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October 8: France Suspends Stun Grenades, WWF Warns of Wildlife Declines
In California
California’s parole board has granted parole for a third time to Patricia Krenwinkel, the 78-year-old former Charles Manson follower imprisoned for nearly six decades for her role in the Tate-LaBianca murders. Governor Gavin Newsom overturned her previous two parole grants. Her attorneys are urging him to let this decision stand.
Federal vaccine research
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is planning a federal effort focused on vaccine injuries, according to the New York Times. The plans include a research clinic at the National Institutes of Health and a billing code to reimburse doctors for reporting serious vaccine side effects. Kennedy has long questioned vaccine safety.
Africa’s credit rating agency
The Africa Credit Rating Agency launches Wednesday in Mauritius to rate governments, cities and companies. African leaders and policymakers accuse the three dominant U.S. agencies of overstating risk and increasing borrowing costs. The African Union body behind the new agency describes it as privately owned and self-funded, but has not named its shareholders, chief executive or board. It also says the agency will need a licence from Mauritius’ financial regulator.
Plague laboratory death
The World Health Organization says it lacks enough information from Russian authorities to conduct a full risk assessment following the death of a plague laboratory worker. WHO officials say it remains unclear how the worker died.
U.S. defense chips
The U.S. Department of War has offered Wolfspeed up to $1.5 billion through a proposed 30-year loan to expand domestic production of advanced chips for drones, radar and missile defense. The deal could also allow the department to buy up to 7.5 percent of the company’s equity. Wolfspeed says financing still requires due diligence, government approvals and final agreements, with no guarantee funds will be provided.
Wildlife and food production
WWF says food production must change to avert biodiversity collapse. Its report examined nearly 36,000 animal populations across more than 5,000 species, finding an average population decline of 73 percent since 1970. Scientists say recoveries among wild tigers, tuna and green sea turtles show that action can reverse nature loss.
Russian asylum seeker sentenced
A 68-year-old Russian man who swam from Kaliningrad into Lithuania seeking asylum has been sentenced in Russia to six years in a strict-regime penal colony for publicly justifying terrorism.
Student protests in France
French authorities suspended stun grenades Wednesday after a teenager lost his hand during clashes with police. Demonstrations over school conditions have spread to more than 40 cities, with students blockading schools for weeks amid public-sector strikes.
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