Hampered by rising COVID-19 cases and persistent supply shortages, the U.S. economy slowed sharply to a 2% annual growth rate in the July-September period, the weakest quarterly expansion since the recovery from the pandemic recession began last year.
Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department estimated that the nation’s gross domestic product — its total output of goods and services — declined from robust growth rates of 6.7% in the second quarter and 6.3% in the first quarter.
The 2% annual growth last quarter fell below expectations and would have been even weaker if not for a sharp increase in restocking by businesses, which added whatever supplies they could obtain. Such inventory rebuilding added 2.1 percentage points to the quarter’s modest expansion.
By contrast, consumer spending, which fuels about 70% of overall economic activity, slowed to an annual growth rate of just 1.6% after having surged at a 12% rate in the previous quarter.
The government’s estimate Thursday was even lower than economists’ forecasts for a significant slowdown in growth. The effects of the delta variant in keeping some people away from restaurants, retail shops and entertainment venues was a key drag on growth.
In September, America’s employers added just 194,000 jobs, a second straight sluggish monthly gain and evidence that the pandemic was keeping its grip on the economy, with many companies struggling to fill millions of open jobs.
“The delta wave of the pandemic did a lot of damage — it caused consumer to turn more cautious,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “The virus surge scrambled global supply chains and disrupted production in a lot of industries and also created havoc in the job market.”
But in recent weeks, viral cases have steadily fallen, and many economists say they think the economy is accelerating again. Zandi is predicting 6% annual growth for the current fourth quarter, and some economists foresee an even stronger rebound, depending on whether viral cases continue to fade and supply shortages begin to ease.
For 2021 as a whole, economists generally expect growth to amount to around 5.5%. That would be the highest calendar-year expansion since the mid-1980s and a sharp improvement from the 3.4% plunge in GDP in the recession year of 2020. It would also easily exceed the sub-3% annual economic growth rates that prevailed in the years before the pandemic recession.
Americans participated in almost 200 million fishing expeditions a year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the number of people fishing is thought to have increased since the start of the pandemic.
A new report by Lawn Love has ranked the 50 states to find out the best and worst for fishing in 2021.
To grade them, researchers looked at community interest, water sources, easy access to gear, and affordable fishing licenses, among other factors.
5 Best States for Fishing
1. Alaska
PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR/GETTY IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
Alaska was named the top state “fishcation” destination. Due to the Alaska’s cold climate, little farming occurs so fishing is crucial for jobs and economic activity.
There are incredible places to fish across America. But where is the very best spot?
Americans participated in almost 200 million fishing expeditions a year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the number of people fishing is thought to have increased since the start of the pandemic.
A new report by Lawn Love has ranked the 50 states to find out the best and worst for fishing in 2021.
To grade them, researchers looked at community interest, water sources, easy access to gear, and affordable fishing licenses, among other factors.NEWSWEEK NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP >
Best States for Fishing
1. Alaska
King Salmon reigns supreme: Alaska came in first place for the best place to fish in the U.S. The photo shows a brown bear hunting for fish at Katmai National Park in King Salmon, Alaska, on August 14, 2020.PHOTO BY ABBIE PARR/GETTY IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
Alaska was named the top state “fishcation” destination. Due to the Alaska’s cold climate, little farming occurs so fishing is crucial for jobs and economic activity.
Alaska is well known for its salmon, and Alaskan waters are swarming with 600 species of fish, including the king salmon (also known as Chinook).
It comes at a cost, however; Alaska charges the highest price for fishing licenses per holder, according to the study.
Experts say the best time to test Alaska’s fishing waters is during summer.
2. Michigan
Surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario) Michigan is at number two on the list.
The state has the longest freshwater coastline in the U.S., and almost 65,000 lakes and ponds. No surprise then that Michigan came first place in the “access” category.
Some of the best spots to fish in Michigan include Saginaw Bay, Union Lake (one of the deepest lakes in Michigan), and 275,000-acre Lake St. Clair.
3. Maine
BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS
Maine boasts thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and hundreds of freshwater lakes. Lobstering and groundfishing play a significant part in the state’s economy, and sport fishing is a major tourist attraction.
Cobbosseecontee Lake is a favorite spot for bass fishing.
4. Rhode Island
The smallest state in the union, Rhode Island is also filled with great ponds and lakes. The Ocean State also boasts impressive coastal shorelines.
Not to be missed is Ninigret Pond in Charlestown where you can fish in the largest coastal salt pond the state has to offer. Other top fishing spots include the Watchaug Pond.
5. Florida
PHOTO BY RONALD C. MODRA/GETTY IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
Subtropical Florida is the self-proclaimed “Fishing Capital of the World,” and is a major tourist destination in the U.S., where fishing is a billion-dollar industry.
Florida fell behind other states on “cost” (it ranks no. 27) and for “supplies” (no. 39), “meaning it’s a bit pricier to get your fishing permits. Bait and tackle shops also are lacking throughout the state,” according to the study.
Key West, or “Fisherman’s Paradise” are more sustainable options where you can find plenty of fish swimming through the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.
Worst States for Fishing
46. Nebraska
Ranking 46 in the list is Nebraska; although the state does offer fishing options year-round.
The main fishing spots include Sandhills lakes where you can find big yellow bellies and more, lake McConaughy for trout, catfish, and walleye. Nebraska’s Box Butte Reservoir, the Merritt Reservoir or the Wagon Train Lake.
47. Kansas
One of the most productive agricultural states and a leader in wheat, grain sorghum and beef production, when it comes to fishing Kansas ranks at 47.
The state boasts some great fishing lakes, such as Severy City Lake, Chase State Fishing Lake, and Scott State Lake.
In 2018, the channel catfish was named the official fish of the state.
48. New Mexico
The desert state is not a popular destination for fishing but it nevertheless remains one of the most popular activities at New Mexico State Parks. About two dozen parks have ponds, streams, rivers, or lakes offering good fishing opportunities in the Southwest.
49. Arizona
Former President Theodore Roosevelt once said: “In the Grand Canyon, Arizona has a natural wonder which is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world.”
But alas, the state can’t have it all.
PHOTO BY JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
Former President Theodore Roosevelt once said: “In the Grand Canyon, Arizona has a natural wonder which is in kind absolutely unparalleled throughout the rest of the world.”
But alas, the state can’t have it all.
Still, it has some popular fishing destinations such as Lake Powell, Alamo Lake State Park, Roosevelt Lake, Lake Havasu State Park, or Patagonia Lake State Park.
50. Nevada
PHOTO BY GEORGE ROSE/GETTY IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
Nevada placed at bottom of the study’s “community” and “access” rankings.
Known as the driest state in America, it is still home to some great reservoirs, lakes, streams and rivers that do offer fishing opportunities. These include the Wild Horse Reservoir, Cave lake, and the Truckee river.
Both Arizona (49) and Nevada (50) ranked poorly on “Cost.”
The U.S. government recently released details outlining how it will reopen borders to international visitors from 33 countries. The new policy will take effect when the current restrictions are lifted on November 8.
Notably, instead of an outright ban, the new system will require travelers who are not citizens or immigrants to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status before they board an airplane bound for the U.S. They also must provide proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test.
There is one important exemption. Children under 18 must show proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test, but they are exempt from the vaccine requirement. Federal officials explained that the exemption for children was made because many are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine while others do not have access to the vaccine.
Vaccination Status
Beginning November 8, non-citizen, non-immigrant air travelers over the age of 18 must be fully vaccinated and able to provide proof of vaccination to board a plane bound for the U.S.
Acceptable vaccines are those that are FDA approved or authorized and World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use listed vaccines. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated if it has been more than 2 weeks since they received a single-dose vaccine or since they received the second dose of a two-dose vaccine.
Passengers must be able to provide proof of vaccination, and airline personnel will confirm the passenger is the same person reflected on the proof of vaccination. They also will verify that the proof of vaccination was issued by an official source in the country where the vaccine was given – such as a public health organization or government agency.
Pre-Travel Testing
Beginning November 8, regardless of citizenship, all fully vaccinated air passengers traveling to the U.S. must provide proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test taken no more than 3 days before their flight departs. Both nucleic acid amplification tests, such as a PCR test, and antigen tests qualify.
Importantly, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who are not fully vaccinated must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 1 day of departure for the U.S.
Children between the ages of 2 and 17 are also required to provide proof of a negative pre-departure test. If they are traveling with a fully vaccinated adult, an unvaccinated child can take the test up to three days prior to departure. If an unvaccinated child is traveling alone or is traveling with unvaccinated adults, they will need to take the test within 1 day of departure.
Contact Tracing
The CDC has also issued a contact tracing order.
“All air passengers to the United States will also be required to provide basic contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States,” the CDC explained. “This will allow airlines to better coordinate with public health agencies to share information when needed to keep the public safe and informed, and strengthen their ability to rapidly identify and contact people in the U.S. who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, such as COVID-19.”
Limited Exemptions
Exemptions to the new policy are limited to a few sets of conditions. For example, some people participating in a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial and people with medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccines are exempt from the vaccine requirement — but not the pre-departure testing requirement.
The United States has issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation, marking a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who do not identify as male or female, and expects to be able to offer the option more broadly next year, the State Department said Wednesday.
The department did not identify the passport recipient, but Dana Zzyym, an intersex activist from Fort Collins, Colorado, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that they received it. Since 2015, Zzyym, who prefers a gender-neutral pronoun, has been in a legal battle with the State Department to obtain a passport that did not require Zzyym to lie about gender by picking either male or female.
While Zzyym, 63, said it was thrilling to finally get the passport, the goal was to help the next generation of intersex people win recognition as full citizens with rights, rather than travel the globe, Zzyym said.
“I’m not a problem. I’m a human being. That’s the point,” said Zzyym, who has an arm tattoo that reads, “Never give up,” a reminder of goals to accomplish in life.
Zzyym was born with ambiguous physical sexual characteristics but was raised as a boy and had several surgeries that failed to make Zzyym appear fully male, according to court filings. Zzyym served in the Navy as a male but later came to identify as intersex while working and studying at Colorado State University. The State Department’s denial of Zzyym’s passport prevented Zzyym from being able to go to two Organization Intersex International meetings.
Advocates, who praised the work of Zzyym, said the United States’ decision to join over a dozen countries that allow a third-gender option would allow people to travel as their authentic selves and possibly keep them safer doing it.
The U.S. special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights, Jessica Stern, said the decision brings the government documents in line with the “lived reality” that there is a wider spectrum of human sex characteristics than is reflected in the previous two designations.
The State Department said in June that it was moving toward adding a third gender marker for nonbinary, intersex and gender-nonconforming people but that would take time because of required updates to its computer systems. In addition, a department official said the passport application and system update with the “X” designation option still awaited approval from the Office of Management and Budget, which signs off on all government forms.
The department now also allows applicants to self-select their gender as male or female, no longer requiring them to provide medical certification if their gender did not match that listed on their other identification documents.
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AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
Among the rock-heavy songs from K-pop artists over the years, TXT’s “0X1=LOVESONG (I Know I Love You)” is a standout—and not just on the charts, where The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE, the album on which the track is a lead single, ranked fifth on the Billboard 200. In this angsty and grungy number, the five members sing of being swallowed by darkness with only the object of their affection shining as the source of light. TXT delivers the lyrics (RM of BTS contributed to writing) with explosive force, the most impactful being vocalist Taehyun’s coarsely growled lines. Singer-songwriter Seori’s dulcet tone adds a smoothness to the track, rounding the rough edges from the voices of TXT members.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will be in Europe on Halloween and won’t be at the White House to help hand out candy and other treats.
Instead, the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the White House will be lit up in orange light to celebrate the spooky holiday, said the first lady’s spokesperson, Michael LaRosa.
It’s the Bidens’ first Halloween at the White House.
The Bidens will be in Rome, where the president will attend the annual Group of 20 summit of the world’s leading rich and developing nations from Oct. 30-31.
LaRosa did not mention the coronavirus pandemic in his statement, but he said Biden and his wife were encouraging families and children to celebrate Halloween by trick or treating outdoors. Public health experts say outdoor activity is safest during the pandemic.
Last year during the pandemic, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted trick or treaters at the White House for Halloween shortly after they both had recovered from COVID-19. The celebration was tweaked to take the coronavirus into consideration.
The president and first lady did not personally hand out treats, but waved and gestured as the costumed kids walked by them. Guests older than 2 and White House personnel working the event were required to wear face coverings and practice social distancing. Staffers giving out candy also wore gloves.
In the neighborhood where Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) grew up, undocumented immigrants have long occupied the aging bungalows and faded campers that jam up against roaring freeways.
“Ilegales,” his father, Santos Padilla, now 80 and a naturalized U.S. citizen, said with a sweep of his hand following Mass one recent Sunday when asked how he and his late wife arrived in the United States. “Like everyone.”
Alex Padilla became the first Latino senator from California in January when Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) appointed him to fill the seat left open by Vice President Harris, and he took over the immigration subcommittee. But he and others have twice failed to convince the Senate parliamentarian that citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States should be included in a budget bill that Democrats hope to pass this year as part of a massive spending package.
In an interview this month in Pacoima, his old neighborhood in Los Angeles, Padilla said he is “not giving up” on citizenship, even as he and other Democrats are planning to return to the parliamentarian with a Plan C. He said one option under this plan is to give millions of undocumented immigrants work permits instead of a path to citizenship, but that is not the only possibility. “There are still better options on the table,” Padilla said, though he would not elaborate.
But pressure is growing on Padilla to decide whether he would support Biden’s budget bill if immigration reform drops out. Some lawmakers have already said they will not vote for the spending package without some form of relief for undocumented immigrants and have urged the Senate to ignore the parliamentarian’s advice and include citizenship anyway.
The budget measure is a key vehicle for Democrats in the evenly divided Senate because they can pass it with a majority vote instead of the usual 60.
Nowhere has more at stake than California, home to 2.2 million undocumented immigrants, the largest share in the nation. The Pew Research Center estimates that fewer than 10 percent are new arrivals. Many have waited years, even decades, for permanent residency, the first step toward citizenship.
Republicans have praised the parliamentarian’s ruling, saying citizenship is a major policy issue that should have input from both parties, like President Biden’s infrastructure bill. And critics note that Democrats are not planning to increase immigration enforcement at a time when apprehensions at the southwest border are the highest in U.S. history.
Padilla, in an interview in his Senate office, said he has tried to negotiate with Republicans and is still willing to do so. He recounted one conversation with a fellow senator, whom he would not identify out of respect.
He said the senator told him, “I like immigrants. My state is pro-immigrant. We need immigrants. Meat processing. Agriculture. This industry, that industry. I get it. Immigrants come here and they work hard to provide for their families. And they have kids and their kids do very well in school and they grow up to be maybe teachers or a firefighter or even a manager at the plant where their parents work.”
With only two EPs under their belt before releasing their latest project We Play, the seven members of Weeekly have already earned great renown as rising icons of cheery pop. “After School” has only strengthened that reputation. An instant energy booster with an upbeat melody, the track describes the anticipation of waiting for the last school bell to ring and the boundless freedom that comes with it. “Ready, set, go! Feel it,” the members chant. Weeekly may be singing about the activities that happen after classes, but “After School” invites all to revel in the rush of being free of responsibilities—academic or otherwise—for three minutes.
Chinese organizers have confirmed participants in next year’s Winter Olympics will be strictly isolated from the general population and could face expulsion for violating COVID-19 restrictions.
Vice mayor and Beijing 2022 organizing committee official Zhang Jiandong told reporters Wednesday that those taking part in the games beginning Feb. 4 must remain in a “closed loop” for training, competing, transport, dining and accommodation.
A strict Olympic bubble has long been on the books, but Beijing has now made it official in keeping with its zero tolerance approach to the pandemic. Athletes and other participants will also be tested regularly for the coronavirus before and during the Games. Family, spectators and sponsors from outside the country will not be allowed to attend.
“Those who do not comply with the epidemic prevention regulations may face severe consequences such as warning, temporary or permanent cancellation of registration, temporary or permanent disqualification or expulsion from the competition, and other punishment.”
All participants must have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to their departure for China.
China has enforced strict rules on mask wearing, quarantines and contact tracing that have largely succeeded in eliminating the local transmission of COVID-19, but imported cases and domestic infections continue to appear in daily reports.
Wednesday marked 100 days until the Beijing Games. Organizers have held test events featuring international athletes at Olympic venues under strict conditions.
Breakfast is back on the menu at Taco Bell, so it’s giving away free food to celebrate.
On Thursday, the chain will offer free breakfast burritos at its United States restaurants. The giveaway, which runs between 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., serves as a reminder that breakfast has returned at roughly 90% of Taco Bell locations after being temporarily paused because of the pandemic.
Last year, the chain added a new line of pressed breakfast burritos including one with eggs, sausage and nacho cheese sauce. Another burrito has eggs, potato bites, pico de gallo, a three-cheese blend and either bacon or sausage, and another option contains eggs, the three-cheese blend, a hash brown and bacon or sausage.
The burritos are part of Thursday’s giveaway and normally sell between $1.29 to $2.89. They have to be ordered in-person and there’s a one burrito limit per person.
![2021 Best K-Pop Songs [2]](https://globalnewst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/best-k-pop-songs-2021-768x512.jpeg "2021 Best K-Pop Songs [2]")
