Achromatopsia: Gene Therapy Cures Eye Disease? – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

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Imagine only being able to see the things in front of you in soft focus, and just in black and white. For people with the genetic eye condition achromatopsia those are just some of the side effects. But, researchers are testing a new treatment designed to cure the condition by fixing the gene responsible.

Each time Tara Cataldo prepares to leave her house, she has to make sure her face is completely shielded from the sun.

I need to have very dark, very tinted sunglasses to feel comfortable outside and to see really well. Cataldo said.

Cataldo has achromatopsia, a genetic condition that makes her eyes incredibly sensitive to light. She is also very nearsighted; even while wearing glasses or contacts, she can only see clearly at a very short distance.

I cannot drive a car so I rely on public transportation and my bike to get around. Cataldo explained.

"There are currently no approved and no effective treatments for achromatopsia, said University of Florida surgical ophthalmologist Christine Kay.

Kay is working to change that. She is one of a handful of experts testing a gene therapy.

For achromatopsia the cells we have to target are cone cells responsible for decreased vision and color vision and those are cells at the very bottom layer of the retina, Kay explained.

Using a tiny cannula, surgeons deliver a normal copy of one of two mutated genes; the CNGA3 or CNGB3 gene, directly into the eye - restoring vision.

Cataldos myopia is so severe that her risk of retinal detachment from any retinal surgery is high, which rules her out for the current trial. In the meantime, Cataldo says shes learned to adapt to achromatopsia and live without limitations.

And I hope all young achromats learn the same thing, Cataldo said.

Kay says if the gene could eventually be delivered to the surface of the retina; additional patients, like Cataldo, could be treated. Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, the biotech company that developed the therapies, and several U.S. universities have successfully tested this therapy in dogs and sheep.

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Achromatopsia: Gene Therapy Cures Eye Disease? - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Abeona Therapeutics Announces Pivotal Expansion of ABO-102 Gene Therapy Clinical Trials in Sanfilippo Syndrome … – GlobeNewswire (press release)

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August 16, 2017 09:25 ET | Source: Abeona Therapeutics Inc

NEW YORK andCLEVELAND, Aug. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Abeona Therapeutics Inc.(Nasdaq:ABEO), a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel gene therapies for life-threatening rare diseases, today announced the pivotal expansion of its gene therapy clinical trials for patients with MPS IIIA in the USA, Europe and Australia.

We have completed the necessary regulatory and ethical committee approvals and site initiations in Europe and Australia in order to accelerate enrollment, stated Juan Ruiz, M.D., Ph.D., Abeonas Chief Medical Officer. We remain very encouraged by the improvements observed in clinically relevant biomarkers post-dosing of ABO-102, including durable reductions in heparan sulfate measured in the CNS, reduction of organ disease pathology, and signals of CNS improvement or stabilization at one-year follow-up in Cohort 1 subjects, and look forward to providing a more fulsome clinical update at important clinical conferences, including ESGCT, this fall, he continued.

The planned expansion will enroll an additional eight to ten MPS IIIA subjects, with total enrollment of fourteen to sixteen subjects to be completed by 1Q2018. Per the design of the clinical trial, subjects will receive a single, intravenous injection of ABO-102 to deliver the AAV viral vector systemically throughout the body to introduce a corrective copy of the gene that underlies the cause of the MPS IIIA disease. Subjects are evaluated at multiple time points post-injection for safety assessments and initial signals of biopotency and clinical activity, which suggest that ABO-102 successfully reached target tissues throughout the body, including the central nervous system.

Sanfilippo syndromes (or mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type III): a group of four inherited genetic diseases each caused by a single gene defect, described as type A, B, C or D, which cause enzyme deficiencies that result in the abnormal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs, or sugars) in body tissues. MPS III is a lysosomal storage disease, a group of rare inborn errors of metabolism resulting from deficiency in normal lysosomal function. The incidence of MPS III (all four types combined) is estimated to be 1 in 70,000 births. Mucopolysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecule used in the building of connective tissues in the body. There is a continuous process in the body of replacing used materials and breaking them down for disposal. Children with MPS III are missing an enzyme which is essential in breaking down the used mucopolysaccharides called heparan sulfate. The partially broken down mucopolysaccharides remain stored in cells in the body causing progressive damage. In MPS III, the predominant symptoms occur due to accumulation within the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord, resulting in cognitive decline, motor dysfunction, and eventual death. Importantly, there is no cure for MPS III and treatments are largely supportive care.

About Abeona: Abeona Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing gene therapies for life-threatening rare genetic diseases. Abeona's lead programs include ABO-102 (AAV-SGSH), an adeno-associated virus (AAV) based gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA) and EB-101 (gene-corrected skin grafts) for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Abeona is also developing ABO-101 (AAV-NAGLU) for Sanfilippo syndrome type B (MPS IIIB), ABO-201 (AAV-CLN3) gene therapy for juvenile Batten disease (JNCL), ABO-202 (AAV-CLN1) for treatment of infantile Batten disease (INCL), EB-201 for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), ABO-301 (AAV-FANCC) for Fanconi anemia (FA) disorder and ABO-302 using a novel CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing approach to gene therapy for rare blood diseases. In addition, Abeona has a proprietary vector platform, AIM, for next generation product candidates. For more information, visit http://www.abeonatherapeutics.com.

Investor Contact: Christine Silverstein Vice President, Investor Relations Abeona Therapeutics Inc. +1 (212)786-6212 csilverstein@abeonatherapeutics.com

Media Contact: Andrea Lucca Vice President, Communications & Operations Abeona Therapeutics Inc. +1 (212)786-6208 alucca@abeonatherapeutics.com

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include, without limitation, our plans for continued development and internationalization of our clinical programs, that patients will continue to be identified, enrolled, treated and monitored in the EB-101 clinical trial, and that studies will continue to indicate that EB-101 is well-tolerated and may offer significant improvements in wound healing; the addition of two additional global clinical sites will accelerate our ability to enroll and evaluate ABO-102 as a potential treatment for patients with Sanfilippo syndrome type A, or MPS IIIA. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to continued interest in our rare disease portfolio, our ability to enroll patients in clinical trials, the impact of competition; the ability to secure licenses for any technology that may be necessary to commercialize our products; the ability to achieve or obtain necessary regulatory approvals; the impact of changes in the financial markets and global economic conditions; our belief that initial signals of biopotency and clinical activity, which suggest that ABO-102 successfully reached target tissues throughout the body, including the central nervous system and the increased reductions in CNS GAG support our approach for intravenous delivery for subjects with Sanfilippo syndromes, and other risks as may be detailed from time to time in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by the Company with theSecurities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligations to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

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Abeona Therapeutics Announces Pivotal Expansion of ABO-102 Gene Therapy Clinical Trials in Sanfilippo Syndrome ... - GlobeNewswire (press release)

Cancer Gene Therapy Market – Forecasts and Opportunity Assessment by Technavio – Business Wire (press release)

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LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to the latest market study released by Technavio, the global cancer gene therapy market is expected to grow at a CAGR of almost 21% during the forecast period.

This research report titled Global Cancer Gene Therapy Market 2017-2021 provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. This market research report also includes up to date analysis and forecasts for various market segments and all geographical regions.

The rising prevalence rate of cancer has been a huge challenge for the global economies as the disease leads to high rate of mortality and economic losses. The current treatment options available come with many drawbacks such as severe side effects and relapse of cancer. These factors have led to high investment in the R&D for development of various novel therapies with cancer gene therapy being one of the major ones of them. The therapy mainly uses three types of treatment options namely oncolytic virotherapy, gene transfer therapy, and gene-induced immunotherapy.

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Technavios healthcare and life sciences research analysts categorize the global cancer gene therapy market into the following segments by therapy. They are:

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Technavios sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Oncolytic virotherapy

Oncolytic virotherapy is one of the fastest growing treatment modality. In this therapy, the anti-cancer cells specifically destroy the cancer cells without causing harm to the normal cells. Each virus has a specific cellular tropism that determines which tissue will be preferentially infected by the virus and thus will further lead to the disease.

According to Sapna Jha, a lead oncology research analyst from Technavio, The oncolytic virotherapy has shown encouraging results in the pre-clinical studies. The novel treatment option holds great opportunity to make a significant effect on quality and length of the life of the individual. Adenovirus is the most commonly used virus in oncolytic virotherapy.

Gene transfer

Gene transfer or gene insertion is one of the most exciting and emerging cancer treatment methods. The therapy is expected to be the fastest growing type of therapy in the cancer gene therapy market. This is a radical new treatment method that involves the introduction of a new gene into the cancer cell or the surrounding tissues.

Genes with different functions have been proposed for this therapy; some of them include antiangiogenesis genes, cellular stasis genes, and suicide genes. Many different viral vectors are used to deliver these genes, Adenovirus being most common of them. Other than viral vectors, certain non-viral methods are also studied in the various clinical trial, which includes oligodendromer DNA coatings and naked DNA transfer, adds Sapna.

Gene-induced immunotherapy

Immunotherapy works on the concept of boosting the immune system of the individual to target and destroy cancer cells. However, traditional immunotherapy has shown limited success rate in the field. Various gene therapy techniques are being used to overcome this limitation.

The next-generation gene-induced immunotherapy vaccines are already in clinical trial. Gene-induced immunotherapy is a type of gene therapy where genetically engineered genes are used to generate an immune response against cancer. Growing knowledge and understanding of mechanisms regulating the initiation and maintenance of cytotoxic immune response has led to the designing of several genetic immunization strategies.

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Cancer Gene Therapy Market - Forecasts and Opportunity Assessment by Technavio - Business Wire (press release)

Batten Disease Clinical Trials Enrolling Patients to Evaluate Gene Therapies – Batten Disease News

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Gene therapies for children with Batten disease are being evaluated in two clinical trials one in New York and the other in Ohio. The trials are testing ways to treat two types Batten disease by correcting the genetic defect that causes it.

One study is a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT01414985) taking place at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York thats assessing the safety and effectiveness of using the AAVRh.10 virus to deliver a corrected CLN2 gene to children with late infantile Batten disease, also known as Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (LINCL).

This type of Batten disease, a lysosomal storage disorder, can be caused by a mutation in the CLN2 gene. The damage disrupts the ability of brain cells to recycle proteins, killing nerve cells within the brain and leading to progressive neurological and brain damage. The onset of symptoms, a mix of vision and motor problems, are usually evident in children between 2 and 4 years old.

The trial, which is recruiting eight patients ages 3 to 18 with a definite diagnosis of LINCL, will deliver a healthy CLN2 gene using the AAVRh.10 virus a primate-derived virus known to be safe in people as the gene transfer vector. Two study arms are planned: one, involving two patients, will receive a higher dose of gene copies, and the other, composed of six patients, will be given a lower dose.

According to a Weill Cornell document on file with the National Institutes of Health, studies in CLN2 knockout mice showed the virus to be an effective gene delivery system and the treatment to have the potential to slow down the progression of the disease.

Treatment effectiveness will be determined at months 1, 6, 12, and 18 using the Weill Cornell LINCL scale, a 12-point measure of central nervous system response through changes in feeding, gait, and motor and language skills. Secondary measures will be judged using MRI scans and questionnaires.

This study expects to conclude in December 2020, and will be led by Dr. Ronald Crystal of Weill Medical College. More information, including enrollment contacts, is available on its clinical trials.gov webpage.

In an earlier trial, the same Weill team used the AAV2 virus to deliver a corrected CLN2 gene, and reported that it showed both safety and small but significant benefit in treated patients. Researchers believe the AAVRh.10 virus is a more effective delivery system than AAV2, the NIH document states.

In the second trial, NCT02725580, the adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9) will be used to carry a corrected CLN6 gene to patients with the variant late infantile Batten CLN6 disease. This open label and first-in-human trial, taking place at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, will enroll at least six people, ages 1 year or older, with a mutation in that gene. The treatment will be delivered once directly into the spinal cord through a lumbar puncture.

Safety and toxicity is this studys primary objective, but secondary measures of treatment efficacy will be made using MRI scans and cognitive, vision and language testing.

The Gray Foundation, established in 2015 by the parents of Charlotte and Gwenyth Gray, both of whom have this variant of Batten disease with a mutation in the CLN6 gene, is funding and collaborating in this study.

Its principal investigator is Dr. Jerry Mendell with the Center for Gene Therapy at Nationwide Childrens Hospital.

Trial enrollment and other information is available on the studys clinical trials.gov webpage.

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Batten Disease Clinical Trials Enrolling Patients to Evaluate Gene Therapies - Batten Disease News

We Just Figured out How to Activate Stem Cells to Treat Baldness – Futurism

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In BriefResearchers from UCLA have found a way to successfullyreactivate stem cells in dormant hair follicles to promote hairgrowth in mice. Through this research, they've developed two drugsthat could help millions of people worldwide treat conditions thatlead to abnormal hair growth and retention. External Problem. Internal Solution.

Researchers have already explored ways to use stem cells totreat everything from diabetes toaging, and now, ateam from UCLAthinks they could potentially offer some relief for people suffering from baldness.

During their study, which has beenpublished in Nature, the researchers noticedthat stem cells found in hair follicles undergo a different metabolic process than normal skin cells. After turning glucose into a molecule known as pyruvate, these hair follicle cells then do one of two things: send the pyruvateto the cells mitochondria to be used as energy or convert it into another metabolite known as lactate.

Based on these findings, the researchers decided to see if inactive hair follicles behaved differently depending on the path of the pyruvate.

To that end, the UCLA team compared mice that had been genetically engineered so that they wouldnt produce lactate with mice that had been engineered to produce more lactate than normal. Obstructing lactate production stopped the stem cells in the follicles from being activated, while more hair growth was observed on the animals who were producing more of the metabolite.

No one knew that increasing or decreasing the lactate would have an effect on hair follicle stem cells, co-lead on the study and professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology William Lowry explained in a UCLA press release. Once we saw how altering lactate production in the mice influenced hair growth, it led us to look for potential drugs that could be applied to the skin and have the same effect.

Based on their study, the researchers were able to discovertwo different drugs that could potentially help humans jumpstart the stem cells in their hair follicles to increase lactate production.

The first is called RCGD423, and it works by establishing a JAK/STAT signalling pathway between the exterior of a cell and its nucleus. This puts the stems cells in an active state and contributes to lactate production, encouraging hair growth.

The other drug, UK5099, takes the opposite approach. It stops pyruvate from being converted into energy by the cells mitochondria, which leaves the molecules with no choice but to take the alternate path of creating lactate, which, in turn, promotes hair growth.

Both of the drugs have yet to be tested on humans, but hopes are high that if tests are successful, they could provide relief for the estimated 56 million people in the U.S. alonesuffering from a range of conditions that affect normal hair growth and retention, including alopecia, hormone imbalances, stress-related hair loss, and even old age.

However, as undoubtedly pleased as many of those people would be to stimulate their hair growth, the potential relevance of this research stretches far beyond hair loss. The new knowledge gained regarding stem cells, specifically their relation to the metabolism of the human body, provides a very promising basis for future study in other realms.

I think weve only just begun to understand the critical role metabolism plays in hair growth and stem cells in general, noted Aimee Flores, first author of the study and a predoctoral trainee in Lowrys lab. Im looking forward to the potential application of these new findings for hair loss and beyond.

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We Just Figured out How to Activate Stem Cells to Treat Baldness - Futurism

Engineers Are Building the World’s Largest Single-Tower Solar Thermal Plant – Futurism

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In BriefSouth Australia has announced plans to construct the world'slargest single-tower solar thermal power plant in Port Augusta. Theplant will use technology developed by SolarReserve to store energyin molten salt, giving it the ability to operate 24 hours a day. Sun and Salt

The government of South Australia has announced plans to construct the worlds largest single-tower solar thermal power plant in Port Augusta. California-based solar tech company SolarReserve will be responsible for both the build and upkeep of the facility.

The Aurora Solar Energy Project is based on plans that weredeveloped as part of the Rice Solar Energy Project in California, which stalled as a result of changes to tax credits related to renewable energy.

Once built, arrays of heliostats will focus solar energy onto a central tower, which uses molten salt technology to store that energy as heat. These molten salts will provide 1,100 megawatts of energy storage capacity, which equates to eight hours of full load storage. This will allow the facility to generate electricity during the night as well as during the day when sunlight is shining down.

Aurora is projected to have an output of 150 megawatts and an ability to generate 495 gigawatt hours of electricity each year. The station will be able to service 90,000 homes and is expected to be able to cater to around five percent of South Australias total energy needs. Construction on the $650 million plantwill begin next year, with the expectation that Aurora will be producing electricity by 2020.

The Aurora Solar Energy Project wont be the first major renewable energy project for South Australia. In July, the local government inked a deal with Tesla to install a Powerpack system that will work alongside the Hornsdale Wind Farm.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been very clear about the potential for solar to help the U.S. meet its own energy needs,assertingthat the entire nation could be powered by an area measuring 25,600 square kilometers (10,000 square miles) filled with solar panels.

Despite these claims and the assertions of other experts, however, U.S. President Donald Trump appears determined to try to revive the coal industry.

That hasnt slowed the adoption of renewable energy in other parts of the world, though. Morocco is currently building the worlds largest traditional solar plant, Chinas massive floating solar power plant just went online, and Indias record-holding solar farm can power 150,000 homes.

Despite a lack of federal support, individual states and cities within the U.S. are committing to fossil fuel alternatives as well just this month, Orlando, Florida, became the fortieth city in the country to make a commitment to completely transition to renewables within the next several decades.

A primary contributor to this increased adoption is cost. For a long time, a mainargument against renewable energy sources has been their high cost when compared to fossil fuels.

Now, the solar panels that weve become accustomed to seeing atop residential homes have dropped in price significantly, and building a new commercial solar plant is also cheaper than building a plant thats powered by fossil fuels. Experts are predicting that solar energy will actually be cheaper than coalwithin the next four years.

This increased affordability will no doubt lead to the creation of more projects like the one in Port Augusta, and that will go a long way toward helping the world meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and stem the damage weve done to the planet through the use of fossil fuels.

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Engineers Are Building the World's Largest Single-Tower Solar Thermal Plant - Futurism

Tesla Just Made A Futuristic Tiny House – Futurism

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In Brief Tesla's putting a "Tiny House" on tour today in Australia, as it unveiled a project that would demonstrate its solar roof panels and Powerwall home energy storage batteries. Tesla wants to demonstrate how a sustainable energy home could work.

Australia enjoys a healthy does of sunshine for most of the yearin fact, it has the highest average solar radiation persquare meter than any other continent on Earth, according to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. This makes the Land Down Under an ideal place for solar energy farms and home solar products.

However, while public demand for renewables are up, the Australian government has kept energy prices low to maintain reliance on coal. This has created a troublesome energy situation throughout most of the continent. Realizing, perhaps, that Australia needs to be more at home with solar energy, Tesla decided to put up what it calls the Tesla Tiny House and its going to tour some of the major cities in the continent.

Tesla is hitting the road across Australia in a tiny house powered by 100% renewable energy, the company says on its website, as well as in a press release after launching the Tiny House on Sunday. Pulled by a Model X, the house features a Tesla mobile design studio so visitors can check out and learn how to set up their own Tesla solar and energy storage system.

The Tiny House is powered by solar energy using a six-panel 2kW solar system attached to a Powerwall battery, where energy can be stored throughout the day and night, Tesla said, according to Electrek. This energy cycle can be controlled and monitored through the Tesla mobile app. Oh, and its also built from locally sourced timber thats chemical free, just to complete that sustainable touch. In short, its a renewable ecosystem on wheels.

This renewable ecosystem is what Tesla hopes to build into homes throughout Australia, where over two million households already have rooftop solar. While Tesla has yet to offer rooftop solar installations, it has already partnered with a local home builder to include the Powerwall as a standard feature. Establishing solar as a standardcould provide a sustainable source of clean energy, and would greatly lessen dependence on coal-generated electricity.

Teslas also working on large-scale energy projects in Australia, building a Powerpack system for a wind farm in South Australia which would be the worlds largest and most powerful lithium-ion battery storage system. Teslas also installing Powerpacks in various sites in New South Wales.

The Tesla Tiny House, which is parked at the Melbournes Federation Square until 15 August, will soon begin a tour of eastern Australian cities, with the option for Australians to actually book it to visit their town.

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Tesla Just Made A Futuristic Tiny House - Futurism

China angered at US criticism of religious freedom, says US not perfect – Reuters

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BEIJING (Reuters) - China hit back on Wednesday at criticism by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson of its record on religious freedom, saying the United States was not perfect and should be looking after its own affairs rather than making baseless accusations.

Tillerson, speaking at the State Department while introducing the agency's annual report on religious freedom, said the Chinese government tortures and imprisons thousands for their religious beliefs, citing the targeting of Falun Gong members, Uighur Muslims and Tibetan Buddhists.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China fully respected and protected freedom of religion and belief.

"The so-called U.S. report ignores the facts, confuses right and wrong and makes wanton criticism of China's religious freedom situation," she told a daily news briefing.

"China is resolutely opposed to this and has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side."

The United States would do better to look at its own problems, Hua added.

"Everyone has seen that the facts prove the United States is not totally perfect," she said, without providing any examples.

"We urge the United States to respect the facts and properly manage its own affairs, and stop using the wrong means of the so-called religious freedom issue to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries."

State news agency Xinhua said in an English-language commentary the violence at a weekend rally by white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, meant the United States should reflect on its own problems before pointing the finger at China.

"Against the backdrop of the recent clash between white supremacists and their opponents, the U.S. accusations against China simply lay bare the double standard it employs," it said.

"The violence highlighted the danger of racism, which is a serious problem in a still divided U.S. society," Xinhua added."Despite its self-proclaimed role as the world's human rights champion, the fact is the world's sole superpower is far from becoming a respected role model in this regard."

The violence erupted on Saturday after white nationalists converged in Charlottesville for a "Unite the Right" rally to protest against plans to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee, commander of the pro-slavery Confederate army during the U.S. Civil War.

Many of the rally participants were seen carrying firearms, sticks and shields. Some also wore helmets. Counter-protesters likewise came equipped with sticks, helmets and shields.

The two sides clashed in scattered street brawls before a car plowed into the rally opponents, killing a woman and injuring 19. A 20-year-old Ohio man, James Fields, said to have harbored Nazi sympathies, was charged with murder.

Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Robert Birsel

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China angered at US criticism of religious freedom, says US not perfect - Reuters

Iran: US religious freedom report ‘unfounded and biased’ – Washington Examiner

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Iranian officials on Wednesday accused the State Department of issuing a "biased" report condemning the regime's restrictions on religious freedom.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the report as unrealistic, unfounded and biased which has been compiled only for specific political objectives," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Wednesday, according to the semi-official FARS media outlet.

Iranian officials buttressed that claim by noting that Judaism is "a recognized minority" in the country. But the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's team noted that Iran "promote[s] Holocaust denial," and, more broadly, restricts freedom of worship and bans religious minorities from trying to win converts in the Muslim community.

"Iran continues to sentence individuals to death under vague apostasy laws 20 individuals were executed in 2016 on charges that included, quote, waging war against God,'" Tillerson said Tuesday when releasing the report. "Members of the Baha'i community are in prison today simply for abiding by their beliefs."

The State Department's report on religious liberty under the Shia Muslim regime elaborated on that theme. "The government continued to harass, interrogate, and arrest Bahais, Christians, Sunni Muslims, and other religious minorities and regulated Christian religious practices closely to enforce the prohibition on proselytizing," the report said.

An American pastor with dual Iranian citizenship, for instance, was arrested and then beaten in prison on charges that his evangelization efforts "threatened the national security of Iran." He was released in the context of the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal and the Obama administration's agreement to release money that the regime claimed it had been owed in relation to a decades-old dispute over a blocked arms deal.

But the Iranians maintained that they respect religious freedom, while accusing President Trump of trying to curtail the liberties of American Muslims.

"The U.S. administration is expected to take legal and practical measures more rapidly to support the freedom of religion, specially regarding the Muslims' rights in the U.S., instead of judgment about the situation of freedom of religion in other countries," Qassemi said.

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Iran: US religious freedom report 'unfounded and biased' - Washington Examiner

Vatican envoy: Vietnam’s government must respect religious freedom – Crux: Covering all things Catholic

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LA VANG, Vietnam The Vatican envoy to Vietnam called on the Southeast Asian nations communist government to respect religious freedom.

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the nonresident representative of the Vatican to Vietnam, presided at the August 13 opening Mass of the Marian Congress, held at the national shrine of Our Lady of La Vang in central Vietnams Quang Tri province.

In his homily, Girelli spoke of the state of religious freedom in the country, reported ucanews.com.

In some provinces, civil authorities are anxious and complain about the Catholics and their deeds, the archbishop said during Mass, where he was joined by Vietnamese bishops and some 200 priests.

Girelli advised the gathering on the wisdom of St. Peters words: We must obey God rather than men and of Jesus Give back to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is Gods.

I would like to tell the Vietnamese Caesars to give to God what is Gods, he said, to which the congregation responded with a large round of applause.

Earlier this year, the Vietnamese bishops criticized the new Law on Belief and Religion, which will take effect January 1. They said abstract phrases in the law are easily abused to shift responsibility onto and condemn religious organizations when the government is dissatisfied.

At the Mass, Girelli said the local Catholic Church must be seen as something positive, rather than as something problematic for the country.

He asked the congregation to spend time praying during the congress so that they can acquire Gods presence in their lives. Only when we follow Jesus and stay in him, we are really happy, he said.

The archbishop, who is based in Singapore, pays working visits to dioceses in Vietnam, with each visit lasting only one month. All his activities must be approved by the government, ucanews.com reported.

An estimated 100,000 pilgrims including people of other faiths from Vietnam and abroad attended the three-day congress to mark the feast of the Assumption of Mary into heaven, celebrated Aug. 15.

During the event, pilgrims attended Masses, went to confession, prayed the rosary and watched cultural performances.

Mary is believed to have appeared in La Vang in 1798 to console persecuted Vietnamese Catholics. In 1961, the bishops of Vietnam declared the site a national Marian shrine.

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Vatican envoy: Vietnam's government must respect religious freedom - Crux: Covering all things Catholic

Escape artist llama makes bid for freedom on golf course – The Seattle Times

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JACKSON, N.H. (AP) Maybe these golfers in New Hampshire didnt yell fore but they might have considered llama on the links.

Golfers at Eagle Mountain Golf Course in Jackson were joined Monday on the sixth fairway by a llama that escaped from his pen about 2 miles (over 3 kilometers) through some woods.

The Conway Daily Sun reports (http://bit.ly/2vDrq5N) that the pack animal, named Noir, was friendly and got in pictures with the golfers.

The fugitive is well known to local police. Officers escorted him home in June when he escaped from his electric fence enclosure. And this time, Jackson Police Chief Chris Perley again returned him to his pen with help from his owner, Russ Miller.

Miller admits the electric fence needs to be a little higher.

___

Information from: The Conway Daily Sun, http://www.mountwashingtonvalley.com

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Escape artist llama makes bid for freedom on golf course - The Seattle Times

The Morning Jolt – National Review

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Well, that was a rough day, America. Id count on more of the same today. But with all its insanity and hoopla, it is this story by Alexandra DeSanctis, on Iceland having no room for babies with Down Syndrome, that frightens, enrages, and is most likely to result in Gods wrath and fury.

And now, back to the fallout of the Charlottesville Weekend. About those other matters, here are nine suggestions of worthwhile pieces and podcasts that you will find on NRO today.

1. Very fine people? David French writes in The Corner that Donald Trump Just Gave the Press Conference of the Alt-Rights Dreams.

2. Jonah Goldberg slams Conservatisms Damaging Game of Footsie with the Alt-Right.

3. Limitations of statues: Kyle Smith asks Destroying Symbols: Where Does It End? From his piece:

Once every Confederate monument in the country is down, what then? How is a statue of an ordinary rebel soldier in Durham, N.C., more offensive than a gorgeous building-sized tribute to slave-owning racist Thomas Jefferson on the Tidal Basin? We are reaching the point where, if the Washington Monument were to be blown up tomorrow, it would be anyones guess whether jihadists or the anti-fascist Left did it.

4. Related: Quin Hillyer argues in The Corner against removing all Confederate Monuments.

5. A Nobel Peace laureate dies in a Chinese prison. Here is a slice of Jianli Yangs article Liu Xiaobos Stern Warning:

Liu Xiaobo feared then that the West might repeat the same mistake as it did during the rise of the fascist Third Reich and the Communist USSR. He warned that the international community must remain vigilant in the face of the rising Chinese Communist dictatorship because the game for world dominance had changed. The Chinese Communists had also morphed into a new beast more adaptive, cunning, and deceptive.

6. Michelle Malkin wants to know Where Is the Corporate Disavowal of Black Lives Matters?

7. Will the Trump Administration give billions to West Virginias coal industry? Michael Tanner calls the plan corporate welfare that needs to be stopped.

8. On a new episode of The Editors, Rich, Charlie, Michael Brendan Dougherty, and Dan McLaughlin discuss the neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginiaand its fallout. Listen here.

9. And in a special history edition of The Editors, Rich Lowry talks with eminent historians Victor Davis Hanson and Andrew Roberts to discuss the evacuation of British and French forces from Dunkirk at the outset of World War 2. Listen here.

Its 7AM and I am already exhausted. Only a few more days and Big Jim Geraghty will be back in the MJ saddle. Until tomorrow, God bless.

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The Morning Jolt - National Review

Cris ‘Cyborg’ explains taking high road during Joe Rogan interview … – MMAjunkie.com

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RIO DE JANEIRO UFC champ Cristiane Justino had been a target of Joe Rogans verbal jabs in the past. So, when he was the one with the microphone following her title-winning UFC 214 display, the symbolism was hard to miss.

Cyborg herself, at least, was quite aware of it.

I was thinking, I said Man, Joe Rogan is going to interview me,' Justino told MMAjunkie during a media day in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday. Im going to make some ironic play with him. You know, make all (these) ideas before the fight.

Justinos issues with Rogango a while back.While he didpublicly apologize for jokes about the champ having male genitals, made during a podcast that also featured UFC president Dana White back in 2015, he recently landed back on the champs bad side because of a later-cleared issue with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency stemming from a test for the banned diuretic spironolactone.

Before an investigation ended with Justino beinggranted a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE)and cleared of any wrongdoing,Rogan expressed skepticism around her reasons to make use of the substance. Cyborg was quick to respond to him, who she called neither a friend or a fan.

Shes also been very public about how she feels her reputation was tarnished by the past remarks made by both Rogan and White whos also admitted to the UFCs share of blame when it comes to their dealings with the Brazilian featherweight.

But, at UFC 214, she preferred to take the high road.

It was my moment there, Justino said in her native Portuguese. I think him, at that moment, interviewing me, and Dana White putting the belt on my waist, that was a response in itself. I didnt need to say anything. I think they reflected at that moment. I didnt need to say anything and ruin a special moment for me.

We did the interview normally as if he was just any other person there. Im not saying that were going to become friends. But he was doing his job, and I was doing mine.

One can understand why Justino (18-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) wanted nothing more than to savor the moment. After all, the third-round knockoutover fellow former Invicta FC champ Tonya Evinger (19-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)carried some meaning. After a long, turbulent road, Cyborg had not only beaten the odds in making it to the UFC she was conquering the belt of a division built around her.

Theres also the fact that Cyborg seems to have developed somewhat of a thick skin when it comes to doping accusations. In fact, that was the main argument used by inaugural womens 145-pound champ Germaine de Randamie to refuse fightingthe then obvious contender Justino following a title win over Holly Holm.

While Justino has, in fact, failed a doping test in the past she was stripped from her Strikeforce title after testing positive for an anabolic steroid in 2011 shes not only admitted to it, but has taken extra steps to prove herself a clean athlete.

Which is why the accusations, she says, look more like insurance than anything else.

Ronda (Rousey) started this, to not fight me, Justino said. And then everybody said that. But the fans are smart. The fans know. I take the same test everybody does. Its USADA. I do the same thing. If you call me a cheater, you think USADA is cheating. You think theyre doing wrong, their jobs, if you think Im a cheater. Because I do the same as everybody.

Im the first athlete (who) signed with USADA one year before I fought in the UFC. When I fought in Curitiba (at UFC 198), I (had already been working) with USADA for one year. When I fought in Invicta I fought girls who didnt have to take USADA tests. I did this to prove Im a clean athlete. I made a mistake. Everybody makes mistakes, but everybody likes to judge you.

I think (De Randamie) wanted insurance to not fight me; she didnt have an excuse. First (it was) about the doping, after (it was) the hands, after (it was) the doctor, after the family. I dont know. Any day youd interview her, she had an excuse.

For more on the UFCs upcoming schedule, check out theUFC Rumorssection of the site.

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Cris 'Cyborg' explains taking high road during Joe Rogan interview ... - MMAjunkie.com

Cyborg: Holly Holm will run in the ring, but I will find her – Bloody Elbow

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After Cris Cyborg finally won the UFC featherweight title at UFC 214, the next match-up being set-up for her is against former bantamweight champion Holly Holm. Holms striking coach Mike Winkeljohn already made his assessment of the fight, banking on the belief that his fighter would be able to pick Cyborg apart.

From her end, Cyborg is just waiting for Holm to finally agree to the fight. During a recent media scrum, she went on to address Winkeljohns previous claims, pointing out that Holm had already turned her down on a few occasions.

She already (turned me down) three times, Cyborg said. I was supposed to fight her in Curitiba (at UFC 198) and agreed to fight her at 140 pounds, and she didnt want to fight. And then I said, lets fight in Brasilia, and then she said she can fight me if I make 138 pounds, not 140. And then when Megan Anderson pulled out of (UFC 214), I said I would like to fight Holly. And then she said no, and she fights Bethe Correia.

Its easy when the coach says something, she continued. Its better if she says it herself, not her coach. And if she believes (that she can pick me apart), and her coach believes that, then lets do this fight. What are you waiting for?

Cyborg also gave props to Holms striking prowess, but believes it does not pose a danger against her.

She never knocked out one girl with a punch, Cyborg said. Her last fight with Bethe Correia (lasted) three rounds, (and it took) maybe six punches before the referee stopped the fight.

I dont think shes very aggressive. I dont think shes going to be a danger. It would be an exciting fight because I like to fight. Shes gonna run in the ring, but Im gonna find her.

Cyborg has been campaigning for the Holm fight to take place at UFC 219 for the UFCs year-end card in Las Vgeas.

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Cyborg: Holly Holm will run in the ring, but I will find her - Bloody Elbow

Brand New ‘Justice League’ Images Spotlight Aquaman & Cyborg – Heroic Hollywood (blog)

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After making brief cameo appearances in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,Aquaman and Cyborg will make their first full-fledged debut in the DCEU when Justice League arrives in theaters this fall. Now, two new images featuring Jason Momoa and Ray Fisher as their respective characters have been released online.

The images feature both DC heroes posing and ready for action with their respective emblems placed behind them.

You can check out both images below!

Are you excited to see Aquaman and Cyborg in action? Share your thoughts below!

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Supermans selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroesBatman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flashit may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Directed by Zack Snyder,Justice Leaguestars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Amber Heard, Jeremy Irons, J.K. Simmons, Willem Dafoe, Connie Nielsen, Julian Lewis Jones and Ciarn Hinds.

Justice Leaguewill be released in theaters onNovember 17, 2017.

The Justice League isnt limited to the six members well see in Zack Snyders film later this year. The team has an expansive roster that features dozens of reserve characters ready to help the Justice League save the world on a moments notice.

With movies like theGreen Lantern CorpsandShazam in the pipelines, its clear more heroes will be introduced to the DCEU soon. The Avengers featured a small team and it only grew as more characters were introduced into the Marvel movie universe. The Justice League is gonna need all the help it can get to fight Darkseid and keep the streets safe from lower-tier villainslike Deathstroke and Joker.

Did I forget to include your favorite Justice League member? Well let me know in the comments why Fire and Firestorm are better choices.

Hit Next to learn more about ten Justice League members that should be introduced to the DCEU.

Sebastian Peris

Canadian film lover, comic book geek, political junkie and board game enthusiast.

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Brand New 'Justice League' Images Spotlight Aquaman & Cyborg - Heroic Hollywood (blog)

No swimming at two local beaches as Gert kicks up high surf – Turn to 10

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by LINDSAY IADELUCA, NBC 10 NEWS

Swimming was banned at Horseneck Beach in Westport because of high surf from Hurricane Gert, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017. (WJAR)

It was not your typical busy August summer day Wednesday at Horseneck Beach.

"Gert sent good long ground swells. It's about 12 to 15 seconds. So with that size we get up to 6 feet surf and that's not something we normally get. It's something usually a lot flatter. As a result, we probably have some of the strongest currents we've seen all summer long," said Owen Worden, a lifeguard supervisor.

The concern of deadly rip currents closed the water to swimming. But with every storm comes onlookers and surfers looking to take advantage of the waves.

"It's pretty rough. I'd say it's about shoulder, head high and with the currents to the side. It's just sort of messy right now," said Jed Brunt, a surfer.

Brunt has 30 years on the ocean surfing experience. It still took him 10 to 15 minutes to swim past the breakers through the current.

And the swells weren't only cramping beachgoers. Boaters too were advised to take a beautiful day off from the water.

"It doesn't look like there's anything here. But once you get outside the entrance is going to get nasty, yeah," said Harry Trip. "People with inexperience don't understand that."

A former Coast Guard member and owner of F.L. Tripp and Sons marina and boat yard, Tripp said if you don't have to go out, don't.

"No, that's not the case, no, it can still effect you. The current will run faster. Push you toward the rocks faster if you have an issue. So, the best thing is not to go out,' Tripp said.

Tripp said they do tell boaters who try to go out that it's not good conditions to prevent them from entering any dangerous situations.

While Rhode Island and Massachusetts wont be hit by the storm, the weather is creating a high surf at area beaches. Authorities advise swimmers and boaters to use cation.

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In Mauritius, Secluded Beaches, Verdant Hills and Harmony – New York Times

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Were a bit like a puzzle, said Santosh, when we reunited on his turf over 15 years later. There are very distinct pieces. People have held onto their own identities but found a way to make it work, so it fits into a picture of its own.

In the end, its that compelling mosaic that lured me to Mauritiuss shores. Scouring social media would lead a prospective visitor to believe that the island ends where the resorts do. I was eager to explore what lay beyond plunge pools and bath butlers.

The volcanic isle was first discovered by the Arabs in 975; but when the Dutch landed on Mauritius in 1598, it was uninhabited aside from wildlife like the dodo, a bird famously rendered extinct by Europeans but still resplendent on Mauritian rupee notes today. The French came in the 1700s, followed by the British. With the 1835 abolition of slavery, migrants flooded in from the east: Indian indentured laborers and Chinese shopkeepers. The Indians struggles are chronicled in Port Louiss poignant Aapravasi Ghat museum, at the immigration depot turned Unesco World Heritage site where they first came ashore.

Layers of migration have left an indelible imprint; today, nearly 70 percent of Mauritiuss 1.3 million citizens are of Indian descent, with Creoles, Sino-Mauritians and Franco-Mauritians rounding out the mix. Emerging from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport on a humid evening, I followed signs that read EXIT in English, French, Hindi and Chinese.

Ultimately, the uniqueness of the place is in its people, Santosh said. Weve evolved our own breed fairly distinct from the origins each one of us came from. You have people who are sort of Indian but not really Indian, sort of African but not really African.

Todays Mauritius could be a role model for racial harmony (in these troubled times, the rest of the world might want to pay attention), but the countrys cultures mingle most effortlessly in the food. Disparate culinary traditions have collided here for centuries, and the result is a cuisine simmering with Indian, French, Chinese and Creole flavors. The next morning, I left Santoshs sea-facing apartment on Trou-aux-Biches to explore Mauritiuss cultural synergy with my taste buds.

At the covered market in Quatre Bornes, a hilly burg cradled by mountains that look photoshopped into the background, I tried my first gteau piment, a deep-fried fritter made of ground chickpea flour studded with chiles. For breakfast, many people have bread, cheese and gteaux piments, my driver Raju explained, as he helped select four perfectly plump morsels for 10 rupees, about 30 cents.

With his limited English, my kindergarten French, and some Hindi thrown in, Raju and I were able to cobble together a reasonable facsimile of a conversation. We ambled through the food court, where stalls hawk everything from riz frit (fried rice) to curry agneau (lamb curry) to puri chaud (fried flatbreads); next, Raju took me to a residential street in Rose Hill, where I joined the lunch rush at the no-frills Dewa and Sons. I was there to try the national street food, dholl puri what the banh mi is to Vietnam, what a doner kebab is to Turkey, this messy lentil-potato mix slapped onto a soft puri is to Mauritius. Its as delicious as it is sloppy, spicy but not so strong as to overpower nuanced flavors redolent in turmeric and cumin.

Later that night I joined an American expat couple for a food crawl around Rue Desforges in Port Louis, gorging on poulet roti (roast chicken), mine frite (noodles) and crepes draped in Nutella and condensed milk and dusted with fresh coconut. On Gris-Gris beach the next day, I ordered a piping-hot farata (flatbread) with chicken and cheese from the Hungry Angry Girl Cabana.

For more refined fare, Santosh and his wife, Deepti, took me to Gymkhana, a members-only golf course with a restaurant serving local classics: octopus curry, dim sum and millionaires salad, an expensive local delicacy of hearts of palm paired with smoked marlin. At the elegantly appointed La Clef des Champs in Floreal, the revered chef Jacqueline Dalais serves haute-Mauritian food La cuisine Franaise qui parle Creole, she describes it, French cuisine with a Creole accent. Here in Mauritius, its a cuisine with a lot of spice. Not a lot of chile, but a lot of taste.

Santosh and Deepti also took me along to a Mauritian Muslim wedding, where beef, chicken and vegetarian variants of the local Mauritian biryani were on the menu. The festive and pleasantly disorderly setting reminded me of India, where an extra head or 20 is always welcome.

My culinary anthropology saw me crisscrossing the island, bisecting its interior from all angles and touching down fleetingly on its sandy fringes. The beaches are undoubtedly some of the most spectacular Ive seen, and the water stretched my understanding of what shades of blue can be plausibly found in nature, but I was more intrigued by Mauritiuss dense, rugged core a verdant tableau rife with visual synonyms for the color green.

A 10-minute drive unfolds more like a cinematic montage than topography: corrugated tin shacks giving way to gleaming high-rises; children cycling against the backdrop of sugar cane fields; mountains in jagged shapes seemingly culled from the mind of Picasso; a procession of hot pink and cobalt blue bungalows popping against the never-ending emerald expanse. The weather vacillates as regularly as the scenery. Wed spend two minutes barreling through a rain cloud before emerging to a glorious stretch of sunshine; thickly humid air dissipated within minutes into a crisp autumnal chill.

The lush setting brought to mind Costa Rica, save for the Bollywood blaring on the radio. In fact, Mauritius comes across as a cleaner replica of India. You momentarily forget where you are as you pass buses emblazoned with Hey Ram, candy-colored South Indian-style temples, and signs for Khoobsurat Beauty Parlour or Indira Gandhi Road. But all it takes is a glimpse of a Dodo Supermarket, Bijouterie Oomar or Trois-Bras Pooja Shop, or eavesdropping on a snatch of conversation from a sari-clad auntie speaking English with a Gallic accent, to reorient yourself.

Mauritiuss hills are also flecked with graceful colonial manors in various stages of disrepair. The alluringly ramshackle Maison Eureka is a 175-year-old Victorian-era home replete with uneven doors, a sagging roof and broad chunks of shingles absent like gap teeth. I explored a warren of rooms filled with family antiques before retiring to a veranda lined with wicker loungers for coffee. On another afternoon I explored Chteau de Labourdonnais, an immaculately preserved pile where I feasted on fish salad, Creole rougaille, and crme brle laced with local vanilla. In the former capital of Mahbourg, the National History Museum has crammed a 1772-built French country house with everything from antique beds to nautical wreckage to a dodo display. Like many museums in small countries, it strives to fit every last vestige under one roof, making for a sense of disheveled urgency as you navigate the rooms.

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In Mauritius, Secluded Beaches, Verdant Hills and Harmony - New York Times

Man drowns off Nantucket as high surf advisory is issued for southern beaches – The Boston Globe

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Hurricane Gert is generating potentially life-threatening surf conditions in coastal communities in southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands.

A man drowned off a Nantucket beach amid rough seas on the southern Massachusetts coast, after a high surf advisory was issued by the National Weather Service Wednesday because of Hurricane Gert hundreds of miles off shore.

The man was found off Nobadeer Beach on Nantucket shortly after 12 p.m., when around a dozen swimmers there became caught in a rip current, Nantucket police Chief William Pittman said.

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There were probably close to a dozen people at the beach outside of the lifeguard zone, Pittman said. They appeared to be in distress.

Pittman said around six to eight lifeguards on duty entered the choppy waters to assist the group of distressed swimmers when one of the lifeguards saw something or somebody in the water 300 yards away.

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The lifeguard swam out and found that an individual was face down in the water, floating, Pittman said.

Temperatures will be in the 80s, humidity will be largely absent, and cooling breezes will define Wednesdays sunny weather.

The lifeguard brought the man back to shore and attempted to perform CPR. The man was then transported to Nantucket Cottage Hospital, where he died, Pittman said. The identity of the man was not released.

None of the other swimmers off the southern Nantucket beach required medical attention, and all made it to shore safely with lifeguards help despite the very strong rip current that was pulling them out and 12-foot waves, Pittman said.

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The incident came on a day when southern-facing Massachusetts beaches were under a high surf advisory because of fallout from Hurricane Gert, located more than 400 miles southeast of Massachusetts, the National Weather Service said.

The tropical weather system has been generating potentially life-threatening surf conditions in coastal communities in southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands, the service said Wednesday.

Horseneck Beach State Reservation in Westport was closed to swimmers around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, and Gooseberry Island was closed for the day, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

On Nantucket, multiple beaches on the south side of the island had reported double red flag conditions, leading to beach closures, according to town officials. Dionis, Miacomet, Sconset, and Surfside beaches were reported closed by 10:24 a.m. Nobadeer Beach was reported at double red flag status by 11 a.m., Cisco Beach at 11:16 a.m., and Madaket Beach by 12:20 p.m.

We urge beach goers to refrain from entering the water along the southshore today, the Nantucket Harbormaster tweeted at the time of the Madaket Beach closure.

The hurricane is expected to remain in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, moving in a northeasterly direction at some 21 miles an hour with sustained winds of 90 miles an hour, forecasters wrote.

But as it travels, Hurricane Gert is creating powerful wave systems that will steadily hammer south-facing beaches in Massachusetts and the region as a whole, forecasters wrote.

Waves & swell are increasing across the southern waters early this morning as Hurricane Gert passes south and east of the region, forecasters wrote on social media. The waves & swells will result in high surf & strong rip current along the south coast.

A high surf advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday for southeastern Massachusetts and Cape coastal communities.

High surf and dangerous rip currents will result in the potential for life-threatening conditions for all people entering the surf, forecasters wrote. Use caution if heading to the beach and when in doubt, dont go out.

The weather service has posted tips on how swimmers and beachgoers can handle the rip tide.

Do not attempt to swim directly into a rip tide because it can exhaust and drown even the strongest swimmer.

Heed the advice from lifeguards.

Stay away from rocky shores or jetties that are routinely hammered by turbulent waves.

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Man drowns off Nantucket as high surf advisory is issued for southern beaches - The Boston Globe

Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches and Greater Ft. Lauderdale Realtors Named Top Fundraising Team By … – Palm Beach Post

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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA (August 15, 2017) The Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches (RAPB) and Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors (GFLR) were recently recognized as the Top Fundraising Team by Habitat for Humanity Palm Beach County. The group surpassed their fundraising goal with a donation of more than $5,200. In addition, team captain, Kim Flossie, was awarded the Pink Hammer Top Individual Fundraising Award.

Pictured from L-R are: Dionna Hall, CEO of the RAPB+GFLR, with her children Ethan and Emersyn; Jessica Wittenbrink; Kim Flossie; Kathy Manning; Renee Sandel and Mark Martinez.

The RAPB Community Outreach Taskforce created a team of Realtors, affiliates and staff members to create the Tutus and Tool Belts team that raised money and helped complete construction on the roof of a home. Built by many hands, the 2017 Women Build Home was dedicated to the Marte family.

The Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches (RAPB), together with Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors (GFLR), is the 3rd largest local real estate association in the country. As one unified voice, RAPB + GFLR represent 25,000 Realtors, 30,000 MLS subscribers, and 5 regional boards across South Florida and the Treasure Coast. For more information, visitwww.rapb.com andwww.gflr.com.

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Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches and Greater Ft. Lauderdale Realtors Named Top Fundraising Team By ... - Palm Beach Post

Why You Should Visit Malta: Rustic Beauty, Hidden Beaches, and No Crowds – Vogue.com

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Blinded by the allure and glamour of the Amalfi Coast and the rustic beauty of the Balearic Islands, Maltathe tiny Mediterranean island just 50 miles south of Sicilyprobably hasnt creeped its way onto your travel bucket list. You may think that the other seaside destinations are far more compelling based on the proliferation of Amalfi shots on your Instagram feed and complete lack of Malta geotags. And thats understandable. You havent seen much of this tiny slice of Mediterranean heaven on Instagram and thats a damn shame.

Theres an alluring laid-back feel and modest beauty to this small Mediterranean island and plenty of activities (or stunning spots to sit and do nothing) to fill your days and impress your followers. Whether youre plunging into Sliemas Ballutta Bay for an afternoon dip in the middle of the city, exploring the old, narrow streets of Valletta and Mdina, or jumping off cliffs with the locals into the country's many natural pools, youll leave Malta wanting more.

As a visitor, what will strike you the most about Malta is that its virtually untouched by other tourists. Dont expect to see loads of tour busses or swarms of tour groups filling the streets. And if youre a history buff, or just love marveling at stunning architecture, youre in for a treat. Malta has been colonized again and again, by the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, the French, and the British before it claimed its independence in 1964its a fascinating history thats visible around every corner. You can easily spend hours wandering and taking in the citys medieval and Baroque buildings and prehistoric temples.

So before you book your trip to the popular, crowded beaches of Mykonos , you might want to give Malta a shot.

Apartments in St. Julian, Malta Photo: Alamy

To Stay: Go the Airbnb route in either of the central, more modern towns like St. Julians and Sliema. Lined with bars and nightclubs, St. Julians makes for a rowdier scene with partygoers flooding the streets into the wee hours, so if you want to be in the line of fire, St. Julians is your spot. Stay in the neighboring town of Sliema for a quieter and more relaxed vibe. Pro tip: Make sure you inquire about parking space, as youll need to rent a car to get around. The bus system is unreliable and taxis are scarce when you get to the more rural areas.

The entrance to Legligin, a tradiitonal Maltese restaurant Photo: Courtesy of Monica Mendal

To Eat and Drink: The best and most authentic Maltese restaurants are in the countrys tiny walled capital, Valletta. Hop on the sunset ferry from Sliema and cruise over for a late afternoon stroll through the treasure trove of beautiful Baroque architecture, saving time for a visit to St. Johns Co-Cathedral before dinner. If youre an adventurous eater and want to try the traditional Maltese dishes (and a great selection of Maltese wine), Legligin is not to be missed. Tucked away in a small downstairs cellar, youll want to book ahead. The owner, Chris, does much of the cooking himself, offering an authentic (and extensive!) Maltese tasting menu for just 27 euros per person. Some highlights include traditional aioli and dip made from local sun-dried tomatoes, capers, garlic, olives, olive oil, and anchovies, grilled quail breast served with Maltese summer salad with the local rocket, tender octopus with herbs and garlic, pork casserole, and rabbit in wine, garlic, and tarragon. Fair warning: Dont fill up on the bread. If youre looking for more of a fine-dining experience and a straightforward Mediterranean menu, head over to Rampilla . The restaurant is housed in an old 16th-century bastion that was originally built by the Knights of St. John to guard the newly constructed Valletta and from the terrace, it offers beautiful views of the city gate and bridge. For a digestif after dinner, Bridge Bar really comes to life on Fridays with live jazz sessions on the steps of St. Ursola Street with scenic views of the Grand Harbour.

St. Peters Pool in Malta Photo: Alamy

To Do/See: Malta offers an abundance of rocky beaches and natural swimming pools. Arguably the most Instagram-worthy natural pool in Malta is St. Peters Pool on Delimara promontory. Depending on where your GPS leads you, youll probably have parked on a cliff. Navigating your way along the cliff with the help of vague signs, youll see some impressive teaser views of the sea. Eventually youll spot the stairs that lead you down to a Mediterranean playground. Although popular among locals and tourists, because of the remote location, its rarely too crowded and you can always find a spot on the dusty limestone. At St. Peters, you can swim among the locals in the crystal clear water and even cliff dive. Once youve had enough sun, head to Marsaxlokk, Maltas traditional fishing village, for lunch and views of the colorful fishing boats.

Half a mile from the popular tourist trap, Blue Grotto, is Ghar Lapsi, a small secluded inlet untouched by tourists. The natural pool opens up to deep, clear water, making it one of the most idyllic spots in Malta for snorkeling and diving. While on the west side, finish the day with a sunset at Dingli Cliffs. Take a day trip to Maltas sister islands of Comino and Gozo by renting a boat. Cruise over to Cominos breathtaking Blue Lagoon, explore the hidden caves en route to Gozo then anchor up in Gozos southwest village of Xlendi for a seafood lunch before heading back.

If you manage to tire of the rocky beaches and natural swimming pools, but want something more luxe than a public beach, hit Baia Beach Club for a fuss-free day of relaxation. While a private club, nonmembers are able to reserve sun loungers for the day with a (well worth it) restaurant reservation at the club. Otherwise, sun loungers are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Swim in the clear water, order refreshing cocktails, eat good food, and then use the clubs showers to get ready for your next stop.

Slow your adventure-packed trip down with a visit to Maltas Silent City of Mdina. Founded by the Phoenicians 4,000 years ago, it is the oldest city in Malta. Very few cars are permitted inside Mdinas monochromatic walls. Get lost walking around the narrow streets among the residences that house just 300 inhabitants as well as beautiful Baroque and medieval architecture. Mdina is the perfect place to slow down and catch your breath.

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Why You Should Visit Malta: Rustic Beauty, Hidden Beaches, and No Crowds - Vogue.com