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6 Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing Golf Equipment

Clyde K. Valle
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6 Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing Golf Equipment
Image by PaolaF from Pixabay

Golf is a popular sport that offers many benefits to its players. It gets you active and outdoors and it is a social sport that can be enjoyed with friends and family of all ages and abilities. There are psychological benefits too, such as improved mood, increased confidence, and reduced anxiety. If you enjoy playing golf, then you need to make sure that you have the right equipment that matches your personal preferences and your skillset. To help you make the right decisions during your search, here are 6 things to keep in mind when choosing golf equipment.

Confidence in Your Driver

The head of a driver will determine the length of your shot. It is important to find your optimal head shape to enhance your performance. You need to use a driver the promotes your self-confidence and playability. Every player will have their own preference when it comes to shape and size, but whatever your preference may be, feeling confident during a game is the main thing you need to look out for.

Choosing Your Shaft Wisely

If you want to become a consistent player, then you must choose your shaft wisely. The shaft selection is an item that is often overlooked in golf. However, the shaft choice will have an impact on your shot dispersion and distance. Your swing speed is important when selecting a driver shaft, but you should also keep the tempo of each swing, ball speed, the weight of the shaft, and the launch point in mind.

Selecting the Right Ball

When selecting your golf equipment, it can be easy to focus on the clubs, but you can’t actually play the game without a golf ball. There are some steps you should follow when selecting a golf ball. This includes understanding the core and other parts of the ball, then studying and testing it when possible.  It is common for golf balls to get lost, so you should avoid spending too much on the right golf balls.

Second Hand Golf Carts

Walking around a golf course carrying your golf clubs can be tiring. If you have the money and storage space, you could invest in your very own golf cart to make things more comfortable and enjoyable. You must know what you’re looking for if you buy a used cart. Whatever the age of your cart, if it needs repairs or maintenance, then you should check out the popular EZGO brand for essential items. 

The Price of Equipment

Many young golfers worry about the price of their golf equipment, especially when they have other responsibilities to pay for. Doing your research, searching for good deals, and making smart choices can tackle the issue of expenses. When you select irons, a driver, or any other pieces of equipment, the price should not dictate your decision. A big price tag does not mean that the equipment is better.

Storage Space at Home

Before you purchase any golf equipment, you need to make sure that you can store it all properly at home. Whether it cost a ton or it was second hand, well-kept equipment will last longer and improve your performance on the golf course. It will maintain its appearance too. For example, your clubs must be cleaned regularly and they must be fully dry before you store them in a good bag in a safe and arid environment.

There are a lot of brands and makes out there, which can make choosing the right golf equipment feel overwhelming at times. However, with the right research and knowledge, it will be easier for you to make the right choice and improve your performance without breaking your budget.

Coronavirus: France Enters Third National Lockdown

Diane A. Wade
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Coronavirus: France Enters Third National Lockdown
Image source France24

France has imposed a third national lockdown as the country battles a surge in cases of Covid-19 that threatens to overwhelm its hospitals.

All schools and non-essential shops will shut for four weeks, and a curfew will be in place from 19:00 to 06:00.

On April 2, the number of seriously ill Covid-19 patients in ICU increased by 145 – the biggest jump in five months.

President Emmanuel Macron has promised more hospital beds for Covid patients.

France is currently battling a peak of about 5,000 Covid patients in ICUs. On April 2, the country recorded 46,677 new cases and 304 deaths.

As well as the restrictions that came into force on April 3, from April 6 people will also need a valid reason to travel more than 6 miles from their homes.

President Macron had hoped to keep France’s coronavirus cases under control without having to impose another lockdown.

However, France has struggled with an EU-wide delay in the vaccine rollout, as well as several new strains of the virus.

Italy Under Partial Lockdown to Stem New Covid-19 Wave

In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on people to play their part and get vaccinated.

Speaking in a TV address to the nation on April 3, he said Germany was in the middle of a third wave and that it faced more restrictions.

The German also admitted that mistakes had been made – specifically in testing and in the vaccine rollout – and talked about there being a “crisis of trust” in the state.

Last month, German officials announced that the country would be placed in a strict Easter lockdown – only to reverse the decision just days later.

Chancellor Angela Merkel called the plan for a lockdown from April 1 to 5 a “mistake”, and said she took “ultimate responsibility” for the U-turn.

Italy also entered a strict three-day lockdown on April 3 in order to try to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases over the Easter weekend.

All regions are now in the “red zone” – the highest tier of restrictions – as the country records about 20,000 new cases a day.

Non-essential movement is banned, but people are allowed to have an Easter meal in their homes with two others. Churches are also open, but worshippers are being told to attend services within their regions.

On April 4, for the second year, Pope Francis will deliver his Easter message to an empty St Peter’s Square.

Amazing Ways to Streamline Communications within Your SME

Clyde K. Valle
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Amazing Ways to Streamline Communications within Your SME
Image source Pexels

Internal communications within your SME are often difficult to navigate and manage. With so much going on and various teams to handle, it’s all too easy for communications between employees and departments to become lost. Communication between employee and upper management is also essential, and when these lines of interaction are insufficient it can lead to all kinds of issues within your business.

By streamlining the lines of communication within your SME, you, your employees and your business will begin to thrive. And when your business is thriving, your clients will certainly benefit from your new approach. Here we’ll explore some amazing ways to streamline communications within your SME, read on to find out more.

Update your procurement process

The procurement of electronic components, like this Ddr dram module memory ICs, can be incredibly time consuming and difficult to manage. When you have several departments in need of electronic parts and components for various applications, it’s important that duplicate orders and order errors are kept to a minimum. By moving your procurement process online to Sourcengine.com, you can upload your BOM, source the parts you need and share your activity with others across your business. Keeping everyone in the loop and keeping them informed of incoming deliveries and the components that are on their way. 

This simple change won’t just streamline the communications within your business but your entire supply chain and production line.

Be as transparent as possible with employees

Creating a transparent and open working environment with your employees, not only keeps them in the loop of any business changes or company progress, but also sets a precedent for clarity and inclusiveness throughout your organization. If employees can see how happy you are to share information about every aspect of your business, the more comfortable they’ll feel sharing their opinions and their ideas. All of which have great value.

Keep your company vision clear and consistent

In order to strengthen the bonds of communication within your business and to help employees reach their goals collectively, employers should regularly explain their company’s vision and work on keeping it clear and consistent. Whether they’re new employees and this is part of the onboarding process or they’re seasoned employees with experience, when everyone is one the same page, communications within your business will certainly improve.

Work on your “open door” policy

Not everyone has the courage to speak up, especially to their superiors. This is why curating an open-door policy is crucial for internal communications. Actively encourage employees to approach you and to speak up when they see something that isn’t right, or they believe they’ve found a way to improve the daily practices of your business. Employees should feel comfortable and be happy to approach you or management for all kinds of issues. An open door policy creates better relationships within your business and can even improve productivity in the workplace.

Final thoughts…

Improving the lines of communication within your business will benefit you, your employees and your clients. Start by following the tips above and remember that good communication is a work in progress.

Facebook Removes Donald Trump Interview With Daughter In Law Lara Trump

Nancy Clayson
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Facebook Removes Donald Trump Interview With Daughter In Law Lara Trump
“Donald Trump” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

Facebook has removed a video of former President Donald Trump from the page of his daughter-in-law Lara Trump.

The social media giant banned Donald Trump from its platform in January following riots by his supporters on the Capitol building in Washington.

Lara Trump, a new Fox News contributor, posted a video of herself interviewing Donald Trump on a range of issues.

Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law later posted a screenshot of an email she received from Facebook warning her of the ban.

“In line with the block we placed on Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, further content posted in the voice of Donald Trump will be removed and result in additional limitations on the account,” an email from “Katelyn” read.

Trump’s YouTube Channel Suspended

President Trump Permanently Suspended from Twitter

Lara Trump, who is married to Eric Trump, instead posted the interview for her own online show The Right View on the video platform Rumble and linked to it from her Facebook page.

“And just like that, we are one step closer to Orwell’s 1984. Wow,” she commented on her Instagram account.

Long-time Trump supporter and Fox News TV host Sean Hannity described the move as “extreme censorship” in a tweet.

Facebook’s suspension of Donald Trump’s account on January 7 – a day after the Capitol riots – is being reviewed by its new Oversight Board, which was set up to rule on controversial moderation decisions.

Defending the ban at the time, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg said: “We believe the risks of allowing the president to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great.”

Former President Donald Trump was also banned from Twitter and YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx3w9-nW2Qo

American Jobs Plan: President Biden Unveils $2TN Infrastructure Bill

Clyde K. Valle
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0
American Jobs Plan: President Biden Unveils $2TN Infrastructure Bill
Image source: AP

President Joe Biden has called for trillions in spending aimed at re-igniting America’s economic growth by upgrading its crumbling infrastructure and tackling climate change.

The $2.3 trillion proposal would direct billions to initiatives such as charging stations for electric vehicles and eliminating lead water pipes.

The spending would be partially offset by raising taxes on businesses.

Those plans have already roused fierce opposition.

Republicans have called the rises “a recipe for stagnation and decline”, while powerful business lobby groups including the Business Roundtable and Chamber of Commerce said they supported investments but would oppose tax increases.

The pushback is a sign of the tough fight ahead for the plan, which needs approval from Congress.

The White House has promoted its proposal as the most ambitious public spending in decades, saying the investments are necessary to keep the US economy growing and competitive with other countries, especially China.

In a speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 31, President Biden said: “This is not a plan that tinkers around the edges.

“It’s a once in a generation investment in America.”

The plan calls for investing more than $600 billion in infrastructure, including modernizing roads, replacing rail cars and buses and repairing crumbling bridges.

American Rescue Plan: Senate Passes President Biden’s $1.9TN Covid Relief Bill

American Rescue Plan: President Biden’s $1.9Tn Covid Relief Bill Passes House Vote

Billions more would be devoted to initiatives like improving veterans hospitals, upgrading affordable housing, expanding high-speed broadband, and providing incentives for manufacturing and technology research.

It calls for money to be directed to rural communities and communities of color, including establishing a national climate-focused laboratory affiliated with an historically black university.

The spending, which would have to be approved by Congress, would roll out over eight years.

The White House said tax increases would offset the cost over 15 years.

President Biden called for raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, a move that would partially undo cuts the US passed in 2017. He also proposed raising the minimum rate charged for overseas profits.

In his speech, in an acknowledgment such plans are likely to face, the president said he was also “open to other ideas” when it came to paying for the spending.

“Failing to make these investments adds to our debt and effectively puts our children at a disadvantage relative to our competitors,” he said.

“The divisions of the moment shouldn’t stop us from doing the right thing for the future.”

President Biden’s proposal – which closely resembles promises he made during last year’s election campaign – comes just weeks after Democrats muscled through $1.9 trillion more in aid to address the economic upheaval caused by the pandemic, approving that package without Republican support.

It’s not clear yet how much of President Biden’s latest plan will make it through Congress – or how much of another spending package focused on areas such as childcare and education that he plans to unveil in coming weeks.

Germany Suspends AstraZeneca Vaccine Use Under-60s

Kathryn R. Bown
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Germany Suspends AstraZeneca Vaccine Use Under-60s
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Germany’s vaccine committee (Stiko) has advised giving the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine only to people aged 60 + because of a risk of rare blood clots.

The German drugs regulator found 31 cases of a type of rare blood clot among the nearly 2.7 million people who had received the vaccine in Germany.

Canada earlier suspended use of the AstraZeneca jab in people under 55.

AstraZeneca said international regulators had found the benefits of its vaccine outweighed risks significantly.

The company said it was continuing to analyze its database to understand “whether these very rare cases of blood clots associated with thrombocytopenia occur any more commonly than would be expected naturally in a population of millions of people”.

“We will continue to work with German authorities to address any questions they may have,” AstraZeneca added.

The EU and UK medicine regulators both backed the vaccine after previous cautionary suspensions in Europe this month.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the UK Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency stressed that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine continued to outweigh the risk of side effects.

AstraZeneca’s vaccine is one of the most widely used coronavirus vaccines in the West, and is meant to be supplied on a not-for-profit basis to the developing world.

The EU’s rollout of its vaccination program has been dogged by delays because of delivery and production problems, and Germany is among several states now fearing a third wave of infections.

On March 30, Italy’s PM Mario Draghi and his wife, who are both 73, received their first doses of AstraZeneca in a display of confidence in the vaccine.

Ahead of the Stiko announcement, the German cities of Berlin and Munich, and the region of Brandenburg, halted use of the vaccine in people below the age of 60.

“After several consultations, Stiko, with the help of external experts, decided by a majority to recommend the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine only for persons aged 60 years and older on the basis of available data on the occurrence of rare but very severe thromboembolic side effects,” the committee said, as quoted by Reuters.

“Regarding the question of administering the second vaccine dose to younger persons who have already received a first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, Stiko will issue a supplementary recommendation by the end of April.”

Germany was one of the European states which briefly suspended use of the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this month pending an EMA review into the possible link to blood clots.

When the EMA declared the vaccine “safe and effective”, Germany and others resumed its use but investigations continued.

The German medicines regulator, the Paul Ehrlich Institute, has found 31 cases of cerebral sinus vein thrombosis (CSVT) among people who received AstraZeneca in Germany.

Almost all the cases are reportedly in younger and middle-aged women.

France already limits use of AstraZeneca to those aged over 55.

4 Ways to Live Better with an Autoimmune Condition

Kathryn R. Bown
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4 Ways to Live Better with an Autoimmune Condition
health

Getting diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder may have left you feeling hurt and confused. Although there are treatments available for many autoimmune conditions, they will usually last a lifetime and often require you to make changes to your lifestyle and monitor your health closely. However, the good news is that despite your diagnosis, you can lead a normal life and do the things that you enjoy. Here are some tips for living better that you might find useful.

Speak with Your Doctor

A good doctor will support you through putting together a plan of action for living your best life with your condition, so it’s important to speak to your doctor as early as possible. They will be able to provide you with more information so that you are fully informed and educated on your condition, along with recommending treatments that can help to minimize flare-ups and keep your health strong. You might find it helpful to prepare a list of your symptoms and any questions that you would like to ask beforehand.

Change Your Diet

Depending on the condition that you have been diagnosed with, you may need to make some changes to your diet to ensure that you can stay in good health. Certain foods might trigger a flare-up; for example, people with Crohn’s disease do not usually react well to fatty or fried foods. You can determine which foods you are best avoiding by trying an elimination diet. You can do this by removing all foods that you suspect impact your health negatively for a few weeks. Then gradually introduce them back into your diet while keeping a close eye on your symptoms. Many people with autoimmune diseases find that a heavily plant-based diet that is low in processed food is best for them. There are also several supplements to add to your diet that you may find useful, such as Kratom. KratomIQ covers it here.

Manage Stress Levels

Chronic stress will never do your body any good, and if you have an autoimmune disease, the impact on your health and wellbeing can be even worse. Stress can be one of the biggest causes of flare-ups, and research shows that people with high stress levels tend to develop autoimmune diseases earlier in life and will often suffer from multiple conditions. Because of this, managing your stress levels is more crucial than ever before. Getting enough sleep, sticking to a daily routine and planning your time in advance so that you’re able to easily stay in control are just some of the best ways to minimize stress in your life. Meditation may also help some people or you could try talking therapy to learn healthier ways to cope with stress.

Exercise Gently

Getting your body moving can often be a great natural pain reliever for a range of autoimmune disorders but, sadly, exercising with many of these conditions is not easy and can sometimes be painful. The trick is to try gentle exercises that are relaxing along with getting your body moving, such as swimming. Swimming is often recommended for people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, for example, since the buoyancy of the water will support your body weight and relieve any pressure on your joints. Yoga and tai chi are also ideal since they are low-impact, and cycling is a good idea if you want a cardiovascular exercise to do on land that won’t affect your joints in the same way as jogging or running.

The good news is that working closely with your doctor and making some healthy changes to your lifestyle can help you live a good, happy and healthy life with an autoimmune disease.

North Korea Claims Latest Missile Launch Was A New-Type Tactical Guided Projectile

Roy Siemens
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North Korea Claims Latest Missile Launch Was A New-Type Tactical Guided Projectile
Image source Wikimedia

North Korea has claimed the missiles it launched on March 25 were a “new-type tactical guided projectile”, in its first statement since the test.

It was the country’s first ballistic launch in almost a year and the first since Joe Biden became US President.

President Biden has said the US will “respond accordingly”. The US, Japan and South Korea have condemned the tests.

Under UN Security Council resolutions, North Korea is banned from testing ballistic missiles.

North Korea’s statement on March 26, issued through state media outlet KCNA, says the two weapons struck a test target 373 miles off North Korea’s east coast, disputing Japanese assessments that they flew just over 240 miles.

It added that the new missile is able to carry a payload of 2.5 tons, which would make it capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

“The development of this weapon system is of great significance in bolstering up the military power of the country and deterring all sorts of military threats,” Ri Pyong Chol, the senior leader who oversaw the test, was quoted as saying.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was not present.

North Korea Unresponsive to Biden’s Administration Outreach

North Korea Attempted to Steal Covid Vaccine Technology from Pfizer, Says South Korea

North Korea Tests “Super Large” Multiple Rocket Launchers amid Global Coronavirus Outbreak

President Biden told reporters that the launch was a violation of UN resolutions and that the US was consulting with partners and allies.

“There will be responses – if they choose to escalate, we will respond accordingly,” he said.

“But I’m also prepared for some form of diplomacy, but it has to be conditioned upon the end result of denuclearization.”

It remains unclear what exact type of missile the North Koreans have launched. State media said it had an “improved version of a solid fuel engine” and described it as a tactical guided missile that could perform “gliding and pull-up” maneuvers, which could mean it is harder to intercept.

However, the test highlights the progress North Korea’s weapons program has seen since denuclearization talks with the US stalled under former President Donald Trump.

Analysts have suggested the missiles were the same as the ones unveiled at a military parade in the capital Pyongyang in October 2020.

“If that is the case, they appear to have an improved variant of the previously tested KN-23 missile with a really big warhead,” Jeffrey Lewis of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) told Reuters.

Such a new missile would allow North Korea to put heavier nuclear warheads on its rockets, Vipin Narang, a security studies professor at MIT said on Twitter.

Developing miniaturized nuclear warheads is difficult, although some observers believe that North Korea has this capability already.

North Korea last fired ballistic missiles a year ago amid stalled relations between then-US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The Biden administration says it has unsuccessfully tried to make diplomatic contact with North Korea.

North Korea has yet to acknowledge that Joe Biden is now in office, and the two countries remain at loggerheads over the North’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

AstraZeneca Downgrades Its Covid Vaccine Eficcacy from 79% to 76%

Kathryn R. Bown
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AstraZeneca Downgrades Its Covid Vaccine Eficcacy from 79% to 76%
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

AstraZeneca has announced it downgraded the efficacy result of its coronavirus vaccine trial in the United States after health officials questioned the results.

The company adjusted the efficacy rate of its vaccine against Covid-19 symptoms from 79% to 76%, but said the trial results confirm it “is highly effective in adults”.

US health officials had been concerned the trial was using outdated data.

AstraZeneca said it now looked forward to getting US regulatory approval.

The US trials of the AstraZeneca jab had involved more than 32,000 volunteers, mostly in America, but also in Chile and Peru.

In the results announced on March 22, the company said the vaccine was found to be 79% effective at stopping symptomatic Covid-19 disease and was 100% effective at preventing people from falling seriously ill.

On March 23, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said it had been informed by data and safety officials monitoring the trial that information may have been used that provided an “incomplete view of the efficacy data”.

Netherlands Becomes Latest Country to Suspend Use of AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine

Denmark Suspends Use of AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine over Blood Clots Fear

Covid-19: Italy Stops AstraZeneca Vaccine Export to Australia

AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine Approved for EU Market

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House’s Chief Medical Advisor, then warned reporters the company would “likely come out with a modified statement”.

AstraZeneca’s revised results now put the vaccine’s overall efficacy at 76% instead of 79%. Among the over 65s, its efficacy rose from 80% to 85% and against severe disease it remains 100% effective.

On March 25, Mene Pangalos, an executive vice president at AstraZeneca, said: “We look forward to filing our regulatory submission for Emergency Use Authorization in the US and preparing for the rollout of millions of doses across America.”

The US had ordered 300 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine when it emerged as a frontrunner in the global race to immunize people against Covid-19.

However, delays and controversies have seen three other vaccines beat it to a US rollout.

5 Surprisingly Common Surgical Errors

Kathryn R. Bown
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5 Surprisingly Common Surgical Errors
Image source: Piqsels

Although many people believe that complications during surgery typically only occur in more invasive procedures such as heart or brain surgery, potentially life-changing errors can occur during any surgical procedure. There are several common types of surgical errors that occur more frequently than others, making it important to understand the risks of any type of surgery before undergoing a procedure.

The following are five of the most common types of surgical errors that may be surprising to some.

1. Anesthesia Errors

Some of the most dangerous surgical errors involve anesthesia mistakes. Too much or too little anesthesia can cause serious problems or even death. While insufficient anesthesia can lead the patient to awake during surgery and suffer a significant amount of pain, too much anesthesia can lead to insufficient oxygen intake, leading to severe brain damage or even death.

2. Foreign Objects Left in the Body

Another common type of surgical error involves leaving various surgical instruments in the patient’s body following surgery. Foreign objects left in patients’ bodies often include pads, clamps, gauze, or scalpels. When left behind, these materials could cause serious pain and lead to severe internal injuries, culminating in infections. In more extreme cases, these incidents can even lead to the patient’s death.

3. Nerve Damage

Surgery requires precision throughout, from making initial incisions to addressing the primary health issue. Instruments such as scalpels can cause serious punctures and cuts that lead to permanent nerve damage. Nerve damage could then lead to debilitating injuries, infection, and long-term disability that changes a patient’s life.

4. Surgery on the Wrong Side

Many surgeries occur on the wrong side, which entails performing surgery on the wrong one of a pair of organs or limbs. For example, surgical procedures could be performed on the wrong kidney or ovary, or on the wrong leg or arm. As a result, the wrong organ or limb may be amputated while the diseased or damaged counterpart remains, leading to unnecessary injury and further complications resulting from the unhealthy body part.

5. Surgery on the Wrong Patient

While some surgeries involve procedures performed on the wrong side, others can involve the wrong patient entirely. Surgery on the wrong patient can occur if patients aren’t properly identified and verified before the operation, or if any miscommunication takes place between surgeons or other staff. Subsequently, patients may undergo surgery that they don’t need while their actual health issue goes ignored entirely.

Other Potential Surgical Errors

In addition to these common surgical errors, there are others that could occur depending on the nature of the procedure. For example, perforation of the bowel could occur when removing polyps or even during a routine examination of the colon via a colonoscopy procedure. Perforation of the bowel could lead to sepsis, which is potentially fatal if left untreated.

Another possible surgical error involves lacerations of organs such as the colon or bladder, which could cause internal bleeding. Over time, this bleeding could cause clotting that travels to the lungs, potentially causing a pulmonary embolism, which is often fatal.

Surgical Errors and Medical Malpractice

Oftentimes, surgical errors are the result of a surgeon or other medical professional’s negligence. Like other professionals, medical staff are required to meet a standard of care and do what they can to prevent injury to patients during surgery. While surgical procedures often come with certain inherent risks, negligence can still occur during surgery that leads to serious life-altering injuries and death.

If patients sustain serious injuries or wrongful death as a result of surgical errors, it may be possible for victims or their families to file malpractice lawsuits against liable negligent medical staff. Compensation recovered in these cases could help cover medical costs and other related damages resulting from surgical errors.

Boulder Shooting: Ten Killed In Colorado Supermarket Rampage

Nancy Clayson
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Boulder Shooting: Ten Killed In Colorado Supermarket Rampage
Image source: Getty Images

Ten people, including a police officer, have been killed by a gunman following an hours-long stand-off at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado.

The attack ended with police detaining an injured suspect at the King Soopers market.

The shooting was live-streamed by witnesses and broadcast on YouTube.

Among the dead was 51-year-old Eric Talley, who was the first police officer to respond to the shooting.

“This is a tragedy and a nightmare for Boulder County,” the area’s district attorney, Michael Dougherty, said.

“These were people going about their day, doing their shopping. I promise the victims and the people of the state of Colorado that we will secure justice.”

No other details have been released about the nine other victims or a motive for the attack.

The grocery store is located in a busy shopping plaza in Boulder, a north-central Colorado city about 30 miles away from the state capital of Denver.

The supermarket attack comes less than a week after a mass shooting that left eight dead, including six Asian women, at three spas in Atlanta.

Texas Mass Shooting: Five Killed and 21 Injured in Second Attack in A Month

Santa Fe Shooting: Ten Killed as Student Opens Fire at Texas High School

The incident began at about 14:30 local time on March 22 when the suspect entered the supermarket and began firing.

Shoppers and employees of the store said they had to dive for cover or run to safety as the shooting unfolded.

Some of the stand-off was captured on camera by a passer-by, showing victims near the grocery store.

Gunshots can be heard as he runs away from the shop.

The video continues, with police arriving on the scene and surrounding the market.

The Boulder police department later warned people to avoid the area and told them not to “broadcast on social media any tactical information you might see”.

Eyewitnesses said the suspect was armed with a rifle. A police source told CNN it was an AR-15 style rifle, a semi-automatic gun that has been used in several mass shootings across the US.

Aerial footage later showed a handcuffed, shirtless man with an apparent injury to his leg being put onto a stretcher for treatment. Authorities did not say whether he was the suspect or not.

Speaking at a press conference, Boulder police chief Maris Herold confirmed that a suspect was in custody and was receiving hospital treatment.

Maris Herold named the officer killed as Eric Talley, a father of seven who had been with the Boulder Police Department since 2010.

The names of the other victims will not be released until relatives have been informed.

Bobby Brown Jr Cause of Death Ruled as Accidental Overdose

Lisa.Felice
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Bobby Brown Jr Cause of Death Ruled as Accidental Overdose
Image source: Getty Images

Bobby Brown Jr., the son of R&B singer Bobby Brown, died of an overdose of alcohol, cocaine and the powerful opioid fentanyl, according to a coroner’s report.

The 28-year-old died at his Los Angeles home on November 18, 2020.

Bobby Brown Jr. was found unresponsive in his bedroom by his girlfriend. She called paramedics, who declared him dead. No foul play was suspected.

An autopsy report released on March 22 referred to his death as an accident.

The musician had a history of drug and alcohol use, the report said.

The night before his death, Bobby Brown Jr. had consumed tequila and cocaine, and “snorted” the painkiller Percocet, a witness told police.

The family said the musician was experiencing flu-like symptoms at the time, but had not tested positive for Covid-19.

Bobbi Kristina Brown Cause of Death: Drowning Associated with Drug Intoxication

Bobby Brown Jr. was one of two children from his father’s 11-year relationship with Kim Ward, which ended in 1991.

His death came eight years after his stepmother Whitney Houston accidentally drowned in a bath, and five years after his 22-year-old half-sister Bobbi Kristina died in similar circumstances.

Last November, Bobby Brown said his son’s death had “devastated my family,” adding: “There are no words to explain the pain.”

Bobby Brown Jr.’s brother, Landon, paid tribute by sharing a black-and-white photo of his late sibling on Instagram, alongside the caption: “I love you forever King.”

His girlfriend, Anna Reed, tweeted: “The heavens gained an angel but I lost my soulmate.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzMND0GqvQY

Miami Imposes Curfew Following Night of Disorder from Spring Breakers

Diane A. Wade
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Miami Imposes Curfew Following Night of Disorder from Spring Breakers
Image by tammon from Pixabay

The city of Miami has declared a state of emergency over concerns large crowds gathering for spring break pose a coronavirus risk.

A 20:00-06:00 curfew has been announced in Miami Beach and will remain in effect for at least 72 hours.

Traffic restrictions are in place during the curfew, while businesses in the busy South Beach area must close.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said thousands of tourists had brought “chaos and disorder” to the city.

Mayor Gelber told CNN: “It feels like a rock concert, wall-to-wall people over blocks and blocks.

“If you’re coming here to go crazy, go somewhere else.”

Spring break is a holiday period for schools and universities that attracts thousands of students to Florida and other warm weather destinations around the country.

Officials warned tourists to “vacation responsibly or be arrested” prior to the holiday period, and a county-wide midnight coronavirus curfew was already in place due to the pandemic.

However, the Miami Beach area was thronged with revelers over the weekend, and many did not appear to be wearing masks or socially distancing.

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One city official described South Beach, which includes the world famous Ocean Drive, as being “overwhelmed” by crowds over the weekend.

“You couldn’t see pavement and you couldn’t see grass,” city manager Raul Aguila said.

He added that the emergency measures were “necessary not only to protect our residents but our visitors, including our spring breakers who we want to keep safe”.

On March 21, Miami Beach police told CNN they had arrested at least a dozen people after the curfew had come into force.

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=BBCWorld&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1373448655189942273&lang=en-gb&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-us-canada-56476904&siteScreenName=BBCWorld&theme=light&widgetsVersion=e1ffbdb%3A1614796141937&width=550px Until the measures are lifted, police will prevent pedestrians or vehicles entering the South Beach area’s main party strips.

Raul Aguila told the Miami Herald that he has recommended keeping the emergency measures in place until April 12.

However, the emergency orders will expire on March 23 unless they are extended by local authorities.

Florida continues to be a coronavirus hotspot in the US. The state has recorded nearly two million of the country’s 29 million infections since the pandemic began.

Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Partially Closed Due to Covid Outbreak

Diane A. Wade
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0
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Partially Closed Due to Covid Outbreak
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

According to new reports, Donald Trump’s main residence, Mar-a-Lago, has been partially closed after some staff members tested positive for Covid-19.

The Florida resort has served as President Trump’s official residence since he left office in January.

The club said in a statement that the Beach Club and a la carte dining room were closed, but did not specify how many people had tested positive.

Donald Trump had coronavirus last October, and was vaccinated in January.

At the time of his diagnosis, he was hospitalized for several days and treated with the low-dose steroid treatment dexamethasone.

His wife Melania Trump and son Barron also tested positive for the virus, as did several White House officials close to the then-president.

In an email to members obtained by the Washington Post, Mar-a-Lago said it was following “all appropriate response measures” and its banquet and event services would remain open.

In January, images surfaced from a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago that showed a number of guests not wearing masks. The resort was handed a formal warning by Palm Beach County which said the event had violated coronavirus regulations.

The New York Times reports that the club is planning to host events during the RNC spring retreat next month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwLYyUlyijE

Bill Nelson Nominated as Next NASA Chief

James J. Williams
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0
Bill Nelson Nominated as Next NASA Chief
Image source: NASA

Former Florida Senator and one-time astronaut Bill Nelson has been nominated by President Joe Biden to be the next head of NASA.

He is seen as a moderate Democrat, and his nomination on March 19 drew bipartisan praise.

The 78-year-old will need to be confirmed in the Senate before he can take up the role.

Bill Nelson said he was “honored” to be picked to lead the US space agency, adding that he would “help lead NASA into an exciting future”.

In a statement, the White House said he was “known as the go-to senator for our nation’s space program” for many years.

“Almost every piece of space and science law has had his imprint,” the statement said.

The Republican Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio, said: “I cannot think of anyone better to lead NASA.”

In a statement, Bill Nelson said NASA’s workforce “radiates optimism, ingenuity and a can-do spirit.”

He added: “The NASA team continues to achieve the seemingly impossible as we venture into the cosmos.”

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Bill Nelson was a driving force behind NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which was conceived in the wake of an Obama-era overhaul of the US space program.

He will succeed Jim Bridenstine, who led the agency for almost three years under the Trump administration.

Jim Bridenstine earned widespread praise for his efforts to promote NASA programs – in particular, its Artemis venture, which will see astronauts return to the Moon in the 2020s before mounting a mission to Mars.

Bill Nelson was among those who initially criticized Jim Bridenstine’s confirmation in 2018, saying: “The administrator must be a leader who has the ability to bring us together… on a shared vision for future space exploration.”

The Oklahoma Congressman had no formal qualifications in science and engineering, and there were concerns he would politicize the non-partisan agency.

However, following Jim Bridenstine’s successful tenure at NASA, the Biden administration has opted to appoint another politician as the agency’s head – albeit a former astronaut with a long history of working on space issues.

Bill Nelson served in Florida’s state legislature during the 1970s, representing the district that’s home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

After his election to the House of Representatives in 1978, he became the second sitting member of Congress to travel into space when he flew as a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1986.

After he won election to the Senate in Florida in 2000, Bill Nelson continued to be closely involved in formulating space policy.

He lost his last re-election bid and his Senate term ended in 2019.

France and Poland Re-Impose Lockdown to Stem Soaring Covid-19 Infections

Kathryn R. Bown
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0
France and Poland Re-Impose Lockdown to Stem Soaring Covid-19 Infections
Image source France24

France and Poland have re-imposed partial lockdowns as both countries battle a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections in recent weeks.

In France, some 21 million people in 16 areas, including Paris, are affected as the country fears a third wave.

In Poland, non-essential shops, hotels, cultural and sporting facilities are now closed for three weeks.

Poland has the highest new daily rates of Covid-19 cases since November 2020.

Covid-19 cases are also rising exponentially in Germany, with Chancellor Angela Merkel warning it is likely that the country will now need to apply an “emergency brake” and re-impose lockdown measures.

The vaccine rollout across the EU has been hindered by delayed deliveries, as well as the suspension in several countries of the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, over fears of possible side effects.

In France, the partial lockdown took effect from midnight on March 19.

Trains leaving Paris for parts of the country where lockdown restrictions do not apply, such as Brittany and Lyon, were reportedly fully booked hours before the measures were due to come into effect.

Traffic jams were reported on several roads leaving the capital.

The new restrictions are not as strict as the previous lockdown, with people allowed to exercise outdoors.

Non-essential businesses are shut, but schools remain open, along with hairdressers if they follow a “particular sanitary protocol”.

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France has reported more than 4.2 million infections since the start of the outbreak, with nearly 92,000 Covid-related deaths, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US.

In Poland, the three-week lockdown began on March 20.

Polish health officials earlier warned the nationwide restrictions were necessary because of a rampant British variant of Covid-19 in the country. The variant now makes up more than 60% of infections.

Poland has had more than two million confirmed infections, and nearly 49,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Germany said on March 19 it was now classifying neighboring Poland as high risk. This means that from March 21 anyone crossing the border from Poland must provide a negative coronavirus test.

Despite assurances from the European medicines regulator that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective, some countries remain reluctant to resume their campaigns using the jab.

Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands are among the countries that have restarted their AstraZeneca vaccination campaigns.

Health authorities in France have recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine be offered only to people aged 55 and over.

Finland’s health authority has announced a pause in its use of the vaccine that will last at least a week. That move, which follows two reports of blood clots in patients who had received the jab in the country, was said to be a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, Sweden, Denmark and Norway said on March 19 that they needed more time to determine whether they should resume AstraZeneca inoculations.

On March 20, Denmark said that two members of hospital staff in Copenhagen had developed blood clots after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has reviewed the AstraZeneca vaccine over fears of a link to blood clots and found it was not associated with a higher risk of clots.

Tanzania: President John Magufuli Dies Aged 61

Diane A. Wade
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0
Tanzania: President John Magufuli Dies Aged 61
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has died aged 61, the country’s Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan has announced.

John Magufuli died on March 17 from heart complications at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, the vice-president said in an address on state TV.

He had not been seen in public for more than two weeks, and rumors had been circulating about his health.

Opposition politicians said last week that John Magufuli had contracted Covid-19, but this has not been confirmed.

President Magufuli was one of Africa’s most prominent coronavirus skeptics, and called for prayers and herbal-infused steam therapy to counter the virus.

“It is with deep regret that I inform you that today… we lost our brave leader, the president of the Republic of Tanzania, John Pombe Magufuli,” Vice-President Hassan said in the announcement.

She said there would be 14 days of national mourning and flags would fly at half mast.

According to Tanzania’s constitution, VP Hassan will be sworn in as the new president within 24 hours and should serve the remainder of John Magufuli’s five-year term which he began last year.

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John Magufuli was last seen in public on February 27, but PM Kassim Majaliwa insisted last week that the president was “healthy and working hard”.

The prime-minister blamed the rumors of the president’s ill-health on “hateful” Tanzanians living abroad.

When Covid-19 arrived in Tanzania, President Magufuli called on people to go to churches and mosques to pray.

“Coronavirus, which is a devil, cannot survive in the body of Christ… It will burn instantly,” the president said.

John Magufuli declared Tanzania “Covid-19 free” in June 2020, saying the virus had been eradicated by three days of national prayer.

He also mocked the efficacy of masks, expressed doubts about testing, and teased neighboring countries which imposed health measures to curb the virus.

“Countries in Africa will be coming here to buy food in the years to come… they will be suffering because of shutting down their economy,” President Magufuli said, according to the Associated Press.

Tanzania has not published details of its coronavirus cases since May 2020, and the government has refused to purchase vaccines.

Vanessa Bryant Reveals Names of LA Police Officers Who Took Photos at Crash Site

Lisa.Felice
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Vanessa Bryant Reveals Names of LA Police Officers Who Took Photos at Crash Site
Photo Getty Images

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Kobe Bryant, has published the names of LA County police officerswho she said shared graphic photos of the scene of her husband’s death in a helicopter crash last year.

The 38-year-old is suing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for negligence and invasion of privacy.

“We will refrain from trying this case in the media,” the sheriff said in response.

Kobe Bryant died with his daughter and seven others in the crash.

On March 17, Vanessa Bryant posted on Instagram the names of four sheriff’s deputies.

She says they took graphic pictures of the nine people who died in the crash close to Calabasas, California, in January 2020.

She alleges that one of the officers shared with a bartender photos of Kobe Bryant’s body and the others distributed “gratuitous photos of the dead children, parents, and coaches”.

The Los Angeles Times reported in February 2020 that an internal police investigation found officers shared photos of victims’ remains.

Vanessa Bryant claims the pictures, including those of her 13-year-old daughter Gianna, were taken and shared “for no reason other than morbid gossip”.

Last week a judge rejected an attempt to stop publication of the officer’s names, allowing Vanessa Bryant to disclose them.

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Vanessa Bryant Makes First Comments Since Kobe’s Death

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva responded on Twitter to Vanessa Bryant’s post, saying that the department would wait for a court to decide the outcome of the case.

The widow of Kobe Bryant alleges that at least eight officers took pictures of the crash site for their personal use, and claims that one took between 25 and 100 photos.

Last month, safety investigators said the helicopter pilot, Ara Zobayan, may have become disoriented in fog before the aircraft smashed into a hillside.

The NTSFB said the main cause of the crash was most likely the pilot’s decision to keep flying in inclement conditions “which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control”.

As well as Kobe Bryant, his daughter and the pilot, those killed included two of Gianna’s basketball teammates, their relatives and a coach. The group were on their way to a tournament in Thousand Oaks where Kobe Bryant had been set to coach.

5 Tips for Cutting Weekly Shopping Bills in 2021

Nancy Clayson
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5 Tips for Cutting Weekly Shopping Bills in 2021

Other than rent, spending money on food is many people’s second-biggest expense. Don’t feel too bad about it, good food is essential for good health. However, heading into troubling the economic times of 2021, the food bill is somewhere we can cut monthly spending. Here are some tips to help cut down weekly shopping bills.

Internet shopping and vouchers

The internet is your biggest resource when it comes to saving money in 2021. The internet allows us to compare prices more easily, opt for the best deals, and seek out vouchers. Iceland Vouchers, for example, can save customers 10% on their food bill. There are plenty of ways to find good deals online thanks to affiliate marketing and the fight for customer’s attention.

It’s much faster to compare the prices between two supermarkets online than in real life, so it’s great to use this to inform our decision – even if we do eventually shop in the physical store.

Making food last longer

Making food last longer is one of the most overlooked forms of waste. Fruit and veg contribute to around 50% of food wastage – a statistic that is damaging the environment. This starts with better education surrounding storing different products. For example, potatoes and onions need to be in a cool, dark place, separate from each other so the gases do not combine. 

It’s also important to organise and utilise the refrigerator people, too. The bottom shelf is the coldest, and thus is where meat and fish should be stored, whilst dairy can take the top shelf. Cheese and other items that get opened then re-used should be re-wrapped in a resealable bag.

Bulk buying

Simple economics tells us that bulk buying is cheaper per unit. The reason for this is because companies save money on postage, packaging, and are happy to entice customers into bigger sales to offload stock. 

Customers can make the most of this by looking at the price per kg (or price per unit) that exists on every label in a shop. For example, the largest box of washing powder will likely be cheaper per kg than the smallest box (presuming it’s the same brand). Alternatively, customers can shop at wholesalers.

The caveat here is only buy in large quantity if you’re 100% sure that you will not waste any, or come to the realisation that you did not need that much.

Frozen over fresh

Frozen food has a bad reputation, but it’s often undeserved. Frozen vegetables have been proven to be fresher than non-frozen vegetables because they’re frozen right after harvest. Not only this, but frozen fruit and veg is significantly cheaper than fresh fruit and veg. Plus, you’re going to sidestep the trap of perishable food waste.

Plant-based diet

Being a strict vegan or vegetarian is a personal choice and opinion. What isn’t up for debate, however, is that meat is expensive per gram compared to plant-based foods. The only meat that is cheap typically highly processesed and therefore very bad for your health.

Cutting down meat, such as meatless Mondays, can be a big money saver. Using black beans instead of mincemeat in a Con Carne, or a vegan burger instead of a steak burger is undoubtedly cheaper and can still provide good levels of protein. Plus, vegan alternatives are getting cheaper as the supply has begun to increase.

Donald Trump Urges Supporters to Get Vaccinated

Diane A. Wade
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0
Donald Trump Urges Supporters to Get Vaccinated
Image source Wikipedia

Donald Trump has urged his Republican supporters to be vaccinated against Covid-19, saying he would recommend it.

In a TV interview, the former president said the vaccine was “safe” and “something that works”.

Donald Trump’s conservative fan base has been one of the main groups resistant to the vaccine program.

The former president himself was criticized during his time in office for playing down the seriousness of the pandemic.

As the vaccination program has been rolled out across the United States, all other living ex-presidents have spoken out, urging Americans to get the jab.

However, Donald Trump has remained largely quiet on the subject.

The former president and his wife, Melania, were vaccinated at the White House in secret in January.

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Donald Trump said during an interview on Fox News Primetime on March 16: “I would recommend it.

“I would recommend it to a lot of people that don’t want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly.”

He added: “It’s a great vaccine, it’s a safe vaccine and it’s something that works.”

A recent poll by CBS News suggested that a third of Republican supporters would not have the vaccine when it was available to them, compared to 10% of Democrats.

Donald Trump’s comments came a day after his successor, President Joe Biden, expressed frustration at the reluctance among some conservatives to get the shot.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on March 15: “If former President Trump woke up tomorrow and wanted to be more vocal about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, certainly we’d support that.”

She added: “Every other living president… has participated in public campaigns. They did not need an engraved invitation to do so.”

Netherlands Becomes Latest Country to Suspend Use of AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine

Kathryn R. Bown
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0
Netherlands Becomes Latest Country to Suspend Use of AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

The Netherlands has become the latest country to halt use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine over concerns about possible side effects.

The WHO and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) say there is no indication of a link between the vaccine and reports of blood clots.

Eight countries have so far fully suspended the AstraZeneca vaccinations.

The WHO told Reuters it was important that vaccination campaigns continued.

About 17 million people in the EU and the UK have received a dose of the vaccine, with fewer than 40 cases of blood clots reported as of last week, AstraZeneca said.

Experts say the number of blood clots reported after the vaccine were no more than those typically reported within the general population.

However, the Dutch government said its suspension, which will last until at least March 29, was a precaution.

Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria and Iceland have paused inoculations with AstraZeneca vaccine, while the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia have delayed the start of their AstraZeneca rollouts. Several European countries, including Italy and Austria, have suspended the use of certain batches of the drug as a precautionary measure.

Thailand announced that it would start using the vaccine on March 16, following a brief delay to the rollout over safety concerns.

The EMA – which is currently carrying out a review into incidents of blood clots – said the vaccine could continue to be administered.

In a statement, the Dutch government said it was acting out of precaution following reports from Denmark and Norway of possible serious side effects.

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Dutch drug watchdog Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb later said that 10 cases of possible adverse side effects had been reported in the Netherlands, according to Reuters.

“We can’t allow any doubts about the vaccine,” Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said.

“We have to make sure everything is right, so it is wise to pause for now.”

Speaking on an early morning talk show on March 15, Hugo de Jonge said he hoped the suspension would last “no longer than a couple of weeks”, adding: “We need vaccines to be able to put this nasty period behind us.”

The government’s decision will now cause delays in the Dutch vaccination program.

The authorities had pre-ordered 12 million doses of AstraZeneca, with nearly 300,000 shots scheduled in the next two weeks.

AstraZeneca said there was no evidence of an increased risk of clotting due to the vaccine.

It said that across the EU and UK there had been 15 events of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot in a vein – and 22 events of pulmonary embolism – a blood clot that has entered the lungs – reported among those vaccinated.

AstraZeneca said these figures were “much lower than would be expected to occur naturally in a general population of this size and is similar across other licensed Covid-19 vaccines”.

China: Beijing Hit by Worst Sandstorm in Ten Years

Nancy Clayson
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0
China: Beijing Hit by Worst Sandstorm in Ten Years
Image source: CNN

Beijing was covered in thick dust on March 15 as it experienced what its weather bureau has called the worst sandstorm in a decade.

The storm in the Chinese capital caused an unprecedented spike in air pollution measurements – with pollution levels in some districts at 160 times the recommended limit.

Hundreds of flights were canceled or grounded as the sky was covered by an apocalyptic-looking orange haze.

The sand is being brought in by strong winds from Mongolia.

In Mongolia the severe sandstorms have reportedly caused six deaths and left dozens missing.

China’s Global Times media outlet reported that at least 12 provinces in the country, including the capital, had been affected, and the weather was likely to continue through the day on March 15 before improving at night.

The WHO currently sets safe levels of air quality based on the concentration of polluting particles called particulate matter (PM) found in the air.

According to AFP quoting the Global Times, the PM 10 pollution in six central districts reached “over 8,100 micrograms per cubic meter” on March 15. The WHO considers levels between 0-54 as “good” and 55-154″ as “moderate” levels of PM 10.

AFP added that schools had been told to cancel outdoor events, and those with respiratory diseases advised to stay indoors.

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The Chinese capital was historically hit by sandstorms on a much more regular basis, but pollution reduction projects – including prohibitions on new coal-fired power plants, restrictions on the number of cars on the road and reforestation – have significantly improved air quality. Sandstorms like the one seen this week, caused by wind, are harder to control.

Beijing and surrounding regions have suffered from high levels of pollution in recent weeks, with one Greenpeace activist telling AFP that it was a result of “intense” industrial activities. These, he said, exacerbated sandstorm conditions, which were the “result of extreme weather conditions and desertification”.

Grammys 2021: Full List of Winners and Nominees

Sonia Pantiss
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Grammys 2021: Full List of Winners and Nominees

The winners of the 63rd Grammy Awards have been announced at a star-studded hybrid in-person and online event in Los Angeles.

Here are the winners and nominees in the key categories.

Album of the year

  • WINNER: Folklore – Taylor Swift
  • Chilombo – Jhené Aiko
  • Black Pumas – Black Pumas
  • Everyday Life – Coldplay
  • Djesse vol. 3 – Jacob Collier
  • Women in Music Pt. III – Haim
  • Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
  • Hollywood’s Bleeding – Post Malone

Record of the year

  • WINNER: Everything I Wanted – Billie Eilish
  • Black Parade – Beyoncé
  • Colors – Black Pumas
  • Rockstar – DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
  • Say So – Doja Cat
  • Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa
  • Circles – Post Malone
  • Savage (Remix) – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé

Song of the year

  • WINNER: I Can’t Breathe – H.E.R
  • Black Parade – Beyoncé
  • The Box – Roddy Ricch
  • Cardigan – Taylor Swift
  • Circles – Post Malone
  • Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa
  • Everything I Want – Billie Eilish
  • If the World Was Ending – JP Saxe and Julia Michaels

Best new artist

  • Winner: Megan Thee Stallion
  • Ingrid Andress
  • Phoebe Bridgers
  • Chika
  • Noah Cyrus
  • D Smoke
  • Doja Cat
  • Kaytranada

Best pop solo performance

  • WINNER: Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
  • Yummy – Justin Bieber
  • Say So – Doja Cat
  • Everything I Wanted – Billie Eilish
  • Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa
  • Cardigan – Taylor Swift

Best pop duo/group performance

  • WINNER: Rain on Me – Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande
  • Un Dia (One Day) – J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny and Tainy
  • Intentions -Justin Bieber featuring Quavo
  • Dynamite – BTS
  • Exile – Taylor Swift featuring Bon Iver

Best pop vocal album

  • WINNER: Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
  • Changes – Justin Bieber
  • Chromatica – Lady Gaga
  • Fine Line – Harry Styles
  • Folklore – Taylor Swift

Best progressive R&B album

  • WINNER: It Is What It Is – Thundercat
  • Chilombo – Jhene Aiko
  • Ungodly Hour – Chloe X Halle
  • Free Nationals – Free Nationals
  • F*** Your Feelings – Robert Glasper

Best rap song

  • WINNER: Savage (Remix) – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé
  • The Bigger Picture – Lil Baby
  • The Box – Roddy Ricch
  • Laugh Now Cry Later – Drake featuring Lil Durk
  • Rockstar – Da Baby featuring Roddy Ricch

Best rap album

  • WINNER: King’s Disease – Nas
  • Black Habits – D Smoke
  • Alfredo – Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist
  • A Written Testimony – Jay Electronica
  • The Allegory – Royce da 5’9

Best melodic rap performance

  • WINNER: Lockdown – Anderson .Paak
  • Rockstar – Dababy featuring Roddy Ricch
  • Laugh Now Cry Later – Drake featuring Lil Dur
  • The Box – Roddy Ricch
  • Highest in the Room – Travis Scott

Best dance recording

  • WINNER: 10% – Kaytranada featuring Kali Uchis
  • On My Mind – Diplo and Sidepiece
  • My High – Disclosure featuring Amine and Slowthai
  • The Difference – Flume featuring Toro y Moi
  • Both of Us – Jayda G

Best dance/electronic album

  • WINNER: Bubba – Kaytranada
  • Kick I – Arca
  • Planet’s Mad – Baauer
  • Energy – Disclosure
  • Food Faith – Madeon

Best rock performance

  • WINNER: Shameika – Fiona Apple
  • Not – Big Thief
  • Kyoto – Phoebe Bridgers
  • The Steps – Haim
  • Stay High – Brittany Howard
  • Daylight – Grace Potter

Best metal performance

  • WINNER: Bodycount – Bum Rush
  • Code Orange – Underneath
  • The In-between – In This Moment
  • Bloodmoney – Poppy
  • Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe) – Live by Power Trip

Best rock album

  • WINNER: The New Abnormal – The Strokes
  • A Hero’s Death – Fontaines DC
  • Kiwanuka – Michael Kiwanuka
  • Daylight – Grace Potter
  • Sound & Fury – Sturgill Simpson

Best alternative album

  • WINNER: Fetch the Bolt Cutters – Fiona Apple
  • Hyperspace – Beck
  • Punisher – Phoebe Bridgers
  • Jaime – Brittany Howard
  • The Slow Rush – Tame Impala

Best R&B performance

  • WINNER: Black Parade – Beyoncé
  • Lightning and Thunder – Jhené Aiko featuring John Legend
  • All I Need – Jacob Collier featuring Mahalia and Ty Dolla $ign
  • Goat Head – Brittany Howard
  • See Me – Emily King

Best country album

  • WINNER: Wildcard – Miranda Lambert
  • Lady Like – Ingrid Andress
  • Your LIfe is a Record – Brandy Clark
  • Nightfall – Little Big Town
  • Never Will – Ashley McBryde

Best Country Solo Performance

  • WINNER: When My Army Prays – Vince Gill
  • Stick That in Your Country Song – Eric Church
  • Who You Thought I Was – Brandy Clark
  • Black Like Me – Mickey Guyton
  • Bluebird – Miranda Lambert

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

  • WINNER: 10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
  • All Night – Brothers Osborne
  • Ocean – Lady A
  • Sugar Coat – Little Big Town
  • Some People Do – Old Dominion

Best musical theatre album

  • WINNER: Jagged Little Pill
  • Amelie
  • American Utopia on Broadway
  • The Prince of Egypt
  • Soft Power
  • Little Shop of Horrors

Producer of the year, non-classical

  • WINNER: Andrew Watt
  • Jack Antonoff
  • Dan Auerbach
  • Dave Cobb
  • Flying Lotus

Best music video

  • WINNER: Brown Skin Girl – Beyoncé ft Blue Ivy and Wizkid
  • Life is Good – Future Featuring Drake
  • Lockdown – Anderson .Paak
  • Adore You – Harry Styles
  • Goliath – Woodkid

North Korea Unresponsive to Biden’s Administration Outreach

Roy Siemens
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0
North Korea Unresponsive to Biden’s Administration Outreach
Image source Wikipedia

The Biden administration says it has been trying to contact the North Korean government since February but has yet to receive a response.

The White House had tried to reach Pyongyang in several different ways to prevent tensions escalating, officials said.

The US and North Korea remain at loggerheads over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Three meetings between President Joe Biden’s predecessor and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un achieved little.

The talks failed to persuade North Korea to give up nuclear weapons – a key demand of the US and other Western powers.

North Korean state media has yet to acknowledge that Joe Biden is now the American president.

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US attempts to communicate with North Korea have included the “New York Channel” – through the North Korean mission at the United Nations.

A US official told Reuters there had been “multiple attempts” to engage with North Korea, but no meaningful contact for more than 12 months, which includes much of Donald Trump’s final year as president.

President Biden has already announced a policy review on North Korea, which is expected to be unveiled in April.

He has called Kim Jong-un a thug and stressed the need for North Korean nuclear disarmament before heavy US and UN economic sanctions can be eased.

Kim Jong-un has continued to emphasize North Korea’s military capability, claiming the development of more accurate long-range missiles, super large warheads, spy satellites and a nuclear-powered submarine.

At the same time the North Korean leader has called on the US to ditch its “hostile policies”.

North Korea’s nuclear ambitions are expected to feature prominently during this week’s visit to Japan and South Korea by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Relations between the US and North Korea plummeted in 2017 when North Korea tested long-range missiles capable of hitting American cities.

Tensions eased as President Trump bet on developing a personal rapport with Kim Jong-un.

However, the much-trumpeted meetings, including summits in Singapore and Vietnam, failed to overcome differences over nuclear disarmament and sanctions. The US rebuffed North Korean demands for the lifting of sanctions in return for only a partial reduction in nuclear capabilities.

North Korea is currently more cut off from the outside world than ever before. Its borders have been closed for over a year to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Trade with North Korea’s main ally China has dwindled by more than 90% in the last few months.

Italy Under Partial Lockdown to Stem New Covid-19 Wave

Diane A. Wade
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Italy Under Partial Lockdown to Stem New Covid-19 Wave

Italy will close shops, restaurants and schools across most of the country on March 15, with PM Mario Draghi warning of a “new wave” of the coronavirus outbreak.

For three days over Easter, April 3-5, there will be a total lockdown.

Italy, which one year ago imposed one of the first national lockdowns, is once again struggling to contain the rapid spread of infections.

The country has reported more than 100,000 Covid-related deaths, Europe’s second-highest tally after the UK.

Its vaccination campaign has been hit by delays, as has been seen elsewhere in the EU.

AstraZeneca has announced a further shortfall in the amount of its vaccine it can supply to the EU, blaming export restrictions imposed by some countries. It did not elaborate.

In January, the pharmaceutical company announced a large cut in the 100 million doses it had originally expected to deliver to the EU by March, sparking a public spat with European Commission.

Last week, the Italian government blocked the export of 250,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to Australia to address shortfalls of vaccines.

Covid-19: Italy Stops AstraZeneca Vaccine Export to Australia

Elsewhere, Bulgaria, Denmark and Norway have all halted the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine over fears it causes blood clots.

On March 12, the WHO said there was no indication this was true, stressing that countries should not stop using the vaccine.

From March 15, schools, shops and restaurants will shut in more than half of Italy, including the two most populous regions containing Rome and Milan.

Residents will be required to stay at home except for work, health or other essential reasons.

The extra restrictions would last until Easter, PM Draghi’s office said, and over the Easter weekend the whole country would be turned into the high-risk “red zone”.

Cases have been rising across Italy for the past six weeks, exceeding 25,000 a day.

In a majority of Italy’s regions “hospitals and above all intensive care units are already overloaded”, the GIMBE health think-tank warned this week, the AFP reported.

The island of Sardinia is the only region where infection rates are low.

Italy has had nearly 3.2 million confirmed infections since the outbreak began last year.

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