Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 

Multiple people are killed and others injured by a man using a bow and arrows in Kongsberg, Norway. (Reuters) 

Opposition lawmakers present a formal impeachment against Chilean president Sebastián Piñera over links to a 2010 sale of a mining company, for which a prosecutor opened a case against him for alleged bribery, corruption and tax violations. (Al Jazeera) 

House approves short-term deal to avert debt default The House approved a bipartisan short-term deal to extend the debt limit to avoid a catastrophic default into December, sending it to President Biden for his signature. The Senate passed the agreement last week after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) proposed the temporary fix to give Democrats more time to raise the debt ceiling without Republican votes through a process known as budget reconciliation. Meanwhile, Democrats negotiated among themselves to trim a $3.5 trillion spending package that would expand the social safety net. Progressives are opposed to any cuts, but key moderates, led by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), are calling for the cost of the bill to be sharply reduced. Democrats can’t pass the bill through reconciliation, which requires a simple majority, if they lose a single Democratic vote in the 50-50 Senate. CNN 

Task force cools on taking aspirin to prevent heart attacks The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Tuesday released a draft statement recommending that people 60 and older should not take daily aspirin to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke, because new evidence indicates the potential harms outweigh the benefits. Adults ages 40 to 59 with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease should consult with their doctor before taking daily aspirin to prevent the ailments, the draft said. “The latest evidence is clear: starting a daily aspirin regimen in people who are 60 or older to prevent a first heart attack or stroke is not recommended,” Task Force member Dr. Chien-Wen Tseng said. People already taking daily aspirin should continue unless told otherwise by their doctor. CNN 

Record 4.3 million quit jobs in August A record 4.3 million people quit jobs across the United States in August, beating the previous high of 4 million set in April, according to data released by the Labor Department on Tuesday. The figure, which amounts to 2.9 percent of the U.S. workforce, reflected changing attitudes about work and home life among Americans since the coronavirus pandemic upended society last year. Many workers have expressed unwillingness to put up with low wages and difficult hours, and sought new opportunities. There were 10.4 million job openings in August, down from July’s record high of 11.1 million but still historically high. Many businesses have had to raise wages to avoid being short-staffed, giving workers leverage to seek positions with better pay and conditions. THE WASHINGTON POST 

Immigration agents to stop mass arrests at workplaces The Biden administration announced Tuesday that immigration agents would stop conducting mass arrests of undocumented immigrants at workplaces. Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a memo that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would prioritize targeting “unscrupulous” employers who exploit the vulnerability of undocumented workers by paying poorly, subjecting them to unsafe working conditions, and facilitating human trafficking. “Our worksite enforcement efforts can have a significant impact on the well-being of individuals and the fairness of the labor market,” Mayorkas wrote. The announcement marked a shift from Trump administration policies, and was expected to meet forceful criticism from Republicans who say limits on arrests have contributed to a wave of migrant traffic at the U.S.-Mexico border. CBS NEWS 

FDA review finds Moderna booster increased antibodies A Food and Drug Administration review found that Moderna’s coronavirus booster dose increased protective antibodies in people who received the initial two doses at least six months earlier. FDA staff remained neutral on whether the booster was necessary. FDA scientists said Tuesday that the booster didn’t meet all the agency’s criteria, because protection from the initial two doses remained so strong that the benefit might not be wide enough to necessitate a third shot. The documents came out ahead of a meeting later this week in which outside experts will discuss a recommendation to the FDA on Moderna’s request for authorization of its booster, a third dose half as big as the initial two. The FDA advisory panel also will consider Johnson & Johnson’s request to authorize the booster it developed for people who receive its single-shot vaccine.  REUTERS 

Military archbishop says Catholic troops can refuse vaccine on religious grounds  The archbishop of the U.S. military, Timothy Broglio, said Tuesday that Catholic troops could refuse the Pentagon’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate on religious grounds. Broglio said some service members had requested exemptions through the Religious Freedom Restoration Act since Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued the vaccine requirement for all service members over the summer. “No one should be forced to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if it would violate the sanctity of his or her conscience,” Broglio said in a statement. Broglio has expressed support for President Biden’s vaccine mandate, citing guidance from the Vatican that COVID shots are morally acceptable and “not sinful.” Still, he wrote, Catholics can form “a sincerely held religious belief that receiving the vaccine would violate his conscience.” POLITICO 

Coroner says Gabby Petito died by strangulation Travel vlogger Gabby Petito, who disappeared during a cross-country trip with her fiance, died by strangulation, Teton County, Wyoming, Coroner Dr. Brent Blue said Tuesday after an autopsy. Blue, who last month ruled the 22-year-old’s death a homicide, said her body had been “outside in the wilderness for three to four weeks” before it was found on Sept. 19. Blue said he couldn’t comment on who strangled Petito. The news coverage of the case fueled a conversation about why many disappearances of racial minorities get far less attention. “Unfortunately this is only one of many deaths around the country of people who are involved with domestic violence, and it’s unfortunate that these other deaths did not get as much coverage as this one,” Blue said. USA TODAY 

Tuesday,  October 12th, 2021 

American streaming service Netflix, the world’s largest entertainment company by market capitalization, confirms that the South Korean television series Squid Game is its most-watched program worldwide, having been viewed by more than 111 million accounts since its release in September. (AFP via ABS-CBN News) 

President Emmanuel Macron announces a €30 billion plan to re-industrialize France, in order to address what he called “a kind of growth deficit” and make France reclaim its title as a “global leader in innovation and research”. (CNA) 

The European Commission raises a climate bond worth €12 billion (US$13.9 billion) as part of its European Green Deal, the largest climate bond issued in the global capital market. (AFP via Times of Malta) 

Indian drug regulator approves the emergency use of the Bharat Biotech Covaxin vaccine for children aged between 2 to 18. (Hindustan Times) 

The International Court of Justice rules in favor of Somalia in its dispute with Kenya over a maritime border rich in gas and oil. Kenya labels the case as “biased” and says that it does not recognize the ruling. (BBC) 

The Cuban government rejects a request from the opposition to hold a protest in Havana on November 15, claiming involvement of the United States government. (AFP via France 24) 

The End Wednesday 

NASA astronomers announce the discovery of TIC 257060897b, a Hot Jupiter exoplanet that is 50% larger and 30% less massive than Jupiter. The discovery was made using the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. (Science Times) 

Indian Armed Forces kill three suspected terrorists during a gunfight in Shopian. Troops also blasted a civilian house. Another security operation is carried out hours later at an apple orchard, resulting in the death of two more terrorists. The raids came a day after five Indian soldiers were killed by suspected terrorists. (Al Jazeera) 

The European Union vows to help Ukraine with its gas supplies as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underlines his concerns of potential Russian political leverage in the region in the aftermath of the agreement with Germany regarding the pipeline Nord Stream. (Deutsche Welle) 

A train kills three people and injures a fourth, all of whom were lying on the tracks in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. (Deutsche Welle) 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that Germany “is not yet prepared to recognize the Taliban government” since it has not met demands of inclusiveness. However, Merkel reassures the promise of Germany’s 600 million euros’ aid to the country. (Reuters) 

Texas governor orders businesses not to mandate vaccinations Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Monday issued an executive order barring any entity in the state, including private businesses, from mandating coronavirus vaccinations for employees or customers. In August, Abbott ordered Texas government bodies and agencies not to require vaccinations, but said he had no intention to tell executives and entrepreneurs how to run their businesses. But he reversed that position after facing weeks of pressure from GOP primary opponents and others on the right who staunchly oppose President Biden’s September decision to require all companies with more than 100 employees to mandate vaccines for workers or test them weekly for coronavirus infections. “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, & our best defense against the virus, but should always remain voluntary & never forced,” Abbott tweeted as he announced his new order. THE TEXAS TRIBUNE 

Huntington Beach shoreline reopens a week after oil spill  The Southern California town of Huntington Beach reopened its shoreline after tests showed the water was essentially free of toxins from an offshore oil spill just over a week ago, city and California State Parks officials announced Monday. The beaches were closed for just over a week due to the leak of more than 131,000 gallons from a damaged underwater pipeline. “The health and safety of our residents and visitors is of the utmost importance. We understand the significance our beaches have on tourism, our economy, and our overall livelihood here in Huntington Beach,” said Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr in a press statement. “It is important that our decision to reopen our shoreline and water be based on data and that we continue to monitor the water quality going forward.” Wildlife officials reported that fewer birds than feared had died due to the spill.  CNN 

Southwest cancels more flights as stock drops Southwest Airlines canceled more than 350 flights Monday, adding to major disruptions for its customers and staff after more than 1,800 cancellations over the weekend. The flights scrapped on Monday amounted to 10 percent of Southwest’s schedule. At least 1,400 other flights were delayed following a weekend of major disruptions that it blamed on bad weather and air traffic control issues. The pilots union accused the company of mishandling minor challenges that other airlines easily navigated. The problems started shortly after the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association on Friday asked a federal court to prevent the company from making all employees get vaccinated against COVID-19. Southwest shares dropped by 4.2 percent on Monday.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Economists awarded Nobel for real-world experiments Economists David Card of the University of California at Berkeley, Joshua Angrist of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Guido Imbens of Stanford University won the 2021 Nobel Prize for economics for exploring ways to use real-world experiments to explore labor economics and other issues. “This year’s economic sciences laureates have demonstrated that many of society’s big questions can be answered,” the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced Monday in Stockholm. “Their solution is to use natural experiments — situations arising in real life that resemble randomized experiments.” Angrist and Imbens focused on developing the methodology and Card used it to study labor economics, like when he looked at how Miami’s labor market changed when Cuba allowed a mass exodus from the island in the 1980s. BLOOMBERG 

Study finds 85 percent of global population affected by climate change Researchers concluded that at least 85 percent of the people in the world have been affected by extreme weather intensified by climate change, according to a study published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change. Scientists analyzed data from more than 100,000 events that could be linked to human-induced global warming, including floods, heat waves, and crop failures, as well as changes in temperature and precipitation caused by carbon emissions. They found that weather events they determined to have been made worse by climate change had hit 80 percent of the Earth’s land, where 85 percent of the population lives. “Climate change is visible and noticeable almost everywhere in the world,” said lead author Max Callaghan, of Germany’s Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change. NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE 

Raiders coach resigns in fallout over email scandal Las Vegas Raiders Coach Jon Gruden resigned on Monday, days after emails surfaced in which he made racist, misogynistic, and homophobic comments. Gruden said he loves the Raiders and doesn’t want to be “a distraction,” adding: “I’m sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone.” On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that in a 2011 email to former Washington Football Team executive Bruce Allen, Gruden used a racist trope to describe NFL union chief DeMaurice Smith. The New York Times then revealed that Gruden, then an ESPN analyst, used homophobic and misogynistic terms in other emails when talking about NFL officials, including Commissioner Roger Goodell, and decried efforts to draft a gay player. The emails were discovered during a workplace misconduct investigation into the Washington Football Team. THE NEW YORK TIMES 

Monday,  October 11th, 2021 

Texas governor Greg Abbott signs an executive order prohibiting all entities in the state, including private companies, from enacting vaccine mandates. (Reuters) 

Two teenagers are arrested in Batemans Bay, Australia, for killing 14 kangaroos two days ago. The animals were found slaughtered on two different roads. (BBC) 

Matt Amodio is defeated on the American quiz show Jeopardy!, concluding a victory streak of 39 games with an earnings total of $1,519,601. (The New York Times) 

Economists David Card, Joshua Angrist and Guido Imbens are awarded the 2021 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for their natural experiments showing economic impacts. (Deutsche Welle) 

At least 15 people are killed and three are missing as heavy floods is affecting Shanxi, China. (Al Jazeera) 

Two people are killed, and two homes and a UPS delivery van are destroyed after a Cessna 340 crashes in Santee, California, United States. (CNN) 

Germany ends free COVID-19 testing for non-medical reasons in order to encourage people to get vaccinated. Children under the age of 12 years old and pregnant women are exempt from this rule. (Anadolu Agency) 

The WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts recommends that immunocompromised people receive a third dose of the vaccine due to the risk of breakthrough infections after standard immunization. The panel also recommends that people over the age of 60 years old receive an additional dose of the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccine three months after their second dose, citing the performance of the vaccines in Latin America. (Reuters) 

Preliminary results show that the Sadrist Movement of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr will retain its plurality in the Council of Representatives. (AFP via The Times of Israel) 

The End Tuesday 

 

Five soldiers are killed by rebels in a mountain pass in Jammu and Kashmir. (Al Jazeera) 

A spokesman for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) says that the Ethiopian Ground Forces have launched a ground offensive against rebels, with the support of local militias of Amhara Region. (Reuters) 

The trial for the 1987 assassination of former leader of Burkina Faso Thomas Sankara, known as the “African Che Guevara”, begins in Ouagadougou against 14 people, including former president Blaise Compaoré, who will be tried in absentia. (Al Jazeera) 

The 125th Boston Marathon, which was postponed from May 28 last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, takes place. The marathon is won by Benson Kipruto and Diana Kipyogei of Kenya. (ESPN) 

Navy engineer charged with trying to sell nuclear-submarine secrets U.S. Navy engineer Jonathan Toebbe and his wife have been charged with trying to sell submarine-technology secrets to another country, according to court documents unsealed Sunday. The information concerned the nuclear propulsion system of U.S. Virginia-class attack submarines, technology covered in the recently announced U.S. defense agreement with Britain and Australia. Russia and China have been trying to get their hands on U.S. submarine propulsion secrets, although it was not immediately clear whether one of them had sought the information from Toebbe. The U.S. technology, which Toebbe had worked on for the Navy since 2012, can reduce noise and vibration, making submarines harder to detect. Nuclear-powered submarines also have limitless range. THE NEW YORK TIMES 

U.S. says talks with Taliban were ‘candid’ The Biden administration said Sunday that its first face-to-face talks with senior members of the new Taliban government in Afghanistan were “candid and professional.” State Department spokesman Ned Price said U.S. officials at the weekend talks in Doha, Qatar, focused on security and terrorism concerns, as well as human rights, the participation of women and girls in Afghan society, and safe passage for Americans, other foreigners, and Afghans who want to leave the country now that the Taliban has taken over in the wake of the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops from the country. Price said the two sides also discussed “the United States’ provision of robust humanitarian assistance, directly to the Afghan people.” No formal agreements were announced. REUTERS 

Iraqi election sees record-low turnout Turnout in Iraq’s weekend parliamentary election was the lowest the country has seen since the U.S.-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, the independent body overseeing the vote said Monday. The Independent High Electoral Commission said preliminary results indicated that 41 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, down from 44 percent turnout in the 2018 elections, which marked the previous low. This year’s election was held months early in response to a popular uprising led by youth activists who protested corruption and mismanagement. More than 600 people were killed by security forces who responded to protests in late 2019 and early 2020 by firing live ammunition and tear gas at crowds. The weekend’s low turnout was seen as a sign of ongoing distrust of the government. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Most Republicans want candidates who support vaccines, oppose mandates A new CBS News/YouGov poll released on Sunday found that 64 percent of Republican voters want to cast their ballot for a GOP candidate who actively encourages people to get coronavirus vaccinations. But an even greater number — 75 percent — would rather that candidate also oppose vaccine mandates. In short, the poll suggests the consensus opinion of Republican voters is that getting vaccinated is a smart, but ultimately individual, decision. Meanwhile, 90 percent of Democrats prefer candidates who encourage vaccinations, and pro-mandate candidates received nearly as much love, with 86 percent of voters expressing their preference for that viewpoint. The CBS News/YouGov poll was conducted between October 6-8 among 2,054 American adult residents. The margin of error is 2.6 percentage points. CBS NEWS 

London police end investigation of Prince Andrew, Jeffrey Epstein London’s Metropolitan police is dropping its investigation into sex-abuse allegations against Prince Andrew and the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, although the department said it would continue to “liaise with other law enforcement agencies who lead the investigation,” according to Sunday media reports. Scotland Yard completed two reviews after Virginia Giuffre, 38, said in a lawsuit that Andrew, the Duke of York, sexually abused her three times when she was 17 years old, including once in the London home of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Andrew, 61, has denied the allegations. Queen Elizabeth II relieved him of his royal duties after he gave a television interview on the allegations by Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts. NEW YORK POST

‘No Time to Die’ trails other recent Bond films The latest James Bond film, No Time to Die, brought in $56 million in the United States and Canada over its debut weekend, falling short of the last two installments in the Bond franchise after the coronavirus pandemic delayed its release for more than a year. Cinemas around the world have reopened, although some still have COVID-19 policies that limit attendance and many moviegoers still feel more comfortable streaming video at home rather than risking infection by going out. United Artists Releasing, which distributes Bond movies for its studio, MGM Holdings, surveyed audiences in six cities and found that about one-quarter of people who saw No Time to Die hadn’t been to a theater in 18 months. “You have to get them used to coming back,” said Erik Lomis, president of distribution at United Artists Releasing. DEADLINE 

The End