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The news of the weekend was overwhelming.

A devastating earthquake rocked Haiti, killing more than 1,200 and injuring more than 5,700 as a tropical storm headed that way. COVID-19 cases continue to ravage the country with hospitals pushed to and beyond their limits as kids return to school.

Then came the unsettling scenes in Afghanistan as the Taliban took control of Kabul.

On Sunday afternoon, CNNs Jim Acosta went on the air and said, After 20 years, thousands of lives and billions of dollars, the entire U.S. military effort is collapsing over the course of a weekend in embarrassing fashion with the type of scenes we havent witnessed since the fall of Saigon in Vietnam in 1975.

So what about the coverage?

On TV, there was one destination for viewers: CNN. In times like these, its evident that no U.S. network is more equipped to cover such a major international and national story quite like CNN. Its coverage on Sunday was outstanding, particularly because of the on-scene reporting from the likes of CNNs international security editor Nick Paton Walsh and chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward.

Even as Ward was talking on camera from Kabul, viewers could hear gunshots in the background. It was both compelling and frightening, as Ward described chaotic and dangerous scenes of people raiding banks for money and scrambling to find safety.

At one point, Ward was asked if it was safe for her to move from her location to the airport. Ward said, I think if we were going to the airport right now, that would be ill-advised because its dark. If youre going to the airport now, youre probably not coming back. For the moment, we would like to continue to report here and weve put out lines to the Taliban to that effect, requesting that we be able to continue to do our jobs as journalists. Theres no sense at the moment that Western journalists are being targeted.

But then Ward quickly pointed out how the same could not be said for Afghan journalists, particularly women.

Theyve been doing bold and incredible reporting for many years, Ward said, and now theres a very real fear they might face retaliation for that or that, certainly, they wont be able to do their work anymore.

While analysis can be valuable to viewers on stories such as this, it also tends to be the laziest of the coverage. Its easy to line up three or four guests to hand-wring, second-guess and criticize (and, for example, Fox News did plenty of that on Sunday). Its much more difficult and yet way more beneficial to viewers to emphasize reporting over opinion and hustle over hot takes.

Panels are the best when the topics are how we got here and what happens next as opposed to pointing fingers. Again, thats where CNN shined above others.

Meanwhile, The New York Times and The Washington Post, in particular, had top-notch coverage from reporters and photojournalists also on the scene. Also, ABC News had a special half-hour report during prime time Sunday night. It was anchored by Linsey Davis with reporting by senior foreign correspondent Ian Pannell, chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz, chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl and congressional correspondent Rachel Scott.

NBC News Richard Engel, reporting live from Kabul on Sunday. (Courtesy: NBC News)

How did the Sunday morning shows cover the Afghanistan story? Again, give me reporting over opinion. A fine example of that was NBCs Meet the Press, which had a live report from chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel in Afghanistan.

In a compelling appearance, Engel told moderator Chuck Todd, People are preparing for the worst. Theres an increasing sense of lawlessness on the streets. It is intimidating. There has been some looting because youve seen a total collapse of the security forces down to local police officers. Some of them are changing out of their uniforms, wearing traditional dress. There have been looters pretending to be Taliban, just going up and ripping guns out of police officers hands. So, Afghans are worried about looting. Theyre worried about the Talibans imminent arrival. Theyre already in parts, in pockets of the city. And theyre very angry. Theyre angry at the U.S. Theyre angry at everybody. Theyre angry at the government. And theyre worried.

About the Taliban, Engel said, Theyve been fighting against the best military in the world, the U.S. military, for 20 years. Thats how guerrilla groups, insurgencies, get better. They sharpen their knives on the army of their adversaries. And thats what the Taliban has been doing for 20 years. And they are victorious. They can use this as a recruiting tool.

Engels reporting really showed the impact of what was happening. (His report during Sundays NBC Nightly News, which included desperate Afghans trying to escape the country out of fear from the Taliban, was powerful and heartbreaking.)

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the Sunday morning rounds and repeated the same version of what he told Todd on Meet the Press: Ultimately, its up to the Afghans themselves. Its up to the Afghan government, its up to the Taliban to decide the way forward for the country, including Kabul.

During an appearance with CNNs Jake Tapper on State of the Union, Blinken said, This is not Saigon. We went to Afghanistan 20 years ago with one mission, and that mission was to deal with the folks that attacked us on 9/11, and we have succeeded in that mission. The objective that we set, bringing those that attacked us to justice, making sure they couldnt attack us again from Afghanistan, weve succeeded in that mission. And in fact, we succeeded a while ago. And at the same time, remaining in Afghanistan for another one, five, 10 years is not in the national interest.

But presidential historian and CNN contributor Tim Naftali told CNNs Fredricka Whitfield that Sunday did feel like the fall of Saigon. And Naftali spoke about radical Islamic extremism possibly now finding Afghanistan to be a safe haven.

If that occurs, Naftali said, this is the Saigon moment for President Biden, and this will be an albatross around his neck for the rest of time.

President Joe Bidens words are already coming back to haunt him. Just last month, Biden said, The Taliban is not the North Vietnamese army. Theres going to be no circumstance where you see people being lifted off the roof of the United States from Afghanistan. It is not at all comparable.

Its a clip that CNN played several times on Sunday.

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and New York Times opinion columnist Viet Thanh Nguyen tweeted, Having literally been in Saigon for the fall of Saigon, it certainly looks like Saigon to me.

Not everyone was so critical of Biden. Appearing with Acosta on CNN, former California Gov. Jerry Brown said, Biden was very courageous, and theres so much hypocrisy. Look, the Afghan war, very soon after we went over there, it was over. We took out Al Qaeda. We chased after bin Laden. We stayed there too long. Bush should have gotten us out. Obama should have gotten us out, Trump. But they were all afraid of exactly whats happening. They didnt have the guts that Joe Biden had.

During an appearance on ABCs This Week, ABC News chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz blasted the U.S. government, saying it was a really massive intelligence failure that it didnt realize how quickly the Taliban could take over. She added that despite being in Afghanistan for 20 years and being familiar with how the Taliban operates, the U.S. was caught unaware and completely off guard.

Other notable moments from Sunday morning included ABC News Ian Pannell reporting live from Kabul and Chris Wallace pressing Donald Trumps secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Fox News Sunday, asking Do you regret giving the Taliban that legitimacy? Do you regret pressing the Afghan government to release 5,000 prisoners, which they did, some of whom are now back on the battlefield fighting with the Taliban?

And oh, another topic, CBSs Face the Nation had a good interview with soon-to-be New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis answers questions related to school openings and the wearing of masks, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Doesnt it seem like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is on Fox News a lot? Well, check this out: From the week of the 2020 election through February, DeSantis was asked on the network 113 times thats nearly once a day.

Not only that, but there were times when DeSantis got to pick the topic and even provided the graphics that Fox News could run with his appearance.

These details are all part of terrific work by Tampa Bay Times political editor Steve Contorno. Showing the value of Floridas public records, Contorno collected four months of emails more than 1,250 pages between Fox News and the Florida Republican governor.

Contorno wrote, By turning to DeSantis to fill the many hours of airtime once devoted to former President Donald Trump, Fox has made Floridas hard-charging leader one of the countrys most recognizable Republicans. That has given DeSantis a leg up on others who may seek the partys nomination for president in 2024. A recent nationwide poll of Republican voters put DeSantis atop the field if Trump doesnt run again. No other prospective candidate was close.

We recently saw the troubling conflict of interest that CNN had when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was shown favorably while appearing on a show hosted by his brother, Chris. Now we see another conflict with Fox News often speaking so glowingly of DeSantis.

One producer wrote to DeSantis team that Fox News Martha MacCallum was looking to spotlight the stars of the GOP and that she had named DeSantis as one. Another producer wrote, We see him as the future of the party.

As far as asking for DeSantis to appear on their network, a Fox News spokesperson told the Times the network works to secure interviews daily with headliners across the political spectrum which is a basic journalism practice at all news organizations.

As far as the part about Fox News and DeSantis sharing topics, talking points and graphics before his appearances, Fox News compared it to pre-interviews with guests to ensure preparedness for the segment. This is a common practice in television and is not unique to FOX News.

Meanwhile, check out this passage from Contornos story: Since Trumps defeat, DeSantis is a Fox regular once more. In the first six months of 2021, DeSantis had scheduled as many appearances with top Fox hosts Hannity (8 times), Tucker Carlson (6) and Laura Ingraham (7) as he had meetings with his lieutenant governor, Jeanette Nuez (7), according to his public calendar. Meanwhile, the governor has not met one-on-one this year with Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, the states top public health official, his schedules show.

Its also interesting that DeSantiss appearances leaned heavily toward prime-time opinion hosts such as Hannity and Ingraham than the on-air talent that is often considered more news oriented, such as Chris Wallace and Bret Baier.

Great work by Contorno and the Times, which is owned by the Poynter Institute.

Speaking of the Tampa Bay Times, I found this letter to the editor from St. Petersburg, Florida, resident Laura Steiermann to be thought-provoking: Can we please stop referring to radical right organizations like One America and Newsmax as conservative? There is nothing conservative about spreading lies and misinformation. There is nothing conservative about trying to overturn an election. Words matter. These are far right-wing institutions and nothing more.

In a story about the National Hockey League and player vaccinations, The Athletics Michael Russo and Katie Strang had this interesting paragraph regarding a memo sent out by the NHL Players Association:

The memo also said all media and broadcast personnel (both in-house and third party) who are interacting with players or hockey operations personnel must be fully vaccinated and masked at all times during such interactions. That could be an indication that the league plans to allow fully vaccinated and masked media to have face-to-face interactions with vaccinated players and coaches this upcoming season rather than to conduct interviews virtually.

(Courtesy: NBC News)

Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at tjones@poynter.org.

The Poynter Report is our daily media newsletter. To have it delivered to your inbox Monday-Friday, sign up here.

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Originally posted here:
How the media covered the controversial end of the US's longest war - Poynter

HARRISBURG, PA - The Game Commission recently expanded regulations prohibiting the movement of high-risk carcass parts from deer, elk and other cervids to control the potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). These changes will impact hunters going out of state this fall or hunting within Disease Management Area (DMA) 2.

There are two changes.

First, hunters are prohibited from importing high-risk parts or materials from cervids harvested, taken or killed in any state or country outside Pennsylvania. In years past, the prohibition applied only to those parts from animals taken in states and provinces known to have CWD.

Second, hunters are prohibited from moving high-risk parts outside of the Established Area (EA), which is a subsection of DMA 2. That includes even into the surrounding DMA.

Both changes also apply to deer killed in vehicle collisions that are picked up for consumption.

High-risk parts include the head (including brain, tonsils, eyes and any lymph nodes); spinal cord/backbone; spleen; skull plate with attached antlers, if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; cape, if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; upper canine teeth, if root structure or other soft tissue is present; any object or article containing visible brain or spinal cord tissue; unfinished taxidermy mounts; and brain-tanned hides.

Although CWD has been detected in both captive and free-ranging deer, the Game Commission's goal continues to be to prevent further introductions of CWD into our state and to prevent spread within the state, said Andrea Korman, the Game Commissions CWD biologist. The movement of high-risk carcass parts is a potential avenue through which CWD could be spread and one that can be prevented.

Expanding the regulation banning the importation of high-risk parts into Pennsylvania from any state or province regardless of whether CWD is known to exist there serves two purposes.

It takes into account the wide range of testing and surveillance in other states not all monitor the disease the same way and simplifies things for hunters, who no longer have to remember different rules for different areas.

The answer is always Dont bring high-risk parts home with you, Korman said.

The regulation change specific to the EA reflects the state of the disease there. The EA has produced more than 90 percent of the all the cases of CWD found in Pennsylvania to date.

CWD is difficult to manage and moving high-risk parts from a known area of infection has the potential to spread the disease to new areas, said Jeannine Fleegle, a biologist in the Game Commissions Deer and Elk Section. We need to do everything we can to prevent that.

Hunters who take a deer within the EA must either butcher it and dispose of the high-risk parts within EA boundaries or take it to a processor within the EA. Those who want to have a deer from the EA mounted must cape it to remove all high-risk parts or take it to a taxidermist within the EA.

The same rules apply to deer taken within any of the DMAs.

More information can be found at http://www.pgc.pa.gov/CWD. Visitors to that site can find statistics on CWD, maps and boundary descriptions of the EA and each DMA, and more.

That site also lists the location of CWD testing bins. Hunters who harvest a deer within the EA or any of the DMAs can place its head in one of those bins. Heads should be double-bagged, with antlers removed, and placed in a bin with the harvest tag legibly filled out and firmly attached to the ear.

The Game Commission tests all those deer for CWD for free and makes results available to hunters. Hunters can check their test results by calling the CWD hotline (1-833-CWDINFO) or by visiting the results lookup page at http://www.pgc.pa.gov/CWD.

Pennsylvania first detected CWD in 2012 at a captive deer facility in Adams County. The Game Commission has since tested more than 100,000 wild, free-ranging whitetails and more than 1,400 elk for CWD.

To date, CWD has been found in 727 deer. It has not been detected in Pennsylvanias elk herd.

MEDIA CONTACT: Travis Lau - 717-705-6541

# # #

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HUNTERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF ENHANCED CWD PROTECTIONS - Governor Tom Wolf

Taliban fighters stand guard along a roadside near the Zanbaq Square in Kabul on August 16, 2021, after a stunningly swift end to Afghanistan's 20-year war, as thousands of people mobbed the city's airport trying to flee the group's feared hardline brand of Islamist rule.

Wakil Kohsar | AFP | Getty Images

LONDON World leaders expressed dismay and concern at the chaotic scenes in the Afghan capital Kabul, with the Taliban now effectively taking control of the country.

Since the U.S. began winding down its Afghan operation, the Taliban which seeks to enforce an austere version of Islamic law has been seizing new territory on an almost daily basis. It captured Kabul on Sunday and took over the presidential palace, a move that marked the end of nearly 20 years of American military presence on the ground.

On Sunday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the situation "extremely difficult."

"I think it is very important the West collectively should work together to get over to that new government, be it by the Taliban or anybody else, that nobody wants Afghanistan, once again, to be a breeding ground for terror."

U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed to told Sky News on Monday that it was not in the country's plans to send troops back to Afghanistan.

In Italy, Foreign Affairs Minister Luigi di Maio shared a similar message, telling the newspaper Corriere della Sera on Sunday that there would be no new military commitment to Afghanistan.

"Surely the West has made mistakes and it is right to admit it," di Maio said, according to an NBC News translation of the interview.

"Over the past 20 years, attempts have been made to put a barrier to the power and ideology of the Taliban, but if the advance in recent days has been so fast and rapid, we must at least ask ourselves what the reasons are," he added.

Germany announced Sunday an evacuation of as many employees as possible in Kabul, though a "core team" will remain on the ground, according to Heiko Maas, the country's minister for foreign affairs.

Speaking on Monday, Chancellor Angela Merkel told her party that the latest developments in Afghanistan will have to be dealt with for a very long time to come, according to Reuters.

In view of the rapid advance of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Bundeswehr plans to begin evacuating German citizens and local Afghan forces from Kabul on Monday 16th August, 2021.

Hauke-Christian Dittrich | picture alliance | Getty Images

Merkel added that Germany must help Afghanistan's neighbors in dealing with refugees. The crisis team of the German government will meet Monday afternoon to discuss the developments in Kabul.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell tweeted Monday: "Afghanistan stands at a crossroad. Security and wellbeing of its citizens, as well as international security are at play." Borrell will discuss the situation with EU foreign affairs ministers on Tuesday.

Ahead of a separate U.N. Security Council emergency meeting on Monday, Ireland's Minister of Trade Leo Varadkar said: "Shocking news from Afghanistan. Particularly concerned for the women and girls of the country. Ireland will continue to use its voice on the UN Security Council to condemn Taliban violence and prevent further suffering."

Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, Ghulam M. Isaczai waits to speak during a UN security council meeting on Afghanistan on August 16, 2021 at the United Nations in New York.

Timothy A. Clary | AFP | Getty Images

Data from the U.N. humanitarian aid coordination agency showed that even before the advance of the Taliban, some 18.4 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan this year.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Sunday on Twitter: "Conflict in Afghanistan is forcing hundreds of thousands to flee amid reports of serious human rights violations. All abuses must stop."

Hours earlier, the head of the NATO alliance, Jens Stoltenberg said he had spoken with representatives from the U.K., Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands about the situation in Afghanistan.

"NATO is helping keep Kabul airport open to facilitate and coordinate evacuations," he said via Twitter.

In April, U.S. President Joe Biden ordered the withdrawal of American soldiers before Sept. 11 a decision that he reiterated last week when saying that the U.S. had spent over a trillion dollars over 20 years, trained and equipped the Afghan forces.

However, the departure of American troops and its allies is being overshadowed by the fast deployment of the Taliban forces and the subsequent chaotic scenes of citizens trying to flee the nation.

A spokesperson for the Taliban, Suhail Shaheen, told the BBC on Sunday that the militants want a "peaceful" transition.

China has decided to keep its embassy in Kabul open, although it is advising its citizens to stay indoors. A spokesperson for the Chinese government, Hua Chunying, said Beijing expects a smooth transfer of power and called for crimes and terrorism to be contained, according to NBC News.

Russia is taking a similar approach, having decided to keep its embassy in Kabul open. About 100 employees will be moved, a spokesperson for the Russian government told Reuters, adding that some will be on vacation, while others will not be around to avoid having too much of a presence.

Russian Ambassador Dmitriy Zhirnov is due to meet with the Taliban in Kabul on Tuesday, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Go here to read the rest:
World leaders react as the Taliban take Kabul - CNBC

Dont Wait. Vaccinate!

A Message from the Ohio Department of Health Immunization Program

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). In celebration of NIAM, the Ohio Department of Health is reminding Ohioans of the importance of scheduling well visits and getting vaccinated against viruses that can cause serious illness.

In the United States, vaccines have greatly reduced infectious diseases that once routinely harmed or killed many infants, children, and adults. However, the viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable diseases still exist and can cause illness in people who are not protected by vaccines. Every year, tens of thousands of Americans still suffer serious health problems, are hospitalized, and even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines. Protect your health and the health of your family. Make sure you and your loved ones are up-to-date on recommended vaccines. Schedule a well visit with your childs healthcare provider today.

Heres why you shouldnt wait:

Vaccines are our best protection against a number of serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases. Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other medical experts update vaccine recommendations for children, teens, and adults based on the latest research and evidence-based science on vaccine safety, effectiveness, and patterns of vaccine-preventable diseases.

You have the power to protect yourself and the ones you love. Talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccines are right for you and your family.

Getting Vaccinated

Most private health insurance plans cover the cost of recommended vaccines. Vaccines are available at doctors offices, as well as other convenient locations such as pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics, and local health departments. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program helps provide vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. Medicare and Medicaid also cover a number of vaccines for adults.

To learn more about vaccines, visit: odh.ohio.gov, keyword immunization.

Original post:
Immunization Protects All Of Us | Ohio Department of Health - Ohio Department of Health

ArtLords co-creator Omaid Sharifi speaks during an interview at his studio in Kabul in August 2019. With the Taliban overrunning the capital on Sunday, he says his is unsure what the future holds for his art and his organization. // AFP via Getty Images, Wakil Kohsar

Updated August 16, 2021 at 1:08 PM ET

For Afghan artist Omaid Sharifi, and for many others living through the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the future is uncertain.

When the Taliban ruled the country from 1996 to 2001, creating art was dangerous. The Taliban disapproved of music, destroyed the giant carved Buddha statues of Bamiyan and banned all artistic representations of the human form.

Sharifi, co-founder and president of the nonprofit arts organization ArtLords, says his murals focus on empathy and kindness. "And I strongly believe that my country, a wounded country, it needs healing," he told NPR's Don Gonyea on Weekend All Things Considered. "And I am healing it through my art."

On Sunday, he and his organization were painting a mural on a Kabul street when the panic and chaos started. He posted this video on Twitter:

Despite the surreal events of the Taliban's move into the city, Sharifi told NPR he's hopeful:

"It feels that I'm not sure I may be able to paint again or not. I'm not sure my organization will be there. I'm not sure if my paintings will be there tomorrow ... But still, in this day, a couple of hours ago, I was painting in a street of Kabul. And I hope I will be able to do it again."

This story originally appeared on the Morning Edition live blog.

Read more from the original source:
An Afghan Artist Fears For The Future Of His Craft With The Taliban In Control | NPR - Houston Public Media