healthnutnews--2020-06-15--NY Times: Amazon Bans Police Use of Its Face Recognition for a Year

Amazon banned law enforcement use of its face-recognition technology for a year , making it the latest tech giant to step back from police use of systems that have faced criticism for wrongly identifying people with darker skin .
Ongoing protests following the death of George Floyd have focused attention on racial injustice in the U.S. and how police use technology to track people .
Law enforcement agencies use facial recognition to identify suspects , but critics say it can be misused .
Many U.S. cities have banned their use by police and other government agencies , led by San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the technology can be used for racial profiling and mass surveillance , IBM also said it would get out of the facial recognition business .
It ’ s not clear if the ban on police use includes federal law enforcement agencies .
Civil rights groups and Amazon ’ s employees have pushed the company to stop selling its technology , called Rekognition , to government agencies , saying that it could invade privacy and target people of color .
A study last year by a U.S. agency repeated the concerns about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute of Standards and Technology tested leading facial recognition systems — though not from Amazon , which didn ’ t submit its algorithms — and found that they often performed irregularly based on a person ’ s race , gender , or age .
• None A Detroit Police Commissioner was arrested as he tried to voice his opposition to facial recognition technology , which is about to be implemented On a blog post last week , Amazon said that it hoped Congress would put stricter regulations for facial recognition in place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ two U.S. agencies using or testing Rekognition , Clare Garvie , a researcher at Georgetown University ’ s Center on Privacy and Technology , said : MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini led studies that found racial and gender inequalities in facial recognition software .
Those findings spurred Microsoft and IBM to improve their systems but irked Amazon , which publicly attacked her research methods last year .
A group of artificial intelligence scholars , including the winner of computer science ’ s top prize , launched a spirited defense of her work last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its facial recognition software to police .
Buolamwini called Amazon ’ s announcement a “ welcomed though unexpected announcement , adding that “ Microsoft also needs to take a stand .
More importantly , our lawmakers need to step up ” to rein in harmful deployments of the technologies.1 Amazon isn ’ t abandoning facial recognition altogether .
The company said organizations , such as those that use Rekognition to help find children who are missing or sexually exploited , will still have access to the technology .
The recent announcements by Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass a sweeping police reform package in Congress that could include restrictions on the use of facial recognition , especially in police body cameras .
Though not commonly used in the U.S. , cameras that could monitor crowds and identify people in real-time have attracted bipartisan concerns .
The tech industry has fought against outright bans of facial recognition , but some companies have called for federal laws that could set guidelines for responsible use of the technology .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original @

Amazon banned law enforcement use of its face-recognition technology for a year, making it the latest tech giant to step back from police use of systems that have faced criticism for wrongly identifying people with darker skin.
Ongoing protests following the death of George Floyd have focused attention on racial injustice in the U.S. and how police use technology to track people.
Law enforcement agencies use facial recognition to identify suspects, but critics say it can be misused. Many U.S. cities have banned their use by police and other government agencies, led by San Francisco last year.
Noting concerns about how the technology can be used for racial profiling and mass surveillance, IBM also said it would get out of the facial recognition business.
RELATED STORY:
It’s not clear if the ban on police use includes federal law enforcement agencies.
Civil rights groups and Amazon’s employees have pushed the company to stop selling its technology, called Rekognition, to government agencies, saying that it could invade privacy and target people of color.
A study last year by a U.S. agency repeated the concerns about the technology’s flaws. The National Institute of Standards and Technology tested leading facial recognition systems — though not from Amazon, which didn’t submit its algorithms — and found that they often performed irregularly based on a person’s race, gender, or age.
RELATED STORY:
On a blog post last week, Amazon said that it hoped Congress would put stricter regulations for facial recognition in place.
With her public records search finding just two U.S. agencies using or testing Rekognition, Clare Garvie, a researcher at Georgetown University’s Center on Privacy and Technology, said:
“Amazon’s decision is an important symbolic step, but this doesn’t really change the face recognition landscape in the United States since it’s not a major player.”1
MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini led studies that found racial and gender inequalities in facial recognition software. Those findings spurred Microsoft and IBM to improve their systems but irked Amazon, which publicly attacked her research methods last year. A group of artificial intelligence scholars, including the winner of computer science’s top prize, launched a spirited defense of her work last year and called on Amazon to stop selling its facial recognition software to police.
Buolamwini called Amazon’s announcement a “welcomed though unexpected announcement, adding that “Microsoft also needs to take a stand. More importantly, our lawmakers need to step up” to rein in harmful deployments of the technologies.1
RELATED STORY:
Amazon isn’t abandoning facial recognition altogether. The company said organizations, such as those that use Rekognition to help find children who are missing or sexually exploited, will still have access to the technology.
The recent announcements by Amazon and IBM support a push by lawmakers to pass a sweeping police reform package in Congress that could include restrictions on the use of facial recognition, especially in police body cameras. Though not commonly used in the U.S., cameras that could monitor crowds and identify people in real-time have attracted bipartisan concerns.
The tech industry has fought against outright bans of facial recognition, but some companies have called for federal laws that could set guidelines for responsible use of the technology.
Source:


healthnutnews--2020-06-17--USA Today: PG&E Pleads Guilty to 84 Counts of Involuntary Manslaughter for 2018 Northern California

USA Today: PG&E Pleads Guilty to 84 Counts of Involuntary Manslaughter for 2018 Northern California Fire

The country ’ s largest utility pleaded guilty Tuesday to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history .
Pacific Gas & Electric , long accused of putting profits before customer safety , has acknowledged its neglected equipment set off the fire that destroyed most of the Northern California town of Paradise in 2018 .
The Camp Fire claimed the lives of 85 people , but prosecutors weren ’ t sure they could establish one of the deaths was the company ’ s fault .
The blaze destroyed more than 18,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday ’ s hearing in superior court in Butte County , where what ’ s left of Paradise is located , Judge Michael Deems recited the 84 counts one by one as photos of the victims were shown on a courtroom screen .
Looking directly at the photos , PG & E CEO Bill Johnson repeatedly answered , “ Guilty , your honor ” to the charges .
Johnson addressed the court and acknowledged nothing he could say would lessen the anguish from the blaze the company ignited .
He said : All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was livestreamed and served as a public chastisement of a company derided for its greed and stockholder-first corporate culture .
Later Tuesday , a newly released grand jury report berated PG & E for its “ callous disregard ” for public safety , failure to heed warnings about its aging power lines and refusal to learn from previous mistakes .
The 92-page report said : PG & E is approaching the end of a complicated bankruptcy case it used to work out $ 25.5 billion in settlements to pay for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that charred wide swaths of Northern California and killed dozens of people in 2017 .
The bankruptcy deals include $ 13.5 billion earmarked for wildfire victims .
A federal judge will decide whether to approve PG & E ’ s plan for getting out of bankruptcy by June 30 .
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey told The Associated Press : Some of those changes have begun before what ’ s likely to be an intense fire season , following a winter and early spring with below-average precipitation .
PG & E crews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more resilient ones less prone to toppling in heavy winds .
The company undergrounded some electrical lines , cleared flammable vegetation near its equipment and increased its use of fire-monitoring technology .
PG & E officials said they will still have to rely on the highly unpopular preventive power shutoffs they unveiled last year under certain weather conditions , albeit on a reduced , more-tailored scale .
The company said it altered its corporate culture and refocused on the safety of its 16 million customers .
As part of a deal with California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace 11 of its 14 board members .
Johnson will step down June 30 .
U.S. District Judge William Alsup , who supervises PG & E ’ s five-year probation for an explosion in its natural gas lines that killed eight people in 2010 in a San Francisco suburb , has been highly critical of the utility for failing to take more measures to make its grid safer .
PG & E also will plead to one felony count of unlawfully causing a fire .
No executives will be charged , so no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E instead will pay a maximum fine of $ 3.5 million in addition to $ 500,000 to cover the county ’ s costs of the criminal investigation .
Johnson went on to say : The parties will reconvene for impact statements from the victims ’ relatives Wednesday , and Deems is likely to formally sentence PG & E on Thursday or Friday .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

The country’s largest utility pleaded guilty Tuesday to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history.
Pacific Gas & Electric, long accused of putting profits before customer safety, has acknowledged its neglected equipment set off the fire that destroyed most of the Northern California town of Paradise in 2018. The Camp Fire claimed the lives of 85 people, but prosecutors weren’t sure they could establish one of the deaths was the company’s fault. The blaze destroyed more than 18,000 structures and burned 153,000 acres.
At Tuesday’s hearing in superior court in Butte County, where what’s left of Paradise is located, Judge Michael Deems recited the 84 counts one by one as photos of the victims were shown on a courtroom screen.
Looking directly at the photos, PG&E CEO Bill Johnson repeatedly answered, “Guilty, your honor” to the charges.
Johnson addressed the court and acknowledged nothing he could say would lessen the anguish from the blaze the company ignited. He said:
“I sincerely hope that the actions we’re taking today will help bring some measure of peace. I wish there was some way to take back what happened or to take away the impact, the pain that these people suffered. But I know that can’t be done.”
RELATED STORY:
All in attendance wore masks at the hearing, which was livestreamed and served as a public chastisement of a company derided for its greed and stockholder-first corporate culture.
Later Tuesday, a newly released grand jury report berated PG&E for its “callous disregard” for public safety, failure to heed warnings about its aging power lines and refusal to learn from previous mistakes. The 92-page report said:
“Through a corporate culture of elevating profits over safety by taking shortcuts in the safe delivery of an extremely dangerous product – high-voltage electricity – PG&E certainly led otherwise good people down an ultimately destructive path.”
PG&E is approaching the end of a complicated bankruptcy case it used to work out $25.5 billion in settlements to pay for the damages from the Camp Fire and others that charred wide swaths of Northern California and killed dozens of people in 2017.
The bankruptcy deals include $13.5 billion earmarked for wildfire victims. A federal judge will decide whether to approve PG&E’s plan for getting out of bankruptcy by June 30. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey told The Associated Press:
“We want this to be impactful because this can’t go on any longer. There is going to have to be a sea change in PG&E’s method of operation.”
Some of those changes have begun before what’s likely to be an intense fire season, following a winter and early spring with below-average precipitation.
PG&E crews have been replacing old power poles with more resilient ones less prone to toppling in heavy winds. The company undergrounded some electrical lines, cleared flammable vegetation near its equipment and increased its use of fire-monitoring technology.
RELATED STORY:
PG&E officials said they will still have to rely on the highly unpopular preventive power shutoffs they unveiled last year under certain weather conditions, albeit on a reduced, more-tailored scale.
The company said it altered its corporate culture and refocused on the safety of its 16 million customers. As part of a deal with California power regulators, PG&E will replace 11 of its 14 board members. Johnson will step down June 30.
U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who supervises PG&E’s five-year probation for an explosion in its natural gas lines that killed eight people in 2010 in a San Francisco suburb, has been highly critical of the utility for failing to take more measures to make its grid safer.
RELATED STORY:
PG&E also will plead to one felony count of unlawfully causing a fire. No executives will be charged, so no one will be imprisoned. PG&E instead will pay a maximum fine of $3.5 million in addition to $500,000 to cover the county’s costs of the criminal investigation. Johnson went on to say:
“On behalf of PG&E, I apologize, and I apologize personally, for the pain that was caused here. We can’t replace all that the fire destroyed, but we do hope by pleading guilty, by accepting accountability, by compensating the victims, supporting rebuilding and making significant, lasting changes to the way we operate, we can honor those who are lost and help this community move forward.”
The parties will reconvene for impact statements from the victims’ relatives Wednesday, and Deems is likely to formally sentence PG&E on Thursday or Friday.
Source:


healthnutnews--2020-06-17--FOX: Two Disney Workers, Pharmacist and Nurse Caught Up in Child Porn Sting

Sixteen men are facing multiple child pornography possession and distribution charges in Polk County , including a pair of theme park workers , a nurse and a pharmacist .
Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrests today as the result of “ Operation Guardians of the Innocence V .
” Those arrested include John Aziz , a pharmacist at the Heart of Florida Medical Center .
During the search of his Haines City home , detectives found numerous prescription drugs without prescriptions .
“ He ’ s apparently skimming drugs from where he works , ” said Sheriff Judd at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered nurse at Osceola Regional Medical Center , was charged after detectives received tips that a Facebook user named “ Austin Rose ” uploaded images and videos depicting child pornography .
Two Walt Disney World employees caught in the sting were roommates and reportedly had no idea the other was viewing child porn .
Sheriff Judd said deputies came to their Davenport residence to arrest 36-year-old Arlandres Sims , but ended up taking in 32-year-old Justin Hazan as well after he admitted to downloading child porn on his computer .
“ Arlandres actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it too ?
’ Huh guys , it really is a small world after all.
” Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

Sixteen men are facing multiple child pornography possession and distribution charges in Polk County, including a pair of theme park workers, a nurse and a pharmacist.
Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrests today as the result of “Operation Guardians of the Innocence V .”
Those arrested include John Aziz, a pharmacist at the Heart of Florida Medical Center. During the search of his Haines City home, detectives found numerous prescription drugs without prescriptions.
“He’s apparently skimming drugs from where he works,” said Sheriff Judd at a news conference.
Aziz was charged with opioid possession.
RELATED STORY:
Edgardo Cancela, a registered nurse at Osceola Regional Medical Center, was charged after detectives received tips that a Facebook user named “Austin Rose” uploaded images and videos depicting child pornography.
RELATED STORY:
Two Walt Disney World employees caught in the sting were roommates and reportedly had no idea the other was viewing child porn.
Sheriff Judd said deputies came to their Davenport residence to arrest 36-year-old Arlandres Sims, but ended up taking in 32-year-old Justin Hazan as well after he admitted to downloading child porn on his computer.
“Arlandres actually said, ‘you’re doing it too?’ Huh guys, it really is a small world after all.”
Source:


healthnutnews--2020-06-17--The Lyme Community Has Lost a Hero and a Friend: Dr. Neil Spector

We have just learned the heartbreaking news that Dr. Neil Spector , M.D .
has passed away .
Dr. Spector was a Duke oncologist , cancer researcher , author , and beloved friend to many .
Dr. Spector was known in the Lyme community as the author of “ Gone in a Heartbeat : A Physician ’ s Search for True Healing , ” published in 2015 .
In 1993 , Dr. Spector began experiencing health problems .
Doctors neglected to identify the cause for four years , suggesting that the inexplicable symptoms were all in Dr. Spector ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyme disease until 1997 , when it was discovered he only had 10 % heart function .
In 2009 , after being told he had just 72 hours to live without a heart transplant , he received a new heart .
Dr. Spector ’ s experience with Lyme disease lead him to advise patients : • None Lyme Disease : The CDC ’ s Greatest Coverup & What They Don ’ t Want You To Know Dr. Spector ’ s contributions to the Lyme community are many .
Most recently , he turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses .
He was very generous with his time , spending countless hours speaking to Lyme patients and physicians .
The following is a video of Dr. Spector ’ s presentation at 2017 ’ s Focus on Lyme conference .
In the opening moments , he gives details about his experience with Lyme disease .
The Lyme community has lost a dear friend and true hero .
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Spector ’ s family , friends , and loved ones .
Copyright 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WITH links to original story

We have just learned the heartbreaking news that Dr. Neil Spector, M.D. has passed away. Dr. Spector was a Duke oncologist, cancer researcher, author, and beloved friend to many.
Dr. Spector was known in the Lyme community as the author of “Gone in a Heartbeat: A Physician’s Search for True Healing,” published in 2015.
In 1993, Dr. Spector began experiencing health problems. Doctors neglected to identify the cause for four years, suggesting that the inexplicable symptoms were all in Dr. Spector’s head. He was not diagnosed with Lyme disease until 1997, when it was discovered he only had 10% heart function. In 2009, after being told he had just 72 hours to live without a heart transplant, he received a new heart. Dr. Spector’s experience with Lyme disease lead him to advise patients:
“Don’t give up the power you have within. If your gut instinct tells you that something isn’t right, you need to follow up on it.”
RELATED STORY:
Dr. Spector’s contributions to the Lyme community are many. Most recently, he turned his considerable skills to searching for answers to Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses. He was very generous with his time, spending countless hours speaking to Lyme patients and physicians.
The following is a video of Dr. Spector’s presentation at 2017’s Focus on Lyme conference. In the opening moments, he gives details about his experience with Lyme disease.
The Lyme community has lost a dear friend and true hero. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Spector’s family, friends, and loved ones.
Source:


healthnutnews--2020-06-18--9 Black Vegan Chefs That Will Make You Forget About Meat

Want to eat more plant-based foods but aren ’ t sure where to start ?
These nine black vegan chefs are experts in their field .
Follow their lead and you may just forget all about eating meat or other animal-based products .
Rachel Ama is a recipe blogger , YouTuber , and author .
Her vegan cookbook “ Rachel Ama ’ s Vegan Eats : Tasty Plant-Based Recipes For Every Day ” was released in 2019 and features quick , one-pot recipes .
Many are inspired by her Caribbean and West African roots , and all come together with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local supermarket .
Jenné Claiborne is a vegan personal chef , YouTuber , recipe blogger , and cooking instructor .
Her blog Sweet Potato Soul is filled with easy , healthy , delicious plant-based recipes .
As is her book “ Sweet Potato Soul : 100 Easy Vegan Recipes for the Southern Flavors of Smoke , Sugar , Spice , and Soul : A Cookbook , ” and her YouTube channel , also titled SweetPotatoSoul .
Bryant Terry is a James Beard award-winning vegan chef , food justice activist , and author .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco and has published five cookery books .
His most recent book , titled “ Vegetable Kingdom , ” features 100 recipes , each based around fresh , plant-based ingredients .
For each dish , Terry utilizes creative new techniques to “ build flavor and texture.
” Aisha “ Pinky ” Cole is the founder of Slutty Vegan .
Based in Atlanta , the burger concept was an instant hit after its launch in 2018 and remains popular among celebrities and locals alike .
Last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jokingly accused the servers of lying about the burgers being plant-based .
He said : “ this is too good to be vegan .
This is really good.
” According to Cole , on a typical day , she serves more than 1,000 customers vegan burgers .
Together with her son Aaron , Brenda Beener runs Seasoned Vegan in Harlem , New York .
Beener believes that “ food is love ” and focuses on that principle when making traditional soul food dishes , but with plant-based ingredients .
The menu vegan BBQ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crawfish , made with grilled burdock root , and Sweet Potato Souflee .
Beener went on to say : Stacey Dougan is an internationally-renowned expert gourmet vegan and raw foods chef and nutritionist .
She owns Simply Pure , a plant-based cafe and restaurant in Downtown Las Vegas .
Dougan ’ s family-friendly menu provides a wide range of cooked and raw options , including enchiladas , lasagna , nachos , and tacos .
Simply Pure is more than just a restaurant ; in the future , it will also offer cooking courses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn together to cook “ real food from real plants.
” Famous for her work cooking for the Tennesee Titans , Charity Morgan is passionate about opening up people ’ s minds to the plant-based lifestyle with healthy , nutritious foods .
She has over 15 years ’ worth of experience in the food industry and holds a degree from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts .
Morgan has coined the term “ plegan , ” which , she explains on her website , “ is an inclusive space for people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website is home to a number of “ plegan ” recipes , as well as her own chef ’ s tips on transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle .
Public health nutritionist and vegan of 33 years Tracye McQuirter is the author of “ By Any Greens Necessary , ” a comprehensive guide on how to go vegan , written specifically for Black women .
It includes more than 40 “ delicious and nutritious ” plant-based recipes , as well as meal plans , and advice on how to transition from meat-eater to plant-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Secret to a Long and Healthy Plant-Based Life ” with her mother Mary .
It includes more than 100 plant-based recipes and a 14-step guide on how to go vegan .
You may already be familiar with Ayindé Howell ’ s work .
The life-long vegan and restaurant-trained professional chef is the creator of Mac & Yease , a creamy , nutritious dairy-free mac and cheese , available at select Whole Foods Hot Bars .
Howell adapted the recipe from a dish his grandmother used to make , which included animal-based ingredients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared food ’ s coordinator for Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific region , Mac & Yease is “ one of the best Southern-style , baked vegan macaroni and cheeses ” available .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

Want to eat more plant-based foods but aren’t sure where to start? These nine black vegan chefs are experts in their field. Follow their lead and you may just forget all about eating meat or other animal-based products.
1. Rachel Ama
Rachel Ama is a recipe blogger, YouTuber, and author. Her vegan cookbook “Rachel Ama’s Vegan Eats: Tasty Plant-Based Recipes For Every Day” was released in 2019 and features quick, one-pot recipes. Many are inspired by her Caribbean and West African roots, and all come together with ingredients you can easily find in your local supermarket.
2. Jenné Claiborne
Jenné Claiborne is a vegan personal chef, YouTuber, recipe blogger, and cooking instructor. Her blog Sweet Potato Soul is filled with easy, healthy, delicious plant-based recipes. As is her book “Sweet Potato Soul: 100 Easy Vegan Recipes for the Southern Flavors of Smoke, Sugar, Spice, and Soul: A Cookbook,” and her YouTube channel, also titled SweetPotatoSoul.
3. Bryant Terry
Bryant Terry is a James Beard award-winning vegan chef, food justice activist, and author. He is currently the chef-in-residence at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco and has published five cookery books. His most recent book, titled “Vegetable Kingdom,” features 100 recipes, each based around fresh, plant-based ingredients. For each dish, Terry utilizes creative new techniques to “build flavor and texture.”
4. Aisha ‘Pinky’ Cole
Aisha “Pinky” Cole is the founder of Slutty Vegan. Based in Atlanta, the burger concept was an instant hit after its launch in 2018 and remains popular among celebrities and locals alike. Last year, Tyler Perry visited the restaurant and jokingly accused the servers of lying about the burgers being plant-based. He said: “this is too good to be vegan. This is really good.”
According to Cole, on a typical day, she serves more than 1,000 customers vegan burgers.
5. Brenda Beener
Together with her son Aaron, Brenda Beener runs Seasoned Vegan in Harlem, New York. Beener believes that “food is love” and focuses on that principle when making traditional soul food dishes, but with plant-based ingredients. The menu vegan BBQ Riblets, made with soy, BBQ Crawfish, made with grilled burdock root, and Sweet Potato Souflee. Beener went on to say:
[I’ve said to my cooks] if you don’t feel like cooking or you come in with an attitude, don’t go near my stove because that vibration goes into the food. If you’re going to step to my stove, step to my stove with love.”
6. Stacey Dougan
Stacey Dougan is an internationally-renowned expert gourmet vegan and raw foods chef and nutritionist. She owns Simply Pure, a plant-based cafe and restaurant in Downtown Las Vegas. Dougan’s family-friendly menu provides a wide range of cooked and raw options, including enchiladas, lasagna, nachos, and tacos.
Simply Pure is more than just a restaurant; in the future, it will also offer cooking courses with Dougan herself, where customers can learn together to cook “real food from real plants.”
7. Charity Morgan
Famous for her work cooking for the Tennesee Titans, Charity Morgan is passionate about opening up people’s minds to the plant-based lifestyle with healthy, nutritious foods. She has over 15 years’ worth of experience in the food industry and holds a degree from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.
Morgan has coined the term “plegan,” which, she explains on her website, “is an inclusive space for people that have a non-animal based diet.” Her website is home to a number of “plegan” recipes, as well as her own chef’s tips on transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle.
8. Tracye McQuirter
Public health nutritionist and vegan of 33 years Tracye McQuirter is the author of “By Any Greens Necessary,” a comprehensive guide on how to go vegan, written specifically for Black women. It includes more than 40 “delicious and nutritious” plant-based recipes, as well as meal plans, and advice on how to transition from meat-eater to plant-based.
McQuirter wrote “Ageless Vegan: The Secret to a Long and Healthy Plant-Based Life” with her mother Mary. It includes more than 100 plant-based recipes and a 14-step guide on how to go vegan.
9. Ayindé Howell
You may already be familiar with Ayindé Howell’s work. The life-long vegan and restaurant-trained professional chef is the creator of Mac & Yease, a creamy, nutritious dairy-free mac and cheese, available at select Whole Foods Hot Bars. Howell adapted the recipe from a dish his grandmother used to make, which included animal-based ingredients.
According to Corey Smith, the prepared food’s coordinator for Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific region, Mac & Yease is “one of the best Southern-style, baked vegan macaroni and cheeses” available.
Source:


healthnutnews--2020-06-21--Artificial Breast Milk Start-Up Gets $3.5 Million From Bill Gates-Founded Investment Fund

Biomilq , a North Carolina-based start-up targeting infant nutrition by attempting to reproduce mothers ’ breast milk in a lab , just earned the backing of the world ’ s top investors .
While that may seem like a longshot , Biomilq has raised $ 3.5 million in Series A funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures , Bill Gates ‘ investment firm .
The dairy industry is a significant source of greenhouse gasses , with as much as 10 percent of the global market estimated as going to the production of baby formula milk .
The industry represents a significant carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biomilq hopes to artificially produce ‘ real ’ human breast milk from cultured mammary epithelial cells .
Biomilq is making sufficient progress with the advanced biotechnology research involved to believe it could have a commercially viable product within five years .
The company produced proof of concept for its plans back in February , with a process that produced both lactose and casein , two key components of human breast milk .
Biomilq ’ s founders are Michelle Egger , a food scientist , and Leila Strickland , a cell biologist .
Strickland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was born prematurely .
This motivated her to look for a better solution than traditional baby formula .
She said : • Digested formula , but not breast milk , is toxic to cells , in vitro study finds She teamed up with Egger , who had been looking into better breast milk alternatives while working at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation .
Egger was then focused on “ affordable plant-based protein sources for low-and-middle-income countries.
” However , she was excited by Strickland ’ s confidence that science has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ milk was becoming a viable alternative .
Last September , the two scientists founded Biomilq and secured funding through Gate ’ s Breakthrough Energy Ventures fund .
The fund ’ s board members include a star roster of entrepreneurs including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos , Facebook ’ s Mark Zuckerberg , Salesforce chief executive Marc Benioff , Alibaba ’ s Jack Ma , Sir Richard Branson , and Michael Bloomberg , the financial data and media mogul who is also the former mayor of New York .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story

Biomilq, a North Carolina-based start-up targeting infant nutrition by attempting to reproduce mothers’ breast milk in a lab, just earned the backing of the world’s top investors.
While that may seem like a longshot, Biomilq has raised $3.5 million in Series A funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Bill Gates‘ investment firm.
The dairy industry is a significant source of greenhouse gasses, with as much as 10 percent of the global market estimated as going to the production of baby formula milk. The industry represents a significant carbon footprint. Which is why U.S. start-up Biomilq hopes to artificially produce ‘real’ human breast milk from cultured mammary epithelial cells.
Biomilq is making sufficient progress with the advanced biotechnology research involved to believe it could have a commercially viable product within five years. The company produced proof of concept for its plans back in February, with a process that produced both lactose and casein, two key components of human breast milk.
RELATED STORY:
Biomilq’s founders are Michelle Egger, a food scientist, and Leila Strickland, a cell biologist. Strickland struggled to breastfeed her now 10-year-old son when he was born prematurely. This motivated her to look for a better solution than traditional baby formula. She said:
“Being unable to do this really critical thing — that I hadn’t anticipated struggling with and that I knew was super important — really affected how I felt about myself as a woman and as a mother.”
RELATED STORY:
She teamed up with Egger, who had been looking into better breast milk alternatives while working at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Egger was then focused on “affordable plant-based protein sources for low-and-middle-income countries.” However, she was excited by Strickland’s confidence that science has progressed quickly enough that lab-cultured human breast milk was becoming a viable alternative.
Last September, the two scientists founded Biomilq and secured funding through Gate’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures fund. The fund’s board members include a star roster of entrepreneurs including Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Salesforce chief executive Marc Benioff, Alibaba’s Jack Ma, Sir Richard Branson, and Michael Bloomberg, the financial data and media mogul who is also the former mayor of New York.
Source:


healthnutnews--2020-06-23--NYT: Women With Cancer Awarded Billions in Baby Powder Suit

On Tuesday , a Missouri appeals court ordered Johnson & Johnson and a subsidiary to pay $ 2.1 billion in damages to women who blamed their ovarian cancers on the company ’ s talcum products , including its iconic baby powder .
In July 2018 , a record $ 4.69 billion in compensatory and punitive damages was awarded to the women .
Today ’ s ruling slashed that decision by more than half .
Johnson & Johnson still faces thousands of lawsuits from customers who maintain its talcum products were contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos .
The company declared last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made from talc in North America , though it would continue to do so in other parts of the world .
• None EXCLUSIVE : J & J ’ s Own Expert , Working for FDA , Found Asbestos in Baby Powder Kim Montagnino , a spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson , said the company would seek further review of the ruling by the Supreme Court of Missouri and defended its talcum products as safe , adding : Mark Lanier , the lawyer who represented the plaintiffs , urged consumers to throw out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes .
Six plaintiffs in the case died before the trial started , and five more women have died since the jury trial ended in 2018 .
Since this is a civil suit , he said : The appellate court noted in its decision that the company ’ s internal memorandums from as far back as the 1960s showed that its talcum products — referred to as the “ golden egg , ” “ company trust-mark ” and “ sacred cow ” — contained asbestos and that the mineral could be dangerous .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 500 million in actual damages and $ 1.62 billion in punitive damages , reducing the original award of $ 550 million in compensatory damages and $ 4.14 billion in punitive damages after dismissing claims by some of the plaintiffs .
Johnson & Johnson has contended that inadequate testing methods and poor science were responsible for findings of asbestos in its products .
But thousands of people , mostly women with ovarian cancer , have sued , saying they weren ’ t warned of the potential risks .
Indeed , internal memos uncovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been worried about the possibility of asbestos contamination in its talc for at least 50 years .
Asbestos was first linked to ovarian cancer in 1958 , and the International Agency for Research on Cancer affirmed it was a cause of the cancer in a 2011 report .
• None Forbes : Johnson & Johnson Under Criminal Investigation For Concealing Cancer Risks Of Baby Powder Until 1980 , when consumer advocates raised concerns that talc contained traces of asbestos , talc , a natural mineral known for its softness , was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also helped give baby powder its unique fragrance .
After concerns were raised about the infamous carcinogen , the company began using an alternative powder made from cornstarch .
Though the scientific evidence was not conclusive , early lawsuits against the Johnson & Johnson pointed to talc as a cause of ovarian cancer .
In later cases , plaintiffs ’ lawyers focused on asbestos contamination as the culprit , saying the carcinogen could cause cancer even in trace amounts .
Talc and asbestos are natural minerals , and their underground deposits develop under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , veins of asbestos may crisscross talc deposits in mines .
Talc is an ingredient in many cosmetic products .
Last year , the FDA issued several alerts warning that asbestos had been found in makeup , including eye shadow sold at Claire ’ s a popular teenage retailer .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

On Tuesday, a Missouri appeals court ordered Johnson & Johnson and a subsidiary to pay $2.1 billion in damages to women who blamed their ovarian cancers on the company’s talcum products, including its iconic baby powder.
In July 2018, a record $4.69 billion in compensatory and punitive damages was awarded to the women. Today’s ruling slashed that decision by more than half.
Johnson & Johnson still faces thousands of lawsuits from customers who maintain its talcum products were contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos. The company declared last month that it would quit selling baby powder made from talc in North America, though it would continue to do so in other parts of the world.
RELATED STORY:
Kim Montagnino, a spokeswoman for Johnson & Johnson, said the company would seek further review of the ruling by the Supreme Court of Missouri and defended its talcum products as safe, adding:
“We continue to believe this was a fundamentally flawed trial, grounded in a faulty presentation of the facts. We remain confident that our talc is safe, asbestos free and does not cause cancer.”
Mark Lanier, the lawyer who represented the plaintiffs, urged consumers to throw out any baby powder they had in their homes. Six plaintiffs in the case died before the trial started, and five more women have died since the jury trial ended in 2018. Since this is a civil suit, he said:
“all you can do is fine them, and we need to fine them sufficiently that the industry wakes up and takes notice.”
RELATED STORY:
The appellate court noted in its decision that the company’s internal memorandums from as far back as the 1960s showed that its talcum products — referred to as the “golden egg,” “company trust-mark” and “sacred cow” — contained asbestos and that the mineral could be dangerous. The court said:
“A reasonable inference from all this evidence is that, motivated by profits, defendants disregarded the safety of consumers despite their knowledge the talc in their products caused ovarian cancer.” “(the plaintiffs) showed clear and convincing evidence defendants engaged in conduct that was outrageous because of evil motive or reckless indifference.”
The court awarded $500 million in actual damages and $1.62 billion in punitive damages, reducing the original award of $550 million in compensatory damages and $4.14 billion in punitive damages after dismissing claims by some of the plaintiffs.
Johnson & Johnson has contended that inadequate testing methods and poor science were responsible for findings of asbestos in its products. But thousands of people, mostly women with ovarian cancer, have sued, saying they weren’t warned of the potential risks.
Indeed, internal memos uncovered during litigation revealed that Johnson & Johnson had been worried about the possibility of asbestos contamination in its talc for at least 50 years. Asbestos was first linked to ovarian cancer in 1958, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer affirmed it was a cause of the cancer in a 2011 report.
RELATED STORY:
Until 1980, when consumer advocates raised concerns that talc contained traces of asbestos, talc, a natural mineral known for its softness, was the main ingredient in baby powder. Talc also helped give baby powder its unique fragrance. After concerns were raised about the infamous carcinogen, the company began using an alternative powder made from cornstarch.
Though the scientific evidence was not conclusive, early lawsuits against the Johnson & Johnson pointed to talc as a cause of ovarian cancer. In later cases, plaintiffs’ lawyers focused on asbestos contamination as the culprit, saying the carcinogen could cause cancer even in trace amounts.
Talc and asbestos are natural minerals, and their underground deposits develop under similar geological conditions. As a result, veins of asbestos may crisscross talc deposits in mines.
Talc is an ingredient in many cosmetic products. Last year, the FDA issued several alerts warning that asbestos had been found in makeup, including eye shadow sold at Claire’s a popular teenage retailer.
SOURCE:


healthnutnews--2020-06-24--NYT: Roundup Maker to Pay $10B to Settle Cancer Suits

Bayer , the world ’ s largest seed and pesticide maker , has agreed to pay more than $ 10 billion to settle tens of thousands of claims in the United States that its weedkiller Roundup causes cancer , the company said Wednesday .
Bayer , which also makes pharmaceuticals , inherited thousands of lawsuits against Roundup creator Monsanto Co. when it acquired the U.S. agriculture giant in 2018 .
After three jury-trial losses , shares tanked and sparked a revolt among shareholders angry at Bayer ’ s management for plunging the company into one of the worst crises in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monsanto acquisition .
Throughout months of heated talks between Bayer and plaintiffs ’ attorneys , Bayer has maintained that Roundup is safe and has repeatedly defended the Monsanto deal .
The company plans to continue selling the product without altering the label .
That created a unique legal puzzle for the company over how it could defend itself against potential future litigation .
As part of the deal with plaintiffs ’ attorneys , Bayer said it would pay between $ 8.8 billion and $ 9.6 billion to resolve claims brought by lawyers representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would set aside $ 1.25 billion to address future claims , including establishing and funding a panel to evaluate whether the product causes cancer to help shape the outcome of litigation .
Bayer ’ s Roundup products will stay on store shelves , meaning in theory , anyone could sue for similar claims in the future .
Werner Baumann , Bayer Chief Executive , had insisted that a settlement would include a solution to protect Bayer from a new wave of lawsuits .
Investors have said a settlement in the range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good deal for the company .
The agreement doesn ’ t really bring Bayer the instant global peace the company had been aiming for , as it leaves approximately 25,000 to 30,000 known claims outstanding .
Ken Feinberg , the court-appointed mediator , said he is confident those claims will be resolved in the coming few months , adding : Fletch Trammell , a Houston-based lawyer who said he represented 5,000 claimants not taking part in the settlement shared : According to two people close to the negotiations , individuals , depending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will receive payments of $ 5,000 to $ 250,000 .
Bayer is also gambling on the possibility of having to pay out significantly more money to future plaintiffs .
The $ 1.25 billion will be used to help create a class of future plaintiffs , who would be bound by the decision of a five-member scientific panel that will spend several years evaluating the link between Roundup and cancer .
The panel will communicate its findings to U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco .
If it concludes the product doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepts the result , that will essentially bar future plaintiffs .
However , if the panel does find a link between Roundup and cancer , Bayer would have to fight plaintiff by plaintiff to prove that the product didn ’ t cause an individual ’ s cancer .
The $ 1.25 billion also includes some money for cancer research and need-based relief to plaintiffs while awaiting the panel ’ s findings .
Bayer said it would follow through with its appeals of the first three cases it had lost in a jury trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

Bayer, the world’s largest seed and pesticide maker, has agreed to pay more than $10 billion to settle tens of thousands of claims in the United States that its weedkiller Roundup causes cancer, the company said Wednesday.
Bayer, which also makes pharmaceuticals, inherited thousands of lawsuits against Roundup creator Monsanto Co. when it acquired the U.S. agriculture giant in 2018. After three jury-trial losses, shares tanked and sparked a revolt among shareholders angry at Bayer’s management for plunging the company into one of the worst crises in its history with the $63 billion Monsanto acquisition.
RELATED STORY:
Throughout months of heated talks between Bayer and plaintiffs’ attorneys, Bayer has maintained that Roundup is safe and has repeatedly defended the Monsanto deal. The company plans to continue selling the product without altering the label. That created a unique legal puzzle for the company over how it could defend itself against potential future litigation.
As part of the deal with plaintiffs’ attorneys, Bayer said it would pay between $8.8 billion and $9.6 billion to resolve claims brought by lawyers representing some 95,000 plaintiffs. The company said it would set aside $1.25 billion to address future claims, including establishing and funding a panel to evaluate whether the product causes cancer to help shape the outcome of litigation.
RELATED:
Bayer’s Roundup products will stay on store shelves, meaning in theory, anyone could sue for similar claims in the future. Werner Baumann, Bayer Chief Executive, had insisted that a settlement would include a solution to protect Bayer from a new wave of lawsuits.
Investors have said a settlement in the range of $10 billion would be seen as a good deal for the company. The agreement doesn’t really bring Bayer the instant global peace the company had been aiming for, as it leaves approximately 25,000 to 30,000 known claims outstanding. Ken Feinberg, the court-appointed mediator, said he is confident those claims will be resolved in the coming few months, adding:
“The pandemic increases the company’s leverage. The prospect of facing more trials is not a credible threat now. Who knows how long courtrooms will be closed?”
Fletch Trammell, a Houston-based lawyer who said he represented 5,000 claimants not taking part in the settlement shared:
“This is nothing like the closure they’re trying to imply. It’s like putting out part of a house fire.”
According to two people close to the negotiations, individuals, depending on the strength of their cases, will receive payments of $5,000 to $250,000.
RELATED:
Bayer is also gambling on the possibility of having to pay out significantly more money to future plaintiffs. The $1.25 billion will be used to help create a class of future plaintiffs, who would be bound by the decision of a five-member scientific panel that will spend several years evaluating the link between Roundup and cancer.
The panel will communicate its findings to U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco. If it concludes the product doesn’t cause cancer, and the judge accepts the result, that will essentially bar future plaintiffs. However, if the panel does find a link between Roundup and cancer, Bayer would have to fight plaintiff by plaintiff to prove that the product didn’t cause an individual’s cancer.
The $1.25 billion also includes some money for cancer research and need-based relief to plaintiffs while awaiting the panel’s findings.
Bayer said it would follow through with its appeals of the first three cases it had lost in a jury trial to provide legal guidance.
Sources:


healthnutnews--2020-06-27--NYT: Amazon Will Acquire Self-Driving Start-Up Zoox For Over $1.2BN

Amazon will acquire self-driving start-up Zoox for more than $ 1.2bn , marking the e-commerce group ’ s most significant investment into the autonomous vehicle sector .
In competition with Alphabet ’ s Waymo , Amazon plans to work with Zoox to create a fleet of self-driving taxis .
Analysts also hinted that Amazon might use Zoox to build self-driving delivery vehicles .
Amazon has also bought smaller stakes in electric truckmaker Rivian and the self-driving start-up Aurora .
Amazon said Zoox would operate as a standalone business with its leadership unchanged .
Jeff Wilke , who runs Amazon ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two people familiar with the deal , the purchase price , which has not been officially disclosed , is a steep discount to the $ 3.2bn valuation that the six-year-old Zoox had in July 2018 .
Talks between Amazon and Zoox were first reported in May .
• None Florida Senator says no Permit is Needed for Driverless Cars The company has been seeking a sale since May after being hit hard by the pandemic , which derailed its plans for a pilot program this year .
• None Is There Anything You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road ?
Unlike its competitors in the space , Zoox ’ s strategy does not rely on adapting existing cars with self-driving technology .
Instead , it is developing a purpose-built vehicle , with no steering wheel , that can travel in any direction .
The sector faced difficulties even before the pandemic .
Waymo is the only company that has launched a true driverless service .
But since its unveiling in Arizona in late 2018 , the company has not expanded elsewhere .
In addition to passenger vehicles , Waymo , valued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing self-driving trucks .
Itay Michaeli , an analysts at Citi Research noted that Zoox ’ s rate of improvement — based on the number of times a human has to step in to disengage the autonomy — had been “ notable ” , adding : Analysts at Morgan Stanley said last month that Amazon ’ s potential to develop a “ more efficient long-term delivery network ” with Zoox technology could save the company $ 20bn a year .
According to Dealogic , the deal would be Amazon ’ s second-biggest acquisition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailer Zappos for $ 1.2bn .
Amazon ’ s biggest deal was the 2017 acquisition of Whole Foods , the upmarket grocer , for $ 13.7bn .
Aicha Evans , chief executive at Zoox , said : Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

Amazon will acquire self-driving start-up Zoox for more than $1.2bn, marking the e-commerce group’s most significant investment into the autonomous vehicle sector.
In competition with Alphabet’s Waymo, Amazon plans to work with Zoox to create a fleet of self-driving taxis. Analysts also hinted that Amazon might use Zoox to build self-driving delivery vehicles.
Amazon has also bought smaller stakes in electric truckmaker Rivian and the self-driving start-up Aurora. Amazon said Zoox would operate as a standalone business with its leadership unchanged. Jeff Wilke, who runs Amazon’s consumer business said:
“Zoox is working to imagine, invent, and design a world-class autonomous ride-hailing experience. “Like Amazon, Zoox is passionate about innovation and about its customers, and we’re excited to help the talented Zoox team to bring their vision to reality in the years ahead.”1
According to two people familiar with the deal, the purchase price, which has not been officially disclosed, is a steep discount to the $3.2bn valuation that the six-year-old Zoox had in July 2018. Talks between Amazon and Zoox were first reported in May.
RELATED STORY:
The company has been seeking a sale since May after being hit hard by the pandemic, which derailed its plans for a pilot program this year.
RELATED STORY:
Unlike its competitors in the space, Zoox’s strategy does not rely on adapting existing cars with self-driving technology. Instead, it is developing a purpose-built vehicle, with no steering wheel, that can travel in any direction.
The sector faced difficulties even before the pandemic. Waymo is the only company that has launched a true driverless service. But since its unveiling in Arizona in late 2018, the company has not expanded elsewhere. In addition to passenger vehicles, Waymo, valued at more than $30bn, is developing self-driving trucks.
Itay Michaeli, an analyst at Citi Research noted that Zoox’s rate of improvement — based on the number of times a human has to step in to disengage the autonomy — had been “notable,” adding:
“If Amazon formally enters the urban RoboTaxi race, it could clearly add some competitive pressures on the likes of Uber, Lyft, GM-Cruise and Ford-Argo. “In fact, Amazon’s entry into the RoboTaxi space could spur deeper industry partnerships in response, likely led by the rideshare companies.”1
Analysts at Morgan Stanley said last month that Amazon’s potential to develop a “more efficient long-term delivery network” with Zoox technology could save the company $20bn a year.
According to Dealogic, the deal would be Amazon’s second-biggest acquisition since the 2009 purchase of online shoe retailer Zappos for $1.2bn. Amazon’s biggest deal was the 2017 acquisition of Whole Foods, the upmarket grocer, for $13.7bn. Aicha Evans, chief executive at Zoox, said:
“This acquisition solidifies Zoox’s impact on the autonomous driving industry.”1
Sources:


healthnutnews--2020-07-02--High Court To Review Nestlé, Cargill Child Slavery Suits

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear Nestlé and Cargill ’ s challenges to a Ninth Circuit ruling leaving the companies on the hook for allegations that they benefited from African child labor .
The decision tees up a potential ruling on whether U.S. corporations can be liable for human rights abuses abroad .
The high court granted the food manufacturers ’ petitions for the higher court ’ s review of the lower court ’ s ruling in two now-consolidated cases .
The companies say the Ninth Circuit ’ s decision that they could be liable under the Alien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fifth and Eleventh Circuits , which have held that acts outside the United States don ’ t overcome the ATS ’ presumption against extraterritorial coverage .
The case was filed in 2005 by plaintiffs who said they were trafficked from Mali and labored on Ivory Coast plantations as child slaves .
A Ninth Circuit panel ruled in October 2018 that the companies couldn ’ t dodge the suits , and the full Ninth Circuit denied en banc rehearing in July 2019 , with several circuit judges joining a sharp dissent .
• Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t promise their chocolate is free of child labor In May , the U.S. Department of Justice urged the Supreme Court to take the cases and decide in the companies ’ favor , arguing that any conduct that can tie them to foreign human rights abuses also occurred abroad , placing it outside the ATS ’ reach .
We ’ ve reported on these crimes against humanity for years , and it is worth pointing out again that twenty years ago , Nestlé , along with Hershey and Mars , vowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But yet it is still in the news today .
Besides being accused of child labor practices , Nestlé is also under fire for plans to plunder millions of gallons of water a day from Florida ’ s natural springs .
The child workers in both cases are proceeding anonymously .
The cases are Nestlé USA Inc. v. Doe I et al.
, case number 19-416 , and Cargill Inc. v. Doe I et al.
, case number 19-453 , in the U.S. Supreme Court .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear Nestlé and Cargill’s challenges to a Ninth Circuit ruling leaving the companies on the hook for allegations that they benefited from African child labor. The decision tees up a potential ruling on whether U.S. corporations can be liable for human rights abuses abroad.
The high court granted the food manufacturers’ petitions for the higher court’s review of the lower court’s ruling in two now-consolidated cases. The companies say the Ninth Circuit’s decision that they could be liable under the Alien Tort Statute conflicts with rulings from the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, which have held that acts outside the United States don’t overcome the ATS’ presumption against extraterritorial coverage.
RELATED STORY:
The case was filed in 2005 by plaintiffs who said they were trafficked from Mali and labored on Ivory Coast plantations as child slaves. A Ninth Circuit panel ruled in October 2018 that the companies couldn’t dodge the suits, and the full Ninth Circuit denied en banc rehearing in July 2019, with several circuit judges joining a sharp dissent.
RELATED STORY:
In May, the U.S. Department of Justice urged the Supreme Court to take the cases and decide in the companies’ favor, arguing that any conduct that can tie them to foreign human rights abuses also occurred abroad, placing it outside the ATS’ reach.
We’ve reported on these crimes against humanity for years, and it is worth pointing out again that twenty years ago, Nestlé, along with Hershey and Mars, vowed to remove child labor from their operations. But yet it is still in the news today. Besides being accused of child labor practices, Nestlé is also under fire for plans to plunder millions of gallons of water a day from Florida’s natural springs.
The child workers in both cases are proceeding anonymously. The cases are Nestlé USA Inc. v. Doe I et al., case number 19-416, and Cargill Inc. v. Doe I et al., case number 19-453, in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Source:


healthnutnews--2020-07-02--BREAKING: CNBC: Jeffrey Epstein Friend Ghislaine Maxwell Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Conspiracy, Per

BREAKING: CNBC: Jeffrey Epstein Friend Ghislaine Maxwell Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Conspiracy, Perjury Charges

The FBI on Thursday morning arrested Jeffrey Epstein ’ s long-time friend and alleged procurer Ghislaine Maxwell on charges of with conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse children , as well as perjury about her conduct , court files reveal .
The arrest of the British socialite Maxwell on charges laid out in a six-count indictment comes just days before the first anniversary of the wealthy investor Epstein ’ s own arrest in the case on child sex traffic charges .
The indictment accuses Maxwell in the mid-1990s of helping him recruit and groom victims under the age of 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old , so that Epstein could sexually abuse them .
Epstein , a 66-year-old convicted sex offender , killed himself in a federal jail in Manhattan last August after being denied bail .
• None Surveillance Footage Outside of Jeffrey Epstein ’ s Cell During Suicide Attempt is Missing NBC News , citing law-enforcement sources , said that Maxwell , who herself was a former girlfriend of Epstein , was arrested in Bedford , New Hampshire , at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday .
She is scheduled to appear in a federal court sometime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a federal criminal case is first presented in the federal district in which they were arrested , not necessarily in the district in which they are charged .
The FBI and a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Southern District of New York , which is prosecuting the case , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The SDNY has scheduled a press conference on Maxwell ’ s arrest for noon ET Thursday in lower Manhattan .
Epstein ’ s victims have called for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media mogul and swindler Robert Maxwell ever since Epstein was charged last July .
• None Buckingham Palace Threatened ABC to Kill Epstein-Linked Prince Andrew Story , Anchor Recorded as Saying The indictment against Maxwell , handed up by a federal grand jury in Manhattan , says that the charges against her stem from her role “ in the sexual exploitation and abuse of multiple minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein.
” The indictment says : “ In particular , from at least in and about 1994 , up to an including in or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and contributed to Jeffrey Epstein ’ s abuse of minor girls by , among other things , helping Epstein to recruit , groom , and ultimately abused victims known to Maxwell and Epstein to be under the age of 18 .
”

The FBI on Thursday morning arrested Jeffrey Epstein’s long-time friend and alleged procurer Ghislaine Maxwell on charges of with conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse children, as well as perjury about her conduct, court files reveal.
The arrest of the British socialite Maxwell on charges laid out in a six-count indictment comes just days before the first anniversary of the wealthy investor Epstein’s own arrest in the case on child sex traffic charges.
The indictment accuses Maxwell in the mid-1990s of helping him recruit and groom victims under the age of 18, some as young as 14 years old, so that Epstein could sexually abuse them.
Epstein, a 66-year-old convicted sex offender, killed himself in a federal jail in Manhattan last August after being denied bail.
RELATED STORY:
NBC News, citing law-enforcement sources, said that Maxwell, who herself was a former girlfriend of Epstein, was arrested in Bedford, New Hampshire, at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday. She is scheduled to appear in a federal court sometime Thursday.
Typically, a person charged in a federal criminal case is first presented in the federal district in which they were arrested, not necessarily in the district in which they are charged.
The FBI and a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The SDNY has scheduled a press conference on Maxwell’s arrest for noon ET Thursday in lower Manhattan.
Epstein’s victims have called for the arrest of the daughter of the disgraced media mogul and swindler Robert Maxwell ever since Epstein was charged last July.
RELATED STORY:
The indictment against Maxwell, handed up by a federal grand jury in Manhattan, says that the charges against her stem from her role “in the sexual exploitation and abuse of multiple minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein.” The indictment says:


healthnutnews--2020-07-08--The Little-Known, Life-Changing Health Summit: Register for FREE!

When I was asked to help spread the word about The Little-Known , Life-Changing Health Summit , I knew that it would be something you would all appreciate .
I ’ m grateful every day that we have created a community of people who are interested in and concerned about being as healthy as possible .
There ’ s a ton of health information out there , even more so with the pandemic we ’ ve all been facing .
Yet it can seem like you keep hearing the same basic advice over and over .
Meanwhile , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOT hearing about because they get “ buried ” under the noise ( and sometimes buried intentionally ) .
That is why I so strongly recommend you do not miss… …The important ( and free ) online event featuring today ’ s 22 top anti-aging and longevity doctors and researchers who will each answer the one most crucial question of all for YOU .
There are truly many natural steps you can take right now that will make a monumental difference in how you look and feel… in how you enable your body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in how long and how well you live .
You need and deserve to know the best of these evidence-based steps , too .
And that is why I am certain you ’ ll love the CLARITY you ’ re getting on the most life-changing secrets of all in the online Little-Known , Life-Changing Health Summit… > > > Head here right now to sign up free NOTE : Please be sure to see the important and emotional video on the page right after you sign up .
ALSO note that you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Top 15 Anti-Aging and Longevity Spices and Herbs , when you sign up free today !
The Little-Known , Life-Changing Health Summit is hosted by my good friend , Brian Vaszily , a leading natural health advocate and researcher for over 20 years .
Brian has even guided many of today ’ s other well-known and trusted health experts .
And in this unique and powerful event , Brian is going to “ cut to the chase ” and challenge each of the doctors and researchers to answer this one mission-critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is one important online summit you truly don ’ t want to miss , so… > > > Click here , sign up free , and get your very informative new bonus report , too !
Do check out the schedule of speakers a bit lower on the page , because you ’ ll get a “ taste ” of what you ’ re going to discover from each expert .
Please be sure to watch that 2nd emotional video right after you sign up .
Brian Vaszily is on a unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Life-Changing Health Summit really is the pinnacle of that mission .
If you ’ re in your 30s , 40s , 50s , 60s , or beyond – and especially if you ’ re a woman – I am certain you ’ ll appreciate what he ’ s doing , and his emotional story of WHY , which you ’ ll discover in that second video .
> > > Head here right now P.S .
When you do sign up today , you ’ re also getting the new 39-page guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Longevity Herbs and Spices.
” Certain herbs and spices may be the closest thing we have on earth to a real “ fountain of youth ” because they can stop and reverse signs of aging… prevent and combat chronic diseases… and boost the immune system against viruses and other pathogens .
In “ The Top 15 Anti-Aging and Longevity Herbs and Spices ” report , you ’ re about to find out the 15 best of the best herbs and spices for anti-aging and longevity according to science .
I am honored to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

When I was asked to help spread the word about The Little-Known, Life-Changing Health Summit, I knew that it would be something you would all appreciate. I’m grateful every day that we have created a community of people who are interested in and concerned about being as healthy as possible.
There’s a ton of health information out there, even more so with the pandemic we’ve all been facing. Yet it can seem like you keep hearing the same basic advice over and over.
Meanwhile, there are many life-changing, evidence-based secrets you are NOT hearing about because they get “buried” under the noise (and sometimes buried intentionally).
That is why I so strongly recommend you do not miss…
The Little-Known, Life Changing Health Summit
…The important (and free) online event featuring today’s 22 top anti-aging and longevity doctors and researchers who will each answer the one most crucial question of all for YOU.
There are truly many natural steps you can take right now that will make a monumental difference in how you look and feel… in how you enable your body to fight and even reverse disease… and in how long and how well you live.
You need and deserve to know the best of these evidence-based steps, too.
And that is why I am certain you’ll love the CLARITY you’re getting on the most life-changing secrets of all in the online Little-Known, Life-Changing Health Summit…
>>> Head here right now to sign up free
NOTE: Please be sure to see the important and emotional video on the page right after you sign up.
ALSO note that you’re getting the excellent new 39-page guide, The Top 15 Anti-Aging and Longevity Spices and Herbs, when you sign up free today!
The Little-Known, Life-Changing Health Summit is hosted by my good friend, Brian Vaszily, a leading natural health advocate and researcher for over 20 years. Brian has even guided many of today’s other well-known and trusted health experts.
And in this unique and powerful event, Brian is going to “cut to the chase” and challenge each of the doctors and researchers to answer this one mission-critical question for YOU…
“From your area of expertise, what are your 3 TOP health secrets that almost no one knows but everyone needs to know because of how powerfully it can change their lives?”
That’s why this is one important online summit you truly don’t want to miss, so…
>>> Click here, sign up free, and get your very informative new bonus report, too!
Do check out the schedule of speakers a bit lower on the page, because you’ll get a “taste” of what you’re going to discover from each expert.
And again…
Please be sure to watch that 2nd emotional video right after you sign up.
Brian Vaszily is on a unique and much-needed mission. And this Little-Known, Life-Changing Health Summit really is the pinnacle of that mission.
If you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond – and especially if you’re a woman – I am certain you’ll appreciate what he’s doing, and his emotional story of WHY, which you’ll discover in that second video.
>>> Head here right now
XO ~ Erin
P.S. When you do sign up today, you’re also getting the new 39-page guide, “The Top 15 Anti-Aging and Longevity Herbs and Spices.”
Certain herbs and spices may be the closest thing we have on earth to a real “fountain of youth” because they can stop and reverse signs of aging… prevent and combat chronic diseases… and boost the immune system against viruses and other pathogens.
In “The Top 15 Anti-Aging and Longevity Herbs and Spices” report, you’re about to find out the 15 best of the best herbs and spices for anti-aging and longevity according to science.
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healthnutnews--2020-07-11--Is That Really Ghislaine Maxwell Behind JonBenét Ramsey?

The Jeffrey Epstein case has taken many surprising twists since he was arrested in 2019 .
From his apparent suicide to the arrest of British socialite and Epstein partner in crime Ghislaine Maxwell by the FBI in early July .
Ghislaine Maxwell is accused of aiding Epstein over the past decade , with some claims that she lured young women , some as young at 14 , into Epstein ’ s houses and forced them into performing sexual acts .
As reports surface that Maxwell may expose “ big names ” in court , pictures of her with various well-known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The most recent photo has people convinced Maxwell is in the background of a picture of JonBenét Ramsey .
Killed in her parents ’ Boulder , Colorado home on Christmas day in 1996 , the murder of the six-year-old beauty queen remains one of the world ’ s most famous unsolved mysteries .
The photo shows JonBenét smiling at the camera while holding a bouquet of flowers .
There is a woman with short , dark hair in the background .
While you can only see the unknown woman ’ s side profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Maxwell .
What do you think ?
• None SKY : Prince Andrew accuser : ‘ I ’ m not suicidal , in case something happens to me ’ JonBenét ’ s death inspired many conspiracies ; some outright crazy , and others logical .
The most popular theory was that her parents were involved but , out of all the insane theories out there , people were ridiculed the most for believing that they had anything to do with it .
Although we may never know for certain if Maxwell is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JonBenét , it will be interesting to see how the case against her plays out .
Former Epstein associate Steven Hoffenberg recently commented that Maxwell was prepared to name some big names , stating : “ She ’ s going to be naming some big names — not only in terms of those who abused underage girls at Epstein ’ s parties but also those who made financial agreements with Epstein or benefited from his generosity , including flying on his plane and staying at his homes.
” “ She won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ ll immediately start talking to try to get out of it.
” 1 Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

The Jeffrey Epstein case has taken many surprising twists since he was arrested in 2019. From his apparent suicide to the arrest of British socialite and Epstein partner in crime Ghislaine Maxwell by the FBI in early July.
Ghislaine Maxwell is accused of aiding Epstein over the past decade, with some claims that she lured young women, some as young at 14, into Epstein’s houses and forced them into performing sexual acts. As reports surface that Maxwell may expose “big names” in court, pictures of her with various well-known people have started to go viral.
RELATED STORY:
This has to be fake right? https://t.co/Oso7mbXWA4 — Web Crawlers (@WebCrawlersPod) July 4, 2020
The most recent photo has people convinced Maxwell is in the background of a picture of JonBenét Ramsey. Killed in her parents’ Boulder, Colorado home on Christmas day in 1996, the murder of the six-year-old beauty queen remains one of the world’s most famous unsolved mysteries.
The photo shows JonBenét smiling at the camera while holding a bouquet of flowers. There is a woman with short, dark hair in the background. While you can only see the unknown woman’s side profile, many Twitter users have concluded that its Maxwell. What do you think?
RELATED STORY:
JonBenét’s death inspired many conspiracies; some outright crazy, and others logical. The most popular theory was that her parents were involved but, out of all the insane theories out there, people were ridiculed the most for believing that they had anything to do with it.
Although we may never know for certain if Maxwell is indeed the lady in the photo with JonBenét, it will be interesting to see how the case against her plays out. Former Epstein associate Steven Hoffenberg recently commented that Maxwell was prepared to name some big names, stating:
“She’s going to be naming some big names — not only in terms of those who abused underage girls at Epstein’s parties but also those who made financial agreements with Epstein or benefited from his generosity, including flying on his plane and staying at his homes.” “She won’t be able to handle jail – and she’ll immediately start talking to try to get out of it.”1
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healthnutnews--2020-07-15--FOX: Ellen Questioned for Wayfair Partnership Amid Conspiracy Theory

Hollywood fixture Ellen DeGeneres has been entangled in intense speculation that accused Wayfair of selling expensive cabinets as a front for human trafficking .
Fox News called it a conspiracy theory .
Whatever it is , readers want to know more about DeGeneres and her Wayfair collection ’ s involvement .
Voicing their concerns on Twitter , social media users questioned the talk show host and if she had any involvement with the alleged child trafficking theory .
• None Breaking : Mandalay Bay owner insisted security guard Jesus Campos appear only on Ellen A screenshot of a lumbar pillow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 10,098 price tag was attached to the tweet .
A search of the product resulted in a page on the Wayfair site for the same pillow with a $ 99 price tag .
According to the Wayfair website , the ED Ellen Degeneres collection with Wayfair launched in 2015 as a joint venture between the talk show host and Christopher Burch , the CEO of Burch Creative Capital .
A social media user posted what appears to be a screengrab of the pillow allegedly posted on DeGeneres ’ Wayfair collection page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ child protection ” services used by the rich and powerful ?
Wayfair has removed the product images from its website and said it plans to rename the products .
According to Fox News : Allegations claiming Wayfair had a role in human trafficking circulated last week when Reddit users in the “ r/conspiracy ” subreddit flagged screenshot images of furniture items with high price tags , which are not part of Ellen ’ s collection .
Cabinets and armoires appeared to be priced between $ 12,699.99 and $ 14,499.99 alongside furniture labeled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Yaritza , Samiya and Alyvia .
Users on the forum have said that the names could belong to missing children .
Wayfair said there is no truth to the claims .
Susan Frechette , a Wayfair spokeswoman , told FOX Business in an email : Neither DeGeneres nor Wayfair responded to FOX Business ’ requests for comment .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

Hollywood fixture Ellen DeGeneres has been entangled in intense speculation that accused Wayfair of selling expensive cabinets as a front for human trafficking.
Fox News called it a conspiracy theory. Whatever it is, readers want to know more about DeGeneres and her Wayfair collection’s involvement.
Voicing their concerns on Twitter, social media users questioned the talk show host and if she had any involvement with the alleged child trafficking theory.
RELATED STORY:
One user asked on social media:
“@TheEllenShow please explain why you’re selling pillows on Wayfair for over 10k with missing children’s names on them? Are you part of #wayfairtrafficking???”
A screenshot of a lumbar pillow from the ED Ellen Degeneres collection with a $10,098 price tag was attached to the tweet. A search of the product resulted in a page on the Wayfair site for the same pillow with a $99 price tag.
According to the Wayfair website, the ED Ellen Degeneres collection with Wayfair launched in 2015 as a joint venture between the talk show host and Christopher Burch, the CEO of Burch Creative Capital. A social media user posted what appears to be a screengrab of the pillow allegedly posted on DeGeneres’ Wayfair collection page.
RELATED STORY:
Wayfair has removed the product images from its website and said it plans to rename the products. According to Fox News:
Allegations claiming Wayfair had a role in human trafficking circulated last week when Reddit users in the “r/conspiracy” subreddit flagged screenshot images of furniture items with high price tags, which are not part of Ellen’s collection. Cabinets and armoires appeared to be priced between $12,699.99 and $14,499.99 alongside furniture labeled with people’s names like Neriah, Yaritza, Samiya and Alyvia. Users on the forum have said that the names could belong to missing children.
Wayfair said there is no truth to the claims. Susan Frechette, a Wayfair spokeswoman, told FOX Business in an email:
“The products in question are industrial grade cabinets that are accurately priced.”
Neither DeGeneres nor Wayfair responded to FOX Business’ requests for comment.
SOURCE:


healthnutnews--2020-07-15--Head of Major UFO Organization Arrested on Child Solicitation Charges

Jan Harzan , the executive director of the Mutual UFO Network has been arrested on charges of soliciting a minor “ for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity , ” according to police .
Harzan , who has headed MUFON , one of the oldest UFO research organizations in the United States since 2013 , is accused of soliciting “ sexual activity from a detective he believed was a 13-year-old girl , ” according to a release from the Huntington Beach , CA police department , which stated : On July 3 , detectives contacted a male by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual activity from a detective he believed was a 13 year old girl .
The suspect solicited the minor to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity , and when the suspect agreed to meet the supposed minor , detectives were there to take him into custody.2 • None CBS : 2 airline pilots report seeing UFO while flying over Arizona MUFON was founded in 1969 to track citizen sightings of UFOs .
Their role in the UFO world is extensive .
According to the organization ’ s website , Harzan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with a UFO as a child .
Their website elaborates , saying : The UFO research world has been inundated with Pizzagate-esque allegations in the past .
They have also accused the government of releasing UFO videos to cover up pedophile rings .
Harzan ’ s arrest is almost sure to reignite those controversies .
Mufon released the following statement following Harzan ’ s arrest : Notice From the MUFON Board of Directors In light of recent events , Jan Harzan has been permanently removed as the Executive Director of the Mutual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately , he will no longer serve any role in the organization .
David MacDonald , Executive Director Emeritus and a member of the MUFON Board of Directors , will now assume the duties of Executive Director .
MUFON remains committed to its core mission : the study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity .
This mission is greater than any one person or member of MUFON and supersedes all other considerations .
We will continue to move forward and focus on our mission statement.3 Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Jan Harzan, the executive director of the Mutual UFO Network has been arrested on charges of soliciting a minor “for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity,” according to police.
Harzan, who has headed MUFON, one of the oldest UFO research organizations in the United States since 2013, is accused of soliciting “sexual activity from a detective he believed was a 13-year-old girl,” according to a release from the Huntington Beach, CA police department, which stated:
On July 3, detectives contacted a male by the name of Jan Harzan after Harzan solicited sexual activity from a detective he believed was a 13 year old girl. The suspect solicited the minor to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity, and when the suspect agreed to meet the supposed minor, detectives were there to take him into custody.2
RELATED STORY:
MUFON was founded in 1969 to track citizen sightings of UFOs. Their role in the UFO world is extensive. According to the organization’s website, Harzan is a former IBM engineer who had contact with a UFO as a child. Their website elaborates, saying:
“(Harzan was) visited by a real UFO, no more than thirty feet from [his brother and him], with no visible means of propulsion other than making a humming noise, before shooting off over the horizon. This event profoundly changed their lives.”1
Statement from the MUFON Board of Directors In light of recent events, Jan Harzan has been permanently removed as the Executive Director of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON).
Effective immediately, he will no longer serve any role in the organization. — Mutual UFO Network (@mufon) July 15, 2020
The UFO research world has been inundated with Pizzagate-esque allegations in the past. They have also accused the government of releasing UFO videos to cover up pedophile rings. Harzan’s arrest is almost sure to reignite those controversies.
RELATED STORY:
Mufon released the following statement following Harzan’s arrest:
Notice From the MUFON Board of Directors In light of recent events, Jan Harzan has been permanently removed as the Executive Director of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). Effective immediately, he will no longer serve any role in the organization. David MacDonald, Executive Director Emeritus and a member of the MUFON Board of Directors, will now assume the duties of Executive Director. MUFON remains committed to its core mission: the study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity. This mission is greater than any one person or member of MUFON and supersedes all other considerations. We will continue to move forward and focus on our mission statement.3
Jason McClellan, a popular UFO podcast host, tweeted:
“Shocked doesn’t describe what I’m feeling right now. I just learned that the executive director of MUFON was arrested for soliciting a minor. I always considered Jan to be a friend. This is really disturbing and disgusting news.”1
Sources:


healthnutnews--2020-07-20--CBS: Security Guard At Grocery Store Charged With Murder For Killing Man Who Didn’t Have His Mask

A grocery store security guard and his wife were charged with murder in Los Angeles earlier this month after fighting with a 50-year-old man who entered the store without wearing a mask , according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney ’ s Office .
Umeir Hawkins , 38 , and his wife , Sabrina Carter , 50 , both of Los Angeles , were arrested in connection with the murder of Jerry Lewis of Gardena .
Lewis was pronounced dead Sunday at a store in the 2300 block of Rosecrans Avenue .
Lewis was a popular 1990s rapper known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music is featured in the “ Beavis and Butt-Head Do America ” movie soundtrack .
Jerica Hill , Lewis ’ daughter said : Police said Lewis was in the parking lot of the store waiting for a tow truck to repair a pair of flat tires on his vehicle .
At some point , according to authorities , he entered the store without a mask and got into a verbal altercation with Hawkins , a security guard at the market , that turned physical .
Prosecutors said Lewis left the store , returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second fight , police said Carter was in the parking lot , waiting for Hawkins to get off work .
She intervened by pointing a handgun at Lewis and other customers .
• None Harvard Says Couples Should Wear Masks While Having Sex Lewis began walking away , toward his vehicle , and Hawkins pulled out another gun and fatally shot Lewis , prosecutors said .
The couple were arrested a day later .
According to the prosecutors , both Hawkins and Carter were convicted in 2013 for assault by means of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hawkins has been charged with murder .
Both he and his wife are also facing a count each of possession of a handgun by a felon .
Hawkins is being held on $ 1 million bail , and he faces a possible maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison .
Bail was set at $ 35,000 for Carter , who faces three years in prison if convicted as charged .
The case remains under investigation by police .
Anyone with information can contact Det .
Ryan Sproles at ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Searle at ( 310 ) 217-9654 .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

A grocery store security guard and his wife were charged with murder in Los Angeles earlier this month after fighting with a 50-year-old man who entered the store without wearing a mask, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Umeir Hawkins, 38, and his wife, Sabrina Carter, 50, both of Los Angeles, were arrested in connection with the murder of Jerry Lewis of Gardena. Lewis was pronounced dead Sunday at a store in the 2300 block of Rosecrans Avenue.
Lewis was a popular 1990s rapper known by the alias Madd Head. His music is featured in the “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America” movie soundtrack. Jerica Hill, Lewis’ daughter said:
“It shouldn’t happen this way. My dad is not that type of person. He has a good heart.”
Police said Lewis was in the parking lot of the store waiting for a tow truck to repair a pair of flat tires on his vehicle. At some point, according to authorities, he entered the store without a mask and got into a verbal altercation with Hawkins, a security guard at the market, that turned physical.
RELATED STORY:
Prosecutors said Lewis left the store, returned and fought again with Hawkins.
During the second fight, police said Carter was in the parking lot, waiting for Hawkins to get off work. She intervened by pointing a handgun at Lewis and other customers.
RELATED STORY:
Lewis began walking away, toward his vehicle, and Hawkins pulled out another gun and fatally shot Lewis, prosecutors said. The couple were arrested a day later.
According to the prosecutors, both Hawkins and Carter were convicted in 2013 for assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. Hawkins has been charged with murder. Both he and his wife are also facing a count each of possession of a handgun by a felon.
Hawkins is being held on $1 million bail, and he faces a possible maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. Bail was set at $35,000 for Carter, who faces three years in prison if convicted as charged.
The case remains under investigation by police. Anyone with information can contact Det. Ryan Sproles at (310) 217-9618 or Det. Dolores Searle at (310) 217-9654.
SOURCE:


healthnutnews--2020-07-21--Kentuckians Wake Up to “OBEY” Message in the Sky After Mask Mandate

Whether guided by the current pandemic or something else , an aerial skywriter has a message for Kentuckians , recently spelling out “ OBEY ” in the skies above Lexington , Frankfort and the surrounding region .
The message , written multiple times , appeared mere days after Democrat Gov .
Andy Beshear implemented a statewide mandate ordering Kentuckians to wear masks in almost all indoor and some outdoor public places .
The message prompting many to speculate it was backlash against the order .
• None NYT : Walmart Will Require All Customers Wear Masks and Enforce the Rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conjured images of the 1980 ’ s dystopian action film “ They Live.
” The movie depicts a totalitarian society that subliminally instructs the unsuspecting population to “ obey ” and “ consume.
” • None NYT : Walmart Will Require All Customers Wear Masks and Enforce the Rule with “ Health Ambassadors ” The person who commissioned the plane to write the message remains a mystery , but local media LEX 18 tracked down the plane ’ s owner , who said he would not disclose the client , or the project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he knew nothing about what prompted the message .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

Whether guided by the current pandemic or something else, an aerial skywriter has a message for Kentuckians, recently spelling out “OBEY” in the skies above Lexington, Frankfort and the surrounding region.
The message, written multiple times, appeared mere days after Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear implemented a statewide mandate ordering Kentuckians to wear masks in almost all indoor and some outdoor public places. The message prompting many to speculate it was backlash against the order.
RELATED STORY:


healthnutnews--2020-07-22--NY Times: Twitter Takedown Targets Thousands of QAnon Accounts

In a striking move , Twitter announced that it had permanently removed thousands of accounts that spread messages about conspiracy theories known as QAnon , saying their messages could lead to harm and violated Twitter policy .
Twitter said it would also block trends related to the network of QAnon conspiracy theories from appearing in its search and trending topics , and would not allow users to post links affiliated with the theories .
It was the first time that a social media service took comprehensive action to remove content tied to QAnon , whose popularity is growing on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None 11 people who blew the whistle on information that was once considered a “ conspiracy theory ” According to two Facebook employees , who spoke on the condition of anonymity , Facebook is preparing to take similar steps to limit the reach of QAnon content on its platform .
They said the company has been coordinating with Twitter and other social media companies and plans to make an announcement next month .
Facebook declined to comment .
In May , Facebook removed a group of five pages , twenty Facebook accounts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying they had violated its policy against coordinated inauthentic behavior .
Allegedly , QAnon is a movement of people who interpret as a kind of truth the online messages of an unknown figure – “ Q ” – who declares knowledge of a secret patriotic crusade , led by President Trump , against the “ deep state ” .
They believe a “ Great Awakening ” that will reveal the truth is on the horizon .
The group also claims to have access to government secrets that reveal a plot against President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an associate professor of communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , said of Qanon : Over several weeks , Twitter has removed 7,000 accounts that posted QAnon material , a company spokeswoman said .
The accounts had been increasingly active .
An additional 150,000 accounts will be hidden from trends and search on Twitter , the spokeswoman added .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

In a striking move, Twitter announced that it had permanently removed thousands of accounts that spread messages about conspiracy theories known as QAnon, saying their messages could lead to harm and violated Twitter policy.
Twitter said it would also block trends related to the network of QAnon conspiracy theories from appearing in its search and trending topics, and would not allow users to post links affiliated with the theories.
It was the first time that a social media service took comprehensive action to remove content tied to QAnon, whose popularity is growing on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
RELATED STORY:
According to two Facebook employees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Facebook is preparing to take similar steps to limit the reach of QAnon content on its platform. They said the company has been coordinating with Twitter and other social media companies and plans to make an announcement next month. Facebook declined to comment.
In May, Facebook removed a group of five pages, twenty Facebook accounts, and six groups affiliated with QAnon, saying they had violated its policy against coordinated inauthentic behavior.
RELATED STORY:
Allegedly, QAnon is a movement of people who interpret as a kind of truth the online messages of an unknown figure – “Q” – who declares knowledge of a secret patriotic crusade, led by President Trump, against the “deep state”. They believe a “Great Awakening” that will reveal the truth is on the horizon. The group also claims to have access to government secrets that reveal a plot against President Trump and his supporters.
RELATED STORY:
Alice Marwick, an associate professor of communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said of Qanon:
It’s a conspiracy theory that makes wild claims and baseless accusations about political actors and innocent people alike. These accounts amplify and enable networked harassment on a level that’s clearly against the Twitter terms of service. But this won’t stop QAnon from operating. It’s multiplatform and really good at adapting as media ecosystems change.1
Over several weeks, Twitter has removed 7,000 accounts that posted QAnon material, a company spokeswoman said. The accounts had been increasingly active. An additional 150,000 accounts will be hidden from trends and search on Twitter, the spokeswoman added.
Source:


healthnutnews--2020-07-27--Arizona Child Welfare Workers Fired for Wearing ‘Professional Kidnapper’ Shirts

Multiple employees with the Arizona Department of Child Safety ( DCS ) were terminated last month after posing for a photo wearing shirts that said “ Professional Kidnapper ” on the front .
The shirts were apparently worn during work hours and also said “ Do you know where your children are ?
” on the back , according to photos obtained by the Arizona Republic .
One former employee confirmed she was fired for the shirt , but refused to elaborate or identify herself .
According to the report , her firing and other staffers in Prescott left the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one investigator — to look into complaints of child abuse and neglect .
• None Convicted pedophile was foster parent in Arizona for 12 yrs , DCS now being sued for $ 15 million The shirts were a misguided attempt to make light of critics who blast DCS workers who remove children from their families , some who have even accused them of being kidnappers , the newspaper reports .
Christina Sanders , a former DCS unit supervisor , said she saw a photo of the investigators posing in the T-shirts and contacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it showed some of her former co-workers .
• Trial begins for little Arizona girl placed with pedophiles in foster care and burned by adoptive mom In one photo that appeared to be taken in a parking lot outside the Prescott office , several staffers posed to show both sides of the shirt while one employee wore her work ID badge , according to the report .
Sanders told the newspaper : The executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona , Claire Louge , said the message on the shirt “ really illuminates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against parents ” in some instances .
Copyright 2020 – permission to reprint fully granted , WITH links to original story

Multiple employees with the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) were terminated last month after posing for a photo wearing shirts that said “Professional Kidnapper” on the front.
The shirts were apparently worn during work hours and also said “Do you know where your children are?” on the back, according to photos obtained by the Arizona Republic.
One former employee confirmed she was fired for the shirt, but refused to elaborate or identify herself. According to the report, her firing and other staffers in Prescott left the field office understaffed — purportedly with just one investigator — to look into complaints of child abuse and neglect.
RELATED STORY:
The shirts were a misguided attempt to make light of critics who blast DCS workers who remove children from their families, some who have even accused them of being kidnappers, the newspaper reports.
Christina Sanders, a former DCS unit supervisor, said she saw a photo of the investigators posing in the T-shirts and contacted the agency’s director, claiming it showed some of her former co-workers.
RELATED STORY:
In one photo that appeared to be taken in a parking lot outside the Prescott office, several staffers posed to show both sides of the shirt while one employee wore her work ID badge, according to the report. Sanders told the newspaper:
“They think they’re so untouchable, they don’t think they can get caught.”
The executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, Claire Louge, said the message on the shirt “really illuminates that people in the system are biased against parents” in some instances.
Source: