Category News

US health workers implore RFK Jr to ‘stop spreading inaccurate’ information

By in News, World News
In a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the head of the United States’ Health and Human Services (HHS) department, a number of federal health employees have written to him to “stop spreading false health information,” following a gunman’s hundreds of bullets into the Atlanta headquarters.

In a letter on Wednesday, signatories to the letter, including hundreds of current HHS employees, accused Kennedy of “sowing public mistrust” by “fragmenting the moral character and character of the CDC’s workforce,” including by calling the public health agency a “cesspool of corruption” during his 2024 unsuccessful presidential election campaign.

They added that Kennedy’s policies, including the elimination of thousands of HHS employees, were “dangerous gaps in areas like infectious diseases detection, worker safety, and chronic disease prevention and response.”

The workers claimed that Kennedy had made false claims about the measles vaccine, undermining the public health outbreak response to the disease, and that “the deliberate destruction of trust in America’s public health workforce puts lives in danger.”

They also noted that the health secretary’s words were another illustration of the dangers that the recent attack on the CDC building presented.

The shooter fatally shot police officer David Rose, 33, before passing away from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on August 8 at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia after publicly expressing his disapproval of COVID-19 vaccines.

Secretary Kennedy said in a statement that was shared with US media outlets that “Secretary Kennedy is firmly committed to ensuring CDC employees’ safety and wellbeing remain top priorities both on the ground and everywhere.”

Kennedy has long been accused of disseminating false information about vaccines, most recently during a 2019 trip to Samoa, which occurred months before a measles outbreak that claimed the South Pacific island and killed 81 people, mostly young children and infants.

Fiame Naomi Mataafa, the prime minister of Samoa, reportedly expressed surprise that Kennedy, who denies opposing vaccines, was chosen as the US health secretary in an interview with The Guardian earlier this year.

According to the International Vaccine Access Center at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Kennedy has cancelled hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for mRNA vaccine research, which is credited with preventing millions of deaths from COVID-19 and having the potential to treat diseases like cancer and HIV.

This week, William Foege, who served as the CDC’s director from 1977 to 1983, wrote an article for US news outlet Stat News exhorting public health workers to “not back down.”

We will continue to live in this world without values, principles, and facts, and use our talents to restore world peace and harmony, he declared.

Foege continued by expressing concern that Kennedy’s words were dangerous and that she had been instrumental in eradicating smallpox, a virus that was fatal in 30% of cases.

‘Mission completed’ – doubles specialists win US Open mixed title

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty
Jonathan Jurejko
New York news correspondent for BBC Sport tennis

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, Italian doubles champions, defeated Casper Ruud and Iga Swiatek in the controversially redesigned US Open mixed event to complete their “mission.”

With a thrilling 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 victory secured at nearly midnight in New York, Errani and Vavassori, whose position in the brand-new competition was initially in doubt, defended their title.

The pair won a $1 million ($740, 000) prize pot that was meant to draw famous people like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Swiatek, five times more than the $ 200, 000 ($148, 000) prize they won last year.

The 16-team draw’s singles players only recognized two pairs, with Errani and Vavassori being the only ones who were interested in the singles pairing.

For all the doubles players who were unable to participate in this competition, Errani said, “This is for them.”

We have a mission, Vavassori continued.

By Vavassori hoisting Errani into the air, the Italians cheered up by capturing another Grand Slam title and showing their appreciation to tournament organizers.

Opinion was divided when the US Open announced a “reimagination” of the mixed doubles, with a shorter scoring system in the first two rounds and a new scheduling slot before the singles draws.

In a joint statement, Errani and Vavassori criticized the organisers for what they perceived as a “profoundly wrong” move, which outraged the doubles players.

The pair eventually received a wildcard despite the pair’s combined singles rankings being too low for direct entry, but the majority of doubles experts were sidelined.

A congratulatory Swiatek waved to the winners and said, “I suppose you demonstrated that doubles players are smarter tactically than single players.”

After winning their opening two matches on Tuesday, Vavassori declared that they were competing against their peers, who were criticized for having more singles stars.

In Wednesday’s pivotal matchup, the pair defeated American duo Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison in the semi-finals before facing off against Swiatek and Ruud.

In the match tie-break between Pegula and Draper, third seeds Swiatek and Ruud rallied from 8-4 down to win the title, but they were unable to do so.

At the business end of an innovative event, intensity rises.

The finals night felt like business if the opening day occasionally had an exhibition atmosphere.

It started off with a traditional US Open showpiece event, featuring a group of US Marines standing in front of an unfurled Stars and Stripes flag, and patriotic rendition of the national anthem.

Many people believe that the mixed doubles’ status as a major title has been diminished by the overhaul. Some even place asterisks next to the champions.

Given that, the stadium announcer attempted to give each player’s Grand Slam résumé more legitimacy by outlining what winning the title would mean for them.

Given the characters’ willpower, the opening semi-final was fierce, which was another indication of how seriously it was being taken, with Ruud calling for a VAR-style check on a Pegula shot.

Following heated discussion between the opposing players, the umpire gave the impression that the American had not yet reached over the net, with Pegula and Draper using the momentum to win the opening set at 3-3 30-30.

However, Pegula’s clasp of her head after their 8-4 lead in the tie-break between the first and the last match summed up their bitter disappointment at not getting the trophy.

Unsurprisingly, Vavassori and Errani had a lot of energy.

One of the defining images was the pair’s semi-final victory, which resembled Hulk Hogan’s underarm bicep flexes.

While the crowd was still cheering on, the focus was still on entertaining the spectators.

A pair of DJs were perched behind courtside decks, and their task was to excite the crowd with a playlist featuring Jay-Z, Cyndi Lauper, and the Friends theme song, while the familiar sight of Celeb Cam and Dance Cam made things even more festive.

Anna Wintour, a fashion icon, recently resigned as the editor-in-chief of Vogue, adding more star-studded material to the nearly capacity crowd.

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  • Tennis

Today’s horoscope for August 21 as Capricorn clings to the familiar

By in Entertainment News, News

One star sign wants to break restrictions, according to today’s horoscope for August 21, while the other has a bold idea.

Find out what’s written in the stars with our astrologer Russell Grant(Image: Daily Record/GettyImages)

One star sign carefully selects whom to share their feelings with on Thursday, August 21, while the other deals with sudden changes.

There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.

These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Your flexibility will be tested by unforeseen plans changes. Even though you may not like the circumstances in which you are currently living, the new arrangements will improve the situation. In a formal setting or workplace meeting, express your opinions clearly but be open to new ideas.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)

When this allows you to unwind and let go of your work load for a while, a change in daily routines is not a bad thing. Just enough thought patterns to allow creativity to flow. You are inspired to try something new by the unanticipated.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

As you anticipate new plans that are being developed, your thoughts race ahead. Other people have trouble keeping up with you. Be patient, but be compassionate with it. A playful thought might lead to a serious topic that is worth investigating.

Continue reading the article.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23)

Distractions will distract you from your intended purpose. A chaotic situation will quickly calm down. Keep your peace at bay while remaining curious. You may be disturbed by a coworker’s comment, but it’s just an observation.

Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)

You are incredibly passionate about your work, interests, and style. Some people may not realize how deeply their own actions inspire them when they watch you. A new understanding of recent political or community events might emerge from a strange text message. Someone has a secret that someone will trust you.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

When a well-known routine is abruptly altered, your sense of order and structure wanes. Take a deep breath and proceed accordingly. You’ll start to feel at ease once more once new routines are established. Don’t overreact upon what you have control over.

Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

You’re pleasantly surprised by the people who unite to fight for a worthwhile cause. Use your charm and imagination to support a fundraising endeavor. People admire how you can balance diplomacy and honesty.

Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Your patience will be tested by sudden changes occurring at work or in a group project. Someone may be intentionally causing waves, you have the impression. Be patient until the issue is resolved. You’ll come up with a brilliant solution once you do.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

You long to unwind from the current limitations. You simply want to give up on obligations that you now recognize are preventing you. There is no need for a map for adventures. Simply set your intentions and go for it. It’s a day to be spontaneous but cautious.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Old agreements and agreements are starting to sag as a result of fresh ideas. You might be tempted to adhere to a well-known pattern, but doing so only serves to entice others to try to promote new ideas. Innovation currently outperforms tradition.

Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

Give yourself the freedom to think. Don’t push it down because some situations might not be appropriate for it. Instead, use enthusiasm and flair to express your opinions. If a bold idea is embraced by the right person, it will gain popularity.

Continue reading the article.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

What logic cannot explain, your intuition picks up. Avoid sharing your feelings with anyone because not everyone will understand. Don’t feel bad about having to make changes to plans you don’t think will work as well as someone suggested.

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Brazil’s ex-President Bolsonaro planned asylum in Argentina, police say

By in News, World News
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s messages on his phone allegedly indicated that he once wanted to fend for himself and asks for political asylum from Argentine President Javier Milei, according to Brazilian federal police.

The former president’s passport was taken just days after his arrest, according to a report released on Wednesday, in order to investigate his involvement in an alleged coup plot. Bolsonaro’s mobile phone was saved the asylum letter on his phone in February 2024.

The Argentine president’s office did not respond to a request for comment right away, and it was unclear whether the asylum request had been sent.

The final police report, which formally accused Bolsonaro and his American-based son Eduardo of trying to stifle the ex-president’s upcoming trial for allegedly plotting a coup, contained the asylum request document that was revealed on Wednesday.

If found guilty of plotting to overthrow Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as president in 2022, Bolsonaro’s trial is scheduled to begin on September 2. He could spend up to 40 years in prison.

The former president and his son are currently facing charges of “coercion in the judicial process” and “abolition of the democratic law” related to the coup case. The combined sentences for the two offenses could be as much as 12 years in prison.

O Dia, a news outlet in Brazil, reported on Wednesday that recordings were also discovered on a device that was seized during the Bolsonaro police investigation, which indicated “attempts to intimidate authorities and impede the progress of the investigations related to the investigation into the attack on democracy, including attempts to use external influence.”

Bolsonaro, who has been under house arrest since early August, has defended his innocence in the coup trial, which an allies US President Donald Trump has referred to as a “witch-hunt.”

Eduardo Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, resigned from his position as a Brazilian congressman in March and is now campaigning for the Trump administration to intervene on behalf of his father.

The Trump administration has successfully engaged in those lobbying efforts, including imposing sanctions on court officials against Brazil for the case.

‘Moral imperative’: Hundreds of UK business leaders demand action on Israel

By in News, World News

London, United Kingdom – As the conflict in Gaza worsens, hundreds of business leaders in the country, including a former king’s adviser and a sustainability consultant with a descendent from Holocaust survivors, are urging the government to take action against Israel.

762 people had signed a statement on Thursday morning, calling on Britain to end all arms dealing with Israel, punish those accused of breaking international law, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is allegedly facing an arrest by the International Criminal Court, conduct screening, and uphold the United Nations’ tenets on business and human rights in all of the UK’s economic systems.

The letter states that “we see this as a moral imperative as well as a matter of professional responsibility, in line with our obligation to act in the best interests of long-term societal and economic resilience.” The UK must make sure that no business, whether through its supply chains or through its products, services, or supply chains, contributes directly or indirectly to these atrocities.

The signatories include former British minister Jonathon Porritt CBE, sustainability expert Adam Garfunkel, Frieda Gormley, the founder of House of Hackney, a well-known philanthropist who once led Unilever, Paul Polman, and Geetie Singh-Watson MBE, an entrepreneur who practices organic food, as well as other professionals who have received the Member of the British Empire (MBE) award.

They have pledged to continue to work with the UK government through an “ongoing process of reflection and action” that includes “reviewing our operations, supply chains, financial flows, and influence to promote peace, uphold human rights, and strengthen respect for international law.”

According to Polman, “business cannot survive in societies that are disintegrating.” Business leaders should demonstrate courage, speak out, and use our voices to uphold international law.

As the Gaza Strip’s most depressed Palestinians face their darkest days, more and more professionals are signing the letter. Thousands of people are suffering from hunger and famine as a result of the Strip’s blockade, and Israel is beginning a feared invasion of Gaza City.

Courtesy of Adam Garfunkel

Garfunkel told Al Jazeera, “We need as businesses to justify our existence and acknowledge that everyone deserves to be treated fairly.” “My family was a victim of the Holocaust. My father had the good fortune to leave the UK with his brother and his parents. What I’ve learned from my great grandparents’ experiences is that they were taken to the woods, shot, and buried in a mass grave, and that persecution based on ethnic identity is always wrong, wherever it occurs.

More than 60, 000 people have been killed in Israel’s most recent conflict with Gaza, which has been referred to as a genocide by leading rights organizations in the 22 months since October 7, 2023, when Hamas led an incursion into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 and taking 250 captive, according to the letter.

The Israeli government’s ongoing military campaign, it added, amounts to an unrelenting and indefensible assault on civilians that goes against both moral standards and the Geneva Conventions’ core values.

The letter, which was written by Porritt, a former prime minister’s representative who advised King Charles on environmental issues for 30 years while the monarch held the title of Prince of Wales and is a member of a commission on sustainable development, reflects the importance of businesses in society at a crucial time.

“This situation is completely intolerable,” says the spokesperson, “it’s just become so much clearer over the past few months.” And it’s a genocide against the Palestinians and Gazans in particular, he told Al Jazeera.

According to him, businesses must support “achieving and maintaining” human rights in the nations where they conduct business. That provides a very clear indication of why individual business leaders should participate at this time.

Porritt’s support of Palestine Action, a protest group that the UK government had previously labeled a terrorist organization, has recently made headlines in the British media.

He was one of the more than 500 people detained on August 9 at a London rally where he raised a banner stating, “I support Palestine Action, I oppose genocide.”

Europe must shoulder ‘lion’s share’ of Ukraine’s security, Vance says

By in News, World News

In the event of a deal to end Russia’s hostilities in Ukraine, according to US Vice President JD Vance, the “lion’s share” will be left up to European nations to provide security, according to Vice President JD Vance.

Vance claimed in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday that the US shouldn’t “carry the burden” of supporting Kyiv’s post-war security.

“I believe that we should be helpful if the war and killings are necessary. However, Vance said in an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham that the president should anticipate Europe playing a leading role in this regard.

He stated very clearly, “Look, the United States is open to the conversation, but we won’t make commitments until we figure out what will be necessary to put an end to the war.”

Vance made the comments the day after US President Donald Trump suggested that the country could send troops to Ukraine and that Washington could support them “by air.”

Trump’s efforts to end the three-and-a-half-year conflict have raised a significant question mark regarding post-war security guarantees for Ukraine.

Trump said that while the United States would be the “first line of defense,” Europe would be the “first line of defense,” and that Washington would offer “a lot of help” after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and top European leaders at the White House on Monday for discussions on the war.

Trump has ruled out joining NATO, but his special representative Steve Witkoff and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte have suggested that Kyiv could receive a security guarantee similar to the 32-member alliance’s collective defense mandate.

An armed attack on a NATO member nation is regarded as an attack on all NATO members, as defined by Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Moscow has repeatedly refrained from sending troops from NATO member states along its border, despite Trump’s claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to having European peacekeepers stationed in Ukraine.

Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, stated on Wednesday that his country would need to be included in the negotiations over security guarantees and that moving away from Moscow would lead to “nowhere.”

“We cannot accept the suggestion that Russia is being used to resolve security and collective security issues. Lavrov retorted, “This will not work.”

Vance claimed on Wednesday that the Trump administration had made “great progress” in its efforts to end the war despite the conflict between the parties.

According to Vance, “you can never predict the outcome of this situation with certainty.”