Importing Medicines

 From CBC:

“U.S. plans to allow importing prescription drugs from Canada”

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday it will set up a system to allow Americans to legally import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, weakening a longstanding ban that had stood as a top priority for the politically powerful pharmaceutical industry. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar made the announcement Wednesday morning. Previous administrations had sided with the industry on importation, echoing its concerns that it could expose patients to risks from counterfeit or substandard medications. Azar, a former drug industry executive, said U.S. patients will be able to import medications safely and effectively, with oversight from the Food and Drug Administration. The administration's proposal would allow states, wholesalers and pharmacists to get FDA approval to import certain medications that are also available in the U.S. It's unclear how soon consumers will see results. Most patients take affordable generic drugs to manage conditions such as high blood pressure or elevated blood sugars. But polls show concern about the prices of breakthrough medications for intractable illnesses like cancer or hepatitis C infection, whose costs can run to $100,000 US or more. And long-available drugs like insulin have also seen price increases that have forced some people with diabetes to ration their own doses. "For too long, American patients have been paying exorbitantly high prices for prescription drugs that are made available to other countries at lower prices," Azar said in a statement that credited Trump for pushing the idea. Concern over this type of move has prompted more than a dozen organizations to urge the Canadian government to safeguard Canada's drug supply. In a letter issued last week, 15 groups representing patients, health professionals, hospitals and pharmacists warned Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor of the potential for increasing drug shortages.

Canadian pharmacists sound the alarm

The Canadian Pharmacists Association was one of the signatories to that letter, and spokesperson Joelle Walker says her organization has expressed concerns "for a number of months, and even years," about the potential for importation of medications into the U.S., "because our market size is not equipped to supply another market that's 10 times our size. "We already know that Canadians suffer from serious drug supply issues and shortages," Walker told CBC News in response to Wednesday's announcement. "One in four Canadians report [in a national survey conducted last November] that they have experienced a drug shortage, either personally or a family member, and pharmacists from across the country are saying that shortages have vastly increased in the last three to five years, so our supply chain is already not consistent in Canada. "This has the potential to really put a lot of pressure on the availability of medications in Canada," whether through wholesale imports or individual purchases, said Walker. Walker said the Canadian government should be pro-active in coming up with a plan to respond to the development. "Our concern is that this is moving really quickly in the United States," she said, adding Canada should consider restricting the expanded importation of medication from the U.S. "before things pass in the United States and we're no longer in a position to control it as easily."

Senate bill would cap costs

The Trump administration's move comes as the industry is facing a crescendo of consumer complaints over prices, as well as legislation from both parties in Congress to rein in costs. Trump is supporting a Senate bill to cap medication costs for Medicare recipients and require drugmakers to pay rebates to the program if price hikes exceed inflation. Democrats in the House are pressing for a vote on a bill allowing Medicare to directly negotiate prices on behalf of millions of seniors enrolled in its prescription drug plan. Separately, the Trump administration is pursuing a regulation that would tie what Medicare pays for drugs administered in doctors' offices to lower international prices. The importation idea won praise from a key lawmaker, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who is chairman of the panel that oversees Medicare. Grassley said on Twitter that importation would lower prescription drug costs, and all drugs from abroad must be verified as safe by the FDA. He and Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota have a bill to facilitate importation. Eyeing his reelection campaign, Trump has made lowering prescription drug prices one of his top goals. As a candidate, he called for allowing Americans to import prescription drugs, and recently he's backed a Florida law allowing state residents to gain access to medications from Canada. Drug prices are lower in other economically advanced countries because governments take a leading role in setting prices. But in the U.S., Medicare is not permitted to negotiate with drug companies. Some experts have been skeptical of allowing imports from Canada, partly from concerns about whether Canadian suppliers have the capacity to meet the demands of the much larger U.S. market. But consumer groups have strongly backed the idea, arguing that it will pressure U.S. drugmakers to reduce their prices. They also point out that the pharmaceutical industry is a global business and many of the ingredients in medications sold in the U.S. are manufactured abroad. AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, had pushed hard for the Florida plan, saying it's possible to safely import lower-priced, equally effective drugs and it would promote worldwide price competition. The drug industry lobby, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, has successfully blocked past efforts in Washington to allow importation. It argues that patients would be at risk of receiving counterfeit or adulterated medications.

^ Hopefully this will force American pharmaceutical companies to start charging less for their medicines. They have been allowed to inflate live-saving medicines for too long.  I do think that it will make the already wide-spread shortage in Canada much worse though. Hopefully the threat of this bill will make it so Americans will start paying lower prices within the US without making the medicine shortage in Canada even worse than it is. ^

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-plan-drugs-canada-1.5231405

Riding App Test

From Disability Scoop:

“App Designed To Boost Independence For Bus Riders With Disabilities”

As Charlie McDonald’s Central Ohio Transit Authority bus pulled up to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, his phone buzzed and a text flashed across the screen reminding him that his stop was approaching and it was time to exit. McDonald, 27, is part of a pilot program using a smartphone app called WayFinder to help people with cognitive disabilities use the COTA bus system to travel the city more freely. The program is run by Smart Columbus and Ohio State University. The app allows caregivers to find a bus route and add in instructions and notifications specific to the needs of the rider. They can add photos of drop-off locations, audio and text reminders that are triggered when the destination is close and walking routes to and from the bus stops. “The primary goal of the project was to try to allow those with cognitive disabilities to gain that mobility independence and confidence through the application to use public transit,” said Andy Wolpert, Smart Columbus deputy program manager. COTA, which provides public transit service in the Columbus area, has a paratransit program to assist riders with disabilities, but it often requires scheduling a trip two days in advance, Wolpert said. “It’s more of a challenge to have mobility independence when you need to schedule a ride in advance. With this allowing you to use the fixed-route bus system, you have more flexibility,” he said. Wolpert said the process began in 2017 by evaluating the marketplace for the app best suited to address the specific needs of the disability community in Columbus. They eventually decided on WayFinder, developed by Dan Davies of AbleLink Technologies, based in Colorado Springs, Colo. Davies said WayFinder was originally developed in a joint research project between the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institutes of Health around 2009. It launched around 2012 and has been adopted by several private service providers. Columbus is the first government entity to test the app, he said. “For a city to incorporate something like this technology really provides a lot more opportunity than an agency might,” Davies said. Researchers at Ohio State looked at changes to the app to improve functionality, including adding the ability for the caregiver to track the bus rider in real time. “Having that tracking capability provides peace of mind for caregivers and family as their loved ones travel,” Davies said. “This is a significant advancement.” Josh Cook, McDonald’s caregiver, said that so far he has always accompanied the people in his care while they use the app. However, he believes some people with cognitive disabilities who he works with could eventually travel on their own. For others, like McDonald, who needs to be accompanied on trips, the app is still beneficial. McDonald had often felt disoriented while traveling, Cook said. “For Charlie, independence is knowing exactly where he is in the city, being able to understand what’s around him, knowing where he’s going next,” Cook said. McDonald said the app is easy, and he’s used it on many bus rides to Buckeye Donuts in the University District for lamb gyros, to marvel at the trophies in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and to reach his favorite destination: Los Guachos restaurant. Wolpert said the app could also benefit the elderly. Thirty participants were recruited for the year-long pilot program, which began in late April. Ohio State researchers will collect data throughout to measure how well the program enhances independence. If the program is successful, Smart Columbus will seek funding to continue it beyond the pilot. Smart Columbus estimates that the program costs nearly $56 million, with potential funding from the city of Columbus, Franklin County and the Ohio Department of Transportation. “As we deploy projects, we will evaluate the successes and failures and formalize how to sustain them,” said Andrea Lewis, a spokeswoman for Smart Columbus.

^ This sounds like a great and helpful app that will be useful every day. I really hope the pilot program works and is made available to everyone. ^

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2019/07/31/app-boost-independence-bus-riders-disabilities/26978/

Marking 400 Years

From the BBC:

“US slavery: How is America marking the 400th anniversary?”

The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has travelled to Ghana in West Africa for events marking 400 years since the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in America.

Why is the date significant?

In 1619, a ship arrived in an English settlement in what is now the US state of Virginia, carrying some 20 captured Africans. It's the first documented arrival of enslaved Africans in an area that would go on to become part of the United States. They had been seized by English pirates off the coast of Mexico, from a Portuguese slave ship. The Portuguese vessel had been carrying about 350 Africans, taken from what is now Angola.  Many had died during the voyage because of the terrible conditions they endured.  he English pirates went on to sell the Africans they had seized to colonists in Virginia. It's a matter of historical debate what exactly happened to them once they were sold. But formal systems of slavery and racial separation did become established in later years as the number of Africans brought over to America grew.

Were they the first slaves in the Americas?

Some experts say the significance of 1619 should not be over-emphasised because, by then, Africans were already being used on tobacco plantations in the English-run colony of Bermuda. Dungeons in Ghana used to hold slaves before they were shipped across the Atlantic  It's also believed there were Africans on expeditions to both North and South America by English and Spanish maritime adventurers in the 16th Century. And Portuguese traders had been taking slaves to its colonies since the 15th Century.

How is this anniversary being marked?

The US Congress has established a special commission to mark 400 years of African-American history this year. Ms Pelosi's delegation to Ghana includes senior black members of the Congress. And Ghana has declared 2019 The Year of Return, with programmes aimed at encouraging people of African descent to visit and even settle. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, was in Jamestown, Virginia, this week to mark another anniversary - 400 years since the birth of representative democracy in the western hemisphere. However, he did note in a speech that it was also 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia.

^ It is important for the United States to mark this anniversary even though it is a dark stain on our history. The English may have started slavery in the American Colonies back in 1619, but the newly independent United States of America did not outlaw slavery in 1776 as it should have. The US only formally outlawed slavery in 1863 so we are just as guilty of profiting from slaves as the English/British and as such need to remember these important anniversaries because of the horrible consequences that came from them. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-49181264

Testing Accessibility

 From USA Today:

“Traveler's epic Europe trip puts wheelchair accessibility to the test”

Carden Wyckoff got her first glimpse of the Seine River in Paris in a most unusual way. An "assembly line" of strangers lifted her up over a barrier so she could get closer to the water. In Barcelona, when Wyckoff became lost and couldn't find her way home, two strangers escorted her to her hotel. Wyckoff's European travels were highlighted by many acts of kindness from people she met along the way. But exploring the world in a wheelchair required a level of patience she didn't know she had. "I learned that I had freedom and I had legs again and kind of this whole new revelation to explore the world," Wyckoff said. Wyckoff uses a power wheelchair. She was born with Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a progressive neuromuscular disease.  "I'm one of 5% of the type of muscular dystrophy that have infantile onset, meaning I developed it at a young age and I showed signs of it at a very young age. So I'm a special snowflake in that sense," she jokes. When Wyckoff graduated college, she was walking but falling frequently. She knew she would soon need an assistive device, but resisted for awhile. Once she began using her first assistive device, she realized that her wheels gave her new freedom to safely explore the world. "I'm independent at this point. So why not travel the world and learn what it's like with my new legs, I guess as wheels, and figure out what the world has to offer and see how the world does accessibility," she said. She jetted off to Ireland, Germany, Spain and more in the summer of 2018. And she did it alone. Wyckoff does a lot of work to make her home state of Georgia more accessible. She's working with city officials to help bring an accessible taxi service to the city of Atlanta. She regularly notifies local officials when sidewalks and streets need to be fixed to help people with disabilities get around easier. Wyckoff also serves on the board of directors for the FSH society, a nonprofit organization that supports research and education regarding FSHD. When she evaluates a city for its accessibility, she breaks it down into four categories: transportation, sidewalks, access into places and restrooms. What she learned when she traveled through Europe is that every country has different disability laws, so when crossing borders on a trip, it's important to be prepared to encounter vastly different scenarios. "I would say for the most part in Europe, it's old. And so that's something that we don't think about when we're in America," Wyckoff said. "They have laws just like America does to protect historical integrity. So they've done their best in a lot of historical facilities to provide an alternative option for people with disabilities, though it's not a hundred percent perfect." Wyckoff hopes her trip will encourage more people with disabilities to go explore the world. "You can travel outside of your world and the world is a little bit more accessible, though not perfect, then you think it is," she said.

^ This shows that anyone can go anywhere they want to. ^

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/humankind/2019/07/31/travelers-epic-europe-trip-put-wheelchair-accessibility-test/1825169001/

Images Removed

From the BBC:

“All images of the Queen removed from the Northern Ireland Office”

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has removed all portraits of the Queen from its Belfast headquarters.  Three weeks ago, Lord Maginnis told the House of Lords an NIO Civil Servant was paid £10,000 for having to walk past portraits of the Queen.  The senior employee was reportedly offended by the pictures in the building.  The employee was consulted about what image should be used, and suggested one of the Queen meeting Martin McGuinness.  Many nationalists in Northern Ireland do not regard themselves as British subjects, and would not recognise the Queen as their head of state.  Ulster Unionist peer Lord Empey said the issue had been raised with Boris Johnson during his visit to Northern Ireland, saying the new prime minister "looked a bit shocked".  "Hopefully his staff will follow up on this and we will get some clarity," he added.  "If true, this is outrageous. It is political correctness gone mad," said Ulster Unionist peer Lord Rogan, in reference to the removal of the portraits.  When the story was initially reported, Sir Jonathan Stephens, the top civil servant at the NIO, emailed every employee to "offer some reassurance". In an email, seen by the BBC, he said the office was in contact with the individual concerned and was offering support. Lord Rogan has since questioned the issue again in the House of Lords.  He asked the government to set out the criteria used to determine which portraits are displayed or removed from NIO buildings and to clarify the facts around what Lord Maginnis had told peers. Lord Maginnis made a claim in Parliament about a £10,000 compensation payment

Posters, pictures and portraits

In response, NIO minister Lord Duncan said his office was working in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Equality Commission.  "The NIO is sensitive to the display of 'posters, pictures, portraits or other displays that are more closely associated with one or other of the communities' and will consider any concerns raised by employees," he said.  "I can confirm that the department takes steps to ensure no such images are displayed in Stormont House." Lord Rogan said that the response "would seem to confirm that Royal portraits have been removed from Stormont House". When contacted for a response, the NIO stated: "We will not comment on individual personnel matters, nor will we comment on the specific comments made by Lord Rogan". 

^ This is very interesting and surprising. I can understand that the Northern Ireland Office wants to be neutral to both the Protestant Loyalists and the Catholic Nationalists. The Queen’s portrait isn’t used on Northern Irish banknotes for the very same reason. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-49182154

Germans Not Joining

From the DW:

“Germany will not join US naval mission in Strait of Hormuz”

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Germany will not be taking part in a US-led naval mission to secure oil tanker ships sailing near Iran. The move comes after Washington formally urged Berlin to join the mission. Germany will not participate in a naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz that is led by the United States, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday. "Germany will not take part in the sea mission presented and planned by the United States," Maas told reporters during a trip to Poland. In explaining the decision, Maas said that the German government believes the US strategy of exercising "maximum pressure" against Iran "is wrong." He added that Berlin wants to avoid further escalating the situation in the region and that the government wants to focus on a diplomatic solution to current tensions with Iran, emphasizing that "there is no military solution." Germany had already expressed skepticism about the mission, but had yet to reject it. Earlier on Wednesday, Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said that Germany was "examining" the requests, but indicated that Berlin was unlikely to join. Kramp-Karrenbauer, considered to be a front-runner to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel, said that Berlin is committed to rescuing the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which is threatening to collapse after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord.

US, UK propose Gulf missions

The announcement came after the US formally requested Germany and other European allies take part in the mission, which it says is needed to protect shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Almost a third of all oil exports pass through the waterway, which is located between Iran and Oman. Washington proposed the mission earlier this month, saying it was trying to get a coalition together to offer military escorts to commercial ships in the Gulf. Last week, the UK said it wanted to create a European-led mission in the Gulf to ensure the safe travel of cargo. Several EU states showed interest in the British proposal, which could potentially compliment US efforts in the Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions on rise

The move came in response to Iran seizing the British-flagged Stena Impero oil tanker and its 23 crew members as it passed through the Strait on July 19. Tensions between Iran and Europe have been increasing over Iran's decision to abandon parts of the 2015 nuclear deal that restricted its nuclear program. Relations between the US and Iran have also worsened in recent months. Washington has blamed Tehran over a string of tanker attacks, while both countries claim to have shot down drones belonging to the other state in the past several weeks. 

^ This isn’t very surprising. Germany’s Military is plagued with lack a of equipment, proper training and recruits. They admitted that under the old Defense Minister (and little has been done to change that.) Rather than come out and say that Germany is not militarily-able to join this mission they make other excuses (ie. blame the US, etc.) There should be an internationally-led naval mission in the Gulf of Hormuz to make sure that no country disrupts the flow of supplies, materials, oil, etc. Any country that does not want to participate in such a naval mission should not expect any help if and when they ships or their supplies do not make it through. ^

https://www.dw.com/en/germany-will-not-join-us-naval-mission-in-strait-of-hormuz/a-49835380

21 Million Poor

From the MT:

“21M Russians Live in Poverty, Official Data Says”

The number of Russians living below the poverty line has grown by half a million since early 2018, according to official data. Western sanctions and falling oil prices over the past five years have led to a decline in real incomes and a rise in consumer prices. President Vladimir Putin is pursuing a national program on drastically reducing poverty by the time his term ends in 2024, aiming for 12% poverty rates this year. Russia’s poverty rates totaled 14.3%, or 20.9 million people, in January-March 2019, according to Russia’s State Statistics Service (Rosstat). That’s up from 13.9%, or 20.4 million people, in January-March 2018. “If the subsistence minimum grew commensurately with inflation, the share of the population with incomes below the subsistence minimum would remain unchanged,” Rosstat said.  Authorities set the minimum subsistence level for January-March at 10,753 rubles ($169), up from 10,038 rubles ($158) the previous year. “When inflationary pressure increases, it’s the poor who suffer in the first place,” Alfa Bank chief economist Natalya Orlova told RBC. In total, 18.4 million Russians, or 12.6% of the population, lived below the poverty line in 2018, Rosstat said.

^ You can only help but feel sorry for the 20 million ordinary Russians that are struggling to survive and the millions more that are close to the poverty line. Those millions upon millions of innocent men, women and children could be helped if Putin and the Russian Government put the resources they are currently using to fight in Syria (to keep their dictator-ally in power), the Donbas and other places around the world into helping those within Russia. Russian history has shown that those in power that put more into world politics than the Russian people don’t end well. Czarist Russia ended when more value was placed on World War 1 than giving the people bread. Soviet Russia ended when more value was placed on the Cold War than giving the people a good basic standard of living. Now in Putin’s Russia he has placed more value on his own aspirations of world domination (through the various wars he has started and is currently fighting in) and would rather see ordinary Russians suffer and die living below the poverty line than doing something about feeding them. History is known to eventually repeat itself. ^

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2019/07/30/21m-russians-live-in-poverty-official-data-says-a66618

Swiss Suspends UNRWA

From the DW:

“Swiss suspend funding to UN Palestinian agency over misconduct claims”

The Swiss foreign ministry announced on Tuesday that it would suspend funding of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), after the agency's own ethics department reported allegations of sexual misconduct, nepotism and discrimination. The foreign ministry confirmed the move in a conversation with DW. In correspondence with DW, ministry representatives said UNRWA was a "hugely important partner for Switzerland." Swiss ministry representatives said 22.3 million Swiss francs ($22.5 million, €20.2 million) had been paid to the organization this year but it was "suspending any additional contributions" to UNRWA until the UN wide investigation reached a verdict. UNRWA is headed by a Swiss national, Pierre Krähenbühl. The agency has declined to comment in detail on the internal report while the UN investigation continues. Krähenbühl has led UNRWA since 2014, and "unreservedly" dismissed the allegations, saying he was prepared to cooperate with the UN investigation.  UNRWA has been based in Gaza since it was set up in the late 1940s.

Agency for schooling, medical services

UNRWA was set up 60 years ago in the years after more than 700,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled their lands during the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel. It provides vital schooling and medical services to millions of impoverished refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and the Palestinian territories. The agency currently has a $1.2 billion annual budget to support more than five million Palestinian refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza and the West Bank. The ethics report, copies of which have been seen by news agencies, details "credible and corroborated” allegations covering a number of ethical issues and "sexual misconduct, nepotism, retaliation, discrimination and other abuses of authority.”  In 2018 the US government decreased and then cut off funding to UNRWA. It had received $360 million each year from the US, and has struggled to recoup the funding gap over the last year.  Among other allegations in the report are suggestions that senior officials bypassed decision-making processes, which constituted an "extremely grave and significant reputational, operational and security risk to the agency." Former senior workers at UNRWA said Krahenbuhl isolated them increasingly after they had raised concerns with him.  

^ It seems what the US knew back in 2018 and was shamed internationally for doing is now being acknowledged by other countries (like Switzerland.) It seems the UNRWA is now doing more harm than good and needs to be shut-down. ^

https://www.dw.com/en/swiss-suspend-funding-to-un-palestinian-agency-over-misconduct-claims/a-49809854

US Back Kyiv

From UNIAN:

“ U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo: Crimea must come back to Ukraine”

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that Crimea, currently occupied by the Russian Federation, must come back to Ukraine. Answering a question from David Rubenstein, President of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., on July 29 whether Pompeo thinks that Crimea is never going to be returned to Ukraine, he said: "The U.S. position is that is unacceptable. Crimea must come back." He also said that the U.S. is engaging with the new government in Ukraine. "They just finished up their parliamentary elections last week. New president – I hope that that will engender a more creative set of ideas about how to resolve this problem. The conflict in Ukraine is real. They're still fighting, not every day, but a lot. It's very real," he said. As UNIAN reported earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press statement titled, "Crimea Declaration," on July 25, 2018, that the U.S. calls on Russia to end its occupation of Ukraine's Crimea. "The United States calls on Russia to respect the principles to which it has long claimed to adhere and to end its occupation of Crimea," he said then. "Russia, through its 2014 invasion of Ukraine and its attempted annexation of Crimea, sought to undermine a bedrock international principle shared by democratic states: that no country can change the borders of another by force. The states of the world, including Russia, agreed to this principle in the United Nations Charter, pledging to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. This fundamental principle — which was reaffirmed in the Helsinki Final Act — constitutes one of the foundations upon which our shared security and safety rests," the Declaration said. UNIAN memo. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77% of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia. On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin. The West did not recognize the annexation in response to which sanctions against Russia were introduced. Ukraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date when the temporary occupation of Crimea began.

^ It’s nice to see the US continue to back Crimea and the Ukraine. Realistically, I don’t see Crimea being returned to Ukraine while Putin is still in power. To return Crimea now would officially state what the world has long known – that Putin gambled and lost horribly when he invaded, occupied and annexed Crimea. His huge mistake has led to people dying and to thousands upon thousands of ordinary Russians suffering within Russia. ^

https://www.unian.info/politics/10634649-u-s-secretary-of-state-pompeo-crimea-must-come-back-to-ukraine.html

Fake Crime Is A Crime

From the BBC:

“Ayia Napa: British woman held over 'false rape claims' against Israeli teens” 

A British woman has been held in custody in Cyprus over claims she falsely accused a group of 12 young Israelis of raping her in a hotel room. The 19-year-old woman appeared in court earlier facing charges of causing public mischief. The group - aged between 15 and 20 - appeared in court on 18 July accused of raping her at the Pambos Napa Rocks Hotel, in the resort of Ayia Napa. The group spent over a week in prison before being released. The teenagers were released after the woman allegedly changed her statement and have all now returned to Israel. They say they now plan to sue the woman for damages over the alleged false rape claims. She has been remanded in custody until August 7, when she is expected back in court. If convicted, she could face up to a year in prison. The young woman covered her face with a jumper as she arrived at the court in Paralimni.  She was accompanied by her mother, who was seen crying in the courtroom, according to the Cyprus Mail. The Cypriot court judge is said to have described the incident in court on Tuesday as "troubling" because of the serious social and personal distress caused to the teenagers.

^ I really hope this woman is treated the same exact way as the men she falsely accused were treated. She lied about the rape (a gang rape at that) and because of that these innocent young men were treated as monsters by the media and the whole world. This incident will follow them for the rest of their lives. Any person (male or female) that falsely claims a rape, a murder or a hate crime deserves to have their life ruined since their actions did the same to the person/people they falsely accused. I am sick and tired of the people and the places that protect these fake accusers (by hiding their name and picture) when they did not do the same for the real victims in this case. It makes the statement that if you falsely accuse someone or a group of people of rape (or murder or a hate crime) then you will be protected so your life isn’t ruined the same way your lie ruined the life/lives or those you accused. That is the worst kind of judicial system. The public has a right to know. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49165106

Hindering APO/FPO

From Military.com:

“US Withdrawal from International Mail Treaty Could Alter Delivery for APO-FPO Addresses”

Service members stationed overseas probably don't think much about how their mail to and from the United States is delivered through the immense system of Army, Air Force and Navy post offices. In 2018, the Defense Department's Military Postal Service Agency oversaw the delivery of 88,618 tons of packages and letters sent or received by overseas soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and federal employees at about 1.2 million post office boxes, unit mail rooms, buildings and other delivery points. That was roughly equivalent to mailing 1,310 Abrams tanks. The average military mail customer has also likely given little thought to an arcane international treaty called the Universal Postal Union (UPU), but they're apt to hear a lot more about it by October. The Trump administration announced last year that the U.S. would withdraw from the 144-year-old treaty, primarily over growing complaints by some U.S.-based businesses that packages sent to the States from other countries -- primarily China -- have much lower postal rates. In some cases, U.S. businesses spend more to mail a package domestically than a China-based firm pays to ship to America. "The big fight is over delivery charges," said James Campbell Jr., a Washington, D.C.-based attorney who specializes in regulations concerning international shipping. "The Trump administration is saying that we are delivering Chinese packages in particular -- but all foreign e-commerce packages, really -- for somewhere between a third to half of what we're charging Americans for the same service. That's crazy. The domestic merchants are complaining about that."

October Deadline

The U.S. is slated to drop out of the postal union treaty in October unless changes are made by the Bern, Switzerland-based body that governs the system. Because the treaty has been in effect so long and includes almost all the world's nations, the ripple effects of withdrawal are unpredictable. The U.S. Postal Service seems to be counting on a meeting scheduled for September, during which treaty members will discuss changes to "terminal dues," which are the rates each member nation pays for delivery of mail within other countries. "This will provide a new opportunity for UPU members to collaborate and develop solutions to end the distortionary effects associated with excessively low rates for certain foreign origin mail, as compared to domestic postage rates," the Postal Service said in a statement to Stars and Stripes. But the Postal Service is also undertaking "parallel efforts" in the event the U.S. withdraws from the treaty, including "addressing and prioritizing military mailing issues," the statement said. The Postal Service declined to elaborate at all on what those military mailing issues might be. Pete Graeve, chief of plans and policy for the Military Postal Service Agency, was optimistic about the potential impact leaving the postal union will have on the APO -- or Army Post Office, also used by the Air Force -- and the Navy's Fleet Post Office, or FPO. "The bottom line is that we have host nation agreements/status of forces agreements/diplomatic notes that allow the [Military Postal Service] to operate in host nations, and we expect host nations will not unilaterally abrogate those agreements," Graeve wrote in a response to questions by Stars and Stripes. "The UPU issue pertains to international civil mail postage remuneration, not military mail, which is considered domestic and does not have international postage," he said. "[The Defense Department] is developing contingency plans in the event a host nation does abrogate an agreement to minimize any potential disruptions and continue providing support to our service members and their families."

Customs Scrutiny

Among the primary host nations are Germany, Italy, Portugal, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Kuwait, Australia, Japan and South Korea. If these host nations were dealing only with U.S. withdrawal from the Universal Postal Union treaty, it seems less likely they would abrogate agreements governing military mail. But the Trump administration is already at odds with European allies over his unilateral withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in which the nations traded sanctions relief for Iran's delay in enriching uranium. U.S. President Donald Trump has also frequently criticized fellow NATO-state members for contributing too little for operating expenses. Consequently, some countries may not have the appetite to negotiate a postal agreement with the United States. John Couch, a co-founder of ShipitAPO, which helps overseas service members receive packages from retailers that will not send to APO and FPO addresses, has tried unsuccessfully for months to get clear answers from government officials about what the military-mail landscape will look like if the U.S. leaves the postal union. "Even if new postal treaties can be re-established with each APO-FPO host nation, this will not happen overnight," Couch said. "And there's no guarantee that the new agreements will be as favorable regarding allowable items, package sizes, weights and quantities. We can only hope for the best." One likely and immediate outcome of U.S. withdrawal from the postal union would be increased customs security for both military and civil mail, said Campbell, who sits on the State Department's Advisory Committee on International Postal and Delivery Services. "The reality is that postal packages have become the conduit-of-choice for drug smugglers, intellectual property violations and all kinds of stuff," he said. "The reality is that Customs has no idea what's in the mail stream. "If the U.S. leaves the UPU in October, my guess for APO/FPO mail is that there's going to be increased customs scrutiny, at least in the big countries. That's going to entail more costs." That increased scrutiny and cost will come regardless of the treaty status, though, he said. Last year, Congress passed a law that, beginning in 2021, all postal packages must undergo the same strict customs procedures required for packages shipped via Federal Express and the like, he said.

^ I have mailed packages from the US to friends overseas for years it is constantly more expensive to mail something from the US to another country  than from another country to the US (which I have also done.) That is using the regular mail system. I have also used APO Military Mail (both receiving them when I lived in Europe and mailing them to friends and family.) I have seen and used all sides of this argument and believe that while it is a shame that it is so expensive for Americans to ship things to another country with regular mail it is wrong to do anything that jeopardizes APO/FPO mail going to US soldiers and their families stationed overseas. Any country that hinders (now or in the future) APO/FPO mail within its borders should lose the protection of the United States. That means that any American soldier stationed on bases in that territory should be removed and any Military cooperation with that territory should be stopped immediately and only re-instated after that territory agrees to not mess with the APO/FPO mail. You can not like our policies. You can not like our President. But if you mess with our Soldiers and their families protecting you than you should also lose that protection. ^

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/07/29/us-withdrawal-international-mail-treaty-could-alter-delivery-apo-fpo-addresses.html

2nd Heat Wave

^ 2nd Heat Wave in 2 weeks. ^

New VA Office

From the BBC:

“New office to improve support for military veterans”

A new Office for Veterans' Affairs is being created "to provide life-long support to military personnel".  Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it would "take responsibility for the full gamut of veterans' civilian lives". That includes mental and physical health, education and employment. It will also reportedly look at the legal pursuit of veterans, especially those who served in Northern Ireland - an issue which has caused significant anger within the Conservative Party. Johnny Mercer MP - one of the most outspoken critics of the Historical Investigations Unit - has been appointed minister for defence people and veterans, and will jointly oversee the new office. The MP for Plymouth - a veteran himself - will work alongside Oliver Dowden, a Cabinet Office minister with specific responsibility for veterans.  Their aim is to better co-ordinate the work of Whitehall departments, local authorities and charities to address veterans' needs.  Mel Waters, CEO of charity Help for Heroes, welcomed the announcement. "Help for Heroes intends to work closely with the new Office of Veterans Affairs to ensure that it makes a positive and significant difference to the lives of veterans and their families, many of whom feel pretty let down by the current system," she said. Sue Freeth, CEO of Combat Stress, said the creation of the office was "an excellent opportunity to provide a single voice at the cabinet table" for veterans, and she hoped to hold talks with Mr Mercer on the charity's proposals to improve mental health support.

'Unfair'

Speaking ahead of a visit to a military base in Scotland on Monday, the prime minister said it was "a stain on our national conscience that any veteran who has served should be abandoned by the country they have fought so courageously to protect". He said the new office would ensure veterans get the medical treatment they require and training they need to re-enter civilian life, as well as aim to tackle "the scourge of veteran homelessness". Mr Mercer said he was "determined to reset this country's relationship with her veterans". He told the Sun the prime minister had "tasked me to end the repeated and vexatious pursuit of veterans" over offences allegedly committed in the line of duty. In May, Mr Mercer withdrew his support for Theresa May and her government over the issue, and during his campaign for the Conservative leadership, Mr Johnson pledged to end "unfair" prosecutions of Army veterans who served in Northern Ireland "when no new evidence has been produced and when the accusations have already been exhaustively questioned in court". Sinn Féin MP Francie Molloy said the creation of the new office would be "viewed by many campaigners and victims as a tactic for the British government to continue to obstruct efforts to address the legacy of the conflict and create another smokescreen to hide the role it played".  "It is further evidence that this British government's policy is aimed at giving current and former British soldiers immunity from prosecution."

What is the issue around historical prosecutions?

Six former soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles are currently facing prosecution. The cases relate to the killings of two people on Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in January 1972; as well as the deaths in separate incidents of Daniel Hegarty, John Pat Cunningham; Joe McCann and Aidan McAnespie. Not all of the charges are for murder. The Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland has said that of 26 so-called Troubles legacy cases it has taken decisions on since 2011, 13 related to republicans, eight to loyalists, and five are connected to the Army. The idea of a statute of limitations for former soldiers is backed by many Tory backbenchers, but it was withdrawn from a legacy consultation document published in May 2018, even though Theresa May had claimed the system for investigating the past was "patently unfair". Mr Mercer is one of a number of Tory MPs who have been extremely critical of the handling of the issue of historical prosecutions. Former leader Iain Duncan Smith - who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles - said "many old veterans" were finding that despite "having been cleared decades ago" they were being investigated again "with no new evidence".  "How can I say to my old colleagues that this government has not abandoned them?" he asked the then PM in May. Mr Mercer said he had also been asked by Mr Johnson to put together legislation to place into law the Armed Forces covenant - a promise by the nation to treat serving personnel, veterans, and their families fairly.  Some form of move to address veterans' issues was on the cards. Former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt signalled it in May, suggesting a new law limiting future prosecution of former soldiers. It remains to be seen if this is what materialises - especially if it seeks to cover the Troubles. Government proposals for dealing with the past in Northern Ireland have ruled out amnesties for anyone. Any attempt to treat veterans differently would enrage nationalist parties and could upset attempts to restore the devolved Assembly at Stormont. But for now, Mr Johnson will have succeeded in pacifying his backbenches and his DUP allies.

 ^ I believe that every country that has a Military also has a responsibility (morally and legally) to take care of their veterans. With that said I believe that any soldier/veteran (or any person) that commits a massacre of unarmed and innocent men, women and children should not be shielded from prosecution the way the British Government and the British Military did to the British soldiers involved in the 1972 Bloody Sunday Massacre in Northern Ireland. The majority of soldiers in the British Military and of British veterans no longer serving did their job in a professional and moral way. Those soldiers and veterans deserve to be recognized for their great service and sacrifice and given all the benefits (educational, financial, medical, etc.) that they were promised when they first signed-up. Hopefully the British Government will do just that with this new Veterans’ Office. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49152253

Arrow 3 Test

From the DW:

“Israel tests US-backed missile shield over Alaska”

Israel and the United States say they have successfully tested the Arrow 3 missile defense system. Israel intends to use the jointly developed interceptor system to defend against missiles potentially fired from Iran. Israel said on Sunday that it had carried out a series of successful live interception tests of its Arrow 3 ballistic missiles over the US state of Alaska. Israel and the US held up the successful test as evidence of the strength of their alliance in the face of perceived threats from various countries, notably Iran. "Today, Israel has the capabilities to act against ballistic missiles launched at us from Iran and from anywhere else," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The director of the US Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency, Vice Admiral John Hill, said in a statement that Washington was "committed to assisting the government of Israel in upgrading its national missile defense capability to defend the state of Israel and deployed US forces from emerging threats." The Arrow 3 system is part of a multicomponent shield that Israel is developing to defend itself not only against long-range missiles from Iran, but also rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon. The missile system, which passed its first full interception test over the Mediterranean in 2015, is said to be able to shoot down incoming missiles in space. With its earlier generation system, Arrow 2, Arrow 3 complements the Iron Dome and David's Sling, which are designed to deal with short-range and mid-range missiles respectively. The Alaska tests come a week after Washington reported apparent Iranian trials of a medium-range ballistic missile. Iran and the US are currently embroiled in an escalating confrontation over Tehran's nuclear program and missile projects. In a statement, the Israeli Defense Ministry said the tests were carried out in Alaska to try out features that were not allowed to be tested in Israel.   

^ Israel needs this as part of their defense system since they are constantly attacked from their enemies (ie. Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinians in Gaza, etc.) and are officially threatened by others (ie. Iran.) I was so amazed when the Iron Dome system was first used in Israel and helped save so many innocent lives and continues to save people to this day. I hope this Arrow 3 system will help keep that going. The US should also consider using it to protect our own citizens. ^

https://www.dw.com/en/israel-tests-us-backed-missile-shield-over-alaska/a-49775405

VA Struggles

From Military.com:

“5 Years After Nationwide Scandal, VA Still Struggles to Track Wait Times”

Five years after the Department of Veterans Affairs was rocked by a scandal over appointment delays linked to veterans' deaths, it still struggles with scheduling issues and tracking wait times, a government oversight official told Congress this week. During a hearing Wednesday before the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Debra Draper, health care director at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), said that, while the VA has "taken action to ensure its facilities provide timely access to medical care," it must do more. Draper said the VA has made progress since the GAO first warned in 2012 of shortcomings in its appointment scheduling and tracking system, as well as lengthy delays in patient care. But she added that the VA's data on wait times remains unreliable and appointment delays continue to be long. "At this time, we continue to be concerned that VA has not sufficiently addressed the reliability of its wait time data," Draper said. "For example, we have found that VA's wait times do not capture the time it takes the department to enroll veterans in VA health care benefits, which we found could be quite lengthy." The issue is not restricted to appointments at VA health facilities, she said, adding that wait time data for the VA Choice program, a community care program that let veterans seek care at a private facility, was incomplete or inaccurate. VA Choice has been replaced by the Mission Act, which consolidated all VA programs for community care. "Since implementing our recommendation, VA has taken a number of actions. One is by annual audits of schedulers -- and the most recent, in 2018, they audited about 667,000 appointments, and they found the 8 percent error rate, so that affected about 53,000 appointments," Draper said. "There is improvement. [But] there's more work to be done, definitely." In a separate report released Wednesday, the GAO found that since the VA's tracking system captures only part of the appointment scheduling process, the department may show it is meeting its average wait time goal of 30 days. But when considering all factors, veterans potentially are waiting up to 70 days for an appointment. Speaking at the hearing, Teresa Boyd, Veterans Health Administration assistant deputy secretary for clinical operations, acknowledged that the VA still has challenges but added it also has "undergone tremendous transformation" since 2014. Boyd said that, for established patients, the VA's average wait times for primary care and mental health are less than five days, and seven days for specialty care "We recognize that there are still challenges ahead of us, but it is important to keep in mind that veterans continue to receive the highest quality care, often with shorter wait times than in the private sector," she told the committee. The GAO recommended that the VA implement its previous recommendations on improving scheduling at both VA facilities and community care programs. The VA will implement a new system to support appointment scheduling, authorizations and referrals in fiscal 2021, which VA officials have said will address some of the issues. But Draper said clear policies, oversight and effective training also are needed. In his opening statement, committee chairman Rep. Mark Takano, D-California, cited recent media reports about ongoing private waitlists and an apparent lack of transparency on wait times within the VA and in the private sector -- obfuscation that limits a veteran's ability to choose health services, he said. "The lack of accurate information on wait times at VA hospitals, and with community providers, should cause us all to question whether the policy to send more veterans to community care providers is sound or even if it's working," he said. He added that the VA has an opportunity to lead the nation in crafting wait time standards and accessibility to data that allows patients to make "informed choices." "If VA can get that right, make it simple for veterans to understand, I believe we will do not only veterans a great service, but we'll do the American people a great service by setting the standards that the private sector will have to match," he said. Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee, the committee's ranking Republican, said he'd be remiss not to "acknowledge the many ways in which access to care for veterans has improved" since 2014, with the VA completing 1 million more appointments in 2018 than the previous year. But, he added, there is "no doubt VA has farther still to go." "The VA Inspector released an alarming report about delays in care for veterans seeking mental health appointments at the Albuquerque VA Medical Center. That report paints a heartbreaking picture of why we must continue to focus on access to care," he said.

^ To say the VA still has a long way to go is an under-statement. ^

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/07/26/5-years-after-nationwide-scandal-va-still-struggles-track-wait-times.html

Eversourse Quits

From AP:

“Eversource gives up on Northern Pass hydropower project”

After nearly a decade of protests, hearings and court fights, the Northern Pass hydropower project that promised to bring hydropower from Canada to southern New England is dead. The company behind the plan, Eversource, announced Thursday it was abandoning the project after suffering a defeat in the New Hampshire Supreme Court. "It is clear there is no path forward," Eversource spokesman William Hinkle said in a statement. "The need for new sources of abundant, low-cost renewable energy in New England remains urgent, and we will continue working toward new, innovative solutions that lower costs for our customers, improve reliability and advance clean energy." Though expected, the announcement by Eversource was a significant setback for a company, which has repeatedly promised that Northern Pass would be built by 2020. Despite framing the project as a win for the environment and economy, Eversource was never able to overcome opposition from a determined collection of town officials, environmentalists and residents who opposed the project. Often clad in orange in the numerous public hearings, opponents argued that the project would damage the state's tourism economy and destroy rural communities. "It's good that Eversource is finally accepting the reality that Northern Pass is dead," Jack Savage, a spokesman for The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. "It's a relief to the many thousands of landowners and residents who have opposed this project for almost nine years." Eversource's proposal called for building a 192-mile (310-kilometer) transmission line across New Hampshire to supply power to almost a million homes in southern New England. It argued that the $1.6 billion project would bring clean energy to the region and help the economy. It spent $318 million on the project, according to a filing with the Security and Exchange Commission and will write off $200 million after taxes. The company initially had the support of Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, received a series of federal approvals and was chosen to provide much-needed clean energy to Massachusetts. But members of the Site Evaluation Committee, which would cast the critical vote, questioned the project's promised benefits and worried about the impact it would have on rural communities. They unanimously defeated the project last year amid concerns that towering transmission lines would hurt property values, tarnish scenic views and scare off tourists that come for the fall colors. Many opponents also worried that months of construction would disrupt businesses and cause traffic delays. The company responded to the rejection by saying it would spend hundreds of millions of dollars to compensate property owners, fund energy efficiency programs and help low income residents in a last-ditch effort to salvage the project. But the committee denied the appeal, and the court affirmed the committee's ruling. That prompted Sununu, one of the most prominent backers of the project, to pull his support. The project's defeat prompted Massachusetts to shift to a similar one that would bring Canadian hydropower through transmission lines in Maine. The $1 billion New England Clean Energy Connect has won the support of Maine Gov. Janet Mills. The Maine Public Utilities Commission also gave its approval, but several other agencies must sign off on the project.

^ This is great news. ^

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/eversource-northern-pass-court-defeat-050441461.html

Helping Minis

 From PC Mag:

“Google Giving 100,000 Home Minis to People With Paralysis”

To be eligible, you must be living with a physical disability, mobility challenge, or paralysis, or be a caregiver of someone who is.  Google's Nest Team is partnering with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to give 100,000 Home Mini smart speakers to people with paralysis and their caregivers. Google announced the news in a blog post written by Team USA Paralympic Powerlifter and Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Ambassador Garrison Redd, who has been living with paralysis for 20 years. Redd said he's been using Home Mini for several months, and it's helped him gain independence. "When you're paralyzed, your home goes from being a place of comfort and security to a reminder of what you've lost," Redd wrote. "Light switches and thermostats are usually too high up on the wall and, if my phone falls on the floor, I may not be able to call a friend or family member if I need help. These may seem like simple annoyances but, to members of the paralysis community, they reinforce the lack of control and limitations we often face." With Home Mini and Google Assistant, Redd can use his voice to control his connected thermostat, lights, and TV. It also offers him peace of mind, knowing he can use it to make calls with his voice if he needs help and can't reach his phone. "I'm hopeful that Google Nest can help more people make their homes that much easier to navigate, just as it has for me," he wrote. To see if you're eligible for a free Home Mini, head here. To be eligible, you must be living with a physical disability, mobility challenge, or paralysis, or be a caregiver of someone who is.

^ This is not only a major help for the disabled and allows them more freedom and independence, but it is also a good advertising tool for Google.  So it’s a win-win. ^

https://www.pcmag.com/news/369782/google-giving-100-000-home-minis-to-people-with-paralysis

The Real Hero

Military Upheld

From the CBC:

“Military justice system doesn't breach charter rights, Supreme Court rules”

The Supreme Court of Canada released a decision Friday saying military members charged with serious civilian crimes do not automatically have the right to a jury trial.  Canada's military justice system doesn't contravene the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and can remain as is, the country's top court has ruled. In a 5-2 decision released Friday, the Supreme Court found members of the military do not have the right to a trial by jury for serious crimes — such as sexual assault — if they are tried under the military justice system. The top court weighed in after conflicting rulings in lower courts over what the charter says about the right to a jury trial — with one appeal stating a master corporal accused of sexual assault should have been tried before a jury, as he had requested. There are no juries in the military system, only courts martial with a judge and a military panel. The decision revolves around a section of the charter that says anyone charged with a serious crime garnering five years of prison or more has the right to a trial by jury, except if that person is charged with an offence under military law before a military tribunal. While the majority on the Supreme Court said simply being a soldier is enough to push a case to a military tribunal, the two dissenting justices ruled the military connection to the crime should be stronger, for example, if the accused was on duty or the crime was committed on a military base. The ruling doesn't mean every serious crime committed by a soldier would be tried at a military tribunal. It remains at the discretion of the prosecution whether to push cases to the civilian justice system.

^ This is interesting. I would assume that any civilian crime committed by a solider would be tried in a civilian court depending on where the crime occurred and that any military crime committed by a solider would be tried by a military court. ^

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/supreme-court-military-constitution-justice-1.5226104

Chicago Attack

From ABC News:

“3 juveniles nabbed in brutal Chicago mob beating of mentally disabled girl that was video recorded and put online”

Three Chicago girls were arrested on suspicion of being part of a teen mob that brutally beat a special needs girl in what police described as a "beyond disturbing" attack that was video recorded and posted on social media.  The 15-year-old victim, who has a mental disability and had been reported missing by her father, thought the alleged attackers -- ages 13, 14 and 15 -- were her friends, Chicago police said during a news conference on Thursday.  "The case that we're speaking of galvanized our attention around behavior that quite frankly we all wish never existed, not just in this city but in this country," said Chicago Police Commissioner Eddie Johnson.  Johnson said that two of the juvenile suspects were arrested Wednesday and charged with felony aggravated assault, and the third was arrested on a charge of mob action. Their names were not released because they are minors. "I've got to tell you, it broke my heart to see this group of young people turn on her and escalated into what we saw -- a physical assault," Johnson said.  The victim was reported missing on July 18 by her father, according to Lt. Ozzie Valdez, who headed the investigation.  Valdez said that while detectives were investigating the girl's disappearance, the video of her being viciously beaten surfaced Monday on social media and quickly went viral. Police were notified of the video by community activists and the local media.  He said the attack apparently occurred on Monday and was captured on cellphone video by a juvenile who was part of the group but apparently didn't participate in the assault. The footage, obtained by ABC station WLS-TV in Chicago, shows the victim standing against what appeared to be an outdoor utility box and being surrounded by at least five young people who punched her repeatedly in the head and back as she defensively turned her back to the attackers before she fell to the ground. The person who apparently recorded the video is heard laughing as the victim screamed for help.  "This is beyond disturbing to watch and this young girl deserves better," Anthony Guglielmi, spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, wrote in a Twitter post on Thursday.  Valdez said the victim was found on Wednesday aboard a Chicago Transportation Authority train when a citizen recognized her from the video.  The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to a police station and then to Comer Children’s Hospital Chicago, where she was treated for undisclosed injuries and released.  "In their interviews, the detectives learned that the victim met several juveniles who she thought were her friends. These girls then taught her how to flash gang signs and as this was occurring a beating began which was captured on video," Valdez said.  He said the investigation is ongoing and did not rule out the possibility of more arrests. Valdez declined to comment on the extent of her injuries.  Asked if the victim was sexually assaulted, Johnson said, "In terms of a sexual aspect, we're not prepared to talk about that at this time. Police also did not specify a motive for the attack, but Johnson said, "There were some things going on that these young ladies wanted her to do that she didn't do. We'll leave it at that for right now."  Johnson thanked the community for providing tips that helped investigators locate the victim and arrest the suspects, who appeared Thursday in juvenile court. "Some of the parents of the offenders and the offenders themselves also did the right thing and brought information and individuals forward to the police," Johnson said.  He added that he hopes the alleged incident becomes a "teaching moment" for the young girls charged in the attack, saying, "hate, bullying, and bigotry are cancers on our society that do nothing but break and divide us."  He called the attack an "affront to who we are as Chicagoans."  "It stands in direct conflict to the 'City of Broad Shoulders,'" Johnson said. "We all have to work together to help ensure that this type of behavior is rooted out of our communities and our city."

^ This attack is beyond disgusting. I only hope the girls arrested will be tried as adults and get charged with Hate Crimes and spend the rest of their lives behind bars. ^

https://abcnews.go.com/US/juveniles-nabbed-brutal-chicago-mob-beating-mentally-disabled/story?id=64567110

Abbas Halts

From the BBC:

“Abbas: Palestinians to halt agreements with Israel”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the Palestinians will no longer abide by previous agreements made with Israel. His announcement followed an emergency meeting after Israel razed Palestinian buildings it said were illegally built on the edge of Jerusalem. Agreements signed over the past 25 years cover many spheres of activity, including security co-operation.  Israel has not yet responded to the move. Mr Abbas said a committee would be formed to work out how to implement the decision. Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians have heightened in recent days after the demolition of the buildings in Wadi Hummus (an area of Sur Baher), which Israel's High Court said had been built too close to its West Bank barrier. There was an international outcry over Israel's actions, which left 17 people homeless. Mr Abbas blamed Israel for the latest step, accusing it of reneging on agreements first. "In light of the insistence of the occupation authority [Israel] to deny all the signed agreements and their obligations, we announce the decision of the leadership to stop working in accordance with the agreements signed with the Israeli side," he was quoted by the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, as saying. It is unclear what the decision will mean in practice or whether it extends to the Palestinians' recognition of Israel itself, a lynchpin of the 1993 Oslo peace accords, which lay the foundations for Palestinian self-rule in the occupied territories of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. Mr Abbas has previously threatened to annul past agreements with Israel but this has never been implemented. Israel has in the past warned that a scrapping of agreements could lead to the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian's de facto government.

^ Hopefully Abbas and the Palestinians in the West Bank do not descend into the violence and chaos that the Palestinians in Gaza created for themselves when they voted into office the internationally-recognized terrorist group – Hamas. Abbas and the West Bank Palestinians may be mad about what Israel just did with the Palestinian buildings by Jerusalem, but to give up relative peace and autonomy that has lasted since 1993 (26 years) is not very smart. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49125785

Disabled Disney Tips

From Yahoo Lifestyle:

“3 Things to Know Before You Head to Disney With Your Child With a Disability”

My family went to Disney World last year with our son Nicholas, who has a disability. When I was planning for my vacation, I wish I had known these three things that could have made my experience a little bit better.

1. Ask

Even if you didn’t go to Sunday school with your mom and dad, you may have heard someone say the partial bible scripture, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find.” Well if you are headed to Disney World, the park does offer accommodations for individuals with disabilities, but you gotta ask. it is not going to be handed to ya. You have to often seek out solutions for your loved one with disabilities, and that means you may have to stand in a line for a hostess or host who can point you to a spot that will help you out. My son Nick is diagnosed with autism. He often has a tough time with long lines. This is really with anything. He hates waiting in long lines at the supermarket, church, or an out or event. Many parents with kids on the autism spectrum understand when I say this isn’t him being impatient, but rather a sensory thing. If we are in a line too long, I have to leave the area or he will have a meltdown because of the overwhelming wait, the overwhelming crowd, or both. One time he even yelled to me, “I can’t breathe!” Part of it, I notice, is constraints of movement. If he has to sit or stand still for a long time, he will literally break out in a jumping and wiggle dance just to keep from standing or sitting too long. One behaviorist at his school said to me sometimes kids on the autism spectrum feel sitting still for long periods of time is physically painful. They have to move. Nick has gotten better over time, but he is not over it by any means. So if this is your kid — or your child is in a wheelchair or perhaps has another disability, here’s your first move. On your first day in any of the parks go to Guest Relations. Our first park on our vacation was Disney’s Magic Kingdom. There, you will need to head to City Hall. In my case, I let one of the Disney hosts know my son is diagnosed with autism and really has a tough time standing in long lines. I had a note from his doctor as a backup. The host got to see it, as soon as I stood in a lengthy line, Nick was loudly asking me how long we had to stand in line. The host saw the need before I got to the desk. At guest relations they will give you an electronic link to your electronic ticket or “magic band.” (I will get to magic bands in just a minute.) This will allow you to have “disability access accommodations” for 30 days. The link will allow you to go to any ride or stage show and arrange a time to return to ride that ride — even if the wait time is really long. Some waits for rides like the popular Avatar Pandora ride are more than 120 minutes on any given day. They will give you a time to walk around — do something else and come back at a coordinated time slot. However, you can only set up one of these “disability access” rides at a time. Also, for those who may need american sign language interpreters, you can ask for show times when interpreters will be at a show so your child or loved one can enjoy the show. I was told interpreters are coordinated at all Disney Parks but there are a limited number. So I would arrange this before arriving.

2. Magic Bands make things easy but be warned.

The Disney Magic Bands are great. You can link your credit card or debit card to one band, a select few or all the bands in your party. This means you can leave your wallet locked in a safe in your room while you have fun at any Disney World park and buy what you want when needed with the magic band as well as use it for fast pass rides. One good security measure with purchases though is you have to put in a four digit code you specifically select for every purchase during the time of your stay. One host told me beware of letting kids know the code. She told me a story of a 4-year-old who charged up to $1000 on their parent’s credit card that way. Needless to say, Nick did not know the code.

3. Be prepared to walk miles and pack patience. 

Nearly every day of the week the three of us walked between seven and nine miles a day.  If your loved one has a tough time walking long distances, you can rent a stroller or electronic scooter if you don’t have one. Bringing your own, however, can save you money. My advice, however, is check ahead. Crowds are also huge. Even if it’s off season, I’m told Disney has a lot of people. Memorial Day weekend was packed and lines were very long. Even when you have a fast pass, dining reservations, a bus/shuttle time or arranged just about anything at a set time, there will be delays. So if you are a stickler for time, learn to use yoga breathing techniques and slow down. Rarely does everything start exactly on time. Restaurants generally give you a 20 minute grace period if you are late. And rides give you an hour window from the time of your appointment. Calling ahead to a restaurant can buy you time, but not indefinitely. If you miss your window for a ride, you’re generally out of luck.

^ I have been to Disney World several times with a person in a wheelchair and had lots of little issues (even with lots of pre-planning) that made the whole trip to the “Greatest Place on Earth” not so great. I have not been back in some time so I hope they have fixed their disability issues and that everyone can now experience a great time. ^

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/3-things-know-head-disney-191454485.html

Legion Change

From Military.com:

“New Law Will Allow Thousands More Veterans to Join American Legion “

Thousands of honorably discharged veterans will soon be able to join the American Legion under new legislation expected to be signed soon by President Donald Trump. Under the new law, any honorably discharged veteran who has served since Dec. 7, 1941, may join the American Legion, meaning military veterans who served in what were previously considered periods of peacetime between wars are now eligible for membership. The Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service, or LEGION, Act -- the first Senate bill sponsored by Arizona Democrat Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to become law -- is designed to recognize veterans who previously couldn't join, such as those who served during the Cold War. "Expanding Legion membership improves services for veterans across Arizona and honors our brave service members killed or injured during periods of unrecognized war," Sinema said in a statement. "Our bill shows what's possible when we stay focused on getting things done that matter." As a congressionally chartered organization, eligibility for the country's largest veterans service organization, with nearly two million members, is established by Congress. It had been open to veterans who served during declared wars, such as World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. Prior to this bill, there were seven recognized eligibility periods, beginning with World War I and concluding with the current period, from Aug. 2, 1990, to the present. But many troops served in lesser conflicts between those periods, Sinema said in the bill. More than 1,600 troops were killed during these military operations. "In between those recognized periods of war, during so-called peacetime eras, the United States military has been involved in not fewer than 12 known eras, which are unrecognized by the United States Government as periods of war, resulting in numerous United States personnel combat casualties," the bill states. In a statement, the bill's co-sponsors hailed the expanded eligibility window. "For 100 years, the American Legion has provided critical resources and created a community for veterans. This legislation will ensure that everyone who puts on the uniform has the privilege to join the Legion's ranks," said Rep. Lou Correa, D-California, who co-sponsored the House version along with Reps. Ben Cline, R-Virginia, and Gil Cisneros, D-California. Membership in traditional veterans service organizations has declined over the past several decades as members age and pass away and veterans of recent conflicts have sought out other groups or social organizations. This year, however, the Veterans of Foreign Wars reversed that trend, adding nearly 25,000 new members, according to VFW National Commander B.J. Lawrence. And the changes to the American Legion's eligibility may bolster its ranks as well. "Opening membership of the American Legion to our heroes who have served in conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan is the right thing to do," Cline said. Veterans service organizations provide a social structure for veterans and also advocate on their behalf. Groups such as the VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans are among the most influential in Washington, D.C., with members numbering in the millions. They also provide help to veterans, with service officers trained to provide guidance to members on their benefits, including disability compensation claims and education. The American Legion has been working for more than a year to expand its eligibility dates. National Commander Brett Reistad said the Legion Act is "a victory for veterans who until now have not had their service to our nation fully recognized." "These veterans and their family members can now enjoy all the benefits of their service, which they so richly deserve," he said. The White House has not said when the president plans to sign the bill into law. Veterans seeking more information on how to join the American Legion can find it on the organization's web site.

^ I have heard of the American Legion, but didn’t realize there were Federal restrictions on who could and could not join. I assumed that you just had to be a veteran. After learning more about this organization I hope this law passes so all veterans can finally join if they want to. ^

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/07/24/new-law-will-allow-thousands-more-veterans-join-american-legion.html

Federal Scheduled

From the BBC:

“US government orders first executions since 2003”

The US federal government is to resume executing death-row inmates after a 16-year hiatus, the justice department has announced in a statement. Attorney General William Barr directed the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to schedule the executions of five inmates. Mr Barr said the five had been convicted of murders or rapes of children or the elderly.  The executions have been scheduled for December 2019 and January 2020. Mr Barr said in a statement: "The justice department upholds the rule of law and we owe it to the victims and their families to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system." There are 62 inmates on federal death row, but the last federal execution was in 2003. In a statement released on Thursday, Mr Barr said executions would resume with the deaths of five inmates "convicted of murdering, and in some cases torturing and raping, the most vulnerable in our society - children and the elderly". The death penalty was outlawed at state and federal level by a 1972 Supreme Court decision but reinstated in 1988.  According to data collected by the Death Penalty Information Center, 78 people were sentenced to death between 1988 and 2018 but only three have been since executed. Mr Barr instructed the BOP to adopt an addendum that allows them to use the single drug Pentobarbital in place of a three-drug procedure previously used in federal executions. The drug is a potent sedative that slows down the body, including the nervous system, to the point of death. The Department of Justice said the five scheduled executions were for Daniel Lee Lewis, who killed a family of three including an eight-year-old girl; Lezmond Mitchell, who killed a 63-year-old woman and her nine-year old granddaughter; Wesley Ira Purkey, who raped and killed a 16-year-old girl and murdered an 80-year-old woman; Alfred Bourgeois, who molested and killed his two-year-old daughter; and Dustin Lee Honken, who killed five people including two children. The five executions would take place at the US Penitentiary at Terre Haute, Indiana, and additional executions would take place at a later date, the justice department said.

^ I believe the US (at the Federal and State Levels) should have the Death Penalty and use it for: murder and terrorism. It’s all well and good to claim you don’t want the Death Penalty, but if someone kills a person you know and love then they don’t deserve a life sentence in jail where they can get college degrees, watch movies, sleep with their spouse or partner and better themselves and eventually get out. Once a murderer always a murderer. There is no rehabilitation for a killer or a terrorist. To think otherwise shows a lack of understanding on your part.  ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49118134

European Heat

From the BBC:

“Europe heatwave breaks more temperature records”

Much of Western Europe is facing record-breaking temperatures again, with the second heatwave in a month set to reach its peak on Thursday. Germany set a new temperature record, reaching 41.5C (106.7F) in the west. A red alert was issued in northern France - with Paris temperatures hitting a record-breaking 42.4C. The UK recorded a record temperature for July of 37.7C and trains were ordered to run more slowly to stop rail tracks buckling in the heat. The Netherlands also recorded its highest ever temperature, at 39.4C. "Climate change has increased the likelihood and severity of heatwave episodes across Europe," the UK's national weather service said.

What sort of temperatures are we expecting?

Authorities launched a red alert - the highest state of alert - in the Paris region and 19 other districts and said temperatures could eventually reach 42-43C in parts of the country. French media said Wednesday night was "probably" the hottest ever recorded in France.  Belgium's Royal Meteorological Institute issued "code red" warnings across most of the country - warning people to take extra precautions during "extremely high temperatures".

What's the impact going to be?

In France, officials warned people to avoid travelling and to work from home if possible. Children's nurseries also been closed. The chief architect responsible for restoring the Notre-Dame warned that the extreme heat could lead to the cathedral roof collapsing if the joints and masonry holding up the roof dry out. French reports suggested five deaths may have resulted from the heatwave. Comparisons were drawn to a heatwave in August 2003 which contributed to almost 15,000 deaths in the country. In parts of north Germany, rivers and lakes have dried up - with warnings that fish and mussels could be "severely threatened".  In the Netherlands, hundreds of pigs died earlier this week after a ventilator at a farm failed. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a Eurostar train from Belgium to London broke down, trapping passengers.

Is climate change to blame?

While extreme weather events like heatwaves occur naturally, "research shows that with climate change they are likely to become more common, perhaps occurring as regularly as every other year", the UK's Met Office says.  Dr Peter Stott from the Met Office told BBC 5Live the latest heatwave is the result of both "weather and climate acting in concert. "What we have at the moment is this very warm stream of air, coming up from northern Africa, bringing with it unusually warm weather," he said. "But without climate change we wouldn't have hit the peaks that we're hitting right now." The Met Office conducted a study last year that found that the UK was now 30 times more likely to experience heatwaves compared to the year 1750, because of "the higher concentration of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) in the atmosphere". Records going back to the late 19th Century show that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by about one degree since industrialisation. A climatology institute in Potsdam, Germany, said Europe's five hottest summers since 1500 were all recorded in the 21st Century. Scientists have expressed concern that rapid warming linked to use of fossil fuels has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate.

^ We just got over our own heatwave here in the US so I know how Europeans are feeling. Of course air conditioners are used much more in the US than in Europe so hopefully they will be able to find other ways to stay cool. They should also take a moment to check on those most vulnerable: the elderly, children, pets and the disabled. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49108847