Author Archives: Danzig

Tawazun to build, develop Satellite Assembly, Integration and Testing Centre – Emirates News Agency

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ABU DHABI, 5th August, 2020 (WAM) -- Tawazun Economic Council has formed a collaboration with Airbus and the National Space Science and Technology Centre, NSSTC, from UAE University, to build and develop a Satellite Assembly, Integration and Testing, AIT, Centre with the aim of manufacturing components and assembling, integrating and testing small to medium satellites.

The AIT Satellite Centre will develop and build communication, navigation and hyperspectral satellites ranging in size between 50 and 250 kilogrammes and it is planned to commence operations at the beginning of 2021.

The Centre will be based at the NSSTC facilities in Al Ain, with Airbus supporting NSSTC during the design, outfitting and commissioning of the facility. Airbus will also manage the procurement, installation and operational qualification required for the equipment.

The collaboration was established and facilitated by Tawazun as part of its important role as an industry enabler dedicated to driving a collaborative defence and security ecosystem, securing and progressing technology development, and building national competencies and skills within the UAE.

"This is our second project after Yahsat, and there are many more projects to come, as Tawazun works to further develop the UAE space sector," said Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Chief Economic Development Officer of Tawazun. "The UAE is building and acquiring the knowledge required to become a regional hub for space activities and advanced research and development. This Centre is an integral part of those plans and consequently Tawazun has worked to make sure that it operates as a sustainable resource for the next five to seven years with a view to becoming permanent."

"We also value the significant contribution that Airbus is making to the Centres sustainability, as well as to the increase and development of our Emirati resource and expertise. NSSTC will accumulate critical knowledge from Airbus through this project, and our national competencies and skills will increase significantly," added Al Romaithi.

"The space industry is an important and strategic sector for the UAE, as it enables the development of high-level skills and drives innovation," said Mikail Houari, President Africa and Middle East, Airbus.

"Airbus remains committed to supporting the advancement of all key elements of the UAEs aerospace industry. For many years, we have worked closely in partnership with the nations leading industrial entities to help create new technological solutions and provide global expertise and experience to local talent. This new collaboration will support the future growth of the UAEs space and satellite sector, contributing to the countrys economic diversification strategy. It will also support the continued efforts around Emiratisation, which will be vital for ensuring long-term sustainable development of the sector," added Houari.

Currently the UAE space sector has provided 3,000 jobs at 50 space related entities, five space research and development centres and three universities offering space degrees. This new project will create 32 new jobs (at least 22 of whom will be UAE nationals) with significant know-how transfer and training being conducted at Airbus facilities in France as well as locally.

Saeed Ahmed Ghobash - Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University - emphasised the importance of the scientific research collaboration with Tawazun, which he says is aligned to the vision and strategic direction of the University. The NSSTC is an entity created by the UAE University alongside the UAE Space Agency, and Chancellor Ghobash said that UAEU has established a credible standing and reputation amongst national, regional and international institutes because of its continued strive for excellence.

"This is in line with the vision of the UAE government, achieving the goals of the national agenda through the implementation of contemporary, sustainable developmental projects," said Ghobash, "UAEU possesses distinctive scientific and technical capabilities that enable it to keep abreast of global trends in applied scientific research, the fourth industrial revolution, the requirements of artificial intelligence, and space science and technology. The universitys work contributes to the development of a knowledge and digital based economy."

"Part of the mandate for NSSTC was to develop satellite AIT capability, and it is a pleasure to form this partnership with Tawazun and Airbus to achieve that very objective," said Dr Khaled Al Hashmi, Director of NSSTC. "The UAE will soon have a fully autonomous AIT satellite capability, and this will benefit the countrys satellite programmes as well as further enhancing space-related skills within the country. The NSSTC will become the centre where the knowledge that Airbus has imparted will come together to support the UAE space sector."

The UAE Space Agency is funding the first two projects that will be completed under the management and operation of NSSTC. The first project will be a satellite that will augment navigational capabilities for the UAE and the second will be the Arab 813 Satellite; a project announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Both projects are currently underway with the support of Airbus and will be completed at the new facilities.

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Tawazun to build, develop Satellite Assembly, Integration and Testing Centre - Emirates News Agency

Here’s how we can make health a core part of the global economy – World Economic Forum

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Our obsession with GDP, globalisation and economic growth has failed to take into account the impact on health and the environment.

We need to recover from this collapse in a way which is good for people, planet and the economy. We need a Great Reset. Could "currencies" based on health and well-being be the answer to creating the thriving cities of tomorrow?

GDP has come to dominate economics at the expense of many other things that make life worth living. GDP is powerful because money serves both as a day-to-day means of exchange understood by everyone and a unit of account at national and international levels. Money, therefore, links the worlds of micro-economics and macro-economics of money in our wallet and national policies and politics.

However, GDP is not a good measure of progress. We propose now that health be the currency for the Great Reset. We are working to adapt the concept of "quality adjusted life year", or Qaly, to give us a measure of well-being that links individual health to global health the new worlds of micro-health-economics and macro-health-economics.

There is nothing more important to us as individuals than our health, happiness and wellbeing. Happiness and wellbeing may be more elusive to define, but health has been defined by the World Health Organisation as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The word health itself comes from the Old English for a state of wholeness.

Every action we take and every transaction we make can improve or reduce our own health or the health of others, either directly or indirectly. Some effects are obvious; eat more green vegetables and your chances of cancer are reduced. Smoke a cigarette and you can harm both your health and the health of those in your immediate vicinity. Some are less obvious; invest in education and you invest in better health outcomes. Buy local food and you reduce the risk of diseases spreading through a globalized economy. Things are more complex than this, of course, but you get the idea.

We have long recognised that social and economic factors affect our health. If you are well-educated and wealthy, generally your health is better. But the importance of environmental factors is becoming increasingly recognised. At a local level, air pollution affects respiratory health. At a global level, climate disruption is now considered by many public health professionals as the single biggest threat to health far bigger than even the coronavirus. It will increase mortality and morbidity more than any other single factor. Likewise, we are recognising that loss of biodiversity (and other planetary boundaries) can have thresholds that, when exceeded, destabilize the biosphere, affect everything from water availability to crop yields and thus, in turn, impact on our health. Leading health institutions such as the Wellcome Trust now talk about Planetary Health.

We now have huge amounts of data on every conceivable part of our social, economic and environmental systems. Conceptually at least, we can track every transaction in our economy and link it to likely health outcomes. We know what is likely to increase health for the individual, the community and the planet. We can also see the possibility to steering our transactions in the direction of that elusive sweet spot where individual, community and planetary health are all maximised.

To implement our emerging knowledge of planetary health, we have two types of options: using information for down-top direction of our economies to generate health (eg through taxation or regulation), or bottom-up based on the information in transactions in a free-market type operation. The former might be considered easier and is in line with conventional socialist doctrine where the state corrects for externalities. The latter is a new form of market economy based on information embedded in each transaction. In practice, we should deploy both mechanisms for maximum benefit.

For a health-generating free market to work, we need to able to account for the health generated or destroyed by any transaction, so we can value transactions on their health-generating potential. Where for instance that organic fairtrade cup of coffee can be valued properly. This needs a new unit of account to go alongside money, implemented perhaps as a loyalty points system rewarding transactions which boost health by building social and natural capital. But what unit of account could possibly account for impacts as diverse as climate change and cancer caused by smoking a cigarette? And could any such unit of account remain sufficiently robust in the face of scientific scrutiny for it to useful for international governance?

We are working to adapt the Quality Adjusted Life Year or Qaly to serve this function. One Qaly is one year in perfect health. It has been developed by the health profession to help decide, in a resource-constrained world, which medical treatments it can afford and which it cant afford. Of course, it is not the only decision-making mechanism, but it is a useful tool it gives us an indication of what will probably bring more health and what will bring less.

Conceptually, we can imagine calculating the impact on an individuals Qalys from smoking a cigarette, or the impact on the health of the global population of carbon emissions resulting in climate disruption. Every transaction from buying a cigarette to buying a litre of gasoline or that fairtrade organic cup of coffee can be valued in terms of Qalys. In this way, health becomes the currency of the new economy. As data grows and knowledge improves, our estimates of Qalys improves too. Our economy gets better and better at generating health. Individual, national and global Qaly accounts link micro-economics to macro-economics, individual choice to government policy.

We live in the strangest of times. We have increasing data and knowledge, yet the future has never looked less secure. We have been tied to an economy which drove inequality, exposure to fast-spreading disease and environmental destruction to the extent of existential crisis. We have an unprecedented opportunity. We need the Great Reset. Imagine an economy where, alongside financial information, health information is carried too. Just as free operation of markets create financial efficiency, so being able to value and trade in health can create health efficiency.

Imagine then, a world where health is the currency.

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Here's how we can make health a core part of the global economy - World Economic Forum

Crowns and Hops Brewing Launches 8 Trill Pils Initiative to Support Black-Owned Craft Breweries – Brewbound.com

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Eight trillion dollars.

This almost unfathomable sum of money could be added to the U.S. economy in the next 30 years if not for racial disparities baked into social and economic structures, according to The Business Case for Racial Equity a Strategy for Growth, a paper Ani Turner wrote for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

The number left an indelible mark on the minds of Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter, co-founders of Inglewood, California-based Crowns & Hops Brewing, one of only about 60 Black-owned breweries in the U.S. (According to the Brewers Association (BA), the total U.S. brewery count stood at 8,341 through June.)

We found it to be such an incredible stat, Hunter said. Looking at our own industry and seeing how there was a lack of diversity, it just seemed like a really good opportunity for us to build the strategy around.

Ashburn and Hunter today announced the launch of the 8 Trill Pils Initiative, a fund that will support Black entrepreneurs in the craft brewing industry. Craft brewery owners and employees are notoriously homogeneous, a fact that has been further underscored by the reckoning taking place across the country this summer following protests against systemic racism.

In her paper, Turner defined the categories in which racial inequity needed to be achieved to unlock economic growth: healthcare, education, criminal justice, housing and employment/entrepreneurship. As craft beer entrepreneurs themselves, Ashburn and Hunter knew they could make an impact under that tentpole.

We know first hand some of the struggles, pitfalls that come with building a craft beer brand, and we know how hard it was to identify some of those resources, be it financially or just simple educational opportunities, Ashburn said. With 8 Trill Pils Initiative, we want to create and support that resource for other breweries, specifically Black-owned breweries.

The fund kicked off today with a $100,000 grant from Scotland-based BrewDogs development fund, which also provided funding to Crowns & Hops last year.

As a global craft brewer, it is our responsibility to use our voice as a force for good, BrewDog co-founder James Watts said in a press release. In the case of racial equity, that means literally opening and supporting more Black-owned breweries like Crowns & Hops so that Black people are not only represented in the business of beer, but are also successful.

Since June, several initiatives have been launched to diversify both owners and employees in the beer industry. Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster Garrett Oliver announced the Michael Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling, which will provide educational grants and scholarships for Black, Indigenous and people of color. Constellation Brands announced its venture capital arm would invest $100 million in Black-owned beverage alcohol startups over the next decade.

Last month, craft beer lifestyle brand Beer Kulture reorganized itself as a nonprofit organization to introduce craft beer to communities of color, which would bring about a necessary change to the drinker base. Crafted for All, a platform founded by Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, works to promote inclusion and equity in craft beer workplaces.

National trade group the BA announced it would draft a new code of conduct for members after being criticized on social media for its inaction in the wake of racist incidents at member breweries.

Ashburn and Hunter see 8 Trill Pils as a complement to these projects, one arrow in a quiver aimed at a more inclusive industry. Using their experience as entrepreneurs, they want to ensure that more business owners in beer who look like them can find similar success.

There is a lot of attention and energy spent around diversity and inclusion in a model that is already there, Hunter said. Im not sure theres been as strong a conversation around racial equity, which is ensuring that Black-owned breweries are successful.

When you look at this country, Black people do make up more than 1% of the country, so in not just our industry, but in industries all over the United States, we need to be looking at how we achieve racial equity as a way of the strategy for economic growth, industry growth, he continued. By doing that we ensure that Black patrons are able to immediately recognize themselves in a brand, in a product and in ownership.

Even a single-digit percentage increase in Black-owned breweries would be significant, Ashburn said.

Its really crazy when you think about 8,000 [craft breweries], and then you think about 63, which is the number of Black-owned breweries, she said. Even if we were to go up by 4%, 5%, it still makes a marginal difference in comparison to where were at right now, so we definitely want to see more Black-owned breweries successful Black-owned breweries and business models and the various points of entry to craft beer.

Crowns and Hops won the 2019 Brewbound Pitch Slam competition at Brewbound Live in December.

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Crowns and Hops Brewing Launches 8 Trill Pils Initiative to Support Black-Owned Craft Breweries - Brewbound.com

Would a government-backed social credit scoring system like China’s ever fly in the US? – ABA Journal

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Business of Law

By Rich Acello

August 1, 2020, 12:45 am CDT

Illustration by Sara Wadford/Shutterstock

Among the casualties of COVID-19 was the planned 2020 rollout of the Chinese social credit system.

In development for years and already in use in several Chinese cities, the social credit system is a way for the government to use the capabilities of cellphones to monitor, track, observe and ultimately judge Chinese citizens as they go about their daily lives. The system uses both carrots and sticks to reward and punish behavior. Donating blood or other community activities might rate a carrot, but bad behavior could prevent the offender from taking trips on high-speed trains or airplanes or engaging in e-commerce.

Thanks to Chinas restrictive internet policies, most functions of Chinese society can be conducted on a few apps, including the ubiquitous WeChat, and all of this is discoverable by the government.

However, COVID-19 forced the government to push the pause button. According to reports, the government had to assure individuals and businesses that tax defaults or other things that would ordinarily dent ones credit would not be held against them while the pandemic raged on.

Nevertheless, observers of the rapid rise of China are intrigued by the system and wonder if it would fly in the U.S.

There are arguably pieces of it in place alreadynotably the credit rating system, which uses computer-stored data to assign consumers a credit score regardless of whether theyve requested it.

Additionally, selling platforms such as eBay require a net positive or neutral score; social media platforms can shut down posters for abusive behavior; and ride-share services can exclude riders with low ratings.

In a society where users already routinely use social media to shame others for behaviors that offend them, what could go wrong?

Plenty, according to Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst for the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project of the American Civil Liberties Union. The concept of taking credit scores and applying it to other areas of life is ominous, he says.

Experts who spoke to the ABA Journal agree there would be massive constitutional obstacles for any centralized credit scoring system.

Stanley points to constitutional protections in the Fifth Amendment for due process, and Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Ben Winters calls a potential U.S. social credit system a solution to a problem that doesnt exist. Photo by Joy Asico.

However, Dean Cheng, an Asian Studies Center senior research fellow within the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at the Heritage Foundation, argues such a system would run afoul of the First, Fourth and Fifth Amendments.

Ben Winters, an attorney for the Washington, D.C.-based Electronic Privacy information Center, calls a potential U.S. social credit system a solution to a problem that doesnt exist and agrees with Cheng and Stanley that the Constitution would rule out such a centralized system.

Additionally, there are cultural reasons why such a system might fly in China but not here.

Because the Chinese have been under a dictatorship for 70 years, they have very little expectations of privacy, Cheng points out.

Dean Cheng: Because the Chinese have been under a dictatorship for 70 years, they have very little expectations of privacy. Photo courtesy of Heritage Foundation.

Meanwhile, Winters adds: In China, cameras show if youre jaywalking, and with 100% enforcement, you could say efficiencies will be achieved in law enforcement. But in America, with constitutional rights and civil rights laws, there are protections against that type of thing. However, Winters cautions that these protections must be accompanied by a meaningful enforcement mechanism, which this country lacks, underlying the need for comprehensive data legislation and protection.

But what about a system that is driven by private businesses and industries?

Cheng doubts it is in any businesss commercial interests to undertake the project. And if such a system arose, participation in the platforms that support it are optional.

I dont have a Facebook or Twitter account because I choose not to, he says. I never bought or sold anything on eBay, either. You can choose to participate or not.

However, Stanley disagrees, arguing that opting out in order to maintain privacy becomes less meaningful over time. Try living a normal life without a credit card, he says.

This article first appeared in the August/September 2020 issue of the ABA Journal under the headline Whats Your Score? Some U.S businesses already require consumers to maintain a certain social credit score, but a government-sponsored system is unlikely.

Whats Your Score? August-September,contained a quote from Ben Winters, an attorney for the Washington, D.C.-based Electronic Privacy information Center, about constitutional rights and protections against governmental surveillance. The quote has been clarified to emphasize that these protections lack a sufficient enforcement mechanism.

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Would a government-backed social credit scoring system like China's ever fly in the US? - ABA Journal

Morning Missouri Primary Election Voting Pace in Livingston County Brisk – Chillicothe Constitution Tribune

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Voters casting ballots in Republican or Democratic party primaries at county, state, federal (U.S. House) levels, as well as one statewide issue

By PAUL STURM, C-T Staff Writer

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. With Livingston County Clerk Sherry Parks having projected, only days before election day, that 40-45% of registered county voters would participate in today's (Aug. 4, 2020) Missouri party primaries and one-issue election, virtually-ideal weather and an envigorated electorate anecdotally seemed to have morning balloting on a brisk pace which would make the clerk's "prediction" attainable.

With the polls at the nine county voting locations (serving 19 precincts) having opened at 6 a.m. and remaining open until 7 p.m., local (Livingston County) voters are deciding only four contested county office races eastern district commissioner, sheriff, collector-treasurer, public administrator that will set the November 3 general election ballot. All four of those contested primaries are on the Republican ballot.

Additionally, there are contested races in both the Democratic and Republican parties for the nominations for U.S. House of Representatives sixth district representative, as well as the statewide offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The Democrats also have a two-person contest for Attorney General, while each of those parties, along with the Green and Libertarian parties, have only one candidate each for the State Treasurer and Secretary of State posts. One statewide-office (Secretary of State) candidate appears under the Constitution Park banner.

Additionally, the Republicans and Libertarians each have a single candidate for the 21st district seat in the Missouri Senate.

On the county level, Democrats J. Scott Lindley (coroner), Teresa Sykes (collector-treasurer), and Steve Ripley (assessor) are unopposed today, as is Republican Josh Daniel (coroner). With no Republican running for assessor, veteran incumbent Ripley is assured of reelection in the November vote, barring unforeseen developments affecting his candidacy in the interim.

In addition to the office elections being conducted today, all Missouri voters have the opportunity to decide whether to amend the state constitution to adopt Medicaid Expansion, as set forth in the federal Affordable Care Act.

The candidates involved in the four contested Livingston County office races are:

Eastern District Commissioner Alvin Thompson (incumbent), Roger Barnes

Sheriff Steve Cox (incumbent), Richard "Rick" Knouse

Collector-Treasurer Diana Havens, Kaley Holmes

Public Administrator Geri Curtis, Whitney Ballard

The Constitution-Tribune will be at the Livingston County Courthouse as official election results are released this evening and will be posting them online as time and opportunity permit on this http://www.chillicothenews.com website and on Twitter via reporter Paul Sturm's@CTSportsPSturm account.

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Morning Missouri Primary Election Voting Pace in Livingston County Brisk - Chillicothe Constitution Tribune

These O.C. parents have a message for Gov. Newsom, teachers unions: Open up the schools. – OCRegister

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A pro-charter school group brought some 75 parents, teachers and a couple of Orange County Board of Education members together Tuesday evening to rally for the reopening of schools that were closed because of coronavirus concerns.

Parents, they said, should be making the choice of whether their children learn on campus or online.

Open up the schools, the crowd briefly chanted.

Jeff Barke, right, leads a rally outside the Santa Ana Educators Association office in Santa Ana on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The rally calling for the reopening of schools was organized by the California Policy Centers Parent Union. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Cecilia Iglesias, left, and Orange County Board of Education member Mari Barke, right, join others outside the Santa Ana Educators Association office during a reopen the schools rally in Santa Ana on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The rally was organized by the California Policy Centers Parent Union, a pro-charter school group. Iglesias, a former Santa Ana councilwoman and school board member, works for the center and organized the meeting with Barkes help. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Rhonda Furin, center, joins others during a reopen the schools rally outside the Santa Ana Educators Association in Santa Ana on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The rally was organized by a group called Parent Union. Its a pro-charter school group under the libertarian California Policy Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A man holds up a sign during a reopen the schools rally outside the Santa Ana Educators Association office in Santa Ana on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The rally was organized by aParent Union. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

About 75 protesters gathered outside the Santa Ana Educators Association office for a reopen the schools rally in Santa Ana on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Cecilia Iglesias protests outside the Santa Ana Educators Association office during a reopen the schools rally in Santa Ana on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Iglesias, a former Santa Ana councilwoman and former School Board member, organized the rally as the head of the Parent Union, a pro-charter school group under the libertarian California Policy Center. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jeff Barke, a physician who advocates for the reopening of schools without social distancing or face masks, leads a reopen the schools rally outside the Santa Ana Educators Association office in Santa Ana on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The rally was organized by the California Police Centers Parent Union group, a pro-charter group that said parents should have the choice of whether their children can return to campus for in-person learning or continue with online education. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Protestors gather outside the Santa Ana Educators Association for a reopen the schools rally in Santa Ana on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The rally was organized by the California Policy Centers Parent Union. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jeff Barke, right, leads a rally outside the Santa Ana Educators Association office in Santa Ana on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The rally calling for the reopening of schools was organized by the California Policy Centers Parent Union. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Flanked by American flags and punctuated with religious references and prayer, the rally was organized by the Orange County-based California Policy Centers Parent Union, which pointedly chose to host its event in front of the offices of the Santa Ana teachers union.

Thats why were here, said Jeff Barke, an Orange County physician who regularly advocates for reopening schools without face masks or social distancing but mentioned neither safety precaution during the rally. Instead, he and others focused attention on teacher unions, which have advocated for resuming school online for now.

Were here to let them know were sick and tired of the schools being closed. Its not based on science. Its not based on statistics. Its not based on facts. Its based on union power.

Barbara Pearson, president of the Santa Ana teachers union the Santa Ana Educators Association called the protest another desperate grab for attention in their struggle to stay relevant.

It has nothing to do with the reopening of schools or the students of Santa Ana. Governor Newsom made the decision to close schools, not the unions. Our priority is the safety of staff and students, Pearson wrote in an e-mail Tuesday night.

On July 17, Newsom ordered that all public and private schools in counties seeing a spike in coronavirus cases could not reopen for in-person learning in the new academic year. That affected all of Orange Countys schools, except for those elementary schools that are applying for a waiver. (State officials unveiled the waiver application process Monday night; its likely to impact mostly private and parochial schools.)

During the rally Tuesday, a few teachers spoke about the detrimental effects of online learning on all students, but especially those who need special services. Students have regressed academically since schools shut down mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, they noted. And many who are in vulnerable situations, some speakers said, have been made even more vulnerable, exposing them to abuse and even suicide, because they dont have their safe haven school to turn to.

Mari Barke, an elected member of the Orange County Board of Education and Jeff Barkes wife, told the crowd, to keep fighting to reopen schools.

Parents are in the best position to make decisions for their children, Mari Barke said.

Last week, her board voted to file a lawsuit against Newsom to force a reopening of schools. Fellow Trustee Ken Williams also addressed the crowd, invoking God and talking about the fight for the children.

The rally was organized by Cecilia Iglesias, a former Santa Ana councilwoman and former School Board member who works for the California Policy Center, a libertarian think tank that focuses on issues like pension reform and charter schools. The Center runs four chapters of the Parent Union in Southern California. Iglesias said she hopes to hold similar rallies in other counties.

Our call is a call to action, to let parents choose, Iglesias said prior to the rally. Were suggesting: open up the schools, following safety guidelines, and give parents the choice.

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These O.C. parents have a message for Gov. Newsom, teachers unions: Open up the schools. - OCRegister

Seven qualify to fill U.S. Rep. Lewis’s unexpired term in 5th Congressional District – Reporter Newspapers

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Five Democrats, an independent and a Libertarian have thrown their hats into the ring to fill the unexpired term of the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis in the 5th Congressional District, which includes southern sections of Brookhaven and Buckhead.

July 31 was the deadline to qualify for the Sept. 29 special election, which will select one of the seven to take the seat until the end of the year.

The seven contenders include Robert Franklin, a Democrat and former president of Morehouse College; Kwanza Hall, a Democrat and former Atlanta City Council member; Barrington Martin II, an educator and former unsuccessful challenger to Lewis in the June primary; Steven Muhammad, an independent and minister from East Point; Chase Oliver, a Libertarian and customer service specialist; state Rep. Able Mable Thomas, a Democrat who has served nearly 22 years in office; and Keisha Waites, a Democrat and former state legislator.

If none of the candidates get a majority, a runoff will be held Dec. 1.

The election to succeed Lewis, who died July 17, for a full two-year term will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. State Sen. Nikema Williams is the Democratic appoint to replace Lewis on that ballot. The other candidate on the ballot is Republican Angela Stanton-King.

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Seven qualify to fill U.S. Rep. Lewis's unexpired term in 5th Congressional District - Reporter Newspapers

Global Healthcare Nanotechnology (Nanomedicine) Market Worth $475B by 2027 – Therapeutics Will Account for $369B – Benzinga

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Dublin, Aug. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Healthcare Nanotechnology (Nanomedicine) - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The publisher brings years of research experience to this 9th edition of the report. The 190-page report presents concise insights into how the pandemic has impacted production and the buy side for 2020 and 2021. A short-term phased recovery by key geography is also addressed.

Global Healthcare Nanotechnology (Nanomedicine) Market to Reach $475.2 Billion by 2027

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Healthcare Nanotechnology (Nanomedicine) estimated at US$183.9 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$475.2 Billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 14.5% over the analysis period 2020-2027.

Therapeutics, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record a 14.1% CAGR and reach US$369.5 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After an early analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Regenerative medicine segment is readjusted to a revised 15.7% CAGR for the next 7-year period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $54.3 Billion, While China is Forecast to Grow at 14% CAGR

The Healthcare Nanotechnology (Nanomedicine) market in the U.S. is estimated at US$54.3 Billion in the year 2020. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$82.8 Billion by the year 2027 trailing a CAGR of 14% over the analysis period 2020 to 2027.

Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 12.8% and 12.5% respectively over the 2020-2027 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 10.7% CAGR.

In-vitro diagnostics Segment to Record 16.3% CAGR

In the global In-vitro diagnostics segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 16.1% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$5.7 Billion in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$16.2 Billion by the close of the analysis period.

China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$56.9 Billion by the year 2027.

Competitors identified in this market include, among others:

Total Companies Profiled: 46

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/moa2yk

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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Global Healthcare Nanotechnology (Nanomedicine) Market Worth $475B by 2027 - Therapeutics Will Account for $369B - Benzinga

OPINION EXCHANGE | Comets may be heralds of hard times, but also of revival – Minneapolis Star Tribune

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On July 14 I needed a first-rate northern horizon.

Comet C/2020 F3 Neowise would be gleaming low in the north-northwest an hour after sunset, rotating with the celestial sphere and out of view not long after. Id seen raves online (Do not miss this!). And besides, hunting comets has been a keen subset of my astronomy hobby for decades.

Six weeks earlier, after several late-night and predawn forays beginning in late March, Id finally spotted a different comet, C/2017 T2. It manifested as a small, dim patch of fuzz in my 15x70 binoculars, not even remotely apparent to the unaided eye a species of quarry only zealots could savor, and a typical cometary experience.

But I was assured that Neowise was special. Shining at fourth magnitude it was easily a naked-eye object, brighter than many of the stars visible in a rural sky.

The day was partly cloudy, but a glance at the weather forecast (and a barometer) indicated a clear night. Not taking any chances, I scaled the 100-feet-tall Side Lake fire tower at dusk. Cant procure a much better panorama than that.

When I reached the cupola and faced north, I groaned. A last bridgehead of cloud was draped along the north-northwest horizon. The gray mass, fringed with fading orange, hovered in precisely the wrong spot. Had the privilege of the tower been neutralized?

At 10:05 p.m. I began scanning with the formidable glass of the 15x70s. I stalked just above the treacherous band of cloud. Nothing. Anyone whos searched for comets has known disappointment. Many recall the hype (entire books were written) preceding the return of Halleys famous comet in 1986. It didnt fizzle exactly, but never approached the splendor that astounded the world in 1910, when it spanned most of the sky, was visible during the day, and inspired apocalyptic fever dreams. The earth passed through Halleys tail and farm families retreated into tornado shelters, frightened by claims the cometary gas could poison our planet.

Searching for Neowise, I spent 20 minutes periodically gridding the north-northwest horizon side-to-side, up and down, taking breaks to admire Jupiter and Saturn rising in the southeast, and noting familiar stars and constellations snapping into view with last light fading.

As darkness develops, objects leap into visibility. A threshold is attained for any given brightness, and what is imperceptible one moment is suddenly revealed a second later.

At 10:27 p.m., the comet in full glory materialized in the lenses, 5 degrees above the clouds. I whooped. The hype was redeemed.

The coma, or head, was intensely luminous; the tail fanned out in a gentle arc, the pressure and heat of mere sunlight fashioning a feather of star dust saturating my field of view. The impression was of a hot, blazing rocket, but comets sustain the icy cold of deep space. Even so, the frozen primordial matter being peeled away by solar wind looked like the pure white product of a forge.

For the next half-hour I relished the rarity, and the surprise. We average only one prominent comet per decade. Unlike Halley and other short-period comets, Neowise blew in from nowhere, calculated to be on a 6,800-year orbit around the sun, last visiting our neighborhood at the dawn of human civilization. Nobody wrote it down.

Just after 11 p.m. I eased down the 126 steps of the fire tower, then paused on the center-line of County Road 5 and looked north. Naked-eye, the comet was a white slash bracketed by tall pine forest on either side of the road. It was a beckoning tableau, as if the pavement steered for the sky through a tunnel of trees and the comet was within reach.

I stood transfixed. Sure, I was glad for the tower, and certainly appreciative of the lenses, but there on the highway I enjoyed the most compelling phase of the spectacle, when the celestial traveler seemed linked to earth.

The reputation of comets as harbingers of doom or revival, explicitly connected to human events, is well known. Who isnt drawn to portents and omens? We understand that comets are essentially dirty snowballs composed of rocky ice and dust, and relatively insubstantial. Indeed, the National Geographic Society once described them as the nearest thing to nothing that anything can be and still be something.

And yet, when I heard of the unexpected arrival of a bright comet my first thought was: of course, its 2020. We are mired in a baneful pandemic unlike anything endured for a century, parsing our lives into 14-day increments of health and survival or not. As of this writing, 150,000 Americans have died, with no end immediately apparent. Against this sobering backdrop, were suffering domestic unrest over racial injustice, the global economy is severely strained, tensions between the United States and China are escalating, and our looming November election is seen by many left and right as an existential, do-or-die moment of truth.

All these challenges (and more) demand attention, action but we cannot be always on red alert, at the barricades, hypervigilant, hypersensitive. We must also play and dream. Otherwise well sooner or later collapse into a bitter vortex of angst and be of little use to anyone. The first rule for all is do no harm, and that includes to ourselves. No one contributes by crashing and burning.

Seeking and witnessing the comet was an intentional, joyous frolic. Its beauty was inspiriting (and bipartisan) and though Im familiar with the physics I also enjoyed an indulgent flight of fancy. I thought, why do I feel so uplifted? What is the message of this comet? Im capable of ascribing meaning if I choose, so what does Neowise mean?

I choose revival. Listen: the comet is a herald of magnificent transformation. I allowed the view of Neowise from the center-line of County Road 5 to assure me that we have a clear route to a metaphorical heaven. The comet beckons to a loftier plane, to acknowledge and celebrate what Abraham Lincoln called the better angels of our nature.

They are often evoked in play, when we set aside the axes were grinding and revisit the wonder, optimism, and uninhibited rumpus of childhood. Mark Twain, whose birth and death were bracketed by Halleys comet, wrote, When Im playful I use the meridians of longitude and the parallels of latitude for a seine, and drag the Atlantic Ocean for whales. I scratch my head with the lightning and purr myself to sleep with the thunder.

Prose poetry of a high order, and resonant with rejuvenating gladness and useful whimsy. Its a mind-set we call recreation. Such imagining can keep us in touch with sanity.

So, washed in starlight on a mild summer evening, I passed through the looking glasses. I strode the highway between the pines to the comet, and straddling the shimmering tail I rode it toward the sun and a dazzling tomorrow. Popping into view just ahead I saw John Muir, that tough and intrepid wanderer of wilderness. He called out, All things move in music and write it. The mouse, lizard, and grasshopper sing together on the Turlock sands, sing with the morning stars.

Why not? Its my choice, my portent. Ill get back to work in the morning.

Peter M. Leschak, of Side Lake, Minn., is the author of Ghosts of the Fireground and other books.

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OPINION EXCHANGE | Comets may be heralds of hard times, but also of revival - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Letter: Lets just continue to bury our heads in the sand, folks – Manitoulin Expositor

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After all, once the bees are dead weve got just four more years

To the Expositor:

Having read a recent editorial regarding herbicides and the dying bees, I realize that bees, trees, water and human health are of supreme importance when compared to making more money.

Our benevolent politicians sign laws that always engender the well-being of the citizens who elected them. They never favour big business and the monied class.

Our representatives would never make laws that would force us to put highly carcinogenic chemicals into the creeks and onto the roadways. I am certain that only the Americans sell out their citizens by dumping Agent Orange onto men, women and children and theirownsoldiers.

The previous sentences are, obviously, tongue in cheek but they lead a thinking person to a grim reality.

Big business and government sign our pay checks so that we may pay our rent and buy our porkchops. Our dependence is undeniable and, as history has proven, we will put babies into ovens if our paymasters and money changers so demand.

Forget about it folks. Go back to your TV and propaganda news bytes. Hate and fear your brothers who are brown, yellow and red. Do not question the laws, read your bible, follow the script and go back to sleep.

Besides, after we kill all the bees, according to Einstein, we still have four years to live.

All the best,

Tommy Lough

Tehkummah

PS: Dear Expositor, I will be shocked if you print this.Cold, hard truth scares all of us.

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Letter: Lets just continue to bury our heads in the sand, folks - Manitoulin Expositor

COVID-19 vaccine makers rue red tape in Telangana – The New Indian Express

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By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Stressing on collaborative efforts to develop a vaccine for Coronavirus, three major Pharma companies Bharat Biotech, Biological E and Indian Immunologicals, said the Telangana government and the Centre needed to streamline the process.

Speaking at an interaction on the subject, 'The Vaccine Race' moderated by IT and MAUD Minister KT Rama Rao, the industry leaders noted that the present ecosystem gave them the shorter end of the stick in the race to find a vaccine.

Demand for decentralisation

"To be a global power, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) needs a South-Indian headquarters. For small clearances, we have to rush to Delhi, which is hurting us. Sixty per cent of pharma business comes from here, so decentralise the power to Hyderabad. Similarly, if the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) set up an institute here for clearances, we would save time and effort," said Bharat Biotech MD Krishna Ella.

'Use World Bank, WHO funds'

On a similar note, Mahima Datla, MD of Biological E flagged the Centre's response in fetching available funds that WHO and World Bank are providing for vaccine development. "There is COVAX facility by WHO which gives a demand certainty, but our governments response to it is not forthcoming. So we are losing competitive advantage despite being leading manufacturers in the world," she said.

She added that as a starter, the World Bank had Rs 2 billion in funding that was made available to vaccine manufacturers and India needs to make that available to vaccine manufacturers.

On the lack of coordinated effort, Dr Anand Kumar, MD of Indian Immunologicals said though there were just seven leading manufacturers, no concentrated effort had come in for a status check on R&D requirements or infra requirements forcing them to work in silos. Rama Rao assured the industry leaders of all support.

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Science Society has developed a sanitiser robotic vehicle which can be used to spray sanitising liquid on roads and buildings. Hyderabad Science Society director SA Khansaid, "In areas where there is contamination in buildings and humans cannot be employed due to risks of virus, this remote controlled vehicle is a viable alternative."

Originally posted here:

COVID-19 vaccine makers rue red tape in Telangana - The New Indian Express

Just 10 games in, the Red Sox are tied for the worst record in the AL. Its easy to see why – The Boston Globe

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Bogaerts is right. Trying to win with only two reliable starting pitchers is hard. Trying to bond with so many new teammates during a pandemic is hard. Watching Triple A pitchers trying to get the Yankees out is hard.

Losing Eduardo Rodriguez for the entire season because of a heart condition related to his having COVID-19; that was really hard.

At 3-7, the Red Sox are tied for the worst record in the American League and are already five games out first. Its easy to see why.

The Sox really dont have a rotation. Theres Nate Eovaldi, Martin Perez and a series of question marks. Theyve also played poor defense and run the bases like their masks were pulled over their eyes.

When Mookie Betts and David Price were traded in January, it was a clear message that this season didnt matter and the Sox were preparing for the future. Chris Sale undergoing Tommy John surgery seven weeks later only reiterated this would be a lost season.

The Sox had 16 pitchers on their active roster Sunday, seven who were designated for assignment or released in the last nine months before the Sox picked them up.

Pitchers from that group have started four of the 10 games.

One of the castoffs, Matt Hall, inherited a 2-0 lead in the second inning on Sunday and allowed three runs. When the Sox came back to take a 5-3 lead, Hall gave up two more.

Behind Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers, the Sox built a 7-6 lead only to see Matt Barnes allow three runs after retiring the first two batters in the eighth inning.

The go-ahead runs came in Aaron Judges second homer of the game, a 468-foot blast.

You cant win with a pitching staff like that and the players know it. Their level of play has reflected it.

Saturday nights 5-2 loss against the Yankees was a good example.

The Sox put two runners on base with two outs in the ninth inning against journeyman righthander David Hale. One swing could have tied the game.

With J.D. Martinez available to pinch hit, Andrew Benintendi took his turn at the plate and struck out on four pitches to end the game. That left him 2 for 24 on the season.

Martinez at that point had hit .320 against the Yankees with a 1.022 OPS since joining the Red Sox.

But he was not available. Here was how manager Ron Roenicke explained it.

He had been in the cages trying to get loose. Its a little harder to get J.D. quickly loose. But we had given him a couple of innings before and talked to him about it.

Hes used to certain routines that he goes through and he knows different situations when they come up that there may be an opportunity. But Jerry [Narron, the bench coach] had gone down there a couple of innings before and just kind of gave him a heads up to be ready.

I would rather give him the day off, which we did. But if we needed it to win a ballgame we thought we may put him up there.

So he could have hit?

We could have, Roenicke said. Again, both of us probably rather would have not, him and us. Thats kind of what the decision came to.

Youd hope a Red Sox player would be breaking down doors for a chance to beat the Yankees. But Martinez took a pass and Roenicke made it out to be a mutual decision.

It brings to mind the 2014 season, when what appeared to be a good Red Sox team fell apart after ownership made a lowball offer to ace lefthander Jon Lester.

The Sox played with little passion, fell out of contention quickly and there was a fire sale at the trade deadline that included Lester. It was the start of a long fallow period.

That could be where this is headed. Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has been careful to say the Sox arent giving up on the season but also have to be mindful of the future.

The trade deadline is at Aug. 31 this season assuming MLB is still operating at that point and Bloom could deal away players like Martinez, Jackie Bradley Jr., Mitch Moreland and Kevin Pillar.

Barnes spoke confidently after the game about the Sox being capable of going on a good run. But even with eight teams from each league making the playoff this season, how could they with this pitching?

Bogaerts is trying to stay hopeful.

We dont have much time. But in 50 games a lot can happen, he said.

A lot already has. Too much.

Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.

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Just 10 games in, the Red Sox are tied for the worst record in the AL. Its easy to see why - The Boston Globe

Mali: New witness testimony reveals horrors of protest shootings – Amnesty International

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Dozens of witnesses to the shootings of protesters in Mali last month told Amnesty International they had clearly identified some of the perpetrators as the bodyguards of Manassa Danioko, President of the Constitutional Court.

The protests between 10 and 12 July were organized by the Mouvement du 5 Juin-Rassemblement des forces patriotiques (M5-RFP), that has been demonstrating against poor governance and electoral fraud in Mali since 5 June and has called for the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The demonstrations coincided with the call for civil disobedience by the M5-RFP, but they were brutally repressed by the security forces across Bamako, the capital, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 protesters and bystanders, and dozens being injured.

Rumors of the arrest of the leader of the M5-RFP, Imam Mahmoud Dicko, led on 11 July, to a mobilization of demonstrators and residents in the neighborhood of Badalabougou. Some of them moved towards the house of Manassa Danioko, which is not far from Dickos residence.

Rumors of the arrest of the leader of the M5-RFP, Imam Mahmoud Dicko, led on 11 July, to a mobilization of demonstrators and residents in the neighborhood of Badalabougou. Some of them moved towards the house of Manassa Danioko, which is not far from Dickos residence, said Ousmane Diallo, Amnesty Internationals West Africa Researcher.

This led to the firing of live ammunition by security guards and by the police, at the protesters, causing the deaths of four individuals during that incident alone. A fair and impartial investigation into these deaths must urgently be launched, and those responsible must be brought to justice.

Amnesty International interviewed 41 respondents, including witnesses to the violence, injured demonstrators, journalists, opposition leaders and public officials. Witnesses and families of victims shared horrific accounts of the violence perpetrated by police in Badalabougou and Sogoninko neighborhoods where protests were held on 11 July, along with the responsibility of bodyguards to the President of the Constitutional Court in the deaths of protesters in Badalabougou.

The organization also collected photos and video evidence of the injuries sustained by the protesters, of the impact of bullets on civilian buildings, and of the clashes between demonstrators and security forces, which all concord with the testimonies collected.

Several of those killed during the three days of repression were not involved in the protests. Fayal Ciss, 25, was the first victim of the lethal use of force. He was a former madrassa student who was not part of the protest and was at a mosque around 300 m from the National Assembly. A relative told Amnesty International that he was hit by a bullet fired from the National Assembly, while he was between the ablutions area and the prayer room. He fell in the courtyard of the mosque and died subsequently of his wounds.

A 37-year-oldprotestor told Amnesty International how they were dislodged from the public broadcasters premises by security forces who startedbeatingand injuring many of them, including women.They hit them on their heads and arms with sticks. They were dispersed by the security forces who fired live ammunition at the protestors, causing one death near the National Assembly.

Among those killed was HalidouBouar, 21. Like Sidi Mohamed Doumbia, Bouar was working when he was struck by a bullet, fired by security forces.

One of his relatives, who witnessed the incident from outside his house, told Amnesty International:

HalidouBouarwas shot while he was at the carwash where he worked. He wasnt demonstrating but since he was close to scene, he was hit by two bullets, one in the stomach and one in the shoulder, while he was doing his work. He lostconsciousnesswhile I was transporting him to the hospital. Blood was flowing from his mouth. He died at the hospital soon after our arrival.

The violence escalated on 11 and 12 July, following news that security forces planned to arrest Imam Mahmoud Dicko after they had arrested several other M5-RFP leaders. Amnesty International spoke to several witnesses who identified the bodyguards of Manassa Danioko, the President of the Constitutional Court, as shooting at protesters on the afternoon of 11 July. Aly Sylla, 29, was among the victims.

A relative of his told the organization:

During the clashes with the police, Aly was shot in the head. Several youths identified the gunman as one of Manassa Danioko's bodyguards. He was with one of his friends who took pictures of the bodyguard and identified him He told the shooter that he took a good picture of him and that he would pay for this crime. The police tried to arrest him, but he escaped.

I remember my son telling me Daddy, I cannot breathe anymore.

While Aly Sylla died on the spot, two other victims of the same incident died at the hospital from their wounds.One of them was Sidi Mohamed Doumbia, a 16-year old student who was at work in Badalabougou, repairing motorcycles when he was shot. He was hit in the stomach and arm while he stood at a good distance from the policemen and the demonstrations. His father recounted the heartbreaking experience of watching his son die:

I remember my son telling me "Daddy, I cannot breathe anymore". I could see that he was dying in front of me, while at the hospital. I don't know who fired, but the children around said it was one of the bodyguards .

The role of the FORSAT, a special government antiterrorist unit in the arrests of leaders of the M5-RFP and in the assault of the mosque of Imam Mahmoud Dicko is also of grave concern and deserves thorough investigations.

Several witnesses told Amnesty International that during an 11 July meeting of M5-RFP, hooded men in heavy gear suspected to belong to FORSAT arrived heavily armed in two unmarked public buses to disrupt the meeting.

Other witnesses recounted seeing FORSAT members deployed to arrest the leaders of the M5-RFP on 11 July. They also were witnessed launching an assault on the mosque of Imam Mahmoud Dicko during the evening, said Ousmane Diallo.

The deployment of the FORSAT to maintain public order during the demonstrations is a clear violation of its mandate. Another red line was crossed when the security forces fired live ammunition at protesters.

The deployment of the FORSAT to maintain public order during the demonstrations is a clear violation of its mandate. Another red line was crossed when the security forces fired live ammunition at protesters.

In an official letter dated on 14 July addressed to the Ministry of Public Security, the Prime Minister asked for the reasons behind the deployment of the FORSAT and who authorized it. While welcoming this development, Amnesty International calls for responsibilities to be clearly established regarding who gave the security forces order to fire at the demonstrators, when they presented no danger to them.

While trying to control demonstrators and destroy barricades, police also killedMamadou Ba, a doctoral student in medicine, who was called by a health center to support them in their work.

According to a witness, Mamadou Ba was shot near the health center by policemen positioned a hundred meters further from the street. The bullet caused serious injuries and after losing much blood, he died of his wounds in the hospital during surgery.

In addition to Ba, at least four people were shot and wounded at that scene. In the same area a building was hit by the bullets of the security forces when they were responding to the demonstrations.

Koudedja Doucour, a 22-year old woman was wounded by a bullet to the chest when she went to her window to inquire about the commotion. Amnesty International obtained pictures of bullet impact on the windows and walls of a building next to where security forces were positioned.

Journalists also came under attack during the protests.

Accordingtoonejournalist, police officers prevented him from doing his job while he was capturing the evidence of the ill-treatment of three youngsters on 11 July. He told Amnesty International that when he refused to hand over his cellphone, policemen started beating him with a baton on his head, back and hips. They forcefully took his cellphone, deleted all evidence of their conduct, accused him of being a member of the M5-RFP, before eventually letting him go with his cellphone.

The UN Human Rights Committee states that peaceful assemblies can play a critical role in allowing participants to advance ideas and aspirational goals in the public domain, and to establish the extent of support for or opposition to those ideas and goals. Where they are used to air grievances, peaceful assemblies may create opportunities for inclusive, participatory and peaceful resolution of differences. A failure to respect and ensure the right of peaceful assembly is typically a marker of repression.

The freedom of peaceful assembly must be respected by the authorities and it is outrageous that security forces, including special forces, fired live bullets at the demonstrators. No citizen deserves to die for expressing their opinion, or for denouncing the poor governance of their own country.

The lethal use of force by the security forces must be investigated. Protesters and their families deserve to know who gave the license for the security forces to fire at them and their relatives, and there cannot be any credible solution to the political crisis if human rights are not respected and justice is not delivered, said Ousmane Diallo.

The freedom of peaceful assembly must be respected by the authorities and it is outrageous that security forces, including special forces, fired live bullets at the demonstrators. No citizen deserves to die for expressing their opinion, or for denouncing the poor governance of their own country.

Originally posted here:

Mali: New witness testimony reveals horrors of protest shootings - Amnesty International

Book review: There’s so much more to the beautiful wood duck – PostBulletin.com

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That's pretty much a given among bird lovers, and that alone makes this duck so appreciated.

But there is so much more to the wood duck. For example, they are the only ones on the continent to be members of their genus; they have an unusually large tail for a waterfowl; they helped defeat German U-boats in World War I; and the species that was once given up as lost has staged a momentous comeback.

Greg Hoch gives us that whole picture and more in his new book With Wings Extended: A Leap Into the Wood Duck's World. Its a true treat to read in this often dark time of coronavirus and roiling politics. Its a success story that shows we can help endangered species.

The author is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources prairie habitat supervisor and author of books on the greater prairie chicken and woodcock. In his third book, he brings us into the world of a duck we have been seeing more and more around here, and which hunters relish putting in the bag. In some states, its the most common duck shot.

He mostly uses research from many other sources, some going back to the 1800s; the bibliography covers 18 pages.

Here are some things Hoch found through his research:

He encourages people to get involved, often by making boxes. That might be one of the great benefits of the book it not only lays out the past problems, but also ways people can help today. We can do it by ourselves or in civic and scout groups.

It cant stop there, however, Hoch writes. If nest boxes are a gateway, the gateway must lead to other involvement.

That could be recording how many birds are fledged, funding conservation groups, talking with politicians, or volunteering to help wildlife agencies.

Wood ducks allow us into their lives as few other wildlife and almost no other duck allow, he writes.

The ducks will live close to people, often in towns or next to homes, when nesting. But their living habitat tends to be messy, swampy, buggy and muddy, so be prepared to get wet.

Hoch concludes: Go find the place where your wood duck drake rests in his beauty.

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Book review: There's so much more to the beautiful wood duck - PostBulletin.com

The UK’s Huawei ban risks crippling its ambitions in technology and science – Business Insider

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Visiting China last year, I knew the country excelled at technology and innovation.

But it was a pleasant surprise to find that its science parks were not only world-leading R&D centers but also welcoming to UK startups and set up to add value for companies entering the market.

I also met investors with a significant appetite for UK innovation especially in medtech, AI, IoT, and other areas of deeptech.

The UK government's ban on the use of Huawei 5G equipment has, therefore, been hard to stomach. The decision has soured UK-China relations, endangering UK startups' access to Chinese growth funding and the world's largest market.

The government risks throwing the baby out with the bathwater, jeopardizing its own vision of building a prosperous future economy on the back of early-stage deeptech R&D.

It's not that we weren't warned.

Until the recent escalation of the ongoing trade war, the US had a secure position as the leading foreign recipient of Chinese venture capital.

Now, many Chinese funds both state-run and privately-held have become significantly less active in the US.

Rhodium Group, which tracks US-China investment trends, identified 236 rounds into US companies featuring at least one Chinese investor in 2018, amounting to $10.8 billion. In 2019 there were just 163, totalling $6.5 billion.

The UK had been well-positioned to capitalize on the cooling of the US-China relationship, with Chinese investment into the UK growing in recent years. Indeed, China has put more money into the UK economy over the past five years than in the previous 30.

During his 2015 state visit, President Xi Jinping called for more "mutually beneficial cooperation" on innovation; significant Chinese investment into UK funds and startups followed, with technology and media conglomerate Tencent a bellwether.

2019 was its most active year, including a $24 million round into Cambridge AI company Prowler, a $35 million investment in fintech firm Truelayer, a $20 million round for Everledger, a blockchain company, and a $10 million investment into spacetech startup SenSat.

It also launched an AI lab with medtech startup Medopad, and invested in Oxford Sciences Innovation , the University of Oxford's fund.

My conversations in China certainly reflected a preoccupation with the UK and deprioritization of the US.

Since the Huawei ban, however, some contacts have alluded to a hedging strategy, lining up operations in competing ecosystems such as France, Germany, Finland, and Poland alongside prior plans for the UK market.

By banning a company crucial to China's global brand as a tech pioneer, the government risks triggering a similar response to that which has hit the US, stunting the inflow of Chinese money to support the growth of innovative UK companies.

Recent UK government policy announcements from Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Budget speech in March to more recent statements from Boris Johnson have focused on "leveling up" investment in early-stage R&D to fuel high-tech innovation.

China has played a significant role in building the infrastructure to facilitate such a strategy, partly through the formation of academic joint ventures such as a 25 million Marine Research Centre with the University of Nottingham and, in deeptech, the York-Nanjing Joint Centre for Spintronics and Nano Engineering.

Such is the level of UK-China academic collaboration that China is one of the UK's most important partners for research, innovation, and education, according to the Russell Group, and its second-strongest research partner. The UK has also overtaken Japan to become China's second-most popular partner.

Huawei itself has led projects intended to contribute to the UK ecosystem including a 1 billion initial investment into a new chip R&D centre in Cambridge and surrounding infrastructure, and a 5 million investment into a new 5G-enabled tech hub at Imperial's West London campus.

It remains to be seen whether either project will go ahead following the government's decision and wider investment and collaboration on R&D must be in question, with the potential to put a significant dent in the government's "science superpower" plan.

The Huawei ban came with the concession that it would set back rollout of 5G by two to three years significantly delaying the windfall of 15.7 billion by 2025 forecast by Barclays Corporate Banking.

While major cities have already received considerable investment to make them 5G-ready, early coverage of the regions has been limited. This further delay will prove a significant barrier to increasing productivity as we enter a future in which workforces and therefore innovation become increasingly distributed.

"Industry 4.0" technologies that enable everything from remote patient assessment and monitoring (which O2 estimates could free up over a million hours of GPs' time) to autonomous vehicles and smart traffic management depend on 5G's faster, more reliable connectivity and lower latency.

The UK has world-leading expertise in many such technologies. But the impending delay might give founders pause could they commercialize and get to market quicker somewhere else, unencumbered by the fallout of political decisions?

It's too early to say for certain whether the Huawei ban will trigger an exodus of Chinese investors and home-grown innovators but on the first count the data from the US tells a cautionary tale, and the second could ultimately come down to a question of pragmatism and ambition.

At the very least, we should expect UK startups to start finding it much more difficult to sell and expand into China as the backlash to the Huawei ban becomes apparent. The repercussions of this decision could deal a major blow to the government's economic vision for the UK.

Stephen Page is the founder and CEO of SFC Capital.

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The UK's Huawei ban risks crippling its ambitions in technology and science - Business Insider

Peterson has a slight lead in the Gilbert mayoral race. Here’s a closer look at mayoral and council results – AZCentral

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Gilbert voters will elect a new mayor, but whether that happens on Tuesday depends on if one of the fourcandidates snags enough votes to avoid a runoff in November.

Brigette Peterson held a steady lead over Matt Nielsen and Lynne King Smith as results rolled in Tuesday. But Maricopa County elections officials continue to count ballots.

It's the first-time mayoral run for all four candidates, as Mayor Jenn Daniels is not seeking reelection.

Peterson who watched results come in with her husband athome and on Zoom with friends said she was really excited about the initial results butverycautiousbecause she knows there are many morevotesto be counted.

Its really too soon to know, Peterson said. I'm hoping that the lead remains. If we can win this outright, that would be even better, but if we go on to the general, I'm ready for that.

Gilbert mayoral candidate Brigette Peterson checks results on primary election night.(Photo: Courtesy of Brigette Peterson)

If no one mayor candidate getsmore than 50% of the vote in the Aug. 4 primary election, the top two vote-getters will squareoff in the general election on Nov. 3.

Three town council seats also were on the ballot.

Four candidates competedfor two council seats with the usual four-year terms.Kathy Tilque and Scott Anderson are leading, followed by Tyler Hudgins and BusolaObayomi, initial returns show.

If no one gets more than 25% of the votes, all four will go on the November ballot.If one candidate gets enough votes, the next two top vote-getters will face off inNovember.

Laurin Hendrix and Bill Spence were practically tied fora council seat that carries a two-year term, according to early ballot returns.

If no one gets more than 50%of the votes, the top two vote-getters will go to a November runoff.

The initial results include nearly all ballots cast before election day andmail-in ballots, apart from those dropped off at the polls on Tuesday.

Early results show the town's new General Planhas a large margin of voter approval.

Voting got underway in early July and wrappedup Tuesday atvote centers throughout metro Phoenix.

ELECTION RESULTS:See who won in Arizona's August primary election

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King Smith, who handily outraised the other mayoral candidates, is the founder of a ticketing software company and co-working space in Gilbert.

She campaigned on providing strong leadership as Gilbert approaches build-out, supporting businesses and building a "Gilbert for all."

King Smith hosted a Zoom watch party with friends, family and supporters as results came in Tuesday evening.

Nielsen, a charter school management executive, is a political newcomer, as is King Smith.

Nielsen is focused on returning government to a more limited role and campaigned on conservative values. He said he wants to maximize individual liberty and minimize government interference.

Peterson resigned from her Town Council seat, as the law requires, to run for mayor. She has said she would bring the necessary experience to the mayoral seat. Her priorities are job growth, public safety and responsible growth.She's an advocate for transportation and planning improvements.

Joshua Lipscomb, the write-in candidate,wants to investin south Gilbert, diversifythe town, expandtwo-lane roads, protectfarmers and increasepublic safety, according to his campaign on Instagram.

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Thecandidates in the race for two Town Council seats with full, four-yearterms are:

Tilque, who led the pack in initial results, said she was excited, but waiting eagerly for more of the vote count to roll in.

We have a lot more votes coming in, so were hoping that were going to be able to maintain that lead and kind of wrap this up for the primary, she said.

Tilquesaid she was confident going into theprimary, butdidnt know what to expectgiven how unique campaigning was during the pandemic.She expressed gratitude for her opponents behavior during the race.

In myparticular race, I felt that everybody was runningareally honestrace, talking about their credentials and thequalities that they bring, and there wasnt that negative politicking going on. I was really thankful for that.

Anderson, also in the lead, said he was pleased with the early results and hopes the race will be decided at the primary, without a November runoff.

The candidates vying for the council seat with a two-year term are:

Have election thoughts fromGilbert? Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.

Support local journalism.Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

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Peterson has a slight lead in the Gilbert mayoral race. Here's a closer look at mayoral and council results - AZCentral

Peterson concerned about COVID-19, ‘but work is work’ – NBC Sports Washington

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Ron Rivera refuses to name Dwayne Haskins the starting quarterback for the Washington Football Team, but listening to the coach's comments about the second-year passer, it sure sounds like it's Haskins job.

"Hes done a great job of studying, preparing and getting himself ready for this. Hes been great," Rivera said Tuesday morning. "Hes been on the field, doing the things weve asked of him. Hes done the extra stuff that he and I talked about in the offseason. Hes done the things that, I think, puts him right there where he needs to be at this junction of where we are in our training, having only been able to do zoom and now only having four days of work on the field."

Much has been made about veteran QB Alex Smith's return from injury.

Smith's story has been incredible, working his way back from a compound fracture in his leg and 17 surgeries as his body was ravaged by infection. Now Smith is able to work out with trainers at the Washington practice facilities for multiple days without setbacks. It's a remarkable story.

But there are still major hurdles for Smith to get back on the field, not the least of which is clearing a football physical from the Washington doctors.

"For him, its really just a matter of, can he do the movements he needs to do?" Rivera said. "Can he protect himself when hes on the field more so than anything else?"

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TALK PODCAST

There's another important element to point out and that's the advantage - real or perceived -that Kyle Allen has over Haskins.

Allen started nine games for Rivera and new Washington offensive coordinator Scott Turner last season in Carolina, and found some success. The Panthers won Allen's first four starts, and in those games, he threw no interceptions. Conversely, Carolina lost the last six games Allen started and he threw 11 picks in those contests.

RELATED: RIVERA PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY ALEX SMITH IN CAMP

Earlier this offseason Rivera suggested that Allen could have a "leg up" on Haskins based on knowledge of Turner's system. Asked on Tuesday if Haskins still trailed in that department, Rivera did not seem concerned.

"I dont think Dwayne is very far behind, I really dont."

Rivera wants open competition across his football team. No player gets named starter, rather that player earns the job.Sure sounds like Haskins is doing just that when it comes to the starting quarterback spot.

Stay connected to the team with the MyTeams app.Click hereto download for comprehensive coverage of your teams.

MORE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL NEWS

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Peterson concerned about COVID-19, 'but work is work' - NBC Sports Washington

Angler Shows the Benefits of Fishing With a ‘Tiny Child Rig’ and What it Looks Like Underwater – Wide Open Country

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Anglers know that fishing with soft plastics often necessitates creativity. Thankfully,Wired2Fish Field Editor Kyle Petersonhas outlined his new spin on a creation combining aNed riglure with a reverse Texas rig,Neko rigcombination.

Dubbed the "tiny child rig" because it'sso easy even a "tiny child" could catch fish with it, Peterson's rig is able to easily slip in and out of cover to hook even the most difficult to catch fish.

Peterson explained that he created the rig whiletargeting walleye living in a log jam. He quickly realized heneeded something that would plunge straight to the bottom.

"I also needed something that would come back up," Peterson says. "It needed to snake its way back up through the trees and the limbs and this was about the only way that I could see a bait coming back up through, but then having a small profile -- something a walleye would eat. As it's proven, it's show us that it's a multi-species catcher."

Peterson adds that the tiny child rig is"the most fish-catchingest little thing I've ever seen in the world."

Sure enough, the rig not only catches walleye, but alsobass, bluegill, crappie, pike and more.

Peterson also takes you through the material you can use for your own tiny child rig.

"I like using just the original Neko hook. What happens for me is I'll hook a fish and the bait will slide up my line. That's what I really like about it -- the lure will slide up my line. The fish doesn't have leverage over the bait as much. It helps kind of keep the weights inside of the bait as well from being thrown by the fish."

"The great thing about this 'tiny child' is it's very streamlined and hydrodynamic, it throws far and you can just fish it in a variety of different cover," Peterson continues.

For more fishing tips, visit Wired2Fishand follow Wired2Fish onFacebook.

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Angler Shows the Benefits of Fishing With a 'Tiny Child Rig' and What it Looks Like Underwater - Wide Open Country

Bush shocks Clay in congressional primary: ‘We the people have answers’ – Cherokee Tribune Ledger News

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UPDATEDat 11:30 p.m. Tuesday

Activist Cori Bush on Tuesday unseated longtime U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, ending his 20-year hold on Missouri's 1st Congressional District and putting her on a path to become the first Black woman to represent Missouri in the nation's capital.

Before Clay's tenure, his father William Clay held the seat for three decades. That makes Bush, whose campaign grew out of protests against the police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson in 2014, the first to topple the Clay political dynasty in 52 years.

Bush, 44, of Florissant, first challenged Clay in 2018. She returned this year with the same message that Clay hadn't been bold enough in tackling the district's challenges but with more campaign funds and support fromprogressive groups challengingestablishment Democrats in a bid to pull the party left.

"Tonight, Missouri's 1st District has decided that an incremental approach isn't going to work any longer," Bush said in a victory speech late Tuesday. "We decided that we the people have the answers, and we will lead from the front lines."

Bush, who has spoken openly about being evicted and failing to pay taxes, has said her background as a single mother of two children, connects her to working families in the district. She has promised to continue participating in street protests as a sitting member of congress.

In her speech Tuesday, Bush said Black Lives Matter "are not just words. It is historic that this year, of all the years, we're sending a Black, working-class, single mother, who's been fighting for Black lives since Ferguson, all the way to the halls of congress."

Bushs campaign focused on universal health care, radically reforming police departments, free public education and raising the minimum wage policies advocated by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who describes himself as a democratic socialist. Bush thanked Sanders for his endorsement and support Tuesday.

In their first matchup in 2018, Clay defeated Bush by more than 28,000 votes a 20-point margin that was the closest any challenger had come to unseating Clay until Tuesday night.

This year, she defeated Clay by a 3-point margin, 72,812 votes to 68,201.

Bush had more than triple the campaign donations than in 2018, and more name recognition from an appearance in Knock Down the House, a 2019 Netflix documentary that followed Bush and three other candidates seeking to replace incumbent Democrats with progressive women, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

Her campaign was supported by Justice Democrats, which elevated Ocasio-Cortez, and more recently, former school principal Jamaal Bowmans upset against 16-term incumbent Rep. Elliot Engel in New York. Bush's campaign sought to leverage the wins, as well as inequities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the police killing of George Floyd.

Clay, long a solid vote for Democratic policies, had touted his support for Sen. Bernie Sanders Medicare for All plan, Ocasio-Cortezs Green New Deal, and for impeaching President Donald Trump all positions that put him left of other centrist Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Clay has also pointed tohis role in bringing the multimillion-dollar National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency campus to north St. Louis.

The winner of Tuesday's primary is expected to coast to victory in November's general election, as the district typically votes overwhelmingly Democratic.

A third candidate for the Democratic nomination, Katherine Bruckner, had captured about 6.3% of the vote 5,142 votes as of 10:30 p.m.

Winnie Heartstrong and Anthony Rogers both filed for the GOP nomination but did not mount active campaigns. Rogers was on track to win Tuesday with 25-point margin.

District 2

There were no intraparty competitions in Tuesdays primary for Missouris 2nd Congressional District, where Democrat State Sen. Jill Schupp is challenging U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner.

Libertarian Martin Schulte, of Ballwin, is also running in the Nov. 3 general election.

The 2nd Congressional District includes much of St. Louis County, and parts of St. Charles and Jefferson counties.

District 3

In Missouris 3rd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer soundly defeated four Republican challengers in a five-way primary.

Luetkemeyer, of St. Elizabeth, had captured nearly 75% of the vote.

Luetkemeyer is heavily favored to win the Nov. 3 general election in theheavily Republican district against the Democratic nominee and Libertarian,Leonard Steinman, who ran unopposed in the primary.

Megan Rezabek, of Imperial, defeated Dennis Oglesby, of Warrenton, for the Democratic nomination. Rezabek won with a 29-point margin.

The 3rd Congressional District includes parts of St. Charles County and Jefferson County and all of Warren, Franklin and Lincoln counties.

Cori Bush, a Democratic candidate for Missouri's first congressional district, poses for a portrait outside of her campaign headquarters on election night in Northwoods on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Bush is challenging Democrat Lacy Clay, the first district's representative since 2001. Photo by Chris Kohley, ckohley@post-dispatch.com.

Cori Bush, a Democratic candidate for Missouri's first congressional district, waves to her supporters outside of her campaign headquarters on election night in Northwoods on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Bush is challenging Democrat Lacy Clay, the first district's representative since 2001. Photo by Chris Kohley, ckohley@post-dispatch.com.

Cori Bush, a Democratic candidate for Missouri's first congressional district, cheers outside of her campaign headquarters on election night in Northwoods on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Bush is challenging Democrat Lacy Clay, the first district's representative since 2001. Photo by Chris Kohley, ckohley@post-dispatch.com.

Protest leader Cori Bush works the bullhorn as marchers gather in The Loop for a rally and march against police brutality on Friday, June 12, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for US Congress in Missouri's first district, stands for a portrait during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Masks are mandatory at all indoor polling locations. Other health precautions are being taken as well including regular sanitization of communal spaces and plexiglass dividers. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for US Congress in Missouri's first district, waves at voters during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Masks are mandatory at all indoor polling locations. Other health precautions are being taken as well including regular sanitization of communal spaces and plexiglass dividers. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for U.S. Congress in Missouri's 1st district, waves at voters during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for U.S. Congress in Missouri's 1st district, bumps elbows with supporter Ziah Reddick, left, during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for US Congress in Missouri's first district, stands for a portrait during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Masks are mandatory at all indoor polling locations. Other health precautions are being taken as well including regular sanitization of communal spaces and plexiglass dividers. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, democratic challenger for US Congress in Missouri's first district, stands for a portrait during the 2020 Primary Elections at the AAA Busch Middle School polling location in South St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Masks are mandatory at all indoor polling locations. Other health precautions are being taken as well including regular sanitization of communal spaces and plexiglass dividers. Photo by Colter Peterson, cpeterson@post-dispatch.com

Protest leader Cori Bush works the bullhorn as marchers gather in The Loop for a rally and march against police brutality on Friday, June 12, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Protest leader Cori Bush works a bullhorn as marchers gather in The Loop for a rally and march against police brutality on Friday, June 12, 2020. (Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com)

Activists Cori Bush, right, and Rev. Darryl Gray, hold a press conference, Monday, July 6, 2020, in front of the Florissant Police Station to talk about the 17 people arrested during protests the previous night. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com

Nnamdi Ihenacho embraces U.S. House of Representatives candidate Cori Bush after she gave a sidewalk speech on Friday, June 19, 2020, outside St. Louis City Hall during a Juneteenth celebration organized by ExpectUs police reform activists. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Reginald Garth stands by as U.S. House of Representatives candidate Cori Bush gives a speech on Friday, June 19, 2020, outside St. Louis City Hall during a Juneteenth celebration organized by ExpectUs police reform activists. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Protest leader Cori Bush works the bullhorn as marchers gather in The Loop for a rally and march against police brutality on Friday, June 12, 2020. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, former candidate for a U.S. House of Representative and Bernie Sanders supporter, watches the returns on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at a campaign volunteer watch party at Blueberry Hill in University City. The news had already broke that Sanders lost to fellow Democrat Joseph Biden in Missouri's presidential primary. Photo by Christian, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, former candidate for a U.S. House of Representative and Bernie Sanders supporter, watches the returns on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at a campaign volunteer watch party at Blueberry Hill in University City. The news had already broke that Sanders lost to fellow Democrat Joseph Biden in Missouri's presidential primary. Photo by Christian, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, left, former candidate for a U.S. House of Representative seat and Bernie Sanders supporter, gets a hug from fellow volunteer Skye Smith on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at a campaign volunteer watch party at Blueberry Hill in University City. The news had already broke that Sanders lost to fellow Democrat Joseph Biden in Missouri's presidential primary. Bush is running again for the same seat she lost to U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay in 2016.

Photo by Christian, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush sparks up the a crowd before Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. takes the stage at a Sanders campaign rally at the Stifel Theatre on Monday, March 9, 2020, in downtown St. Louis. The Missouri presidential primary is Tuesday, March 10. Bush is a nurse, single mother, ordained pastor and community activist running for US Congress in Missouri's 1st District. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush sparks up the a crowd before Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. takes the stage at a Sanders campaign rally at the Stifel Theatre on Monday, March 9, 2020, in downtown St. Louis. The Missouri presidential primary is Tuesday, March 10. Bush is a nurse, single mother, ordained pastor and community activist running for US Congress in Missouri's 1st District. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. walks on the stage after being introduced by Cori Bush, right, at a campaign rally at the Stifel Theatre on Monday, March 9, 2020, in downtown St. Louis. The Missouri presidential primary is Tuesday, March 10. Bush is a nurse, single mother, ordained pastor and community activist running for US Congress in Missouri's 1st District. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, left, drops paper rose petals around the memorial to Michael Brown on Canfield Drive in Ferguson as she and others members of the community rebuild the memorial on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. Friday is the fifth anniversary of Michael Brown being shot and killed by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson on this exact spot. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, left, adds flowers to the memorial for Michael Brown on Canfield Drive in Ferguson as it is rebuilt on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. Friday is the fifth anniversary of Michael Brown being shot and killed by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

Corzell Love, left, looks over the memorial to Michael Brown on Canfield Drive in Ferguson as it is rebuilt on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019.Friday is the fifth anniversary of Michael Brown being shot and killed by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, center, brings a balloon and stuffed animals as she and others start the process of rebuilding the memorial to Michael Brown on Canfield Drive in Ferguson on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019.Friday is the fifth anniversary of Michael Brown being shot and killed by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush hits a piata with the words "smash the patriarchy" and "stop rape culture" written on it during a protesters held outside of of Sen. Roy Blunt's office in reaction to the Senate confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, in Clayton, Missouri, on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. Photo by Johanna Huckeba, jhuckeba@post-dispatch.com.

Cori Bush is embraced after she hit a piata with the words "smash the patriarchy" and "stop rape culture" written on it during a protesters held outside of of Sen. Roy Blunt's office in reaction to the Senate confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, in Clayton, Missouri, on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. Photo by Johanna Huckeba, jhuckeba@post-dispatch.com.

Cori Bush is embraced after she hit a piata with the words "smash the patriarchy" and "stop rape culture" written on it during a protesters held outside of of Sen. Roy Blunt's office in reaction to the Senate confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, in Clayton, Missouri, on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. Photo by Johanna Huckeba, jhuckeba@post-dispatch.com.

Community activist and congressional candidate Cori Bush talks about the times she was sexually assaulted on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, during a protest against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court at the Clayton office of Sen. Roy Blunt. Bush was making the point that many women have been assaulted and Kavanaugh's accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, should be believed. Bush said it should not be business as usual if Kavanaugh is nominated. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com

Community activist Cori Bush talks about the times she was sexually assaulted on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, during a protest against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court at the Clayton office of Sen. Roy Blunt. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com

St. Louis Alderwoman Megan Green hugs community activist Cori Bush on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, during a protest against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court at the Clayton office of Sen. Roy Blunt. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com

Community activist Cori Bush talks about the times she was sexually assaulted on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, during a protest against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court at the Clayton office of Sen. Roy Blunt. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (in purple with clipboard), who gained national attention with her recent defeat of a longtime Democratic U.S. House member in a New York primary race, campaigns with local Congressional candidate Cori Bush (in purple next to Ocasio-Cortez) on Saturday in the 4100 block of Kossuth Avenue in St. Louis. Bush is challenging U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay in the Aug. 7 Democratic primary here. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left), who gained national notoriety by upsetting a popular Democratic incumbent in her New York Congressional district primary race, speaks to supporters of Cori Bush (right), before walking down a street in a neighborhood near Fairground Park on Saturday, July 21, 2018. Bush is Rep. William Lacy Clay's primary opponent for Missouri's 1st Congressional district. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who gained national notoriety by upsetting a popular Democratic incumbent in her New York Congressional district primary race, campaigns for Cori Bush on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Sqwires restaurant in St. Louis' Lafayette Square neighborhood. Bush is Rep. William Lacy Clay's primary opponent for Missouri's 1st Congressional district. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

"We don't want police to control and purge," said organizer Cori Bush (left), who was among than three dozen protesters who set up an open phone bank in front the St. Louis police headquarters to make phone calls to residents against Prop P on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

"We don't want police to control and purge," said organizer Cori Bush (left), who was among than three dozen protesters who set up an open phone bank in front the St. Louis police headquarters to make phone calls to residents against Prop P on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, a congressional candidate running against Lacy Clay in the democratic primary, addresses about a 1,000 people gathered at Kiener Plaza in St. Louis on Saturday, June 30, 2018 to protest the Trump Administration's policy of family separation and detention. The St. Louis rally was part of the Families Belong Together demonstrations held across the country to protest the Trump Administration?s policy of forcibly separating children from their parents, the detention of families and calling for children to be reunited with their parents now. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

City leaders, (left to right), St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones, State Rep. Bruce Franks, Jr., Cori Bush, a U.S. congressional candidate for the 1st District of Missouri, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed and Democratic Committeeman Danny Sample, 24th ward, celebrate a second ribbon cutting for the reopening of renovated museum at the Gateway Arch on Friday, July 6, 2018.

Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

(Left to right), State Rep. Bruce Franks, celebrates a second ribbon cutting on Friday, July 6, 2018, with Farrakhan Shegog, candidate for state representative in Missouri's 86th district, Cori Bush, a U.S. congressional candidate for the 1st District of Missouri, the Rev. Darryl Gray, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed, and Democratic Committeeman Rasheen Aldridge Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, a U.S. congressional candidate for the 1st District of Missouri, speaks at a ceremony and second ribbon cutting for the reopening of the renovated Gateway Arch museum on Friday, July 6, 2018, Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

(Left to right), State Rep. Bruce Franks, celebrates a ribbon cutting on Friday, July 6, 2018, with Farrakhan Shegog, candidate for state representative in Missouri's 86th district, Cori Bush, a U.S. congressional candidate for the 1st District of Missouri, the Rev. Darryl Gray, St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed, and Democratic Committeeman Rasheen Aldridge Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

From left to right, inside circle of arch, (foreground) Tishaura Jones, City of St. Louis Treasurer, Susan Saarinen, daughter of Arch designer Eero Saarinen, State Representative D 78th Dist, Bruce Franks, Jr., Community Activist and congressional candidate, Cori Bush, and St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, and City of St Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

Protest leaders Rev. Darryl Gray (center) and Cori Bush joined a group demonstrating outside The Ritz-Carlton in Clayton where Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was holding a fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. Clayton police officers were on hand to stop protesters from entering the hotel. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Activist Elizabeth Vega (center) is helped by Rasheen Aldridge (left) and Cori Bush as she is released from the Buzz Westfall Justice Center on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. Twenty-two people were arrested Saturday during a march through the Galleria. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

Cori Bush, a Democratic candidate for Missouri's first congressional district, greets supporter Cathy Daniels outside of her campaign headquarters on election night in Northwoods on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Bush is challenging Democrat Lacy Clay, the first district's representative since 2001. Photo by Chris Kohley, ckohley@post-dispatch.com.

Cori Bush, left, former candidate for a U.S. House of Representative seat and Bernie Sanders supporter, gets a hug from a fellow supporter on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, after giving a morale-boosting speech at a campaign volunteer watch party at Blueberry Hill in University City. The news had already been reported that Sanders lost to fellow Democrat Joseph Biden in Missouri's presidential primary. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com

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Bush shocks Clay in congressional primary: 'We the people have answers' - Cherokee Tribune Ledger News

Elon Musk says Tesla headquarters may still leave California – Los Angeles Times

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Despite winning a standoff with local health officials over reopening his factory, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk is sticking with his threat to move company headquarters to another state.

Theres no question that our headquarters will remain in California for the short term, he said in a recent interview with Automotive News. Long term, well have to wait and see.

He didnt specify what he meant by short term and long term, or what might eventually prompt such a move.

Musks take-his-ball-elsewhere warnings first came in a May 9 tweet, after Alameda County officials ordered him not to reopen Teslas Fremont assembly plant until COVID-19 closure restrictions were lifted. The county had agreed to a May 18 reopen date, not soon enough for Musk.

Musk tweeted hed move the companys headquarters out of California for Texas or Nevada immediately if county health officials did not relent. He said hed think about closing the Fremont plant, too, depending on how Tesla is treated in the future. He reopened the plant a week earlier than the county allowed, and dared the county to arrest him.

Alamedas health officer, Erica Pan, relented, and Tesla resumed operations on May 12. Pan was later appointed state epidemiologist by Gov. Gavin Newsom and sworn in on July 15.

Musks comments came in a three-part report on Automotive News Daily Drive podcast recorded on July 26 and released over several days ending Tuesday.

The interview covered a wide array of topics including Teslas recent choice of Austin, Texas, as the site for a new vehicle manufacturing plant. Other states including Oklahoma were considered. When talking to key members of the team that would need to move to Austin from California in order to get the factory going, Austin was their top pick, Musk said. I guess a lot of people from California, if you ask them whats the one place you would move outside of California, its Austin .... I went to our team and said, Where do you want to spend time? And where would you potentially move? And they were like, Well, Austin is just the No. 1 choice.

Musk is selling his houses in Bel-Air and recently applied for a Texas drivers license.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

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Elon Musk says Tesla headquarters may still leave California - Los Angeles Times