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A former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice issued subpoenas Friday for documents related to the 2020 election, advancing a partisan ballot review sought by former president Donald Trump in a state he lost by 20,682 votes.

Michael Gableman, the former judge leading the effort, sent subpoenas to election officials in Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee and Racine. Copies of subpoeanas reviewed by The Washington Post request “all documents” pertaining to the November 2020 vote and ordering officials to testify at a hearing on Oct. 15. The hearing will focus in part on “potential irregularities and/or illegalities related to the Election,” according to copies of the subpoenas reviewed by The Washington Post.

The subpoenas noted that failure to comply could trigger punishment, including imprisonment. The cover letters also contained several errors, including misspellings of the last name of Green Bay’s city clerk and a Latin phrase indicating recipients will be required to produce documents. A letter to Jim Owczarski, the city clerk of Milwaukee, who is not responsible for elections, also asked for documents related to the 2020 election in Green Bay, not Milwaukee.

“I don’t know why they keep getting this wrong,” Owczarski said in an interview, describing the subpoena as “wide of the mark” since his office does not oversee elections in either city.

“I have called them and explained this to them respectfully and said, ‘I’ll be anywhere you tell me to be’ – that’s me by nature – ‘but I can’t give you anything you want,'” he said.

Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R, announced over the summer that Gableman would lead an investigation into the 2020 election despite multiple court rulings finding no evidence of the former president’s claims of fraud. Last month, a partisan audit in Arizona confirmed Biden’s victory there, after taking months longer than planned.

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Gableman, a former state Republican Party official, has come under fire for using an unsecure private email account to send instructions to county clerks about preserving evidence related to the 2020 election. He also caused a furor when he suggested in a video posted on YouTube that the burden fell to election clerks to prove that the election was not tainted. He has been given a budget of $680,000 in taxpayer funds to conduct his probe.

The subpoenas were first reported by WisPolitics.com.

In addition to Owczarski, they were received Friday by Celestine Jeffreys, city clerk of Green Bay; the Milwaukee Election Commission, which is led by executive director Claire Woodall-Vogg; Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl; Tara Coolidge, Racine’s city clerk; and a staffer in the office of Racine Mayor Cory Mason.

Woodall-Vogg confirmed her office had received one but declined to comment further.

It was unclear whether other cities or entities had also received the requests. Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl said she had not gotten one as of midafternoon Friday. Inquiries with officials in Kenosha, Wis., were not immediately answered. And Jim Witecha, staff attorney for the Wisconsin Elections Commission, said the commission had also not received a subpoena as of midafternoon.

Gableman did not respond to an inquiry from The Post. A spokeswoman for Vos, who signed the subpoenas, did not respond when asked how many were issued.

“Ensuring the 2020 election was conducted fairly and legally is critically important to maintaining faith in our election system,” Vos said in a statement Friday. “Justice Gableman is dedicated to finding the truth and has determined subpoenas are necessary to move forward in his investigation. Assembly Republicans will continue to work with Justice Gableman to ensure confidence is fully restored in our elections.”

The subpoenas require election officials to turn over “all documents contained in your files and/or in your custody, possession, or control, pertaining to the Election” – a tremendous number in three of the state’s largest cities. Specific requests included election administrators’ communications with leaders, experts and entities outside their offices, including the Center for Tech and Civic Life, a nonprofit backed by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. The group helped distribute millions of dollars last year to support election administration during the coronavirus pandemic and has become a target for right-wing critics.

In an interview, Jeffreys said many of the requested documents are already available through her office’s website. She said she would be conferring with legal counsel about how to respond.

“We here in the city – we follow the law, and that also pertains to the subpoena,” she said, adding: “We have to make a determination as to our response. All of that will be within the boundaries of the law.”

Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair Mark Spreitzer denounced the subpoenas, saying in a statement: “It is now clear that Speaker Vos is using every power available to him to placate far-right extremism.”

Published : October 02, 2021

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One more weekend brought a last reminder to Nationals Park – of what was and then wasnt in this season of distinct stages. The last time Kyle Schwarber played here, way back on July 2, he slapped a single, rounded first base and felt a pull in his right hamstring. Some around the Washington Nationals believe that was the beginning of the end, an early white flag before the club traded eight veterans at the deadline, including Schwarber to the Boston Red Sox for a 20-year-old pitcher.

Then Schwarber returned Friday, manning left field and batting second for a team in need of a win. No, Red Sox Manager Alex Cora did not hit him leadoff, even though Schwarber smacked 16 homers in 18 games out of that spot for the Nationals in June. Perhaps that would have been too on the nose. With the Red Sox fighting for an American League wild-card spot – and with Washington filling its duty to that race and its schedule obligations – Schwarber walked twice, popped out twice and struck out.

Boston won, 4-2, to stick with the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. The worst the Red Sox could be was tied for the second wild-card spot at Friday’s end. They pushed ahead on back-to-back homers off Josh Rogers in the sixth – first a three-run shot by Hunter Renfroe, then a solo blast by Bobby Dalbec. And Washington (65-95), by contrast, pulled within two games of a long-accepted finish.

“You always want to win where you’re at, right?” Schwarber said before the game, reflecting on his short stint with the Nationals. “I know that’s what we were trying to accomplish when we were here. . . . The injuries piled up, the covid bug hit, and these things kind of were working against us. I thought we all did a really good job of trying to fight as much as we could to keep it off and, at the end there, it just didn’t work out. You get the moves and things like that, but it’s nice to be able to come back.”

Schwarber talks like someone who spent more than four months in Washington. The fans treated him as such, too. After he took a round of batting practice cuts Friday, a group shouted for him to sign back with the Nationals in the offseason. Ahead of first pitch, the team played a quick tribute video, highlighted by one of his two walk-off homers and that weeks-long power surge.

Really, though, is there a better player to illustrate 2021 for the Nationals? His historic stretch fueled their brief push up the standings. He was then injured as they faded from contention, sealing his fate as a rental for Boston. He got the call on a nighttime bus ride from Philadelphia to Washington on July 29, hours before the deadline. In another row, Max Scherzer officially OK’d a trade that sent him and shortstop Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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So in that way, this reunion was bittersweet. The Red Sox, who had dropped two of three to the last-place Baltimore Orioles, arrived with a lot on the line. The Nationals are playing out the string. For Schwarber, who will soon be a free agent, the chance to play into October – to chase a title and showcase his talents on a huge stage – is ideal. Trying to get there against his former team is the funny part.

“It’s definitely a little fiasco,” he said with a laugh. “But as a baseball player, you don’t want anything else besides to be in a playoff race. That’s what it’s about.”

To stay in the hunt, the Red Sox got to Rogers late and mostly handled the bottom of Washington’s order. Rogers, 27, a lefty who returned from his second Tommy John surgery in the spring, finished with a 3.28 ERA in 35 2/3 innings with the Nationals. He very much maximized his September chance. Early on Friday, he cruised through the Red Sox, getting 10 flyouts in the first four innings. And in the fifth, he smartly let a high bunt drop in front of him before starting a double play.

Full of boundless energy, Rogers looked at the dugout and shouted a few times. The crowd responded with a heavy cheer. But in the next inning, that was replaced by two loud roars from the Red Sox faithful in attendance. Renfroe cracked the score open, taking Rogers’s mistake fastball for a three-run homer to center. Dalbec followed by lofting a first-pitch, sitting-duck slider over the left field wall.

The Nationals had no answers aside from solo homers by Alcides Escobar and Jordy Mercer. Mercer, Carter Kieboom and Andrew Stevenson – batting sixth, seventh and eighth – fell short in two big spots.

They went a combined 2 for 12 with five strikeouts (though Stevenson, it should be noted, made three excellent plays in left field). In the fourth, after Washington loaded the bases with none down against Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez, Mercer struck out, Kieboom popped out, and Stevenson tapped a grounder that left second baseman Enrique Hernández to make a diving toss to first. In the sixth, with two on and no outs, Mercer grounded into a fielder’s choice, Kieboom struck out on three straight sliders from reliever Ryan Brasier, and Stevenson struck out, too, wasting another threat.

And in the eighth, after Mercer homered and Stevenson doubled, Ryan Zimmerman stepped in to a loud ovation. But Zimmerman struck out lunging at a slider that was well outside. Each instance, of course, made something very clear: These Nationals could use a few hitters like Kyle Schwarber.

Published : October 02, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006929

The third giant panda cub born in Malaysia made its public debut. The yet unnamed giant panda cub, born in May, is the first male giant panda born in the country.

Malaysians flocked to Zoo Negara, the country’s national zoo, on Friday, eager to lay eyes on the third giant panda cub born in Malaysia which is making its public debut.

The yet unnamed giant panda cub was born in May, bringing the total number of giant pandas housed at the Giant Panda Conservation Center to four. It is also the first male giant panda born in Malaysia, following his two sisters Nuan Nuan and Yi Yi.

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The giant panda cub is in good health and currently weighs about 7.4 kg, Giant Panda Conservation Center’s director Mat Naim Ramli told Xinhua.

A zookeeper presents a giant panda cub to the public during its debut at Zoo Negara near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 1, 2021. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

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“We have taken precautions to secure all the animals at the zoo as a result of the pandemic. Special precautions are being taken by all staff for all animals to prevent any health risks.

“The public is encouraged here to see the pandas and other attractions we have at the zoo,” he said, adding that the cub would be on display in a special viewing enclosure twice a day.

A giant panda cub is seen at Zoo Negara near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 1, 2021. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

Visitors were seen lining up to buy tickets to enter the zoo, with admittance granted to those fully vaccinated in line with the government’s efforts to open up more sectors including recreational areas to the public since Oct. 1.

The parents of the third cub, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, arrived in Malaysia in 2014, marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.

Coincidently, the third baby panda was born on May 31, which marked the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The date Oct. 1 of its debut also marked the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

A zookeeper presents a giant panda cub to the public during its debut at Zoo Negara near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 1, 2021. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

The first Malaysian-born giant panda Nuan Nuan was born on Aug. 18, 2015, while the second Yi Yi was born on Jan. 14, 2018. Nuan Nuan returned to China in November 2017 after turning two years old.

A giant panda cub is seen at Zoo Negara near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 1, 2021. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

Published : October 02, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006927

The core area of the Chinese capital Beijing has been decorated with 11 huge floral beds to celebrate Chinas National Day, which fell on Friday.

An installation in the shape of a flower basket measuring 18 meters in height and with a base diameter of 45 meters has been erected at the center of Tian’anmen Square as the highlight of this year’s display, creating a festive atmosphere.

The body of the basket is embellished with the Chinese characters “Best wishes to the motherland 1949-2021” and “Celebrating the National Day 1949-2021.”

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The centerpiece is flanked by 10 other installations lined up along the Chang’an Avenue, which cover a total area of 5,050 square meters. They are of various designs including spacewalking astronauts and ice-skating kids to echo some hot topics in China such as the Shenzhou-12 crewed mission and the upcoming Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

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The decoration project boasts over 200 varieties of flowers including 16 species with China’s independent intellectual property rights.

This National Day marks the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

In 1986, flower beds were put up in Tian’anmen Square for the first time to mark the National Day. The move was deemed unprecedented at that time, causing a sensation across the country.

Published : October 02, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006926

Chinas railway operator has said about 15.8 million passenger trips are expected to be made by rail on Friday, Chinas National Day.

China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. said 1,346 additional passenger trains have been arranged to meet the travel demand on the day, the first day of a weeklong holiday.

Railway authorities have coordinated COVID-19 control measures and transport services to cope with the travel peak, according to the operator.

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Some 127 million passenger trips are expected to be made by rail during the holiday rush that will last from Sept. 28 to Oct. 8, with Oct. 1 to see the highest passenger volume, the operator said previously.

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Published : October 02, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006925

In 2016, Australia signed the 90-billion-Australian-dollar (65.4 billion U.S. dollars) deal with the French majority state-owned Naval Group on the purchase of 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines. But Australia canceled the deal last month as part of an alliance with the U.S. and the UK that will give Australia at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

The European Commission has postponed its free trade negotiations with Australia for a month, a spokesperson of the European Union (EU) executive said here on Friday.

The decision came on the heels of a dispute between the two sides over the Australian government’s decision to cancel a multibillion-euro submarine deal with France and sign an agreement instead with the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK).

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“The next round of negotiations has been postponed for a month. Substance prevails over speed when it comes to negotiations and this extra month will allow us to prepare better for the next round,” the European Commission’s spokesperson in charge of trade, Miriam Garcia Ferrer, said at a news conference, adding that the decision was taken “a few days ago”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) greets Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in front of 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, on June 15, 2021.(Tim Hammond/No. 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua)

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Asked whether it was the EU’s retaliation against Australia, the Commission’s chief spokesperson Eric Mamer replied: “The EU is not in the business of punishing anybody. Australia is a partner of the European Union. We have ongoing trade negotiations, which are very specific beasts. The substance of the negotiation is one that involves a lot more effort, so it is not unusual that such decisions are taken.”

Garcia Ferrer insisted that the postponement did not mean the end of negotiations, adding that there were several pending issues, such as market access, rules of origin, intellectual property, public procurement and sustainable development.

“There is quite a lot of work that needs to be done in those areas so that’s why we need some more time to reflect on the next stage,” she said.

In 2016, Australia signed the 90-billion-Australian-dollar (65.4 billion U.S. dollars) deal with the French majority state-owned Naval Group on the purchase of 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines. But Australia canceled the deal last month as part of an alliance with the U.S. and the UK that will give Australia at least eight nuclear-powered submarines.

Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Published : October 02, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006919

Governor Gavin Newsoms latest order, the first of its kind nationwide, will roll out in two phases, with the first taking effect for students aged 12 and over following full approval by the FDA for that entire age group.

California became the first state in the United States to announce plans to require student vaccination for COVID-19 by adding the vaccine to the list of vaccinations required for school, such as the vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella.

According to an order approved by Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, students in the Golden State would be required to be vaccinated for in-person learning after those vaccines against COVID-19 get full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for students.

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Newsom’s latest order, the first of its kind nationwide, will roll out in two phases, with the first taking effect for students aged 12 and over following full approval by the FDA for that entire age group.

The FDA approved the vaccine for children aged 16 and over in August.

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Newsom said California would apply the mandate for students aged 12 and up as early as Jan. 1 next year but possibly as late as July 1 depending on when the FDA authorization takes place, and then would apply the mandate for students under 12 years of age in a second phase after the FDA gives the green light.

“The state already requires that students are vaccinated against viruses that cause measles, mumps, and rubella – there’s no reason why we wouldn’t do the same for COVID-19. Today’s measure, just like our first-in-the-nation school masking and staff vaccination requirements, is about protecting our children and school staff, and keeping them in the classroom,” a statement released by Newsom’s office read.

“Vaccines work. It’s why California leads the country in preventing school closures and has the lowest case rates. We encourage other states to follow our lead to keep our kids safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” he said.

California continues to maintain the lowest case rate in the country and is one of only two states to have advanced out of the “high” COVID-19 transmission category of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

California, the most populous state in the country, reported more than 6 million public school students in April, according to the state’s Department of Education.  

Students are seen at a COVID-19 self-testing station on campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles, the United States, Sept. 23, 2021.(Xinhua)

Published : October 02, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006918

The team of researchers led by Marc Eloit, a virologist at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, studied saliva, faeces and urine samples collected from 645 bats in caves in northern Laos and found three viruses that are close relatives of COVID-19.

Anewly-conducted research has found three viruses from bats in Laos, which are more similar than any known viruses to COVID-19, India Today reported recently.

The research, published in preprint server Research Square, could forward the theory of origins of the COVID-19 from an animal and then transmitting into humans via zoonosis. However, the new discovery also raises concerns among the scientific community about the presence of more such viruses in nature with the capability to jump to humans.

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The team of researchers led by Marc Eloit, a virologist at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, studied saliva, faeces and urine samples collected from 645 bats in caves in northern Laos and found three viruses that are close relatives of COVID-19.

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The paper also stressed upon the need of deciphering the origins of COVID-19.

“To decipher the origins of SARS-CoV-2, it is essential to ascertain the diversity of animal coronaviruses and more specifically of bat coronaviruses,” the paper said. 

Published : October 02, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006917

The number of Covid-19 cases crossed 12.16 million across Southeast Asia, with 53,421 new cases reported on Friday (October 1), lower than Thursday’s tally at 57,812. New deaths are at 818, decreasing from Thursday’s number of 836. Total Covid-19 deaths in Asean are now at 263,421.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Public Health on Friday approved the Coronavac or Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine to be used in children aged 12-17 years, under the condition that recipients must have no chronic diseases or underlying health problems. The country reported 11,889 new cases and 192 deaths on Friday, bringing cumulative cases in the country to 2,257,584 patients and total 26,335 deaths.

Meanwhile, the Lao government has announced an extension of Covid-19 restrictive measures for a further two weeks, or until October 15, as cases continued to increase. The government said it is making every effort to lower the rate of infection and death in the country, and hopes to guide the people in transitioning their lives to the new normal during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Published : October 02, 2021