Issue #168: Pasco Espionage Case, Measles Triples, Paris 2024 Inclusivity, Honoring Arozarena

07/29/2024

Author

Ted Grellner
29 Jul

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Dr Ted
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In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Local News

— Pasco County Resident Allegedly Acted as Chinese Government Agent

Medical News

— Unvaccinated Populations Drive Triple Increase in US Measles Cases

Of Interest

— Paris 2024 Apologizes, Defends Inclusivity Message in Opening Ceremony

Sports

— Celebrating Randy Arozarena: His Unforgettable Contributions to the Tampa Bay Rays

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Pasco County Resident Allegedly Acted as Chinese Government Agent

A man from Wesley Chapel, Florida, has been accused of conspiring to act as an agent for the People's Republic of China, as per a federal indictment revealed on Wednesday.

Ping Li, 59, allegedly served as a "cooperative contact" for the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) from as early as 2012. During this time, he was employed by a major U.S. telecommunications company and an international information technology firm.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Li gathered a wide range of information for the MSS. This included details about Chinese dissidents, pro-democracy advocates, members of the Falun Gong religious movement, and U.S.-based non-governmental organizations. The indictment also describes incidents where Li allegedly provided information on a Chinese citizen who had fled to the United States.

Unvaccinated Populations Drive Triple Increase in US Measles Cases

Measles infections in the United States have surged to over three times the number recorded in 2023, with nearly half the year still remaining. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 188 measles cases so far in 2024, a significant increase from the 58 cases reported last year, (yet still below the 1300 cases in 2019).

About 65% of these cases are linked to outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases, with 13 outbreaks in 2024 compared to four in 2023. Nearly half of the affected individuals required hospitalization for isolation or to manage complications.

CDC data shows that 85% of those infected this year were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Another 10% had received one dose of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, while 5% had received two doses.

One particularly striking and little-known fact about measles is that it is so highly contagious that approximately 90% of non-immune individuals who come into contact with an infected person will also become infected.

This high contagion rate is due to the virus's ability to remain airborne and infectious for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area.

This makes measles one of the most contagious diseases known to humanity.

Paris 2024 Apologizes, Defends Inclusivity Message in Opening Ceremony

Olympics organizers have issued an apology to those offended by a segment in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony that evoked Leonardo da Vinci’s "The Last Supper." The scene, featuring DJ and producer Barbara Butch alongside drag artists and dancers, aimed to celebrate diversity but was met with backlash from religious conservatives globally.

The French Catholic Church's conference of bishops criticized the performance, labeling it as a mockery of Christianity, a sentiment echoed by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. The Anglican Communion in Egypt also expressed regret, suggesting the ceremony could undermine the IOC's sporting identity and humanitarian message.

Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s artistic director, distanced his work from any intended religious parallels, explaining that the tableau was designed to celebrate community tolerance, feasting, and French gastronomy.

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Celebrating Randy Arozarena: His Unforgettable Contributions to the Tampa Bay Rays

Randy Arozarena has joined the Seattle Mariners, ending an era for Tampa Bay Rays fans. His debut saw him contribute to a Mariners' 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox. Acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals in January 2020, Arozarena made an immediate impact.

During the 2020 postseason, he achieved a .377 batting average, a .442 on-base percentage, and 14 RBIs from 10 home runs, leading the Rays to the American League title. His overall stats with the Rays include 85 home runs and 289 RBIs. He was named the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year and became an All-Star in 2023.

"Randyland," sections 141 and 143 in Tropicana Field, was named in his honor, showing his popularity among fans. Arozarena’s exciting play style and big-time postseason moments made him a beloved figure in St. Pete, leaving a lasting legacy with the Rays faithful.

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