theseattletimes--2019-06-28--Malaysia plans to decriminalize drug use to battle addiction

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s government plans to drop criminal penalties for the possession and use of drugs in small quantities to battle addiction, but stressed the move is not akin to legalizing narcotics.  Malaysia has one of the world’s harshest penalties for drug possession. Anyone found with 200 grams (7.05 ounces) of cannabis, 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of opium, 40 grams (1.41 ounces) of cocaine, and 15 grams (0.53 ounces) of heroin or morphine face being charged with drug trafficking, which carries the death penalty.  More than 1,200 prisoners are on death row, most of them convicted of drug crimes.  Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said in a statement Thursday that the proposal for the decriminalization of drug addiction will be a significant game changer. He said drug addiction is a complex, relapsing medical condition and throwing an addict into jail will not cure them.  “Drug decriminalization will indeed be a critical next step toward achieving a rational drug policy that puts science and public health before punishment and incarceration,” Dzulkefly said. “An addict shall be treated as a patient, not as a criminal, whose addiction is a disease we would like to cure.”  He said the move mustn’t be mistaken as legalizing drugs as drug trafficking will remain a crime.  More than 30 countries have adopted a drug decriminalization policy and research showed that it didn’t increase drug use or drug-related crimes but helped to cut legal cost and improved social outcomes, he said. Officials said the proposal is still in an initial stage and details have not been worked out.  Earlier this week, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said most of the 70,000 prisoners in Malaysia’s jails were drug addicts. With the proposed decriminalization, he said the addicts will be rehabilitated and given treatment, with strong support from family members and the community.  His ministry will look into the repealing of drug laws that criminalize the use of narcotics, he said but didn’t give further details.  More than two dozen medical and health groups have lauded the government’s plan. In a joint statement, the groups including the Malaysian Medical Association and the AIDS Council said the present approach of punitive actions has led to harmful consequences including severe overcrowding in prisons and the spread of infectious diseases.  They said criminalization creates a cycle of imprisonment and poverty, with many drug users afraid to seek medical help for fear of punishment and a criminal record. In contrast, they said local evidence has shown that treatment of drug use reduces relapse and allows addicts to return to gainful employment, reconnect back with families and contribute meaningfully to societies.


nationalinterest--2019-11-11--America Has A Poverty Problem, But Its Poor Are Better Off Today Than Ever

The government says that America’s poverty rate is 11.8 percent. It also says that the poverty rate has hovered around 11 to 15 percent since 1970 suggesting little or no progress against poverty in decades.  But the Census Bureau’s official poverty rate is biased upwards and kind of meaningless. In terms of material well-being, families near the bottom are much better off today than in past decades because of general economic growth and larger government hand-outs.  In a Cato study, John Early recalculated the U.S. poverty rate using more complete data and found that it fell from 19.5 percent in 1963 to just 2.2 percent in 2017. (The study’s charts are updated here.) Early is a former Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Bruce Meyer and James Sullivan perform a similar exercise in this new study. They find that the poverty rate fell from 13.0 percent in 1980 to 2.8 percent in 2018. Meyer-Sullivan calculate their figure based on consumption rather than income, but the general idea is the same. Meyer is at the University of Chicago and Sullivan is at the University of Notre Dame.  The Early and Meyer-Sullivan estimates are charted below. Both estimates reflect a large reduction in material deprivation for less fortunate Americans. Unfortunately, this great news about the American economy is usually ignored in media reports and political discussions.  Both Early and Meyer-Sullivan use a more accurate inflation measure than the one used for adjusting the official poverty rate each year. And they both correct for the fact that the Census—in its main poverty series—excludes numerous government benefits including Medicaid, food stamps, and earned income tax credits. Both studies make a number of further adjustments.  The charts below show the Early and Meyer-Sullivan poverty rates compared to the official Census series. Note that all poverty rate calculations stem from essentially arbitrary poverty thresholds measured in relation to a chosen base year. John Early anchors his series to the official rate in 1963. Meyer-Sullivan anchor their series to the official rate in 1980.  The important thing is not the calculated poverty rate in any particular year but the trend over time. The official series shows no sustained improvement in poverty in recent decades, while the better estimates from Early and Meyer-Sullivan suggest large gains for households near the bottom.  In sum, using somewhat different methods, Early and Meyer-Sullivan both show that the official poverty data is far too pessimistic.  I interpolated the value for 1982 in Meyer-Sullivan.  Chris Edwards is the director of tax policy studies at Cato and editor of www.DownsizingGovernment.org.  This article first appeared at The Cato Institute.


globalresearch--2019-04-29--Decadent Western Community of Values Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery

Decadent “Western Community of Values”. Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery

Actually I thought I was sufficiently informed by the books of my friend Manfred Paulus about the shameful excesses of human trafficking and sex slavery. But his meritorious lifelong research is mainly related to Germany and Europe. An article by the American constitutional attorney John W. Whitehead in “Global Research” of 24 April 2019 “The Essence of Evil: Sex with Children Has Become Big Bussiness in America” shows that the sex trade – especially the purchase and sale of young girls  – has become “Big Business” in America. This buying and selling has become the fastest growing organized crime business and the second most important good after drugs and weapons. This is America’s dirty little secret. This decadent “Western Value Society” will one day perish like the decadent Roman Empire.  “Battlefield America. The war against the American people”  I recommend to every reader of these lines – especially parents and educators – to read the shocking state report of American society here in order to form their own opinion. In the following I quote from the report. Whitehead portrays a frighteningly decadent nation. Already in 2015 he published a book entitled “Battlefield America. The War on the American People”. It is estimated that there are 100,000 to 150,000 under-aged child sex workers in the U.S.  The average age of those being trafficked is 13. But the average means there are children younger than 13. That means 8-, 9-, 10-year-old. Every year, the girls being bought and sold gets younger and younger. Every two minutes, a child is exploited in the sex industry. According to USA Today, adults purchase children for sex at least 2.5 million times a year in the United States. They are ordinary people from all walks of life, including men in socially respected professions such as doctors and pastors. On average, a child might be raped by 6.000 men during a five-year period of servitude. It’s happening everywhere, right under our nose, in suburbs, cities and towns across the nation.  For those trafficked, it’s a nightmare from beginning to the end.  These girls aren’t volunteering to be sex slaves. Some of these children are forcefully abducted or lured by force. Many are runaways or throwaways, others are sold to the system by relatives and acquaintances. In most cases, they have no choice. Social media makes it all too easy for pimps to find girls. They look on MySpace, Facebook, and other social networks. They and their assistants cruise malls, high schools and middle schools. They pick them up at bus stops. Foster homes and youth shelters have also become prime targets for traffickers. It is a “trading of flesh”.  For the victims of human trafficking, it’s a nightmare from beginning to the end. A living nightmare of endless rape, forced drugging, degradation, threats, disease, pregnancies, abortions, miscarriages, torture, pain, and always the constant fear of being killed. They were frequently beaten to keep them off-balance and obedient. Every night they would have to meet a certain quota. Sometimes they were videotaped while being forced to have sex with adults or one another. In a so-called “damage group”, the clients can hit them or do anything they want to.  “The Essence of Evil“ is what Whitehead calls his article. In the text he asks the question: “Where did this appetite for young girls come from?” And he answers:  Whitehead then quotes from a report in the U.S. magazine “Newsweek”. There, a certain Jessica Bennett writes:  Because of the growing demand for sexual slavery and an endless supply of girls and women eligible for abduction, this problem will not go away in the near future, Whitehead thinks.  So what can you do?  Whitehead answers the self-imposed question: “So what can you do? with a series of detailed practical recommendations. I quote some that I have translated:  “Educate yourselves and your children about this growing menace in our communities. Stop feeding the monster: Sex trafficking is part of a larger continuum in America that runs the gamut from homelessness, poverty, and self-esteem issues to sexualized television, the glorification of a pimp/ho culture—what is often referred to as the pornification of America—and a billion dollar sex industry built on the back of pornography, music, entertainment, etc. This epidemic is largely one of our own making, especially in a corporate age where the value placed on human life takes a backseat to profit. It is estimated that the porn industry brings in more money than Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Yahoo. Call on your city councils, elected officials and police departments to make the battle against sex trafficking a top priority, more so even than the so-called war on terror and drugs and the militarization of law enforcement. (…)  That so many women and children continue to be victimized, brutalized and treated like human cargo is due to three things: one, a consumer demand that is increasingly lucrative for everyone involved—except the victims; two, a level of corruption so invasive on both a local and international scale that there is little hope of working through established channels for change; and three, an eerie silence from individuals who fail to speak out against such atrocities. But the truth is that we are all guilty of contributing to this human suffering. The traffickers are guilty. The consumers are guilty. The corrupt law enforcement officials are guilty. The women’s groups who do nothing are guilty. The foreign peacekeepers and aid workers who contribute to the demand for sex slaves are guilty. Most of all, every individual who does not raise a hue and cry over the atrocities being committed against women and children in almost every nation around the globe—including the United States—is guilty.  Note to readers: please click the share buttons below. Forward this article to your email lists. Crosspost on your blog site, internet forums. etc.


sottnet--2019-04-06--Supporting family values is not fascism its caring for the future of humanity

Supporting family values is not fascism, it's caring for the future of humanity

Standing strong for traditional family values is not fascism, as the mainstream media often insinuates, but merely a concern for the future of humanity, Aleksey Komov, of the World Congress of Families (WCF), has told RT.Liberal media, spurred on by hate-mongering "watchdogs" like the Southern Poverty Law Center, have lost their collective mind over the 13th WCF meeting that took place in Verona, Italy in late March, labeling the attendees "far-right" and "neo-Nazis" who attack women and roll back the rights of sexual minorities.Komov, who represents the WCF at the UN and in Russia, dismissed these claims as "complete fake news," arguing that the World Congress of Families was being held simply becauseAs for the participants, they were "politicians, scientists, scholars and activists" from the US, Europe, Russia, Latin America and Australia. Italy's Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, "gave a fiery speech" and two other Italian ministers attended, as did representatives from 60 countries, including leaders of US conservative groups and members of the Russian parliament and the Orthodox Church, the activist said.According to Komov, the media's bashing of the WCF has been so harsh because "those people, who wanted to demonize Russia, are very angry at us because, despite all the sanctions and all the massive disinformation - despite all the efforts to make us enemies of each other - the conservative friendship stands."And the attacks weren't restricted to the internet. More than 10,000 "LGBT and feminist" protesters descended on Verona during the event, with riot police even being forced to interfere and roadblocks being set up at various points around Verona's Piazza Bra, where the conference took place."through calling the hotels where the participants were staying andto make those hotels cancel their bookings. There were even. Can you imagine this happening in Europe in the 21st century?" Komov wondered.Komov pointed out that there was also a rally in support of the conference in Verona, which attracted twice as many people as the anti-WCF protest and took place without incident - or media attention.Despite their demonization in the media, the, Komov said. "We're very peaceful people. We are for freedom of expression and freedom of thought, religion and education."Komov also addressed media speculation that he was "Putin's agent" by saying that the level of connection between WCF and the Russian government has been "exaggerated." However, he acknowledged that the congress fully backed Moscow's stance of promoting family values and made no secret of the fact that WCF has received support from like-minded private Russian foundations, as well as from the Orthodox Church.


sottnet--2019-10-04--Tribunal rules Christian values clash with UK values of human dignity and fundamental rights of o

Tribunal rules Christian values clash with UK values of "human dignity" and "fundamental rights of others" - fired doctor speaks out

A British doctor has warned that a dangerous precedent has been set after a tribunal ruled that he was rightfully terminated for refusing to use transgender pronouns, and that his Christian values clash with those of UK society.Dr. David Mackereth was fired from his job at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)The case was brought before a Birmingham employment tribunal, which said in its ruling that the government department had every right to sack Mackereth, and that the doctor's biblical beliefs have no place in British society.Speaking to RT, Mackereth said that the ruling has profound and troubling implications for freedom of speech and conscience in the UK.He said that the judgment means that "you're not allowed not to believe the transgender movement's maxims," while "core" Christian beliefs have been labeled as unfit for modern life.Mackereth plans to appeal the ruling.


mercurynews--2019-06-02--Letter Family values of those who are LGBTQ are no different

Letter: ‘Family values’ of those who are LGBTQ are no different

Re: “Walnut Creek is known for family values, not this” (Letter to the editor, May 22):  With Dane Hansen’s letter, it was difficult to determine what his motivation was when he wrote it.  For many years I will say I had no contact with LGBTQ people (that I was aware of) so, although I was raised without being biased, I did not have any strong position related to LGBTQ issues.  As I became more experienced, I found for the most part that people who are LGBTQ have the same “family values” as do “straight” people. If you were not aware of their sexual orientation, there would be no way to distinguish what their orientation was.  Letter: California’s voters are ‘less equal’ than other voters Letter: Trans woman deserved more, from onlookers and police Letter: Tax non-recyclable packaging in California to fix two issues My hope is that Dane Hansen will make an attempt to contact with someone who is LGBTQ. He may very well write another letter with a very different message.  Submit your letter to the editor via this form   Read more Letters to the Editor


pinknewsuk--2019-03-20--Russian festival banned for promoting non-traditional family values

Russian festival banned for promoting ‘non-traditional family values’

Signup to receive a daily roundup of the top LGBT+ news stories from around the world  A youth festival in Russia has been shut down by authorities for breaching the country’s notorious “gay propaganda” law.  The theatre festival was banned because of a planned staging of a play called Blue and Pink, which was set to explore gender stereotypes.  According to Hyperallergic and local Russian media, the festival was allegedly banned for “hatred against men and non-traditional family relations” and for “attempting to illegally hold an LGBT event.”  The event, which was called Tsvet Shafrana (The Colour of Saffron), was due to take place in Komsomolsk-on-Amur before it was called off.  Blue and Pink was one of just four youth theatre performances that was due to take place at the festival, where they were also set to explore issues around bullying in schools and war.  The festival also experienced issues in finding a venue, with two separate locations initially agreeing to host them and later pulling out.  Police allegedly received three different anonymous letters complaining about the festival and its organiser, Yulia Tsvetkova.  Following on from the complaints, police questioned her as well as teenagers who were involved in the production of the play.  Tsvetkova said that authorities had grown concerned over the use of the words “blue” and “pink” in the play’s title as they are seen to be related to the LGBT+ community.  She also said that police presented her with printed out copies of posts she had made on social media about feminism, homosexuality and other issues.  Russia’s “gay propaganda law” has been a source of repeated controversies since it was introduced in 2013.  Last August, there was international uproar when a 16 year old boy was found guilty under the law for posting pictures online. His sentence was later overturned on review as it was decided that there was not enough evidence.  Then, in December, police confiscated 17 drawings from a school in Yekaterinburg for “promoting homosexuality.”  Meanwhile, the European Court of Human Rights ruled last year that the country’s ban on pride events was violating LGBT+ people’s human rights.  Human Rights Watch released a report last year looking at the law in-depth and the impact it has had on young people in Russia.  They found that the law was directly harming and endangering LGBT+ people.  The human rights group found that the law has exacerbated hostility against LGBT+ people in Russia and that it has prevented them from accessing inclusive education and support services.  They also interviewed young LGBT+ people living in Russia about their experiences – with many pointing to an intensification of stigma, harassment and violence since the law was introduced.  One transgender person, who is 18 years old, told Human Rights Watch that LGBT+ people in Russia now fear getting beaten on the street.  “We know that most people believe the mass media, and the stories there teach them that we are horrible creatures, so we are in danger all the time.”


tass--2019-08-15--Lavrov says God-given traditional family values need to be protected by international law

SOLNECHNOGORSK /Moscow Region/, August 15. /TASS/. Russia views the preservation of the universally-established, time-honored recognition of the family in international law as one of its foreign policy priorities, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday at the all-Russia youth education forum Terra Scientia near Moscow.  "We uphold traditional values, family values in both the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in spite of all efforts to sabotage the traditional understanding of the family, the God-given interpretation of the family and impose neo-liberal approaches, which bankrupt the moral foundations of any civilization, even that of Europe. So, I believe our position should be aimed at being steadfast about protecting these values and prevent attempts to introduce notions into international legal documents that would be ambiguous in this regard," he stressed.  Lavrov added that this is one of Russia’s priorities in the international arena.


theguardianuk--2019-03-13--Orbans family values ads mocked for using distracted boyfriend models

Orbán's family values ads mocked for using 'distracted boyfriend' models

It was meant to be a poster extolling the virtues of a strong family. But eagle-eyed Hungarians, or indeed anyone who has used social media over the past year, have noticed a small problem.  The latest advert in the Hungarian government’s campaign to boost “traditional” families and increase birth rates features a photograph of a couple who achieved fame for memes depicting infidelity, or at least a distracted partner.  “Young married couples are receiving support while they expect a baby,” says the government poster, illustrated by a smiling couple whom many will recognise from the viral “distracted boyfriend” photograph.  The photograph used was one of a series of stock photos taken by a Barcelona-based photographer, Antonio Guillem, of three models in various situations for use in advertising and promotions. The picture that went viral was originally titled “disloyal man walking with his girlfriend and looking amazed at another seductive girl”.  On Wednesday the Hungarian news website index.hu mocked the government for using the characters from the meme, and provided a number of options for further potential family values posters, including images of a grumpy cat and of the actor Nicholas Cage.  Hungarians got busy creating sarcastic memes about Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party using the image.  Orbán, whose party won a third consecutive term in government last year, has been keen to portray his government as a promoter of traditional Christian values, and has emphasised the child-bearing and rearing role of women and the importance of “traditional families” as a solution to population decline and emigration of Hungarians to western Europe.  He has said his third term will focus mainly on fixing Hungary’s demographic problems. Last month he announced that women who have four or more children would benefit from a lifetime exemption from income tax.  “In all of Europe there are fewer and fewer children, and the answer of the west to this is migration,” said Orbán in his annual state of the nation address on Sunday. “They want as many migrants to enter as there are missing kids, so that the numbers will add up. We Hungarians have a different way of thinking. Instead of just numbers, we want Hungarian children. Migration for us is surrender.”  On Thursday the Hungarian ambassador to the US and the country’s minister for family affairs will hold an event at the Library of Congress in Washington entitled “Making Families Great Again” to promote the Hungarian families policy. A number of members of Congress have been announced as speakers.

Shaun Walker Central and eastern Europe correspondent


rferl--2019-08-01--Endless Hate Uzbekistan Bans Turkish Soap Opera For Not Upholding Countrys Values

Endless Hate: Uzbekistan Bans Turkish Soap Opera For Not Upholding Country's 'Values'

The Uzbek government has ordered a private television channel to stop showing the popular Turkish soap opera Endless Love amid criticism that the show contradicts Uzbek family values.      Zo'r TV channel adhered to the state's demand and canceled Endless Love on July 31, just three days after the much-loved prime time series made a triumphant return to the airwaves after also being banned in 2018.      A producer at Zo'r TV blamed the decision on a "small number" of religiously conservative viewers who consistently demanded that Uzbek authorities suspend Endless Love, whose plot is based on a complicated love triangle.      "The so-called moral guardians...collected signatures through Telegram and other social media and sent a letter to the president's virtual office," the producer, who requested anonymity, told RFE/RL's Uzbek Service on July 31.      "In the end they managed to have the show canceled...because their attack against it has been systematic," he added.      Endless Love was initially removed from the air on February 16, 2018 after Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov backed calls for the soap opera to be banned.  'We Are Very Unhappy'       A government employee in Tashkent told RFE/RL that the order to suspend Endless Love for a second time also came from Aripov.      The state worker, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, told RFE/RL that during a cabinet meeting on July 30 at which he was present, Aripov strongly criticized Zo'r TV's decision to bring back the soap opera despite last year's ban.  Zo'r TV was founded by Jahongir Ortiqkhojaev, the wealthy mayor of the capital, Tashkent.      The government employee provided what he said was a photo from the cabinet meeting along with an audio recording of Aripov's speech condemning Endless Love.  In the audio, Aripov can be heard saying: "We have some officials who ignore the prime minister's words and the government's decisions. They behave as they see fit."      Without naming names, Aripov went on to say: "You know who I'm talking about. They again started airing the Turkish series. I demand them to take it off the air today."      Aripov accused "them" of disregarding "the opinion of the people...who were very unhappy" with the Turkish melodrama being aired in Uzbekistan.      The hard-line government in Tashkent exercises strict control over the content of all media enterprises, including private entities.      There was no immediate official reaction from Ortiqkhojaev or the Zo'r TV administration. The TV station didn't explain to viewers why its broadcasts of Endless Love came to an abrupt end for a second time.        Since it began airing in August 2017, the soap opera has come under attack from the Islamist website Azon.uz, which repeatedly criticized the show as contravening Uzbek people's religious and family values.      An article published on Azon.uz in February 2018 said those who watch Endless Love "commit sins with their eyes."      It described the Uzbeks dubbing the Turkish-language show as "traitors" and urged people to "fight against them."      The article, Recognize The Enemies Of The Nation, generated many discussions on social media and garnered some support in the predominantly Muslim nation of some 32 million.      Uzbek officials criticized the article, saying that it undermined the country's laws. At the same time, however, the state Agency for Press and Information instructed Zo'r TV to halt the show.      Endless Love is a story of a wealthy woman who falls in love with a man from a humble background. But she eventually marries a rich businessman who blackmails the woman's family.      The show touches on such issues as extramarital affairs, forced marriages, murder, and suicide.      Endless Love has won an International Emmy award and has been aired in more than 70 countries, from Latin America to the Middle East.      Uzbekistan previously banned Turkish soap operas in 2002 and again in 2012 saying they contain "inappropriate scenes that are not compatible with the Uzbek people's mentality."      Uzbekistan ranks 182nd out of 194 countries rated on the Freedom in the World 2019 Index.


themoscowtimes--2019-11-22--Islam and Orthodox Christianity Have the Same Values, Putin Says

The conference, titled "Orthodoxy and Islam — Religions of Peace," aimed to promote interethnic and interreligious dialogue between Russia and Kyrgyzstan.  Orthodox Christianity and Islam are based on the same fundamental values, President Vladimir Putin said in an address to a religious conference in Kyrgyzstan.  "Islam and Orthodox Christianity, just like other world religions, are based on fundamental humanistic values that are of enduring importance — on mercy and love for one’s near, justice and respect for human beings," the state-run TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying Thursday.  The address, which was read out to the conference by Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Nikolai Udovichenko, pushed for cooperation between government agencies and religious organizations to bolster "civil peace and accord" between the two countries.  The Russian president added that it is "essential" to preserve these ties for future generations and to “[enhance] the role of religious organizations in protecting and promoting spiritual, moral and family values.”  Islam is Russia’s second-largest religion behind Orthodox Christianity and its Muslim population is expected to more than double in the next 15 years. The majority of Kyrgyzstan's population is Muslim.


bbcuk--2019-12-03--Trump 'not someone who shares our values' - Jo Swinson

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has said she would work with Donald Trump in government as "you have to be able to work with people... you disagree with".  However, she called out the US president for his comments about women and minorities, saying that Mr Trump is "not someone who shares our values".  Mr Trump is in the UK for this week's Nato summit.  Read more: Trump on UK election: 'I can work with any PM'


abcnews--2019-11-26--The Latest: Snowstorm north of Lake Tahoe closes highway

The Latest on the wintry weather in the U.S. (all times local):  A snowstorm in the Sierra Nevada has shut down a highway in the mountains west of the Nevada-California line.  The California Highway Patrol said traffic on U.S. Interstate 80 was being held Tuesday on both sides of Donner Pass north of Lake Tahoe so crews could clear the highway of multiple spinouts and collisions.  There was no immediate report of any serious injuries. Authorities didn’t have an estimated time for reopening the interstate.  The Tahoe area is under a winter storm warning through Thursday afternoon.  The National Weather Service says winds gusting up to 85 mph could create blizzard conditions Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with up to 2 feet (1 meter) of snow possible at elevations above 7,000 feet (2,130 meters).  Authorities are reporting downed trees, power outages and heavy snow on mountain passes as a “bomb cyclone” approaches the Northern California and southern Oregon coast.  The storm will make landfall in Oregon on Tuesday afternoon, then shift south toward California.  Trees are down across U.S. Highway 101 just north of the California border in Oregon. Sporadic power outages are being reported across the region. Some coastal hotels say they’re prepared for big storms.  Winds are gusting at 70 mph (113 kph) in coastal areas, and waves of up to 32 feet (10 meters) are expected. A bomb cyclone is a rapid drop in air pressure.  The National Weather Service is urging people to wait to travel for Thanksgiving until the weather improves.  It comes as a snowstorm snarled travel in Colorado and Wyoming and is expected to move into the Midwest.  One person has been killed, and two others have been injured in a multi-vehicle crash during a powerful snowstorm that moved through Colorado.  Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gary Cutler says a tractor-trailer jackknifed and was hit by two other semitrucks and a pickup on Interstate 70 near Vail early Tuesday. One of the truck’s fuel tanks burst.  The Vail Daily reports a hazardous-materials team was called in to clean up the leaking fuel.  Authorities say roads in the area were warm when the snow started falling, creating icy conditions as the storm strengthened.  The storm moved east out of the mountains and dropped about 10 inches (25 centimeters) of snow at Denver’s airport, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations.  It’s expected to move into the Midwest states overnight.  Operations are getting back to normal at Denver’s airport as a snowstorm moves out of Colorado but it could take days for airlines to accommodate travelers whose flights were canceled.  Officials say the storm dropped about 10 inches (25 centimeters) of snow at the airport. That led to the cancellation of about 30 percent of the airport’s average 1,600 daily flights, mostly for Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.  Southwest spokesman Brad Hawkins said Tuesday it will take “a couple of days” to accommodate stranded passengers on other flights because there are few available empty seats available during the heavy Thanksgiving travel period. That makes it harder for airlines to rebook passengers whose flights have been canceled.  The storm is expected to dump snow on the airport in Minneapolis but most snow is expected to fall overnight when few flights are scheduled.  Northern California and southern Oregon residents are bracing for a “bomb cyclone” weather phenomenon that’s expected at one of the busiest travel times of the year.  The National Weather Service says the storm expected Tuesday into Wednesday could be like nothing experienced in the area for 20 years.  Wind gusts of 75 mph (120 kph) are expected in some areas and waves of 35 feet (10.6 meters) or more could slam the coast.  Mountain passes in northern California and southern Oregon could get up to two feet (0.6 meters) of snow.  The center of the low-pressure system is expected to make landfall late Tuesday afternoon between Crescent City, California, and Brookings, Oregon.  A “bomb cyclone” forms when air pressure drops by 24 millibars in a 24-hour period.  Forecasters say this storm’s air pressure has dropped even more quickly than that.  Among those spending the night at Denver’s airport as a big snowstorm hit Colorado was Air Force Academy cadet Sadie Luhman, who was trying to get to Chicago for Thanksgiving.  Luhman told KCNC-TV that she left the academy near Colorado Springs late Monday to drive to the airport in the hope of beating the storm but ended up traveling right in the middle of it.  The trip took about three hours. That’s more than twice the normal driving time and she arrived at 1 a.m. Tuesday, 10 hours before her scheduled flight.  The airport has received 9.5 inches (24 centimeters) of snow from the storm so far. About 30 percent of its average daily 1,600 flights were cancelled.  An approaching storm forecast to dump heavy snow in the region has accelerated the seasonal closing of the highway to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon by a few days.  The Arizona Department of Transportation on Tuesday announced the closure of State Route 67, a 43-mile (69-kilometer) paved route between U.S. 89A at Jacob Lake and the North Rim.  The National Weather Service forecasts 27-35 inches (69-89 centimeters) of snow will fall on the North Rim from Wednesday night through Saturday morning.  SR 67 normally closes Dec. 1 but it can close earlier when weather conditions warrant.  It reopens in the spring, usually around mid-May.  About 1,100 travelers stranded by heavy snow and high winds spent the night camped out at Denver’s airport.  Hundreds of flights were canceled because of the storm that was still dumping snow on the city Tuesday.  Airport spokeswoman Alex Renteria says the workers handed out blankets, diapers, formula and toothbrushes and toothpaste to people who missed flights, including Air Force Academy cadets trying to get home for Thanksgiving.  About 30 percent of the airport’s daily average of 1,600 flights have been cancelled.  Crews were working to keep the airports’ runways cleared and airport officials were hopeful operations could return to normal Tuesday afternoon.  Forecasters are warning of “difficult to impossible travel conditions” across much of northern Arizona later this week as a storm dumps about 2 feet (0.6 meters) of snow along an area including Interstate 40.  Elsewhere in Arizona’s high country, approximately 1 foot (0.3 meter) of snow is expected.  The National Weather Service’ office in Flagstaff says travel conditions will start to deteriorate Wednesday night, followed by the heaviest snowfall Thursday through Friday morning.  The weather service said snow showers will become scattered late Friday but that traffic conditions will remain dangerous until Saturday.  A storm that has dumped heavy snow in Colorado and Wyoming has forced airlines to cancel hundreds of flights during the busy Thanksgiving week travel period and has made driving impossible in some areas.  Some government offices in the Denver area and in Cheyenne, Wyoming are closed Tuesday and about 7 inches (18 centimeters) of snow had fallen at Denver International Airport by Tuesday morning.  More snow was expected, forcing the cancellation of about a third of the airport’s average 1,600 daily flights.  More than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow has fallen in northern Colorado and about a foot (30 centimeters) fell in southern parts of Wyoming.  Heavy snow and gusty winds forced the closures of long stretches of Interstates 70 and 76 in Colorado and Interstate 80 in Wyoming.  Officials say parts of Interstate 80 were buried under snow drifts of up to 4 feet (1.2) meters.  — This version corrects that Denver’s airport averages 1,600 flights daily, not 1,500.  Thanksgiving travel is an ordeal under the best of circumstances, and a one-two punch of bad weather threatens to make it even more exhausting.  Airlines prepared to deal Tuesday with a forecast for heavy snow in Denver, canceling flights ahead of time and offering customers a chance to reschedule without racking up standard ticket-change fees.  As that front moves through the Great Lakes and the Northeast later in the week, forecasters say another storm will crash into the West Coast, possibly fouling flights and making driving treacherous.  The AAA auto club says more than 55 million people will travel at least 50 miles (81 kilometers) from home over Thanksgiving, and the Transportation Safety Administration is predicting record numbers at airports.


bbc--2019-05-02--Cyclone Fani India begins evacuations as storm moves up coast

Cyclone Fani: India begins evacuations as storm moves up coast

Thousands of people are being evacuated from villages along India's eastern coastline ahead of a severe cyclone.  Cyclone Fani is heading towards the state of Orissa with wind speeds in excess of 200 km/h (127 mph), and is expected to make landfall on Friday.  Officials have now shut down operations at two major ports on the east coast, and thousands of rescuers are helping people evacuate from low-lying areas.  Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states are also on high alert.  The cyclone is currently moving up the Bay of Bengal, east of Andhra Pradesh.  HR Biswas, director of the meteorological centre in Orissa's state capital, Bhubaneshwar, said at least 11 districts would be hit - and that they have "suggested people stay indoors".  India's National Disaster Management Authority has also warned people along the rest of India's east coast, especially fishermen, not to go out to sea because the conditions are "phenomenal".  Once the cyclone has made landfall in north-eastern India, it is expected to move towards Chittagong in Bangladesh.  Indian officials say they have set up more than 850 shelters, which are thought to be able to hold almost one million people.  The navy, the coast guard and the National Disaster Response Force have all been prepared for deployment.  Local media report that about 81 trains travelling to and from coastal cities have been cancelled.  India's electoral commission has relaxed its rules about what the government can do during election periods so that the authorities can carry out relief work.  The country is in the middle of a multi-phased election which started last month.  Under normal circumstances the incumbent government has certain powers suspended, so that it can't announce new schemes or take new decisions during the voting period.  Although the election will continue until the end of May, Orissa has already voted.


drudgereport--2019-10-17--New seismic phenomenon 'stormquakes' discovered...

Now, researchers have done just that, picking out a previously unknown seismic phenomenon that they have dubbed stormquakes. These events, described this week in Geophysical Research Letters, are pulses of seismic waves birthed from the ferocious energy in massive storms, and they can radiate thousands of miles across continents. (Learn about a different kind of strange seismic wave that rippled around the world.)  “I was surprised by what they saw,” says Göran Ekström, a seismologist at Columbia University who specializes in unusual earthquakes. Big storms are thought to produce a lengthy jumble of rumbles that radiate from coastlines. But in the new study, the team identified a discrete “burst of wiggles” from each stormquake that they can trace back to its origin off shore.  The find joins a number of recent studies that are applying new methods to sort through the noise recorded on the world’s growing network of seismometers. These signals can help scientists better understand the world around us, from deciphering our planet’s inner structure to tracking ocean or ice dynamics and even monitoring climate change. (Read about how a groundbreaking earthquake catalog may have solved a seismic mystery.)  Similar to many scientific advances, stormquakes were discovered by accident. In summer 2018, Fan and his colleagues were developing a method to study what are known as very low frequency earthquakes. These are not the sudden, intense jolts we usually think of when a temblor unzips our planet’s surface. Instead these tremors shake the surface in a low-frequency side-to-side warble at intensities below what humans can detect without instrumentation. Geologists can identify these events by the seismic waves they generate, picked up on sensitive instruments known as seismometers.  “Seismometers are basically like little ears pressed to the ground,” explains Wendy Bohon, an earthquake geologist at the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology who was not part of the study team. The devices can pick up all sorts of vibrations, from boisterous sports fans jumping up and down and airplanes passing overhead to distant earthquakes rattling the ground.  Very low frequency earthquakes, however, are tough to trace over vast distances, since the wiggles from these events don’t always look the same from one seismometer to the next, Fan says. So he and his team devised a method to track them, piecing together the signals from smaller regions like a seismic puzzle. But during this process, an unusual set of events emerged that looked similar to, but not exactly like, the earthquakes Fan was chasing.  Surprisingly, the events were seasonal, never occurring between May and August. Earthquakes that release energy from Earth’s shifting crust, however, are usually indifferent to the changing seasons. What’s more, the curious quakes radiated from both the east and west coasts of North America. Earthquakes are common out west, rumbling as the earth shifts along a spidery network of fractures in the surface, but the eastern coast largely lacks these quake-generating features.  Baffled, Fan and his team turned to models to suss out what was going on—and that was when they realized the connection: Many of these tremors coincided with massive storms or even full-fledged hurricanes. By digging through data largely from EarthScope’s USArray, a series of hundreds of seismometers temporarily placed across the country, the team unearthed 14,077 of these stormquake events between 2006 and 2015. (Learn more about Earth’s hum.)  Not every big storm, however fearsome, can produce a stormquake. For example, the signals were conspicuously absent during Hurricane Sandy, even with its wind gusts topping 90 miles an hour in some locales. Instead, it seems a particular underlying geology is required to spawn a stormquake.  For one, the quakes came from regions with a broad continental shelf, an underwater section of a continent just off the coast that is relatively shallow. This likely allows the waves from stormquakes time to build up, Fan explains. Most wind-borne ocean waves generate signals at a frequency higher than the 20- to 50-second cycle of a stormquake. But a broad shelf gives the waves time to interact with each other, perhaps stretching into a longer, lower frequency wave.  Tempestuous temblors also seem to turn up only around ocean banks. These flattened underwater hills can focus the energy so that the pressure from the waves transfers to the ground to create the uniform burst of wiggles—similar to a hammer striking in the ocean, Fan says.  Looking beyond the wiggles  Fan and his colleagues are hoping to continue the hunt for the mechanism behind the curious temblors. And now that the study is out in the world, Bohon is excited to see what scientists from other fields can add to the find.  Low-frequency waves, like those found in stormquakes, won’t give the most clear signal from inside the planet, notes geophysicist Jonathan Berger of Scripps Institution of Oceanography. But the events might help fill some gaps in the record for areas like New England, where earthquakes are scarce.  And there may be other applications yet to be imagined: “Scientists are inherently creative people,” Bohon says. “Who knows what some inspired young students are going to be able to use these for.”


latimes--2019-12-05--Atmospheric river storms are getting worse and causing billions in damage across California

Atmospheric river storms like the one pounding California this week are becoming more intense and cost Western states roughly $1 billion in damage annually, according to a report on the weather phenomenon.  The storms, which carry moisture from the tropics to the mid-latitude regions, have caused some of California’s biggest deluges. But when a storm passes, what’s left in its wake?  In the study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, scientists found that from 1978 to 2017, atmospheric rivers caused $42.6 billion in flood damage in 11 Western states — 84% of the estimated total water-related damage of $50.8 billion. That’s roughly $1.1 billion in damage done by atmospheric rivers every year.  “Research has shown that these storms are going to become more intense over the coming decades,” said Tom Corringham, one of the authors of the study by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Atmospheric rivers, such as the “Pineapple Express” storms that come from the direction of the Hawaiian Islands, have accounted for at least $19.2 billion in damage across California — more than any other state examined during the study period. Researchers found that Sonoma County was hit hardest by the weather phenomenon, racking up $5.2 billion in destruction.  Two major atmospheric events in Northern California played a significant role in the state’s storm-related costs: the seven-day flooding of the Russian River at Guerneville in 1995 and a 2017 event that damaged the main and emergency spillways of the Oroville Dam in Northern California, prompting more than 180,000 residents to evacuate.  Both events caused over $1 billion in damage.  The study shows that relatively few “extreme” atmospheric rivers — just 13 in 40 years — were responsible for a significant amount of flood damage in the 11 states.  California was at the mercy of an atmospheric river again Wednesday — though the effects were far less extreme.  A weather system fed by a moisture-rich atmospheric river began dumping rain across Southern California, with cars spinning out on freeways and traffic slowing to a crawl across much of the region.  Though rainfall rates were a bit weaker than the onslaught originally forecast by meteorologists, the storm still left a mark.  Shortly after 4 a.m., a semitrailer truck skidded off the road heading from the northbound 710 Freeway to the 60 Freeway in East Los Angeles, dangling precariously off the transition bridge. The crash caused the California Highway Patrol to close the ramp.  By daybreak, dozens of crashes had been reported across the region, snarling traffic along most major freeways in Los Angeles County.  Atmospheric rivers like this one are a concentrated line of water vapor in the middle and lower atmospheric levels. The continuous stream of moisture pushes across the ocean until it encounters an obstacle, such as the coastal ranges of the Western U.S., which then causes the atmospheric river to unleash its load of moisture.  Some atmospheric rivers are weak and produce beneficial rain, helping vanquish devastating droughts.  In 2016, a series of larger atmospheric rivers helped ease California’s epic drought by producing record rain and snow in the northern part of the state.  Just a few atmospheric river events can provide West Coast states such as California with a third to half of their annual precipitation, increasing snowpack levels and filling basins. A strong atmospheric river can carry 7 ½ to 15 times the average flow of liquid water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. In fact, Corringham says he’s working on a new study examining the benefits of the moisture-rich storms as they replenish water supplies.  But larger, more destructive atmospheric rivers can cause extreme rainfall, floods and mudslides.  Heavy rain in the Bay Area on Tuesday night caused a landslide that eroded about 30 feet of hillside in San Bruno. Though no property damage or injuries were reported, the landslide prompted officials to declare a local emergency.  And Wednesday morning, steady rain prompted the National Weather Service to issue flash flood watches for burn areas across Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, including the scars created by the recent Cave, Maria and Easy fires. A flash flood watch also is in effect for the Saddleridge, Tick and Getty burn areas in Los Angeles County.  The downpour sent rocks tumbling onto a stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Malibu, while flooding from the raging Escondido Creek closed a road in San Diego County. Soggy conditions also kept Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park and Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia closed for the day.  The latest storm follows the wettest November in years in parts of L.A. County. And more showers are on the way, with rain forecast to hit the region over the weekend. Preliminary forecasts indicate the next storm will be significantly weaker in Southern California.  On average, 30% to 50% of the West Coast’s annual precipitation comes from a few atmospheric rivers each year. And the new data conclude that 99% of all flood damage in the Western coastal states of California, Oregon and Washington was caused by atmospheric rivers.  Last season’s unusually cold and wet winter brought heavy snow and serious flooding in Northern California, as dozens of atmospheric rivers pounded the state early in 2019.  Infrastructure also factors into the cost of the damage inflicted by atmospheric rivers, research shows. Areas near coastlines and rivers proved most vulnerable to significant flooding. Yet most residents remain undeterred by the danger.  “There isn’t much evidence that people are moving to safer areas after their homes are damaged,” Corringham said. “Generally people rebuild in a place which leaves them at risk in future flooding.”  Heavy precipitation can cause extensive damage to roadways, often forcing closures as the asphalt gives way. After several moisture-packed atmospheric rivers pounded the San Jacinto and San Bernardino mountains in February road repairs in the area were estimated to cost at least $14 million.  The Congressional Budget Office reports that damage from hurricane winds and storm-related flooding costs $54 billion a year. But, Corringham said, unlike the tallies associated with hurricanes and tornadoes, there is no systemic accounting of the damage caused by atmospheric rivers, although strides have been made in the last decade.  As the climate warms, extreme atmospheric rivers will become more intense, researchers found. Modest increases in a storm’s intensity can result in significant monetary damage. Without stabilizing the global climate system, it’s not just the land that will be at risk, Corringham said:  “It’s one of the many ways in which the economy will be affected by climate change.”

Colleen Shalby, Hannah Fry, Laura Newberry


sottnet--2019-03-25--Cyclone Veronica Destructive winds and rain lash Australia - Second storm system within 48 hours to

Cyclone Veronica: Destructive winds and rain lash Australia - Second storm system within 48 hours to hit country

A second cyclone within 48 hours has brought destructive winds and torrential rains to coastal regions of Australia.Cyclone Veronica lingered about 95km (60 miles) off the nation's north-west coast on Monday, officials said.Despite no longer being expected to make landfall, the category two system is moving slowly and has prompted warnings for locals to remain indoors.Cyclone Trevor, a category four, hit the Northern Territory on Saturday.Heavy rain and large waves whipped up by Cyclone Veronica threaten to cause widespread flooding in Western Australia, according to authorities.An area stretching from Karratha to Port Hedland was enduring gale-force winds of more than 125km/h, the Bureau of Meteorology said.Similar conditions affected the Northern Territory on Saturday when Cyclone Trevor made landfall between the remote communities of Numbulwar and Borroloola.In Western Australia, the strong winds snapped trees and caused minor power outages but there were no immediate reports of injuries.Many locals had reinforced their homes with sandbags and stocked up on food and water supplies. One woman who gave birth at a local hospital during the storm named the child Veronica, local network Nine reported.Cyclone Veronica was a category four before it was downgraded at the weekend.meteorologist Steph Bond told the BBC,She attributed the timing to a climate phenomenon known as the Madden-Julian Oscillation creating "favourable" conditions for summer storms. Cyclone Trevor also brought down trees and power lines after making landfall as a category four system.Authorities said it had caused no major injuries or significant damage to infrastructure, following the region's biggest evacuation effort in nearly 50 years.Thousands of people in remote communities relocated to regional centres ahead of the storm. Some began to return home on Monday.


sottnet--2019-05-14--Largest magnetic storm in two years may displace satellites from orbit disrupt GPS

Largest magnetic storm in two years may displace satellites from orbit & disrupt GPS

The largest magnetic storm in two years, which hit Earth on Tuesday,, saying that increased solar activity threatens electronics and people's health.The phenomenon may divert spacecraft from their orbit and create problems for satellite communications and GPS navigation, the Laboratory of X-Ray Astronomy at the Lebedev Institute of the Russian Academy of Science said.The Northern Lights may be seen in the sky, starting from the latitudes of 60 degrees - where Russia's Saint Petersburg is located - and above."During such events, the voltage in electrical systems may require correction. False triggering of safety systems is also possible," the scientists warned.But it's not only hardware, but people as well, who will be affected.The storm began early on Tuesday and will last during the day, with normalization only expected on Wednesday night, the researcher said.The current event "is a large one compared to what was happening in recent years." It was ranked at level three, with the strongest - level five - storm occurring once every 10 or 20 years.


sottnet--2019-08-28--Severe storms pummel Spain with hail and sheets of rain - Two tornadoes touch down near Malaga

Dozens of videos have captured the moment a tornado ripped through Malaga.It comes after eight litres of rain fell in just one hour, while other areas of Spain have flooded this evening The phenomenon has dragged olive trees across roads, disrupting traffic while destroyed power lines have resulted in blackouts.The terrifying site was recorded in the town of Campillos, where the Town Hall has advised residents to 'stay in their homes'.A statement by local Mayor Francisco Guerrero said that 'the worst has happened' and that the public should 'limit' the use of their vehicles.The tornado was caused by colliding winds, a process also known as DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos).This is similar to the famous gota fria - or cold drop - according to local meteorologist Jose Luis Escudero.AEMET does not have stations in Campillos to record wind speeds and the tornado is not large enough to be seen by satellite.There is currently a yellow weather warning in place in the north of Malaga Province where Campillos is located.Dusty #tornado in Campillos, Malaga, Spain yesterday, August 26th! Report: @MeteoIberiaEsTWO dusty #tornadoes in Campillos, Malaga, Spain yesterday, August 26th! Report: @joseluis_manjonAnother view of the dusty #tornado in Campillos, Malaga, Spain yesterday, August 26th! Report: @MeteoCampillosAnother view of one of at least two dusty #tornadoes in Campillos, Malaga, Spain yesterday, August 26th! Report: @VivaCampillos


sottnet--2019-08-30--Latest storms in Spain severely damage summer fruits grapes and peppers

Latest storms in Spain severely damage summer fruits, grapes and peppers

As reported by Agroseguro, the crops most affected by the recent rain and hail storms have been summer fruits, grapes and peppers, although it is still too early to know the actual extent of the damage. The most affected autonomous regions are Castile-La Mancha and Madrid.Agroseguro has highlighted the incidents in municipalities such as Arganda del Rey, in Madrid, Seseña and Borox, in Toledo, Villanueva de los Infantes, in Ciudad Real, or Las Pedroñeras, in Cuenca,Agroseguro has called on the insured to send their claims "as quickly as possible," as it is already working on the planning of appraisals, and recalled that the damages caused by this type of extreme phenomena are covered by the Combined Agricultural Insurance system.Source: EFEagro


sottnet--2019-11-26--Storms in France, Greece and Italy leave 'biblical destruction'

Nine people die as weekend of heavy rain brings landslides, floods and collapsed overpassGreek media described the storms as leaving a trail of "biblical destruction" in some areas of the country while the overpass collapse in northern Italy brought back a chilling reminder of Genoa's Morandi bridge giving way during a thunderstorm in August 2018, killing 43 people.Flash floods in France's Côte d'Azur claimed the lives of four people, while two others are believed to still be missing. Three of the victims were found in cars that were swept away in floods in the Var region, and the fourth was among a group being rescued by the fire brigade when the dinghy carrying them to safety capsized.One of the worst affected towns was Roquebrune-sur-Argens in the Var, where the Argens River rose seven metres. The French meteorological office said three months' worth of rain had fallen in less than 48 hours.Members of the French civil defence took part in rescue operations in a number of flooded areas around Cannes and other coastal towns.The orange alert was lifted in the Var and Alpes-Maritimes regions on Monday as the water receded, leaving an estimated 4,500 homes without electricity. Two other French departments, the Puy-de-Dôme and the Gironde, were placed on high flooding alert.Jean-Luc Videlaine, the prefect for the Var region, said the rain had been of "historic" intensity and there was considerable damage.Jean-Pierre Hameau of Météo France said the storms and flooding should not be blamed on climate change. Hameau said the phenomena, known in France as cévenols, or Mediterraneans, were relatively frequent in the region."They occur three or six times a year. It often begins in September when the Mediterranean is warm and there is rising hot air in the south," Hameau said."This usually happens in September and October, but sometimes we find these conditions in November. It's not linked to global warming. We had these cévenols before and there hasn't been an increase since temperatures rose. However, we have noted an increase in the intensity of the rains."Meanwhile in Greece, two men in their 50s died when their sailing boat broke free of its moorings and capsized after being hit by gale-force winds in Antirio.At least one other person was reported missing in Kineta, a beach town west of Athens that was described as being the worst hit by the storms. Emergency services said it could take days to clear the extensive damage in Kineta, where uprooted trees and rockfalls from surrounding hills also disrupted the road network.Late on Monday Greece's public broadcaster said the extreme weather had claimed another two lives on the island of Rhodes. A disabled and elderly woman died when rainwater flooded her home, and a winter swimmer perished at sea.The fallout from heavy rainfall was such that authorities were forced to close the highway connecting the Greek capital with Corinth and the Peloponnese peninsula as services cleared the road network of tonnes of mud.The fire service reported widespread flooding of homes, saying hours after the downpours it was still trying to remove people trapped in buildings engulfed by water and debris. The country was bracing itself for more heavy rain later on Monday.In Italy, a woman died after her car was swept away by the flood of the Bormida River in the north of the country. There was flooding in Turin, landslides in the Liguria region and Lake Como overflowed on Sunday, while the River Ticino burst its banks overnight in the northern city of Pavia. Venice, which has suffered recurrent flooding in recent weeks, was again hit with acqua alta, or high water. The Emilia-Romagna region was on high alert for extreme weather on Monday.Italy's prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, said the government had earmarked €11bn of investments intended to accelerate projects to protect the country from extreme weather events.


theindependent--2019-05-02--Cyclone Fani 800000 evacuated from homes in India as huge storm heads for coast

Cyclone Fani: 800,000 evacuated from homes in India as huge storm heads for coast

India is evacuating around 800,000 people from coastal areas on the Bay of Bengal as a cyclone is forecast to bring flooding, heavy rainfall and winds gusting up to 200kph (125mph).  The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said Cyclone Fani would make landfall in Odisha state on Friday afternoon, and recommended the “extensive evacuation of coastal areas”.  Fishers were urged to return to coasts and it was predicted that the storm would bring widespread disruption to power supplies, rail and road traffic inland.  The government said people living in 14 low-lying districts of Odisha would be moved to shelters and sturdier school and college buildings. Tourists were urged to leave coastal areas in both Odisha and neighbouring West Bengal.  “We are maximising efforts at all levels for evacuation for the time being,” Odisha’s special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi told the Reuters news agency.  Fani is the first major storm of India’s cyclone season, which generally runs from April to December. The tracking service Tropical Storm Risk rated it a mid-range category 3 storm.  In its latest bulletin on Thursday morning, the IMD warned the worst-affected coastal districts would see a storm surge of about 1.5m above regular tidal levels, which was “very likely to inundate low lying areas”.  Parts of Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh would experience “extremely heavy rainfall” of above 20cm, it warned. Sea conditions would be “phenomenally” rough, the bulletin said, adding that “large boats and ships may get torn from their moorings”.  Cyclones coming in from the Bay of Bengal lead to many evacuations every year, and can cause widespread destruction to properties, damage to crops and deaths across both India and Bangladesh.  Two decades ago a super-cyclone battered the coast of Odisha for 30 hours, killing 10,000 people, while in 2013 a mass evacuation of nearly a million people is likely to have saved thousands of lives.


activistpost--2019-12-20--Michigan County Threatens to Demolish Amish Homes Unless They Give Up Religious Beliefs and Upgrade

After harassing the Amish community for years regarding its water supply and disposal, the county health department posted signs on the Amish families’ homes earlier this year condemning them as “unfit for human habitation” and filed lawsuits against 14 Amish families in November.  If successful, the lawsuits would result in the demolition of the Amish families’ homes and would effectively banish an entire religious community from Lenawee County. The ACLU and Wright & Schulte filed answers to those lawsuits Wednesday in Lenawee County Circuit Court, which include counterclaims against the county for religious discrimination in violation of the federal and state constitutions and the federal Fair Housing Act.  “The county is persecuting this Amish community because of their deeply held religious beliefs that have safely guided their way of life for generations,” said Phil Mayor, senior staff attorney with the ACLU of Michigan. “Lenawee County residents should be outraged that their local officials, using taxpayer money and in the county’s name, have condemned their Amish neighbors’ homes and are threatening to demolish their houses, and leave them homeless. They should contact their county commissioners and other local officials and implore them to end this vicious attack on the Amish religion.”  The Amish community in Lenawee County adheres to their “old order” religious way of life by hand-pumping water from wells, using outhouses instead of flush toilets, and not using electricity, cell phones, or automobiles. Despite the fact that the Amish community’s choice to live in traditional ways causes no harm to themselves or anyone else, the Lenawee County Health Department has condemned their homes and is now asking a court to authorize the demolition of their property, unless the Amish community abandons its religious beliefs.  “This is not a question of public health — it’s Lenawee County officials using religious discrimination as a tactic to run this Amish community out of their homes and destroy their way of life,” said Richard Schulte, attorney with Wright & Schulte, LLC. “This community’s commitment to live according to their religion harms no one.”  Sean Walton is a researcher and journalist for The Daily Sheeple, where this article first appeared. Send tips to [email protected]  Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.  Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


cbsnews--2019-05-02--HHS rule lets health care workers refuse care that violates religious beliefs

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a finalized "Conscience Rule" protecting health care professionals who refuse to provide care that violates their religious beliefs, such as performing abortions.  "The final rule fulfills President Trump's promise to promote and protect the fundamental and unalienable rights of conscience and religious liberty, a promise he made when he signed an executive order in May 2017 protecting religious liberty," HHS said in a statement announcing the finalized rule, which expands existing protections.  In 2017, Mr. Trump signed executive orders to "defend freedom of religion and speech in America." One of the directives gave the IRS discretion in enforcing the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits nonprofits such as churches and charities from "directly or indirectly" engaging in a political campaign.  Critics of the "Conscience Rule" argue it could limit medical access for women seeking abortions, as doctors who oppose to the practice on religious grounds could refuse a woman care. There are concerns about health care professionals discriminating against LGBT individuals, in violation of medical ethics. The rule will also help protect individuals who object to administering certain vaccines.  The American Medical Association called on HHS to withdraw the proposed conscience rule in April 2018, saying the rule "would function as a shield for people asserting objections on religious or moral grounds and could permit them to withhold care from already vulnerable groups."  Roger Severino, the director of HHS' Office for Civil Rights, said Thursday that "laws prohibiting government funded discrimination against conscience and religious freedom will be enforced like every other civil rights law."  "This rule ensures that healthcare entities and professionals won't be bullied out of the health care field because they decline to participate in actions that violate their conscience, including the taking of human life. Protecting conscience and religious freedom not only fosters greater diversity in healthcare, it's the law," Severino continued.  On Thursday, the president held the National Day of Prayer service, where he declared that "people are so proud to be using that beautiful word, 'God,' and they're using the word God again and they're not hiding from it."


cnn--2019-01-24--South Carolina foster care providers can reject people who dont share their religious beliefs

South Carolina foster care providers can reject people who don't share their religious beliefs

(CNN) Federally funded child welfare agencies in South Carolina can refuse to perform services that conflict with their religious beliefs, the US Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday.  The announcement came in response to Gov. Henry McMaster's request for a waiver for faith-based groups that contract with the state for foster care services, such as child placements and screenings of prospective families.  Citing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, McMaster requested an exemption from federal regulations enacted by the Obama administration that forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and religion -- among other identities -- in HHS programs and services.  States and grantees must comply with federal regulations to receive HHS funding.  McMaster said the requirements forced faith-based providers to choose between their religious beliefs or a license to contract with the state, potentially forcing agencies to close their doors. McMaster also objected to how the requirements were put in place, saying it conflicted with existing regulations.  Civil rights organizations and child welfare advocacy groups decried the decision, calling it state-sponsored discrimination that would affect non-Christians, the LGBTQ community, or anyone who doesn't meet an agency's "religious litmus test."  Above all, they said the waiver would harm children in foster care.  "Allowing child placing agencies to turn away qualified adoptive and foster parents reduces the number of loving families available to the over 4,000 children in South Carolina's foster care system, and further demonstrates that the Trump administration values a narrow set of religious beliefs over the need to find loving, stable homes for children currently in state care," said Shelbi Day, senior policy counsel with Family Equality Council.  Lynn Johnson, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families within HHS, cited the need for more families in the foster care system as a reason ACF granted the state's request.  "This decision preserves all of the foster care agencies currently available for children in South Carolina by ensuring faith-based organizations can continue to serve this vulnerable population. It protects minors who are in need of as many options as possible for being placed in loving foster families."  Johnson said ACF consulted with department subject-matter experts, including the Office for Civil Rights, the agency that ensures HHS programs and grantees are in compliance with the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.  As a condition of the waiver, Johnson said agencies must refer anyone they turn away to other placement agencies or the state.  "By granting this request to South Carolina, HHS is putting foster care capacity needs ahead of burdensome regulations that are in conflict with the law," Johnson said.  "We are deeply gratified by this decision, which allows Miracle Hill Foster Care to keep its license and continue serving nearly 200 foster children and more than 230 foster families," said Reid Lehman, president and CEO of Miracle Hill Ministries.  "It's always been about the license, our right to exist."  The waiver is the first such federal action of its kind, said Leslie Cooper, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union's LGBT & HIV Project. She said it sets a troubling precedent, as Texas has made a similar request to HHS.  "Prospective foster and adoptive parents should be judged only on their capacity to provide love and support to a child — not their faith," Cooper said. "Our elected officials need to make clear that the interest of children -- not the religious views of taxpayer-funded agencies -- come first."


drudgereport--2019-10-31--Mankind's belief in evil 'caused by disease'...

Humanity’s belief in evil may be rooted in people’s need to cope with diseases.  Researchers trying to uncover the origins of mankind’s belief in evil believe they have stumbled across a bizarre occurrence that could explain it.  By looking at regions where high levels of disease happened, experts found people had stronger convictions about agents of evil, such as demons.  In many cultures across the globe, the supernatural was used to explain the causes and responses to disease.  The effect would be sufferers of an illness would be viewed as having been corrupted and would be isolated, shunned or even killed to protect other people in the tribe.  Scientists at the University of Melbourne, Australia, believe that belief in evil was more common in these places where diseases were produced.  The university’s associate professor at the School of Psychological Sciences Brock Bastian told Live Science: “It (the research) opens up new insights into the emergence of religion as a belief system that developed to explain natural threats or events.”  To investigate the root of evil, experts examined historical data of infectious diseases and compared them with trends in spiritual beliefs about evil.  Dr Bastian added: “We uncovered consistent evidence that historical pathogen prevalence is related to an increased tendency to believe that there are forces of evil at work in the world.”  His team found the strongest correlations between belief in the devil and historic widespread disease was strongest in Nigeria, Bangladesh and the Philippines.  It also found the weakest was in the Czech Republic, Germany and Sweden.  Experts also believe belief systems with a strong sense of good and evil could prove beneficial for people living in high-risk areas.  The research claims beliefs can become embedded in cultures for generations.  Dr Bastian said: “Such thinking remains evident in many modern societies, wherein health complaints are sometimes attributed to the will of God or the work of the devil and spiritual remedies.”


thewashingtonstandard--2019-12-20--Michigan: County Threatens To Demolish Amish Homes If They Don’t Give Up Their Religious Beliefs

Over a dozen Amish families are being threatened by Lenawee County Michigan regarding their water supply and disposal. The threats stem from the county health department condemning their homes, saying they are “unfit for human habitation” and filing lawsuits against 14 families in November.  If the county is successful in its pursuit to demolish the homes, which apparently are fit for human habitation as the families are living there, it would result in the loss of these families’ homes, but it should be noted that it is also an attempt to bend their consciences against what they believe to be right, whether you agree or disagree with them or not.  Of all people, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU) and the law firm Wright & Schulte, LLC had come to the aid of the families and filed a countersuit against the Lenawee County Health Department for violating the constitutional and civil rights of the families.  “The county is persecuting this Amish community because of their deeply held religious beliefs that have safely guided their way of life for generations,” said Phil Mayor, senior staff attorney with the ACLU of Michigan. “Lenawee County residents should be outraged that their local officials, using taxpayer money and in the county’s name, have condemned their Amish neighbors’ homes and are threatening to demolish their houses, and leave them homeless. They should contact their county commissioners and other local officials and implore them to end this vicious attack on the Amish religion.”  According to the ACLU:  The Amish community in Lenawee County adheres to their “old order” religious way of life by hand-pumping water from wells, using outhouses instead of flush toilets, and not using electricity, cell phones, or automobiles. Despite the fact that the Amish community’s choice to live in traditional ways causes no harm to themselves or anyone else, the Lenawee County Health Department has condemned their homes, and is now asking a court to authorize the demolition of their property, unless the Amish community abandons its religious beliefs.  After harassing the Amish community for years regarding its water supply and disposal, the county health department posted signs on the Amish families’ homes earlier this year condemning them as “unfit for human habitation” and filed lawsuits against 14 Amish families in November. If successful, the lawsuits would result in the demolition of the Amish families’ homes and would effectively banish an entire religious community from Lenawee County. The ACLU and Wright & Schulte filed answers to those lawsuits today in Lenawee County Circuit Court, which include counterclaims against the county for religious discrimination in violation of the federal and state constitutions and the federal Fair Housing Act.  “This is not a question of public health — it’s Lenawee County officials using religious discrimination as a tactic to run this Amish community out of their homes and destroy their way of life,” said Richard Schulte, attorney with Wright & Schulte, LLC. “This community’s commitment to live according to their religion harms no one.”  On this issue, I can get behind the Communist ACLU, but only because they actually are appealing to law and calling out the lawless in this matter, and I do hope the Amish families prevail.  Article posted with permission from Sons Of Liberty Media


windowoneurasiablog--2019-12-25--More than 80 Percent of Russia’s Political Prisoners in Jail for Religious Beliefs, Memorial Says

Staunton, December 23 – According to the Memorial Human Rights Center, 250 of those it counts as political prisoners in Russia at the end of 2019 are behind bars for their religious beliefs, while only 64 are there for their political views, a dramatic change from earlier years and one that reflects the persecution of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other Christians, not Muslims.  During the last year, Russian courts behave to hand down the first real jail terms to Jehovah’s Witnesses for their religious activity. Such cases have now occurred in 52 of the federal subjects; and while this “anti-extremism” campaign began in the provinces out of sight of journalists and diplomats, in September, it reached Moscow.  In not a single case have officials been able to provide evidence of a real crime, Chivchalov says; and what is especially worrisome is that increasingly the authorities don’t seem to see any need to conceal that they are going after people solely because of their religious beliefs rather than because of any specific acts.  Prosecutors and some judges are even willing to find the Bible extremist. In Kirov, for example, “experts” claimed to see extremism in Psalm 29 and even in the Synodically approved version. And in Russia, Chivchalov points out, “in Russia and only in it as before is banned the site of the Jehovah’s Witnesses “on which are placed translations of the bible in the largest number of languages in the world.”  Jehovah’s Witnesses now held as political prisoners have been subjected to horrific tortures, as in Surgut in February. Their jailors used electro-shocks on them as well as beating them with clubs. That led to an outcry but it remains unclear how many others are being victimized in the same way.  Official charges against the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other Christian groups have become so hyperbolic and absurd, the Credo Press commentator says, that some judges are beginning to question what the prosecutors are doing and even rule against them, a trend that if it continues may provide some basis for greater optimism in the coming year.  “Alas, despite these outbursts of good sense, over the past year, Russia has broken through to a new level in the return to medieval conditions: for the first time since the disintegration of the USSR have been handed out prison terms and torture inflicted not only on Jehovah’s Witnesses but other Christian believers as well.”  Because of this trend, he says, “thousands of law-abiding, hard-working and tax-paying Russians have preferred emigration” to remaining in a country where they cannot practice their faiths. At least 5,000 have made that choice, and their number is likely to grow given that any hopes for serious improvement dissipated in the course of 2019.  Russia is “confidently and willingly saying goodbye to its status as a secular state where one can confess any religion or not confess any. Russians won’t have that luxury in the future,” Chivchalov suggests.


theindependent--2019-11-06--Teacher suspended for 'segregating students based on religion and mocking them for their belief

Teacher suspended for 'segregating students based on religion and mocking them for their beliefs'

A teacher in North Carolina has been suspended for allegedly segregating her students based upon their religious beliefs, as well as their views on gay marriage and abortion.  According to local media reports, Julia Lopp, a Spanish language teacher at South Johnston High School, first divvied up the students based on their religion. Then, she asked them about abortion. Finally, she asked them for their views on LGBT rights, according to the Johnston County Report.  She’s been accused of ridiculing the religious students, and threatened them should they report her for her actions.  She told the students she would “not recommend them for a job or even entrance to college,” according to WTVD.  “I don't mind prayer in school and things like that because you pray to your own religion,” said Natasha Chancey, mother of a middle schooler in Johnston County, according to that news channel.  The parent continued: “But for instance to be asking about God because there are so many different religions and everyone has their own beliefs, that might be saying one is better than the other.  She has been suspended without pay, just months after being hired to the post in August.  “This is an unfortunate incident and one I wish had not happened,” said superintendent Jim Causby in a statement.  The statement continued: “It is never appropriate for a teacher to segregate students based on religious, political or personal beliefs. In fact, it is not appropriate for a teacher to even ask a student what their beliefs are.”


birminghammail--2019-10-18--Anderton Park School parents feared LGBT teaching would 'subdue religious beliefs'

Concerned Muslim parents and their children felt they were being "made to accept LGBT teaching" and "subdue their own beliefs" to show they were not extremist, a High Court hearing into the Anderton Park school protests heard.  Protests at the gates of the Sparkhill school came about because the rights of parents were being infringed, a judge was told.  Barrister Mr Ramby de Mello said: "Parents feel they are told: 'You have got to accept our teaching and keep your own beliefs under the bushell in a closet at home'...this conflict amounts to discriminatory treatment."  “They hear: ‘We would like you to learn about equality at the expense of subduing your own religious belief because (doing so) demonstrates tolerance, inclusivity and stepping away from extremism.”  He said this also indirectly discriminates against the 644 Muslim, mostly Pakistani heritage, pupils who attend the school.  Citing from the witness statement of an imam, Mr de Mello said the parents feel they have a “moral obligation” to stand up against any teaching that impinges on the “heterosexual norm”.  His comments came on the fifth and final day of an injunction hearing triggered by protests over LGBT teaching at the school.  Judge Mr Justice Warby, who has to decide whether an exclusion zone should remain around the school to stop further protests, has now reserved judgement and will announce the outcome in writing "as soon as possible".  He will weigh up five days of evidence and hundreds of pages of witness statements, videos and social media messages before announcing his ruling.  In the meantime the existing temporary exclusion zone will stay in place.  The case, brought by Birmingham City Council, is seeking an injunction that would permanently ban protests at the gates and in the streets surrounding the school. The council is also seeking to extend the zone to include two grassy areas on Yardley Wood Road, where protesters have continued to gather.  The current temporary injunction prohibits three named defendants – Mr Afsar, his sister Rosina Afsar and Amir Ahmed - along with “persons unknown” from protesting or encouraging others to protest inside the exclusion zone.  It also prohibits use of social media accounts to make abusive comments about any member of staff at the school in relation to teaching.  The injunction application is being contested by Afsar, Afsar and Ahmed along with a fourth defendant, John Allman, from Okehampton in Devon, who sought to join the case to represent "persons unknown", claiming the injunction was too wide ranging and prohibited free speech online.  Mr Ramby de Mello, representing the Afsars and Ahmed, said the protests came about because the rights of parents were being infringed. There was discrimination against families because of their religious and cultural beliefs, he told the judge.  “This group are made to feel, because of their religious and cultural beliefs, in some way inferior to others – in this case over the teaching of LGBT,” he said.  He said much had been made of the behaviour of a couple of outsiders who had joined protests, including an imam whose comments were condemned and disowned by Mr Afsar and Mr Ahmed.  Earlier barrister Paul Diamond, representing Mr Allman, 66, a Christian campaigner, claimed a “politicised” Birmingham City Council was driving the injunction and claiming harassment and abuse against teachers at Anderton Park School, even though no criminal offences had been committed.  There was often a difference in understanding and values that meant people “talked past each other” because of their beliefs. Someone telling another they risk “going to hell” is seen by some not as offensive but instead as “informing this person of their spiritual destiny and wanting to help them,” said Mr Diamond.  He added that teachers had no "special privilege" not to face online comments as long as it does not reach a level of criminality.  After the hearing concluded, teaching union chief Rob Kelsall, of the NAHT, said head teachers across the country were now "anxiously waiting" on the ruling outcome and watching events unfold in Birmingham "with fear".  He said: "Whatever the outcome this is not the end. We have been supporting around 70 more schools across the country over pressure they have received over equality teaching. In our view it's completely unacceptable for public servants doing their job to be subject to this kind of torment."  Describing Anderton Park head teacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson as "one of the strongest, most courageous people I've ever met", he said the pressure of the case has had "a very negative and wearing effect on her and her staff. That for me is extremely concerning."  He reiterated calls on Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to "stop passing the buck to heads", and to be unequivocal that teachers should include all aspects of equality in relationships education, including LGBT. "We need to avoid this happening to any other school."  Shakeel Afsar, representing the protesters, said after the hearing: "We parents should not have been here. We hope the judge will see that parents were within their rights and were forced to protest.  "Whatever the outcome we would urge the school to start a fresh dialogue with parents...for the betterment of the community."  Mr Justice Warby said he would deliver his judgement in writing "as soon as possible" and would begin work on it on Monday. "I can't at the moment given any reliable commitments as to when judgement will be but I assure I will reach a verdict as quickly as I can."


eveningstandard--2019-01-14--Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger aposrefused to live togetherapos until they were engage

Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger 'refused to live together' until they were engaged due to 'religious beliefs'

Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger reportedly refused to live together until they got engaged due to their deeply held Christian principles.  The loved-up pair today unveiled the news that they are set to tie the knot, one month after publicly confirming their romance.  However reports have since emerged that the couple had no plans to live together until he popped the question because co-habiting would go against their religious beliefs as Christians.  A source told the Sun: “They recently moved in together and that’s why the engagement was out of the bag – it’s not something Katherine would have done if they weren’t planning to get married.  “They’re both very devout – that’s one of the reasons their relationship works so well – and are very committed to their faith. Some of their early dates were even at church – so Katherine would have refused to live with him until they made the commitment to getting married.”  The insider added that Pratt, 39, supposedly prayed before asking the 29-year-old to marry him.  Standard Online has contacted representatives of Pratt and Schwarzenegger for comment.  The reports come after Pratt announced news of his engagement with a sweet post of him hugging his other half.  The Parks and Recreations star captioned the post: “Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes! I’m thrilled to be marrying you.  “Proud to live boldly in faith with you. Here we go!”  The pair are rumoured to have been dating since last summer but only confirmed their romance last month when Schwarzenegger turned 29.


thesun--2019-02-16--Girls aged 13 and 15 expelled from school after their mum refused to have them vaccinated due to re

Girls aged 13 and 15 expelled from school after their mum refused to have them vaccinated due to ‘religious beliefs’

TWO teenage girls were expelled from school after their mum refused to have them vaccinated due to “religious beliefs”.  The New York teens, age 13 and 15, moved to the Orchard Park School District last year, and since then, their “religious exemption” had been denied, according to their mother Marina Williams.  Their schooling stopped for months as a result, and they have now reportedly been expelled indefinitely by the district.   The family now plan to take the school district to court.  The District had told the children not to return until they'd had their injections.  Williams said: “It's against our belief system for foreign substances such as vaccines to enter our bodies.  Court papers show the Williams family belong to an evangelical congregation known as the Temple of the Inner Flames Church.  The family sent the school a letter from the Reverend of the church Carol Ann Liaros to reaffirm their stance.  “Based on our Christian biblical instructions from God, our beliefs include not taking any harmful or foreign substances into our bodies, which includes: excessive alcohol, recreational drugs, foreign substances (vaccines.)”  But in rebuttal, the school district released a statement insisting protecting the health of its students outweighs an individual's right to religious immunity.  That decision, according to New York state law, is justified, as current legislation leaves the decision of whether a parent's religious beliefs are a valid reason for exemption to the board.  The school district said, via a statement from superintendent Matthew McGarrity: “A school district has no duty more important than protecting the health, safety, and welfare of its students and staff.”  “Ensuring that the immunisation requirements under state law have been met is critical to carrying out this duty.  "The New York State Commissioner of Education has denied a request to allow un-immunised students living in the District to attend school while they seek an exemption to the State Public Health Law requirements.  Family attorney Frank Housh said the girls had even been threatened with trespass if they returned.  He said: “This isn't a vaccination lawsuit and my client is not an anti-vaxxer.”  Housh added the family had opted against immunisations for 'generations'.  The case will be heard in the the state Supreme Court on the grounds of religious discrimination.  Erie County's Health Commissioner, Dr. Gale Burstein, told WKBK that he urges all children to get vaccinated.  She said: “Vaccines are safe, vaccines are effective, so let your doctor love your children like you love your children.”  We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.


bbc--2019-01-03--Storm Pabuk Tourists flee Thai islands after weather warnings

Storm Pabuk: Tourists flee Thai islands after weather warnings

Thousands of tourists and residents have reportedly fled islands off Thailand's south-east coast to escape an approaching tropical storm.  Authorities have also been preparing shelters for those deciding to stay put.  Thailand's Met Office says Tropical Storm Pabuk will bring strong winds and 7 metre (22 ft) waves but it is unlikely to become a typhoon.  A weather warning has been issued but no evacuation order is in place.  The storm is expected hit the country's southern coast from Thursday, causing heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding.  Thailand's Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said the military was on alert to assist people affected.  Among those areas in the path of the storm is Surat Thani, home to the popular tourist islands of Koh Phangnan, Koh Samui and Koh Tao.  Visitor numbers to the islands usually peak over the Christmas and New Year period.  "I think the islands are almost empty," Krikkrai Songthanee, Koh Phangnan's district chief, told AFP.  Images are circulating on social media of tourists and residents leaving various islands by boat for the Thai mainland.  However, bans on boats have been enforced in several areas including Kho Phi Phi because of safety concerns. As a result, many tourists have been forced to stay put.  Swimming has also been banned in Koh Samui. But videos of people still swimming in the island are circulating on social media.  Bangkok Airways said it had cancelled some flights, whilst other airlines said they were monitoring the weather.  Authorities on some islands have avoided enforcing bans or advising evacuations altogether.  Chaiyan Thurasakul, mayor of the Koh Tao Subdistrict Municipality, told BBC Thai the island had prepared for possible floods, landslides and strong waves.  "If the storm is severe for two to three days, we may have to ask for help from the mainland for shipment of necessary items," said Mr Thurasakul.  Pabuk - which means giant catfish in Lao - is the first storm in nearly thirty years to hit the region outside monsoon season, which ends around November.  In 2011, devastating floods in Thailand killed 600 people and displaced thousands of others in more than a third of the country's provinces.