Category Archives: Progress

AUSTIN (Nexstar) Warnings from infectious disease experts about an anticipated spike in COVID-19 cases after the holidays might feel like dj vu from last year. Thats because it is.

However, significant strides have been made since Thanksgiving 2020. A game changing vaccine has been approved for everyone five and older in the United States. Eligibility for booster shots has been expanded to all adults 18 and older.

With those strides also came serious tribulations a deadlier, more contagious delta variant that pushed hospitals and ICU beds in Texas to their limits this summer, paired with the rampant spread of misinformation about the vaccines safety and efficacy.

About 54.5% of Texans are fully vaccinated, not too far behind the nations percentage of Americans who are fully vaccinated, about 59%.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise nationwide, and while Texas is doing better than many other states for now, the rolling seven-day average of new infections is slowly climbing again, according to state data.

Whether the case surges will continue on a seasonal basis is still uncertain.

Ithink its too early to tell what the endemic phases will look like, said Dr. Gerry Parker, director of pandemic and biosecurity policy at Texas A&M University. I dont think its going to be quite like the flu, I mean the flu is very seasonal.

It raises concern for infectious disease experts, including the states chief epidemiologist, Dr. Jennifer Shuford of Texas DSHS.

We could still have a lot of transmission of COVID-19 through the holiday season and into 2022, she said. So its something that were worried about because we think there are vulnerable Texans out there that really could get a bad infection over the next few months.

Parker said the one thing that is better this year versus last (aside from vaccines) is the increasing treatment options.

The monoclonal antibodies and the antiviral specifically are important tools because if you do test positive and youre high risk of contracting severe disease, the monoclonal antibodies can be very important if you have not been immunized, Parker said. The antivirals also are would be much easier to administer compared to the monoclonal antibody. So these are all important tools in our toolkit, but vaccines are the number one tool to prevent.

Doctors like Parker and Shuford emphasize that those treatment options are an additional tool, and should not be seen as a substitute for getting vaccinated.

The vaccines are fantastic vaccines and way exceeded our expectations in their effectiveness, Shuford said. Now there are two oral therapies that are under consideration by the FDA for emergency use authorization. And so its giving us a little more hope that maybe well have more therapeutics, or more medicines available to us for COVID-19 in the near future. Vaccines are still our best option though, for really controlling COVID-19 Across Texas.

The FDA is expected to approve Merck and Pfizers COVID-19 antiviral pill soon.

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Pandemic progress: How far have we come and where are we going? - KXAN.com

Cricket in China needs a spark. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images)

In the aftermath of the International Cricket Councils (ICC) recent era-defining board meeting, the U.S. cemented its status as the bearer of the sports global aspirations.

Cricket, a British sport traditionally confined mostly to Commonwealth countries, has for some time been trying to enter new terrain and unsurprisingly administrators have been besotted with the worlds biggest sports market much to the chagrin of some neglected Associate nations.

The U.S, long-viewed as thesleeping giantof cricket, will co-host the 2024 T20 World Cup along with the West Indies an accelerated timetable due to the ICCs much-hyped bid for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

It all means the U.S. will become something of an epi-centre on and off field this decade in a remarkable transformation after being viewed as a laughingstock for years.

There was a time, however, when China a mostly forgotten cricket nation - was embraced with almost as much gusto by the sports decision makers.

From a strategic point of view, U.S. and China were the two target markets. U.S. was No.1 and China was No.2, Tim Anderson, the ICCs head of global development from 2010-16, told me.

We needed to demonstrate return on investment. Having more competitive teams on the stage which we're seeing now - but equally it was about how the emerging cricket market could impact the economics globally of the sport.

Tim Anderson visited China to promote and develop cricket. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images)

In the mid-2000s, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) which is effectively the ICCs Asian office but has its own revenue streams - had deemed China a special project according to Aminul Islam, who at the time was an ACC development officer heavily focused onChina. With foresight and resources, cricket was included at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and deemed a success marked by Chinas womens team finishing fourth.

It was hoped to be a game-changer for a country with no cricket tradition, relatively modest numbers of expats from Commonwealth nations and infamous bureaucratic hurdles negating the ICCs plans to have staff members based there permanently.

"China was different to the U.S. on those levels, said Anderson, who runs a sports consultancy business these days. But China also is a big market and has huge global power. There were some geopolitical opportunities between China and India, Pakistan and Australia that could be explored through cricket.

"There had been a push to get international cricket between Full Members there.

The ACC created 200 level 1 coaches and targeted universities to fuel crickets popularity. Women, in particular, took to cricket faster and with pathways easier for a quick rise up the rankings, there was hope a successful national team could inspire a generation.

The womens team has always been pretty good. They could become something like Thailand, Anderson said noting Thailands remarkable rise in womens cricket which has just recently seemingly been stunted by ICC red tape.

Meg Lanning, Captain of Australia Cricket Team (l) talks to the Chinese National Teamin Shanghai. ... [+] (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images)

Even though the national womens team is still ranked 26thin T20, there are no grandiose talks of cricket in China right now. Forget visions of being a global power, Chinese cricket barely has visibility. The Chinese Cricket Association, which has been a member of the ICC since 2004, doesnt even have a website and seemingly shrouded in mystery like some type of shadowy organization.

Its led to observers on the ground fearing cricket in China has stalled and that the ICC has lost interest in its once pet project.

They point to the mens team being ranked 86 of 90 in the T20 rankings and the unused cricket ground in Guangzhou the showpiece at the 2010 Asian Games as confirmation of its sad slide and wasted potential.

However, Islam, who is now the ICC Asia regional development manager, admitted that cricket in China had grown slowly but said development was occurring through 21 universities, where it is recognized as an official sport under the curriculum.

A million students know the game and play at least once a week, said Islam, the former Bangladesh captain who speaks fluent Mandarin. There are about 2000 higher performance players coming from high schools and universities. Nine regions have been introduced to cricket.

China women's team still has a respectable ranking. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images)

With cricket returning to the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, a $20 million beautiful stadium is being built in Zhejian provinces capital which in the future can legitimately attract top end international cricket, according to Islam. But Shanghai the glitzy global financial hub is earmarked to be crickets home base in China.

Shanghai has the highest number of cricket players, Islam said. Its an international city and makes sense for crickets base to be there. Shanghai to Hangzhou is only one-hour away. Eventually we will look for land and build an (internationally accredited) ground in Shanghai.

It all sounds promising at the grassroots, but cricket undoubtedly needs more exposure amid a competitive sports landscape as rivals swarm into the lucrative Chinese market. In this tough environment, support from the Chinese government is crucial and thus far has not been forthcoming towards cricket but that could all change amid the sports $3 million Olympic bid.

Administrators hoping for crickets expansion into places such as China had long pushed for Olympic inclusion only to be rebuffed by reticent powers India and England. But with the board finally on the same page, cricket could be unlocked in a country like China where Olympic sports are granted priority.

If cricket got into the Olympics that would change the dynamics for the sport in China, Anderson said. China qualifying for a World Cup or cricket being part of the Olympics would be a thing.

As soon as it is in the Olympics, the whole face ofChinacricket will change, Islam concurred. Olympics would unlock a lot of resources from Chineseauthorities towards cricket.

With momentum building towards crickets Olympic bid, private promoters are eyeing China with renewed interest.

If the Olympics is happening then franchise cricket leagues could take place in China, said Haroon Lorgat, the former ICC chief executive turned T10 cricket advocate.

The experienced South African administrator is spearheading the growth and development of T10 - an unofficial 10-over per side format through global leagues such as the ongoing tournament in Abu Dhabi.

But gaining a foothold in Hong Kong, which has a cricket tradition and regarded as a top Associate nation, could be the first step towards China.

Cricket has a strong tradition in Hong Kong. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)

"A T10 league is easier to establish in Hong Kong, which has grounds and facilities, but that could spark interest in China and perhaps places like Guangzhou, Lorgat said. Arguably T10 is a better vehicle to get started in new markets as it is easier to run multiple games per day. It might attract interest in youngsters in China.

Cricket has made great strides in conquering its American dream, but China looms as a far greater obstacle to legitimize the ICCs goal of unshackling this sport far beyond its Commonwealth origins.

China is growing and can help crickets perception worldwide, Islam said. WithoutChina, you can't say this is a global game.

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As Focus Intensifies On Rising U.S, Cricket In China Remains A Work In Progress - Forbes

During COP26 it was encouraging to see the maritime sector being included in the discussion between governments. International liner shipping companies, who for some time have been taking the lead when it comes to commitments as well as investments in actual technology development, were at the fore in Glasgow calling for government action. Some promising coalitions and declarations were launched and going into the IMO MEPC 77 this week there was a positive undercurrent.

It is then all the more disappointing to watch the same governments that were making lofty statements at COP26 just days ago, again fail to walk the talk when it comes to real action at the IMO.

The goal for liner shipping is clear: move away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible. The people of the world depend on trade, and we must make efficient trade possible without the climate impact of today the sooner the better. It is a moral imperative, keenly felt by us working in the industry, as much as it is what our customers and investors demand.

Our challenge as a hard-to-abate sector is that the technology and fuels needed for a transition to zero are not yet available. We see the direction, and now need to drive progress towards a tipping point where the technologies for zero-GHG shipping can be applied and a clear demand picture can drive availability of and infrastructure for alternative fuels. That is why IMO member countries inexplicable stalling around the IMRB/IMRF is so dangerous. We can talk all we want about the ambitions for 2050, but unless we put initiatives to drive real progress in place, we are not going to get there, says John Butler, President & CEO of World Shipping Council (WSC).

WSC members are among the carriers exploring and investing in alternative technologies and solutions, but this will not be enough to change the entire industry. It also risks leaving some countries, sectors, and companies behind. A global industry is dependent on global infrastructures and global market-based measures to drive change.

Our appeal to political leaders and regulators is to not get stuck in a cycle of ambition bidding, but to take action for inclusive change in the shipping industry. Whilst we are disappointed there was no decision, the MEPC 77 saw a notable increase in the number of nations supporting the establishment of an industry-financed research fund, pushing USD 5 billion into R&D towards zero-GHG technologies that will be available to all nations. The initiative is ready to launch, has support from the Green Climate Fund, and we will keep supporting member nations working for a positive resolution at MEPC 78, continues John Butler.

With the IMRB/IMRF established zero-GHG vessels can be on the water by the early 2030s. With technologies in place, progress has the potential to be quick, especially with market-based measures to help the adoption of zero-GHG technologies and ensure the availability of well-to-wake zero-GHG alternative fuels.

Debating ambitious targets for far-away deadlines avoids the more difficult discussions on discrete actions to be undertaken and should not be mistaken for actual progress. We need the political establishment to move from targets to action, John Butler concludes.Source: World Shipping Council

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MEPC 77: For climate progress, shipping needs action from IMO member states on concrete initiatives - Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

SALEM As the victim of last weeks attempted murder-suicide in Salem continues to make progress in her recovery, the New Hampshire Supreme Court is expected next week to release results of a review of a judges decision to deny her an extension of a restraining order against the shooter.

A spokeswoman for the court said an internal review of Hampton District Court Judge Polly Halls Oct. 20 decision not to extend an order that would have barred Richard Mark Lorman from access to his guns was turned over to the states Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Lorman, 55, of Wilton, New Hampshire, shot Lindsay Smith, 33, outside Doyle Sailmakers on the evening of Nov. 15, then turned the gun on himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Smith, who was an executive at the Swampscott Road firm, survived and has been at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Her mother Cindy Smith posted an update Tuesday on Smiths condition, saying doctors and nurses believe her recovery will be a marathon.

Smiths vital signs have improved and, while still on a ventilator, she is able to communicate with a nurse by holding up her fingers. She is also receiving physical therapy.

Smith still has bullet fragments lodged in her head, vertebrae and lungs (which appeared to have been inhaled) and will undergo additional procedures to remove them and to allow for some facial fractures to heal, her mother posted on Caringbridge.

Smith, 33, who grew up in Marblehead, owned a condo in Hampton, New Hampshire, where she lived with Lorman. Their relationship had become strained in recent months, and in an affidavit filed with the court, Smith described ongoing sexual exploitation and abuse by Lorman.

A preliminary order was issued. Police said Lorman indicated he had turned over his guns to a third party for safekeeping, which was allowed under New Hampshire law. Hampton police also confiscated a concealed carry permit. On Oct. 20, at a hearing Lorman did not attend, Hall declined to extend the order.

That removed any legal impediment for Lorman to retrieve his guns.

The New Hampshire Judicial Branch has begun putting together a task force to review how domestic violence cases are handled in that states courts. The National Center for State Courts is also being brought in as a consultant to the process.

Courts reporter Julie Manganis can be reached at 978-338-2521, by email at jmanganis@salemnews.com or on Twitter at @SNJulieManganis

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

Courts reporter Julie Manganis can be reached at 978-338-2521, by email at jmanganis@salemnews.com or on Twitter at @SNJulieManganis

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Shooting victim continues to make progress in recovery - The Salem News

Wednesday, November 24, 2021 by Andrew Logan

Halfway through a 10-year plan to upgrade the citys network of sidewalks, officials say the initiative has gone better than expected but still needs considerable work to extend walkability to the majority of residents.

It feels like a tale of two cities: Its the best of times, its the worst of times, said John Eastman, manager of the citys Sidewalk and Special Projects Division. Sidewalks as a transportation facility have suffered from literally decades of no funding and neglect. The fact that were doing great doesnt mean that sidewalks overall are doing great.

When City Council approved the Sidewalk Master Plan/ADA Transition Plan Update in 2016, Austin had 2,400 miles of existing sidewalks. However, only 20 percent of those sidewalks were in good condition, and approximately 40 percent of pedestrian pathways were obstructed by overgrown vegetation, according to the plan.

Five years later, Eastman and his department have doubled the reach of sidewalks in areas where people need to access them as part of their basic transportation needs, according to preliminary city estimates. Official numbers of all the citys sidewalk infrastructure improvements are expected in the spring, Eastman said.

The Sidewalk Master Plan was adopted in 2016 with the overall goal to build out the sidewalk network. It established a goal to spend $25 million a year for new sidewalks and $15 million a year toward repairing existing sidewalks over a 10-year period.

Sidewalks are incredibly important, said Heyden Black Walker, who is chair of the board for Reconnect Austin, a local transportation advocacy group. People have been walking for as long as people have existed, for thousands of years, and weve just neglected that piece of our infrastructure for far too long.

The majority of funding for the new and upgraded sidewalks comes from a combination of city bond proposals, including the 2016 mobility bond, the 2018 transportation infrastructure bond and the 2020 mobility elections bond.

In addition, the city has initiated a number of additional programs to help supplement the $25 million annual price tag, including the Corridor Mobility, the Regional Mobility and the Safe Routes to School programs.

Eastman notes that private development and redevelopment adds or repairs almost as many miles of sidewalks, if not more, than the city does each year.

The city of Austin is sort of cranking out sidewalks, and doing it really cheaply and efficiently, said Jay Blazek Crossley, executive director of Farm&City, a nonprofit that works on Texas public policy issues. Every dollar going to the city sidewalk program is basically spent more efficiently than almost any other kind of public dollar.

However, the measure of success for the city isnt just about how much and how fast sidewalks are built its also about where.

Community leaders prioritized different locations for sidewalk improvements as part of the original 2009 Sidewalk Plan process. Their recommendations factored in population density, income, health outcomes andproximity to affordable housing and transit stops.

Those deliberations resulted in a really profoundly equitable prioritization model, Eastman said. Weve been following (it) ever since.

Subsequent amendments in the way the city prioritizes its sidewalk projects focused on high-priority areas, where people rely more heavily on walkability and public transportation. The city has invested up to 10 times as much in some Council districts, especially along the eastern crescent of Austin, where the need is highest.

If you cant afford a car or youre in a household where you only have one car but you have two working adults, somebodys taking transit to get to work, Eastman said, and you need a sidewalk and a safe route to get there.

Despite the citys success, Eastman says there is still much more to be done to complete the pedestrian network in Austin. And those efforts go beyond just building sidewalks.

A major focus has become safe street crossings, especially along busy corridors. The city has a growing number of busy corridors that might not have traffic lights for a half-mile or more.

That really makes walking not a viable option, Eastman said. But if theres a safe place to cross that busy street, people would walk to and from that place, and that would reduce congestion and reduce pollution.

The new plan update expected in the spring will outline the citywide pedestrian crossing improvement plan. That is part of a broader review of the overlaps and collective goals for various mobility programs.

The city, and especially the citizens in terms of what theyve been willing to approve in bond funding through citizen initiatives, are definitely doing very well in terms of meeting the sidewalk plan goals, Eastman said. But weve still got a long ways to go.

View the interactive map of Austins sidewalk projects currently underway.

This story has been changed since publication to clarify that the plan set spending goals for each years, but the money was not allocated for those goals as part of the plan.

This story was written by a journalism student at the University of Texas at Austin. TheAustin Monitoris working in partnership with the UT School of Journalism to publish stories produced by students in the City and County Government Reporting course.

The Austin Monitors work is made possible by donations from the community. Though our reporting covers donors from time to time, we are careful to keep business and editorial efforts separate while maintaining transparency. A complete list of donors is available here, and our code of ethics is explained here.

There are so many important stories we don't get to write. As a nonprofit journalism source, every contributed dollar helps us provide you more coverage. Do your part by donating to the nonprofit that funds the Monitor.

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Austin continues to make progress on bold 2016 sidewalk initiative - Austin Monitor

Peace and family ties

The Secretary-General visited the northern town of Llano Grande, in the Department of Antioquia, along with Colombias President, Ivan Duque, as well as the former FARC-EP commander, Rodrigo Londoo. The town is one of several areas in the country where the former guerillas are being reincorporated into civilian life.

Colombia has 32 Departments, or States. With up to 80 per cent of its population affected, Antioquia was one of the areas most impacted by the more than 50-year conflict.

Llano Grande is a town of 150 inhabitants, where former enemies now live and work together. With the support of the United Nations and the Government, the small village has become a place where peace reigns, and as inconceivable as it may have seemed five years ago, FARC combatants and locals now consider themselves family.

UNMVC

Secretary-General Antnio Guterres visits a clothing workshop that reintegrates former guerrilla fighters into civil society, in Llano Grande, Colombia.

The UN chief walked through the town and was able to talk with its residents who are benefiting from different reincorporation entrepreneurial projects.

I am very pleased to be in Llano Grande and I see first-hand the achievements of peace, Mr. Guterres while visiting the towns tailoring workshop.

There, he spoke with worker Monica Astrid Oquendo, who recently told UN News that the Peace Agreement had brought with it initiatives that have greatly helped their community.

Mr. Guterres also spoke with other workers about their labour and discussed the importance of womens leadership in the peace process.

Meanwhile, a group of former combatants took advantage of the UN Chiefs visit to launch Trpicos, a new coffee brand created by a cooperative with 1,200 members.

Mr. Guterres was very interested in the cultivation process of the plant and the different types of coffee that are produced in Colombia.

Trpicos [Spanish for tropics regions] is a brand whose geography offers special characteristics. The rebellion of the tropics makes this coffee special because it comes from the community, and from people in the process of reincorporation. It not only has a social background but also quality standards. We have carefully selected each grain to be able to achieve high quality and to offer Trpicos to the world, explained Frey Gustavo de Mat, one of its creators.

The Secretary-General also learned of other projects such as a town school, an arepas (Colombian cornmeal cakes) factory, and a soap factory.

Later, in a brief address to the community on the town's soccer field, Mr. Guterres congratulated everyone for their enthusiasm and dedication to these projects, which, he added, have the support of the Government and the international community.

He also acknowledged that the projects have been hampered by financial difficulties and stressed that as such, it will be necessary to redouble efforts to guarantee their sustainability, as well as to involve the private sector to help find solutions.

The UN chief recognized the work of the community in the entire municipality of Dabeiba, of which Llano Grande is part, and in other nearby municipalities, which he praised as an example of integration and reconciliation for receiving ex-combatants with open arms and normalizing democratic life.

This shows true human qualities of teamwork, generosity, hope and courage to build a better future, he added.

After hearing from many more members of the community, Mr. Guterres said they know better than anyone that peace does not come overnight.

It costs work to build it, take care of it, sustain itThere is a paradox: the objective of peace is a society with no enemies, but unfortunately there are enemies of peace, he said expressing his solidarity with the victims and their families.

Since 2017, there have been 30 homicides and four disappearances, mostly men, only in the Department of Antioquia, according to UN reports.

Moreover, throughout the country, more than 300 former combatants have been murdered, with some 25 disappearances. Almost 500 human rights defenders and civic leaders have also lost their lives in violent attacks.

Mr. Guterres said he admired the tenacity and commitment of the people who continue to bet on building peace in Colombia on a day-to-day basis. He also warned that ensuring their security is vital to consolidating peace.

UNMVC/Esteban Vanegas

The reintegration of former FARC combatants into civil society is being facilitated at a site in the small town of Llano Grande in Dabeiba, Colombia.

The Secretary-General reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to support the peace process and assured that he will discuss with the Government both the issue of security and housing. We are all going to take advantage of this meeting to enhance our work, he said.

However, he said that he recognized with humility that the Organizations work is secondary and that the essential work in the construction of lasting peace belongs to Colombians.

If this were a film, we would not be candidates for the Oscar for Best Actor, but for the best Supporting Actor, he concluded

Joining Mr. Guterres in Llano Grande was the ex-commander of the FARC-EP, Rodrigo Londoo, who stressed that even though some 300 signatories to the peace deal had been killed, we remain committed.

The visit of the Secretary General, he said, shows that we have made progress and that this is not a failed process. It also refutes the assertions of those who do not believe in this process.

Mr. Londoo also expressed gratitude to Colombian President, Ivn Duque, saying that the leaders presence in Llano Grande is encouraging and a hopeful sign that the Colombian people must continue travelling the path of peace.

In his remarks, President Duque stated that the progress underway in Llano Grande showed the will of his Government to support efforts to build lasting peace.

I think the most important thing that we see today is the rejection of violence We value those who have made the decision to categorically reject the violence that was once justified, the President said, and added: This implies that there is no cause or ideology that justifies murder, kidnapping or any other form of violence that threatens our freedom.

UNMVC

UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres, left, along with the Colombian President Ivn Duque, during a ceremony in the town of Apartad to mark the fifth anniversary of the Colombia peace agreement.

From Llano Grande, Mr. Guterres and President Duque flew by helicopter to Apartad, in the Urab region, a province dedicated to the cultivation of bananas and where the Government chose to hold a regional commemorative event to mark the fifth anniversary of the peace accord.

Ahead of that event, they visited the regions Territorial Development Programme, which seeks to improve the collaboration of different territorial agencies to achieve more effective sustainable development. With the Governments backing these programmes are supporting a range of reconciliation projects, including the building of a school that will be inaugurated soon.

The celebration event was held in a park and was attended by a large audience comprised of members of the municipality and the national government.

For his part, the Secretary-General highlighted the role of women in the peace process and stressed that their participation can help generate more inclusion.

He went on to express concern about the fact that several regions continue to face increasing insecurity.

The actions of the illegal armed actors diminish the hopes of local communities, as well as jeopardize the prospects for sustainable development, said the Secretary-General.

He concluded that peace requires facing the suffering of the past and reconciliation is the only way to a stable and lasting peace.

Tomorrow on his last day in Colombia, Mr. Guterres will participate in the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Final Peace Agreement in the capital, Bogot. He will also attend the La Paz es Productiva fair.

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UN chief sees firsthand the progress and challenges five years after Colombia's historic peace deal - UN News

CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK, NEW MEXICO

The stillness that enveloped Chaco Canyon was broken only by the sound of a raven's wings as it circled overhead.

Then a chorus of leaders from several Native American tribes began to speak, their voices echoing off the nearby sandstone cliffs.

The Indigenous leaders from the Hopi Tribe in Arizona and several New Mexico pueblos were beyond grateful that the federal government is taking what they believe to be more meaningful steps toward permanent protections for cultural resources in northwestern New Mexico.

They spoke of a deep connection to the canyon the heart of Chaco Culture National Historic Park and the importance of ensuring that oil and gas development beyond the park's boundaries does not sever that tie for future generations.

After fighting for years with multiple presidential administrations, they're optimistic the needle is moving now that one of their own U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland holds the reins of the federal agency that oversees energy development and tribal affairs.

Haaland, who is from Laguna Pueblo and is the first Native American to lead a Cabinet agency, joined tribal leaders at Chaco this week to celebrate the beginning of a process that aims to withdraw federal land holdings within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of the park boundary, making the area off-limits to oil and gas leasing for 20 years.

New leases on federal land in the area will be halted for the next two years while the withdrawal proposal is considered.

Haaland also committed to taking a broader look at how federal land across the region can be better managed while taking into account environmental effects and cultural preservation.

"It's a nice day a beautiful day that our father the sun blessed us with. The creator laid out the groundwork for today," Hopi Vice Chairman Clark Tenakhongva said Monday.

Hub of Indigenous civilization

A World Heritage site, Chaco is thought to be the center of what was once a hub of Indigenous civilization with many tribes from the Southwest tracing their roots to the high desert outpost.

Within the park, walls of stacked stone jut from the bottom of the canyon, some perfectly aligned with the seasonal movements of the sun and moon. Circular subterranean rooms called kivas are cut into the desert floor, and archaeologists have found evidence of great roads that stretched across what are now New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.

Visitors often marvel at the architectural prowess of Chaco's early residents. But for many Indigenous people in the Southwest, Chaco Canyon holds a more esoteric significance.

The Hopi call it "Yupkoyvi," simply translated as way beyond the other side of the mountains.

"Whose land do we all occupy? We walk the land of the creator. That's what was told to us at the beginning at the bottom of the Grand Canyon," Tenakhongva said. "Many of us have that connection. Many of us can relate to how important the Grand Canyon is. Ask the Zuni, the Laguna, the Acoma. They made their trip from there to this region. We know the importance of these areas."

Source of strength

Pueblo leaders also talked about areas near Zuni Pueblo in western New Mexico and Bears Ears National Monument in Utah that are tied to Chaco civilization.

Laguna Governor Martin Kowemy Jr. said Chaco is a vital part of who his people are.

"Pueblo people can all relate through song, prayer and pilgrimage," he said. "Now more than ever, connections to our peoples' identities are a source of strength in difficult times. We must ensure these connections will not be severed, but remain intact for future generations."

Acoma Pueblo Governor Brian Vallo said the beliefs, songs, ceremonies and other traditions that have defined generations of Pueblo people originated at Chaco.

"Our fight to protect this sacred place is rooted in what our elders teach us and what we know as descendants of those who settled here," Vallo said. "That is our responsibility to maintain our connection, our deep-felt obligation and protective stewardship of this sacred place."

Development pressure

Both the Obama and Trump administrations put on hold leases adjacent to the park through agency actions, but some tribes, archaeologists and environmentalists have been pushing for permanent protections.

Congressional legislation is pending, but there has been disagreement over how big the buffer should be.

The Navajo Nation oversees much of the land that makes up the jurisdictional checkerboard surrounding the national park. Some parts belong to individual Navajos who were allotted land by the federal government generations ago.

Navajo leaders support preserving parts of the area but have said individual allottees stand to lose an important income source if the land is made off-limits to development. Millions of dollars in royalties are at stake for tribal members who are grappling with poverty and high unemployment rates.

Haaland's agency has vowed to consult with tribes over the next two years as the withdrawal proposal is considered, but top Navajo leaders are suggesting they're being ignored. Noticeably absent from Monday's celebration were the highest elected leaders of the tribe's legislative and executive branches.

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Daniel Tso has been among a minority within tribal government speaking out against development in the region. He said communities east of Chaco are "under siege" from increased drilling.

"Yes, we want the landscape protected, we want better air quality, we want to protect the water aquifer, we want to protect the sacred," he said. "The undisturbed landscape holds much sacredness. It brings peace of mind, it brings a settled heart and it gives good spiritual strength."

No matter what side they're on, many Navajos feel their voices aren't being heard.

Listening sessions

Haaland on Monday invited everyone to participate in the listening sessions that will be held as part of the process, which she has dubbed "Honoring Chaco."

Environmentalists say the region is a prime example of the problems of tribal consultation and that Haaland's effort could mark a shift toward more tribal involvement in future decision-making when it comes to identifying and protecting cultural resources.

"By creating a new collaborative process with 'Honoring Chaco' we have the ability to ameliorate broken promises and to right the wrongs of consultation just being a check-the-box exercise," said Rebecca Sobel, of the group WildEarth Guardians. "Hopefully it will be the beginning of a new relationship."

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Native Americans See Progress, Work Ahead to Protect Cultural Lands - Voice of America

While the fall farm shows may not be that far behind, it's time to look ahead to the New York Farm Show, a significant event for Northeastern farmers. But what can you find when you're there? Chris Torres, American Agriculturist, offers a preview discussing the event and what it offers visitors.

The show is entering its 38th year and comes off a postponement from 2021. Farmers that attend this show are looking for new tools and ideas, and it represents a significant stop for dairy producers seeking new ways to boost returns. Torres fills listeners in on the program.

Then there's a discussion about the new Roxor utility vehicle, which after a 2019 launch hit a speedbump when lawyers from Jeep claimed the rugged machine looked a little too similar to on-road vehicles. Roxor and its engineers went back to the drawing board, but they didn't use a clean sheet design, instead they took a different approach. Rich Ansell, vice president of marketing, Roxor shares that backstory and what the finished product offers.

Give it a listen.

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Preview of a farm show and a utility vehicle update - Farm Progress

Issued on: 25/11/2021 - 00:20

The UN nuclear watchdog said Wednesday there had been "no progress" in talks with Tehran on disputes over the monitoring ofIran's atomic programme, just days before talks restart on reviving the 2015Irannuclear deal.

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told a quarterly meeting of the agency's board that talks he held in Tehran on Tuesday were "inconclusive" despite being "constructive".

Grossi had sought to tackle constraints put on IAEA inspections earlier this year, outstanding questions over the presence of undeclared nuclear material at sites inIran, and thetreatment of IAEA staff in the country.

"In terms of the substance... we were not able to make progress," Grossi told reporters, saying that the lack of agreement had come "in spite of my best efforts".

Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization ofIran, told Iranian television his team "tried until the last moment" but there is still work to be done.

Among other officials in Tehran, Grossi met Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Amir-Abdollahian put a positive gloss on the talks, telling the official Irna agency on Wednesday that a "common declaration" had been reached which would be published "as soon as possible".

'Foot-dragging'

Grossi's visit came ahead of the scheduled resumption on Monday of negotiations between Tehran and world powers aimed at reviving the 2015 deal that gaveIransanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

The United States said it was "disappointed" by the outcome of Grossi's visit and said it was ready to negotiate in Vienna.

"But of courseIran's failure to cooperate is a bad sign about their seriousness in a successful conclusion to our negotiations," a State Department spokesperson said.

The remaining members of the accord -- France, Germany, the UK, China, Russia andIran-- will attend with the US taking part indirectly.

The deal has been gradually disintegrating since former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018.

The following yearIranretaliated by starting to move away from its commitments under the deal, also known as the JCPOA.

The US negotiator for the JCPOA talks Rob Malley warned that Washington would not "sit idly" ifIrandelayed progress at the talks.

"If (Iran) continues to do what it appears to be doing now, which is to drag its feet at the nuclear diplomatic table and accelerate its pace when it comes to its nuclear program... we'll have to respond accordingly," Malley told US broadcaster NPR.

At the IAEA Board of Governors' meeting, the EU issued a joint statement saying it was "deeply concerned at the inconclusive outcome of the discussions" with Grossi.

Russia's representative meanwhile said it supported Grossi's "intent to continue working with the Iranian side and call for Tehran to do the same".

'Excessively invasive'

One of the steps away from the deal came earlier this year whenIranbegan restricting some IAEA inspections activity.

Iranand the agency currently have a temporary agreement that gives the IAEA access to monitoring equipment atIran's nuclear facilities.

However, the Agency has warned that the agreement is not a durable solution and Grossi said he was "close to... the point where I would not be able to guarantee continuity of knowledge" ofIran's nuclear programme if it continued.

Grossi also said he had raised concerns while in Tehran about security checks on IAEA inspectors which the agency has described as "excessively invasive".

He noted that the IAEA andIranhad a legal agreement "which is intended to protect inspectors from intimidation, from seizure of their property".

"Our Iranian colleagues have instituted a number of measures which are simply incompatible" with this, he said.

(AFP)

The rest is here:

'No progress' ahead of Iran nuclear talks, says United Nations agency - FRANCE 24

NBA Analysis Network

The Houston Rockets and John Wall came to an agreement where hed sit out while the team favors playing their young backcourt talents during the 2021-22 NBA season. The intent was for Wall to sit out while the team found a trade but theres been no traction on that front.

According to ESPNs Adrian Wojnarowski, Wall has expressed hope to the Rockets organization to be able to return to game action in the near future. Both sides are expected to discuss this possibility on Sunday.

Houston RocketsguardJohn Wallhas expressed his hope to the organization that he can resume playing for the team in the near future, sources tell ESPN.

Wall and the Rockets had agreed on him sitting out until a trade could be found, but the five-time All-Star guard talked to Houston general manager Rafael Stone on Friday about restarting discussions on a return to the active roster, sources said. The two sides are expected to continue talks on Sunday.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Teams Interested In Trade For Rockets John Wall But With Caveat

With Wall having two-years, $91 million remaining on his supermax contract he signed with the Washington Wizards, its essentially impossible to find a trade suitor for him. He has arguably the least favorable deal in the NBA given the injury history and disparity in cost versus impact.

The Rockets would surely need to be willing to attach draft assets in order to move on from Walls contract. The Los Angeles Lakers proved willing to take on Russell Westbrooks contract after his strong finish to the 2020-21 season with the Washington Wizards, but there just isnt a market for Wall.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Teams Interested In Trade For Rockets John Wall But With Caveat

It will fascinating to see what the resolution is for John Wall and the Houston Rockets. If he wants to play a regular role with a team, hes surely going to have to entertain leaving a lot of money for the 2022-23 season on the table in a buyout negotiation to do it.

The rest is here:

No Progress On John Wall Buyout Return To Rockets Incoming? - NBA Analysis Network