The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Inspector General identified a decline in enforcement activity within the agency from fiscal 2007 through fiscal 2018 in a report released Thursday.

In the report, the inspector general said the decline was primarily the result of resource constraints and leadership decisions within the agency. Those decisions included shifting resources to major cases and, as of 2017, deferring to state agencies on enforcement, according to the report.

“From 2006 through 2018, growth in the domestic economy and new laws increased the size and level of activity in key sectors that the EPA regulated, but the EPA’s capacity to meet that need decreased,” the report states.

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“We recommend that the EPA’s assistant administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance complete a workforce analysis to assess the Agency’s capacity to maintain a strong enforcement field presence that protects human health and the environment and to integrate the results of this analysis into the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance’s strategic and annual planning processes,” the office added.

The report also noted the agency’s annual enforcement reports do not provide full context for enforcement activity in many cases, specifically citing the lack of data on activities like compliance activities, noncompliance rates and informal enforcement activities.

The inspector general report also suggested possibly providing further information in categories such as type of inspection and type of pollutants removed during enforcement activity.

The watchdog recommended that the EPA develop new measures for compliance assistance and informal enforcement and evaluate its yearly performance measures.

It further suggested better tracking of environmental program noncompliance, as well as creating a public dashboard “that shows trends in Agency-led enforcement activities and actions and is similar to the dashboards that the Agency has already prepared for state enforcement programs.”

The announcement comes weeks after the EPA’s compliance chief instructed staff in an internal memo to ramp up agency enforcement of regulations in communities hit hard by pollution and environmental damage.

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A prominent panel of political and public health leaders has blasted the international and national response to the coronavirus pandemic, labeling slow and tepid reactions around the world as a preventable disaster that cost millions of lives.

In a report issued Wednesday, the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response called on wealthier countries to do more to help the world end the pandemic and to bolster the global health systems meant to act as a front-line defense to prevent future outbreaks.

“COVID-19 remains a global disaster. Worse, it was a preventable disaster,” the report says.

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It is clear, the report found, that the world was not prepared, even after decades of warnings that a serious pathogen was poised to sweep the globe.

“The Independent Panel has found weak links at every point in the chain of preparedness and response. Preparation was inconsistent and underfunded. The alert system was too slow — and too meek,” the panelists wrote. “Global political leadership was absent.”

The panel, brought together by the World Health Organization (WHO), was led by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former president of Liberia, and Helen Clark, the former prime minister of New Zealand. Both former leaders have extensive experience in international organizations, Sirleaf at the World Bank and Clark at the United Nations.

The report praised clinicians on the ground in Wuhan, China, who identified what they believed was a novel pathogen in December 2019. But it criticized the formal procedures for alerting other nations, an implicit rebuke of China’s early moves to downplay the severity of the virus and to censure those who sounded the alarm, costing the world valuable time to prepare. 

Even after the World Health Organization itself issued a public health emergency of international concern, the highest level of warning it can offer, “too many countries took a ‘wait and see’ approach rather than enacting an aggressive containment strategy that could have forestalled the global pandemic,” the report says.

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Global tensions undermined both the WHO and other multilateral organizations and cooperation. The report does not specifically mention the strain on relations between the United States and China, as the Trump administration sought to cast blame for the virus’s origins overseas. 

The report highlights some nations that did well in containing the virus, and it pointedly notes that a nation’s wealth did not predict its success in halting the spread. Through all of last year, the wealthiest country on earth — the United States — suffered more disease and death than all other nations. 

The panel recommends high-income nations commit at least a billion doses of vaccine to low- and middle-income countries by the beginning of September, and two billion by the middle of 2022. Dozens of nations have yet to receive their first shipments of vaccine, and most of the world does not yet have sufficient vaccine supplies to make a real dent in the epidemiological curve. They called on members of the G-7 to provide 60 percent of the $19 billion it would cost to produce vaccines, diagnostic tests and therapeutics to fight the virus. 

The panel also called on WHO and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to urge countries with the capability to produce vaccines to transfer the technology to do so to other nations on a voluntary basis. If those nations do not agree to do so voluntarily, the panel said the WTO should waive intellectual property rights.  

Going forward, the panel urged the creation of a Global Health Threats Council led by heads of state. Those heads of state, they said, should adopt a special declaration at the U.N. General Assembly in September to radically prioritize pandemic preparedness.

“The current system failed to protect us from the COVID-19 pandemic. And if we do not act to change it now, it will not protect us from the next pandemic threat, which could happen at any time,” Sirleaf said in a statement. “The shelves of storage rooms in the UN and national capitals are full of reports and reviews of previous health crises. Had their warnings been heeded, we would have avoided the catastrophe we are in today. This time must be different.”

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The Department of Transportation (DOT) said Tuesday it is considering issuing a temporary waiver to allow fuel to be delivered to U.S. ports as parts of the East Coast face a gas crunch following the hack of Colonial Pipeline.

The DOT said in a statement it is mulling “a temporary and targeted waiver” of the Jones Act, which prohibits foreign-owned, operated or built ships from transporting goods in between ports in the U.S.

The DOT said that its Maritime Administration “initiated a survey of Jones Act-qualified vessels to begin the process of evaluating what assets are available in the Jones Act fleet to carry petroleum products within the Gulf, and from the Gulf up the Eastern Seaboard.”

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“This step is being taken to determine whether there is sufficient capacity on Jones Act-qualified vessels to carry the product and to determine if a waiver is warranted. Responses have been requested today.”

The DOT’s announcement comes hours after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued temporary waivers in three states and Washington, D.C. gas regulations intended to improve air quality. The waiver will allow Washington as well as Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia to sell dirtier-burning gasoline than is typically permitted.

The dual moves mark the government’s latest effort to expand the availability of fuel after the hack on Colonial Pipeline led it to shut down its main channel for transporting gas.

The company funnels refined gasoline and jet fuel from Texas to New York and closed 5,500 miles of pipeline in an attempt to contain the breach. The hack targeting the company is not believed to have obtained data on Colonial’s operations, but its pipeline was shuttered in an attempt to contain the damage.

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Multiple major U.S. banks are planning to begin sharing data on customer’s accounts as part of a government initiative to provide credit to those who don’t have credit scores.

The Wall Street Journal reports that JPMorgan, Wells Fargo and U.S. Bancorp will begin considering an individual’s checking or savings accounts at other financial institutions to increase their chances of qualifying for a credit card. They would take into account an applicant’s account balance over time as well as their overdraft histories, people familiar with the matter told the Journal.

Sources told the outlet that around 10 banks have agreed to exchange information with each other. This initiative is part of the Roundtable for Economic Access and Change, or Project REACH, which was launched by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) last year.

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It came about after the OCC met with leaders from the finance sector to find ways of increasing credit access to those who have historically lacked it. The Journal notes that a 2015 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that Black and Hispanic adults are less likely to have credit scores than white and Asian adults.

The banks are reportedly discussing the use of credit reporting firms like Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to facilitate the data-sharing.

This will mark a significant shift in how lending operates in the U.S. People who have only paid with cash or debit cards as well as those who are new to the U.S. do not have credit scores, the Journal notes, representing around 53 million people without traditional credit scores.

“It’s not a Hail Mary,” chief executive of consumer lending at JPMorgan, Marianne Lake, told the Journal. “It’s something that we know works.”

Individuals who would qualify for credit under this new method could eventually qualify for auto loans, mortgages and other bank products.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is rescinding a Trump-era rule that was expected to make it harder to regulate air pollution, the agency announced on Thursday. 

The agency issued an interim rule to rescind the previous rule, stating that the changes made by the prior rule were “inadvisable, untethered to the [Clean Air Act], and not necessary to effectuate the purposes of the Act.”

Rescinding the Trump-era rule will allow the agency to use the pre-Trump process as it carries out its own regulations.

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“Revoking this unnecessary and misguided rule is proof positive of this Administration’s commitment to science,” said EPA Administrator Michael ReganMichael ReganOvernight Energy: Colonial Pipeline restarting operations after cyberattack | Gas shortages spread to more states | EPA relaunches website tracking climate change indicators EPA relaunches website tracking climate change indicators EPA rescinds Trump rule allowing public to weigh in on agency guidance  MORE in a statement. “We will continue to fix the wrongs of the past and move forward aggressively to deliver on President BidenJoe BidenBiden says Beau’s assessment of first 100 days would be ‘Be who you are’ Biden: McCarthy’s support of Cheney ouster is ‘above my pay grade’ Conservative group sues over prioritization of women, minorities for restaurant aid MORE’s clear commitment to protecting public health and the environment.”

The rule in question changed the way that the agency conducted cost-benefit analyses, technical pro-con lists used in rulemaking, used to justify the regulations they put forward. 

The changes made by the Trump administration included removing the consideration of benefits of reducing additional pollutants besides the one specifically targeted a regulation in the cost-benefit analysis, though it did allow these co-benefits to be included in a separate document. 

The Trump administration defended its changes when it issued the rule, billing it as a way to standardize the process. 

“Up to now there have been no regulations to hold us, the EPA, accountable to a standardized process and guarantee the public can now see how those calculations informed decisions,” then-EPA Administrator Andrew WheelerAndrew WheelerEPA rescinds Trump rule allowing public to weigh in on agency guidance  OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden officials unveil plan to conserve 30 percent of US lands and water | Watchdog questions adequacy of EPA standards for carcinogenic chemical emissions | Interior proposing revocation of Trump-era rollback on bird protections Ex-Trump Interior, EPA leaders find new posts MORE said at the time.

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But the Biden administration took issue with that approach and said in its interim rule Thursday that the Trump rule “codified certain practices that conflict with best science.”

Specifically, it said the portion that required the analyses to address certain outside factors that could potentially influence both cause and effect could have resulted in an “inferior” selection of health studies.

The American Lung Association praised the move on Thursday.

“Lives saved from reducing a certain pollutant as a result of steps taken to clean up another pollutant aren’t any less real or valuable. We thank EPA for taking this step to rescind this harmful rule,” the group’s president and CEO Harold Wimmer said in a statement.

Updated at 11:09 a.m.

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Les dernières semaines ont été redoutables pour le clan star du cinéma français. Après un séjour à l’hôpital américain de Neuilly-sur-Seine, puis un autre à la Pitié-Salpêtrière de Paris (où il a subi une opération et passé trois semaines en soins intensifs)Alain Delon a été pris en charge en Suisse. Depuis, les membres de sa famille ont, chacun à leur tour, donné des nouvelles rassurantes de son état de santé. Sa fille Anouchka, 28 ans, a carrément retrouvé un sourire divin…

Sur la dernière publication de son compte Instagram, la jeune comédienne écrit : “Tenez-vous loin des gens négatifs, ils ont un problème pour chaque solution”. Une légende accompagnant un cliché en noir et blanc. Celle qui est l’exécutrice testamentaire du monstre sacré du cinéma doit sans doute être heureuse de savoir son père en meilleure forme.

La Palme d’honneur du Festival de Cannes 2019 nous aura donné des sueurs froides ! Mais c’est grâce à son fils aîné Anthony en premier puis à Anouchka que la France a su déceler le vrai du faux, parmi toutes les rumeurs gravitant autour du comédien. “Mon père a bien fait un accident vasculaire cérébral, mais suivi d’un hématome sous dural aigu, précisait-elle sur les réseaux sociaux le 9 août. Il a eu beaucoup de chance car tout s’est bien passé. Rien d’étonnant, c’est un battant. Il continue d’avoir la chance d’être bien entouré, et de se remettre de ses difficultés.”

Avant d’être complètement rassuré, il aura tout de même fallu attendre une photographie partagée par Alain-Fabien Delon quelques jours plus tard, où le pilier des salles obscures affiche un sourire XXL.

” Tenez-vous loin des gens ngatifs, ils ont un problme pour chaque solution. ” #love @juliendereims

Une publication partage par Anouchka Delon (@anouchkadelon) le 18 Aot 2019 4 :18 PDT

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L’annonce de la grossesse de Christina Milian – M. Pokora est le futur papa – a réjoui ses millions de fans ! Depuis, ils suivent l’évolution de la situation avec la plus grande attention. La chanteuse et future maman d’un petit garçon prend des rondeurs et s’occupe sous le soleil de Los Angeles…

“Chaque jour, mon ventre est différent, a récemment expliqué Christina Milian sur Instagram. Parfois, il est plus imposant, parfois, il est plus plat. Je ne sais pas pourquoi !” Le ventre de la star de 37 ans était plus plat ce jeudi 22 août 2019. Christina avait profité d’un après-midi ensoleillé pour se rendre dans un salon de coiffure, puis faire le plein d’essence. D’abord vêtue d’une robe grise et de baskets Nike React Element, elle s’est changée pour arborer un top sans manche à carreaux, un pantalon chino kaki et des bottines en daim.

Dans quelques semaines, Christina Milian et M. Pokora accueilleront leur premier enfant, le deuxième de Christina (déjà maman d’une fille prénommée Violet et née de sa précédente relation avec le producteur de musique The-Dream). Christina et Matt ont révélé le sexe en publiant des photos d’une gender reveal party sur Instagram : c’est d’un petit garçon qu’il s’agit !

D’humeur maternelle, Christina Milian tente de convaincre son chéri d’adopter un chiot. “Nous allons avoir un bébé… et si [on avait] un bouledogue ?“, a écrit la jolie brune, toujours sur Instagram. M. Pokora acceptera-t-il d’offrir un compagnon de jeu à son fils ?

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We’re having a baby.. what about a bulldog? …. @mattpokora #pwettypwease @roadogs

A post shared by Christina Milian (@christinamilian) on Aug 21, 2019 at 12:39pm PDT

Danse avec les stars 2019 débutera prochainement sur TF1. Il est donc temps d’apprendre les noms des derniers candidats qui fouleront la piste de danse. Nos confrères de Puremédias en ont dévoilé un, ce mardi 27 août 2019. Il s’agit de… Clara Morgane !

La jeune femme de 38 ans ne fera en effet bientôt plus uniquement monter la température sur Instagram, avec son calendrier ou dans son cabaret. Elle a été sélectionnée parmi beaucoup d’autres pour tenter de succéder à Clément Rémiens, le gagnant de la saison précédente avec Denitsa Ikonomova. Et nul doute qu’elle fera sensation auprès du public et du jury. Espérons qu’elle se prépare déjà physiquement à affronter les semaines intenses qui l’attendent.

C’est le cas de Moundir, l’un des candidats de cette saison 10. Régulièrement, il partage ses séances de sport sur les réseaux sociaux, ses concurrents n’ont donc qu’à bien se tenir. En plus de l’ancien candidat de Koh-Lanta, Clara Morgane affrontera l’actrice des Mystères de l’amour Elsa Esnoult, l’acteur des Bracelets rouges Azize Diabaté et la comédienne de Demain nous appartient Linda Hardy.

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Le champion paralympique Sami El Gueddari, le compagnon de Caroline Receveur Hugo Philip et Liane Foly ont également été annoncés par la première chaîne. Du côté de la présentation, on retrouvera Camille Combal et Karine Ferri. Le jury ne change pas non plus : Shy’m, Patrick Dupond, Chris Marques et Jean-Marc Généreux. En revanche, la danseuse professionnelle Marie Denigot ne sera pas de retour. Elle a été remplacée par Inès Vandamme. Jordan Mouillerac ne fera pas non plus partie de cette nouvelle édition.

Pendant des années, la relation entre Nabilla et son père était tendue. Depuis un peu plus de deux ans, l’ancienne candidate de télé-réalité devenue businesswoman a renoué avec Khoutir Benattia, fonctionnaire de l’ONU. Mardi 27 août 2019, la jeune femme enceinte de son premier enfant a révélé avoir reçu un joli message de son papa.

C’est les larmes aux yeux que Nabilla s’est confiée à ses abonnés sur le réseau social Snapchat. “Je suis tellement contente d’avoir reçu ce message de mon père. On a eu des passages tellement compliqués lui et moi quand j’étais plus jeune. On ne s’est pas parlés pendant cinq ans“, a-t-elle rappelé. Et de poursuivre : “Ça s’est tellement amélioré (…). Il me dit : ‘Qu’est-ce que tu es devenue intelligente, qu’est-ce que tu es devenue mature !’ Je pense que ça restera ma plus belle réussite, d’avoir rendu fier mon père.” Ce dernier a d’ailleurs déclaré avoir hâte de rencontrer son petit-fils Milann, dont la naissance est prévue pour cette fin d’année 2019.

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Si plus jeune l’épouse de Thomas Vergara jugeait l’éducation de son père trop stricte, aujourd’hui elle comprend mieux. “Je me disais : ‘Il me saoule, il a trop de principes, trop de valeurs.’ Mais il m’a appris tellement de choses ! Quand on est jeune, on a envie de se rebeller et on n’aime pas que nos parents nous mettent des barrières alors que c’est pour notre bien“, poursuit la future maman de 27 ans.

Une heureuse nouvelle pour Nabilla qui ne vit pas une période très rose de sa grossesse. Toujours sur Snapchat, la belle brune a évoqué un moment “hyper compliqué“. “Je sens que le bébé puise vraiment dans toutes mes ressources. J’essaie de manger des fruits, des légumes, des vitamines, je prends du fer… Ça ne suffit pas. Je me sens tellement faible, c’est ouf, a-t-elle lancé. Il me reste huit semaines. Ça va aller, c’est sûr, mais ça devient vraiment compliqué. Malgré les apparences, je me sens gonflée, je ne me sens pas belle… Après je suis triste, après je suis contente… Je suis un peu perdue en fait.” Pas très en forme, la jeune femme a même ajouté : “Je vais aller m’allonger un petit peu parce que je ne me sens pas très bien (…). J’ai l’impression que je vais m’évanouir.” Une fin de grossesse difficile pour la belle…

Anthony FauciAnthony FauciOvernight Health Care: US health officials call for J&J vaccine pause over rare blood clots | White House seeks to reassure Five questions raised by the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause Biden says vaccine supply not impacted by J&J pause MORE, the nation’s top infectious diseases specialist, on Wednesday, said that he sees “similarities” between clotting issues that have arisen in a small handful of patients who took the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and issues that arose in some patients that were administered AstraZeneca’s vaccine.

Speaking on NBC’s “Today,” Fauci said that the two issues “certainly could be [connected],” adding that there were some “rather strong similarities” between the two groups of patients.

“There are some rather strong similarities about this with regard to the timeframe following vaccination, particularly, importantly, the clinical syndrome of these clots together with low platelets, so there are a lot of similarities there that you just can’t miss,” Fauci said.

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Fauci’s remarks come a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged states to “pause” distribution of the J&J vaccine in response to six patients, all women between 18 and 48, who developed blood clotting issues after taking the vaccine.

The issue appeared similar to a clotting issue that caused European regulators to pause distribution of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, though that pause has ended in some countries as they face a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases.

Health experts in the U.S. have stressed that there is no danger presented to the roughly 7 million patients in the U.S. who have received the J&J vaccine and added that the pause was put in place to allow physicians the time to understand the treatment necessary to respond to the clotting issues.

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