Latest news with #Parc
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Joe Biden crashes Amazon's ‘Reacher' set in Philadelphia during police chase scene
Former President Joe Biden and his family crashed the set of the action series 'Reacher' on Monday morning. CBS Philadelphia reported that Biden, his wife Jill and his son Hunter surprised the cast and crew of the Amazon Prime series in Philadelphia as they shot a police chase. HughE Dillon, a local photographer who was watching the filming nearby, told CBS Philadelphia about suddenly seeing black SUVs pulling up onto the scene. 'Out walked these men, that I thought they were actors, but then the entire cast and crew started clapping and cheering,'Dillon said. 'Then someone said, 'We love you, Joe, we love you!'' According to the report, the former president was visiting the area to get breakfast at the nearby restaurant Parc. He later met and took photos with several cast and crew members, including the show's lead actor, Alan Ritchson. Dillon said the cast and crew seemed surprised to see the Bidens. 'It was just something very bizarre that I never could have imagined, both things were happening at the same time,' he said. 4 Joe and Hunter Biden on set of Reacher. Alan Ritchson/Instagram 4 According to the report, the former president was visiting the area to get breakfast at the nearby restaurant Parc. Alan Ritchson/Instagram It was unclear if the Bidens knew the show was filming outside the restaurant ahead of their visit. Fox News Digital reached out to Biden's office for comment. Ritchson later wrote about the meeting on his Instagram account on Tuesday. 'So our Reacher set got in the way of these legends,' Ritchson wrote. 'Was a privilege and honor to meet the Biden family. They couldn't have been more lovely. Kind, joyful, gracious and present. We chatted briefly about simple stuff, like string theory and quantum entanglement. Then Joe beat me at arm wrestling. All in a day's work.' 4 It was unclear if the Bidens knew the show was filming outside the restaurant ahead of their visit. Alan Ritchson/Instagram He also posted photos and videos of himself interacting with the former president and his son, Hunter Biden. Ritchson has made political comments against conservatives in the past. In a Hollywood Reporter interview from April 2024, Ritchson criticized Christian supporters of President Donald Trump. 'Trump is a rapist and a con man, and yet the entire Christian church seems to treat him like he's their poster child and it's unreal. I don't understand it,' Ritchson said. 4 Dillon said the cast and crew seemed surprised to see the Bidens. Alan Ritchson/Instagram One month later, he claimed he was 'met with violence' for sharing these and other views. 'If you want to see violence flee the world, be more generous to everybody! That is the Christian ethic! That is what I don't see happening. And when I speak up about it in my own ways, I'm met with violence,' Ritchson said.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Alan Ritchson praises ‘legend' Joe Biden as ex-prez visits Reacher Season 4 set with son Hunter
While shooting an intense sequence for Season 4 of Reacher, the cast and crew were caught off guard by two unexpected guests. Former US president Joe Biden and his son Hunter happened to stroll into the middle of filming in Philadelphia, turning an ordinary Monday into something far more memorable. Alan Ritchson, who plays the titular role in the popular Prime Video series, was just wrapping up a scene when black SUVs pulled up near Rittenhouse Square. To everyone's surprise, out stepped the Bidens, prompting cheers and applause from the cast and crew. The moment, which could've easily passed for a movie twist, quickly went viral. Taking to Instagram the next morning, Ritchson posted several photos with Joe and Hunter Biden. The caption was as endearing as it was humorous. 'So our 'Reacher' set got in the way of these legends,' he wrote. 'Was a privilege and honour to meet the Biden family. They couldn't have been more lovely. Kind, joyful, gracious and present. We chatted briefly about simple stuff, like string theory and quantum entanglement,' he went on. 'Then Joe beat me at arm wrestling. All in a day's work,' Ritchson added. Fans quickly flooded the post with comments, reacting to what many called an 'only in Philly' kind of moment. A post shared by Alan Ritchson (@alanritchson) As per a report by CBS Philadelphia, Joe and Hunter Biden were seen having breakfast at the popular restaurant Parc, just a short walk from the filming location. The pair were in the area when they stumbled upon the 'Reacher' shoot. One onlooker shared with the outlet, 'Out walked these men, that I thought they were actors, but then the entire cast and crew started clapping and cheering. Another person said, 'We love you, Joe, we love you!' I thought it was the end of the scene-that they were wrapping for the day. And no, it was, you know, Joe Biden decided he needed some breakfast at Parc Rittenhouse.' The encounter lasted about an hour, with the Bidens interacting warmly with both crew members and fans, sharing laughs and posing for photos. While Prime Video has yet to announce a release date for Reacher Season 4, filming officially kicked off earlier this month. The show, known for its gritty action and compelling storytelling, has built a massive fanbase. Joe Biden's impromptu public appearance also comes shortly after he revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis last month. His cheerful demeanour during this recent outing was noted by many, including crew members who described the former president as 'present and upbeat.' They were in the Rittenhouse Square area for breakfast at Parc and came to the filming location by chance. He called them 'kind, joyful, gracious and present,' and joked that Joe beat him at arm wrestling. There is no official release date yet, but filming for Season 4 began earlier this month.
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Western Cape Blood Service reviews race-related questions on donor forms
The Western Cape Blood Service is reviewing the blood donor questionnaire and plans to add an 'other' option, and we are considering a 'prefer not to say' option after concerns were raised by the group People Against Race Classification calling for the blocks to be scrapped. Image: Independent Newspapers photographers The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is reviewing its donor questionnaire following pressure from People Against Race Classification (Parc) to change the requirement to state your race when donating blood. The service said they now plan to add an 'other' option, and is considering a 'prefer not to say' option. Parc had flagged their concerns with the WCBS through several letters, saying they took offence that the questionnaire to be completed by those who want to donate blood asked for racial information. 'I have been a blood donor in this country for many years. I am not a Coloured, Black, Indian or White person. Why don't you also add an option for a person not to complete his race data? Or why not add more ethnic identities like, Khoi-San, Zulu, Afrikaner, Pedi, etc. 'The arguments regarding the need for this data is commonly known but not accepted. The WCBS as part of the science and medical fraternity, has no obligation to report on which blood was donated by which race. The necessity to know a person's race has no medical implication on what patient could use whose blood. You have no legal leg to support this practice. The Population Registration Repeal Act of 1991 has repealed all uses of race criteria,' Parc founder Glen Snyman wrote. On March 13, Parc's action team visited the Western Cape Blood donation Service's Head Quarters in Cape Town where they held a demonstration with placards in hand calling for the race blocks on the donation forms to be removed. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Initially the organisation in a letter responding to Snyman's concerns on March 27, outlined the reasons why it collected the data and also noted that the matter was discussed at a board meeting and would be brought up again following consultation with an expert. On June 2, WCBS CEO, Greg Bellairs wrote another letter, stating that the board had explored whether there may be any ethical issues around asking the race of blood donors and had engaged with a 'respected bio-ethicist'. 'We have also fully considered your position, and decided the following: when next we revise the blood donor questionnaire's options regarding race, we will add a block called 'other', and we are considering adding another block called 'prefer/choose not to say'. We will add further information about why we ask for the race of blood donors, on the blood donor questionnaire, on the Service's Privacy Statement (which all blood donors sign), and on WCBS's website,' said Bellairs. On March 13, Parc's action team visited the Western Cape Blood donation Service's Head Quarters in Cape Town where they held a demonstration with placards in hand calling for the race blocks on the donation forms to be removed. Image: Supplied Approached for comment on Thursday, WCBS spokesperson Marike Carli said the organisation did collect race data but was open to continuous engagements. 'Race data is still collected. However, we are reviewing the blood donor questionnaire and plan to add an 'other' option, and we are considering a 'prefer not to say' option as well. Blood donors who wish to not disclose their race may freely donate blood. We do not discriminate based on race or gender. We welcome constructive dialogue and remain open to continuous engagements and improvements. 'Every decision we make, including the information we request from blood donors, is… grounded in both medical science and ethical responsibility. We ask blood donors to self-identify their race so that we can select donations for extended testing for additional blood group systems (other than the ABO and Rh systems). This enables us to provide blood-group compatible blood products to multi-transfused patients such as those with thalassaemia, and sickle cell disease – as well as to identify donations of rare blood types, which are reserved in a national repository for patients with rare blood types,' said Carli. Snyman said this was still not enough. 'This is a small 'victory' for PARC. The WC Blood Service agreed to amend their blood donation questionnaire form by adding to the race options the 'other' box, and also an option for people to 'not disclose their race'. However, we will continue our fight to have all the race blocks removed from all forms,' he said. Stellenbosch University, Emeritus Professor in Health Systems and Public Health, Usuf Chikte said there is no 'credible genetic or biological foundation for these categories'. 'Racial classification, particularly in South Africa, is a social and political construct, not a scientific one. It emerged from a brutal system of segregation and inequality, not from any meaningful understanding of human biology. To continue relying on these categories in medicine, especially in something as sensitive and vital as blood donation, is to perpetuate a deeply harmful legacy devoid of any scientific basis. 'Proponents argue that such data may help match rare blood types. But even where this is medically relevant, ancestry-based screening, not racial identity, is the appropriate approach. 'Race' is simply too crude, inaccurate, and politically loaded to serve as a stand-in for complex biological or genetic markers. More importantly, the use of race on medical forms undermines patient trust. Most people filling out these forms have no idea why the information is being collected or how it will be used. In a country still grappling with the trauma of institutionalised racism, this is not a trivial issue. Medical institutions must be held to the highest standards of ethical transparency and scientific validity.'
Irish Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Roads policing numbers at historic low of 618 gardaí, figures show
The number of gardaí involved in roads policing units has dropped to a historic low of 618 according to the latest Department of Justice figures. There has been a steady decline since 2009 when official figures for those engaged in roads policing began to be regularly published. That year 1,046 gardaí were assigned to road policing duties and the numbers involved fell to a low of 623 in 2017. They rose over the next four years to 736 in 2021 but have fallen again, down to 627 last year. In January this year the number of gardaí in the units dropped to 626, to 623 in February and was down to 618 by the end of April. READ MORE Every region and county has seen the number of roads policing gardaí drop, in some cases by more than 50 per cent since 2009. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris told the Oireachtas Transport Committee in May last year 'we plan to add 75 gardaí to roads policing this year and a further 75 in 2025, and working towards this, we are proactively recruiting into our roads policing units'. A recruitment campaign was undertaken in eastern, north-western and southern regions last year. But Susan Gray of road safety campaign group Parc said the figures show a reduction of nine members at the end of April compared to last year. 'They are just playing catch up all the time.' The figures show the Sligo/Leitrim Garda Division had 23 members in 2021, but it was down to 11 in February this year. Donegal had 31 Garda roads policing members in 2021, which fell to 21 last year, a reduction of 10 officers in three years. Official Road Safety Authority data shows 17 road deaths in Donegal last year, 'the highest number since 2010 when 19 died', Ms Gray said. Sixty-nine people have died on Irish roads so far this year, she said. In the Dublin Metropolitan Area the numbers have dropped from their 2009 high but have remained consistent over the last two to three years. In Dublin's eastern region which goes from Dún Laoghaire to Stepaside and takes in Dundrum, Blackrock, Shankill and Cabinteely, the numbers dropped from 18 in 2009 to four in 2023 and rose to nine the following year, where they have remained. In Laois/Offaly there were 42 dedicated roads policing officers in 2009 which fell to 24 in 2023 and dropped to 18 in April this year. 'It is very disappointing,' said Ms Gray. 'Everybody talks about road safety being a priority and everywhere we look it's obvious it's not a priority,' she said. 'We hoped to see the figures going up rather than down for gardaí involved in roads policing.'
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Six counties have no road fatalities as traffic deaths decline by 12pc this year
The decline came despite Garda Roads Policing Unit (RPU) personnel numbers remaining at near record lows. Sixty people have died on Irish roads so far this year. That contrasts to 68 who lost their lives in traffic tragedies by the same point last year. The deaths this year have included 24 drivers, 15 pedestrians, six passengers, 10 motorcyclists, four pedal cyclists and one pillion passenger. Almost one in three deaths this year have involved motorcyclists or pedal cyclists. Road safety campaigner group Parc conducted an analysis of crashes, which revealed road deaths were spread across 20 counties – three counties more than on March 1. Six counties – Clare, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Monaghan and Wicklow – have not recorded a road death so far this year. A total of 184 people died on Irish roads in 2023, the highest death toll for over a decade. Last year, a total of 174 people died in traffic tragedies. That represented a 4pc decline. Road safety chiefs have ordered studies into the varying nature of fatal crash statistics to better understand the reasons for surges and declines in fatalities. There have also been inexplicable regional variations in fatal collisions. Ireland's most populous county, Dublin, has recorded six road deaths so far this year. However, Galway and Donegal have also both recorded six traffic fatalities each this year despite having only a fraction of Dublin's population and traffic volumes. There have been seven fatalities this year in Mayo. Parc founder Susan Gray said their study revealed that 18 of the 60 people who died on Irish roads so far this year were aged 30 years or younger. She said the cornerstone of road safety was the strict enforcement of safety regulations and proper resourcing of the gardaí. 'There is an undeniable link between Road Policing Unit numbers, enforcement of road safety regulations and the safety of our roads,' she said. She said the priority for the Government should be the provision of maximum resources for the gardaí. Ms Gray said RPUs deserved enormous credit for the work they had achieved with depleted resources. RPU personnel numbers are 40pc down on 2009 levels. 'We desperately need to get the road safety message across and ensure that road safety regulations are rigorously enforced,' she said. 'But this includes all the stakeholders from the Government to state agencies and from prioritising recruitment to the gardaí to closing loopholes in the law and devoting the resources to road safety to reduce the number of fatalities.' August was the deadliest month on Irish roads in 2023, but was one of the safest last year. Ireland had 138 road deaths in 2018 – 29pc below last year's number. Since 2018, road deaths have steadily climbed: 2019 (140), 2020 (146), 2021 (130/Covid lockdowns), 2022 (155) and 2023 (184). Almost half the road deaths over the past 18 months have involved vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, bikers and e-scooter riders. An RSA submission to the Government last year noted that, in the space of five years, deaths among young people aged between 16 and 25 almost doubled. Overall, road users aged 16 to 25 represented the largest proportions of fatalities (26pc) and serious injuries (22pc) over the past year. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) warned that frontline resources were a major issue for the force as it responded to multiple operational challenges. Gardaí insisted that 150 extra personnel would be deployed to RPU work nationwide by the end of this year. 'Gardaí do not comment on current or future deployment of resources for operational reasons,' a spokesperson said. 'An Garda Síochána (AGS) is committed to its aim to transfer 150 personnel into Roads Policing by the end of 2025. (We) commenced this allocation with the transfer of 23 garda members to RPUs during the second half of 2024. 'Competitions took place in three garda regions and panels are now in place across all four garda regions. Transfers from those panels will take place throughout 2025. Internal garda competitions are conducted by garda HR in accordance with agreements with the Garda Staff Associations,' the spokesperson added. 'Managing deployment of resources in a large national organisation such as AGS with over 560 garda stations throughout the country, and competing priorities such as roads policing, economic crime, drugs and organised crime, cyber crime and maintaining frontline policing is a complex process.' In 2014 there were 192 road deaths when there were 742 assigned RPU members. In 2017 there were 154 deaths when there were 623 assigned RPU members.
