Fed minutes: Most officials favored a rate cut in September if inflation continued to cool (AP) — Most Federal Reserve officials agreed last month that they would likely cut their benchmark interest rate at their next meeting in September as long as inflation continued to cool.The minutes of the Fed’s July 30-31 meeting, released Wednesday, said the “vast majority” of policymakers “observed that, if the data continued to come in about as expected, it would likely be appropriate to ease policy at the next meeting.”In July, the policymakers kept their benchmark rate at 5.3%, a near-quarter-century high, where it’s stood for more than a year.Wall Street traders had already considered it a certainty that the Fed will announce its first interest rate cut in four years when it meets in mid-September, according to futures prices. A lower Fed benchmark rate would lead eventually to lower rates for auto loans, mortgages and other forms of consumer borrowing and could also boost stock prices. The minutes of the Fed’s meetings sometimes reveal key details behind the policymakers’ thinking, especially about how their views on interest rates might be evolving. Further guidance on the Fed’s next steps is expected when Chair Jerome Powell gives a highly anticipated speech Friday morning at the annual symposium of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A rate cut in September, coming less than two months before the presidential election, could bring some unwelcome political heat on the Fed, which seeks to avoid becoming entangled in election-year politics. Former President Donald Trump has argued that the Fed shouldn’t cut rates so close to an election. But Powell has repeatedly underscored that the central bank would make its rate decisions based purely on economic data, without regard to the political calendar.Several Democratic senators, led by Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, had urged Powell to cut rates at the Fed’s July meeting and have argued that delaying a cut when it’s warranted by the inflation data would itself be a political act.In recent interviews with The Associated Press, two Fed officials noted that as inflation slows, inflation-adjusted interest rates — which businesses closely track — rise. That trend supports a rate cut in the near term, according to both Raphael Bostic, president of the Fed’s Atlanta branch and Austan Goolsbee, president of the Chicago branch. “We might need to shift our policy stance sooner than I would have thought before,” Bostic said.
Fed's Bowman not quite sold on a September rate cut * Federal Reserve Board Gov. Michelle Bowman said Tuesday she is not quite ready to sign off on an interest rate cut at next month's Federal Open Market Committee meeting. In a speech delivered to the Alaska Bankers Association, Bowman said price growth continues to be "uncomfortably" high, adding that she is concerned that inflation could begin trending up again. "I will continue to closely watch the data and visit with a broad range of contacts as I assess economic conditions and the appropriateness of our monetary policy stance," Bowman said. "I continue to view inflation as somewhat elevated. And with some upside risks to inflation, I still see the need to pay close attention to the price-stability side of our mandate while watching for risks of a material weakening in the labor market." Since the Fed began tightening its monetary policy in March 2022, the FOMC has voted unanimously on every policy move and statement. Bowman has positioned herself as one of the more hawkish — or inflation-wary — members of the committee, extolling the importance of maintaining higher interest rates for a longer period of time. Bowman's latest comments come as market participants broadly expect the FOMC to lower rates by at least a quarter of a percentage point during its Sept. 18 meeting. More than 70% of interest rate traders are anticipating a 25-basis-point cut next month, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool, while the remaining 30% are betting on a half-point reduction.
Fed's Powell: 'The time has come for policy to adjust' -- Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank is ready to begin easing monetary policy.During his much-anticipated Friday morning speech at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, Powell said he is confident that inflation is on course to hit the Fed's long-term target of 2%. He also noted that there has been an "unmistakable" cooling in the labor market.He stopped short of committing to cut interest rates at next month's Federal Open Market Committee meeting but said the shift toward easier monetary policy was imminent. "The time has come for policy to adjust," Powell said. "The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook and the balance of risks."Financial markets have been anticipating lower rates for months, with some hoping for a cut at the FOMC's last meeting three weeks ago. Instead, the committee opted to maintain its target range between 5.25% and 5.5%, while sending a strong signal that a loosening of monetary policy was on the horizon. At the time Powell said, "The economy is moving closer to the point at which it will be appropriate to reduce our policy rate."Two days after that meeting, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its July jobs report, showing U.S. hiring slowed and the unemployment rate crept higher. Earlier this week, the number of jobs added from April 2023 through March this year was revised down further by more than 800,000. During his speech, Powell said a looser labor market was critical to the disinflation of the past year but noted that a higher unemployment rate is not necessary for the Fed to hit its inflation target."It seems unlikely that the labor market will be a source of elevated inflationary pressures anytime soon," Powell said. "We do not seek or welcome further cooling in labor market conditions."Powell said the fact that the Fed was able to rein in inflation without causing mass layoffs was "a welcome and historically unusual result." He attributed this to the peculiar conditions of the pandemic and post-pandemic eras, which included a deep but short recession in 2020, a global supply chain disruption, a large number of employees leaving the workforce and substantial government stimulus.
Fed Chair Powell signals September interest rate cuts at Jackson Hole - Washington Post --The Federal Reserve is ready to cut interest rates, confident that inflation is easing to normal levels and wary of any more slowing in the job market. “The time has come for policy to adjust,” Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell said Friday, in his most anticipated speech of the year. “The direction of travel is clear.” Powell did not specify a timeline or forecast how much Fed leaders were preparing to lower rates. But his remarks came as close as possible to teeing up a cut at the Fed’s next policy meeting in mid-September. Rates currently sit between 5.25 and 5.5 percent, where they have remained since July 2023. The open question now is whether officials will opt for a more aggressive cut next month — a half-point instead of a more typical quarter-point. Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM, called the speech a “serious policy pivot.” Brusuelas expects central bankers will ultimately bring rates down considerably — to somewhere between 3 and 3.5 percent — by the latter half of next year, barring a major downturn. “The key question that the Fed needs to answer is: What is the ultimate destination of policy?” Brusuelas said. “It’s now up to central bankers to map that out in its upcoming forecast and rhetoric.” After years of fighting dangerously high inflation, Powell, in his speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, shifted notably toward the job market, which he said “has cooled considerably.” Officials have been able to justify keeping rates at the highest level in more than 20 years, in part because they weren’t seeing consequences for workers. Now, the balance of risks has shifted from rising prices to a weakening labor market — cementing the case for rate cuts. “We do not seek or welcome further cooling in labor market conditions,” he said. Since the Fed’s last meeting in July, job reports have come in below expectations, and the government this week revised down some labor market estimates from 2023 and early 2024. Many Fed watchers have argued this summer that the central bank was in danger of leaving rates too high for too long, keeping pressure on the economy to quash inflation for longer than was sustainable — or that it already had done so. Advertisement Still, not everyone shared Powell’s read on the economy. Michael Strain, director of economic policy studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said inflation hasn’t yet come all the way down to the Fed’s 2 percent target and could get stuck hovering somewhere higher. Strain said that while the job market had “softened,” it wasn’t “soft,” making a September cut premature. “Rate cuts are certainly in our future, but they may not be appropriate until 2025,” Strain said. Major stock indexes rose Friday on the prospect of a rate cut next month, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average all ending the day up by more than 1 percent. The comments Friday at an annual conference — filled with travel metaphors befitting a hopeful voyager — shed light on Powell’s attempts to steer the Fed’s sometimes choppy course. He looked back on the central bank’s mistaken assumption that pandemic-era inflation would be temporary, quipping that “the good ship Transitory was a crowded one,” even going off script to say he recognized “some former shipmates out here.” Referring to the Fed’s critics, he said that while he’d spelled out his assessment of the past few years, “your mileage may vary.” Ultimately, his speech struck a more hopeful tone than in years past, when the Fed was in the thick of its inflation fight. But he made clear that the two-pronged battle to control prices without sparking widespread layoffs was not over. “We will do everything we can to support a strong labor market as we make further progress toward price stability,” Powell said. “With an appropriate dialing back of policy restraint, there is good reason to think that the economy will get back to 2 percent inflation while maintaining a strong labor market.”
Wall Street analysts react to Powell's dovish Jackson Hole speech --Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole symposium sparked varied reactions from Wall Street analysts, all noting a dovish tone and a potential shift in the Fed's approach to monetary policy. Evercore ISI described Powell's remarks as "bullish-dovish," highlighting his declaration that "the time has come for policy to adjust." Powell emphasized the Fed's commitment to doing "everything we can to support a strong labor market" while continuing to bring inflation back to its 2% target. Evercore said Powell's discussion pointed towards a series of 25 basis point (bp) rate cuts but also left open the possibility of faster moves if necessary. They interpreted his comments as a sign that the Fed is still aiming for a "soft landing" and is prepared to act aggressively if the labor market weakens further. Overall, Evercore views Powell's stance as reducing macroeconomic risks and sees it as a positive signal for the markets. UBS echoed this sentiment, stating that Powell gave "the clearest indication yet" that the Fed is ready to begin dialing back policy restraint. They noted his emphasis on the shift in risks, with more focus now on the downside risks to employment rather than inflation. UBS expects 25 bp rate cuts at each of the three remaining Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings this year, consistent with Powell's indication that the Fed believes it can achieve both 2% inflation and a strong labor market with an "appropriate" pace of easing. Goldman Sachs also described the speech as dovish, predicting a 25bp rate cut at the Fed's September meeting. Goldman noted that Powell expressed increased confidence in the inflation outlook while putting more emphasis on the risks to the labor market. While they expect a 25 bp cut in September, they suggested that a 50 bp cut could be on the table if the upcoming employment report shows significant weakness.
Blinken visits Israel, but Hamas, Netanyahu far apart on Gaza truce - The United States’s top diplomat is visiting Israel as part of Washington’s efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza, but statements published by both Hamas and Israel have been dampening the chances of a breakthrough. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Sunday, days after the US put forward proposals that it and mediators Qatar and Egypt believe would close gaps between Israel and Hamas. Truce talks are expected to resume in Cairo in the coming days after two days of negotiations in Doha this week.Mediators have said they presented a bridging ceasefire proposal to both sides and that negotiations weremaking progress, but they also cautioned that there is still work to be done. In Israel, Blinken is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials.Blinken will then head to Egypt on Tuesday, the State Department said. Hamas said in a statement Sunday that the group remains committed to a plan announced by US President Joe Biden in late May and called on mediators to oblige Israel to implement the proposal. However, the Palestinian group made clear that it was opposed to what it says it has briefed on about the deal under discussion at the talks held in Doha last week. “The new proposal responds to [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s conditions and aligns with them, especially his rejection of a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and his insistence on continuing to occupy the Netzarim Junction, the Rafah Crossing, and the Philadelphi Corridor,” the statement said, in reference to areas Israel has occupied in Gaza.“He also set new conditions in the prisoner exchange file, and backed down from other items, which prevents the completion of the exchange deal.” “We hold Netanyahu fully responsible for thwarting the mediators’ efforts, obstructing reaching an agreement, and fully responsible for the lives of his prisoners who are exposed to the same danger that our people are exposed to, as a result of his continued aggression and systematic targeting of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip.” The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office meanwhile insisted in a statement Sunday that Israel would not back down from its requirement that any ceasefire deal needs to allow it to continue its war on Gaza, despite repeated US statements that the deal would lead to an end to the conflict. “Even today, the Prime Minister insists that we remain in the Philadelphia axis to prevent the terrorists from re-arming,” it said.“The Prime Minister will continue to promote a deal that will maximise the number of abductees alive and that will enable the achievement of all the war’s goals.” “Hamas has learned from the past that every time they were closer to a deal and everyone would think it was within reach, the Israelis would do something different, like committing atrocities, targeting or assassinating a leader,” Hassan Harari, a professor of international affairs at Qatar University, told Al Jazeera.Among the sticking points are conditions that Israel added since the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on the proposal outlined in May – including continued Israeli presence on the Philadelphi Corridor separating the Egyptian region of Sinai from the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of checkpoints to monitor the movement of people from south to north. “Netanyahu is procrastinating to make it tough for Hamas to agree,” Harari said. “But also from the Israeli perspective, there are some circles who believe these demands are legitimate.” The discussions will also include the list of captives’ names to be released in Gaza, the list of Palestinian prisoners to be freed, and the schedule for their release. “No doubt [Blinken’s] largest challenge is likely to be to convince the top level of the Israeli government, Netanyahu in particular, to be more flexible with regards to their demands when it comes to this deal,” said Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi. “There is a great deal of negativity from a number of experts, from people here on the ground with regards to the success of this deal, because they say what the US and Israel are doing is creating a sense of cautious optimism while shifting the goalpost and shifting the blame on Hamas for not agreeing to a deal,” Basravi added, reporting from Amman, Jordan due to Israel’s ban on Al Jazeera.
Israel agrees to latest Gaza cease-fire proposal --Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement while in Israel to get a cease-fire and hostage release deal over the finish line. Blinken made an urgent push to swiftly reach a deal at a press conference in Israel following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After announcing Israel had agreed to a bridging proposal that was offered through high-stakes negotiations in Doha last week, Blinken said it was “now incumbent on Hamas to do the same.” “The next important step is for Hamas to say yes,” he said, “and then in the coming days for all the expert negotiators to get together to work on clear understandings of implementing the agreement.” Hamas released statements on pro-Iranian Telegram channels saying Israel has backtracked from previous proposals and that its demands for a withdrawal from Gaza have not been met. After meeting with Blinken, Netanyahu in a video address applauded “the understanding that the United States has shown for our vital security interests as part of our joint efforts to bring about the release of our hostages.” The U.S. has tried for weeks to wrap up a cease-fire and hostage release deal that Washington says is as close as ever to being finalized. The next round of talks are slated for this week in Cairo. But some sticking points remain, including the details of an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza border with Egypt and the movement of armed Palestinians to the north of the strip. The deal includes three phases, starting with an initial hostage and prisoner exchange and a temporary cease-fire, then a permanent cease-fire for the return of all hostages, and a final phase for the transfer of remains and rebuilding Gaza. Blinken, who is next headed to Egypt and Qatar, said earlier in the day that it was possibly the “last” chance to reach a deal. He clarified the U.S. was not giving up but that more hostages could die or tensions might soon escalate, making the comments as Iran threatens to retaliate against Israel for the death of the top Hamas leader in Tehran last month. “The longer this goes on,” Blinken added, “the more hostages will suffer, possibly perish, and the more other things happen that could make things impossible.”
US says Israel accepts latest Gaza cease-fire deal, putting onus on Hamas -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted a final, bridging proposal to finalize a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip and put the onus on Hamas to bring the agreement to a close.“In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel accepts the bridging proposal, that he supports it,” Blinken said during a press conference from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.“It’s now incumbent on Hamas to do the same.”The U.S., along with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, is working to reach a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas by the end of the week, one that would seek to bring to an end more than 10 months of war that have wracked the Middle East, triggered by Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel. An estimated 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in the subsequent war, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. But Hamas has generally rejected the statements coming out of the cease-fire talks over the past few weeks. The group, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., said it had agreed to a cease-fire proposal laid out on July 2, but it accused Netanyahu of putting up new conditions that made it impossible for it to accept. Among Hamas’s demands are agreement on a permanent cease-fire and comprehensive withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip – conditions that were not included in the cease-fire framework first proposed by President Biden on May 31. Blinken raised doubts about Hamas’s public statements and apparent rejections of where cease-fire talks currently stand. “We’ve seen public statements before that don’t fully reflect where Hamas is,” Blinken said.“The critical next step is for Hamas to accept the bridging proposal that Prime Minister Netanyahu has now accepted, and then to engage with everyone else on making sure that we have clear understandings of how each party would actually implement the commitments that it’s undertaken in this agreement.”The terms of the cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas are generally laid out to begin with a six-week truce that would require Hamas to release hostages it kidnapped from Israel on Oct. 7 during its attack and for Israel to release Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. During this time, the U.S. and partners are expected to dramatically scale up delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian’s in the Gaza Strip. Throughout the six-week truce, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt are expected to mediate more negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a permanent end to the war. Blinken said there is a “real sense of urgency” in Israel and across the region for the need to get the cease-fire deal across the finish line, as fighting has escalated across multiple fronts. Hamas took credit Sunday for a suicide-bombing in Tel Aviv that injured one person, and warned of bringing these “operations … to the forefront.” This followed spiraling violence in the West Bank, with the Israeli government condemning attacks by extremist Israeli settlers on a Palestinian village, where one person was killed. Israel and Hezbollah and Lebanon continue to trade rocket fire over Lebanon’s southern border, as a broader Iranian attack against Israel looms — in retaliation for the alleged Israeli assassination of a top Hamas political leader in Tehran on July 31. The U.S. has dispatched significant military resources to the Middle East to help defend Israel in case of an Iranian attack, with Blinken warning Monday against all parties from taking actions that would escalate conflict.
After Meeting With Blinken, Netanyahu Backs US Gaza Proposal That Includes His Demands - After meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jerusalem on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement backing the new Gaza hostage and ceasefire proposal from the US, which includes the Israeli leader’s demands and doesn’t include a permanent truce.“The Prime Minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to the current American proposal on the release of our hostages, which takes into account Israel’s security needs, which he strongly insists on,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.According to The Times of Israel, the statement was the first time Netanyahu publicly backed the US proposal even though it included his demands. Hamas rejected the proposal a day earlier due to the added conditions. Israeli officials later told Axios that Netanyahu only said he accepted the US proposal because he knew Hamas wouldn’t accept it.In a statement issued on Sunday, Hamas said the US proposal lacked a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The group also said that the US proposal would ensure Israel maintains control of the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, and the Netzarim Corridor, a piece of land that separates northern Gaza from the rest of the Strip. Netanyahu began demanding these conditions during previous negotiations after Hamas agreed to the language in the ceasefire proposal unveiled by President Biden back in May. Israeli officials and media outlets have acknowledged that by inserting the new demands, Netanyahu was trying to sabotage the chances of a deal with Hamas.Hamas has said it wants to implement the Biden ceasefire proposal, but Netanyahu has vowed he’s not backing down on his new demands. Blinken called for both sides to agree to a deal, but there’s no sign the US is willing to use its significant leverage over Israel to get Netanyahu to make concessions.“It’s time for it to get done. It’s also time to make sure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process. So we’re looking to make sure that there is no escalation, that there are no provocations, that there are no actions that in any way could move us away from getting this deal over the line, or for that matter, escalating the conflict to other places and to greater intensity,” Blinken said after meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.The US has not condemned the Israeli assassination of Hamas’s political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, which derailed previous ceasefire negotiations. Instead, the US has vowed to defend Israel from any Iranian reprisal attack that may come in response and has deployed additional military assets to the region for that purpose.
Anthony Blinken says now is 'maybe the last' chance for Gaza cease-fire --Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Monday from Israel that now could be the last opportunity to reach a cease-fire and hostage release agreement in the Israel-Hamas war after 10 months of violence in Gaza.“This is a decisive moment — probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a cease-fire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Blinken said during talks with Israel President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv. Blinken is in the Middle East for his ninth trip to the region since the conflict began in October, hoping to hammer out a long-awaited cease-fire deal. “It is time for it to get done. It’s also time to make sure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process,” he said, potentially a reference to Iran, which has repeatedly threatened to retaliate against Israel for the apparent assassinations of two Hamas leaders earlier this month.“So, we’re working to make sure that there is no escalation, that there are no provocations, that there are no actions that in any way could move us away from getting this deal over the line or, for that matter, escalating the conflict to other places and to greater intensity,” Blinken continued.Blinken appeared optimistic a deal was in sight, though Hamas has suggested it is dissatisfied with the latest proposal, while Israel has maintained there are some parts it is unwilling to compromise on, The Associated Press reported.Mediators are expected to meet again this week in Cairo to secure a deal. Blinken will head to Egypt on Tuesday following his trip in Israel, where he also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and was expected to meet with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant later in the day.The war has raged since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israel, killing about 1,200 people. Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. government, also kidnapped about 250 people, bringing them to Gaza as hostages.About 105 hostages were released in a brief November truce, and Israel claims 111 hostages have not been released, including the bodies of 39 people. The hostages include 15 women and two children under the age of 5, the AP reported.More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza, and hundreds of thousands of civilians have been forced out of their Gaza homes.The three mediator countries behind the cease-fire proposal — the United States, Qatar and Egypt — said last week there was progress on the deal, which would require the halt in most military operations in Gaza and release some Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for the release of hostages, the news wire said.Netanyahu, in a Cabinet meeting before Blinken’s arrival Sunday, said there are aspects of the deal where Israel can be flexible but others where it will remain firm. “However, I would like to emphasize: We are conducting negotiations and not a scenario in which we just give and give,” he said. “Therefore, alongside the major efforts we are making to return our hostages, we stand on the principles that we have determined, which are vital for the security of Israel.” Hamas, meanwhile, accused Israel of pushing new demands that it keeps a military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent arms smuggling and along a line bisecting the territory so it can search Palestinians returning to their homes in the north, the AP reported. Israel said these are not new demands, but clarifications on a previous proposal.
Hamas accuses US of ‘buying time for Israel’ in Gaza ceasefire talks | Al Jazeera -- Hamas has said a ceasefire deal must result in a permanent end to Israel’s war on Gaza, accusing the United States of “merely buying time for Israel to continue its genocide” by proposing an amended accord. As the Palestinian group revealed details of Israel’s new conditions, it urged the world to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sign the deal proposed by US President Joe Biden on May 31 and backed by the United Nations Security Council on June 11. “The Israelis have retreated from issues included in Biden’s proposal. Netanyahu’s talk about agreeing to an updated proposal indicates that the US administration has failed to convince him to accept the previous agreement,” Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera on Monday. On Tuesday, Biden said Hamas was “backing away” from the deal agreed to by Israel. “It’s still in play, but you can’t predict,” he said while leaving the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. “Israel says they can work it out … Hamas is now backing away.” Hamdan’s comments came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Tel Aviv on Monday that he had “a very constructive meeting” with Netanyahu, who “confirmed to me that Israel accepts the bridging proposal“.“This is a decisive moment – probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the [Israeli] hostages home, to get a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Blinken said.The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it had recovered the bodies of six captives from Khan Younis in southern Gaza.The US put forward the latest proposal last week after new talks in Qatar’s capital Doha.Hamas said the new proposal meets Netanyahu’s conditions, including his refusal of a ceasefire, a complete troop withdrawal from Gaza and his insistence on keeping control of the Netzarim Corridor, which separates the north and the south of the enclave, the Rafah border crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor that borders Egypt. Blinken visited Egypt’s Mediterranean city of El Alamein on Tuesday for talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at his summer palace. He will then head to a meeting in Doha with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Egypt and Qatar are working alongside the US to broker a truce in the 10-month Gaza conflict. The Biden framework would freeze fighting for an initial six weeks while Israeli captives are exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and humanitarian aid enters Gaza.Netanyahu said on Monday that negotiators were aiming to “release a maximum number of living hostages” in the first phase of any ceasefire. At least 40,173 people have been killed and 92,857 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza, according to the enclave’s Ministry of Health. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 and more than 200 were taken captive.
Israel continues Gaza genocide as Washington pushes “ceasefire” deal to pave way for region-wide warThe far-right Israeli regime continued its genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza on Tuesday by bombing a school, a market and a mobile phone charging point, killing at least 25 people. Amid the ongoing slaughter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken toured the region in order to finalise a deal that gives Israel everything it wants in Gaza, and paves the way for war in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East. The Mustafa Hafez school building in the west of Gaza City was “flattened to the ground,” according to one civil defence worker, killing 12 people and injuring dozens. He explained that many of the bodies may never be recovered due to a lack of rescue equipment, suggesting that the real death toll could be higher. Like many schools across the enclave, the building had served as a place of refuge for displaced people until the Israel Defence Forces struck it without warning. The massacre follows by just over a week the bloody slaughter at the Tabeen school in the same city that killed over 100 people. Although the official death toll recorded by the authorities in Gaza has just surpassed 40,000, the true number of fatalities is much higher. British medical journal The Lancet estimated last month that after nine months of the genocide, around 186,000 people or more have been killed by Israel’s assault. American imperialism and its Zionist attack dog in the Middle East, the same forces responsible for the unending death and destruction across Gaza, are attempting to dictate the terms on which the more than 10-month barbaric onslaught could temporarily end. To call the arrangement Blinken was endeavouring to conclude during meetings with Egyptian and Qatari leaders Tuesday a “ceasefire agreement” would be a distortion of reality. Just three weeks ago, Israel assassinated with tacit US approval Hamas’ political leader and lead negotiator in the talks Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran. Should a deal be reached, it is increasingly clear that it will be entirely on Israel’s terms, enabling them to restart the slaughter with bombs at a moment’s notice, and continue to inflict starvation and disease on the Palestinians through its stranglehold over aid supplies into the devastated enclave. Moreover, a pause in the fighting in Gaza would be aimed, above all, at allowing Israel to pivot to a war on its northern front with Lebanon, and, with the support of the US and its NATO allies, lay the groundwork for a region-wide conflict with Iran. As Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant put it Tuesday, Israel’s “centre of gravity” is moving from “south to north.” Washington responded to Israel’s assassination of Haniyeh and the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shokr in Beirut by deploying an additional aircraft carrier strike group to the region. For the American ruling class, Israel’s “final solution” of the Palestinian question is a component part of US preparations to open up the Middle East front in a rapidly emerging third world war to secure its unchallenged hegemony against its rivals. This was underscored by the decision to sell Israel $20 billion worth of weaponry, including dozens of fighter jets to be supplied over the coming five years. While Iran represents a major regional obstacle to US ambitions for dominance over the energy-rich region, Washington’s main targets in its push to redivide the world in its interests are Russia and China. After delivering a speech Monday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, to endorse fellow war criminal Kamala Harris as his successor in the White House, US President Joe Biden denounced Hamas for “backing away” from a ceasefire agreement that Israel was ready to accept. In truth, the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have repeatedly shifted the goalposts in talks that have dragged on for many months to provide a cover for their blood-soaked regimes continued slaughter of Palestinians. When Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal in early May that would have prevented the IDF’s invasion of Rafah, Israel flagrantly disregarded the offer, launching an offensive that drove a million people from Gaza’s southernmost city and brought aid to a virtual standstill. In comments Tuesday, Netanyahu made clear that Israeli forces would not withdraw from Gaza under any agreement accepted by his government. “Israel won’t leave the Philadelphi Corridor and Netzarim Corridor under any circumstances,” he said, referring to a strip of land between Gaza and the Egyptian border, and the line dividing the enclave into north and south imposed by the IDF. Hamas has stated its opposition to a deal that permits the continued presence of IDF soldiers in Gaza and indicated that it would support an original proposal attributed to Biden that would see Israeli soldiers withdraw entirely in two phases. But Washington has apparently abandoned this offer, proposing instead this week a so-called “bridging” agreement that takes into account Israel’s demand for a continued military presence. Commenting on Israel’s latest demands, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan stated, “It means a big military force will remain in the Philadelphi Corridor and stay in the Rafah crossing, which means restricting aid to Israeli approval.” Israel is persisting in its use of aid as a weapon of war. Although figures for trucks reaching Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing were up somewhat in July compared to June, only 8 percent of all supplies consisted of humanitarian aid, equating to a mere 37 trucks per day. Prior to the war, Gaza received about 500 aid trucks each day. For the period May to July, aid reaching Gaza through Kerem Shalom dropped 61 percent compared to the period January to April. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on 16 August that between 1 and 15 August, only 46 out of 109 attempted aid missions to northern Gaza were approved by Israel. The rate of rejected aid missions rose compared to the previous month from 15 percent to 29 percent.
Members of Israel's Negotiating Team Say Netanyahu Is Purposely Sabotaging Deal - Members of Israel’s negotiating team believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is purposely trying to sabotage the chances of a deal with Hamas, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported on Tuesday.A source speaking to Kan referred to Netanyahu saying on Tuesday that he would not give up Israeli control of the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, or the Netzarim Corridor, a strip of land that separates northern Gaza from the rest of the Strip.“Netanyahu’s statement is intended to blow up the negotiations, there’s no other way about it. The prime minister knows that we are in a critical period during which we’re working on solutions for the Philadelphi Corridor and Netzarim ahead of the next summit,” the source told Kan.“He knows there is progress — and then he puts out statements that are the opposite of what was agreed upon with the mediators,” the source added.A US official traveling with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also toldThe Times of Israel that Netanyahu’s comments about the Philadelphi Corridor were hurting the negotiations. “Maximalist statements like this are not constructive to getting a ceasefire deal across the finish line,” the official said.Blinken has not publicly criticized Netanyahu and is instead saying it’s up to Hamas to agree to a deal. “In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel supports the bridging proposal,” he said on Monday, referring to a US proposal that includes demands from Netanyahu and doesn’t include a permanent ceasefire. “The next important step is for Hamas to say ‘yes.'”Israeli officials told Axios that Netanyahu only agreed to the US proposal because he knew Hamas would reject it. Hamas is calling for the ceasefire proposal presented by President Biden in May to be implemented.Hamas said on Tuesday that the new proposal was a “reversal” of the previous US-backed plan and showed an “American submission to the terrorist Netanyahu’s new conditions and his criminal plans towards the Gaza Strip.”
Hamas Rejects New US Ceasefire Proposal That Includes Netanyahu's Demands - Hamas said on Sunday that it rejected a new Gaza ceasefire proposal from the US because it includes demands from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that are meant to sabotage the chances of a deal.“After being briefed by the mediators about what happened in the last round of talks in Doha, we once again came to the conclusion that Netanyahu is still putting obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement and is setting new conditions and demands with the aim of undermining the mediators’ efforts and prolonging the war,” Hamas said.The Palestinian group said the proposal does not include a permanent ceasefire or Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. It also includes conditions for Israel to maintain control of the Netzarim Corridor, a strip of land that separates northern Gaza from the rest of the Strip, and the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphi corridor. Hamas said the proposal also reverses previous concessions made by Israel regarding the release of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas said Netanyahu is“fully responsible for the failure of the mediators’ efforts, the obstruction of reaching an agreement, and full responsibility for the lives of his captives, who are exposed to the same danger as our people due to his continued aggression and systematic targeting of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip.” Before the renewed hostage deal talks started this past Thursday, Hamas said that it wanted to implement the ceasefire proposal President Biden unveiled back in May. At the time, Biden claimed it was an Israeli proposal, but once Hamas agreed to the language in the proposal, Netanyahu began adding new conditions. Netanyahu said on Sunday that he wouldn’t back down on his demands. “I want to emphasize we are conducting negotiations [“give-and-take” in Hebrew], and not give-and-give,” he said at a security cabinet meeting,according to The Times of Israel. “There are areas where we can show flexibility, and there are areas where we can’t show flexibility — and we are standing firm on them. We know quite well how to distinguish between the two.” Israeli media also reported that Netanyahu told his ministers that the chances of a ceasefire deal were “not high.”Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Sunday to push for a ceasefire deal, but there’s no sign the US will actually use the significant leverage it has over Israel to achieve one. The administration has refused to condition military aid on a Gaza ceasefire and continues to ship weapons and approve new major arms deals for Israel.
Hamas rejects Gaza ceasefire deal, blaming Netanyahu for setting new ‘obstacles’ The Palestinian militant group Hamas has rejected the latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying it was biased towards Israel. The group had been considering a bridging proposal put forward by the United States, Egypt and Qatar after talks between mediators and Israeli officials last week. Hamas officials did not attend but were briefed on the talks. Now the group says the proposal includes new conditions put forward by Israel that it cannot accept. "After being briefed by the mediators about what happened in the last round of talks in Doha, we once again came to the conclusion that (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is still putting obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement and is setting new conditions and demands with the aim of undermining the mediators' efforts and prolonging the war," it said in a statement. Hamas has always opposed a continuing Israeli presence inside Gaza, ongoing Israeli control of the Egyptian border and will not agree to a ceasefire that is not permanent. It said the new proposal ignored those key demands. "He (Netanyahu) also set new conditions in the prisoner exchange file, and backed down from others, which all prevent the completion of the exchange deal," it said. "We hold Netanyahu fully responsible for the failure of the mediators' efforts, the obstruction of reaching an agreement, and full responsible for the lives of his prisoners, who are exposed to the same danger that our people are exposed to due to his continued aggression and systematic targeting of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip." Mr Netanyahu had earlier told an Israeli cabinet meeting Hamas was blocking a deal. "We are holding very complex negotiations in which the other side is a murderous terrorist organisation that is unbridled and obstinate," he said. "There are things we can be flexible on and there are things that we cannot be flexible on, which we will insist on. We know how to distinguish between the two very well." The US had earlier been talking up prospects of a deal, saying its goal was to have a ceasefire signed by the end of the week. Hamas is insisting it already agreed to a proposal in July, but blamed Israel for adding new conditions. The United Nations has urged both parties to agree to a week-long ceasefire to allow for a mass vaccination campaign against polio, a debilitating disease which thrives in poor sanitary conditions and which appears to have returned to Gaza. The Israeli military said it had already been allowing the World Health Organization to bring polio vaccines into Gaza, and that enough doses to vaccinate more than 1 million children would be arriving in the coming weeks. But the military has also been issuing more evacuation orders, forcing thousands of people to move again, while Israel continues bomb sites in population centres.
Biden speaks with Netanyahu as cease-fire deal hangs in the balance --President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday about efforts to secure a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas and broader efforts to lower tensions in the region. Vice President Harris also joined the call, the White House said. “The President and the Prime Minister discussed active and ongoing U.S. efforts to support Israel’s defense against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, to include ongoing defensive U.S. military deployments,” the White House said in a readout of the call. “The President stressed the urgency of bringing the ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure and discussed upcoming talks in Cairo to remove any remaining obstacles.” The call comes as Netanyahu has reportedly frustrated efforts by the Biden administration to conclude a cease-fire deal, with the Israeli leader backtracking on promises to draw down Israel’s military presence along the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Axios reported that Biden was expected to press Netanyahu on being more flexible on security arrangements along the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip of land running about 9 miles north to south between Egypt and Gaza and a main area of Hamas’s underground smuggling operations to bring weapons and supplies into Gaza. Netanyahu had reportedly told a group of families of hostages that Israeli forces would not leave the Philadelphi corridor or the Netzarim corridor, an east-west corridor dividing the north of Gaza from the south. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Netanyahu for three hours Monday and emerged saying Netanyahu had agreed to a U.S.-led proposal to close gaps between Israel and Hamas on the deal. Blinken put the onus on Hamas to accept the proposal. “The agreement is very clear on the schedule and the locations of [Israeli military] withdrawals from Gaza, and Israel has agreed to that,” Blinken said Tuesday night in remarks from Qatar. “I can just speak to what I heard from [Netanyahu] directly yesterday when we spent three hours together, including, again, Israel’s endorsement of the bridging proposal and thus the — the detailed plan. And that plan, among other things, as I said, includes a very clear schedule and locations for withdrawals.” Israel has destroyed 150 tunnels in the area of the Philadelphi corridor and Rafah, the southern Gazan city that has a crossing with Egypt, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday when visiting the area. He said that the Israel Defense Forces had destroyed Hamas’s Rafah brigade.
Blinken 'Sentenced Ceasefire Talks to Death' With Comments on Netanyahu - Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s comments about Gaza ceasefire talks this week sentenced the negotiations to death, Middle East Eye reported Thursday, citing Israeli media.After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Blinken said the Israeli leader agreed to a new US proposal and that it was now up to Hamas to agree to the deal. However, the US proposal included new demands from Netanyahu that Hamas considers unacceptable. Israeli, US, and Arab sources have all said Netanyahu’s demands are too hardline and will prevent a deal.Sources speaking to Ynet slammed Blinken for making the comments that portrayed Hamas as the obstacle to a deal. “Blinken made a very serious foul here that indicates innocence, amateurism, naivety, and lack of understanding,” a source said.They added that Blinken’s positive spin on the ceasefire negotiations was likely an effort to prevent the situation from overshadowing the Democratic National Convention.“He broadcast optimism from intra-American political considerations, so that the Democratic convention in Chicago would go smoothly, but senior officials of the Israeli negotiating team who listened to his press conference wanted to dispel the speculations,” the source said.The sources called Blinken’s comments a “gift” to Netanyahu and said the Israeli leader’s continued insistence that Israel must maintain control of the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, will prevent a deal.“There is no deal and there is no summit if the Israeli insistence on deploying forces along the Philadelphi axis continues,” the source said. “What was implied in Blinken’s words is that the US is giving Netanyahu support for IDF forces to remain in Philadelphi, while both the Egyptians refuse and Hamas refuses.”
Biden's new Israel policy appointee seen as major proponent of arms shipments to Tel Aviv: Report -The Biden administration has appointed a senior diplomat seen as a proponent of weapons transfers to Israel to a new role in shaping US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a US media report, citing sources familiar with the matter. Mira Resnick is taking over the role of the deputy assistant secretary for Israeli-Palestinian affairs in the State Department's Middle East office after Andrew Miller left the position this summer, the Huffington Post reported. The report added that Resnick's appointment raised concern among some foreign policy professionals, and was seen as “alarming” by opponents of President Joe Biden's unconditional support for Israel's war on Gaza. “Assigning (Resnick) ... reflects a doubling down on the administration's determination to continue to provide unconditional material support for Israel's genocidal campaign against civilians in Gaza,” Annelle Sheline, a former State Department official who resigned over Biden's Gaza policy, told Huffington Post. “Miller was known as someone who understood the nuances of the situation and did his best to try to push back on the administration's determination to facilitate genocide. Whereas DAS Resnick will eagerly support it,” Sheline added. When asked by Anadolu for comment on the reported appointment, the State Department said they have “no personnel announcements to share.” According to a report by The Hill late last year, Resnick, while serving as deputy assistant secretary for the Regional Security Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, played a key role in the transfer of millions of dollars' worth of weapons to Ukraine and Israel. “I've been interested in foreign policy for as long as I can remember,” Resnick was quoted as saying by the Hill. “The US-Israel relationship was a private focus in my household because of my Jewish background, but also because we were just a politically aware family,” she added. The Biden administration is currently working to secure a cease-fire and hostage swap deal between Israel and Hamas as talks continue in Cairo. The US is facing criticism for providing military aid to Israel, as more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7 due to Israeli bombings, which Biden has described as "indiscriminate." A total of 1,139 people were killed in a cross-border attack last Oct. 7 led by the Palestinian group Hamas, which precipitated the current war. Several human rights groups and former State Department officials have urged the Biden administration to suspend arms transfers to Israel, citing violations of international law and human rights. Israel rejects the allegations. Biden in May paused shipments of 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs to Israel over its offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. However, the flow of other military equipment to Israel continued, including the State Department's approval this month of $20 billion in fighter jets and other military supplies. The US is by far the biggest supplier of arms to Israel, with more than 70% of its arms imports coming from the US, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. US-made weapons have been documented in several Israeli strikes on Gaza that resulted in civilian casualties, although US authorities have declined to confirm this.
Kamala Harris is tying herself too closely to Joe Biden on Gaza -- The Gaza war is a political problem for Kamala Harris. In recent days, she has made it worse. On the surface, Harris might seem to be doing just fine. At a rally in Detroit, an adoring crowd chanted “Kamala! Kamala!” to drown out protesters shouting, “We won’t vote for genocide.”“You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win, then say that,” Harris retorted. “Otherwise, I’m speaking.” News accounts portrayed the disrupters as rude and the vice president asadmirably firm.But winning PR points with one-liners is different than winning over voters who are disinclined to vote for the Democratic ticket because of Biden administration support for Israel’s war in Gaza.Those voters don’t “want Donald Trump to win.” They want the Democratic nominee to break with the 10-month U.S. policy of shipping billions of dollars in extra weapons and ammunition to the Israeli military while it continues to kill Palestinian civilians, mostly children and women.The day after her vocal clash with protesters at the Detroit rally, Harris followed up by having a top aide make it explicit that her policy position on arming Israel is indistinguishable from Biden’s. “She does not support an arms embargo on Israel,” Harris’s national security adviserPhil Gordon declared. He added the kind of boilerplate platitude that has been routine from the White House since last fall: “She will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and to uphold international humanitarian law.”But in the real world, the Biden administration can point to very little it has achieved to protect civilians in Gaza, much less to restrain Israel from its ongoing and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law. On the contrary, Harris has remained in full public support for massive American shipments of weaponry to Israel that enables it to massacre and starvecivilians while violating international law.The nonstop flow of armaments from the U.S. to Israel has turned off a significant number of Democratic voters — especially young people, progressives, Arab Americans and Muslims. They had some reason to hope for a change last month after Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington and then expressed compassion for people in Gaza, saying, “We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering. And I will not be silent.”Mayor Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn, Mich. — a city of 110,000 with a higher concentration of Muslims than any other in the U.S. — told PBS NewsHour that with Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, “we believe the door is cracked open.” He added: “There’s now opportunity to have dialogue, for us to understand how Vice President Harris will differentiate herself from President Biden on the path for Gaza. We believe that there has to be a course-correction.”But instead of a course-correction, Harris seems to think that merely providing more compassionate words will suffice, while repeating calls for a ceasefire that are not backed up with action. When she said that “far too many” civilians have died in Gaza, the BBC noted that she was “echoing comments made by the White House.” Harris remains careful to stay in line with the administration’s crucial policy of continuing to supply the Israeli military no matter what.The current Harris approach is a bad electoral move. The problem extends far beyond Michigan, a key swing state where 101,436 people voted for “uncommitted” rather than Biden in the Democratic primary to protest his Gaza policy. A total of close to 700,000 primary voters chose “uncommitted” or similar designations on ballots in states that included battlegrounds Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin.Polling shows that Americans favor a cutoff of military aid to Israel while the war in Gaza continues. In one nationwide survey, completed in early March, 52 percent of respondents agreed that “the U.S. should stop weapons shipments to Israel until Israel discontinues its attacks on the people of Gaza,” while only 27 percent disagreed.That poll was no fluke. In June, a CBS News-YouGov poll found that Americans opposed sending “weapons and supplies to Israel” by 61 to 39 percent.But Harris is choosing to be out of step with most voters. She’s sticking with outdated conventional wisdom, while assuming that the specter of a second Trump presidency will be enough to get the usual Democratic base to the polls. But the moral outrage widely felt among the young and people of color about the U.S.-assisted carnage in Gaza is not conventional.Harris can’t afford to reinforce the alienation that so many young people and others feel about Biden’s Gaza policy. She needs to distinguish herself from that policy, not chain herself to it.
Revisionist Zionists dare the U.S. to pull the plug on their Nakba agenda - Alastair Crooke -The U.S. Straussians began forming a political group half a century ago, in 1972. They were all members of Democratic Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson’s staff, and included Elliott Abrams, Richard Perle and David Wurmser. In 1996, this Straussians trio wrote a study for the new Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. This report (the Clean Break Strategy) advocated the elimination of Yasser Arafat; the annexation of the Palestinian territories; a war against Iraq and the transfer of Palestinians there. Netanyahu was very much a member of this circle.The Strategy was inspired not only by the political theories of Leo Strauss, but also by those of his friend, Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the founder of Revisionist Zionism, to whom Netanyahu’s father served as private secretary.For the avoidance of confusion, the American Straussians – today usually called ‘neo-cons’ – are not in principle opposed to the Netanyahu government’s Nakba agenda. It was not Gazans suffering that exercised them; rather, it was the threats by the Revisionist Zionists to launch an attack on Iran and on Lebanon. For, were this war to be launched, the Israeli army – for certain – would not be able to defeat Hezbollah on its own. And for Israel to wage war on Iran would amount to certifiable madness.Thus to save Israel, the U.S. undoubtedly would be forced to intervene. The balance of military power has shifted considerably towards both Hizbullah and Iran since the Israeli-Lebanese war of 2006 and any war now would be a fraught and risky undertaking.Yet – this was of the essence to the Israeli government’s unspoken ‘esoteric’ (inner) agenda.The only alternative for the U.S. would be to encourage a military coup in Tel Aviv. Already, some senior officers and non-commissioned Israeli officers have come together to suggest this. In March 2024, General Benny Gantz was invited to Washington (against the wishes of the PM). He did not, however, accept the invitation to overthrow the Prime Minister. He went to make sure that he could still save Israel, and that his allies in the U.S. would not turn against the Israeli military cadre.This may seem odd. But the reality is that the IDF feels undermined, even betrayed. The agreement struck at the outset of the government between Netanyahu and Itamar Ben-Gvir (of Otzma Yehudit) – was the outlier to this anxiety.The governmental accord provided for Ben-Gvir to head an autonomous armed force in the West Bank. He was given charge not only of the national police, but also the border police, which until then, had been the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.The accord also provided for the creation of a large-scale National Guard and a reinforced presence of reserve troops within the border police.Ben-Gvir is a Kahanist, meaning a disciple of Rabbi Meir Kahane, who demands the expulsion of Palestinian Arab citizens from Israel and the Occupied Territories and the establishment of a theocracy, and he makes little secret of wanting to use the border police to expel the Palestinian populations, be they Muslim or Christian.Ben Gvir’s official forces represent, as Benny Gantz noted, a ‘private army’. But that is the half of it – for he separately holds the allegiance of hundreds of thousand West Bank settler-vigilantes over whom the radical Rabbi, Dov Lior and his coterie of radical Jabotinsky Rabbi influencers, have control.The regular army fears these vigilantes – as we saw at Sde Teiman military base – when Ben Gvir’s militia vigilantes stormed the base, to protect soldiers accused of raping Palestinian prisoners.The anxiety of the Israeli military echelon at the reality of this ‘Jabotinsky army’ is evidenced by former PM Ehud Barak’s warning that:“Under cover of the war, a governmental and constitutional putsch is now taking place in Israel without a shot being fired. If this putsch isn’t stopped, it will turn Israel into a de facto dictatorship within weeks. Netanyahu and his government are assassinating democracy … The only way to prevent a dictatorship at such a late stage is by shutting down the country through large-scale, nonviolent civil disobedience, 24/7, until this government falls … Israel has never faced such a serious and immediate internal threat to its existence and future as a free society”.The IDF élite want a ceasefire/hostage deal, primarily to ‘stop Ben-Gvir’ – not because it resolves Israel’s Palestinian issue. It doesn’t.But Netanyahu’s ultimatum is that if the Haniyeh assassination isn’t sufficient to plunge the U.S. into the Big War that will give him (Netanyahu) the Great Victory, he can always trigger a bigger provocation: Ben Gvir also controls the Temple Mount security – there is always the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa escalatory ladder available for climbing (through threatening the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque). America is trapped. The power-brokers are unhappy, but impotent.
Hawkish Israeli envoy: UN building must be wiped off from earth - Israel’s outgoing ambassador to the United Nations has lashed out at the international organization, saying the UN headquarters must be dismantled. “The UN building should be closed and wiped off from the face of the earth,” Gilad Erdan said in an interview with an Israeli papers cited by the media on Tuesday. “This building, which may look nice from the outside, is actually twisted and distorted,” Erdan claimed, saying the United Nations building in New York City is “unnecessary”. In an earlier attack on the international organization, Erdan had criticized UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The Israeli envoy also lashed out at the UN agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The regime has been widely rebuked by the international community, condemned over its atrocious actions during its campaign of genocide in Gaza. Ten months of brutal Israeli attacks in front of the world's eyes have wiped out most of Gaza, it cities and towns lying in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine. The genocide has continued since early October despite global outrage and a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. When asked in the interview with the Israeli paper, cited by media on Tuesday, what his plans are for the future, Erdan said he sees himself leading the right-wing Likud Party after Benjamin Netanyahu steps down. “I’m coming out with a feeling of satisfaction on one hand, of my battle and work here, but on the other hand with great distress and frustration with the fact that this building, which may look nice from the outside, is actually twisted and distorted.” Erdan, in June, leaked a video of a message by UN spokesman Stphane Dujarric, notifying him that the UN had placed Israel on a blacklist for "parties engaging in violations against children". The Israeli regime ambassador said the UN decision was "outrageous and wrong".
Imperialist powers silent as Israeli ministers, politicians normalise torture, abuse and rape of Palestinian prisoners - Ministers and legislators from parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fascistic coalition government have leapt to the defence of soldiers who anally raped a Palestinian at the Sde Teiman detention centre in the Negev. Video of the attack surfaced last week. They supported a furious, far-right mob that came to the detention centre to confront the army and prevent the arrest of the accused soldiers. The police stood by, arresting no one, as the mob broke into Sde Teiman, and later into Beit Lid. This prompted Defence Minister Yoav Gallant to call for an investigation into whether National Security Minister and leader of the Jewish Power Party Itamar Ben-Gvir had ordered the police stand-down. The video, verified by the British Daily Telegraph, shows a Palestinian prisoner being taken to a wall before he is gang raped by reservist soldiers shielding their faces. The prisoner had been raped so violently that he had to be transferred to a hospital in Beersheba for treatment for severe injury to his anus, a ruptured bowel, lung damage, and broken ribs that left him unable to walk. The video is part of the mounting evidence of sexual abuse and torture of Palestinian prisoners. “Welcome to Hell”: The Israeli Prison System as a Network of Torture Camps, published by B’Tselem, the Israeli human rights group, cited the shocking testimonies of 55 Palestinians released from Israeli prisons and detention centres that indicated a systemic policy of abusing and torturing thousands of Palestinian detainees under the direction of the fascist Ben-Gvir. Moreover, some of the at least 60 deaths of Palestinian prisoners were the result of the mistreatment, abuse and withholding of medical attention by their Israeli jailers, crimes under international humanitarian law. B’Tselem’s report was backed up by a separate survey carried out by The Guardian and a 23-page report in July by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) noting the “escalating use of torture” by Israel against Palestinian prisoners since October 7. The Israeli military have denied International Committee of the Red Cross and other organisations access to the Sde Teiman detention camp. The abuse is so horrific that in June Israel’s high court called on officials to close Sde Teiman detention camp and transfer Palestinian prisoners to other facilities. Around 9,623 are being held at without rights and typically without charge in Israel’s military facilities and prisons. Within Israel, Finance Minister and leader of the Religious Zionist Party, Bezalel Smotrich, condemned the people responsible for releasing the video! In a tweet on X, he called for an “immediate criminal investigation to locate the leakers of the trending video that was intended to harm the reservists and that caused tremendous damage to Israel.” After soldiers were arrested on July 29, Ben-Gvir told Israeli media that it was “shameful” for Israel to arrest “our best heroes.” He added, “I recommend that the defence minister, the [Israel Defense Forces-IDF] chief of staff and the army authorities back the fighters and learn from the prison service. The summer camps and patience for the terrorists are over. Fighters should get full backing.” He later published a video message stating, “IDF soldiers deserve respect” and should not be treated like criminals.
‘Words like Slaughter:’ A comparative study of The New York Times reporting in Ukraine and Gaza --“Words like ‘slaughter,’ ‘massacre’ and ‘carnage’ often convey more emotion than information,” wrote New York Times standards desk editor Susan Wessling in a November 2023 memo to the staff of the “paper of record.” It was over a month into the current U.S.-Israeli war on Gaza. Over 10,000 Palestinians had been martyred by the occupation forces. Congress had voted to send tens of billions more in lethal military aid to the Zionist entity. Wessling added, “Think hard before using [words like ‘slaughter’] in our own voice.”Why were Times employees told to “think hard” about conveying “more emotion than information?” Wessler did not specify. But nothing in this memo was new; it was a series of implicit reminders. Think hard about which narrative you’re constructing. Who your bosses are. Who your president is. Who your bosses and your president say the enemy is. As anyone who had spent time during the last 18 months in the newsroom well knew, The New York Times has no qualms about emotionally condemning war crimes committed by enemies of the U.S. empire. “CARNAGE WIDENS AS CEASEFIRE TALKS FALTER” was the front-page headline on March 11, 2022, accompanied by six aerial photos showing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On April 5 after Russian forces withdrew from the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, leaving behind dozens of corpses, the front page read, “HORROR GROWS OVER SLAUGHTER IN UKRAINE.” Ukraine and Gaza are not perfect historical parallels. But the Russian invasion of Ukraine still provides a useful point of comparison to Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Both have occupied the media’s attention for months on end, and both represent struggles deeply embroiled in U.S. empire. (The argument that there is a breach in parallels because Gaza “started it” on October 7 only holds up if one ignores the forced expulsion, apartheid, and occupation imposed on Palestinians by Zionists for the last century.) Russia is a demonstrable threat to U.S. foreign policy interests, and as such, The Timespresents its actions in the harshest terms possible while uplifting Ukrainians resisting Russian invasion as front-line defenders of the Western way of life. (And of course, The US and NATO bear responsibility for proposing a pathway to NATO membership for Ukraine, a move they knew would provoke Russia — while simultaneously delaying that membership to shirk direct responsibility for Ukraine’s defense if and when Russia invaded. Ukrainians were placed in the middle of this bloody geopolitical dispute.)In contrast, Israel is the United States’ closest ally in the Middle East and has acted as a proxy for its regional interests for decades. The United States has a vested interest in sustaining and defending the Zionist project — a project which necessitates the physical and cultural erasure of Palestinians. And mainstream Western media outlets like The Times dutifully use their pages to launder this interest.Through a survey of every article The Times wrote during the first six months of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (and quite a few beyond that point), Writers Against the War on Gaza / The New York War Crimes conducted a comparative, qualitative study of The New York Timescoverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with its coverage of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. We’ve separated this study into four sections: War Crimes; Resistance; Ukraine Needs Weapons!; and Culture. Each section demonstrates a contrast between coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.The Times reporting consistently condemns war crimes committed by Russia while in Gaza, it either obfuscates their nature or legitimizes Israel’s excuses for committing them. In Gaza the accusation that resistance fighters operate amongst civilians grants carte blanche for Israeli war crimes; in Ukraine the tactic is framed as that of a wily and brave resistance struggling against a military with vastly superior firepower. Ukraine’s “outgunned” army always needs more weapons, while the notion of The Times suggesting so for Hamas is absurd. And while the paper has provided in-depth coverage of the art and culture that is at risk of being lost in Ukraine, it has categorically ignored Israel’s violent campaign to erase Palestinian cultural production. An Intercept analysis found that between Oct. 7 and Nov. 24, “The New York Times had described Israeli deaths as a ‘massacre’ on 53 occasions and those of Palestinians just once. The ratio for the use of ‘slaughter’ was 22 to 1, even as the documented number of Palestinians killed climbed to around 15,000.” While The Times has equivocated, justified, ignored and soberly depicted Israeli war crimes, our analysis reveals a preference towards condemning Russian crimes with deeply affective language. This front page story [left] both unequivocally categorizes Russians as “invaders” and vividly condemns “horror,” “death and terror,” “atrocities,” “mass killings, torture and rapes.”
Desperate to suppress truth about Gaza genocide, 150 pro-Israel Hollywood figures attempt to get Emmy nomination for Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda rescinded -- The monumental crimes of the Israeli regime in Gaza—the mass killing of civilians, indiscriminate bombings, forced starvation, destruction of infrastructure, widespread torture and abuse—have become known to tens of millions around the world. Netanyahu, Biden-Harris and their accomplices in the UK, France, Germany and elsewhere are widely despised. Nonetheless, diehard supporters of the Zionist regime continue their efforts to prevent the truth about the Gaza genocide from reaching the public. Along those lines, 150 so-called Hollywood creatives have written an open letter demanding that a News and Documentary Emmy Award nomination for Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda be rescinded. Owda has created an online video series, It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive,, in which she documents the destruction of Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). By May 2024, she had accumulated some 4.1 million followers. The News and Documentary Emmy nominations were announced July 25, and the winners will be revealed September 25 and 26. Owda, in her various videos, provides images of the mass devastation in Gaza and the severe hardships suffered by its population—the constant evacuations, the long marches, the food shortage, the sanitation and hygiene calamity. She was also an eyewitness to the Al-Shifa Hospital bombing and massacre, lyingly blamed by the Israelis and the US media on the Palestinians themselves. The videos also reveal, despite everything, the resilience of the Palestinian people and their determination to resist the bloody Zionist-imperialist oppression. Owda’s video updates and her very ability to survive and report the facts have infuriated the pro-Israeli lobby. The filthy letter directed against Owda emanates from the “Creative Community For Peace” (CCFP). The misnamed group of mediocrities and nonentities has in fact come together to promote war and mass murder. We have encountered the CCFP before. In October, the organization collected the signatures of more than 1,000 figures, including a handful of prominent names, to express support for the Tel Aviv regime and its genocidal offensive, then in its initial stages. “As Israel takes the necessary steps to defend its citizens in the coming days and weeks,” declared the open letter, “social media will be overrun by an orchestrated misinformation campaign spearheaded by Iran.” We appropriately described the letter as “a right-wing provocation, organized by mouthpieces for the Tel Aviv regime.” From 1,000+ last autumn, the CCFP has come down in the world. It has only managed to gather 150 “entertainment industry leaders” as part of its campaign against Owda, most of them known only to friends and family. In addition to billionaire and major Democratic Party donor Haim Saban, the list includes three well-known actresses, Rebecca De Mornay, Debra Messing, who will sign anything if it includes attacks on the Palestinians, and Selma Blair, known for her racist, anti-Muslim rant on social media in February 2024 (“Deport all these terrorist supporting goons. Islam has destroyed Muslim countries and then they come here and destroyed minds. They know they are liars. Twisted justifications. May they meet their fate”). Among the other signatories: Rick Rosen, co-founder of Endeavor, the major talent agency; Sherry Lansing, former CEO of Paramount Pictures; and media executives Ben Silverman, Modi Wiczyk and Fernando Szew. The smear letter calls on the National Academy for Television and Arts and Sciences (NATAS) to cancel Owda’s nomination, in the category of Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Short Form, on the grounds that the Palestinian journalist has a “history of promoting dangerous falsehoods, spreading antisemitism, and condoning violence.” The letter doesn’t provide the slightest evidence of any of this.
Judy Woodruff issues apology following Donald Trump Gaza comments -- “PBS NewsHour” senior correspondent Judy Woodruff issued an apology Wednesday after her comments about former President Trump’s role in Gaza cease-fire talks sparked criticism.“The reporting is that former President Trump is on the phone with the prime minister of Israel urging him not to cut a deal right now because … it’s believed that would help the Harris campaign,” Woodruff said while broadcasting from the Democratic National Convention on Monday.Woodruff added she thinks Vice President Harris would like President Biden to work on a cease-fire deal quickly so her campaign could benefit from the results.In a post on social platform X, Woodruff said Wednesday she wanted to clarify her comments.“As I said, this was not based on my original reporting; I was referring to reports I had read, in Axios and Reuters, about former President Trump having spoken to the Israeli Prime Minister,” Woodruff wrote. “In the live TV moment, I repeated the story because I hadn’t seen later reporting that both sides denied it.”“This was a mistake and I apologize for it,” she said.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office told The Jerusalem Post Wednesday that Woodruff’s statements were a “complete lie.”Woodruff’s comments follow reports by Axios and Reuters about conversations between Trump and Netanyahu.Axios reported last week that Trump and Netanyahu spoke about a hostage and cease-fire deal, but it later reported that Netanyahu’s office denied the conversation.Reuters reported similar information, citing Axios. The stories did not report that Trump urged Netanyahu to not take a deal.In a statement to The Hill, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung denied that the former president wanted to delay cease-fire talks.“PBS is making up fake stories. The only thing President Trump has told the Prime Minister previously is ‘to get the war over with.’ Any assertion otherwise is fake news,” Cheung said.
US says Iran behind cyber attacks on Harris, Trump election campaigns -- The United States has accused Iran of launching cyber attacks on the presidential campaigns of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and targeting US voters with influence operations designed to exacerbate political division.The assessment from the FBI and other federal agencies marks the first time the US government has assigned blame amid renewed fears of the threat of foreign election interference in the country’s election. “We have observed increasingly aggressive Iranian activity during this election cycle, specifically involving influence operations targeting the American public and cyber operations targeting presidential campaigns,” the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is responsible for the defence of US government computer systems, said in a statement on Monday.“This includes the recently reported activities to compromise former president Trump’s campaign, which the [intelligence community] attributes to Iran,” they said.The Trump campaign accused Iran of hacking one of its websites earlier this month. At the time, Trump said Iran was “only able to get publicly available information”.Iran, the US statement said, had also targeted the campaign of Harris, who will formally accept the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination at this week’s convention.Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a statement calling the allegations “unsubstantiated and devoid of any standing” and challenged Washington to release evidence for the claim.“As we have previously announced, the Islamic Republic of Iran harbours neither the intention nor the motive to interfere with the US presidential election,” the mission said.The US statement said the intelligence community was confident Iranian operatives using social engineering and other means “sought access to individuals with direct access to the presidential campaigns of both parties”, the statement said.Those activities included thefts and disclosures “intended to influence the US election process”, the statement added, without elaborating.The United States goes to the polls on November 5.Google said this month that hackers backed by Iran were targeting the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns.A hacker group known as APT42 linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps went after high-profile individuals and organisations in Israel and the United States, including government officials and political campaigns, Google said in a threat report. The latest hacking allegations come at a time of significant tensions between Washington and Tehran amid Israel’s continuing war in Gaza. The US agencies did not detail how they concluded that Iran was responsible, nor did they describe the nature of any information that may have been stolen from the Trump campaign.
US Strikes Target Yemen's Red Sea Province of Hodeidah - Yemen’s Saba news agency reported three US-British airstrikes in the same district in Yemen’s Red Sea province of Hodeidah on Wednesday.Details of the attack are unclear, but US Central Command said Wednesday in a press release that its forces launched strikes on Houthi-controlled Yemen, which includes Hodeidah. CENTCOM claims that it destroyed a Houthi “surface-to-air missile and radar system.”While the Saba report said it was a joint US-British attack, CENTCOM gave no indication that the UK was involved. The UK has joined the US in several rounds of airstrikes in Yemen since the bombing campaign started back in January.The US bombing campaign has not deterred Houthi attacks on commercial shipping that were started last year in response to Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza.A Greek-flagged oil tanker came under attack in the Red Sea on Wednesdayand was left “not under command” and drifting in the waters, according to the British military. So far, the Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have not taken credit for the attack.The Houthis have been clear that they would stop their attacks on shipping if there were a ceasefire in Gaza, and the US has acknowledged that they would likely be true to their word. But instead of putting real pressure on Israel to agree to a deal, the US continues the bombing campaign in Yemen.According to the Yemen Data Project, 23 US-led strikes on Yemen were recorded in July. Israel also bombed Hodeidah in July in response to a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv. The Israeli strikes killed at least six civilians and were labeled a “possible war crime” due to the targeting of civilian infrastructure.It was clear from the start that the US bombing campaign against the Houthis would only escalate the situation. The US backed a brutal Saudi/UAE war against the Houthis from 2015-2022 that involved heavy airstrikes and a blockade, and the Houthis only became more of a capable fighting force during that time.The war killed at least 377,000 people, with more than half dying of starvation and disease caused by the siege. A ceasefire between the Houthis and Saudis has held relatively well since April 2022, but new US sanctions are now blocking the implementation of a lasting peace deal.
More FBI-suppressed evidence is exposed in lawsuit over Saudi Arabia's role in 9/11 terror attacks Documents recently released in connection with the lawsuit filed against Saudi Arabia by families of the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks have revealed important details about the relationship of the Al Qaeda hijackers to the kingdom’s intelligence apparatus, as well as the suppression of this evidence by the FBI for more than two decades. This evidence—which includes two important videos and a drawing of a passenger jet—was originally seized by UK officials 10 days after the 2001 terror attacks from the Birmingham, England home of Omar al-Bayoumi, an operative of Saudi intelligence, and turned over to the FBI. However, this evidence was never reviewed or analyzed during any of the official US government investigations into the events of 9/11 or included in the material subsequently released by the FBI in 2016 and 2021. The new evidence has come to light because it was provided directly by London’s Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to the plaintiffs through discovery in their $100 billion lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, which has been in litigation since 2002. It is described in detail in the family’s filing in opposition to a motion by the Saudi government to dismiss the case. The plaintiffs’ motion was filed on December 20, 2023, and released by the court to the public after redaction on May 5, 2024. Based on the previously declassified FBI documents from July 2016 and September 2021, it was established that al-Bayoumi’s meeting with two of the September 11 hijackers shortly after they arrived in Los Angeles in January 2000 was a pre-planned and well-orchestrated rendezvous at a restaurant and not a chance contact, as maintained in the official 9/11 Commission Report of 2004. Al-Bayoumi provided significant support to the Saudi terrorists Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, including signing an apartment lease for them in San Diego across the street from where he lived. Al-Bayoumi also transferred nearly $10,000 into their bank account, bought them a car, helped them obtain driver’s licenses, set up Internet service and their email accounts and provided information about flight schools where they could be trained as pilots. Al-Hazmi and al-Mihdhar eventually became two of the “muscle” hijackers aboard American Airlines Flight 77 when it crashed into the Pentagon. Among the new evidence to emerge from the families’ lawsuit is two videos, one that further substantiates al-Bayoumi as a both a Saudi intelligence operative and a key facilitator for the two hijackers after their arrival in the US, and one in which he is “casing” the US Capitol with two associates in June 1999. The court filing by the 9/11 victims’ families states, “Two weeks after helping the hijackers settle in San Diego by securing them housing, bank accounts and other assistance, Bayoumi held a welcome party for the hijackers at their apartment, which was videotaped …” by an associate of al-Bayoumi at his instruction. The document further states: The MPS seized the complete party video in the raid of Bayoumi’s residence, and produced it in this litigation. The complete version produced by the MPS (after jurisdictional fact depositions concluded) is different from the version the FBI produced to Plaintiffs, and the duration and content of the complete video show that it is also different from and more complete than the one the FBI provided to the 9/11 Commission. An analysis of the video confirms that the party on February 17, 2000 was organized by Bayoumi and his “collaborators to introduce the hijackers to a carefully curated group of like-minded community members and religious leaders who could be trusted to look after the hijackers and cocoon them in a protective support network. Contrary to the 9/11 Commission’s understanding based on the incomplete video it reviewed, the complete video confirms that the hijackers attended and participated in the party throughout, and they held special status at the event,” the motion says. In other words, the versions of the video previously provided by the FBI to the US government’s 9/11 Commission and to the plaintiffs were edited and concealed the fact that the party coordinated by al-Bayoumi was to welcome the hijackers and introduce them to others in the community. Instead, the FBI’s edited versions corresponded to al-Bayoumi’s claims that “the party was held to honor a ‘visiting sheikh’ who was departing the US,” as part of his effort to deceive investigators, according to the plaintiff’s motion.
Putin Opens Russia As Haven For Westerners Fleeing 'Destructive Neoliberal Ideas' -- Under a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin, Russia is relaxing temporary residence requirements for foreign citizens wishing to escape "destructive neoliberal ideas...which run counter to traditional Russian spiritual and moral values," state news agency TASS has reported. Under the terms of the decree, foreigners will have the privilege of applying for temporary residence "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws."The Russian foreign ministry has been directed to initiate the new, expedited process for obtaining three-month visas as early as September. In support of the initiative, the foreign ministry will, within 30 days, publish a list of countries that are imposing destructive ideals on their citizens in conflict with traditional values embraced in Russia. Those determinations will be driven by Putin's November 2022 executive order regarding "Fundamentals of State Policy to Preserve and Strengthen Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values." In part, that document states: Traditional values include life, dignity, human rights and freedoms, patriotism, civic consciousness, service to the Fatherland and responsibility for its destiny, high moral ideals, strong families, productive labour, the primacy of the spiritual over corporeal, humanism, charity, justice, collectivism, mutual assistance and mutual respect, historical memory and the continuity of generations, as well as the unity of Russia’s peoples.TASS notes that, in February, Putin commented approvingly on Italian student Irene Cecchini's proposal that Russia relax its residency rules for foreigners who embrace traditional values. In June, Cecchini was a panelist at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, at a session titled "Time to Live in Russia." She studied at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. In May 2023, Russia announced it would build a village near Moscow to accommodate immigrating conservative Americans and Canadians. At the time, Russian immigration lawyer Timur Beslangurov told RIA Novosti that such people were eager to emigrate because of the "propaganda of radical values: Today they have 70 genders, and who knows what will come next. Many normal people emigrate and are considering Russia, but they’re faced with huge bureaucratic problems with Russia’s migration law." Putin's new decree is apparently a first step in cutting that red tape. As for Putin's suggestion that Western values are eroding, could he be referring to the routine appearance of creatures like this at school board meetings and at the front of classrooms?
Moscow Says Ukraine Destroyed Russian Bridge With Western-Provided Missiles - The Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday that Ukrainian forces used Western-provided missiles to destroy a bridge in the Glushkovsky district of Russia’s Kursk Oblast.Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the missiles were likely launched using the US-provided HIMARS rocket systems, which the US has been supplying to Ukraine since 2022.“For the first time, the Kursk region was hit by Western-made rocket launchers, probably American HIMARS,” Zakharova wrote on Telegram. “As a result of the attack on the bridge … it was completely destroyed, and volunteers who were assisting the evacuated civilian population were killed.”Another bridge in Kursk was reported to be hit by Ukrainian forces on Sunday. According to the Russian news site Mash, both bridges were targeted with US-provided HIMARS.The ground incursion into Kursk came a few months after the Biden administration gave Ukraine the greenlight to use US-provided missiles in strikes inside Russia in border regions. The US says it won’t support “long-range” strikes in Russia but hasn’t defined what the limit is.
Russia Summons US Envoy Over Presence Of American Mercenaries, CNN Crew In Kursk Region -- Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned a senior US Embassy official in Moscow in order to protest several issues related to US interference in the Kursk region, which has been scene of heavy fighting since Ukraine's cross-border incursion kicked off on Aug.6. Russia condemned "provocative actions" of both American journalists and US mercenaries spotted on Russian territory in the context of the Kursk invasion. The foreign ministry in the meeting with US Embassy Chief of Mission Stephanie Holmes issued "strong protest" in "connection to the provocative actions of American reporters who illegally entered the Kursk region to produce propaganda for covering up the crimes of the Kyiv regime."The statement further said that national law enforcement authorities plan to "carry out the necessary investigative measures" examining the American journalists' work.Last week a CNN crew filed a report from the heart of the Russian town Sudzha just after the Ukrainian army took it over. It was clear that the CNN journalists were there under the protection of the Ukrainian military, as their words describing a segment indicated: Chief International Security Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh gained some of the first access to a Ukrainian-held Russian town Friday, to witness their control over the town of Sudzha and the intensity of the fight. CNN was accompanied by the Ukrainian military who reviewed the video without sound prior to release for operational security reasons, yet had no editorial control. Watch: Some of CNN's footage inside the southern Russian town... Moscow views his as unauthorized American journalists illegally entering Russia's sovereign territory without permission, ultimately to assist with Ukrainian propaganda under Kiev's military protection.
Ukraine Says It Used US-Made GBU-39 Bomb Inside Russia's Kursk Oblast - The Ukrainian Air Force said Thursday that its forces used a US-made GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb in a strike on a Russian platoon in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Reuters reported.The GBU-39 is a 250-pound bomb that’s typically fired from an aircraft. The US has also provided Ukraine with a land-based version that can be fired by the HIMARS rocket systems, known as the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb.On Wednesday, the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said its soldiers were using US-provided HIMARS systems to destroy pontoon bridges and engineering equipment inside Kursk. While the US claims it was unaware of Ukraine’s plans to invade Kursk until the assault started on August 6, Washington is still strongly backing the operation by allowing the use of US-provided weapons. The US says it won’t support long-range strikes, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing hard for all restrictions to be lifted.The US is expected to announce a new weapons package for Ukraine on Friday amid the fighting in Kursk. US officials told AP that it would be worth $125 million and include munitions for the HIMARS systems, air defense missiles, artillery shells, Javelin anti-tank weapons, and other types of equipment.Heavy fighting continued in Kursk on Thursday and also along the eastern front in Ukraine’s Donbas region, where Russian forces have been making steady gains. There’s no end in sight to the violence, as Russia has ruled out peace talks with Ukraine following the assault on Kursk.
Biden says he is sending Ukraine new US military aid package --US President Joe Biden said Friday that he will be sending Ukraine a new military aid package as the embattled nation prepares to mark its Independence Day. Biden said he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday "to express America's unwavering support for the people of Ukraine," lauding Kyiv's actions that "have repelled Russia's vicious onslaught, including retaking more than half of the territory Russian forces seized in the initial days of the war." "They have remained unbowed in the face of Russia's heinous war crimes and atrocities. And day after day, they have defended the values that unite people across both of our nations and around the world – including independence," the president said in a statement. The new tranche of US military assistance will include air defense missiles, counter-drone equipment, anti-armor missiles, and ammunition, he said. The US earlier Friday announced new sanctions on nearly 400 entities who have allegedly provided products and services that have allowed Moscow to sustain its war effort and evade sanctions. "These actions build on a series of historic steps we have taken with our Allies and partners over the last few months to support Ukraine – from transferring F-16 fighter jets, to committing to deliver hundreds of air defense interceptors over the next year, to quickly surging security assistance to the frontlines following the passing of our National Security Bill," said Biden. "Make no mistake: Russia will not prevail in this conflict. The independent people of Ukraine will prevail – and the United States, our Allies, and our partners, will continue to stand with them every step of the way," he added.
Judge rules military can’t turn away HIV-positive enlistees --A federal judge ruled this week that the U.S. military cannot bar enlistees who have undetectable viral loads of HIV, eliminating the last major barrier in the armed forces for asymptomatic individuals who have the virus. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, in the Eastern District of Virginia, said in the ruling Tuesday that none of the arguments the Pentagon made in attempting to prevent the recruitment of HIV-positive individuals were “supported by the evidence.” “Defendants’ policies prohibiting the accession of asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals with undetectable viral loads are irrational, arbitrary and capricious,” the judge wrote. “Even worse, they contribute to the ongoing stigma surrounding HIV-positive individuals while actively hampering the military’s own recruitment goals.” The news comes after two previous rulings in the past few years overturned the military’s policy barring HIV-positive individuals from serving or from being promoted to a commissioned rank. The case that was decided this week against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was filed by the Minority Veterans of America advocacy organization and three Americans or lawful permanent residents seeking to join the Army. The plaintiffs include Isaiah Wilkins, 24, who sought to join the Army after serving in the Georgia National Guard but was denied because he was HIV-positive. Carol Coe, 33, served in the Army in 2008 and left the service after becoming HIV-positive but seeks to return to duty. And Natalie Noe, 33, was denied entry into service in 2020 because she tested positive for the virus. The plaintiffs argued that the military’s prevention of HIV-positive individuals from serving is unlawful because it is not reconcilable with current scientific evidence on the virus, challenging the policy on the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act. They also said the military restriction targets a specific group.
DoD-funded study to collect data on antibiotic-resistant war wounds in Ukraine -- The University of Colorado (UC) School of Medicine announced yesterday that it's been awarded $5 million from the US Department of Defense (DoD) to collect and study data on antibiotic-resistant wounds linked to the war in Ukraine.Wound infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms have substantially increased in Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the country in 2022, complicating treatment for frontline providers. Yet no systematic data for wound infections exist in Ukraine. Through the project, called the Antimicrobial Resistance Research to Improve Outcomes of Traumatic Wounds study (ARROW) study, UC researchers will work with researchers in Ukraine to create infrastructure for collecting such data.The project aims to enroll up to 1,000 patients and collect data on injury and wound characteristics, molecular testing, and clinical outcomes, with researchers in Ukraine collecting specimens at three frontline hospitals and two referral centers over the next 2 years. UC researchers say these data will help providers in Ukraine during the current conflict and enable clinical trials to test solutions that help prevent and treat wound infections in future conflicts."Wound infection is consistently identified as a top concern in Ukraine and the U.S. military, which is why we are moving forward on this project first," Adit Ginde, MD, MPH, a professor of emergency medicine at UC and principal investigator on the project, said in a UC press release. "The first step is actually describing the problem in a more systematic way and then quickly pivot[ing] to clinical trials."
US hits Chinese companies with new sanctions over Russia-Ukraine war - The U.S. on Friday sanctioned a long list of Chinese and Russian companies over their support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, as the Biden administration looks to sharpen its tools aimed at crippling Moscow’s war machine. The sanctions list, targeting nearly 400 entities and individuals, is among the most sweeping actions taken yet against Chinese companies for their support in the war against Ukraine. Also hit with sanctions are companies from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Hong Kong, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The U.S. sanctions are trying to disrupt the flow of microelectronics and computer numerical control items, or machine tools, to Russia — nonlethal technology that the Biden administration has said for months China is supplying to Moscow to use in the war in Ukraine. “We remain concerned by the magnitude of dual-use goods exports from the PRC to Russia,” the State Department said in a Friday release, using the acronym for the People’s Republic of China. “Imports from the PRC are filling critical gaps in Russia’s defense production cycle, thereby enabling it to produce weapons, ramp up defense production, and bolster its military-industrial base.” The sanctions come as White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to Beijing next week to meet with China’s Foreign Affairs minister. The two are expected to discuss the war in Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has increasingly warned that Chinese support for Russia’s war is posing a major problem. The western security alliance NATO for the first time called China a “decisive enabler” of the war in Ukraine during a July summit. The companies on the list include two major Chinese machine tool suppliers and six Chinese electronic component suppliers. Several Chinese or Hong Kong companies were also sanctioned for their support of the Russian company Special Technology Center, which makes surveillance and reconnaissance drones, along with businesses from Russia, the UAE and Turkey. Hong Kong, Turkey and Russian business affiliates of Russian national Maxim Marchenko, who was arrested by the FBI in September 2023 for smuggling microelectronics out of the U.S., were also targeted in the Friday sanctions package. And the U.S. announced sanctions against Turkish, Russian and UAE companies that supply microelectronic components and targeted mostly Russian companies in the sectors of energy production, air transport, heavy machinery, diamonds and titanium, bullet-proof glass and armor and Belarusian companies and individuals supplying armored vehicle components to Russia.
Biden Approved Nuclear Strategy To Prepare for Nuclear War With Russia, China, and North Korea - President Biden approved in March a new nuclear strategic plan that includes preparations for a simultaneous nuclear war with Russia, China, and North Korea, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.The US nuclear strategy is updated about every four years or so and is highly classified. The Times described the new strategy as the “first to examine in detail whether the United States is prepared to respond to nuclear crises that break out simultaneously or sequentially, with a combination of nuclear and nonnuclear weapons.” US officials, including Pranay Vaddi, an arms control official on the National Security Council, have made public comments about the changes to the strategy. Vaddi said in June that the new strategy emphasizes “the need to deter Russia, the [People’s Republic of China] and North Korea simultaneously.”The strategy also focuses on China for the first time, as the Pentagon has claimed China could increase its nuclear stockpile to 1,500 by 2035. Current estimates put China’s arsenal at about 500. China’s arsenal is still just a fraction of what the US and Russia possess. The State Department said in July that the US has 5,748 warheads, including 2,000 that are retired and awaiting dismantlement. According to the Arms Control Association, Russia has 5,580 warheads, including 1,200 that are retired and awaiting dismantlement. Russia has 1,549 nuclear warheads that are deployed, and the US deploys 1,419.The New START treaty between the US and Russia caps the deployment of warheads at 1,550. While the treaty has broken down due to tensions over the war in Ukraine, both sides have committed to staying within the deployment limits, but it’s unclear if they will once New START officially expires in 2026.While China has significantly fewer warheads than the US and Russia, a nuclear exchange between the US and China could still be enough to end life as we know it. Despite the risk of a US-China war quickly turning nuclear, US military officials are openly planning for a direct clash with Beijing and claim that the US could “win.”The nuclear strategy’s focus on China aligns with the Pentagon’s 2022 National Defense Strategy, which names Beijing as the top threat facing the US, with Russia coming in second.
China 'Gravely Concerned' Over Report on New US Nuclear Strategy - The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it was “gravely concerned” over a report from The New York Times that said President Biden approved a new nuclear strategy that focuses on China for the first time.The strategy, which Biden approved in March, also includes preparations for a simultaneous nuclear war with Russia, China, and North Korea, another first.“China is gravely concerned over the report,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. “As we have seen over the past few years, the US has called China a ‘nuclear threat’ and used it as a convenient pretext to shirk its obligation of nuclear disarmament, expand its own nuclear arsenal, and seek absolute strategic predominance.”Current estimates put China’s arsenal at around 500 warheads, and the Pentagon claims Beijing is on track to have 1,500 by 2035. China acknowledges it’s modernizing its nuclear arsenal, but it has previously denied US claims that it’s rapidly building up its stockpile.“The size of China’s nuclear arsenal is by no means on the same level as the US. China follows a policy of ‘no first use’ of nuclear weapons and a nuclear strategy that focuses on self-defense, and always keeps its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required by national security. We have no intention to engage in any form of arms race with other countries,” Mao said.She added that it’s the US that “sits on the largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world.” The State Department said in July that the US has 5,748 warheads, including 2,000 that are retired and awaiting dismantlement. According to the Arms Control Association, Russia has 5,580 warheads, including 1,200 that are retired and awaiting dismantlement. Mao called for the US to work to dismantle more of its arsenal. “China urges the US to fulfill its special and primary obligation of nuclear disarmament by further making drastic and substantive cuts to its nuclear arsenal, and stopping nuclear sharing, extended deterrence, expanding nuclear alliance, and other negative moves that undermine global and regional peace and stability,” she said.
China 'gravely concerned' by reported US nuclear strategy shift - China said it was “gravely concerned” after The New York Times reported this week that President Biden had secretly shifted the U.S. nuclear strategy to focus on countering Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Wednesday during a press conferencethat the U.S. was using the argument of China as a nuclear threat as a “convenient pretext to shirk its obligation of nuclear disarmament, expand its own nuclear arsenal, and seek absolute strategic predominance.” “The size of China’s nuclear arsenal is by no means on the same level with the U.S.,” Mao added. “China follows a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons and a nuclear strategy that focuses on self-defense, and always keeps its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required by national security. “ Mao accused the U.S. of being the aggressor for having the “largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal in the world,” while pursuing a rapid modernization of its weapons. She also slammed the U.S. for holding a first-use policy, though Washington says it will only use a weapon of mass destruction in the event of an invasion or major attack. “We have no intention to engage in any form of arms race with other countries,” Mao added. “It is the U.S. who is the primary source of nuclear threats and strategic risks in the world.” Chinese state media also published articles this week pinning the blame for nuclear tensions on the U.S. and urging the Pentagon to stop escalating an arms race.Biden approved in March a highly classified nuclear strategic plan that for the first time focuses on China’s expansion of its nuclear arsenal, according to The Times report.The document, part of an update on nuclear policy every four years, also seeks to confront the growing threat of coordinated nuclear challenges from Russia, China and North Korea. The U.S. and Russia currently have the most nuclear weapons in the world by a wide margin, but China is rapidly catching up. The Pentagon said Beijing is on track to have 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030.The Biden administration has acknowledged the growing threat of China’s nuclear arsenal and the need to confront it, a strategy that has wide support from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
US Navy Destroyer Transits Through Taiwan Strait - A US Navy destroyer, the USS Ralph Johnson, sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Thursday, drawing protest from China.Senior Col. Li Xi, the spokesman for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, said air and sea assets were deployed to monitor the US warship as it traveled through the Strait.“The Eastern Theater Command remains on high alert and will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability,” Li said.The US always frames its Taiwan Strait transits as “routine” even though Beijing views them as provocations, and tensions in the region have been especially high in recent years.“The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) is conducting a routine Taiwan Strait transit on August 22 (local time) through waters where high-seas freedom of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law,” the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet said in a statement.The last time a US Navy warship transited the Taiwan Strait was in May. The US has been encouraging allies to step up their presence near China’s coast, and a Canadian frigate made the provocative trip through the Strait on July 31.At the time, Li said the Canadian frigate had “harassed and disrupted the situation and undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
US Vows To Defend the Philippines in the South China Sea After Latest Collision - The US has reaffirmed its pledge that the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty applies to attacks on Philippine vessels in the South China Sea after the Philippine and Chinese coast guards collided in the disputed waters.The Chinese and Philippine vessels collided on Monday near Sabina Shoal, which is part of the Spratly Island and claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Both sides accused the other of purposely causing the collision.In a phone call with his Philippine counterpart on Tuesday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan backed Manila’s side of the story. “Mr. Sullivan also condemned the People’s Republic of China’s deliberate collision with two Philippine Coast Guard vessels operating lawfully near Sabina Shoal in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone on August 19,” the White House said in a readout of the call.“Mr. Sullivan reiterated the ironclad US commitment to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft—to include those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the South China Sea,” the readout added.The pledge about the Mutual Defense Treaty means the US is promising Manila that it would intervene to defend the Philippines if its maritime dispute with China turns into a shooting war. China has said that the US is instigating things in the South China Sea by providing such strong support for the Philippines.
Philippines agrees to host Afghans awaiting resettlement in US | Al Jazeera -- The Philippines has agreed to temporarily host a “limited number” of Afghans being considered for resettlement in the United States, US and Philippine officials have announced. The US government will support “necessary services” for Afghans as they undergo visa processing in the Philippines, including food, housing, security, medical, and transport, the US Department of State said in a statement on Monday. “The United States appreciates its long and positive history of bilateral cooperation with the Philippines and thanks the Philippine government for supporting Afghan allies of the United States,” the State Department said. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the agreement was undergoing “final domestic procedures” needed to ensure its effectiveness. Washington and Manila did not specify the number of Afghans that would undergo visa processing in the Philippines. But The Washington Post, quoting unnamed US officials, said about 300 Afghan applicants would be processed in the Southeast Asian country. The deal is the latest sign of deepening ties between Washington and Manila under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, whose election in 2022 marked a shift away from the China-friendly stance of his populist predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. More than 160,000 Afghans have been resettled in the US since 2021, when the Taliban retook control of the country following Washington’s withdrawal of its forces. Thousands of others are in third countries awaiting visa processing for possible relocation under an initiative dubbed Operation Allies Welcome. Many of those eligible for resettlement worked for the US government before the collapse of the Western-backed Afghan National Security Forces. The news that the US had requested its ally to consider hosting Afghan applicants prompted opposition from some Filipinos on legal and security grounds when it became public last year. Marcos said last June that the proposal raised “many security issues” even as he emphasised the “long tradition” of the Philippines accepting refugees.
Biden’s offer of a path to US citizenship for spouses leaves some out - — As registration opened Monday for an estimated 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens to gain legal status without having to first leave the country, Karen and Xavier Chavarria had nothing to celebrate. Like many others, Karen left the United States voluntarily — in her case, for Nicaragua — as the price of living in the country illegally, planning to accumulate enough time away to be able reenter and reunite with her husband, Xavier, on a path to citizenship. Joe Biden’s offer of a path to citizenship without having to first leave the country for up to 10 years is one of the biggest presidential orders to ease entry for immigrants since 2012, when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program allowed temporary but renewable stays for hundreds of thousands of people who came to the United States as young children with their parents. To be eligible, spouses must have lived in the United States continuously for 10 years as of June 17, 2024, and been married by then. The Biden administration estimates 500,000 spouses could benefit, plus 50,000 stepchildren of U.S. citizens. “Without this process, hundreds of thousands of noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens are likely to instead remain in the United States without lawful status, causing these families to live in fear and with uncertainty about their futures,” the Homeland Security Department said Monday in a document that details the policy. Forcing spouses to leave the country “is disruptive to the family’s economic and emotional wellbeing.” Spouses who fall outside the prescribed dates and other eligibility criteria face an agonizing choice: leave the country voluntarily for years for the right to reenter or remain in the United States without legal status. Karen Chavarria returned to Nicaragua in 2017 and reported to a U.S. consulate for an interview as part of her petition to reunite with her husband in the United States. She crossed the border from Mexico in 2002 and applied for legal status after marrying Xavier, 57, who works a building maintenance job in New York and lives in Garfield, New Jersey. They have two children, both U.S. citizens. Xavier travels at least twice a year to see Karen, 41, and their 12-year-old son, who live in Jinotega, north of Nicaragua’s capital city of Managua. Xavier said he can’t live in Nicaragua because he can’t find work there, lacks treatment options for diabetes and fears for his safety because his family has been in the political opposition there for years. Their 20-year-old daughter lives in the U.S. Karen has missed big moments, including her daughter’s high school graduation and birthdays. The Biden administration’s offer to spouses who chose to remain in the U.S. filled her with despair. “It is something that we have been fighting for and after so much struggle, to get here without giving ourselves any hope,” she said while crying in a video interview from Nicaragua. It is unclear how many spouses left the U.S. voluntarily. But Eric Lee, an immigration attorney with offices in Michigan and California, said it is a “massive” number. Immigrants and advocacy groups have urged the White House to include them in the new policy.
Rand Paul Asks Why TSA Is Using Terror Watch List To Spy On Americans "Based On Their Political Views" -- GOP Senator Rand Paul has written to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) asking for answers as to why the agency appears to be using terrorist watch lists as a way of surveilling Americans according to their political opinions.Paul addressed the letter to TSA Administrator David Pekoske, and cited recent revelations that former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard as well as a woman married to a federal air marshal whistleblower have both been placed on the ‘Quiet Skies’ program watch list and subjected to enhanced surveillance.Gabbard was seemingly added to the watch list after a Fox News interview during which she criticised the ‘deep state’, while the air marshal’s wife was added after attending Donald Trump’s speech on January 6th, despite not moving to the Capitol building after it.“Taken together, these incidents seem to be part of a broader pattern in which TSA has repurposed Quiet Skies to surveil individuals based on their political activities, even when there is no evidence of wrongdoing,” Paul wrote.The Senator further noted that the incidents “echo concerns highlighted in a previous report by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), which identified critical deficiencies in TSA’s management of the Quiet Skies program.” Deficiencies include “insufficient oversight and inadequate safeguards to protect against the misuse of passenger data,” Paul added.The Senator has requested all documentation relating to the procedure of adding people to the ‘Quiet Skies’ program.
FAA refers 43 cases of unruly passenger behavior to FBI - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Wednesday it referred 43 cases of unruly passenger behavior to the FBI this past year for potential criminal charges.The FAA has now referred 310 of the most serious cases of bad in-flight behavior to the FBI for review since late 2021, when the government agencies joined together to ensure unruly passengers would face prosecution when warranted, rather than simply receive warnings from the FAA.Some of the new incidents referred to the FBI for criminal case review include sexual assaults of fellow passengers and of crewmembers, efforts to breach the flight deck and exhibitions of threatening behavior.“There’s absolutely no excuse for unruly behavior,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a press release. “It threatens the safety of everyone on board and we have zero tolerance for it.”
The US lays out a road safety plan that will see cars ‘talk’ to each other The US Department of Transportation has laid out a nationwide road safety plan [PDF] that will lead to cars communicating with each other. The agency is hoping that broadly deploying vehicle-to-everything (V2X) tech will boost its "commitment to pursue a comprehensive approach to reduce the number of roadway fatalities to zero." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimatesthat 40,990 people died in motor vehicle crashes last year.V2X enables vehicles to stay in touch with each other as well as pedestrians, cyclists, other road users and roadside infrastructure. It lets them share information such as their position and speed, as well as road conditions. They'd be able to do so in situations with poor visibility, such as around corners and in dense fog, NPR notes.A US-wide rollout will require an array of mobile, in-vehicle and roadside tech that can communicate efficiently and securely while protecting people's personal information, the DoT said in its National V2X Deployment Plan. The agency said smaller-scale deployments of V2X across the country have demonstrated safety benefits. Safety advocates claim the tech could prevent hundreds of thousands of crashes and mitigate the impact of collisions that do occur by reducing the speed of impact.The timeline for the DoT's plan extends to 2036, by which time it hopes to have fully deployed V2X across the National Highway System, for the top 75 metro areas to have the tech enabled at 85 percent of signalized intersections and to have 20 vehicle models that are V2X capable. In the shorter term, the agency aims to have V2X tech installed across 20 percent of the National Highway System and 25 percent of signalized intersections in major metro areas by 2028.It won't be an easy task, as a wide range of stakeholders have to play a part, including the Federal Communications Commission, which the DoT says will have to determine rules about spectrum allocation. Automaker suppliers (which will build V2X-enabled components), freight operators and app developers are also players in the DoT's vision.There are some concerns, particularly in terms of cybersecurity and how to cover the costs of rolling out the tech (though the Federal Highway Administration recently announced nearly $60 million in grants related to V2X). But V2X has the potential to prevent thousands of deaths and serious injuries.
Lawmakers say US firms conducting drug trials in Xinjiang hospitals -A bipartisan group of House members is criticizing some U.S. drug companies they allege have conducted clinical trials in combination with hospitals and medical centers affiliated with the Chinese military. “For over a decade, it appears that U.S. biopharmaceutical companies conducted clinical trials with China’s military organizations, and specifically with medical centers and hospitals affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA), to determine the safety and effectiveness of new drug candidates prior to approval,” Reps. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and ranking member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) said in the letter, which was dated Aug. 19. The lawmakers pressed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf for more information about the trials, including those done in Xinjiang, a region home to the Uyghur population. The U.S. has accused China of committing genocide in relation to the minority group. “We are also concerned that U.S. biopharmaceutical companies have conducted clinical trials with hospital infrastructure located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is engaged in genocide of the Uyghur population,” they wrote in the letter, which was also signed by Reps. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). An FDA spokesperson told The Hill the agency received the letter and will respond directly to House members. In the document, the lawmakers also predicted that based on the publicly available data, the U.S. drug companies have likely conducted “hundreds” of clinical trials over the past decade with the hospitals in China associated with the military.
House GOP investigators accuse Biden of ‘impeachable conduct’ in long-awaited report - House Republican investigators accused President Joe Biden of engaging in “impeachable conduct” as part of a long-awaited report. It’s unlikely to change a reality the party has faced for months: They don’t have the votes to impeach him. The 291-page report released Monday by the Oversight, Judiciary and Ways and Means committees comes roughly eight months after Republicans formalized their impeachment inquiry against the president. Their sweeping investigations, largely focused on the business deals of Biden’s family members, have gone on even longer, informally starting around the time they first took the House majority in January 2023.Republicans on the committees are accusing Biden of two offenses they argue meet the bar for impeachable conduct: abuse of power and obstruction. They’re the same charges that House Democrats cited in the 2019 impeachment against then-President Donald Trump — an inquiry frequently mentioned in the House GOP report.“The Constitution’s remedy for a President’s flagrant abuse of office is clear: impeachment by the House of Representatives and removal by the Senate,” the committees write in the report, adding they are releasing the report to the House “for its evaluation and consideration of appropriate next steps.”Even as Republicans noted on Monday that the inquiry remains ongoing, the report marks a soft end for the impeachment effort; two leading investigators told POLITICO last month that their probes had largely wrapped up. Some Judiciary Committee Republicans have pushed to hold public hearings on impeachment articles, but Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) didn’t commit to that step in a recent interview, instead indicating the decision about where to go next is up to the larger conference. Not holding an impeachment vote on the House floor would constitute a historical anomaly: Every formal presidential impeachment inquiry in modern times has led to an impeachment vote — except in the case of Richard Nixon, who resigned from office before a vote could happen. It also risks irritating the party’s base, which has pushed for a quicker impeachment against the president, though that focus has since shifted to Kamala Harris.
GOP’s Biden impeachment effort fizzles with report’s release - The signature investigation of the Republican-led House fizzled to a close Monday as the GOP capped a yearlong probe into President Biden with a series of allegations but no recommendation to move forward with impeachment. It’s an unusual end for a process that took up much of the oxygen in Washington for months at a time. The investigation started with a pledge to showcase that President Biden abused his power and was at the center of a corrupt plot to enrich his family — a high bar that raised doubts from some in the GOP. But the report failed to uncover a smoking gun, instead relying on largely debunked threads, disputed testimony, and circumstantial evidence that failed to directly tie any official action from President Biden to his family’s business dealings. The report was also released at the start of the Democratic National Convention, a move that could be seen as aiming to ensure political impact before the president speaks Monday evening, but likely ensures it is buried by days of coverage of the new presidential ticket. Even as the report asserts that he engaged in impeachable conduct, its release is cementing the sense among House Republicans that Biden — unexpectedly no longer their main political opponent — will not be impeached. “With the president not running again, I’m increasingly more doubtful the House will take up impeachment,” said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a moderate. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) released a statement on Monday that commended the committees for their work and said the report showed the “extent of President Biden’s corrupt practices,” but notably did not call to impeach the president. The report itself did not recommend impeachment articles, despite its harsh tone, saying that “the House’s decision to pursue articles of impeachment must not be made lightly.” Impeachment would require near-unanimity in the fractious House GOP, given its slim majority, and GOP doubts that plagued the effort early on have never fully dissipated. Several Republicans expressed skepticism about the weight of the evidence connecting the president to the actions of his family members even before former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) put the GOP investigations under the umbrella of an impeachment inquiry. Now that President Biden is in his lame-duck era and Republicans have turned their focus to attacking Vice President Harris with just 77 days before Election Day, the appetite for spending valuable time and energy on impeachment is close to zero. “If Republicans want to win in November we need to focus on reminding the voters of an open border caused by Harris’s failed policies, the anxious economic situation, and the erosion of safe communities. Impeachment inquiry of Biden is a fool’s errand and jeopardizes a second Trump presidency,” Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) told The Hill. House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said shortly after Republicans took control of the House last year that his investigation was designed to focus on the president, rather than his private citizen family members, pledging to root out President Biden’s role in his family’s “influence peddling schemes.” “Let me be clear: We’re not investigating Hunter Biden, we’re investigating Joe Biden,” he said during an appearance on Fox News in January 2023. But some Democrats saw that as a risky move — with the GOP setting high stakes for their investigation that they may not be able to deliver. “He consistently over-promised and underperformed, and the gap between his claims and his evidence just grew to a Grand Canyon size,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee.
George Santos pleads guilty, acknowledging lies and blaming ambition for conning his way to Congress - George Santos, who spun lies about his life into an 11-month stint in Congress, pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a case that led to his expulsion from office and the admission that he’d allowed ambition to cloud his judgment.The former representative, 36, is likely to spend at least six years in prison and owes more than $370,000 in restitution. His guilty plea in federal court on Long Island came weeks before the case was to go to trial. He is to remain free on bond until he is sentenced on Feb. 7.“I betrayed the trust of my constituents and supporters. I deeply regret my conduct,” the New York Republican said, his voice trembling as he entered the plea.Santos — elected in 2022 after bandying falsehoods about his wealth and background, including a lie that his mother perished in the 9/11 attacks — told reporters outside court that his political ambitions had led him “to make decisions that were unethical.”“Pleading guilty is a step I never imagined I’d take, but it is a necessary one because it is the right thing to do,” Santos said. “It’s not only a recognition of my misrepresentation to others, but more profoundly, it is my own recognition of the lies I told myself over these past years.” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said that in pleading guilty, Santos had told the truth “after years of telling lies.” “And that truth is he is a criminal,” Peace said. Santos was indicted on felony charges that he stole from political donors, used campaign contributions to pay for personal expenses, lied to Congress about his wealth and collected unemployment benefits while actually working.Peace also said that in addition to the crimes Santos pleaded guilty to, he also admitted to “a litany of other crimes for which the court will hold him accountable at sentencing.”Among them: admitting that he stole multiple people’s credit card numbers and charged them for his campaign, that he tricked donors into giving money to a bogus nonprofit and used the cash to buy designer clothing, and that he fabricated his personal wealth in a financial disclosure report he submitted to Congress.Santos was expelled from the U.S. House after an ethics investigation found “overwhelming evidence” he had broken the law and exploited his public position for his own profit. The case has been set for trial in early September. If that had happened, federal prosecutors said Monday that they were prepared to call some 40 witnesses, including members of Santos’ campaign, employers and family members. Separately Monday, in Manhattan federal court, Judge Denise Cote tossed out a lawsuit in which Santos claimed that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, ABC and Disney committed copyright infringement and unjustly enriched themselves at his expense by using videos he made on the Cameo app for a “Jimmy Kimmel Live” segment. The judge said it was clear that Kimmel used the clips, which were also posted to YouTube, for purposes of criticism and commentary, which is fair use.
What's behind Nancy Pelosi siding with Big Tech over a key California Democrat? - — The shadow campaign to determine who will succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi when she retires has burst into the open — over a Sacramento artificial intelligence proposal.Pelosi, one of the most powerful Democrats in modern American politics, rarely wades into Sacramento legislative fights. But on Friday night she released a sharply critical statement about a bill to regulate large-scale AI models in California. It’s one of the biggest legislative debates of the year in California — and its champion, state Sen. Scott Wiener, is widely expected to run for Pelosi’s coveted San Francisco House seat against her daughter, party organizer Christine Pelosi, once the former speaker leaves office. That’s why Nancy Pelosi’s statement calling Wiener’s bill “well-intentioned but ill-informed” was widely interpreted as a salvo in that brewing proxy fight — the latest in a series of recent escalations that foreshadow a bitter race. In Pacific-Heights speak, it was an elbow to the face as Pelosi swiped at Wiener’s legislative approach and re-upped Big Tech’s warnings that his proposal could stifle innovation. Pelosi also noted that Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a longtime Pelosi confidant, had expressed “serious concerns” to Wiener. On several levels, the jab was damaging to Wiener, who has been careful to praise Pelosi even as he prepares to run against her daughter. But advisers in Wiener’s orbit were quick over the weekend to push back, framing Pelosi’s comments as a purely political maneuver. “She’s trying to line up support for her daughter from Andreessen-Horowitz and Google,” said Todd David, a veteran San Francisco strategist and member of Wiener’s inner circle of advisers. David speculated that Pelosi is courting favor with Andreessen-Horowitz, a powerful venture capital firm opposed to the AI bill, to weaken Wiener’s support among the tech players the state senator has courted throughout his political career. He added, “She is trying to figure out where Scott’s vulnerabilities are.” The critique of Wiener’s bill isn’t the first hint from Pelosi that she’s angling for her daughter to replace her. The speaker emerita last month endorsed two progressive incumbents for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, including socialist lightning rod Dean Preston— which many local politicos interpreted as a move to court progressives and labor unions, groups that have been alienated by Wiener’s support for more moderate Democrats.
Putting Secret Service agents on leave after Trump's life attempt 'nowhere near enough': House speaker Putting Secret Service agents on leave after last month's assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump was not enough, said the US House speaker on Friday. "On July 13th, a heroic father, Corey Comperatore, was shot and killed at the Butler, PA (Pennsylvania) rally – and President Donald Trump was shot in the head (ear) – just a millimeter away from being murdered too. This was a complete failure by the Secret Service," Mike Johnson wrote on X. "Today's decision to place multiple agents on leave is the agency's first step toward accountability, but it comes 41 days after the attempt on President Trump's life – and it's nowhere near enough.” His remarks came after local media reports that at least five Secret Service members involved in the incident, including the head of the Secret Service's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office, were placed on leave. "Since the Secret Service refuses to recognize reality and will not be transparent, the House's Bipartisan Task Force will continue to aggressively and thoroughly investigate the shocking security failures, get answers, and bring accountability," Johnson added. Thomas Matthew Crooks, a lone 20-year-old gunman, opened fire on Trump during a campaign rally in Butler County on July 13, grazing his right ear. Reports afterwards suggested Trump had coincidentally turned his body when the gun was fired, perhaps averting a much more serious injury. The gunman killed one spectator and seriously injured two others. After opening fire, Crooks was killed at the scene by a Secret Service agent. Reports after the incident detailed multiple intelligence lapses, from failing to keep track of Crooks after he was identified as “suspicious” to not making sure the building roof Crooks fired from was clear, with no threats to Trump.
Trump to participate in Fox News town hall after debate doesn’t materialize - Former President Trump said late Monday he would participate in a tele-town hall hosted by Fox News next month instead of a debate on the network after the Harris campaign made clear the vice president would not participate. “Rather than the debate on September 4th, I have agreed to do a Tele-Town Hall, anchored by Sean Hannity, for Fox. It will take place in the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Details to follow!” Trump posted on Truth Social. Trump said he was “not surprised” that Harris would not agree to a debate on Fox News, arguing it was “very difficult, at best, for her to defend her record setting Flip-Flopping on absolutely everything she once believed in.” The Harris campaign said last week it would participate in a total of three debates this election season: two presidential debates and one vice presidential debate. The vice president and Trump have agreed to hold a debate on Sept. 10 hosted by ABC News. The Harris campaign has said it would consider a second presidential debate in October after the Sept. 10 showdown happens. The two sides have also agreed to a vice presidential debate, between Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), on Oct. 1.Trump had previously accepted two other proposed debates, one on Sept. 4 on Fox News and another on Sept. 25 on NBC News. Initially, Trump had agreed to two debates with President Biden: June 27 and Sept. 10. But Biden’s disastrous performance in the June debate triggered calls for him to step aside as the Democratic nominee, which he did in late July.
Donald Trump says he would consider Elon Musk for Cabinet role --Former President Trump said Monday that he would consider Tesla CEO Elon Musk for a job in his Cabinet if he wins the November election. “He’s a very smart guy. I certainly would, if he would do it, I certainly would. He’s a brilliant guy,” Trump told Reuters in an interview. In the same interview, Trump signaled he was open to reversing a $7,500 tax credit for Americans who purchase an electric vehicle. The Biden administration has sought to incentivize the production and purchase of electric cars as part of its push to address climate change. Musk, who also owns the social media platform X, endorsed Trump in the presidential race and backed a super PAC supporting the former president’s bid. Trump and Musk held a two-hour conversation on X last week, during which the Tesla CEO signaled he would be willing to serve on a government commission to study the national debt and how Congress could reassess spending. The possibility of a Cabinet position did not come up. “I think it would be great to just have a government efficiency commission that looks at these things to make sure taxpayer money is spent in a good way,” Musk told Trump. “I’d be happy to help out on such a commission.”
Trump Vows To Slash Energy Costs By Half If Elected -- GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has promised to reduce energy costs by half by reversing current federal government policies in his first year in office if he gets elected.Trump was speaking at an event at a defense manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania and said that if he enters the White House, during his first year he would remove future mandates for electric cars and cancel “green energy” policies, according to a report by UPI.Trump went on to warn those in attendance that if Harris wins the presidential vote, energy costs would triple and quadruple, and the U.S. “won't be producing a drop of oil.”He also accused the Biden administration of a “regulatory jihad to shut down power plants.” The Biden administration indeed has a very different energy policies agenda than Trump and Harris has indicated she would stay in the transition lane if she enters the White House as president.Trump, on the other hand, has remained a staunch supporter of what he calls U.S. energy dominance, encouraging as much oil and gas production as possible to turn the country into a self-sufficient one in terms of energy and extend its international influence through energy exports.Last month, in an interview with Bloomberg, Trump said that if he wins he would boost U.S. oil production, calling the commodity liquid gold.“We have more liquid gold than anybody,” Trump told the publication, adding “We need energy at low prices. The advantage we have all over almost every country including the very large ones is that we have more energy than anybody. We have more of the real energy, the energy that works,” the former president vying for another term in office said.“Wind does not work. It’s too expensive,” said Trump, claiming that solar and wind farms are neither too good for the environment, nor too suitable to provide energy at low costs and prices.
Trump says growth will pay for tax cuts said to cost trillions --Republican nominee Donald Trump said his plan to renew expiring tax cuts would pay for itself by spurring economic growth as he highlighted his agenda on taxes in a visit to a key swing state in November's election. "Growth, we're gonna have tremendous growth," Trump said when asked how he would pay for those tax cuts during a campaign stop in Las Vegas. The former president has said he will renew tax cuts from his 2017 tax law that are set to expire next year — a centerpiece of his economic agenda which has won him support from business leaders and many on Wall Street. But extending those cuts carries a $4.6 trillion price tag, and risks further growing a federal deficit Republicans have long vowed to tame. Trump has also promoted additional tax cuts — including eliminating federal taxes on tipped wages, which was the focus of his event Friday at a Mexican-Italian restaurant in Las Vegas. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated that such an exemption would cost around $100 to $200 billion over a decade. Trump said he believed the policy would help win him support from workers in Las Vegas, where hospitality remains the dominant industry, and accused his Democratic rival Kamala Harris of pushing tax policies that would place more burdens on workers and small businesses. "We're going to let you keep 100% of your income and not be harassed," Trump said, calling his pitch the "biggest promise" restaurant workers have "had in a long time." He assailed Harris for also adopting the no-taxes-on-tips proposal, claiming that she was simply echoing his policy for political reasons and would not follow through. The bipartisan embrace of the idea comes as both campaigns are seeking to court key voting groups in Nevada and other battleground states. Trump's comments come a day after Harris formally accepted her party's presidential nomination, setting the two candidates off on a sprint to Election Day. Harris used her acceptance speech to highlight some of her policy proposals in broad terms, saying she would be an advocate for the middle class and implement measures to bring down costs for households.
Democratic fundraising puts pressure on House Republicans -In the marathon that is an election year, Democrats are winning the cash dash — a reality that is putting pressure on House Republicans as they look to expand their majority in the lower chamber come November. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) raised $17.6 million in July — the month President Biden dropped out of the race and threw his support behind Vice President Harris — bringing the group’s total haul for the cycle to a record $228.4 million. The campaign arm has $92 million cash on hand. The House GOP’s campaign arm, meanwhile, raked in $11.7 million in July, raising the total accumulated this cycle to $173.4 million. The group has $73.3 million cash on hand. Republicans knew they were in a tough situation even before Tuesday’s filing deadline. On a House GOP conference call last week, National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) called on the conference to ramp up fundraising and transfer more money to the House GOP’s campaign arm. “I need you to want it,” he told the group. But the numbers from July — coupled with the exuberant enthusiasm among Democrats, which has been on full display during their convention in Chicago this week — is putting the financial squeeze on Republicans as the cycle heads into the final stretch, and control of the chamber remains up for grabs. Some Republicans are expressing caution, but they argue the GOP still has options. Former Rep. Thomas Reynolds (R-N.Y.) — who served as NRCC chair from 2003 to 2007 — said he is not too concerned about the NRCC’s trailing fundraising because of strong GOP coffers elsewhere. But he argued Hudson had the correct message so Republicans don’t get complacent in the final stretch.
Encrypted app used in campus protest planning deployed for DNC demonstrations — Pro-Palestinian demonstrators who plan to “shut down” the Democratic National Convention this week are taking cues from New York City, where protests on college campuses were orchestrated with the help of an encrypted messaging network.Over the spring, student groups and pro-Palestinian organizations used the app Telegram to distribute how-to manuals on occupying buildings and other rally tactics, provide real-time updates on police movements and, in some cases, share explicitly pro-Hamas content.And there are signs protesters are using the same tactics to plan massive demonstrations at the convention, where organizers hope to pressure Vice President Kamala Harris to take a harder stance against the Israeli government and its military campaign in Gaza.“Make it great like ‘68,” one group posted to Telegram, referencing large Vietnam War protests at the DNC that year. “Shut down the DNC for Gaza!”The post, which encouraged demonstrators to show up outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago at 7 p.m. on Aug. 20, was circulated on Resistance News Network, an organization on the radar of experts on extremism.The channel describes itself as “in the service of our martyrs, prisoners, farmers, resistance, and refugees,” while the Anti Defamation League calls it“a radical antisemitic, anti-Zionist English-language Telegram channel that promotes violence against Israel.”It had over 166,000 subscribers as of Friday.The news network is not alone in using Telegram to orchestrate the run-of-show in Chicago.The activist group Palestine Action US on Monday posted a schedule on Telegram for an entire week of protests, including breakfasts, movie screenings and street rallies. That schedule was then shared on RNN, moments after the channel posted a press release attributed to Hezbollah celebrating a “direct hit” on a Syrian target.Taken together, the growing conglomerate of Telegram accounts demonstrates the ease with which organizers can share reams of information from a wide variety of sources, and relay vivid accounts. And that provides a potent option for demonstrators at the convention to exploit the preeminent issue cleaving the party.The RNN account calling for protesters to shut down the convention appears to post almost live updates from fighting in Gaza. It regularly promotes press releases from groups deemed terrorist organizations by the State Department.And this spring, it was part of a vast network of Telegram accounts that shared information helping student groups launch college campus encampments in Manhattan that eventually spread across the globe.Over the course of the spring — as pro-Palestinian encampments were erected at Columbia University and across the country — POLITICO pored over hundreds of pages of content on Telegram and Tumblr, another social media platform. The results revealed a complex system where original content was often reposted by other accounts to extend the information’s reach.Posts included live updates on the movements of police brigades, guides for occupying buildings and historical treatises on the politics of resistance. Taken together, the network provided a rich and readily available source of information to pro-Palestinian demonstrators, beyond what was available to past student movements.
Ocasio-Cortez wows Democrats with fiery speech on first night of DNC — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y. ) blasted former President Trump as a “two-bit union buster” who would “sell this country for a dollar” during her speech to the Democratic National Convention on Monday. The New York congresswoman was also among the first high-profile speakers to reference the conflict in Gaza, where Israel has killed an estimated 40,000 people in the 10 months since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 Israelis were killed. Ocasio-Cortez praised Vice President Harris for “working tirelessly to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.” Ocasio-Cortez, like others on the left, has been very critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. But she has been somewhat less willing than others on the left to frontally attack the Biden administration on the topic. Perhaps the most notable thing about Ocasio-Cortez’s speech was the rapturous reception it received. While the 34-year-old New York congresswoman draws incessant criticism from Republicans and conservatives, she is an iconic figure for progressive Democrats, especially of her generation. The start of her speech was interrupted by cheers of “AOC!” from the boisterous crowd inside the United Arena. The atmosphere among the crowd was notably more energized for the charismatic Ocasio-Cortez than for any speaker who preceded her — barring Harris herself who made a brief surprise appearance in advance of her big speech scheduled for Thursday., Ocasio-Cortez also sought to turn a common conservative attack to her own advantage. Noting the frequency with which conservatives tell her to “go back to bartending” — her previous job — the congresswoman said she would be glad to do so because “there’s nothing wrong with working for a living.” The speech was also notable for how squarely it fell within the Democratic mainstream, extolling the virtues of Harris and her vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as fighters for the middle class. Ocasio-Cortez also ostentatiously thanked President Biden for his service in office. Despite her left-wing credentials, the congresswoman notably declined to push for Biden to step aside during the crisis that enveloped him after his disastrous June 27 debate performance against Trump.
Vice President Harris proposes 28% corporate tax hike --Vice President Harris is proposing to raise the corporate income tax rate to 28 percent as the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago.“As President, Kamala Harris will focus on creating an opportunity economy for the middle class that advances their economic security, stability, and dignity,” Harris campaign spokesperson James Singer told The Hill.Harris has been fleshing out her policy platforms and positions in the run-up to the convention, having jumped into the race just last month after former President Biden bowed out amid concerns about his age and mental acuity, endorsing his vice president.Last week, Harris laid out a series of economic proposals including attacking corporate “price gouging,” and raising the corporate tax rate would bring in additional revenue to pay for some of her ambitious policy proposals.According to a 2018 estimate by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, each 1 percent increase to the corporate tax rate would increase revenues by nearly $100 billion over a decade.The proposal, first reported by NBC News, draws a sharp contrast with former President Trump.Under the former president’s signature 2017 tax cut legislation, the corporate tax rate was slashed to 21 percent from 35 percent. Trump floated further cutting the corporate tax rate to 20 percent in June during a closed-door Business Roundtable event with some of the country’s most powerful executives.
Kamala Harris vows to take Joe Biden-era health care programs further - Vice President Kamala Harris laid out her economic agenda Friday, and much of her plan involves taking the health care accomplishments made by the Biden administration further. Speaking in North Carolina, Harris vowed that under her administration, Medicare negotiationswould continue and grow to encompass all Americans, not only Medicare beneficiaries. “Just yesterday we announced that we are lowering the price by up to 80 percent for 10 more lifesaving drugs, and I pledge to continue this progress,” Harris said during a campaign rally in Raleigh, N.C.“I’ll lower the cost of insulin and prescription drugs for everyone, with your support, not only our seniors and demand transparency from the middlemen who operate between Big Pharma and the insurance companies who use opaque practices to raise your drug prices and profit off your need for medicine,” she added.President Biden counts Medicare negotiations and lowering insulin prices among his key health care achievements.She not only leaned on her role in the administration but also her prior work as California’s attorney general.“As attorney general in California I went after companies that illegally increased prices including wholesalers that inflated the price of prescription medication,” Harris said.Earlier this year, the administration announced it was moving forward with plans to ban medical debt from credit reports, an initiative Harris was the face of. The Democratic presidential nominee vowed Thursday she would work to eliminate medical debt altogether.“I will work as president with states like here in North Carolina — Roy Cooper thank you again — to cancel medical debt for more and more millions more Americans,” she said, noting North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s (D) medical debt relief plan that was approved last month. Cooper was among the politicians considered to be likely picks for Harris’s running mate before Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) officially joined the ticket. The vice president also put distance between herself and former President Trump repeating her oft-said warning that he would seek to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if reelected.“As for Donald Trump, well he wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act which 45 million Americans rely on. 45 million Americans rely on it for health care,” she said. “That would take us back to a time when insurance companies could deny people with pre-existing conditions. We all remember what that was and we’re not going back.”“Remember he tried to cut Medicare every year he was President, threatening a program that tens of millions of seniors count on,” Harris continued. “And according to his Project 2025 agenda, he intends to undo our work to bring down prescription drugs the cost of prescription drugs and Insulin cost. Well, we’ve come too far to let that happen.” Trump has said he no longer plans to repeal the ACA, instead saying he would make it “much better than it is right now.” He also promised to not touch Medicare or Social Security earlier this year after landing in hot water when he said “there is a lot you can do” in terms of cutting funding to those programs.The former president criticized Harris’s plans for health care, saying Thursday that she would create a “communist system.” “You’re going to be thrown into a system where everybody gets health care. It’s — you wait for your doctor like 10 months, 12 months, 11 months,” Trump said during a speech from his New Jersey golf resort. “You got to see some of these plans, how they work in other countries, it’s disgraceful. So private health care is gone. She wants it out.”
New Democratic Party Platform Pledges 'Ironclad' Commitment to Israel - On Monday, delegates at the Democratic National Convention voted to adopt the party’s new 2024 platform, which vows “ironclad” support for Israel amid its US-backed genocidal war in Gaza.“President Biden and Vice President Harris believe a strong, secure, and democratic Israel is vital to the interests of the United States,” the platform reads. “Their commitment to Israel’s security, its qualitative military edge, its right to defend itself, and the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding is ironclad.”The 2016 Memorandum of Understanding is an agreement reached under the Obama administration that committed the US to providing Israel with $3.8 billion in military aid each year from 2019 to 2028.The strong commitment to arming Israel comes amid protests at the DNC for Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 nominee, to commit to imposing an arms embargo on Israel. But Harris is not expected to alter US policy toward Israel.The Democratic Party’s platform also claims that President Biden has been working for “peace” in the Middle East and a ceasefire deal for Gaza. But his administration refuses to use the leverage it has over Israel to force a deal, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to sabotage the chances of an agreement with Hamas.The 92-page platform boasts of Biden’s new military interventions in the Middle East, including the bombing campaign against the Houthis in Yemen, which has only escalated the situation in the Red Sea, and the US defense of Israel from an Iranian attack in April.Iran fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel in response to the Israeli bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus. “Through direct defensive action by the US military and its partners, Iranian munitions did not cause significant damage, demonstrating both America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel and our unrivaled ability to leverage growing regional integration among US partners to counter Iranian aggression,” the platform reads.The Republican Party’s new platform, which was adopted in July, is much shorter but also offers support for Israel, which is the only foreign country mentioned in a positive way. “We will stand with Israel and seek peace in the Middle East,” it reads.The Democratic Party platform lists the proxy war in Ukraine and the US military buildup in the Asia Pacific as achievements of the Biden administration. The platform says Biden has recognized China as “America’s most consequential strategic competitor,” aligning with the Pentagon’s view that China is the top threat facing the US.
Democrats Release Insanely Hawkish Middle East Policy Platform --- Caitlin Johnstone ---Celebrity progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez falsely claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris is “is working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire in Gaza” at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night. There is literally no evidentiary basis anywhere for this assertion. She made it up. Kamala Harris is not “working tirelessly” to do anything at this time besides become the next president. Her own staff are saying she is opposed to an arms embargo on Israel and won’t consider cutting or conditioning military aid, which is the only way the Israeli government can be effectively forced to stop sabotaging a peace deal so that the US-backed genocide can finally end. Saying you’ll continue pouring military explosives into a regime that is using those military explosives to conduct regular massacres of civilians is the exact opposite of working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire. “This is false, it’s propaganda, and it’s making people misunderstand the issue,” Current Affairs’ Nathan Robinson said of AOC’s statement. “The Biden administration could have imposed a ceasefire anytime it wanted to. The only reason there isn’t one is that Biden has made sure Israel has no incentive to agree to one.” As we deal with this crap, the DNC has approved a 2024 party platform whose section on the middle east is so surprisingly hawkish that it largely reads like it could have been written by some of Washington’s most war-horny Republicans. It repeatedly calls its support for Israel and the continuation of arms shipments thereto “ironclad”. It criticizes Trump as having been too soft on Iran, for god’s sake. After boasting about the Biden administration’s bombing campaign against the “Iranian-linked Houthi forces” in Yemen, its “precision airstrikes on key Iranian-linked targets,” and its success in neutralizing Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Israel after Israel assassinated multiple Iranian military officials in Syria, the platform says that this “stands in sharp contrast to Trump’s fecklessness and weakness in the face of Iranian aggression during his presidency.”Then they literally attack Trump for not going to war with Iran: […]The “national security team” who suffered “confusion and concern” when Trump opted not to wade into a middle eastern war of unfathomable horror includes psychopathic war criminal John Bolton, who was reportedly “devastated” when Trump called off a deadly military assault on Iran in retaliation for its shooting down the aforementioned (unmanned) surveillance aircraft. When you’re siding with John Bolton on whether to bomb Iran, you’re as insanely hawkish as it gets. “President Biden and Vice President Harris believe a strong, secure, and democratic Israel is vital to the interests of the United States,” the platform reads. “Their commitment to Israel’s security, its qualitative military edge, its right to defend itself, and the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding is ironclad.”The 2016 Memorandum of Understanding is the agreement by which the United States agrees to continue sending Israel $3.8 billion a year to spend on weapons.This comes as Kamala Harris’ current and former staff members report that not only will the vice president refuse to cut or condition military support to Israel, she will also refuse to re-enter the Iran deal to ease tensions in the region. The Times of Israel cites congressman Brad Schneider saying he was told by the Harris campaign’s Jewish outreach chief that “the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee would oppose a return to the Iran nuclear deal.”The Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was one of the only decent foreign policy moves made by the Obama administration, and killing it was one of the nastiest things Trump did as president. But rather than pledging to re-enter the Obama era of de-escalation and detente with Iran, the Democrats are attacking Trump for not fighting a war with Iran while pledging ironclad support for the nation that’s doing everything it can to get that war started. So yeah, that’s the Democratic Party for you. Vote for them and you get a nicer-looking mask on the blood-spattered face of the US war machine. It’ll kill just as many middle eastern kids as the Republicans will, but it will kill them under the presidency of a woman of color with “she/her” in her Twitter bio.
Harris' DNC Platform Calls For 'Radical' Mass Amnesty For Millions Of Illegals - The official Democratic party platform calls for the passage of the US Citizenship Act - which the Trump campaign on Monday called 'a radical amnesty bill that would give automatic citizenship and social security numbers to the millions of illegal aliens that invaded our country, including criminals, human traffickers, and gang members.'The DNC platform calls for the passage of the U.S. Citizenship Act, a radical amnesty bill that would give automatic citizenship and social security numbers to the millions of illegal aliens that invaded our country, including criminals, human traffickers, and gang members. pic.twitter.com/6cAB2NrM7B — Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 19, 2024 According to the DNC platform: America is a nation of immigrants. The legal immigration framework was last updated in 1990 and does not reflect the needs of our country in the 21st century. Many immigrants today are forced to wait years, and often decades, to immigrate lawfully to the United States.A robust immigration system with accessible lawful pathways and penalties for illegal immigration alleviates pressure at the border and upholds our values. The U.S. Citizenship Act would permanently increase family-sponsored and employment-based immigration. This is in sharp contrast to Trump's platform, which calls for sealing the border and carrying out the largest deportation operation in US history. Some are suggesting that the Biden-Harris administration allowed the country to be flooded with illegal immigrants in order to eventually grant mass amnesty.This is exactly why Kamala Harris and the Democrats permitted our country to be overrun with illegal migrants, this was the plan all along.There is no denying this fact any longer.This is why for the sake of all Americans we can not let her win in November. https://t.co/6EHCO4aYak
Have You Seen Kamala's Proposed Radical Cabinet? Eric Holder, Rahm Emanuel, And More... It seems Obama is angling for a fourth term, which is why he’s sidelined Biden in favor of Kamala Harris—the unpopular, inexperienced DEI diva who reportedly used her “womanly ways” to get ahead. Why do we know this? We got a sneak peek at Kamala’s proposed cabinet, and it’s a who’s who of Obama-era radicals, starting with head Marxist Eric Holder and the progressive disaster who torched Chicago, Rahm Emanuel. If this scary group of radicals doesn’t light a fire in you to ensure President Trump gets reelected, nothing will. If Harris and Walz weren't radical enough, check out her proposed cabinet: Eric Holder as Chief of Staff, Jake Sullivan as Secretary of State, Rahm Emanuel as National Security Advisor. Notice a pattern? The Obama/Biden "Fundamental Transformation" continues... pic.twitter.com/7LAHN6wiq3— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) August 15, 2024What’s truly frightening is that these names represent a return to some of the most broken aspects of America.Many people believe the Harris/Walz campaign is the biggest astroturf psyop in US political history, which says a lot considering what they pulled off with Basement Biden. At least Biden was well-known and liked by some clueless voters. Harris doesn’t even have that going for her, and as for Tim Walz, no one knows who he is unless you call him “Tampon Tim.”
UAW presses DNC to bring on Palestinian American speaker -The United Auto Workers (UAW) union joined calls for a Palestinian American to speak on the final night of Democratic National Convention, implying that the party risks losing the election amid ongoing protests over the administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. “If we want the war in Gaza to end, we can’t put our heads in the sand or ignore the voices of the Palestinian Americans in the Democratic Party,” the UAW wrote Thursday on social platform X. “If we want peace, if we want real democracy, and if we want to win this election, the Democratic Party must allow a Palestinian American speaker to be heard from the DNC stage tonight,” the union added.Hundreds of thousands of people voted “uncommitted” during the presidential primaries as a sign of opposition to President Biden’s approach to the conflict and perceived embrace of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Vice President Harris, now at the top of the ticket after Biden withdrew from the race, is planning to send a message about the conflict during her remarks Thursday evening, althoughthe speech will be focused mainly on policy issues including the economy and abortion.The UAW endorsed Harris in the November election, and union President Shawn Fain spoke Monday on the opening night of the convention in Chicago. He did not mention the conflict during his remarks.The union called for “an immediate, permanent cease-fire in Israel and Palestine” in December after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on the country sparked an Israeli offensive that has devastated Gaza.
Democrats Refuse To Let Palestinian Americans Speak at the DNC - The Democratic Party has refused to allow a Palestinian American to speakat the Democratic National Convention despite pressure from delegates.The request for a Palestinian to speak at the DNC was made by members of the Uncommitted National Movement, who represent hundreds of thousands of people who voted “Uncommitted” in Democratic primaries to protest President Biden’s support for the genocidal war in Gaza.Uncommitted delegates proposed several speakers, including Palestinian Americans and Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, who volunteered at a hospital in Gaza and shared the horrors that she witnessed at an event on the sidelines of the DNC.Abbas Alawieh, leader of the Uncommitted movement, said Democratic Party leadership said “no” to the speaking request. Uncommitted delegates staged a sit-in on Wednesday to protest the decision, and are still pushing for a speaker for Thursday, which is the final day of the DNC.
Harris remarks, DNC snub leave pro-Palestinian activists fuming -- Vice President Harris sought to give voice to the suffering in Gaza during her presidential nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, but many pro-Palestinian activists were still left fuming after the Chicago event. Israel-Hamas war protesters wanted a more direct condemnation of the conflict from Harris and a more nuanced perspective than President Biden has offered, even if they assumed they wouldn’t get a call for an unconditional end to the fighting or an arms embargo on Israel. “There’s no shift from Biden. The messenger has changed, but the message hasn’t changed,” Daniel Engelhart, an uncommitted delegate from Minnesota, told The Hill. “Clearly, there’s no policy shift or change of direction.” The uncommitted delegates and their pro-Palestinian allies were deeply angered by the denial of a Palestinian American speaker at the convention, a controversy that likely ensures Democrats will continue to navigate a rocky path on the Israel-Hamas war through Election Day. Some pro-Palestinians were especially upset by the rejection of a speaker because the parents of an American hostage held by Hamas were given time for a speech at the DNC. The Uncommitted National Movement had 30 elected uncommitted delegates at the convention after some 700,000 Americans voted against Biden in the primaries, before he dropped out and endorsed his vice president. During her speech, Harris vowed to always defend Israel against terrorist attacks, calling out Hamas for the deadly Oct. 7 attacks that killed some 1,200 people and took roughly 250 hostages in southern Israel, while also expressing her concern about the toll in Gaza, where more than 40,000 people have died. “What has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating,” she said to a round of applause. “The scale of suffering is heartbreaking. President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security and freedom to self-determination.” Engelhart hit back at Harris’s suggestion that the administration was working toward self-determination in Gaza, given its ongoing support for Israel’s military. “For people to have rights and any sort of self-determination, they have got to stop sending the fire,” he said. “Cease-fire has to have meaning. It has become a meaningless word.” Layla Elabed, the co-leader of the Uncommitted National Movement, told The Hill that Harris’s speech did not reflect the “majority of her core base” and would hurt her during the election. “She will have to reason with the fact that the majority of the core base that she needs to mobilize to vote for her in November, her current policy doesn’t align with them,” Elabed said. “This was one of the reasons why President Biden had to exit from the presidential race, was because of his unpopular and immoral policy, and right now, we’re not seeing anything different.”
Harris’s concluding speech at DNC embraces agenda of global war - The four days of the Democratic National Convention culminated Thursday with the acceptance speech by Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s candidate for president. As a whole, the convention consisted of an endless series of inane speeches, hosannahs to Harris that completely falsified her right-wing career as a prosecutor, declarations from billionaires that Harris would be a “president of joy” and constant invocations of the “historic” character of elevating a (multi-millionaire) African American and Asian American woman to the presidency. The Democrats sought to substitute entertainment for policy, with a series of Hollywood and pop music celebrities embracing Harris. However, the real content of the policies they propose came through in the candidate’s closing speech: an agenda of escalating global war. Harris declared, “As commander-in-chief, I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world.” As for whom this force will be fighting, Harris left little doubt, going on to refer to China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, the same countries that the Biden-Harris administration has targeted in a new document outlining American strategy for a future nuclear world war. As in any major address by an American capitalist politician, Harris’s acceptance speech was directed to two audiences. For Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus, the real base of the Democratic Party, Harris pledged to continue the militaristic foreign policy of the Biden administration to defend the global interests of the American financial aristocracy. She was a safe pair of hands, she proclaimed, unlike the unreliable and self-interested Trump—a theme sounded on the convention’s final day by a range of right-wing speakers, from former Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta, to a string of Republicans who are now endorsing Harris, to a trio of military-intelligence officials now holding seats as Democrats in the House of Representatives. While Harris’s brief reference to the suffering of the Palestinian population of Gaza were highlighted in media accounts—and will undoubtedly be hailed as a significant shift by the pseudo-left apologists for the Democratic Party—this came after she flatly reiterated an uncompromising pledge to provide unlimited US military aid to Israel: “I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.” In other words, more bombs and missiles to kill tens of thousands more in Gaza and potentially in the West Bank, Lebanon, Yemen, Iran and other countries in the region targeted by imperialism. For the broader public, Harris made a series of demagogic promises about improving their living standards, strengthening the social safety net and defending democratic rights, like the right to abortion. But it is impossible to combine the massive expenditure required by world war with the maintenance of social programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps and Head Start. Sixty years ago, Democratic President Lyndon Johnson sought to combine “guns and butter” during the war in Vietnam, only to fall with a crash. A President Kamala Harris will not even try. Her promises of social improvement are cynical election rhetoric to be discarded on November 6, if not earlier.
Politicians In Dystopialand Warn Other Candidate Will Cause Dystopia --Caitlin Johnstone --One bizarre thing about modern US presidential races is watching politicians in one of the most dystopian civilizations ever to exist warning people that the other candidate wants to lead them into a dark dystopia, which depending on the party they label “communism” or “fascism”.Yesterday I saw an amazingly idiotic tweet by Chuck Schumer responding to an equally idiotic tweet by Donald Trump. Trump had tweeted an AI image of Kamala Harris addressing the DNC convention in Chicago with a crowd full of red flags beneath a giant hammer and sickle, the suggestion of course being that Harris is a communist and the Democrats are a communist political party. “The guy who loves Putin is projecting again,” Schumer said in response to Trump’s tweet. I mean, where do you even start with this? Russian president Vladimir Putin is not a communist, Russia is not a communist country, and the Soviet Union ended more than three decades ago — all facts that the average fifth grader could have told the majority leader of the US senate. Perhaps more significantly, Kamala Harris is about as far from a communist as anyone could possibly be, and the Democratic Party is devoutly capitalist. Ideologically Harris is much, much closer to Donald Trump than she is to communism, and from a communist point of view there isn’t a great deal of difference between Harris and Trump. They’re both imperialist lackeys of neoliberal capitalism, are both devoted to the US empire’s goal of stomping out communism around the world by any means necessary, and are both pledged to continue the exploitation, oppression, ecocide and warmongering of the status quo capitalist order if elected.But this is all these freaks do every four years. Trump, who spent his entire presidential term ramping up cold war aggressions against Moscow, is accused of wanting to turn America into a fascistic autocracy ruled by Vladimir Putin. The Democrats, who play just as crucial a role in preserving the capitalist status quo as Republicans, are accused of trying to institute communism. All while campaigning to lead a nation that is arguably more dystopian than anything they claim the other candidate wants to create.The US is the most tyrannical regime on the entire planet. No other power structure on earth has spent the 21st century killing people by the millions in wars of aggression. No other government is circling the planet with hundreds of military bases, waging nonstop wars around the world, and working to destroy any population on earth who disobeys its dictates via invasions, proxy conflicts, bombing campaigns, starvation sanctions, staged coups and covert ops. This is all held in place using the most sophisticated propaganda machine that has ever existed. Americans are the most propagandized population on earth, successfully manipulated into thinking, speaking, laboring, spending, acting and voting exactly how the powerful want them to in a mind-controlled dystopia — all while believing themselves to be free. This propaganda machine extends its reach throughout the world, with most of its firepower focused on its close allies who are effectively member states in a globe-spanning empire.The only reason the US empire isn’t seen for the horrifying blood-soaked dystopia it is is because of that very propaganda machine, which normalizes and glorifies this freakish status quo through both its “news” media and its mainstream culture manufacturing centers in New York and Los Angeles. From the heart of this tyrannical nightmare, politicians warn that if you don’t vote for them you will find yourself in a nation that has been transformed into a tyrannical nightmare.But what else are they going to do? Campaign on their actual policies and point out their actual differences from the other candidate? They don’t have any real differences. They’re both auditioning for the job of temporary mid-level management of the US empire, and you don’t get to have that job if you are in any way opposed to the interests of that empire.Either of them will preside over the continuation of imperialist extraction, warmongering, militarism and genocide. Either of them will preside over the continuation of capitalist exploitation and ecocide. Either of them will preside over the continued expansion of authoritarian measures like surveillance, censorship, propaganda, government secrecy, Silicon Valley algorithm manipulation, and the war on journalism.But they can’t just come out and say that. They wouldn’t be this close to getting the job if they were the types to say that. Saying that would wake people up to the reality of how profoundly unfree they really are, opening up the possibility for the birth of a real revolutionary movement. So they babble about the other candidate wanting to usher you into some frightening future dystopia, hoping you won’t notice that dystopia is already here.
The Democratic Party Exists To Make Sure Good People Do Nothing -- Caitlin Johnstone - The reason I criticize the Democrats so much can be explained in the aphorism “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” The Democratic Party exists to ensure that good people will do nothing. Gaza is such a perfect example of this. When Instagram progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez promulgates the blatant lie that Kamala Harris is “working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire in Gaza,” the result is that people who trust AOC will relax and stop pushing for an end to the genocide. They’ve been told by the congresswoman who’s been marketed as standing as far to the left as anyone can reasonably be that the current administration can be trusted to take care of this thing, so all they need to do to save Gaza is vote for the vice president in November. It isn’t necessary to impose such manipulations upon Republicans, who simply support Israel’s atrocities in Gaza because they believe Muslims should be exterminated and because Israel is going to fulfill a biblical prophecy that will bring back Jesus and send all the heathens to burn in hell. Such manipulations are only necessary to politically nullify the kinds of people who would otherwise see what’s happening in Gaza and move mountains to end this mass atrocity. So, so many of the world’s problems wouldn’t exist if the Democratic Party simply was what it pretends to be. If it really did stand against the sickest impulses of the Republican Party, if it really did stand for peace and justice and equality and ordinary working people, things would be unrecognizably different — not just for the United States, but for the entire world. Because good people would be doing something instead of nothing, evil would not triumph. The Democratic Party exists to prevent this from happening. Instead of a good faction standing against an evil faction, the world’s most powerful and influential government instead has two evil factions working together toward the advancement of evil agendas. But what makes it so destructive is that it’s not just two openly evil factions: it’s one openly evil faction, and another faction which pretends to stand with good people against the evil faction. If it was two openly evil factions, good people would immediately recognize that their goals are not being represented by either party, and a real revolutionary movement would emerge. What makes the Democratic Party such an effective psyop is that it stops good people from recognizing that everyone with power and influence in their country is their enemy. And it stops them from responding accordingly. For ten and a half months American progressives have been mollified into a state of paralysis with empty words about a ceasefire and a two-state solution by a political party that has never had any real intention of bringing about either of these things. The Biden administration has been just as guilty in Israel’s genocidal atrocities as the Netanyahu regime itself, but by paying lip service to humanitarian concerns and pretending to be working toward peace while regularly leaking stories to the press about how angry and stern Biden is with Netanyahu, they’ve been able to wash their hands of their guilt in the eyes of many. That has been the single defining feature of this presidential race. Not electing the first female president. Not stopping Trump. Not saving American democracy (whatever that means). The single defining feature of this presidential race has been one of America’s two mainstream factions claiming to want peace and justice for the Palestinians while supporting an administration that has been butchering them in a horrifying genocide. That’s the effect of the Democratic Party, and it’s been doing this since long before October 7. Obama made a whole political legacy out of weaving tapestries of flowery prose expressing deep compassion and a love of peace and justice, while spending eight years continuing and expanding all the most depraved and murderous policies of his predecessor. Biden gave liberals throughout the western world a sigh of relief when he took office, because at long last “the adults are back in the room,” and now he’s waging a steadily escalating proxy war against a nuclear superpower while backing an actual genocide. An empire whose existence depends on endless violence, oppression and exploitation at home and abroad cannot afford to have a major political party which stands against those things — so it doesn’t. And because it doesn’t while pretending that it does, it is able to relegate objections to this tyranny to the fringes of political discourse. So I criticize the Democrats more than the Republicans because they require more criticism. That Republicans are evil is obvious at a glance to anyone with a conscience; that Democrats are evil is much less obvious, and usually requires quite a bit more consciousness and commentary to understand. The empire has weaponized the insight that the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing, so spreading awareness of the reality that the Democrats are not good people and are not doing good things helps take away that weapon. Evil will continue to triumph as long as good people continue to do nothing, and good people will continue to do nothing as long as they believe their values and desires are represented by a political party whose sole purpose is to ensure the triumph of evil. Shattering that belief is an absolutely essential step toward a healthy world. This should be a major goal of good people everywhere.
Republicans Kill Civilians For Bad Guy Reasons, Democrats Kill Civilians For Nice Guy Reasons -- Caitlin Johnstone -- The difference between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans will kill a million Palestinians and say they’re doing it so Jesus will come back, whereas Democrats will kill a million Palestinians while making noises with their mouths like “ceasefire” and “two-state solution”.That’s basically it; one does an evil thing in an evil way, while the other does the same evil thing in a much more photogenic way. Republicans want to kill Muslims for evil reasons like claiming they’re all terrorists and irredeemable heathens, while Democrats want to kill Muslims for nice guy reasons like helping Israel defend itself and bringing peace and stability to the region. They both want to kill middle eastern civilians, but one of them will kill middle eastern civilians in ways that let liberals feel good about themselves. It’s just a classic good-cop, bad-cop routine. One plays your friend and the other plays your enemy, depending on what end of America’s fake ideological divide you happen to land on. But really they both want the same thing — in this case to murder people around the world with total impunity without sparking domestic unrest.
Donald Trump mocks those criticizing attacks after jabs from Obamas - Former President Trump on Wednesday mocked allies who suggested he should not engage in personal attacks, pointing to fiery speeches a night earlier from former President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama at the Democratic convention. “Did you see Barack Hussein Obama last night? He was taking shots at your president. And so was Michelle,” Trump told supporters at a North Carolina rally. “You know, they always say, ‘Sir, please stick to policy, don’t get personal,’” Trump continued. “And yet they’re getting personal all night long, these people. Do I still have to stick to policy?” Trump then imitated allies who have urged him not to engage in personal insults. “Sir, you must stick to policy. You’ll win it on the border. You’ll win it with inflation. You’ll win it with your great military that you built,” Trump said. Trump and the Obamas have been political rivals for years, but there has also been personal animosity because of Trump pushing the false conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Obama also saw Trump defeat Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016, despite his backing for his former secretary of State. The Obamas served as the keynote speakers during the second night of the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday, electrifying the crowd and delivering a stinging rebuke of Trump in the process. Michelle Obama, making a rare public appearance, accused Trump of trying to make Americans fear her and her husband. And she slammed him as someone who has benefited from generational wealth and doesn’t understand hard work. “His limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black,” Michelle Obama said. “I want to know — I want to know — who’s going to tell him, who’s going to tell him, that the job he is currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs’?”
Trump attacks ‘Divine Nine’ sororities, Harris for attending ‘very unimportant’ boulé - Former President Trump is facing backlash after criticizing Vice President Harris for attending the historically Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho boulé. In an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump called the boulé, when a sorority’s entire membership over the years assembles together, a “party.” “She went actually, to a party,” said Trump. “And you know that she went to a sorority, sorority party and a very unimportant one. They have them numerous times during the year. It’s a shame.” Harris, a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority, attended both AKA’s and Sigma Gamma Rho’s boulés in July. The two sororities are among the “Divine Nine” group, which are nine historically Black fraternities and sororities. In her remarks at the Sigma Gamma Rho boulé, Harris said she was looking out at a family that shares the same vision for the future of the nation that she holds. “In this moment, we face a choice between two very different visions for our nation: one focused on the future, the other focused on the past. And we in this room are fighting for the future,” Harris said. “We are working to build up — to build up, not tear down — and to build up America’s families and America’s middle class, because we know when our middle class is strong, America is strong,” she added. Diving Nine boulés hold a deep sense of significance for members. The events often include keynote speakers, workshops and networking events. They’re often described as a way to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood among the sororities.
RFK Jr Campaign Mulling "Joining Forces With Trump" Because We 'Run The Risk Of Enabling A Harris/Walz Presidency' -- Just days after refuting reports that RFK Jr approached Harris for a cabinet position, his running mate, Nicole Shanahan just dropped a bombshell during a podcast that could change the race considerably.Appearing on the 'Impact Theory' podcast (that was filmed yesterday), Shanahan said they are debating whether to stay in the race or drop out and join forces with Trump:“There’s two options that we're looking at......and one is staying in, forming that new party, but we run the risk of a Kamala Harris and Waltz presidencybecause we draw more votes from Trump.Or we walk away right now and join forces with with Donald Trump and explain to our base why we're making this decision.” Watch the brief clip below: Shanahan is clearly disillusioned at the anti-democratic methods that the Democratic Party have pulled to stall RFK Jr's progress:"...the DNC made it impossible for us......they have banned us, shadow-banned us. kept us off stages. manipulated polls. used lawfare against us. sued us in every possible State. They've even planted insiders into our campaign to disrupt it, and to create actual legal issues for us.I mean the extent by which the sabotage they've unleashed upon us is mindblowing.I mean we're still learning new ways that they have sabotaged us.I really wanted a fair shot at this election and I believed in the America that I a little girl pledged an allegiance to..."The full podcast is viewable here...
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspends 2024 White House bid, endorses Donald Trump -- Independent US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy on Friday announced he is ending his long-shot campaign for the 2024 presidential race, pledging his support to Republican nominee Donald Trump. "I throw my support behind Donald Trump," Kennedy said in an address to the nation from Phoenix, Arizona in the US Southwest. "I no longer believe that I have a realistic path to electoral victory in the face of this relentless, systematic censorship and media control," he said. "I cannot in good conscience ask my staff and volunteers to keep working their long hours or ask my donors to keep giving when I cannot honestly tell them that I have a real path to the White House," he added. "My name will remain on the ballot in most states. If you live in a blue (Democratic-dominated) state, you can vote for me, without harming or helping (former) President Trump or (Democratic Party presidential nominee) Vice President Harris," he said. Kennedy added that in around 10 battleground states he will remove his name from the ballot and urged voters not to vote for him, Kennedy said three key issues led him to leave the Democratic Party and back President Trump: free speech, the war in Ukraine, and what he described as the "war on our children." He criticized President Joe Biden's handling of the Russia-Ukraine war, claiming that Biden sent the UK's then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson to "tear up" a peace agreement with Russia in April 2022, shortly after Ukrainian and Russian delegations held peace talks in Istanbul. He added that Biden's objective was regime change in Russia. Friday's announcement came after Kennedy's running mate, Nicole Shanahan, said Tuesday that she "fully supports" a role for Kennedy in a future Trump administration. Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Glendale, Arizona on Friday, just 20 minutes from Phoenix, where Kennedy delivered his address. Kennedy came from the famed political dynasty of the same name, but his family disowned his political campaign, disturbed by his fringe views such as opposing vaccination. His campaign was plagued by odd personal stories from Kennedy himself, such as that a parasite had eaten a portion his brain and that he had left a dead bear in New York's Central Park as a “prank.” It is unclear if Kennedy's supporters switching their allegiance to Trump will significantly affect the presidential election this Nov. 5.
In latest attack on voting rights, Democrats attempt to remove Cornel West from Michigan ballot over notary technicality - Top Democrats are attempting to remove the West-Abdullah campaign from the ballot despite the fact that they submitted nearly 30,000 signatures, more than double the required minimum to appear on the ballot in the state of Michigan. In fact, none of these issues cited by the Bureau have anything to do with signature collection or otherwise submitting false, fraudulent or untrue information. In a letter sent to the West campaign on August 16, Jonathan Brater, director of Elections at the Department of State, wrote the Department was “required by law to disqualify” West based on a “review of the Affidavit of Identity” the West campaign submitted to the department on June 17, 2024. According to the letter, the West campaign did submit an affidavit of identity, which was notarized by Dana L. Manning “acting in the State of Colorado.” However the Michigan Bureau of Elections claimed “the notarization attempt by Dana L. Manning” did not “conform with Colorado law in at least four respects.” Alleged issues in the affidavit include: the document containing “unfilled blanks,” the certificate allegedly “failed to identify what notarial act was being performed,” the certificate allegedly did not give the notary’s “title of office” and the “notary public’s stamp was on a separate sheet of paper and not included with the notary public’s certificate.” After listing these minor issues, the letter from the State of Michigan warned the West campaign that it only had five days to dispute disqualification if they “have evidence to rebut the items listed above.” The disqualification of West and Abdullah is part of the nationwide, anti-democratic campaign spearheaded by the Democratic Party to prevent independent and third-party candidates from appearing on the ballot. Friday’s decision was the result of anti-democratic challenges initiated by high-level Democratic Party operatives, Rosa Holliday and Mark Brewer. Holliday is a former education and training coordinator for General Motors, a political science professor in Bay City, Michigan, and multi-decade Democratic Party campaigner/operative. Brewer, who filed the challenge to West on behalf of Holliday, is a partner at the Michigan law firm Goodman Acker and was elected chair of the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) in 1995. At the same time he was elected chair, he also became a member of the Democratic National Committee. He held both positions until 2013, according to a biography on his law firm’s website. While serving as MDP chair and on the DNC, Brewer was also the “President of the Association of State Democratic Chairs” from 2005-2009. In that position he “collaborated closely with DNC Chair Howard Dean” and was “instrumental in electing President Obama in 2008,” according to the website.
Hacking on Trump campaign raises questions on reporting election interference The Trump campaign’s apparent failure to report the alleged hacking of its email system to law enforcement has renewed questions about the campaign’s obligations to alert authorities of potential election interference. The FBI now says it is investigating the matter, but questions of how or when the case was referred to the agency remain murky.The episode first came to light on Aug. 9, when Microsoft issued a report noting Iranian efforts to hack an unnamed presidential campaign. The Trump team said Saturday it had been hacked, as news outlets reached out for comment about a leak of vetting documents the campaign had prepared on Sen. JD Vance (Ohio), former President Trump’s running mate.According to reporting from The Washington Post, the Trump campaign was aware of the issue earlier in the summer but did not disclose it to law enforcement. Both the Trump campaign and Microsoft declined to answer detailed questions from The Hill about any referrals to law enforcement or whether they reported the issue. The incident reflects the long-held resistance by companies to disclosing when they’ve been hacked, for fear of embarrassment or even liability. But it’s a step many cybersecurity experts see as crucial, especially given the ongoing efforts by numerous foreign adversaries to interfere in U.S. elections. “For an individual, for an organization, for a campaign, there’s always the embarrassment of falling victim to something, especially something like spear phishing, because of the human behavior element,” said Kiersten Todt, a former chief of staff at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) under the Biden administration and current president at Wondros. “A campaign is a very different animal, because there’s so much more at stake, and the timing of everything can have such tremendous impact on a vote,” she added. “It’s not about who was attacked from the federal government perspective. It’s how did it happen? How can we share this across sectors? That’s the piece that the federal government does so well.” According to the information shared by Microsoft, the Trump campaign was first hacked by Mint Sandstorm, a group run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in June, though the leaked contents didn’t reach reporters until July. Brian Greer, a former CIA attorney, said it’s odd that a victim of a major crime would not seek law enforcement assistance. “Yes, there are cyber intrusions frequently that go unreported. But if you’re on a political campaign in 2024, and you’re not getting the federal government involved, you really just have to question, why?” he said. “When you’re on a campaign and a malicious nation state is likely attacking you, I think it’s a different calculus. You want and need the FBI helping you figure out the breadth of what’s happening, why it’s happening, who’s doing it, and the public education that goes along with that.” It was Microsoft that publicly blamed Iran in its report last week, saying it made the decision to “share intelligence like this so voters, government institutions, candidates, parties, and others can be aware of influence campaigns and protect themselves from threats.” But while in-house teams can sort the source of a problem and even the actor behind it, Greer stressed that the FBI would have the “bigger picture,” including whether other campaigns are being targeted. “After what’s happened the last two elections with foreign interference, I can’t imagine the calculus that says, ‘Let’s not tell the FBI,’” he said. The Trump campaign called the documents “illegally obtained,” while the Harris campaign in a statement said it was notified by the FBI in July that it was targeted by a foreign actor influence operation. While Trump has long been critical of the FBI, an agency whose investigations have ignited two separate indictments against him, resistance to reporting has been a prevailing attitude for many in the cybersecurity space. “Industry sees limited upside in reporting to the government because if you report you were hacked, you could be investigated, threatened with regulatory action and even face lawsuits from private parties and the government,” said Jamil Jaffer, founder of the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Scalia Law School. Matt Hayden, a former assistant secretary of Homeland Security for cyber, infrastructure, risk and resilience policy under the Trump administration, said in-house teams as well as cybersecurity firms contracted by campaigns can do much of the leg work in determining what went wrong, calling Microsoft’s team among “the best of the best.” “When you’re working with these guys, you really are seeing a lot of the expertise that the government might bring in the form of people you already paid to take care of the situation that could happen. So I don’t want to begrudge anyone for holding out on reporting until they know exactly what they might be reporting by using the experts they brought to bear,” he said. However, he said the enforcement arm of the FBI is actually very helpful in responding to ransomware attacks and other issues.
Judge rejects Hunter Biden's request to dismiss tax trial --A federal judge overseeing Hunter Biden’s trial on tax charges rejected his bid to toss the case after the president’s son sought to argue the special counsel prosecuting the case was improperly appointed.Biden had made the argument after the judge overseeing former President Trump’s documents case ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed — a decision the Justice Department is now appealing. California-based Judge Mark Scarsi rejected similar logic in Biden’s case, allowing the trial to move forward in September.Scarsi wrote that he had already weighed the legality of special counsel David Weiss’s role, finding he was properly appointed. He said Judge Aileen Cannon’s ruling did not provide a basis for reconsidering that decision.It’s not the first time Biden has mirrored arguments from Trump in fighting his own case.He previously filed a motion seeking to toss the case by arguing the case was politically motivated.It’s the second criminal trial in just months against the president’s son, who was convicted in June of three felony charges in a separate federal case brought in Delaware stemming from his purchase of a gun in 2018.In the California-based case, Biden is accused of failure to pay more than $1.4 million in taxes.
US settles with billionaire Carl Icahn for using company to secure personal loans worth billions - Billionaire Carl Icahn and his company were charged by U.S. regulators with failing to disclose personal loans worth billions of dollars that were secured using securities of Icahn Enterprises as collateral. Icahn Enterprises and Icahn have agreed to pay $1.5 million and $500,000 in civil penalties, respectively, to settle the charges, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday. The agency said that from at least Dec. 31, 2018 to the present, Icahn pledged approximately 51% to 82% of Icahn Enterprises’ outstanding securities as collateral to secure personal loans with a number of lenders. The SEC said Icahn Enterprises failed to disclose Icahn’s pledges of the company’s securities as required in its annual report until Feb. 25, 2022. Icahn also failed to file amendments to a required regulatory filing describing his personal loan agreements and amendments, which dated back to at least 2005, and failed to attach required guaranty agreements. Icahn’s failure to file the required amendments to the regulatory filing persisted until at least July 9, 2023, the agency added. Icahn became widely known as a corporate raider in the 1980s when he engineered a takeover of TWA, or Trans World Airlines. Icahn bought the airline in 1985 but by 1992 it filed for bankruptcy. TWA emerged from bankruptcy a year later but continued to operate at a loss and its assets were sold to American Airlines in 2001. In February Icahn took a nearly 10% stake in JetBlue. Icahn Enterprises and Icahn, without admitting or denying the findings, have agreed to cease and desist from future violations and to pay the civil penalties.
The Huge Profits Investors Have Made on Catastrophe Bonds Are Raising Eyebrows (Bloomberg) -- A strategy that’s delivered specialist investors huge returns is now facing scrutiny, amid concerns that its risk-reward dynamics might be skewed against some issuers. Catastrophe bonds, which are issued by insurers, reinsurers and governments seeking an extra layer of disaster coverage, have been handing investors double-digit returns. Issuers, meanwhile, have seen their costs soar.Grievances surfaced in July, after it emerged that Jamaica’s catastrophe bond wasn’t triggered by the devastation wrought by hurricane Beryl. Though the entire Caribbean island was officially declared a disaster area, the carefully calibrated terms of the bond meant its holders were shielded from losses. In the event, it was decided that the precise level of air pressure required for a payout wasn’t achieved.For cat bond investors — who are currently reaping an average return of around 15% after raking in 20% in 2023 — the outcome in Jamaica underpins the appeal of a strategy that’s attracted some of the brightest minds in finance. For others, it’s set off a difficult debate.Caribbean heads of government within the group known as Caricom recently discussed the financial ramifications of Beryl. This month, the group said it will be seeking “an examination” of cat bonds and other insurance-linked securities, and wants the region’s finance ministers to take a closer look at which markets governments should choose and which they should avoid.“We recognize that at the end of the day, investors need to make returns,” Jwala Rambarran, a former governor of the central bank of Trinidad and Tobago, said in an interview. “But at the same time, fairness and equity says it can’t be all the time that the investors are making the returns. It’s a one-way street.”The Jamaican Ministry of Finance didn’t respond to requests for comment. The country’s $150 million cat bond — arranged by the World Bank and bought by private investors — was issued this year to replace a 2021 bond. The new bond costs the government 60% more per unit of coverage, which reflects the higher risks posed by climate change as well as “harder” ILS market conditions, according to Conor Meenan, a risk finance specialist at the London-based Centre for Disaster Protection. Cat bonds make it possible for issuers (also referred to as sponsors) to pass part of their risk over to capital markets. Sales of the instruments have soared lately, with factors including climate change, population density and inflation adding to their appeal. Investors face potentially substantial losses if a bond is triggered, but can generate market-beating returns if a predefined catastrophe doesn’t occur. For the $47 billion cat bond market, Beryl proved an early win for investors navigating their way through a hurricane season that’s expected to be unusually active. Zurich-based Plenum Investments AG, one of the private-market buyers of Jamaica’s cat bond, said it was drawn to the opportunity to diversify away from the US market. “We also like the parametric trigger structure, which minimizes uncertainty post event,” Plenum said in an emailed response to questions. Issuers turning to cat bonds get a very specific type of coverage whose terms should be clear to all stakeholders at the point of purchase, according to the World Bank. Cat bonds are “for tail events,” which are rare disasters outside the norm, said Michael Bennett, head of derivatives and structured finance at the World Bank treasury. “The parameter isn’t the fine print, it is the print.” At Swiss Re, a regular issuer of cat bonds, those dynamics are well understood. The instruments “are typically remote covers that don’t pay out for each and every event,” said Jean-Louis Monnier, global head of ILS at the Zurich-based reinsurer. “It takes an extreme event for them to be triggered.”In the case of Jamaica, Beryl very narrowly missed hitting the parameter that would have caused the bond to pay out. The pressure reading “was one or two millibars too high in one or two zones,” said Robert Muir-Wood, chief research officer in insurance solutions at Moody’s. “It was a very close call.”In the case of Jamaica’s cat bond, investors were protected because the conditions for triggering a payout “are hard and specific,” the V20 report said. “This rigidity protects investors but leaves Jamaica vulnerable to catastrophic risk.”
SEC approves key audit reforms for public companies —The Securities and Exchange Commission Tuesday approved a pair of updates forwarded by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board aimed at strengthening the general responsibilities of auditors and enhancing the use of technology in audit procedures. "I am pleased that the PCAOB is fulfilling its obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by updating its standards and rules regarding the practice of auditing," said SEC Chair Gary Gensler. "I'm proud to support the PCAOB's proposed changes to instill greater trust among investors and issuers in our markets." The updates to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards — known as AS 1000 — consolidates and modernizes the principles governing auditors. The amendments consolidate and update various existing standards to "enhance audit quality and contribute to an increase in the credibility of financial reporting for all issuers." The amendments to PCAOB standards enhance and clarify the auditor's responsibilities by restating their duty to protect investors, ensuring independence, and underscoring key principles auditors should utilize, including reasonable assurance, professional skepticism and due care. The new standard applies to audits for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2024. The SEC also approved amendments to its Rule 3502, which changes the standard of liability for associated persons of audit firms from recklessness to negligence. Recklessness involves consciously disregarding a significant risk, showing a more severe level of disregard for consequences. By contrast, the more broad "negligence" standard means auditors would be culpable for failing to exercise reasonable care. The board says the change is meant to ensure that individuals who negligently contribute to a registered firm's violations can be held accountable. "The amendments to Rule 3502 are critical because moving the PCAOB contributory liability standard from recklessness to negligence aligns the rule with other negligence-based professional conduct standards," SEC Chief Accountant Paul Munter said. "Including the standard for sanctions by the Commission for individuals negligently contributing to firm violations as well as certain state professional licensing requirements, that have long governed the accounting profession." The amendment will apply to all audits starting 60 days after the order, but does not apply to conduct prior to the effective date. The SEC also approved amendments proposed by the PCAOB to enhance standards around technology-assisted analysis of electronic information. Key updates focus on investigating items identified in tests of details, ensuring the reliability of electronic information, and emphasizing IT controls. The amendments also refine the definition of "test of details" and update terminology to reflect modern audit practices. The updates do not single out any particular technology used to conduct tests of accounting details, but a PCAOB release indicates the body is considering how to address specific technologies like artificial intelligence. "The Board should continue to research and evaluate the need for standard setting related to other types of technology used in the audit, such as artificial intelligence," the release notes. "Academics emphasized the need for the PCAOB to be forward-thinking to regulate in this area."
Former FTX exec Ryan Salame seeks to void plea deal, accuses feds of misconduct -- Ryan Salame, a former top lieutenant at the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, asked a New York federal judge Wednesday to void his guilty plea to campaign finance and money-transmitting crimes, saying prosecutors are reneging on a key element of his plea agreement.Salame’s lawyers in a court filing said the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, in an effort to get him to plead guilty last September, told the attorneys and Salame in April 2023 that they would stop investigating his domestic partner Michelle Bond for campaign finance violations if he pleaded guilty.“Considering Salame’s manifest desire to protect Bond” — who is the mother of his eight-month-old child — “Salame responded by agreeing to enter into a plea agreement,” the filing said.“Yet the Government failed to abide by its word, recently resuming its investigation into Bond and pursuing an indictment against her,” defense attorneys wrote.The lawyers asked Manhattan U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan for either an order setting aside Salame’s guilty plea “on the basis of the Government’s breach,” or an order that prosecutors abide by their promise not to pursue criminal charges against Bond.Nicholas Biase, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, declined to comment on Salame’s filing.Salame is due to begin serving a 7-and-a-half-year prison sentence on Oct. 13. Salame also was ordered to pay more than $6 million in forfeiture and more than $5 million in restitution.In a social media post about the filing, Salame wrote: “It’s all true but I just made a court filing I’m pretty nervous about because I know it means the most powerful body in the world is going to come at me and my loved ones again, but I’m hoping it encourages more people to be honest and tell the truth and expose un-American.”Salame was not a cooperating witness in the FTX criminal probe, but he testified at the criminal trial last fall of his former boss at FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried, who was convicted of a massive fraud and conspiracy, and sentenced in March to 25 years in prison.The charges against Salame stemmed from his involvement in a multi-million dollar campaign finance scheme during his tenure at FTX. Bankman-Fried was allegedly also deeply involved in the campaign finance scheme. But prosecutors opted not to pursue similar charges against Bankman-Fried after he had already been convicted by a jury on seven counts related to securities fraud and money laundering.Three other cooperating witnesses who testified against Bankman-Fried at trial, and who pleaded guilty, are awaiting sentencing. They include Caroline Ellison, the former CEO of Alameda Research, who at one time dated Bankman-Fried.Also convicted were former FTX engineering chief Nishad Singh; and Gary Wang, the co-founder and chief technology officer of FTX.Singh and Wang will be sentenced Oct. 30 and Nov. 20, respectively.Ellison’s sentencing has not been scheduled yet.
Australia took down 600 crypto scams, says AI will make it worse --Australia’s financial markets regulator says due to the evolving nature of technology, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for consumers to identify fraudulent schemes.Australia’s financial markets regulator said it has taken down over 600 crypto scams in the last 12 months, warning that artificial intelligence and crypto fraudsters are constantly updating their tactics to “lure consumers.”In an Aug. 19 statement, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) revealed that since July 2023, it has taken down over 5,530 fake investment platforms, 1,065 phishing hyperlinks and 615 cryptocurrency investment scams. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court shared particular concern about deepfakes and other AI-generated images, which she suggests have made it more difficult for the average person to detect fraud.“The scams landscape is rapidly evolving. Innovative technology developments may improve how we live and work, however, they also provide new opportunities for scammers to exploit,” she said.She noted that an average of 20 investment scam websites are taken down each day on average and that these scams remain the leading type driving losses for Australians, with $1.3 billion in losses for 2023.“Fake celebrity endorsements, including from people such as Chris Hemsworth and Elon Musk, are used in these scams to entice consumers to enter into investments with low initial costs and unrealistic returns,” ASIC said.“Ask yourself if you really know what you are investing in. Scammers can create fake news and reviews to make an investment seem legitimate.” Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s voice and likeness are among the most popular choices for AI crypto scammers. On June 6, over 35 YouTube channels live-streamed an AI-generated fake voice of Musk promising to return double the amount of crypto for those who deposited in the scheme. Bitcoin (BTC) consulting firm, The Bitcoin Way, reported another version of an AI scam using his voice on July 27. Source: The Bitcoin Way ASIC said it had found a suspicious crypto investment firm known as Dexa Trade Markets in July, which falsely claimed to be internationally regulated, have billions in trading volume, and have millions of investors signed up. In its investor alert listing, ASIC said Dexa Trade Markets does not hold any appropriate licenses to operate in Australia. But some suggest AI might be the solution to prevent a lot of scams, too.In January, SingularityNET CEO Ben Goertzel suggested AI could also be the answer to stopping crypto scams by creating customized summaries of crypto entities’ reputations using raw data and reports from many different sources.While he admitted he does not believe these features will prevent all instances of crypto scams, he says it could at least alert customers to the numerous red flags observable in an easily digestible format. Meanwhile, fake crypto ads have been a hot topic recently. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently claimed that over half of crypto ads on Facebook are either scams or violate Meta’s policies, citing preliminary research.
German Authority Seizes 13 Unauthorized Crypto ATMs -- Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) has seized 13 unauthorized cryptocurrency ATMs in a nationwide operation involving 60 officers and raids on 35 locations. BaFin reported that the machines facilitated illegal transactions and posed money laundering risks. Under German law, trading currencies, including cryptocurrencies, without proper authorization is illegal, with violators facing up to five years in prison.The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), Germany’s top financial regulator, announced on Tuesday that it has seized cryptocurrency ATMs operating without authorization across the country. The announcement states, as translated by Google:The 13 confiscated machines are being operated without the required BaFin permission and pose a risk of money laundering.BaFin officials, supported by the police, Deutsche Bundesbank, and in coordination with the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), conducted operations at 35 locations, deploying around 60 officers to seize the illegally operated machines. A total of €250,000 in cash was also seized during the raid.The German regulator explained that the confiscated machines posed a money laundering risk, as they lacked the required permission under the German Banking Act (§ 32 Kreditwesengesetz). Conducting currency exchanges between euros and cryptocurrencies is considered either proprietary trading or a banking activity, which legally requires BaFin’s explicit approval.Noting that failure to obtain its authorization renders the business illegal, BaFin emphasized:Operators acting illegally will be prosecuted by the police and public prosecutor’s office. The perpetrators face up to five years’ imprisonment.The seized ATMs were found in several major German cities and were reportedly used by individuals with criminal intent, facilitating transactions that could circumvent money laundering controls. Transactions over €10,000 require customer identity verification under “Know Your Customer” (KYC) regulations to prevent money laundering. If there is suspicion of illegal activity or terrorism financing, it must be reported to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
Arizona AG issues warning about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency scams— Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued another warning about cryptocurrency scams on Monday.Mayes said vulnerable individuals, including senior citizens, are at a higher risk of being targeted by scammers.“Scammers are taking advantage of the lack of familiarity on how cryptocurrency works to scam Arizonans out of their hard-earned money,” Mayes said in a press release. “My office is committed to ensuring that all Arizonans are informed and protected against these emerging threats. I urge Arizonans to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to our office immediately.”An example of an investment scam that Mayes provided would be when an individual is randomly contacted by someone on social media or a dating app pretending to be an investment manager. The scammer will offer to help you invest your money in cryptocurrency, but actually transfer the money you send into their account.Another type of scam to be on the lookout for is a business, government or job impersonator scam. The scammer will disguise themselves as a government official or a business that you owe money to. This type of scammer will act like someone you trust to try and get you to send cryptocurrency to them.Blackmail scammers are another type of scammer Mayes warned about. This type of scammer will laim they have personal information about you or sensitive content that they will release unless you send them cryptocurrency.
Fed eyes transmission risk from stablecoins, non-banks -The Federal Reserve is keeping an eye on the financial stability implications of emerging money and payments technologies.Fed Gov. Christopher Waller said the central bank is keen to better understand the transmission risks for bank runs, not only those affecting traditional banks but also non-banks and stablecoins. During a panel discussion with other central bankers, the Federal Reserve chair weighed in on digital currencies, public and private alike. He also called on Congress to pass authorizing legislation of digital-asset regulation."Financial stability vulnerabilities, such as run risk, excessive leverage and bubbly valuations, could amplify the effect of adverse shocks, potentially resulting in big economic losses and a slowdown in economic activity," Waller said. "Understanding the mechanisms that allow these vulnerabilities to grow and transmit stress to the rest of the financial system requires rigorous theoretical research and solid micro-foundations."Waller, who serves as the Fed Board's oversight governor for reserve bank operations and payment systems, highlighted the Federal Reserve System's efforts during opening remarks Monday morning at the central bank's Summer Workshop on Money, Banking, Payments and Finance.The annual event, which is set to run all week in Washington, D.C., pulls in researchers from regional reserve banks, the Fed Board in Washington and academic institutions around the globe. Waller said the workshop provides a crucial opportunity to understand real-world implications of emerging trends and the risks that come with them."No single field of study can give the answers to all of the big questions we face relating to the evolution of money and banking," he said. "Commingling of insights and techniques from monetary theory, finance theory and other fields is vital in studying the complex interactions of modern financial systems."Other areas of focus for the five-day event include "distributed ledgers" — also known as blockchain systems — and crypto assets, Waller said. He said understanding evolutions in money and banking are critical to the Fed's five primary functions: setting monetary policy, safeguarding financial stability, supervising and regulating banks, operating payment systems, and protecting consumers and communities.
Former Bank CEO Sentenced to Prison for $47M Crypto Fraud Leading to Bank Collapse – Legal Bitcoin News --The former CEO of failed Heartland Tri-State Bank was sentenced to over 24 years in prison for embezzling more than $47 million in a fraudulent crypto scheme that caused the bank’s collapse. He funneled the stolen funds into cryptocurrency wallets linked to a “pig butchering” scam, leading to a $9 million loss for investors and a $47.1 million loss covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Monday that Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB), was sentenced to 293 months in prison “for using his former position as chief executive officer (CEO) of a bank to embezzle tens of millions of dollars in a cryptocurrency scheme which led the bank to fail at a complete loss of equity for investors.”Hanes’ actions caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to fail, leading to a $9 million loss for investors and a $47.1 million loss covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Special Agent in Charge Justin R. Bundy commented:Shan Hanes was sentenced today for his role in a $47.1 million embezzlement scheme that ultimately caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to fail.The 53-year-old former bank executive pleaded guilty to embezzling $47.1 million from HTSB through 11 wire transfers between May and July 2023, directing the funds to cryptocurrency wallets involved in a scam known as “pig butchering.” This type of scheme typically involves fraudsters convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency opportunities, only to steal the money. The funds were funneled into multiple cryptocurrency accounts controlled by unidentified third parties, making them difficult to trace.Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office described: “Mr. Hanes, as the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, held the trust and confidence of the community of Elkhart, KS, but he violated that trust. He attempted to benefit financially by embezzling funds from the bank. His idea to get rich quick, in all reality, was a pig butchering scheme. His involvement in this scheme ultimately led to the bank’s collapse. His job, the bank’s job was to protect its customers and identify fraudulent scams – not to participate in them.”U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher emphasized that Hanes’ scheme not only betrayed the bank and its investors but also undermined trust in the financial system. She opined:Hanes’ greed knew no bounds … Not only did Shan Hanes betray Heartland Bank and its investors, but his illegal schemes also jeopardized confidence in financial institutions
Bank CEO-turned-felon sentenced to 24 years in prison -- A federal judge sentenced the ex-CEO of the failed Heartland Tri-State Bank in Elkhart, Kansas, to more than two decades in prison for his role in a cryptocurrency scheme that caused steep losses for the bank and its investors.Shan Hanes, who admitted earlier this year to embezzling $47.1 million from the $139 million-asset bank, was sentenced on Monday in U.S. District Court in Wichita to 293 months in prison — or more than 24 years.Hanes pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer after prosecutors alleged that, from May to July 2023, he initiated several illegal wire transfers of Heartland's funds to a cryptocurrency wallet. The money was then transferred to multiple crypto accounts controlled by unidentified third parties."These wire transfers significantly impaired Heartland's capital and liquidity, causing the bank to become insolvent," the U.S. Office of the Inspector General said in a report.Prosecutors said the scheme hastened the bank's failure last year. They said Hanes lied to the bank's board, investors and employees about the wire transfers.Hanes "trespassed his professional obligations, his personal relationships, and federal law. Not only did Shan Hanes betray" the bank "and its investors, but his illegal schemes also jeopardized confidence in financial institutions," Kate Brubacher, U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, said in a statement.
TD announces $2.6 billion provision for AML woes -- TD Bank Group expects regulatory fines for its U.S. anti-money-laundering failures could total $3 billion as its compliance woes continue to put pressure on its financial performance. The Toronto-based company said Wednesday that it has taken an additional $2.6 billion provision for potential penalties from U.S. regulators, on top of $450 million it had set aside earlier this year.TD said it expects a "global resolution" of investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to be finalized by the end of 2024.The Canadian bank, which is scheduled to report its third-quarter earnings on Thursday morning, also said it sold 40.5 million shares in Charles Schwab that it owned, which will cushion its capital from the effect of the provision.TD's risk management capabilities have been under scrutiny for more than a year, following the demise of its planned acquisition of First Horizon and its subsequent disclosure of a Justice Department probe.
CFPB orders Fay Servicing to pay multimillion-dollar penalty --The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued an order imposing new penalties on Fay Servicing for new alleged violations and issues related to compliance with a prior settlement involving dual tracking claims.The company will pay a $2 million civil money penalty, $3 million in consumer redress and spend $2 million on technology and compliance management. Chairman and CEO Ed Fay's compensation can be temporarily withheld during any future periods of noncompliance. "Fay Servicing ignored a law enforcement order by taking steps to foreclose on homeowners who are shielded by housing protection laws," CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a press release.The company said it doesn't see eye-to-eye with the bureau when it comes to the claims in the settlement but agreed to enter into it without admission of wrongdoing to end the dispute, which otherwise might have dragged on longer and strained resources it preferred to devote to operations and customer service.
Senate Banking Committee facing uncertain future | The Senate Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs is facing major changes in its makeup depending on the outcome of the election, especially if Chairman Sherrod Brown, D - Ohio, loses his race. "The committee is filled with senior members, so I assume the likes of Sens. Jack Reed and Elizabeth Warren will push for the gavel," said Brett Bolton, VP, Federal Legislative and Regulatory Policy at the Bond Dealers of America. Brown is in a tough reelection race against Republican Bernie Moreno, a car dealer supported by former President Trump. As of Aug.12, Brown is ahead a few points according to most polls. "After chairing last week's hearing, reviewing the independent report, and receiving further outreach from FDIC employees to the Banking and Housing Committee, I am left with one conclusion: there must be fundamental changes at the FDIC," said Brown. If the Republicans gain control of the Senate, the presumption is that Ranking Member and Trump loyalist, Tim Scott, R - S.C., would take over the chair. Brown and Scott united to help oust Martin Gruenberg as chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in May amidst charges of the government-owned group running a toxic workplace. At the time, Brown said, "After chairing last week's hearing, reviewing the independent report, and receiving further outreach from FDIC employees to the Banking and Housing Committee, I am left with one conclusion: there must be fundamental changes at the FDIC." Gruenberg has worked at the FDIC for nearly 20 years and is in his second term as chairman. He has agreed to step down as soon as his successor is approved. President Joe Biden has since nominated Christy Goldsmith Romero who's a member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to take over the embattled organization. Romero will need to get approval from the Banking Committee and the Senate to take command, which seems likely.
States are holding banks more accountable for elder fraud - In an elder fraud case David Burroughs worked on earlier this year, a widow received a call two weeks after her husband's death from someone who claimed to be from the Social Security Administration. "They said she owed $85,000 and if she didn't get that to them, they were going to have her arrested," said Burroughs, a partner at legal advisory firm StoneTurn and a former FBI investigator who does pro bono work with elder fraud victims. "She went right down to the bank, withdrew $85,000 and sent it."About a week later, she got another call from someone using a slightly different scenario (it may have been the same fraudster), again demanding cash. The woman said she only had $2,000 in her checking account. The caller insisted she withdraw it and give it to a messenger they sent to her house to pick it up. She did so."Here she is, grieving the loss of her husband," Burroughs said. "I have to believe these guys found her in the obituaries. Some people are just so vulnerable and these people exploit it, and it just infuriates me."More than 8.68 million incidents of elder fraud occur each year in the U.S. with an average loss per case of $20,015, adding up to $113.7 billion per year, according to the Connecticut governor's office. In April, the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported that it had examined Bank Secrecy Act filings between June 15, 2022, and June 15, 2023, that involved elder financial exploitation. It found 155,415 cases worth about $27 billion. Some states have responded by proposing or passing laws forcing banks to do more to help victims. These laws either permit or require financial institutions to report suspected fraud to adult protective services and law enforcement agencies, to hold or block transactions that appear to be be part of an elder fraud scheme and to train employees and educate older customers about the signs of fraud.Some states draw the "elder" line at 60 years of age or older, some at 62 or 65. All are addressing the problem of fraudsters taking advantage of people who may be lonely and may be in cognitive decline.
How Charlie Financial is protecting seniors from payment fraud - A neobank is slowing down payment speed to protect its customers from financial crimes, even as other banks and financial institutions are scrambling to reduce friction in the payments process.Charlie Financial, a challenger bank geared toward consumers aged 62 and over, is looking to combat fraud by incorporating additional checks into the payments process and effectively halt money movement to potential bad actors before the money is gone forever. "In terms of keeping [our customers' money] safe, that's where we've really leaned in, because we think that financial fraud has always been a big deal," said Kevin Nazemi, co-founder and CEO of Charlie. "You can call it a five-hour fire; you could call it a tsunami, but with [generative] AI, you're seeing a proliferation of fraud on every front with text messages, emails, voice and, soon, video."Many banking customers are seeking faster service, and companies such as Mastercard andJPMorgan Payments are incorporating new technologies to increase the speed of payment processing. But speed carries risks.Hybrid scams such as pig butchering —where the fraudster first builds trust with the target then encourages investments that show large, albeit fake, returns before disappearing — are poised to become "the wave of the future," said Frank McKenna, chief strategist at fraud solution fintech Point Predictive. Other hybrid scams involve combining tech-support fraud with impersonation scams, McKenna said. For example, a pop-up might appear on a user's computer informing them they have a virus and directing them to call a number, only to then impersonate government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Social Security Administration to solicit a payment. "Every region has their scam," McKenna said. "Southeast Asia is pig butchering. Nigerian scammers are romance scammers [and] in India, they're all about impersonation scams."The thing about these scams, which is why they're the long con, these are not people off the street. These are organizations that have developed these tried-and-true techniques," he said. Fraudsters often exploit elderly consumers, whose tech literacy may be less sophisticated than younger consumers. In fact, the AARP estimated in a 2023 study that fraud victims aged 60 and older lose a combined $28.3 billion annually. Charlie, for its part, is trying not only to protect its customer base from the long con but also smaller scams. "Sometimes what's lost and what's important … is there's so much under-$1,000 fraud," Nazemi said. "If you're living Social Security check to Social Security check like 60% of Americans do and you're hit with a $1,000 scam, that really has material, monetary consequences."
Central bankers meet at Jackson Hole as economic problems mount - The official subject for discussion at the conclave of central bankers, academics and financial journalists which starts on Friday at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is “Reassessing the Effectiveness and Transmission of Monetary Policy.” The central attention, at least as far as Wall Street is concerned, will be directed to what Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell says about interest rates in his keynote address on Friday morning. Parasitic deals made by the financial oligarchs when money was virtually free are now coming under increasing pressure because of the elevated interest rates of the past two years. They want more than an indication that a 25-basis point cut (0.25 percentage points) is on the table for September, which Powell looks set to give. They want a clear sign this will be just a start and that rates will come down 75 or even 100 basis points by the end of the year. Echoing widely held sentiments, Eric Beiley, in charge of wealth management at Steward Partners, told Bloomberg: “If traders hear cuts are coming, stocks will react favorably. If we don’t hear what we want, that would trigger a big selloff.” The most recent round of turbulence was at the beginning of the month when Wall Street took a dive following the lifting of interest rates by the Bank of Japan. It undermined the so-called carry trade in which investors made big bets using billions of borrowed yen. It was compounded by data showing a lower-than-expected increase in new jobs created in the US in July. The market has risen since then with the S&P 500 only 2 percent shy of its all-time high, but the markets and the underlying financial system are so dependent on debt that it only takes a small, unexpected movement to set off turbulence. One of the areas most affected by the increase in interest rates is high-tech start-ups using venture capital (VC) in the hope of becoming the next “big thing” or selling their firm to one of the major existing tech giants. As the Financial Times reported this week: “Start-up failures in the US have jumped 60 percent over the past years, as founders run out of cash raised during the technology boom of 2021-22, threatening millions of jobs in venture-backed companies and risking a spillover to the wider economy.” The article reported that Carta, which provides information to private companies, found that some 254 of its venture-backed clients had gone broke in the first quarter of this year. The rate of bankruptcies was seven times higher than when it began reporting in 2019. Some of the numbers are not small. Earlier this month, a financial technology company, Tally, which was valued at $855 million in 2022 and had raised more than $170 million from VC firms, announced that it was “unable to secure the necessary funding to continue our operations.” In a recent note, reported by the FT, Morgan Stanley analysts said the jump in bankruptcies was because “an abnormally high number of companies raised an abnormally large amount of money during 2021-22.” It said VC-backed companies employed 4 million people and should the rise in bankruptcies fail to slow this would impact on the rest of the economy. Another area of concern is the so-called non-banking financial institutions which have undergone an explosive growth since the financial crisis of 2008 and the establishment of an ultra-low-interest rate regime. They hold nearly half of all global financial assets. While these institutions claim to be separate from the traditional banking system, they actually have intimate ties with it because the banks, searching for profits, provide them with money. A case in point is that of the First and People’s Bank in Kentucky. According to a report in the FT it is on the edge of bankruptcy because of its partnership with a financial technology company, part of the shadow banking system, has resulted in soured loans running into the tens of millions of dollars. The failure of First & People’s would be significant because, as FT noted, “it would be the first community bank collapse in the US to stem from an ill-fated excursion into the world of shadow lending, putting some $200 million of customers’ deposits at risk.” What has happened in Kentucky has been replicated in other parts of the country. Businesses and households put their money into what they regard as conservative and sound community banks without knowing they are engaged in potentially risky operations in the largely opaque shadow banking system.
Banking groups urge comment period extension for brokered deposits rule — A coalition of prominent financial industry organizations sent a letter to federal bank regulators showing their disapproval with new restrictions on banks' usage of brokered deposits. The broad cohort, including 11 trade groups from across the financial industry, urged the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to rethink its proposed rulemaking on brokered deposit restrictions. The coalition specifically urged the FDIC to extend the public comment period by an additional 60 days to ensure a thorough evaluation of the rule's potential impact. "This proposal does a good job of marshaling evidence of the risks posed by brokered deposits. The proposal does not, however, offer any evidence that some of the deposits that this proposal would re-classify as brokered deposits actually present the same or similar risks," the letter notes. "The FDIC should consider revisions to the brokered deposits rule only after robust data and analysis have been provided to support the proposed changes and the public has been given an opportunity to thoroughly review that information." Signatories include the American Bankers Association, American Fintech Council, Bank Policy Institute, Consumer Bankers Association, Financial Services Forum, Financial Technology Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, Innovative Payments Association, Institute of International Bankers, National Association of Industrial Bankers, and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. The groups express concerns that the changes could lead to higher regulatory costs for banks, disrupt existing business arrangements and negatively affect the availability and costs of financial services for customers — particularly those in underbanked communities. The proposal in question largely reverses a 2020 Trump-era FDIC rule that narrowed the definition of brokered deposits while also modestly broadening the initial scope to include more deposit arrangements regulated as brokered deposits.
BankThink: There is some dubious data behind CFPB's medical debt reporting rule | American Banker --On June 11, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a proposed rule to stop credit reporting companies from sharing medical debts with lenders and prohibit lenders from making lending decisions based on medical information. The CFPB's announcement used characteristically over-the-top rhetoric to describe medical debt reporting as a "senseless practice of weaponizing the credit reporting system to coerce patients into paying medical bills." This practice, the CFPB asserts, "unjustly lowers credit scores" because, according to agency Director Rohit Chopra, "[m]edical bills on credit reports … have little to no predictive value when it comes to repaying other loans. In support of the director's statement, the CFPB cites a short research paper issued by two of its researchers in 2014. The CFPB claims that this paper showed that "medical debts provide less predictive value to lenders than other debts on credit reports." But, in fact, the paper makes no such definitive claim; the researchers concluded only that differentials in observed data "suggest that medical and non-medical collections are not equally predictive of delinquency." The researchers also noted a significant caveat to their analysis, which was that due to data limitations they examined only a single 2011-2013 performance period and were unable to analyze other time periods. Credit conditions have changed significantly since then, but the CFPB did not conduct additional testing to determine whether the tentative conclusions of its researchers a decade ago still hold up today. Nor did the CFPB make available the underlying data on which the original paper relied so that independent researchers could evaluate its methodology and analysis. That the CFPB pins its entire rulemaking on outdated research backed by nonpublic data is remarkable. Add to this the fact that even if additional research corroborated the researchers' original conclusions, it would establish only that medical collections may be relatively less predictive than other collections, not that medical collections have no predictive value whatsoever. Only a finding that medical collections lack any predictive power would logically justify a complete ban; otherwise, the CFPB would artificially exclude predictive information from the credit decision process, which would degrade the credit reporting system and increase risks for creditors and costs for borrowers. Equally remarkable is the fact that the CFPB's proposed rulemaking identifies no market failure necessitating government intervention. Historically, the CFPB has sought to identify market failures and then justify its rulemakings as necessary to address those failures. But in the case of medical debt reporting, the CFPB admits that credit bureaus and credit scoring companies have already taken steps in recent years to address unseasoned and small-dollar collections and adjust score weighting. Such responsive market developments tend to undercut claims of market failure. Perhaps that is why the CFPB ignores the question in its proposal, and therefore why the rule reads like a solution in search of a problem.
New wave of challenges to CFPB's funding gains steam --The latest set of challenges to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's funding, which rely on a novel legal theory, have reached critical mass. In the past month, four separate companies have filed challenges to enforcement actions brought by the CFPB, all of them claiming the bureau is unconstitutionally funded through the Federal Reserve System because the Fed has been unprofitable since 2022. Each of the companies claims that because the CFPB can only be funded from the earnings of the Federal Reserve System, the bureau is suing them with funds that were not authorized either by statute or under the Constitution. The four companies — Acima Holdings, Heights Finance Holding, Solo Funding, and Populus Financial Group, doing business as ACE Cash Express — asked that their cases be dismissed outright. And in a separate but related development, the CFPB responded Friday to a complaint by trade groups representing farmers in connection with the bureau's small business lending rule. After the trade groups asked to intervene in a challenge to the CFPB rule, citing the bureau's funding through the Fed, the CFPB responded that the "new theory is meritless." Consumer finance experts think that going forward, the CFPB will face more challenges under the legal theory. "We would expect to see this argument raised routinely as a defense in most, if not all, future enforcement lawsuits brought by the CFPB," said Alan Kaplinsky, senior counsel at Ballard Spahr. The latest challenges to the CFPB's constitutionality center on wording in the Dodd-Frank Act, which created the consumer watchdog agency in 2010. Dodd-Frank states that the CFPB is to be funded through the "combined earnings of the Federal Reserve System." The four companies argue that since the Fed technically has had no earnings over the last two years, the bureau is in violation of not only Dodd-Frank but also the Constitution's Appropriations Clause.
Fed's Barr warns of 'concentration risk' in cybersecurity for banks — Many banks, and even government banking agencies, contract with some of the same tech companies, and that could cause problems for individual banks and the wider financial system, said Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr. "We have many, many financial institutions that rely on a small number of providers, in some instances, for critical products and services," Barr said at a fireside chat at a joint meeting of the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council and Financial and Banking Information Infrastructure Committee, a private-public partnership dealing with cybersecurity housed with the Treasury Department. "So if that service provider has a problem, that can rapidly spread throughout the financial system." It's usually small banks that rely on outside tech service providers because their resources are more limited compared with the larger institutions, he said. Still, larger institutions pose risks as they present a larger "honey pot" for bad actors. But it's not just banks that tend to use a small number of third-party contractors for their cybersecurity needs, Barr said. Government agencies, like the Fed, also tend to use a small number of outside companies that can overlap with the banks that they oversee. "Government agencies use a set of service providers, and many financial institutions use those same service providers," Barr said. "And so if there's a problem at one of those service providers, that's going to be a problem for the financial sector as a whole." To counter the risk, Barr said banks should thoroughly vet their third-party contractors, focusing on a company's ability to recover from a hack or a cybersecurity event, in addition to the company's ability to prevent them. "Financial institutions need to be paying attention to their concentration risk that comes from these activities," Barr said. "We can't make those go away." The risk from cybersecurity breaches is important for both bankers and regulators. Widespread IT outages caused by a buggy update from the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, for example, caused delays and issues at a number of banking institutions in an event that one analyst called "the most far-reaching impact we have ever seen with a security tool."
Banks want liability risk clarified in CFPB open banking rule -Bankers are expressing concern that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's proposed open banking rule is insufficiently clear about whether banks or third-party service providers will be held liable for data breaches or fraudulent transactions, and fear they will be forced to reimburse consumers for errors that aren't their fault. As financial institutions gear up to implement the CFPB's open banking rule, which is expected to be finalized in October, banks are trying to get a handle on how to manage third-party risks, a tall task in an ecosystem awash with data and a burgeoning industry of upstarts calling themselves financial technology providers.The CFPB is expected to finalize its 1033 open banking proposal in October, giving consumers a legal right to grant third parties access to bank data. The bureau's plan — authorized by section 1033 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 — will require that banks turn over sensitive data on transactions in checking accounts, prepaid cards, credit cards and digital wallets to competitors. Some experts think the 1033 rule will empower community banks and fintechs to better compete against large banks and reshape how consumers use their personal financial data. But the timeframe is narrowing for banks to get their message across about the difficulties of implementing 1033. "It would be helpful if industry knew what to expect with liability and how it is going to be apportioned, but the proposal doesn't have that," said Brian Fritzsche, vice president and associate general counsel at the Consumer Bankers Association. "It's like hitting a moving target blindfolded."
CRA lawsuit brings fissures between banking advocates to the forefront | American Banker — Some banks and consumer advocacy groups support anti-redlining rule reform, defying banking trade groups' opposition while arguing the changes are needed to promote community lending and won't overburden smaller banksA cohort of trade groups – including the American Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Bankers Association and the Independent Bankers Association of Texas — filed a lawsuit in February in the Northern District of Texas attempting to stop the recently finalized changes. They say the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency exceeded their statutory authority with the new regulations, which expand the scope of where regulators evaluate banks lending. Under current rules, banks are assessed on how well they lend near their branch locations. The new CRA would extend such assessment areas beyond those sites and into areas where banks do significant business. The rules — which apply to firms with more than $2 billion in assets — encourage banks to lend capital to the communities where they take deposits from consumers. The rules adjust the way banks are graded for CRA ratings, and regulators will take those ratings into account when institutions apply to open new branches or make an acquisition or merger.The strongest public opposition to the ABA's lawsuit emerged when Beneficial State Bank, based in Oakland, California, joined civil-rights groups in filing an amicus brief in support of the CRA update. They say the lawsuit compounds the banking industry's history of discrimination, noting that many of those challenging the new anti-redlining rules discriminated against minority borrowers in the past."[The new rule is] not, frankly, a huge stretch," said Randell Leach, CEO of Beneficial State Bank, in an interview. "When the lawsuit came out trying to stop it, that just didn't sit right… It looked like the large banks that sort of have the most influence were basically throwing their weight around to undermine something that was actually going to be good for communities and good for a population of banks as well." Leach — like many advocates of the rule — has criticized the lawsuit because he says it perpetuates the banking industry's history of discrimination. Leach said the big bank trade groups are fighting measures intended to right the wrongs of the past."[CRA] is saying you're doing great things for the economy, but you are leaving populations behind, communities behind," he said. "And with great power comes great responsibility, so step up and do some of these basic things."
FHFA took action against Federal Home Loan banks after bank failures The Federal Housing Finance Agency issued informal enforcement actions against the Federal Home Loan Banks of San Francisco and New York for violating regulations and failing to stop lending to banks with rapidly declining financial and liquidity conditions, according to a reportfrom the Office of Inspector General. The report released Tuesday stated what many in the industry had already suspected: that the FHFA took action against the San Francisco and New York Home Loan banks in the wake of the failures of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, First Republic Bank and Silvergate Bank, which all collapsed in the spring of 2023. In the months before the failures, all of the banks substantially increased borrowings from the Home Loan Bank System to offset deposit withdrawals. The FHFA, led by Director Sandra Thompson, oversees Fannie, Freddie and the 11 regional Home Loan banks.The Home Loan banks failed to stop lending to member banks that were experiencing rapid deterioration in their financial condition. Two of the four failed banks, which the report did not identify, unsuccessfully tried to borrow an additional $20 billion in the days before failing. One Home Loan bank lent $5 billion to a failed bank "on the last business day before its failure and treated the bank as a member in high standing," the report found. Another failed bank borrowed $10 billion in March and the unnamed Home Loan bank "continued to rate it highly until the day before it failed," according to the report. "The highly stressed, rapidly deteriorating environment of March 2023, and FHLBank management's responses to the spike in advances requests from failing members, exposed weaknesses in member credit risk management at certain FHLBanks," the report stated.The report didn't specify what actions were taken against the San Francisco and New York Home Loan banks.
BankThink: Harris win would redirect the Home Loan banks to affordable housing | American Banker -- A month ago, it would have been laughable for the U.S. Treasury Department to send a letter to each of the Federal Home Loan banks warning them that if they do not double their commitment to affordable housing, they would face the wrath of their regulator and of Congress. A month ago, the Home Loan banks would have snickered and responded along the lines, "Thanks but we will see you on Inauguration Day. Then there will be a new administration, a new regulator and a new Congress, and we won't have to worry about any of them."That was then ... this is now. The switch from Biden to Harris has wide implications. Among other things, the possibility that the federal regulatory apparatus will fall into the clutches of the Home Loan banks come January 2025 has diminished while the prospects that the banks will face a hostile regulator and an inquisitive Congress are elevated.Last week, after a very unsatisfying meeting with all 11 Home Loan bank presidents, Under Secretary of Treasury Wally Adeyemo penned a terse letter to each of the president's bosses, the chairs of the banks' boards of directors. He minced no words saying, "Our preference is to work in partnership with the FHLBs to help address the need for additional housing in this country because it is far faster than regulatory or Congressional action. But if you are unable or unwilling to use your more than $20 billion in resources to help address our nation's housing challenges, we will need to work with Congress to ensure the FHLBs are taking steps that are consistent with their mandate."Suddenly, what a month ago would have been a mere annoyance, now becomes a real head-scratcher for the Home Loan banks. Oh, and by the way, the banks' answers are due at the Treasury Department by August 28. Stay tuned.This reminds me of my old Marine drill instructor in Pensacola, who greeted all new recruits with this stern advice, "You can play ball with me, or I will place the bat somewhere that will be very uncomfortable for you!"In 11 boardrooms across the country this week, Home Loan bank directors are gathering to fashion their responses to the Treasury Department. Those responses will shape the future of the banks for decades to come.Here are their choices.
- Option One: Play ball with the Treasury and with the Federal Housing Finance Agency by agreeing to increase their commitments to affordable housing from 10% to 20% of net income.
- Option Two: Tell the Treasury to take a hike and hope for the best (or the worst depending on your point of view) on November 5.
The first option would seem to be the safest. It also has the advantage of being the right thing to do in light of the Federal Home Loan banks' annual taxpayer subsidy of nearly $11 billion (thank you, U.S. Treasury) and their current miserly contributions to affordable housing. Of course, doing the right thing has not always been the Home Loan banks' North Star.
Harris has big ambitions — but few details — for housing supply | American Banker Vice President Kamala Harris' plan to supercharge housing production has homebuilders, lenders and affordability advocates excited, even if they don't know how exactly it would work. The Democratic presidential nominee has pledged to spur the development of 3 million standalone homes and apartments during her first four years in office. Her multipronged strategy includes expanding existing tax credits for apartment developers, rolling out new incentives for building smaller houses and a commitment to cut regulatory red tape. Harris' supply-driven approach is a breath of fresh air to housing market participants and observers who have grown frustrated with the federal government's long-running reliance on demand-side policies to spur the construction of new housing — though the Democratic platform would expand some of those as well. "We don't have a lot of the details, and details matter," said Pete Mills, senior vice president of residential policy for the Mortgage Bankers Association. "But at a high level, the focus on supply is good. That's the primary root cause of the affordability issues, and the fact that they have looked for incentives to build and also looked for ways to clear regulatory barriers to building, those are all positive." Some say the fact that Harris has elevated the housing shortage as a pillar of her month-old campaign is a huge step in and of itself. "The fact that we're talking about housing as a major campaign issue here — that's excellent. That means housing is finally top of mind to people," said James Tobin, CEO of the National Association of Home Builders. "It shows how important housing is. People are realizing that we are in a crisis and we've got to solve it." But the expansive plan is missing key details that housing experts say are critical to determining how successful and viable the administration will be in generating new housing supply. "We don't see how they make the jump from what they're proposing to 3 million units," said Nancy Vanden Houten, a senior economist with Oxford Economics. "Increasing housing supply is an admirable goal, and there are probably some policies and incentives that could be enacted to help with that. But given all of the obstacles — including regulations at the state and local level — it will be difficult to achieve that top number." The Harris campaign has not broken down how much of the overall production would come from each of its various proposals. The campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment this week.
Monthly mortgage payments decline for first time since 2020: Analysis -Mortgage payments edged downwards for the first time in four years as falling inflation is finally being felt in the housing sector. Median mortgage payments declined by 0.1 percent over the four weeks ending Aug. 18 to $2,587 at a 6.49 percent interest rate, according to data published Thursday by the real estate company Redfin. Mortgage rates have made a modest decline over the past year, falling from a more than 20-year high of 7.8 percent last October to 6.49 percent earlier this month, according to national mortgage backer Freddie Mac. “The late-summer decline in mortgage rates continued last week, with the 30-year fixed rate dropping to 6.5 percent — the lowest since May 2023,” Mortgage Bankers Association CEO Bob Broeksmit said in a statement.Despite the decline in rates and monthly payments, mortgage applications fell last week as housing prices remain elevated.“Applications to refinance and buy a home both fell last week, which may be an indication that some prospective borrowers are hoping that rates decrease even more before they decide to apply,” Broeksmit said.Pending home sales are down 5.3 percent over the past year, the largest drop in nine months, exempting the four weeks ending Aug. 4, Redfin data shows. Mortgage-purchase applications are down 8 percent.Inflation in the housing sector, which trails overall inflation, has been falling since 2023, with owners’ equivalent rent sliding from an annual increase of 8.1 percent last April to 5.3 percent in July. While the headline consumer price index has hovered around 3 percent over the last year as inflation has remained sticky, housing costs have been descending more steadily, with both owners’ equivalent rent and rent of shelter costs making smooth declines off recent highs.House prices overall are up 3.6 percent on the year, according to Redfin, still near their record highs. The median sale price of a house in the U.S. fell in the second quarter to $412,300 from $426,800 in the first quarter, according to data from the Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development.That’s still considerably higher than pre-pandemic levels. Average house prices are up more than 25 percent since the first quarter of 2020.
Housing August 19th Weekly Update: Inventory up 0.8% Week-over-week, Up 40.4% Year-over-year --Altos reports that active single-family inventory was up 0.8% week-over-week. Inventory is now up 41.4% from the February seasonal bottom. This inventory graph is courtesy of Altos Research. As of August 16th, inventory was at 698 thousand (7-day average), compared to 693 thousand the prior week. This is the highest level of inventory since June 2020; however, inventory is still well below pre-pandemic levels. The second graph shows the seasonal pattern for active single-family inventory since 2015. The red line is for 2024. The black line is for 2019. Inventory was up 40.4% compared to the same week in 2023 (last week it was up 40.5%), and down 26.8% compared to the same week in 2019 (last week it was down 27.5%). Back in June 2023, inventory was down almost 54% compared to 2019, so the gap to more normal inventory levels is slowly closing.Mike Simonsen discusses this data regularly on Youtube.
Hotels: Occupancy Rate Increased 0.5% Year-over-year - From STR: U.S. hotel results for week ending 10 August - The U.S. hotel industry reported positive comparisons year over year, according to CoStar’s latest data through 10 August. ...4-10 August 2024 (percentage change from comparable week in 2023):
• Occupancy: 68.7% (+0.5%)
• Average daily rate (ADR): US$159.49 (+1.4%)
• Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$109.51 (+1.9%)
The following graph shows the seasonal pattern for the hotel occupancy rate using the four-week average. The red line is for 2024, blue is the median, and dashed light blue is for 2023. Dashed purple is for 2018, the record year for hotel occupancy. The 4-week average of the occupancy rate is tracking last year and is below the median rate for the period 2000 through 2023 (Blue). The 4-week average of the occupancy rate has peaked for 2024, and the average will start declining into the late summer and early Fall.
The Only Thing Pushing Up Retail Sales Is Ecommerce. Brick-and-Mortar Sales Have Stagnated for 2 Years by Wolf Richter - The Census Bureau reported today that ecommerce sales in Q2 rose by 6.6% from Q2 2023, and by 15.7% from Q2 2022 to $282 billion. But retail sales without ecommerce — so brick-and-mortar sales — inched up only 1.0% year-over-year, to $1.85 trillion, and were roughly flat with Q2 2022 (all figures not seasonally adjusted). Since the end of 2018, ecommerce sales have soared by 121.6% (red line), while retail sales without ecommerce — brick-and-mortar sales — have risen only 28.6%, and note the stagnation since Q2 2022 (blue line and purple box). Ecommerce has been growing at far faster rates than brick-and-mortar retail from the beginning. In the first half of 2020, ecommerce sales exploded, while brick-and-mortar sales fell. In the second half of 2020 and through the high-inflation years 2021 and 2022, they bounced back, but not enough to prevent the gap from widening further. But starting in Q2 2022, with inflation in goods beginning to fade, brick-and-mortar sales stagnated while ecommerce sales kept surging. Walmart keeps saying the same thing quarter after quarter: Its ecommerce sales are booming – last week, Walmart US reported 22% year-over-year growth in ecommerce sales for its second quarter. And it reported that grocery sales are strong; it’s the largest grocer in the US. But the rest of the stuff at its brick-and-mortar stores is weak. Many dozens of brick-and-mortar chain stores and countless regional chains and major independent stores that didn’t get the message about ecommerce and groceries – such as department stores – have collapsed into bankruptcy over the years and are gone, in a phenomenon that we’ve called since 2016, the Brick-and-Mortar Meltdown. Ecommerce sales on a seasonally adjusted basis rose to a new record in Q2 of $292 billion (red in the chart below), according to the Census Bureau today. On a not seasonally adjusted basis, the big spikes occur in Q4, the holiday shopping season. In Q4 last year, sales spiked to $323 billion (blue). The share of ecommerce sales of total retail sales rose to 16.0% in Q2 2024, just a hair below where it had been in Q2 2020 (16.4%). In Q4 2023, during the holiday binge, the share of ecommerce sales had risen to 17.1%. During the lockdown, when many retail stores were closed, ecommerce sales exploded, and the share of ecommerce sales of total retail sales spiked to 16.4% in Q2 2020, up from 9.9% a year earlier. Then as stores reopened, ecommerce sales continued to grow, but brick-and-mortar sales bounced back amid revived auto sales and gasoline sales. And so the share of ecommerce of total retail sales eased off the Q2 2020 spike but remained much higher than before the pandemic. But in Q4 2022, ecommerce began to increase its share again as retail sales without ecommerce began to stall. The green line represents the prepandemic trend of share increases: Some things will never be sold online, such as gasoline; sales at gas stations account for about 9% of retail sales. But they’re gradually getting hit by a new factor: The growing share in the national fleet of EVs. Groceries have been a tough one to crack for ecommerce in the US. And it’s a big part of retail: food and beverage stores alone account for about 14% of retail trade, not including general merchandise stores that also sell food, such as Walmart, the largest grocer in the US with reportedly a 24% share of grocery sales. But some grocery sales have moved online over time. And online-only grocers have sprung up to sell specialty foods, such as Weee, which specializes in Asian and Hispanic foods, and delivers directly from its local fulfillment centers via its own fleet of vehicles and via contractors. The largest retailer category, auto dealers, which account for about 22% of retail trade sales, have seen used-vehicle sales move online for years, and all the big dealers are doing it now, in addition to the online-only used vehicle dealers, such as Carvana. So that has been happening. But new vehicle sales are under the rule of state franchise laws, which prohibit automakers from selling directly to consumers. While these laws are older than dirt, they had the effect of largely protecting new-vehicle dealers from ecommerce competition, but even three cracks are forming. And Tesla has found a way around the state franchise laws; it sells vehicles online directly to consumers. Some other EV startups do as well.
LA Port Traffic Increased Sharply Year-over-year in July - Container traffic gives us an idea about the volume of goods being exported and imported - and usually some hints about the trade report since LA area ports handle about 40% of the nation's container port traffic. The following graphs are for inbound and outbound traffic at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in TEUs (TEUs: 20-foot equivalent units or 20-foot-long cargo container). To remove the strong seasonal component for inbound traffic, the first graph shows the rolling 12-month average. On a rolling 12-month basis, inbound traffic increased 3.4% in July compared to the rolling 12 months ending in June. Outbound traffic increased 0.7% compared to the rolling 12 months ending the previous month. The 2nd graph is the monthly data (with a strong seasonal pattern for imports). Usually imports peak in the July to October period as retailers import goods for the Christmas holiday, and then decline sharply and bottom in the Winter depending on the timing of the Chinese New Year. Imports were up 47% YoY in July, and exports were up 10% YoY. In general, it appears port traffic is returning to the pre-pandemic patterns - although this was a very strong July for imports as retailers prepare for holiday shopping.
Ford delays EV plans to make more Super Duty trucks as demand booms --AB: That the US is still playing around with costly old technology and pollutes the environment is unbelievable. In the end, it will come back and haunt the later generations as energy and resources become more expensive. Ford Motor Co. is ramping up production of its F-Series Super Duty pickups with a $3 billion investment to keep up with the explosive demand for the trucks. The Detroit automaker plans put around $2.3 billion of that investment into its Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada, which had been making the Edge SUV until May. Beginning this summer, Ford will begin installing new equipment at the complex and aims to produce the current generation Super Duty in 2026. The automaker will also invest $24 million into its Sharonville, Ohio, plant, $1 million into its Rawsonville, Michigan, plant and add about 50 new jobs to its Sterling Axle Plant in Michigan, to support Super Duty Production. Overall, 20,000 American workers across five states will be employed to work on the trucks. The investment will add production capacity of up to 100,000 trucks across the company’s plants in Kentucky, Ohio, and Canada. The Ohio Assembly Plant and Kentucky Truck plant made more than 200,000 Super Duty trucks during the first half of 2024.CEO Jim Farley said in a statement.“Super Duty is a vital tool for businesses and people around the world and, even with our Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant running flat out, we can’t meet the demand. This move benefits our customers and supercharges our Ford Pro commercial business.”Ford had previously planned to invest $1.3 billion into the plant to produce a new three-row electric SUV, which was delayed to 2027 from 2025. The investment allows for union-represented workers to return to work a year ahead of schedule, according to Unifor, and secures 1,800 jobs. The Oakville complex will produce both gas-powered and electric Super Duty trucks later in the decade. The announcement comes weeks after Farley said during a festival that Ford will focus on smaller EVs and told CNBC that “big, huge, enormous, they’re never going to make money,” referring to models like the Super Duty trucks.Ford’s electric business, the “Model e” unit, lost $4.7 billion in 2023, while the Ford Pro division — which includes the Super Duty trucks — recorded $7.2 billion in revenue, more than double what it made in 2022.Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis said in a statement.“There is durable demand for Super Duty from Ford Pro customers as spending on infrastructure and related construction activity remains high. Unlocking Super Duty volume will also support businesses and tradespeople who rely on these trucks and first responders who serve their communities.”Ford stock jumped almost 2% in trading Thursday morning.
Preliminary benchmark revisions wipe out 30% of jobs growth in the past 16 months - Every month I write about the Jobs Report. But while it is timely, it is only an estimate. There is an actual census of over 95% of all employers that also gets reported, called the QCEW, and it is the “gold standard” of actual jobs growth (or loss). Its two drawbacks are that it is not seasonally adjusted, and it is reported almost 6 months after the end of the quarter it updates. Which is a lengthy introduction to saying that it was just reported through March of this year this morning. More importantly, the BLS preliminarily re-benchmarked all of its data beginning in March of last year. And which is a further introduction to saying that, as expected, job growth was a lot less late last year and earlier this year than we originally thought. To wit, according to the QCEW, job growth was only 1.3% YoY through March (sorry, no graph, just the chart): This compares with the official payrolls data showing 1.9% YoY growth through that same period: Note that the two are consistent through last June. It is beginning last July that there is a major divergence, with payrolls estimating 2.1% job growth and the QCEW only showing 1.7% growth. The actual total preliminary revision to job growth over this period was -818,000. Note that the biggest hits were to manufacturing (-125,000), retail (-129,00) leisure and hospitality (-150,000), and professional and business services (-358,000 !). These four areas made up over 750,000 of the 818,000 decline: Here’s what the “official” total jobs gain since March of last year looks like: But instead of a nearly 3 million gain, this is going to be raised down to only about a 2 million gain – a loss of about 30% of the total official gain. Here is what the other “official” gains look like in the 3 sectors hardest hit by the reivions: *All but one* of these sectors will be revised to show losses. Manufacturing will be down -96,000 YoY as of this past March, retail down -45,000, and professional and business services down -202,000. Only leisure and hospitality will still show a gain, of 296,000 (vs. 446,000). Note that this is not the “final” benchmark revision, which we’ll get at the beginning of next year. So the numbers are not going to change yet in the official payrolls report. The bottom line is that, while this is not recessionary, it takes the “pretty good” growth over the last 16 months and revises it to mediocre growth.
Nonfarm Job Creation for 12 Months through March Revised Down by 818,000, to 2.08 Million Jobs Created, from 2.90 Million The Bureau of Labor Statistics today released its preliminary estimate of the upcoming annual benchmark revision due in February, of the number of nonfarm jobs created over the 12-month period from April 2023 through March 2024. The BLS today downwardly revised by 818,000 the number of nonfarm jobs created in the 12-month period through March 2024, to 2.082 million, from the prior figure of 2.90 million. This revised figure averages out to 173,500 payroll jobs added per month during the 12-month period, down from the unrevised average of 242,000 per month, but higher than average job creation during the prepandemic two years of 2018 and 2019 (+171,900 per month on average), reflecting a labor market that has normalized to prepandemic Good Times growth. Up-revisions: Job creation in five major categories was revised up, led by private education and health services (+87,000) and Transportation and warehousing (+56,400). Down-revisions: Job creation in other categories was revised down, led by Professional and business services (-358,000) and Leisure and hospitality (-150,000). 12-Month Benchmark Revisions of Jobs Created through March 2024:
Private education and health services 87,000
Transportation and warehousing 56,400
Other services 21,000
Utilities 1,700
Government 1,000
Mining and logging -11,000
Wholesale trade -33,600
Construction -45,000
Information -68,000
Financial activities -76,000
Trade, transportation, and utilities -104,000
Manufacturing -115,000
Retail trade -129,000
Leisure and hospitality -150,000
Professional and business services -358,000
Each year, the BLS benchmarks its employment estimates in Current Employment Statistics (CES) – which produces the nonfarm payroll jobs data from the Establishment Survey in the jobs report – to state unemployment insurance (UI) tax records that most employers are required to file. The Establishment survey data in the monthly jobs report will not be updated with these preliminary revisions. Instead, it will be updated with the final revisions that include monthly details, to be released in February. We will cover that as we have in prior years with a chart with two lines, one color for the new revised data and another color for the old data. Final revisions have differed significantly from preliminary estimates in the past.
Study finds gun violence in rural America rises as deer hunting season begins - Across rural America, the increased presence of loaded guns in homes and vehicles could lead to a spike in gun injuries and homicides at the start of every deer hunting season, a new study warns. In fact, in the U.S. rural counties covered by the study, "more people were killed by gunfire in the first week of deer hunting season than in any other week of the calendar year," said a team led by Patrick Sharkey, a professor of sociology at Princeton University in New Jersey. The finding held even after his team factored out gun deaths linked to hunting accidents, which they noted are exceedingly rare. The study was published Aug. 14 in the journal JAMA Network Open. As Sharkey and colleagues noted, across the board, the sheer availability of guns—especially when unlocked and loaded—has long been tied to greater risks for gun violence. The researchers suspected that the annual opening of deer hunting season was a perfect moment to test this theory, as guns are brought out of storage by millions of hunters across the United States. The study tracked 2014–2021 statistics on gun shootings occurring in 854 rural U.S. counties spread across 44 states. Researchers calculated the rate of shootings during the week prior to each county's opening date for the annual deer hunting season, and compared those numbers to shootings occurring during the first three weeks of the hunting season. The result: Firearm shootings that injured or killed county residents jumped by an average of 49% during the first week of the season compared to the week before, Sharkey's team reported. That rate was still 41% higher during the second week, but the increase fell to "close to zero" by the third week of deer hunting season. The sharp rise and fall over those three weeks is not surprising, the Princeton group said, since data has shown that in Wisconsin, for example, "70% of annual deer harvested are killed in the first nine days of the season." Also, the trends in shootings "were largely replicated when [rare] hunting accidents were removed from the analysis," they added, suggesting that the bulk of shootings were person-on-person violence. Again, that's not surprising: One prior study conducted in rural counties found a 300% jump in arrests involving men with a shotgun as each deer hunting season began, the researchers noted. All of the evidence "leads us to conclude that the most plausible explanation for the increase in shootings the week after the start of deer hunting season is the heightened presence of firearms in public and private spaces," the study authors wrote. As to what can be done to reduce the risk, Sharkey's group believe that "enhanced firearm regulations that govern firearm storage, carrying and purchasing, particularly in states where deer hunting is popular, may serve to reduce the number of shootings that occur at the onset of the hunting season."
US agency links high fluoride exposure to lower IQ in kids - A new government report links high fluoride exposure in drinking water to lower IQ in children. The report, published by the Department of Health and Human Services’s National Toxicology Program, examined previously published research and found that drinking water containing more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter is associated with the lower IQs. The report noted it was not designed to evaluate the health effects of fluoride in water, but the findings were made with “moderate confidence.” Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by adding minerals back into a person’s mouth that are lost during normal activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Low levels of fluoride added to drinking water has been considered one of the greatest public health achievements over the last 100 years, The Associated Press reported. The report determined children have lower IQs after being exposed to high levels of fluoride after reviewing epidemiology studies in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico. In those countries, some pregnant women, infants and children were exposed to fluoride higher than 1.5 milligrams per liter of drinking water. The report didn’t say how many IQ points could be lost for being exposed to higher fluoride levels, but some studies suggested IQ can be 2 to 5 points lower in children who were exposed to high levels, the AP noted. The U.S. Public Health Service currently recommends 0.7 milligrams per liter. About 0.6 percent of the U.S. population is on water systems that have 1.5 milligrams per liter, the report noted. The report said it did not find high fluoride exposure to have an impact on adult cognition. It also said there is “insufficient data” to determine whether the United States’s 0.7 recommendation causes negative impacts on children. “Many substances are healthy and beneficial when taken in small doses but may cause harm at high doses,” the report said. “More research is needed to better understand if there are health risks associated with low fluoride exposures.” The report said its findings may be able to help provide information to regulatory agencies that set standards on the safety of fluoride.
Data: Chronic absence more common in students learning remotely amid COVID -In the 2021-22 school year, chronic absenteeism rates among US K-12 students whose schools offered only remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic were 6.9 percentage points higher than those attending in-person–only schools, rising to 10.6 percentage points for at-risk students, per a JAMA Network Open study published yesterday.University of Notre Dame researchers analyzed data from 22,034 observations at 11,017 school districts from the 2018-19 and 2021-22 academic years using a difference-in-difference framework. The dataset represented about 87% of all students.Each school year, numbers of students who are chronically absent according to districts and local education agencies are reported to the National Center for Education Statistics. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing at least 10% of school days per year."Chronic absenteeism has been associated with several negative outcomes, including lower test scores, a reduction in educational and social engagement, lower rates of high school completion, and higher rates of substance use," the researchers noted. In the 2020-21 school year, an average of 39.3% of school days took place in person, 33.9% were hybrid, and 26.8% were virtual.Chronic absenteeism rates climbed 13.5 percentage points, from an average of 15.9% in 2018-2019 to 29.4% in 2021-22. Rates among students attending schools with a 100% virtual format were 6.9 percentage points higher than among those attending school only in person. Hybrid learning was not tied to increased absenteeism.The link between virtual instruction and chronic absenteeism varied by socioeconomic status, with the conditional correlation much greater for at-risk students. Rates were 10.6 percentage points higher among students learning from home in districts in the top quintile of poverty than those in districts with only face-to-face learning. "The accumulating evidence … suggests that virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic was detrimental to students’ educational development and mental well-being," the authors wrote. Questions remain, they said, for parents, educators, scholars, and the medical community."First, how can these negative consequences be undone? Surveys of both teachers and school administrators believe that as we move past the pandemic, virtual instruction will continue to be a major component of K-12 education," they wrote. "A second key question then is how to deliver virtual learning in K-12 learning without these potential negative consequences," they added. "Educators and policy makers must be prepared to implement evidence-based policies and practices related to online learning going forward."Learning how to reduce chronic absenteeism and use remote instruction without poor outcomes is key in formulating policy, the investigators said. "Key future questions include understanding whether this result is causal and why lower district income was associated with worse outcome," they concluded.
Pittsburgh plans to close 16 schools, devastating communities - On August 13, the Pittsburgh Public School (PPS) district presented a school reorganization plan to its school board which will devastate local communities. The plan, to be implemented over the next three to five years, calls for closing 16 schools and opening two new ones. It would reduce the number of schools in the former “Steel Capital of the World” from 54 to 40. Pittsburgh Fulton K-5 is one of the schools targeted for closure. The board will consider a final recommendation next month after the well-worn ploy of “community engagement” to “reimagine schools.” However, following the Biden-Harris decision to end federal pandemic relief to schools, PPS expects to post a $26 million deficit and deplete its financial reserves by the 2027 school year. School officials say the school closures are necessary to prevent the system from going bankrupt. Parents reacted angrily to the announcement. “This will be devastating,” said Lori, speaking to the WSWS. She explained that her daughter attends Fulton Elementary in Highland Park. “We live a few blocks away, and she walks on her own.” But going to Dilworth, the proposed replacement school, is over a mile away. “I’ll have to figure out how to get her there. She can’t walk that far on her own.” Lori works at Children’s Hospital, and her shift begins at 7 a.m. “How do they expect students to learn? They are not starting from the students’ needs. Just how to save money,” said Rachael, whose son attended Dilworth. “This is a great school, the students get a lot of attention, they have a garden and plenty of outdoor time. The teachers are able to handle conflicts, and the kids get along great. “What will happen if you double the size of the school? There really isn’t room for them.” “There is no reason for these cuts,” continued Lori. “You look at how much money is being spent on war and the rich keep getting tax cuts. The head of UPMC [University of Pittsburgh Medical Center] makes millions. That money should be spent on kids.” Indeed, the Biden-Harris administration has just authorized a $20 billion package of aid to the rapidly expanding wars of the Middle East, in addition to a $1 trillion military budget. But it has allowed the termination of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), resulting in mass teacher layoffs and school closures across the US. Nationwide, the $122 billion ESSER funds served as a stopgap to districts in the face of decades of budget cuts, skyrocketing inflation and COVID costs, but all funds dry up by September 2024. As part of ESSER, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) of 2021 provided Pennsylvania with nearly $4.5 billion of relief funds for eligible expenses between March 13, 2020, and September 30, 2024. Most districts relied on this funding to pay educators and supplement the costs of addressing pandemic learning loss, especially in view of years of state underfunding. The average age of Pittsburgh schools is 90 years; 37 buildings need some type of renovation work. Previous cuts to the PPS have already eliminated or reduced many schools’ ability to offer music, art and library services. Pittsburgh Public Schools faces increased budget deductions for charter school costs. This year, the reimbursement cost has increased by over $25 million and is set to rise further. Additionally, the city government slashed corporate taxes, subsidizing the costs of downtown office space. This corporate giveaway cost Pittsburgh Public Schools $4 million the first year and another $11 million last year. Now downtown property owners are seeking another $7 million back, claiming overpayments to the schools. The proposed cuts were developed by the Massachusetts-based education consulting firm Education Resource Strategies, which the school district hired to develop the proposal. The firm, which bills itself as a nonprofit aimed at working with school districts, is clearly focused on closing schools and eliminating what it calls “over capacity.”
Kai Trump thanks ‘Grandpa’ for ‘great courses’ as she commits to golfing at Miami -Kai Trump thanked her grandfather, former President Trump, for giving her access to “great courses” as she announced her verbal commitment to play golf at the University of Miami on Sunday.“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami. I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point. I would like to thank my Grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support,” Kai wrote in an Instagram post.The Miami Hurricanes women’s golf team also shared Kai’s post on its Instagram story. Kai Trump, 17, is the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump, who both shared photos congratulating their daughter on social media.
Donald Trump reveals Barron will attend university in New York -- Former President Trump revealed his son Barron, who turned 18 in March, will attend a university in New York, describing the school as “very good” without naming it in a new interview.When asked by the New York Post if the younger Trump has decided where he is going to go to school, the former president said, “He is. We’re going to announce it soon.”“He’s all set in a certain school that’s very good,” he told the Post in an interview released Tuesday.Former President Trump confirmed it is in New York and smiled when the Post asked him if it was New York University, but he maintained they will announce the choice “very soon.”Barron Trump, the youngest of the former president’s children, graduated from high school in May from the Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Fla.He and his mother, Melania Trump, have largely stayed out of the public eye as former President Trump pursues a second term in the White House. Barron Trump, however, made his political debut at his father’s rally last month, and the former president has suggested he’s takenpolitical advice from him.He was also tapped to be a Florida delegate at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month, when his father became the official GOP nominee for president. However, he declined the invitation due to “prior commitments.”
U. Illinois Has 42 "Illegal" Race-, Sex-Based Scholarships: Federal Complaint -The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has 42 “illegal” scholarships that discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, sex, or both, a federal complaint alleges. The Equal Protection Project of the Legal Insurrection Foundation filed the complaint today with the Office for Civil Rights within the Department of Education. It identifies 19 scholarships that discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX.“Eight scholarships are offered exclusively to female students, eight state a preference for female students, two are offered exclusively to male students, and one states a preference for male students,” the complaint states.Another 19 scholarships discriminate on the basis of race, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to the federal complaint.The complaint states:These 19 scholarships are all offered exclusively or with a stated preference for various groups based on race, color, or national origin including students from underrepresented populations, students who are historically underrepresented, students from minority groups, and students from various ethnic groups or national origins including Czech, Lithuanian, Japanese, Latina/Latino, Iranian.Another four discriminate on both the basis of race and sex, according to the complaint.The 2023 Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action makes clear the scholarships are illegal, according to William Jacobson, a law professor at Cornell University.“After the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students For Fair Admission, it is clear that discriminating on the basis of race to achieve diversity is not lawful,” Jacobson, the founder of the Equal Protection Project, told The College Fix via a media statement.“As Chief Justice Roberts wrote in the majority opinion, ‘[e]liminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it.’”“The vast number of discriminatory scholarships reflects a pervasive and systemic failure to comply with constitutional and statutory requirements at UIUC, warranting expedited investigation by the Office for Civil Rights,” Professor Jacobson said.“The eligibility requirements for these scholarships are openly discriminatory,” Jacobson also said. “Regardless of the purpose of the discrimination, it is wrong and unlawful.”“It does society no good to inject more racism and sexism into the educational system through discriminatory college scholarships,” the civil rights activist said.He wants the university to create a “remedial plan to compensate students shut out of these scholarships due to discrimination.”
University Of California Bans Encampments, Face Masks - In a letter to the university community, UC President Michael V Drake said that his office and campus leaders have reflected on “the events of the past year” and sought ways to strengthen policies and procedures.They found that while the “vast majority” of protests held on UC’s campuses were peaceful and nonviolent, some activities over the past year were not.Drake said that “consistent application of policies and laws” is needed to balance protecting free speech rights with ensuring the safety of students and maintaining critical university operations.He said the policies would prohibit encampments, unauthorized structures, and restrictions on free movement on university property. They will also ban the use of masks to conceal identity and prohibit people from refusing to identify themselves to university personnel.Drake said the university will also develop a framework for consistent enforcement of its policies and responses to policy violations, as well as launch a campus climate initiative.“Our ultimate goal is for all of our community members to feel supported in their ability to express themselves, and to pursue their studies, research, patient care, and other work on our campuses,” he stated.In a separate letter to campus leaders, Drake said the university will implement a “consistent tiered response” for those who violate institutional policies.Individuals who violate campus policy will first receive a warning. If the conduct persists, the UC police department or campus fire marshal will assess the situation and may issue an unlawful assembly notice.In the final phase of the tiered response, those who continue to break the law “may be cited, detained and arrested for unlawful behavior, or subject to other police actions.” Stay-away orders may be issued for “higher severity violations” and repeat offenses.This came a week after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by three students, prohibiting the University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) from providing programs and access to buildings if Jewish students were blocked.The students sued UCLA in June for allowing protesters to barricade the center of the campus and establish an encampment that obstructed passage to campus facilities.In his 16-page ruling on Aug. 13, U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi described the situation at UCLA as “unimaginable” and “so abhorrent to our constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.” The university is among the many campuses in the United States where demonstrators have set up encampments to protest the war in Gaza, which was Israel’s response to the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
Cornell University workers strike over contract dispute -Workers at Cornell University have gone on strike on the first day of college move-in after talks on a new contract broke down. Those going on strike include maintenance and facilities workers, dining workers, gardeners, custodians, and agriculture and horticulture workers. “Workers at Cornell are fed up with being exploited and used. The university would much rather hoard its wealth and power than pay its workers fairly,” said United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2300 President Christine Johnson. “Cornell could have settled this weeks ago. Instead, they’ve scoffed and laughed at us and broken federal law. We’re done playing around.” “I am very, very sorry for this for the new students that are moving into Cornell University. We love the students. We want them to have a good experience, but the university does not want to pay us a living wage,” she added. Cornell says it has offered the best deal they can. “We further enhanced our offer [Saturday] to trigger, for the first time in a Cornell union negotiation, a cost of living (COLA) adjustment, in addition to the general wage increase, that protects all members of the bargaining unit from high future inflation,” Christine Lovely, vice president and chief human resources officer at Cornell, wrote in a statement. The university offered UAW employees a 17.5 percent increase in wages over four years of the contract and stronger health and personal leave. However, UAW leaders say that the offers will still not offer a living wage for workers. “Over the past four years, Cornell’s endowment has soared 39% to nearly $10 billion and tuition has increased 13% — all while workers’ buying power has fallen 5%,” Johnson added. “Many of the workers have had to move out of Ithaca to afford housing and must pay expensive parking fees to park on campus.” According to Johnson, the current wage for most Cornell workers represented by her union is less than $22 per hour, which is lower than the estimate for the cost of living for a family in Ithaca. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology study found that the living wage is close to $25 for one adult without children and jumps to $43 if a person has a child in Ithaca. This is the first time Cornell workers have gone on strike in decades, which will disrupt the process of first-years and other students moving in. “My son is starting as a freshman, and our whole family is admiring Cornell University’s beautiful campus and top-rated dining services,” Amy Traub, a UAW Local 2320 member, wrote on the social platform X alongside her son, who is walking the picket line instead of attending a first-year event. “As a Cornell parent and also a proud member of UAW Local 2320 I’m calling on Cornell to offer a fair contract to the workers that make these things possible,” she added.
Study: Bad COVID lockdown memories faded in a year, but kids' mental health worsened --Although memories of COVID-19 lockdowns in Danish school children dimmed in detail and emotion from 2020 to 2021, their mental health remained poor, particularly among girls, Aarhus University–led researchers report in Child Development.The researchers asked 247 students to write about their memories of the first lockdown and their psychological symptoms three times from June 2020 to June 2021. The students, recruited from five public and private schools, had a median age of 11.9 years.Denmark closed schools from March 11 to April 17, 2020, for younger students and to May 18 for older ones. A second closure occurred from December 17, 2020, to May 6, 2021. Other measures taken were restaurant closures, gathering bans, physical-distancing policies, and work-from-home orders. Students whose memories were more negative and contained more COVID-19 information fared worse over time, which may mean that they integrated lockdown experiences more profoundly in their development and sense of self, the researchers said. Older students and adolescent girls were the most emotional in their memory descriptions, which may show that adolescents better integrate memories into their meaning-making narratives than younger students. And adolescent girls, the authors said, may be more likely than boys to elaborate on memories of COVID-19 and their emotional well-being. The researchers called for research on the association between children's tendency to include semantic (eg, facts about COVID-19) rather than episodic (eg, interactions with family) in their recall of significant events and their adjustment."Only by examining the content of all these different memories will we know if these results reported here are specific to the first period of the pandemic, when radical changes in children's and adolescents' lives occurred, or if instead our patterns of results extend to other forms of remembering and imagining pandemic-related experiences," lead author Tirill Fjellhaugen Hjuler, PhD, of Aarhus University, said in a news release from the Society for Research in Child Development, publisher of Child Development.
COVID-related loss of smell tied to changes in the brain - A new study of 73 adults recovering from COVID-19 finds that those who lost their sense of smell showed behavioral, functional, and structural brain changes. Researchers in Chile conducted cognitive screening, performance on a decision-making task, functional testing, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results with 73 patients after mild to moderate COVID-19 infection and 27 COVID-naïve patients with infections from other pathogens. Two follow-up sessions were conducted 15 days apart.The patients were recruited from public and private hospitals in Santiago an average of 9 months after diagnosis from February 2020 to May 2023. The average age was 40.1 years. The team used loss of smell and need for hospitalization as proxies for potential markers of neurologic involvement and disease severity, respectively.The results were published late last week in Scientific Reports. Twenty-two of 73 COVID-19 patients (30.1%) reported having differing degrees of attention and memory problems. Seven patients said they had headaches, six reported fatigue, and four had a persistently impaired sense of smell lasting, on average, 1.3 months. Of these patients, 68% experienced a total loss of smell, while the rest had an altered sense of smell.In addition to self-reported changes in smell, 6 of 43 patients who lost their sense of smell during the acute infection could identify at most four of six odors on olfactory testing, suggesting persistent dysfunction.The COVID and non-COVID groups were similar in age and cognitive performance, but patients with a loss of smell showed more impulsivity and were more likely to make different a choice given a negative result when performing a behavioral task (game), while those who were hospitalized displayed less strategic thinking and made the same wrong choice repeatedly.On MRI conducted during the game, loss of smell was associated with decreased functional activity during decision-making, loss of white-matter integrity, and thinning of the outer layer of the cerebrum in the parietal regions (responsible for processing sensory input, understanding spatial relationships, and how to navigate)."Only six patients present indicators of persistent olfactory deficit; thus, our results are not due to actual deficit," the study authors wrote. "Hence, anosmia could serve as both a potential marker of virus-induced damage to neuronal tissues and a marker for individuals susceptible to brain damage."
New research finds link between COVID-19 and gestational diabetes --COVID-19 infection during the first 21 weeks of pregnancy is associated with a slightly higher risk of gestational diabetes, according to an analysis of insurance claims by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers. The team published its findings this week in Clinical Infectious Diseases.The investigators analyzed records from nearly 58,000 COVID diagnosis claims in pregnant women from 1 to 21 weeks gestation from March 2020 to October 2022. They compared them with records of more than 115,000 pregnant women who weren't diagnosed with COVID during the same period.They found a modest but statistically significant higher relative risk (12%) of having a gestational diabetes claim for COVID at 23 weeks gestation or after. The association was significant in all racial groups except for Asian women. Looking at patterns across periods when different variants were circulating, the researchers found that the risk of gestational diabetes was lower during the Omicron period than when the Delta variant was dominant. The decreased gestational diabetes risk over time may have resulted from changes in activity during the earlier pandemic months, acquired immunity, or extra protection from vaccination, the group wrote. They noted that, from July 2021 to December 2021, the percentage of vaccination in pregnant women rose from 29.0% to 58.7%. They concluded that more research is needed to validate the findings and understand possible contributing factors, such as potential hyperinflammatory response, timing of infection, and health determinants such as diet and exercise.
Study finds 64 percent higher risk of dementia among elderly hospitalized COVID-19 patients --A new study has found that COVID-19 is associated with new-onset cognitive impairment that persists beyond the infection, as well as a higher risk of dementia among elderly hospitalized patients. The study was a review and meta-analysis of 18 previously published studies. There were significant differences in methodology and measures reported among the studies, but the researchers nevertheless were able to pool results to generate several new findings.The researchers found that people 65 years old and older with COVID-19 acquired new diagnoses of dementia at 1.64 times the rate of uninfected controls for the 12 months following infection. These results were based on data from over 800,000 patients, half of whom were controls who did not have COVID-19. The risk of dementia was highest for females, African Americans, and people over the age of 85.The researchers pooled the results of seven studies that used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to measure cognitive function. In these studies, 98 percent of patients were hospitalized for COVID-19 and over 99 percent had no dementia diagnosis prior to their COVID-19 diagnosis. The researchers found a mean MoCA score of 23.34 (95 percent confidence interval 22.24 – 24.43) across seven studies included in their meta-analysis, where a score of 26 to 30 indicates normal cognitive performance. Excluding one study that reported median vs. mean MoCA score did not change the results, nor did excluding two studies that included patients with neurological symptoms during the COVID-19 infection (the others specifically excluded such patients). This means that the result was not biased by certain studies that differed in significant ways from the others.The researchers also analyzed MoCA scores according to time since COVID-19 diagnosis. The mean MoCA score less than 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis was 22.32 (95 percent confidence interval 20.60 – 24.04), whereas the mean MoCA score 3 months or more after COVID-19 was 24.19 (95 percent confidence interval 23.58 – 24.80). In both cases, there was cognitive impairment because the upper end of the 95 percent confidence interval was below the normal score of 26 or higher.Across 8 studies that reported the proportion of post-COVID patients who developed cognitive impairment, the overall proportion was 65 percent (95 percent confidence interval 44 percent - 81 percent). This result means that of all patients aged 65 and older, and who did not have a dementia diagnosis prior to hospitalization with COVID-19, 65 percent developed cognitive impairment associated with their COVID-19. A similar sensitivity analysis either did not change this result or actually increased the proportion with cognitive impairment. The proportion of post-COVID patients with cognitive impairment measured within 3 months vs. after 3 months of the COVID-19 diagnosis was 85 percent (95 percent confidence interval 67 percent to 94 percent) vs. 49 percent (95 percent confidence interval 31 percent - 68 percent), respectively. Two studies measured MoCA scores in patients without COVID-19 with an average score of 26. Two studies measured longitudinal change in patients’ MoCA scores, showing that cognitive function significantly improved between the first (T1) and second (T2) measurement. The average T1 score was 19.1; the average T2 score was 23.4. Notably the T2 score remained below the threshold 26.Most of these studies reported results on adults aged 65 years old and older, and thus the findings apply primarily to the elderly. The MoCA score results were from hospitalized patients, suggesting more severe COVID-19 disease. Also, many of the studies included results from prior to availability of the vaccine, and no studies reported or broke down their results by vaccination studies. All these factors limit the generalizability of the results. It is therefore hard to extrapolate the results to the general population.Nevertheless, some conclusions may be drawn. First, the age group most likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 and that accounts for approximately 60 percent of all hospitalizations with COVID-19 in the United States is 65 years and older. Second, the overwhelming majority of hospitalized individuals have not been vaccinated. One study found that between January and August 2023, of all individuals over the age of 65 who were hospitalized with COVID-19, only 23.5 percent had received the recommended vaccine schedule. The net effect is that although hospitalizations for COVID-19 have been declining, they still overwhelmingly occur in unvaccinated individuals over the age of 65. Thus, the results presented in this new study are still highly concerning. Also, given that the burden of cognitive disability or dementia in the elderly was already high prior to the pandemic, the implications of the study are staggering. In the United States in 2019, cognitive disability was the second most common type of disability. Worldwide in 2019, the World Health Organization reported that dementia is one of the top ten causes of disability in people aged 60 and older. The same World Health Organization report cited a global cost of dementia of $1.3 trillion with a projected rise to $2.8 trillion in 2030. That projection of course was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and based on global trends in dementia onset and increases in the cost of healthcare that existed at that time.
Unvaccinated survivors of severe COVID saw rise in mental illness in year after, study suggests --A study of nearly 19 million adults in England reveals a higher rate of mental illness among survivors of COVID-19 hospitalization—particularly among the unvaccinated—for up to a year.A team led by University of Bristol investigators evaluated the incidence of mental illness in patients before and after COVID-19 diagnosis within the past year in three groups: (1) patients before vaccine was available and followed up during the wild-type and Alpha variant–dominant waves (January 2020 to June 2021) and (2) vaccinated patients and (3) unvaccinated patients during the Delta-dominant era (June to December 2021). The research was published this week in JAMA Psychiatry. In the pre-vaccine group, which was the largest, the average age was 49 years, 50.2% were female, and 5.4% had tested positive for COVID-19. The average age of the vaccinated cohort was 53 years, and 52.1% were female, compared with 35 years and 42.1% female in the unvaccinated participants.The researchers used data on confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses in primary care or secondary care records, test results, or the national death registry. The conditions studied were depression, serious mental illness, general anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, addiction, self-harm, and suicide."Associations have been found between COVID-19 and subsequent mental illness in both hospital- and population-based studies," the researchers wrote. "However, evidence regarding which mental illnesses are associated with COVID-19 by vaccination status in these populations is limited." Rates of most outcomes peaked in the first 4 weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis, compared with before or without COVID-19 infection in each group. The incidence of mental illness was lower among vaccinated participants than those in the pre-vaccine and unvaccinated groups.In a JAMA author interview, study senior author Jonathan Sterne, PhD, of the University of Bristol, said, "The benefit of vaccination was that it prevented people from getting severe COVID-19 and therefore prevented the adverse consequences of COVID-19 in the longer term."The adjusted hazard ratios [HRs] for depression and serious mental illness in the first 4 weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis were 1.93 and 1.49 in the pre-vaccine cohort and 1.79 and 1.45 in the unvaccinated cohort, compared with 1.16 and 0.91 in vaccinated participants.
COVID vaccine efficacy against severe illness just under 50%, per early estimates from 2023 --Two European observational studies estimate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine approved in fall 2023 against hospitalization, the first one finding 49% overall VE in adults, and one showing good protection—but uneven uptake—among pregnant women.For the first study, published in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, researchers with the European Hospital Vaccine Effectiveness Group conducted a test-negative case-control study on the VE against hospitalization of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine in the first months of its rollout from October 2023 to January 2024.The XBB.1.5-like+F456L variant was dominant in Europe from fall to mid-December 2023, when BA.2.86 supplanted it.The participants were 622 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 and 3,457 control patients admitted for a different severe respiratory infection to 41 hospitals at 7 sites participating in the Vaccine Effectiveness, Burden and Impact Studies (VEBIS) study. In total, 27% of COVID-19 patients and 44% of controls had been vaccinated after fall 2023, most with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The median time between vaccination and symptom onset was 58 days for COVID-19 patients and 52 days for controls. Overall VE was 49% against hospitalization (range, 69% at 14 to 29 days to 40% at 60 to 105 days postvaccination), although confidence intervals overlapped for all estimates, indicating uncertainty. VE was over 70% in adults ages 65 years and older up to 1 month after vaccination. VE in patients ages 80 and older declined from 76% in the first 29 days to 39% after 60 days. The study authors noted that their VE estimates are lower than those of three previous European studies but in line with a fourth, except for a greater decline in VE with increasing time since vaccination (TSV), proposing that the differences could be attributed to different TSVs bands."The findings of our study suggest that the adapted COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccines provided protection against hospitalisation in the first 3.5 months post vaccination, by reducing the risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation by approximately half among the vaccinated individuals," they concluded.The second case-control study, published in Vaccine, included all 47,046 pregnancies ending from June 2021 to August 2022 among 39,213 women seen at Northwest London general practices. In 57% of pregnancies, the mother had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine during their pregnancy, with 91% of them receiving a second dose.Pregnant women, the study authors noted, are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications such as hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, and death. "They are also at increased risk of pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia and emergency cesarean delivery, and their infants are at higher risk of being preterm or stillborn," they wrote, adding that uptake has been suboptimal. A total of 180 women were hospitalized for COVID-19. Admission for COVID-19 was much less likely among vaccinated women than among the unvaccinated. A conditional logistic regression model suggested a five-fold decrease in the chances of COVID-19 hospitalization in vaccinated women, compared with their unvaccinated peers (odds ratio [OR], 0.22).
Feds announce new round of free COVID tests - Though the United States may be past the peak of its latest COVID-19 surge, federal health officials are eying ways to reduce the spread of the virus over colder months and the holiday season, including a relaunch of free COVID tests by mail. The announcement comes as health providers gear up immunization activities ahead of the main respiratory virus season. Officials from federal agencies shared their outlooks for the upcoming season, along with the status on the tools to prevent them, at a media briefing today. Dawn O'Connell, JD, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services, said that, starting in September, people can order four free COVID tests to be delivered through the mail. This is the seventh round of free tests since 2021, and the mail delivery program, combined with year-round access at outlets such as community clinics, has so far delivered nearly 1.8 million tests. They do no good sitting in medicine cabinets. She urged people to order the tests as families move indoors as the weather cools and as people prepare for travel and the holidays. O'Connell also urged people to use them. "They do no good sitting in medicine cabinets." CDC Director Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, said the CDC's forecasting for the fall and winter suggests similar or lower numbers of peak hospitalizations for all three of the main respiratory illnesses: COVID, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. She included a caveat, however, that assumptions could change, based on changes in SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, which evolves faster than flu, and other factors. At today's briefing, health officials fielded questions about COVID vaccine access to lower-income and uninsured people, as well as regarding who should be vaccinated, especially given the current level of high activity. The federal government's bridge access program, launched last September to provide broad COVID vaccine access to millions of uninsured Americans, has now ended due to budget recissions. But at today's briefing, Cohen announced that the CDC has identified $62 million in funding for state and local health departments to obtain the vaccine. She also added that free access to the antiviral drug Paxlovid through an assistance program run by Pfizer is available until the end of 2024 and that both Pfizer and Merck have assistance programs for uninsured and underinsured people. When asked about the timing of updated vaccines, for which approval came yesterday for the two mRNA vaccines, Peter Marks, MD, who directs the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said officials are always looking for concerning mutations and whether a vaccine update is urgently needed. However, he said the main consideration currently is getting doses into patient's arms, and that fall vaccination drives are the most realistic way to ensure that many people are vaccinated and boost their immunity to the virus.
FDA approves this season’s Moderna, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines -The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Thursday the approval of both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 respiratory viral season.The updated vaccines are designed to target the KP.2 strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.“Based on the further evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and a rise in cases of COVID-19, the agency subsequently determined and advised manufacturers that the preferred JN.1-lineage for the COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) is the KP.2 strain, if feasible,” the agency said in its announcement. “Given waning immunity of the population from previous exposure to the virus and from prior vaccination, we strongly encourage those who are eligible to consider receiving an updated COVID-19 vaccine to provide better protection against currently circulating variants,” Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. The vaccines are approved for people 12 years old and older. “COVID-19 remains a significant health risk and is the leading cause of respiratory illness-related hospitalization, regardless of age or health condition. In the 2023-24 season, we saw more than 600,000 hospitalizations due to COVID in the U.S. Staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine remains one of the best ways for people to be protected and prevent severe illness,” Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said. The Hill has reached out to Pfizer for comment. Emergency use authorization has been granted for three doses of the updated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine or two doses of the Moderna vaccine to be administered to unvaccinated children aged between six months and 4 years of age. Children in this same cohort who’ve previously been vaccinated can receive one or two doses of either updated vaccine. Children between 5 and 11 can receive one dose of either updated vaccine regardless of prior vaccination status. If they’ve previously been vaccinated, the FDA advised that they wait at least two months before getting the updated shots. Moderna said it expects its updated vaccine to be available in the “coming days.” This approval comes while the U.S. is in the midst of a summer surge in cases. All U.S. regions monitored by the Department of Health and Human Services are currently reporting COVID-19 test positivity rates of 10 percent or higher.
Latest scientific research points to long COVID in Australia being a significant and growing problem Bill Mitchell --I have been regularly following the scientific literature on the labour market impacts of COVID-19 and as the evidence is becoming richer we are getting a clearer idea of those impacts. The short conclusion is that public health policy makers, under pressure from ill-informed individual and corporate interests, have failed dramatically to protect the public health and there will be long-term economic consequences as a result, quite apart from the devastating personal costs. It is a very strange phenomenon that we have observed over the last several years now. One that required strong public health leadership but which has, instead, been marked by a curious cloud of denial and abandonment. We are all to blame for that abandonment. The latest evidence indicates that long COVID in Australia is a significant and growing problem that is not only undermining the well-being of the people involved but is also a major restraint of economic performance. Today (August 19, 2024), the Medical Journal of Australia published a scientific modelling study – The public health and economic burden of long COVID in Australia, 2022–24: a modelling study – which estimates of:… the number of people in Australia with long COVID by age group, and the associated medium term productivity and economic losses. number of people in Australia with long COVID by age group, and the associated medium term productivity and economic losses.The motivation for the study is clear: Evidence is accumulating that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has effects on several organ systems, beyond causing acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). While there is some ambiguity as to what constitutes ‘long COVID’ the now accepted categorisation “refers to symptoms that develop during or after the acute infection, reflecting respiratory, cardiac, neurocognitive, immunological, and other organ system dysfunctions”. There are many factors that influence the variation in estimates – including the “duration of persistence” of the “reported symptoms”, the “severity of the acute infection”, the variant involved, “vaccination status”, “other medical conditions” and demographic data (age etc). The evidence is clear though that long COVID can still be a problem even for those with “mild or asymptomatic” COVID infections as well as for those people who succumb to multiple infections over time (even if they are mild). The evidence also shows that: COVID‐19 vaccines protect against long COVID, and the prevalence of long COVID is higher among unvaccinated than vaccinated people. The researchers argue that the public health response was largely focused on minimising hospitalisations rather than dealing with long-term COVID consequences. The likely impacts on the labour market – reduced participation, lower productivity etc – was overwhelmingly ignored by the health authorities including the World Health Organisation, which has gone weak at the knees on the issue.Reasearchers are also noting that as the public health authorities have not required on-going testing their capacity to reveal the true nature of these impacts is compromised. The “proportions of people with long COVID symptoms (prevalence rates)” was summarised by this Table (this is the high estimate section) or the worst-case scenario. In terms of working hours lost because people with long COVID were either unable to continue working or had to reduce the hours they worked, the researchers estimated the… mean labour loss attributable to long COVID in 2022 was projected to be 102.4 million … hours – 0.48% … of total worked hours in the 2020–21 financial year … The estimated mean labour loss was greatest for people aged 30–39 years: 27.5 million … (26.9% of total labour loss) … The second greatest loss was for people aged 40–49 years: 24.5 million … (23.9% of total labour loss) …In terms of GDP loss as a result of the shorter working hours, the study found that: The estimated mean GDP loss attributable to long COVID in 2022 caused by the projected decline in labour supply alone (2020–21 value) was $4.8 billion … or 0.2% of GDP. The estimated mean GDP loss caused by the projected decline in labour supply and reduced use of other production factors was $9.6 billion … or 0.5% of GDP
Covid still high, mpox emergency, and parvovirus enters the chat - Your Local Epidemiologist | Katelyn Jetelina - Lots is happening in the public health world! Here’s your latest update. Viral activity in wastewater—our best indicator of Covid–19 spread—is still “very high,” marking a very impressive summer wave. In fact, levels in the West are now the worst on record since the Omicron tsunami in 2021. There are signs of declining rates in the South and Midwest and a plateau in the West. However, recent wastewater signals can be unstable (look at that rollercoaster in the West below), so I’m not getting too excited yet. (Source: CDC; Annotations by YLE) In addition, we are getting mixed signals from other metrics. Emergency department visits have shown signs of slowing down, but test positivity hasn’t yet. Hospitalizations are also increasing, which isn’t surprising given that it’s a lagging indicator, but levels remain lower than the winter peak. This past week, we lost 1,000 Americans to Covid-19. (Source: CDC; Annotations by YLE) Note for the data gurus: Last April, hospitals were no longer required to report Covid-19 data, decreasing reporting from 90% to 38% of hospitals. However, there’s good news: Starting November 1, hospitals will report again! Last week, Africa CDC declared their first-ever public health emergency for mpox. The World Health Organization (WHO) followed by also declaring a public health emergency of international concern, signaling that the WHO Emergency Committee believes the current mpox outbreak in Africa is:
- Unusual and unexpected
- Has the potential for cross-border transmission, and
- Requires coordinated international response. This is the right call, and is important, as it (hopefully) draws attention and much-needed resources to the outbreak.
Mpox (formally known as monkeypox) has been endemic in Central Africa for decades, with rare, sporadic human cases of mpox after contact with infected animals. However, in 2022, the virus—and specifically a strain considered less severe called Clade II—mutated and caused a massive international outbreak by spreading among a tight-knit social network: men who have sex with men (MSM). Education efforts, immunity, and antivirals have kept mpox spread low since. In 2024, the U.S. has had 1,657 cases of Clade II. This brings us to today. Clade I—the other mpox strain, historically more severe—is now exploding in Africa, accounting for more than 17,400 cases and 500 deaths. (The true number is likely much higher due to significant under-detection and under-reporting.) Recently, Clade I has spread to non-endemic African countries, and over the weekend, 1 travel case was detected in Sweden. The majority of cases are the Clade Ia subvariant, with more than 80% of cases being among children and accounting for 85% of deaths. The second subvariant, Clade Ib, is spreading among adults. No Clade I cases—regardless of subvariant—have been identified in the U.S. What do we NOT know?
- What is Clade I’s dominant mode of transmission? There is overwhelming evidence that Clade II is spread through close contact, like sex. For Clade I, the at-risk population is different. Situation reports show transmission through multiple means: sexual contact, household contact, non-sexual contact (like healthcare exposures), and animal exposures. Experts on the ground do not see epidemiological evidence of airborne spread in Africa; they see, for example, cases of kids hunting squirrels or people in close contact in houses, like four kids in one bed. While there are documented cases of airborne transmission, what is possible isn’t always probable.
- How does the fatality rate apply to this Clade and other geographies? Historically, Clade I has a *very* high case fatality rate of 10% (compared to Clade II with <1%). However, it’s unclear whether this high rate is due to the intrinsic properties of the strain or is an artifact of under-detection, poor access to treatment, lack of healthcare, and poor nutrition in Africa. Data, such as an animal model and one small epidemiological study, have confirmed Clade I is more genetically virulent.
- How effective is TPOXX (the antiviral) against Clade I? A recent study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo found that while TPOXX was safe, it did not significantly shorten the duration of pox lesions in Clade I cases. The overall death rate and lesion duration among participants were lower than expected among all participants regardless of whether they received TPOXX or placebo, likely due to the high-quality care provided during the trial.
- How big will this outbreak be? Due to travel routes, we expect more international cases, especially in European countries. According to CDC modeling, any outbreak of mpox Clade I is expected to be smaller among the MSM community than the 2022 mpox Clade II outbreak.
Scientific teams are working on more lab and epidemiological studies as quickly as possible, which is incredibly challenging in resource-constrained areas. So, what are we supposed to do? What matters now is that African countries can access vaccines, treatments, and the resources to run important studies to stop this epidemic. In the U.S., only Clade II is spreading, so those eligible for the mpox vaccine have not changed: gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender or nonbinary people. Make sure you get both doses to be fully protected. For everyone else, there’s nothing to do for now. In the U.S., parvovirus B19—a very common airborne respiratory virus, also known as fifth disease or “slapped cheek” rash—has increased to higher than “normal” in recent months, particularly in children ages 5 to 9. CDC urged physicians to be on the lookout. The exact reason for the current rise is unknown, but the virus typically spikes every 3-4 years, usually as it starts to warm (late winter to early summer). Importantly, this virus is not dangerous to the general public. In fact, 50% of people have immunity by the time people reach 20 years old. However, three groups are at high risk because the virus attacks the cells that make red blood cells. This can result in short-lived anemia before the immune system controls the infection.
- Pregnant: The virus can cause heart failure in the fetus and miscarriage.
- Immunocompromised: The anemia can be long-lasting.
- People with conditions that speed up the breakdown of red blood cells (like sickle cell): The anemia will likely be more severe and might require blood transfusions.
Unfortunately, this virus mainly spreads asymptomatically before flu-like symptoms arrive. Because the virus spreads through the air, masking is expected to help.
After COVID and Ebola, doctors take on mpox amid conflict in eastern DRC --It’s dawn at the mpox treatment site at Nyiragongo General Referral Hospital, north of the city of Goma, and Congolese medics are already hard at work, calmly and efficiently screening, isolating and caring for patients infected with the disease.Two days prior, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its highest alert level for mpox after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared the viral disease previously known as monkeypox a continental emergency.But for doctors in DRC – who have been tackling the latest mpox outbreak since 2022 amid medicine shortages, an ongoing rebellion in the east, and after years toiling on the front lines of Ebola epidemics – the challenges have become routine.In between the stream of patients visiting the Nyiragongo Hospital for all number of ailments, teams of hygienists and other health providers tend to mpox patients in a separate white tented area where those suffering from the highly infectious disease can be isolated to avoid any risk of contamination.Among them, shopkeeper Madam Nyota Joyeuse is resting in a small three-bed tent. The 35-year-old mother of two fell ill about a week prior.She had a headache, fever, muscle aches and a slight flu, so assumed it was malaria, which is common in North Kivu. But when her symptoms weren’t easing days later, she finally came to the clinic.“I felt as if the whole universe had fallen on my head when I was told I had monkeypox,” she tells Al Jazeera, worried that her health had deteriorated and her business would come to a halt. But the treatment she’s receiving is helping her. “Fortunately, that’s promising. May the Almighty bless those who take care of us,” she says from her hospital bed.Originally named “monkeypox” when it was first identified in monkeys in 1958, the name of the disease was updated to “mpox” in 2022 to reduce stigma.Endemic to parts of Central and West Africa, mpox is related to the virus that caused the now-eradicated smallpox, and can be fatal in severe cases. Although outbreaks are common in DRC, health experts say the recent rise is due to a new strain, clade 1, that is spreading faster and wider than ever before.This week, the WHO said cases have been detected in 13 African countries, as well Sweden, Pakistan and the Philippines.The Africa CDC said cases are up 160 percent in 2024 compared with the same period last year.In DRC the disease has been detected in all 26 provinces. As of this week, the country recorded more than 16,000 cases of mpox, resulting in about 570 deaths this year.Badiambila Mulumba, the medical director of Nyiragongo Hospital, tells Al Jazeera his facility began treating mpox this June, and has since registered 278 cases referred to them – “both positive and negative cases”, he says.As of August 10, there were 78 positive cases at his facility, but no deaths.“We continue to control cases. There are mild and serious cases, but no deaths,” he tells Al Jazeera.
- When the World Health Organization (WHO) mpox emergency committee met on August 14 to discuss the quickly evolving developments in Africa, it unanimously recommended that the situation warrants a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). In accepting the group's recommendation the same day, the WHO's director-general said the group would soon release its temporary recommendations and full report for countries, which the WHO published today. The recommendations cover but are not limited to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Among several recommendations, the emergency committee urged countries to prepare for mpox vaccination for emergency response by convening immunization advisory groups. It also emphasized the importance of standing recommendations that the WHO issued when it called the end of the earlier PHEIC for the global spread of the clade 2 virus.
- Massachusetts and Vermont last week reported their first human Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) cases of the year, according to notifications from the state health departments. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said its case, the first since 2020, involved a man in his 80s who was exposed in Worcester County. Meanwhile, the Vermont Department of Health reported an EEE illness in a man in his 40s from Chittenden County. He was hospitalized in the middle of July, but has now been released. The case marks Vermont's first since 2012. EEE is a rare mosquito-borne illness that can lead to severe neurologic complications. Transmission is most common in and around freshwater hardwood swamps in Atlantic and Gulf Coast states and in the Great Lakes region. In its most recent update on August 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it had received a report of only one case so far this season, involving a patient from New Jersey.
- The Food and Drug Administration on August 16 announced that it has approved the first at-home over-the-counter test for syphilis, which detects human antibodies to Treponema pallidum in human blood. The test, made by NOWDiagnostics, produces a result in 15 minutes and is designed to alert the user for a potential follow-up, which would require confirmation testing by a healthcare provider. Syphilis cases in the United States have been steadily rising since 2018, with congenital cases up even more sharply.
Massachusetts man diagnosed with first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in state since 2020 -- A man in his 80s from Worcester County is the first person in Massachusetts diagnosed with EEE since 2020. State officials have not released the man’s name or hometown, but the state is raising the EEE risk level to critical in Douglas, Oxford, Sutton and Webster. The risk level for Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Southbridge, and Upton is now moderate. Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious – and a potentially fatal – disease spread to humans through infected mosquitoes. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths, and five human cases with one death in 2020. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022 or 2023. The threat of EEE usually eases with the first frost, but experts say the heat and humidity this summer could extend EEE season, which could be a problem as students head back to school and fall sports.
Hopes dashed for drug aimed at monkeypox virus spreading in Africa - Nature --Early results from clinical trial show that the antiviral drug tecovirimat is no better than placebo against the clade I virus type.The drug tecovirimat did not accelerate recovery for people in a clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who were infected with a concerning type of monkeypox virus, according to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). The viral type, called clade I, has been spreading across Africa and is thought to be more lethal than the one that caused a global mpox outbreak that began in 2022, known as clade II. --Tecovirimat, an antiviral drug, is used to treat mpox, despite there being limited clinical evidence that it resolves symptoms. The drug was originally developed to treat smallpox, which is caused by a related virus; both are members of the Orthopoxvirus genus.“These are certainly not the ideal results that we were all hoping for,” says Jason Kindrachuck, a virologist at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada.The spread of clade I in the DRC and other countries in Africa prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency of international concern — its highest level of alert — on 14 August. A day earlier, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), based in Addis Ababa, declared its first-ever public-health emergency over the outbreak. During the trial, launched by the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, Maryland, and the DRC’s National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, people infected with clade I were given either tecovirimat or a placebo pill. According to the NIH, which announced early results on 15 August, the antiviral did not reduce the duration of mpox symptoms compared with the placebo. Mpox, the disease caused by the monkeypox virus, can cause fluid-filled skin lesions, fever, headache and, in severe cases, death.Significantly, however, the study participants’ mortality rate, regardless of whether they received tecovirimat or placebo, was lower than the overall mortality rate for any type of mpox reported in the DRC: 1.7% versus 3.6%.This could be because of the care that the participants received during the trial. The 597 people enrolled were hospitalized for at least 14 days, and during this period they received, among other things, nutritional support; proper hydration; treatment for other infections or diseases they had, including malaria; and psychosocial support.“The level of care was very high,” says Lori Dodd, a biostatistician at the NIAID and a project leader for the trial. Maintaining that high quality of care outside a clinical trial could be challenging, she adds, “so the team will be working on how to translate that care model for people with mpox who are recovering on an outpatient basis and in resource-limited settings”.
Lack of Mpox Shots Is Disaster for Those Most Hit, WHO Aide Says – -- Mpox vaccines are urgently needed for adults and children in the most affected African countries to limit a fresh outbreak internationally, the chair of the World Health Organization’s African advisory group on immunization said. The lack of vaccine “isn’t only a disaster for individuals who are now going to be exposed to disease who would otherwise be protected, but it’s a problem in terms of containing the outbreak,” Helen Rees said on Bloomberg Television Friday. “One of the things that vaccines do is — apart from protecting you as an individual — is that they stop transmission.” While Africa is the only continent where the disease is endemic, it didn’t receive vaccines for the virus in 2022 as the infectious illness spread around the world and has still failed to secure shots even as a newly mutated version is spreading. The mpox vaccine will be available in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the bulk of the outbreak is, by the end of next week, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director General Jean Kaseya said Tuesday. Once the shots arrive, they would be well received by the public, Rees said. During outbreaks of Ebola where immunization was available, “there’s been a high acceptance of those vaccines,” Rees said. This is partly because there is community fear amid new flare-ups, and because children are largely affected in Congo, she said. The struggle for vaccines was similar during the Covid-19 pandemic — when those shots first became available, the continent found itself at the back of the queue. Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter The WHO has hosted talks for more than a year to develop a pandemic treaty where all the member states contribute. The treaty would ensure equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics for treatment. “If countries have stockpiles that they’re not willing to share, then we are not going to be able to stop the next pandemic,” Rees said. “There needs to be a bit of a wake-up call to countries that are better resourced, that do have these vaccines and diagnostics, that very early on there needs to be sharing.”
US announces more support for Africa's mpox response -The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday announced an additional $35 million in emergency health assistance for the clade 1 mpox outbreak in Central and East Africa.In a statement, USAID said the announcement brings the total help for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected countries to $55 million and that the new funding is pending congressional notification.The funding will help USAID continue its close work with affected countries, which includes help with actions such as surveillance, diagnostics, risk communication, and vaccination planning and coordination.When the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) last week, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, said the agency had released an initial $1.5 million from its emergency contingency fund and appealed to donor to help fund the rest of the response. He said the WHO's regional response plan would require an initial $15 million.On X yesterday, Tedros said the United States has been steadfast in its commitment to address the mpox outbreak. "I hope this inspires others to join in and bring the emergency under control," he said.An increasing number of counties have stepped forward with mpox vaccine donations. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal yesterday announced that his country will donate 100,000 doses to African countries battling outbreaks, according to Agence France-Presse.Meanwhile, Roche yesterday announced that it is working with its partners to enhance mpox lab capacity worldwide. It is also providing training for labs across Africa at the Roche Scientific Campus in South Africa and at other locations. The company also confirmed that its Cobas mpox PCR test, as well as its research-only test kits, can detect the latest mpox variants.
Negotiations progress on mpox vaccine for Africa as cases spike in Burundi -At an Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) briefing today, Director-General Jean Kaseya, MD, MPH, said new developments to pave the way for vaccine procurement are raising hopes, including the possibility of manufacturing doses in Africa.A deal on technology transfer and local manufacturing would help lower the price without compromising on quality, he said.In the wake of public health emergency declarations from Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) last week, Bavarian Nordic, which makes the Jynneos vaccine, said in an August 17 statement that it is working closely with stakeholders to ensure equitable access."Importantly, we have built a strong partnership with the Africa CDC, both on supply, but also expanding our manufacturing network to include Africa," the company said, adding that it is working on a regulatory path with the WHO to ensure access to all countries, is seeking approval for use of the vaccine in adolescents, and is conducting clinical trials in Africa aimed at expanding use to children.Yesterday at a briefing, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba Mulamba, MD, said Japan and the United States have pledged doses, the first of which could arrive as soon as next week, according to Reuters. The DRC is the hardest-hit African nation.In other vaccine developments Emergent BioSolutions yesterday announced that it would donate 50,000 doses of its ACAM2000 vaccine to Direct Relief, a humanitarian organization that has worked in the DRC and other affected countries. In October 2023 the company filed an application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include use of the vaccine against mpox. The company has also responded to a WHO invitation for companies to submit interest for emergency use listing ACAM200 is a live replicating vaccina virus vaccine that is given by the percutaneous scarification route as one dose, with boosters every 3 years. The vaccine is stockpiled as a smallpox countermeasure in the United States and other countries.Children have been hit hard in the DRC, the outbreak's epicenter. UNICEF estimates that 8,772 children have contracted mpox in the DRC since the first of the year and make up more than half of the country's cases. The group also said 463 of 548 mpox death in the DRC involved children.The vaccine donation from Japan could give the country a leg up on immunizing children. Its stockpiled vaccine, called LC16m8, was used in Japan in 1974 to vaccinate 50,000 children between ages 2 and 5 years old, according to WHO background materials on currently available mpox vaccine.LC16m8 is a single-dose live replicating attenuated vaccine that is administered by dermal scarification.At today's Africa CDC briefing, Kaseya said about 1,400 mpox cases have been reported across the African region over the past week. He added that 27 new cases, 11 of them lab-confirmed, were recorded in the past 24 hours.Burundi is one of the DRC's neighboring countries that is reporting mpox cases for the first time.In related developments, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, who leads pandemic preparedness activities for the African Union, in an August 17 statement, commended groups for their decisive actions and called on countries in the region to allocate more domestic funds for response activities.He said he is deeply concerned about the rapid spread of mpox in Africa, with nearly 18,000 cases, including 517 deaths, across 13 countries reported since the first of the year, up 160% compared to the same period in 2023. Ramaphosa said 3 more countries have reported suspected cases and, if confirmed, would bring the number of affected countries to 16.
Philippines reports new mpox case with no history of foreign travel --The Philippines has reported a new case of the mpox virus, the first in the country since December.Health officials said on Monday that the patient, a 33-year-old Filipino male from capital Manila, has no history of foreign travel. The latest case was detected by heightened government surveillance following the outbreak in Africa reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).“The mpox virus is among us. This is a warning to everybody,” Health Secretary Teddy Herbosa told reporters, noting that nine cases of the virus were also detected in 2023.The case was reported to the health agency on Sunday. “He did not travel [abroad]. That means the virus is already here in the Philippines,” Herbosa said, adding no border control measures will be implemented similar to those during the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials are still awaiting the sequencing of the results of the test to determine what type of strain has been detected in the country.The new form of the virus has triggered global concern as it seems to spread easily through routine close contact.On Wednesday, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency, its highest form of alert, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that had spread to neighbouring countries.On Thursday, Sweden reported its first case of mpox clade I, a viral infection that spreads through close contact and is a more dangerous variant of the known mpox. It is the first case of the variant outside of Africa; more cases are expected in the region in the coming days.Pakistan on Friday confirmed at least one case of the mpox virus in a patient who had returned from a Middle East country, but officials said they did not yet know the strain.Philippine health officials received five suspected cases of the mpox in the last week, but only a 33-year-old male tested positive for the viral infection.The man experienced a fever a week ago before a “distinct rash” was detected.“The blister contained fluid. But it’s different from the fluid from chicken pox because it turns into pus over time,” a health department spokesperson said.The department is updating its mpox guidelines to encourage those exhibiting symptoms to seek consultation and testing.
More global mpox spread as clade 1b confirmed in Thailand, the 2nd case outside Africa - The mpox case in a European traveler from Africa to Thailand that was reported yesterday has now been confirmed as caused by clade 1b, the deadly strain that has spread widely in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries. It is the second recent clade 1b case reported outside of Africa, after Sweden confirmed a case a week ago. The strain is distinct from clade 2, which caused a large global outbreak in 2022, the first outside of Africa. Somsak Thepsuthin, Thailand minister of public health, confirmed the mpox test results and assigned Dr. Thongchai Keerati Hatthayakorn, director general of the Department of Disease Control, to take the lead on implementing strict measures for disease prevention and control. Hatthayakorn said test results were confirmed by scientists with the Department of Medical Sciences laboratory.The patient is a 66-year-old European man who had arrived in Thailand last week from an unspecified African country in which mpox spreading, Reuters reported. Thailand's health ministry said his travels to Thailand included a stop in an unnamed Middle Eastern nation.Thai officials are monitoring 43 close contacts of the patient, but at this time no one else has been found to be ill. The Department of Disease Control will monitor the man's symptoms until 21 days have passed from symptom onset.The country is screening international travelers as they enter Thailand.
Gabon reports first mpox case as WHO details spread in other newly affected nations - Gabon's health ministry today announced the nation's first mpox case, which involves a resident who had recently spent 2 weeks in Uganda, another country recently affected by expanding outbreaks in Africa. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday posted an update on the latest African countries affected by mpox outbreaks, noting that the expansion in the region is unprecedented. "The modes of transmission in these countries are not fully described yet and are likely to include exclusive human-to-human transmission," it said, adding that the virus seems to be spreading through sexual networks, then on to households and other settings. In other related developments, in an exclusive report today, Reuters said the WHO has said that Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF can start buying mpox vaccine before WHO clearance as a way to speed up immunization. WHO authorization is expected in the next few weeks. As the epicenter of the outbreak rages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), social media reactions following the WHO's emergency declaration reflect mistrust and skepticism, especially toward local authorities, the group Insecurity Insight reported today. It examined 650 Facebook comments published this month. For example, they accuse local officials of exploiting the situation for financial gain and allege embezzlement of aid funds. In a statement, Gabon's health ministry said its surveillance system has detected six suspected cases, and one sample has tested positive. A few days before the 30-year-old man arrived back from Uganda, he experienced fever and fatigue, followed by a rash. He was hospitalized and placed in isolation on August 21. Contact tracing is under way. Gabon's case lifts the number of African countries affected since the start of the year to at least 14. Urban spread, children's infections in Burundi The WHO said of the latest African countries affected by mpox outbreaks, Burundi, is the hardest-hit of five countries covered in the report. As of August 17, officials have reported 474 suspected cases, and, of 358 patients tested, 142 were positive for mpox, which was identified as the novel clade 1b virus circulating in eastern DRC. Confirmed cases have been reported in 26 of Burundi's 49 districts, with Bujumbura Nord, an urban area, accounting for roughly one third of the cases. Of patients, 55.6% are male, and children younger than 5 years old make up 60.3% of cases. No deaths have been reported. Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda cases tied to travel Meanwhile, only a few cases have been confirmed in three other newly affected countries. Kenya has confirmed one case, which involves clade 1b. The 42-year-old Kenyan man had recently visited Uganda and was traveling through Rwanda to Tanzania when his mpox illness was identified. Results are pending on another suspected case, and tests were negative for 12 others. Rwanda in July reported two lab-confirmed cases, one involving a 33-year-old woman who frequently travels to the DRC and whose illness was detected at an entry point. In addition, a 34-year-old man had recently visited the country; his infection was found at a hospital. In August Rwanda reported two additional cases, involving a man who had been in Burundi and a man who had visited the DRC. Sequencing has confirmed clade 1b. Uganda's first two confirmed were identified in July, both of which involved clade 1b. The patients, women ages 37 and 22, were identified at a screening point at the DRC border. Clade 2 strain in Ivory Coast Finally, Ivory Coast has confirmed seven cases this year from three health districts, which belong to the clade 2 strain circulating globally. Four of the patients are male, and all are older than 15 years. The country has reported mpox before, but not since clade 2 began circulating.
The global mpox emergency and the destruction of public health - The declaration by the World Health Organization of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the more lethal variant of mpox (clade 1b, also designated 1 MPXV) underscores the dangers facing the world’s population from the systematic destruction of public health services under capitalism. The mpox emergency comes amid a blistering ninth COVID-19 wave that has driven up infection rates the world over, while at the same time the rapidly evolving H5N1 bird flu virus threatens human populations. There has been barely a word mentioned by the leaders of the major capitalist countries on the threat posed by yet another deadly virus, on top of outbreaks of polio, cholera, dengue, measles and other diseases in many parts of the world. In the US elections, neither Democrat Kamala Harris nor Republican Donald Trump has said one word about the mpox emergency declaration and its implications. Both treat COVID-19 as a thing of the past, except as a weapon in their efforts to demonize China. Meanwhile, the WHO has yet to find the paltry $15 million in funding to address the most acute needs of bringing trained personnel and supplies to a conflict region, the eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to suppress the mpox outbreak. This is the third PHEIC in four years. The WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the COVID-19 emergency on January 30, 2020. The second was in July 2022, when a multi-country outbreak of mpox occurred with the less deadly strain of the virus, which began in May of that year in conjunction with the complete lifting of all social precautions against COVID-19. The emergency declarations for both COVID-19 and the mpox clade 2b were prematurely ended in May 2023 despite ongoing infections and the threat to the safety of the public. The first mpox outbreak led to 100,000 confirmed cases across 116 countries, with 208 reported deaths, according to the latest figures. But the more virulent strain of mpox which has now spread outside the DRC to neighboring countries in Africa, as well as through travelers outside the continent, could have far more dire consequences. Although health authorities have repeated that the mpox virus is spread only through direct and close contact, recommendations by the European and US CDC have suggested that respiratory precautions be taken and that only healthcare workers vaccinated against mpox should care for patients. Whether this particular strain is capable of airborne transmission or may be able to become so needs to be disclosed and appropriate precautions taken in the firmest manner possible. The public health response to the more virulent mpox strain shows the same troubling pattern as with coronavirus and the previous mpox outbreak: worsening situation reports, punctuated by continued inaction and a laissez faire attitude about the dangers posed by these pathogens, both to the local population immediately at risk and to the global population. Since the beginning of 2022, health authorities have identified 37,583 confirmed and suspected cases of mpox clade 1b with 1,451 deaths, a case fatality rate (CFR) of 3.9 percent across 15 African Union member states. This figure is well above the 2-3 percent CFR worldwide from COVID-19 first cited in 2020. A further review in 2021 placed that figure even lower at 1 percent for the general population. Mpox could thus be three or four times as lethal as COVID-19. Unlike COVID-19, where the fatality index is higher among the oldest patients, the reverse is true with the current virulent strain of mpox. As WHO data shows, children are nearly four times more likely to die from the virus than adults. While the case fatality rate is 2.4 percent for adults, it jumps to 8.6 percent among those 15 and younger. Of the mpox deaths reported in 2024, 62 percent were among children under five. Once infected, there is an incubation period of 2-3 weeks before symptoms, when patients experience fevers, aches, fatigue and enlarged lymph nodes; then a few days later, the characteristic rash develops. Additionally, patients with confirmed or suspected infection or exposure must also be isolated for at least four to eight weeks until they are cleared of harboring the virus, or the disease is allowed to run its course, and they are no longer infectious. Depending on their symptoms, they need constant evaluation and monitoring by medical professionals. In the war-torn region of eastern DRC, in the capital of North Kivu, Goma, where the population of 2 million is predominately composed of refugees and internally displaced people seeking safety from the rebel militias, there are ample opportunities for the mpox virus to run through the makeshift camps and infect people. The healthcare centers are flooded with patients beyond any normal capacity. As one epidemiologist and mpox expert said to Save the Children: The worst case I’ve seen is that of a six-week-old baby who was just two weeks old when he contracted mpox and has now been in our care for four weeks. He got infected because hospital overcrowding meant he and his mother were forced to share a room with someone else who had the virus, which was undiagnosed at the time. He had rashes all over his body, his skin was starting to blacken, and he had a high fever. His parents were stunned by his condition and were scared he was dying.
Study during DR Congo's outbreak finds 84% protection from Ebola vaccine -A real-world study conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) found that Merck's rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine was 84% effective against infection during the country's 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak, according to a study yesterday in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.French and DRC researchers used a test-negative design, analyzing clinical data from 42 Ebola healthcare centers (12 treatment, 9 transit, and 21 decentralized centers). They assessed data on 26,438 people, 1,273 of whom tested positive for Ebola. The study authors wrote, "This is the first published study to assess the effectiveness of rVSV-ZEBOV outside a clinical trial and amid the most widespread use of the vaccine to date, during the second-largest Ebola virus disease outbreak ever recorded, addressing uncertainties in the real-world effectiveness of the vaccine left open by previous studies."They found an overall vaccine effectiveness of 84% (95% credible interval, 70% to 92%) against Ebola virus disease 10 or more days after vaccination. In addition, effectiveness was consistent across sexes and age-groups: It was 80% in females, 86% in males, 80% in children, and 83% in adults.The authors conclude, "Our findings reinforce the evidence for vaccinating individuals at risk of exposure to Ebola virus as early as possible during epidemics. Even in challenging settings, such as the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, rVSV-ZEBOV vaccination is a highly effective tool."
High rate of carbapenem resistance in bacteria that cause newborn sepsis in Africa --Nearly a third of gram-negative bacterial infections in newborns with suspected sepsis in Africa are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics, researchers reported late last week in BMC Infectious Diseases. The findings are from a review and meta-analysis conducted by researchers from Woldia University in Ethiopia who hoped to fill in knowledge gaps in the population-based epidemiology of neonatal sepsis in Africa and estimate carbapenem resistance in the gram-negative bacteria that can cause sepsis in newborns. They defined carbapenem resistance as resistance to meropenem, imipenem, or ertapenem. Among the 36 studies that assessed carbapenem resistance in gram-negative bacteria isolated from newborns with suspected sepsis in Africa, there were 7,116 isolates. The most frequently isolated pathogen was Klebsiella pneumoniae, which accounted for 38.2% of all isolates. The pooled prevalence of carbapenem resistance in all isolates was 30.34% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.03% to 38.64%). The pooled estimate of gram-negative bacteria resistant to imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem was 35.57% (95% CI, 0.67% to 70.54%), 34.35% (95% CI, 20.04% to 48.67%), and 26.11% (95% CI, 15.82% to 36.40%), respectively. The highest prevalence of carbapenem resistance was found in Acinetobacter baumannii andPseudomonas spp., which had pooled prevalence of 45.9% (95% CI, 33.1% to 58.7%) and 43.0% (95% CI, 23.0% to 62.4%), respectively. The percentage of carbapenem-resistant isolates varied widely between countries, ranging from 0.5% in Sudan to 57.9% in Egypt.Neonatal sepsis is a primary cause of neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and elsewhere. The study authors say stronger microbiology laboratory capacity to diagnose drug resistance is needed in countries with a high burden of neonatal sepsis."To address this global health threat, it is essential to implement robust infection prevention measures, antimicrobial stewardship, and strict surveillance of infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)," the authors wrote. "This is particularly crucial as third-line medications and carbapenems are increasingly losing their effectiveness."
Report highlights challenges of tackling antimicrobial resistance in Africa - Amid a burgeoning mpox crisis, African health officials are drawing attention to the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on the continent and have laid out a roadmap for addressing the problem.In the African Union Landmark AMR Report, launched last week, officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources, and member states reported that AMR was responsible for 255,000 deaths in Africa in 2019—more than 20% of the global total—and that sub-Saharan Africa experienced the highest AMR burden of any region in the world, with 27.3 deaths per 100,000 people.Lack of antibiotics and diagnostics, overuse of antibiotics in people and food animals, suboptimal vaccination rates, significant gaps in AMR surveillance, and limited knowledge of AMR are some of the factors contributing to the problem, the report said. But officials said the issue is compounded by additional challenges, including lack of access to clean and safe water sources, inadequate infection prevention measures in hospital, and a shortage of funding and political will."We must not ignore this silent threat that disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable among us," Africa CDC Deputy Director General Raji Tajudeen, MD, MPH, said in an Africa CDC press release. "Fighting disease requires resources and working with member states and our partners we need to do all we can to save lives." The report spotlights several areas in which Africa has fallen behind on key AMR indicators. For example, only 13% of African countries have implemented nationwide infection prevention and control (IPC) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, far below the global average of 39%. Only 35% of countries on the continent use antimicrobial consumption and use data to inform decision-making and policies, compared with the global average of 62%.Lack of access to antibiotics is also a major problem. The report notes that 67% of antibiotics used in African healthcare settings are skewed toward just four drugs, and that WHO-recommended Reserve category antibiotics, which are used for multidrug-resistant infections, are missing from national Essential Medicines Lists in 86% of cases. And because many African countries rely on imports for over 90% of their pharmaceutical needs, shortages are frequent."The pervasive lack of access to common antibiotics has led to an over-reliance on a few available drugs, even when they are not the primary choice for treatment," the report states. "This situation exacerbates the risk of developing and spreading antimicrobial resistance."The continent also suffers from a lack of microbiology laboratories that can conduct AMR surveillance. According to a survey of 14 African countries by the African Society for Laboratory Medicine, only 371 (1.3%) of 50,000 surveyed laboratories performed bacteriologic analysis for priority bacterial pathogens, and even then, testing focused on only a limited number of pathogens. Just one of the surveyed countries reported data to the WHO's Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System.While roughly 80% of African countries have developed national action plans (NAPs) to address AMR, the report notes that many of those plans were developed without a detailed situation analysis and lacked local data, which compromises their effectiveness. Moreover, many African countries have lacked the funding to implement their NAPs.
Trial supports mass azithromycin distribution to all kids under 5 in sub-Saharan Africa --In the latest in a series of studies investigating the effect of mass azithromycin distribution on childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, researchers have found that giving the antibiotic to all children up to 5 years old has a bigger impact than limiting it to younger children. The study, published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that twice-yearly distribution of azithromycin to children ages 1 to 59 months in rural communities in Niger reduced childhood mortality by 14% when compared with children who received a placebo. The findings are significant, because in 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the intervention be considered in settings with high childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, but only for children ages 1 to 11 months. The recommendation was based on a 2018 study that found mass azithromycin distribution—an intervention initially implemented in parts of Africa to eliminate trachoma—significantly reduced childhood mortality in rural communities in Niger, Malawi, and Tanzania. The WHO wanted to limit treatment to that younger age-group, because that's where the biggest impact on mortality had been seen and because of concerns that wider azithromycin distribution might promote antibiotic resistance. But the new study found that targeting only children ages 1 to 11 months did not lead to a significant reduction in childhood mortality compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, the reduction in mortality was even greater in those younger infants when older children also received azithromycin."This suggests we need this community-level effect in order to see those large mortality reductions in children in that younger age-group," the study's first author, Kieran O'Brien, PhD, MPH, an epidemiologist and assistant professor with the University of California-San Francisco, told CIDRAP News.
Georgia reports another measles case as Oregon outbreak hits 30 -The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) yesterday reported a measles infection in an Atlanta resident who wasn't fully vaccinated, marking the state's fifth case of the year, according to a statement. The DPH said the patient was exposed to the virus during international travel, adding that it is working to identify people who had contact with the patient during the infectious period. In other developments, the Oregon Health Authority reported 4 more measles cases in its outbreak, raising the total to 30 in three counties. The outbreak is the state's largest since 1991. According to the latest data, all patients were unvaccinated and 2 were hospitalized. Twelve of the patients are younger than 10 years old, and 11 are ages 11 to 19.Measles activity in the United States is at its highest level since 2019, part of a global rise in cases. In itslatest update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has received reports of 219 cases from 27 jurisdictions. Thirteen outbreaks have been reported, and 68% of cases this year were linked to outbreaks.
Tularemia identified in biologist, dead seal that she dissected - A wildlife biologist who injured herself last fall while performing a necropsy—an autopsy on an animal—on a harbor seal contracted tularemia, a highly infectious disease caused by Francisella tularensis, which is deemed a high-priority bioterrorism agent in part because so few bacteria are required for infection. Her story appeared yesterday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which also details the first detection of the disease in a marine mammal. Tularemia, or "rabbit fever," is an occupational risk for farmers, foresters, and veterinarians and is listed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of six category A biological warfare agents. It occurs most often in rabbits, hares, and rodents. About 200 US cases are recorded each year, according toCDC data. The 32-year-old biologist, from Kitsap County, Washington, performed the necropsy on October 3, 2023, according to the report, which was written by local, state, and CDC scientists. She wore personal protective equipment—including a surgical gown, laboratory goggles, an N-95 respirator, and surgical gloves—during the necropsy, but accidentally cut her left hand through the glove with a scalpel. Although the wound initially appeared to heal, it became inflamed and painful 2 weeks after the cut. The biologist, who worked for a nonprofit organization, also experienced fever, cough, congestion, and swollen lymph nodes about the same time. By October 20, the hand had become painful and swollen, and she sought care from a primary care provider. The provider prescribed doxycycline and topical mupirocin, and the patient fully recovered. Although the provider did not suspect tularemia, material from the wound was collected and submitted to a local clinical laboratory, where it was cultured and identified as suspected Francisella species. On November 3, 2023, the Washington State Public Health Laboratory received the isolate, where it tested positive for F tularensis by bacterial culture, direct fluorescent antibody, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, six specimens from the dead seal tested positive by PCR, and three of them were forwarded to the CDC, which confirmed F tularensis type B. "This finding is the first known detection of F. tularensis in a marine mammal," the authors note, concluding, "Although most tularemia cases acquired in the northwestern United States are associated with environmental exposure or contact with rodents or lagomorphs [rabbits and their relatives], marine mammals should be considered as a potential source of infection."
CDC issues Oropouche virus alerts for clinicians and travelers - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently posted a Health Alert Network notice for Oropouche virus following reports of expanded disease activity in Cuba and parts of South America, which has so far resulted in 11 imported US cases. Oropouche virus, spread by certain biting midges and possibly some types of mosquitoes, has recently been linked to severe fetal outcomes, including death and congenital abnormalities. The CDC said travel-related cases have been reported in the United States and Europe among some people who visited Brazil and Cuba.Though more cases from more countries are expected as surveillance and testing increase, no local transmission has been reported in any US state or territory, the CDC said.The CDC urged clinicians to consider Oropouche virus in people who traveled to areas with confirmed or suspected cases within 2 weeks of initial symptoms and rule out dengue infection. It also asked clinicians to be aware of the risk of vertical transmission and to monitor pregnancies in women with confirmed Oropouche infections. In a related development the CDC issued a level 2 travel notice regarding Oropouche virus for people planning travel to Cuba. It had previously issued a level 1 notice for travel to South America. The CDC recommended that clinicians warn pregnant women considering travel to affected areas about the risk to the fetus and that all visitors practice precautions. So far, Oropouche virus cases have been reported in 9 of Cuba's 15 provinces. The CDC urged pregnant women to reconsider nonessential travel to Cuba and if unavoidable to strictly follow the CDC's prevention recommendations, which include using insect repellent, window and door screens, and fans when outdoors to blow biting midges away.
CDC reports 2 more variant flu cases, both with swine exposure - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today reported two more variant influenza cases, one in Ohio and the other in Pennsylvania, in people who had contact with pigs. Both patients are adults, recovered after hospitalization, and had underlying health conditions, the CDC said in its weekly influenza report. The patient from Ohio had a variant H1N1 (H1N1v) infection and got sick after exposure to pigs at an agricultural event. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania's patient had a variant H1N2 (H1N2v) infection and had occupational exposure to swine. So far 7 variant flu cases have been reported during the 2024-25 flu season in the United States, 4 from H1N2v, 2 from H3N2v, and 1 from H1N1v. No symptoms were reported in the patients' contacts, and no related human-to-human cases have been identified. Sporadic human infections with swine flu occur in the United States and other countries, most often in people who have contact with pigs or their environments. Many of the cases in the United States occur during the summer months, when agricultural fairs take place.
Cambodia reports fatal H5N1 avian flu case - Cambodia's health ministry today reported another human H5N1 avian flu case, the country's tenth of the year, according to a statement translated and posted by Avian Flu Diary, an infectious disease news blog. The patient was a 15-year-old girl from Prey Veng province who died from her infection on August 20. An investigation found that chickens had died in the village 5 days before the girl became ill and that she had touched and held dead chickens. Cambodia reported two other H5N1 cases earlier this summer, both from Svay Rieng province. The patients—a 4-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl—were both hospitalized for their infections and both had contact with dead poultry before they got sick.The cases are part of an uptick in H5N1 cases in Cambodia, which has now reported 18 since early 2023. So far, the clade of the H5N1 virus that infected the most recent patient isn't known, but many earlier infections involved an older clade called 2.3.2.1c, which is known to circulate in poultry in some Asian countries, including Cambodia. The H5N1 clade is distinct from the 2.3.4.4b clade circulating globally, including in the United States, where the virus has also infected dairy cows, poultry, and a few farm workers.
New insights on how bird flu crosses the species barrier - In recent years, public health measures, surveillance, and vaccination have helped bring about significant progress in reducing the impact of seasonal flu epidemics, caused by human influenza viruses A and B. However, a possible outbreak of avian influenza A (commonly known as 'bird flu') in mammals, including humans, poses a significant threat to public health. The Cusack group at EMBL Grenoble studies the replication process of influenza viruses. A new study from this group sheds light on the different mutations that the avian influenza virus can undergo to be able to replicate in mammalian cells. Some avian influenza strains can cause severe disease and mortality. Fortunately, significant biological differences between birds and mammals normally prevent avian influenza from spreading from birds to other species. To infect mammals, the avian influenza virus must mutate to overcome two main barriers: the ability to enter the cell and to replicate within that cell. To cause an epidemic or pandemic, it must also acquire the ability to be transmitted between humans. However, sporadic contamination of wild and domestic mammals by bird flu is becoming increasingly common. Of particular concern is the recent unexpected infection of dairy cows in the U.S. by an avian H5N1 strain, which risks becoming endemic in cattle. This might facilitate adaptation to humans, and indeed, a few cases of transmission to humans have been reported, so far resulting in only mild symptoms. At the heart of this process is the polymerase, an enzyme that orchestrates the virus's replication inside host cells. This flexible protein can rearrange itself according to the different functions it performs during infection. These include transcription—copying the viral RNA into messenger RNA to make viral proteins—and replication—making copies of the viral RNA to package into new viruses. Viral replication is a complex process to study because it involves two viral polymerases and a host cell protein—ANP32. Together, these three proteins form the replication complex, a molecular machine that carries out replication. ANP32 is known as a "chaperone," meaning that it acts as a stabilizer for certain cellular proteins. It can do this thanks to a key structure—its long acidic tail. In 2015, it was discovered that ANP32 is critical for influenza virus replication, but its function was not fully understood. The results of the new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, show that ANP32 acts as a bridge between the two viral polymerases—called replicase and encapsidase. The names reflect the two distinct conformations taken up by the polymerases to perform two different functions—creating copies of the viral RNA (replicase) and packaging the copy inside a protective coating with ANP32's help (encapsidase). Through its tail, ANP32 acts as a stabilizer for the replication complex, allowing it to form within the host cell. Interestingly, the ANP32 tail differs between birds and mammals, although the core of the protein remains very similar. This biological difference explains why the avian influenza virus does not replicate easily in mammals and humans. "The key difference between avian and human ANP32 is a 33-amino-acid insertion in the avian tail, and the polymerase has to adapt to this difference," explained Benoît Arragain, a postdoctoral fellow in the Cusack group and first author of the publication. "For the avian-adapted polymerase to replicate in human cells, it must acquire certain mutations to be able to use human ANP32." To better understand this process, Arragain and his collaborators obtained the structure of the replicase and encapsidase conformations of a human-adapted avian influenza polymerase (from strain H7N9) while they were interacting with human ANP32. This structure gives detailed information about which amino acids are important in forming the replication complex and which mutations could allow the avian influenza polymerase to adapt to mammalian cells. "We also collaborated with the Naffakh group at the Institut Pasteur, who carried out cellular experiments," added Arragain. "In addition, we obtained the structure of the human type B influenza replication complex, which is similar to that of influenza A. The cellular experiments confirmed our structural data." These new insights into the influenza replication complex can be used to study polymerase mutations in other similar strains of the avian influenza virus. It is therefore possible to use the structure obtained from the H7N9 strain and adapt it to other strains such as H5N1. "The threat of a new pandemic caused by highly pathogenic, human-adapted avian influenza strains with a high mortality rate needs to be taken seriously," said Stephen Cusack, EMBL Grenoble Senior Scientist who led the study and has been studying influenza viruses for 30 years.
CDC ends its probe of cucumber Salmonella outbreak after 551 cases -- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday declared its investigation into a multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to cucumbers over after 551 cases and 155 hospitalizations, an increase of 102 cases and 30 hospitalizations since its last update on July 2."Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory data showed that cucumbers were contaminated with Salmonella and made people sick," the CDC said. "Testing identified the SalmonellaBraenderup outbreak strain in untreated canal water used by a grower in Florida. "An additional grower was identified as a likely source of illnesses in this outbreak. Cucumbers from both of these growers are no longer in season and products are no longer on shelves." On May 31, Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. issued a cucumber recall because of the outbreak. But the CDC said, "Recalled cucumbers did not account for all the illnesses in this outbreak." Of the 551 illnesses, 269 people were infected with the Salmonella Braenderup strain and 282 people withSalmonella Africana. Illness-onset dates range from March 11 to July 26, with patient ages ranging from less than 1 year to 94, with a median age of 48. Sixty-eight percent of patients are female, and 84% are White.New York state reported the most cases, 69, followed by Pennsylvania (68), Florida (60), Georgia (48), and Virginia (48). Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia confirmed cases."The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses," the CDC said.
Salmonella outbreak linked to pet turtles sickens at least 51 people in 21 states - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a Salmonella outbreak linked to contact with small pet turtles, similar to several other outbreaks linked to the animals in previous years. In the latest outbreak, the CDC has received reports of 51 illnesses from 21 states, with 23 patients hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Two subtypes are tied to the outbreak, Salmonella Stanley (38) and Salmonella Poona (13). Illness onsets range from August 20, 2023, through July 9, 2024. More than a third of the patients are children younger than 5 years old.Of 41 sick people who were interviewed, 27 (66%) had contact with pet turtles. Of 23 people who reported the size of the turtles, 21 said they had contact with turtles with shells less than 4 inches long. A similar outbreak in 2023 resulted in at least 80 illnesses in 24 states.Genetic sequencing of Salmonella samples from sick patients suggests that their illnesses are closely related, hinting at the same infection source. Also, California officials collected a sample from a sick patient's turtle in June, and tests revealed Salmonella Poona that was closely related to bacteria that infected humans. Testing of turtle and environmental samples from Illinois also yielded the Salmonella Poona outbreak strain. The patient from California had purchased the turtle from a street vendor, and the person from Illinois had gotten the turtle at a souvenir shop. A survey of sick patients found that people had bought the turtles at those and other outlets, which also included online retailers.The CDC urged people not to buy turtles with shells less than 4 inches long due to the well-known infection risk, and it noted that there's federal ban on the sale and distribution of small turtles as pets.
Veterinarian says owners should be aware of the risks of letting their dogs drink from public water sources - When taking your dog for a walk during the scorching summer heat, it may be tempting to allow your dog a few laps from the nearest drinking station in order to cool off. However, shared hydration sources can potentially have dire effects for your beloved furry friend. Dr. Lori Teller, a clinical professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, recommends owners consider the quality of the public water source before letting a pet take a sip, as a well-meaning gesture by a local business owner or neighbor may ultimately be hiding contaminants under the surface."This is of particular concern if the bowl is not cleaned regularly or if the water is left standing for extended periods of time," Teller said. "Stagnant water can retain environmental contaminants, such as plant material, parasites, toxins, mold, and more. Dogs that have stepped in fecal matter and then played in the bowl could leave parasites and bacteria in the water." Teller said diseases that can be transmitted from public water bowls include:
- Kennel cough: a respiratory infection that leads to a gag-like cough, lack of appetite, and labored breathing;
- Canine papilloma: a virus spread through saliva that causes warts in and around the mouth;
- Salmonella: an infection that causes bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting;
- Giardia: a parasite leading to weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting;
- E. coli: a bacteria that causes dehydration, diarrhea, and lack of appetite; and
- Leptospirosis: a bacterial disease commonly spread by rodent urination that can lead to kidney and liver disease, or even death, in dogs.
"Ideally, owners would carry a collapsible, portable bowl and some fresh water with them to give to their dog," Teller said. "Alternatively, they could stop at a restaurant or convenience store and request a cup of water for their dog."While a potential risk will always be present in publicly available water bowls, Teller believes there are certain situations when these risks are worth taking."If your dog is hot and thirsty and at risk of dehydration, then that may take precedence over avoiding the water in the bowl," Teller said.
US agency links high fluoride exposure to lower IQ in kids - A new government report links high fluoride exposure in drinking water to lower IQ in children. The report, published by the Department of Health and Human Services’s National Toxicology Program, examined previously published research and found that drinking water containing more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter is associated with the lower IQs. The report noted it was not designed to evaluate the health effects of fluoride in water, but the findings were made with “moderate confidence.” Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by adding minerals back into a person’s mouth that are lost during normal activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Low levels of fluoride added to drinking water has been considered one of the greatest public health achievements over the last 100 years, The Associated Press reported. The report determined children have lower IQs after being exposed to high levels of fluoride after reviewing epidemiology studies in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico. In those countries, some pregnant women, infants and children were exposed to fluoride higher than 1.5 milligrams per liter of drinking water. The report didn’t say how many IQ points could be lost for being exposed to higher fluoride levels, but some studies suggested IQ can be 2 to 5 points lower in children who were exposed to high levels, the AP noted. The U.S. Public Health Service currently recommends 0.7 milligrams per liter. About 0.6 percent of the U.S. population is on water systems that have 1.5 milligrams per liter, the report noted. The report said it did not find high fluoride exposure to have an impact on adult cognition. It also said there is “insufficient data” to determine whether the United States’s 0.7 recommendation causes negative impacts on children. “Many substances are healthy and beneficial when taken in small doses but may cause harm at high doses,” the report said. “More research is needed to better understand if there are health risks associated with low fluoride exposures.” The report said its findings may be able to help provide information to regulatory agencies that set standards on the safety of fluoride.
EPA finds formaldehyde exposure causes cancer -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that breathing in formaldehyde, a chemical that’s used in building materials and hair straighteners, can cause cancer. In a toxicological review issued this week, the EPA said the substance causes sinus and nasal cancer as well as myeloid leukemia. While the finding itself does not impose new restrictions on the substance’s use, the determination is expected to inform future regulations. The agency plans to take the next step in the regulatory process, which is called a final risk evaluation, by the end of the year, a spokesperson said. This still does not actually regulate the substance, but it would represent another step in that direction.“In light of this assessment, there is no excuse for further delay. EPA needs to promptly finalize the formaldehyde risk evaluation and move on to risk management,” said Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz, a supervising senior attorney at Earthjustice. If the agency ultimately does decide to restrict or ban formaldehyde, it could do so for the substance’s uses including wood products and adhesives. Formaldehyde’s use in hair straightening products is covered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has separately proposed to ban the substance’s use in these products. Kalmuss-Katz said that while the FDA process is separate, the EPA’s finding can bolster the other agency’s effort. The chemical industry criticized the EPA’s finding.
Judge rules EPA must publish more information about chemicals under review -A Washington, D.C., judge ruled this week that the Environmental Protection Agency must disclose more information than it currently does about chemicals pending review under the Toxic Substances Control Act. In the ruling, Judge Loren AliKhan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, a President Biden appointee, sided with a coalition of environmental groups, including the Center for Environmental Health, Defend Our Health, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club and the Environmental Defense Fund. In a November brief, the environmental groups argued that current regulations made it overly complicated for the public to obtain information under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) about such chemicals. In 2020, the EDF challenged updated regulations, arguing that under them, companies that submitted their chemicals for review have too much leeway in claiming that information about it is confidential They also alleged the EPA delayed or failed to make public the records associated with more than 250 applications. Under the new rules, EDF argued, the mandatory disclosures were replaced with a system that allowed the agency to use its own discretion when it comes to transparency. In her ruling, AliKhan largely agreed with the EDF that the TSCA “creates a freestanding right to information independent from the risk-determination process.” She ruled that under the law, the EPA is required to make any nonconfidential information contained in an applicant’s pre-manufacture notice publicly available within five days. The law, she wrote, “vest[s] an enduring right to information that lasts before, during, and after any risk determination” in the same way as the Freedom of Information Act or the Federal Advisory Committee Act. She also disagreed with the EPA’s argument that the complaint is moot because it has since altered its policies, writing because “there is nothing to prevent the EPA from reverting to its ‘old ways,’ plaintiffs’ claims are not moot.”
EPA to fund studies evaluating antimicrobial resistance in wastewater treatment --The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday announced $9 million in research grants to measure the environmental and health impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in wastewater.Oregon State University, the University of Nebraska, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Water Research Foundation in Denver will each receive more than $2 million to study wastewater and sewage sludge treatment systems across the county to better understand how they might aid the evolution and spread of AMR in the environment. Wastewater treatment facilities are viewed as a potential focal point for the spread of AMR in the environment because they receive a mixture of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, AMR genes, and antimicrobial drug residues from multiple sources, including farms, households, and hospitals. And while they can reduce the levels of resistant bacteria and AMR genes in the water, they can't eradicate them completely.Since treated wastewater is discharged into rivers, streams, and other surface waters, that mixture of resistant pathogens and AMR genes may be transmitted to humans and animals. But the extent of transmission, and how it affects humans and animals, is still largely unknown."More information is needed to characterize the occurrence and significance of AMR found in treated municipal wastewater effluent and biosolids," the EPA said in a news release. "In addition, new research is needed to provide a better understanding of the impact of AMR on receiving waters and risks related to AMR in treated wastewater discharge, water reuse, and biosolids." Among the research projects will be efforts to better understand how wastewater treatment processes effect the proliferation and removal of AMR markers, to determine which treatment processes are most effective, and to estimate the human health risks of resistant bacteria and AMR genes in surface waters that receive treated wastewater.
Ghana launches first GMO crop amid debate - A public debate is raging in Ghana as the country launches its first genetically modified crop for commercial cultivation. The Savanna Agricultural Research Institute—one of the 13 research institutes of Ghana's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research—said last month (July) that it had launched a pod borer-resistant cowpea for commercial cultivation in the country. The Maruca vitrata pest, otherwise called the bean pod borer, has ravaged farms in the country, causing farmers in northern Ghana to live in fear of what will happen when harvest time comes. Last year, farmer Hakeem Osman lost a third of the beans he was hoping to harvest on a farm which sprawls across some 15 acres in Ghana's north east region, after an attack by the bean pod borer. Jerry Nboyine, a senior research scientist at the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute, led a team spearheading the development of the genetically modified (GMO) cowpea. This work was to help farmers like Hakeem, who rely on traditional methods of pest control to save their yields. Taking a cue from the Bt corn hybrids developed in the late 1980s, Nboyine and his team introduced the Cry1A gene into existing cowpeas in Ghana. "We started off with a gene known as the Cry1A gene. That particular gene was used to transform a particular cowpea variety," he said. With this new pod borer resistant cowpea, farmers like Hakeem are expected to double their average yield, getting more than 20 bags per hectare, instead of the current less than 10, and spraying only two times, instead of the current eight. The researchers did a number of tests on the new variety and concluded that it was safe. GMOs, however, are controversial in Ghana. In May this year, Ghana's Human Rights Court threw out a lawsuit challenging the introduction of this GMO seed into the country, putting to an end a nine-year bruising court battle between the country's National Biosafety Authority and civil society groups. "As a civil society organization, we've been cautious to look at what the hurry is for Ghana to go into GMO, when these basic factors wouldn't improve Ghana's well-being as far as food production," says Edwin Kweku Andoh Baffour, who works with Food Sovereignty Ghana, one of the organizations in the suit. "What is the point of investing this money, especially when you are making irreversible changes to the biodiversity in our nation?" asks Baffour. Baffour also raised concerns about the safety of GMOs, questioning the absence of long-term studies on their health impacts. Sulemana Issifu, Ph.D. Researcher, Agronomy in the Tropics and Subtropics, Hans Ruthenberg Institute, raised concerns about the impact of the GM crop on other organisms. "As I continue to study the data, I become increasingly worried," Issifu told SciDev.Net. But the news of a pest-resistant GMO cowpea variety excites farmers like Hakeem. "If there's a new variety that can resist pests, it would be very beneficial to us because when we see that one, we won't waste money on the chemicals. It will also help us save money," Hakeem told SciDev.Net. With the court case now out of the way, the researchers are looking to immediately commercialize the seeds, as cowpea is a major staple in Ghana.
Can Plastic Waste Be Transformed Into Food for Humans? --In 2019, an agency within the U.S. Department of Defense released a call for research projects to help the military deal with the copious amount of plastic waste generated when troops are sent to work in remote locations or disaster zones. The agency wanted a system that could convert food wrappers and water bottles, among other things, into usable products, such as fuel and rations. The system needed to be small enough to fit in a Humvee and capable of running on little energy. It also needed to harness the power of plastic-eating microbes. The problems with plastic production and disposal are well known. According to the United Nations Environment Program, the world creates about 440 million tons of plastic waste per year. Much of it ends up inlandfills or in the ocean, where microplastics, plastic pellets, and plastic bags pose a threat to wildlife. Many governments and experts agree that solving the problem will require reducing production, and some countries and U.S. states have additionally introduced policies to encourage recycling.For years, scientists have also been experimenting with various species of plastic-eating bacteria. But DARPA is taking a slightly different approach in seeking a compact and mobile solution that uses plastic to create something else entirely: food for humans. The goal, Techtmann hastens to add, is not to feed people plastic. Rather, the hope is that the plastic-devouring microbes in his system will themselves prove fit for human consumption. While Techtmann believes most of the project will be ready in a year or two, it’s this food step that could take longer. His team is currently doing toxicity testing, and then they will submit their results to the Food and Drug Administration for review. Even if all that goes smoothly, an additional challenge awaits. There’s an ick factor, said Techtmann, “that I think would have to be overcome.” According to Tender, DARPA’s call for proposals was aimed at solving two problems at once. First, the agency hoped to reduce what he called supply-chain vulnerability: During war, the military needs to transport supplies to troops in remote locations, which creates a safety risk for people in the vehicle. Additionally, the agency wanted to stop usinghazardous burn pits as a means of dealing with plastic waste. “Getting those waste products off of those sites responsibly is a huge lift,” Tender said. Research into edible microorganisms dates back at least 60 years, but the body of evidence is decidedly small. (One review estimated that since 1961, an average of seven papers have been published per year.) Still, researchers in the field say there are good reasons for countries to consider microbes as a food source. Among other things, they are rich in protein, wrote Sang Yup Lee, a bioengineer and senior vice president for research at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, in an email to Undark. Lee and others have noted that growing microbes requires less land and water than conventional agriculture. Therefore, they might prove to be a more sustainable source of nutrition, particularly as the human population grows. At the moment, only certain microorganisms are considered safe to eat, namely “those we have been eating thorough fermented food and beverages, such as lactic acid bacteria, bacillus, some yeasts.” But these don’t degrade plastics.Before using the plastic-eating microbes as food for humans, the research team will submit evidence to regulators indicating that the substance is safe. Joshua Pearce, an electrical engineer at Western University in Ontario, Canada, performed the initial toxicology screening, breaking the microbes down into smaller pieces, which they compared against known toxins. “We’re pretty sure there’s nothing bad in there,” said Pearce. He added that the microbes have also been fed to C. elegans roundworms without apparent ill-effects, and the team is currently looking at how rats do when they consume the microbes over the longer term. If the rats do well, then the next step would be to submit data to the Food and Drug Administration for review.
Tropical Storm Ernesto strengthens back into a hurricane -Tropical Storm Ernesto became a hurricane again Sunday as it churned away from Bermuda and headed further out in the northeastern Atlantic, sending powerful swells toward the U.S. East Coast, generating rip currents associated with at least one death and prompting many rescues.The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Ernesto’s maximum sustained winds were 75 mph (120 kph), just barely Category 1 strength.More strengthening was forecast before Ernesto weakens and becomes a post-tropical cyclone on Tuesday, the hurricane center said. The storm was centered about 520 miles (840 kilometers) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was expected to pass near southeastern Newfoundland late Monday and early Tuesday.Swells generated by Ernesto were affecting portions of the Bahamas, Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast as well as the Canadian Atlantic coast. Life-threatening surf and rip current conditions are likely in these areas during the next couple of days, the hurricane center said.The National Weather Service posted a coastal flood advisory and warned of a high risk for rip currents along the Atlantic Coast through Monday evening, saying they “can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.”
Outer Banks home falls into the ocean, highlighting a grim trend. See the photos. On Friday, residents of Rodanthe in North Carolina's Outer Banks witnessed another unfortunate, yet increasingly common, event: a house collapsing into the ocean.The combination of high tides and waves from Hurricane Ernesto, which was hundreds of miles away, contributed to the latest collapse that took place at Hatteras Island in Rodanthe. No one was inside the home at the time, according to reports. Rodanthe, a community of roughly 184 residents, has lost seven homes to the ocean in the past four years, according to the National Park Service. Much of that may be attributed to climate change, according to the New York Times. Officials warn that more homes are at risk as Ernesto continues to affect the East Coast, though the storm is not expected to make landfall in the United States. The National Hurricane Center warned that Ernesto will bring potentially “life-threatening” rip currents and high surf along the East Coast, particularly in North Carolina and South Carolina, over the next couple of days.
Watch: Video shows house collapsing from Hurricane Ernesto swells | CNN
Hurricane “Ernesto” to pass near Newfoundland, Canada before racing toward Europe - Hurricane “Ernesto” made landfall on Bermuda’s western coast as a Category 1 hurricane at 09:00 UTC on August 17, 2024. The storm brought maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph), heavy rainfall, large surf, and a dangerous storm surge. On the latest forecast track, the center of Ernesto will pass near southeastern Newfoundland tonight, August 19, and early Tuesday, August 20. After that, Ernesto will weaken and race toward Europe.
- Swells generated by Ernesto continue to affect Bermuda, the northeastern United States, and Atlantic Canada, posing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
- Beach goers should be aware that there is a significant risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents, and should stay out of the water if advised by lifeguards.
- Large breaking waves could cause coastal flooding in southeastern Newfoundland, particularly along southwest-facing shorelines from Burin to Avalon regions.
- While no coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect, residents in southeastern Newfoundland are advised to monitor the storm’s progress.
Despite the severe weather, Bermuda, with a population of 64 000, reported no significant injuries or major property damage. However, 71% of the territory’s 36 000 power customers experienced outages, and there was widespread flooding and downed trees.Lyndon Raynor, a risk management official, reported that there were no major incidents or property damage calls, with most reports involving flooding.“I’m happy to report that there have been no calls for service for any major incidents or damage to any property, and those calls that we’ve received over the last six hours or so are primarily flooding,” Raynor said.While Bermuda reported no fatalities, powerful rip currents and dangerous beach conditions along the coast of the United States were blamed for the deaths of two people in South Carolina on Friday, August 16.According to Capt. William Angelo of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to a possible drowning call at 10:28 LT. However, when the officers arrived, they saw beach patrol and paramedics performing CPR on a 65-year-old man who later died. The second fatality was as 73-year-old man who drowned on Friday afternoon (LT).“Both of them, appears they got caught up in the rip currents,” Angelo said.Ernesto weakened into a tropical storm early August 18 and re-strengthened into a hurricane again at 21:00 UTC on August 18. At the time, it was located 840 km (520 miles) S of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and 1 310 km (815 miles) SW of Cape Race, Newfoundland, Canada. At 15:00 UTC on Monday, August 19, its center was located about 515 km (320 miles) SE of Halifax and 695 km (430 miles) SW of Cape Race.
Hurricane Ernesto's Remnants Will End Up In Ireland | Weather.com -- Hurricane Ernesto's remnants will make a transatlantic journey while merging with a frontal system through midweek, eventually helping to enhance rain and wind in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Similar to a transatlantic flight, Ernesto will get whisked eastward by the jet stream, which is a narrow ribbon of stronger winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere. As that happens, the remnant energy and moisture from Ernesto will get pulled into a separate low-pressure system located to its north, as illustrated in the map below. That means Ireland and the United Kingdom (especially north and west areas) will see rain and gusty winds later Wednesday into Thursday, with Ernesto's leftover moisture and energy being partly to blame. About two storms of tropical origin impact Europe each year, according to recent research. Northern parts of the continent are more likely to be impacted than southern areas. Impacts can vary from minor to major in Europe. The impact from Ernesto's remnants leans more toward the minor end of this spectrum when it comes to former tropical storms and hurricanes making this journey. One of the most potent recent examples happened with former Hurricane Ophelia in October 2017. While Ophelia lost its tropical characteristics before reaching Ireland, it produced wind gusts to 119 mph in Ireland and 86 mph in the U.K. Three were killed in Ireland in what was considered its worst storm in 50 years. It's not just Ireland and the United Kingdom - other parts of western Europe have had multiple encounters in recent years. Subtropical Storm Alpha made landfall in Portugal in 2020, becoming the first known subtropical or tropical cyclone to do so in that country.Former Hurricane Leslie brought wind gusts over 100 mph to Portugal and flooding to France in 2018.
Deadly storms batter the Northeast and cause severe flash flooding, submerging cars and prompting water rescues --Severe thunderstorms and showers across the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast triggered deadly flash flooding in the tristate area, where roads were turned into rivers, cars were submerged in fast-rising waters, and water rescues unfolded on Long Island and in Connecticut.Heavy rain pounded New York, Connecticut and New Jersey overnight. Two locations — Suffolk County, New York, and parts of Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut — experienced historic rain, reaching the threshold of 1,000-year rainfall event. About 10 inches of rain fell in 12 hours around Oxford and Southbury, Connecticut; meanwhile, Suffolk County clocked an estimated 7 inches in three hours near Stony Brook. In Long Island, a flash flood emergency was declared Sunday evening for Suffolk County and expired early Monday. The National Weather Service office in New York reported that locally over 10 inches of rain were recorded in some areas in the storms from Saturday night through Monday morning. Multiple water rescues were taking place Sunday night in parts of Nesconset, Ronkonkoma, Smithtown and St. James, in Suffolk County, the weather office said.Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine said Monday morning he would sign an order declaring a state of emergency after having surveyed storm damage. Meanwhile, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Sunday called the deluge a "historic storm in some areas" of the state, noting urban search-and-rescue teams helped evacuate at least 100 people.On Monday he declared a state of emergency in response to “significant flooding” that “has caused extensive structural damage to roadways.” He said more than two dozen roads will be closed for an extended period and urged locals to avoid driving through flooded roads.At least three people have died.Two women died after they were "swept away from their vehicles" in floodwaters Sunday in Oxford, Connecticut, Connecticut State Police said in a news conference Monday morning.State police had responded to Route 67 in Oxford around 5 p.m. Sunday for a report of two missing people amid intense flooding. The bodies of Ethelyn Joiner, 65, and Audrey Rostkowski, 71, both of Oxford, were recovered Monday, police said in a news release.In Henrico County, Virginia, a man was found dead Sunday afternoon after large tree fell on top of his vehicle, the Henrico County Police Division said. In Danbury, Connecticut, video showed cars submerged in knee-deep flooding.Multiple buildings in Danbury were evacuated Sunday after city officials described a “mudslide situation” triggered by flooding. Emergency crews also evacuated 100 people from a housing complex for older people, and fire officials said at least 20 people were rescued from flooded cars, the Danbury Fire Department said. In New York City, video on social media showed water pouring down from the ceiling of the popular tourist destination Chelsea Market. The deluge has also affected transit. The Metro-North Railroad suspended the Waterbury Branch service in both directions early Monday because of a mudslide near Seymour. Amtrak also suspended rail traffic Sunday night between New York and Philadelphia because of flooding.Ground stops were issued at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and departures were grounded at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey because of the thunderstorms Sunday night.The intense Northeast rain is connected not to Hurricane Ernesto but to a slow-moving summer cold front producing thunderstorms.Even more rain is on the way with more thunderstorms forecast across the Northeast and New England on Monday afternoon and evening.Flooding rain is most likely from Connecticut north into Vermont and New Hampshire, where additional rain amounts of 1 to 4 inches will be possible. Cities likely to be affected by flooding include New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Montpelier and Burlington, Vermont.
Slow-moving thunderstorms drop historic rainfall, causing catastrophic flooding in parts of Connecticut - (3 news videos) Slow-moving thunderstorms produced extremely heavy rainfall in parts of southwestern Connecticut on August 18, 2024, particularly affecting Fairfield and New Haven counties. The historic downpour caused widespread flash flooding, with Monroe experiencing a rare one in a 200-year event. Southwestern Connecticut was hit by exceptionally heavy rainfall on Sunday, August 18, with some areas recording up to 300 mm (12 inches) and prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a Flash Flood Emergency. The most affected regions included Fairfield and New Haven counties, where the deluge caused significant flash flooding, leading to multiple water rescues and substantial damage to infrastructure. David Stark of the NWS office in New York reported that parts of southwestern Connecticut received between 152 and 254 mm (6 – 10 inches) of rainfall within a six to nine-hour period, with the majority of the rain falling during the afternoon. Monroe in Fairfield County was hit particularly hard, recording 254 mm (9.98 inches) of rain. This volume of rainfall was classified as a one in 200-year event for the city. The NWS office in New York issued a Flash Flood Emergency for several communities in southwestern Connecticut, describing the situation as “particularly dangerous” and noting that “widespread water rescues are taking place” as rainfall rates reached between 25 and 51 mm (1 – 2 inches) per hour. The heavy rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to severe flash flooding that washed out roads and stranded vehicles in cities such as Stamford, Danbury, and Southbury. Flooding was also reported in cities such as Oxford — where an astonishing 342.9 mm (13.5 inches) were reported through 23:00 LT on Sunday, Seymour, and Cheshire. In Danbury, emergency services responded to a mudslide at the Woodland Hills Complex on Shelter Rock Road, which caused a gas leak and led to evacuations. The NWS and Danbury Emergency Management coordinated the response efforts as utility crews worked to secure the area. In neighboring New Jersey, flash flooding led to the delay of Amtrak trains between New York and Philadelphia on Sunday evening. The severe weather also disrupted air travel, with over 700 flights canceled across the three major airports near New York City—JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented ground stops at these airports, which remained in effect until late Sunday evening.
Connecticut declares state of emergency after 2 killed and ‘hundreds’ evacuated during flash flooding— The governor of Connecticut declared a state of emergency after historic flooding left two dead and prompted hundreds of evacuations over the weekend, he said in a Monday news conference. “This declaration can help expedite some of the resources needed for us to respond, including potential federal support,” Gov. Ned Lamont wrote in a post on X. “Hundreds of evacuations and swift water rescues were necessary to remove people from dangerous areas and shelters were opened.” The two people were found dead in the town of Oxford, Fire Chief Scott Pelletier told CNN Monday. The town is about 15 miles northwest of New Haven. One female victim was swept away in floodwaters while firefighters were trying to perform a rescue Sunday afternoon, Pelletier said at the Monday news conference. The other was in a vehicle and was “clinging” to a sign as firefighters in high-wheel vehicles tried to reach her. The racing water was “too much” and swept her away, he said. Both victims were Oxford residents, according to Connecticut State Police. “We are talking about rainfall in some areas in the 1,000-year level,” Brenda Bergeron, deputy commissioner at the state Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, said at the Monday news conference, meaning it was so intense that on average it should only happen every 1,000 years. A flash flood emergency issued Sunday was later downgraded to a flood warning in the cities of Waterbury, Danbury and the town of Fairfield. First responders rescued 19 people and a dog Sunday night from an Oxford restaurant and nearby apartment, Jeremy Rodorigo, Beacon Falls emergency management director, told CNN. The Brookside Inn was surrounded by rushing water with about 18 people inside, Rodorigo said. “We were concerned that the restaurant was compromised and was going to get washed away,” he said. “We had a very short window of time to get over there, set up a ladder truck and extend our ladder 100 feet to rescue them.” Responders also rescued an older woman and her dog from the apartment connected to the property, Rodorigo said. Southwestern Connecticut saw 6 to 10 inches of rainfall in about six to nine hours Sunday, David Stark of the National Weather Service in New York told CNN. Monroe, Connecticut, received 9.98 inches of rain – a one in 200-year event for the city. Additional rain is expected across the Northeast Monday afternoon, with a level 2 out of 4 risk of excessive rainfall in place for parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York state. About 1-2 inches of accumulated rain are expected in the region, with some areas expecting up to 3 inches. “Emergency management is continuing to report ongoing water rescues, several mudslides, numerous washed out roadways and bridges as well as swollen rivers taking place from Central Fairfield County into Northern New Haven County. In addition, emergency management official are assessing the integrity of several dams in the area,” the weather service said late Sunday. “Our infrastructure is broken, our main highway that runs through this town is broken, we have loss of life, we have a loss of businesses, we have people who have significant damages to their homes,” state Sen. Eric Berthel said. Nearby Seymour, a town of almost 17,000, also saw “heartbreaking and gut-churning” devastation, Sen. Richard Blumenthal said at the news conference. There was severe damage “not just to the physical infrastructure, roads, bridges” but also “to the small businesses, who have suffered damage they cannot recover,” he said. Blumenthal noted many of the affected businesses did not have flood insurance, as flooding is relatively uncommon in the area.In neighboring New York, nearly 1 million people in the Suffolk County area were under a flash flood emergency early Monday, the weather service in New York City said.About 2 to 4 inches of rain had fallen, with an additional 1 to 2 inches possible, the weather service said, warning of “flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.”The heavy rainfall also created dangerous driving conditions in Connecticut, prompting several cities and towns – including Stamford, Danbury, Southbury and Naugatuck – to close roads.“A good number of roads in the western portion of the state are closed and are expected to remain closed for an extended period,” Lamont said in his statement. Train service was also suspended in some areas. A mudslide near Seymour, Connecticut, resulted in suspended train service in both directions on the Metro-North Railroad Waterbury Branch. On Sunday afternoon, heavy rainfall also triggered a mudslide, leading to a gas leak near an apartment complex in Danbury, which had to be evacuated, Danbury Public Information Officer Erin Henry told CNN.
Tornado strikes Ayr, Ontario as severe storms bring record rainfall to Greater Toronto Area, Canada - A tornado hit Ayr, Ontario, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, causing extensive damage and forcing evacuations. The storm system then moved southeastward toward the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where it triggered severe weather warnings and dropped more than a month’s worth of rainfall. North Dumfries Fire Chief Robert Shantz confirmed that the tornado hit at approximately 11:00 local time (LT), following an emergency tornado warning issued by Environment Canada. The tornado caused substantial damage, particularly to the local Home Hardware store. Chief Shantz reported extensive damage at the store, which, along with surrounding businesses, was evacuated. No injuries were reported, although North Dumfries fire crews remained on the scene due to a reported smell of natural gas. The storm system that produced the tornado in Ayr then moved southeastward into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), bringing severe thunderstorms and record-breaking rainfall. The storm disrupted operations at Toronto Pearson Airport, where flight diversions and ground delays were reported. Leaks occurred in Terminals 1 and 3, and the Terminal Link Train experienced a temporary service disruption due to water on a platform. Despite these challenges, both terminals remained operational. Trudy Kidd, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, stated that Pearson International Airport received 78 mm (3.1 inches) of rain by Saturday afternoon, breaking the previous daily record of 27.9 mm (1.1 inches) set on August 17, 1932. The airport receives an average of 68.5 mm (2.69 inches) of rain during the month of August, making yesterday’s 78 mm (3.1 inches) more than a month’s worth of rain in one day. The heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding across the GTA, particularly in Mississauga, where roads were submerged, trapping vehicles and pedestrians.
Urban street setup, building density may intensify flood risks: Study --The setup and density of urban neighborhoods may be exacerbating the intensity of flood risks in areas already suffering from climate-induced weather extremes, University of California (UC) researchers determined in a new study. Cities worldwide have become increasingly prone to flooding due to the compounding impacts of stronger storms and population growth, the authors noted. But “urban form” — construction density and street networking — may be intensifying that flooding, according to the study, published Monday in Nature Communications.While strategies aimed at making cities more resilient to floods have already begun to emerge, relatively little information is available as to how urban form contributes to concentrating these deluges, the researchers explained.They therefore decided to harness statistical mechanics to generate a new formula that could help urban planners more easily assess the flood risks associated with land development shifts.Lead author Sarah Balaian, a UC Irvine doctoral candidate in civil and environmental engineering, stressed the importance of deploying such tools in a future marked by more severe weather events. Densely concentrated masses of people — many of whom lack adequate protection or escape routes — could be especially vulnerable to these conditions, she said in a statement.. “Detailed modeling worldwide is presently impossible for many cities because of inadequate data, so our team was motivated to develop a new way of looking at flood risk based on the form of the built urban environment,” Balaian added. To generate their formula, the researchers said they found inspiration in how physicists develop universal theories that apply to complex systems, such as disordered and porous materials. In the same manner, they created a formula that could help account for city-to-city variations in flood hazards at a neighborhood-scale worldwide, according to co-author Mohammad Javad Abdolhosseini Qomi, a UC Irvine associate professor of civil and environmental engineering. “We can probe differences between cities experiencing flood hazards,” Qomi said, noting that they were able “to show links between flood losses, urban form and observed rainfall extremes.” Co-author Brett Sanders, a UC Irvine professor in both civil and environmental engineering and in urban planning and public policy, touted the new formula for its basis in thousands of flood simulations across many different urban forms. “The equation can also be taught in our classes so that the next generation of civil engineers is able to anticipate the potential impacts of land development on flood hazards,”
Vienna hit by record rainfall, nearly average summer total in just one hour, Austria - Heavy rains struck Austria over the weekend, particularly affecting the Alpine regions and Vienna. The torrential downpours caused severe flooding, with record rainfall recorded in parts of Vienna, leading to significant damage and disruption to transport. Vienna’s Doebling district experienced a record-breaking downpour on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with 110 mm (4.33 inches) of rain, setting a new August record for the city. Typically, Vienna sees 68 mm (2.68 inches) of rain for the entire month of August. While the all-time record for a single day remains 139 mm (5.47 inches) from May 15, 1885, the intense rainfall on Saturday, according to ORF Vienna meteorologist Kevin Hebenstreit, nearly matched the city’s average summer total in just one hour. In Vienna, the heavy rain caused widespread chaos, particularly in the Doebling area, where a woman was critically injured after being swept under a bus by the floodwaters on Saturday. The flooding also led to extensive disruptions in road and rail transport across the capital. The city’s fire services were overwhelmed, responding to more than 450 emergency calls on Saturday as residents grappled with the effects of the downpours. In St. Anton, located in western Austria, torrents of muddy water swept through the ski resort town, carrying cars along in the fast-moving currents. This incident occurred on Friday, August 16, and was captured in footage shared on social media.
Luxury yacht sinks off Sicily, leaving U.K. tech magnate Mike Lynch, 2 Americans among those missing - Six people, including two U.S. nationals, a British technology entrepreneur and one of his daughters, were still missing Tuesday after a large luxury sailing yacht sank off the coast of the southern Italian island of Sicily during a violent storm. The 184-foot Bayesian had been anchored about half a mile off the port of Porticello, near Palermo, with 22 people on board — 10 crew members and 12 passengers.The vessel sank at about 5 a.m. local time (11 p.m. Eastern, Sunday) after being hit by a possible waterspout spawned by the storm. Italian media said the winds snapped the boat's single mast, unbalancing the vessel and causing it to capsize.Fifteen of those on board managed to escape the yacht and were rescued by a Dutch-flagged vessel that was anchored in the immediate vicinity. They were brought ashore by Italian Coast Guard and firefighters. One body — an unidentified male — was recovered, but six people remained missing, including British software magnate Mike Lynch, once described as Britain's Bill Gates. Lynch was acquitted in June of fraud charges in the U.S. that could have landed him with a decades-long prison sentence. In an unusual twist, Lynch's co-defendant in that fraud case, who was also acquitted, died Saturday after being hit by a car while out jogging in England. Lynch's teenage daughter Hannah was also among those missing, along with Lynch's American lawyer Chris Morvillo, a former assistant district attorney in New York, and his wife Neda. British banker Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanley International, was also still missing Tuesday.
Catastrophic flood in Nepal’s Solukhumbu District destroys half of Thame village – (video) A glacial lake outburst caused a massive flash flood in Nepal’s Thame village on Friday, August 16, 2024. The flooded Thame River destroyed almost half of the village and left nearly the entire village uninhabitable. Thame village in the Namche region of Solukhumbu District, Nepal, experienced a massive flash flood on Friday, caused by a glacial lake outburst, according to the government and an international organization working in the Hindu Kush mountain region. The flooded Thame River carried mud, gravel, and boulders down the Himalayan slopes, destroying 20 houses, an elementary school, and a clinic in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. Approximately 135 people have been displaced as the Thame riverside settlement was buried under mud and stones. An official inspection using helicopters on Saturday, August 17, confirmed that the flood was caused by a glacial lake outburst. Two of the five small lakes above Thame village in the Everest region were emptied of their water, having breached their banks on Friday. Two other lakes are potentially dangerous and may breach at any time, while the remaining one appears safe, according to Solukhumbu Chief District Officer Devi Pandey. A team from the army was deployed to rescue the villagers, with police personnel also dispatched to initiate rescue and rehabilitation operations. No casualties have been reported so far, but roughly 50 percent of Thame village has been severely damaged, and the remaining houses are uninhabitable. A school, a health clinic, and 15 houses were completely destroyed by the flood, according to the police. Several attempts to fly helicopters from Kathmandu, Itahari, and Phaplu Airport for rescue operations and inspection of the flood-affected areas failed on Friday due to adverse weather. 93 villagers who fled to higher altitudes or were rescued are now being sheltered in an army camp, while 42 others have been temporarily placed in a community building. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) attributed the flood to an outburst of water from the Thyanbo glacial lake. “ICIMOD scientists are further investigating the causes of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) and its downstream impact, including seeking pre- and post-satellite images to complement the efforts of national and local agencies, including Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology,” read a statement issued by the research institute on Saturday. A GLOF is a type of outburst flood occurring when water dammed by a glacier or a moraine is released. Several glacial lakes lie upstream of Thame. Satellite images of the area from 2017, obtained using the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Earth observation program, show these lakes constantly changing in size, said ICIMOD. “Researchers confirm that some of them frequently expand and contract, making them susceptible to breaches,” they added.
100 mm (3.9 inches) of rain in one hour floods Tokyo, Japan - (video) Roughly 100 mm (3.9 inches) of rain fell over Tokyo in an hour on Thursday, August 22, 2024, causing severe flooding across the city, overwhelming the drainage system, and causing manhole covers to blow off. The Meteorological Agency issued warnings across the capital and its vicinity due to unstable atmospheric conditions. The rain was attributed to what is known in Japan as “guerrilla rainstorms” or “guerrilla thunderstorms.” When accompanied by thunder, these localized heavy downpours occur suddenly and are difficult to predict. Visuals on social media showed severe inundation across several locations such as train stations, stores, and streets. The intense downpours and flooding overwhelmed the city’s drainage system causing manhole covers to blow up in the Nishi-Shinjuku region. Tokaido Shinkansen high-speed train service and operations at Haneda Airport were temporarily suspended due to the inundation and rain, no injuries or significant damage were reported, and services have since resumed.
Bangladesh floods leave millions stranded and cause multiple fatalities - Severe floods caused by torrential rains have left millions stranded in low-lying regions of Bangladesh. The flood waters have claimed several lives and severely damaged infrastructure. Severe floods triggered by heavy torrential rains have inundated low-lying regions of Bangladesh. The relentless rains and floods have stranded roughly 3 million people, claimed 2 lives, and caused severe damage to infrastructure, said a statement by the disaster management ministry of Bangladesh on August 22. At least 13 people have been killed and 4.5 million affected by floods triggered in eastern Bangladesh, reported Al Jazeera. Three people died after drowning in floodwaters in the southeastern region of Cox’s Bazar, according to the chief administrative officer of Ramu district Rasedul Islam. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) has warned that with the rains continuing, water levels could rise further over the next 24 hours. Continuing rains could cause a rise in water levels through August 23, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC). Road connectivity in several regions was severed, isolating communities and hampering relief efforts, said the disaster management and relief officials. The most affected districts in Bangladesh included Feni, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Comilla, and Chittagong, where five major rivers were flowing above danger levels, according to FFWC. Feni the main port city of Chittagong was the worst hit by the floods. Roughly 190 000 people were taken to emergency relief shelters and 11 out of the 64 districts in the country were affected by the flooding.
Devastating floods in Chad’s desert province of Tibesti claim at least 54 lives - Severe flooding caused by heavy torrential rains from August 9 to 14, 2024 has devastated Chad’s northern province of Tibesti, leaving at least 54 people dead. Heavy torrential rains from August 9 to 14 caused severe flooding in Chad’s northern province of Tibesti, resulting in at least 54 casualties, according to local authorities. The flooding swept away thousands of shops and vehicles, said Mahamat Tochi Chidi, governor of Tibesti province. Most of the dead and missing are believed to be foreign informal gold miners working in the province, according to Brahim Edji Mahamat, head of a local association. Flooding is unusual for this desert area, according to the National Meteorological Agency (NMA). The torrential rains are a climate event that impacts this region of Chad every five to ten years, said Idriss Abdallah Hassan, head of the NMA. He added that annual rainfall in the area usually struggles to reach 200 mm (7.87 inches). Tibesti Province is named after the Tibesti Mountains, a prominent mountain range that extends into northern Chad and southern Libya. Tibesti Province is known for its rugged terrain, including high peaks, deep valleys, and desert landscapes. The region is sparsely populated and has a harsh climate, with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Southeastern Chad, the opposite side of the country, also experienced severe flooding. Koukou and surrounding villages in the province of Sila were hit by heavy rains in early August. Wadi Bahr Azoum, a seasonal riverbed that is usually dry at this time of the year and runs alongside the town, overflowed on August 5, causing a large part of Koukou to flood on August 6. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), by August 7, at least 40 people had died, and more than 112 413 people were affected by flooding in 13 provinces, including 71 000 in Sila, 18 000 in Logone Oriental, 8 400 in Logone Occidental, 3 900 in Chari Baguirmi, and at least 1 356 in N’Djamena city (southwestern Chad). Additionally, 6 799 houses were damaged. The water rose again on Friday, August 9, with more intensity than before, resulting in flooding that has been described as the worst in living memory. The entire town was devastated as the waters wreaked havoc on Koukou and surrounding villages. “The water came in a huge surge, with high speed and high force,” said Julie Melichar, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Sila project coordinator. “In places, people could no longer walk—they had to swim.” “We saw people fleeing, panicking that they could not make it out in time. We could hear houses collapsing all around us. We saw people watching their homes being destroyed in front of them. Thousands of people moved from the town to the hills to seek refuge. They tried to take whatever they could with them, but it was very little,” Melichar added.
Western Turkey wildfires continued raging for a 3rd day, worsened by windy and dry weather - Wildfires raged across western Turkey for a third straight day Saturday, exacerbated by high winds and warm temperatures, authorities said.More than 130 fires have erupted across the country in the past week, according to Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate. Most have been brought under control, but eight major fires continued in the provinces of Izmir, Aydin, Manisa, Karabuk and Bolu.Thousands of firefighters were tackling the blazes on land and from the air, with dozens of aircraft and hundreds of vehicles aiding in the emergency response.Thousands of people have been evacuated from the affected areas, but there have been no reported casualties, according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli, who spoke to reporters Saturday as he toured the affected provinces.Yumakli cited low humidity, high winds and high temperatures as exacerbating factors. The General Directorate of Forestry warned people not to light fires outside for the next 10 days because of the weather conditions across western Turkey, warning of a 70% greater risk of wildfires.Meanwhile, authorities detained four people in Bolu in connection with the fires, two of whom were arrested and two released.In June, a fire spread through settlements in southeast Turkey, killing 11 people and leaving dozens of others requiring medical treatment.
Greece Braces for More Wildfires While Storm Lilian Crosses UK – - Greek wildfire risks increased as temperatures climb and near gale force winds blow across the Aegean Sea, while Storm Lilian is battering parts of the UK. There is a very high risk of fires in Athens and the surrounding Attica region, plus northeast Peloponnese and islands including Lesvos, Samos and Evia. The Etesian winds or meltemia will blow from the north over the weekend. “For the next three days we will have difficult weather conditions and the meltemia summer winds will prevail,” said Civil Protection Minister Vasilis Kikilias. Greece and the Balkans have been seared by heat waves and forest fires this summer, as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. While this season has seen the most blazes in more than two decades in Greece, the deployment of drones and cameras has allowed the authorities to largely contain the outbreaks. There were 27 wildfires in the 24 hours to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Temperatures on the Greek mainland will reach as high as 39C (102F) on Saturday. On the Atlantic Ocean island of Madeira, Portuguese firefighters are continuing to tackle a blaze that started last week in a hard-to-access mountainous area. There is currently no risk of the wildfire reaching the city of Funchal, according to the authorities. Storm Lilian — which includes the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto — is bringing strong winds and heavy rain to northern England, north Wales and southern Scotland. The 12th named storm of the season will generate wind gusts of up to 75 miles (121 kilometers) per hour. Orange wind alerts are also in place for the Dutch and German coasts.
July was hottest on record, NOAA says, with 2024 likely to be warmest year to date - Last month was the warmest July on record for the last 175 years, experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday. This marks the 14 consecutive month of record-breaking global warm temperatures, said Karin Gleason, monitoring section chief for NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information. NOAA's findings differed very slightly from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, another resource for seasonal forecasts, which ranked July 2024 as the second hottest July on record, behind July 2023."NOAA data set the record warm July by three hundredths of a degree Celsius," said Gleason. "It's essentially very close to a virtual tie [to July 2023] by all intents and purposes."Parts of the western and eastern U.S. saw above-average or record warm temperatures, NOAA said, with New Hampshire and California the most above average. All signs point to 2024 becoming a year for the record books: according to NOAA's statistical analysis, there is a 77% chance that it will be the warmest year, and nearly a 100% chance that it will be one of the top five.As temperatures peaked last month, drought conditions also intensified across parts of the United States, including the Ohio Valley, the central and southern plains, the Pacific Northwest, the Northern Rockies, and the Hawaiian Islands.Approximately 22% of the United States is currently in drought, NOAA data indicates, up from 3.5% from early July. In the western U.S., lack of moisture in the air and below average precipitation contributed to drought conditions, said Andy Hoell, research meteorologist at the NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory. These conditions laid the groundwork for more intense wildfires. There are currently over 80 wildfires of 100 acres or more burning across the country, the majority of which are concentrated in the West. You can track the latest in CBS News' interactive Wildfire Watch maps."The location of these wildland fires in the western United States closely corresponds to areas experiencing drought in which vegetation health is low," said Hoell.California's Park Fire, the 4th biggest wildfire in the state's history,rapidly grew to over 429,000 acres since it started on July 24. Back-to-back days with temperatures above 100 degrees facilitated the spread of the blaze, Hoell said. NOAA has recorded 19 separate billion-dollar disasters from January to July of this year, including the South Fork Fire, a blaze that started mid-June in the town of Ruido+++++++++++so, New Mexico, and destroyed over 1,000 buildings. NOAA forecasters also said Thursday there's a 66% chance that La Niña, a weather pattern characterized by cooler temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, will arrive this fall, and likely endure through the winter into next year. The opposing climate pattern known as El Niño, associated with warmer ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, came to an end in June after a year-long reign, according to NOAA. "If La Niña continues through the winter, we would expect drier than normal conditions over Southern California and the Southwest," said Brad Pugh, a meteorologist with the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. La Niña is known to weaken winds over the Atlantic Basin, which increases the likelihood of hurricane activity. While the weather pattern could still be a ways away, forecasters say the warm surface temperatures already present in the Tropical Atlantic will make for notable hurricane activity in the coming weeks.
More than 47,000 people died in Europe last year due to heat, study estimates. Here are the countries most impacted. - Over 47,000 people died in Europe last year due to heat, a new report published Monday in Nature Medicine estimates. The study was led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, known as ISGlobal, which looked at a trove of historical temperature and mortality records from 35 different countries to make its calculations.The year 2023 broke records for being the hottest year to date, and experts think 2024 could be next: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said there is a 1 in 3 chance that this year will be warmer than 2023. Researchers for the Nature Medicine study stipulated the 47,690 estimated deaths occurred between late May and early October, with over half occurring during just two high heat episodes in mid-July and late August. In a similar study conducted the year prior, ISGlobal researchers estimated over 60,000 people in Europe perished due to heat in 2022.According to the 2023 tabulations, southern European countries bore the brunt of the heat-related deaths, with Greece, Bulgaria and Italy rounding out the top three spots.Women and elderly people faced the highest risk when it comes to heat-related deaths, the study found. Notably, the mortality rate was 55% higher in women than in men, and 768% higher in people aged 80 plus than those 65 to 79."As people age, their ability to regulate their body temperature, such as sweating and adjusting blood flow, become less efficient," said Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor. "Heat can also exacerbate chronic medical conditions, like heart, lung and kidney disease." One of the silver linings in an otherwise gloomy report was that societal adaptation to heat over the last century likely saved thousands of lives."[These processes] dramatically reduced the heat-related vulnerability and mortality burden of recent summers, especially among the elderly", Elisa Gallo, one of the researchers of the ISGlobal study, said in a statement. The total number of heat-related deaths in Europe —like anywhere— is difficult to parse. The researchers even cautioned that their own findings may underestimate the heat-related mortality burdenExperts say heat-related deaths and illnesses are likely undercounted. That's because while heat may play a role in someone's death, it is often not recorded as the primary cause of death, unless it's a heat stroke."People may present to the emergency department or the hospital with a heart attack, stroke, asthma attack, or kidney failure, and heat is often not recorded in medical records as the underlying cause," said Dr. Gounder.
Texans’ Bid to Stay Cool in Heat Lifts Power Use to New High – Texans set an unofficial record in electricity use Tuesday as soaring temperatures spurred homeowners, schools and businesses to crank up air conditioners. Power demand on the state grid rose to 85,559 megawatts at 6 p.m. local time, topping the August 2023 record of 85,508 megawatts, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. The amount becomes official after more accurate meters are calculated, the grid operator said. Northern and central sections of the Lone Star State contended with hazardous conditions as the heat index — a metric that takes into account the impact of humidity on the human body — surged, according to the National Weather Service. Thus far, the summer of 2024 hasn’t been as intense from a heat perspective as 2023, when power demand shattered all-time highs on 21 occasions. The riskiest hours for the grid come around sundown, when solar supplies plunge. Batteries have been a saving grace, kicking on during early evening to supplement power supplies from traditional sources such as natural gas-fired plants.
Blackouts in extreme weather drive demand for cleaner backup power - Software engineer Kenna Ofoegbu in Houston, Texas tries hard to keep his three kids cool during the summer and that means air conditioning. Yet their house has lost power three times in just the past two and a half months. One of those outages lasted three days. That time, Ofoegbu and his wife decided to pay for two nights at a hotel, both for the air conditioning and the connectivity. “I could not afford to go multiple days without having internet connection,” the 42-year-old said. “Having power and internet access is critical to my daily work.” When that ordeal was over, the couple did what many do if they can afford it: They bought a generator. It cost $1,500 plus some $800 for an electrician to do some wiring, and burns either propane or gasoline to keep the house running. But burning those fuels can make the air foul to breathe and also worsens climate change, prompting Ofoegbu and many others to seek cleaner ways to maintain electricity in an emergency. Many people are now installing arrays of batteries at their homes. As of April, more than half of rooftop solar buyers in California chose to install batteries with their solar systems so that when the grid goes down, the house doesn’t. Nationally, sales of these solar-plus-battery systems jumped in the U.S. last year, according to Wood Mackenzie, a consulting firm. They expect 27% of new home solar systems in the U.S. this year to be paired with storage, almost doubling the share of buyers, 14%, that chose this option last year. These systems easily cost thousands of dollars, but solar and battery prices have fallen, bringing them within reach of more people. Government incentives help, too. On the portable side, “solar generators” and boxes known as solar power stations are becoming more popular. They are not truly generators because they do not generate electricity, instead they store it for when it’s needed. Users have to prioritize certain devices or appliances during an outage, to avoid draining the battery. One, called the “Patriot Generator,” and marketed on 4Patriots.com, costs about $2,500. It holds enough energy to run a refrigerator for 19 hours, medical devices for 15 hours or personal electronics for over 100 hours.
Quarter of UK Residents Face Turning Off Heat in Winter: Survey – -- An estimated 25% of UK residents — equivalent to 16.5 million people — are so worried about rising energy bills they will consider turning off their heat and hot water this winter, according to a national charity’s survey. That total jumps to 31% for households with children, Citizens Advice said Wednesday. The poll comes as the typical energy tariff is expected to increase 9% to £1,714 ($2,234) beginning Oct. 1, according to consultancy Cornwall Insight Ltd. That forecast is bad news for British consumers already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and record energy debt amid soaring gas prices. UK regulator Ofgem will announce the new price cap, which represents an annual bill for a typical household, on Friday. “The price cap increase will see a wave of households tipped into debt, bill payers forced to make impossible decisions to make ends meet, and families worried about the impact the cold will have on their loved ones,” said Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice. The new price cap will be the first released after national elections returned the Labour Party to power. Prime Minister Keir Starmer campaigned on lowering energy costs and helping the UK’s most vulnerable people. October’s likely increase will be exacerbated by changes to the eligibility rules for the winter fuel payment, which has been used by millions of retirees. Going forward, that will be a means-tested benefit. The online survey of 2,209 adults for Citizens Advice asked for responses based on a 10% increase in energy bills.
New AI-powered tool could help predict heat waves, link them to climate change - U.S. West research partners have harnessed the capabilities of machine learning to deduce how and when heat waves occur amid changing climate conditions. Their low-cost new tool, detailed in Science Advances on Wednesday, serves to help clarify connections between global warming and individual extreme weather events and shift the way scientists predict future such phenomena. In developing this approach, the authors expressed hope that the results could both steer climate adaptation strategies and provide evidence for plaintiffs seeking legal compensation for climate-related injuries. “We’ve seen the impacts that extreme weather events can have on human health, infrastructure, and ecosystems,” said lead author Jared Trok, a doctoral candidate in Earth system science at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, in a statement. “To design effective solutions, we need to better understand the extent to which global warming drives changes in these extreme events,” he added. Trok and his colleagues — from Stanford and Colorado State University — trained AI-powered models to predict daily maximum temperatures based on both regional weather conditions and global mean temperature. Following the training, which relied on climate simulations from 1850 to 2100, the authors shifted focus to real-world heat waves: predicting how hot those events would have been under the same weather conditions but different levels of warming. They also factored in how climate change has influenced the frequency and severity of historical weather events. In their first real-world analysis, which looked at the fatal 2023 Texas heat wave, the team determined that global warming caused the event to be 2.12 to 2.56 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than it would have been without the effects of climate change. Events on par with record-breaking heat waves in Europe, Russia and India, they found, could occur multiple times per decade if global temperatures continue to surge, according to the study. While the authors viewed the initial utility of their approach with optimism, they acknowledged that further analysis is necessary before the tool “can be used for high-stakes applications such as improving adaptation decisions, attributing climate damages and informing climate litigation.” Yet just as artificial intelligence has become crucial in divulging complex connections within climate datasets, so too could it open a window “into the historical and future influence of climate change on extreme events,” the scientists stated.
Large landslide strikes Pedersen Lagoon, Alaska generating 17 m (56 feet) high local tsunami, U.S. - A large landslide hit Pedersen Lagoon, southwest of Seward, Alaska on August 7 at around 12:55 UTC, generating a tsunami approximately 17 m (56 feet) high in the Upper Pedersen Lagoon which reduced to roughly the height of 1 m (3 feet) in the lower region of the lagoon. The landslide was confirmed by aerial photos of the region from August 9. Preliminary data suggests a total volume of 2 million m3 (6.5 million feet3). During the tsunami event, seismic signals suggest that a seiche, or an oscillating wave, likely formed. The landslide took place in a rock unit called the Chugach flysch, which is composed of tectonically deformed and metamorphosed sandstone and siltstone that formed 145 to 66 million years ago. Overview map and location of the landslide-generated tsunami event within Alaska (inset) and Kenai Fjords National Park. Image credit: Lauren Schaefer (USGS) Overview map and location of the landslide-generated tsunami event within Alaska (inset) and Kenai Fjords National Park. Image credit: Lauren Schaefer (USGS) The tsunami damaged wooden boardwalks at a lodge in the tidal zone and struck the National Park Service Campsite. Witnesses reported 0.6 to 0.9 m ( 2 to 3 feet) high waves flowing up the cabin. The tide reportedly ebbed at approximately 3 m (10 feet) during the incident. Overflight photos of the location confirmed the occurrence on August 9. The runup heights are still preliminary and haven’t been validated yet. No injuries or fatalities have been reported relating to the incident. Preliminary volume estimates based on seismic data indicate that the landslide was on the order of 2 million m3 (2.6 million cubic yards).
Massive landslide strikes East Sikkim, impacting 18 homes and 510 MW Teesta V project, India - (twitter video of landslide) A significant landslide struck Dipu Dara near Singtam in East Sikkim at approximately 07:30 LT on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, causing substantial damage to the Teesta Stage V hydroelectric project and several residential structures. This hydroelectric project was already under reconstruction following damage sustained during a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in October 2023 when at least 40 people were killed and 70 others went missing. The powerhouse of the 510 MW Teesta Stage V hydroelectric project, operated by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), suffered considerable damage from the landslide. The project has been undergoing repairs since the GLOF incident last year, which claimed at least 40 lives, left over 75 people missing, and disrupted the lives of nearly 90 000 residents along the Teesta River. The October 2023 event also severely damaged the downstream 1 200 MW Teesta-III dam. In addition to the damage to the powerhouse, the landslide also affected approximately 17 – 18 houses in the area. Six of these houses were evacuated, and the residents have been temporarily relocated to the NHPC Guest House in Balutar. The landslide also rendered the Singtam-Dikchu Road inaccessible. However, authorities have established a temporary diversion through Dochum along the same route to maintain access. The Department of Mines and Geology has been assigned the task of conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the landslide. Their findings will guide both short-term and long-term measures for restoring the affected area and preventing future incidents. NHPC’s spokesperson noted that the technical team from Delhi is expected to arrive shortly to assess the damage and determine the best course of action for restoring the hydroelectric project. This team’s recommendations will be critical in formulating a plan to repair the damage and prevent further disruptions to the region’s power supply.
Shiveluch volcano erupts in Russia after powerful magnitude-7.0 earthquake - A volcano near a major naval base on Russia's eastern coast erupted early Sunday after a powerful magnitude-7.0 earthquakestruck in the Pacific about 63 miles away, according to Russian state-run media. It briefly triggered a "code red" warning for aircraft. The Shiveluch volcano spewed an ash column as high as 5 mils above sea level and released a gush of lava, Tass news agency reported Sunday morning, citing scientists with the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.The volcano is about 280 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a coastal city of more than 181,000 people in Russia's eastern region of Kamchatka. The city is surrounded by volcanoes and sits across a bay from an important Russian submarine base.The Ebeko volcano located on Kuril Islands also spewed ash 1.5 miles high, the institute said. It did not explicitly say whether the earthquake touched off the eruptions.A "code red" ash cloud warning briefly put all aircraft in the area on alert, the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team reported. A separate report on Sunday carried by Tass said that no commercial flights had been disrupted and there was no damage to aviation infrastructure.The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred 18 miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. Its epicenter was about 63 miles east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There were no early reports of damage or injuries from the quake.
Powerful explosive eruption at Sheveluch volcano, Aviation Color Code raised to Red, Russia - -- A new explosive eruption began at the “300 years of RAS” lava dome at Sheveluch volcano, Kamchatka, Russia at 11:45 UTC on August 17, 2024. The initial explosions sent an ash plume up to 8 km (26 200 feet) above sea level and then to 9 km (29 500 feet) a.s.l. at 12:00 UTC, prompting KVERT to raise the Aviation Color Code from Orange to Red. Ashfall was reported in the Ust’-Kamchatsk village. The ash cloud extended up to 920 km (570 miles) SE of the volcano by 22:10 UTC on August 17. At 05:53 UTC on August 18, KVERT reported that the explosive eruption of the 300-year-old RAS lava dome continues, with explosions sending ash up to 5 km (16 400 feet) a.s.l. and an ash plume extending about 1 520 km (945 miles) east-southeast (ESE) of the volcano. The press service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s department in the Kamchatka region said the eruption had no effect on the daily life of local residents, TASS reports. “A minor ashfall was registered in the [nearby] settlement of Ust-Kamchatsk in the morning of August 18 [local time]. The settlement’s daily life was unaffected,” the statement says, adding that asfalls may take place in other populated areas nearby as well.Contrary to many legacy media reports, the eruption started more than 7 hours before the M7.0 earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka on August 17.The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands north-northeast of the Kliuchevskaya volcano group.The 1 300 km³ (312 cubic miles) andesitic volcano is one of Kamchatka’s largest and most active volcanic structures, with at least 60 large eruptions during the Holocene.
Climbers narrowly escape death after eruption at Mount Dukono, Indonesia - Indonesian authorities are urging residents and tourists not to climb Mount Dukono, following a video showing dozens of climbers at the volcano’s peak when it suddenly erupted on Saturday, August 17, 2024. The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) is warning everyone against climbing Dukono volcano. The warning follows a video showing dozens of climbers fleeing after a sudden eruption of the volcano on Saturday. Priatin Hadi Wijaya, head of the PVMBG, stated that the volcano’s activity status is currently at Level II, with all activities banned within 3 km (1.8 miles) of the crater. The volcano has erupted 2,387 times since the start of the year, Wijaya reported on August 19, indicating that Mount Dukono’s activity remains high.
Staircase pattern discovered in Earth’s rotational deceleration evolution - Researchers discovered that Earth’s rotational slowing occurs in a staircase pattern rather than a flat drop. This pattern, discovered after intensive geological and astronomical investigation, shows alternating periods of stability and fast change in Earth’s rotation over the last 650 million years. The study, led by He Huang of Chengdu University of Technology, examined Earth’s rotational history using sediment samples and cyclostratigraphy data, identifying two important stable periods that coincided with significant evolutionary and environmental events. The findings, published in August 2024 in the Journal of Geophysical Research and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shed light on how tidal dissipation and other forces shaped Earth’s rotation, with implications for future changes in day length, ocean currents, and planetary dynamics. He Huang, a geoscientist from the Chengdu University of Technology led a team of researchers to study the Earth’s rotating history. The research also included collaboration with worldwide geodynamics, geology, and planetary science experts. Their research has provided new information into the intricate systems that drive Earth’s rotation. The study found that the Earth’s rotation decelerated in a staircase pattern rather than a smooth, continuous process. This pattern was discovered after an extensive investigation of geological records, tidal forces, and other astronomical data. The Earth’s rotation, which has steadily slowed over millions of years, alternates between periods of stability and rapid fluctuations, suggesting a “staircase” rather than a smooth slope. The researchers examined sediment samples stretching back more than a half-billion years and discovered two unusually stable periods that coincided with key evolutionary and environmental events. The findings were published in the August 2024 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study lasted several years, during which the researchers methodically examined geological and astronomical data stretching back 650 million years. The timing of the study was especially pertinent, considering the growing scientific interest in comprehending Earth’s dynamic systems in the face of present environmental change. Understanding the slowing of the Earth’s rotation is critical for a variety of reasons. First, it gave information about the planet’s long-term geological and climatic history. Factors influencing Earth’s rotation include the Moon’s gravitational pull and the redistribution of mass caused by melting glaciers and moving tectonic plates.
America's Power Grid Adds Most Generating Capacity In 21 Years As AI Data Center Demand Surges -- The Energy Information Administration's Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory report released earlier this week revealed that developers and power plant owners added 20.2 gigawatts (GW) in new capacity in the first half of 2024, a 21% year-over-year rise amid increasing demand from AI data centers, reshoring trends, and other electrification trends. Solar power led the way, contributing 12 GW, or 59% of all new additions, with Texas and Florida accounting for 38% of the growth in the first half. Battery storage capacity also saw significant growth, with around 21% of the capacity gains. Wind power added about 12% (2.5 GW). However, rising energy demand on power grids, from AI data centers and other electrification trends, which we outlined in "The Next AI Trade," have also slowed the retirement of coal and NatGas power generators. On the atomic front, nuclear power increased during the first half, with Unit 4 (1,114 MW) at Georgia's Vogtle nuclear power plant coming online in April. This makes Vogtle the largest nuclear facility in the US. Only one of the plant's reactors is operational. EIA forecasts that utility-scale electric generating capacity will more than double in the second half of 2024, reaching about 42.6 GW. Here's UBS' take on the EIA report: The era of flat electricity demand in developed markets has ended, with large-scale AI and cloud-computing capacity driving a resurgence in demand. With many AI mega-cap leaders committed to zero emission pledges, we expect a strong multi-year cycle of investment in utility-scale renewable power generation and storage capacity. Broadly, we think companies exposed to electrification, energy efficiency, and renewable energy would fare better under a potential Harris presidency, while a Trump administration would likely favor the traditional energy sector. Given the challenges listed renewable energy investments tend to face, we suggest investors look to private infrastructure investments in renewables, which can help diversify portfolios due to their low correlation to other asset classes while providing stable income streams that are often tied to inflation. However, investors should consider the risks inherent to private markets before investing, including illiquidity, long lockup periods, leverage, and over-concentration. What's overwhelmingly clear is that after electricity peak demand and energy growth rates fell flat for decades, that is all changing in the era of AI data centers.
23 states, multiple coal companies ask Supreme Court to halt Biden rule to restrict pollution -Twenty-three Republican-led states and at least two coal companies are asking the Supreme Court to halt a Biden administration rule that seeks to limit power plants’ emissions of mercury and other toxic metals. The rule in question tightens emissions limits for toxic substances such as lead and arsenic by 67 percent. For some coal plants with historically looser mercury controls, the rule tightens mercury limits by 70 percent. Exposure to substances regulated under the rule have been linked to developmental delays in children, as well as heart attacks and cancer in the general population. In court filings Monday, the states argued that the rule could lead to power grid issues if coal plants decide to shut down in response. If they don’t, the states said that the rule will cause electricity price increases. Westmoreland Coal and NACCO Natural Resources invoked the rule’s expected costs to argue it should be halted while litigation against it plays out. The Environmental Protection Agency declined to comment on the effort to block the rule. The agency finalized the rule earlier this year alongside a series of other regulations aimed at cutting pollution and planet-warming emissions from power plants. At the time, it argued that its actions protected public health. The states asking the Supreme Court for a stay of the pollution rule are: North Dakota, West Virginia, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.
Ohio coal plant subsidies still a bad deal for ratepayers, experts say -- The pair of 1950s-era coal plants bailed out under Ohio’s House Bill 6 law are likely to remain unprofitable even after a surge in grid operator payments to generators, experts say. The PJM Interconnection grid market makes capacity payments to line up power to meet expected demand in the years ahead. Aging, uneconomical coal plants are being retired at a time when data centers and manufacturers are starting to use more electricity, causing future power generation prices to rise. But even record-high prices in PJM Interconnection’s recent capacity auction won’t cover the hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies paid by ratepayers to cover Ohio utilities’ costs for the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation’s Kyger Creek and Clifty Creek power plants. The ratepayer subsidies are a result of HB 6, the 2019 state law at the heart of the largest corruption scheme in Ohio’s history. Republican legislative leaders have blocked all efforts to repeal the coal subsidies from coming to a floor vote. This year alone, ratepayers are on track to pay nearly $200 million to prop up the two plants, one of which is in Indiana. By 2030, total ratepayer costs from the bailout could exceed $1 billion, according to RunnerStone, a consultant for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association.. Starting next summer, the payments for generators to be ready to supply electricity when PJM Interconnection needs it will jump to about nine times the current rate for most of the grid operator’s service region. “Put simply, the market pays participants for the promise to produce electricity when called upon by PJM,” said Daniel Lockwood, a spokesperson for the regional grid operator. An auction sets the levels for each year’s capacity payments, and the payments go to generators that bid the clearing price or less. A spokesperson for the power plants did not directly answer the Energy News Network’s question about whether both cleared the latest PJM auction, although he described the auction results as “positive.” “The auction results were a positive development for the OVEC plants and are more broadly a signal to the market that additional generation resources are needed in the PJM region,” said Scott Blake, a spokesperson for American Electric Power and Ohio Valley Electric Corp. While the HB 6 rider charges depend on multiple factors, the impact of the 2025/2026 capacity pricing “is expected to be positive for customers,” he said. AEP is OVEC’s largest shareholder, along with other utility companies in Ohio and other states. HB 6’s OVEC subsidies currently require Ohio’s residential utility customers to pay between $1.30 and $1.50 per month, depending on whether their utility is owned by AEP, AES Ohio, Duke Energy or FirstEnergy, according to PUCO data from spokesperson Brittany Waugaman. Businesses pay for the rider, too. The HB 6 rider’s net total costs last year were more than $148 million. While capacity payments will reduce the OVEC plants’ total costs to Ohio ratepayers, the revenue won’t, in itself, make the plants profitable. Expert testimony from a Michigan case last year found the OVEC plants would need capacity payments averaging about $418/MW-day for several years to become economical. Last month’s record-high price that will take effect next summer was about $270/MW-day. Economic analyst Devi Glick of Synapse Energy Economics testified in the case on behalf of the Sierra Club. “To massively oversimplify the economics of the OVEC plants, there are two categories of costs and two categories of revenues,” Glick told Energy News Network. “Costs are on one side of the equation and revenues on the other.” Based on then-current projections for costs and energy market revenue, Glick calculated what the plants’ capacity revenues would have to be for the equation to balance out. Several caveats would apply, Waggoner acknowledged, including any differences from last year to this year that could affect projected energy revenues. Nonetheless, he noted, a significant gap would remain. Glick’s estimate of about $418 as a break-even capacity price for the OVEC plants is realistic and may even be conservative now, said John Seryak, managing partner for RunnerStone. “PJM is no longer paying for a coal plant’s full power capacity anymore under new rules it created just prior to this capacity auction,” Seryak explained. “That could mean that OVEC needs even higher-priced capacity and energy to be profitable.” “Future energy market prices, OVEC’s future coal costs, and OVEC’s environmental compliance costs will also be important factors determining the extent of its losses or profitability,” Seryak continued. “All that said, we do not anticipate OVEC operating at a profit without further price increases.”
'Mostly unusable' | Existing gas pipes would need massive retrofit or crippling de-rating to carry hydrogen: study | Hydrogen Insight - ‘Serious safety and environmental risks associated with re-purposing pipes, alongside technical and economic challenges’, says peer-reviewed report.
Guest column/Hydrogen hub project is bad for our communities – Randi Pokladnik - On Aug. 16, I sat in on the third public meeting (by zoom) about the ARCH2 Clean Hydrogen Hub. This meeting was conducted by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. The Department of Energy held two listening sessions about the hub this spring. After all three sessions, citizens were left in the dark as to the project details. There were more than 200 questions logged during the OCED call and approximately three were answered. The lack of public engagement has been ongoing throughout the process even though the DOE promised significant community engagement. It seems the only engagement being conducted is behind closed doors with industry groups.More than 50 environmental organizations signed a letter on May 28 asking the U.S. Department of Energy to suspend negotiations on Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub until more information about the project was released. This letter was sent by the Ohio River Valley Institute to the U.S. Department of Energy.The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, or ARCH2, recently was allocated a $30 million chunk of the total $925 million of federal funds awarded. The majority of partners in the hub are fossil fuel corporations or have ties to fossil fuels. These “partners” will see project sites across Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.Scientific studies reveal that using dirty, climate-changing fossil fuels to create hydrogen is not efficient and not a path to a green energy economy. In addition, “It will always be more efficient to rely first on the direct use of renewable electricity wherever it is possible to do so, rather than convert that electricity into hydrogen before using it as an energy source.”ARCH2 proponents state they can make clean hydrogen, hydrogen that will produce 2 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions or less per kilogram of hydrogen produced on site. However, most of the hydrogen produced at the ARCH2 projects will be blue hydrogen, hydrogen made using a process called steam methane reforming, where methane is sourced from fracking operations The carbon dioxide produced from this process is captured by using carbon capture sequestration technology. About 95 percent of U.S. hydrogen is blue hydrogen produced with methane gas. Globally, less than 0.02 percent of hydrogen is actually green, which means it was made by using water to supply the hydrogen and renewable electricity to split the water molecules. Even green hydrogen comes with risks, as hydrogen fuel cells and the electrolyzers used to make hydrogen require toxic PFAS polymers. A 2023 report, “Blue Hydrogen: Not Clean, Not Low Carbon, Not a Solution,” states that even with a 95 percent carbon capture efficiency, steam methane reforming would still release into the atmosphere 13 kg of carbon dioxide per 1 kg of hydrogen produced, well above the DOE’s 4 kg of CO2 per 1 kg of H2 produced.Carbon capture technology would require a pipeline system of close to 68,000 miles at a cost of $230 billion. Before being transported through the pipelines, CO2 needs to be pressurized to 1,000 psi, becoming a supercritical fluid and then injected into Class VI wells. The pipelines used for transportation can rupture and release concentrated carbon dioxide, an asphyxiant, into the atmosphere. A pipeline rupture in Satartia, Miss., injured 45 people. Additionally, CO2 storage has to be monitored indefinitely and carbon dioxide can cause groundwater to become contaminated as CO2 combines with underground water to react and form carbonic acid.A Nebraska-based energy company, Tenaska, has recently received $69 million from the DOE to drill four Class VI test wells in the Tri-State Area. Currently, there are no Class VI commercial-scale carbon dioxide injection wells in operation in Ohio, West Virginia or Pennsylvania.The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations claims the Tri-State Area was chosen for a hub because it had “renewable electricity sources for hydrogen production,” but Ohio only gets 4 percent of its electricity from renewable energy.Hydrogen as a fuel source has its own problems. It is flammable and can cause explosions.“Hydrogen fires are invisible, making them even more hazardous for first responders, and unlike natural gas, no odorants are added to hydrogen so leaks are hard to detect. The gas can corrode steel in a process called hydrogen embrittlement, and brittle pipelines are more prone to leaks and explosions. Studies show blending hydrogen with methane in methane specific infrastructure systems is problematic. Additionally, hydrogen is an indirect greenhouse gas. Hydrogen emissions increase the lifetime of methane gas in the atmosphere.While local, state and federal politicians, as well as the oil and gas industry, sing the praises of the ARCH2 projects, we in the Appalachian area realize that it means locking our region into more fracking and all the destruction and health effects that process brings to local communities.The Inflation Reduction Act also increases tax credits for every ton of carbon dioxide captured from $50 to $85. ARCH2 is win-win for fossil fuel companies, but not for local communities.
ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Gets an Official Headquarters in Morgantown, WV - Marcellus Drilling News - Earlier this month, MDN told you that the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) has officially received its first $30 million from the Bidenistas (see EQT & Others Enter “Phase 1” of Hydrogen Hub; DOE Cuts $30M Check). ARCH2 is getting $925 million from a $7 billion pot created by the Bidenistas. ARCH2, one of seven projects to win approval, was selected specifically because it will use Marcellus/Utica shale gas as the feedstock to create hydrogen. From the beginning, the ARCH2 initiative was led by West Virginia, so it was fitting that yesterday, at the official kickoff, a ribbon was cut on the official project office for the project, located at the West Virginia University (WVU) Innovation Corp. center in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Keen Wildlife Area and four ODOT parcels to be fracked – Save Ohio Parks -It took the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission (OGLMC) just 22 minutes Monday to rubber stamp fracking under Keen Wildlife Area and four Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) parcels. The four-member, unelected commission appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine ignored shouted questions and concerns from Save Ohio Parks audience members about the harms of fracking under Ohio’s state parks and public lands, and did not allow the public to speak either before the meeting or afterward.EOG Resources, Inc. of Houston, Tex. was selected to frack 84 acres of Keen Wildlife Area in Harrison County. The lease bonus is expected to bring in $211,650 to the state, plus royalties of 12.5 percent and an additional amount of 5.5 percent of production, according to an ODNR press release.EOG reported $6 billion in revenue in the second quarter of 2024, with $1.6 billion reported as profit, according to a company press release. Good Jobs First Violation Tracker, a database of more than 600,000 cases in which companies and large nonprofits paid monetary penalties for regulatory violations and other forms of misconduct, reports that EOG Resources has been fined over $1.8 million for 30 gas and oil-related violations from 2008 to 2022.The commission selected four ODOT parcels for fracking. Three parcels were awarded to Gulfport Appalachia, LLC of Oklahoma City: right of way along SR 331 in Flushing Township in Belmont County; right of way along SR 26 in Wayne Township, Belmont County; and right of way along SR 78 in Summit Township, Monroe County.A right of way along SR 265 in Belmont County was awarded to Tiburon Oil and Gas Ohio, LLC.Gulfport Appalachia has 447 oil wells in Ohio, according to ShaleXP.com. It has 451 producing wells and 46 permits to drill in Ohio, according to MineralAnswers.com. The Good Jobs First Violation Tracker lists five penalties totaling $5.4 million for environmental violations for Gulfport, including a $3.7 million settlement with the EPA to reduce emissions from oil and gas operations in Ohio in 2020.Tiburon Oil & Gas was formed in January 2022 and is based in Houston. It does not have fines listed in Good Jobs First Violation Tracker.A nomination to frack 257 parcels under Salt Fork State Park and Salt Fork Wildlife Area in Guernsey County was withdrawn. Salt Fork is Ohio’s largest state park at nearly 20,000 acres and is often called its most beautiful.While the Salt Fork nomination could be interpreted as a small victory for Save Ohio Parks, a nomination can be resubmitted to the OGLMC.Nominations to frack another ODOT right of way parcel along SR 265 in Somerset Township, Belmont County, and 30 acres in the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in Belmont County were approved by the commission and will go out to bid in October, according to the ODNR.A nomination to frack ODOT right of way along SR 53 in Guernsey County was denied because the economic benefits were deemed too low.“It’s disturbing that the commission is leasing our beloved parks to oil and gas companies that have broken the law or are affiliated with companies that have done so,” said Jenny Morgan, a Save Ohio Parks steering committee member and longtime environmental and public health advocate. “This is an industry that uses dangerous chemicals, creates 3 billion gallons of contaminated, often radioactive waste annually nationwide, and is responsible for an accident nearly every day in Ohio. This industry has no business being in, adjacent to, or under our beloved parks. “How are all of these accidents impacting our Ohio land, creeks, plant and animal habitats, drinking water and health?” Morgan asked.Last month Morgan created the Daily Accident Report-Ohio Oil & Gas) (DAR) Facebook page at bit.ly/3Xi236X to publicize ODNR reports on thousands of gas and oil production accidentsthat have occurred over the last nine years in Ohio. DAR is challenging industry claims that fracking is safe and environmentally friendly, and that accidents are far and few between.More than 1,400 accidents related to gas and oil industry have been reported to the ODNR over the last five years. Ted Auch, Midwest program director for FracTracker Alliance, analyzed and mapped the accidents.FracTracker is a nonprofit that studies, maps, and communicates the risks and impacts of oil, gas, and petrochemical development.Auch said the ODNR accident trends indicate a troubling pattern of lax regulation along with superficial attempts to clean up oil, gas and radioactive fracking wastewater from lands and water across the state.Despite these accidents, one pending lawsuitand an appeal, plus a state investigation on the submission of alleged fraudulent pro-fracking emails to the OGLMC, the commission appears determined to keep on fracking.Public comments to frack two additional parcels totaling 127 acres under Leesville Wildlife Area and Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Hunting Area are open until Aug. 25.Those parcels consist of 62 acres (24-DNR-0006) in Monroe Township, Carroll County and 65 acres (24-DNR-0006) in Orange Township, Carroll County. The lands were reclaimed from the effects of mining over the last 30 years and are popular with hunters, birders, anglers and hikers.
Save Ohio Parks statement on deceptive comments – Save Ohio Parks --Save Ohio Parks was instrumental in uncovering 1100 supposed pro-fracking comments submitted to the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission that at least 150 people whose names were on the comments said they never submitted. We talked with over 100 Ohio citizens who told us they never submitted the comments bearing their names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. Many told us they did not know what fracking is. Some did not speak English, some did not have a computer, and some were children. We learned these comments were submitted by Consumer Energy Alliance, which had gathered the personal information of Ohioans for a different purpose, then used it on comments supposedly in favor of fracking our state parks and public lands. CEA has a track record of using citizens’ personal information without their knowledge and consent on pro-fossil fuel comments in several states, including a previous case in Ohio in 2016. Save Ohio Parks brought this information to the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission chair in August 2023 and asked her to remove the comments from the commission website. She declined but instead referred us to Attorney General Dave Yost’s office. We provided our documentation to the attorney general’s office, but never heard anything back from either Yost or the commission chair. Now we find out Yost’s investigation was closed months ago. The attorney general’s findings confirm what we told the commission a year ago: that Consumer Energy Alliance had gathered personal information from at least 1100 Ohioans for one purported purpose, then without their knowledge or consent had used that information for public comments supposedly in favor of fracking our state parks and public lands. The attorney general has proposed a new administrative rule that would label what Consumer Energy Alliance did — collecting personal information of Ohio citizens for one purpose but using it for another unrelated purpose — as a “deceptive act.” We support this rule but would like to see penalties specified for engaging in such deception. Save Ohio Parks again calls on the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission to remove these 1100 comments, which the attorney general has now confirmed were never submitted by the people whose names are on the comments. It is not right to leave the personal information of Ohioans that they did not submit posted publicly on a state website. We further call on the commission to stop rubber-stamping fracking of our Ohio state parks and wildlife areas, and instead listen to the thousands of Ohioans who actually did submit public comments against oil and gas extraction from the public lands that Ohio citizens own, pay for, and use. The commission is required by statute ORC 155.33(B)(1)(h) to consider “any comments or objections … submitted to the commission by residents of this state” in deciding whether to approve or deny a parcel proposed for fracking — yet they have not once discussed or referred to the extensive public comments opposed to fracking Ohio public lands, even as they continue approving fracking of our parks and wildlife areas. This must stop. We the people of Ohio own and use our public lands — just 3% of all land in Ohio. We do not want to see this land irrevocably altered by industrial fracking.
Ohio Supreme Court rules against Lorain County Auditor in appeal of Nexus pipeline value disagreement - The Ohio Supreme Court ruled against Lorain County Auditor Craig Snodgrass in his fight to appeal the value of the billion-dollar Nexus natural gas pipeline for tax purposes. The 4-3 decision was announced Tuesday. The state's highest court ruled that the $950 million value of the pipeline agreed to by state officials following negotiations with Nexus' owners couldn't be appealed. Snodgrass said the ruling was "unfortunate." "I'll continue to fight for our taxpayers," he said Tuesday. Partners in the Nexus pipeline "built this thing for $2 billion" and the state is "taxing it for less than half of what they built it for," Snodgrass said. "I wish my homeowners could receive that same type of treatment," he said. Meanwhile, Nexus "is pleased by the decision which supports the finality of the settlement agreement, providing additional revenue and certainty to local school districts," said Kristen Henson, a spokeswoman for Enbridge, one of the two corporate partners in the pipeline. Snodgrass asked the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals, or BTA, to enforce an assessment made in 2019 by the Ohio tax commissioner that set the pipeline's value at more than $1.6 billion. Nexus argued the pipeline's value should be lower, allowing it to pay less in taxes. Justice Patrick DeWine, son of Gov. Mike DeWine, wrote for the four-member majority that the question before the Supreme Court was a difference in two laws. One allowed the state tax commissioner to set tax values, while another allowed county auditors to appeal those decisions. The majority declared that a county auditor's ability to appeal a tax commissioner's decision is limited and Snodgrass' arguments couldn't be appealed to the BTA, according to the Supreme Court and court records. Patrick DeWine and Joseph Deters, both Republicans, and fellow justices Michael Donnelly and Jennifer Brunner, both Democrats, were the majority. Justice Patrick Fischer and Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, both Republicans, and Justice Melody Stewart, a Democrat, dissented. Fischer wrote in the three-member dissent that the laws Patrick DeWine described didn't conflict and that the matter should have been sent back to the BTA. The BTA had ruled that Snodgrass wasn't allowed to appeal a June 2022 settlement agreement between the tax commissioner and Nexus. After the BTA ruled against him in February 2023, Snodgrass appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court to reverse the decision. In his appeal, Snodgrass argued he wasn't a party to the agreement and "the settlement agreement itself stated that it was not binding upon any of the county auditors, and that each auditor would have the statutory right to appeal the tax commissioner’s final determinations" under Ohio law, according to documents Snodgrass filed with the Supreme Court. State law "expressly" grants a county auditor the right to appeal, Snodgrass argued. Snodgrass was represented by attorneys from the law firm Roetzel & Andress in Akron. The Lorain County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 to allow Snodgrass to hire outside attorneys to fight the case, with Commissioner David Moore, a Republican, calling it "a waste of money" on "a case that cannot be won." The 36-inch diameter Nexus pipeline is 256 miles long, crosses 13 Ohio counties and is capable of delivering 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, according to court records. More than 83 percent of its length is in Ohio, along with numerous support facilities. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved construction in 2017 at an initial cost of $2.2 billion. The pipeline ended up costing $2.6 billion, according to court records. Nexus presented the Ohio Department of Taxation with an appraisal in 2019 that put the value of the property and pipeline at $1.182 billion, with just over $996,000,000 of that in Ohio. That valuation was rejected by the state tax commissioner in favor of a taxable value of nearly $1.426 billion. Nexus asked for a reassessment, was denied and the tax commissioner's value was upheld in 2020. Nexus appealed to the BTA later that year, and the case dragged on until it was settled by both parties in 2022. Snodgrass didn't participate in any of those negotiations. He disagreed with the reduced valuation of the pipeline and claimed that Nexus misled the county and taxpayers when it declared how much money the project would bring to Lorain County. Snodgrass estimated the settlement between the state tax commissioner and Nexus will short Ohio counties along the pipeline route $600 million over the next 30 years. Under the settlement, Lorain County will receive less than half of the $7.3 million it was promised when the pipeline was proposed, Snodgrass said in September 2023. Tax revenue due to Lorain County Public Health, the Lorain County Joint Vocational School Distrct, the Firelands, Keystone, Midview and Oberlin school districts, the village of Kipton, the Wellington Fire District, the Central Lorain County Ambulance District and several Lorain County townships were affected, Snodgrass said.
Assessing how energy companies negotiate with landowners when obtaining land for hydraulic fracturing | Nature Energy -To extract natural gas through hydraulic fracturing, energy companies often need to obtain consent from many different private landowners, whose properties lie atop the gas reservoir. Negotiations with these landowners have important economic, environmental and social implications. In this paper we present a dataset on negotiations in Ohio and use these data to investigate how landowners may be advantaged or disadvantaged in these lease negotiations. We find that they are disadvantaged in two ways. First, because energy companies can use persistent and personal strategies to overcome landowner reluctance. Second, because of the institutional context: specifically the widespread use of compulsory unitization. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for equity in energy policy and by drawing out the other potential uses of these data.
Ohio landowners forced to accept fracking, new study finds -The record U.S. oil and gas boom may lie on a bedrock of aggressive sales and legal “compulsion,” a new study has found. Many Ohio landowners who ended up with fracked wells on their properties were forced by state law to accept them, according to findings published Monday in Nature Energy. Others gave in only after repeated and aggressive sales attempts, researchers at New York’s Binghamton University found.The study highlights an under discussed topic in the public debate surrounding fracking, a practice which has drawn renewed scrutiny amid the dueling Vice President Harris and former President Trump presidential campaigns in Pennsylvania.That debate often hinges on “big-picture consequences for the climate and the economy,” lead author Benjamin Farrer said in a statement. But Farrer emphasized that this leaves out a key part of the story — the experience of private landowners whose properties oil and gas companies must access if the vast majority of U.S. oil and gas production is to go forward.Fracking uses explosives and a highly pressurized blend of water, sand and caustic chemicals to force open layers of rock deep underground to extract oil and gas — a suite of technologies that has enabled U.S. oil and gas production to reach record levels under President Biden. In 2023, fracking accounted for about two-third of U.S. oil production and more than three-quarters of U.S. gas.Fracking is different from traditional oil and gas development in a few key ways. Its combination of high pressure and proprietary blends of caustic chemicals raises the risk of localized pollution to land and water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And because it relies on horizontal drilling through broad swaths of geological strata — as opposed to vertical wells into traditional reservoirs — it tends to require far more wells spread across a far larger area.The record U.S. oil and gas boom may lie on a bedrock of aggressive sales and legal “compulsion,” a new study has found. Many Ohio landowners who ended up with fracked wells on their properties were forced by state law to accept them, according to findings published Monday in Nature Energy. Others gave in only after repeated and aggressive sales attempts, researchers at New York’s Binghamton University found. The study highlights an underdiscussed topic in the public debate surrounding fracking, a practice which has drawn renewed scrutiny amid the dueling Vice President Harris and former President Trump presidential campaigns in Pennsylvania. That debate often hinges on “big-picture consequences for the climate and the economy,” lead author Benjamin Farrer said in a statement. But Farrer emphasized that this leaves out a key part of the story — the experience of private landowners whose properties oil and gas companies must access if the vast majority of U.S. oil and gas production is to go forward. Fracking uses explosives and a highly pressurized blend of water, sand and caustic chemicals to force open layers of rock deep underground to extract oil and gas — a suite of technologies that has enabled U.S. oil and gas production to reach record levels under President Biden. In 2023, fracking accounted for about two-third of U.S. oil production and more than three-quarters of U.S. gas. Fracking is different from traditional oil and gas development in a few key ways. Its combination of high pressure and proprietary blends of caustic chemicals raises the risk of localized pollution to land and water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And because it relies on horizontal drilling through broad swaths of geological strata — as opposed to vertical wells into traditional reservoirs — it tends to require far more wells spread across a far larger area. The work of gaining access to properties for that drilling falls to one of the most important, and least well-known, jobs in the oil patch: the “landman,” whose role is to convince landowners to sign leases for oil and gas extraction. The structure of these deals — and how the landmen secure them — is often shrouded in secrecy. But the Binghamton team got access to detailed records of landmen’s dealings with 31 landowners who companies ultimately sought to force to lease their land. They found a distinct reluctance on the companies’ part to take no for an answer. “Overall, we find widespread use of personalized tactics like phone calls and visits, as well as evidence that these tactics are used persistently,” the researchers wrote in Nature Energy. Landmen, they found, spent many months making repeated attempts to contact reluctant landowners. In one instance, an Ohio man faced repeated visits from a drilling company representative while in the hospital for cancer treatment. Another property owner who was opposed to signing a lease to allow fracking on her land received repeated calls and letters after she refused to do so — and then had company agents seek to persuade her through in-person pitches to her neighbors and family. And when persuasion fails, the researchers wrote, “we also find that many negotiations end in compulsion rather than in consent.” In many states, when the hard sell doesn’t work, oil and gas drilling companies can seek to get the state to force landowners to accept wells they don’t want. This practice is called “compulsory unitization” or “pooling,” and it provides landmen with a powerful trump card against wavering landowners. In many oil and gas states, if a majority of landowners atop an oil and gas reservoir consent to drilling, then the state can force the rest to accept drilling as well. In the past, when companies were using conventional oil and gas drilling — a practice that poses equivalent risk of localized pollution to land or water supplies to fracking but uses much less land — this was “a net positive” for landowners, Binghamton political science professor and study coauthor Robert Holahan said in a statement. The practice kept a few holdouts from scuttling a lucrative oil deal for everyone else — or allowed those landowners who wanted in on a big deal to force oil companies to admit them, Holahan said. But fracking is different, because drilling happens horizontally under so many more properties over a far wider area than traditional drilling, he said — a situation where compulsory unitization allows companies to “force mineral owners who otherwise don’t want to lease their property to do so.” By looking at dozens of randomly-chosen properties that had been the subject of compulsory unitization applications in Ohio, the researchers found that the tactic was being used in early-stage negotiations with landowners — not just holdouts to largely-secured leases or those who refused to respond. Holahan argues that oil- and gas-producing states should reform their laws to better reflect the new reality of oil and gas drilling. “Legal instruments, like compulsory unitization or pooling, are often designed to solve one type of problem (ensuring all mineral owners get a fair share of revenues from an oil or gas well), but eventually can be used for other purposes (forcing mineral owners to lease their rights),” said Holahan. “Effective resource policy requires a continuous updating of the law as technologies change,” he added.
Encino Signs 2nd Lease with Cambridge, OH City School -Marcellus Drilling News - - We spotted news that the Cambridge City School District (in Guernsey County, Ohio) has signed a second lease with Encino Energy (EAP Ohio LLC) to allow shale drilling under 4.8 acres. The first lease (which we missed) was signed in February of this year, allowing Encino to drill under 182 acres. The land is located along Wills Creek Valley Drive, often called the main campus. EGADS! Drilling *under* little chil’ren? Monstrous! (That’s sarcasm, folks. We know of other wells drilled directly next to schools in PA, with zero health and safety effects on the kiddies.)
OH’s Precision Pipeline Buys PA Pipe Fixer Allegheny Contracting - Marcellus Drilling News - We spotted a press release about pipeline repair company operating in the Marcellus/Utica, located in Ohio, Precision Pipeline Services, buying out a pipeline repair company based in Pennsylvania, Allegheny Contracting. We checked, and we’ve never written about either company. We always get a thrill when uncovering new companies involved in the M-U we didn’t know about. Both companies are privately-held, and the financial particulars of the deal were not disclosed.
In Ohio's Utica Shale, Oil Wildcatters Are at Home - For generations of wildcatters, the adage “oil is found where it’s been found before” has proven true. Today, it’s proving true in Ohio, which has been producing crude since 1814. That first well, the Thorla-McKee, was a shallow one and actually drilled for brine, a valuable commodity at the time, near Caldwell in Noble County. The salt was saturated with oil, though. The well’s partners, Silas Thorla and Robert McKee, decided to soak up the oil with blankets, ring it out and sell it as a topical medicine, calling it Seneca Oil. In 1859, a hole was made in Trumbull County in northeastern Ohio specifically for oil a few months after the global oil industry’s opener, the Drake well in Pennsylvania. More than a couple of centuries since that 1814 brine well, EOG Resources put four horizontals far deeper, landing them in the Ordovician Age’s Utica Shale. These flowed a combined 30,800 bbl in their first eight days in March, averaging 963 bbl/d each. Turns out, that EOG pad, White Rhino, is just a few miles from the 1814 Thorla-McKee. The EOG holes are among the southernmost tests of the new Utica oil play, in which operators are putting completions in laterals after other operators did the same during the past decade, but with completion recipes that were minted at that time. For example, a pad in Carroll County is being completed with slickwater today, while initial wells were pumped with gel in 2015. In the renewed play, more than 700 horizontals have been landed in the Utica Formation’s Point Pleasant since 2019—in the dry-gas, wet-gas and volatile oil phases. Among those targeting oil are Encino Energy’s three David Weaver holes in Harrison County, Stock township, near Tappan Lake. Brought online in December of 2020, they made a combined 104,000 bbl their first 31 days online. They haven’t sputtered out either. This past first quarter, they produced 30,000 bbl. Altogether, in 40 months online each, they’ve made 1.05 MMbbl through March 31. Solution gas totaled 6.5 Bcf; water, 379,000 bbl. Some of Encino’s wells in Stock are under Tappan Lake, a reservoir in the Muskingham Watershed Conservation District that’s named for the community that was displaced in 1938 by the damming, along with Laceyville which is now under the lake. With royalties, the district is earning from the oil and associated gas, a bar and grill was opened at one of the marinas in April and other improvements are underway in the 7,350-acre recreational area. Back south, in the area of that 1814 well, is a Microtel Inn & Suites that advertises, “Close to [the] Utica Shale.” It’s in Cambridge, about a half-hour north of Caldwell and the Guernsey County seat. Conversations are easily struck up in the area. Eventually, a local will ask, “What brings you to Ohio?” In New York City, “oil and gas” typically prompts confrontation. In Ohio, the answer brings smiles. “They’re drilling a well near my home!” one said, excitedly. In Ohio, the oil and gas industry is at home.
Utica Shale Academy opens new learning spaces - Three newly renovated buildings for the Utica Shale Academy are officially open. Their more than 100 students in grades 7 through 12 have more space for heavy equipment, welding, industrial maintenance and electrical robotics training. The academy aims to teach local kids skills at a younger age and encourages them to fill Ohio jobs. “There’s great things here. You can raise a family here and that's really what we tell our kids is you don't have to leave,” William Watson, Superintendent of the Utica Shale Academy said. “There's good jobs. We want you to be here because we love you here.” After graduation, students are connected with opportunities in several fields including the oil and gas industry. “The oil and gas industry in Ohio isn't just surviving, it’s thriving,” Mike Chadsey, the Director of External Affairs of the Ohio Oil & Gas Association, said. “Natural gas and crude oil can be refined into 6,000 products as well as power our economy and so our message to students that are considering this program or that are here today is that you have a bright future in this industry.” Superintendent Watson said as enrollment continues to grow they’ll offer more programs and are even thinking about training for new technologies. “We applied for an EV grant … so we have the thoughts and the vision. It's just now we have to make sure we write a good application and secure the funding,” Watson said. The academy was able to renovate the buildings after receiving a $2.65 million grant from Governor Mike DeWine and donations from the Williams family. The Williams Collaboration Center and the Energy Center are both located on E. Main Street in Salineville. The third building for the academy is located in Salem.
16 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Aug 12 – 18 -Marcellus Drilling News -- This week’s permit report is a bit different. Technically, for the week of August 12 – 18, a total of seven new permits were issued across the Marcellus/Utica. However, last week’s permit report omitted West Virginia numbers because the state’s online data service was out of order (see 26 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Aug 5 – 11). It’s back online this week, so we’ve included August 5 – 11 with August 12 – 18 for West Virginia, bumping the number much higher. So, for this report, we’re reporting a total of 16 new permits across all three states, but nine of those permits are from WV from two weeks ago. The big surprise for August 12 – 18 is that Pennsylvania issued no new permits. That’s the first time we remember that happening, not a single permit in PA. ARSENAL RESOURCES | ASCENT RESOURCES | EQT CORP | GUERNSEY COUNTY | HARRISON COUNTY | MARION COUNTY | MONROE COUNTY | OHIO COUNTY | SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY
Georgia Natural Gas Claims Customers Blocked 500 Million Lbs of CO2 - Marcellus Drilling News -According to an announcement from Georgia Natural Gas (GNG), the utility company's "Greener Life" program, which helps customers make their natural gas usage carbon neutral, has reached a new milestone of 500 million pounds of carbon emissions offset from the atmosphere. That amount is equivalent to taking over 50,000 cars off the road for a year. GNG buys natural gas from producers (in the Marcellus/Utica) that certify their gas as low-emissions using the MiQ protocol.
New O&G Pipeline Approvals Dropped 50% Under Biden-Harris - Marcellus Drilling News - Here’s a sobering fact: A web of red tape and environmentalist lawfare in the courts have derailed six of the last seven proposed interstate pipeline projects that could have delivered Appalachian natural gas to New England, the Southeast, and other regions of critical demand. The only pipeline to survive was the Mountain Valley Pipeline, and it took a literal Act of Congress to get it across the finish line. Here’s another sobering fact: Oil and gas pipeline approvals have dropped by 50% during the Biden-Harris administration (compared to the last three presidents before Biden). The precipitous drop was on purpose.
Op-ed: To build or not to build… Are we even permitted? - Appalachia is an American energy powerhouse, supplying the natural gas that underpins U.S. energy security, national security and our nation’s leading role in reducing carbon emissions. These are truths widely recognized and fiercely defended by residents in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, so much so that candidate Harris’ campaign walked back her opposition of the industry to appeal to voters in the area. Although the debate over “fracking bans” has dominated headlines, it’s a red herring in the broader battle for U.S. energy leadership and environmental progress. Make no mistake, banning domestic energy development would wreak havoc on global stability, but the real crisis at hand lies in the cumbersome, outdated approval processes that stymie energy infrastructure projects. Think about it: We can produce all the energy in the world, but that means nothing if we can’t transport it to where it’s needed. Nowhere in the country are these infrastructure frustrations more prevalent than the Appalachian region. The Marcellus and Utica Shale formations that lie below are the most prolific in the nation and the resources are produced under the strictest environmental standards. However, with pipelines at maximum capacity, output from the region is restricted, unnecessarily limiting access to clean, abundant energy. A web of red tape and environmental activism in the courts have derailed six of the last seven proposed interstate pipeline projects that could have delivered Appalachian natural gas to New England, the Southeast and other regions of critical demand. These were considered a “win” for the environmentalist movement, but the biggest losers were energy consumers, like New England residents paying ~31% more for natural gas than the U.S. average. The lone project to survive this onslaught is the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which went through a grueling 10-year battle and eventually required an act of Congress to come online this summer. Despite clear demand for affordable, clean energy in mid-Atlantic states, environmental activists weaponized the regulatory and judicial process in hopes investors would eventually walk away. While the Supreme Court and Congress intervened to prevent the project’s demise, the potential of costly delays and legal challenges continues to loom large and may act as a deterrent on future investments in the region. The Biden-Harris administration’s track record reinforces a dire need for permitting reform in this country. Average pipeline approvals have declined by more than 50% under them compared to the last three occupying the White House. In addition, activists continue to use the legal system to slow down if not stop infrastructure development. Consider the recent federal appeals court decision threatening an existing pipeline’s expansion to serve 3 million new customers. Indeed, these are the back-door bans truly holding our country back from its full energy potential, not to mention climate progress. They pose significant reliability and security risks as power demand continues to climb at unprecedented levels. With our nation and modern societal needs continuing to grow and evolve, so too must our infrastructure. Sens. Joe Manchin and John Barrasso’s bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act (EPRA), introduced this summer, offers a glimmer of hope. If adopted, EPRA has the potential to create workable timelines to secure investment, provide surety to developers, and fast-track infrastructure key to bringing more Appalachian energy to users across the globe. Moving forward, let us remember that our goal is not only to build pipelines, transmission lines or LNG terminals but to build a stronger, more resilient energy system that serves all Americans. By reforming our outdated permitting processes, we can unlock the full potential of our energy resources, ensuring a brighter, more prosperous future for the nation.
Op-ed: Expanding oil and gas use not the answer - It should come as no surprise to anyone that the presidents of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, the West Virginia Oil & Gas Association and the Ohio Oil & Gas Association would claim that the industry they’re paid to promote and lobby on behalf of is the key to U.S. energy security and national security, and even that it reduces carbon emissions because its use emits less CO2 than coal. We can’t fault them for doing their jobs, but we can fault them for ignoring facts, painting over other facts and disparaging the name of environmental activists and others while they’re at it. In a piece in last weekend’s edition of the Parkersburg News and Sentinel titled “To build or not to build… Are we even permitted?,” these industry representatives claimed that “The Marcellus and Utica Shale formations that lie below [the Appalachian region] are the most prolific in the nation and the resources are produced under the strictest environmental standards.” While “strictest environmental standards” is a questionable assertion at best, it also ignores the realities spelled out annually in the Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking and Associated Gas and Oil Infrastructure (see: concernedhealthny.org). This report by the Concerned Health Professionals of New York, a program of the Science & Environmental Health Network and Physicians for Social Responsibility, currently in its ninth edition, is a fully referenced, 637-page report clearly and unequivocally demonstrating the immense and ongoing environmental, climate and public health harms related to fracking and the oil and gas industry more broadly. While these industry PR personnel and lobbyists claim that attempts to ban fracking are “red herrings,” communities faced with the devastation laid out in the aforementioned compendium do not consider preventing or stopping it to be a misleading or distracting ruse. What the authors describe as an “onslaught” caused by “a web of red tape and environmental activism in the courts”putting a stop to dangerous pipeline projects like the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and delaying the in-service date for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) was especially insulting to citizens of West Virginia and Virginia looking to protect their homes and health. Had the authors described these folks by name instead of simply as part of the “environmental movement,” their piece could have arguably been libelous.The Mountain Valley Pipeline is a 303.5-mile, 42-inch in diameter pipeline built to transport approximately 2 billion cubic feet of methane (aka “natural”) gas per day at up to 1,480 pounds per square inch of pressure. Part of the pipeline already ruptured during a water pressure test in Virginia earlier this year. A rupture while in full operation could be utterly catastrophic. Methane is 86 times more efficient a heat-trapping gas than CO2 over a 20-year period (though it stays in the atmosphere a far shorter time) and explosions are frighteningly possible.
Natural Gas Demand for Data Centers? It’s No Hype, Says Kinder Morgan Exec -- Natural gas generation is likely to expand as a proliferation of data centers are built across North America, offering a fortuitous advantage for midstream giant Kinder Morgan Inc., according to Chief Commercial Officer Will Brown. A map of Kinder Morgan infrastructure across the United States. The top executive discussed the Houston-based company’s gas strategy during a keynote address at the LDC Gas Forums Rockies & West conference in San Diego. “Is it real? Or is it hype?” Brown asked the audience about what data centers could mean for gas demand. It’s both, he answered. “It’s hyper…scale.”
Proposed Bluegrass Pipeline Poses Serious Risks to Kentuckians - Two out-of-state companies, Williams Companies, Inc and Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, are in the initial phases of getting approval to build a natural gas pipeline through Central Kentucky. The pipeline, an extension to an existing pipeline in Hardinsburg, Ky, will aim to connect natural gas liquids (NGLs) from the Marcellus and Utica Shale in the Northeastern US to the export markets along the Gulf Coast. This pipeline would cause major inconveniences to community members and increase safety and health risks, but no known benefit to Kentuckians other than those landowners leasing their property at a low, one-time payout. The Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition (KSEC), an organization comprised of Kentucky students from over 11 colleges and universities, believe that this pipeline is a bad deal for the Commonwealth and if allowed, will damage our landscapes and natural history, put our communities at risk, exacerbate climate change, and threaten our local agriculture and outdoor tourism. It is important to note that these natural gas liquids (a mixture of butane, ethane and propane) aren't meant exclusively for us [in Kentucky]. These arent even the kind of natural gases used to produce energy. They are mainly intended for export, to be sold on the global market. Kentucky seems to be merely a vehicle for getting NGLs to petrochemical refineries in the Gulf.
'Mostly unusable' | Existing gas pipes would need massive retrofit or crippling de-rating to carry hydrogen: study | Hydrogen Insight - ‘Serious safety and environmental risks associated with re-purposing pipes, alongside technical and economic challenges’, says peer-reviewed report.
Worker killed in natural gas pipeline explosion in Louisiana, authorities say - A pipeline worker who went missing after an explosion near South Pass, Louisiana, was found dead, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.The Louisiana State Police Emergency Services Unit reported that the explosion took place shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday in a marshy area near Venice in Plaquemines Parish. Joshua Nichols, 40, who was believed to be working on the pipeline at the time, was killed, WVUE reports.Police say when the explosion and fire occurred, Nichols had been operating a mud boat near a natural gas pipeline. His body was recovered by the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office on Sunday morning near the site of the explosion.The Coast Guard’s New Orleans Sector initially received information about the explosion, triggering a joint search effort involving boat and aircrew units.The cause of the explosion is still being investigated.Police say the pipelines have been blocked while one remains on fire. It is said to be burning the remaining natural gas in the line. Air monitor readings were done, and there is no threat to the public, according to police.
DC appeals court tosses Biden administration pipeline safety rules - A Washington appeals court on Friday ordered the Biden administration to rewrite sweeping new pipeline safety rules issued in 2022. In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled against the most recent standards finalized by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. In its ruling, siding with the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), the court invoked the governing statute for the agency, the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires the regulations to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for new rules. Writing for the majority, Judge Florence Pan, an appointee of President Biden, said the government’s cost-benefit analysis did not properly lay out why the benefits exceed the cost, the main source of the trade group’s objection. “We agree with INGAA that the agency failed to adequately explain why the benefits of the final standards outweigh their costs,” Pan wrote. “Because the agency imposed a new safety requirement without properly addressing the costs of doing so, the standard cannot stand.” In another of the rule’s standards, she wrote, “the agency’s reasoning fails because it neglected to analyze the costs altogether.” The Biden administration standards, which took effect in May 2023, imposed new regulations for pipeline operators to protect against corrosion or cracks. The appeals court allowed one of five standards, governing monitoring of pipes for certain types of stress damages, to remain in place. The newer rules finalized a decade-long process that began after the September 2010 rupture of a natural gas pipeline in San Bruno, Calif., which killed eight people and injured dozens more. In 2022, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the updated rule would “significantly improve safety and environmental protections for our nation’s natural gas pipeline system, which will help save lives, avoid costly disruptions to gas service, and strengthen our supply chains.”
NextDecade Nixes Plans for CCS to Reduce Rio Grande LNG Emissions -- NextDecade Corp. has withdrawn its request for FERC to review a proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Brownsville, TX, that was previously proposed to reduce emissions from its Rio Grande LNG (RGLNG) export project. The Houston-based firm disclosed it voluntarily ended the application process to amend its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorization for the liquefied natural gas project to include the CCS facility. “We appreciate the FERC’s diligence during the review process,” CEO Matt Schatzman said. “The CCS project at RGLNG is not sufficiently developed to allow FERC review to continue at this time. We remain committed to advancing and lowering the cost of utilizing carbon capture and storage and helping companies reduce their facility emissions and achieving their clean energy goals.”
NextDecade withdraws carbon capture and storage application at FERC -- NextDecade Corporation announced that its subsidiary Rio Grande LNG, LLC withdrew its application at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at the Rio Grande LNG facility and requested that the FERC terminate the CCS proceeding. “We appreciate the FERC’s diligence during the review process,” said NextDecade Chairman and CEO Matt Schatzman. “The CCS project at RGLNG is not sufficiently developed to allow FERC review to continue at this time. We remain committed to advancing and lowering the cost of utilizing carbon capture and storage and helping companies reduce their facility emissions and achieving their clean energy goals.”
Calcasieu Pass LNG Customers Ask FERC to Deny Commissioning Extension --After reviewing a collection of private documents about commissioning of Venture Global LNG Inc.’s Calcasieu Pass export terminal, several of its foundational customers are again urging FERC not to approve an extension. Venture Global has been seeking an additional year to commission its Calcasieu Pass liquefied natural gas facility since February, the same month the facility was expected to be commercially operational. In the months since, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision has been held up by a legal back and forth over documents Calcasieu Pass contract holders have said they need before being able to fully comment on Venture Global’s request. After an agreement to share the information was reached in administrative court, comments from Edison SpA LLC, Galp Energia SA, PKN Orlen SA, Repsol SA and Shell plc were published earlier this month. In their responses, counsel for the companies asked FERC staff to deny the extension.
TC Sanctions Natural Gas System to Supply Cedar LNG, Mulls CGL Expansion -- TC Energy Corp. is moving forward with the Cedar Link lateral from the Coastal GasLink (CGL) natural gas pipeline to supply the Cedar LNG Partners LP export project on Canada’s west coast. Map of Cedar LNG project. The decision comes two months after the Pembina Pipeline Corp. and the Haisla Nation sanctioned the Cedar liquefied natural gas export facility in Kitimat, British Columbia (BC). The C$1.2 billion ($734 million), 0.4 Bcf/d Cedar Link project would add a 0.4-kilometer (0.25-mile) Cedar Link Connector pipeline from Shell plc-led LNG Canada terminal to the Cedar floating LNG (FLNG) project. Additionally, TC plans to build a Mount Bracey Compressor Station in Prince George, BC and a meter station.
Tanker docks at Louisiana Plaquemines LNG plant for cooldown -- A tanker full of liquefied natural gas (LNG) docked at Venture Global LNG's Plaquemines export plant in Louisiana (U.S.), according to shipping data from LSEG on Friday, in what energy analysts said was a sign the plant could start up in test mode soon. The vessel named Qogir came from Norway full of LNG, according to LSEG data and energy analysts. LNG plants under construction, like Plaquemines, use super-cooled fuel to test and cool equipment in preparation for startup. After Plaquemines started pulling in small amounts of natural gas from U.S. pipelines in late June, analysts have said the plant could start turning gas into small amounts of LNG in test mode in coming months. Plaquemines took in small amounts of pipeline gas for several days in late June and then again in mid-July, and was on track to pull in the fuel for 25 days in a row on Friday, according to LSEG data. As part of its testing process, Venture Global sought permission in early July from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to introduce gas to a gas turbine generator as part of its testing process. FERC regulates U.S. interstate gas pipelines and LNG terminals. Venture Global has said building the two phases at Plaquemines would entail an investment of about $21 B. Analysts have said they expect Venture Global to complete work on the first 1.8-Bft3d phase of Plaquemines from 2024 to 2026 and the second 1.2- Bft3d phase from 2025 to 2026. The U.S. is already the world's biggest LNG exporter with seven export plants able to turn about 13.8 Bft3d of gas into about 104.6 metric MMtpy of LNG. One Bft3 is enough gas to supply about 5 MM U.S. homes for a day. Analysts expect U.S. LNG export capacity will rise to around 17.0 Bft3d of gas or 129.4 MMtpy of LNG in mid-2025 as the first phase of Plaquemines and Cheniere Energy's expansion at its Corpus Christi, Texas plant start to enter service in 2024.
US natgas prices jump 5% to four-week high on hotter forecasts (Reuters) -U.S. natural gas futures jumped about 5% to a four-week high on Monday on a decline in output so far this month and forecasts for hotter weather next week than previously expected that should boost the amount of gas power generators burn to keep air conditioners humming. Front-month gas futures NGc1 for September delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 11.2 cents, or 5.3%, to settle at $2.235 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), their highest close since July 22. That price increase came even though there was still about 13% more gas in storage than is normal for this time of year. Storage builds, including last week's rare August withdrawal, have been smaller than normal in 13 of the past 14 weeks because several producers cut output earlier in the year after futures prices dropped to 3-1/2-year lows in February and March. The storage decline during the week ended Aug. 9 was the first weekly withdrawal in August since 2006. Higher prices in April and May prompted some drillers, including EQT and Chesapeake Energy, to start boosting output again. But after prices dropped 22% in July, some analysts said producers could keep their drilling activities reduced for longer. But with gas futures up about 9% so far in August, speculators last week boosted their net long futures and options positions on the New York Mercantile and Intercontinental Exchanges for the third time in four weeks to their highest since July, according to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Commitments of Traders report. Financial firm LSEG said gas output in the U.S. Lower 48 states slid to an average of 102.4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) so far in August, down from 103.4 bcfd in July. That compares with a monthly record high of 105.5 bcfd in December 2023. Meteorologists forecast weather across the country would remain mostly near normal through Aug. 23 before turning hotter than normal from Aug. 24-Sept. 3. With more heat coming, LSEG forecast average gas demand in the Lower 48, including exports, will rise from 104.0 bcfd this week to 105.5 bcfd next week. The forecast for this week was lower than LSEG's outlook on Friday, while its forecast for next week was higher. Gas flows to the seven big U.S. LNG export plants rose to 12.8 bcfd so far in August, up from 11.9 bcfd in July when Freeport shut for nine days for Hurricane Beryl. That compares with a monthly record high of 14.7 bcfd in December 2023. Gas prices were trading around $13 per mmBtu at the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) benchmark in Europe and at an eight-month high near $15 at the Japan Korea Marker (JKM) benchmark in Asia.
US natgas prices ease 1% as storage surplus offsets rising demand (Reuters) -U.S. natural gas futures eased about 1%on Wednesday as the tremendous oversupply of gas still in storage offset a bullish decline in output in recent days and forecasts for more hot weather over the next two weeks than previously expected. That heat should boost the amount of gas power generators burn to keep air conditioners humming next week. Front-month gas futures NGc1 for September delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 2.1 cents, or 1.0%, to settle at $2.177 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). The tremendous oversupply of gas in storage has kept a lid on gas prices all year. There was still about 12% more gas in storage than normal for this time of year even though weekly builds, including last week's rare decline in August, have been smaller than normal in 13 of the past 14 weeks. In Texas, power demand in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid peaked at a preliminary record of 85,559 megawatts (MW) on Tuesday, topping the prior peak of 85,508 MW set on Aug. 10 2023. Real-time power prices in ERCOT topped $4,000/MW for three 15-minute intervals around 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday, peaking at $4,853 per MW, according to the ERCOT website. Day-ahead prices, where most firms sell energy, however, peaked at a much lower $123/MW-hour around 8 p.m. Producers increase and decrease output in reaction to prices, but it usually takes a few months for changes in drilling activity to show up in the production data. Average monthly spot prices at the U.S. Henry Hub benchmark in Louisiana hit a 12-month high of $3.18 per mmBtu in January before dropping to a 44-month low of $1.72 in February and a 32-year low of $1.49 in March, according to Reuters and federal energy data. In reaction to that price plunge, producers cut average monthly output from 106.0 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in February to 102.7 bcfd in March, 101.5 bcfd in April and a 17-month low of 101.3 bcfd in May, according to federal energy data. As monthly spot Henry Hub prices increased to $1.60 per mmBtu in April, $2.12 in May and $2.54 in June, some producers started to increase drilling activities, boosting output to 101.0 bcfd in June and 103.4 bcfd in July. But with average spot Henry Hub prices back down to $2.08 per mmBtu in July and $2.01 so far in August, analysts said output would likely decline as some producers reduce drilling activities again. Financial firm LSEG said gas output in the U.S. Lower 48 states has slid to an average of 102.3 bcfd so far in August, down from 103.4 bcfd in July. On a daily basis, LSEG said output was on track to drop by 1.3 bcfd over the past two days to a preliminary nine-week low of 100.6 bcfd on Wednesday. Analysts, however, noted that preliminary data is often revised later in the day.
EIA NatGas Storage Report Comes in at 10 Bcf Above Forecast -- Producers added 35 Bcf of natural gas to U.S. storage for the week ending Aug. 16, surpassing forecasts by 10 Bcf, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced Aug. 22. The news disappointed the market. Following the release, the cost of natural gas dropped at the Henry Hub and was $2.05/MMbtu at 12:30 a.m. EST on Aug. 22. Most of the additional gas in storage came from the Appalachian Basin. The Midwest added 19 Bcf and the East added 12 Bcf, according to the EIA. No other region of the country added more than 3 Bcf, and the South Central region, including Texas and Louisiana, added 0 [Bcf]. The amount is the largest weekly increase in natural gas added to storage since the first week of July. Last week, the EIA reported a rare summertime drop of 6 Bcf for the first time since 2018. Natural gas stocks are 369 Bcf above the five-year average for this time of year with a total of 3.3 Tcf currently in storage.
U.S. natgas prices drop 6% to 2-week low on big storage build, less heat U.S. natural gas futures dropped by about 6% to a two-week low on Thursday on a bigger-than-expected weekly storage build and forecasts for less hot weather over the next two weeks than previously expected. That less hot weather should reduce the amount of gas electric power generators burn to keep air conditioners humming. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said utilities added 35 Bft3 of gas into storage during the week ended Aug. 16. That was more than the 29-Bft3 build analysts forecast in a Reuters poll and compares with an increase of 23 Bft3 in the same week last year and a five-year (2019–2023) average rise of 41 Bft3 for this time of year. Even though the storage build was less than expected, it was still smaller than normal for a 13th time in the past 14 weeks, including the rare summer withdrawal during the week ended Aug. 9. That withdrawal was the first weekly decline in August since 2006. With the latest build, gas stocks were still about 13% above normal for this time of year. Front-month gas futures for September delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 11.9 cents, or 5.5%, to $2.058 per MMBtu, putting the contract on track for its lowest close since Aug. 6. In the spot market, pipeline constraints caused next-day gas prices at the Waha hub in the Permian Shale in West Texas to average in negative territory again for a record 28th time this year. Waha prices first averaged below zero in 2019. It happened 17 times in 2019, six in 2020 and once in 2023. Financial firm LSEG said gas output in the U.S. Lower 48 U.S. states has slid to an average of 102.3 Bft3d so far in August, down from 103.4 Bft3d in July. LSEG forecast average gas demand in the Lower 48, including exports, will rise from 103.7 Bft3d this week to 103.9 Bft3d next week. Those forecasts were lower than LSEG's outlook on Wednesday. Gas flows to the seven big U.S. LNG export plants rose to 12.9 Bft3d so far in August, up from 11.9 Bft3d in July. That compares with a monthly record high of 14.7 Bft3d in December 2023.
US natgas prices slide to two-week low on ample storage, lower demand (Reuters) -U.S. natural gas futures slid about 2% to a two-week low on Friday on forecasts for lower demand this week than previously expected. Energy analysts also noted that the oversupply of gas in storage has kept a lid on gas prices all year. There was still about 12.6% more gas in storage than normal for this time of year even though weekly builds, including a rare decline during one week in August, have been smaller than normal in 13 of the past 14 weeks. That price decline came despite forecasts for hotter-than-normal weather over the next two weeks that should prompt power generators to burn more gasto keep air conditioners humming into early September. Front-month gas futures NGc1 for September delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 3.1 cents, or 1.5%, to settle at $2.022 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), their lowest close since Aug. 6 for a second day in a row. With the contract down for fourdays in a row, the front-month dropped about 5% this week aftereasing about 1% last week. In Canada, next-day gas prices at the AECO hub in Alberta fell to 20 cents per mmBtu, their lowest since hitting a record low of around 2 cents in August 2022, according to pricing data from financial firm LSEG going back to 1993. SUPPLY AND DEMAND Producers increase and decrease output in reaction to prices, but it usually takes a few months for changes in drilling activity to show up in the production data. Average monthly spot prices at the U.S. Henry Hub benchmark NG-W-HH-SNL in Louisiana hit a 12-month high of $3.18 per mmBtu in January before dropping to a 44-month low of $1.72 in February and a 32-year low of $1.49 in March, according to Reuters and federal energy data. In reaction to that price plunge, producers cut average monthly output from 106.0 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in February to 102.7 bcfd in March, 101.5 bcfd in April and a 17-month low of 101.3 bcfd in May, according to federal energy data. As monthly spot Henry Hub prices increased to $1.60 per mmBtu in April, $2.12 in May and $2.54 in June, some producers, including EQT EQT.N and Chesapeake Energy CHK.O, started to increase drilling activities, boosting output to 101.0 bcfd in June and 103.4 bcfd in July. But with average spot Henry Hub prices back down to $2.08 per mmBtu in July and $2.02 so far in August, analysts said output would likely decline as some producers reduce drilling activities again.
When Will Waha Natural Gas Prices Find Firm Footing in Positive Territory? -- Permian Basin benchmark Waha cash prices, mired in a protracted slump amid limited natural gas takeaway capacity and a supply glut, may see the summer come and go without relief. But a massive new pipeline is slated to enter service this fall, promising to free up an abundance of associated gas and ease pricing pressure. NGI's SoCal Citygate, Waha & Henry Hub natural gas prices versus Lower 48 production. Waha traded in negative territory through most of the spring and summer, with producers forced to pay to have excess supply taken away and often stored underground. The hub on Tuesday averaged negative 69.0 cents/MMBtu, down 2.0 cents on the day, according to NGI data. Permian supplies are driven by associated gas produced alongside oil. Crude production in the prolific basin reached record levels this year amid global demand strength and slower activity among Saudi Arabia-led OPEC and allied oil-rich countries. Overall U.S. petroleum output hit all-time highs above 13 million b/d multiple times, according to the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. Nearly half of that supply came from the Permian. That remains the case in August.
Top US Oilfield Firm Halliburton Hit by Cyberattack - Top U.S. oilfield services firm Halliburton on Aug. 21 was hit by a cyberattack, according to a person familiar with the matter. The attack appeared to impact business operations at the company's north Houston campus, as well as some global connectivity networks, the person said, who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak on the record. Spokespeople for the company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The company has asked some staff not to connect to internal networks, the person said. Cyberattacks have been a major headache for the energy industry. In 2021, hackers attacked the Colonial Pipeline with ransomware, causing a days-long shutdown to the major fuel supply line. That breach, which the FBI attributed to a gang called DarkSide, led to a spike in gasoline prices, panic buying and localized fuel shortages. It also created a major political headache for President Joe Biden as the U.S. economy was starting to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Several major U.S. companies have suffered ransomware attacks in recent years, including UnitedHealth Group, gambling giants MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and consumer goods maker Clorox.
Pemex reports small diesel spill into Houston ship channel (Reuters) -Pollution response teams are responding to a two-gallon diesel spill into the Houston ship channel from the Pemex Deer Park refinery in Texas, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Tuesday, revising down an earlier estimate of the spill size. An estimated two gallons of diesel was discharged at Pemex’s Deer Park facility due to a flange leak, the Coast Guard said in an emailed statement, adding that the source is secured, and boom has been deployed to contain the discharge. "The diesel was partially captured by their secondary containment, with an unknown amount entering the Houston Ship Channel," it said. An earlier response from the Coast Guard had indicated 30 gallons of hydraulic oil leaked. "Our oil spill team is working to deploy oil booms to contain the spill. We have notified the appropriate government agencies," Pemex said in a community alert. Mexican national oil company Pemex operates a 312,500 barrel-per-day (bpd) oil refinery in Deer Park.
Zombie Wells: A $280 Billion Problem the U.S. Can’t Ignore - One hundred and fifty years of oil and gas production in the United States has left millions of decommissioned wells scattered around the country. While they no longer have much, if any, oil and gas to offer, the wells are still highly productive. Unfortunately, what they’re producing is a veritable pandora’s box of toxins threatening local human and environmental wellbeing.“These legacy pollution sites are environmental hazards,” declares a United States Department of the Interior site dedicated to orphan wells. “[They] jeopardize public health and safety by contaminating groundwater, emitting noxious gases like methane, littering the landscape with rusted and dangerous equipment, creating flooding and sinkhole risks, and harming wildlife.”Many of these wells – known as ‘orphan wells’ no longer have any official owner, and their proper decommissioning has therefore become the responsibility of the United States government. And while the country has made major inroads toward addressing the widespread and growing problem of orphan wells, most notably through the Biden Administration’s recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which earmarks $4.7 billion just for this purpose, there is still a long way to go toward solving the issue.While private and public interests have made efforts over time to plug up and properly seal old wells so that they don’t leak harmful gasses and chemicals, about 2.6 million onshore wells remain unsealed according to a 2020 report from environmental watchdog Carbon Tracker. And those are just the ones that we know about. The report estimates that another 1.2 million undocumented wells exist nationwide. It’s projected that plugging just the 2.6 million wells we know about will cost a blistering $280 billion – meaning that the $4.7 billion allocated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will barely make a dent.What’s more, many of the wells that have been plugged are now bursting open. According to Reuters reporting in West Texas, “over the last two years, more and more abandoned wells have started to spill or even gushed geyser-like, formed salt and chemical-laden lakes or caused sinkholes.” There are several possible explanations for this phenomenon.The first of which is that The Railroad Commission (RRC), which for some reason is the regulatory body that oversees oil and gas operations in Texas, has been doing a shoddy job on the sealing process. In the absence of a solvent owner of record for an abandoned oil and gas well, the RRC is legally responsible for its proper sealing.The second major issue seems to be coming from increased underground pressure from the region’s shale boom. When hydraulic fracturing is used to extract oil and gas, huge quantities of water gush out of the well along with it. This salty ‘wastewater’ contains hazardous elements like radium and boron, and is largely pumped back into the ground. But if it’s pumped too deep, it risks triggering earthquakes. And if it’s pumped too shallow, underground pressure increases, and poorly sealed wells start to blow.This has become a major issue in Texas, home to the Permian Basin, the heart of the U.S. shale revolution and the nation’s largest oilfield. Billions of gallons of wastewater have been injected into underground reservoirs there, and are likely contributing to the problem of previously plugged ‘zombie wells’ roaring back to life.While the RRC has pushed back on reports that the problem of ‘zombie wells’ is widespread, and whether their connection to wastewater injections are empirically founded, scientific evidence for the connection is building – and so is public and private scrutiny. Indeed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said that it will investigate whether there is a need to revoke the RRC’s permitting authority for disposal wells for such wastewater in response to a federal complaint filed by Texas watchdog group Commission Shift.
Federal officials begin decommissioning of old gas pipeline in New Mexico - A natural gas pipeline built in the 1940s across northern New Mexico is being decommissioned by federal officials. Some of the final restoration work is underway. The Valles Caldera National Preserve is where the retired natural gas pipeline exists and work is undereway on the third and final phase of decommissioning the line. It crosses the caldera, a large area where once a volcano exists before it exploded, leaving behind a crater that could stretch for miles or even more greater distances. This phase continues with restoring natural ecological processes to a nine-mile-long section disturbed by the pipeline corridor, including reducing erosion, reconnecting wetlands, recontouring to promote natural revegetation, and removing evidence of the access road. During this reclamation work, the project area along with trail access from the park’s east boundary will be closed for the remainder of the year. The pipeline – built in the 1940s by the US Department of Energy to transport natural gas to Los Alamos National Laboratory – was retired in 2022 and restoration efforts began that same year. The National Park Service (NPS) and New Mexico Gas Company have worked together to develop the restoration plan. This phase covers rehabilitating the landscape along the central and eastern nine miles of the pipeline route within the park, from the San Antonio Cabin area to the eastern boundary of the park. The reclamation activities, funded entirely by New Mexico Gas Company, will involve smoothing out the old roadbed, removing berms, installing water bars and plugs, removing culverts, reconnecting wetlands bisected by the route, tilling and harrowing the soil in the reclaimed sections, and replanting with native plant seeds. The entire route of the old pipeline corridor will be closed to all visitor use to allow vegetation to regrow. The NPS is working on a trail reroute for the 2025 season and will provide details early next year. The work is expected to be mostly completed by early November. The NPS will monitor the restoration effort to evaluate vegetation establishment to ensure that erosion reduction measures are successful.
Piñon Dark Horse Fire Reveals How Oil Industry Environmental ‘Solution’ Spurs Climate Crisis - - The trouble began at Piñon Midstream’s Dark Horse Treating Plant in Jal, New Mexico, on November 25, 2023, with an unexpected loud “pop” in the early afternoon, the company would later tell state regulators. A poisonous mix of flammable gasses hissed out from a pipeline feeding into the plant.Within a minute, a worker radioed in to the plant’s control room that a dense cloud of vapor had enveloped part of the plant. Within two minutes, Dark Horse was ablaze in what the company would later call an “intense and sustained fire.” Within 15 minutes, more pipes ripped open, and a towering fireball tore through the plant.Black plumes of smoke streamed over the desert and the Permian Basin shale below. An onlooker swore in Spanish as the fireball expanded across the sky, one anonymous video posted on Instagram shows. A second burst of flames erupted after dark as the fire burned on.It was two days before the first Piñon workers, wearing firefighter-style air tanks, could approach the plant’s perimeter. It was another day before the fire was fully extinguished.The November explosion involved some of the oilfield’s deadliest chemicals, though fortunately no injuries were reported from the fire.The incident offers a rare window into some of the inner workings of private oil companies while also revealing how taxpayers can wind up paying enormous subsidies to carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) operations that generate far more climate-altering pollution than they prevent.The fuel feeding into Dark Horse on the day of the explosion was a particularly dangerous mix, made up of methane gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), other fossil fuels, and poisonous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas — a toxic blend that oil companies nicknamed “sour gas” and “acid gas” due to the sulfur-like odor of hydrogen sulfide and CO2’s ability to acidify water. Dark Horse is designed to remove and dispose of the hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide contaminants so the rest of the gas can be sold. The company markets itself as the largest such project in New Mexico.Dark Horse’s anchor shipper is Ameredev II, a private-equity backed driller that’s one of New Mexico’s top 25 oil producers. In June, Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR) announced plans to acquire Ameredev II for $1.9 billion in cash. As that deal was announced, Matador management acknowledged Ameredev II’s oil production saw disruptions at the end of 2023 due to “issues” at Piñon.State production data shows Ameredev II’s New Mexico oil production abruptly dropped by over 400,000 barrels a month in the Dark Horse fire’s aftermath — a roughly 80 percent dive.That’s enough oil to create roughly 18 times as much climate-altering CO2 pollution as the plant would have captured if it was up and running, a review of company filings and EPA emissions data by DeSmog finds.This summer, just seven months after the fire ripped through Dark Horse, the EPA approved a key “monitoring, reporting, and verification” plan for the project — a key step in enabling the company to claim carbon capture tax credits that could be worth over a quarter of a billion dollars.Tax credits for Piñon would be another way that CCS incentives are being used by the oil and gas industry to fuel fossil fuel development. The EPA’s 712-page approval makes no mention of the plant’s safety record, the fire, or its causes.Sour gas is a growing curse for the oil and gas industry. “As oil and gas wells age, the H2S levels of fields where they are located may increase,” the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) warns.Some in the industry are already citing estimates that “40% of natural gas reserves are sour, with 20% being so sour they can’t be economically or technically accessed.”Certain oil wells also produce high levels of carbon dioxide gas — not the byproduct of burning oil, but carbon dioxide that was naturally trapped below ground or injected by drillers for enhanced oil recovery. And when carbon dioxide and H2S come into contact with water, they can form corrosive acids. And there’s a lot of water involved when you drill shale oil — both the salty brines that were previously trapped underground alongside the crude and the enormous volumes of water injected underground during drilling and fracking.Producers tend to avoid sour gas-tainted oil because when there’s enough H2S and CO2 in the mix, you need specialized equipment to remove those deadly and corrosive gasses. That adds costs and creates a single point of failure that can throw a wrench in production from multiple wells.A small handful of Permian drillers nonetheless seem determined to tap oil deposits contaminated with particularly high levels of sour gas, reserves hazardous or expensive enough to scare off other producers.Piñon offers a uniquely important service for those drillers. The Dark Horse plant is designed to siphon off carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, turning gas considered too sour to sell into a “sweetened” fossil fuel blend that pipeline companies will accept for shipment. Dark Horse “unlocks previously challenged resource development” in Lea County, New Mexico, and in Texas’ Winkler and Loving counties, Black Bay Energy Capital, a private equity company backing Piñon, says on its website.The company injects the removed carbon and hydrogen sulfide waste deep underground, via a pair of disposal wells — meaning that even though it doesn’t get its carbon from burning fossil fuel, what Dark Horse does is considered carbon capture and sequestration. Supporters of CCS have predicted that tax credits — massively increased when the Inflation Reduction Act became law in September 2022 — will ultimately aid the fight against climate catastrophe. By creating a market for carbon, companies burning fossil fuels for power or working in “hard to abate” industries will be incentivized to capture their carbon emissions, ultimately reducing climate-altering pollution, advocates say. So far, that’s not what’s happening. Instead, most of today’s captured carbon comes from natural gas processors like Piñon. “The majority of CO2 being captured today is not captured from power plants or industrial processes like steel or cement, which is how CCS is often marketed,” a November 2023 report from Oil Change International found. “Instead, 67% of CO2 captured today comes from gas processing plants.”
Newsom vetoes bill to strengthen air pollution monitoring near refineries --California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Monday vetoed a bill aimed at tightening air pollution monitoring provisions for so-called fence-line zones that mark the perimeter of oil refineries. “While I share the author’s desire to protect communities from air pollution, local air quality management districts are already carrying out the necessary action to do just that,” Newsom said in his veto message.The bill in question, SB 674, would have updated air monitoring protocols for fence-line zones to include facilities beyond petroleum refineries and would require these sites to maintain records of data collection for at least five years.Refineries included under the bill’s provisions would have been those that produce gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, biofuel, lubricating oil, asphalt, petrochemical feedstock and other similar products, per the legislation.These facilities would have been subject to third-party audits, quarterly reports and mandates to complete root cause analyses within 24 hours of any incident. State Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D), who sponsored the bill, described Newsom’s veto as “a devastating blow to the years of hard work and advocacy by communities affected by refinery air pollution,” according to a Monday statement.“ Fenceline communities urgently need improved air monitoring, and it shouldn’t be this difficult to establish a system that provides them with the most basic necessities — transparency and information about the toxic chemicals being released into their neighborhoods,” Gonzalez said. A press release from the state senator’s office touted the bill’s ability to establish a statewide air monitoring standard, which could have ensured that best practices were being used to prevent dangerous outcomes in these areas. “I am deeply disappointed by this outcome, but we cannot walk away from this issue,” Gonzalez added. “Our communities demand and deserve stronger protections.” Oscar Espino-Padron, a senior attorney for Earthjustice’s community partnerships program,said in a statement that he viewed the veto as “a missed opportunity to enact meaningful change that could have saved lives and improved public health.”
Woodfibre LNG Construction Advances for 2027 Startup - As concrete pouring and substantial site preparation begins at the Woodfibre LNG project in British Columbia (BC), project partners are targeting for the facility to be Canada’s second operational terminal. Touted as one of the world’s lowest greenhouse gas emitting liquefied natural gas export projects, Woodfibre is designed to access Western Canada’s prolific natural gas reserves to send more volumes on an abbreviated route to Asian customers from the Pacific Coast. Early construction began in the fall of 2022, and work began last year on the first out of 18 Chinese fabricated modules that would make up the LNG project. All modules are scheduled to arrive by fall 2025. “Once the facility is up and running, it will have the capacity to liquefy up to 2.1 million tonnes of LNG per year (mmty) and store up to 250,000 cubic meters,” Woodfibre spokesperson Sean Beardow told NGI. “Under normal conditions, the project expects to load one ship approximately every 10 days.”
Pilot Launching Mexico LNG Terminal With Sights on Bunkering Opportunities in North and Central America --Houston-based Pilot LNG LLC plans to develop a liquefied natural gas bunkering and transshipment The company said it would develop Salina Cruz LNG in a joint venture (JV) with Houston-based affiliate GFI LNG LP, which has sold commodities in Mexico for more than 20 years. The facility would be near Salinas Del Marqués and Salina Cruz in Oaxaca state. On the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, the facility would be positioned to supply North and Central American bunker and fuel markets, the JV said.
An oil spill occurs off the Caribbean coast of Venezuela - An oil spill from the El Palito refinery in Venezuela polluted a bay in the Caribbean Sea. An oil slick covering an area of about 225 km² covered the Morrocoy National Park and affected coastal areas. A few days ago, Venezuela's El Palito oil refinery allegedly spilled oil that polluted a bay off Venezuela's north-central coast in the Caribbean Sea. This was reported by Reuters on Saturday by five sources, UNN reports. Biologist Eduardo Klein has published satellite images on X that he says show an oil slick of about 225 square kilometers (87 square miles) in the Golf Triste that completely covers the Morrocoy National Park, known for its palm-lined beaches and mangrove trees. Neither the state-owned company Petroleos de Venezuela PDVSA nor the Ministry of Oil had any comments. The El Palito refinery, with a capacity of 146,000 barrels of crude oil per day, is the smallest refinery in Venezuela and is located in the municipality of Puerto Cabello on the coast of the central state of Carabobo. “The spill came from El Palito. This morning, some beaches in Boca de Aroa woke up with a lot of hydrocarbons on the shore and it affected some boats, some artisanal fishing boats,” one source told Reuters. Another source reported seeing three large oil slicks that had washed ashore.
Global LNG: Asia spot prices ease from 8-month top on weaker demand - Asian spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices eased this week from a more than eight-month top on the back of easing spot demand and as European gas prices also fell. The average LNG price for October delivery into north-east Asia was at $13.80 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), industry sources estimated, down from $14.10/mmBtu last week. Despite hot weather in east Asia driving up gas consumption for power demand, the higher prices limited buying from some importers in the region. Asian LNG prices could continue to drop next week as well, said Ana Subasic, natural gas and LNG analyst at data and analytics firm Kpler. “While there may be some spot demand from Japan and South Korea due to high power sector gas consumption, price-sensitive buyers in South and Southeast Asia are expected to hold off on purchases until prices fall,” she said. “Recently, buyers in India and Thailand have failed in awarding spot tenders,” she added. The price declines come despite supply disruptions from one of the two trains at Australia’s Ichthys LNG plant in Darwin this week, its second outage in the past month. In Europe, S&P Global Commodity Insights assessed its daily North West Europe LNG Marker (NWM) price benchmark for cargoes delivered in October on an ex-ship (DES) basis at $12.047/mmBtu on Aug. 22, a $0.15/mmBtu discount to the October gas price at the Dutch TTF hub. Argus assessed it at $12.00/mmBtu, while Spark Commodities assessed the September price at $11.794/mmBtu. Europe gas prices eased on Friday amid cooler temperatures and weak renewables generation. Temperatures across Europe are also seen dropping this weekend, said Kpler’s Subasic, adding that strong renewable power generation is likely to reduce the need for gas-fired power. Meanwhile, U.S. feedgas flows have been stable, while regulatory filings show Corpus Christi’s stage 3 and the Plaquemines terminals are stepping closer to first feedgas receipts and first LNG production, in line with their planned start-up dates, said Samuel Good, head of LNG pricing at commodity pricing agency Argus. On LNG freight, Atlantic rates fell for a second straight week to $61,500/day on Friday, said Spark Commodities analyst Qasim Afghan. This is the biggest week-on-week decrease in over a month, and marks an over $15,000 decline in the last two weeks, he added. Pacific rates also declined, easing to $78,750/day.
What’s the Outlook for Global LNG Market This Winter? — Listen Now to NGI’s Hub & Flow -- Click here to listen to the latest episode of NGI’s Hub & Flow. Susan Sakmar, a visiting law professor at the University of Houston Law Center and a board member at Flex LNG Ltd., covers the state of the global liquefied natural gas market at the end of summer with NGI’s LNG Managing Editor Jamison Cocklin. The two discuss the geopolitical tensions and supply security issues that are likely to factor heavily into the winter heating season. The conversation covers the recent court decision impacting Rio Grande and Texas LNG projects that could have far-reaching impacts for other export terminals under development. Sakmar and Cocklin also review some of the key events that have shaped the market in recent years, and how they’re likely to influence its future. Believing that transparent markets empower businesses, economies and communities, NGI – which publishes daily, weekly and monthly natural gas indexes at pricing points across North America – works to provide natural gas price transparency for the Americas. NGI’s Hub & Flow podcast is a part of that effort.
Arrow Energy to Develop Additional Feed Gas for Queensland Curtis LNG -- Shell plc and PetroChina Co. Ltd. are moving ahead with plans to develop the second phase of the Surat Gas project in Queensland, Australia. Arrow Energy, a joint venture formed by the companies in 2010, would develop the onshore project in the eastern part of the country. Phase 2 would produce 22,400 boe/d, or about 130 MMcf/d of natural gas. Those volumes would be used to feed the 8.5 million metric tons/year Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) facility near Gladstone, as well as domestic customers in the region. Arrow signed a 27-year gas supply agreement with QCLNG in 2017.
Russian Natural Gas Flows Continue Through Ukraine, Lowering Price Volatility For Now – A rally in global natural gas prices cooled as traders eye the latest signs of volatility on the Russian-Ukrainian border, but searing heat and a possible spike in Asian demand are still lurking. Several days after Ukrainian forces pushed into Russian territory and captured a key pipeline gas intake point in Sudzha, contract prices have slightly retreated or floated around the same levels in some cases. “All eyes on the gas market remain on the situation in Southern Russia following the Ukrainian offensive earlier this month, which has led to fighting close to the important pipeline which transports Russian gas to Southern Europe,” analysts with energy trading firm Energi Danmark wrote in a note. “The market has for long feared that the pipeline could be damaged but for now, this has not happened yet.”
Polish leader urges Nord Stream patrons to 'keep quiet' as pipeline mystery returns to spotlight— Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Saturday reacted to reports that revived questions about who blew up the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022, saying the initiators of the gas pipeline project should "apologize and keep quiet." That comment came after one of his deputies denied a claim that Warsaw was partly responsible for its damage. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Ukrainian authorities were responsible for blowing up the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September 2022, a dramatic act of sabotage that cut Germany off from a key source of energy and worsened an energy crisis in Europe. Germany was a partner with Russia in the pipeline project. Poland has long said its own security interests have been harmed by Nord Stream. “To all the initiators and patrons of Nord Stream 1 and 2. The only thing you should do today about it is apologise and keep quiet,” Tusk wrote on the social media portal X Saturday. Tusk appeared to be reacting specifically to a claim by a former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, BND, August Hanning, who told the German daily Die Welt that the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines must have had Poland’s support. Hanning said Germany should consider seeking compensation from Poland and Ukraine. Hanning, who retired from his spy chief job, did not provide any evidence in support of his claim. Some observers noted that he served under former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who went on to work later for Russian state-owned energy companies, including Nord Stream. Krzysztof Gawkowski, a deputy Polish prime minister and the minister of digital affairs, strongly denied reports that Poland and Ukraine had damaged the Nord Stream gas pipeline in an interview Friday on the Polsat broadcaster. Gawkowski alleged that the comments of the former member of the German intelligence service were “inspired by Moscow” and were aimed at destabilizing NATO countries. “I believe that this is the sound of Russian disinformation,” he added. On Wednesday, Polish prosecutors confirmed that they had received a warrant for a Ukrainian man wanted by Germany as a suspect in the pipeline attack, but that he left the country before he could be arrested. The Nord Stream project, with its two pipelines created to carry gas from Russia to Europe along the Baltic Sea bed, went ahead despite opposition from Poland, the U.S. and Ukraine. They allowed Russia to send gas directly to Western Europe, bypassing Poland and Ukraine. With all gas previously going over land, Warsaw and Kyiv feared losing huge sums in transit fees and political leverage that came with controlling the gas transports. The Wall Street Journal said in its report published Thursday that it spoke to four senior Ukrainian defense and security officials who either participated in or had direct knowledge of the plot. All of them said the pipelines were a legitimate target in Ukraine’s war of defense against Russia. Ukrainian authorities are denying the claims. Nord Stream 1 was completed and came online in 2011. Nord Stream 2 was not finished until the fall of 2021 but never became operational due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Experts suspect Chinese hand behind Finland-Estonia gas pipeline damage -- Western officials and analysts are suspicious about the involvement of a Chinese container ship in damaging the Balticconnector Gas Pipeline, a vital Baltic Sea gas pipeline linking Estonia and Finland, reported Voice of America (VOA). The incident occurred in October last year. According to the Chinese government, the damage was caused by a Hong Kong-registered ship called Newnew Polar Bear. However, Beijing has attributed the destruction to an oceanic storm, despite reports that no such storm occurred, Voice of America reported. This discrepancy has raised concerns and suspicions among experts who are investigating the incident. In an interview on August 13 with Estonia public radio, ERR, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkursaid he was sceptical of China (/topic/china)'s claim that a storm caused the incident, Voice of America reported. "Personally, I find it very difficult to understand how a ship's captain could fail to notice for such a long time that its anchor had been dragging along the seabed, but it is up to the prosecutor's office to complete the investigation," he said. Markku Mylly, the former director of the European Maritime Safety Agency, also claimed that the capital of Finland, Helsinki had witnessed no storms in the Gulf of Finland at the time. Reportedly, a Finnish newspaper, 'Iltalehti' had also consulted data from the Finland (/topic/finland) Meteorological Institute and confirmed Mylly's claims. Meanwhile, Pevkur in a statement to ERR had mentioned that Estonia (/topic/estonia) will not give up claims against China (/topic/china) for compensation of the damage, VOA reported. According to the VOA report, the Baltic Sea oil and gas pipeline (/topic/gas-pipeline) between both countries was built with EU's assistance and was commissioned in 2019 at a cost of around USD 331 million, to detach Finland (/topic/finland), Estonia (/topic/estonia), Latvia, and Lithuania's dependence on Russia for natural gas.
Oil Cargo Transfer: Philippines begins transfer of oil cargo from sunken tanker -- The Philippines said Wednesday it began retrieving 1.4 million litres of industrial fuel oil from a sunken tanker off Manila Bay that for weeks has threatened to cause an environmental disaster. One of the worst oil spills in Philippine history occurred in February 2023, when a tanker carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil sank off the central island of Mindoro.The Philippines said Wednesday it began retrieving 1.4 million litres of industrial fuel oil from a sunken tanker off Manila Bay that for weeks has threatened to cause an environmental disaster. The Philippine coast guard said a private company is transferring the cargo, an operation the government earlier indicated could take one week to complete. "The syphoning operation for the first tank is ongoing," a coast guard media officer told reporters. The Filipino-flagged tanker capsized and sank off Manila on July 25, killing one crew member as the ship tried to return to port amid bad weather fuelled by Typhoon Gaemi. It was carrying eight tanks of industrial fuel oil when it sank. Advt It took authorities three weeks to control the spillage of the cargo and install the equipment to remove the fuel oil from the vessel that now rests at the bottom of the bay about 34 metres (112 feet) below the waves. The coast guard had warned the release of the cargo onto the bay would be an "environmental catastrophe" and the country's worst oil spill. The coast guard later said the spillage has been minimal, but local governments nonetheless imposed "no-catch" zones affecting tens of thousands of fishermen in the bay. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has urged the public to "exercise caution when consuming fish from the affected areas due to the risk of petrochemical contamination". One of the worst oil spills in Philippine history occurred in February 2023, when a tanker carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil sank off the central island of Mindoro. Diesel fuel and thick oil from that vessel contaminated the waters and beaches along the coast of Oriental Mindoro province, devastating the fishing and tourism industries. The oil dispersed over hundreds of kilometres of waters famed for having some of the most diverse marine life in the world.
Iran’s natural gas grid expanded by 53,000 km since 2021 --CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) says the gas grid in the country has expanded by 53,000 kilometers in the past three years. Majid Chegeni said on Sunday that Iran had built more than 1,800 kilometers of new high pressure gas transmission pipelines since August 2021 when the outgoing government took office. Chegeni said the number of gas grid customers in Iran had increased by nearly a million over the past three years, adding that some 50 new cities and 6,800 villages had also been connected to the country’s nationwide gas pipeline network over the same period. Natural gas became available to 24 new power plants and 21,000 industrial units across Iran over the past three years, he said, adding that the NIGC had also built seven new pumping stations with 24 compressors to power long-distance gas pipelines in the country. Iran is one of the four largest producers and consumers of natural gas in the world. The country injects more than 850 million cubic meters per day of natural gas to its nationwide grid during cold winter months. Total gas output in Iran has exceeded 1 billion cubic meters per day, a bulk of which comes from South Pars, the world’s largest gas field which is located on the maritime border between Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf. Chegeni’s comments on Sunday came during a ceremony to inaugurate a 176-kilometer gas pipeline in eastern Iran where the NIGC has been carrying out projects to boost gas supplies to households and industries in the region. A report on the Iranian Oil Ministry’s news website said that the government had spent 72 trillion rials ($124.1 million) on the pipeline connecting Dashtak in Sistan region to Nehbandan in the South Khorasan province.
Oil dips on concerns over China demand drop, Middle East ceasefire talks; Brent crude at $79.55/bbl -- Oil prices declined in early Asian trading on Monday, influenced by concerns over weaker demand in China, the world's largest oil importer. Market sentiment was also affected by investor attention on the progress of ceasefire talks in the Middle East, which could potentially lower supply risks. By 0032 GMT, Brent crude futures fell by 13 cents, or 0.2%, to $79.55 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also decreased by 13 cents, or 0.2%, to $76.52 per barrel. “Crude oil futures continue to see high price swings and are currently down 0.5%, as focus remains on developments in the middle-east conflict and the progress of ceasefire talks. Also in focus will be China's prime loan rate decision on Tuesday and the weekly oil inventory data on Wednesday," . Both benchmarks dropped by nearly 2% last Friday as investors scaled back their expectations for demand growth from China. However, they ended the week relatively flat compared to the previous week, thanks to U.S. data indicating moderating inflation and strong retail spending. On Thursday, data from China indicated a slowdown in its economy in July, with new home prices dropping at the fastest rate in nine years, a decline in industrial output, and rising unemployment. This heightened concerns among traders about reduced demand from China, where refineries significantly lowered crude processing rates last month due to weak fuel demand. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday for another Middle East tour aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza. However, Hamas cast doubt on his mission by accusing Israel of undermining his efforts. Despite months of intermittent negotiations, mediating countries—Qatar, the United States, and Egypt—have yet to bridge enough differences to reach an agreement, and the violence in Gaza continued on Sunday.
Oil Prices Tumble on Economic Concerns and Diplomatic Developments - While the oil markets were on the defensive at the start of trading Sunday night and into early Monday, based on the economic malaise that continued to be reflected in the economic statistics coming out of China late last week and again over the weekend, the market posted a sharp sell off at midday as news of further progress being made in the Gaza ceasefire talks. With the reports of Israeli agreement to accept the ceasefire proposal suggested by the U.S., crude oil prices fell over $1.50 per barrel in just under 60 minutes of trading this afternoon and September WTI settled at $74.37 per barrel, down $2.28, posting its lowest settlement since August 6th. The bearish move was even greater in the products markets with September gasoline market off 4.49 cents and the spot heating oil contract off 6.25 cents. The technical damage was greater in the product markets as the September gasoline contract reached lows not seen since February of this year while the September distillate contract dropped to its lowest settlement since June 23rd of last year. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday called the latest diplomatic push by Washington to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza “probably the best, maybe the last opportunity” and urged all parties to get the agreement over the finish line. The talks towards a ceasefire that has been going on for months are set to continue this week in Cairo, following a two-day meeting in Doha last week. The U.S. Secretary of State will intensify U.S. diplomatic pressure to ensure negotiators secure a breakthrough later this week after the U.S. put forward last week bridging proposals that the mediating countries believe would close gaps between the warring parties. Monday afternoon Secretary Blinken said following his constructive meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today, the prime minister confirmed his administration would accept and support the bridging ceasefire proposal put forth by the U.S. Reuters is reporting that production from Libya’s Sharara oilfield has risen back to 85,000 b/d, as operators appear to be seeking to supply the Zawia oil refinery. The field had been producing some 300,000 b/d before NOC declare a force majeure event back on August 7th following a political issue that prompted protesters to blockade the facility. IIR Energy said U.S. oil refiners are expected to shut in about 389,000 bpd of capacity in the week ending August 23rd, increasing available refining capacity by 99,000 bpd. Offline capacity is expected to fall to 298,000 bpd in the week ending August 30th. The U.S. National Hurricane Center is currently not expecting any other tropical cyclone development in the Atlantic basin for the next seven days. But longer range model guidance is beginning to show the possibility of a robust tropical wave to push off the coast of Africa next weekend and will be entering an area where environmental conditions are expected to be quite favorable for development. The model guidance has this system approaching the Leeward Islands by the end of next week and then continuing to move westward the following week. The long range models also are indicating the Gulf of Mexico could also be an area of additional tropical development next week as well.
Oil falls by more than $2 a barrel on Gaza ceasefire talks and weak Chinese economy (Reuters) - Oil prices fell by more than $2 a barrel Monday on the prospect of successful Middle Eastern peace talks reducing supply risks, while leading oil importer China's economic weakness threatened to curb demand. Brent crude futures settled at $77.66 a barrel, dropping $2.02, or 2.5%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled at $74.37 a barrel, falling $2.28, or 3%. "This market is under pressure under expectations that they're going to continue to hammer away at the ceasefire talks," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said the latest diplomatic push by Washington to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza was "probably the best, maybe the last opportunity" and implored all stakeholders to get the agreement over the finish line. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the he "reiterated Israel's commitment to the latest American proposal regarding the release of our hostages - taking into account Israel's security needs." "Much of the past week's selling across the energy complex has represented a reduction in Mideast risk premium," said Jim Ritterbusch, of Ritterbusch and Associates in Florida. China's economic problems also pressured oil prices, with data last week showing new home prices falling at the fastest pace in nine years. Chinese refineries sharply cut crude processing rates last month in response to weak fuel demand. Both crude benchmarks fell nearly 2% on Friday as investors tempered their Chinese demand growth expectations, but ended the week largely unchanged after U.S. data showed inflation was moderating despite robust retail spending."Persistent concerns about slow demand in China led to a sell-off," said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, president of NS Trading, adding that the approaching end of peak driving season in the United States was another factor weighing on prices.However, supply risks from continued tensions in the Middle East and escalation of the Russian-Ukraine war are underpinning the market, he said. Energy investors also awaited clues on the U.S. Federal Reserve's next interest rates decision.A slim majority of economists polled by Reuters said they expected that the Fed would cut interest rates by 25 basis points at each of the remaining three meetings this year, one more reduction than predicted last month, and that a recession was unlikely.
Oil prices hover near two-week low over easing MidEast tensions, weak China data; Brent at $77/bbl -- Global crude oil prices declined on Tuesday, August 20, hovering near a two-week low as Middle East supply concerns eased after Israel accepted a proposal to tackle disagreements blocking a ceasefire deal in Gaza and as economic weakness in China weighed on the country's fuel demand. China is one of the top consumers of crude oil apart from India. Brent futures for October delivery fell 27 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $77.39 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for September fell 21 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to $74.16 on its last day as the front-month. The more actively traded WTI futures for October, which will soon become the front month, were down about 27 cents to $73.39 per barrel.
- -Analysts said that they expect a volatile session today as efforts toward an Israeli/Gaza ceasefire appear to be gaining enough traction to announce an official deal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Egypt and pushed for progress toward a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Other major differences still need to be resolved in talks this week.
- -According to analysts, despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, clashes between Israel and Hamas continue, and the markets will remain highly sensitive to any developments in the region. If the market fundamentals don't break this bearish trend, OPEC may hesitate to unwind their voluntary cuts anytime soon.
- -OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and allies like Russia have said global oil demand growth must accelerate in the coming months. Otherwise, the market will struggle to absorb the group's planned increase in supply from October.
- -OPEC member Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, said crude exports fell to 6.047 million barrels per day (bpd) in June from 6.118 million bpd in May. Data from China, the world's second-largest economy, showed that new home prices fell in July at their fastest pace in nine years, industrial output slowed, export and investment growth dipped, and unemployment rose.
- -Analysts said that the main culprit is China, whose economic struggles are mirrored in falling product export figures, sluggish refinery runs and waning thirst for foreign crude oil. US prices for heating oil futures fell to their lowest since May 2023 for a second straight day. The heating oil crack spread, which measures refining profit margins, stayed near its lowest since November 2021.
- -Prices for US gasoline futures fell to their lowest since February 2024. According to news agency Reuters, analysts projected US energy firms pulled about 2.9 million barrels of crude out of storage during the week ended August 16.
- -If correct, that would be the seventh time US crude stocks declined in the past eight weeks. There was a withdrawal of 6.1 million barrels during the same week last year and an average decrease of 3.4 million barrels over the past five years (2019-2023).
WTI crude oil fell three per cent yesterday, dropping to $74.20 per barrel, weighed down by concerns about reduced demand from top importer China and the prospect of easing supply disruptions amid ongoing ceasefire talks. According to analysts, China produced 6.1 per cent less fuel in July than the previous year, marking the fourth consecutive monthly decline, owing to weak fuel demand and lower profit margins. ‘’China's oil processing rate fell to approximately 13.91 million barrels, the lowest level since October 2022. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, with the next step dependent on Hamas's acceptance of the plan aimed at de-escalating the long-standing conflict,''
The Market Appeared to Bounce During the Morning on the News of a Continued Fighting in Gaza - The oil markets acted nervously on Tuesday. While the overriding theme in the markets continued to be the economic malaise in China and the potential progress in a ceasefire deal for the fighting in Gaza, the market appeared to bounce during the morning on the news of continued fighting in Gaza and the retrieval of the bodies of six hostages that had been held in Gaza by Hamas. But this rally was short-lived as it appeared the potential ceasefire deal was still alive as Secretary Blinken shuttled between Israel, Egypt and Qatar all in the last 24 hours.The WTI options market appeared to reflect the nervous uncertainty in the market today as the two most active option strikes were the October $70 put and the October $80 call, as it appeared traders were seeking protection if the market made a substantial move in either direction. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Egypt and Qatar on Tuesday, pushing for areas of possible progress on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal in talks planned for later this week. He arrived in Egypt from Tel Aviv, where he said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accepted a U.S. “bridging proposal” aimed at narrowing the gaps between the two sides after talks last week paused without a breakthrough. At the end of the day he was reported to have arrived in Qatar as he continued his efforts in seeking an agreement He urged Hamas to also accept the proposal as the basis for more talks. The Palestinian militant group has not definitively rejected the proposal, but has said it backtracks from areas previously agreed and has accused Israel and its U.S. ally of spinning out the negotiations process in bad faith.According to General Administration of Customs data, China’s fuel oil imports fell for a third consecutive month in July. China’s fuel oil imports in July totaled 1.38 million metric tons or about 282,000 bpd, 8% lower than in June and 9% down from a year earlier. Meanwhile, fuel oil export volumes for bunkering totaled 1.66 million tons in July, up 5% from June and 8% higher than in the corresponding month last year.Goldman Sachs in a research note to clients this week noted that “soft china oil demand and downside risks to China GDP growth strengthen our view that risks to our $75-$90 range for Brent in 2025 skew to the downside.” The investment bank now expects Brent falling to $68 per barrel by late 2025 versus a $81 base case if Chinese oil demand remains flat. Goldman saw Chinese oil demand growing by only 200,000 b/d over the first six months of the year, while demand this summer has turned negative versus a year ago.Norway’s Equinor has begun work to resume output at its Gullfaks C oil and gas platform in the North Sea after a shutdown on Sunday. The incident was caused by problems with one of the platform’s wells, adding that the Gullfaks A and B platforms were running as normal. Late on Monday, Equinor tested the well and concluded that the situation had normalized.Kpler data is estimating EU and UK gasoline exports have reached 981,000 b/d so far in August, well below July’s 1.21 million b/d exported in July.
U.S. crude oil holds at roughly $74 per barrel after selling off on softer demand - U.S. crude oil futures fell to roughly $74 per barrel Tuesday, after selling off in the previous session amid demand worries in Asia and cease-fire talks in the Middle East."We are seeing oil prices mean reverting on the back of frankly a lot more supply but also softer demand," Francisco Blanch, commodity strategist at Bank of America, told CNBC's "Fast Money" on Monday."Oil is really trading on supply and demand fundamentals and we have a bit of an air pocket right now with China slowing down here," Blanch said. U.S. crude and Brent prices have fallen 9.2% so far this quarter. Here are Tuesday's closing energy prices:
- West Texas Intermediate September contract: $74.04 per barrel, down 33 cents, or 0.44%. Year to date, U.S. crude oil has gained 3.2%.
- Brent October contract: $77.20 per barrel, down 46 cents, or 0.59%. Year to date, the global benchmark is flat, up just 0.2%.
- RBOB Gasoline September contract: $2.25 per gallon, down less than 1 cent, or 0.33%. Year to date, gasoline is up 7.4%.
- Natural Gas September contract: $2.19 per thousand cubic feet, down more than 3 cents, or 1.6%. Year to date, gas is down 12.6%.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East, where he is making a renewed push to reach a cease-fire deal in Gaza and return hostages held by Hamas. Blinken said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accepted a bridging proposal and called on Hamas to do the same.But Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar views the latest round of cease-fire talks as a bluff to give Israel additional time to wage war in Gaza, Arab mediators told The Wall Street Journal. He hopes to pressure Israel by launching attacks from the West Bank, the mediators told the Journal.Oil prices have pulled back as Iran has refrained so far from attacking Israel in response to the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran in late July. The U.S. hopes a cease-fire deal in Gaza can prevent a wider war in the region."The market is really to some extent wrongly assuming that this geopolitical risk is gone," Amena Bakr, senior research at Energy Intel, told CNBC's "Capital Connection" on Tuesday.
Oil Ticks Higher as EIA Reports Inventory Draws Across the Board - Crude oil prices moved higher today after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a decline in inventories for the week to August 16.Those shed 4.6 million barrels over the period, compared with a build of 1.4 million barrels that surprised traders last week.On Tuesday, the American Petroleum Institute reported another unexpected inventory increase, but a moderate one, at 347,000 barrels.In fuels, the EIA also estimated draws in inventories.Gasoline inventories fell by 1.6 million barrels over the week to August 16, which compared with a draw of 2.9 million barrels for the previous week.Gasoline production averaged 9.8 million barrels daily last week, which compared with 9.7 million barrels daily for the previous week.In middle distillates, the authority reported an inventory draw of 3.3 million barrels for the week to August 16, which compared with a draw of 1.7 million barrels for the previous week.Middle distillate production last week averaged 4.9 million barrels daily, which compared with 4.8 million barrels daily for the previous week.Oil prices meanwhile remain depressed, with API’s inventory report becoming the latest contributing factor despite the modest size of the estimated build. In addition to that, hopes of a ceasefire in the Middle East also weighed on oil prices as they reduced the risk of a supply disruption, and the perception of weak Chinese demand remained stable.“While weaker Chinese demand has been well reported, refinery margins around the globe have been under pressure for much of August, suggesting that these demand concerns are not isolated to just China,” ING analysts said, as quoted by Reuters, suggesting there could be more pain for oil bulls ahead.On the other hand, “We think any fall in oil prices tied to a Gaza truce will likely be short lived,” Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Vivek Dhar told Bloomberg, adding that this was because the actual chances of a ceasefire being signed by Israel and Hamas were slim.
Oil Prices Hit New 2024 Low as US ‘Jobs Cut’ Scare Offsets Crude Draws (Sputnik) - Crude prices hit 2024 lows on Wednesday as a downward revision in US jobs numbers sparked concerns about the economy that offset strong weekly consumption numbers for oil in the United States. West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the benchmark for US crude, settled down $1.24, or 1.7%, at $71.93 per barrel, adding to its 5.5% decline over the past three sessions. Earlier on Wednesday, WTI sank to $71.47, its lowest since a December bottom of $71.41. Year-to-date, the US crude benchmark is up 0.1%, after rallying 22% at one point. UK-origin Brent finished the New York session down $1.15, or 1.5%, at $76.05 per barrel, adding to its 4.7% tumble over three prior sessions. Earlier in the day, Brent tumbled to a November low of $74.79. Year-to-date, the global crude benchmark is down 1.5%, after running up some 20% earlier. The freefall in crude prices continued despite the US Energy Information Administration reporting an across-the-board draw in crude and fuel stockpiles for the just-ended week. Crude inventories fell by 4.649 million barrels during the week that ended on August 16, reversing the prior week’s build of 1.357 million, which itself came after a decline of some 30 million barrels over six straight weeks. Gasoline stockpiles fell 1.606 million barrels for the week to August 16, adding to the prior week’s draw of 2.894 million. Distillate stockpiles tumbled by 3.312 million, after the previous week’s deficit of 1.673 million. Gasoline is the primary motor fuel in the United States and makes up the largest component of the country’s energy mix. “The market is raising questions about a major downward revision in US jobs numbers [that] may suggest that the Fed was behind the curve in rate cuts,” Phil Flynn, energy analyst at the Price Futures Group in Chicago, said. Earlier on Wednesday, the US Labor Department said it has revised down by 818,000 the jobs growth it originally reported for the 12 months to March, citing a “statistical error.” Prior to the revision, initial payroll figures indicated an addition of some 2.9 million total jobs during the year to March, or an average of 242,000 per month. With the revision, the monthly pace of growth is at around 174,000 - still robust though a moderation from the post-COVID-19 peak of job growth, economists said.
The Oil Market Traded Lower on Wednesday Following a Downward Revision to U.S Employment Growth -The oil market traded lower on Wednesday following a downward revision to U.S. employment growth and outweighed the session’s early gains attributed to the draws in crude and products stocks. The revision to U.S. nonfarm payrolls added fuel to increasing concerns for global economies. The U.S. added 818,000 fewer jobs than previously reported from the spring of 2023 to the spring of 2024. The government’s revised estimate of employment growth showed the U.S. gained about 2.1 million jobs from April 2023 to March 2024, compared with the previously reported 2.9 million increase. The crude market traded mostly sideways and posted a high of $74.16 as the EIA reported draws in crude stocks of over 4 million barrels and draws in product stocks. However, the market gave up its gains and sold off to a low of $71.46 ahead of the close. The October WTI contract settled down $1.24 at $71.93 and the October Brent contract settled down $1.15 at $76.05. The product markets ended the session in negative territory, with the heating oil market settling down 1.35 cents at $2.2497 and the RB market settling down 5.13 cents at $2.2050.U.S. crude oil export gains should plateau in 2024 after years of strong growth, with domestic output expected to increase by the smallest amount since the pandemic at a time when global oil demand remains low. According to U.S. government data, crude oil exports from U.S. ports averaged about 4.2 million bpd so far this year. That was up 3.5% from a year earlier or the lowest percentage increase since 2015, when the U.S. exported its first cargo of domestic crude oil after a 40-year federal ban on export of domestic crude ended. Last year, exports grew 13.5%. They have grown every year except in 2021 when COVID-19 crushed global oil demand. U.S. oil production is set to grow just 2.3% this year, as shale producers remain focused on shareholder returns and limit new spending on production. Offshore production is expected to rise this year on new project startups, such as Chevron’s Anchor platform in the Gulf of Mexico. However, output is expected to ramp slowly over several years, meaning exports this year will not benefit.IIR Energy said U.S. oil refiners are expected to shut in about 389,000 bpd of capacity in the week ending August 23rd, increasing available refining capacity by 99,000 bpd. Offline capacity is expected to fall to 298,000 bpd in the week ending August 30th.BP has scheduled a shutdown of its 435,000 b/d refinery in Whiting for maintenance in September.According to company filings, Enbridge is cutting tolls on Canadian oil export pipelines in the wake of increased competition from the recently opened Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline. Companies will be charged $9.4877 a barrel, down from a rate of $10.7006 a barrel, to ship heavy crude from Hardisty, Alberta to Texas.
The Market Steadied Following Four Days of Declines Over the Global Demand Outlook - The oil market on Thursday posted an inside trading day as the market steadied following four days of declines on concerns over the global demand outlook. The market rebounded from its lowest levels seen since January following Thursday’s selloff that was sparked by a downward revision in U.S. payrolls. The crude market posted a low of $71.58 in overnight trading and bounced higher as it failed to test its previous low. It retraced most of Wednesday’s losses as it rallied to a high of $73.52 early in the afternoon. The market was well supported by expectation that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in September, according to minutes of the Federal Reserve’s July meeting. Also, the U.S. Labor Department said the number of unemployment claims increased last week, but appeared to be steadying near a level consistent with gradual cooling of the labor market, setting the stage for interest rate cuts. The market later gave up some of its gains and traded in a sideways trading range ahead of the close. The October WTI contract settled up $1.08 at $73.01 and the October Brent contract settled up $1.17 at $77.22. The product markets ended the session higher, with the heating oil market settling up 1.38 cents at $2.2635 and the RB market settling up 3.87 cents at $2.2437. UBS expects Brent crude prices to recover into an $85-$90/barrel range over the coming months. The U.S. EIA said a series of refinery outages in the U.S. Midwest caused regional gasoline prices to increase to more than 20% above the national average from July 22nd to August 5th during the high-demand summer driving season. Midwest refinery utilization fell 11% to 86% from the week ending July 12th to the week ending August 9th. As these refineries restarted, utilization increased back up 97% as of the week ending August 16th. The Texas Oil & Gas Association estimates Texas oil and natural gas production reached new record highs in July. The trade group also estimates NGLs production also set a new high in July. The trade group estimates Texas crude oil production rose to 5.76 million b/d in July, with natural gas marketed production averaging 32.8 bcf/d and NGLs production of 3.85 million b/d. Year to date Texas now accounts for 42.8% of all U.S. crude oil production and 28.3% of all U.S. natural gas marketed production. Canada Energy Regulator reported that total volumes of crude oil moved by rail cars by both CN and CPKC in the first five months of 2024 averaged 94,413 b/d with the latest monthly total averaging 89,141 b/d. The OPEC Secretariat said it had received updated compensation plans from Iraq and Kazakhstan stating they aim to make up for their overproduction in the first seven months of this year by September 2025. Iraq’s cumulative overproduction between January and July was 1.4 million bpd and Kazakhstan’s was 699,000 bpd. Federal Reserve policymakers said that with inflation well below its highs they are paying close attention to the U.S. labor market to gauge when to begin reducing interest rates, with one saying they should move “soon.”
Oil prices settle $1 up on hopes of a US Fed rate cut next month (Reuters) - Oil prices settled up more than 1% on Thursday, as expectations for a U.S. interest rate cut in a few weeks fueled a rebound after four days of price declines. Brent crude futures settled up $1.17, or 1.54%, to $77.22 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained $1.08, or 1.5%, to $73.01. On Wednesday, minutes of the Federal Reserve's July meeting showed most Fed officials thought the central bank was on track for an interest rate cut next month. Higher interest rates increase the cost of borrowing, which can slow economic activity and dampen demand for oil. "The dollar has been sold off on the interest rate cut news," "Everyone is now talking about the Fed cutting rates by 50 basis points, which would be significant," he said. Fed Chair Jerome Powell is due to speak on Friday at the annual central banking conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Traders will look for any insight into whether Powell expects to cut rates by 25 or 50 basis points. The U.S. dollar has fallen recently on concerns about a weakening economy, supporting oil prices as buyers using other currencies pay less for dollar-denominated crude. On Thursday, the U.S. Labor Department said the number of jobless claims ticked up last week, but appeared to be steadying near a level consistent with gradual cooling of the labor market. This set the stage for interest rate cuts. Also supporting oil prices, a U.S. government report on Wednesday showed crude, gasoline and distillate inventories fell by more than expected last week, a sign of demand picking up. In the Middle East, Iran-aligned Houthi militants continued attacks on international shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas. A Greek-flagged oil tanker carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude that was evacuated by its crew after being attacked in the Red Sea now poses an environmental hazard, the EU's Red Sea naval mission "Aspides" said on Thursday. Investors are watching OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, which may reconsider its plan to gradually unwind some output cuts in October. OPEC+ has said the plan to raise output could be paused or reversed if needed.
Oil climbs over 2% after Fed's Powell indicates US rate cuts (Reuters) - U.S. light crude oil gained more than 2% a barrel on Friday after comments by U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated the central bank was preparing to cut interest rates. Brent crude futures settled up by $1.80, or 2.33%, at $79.02 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures finished up $1.82, or 2.49%, at $74.83. "The pivot by the Federal Reserve is real," "It's impacting all commodities." This week, both benchmarks hit their lowest since early January, after the U.S. government sharply lowered its estimate of jobs employers added this year through March, raising fears of a possible recession. On Friday, Powell endorsed easing the Fed's policies, saying further cooling in the job market would be unwelcome. He also expressed confidence inflation was within reach of the U.S. central bank's 2% target. "The upside risks to inflation have diminished. And the downside risks to employment have increased," Powell said in a highly anticipated speech to the Kansas City Fed's annual economic conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. "The time has come for policy to adjust. The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks." The U.S. dollar index softened to about 101.45 ahead of the speech. A cheaper greenback typically lifts demand for dollar-denominated oil from investors holding other currencies. Morgan Stanley said in a note on Friday that a drawdown in oil inventories has somewhat supported oil prices. "For now, the balance in the oil market is tight, with inventories drawing approximately 1.2 million barrels per day in the last four weeks, which we expect will continue in the balance of [the third quarter]," the bank said. Recent data from China, the top oil importer, has pointed to a struggling economy and slowing oil demand from refiners. A renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has also helped ease supply worries and weighed on oil prices. U.S. and Israeli delegations started a new round of meetings in Cairo on Thursday to resolve differences over a truce proposal. Ceasefire talks to stop the war in Gaza have reduced fears the conflict would impact crude oil supplies. U.S. energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for a second week in a row, energy services firm Baker Hughes (BKR.O), opens new tab said on Friday. The number of oil rigs was unchanged at 483 this week, while gas rigs fell by one to 97.
Crude Oil Extends Rebound But Still Closes Lower For The Week - Following the significant rebound seen in the previous session, the price of crude oil showed another strong move to the upside during trading on Friday. Crude for October delivery surged $1.82 or 2.5 percent to $74.83 a barrel after jumping $1.08 or 1.5 percent to $73.01 a barrel during Thursday's session. Despite the notable recovery seen over the past two days, the price of crude oil fell by 0.9 for the week due to sell-off seen earlier in the week. The extended rebound by crude oil futures may have reflected optimism about the outlook for U.S. demand after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled the central bank is prepared to begin cutting interest rates. "The time has come for policy to adjust," Powell said at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, although he noted the "timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks." Powell's determination that it is time for the Fed to begin cutting rates comes as his "confidence has grown that inflation is on a sustainable path back to 2 percent." Fed officials have repeatedly said they need "greater confidence" inflation is moving sustainably toward the central bank's 2 percent target before they would consider cutting rates. The remarks by Powell came as recent inflation data has increased confidence the Fed will cut interest rates at its next monetary policy meeting in September. However, the price of crude oil remains well off its recent highs, as worries about the outlook for demand from China continue to overshadow geopolitical concerns.
Greek oil tanker ablaze after attacks in the Red Sea (AP) — A Greek-flagged oil tanker traveling through the Red Sea came under repeated attack Wednesday, leaving the vessel “not under command” and drifting ablaze after an assault suspected to have been carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the British military said.The attack, the most serious in the Red Sea in weeks, comes during a months long campaign by Houthis targeting ships over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip that has disrupted a trade route through which $1 trillion in cargo typically passes each year.In the attack, men on small boats first opened fire with small arms about 140 kilometers (90 miles) west of the rebel-held Yemeni port city of Hodeida, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said. Four projectiles also hit the ship, it added. It wasn’t immediately clear if that meant drones or missiles.“The vessel reports being not under command,” the UKMTO said, likely meaning it lost all power. “No casualties reported.”Later, the UKMTO warned that the ship was drifting while on fire in the Red Sea. The Greek shipping ministry later identified the vessel as the tanker Sounion, with 25 crew members on board at the time of the attack as it traveled from Iraq to Cyprus.
Iraqi resistance strikes vital Israeli military site - The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has carried out new operations against a vital Israeli military site. The umbrella group of resistance factions said on Tuesday that it targeted the regime’s military site in the occupied Umm Al-Rashrash also known as Eilat. The group added that the operation was in support of Palestinians and in response to Israel’s ongoing genocidal war in Gaza. The Iraqi resistance group has repeatedly stated that it will continue its anti-Israel operations if the Gaza genocide continues. Regional resistance groups have repeatedly targeted sensitive and important Israeli bases in occupied Palestine. They have also targeted American sites in Iraq and Syria in recent months amid growing anger at the US support for Israel’s bloody war on the Gaza Strip. Israel’s genocidal war against Gaza has so far killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. On Sunday evening, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq carried out operations against Israeli military targets on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The Iraqi resistance said that the operations were in support of Palestinians and in response to Israel’s massacres of civilians in Gaza.
Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill 10-Year-Old Quintuplets - Israeli strikes on Gaza on Sunday killed a total of 29 people, including 10-year-old quintuplets, The Associated Press has reported. The quintuplets were killed alongside their mother and 18-month-old sibling in a strike that targeted a home in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. AnAP reporter counted the bodies at the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.Mohammed Awad Khatab, the children’s grandfather, told reporters: “The six children have become body parts. They were placed in a single bag. What did they do? Did they kill any of the Jews? … Will this provide security to Israel?”Israel has slaughtered children and babies throughout its 10-month genocidal war, including three-day-old twins who were killed last week while their father was out getting their birth certificate. That same day, the US State Department approved $20 billion in arms deals for Israel.Gaza’s Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 40,099 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in Gaza since October 7, which includes over 16,000 children. The total is considered a low estimate since it doesn’t account for the estimated 10,000 people who are missing and presumed dead under the rubble. It’s also unclear how many people have died due to food and medicine shortages and the spread of disease caused by the Israeli siege and destruction of civilian infrastructure.
Israeli Military Recovers Six Bodies of Israeli Hostages in Gaza - The Israeli military said Tuesday that its forces recovered the bodies of six Israeli hostages in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. According to Ynet, initial findings show that five of the Israelis were killed as a result of a nearby Israeli airstrike. The strike caused a fire, which flooded the tunnel where they were held with carbon monoxide, killing the five Israelis and Hamas guards that were holding them. The other hostage was shot, according to an autopsy.According to Axios, there are now 109 hostages remaining in Gaza, but about half are presumed dead. In response to the news of the six bodies being recovered, a group representing hostage families called for a deal with Hamas.“The immediate return of the remaining 109 hostages can only be achieved through a negotiated deal. The Israeli government, with the assistance of mediators, must do everything in its power to finalize the deal currently on the table,” the Hostage Families and Missing Forum said in a statement. Family members of the six men whose bodies were recovered blamed their deaths on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been working to sabotage the chances of a deal with Hamas.“He and all the hostages could have been brought back,” said Mati Dancyg, whose father Alex was among the recovered bodies. “Netanyahu chose to sacrifice the hostages. Karma will judge him and he will pay for it, big time.”
UN: Israel’s evacuation orders deteriorating situation in Gaza - The United Nations humanitarian office has warned that Israel’s frequent evacuation orders are deteriorating the catastrophic humanitarian situation that already plagues the Gaza Strip. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday that the regime’s repeated evacuation orders have led to waves of displacement, overcrowding, insecurity, and collapsing infrastructure. It added that thousands of people in Gaza have no access basic services due to Israel’s evacuation orders and severe shortages of essential supplies. OCHA said the latest evacuation order released on Saturday for parts of Deir al Balah included sections of the Salah ad Din Road, a crucial passage for humanitarian missions. "This has made it nearly impossible for aid workers to move along this key route," the office said. "The Coastal Road is not a viable alternative. The beaches along this route are now crowded with makeshift shelters for displaced Palestinians." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said nowhere in Gaza is safe anymore and death appears to be the "only certainty" for its people. Louise Wateridge added that the people of Gaza are facing unprecedented challenges due to the Israeli imposed siege on the territory. "It does feel like people are waiting for death. Death seems to be the only certainty in this situation," Louise Wateridge, a spokeswoman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, also known as UNRWA, told AFP from Gaza. Wateridge has been in the Gaza Strip for the past two weeks, witnessing the humanitarian crisis, fear of death and spread of disease as the war rages on. "Nowhere in the Gaza Strip is safe, absolutely nowhere is safe. It's absolutely devastating," Wateridge said from the Nuseirat area of central Gaza -- a regular target of Israel's aerial assaults.
Fighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah despite diplomatic drive – Guardian - Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified over the weekend despite diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the two and prevent an expected Hezbollah and Iranian attack against Israel.An Israeli attack on Saturday was one of the bloodiest for civilians since fighting began in October, killing 10 Syrian workers and their family members in what Israel said was a strike on a Hezbollah weapons depot in Nabatieh, south Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah launched a 55-missile barrage at the town of Ayelet HaShahar, in north Israel.Three Unifil peacekeepers were also lightly injured in an explosion on Sunday while on patrol in the Lebanese border town of Yarin. A source within Unifil said they believed the soldiers were injured by a nearby Israeli airstrike, but that they were still investigating the incident.The threat of a full-scale war looms larger than ever after 10 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, sparked by the latter launching rockets at Israel “in solidarity” with Hamas’s 7 October attack.Hezbollah and Iran have vowed revenge against Israel for the assassination of the Hezbollah military chief of staff Fuad Shukr in Beirut and the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s killing, but has a history of carrying out targeted assassinations across the region.Hezbollah released a video on Friday showcasing missile-laden trucks driving through an allegedly city-sized tunnel network, the first time the group had revealed its widely reputed tunnel network on camera.A source in Hezbollah said: “The enemy [Israel] wants a war and is always attempting to pressure us, so we are ready for all possibilities.” They added that that the group’s rocket capabilities were “very large” and what was displayed in Friday’s video was just “a drop in the ocean of what Hezbollah possesses”.The US and other western powers have been engaged in furious diplomacy since the dual assassinations in Beirut and Tehran. The US envoy Amos Hochstein visited both Tel Aviv and Beirut this week, while an emergency round of talks to forge a ceasefire in Gaza was held in Doha last week.
Exclusive: Egypt agrees to Israeli control of Gaza border in return for Rafah reopening - Egypt and Israel have reached an understanding that would allow an Israeli security presence along the Egyptian-Gaza border in exchange for the Rafah crossing being reopened and operated by Palestinians, three senior Egyptian sources told Middle East Eye. According to an Egyptian diplomat, an official at the General Intelligence Service and another at the Military Intelligence, Israel presented two options for the border area, known as the Philadelphi Corridor. One is for Israel to maintain boots on the ground, as it has since its military pushed into the area in May. The second would be to replace the troops with an underground barrier, electronic monitoring equipment and occasional patrols. Egypt said it would agree to the options if the Palestinian factions, particularly Hamas, were on board. However, Hamas, which is currently battling Israel in the Gaza Strip, insists it will not agree to any ceasefire deal that does not ensure the Israelis totally withdraw from the enclave, including the Philadelphi Corridor. Sources close to Hamas told MEE they were not aware of what Israel and Egypt had agreed, but such a deal would not be surprising or necessarily acceptable to the movement. The Philadelphi Corridor is a 14-km long, 100-metre-wide demilitarised buffer zone along the entire border between Gaza and Egypt, created by two Egyptian-Israeli agreements in 1979 and 2005. According to those pacts, neither country is able to unilaterally move forces into the area. But in May, the Israeli military seized the Rafah crossing and established control all along the border, in a move condemned by Egyptian government spokesperson Diaa Rashwan as a breach of their 1979 peace agreement. Since then, Egypt and Israel have held several meetings on the issue of the corridor and Rafah crossing. Some were held with an American presence. The General Intelligence official, who is familiar with these meetings, said Egypt has shown a willingness to be flexible over an Israeli presence in the demilitarised zone. However, the source said Egypt insists that the Rafah crossing - the only gateway to the enclave that does not border Israel - should be reopened and operated by some sort of Palestinian entity on the Gaza side.
Netanyahu at Odds With Israeli Military Over Gaza-Egypt Border - Netanyahu has said Israel must maintain control of the border, which includes the Rafah crossing, to prevent weapons smuggling from Egypt through tunnels. During previous rounds of negotiations, Cairo agreed to build an underground barrier on the border, but then Netanyahu started demanding indefinite control of the Philadelphi Corridor.According to The Wall Street Journal, Israeli military leaders think Israel doesn’t need to keep troops on the border and could prevent weapons smuggling by using sensors and launching targeted raids, but Netanyahu is still insisting on maintaining control of the border and reiterated his position on Wednesday.“Israel will insist on the achievement of all of its objectives for the war, as they have been defined by the Security Cabinet, including that Gaza never again constitutes a security threat to Israel. This requires securing the southern border,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.Netanyahu is also demanding that Israel maintain control of the Netzarim Corridor, which separates northern Gaza from the rest of the Strip, and he continues to reject the idea of a permanent ceasefire.Netanyahu’s demands are seen by members of the Israeli negotiating teamas an effort to sabotage the chances of a deal. Mediators believe an agreement will only be possible if the US is willing to put real pressure on the Israeli leader.
HRW: Israeli Airstrikes on Yemen Were 'Possible War Crime' - Human Rights Watch released a report on Monday that said the July 20 Israeli airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hodeidah could be a war crime since the attack caused disproportionate harm to civilians.The Israeli airstrikes, which came in response to a Houthi drone attack that killed one civilian in Tel Aviv, targeted oil storage tanks, shipping cranes, and a powerplant. The strikes killed six civilians, all employees of the Yemen Petroleum Company, and caused an estimated $20 million in damage.“The attacks appeared to cause disproportionate harm to civilians and civilian objects. Serious violations of the laws of war committed willfully, that is deliberately or recklessly, are war crimes,” HRW said.According to the Yemen Data Project (YDP), the Israeli attack resulted in more civilian harm than the hundreds of strikes the US and the UK have launched on Yemen since January combined. YDP put the death toll in the Israeli attack at nine civilians and said 83 more were wounded. It said the US and British bombing campaign had killed a total of 19 civilians and injured 55 others.
Scottish government suspends all meetings with Israel - The Scottish government announced Monday that it had suspended all meetings with Israeli ambassadors until "real progress" is made towards peace in the Gaza Strip and unimpeded access is granted to humanitarian assistance to the enclave. In a statement, External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said the Scottish government would not accept any invitation for a further meeting with Israel until there was real progress on the Gaza conflict. "This will remain our position until such time as real progress has been made towards peace, unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance is provided and Israel cooperates fully with its international obligations on the investigation of genocide and war crimes,"said Robertson. This came after a recent meeting between Robertson and Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to the UK Daniela Grudsky about two weeks ago, sparking criticism within the Scottish National Party (SNP). The external affairs secretary said his view was that, given Grudsky had requested the meeting this was "an opportunity to express the Scottish Government's clear and unwavering position" on the need for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza."And I did exactly that," he added. "No one intended that this meeting be presented as legitimatising the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza," he noted, expressing that the Scottish Government has been consistent in its "unequivocal condemnation of the atrocities" in the Palestinian enclave. Noting that many had seen the meeting as a sign of normalization between the Israeli and Scottish governments, Robertson stressed that it was clear that it would have been better to ensure that its agenda was strictly limited to the need for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. "I apologise for the fact that this did not happen," he said. Robertson added that, "going forward, it is clear that, having now spoken direct to the Israeli Government and making them aware of our position on an immediate ceasefire, it would not be appropriate to accept any invitation for a further meeting." Highlighting that this would remain the Scottish government's position until real progress on a cease-fire is made, he said: "The Scottish Government does not support any normalisation of its relations with the Israeli Government during this period." "The Scottish Government will never hold back in expressing support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, an end to UK arms being sent to Israel, and the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state within a two-state solution."
Putin makes it clear that talks with Kiev are now impossible — Lavrov -- TASS - The Russian foreign minister refuted allegations about contacts ahead of potential Qatar-and Turkey-mediated talks with Kiev, slamming them as mere rumors Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it absolutely clear that there cannot be any talks with Kiev after its attack on Russia’s borderline Kursk Region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "The president said it very clearly that following attacks, or even incursion, on the Kursk Region, any talks are impossible. The president also said a very important thing and I would like to draw attention to it that we will give an assessment of this situation later," he said in an interview with the Moscow.Kremlin.Putin program on the Rossiya-1 television channel. A fragment of the interview was posted by the program’s host Pavel Zarubin on his Telegram channel. He refuted allegations about contacts ahead of potential Qatar-and Turkey-mediated talks with Kiev, slamming them as mere rumors. "And as for the rumors that has been spreading in recent time about some clandestine contacts to prepare talks Qatar-brokered talks on issues of Russian and Ukrainian energy facilities or rumors that our Turkish neighbors are planning to try to be mediators in the sphere of food security but in the context of ensuring free navigation in the Black Sea, you should understand the real goal of such schemes. This is done in the wake of the Burgenstock conference, which yielded a decision to set up three working groups - on energy, on food in the context of safe navigation, and on humanitarian issues (prisoner exchanges and so on)," he said. According to the top Russian diplomat, the entire process within the frames of the conference on Ukraine in Switzerland is unacceptable for Russia because it is about promoting the Zelensky formula as an ultimatum. "These three working groups have been set up. Their meetings are being prepared and whatever might be said about any hints that Russia would be invited there in some way, this is not true," Lavrov said. "Because the Burgenstock process is unacceptable for us as its only goal is to promote the ultimatum under the name of the ‘Zelensky formula.’". TAGS
Russia Says Talks With Ukraine Are Impossible After Kursk Offensive - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that President Vladimir Putin had made clear talks with Ukraine are now impossible following the Ukrainian assault on Russia’s Kursk Oblast.“The president said it very clearly that following attacks, or even incursion, on the Kursk Region, any talks are impossible,” Lavrov said, according to Russia’s TASS news agency.Ukrainian officials have suggested the purpose of the invasion of Kursk was to gain leverage for future negotiations with Russia, but Moscow’s reaction to the incursion signals that the assault would only delay peace talks.The Washington Post reported on Saturday that Russia and Ukraine were due to hold indirect negotiations in Qatar on a potential agreement to stop targeting each other’s energy infrastructure, but it was derailed by the Kursk offensive.Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova appeared to deny the Post report, saying Russia was not involved in any “direct or indirect”talks with Ukraine that could have been derailed by the Kursk offensive. Lavrov mentioned the report but only denied rumors that Russia and Ukraine had any “clandestine contacts” ahead of talks that were supposed to be brokered by Qatar.Ahead of Ukraine’s invasion of Kursk, Zelensky signaled he was open to holding peace talks with Russia, which was a significant shift in his position. He previously rejected the idea of diplomacy with Moscow unless Russia withdrew from the territory it had captured in Ukraine, as well as Crimea.Russia expressed an openness to Zelensky’s new willingness to talk, but now Russian officials view the comments as a ploy since they were made as Ukraine was preparing the Kursk offensive.Russia and Ukraine have not engaged in any talks on a potential ceasefire since the early days of the invasion. A peace deal was on the table during negotiations in March and April 2022, but diplomacy was discouraged by the US and its allies, which promised to fund the Ukrainian war effort.
Moscow Says Ukraine Destroyed Russian Bridge With Western-Provided Missiles - The Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday that Ukrainian forces used Western-provided missiles to destroy a bridge in the Glushkovsky district of Russia’s Kursk Oblast.Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the missiles were likely launched using the US-provided HIMARS rocket systems, which the US has been supplying to Ukraine since 2022.“For the first time, the Kursk region was hit by Western-made rocket launchers, probably American HIMARS,” Zakharova wrote on Telegram. “As a result of the attack on the bridge … it was completely destroyed, and volunteers who were assisting the evacuated civilian population were killed.”Another bridge in Kursk was reported to be hit by Ukrainian forces on Sunday. According to the Russian news site Mash, both bridges were targeted with US-provided HIMARS.The ground incursion into Kursk came a few months after the Biden administration gave Ukraine the greenlight to use US-provided missiles in strikes inside Russia in border regions. The US says it won’t support “long-range” strikes in Russia but hasn’t defined what the limit is.
Ukraine’s Kursk offensive is a huge strategic error - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proven himself a master of the political stage, a gifted orator capable of stirring emotions and garnering global support. However, his recent military incursion into Russia marks a departure from the realm of diplomacy and into the territory of strategic blunder. This reckless gambit, more akin to a desperate stunt worthy of a second-rate actor than a seasoned statesman, diverts critical resources from the primary battlefield while offering negligible strategic gain. While the incursion has captured headlines and inflicted some measure of psychological damage on Russia, such superficial victories do little to alter the fundamental dynamics of the conflict. Russia, despite its setbacks, remains a formidable military power with a vast arsenal and a nuclear deterrent. Ukraine, while demonstrating courage and resilience, faces a daunting challenge in overcoming this overwhelming disparity. More critically, this diversion of forces from the main theater of war is a huge strategic miscalculation. Every soldier, tank and piece of artillery deployed in the Russian incursion represents a loss to the Ukrainian effort to liberate occupied territories. These resources, if concentrated on the front lines, could potentially yield tangible gains, weakening Russian defenses and creating opportunities for decisive breakthroughs. Instead, Ukraine finds itself embroiled in a costly and ultimately futile endeavor. While the world watches in fascination, the real battle for Ukraine’s future continues to unfold elsewhere. Zelensky’s decision to gamble on a high-stakes publicity stunt is a tragic misjudgment that may have far-reaching consequences. It is time for sober reflection. The Ukrainian people deserve leadership focused on practical, achievable objectives, not on grandstanding gestures. While courage and defiance are admirable, they must be tempered with strategic wisdom. The path to victory lies not in symbolic acts of defiance, but in the methodical, relentless pursuit of territorial liberation. This is not to diminish the bravery of Ukrainian forces who have undoubtedly faced significant challenges in this incursion — but courage without strategic direction is a recipe for disaster. The question that must be asked is whether the risks outweigh the potential rewards. Right now, the evidence suggests a resounding negative. Moreover, it is essential to consider the potential consequences of such actions. A prolonged incursion into Russia could escalate the conflict, drawing in other nations and potentially leading to a catastrophic global confrontation. It is a dangerous game of chicken, with the stakes for humanity as a whole being unimaginably high. Ukraine faces a critical juncture. The path forward is fraught with challenges, but it is clear that the focus must remain on the liberation of occupied territories. To squander precious resources on a symbolic gesture is a luxury the country cannot afford. It is time to return to the core mission and to avoid distractions that threaten to undermine the ultimate goal. The world is watching, and the stakes could not be higher. Ukraine must demonstrate not only courage, but also wisdom and strategic acumen. The incursion into Russia is a step in the wrong direction.
Ukraine hits Moscow in major drone attack, Russia says - Ukraine hit Moscow on Wednesday in what Russia described as one of its largest drone attacks in the war, though Russia claimed all of the explosive unmanned vehicles were shot down. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that overnight into Wednesday, its forces destroyed a total of 45 drones launched into Russia. Eleven of those drones were taken out by air defenses over the region of Moscow, and three of them around the neighboring province of Kaluga Oblast, according to Russia. The rest were downed by air defenses in regions that border Ukraine, including Kursk, where Ukraine is pushing forward in a major offensive that began Aug. 6. Ukraine has targeted Moscow with long-range drones before, and Russia accused Ukraine of being behind an attack on the Kremlin last year that came amid a Ukrainian campaign to damage Russia’s war efforts. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said in a Telegram post that Wednesday’s operation was “one of the largest attempts to attack Moscow with drones ever.” Ukrainian officials have not publicly commented on the drone attack and have typically refrained from mentioning strikes on Russian territory. Ukraine’s armed forces said Wednesday that Russia launched a wave of drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian territory that were shot down. The attack around Moscow comes as Ukraine is advancing into Kursk, taking close to 500 square miles of territory and more than 90 settlements in the Russian region. Russia is also making its own advances in eastern Ukraine, putting pressure on the towns of Toretsk and Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region.
EU's Top Diplomat Calls for Supporting Long-Range Strikes in Russia - Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, called on Wednesday for Western countries that are providing weapons to Ukraine to lift restrictions to allow long-range strikes inside Russia with NATO weapons.The US is allowing Ukraine to use US-provided weapons in its Kursk offensive but is not permitting them to be used in long-range strikes. “Ukraine’s Kursk offensive is a severe blow to Russian President Putin’s narrative,” Borrell wrote on X.“Lifting restrictions on the use of capabilities vs the Russian military involved in aggression against Ukraine, in accordance with international law, would have several important effects,” he said.Borrell claimed allowing long-range strikes would help peace efforts, but Russia is ruling out any negotiations with Ukraine in the wake of the Kursk offensive, which was launched on August 6.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing hard for the US and NATO to lift all restrictions on the use of their weapons, and has called his Western backers’ concerns about escalation “naive.” In the meantime, Ukraine has been stepping up longer-range attacks inside Russia using drones.“Our Ukrainian drones work exactly as they should,” Zelensky said last week. “But there are things that cannot be done with drones alone. Unfortunately. We need other weapons—missile weapons.”
Ukrainian Parliament Votes To Ban Orthodox Church With Historic Ties to Russia - Ukraine’s parliament voted on Tuesday on a bill that would ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which has historic links to Russia but severed ties with the Moscow Patriarchate following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.The UOC has also denounced the Russian invasion, but these steps were not enough for Ukrainian officials, who still accuse it of having ties with Moscow. The crackdown on the UOC has involved church raids, the arrest of priests, and the eviction of clergy from the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, also known as the Monastery of the Caves. The legislation would allow Ukrainian authorities to ban the UOC byprohibiting the activity of the Russian Orthodox Church or any religious groups tied to it. President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to sign the bill into law since he welcomed its passing. “Today, I want to note the work of the Verkhovna Rada. A law on our spiritual independence has been adopted,” Zelensky said.Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, said after the bill was passed that “there will be no Moscow Church in Ukraine.”The Ukrainian government has supported the similarly named Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which was granted independence from the Moscow Patriarchate by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2019.As of 2023, the UOC remained the largest of the two Orthodox churches in Ukraine, as only a small number of parishes decided to join the OCU following the Russian invasion.
Modi Visits Kyiv as Ukraine Seeks Progress on Peace Plan Talks – - Ukraine will seek to engage Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in “concrete discussion” of its peace blueprint aimed at ending Russia’s war, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff. Modi arrived in Kyiv on Friday for his first visit since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion more than two years ago and follows his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. The visit in Moscow irked US officials and prompted Zelenskiy to call it a blow to peace efforts as it happened on the same day as a deadly Russian missile strike hit a children’s hospital in Kyiv. Modi has refrained from criticizing Moscow for the invasion and speaking in Warsaw on Thursday reinforced his message that the war in Ukraine can only be resolved diplomatically. “We’re looking for some concrete discussions and we hope that Prime Minister Modi and President Zelenskiy will really open the new page of our relations,” Andriy Yermak told India Today in an interview. Both leaders will discuss “the position of India and its role in in realization of peace formula,” he said, adding that “it will be important” for Modi to visit sites of Russian attacks. Kyiv’s overtures to Modi have fallen short so far. India was among nations at a June summit meeting in Switzerland that didn’t sign a final statement, a blow to Ukraine’s bid to broaden global support. The stance reflects New Delhi’s close political and economic links with Russia, which supplies India with cheap oil and weapons. Ukraine sees India as central to its efforts to win over the Global South to increase pressure on the Kremlin as it seeks to hold the second gathering of leaders on its peace blueprint before the US elections, this time aiming to have Russia attending. The plan includes issues ranging from nuclear and food security to withdrawal of the Kremlin’s troops from its territory.
Chinese, Philippine Coast Guard Vessels Collide in the South China Sea - Chinese and Philippine Coast Guard vessels collided in the South China Seaon Monday near the Sabina Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.The two sides are trading blame for the incident, which happened despite diplomatic efforts between Beijing and Manila to cool tensions in the waters. Sabina Shoal is part of the Spratly Islands and is claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan.The Chinese Coast Guard said the Philippine vessel “illegally” entered waters near Sabina Shoal, which is about 86 miles west of the Philippine island of Palawan, and accused it of purposely colliding with the Chinese vessel.The Philippines disputed the Chinese account, saying the Chinese vessel was conducting “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” and rammed the Philippine boat. Philippine authorities said there was a second incident where the Chinese vessel rammed another Philippine vessel near the shoal.Manila’s National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea said the incident “resulted in collisions causing structural damage to both Philippine Coast Guard vessels.”The South China Sea has become a potential flashpoint for a war between the US and China since the US has promised the Philippines that the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty applies to attacks on Philippine vessels in the disputed waters. That means the US has pledged to intervene if the maritime dispute turns hot.The US has been strengthening its military ties with the Philippines andrecently announced $500 million in new military aid for Manila, which is being pulled from the $95 billion foreign military aid bill President Biden signed into law in April.The US announced the new aid for the Philippines after Manila and Beijing agreed to a deal to ease tensions around Second Thomas Shoal, another disputed reef that’s been the site of frequent collisions. However, China and the Philippines have since disputed the details of the agreement.Beijing has said the US is escalating the situation in the South China Sea by being involved in the dispute. This view was articulated in an article from China’s Global Times about the latest collision.The Global Times article reads: “The Philippines’ provocations on Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea started about one year ago, and from the beginning they were instigated by the US, which wants to use the Philippines as a foothold on the southern end of the first island chain to form a strategic encirclement designed to contain China, analysts said.”
Inflation falls to lowest since March 2021, paving way for another rate cut – Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 2.5 per cent last month, matching economists’ forecasts and solidifying expectations for a third consecutive interest rate cut in September. Tuesday’s consumer price index report says prices for travel tours, passenger vehicles and electricity helped drive the headline figure lower. Meanwhile, shelter costs are still the main driver of inflation as Canadians face significantly higher rents and mortgage payments. The federal agency noted, however, that shelter price growth slowed last month to 5.7 per cent year-over-year, down from 6.2 per cent in June. Inflation has remained below three per cent since January and fears of inflation reaccelerating have diminished as the economy has weakened. “There’s more to go in terms of reaching price stability as Canadians feel the pinch and pull back on spending,” wrote Andrew DiCapua, senior economist at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “But we think the Bank of Canada will continue their path of interest rate cuts and move again in September, prioritizing economic growth as inflation moderates.” In the United States, year-over-year inflation reached its lowest level in more than three years in July, the latest sign that the worst price spike in four decades is fading and setting up the U.S. Federal Reserve for a rate cut in September. The annual U.S. inflation rate now stands at 2.9 per cent. Improvement in global supply chains and the effect of high interest rates have helped cool price growth across the Canadian economy. Grocery prices, which at one point were growing at a double-digit annual rate, are now rising at a much more modest pace. Last month, grocery prices were up 2.1 per cent from a year ago. Prices for many goods, such as clothing and footwear, have outright fallen compared with a year ago. And the housing market has remained relatively muted, despite fears earlier this year that interest rate cuts could spur a flurry of activity. However, some price pressures persist, particularly in services-producing sectors. Prices for services were up 4.4 per cent from a year ago, a trend that economists say reflects high wage growth. Nevertheless, with the backdrop of slowing price growth overall, forecasters are widely expecting the Bank of Canada to continue cutting interest rates at back-to-back meetings. Governor Tiff Macklem has signalled that the central bank is increasingly concerned about the risk of keeping interest rates too high for too long. The Bank of Canada has been paying closer attention to the slowdown in the labour market as it adjusts monetary policy. Labour shortages have decreased significantly and the unemployment rate has risen steadily, reaching 6.4 per cent in July. At the last interest rate announcement, Macklem said the governing council decided to lower its policy rate, in part to help the economy pick up speed again. Its key interest rate now stands at 4.5 per cent. The central bank is scheduled to hold its next interest rate announcement on Sept. 4. In addition to the latest inflation figures, the central bank will have second quarter gross domestic product data to consider at the end of the month. While most forecasters expect the central bank to cut its key rate by a quarter-percentage point in September, RBC economist Claire Fan said a weaker-than-expected GDP print could prompt the central bank to cut by a half-percentage point instead. “Should it be that economic conditions were to deteriorate faster than they were anticipating, I think it’s fully reasonable to think that they could (cut) at a faster pace,” Fan said. According to its latest forecasts, the central bank expects the economy grew at an annualized rate of 1.5 per cent between April and June.
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