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Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
“SNAP OUT OF IT! “
In 2017, suicide claimed the lives of more than 47,000 people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Suicide affects people of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities.
Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it can be preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives.
Here are 5 steps you can take to #BeThe1To help someone in emotional pain:
- ASK: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question but studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
- KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.
- BE THERE: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.
- HELP THEM CONNECT: Save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number in your phone so it’s there when you need it: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
- STAY CONNECTED: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.
Need a car? Buy a $1 Raffle Ticket, as many as you’d like, and try your chances at winning a Smart Car, or other great prizes that will help you to achieve SDGs goals for the future.
A traumatic event is a shocking, scary, or dangerous experience that can affect someone emotionally and physically. Experiences like natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods), acts of violence (such as assault, abuse, terrorist attacks, and mass shootings), as well as car crashes and other accidents can all be traumatic.
Ways to Cope
Healthy ways of coping in this time period include:
- Avoiding alcohol and other drugs;
- Spending time with loved ones and trusted friends who are supportive; and
- Trying to maintain normal routines for meals, exercise, and sleep.
In general, staying active is a good way to cope with stressful feelings.
Welcome to OpenWHO
OpenWHO is WHO’s new interactive, web-based, knowledge-transfer platform offering online courses to improve the response to health emergencies. OpenWHO enables the Organization and its key partners to transfer life-saving knowledge to large numbers of Frontline Responders and Essential Workers.
CDC: CORONA VIRUS 2019 – (COVID19)
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children.
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations.
The emotional impact of an emergency on a person can depend on the person’s characteristics and experiences, the social and economic circumstances of the person and their community, and the availability of local resources. People can become more distressed if they see repeated images or hear repeated reports about the outbreak in the media.
People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include:
- People who have preexisting mental health conditions including problems with substance use
- People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders
Additional information and resources on mental health care can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) NATIONAL Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
- People with deafness or hearing loss can use their preferred relay service to call 1-800-985-5990.
Reactions during an infectious disease outbreak can include:
- Fear and worry about your own health status and that of your loved ones who may have been exposed to COVID-19
- Changes in sleep or eating patterns
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
- Domestic Violence and Abuse
noun ˈfāth plural faiths ˈfāths , sometimes ˈfāt͟hz
Definition of faith
(Entry 1 of 2)1a: allegiance to duty or a person : LOYALTY lost faith in the company’s presidentb(1): fidelity to one’s promises(2): sincerity of intentions acted in good faith2a(1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God(2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religionb(1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof clinging to the faith that her missing son would one day return(2): complete trust3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction especially: a system of religious beliefsthe Protestant faith on faith: without question took everything he said on faith
faith verb ˈfāth faithed; faithing; faiths
Definition of faith (Entry 2 of 2)
Stages of faith development
James W. Fowler (1940–2015) proposes a series of stages of faith-development (or spiritual development) across the human life-span. His stages relate closely to the work of Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg regarding aspects of psychological development in children and adults. Fowler defines faith as an activity of trusting, committing, and relating to the world based on a set of assumptions of how one is related to others and the world.
- Intuitive-Projective: a stage of confusion and of high impressionability through stories and rituals (pre-school period).
- Mythic-Literal: a stage where provided information is accepted in order to conform with social norms (school-going period).
- Synthetic-Conventional: in this stage the faith acquired is concreted in the belief system with the forgoing of personification and replacement with authority in individuals or groups that represent one’s beliefs (early-late adolescence).
- Individuative-Reflective: in this stage the individual critically analyzes adopted and accepted faith with existing systems of faith. Disillusion or strengthening of faith happens in this stage. Based on needs, experiences and paradoxes (early adulthood).
- Conjunctive faith: in this stage people realize the limits of logic and, facing the paradoxes or transcendence of life, accept the “mystery of life” and often return to the sacred stories and symbols of the pre-acquired or re-adopted faith system. This stage is called negotiated settling in life (mid-life).
- Universalizing faith: this is the “enlightenment” stage where the individual comes out of all the existing systems of faith and lives life with universal principles of compassion and love and in service to others for upliftment, without worries and doubt (middle-late adulthood (45–65 years old and plus.
No hard-and-fast rule requires individuals pursuing faith to go through all six stages. There is a high probability for individuals to be content and fixed in a particular stage for a lifetime; stages from 2-5 are such stages. Stage 6 is the summit of faith development. This state is often considered as “not fully” attainable.
The Office of Minority Health Resource Center online
POPULATION HEALTH PROFILES
US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 🇺🇸
- Report a Crime
- View Most Wanted Fugitives
- Report and Identify Missing Persons
- Get Help & Information for Crime Victims
- Locate a Prison, Inmate, or Sex Offender
- Find Sales of Seized Property
- Submit a Complaint
- Register, Apply for Permits, or Request Records
CDC’s One-Stop Shop
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Data & Statistics Fatal Injury Report for 2018, as of March 1, 2020. Suicide rates listed are Age-Adjusted Rates.
- Suicide is the10th leading cause of death in the US
- In 2018, 48,344 Americans died by suicide
- In 2018, there were an estimated 1.4M suicide attempts
- Become an advocate to help prevent suicide
Additional facts about suicide in the US
- The age-adjusted suicide rate in 2018 was 14.2 per 100,000 individuals.
- The rate of suicide is highest in middle-aged white men.
- In 2018, men died by suicide 3.56x more often than women.
- On average, there are 132 suicides per day.
- White males accounted for 69.67% of suicide deaths in 2018.
- In 2018, firearms accounted for 50.57% of all suicide deaths.
9 Rural Farms of the 21st Century Featuring Stunning Modern Design
From Italy to Tasmania, a new book covers those farms with an eye on both sustainability and beautiful design
Some of the world’s most functional architecture can be found on the farm. From farmhouses to stables to barns, farming structures value simplicity and practicality above all. The efficiency of these buildings has long been an inspiration to modern architects designing homes, museums, and commercial buildings, but lately modern architecture has also been influencing farms. In the upcoming book
The New Farm: Contemporary Rural Architecture (Princeton Architectural Press, $45), author Daniel P. Gregory explores how farms have taken a bolder approach to agricultural design with striking exteriors, grand interiors, and inventive materials. Gregory showcases 16 farms around the world, from a cathedral-like dairy farm in New York state to sleek stables in New South Wales, Australia. Each of the family businesses offers a new take on farming traditions with an eye to sustainability and beautiful design.
We have an amazing plan
to house, to feed, and to cloth the homeless this winter and we could really use your help. It isn’t a bandaid to mask a problem. It, rather, is a vibrant and brilliant plan toward self sufficiency and independence. Please chip-in whatever you can.
In New York city, alone, as of June 2020, there were 58,736 homeless people, including 13,275 homeless families with 19,626 homeless children, sleeping each night in the New York City municipal shelter system. Families make up two-thirds of the homeless shelter population. … This includes over 44,300 homeless New York City children.
Homelessness in America – Women and children should ALWAYS have a safe place to rest, learn, work, and thrive.
Seventeen out of every 10,000 people in the United States were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2019 during HUD’s Annual Point-in-Time Count. These 567,715 people represent a cross-section of America. They are associated with every region of the country, family status, gender category, and racial/ethnic group. endhomelessness.org
Families with Children and Homelessness
exists when people lack safe, stable and appropriate places to live. Sheltered and unsheltered people are homeless. People living doubled up or in overcrowded living situations or motels because of inadequate economic resources are included in this definition, as are those living in tents or other temporary enclosures.
Each year between 2-3 million people in the United States experience an episode of homelessness (Caton et al., 2005). The psychological and physical impact of homelessness is a matter of public health concern (Schnazer, Dominguez, Shrout, & Caton, 2007). Psychologists as clinicians, researchers, educators and advocates must expand and redouble their efforts to end homelessness.
The mission of the APA Presidential Task Force on Psychology’s Contribution to End Homelessness, commissioned by 2009 APA President James Bray, PhD, was to identify and address the psychosocial factors and conditions associated with homelessness and define the role of psychologists in ending homelessness.
The overall population of people living without homes, in the United States, can be divided into several subgroups including individual adults, families with children and unaccompanied youth who have left home, run away or “aged out” of foster care placements. …apa.org
are biological states associated with the nervous system brought on by neurophysiological changes variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavioural responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure. There is currently no scientific consensus on a definition. Emotions are often intertwined with mood, temperament, personality, disposition, creativity and motivation.
Research on emotion has increased significantly over the past two decades with many fields contributing including psychology, neuroscience, affective neuroscience, endocrinology, medicine, history, sociology of emotions, and computer science. The numerous theories that attempt to explain the origin, neurobiology, experience, and function of emotions have only fostered more intense research on this topic. Current areas of research in the concept of emotion include the development of materials that stimulate and elicit emotion. In addition, PET scans and fMRI scans help study the affective picture processes in the brain.
From a purely mechanistic perspective, “Emotions can be defined as a positive or negative experience that is associated with a particular pattern of physiological activity.” Emotions produce different physiological, behavioral and cognitive changes. The original role of emotions was to motivate adaptive behaviors that in the past would have contributed to the passing on of genes through survival, reproduction, and kin selection.
In some theories, cognition is an important aspect of emotion.
Sep 1, 2020 – Apr 30, 2021
(/kɒɡˈnɪʃ(ə)n/ (listen)) refers to “the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses”. It encompasses many aspects of intellectual functions and processes such as attention, the formation of knowledge, memory and working memory, judgment and evaluation, reasoning and “computation“, problem solving and decision making, comprehension and production of language. Cognitive processes use existing knowledge and generate new knowledge.
Cognitive processes are analyzed from different perspectives within different contexts, notably in the fields of linguistics, anesthesia, neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, education, philosophy, anthropology, biology, systemics, logic, and computer science. These and other different approaches to the analysis of cognition are synthesised in the developing field of cognitive science, a progressively autonomous academic discipline.
Photo credit: ST.art/Shutterstock
5 NSF-supported STEM education resources that are perfect for virtual learning
For many parents, teachers and students, back-to-school routines look a little different this year. Whether you’re a teacher searching for lesson-planning content or a parent looking for activities to supplement classroom instruction, these five U.S. National Science Foundation-supported STEM education resources are perfect for virtual learning.
1. My Sky Tonight (pre-K)
Figuring out how to best engage young children in science topics can be intimidating. Luckily, the My Sky Tonight project can help. Astronomy educators at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific teamed up with developmental psychology researchers to produce a set of research-based, hands-on astronomy activities rich in science practices and designed for preschool-aged children. Lessons include activity guides and videos that teach children about a range of topics, from the phases of the moon to the sun’s energy. Additionally, tutorial videos provide a primer on how to guide young children’s learning across a range of disciplines.
2. Hands-on Chemistry Activities (grades K-12)
You don’t need a chemistry lab to teach chemistry. With the National Informal STEM Education Network’s “Let’s Do Chemistry” kits, learners explore what chemistry reveals about the world around them through hands-on activities involving everyday objects like chewing gum, water and soap. Each activity comes with handouts, instructions and training videos for teachers and parents, all of which are also available in Spanish.
3. Greenbank Observatory’s ‘Try it at Home’ Activities (grades K-12)
Did you know a little red cabbage juice can go a long way in teaching students about the pH scale? Learn about acidic and basic substances, the electromagnetic spectrum, birds of prey and more on the Greenbank Observatory’s “Try it at Home” webpage. Resources include worksheets, coloring pages and hands-on activity guides and are color-coded from green to orange to indicate difficulty level and whether adult supervision is required.
4. Earth Science Worksheets and Resources (grades K-7)
Unlock the wonder of science with these printable worksheets from NSF that introduce learners to key Earth science concepts like plate tectonics, water cycles, fossils and more. Check out NSF’s Earth & Environment Classroom Resources page for related coloring books and videos.
5. Emoji Science Worksheets (grades 5-12)
Bring a bit of digitally inspired fun to your classroom with these emoji lesson plans. Lessons include engaging videos and hands-on activities that explore chemistry and physics using everyday objects.
**Bonus: Virtual Field Trips (fun for all ages!)
Take your students on an adventure to the depths of the ocean or to the world’s largest solar telescope without leaving the classroom with these NSF-funded virtual escapes or invite one of our experts to speak with your class through our Speakers Bureau. Our scientists, engineers and other passionate professionals are available to provide STEM-related talks to your virtual elementary, middle, and high school students.
The power of your brain is immeasurable. As the control center of your body, it allows your heart to beat, the lungs to breathe, and lets you move, feel and think. Because the brain is such an energy-intensive organ, it uses around 20 percent of the body’s calories. That said, it requires an abundance of nutrients and good fuel to stay healthy.
The foods we eat have a big role in the structure and health of our brains, and a brain-boosting diet can support both short- and long-term function. From improving specific mental tasks such as memory and concentration to promoting overall brain structure, a healthy diet can keep your brain sharp and will increase your odds of maintaining a healthy brain as you age.
According to registered dietitian & nutritionist, Nicole Rose aka NickiRD, “Paying attention to your diet can have a huge effect on the status of your brain. You don’t need fancy foods to gift your brain – Mother Nature has all the answers.”
The Abs-uperfood Power List
While we may not be able to control the onset of brain diseases and disorders, incorporating brain-friendly foods in our diets is something we can consciously do to keep our brains in peak working condition.
The A.B.S. has compiled a list of 10 superfoods that can help maintain brain health, and are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, good healthy fats, minerals and micronutrients. Research has found that compounds such as antioxidants, flavanols, polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals (notably, folate, vitamin E, and B vitamins) naturally found in food can help protect your brain.
In no particular order…
1.) Blueberries: Antioxidants Fight Cognitive Decline
Not only are blueberries delicious, but they are good for your brain. Evidence accumulated at Tufts University suggests that the consumption of blueberries may help improve or delay short term memory loss. Research also shows that this readily available fruit may help protect the brain from the damage caused by free radicals and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
The antioxidant compounds in blueberries:
- Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain and throughout the body
- Improve communication between brain cells
- Increase plasticity, which helps brain cells form new connections, boosting learning and memory
According to NickiRD, “Blueberries, which are bountiful come summer, have been shown to boost short- term memory. Try adding the fresh (even the frozen!) ones to your morning smoothie.”
2.) Wild Salmon: May Help Promote Healthy Brain Function
Fatty fish like salmon are the ultimate brain food. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) cannot be made by the body, which means they must be obtained through our diet. The most effective omega-3 fats occur naturally in oily fish in the form of EPA and DHA.
A diet with higher levels of these fats may:
- Lower risks of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and slower mental decline
- Enhance memory
- Manage stress
- Produce good mood brain chemical, serotonin
In addition to salmon, other sources of oily fish include trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards and kippers. For brain health, two servings of fish per week are recommended.
3.) Dark Chocolate: Antioxidant Power to Boost Brain Health
Calling all sweet tooths, here’s a dessert you can feel good about! Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are strong antioxidants that can improve blood flow to the brain and reduce inflammation. Antioxidants are especially important for brain health, as the brain is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, which contributes to age-related cognitive decline and brain diseases.
Research shows that dark chocolate can also:
- Combat fatigue and the effects of aging
- Boost both mood, focus, and alertness – one of the few foods that can do so naturally!
- Improve brain plasticity, crucial for learning
- Provide a very respectable dose of magnesium, zinc, fiber, and caffeine-like plant-based stimulant that the brain loves
“Indulge your sweet tooth with dark chocolate. It’s delicious and brain-friendly. I highly recommend eating high cacao dark chocolate (72% or greater), as it’s low in sugar and still very tasty,” says NickiRD.
4.) Turmeric: This Brightly Colored Spice Boosts Mood, Memory & More
Spice up your life, while contributing to a healthier brain by consuming turmeric, one of the most colorful and versatile ingredients in your cabinet.
Research has shown that inflammation is the “universal brain destructor” and this beloved Indian spice is packed with antioxidants, particularly curcumin, one of the most potent and naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents ever identified.
Other benefits of turmeric include:
- Improves the brain’s oxygen intake
- Increases memory & cognitive function
- Benefits the immune system
5.) Coffee: Aids in Processing, Memory & Focus
Whether enjoyed in the morning to start the day or for a late afternoon pick-me-up, your cup of joe has been shown to improve memory and potentially decrease the risk of dementia.
Beyond boosting alertness, a 2018 study suggests that caffeine may also increase the brain’s capacity for processing information, as the researchers found that caffeine causes an increase in brain entropy – complex and variable brain activity. When entropy is high, the brain can process more information.
Coffee is also a source of antioxidants, which may support brain health as a person gets older. Studies have linked lifelong coffee consumption with reduced risk of:
- Cognitive decline
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
Not a coffee drinker? Black and green teas also contain brain-boosting antioxidants, so sip away!
6.) Nuts & Seeds: Boost Your Brain Function
Eating more nuts and seeds may be good for the brain, as these foods contain omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Studies have found that a higher overall nut intake was linked to better brain function in older age, as nuts and seeds are also rich sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which protects cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Research has found that vitamin E may also contribute to improved cognition and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
According to NickiRD, “You can find amazing omega-3 fats in hemp, flax, chia and pumpkin seeds. Create your own trail mix with these seeds as the front runner alongside coconut chips, cacao nibs, walnuts and almonds.”
7.) Sage: An Herb to Boost Your Memory
Dating back to 1597, ancient herbalists cited that sage was good for the brain and has the ability to quicken nerves and memory. Even then, they were onto something.
According to recent studies, sage may possess memory-enhancing properties, and a research review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine identified sage as one of the herbs that may be beneficial to Alzheimer’s patients.
NickiRD says, “How many times have you passed these herbs at the local produce market? Now you have reason to stop and look. Sage, (part of the mint family) works wonders by improving memory and concentration. Try adding the fresh leaves to your roasted butternut squash. You can even take it one step further and rub organic brain-friendly sage essential oil on your wrists and then breathe deep!”
8.) Avocados: Promotes Blood Flow & Brain Health
A diet rich with healthful unsaturated fat supports the brain and combats cognitive decline. Avocados are a fruit (yes, they are a fruit!) packed with good-for-you monounsaturated fats that promote healthy blood flow and support information-carrying nerves in the brain. They are also loaded with several of the brain’s most valued nutrients, including folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, and copper.
A 2018 study out of Tufts University linked avocados with better brain functioning in older adults. The research monitored 40 healthy adults over the age of 50 who ate one fresh avocado per day for six months. Researchers found that they experienced a significant improvement in their problem-solving skills and working memory. The study also found that a control group in the same age bracket who did not eat an avocado each day did not experience the same cognitive health benefits during the study period.
On a salad, sandwich or as a dip, avocados have become a cult food favorite…indulge as often as possible to help boost your brain power.
9.) Whole Grains: May Help Improve Concentration & Focus
A diet packed with whole grain-rich foods promotes cardiovascular health, which flows to the brain.
Like everything else in your body, the brain cannot concentrate and function without energy. Our brains are fueled by an adequate, steady supply of energy in the form of glucose in our blood to the brain. It’s best to achieve this by choosing whole grains with a low-GI, which release glucose slowly into the bloodstream, keeping our brains alert throughout the day.
Eating whole grains are also rich in vitamin E, known for supporting overall brain health.
Whole-grain foods include:
- Brown rice
- Bulgur wheat
- Whole-grain bread
- Whole-grain pasta
10.) Beans: Stabilizes Brain-Dependent Glucose (Blood Sugar) Levels
Inexpensive, convenient and versatile, beans are the ultimate brain-friendly food. Beans are a slowly digested, nutrient-dense starch that provide the brain with its preferred fuel: glucose.
Beans pack a powerful punch of brain-friendly nutrients including magnesium, zinc, fiber, antioxidants, and folate. Folate in particular is essential for brain function, as a deficiency can lead to neurological disorders, such as depression and cognitive impairment. According to Nature Reviews Neuroscience, beans provide more folate than any other food.
“Don’t underestimate the power of beans. This wholesome starch can be enjoyed in any form – canned, fresh, frozen, or dry – and the brain benefits are phenomenal. Their antioxidant power rivals berries and in fact beans offer more fiber and folate than any other food group,” says NickiRD.
Other Brain Boosters
In addition to a healthy diet, exercise also helps to keep our brains sharp. Research suggests that regular exercise improves cognitive function, slows down the mental aging process and helps us process information more effectively. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of exercise per week to support the brain and body.
Along with diet and exercise, here are a few additional tips to optimize your brain function:
- Not eating too much or too little
- Getting enough sleep
- Keeping hydrated
- Reducing stress through yoga, mindfulness, or meditation
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Taking brain power supplements
*Content published by the American Brain Society (ABS), such as text, graphics, reports, images, and other materials created by ABS and other materials contained on americanbrainsociety.org are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the americanbrainsociety.org.
The brain, brainstem, spinal cord, and nerves.
It helps to periodically step back and assess the current state of your relationship. Here’s how to get started.
It’s true that anxiety temporarily abates when you avoid feared situations. If that’s the case, why is avoiding things that make you anxious so problematic?
Preschool Curriculum: What’s In It For Children and Teachers (/Mommy’s and Daddy’s)
Preschool Curriculum is an accessible research synthesis of how and how much young children learn in the academic domains of oral language, literacy, mathematics, and science.
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Uplift your spirit and your space with plant care tips from Christopher Griffin, aka Plant Kween!
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Illustrator Charly Clements is back with a new class showing how to create playful designs using Procreate’s symmetry tool.
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Discover how to shoot and edit compelling conceptual photographs on your phone with photo artist Amelie Satzger.
Addressing the Crisis of Black Youth Suicide
Each September, people in the U.S. and around the world observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to help raise awareness and share information about this important public health concern. As director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), I have made suicide prevention one of my top priorities, and although I have written about suicide in the past, I wanted to revisit this topic to bring attention to this critical area of concern.
One often overlooked aspect of the rising rates of suicide in the U.S. is its impact on youth — and in particular, its impact on Black youth. Black people face increased rates of risk factors, including experiences of racism, higher rates of unemployment and financial and food insecurity, disparities in other aspects of health, and limited access to care, all of which result in an increased burden of mental illness in black communities. Despite this heavy burden, Black people and individuals in other racial and ethnic minority groups have historically had relatively low rates of suicide. But this has been changing recently, especially for Black youth. As of 2018, suicide became the second leading cause of death in Black children aged 10-14, and the third leading cause of death in Black adolescents aged 15-19. By combining data from 2001 to 2015, researchers were able to examine suicides among children ages 12 and younger and found that Black children were more likely to die by suicide than their White peers.
This crisis of Black youth suicide is beginning to receive the attention it deserves. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) and the Congressional Black Caucus deserve credit for raising awareness of the issue and for establishing the Emergence Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health. Their report,
was released in December 2019. This report describes key research findings related to suicide among Black youth. Most importantly, it provides research, policy, and practice recommendations to address this issue, such as improving research funding of minority scientists and increasing funding of research focused on Black youth suicide and Black youth mental health.
More research is needed on how suicide and risk develops among Black youth, and how it can be best prevented. Significant questions remain in terms of understanding and predicting suicide risk among Black youth — while some risk factors have been well-researched and are clear (e.g., gender, victim of bullying and bullying others, LGBTQ+ discrimination, exposure to trauma, racial discrimination), there are other risk factors that are less clear. For example, some research suggests that Black adolescents who have contemplated or attempted suicide are less likely to have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Another significant risk factor is access to firearms — research points to higher rates of Black youth mortality due to firearms compared to other racial/ethnic groups — which is why we’re supporting infrastructure to improve research on firearm safety for youth.
One factor that may be contributing to increases in the risk of suicide in Black youth may be disparities in access to mental health services. Black youth continue to be less likely to receive mental health treatment for depression when needed, compared to White youth. Rates of engagement in and completion of treatments for depression are lower for Black adolescents (compared to White adolescents), often due to negative perceptions of services and providers and reluctance to acknowledge symptoms. Black youth are also significantly less likely than White youth to receive outpatient treatment even after a suicide attempt.
The good news is that NIMH-funded research has begun to point the way towards better risk identification and effective interventions that can help reverse these trends. Implementing universal screening for suicide risk using the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions toolkit, developed by investigators in the NIMH Intramural Research Program, can identify youth at risk, including Black youth. And, targeted efforts such as school-based mental health clinics can improve engagement in mental health care among Black youth with depression.
Nonetheless, we need considerably more research focused on solutions for Black children and adolescents if we are to truly make a difference for those in need. Accordingly, NIMH continues to expand opportunities for scientists interested in studying these issues, as articulated in our recent Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) in Research on Risk and Prevention of Black Youth Suicide. Other initiatives, including a call to establish Practice-Based Suicide Prevention Research Centers, though broader, are also designed to support work in minority communities and address disparities that affect Black youth. And we continue to look for additional opportunities to support science aimed at addressing this crisis. Black youths’ lives matter, and NIMH research must be aimed at saving lives and alleviating suffering in Black communities in need.
Breland-Noble, A. M., & AAKOMA Project Adult Advisory Board (2012). Community and treatment engagement for depressed African American youth: the AAKOMA FLOA pilot. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 19(1), 41–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-011-9281-0
Bridge, J. A., Horowitz, L. M., Fontanella, C. A., Sheftall, A. H., Greenhouse, J., Kelleher, K. J., & Campo, J. V. (2018). Age-related racial disparity in suicide rates among US youths from 2001 through 2015. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(7), 697–699. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.0399
Cummings, J. R., Ji, X., Lally, C., & Druss, B. G. (2019). Racial and ethnic differences in minimally adequate depression care among Medicaid-enrolled youth. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 58(1), 128–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2018.04.025
DeVylder, J. E., Ryan, T. C., Cwik, M., Wilson, M. E., Jay, S., Nestadt, P. S., Goldstein, M., & Wilcox, H. C. (2019). Assessment of selective and universal screening for suicide risk in a pediatric emergency department. JAMA Network Open, 2(10), e1914070. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.14070
Fowler, K. A., Dahlberg, L. L., Haileyesus, T., Gutierrez, C., & Bacon, S. (2017). Childhood firearm injuries in the United States. Pediatrics, 140(1), e20163486. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-3486
Joe, S., Baser, R. S., Neighbors, H. W., Caldwell, C. H., & Jackson, J. S. (2009). 12-month and lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts among black adolescents in the national survey of American life. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(3), 271–282. https://doi.org/10.1097/CHI.0b013e318195bccf
Lindsey, M. A., Chambers, K., Pohle, C., Beall, P., & Lucksted, A. (2013). Understanding the behavioral determinants of mental health service use by urban, under-resourced black youth: Adolescent and caregiver perspectives. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 22(1), 107–121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-012-9668-z
Musci, R. J., Hart, S. R., Ballard, E. D., Newcomer, A., Van Eck, K., Ialongo, N., & Wilcox, H. (2016). Trajectories of suicidal ideation from sixth through tenth grades in predicting suicide attempts in young adulthood in an urban African American cohort. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 46(3), 255–265. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12191
NIMH Livestream Event: Suicide Prevention Strategies
Suicide is a major public health concern. More than 48,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States, and it was the 10th leading cause of death overall in 2018. Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on suicide is still unknown, the slow but steady increases in the U.S. suicide rate remain a concern.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) discussion on the latest in suicide prevention research, including ways to identify risk, and effective prevention strategies. Joshua Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., Director of NIMH, moderates this discussion with Jane Pearson, Ph.D., Special Advisor to the NIMH Director on Suicide Research, and Stephen O’Connor, Ph.D., chief of the Suicide Prevention Research Program in the NIMH Division of Services and Intervention Research.
Note: If you need help finding a provider, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255); En Español 1-888-628-9454.
“Achieving long-term economic growth and shared prosperity requires us to work together with our partners in government, private sector, and civil society to address corruption and its corrosive impacts.”
— Mari Elka Pangestu
The World Bank has undertaken a fresh assessment of challenges governments face in tackling corruption, what instruments tend to work and why, and how incremental progress is being achieved in specific country contexts. Our flagship report is a timely piece of work that shows positive examples of how countries are progressing in their fight to #EndCorruption.
As the days grow shorter in the fall, some people start to have trouble with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression with a recurring seasonal pattern. Antidepressant medication, cognitive behavioral therapy (a type of psychotherapy), and light therapy can all have beneficial effects on SAD symptoms. Although low levels of vitamin D have been found in some people with SAD, it’s unclear whether vitamin D supplements are helpful. Besides vitamin D, a few other dietary supplements have also been considered as SAD treatments, including melatonin, St. John’s wort, vitamin B12, and ginkgo biloba. Very little (medical) research has been done on these (old-remedy) supplements, and none of them have been shown to be beneficial.
Find out more
DEC Announces Enforcement of New York’s Plastic Bag Ban to Start Oct. 19, 2020
DEC will begin enforcement of the State’s ban on single-use plastic carryout bags on Oct. 19, 2020. The plastic bag ban, which went into effect on March 1, was not enforced per an agreement between the parties in a lawsuit brought by Poly-Pak Industries, Inc., et al, in New York State Supreme Court.
Operation Legend: Case of the Day10/01/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Each weekday, the Department of Justice will highlight a case that has resulted from Operation Legend. Today’s case is out of the Northern District of Ohio. Operation Legend launched in Cleveland on July 29, 2020, in response to the city facing increased homicide and non-fatal shooting rates.
United States Obtains Final Judgement and Permanent Injunction Against Edward Snowden10/01/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Department Of Justice Applauds President Trump’s Authorization Of The Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement And Reform Permanent Extension Act10/01/2020 12:00 AM EDT
On October 1, President Donald J. Trump signed into law a continuing resolution that contains the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Permanent Extension Act (the “Act”). The Act reauthorizes the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act (ACPERA) and repeals the sunset provision therein.
Justice Department Awards over $9 Million to Combat Elder Fraud and Abuse10/01/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Justice Department Issues Favorable Business Review Letter To ISDA For Proposed Amendments To Address Interest Rate Benchmarks10/01/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division announced today that it has completed its review of the proposal by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association Inc. (ISDA) to amend its standardized model documentation for derivatives to account for the potential discontinuation of certain interbank offered rates (collectively referred to as “IBORs”). The department has concluded, based on the representations in ISDA’s letter request, including its description of certain safeguards, that ISDA’s proposed amendments to its standardized documentation are unlikely to harm competition. Therefore, the department does not presently intend to challenge ISDA’s proposed amendments to its standardized documentation for derivatives.
Wisconsin Pain Management Companies To Settle False Claims Act Allegations10/01/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice announced today that Advanced Pain Management Holdings Inc. (APMH), its wholly-owned subsidiaries, APM Wisconsin MSO (“APM MSO”) and Advanced Pain Management LLC (APM LLC); and Advanced Pain Management S.C. (APMSC) (collectively the “APM Entities”) have agreed to pay $885,452 to settle claims that they violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks and by performing medically unnecessary laboratory tests. The APM Entities are headquartered in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area.
Seventeen years after it was born with the help of CIA seed money, the data-mining outfit Palantir Technologies is finally going public.
By: Frank Bajak, The Associated Press
🔊 COVID Alert NY —
The official Exposure Notification App created by the New York State Department of Health in partnership with Google and Apple. Now you can use your phone to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and you can receive exposure alert notifications without compromising your privacy or personal information.
is the process of gathering a ripe crop from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper. On smaller farms with minimal mechanization, harvesting is the most labor-intensive activity of the growing season. On large mechanized farms, harvesting utilizes the most expensive and sophisticated farm machinery, such as the combine harvester. Process automation has increased the efficiency of both the seeding and harvesting process. Specialized harvesting equipment utilizing conveyor belts to mimic gentle gripping and mass transport replaces the manual task of removing each seedling by hand. The term “harvesting” in general usage may include immediate postharvest handling, including cleaning, sorting, packing, and cooling.
The completion of harvesting marks the end of the growing season, or the growing cycle for a particular crop, and the social importance of this event makes it the focus of seasonal celebrations such as harvest festivals, found in many religions.
(or farm-to-fork, and in some cases farm-to-school) is a social movement which promotes serving local food at restaurants and school cafeterias, preferably through direct acquisition from the producer (which might be a winery, brewery, ranch, fishery, or other type of food producer which is not strictly a “farm”). This might be accomplished by a direct sales relationship, a community-supported agriculture arrangement, a farmer’s market, a local distributor or by the restaurant or school raising its own food. Farm-to-table often incorporates a form of food traceability (celebrated as “knowing where your food comes from”) where the origin of the food is identified to consumers. Often restaurants cannot source all the food they need for dishes locally, so only some dishes or only some ingredients are labelled as local.
The farm-to-table movement has arisen more or less concurrently with changes in attitudes about food safety, food freshness, food seasonality, and small-farm economics. Advocates and practitioners of the farm-to-table model frequently cite the scarcity of fresh, local ingredients; the poor flavor of ingredients shipped from afar; the poor nutritional integrity of shipped ingredients; the disappearance of small family farms; the disappearance of heirloom and open-pollinated fruits and vegetables; and the dangers of a highly centralized food growing and distribution system as motivators for their decision to adopted a more locavore approach to the food system.
Stats for Stories for October 2020:
- Fire Prevention Week: October 4-10 (posting soon)
- German-American Day: October 6 (posting soon)
- Leif Erikson Day (Nordic-American heritage): October 9
- Earth Science Week: October 11-17
- World Statistics Day 2020: October 20
- National Nut Day: October 22
- The Incandescent Light Bulb: October 22-23
- National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: October 24
In October Trends: Every other year, we release long-term job projections by industry and occupation. This issue includes Alaska’s projections for 2018 thru 2028.
Cybersecuring U.S. Healthcare: Preventative Measures and Maintaining Healthy Connections
12:00 – 1:30 P M EST
The healthcare industry increasingly relies on internet-connected devices, telemedicine and digital health records to improve patient care and organizational efficiency. However, these technologies have made the industry a major target for bad actors intending to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased reliance on internet-connected devices. Citizens and hospitals alike have seen an increase in cyberattacks, such as phishing scams and data theft, and the urgency of the pandemic has only made the industry more vulnerable. In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, experts from industry and government will discuss the emerging threats facing the healthcare industry and consumers, and the steps we need to take to protect our nation’s healthcare and public health sector. Featured Speakers: – Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02), Co-Chair, Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus – Bradford J. Willke, Assistant Director for Stakeholder Engagement, U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – Joshua Corman, Visiting Researcher, U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – Greg Garcia, Executive Director, Cyber Security for the Health Sector Coordinating Council – Jane Harper, Senior Director, Information Security Risk Management and Business Engagement, Eli Lilly and Company – Katerina Megas, Program Manager, Cybersecurity for Internet of Things, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – Kelvin Coleman, Executive Director, National Cyber Security Alliance – Randy Vickers, CISO, House of Representatives
Celebrating Manufacturing Day 2020
U.S. manufacturers, with support from Federal, state, and local governments will play a significant role in our country emerging from the current crisis stronger than ever. Tune in to hear from successful manufacturers and how they have effectively tapped into Federal export promotion services to support their global market expansion.
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Dial In: 800-857-9620
Link:Log In Details
Event Password: Census! (If required, this password is only for users who join from a WebEx application or mobile app.)
NASA JPL EDUCATION
OCTOBER 1 thru 31
Celebrate Halloween With NASA Online
Audience: General Audience
Location: Online – NASA-JPL Edu
Overview: Discover pumpkin projects, spooky space galleries, and a sweet science lesson about candy bar insides. These online resources will get you spacing out with NASA this Halloween.
‘Echo Mapping’ in Faraway Galaxies Could Measure Vast Cosmic Distances
Matter swirling around supermassive black holes creates bursts of light that “echo” in nearby dust clouds. These traveling signals could serve as a new cosmic yardstick.
When you look up at the night sky, how do you know whether the specks of light that you see are bright and far away, or relatively faint and close by? One way to find out is to compare how much light the object actually emits with how bright it appears. The difference between its true luminosity and its apparent brightness reveals an object’s distance from the observer.
Measuring the luminosity of a celestial object is challenging, especially with black holes, which don’t emit light. But the supermassive black holes that lie at the center of most galaxies provide a loophole: They often pull lots of matter around them, forming hot disks that can radiate brightly. Measuring the luminosity of a bright disk would allow astronomers to gauge the distance to the black hole and the galaxy it lives in. Distance measurements not only help scientists create a better, three-dimensional map of the universe, they can also provide information about how and when objects formed.
Deterring ‘atrocious crimes’ contributes to development: International Criminal Court President
Trust Fund for VictimsStudents at a ‘peace school’ in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are being supported by the ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims assistance programme.Law and Crime Prevention
Deterring genocides, armed conflicts and other atrocious crimes supports sustainable development says the President of the UN-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) Chile Eboe-Osuji.
The ICC President, Chile Eboe-Osuji, addresses the Assembly of States Parties in The Hague, Netherlands in December 2019., by ICC
The ICC investigates and tries people for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression and has a key role to play in helping countries to bring peace and justice as well as build strong institutions. Those aims are central to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, one of 17 targets agreed by countries across the world to eradicate poverty, build a fairer and more peaceful world whilst protecting the planet.
UN News asked Mr. Eboe-Osuji how important justice is for peace and sustainable development
“The ICC has a very direct value to socio-economic development, because it aims to deter armed conflicts and the atrocities that they breed. Without justice, conflicts, atrocities and fear would reign free.
In concrete terms: how can we have successful socio-economic development, if farmers cannot go to their farms because of military operations, or landmines? Where entrepreneurs cannot do business due to destruction of economic infrastructures? Where children cannot go to school? Where precious resources are wasted on weapons, rather than education and healthcare? Where investors are scared away by conflict and instability? Where people are killed, injured and traumatised for life? Where the best brains of the nation are compelled to flee in search of a safer life elsewhere? And where countries struggle to cope with refugee flows from neighbouring countries at war?
The devastating effect of wars on economic development cannot be overstated.
According to a study published in 2011 by the World Bank, the average cost of civil war is equivalent to more than 30 years of GDP growth for a medium-size developing economy and trade levels after major episodes of violence take 20 years to recover.”
|COVID-19 underscores need to deliver on promise of landmark women’s rights conferenceUnless countries act now, the COVID-19 pandemic could erase recent “fragile progress” towards gender equality, the UN Secretary-General warned on Thursday, urging governments to put women at the centre of recovery and response. Women|
MINUSCA/Hervé SerefioCentral African Republic: elections are ‘unique opportunity’ for peace – GuterresThe UN Secretary-General has called for parties in the Central African Republic (CAR) to prioritize national dialogue and consensus-building ahead of elections scheduled to begin in December. Peace and Security©
UNHCR/Nicolo Filippo RossoTop humanitarian award winner ‘nothing short of heroic’: UN refugee chief An educator and rights defender who has spent more than 20 years rescuing exploited and trafficked children in Colombia, represents “the best of us”, the UN refugee chief said on Thursday, as she was named the winner of this year’s Nansen Refugee Award.Migrants and Refugees
WFP/Rein SkullerudAnnual report: Pandemic recovery must be measured in ‘human rather than economic terms’We must “commit” to building a more inclusive and sustainable world, the UN chief underscored in his annual report on the Work of the Organization, launched on Thursday.UN Affairs
Photo: Mathieu Galtier/IRINStranded migrants need safe and dignified return, says independent UN rights panelGovernments should immediately address the inhumane conditions in detention faced by migrant workers who are also being blamed for spreading the coronavirus, a UN panel of independent rights experts said on Thursday.Human Rights©
UNICEF/Giacomo PirozziListen to older people’s ‘suggestions and ideas’ for more inclusive societies, urges UN chiefAmidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is reckoning with the disproportionate and severe impact that the virus has wrought on the “health…rights and well being” of older persons, the UN chief has said, marking the international day highlighting their issues.Human Rights
Trust Fund for VictimsDeterring ‘atrocious crimes’ contributes to development: International Criminal Court PresidentDeterring genocides, armed conflicts and other atrocious crimes supports sustainable development says the President of the UN-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) Chile Eboe-Osuji.Law and Crime Prevention
|Coronavirus Portal & News UpdatesReaders can find information and guidance on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the UN, World Health Organization and UN agencies here.|
Operation Legend: Case of the Day10/02/2020 12:00 AM EDT
An Albuquerque man was charged on Sept. 29, 2020, in federal court for possessing fentanyl, heroin, and more than a kilo of methamphetamine, as well as four firearms.
Statement from Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband and Michigan U.S. Attorneys on Michigan Supreme Court Ruling Striking Down Governor Whitmer’s Pandemic-Related Orders10/02/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Eric Dreiband, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider for the Eastern District of Michigan, and U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge for the Western District of Michigan issued the following statements:
Two Members of Notorious Videogame Piracy Group “Team Xecuter” in Custody10/02/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Two leaders of one of the world’s most notorious videogame piracy groups, Team Xecuter, have been arrested and are in custody facing charges filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
Owner of Medical Laboratory Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Tax Returns10/02/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Shreveport, Louisiana, business owner was sentenced to 40 months in prison on Sept. 30, 2020, for filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana Alexander C. Van Hook.
Department of Justice Files Statement of Interest Supporting Capitol Hill Baptist Church’s Efforts to Practice its Faith During COVID-1910/02/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Justice Department today filed a statement of interest in federal district court in Washington, D.C., arguing the Constitution and federal law require the District of Columbia to accommodate Capitol Hill Baptist Church’s effort to hold worship services outdoors, at least to the same extent the District of Columbia allows other forms of outdoor First Amendment activity, such as peaceful protests.
| 1. President Trump and first lady test positive for COVID-19|
(The Associated Press) President Donald Trump said Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus, just a month before the presidential election.
NASA Space Apps Challenge
OCT 2, 9 A.M. thru OCT. 4, 11:59 P.M. LOCAL TIME
NASA Space Apps Challenge
Audience: General Audience
Location: Online – Space Apps Challenge
Overview: The Space Apps Challenge is an international hackathon for coders, scientists, makers, and others in cities around the world, where teams use NASA’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space.
Creating Connections: Volunteers and Professionals Part 1 (webinar) –
9 a.m. – Join NYC ReLeaf for a two-part webinar series on Creating Connections: Volunteers and Professionals. This virtual workshop features presentations on environmental education and volunteers, urban soils, a discussion of the Play Fair initiative and its impact on the City’s tree budget, and virtual tours of Snug Harbor Botanical Gardens and the Greenbelt Native Plant Center. Registration in advance is required; register for Part 1 online. Part 1 features the following presentations and is approved for one credit for CNLP, ISA Credits are pending:
- Virtual Tour of Snug Harbor presented by Greg Lord (Director of Horticulture, Staten Island Botanical Garden)
- NYC Soils presented by Rich Shaw (Retired, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service)
- Environmental Education in a Natural Setting presented by Suzannah Abbate (Director of Education and Engagement, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden) and Maritza Cuevas (Director of Education, Greenbelt Conservancy)
Remember a Headlamp
A headlamp or flashlight is one of the 10 essential items you should bring on every hike. DEC is seeing an increase in individuals without headlamps requiring rescue. Hiking in the dark can be dangerous. When you are unable to see where you are going, you are more likely to get lost or injured. A headlamp will help you hike out safely if you get caught in the woods after dark. Even if your planned hike should conclude before sunset, you should still bring a headlamp in case of emergencies or unexpected delays. Do not rely on your phone’s flashlight. Phones can die and using the flashlight will drain your battery quickly. Bring extra batteries and a back-up source of light as well.
Approximate Time of Sunset: 6:30 p.m.
Carry Extra Layers
Fall is here, which means it’s time to layer up. It’s getting colder in the mountains, and temperatures fluctuate depending on the time of day and your elevation. Stay safe and warm by wearing and bringing the right clothes. Start with non-cotton, moisture-wicking base layers. Wear or pack additional warm, waterproof, and windproof layers, a hat, and mittens. Bring extra base layers and socks. Add or remove layers as needed. Avoid sweating through your clothes. As sweaty clothes cool, they create ideal conditions for hypothermia. Learn more about layering and fall hiking preparedness on DEC’s Hike Smart NY webpages.
Daytime Temperature ~ 50s
Nighttime Temperature ~ 30s
UN chief reiterates call for global ceasefire, marking International Day of Non-Violence
UN Photo/Mark GartenDoves released at the UN Headquarters, in New York. (File photo) October 2, 2020 Peace and Security
The UN Secretary-General repeated his call for a global ceasefire on Friday, commemorating the International Day of Non Violence, which is taking place this year in the shadow of the devastating human and socio-economic impacts resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
“There is only one winner of conflict during a pandemic: the virus itself,” said Mr. Guterres.
“As the pandemic took hold, I called for a global ceasefire. Today we need a new push by the international community to make this a reality by the end of this year,” he added.
Cease-fires, the Secretary-General said, would ease immense suffering, help to lower the risk of famine, and create space for negotiations towards peace.
“Deep mistrust stands in the way. Yet I see reasons for hope. In some places, we see a standstill in the violence,” he said, noting that many Member States, religious leaders, civil society networks and others backed his call.
“Now is the time to intensify our efforts. Let us be inspired by the spirit of Gandhi and the enduring principles of the UN Charter,” added Mr. Guterres.
‘Remarkable power’ of non-violence and peaceful protest
In his message, the Secretary-General also said that the International Day highlights the “remarkable power” of non-violence and peaceful protest.
“It is a timely reminder to strive to uphold values that Gandhi lived by: the promotion of dignity, equal protection for all, and communities living together in peace,” he said.
The UN General Assembly, through a resolution in 2007, designated 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence to coincide with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who led the Indian independence movement and pioneered the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
|Countries face ‘critical moment’ in COVID response: UN health agency chiefWith strong leadership and comprehensive strategies it’s never too late for countries to change the trendlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite passing the tragic milestone of one million deaths this week amid regional surges in infections, said the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday.Health|
UNOCHASudan alert: Flooding and surging inflation threaten humanitarian assistance Catastrophic flooding and rising food and health costs in Sudan, have driven up the number of people in need, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Friday. Humanitarian Aid
OCHA/Themba LindenIraq urged to investigate attacks on women human rights defendersUN-appointed independent rights experts have urged the Iraqi authorities to investigate the murder of a female human rights defender, and the attempted killing of another, targeted “simply because they are women”.Human Rights
Unsplash/Burgess MilnerGuterres: Only way to remove nuclear risk, ‘completely eliminate nuclear weapons’The elimination of nuclear weapons is vital to the “survival of life on this planet”, the UN chief told the final major event of the General Assembly’s high level week on Friday.Peace and Security
IOM LibyaMediterranean Sea: ‘Cycle of violence’ for fleeing migrants must be addressedThe UN human rights office OHCHR, called on Friday for urgent action to address the “unimaginable horrors” faced by migrants attempting to cross the central Mediterranean Sea in search of safety in Europe.Migrants and Refugees
UN Photo/Mark GartenUN chief reiterates call for global ceasefire, marking International Day of Non-ViolenceThe UN Secretary-General repeated his call for a global ceasefire on Friday, commemorating the International Day of Non Violence, which is taking place this year in the shadow of the devastating human and socio-economic impacts resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Peace and Security
|Coronavirus Portal & News UpdatesReaders can find information and guidance on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the UN, World Health Organization and UN agencies here.|
Condé Nast Spotlight
If you choose to shave, you’ll need a high-quality lubricant to help the razor glide across your skin. Whether you like creams, lotions, or foams, one of these dermatologist-approved picks is sure to work like a charm.
For birthdays, holidays, and just because.
THE NEW YORKERNew-Parent Riddles
Spotlight: The Latest on The Coronavirus
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELERCDC Extends No-Sail Advisory for U.S. Cruise Industry Through October 31
Spotlight: Elections 2020
THE NEW YORKERBattling Anxiety Over Making Sure Your Vote Gets Counted
Spotlight: Racism in America
The 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America
From coast to coast, AD ranks the nation’s most visually stunning locales
Sir David Adjaye Has Won the 2021 Royal Gold Medal
The Ghanaian-British virtuoso has designed buildings that are among the world’s most striking; this marks the first time in the award’s 172-year history that it’s been presented to a Black architect.
By Dan Avery
Today’s Essentials – This week…
If you want to improve the quality of relationships with your friends, significant others, and colleagues, find out what good listeners do.
Doctors with eating disorders often find it difficult to ask for help. Here are some of the underlying reasons for their tendency to conceal and neglect their own ill health.
These days, the first thing we wonder when someone dies is, “Was it COVID?” Asking the bereaved that question may be creating an incidental epidemic of disenfranchised grief.
The passing of psychologist Scott Lilienfeld has impacted countless individuals. He was a legend in the field—as well as a mentor, teacher, and scholar.
Growing evidence suggests that having daily spiritual experiences of “oneness” or “sacred moments” increases psychological well-being, reduces stress, and promotes flourishing.
Westerners use rules and punishment to shape children. Indigenous peoples traditionally provide extensive support and do not interfere in a child’s wayfinding in life.
How unexpected news about the infirmity of others allows us to recognize our own humanity and capacity for compassion.
Be on the lookout for these before you’re manipulated!
American culture sometimes seems to exude ignorance, but we aren’t a nation of dummies.
We’re living in a new normal, which requires us to take a new perspective. Here are 8 steps to give you instant lifts that might just make October your best month of this year.
The biggest change in recovering was not learning to walk and talk again, but to feel happy.
Maria Hartwig and Mark Fallon reject the normalization of BS and share Orwell’s credo that truth matters.
An opportunity to self-motivate, reflect, and be in the moment.
A new machine-learning algorithm accelerates metabolic engineering for synthetic biology.
When things suddenly shut down in early Spring, there were no goodbye parties, no stories, hugs, and mixed emotions measured in laughter and tears. How do we say goodbye to what was?
Has someone you knew and cared for violated your trust? Learn about if and how to ever trust again.
Psychotropic medication, including magic mushrooms, is not the simple, quick and easy panacea for mental health and interpersonal harmony. This post discusses the reasons.
Show who’s in charge
The plague came to England the same year Shakespeare was born. Compare the reaction of 16th century Europeans to 21st century Americans.
Are we really obliged to well-wish Donald Trump?
Well before science revealed secret affairs, sexual assault or the opportunity for donor conceptions, humanity was engaged in a struggle between the biological and cultural drives.
Are you thinking about gardening? Gardening enhances physical and mental well-being, lessens depressed mood and anxiety, and can help you deal with the stresses of COVID-19.
We’re here on Earth to do well, and happiness is our birthright.
The denial of death would be a trait common to any intelligent life form anywhere in the universe.
Are you frustrated wondering what to do about the tragedies you see around you these days? Consider thinking differently and making many small changes.
Is it okay to laugh and sing about borderline personality disorder?
The science of facilitating intellectual and social growth at home
Violin lessons that came with a first-hand look at Folie à Deux
Consciousness is both the most familiar and the most mysterious aspect of existence.
Are you still procrastinating?
These times call for bringing diverse people together to tune in to their deeper wisdom, to listen to each other, to align and collaborate.
Does stigma around mental illness still exist? Or has it simply changed?
A resource that author Diana Gruver wishes she had during her struggle with depression.
Many have trouble saying no, but it can take a toll—burnout, resentment, a feeling that relationships are unbalanced, that you never get back what you need. Here’s how to start.
Owner of Montana Construction Company Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Fraud10/05/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Great Falls, Montana, businessman pleaded guilty today to employment tax fraud, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Kurt G. Alme for the District of Montana.
John McAfee Indicted for Tax Evasion10/05/2020 12:00 AM EDT
An indictment was unsealed today charging John David McAfee with tax evasion and willful failure to file tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee. The June 15, 2020 indictment was unsealed following McAfee’s arrest in Spain where he is pending extradition.
Former Resident of Stockton, California Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Human Trafficking Convictions Related to Forced Labor of Foreign Nationals10/05/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Sharmistha Barai, 40, formerly of Stockton, California, was sentenced Friday, Oct. 2 to 15 years and eight months in prison for forced labor violations.
Justice Department Settles with Minnesota-Based Company to Resolve Discrimination Claims Under the Immigration and Nationality Act10/05/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice announced today that it reached a settlement with WinCraft, Incorporated (WinCraft), a Minnesota-based sports manufacturing company with locations in Iowa, Florida, and Washington. The settlement resolves claims that WinCraft violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by requiring lawful permanent residents to provide specific work authorization documentation without any legal justification because of their immigration status.
The Pentagon is concerned about China’s dominance of rare earth elements.
By: Joe Gould and Aaron Mehta
The Short Answer: Most Likely Not The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that humans can pass coronaviruses and specifically COVID-19 to each other. Research also indicates that the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus started in China with transmission from animals to humans. In some parts of China, animals such as bats and rats are consumed as food and researchers suspect this to be the origin of COVID-19.
UPDATE 4/10/20: A deceased rat found in Kerala, India is being tested for the presence of novel Coronavirus, The rat tested for COVID-19 was found dead near the Kasaragod General Hospital. The hospital is an isolation ward for COVID-19 patients.
UPDATE 4/6/2020: A tiger at the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for coronavirus leaving many to speculate if the disease could be transmitted to other animals such as pets, rodents, livestock etc…
UPDATE 4/3/20: National Geographic reports that scientists are examining the possibility of the COVID-19 taking refuge in new animal carriers that could potentially spread the virus to humans in the future.UPDATE 3/16/20: One origin point of the virus being investigated is through the consumption of bamboo rats, Rhizomys sinensis. Bamboo rats are large rodents that live in high elevations in parts of Southeast Asia.
*Illustration of the Bamboo Rat
Currently, the bamboo rat meat trade has been banned in China and research may identify them as significant carriers of the COVID-19 virus. China’s Global Television Network reported that experts think that bamboo rats may serve as an intermediary host of the COVID-19 virus. As of now, it is too early to attribute the transmission to a specific animal, and if the disease could be passed on to North American commensal rodents such as the Rattus rattus (Black rat), Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) or the Mus musculus (House mouse). It is advised at this point to avoid any pathogen carrying rodents including North American mice and rat species. As this is a developing story, we will have updates as soon as we learn more.
The Long Answer: Rats Can Carry Other Coronaviruses
At the moment, we are still learning more about the COVID-19 virus. In regards to other coronaviruses, the website Science Direct clearly states that rats can carry coronaviruses with a similar disease even being named Rat Coronavirus. Rat coronaviruses present a highly contagious transmission ability, and a sneeze by an infected rat can spread the virus dramatically.
As for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, Time reported that no one knows for sure which wild animal transmitted the pneumonia-like disease. The 2019 pandemic may have started with COVID-19 rats or perhaps civet cats or bats.
Regardless of the origin point, rat species ability to carry disease is alarming among this new pandemic. Making sure that your home and business are rodent-free is paramount to protecting your health and safety. While the research is still being conducted on COVID-19, there are a variety of additional pathogens that we know for certain that rats can carry into your home. Here is a list of diseases that can be transmitted by commensal rodents.
Other Diseases Carried By Mice & Rats
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms the presence of diseases rats carry in the United States and Canada, but many more exist around the world. You may wonder can rats carry coronavirus, and science proves that they do. Learn More >>
|JOIN US ONLINE AT NVIDIA’S GPU TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 5-9 For the first time NVIDA’s GPU Technology Conference (GTC) will be online. As NVIDIA’s Consulting Partner of the Year, we’re proud to present the following advanced AI sessions at GTC:|
• Building a Next-generation Cyber Flyaway Kit
• Grounded Language Learning in Robotics
• Classifying Sequences of Extreme Length with Constant Memory Applied to Malware Detection
• Control Theory Defenses Against Adversarial Attacks
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|COVID-19 SAFE RETURN SIMULATOR: KNOW WHEN YOUR COMMUNITY MOVES TO LOW RISKBooz Allen’s team of data scientists, epidemiologists, and public health experts developed the COVID-19 Safe Return Simulator to predict when individual localities may be low risk based on a variety of key metrics around monitoring disease spread and healthcare capacity.TRY THE SIMULATOR >>|
70 per cent of COVID cases located in just 10 countries, WHO reports
UN Women/Louie PacardoWearing a full protective suit, a women doctor who leads a group of volunteer medical professionals attending to COVID-19 patients and persons under investigation at a community hospital in the Philippines.Health
While COVID-19 has affected all countries, the pandemic is “uneven”, and it is estimated that 10 per cent of the global population may have been infected with the virus, senior officials with the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.
Speaking to a special session of the agency’s Executive Board, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said 10 countries account for 70 per cent of all reported cases and deaths, and just three countries account for half.
“Not all countries have responded the same way, and not all countries have been affected the same way”, he told the 34 members.
Most people still at risk
Globally, there were more than 35 million cases of COVID-19 as of Monday, and more than one million deaths.
Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO Emergencies Director, reported that the pandemic continues to evolve, with a surge in Southeast Asia, an “upward trajectory” in the northern hemisphere, and an increase in cases and deaths in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, the situation “is currently rather more positive” in Africa and the Western Pacific.
|70 per cent of COVID cases located in just 10 countries, WHO reportsWhile COVID-19 has affected all countries, the pandemic is “uneven”, and it is estimated that 10 per cent of the global population may have been infected with the virus, senior officials with the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.Health|
MINUSTAH/Logan AbassiViolent protests sparked by murder, bring Haiti to brink of instability, Security Council warnedViolent protests sparked by the murder of a high-profile legal scholar are threatening to push Haiti into a spiral of instability, Special Representative Helen La Lime told the Security Council on Monday, as she outlined UN efforts to help overcome the impasse engulfing the country.Peace and Security
OCHA/Giles ClarkePut peace in Libya first, UN chief urges summit on war-shattered nation A “rare opportunity” for peace in Libya should be seized by all those involved directly or indirectly in the conflict, António Guterres said on Monday, at a High-Level virtual meeting convened to end the fighting. Peace and Security©
UNICEF/UNI368162/SengReimagine education to achieve quality learning for all, UN and partners urgeNow is the time to “think beyond COVID-19” to reimagine education and realize the goal of providing all students with access to quality learning, UN agencies and their partners said on Monday in a joint statement to mark World Teachers’ Day. Culture and Education©
UNICEF/Pavel ZmeyCOVID-19 disrupting critical mental health services, WHO warnsThe global pandemic has disrupted critical mental health services in 93 per cent of the countries it surveyed, underscoring the devastating impact of COVID-19 and highlighting an urgent need to scale up funding, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has said. Health
UN News/Vibhu MishraHarness ‘transformative potential’ of urbanization for people and planetCommemorating World Habitat Day, top UN officials on Monday called for urgent action to provide low-income families and vulnerable populations more secure affordable housing and easy access to water, sanitation, transport and other basic services. SDGs
UN Photo/Mark GartenUN condemns deadly suicide attack in eastern AfghanistanThe United Nations has strongly condemned Saturday’s suicide attack on a government building in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan, and underlined that the perpetrators must be brought to justice. Peace and Security
UNESCO/Naw Ray May DeeLearning lessons from COVID-19 in MyanmarSchool closures in Myanmar resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have affected millions of students. The UN is working with the country’s authorities to ensure that the education system is made more resilient, and children’s schooling is protected as much as possible.Culture and Education
|Coronavirus Portal & News UpdatesReaders can find information and guidance on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the UN, World Health Organization and UN agencies here.|
Operation Legend: Case of the Day10/06/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Detroit man was charged in federal court with drug trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm.
Department of Justice Awards over $1.8 Billion in Grants to Assist Victims Nationwide10/06/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Justice Department Settles Citizenship-Status Discrimination Against South Carolina Security Guard Firm Involving Former Interpreter for the U.S. Military in Iraq10/06/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Justice Department announced today that it reached a settlement with Security Management of South Carolina LLC (Security Management), a private security company that provides armed and unarmed security services throughout South Carolina and Georgia.
Jersey/Swiss Financial Services Firm Admits to Conspiring with U.S. Taxpayers to Hide Assets and Income in Offshore Accounts10/06/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Strachans SA in Liquidation pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring with U.S. taxpayers and others to hide income and assets in offshore entities and bank accounts from the IRS, and was sentenced in accordance with the guilty plea, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Nicola T. Hanna, and Chief James Lee of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Florida Recording Artist and Pennsylvania Man Charged for Role in $24 Million COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme10/06/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Florida recording artist and a Pennsylvania towing company owner have been charged for their alleged participation in a scheme to file fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $24 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Justice Department Awards $144 Million to Improve Services for Crime Victims10/06/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice today awarded grants totaling over $144 million to enhance services for victims of crime across the United States.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has inducted the first of a new intelligence-gathering aircraft into service, following a two-year flight test program.By: Mike Yeo
But the armed forces minister insists this doesn’t mean the defense industry has been left out in the cold.By: Christina Mackenzie
The signed agreement came during a meeting between the Air Force and Army chiefs of staff.By: Andrew Eversden
A report on inspections of U.S. Navy ships shows the surface fleet struggling with declining readiness.By: David B. Larter
The Periodic Table
The structure of the table shows periodic trends. The seven rows of the table, called periods, generally have metals on the left and nonmetals on the right. The columns, called groups, contain elements with similar chemical behaviours. Six groups have accepted names as well as assigned numbers: for example, group 17 elements are the halogens; and group 18 are the noble gases. Also displayed are four simple rectangular areas or blocks associated with the filling of different atomic orbitals.
The elements from atomic numbers 1 (hydrogen) through 118 (oganesson) have all been discovered or synthesized, completing seven full rows of the periodic table. The first 94 elements, hydrogen through plutonium, all occur naturally, though some are found only in trace amounts and a few were discovered in nature only after having first been synthesized. Elements 95 to 118 have only been synthesized in laboratories, nuclear reactors, or nuclear explosions. The synthesis of elements having higher atomic numbers is currently being pursued: these elements would begin an eighth row, and theoretical work has been done to suggest possible candidates for this extension. Numerous synthetic radioisotopes of naturally occurring elements have also been produced in laboratories.
The table here shows a widely used layout. Other forms (discussed below) show different structures in detail.
The organization of the periodic table can be used to derive relationships between the various element properties, and also to predict chemical properties and behaviours of undiscovered or newly synthesized elements. Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev published the first recognizable periodic table in 1869, developed mainly to illustrate periodic trends of the then-known elements. He also predicted some properties of unidentified elements that were expected to fill gaps within the table. Most of his forecasts soon proved to be correct, culminating with the discovery of gallium and germanium in 1875 and 1886 respectively, which corroborated his predictions. Mendeleev’s idea has been slowly expanded and refined with the discovery or synthesis of further new elements and the development of new theoretical models to explain chemical behaviour. The modern periodic table now provides a useful framework for analyzing chemical reactions, and continues to be widely used in chemistry, nuclear physics and other sciences. Some discussion remains ongoing regarding the placement and categorisation of specific elements, the future extension and limits of the table, and whether there is an optimal form of the table…Continue Reading
UN Special Adviser helps align UN and Africa on sustainable development path
UN NewsUN Special Adviser on Africa Cristina DuarteEconomic Development
“Helping to reshape the UN’s approach to better serve the continent and merge the UN-led Sustainable Development Goals with Africa’s own 2063 Agenda, are top priorities for the newly minted UN Special Adviser on Africa.
Cristina Duarte, who is also Under-Secretary-General on African Affairs, took up her position at the helm of the Office (OSAA), in August.
Previously, she had served as the Cape Verdean Minister of Finance, Planning and Public Administration, from 2006 to 2016.
Two months into her new role, Ms. Duarte spoke to UN News about the priorities and challenges her Office faces, aimed at bringing the UN family together with other systems and intergovernmental initiatives in Africa, so the continent can realize its full potential.
With a strong background in what she called “change leadership”, the OSSA chief began by explaining that her Office consists of a “small and powerful” team of 30 people who work closely with the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, African Group – that compose 28 per cent of UN Members States – and other key strategic policy makers, including at the African Union (AU) and regional economic commissions.
Moreover, OSSA is the only UN special office on African affairs.
Ms. Duarte maintained that the combination of its strategic position and unique UN role enable the Office to be a part of Africa’s “milestone” vision, strategy and action plan.
|Report outlines long road to post-COVID recovery for Latin America and CaribbeanEconomic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean will be slower than the return to productivity following the subprime mortgage crisis more than a decade ago, the head of the UN’s office for the region, ECLAC, said on Tuesday. Economic Development|
TANZBATT 7/Ibrahim MayambuaDR Congo’s fragile detente ‘could yet unravel’, Security Council warnedPlanning for a drawdown of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is well underway, but much work still remains to be done to put the country firmly on the path to long-term stability and sustainable development, the Security Council heard today.Peace and Security
UN Photo/Isaac BillyStarvation used as weapon of war in South Sudan conflict, UN rights body findsStarvation is being intentionally used as a war tactic in South Sudan’s brutal conflict, a UN-backed human rights panel said on Tuesday, releasing its latest report on the country. Human Rights
UN KyrgyzstanGuterres regrets death in Kyrgyzstan, calls for dialogue to end violenceThe UN Secretary-General said on Tuesday that he was “closely monitoring” the situation in the Kyrgyz Republic, where protests erupted a day earlier in the aftermath of Sunday’s parliamentary elections.Peace and Security©
UNICEF/Roger LeMoyneDR Congo: Children suffering ‘unrelenting violence’, UNICEF deeply concernedThousands of children continue to suffer grievously as unrelenting violence persists across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday, expressing deep concern.Humanitarian Aid
UN NewsUN Special Adviser helps align UN and Africa on sustainable development path“Helping to reshape the UN’s approach to better serve the continent and merge the UN-led Sustainable Development Goals with Africa’s own 2063 Agenda, are top priorities for the newly minted UN Special Adviser on Africa.Economic Development
Unsplash/KinseyMore action needed for seafarers, ‘collateral victims’ of measures to curb COVID-19Highlighting an “unparalleled crisis” affecting hundreds of thousands of crew members and maritime workers reeling due to the impact of COVID-19, the UN has called on the business sector and others involved in the shipping industry to do more to address the plight of seafarers worlwide. Human Rights
UNICEF/Rajat MadhokUN rights chief urges Iran to release jailed human rights defenders, citing COVID-19 riskThe top UN rights official has called on Iran to release imprisoned human rights defenders, lawyers and political prisoners, citing deep concerns over their situation and heightened risk of contracting COVID-19. Human Rights
UN Photo/Mark GartenUN chief condemns continuing escalation of violence in Nagorno-KarabakhThe United Nations Secretary-General has condemned the continuing escalation of violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, reminding all sides of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.Peace and Security
Operation Legend: Case of the Day10/07/2020 12:00 AM EDT
An Indiana man has been charged with a federal firearm offense for allegedly illegally selling dozens of handguns and assault rifles in the Chicago area.
Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulent Tax Return Scheme10/07/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Las Vegas, Nevada, man was sentenced to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman, U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan
Owner of North Carolina Temporary Staffing Firms Sentenced to Prison for Employment Tax Fraud10/07/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Greensboro, North Carolina, business owner was sentenced to 42 months in prison yesterday for failing to pay employment taxes, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Six Additional Individuals Indicted On Antitrust Charges In Ongoing Broiler Chicken Investigation10/07/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado, returned a superseding indictment charging six additional defendants for their roles in a previously indicted conspiracy to fix prices and rig bids for broiler chicken products, and containing additional allegations against the previously charged defendants in the same conspiracy, the Department of Justice announced today. The superseding indictment also charges one defendant with making false statements and obstruction of justice.
Justice Department Charges 500+ Domestic Violence-Related Firearm Cases in Fiscal Year 202010/07/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Today, the Department of Justice announced it has charged more than 500 domestic violence cases involving firearms during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. A department priority since 2019 when Attorney General William P. Barr created the Department of Justice’s first ever-Domestic Violence Working Group, these charges are the result of the critical law enforcement partnership between United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, led by Acting Director Regina Lombardo, who has made domestic violence firearms-related investigations a priority.
ISIS Militants Charged With Deaths Of Americans In Syria10/07/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Two militant fighters for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization, are expected to arrive in the United States today in FBI custody on charges related to their participation in a brutal hostage-taking scheme that resulted in the deaths of four American citizens, as well as the deaths of British and Japanese nationals, in Syria
DOJ CHARGES 500+ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE-RELATED FIREARM CASES IN FY2010/07/2020 12:00 AM EDT
United States Seizes Domain Names Used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps10/07/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The United States has seized 92 domain names that were unlawfully used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to engage in a global disinformation campaign, announced the Department of Justice.
CEO of Financial Firm Pleads Guilty to Running Multi-Million Dollar Securities and Tax Fraud Scheme, and Operating an Unlicensed Money Services Business10/07/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A California-based man pleaded guilty today to conspiring with others to defraud shareholders of publicly traded companies, transmitting millions of dollars through the operation of an unlicensed money-services business in California, and falsifying multiple years of federal tax returns.
Space Force gets its first vice chief of space operations
WASHINGTON — Gen. David “DT” Thompson is officially the U.S. Space Force’s first vice chief of space operations, following a small swearing in ceremony at the Pentagon Oct. 2.
The U.S. military’s top official said the Navy had to grow to more than 500 ships to maintain its dominance on the high seas.By: David B. Larter and Aaron Mehta
The Pentagon says the other senior military leaders have not tested positive for the coronavirus, but are self-quarantining out of caution.By: Stephen Losey
A growing number of Democrats in Congress are calling for the Trump administration to immediately suspend U.S. security aid to Azerbaijan as fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh reaches its second week.By: Joe Gould
Watch Now: The Future of Humanitarian Action Conversation Series
Conversation #2: The Fintech Revolution Powering the Future of Humanitarian Aid
10 a.m. ET
The second conversation in The Future of Humanitarian Action Conversation Series begins now. Come join us as leading experts discuss the Fintech Revolution and explore what it means for the future of humanitarian innovation. Hear from Iyinoluwa Aboyeji,general partner and co-founder of Future Africa; Allie Burns, CEO of Village Capital; Alexander Diaz, head of crisis response & humanitarian aid at Google.org; Michael Faye, president and co-founder of GiveDirectly; and Rashmi Pillai, executive director at Financial Sector Deepening Uganda, as they share their reflections, insights and the actionable steps we can all take to advance the fintech revolution.Watch Now
The event will be recorded and accessible here after 11:15 a.m. ET.
List of Wikipedias
Started in 2001, it currently contains 6,169,933 articles. Many other Wikipedias are available; some of the largest are listed below.
- More than 1,000,000 articles:
- More than 250,000 articles:
- More than 50,000 articles:
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Serena Williams Spoke Out About Being “Underpaid, Undervalued” As a Black Woman
“I’ve never been like anybody else in my life, and I’m not going to start now.”By Emily DixonMANNY CARABELGETTY IMAGES
- Serena Williams is the latest cover star of British Vogue.
- In her cover interview, she spoke about being “underpaid, undervalued” as a Black woman.
- “Someone in my position can show women and people of colour that we have a voice, because Lord knows I use mine,” she continued. “I love sticking up for people and supporting women. Being the voice that millions of people don’t have.”
Meet the People Behind the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Spacecraft
The new “Behind the Spacecraft” video series about the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite features NASA-JPL scientists and engineers working on the mission. Clockwise from top left: Severine Fournier, Shailen Desai, Ben Hamlington, Shannon Statham, and Parag Vaze. Image credits: NASA 360
› Larger view
Launching soon from the California coast, the satellite will track sea levels worldwide. A new video series introduces some of the NASA JPL scientists and engineers involved in the mission.
The world’s latest ocean-monitoring satellite is being readied for its Nov. 10 launch from California, and there’s a new video series that focuses on some of the many people behind the mission.
The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft will ensure continuity of the Jason series of operational missions, better our understanding of our rising seas, and help shape the future of sea-level studies.
Space sector works to keep societies and economies on track during COVID-19
NASAA satellite, as seen from space, tracks over South America.Peace and Security
Decades of developments in the space sector are being utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping countries to keep their citizens safe and economies on track, the head of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) said on Wednesday, in a speech to a virtual conference held by the world’s richest nations.
UNOOSA chief Simonetta Di Pippo delivered the keynote address to the G20 meeting focussed on the global space sector, where she outlined the various ways it has been supporting pandemic response and recovery.
|Stillbirths: An unnecessary, unspeakable tragedy – UN reportA stillborn baby is delivered every 16 seconds, which translates into nearly two million infants over the course of a year that never took their first breath, according to a new UN report published on Thursday. Health|
UNICEF/UN0159775/NyboReport reveals linkages between human trafficking and forced marriageAcross the world, girls as young as 12 are being forced or tricked into marrying men who exploit them for sex and domestic work, in what the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has called an “under-reported, global form of human trafficking”. Law and Crime Prevention
UNICEFUN chief urges greater investment in universal health coverage, starting nowThe COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of strong public health systems and emergency preparedness for communities and economies globally, the UN Secretary-General said on Wednesday, calling for greater investments in universal health coverage. Health
NASASpace sector works to keep societies and economies on track during COVID-19Decades of developments in the space sector are being utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping countries to keep their citizens safe and economies on track, the head of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) said on Wednesday, in a speech to a virtual conference held by the world’s richest nations. Peace and Security
Kseniya HalubovichBelarus: ‘There is no sustainable development without human rights’ – a UN Resident Coordinator blogBelarus has been rocked by mass demonstrations, and violent state crackdowns, since the disputed August presidential election that saw Alexander Lukashenko returned to power. In this blog, Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, the UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus, explains what the unrest means for the Organization.Economic Development
World Bank/Dominic ChavezGuinea: Steer clear of campaign hate speech, top UN officials warnGiven the history of intercommunal violence in Guinea, two high-level UN Officials voiced concern on Tuesday over the risk of “incitement to hostility, discrimination or violence” as the country gears up for elections on 18 October.Peace and Security
Photo: IMOGlobal trade amid COVID-19: Signs of rebound, but recovery uncertainGlobal trade is showing signs of bouncing back from a deep, COVID-19-induced slump, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has said, with the caveat that any recovery could be badly disrupted by the future course of the pandemic and how societies react. Economic Development
Justice Department Sues Yale University for Illegal Discrimination Practices in Undergraduate Admissions10/08/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Justice Department today filed suit against Yale University for race and national origin discrimination. The complaint alleges that Yale discriminated against applicants to Yale College on the grounds of race and national origin, and that Yale’s discrimination imposes undue and unlawful penalties on racially-disfavored applicants, including in particular most Asian and White applicants.
New York Donut Shop Operators Indicted for Tax Evasion10/08/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A federal grand jury in Syracuse, New York, returned an indictment charging the operators of three donut shops with conspiracy to defraud the IRS, tax evasion, and aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon for the Northern District of New York.
Six Arrested on Federal Charge of Conspiracy to Kidnap the Governor of Michigan10/08/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice today announced that six men have been arrested and charged federally with conspiring to kidnap the Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer. According to a complaint filed Tuesday, October 6, 2020, Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta conspired to kidnap the Governor from her vacation home in the Western District of Michigan. Under federal law, each faces any term of years up to life in prison if convicted. Fox, Garbin, Franks, Harris, and Caserta are residents of Michigan. Croft is a resident of Delaware.
Department of Justice Revises Policy Governing Grants Associated with Foreign-Made Unmanned Aircraft Systems10/08/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice today announced that its Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has issued a revised policy governing the award of grants for the purchase and operation of foreign-made Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The new policy requires grant recipients to utilize OJP funds to procure and operate UAS only in a manner that promotes public safety, protects individuals’ privacy and civil liberties, and mitigates the risks of cyber intrusion and foreign influence.
Attorney General William P. Barr Announces Publication of Cryptocurrency Enforcement Framework10/08/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Attorney General William P. Barr announced today the release of “Cryptocurrency: An Enforcement Framework,” a publication produced by the Attorney General’s Cyber-Digital Task Force. The Framework provides a comprehensive overview of the emerging threats and enforcement challenges associated with the increasing prevalence and use of cryptocurrency; details the important relationships that the Department of Justice has built with regulatory and enforcement partners both within the United States government and around the world; and outlines the Department’s response strategies.
| 1. Marine Corps assistant commandant tests positive for COVID-19|
(Marine Corps Times) Marine Corps Assistant Commandant Gen. Gary Thomas tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday, according the Marine Corps.
CDC: School Changes – Helping Children with ADHD
Many children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with school. Right now, children face a variety of changes in the way that they attend school. Some might be attending virtual classes; others might attend school in-person with many new rules. Caring for a child with special needs can mean extra challenges. Parents of children with ADHD may experience extra stress from supporting their child while coping with changes and may need additional help.
To help parents and students adapt to the changing environment, the National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC), a funded CDC partner, has created resources and support for parents.
Attenborough: ‘Curb excess capitalism’ to save nature
Sir David Attenborough says the excesses of western countries should “be curbed” to restore the natural world and we’ll all be happier for it.
The veteran broadcaster said that the standard of living in wealthy nations is going to have to take a pause.
Nature would flourish once again he believes when “those that have a great deal, perhaps, have a little less”.
Sir David was speaking to Liz Bonnin for BBC Radio 5 Live’s new podcast ‘What Planet Are We On?’.
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT: EDUCATION
…study flight in the classroom
By Alexandra Pannoni
Some high school teachers are encouraging teens to reach new heights – literally – through aviation and aerospace education.
“Most kids have had the experience of flying in an aircraft and most people when they fly in an aircraft they feel one of two things,” says Rebecca Vieyra, an Albert Einstein distinguished educator fellow at NASA and a former high school physics teacher.
They feel fear, but they also feel a sense of amazement – Vieyra likes to call that combination of experiences awe. Teaching students about how flight occurs is a good way to grow their interest in science, technology, engineering and math topics, she says.
Aeronautics is the science of aircraft. The term usually refers just to travel in the Earth’s atmosphere and is pretty much synonymous with aviation, Vieyra says. Aerospace is a broader term that includes space travel.
High schoolers nationwide are exploring these topics. In Florida, for example, one high school recently revitalized its aviation and aerospace engineering magnet program. Students can practice flying on full-size flight simulators in the classroom.
“We are in a huge aviation hub here in central Florida,” says Taylor Plumbee, administrative dean of magnet programs at Oak Ridge High School in Orlando. With job opportunities plentiful, it made sense for the school to enhance its program that prepares students to enter the industry.
In California, students at Vista High School are preparing to get their private pilot’s license in an aviation program offered through the Air Force Junior ROTC, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
DuVal High School in Lanham, Maryland recently established an aerospace engineering and aviation technology program. Students in the program have shown a lot of interest, says Chris Kampsen, aeronautics instructor at the school. “They come to this classroom and they are engaged in hands-on projects. They are not just stuck in a seat.”
In Alaska, a high schooler built a computerized flight simulator for his aviation elective class, the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reported last week. It should allow students to better understand the sometimes abstract course work, especially for students who aren’t also taking flying lessons, the report said.
Read about how 3-D printing has become accessible for high school teachers.
Flight simulators and flying lessons are great for contextualizing, but they aren’t necessary for teaching students the science of flight. Not knowing how to fly an aircraft themselves should not discourage teachers from teaching aeronautics, Vieyra says.
She shared some of the many free resources and lessons from NASA for teachers to check out below.
• Museum in a Box: A variety of lessons related to aeronautics are available for high school teachers to download on this website. Lessons focus on the history of flight, principles of flight, careers and more.
Best Aerospace Engineering Programs
Ranked in 2020, part of Best Engineering Schools
Students in these graduate engineering programs learn the science of flight, both for aircraft and spacecraft. These are the top engineering programs for aerospace / aeronautical / astronautical engineering. Each school’s score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding), based on a survey of academics at peer institutions. Read the methodology »
Webinar: Charters – Strategies To Keep New Customers
10:00 EDT / 15:00 BST / 16:00 CEST
The pandemic has brought a flood of first-time users to business aviation. The challenge now is to keep them. Our experts discuss how they plan to do so.
Moderated by Fred George, Chief Aircraft Evaluation Editor, Aviation Week Network
Adam Twidell, CEO, PrivateFly
Gregg Slow, President, FXAIR
NIAAA to Host Webinar on Interventions in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
Pictured are two youths who are members of the Yup’ik community in Alaska, which is collaborating with an NIAAA grantee on an alcohol-use prevention program. Photo by Georgianna Ningeulook, Scammon Bay, Alaska.
Developing culturally appropriate interventions to prevent alcohol-related problems among American Indian and Alaska Native communities is a priority of NIAAA-supported research. In the Yup’ik community in Alaska, NIAAA-supported researchers and Yup’ik community leaders are collaborating to create and assess culturally compatible preventive interventions for alcohol use disorder and suicide in 12- to 18-year-olds.
NIAAA will host a webinar using this project as a case study for creating similarly tailored interventions for American Indian and Alaska Native communities across the United States. The project utilizes history and culture as organizing principles for substance use prevention efforts with youth in indigenous communities. Join the Substance Abuse Prevention for Youth in Indigenous Communities webinar
COVID-19 Disparities Featuring
Dr. Eliseo J. Pérez-StableDr. Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable is featured on “The Not Old – Better Show”
with Paul Vogelzang on October 8
Dr. Eliseo Pérez-Stable, Director, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
talks about why it is critical that all Americans have access to rapid, accurate diagnostics for COVID-19, especially underserved and vulnerable populations who are bearing the brunt of this disease.
Egypt unveils 59 ancient coffins in major archaeological find
Egypt’s tourism and antiquities minister says archaeologists have unearthed dozens of ancient coffins in a vast necropolis south of Cairo.
The discovery of the coffins is the first big announcement since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Egypt, which led to the closure of museums and archaeological sites for some three months since late March.
Dozens of statues were also found in the area including a bronze figurine depicting Nefertem, an ancient god of the lotus blossom.
Preliminary studies indicated the sarcophagi likely belonged to priests, senior statesman and prominent figures in the ancient Egyptian society of the 26th dynasty, al-Anani said.
All the coffins would be taken to the soon-to-be-opened Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza Plateau, he added.
They would be placed opposite a hall hosting 32 other sealed sarcophagi for priests from the 22nd dynasty, which were found last year in the southern city of Luxor.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Will Peer Beneath Mars’ Surface
Perseverance’s Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment (RIMFAX) uses radar waves to probe the ground, revealing the unexplored world that lies beneath the Martian surface. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/FFI
› Full image and caption
The agency’s newest rover will use the first ground-penetrating radar instrument on the Martian surface to help search for signs of past microbial life.
After touching down on the Red Planet Feb. 18, 2021, NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover will scour Jezero Crater to help us understand its geologic history and search for signs of past microbial life. But the six-wheeled robot won’t be looking just at the surface of Mars: The rover will peer deep below it with a ground-penetrating radar called RIMFAX.
Unlike similar instruments aboard Mars orbiters, which study the planet from space, RIMFAX will be the first ground-penetrating radar set on the surface of Mars. This will give scientists much higher-resolution data than space-borne radars can provide while focusing on the specific areas that Perseverance will explore. Taking a more focused look at this terrain will help the rover’s team understand how features in Jezero Crater formed over time.
|Met Perspectives—Portraits and Power|
|6–7 pm EST|
Emilie Boone, Assistant Professor of Art History, African American Studies Department, New York City College of Technology
Jeff Rosenheim, Joyce Frank Menschel Curator in Charge, Department of Photographs, The Met
Join experts for a discussion that explores how art can communicate institutional power, position, and agency. Take a close look at photographer Irving Penn’s 1993 portrait of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, made days before she took the oath of office to become the second-ever female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Consider both the formal qualities of portraits and their contexts. The program ends with a participatory question-and-answer session. Please note: Space is limited; advance registration is required.
Irving Penn’s photograph of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is on view at The Met in gallery 690, Robert Wood Johnson, Jr. Gallery, through October 6, 2020.
Free, though advance registration is required.
Register now →
Universal Health Coverage ‘more urgent than ever’ – UN chief
WHO/P. PhutphengA laboratory technician works at a health and science centre in Bangkok, Thailand. It is a WHO Collaborating Centre for research and training on viral zoonoses.Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that “our health systems are inadequate”, the UN chief told a ministerial meeting on Thursday, citing weak structures and unequal access to healthcare as “major reasons” why the coronavirus has killed one million people and infected more than 30 times that, globally.
Painting a gloomy picture of under-investment in health, Secretary-General António Guterres said in his video message to senior ministers: “Universal Health Coverage is not only essential to end the pandemic, it will also drive progress across all health-related SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals]”.
Stillbirths: An unnecessary, unspeakable tragedy – UN report
© UNICEF/Giacomo PirozziA woman who has had no prenatal care, and whose child was stillborn, is comforted by a nurse in the maternity ward of a hospital in Sierra Leone.Health
A stillborn baby is delivered every 16 seconds, which translates into nearly two million infants over the course of a year that never took their first breath, according to a new UN report published on Thursday.
A Neglected Tragedy: The Global Burden of Stillbirths, released by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), reveals that 84 per cent of these grievous episodes occur in low and lower-middle income countries.
|Transitional President in Mali appoints new Prime Minister, top UN official tells Security CouncilMali’s transitional President has appointed a new Prime Minister, the UN’s top official in the West African country told the UN Security Council on Thursday, detailing the significant events which has ushered in a new political era, since the 18 August coup d’état.Peace and Security|
UNAMID/Mohamad AlmahadyGuterres: UN working ‘relentlessly’ to advance women, peace and security agendaArmed conflict has a disproportionate impact on women and girls – a key reason why women’s “full, equal and meaningful participation” in UN peacekeeping is such a priority, the Secretary-General said on Thursday. Women
WHO/P. PhutphengUniversal Health Coverage ‘more urgent than ever’ – UN chiefThe COVID-19 pandemic has shown that “our health systems are inadequate”, the UN chief told a ministerial meeting on Thursday, citing weak structures and unequal access to healthcare as “major reasons” why the coronavirus has killed one million people and infected more than 30 times that, globally.Health
World Bank/Simone D. McCourtiePandemic has forever changed online shopping, UN-backed survey revealsThe COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the way consumers shop online, the UN trade and development body, UNCTAD, said on Thursday, announcing results of a survey of some 3,700 consumers across nine countries. Economic Development©
UNICEF/Giacomo PirozziStillbirths: An unnecessary, unspeakable tragedy – UN reportA stillborn baby is delivered every 16 seconds, which translates into nearly two million infants over the course of a year that never took their first breath, according to a new UN report published on Thursday. Health©
UNHCR/Sylvain CherkaouiUN refugee agency condemns ‘brutal and callous’ killings in Burkina FasoThe UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has strongly condemned an attack, on the night of 4 October, targeting a convoy carrying internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso, in which 25 people were killed.Peace and Security
Houston-Area Physician and Anesthesiologist Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Role in Health Care Benefit Scheme10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Houston-area physician and anesthesiologist at two registered pain clinics, Texas Pain Solutions and Integra Medical Clinic, was sentenced today to seven years in prison for his role in fraudulently billing health care programs for at least $5 million dollars in medical tests and procedures, and for the role his fraud played in multiple patient deaths.
Singaporean National Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for Acting in the United States As an Illegal Agent of Chinese Intelligence10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Jun Wei Yeo, also known as Dickson Yeo, was sentenced today in federal court to 14 months in prison. Yeo pled guilty on July 24, 2020 to acting within the United States as an illegal agent of a foreign power without first notifying the Attorney General, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 951. The announcement was made by John G. Demers, Assistant Attorney General; Michael R. Sherwin, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Columbia; James A. Dawson, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of FBI Washington Field Office; Alan E. Kohler, Jr., Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division; and Deputy Assistant Secretary Ricardo Colón, Domestic Operations Deputy Assistant Secretary Ricardo Colón, Domestic Operations.
Executive Office for Immigration Review Announces Investiture of 20 New Immigration Judges, Resulting in a 70 Percent Expansion of the Immigration Judge Corps Since 201710/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the investiture of 20 new immigration judges today, including three new assistant chief immigration judges. The introduction of this class marks the most recent step in the ongoing development and expansion of the nationwide corps of professional adjudicators who resolve questions regarding the legal status of aliens in the United States and adjudicate claims of relief or protection from removal, such as asylum or withholding of removal
Owner of Food Service Firm Operating in Government Buildings Throughout the D.C. Area Sentenced to Prison for Payroll Tax Fraud10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Potomac, Maryland, owner of companies providing food services in government buildings was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment for not paying more than $10 million in employment and sales tax, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Michael R. Sherwin for the District of Columbia.
Colorado Tax Evader Sentenced to Prison for Fleeing to Avoid Previously Imposed Prison Sentence10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Colorado tax defier Lawrence Martin Birk was sentenced to an additional 78 months in prison for failing to surrender to serve his previously imposed tax evasion prison sentence and for unlawfully possessing firearms, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Department of Justice Invests More than $87 Million in Grants to Address School Violence10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Owner of Japanese Fishing Vessel Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Trafficking of Shark Fins10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Hamada Suisan Co. Ltd., the owner of the Japanese-flagged fishing vessel, M.V. Kyoshin Maru No. 20, pleaded guilty, pursuant to a plea agreement, to aiding and abetting the attempted export of shark fins out of Hawaii in violation of the Lacey Act, the Department of Justice announced.
Office of Justice Programs Awards $261 Million to Support Youth Mentoring, Protect Children10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Suburban Chicago Businessman Charged with Illegally Exporting Arms to Ukraine10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A suburban Chicago businessman has been indicted on federal criminal charges for allegedly illegally exporting gun parts and other defense articles from the United States to a company in Ukraine.
Texas Man Charged In $24 Million COVID-Relief Fraud10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Dallas-area man was charged in an indictment filed Thursday for his alleged participation in a scheme to file fraudulent loan applications seeking approximately $24.8 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Former Commander of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Sentenced to Prison10/09/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A former Commander of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison following his multiple convictions of obstructing justice and making false statements, in connection with the death of a civilian at the naval base.
|DEFENSE NEWS – Today’s Top 5|
Find out where Trump and Biden stand on defense and security issues
| 4. 20 years after the attack on the USS Cole, memories of heroism and loss|
(Virginian-Pilot) It was typical steamy morning in Yemen, 20 years ago when the USS Cole eased past At-Tawahi point and the container port.
Creating Connections: Volunteers and Professionals Part 2
9 a.m. – Join NYC ReLeaf for a 2-part webinar series on “Creating Connections: Volunteers and Professionals”. Registration in advance is required; register for Part 2 online. Part 2 features the following presentations and is approved for two credits for CNLP, ISA credits are pending:
- Urban Forests: A Nexus of Carbon, Climate, and Community presented by Andrew Reinmann (Assistant Professor, Environmental Sciences Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, Hunter College)
- Seeing the Forest for the Money Trees (Play Fair) presented by Emily Walker (Director of Outreach and Programs, New Yorkers for Parks) and Sarah Charlop-Powers (Executive Director and Co-Founder, Natural Areas Conservancy)
- Virtual Tour of the Greenbelt Native Plant Center presented by Nate McVay (Nursery Manager, Greenbelt Native Plant Center, NYC Parks)
Webinar: FBOs – A Changing Business?
10:00 EDT / 15:00 BST / 16:00 CEST
Fixed base operators are being hit hard by the downtown in business jet activity. How are they managing to survive? Lessons learned will likely shape new ways of running their business going forward.
Moderated by Frank Craven, Managing Director, Business Aviation, Aviation Week Network
John Enticknap, Founder, Aviation Business Strategies Group
Ron R. Jackson, Co-Founder of Aviation Business Strategies Group and President of The Jackson Group
Molly McMillin, Editor-In-Chief, The Weekly of Business Aviation
NASA Administrators Panel: Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going
1:00PM EDT / 6:00PM BST
As part of Aviation Week’s coverage of this year’s International Astronautical Congress and in recognition of the upcoming 20th anniversary of sustained human presence on the International Space Station, Aviation Week is hosting a webinar panel with former NASA administrators Dan Goldin, Sean O’Keefe and Charlie Bolden.
Join us for an hour-long panel discussion about building, sustaining and growing human and robotic space programs, how the lessons of the past can inform the future.
Moderated by Irene Klotz, Space Editor, Aviation Week Network
Charlie Bolden, Former NASA Administrator
Sean O’Keefe, Former NASA Administrator
Dan Goldin, Former NASA Administrator
Watch Virtual Briefing on Launch of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Satellite
The U.S.-European partnership will track sea level height. Learn more about the mission in this live event.
Officials from NASA and partner agencies will discuss the upcoming launch of the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich ocean-monitoring satellite during a media briefing at 10 a.m. EDT (7 a.m. PDT), Friday, Oct. 16. The launch is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10. The media briefing will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website, as well as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
The spacecraft is named in honor of Michael Freilich, the former director of NASA’s Earth Science Division and tireless advocate for advancing satellite measurements of the ocean. After launching from Vandenberg Air Force Base in central California and once in orbit, the satellite will collect sea level measurements down to a few centimeters across 90% of the world’s ocean.
Offset Surprises Cardi B With Billboard For Her Birthday: He ‘Misses Her’ & ‘Wants Her Back’
- Beth Shilliday and Allison Swan
Offset is pulling out a grand gesture after Cardi B dropped divorce papers on him. He took out a billboard on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood to celebrate her 28th birthday.
Cardi B is turning 28 on Oct. 11, and her ex Offset is already pulling out all the stops despite her Sept. 15 divorce filing. He let her know what an amazing mother she is to their two-year-old daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus by taking out a massive billboard along the heavily travelled Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, CA. Cardi got a look at it and was so impressed, thanking Offset by calling him “Sir.” But she’s not taking him back as a husband.
International Day of the Girl: ‘Be bold in your demands’, urges UN deputy chief
World Bank/Deshan TennekoonYoung girls in a classroom in Sri Lanka.Women
As the COVID-19 pandemic increases gender, economic and racial inequalities, the UN on Friday marked the upcoming International Day of the Girl, with a youth-driven virtual townhall to demand a more just and equitable world for girls.
Under the theme “Be Bold. Building Equity for Girls”, leaders and policy makers spoke up on a host of important topics, to protect and empower young women.
In her opening remarks, Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told girls: “Be bold in your demands and be confident in the steps you are taking”.
“As we celebrate the achievements and potential of girls, we must keep up the pressure for change”, she said. “Your solutions and ideas are essential to step up the pace of progress”.
|UN World Food Programme wins 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, as hunger mountsThe UN World Food Programme (WFP), which provides lifesaving food assistance to millions across the world – often in extremely dangerous and hard-to-access conditions – has been awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. Peace and Security|
Imperial College London/Thomas AngusChina joins global effort to ensure COVID vaccine access for allChina is among three additional countries to have signed on to a global initiative that aims to ensure fair and equitable access to a COVID-19 vaccine once developed, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday. Health©
UNICEF/Wathiq KhuzaieNew agreement in Iraq signals ‘a first and important step’ toward a better futureAn agreement between Iraq’s Federal and the Kurdish Regional governments on Friday paves the way for reconstruction in the north of the country, in what the UN has called “a first and important step in the right direction”. Peace and Security
WFP/Isheeta SumraThe World Food Programme: a three-year experiment that became indispensableThe need for the World Food Programme, the recipient of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, to exist is starker than ever. From conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to flooding in South Sudan, and the civil war in Yemen, man-made and natural disasters are leaving tens of millions of people unsure if they will have enough food for themselves and their families to survive on.Humanitarian Aid
World Bank/Deshan TennekoonInternational Day of the Girl: ‘Be bold in your demands’, urges UN deputy chief As the COVID-19 pandemic increases gender, economic and racial inequalities, the UN on Friday marked the upcoming International Day of the Girl, with a youth-driven virtual townhall to demand a more just and equitable world for girls.Women
UN News/Daniel JohnsonNagorno-Karabakh: UN rights chief calls for urgent ceasefire as hostilities mountAmid escalating hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights appealed on Friday for an urgent ceasefire and for greater protection to be given to those caught up in the violence. Human Rights
Statement from Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband and Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Michael Sherwin on Legal Victory Protecting Religious Worship in the Nation’s Capital10/10/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Condé Nast Spotlight
I don’t tell my story publicly because I enjoy revisiting the painful memories that led to where I am now. I do it so that LGBTQ+ youth can know there are others out there like them.
The actress speaks on the value of bringing awareness through escapism and addresses those X-Men comments.
THE NEW YORKERThe French Secret to Ratatouille, a Last Taste of Summer
It was only with this dish that I realized how important the cook-things-separately approach is in French cooking.
ARCHITECTURAL DIGESTPinault Collection Museum to Open in Paris in January
Spotlight: The Latest on The Coronavirus
TEEN VOGUEWhat We Know About COVID-19 Now
Spotlight: Elections 2020
THE NEW YORKERBattling Anxiety Over Making Sure Your Vote Gets Counted
Spotlight: Racism in America
International Statement: End-To-End Encryption and Public Safety10/11/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The world is home to more than 1.1 billion girls under age 18, who are poised to become the largest generation of female leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers the world has ever seen.PHOTO:UN Women/Ryan Brown
My Voice, Our Equal Future
Progress for adolescent girls has not kept pace with the realities they face today, and COVID-19 has reinforced many of these gaps. This year, under the theme, “My Voice, Our Equal Future”, let’s seize the opportunity to be inspired by what adolescent girls see as the change they want, the solutions- big and small- they are leading and demanding across the globe.
In 2020, we commemorate 25 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – the global agenda for advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls, everywhere. Generation Equality was also launched in early 2020 as a multi-year, multi-partner campaign and movement for bold action on gender equality. A clear narrative and actions related to the needs and opportunities of adolescent girls and their solutions is central to the Generation Equality mission.
As adolescent girls worldwide assert their power as change-makers, International Day of the Girl 2020 will focus on their demands to:
- Live free from gender-based violence, harmful practices, and HIV and AIDS
- Learn new skills towards the futures they choose
- Lead as a generation of activists accelerating social change
Ways to get involved
- Share stories of inspiring adolescent girls or girl-led organizations who are developing innovative solutions or leading efforts towards positive social change, including gender equality, in their communities and nations. Let’s amplify their leadership, actions and impact to inspire others.
- Participate in a youth-led digital activation launching on International Day of the Girl. Young people across the world are developing a digital activism campaign, aiming to raise the diversity of girls’ voices and their vision for a reimagined future.
How COVID-19 Impacts Women And Girls
A profound shock to our societies and economies, the COVID-19 pandemic underscores society’s reliance on women both on the front line and at home, while simultaneously exposing structural inequalities across every sphere, from health to the economy, security to social protection.
Girls breaking barriers
TEEN. GIRL. ACTIVIST.Most girls don’t grow up in a world of opportunity. They build one.
Coping with COVID-19Sixteen adolescent girls from nine countries film their lives locked down by inequality, injustice and coronavirus
Female toilet builders take on menstrual hygiene managementHow a cohort of women masons are transforming gender roles in India
Breaking gender norms from the Nile to the Red SeaHow a Nubian girl in Egypt found her dream job across the sea
The Platform for Action specifically calls on the global community to:
- Eliminate all forms of discrimination against girls.
- Eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices against girls.
- Promote and protect the rights of girls and increase awareness of their needs and potential.
- Eliminate discrimination against girls in education, skills development and training.
- Eliminate discrimination against girls in health and nutrition.
- Eliminate the economic exploitation of child labour and protect young girls at work.
- Eradicate violence against girls.
- Promote girls’ awareness of and participation in social, economic and political life.
- Strengthen the role of the family in improving the status of girls.
| 1. Two men arrested in plot to kidnap Michigan governor were Marine veterans|
(Marine Corps Times) Two of the 13 men arrested in an alleged domestic terrorism plot to kidnap the Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer were Marine veterans.
| 2. End-strength goal met with growth in diversity this year, Army says|
(Army Times) The active-duty Army met its end-strength goal this year of 485,000 soldiers, and leadership expects that target number to increase by about 1,500 in 2021.
| 3. Finland gets the green light to buy F-35, F-18 and billions of dollars in weapons|
(Defense News) The U.S. State Department on Oct. 9 approved the sale of the F/A-18EF Super Hornet and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to Finland.
| 4. CNO: More than 190 ships have had COVID-19 cases|
(Navy Times) “Aggressive early action” has mitigated those infections, Adm. Mike Gilday said in a message to the fleet.
| 5. In showing off new ICBM, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un returns to old tactic|
(Wall Street Journal) By unveiling a more menacing weapon, the dictator is hoping the threat drives up the price for the U.S. of relinquishing them.
is one of the two polar circles and the most northerly of the five major circles of latitude as shown on maps of Earth. It marks the northernmost point at which the centre of the noon sun is just visible on the December solstice and the southernmost point at which the centre of the midnight sun is just visible on the June solstice. The region north of this circle is known as the Arctic, and the zone just to the south is called the Northern Temperate Zone.
As seen from the Arctic, the Sun is above the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore visible at midnight) and below the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore not visible at noon). This is also true in the Antarctic region, south of the equivalent Antarctic Circle.
The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed and currently runs 66°33′48.3″ north of the Equator. Its latitude depends on the Earth’s axial tilt, which fluctuates within a margin of more than 2° over a 41,000-year period, due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon. Consequently, the Arctic Circle is currently drifting northwards at a speed of about 15 m (49 ft) per year.
is the most southerly of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. The region south of this circle is known as the Antarctic, and the zone immediately to the north is called the Southern Temperate Zone. South of the Antarctic Circle, the sun is above the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore visible at midnight) and the centre of the sun (ignoring refraction) is below the horizon for 24 continuous hours at least once per year (and therefore not visible at noon); this is also true within the equivalent polar circle in the Northern Hemisphere, the Arctic Circle.
The position of the Antarctic Circle is not fixed and currently runs 66°33′48.3″ south of the Equator. (Actually, this figure is slightly incorrect because it doesn’t allow for the effects of Astronomical nutation, which can be up to 10″.) Its latitude depends on the Earth’s axial tilt, which fluctuates within a margin of more than 2° over a 41,000-year period, due to tidal forces resulting from the orbit of the Moon. Consequently, the Antarctic Circle is currently drifting southwards at a speed of about 15 m (49 ft) per year.
How Skin Became Race and Power
(How Skin Became The Psychologically Illusive Power Over Race)
Join us for an intimate conversation with the makers of
7:00 p.m. EST / 4:00 p.m. PST
An animated series with music that examines how skin color came to define race in our country.
Directors Pierce Freelon and Jon Halperin will talk about the impact of the series with anti-racist educator Dr. Taylor Bullock, co-founder and Lead Curator of we are, and Cornelius Moore, co-director of California Newsreel and head of the African American Perspectives film collection.
The event is free, but registration is required.
Featuring a performance by six-time Grammy nominee, Nnenna Freelon who lent her voice to portray Sally Hemings in the series. With Alan Thompson on piano and Nneena’s son, director Pierce Freelon, on vocals
Greater equality a ‘prerequisite’ for overcoming global crises: Bachelet
© UNICEF/Ashley GilbertsonPromised a job in a pharmacy, this 21-year-old migrant woman was tricked into prostitution after leaving Nigeria to pursue a better life.Human Rights
In reviewing, assessing and acknowledging the effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, enslavement and colonialism, the groundbreaking Durban World Conference of 2001, represented a “milestone” in the common fight against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance, the UN human rights chief said on Monday.
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet said that in examining “the legacy of some of the most appalling chapters in human history”, the historic conference in South Africa, and resulting declaration inspired by the host nation’s struggle against Apartheid, is a work in progress, she reminded the Intergovernmental Working Group on the declaration’s Programme of Action.
Durban was the first UN Conference to address the historical roots of contemporary racism and acknowledge slavery and the slave trade, as crimes against humanity.
|Herd immunity, an ‘unethical’ COVID-19 strategy, Tedros warns policymakersUsing the principle of so-called “herd immunity” to stem the COVID-19 pandemic is “unethical” and “not an option” countries should pursue to defeat the virus, the UN health agency chief warned on Monday.Health|
WFP/Simon Pierre DioufUN chief announces major push to transform harmful food systemsThe UN chief António Guterres set out a new plan to transform the world’s food systems on Monday – coinciding with the start of World Food Week – which will culminate in a major summit, scheduled to take place in September next year.SDGs
OCHA/Danielle Parry‘Staggering’ rise in climate emergencies in last 20 years, new disaster research showsThe first 20 years of this century have seen a “staggering” rise in climate disasters, UN researchers said on Monday, while also maintaining that “almost all nations” have failed to prevent a “wave of death and illness” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Climate Change
MINUSMA/Marco DorminoNew report highlights value of UN’s human rights work in the fieldThe UN’s work in promoting dialogue between Arabic and Kurdish groups in Iraq is just one example of how human rights personnel are playing a critical role at the Organization’s peace operations around the world. Human Rights
UN Photo/Martine PerretGreater cooperation urged worldwide as criminals seek to profit from COVID-19With criminal networks looking to profit from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical for governments to work together in line with a landmark UN treaty to combat human trafficking, gun smuggling and other cross-border crimes, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday. Law and Crime Prevention
UNDP BhutanUN chief urges ministers to provide ‘decisive leadership’ on climate actionWith nations striving to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impacts, efforts must focus on decarbonizing the global economy and building a more inclusive and resilient future, the UN Secretary-General said on Monday.Climate Change©
UNICEF/Ashley GilbertsonGreater equality a ‘prerequisite’ for overcoming global crises: Bachelet In reviewing, assessing and acknowledging the effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, enslavement and colonialism, the groundbreaking Durban World Conference of 2001, represented a “milestone” in the common fight against racism, xenophobia and related intolerance, the UN human rights chief said on Monday. Human Rights
10/13 – Today is the seventh annual Giving Day for Apes
Operation Legend: Case of the Day10/13/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Each weekday, the Department of Justice will highlight a case that has resulted from Operation Legend. Today’s case is out of the Northern District of Ohio. Operation Legend launched in Cleveland on July 29, 2020, in response to the city facing increased homicide and non-fatal shooting rates.
Department of Justice Forecasts an Increase in Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Protection Activities and Criminal Enforcement Actions10/13/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced the protection activities undertaken by the FBI to counter the threat posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) at certain National Special Security Events (NSSEs), Special Events Assessment Rating (SEAR) events, and select mass gatherings throughout the country over the past fiscal year. DOJ and the FBI are publicizing protection activities in an effort to deter careless and criminal UAS operators in light of an anticipated increase in enforcement activity in response to the misuse of UAS
Justice Department Charges More than 14,200 Defendants with Firearms-Related Crimes in FY2010/13/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Today, the Justice Department announced it has charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, despite the challenges of COVID-19 and its impact on the criminal justice process.
American Contractor Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Steal Government Equipment from U.S. Military Base in Afghanistan10/13/2020 12:00 AM EDT
An American military contractor pleaded guilty today to her role in a theft ring on a military installation in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Michigan Man Charged with Hate Crimes for Attacking African-American Teenager10/13/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Justice Department announced today that Lee Mouat, 42, has been charged by criminal complaint in federal district court with violating 18 U.S.C. § 249 by willfully causing bodily injury to an African-American teenager because of the teenager’s race.
| 1. US forces hit Taliban with airstrikes in Helmand|
(The Associated Press) U.S. forces have and will continue to provide support in defense of Afghan national security forces under attack by the Taliban.
| 2. Top general dodges on Afghanistan plans|
(The Hill) In an interview with NPR that aired Monday morning, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley would not discuss specific plans but insisted the United States would “responsibly” end the war.
| 3. US advances three arms sales packages to Taiwan|
(Defense News) The Trump administration plans to sell three advanced weapons systems to Taiwan after notifying Congress of the deals on Friday, Defense News has confirmed.
| 4. Chinese increasing nuclear submarine shipyard capacity|
(USNI News) As China pushes to become a blue-water power, nuclear-powered submarines are critically important to Beijing’s plan.
| 5. What could Turkey’s latest S-400 missile tests mean?|
(Al Jazeera) Last year, Turkey bought the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft defense system, in spite of fierce objections from the United States.
Megan Thee Stallion: Why I Speak Up for Black Women.
By Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion is an entertainer, philanthropist and entrepreneur.
I’m not afraid of criticism, and “Protect Black women” should not be controversial.
What does it mean to be a woman of color? [INTERPOSING VOICES] She’s got to be strong, because that’s just the expectation. Loving herself, but not too much, because then she’s conceited. Being his lady in the street, but his freak in the sheets. Inheriting her grandmother’s love, but always loving the wrong one. Twerking for her man, but not with her friends? Being constantly told she’s too much or not enough. “The most disrespected person is the black woman.” Constantly having to prove she’s a victim, because society sides with a man. Not being able to express her traumas, because she can’t show no weakness. Is constantly told that she’s too dark, too thin, too thick, too much of a bitch. Being murdered, beaten, abused, then questioned if she evoked all of it. Is left out on the street, but becomes the flower that grows from the concrete. “Who taught you to hate yourself from the top of your head to the soles of your feet?” She marches for everyone else, riots for everyone else, dies for everyone else. She loves for everyone else, lives for everyone else, but when it comes down to her, it ain’t a [BLEEP] in sight. “The system as a whole has failed her. You’ve never been shot. You don’t know her panic. Say her name. 18. Women of color.”
In the weeks leading up to the election, Black women are expected once again to deliver victory for Democratic candidates. We have gone from being unable to vote legally to a highly courted voting bloc — all in little more than a century.
Despite this and despite the way so many have embraced messages about racial justice this year, Black women are still constantly disrespected and disregarded in so many areas of life.
I was recently the victim of an act of violence by a man. After a party, I was shot twice as I walked away from him. We were not in a relationship. Truthfully, I was shocked that I ended up in that place.
My initial silence about what happened was out of fear for myself and my friends. Even as a victim, I have been met with skepticism and judgment. The way people have publicly questioned and debated whether I played a role in my own violent assault proves that my fears about discussing what happened were, unfortunately, warranted.
After a lot of self-reflection on that incident, I’ve realized that violence against women is not always connected to being in a relationship. Instead, it happens because too many men treat all women as objects, which helps them to justify inflicting abuse against us when we choose to exercise our own free will.
From the moment we begin to navigate the intricacies of adolescence, we feel the weight of this threat, and the weight of contradictory expectations and misguided preconceptions. Many of us begin to put too much value to how we are seen by others. That’s if we are seen at all.
The issue is even more intense for Black women, who struggle against stereotypes and are seen as angry or threatening when we try to stand up for ourselves and our sisters. There’s not much room for passionate advocacy if you are a Black woman.
I recently used the stage at “Saturday Night Live” to harshly rebuke Kentucky’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron, for his appalling conduct in denying Breonna Taylor and her family justice. I anticipated some backlash: Anyone who follows the lead of Congressman John Lewis, the late civil rights giant, and makes “good trouble, necessary trouble,” runs the risk of being attacked by those comfortable with the status quo.
But you know what? I’m not afraid of criticism. We live in a country where we have the freedom to criticize elected officials. And it’s ridiculous that some people think the simple phrase “Protect Black women” is controversial. We deserve to be protected as human beings. And we are entitled to our anger about a laundry list of mistreatment and neglect that we suffer.
Maternal mortality rates for Black mothers are about three times higher than those for white mothers, an obvious sign of racial bias in health care. In 2019, an astronomical 91 percent of the transgender or gender-nonconforming people who were fatally shot were Black, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
Beyond threats to our health and lives, we confront so much judgment and so many conflicting messages on a daily basis.
If we dress in fitted clothing, our curves become a topic of conversation not only on social media, but also in the workplace. The fact that Serena Williams, the greatest athlete in any sport ever, had to defend herself for wearing a bodysuit at the 2018 French Open is proof positive of how misguided the obsession with Black women’s bodies is.
I would know. I’ve received quite a bit of attention for appearance as well as my talent. I choose my own clothing. Let me repeat: I choose what I wear, not because I am trying to appeal to men, but because I am showing pride in my appearance, and a positive body image is central to who I am as a woman and a performer. I value compliments from women far more than from men. But the remarks about how I choose to present myself have often been judgmental and cruel, with many assuming that I’m dressing and performing for the male gaze. When women choose to capitalize on our sexuality, to reclaim our own power, like I have, we are vilified and disrespected.
In every industry, women are pitted against one another, but especially in hip-hop, where it seems as if the male-dominated ecosystem can handle only one female rapper at a time.Countless times, people have tried to pit me against Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, two incredible entertainers and strong women. I’m not “the new” anyone; we are all unique in our own ways.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Black girls weren’t inundated with negative, sexist comments about Black women? If they were told instead of the many important things that we’ve achieved? It took a major motion picture, “Hidden Figures,” to introduce the world to the NASA research mathematician Katherine Johnson. I wish I’d learned in school about this story as well as more earthly achievements: that Alice H. Parker filed the patent for the first home furnace, or that Marie Van Brittan Brown created the first home security system. Or that Black women, too often in the shadows of such accomplishments, actually powered the civil rights movement. It’s important to note that six of the Little Rock Nine students whose bravery in 1957 led to school integration were Black girls. And that Rosa Parks showed incredible bravery when she refused to move to the “colored section.” I wish that every little Black girl was taught that Black Lives Matter was co-founded by Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi.
Walking the path paved by such legends as Shirley Chisholm, Loretta Lynch, U.S. Representative Maxine Waters and the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate, Carol Moseley Braun, my hope is that Kamala Harris’s candidacy for vice president will usher in an era where Black women in 2020 are no longer “making history” for achieving things that should have been accomplished decades ago.
But that will take time, and Black women are not naïve. We know that after the last ballot is cast and the vote is tallied, we are likely to go back to fighting for ourselves. Because at least for now, that’s all we have.
Megan Thee Stallion (@TheeStallion) is an entertainer, philanthropist and entrepreneur.
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is a management style whereby a manager closely observes and/or controls and/or reminds the work of his/her subordinates or employees.
Micromanagement is generally considered to have a negative connotation, mainly because it shows a lack of freedom in the workplace, as in business management.
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines micromanagement as “manage[ment] especially with excessive control or attention on details”. Dictionary.com defines micromanagement as “manage[ment] or control with excessive attention to minor details”. The online dictionary Encarta defined micromanagement as “atten[tion] to small details in management: control [of] a person or a situation by paying extreme attention to small details”.
The notion of micromanagement can extend to any social context where one person takes a bully approach in the level of control and influence over the members of a group. Often, this excessive obsession with the most minute of details causes a direct management failure in the ability to focus on the major details.
is a management theory with two different approaches to the definition that both share a common idea; management from afar.
Contrary to micromanagement where managers closely observe and control the works of their employees, macromanagement is a more independent style of organizational management. Managers step back and give employees the freedom to do their job how they think it is best done, so long as the desired result is reached. This is the most commonly applied understanding of macromanagement.
Both styles of management are viewed as a negative when taken to an extreme, so it is important for organizations to develop a balance of micro- and macromanagement practices and understand when to apply which.
The second interpretation of macromanagement is when an organization views itself as a social institution, orienting its goals and purpose toward serving society. To do this, they align the organization’s values, norms, ethics with those of the society they are immersed in. In 1971, Alan Wells defined a social institution as “patterns of rules, customs, norms, beliefs and roles that are instrumentally related to the needs and purposes of society.” Other examples of social institutions in this respect include government and religious organizations, some more in-line with serving society that others.
This interpretation of macromanagement is less about managing employees, but rather managing the organization from a broader perspective that is oriented toward the future. An organization that practices macromanagement greatly considers the future of the organization, the future of society, and their impact on one another.
Webinar: Fireside Chat With Air Lease Corporation Executive Chairman, Steven F. Udvar-Házy
Air Lease Corporation Executive Chairman Steven F. Udvar-Házy is an industry icon who is credited with creating the aircraft leasing industry as it is known today. An industry veteran, he co-founded International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) in 1973, leaving in 2010 to found Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company with over 382 aircraft and a global customer network.
- How is Air Lease Corporation and lessors, in general, helping airlines through the pandemic?
- How does he see the recovery reshaping the air transport industry?
- Which aircraft types does he expect to see best weathering the pandemic?
Join Aviation Week Network as we discuss these questions and more.
BOOZ / ALLEN / HAMILTON
FEARLESS CLOUD MIGRATION: ON DEMAND WEBINAR
Hear how cloud allows your organization to transform operations—even within highly secure and regulated environments. No matter where you are in your cloud journey, learn how to apply innovative solutions.
- NIH – NCCIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Health Information
- Cancer: In Depth
Cancer: In Depth
People with cancer want to do everything they can to combat the disease, manage its symptoms, and cope with the side effects of treatment. Many turn to complementary health approaches, including natural products, such as herbs (botanicals) and other dietary supplements, and mind and body practices, such as acupuncture, massage, and yoga.
This fact sheet was produced through a collaboration between the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It provides an introductory overview of complementary health approaches that have been studied for cancer prevention, treatment of the disease, or symptom management, including what the science says about their effectiveness and any concerns that have been raised about their safety. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, be sure to consult your health care providers before using any complementary health approach. They can help you make sure that all aspects of your care work together and that all necessary precautions are taken.
This Transforming Rover Can Explore the Toughest Terrain
The two-wheeled Axel descends the slope while tethered to its counterpart anchored above the slope. The tether serves as a climbing rope of sorts while also providing power and a means of communication. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/J.D. Gammell
› Larger view
Made of a pair of two-wheeled vehicles, NASA’s DuAxel is designed to descend crater sides and near-vertical cliffs on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
A rover trundles over rocky terrain, its four metal wheels clattering along until they encounter a seemingly insurmountable hazard: a steep slope. Down below is a potential trove of science targets. With a typical rover, the operators would need to find another target, but this is DuAxel, a robot built for situations exactly like this.
The rover is actually made of a pair of two-wheeled rovers, each called Axel. To divide and conquer, the rover stops, lowers its chassis and anchors it to the ground before essentially splitting in two. With the rear half of DuAxel (short for “dual-Axel”) firmly in place, the forward half undocks and rolls away on a single axle. All that connects the two halves now is a tether that unspools as the lead axle approaches the hazard and rappels down the slope, using instruments stowed in its wheel hub to study a scientifically attractive location that would normally be out of reach.
|Halloween Activity Tips|
Tips for Trick or Treating and Other Halloween Activities
Traditional Halloween activities are fun, but some can increase the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 or flu. CDC has a new webpage that features new ways of trick or treating and other Halloween activities. When trick or treating or participating in other Halloween activities with people outside your household, wear a mask. You can make it fun by making your mask part of your costume, but when it comes to slowing the spread of COVID-19, a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. Also, do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.
Halloween Activity Tips
|‘Time for global solidarity’ to overcome COVID’s health, social and economic challengesThe COVID-19 pandemic has not only led to a “dramatic loss” of human life but also constitutes an “unprecedented challenge” to public health, food systems and employment, a group of leading UN agencies said on Tuesday. Health|
Mariana Ceratti/World BankIMF: ‘Less severe’ but ‘still deep’ recession predictedIn the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing impact, the global economy could see a “somewhat less severe, though still deep” recession through 2020, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected in its latest global economic outlook. Economic Development©
UNICEF/FazelStand in solidarity with world’s poor, UN chief says in message for International DayThe UN Secretary-General has called for solidarity with all people living in poverty, during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. SDGs
UNICEF/LouzadaShift needed from what weather will be, to ‘what the weather will do’Extreme weather and climate events have increased in frequency, intensity and severity as a result of climate change, hitting vulnerable communities disproportionately hard, a new UN report has revealed, calling for greater investment in effective early warning systems. Climate Change©
UNICEFUN envoy outlines progress towards cooperation in Africa’s Great Lakes RegionEven as they confront the COVID-19 pandemic, countries in Africa’s Great Lakes Region continue to improve political, security and economic cooperation in line with a 2013 Framework agreement, UN Special Envoy Huang Xia told the Security Council on Tuesday. Peace and Security
UNDP/Arjen van de MerweFROM THE FIELD: Cultivating a response to disasters in MalawiFarmers in Malawi who are struggling with the dual threats of climate change and an economic crisis worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, are learning how to more accurately predict the weather and prepare for the eventuality of natural disasters, thanks to a project supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).Humanitarian Aid
UN Photo/Rick BajornasBad situations ‘only get worse’ without disaster risk governance, UN chief says on International DayWith nations facing multiple crises simultaneously and a dramatic rise in extreme weather events in recent decades, the UN Secretary-General has called for strengthening disaster risk governance, to build a safer, more resilient world. Humanitarian Aid
J&F Investimentos S.A. Pleads Guilty and Agrees to Pay Over $256 Million to Resolve Criminal Foreign Bribery Case10/14/2020 12:00 AM EDT
J&F Investimentos S.A. (J&F), a Brazil-based investment company that owns and controls companies involved in multiple industries, including the meat and agriculture industry, has agreed to pay a criminal monetary penalty of $256,497,026 to resolve the department’s investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The resolution arises out of J&F’s scheme to pay millions of dollars in bribes to government officials in Brazil in exchange for obtaining financing and other benefits for J&F and J&F-owned entities.
Medical Device Maker Merit Medical To Pay $18 Million To Settle Allegations Of Improper Payments To Physicians10/14/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Medical device maker Merit Medical Systems Inc. (MMSI), of South Jordan, Utah, has agreed to pay $18 million to resolve allegations that the company caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs by paying kickbacks to physicians and hospitals to induce the use of MMSI products, the Department of Justice announced today.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Michael Murray Delivers Remarks at University of Michigan Law School10/14/2020 12:00 AM EDT
I am here today to speak about the intersection of the antitrust laws and the financial sector of our economy. The financial markets and the financial services industry are currently undergoing massive transformation. New technologies are disrupting how we do business, how we transact with each other, and how the economy functions. Much of this change benefits consumers with innovative, low cost, and convenient products and services. But with rapid change also comes the opportunity for anticompetitive conduct and its attendant harm. Incumbents may predict and resist their demise and seek to slow innovation and the growth of rivals, and market participants who should compete against each other can agree to act jointly to the detriment of the American consumer.
Final Member of Violent Baltimore “Trained to Go” Gang Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering and Drug Conspiracies10/14/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Baltimore, Maryland, man was sentenced today to 138 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for federal charges of conspiring to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as Trained To Go (TTG), and for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Twenty-Four Defendants, Including Alleged Aryan Circle Gang Members and Associates Indicted on Racketeering, Firearms, and Drug Charges in Multiple States10/14/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Five indictments in three different states were unsealed today as law enforcement officers arrested twenty-four defendants, including alleged Aryan Circle (AC) gang members and associates, on charges of racketeering conspiracy, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, drug conspiracy, and unlawful firearms trafficking.
Arkansas Businessman Pleads Guilty to Income Tax Evasion10/14/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Bentonville, Arkansas, resident pleaded guilty today to income tax evasion announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
| 1. Deployment demands, training requirements to be reduced, Army leaders announce|
(Army Times) “Building from the momentum of the last three years, we must seek balance of readiness with our other ambitions,” Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said.
| 2. Can the military prosecute decades-old rape cases? The Supreme Court will soon decide.|
(Military Times) “There’s always the potential for someone to make a rape allegation now, from 20 years ago, and all of the sudden for this to be relevant.”
| 4. Esper doesn’t commit to keeping troops away from polling stations|
(Politico) Defense Secretary Mark Esper stopped short of committing to keep troops away from polling stations next month.
Food Justice is Racial Justice: National Farm to School Network Movement Meeting
1 to 3 p.m. ET
Featuring Karen Washington, food justice activist, for deep conversation and action-oriented reflection on racial justice in the farm to school movement and wider food system.
Teaching Space With NASA – Revealing the Universe With Infrared
3-4 P.M. PDT (6-7 P.M. EDT)
Webinar: Teaching Space With NASA – Revealing the Universe With Infrared
Audience: Formal and informal educators, all audiences welcome
Location: Online – Teaching Space With NASA
Overview: In this one-hour education webinar, NASA experts will discuss how we use non-visible light to explore the universe. All audiences welcome. If you would like to participate in the live Q&A, register at the link below. Note: You do not need to register to attend.
› Register to join live Q&A
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No soils, no life
We walk on soils, but often give little thought to what’s right under our feet. In fact, soils are the nation’s – and the world’s – breadbasket, providing food and a host of other necessities, including new medicines and materials.No soils, no life.Soils form over hundreds of years but can be destroyed by a single event, such as a hurricane. They’re vulnerable to wind and water erosion; pollutants, including runoff from highways; and nutrient loss.Despite a humble exterior, soils are complex ecosystems composed of organic matter, minerals, water, air – and billions upon billions of organisms. These ecosystems orchestrate the processes essential for plant growth, as well as food and fiber production. The U.S. National Science Foundation is funding researchers who study soils and their importance in our lives. “As the planet’s population grows, scientists need a better understanding of the soil ecosystems that play a critical role in supporting societies around the world,” says Enriqueta Barrera, a program director in NSF’s Division of Earth Sciences.During Earth Science Week 2020, with its theme “Earth materials in our lives,” NSF celebrates the soils beneath us.
|Continued violence strains Colombia peace process, Security Council hearsEnormous challenges remain on the road to lasting peace in Colombia, where despite ongoing attacks and stigmatization, the vast majority of former FARC-EP fighters who laid down their weapons under a 2016 peace agreement with the Government, remain engaged in the reintegration process, the head of the UN mission in the South American country says.Peace and Security|
UNICEF/Vinay PanjwaniProgress against tuberculosis ‘at risk’: WHOUrgent action and funding are needed to sustain progress in the global fight against tuberculosis (TB), the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has said, warning that global targets for prevention and treatment “will likely be missed”.Health
OCHA/Pierre PeronMyanmar: ‘Shocking’ killing of children allegedly used as human shieldsUN agencies in Myanmar have expressed ‘sadness’ and ‘shock’ over the killing of two boys, allegedly used as human shields by security forces in the country’s northern Rakhine province, earlier this month. Peace and Security
UNIFIL/Pasqual GorrizTalks begin to resolve disputed Lebanon-Israel maritime borderThe UN Secretary-General has welcomed the launch of ground-breaking discussions on Wednesday, over the disputed maritime border between Lebanon and Israel in the eastern Mediterranean, following a framework agreement between the two nations at the beginning of the month.Peace and Security
OCHA/Charlotte CansThousands displaced by fighting in southern AfghanistanThousands of people have been displaced and critical health services interrupted, after fighting erupted last weekend between security forces and Taliban fighters in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the UN humanitarian office has reported. Humanitarian Aid
Officials Announce International Operation Targeting Transnational Criminal Organization QQAAZZ that Provided Money Laundering Services to High-Level Cybercriminals10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Fourteen members of the transnational criminal organization, QQAAZZ, were charged by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Pennsylvania in an indictment unsealed today. A related indictment unsealed in October 2019 charged five members of QQAAZZ. One additional conspirator, a Russian national, was arrested by criminal complaint in late March 2020 while visiting the United States, bringing the total number of charged defendants to 20. Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady for the Western District of Pennsylvania, made the announcement today.
Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime and Explosives Charges for Plotting to Blow up Synagogue10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Justice Department announced that Richard Holzer, 28, pleaded guilty today to federal hate crime and explosives charges for plotting to blow up the Temple Emanuel Synagogue in Pueblo, Colorado.
Remarks by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jonathan D. Brightbill at the American Bar Association’s Environmental & Energy Litigation Federal Updates Virtual Regional CLE Program10/14/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Five Alleged Members of the Gangster Disciples Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charges10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A federal grand jury in Oxford, Mississippi, returned a six-count superseding indictment charging five alleged members of the Gangster Disciples gang, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney William C. Lamar of the Northern District of Mississippi.
Founder and CEO of Iranian Financial Services Firm Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Violate U.S. Sanctions10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the sentencing of Seyed Sajjad Shahidian, 33, to 23 months in prison for his role in conducting financial transactions in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Shahidian, who pleaded guilty on June 18, 2018, was sentenced today before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Shahidian, a citizen of Iran, was arrested in London, England on Nov. 11, 2018, and, on May 15, 2020, was extradited to the United States.
Private Equity CEO Enters into Non-prosecution Agreement on International Tax Fraud Scheme and Agrees to Pay $139 Million, to Abandon $182 Million in Charitable Contribution Deductions, and to Cooperate with Government Investigations10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Robert F. Smith, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of a San Francisco based private equity company, entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement (the agreement) with the Department of Justice, for his involvement from 2000 through 2015 in an illegal scheme to conceal income and evade millions in taxes by using an offshore trust structure and offshore bank accounts, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Tax Division, U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson for the Northern District of California, and Chief of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Jim Lee. In that agreement, Smith admits his involvement in the illegal scheme and agrees to cooperate with ongoing investigations and to pay back taxes and penalties in full.
CEO of Multibillion-dollar Software Company Indicted for Decades-long Tax Evasion and Wire Fraud Schemes10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A federal grand jury in San Francisco, California, returned a 39 count indictment charging Robert T. Brockman, the Chief Executive Officer of an Ohio-based software company, with tax evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and other offenses, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Tax Division, U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson for the Northern District of California, and Chief of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation Jim Lee. The charges stem from an alleged decades-long scheme to conceal approximately $2 billion in income from the IRS as well as a scheme to defraud investors in the software company’s debt securities.
Two Individuals And Two Companies Sentenced In Scheme To Fraudulently Sell Popular Dietary Supplements10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A federal court in Texas sentenced two former dietary supplement company executives to prison and ordered two companies to pay a combined $10.7 million in criminal forfeiture for their roles in fraudulently selling popular workout supplements, the Justice Department announced today.
Justice Department And Indian Authorities Announce Enforcement Actions Against Technical-Support Fraud Scheme Targeting Seniors10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A federal court has ordered an individual and 5 companies to stop engaging in a technical-support fraud scheme that is alleged to have defrauded hundreds of elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims, the Department of Justice announced today.
United States Unseals Superseding Indictment Charging Nationwide Money Laundering Network10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Justice Department today announced the unsealing of a superseding indictment charging six individuals with participating in a conspiracy to launder millions of dollars of drug proceeds on behalf of foreign cartels. This superseding indictment is the result of a nearly four-year investigation into the relationship between foreign drug trafficking organizations and Asian money laundering networks in the United States, China, and elsewhere.
Fugitive Charged with Leading Multimillion Dollar Fraud Scheme, Falsifying Evidence, and Tax Crimes10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
An American citizen was charged in two indictments unsealed this week for his alleged participation in an investment fraud scheme in which he allegedly misappropriated $6.1 million in investor-funds, manufactured evidence to mislead an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and concealed the proceeds of his fraudulent scheme from the IRS.
Justice Department Announces $29 Million To Support Justice And Mental Health Programs10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Department Of Justice Is Combatting COVID-19 Fraud But Reminds The Public To Remain Vigilant10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice is reminding members of the public to be vigilant against fraudsters who are using the COVID-19 pandemic to exploit American consumers and organizations and to cheat disaster relief programs. In particular, the department is warning the public about scams perpetrated through websites, social media, emails, robocalls, and other means that peddle fake COVID-19 vaccines, tests, treatments, and protective equipment, and also about criminals that fabricate businesses and steal identities in order to defraud federal relief programs and state unemployment programs.
Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud the IRS and to Steal Crash Reports from the Detroit Police Department10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Birmingham, Michigan, resident pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the IRS and to steal from an organization receiving federal funds, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Alabama Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Birmingham, Alabama, tax return preparer pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Prim F. Escalona.
North Carolina Return Preparer Pleads Guilty in Tax Fraud Scheme10/15/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Rocky Mount, North Carolina, tax return preparer pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
| 4. Pentagon prepares to welcome once-banned Indonesian minister|
(Reuters) President Donald Trump’s administration will welcome Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to the Pentagon on Friday.
| 5. Two US hostages held captive by Iran-backed group in Yemen freed in trade|
(Washington Examiner) Two U.S. hostages are now free after a trade that returned more than 200 Houthi militants to Yemen.
Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. Despite the involvement of a number of psychosocial factors, a biological process—one that is induced by repeated exposure to an addictive stimulus—is the core pathology that drives the development and maintenance of an addiction, according to the “brain disease model” of addiction.
addictive behavior – a behavior that is both rewarding and reinforcing
addictive drug – a drug that is both rewarding and reinforcing
dependence – an adaptive state associated with a withdrawal syndrome upon cessation of repeated exposure to a stimulus (e.g., drug intake)
drug sensitization or reverse tolerance – the escalating effect of a drug resulting from repeated administration at a given dose
drug withdrawal – symptoms that occur upon cessation of repeated drug use
reinforcing stimuli – stimuli that increase the probability of repeating behaviors paired with them
rewarding stimuli – stimuli that the brain interprets as intrinsically positive and desirable or as something to approach
sensitization – an amplified response to a stimulus resulting from repeated exposure to it
substance use disorder – a condition in which the use of substances leads to clinically and functionally significant impairment or distress
tolerance – the diminishing effect of a drug resulting from repeated administration at a given dose.
Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of NIDA, answers common questions about drugs, addiction, and where to find more information from NIH. (From NIH’s NIDA)
Prior Weather Linked to Rapid Intensification of Hurricanes Near Landfall
A buoy marks the West End CP mooring site south of Dauphin Island, Alabama, in the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of many stations that collect data on ocean conditions like temperature and salinity. Image Credit: University of South Alabama/DISL
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New study results show that ocean heat waves can provide enough fuel for hurricanes to gain momentum as they approach land.
Although most hurricanes tend to weaken as they approach land, some rapidly increase in strength just prior to landfall – a phenomenon that is both dangerous and hard to forecast. As the climate continues to warm, the number of storms that fall into the latter category is likely to increase, presenting a stark reality for communities in their paths. Because current weather models can’t accurately predict this sudden intensification, communities preparing for a lesser storm often don’t have time to respond to the arrival of a much stronger one or to the magnitude of destruction it is likely to leave behind.
The good news? The results of a new study published in September in Nature Communications identify pre-storm conditions that can contribute to this rapid intensification – an important step in improving our ability to forecast it.
Nicki Minaj Reveals Sex of Newborn Baby as She Shares Congratulatory Note from Beyoncé
The rapper thanked “everyone who sent well wishes during this time; it meant the world to me”Benjamin VanHoose
Nicki Minaj has a new little man in her life!
On Thursday, the “Yikes” rapper, 37, revealed that she is mom to a son. Minaj gave birth to her first child with husband Kenneth “Zoo” Petty on Sept. 30, in Los Angeles, a source previously confirmed to PEOPLE.
Tia Mowry-Hardrict Poses with Daughter, 2, for Festive ‘Pumpkin Fun’ in Matching Skirts
The actress is also mom to son Cree Taylor, 9, whom she shares with husband Cory HardrictBenjamin VanHoose
Tia Mowry-Hardrict is getting festive with her mini-me.
On Thursday, The Game actress, 42, posted a pair of sweet autumnal photos on Instagram, smiling as she posed with 2-year-old daughter Cairo Tiahna.
The von Kármán Lecture Series:
Galaxy of Horrors: Terrifying Real Planets
Oct. 15 & 16
There are many deadly worlds out there in the Milky Way. This month’s show will profile some of the real — and terrifying — planets NASA missions have discovered and discuss how they fit into the overall picture of what dangers lurk in the darkness of space…
Thursday, October 15, 2020, 7pm
The von Kármán Auditorium at JPL
4800 Oak Grove Drive
La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Friday, October 16, 2020, 7pm
Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium
1200 E California Blvd.
› Click here to watch the event live on Ustream
* Only the Thursday lectures are streamed live.
* Only the Thursday lectures are streamed live.
7:30PM EST / 4:30PM PST
Cast Your Vote
Throughout the world, people have championed the right to vote with their voices and sometimes with their lives. You are invited to an evening with storytellers sharing stories of those times when they exercised their right to vote, honoring the sacrifices and determination of the many women and men who fought hard for it.
Enjoy stories from powerful Latinx tellers on YouTube.
Hosted by Wes Hazard.
|Corruption represents ‘ultimate betrayal’ of public trust: GuterresCorruption is not only a crime but immoral and the “ultimate betrayal” of public trust, the UN Secretary-General has said, calling on everyone to work together and stamp out the global scourge, in all its forms. Law and Crime Prevention|
YPN for UNOCHAAn ‘airlift of hope’ in Yemen, UN envoy tells Security CouncilImmense relief and comfort are forthcoming for families awaiting their loved ones as Yemen’s warring parties have begun releasing prisoners and detainees on Thursday, in what the UN envoy there called, “an airlift of hope”. Peace and Security©
UNICEF/Evgeniy MaloletkaCOVID-19 rise in Europe a great concern, says WHO regional chiefCOVID-19 is now the fifth leading cause of death in Europe, where nearly 700,000 cases were reported this week: the highest weekly incidence since the pandemic began in March, the regional head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) told journalists on Thursday. Health
UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeRights experts urge UAE to halt repatriation of Yemeni nationals The repatriation of 18 Yemeni nationals previously held at the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, should be halted, as their lives could be in danger, UN-appointed human rights experts said on Thursday. Human Rights©
UNICEF/Vinay PanjwaniInvest in rural women, help them build resilience to future crises, urges UN chiefRural women play a critical role in agriculture, food security and managing land and natural resources, yet many suffer from “discrimination, systemic racism and structural poverty”, the UN chief said on Thursday. Women
UNMIL/Staton WinterRape is wrong but death penalty, castration, not the answer: UN rights chiefWhile perpetrators of rape and other forms of sexual violence must be held accountable, capital punishment and torture are not the answer, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Thursday. Human Rights
UNICEF/TremeauThree billion people globally lack handwashing facilities at home: UNICEFAlthough handwashing with soap is vital in the fight against infectious diseases, including COVID-19, billions of people around the world do not have ready access to a place to do it, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday. Health
UN NewsVibhu MishraSocial protection coverage in Asia and the Pacific ‘riddled with gaps’More than half the population of the vast Asia and Pacific region lack any social protection coverage, leaving populations vulnerable to ill-health, poverty, inequality and social exclusion, a new UN report has found. SDGs
Remarks as Delivered by Attorney General William P. Barr at the Major Cities Chiefs Association Conference10/16/2020 12:00 AM EDT
I appreciate the invitation to address this group. I want to start by thanking you, and the men and women you lead, for serving in what I think is the most noble profession in our country – enforcing the law and keeping our communities safe.
Remarks by Attorney General William P. Barr at the Major Cities Chiefs Association Conference10/16/2020 12:00 AM EDT
I appreciate the invitation to address this group. I want to start by thanking you, and the men and women you lead, for serving in what I think is the most noble profession in our country – enforcing the law and keeping our communities safe.
Departments of Justice and Homeland Security Release Data on Incarcerated Aliens10/16/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Today, the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security released the Alien Incarceration Report for Fiscal Year 2019. The data shows that 94 percent of confirmed aliens incarcerated in Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and United States Marshals Service (USMS) facilities were unlawfully present in the United States. Additionally, the report found that nearly 70 percent of known or suspected aliens in BOP custody had been convicted of a non-immigration-related offense, and 39 percent of known or suspected aliens in USMS custody had committed a non-immigration-related offense.
Justice Department Awards Over $54 Million to Support Wellness and Safety of Law Enforcement Officers10/16/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs today announced it has awarded funding totaling over $54 million to provide services that protect officers and improve overall public safety. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded grants to law enforcement departments, local jurisdictions, and training and technical assistance organizations throughout the United States
Executions Scheduled for Two Federal Inmates Convicted of Heinous Murders10/16/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Attorney General William P. Barr today directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons to schedule the executions of two federal death-row inmates, both of whom were convicted of especially heinous murders at least 13 years ago.
| 1. New AWOL policy comes after macabre summer called attention to missing soldiers|
(Army Times) “They [will now] only become AWOL after a thorough investigation,” the Army chief of staff said.
Finding Opportunity In The Space Sector
10:00 EDT / 15:00 BST / 16:00 CEST
NASA’s Artemis program to put humans on the Moon by 2024, the U.S. Defense Department’s creation of the Space Force and a growing middle market for space services are fueling at least one bright spot in the aerospace industry.
Join our panel of experts in a discussion about the surge in space revenue and where new opportunities may lie.
Moderated by Michael Bruno, Senior Business Editor, Aviation Week Network
Bill Gattle, President of Space Systems at L3Harris Technologies
Greg Konrad, Equity Analyst at Jeffries & Co.
Carey Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer at Parsons
At the end of the 2020 Virtual Annual Meetings, The Development Committee commended the World Bank Group and IMF for the speed and scale of their COVID-19 response, while urging continued work with member countries, the public and private sectors, local and bilateral development partners, and other international organizations. Read More.
The Iconic HomeArchitectural Digest
and the Black Interior Designers Networks introduce The Iconic Home, a Virtual Show House featuring Black creatives under one roof
ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN
Better-built ballots and voting booths may help ease concerns over potential voter fraud
Ranked among the top art and design schools in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject and among the top design schools in the US by BusinessWeek, Pratt features a distinguished faculty of practicing professionals, a wide variety of highly ranked programs in art, design, architecture, library science, and related fields, and ideally located campuses in Brooklyn (main campus), Manhattan, and Utica, New York (extension campus, PrattMWP).
Pratt’s applications for fall and spring are online (link below). Application requirements are all online as well (see below). Once you read the general information, please select your level (freshman, transfer, graduate) for details. International students must also read the international requirements.
200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
CAD DESIGN CERTIFICATE
Register for any course individually or join the certificate program!
Hone the CAD tools needed to deliver designs to both contractors and clients. Create CAD drawings using industry standards: Autodesk® AutoCAD®, and Autodesk® Revit Architecture. Finish with photorealistic renderings using Autodesk® 3ds Max.
PMA-401 Introduction to AutoCAD
PMA-402 AutoCAD Advanced
PMA-406A Introduction to Revit
PMA-412A Revit Advanced
PMCG-223 Introduction to 3ds Max: Modeling and Rendering
PMCG-240 3ds Max Advanced
PMA-414 Reality Capture: The Built Environment
INTRODUCTION TO AUTOCAD®
Begin with basic tools and concepts that enable you to create and edit simple drawings; then move on to more advanced tools. Explore the AutoCAD workspace and user interface. Finish with a production drawing that’s ready to print. Hands-on class exercises are used to simulate a real-world workflow. Prerequisites: Working knowledge of basic design/ drafting procedures and terminology.
Please Note: Not accepted by NYS for LU or PDH credit.
Replicate a professional workflow and build upon concepts introduced in Introduction to AutoCAD through hands-on exercises that explore how to create 2D production drawings. Create and manage blocks; add attributes to blocks; prepare templates; define text and dimension styles; use external reference files; work with tables; utilize collaboration tools; publish and distribute project drawings.
INTRODUCTION TO REVIT®
Revit is the AEC industry’s most popular parametric building modeler. In Autodesk® Revit®, you don’t just draw 2D building plans, elevations and sections, you create a digital database of your building, comprising 3D graphical information and non-graphical data. Revit® includes a library of predefined parametric building components that can be customized to meet your needs. Productivity is improved through increased automation of construction documentation and scheduling. New tools, templates, and construction content that extend the benefits of building information modeling solutions to the construction community are covered in comprehensive exercises.
Replicate a professional workflow for building plans, elevations and sections, as well as the digital database of 3D graphical information and non-graphical data in Revit. Collaboration is an integral part of today’s work environment and Revit®’s work-sharing provides a method for sharing files with other partners. Catalogs of predefined building components are supplied but may not be exactly what you need. Use Revit’s family editor for customization.
INTRO TO 3DS MAX: MODELING AND RENDERING
Learn how to model and render objects, and apply textures and lighting in this foundational 3ds Max class.
3DS MAX ADVANCED
Explore organic shapes, advanced modeling, mapping, and texturing. Built-in camera mapping functions and matching are covered, as well as preparing for composites. Prerequisites: Intro to 3ds Max: Modeling and Rendering.
NEW: REALITY CAPTURE: THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Focus on the next generation of building documentation for design, construction and operations, utilizing the very latest Digital Twin technologies. Work with cutting edge rapid reality capture and Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools to create construction documents and operations sets for space and asset management. Note: This class provides the option to utilize Pratt’s Interdisciplinary Technology Lab (ITL), located on the Pratt Brooklyn Campus.
FIND A COURSE
Enter keyword(s) to search for courses, or use the course code and hyphen (eg: PMFA-429). Courses display in ascending order by course number. Choose a course to display its catalog description, select view full course listing for additional details.
U.S.-European Sea Level Satellite Gears Up for Launch
In this illustration, the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft – the world’s latest sea-level satellite – orbits Earth with its deployable solar panels extended. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
› Full image and caption
The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich spacecraft will soon be heading into orbit to monitor the height of the ocean for nearly the entire globe.
Preparations are ramping up for the Nov. 10 launch of the world’s latest sea level satellite. Since arriving in a giant cargo plane at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California last month, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich has been undergoing final checks, including visual inspections, to make sure it’s fit to head into orbit.
Surviving the bone-rattling vibrations and sounds of launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket is just the start of the mission. Once in orbit some 830 miles (1,336 kilometers) above Earth, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich has the task of collecting sea level measurements with an accuracy of a few centimeters (for a single measurement) for more than 90% of the world’s oceans. And it will be making those measurements while repeatedly flying through an area of intense radiation known as the South Atlantic Anomaly, which can scramble electronics.
That’s why engineers and researchers have put Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich through a battery of tests to ensure that the spacecraft will survive launch and the harsh environment of space. But how will the mission pull the rest of it off? With sophisticated instruments, global navigation satellites, and lasers – lots of lasers. They’ll all work in concert to enable the spacecraft to carry out its task of observing the ocean.
NASA InSight’s ‘Mole’ Is Out of Sight
Now that the heat probe is just below the Martian surface, InSight’s arm will scoop some additional soil on top to help it keep digging so it can take Mars’ temperature.
NASA’s InSight lander continues working to get its “mole” – a 16-inch-long (40-centimeter-long) pile driver and heat probe – deep below the surface of Mars. A camera on InSight’s arm recently took images of the now partially filled-in “mole hole,” showing only the device’s science tether protruding from the ground.
Sensors embedded in the tether are designed to measure heat flowing from the planet once the mole has dug at least 10 feet (3 meters) deep. The mission team has been working to help the mole burrow to at least that depth so that it can take Mars’ temperature.
The mole was designed so that loose soil would flow around it, providing friction against its outer hull so that it can dig deeper; without this friction, the mole just bounces in place as it hammers into the ground. But the soil where InSight landed is different than what previous missions have encountered: During hammering, the soil sticks together, forming a small pit around the device instead of collapsing around it and providing the necessary friction.
This footage from Aug. 19, 2019, shows a replica of InSight scraping soil with a scoop on the end of its robotic arm in a test lab at JPL. A replica of the “mole” – the lander’s self-hammering heat probe – comes in to view as the scoop moves to the left. On Mars, InSight will scrape and tamp down soil on top of the mole to help it dig. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
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Nicki Minaj Returns On Sada Baby’s ‘Whole Lotta Choppas’ Remix
By Peyton Blakemore
Photo: Getty Images
One of TikTok’s favorites tracks just got a Nicki Minaj revamp!
On Friday (October 16), Sada Baby released a remix to his single “Whole Lotta Choppas,” featuring none other than Queen Minaj. The track comes just two weeks after Nicki gave birth to her first child, marking her first collab since becoming a mother…
Violence, COVID-19, contribute to rising humanitarian needs in the Sahel
© UNOCHA/Eve SabbaghTwo displaced women sit at a camp in Awaradi, Niger.Humanitarian Aid
A surge in armed violence, coupled with the economic and social fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, are contributing to worsening conditions for children in the Central Sahel, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Friday.
The agency said a record 7.2 million children in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger now require humanitarian assistance: a staggering two-thirds jump in just a year.
|LIVE: World Food DayHunger is rising, due to factors including conflict, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, which is putting a strain on food systems that are already failing in many countries. In today’s LIVE blog, marking World Food Day, we will look at some of the many issues and possible solutions.|
• UN chief video message
• What is sustainable agriculture?
• Food and the COVID-19 pandemic
• The business of food
• UN commits to transforming food systemsSDGs©
UNICEF/Delil SouleimanSyria: Humanitarians ‘very concerned’ for thousands still living in Al Hol campHumanitarians are “very concerned” about the plight of more than 64,000 people living in the restive Al Hol camp in northeast Syria, the UN Spokesperson told journalists on Friday. Human Rights©
UNOCHA/Eve SabbaghViolence, COVID-19, contribute to rising humanitarian needs in the SahelA surge in armed violence, coupled with the economic and social fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, are contributing to worsening conditions for children in the Central Sahel, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Friday. Humanitarian Aid
IMFCOVID-19: ‘Little or no’ benefit from trials of anti-virals, says WHO Latest results from a UN-coordinated international trial on four COVID-19 therapeutic drugs, indicate that they have “little or no” positive impact on preventing deaths in patients infected with the new coronavirus. Health
MINUSMA/Harandane DickoUN chief calls for swift action following attacks on peacekeepers in MaliAuthorities in Mali are being urged to act swiftly to apprehend those responsible for two separate attacks on Thursday against peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in the country, MINUSMA. Peace and Security
IOM/Amanda NeroMisuse of terrorism laws during conflict creates ‘unmitigated calamity’The misuse of terrorism laws during conflict situations often leads to an “unmitigated calamity” on the ground, an independent UN expert has warned. Human Rights
UN Photo/Antoine TardyBolivia elections, an opportunity to defuse extreme polarization: UN rights chiefThe UN’s top human rights official has called on everyone active in Bolivian politics, to ensure calm on the streets, and refrain from any action that could undermine the peaceful conduct of the general elections, taking place on Sunday. Peace and Security
A Powerful Mural Marks the Desegregation of South Carolina Schools
On the milestone’s 50th anniversary, artist Guido van Helten used an eight-story building “to give voice to traditionally black communities on the west side of Greenville”
Meet The 6 Plant Aficionados Taking Over NYC
For New Yorkers during the pandemic, plants have been a lifeline—a source of inspiration and a form of personal and political expression. As a fresh crop of local green thumbs reveals, there has never been a better time to turn over a new leaf
By Sam Cochran
Photography by Deirdre Lewis
Exploring Astronomy Lessons and Programs
10-11:30 A.M. PDT (1-2:30 P.M. EDT)
Workshop: Exploring Astronomy Lessons and Programs
Audience: U.S. teachers for grades 6-12
Location: Online – Webex link will be provided to registered participants
Overview: In this interactive virtual workshop, we will highlight lessons focused on the electromagnetic spectrum as well as its role in astronomy and NASA space exploration. Education specialist Brandon Rodriguez from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be joined by high-school and college students, who will demonstrate lessons and activities that helped them become interested in STEM. We will also discuss educational opportunities for teachers and students to take part in NASA research and lesson development. Participation is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is required.
› Register to attend
› Explore education resources
Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy showcases epic makeup skills with latest look
The singer has three children
RIHANNA, BEYONCE, AND SERENA WILLIAMS MAKE FORBES’ ‘RICHEST SELF-MADE WOMEN UNDER 40’ LIST
PSYCHOLOGY TODAY Today’s Essentials This Week…
Kids of politicians are making news by speaking up to discourage voters from supporting their parents. Typical teenage rebellion? That’s far too simplistic.
The Enlightenment Gap is the failure of modernist systems of science and philosophy to solve the proper relations between matter and mind and social and scientific knowledge.
Cultural narratives sway us to understand our emotions in particular ways. Too often, though, they lead us astray, especially with regard to people who are single or living alone.
Are we allowed to just want to be here?
My ambivalence about having been a career counselor rather than a pizza monger.
We are currently seeing the arbitrariness of gender attributions close up and in person in our public political events.
Even if Carol Dweck’s classic research on growth mindset has failed to replicate, it has helped me successfully improve my writing ability. Here are five tools.
Once I was on a plane flying to Little Rock, Arkansas. I was seated next to an older woman. I remember her as having kind, intelligent eyes.
The idea of a psychologist general is gaining traction in the mainstream media. This post and Monica Lewinsky explain why.
Negative thinking is a work tool that makes cops safer on the job, but can make life at home harder. Here’s a three-step process to change how you think.
How to cope with COVID-19? Using the same flexibility that some have used to adjust to chronic disease.
How can you combat jealousy, envy, and insecurity? A Buddhist technique might help.
New research suggests that sitting still may optimize one’s ability to harness crystallized knowledge, whereas cardio workouts appear to boost one’s fluid thinking abilities.
Is there a silver lining to being forced to work virtually?
Should schools continue to teach mindset theory? New research puts Carol Dweck’s findings on fixed versus growth mindset into question and adds some needed caveats.
If you cannot figure out why someone you like is keeping their distance and rarely shares anything personal, schizoid personality disorder might be the answer.
It’s easy for struggling couples to see the other guy as the enemy. Rather than battling each other, they need to join forces and tackle the problem. How to do it.
How do we define a good life and who deserves to have one?
Why do partisans see the same evidence and react differently? Because that’s the best way for them to get to the truth of the matter.
In times of intense public discourse and even turmoil, prominent symbols from our national discussion often appear in people’s dreams.
What can a cluster of nerve cells in a dish tell us about complex brain disorders?
Citizen science can help us understand the various ways dogs react to “faceless humans.” Pilot data show large individual differences and no one-size-fits-all explanations.
Relationships are usually viewed as beneficial to health but trends in facemask use and male stereotypes suggest one way that yours could be causing more harm than you realize.
10 tips on how to apply what scientists call the 3-to-1 positivity ratio that builds resilience, advances your happiness, and cultivates peace of mind.
Vaping is touted as an alternative to smoking. But is it cool or uncouth?
Want to transform a Halloween ritual into teaching your kids about health, nutrition, and generosity? The upside of candy.
The challenge of being human is not how fast or slow your brain is running, but what you are doing with it even while you are daydreaming or fast asleep.
Not sure what to do when people say something hurtful that compounds your hurt? Here’s some tips for how to respond that I’ve learned from living through and studying crises.
As the walls rise, we have increasing difficulty hearing, or understanding, one another. In other words, empathy is a precursor to mutuality.
Department of Justice’s COPS Office Invests More Than $536.7 Million in Grants to Improve Public Safety, Reduce Crime and Advance Community Policing10/19/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) awarded more than $536.7 million in Fiscal Year 2020 to increase law enforcement hiring and to improve school safety, combat opioids and methamphetamine, advance community policing efforts, provide training to the law enforcement field, and protect the health of our nation’s officers and deputies.
California University To Pay $225,000 For Allegedly Violating Ban On Incentive Compensation10/19/2020 12:00 AM EDT
San Diego Christian College (SDCC), based in Santee, California, will pay $225,000 to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act for submitting false claims to the U.S. Department of Education in violation of the federal ban on incentive-based compensation, the Justice Department announced today.
Remarks By Assistant Attorney General For National Security John C. Demers On Announcement of Charges Against Russian Military Intelligence Officers10/19/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Good afternoon. Today, we announce criminal charges against a conspiracy of Russian military intelligence officers who stand accused of conducting the most disruptive and destructive series of computer attacks ever attributed to a single group
| 4. National security adviser: Despite Trump tweet, Afghanistan Christmas withdrawal unlikely|
(Military Times) “When I’m speaking, I’m speaking for the president,” Robert O’Brien said.
(American English) or behaviour (British English; see spelling differences) is the actions and mannerisms made by individuals, organisms, systems or artificial entities in conjunction with themselves or their environment, which includes the other systems or organisms around as well as the (inanimate) physical environment. It is the computed response of the system or organism to various stimuli or inputs, whether internal or external, conscious or subconscious, overt or covert, and voluntary or involuntary.
Taking a behavior informatics perspective, a behavior consists of behavior actor, operation, interactions, and their properties. A behavior can be represented as a behavior vector.
Main article: Behavioral ecology
Although there is some disagreement as to how to precisely define behavior in a biological context, one common interpretation based on a meta-analysis of scientific literature states that “behavior is the internally coordinated responses (actions or inactions) of whole living organisms (individuals or groups) to internal and/or external stimuli”.
A broader definition of behavior, applicable to plants and other organisms, is similar to the concept of phenotypic plasticity. It describes behavior as a response to an event or environment change during the course of the lifetime of an individual, differing from other physiological or biochemical changes that occur more rapidly, and excluding changes that are result of development (ontogeny).
Behaviors can be either innate or learned from the environment.
Behavior can be regarded as any action of an organism that changes its relationship to its environment. Behavior provides outputs from the organism to the environment.
Main article: Human behavior
Human behavior is believed to be influenced by the endocrine system and the nervous system. It is most commonly believed that complexity in the behavior of an organism is correlated to the complexity of its nervous system. Generally, organisms with more complex nervous systems have a greater capacity to learn new responses and thus adjust their behavior.
Main article: Ethology
Ethology is the scientific and objective study of animal behavior, usually with a focus on behavior under natural conditions, and viewing behavior as an evolutionarily adaptive trait. Behaviorism is a term that also describes the scientific and objective study of animal behavior, usually referring to measured responses to stimuli or trained behavioral responses in a laboratory context, without a particular emphasis on evolutionary adaptivity.
explore the cognitive processes within organisms and the behavioural interactions between organisms in the natural world. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through naturalistic observation, controlled scientific experimentation and mathematical modeling. It attempts to accomplish legitimate, objective conclusions through rigorous formulations and observation. Examples of behavioral sciences include psychology, psychobiology, anthropology, and cognitive science. Generally, behavior science deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior as it relates to society.
Behavioural sciences include two broad categories: neural — Information sciences and social — Relational sciences.
Information processing sciences deal with information processing of stimuli from the social environment by cognitive entities in order to engage in decision making, social judgment and social perception for individual functioning and survival of organism in a social environment. These include psychology, cognitive science, behaviour analysis, psychobiology, neural networks, social cognition, social psychology, semantic networks, ethology, and social neuroscience.
On the other hand, Relational sciences deal with relationships, interaction, communication networks, associations and relational strategies or dynamics between organisms or cognitive entities in a social system. These include fields like sociological social psychology, social networks, dynamic network analysis, agent-based model, behaviour analysis, and microsimulation.
studies the effects of psychological, cognitive, emotional, cultural and social factors on the decisions of individuals and institutions and how those decisions vary from those implied by classical economic theory.
Behavioral economics is primarily concerned with the bounds of rationality of economic agents. Behavioral models typically integrate insights from psychology, neuroscience and microeconomic theory. The study of behavioral economics includes how market decisions are made and the mechanisms that drive public choice.
DEC Announces Enforcement of New York’s Plastic Bag Ban to Start Oct. 19, 2020
DEC will begin enforcement of the State’s ban on single-use plastic carryout bags on Oct. 19, 2020. The plastic bag ban, which went into effect on March 1, was not enforced per an agreement between the parties in a lawsuit brought by Poly-Pak Industries, Inc., et al, in New York State Supreme Court.
Pursuant to an Order of the New York State Supreme Court, Albany County, DEC agreed to provide the parties and the Court at least 30 days’ notice prior to commencing enforcement. DEC is currently conducting extensive outreach to stakeholders, including grocery stores, retailers, and others, to provide notice of the start of enforcement and answer questions.
DEC continues to encourage New Yorkers to use reusable bags wherever and whenever they shop with the #BYOBagNY campaign, launched earlier this year. Additional information about exemptions to the plastic bag ban, frequently asked questions, and posters, flyers, and tip strips to download, as well as tips for keeping reusable bags clean are available on DEC’s website.
New Yorkers use an estimated 23 billion plastic bags annually—each for about 12 minutes—and approximately 85 percent of this staggering total ends up in landfills, recycling machines, waterways, and streets. In March 2017, Governor Cuomo created the New York State Plastic Bag Task Force, chaired by DEC Commissioner Seggos. The task force met several times to develop a uniform, comprehensive, and equitable solution to the challenge of plastic bag waste. The final report analyzed the impacts of single-use plastic bags and provided options for legislation that could help develop a statewide solution. In addition, following passage of the New York State Plastic Bag Waste Reduction Act, DEC held a series of meetings with industry stakeholders across the state to invite input from the public and guide the agency’s development of rules and regulations to implement the law.
For more information about the plastic bag ban, reusable bags, or to file a complaint about entities using single-use plastic carryout bags, visit DEC’s website, email email@example.com, or call (518) 402-8706.
|Patient Safety Bulletin|
|October 19-21 Diagnostic Error Conference Hosted by the Society to Improve Diagnosis in MedicineRegister now for the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine’s Diagnostic Error in Medicine 13th Annual International Conference (SIDM2020), which will take place virtually October 19-21. The theme is Transforming Education & Practice to Improve Diagnosis, and continuing education credits are available. The conference will feature the latest research in improving diagnosis; strategies to improve, teach and assess clinical reasoning skills; and practice improvement strategies to reduce harm from diagnostic errors. In addition, SIDM will be hosting a free patient summit, Disparities in Diagnosis in the Time of COVID-19: A Multicultural Perspective. Details and agendas for the conference and patient summit can be found here.|
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Billie Eilish Shared a Nike Optical Illusion With Instagram Followers
It’s 2020’s version of “The Dress.”
Fenty Beauty Is Currently Having A Major Sale
Time to stock up on some faves.
BY KARA NESVIG
NASA’s Perseverance Rover Bringing 3D-Printed Metal Parts to Mars
The outer shell of PIXL, one of the instruments aboard NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover, includes several parts that were made of 3D-printed titanium. The inset shows the front half of the two-piece shell part it was finished. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
› Larger view
For hobbyists and makers, 3D printing expands creative possibilities; for specialized engineers, it’s also key to next-generation spacecraft design.
If you want to see science fiction at work, visit a modern machine shop, where 3D printers create materials in just about any shape you can imagine. NASA is exploring the technique – known as additive manufacturing when used by specialized engineers – to build rocket engines as well as potential outposts on the Moon and Mars. Nearer in the future is a different milestone: NASA’s Perseverance rover, which lands on the Red Planet on Feb. 18, 2021, carries 11 metal parts made with 3D printing.
Instead of forging, molding, or cutting materials, 3D printing relies on lasers to melt powder in successive layers to give shape to something. Doing so allows engineers to play with unique designs and traits, such as making hardware lighter, stronger, or responsive to heat or cold.
Burkina Faso ‘one step short of famine’, warns UN food relief agency
UNOCHA/Giles ClarkeIn Burkina Faso, the number of people facing a critical lack of food has increased.Humanitarian Aid
Unless access is urgently granted to humanitarian organizations, thousands in the Central Sahel will be “pushed into further destitution”, the UN emergency food relief agency warned on Monday.
Ahead of Tuesday’s High-Level Ministerial Conference on the Central Sahel in the Danish capital Copenhagen, the World Food Programme (WFP) sounded the alarm that catastrophic levels of hunger could hit parts of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
‘Tragic’ food insecurity spike
Violence and insecurity have pushed 7.4 million people in the Central Sahel region of West Africa into acute hunger, according to WFP.
Additionally, the number of internally displaced people has risen from 70,000 two years ago to nearly 1.6 million today – including over 288,000 in Mali, more than 265,000 in Niger and over one million in Burkina Faso, which is now home to the world’s fastest growing displacement crisis.
|COVID-19 vaccine: UNICEF to stockpile more than half a billion syringes by year’s endWith countries and pharmaceutical companies aroundthe world gearing up to distribute COVID-19 vaccines following trials, the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF has begun laying the groundwork for the rapid, safe and efficient delivery by buying and pre-positioning syringes and other necessary equipment.Health|
IMF/Jeff MooreFocus on fundamentals as COVID-19 caseloads rise: WHOAs COVID-19 cases continue to accelerate, particularly in Europe and North America, the World Health Organization (WHO) is advising governments and people everywhere not to let their guard down, for the benefit of those hospitalized, or working on the front line of the battle to end the pandemic. Health
UNOCHA/Giles ClarkeBurkina Faso ‘one step short of famine’, warns UN food relief agencyUnless access is urgently granted to humanitarian organizations, thousands in the Central Sahel will be “pushed into further destitution”, the UN emergency food relief agency warned on Monday. Humanitarian Aid©
UNICEF/Patrick Brown‘Biocups’, electric motorcycle taxis and recycling 500 billion bottles for a sustainable Thailand: a UN Resident Coordinator blogThe private sector in Thailand has a key role to play in helping the south-east Asian country to reach poverty reduction and sustainable development goals agreed by the international community. In this blog, Gita Sabharwal, the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand and the Chairperson of the UN Global Compact Network Thailand, Suphachai Chearavanont, explain how, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, progress is being made towards the goals.Economic Development
Elliott Broidy Pleads Guilty for Back-Channel Lobbying Campaign to Drop 1MDB Investigation and Remove a Chinese Foreign National10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Elliott Broidy, 63, of Beverly Hills, California, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to one count of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Pennsylvania Biofuel Company and Owners Sentenced on Environmental and Tax Crime Convictions Arising out of Renewable Fuels Fraud10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Two biofuel company owners were sentenced to prison for conspiracy and making false statements to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and conspiracy to defraud the IRS and preparing a false tax claim.
Attorney General William Barr Delivers Video Remarks for the Virtual National Law Enforcement Training on Child Exploitation10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Good morning, the Department of Justice is pleased to once again host the National Law Enforcement Training on Child Exploitation.
Prison Official Charged with Accepting Bribes and Smuggling Contraband into Correctional Institution10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A federal grand jury sitting in the Eastern District of North Carolina returned an indictment on Oct. 14 charging a North Carolina Department of Public Safety official with a bribery and smuggling scheme that funneled drugs and other contraband into Caledonia Correctional Institution.
Owner of Queens Acupuncture Business Pleads Guilty to Aiding and Assisting the Preparation of a False Tax Return10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The co-owner of a New York acupuncture business pleaded guilty yesterday to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
The Departments of Justice and Homeland Security Publish Final Rule to Restrict Certain Criminal Aliens’ Eligibility for Asylum10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Today, the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security announced the publication of a Final Rule amending their respective regulations to prevent certain categories of criminal aliens from obtaining asylum in the United States. The rule takes effect 30 days after publication of the Final Rule in the Federal Register, which is scheduled to occur on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Five Alleged MS-13 Members Charged Federally for Their Participation in a Violent Racketeering Conspiracy Including Eight Murders and Four Attempted Murders10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A federal grand jury returned an eleventh superseding indictment Monday, charging five men in connection with a conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13. The eleventh superseding indictment adds a new defendant charged with a racketeering conspiracy related to his membership in MS-13, including a double homicide and drug trafficking.
Six Defendants Charged in Scheme to Defraud Student Loan Programs of More Than $12 Million.10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Six former administrators from the Columbus, Georgia, campus of the Apex School of Theology were charged in an indictment unsealed Monday for their alleged participation in a scheme to defraud student loan programs of more than $12,000,000.
Justice Department Sues Monopolist Google For Violating Antitrust Laws10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Today, the Department of Justice — along with eleven state Attorneys General — filed a civil antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to stop Google from unlawfully maintaining monopolies through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and search advertising markets and to remedy the competitive harms. The participating state Attorneys General offices represent Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, and Texas.
Statement of the Attorney General on the Announcement Of Civil Antitrust Lawsuit Filed Against Google10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Attorney General William P. Barr released the following statement.
Introductory Remarks of Deputy Attorney General at Announcement of Civil Antitrust Lawsuit Filed Against Google10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
This morning, the Department of Justice and eleven states filed an antitrust civil lawsuit against Google, for unlawfully maintaining a monopoly in general search services and search advertising in violation of section two of the Sherman Act.
Al Qaeda-Trained Jihadist Who Recruited Other Inmates to Join ISIS Sentenced to 300 Months10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A 46-year-old international terrorist convicted of additional terrorist activity that he committed while an inmate of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons has been sentenced in the Eastern District of Texas, announced the Department of Justice.
New York Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to File False Returns10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A resident of Newburgh, New York, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to defraud the United States, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.
Department of Justice Issues Annual Report to Congress on its Work to Combat Elder Fraud and Abuse10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Yesterday, the Department of Justice issued its Annual Report to Congress on Department of Justice Activities to Combat Elder Fraud and Abuse. The report summarizes the department’s extensive efforts from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.
San Antonio Return Preparer Pleads Guilty in Tax Fraud Scheme10/20/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A San Antonio, Texas, tax return preparer pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer of the Western District of Texas.
| Supreme Court to hear case over use of DoD funds for border wall|
(Military Times) The use of DoD funds to build a border wall will be taken up by the Supreme Court.
| Trump announces plans to remove Sudan from state sponsors of terrorism list|
(CNN) President Donald Trump announced Monday that he intends to lift Sudan’s state sponsor of terrorism designation.
| A secret US rescue in Yemen played a role in Mideast peace deal|
(Wall Street Journal) The U.S. helped rescue U.A.E. soldiers after a 2017 helicopter crash, building a reservoir of trust that helped lead to recent agreement.
| Pompeo to host Armenian, Azerbaijani foreign ministers amid deadly clashes|
(Politico) The visits offer the Trump administration a chance to showcase an attempt at global leadership just days before President Donald Trump faces re-election.
Recap: Virtual Vocab Bowl Kickoff
Thanks to all the students and teachers who tuned in LIVE to celebrate the opening day of the 2020–2021 Vocabulary Bowl season!
October 1st was a special day for Vocabulary.com and for schools across the nation as the new Vocabulary Bowl season kicks off. And this year, instead of celebrating at just one school, we were able to celebrate the Vocabulary Bowl with hundreds of schools.
At our first ever virtual kickoff event, several schools announced their #BOWLGOALS for the 2020–2021 season. The illustrious Larry Lexicon and his students from Buckingham Charter High School made a special appearance, and our team hosted live interviews with special guests from Ashe County Middle, Hollywood Hills High, and William Dandy Middle.
Competition was fierce but friendly throughout the event, as attendees competed for fun prizes in a virtual scavenger hunt and huge Vocab Jam. Prizes went to eight lucky classrooms, and their students will get to enjoy Amazon gift cards, Amazon Echos, Vocabulary.com Swag, and popular books recommended by Project LIT Community.
Over 550 attendees joined us live, and with the majority of those being teachers who streamed the kickoff for their classes, we estimate that a few thousand people tuned in! During the event, more than 500 people from across the map played in our huge Vocab Jam. And throughout opening day schools tracked their progress on the virtual leaderboards.
Winners of the Opening Day Challenge
Speaking of Vocab Bowl leaderboards, for the first time we held a special one-day challenge and awarded official certificates of achievement to the Top 10 schools in Division I, II and III. Here are the winners:
Small but Mighty
Proving yet again that you don’t have to be huge to be a Bowl behemoth, small-but-mighty Division III McKenzie Middle School from McKenzie, Tennessee out-mastered every other school in North America to top the overall leaderboard on opening day. Congratulations, Rebels!
McKenzie Middle wasn’t the only Division III school to top the leaderboards on opening day. Buckingham Charter, Immaculate Conception School, and Ashe County Middle all placed in the Top 5 on the overall leaderboard.
Set your 2020–2021 #BOWLGOAL
There’s still plenty of time to set your school’s #BOWLGOAL and compete in the 2020–2021 season! What’s a #BOWLGOAL? It’s an attainable milestone that you set for your school on the Vocabulary Bowl leaderboards to motivate your students to play, compete, and learn. Check out this video of schools from across the nation announcing their 2020–2021 #BOWLGOALS!
We Want to Shoutout Your School!
We love celebrating academic achievement, and we’re always looking for successes great and small to shoutout. If you want to get your school featured on Vocabulary.com this season, send us a short video or photo of your #BOWLGOALS and you may be featured in one of our monthly Bowl Round-up Videos. Here are some tips on getting featured.
New Teacher Resources
Want some ideas to help you build some Bowl momentum in your classroom? Set your students up for success with these helpful resources:
- Vocabulary Bowl implementation guide
- How to set #BOWLGOALS
- Vocabulary Bowl student recognition certificate
- Vocabulary.com student recognition certificate
- Customizable achievement badge certificate
- Vocabulary.com achievement badge artwork
- Social media templates — Facebook and Instagram
- Social media templates — Twitter
Are you in?
It takes just seconds to sign up and select your school, and from that moment on every word your students master counts for your school in the competition. Here’s all the info on how to get your school involved in the Vocabulary Bowl.
World Statistics Day 2020:
From the United Nations > Department of Economic and Social Affairs > Statistics Division: WORLD STATISTICS DAY 2020: “The third World Statistics Day will be celebrated around the globe with the theme ‘Connecting the world with data we can trust.’ This theme reflects on the importance of trust, authoritative data, innovation and the public good in national statistical systems.
“On 3 June 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 69/282, in which it designated 20 October 2015 as the second World Statistics Day and decided to celebrate the Day every five years on 20 October. The second Day was celebrated on 20 October 2015 with the theme ‘Better data, better lives.’
“The first World Statistics Day was celebrated on 20 October 2010 with the theme ‘Service, professionalism, integrity: celebrating the many contributions and achievements of official statistics.’”
The Census Bureau is the federal government’s largest statistical agency. We are dedicated to providing current facts and figures about America’s people, places, and economy. Federal law protects the confidentiality of all the information the Census Bureau collects. Learn more: About the Bureau > What We Do > U.S. Census Bureau at a Glance.
One in six children living in extreme poverty, with figure set to rise during pandemic
|UN urges people to #PledgetoPause before sharing information onlineWith the COVID-19 pandemic sparking a “communications emergency” caused by false information disseminated on social media, the UN Secretary-General is encouraging people everywhere to take a breath before sharing content online. Health© |
UNHCR/Sylvain CherkaouiUN chief appeals for urgent action to reverse ‘downward spiral’ in Central SahelThe world must act now to reverse the situation in Africa’s central Sahel region, where humanitarian needs are at “a breaking point”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told a high-level conference on Tuesday to address the burgeoning crisis. Humanitarian Aid
YPN for UNOCHA‘Work in unison’ to promote peace and security in the Persian Gulf region – UN chiefGiven the complex and multifaceted challenges in the Persian Gulf region, the UN chief told the Security Council on Tuesday that it is important to reflect more deeply on how everyone, particularly the Council itself, can “work in unison to promote peace and security”. Peace and Security©
World Bank/Visual News AssociateNew UN gender study: Women ‘far from having an equal voice to men’The COVID-19 pandemic is “interrupting efforts” to achieve gender equality and threatening to “reverse hard-won gains” over the past decades, a senior UN official said on Tuesday.Women©
UNICEF/Vinay PanjwaniSafeguard human rights defenders, rights of NGOs in India, Bachelet urgesHighlighting that India has long had a strong civil society at the forefront of “groundbreaking human rights advocacy within the country and globally”, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, raised concerns on Tuesday that “vaguely defined laws are increasingly being used to stifle these voices”. Human Rights
UnsplashTrusted data helps us all ‘understand the changing world’: GuterresCurrent, reliable and trusted data help us to “understand the changing world” in which we live, the UN chief said on Tuesday in his message for World Statistics Day.SDGs©
UNICEF/Niklas Halle’nOne in six children living in extreme poverty, with figure set to rise during pandemicAn estimated one in six children – or 356 million globally – were living in extreme poverty before the COVID-19 pandemic began, and this is set to worsen significantly, according to a new World Bank Group and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) analysis released on Tuesday. SDGs
Attorney General William P. Barr Announces Updates on Operation Legend in Memphis10/21/2020 12:00 AM EDT
During a visit with law enforcement in Memphis today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced updates on Operation Legend, which was expanded to Memphis on Aug. 6, 2020.
Pain Clinic Owner Sentenced for Role in Operating Pill Mills in Tennessee and Florida10/21/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A pain clinic owner was sentenced today to over 33 years in prison for her role in operating several pill mills in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Hollywood, Florida.
Department of Justice Releases Report on its Efforts to Disrupt, Dismantle, and Destroy MS-1310/21/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Today, the Department of Justice released “Full Scale Response: A Report on the Department’s Efforts to Combat MS-13 from 2016-2020.” This report describes the Department’s work to dismantle La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) in the United States and abroad. The data show that since 2016, the Department has prosecuted approximately 749 MS-13 gang members. So far, more than 500 of these MS-13 gang members have been convicted, including 37 who received life sentences. Department prosecutors are using more than 20 federal criminal statutes to prosecute MS-13 members, including, for the first time, filing terrorism charges against MS-13’s leadership. The data also show that for decades MS-13 has exploited weaknesses in border enforcement policies, as approximately 74 percent of the defendants prosecuted were unlawfully present in the United States. The report also describes the Department’s efforts to combat MS-13 internationally through increased partnerships with law enforcement in Mexico and Central America. Through international cooperation, hundreds of MS-13 members have been arrested abroad and more than 50 MS-13 members have been extradited to the United States.
Former Blue Bell Creameries President Charged In Connection With 2015 Ice Cream Listeria Contamination10/21/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Texas grand jury charged the former president of ice cream manufacturer Blue Bell Creameries L.P. with wire fraud and conspiracy in connection with an alleged scheme to cover up the company’s sales of Listeria-tainted ice cream in 2015, the Justice Department announced today.
Remarks by Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen on the Resolution of Civil and Criminal Investigations into Purdue Pharma and the Sackler Family10/21/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Good morning. I am pleased to be joined today by Vermont’s U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan, New Jersey’s First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division Jeff Clark, and Eastern Texas U.S. Attorney Steve Cox.
Justice Department Announces Global Resolution of Criminal and Civil with Opioid Manufacturer Purdue Pharma and Civil Settlement with Members of the Sackler Family10/21/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Today, the Department of Justice announced a global resolution of its criminal and civil investigations into the opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma LP (Purdue), and a civil resolution of its civil investigation into individual shareholders from the Sackler family. The resolutions with Purdue are subject to the approval of the bankruptcy court.
United States Seizes More Domain Names Used by Foreign Terrorist Organization10/21/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Department of Justice Highlights Work Combating Anti-Semitic Acts10/21/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Today, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen presented remarks highlighting the Department of Justice’s work combating anti-Semitic acts at a virtual conference hosted by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo entitled “Ancient Hatred, Modern Medium”—the first ever government-sponsored event focused on online anti-Semitism. Deputy Attorney General Rosen described just a few of the Department of Justice’s many recent accomplishments in combating anti-Semitism, focusing on social media and the internet. His remarks as prepared for delivery are available here, and the full State Department conference may be viewed here.
Prepared Remarks of Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen at U.S. Department of State Conference on “Ancient Hatred, Modern Medium: A Conference on Internet Anti-Semitism”10/21/2020 12:00 AM EDT
I want to first thank Secretary Pompeo and Special Envoy Carr for hosting this conference and for inviting me to participate. As we have heard, the Internet is just the latest outlet for the “oldest hatred.” The litany of attacks on the Jewish people has gone on through every era of history. We should not be surprised then–even though it saddens us–that it is part of our modern world. And, since that world depends on the Internet for communication, commerce, and daily life, anti-Semites can use it for their purposes as much as anyone else can use it for legitimate causes.
| 1. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa commander fired|
(Marine Corps Times) Marine Maj. Gen. Stephen Neary was fired Tuesday from his command of Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa by Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger, according to the Corps.
| 2. Super Hornet crashes in Central California|
(Navy Times) A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed late Tuesday morning in Central California.
The Industries of the Future is a 2016 non-fiction book written by Alec Ross, an American technology policy expert and the former Senior Advisor for Innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her time as Secretary of State. Ross is also a senior fellow at Columbia University, a former night-shift janitor, and a Baltimore teacher. Ross launched a campaign for the Governor of Maryland in 2017. The book explores the forces that will change the world in robotics, genetics, digital currency, coding and big data.
The following trends are covered in the book:
|Join Aviation Week Network for an InteractiveFleet & MRO Forecast Market Briefing|
9:00am EDT | 2:00pm BST
The worldwide impact of COVID-19 on the commercial aviation sector will be felt for years to come. According to Aviation Week Network’s recently released 2021 Commercial Fleet & MRO Forecast, MRO dollar demand is down $36 billion over the next three years and worldwide delivery of commercial aircraft over the next 10 years is down 28% from pre-COVID-19 estimates.
Register nowto book
NIMH Livestream Event: Managing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that makes it difficult for a person to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors with ADHD may also be restless and almost constantly active. Although symptoms of ADHD begin in childhood, ADHD can continue through adolescence and adulthood. ADHD can have a significant impact on social and family relationships, as well as schoolwork. Children and adolescents with ADHD may face extra challenges dealing with changes during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In observance of ADHD Awareness Month, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) will host a livestream event.
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. ET.
Mary Rooney, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and chief of the Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Interventions Research Program at NIMH, will discuss signs, symptoms, treatments, current research, and tips for helping children and adolescents manage ADHD during the pandemic.
Participating is easy.
- Watch the livestream event on NIMH’s Facebook or Twitter feeds. You must have either a Facebook or Twitter account to watch.
- Follow NIMH on Facebook or Twitter for updates on the livestream event and other information about mental health research.
- Refresh NIMH’s Facebook or Twitter feeds at 1 p.m. ET to watch the livestream discussion.
Note: The experts cannot provide specific medical advice or referrals. Please consult with a qualified health care provider for diagnosis, treatment, and answers to your personal questions. If you need help finding a provider, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255); En Español 1-888-628-9454.
New York Times – Top Stories
Parents of 545 Children Separated at the Border Cannot Be Found
A new report shows hundreds of cases in which migrant children were taken from their families, and their parents, who were deported, cannot be located.
Read the full article…
But in January 2019, a report by the Health and Human Services Department’s Office of the Inspector General confirmed that many more children had been separated, including under a previously undisclosed pilot program conducted in El Paso between June and November 2017, before the administration’s widely publicized “zero tolerance” policy
|Visit AHRQ Patient Safety Network|
|Children and the opioid epidemic: age-stratified exposures and harmsBrown KW, Carlisle K, Raman SR, et al. Health Aff. 2020Over the last decade, children have experienced a dramatic rise in hospitalizations and intensive care unit stays related to opioid use. Based on Medicaid claims in North Carolina, prescribers of opioids for children were most commonly physicians and dentists. More than 3% of children ages 1 to 17 years had at least one opioid prescription filled annually; 76.6 children per 100,000 experienced an opioid-related adverse event or other harm. Adolescents ages 15 to 17 years disproportionately experienced these harms compared to younger age groups. Black and urban children were less likely to fill opioid prescriptions or experience adverse events, but they were more likely to experience other opioid-related harm, such as abuse or dependence.|
Incidence of nosocomial COVID-19 in patients hospitalized at a large US academic medical centerRhee C, Baker M, Vaidya V, et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2020Patients have reported delaying or forgoing routine, urgent, and emergent health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cohort study included patients admitted to one large US academic medical center to assess the incidence of hospital-acquired COVID-19 during the first weeks of the pandemic. Among hospitalized patients who tested positive for COVID-19 (n=697) and patients discharged after non-COVID-19-related hospitalizations (n=8,370), only two cases were deemed to be hospital-acquired. These findings suggest that hospital-acquired COVID-19 was rare during the height of the pandemic and may reassure patients who are delaying or foregoing health care due to concerns about transmission.
What safety events are reported for ambulatory care? Analysis of incident reports from a patient safety organizationSharma AE, Yang J, Del Rosario JB, et al. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2020Ambulatory care settings are receiving increased attention as a focus for patient safety improvements. Using data from a multistate patient safety organization (PSO) database, the researchers sought to characterize patterns and characteristics of patient safety incidents reported in ambulatory care settings. Analyses found that 5.9% of events resulted in severe harm and 1.9% resulted in patient death. Over half of the events were from outpatient subspeciality care; fewer events occurred in home/community (5.2%), primary care (2.1%), or dialysis (2.0%) settings. Medication-related events were most common, followed by clinical deterioration and falls. Predictors of higher harm included diagnostic errors, patient/caregiver challenges, and events occurring in home/community or psychiatric settings. These results can help ambulatory care settings target safety events and develop systems-level prevention strategies.
Charlie Brown won’t air on TV for first time in decades as it moves to Apple TV+
Fans can catch the holiday specials for free for a limited time
It may not seem like it, but the reality is that no matter where you go in the world, you have family there:MSS
consists of the worldwide collection of communities descended from native sub-Saharan Africans or people from sub-Saharan Africa, predominantly in the Americas. The diaspora has continued for millennia, but historically, ethnographers, historians, politicians and writers have used the term particularly to refer to the descendants of the West and Central Africans who were enslaved and shipped to the Americas via the Atlantic slave trade between the 16th and 19th centuries, with their largest populations in Brazil, the United States and Haiti. Some scholars identify “four circulatory phases” of this migration out of Africa. The phrase African diaspora gradually entered common usage at the turn of the 21st century. The term diaspora originates from the Greek διασπορά (diaspora, literally “scattering”).
|c. 210 million|
|Regions with significant populations|
|United States||46,350,467 including mixed people|
|France||Approximately 3.3–5.5 million (5–8% of the French population)|
|Trinidad and Tobago||452,536|
|Lingua franca: English (American and Caribbean), French (Canadian and Haitian), Haitian Creole, Spanish, Portuguese, Papiamento, and Dutch|
|Christianity, Islam, Traditional African religions, Afro-American religions|
Less commonly, the term has been used in scholarship to refer to more recent emigration from sub-Saharan Africa. The African Union (AU) defines the African diaspora as consisting: “of people of native African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union”. Its constitutive act declares that it shall “invite and encourage the full participation of the African diaspora as an important part of our continent, in the building of the African Union”.
UN chief calls for end to reported police brutality in Nigeria
Unsplash/Tobi OshinnaikeNigerians protest in Lagos over the now-disbanded and discredited police unit, known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or SARS.Peace and Security
The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday said he was closely following recent developments across Nigeria, in the wake of reports that protesters had been shot dead and wounded, and called for “an end to reported police brutality and abuses.”
António Guterres said in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, that he condemned “the violent escalation on 20 October in Lagos which resulted in multiple deaths and caused many injuries.”
|UN chief calls for end to reported police brutality in Nigeria The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday said he was closely following recent developments across Nigeria, in the wake of reports that protesters had been shot dead and wounded, and called for “an end to reported police brutality and abuses.” Peace and Security|
Unsplash/Jared SandersA few ‘green shoots’, but future of global trade remains deeply uncertainAlthough global trade is making a frail recovery, the outlook remains uncertain, UN trade and development body UNCTAD said on Wednesday, in announcing its latest COVID-era update. Economic Development
UN News/Elizabeth ScaffidiEnvironmental factors behind 15 per cent of deaths across Mediterranean, new UN report revealsAround 15 per cent of deaths in the Mediterranean are attributable to preventable environmental factors, a new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report released on Wednesday has revealed.SDGs©
ILOCollapsing consumer demand amid lockdowns cripple Asia-Pacific garment industryThe COVID-19 pandemic has triggered government lockdowns, collapsed consumer demand, and disrupted imports of raw materials, battering the Asia Pacific garment industry especially hard, according to a new report released on Wednesday by the International Labour Organization (ILO).Economic Development
UN OCHA/Gema CortesUN urges people to #PledgetoPause before sharing information onlineWith the COVID-19 pandemic sparking a “communications emergency” caused by false information disseminated on social media, the UN Secretary-General is encouraging people everywhere to take a breath before sharing content online. Health
UNDP ThailandSecretary-General underscores value of UN partnerships in Southeast AsiaAt a time of global challenge and uncertainty, partnership between the United Nations and regional bodies remains indispensable, the UN Secretary-General told foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during a virtual meeting on Wednesday. Peace and Security
UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeKosovo: Show solidarity in face of COVID, UN Mission chief urgesThe top UN official in Kosovo, briefing the Security Council on Wednesday, called for solidarity as its new Government grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and a host of other challenges.Peace and Security
Justice Department Announces $5.3 Million in Awards to Support Operation Legend10/22/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt Delivers Remarks Announcing Goldman Sachs/1mdb Enforcement Actions10/22/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Good Afternoon. I am Brian Rabbitt, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. I am joined today by Acting U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme of the Eastern District of New York, Assistant Director in Charge Bill Sweeney of the FBI, Stephanie Avakian, Director of the Enforcement Division at the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement Jason Gonzalez of the Federal Reserve Board. We are here today to announce enforcement actions of historic significance.
Goldman Sachs Charged in Foreign Bribery Case and Agrees to Pay Over $2.9 Billion10/22/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Goldman Sachs or the Company), a global financial institution headquartered in New York, New York, and Goldman Sachs (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (GS Malaysia), its Malaysian subsidiary, have admitted to conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with a scheme to pay over $1 billion in bribes to Malaysian and Abu Dhabi officials to obtain lucrative business for Goldman Sachs, including its role in underwriting approximately $6.5 billion in three bond deals for 1Malaysia Development Bhd. (1MDB), for which the bank earned hundreds of millions in fees. Goldman Sachs will pay more than $2.9 billion as part of a coordinated resolution with criminal and civil authorities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and elsewhere.
Five Charged in Connection with COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme10/22/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Five individuals were charged in an indictment unsealed today for their alleged participation in a scheme to file fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $1.1 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Husband Sentenced to 188 Months in Prison for Human Trafficking Convictions Related to Forced Labor of Foreign Nationals10/22/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Justice Department today announced that former Stockton, California resident Satish Kartan, 46, was sentenced today to188 months in prison for forced labor violations. In addition, U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. ordered $15,657 be paid in restitution to three victims, in part to cover their back wages and other losses.
Former U.S. Army Reservist Sentenced to 40 years in Prison for Sex Trafficking and a Related Offense10/22/2020 12:00 AM EDT
U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. of the Western District of North Carolina sentenced Xaver M. Boston, 31, of Charlotte, North Carolina, today to serve 40 years in prison and 30 years of supervised release. Judge Conrad also ordered Boston to pay $354,000 in restitution and $25,000 pursuant 18 U.S.C. 3014 and the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. A federal jury in Charlotte previously convicted Boston on Oct. 11, 2018, of six counts of sex trafficking and one count of using an interstate facility to promote a prostitution enterprise.
Seattle Software Developer Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud for COVID-Relief Fraud Scheme10/22/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Seattle man pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud for carrying out a scheme to defraud several COVID-19 relief programs.
|Ghislaine Maxwell’s lengthy civil suit deposition was released after four years. She has been accused of helping Jeffrey Epstein abuse teenage girls.|
|Thursday, October 22, 2020 10:53 AM EST|
|For years, Ghislaine Maxwell has been a central but silent figure in a scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein’s long history of abusing teenage girls.On Thursday, Ms. Maxwell’s voice was heard for the first time as a four-year-old deposition was released containing her response to the swirl of claims surrounding Mr. Epstein: a series of evasions and denials.|
|Read the latest|
|5G CYBERSECURITY: ESTABLISHING A RESILIENT ECOSYSTEM 5G’s impact on industry, the economy and government|
12:00 pm -1:00 pm ET
|Hear leading experts from government and industry discuss the current 5G landscape, the future of 5G, and potential threats that must be mitigated.|
What You’ll Learn:• How 5G provides new opportunities to change how we work, connect, collaborate, and innovate
• National and global cybersecurity threats unique to the 5G landscape
• How the cybersecurity community can build more secure 5G infrastructure, even as the environment continues to rapidly evolve
• How 5G will specifically impact newly connected operational technology that was previously segmented for safety reasons
CUSTOMER SERVICE The Rules of Startup Success, According to Daymond John
Sensors on Mars 2020 Spacecraft Answer Long-Distance Call From Earth
Instruments tailored to collect data during the descent of NASA’s next rover through the Red Planet’s atmosphere have been checked in flight.
On Oct. 8, 2020, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place, team members of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission waited for a reply from the Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation 2 (MEDLI2) suite onboard the spacecraft, which is currently en route to the Red Planet.
MEDLI2 is a collection of sensors that will measure aerothermal environments and thermal protection system material performance during the atmospheric entry phase of the Mars 2020 mission.
Classroom crisis: Avert a ‘generational catastrophe’, urges UN chief
© UNICEF/Chansereypich SengTeachers and students wear face masks and maintain physical distance at a school in Cambodia.Culture and Education
The world is at risk of suffering “a generational catastrophe” as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on the education of students globally, the UN chief said on Thursday.
In a video message to the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Global Education Meeting (GEM), Secretary-General António Guterres reminded delegates that the pandemic had had a “disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable and marginalized children and youth”.
|Rohingya conference pledges to ‘remain steadfast’ in finding solutions to crisisA joint UN-hosted donor conference to rally international support behind Myanmar’s displaced Rohingya minority, ended on Thursday with a promise to continue engaging with concerned countries towards finding a long-term solution to their plight.Migrants and Refugees© |
UNICEF/Chansereypich SengClassroom crisis: Avert a ‘generational catastrophe’, urges UN chiefThe world is at risk of suffering “a generational catastrophe” as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on the education of students globally, the UN chief said on Thursday. Culture and Education
Unsplash/Kitthitorn ChaiyuthapooIndependent UN rights experts urge Thai government to allow peaceful protests Calling the latest imposition of a state of emergency in Thailand, a “draconian measure”, UN-appointed human rights experts on Thursday urged the Government there to guarantee the fundamental rights of peaceful assembly and free speech. Human Rights
UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeLittle progress on disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South SudanDespite the strengthening of the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan, little progress has been made regarding the disputed Abyei region, the head of UN Peacekeeping told the Security Council on Thursday. Peace and Security
UNDP Cambodia/Manuth ButhFROM THE FIELD: Women guardians of the environmentWomen from around the world are being given a more prominent role in the fight against climate change, thanks to the efforts of the UN Development Programme (UNDP).Climate Change
Justice Department Requires Waste Management To Divest Assets In Order To Proceed With Advanced Disposal Services Acquisition10/23/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice announced today that Waste Management, Inc. (WMI) will be required to divest 15 landfills, 37 transfer stations, 29 hauling locations, over 200 waste collection routes, and other assets in order to proceed with its $4.6 billion acquisition of Advanced Disposal Services, Inc. (ADS). The department said that without the divestiture, the proposed acquisition would substantially lessen competition for small container commercial waste collection or municipal solid waste disposal services in over 50 local markets
Remarks As Prepared For Delivery By Katharine T. Sullivan Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Office Of Justice Programs At The Announcement Of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Grants10/22/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for joining us. I’m Katie Sullivan, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs in the U.S. Department of Justice. I’m thrilled to be here today with the outstanding U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Scott Brady. I’m also very pleased to be joined by Dr. Mary Ellen Glasgow, Dean of the Duquesne School of Nursing, and Dr. Alison Colbert, Associate Professor in the Duquesne School of Nursing. You’ll hear from each of them in just a moment. I also want to introduce my wonderful colleague, Jessica Hart, the Director of the Office for Victims of Crime, which is part of my agency.
Justice Department Requires Divestiture In Order For Liberty Latin America To Acquire AT&T’s Telecommunications Operations In Puerto Rico And The U.S. Virgin Islands10/23/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Department of Justice announced today that it is requiring Liberty Latin America Ltd. (Liberty), its subsidiary, Liberty Communications of Puerto Rico LLC (LCPR), and AT&T Inc. (AT&T) to divest certain fiber-based telecommunications assets and customer accounts in Puerto Rico, in order for Liberty to proceed with its proposed acquisition of AT&T’s wireline and wireless telecommunications operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The department has approved WorldNet Telecommunications, Inc. (WorldNet) as the acquirer.
Puerto Rico CPA Indicted and Arrested on Wire Fraud Charges in Relation to Act 20 and Act 22 Scheme10/23/2020 12:00 AM EDT
On Oct. 14, 2020, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Gabriel F. Hernández, with ten counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1343, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney, District of Puerto Rico, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and Tyler R. Hatcher, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Miami Field Office. The indictment was unsealed this week after the arrest of the defendant by federal law enforcement officers from IRS-CI.
New Jersey Man Indicted for Promoting Tax Fraud Scheme10/23/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Pemberton, New Jersey, man appeared in court yesterday on a federal grand jury indictment charging him with conspiring to defraud the United States, assisting in the filing of false tax returns, obstructing the internal revenue laws, and failing to file a tax return, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. The Sept. 2, 2020 indictment was unsealed following the court appearance.
Riverside, California Man Who Admitted Planning Mass Casualty Attacks and Purchasing Firearms Later Used in 2015 Terrorist Attack in San Bernardino Ordered to Serve 20-Year Federal Prison Sentence10/23/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A Riverside man was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring to commit terrorist attacks in the Inland Empire and for providing assault rifles later used in the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack that killed 14 people.
Engineering Firm And Its Former Executive Indicted On Antitrust And Fraud Charges10/23/2020 12:00 AM EDT
A federal grand jury in Raleigh, North Carolina returned an indictment charging Contech Engineered Solutions LLC and Brent Brewbaker, a former executive at the company, for participating in long-standing conspiracies to rig bids and defraud the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT), the Department of Justice announced.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan and Office for Victims of Crime Director Jessica E. Hart Recognize Domestic Violence Month at a Law Enforcement and Domestic Violence Roundtable10/23/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Presentation of the Sherman Award to the Honorable Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg10/23/2020 12:00 AM EDT
Welcome to the Conference Center of the historic Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building. It is an honor to present the Sherman award to Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg this afternoon. We’re joined today by Judge Ginsburg’s wife Deecy and many of Judge Ginsburg’s colleagues and admirers. We’re particularly honored by the presence of Justice Gorsuch, a champion of liberty, who in his short time on the Supreme Court has reconfirmed his reputation for brilliance, clarity of thought and expression, and for holding the government to its word, whether in the statutes that it enacts or the treaties that it makes. I also welcome the distinguished guests who are with us virtually.
The Honorable Douglas H. Ginsburg Receives Justice Department’s 2020 John Sherman Award10/23/2020 12:00 AM EDT
The Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice today presented Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg with the John Sherman Award for his lifetime contributions to the development of antitrust law and the preservation of economic liberty. The award is the Department of Justice’s highest antitrust honor. Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim presented the award and gave remarks celebrating Judge Ginsburg’s contributions during a ceremony displayed virtually and conducted at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building. Judge Ginsburg also delivered remarks in accepting the award.
| 1. Trump, Biden trade barbs over North Korea’s nukes|
(Defense News) The exchange occurred days after Kim rolled out a new ICMB during a nighttime parade in Pyongyang.
| 3. Our secret Taliban air force|
(Washington Post) Inside the clandestine U.S. campaign to help our longtime enemy defeat ISIS.
are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. This concept is also termed as psychosocial competency. The subject varies greatly depending on social norms and community expectations but skills that function for well-being and aid individuals to develop into active and productive members of their communities are considered as life skills.
Enumeration and categorization
The UNICEF Evaluation Office suggests that “there is no definitive list” of psychosocial skills; nevertheless UNICEF enumerates psychosocial and interpersonal skills that are generally well-being oriented, and essential alongside literacy and numeracy skills. Since it changes its meaning from culture to culture and life positions, it is considered a concept that is elastic in nature. But UNICEF acknowledges social and emotional life skills identified by Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Life skills are a product of synthesis: many skills are developed simultaneously through practice, like humor, which allows a person to feel in control of a situation and make it more manageable in perspective. It allows the person to release fears, anger, and stress & achieve a qualitative life.
For example, decision-making often involves critical thinking (“what are my options?”) and values clarification (“what is important to me?”), (“How do I feel about this?”). Ultimately, the interplay between the skills is what produces powerful behavioral outcomes, especially where this approach is supported by other strategies.
The World Health Organization in 1999 identified the following core cross-cultural areas of life skills:
- decision-making and problem-solving;
- creative thinking (see also: lateral thinking) and critical thinking;
- communication and interpersonal skills;
- self-awareness and empathy;
- assertiveness and equanimity; and
- resilience and coping with emotions and coping with stress.
UNICEF listed similar skills and related categories in its 2012 report.
Life skills curricular designed for K-12 often emphasize communications and practical skills needed for successful independent living as well as for developmental-disabilities/special-education students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Skills for work and life
Skills for work and life, known as technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is comprising education, training and skills development relating to a wide range of occupational fields, production, services and livelihoods. TVET, as part of lifelong learning, can take place at secondary, post-secondary and tertiary levels, and includes work-based learning and continuing training and professional development which may lead to qualifications. TVET also includes a wide range of skills development opportunities attuned to national and local contexts. Learning to learn and the development of literacy and numeracy skills, transversal skills and citizenship skills are integral components of TVET.
Parenting: a venue of life skills nourishment
Life skills are often taught in the domain of parenting, either indirectly through the observation and experience of the child, or directly with the purpose of teaching a specific skill. Parenting itself can be considered as a set of life skills which can be taught or comes natural to a person. Educating a person in skills for dealing with pregnancy and parenting can also coincide with additional life skills development for the child and enable the parents to guide their children in adulthood.
Many life skills programs are offered when traditional family structures and healthy relationships have broken down, whether due to parental lapses, divorce, psychological disorders or due to issues with the children (such as substance abuse or other risky behavior). For example, the International Labour Organization is teaching life skills to ex-child laborers and at-risk children in Indonesia to help them avoid and to recover from worst forms of child abuse.
Models: behavior prevention vs. positive development
While certain life skills programs focus on teaching the prevention of certain behaviors, they can be relatively ineffective. Based upon their research, the Family and Youth Services Bureau, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advocates the theory of Positive Youth Development (PYD) as a replacement for the less effective prevention programs. PYD focuses on the strengths of an individual as opposed to the older decrepit models which tend to focus on the “potential” weaknesses that have yet to be shown. The Family and Youth Services Bureau has found that individuals who were trained in life skills by positive development model identified themselves with a greater sense of confidence, usefulness, sensitivity and openness rather than that of preventive model.
Learning to identify the true victims and perpetrator’s of Sexual Sadism Disorder
This article is about the medical condition involving unwilling victims. For consensual sadomasochism, see BDSM.
But how consensual can it be if under a form of duress, or under the influence of a controlled substance?
Sexual sadism disorder is the condition of experiencing sexual arousal in response to the extreme pain, suffering or humiliation of others. Several other terms have been used to describe the condition, and the condition may overlap with other conditions that involve inflicting pain. It is distinct from situations in which consenting individuals use mild or simulated pain or humiliation for sexual excitement. The words sadism and sadist are derived from Marquis de Sade.
Related terms and conditions
Sexual sadism disorder is the term employed by the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association. It refers to the “recurrent and intense sexual arousal from the physical or psychological suffering of another person, as manifested by fantasies, urges, or behaviors” (p. 696). It is classified as one of the paraphilias, called an “algolagnic disorder” (p. 685), which is one of the “anomalous activity preferences” (p. 685). The formal diagnosis of Sexual Sadism Disorder would apply if the individual has acted on these urges with a nonconsenting person or if the urges cause significant distress to the individual.
Sadomasochism appears in the current version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) of the World Health Organization. It refers to the “preference for sexual activity that involves bondage or the infliction of pain or humiliation” (p. 172), and divides sadomasochism into sadism and masochism according to whether the individual prefers to be the provider or recipient of it. The ICD-10 specifies that mild forms of sadomasochism “are commonly used to enhance otherwise normal sexual activity” (p. 172), and that the diagnosis would apply only if the behavior is preferred or required for sexual gratification. The condition is classified as one of the disorders of sexual preference, which includes the paraphilias (p. 170).
Paraphilic coercive disorder refers to the preference for non-consenting over consenting sexual partners. It differs from sexual sadism disorder in that although the individual with this disorder may inflict pain or threats of pain in order to gain the compliance of the victim, the infliction of pain is not the actual goal of the individual. The condition is typically described as a paraphilia and continues to undergo research, but does not appear in the current DSM or ICD. Alternate terms for the condition have included Biastophilia, Coercive Paraphilic Disorder, and Preferential Rape.
BDSM or “bondage/discipline dominance/submission sadomasochism” is a colloquial term referring to the subculture of individuals who willingly engage in consenting forms of mild or simulated pain or humiliation. It is not currently a diagnosable condition in either the DSM or ICD system. Alternative terms have included Bondage and Discipline (B&D), Domination and Submission (D&S), and Sadism and Masochism (S&M). In scientific research, this sexual preference has also been called the hyperdominance pattern of sexual behavior. Unlike individuals with sexual sadism disorder or paraphilic coercive disorder, individuals with hyperdominance seek to provoke pleasure in their partner(s) with the pain/humiliation.
Sexual sadism is the term previously employed by the DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, and DSM-IV-TR, where it was classified as a paraphilia. In these versions of the DSM, sexual sadism pertained only to the infliction of real (not simulated) suffering (p. 530). The condition was renamed sexual sadism disorder in DSM-5.
Sexual sadism was the term employed in the DSM-III, classifying the condition as a paraphilia. The DSM-III noted that “the imagery in a Paraphilia, such as simulated bondage, may be playful and harmless and acted out with a mutually consenting partner….In more extreme form, paraphilic imagery is acted out with a nonconsenting partner, and is noxious and injurious to the partner” (p. 267). In DSM-III, sexual sadism could be diagnosed if:
- the person repeatedly and intentionally inflicted suffering on a nonconsenting person, to experience sexual excitement
- repeatedly or exclusively preferred simulated or mild suffering with a consenting sexual partner
- employs extensive, permanent, or potentially fatal suffering to achieve sexual excitement, regardless of the consent of the other person.
Sadism was the term employed by the DSM-II. In that manual, the condition was classified as a sexual deviation, which was used to describe “individuals whose sexual interests are directed primarily toward…coitus performed under bizarre circumstances” (p. 44). The term “paraphilia” did not exist in the DSM-II, and diagnoses did not have specific criteria until DSM-III.
Sexual sadism was the phrase mentioned in DSM-I as one of the sexual deviations (p. 39), but neither it (nor any of the other sexual deviations) received a specific label or diagnostic criteria. The term paraphilia did not exist in the DSM-II, and diagnoses did not have specific criteria until DSM-III.
Sadistic personality disorder does not actually refer to any sexual interest, and instead refers to the pervasive disregard for the well-being of others. It is usually associated with a history of violence and criminality (which can include, but is not limited to sexual crimes).
With paraphilic coercive disorder, the individual employs enough force to subdue a victim, but with sexual sadism disorder, the individual often continues to inflict harm regardless of the compliance of the victim, which sometimes escalates not only to the death of the victim, but also to the mutilation of the body. What is experienced by the sadist as sexual does not always appear obviously sexual to non-sadists: Sadistic rapes do not necessarily include penile penetration of the victim. In a survey of offenses, 77% of cases included sexual bondage, 73% included anal rape, 60% included blunt force trauma, 57% included vaginal rape, and 40% included penetration of the victim by a foreign object. In 40% of cases, the offender kept a personal item of the victim as a souvenir.
On personality testing, sadistic rapists apprehended by law enforcement have shown elevated traits of impulsivity, hypersexuality, callousness, and psychopathy.
Although there appears to be a continuum of severity from mild (hyperdominance or BDSM) to moderate (paraphilic coercive disorder) to severe (sexual sadism disorder), it is not clear if they are genuinely related or only appear related superficially.
Very little is known about how sexual sadism disorder develops. Most of the people diagnosed with sexual sadism disorder come to the attention of authorities by committing sexually motivated crimes. Surveys have also been conducted to include people who are interested in only mild and consensual forms of sexual pain/humiliation (BDSM).
Most of the people with full-blown sexual sadism disorder are male, whereas the sex ratio of people interested in BDSM is closer to 2:1 male-to-female.
People with sexual sadism disorder are at an elevated likelihood of having other paraphilic sexual interests.
I am a firefighter. I am an NSF story.
Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Tim Werle cranked the temperature up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, tuned the Santa Ana winds to swirl hard from the northeast, and dropped the humidity down to a bone-dry 5%. He carefully picked his target, a mostly uninhabited grasslands preserve just outside San Diego.
With a click of his laptop’s mouse, he dropped a match into conditions perfect for a disaster. His eyes widened as the brushfire burst angrily across 1,500 acres in just two hours. Continue Reading
Behind the global ceasefire call: 75 years of UN mediation, preventing conflict, promoting peace
|Step up action to achieve COVID-19 ceasefire, Guterres says in UN Day messageThe UN’s 75th anniversary this Saturday, which falls as countries continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, is an opportunity to accelerate action to achieve a global ceasefire during the crisis, Secretary-General António Guterres has said. UN Affairs|
UNSMILUN salutes new Libya ceasefire agreement that points to ‘a better, safer, and more peaceful future’Warring parties in Libya on Friday agreed an historic ceasefire, which was hailed by the head of the UN Support Mission in the country (UNSMIL), who led the mediation, as a courageous act that can help secure a “a better, safer, and more peaceful future for all the Libyan people”.Peace and Security©
UNICEF/Alessio Romenzi‘Very tough’ months ahead in COVID battle, WHO helping scale up dwindling oxygen suppliesFacing another critical juncture in the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief told reporters on Friday that a “very tough” few months lie ahead with too many nations seeing an exponential increase in cases. Health
UNAMI/Salar BrifkaniBehind the global ceasefire call: 75 years of UN mediation, preventing conflict, promoting peaceWhen Member States signed the United Nations Charter 75 years ago, it was to prevent more existential conflicts and save succeeding generations from a third world war. Conflict prevention is part of the Organization’s DNA and remains a central priority today, a guiding principle behind the UN Secretary-General’s current call for a global ceasefire during the coronavirus pandemic. Peace and Security
National Drug Take Back Day
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will conduct a nationwide drug collection:
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Collections will be held at many locations around the state and are the best way to dispose of unused and unwanted pharmaceuticals to protect our environment. For more information and locations, visit DEA’s National Drug Take Back webpage.
In addition, DEA allows retail pharmacies and other entities to become authorized collectors, so there are medication drop box locations that are open year-round. Visit DEC’s Drugs in New York’s Waters webpage for more information about keeping drugs out of our waters.
Backed by Giants, Daymond John Launches:
Black Entrepreneurs Day
The free virtual event will feature live conversations with luminaries including Shaquille O’Neal and LL Cool J, and will award a total of $175,000 to seven founders.
7 p.m. ET
Facebook Watch via John’s page, as well as on more than 20 other online platforms, including YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, and Twitch.
51 for 51 Is Lobbying Congress to Grant Statehood to Washington, D.C.
“I don’t have voting power in the Capitol building just a short walk from home.”
On Thursday, September 24, more than 100 young activists (between the ages of 15 and 28) from 23 different states met with 14 Senate offices to ask for support of 51 for 51 — a campaign coalition composed of D.C.-based and national groups pushing for the statehood of Washington, D.C. That lobbying day — held in partnership with youth-led organizations such as March for Our Lives D.C., #Fight4HER, Generation Ratify, Asian Youth for Civic Engagement, and more — was one of the many that 51 for 51 has held to secure support from nationally elected officials, like the 18 leaders who have already committed their support, including Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)….Read the full article
RACE IN AMERICA: SATURDAYS @ 8/7c
In 1964, less than 7% of Mississippi’s African Americans were registered to vote and the segregationist white establishment was prepared to use any means necessary to keep them away from the polls and out of elected office.
For years, local civil rights workers had tried unsuccessfully to increase voter registration amongst African Americans. Those who wished to vote had to face the local registrar, an all-powerful white functionary who could threaten them with jobs loss and violence.STREAMING NOW
On-air Saturday 10/24 @ 8/7c.
Find your local WORLD Station HERE.
Freedom Summer tells the story of how the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’ organized white students from the North to join activists on the ground in Mississippi for a massive effort that would do what had been impossible so far: force the media and the country to take notice of the shocking violence and massive injustice taking place in Mississippi.
Race in America films will air on WORLD on Saturdays at 8/7c.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT