Scientists prepared to save monarch butterfly in event of 'rapid extinction'


Scientists have revealed the development of a cryopreservation technique for "the successful long-term storage of monarch butterfly germ plasm" to repopulate the pollinator in the event of a "rapid extinction." 

Photo by PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay link back to : https://pixabay.com/photos/garden-flowers-butterfly-monarch-17057/


Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Scientists in North Dakota announced Tuesday they are prepared to repopulate the iconic orange and black monarch butterfly, which has been classified an endangered species in North America, in the event "of a rapid extinction."

U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists at the Agricultural Research Service's Weed and Insect Biology Research Unit in Fargo revealed they have developed the first-ever cryopreservation protocol for "the successful long-term storage of monarch butterfly germ plasm" or sperm cells.

"This study is the first to implement a technique to extract semen from the male reproductive tract in insects, a common technique used in mammals," said Courtney Grula, a scientist at the Weed and Insect Biology Research Unit.

The technique allows for preserved samples to "remain viable and highly intact post-cryopreservation."

In the event of population loss, the viable sperm cells could be used to bring back the monarch butterfly. ARS researchers are currently assessing artificial insemination techniques for female butterflies using cryopreserved sperm cells.

The number of monarch butterflies declined rapidly between 1996 and 2014 before stabilizing over the past decade. The remaining threats of climate change, the rapid disappearance of butterfly habitats and loss of native plants, such as milkweed, continue to threaten the pollinators.

"For people who are interested in helping monarch populations, they can plant common milkweed in their yard, as this is utilized by monarchs for egg laying and larval diet," said Grula.

Researchers are teaching cryopreservation techniques to breeders at the San Diego Zoo, while extending the technique to cryopreserve spermatozoa from other endangered species, such as the Sacramento checkerspot butterfly in New Mexico.

Monarch butterflies can travel between 50 and 100 miles a day as they migrate every year from Mexico to Canada.

"The persistence of the monarch butterfly's spectacular and unique migratory phenomenon is dependent on the conservation of habitats in Canada, the United States and Mexico," according to the U.S. Forest Service.

"No species better symbolizes the ecological links among the three countries."

Sewer crew removes 'monster' 110-pound fatberg


A team from England's Southern Water removed a 110-pound fatberg from a sewer in Bishopric, Horsham. Photo courtesy of Southern Water

Aug. 14 (UPI) -- England's Southern Water said a team of "blockage busters" destroyed a "monster" 110-pound fatberg found blocking a sewer.

The company said in a news release that the crew responded to a report of a backed-up sewer in Bishopric, Horsham, and arrived to find the blockage was a 110-pound fatberg -- a solid mass of non-biodegradable solids mixed with oil, grease and fats.
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"Sewer blockages caused by wet-wipes and other unflushables like sanitary products and nappies combined with fat, oil and grease from home cooking or food establishments are all too common," Sussex Area sewer network manager Roger Williams said. "Fatbergs are the number one cause of pollution in our area. Fortunately, we arrived in time to destroy this monster."

Southern Water said its Network Enforcement and Protection team is looking into the source of the cooking fats and whether a local food establishment is to blame.

US consumer inflation sees smallest annual rise since 2021

Washington (AFP) – US consumer inflation eased slightly in July, according to government data published Wednesday, its smallest 12-month increase since March 2021 and a positive sign for the Federal Reserve as it weighs cutting interest rates.


Issued on: 14/08/2024 - 

US consumer inflation hit its lowest annual rate since March 2021, the Labor Department said © Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

The consumer price index (CPI) eased to 2.9 percent last month from a year ago, down slightly from 3.0 percent in June, the Labor Department said in a statement, while a measure that strips out volatile food and energy costs cooled to an annual rate of 3.2 percent.

This was slightly lower than the median forecast of economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

The monthly inflation rate picked up by 0.2 percent after declining in June, in line with expectations.

"Today's report shows that we continue to make progress fighting inflation and lowering costs for American households," US President Joe Biden said in a statement.

"We have more work to do to lower costs for hardworking Americans, but we are making real progress, with wages rising faster than prices for 17 months in a row," he added.

But a spokesperson for Donald Trump's presidential campaign team took a different view of the data, seeking to blame vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris for the cumulative rise in prices since Biden took office in January 2021.

"Under Kamala Harris, everything costs 20 percent more than it did under President Trump," Trump Campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. "America cannot afford another four years of Kamala's failed economic policies"
Shelter up

Almost 90 percent of the monthly increase was down to a 0.4 percent increase in shelter costs, the Labor Department said. Energy prices remained unchanged, while the index for food rose 0.2 percent.

So-called "core" inflation, excluding volatile food and energy prices, also eased last month to 3.2 percent -- its lowest level since April 2021.

The July CPI data are good news for US Federal Reserve as it weighs the right time to start bringing interest rates down from a 23-year high.

The US central bank has been attempting to lower inflation to its long-term target of two percent without crashing the economy or causing a surge in the unemployment rate, known as a "soft landing".

After a small uptick in the Fed's favored inflation measure earlier the year -- which is calculated slightly different the CPI -- inflation is now easing again.

In other good news for the Fed, economic growth remains positive, and the labor market has shown signs of coming into better balance without a dramatic rise in the unemployment rate.

Against this backdrop, Fed chair Jerome Powell suggested last month that the policymakers could cut rates "as soon as" September, if the data continue to come in as expected.

'Sticky' rents

"Today's report will raise confidence within the Fed that inflation is indeed on a sustainable path towards 2%," economists at High Frequency Economics (HFE) wrote in a note to clients.

But the rise in shelter inflation remains "a thorn in the Federal Reserve's side" as it weighs rate cuts, Oxford Economics chief US economist Ryan Sweet wrote in a note published Wednesday, adding that the rise in rents was broad-based.

"Rents tend to be sticky but with the disinflation elsewhere, the Fed has the greenlight to cut interest rates by 25bps (basis points) at its September meeting," he added.

With futures traders overwhelmingly expecting the Fed to cut interest rates in September, according to data from CME Group, the question is how big its first cut will be.

Traders have assigned a probability of more than 55 percent that it will make a quarter-percentage point cut, leaving the chance of a larger, half-point cut at just under 45 percent.

"July CPI keeps the Fed on track to cut rates in September but don't hold your breath for super-sized cut," Sweet said.

© 2024 AFP

Aussie Olympians defend scorned breakdancer 'Raygun'

"Good on her for having a go and wearing a trackie while you're doing it. I mean, how Australian is that?"

Sydney (AFP) – Australia's Olympians returned home Wednesday and mounted a resolute defence of their breakdancing colleague against "awful" critics, comics and keyboard warriors.

Issued on: 14/08/2024 - 

The performance of Australia's Rachael Gunn in the Women's Breaking event of the Paris Olympics has divided public opinion

 © Odd ANDERSEN / AFP/File

The athletes, fresh from a national record 53 Olympic medal trawl, were asked about absent colleague b-girl Rachael "Raygun" Gunn.

After winning no votes from Paris judges, 36-year-old Gunn has been mocked and ridiculed for her allegedly lacklustre breakdancing skills.

Commentators have questioned how Gunn qualified for the games, with some of her more ill-tempered critics calling her a national embarrassment.

Her kangaroo-imitating moves and slightly passe green Australian Olympic track suit have been parodied by late-night US television host Jimmy Fallon.

In one of the more lighthearted jibes about Gunn's performance, New Zealand comedian Jemaine Clement joked: "I've been to Australia. That was their best dancer."

But double gold-winning canoeist Jess Fox was among those to rush to Gunn's defence Wednesday.

"It is devastating for her," Fox told local media in Sydney.

"To see the toll... she is human and it is massive what she has been through over the last week. She has definitely been feeling it. There is a human behind all that, and people are so quick to be awful. She doesn't deserve that," Fox said.

Before the games Gunn -- a university researcher with a doctorate in cultural studies -- had appeared at dance events for children, detailing her improbable path to Paris, promoting breaking and encouraging a new generation to pursue Olympic-sized dreams.

Swimmer Zac Stubblety-Cook -– who won silver and bronze –- at the Games, said criticism targeting Gunn was "disappointing", according to the Sydney Morning Herald, while cyclist Matthew Glaetzer said no Olympian "should be spoken negatively about".

Prime Minster Anthony Albanese also praised her effort and commitment.

"That she had a crack and the Olympics is all about participation and having a go, doing your best and representing your country. She did all of that," Albanese told Nova radio.

"I think some of the criticism that she's copped -- there's been a bit of a pile on -- which I think is really unfair. Good on her for having a go and wearing a trackie while you're doing it. I mean, how Australian is that?"

© 2024 AFP

Athens blaze reignites questions over 'fire every year'

Athens (AFP) – Climate change may have played a part in the latest massive wildfire just outside Athens, but some critics blame inadequate equipment and lack of planning for what has become an annual crisis.

Issued on: 14/08/2024 - 

Some residents have come home to find their houses devastated 

© Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP

The wildfire, which started on Sunday in Varnavas, 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the capital, had by Tuesday killed one woman, caused widespread damage and sent thousands fleeing from their homes.

The blaze even came as close as the suburbs of Athens before firefighters got the upper hand.

"People shouldn't be burnt alive in 2024," said Marianna Chatzieleftheriou at a small far-left rally on the crisis outside parliament on Tuesday.

For her the death was a "political crime", and one she blamed on the conservative government.

"There are not many firefighters... all the equipment is poor. And the actions start at a late stage," the 27-year-old doctor told AFP.

Fellow protester Marietta Papadopoulou said the water-bombing planes were old models -- and there were not enough of them.

"I'm really angry...," the 58-year-old gym teacher told AFP. "The government doesn't take the necessary measures to protect the environment, cities, villages."

Some sections of the press also attacked the response from the authorities.

"Enough is enough" said the front page of Greece's top-selling centrist daily Ta Nea. The liberal Kathimerini said the blaze "had left huge destruction (and) unanswered questions".

"This year too, we are spectators of the same play," said Nikos Androulakis, head of the socialist opposition party PASOK, as he visited some of the devastated sites on Tuesday.

"We cannot experience such tragic consequences every year. We need to do more and as soon as possible."

- 'Difficult to contain' -

"Every year we are doing our best to improve," said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who cut short his holiday to deal with the crisis.

"But unfortunately conditions are becoming more difficult," he added after an emergency cabinet meeting Tuesday.

This year's summer wildfire season has seen dozens of blazes, as the Mediterranean country recorded its warmest winter and the hottest June and July since reliable data collection began in 1960.

Scientists say that human-induced fossil fuel emissions are worsening the length, frequency and intensity of heatwaves across the world.

Critics say Greece does not have enough waterbombing aircraft: the government says it has ordered more © Sakis MITROLIDIS / AFP

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said Greece had successfully dealt with numerous forest fires since May -- even though their number was up by half from the same period last year, from over 2,300 to over 3,500.

"The Varnavas fire occurred on a level five extreme risk day... This means that if a fire does occur, it is extremely difficult to contain," he said.

Marinakis said Greece now had "17,500 firefighters -- more than ever before".

In April, Greece also unveiled a 2.1-billion-euro upgrade to its civil protection infrastructure, touted as the country's most ambitious to date.

Mostly EU-funded, it includes new water bombing aircraft, helicopters, fire engines, thermal cameras and over 100 surveillance drones.

But none of that will arrive until next year -- and the first planes from an order of seven new DHC-515 water bombers will be delivered in 2027.

- 'We know the risks' -

Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said the original fire Sunday spread even though a water-bombing aircraft reached the area in just five minutes.

"The fire spread very quickly because of the strong wind," firefighter Marinos Peristeropoulos told AFP near one of the hotspots on Monday.

Fellow firefighter Asterios, 45, added: "The pine trees are like a match. And climate change has brought desert to the woods."

Evangelos Kouris, an electrical engineer from the Athens suburbs, also blamed the rainless, "extremely hot, dry summer".

His T-shirt smudged with soot, he had spent the night from Monday to Tuesday putting out small fires with neighbours.

"The environment is too flammable," the 51-year-old told AFP.

But he also believed "people set fires on purpose" and faulted the authorities for not thinking far enough ahead.

"We know the risks but we are not building a total plan," he said.

The fires killed one woman, caused widespread damage and sent thousands fleeing from their homes © Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP

"The anger will come later," said another local, Tilemachos Iouliou. For now though, he was "still in shock.

"Athens is on fire every year. The surrounding... mountains are always on fire. But it was the first time the fire came into the city," the 40-year-old office worker told AFP.

He too blamed a lack of long-term planning, but did not seem confident that much could be done.

"They say you have to build big roads with no trees, but with the kind of winds yesterday, I don't believe they could be of use," he said.

"When there is no more forest, we will be safe."

© 2024 AFP

Greece counts cost as firefighters master fires around Athens

Athens (AFP) – Greece on Wednesday counted the cost of devastating fires outside Athens that claimed one life, forced thousands to flee their homes and took three days to control.


Issued on: 14/08/2024 - 
The government has already earmarked 4.7 million euros for the eight towns hit by the fires © Angelos TZORTZINIS / AFP
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With the smoke still to clear, civil protection officials said the fire devoured 10,000 hectares (nearly 25,000 acres), destroying about 100 homes as well as many other buildings and cars.

While isolated fires still burned, there were no major active blazes, but some 570 firefighters and 174 vehicles were monitoring events, said the fire service.

"We are still in the area but there is no (threat). Some pockets of fire spring up but are dealt with," a fire service spokesman told AFP.

Greece: areas burnt by wildfires near Athens © Olivia BUGAULT, Maud ZABA, Nalini LEPETIT-CHELLA / AFP

The fire broke out on Sunday at Varnavas, near the historic town of Marathon, 40 kilometres (25 miles) northeast of Athens.

Investigators think a faulty electricity pole may have been the cause, the Kathimerini newspaper reported.

Strong winds fed the flames, turning it into the worst wildfire this year in Greece.

As the flames approached the suburbs of the capital, teams from France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia and Turkey mobilised through an EU scheme to help Greece master the fires.

A Turkish helicopter and two Italian planes have already joined the effort in Athens while a Serbian helicopter saw action against a fire in Serres, northern Greece, the spokesman said.

The largest force, over 160 firefighters and 55 fire engines sent by France, is expected later Wednesday.

'Under-staffed, under-equipped'

With thousands of people forced to flee their homes, several stadiums were opened up to receive them. Some 650 people were hosted in hotels, the civil protection ministry said.

The government has already earmarked 4.7 million euros ($5.2 million) for the eight towns hit by the fires, with pay-outs for households and individuals affected by the disaster.

But there was growing anger over what critics say was a lack of preparedness.

"Under-staffed, under-equipped and totally uncoordinated," said Stefanos Kasselakis, leader of the leftwing Syriza opposition party, referring to the civil protection service, blaming Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

"We're doing our best to improve every year," said Mitsotakis after an emergency cabinet meeting Tuesday. "But conditions are unfortunately becoming more difficult."

The Greek socialist party PASOK on Wednesday formally requested a parliamentary debate on the fire when the chamber reopens at the end of the month.

The government has vowed to hold a discussion in September, after the end of the fire season.

Around 200 people demonstrated outside parliament on Tuesday evening to denounce what they called the government's "crimes".

The first two DHC-515 water bombers will be delivered in 2027.

"The solution won't just come from the air," he added: preventative work was also essential.

But the toll of annual fires is growing. According to the meteo.gr website of the National Observatory, 37 percent of forests around Athens have been consumed by fire over the past eight years.

Scientists say that human-caused fossil fuel emissions are increasing the length, frequency and intensity of heatwaves across the world, raising the risk of wildfires.

© 2024 AFP

'Coffin homes' in Hong Kong: Authorities step up efforts to get rid of tiny, squalid apartments

Issued on: 14/08/2024 - 

Authorities in Hong Kong have begun a review process aimed at ridding the city of tiny, squalid subdivided homes. For years the government has been criticised for failing to address the issue, which highlights the startling divide between its rich and poor. But even news plans to regulate and set standards for such housing will take years to come into effect.

'Coffin homes' in Kong Kong 01:45

France launches probe into cyberbullying of Olympic boxing champion Khelif

French authorities on Wednesday launched a cyberbullying investigation following complaints lodged by Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif. In one of the biggest controversies of the Paris Olympic Games, Khelif was targeted by an onslaught of online harassment around her gender shortly after she beat Italy’s Angela Carini in the women’s 66kg preliminaries. The hot-button issue has even seen JK Rowling, Donald Trump and Elon Musk weigh in.


Issued on: 14/08/2024 -

French prosecutors say a probe has been launched following a complaint by Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif. 

© Mohd Rasfan, AFP file photo

France has launched a cyberbullying probe following a complaint by Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif, who was at the centre of a gender controversy at the Paris Olympic Games, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

The controversy has rapidly become a hot-button issue outside the ring, with politicians and celebrities including Donald Trump and Elon Musk weighing in.

The investigation was opened Tuesday into "cyberharassment" following the high-profile gender row at the Games, the Paris public prosecutor's office told AFP.

Read moreUnder pressure: Algerian boxer Imane Khelif triumphs after days of abuse over 'gender controversy'

The athlete's lawyer Nabil Boudi said last week that Khelif, 25, had filed a complaint for online harassment, calling it a "fight for justice."

"The investigation will determine who was behind this misogynist, racist and sexist campaign, but will also have to concern itself with those who fed the online lynching," he said at the time.

The Central Office for Combating Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes has been tasked with the investigation.
'Born a woman'

According to US magazine Variety, billionaire entrepreneur Musk and Harry Potter author JK Rowling have been named in the complaint.

Former US President Trump, who is the Republican party's nominee in the 2024 presidential race, would also be part of the investigation, Variety said, citing the lawyer.

Khelif won the women's 66kg final against China's Yang Liu in a unanimous points decision, having been the focus of intense scrutiny in the French capital during the Olympics.

Together with Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who won the 57kg women's final, Khelif was disqualified from last year's world championships after they failed gender eligibility testing.

However they were cleared to compete in Paris, setting the stage for one of the biggest controversies of the Games.

Algeria's Imane Khelif punches Italy's Angerla Carini in the women's 66kg preliminaries round of 16 boxing match during the Paris Games. © Mohd Rasfan, AFP

The row in Paris erupted after Khelif won her bout against Italy's Angela Carini in just 46 seconds with two strong punches to the Italian's nose.

Trump said he would "keep men out of women's sports" and his running mate JD Vance described the bout as a "grown man pummelling a woman in a boxing match".

Rowling also weighed in, saying on X that the Paris Olympics would be "forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini".

The International Boxing Association's Russian president and Kremlin-linked oligarch, Umar Kremlev, has targeted both athletes, claiming that Khelif and Lin had undergone "genetic testing that shows that these are men".

The IBA were responsible for the world championships in 2023 that Lin and Khelif were thrown out of, but the IOC cleared them to box in Paris.

Khelif said she is "a woman like any other".

"I was born a woman, lived a woman and competed as a woman," she told reporters about her eligibility.

"They hate me and I don't know why," she said of the IBA.
'Defamation campaign'

Russia's team has been banned from the Paris Olympics over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

On Monday, Khelif received a hero's welcome at Algiers airport, with crowds cheering the boxer with chants of "Tahia Imane" (Long live Imane).

The row in Paris erupted after Algeria's Imane Khelif won her bout against Italy's Angela Carini in just 46 seconds. © Mohd Rasfan, AFP


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An editorial in government daily El Moudjahid praised Khelif.

"Imane's victory is also a victory for the oppressed and the excluded, but above all it is a victory for the law, which for too long has been trampled by the logic of the powerful, who are greedy for domination and adept at double-standard policies."

Asked if the International Olympic Committee was prepared to consider reviewing the gender issue, its president Thomas Bach has said: "If someone is presenting us a scientifically solid system how to identify men and women, we are the first ones to do it."

"But what is not possible that someone is saying this is not a woman just by looking at somebody or by falling prey to a defamation campaign by a not credible organisation with highly political interest."

(AFP)

Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling named in harassment complaint filed by Olympic boxer: report

Daniel Hampton
August 13, 2024 

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and tech billionaire Elon Musk — both of whom have a history of espousing anti-transgender views — were reportedly named in a complaint in France over allegations of "aggravated cyber harassment” against an Olympic boxer who eventually won a gold medal.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif became the subject of GOP-led attacks by former President Donald Trump, his running mate J.D. Vance, and a variety of Fox News hosts after she defeated Italian boxer Angela Carini in under a minute.

Khelif is a woman from birth and has naturally occurring high levels of testosterone. She was excluded from competition last year for failing an unspecified gender eligibility test, which led right-wing commentators to falsely claim Khelif is transgender or even a "biological man."

Khelif filed a complaint alleging online harassment in Paris, Variety reported Monday. On Tuesday, an attorney for Khelif told Variety that Musk and Rowling were mentioned in the complaint, which was posted to an anti-online hatred center of the city'sprosecutor’s office on Friday.

The lawsuit was filed against the social media app X, according to the report, her attorney Nabil Boudi said ensures prosecutors have "all the latitude to be able to investigate against all people" — including those who may have anonymously expressed hate messages.

“J. K. Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others,” he told Variety. Trump will also be part of the investigation, he said.

“Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution,” said Boudi.

Rowling posted a picture of Khelif’s bout with Carini and posted: "Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better? The smirk of a male who’s knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered."

Musk, meanwhile, shared a post with the caption "absolutely" from swimmer Riley Gaines that said: “Men don’t belong in women’s sports.”

Trump, for his part, also posted a picture of the match on his Truth Social app with the caption: “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”

Young and old charged over riots point to anger in UK society

Basingstoke (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Far from the madding crowd in a small court room in southern England, a 13-year girl held her mother's hand as she pleaded guilty to participating in Britain's worst riots in over a decade.

Issued on: 14/08/2024

© Roland LLOYD PARRY / AFP

Prosecutors warned the girl, who wore a cream jumper and cycling shorts, could face a custodial sentence after being caught kicking and punching the door of a hotel housing asylum seekers in nearby Aldershot on July 31.

The girl, who cannot be named, was among a number of schoolchildren and elderly arrested during a week of disorder across England in which rioters targeted hotels for asylum seekers, looted shops and libraries and injured scores of police.

Officials have blamed far-right agitators for fuelling the disturbances, including supporters of the former English Defence League, an Islamophobic group founded in 2009 which had close links to football hooligan "firms".

Northern Ireland also saw violence, with police blaming pro-UK loyalist paramilitaries for helping stoke unrest in Belfast.

The violence has heightened official concerns about how quickly crowds mobilised nationwide -- and whether it could happen again.

© Joe Giddens / POOL/AFP

Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed swift justice against those involved, who he branded "thugs".

But the presence of the young and old hints at deeper issues blighting deprived, disaffected communities.

An 11-year-old boy was charged with offences including possessing petrol bombs, during trouble in Belfast, while two 12-year-old boys were convicted of violence towards police in Manchester, northwest England.
'Wave of madness'

Around 50 youths under the age of 18 have been charged, according to police figures.

At the other end of the spectrum, a 69-year-old man has been accused of vandalism in Liverpool.

The family of Kieron Gatenby, 19, sobbed in court as he was sentenced to 16 months detention in a centre for young offenders after being filmed throwing an egg during riots in Hartlepool, northeast England.

His lawyer told the court that Gatenby "does not claim to be especially bright". He had never expressed racist sentiments, and "was clearly caught in a wave of madness, and his youth played a role in that," the lawyer added.

© PETER POWELL / AFP

A mass stabbing in Southport, a small town in northwest England, was the spark for the riots.

The day after the knife attack -- in which three girls were killed as they took part in a Taylor Swift themed dance event -- disturbances erupted in the town and a mosque was attacked.

False rumours initially blamed the stabbing on a Muslim asylum seeker, but police said the suspect was born in Wales to Rwandan parents.

The day after the unrest, an AFP journalist in Southport overheard a youth saying he was "looking forward" to more violence. The youth was headed towards the scene of the previous disorder with two friends and a crate of beer.

Local resident Patrick, 22, witnessed the unrest. He told AFP it was "idiotic" for the rioters to target a mosque. But he said attacks on police were partly caused by widespread and deep-rooted anger towards the establishment.
Looting

Seven of England's 10 most deprived areas experienced riots, while many affected places also have a higher than average percentage of asylum seekers in taxpayer-funded accommodation, according to a Financial Times investigation.

Wives, girlfriends and mothers watched at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Tuesday as accused rioters were charged with affray, assaulting police officers and racially-aggravated violence.

© Yelim LEE / AFP

Across the country, some 1,024 people were arrested and 575 charged, leading to a scramble to create more prison places.

One 22-year-old threw a vacuum cleaner through a house window, leading to a 26-month jail sentence. Another man received a three-year term for grabbing a police officer's baton.

Others have been mocked, including John Honey, 25, who went viral after looting pastries from a budget bakery chain -- and items from other stores -- during violence in Hull, northeast England.

A judge delayed sentencing Honey after learning that a prison officer claimed Honey had asked if he wanted his autograph "as he is famous and is all over social media".

Like many convicted, he likely now faces a tough jail term as authorities try to deter a repeat of the rioting with stiff sentences.

© 2024 AFP

Senegal media sound alarm with news blackout

Issued on: 14/08/2024 -

Media organizations in Senegal staged a blackout day on Tuesday (August 13) to protest against measures that they say amount to a crackdown on freedom of the country's press. Editors from both private and public outfits accuse authorities of seizing equipment and freezing bank accounts over outstanding taxes.

01:54

Florida in play for Harris? Election could hinge on ‘inactive’ Sunshine State Dem voters

David Badash, The New Civil Rights Movement
August 14, 2024 


Vice President Kamala Harris (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage / AFP)

Can Vice President Kamala Harris win Florida?

It would seem almost impossible, but Florida Democrats are saying this time it's different, they are "Unburdened by what has been." And there are several factors that could fuel Harris's momentum.

For decades Florida has been considered a battleground state, while voting to put a Republican in the White House in eight of the past 12 presidential elections. In 2022, Sunshine State voters sent just eight Democrats to the House of Representatives, out of a total of 28. Both of Florida's U.S. Senators are Republicans. The Florida legislature – House and Senate – are controlled by Republicans with strong majorities in each. And Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, maintains a strong favorability rating despite his failed run for president.

Many seniors in recent years, including Kamala Harris's Republican opponent, Donald Trump, have moved to Florida, boosting the state's conservative population and increasing its Electoral College votes to 30, from 29 in the last presidential election.

Registered Florida Republican voters officially outweigh registered Democrats by one million, but Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Philip Jerez is calling that a "manufactured voter registration lead," according to Florida Politics, which adds, "If you’re explaining, you’re losing.."

In a memo, Jerez writes, "what Republicans aren’t telling you is that this voter registration total excludes 886,066 registered Democratic voters,” who did not vote in the 2022 election. "While inactive voters are not counted in public voter registration totals, they are still eligible to vote on Election Day."

"Over the past few years, Republicans have passed new elections laws, two specifically that changed ‘list maintenance’ processes,” Jerez says. “As a result, almost one million Democratic voters have been labeled ‘inactive voters’ and wiped from the total reported to the public — the same margin Republicans claim victory on.”

“Following the 2022 elections, which saw historically low turnout for Florida Democrats — intentional changes in election laws targeting voters who sat out 2022 caused a dramatic rise in the number of inactive voters in the state,” Jerez added.


And while it may be hard to see the state that voted for Donald Trump not only twice – but by an even larger margin in 2020, an election he lost – as being evenly split, the Harris-Walz campaign has momentum.

"Democrats’ dream of putting Florida in play could finally be coming true — if you believe the latest polling out of the Sunshine State," Politico reports Tuesday afternoon. Florida Democrats say point-blank: "Florida is in play."

Two new just-released polls put Harris within single-digits of Trump – five points in one, eight points in another. The five-point lead (47-42) in the USA TODAY/Suffolk University/WSVN-TV poll is being described as a "danger" for the former president, by USA Today.

"Trump leads Harris by 5 percentage points in the survey, but that’s closer than other recent polls and much less than Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 19-point blowout in 2022. It’s also within the poll’s 4.4% margin of error and another sign of the enthusiasm Harris has generated nationwide within the Democratic Party since she entered the race," USA Today reports, also noting that "Democrats fell dramatically behind Republicans in voter registration."

But, as Politico notes, the polling "result comes as Harris has enjoyed a surge of enthusiasm — a fact that the poll even reflects: Harris’ Florida supporters are on par with Trump’s in enthusiasm, 'with 89% of each group saying they are very or somewhat excited to vote for their candidate.'"


In addition to the grassroots momentum, Harris has two big positives on her side: Florida voters have put abortion rights and marijuana rights on the ballot. Both are polling very favorably, despite Governor DeSantis's opposition