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Celebrate Grand Admiral Thrawn’s 30th Birthday Next Year With New Books, Fancy Books, and Old Books (on T-Shirts!)

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In 1991, the Star Wars universe changed forever. After a few years of quiet, the Expanded Universe exploded in scope and reach, kicking off with a series of novels from Timothy Zahn that brought us the story of what happened after Return of the Jedi. With it came the rise of Grand Admiral Thrawn and 30 years later, it’s time to celebrate him in style.

Heir to the Empire—the start of what is now known in reverent tones as the Thrawn Trilogy—kicked off a journey for the masterful Chiss tactician that quickly embedded him as one of the most beloved and important icons of the Expanded Universe. His popularity was such that, even when Disney acquired Lucasfilm and rebooted Star Wars continuity wholesale, they could not leave Thrawn out in the dark.

Thrawn returned through Star Wars Rebels, allowing his creator to usher in a new wave of Thrawn novels, first exploring the commander’s early days in the Empire, and then in the recent Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising, his days before that as part of the mysterious Chiss society. Now, as the 30th anniversary of Heir’s release approaches, io9 has artfully acquired a few details about how 2021 will be anything but blue for our good Grand Admiral.

On Star Wars day next year, May 4, 2021—30 years to the month Heir to the Empire hit shelves—Del Rey will publish the second novel in Zahn’s Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy, which io9 can exclusively reveal the title and first look at the cover of—Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good.

Diving further into the ramifications of the events of the first book in the series, Chaos Rising, Greater Good finds Thrawn at the heart of big changes coming to the Chiss Ascendancy. With no time to bask in the laurels of his victory, Thrawn and his allies in the Chiss Expansionary Defence Force must race against the clock to uncover a plot to tear their society asunder. Here’s the full description of what you can expect:

Thrawn’s latest triumph still rests newly on his shoulders. Despite leading the Chiss to victory and bringing glory to the House of Mitth, the true threat to the Ascendancy has not yet been extinguished. Their foes do not send threats or ultimatums, or mass ships on the edge of the Chaos. Their weapons come cloaked in smiles and generosity—gifts offered freely, services granted unconditionally.

Across the Ascendancy, seemingly inconsequential events could herald the doom of the Chiss. As Thrawn and the Expansionary Defense Fleet rally to uncover the enemy plot, they discover a chilling truth. Rather than invade Chiss capitals or pillage resources, this mysterious enemy strikes at the very foundation of the Ascendancy by widening the rifts between the Nine Ruling Families and Forty Great Houses below. As rivalry and suspicion sow discord among allies, each warrior must decide what matters most: the security of their family, or the survival of the Ascendancy itself.

But that’s not all! If you need to catch up in the fanciest way possible before you dive into Greater Good, to celebrate Heir to the Empire and Thrawn’s 30th anniversary Del Rey has teamed up with Out of Print to release a very limited edition of Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising. The new book comes encased in a foil-stamped slipcase and printed with a piece of Chiss iconography.

The book itself also has a brand new matching cover, created by illustrator Magali Villeneuve—depicting the young Thrawn as he appears in the series, wearing the uniform of an Expansionary Defence Force officer—and includes special Chiss-blue stained pages and similar blue accents throughout the novel.

If that wasn’t enough? Each copy is signed by Zahn, cementing at a piece of art that Thrawn himself would admire (and ultimately discern 17 ways to outsmart you through). You’ll have to act fast though: just 750 copies will be available, and it’ll set you back a hefty $150 if you snag one when preorders launch in November.

If you feel bad about missing out on it, however (or just want a cheaper way to celebrate 30 years of Thrawn), at the same time Out of Print will also release a new t-shirt featuring a piece of Chisstory. Depicting Tom Jung’s iconic original cover art for Heir to the Empire—including Han, Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, Thrawn himself, and the infamous Dark Jedi, Joruus C’baoth—on the front, the t-shirt also prints Heir’s original title crawl and cover blurb from its original release on the back:

You’re basically wearing one of the most beloved Expanded Universe novels ever! There’s no limited run on them either, and at $30, it’ll be less damaging on your wallet to wear your Thrawn pride with, err, pride.

Thrawn Ascendancy: Greater Good releases on May 4, 2021, and is available to preorder now. The limited-edition run of Thrawn Ascendancy: Chaos Rising, as well as the Heir to the Empire anniversary t-shirt, will go up for order on Out of Print at 11:00 a.m. EST on November 17.

New Constitution: Conversations in Chile pave new path

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Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich comments on Pope Francis' letter to Europe, describing the importance of looking to the future, together, so that significant changes can be made for the entire world.
SANTIAGO, Chile — In the lead-up to the vote this week in Chile to establish a new constitution, conversations about building an equitable society have taken greater focus throughout the country. Over the past year, the Bahá’ís of Chile have been contributing to these discussions by creating spaces at every level, from the grassroots to national, to examine with their fellow citizens the foundations for a materially and spiritually prosperous society.

“This is a historic time for Chile,” says Felipe Duhart, Secretary of the country’s Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly. “We all have a rare opportunity to think collectively about the principles around which to organize our country.”

As part of its efforts to contribute to the national discourse on social progress, the Bahá’í community has most recently been working with a civil society organization, Ahora nos toca participar (Now is our turn to participate), to create discussion spaces across the country. A series of gatherings in recent months led to a national event involving thousands of participants. The Bahá’ís of Chile have given special attention at these gatherings—which are continuing alongside the constitutional process—to ensure that the voice of women and indigenous peoples is heard.

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Photograph taken before the current health crisis. Over the past year, the Bahá’ís of Chile have been contributing to discussions about social progress by creating spaces at every level, from the grassroots to national, to examine with their fellow citizens the foundations for a materially and spiritually prosperous society.

At a recent gathering, Veronica Oré, director of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Santiago, explained how certain assumptions need to be re-examined: “The historical moment in which we find ourselves, the impact of the pandemic, the awakening of a collective conscience, are driving our country to search for a new framework for society.”

“Beyond reforms,” Ms. Oré continued, “a profound transformation is required. … The proposal is that we do not look at progress only through the perspective of economic growth, but that we also consider spiritual concepts, such as justice and our essential oneness. When we think about educational policies, about constitutional changes, let us also rethink our assumptions about human nature, seeing the nobility of every human being.”

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Photograph taken before the current health crisis. A group of Mapuche community members visiting the Bahá’í House of Worship in Santiago. The Bahá’ís of Chile have given special attention to ensure that the voice of women and indigenous peoples is heard in special gatherings held over the last year that seek to contribute to a national discourse on social progress.

Luis Sandoval, of the Bahá’í Office of External Affairs of Chile, says, “The aspirations for change manifested in Chilean society—relating to issues such as the extremes of wealth and poverty, equality between men and women, the protection of nature, and the economy—have a common element: challenges in all these areas can be traced to a model of society that places material development at the center of life and of relationships. This is insufficient; we have to go beyond this and recognize the spiritual dimension of life.”

Mr. Duhart explains that underlying all these conversations is a call for justice. “This principle can guide a process for social change in a direction that will be beneficial to all people. The Bahá’í conception of justice places this as a pillar of a united society. Justice puts all people as one before God, and helps us understand how individuals, communities, and institutions form an interconnected whole. Spiritual principles such as justice provide pillars for a society where each of us, with our capacities, can develop and play our part.”

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Many profound discussions about the future of Chilean society have taken place over the last year on the grounds of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Santiago, exploring issues such as the extremes of wealth and poverty, equality between men and women, the protection of nature, and the economy.

Ms. Oré, explains how the potential for achieving greater unity is realized through the House of Worship: “In the four years since its inauguration, the temple has received some two million visitors from all walks of life and backgrounds. Over the past year, the House of Worship has especially acted as a magnetic center where invitees to special gatherings have come, and after participating in devotions, have engaged in profound discussions about issues of national concern. It’s evident through the thoughtful interactions here that we can build a stronger society together.”

Thomas Schirrmacher will be next head of World Evangelical Alliance

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Thomas Schirrmacher will be next head of World Evangelical Alliance
(Photo: © Peter Kenny)Thomas Schirrmacher in Pretoria, South Africa on June 16, 2017.

The World Evangelical Alliance says that Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher is to become its next Secretary General from March 2021 when he takes over from the current CEO Bishop Efraim Tendero.

Schirrmacher lives in Germany and studied theology in Switzerland and the United States.

In a letter announcing the appointment, Dr, Goodwill Shana, chair of WEA’s International Council, said: “He enjoys working with groups of diverse people and seeing people work together to advance the aims of the WEA.

“He is committed to building partnerships and seeing WEA contribute to the development of the global Christian community.”

After his appointment, Schirrmacher said: “Beside all my academic and socio-political involvement, the center of my convictions has always been the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ for each individual and the whole world.

“And I see WEA as the best place to serve the Church.”

One of the first people to congratulate Schirrmacher was World Council of Churches interim general secretary Rev. Ioan Sauca.

“I have had the pleasure to meet and work with you and other representatives of the World Evangelical Alliance at several occasions as we explored possibilities of working together facing developments in society and churches,” wrote Sauca.

The relationship between the WCC and the World Evangelical Alliance has strengthened as the organizations have identified various ways of collaborating to respond to needs around the world, while stressing the significance of strengthening Christian witness, Sauca noted.

“In the light of the current global realities, we acknowledge anew the importance of joint actions and responses to a suffering and disrupted world,” Sauca wrote.

“God is calling us in many ways to give witness of his love for every human being and to bring healing, unity and reconciliation.”

Schirrmacher has served in various roles in the WEA since 1999, and is currently the WEA’s Associate Secretary General for Theological Concerns.

Prior to this, he was a member of the Religious Liberty Commission, developed the International Institute for Religions Freedom, built up WEA’s Office for Intrafaith and Interfaith Relations, is chair of WEA’s Theological Commission, and WEA’s Ambassador for Human Rights.

“Evangelicals emphasize the importance of an individual and personal relationship with God that is not defined by any political, cultural or social association, nor automatically given by way of nominal membership of any specific denomination,” says WEA on its website.

Tedero commented on Schirrmacher’s appointment, “I saw in him the charisma, competence and capacity that is matched by the character, conviction and calling from God that are needed for such a global task.

“I have full confidence that he will lead the WEA as empowered by the Holy Spirit in advancing the Good news of the Lord Jesus Christ to all nations, and effecting personal, family and community transformation for the glory of God.”

(Photo: © Peter Kenny / Ecumenical News)World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Bishop Efraim Tendero photographed in Tirana, Albania on Nov. 4, 2015.

EU at risk of being overwhelmed by COVID-19: EU Commission head

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EU at risk of being overwhelmed by COVID-19: EU Commission head

BRUSSELS: The European Union’s healthcare system are at risk of being overwhelmed by the number of coronavirus cases unless authorities act quickly, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference on Thursday.

“The spread of the virus will overwhelm our healthcare systems if we do not act urgently,” she said after a video conference of EU leaders to coordinate the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said the Commission made available €220 million to finance cross-border transfer of COVID-19 patients across EU countries to avoid healthcare systems in the most affected countries not being able to cope.

She also said the EU would work for the quick validation, at EU level, of rapid antigen tests.

Global COVID-19 cases rose by more than 500,000 for the first time on Wednesday, a record one-day increase as countries across the Northern Hemisphere reported daily spikes.

The global coronavirus tally stands at 44.7 million cases and about 1.17 million deaths.

Scientists said on Thursday a coronavirus strain that emerged in Spain in June has spread across Europe and now makes up a large proportion of infections in several countries.

The variant, which has not been found to be inherently more dangerous, was first identified among farm workers in the eastern Spanish regions of Aragon and Catalonia.

Over the last two months, it has accounted for close to 90 per cent of new infections in Spain, according to the research paper, authored by seven researchers with backing by Swiss and Spanish public-sector science institutions.

The strain has also crossed European borders and accounted for 40 to 70 per cent of new infections in Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom in September, they found.

The World Health Organisation said in July that there was no evidence mutations of the virus had led to more severe disease.

European Union backs Byggðastofnun to support small businesses in Iceland

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European Union backs Byggðastofnun to support small businesses in Iceland
  • The European Investment Fund signs a guarantee agreement with Byggðastofnun in support of ISK 3.26 billion of financing to small businesses in rural areas of Iceland.
  • The guarantee, backed by the EU’s “COSME” programme, will allow Byggðastofnun to increase its lending to an underserved sector in the Icelandic economy.
  • Byggðastofnun will make available new lending possibilities with a special focus on green loans, innovation, female entrepreneurs, young farmers, and loans to fisheries in fragile communities.

The European Investment Fund, with the backing of the EU’s COSME programme, is extending a guarantee to a portfolio of up to ISK 3.26 billion (€20 million) worth of loans to Icelandic financial intermediary Byggðastofnun, to allow them to increase their lending to small and medium sized entrepreneurs in the Icelandic countryside. The guarantee allows Byggðastofnun to go beyond its credit policy and launch new products aimed to support SME clients currently underserved by the market, offering them new loans with more advantageous conditions.

With this European support, the independent Icelandic state agency will offer loans with improved terms to SMEs, including dedicated lines for female entrepreneurs, innovators, green loans (defined in line with the guidelines of the Icelandic Environmental Agency), loans to young farmers, and loans to fisheries in fragile communities around the Icelandic countryside. It is expected that around 100 Icelandic entrepreneurs will be able to benefit from this new financing programme.

Byggðastofnun focuses its activities on the entire island of Iceland, except for the capital and the municipalities around Reykjavík and has a specific policy goal of supporting SMEs in rural areas. By supporting what is often the only economic activity in a given settlement, this support enables the survival and the development of small villages and communities in Icelandic remote areas by enabling the diversification of sources of employment and income.

Arnar Már Elíasson, Deputy CEO at Byggðastofnun, commented on the signature by stating: “It is vital, especially in the aftermath of this global pandemic, that rural areas will have access to funds for the inevitable rebuild and restructuring needed.  This agreement will enable Byggðastofnun to fulfil its purpose to strengthen and assist all rural communities.”

EIF Chief Executive Alain Godard, added: “The EIF is glad to be extending its support to SMEs in Iceland, one of Europe’s closest partners. As a result of the guarantee, Byggðastofnun will be able to increase lending to SMEs outside of the capital region, safeguarding small communities. Against the backdrop of the current crisis, it important that we work with our partners to unlock support for entrepreneurs in rural areas and other underserved areas of the market.”

EU Ambassador to Iceland Lucie Samcová – Hall Allen commented: “Iceland and the European Union are very close partners. I am pleased that through the EU’s Investment Fund we can give a boost to approximately 100 small Icelandic businesses in rural areas – including to fisheries in fragile communities, to young farmers, to innovators and female entrepreneurs. This kind of cooperation has lasting results, with concrete benefits in the years to come.”

 

Background information:

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe‘s micro, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth, and employment. Since its first project in Norway, in 1974, the EIB Group has made available over €6 billion to support projects in the EFTA region, about €5 billion through the EIB and €1,1 billion through the EIF. On the whole, in Iceland alone the EIB Group has made available nearly €1.2 billion euros throughout the years between EIB and EIF financing.

COSME is the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs, running from 2014 to 2020, with a budget of €2.3billion. COSME will support SMEs by facilitating access to finance, supporting internationalisation and access to markets, creating an environment favourable to competitiveness, and encouraging an entrepreneurial culture.

Byggðastofnun is an independent investment agency owned by the Icelandic state. Byggðastofnun prepares, organizes and funds projects and provides loans with the aim of bolstering regional settlement, boosting employment and encouraging innovation in business and industry.

 

Press contact:

EIB Group: Tim Smit, +352 691 286 423, [email protected]

Byggðastofnun: Arnar Már Elíasson, +354 455 5400, [email protected]

European Commission: Flora Matthaes, +32 460 755148, [email protected]

EU Embassy to Iceland: Klemens Þrastarson, +354 694 4205, [email protected]

Top European economies in lockdown as virus spreads – Vatican News

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By Stefan J. Bos

During a turbulent session in the Bundestag, Germany’s Parliament. Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Germans to expect a “difficult winter.”

Merkel explained that she and the governors of Germany’s 16 states agreed upon new, far-reaching restrictions to curb the coronavirus’s spread.

Chancellor Merkel says the nation faces a dramatic situation at the beginning of the cold season in Germany. But she warns of populist views against the lockdown measures calling them irresponsible.”

Under the restrictions starting Monday, restaurants, bars, sports, beauty parlors and cultural venues will be shut for four weeks.

Groups of at most ten people, from a maximum of two households, will be allowed to meet in public. And all non-essential journeys will be discouraged. Churches, schools, and kindergartens will remain open, compared to the more severe shutdown Germany saw in March and April.

Many infections

Since the outbreak began this year, authorities and experts recorded nearly half a million COVID-19 infections and over 10,000 deaths on a population of some 80 million people.

Ahead of Germany, neighboring France prepared to resume life under a new lockdown. From Friday, people in France will only be allowed to leave home for essential work or medical reasons.

President Emmanuel Macron said the country risked being “overwhelmed by a second wave that no doubt will be harder than the first.”

“I have decided that it was necessary to return Friday to a lockdown that stopped the virus,” he added in televised remarks.

He said that under regulations for France, “nurseries schools, and high schools will remain open with strengthened sanitary protocols. Faculties and high education establishments must ensure online lessons. And everywhere possible, remote working will become generalized.”

Broader concerns

Germany and France’s measures underscore broader concerns in the European Union and Britain about the raging virus.

The president of the EU’s executive European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested that Europe will have a different Christmas this year. “We have been able in the first part of the year to reduce the spread of the virus effectively. But then we see that after the summer, the increase took place again partly expansionary,” she explained. However, “Now we can act with the experience of the first half of the year. So we will be in this for quoite a while,” Von der Leyen added.    

The EU is coordinating plans for a possible vaccine, but distribution may take time. Italy, Spain, France, and Britain were among the worst-hit European nations, imposing strict national lockdowns.

Some experts claim that this brought cases, hospital admissions, and deaths down to a very low level over time, but critics point out it ravaged economies.

Restrictions started to lift in the early summer, with non-essential shops, bars, restaurants reopening, and travel restarting. But in August, cases began to rise again, with a significant acceleration in recent weeks that has alarmed policymakers.

Aggressive action

Some experts have urged the Spanish government to take more aggressive action to curtail the latest infections there.

Countries that were not hit badly by the first wave – such as Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland – have not been spared this time. Officials warn of alarming infection rates across much of the continent.

Although for most people, COVID-19 causes only mild illness, it can make some people very ill.

More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes) appear to be more vulnerable.

Listen to the report by Stefan Bos

Joint statement by the Members of European Council

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Juan Sanchez Gil
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Joint statement by the Members of European Council

We, European Leaders, are shocked and saddened by the terrorist attacks in France.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms these attacks which represent attacks on our shared values.

We stand united and firm in our solidarity with France, with the French people and the Government of France – in our common and continued fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

We call on Leaders around the world to work towards dialogue and understanding among communities and religions rather than division.

COVID-19: Taking stock and moving forward together

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COVID-19: Taking stock and moving forward together

Statement by the WHO Regional Director for Europe at an emergency meeting of ministers of health from the WHO European Region on COVID-19 projections for the winter season

29 October 2020, Copenhagen, Denmark

The latest epidemiological data concerns us.  

  • This week, the European Region registered the highest weekly incidence of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with over 1.5 million cases reported in the past 7 days. The total number of confirmed cases has moved from 7 to 9 million in just 14 days, and, today, Europe exceeded 10 million cases.
  • A very high 14-day incidence of over 200 cases per 100 000 population is being seen in a significant majority of European countries.
  • Hospitalizations have risen to levels unseen since the spring (over 10 per 100 000 population in a third of reporting countries in Europe).
  • Mortality has also taken a sharp ascent (a 32% increase across the Region last week). The virus has spread back into older and at-risk groups, and the youth exclusivity in the share of the spread no longer applies. Early all-cause mortality signals from some countries give a clear warning: we can quickly recede into significant excess mortality.
  • As testing systems have not kept pace in a context of very high-speed transmission, test positivity rates have reached new highs, with positivity levels exceeding 5% in a majority of European countries.

Europe is at the epicentre of this pandemic once again. At the risk of sounding alarmist, I must express our very real concern and convey our steadfast commitment to stand beside you and support you as best we can.

I convened this meeting to present an opportunity for you to express your most serious concerns and for us to collectively reflect and share experiences. I feel the seriousness of the situation warrants it.

Our partner, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), presented today to the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region projections for COVID-19 for the Region over the winter period. Although the projections are sobering, they also demonstrate modelling on the effectiveness of strategies that can help us to reduce the foreseen negative impact on our populations and our health systems.

The key question that many countries are asking is whether or not to lock down, and when does a lockdown become necessary?

We know that lockdowns, at the scale of those seen earlier this year, will cut community transmission and give the health system much needed space to recoup and scale up so that it can attend to severe COVID-19 cases and provide essential health services.

But we also know that full lockdowns will propel mental health-care demand and spur an increase in domestic violence while decreasing hospital attendance for chronic conditions, resulting in premature deaths from those conditions.

The indirect impact associated with people falling into financial hardship and turning to social security would result in further economic impact and extend economic recovery time. Given these realities, we consider national lockdowns a last-resort option because they bypass the still-existing possibility to engage everyone in basic and effective measures.
So-called lockdowns need not mean what they meant in March or April. As we collectively redefine what we mean by this rather unfortunate term, I would like to contribute some reflections and points that may serve to prompt our discussion.

First, there are several lessons we have learned.

We can take action that makes a difference and saves lives while maintaining livelihoods. Modelling by IHME suggests that the systematic and generalized wearing of masks (at a rate of 95% from now) may save up to 266 000 lives by 1 February across our 53 Member States in the Region.

The data also suggest that encouraging people to work from home where possible, restricting large gatherings and proportionately shutting down places where people gather can go a long way to preserve lives and livelihoods.

On the other hand, we are also confident that children and adolescents are not considered primary drivers of COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, school closures are not considered to be an effective single measure and should continue to be a measure of last resort.

Second, we cannot underestimate the impact that COVID-19 fatigue is having on the well-being of our communities and the effectiveness of our ongoing responses.

We need to engage citizens to help us create solutions. It’s important that we communicate to manage expectations in the coming season with empathy. Any actions that we take need to be viewed in terms of their effectiveness in slowing down transmission, but also in terms of their negative impacts. Effective communication using credible data projections and solutions based on science can help us to engage individuals, families and communities to support our efforts to control the pandemic as we head into a difficult winter.

Third, regarding our health workforce and system.

While in March the critical limiting factors were intensive care units, ventilators and personal protective equipment, today the single issue of greatest concern is the health workforce. Our health workforce is exhausted, people are burning out.

We have no COVID-19 response if we do not care for our health-care and essential workers: their needs and well-being must be prioritized.

These are exceptional times and they require decision-makers to go an extra mile in supporting the workforce, for example, by compensating their unused leave or allowing them to carry this leave to the next calendar year, and by providing additional support services to them and their families, including psychosocial support or child care.

Our systems require adaptation.

When we can no longer ramp up testing and tracing at scale, we need to assess where to focus our resources. Adapting testing and tracing so that they are used in a targeted way for maximum impact, focusing on the events that trigger highest spread within communities, may become necessary. But we cannot give up on these critical systems.

My last point is that while supporting an already-stretched health system, we must try to maintain a dual-track health system to minimize the effects of ongoing COVID-19 responses. Adequate resourcing (human and capital), stronger referral mechanisms and alternative service delivery platforms (digital) can all help us to achieve this goal.

We need to understand how close our health systems are to being overwhelmed, and here is where we need to improve the quality of the data available. In turn, this will enable us to improve the modelling scenarios.

It is time to draw on our reserves to communicate empathy and gratitude – gratitude to communities, to our health and essential workforce, to the general public, for their courage and resilience.

People need hope. At the heart of this is understanding, honesty and transparency.

We entered this pandemic together, we bear the hardship together, and there is no doubt in my mind that we will triumph together.

Local View: In pandemic, even religion, politics can be discussed — but not the Great Pumpkin

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Local View: In pandemic, even religion, politics can be discussed — but not the Great Pumpkin

While such topic avoidance was common practice before the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, the recent corresponding massive social upheavals have now forced the subjects of religion and politics to fuse together in most of our public discussions. But we no longer discuss issues like racism, social inequality, crime, police policies, law and order, or protests in an open and frank manner. Instead we put an absolutist religious framework on our civil life. We have divided all of our politics into “good” and “evil,” “right” or “wrong,” “blessed” and “damned.”

There is no middle ground anymore.

The gloves are off, and the battle for righteousness has begun. If one of our family members or friends or neighbors shows the slightest disagreement with our political position, we are all over them. In social media, for example, many, many people have stated most clearly that support for a candidate or movement they disagree with will result in a blocking or banning of the offender: “I cannot believe you support that insane candidate. They want to destroy our country! You are no longer my friend or a member of my family.”

Elections are about leadership and direction, not absolute truth or destiny. But the pandemic has increased political and religious fanaticism amongst even the most rational of us. They take their favorite candidate and give them divine right while their opponent is impugned with the characteristics of Satan. The new norm among all pandemic politicians is: “If you are not with us, you are against us.”

If the pandemic has shown nothing else, it has shown how closely intertwined our destinies are with one another. Each of us is a traveler on the same small ship. What norms should we follow to make our collective journey manageable?

On Feb. 15, 1840, The Corsair: A Gazette of Literature, Art, Dramatic Criticism, Fashion, and Novelty in New York published a letter by John Stager, who suggested 18 maxims to follow when on a steamer voyage. Number 12 was: “Never discuss religion or politics with those who hold opinions opposite to yours; they are subjects that heat in handling until they burn your fingers.”

I believe John Stager had it right over 180 years ago. We know the folks who hold opposite opinions. Why purposely go out of our way to engage them and burn our fingers?

That being said, I do agree that we should discuss sensitive social justice issues — and we have not been discussing them. Given our divisions, we are screaming at each other instead, at the top of our lungs, talking way past one another.

We need to come back to the dinner table for polite and meaningful conversation, understanding social equality is possible, change is possible, and a more equitable world is possible. But these possibilities can only be realized if we can talk in a peaceful, respectful, and reasonable manner with our family, friends, and neighbors. Each conversation is an opportunity to improve ourselves and our society.

We must step back and try to recreate a norm of civility and even levity.

My fellow native Minnesotan, cartoonist Charles Schulz, was right to infuse humor into the old adage when he had Linus state in both a 1961 “Peanuts” comic strip and in the 1966 classic animated “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” that, “There are three things I have learned not to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.”

Happy Halloween and happy Election Day, everyone!

Dave Berger of Plymouth, Minnesota, is a retired sociology professor who taught for nearly three decades at Inver Hills Community College. He wrote this for the News Tribune.

Remarks by President Charles Michel following the EU-Canada Leaders’ meeting via videoconference

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Charles Mcihel in front medioa microphones
Photo from https://www.facebook.com/CharlesMichel

French and english text – – Avant toute chose, je voudrais exprimer l’émotion de l’Union européenne suite à ces nouvelles attaques terroristes qui ont été perpétrées en France.

Je voudrais dire notre solidarité avec la France, avec le peuple français. Je voudrais dire tout notre soutien pour les victimes, pour les familles des victimes. Et je voudrais dire qu’une fois encore, ce sont des attaques perpétrées contre la démocratie, contre les libertés et plus que jamais, nous devons être rassemblés, debout pour défendre ces valeurs qui nous rassemblent de démocratie, d’État de droit et de libertés fondamentales.

Nous avons eu l’occasion, lors de cette vidéoconférence avec la présidente de la Commission, le premier ministre du Canada, de passer en revue le partenariat et même l’alliance étroite, solide, robuste qui lie l’Union européenne et le Canada.

Au delà du partenariat, au delà de l’alliance, il y a des liens d’amitié solides qui nous rassemblent, Union européenne et Canada, parce que fondamentalement, nous constatons que nous partageons des valeurs communes, des valeurs centrales au départ desquelles notre vision du monde est inspirée: État de droit, droits de l’homme, la conviction que nous avons besoin d’un monde fondé sur des règles, le soutien au multilatéralisme, la conviction que les défis globaux doivent mobiliser des réponses générales et des réponses globales.

Nous avons eu encore une fois l’occasion, dans le détail, dans la substance, d’aborder les différents sujets au départ desquels nous entendons continuer à travailler étroitement ensemble pour resserrer nos liens et pour faire en sorte que ce socle robuste entre le Canada et l’Union européenne puisse avoir une valeur ajoutée utile au service d’un monde plus juste, au service d’un monde meilleur, au service d’un monde plus équitable.

Today we discussed three key areas of EU-Canada cooperation: Covid-19 and Economic Recovery, EU-Canada Relations and SOME international issues.

Today the world is at a crucial juncture – we see the resurgence of Covid-19 everywhere. So it’s natural that Covid-19 – and our economic recovery – were at the heart of our agenda. We are determined to fight the pandemic together – as a global community, in line with our values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Our goal is two-fold: first, protect the health of our citizens and second, ensure an innovative, sustainable, and inclusive economic recovery. And there is one way to do this – through solidarity, cooperation and multilateralism. The work of the G7, the G20, and the United Nations are crucial to these efforts.

The EU and Canada also cooperate on Covid vaccines, treatments, and tests to make sure all people have fair and affordable access.

And we discussed strengthening the WHO, global pandemic preparedness and response, and the necessary reforms.

We welcome G20 efforts on debt relief to support the most affected low-income countries, especially in Africa.

This year we celebrate the third anniversary of the provisional entry into force EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). CETA has been good for both the EU and Canada.  Bilateral trade has increased by 24% for goods and 25% for services. And we hope for the swift ratification of CETA by ALL our Member States.

Climate change may not grab the headlines right now.  But it’s no less urgent today than yesterday. We stressed the urgency to step up global action to tackle climate change. The EU and Canada share the common goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. And our economic recovery offers a unique opportunity for a “Green Reset” of our economies.

We also highlighted our close collaboration on our digital transformation. We work together to ensure that Artificial Intelligence and other digital technologies play a role in our Covid-19 recovery.

We also discussed a range of foreign policy and security issues – including China, Belarus, Nagorno-Karabakh, Eastern Mediterranean, Sahel and Venezuela. The EU and Canada see eye to eye on these issues.

Specifically on China, we have serious concerns about the human rights situation in China, including the arbitrary detention of EU and Canadian citizens.

Strong transatlantic relations are critical to address today’s geopolitical challenges and uphold the rules-based global order that we both cherish.

We also agreed to cooperate in protecting our democratic systems against cyber-attacks and disinformation.

Our EU-Canada relationship is strong, anchored in the values of democracy, human rights, and multilateralism. And we look forward to expanding our cooperation at our next Summit, when conditions allow. Thank you.

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