USA: Texas shooting: US gun control claims fact-checked

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has also opposed gun control measures, did specify, and pointed to Chicago, Illinois.

Illinois has stricter gun laws than Texas but experiences a higher rate of gun crime, especially in the city of Chicago.

However, the majority of guns recovered in Chicago come from other states, often with looser gun laws, such as Indiana and Mississippi.

Read more at: Texas shooting: US gun control claims fact-checked - BBC News

Haitian - US Relations: Haitian migrants at US border: 'We've been through 11 countries' - by Will Grant

Even in late summer, few migrants attempt to cross into the United States from the Mexican border town of Mexicali. The temperatures are brutal, consistently in the mid-40C. And beyond the neighbouring US town of Calexico, lie many miles of inhospitable desert.

Attempting the journey in the searing heat would be madness.

Yet the migrants gathered in a Haitian restaurant a few blocks from the border wall have already been through worse. Especially Fiterson Janvier and his family.

As they finish a Creole-style meal of chicken, rice-and-beans and plantains, there is both exhaustion and disbelief in their eyes. Exhaustion at their journey from South America over the past few months, and disbelief at some of the things they witnessed and experienced along the way.

Read more at: Haitian migrants at US border: 'We've been through 11 countries' - BBC News

USA - Asylum seekers treated like criminals: Men on horses chasing Black asylum seekers? Sadly, America has seen it before - by Moustafa Bayoumi

You’ve probably seen a photograph haunting the internet this week: a white-presenting man on horseback – uniformed, armed and sneering – is grabbing a shoeless Black man by the neck of his T-shirt. The Black man’s face bears an unmistakable look of horror. He struggles to remain upright while clinging dearly to some bags of food in his hands. Between the men, a long rein from the horse’s bridle arches menacingly in the air like a whip. The photograph was taken just a few days ago in Texas, but the tableau looks like something out of antebellum America.

The image is profoundly upsetting, not just for what it portrays but for the history it evokes. What’s happening at the border right now puts two of our founding national myths – that we’re a land of liberty and a nation of immigrants – under scrutiny. To put it plainly, we don’t fare well under inspection.

Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/23/men-on-horses-chasing-black-asylum-seekers-sadly-america-has-seen-it-before?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

USA: Trump-backed candidate loses in Texas special election

in his victory speech, Ellzey tried to downplay any tension and hinted at bright odds for the GOP.

“It’s essential that we get this right,” he said. “It’s essential that we do it as Americans united, instead of Americans divided; Republicans united instead of Republicans divided, so once we take back the House and Senate in ’22 and take back the White House in 2024, we take back our country.”

rEAD MORE AT: Trump-backed candidate loses in Texas special election - The Trump Years

USA: Again three people dead in ‘active shooting incident’ in Austin, Texas

Three people were shot dead in Austin on Sunday, authorities in Texas said. No suspects were in custody. brbrLaw enforcement officials closed off roadways in the Great Hills Trail and Rain Creek Parkway area of the city for an “active shooting incident”, according to a tweet from the city’s police department.

Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/18/texas-austin-shooting?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

USA - Economy: Thousands of cars form lines to collect food in Covid-hit Texas - by Melissa Alonso and Susannah Cullinane

North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) distributed more than 600,000 pounds of food for about 25,000 people on Saturday, according to spokeswoman Anna Kurian. There were 7,280 turkeys distributed to families, Kurian told CNN.

Read more at: Thousands of cars form lines to collect food in Covid-hit Texas - CNN

USA - Coranavirus - Republican solutions to end crises : Texas lieutenant governor says grandparents are willing to risk dying from coronavirus to save economy

The lieutenant governor of Texas thinks "lots of grandparents" may be willing to die of the coronavirus to stop a possible economic recession that could affect their grandchildren's lives.

Read more at :
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/texas-lieutenant-governor-says-grandparents-are-willing-to-risk-dying-from-coronavirus-to-save-economy

USA - Visitors/Tourists To US Beware: No Gun Controls, White Extremists, and Frequent Kilings of Innocent people - "Recent Texas shooting: Death toll rises to 7 in gunman's rampage - by John Bacon and Olivia Sanchez

The death toll rose to seven Sunday after a gunman's rampage that left many more injured following what began as a routine traffic stop in Odessa, police in the West Texas city said.

Odessa police spokesman Steve LeSueur said Sunday that at least one person remains in “life-threatening” condition. Police Chief Michael Gerke previously said the gunman, whose name has not been released, was fatally shot by police.

"There is no longer an immediate threat to the public, and this situation continues to be investigated by local, state and federal officials," Gerke said in a statement.

The assault took place one day before a series of gun law changes in state that ease restrictions on where Texans can carry or store firearms, from foster homes to churches.

The shooting began Saturday afternoon when a state trooper pulled over the suspect, described by authorities as a white male in his mid-30s and driving a gold-colored car, was pulled over for a traffic violation on Interstate 20 between Midland and Odessa.

The driver opened fire on the trooper before fleeing westbound on the interstate, shooting his way to Odessa, stealing a mail truck and continuing his assault, police said.

Read more: Texas shooting: Death toll rises to 7 in gunman's rampage

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USA - "this can't be happening, but it is": What’s Behind the ‘Tender Age’ Shelters Opening for Young Migrants - by Caitlin Dickerson and Manny Fernandez

The shelters were intended for children under the age of 12, referred to as “tender age” detainees, who are entering the detention system in ever-larger numbers under the Trump administration’s practice of separating children from parents who enter the country illegally.

Many are toddlers and babies and require special care, and their numbers have been rising since last month, when the government enforced a “zero tolerance” policy on people crossing the border. Estimates suggest that more than 2,400 children under the age of 12 are now in federal custody, including many who have been separated from their parents.

But on Wednesday, faced with the intense criticism over the shelters and the separation of families, President Trump retreated, signing an executive order that would detain parents and children together. 

For now, it seems the separations will stop, but it remains unclear what will happen going forward. A Health and Human Services official said that children already separated will not be immediately reunited with their parents while the adults remain in custody during their immigration proceedings.

The executive order came just hours after reports that three centers in southern Texas — in Brownsville, Combes and Raymondville — were being outfitted to accommodate younger children.

A person inside a shelter in Brownsville, Tex., took a series of pictures and supplied them to The New York Times. The facility, which houses babies and toddlers, is operated by Southwest Key Programs, the same nonprofit group that operates a shelter at a former Walmart.

One image showed a toddler girl who is about 12 months old, playing on a colorful mat decorated with the letters of the alphabet and drawings of animals. The workers and others standing around the little girl wear blue hospital-style bootees to keep the wooden floor clean.

The girl was separated from her relatives for about a month as part of the family-separation policy, according to the person who took the photo, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to release an image.

A backlash against the “tender age” shelters erupted on Tuesday night after The Associated Press first reported news of their existence. The MSNBC late night host Rachel Maddow broke down crying on the air as she read the A.P. article.

Referrals of young children have risen “exponentially” since the “zero tolerance” policy was announced, according to Elizabeth Frankel, associate director of the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. The center pairs migrant children with lawyers and social workers who advocate on their behalf until they are reunited with parents.

Read more at: What’s Behind the ‘Tender Age’ Shelters Opening for Young Migrants - The New York Times

USA Local Terrorism -Gun Control Is Needed: 24 People Are Reportedly Dead in a Texas Church Shooting - by Emma Green

An estimated 24 people have died in a shooting attack on a rural church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, according to Albert Gamez Jr., a Wilson County commissioner. In an interview with MSNBC, he estimated that 20 to 24 others have been injured.

The attack comes in the wake of another church shooting outside of Nashville, Tennessee, in September, where a 25-year-old man allegedly opened fire on Burnette Chapel Church of Christ at the end of its Sunday service, killing one woman and injuring seven others. Taken together with the deadly attacks in Las Vegas and New York City, the shooting at First Baptist Church in Texas is part of a disorienting wave of mass violence this fall.

Details of the Texas shooting are still emerging, but initial reports suggest the attack resulted in a large number of deaths. Gamez told MSNBC that “there was one shooter who came in and started shooting inside that little church.” While the count of injuries and deaths has not been confirmed, he said, “there are a lot of fatalities.” KSAT 12, a local news station, reported that both the FBI and the Texas Rangers are on the scene, and that police have confirmed the shooter’s death.

Frank Pomeroy, the church’s pastor, told ABC News that his 14-year-old daughter is among the dead. 

A video of last week’s church service shows a small congregation gathered for song and prayer. “Keep your eyes up, keep your head up, and focus on Christ this week,” the pastor says.

Read more: 24 People Are Reportedly Dead in a Texas Church Shooting - The Atlantic

US Economy:: Devastating California wildfires predicted to cost US economy $85 billion; Containment may take weeks - by Brian Lada

Devastating fires charring California have claimed more lives than any fire in the state's history, and the economic toll is predicted to climb to $85 billion.

"These wildfires, especially in Northern California, are particularly devastating,” said Dr. Joel N. Myers, founder, president and chairman of AccuWeather.

“We estimate the California wildfires will profoundly affect the economy of California. The cost to contain and fight the fire and deal with the aftermath will be in the billions. And, the loss in tax revenue from businesses no longer around, including the vineyards; the workers who have lost their jobs and can no longer pay taxes as well as other impacts will be quite costly.

This will create a hole in the California budget, which may necessitate an increase in taxes. If California has to borrow more this might negatively impact its bond ratings and it will have to pay higher interest rates on all borrowings, which can cost upwards of 10s of billions of dollars. At this time, we estimate the economic impact of the fires is already approaching $70 billion dollars. Based on our forecast the total costs from this disaster on the economy would exceed $85 billion and, if the fires are not contained in the next couple of weeks, the total economic impact could even reach $100 billion.”

Read more: Devastating California wildfires predicted to cost US economy $85 billion; Containment may take weeks

Harvey and Irma remind us, all displaced persons around the globe share common problems and deserve common solutions - by R.M.

Irma : Floridians fleeing the State from natural disaster

As more than 5.4 million Floridians evacuate from the upcoming onslaught of Irma, while Texans are still recovering from the devastating damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, it might be a good moment to take a second, step out of our comfort zone, and realize the Floridians and Texans are not the only humans facing these problems around the world.

The only difference being that for one the calamity came as part of a natural disaster, from which they eventually can return home safely, and for the other, as a result of “man-made “ disasters, commonly known as wars and religious persecutions, and not able to return home.

We as humans, morally,  can not show compassion for one human being and withhold it from the other. Certainly not for those displaced persons, who were forced to flee from their home countries against their will and become refugees in foreign lands, and considered second rate citizens there.

A "master race" does not exist. Humans are all equal in the eyes of our Creator. There is no difference if you are a man or a woman, black, white, brown, yellow, African, American, Arab, Asian , European, Eskimo, or Indian.

People fleeing from "man-made"disasters reaching EU coasts

People fleeing from their homes and cities, either for religious persecution, or because they have been bombed to oblivion by either their own governments or others, and who fled seeking safety and economic prosperity in countries other than their own, should not be barred by any country. At least not by those who proclaim they hold human rights and other values dear to their heart.

Bottom line: Yes, we need to help and pray for all the stricken people in Florida and Texas, but must also include in our prayers all those other displaced persons around the world.

Displaced persons from Myanmar,,Syria, Afghanistan,Sudan,  and many other “disaster” areas, to mention just a few, deserve the same helping hand and prayers we usually reserve for our own.

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EU-Digest

Climate change did not “cause” Harvey, but it’s a huge part of the story - by David Roberts

Several people have written some version of “what you can say about Hurricane Harvey and climate change” in the past few days. I’ll link to some of them below. 

But I think they are all saying too little. There’s much more to say, so much more! In fact, here are nine things you can say about Harvey and climate change.

1) Harvey is not centrally about climate change

Climate is not central, but by the same token it is grossly irresponsible to leave climate out of the story, for the simple reason that climate change is, as the US military puts it, a threat multiplier. The storms, the challenges of emergency response, the consequences of poor adaptation — they all predate climate change. But climate change will steadily make them worse.

2) “Did climate change cause Harvey?” is a malformed question

Climate change does not cause things, because climate change is not a causal agent. “Climate change” is a descriptive term — it describes the fact that the climate is changing. What’s causing the changes is an increase in heat energy trapped in the atmosphere, due to greenhouse gases.

3) Yes, climate change made Harvey worse

Thanks to the recent profusion of great climate journalists and communicators, this story has been well told already. Probably the best source is this Facebook post from climate scientist Michael Mann, but also see Chris Mooney, Robinson Meyer, John Schwartz, and Emily Atkin.

4) We don’t know if climate change is making hurricanes more likely

The scientific battles over hurricanes and climate change go way, way back, and run hot. They are also, for a nonpartisan outsider, quite technical and boring. 

5) We know climate change is making severe downpours more likely

Severe downpours in the Houston area have become 167 percent more frequent in the past decade, which is commensurate with one of the best-understood and most confident predictions of climate science: Climate change is going to bring lots more heavy rains (and thus flooding). See Andrea Thompson’s great rundown at Climate Central on this.

Note EU-Digest: There are however more popular thoughts about the reason for hurricane Harvey coming from "conservative circles" and wire services, which would have it that God is judgemental and serves retribution for bad behavior. Specially In a state like Texas that still thinks Barack Obama was Muslim and that hurricane Katrina was punishment to New Orleans. Unfortunately, what goes around comes around.Texas ( by their own mentality ) is being punished for, ( pick one or add your own reason ) denying climate change, electoral gerrymandering, eliminating planned parenthood, building a wall,Gregg Abbott, Rick Perry , Rep. Gohmert, Ted Cruz, supporting Trump (who contradicts everything conservative Christians supposedly have disavowed), fracking, open carry of guns in Public places, executions, or just "because ".

For the complete report click here: Climate change did not “cause” Harvey, but it’s a huge part of the story - Vox

Hurricane Harvey Energy Crisis Could Be Nightmare For U.S. Economy- by Ellen R. Wald

On Tuesday, August 29, over 26 inches of rain fell in Port Arthur, Texas. The 50,000 residents of that city, north and east of Houston, are suffering severe flooding and personal loss. Port Arthur is also the home of the largest refinery in the United States, Motiva, which has been shut down due to massive flooding. In addition, the nearby Valero Energy VLO -0.45% and ExxonMobil XOM +0.30% refineries were shut and the Colonial Pipeline (distributing refined products across the Southeast and north to Tennessee) has been disrupted. About 22% of U.S. refining capacity is offline due to the natural disaster. All told, it now appears that the impact Harvey will have on the energy industry is worse than expected and could very well, in a worst case scenario, lead to a serious macro-economic problem.

Read mor: Hurricane Harvey Energy Crisis Could Be Nightmare For U.S. Economy

USA: Infrastructure neglect by Federal and State governments major cause of Texas flooding caused by hurricane Harvey

USA Infrastructure the root of all evil

Arcadis, the Dutch consultancy, recently released an analysis of the world’s built assets, aka the value of physical structures, buildings, and infrastructure.

Basically, it’s all the money a country spends publicly or privately on physical development, from “infrastructure investment, construction, investments in plant and machinery and improvements in ‘natural assets’ such as land reclamation.”

The study relies data from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and from individual countries’ statistics offices.

It’s an interesting snapshot since it deals only with the stuff that has tangible physical value, rather than investments in less tangible stuff like intellectual property or software. More money spent on improving a country’s built environment, from new subway systems to flood-proofing coastlines, means stronger and more productive cities, which contribute to a country’s overall growth.

All in all, the report pegs the value of those physical assets–computed for 32 of the top-spending countries–at a whopping $218 trillion worldwide. So how does the US stack up against other countries? In terms of straight value, we’ve been eclipsed by China over the past two years:

While Arcadis points out that Qatar bowls every other country over when you look at it per capita value, that’s pretty unsurprising for a small country investing massively in its cities and infrastructure.

By that metric, the US doesn’t even make this list.  The US is actually slipping down in the rankings in general.

Arcadis says that the problem in the US isn’t real estate–the US is doing “solid” in terms of private assets like buildings. But US is in a mess when it comes to infrastructure, especially in high-growth cities that contribute to the overall productivity of the country.

“There is increasing concern about the negative impact an underperforming built environment has on the economic prosperity of US cities,” Arcadis’ Julien Cayet writes, citing a survey by Politico that showed that many US mayors say better infrastructure is the biggest hurdle in their cities.

In other words, if cities don’t figure out a way to upgrade their roads, parks, and transit systems, their growth is going to stall out.

One other problem the US is facing? Severe weather. Arcadis continues:

"The situation in the US is further complicated by the consequences of severe weather. From drought in California to hurricanes in New Orleans and New York – there is an urgent need to build more resilient cities to protect the public and the economy from these devastating events. The economic impact of Hurricane Sandy alone is estimated at over $70 billion".

Sadly, accepting the existence of climate change doesn’t necessarily mean politicians will be ready to spend on resilient infrastructure, unless the number of Harvey type storms increase .

EU-Digest

USA - HURRICANE HITS TEXAS" Videos show Hurricane Harvey pummeling Texas coast - by Adam Kelsey

As Hurricane Harvey continues its path over Texas on Saturday after making landfall just before midnight Friday, video and images are emerging on social media showing the rain and winds that hammered Texas’ Gulf Coast. 

The massive hurricane is now a Category 1 storm as of early Saturday after making its initial landfall as a Category 4 storm. It unleashed a vicious wrath of torrential rain and 130 miles per hour maximum sustained winds with even stronger gusts, according to the National Weather Service.

Read more: Videos show Hurricane Harvey pummeling Texas coast - ABC News

USA: Gun violence: Texas University allows guns in classes

In a setback for US President Barack Obama’s gun control measures, the University of Texas in Austin has allowed for the students to carry guns into classrooms.

Concealed handguns will be allowed in University of Texas classes but generally banned from dorms under new rules.

The University president, angered by the decision, described it as the greatest challenge of his presidency to date.

Greg Fenves opposes allowing guns on the roughly 50,000-student campus. Texas universities had been gun-free zones under the state's previous concealed handgun laws, but the Republican-dominated Legislature voted last year to force public universities to allow license holders to bring their guns to campus starting August 1.

"I do not believe handguns belong on a university campus, so this decision has been the greatest challenge of my presidency to date," Fenves said.

Fenves, however, noted that he has an obligation to uphold the law. He further expressed solidarity with many faculty members, staffers, students, and their families who called for a ban on guns from the campus.

The so-called "campus carry" measure has met with fierce resistance from students, faculty and other staff.

Critics have predicted that allowing guns on campus will make it harder for schools to recruit top students and faculty.

Note EU-Digest: European and other foreign students planning University studies at Texas University better think twice.

Read more: PressTV-Texas University allows guns in classes

European Wind Farms: Houston Texas based RigNet wins major contract for European wind farm infrastructure development

Off-Shore Windparks

The Houston, Texas's based RigNet TSI has been awarded a multi-million EURO contract to deliver communications systems and infrastructure for a high-voltage transmission platform in an offshore wind farm located in the German sector of the North Sea.
 
The award of this contract by a leading UK-based offshore contractor continues RigNet’s long-term success in the delivery of integrated telecommunications and operations support systems for a diverse range of applications and industries.

“As modern wind farms grow in scale and move farther offshore, they begin to resemble deepwater drilling operations in terms of complexity and technology requirements,” said Mark Slaughter, RigNet’s CEO and President. “Through our TSI business unit, RigNet applies its significant track record for offshore performance to help these renewable energy developments meet safety and production targets.”

RigNet TSI’s scope of work includes the integration and delivery of critical facility communications infrastructure, including Structured Cabling, Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless LAN (WLAN), Telephony, Public Address / General Alarm (PAGA), Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), Access Control (ACS), Meteorological Systems, Navigation and Lifeboat Radio support for the platforms.

RigNet TSI is a leading global Provider of managed remote communications, telecoms systems integration and collaborative applications dedicated to the oil and gas industry, focusing on offshore and onshore drilling rigs, energy production facilities and energy maritime vessels. RigNet is based in Houston, Texas.

Read more: RigNet wins Telecoms EPC contract for European wind farm infrastructure development

Energy -Texas: Fracking-led energy boom is turning U.S. into ‘Saudi America’ - by Sean Cockerham McClatchy

All along the highway that leads into this city in West Texas, the rows of black pump jacks seem endless, bobbing up and down as they pull crude oil from beneath the parched scrub desert.

The pump jacks have long been here, in good times and bad, a symbol of this city’s long status as the heart of America’s petroleum industry. Even when U.S. oil production was dropping and many feared the Permian Basin, which feeds Midland’s oil economy, was all but exhausted, the pump jacks continued their work – even when the result seemed hardly worth the effort.

Now, their up and down motion seems all but unstoppable, a symbol of an energy revolution that seems likely to transform the globe.

“Everything has changed,” said Jim Henry, 78, who’s worked in Texas’ oilfields most of his life .

A surge in U.S. oil production has in just a few short years propelled the United States from a country largely dependent on oil imports to one that soon could become the world’s top oil producer. The goal of North American energy self-sufficiency, the holy grail of American politics since the Arab oil boycott of 1973, seems to be within grasp.

The revolution has taken place almost unnoticed – and in a way that few foresaw less than a decade ago, when the emphasis on breaking America’s foreign oil dependence was almost entirely on persuading Americans to drive less, turn the thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter, and open protected areas to oil exploration.

No one, it seemed, foresaw what actually happened – a production revolution that in the past five years has seen the amount of crude oil produced in the United States shoot up 40 percent, after declining every year for the previous 20. The International Energy Agency predicts the United States will overtake Saudi Arabia as the world’s top oil producer by the year 2015. America already has become the largest producer of natural gas.

In October the United States started producing more oil than it imports for the first time since 1995.

Read more: MIDLAND, Texas: Fracking-led energy boom is turning U.S. into ‘Saudi America’ - Nation - MiamiHerald.com

Flemish and Netherlands PM's Unite On Mission to Texas - “a natural alliance” says Flanders Peeters

Dutch PM Rutte in Texas

Flanders and the Netherlands have a common interest in promoting themselves together as an economic cluster which is far more important than any competition between them, according to a joint statement issued by Flanders’ minister-president Kris Peeters and Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte. The two this week embarked on a three-day economic mission to Texas, accompanied by Flemish mobility minister Hilde Crevits and Dutch infrastructure minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen.

Peeters described the mission, in which the two are joined by more than 90 business representatives, as a “historic” moment. “This is the first time there has been a joint mission in the long history that Flanders and the Netherlands share,” he said. “Flanders and the Netherlands have a lot to offer. We have open economies propelled by our ports; we share the same language, culture and history. That natural alliance is what we will be using this joint mission to further develop.”

Rutte pointed to the size of the joint delegation. “It’s good to see so many people who are going to be making a lot of money in the next few days,” he joked. Flanders and the Netherlands together were small but powerful, he said. Texas on its own would be the 14th-largest economy in the world, he said – roughly the same as Flanders and the Netherlands combined.

Read more: Peeters and Rutte praise “natural alliance” | Flanders Today