Migrant border arrests in July rise to highest level in 21 years for U.S.
The past six months mark the longest period in recent history that monthly crossings have remained near or above 100,000.
The U.S. Border Patrol made about 200,000 arrests at the southern border in July, marking the busiest month at the border in 21 years and a 12-percent increase over the previous month, according to the latest figures released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
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“The number marks a departure from seasonal trends that would typically see fewer migrants attempting the dangerous journey at the peak of the summer heat,” reported The Wall Street Journal on Friday.
Nearly 19,000 unaccompanied children crossed the border in July, almost equal to the record set this March, while 76,000 parents and children crossed the border together as families, the second-highest total ever and a significant jump from June.
The CBP data only includes the number of arrests and does not account for people who made it across the border without being apprehended, typically single adults in search of work who do not intend to ask for asylum.
“The past six months mark the longest period in recent history that monthly crossings have remained near or above 100,000, an unrelenting pace that has placed a heavy strain on the immigration system and posed one of the largest political challenges” for the U.S. administration so far, said the Journal.
U.S. FDA approves 3rd dose of COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised people
“After a thorough review of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines,” Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday authorized a third dose of COVID-19 vaccines for people with weakened immune systems.
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“The country has entered yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the FDA is especially cognizant that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease,” Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statement.
“After a thorough review of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines,” Woodcock added.
“The FDA is actively engaged in a science-based, rigorous process with our federal partners to consider whether an additional dose may be needed in the future,” Woodcock said.
An estimated 2.7 percent of adults in the United States are immunocompromised, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That includes organ transplant recipients, certain cancer patients and people with HIV.
3-year-old girl among six killed in mass shooting in UKs Plymouth
Among the five people killed by Davison was a three-year-old girl, the police said, adding that two people injured at the scene remain in hospital and neither is seriously injured.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in Britain since a 52-year-old taxi driver shot dead 12 people and injured 11 others in Cumbria, England, in 2010.
Six people, including the gunman and a three-year-old girl, were killed in a mass shooting on Thursday evening in Plymouth, a port city in Devon in southwest England, local police confirmed on Friday.
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The gunman was identified as Jake Davison, a 22-year-old who lived locally, Devon and Cornwall Police said in an online statement. He killed himself after carrying out the shooting spree in the Keyham area of Plymouth.
Among the five people killed was a three-year-old girl, the police said, adding that two people injured at the scene remain in hospital and neither is seriously injured.
“Jake Davison was a licensed firearm holder, the circumstances of which will now be subject to full, independent investigation and scrutiny,” read the statement.
Devon and Cornwall Police tweeted earlier that the shooting was not “terrorism-related.”
“We believe we have an incident that is domestically related, that has spilled into the street and seen several people within Plymouth losing their lives in an extraordinarily tragic circumstance,” Shaun Sawyer, chief constable for Devon and Cornwall Police, told reporters.
“This is a truly shocking and tragic incident,” said Sawyer.
“The impact on the local community of Keyham, the city of Plymouth and many communities across the country in which relatives of the deceased live will be felt for many months and years,” he added.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in Britain since a 52-year-old taxi driver shot dead 12 people and injured 11 others in Cumbria, England, in 2010.
There has been an outpouring of sympathy and shock following Thursday’s shooting.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “My thoughts are with the friends and family of those who lost their lives and with all those affected by the tragic incident in Plymouth last night. I thank the emergency services for their response.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: “The incident in Plymouth is shocking and my thoughts are with those affected.”
Britain’s main opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer tweeted: “My thoughts are with the families and neighbours of those caught up in this nightmare.”
Luke Pollard, member of parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said Keyham neighborhood has been “utterly devasted” by the shooting, calling it “the darkest day in Plymouth’s history since the end of the second World War.”
Mideast in Pictures: Floods, landslides hit northern Turkey
Flash floods that hit three provinces in Turkeys Black Sea region have left 27 people dead, the countrys disaster management authority said on Friday.
The heavy rainfall starting on Wednesday in Bartin, Kastamonu, and Sinop provinces triggered flash floods and landslides, demolishing some homes and bridges, and sweeping away some cars.
The country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said so far, more than 1,400 people have been evacuated to safe areas.
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People are seen at a residential area affected by floods in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2021.
People are seen at a residential area affected by floods in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2021.
Photo shows a residential area affected by floods in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, Turkey on Aug. 12, 2021.
Photo shows a residential area affected by floods in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, Turkey on Aug. 12, 2021.
Rescuers work at a residential area affected by floods in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2021.
Rescuers work at a residential area affected by floods in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2021.
Pentagon says Taliban trying to isolate Kabul, situation “deeply concerning”
“We are certainly concerned by the speed with which the Taliban has been moving,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said. “Its deeply concerning.”
The Pentagon said on Friday that Afghan Taliban militants are trying to isolate the capital city Kabul and the situation on the ground is “deeply concerning.”
“We are certainly concerned by the speed with which the Taliban has been moving,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters in a press briefing. “It’s deeply concerning.”
He said that the insurgent group is trying to isolate Kabul, while noting the capital city currently is not “in an imminent threat environment.”
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He reiterated that the Afghan forces, which the United States will continue to support, are capable of making a difference on the ground. “This is a moment for the Afghans to unite, the leadership and in the military. No outcome has to be inevitable here.”
The Pentagon announced Thursday that three infantry battalions, about 3,000 troops, will be deployed to Kabul airport within 48 hours to support U.S. embassy staff reduction and Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) applicants evacuation given the Taliban’s rapid offensive across the country.
“Some elements of one of the Marine infantry battalions are already there in Kabul,” Kirby said. “And I expect that by the end of the weekend the bulk of the 3,000 … will be in place.”
The U.S. Transportation Command is developing airlift plans with Central Command to support the mission, he added. “Our intention is to be able to move thousands per day.”
The Taliban said it captured another three provincial capitals on Friday. Logar province’s capital city Pul-e-Alam, which was seized by the Taliban earlier in the day, is just about 60 km south of Kabul.
Taliban militants are seen inside the Ghazni city, eastern Afghanistan, Aug. 12, 2021.
CNN reported on Friday that the U.S. Embassy in Kabul is instructing personnel to destroy sensitive materials and items like embassy logos and American flags “which could be misused in propaganda efforts.” The State Department said it was part of the standard procedure applied when minimizing the U.S. footprint.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Thursday that U.S. personnel in Kabul will reduce to “a core diplomatic presence” in the coming weeks.
The situation in the war-torn country has been worsening since the withdrawal of U.S.-led troops starting on May 1. Many Afghan cities and about half of the country’s 34 provinces in recent weeks have seen heavy battles and street fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants.
President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military to end its mission in Afghanistan by the end of this month, and he said he did not regret the pullout decision earlier this week.
Asean hits record high with over 102,300 Covid-19 cases
Southeast Asia reported over 100,000 cases for the second time in three weeks, with a record 102,319 on Friday.
The numbers marked a big jump from Thursday’s 95,460. Asean had last recorded 100,000 cases on July 23.
The death toll on Friday was also higher at 2,699, compared to Thursday’s 2,659.
Total Covid-19 cases in the region crossed 8.5 million and deaths rose to 183,704.
Malaysia reported 21,468 new cases and 277 deaths on Friday, bringing cumulative cases in the country to 1,363,683 and death toll to 11,968.
The Malaysian health department urged pregnant women to get Covid-19 jabs to reduce the risk of severe symptoms in case of infection. It also reported that so far 3,396 pregnant women had been infected while 70 have died, most of whom never received a vaccine.
Meanwhile, about 40 per cent of pregnant women in the country, a total of 146,700, had received a Covid-19 jab.
Cambodia reported 423 new cases and 20 deaths, bringing cumulative cases in the country to 84,262 and deaths to 1,654. The government announced the extension of lockdown measures including nighttime curfew in Phnom Penh and eight provinces that share a border with Thailand until August 19 to curb the spread of the delta variant of Covid-19 from Thailand.
Panipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenship
Taekwondo coach Choi Young Seok on Friday submitted his application for Thai citizenship at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters in Bangkok.
He posted on his Facebook page — Coach Choi — that his application was being processed.
Choi was accompanied by Pimol Srivikorn, the president of Taekwondo Association of Thailand, and Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit, Thailand’s taekwondo gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympics. He was recently given the Thai name Chatchai Choi.
Choi, who hails from South Korea, served as the coach of Bahrain from 2000 to 2002. He has coached Thailand’s taekwondo team since 2002.
Six of his athletes have won a gold, two silver, and three bronze medals at the Olympics, while three athletes won gold medals at the Asian Games. Four athletes coached by him became world champions.
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Panipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenshipPanipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenshipPanipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenship
Panipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenshipPanipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenship
“You have to close the book on Messi. We have new players and we have to move on,” says Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman.
FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said on Friday that the club needs to “close the book” on Lionel Messi and look to the future.
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Messi’s departure from Barca to join Paris Saint-Germain after it became impossible to fit his contract into the club’s wage structure has been the shock of the summer and also a blow to Koeman, who had said he was counting on the forward for the new season.
Speaking to ESPN, Koeman expressed his disappointment at Messi’s departure and said he was “surprised by the day and the moment when I knew that he had finished playing for Barcelona”.
“It was difficult because we are not talking about just any player, we are talking about Lionel Messi, the best player in the world for many seasons, and we were all disappointed that he will not play for us this season,” he said, before looking to the future.
Lionel Messi (3rd L) celebrates after scoring what would prove to be his final goal for Barcelona in a 2-1 home defeat to Celta Vigo on May 16, 2021.
“You have to change fast, because the new season is starting, and we can’t remain disappointed at what has happened.”
“We have to understand that there is always an end for a player. You have to close the book on Messi, because now we have to focus on this new season. We have new players [Memphis Depay, Emerson, Eric Garcia and the injured Sergio Aguero] and we have to move on,” commented the coach, who also gave a nod to Barca’s youth system.
“We have young players in the squad this season, and it is also for the future, we are working on the future of this club, and it is really important to focus on this and not focus on what happened in the last days.”
“Of course we will have more problems scoring goals; Messi scored 30 goals last season, so other players have to contribute more and take the next step: it is more about the team now than the individual players,” concluded Koeman.
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 enhanced by Dow solutions
That is why Dow is passionate about contributing materials science expertise and proactive strategies that drive sustainable decision-making and helping to power a positive and lasting legacy
As the Official Carbon Partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dow has brought a world-class portfolio of advanced, sustainable and leading-edge products that enable Dow to deliver solutions designed to improve the Olympic experience for host territories, athletes and fans everywhere – on the field of play and in day-to-day lives. Behind the scenes of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Dow’s innovations and expertise are a vital part of efforts to enhance the performance, safety and sustainability of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement, in line with the IOC Sustainability Strategy and Olympic Agenda 2020.
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Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 enhanced by Dow solutions
Global sporting events such as the Olympic Games have a significant carbon footprint from permanent and temporary infrastructure construction, operations, and the travel of athletes, spectators and media to the Games. It is the responsibility of the Organizing Committee to measure the emission sources under their authority, reduce them as much as possible and devise a strategy to balance the unavoidable emissions through climate benefits generated somewhere else so that the net carbon impact of the event is neutral. This represents both a move toward zero carbon and an effort to make the Games carbon neutral.
That is why Dow is passionate about contributing materials science expertise and proactive strategies that drive sustainable decision-making and helping to power a positive and lasting legacy. For the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, that legacy includes uniting the old with the new, proving that leveraging the latest technologies enables enhanced performance and sustainability. The Tokyo 2020 cityscape features new construction and also Tokyo 1964 venues that are retrofitted with advanced building technologies to help bring the 50+ year-old facilities to the cutting-edge.
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 enhanced by Dow solutions
Dow’s technologies are working behind the scenes of many of these venues – new and existing – to help insulate, seal, connect, coat, protect and deliver sustainability gains long after the closing ceremonies. More than half of the 43 Olympic venues are existing facilities, resulting in an estimated savings of 80,000 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. Among the existing buildings, nine of those that are retrofitted deployed various Dow technologies to help elevate the performance and aesthetic of facades, building envelopes and electrical systems. Some of the Dow solutions implemented include, but are not limited to
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● DOWANOL™ Glycol Ethers used in the water-based coatings system helps reduce damage from moisture, cracking and popping to keep the venue looking fresh while meeting low-VOC requirements.
● ELASTENE™ Elastomeric Wall Coatings help shield the exterior walls by providing excellent dirt and water resistance
● Dow’s PRIMAL™ Acrylic Polymer works to protect the interior walls, providing long-term durability and excellent adhesion.
● Dow AXELERON™ Compounds are used as an insulation layer in telecommunication wires to aid in ensuring the stadium’s transmission speeds and signals are as efficient and reliable as possible, reducing the risk of signal loss. AXELERON™ Compounds, and in some cases along with ENGAGE™ Polyolefin Elastomers, are also used as insulation layers for 45 kilometers of low and medium-voltage cables to help provide reliable power throughout the venue.
● DOWSIL™ SE 797 Silicone Sealant is leveraged in the canopy/connecting corridor that links the International Broadcast Center with the Main Press Center, giving the glass façade a sleek look without metal frames. The silicone sealant has excellent adhesion and weather protection, and also helps absorb and relieve movement between the structure’s elements to prevent cracks that could result from Tokyo’s hot summer temperatures.
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● Dow’s VORACOR™ Polyurethanes System is leveraged within surfboards due to its shape variety, and lightweight, low density yet high strength profile, in addition to the fact that it’s easy to mold and extremely durable.
● VERSIFY™ Elastomer Technology is selected by Toppan Printing to create a new polyolefin (PO)-based fabric for temporary banners. All plastic parts are comprised only of polyolefins for a purpose of recyclability. Once the events have concluded, Dow and Toppan intend to collect banners and signage that are made with its polyolefin-based materials and upcycle them into different products. Collected banners or signage will be re-palletized as a renewable resin, blended with timber from wood waste to produce wood-plastic composite materials for benches, floors and more.
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 enhanced by Dow solutions
The Olympic Games venues represent the proud heritage of Japan, the legacy of the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964 and the bright future of Tokyo’s urban development. Although the Olympics Games, still to be called Tokyo 2020, have been postponed to July 2021, the focus on constructing an unparalleled Olympic experience for both fans and athletes continues. Featuring a total of 43 venues – including 8 new permanent structures, 25 existing venues and 10 temporary sites – retrofit venues at Tokyo 2020 honor their history and are reimagined to serve the city and its residents for the next decade and beyond.
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 enhanced by Dow solutions
Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi, Global Technology & Sustainability Director with Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions, said, “Our carbon partnership with the IOC is an example of one such transformative collaboration, where the platform of sport and the power of science unite to catalyze the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies for a positive climate legacy. We’ve come to recognize the Olympic Games as one of our largest and most powerful ‘trade shows’ which helps guide the way we interact with customers. It is largely an opportunity for customers to experience and witness first-hand Dow solutions that are showcased at the Games, whether they are in venue infrastructure or athlete equipment and apparel.”
Dow has a longstanding history in the world of sports. It was at the 1980 Olympic Games that Dow first started supplying to Games venues. In the 40 years since, the partnership has evolved and grown from strength to strength. In 2010, Dow became the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games and a part of The Olympic Partners (TOP) program, and in 2017, following two successful carbon partnerships with the Sochi and Rio Organizing Committees, the IOC named Dow its Official Carbon Partner.
SET down as virus surge, protests pressure Thai stocks
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,528.32 on Friday, down 4.39 points or 0.29 per cent. Transactions totalled THB82.02 billion with an index high of 1,541.08 and a low of 1,525.51.
In the morning session, Krungsri Securities forecast that the index on Friday would fall to between 1,520 and 1,525 points after Thailand’s daily Covid-19 infections hit a new high of 23,418.
It predicted the index would also be pressured by ongoing anti-government rallies and the outflow of foreign funds.
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The 10 stocks with the highest trade value today were PTT, BANPU, KBANK, GULF, INTUCH, PSL, RCL, AOT, ACE and KCE.
Other Asian indices were on the fall:
Japan’s Nikkei Index closed at 27,977.15, down 37.87 points or 0.14 per cent.
China’s Shanghai SE Composite Index closed at 3,516.30, down 8.44 points or 0.24 per cent, while the Shenzhen SE Component Index closed at 14,799.03, down 102.94 points or 0.69 per cent.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed at 26,391.62, down 126.20 points or 0.48 per cent.
South Korea’s KOSPI closed at 3,171.29, down 37.09 points or 1.16 per cent.
Taiwan’s TAIEX closed at 16,982.11, down 237.83 points or 1.38 per cent.
People are seen at a residential area affected by floods in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2021.
Photo shows a residential area affected by floods in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, Turkey on Aug. 12, 2021.
Rescuers work at a residential area affected by floods in Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, Turkey, on Aug. 12, 2021.
Taliban militants are seen inside the Ghazni city, eastern Afghanistan, Aug. 12, 2021.
Panipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenship
Panipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenship
Panipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenship
Panipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenship
Panipaks South Korean coach applies for Thai citizenship
Lionel Messi (3rd L) celebrates after scoring what would prove to be his final goal for Barcelona in a 2-1 home defeat to Celta Vigo on May 16, 2021.
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 enhanced by Dow solutions
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 enhanced by Dow solutions
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 enhanced by Dow solutions
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 enhanced by Dow solutions
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