Biden of acting like his predecessor Donald Trump after Paris was pushed aside from a lucrative defence deal that it had signed with Australia. Foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian’s comments on Thursday came a day after the United States, United Kingdom and Australia announced a security partnership for the Indo-Pacific that will help Australia acquire US nuclear-powered submarines. The pact, dubbed AUKUS, is understood to be an attempt to counter China, though the three leaders did not mention Beijing explicitly in their remarks on Wednesday as they revealed the move. AUKUS means a multibillion-dollar contract Australia had signed in 2016 to buy French diesel-powered submarines will now be scrapped. Le Drian said he was “angry and bitter” over the move, slamming it as a breach of trust. “This brutal, unilateral and unpredictable decision reminds me a lot of what Mr Trump used to do,” he told Franceinfo radio. “This isn’t done between allies.” Two weeks ago, the Australian defence and foreign ministers had reconfirmed to Paris the 2016 deal with French shipbuilder Naval Group to replace France’s more than two-decades-old Collins submarines. French President Emmanuel Macron also lauded decades of future cooperation when hosting Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in June. “It’s a stab in the back. We created a relationship of trust with Australia and that trust has been broken,” Le Drian said. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. End of dialog window. Asked if Paris had been “duped” by Washington over what Le Drian once called a “contract of the century” for France’s naval yards, the minister replied: “Your analysis of the situation is more or less correct. “We’ll need clarifications. We have contracts – the Australians need to tell us how they intend to get out of them,” he said. The European Union’s top diplomat also commented, saying the new pact showed the bloc must develop its own defence and security strategies, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. “We must survive on our own, as others do,” Josep Borrell said on Thursday as he presented a new EU strategy for the Indo-Pacific region, talking of the “strategic autonomy” that Macron has previously championed. Borrell said he was not consulted on Wednesday’s agreement between Canberra, London and Washington. “I understand the extent to which the French government must be disappointed,” he said. But UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stood by the new submarine pact, saying it did not represent a strategic difference between London and Paris. “The Australians have taken this decision that they want to make a change,” he told the BBC on Thursday. “We didn’t go fishing for that but as a close ally, when the Australians approached us, of course, we would consider it. I understand France’s frustration about it.” Ties between Paris and Washington soured during Trump’s presidency, and diplomats say there have been concerns in recent months that Biden is not being forthright with his European allies. The deal with Australia is likely to further strain Transatlantic ties. This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. End of dialog window. It was hatched against the backdrop of growing concern in Western capitals about China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, where France also has interests, including overseas territories. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday accused the US, Australia and UK of “severely damaging regional peace and stability, intensifying an arms race, and damaging international nuclear non-proliferation efforts” with their pact. “China will closely watch the situation’s development,” he told a regular briefing in Beijing. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday sought to play down Chinese fears. Johnson told parliament the new defence alliance between the UK, US and Australia was “not intended to be adversarial”. It “will help to safeguard the peace and security of the Indo-Pacific”, he said, adding that the deal reflected “the close relationship that we have with the United States and with Australia, the shared values that we have and the sheer level of trust”. Australia will get nuclear-powered submarines as part of the deal, dubbed AUKUS, seen as an attempt to counter China. Taiwan Defence Ministry wants more cruise missiles, warships as it tries to fend off almost daily threats from Beijing. New book reveals information of the last months of Trump’s presidency including General Milley’s two calls to Beijing. Follow Al Jazeera English: We understand that your online privacy is very important and consenting to our collection of some personal information takes great trust. We ask for this consent because it allows Al Jazeera to provide an experience that truly gives a voice to the voiceless.

Tear Up Agreement

Florida Gulf Coast University Athletics

(Seymour, Ind./Columbus East HS) among the group. The award annually recognizes student-athletes who excel in the classroom, on the court, in the community, and display high character. Dana Axner (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman HS) became the first representatives from the volleyball program to be recognized among the initial top-30 since the award began in 2010. VanLiew now becomes the first Eagle volleyball player to be named a finalist and just the fourth FGCU student-athlete overall. Matt Botsford . "From the court, to the classroom, to the community, she exemplifies the spirit of of the senior class award and I'm so excited to see her being recognized as a finalist." VanLiew received her undergraduate degree in accounting with a minor in Spanish this past spring 2021 and has commenced working on her master's degree in business administration. She returned for the 2021-22 campaign to utilize the extra year of eligibility due to the COVID pandemic. She has compiled a 3.678 cumulative GPA for her undergraduate career and has been a President's List selection, a Dean's List selection, an AD's Honor Roll selection, and a member of the ASUN Honor Roll. She is the program's first two-time CoSIDA All-Academic Team selection and is just the second three-time ASUN All-Academic honoree in program history. To highlight her undergraduate career, she was inducted into the FGCU Hall of Fame as announced this past spring. In the community, VanLiew has compiled over 250 community service hours during her time at FGCU at places such as LEAD Like a Girl SWFL, Project Life Movement, Read Across America, Naples Humane Society and more. She served twice as the President of Eagles Council (SAAC), and she's been heavily involved with the ASUN's Student Athlete Advisory Committee, as well. Additionally, she has been an advocate and outspoken ambassador for FGCU on mental health for student-athletes. She is at the forefront of working with young children during camps and clinics and has been heavily involved in outreach on and off campus. She is also one of the all-time top players in program history after setting the all-time career kills record earlier this year. She currently has 1,594 in 142 matches played. She also became one of three players in program history to record 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs joining fellow FGCU Hall of Famer Amanda Carroll and Olympian Brooke Youngquist Sweat. VanLiew now has 1,078 digs for her career which ranks as the eighth most in program history. She is a two-time ASUN Player of the Year (2018, 2019) for indoor volleyball and an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American in 2018. Historically, the outside hitter is looking to become the first in program history and the fifth in conference history to become a four-time First Team All-ASUN honoree. In the summer of 2020, VanLiew was selected to the ASUN's All-Decade Team (2010-19). Among her NCAA peers, she currently ranks 20th nationally for career kills among active players. In the ASUN, she ranks 5th all-time in conference history for career kills as well. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior or graduate student and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. The complete list of candidates follows this release. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 candidates announced earlier this season. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior CLASS Award website (unlimited voting) through December 6. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winner. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2021 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship in December.

Awards ceremony

Empath Health’s Executive Team Takes Shape Following Merger with Stratum

Empath Health is assembling its senior leadership team as it moves forward with integration following last year’s move to merge with Stratum Health. Executive-level positions will oversee strategy and integration, operations, legal affairs and finance areas of the recently created nonprofit hospice provider. The two Florida-based companies combined forces last February in a merge that formed the combined Empath Health organization. Empath currently operates Suncoast Hospice and Tidewell Hospice, both in Florida. The two companies joined forces with the intention to offer a continuum of home- and community-based care. “I am proud of the stellar qualities and expertise this leadership team brings to our organization, coupled with a deep understanding of our focus on the mission for serving our communities as a nonprofit,” said Empath Health CEO Rafael Sciullo. “This team will help shape Empath Health’s next chapter so we can serve even more people during some of the most challenging times of their lives.” Empath Health’s network provides hospice, palliative and home health care to more than 7,000 patients daily across the Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida regions. The merged enterprise’s scope of services also includes private duty, physician services, palliative care, home-based primary care, a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) program and an HIV medical clinic. Empath employs approximately 2,000 employees with as many as 4,000 volunteers. Oversight of the Empath’s managed care initiatives will come from Randal Currin, Jr., chief mission strategy and integration officer. Currin takes the helm of internal project management and staff training with more than 13 years of health care administration experience and after recently serving as president and CEO of Blake Medical Center, an HCA Healthcare (NYSE: HCA) hospital. Hospice utilization runs high in Florida compared to other states, reaching a rate of 57.9% of Medicare decedents during 2018, according to the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization. This was the fourth-highest rate in the nation that year, with only Utah (60.5%), Delaware (59.4%) and Arizona (58.8%) seeing higher rates. Gusty demographic tailwinds are advancing hospice utilization in the Sunshine State. Adults 60 and older represent more than half of the overall population growth between 2012 and 2030, according to a 2014 report from the Florida Assisted Living Federation of America (FIFA). That represents a rise of 4.8 million seniors. Lynne Craver will serve as Empath’s chief mission implementation officer, leading the organization’s partnerships with hospice and other health care organizations to provide technology, financial and other services. Craver joined Empath in 2013 and served in patient admission, electronic medical record and technology roles before taking a leadership position. “With mission being at the center of our purpose and service at Empath Health, these senior leaders will focus on continuing that charge so we never waver in truly being the leaders in life-changing care,” said Empath President Jonathan Fleece. Following the merge with Stratum, Empath Health expects annual gross revenue of $300 million. Leading the company’s financial operations will be Saida Bouhamid, Empath’s new chief mission financial officer. Bouhamid oversaw financial operations for Stratum and its subsidiaries, serving as Tidewell Hospice’s chief operating officer and CFO for the last decade, bringing more than 20 years of experience in health care reimbursement and financial management. Chief Legal & Mission Excellence Officer Alan Weldy, who joined Stratum last year, will manage legal affairs, safety, quality and compliance. Weldy comes with more than 30 years of legal experience and roughly a decade of background in health care compliance. The search to round out Empath Health’s senior leadership team continues as it continues a nationwide hunt for a chief mission access officer. The role is aimed at ensuring equitable access to the hospice provider’s community-based programs and services. Blake Medical Center, Empath Health, Florida Assisted Living Federation of America, HCA Healthcare, Stratum Health, Suncoast Hospice, Tidewell Hospice

Organization Merge

FBI seeks men wanted for takeover bank robbery in Escondido

and last updated 2019-11-07 15:37:04-05 ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) - The FBI and Escondido Police asked Thursday for the public’s help to find three men suspected of robbing a North County bank. The takeover-style robbery happened just before 10 a.m. on May 23, according to FBI Special Agent Davene Butler. The group backed an SUV against the front doors of the San Diego County Credit Union, 1875 S. Centre City Parkway, and went inside the bank. Investigators said the men were wearing masks and displayed handguns, ordering employees to lie on the ground, the FBI reported. Two of the men pointed their guns at different employees and demanded access to the vault. Once inside the vault, the men used trash cans to collect cash before leaving the area. The men drove south in a 1980s Chevrolet Suburban, which had been reported stolen earlier in the week. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Diego FBI at 858-320-1800 or San Diego Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. A reward of $5,000 is available for tips leading to an arrest.

Bank Robbery

Augusta fire of 1916

A fire destroyed much of Augusta, Georgia on March 22, 1916. Photographs captured the event. [1] The fire was blamed on an unattended iron in a tailor's shop. It was the worst fire in Augusta's history and impacted 25 blocks from 8th Street to East Boundary Street, including portions of downtown and Olde Town. No one was killed, but Augusta incurred $10 million in damages. Many thousands of cotton bales were destroyed and an estimated 3,000 people made homeless. Approximately 600 residential and commercial buildings were destroyed. [1] A residential area became a lot with only chimneys left. "Cotton Row" was destroyed. [1] The Lamar Building was under construction and had to be demolished after the fire. Churches and schools were destroyed. Close up of the display board of the display with documents about the fire

Fire

Simply Energy fined $2.5 million after agents fraudulently switched customers' accounts

A Victorian-based energy company has been fined $2.5 million over a scam involving door-to-door sales agents allegedly switching people to a new energy provider without their consent. Simply Energy was hit with 125 penalty notices by the Essential Services Commission over the actions of two sales agents between July 2019 and April 2020. The agents allegedly used phoney accents and fake names to call the company and falsely consent to customers having their accounts switched to Simply Energy. Commission chair Kate Symons said it was the most blatant case of fraudulent sales contractors the commission had dealt with. "This behaviour from rogue sales contractors undermines customer trust in the market," she said. "This is the strongest action we have taken against an energy company and shows just how seriously we view customers being transferred by fraudulent means." The agents transferred 525 gas and electricity accounts at 264 properties without obtaining proper consent. Ms Symons said many customers had their accounts transferred even after they made complaints to the company. "Fourteen customers complained to the company after receiving unexpected information packs, but Simply Energy still went ahead with the transfers," she said. "Some customers spent hours trying to stop the transfers or to be transferred back to their original retailer." Simply Energy has been fined twice previously for switching customers without obtaining consent. In one previous case in 2019, a customer was sent bills and disconnection warning notices for five months despite not consenting to have their account switched. On that occasion, the company was fined $300,000. In 2018, it was fined $20,000 for transferring, with appropriate consent, a customer who had an acquired brain injury.

Organization Fine

A landslide in Mocoa, Colombia killing more than 300 people

In April 2017, a landslide in Mocoa, Colombia, ripped through a local town, killing more than 300 people. Nicolás Pérez-Consuegra grew up about 570 miles north in Santander, Colombia, and was shocked as he watched the devastation on television. At that time, he was an undergraduate intern at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. As a budding geologist raised hiking the tropical mountains of Colombia, he wondered, what causes greater erosion in some areas of the mountains than in others? And, is it tectonic forces -- where Earth's tectonic plates slide against one another leading to the formation of steep mountains -- or high precipitation rates, that play a more important role in causing erosion within that region? To answer those questions would require a geological understanding of the evolution of the mountains in Colombia. During his undergraduate internship, Pérez-Consuegra studied the mountains near the towns of Sibundoy and Mocoa in the southern region of Colombia. There, he observed thick rainforests covering steep mountains and many landslide scars in the cliffs. There were also many landslides on the road leading him to believe that the tension and release of pressure along tectonic faults was shaking the landscape and removing rocks from its surface and shedding it into the rivers. To find out more about the forces at play that were shaping the steep terrain of that region, Pérez-Consuegra pursued a doctoral degree in the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES). He says the opportunity to develop his own research ideas was one of the key reasons he chose Syracuse University. Pérez-Consuegra led the study from start to finish, proposing the research questions, hypotheses and methodology, with help from his Ph.D. advisor Gregory Hoke, associate professor and associate chair of EES, and Paul Fitzgerald, professor and director of graduate studies in EES. He also obtained research grants and support from EES and a number of outside sources including a National Geographic Early Career Grant and more, which fully funded three field expeditions to Colombia and the analytical work on rock samples collected there. Pérez-Consuegra and Hoke conducted field research in the Eastern Cordillera portion of the Colombian Andes. During those expeditions the team hiked and traveled by both car and boat to various altitudes to collect over 50 rock samples. Rocks were then shipped to Syracuse University and processed in labs to extract the thermochronology data. According to Pérez-Consuegra, a thermochronometer is like a stopwatch that starts ticking once a rock cools through a specific range of temperatures, keeping track of the time it takes for the subsequent journey to the Earth's surface. The mineral apatite is the radioactive stopwatch that he employs in his studies. Several kilograms of rock sample are processed to yield a few grams of apatite which contain two types of temperature-dependent stopwatches, or thermochronometers. Researchers can figure out the long-term erosion rate by figuring out how fast a rock moves toward the Earth's surface, using a formula that converts temperature to depth below the Earth's surface and then dividing depth by time. Pérez-Consuegra's study revealed that the highest erosion rates occur near the places that have the most tectonically active faults. While precipitation may act as a catalyst for erosion on the surface of the mountains, the main force at play are faults where rock is exhuming from deep below the Earth's surface at faster rates. "Tectonically active faults are causing uplift of the mountains surrounding Mocoa and are also making the landscape steeper," Pérez-Consuegra says. "Steeper and taller mountains are more prone to have landslides. Rainfall, and specifically torrential rains, can trigger the landslides, but what sets the stage are the tectonic processes." Hoke says that while geomorphologists would like to think that rainfall rates can take over as the major influence on mountain formation, Pérez-Consuegra's research proves that Earth's internal deformation is the main factor. "While prior work within a bullseye of high-rainfall in Colombia's Eastern Cordillera initially pointed towards a strong climate control on mountain growth, Nicolás' work expanded the same types of observations to another precipitation hotspot over 250 miles away and found the rates at which rock is transported to the surface were dependent on fault activity, and not precipitation amount," Hoke says. Pérez-Consuegra, who will start a postdoctoral fellowship in environmental sciences at MIT in the fall, notes that geological knowledge is essential for predicting what areas in a tropical mountain range are more prone to have landslides, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and the catastrophic consequences that these events might have in the surrounding populations. "It is important to invest in doing better geological mapping in tropical mountains, to better understand the spatial distribution and geometries of tectonically active faults," Pérez-Consuegra says.

Mudslides

Southeast Missouri State University to distribute COVID-19 relief funds to students

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) - The pandemic has caused many financial disruptions for students pursuing a higher education, but some relief is on the way. Southeast Missouri State University will distribute more than $10 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief funds directly to students. “I think it’s amazing that they are able to share this money with the students,” said student Ashton Lane. Ashton Lane is a student at Southeast Missouri State University. He is talking about the COVID-19 relief money. “We’re really excited to have this opportunity to directly impact the students,” saud Matthew Kearney, director of student financial services. Matthew Kearney helps with student financial aid. “Our students have been impacted by COVID pretty significantly, whether it’s directly for them or a lot of times their families because we do have students on campus that either have families of their own, they have children or spouses and they’ve been affected with loss of jobs or additional expenses,” said Kearney. The university is awarding the additional money based on the number of credit hours and the financial need. The money will be helpful to those students who are in need. “I know a lot of people that actually have jobs and lost it that actually go here. Many of them can’t even pay their own SEMO bills, many can’t even pay for their apartment, so seeing that that’s actually really cool,” said student Luke Skyles said. Kearny said the university wants students to know there are people who care about what they’re going through and are willing to help. “Our goal at Southeast is to provide affordable and equitable opportunities to education and this is just another way, another stream of funding to be able to do that and to really impact our students in a really positive way,” said Kearney. “Honestly, it’s hard paying tuition so it’s very helpful to all of us that are trying to get through college,” Lane said.

Financial Aid

2016 Azerbaijani protests

The 2016 Azerbaijan Protests - Protests against price increases, unemployment and the social situation in Azerbaijan since January 12, 2016. On January 12, 2016, protests were held in Lankaran, Fizuli and Siyazan in connection with the social situation. Residents of Lankaran's Liman settlement closed the Alat-Astara road. Residents protested against rising prices and unemployment. According to RFE / RL, police were called in to prevent the protest. In Siyazan, residents gathered in front of the district executive power to protest against the rise in prices. Residents said it was impossible to live in the current conditions. [1] Another protest was held in Agjabadi. Residents protested against the rise in prices. In addition, three Agjabadi residents reportedly attempted to commit suicide by climbing on top of the building. Rising prices and unemployment have also reportedly sparked protests in the village of Hindarkh. According to the BBC, about 200 residents gathered at noon and closed the Agdash-Barda road. The meeting was held at the stadium in the village. [2] Residents of Bala Bahmanli village of Fuzuli region also protested against the rise in prices. Bagir Aslanov, the first deputy head of the Fuzuli District Executive Power, confirmed that the price increase was the reason for the protest in Fuzuli. A day after protests against rising food prices in Azerbaijan, the government has reduced value added tax on imports and sales of wheat, production and sale of wheat flour and bread. [3]

Protest_Online Condemnation

Canadian Reverse Mortgage Industry Leader to be Acquired by Teachers’ Pension Organization

HomeEquity Bank (HEB), a Canadian federal bank and the leader of the nation’s reverse mortgage industry, announced on Wednesday that it will be acquired by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board which is responsible for administering defined-benefit pensions for school teachers of Ontario, the Canadian province which is home to the city of Toronto. This is according to an announcement shared by HEB’s EVP of Marketing and Sales Yvonne Ziomecki with RMD. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is expected that the acquisition will be complete in the first half of 2022 in concert with appropriate regulatory review and approval, Ziomecki said. “This is great news for HomeEquity Bank, our customers, partners, and employees,” Ziomecki told RMD in an email. “It is a testament to the success of our business strategy, and to the amazing work of our talented team.” It is not expected that the acquisition will have any material impact on the day-to-day operations of HEB, Ziomecki says, nor will there be any changes to existing contracts or existing agreements between HEB and its current slate of partners. “HomeEquity Bank will continue to operate independently, and we are not being integrated into another company,” Ziomecki says. “We are excited to grow our partnership and empower even more Canadians aged 55-plus to retire on their terms.” In terms of how a pension fund intertwines with the business of a reverse mortgage lender, Ziomecki describes Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan as a “world-leading Canadian institutional investor, [which] sees incredible potential in our product and market.” The decision comes after a series of positive results for HEB stemming from its offering of reverse mortgages to qualifying Canadian seniors age 55 and higher. “It is impressed with our growth and will invest in HomeEquity Bank for the future,” Ziomecki explains. “Its long-term capital profile, strong track record of delivering retirement solutions, and shared vision for making a positive impact on the lives of retired Canadians make it a natural partner for us.” HEB, which is a subsidiary of HomeQ Corp., is currently owned by Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc. Birch Hill initially acquired HomeQ and HEB in 2012 in a deal valued at the time at C$136 million (roughly $122 million USD today accounting for inflation), according to Bloomberg. Last Fall, HEB launched a new product variation designed to offer Canadian seniors a short-term reverse mortgage product that they can use to cover specific tasks. “CHIP Open” is an alternative to the standard “CHIP Reverse Mortgage,” and is designed for Canadians aged 55 and older who are interested in a short-term, immediate financial solution with no prepayment penalties. CHIP Open offers qualifying homeowners a three-year variable term with access to a minimum loan amount of $25,000 CAD, and up to 55% of the appraised value of their home, according to an announcement from HEB. Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc., HomeEquity Bank, HomeQ Corp., Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board Chris got his start as a professional writer talking about the entertainment industry, but transitioned to the B2B arena by providing industry news to market researchers. He joined RMD in 2018 and HW Media in 2021, and when he's not covering the reverse mortgage industry, Chris enjoys movies, comics, video games and life with his wife and young daughter.

Organization Merge

Japan military joins historic Philippine war games

SAN ANTONIO, Philippines: Japanese troops stormed a beach in the Philippines Saturday in joint exercises with US and Filipino troops that officials said marked the first time Tokyo’s armored vehicles rolled on foreign soil since World War II. The small Japanese contingent played a humanitarian support role in the drill after US and Filipino marines made an amphibious landing to retake Philippine territory from a “terrorist” group. Fifty unarmed Japanese soldiers in camouflage marched behind their four armored vehicles and picked up Filipino and American troops playing the role of wounded combatants while moving inland over sand and sparse bushland. The exercise, codenamed Kamandag (Venom), marked the first time Japanese armored military vehicles were used on foreign soil since the country adopted a pacifist constitution after its 1945 defeat, said Japan’s Major Koki Inoue. “Our purpose is to improve our operational capability and this is a very good opportunity for us to improve our humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training,” Inoue said, adding Japan was not involved in the drill’s combat component. The exercise was held at a Philippine navy base facing the South China Sea some 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the Scarborough Shoal, a territory claimed by Manila that was seized by China during a 2012 naval stand-off. The Philippines has since ramped up military cooperation with Washington, its long-time ally, and also held joint naval exercises with Japan near Scarborough Shoal in 2015. Japan has its own maritime territorial dispute with Beijing in the East China Sea. The US military stressed that Saturday’s exercise was not aimed at China, which has also built artificial islands on disputed areas of the South China Sea and installed military facilities on them. “It has nothing to do with a foreign nation or any sort of foreign army. This is exclusively counter-terrorism within the Philippines,” US Marine communications officer First Lt. Zack Doherty told AFP.

Military Exercise

Ethiopian Air Lines Flight 372 crash

On 15 July 1960, at 09:04, Ethiopian Air Lines Flight 372, a C-47 Skytrain registered as ET-T-18, took off from Bulki, Ethiopia, on a short-haul flight to Aba Segud Airport, Jimma, Ethiopia. There were eight passengers, three crew and a cargo of coffee on board. At 09:40, the pilot requested the activation of the Jimma non-directional beacon (NDB) to assist his navigation. There was no further contact with the flight. The aircraft was found to have crashed at 9,400 feet into the side of a mountain 27.5 km (17.1 mi) south of Jimma, killing one of the pilots and leaving the passengers and remaining crew injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was determined[1] that the accident was caused by the following:

Air crash

1949 Sabena DC-3 Crash crash

The 1949 Sabena DC-3 Crash was the crash of a Douglas DC-3 of the Belgian airline Sabena in Aulnay-sous-Bois, France, on 18 December 1949. None of the eight people on board survived the incident. [1] The Douglas DC-3 involved was built in 1946 with serial number 10241 and registration OO-AUQ and was used by the Belgian airline company Sabena from 12 August 1946 until its destruction in 1949. [2] The Sabena flight departed Le Bourget Airport bound for Zaventem Airport with four passengers and four crew members on board at 20.30 pm on 18 December 1949. However, shortly after takeoff while still climbing, one of the wings separated and sent the aircraft in an uncontrolled dive towards the ground. The plane crashed 4 km southeast of the airport near Aulnay-sous-Bois after clipping a house and burst into flames. Firefighters, Police officers and airport employees reached the crash site to aid any survivors but it was discovered that all eight onboard had perished in the flaming wreckage. The two occupants of the clipped house were unharmed. [3] The cause of the crash was determined to be caused by the in-flight structural failure of the wing, but the reason for the wing's failure remains unknown. [4] The aircraft was destroyed by the impact and post-crash fire and the bodies of the victims were recovered by rescue workers. [1]

Air crash

Invergordon Mutiny

The Invergordon Mutiny was an industrial action[citation needed] by around 1,000 sailors in the British Atlantic Fleet that took place on 15–16 September 1931. For two days, ships of the Royal Navy at Invergordon were in open mutiny, in one of the few military strikes in British history. The mutiny caused a panic on the London Stock Exchange and a run on the pound, bringing Britain's economic troubles to a head and forcing it off the Gold Standard on 21 September 1931. In September 1931, as part of its attempts to deal with the Great Depression, the new National Government launched cuts to public spending. In the Navy this translated into a 10% pay cut (matching 10% cuts across the board for public sector workers) for officers and senior ratings, and for junior ratings on the "new rate" of pay, introduced for new entrants in 1925. Ratings below petty officer who had joined before 1925 would have their pay reduced to the same level, amounting to a 25% cut. On top of this, many Labour Party supporters shared the sense of betrayal felt in the labour movement at Ramsay MacDonald's split with the Labour Party and his formation of a new government with the Conservatives. Sailors of the Atlantic Fleet, arriving at Invergordon on the Cromarty Firth in Scotland in the afternoon of Friday 11 September, learned about the cuts from newspaper reports; some reports implied that a 25% cut would be imposed on all ratings. The shock of this news had a palpable effect. On 12 September, orders were received from the Admiralty confirming the pay cuts. On the evening of 13 September, by which time sailors had already started agitating, Rear-Admiral Wilfred Tomkinson, in temporary command of the fleet while Admiral Sir Michael Hodges was in hospital, received a letter from the Admiralty dated 10 September giving the reasons for the reduction in pay and the principles on which it had been based. The following morning, Tomkinson ordered the commanders of all ships present to read sections of the letter to their officers and crew. However, several ships had not received copies of the letter and some were unable to pass the information on to their companies until the next day. By that time, the mood for a mutiny had taken hold in many crews. Ten warships arrived in port on 11 September: Hood (the flagship), Adventure, Dorsetshire, Malaya, Norfolk, Repulse, Rodney, Valiant, Warspite, and York. After arriving, officers and crew had access to newspapers, which contained reports of the pay cuts. On the night of 12 September a group of sailors met at a football field on land. They voted to organise a strike and left singing "The Red Flag". The following evening a number of them made speeches at the canteen ashore criticising the cuts. The Officer of the Patrol reported this disturbance to Warspite, the ship of the watch that night, and requested reinforcements. Extra patrols were sent, led by the commander of Warspite, Captain Wake, and the canteen was closed early. The crews left peacefully, although further speeches were made at the pier. After considering reports about the incident from Wake and the Chief of Staff, Rear-Admiral Ragnar Colvin, Tomkinson decided not to take disciplinary action. He reported the incident and his decision to the Admiralty by telegram. Meanwhile, Nelson arrived at port. On 14 September, Warspite and Malaya left the harbour to perform planned exercises, and during the day four more ships arrived: Centurion, Shikari, Snapdragon and Tetrarch. That evening, Tomkinson hosted a dinner attended by most of the ships' commanders and various flag officers. Shortly before dinner, Tomkinson was informed that patrols had been dispatched from Hood and Valiant to deal with further disturbances at the canteen and in the open air ashore. These disturbances were characterised as disorderly, and civilians were reportedly spotted amongst the sailors. The Officer of the Patrol was able to address the assembly, but speeches, cheering and singing recommenced after he had finished. The sailors returned to their ships, but many gathered on deck after their return and continued their protests. Tomkinson informed the Admiralty of the protests, stating that the cause seemed to be the disproportionate pay cut of 25% for some ratings. He ordered commanders to return to their ships and report on the situation. The reports indicated that there was no trouble in the cruisers, nor on the battlecruiser Repulse, but crews on the battlecruiser Hood and the battleships Rodney, Valiant and Nelson intended to prevent their ships from sailing in practice manoeuvres the next day; the protests were confined to ratings below leading rate, and did not show any animosity towards officers. In the early hours of 15 September, Tomkinson considered cancelling the exercises. However, after discussions with several flag officers, the commanders of Hood and Nelson and the Officers of the Patrol who had witnessed events, he decided against this, expecting that Repulse would follow orders and this would quell any resistance on other ships. He ordered commanders to investigate complaints in due course and report typical cases that he could use to represent the protests to the Admiralty, and informed the Admiralty that he expected problems sailing in the morning. On the morning of 15 September, Repulse sailed on time at 06:30, but sailors on the other four capital ships due to sail had already begun to refuse orders. On Hood and Nelson, crews carried out the ordinary harbour routine, refusing to put to sea; on Valiant and Rodney, crews carried out only essential duties, including the provision of safety patrols and fire guards, and did so without any recourse to their officers. Throughout the day, cheering crowds massed on the forecastles of all ships except Centurion and Exeter. On Rodney, a piano was dragged on deck and songs were sung. Officers, who issued orders and threats through loudspeakers, were ignored and ridiculed. Valiant unmoored and attempted to put to sea with a limited number of men on duty, but was unable to proceed. On Tomkinson's own ship, Hood, crew members prevented officers and senior ratings from unmooring the ship. Even Royal Marines, expected to enforce discipline and break up any mutiny, joined the strike. Tomkinson suspended the exercises until further notice, cancelled all leave and called for the investigations of complaints to proceed as quickly as possible. Warspite, Malaya and Repulse were ordered to return to harbour. In the afternoon, Tomkinson again informed the Admiralty of the situation and its chief cause, asking for an early decision to be communicated and stating he did not believe it would be possible to restore order, or prevent further deterioration of the situation, until a decision was received. He finally received a reply at 20:00, instructing him to inform sailors that the existing pay rates would remain in force until the end of the month and that the Admiralty expected the men to uphold the traditions of service and carry out their duties. The Admiralty stated that the cut in pay was only 10%, but this ignored the situation for those on the old pay rate.

Strike

2013 CHC Helicopters Eurocopter AS332 crash

On 23 August 2013, a Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma helicopter belonging to CHC Helicopters crashed into the sea 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) from Sumburgh in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, while en route from the Borgsten Dolphin drilling rig. The accident killed four passengers; twelve other passengers and two crew were rescued with injuries. [1] A further passenger took his own life in 2017 as a result of PTSD caused by the crash. [2] An investigation by the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch was carried out. The public inquiry concluded in October 2020 that the crash was primarily caused by pilot error. The weather conditions were a light breeze (17 knots) with mist. [1] The helicopter was on an otherwise normal approach to Sumburgh Airport,[1] when at 18:17–18:20 local time, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control. No mayday was sent out by the pilots as they attempted to make a controlled ditching into the North Sea, 1.5[1]-2 nm west from Sumburgh. The helicopter fell into the sea and then turned upside down during the evacuation. The helicopter was found broken into several pieces up against rocks at Garths Ness. Recovered flight data noted by the Air Accident Investigation Branch suggests that the helicopter engines remained powered until impact. The manufacturer's initial analysis based on that data indicated that a combination of factors had placed the helicopter into a vortex ring state at low altitude which made impact "unavoidable". [3] The Lerwick and Aith Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboats and the Sumburgh based Coastguard helicopter were sent to find the downed helicopter. Two helicopters from Bond Offshore Helicopters, an RAF helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth, the passenger ferry MS Hjaltland and a cargo ship, the MS Helliar[4] also joined in the search. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Sumburgh, Lerwick, West Burra Isle, Bressay and Walls were involved in the transfer of casualties to the ambulance service, the search for missing casualties and the logging of washed up wreckage on the days following the crash. The helicopter was found;12 passengers and two crew were rescued and sent to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick, Shetland Islands. One of the rescued passengers died from their injuries whilst being transported to the hospital. [5][6] Two bodies floated free of the aircraft and were recovered by Lifeboat. Another was recovered later from the wreckage. [7] A day after the accident CHC helicopter temporarily suspended all Super Puma L2 flights worldwide. [8] The Helicopter Safety Steering Group said that all four different models of the Super Puma should be grounded over safety concerns. [9] On 10 September 2013, the Transport Select Committee began an inquiry into the safety of offshore helicopters in the North Sea. [10] The Police Scotland and Air Accidents Investigation Branch launched investigations into the cause of the accident. On 5 September 2013, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch special bulletin reported that there is no evidence of a causal technical failure that could have led to the crash. Both the wreckage and black boxes were still being examined. In October 2020, an inquiry led by Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle concluded that the crash was predominantly caused by pilot error. The inquiry had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. [11]

Air crash

2014 IIHF World Championship Division II

The 2014 IIHF World Championship Division II was a pair of international Ice hockey tournaments organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Group A was contested in Belgrade, Serbia, running from 9 to 15 April 2014 and Group B was contested in Jaca, Spain, running from 5 to 11 April 2014. [1] Divisions II A and II B represent the fourth and the fifth tier of the Ice Hockey World Championships. All times are local (UTC+2). Source: IIHF.com List shows the top skaters sorted by points, then goals. GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalties in Minutes; POS = PositionSource: IIHF.com Only the top five goaltenders, based on save percentage, who have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, are included in this list. TOI = Time on Ice (minutes:seconds); SA = Shots Against; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO = ShutoutsSource: IIHF.com All times are local (UTC+2). Source: IIHF.com List shows the top skaters sorted by points, then goals. GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/− = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalties in Minutes; POS = PositionSource: IIHF.com Only the top five goaltenders, based on save percentage, who have played at least 40% of their team's minutes, are included in this list. TOI = Time on Ice (minutes:seconds); SA = Shots Against; GA = Goals Against; GAA = Goals Against Average; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO = ShutoutsSource: IIHF.com

Sports Competition

Civica Rx has been formally established as a nonprofit organization

A coalition of hospital groups made good on its plan to set up a nonprofit generic drugmaker Thursday. Civica Rx has been formally established as a nonprofit organization headquartered in Utah. Seven health organizations representing 500 hospitals – Catholic Health Initiatives, HCA Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, Providence St. Joseph Health, SSM Health and Trinity Health – will serve as initial governing members. Other participating health systems will be announced later this year, while the Department of Veterans Affairs will also work with the new organization. Meanwhile, three philanthropic groups – the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, the Peterson Center on Healthcare and the Gary and Mary West Foundation – have each contributed $10 million. Amgen’s former chief quality officer, Martin VanTrieste, will serve as CEO. The plan to set up the company was announced earlier this year. The team behind the World Without Disease Accelerator, part of Janssen Research & Development, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, is embracing an ambitious paradigm focused on disease prevention, interception and cure. Stephanie Baum “We are creating a public asset with a mission to ensure that essential generic medications are accessible and affordable,” VanTrieste said in a statement. “The fact that a third of the country’s hospitals have either expressed interest or committed to participate with Civica Rx shows a great need for this initiative.” The group has identified 14 generic hospital-administered generic drugs that it will initially focus on, operating as a Food and Drug Administration-approved manufacturer and either making the drugs itself or through contract manufacturing organizations. The initial goal will be to stabilize the supply of drugs administered in hospitals that have fallen into chronic shortage situations, having its first products on the market as early as next year. Other nonprofit drugmakers have arisen as well. In June, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced the creation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute, which will develop products for diseases that plague developing countries, such as malaria, tuberculosis, enteric and diarrheal diseases. According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, more than half of shortages stem from unknown reasons, while 30 percent result from manufacturing issues, followed by supply and demand issues, natural disasters, problems with raw materials and discontinuations. Hurricane Maria also played a role when it devastated Puerto Rico’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, resulting in shortages of drugs as well as items like IV bags. Promoted Learn how healthcare organizations are working with Microsoft to enhance patient engagement, accelerate healthcare innovation, support collaboration, improve clinical and operational insights and transform healthcare in the cloud. https://medcitynews.com/?p=556271&preview=true ASHP statistics indicate that the number of new shortages climbed from 70 in 2006 and peaked at 267 in 2011, but was 146 last year and has reached 95 this year, as of June 30. However, the number of active drug shortages has increased, hovering around 174-176 between the second half of 2016 and third quarter of 2017 and rising to 202 and 224 in the first and second quarters of this year. Antibiotics, chemotherapy, autonomic, cardiovascular, central nervous system, electrolytes, EENT, gastrointestinal and hormone drugs are commonly affected classes. Amgen, Catholic Health Initiatives, Civica Rx, department of veterans affairs, drug prices, drug shortages, Gary and Mary West Foundation, generic drugs, HCA Healthcare, Intermountain Healthcare, Laura and John Arnold Foundation, Mayo Clinic, nonprofit, Peterson Center on Healthcare, Providence St. Joseph Health, SSM Health, Trinity Health, Utah

Organization Established

Carlton Barber's Shop fire

The Carlton Barber's Shop fire was an act of mass murder that killed twenty people and injured seven others in the Carlton Barber's Shop (Chinese: 卡爾登理容院), a massage parlor in Taipei, Taiwan on May 12, 1993. The perpetrator, 52-year-old Liang Hsin-teng (Chinese: 梁興登), had an argument with the shop's owner. He set himself on fire and the blaze spread to the other levels of the shop and killed most of the victims by asphyxiation. [1][2][3] On May 12, 1993 Liang, who operated an illegal lottery, had an argument with the shop's owner about the payment of NT$700,000 in gambling debt. When the shop's owner refused to pay Liang doused himself with gasoline and, shouting curses, set himself on fire in the basement of the establishment, which occupied three levels of a 12-storey building on Songjiang Road (松江路). The blaze quickly spread to the two other levels of the shop, asphyxiating most of the victims. The parlor had been repeatedly warned by police in the preceding months that it was violating safety regulations. [4][5][6][7][8][9] 民國82年男子自焚討債 21人命喪卡爾登, cts.com.tw (March 7, 2011)

Fire

More than 2,000 people have fled from a volcano eruption that has filled the air near the Philippine capital with toxic gas, officials said on Saturday

MANILA (AFP) - More than 2,000 people have fled from a volcano eruption that has filled the air near the Philippine capital with toxic gas, officials said on Saturday (July 3). Taal volcano, which sits in a picturesque lake, has been belching sulphur dioxide for several days, creating a thick haze over Manila and several surrounding provinces, and prompting health warnings. At least 2,400 people have left their homes since the government called for evacuations of hamlets on the lake's shores, provincial disaster official Joselito Castro told AFP. "We expect more residents to evacuate over the coming days," he said, adding that they were seeking refuge either in schools closed by the coronavirus pandemic or in the homes of relatives. Taal lies just 50km south of Manila and for much of the past week has discharged volcanic smog that has blotted out the sun in the capital. Civil defence officials have warned that upwards of 317,000 people could be vulnerable to toxic gas emissions from the volcano under the current eruption's worst-case scenario. Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in a nation hit periodically by eruptions and earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" - a zone of intense seismic activity. The last eruption there in January last year shot ash 15km high and spewed red-hot lava, crushing scores of homes, killing livestock and sending over 135,000 people into shelters.

Volcano Eruption

King Felipe and Queen Letizia head to La Palma following volcanic eruption

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain have visited the island of La Palma following a volcanic eruption last week. Their Majesties visited the island to learn more about how the people are coping and what emergency services are doing to help. The King and Queen went to evacuation centres and spoke to those impacted by the eruption. They also spoke to the organisations that manage seismic-volcanic crises on the ground. King Felipe and Queen Letizia later met with the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, at the Cabildo de Santa Cruz de la Palma; they all attended a meeting with the Technical Committee of the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (PEVOLCA) to learn more about the eruption and the after-effects. Representatives from the Spanish Red Cross were also on hand to explain what the situation was like for evacuees. The royals later held a short meeting with the PEVOLCA Scientific Committee and travelled to the Advanced Command Post to see the facilities for emergency service personnel. Afterwards, they went to the vicinity of the Todoque Church to view the damage from the volcanic eruption. While there, the King delivered a short speech saying, in part: “The message we want to convey is that the Queen and I wanted to be here, in the Canaries, in La Palma, close to all those who are suffering the consequences of this volcano, Cumbre Vieja, which is causing so much damage in the municipalities of the area. “We want to convey our solidarity, our affection, and also that of all Spaniards, who these days are so aware of the palm trees and here of the residents of these municipalities so seriously affected... “We have to do everything in our power to support these families, preserve their safety, guarantee their tomorrow and rebuild on La Palma everything that nature has taken away. Not perhaps in the same place, there are things that cannot be recovered, but perhaps in other places.” Queen Letizia also shared her solidarity in a short message, sharing messages people had shared with her. Their Majesties later met with others who were affected by the disaster in the areas of El Paso and Los Llanos de Aridane. The King had been following the developments surrounding the eruption closely since last week and had spoken to the President of the Canary Islands, Ángel Víctor Torres, to convey his support and to check on the population in La Palma. A volcano in La Palma erupted on 19 September after a series of earthquakes shook the area over the weekend. It is the first eruption in the Cumbre Vieja volcano chain since 1971. Lava shot into the air and into rivers, drifting into two villages. Authorities evacuated animals and the vulnerable from the nearby villages at 14.15, but two hours later, they were forced to evacuate four other villages threatened by the lava. The Civil Guard has said they are assisting in the evacuation of 5,000 to 10,000 people.

Volcano Eruption

2017–2019 Romanian protests

There were numerous protests against the Romanian Government between 2017 and 2019. In January 2017, days after the government of the Grindeanu Cabinet was sworn into office in Romania, protests took place throughout the country against ordinance bills that were proposed by the Romanian Ministry of Justice regarding the pardoning of certain committed crimes, and the amendment of the Penal Code of Romania (especially regarding the abuse of power). [41] At the heart of these protests is the community Corruption Kills, founded by Florin Bădiță, who alongside other civic groups organized what proved to be the largest protests since 1989, thus realizing the "Revolution of our generation". [42][43] Despite the negative reactions from both the judicial institutions and the public, the newly sworn-in government secretly approved an ordinance modifying the Penal Code and Penal Procedure Code during the night of 31 January. [44][45] Opponents raised accusations that the ordinance was intended for decriminalisation of government corruption, and to help hundreds of current and former politicians to escape ongoing criminal investigations or prison sentences. [46] Immediately after it was announced that the ordinance was passed, more than 37,000 people protested that night. The next day, on 1 February, the protests swelled to over 300,000 people throughout the country, continuing then daily and peaking on 5 February, when over 500,000 Romanians protested throughout the country, making the protests the largest since the fall of Communism and the overthrowing of Nicolae Ceaușescu. [47][48][49] Since the main grievance of the protesters (the government interfering with the fight against corruption) was not addressed, but rather gradually joined by the attempts of the parliament to relax the anti-corruption laws,[50][51][52][53] the protests continued on an almost daily basis throughout the country,[54] with more and more protesters demanding early elections in addition to the resignation of the government. [55] After the winter of 2017, the next mass protest was on 20 January 2018, when 50,000 – 100,000 Romanians went to the streets to protest against proposed changes to the penal code and to the justice system laws. [56][57] While protests on a smaller scale continued to happen almost daily, mass protests then erupted again on 10 August 2018, when an anti-government protest with the "Diaspora at Home" motto was held in Bucharest. [58][55][59] The 10 August 2018 protest was marked by unprecedented levels of violence in comparison to the other 2017–2018 protests, and lead to an ongoing resurgence of mass protests in Romania. [60][61][62] So far, protestors have succeeded in compelling the government in 2017 to withdraw the contested ordinance and Florin Iordache,[63][64] who as justice minister was formally responsible for putting forward the ordinance, resigned shortly thereafter over the scandal that ensued. [65] Although the government of Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu repeatedly denied that there were government ordinance bills regarding the pardoning and amnesty of committed crimes, there were strong rumours in the media that the government intended to pass such bills on 18 January 2017, mere days after the government was sworn in. [66] Since the government did not publish the government meeting's agenda for that day, the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, took it upon himself to attend and preside over the meeting, as envisioned by Article 87 of the Constitution of Romania. [67] After a private meeting between the president, the prime minister and the justice minister, the government meeting was convened and presided over by the president together with the prime minister. [67] Despite the prime minister's initial attempt to block the press' attendance and subsequent avoidance of the subject, the president announced to the media that there were two bills regarding the pardoning of crimes and the amendment of the Penal Code of Romania. [68] He further announced that the prime minister assured him that these ordinances would not be passed without a transparent process, which included consulting with the relevant judicial institutions, as well as the public. [67] Soon after the government meeting, the Ministry of Justice published the bills on its website and sent them to the relevant judicial institutions for consultations. The government's main stated reason for these bills was that prisons were overcrowded and in order to avoid paying a fine to the European Court of Human Rights, such measures were needed to improve the conditions in prisons. [69] After analysing the provisions in the bills, the judicial institutions (including the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Superior Council of the Magistracy and the National Anticorruption Directorate) issued negative opinions on the proposed bills, generally stating that the laws would not achieve their stated goals and would rather undermine both the criminal justice system and the fight against corruption. [70] Civil society and certain media outlets also took a similar stance against the bills, and claimed that the government's reasoning for these bills conceals an intent to pardon convicted politicians and cease ongoing cases against accused politicians. [69] Several thousand Romanians began protests against the reported plans to grant prison pardons and decriminalise certain offences. [71][72] On 18 January, protests in a few cities were organised on social media against the proposed bills. [73] Around 5,000 people protested throughout Romania, with nearly 4,000 protesters in Bucharest marching from University Square to the government's seat in Victory Square. [74] Smaller protests were held in the cities of Cluj, Sibiu, Iasi and Craiova. [72] Following a mobilisation on social media after the initial protest, over 30,000 people protested on 22 January in Bucharest. [75] President Klaus Iohannis participated in the event in order to show his solidarity with the protesters and announced to reporters that "a gang of politicians who have problems with the law want to change the legislation and weaken the state of law, and this is inadmissible ... Romanians are rightly indignant. "[69] Liviu Dragnea, the leader of Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD), reacted by accusing Iohannis of leading a Mineriad and labelling the protests as the beginning of a coup. [41] The leader of the party Save Romania Union (USR), Nicușor Dan, and interim leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Raluca Turcan, were also present at the protest in support of the protesters. [76] Over 5,000 people also participated at the protests in Cluj-Napoca, and another 4,000 protesters in Timișoara (together with the city's mayor). [77][78] There were also notable protests in Sibiu, Iasi, Brasov, Bacau and Constanta, as well as solidarity meeting in Copenhagen, Paris, London and Haugesund. [79] In what was described as "the largest protest after the Revolution",[80] tens of thousands of people again took to the streets in Romania's main cities on 29 January. Over 50,000 people were attending the protest in Bucharest, while several tens of thousands of protesters were registered across the rest of the country. For instance, some 10,000 people took to the streets in Cluj-Napoca. [81] In total, over 90,000 people attended the protests, according to an estimate by Digi24 TV station. [80] In Bucharest, the crowd of protesters gathered in the centre of the city, at University Square, and went on a peaceful march that included planned stops at the media watchdog CNA, the Ministry of Justice, the HQ of the Ombudsman and the government. [82] Solidarity marches took place in several countries abroad, with the largest reported in Brussels, Paris, London, Rome and Copenhagen. [83][84] After the Grindeanu Cabinet approved the aforementioned emergency ordinances on Tuesday evening, 31 January, thus turning them into laws, an impromptu protest took place at Piața Victoriei in front of Victoria Palace, the government seat. Although the government meeting's agenda only included the approval of the proposed 2017 budget, the cabinet secretly introduced and approved the ordinance bills during the meeting that evening. Once the Justice Minister of Romania, Florin Iordache, announced to the press that evening that the bills had been approved, a protest started taking place 30 minutes afterwards. [85] Within two hours, the protest swelled to 15,000 people despite the late hours and cold weather. [85] Due to the small initial presence of the gendarmes, the Victoria Palace was surrounded by the protesters and the main entrances blocked (although the people inside managed to leave through other entrances). [85] The protest only subsided by 2 am. [85] Unlike the previous protests, the people participating were visibly more riled up considering the lack of transparency and the lack of consideration of the Romanian society's reactions by the government and PSD. As a result, the protesters were calling for the government's resignation. [85] Thousands of people also came out to protest in other cities throughout Romania against the ordinances adopted by the government: Cluj-Napoca (5,000), Timișoara (1,500), Sibiu (2,000), Brașov (1,500), Iași (500), Ploiești (100) and Constanța (100). [86] As a result of the government refusing to repeal the ordinances, the protests continued on 1 February with 230,000 to 300,000 people participating throughout the country. [87] So far, these were the largest protests in Romania since the fall of Communism. The calls for the repeal of the ordinances, as well as for the resignation of the government, continued. [87] Around 150,000 people peacefully protested in Bucharest.

Protest_Online Condemnation

Fremantle Prison riot

The Fremantle Prison riot was a prison riot that occurred on 4 January 1988 at Fremantle Prison, in Western Australia. The riot was organised as a diversion for an escape that was to take place. Prisoners created a fire as part of the diversion, and temperatures inside the cells were recorded at 52.2 °C (126 °F). 3 division and 4 division were taken over by a total of seventy prisoners, and 5 officers were taken hostage. The fire caused $1.8 million in damage and unintentionally prevented the planned escape. It was suggested that the riot and fire was staged as a diversion by twelve men including Brenden Abbott, to assist a mass escape from the prison. During the two weeks prior to the riot they collected 3 litres of fuel from lawnmowers, which they managed to conceal in their drink bottles. Fremantle Prison was built using convict labour during the 1850s, based on the design of Pentonville Gaol, and was used as the maximum security prison for male offenders in Western Australia. During the 1890s the size of the cells were doubled by removing an adjoining wall between two cells. The conditions in the cells remained unchanged except for lighting and basic toilet facilities. The prison population was divided into 4 divisions; 3 division housing violent prisoners and 4 division housing murderers and those serving long term sentences. The morning of the riot began as an ordinary day would, with cells unlocked at 7:00 am. There was a "scuffle" between a prisoner and guards over the time taken to leave his cell – resulting in that prisoner being sent to solitary confinement – but that was not particularly unusual. Later that morning the prisoner was released into the exercise yard, where he reported to his fellow prisoners that he had been beaten by the prison officers. Prisoners then requested a meeting with the Superintendent; this was denied, but a request for medical examination was granted. This incident added to growing tension amongst the prisoners from the heatwave experienced over the past week, with conditions like ovens or saunas. Despite the heat, officers decided prisoners should remain outside in the exercise yards in the afternoon, to settle the tension. The decision did not have the intended calming effect, instead allowing prisoner ring leaders to spread discontentment, and plan for a riot, including starting a fire and taking hostages. As division 3 prisoners were let inside at around 4 pm, a voice exclaimed "Let's take 'em", and simultaneously, guards were splashed with boiling water, usually used for making tea. A horde of prisoners stormed the cellblock, attacking the guards with whatever they could find – metal plates and cutlery, food, "pieces of timber, buckets, water bottles, anything". The result was pandemonium; prisoners rushed along landings, overpowering officers and taking them hostage, while at the same time, other prisoners darted between cells, starting fires. The prisoners withdrew to the exercise yard, taking six hostages, as flames quickly overran the building, spread into the rafters, and caused the roof to collapse. The prisoners surrounded their hostages,and in turn were besieged by an armed riot squad inside the prison, and the police riot encircled the prison. Skilled police negotiators communicated with the ring leaders and by nightfall only five hostages remained.A sixth officer was to have been kept, but was released as he was seriously injured Meanwhile, the fire brigade had trouble bringing the inferno in the main cell block under control. The prison's gate was too narrow for their trucks to pass, so they had to water the flames from outside, and prisoners impeded their endeavours by chucking debris at them, including segments of asbestos roofing. Eventually firemen were allowed inside to fight the fire, after prison officers with riot gear had stormed through a secondary group of prisoners, forcing them back along the wall. The prisoners' leaders made three demands: a meeting with Attorney General Joseph Berinson, access to the media, and a guarantee of no retribution afterwards. Negotiations continued throughout the night, with the prisoners holding out for 19 hours. The next morning the hostages were released, one at a time – traded for food and cigarettes, even though only the third demand had been met. The prisoners did, however, have an opportunity to communicate with the press during the siege, as the riot was a live media event. Television helicopters were filming from overhead, and prisoners were able to write messages on sheets with charcoal. One of the hostages believed that "the media nearly got [them] killed", as the close approach of incoming aircraft caused other prisoners to panic, thinking that special forces were being deployed. Although there were no deaths,the fire caused A$1.8 million of damage, and officers were injured physically, and some developed Post Trauma Stress Disorder. In the aftermath of the riot, there was extensive media attention on Fremantle Prison, and investigative journalists uncovered that warnings had been given to the prison authorities. The government hastily initiated an enquiry into the incident, and a report was completed within six weeks. The report suggested that little evidence supported the escape plan theory common in the media, but that the riot was largely the result of an incident of that morning involving the mistreatment of a prisoner and his subsequent release into three division yard. A trial involving thirty-three prisoners charged over the riot was also held. It cost over $3 million, involved 19 lawyers, and as of 2003, is the largest trial held in the state's history. Prisoners, escorted under armed guard, gave evidence from behind specially installed glass. The whole affair was "described as a circus",especially after a prisoner protested by appearing naked. The trial resulted in extended sentences for the prisoners. The twelve ringleaders were given six years cumulative with their current sentences, and the other 21 were given three years cumulative with their current sentences. [citation needed] One ringleader, armed robber Brenden Abbott, successfully escaped from Fremantle Prison in late November 1989 and spent nearly five and a half years on the run before being caught in Surfers Paradise in late March 1995.

Riot

Guy-Greenbrier earthquake swarm

The Guy-Greenbrier earthquake swarm occurred in central Arkansas beginning in August 2010. [2] The epicenters of earthquakes in the swarm showed a linear distribution, with a clear overall shift in activity towards the southwest with time,[3] and the largest event in the swarm was the 2011 Arkansas earthquake, at 4.7 on the moment magnitude scale. [3] It has been suggested that the swarm was triggered by drilling activities associated with the exploration and production of shale gas in the Fayetteville Shale in northern Arkansas. Analysis of the swarm has found no link between this relatively shallow drilling and the earthquakes, but has instead suggested a link with deep waste disposal drilling similar to that identified at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in the 1960s, and has led to a moratorium on such drilling being proposed covering an area of 1150 square miles (2980 km2). [4] .

Earthquakes

UK miners' strike (1969)

The UK miners' strike of 1969 was an unofficial strike that involved 140 of the 307 collieries owned by the National Coal Board, including all collieries in the Yorkshire area. [1] The strike began on 13 October 1969 and lasted for roughly two weeks, with some pits returning to work before others. The NCB lost £15 million and 2.5 million tonnes of coal as a result of the strike. [2] At the time of the strike, wage negotiations were underway between the NCB and the National Union of Mineworkers. [3] Although that was not the cause of the dispute, it became essential to the settlement of the dispute. [3] In the 1960s, employment in coal mining had fallen by almost 400,000 with little resistance from the NUM leadership, but the left wing of the union was becoming stronger and drawing strength from the students' protests. [3] When miners staged a protest in London to support their wage claim, many Londoners were surprised that there were still coal mines operating in Britain. [3] The NUM leadership of Sidney Ford was regarded by many within the union as having been too passive and accommodating of a Labour government. [4] The cause was the hours of work for surface workers, who were often older mineworkers who were no longer capable of working underground. [1] Wages were lower, and working hours were longer for surface work than for underground work. [1] The annual conference of the NUM had voted in July 1968 to demand the surface workers' hours be lowered to seven and three-quarters, but the union's executive had not acted upon the vote. [1] On 11 October, Arthur Scargill led a group of Yorkshire mineworkers in pushing for action at the Yorkshire NUM's area council. [1] The president of the Yorkshire NUM, Sam Bullogh, was unwell at the time and ruled Scargill "out of order". [1] The area council's delegates responded by voting Bullogh out of the chair and voted for a strike by a margin of 85 votes to 3. [1] Within 48 hours, all 70,000 mineworkers in Yorkshire were on strike. [1] In other militant coalfields, such as Kent, South Wales and Scotland, walkouts followed shortly afterwards. [1] The coalfields of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire were more conservative and became targeted by pickets from Yorkshire when they did not respond to the strike call. [2] That has been identified as the first widespread use of flying pickets. [5] Most of North Derbyshire was picketed out, but only five pits in Nottinghamshire were picketed out by the week ending on 24 October 1969. [6] Nottinghamshire NUM officials complained of "hooliganism" from the flying pickets and called for a police presence. [6] The clashes were later highlighted as a foreboding of the aggressive picketing during the 1984-5 strike. [7] Many of those on unofficial strike began to make demands for change in the leadership of the NUM, and they set up strike committees to bypass the official union bodies. [2] The union had avoided making demands of Labour governments since the Second World War, and it had been largely inactive during a period of widespread pit closures under the first Wilson government. [8][9] A group of housewives in Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire refused to undertake any housework until their husbands returned to work. [10] The Chair of the NCB, former Labour MP Alf Robens, proposed to resolve the dispute by conceding the wage claim of 27 shillings and 6 pence (£1.375) per week. [2] Vic Feather, the TUC general secretary, negotiated a return to work on the basis of the salary increase proposed by Robens but with the issue of working hours for surface workers unchanged pending future negotiations. [11] The NUM held a ballot that treated the wage offer and the deferment of the surface workers' issues as one package to be accepted: mineworkers were not given the option to accept the former but reject the latter. [12] The package was accepted by 237,462 votes to 41,322. [12] The Yorkshire Area of the NUM recommended that the offer be rejected, but Yorkshire mineworkers voted to accept by 37,597 (72.3%) to 14,373 (27.6%). [13] The Wilberforce Inquiry, which followed an official strike 1972, concluded that the mineworkers in the late 1960s had been overworked and underpaid under the National Power Loading Agreement of the first Wilson government. [14] The strike was seen by some as a turning point after which the NUM took a more militant approach, especially in the Yorkshire area, where many of the officials were voted out and replaced with left-wingers. [3][6] In his study of the Yorkshire NUM, Andrew Taylor gives five reasons why the Yorkshire area aligned itself with the militant areas of Kent, Scotland and South Wales during the 1960s: The action led to discussions on the NUM's threshold of a two-thirds majority for a national strike. [11][16] Many argued that it was too high and that the 1969 action could have been handled better otherwise. There were further unofficial strikes in the militant collieries in 1970 after a ballot for national action achieved a majority for action of 55%, which was too low for the strike to be authorised. [17] In 1971, the threshold for a majority for strike action was reduced to 55%. [16] The strike was the first time that Scargill gained attention beyond his activities at Woolley Colliery, where he had previously organised a local strike in spring 1960 over the day that union meetings were held. [18] He nicknamed the strike as "the October revolution" (referencing the Soviet historical event of the same name) and said in 1975, "'69 was responsible for producing all the victories that were to come". [19] Scargill went on to play a key role in the 1972 strike, especially through organisation of the Battle of Saltley Gate and to lead the union through the UK miners' strike (1984-85).

Strike

Ex-NPA rebels, residents of Bacolod village avail of gov’t aid

GOV’T AID. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (center), with village chief Ricky Mijares (left) and DILG-Bacolod Director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag (right), join the beneficiaries of medical and burial assistance in Barangay Banago, during the distribution rites held at the Banago Elementary School I Gym on Sept. 22, 2021. The financial aid was sourced from the funding received by Banago as an insurgency-cleared village under the Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO) BACOLOD CITY – Residents of Banago village in this city are availing of various benefits from the government after receiving a funding of PHP20 million under the Local Government Support Fund - Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). Data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) showed that Banago is now cleared of insurgency after being once a hotbed of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) movement in this city. As of Friday, the barangay has lined up six projects for the use of the BDP funding. Banago village chief Ricky Mijares said the status of Banago as an insurgency-cleared barangay has opened many opportunities for its residents. These include such projects as the construction of a multi-purpose evacuation center, burial assistance, medical assistance, educational or scholarship program, livelihood program, and training assistance. “Out of the 61 barangays in Bacolod City, only Barangay Banago has been awarded the PHP20 million. I would like to thank the national government, especially President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. This is a big help for us since almost 80 percent of our population is poor or indigent, particularly those living in the coastal area,” he added. On September 22, about 111 marginalized residents received financial aid amounting to PHP511,000 in rites led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia and DILG-Bacolod Director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag at the Banago Elementary School I Gym. Of the number, 77 received medical assistance while 34 got burial aid. Last June, 25 residents of Barangay Banago have been chosen as beneficiaries of the Project Banago Alternative and Sustainable Livelihood Initiatives for Development or BASLID under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The trainees attended the Cookery National Certificate or NC II training at the TESDA Regional Training Center in Talisay City. Among the beneficiaries are alias “Bebing”, who became a messenger of the CPP-NPA when she was only 19, and was married to a combatant who died in an encounter, and alias “Ed”, once a sakristan (acolyte), who became a communist rebel in northern Negros. “Now, I realize that the government was there – even before – helping the people. Government assistance is really accessible now. The local government unit is reachable. People should seek help from the barangay if they are in need,” Bebing, a beneficiary of livelihood training, said in an interview. “These training (courses) are a big help to enhance my skills, ideas, and be refreshed again because it’s been a long time since (I learned something new).” She realized the years spent with the CPP-NPA were wasted years and she doesn’t want her children to be lured into it. “Even with my second husband, who also has a background in the movement, I told him we wasted our time. We could have contributed more to the community. But it is not too late,” she added. “I have kids and I guard them so they will not be recruited by the movement.” Ed, a beneficiary of medical and burial assistance, said the root cause of the armed revolution is economic crisis and this could be addressed by providing the people with basic needs. “We would like to thank President (Rodrigo) Duterte who intensified the campaign to counter the insurgency in the Philippines by providing the basic needs of the people. During the Duterte administration, he addressed these problems, especially here in Banago. Before the revolutionary forces were really present and felt here,” he added. Some students in the village also received educational assistance, including college student JJ Tauban. “This is one step for me and a big help towards achieving my dreams. It’s an honor and a privilege to receive such help from the government,” she added. Each insurgency-cleared barangay has been allocated an assistance of PHP20 million under the BDP, a hallmark program of the NTF-ELCAC with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-prone communities. The BDP is directed to rehabilitate and develop 822 barangays formerly established as guerilla fronts of the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF) in several parts of the countryside. Each barangay is allotted PHP20 million for their respective projects, for a total of PHP16.44 billion allocated funding. The BDP budget goes directly to local government units from the Department of Budget and Management. The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. The NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)

Financial Aid

The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - Seven family members of a 38-year-old Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer who was earlier diagnosed with Covid-19  are confirmed to have the virus, and were likely to have caught it during a gathering last Sunday (April 25). The Health Ministry (MOH) gave this update on Thursday night, adding that all seven had already been placed under quarantine when their diagnosis was confirmed. The eight of them had gathered for a meal, when transmission was likely to have taken place, MOH said. The ICA officer, who works in Changi Airport Terminal 1, had been one of the unlinked cases that the ministry announced on Wednesday. The seven cases in the new family cluster, all of them Singaporean, are: - A 32-year-old nurse who works at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). She is the wife of the ICA officer, but does not work in wards affected by the TTSH cluster. MOH said its investigations do not show a link between her and the TTSH cluster, but the ongoing testing of all staff in the hospital's wards will serve as an additional check. - A 39-year-old male who works as a private hire driver and a security officer at the Ion Orchard mall. He developed a cough on April 28. - A three-year-old boy, who is the nephew of the ICA officer. He was last at school on April 22, and developed a fever on April 28. - A housewife, 33, who was asymptomatic. - A retiree, 72, who is the father of the ICA officer and lives in the same household. He was asymptomatic. - A 65-year-old man who works as a telephone operator at Goodwood Park Hotel. He was asymptomatic. - A technical officer at SP PowerGrid, 38. He developed a cough and body aches on April 28.

Famous Person - Sick

Montenegro officially joins NATO

What's the point of NATO? 01:23 Story highlights Montenegro was formally invited to join the alliance in 2015 Monday's event comes on the heels of Trump's controversial appearance at a NATO meeting last month Washington (CNN) NATO officially welcomed Montenegro as its 29th member on Monday during a ceremony at the US State Department in Washington. Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanović presented US State Department undersecretary Thomas Shannon with Montenegro's instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty. Montenegro was formally invited to join the alliance in 2015 and despite awaiting its formal acceptance, participated as a full member during the NATO leaders meeting in Brussels last month. Monday's event comes on the heels of President Donald Trump's controversial appearance at that meeting of world leaders, where he lectured fellow heads of state over their defense spending and failed to reaffirm US commitment to Article 5 of the treaty -- a key provision that outlines the principle of collective defense. Trump and Europe don't mix, and that will have lasting consequences While Trump proclaimed the trip a "great success for America," European leaders have been critical of Trump's remarks, as well as his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, seeing the President's actions as signs the US is ceding its global leadership role in favor of an inward turn. On Monday, however, acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs John Heffern tried to strike a different tone in his remarks to the crowd of ambassadors and foreign officials, directly referencing the importance of Article 5 and collective defense. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg echoed Heffern's comments on the alliance's commitment to Article 5. Watch President Trump push a prime minister aside During last month's NATO meeting in Brussels, Trump also drew criticism after he was seen pushing aside Markovic during a photo opportunity. Trump did not attend today's ceremony, but Markovic did visit the White House later in the afternoon and was seen leaving with Vice President Mike Pence, though neither answered questions. Search

Join in an Organization

Old National and First Midwest Announce Merger to Create a Premier Midwestern Bank

EVANSVILLE, Ind. & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Old National Bancorp (“Old National”) (NASDAQ: ONB) and First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. (“First Midwest”) (NASDAQ: FMBI), jointly announced today they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals transaction with a total market value of $6.5 billion to create a premier Midwestern bank with $45 billion in combined assets. With nearly 270 combined years of service and a shared commitment to Midwestern values, Old National and First Midwest are two organizations driven by a customer-centric approach to banking, an unwavering commitment to community and a strong focus on corporate social responsibility, making the combined entity the premier choice for employees, clients and shareholders. Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, First Midwest stockholders will receive 1.1336 shares of Old National common stock for each share of First Midwest common stock they own. Following completion of the transaction, former First Midwest stockholders are expected to collectively represent approximately 44% of the combined company. The new organization will operate under the Old National Bancorp and Old National Bank names, with dual headquarters in Evansville, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois. Michael Scudder, Chairman and CEO of First Midwest Bancorp, will serve as the Executive Chairman and Jim Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Old National Bancorp, will maintain his role as CEO. Additional leadership positions for the combined entity include: The complete executive leadership team is expected to be announced prior to close. The Board of Directors of the combined company will have 16 directors, consisting of 8 directors from Old National and 8 directors from First Midwest. Becky Skillman, lead independent director for Old National, will retain this position in the combined company. “First Midwest and Old National are two relationship-focused financial institutions that have rich histories, extremely compatible cultures and a shared commitment to helping our clients achieve financial success,” said Michael Scudder, Chairman and CEO of First Midwest. “As a combined organization, we will be in an even stronger position to invest, grow and innovate in talent, capabilities and services that will enhance an already superior client experience and further set us apart as a market leader not only in Chicago but across the Midwest.” “First Midwest’s leadership team and colleagues not only mirror the Old National mission, values and culture, they also offer exceptional consumer and commercial banking services,” said Old National Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan. “We are confident that the powerful synergies, additional market coverage and financial strength this partnership creates will drive long-term shareholder value, and we are excited about combining the outstanding legacies of two strong, client- and community-focused organizations.” Delivering Exceptional Value to Clients, Employees and Communities Strategic benefits of the merger include: Delivering Financially Compelling Benefits to Shareholders Timing The transaction is expected to close in late 2021 or early 2022 subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. Transaction Advisors Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, served as exclusive financial advisor and Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP acted as legal advisor to Old National. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as exclusive financial advisor and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP acted as legal advisor to First Midwest. Joint Investor Call Management of both Old National and First Midwest will hold a conference call at 10:00 A.M. (CT) on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, to discuss their partnership. The live audio web cast of the call, along with the corresponding presentation slides, will be available on Old National’s and First Midwest’s Investor Relations web pages at oldnational.com and firstmidwest.com, respectively, as well as the following url: https://services.choruscall.com/links/onb210601.html. The webcast will be archived there for 12 months. To listen to the live conference call, dial (888)-237-0379 (U.S. Domestic) or (929)-517-9523 (International), conference I.D. 1721307. A replay of the call will also be available from 7:00 A.M. (CT) on June 2 through June 15. To access the replay, dial 855-859-2056, conference I.D. 1721307. About Old National Old National Bancorp (NASDAQ: ONB), the holding company of Old National Bank, is the largest bank holding company headquartered in Indiana. With $23.7 billion in assets, it ranks among the top 100 banking companies in the U.S. and has been recognized as a World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute for 10 consecutive years. Since its founding in Evansville in 1834, Old National Bank has focused on community banking by building long-term, highly valued partnerships and keeping our clients at the center of all we do. This is an approach to business that we call The ONB Way. Today, Old National’s footprint includes Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition to providing extensive services in retail and commercial banking, Old National offers comprehensive wealth management, investment and capital market services. For more information and financial data, please visit Investor Relations at oldnational.com. About First Midwest First Midwest (NASDAQ: FMBI) is a relationship-focused financial institution and one of the largest independent publicly traded bank holding companies based on assets headquartered in Chicago and the Midwest, with approximately $21 billion of assets and an additional $14 billion of assets under management. First Midwest Bank and First Midwest's other affiliates provide a full range of commercial, treasury management, equipment leasing, consumer, wealth management, trust and private banking products and services. The primary footprint of First Midwest's branch network and other locations is in metropolitan Chicago, southeast Wisconsin, northwest Indiana, central and western Illinois, and eastern Iowa.

Organization Merge

Climate causes famine in Southern Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO – As climate talks get underway in Glasgow, families in Southern Madagascar, where climate is driving famine-like conditions, brace themselves for yet another harsh year ahead as the ongoing drought shows no signs of abating, signaling deteriorating hunger. Severe hunger has touched over 1.1 million people with 14,000 of them one step away from famine. The situation, already alarming, is set to worsen by the end of year with the number of people in famine-like conditions expected to double. “The changing climate has meant that many families who were able to live off the land 15 years ago have now fallen into severe hunger. Families are scavenging for survival and many are living only on the food assistance they receive,” said Menghestab Haile, WFP Regional Director, Southern Africa. I recently met a mother who told me that she had lost her 8-month-old to seeds from cactus fruit that had accumulated in his stomach. The face of hunger in Southern Madagascar is horrific.” The drought has led to the complete disappearance of food sources leaving families visibly famished and resorting to survival measures such as eating locusts, wild leaves and cactus leaves which are usually fed to cattle. Vulnerable children are bearing the brunt of the crisis with malnutrition in under-fives expected to quadruple, crossing the half million mark by April 2022. "The number of malnourished children coming to health centres in Southern Madagascar has doubled compared to this time last year. Many of them are too weak to laugh or cry, let alone play and learn,” said Anna Horner, WFP’s Chief of Nutrition Innovative Financing, who recently visited Southern Madagascar. “The physical and mental damage to children due to malnutrition can be irreversible. It is heart-wrenching to see so many young minds and bodies unnecessarily suffering from hunger and malnutrition.” Amidst the hottest decade on record, Madagascar has suffered from exceptionally warm temperatures, deficits in rainfall and unexpected sandstorms that have covered fields, left crops wilted and harvests well below average. By April 2021, 70 per cent of the Grand Sud was in drought with food production only a third of the last five-year average. The forecasted dry start to the upcoming planting season means families will not be able to sow their fields immediately and their access to food and an income hangs in the balance. Adding to an already dire situation, a recent upsurge of locusts is expected to affect an estimated 400,000 hectares of land. WFP has been reaching around 700,000 people monthly with emergency life-saving food as well as supplementary nutrition products for pregnant and nursing women and children. Moving beyond emergency support, WFP together with the government, is implementing long-term resilience building activities that help communities adapt to the changing climate. These include access to water, reforestation, sand dune stabilization and economic support like access to microinsurance schemes in case of crop failure. In September, 3,500 households received a payout of US$100 each to recover losses from the failed maize crop. The payout helped families sustain themselves despite a lost harvest. WFP aims to scale up its response in Southern Madagascar and urgently needs US$69 million over the next six months to do so. WFP is increasingly concerned about the situation in Madagascar and has been ringing the alarm bells over the climate-induced hunger crisis, one of the potentially many in the world.

Famine

New testimony reveals what happened before the Golden Ray capsized off the Georgia coast

Updated 0455 GMT (1255 HKT) September 22, 2020 People walk the beach near the Golden Ray cargo ship on February 27, 2020, in Jekyll Island, Georgia. The vessel capsized in St. Simons Sound in 2019. Plans to cut it into segments and lift it out of the water have been on hold because of coronavirus. (CNN) For the first time in the year since a 656-foot cargo vessel capsized off the coast of Georgia, crew members and the ship's owners are speaking publicly about the moments before the Golden Ray listed, overturned, and triggered a multiday rescue effort to save the 24 people on board. How to move a massive shipwreck: A chain making seven cuts and a lot of noise The vessel has remained on its side in the St. Simons Sound -- with its cargo of more than 4,000 vehicles still inside -- since September 8, 2019. The plan to have cut it into pieces and hauled away is currently paused until early October because of weather and Covid-19 related challenges. A public hearing, part of the investigation into why the vessel capsized, wraps up on Tuesday. Here's what we know so far: Crew didn't sense anything wrong Capt. Jonathan Tennant, the pilot who steered the ship out of the port at 1 a.m. on Sept. 8, 2019, recalled calm winds and good visibility. He said typically there are warning signs when something is wrong -- alarms, the sound of crew members speaking rapidly in a native language, the engine room calling up. But none of that happened. "Everything was just as normal as it could be, until it capsized," Tennant said. Tennant told investigators the ship started leaning in a turn and started to over-rotate to starboard. He applied what's known as counter-rudder to reduce the rate of the turn, but it wasn't enough. He said the accident happened within seconds. "When I felt like I was losing control of the vessel, I reached behind me where I propped up the ship's radio and said to Jamie on the inbound, 'watch out, Jamie. I'm losing her,' in which time she capsized, I dropped the radio, held onto the gyro, the ship capsized, I tried to ease the rudder, still trying to drive the ship." Tennant said he had no context that the ship's rudder and propeller were already out of the water. "I was still like an airline pilot trying to drive the plane, trying to solve the problem until it flew into the ground," he said. He said he saw fear in the faces around him. The other crew members were South Korean nationals. Twenty people were rescued within a few hours. Four remaining crew members stayed trapped in the engine room . The last person aboard, Junyong Kim, was rescued about about 36 hours after the accident. He gave a written testimony for the hearing this week. Kim, the first engineer on the ship, also said nothing seemed out of the ordinary until the ship turned sideways. In his statement, Kim said that he was in the engine room, trying to protect himself and the second engineer. "I grabbed him not to fall down to the end of the engine room because the engine room was ... a bit long. And if he falls down to end, he could be injured. So, I try to grab him to not fall down to the end of this." Kim said the generator went out, the engine shut down, and the standby generator also went out. He described water rising, and the room becoming incredibly hot. Capt. John Reed of the US Coast Guard testified separately that the inside reached more than 150 degrees, with passageways becoming a "death trap." Kim said he and others eventually went into the water that had risen in the engine room to stay cool. Smoke was visible throughout the rescue mission, indicating fires on board. Rescuers had to bore through fireproof glass and navigate passageways that had become vertical drops to rescue the people in the engine room. "I keep thinking, why it happens to me. I think, if I have water, I could survive two days more," Kim said in his statement. Investigators asked about how the cars were loaded The Golden Ray was originally supposed to travel from Mexico to several ports in the US, ending in Wilmington, North Carolina. Hurricane Dorian slightly altered its plans. There was a delay leaving the port in Texas, after which the route changed to go to Jacksonville, Florida, before Brunswick, Georgia. Investigators asked Mike Mavrinac, operations manager for ship owner Hyundai Glovis, about those changes and any issues with loading or unloading cargo. Mavrinac said at the Port of Brunswick, "we did have some tighter space, and we added some additional cargo downstairs on the main deck, deck five." The Korean Maritime Safety Tribunal, one of the investigating entities, challenged Mavrinac about not having a final load plan provided to the vessel before departure. Mavrinac pushed back, saying the stevedore usually hands a handwritten plan to the crew, and that the crew uses that to account for the cargo present. The man in charge of creating a plan for loading and unloading, Sammy Maataki of Norton Lilly, said there was eventually less cargo loaded onto deck 12 and more vehicles loaded on deck five out of Brunswick. "Guessing lack of space. They ran out of space, so they put the remaining balance on five," Maataki said. A National Transportation Safety Board investigator asked whether Maataki considers difference in weight between the cars that are unloaded and the new ones brought on board. Maataki answered, "No, like I said, we receive a plan from Mexico reflecting the cargo to be discharged between the Gulf and the East Coast. And based off the space that's available at the port of load, we just place it in a way where it's an efficient load and discharge operation." A cause won't be determined for a while Jason Neiman, public affairs officer with the US Coast Guard, said the investigation is complex and, therefore, may take many months to complete. Capsized cargo ship off Georgia coast hasn't spilled much gas or oil, Coast Guard says The process of removing the stranded vessel has also been prolonged. Ten members of the salvage crew tested positive for Covid-19 and 50 were quarantined. Some of the people who tested positive are critical to the project, including salvage and support personnel. Currently, no one remains in isolation or quarantine. The removal process was paused in late July, with a restart expected in early October. Ongoing support operations have continued during the pause, including teams ensuring that any releases of oil are quickly identified and remediated to the maximum extent possible. When the project restarts, part of the Covid-19 mitigation plan involves having salvage crew members sequester for two weeks before being housed in a facility throughout the duration of the removal process, which is expected to be about eight weeks.

Shipwreck

Myanmar ethnic groups sign ceasefire agreement

The government of Myanmar has signed a ceasefire agreement with eight armed ethnic groups, that may end years of fighting around the country's borders. The signing ceremony in the capital Nay Pyi Taw is the result of two years of negotiations. Seven major insurgent groups have refused to sign - saying the deal does not give them the autonomy they were promised when the country became independent almost 70 years ago. Jonah Fisher reports. Myanmar groups sign ceasefire pact. Video, 00:02:06Myanmar groups sign ceasefire pact Up Next. Myanmar candidate blocked from constituency. Video, 00:02:40Myanmar candidate blocked from constituency On the trail of Myanmar's Rohingya. Video, 00:02:41On the trail of Myanmar's Rohingya Myanmar faces fight over constitution. Video, 00:01:47Myanmar faces fight over constitution President defends Myanmar 'brutality' Video, 00:02:34President defends Myanmar 'brutality' The political sway of Myanmar's monks. Video, 00:03:09The political sway of Myanmar's monks 'Soldiers killed' in Myanmar clashes. Video, 00:01:30'Soldiers killed' in Myanmar clashes One family, 40 failed border crossings. Video, 00:04:41One family, 40 failed border crossings The students taking the 'world's hardest' exams. Video, 00:04:54The students taking the 'world's hardest' exams Why Mexico is not prepared for the migrant caravan. Video, 00:03:42Why Mexico is not prepared for the migrant caravan Does 3D-printed 'meat' pass the taste test? Video, 00:02:05Does 3D-printed 'meat' pass the taste test? Cows rescued from storm floods by jet ski. Video, 00:00:47Cows rescued from storm floods by jet ski Liverpool bomb witness: 'Am I going to get over this?' Video, 00:02:01Liverpool bomb witness: 'Am I going to get over this?'

Sign Agreement

Colin Powell had blood cancer that made it harder to fight infections, reports say

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell reportedly had been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer that made it difficult to fight infections before his Monday death from what his family described as complications related to COVID-19. More: Colin Powell, first Black secretary of state, dies from COVID-19 complications Multiple myeloma forms in white blood cells that typically help fight infections, according to the Mayo Clinic.  In multiple myeloma, cancerous cells crowd out healthy blood cells. Complications include frequent infections. Powell’s family said in a prepared statement that the former secretary of state and retired four-star general was vaccinated but died from complications related to COVID-19. The statement posted on Facebook did not reference any other health problems Powell was facing.

Famous Person - Sick

Motorists urged by Number 10 to 'shop for fuel as usual' as BP shuts some petrol stations

The company insists it has plenty of fuel but too few delivery drivers to keep up with demand as petrol provision becomes the supply chain problems described as a "cocktail of chaos". By James Sillars and John-Paul Ford Rojas, business reporters Friday 24 September 2021 07:49, UK Motorists have been urged by the government to "shop for fuel as usual" after BP said it had closed some of its petrol stations due to supply issues. The energy giant said tens of forecourts in its 1,200-strong network were experiencing shortages - blamed on the nationwide lack of HGV drivers - while rival Esso said a few of its sites were affected. Tesco said two of the 500 petrol stations it operates were currently affected, describing the impact as minimal and ensuring that supply is replenished whenever this happens. It is the latest in a series of supply chain issues being grappled with by ministers - after the separate issue of surging gas prices created a crisis in the energy sector and knock-on damage to carbon dioxide production, which has threatened to disrupt food processing. A spokesman for the prime minister said the government acknowledged that there were "issues facing many industries across the UK, and not just in terms of HGV drivers". He added that there was no shortage of fuel and that there was a "very resilient and robust supply chain". "People should continue to shop for fuel as usual," the spokesman said. Global markets fall sharply on new virus variant fears Lenders score own goal with collapse of sports broadcaster Arena Amazon warehouses targeted by Extinction Rebellion in Black Friday protest Is Britain running on empty? Here's what we're short of The shortage of drivers is blamed on a confluence of issues including non-UK workers affected by Brexit, pandemic delays holding up HGV tests, and drivers being caught up in the "pingdemic" of COVID alerts earlier this year. Rod McKenzie of the Road Haulage Association told Sky News: "This is a cocktail of chaos, and I'm afraid it's getting worse because the attrition rate is against us. "We have got more drivers leaving than joining, so as every week goes by there's something new in the supply chain that's creaking and crumbling." Jim McMahon, Labour's shadow transport secretary, said: "This is a rapidly worsening crisis that the government has failed to heed the warnings of for a decade, never investing in or valuing working class jobs." BP, which previously experienced similar disruption in July, said it was "prioritising" the sites experiencing shortages to ensure they are re-stocked first. In a statement, the company said: "We are experiencing fuel supply issues at some of our retail sites in the UK and unfortunately have therefore seen a handful of sites temporarily close due to a lack of both unleaded and diesel grades. "These have been caused by delays in the supply chain, which has been impacted by industry-wide driver shortages across the UK and we are working hard to address this issue. "We continue to work with our haulier supplier to minimise disruption and to ensure efficient and effective deliveries to serve our customers. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused." Esso said a "small number" of its 200 Tesco Alliance retail sites - operated jointly with the supermarket chain and separate from the two mentioned by Tesco itself - were impacted. "We are working closely with all parties in our distribution network to optimise supplies and minimise any inconvenience to customers," Esso said. "We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience." Tesco said: "We have good availability of fuel, with deliveries arriving at our petrol filling stations across the UK every day." Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons said they were not affected. Shell was also understood not to be affected. Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers' Association - which represents independent forecourts across the UK, equating to 65% of the total - said some sites had confirmed delayed deliveries, but the issue appeared to be "confined to London and the South-East and appear temporary by nature". He said that with fuel demand still at only 92% of pre-pandemic levels, "we believe there should be ample stock available at refineries and delivery terminals throughout the UK". "The PRA recommends that motorists maintain sufficient fuel in the tank to enable them to get to an alternative filling station in the rare instance that fuel is not available," Mr Balmer added. Logistics UK, which represents the logistics industry, said: "Logistics UK is aware of reports that petrol supplies are currently being affected by the HGV driver shortage. "The driver shortage is a very serious issue that needs urgent government and industry action to resolve, however, we urge people not to panic buy. "The logistics industry is resilient and has proven capable of supporting shops, families and businesses during COVID-19, border closures and the first stages of Brexit, and will continue to serve the needs of the nation." The fuel delivery woes mark another front in the fight against supply chain disruption caused by the nationwide shortage of qualified HGV and tanker drivers - estimated at more than 100,000 by an industry body. It has formed part of the UK's growing inflation problem as pay rises - to attract more drivers and retain them - add to surging bills from stiff competition for the swift delivery of goods. Meanwhile, Tesco has warned the government that it was worried about the sight of empty shelves, caused by the driver shortage, prompting panic-buying ahead of Christmas. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. End of dialog window. BP sources stressed that there was no shortage of diesel and petrol and that therefore the situation should not be described as rationing. However, a top BP manager was reported to have warned the government that the situation was getting worse. The company is understood to have expressed concerns about the driver shortage issue at a meeting with government officials last week. It warned then of a looming squeeze on the ability to get product from refineries to forecourts. The message from all fronts is clear: "please don't panic". And consumers really don't need to. While this is certainly a crisis, it isn't a crisis of fuel supply: there is plenty of the stuff, with demand still only at 92% of pre pandemic levels apparently. Panic buying would certainly make the situation significantly worse and the petrol stations that are closed probably won't be for that long - they're being prioritised for refuelling. The manager of one who I spoke to today said he expected a delivery before the day is out. There is a crisis of supply, but it's the supply of lorry drivers that's the problem. While it's been causing havoc in the supply chain for months, closed petrol stations brings it into critical focus. The problem is multi-layered: it's been partly caused by the pandemic, which has resulted in a huge backlog in driving tests; partly by Brexit, with some migrant workers opting to go home; and partly because there's a shortage of younger workers coming up who find these jobs attractive. The industry has been clamouring for short-term visas to bring drivers over from the continent but thus far that's not been forthcoming. The question is how many disruptions like this can consumer confidence cope with? At what stage does potential shortages of food and Christmas presents, coupled with the ongoing energy crisis, make people nervous enough to respond? If panic buying takes hold, intervention from the government may be harder to resist. According to ITV News, the company's head of UK retail Hanna Hofer said it was important the government understood the "urgency of the situation", which she described as "bad, very bad", with BP having "two-thirds of normal forecourt stock levels.. for smooth operations". The Road Haulage Association has led calls for ministers to back down on their refusal to add EU drivers to the Shortage Occupation List which bypasses post-Brexit legislation on immigration. The boss of Iceland Foods used an interview with Sky News on Thursday to support the industry's position as supermarket, and other consumer brands, warn of the prospect of Christmas shortages without a flood of additional help to get supplies through. Ministers have argued that the driver problem is a Europe-wide issue, and it is providing additional support in the form of cutting red tape to aid recruitment and testing.

Organization Closed

HealthEngine, medical booking app, facing multi-million-dollar fines for selling patient data

A Victorian man who flew from Brisbane to Hobart on flight VA702 today has tested positive to COVID-19 and has not been allowed to board a flight to Melbourne A Watch & Act warning is in place for a fire in the northern parts of Mokine, in WA's Northam Shire. Keep up to date with ABC Emergency Australia's biggest medical appointment booking app HealthEngine is facing multi-million-dollar penalties after an ABC investigation exposed its practice of funnelling patient information to law firms. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched legal action against the Perth-based company in the Federal Court, accusing it of misleading and deceptive conduct. In June last year, the ABC revealed HealthEngine was passing on users' personal information to law firms seeking clients for personal injury claims. The details of the deal were contained in secret internal Slater and Gordon documents that revealed HealthEngine was sending the firm a daily list of prospective clients at part of a pilot program in 2017. The ACCC has also accused the company of passing the personal information of approximately 135,000 patients to insurance brokers in exchange for payments. "Patients were misled into thinking their information would stay with HealthEngine but, instead, their information was sold off to insurance brokers," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.

Organization Fine

1945 Mikawa earthquake

The 1945 Mikawa earthquake (三河地震, Mikawa jishin) occurred off Aichi prefecture, Japan at 03:38 AM on January 13. As it occurred during World War II, information about the disaster was censored. [1] Efforts at keeping the disaster secret hampered relief efforts and contributed to a high death toll. The Mikawa earthquake's epicenter was offshore in Mikawa Bay at a depth of eleven kilometers. The city of Tsu recorded a magnitude of 6 on the Richter Scale; however, areas in southern Aichi prefecture were closer to the epicenter, and suffered significant damage. The earthquake created the Fukozu Fault, named after the village in the middle of the fault trace, in an area adjoining the west of the Tōkaidō Main Line railway between Okazaki and Gamagōri, Aichi Prefecture. The fault's total visible distance is little more than 9 km, but is of great interest to geologists as it has a right-angle bend in its middle part, rather than being straight or at a gentle curve. It is also remarkable in that ground displacement at the fault is up to one meter in places; however, the Tokaido Railway Line, although only 150 meters from the fault line in places, suffered no damage. [4] Hardest hit were what is now Hazu District: Nishio city, Kira town, Anjō city, Hekinan city and Gamagōri city. The confirmed death toll was 1,180, with an additional 1,126 missing and 3,866 injured. As the earthquake occurred in the middle of the night, and towards the end of the war when fuel supplies were very low, only two houses were lost to fire, but 7,221 houses were totally destroyed, and 16,555 were severely damaged. Similar large earthquakes have occurred in the same location in 1685 and 1686, and the large 1944 Tōnankai earthquake was also in the same area.

Earthquakes

Garmisch-Partenkirchen train collision

The Garmisch-Partenkirchen train collision took place on 12 December 1995, when a Regio Express train running from Innsbruck to Munich departed from the station of Garmisch-Partenkirchen against a red light due to distraction, colliding with a tourist train, killing one person and injuring 51 others. The first train was RegionalExpress number 3612, pulled by ÖBB 1044 235, a scheduled train running from Innsbruck HBF to Munich HBF, which was stopping at Garmisch-Partenkirchen railway station for 10 minutes. The second train was the famous "Glass Train" (DB Class 491 001), a historical tourist train that was running as a special train on that day on the Mittenwald Line, on the reversed route of the RegioExpress. At Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the 2 trains would cross each other (the line is single-tracked at the entrance from all 4 ends into the railway stations, from the Mittenwald Railway, from the Garmisch Railway, the Aussenfern Railway and the Zugspitze Railway), hence the 10 minute wait of the RE3612, and then they would both depart for their destinations. The 1044 was made from a very robust structure, ensuing that an impact at lower speeds would only do minor damage to the locomotive (such as dents, scratches, etc.). The 491, however, had a very weak structure that was like this because of the panoramic windows. This panoramic experience was at the cost of safety in train crashes. The age of both trains also differed, 1044 235 being completed at the SGP workshops in 1992 and 491 001 having been in service since 1935 (Waggonfabrik Fuchs). The guard of the RE train had tucked inside the building of the station to get a cup of coffee. However the station staff had just ran out of coffee, and so he had to wait until the coffee was ready, going through the coffee machine. Whilst he was awaiting, a colleague informed him he had to depart, at the surprise of the guard. The guard then ran back into the train, whistled for departure, and automatically closed the doors. The station signal for the track where the RE train was standing was obstructed, however, by the train and the platform roof. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were light snowfall at temperatures around zero degrees. The driver heard the whistle, and then started accelerating whilst looking back at the train and the station, quickly picking up speed due to the acceleration force of the locomotive. The train driver forgot about the signal, which was indicating a Hp0 (Stop), to allow the Glass Train to arrive into the station. When the RE driver was attempting to get into the position in the drivers' seat, he noticed the other train just a few meters away. Despite applying an emergency brake, the train could not stop, and hit the Glass Train at 47 km/h, whilst the Glass Train itself was going at 37 km/h. A person died aboard the Glass Train, and another 27 were injured, due to the flying glass shards from the panoramic windows, and another 14 were injured aboard the RE train. The front end of the Glass Train was crushed to the point that it was pushed back into the train, and the motor bogie was so damaged that it was completely irreparable, meaning that the trainset will not be able to drive ever again, unless a new motor bogie is reconstructed, however at a high unaffordable price. The train was towed back to Nürnberg in January 1996, and since 2005 it is stabled at Bahnpark Augsburg. It is stored in the locomotive shed with the destroyed front end being stored in the shed itself. The train will be likely to be not repaired anytime soon, due to the high repair costs. The 1044 suffered slight damage and was quickly repaired and put back into service. Since 2002 it was modified into a Class 1144 locomotive, having modernized equipments aboard the train. It still runs as of August 2018. The locomotive driver of the regional express was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment on probation and a fine of 9,000 DM and the guard to a fine of 6,000 DM.

Train collisions

Four dead and 141 in hospital in Louisiana for carbon monoxide poisoning following Hurricane Ida

Officials advise against keeping power generators within 20 feet of homes, as 400,000 wait for electricity to be resorted Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile Don't show me this message again ✕ Leer en Español Four people have died and 141 have been hospitalised from carbon monoxide poisonings in Louisiana, where people have been forced to use stand-by generators amid ongoing power outages following devastation from Hurricane Ida. The Louisiana Department of Health announced the deaths and hospitalisations on Monday, and said those using generators should follow a number of health and safety measures to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Among the recommendations from the Office of the State Fire Marshal were to place generators 20 feet away from homes, and for a carbon monoxide detector to be set up. The main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, which the health department compared to being “flu like”. “If you breathe in a lot of carbon monoxide it can make you pass out or kill you,” the announcement explained. “People who are sleeping or drunk can die from carbon monoxide poisoning before they have symptoms.” Recommended AOC and Schumer tour flooded Queens neighbourhood as lawmakers face growing calls to act on climate crisis It follows the ongoing restoration of power to homes in Louisiana and Mississippi, where more than 1m people were left without electricity from Hurricane Ida last week. Many homes remain flooded. The Category 4 hurricane hit swathes of the southern and eastern US, and led to the deaths of 13 individuals in Louisiana – five of whom were nursing home residents who were evacuated to an alleged safe space, which was hit by Ida. After being downgraded, the hurricane – which was the fifth strongest storm to ever make landfall in the US – flooded parts of New York and New Jersey, which saw record-breaking rain. More than 400,000 people continue to go without power a week after Ida, according to poweroutage.us. It could take weeks for power to be fully restored. Additional reporting by The Associated Press. Register for free to continue reading Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists Email Password First name Please enter your first name Special characters aren’t allowed Please enter a name between 1 and 40 characters Last name Please enter your last name Special characters aren’t allowed Please enter a name between 1 and 40 characters Year of birth Read our  Privacy notice Opt-out-policy You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Each email has a link to unsubscribe.

Mass Poisoning

Great Fire of 1901

The Great Fire of 1901 was a conflagration that occurred in Jacksonville, Florida on Friday, May 3, 1901. It was one of the worst disasters in Florida history and the third largest urban fire in the U.S., next to the Great Chicago Fire, and the 1906 San Francisco fire. [1] In 1901, Jacksonville was a city which consisted mainly of wooden buildings with wood shingled roofs. The city itself had been suffering under a prolonged drought,[2] leaving the building exteriors across the city dry and fire-prone. At around noon on Friday, May 3, 1901, workers at the Cleaveland Fibre Factory, located on the corner of Beaver and Davis Streets, left for lunch. Several minutes later, sparks from the chimney of a nearby building started a fire in a pile of Spanish moss that had been laid out to dry. First, factory workers tried to put it out with a few buckets of water, as they had frequently done on similar occasions. [3] However, the blaze was soon out of control due to the wind picking up out of the east. [4] A brisk northwest wind fanned the flames, which "spread from house to house, seemingly with the rapidity that a man could walk". [2] In eight hours, the fire burned 146 city blocks, destroyed more than 2,368 buildings, and left almost 10,000 residents homeless. It is said the glow from the flames could be seen in Savannah, Georgia, and the smoke plumes in Raleigh, North Carolina. [5] James Weldon Johnson, principal of a local school claimed, however, that firemen tried to save the fire from spreading to a white neighborhood, allowing black parts of town to burn down in the process: "We met many people fleeing. From them we gathered excitedly related snatches: the fiber factory catches afire - the fire department comes - fanned by a light breeze, the fire is traveling directly east and spreading out to the north, over the district where the bulk of Negroes in the western end of the city live - the firemen spend all their efforts saving a low row of frame houses just across the street on the south side of the factory, belonging to a white man named Steve Melton. "[6] Florida Governor William S. Jennings declared martial law in Jacksonville and dispatched several state militia units to help. Reconstruction began immediately, and the city was returned to civil authority on May 17. Seven human deaths were reported. [7] St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, built of bricks in 1887, was the only major church in the city to withstand the fire. The Duval County Courthouse and all its real estate records were destroyed in the fire. To this day real estate deeds in Duval County refer either to "the current public records of Duval County, Florida" or, if the records predate the fire, "the former public records of Duval County, Florida." It is the only county in Florida for which that is the case. [citation needed] The only existing pre-Fire real estate records are title abstracts saved by Title and Trust, a title company that still charges for their use. [citation needed] New York City architect Henry John Klutho helped rebuild the city. He and other architects, enamored by the "Prairie Style" of architecture then being popularized by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago and other Midwestern cities, designed exuberant local buildings with a Florida flair. Buildings designed by Klutho were Dyal-Upchurch Building (1902), Carnegie Library (1905), Bisbee Building (1909), Morocco Temple (1910), and the Florida Baptist Building (1924) While many of Klutho's buildings were demolished or abandoned by the 1980s, several of his creations remain including his most prominent work the St. James Building. The Jacksonville City Hall currently uses the St. James Building. [8][9] Local charity Fresh Ministries recently[when?] restored the Klutho Apartments, in Springfield, and converted them into office space for the Community Development Corporation's Operation New Hope. [citation needed] Jacksonville has one of the largest collections of Prairie Style buildings (particularly residences) outside the Midwest. [10]

Fire

Great Hinckley Fire

The Great Hinckley Fire was a conflagration in the pine forests of the U.S. state of Minnesota in September 1894, which burned an area of at least 200,000 acres (810 km2; 310 sq mi)[1] (perhaps more than 250,000 acres [1,000 km2; 390 sq mi]), including the town of Hinckley. The official death count was 418; the actual number of fatalities was likely higher. [2] Other sources put the death toll at 476. [3] After a two-month summer drought, combined with very high temperatures, several small fires started in the pine forests of Pine County, Minnesota. The fires' spread apparently was due to the then-common method of lumber harvesting, wherein trees were stripped of their branches in place; these branches littered the ground with flammable debris. Also contributing was a temperature inversion that trapped the gases from the fires. The scattered blazes united into a firestorm. [4] The temperature rose to at least 2,000 °F (1,100 °C). Barrels of nails melted into one mass, and in the yards of the Eastern Minnesota Railroad, the wheels of the cars fused with the rails. [5] Some residents escaped by climbing into wells, ponds, or the Grindstone River. Others clambered aboard two crowded trains that pulled out of the threatened town minutes ahead of the fire. James Root, an engineer on a train heading south from Duluth, rescued nearly 300 people by backing up a train nearly five miles to Skunk Lake, where the passengers escaped the fire. William Best was an engineer on a train sent specifically to evacuate people. [6][7] According to the Hinckley Fire Museum: Because of the dryness of the summer, fires were common in the woods, along railroad tracks and in logging camps where loggers would set fire to their slash to clean up the area before moving on. Some loggers, of course left their debris behind, giving any fire more fuel on which to grow. Saturday, September 1st, 1894 began as another oppressively hot day with fires surrounding the towns and two major fires that were burning about five miles (8 km) to the south. To add to the problem, the temperature inversion that day added to the heat, smoke and gases being held down by the huge layer of cool air above. The two fires managed to join together to make one large fire with flames that licked through the inversion finding the cool air above. That air came rushing down into the fires to create a vortex or tornado of flames which then began to move quickly and grew larger and larger turning into a fierce firestorm. The fire first destroyed the towns of Mission Creek and Brook Park before coming into the town of Hinckley. When it was over the Firestorm had completely destroyed six towns, and over 400 square miles (1,000 km2) lay black and smoldering. The firestorm was so devastating that it lasted only four hours but destroyed everything in its path. [8] The fire destroyed the town of Hinckley (which at the time had a population of over 1,400) as well as the smaller nearby settlements of Mission Creek, Brook Park, Sandstone, Miller, Partridge and Pokegama. [2] The exact number of fatalities is difficult to determine. The official coroner's report counted 413 dead while the fire's official monument notes 418. [2][9] An unknown number of Native Americans and backcountry dwellers were also killed in the fire; bodies continued to be found years later. [10][11] Along with the 1918 Cloquet Fire (where 453 were killed) it is one of the deadliest in Minnesota history. Today, a 37-mile (60 km) section of the Willard Munger State Trail, from Hinckley to Barnum, is a memorial to the fire and the devastation it caused. In the town of Hinckley, on Highway 61, the Hinckley Fire Museum is located in the former Northern Pacific Railway depot. It is located a few feet north of the former depot, which burned down in the fire. It is open from May 1 until the end of October. [12] Lutheran Memorial Cemetery in Hinckley has a historical marker and granite obelisk as a memorial to those who perished in the fire. 248 residents of Hinckley perished in the fire and are buried in a mass grave at this cemetery. Some are unidentified. The Brook Park Cemetery on County Road 126, south of Minnesota State Highway 23, has an historical marker plaque and a memorial to the 23 fire victims of Brook Park, with a tall obelisk on top of a granite marker. [13] Thomas P. "Boston" Corbett, the Union soldier who killed John Wilkes Booth after Booth's assassination of Abraham Lincoln, is presumed to have died in the fire. His last known residence is believed to have been a forest settlement near Hinckley, and a "Thomas Corbett" is listed as one of the dead or missing. [14][15][16][17] Coordinates: 46°0′40″N 92°55′24″W / 46.01111°N 92.92333°W / 46.01111; -92.92333

Fire

Ådalen shootings

The Ådalen shootings (Swedish: skotten i Ådalen) was a series of events in and around the sawmill district of Ådalen, Kramfors Municipality, Ångermanland, Sweden, in May 1931. During a protest on 14 May, five people were killed by bullets fired by troops called in as reinforcements by the police. As a response to a drawn-out industrial conflict over pay reductions at the pulp factory at Långrör, workers at other plants went on a sympathy strike. [1] The owner of the Graninge company, Gerhard Versteegh, hired around 60 strike-breakers, who arrived in the village of Lunde in Ådalen on 12 May. The workers held a protest rally in Kramfors and marched to the Sandviken plant north of the town, where they approached and attacked some of the strike-breakers. [2] Since the police had not been able to stop the attack, the County Administrative Board asked for the deployment of members of the military from Sollefteå to protect the strike-breakers. When the troops arrived in the late evening of 13 May, they were met by protesters, allegedly throwing stones. [1] On 14 May the unions held another rally, during which the attending workers decided to stop all work in the timber and pulp industries in Ådalen—a general strike. [3] After the meeting, several thousand participants marched to the strike-breakers' quarters in Lunde, where the troops had been ordered to defend the strike-breakers. When they arrived in the village, a patrol of mounted troops tried unsuccessfully to stop them. [1] In the confusion that followed, at least one man fell off his horse and another drew his pistol and fired warning shots while the patrol withdrew. The military commander, Capt. Nils Mesterton, said later that he believed the demonstrators carried weapons since he heard shots as well as seeing some of the mounted patrol bleeding. [4] At a distance of less than 100 metres he, in accordance with orders from the present policeman in charge, ordered his troops to fire, which they did, aiming as planned at the ground halfway between the line and the demonstrators. However, ricochets hit the gathered demonstrators, who scattered, and the captain ordered the machine gun fired. Five people were shot to death: Oskar Berggren, Erik Bergström, Evert Nygren, Sture Larsson and Eira Söderberg, a 20-year-old bystander. Five people were injured. An inquiry later concluded that there was no evidence that the workers were in fact armed. [4] On that same day the County Administrative Board had decided to prohibit the strike-breakers from working. Their decision did not reach the demonstrators until after the shooting. It is widely believed that the confrontation could have been avoided if the news had reached the marchers earlier. The Swedish Employers' Association later asked the Swedish Parliamentary Ombudsmen to review the decision. [1] The events spawned a raging national debate, deeply divided along political lines. The political left called the shootings "murder", while the right claimed that the military had been forced to open fire to defend themselves and the "willing workers" from the rage of the demonstrators. [1][5] The publishers of several left-wing newspapers were convicted for violations against the limitations in the Freedom of the Press Act. [4] Major demonstrations took place in Stockholm. [5] The county governor was tried in court but acquitted. Captains Mesterton and Beckman were initially convicted in a court martial, but were acquitted on appeal and that verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Sweden. Sergeants Rask and Tapper, who were manning the machine gun, were also put on trial since repositioning had been performed with a loaded weapon, which was against army regulations. [6] Rask was acquitted while Tapper was found guilty and sentenced to three days' confined arrest with loss of pay. On the other hand, several demonstrators had to face severe sentences: Axel Nordström, considered to be the leader, was sentenced to two and half years' imprisonment with hard labour. No damages were awarded to the wounded demonstrators or to the families of the five dead. [5] The government, under the liberal Prime Minister Carl Gustaf Ekman, replaced the County Governor and launched an investigation into the event. [6] The investigation, with representatives from both employers and trade unions, later concluded that the military was highly unfit to uphold public order in similar situations. [7] The use of the military against civilians was more strictly regulated, but the legislation was on the books until it was repealed by the 1969 Riksdag. However, there was broad political agreement not to use military force against civilians. [8] The Ådalen shootings were still a concern in the discussions after the 9/11 events in the US, when military support to the police was considered. Therefore, the subsequent legislation that allowed the military to take part in anti-terrorism actions contained several safeguards. The military must be under command of the police, as they were in Ådalen in 1931, and legislation specifically says that the military cannot be used against demonstrations. [7][9] There was still concern that these safeguards would not be enough. [10][11][12] At the time of the 1931 events, it was not possible to call in police reinforcements from outside the county. [12] Thus, army assistance was the only recourse available to a county governor when the county's police force would be insufficient to deal with large-scale events. The shootings highlighted the inadequacy of this state of affairs. One effect of the Ådalen shootings was the formation of a national police force in 1933. [6] The leadership of the Social Democratic banned members to attend the funerals of the killed protesters as they were regarded as collaborators with the revolutionary communist party. [citation needed] In 1969 well-known Swedish filmmaker Bo Widerberg told the story of the events in his film Ådalen 31 (released as Adalen Riots in the US). Partly thanks to the film and partly through the persistent use of the events in political debate, the Ådalen shootings are still well known in Sweden, and are sometimes referred to in connection with violent clashes between demonstrators and police such as the 2001 EU summit protests in Gothenburg. [6] The incident is also mentioned several times in the 1979 Swedish comedy film Repmånad. [13]

Strike

Christmas flood of 1964

The Christmas flood of 1964 was a major flood in the United States' Pacific Northwest and some of Northern California between December 18, 1964, and January 7, 1965, spanning the Christmas holiday. [1] Considered a 100-year flood,[2] it was the worst flood in recorded history on nearly every major stream and river in coastal Northern California and one of the worst to affect the Willamette River in Oregon. It also affected parts of southwest Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. [1][3] In Oregon, 17 or 18 people died as a result of the disaster, and it caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. [3] The flooding on the Willamette covered 152,789 acres (61,831.5 ha). [4] The National Weather Service rated the flood as the fifth most destructive weather event in Oregon in the 20th century. [5] California Governor Pat Brown was quoted as saying that a flood of similar proportions could "happen only once in 1,000 years," and it was often referred to later as the Thousand Year Flood. [1] The flood killed 19 people, heavily damaged or completely devastated at least 10 towns, destroyed all or portions of more than 20 major highway and county bridges, carried away millions of board feet of lumber and logs from mill sites, devastated thousands of acres of agricultural land, killed 4,000 head of livestock, and caused $100 million in damage in Humboldt County, California, alone. [6][7] An atypical cold spell began in Oregon on December 13, 1964, that froze the soil, and it was followed by unusually heavy snow. [3][8] Subsequently, an atmospheric river brought persistent, heavy, warm rain. [3][8] The temperature increased by 30 to 40 °F (17 to 22 °C). This melted the snow, but left the soil frozen and impermeable. [8] Some places received the equivalent of a year's rain in just a few days. Albany received 13 inches (330 mm) of rain in December, almost double its average December rainfall of 7 inches (200 mm). [3] Detroit recorded an extra 18 inches (460 mm) of rain, and at Crater Lake, where the average normal December rainfall is 12 inches (300 mm), there was over 38 inches (970 mm) of rain. [clarification needed][3] As rivers and streams overflowed and the soil became saturated, mudslides occurred, roads closed, and reservoirs overflowed. [3] Many towns were isolated. [3] By the end of the flood, every river in Oregon was above flood stage, and more than 30 major bridges were impassable. [3] Heavy warm rain and melting snow caused more flooding in late January 1965, after the waters had begun to recede from the December flood. [1] More mudslides occurred in places that had withstood the December flooding, and there were more deaths. [1] Many streams in the northern San Joaquin Valley reached higher flows than they had in December. [7] The Christmas flood of 1964 was "the most severe rainstorm to ever occur over central Oregon, and among the most severe over western Oregon since the late 1870s", according to the National Weather Service office in Portland. [5] Some of the worst mudslides occurred in the Mount Hood Corridor, and one man died in a mud and debris avalanche near Rhododendron that destroyed 15 houses. [3] Other deaths occurred from drowning and electrocution, and one man died when the new John Day bridge collapsed. [1][3] Yamhill County was severely affected. [3] The Highway 219 bridge between Newberg and St. Paul, and Wilsonville Road between Newberg and Wilsonville were closed, trapping hundreds of people. [3] On the Oregon Coast, downtown Reedsport was flooded with 8 feet (2.4 m) of water, and in Coos Bay, a massive logjam contributed to severe flooding. [3] The ports at Gold Beach and Brookings were destroyed. [3] At Oregon City, Willamette Falls was unrecognizable as a waterfall, and the city was flooded by several feet of water. [3] In Portland, the lower deck of the Steel Bridge was underwater and had also been hit by a log raft consisting of around 1,000 logs. [3] The impact of the raft severely damaged the Hawthorne Bridge, closing it for a year. [3] At 12 feet (3.7 m) above flood stage, the flooding of the Willamette River at Portland in 1964 was second only to the 1948 flood that wiped out Vanport City. [3] At its peak, the water was at the top of Downtown Portland's seawall. [1] The Southern Pacific (SP) rail line between Portland and San Francisco was out of service for eighteen days as crews repaired damage from landslides near the 4,885-foot (1,489 m) Cascade Summit; and the parallel Willamette Pass highway was blocked for several days. Salt Creek washed out 25 miles (40 km) of Oregon Route 58 and undermined the SP viaduct footings. Landslides covered 700 feet (210 m) of SP track near Oakridge, and swept away 130 feet (40 m) of the Noisy Creek bridge 20 miles (32 km) north of Crescent Lake. The Willamette River washed out 300 feet (91 m) of SP track between Portland and Albany. [9] Starting on December 21, intense downpours all across Northern California caused numerous streams to flood, many to record-breaking levels. California Governor Brown declared 34 counties in the region disaster areas. [1][7] Together, Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Trinity, and Sonoma counties sustained more damage than the other 28 counties combined. [7] Twenty-six U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauges were destroyed. [7] The Eel, Smith, Klamath, Trinity, Salmon, and Mad rivers, as well as other rivers and large streams, all went well beyond flood stage and peaked nearly simultaneously around December 21 and 22, breaking previous records (notably those set in the "hundred year" flood of 1955 in most cases). [1][7] Sixteen state highway bridges were destroyed in California's 1st congressional district, most of them on Highway 101, and another ten county bridges were destroyed in Humboldt County. [7] The flood destroyed 37 miles (60 km) of track with multiple stream and river crossings of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad through the Eel River canyon, the region's only major railroad. [10] Many communities of Del Norte and Humboldt counties suffered massive power outages and were left isolated (or completely cut off from the rest of the state for a period), including the region's larger populated areas around Humboldt Bay, such as Eureka and Arcata, despite the fact that those cities were located on higher ground and not in the path of raging rivers. Riverside communities like Klamath, Orleans, Myers Flat, Weott, South Fork, Shively, Pepperwood, Stafford, and Ti-Bar were completely destroyed by flood waters; some of them were never rebuilt and none regained their former status. Metropolitan, Rio Dell, and Scotia were significantly damaged. [7] The Pacific Lumber Company sawmill at Scotia lost 40 million board feet (94,000 m3) of logs and lumber washed downstream. [10] Crescent City, still recovering from the tsunami created by the 1964 Alaska earthquake only nine months earlier, also suffered from the floods. [7] Over 22 inches (550 mm) of rain fell on the Eel River basin in a span of two days.

Floods

China floods: Henan mother dies after saving baby from mudslide

Rescuers in China say a woman who flung her baby to safety, just as a mudslide and floods hit their home, has died. The baby girl was pulled out alive on Wednesday after more than 24 hours buried under rubble. Reports said heavy rains had triggered the landslide at Wangzongdian village in Henan province. The region has seen massive floods because of record rainfall, with at least 51 dead and nearly 400,000 people evacuated from their homes. Footage of rescue workers saving the baby has gone viral in China. She is believed to be around three or four months old. "I heard the baby's voice, and at that moment the rescuers had just arrived and managed to save the child. She had been flung to a higher spot by her mother," one family member identified as Mr Zhao told Southern Metropolis Daily. The baby was rushed to hospital and found to be unharmed. Her mother's body was only found on Thursday. Rescuers told Beijing Youth Daily that when they discovered her body, it was frozen in a position that seemed like she was lifting something up. "Just at that crucial moment she had lifted up her child, and that's why the baby girl lived," one rescue worker called Mr Yang told reporters. Local reports did not name the mother or the child. The rain and floods have wreaked chaos across the province in the last week. Major roads have been turned into rivers, with cars, debris and even people swept along by fast-moving currents. In the provincial capital of Zhengzhou, at least 12 people died when floodwaters inundated an underground subway line on Tuesday night. Mr Zhao said rescue work had been difficult as the remote village's main access bridge had been swept away by floods. Many homes were destroyed by the floods and rain, leaving villagers vulnerable. "Wangzongdian still has a lot of old people and children, they have very limited ability to save themselves," said Mr Zhao. Rescuers on Friday were still trying to reach survivors across the sprawling region, which is home to more than 90 million people.

Mudslides

Denguin rail crash

The Denguin rail crash occurred on 17 July 2014 when a TER passenger train collided with a SNCF TGV express train near Denguin, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. Forty people were injured, four seriously. A high-speed TGV train on the Pau-Bayonne line was transporting 178 people when a regional TER train carrying 60 passengers crashed into it near the town of Denguin. [1] Nine people have been reported to be seriously injured. [2] The TGV was travelling from Tarbes, Hautes-Pyrénées to Paris. [3] The TGV was reported to have come to a halt at a red signal near Denguin before proceeding under caution. [1][4] At 17:38 CEST (15:38 UTC),[5] the TER train ran into the TGV, which was then travelling at 30 kilometres per hour (19 mph). [6] The TER train was travelling at 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph) at the time of the collision. [1] Forty people were injured, four seriously. The driver of the TER train was amongst those seriously injured. [6] There were 170 passengers on the TGV and 70 on the TER train. Three of the injured were evacuated from the crash site by helicopter. [7] By the afternoon of 18 July, two people remained in hospital with injuries described as "not life threatening". [1] Secretary of State for Transport, Marine and Fisheries Frédéric Cuvillier stated that signals were under maintenance at the time. Whether or not this was a causal factor in the accident would be part of the investigation. SNCF refuted suggestions that high temperatures had caused the TGV to suddenly slow. [7] It is thought that the TER train received a green signal and had no warning of the TGV ahead until it came in sight. The TER train had been travelling at 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph) before the collision. [1] The French Land Transport Accident Investigation Bureau (BEA-TT) have opened an investigation into the accident. A separate criminal investigation was also opened,[7] as was an internal investigation by SNCF. [1]

Train collisions

2011 Nations Cup

The 2011 Nations Cup (also known as the Carling Nations Cup after its headline sponsor) was a round-robin football tournament between the Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales national teams. [1] The first set of two games were played in Dublin in February, with the remaining four games played in May 2011. [2][3] It was won by the Republic of Ireland, who won all three of their games without conceding a goal. [4][5] The first international association football match was played between England and Scotland, two of the Home Nations of the United Kingdom, in 1872. [6] The remaining two Home Nations, Wales and Ireland both played their first matches within the following decade, in 1876 and 1882 respectively. [7] The first meetings between the sides were friendlies until they were organised to form the British Home Championship, the first international football tournament, for the 1883–84 season. [8] The competition continued for 100 years, although it was not held during the First or Second World War, before being abolished in 1984 due to claims of fading interest and low crowds. [9] Calls for the return of the a competition between the Home Nations had been sporadically raised since the end of the British Home Championship with varying degrees of success,[10] but the idea gained widespread attention in 2006 when Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez called for its return. [11] In 2007, the national football associations of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland met with Wales raising a proposal to revive a Home Nations tournament in the form of a "Celtic Cup" in response to the failure of any British side to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008. However, the plan was ultimately delayed due to fixture congestion with 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures already being in place. [12][13] The competition was officially announced in September the following year with the tournament scheduled to be held in Dublin between February and May 2011. England chose to turn down the chance to take part in the competition citing fixture congestion. [12][14] The Football Association of Wales stated its belief in 2007 that England might have joined at a later date if they could have been convinced that there were "practical solutions" to problems like fixture congestion. [15] It was announced on 12 August 2010, that the tournament would be sponsored by brewing company Carling, and known for sponsorship reasons as the Carling Nations Cup. [1][16] A second tournament was provisionally scheduled to take place in Wales in 2013. [17] The 2011 Nations Cup began in February 2011 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The Republic of Ireland won the inaugural tournament after winning all three of their matches, culminating with a 1–0 win over Scotland on the final matchday. It was originally intended to be a biennial tournament, but poor attendance at the first tournament meant that it was discontinued. [2][18][19] The Nations Cup plan initially proposed the tournament would be played as a knockout competition, with the semi-finals being played in August and the final and third-place playoff being played the following February. [12] However, the competition was eventually structured as a round-robin, with each team playing each of the others once, resulting in a total of six games in each season of the competition. [1][2] Three of the teams involved (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) had formerly competed in the now defunct British Home Championship, along with England. [11] The matches in the 2011 tournament were played in February and May, with the location due to rotate on a tournament-by-tournament basis. [20] Brittany also expressed an interest in taking part. [21] The newly rebuilt Aviva Stadium was chosen to host all six games of the 2011 tournament. The opening match of the competition was played on 8 February 2011 in front of more than 19,000 spectators and featured tournament hosts the Republic of Ireland and Wales. The match was Gary Speed's first fixture in charge of Wales since his appointment as manager in December 2010. Ireland nearly took an early lead when Damien Duff struck the post within the opening five minutes of the game. Wales were denied a penalty by referee Mark Courtney when Hal Robson-Kanu went down in the Ireland penalty box under pressure from Séamus Coleman in a first half that was described by The Guardian as "tame and error-strewn". [22] Ireland registered a number of chances early in the second half before Darron Gibson scored the tournament's opening goal when he played a one-two with Glen Whelan before scoring from 25 yards. Duff added a second seven minutes later with his first international goal for five years before Keith Fahey scored his side's third goal in the final ten minutes with a 20-yard free-kick. [22][23] Northern Ireland and Scotland met a day after the opening match, attracting a crowd of more than 18,000. Scotland midfielder Scott Brown suffered an injury in the warm-up leading to his withdrawal from the starting line-up. When the match began, Northern Ireland enjoyed the brighter start as Niall McGinn saw a shot saved by opposition goalkeeper Allan McGregor However, Scotland soon took control of the match and Kenny Miller, captaining Scotland for the first time in his career, gave his side the lead after 19 minutes after a corner fell to him a yard from the goalline. The goal was the first Scotland had scored in an away fixture since December 2009. [24] Scotland applied further pressure; Steven Caldwell hit the crossbar with a header and Kris Commons' shot was cleared off the goalline before James McArthur, Brown's late replacement in the side, added a second goal after 31 minutes. In the opening minutes of the second half, Scotland scored a third goal via Commons. The match ended in a 3–0 victory for Scotland, matching Ireland's opening result and recording the biggest away victory for the Scots in more than five years. [24][25] The second round of fixtures began with a fixture between the Republic of Ireland and neighbouring Northern Ireland on 24 May. A row between the two nations over player eligibility, brought on by two Northern Irish youth internationals changing allegiances in the lead up to the fixture,[26] lead to a boycott of the match by fans of the side with only around 200 travelling to the game. Although Northern Ireland started well, the Republic took the lead shortly before half-time through debutant Stephen Ward after an error by opposition goalkeeper Alan Blayney. Republic striker Robbie Keane capitalised on another defensive error shortly afterwards, intercepting a pass by Lee Hodson before converting. The Republic added a third before half time when Northern Ireland defender Craig Cathcart turned a cross into his own net. [27] Early in the second half, a poor clearance by Blayney led to Adam Thompson conceding a penalty following a foul on Keane. Thompson received the only red card of the Nations Cup for his foul, despite Keane calling for leniency from referee Craig Thomson. Keane converted the resulting penalty for his second goal of the game. Another debutant, Simon Cox, scored a fifth for the Republic with ten minutes remaining. The five goal deficit was the largest margin of victory ever recorded by the Republic over Northern Ireland and was the Republic's largest victory since a win over San Marino by the same scoreline in 2006. [27][28] Every match of the tournament was shown live on Sky Sports (also on Sky 3D), with the Wales matches simulcasted live with Welsh language commentary on S4C. [29] The Football Association of Ireland was criticised by the media, supporters and other football associations for setting high ticket prices. The 51,700-capacity Aviva Stadium was less than half-full for all of the games.

Sports Competition

More than 12 million people in Syria and Iraq are losing access to water, food and electricity

More than 12 million people in Syria and Iraq are losing access to water, food and electricity and urgent action is needed to combat a severe water crisis, 13 aid groups working in the region warn today. Across the region, rising temperatures, record low levels of rainfall, and drought are depriving people of drinking and agricultural water. It is also disrupting electricity as dams run out of water, which in turn impacts the operations of essential infrastructure including health facilities. Higher temperatures caused by climate change increase the risks and severity of droughts. More than five million people in Syria directly depend on the river. In Iraq, the loss of access to water from the river, and drought, threaten at least seven million people. Some 400 square kilometres of agricultural land risk total drought. Two dams in northern Syria, serving three million people with electricity, face imminent closure. Communities in Hasakah, Aleppo, Raqqa and Deir ez Zour, including displaced people in camps, have witnessed a rise in outbreaks of water borne-diseases such as diarrhoea, since the reduction in water. In Iraq, large swathes of farmland, fisheries, power production and drinking water sources have been depleted of water. In the Ninewa governorate, wheat production is expected to go down by 70 per cent because of the drought, while in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq production is expected to decrease by half. Some families in Anbar who have no access to river water are spending up to USD80 a month on water. “The total collapse of water and food production for millions of Syrians and Iraqis is imminent,” said Carsten Hansen, Regional Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council. “With hundreds of thousands of Iraqis still displaced and many more still fleeing for their lives in Syria, the unfolding water crisis will soon become an unprecedented catastrophe pushing more into displacement.” CARE’s Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa, Nirvana Shawky, said: “The situation demands that authorities in the region and donor governments act swiftly to save lives in this latest crisis, that comes on top of conflict, COVID-19 and severe economic decline. In the longer term, beyond emergency food and water, they need to invest in sustainable solutions to the water crisis.” The Danish Refugee Council’s Middle East Regional Director Gerry Garvey said: “This water crisis is bound to get worse. It is likely to increase conflict in an already destabilized region. There is no time to waste. We must find sustainable solutions that would guarantee water and food today and for future generations.” In Al Sebat, 30 km away from Hasakah, residents have seen scores of villagers leaving to other areas, forced out by the drought. “This year we have witnessed a wave of intense drought and as a result our lands did not produce any crops and we don’t have any sources of drinkable water either for us or for our animals,” said Abdallah, a tribal leader from Al Sebat. “It is infuriating to think that the current conditions will force us to leave the rural areas and that our lands will be left as ruins.” Many farmers have spent their savings and gone into debt to keep their animals alive. “Because of the drought I was unable to harvest any wheat,” said Hamid Ali from Baaj, one of the worst affected districts in Ninewa, Iraq. “Now I am overwhelmed with debt.” Other aid groups joining today’s warning and call for emergency and flexible funding are: ACTED, Action Against Hunger, Mercy Corps, People in Need, Première Urgence Internationale, War Child, Help, Women Rehabilitation Organisation, VIYAN Organization, Al Rakeezeh Foundation for Relief and Development.

Droughts

NYC School Closes After First Week of Classes Due to COVID Cases, Will Go to Remote Learning

A school in New York City was forced to close after its first week of classes due to 19 staff members testing positive for COVID-19. P.S. 79 in East Harlem will shut down starting Monday until September 28 due to "possible widespread exposure and transmission in the school," according to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer in a tweet Saturday. Learning will be conducted remotely, and the school will ensure every student has a device and meals will be able to be picked up daily, Brewer said. The cases were linked to staff orientation. "All my efforts are focused on supporting the principal, making sure parents are notified so they don't show up on Monday & that the students and families have access to the devices they need," Brewer tweeted. This is an unfortunate situation & we need the city's leadership to take responsibility." In an earlier Twitter post on Friday, Brewer wrote of the latest case count at the school: "This is exactly what we feared would happen—and why a remote option should have been offered to parents in the first place." In a statement to Newsweek, Nathaniel Styer, a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Education, said: "The health and safety of our school communities is our top priority, and we do not hesitate to intervene to stop the spread. "We follow stringent guidance from health experts to prevent any further transmission by quarantining close contacts, closing classrooms, and, if necessary, entire buildings. Learning will continue during quarantine and we will provide the school resources and support to have a successful school year." Since schools opened on September 13, there have been 812 total COVID-19 cases in New York City schools—487 students and 325 staff members have tested positive for the virus, according to the NYC Department of Education. The East Harlem school is the first to be closed due to COVID-19 cases. Teachers and staff members are required to have at least one dose of the vaccine by September 27. The New York City school system has over 1 million students, making it the largest school district in the nation, according to the city's Department of Education. Schools across the country have been forced to shut down due to a high number of students and staff members testing positive for the virus. A school district in Tennessee closed for one week at the end of August due to an increase in cases. In Los Angeles County, more than 8,000 students and 1,200 staff tested positive less than one month into the school year. Child COVID-19 cases have grown "exponentially" since schools began to open in August, although severe illness among children remains rare, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children younger than 12 years old are not eligible for vaccination.

Organization Closed

Firefly has struggled to reach orbit using its centerpiece Alpha rocket

A roughly $30 million handshake between two rivals is the latest display of consolidation in the small launch industry Astra, the small launch company that recently went public, has signed a roughly $30 million deal for the rights to manufacture Firefly Aerospace’s Reaver rocket engines in-house, according to a document seen by The Verge and people familiar with the arrangement. The agreement is part of a growing trend of consolidation in an industry of small rockets, where companies are cutting new deals to stay competitive as private capital abounds, more players take the field, and demand for small launch services shifts. Under the deal, which closed earlier this year, Firefly will send up to 50 of its Reaver rocket engines to Astra’s rocket factory in Alameda, California, where a development engine was already delivered in late spring for roughly half a million dollars, according to an internal Firefly document viewed by The Verge and a person briefed on the agreement. Astra engineers have been picking apart the engine for detailed inspection, said a person familiar with the terms, who, like others involved in the deal, declined to speak on the record because of a strict non-disclosure agreement. Astra’s vice president of communications Kati Dahm declined to discuss the agreement when asked by The Verge for comment on specific details, but disputed as incorrect the number of engines that the deal covers, as well as the cost of roughly a half million dollars for the initial development engine that’s sitting in Astra’s factory. Dahm declined to provide any additional information to back up those disputes. Fusing Firefly’s engines with Astra’s own rocket technology would help Astra reach its publicly stated “500kg to 500km” goal, or the capability to send 1,102 pounds of satellites into the most popular orbital altitude for mega-constellations. The company’s current rocket — simply called Rocket, nothing else — has been test-launched through various iterations, and after three main attempts, has yet to reach orbit. The latest rocket iterations use five of the company’s own Delphin engines, which are designed to lift up to 331 pounds to low-Earth orbit. Astra is one of a handful of new launch startups that has been drudging through the trials of starting a launch business. Roughly five years after its founding in 2016, the company reached space — but not orbit — during its second launch last year, a feat that came quicker than most rocket startups typically achieve. Its third and most recent attempt in August from its pad in Kodiak, Alaska failed after one of its five core engines shut down nearly a second after liftoff, Astra co-founder and CEO Chris Kemp told reporters at the time. Firefly, too, has struggled to reach orbit using its centerpiece Alpha rocket, which is powered by four Reaver engines. This month, the company’s first orbital launch attempt failed when one of Alpha’s engines shutdown after a fuel valve spontaneously closed, cutting off the rocket’s ability to steer itself vertically. It started tumbling and turning sideways mid-flight before Space Force officials, who help manage launch safety, stepped in and detonated it. Alpha, as designed, can carry much more to orbit than Astra’s current rocket — some 2,204 pounds of satellites to low-Earth orbit. The IP agreement includes a clause that aims to ensure Astra’s rocket doesn’t directly compete with Firefly’s Alpha. Astra, people involved in the deal said, is limited to using no more than two Reaver engines per rocket — just good enough to achieve the “500kg to 500km” goal. Kemp, Astra’s CEO, declined to comment on the specifics of the deal but emphasized Astra isn’t outright buying engines from Firefly. Doing so would be a major reversal for Astra’s brand of vertical integration, or the arrangement in which a company largely owns most of its supply chain to keep costs low and minimize production risks. Rather, according to the people briefed on the deal, Astra is buying the engine’s IP to manufacture them in-house and avoid being dependent on a supplier for its engines, which engineers regard as a rocket’s most important piece of hardware. “I can’t comment on any supplier agreements that we have, but I can tell you that we have said that all IP required to produce all of our technology will be owned by Astra, licensed by Astra, or developed by Astra,” Kemp told The Verge. A spokesperson for Firefly declined to comment. Firefly’s move to sell engine IP to Astra, a rival, is part of a broader strategy to diversify its rocket business, and an increasingly common tactic in the industry. In August, Firefly announced a “new line of business dedicated to supplying rocket engines and other spaceflight components to the emerging New Space industry.” Without naming Astra, Firefly CEO Tom Markusic told SpaceNews last month that Firefly has a contract to deliver about 50 rocket engines to a company developing its own launch vehicle. The Firefly document reviewed by The Verge says the same, and adds that sharing IP is part of the deal. Multiple sources involved in and familiar with the agreement told The Verge that Astra is the undisclosed customer. Swapping out Astra’s Delphin engines for Firefly’s Reaver engines isn’t as easy as it might sound. The existence of the deal between the two companies suggests Astra is planning a redesigned launch vehicle, which analysts say would have been necessary anyway to achieve its goal of sending 500kg to low-Earth orbit. But it’s unclear what rocket Astra is planning around the Reaver engines or when it would be ready to launch. Firefly offered to sell Astra its Reaver engines directly earlier this year, people familiar with the talks said, but Astra, focused on bringing in new technology whose production lines it can control itself, didn’t want that kind of arrangement. “We would not want to be in a position where if they don’t supply us an engine, we can’t launch a rocket,” a person familiar with Astra’s strategy said. That might be the right move, as an example from the other end of the launch industry shows — United Launch Alliance (ULA), the Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture, is buying engines from Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin to power the company’s next generation rocket, Vulcan. But Blue Origin’s engine development delays have held up ULA’s timeline for Vulcan’s inaugural launch. Overall, the agreement between Astra and Firefly “seems like a natural outcome of the increasing maturity of new entrants to the marketplace,” says Carissa Christensen, an industry analyst and founder of BryceTech. The small launch industry is flooded with new entrants — roughly 100 different small launch companies exist nowadays, with only a handful making meaningful progress toward space. Rocket Lab, a California-based firm that launches rockets from New Zealand, is the only small launch firm that’s conducting routine operations, using its Electron rocket to loft satellites into space for the Space Force and private companies. Rocket Lab went public this year through a SPAC merger, or a special-purpose acquisition company that’s listed publicly only to merge with a private company and take it public. That unlocked new capital for the company’s future rocket development plans and put its valuation around $4 billion. “Historically, it’s typical that space companies collaborate and work together as well as compete,” Christensen said, partially because launch companies require large sums of investment and don’t generate constant streams of revenue or profit. And “because of the relatively limited demand,” there aren’t tens of thousands of launches a year that would keep operations busy and revenue coming in. Instead, there are roughly a hundred launches per year. Like Firefly, Rocket Lab has also expanded into the components business in recent months, but on a different scale. The company announced it is selling reaction wheels — tiny components that help satellites maintain position in orbit — and plans to make up to 2,000 each year. Selling IP for engines like Astra and Firefly’s arrangement, Rocket Lab’s CEO Peter Beck tells The Verge, “doesn’t move the needle” in the small launch industry. “Providing thousands of reaction wheels across a large number of platforms and large constellations — that actually moves the needle for the whole industry,” he claims. For small launch firms, “either they’ll go out of business or I definitely think there will be mergers and acquisitions,” Christensen said. Some of those mergers and acquisitions, she added, will be the result of a convenient deal two companies reached, or a desperate tactic for a company to stay alive. “It’s a high risk business.” Astra, founded in 2016, was the first launch company to go public earlier this year, accessing new capital by taking the route of a SPAC merger. Astra’s valuation was pegged at $2.1 billion. After its announcement to go public, the company acquired Apollo Fusion in July for $145 million, scooping up electric spacecraft propulsion technology designed to power satellite busses that Astra is planning to develop. Firefly, founded by Markusic in 2014 as Firefly Space Systems, went out of business in 2016 after a European investor pulled out, which Markusic said at the time was due to the Brexit referendum. The company was resurrected as Firefly Aerospace in 2017 when Noosphere Ventures, an investment firm founded by Ukrainian entrepreneur Max Polyakov, bought the bankrupt company’s assets. After a funding round in May, the company’s overall valuation is just over $1 billion. “We took Firefly from bankruptcy to a valuation of more than $1 billion in less than 5 years. We can increase that by a factor of 10 in the next 5 years,” Polyakov said in an email to The Verge. “Putting crazies and romantics aside, some of these companies have solid tech; others may have better access to capital. The inevitable result of a market situation like this is consolidation or mergers,” he said of the overall industry landscape. “Few will make it on their own.”

New achievements in aerospace

Brazilian bank robbers invade another city, sowing chaos and death

For the second night in a row, heavily armed bank robbers invaded a midsize city in Brazil, taking residents hostage as they looted a bank. The violence in the Amazonian city of Cameta came just one day after criminals struck another midsize city in a similar bank robbery on the opposite side of the country. The public security secretariat of Para state said in a statement that more than 20 criminals with assault rifles targeted a branch of the state-run Bank of Brazil in Cameta, a city of 140,000 people. Video on social media showed a line of about a dozen hostages being led away from a square and shots ringing out in the night Tuesday. “They drove around shooting at the police and at the houses. It was a horrible scene to see,” Junior Gaia, who lives nearby, said in an interview with television network Globo News. “We were all laid out on the floor, afraid they would invade the homes.” Local media reported that a military police station was attacked, preventing officers from responding. Neither the bank nor officials immediately said how much money might have been stolen. World & Nation A teen’s killing stirs Black Lives Matter protests in Brazil More than 600 people were killed by police in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state in the first months of this year, and most were black or biracial. June 18, 2020 The coordinated attack came a day after a similar overnight robbery of a Bank of Brazil branch in Brazil’s southern region. In the city of Criciuma, dozens of gunmen armed with assault rifles seized the city and took hostages as they used explosives to rob a bank. As in Cameta, the Criciuma robbers took measures to impede the police response and fired shots into the air, apparently to scare people into staying indoors. The robberies took place at the start of December, when bank coffers are filled in anticipation of employees withdrawing their year-end bonuses, said Cassio Thyone, a council member of the nonprofit Brazilian Forum on Public Safety. Many Brazilians get an extra month’s pay in December, known as the 13th salary. “It doesn’t happen without planning,” Thyone said of the robberies. “It’s another demonstration that everything is planned. They think of the location, and the timing.” World & Nation ‘Trump of the tropics’ Bolsonaro suffers heavy losses in Brazil mayoral races Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who consistently downplays the COVID-19 pandemic, suffered heavy losses in mayoral elections across the country. Nov. 30, 2020 The Bank of Brazil said in a statement that it is collaborating with police investigators and has yet to begin evaluating the structural damage to its branch in Cameta. Images published by online media outlet G1 showed the facade blown open and shards of glass littering the ground. In Cameta, tactical forces as well as police from other areas were dispatched to reinforce the police. Authorities located the criminals’ abandoned truck and found explosive devices within it, according to the security secretariat. Two people were shot, including one hostage, a young man, who was killed. The other has been hospitalized with a leg wound. Cameta Mayor Waldoli Valente offered his condolences for the victim on Facebook. “Our city was always peaceful and I ask that everyone stay at home,” he posted about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. The two overnight robberies resembled another in July in the city of Botucatu in Sao Paulo state. There, about 30 armed men blew up a bank branch, took residents hostage and exchanged gunfire with police before making their getaway.

Bank Robbery

1968 Detroit riot

The 1967 Detroit Riot, also known as the Detroit Rebellion and the 12th Street Riot, was the bloodiest incident in the "Long, hot summer of 1967". Composed mainly of confrontations between black residents and the Detroit Police Department, it began in the early morning hours of Sunday July 23, 1967, in Detroit, Michigan. The precipitating event was a police raid of an unlicensed, after-hours bar, then known as a blind pig, on the city's Near West Side. It exploded into one of the deadliest and most destructive riots in American history, lasting five days and surpassing the scale of Detroit's 1943 race riot 24 years earlier. Governor George W. Romney ordered the Michigan Army National Guard into Detroit to help end the disturbance. President Lyndon B. Johnson sent in the United States Army's 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions. The result was 43 dead, 1,189 injured, over 7,200 arrests, and more than 400 buildings destroyed. The scale of the riot was the worst in the United States since the 1863 New York City draft riots during the American Civil War, and it was not surpassed until the 1992 Los Angeles riots 25 years later. The riot was prominently featured in the news media, with live television coverage, extensive newspaper reporting, and extensive stories in Time and Life magazines. The staff of the Detroit Free Press won the 1968 Pulitzer Prize for general local reporting for its coverage. Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot wrote and recorded "Black Day in July" recounting these events on his 1968 album Did She Mention My Name?. This song was subsequently banned by radio stations in 30 American states. "Black Day in July" was later covered by The Tragically Hip on the 2003 anthology Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot. In the early 20th century, when African Americans migrated to Detroit in the Great Migration, the city experienced a rapidly increasing population and a shortage of housing. They encountered strong discrimination in housing. Both racial covenants and unspoken agreements among whites kept black people out of certain neighborhoods and prevented most African Americans from buying their own homes. The presence of Ku Klux Klan members throughout Michigan furthered racial tensions and violence. Malcolm X's father, Earl Little, was killed in a streetcar accident in 1931, although it is alleged the Klan's Black Legion in East Lansing were involved. [4] In addition, a system of Redlining was instituted which made it nearly impossible for black Detroiters to purchase a home in most areas of the city, effectively locking black residents into lower quality neighborhoods.These discriminatory practices and the effects of the segregation that resulted from them contributed significantly to the racial tensions in the city before the riot. Segregation also encouraged harsher policing in African American neighborhoods, which escalated black Detroiters' frustrations leading up to the riot. The patterns of racial and ethnic segregation persisted through the mid-20th century. In 1956, mayor Orville Hubbard of Dearborn, part of Metro Detroit, boasted to the Montgomery Advertiser that "Negroes can't get in here...These people are so anti-colored, much more than you in Alabama. " The election of Mayor Jerome Cavanagh in 1961 brought some reform to the police department, led by new Detroit Police Commissioner George Edwards. Detroit had acquired millions in federal funds through President Johnson's Great Society programs and invested them almost exclusively in the inner city, where poverty and social problems were concentrated. By the 1960s, many black people had advanced into better union and professional jobs. The city had a prosperous black middle class; higher-than-normal wages for unskilled black workers due to the success of the auto industry; two black congressmen (half of the black Congressmen at the time); three black judges; two black members on the Detroit Board of Education; a housing commission that was forty percent black; and twelve black representatives representing Detroit in the Michigan legislature. [49] The city had mature black neighborhoods such as Conant Gardens. In May 1967, the federal administration ranked housing for the black community in Detroit above that of Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago, and Cleveland. Nicholas Hood, the sole black member of the nine-member Detroit Common Council, praised the Cavanagh administration for its willingness to listen to concerns of the inner city. Weeks prior to the riot, Mayor Cavanagh had said that residents did not "need to throw a brick to communicate with City Hall. " There were still signs of black disaffection however; In 1964, Rosa Parks, who had moved to Detroit in the late fifties, told an interviewer that, "I don't feel a great deal of difference here [from Alabama]...Housing segregation is just as bad, and it seems more noticeable in the larger cities. "[42] The improvements mostly benefitted wealthier black Detroiters, and poor black Detroiters remained frustrated by the social conditions in Detroit. [5] Despite the modest improvements described above, segregation, police brutality and racial tension were rampant in 1960s Detroit and played a large role in inciting the riot. The Detroit Police Department was administered directly by the Mayor. Prior to the riot, Mayor Cavanagh's appointees, George Edwards and Ray Girardin, worked for reform. Edwards tried to recruit and promote black police officers, but he refused to establish a civilian police review board, as African Americans had requested. In trying to discipline police officers accused of brutality, he turned the police department's rank-and-file against him. Many whites perceived his policies as "too soft on crime. "[6] The Community Relations Division of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission undertook a study in 1965 of the police, published in 1968. It claimed the "police system" was at fault for racism. The police system was blamed for recruiting "bigots" and reinforcing bigotry through the department's "value system." A survey conducted by President Johnson's Kerner Commission found that prior to the riot, 45 percent of police working in black neighborhoods were "extremely anti-Negro" and an additional 34 percent were "prejudiced. " In 1967, 93% of the force was still white, although 30% of the city residents were black. Incidents of police brutality made blacks feel at risk. They resented many police officers who they felt talked down to them, addressing men as "boys" and women as "honey" and "baby." Police made street searches of groups of young men, and single women complained of being called prostitutes for simply walking on the street. [10] The police frequently arrested people who did not have proper identification. The local press reported several questionable shootings and beatings of black citizens by officers in the years before 1967. After the riot, a Detroit Free Press survey showed that residents reported police brutality as the number one problem they faced in the period leading up to the riot.

Riot

Downunder Hostel fire

The Downunder Hostel Fire was a lethal fire on 17 September 1989, set shortly before 5:00 am in a backpackers hostel on Darlinghurst Road in the Kings Cross area of Sydney, Australia. [1] Kings Cross is a very popular destination with international backpackers visiting Australia. The fire was the fifth most deadly disaster in Australia in 1989. Since 1981, another 52 people have died in fires in backpackers hostels and other low-end boarding facilities. Nineteen people died in 1981 in the Rembrandt Apartments,[2][3] also in Kings Cross. Twelve died in a fire in Dungog, New South Wales in 1991 at the Palm Grove Hostel. [4] In 2000 the Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers, Queensland, burned down, costing 15 lives. [5] On top of all that, 130 backpackers were evacuated after an arson attack at the Ocean View Lodge in Fremantle, Western Australia in March 1993, 10 from the City Heart Hostel in Rockhampton, Queensland in August 1996 after another arson attack. [6] On 13 October 2011, a fire was started in a bin outside Noah's Bondi Beach hostel in Bondi Beach, New South Wales, where 130 backpackers were sleeping,. [7] In December 1975 the Savoy Private Hotel burned down with the loss of 15 lives and 25 seriously injured after a fire set by Reginald John Little. It was next door to a building that housed the Pink Panther strip club and a brothel called the Kingsdore Motel. This building later became the Downunder Hostel. [8] Both buildings were owned by alleged crime-boss Abe "the boss of the Cross" Saffron,[9] who has been linked to seven other fires. [10] As a hostel the three story building held 58 beds, with a standard of four or five individuals per room. [11] The fire quickly swept up through the stairwell, which became blocked by smoke and fire. Due to the lack of fire escapes many escaped through the windows in the rooms. [11] Arson was suspected. At least 60 were rescued, 16 of whom were injured. [12] All fatalities were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or smoke inhalation in the room on the top floor. Six young tourists aged in their twenties, died in a fire that started in the lobby of the hostel. [11]The victims were British, Canadian, New Zealand, Danish, Austrian and Swedish. [13] Initial reports from a police spokesperson during the investigation strongly hinted the fire was arson and not accidental, stating "It is possible someone dropped a cigarette or something may have been dropped in the lounge. But we can't discount some drunk has come back to the hostel and lit it up for fun. "[11] Gregory Alan Brown, who had a history of mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse, confessed to setting this fire and some 500 more. [14] He was sentenced to 18 years for manslaughter. He was convicted, despite his alleged unreliable confession and a suggestion that he was in Melbourne at the time. [15] The court found diminished responsibility, sentencing him for manslaughter instead of murder. Alleged to have boasted to another prisoner "I love hearing people scream and watching them die," he was released in 2009 after serving his full sentence, refusing to apply for parole. [16] The Downunder fire eventually led to new stringent safety procedures. The coroner made recommendations about the number of fire exits, sprinkler systems, labelling of fire doors, fire extinguishers and other fire-fighting equipment and staffing. [17] The local council formed a safety department but enforcement remains sporadic as local councils are not reimbursed for legal fees in Land and Environment Court. [18] Legislation was introduced that gave local governments and fire authorities special enforcement powers in relation to buildings posing a fire risk, with authorized inspectors becoming capable of inspecting buildings when requested or when a written complaint has been made about the building. [19] Coordinates: 33°52′25.3″S 151°13′24.2″E / 33.873694°S 151.223389°E / -33.873694; 151.223389

Fire

Korean Air Lines YS-11 hijacking crash

The Korean Air Lines YS-11 hijacking occurred on 11 December 1969. The aircraft, a Korean Air Lines NAMC YS-11 flying a domestic route from Gangneung Airbase in Gangneung, Gangwon, South Korea to Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, was hijacked at 12:25 PM by North Korean agent Cho Ch'ang-hŭi (조창희). [1][2] It was carrying four crewmembers and 46 passengers (excluding Cho); 39 of the passengers were returned two months later, but the crew and seven passengers remain in North Korea. The incident is seen in the South as an example of the North Korean abductions of South Koreans. [3] According to passenger testimony, one of the passengers rose from his seat 10 minutes after takeoff and entered the cockpit, following which the aircraft changed direction and was joined by three Korean People's Air Force fighter jets. [4] The aircraft landed at Sǒndǒk Airfield near Wonsan at 1:18 pm. [5] North Korean soldiers boarded the aircraft afterwards, blindfolded the passengers, and instructed them to disembark. [4] The aircraft was damaged beyond repair on landing. [1] A member of the United States Air Force in South Korea was scheduled to be a passenger on the ill-fated flight, but instead caught a military transport flight at the last minute. [6] North Korea claimed that the pilots had flown the aircraft there to protest the policies of then-President of South Korea Park Chung-hee. The passengers were subjected to attempts at indoctrination for up to four hours a day. [4] The South Korean police initially suspected that the co-pilot conspired with two North Korean agents in the hijacking. [7] The night after the hijacking, 100,000 South Koreans held a mass rally in freezing weather to protest about the hijacking, and burned an effigy of Kim Il-sung. [8] On 25 December, North Korea proposed to hold talks on the matter. [9] Talks were finally held in late January 1970. [10] Sixty-six days after the incident, North Korea released 39 of the passengers on 14 February through the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom, but kept the aircraft, crew, and remaining passengers. [11] The statements provided by the released passengers refuted North Korea's claims that the hijacking was led by the pilots; instead, they pinned the blame on one of the passengers. One man claimed to have looked out the window of the aircraft despite instructions from the North Korean guards, and saw the hijacker being driven away in a black sedan. Another passenger was reported to have become mentally deranged as a result of his captivity, and lost the ability to speak. [4] The fate of most of the unreturned passengers has not been confirmed. They were educated, upper-class people; Song Yeong-in formerly of the National Intelligence Service commented at the families' committee inaugural meeting in 2008 that they were probably retained by North Korea specifically for their propaganda value. [12] Oh Kil-nam, who defected to the North for a time in 1986, said that he met the two flight attendants as well as the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation employees Hwang and Gim (see the list below) employed making propaganda broadcasts to the South[13] and that later he heard from his daughter that the captain and first officer were working for the Korean People's Air Force. [12] The flight attendant Seong Gyeong-hui's mother was allowed to visit the North in 2001 to see her daughter as part of the family reunions agreed to in the June 15th North–South Joint Declaration; there Seong said that she and the other flight attendant Jeong Gyeong-suk remained friends and were living in the same town. [5][12] Son of unreturned passenger Hwang Won, Hwang In-cheol, who was only 2 years old at the time of the hijacking, set up the Korean Air Flight YS-11 Families Committee in 2008 to press the South Korean government to further investigate the issue. In 2009, he stated that he felt particularly "alienated" by the mass media attention shown to the 2009 imprisonment of American journalists by North Korea lasting 141 days, compared to the relative lack of coverage of the fate of his father, also a journalist, whom he has not seen in 40 years. [14] In June 2010, he applied to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances of the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate the unreturned passengers as cases of forced disappearance; he spent six months preparing the application, with the help of his friends. [3] In February 2012, he filed a lawsuit against the North Korean spy who kidnapped his father. [15] The tail number of the aircraft, HL5208, was retired as a result of the incident. [16] All four crew, as well as seven passengers, were not returned to the South. [17] The ages listed are those as of the time of the hijacking. [18]

Air crash

Dubai’s recipe for a sustainable future

The UAE currently imports approximately 87 per cent of its total food supply – but aquaculture and hydroponic farming could help build a more sustainable future, all while facilitating fresher, better-tasting dishes. Atlantis, The Palm is one hotel that’s committed to putting locally sourced produce on the menu in Dubai. Currently, eight of its restaurants feature ingredients grown a cab ride away. Raymond Wong, Chef de Cuisine at Atlantis’ Seafire Steakhouse, is among the culinary team creating the resort’s new selection of sustainable dishes. “The goal is to have five different locally sourced products on the menus at all 23 restaurants in the Atlantis by the end of 2021,” says Wong. Seafire Steakhouse dishes made with local ingredients include a mushroom risotto crafted with a selection of locally handpicked mushrooms, and organic beetroot-cured salmon carpaccio, featuring a jus made from UAE-based Green Fields Farms cucumbers, topped with crispy shards of Arabic bread. Atlantis, The Palm is sourcing its salmon from Fish Farm, a marine breeding and hatchery facility in Jebel Ali, where the mission is to reduce the UAE’s dependency on imported fish, while supplying buyers with a product that tastes fresher. “The locally farmed salmon is so fresh when it gets to us, it actually needs time to rest,” says Wong. Supplying the resort’s leafy vegetables is nearby Oasis Greens and Uns Farm in Al Quoz, two of Dubai’s hydroponic farms with a zero-pesticide policy, using 90 per cent less water than traditional farming methods. “When bought locally, micro-herbs and salad leaves last far longer before they start to wilt – and the taste is spectacular,” adds Wong. Atlantis’ resort-wide, long-term sustainability drive has also placed locally sourced dishes on the menu at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Hakkasan, Ronda Locatelli, Nobu, Wavehouse, White Restaurant and The Shore. Kelly Timmins, Director of Conservation, Education and CSR at Atlantis, The Palm, says: “Sustainability is a journey and to get there we need the involvement of our community. A key focus for Atlantis, The Palm is to look at increasing our use of local suppliers and vendors as part of our commitment to drive the whole local economy.” Share this article It may surprise you to hear that Europe is covered with volcanoes. No need to worry though, the vast majority are extinct or dormant. Dormant volcanoes are technically active but haven’t erupted for a long time. They are just expected to erupt again at some stage in the future. Most of Europe’s volcanoes are concentrated around the Mediterranean or Iceland, on the boundaries between tectonic plates. A volcano is considered active if it erupted in the past 10,000 years but lava can often be seen gushing upwards from many volcanoes much more frequently. Here’s are four of Europe’s most impressive active volcanoes. Iceland has approximately 130 volcanoes and Geldingadalir is its newest one. It started erupting around two months ago - the first volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula since the 13th Century. Since then, it was stable for over a month, before spewing lava into the sky again at the beginning of May. Experts believe the eruption is the beginning of a new period for the region, with activity expected to get more frequent. Lavalapse: A timelapse of an eruption at the #Geldingadalir#volcano in #Iceland. #geography#geologypic.twitter.com/xuC5qAhU6n Stromboli, or the ‘Lighthouse of the Mediterranean’ is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Erupting continuously for the past 2,000 years, it has seen a spike in activity since 1932. One of its most spectacular features is the ‘Sciara del Fuoco’ or Stream of Fire. This is a giant horseshoe-shaped depression, formed in the last 13,000 years. Relatively quiet since an intense outburst in November 2020, Stromboli started to erupt again in mid-May. A recent @CopernicusEU#Sentinel2 image of #Stromboli volcano in #Italy ?, which started erupting last week.Stromboli, a small island north of #Sicily, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. pic.twitter.com/aRAbSGrCuu Santorini, a stunning island off the coast of Greece, is actually a sleeping volcano. Its last major eruption was centuries ago (around 1600 BC) but scientists believe this could soon change. Small eruptions have taken place since then, the most recent one in 1950. In a study published in March, researchers categorised the island as “high risk for volcanically- and seismically-induced hazards.” The number one spot had to be reserved for Sicily’s spectacular Mt Etna. Locally called ‘Mongibello,’ it is Europe’s most active volcano. In just five weeks around March 2021, it erupted more than 16 times. Annually, Mt Etna erupts around 200 times and this number has been increasing. As well as being one of the largest volcanoes in Europe, it also has the longest historical record. Mt Etna’s eruptions have been documented for more than 2,000 years when it was still part of Ancient Rome. Share this article UNESCO's World Heritage Committee will meet next month to discuss which new sites should earn a place on its prestigious list and which should be removed. Seven face being added to the UN body's 'Danger List' and two could be delisted entirely, as both human action and natural disasters threaten the character of these special places. The World Heritage List includes both natural and cultural sites that are judged for having outstanding value for the whole of humanity. From the immense Great Wall of China, to the lush green paradise of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the prestigious accolade is a sign to nations that these treasures must be cared for and preserved for future generations. After the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled its 2020 meeting, the committee is scheduled to meet in China next month to judge which new sites should be added to the list. However, the session will also discuss current World Heritage Sites considered to be under threat. In a report released last week, UNESCO recommended that seven should be included on its so-called 'Danger List' - which details places facing conditions that could ruin the very reasons they were originally awarded the status.

Volcano Eruption

Trump abandons INF treaty

Trump has announced that he will withdraw the US from the INF treaty. This treaty has been a bedrock of nuclear arms control, having eliminated thousands of deadly nuclear missiles in Europe. This is a very dangerous moment for the whole world. A new nuclear arms race is emerging and the threat of nuclear war grows by the day. The movement must be ready to rise up to oppose the return of US nuclear missiles on British soil if the treaty is scrapped at the end of the 6-month withdrawal period. 11 March 2019 CND has launched a new action encouraging MPs to support a Parliamentary statement expressing concern regarding the suspension of the INF treaty and calling on the government to use its influence in the United Nations Security Council and with other UN and NPT states to investigate and address compliance concerns and find effective ways to bring the INF Treaty back into full legal force. 4 March 2019 Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signed a decree suspending Moscow’s participation in the INF treaty. The Russian government has said the suspension will last until the US ‘ends its violations of the treaty or until it terminates’. 13 February 2019 1 February 2019 – Trump announces INF withdrawal 23rd January 2019 – 10 days to save the INF treaty 7th January 2019 – our submission to the Defence Committee on the Consequences for UK Defence of INF withdrawal 2nd January 2019 – launched updated lobby letter to the Foreign Secretary 21st December 2018 – letter from the Foreign Office Thousands of you wrote to the Foreign Office to find out what the government is doing to save the INF. Here is their response. This is clearly inadequate, so we are preparing a follow-up letter. More details soon. 5th December 2018 – visit to the Foreign Office President Trump has announced the US will withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty with Russia. Russia has since begun this process itself. CND calls on both countries to halt their withdrawal and fully comply with the terms of the treaty. The INF is a vital nuclear treaty which has ensured the destruction of nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles and has played a crucial role in ensuring that US missiles are not situated in Europe. This withdrawal from the INF treaty is part of a wider pattern of US disengagement from essential international nuclear treaties. Earlier this year, the US withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, removing its support for a treaty which sought to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the US withdrawal from the INF treaty also calls into question whether Washington will work with Moscow to renew the New START treaty in 2021, when it is due to expire. The New START treaty, signed in 2010, limits the number of nuclear warheads of both Russia and the US to no more than 700. This treaty is therefore crucial for preventing a global arms race and ensuring nuclear de-escalation. However, given the US’ current attitude towards global agreements it is now uncertain whether Washington will continue to limit its nuclear weapons through engagement in the process of renewing New START. Britain has an important role to play in this crisis. It should be encouraging a diplomatic solution to the crisis, rather than fanning the flames that can lead to nuclear war. Standing by and allowing crucial nuclear arms control agreements to be torn up places the whole world in great danger.

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3 local development organizations merge to create Evansville Regional Economic Partnership

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Merging the Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce and two other agencies will create a leaner, more effective organization to recruit new local jobs and investment, officials said. The new organization is to be called Evansville Regional Economic Partnership. Its area of focus is Vanderburgh, Gibson, Posey and Warrick counties. The merger is to take effect April 1. Boards of the chamber, as well as Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville and the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, voted Friday to approve the merger. Vanderburgh County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave, a member of the Economic Development Coalition board, cast that board’s only vote against the merger. More:More solar farm developments are migrating to Tri-State as renewable energy demand grows The new organization will have co-CEOs — Tara Barney, CEO of the Southwest Indiana Chamber, and Greg Wathen, CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana. GAGE has been without a full-time leader since Ellen Horan left in early 2020. All current employees with the three organizations, 24 in total, will stay on in the same or similar roles, according to officials. The three existing groups all have offices at Innovation Pointe on Main Street. That is where the newly merged agency will work. Barney said the new partnership will bring a coordinated approach to economic development outreach. She said one person involved in the merger discussions observed that with multiple organizations playing various roles, an investor or company eyeing this region “doesn’t know whose door to knock on.” The more unified effort will be better equipped “to deliver more of what our region wants and needs,” Barney said. “We want to set this region up as a place where people want to live and stay and hopefully move to.” Officials said local economic development efforts will be more regional in scope than they have been in the past. While rooted in four Indiana counties, the newly merged organization will partner with other Hoosier communities as well as with Kentucky communities when warranted. “County boundaries are irrelevant for businesses, residents and site selectors,” said Horan, who after leaving Evansville remained a part of the merger discussions. “It’s, 'What does your region bring to the table?' This is about setting up our organizations to be more effective as a region.” An executive committee of 21 people will determine the size and makeup of the new organization’s board, which could have at least 60 seats. Barney said it will have a representation of several constituencies, including small businesses, the education sector, elected officials and others. Musgrave, who noted her past involvement with and support of all three organizations, opposed the merger because of concerns about its structure. She said the county commissioners or council appoint a total of five people — three elected officials and two private citizens — to boards of the existing agencies. The new organization “reduces the county appointees to a single Commissioner, decreasing the input of Vanderburgh County government and citizenry,” Musgrave said in a statement. More:Online sales, new menus, safety matters: What Evansville restaurant owners hope for 2021 Vanderburgh County now contributes $150,000 annually to the Economic Development Coalition and another $150,000 to GAGE. Musgrave said having three elected officials overseeing the use of those funds as board members “creates a level of confidence that public tax dollars are being used for the benefit of Vanderburgh County taxpayers, which is not replicated in the proposed merger.” Musgrave said more than 100 people serve on boards of the three current organizations, and the reduction to 60 or so on the new agency’s board “leaves talent on the sidelines” and “reduces the variety of viewpoints represented.” She also objected to the board having six annual meetings rather than 12. The Rev. Adrian Brooks, a member of the Economic Development Coalition board and former member of the Chamber board, voted yes on the merger but also called for a greater emphasis on racial and ethnic diversity by the newly formed organization. The board of the new agency needs greater diversity, and so does its staff, Brooks said. Brooks said he supports the larger goals of the merger, such as a focus on regionalism, “but because we are seeking to recruit human resources along with enterprise into our community, we have to make sure that we project a diverse community where we utilize all talents and perspectives. Otherwise we’ll never reach full potential. You can’t exclude any of the demographics within our community and expect it to reach its full potential. “I thought they were receptive, and they assured me that my concerns would be resolved in their actions,” added Brooks, who is the pastor of Memorial Baptist Church and founder of Memorial Community Development Corp. “We have a responsibility to objectively say what our concerns are and hopefully people will behave in a positive way to bring positive outcomes.” Barney said diversity is a “huge priority” of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, and this will be reflected in the new organization’s bylaws. “We need to be very intentional in this space,” Barney said of diversity. To Musgrave’s concerns, Barney said elected officials in all four of the involved counties will have their voices heard, “and any elected leaders should count on this organization.” More than 120 community leaders took part in Friday's votes creating the merger, Barney said. More:Holcomb voices support of I-69 bridge project; Henderson, Evansville officials react A news release announcing the merger contained comments of support from Vanderburgh County Commissioner Ben Shoulders, Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Warrick County Commissioner Dan Saylor and Posey County Economic Partnership Executive Director Jenna Richardt. A merger of the local Chamber, GAGE and the Economic Development Coalition has been in the planning phase for the last few months. Officials said the newly formed agency's model is patterned after ones in similar cities. Barney said a Chamber-sponsored trip by local officials to Omaha, Nebraska, in 2019 provided impetus for the merger. Advocates said the merged organization will build on work done by its predecessors and strive to advance a region that’s seen minimal growth in the last several years. “By pooling and unifying essential economic development functions into a single structure, we have an opportunity to better serve the region with a bolder vision for the future,” Wathen said.

Organization Merge

Denmark: Three die of salmonella poisoning linked to herbal remedy

Three people have died in what Danish health authorities say is a large outbreak of salmonella that has left 33 people ill. Nineteen people have been treated in hospital, according to Denmark's SSI health agency. Those involved in the outbreak are aged between two and 92. All those affected ate Husk brand psyllium husk capsules from batches recalled by manufacturer Orkla Care. Authorities found traces of salmonella in the products at patients' homes. The herbal products are generally used as a laxative. Luise Müller of Denmark's Statens Serum Institut said it was the first time the agency had found a herbal medicine to be the cause of a salmonella outbreak. It is not clear which ingredient could have caused the poisoning. Salmonella bacteria can be found in raw or undercooked meat, eggs or other food products. Infection can cause fever, diarrhoea, stomach pain, vomiting and in some cases death. Ms Müller said that while it was not certain that the three deaths were caused by the herbal remedy, this high rate of hospital cases and deaths was unusual. "It's because this product is taken by people who are already vulnerable and may have stomach problems," she told the BBC. "And when they are hospitalised or die it's with the underlying disease as well." Orkla Care spokesman Hakon Mageli told the BBC that no clear connection had been confirmed between the three deaths and the products. However, as a precaution he said "we have decided right now to recall all Husk products because of the outbreak in Denmark, and also for the Swedish and Norwegian and Finnish market". Although the main focus of the Danish health investigation had been Husk capsules, Mr Mageli said the recall also applied to Husk powder. The company issued its last recall of a batch of Husk supplements on Monday. Many of those affected by the outbreak became ill in March and the health agency first alerted the public to the outbreak on 9 April. By that time there was no indication of serious illness. Ms Müller said it was possible that some people were unaware they had contracted salmonella as they were already suffering from stomach problems. The three who died are thought to have been ill already but the health agency is unable to give details of their ages. She told the BBC that delays in the surveillance system meant that more cases were likely to arise, especially if people did not see there was a recall. Mr Mageli said Orkla products had been on the Danish market for 35 years and had never had any cases of salmonella. "We don't know the reason [for the outbreak] but we have now started a full review of the process from the supply of raw materials to the finished product," he said.

Mass Poisoning

Archaeologists uncover remains of Lithuania's 'Jerusalem' destroyed during World War 2

The Great Synagogue of Vilna was once known as the "Jerusalem of Lithuania," but was destroyed by the Soviets in 1956 after it had been burned down. Now, 64 years later, excavations of the site have meant spectacular elements of the Synagogue have been rediscovered. This includes the remains of ark and bema, which is a raised platform Jewish people use for praying, as well as a silver "Yad" pointer which are traditionally used during Torah readings. The archaeologists also made a completely new discovery. A "terrazzo" floor, which was previously undocumented, forms a Sun pattern and was found in front of the ark. Another stunning discovery they made was a pair of beautiful stairs that can be seen from pictures of the synagogue when it was in use before the war. Dr Jon Seligman, leader of the Israeli-Lithuanian excavation, said in a statement: “Hundreds of years of Jewish life in Vilna was destroyed during the Holocaust, and the Great Synagogue was looted and burned by the Nazis and later by the Soviet authorities.” The synagogue is one of the oldest and most important religious sites for the Eastern European Jewish community and it was known as the "Jerusalem of the North". It was built in the 1600s and was in use until Lithuania suffered from the Nazi Germany invasion which resulted in them burning it down, later to be destroyed by the Soviets. After undergoing an excavation of the site for a period of six years, archaeologists had also previously found the table where the Torah was traditionally read from. The spectacular floor that the archaeologists found was mosaic-covered, and they also unearthed massive pillars that provided support to the roof of the synagogue. Nazi occupation of Lithuania began in 1941, and they forced the Jewish community into ghettos and were responsible for mass killings there. By the end of 1941, 40,000 Jews were murdered at a killing site that the Nazis constructed in Ponary Forest, which is just outside Lithuania’s capital city, Vilnius. READ MORE: Archeologists staggered by DNA of skeleton It was built in the 1600s and was in use until Lithuania suffered from the Nazi Germany invasion which resulted in them burning it down, later to be destroyed by the Soviets. After undergoing an excavation of the site for a period of six years, archaeologists had also previously found the table where the Torah was traditionally read from. The spectacular floor that the archaeologists found was mosaic-covered, and they also unearthed massive pillars that provided support to the roof of the synagogue. Nazi occupation of Lithuania began in 1941, and they forced the Jewish community into ghettos and were responsible for mass killings there. By the end of 1941, 40,000 Jews were murdered at a killing site that the Nazis constructed in Ponary Forest, which is just outside Lithuania’s capital city, Vilnius. DON'T MISS Pfizer breakthrough with Covid wonder pill one step closer [INSIGHT] Uncrewed US 'Ghost Ship' fires missiles in 'game-changing' weapon test [REPORT] Brexit WIN: Bill and Melinda Gates back UK AI firm to fight Covid [REVEAL] It was during this time of Nazi occupation that the Nazis also burned parts of this Jewish temple. Dr Seligman added: “When we arrived to excavate the Aron Kodesh and the Bimah, from which generations of Jews read the Torah scroll for 300 consecutive years, it became clear, unfortunately, that the core of the synagogue had been greatly damaged by Soviet destruction. “Still, two impressive staircases, clearly visible in the many images of the synagogue before its destruction was discovered and is evidence of their existence. “The excavation of Bimah was completed including the entire façade of the Bimah and the complete remains of one of the four huge pillars that supported the roof of the Great Synagogue.”

New archeological discoveries

US withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council

The United States withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday accusing it of a “chronic bias against Israel,” a move that activists warned would make advancing human rights globally even more difficult. Standing with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Haley slammed Russia, China, Cuba and Egypt for thwarting US efforts to reform the council. She also criticized countries, which shared US values and encouraged Washington to remain but “were unwilling to seriously challenge the status quo.” The United States is half-way through a three-year term on the main UN rights body and the Trump administration had long threatened to quit if the 47-member Geneva-based body was not overhauled. “Look at the council membership, and you see an appalling disrespect for the most basic rights,” said Haley, citing Venezuela, China, Cuba and Democratic Republic of Congo. Haley also said the “disproportionate focus and unending hostility toward Israel is clear proof that the council is motivated by political bias, not by human rights.” Washington’s withdrawal is the latest US rejection of multilateral engagement after it pulled out of the Paris climate agreement and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. It also comes as the United States faces intense criticism for detaining children separated from their immigrant parents at the US-Mexico border. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein on Monday called on Washington to halt its “unconscionable” policy. Rights groups have criticized the Trump administration for not making human rights a priority in its foreign policy. Critics say this sends a message that the administration turns a blind eye to human rights abuses in some parts of the world. Diplomats have said the US withdrawal from the body could bolster countries such as Cuba, Russia, Egypt and Pakistan, which resist what they see as UN interference in sovereign issues. Among reforms the United States had been seeking was to make it easier to kick out member state with egregious rights records. Haley said the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council “is not a retreat from our human rights commitments.” Twelve rights and aids groups, including Human Rights First, Save the Children and CARE, wrote Pompeo to warn the withdrawal would “make it more difficult to advance human rights priorities and aid victims of abuse around the world.” “The US’s absence will only compound the council’s weaknesses,” they wrote. Jamil Dakwar, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Human Rights Program, said Trump’s “misguided policy of isolationism only harms American interests and betrays our values as a nation.” Jewish rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Center applauded the US withdrawal and urged other countries to do the same. Reuters reported last week that talks on reforming the council had failed to meet Washington’s demands, suggesting the Trump administration would quit. The council meets three times a year to examine human rights violations worldwide. It has mandated independent investigators to look at situations including Syria, North Korea, Myanmar and South Sudan. Its resolutions are not legally binding but carry moral authority. Speaking before the US announcement, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is a strong believer in the human rights architecture of the UN and the active participation of all states.” When the Council was created in 2006, US President George W. Bush’s administration shunned the body. Under President Barack Obama the United States was elected for a maximum two consecutive terms on the council by the UN General Assembly. After a year off, Washington was re-elected in 2016 for its current third term. In March 2011, the UN General Assembly unanimously suspended Libya’s membership in the council because of violence against protesters by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. But UN officials said no member has withdrawn. Haley said a year ago Washington was reviewing its membership and called for reform and elimination of a “chronic anti-Israel bias.” The body has a permanent standing agenda item on suspected violations committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories that Washington wanted removed. The council last month voted to probe killings in Gaza and accused Israel of using excessive force. The United States and Australia cast the only “no” votes. “The UN Human Rights Council has played an important role in such countries as North Korea, Syria, Myanmar and South Sudan, but all Trump seems to care about is defending Israel,” said Human Rights Watch executive director Ken Roth. The United States withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday accusing it of a “chronic bias against Israel,” a move that activists warned would make advancing human rights globally even more difficult. Standing with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Haley slammed Russia, China, Cuba and Egypt for thwarting US efforts to reform the council. She also criticized countries, which shared US values and encouraged Washington to remain but “were unwilling to seriously challenge the status quo.” The United States is half-way through a three-year term on the main UN rights body and the Trump administration had long threatened to quit if the 47-member Geneva-based body was not overhauled. “Look at the council membership, and you see an appalling disrespect for the most basic rights,” said Haley, citing Venezuela, China, Cuba and Democratic Republic of Congo. Haley also said the “disproportionate focus and unending hostility toward Israel is clear proof that the council is motivated by political bias, not by human rights.” Washington’s withdrawal is the latest US rejection of multilateral engagement after it pulled out of the Paris climate agreement and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. It also comes as the United States faces intense criticism for detaining children separated from their immigrant parents at the US-Mexico border. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein on Monday called on Washington to halt its “unconscionable” policy. Rights groups have criticized the Trump administration for not making human rights a priority in its foreign policy. Critics say this sends a message that the administration turns a blind eye to human rights abuses in some parts of the world. Diplomats have said the US withdrawal from the body could bolster countries such as Cuba, Russia, Egypt and Pakistan, which resist what they see as UN interference in sovereign issues. Among reforms the United States had been seeking was to make it easier to kick out member state with egregious rights records. Haley said the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council “is not a retreat from our human rights commitments.” Twelve rights and aids groups, including Human Rights First, Save the Children and CARE, wrote Pompeo to warn the withdrawal would “make it more difficult to advance human rights priorities and aid victims of abuse around the world.” “The US’s absence will only compound the council’s weaknesses,” they wrote. Jamil Dakwar, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Human Rights Program, said Trump’s “misguided policy of isolationism only harms American interests and betrays our values as a nation.” Jewish rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Center applauded the US withdrawal and urged other countries to do the same. Reuters reported last week that talks on reforming the council had failed to meet Washington’s demands, suggesting the Trump administration would quit. The council meets three times a year to examine human rights violations worldwide. It has mandated independent investigators to look at situations including Syria, North Korea, Myanmar and South Sudan. Its resolutions are not legally binding but carry moral authority. Speaking before the US announcement, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is a strong believer in the human rights architecture of the UN and the active participation of all states.” When the Council was created in 2006, US President George W. Bush’s administration shunned the body. Under President Barack Obama the United States was elected for a maximum two consecutive terms on the council by the UN General Assembly. After a year off, Washington was re-elected in 2016 for its current third term. In March 2011, the UN General Assembly unanimously suspended Libya’s membership in the council because of violence against protesters by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. But UN officials said no member has withdrawn. Haley said a year ago Washington was reviewing its membership and called for reform and elimination of a “chronic anti-Israel bias.” The body has a permanent standing agenda item on suspected violations committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories that Washington wanted removed. The council last month voted to probe killings in Gaza and accused Israel of using excessive force. The United States and Australia cast the only “no” votes. “The UN Human Rights Council has played an important role in such countries as North Korea, Syria, Myanmar and South Sudan, but all Trump seems to care about is defending Israel,” said Human Rights Watch executive director Ken Roth.

Withdraw from an Organization

Joint US-Moroccan military exercise to be held June 7-18

RABAT - The joint US-Moroccan exercise “African Lion 2021” will take place on June 7-18, 2021, in the regions of Agadir, Tifnit, Tan Tan, Mehbes, Tafraout, Ben Guerir and Kenitra, and will involve thousands of troops from several countries and a very large number of land, air and sea equipment, reported Morocco’s official news agency MAP. In addition to the US and Morocco, the 17th edition of this exercise will see the participation of Great Britain, Brazil, Canada, Tunisia, Senegal, the Netherlands, Italy as well as that of the Atlantic Alliance, in addition to military observers from nearly thirty countries representing Africa, Europe and America, said a statement by the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR). The objectives of this exercise, considered among the major combined exercises in the world, are numerous: to strengthen the manoeuvre capabilities of the participating units; consolidate interoperability between participants in the planning and conduct of joint operations in a coalition framework; perfecting tactics, techniques and procedures; develop cyber defence skills, train the air component in the conduct of hunting, support and air refuelling operations; consolidate cooperation in the area of maritime security; conduct exercises at sea in the field of naval tactics and conventional warfare and carry out humanitarian activities, the source pointed out. It will include, in addition to training and simulations in command activities and training on operations to combat violent terrorist organizations, land, airborne, air, maritime and Nuclear, Radiological, Biological and Chemical decontamination exercises. As part of parallel humanitarian activities, a field medico-surgical hospital will be deployed at Amlen (Tafraout) where medical and surgical services will be provided for the local populations of the region by medical teams made up of doctors and nurses from the FAR and the US Army. “African Lion 2021” is one of the major exercises jointly organised and led by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Royal Armed Forces, with a view to consolidating cooperation and training, increasing interoperability as well as promoting the exchange of experience and knowledge between the various military components in order to enable them to reach their full operational capacity, the statement concludes.

Military Exercise

Lufthansa Flight 649 crash

The hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 615 was an act of terrorism committed by a Palestinian group that occurred on 29 October 1972 and aimed at the liberation of the three surviving perpetrators of the Munich massacre from a West German prison. When the Lufthansa airplane was seized by sympathisers of the Black September Organization during the Beirut-Ankara part of a multi-stopover flight from Damascus to Frankfurt, the West German authorities complied with the demand of having the prisoners released. They were handed over at Zagreb Airport, and the hijacked aircraft was flown to Tripoli, where all hostages were released. [1] The liberated Munich attackers were granted asylum by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. For its actions, the West German government was criticised by Israel and other parties. [1] In some cases allegations were made that the hijacking had been staged or at least tolerated with theories of a secret agreement between the German government and Black September - release of the surviving terrorists in exchange for assurances of no further attacks on Germany. On 5 September 1972, during the Munich Summer Olympics, eight members of the Palestinian terrorist group Black September took nine members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage, after killing two other Israeli athletes. During a shoot-out following a failed police rescue attempt at Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base, all hostages were killed. [2][3] Five of the eight Palestinian attack team were also killed. The three surviving perpetrators were Adnan Al-Gashey, Jamal Al-Gashey, and Mohammed Safady, who were arrested and held in pre-trial custody. [2] In the immediate aftermath of the Munich massacre, West German authorities were concerned over being drawn into the Arab–Israeli conflict. As foreign minister Walter Scheel put it in October 1972, one had to "defend against actions by both sides of the conflict". [4] In Israel, the ensuing German appeasement politics[4] led to comparisons with the 1938 Munich Agreement. [5] Indeed, since Willy Brandt had become chancellor in 1969, there had been a change of the West German attitude towards the Arab–Israeli conflict. The earlier conservative governments had been considered pointedly pro-Israel (especially during the mid-1960s with the Six-Day War), which had resulted in a number of Arab states breaking off diplomatic relations to West Germany. [4] With Egypt and Tunisia, these had only been restored shortly before the 1972 Olympics. [4] The West German authorities were aware of the high profile of the prisoners and the fact that the group had numerous sympathisers, so that terrorist acts aiming at the liberation of the Munich attackers were feared. Aircraft of (then) national airline Lufthansa or its Israeli counterpart El Al were identified as likely targets. [4][6] On 9 September, an anonymous letter was received claiming that such a hijacking was indeed imminent, which prompted the Federal Ministry of the Interior (then led by Hans-Dietrich Genscher) to consider whether citizens of Arab states should be denied boarding of Lufthansa flights. [7] Already during the Munich hostage crisis, it had become evident that the attackers were aware of possible liberation attempts in case of their arrest. Asked if he was afraid of being caught and put into a German prison, their leader Luttif Afif (who was later killed in the Fürstenfeldbruck shoot-out) had responded that there was nothing to fear, because "there is no death penalty in Germany, and our brothers would liberate us. "[6] On 29 October 1972 (a Sunday), a Lufthansa Boeing 727-100 was hijacked: Flight 615 on the Damascus-Beirut-Ankara-Munich-Frankfurt route. [8][9] The aircraft (registered D-ABIG)[10] had originated at Damascus International Airport in the early morning, with seven crew members but initially without any passengers. At the first stopover at Beirut International Airport, 13 people boarded the flight: nine citizens of unknown Arab countries, two Americans, one German, one Frenchman;[6] and a Spanish journalist who later penned an eyewitness account of the events. [11][12] Departure from Beirut was delayed by about one hour. Originally scheduled to depart at 05:45,[9] take-off took place at 06:01. [8] Less than 15 minutes later,[8] two Arab passengers threatened to blow up the aircraft using explosives that had been hidden in the first class cabin (and which likely had been smuggled there in Damascus). [6] They demanded the release of the members of Black September from German prison. [8] Following a fuel stop at Nicosia International Airport, the pilots were forced to fly towards Munich-Riem Airport, where the hijackers initially had intended the exchange to take place. [7] When the aircraft had arrived in Austrian airspace at around noon, it became evident to the hijackers that their demands could not be fulfilled in time. [13] The plan was changed, and the Lufthansa crew had to divert instead to Zagreb in what was then the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, circling over Zagreb Airport until the Black September members had been brought there. [7] This put the Germans under a time crunch, as the aircraft would eventually run out of fuel. Once word of the hijacking was received at the Lufthansa headquarters in Cologne, chairman Herbert Culmann boarded a corporate Hawker Siddeley HS.125, owned by then subsidiary Condor (registered D-CFCF)[14] and flew to Munich. He was then joined mayor Georg Kronawitter and police chief Manfred Schreiber (de), as well as the Bavarian interior minister Bruno Merk (de) at the local crisis committee. [7][14] The West German governmental response was coordinated by a crisis council in Bonn, which comprised vice chancellor, and foreign minister Walter Scheel and the ministers of the interior and of transportation, Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Lauritz Lauritzen. [6][14] Recalling the failed rescue attempt during the Olympic hostage crisis and the (then) lack of a special operations police unit such as the later GSG 9, the West German authorities quickly decided to comply with the demands of the hijackers. By 14:00, the three Black September members had been transported to Riem Airport. [7] Philipp Held (de), the Bavarian minister for justice, ordered for the revocation of the arrest warrant[6] and had the Black September members issued official emigration papers. [8] The three were brought on board the airplane Culmann had used to get to Munich and were joined by two plain clothes police officers. [7] Culmann decided to head to Zagreb in order to directly assist the negotiations there. [15] The airplane left Munich, but the pilot had been ordered to stay inside West German airspace. [7] The German negotiators asked that the hijacked Lufthansa jet be allowed to first land at Zagreb, but were unsuccessful in their attempts. [7] The situation tensed when the hijacked Lufthansa aircraft came dangerously close to the point of fuel starvation. [15] In what Culmann later called a "state of emergency," due to an alleged loss of communications with Munich, Culmann then personally ordered the pilot of the aircraft carrying the released Munich attackers to head towards and land at Zagreb Airport. This direction was against orders from higher authorities. [7][15] As a consequence, a legal investigation against Culmann was initiated,[15] but abandoned shortly thereafter. [6] Twenty minutes after the three Black September members had arrived at Zagreb Airport,[15] the hijacked Lufthansa jet also landed there and some time later, at 18:05, the transfer took place. [16] This happened without any reciprocal measures: The 18 hostages were not yet released. [7] Another critical situation unfolded when the Yugoslav authorities in charge of the airport complied with the demands of their counterparts in Bonn and prevented the Lufthansa jet from taking off again. Realizing that the plane would not be refueled, the hijackers again threatened to kill everyone on board.

Air crash

1979 Mosfellsheiði air crashes crash

The 1979 Mosfellsheiði air crashes where two aviation accidents in Iceland that occurred about four hours apart on 18 December 1979 on a heath between Reykjavík and Þingvellir. [1] The first accident occurred when a Cessna F172M Skyhawk aircraft, with four on board, crashed into the heath. The second accident occurred when a Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant rescue helicopter of the 67th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron United States Air Force (USAF), from the Iceland Defense Force at Naval Air Station Keflavik, crashed with three of the injured from the previous accident, two Icelandic doctors and a five-man U.S. crew shortly after takeoff from the first crash site. [2][3] On 18 December 1979, a Cessna 172 aircraft, with registration number TF-EKK, took off from Reykjavík Airport with a French pilot, a New Zealander and two Finnish girls who worked as physiotherapists in Reykjalundur, on a sight-seeing tour around Gullfoss and Þingvellir. On its way back it crashed in heavy fog on the Mosfellsheiði heath. [4] At around 15:20, the plane was reported missing and a signal from its emergency transmitter was detected. Shortly afterwards, a search plane discovered the wreckage on the heath, a short distance south of Þingvallarvegur, where it had broken up and turned upside down. A helicopter from the Defense Force at Keflavík Airport that happened to be on a training mission nearby went to the scene and transported the New Zealander to Reykjavík, while leaving two crew members to attend to the other occupants, whose injuries were more severe, and wait for the Icelandic SAR teams who arrived shortly later. After taking two doctors from Borgarspítalinn, fuel and offloading two of its crewmembers, the helicopter returned to the scene of the accident to pick up the Finns and the French pilot. Shortly after the helicopter took off again from the scene of the accident, it lost power and crashed to the ground several hundred meters from the wreckage of the Cessna. [3] Rescuers, including photographer Ragnar Axelsson,[5][6] rushed to the second crash site and were confronted with the mangled remains of the helicopter and Kerosene fumes filling the air. A 19-year old SAR member, Hallgrímur Skúli Karlsson, who was one of the first at the scene managed to prevent a fire in the wreckage by cutting main power of the helicopter. [7][8] After the second accident, the injured were transported about 1-1.5 km to ambulances that took them to Borgarspítali. [9] In the aftermath of the accidents, the lack of equipment of the SAR-units was criticised, especially its lack of two-way radios which was largely a result of the Icelandic governments tariffs that doubled its prices. [10]

Air crash

Yemeni children suffer record rates of acute malnutrition, putting ‘entire generation’ at risk

Yemeni children are suffering acute malnutrition at unprecedented rates as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis grinds on and funding falls far short of what is needed to offset the effects of conflict and economic collapse, UN agencies said in a statement on Tuesday. New analysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the global standard for gauging food insecurity, revealed that in some areas more than one in four children were acutely malnourished. “Acute malnutrition rates among children below five years old are the highest ever recorded in parts of southern Yemen, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification”, said UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson, Marixie Mercado. “This new analysis released today puts the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition this year at 587,573, which is an increase of around 10% since January this year.” ? Yemen: nearly 100,000 children are at risk of death and need urgent treatment.Acute malnutrition rates among children under 5 are the highest ever recorded in parts of Yemen. The IPC analysis looked at southern parts of Yemen, but a forthcoming analysis of northern areas is expected to show equally concerning trends. Ms. Mercado said the most significant increase in southern areas was a 15.5% rise in children with severe acute malnutrition, a condition that leaves children around 10 times more likely to die of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, malaria or acute respiratory infections, all of which are common in Yemen. World Food Programme (WFP) spokeperson, Tomson Phiri, said the IPC forecast showed that by the end of 2020, 40% of the population in the analysed areas, or about 3.2 million people, would be severely food insecure. “Those predictions, from what we are gathering on the ground, are likely to be an underestimate. It is highly likely that the situation is worse than initially projected as conditions continue to worsen beyond the forecast levels. Why is this so? The underlying assumptions of the projections have either been, or are close to being surpassed”, he said. At the time the data was gathered, it was assumed that food prices would be stable, but that was no longer the case. “In fact, food prices have skyrocketed and are now on average 140% higher than pre-conflict averages. For the most vulnerable, even a small increase in food prices is absolutely devastating”, Mr. Phiri said. “Our colleagues on the ground are also telling us that the situation is worse than in 2018 when WFP expanded assistance by over 50% and in the process averted a possible famine. Those gains in 2018-2019, I’m afraid we might be losing them as the conflict continues to intensify and economic decline continues unabated.” Some families were being displaced for the third or even the fourth time, he said. “And each time a family is displaced, their ability to cope, let alone to bounce back, is severely diminished.” Lise Grande, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, said the UN had been warning since July that Yemen was on the brink of a catastrophic food security crisis. "If the war doesn’t end now, we are nearing an irreversible situation and risk losing an entire generation of Yemen’s young children”, she said in a statement. Jens Laerke, spokesman for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told the Geneva briefing that Yemen needed help. “What can the world do right now? We have been warning for several months now that Yemen was heading towards a cliff. We are now seeing the first people falling off that cliff. Those are the children under five years of age. One hundred thousand of them are at risk of death, we are told. The world can help. The world can help by supporting the humanitarian response plan”, Mr. Laerke said. “I’m sorry to keep repeating that over and over again. It is massively underfunded. It is only 42% funded. It asked for $3.2 billion. We are 10 months into the year. That is way below the funding levels we’ve seen in the past few years. So there is something the world can do. Money can help, and I think, of course, that now is the time to provide that money.” A staggering 80 per cent of Yemen’s population – over 24 million people – require some form of humanitarian assistance and protection, including about 12.2 million children. A total of 230 out of Yemen's 333 districts (69 per cent) are at risk of famine. Despite a difficult operating environment, humanitarians continue to work across Yemen, responding to the most acute needs. However, funding remains a challenge: as of mid-October, only $1.4 billion of the $3.2 billion needed in 2020 has been received. Parties to the conflict in Yemen must do more to protect civilians, a senior UN humanitarian official there has said, as the number of civilian deaths has witnessed a sharp rise over the last few weeks in the war-ravaged country. The global hunger crisis caused by conflict – and now compounded by COVID-19 – is moving into a dangerous phase, the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Thursday, stressing that without resources, a wave of famine could sweep the globe, overwhelming nations already weakened by years of instability.

Famine

2011 Southeast Asian floods

The 2011 monsoon season saw one record flood event in Indochina across several countries and a few separate limited flood events parts of the same nations: Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar and heavy flooding in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Laos also sustained flood damage. By late October 2011, 2.3 million people have been hit by flooding in Thailand, while the flooding in Cambodia has affected close to 1.2 million people, according to estimates by the United Nations. [1] Unrelated to the northern floods, Southern Thailand near Malaysia has been lashed with flooding in early November[2] and again in December also affecting as far north as Chumporn. In the November event, Southern Thailand near Hat Yai was hit, North-central Vietnam had their own event in October. Myanmar had reported a series of limited but still deadly and destructive events from June to October. The 2011 typhoon season in Philippines overlapped the monsoon season in Indochina, and the country was hit by a series of storms over the course of 4 months: Typhoon Nesat in September, which was followed shortly after by Typhoon Nalgae, and then in December by Tropical Storm Washi, which hit on an unusual track, timing and location. All told, well over 2,828 have lost their lives to a series of flooding events of varying origins in Southeast Asia since August 2011 in the above-mentioned nations, worldwide supply-chain disruptions occurred in technology sector, and billion-dollar losses and severe parts shortages rippled to corporations of developed nations, and the assumption of safety from flood waters was put into question in many nations thought or assumed to be prepared. In Myanmar, the Mandalay, Magwe, Bago, Irrawaddy, Sagaing, Kayin, Mon, Kayah, Chin and Rakhine States and regions are heavily affected. [18] " there were cases of deaths and loss of homes in Kyauk Hta Yan, Htonebo, Myo Lulin and Tatkone villages in Myothit Township, Magwe Region" in early October. [18] "The local authorities and parties have not provided assistance. These local authorities even harassed us by questioning us and prohibited us to give assistance.”[18] Flooding also has been affecting Shan State. In August, towards the beginning of the monsoon, central Bago city was inundated requiring boats for navigation and some deaths. [19]

Floods

2021 TAF AS532 crash

The 2021 Turkish Air Force Eurocopter AS532 Cougar crash occurred on 4 March 2021, when a Turkish Air Force (TAF) Eurocopter AS532 Cougar, en route to Tatvan District in Bitlis, Turkey, crashed in Bitlis Province. Eleven Turkish servicemen on board were killed in the crash, while two other servicemen survived the crash. Initially, five injured servicemen were hospitalized, though three of them, including Lieutenant General Osman Erbaş, the commander of the 8th Corps, later died of their injuries. It was the fourth incident in Turkey involving the helicopter model, which have caused the deaths of 39 people, including two high-ranking military officers. [1] The Turkish Air Force (TAF) Eurocopter AS532 Cougar took off from Bingöl in eastern Turkey, at 10:55 am GMT. The helicopter was en route to Tatvan in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish-populated Bitlis Province,[1] where the Turkish forces have been combating militants of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), designated as a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union. [2] It lost contact at around 11:25 am GMT. [3] The Turkish Ministry of National Defence (MoD) stated that the helicopter crashed in a rural area near Tatvan. [4] The crash happened in an area blanketed in snow and with visibility hampered by thick clouds in the mountainous region. [5] Locals rushed to the crash site to help the survivors as soon they heard the news of the crash. One of the survivors was partially buried under the wreck and snow. [6] Initially, eight Turkish servicemen on board were killed in the crash, while five other servicemen were injured. The injured servicemen were immediately hospitalized, though three of them, including the lieutenant general Osman Erbaş, the commander of the 8th Corps, later died of their injuries. [7][8] The crash was reported by the Turkish MoD. The ministry added that there were "efforts underway for the transfer of the injured personnel to the hospital". [8] It also stated that an investigation was launched right away. [9] The Turkish military immediately launched a search and rescue mission, dispatching a party consisting of an unmanned aerial vehicle, a CASA/IPTN CN-235 transport aircraft, and a helicopter. [6] The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, wished God's mercy upon the perished servicemen soldiers and extended his condolences to their families, the Turkish nation and the Turkish Armed Forces. Vice President of Turkey, Fuat Oktay, extended condolences to families of the fallen soldiers. [8] Turkish Ministry of National Defence conveyed its sympathies to their families, friends and country, calling the incident a "deeply saddening accident". Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Turkish Presidential Communications Director, Fahrettin Altun, the Turkish Minister of Health, Fahrettin Koca,[6] CHP chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu,[10] and MHP chairman Devlet Bahçeli,[11] expressed their condolences over the accident. The United States embassy to Turkey in Ankara offered "its sincere condolences" for the Turkish soldiers killed and injured in the crash, wishing a "rapid recovery to the injured". Head of the European Union Delegation to Turkey, Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, offered his sympathies for those affected by the crash, while the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to extend his condolences. The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, expressed his sorrow to President Erdoğan in a phone call,[6] while the Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the killed, as well as the Turkish nation, and expressed his sorrow over the incident. [12]

Air crash

Arizona Copper Mine Strike of 1983

The Arizona copper mine strike of 1983 began as a bargaining dispute between the Phelps Dodge Corporation and a group of union copper miners and mill workers, led by the United Steelworkers. The subsequent strike lasted nearly three years, and resulted in replacement of most of the striking workers and decertification of the unions. It is regarded as an important event in the history of the United States labor movement[1] In 1981, the price of copper plummeted from a high of $1.40 in February 1981 to $.75 (seventy-five cents) per pound by December 18, 1981, resulting in losses for the entire copper industry. During 1981, the copper industry, as a whole, laid off approximately 50%, or 11,000 workers statewide. Phelps Dodge continued to operate with full manpower throughout most of 1981, although they continued to lose money. In December 1981, Phelps Dodge announced that it would lay off 108 workers in Arizona and New Mexico on January 3, 1982, and place the rest of the workers on a four-day work week in order to minimize the impact of the layoffs. In doing so, unlike the rest of the copper industry, Phelps Dodge was able to continue to operate and pay their workers, while reducing their production by 20%. [2] Phelps Dodge announced salary cuts to management personnel, and laid off 100 salaried employees. On April 7, 1982, Phelps Dodge announced it would lay off all 3,400 of its hourly workers in Texas and Arizona, because of its losses. Not only did Phelps Dodge lay off workers, but a total of approximately 12,000 copper workers had been laid off across the industry. None of the copper mines in Arizona continued to operate. Company chairman George B. Munroe decided to hold a series of "town hall meetings" to talk directly to the workers. "The copper you produce here", he told the miners, had to compete with copper produced in Canada, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Essentially the price for copper is the same all over the world. And no U. S. producer can continue operating for very long when its cost of producing a pound of copper approaches or exceeds the price for which it can be sold. Munroe also pointed out that Arizona miners wages had risen at an annual rate of nearly 15 percent during the 1970s, while the average U. S. manufacturing employee had seen only a 10 percent increase. [3] "The same eight dollars that Phelps Dodge pays for forty minutes of work", Munroe went on to say, "would buy more than a full shift of work from the average mining employee at a large South American copper company. "[citation needed] Many of the unions in other industries had already agreed to pay cuts. Munroe said that the copper industry could be no exception. Although copper prices remained stagnant throughout 1982, Phelps Dodge ended its shutdown, calling more than half the work force back about five months after Munroe's visits. [4] All of the other copper companies continued their shutdowns. Phelps Dodge lost money in 1982, adding to its debt burden. Other copper companies were at the time owned by large oil companies (Anaconda was owned by Atlantic Richfield, Cypress by Standard of Indiana, and Kennecott by Standard of Ohio), and were able to sustain losses, but Phelps Dodge was by itself. With no expectation of higher copper prices for years to come, management concluded that to survive, Phelps Dodge needed a long-term plan to reduce labor costs. To accomplish that, they determined to eliminate the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) from the upcoming union contract. [5] In April 1983, rival copper producer Kennecott and its unions agreed on a contract that froze base pay for three years. The union leadership considered that they had accommodated the suffering copper industry by agreeing to no wage increases for three years, except for the usual cost-of-living adjustments. They expected that the new Kennecott agreement would be quickly duplicated with all the other copper producers, the same system of pattern bargaining that had obtained for years in the industry. But Phelps Dodge decided not to follow the Kennecott agreement. It also decided, and announced publicly, that it could not afford to, and would not, shut down for a strike. [5] In April 1983, Phelps Dodge began negotiating with a coalition of its 13 labor unions, led by the United Steel Workers. Phelps Dodge insisted that it required elimination of cost-of-living adjustment, a freeze in wages, worker copays for health care, and a lower wage scale for new hires. The unions believed that to give in to Phelps Dodge would destroy the system of uniform wages in the copper industry, which had served them so well for years. Heading the union bargaining team was Frank S. McKee, a veteran negotiator who rose in the union from working the furnaces at Bethlehem Steel. McKee was preparing to run for the presidency of the United Steelworkers, and did not want to be perceived as weak. At the same time, the unions were also negotiating with Magma Copper and ASARCO. In June, both Magma and ASARCO agreed to contracts on the pattern set by Kennecott, leaving Phelps Dodge the only holdout. [5] The two sides could not agree on cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and job combinations. [6] Negotiations between Phelps Dodge and the unions failed to reach an agreement, and a strike began on midnight of July 30, including workers from Morenci, Ajo, Clifton, and Douglas, Arizona. Thousands of miners walked out and a picket line was formed at the Morenci Mine. The next day, Phelps Dodge increased security personnel in and around the mine. But then Phelps Dodge did exactly what it had announced what it would do, and what almost everyone had thought was empty bravado: it continued to produce copper during the strike, for the first time since 1959. Since then the company, as did other copper companies, shut down during strikes, often using the down time to perform needed maintenance. Copper mining companies did not want to incur the anger and violence they knew would happen if they maintained copper production during a strike. [7] Some business analysts considered Phelps Dodge actions to be risky or foolish. A July 1983 cover of Business Week, declared a "Management Crisis at Phelps Dodge". The Phelps Dodge plants were kept running by plant supervisors and by office personnel, some brought in from the New York headquarters. They worked 12-hour shifts. Joining them were some union workers who ignored the strike, about 700, according to the company. As expected, angry picketers shouted insults at those entering and leaving the plants.

Strike

ABC News president calls for independent investigation in sexual assault case - source

The logo of the ABC television network is pictured during the ABC network presentation to the Television Critics Association in Pasadena, California July 19, 2006. REUTERS/Fred Prouser/File Photo Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Aug 26 (Reuters) - ABC News President Kim Godwin on Thursday indicated she would request an independent investigation into how the TV network handled sexual assault allegations against a former “Good Morning America” senior executive producer, on a call with newsroom employees, according to an employee who was on the call. The call come a day after Kirstyn Crawford, a producer on the show, sued the former senior executive producer, Michael Corn, and ABC in New York state court, alleging that Corn sexually assaulted her during a 2015 business trip to Los Angeles. ABC did not respond to a request for comment about the lawsuit or investigation. Corn denied engaging in improper sexual conduct with another woman. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Godwin's comments and the lawsuit were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The lawsuit also accuses Corn of assaulting a former ABC News producer, Jill McClain, on two occasions in 2010 and 2011. Because the statute of limitations for McClain’s claims have expired, the action says, she is included in the lawsuit in support of Crawford. The lawsuit alleges that ABC, which is owned by Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) knew, or should have known, about the sexual harassment and failed to take corrective action for many years. In a statement provided by his lawyer, Corn said: “I vehemently deny any allegations that I engaged in improper sexual contact with another woman. "Kirsten (sic) Crawford’s claims are demonstrably false — and I am providing contemporaneous emails to prove it. ... I will be pursing (sic) all available legal remedies against these women and defending myself vigorously.” According to the lawsuit, ABC learned of Corn’s alleged sexual assault of Crawford as early as 2017 and “looked the other way,” elevated Corn through the ranks and “facilitated the hostile workplace that Corn cultivated through his influence over subordinates’ careers, sexual harassment, gaslighting, and anger management issues.” ABC conducted an internal investigation into Crawford and McClain's allegations after they made a formal complaint in February, according to the lawsuit, and terminated Corn in April. ABC did not provide a reason for Corn’s departure when he left the company, according to the employee who participated in Thursday’s call. The allegations follow a long series of cases of sexual misconduct or harassment involving men in entertainment, the news media and government, some of which sparked the #MeToo movement.

Famous Person - Commit Crime - Investigate

World's largest aircraft carrier, Indian warships conduct naval exercise together. See pics

World's largest aircarft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) along with Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), participated in joint naval exercises with the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean starting from Tuesday. Both Indian Navy and the US Navy conducted high-end exercises designed to maximize training and interoperability, including air defense. "It was a privilege to operate with the Indian Navy," said Rear Adm. Jim Kirk, commander, Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. “RADM Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, leads a powerful and highly skilled Fleet. The opportunity to have the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group join with his Fleet for a series of exercises improved our interoperability and is a testimony to the flexibility of both our Navies," Rear Adm. Jim Kirk, commander, Nimitz carrier strike group, was quoted as saying by the 7th Fleet. The US Navy said that Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has also tweeted about the exercise. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is transiting through IOR. During the passage, #IndianNavy units undertook Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with #USNavy.Indian Navy had also conducted similar PASSEXs with #JMSDF and #FrenchNavy in recent past. "The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is transiting through IOR. During the passage, #IndianNavy units undertook Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with #USNavy. Indian Navy had also conducted similar PASSEXs with #JMSDF and #FrenchNavy in recent past," Spokesperson of Indian Navy.Indian Navy had conducted similar PASSEXs with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and French Navy in recent past. Four frontline warships of the Indian Navy participated in the "PASSEX" exercise when the US carrier strike group was transiting through the Indian Ocean Region on its way from the South China Sea The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance missions and beefed up operational deployment in the Indian Ocean region in the wake of the country's bitter border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

Military Exercise

2021 South Sudan Supreme Airlines Let L-410 Turbolet crash

By David Kaminski-Morrow4 March 2021 South Sudan’s leader has ordered the suspension of local operator South Sudan Supreme Airlines after the fatal crash of a Let L-410 turboprop. President Salva Kiir Mayardit says he is directing the ministry of transport and the civil aviation authority to “suspend” the carrier’s operations. “This measure is necessary for these institutions to ascertain airworthiness of the remaining South Supreme [aircraft],” he says. “It is also a necessary step to restoring public confidence in air travel in the country.” He says the aircraft came down in Urot county, Jonglei state, on 2 March. The president says the suspension is a “temporary measure” to address “avoidable air accidents” before civil aviation laws are “strengthened”. Jonglei state’s government says 10 fatalities resulted from the accident which, it adds, occurred at the Pieri airfield at about 17:05. It identifies the aircraft as being registered HK-4274 – a registration which would normally be associated with Colombia. Colombia’s own civil aircraft registry does not list such a registration, although Cirium fleets data indicates it was formerly used on a helicopter which has since been transferred to the Guatemalan air force. Cirium states that the L-410 is a 1987 airframe formerly bearing the number 5Y-SSA before being re-registered as TR-KSS, ahead of acquiring its current identity in October last year. The early history of the aircraft is unclear.

Air crash

American Ryan Crouser breaks 31-year-old shot put world record

The record was older than he is. When Ryan Crouser broke it, "it felt like it was a huge weight lifted." The 28-year-old who built a training ring at his home in Arkansas to stay on point during the coronavirus pandemic shattered a shot put world record Friday night that was set 2 1/2 years before he was born. On Day 1 of U.S. Olympic Trials, he heaved the massive metal sphere 76 feet, 8 1/4 inches (23.37 meters) to put his name in the record book and punch his ticket for Tokyo, where he'll have a chance to defend his Olympic title next month. Just like he always imagined. "There were so many times that I was throwing a six-pound shot out behind the middle school, throwing by myself, and let it go and put my hands over my head and be like, 'Oh, new world record!'" Crouser said. "I knew it's been a possibility or potential to do it since 2017." Virtually everyone in this tightly knit group of throwers knew the record of 75-10 1/4 (23.12) held by Randy Barnes since May 20, 1990, was in jeopardy. Earlier this year, Crouser topped Barnes' indoor record. Earlier on Friday, during qualifying, Crouser heaved 75-2 1/2 (22.92) to set the American Olympic trials record. Crouser was feeling so good in the preliminary round that he thought a world record was possible right then and there. What kept him from going for it was his shoes. Though he had brought a pair of new Nikes to Eugene for the trials, he opted for a more broken-in pair because the shot put ring at newly remodeled Hayward Field was "fast." "But they take your shoes if you break the world record," Crouser said of World Athletics, which tests all shoes involved in a record. "I thought, 'I don't know, if I throw a world record in prelims, I won't have shoes for the final. I'll have to throw in the (new) Nikes.'" So, the record held — but only for a few more hours. Even before the fourth of his six tries on a mild, sunshiny evening had plunked into the dirt, Crouser was lifting his arms to celebrate. When the shot landed, far beyond where any other mark had been made, a collective gasp came from the quarter-filled stands. About a half-minute passed while officials checked the distance. When the mark came up on the board, confirming that he had broken one of the longest-standing records in the books, he was mobbed by his competitors near the ring. "Finally timed that one up," said Crouser, who grew up in Oregon, went to college at Texas and now serves as a volunteer coach at Arkansas.. "I think I was celebrating on that one almost before it left my hand." Among those congratulating him were world champion Joe Kovacs, who finished second, and Payton Otterdahl, who earned the third spot. "There are three or four guys capable of doing that," Kovacs said. "In Tokyo, there are going to be some fireworks. Every year, we're talking about the records being broken and I think there's more to come." Several minutes after his record, Crouser was proudly posing on the field. The picture: Him standing next to the scoreboard with both thumbs raised and the words "World Record" highlighted in green on the board next to his new record. Shot putters fashion themselves as part-time physics gurus. They spend hours analyzing their throws from multiple angles, all in the hopes of eking out a few more centimeters. About the dynamics of his best-ever throw, Crouser said: "I stayed big with my chest and relaxed and let the entry happen. I didn't force it. And once I did that well, I knew the throw was going to be good, so I didn't do anything to mess it up from there." Crouser, who finished second to Kovacs at world championships in Doha in 2019, didn't miss a day of training in 2020, even with the coronavirus pandemic shutting things down across the globe. He built a homemade shot-put ring that he constructed out of two sheets of plywood and screws from Home Depot. The opening day of trials also featured strong first-round performances from world 800-meter champion Donavan Brazier and sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, who chose orange as the hair color of the day and turned in the fastest 100-meter time (10.84 seconds). High jumper Vashti Cunningham — the daughter of former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham — easily qualified for the final and discus thrower Valarie Allman set a meet record with her throw of 229- 8 (70.01) in qualifying. In the night's other final, Woody Kincaid sprinted the final stretch to hold off Grant Fisher and win the 10,000 meters. Both run for the Bowerman Track Club. Kincaid finished in 27:53.62. Joe Klecker was third. All received second billing to Crouser. He's hard to miss at a track meet. The 320-pounder takes down about 5,000 calories a day to keep weight on his 6-7 frame. His diet consists of two big breakfast burritos in the morning, a pound of ground beef for lunch and three of the four portions from a meal delivery service at night. So, what does a newly minted world-record holder do for dinner? Well, options figured to be limited at the late hour he would get out of the track. "I'll probably go for a big, old double-double hamburger somewhere," he said. For Breaking News & Analysis Download the Free CBS News app First published on June 19, 2021 / 5:34 PM © 2021 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Break historical records

Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement

The Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement (DRUM) was an organization of African-American workers formed in May 1968 in the Chrysler Corporation's Dodge Main assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit labor activist Martin Glaberman estimated at the time that the Hamtramck plant was 70 per cent black while the union local (UAW Local 3), the plant management and lower supervision, and the Hamtramck city administration was dominated by older Polish-American workers. [1] DRUM sought to organize black workers to obtain concessions not only from the Chrysler management, but also from the United Auto Workers. Walter Reuther and the senior leadership had been early supporters of the American Civil Rights Movement; yet in spite of their growing presence in the auto-industry African-Americans rarely rose to positions of leadership within the union. On July 8, 1968 DRUM led a wildcat strike against conditions in the Hamtramck plant. The strike was observed by some 4,000 workers, lasted 2.5 days and prevented the production of 3,000 cars. In the subsequent Local 3 election, DRUM ran as an alternative slate. Although it did not win, the new organization drew notice for its militancy and willingness to challenge the UAW hierarchy. The "Revolutionary Union Movement" form of organization spread to other Detroit plants: including FRUM (Ford Revolutionary Union Movement) at the Ford River Rouge Plant, and ELRUM (Eldon Avenue Revolutionary Union Movement) at the Chrysler Eldon Avenue plant. These organizations were brought together in the League of Revolutionary Black Workers which formed in June 1969. As it grew, DRUM faced a crisis of expectations. Auto workers had created an independent organization, but opinions differed about DRUM's future mission. Debates concerned whether DRUM should continue as a reform movement within the UAW or a dual-union which would seek to replace the UAW. The League of Revolutionary Black Workers eventually split between those who wanted to remain focused on the auto industry and those who wished to expand the League into a national political organization. The nationally oriented movement, led by General Baker, retained the organizational name the League and DRUM and was associated with the New Communist Movement. [2] By 1975, however, the plant-level organization was largely defunct. Many members had been fired, and those who stayed often joined other currents in the union reform movement, such as the United National Caucus.

Strike

Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Sydney McLaughlin breaks own world record to earn 400m hurdles title

Sydney McLaughlin's world record-breaking race comes after Norway's Karsten Warholm also broke his own world record in the men's 400m hurdles on Tuesday; American compatriot Dalilah Muhammad took silver and Femke Bol of the Netherlands earned the bronze medal Last Updated: 04/08/21 8:11am Sydney McLaughlin clinches gold in the women's 400m hurdles The USA's Sydney McLaughlin broke her own world record to clinch the 400m hurdles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The 21-year-old clocked 51.46 seconds having previously set a world best of 51.90secs to become the first woman to break the 52-second barrier in June. Dalilah Muhammad was second in 51.58s - which also broke McLaughlin's previous record. The Netherlands' Femke Bol claimed bronze. "I'm absolutely delighted. What a great race. I'm just grateful to be out here celebrating that extraordinary race and representing my country," she said.

Break historical records

2017 Guatemala orphanage fire

The 2017 Guatemala orphanage fire occurred on 8 March 2017, at the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home in San José Pinula, Guatemala. Forty-one girls, aged between 14 and 17 years old, were killed when a fire broke out at the orphanage. The girls had been locked in a schoolroom following protests, riots and an escape attempt which occurred the day before. In the aftermath of the fire, three government officials—including the country's Secretary of Social Welfare—were arrested and charged with crimes such as wrongful death and negligence. Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home is a state-run children's home located in San Jose Pinula, about 25 kilometres (16 mi) away from the capital Guatemala City. The institution was built in 2010 and accommodates abandoned or orphaned children, as well as children with disabilities, drug addictions, or who are pregnant. [1] Some have been institutionalized by the state after being abused by family members, forced into prostitution, or being homeless. [2][3] Although the home does not house criminals, it does take in minors with legal histories who have completed their sentences, but have no relatives to take care of them. [3] The home has a capacity of around 350 to 500 youths, but was housing 700 to 800 at the time of the fire. [2][3] Children were separated into different areas of the building based on age and gender. Virgen de la Asunción has a long history of abuse allegations. In 2014, a contractor hired by the home was convicted of raping a mentally disabled 17-year-old girl. [4] Two teachers have been arrested on charges of sexual assault. [5] Guatemala's Human Rights Ombudsman's Office (PDH for its initials in Spanish) received 45 reports of abuse between 2012 and 2016. On 2 November 2016, the PDH requested the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to issue precautionary measures, citing evidence of mistreatment by staff and of a human trafficking network which recruited children from the home. [6] On 7 March, rioting broke out at the safe home, followed by a mass escape. The day began with protests against abuse, rape, and overcrowding. [7] According to the Social Welfare Secretariat, the riot started at 2:00 pm when a group of adolescents climbed on to the roof and threatened guards and staff with metal objects. During the confusion, about 85 residents escaped and fled into the surrounding woods. Most were captured by police and returned to the home. [8] At around 10:00 pm, an officer of Guatemala's National Civil Police called president Jimmy Morales to inform him of the situation. [9] Upon returning to the home, the adolescents were not immediately allowed to enter the building. President Morales had directed the staff to keep the escapees separate because they had broken the law and represented a risk to the other residents. [10] At 1:00 am, the escapees were let back into the building. The boys were returned to their dormitories, while the girls were sent to a schoolroom. [3] Fifty-one girls were confined to a schoolroom of 4 by 4 metres (13 ft × 13 ft). [8] They were provided with mattresses, but not blankets. The National Police guarded the room over the night. [3] In the morning, the girls were not allowed to leave to use the bathroom. At around 9:00 am, a fire broke out in the schoolroom. The cause of the fire is undetermined, but witnesses claim the fire was set by adolescents in an act of protest. Two survivors recounted hearing girls shouting that they were going to "sacrifice so that everyone would know what they were living in there." (quote translated from Spanish) [8] Police who were guarding the room did not allow the girls to escape. [3] Nineteen girls died on the scene. Victims were transferred to hospitals in Guatemala City and the Shriners Hospital for Children in Texas. [8][11] In total, 41 girls were killed by the fire. [2] All were between the ages of 14 and 17. Human rights advocates condemned various officials—including president Morales, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Social Welfare—for failing to address the complaints about abuse of all kinds at the orphanage. A spokesman for the president instead placed blame on the court system. [12] Several members of the Congress of Guatemala called for the dismissal of Carlos Rodas, the Secretary of Social Welfare. [9] Meanwhile, the Public Prosecutor began a criminal investigation of the events, collecting evidence including video from surveillance cameras at the home. [13] On 11 March, hundreds of people protested in Guatemala City against the perceived negligence, corruption and ineptitude of the Guatemalan government. [14] Protestors walked through the streets of the city reading the names and ages of the girls who died. Chants included "it was the state," and "it wasn't an accident, it was an execution. "[15] On the same day as the protests, Rodas resigned as Secretary of Social Welfare. President Morales announced he would "remove the line of command" at the safe home, and the Deputy Secretary of Social Welfare and the director of the home were both dismissed shortly after the fire. [citation needed] On 13 March, Guatemalan authorities announced the arrests of former secretary Carlos Rodas, former deputy secretary Anahí Keller, and former director of the safe home Santos Torres. Criminal charges against them included wrongful death, mistreatment of minors, and negligence. [citation needed] In June, two police officers, were also charged for crimes related to the fire. [16]

Fire

Coronavirus pandemic will cause global famines of 'biblical proportions,' UN warns

The world is facing multiple famines of "biblical proportions" in just a matter of months, the UN has said, warning that the coronavirus pandemic will push an additional 130 million people to the brink of starvation. Famines could take hold in "about three dozen countries" in a worst-case scenario, the executive director of the World Food Programme (WFP) said in a stark address on Tuesday. Ten of those countries already have more than 1 million people on the verge of starvation, he said. He cited conflict, an economic recession, a decline in aid and a collapse in oil prices as factors likely to lead to vast food shortages , and urged swift action to avert disaster. "While dealing with a COVID-19 pandemic, we are also on the brink of a hunger pandemic," David Beasley told the UN's security council. "There is also a real danger that more people could potentially die from the economic impact of COVID-19 than from the virus itself." The WFP had already warned that 2020 would be a devastating year for numerous countries ravaged by poverty or war, with 135 million people facing crisis levels of hunger or worse. Their updated projections nearly double that number. When added to the 821 million people already chronically hungry, that scenario would push more than 1 billion people into dire situations. The agency identified 55 countries most at risk of being plunged into famine in its annual report on food crises, released this week, warning that their fragile healthcare systems will be unable to cope with the impact of the virus. "These countries may face an excruciating trade-off between saving lives or livelihoods or, in a worst-case scenario, saving people from the coronavirus to have them die from hunger," the report said. Ten countries were singled out as particularly at-risk, after housing the worst food crises last year; Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti. Most of those countries have so far been spared the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, with the epicenter moving from China to Europe to North America, but the state of their healthcare institutions means even relatively small outbreaks could be devastating. To date, more than 2.5 million cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed globally. 'We do not have time on our side' Even before the outbreak of the coronavirus, food supplies in some of the most vulnerable regions in the world were being directly affected by impacts such as crop failures and locust swarms. Exceptional drought followed by extremely heavy rainfall markedly decreased the seasonal crop yield in the Horn of Africa during 2019. These irregular weather and climate patterns also contributed to the worst desert locust invasion in 25 years, which further threatened the crop supply in the region. Meanwhile, the combination of conflict, climate-related shocks and crop pests had resulted in the world's worst food crisis in Yemen, according to the agency. The new, coronavirus-related factors affecting each region were myriad. "Lockdowns and economic recession are expected to lead to a major loss of income among the working poor," Beasley said. Overseas remittances will also drop sharply, affecting countries such as Haiti, Nepal, and Somalia, for example. "The loss of tourism receipts will damage countries such as Ethiopia (and) the collapsing oil prices in lower-income countries like South Sudan will have an impact significantly," he added. He appealed to UN member states to act now, telling them: "There are no famines yet. But I must warn you that if we don't prepare and act now -- to secure access, avoid funding shortfalls and disruptions to trade -- we could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months.

Famine

West Las Vegas riots

The West Las Vegas riots were sparked on April 29, 1992, after the Rodney King verdict, where all four white Los Angeles Police Department officers were acquitted for the beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles, California. After the Los Angeles riots were sparked, Black residents of West Las Vegas started to loot and burned several stores. Gun battles had started with snipers at intersections and one white motorist was pulled from his vehicle and beaten. [1] The violence occurred just 7 miles away from the Las Vegas Strip. Las Vegas police officers placed buses under Interstate 15 to keep rioters from crossing out of West Las Vegas and into the downtown area. After the riots, one person was killed, $6 million in property was damaged, and the tensions with the police lasted the next 18 days. [1]

Riot