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Caitlyn Jenner Running for California Governor

Lisa.Felice
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Caitlyn Jenner Running for California Governor
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Caitlyn Jenner has announced she is running for California governor.

The former Olympic athlete and reality TV star will run as a Republican in the Democratic stronghold state.

A recall election in California could be confirmed this month after a petition against current governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, reached the number required to trigger a vote.

Voters would be asked if they want Gavin Newsom to stay or another candidate.

According to the Axios news site, Caitlyn Jenner has put together a team that includes some of former President Donald Trump’s advisers.

“Californians want better and deserve better from the governor,” a statement from Caitlyn Jenner said, confirming the news on her Twitter account on April 23.

“For too long, career politicians have over-promised and under-delivered. We need a leader with the vision and resolve to see it through,” she added.

Caitlyn Jenner promised that her campaign will be one of “solutions” and provide a “roadmap back to prosperity to turn this state around”.

She added that she will formally launch her campaign at a later date.

Should the recall election go ahead, it would be the fourth governor recall in US history.

Gavin Newsom has faced criticism for his handling of the pandemic. As infections started to fall, he came under criticism from business owners for still enforcing restrictions.

Caitlyn Jenner described herself as a “proven winner” in her statement, adding that she is the “only outsider who can put an end to Gavin Newsom’s disastrous time as a governor”.

The former athlete, previously known as Bruce Jenner, has been described as the highest-profile American to come out as transgender.

Bruce Jenner came out as transgender in 2015 in an interview with broadcaster Diane Sawyer on ABC, and said the star said she had been wrestling with her gender since childhood.

The former athlete won a gold medal at the Montreal Games in 1976.

Before transitioning, Bruce Jenner was married to Kris Jenner and the pair had two daughters, Kendall and Kylie. The family were stars of the hit reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

Caitlyn Jenner said her step-daughter Kim Kardashian had been a big supporter of her transitioning.

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California is not a stranger to celebrities running for governor.

Arnold Schwarzenegger won the 2003 recall election, beating Mary Carey and former child actor Gary Coleman.

If she won, Caitlyn Jenner would be one of a small group of transgender Americans to hold such a high-profile role.

In 2020, Sarah McBride became the first transgender state senator in the US after she won her race in Delaware during the 2020 elections. And she was not the only transgender candidate to make history during last year’s election.

Vermont’s Taylor Small, 26, was elected to the House of Representatives, while, in Kansas. Stephanie Byers became the first trans person of color to be elected to a state legislature.

Alexei Navalny Ends Hunger Strike After 24 Days

Diane A. Wade
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Alexei Navalny Ends Hunger Strike After 24 Days
Image source Wikimedia

Russian detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny has announced he is ending his hunger strike after 24 days of refusing food in jail.

Hours earlier Navalny’s private doctors had appealed to him to take food to preserve his life and health.

Alexei Navalny began refusing food on March 31 to demand better medical care.

He said he had twice been seen by civilian doctors and “given the progress and circumstances, I am ending my hunger strike”.

The process would be gradual, Navalny added in an Instagram post.

His doctors had warned at the weekend he could die “at any minute”. On April 22, they warned him that “further starvation” could significantly harm him and lead to his death.

Alexei Navalny was detained as soon as he returned to Russia in January, after receiving treatment in Berlin for a nerve-gas attack in Siberia that left him in coma and fighting for his life. Russian authorities denied being behind the attack, but last December Navalny tricked an FSB agent into revealing that a Novichok agent had been placed in his underpants.

He was sent to a penal colony in February for over two and a half years, after a court ruled he had broken the terms of a suspended jail term, even though he had been in a coma. Russia rejected a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that he should be freed because his life was at risk.

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Thousands of Navalny supporters took to the streets of Russian cities on April 21 and more than 1,700 were arrested.

Alexei Navalny has complained of numbness and back pain and said he had not been given proper treatment by prison doctors.

In his message from the penal colony in Vladimir, east of Moscow, Alexei Navalny said he was still determined to be seen by a doctor of his choice.

“I am losing feeling in areas of my arms and legs, and I want to understand what it is and how to treat it,” he said.

Chad President Idriss Déby Killed During Frontline Visit

Roy Siemens
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Chad President Idriss Déby Killed During Frontline Visit
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Chad’s President Idriss Déby has died of his injuries following clashes with rebels in the north of the country at the weekend, the army has announced.

The announcement came a day after provisional election results projected he would win a sixth term in office.

The government and parliament have been dissolved. A curfew has also been imposed and the borders have been shut.

Idriss Déby, 68, spent more than three decades in power and was one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

An army officer by training, he came to power in 1990 through an armed uprising. He was a long-time ally of France and other Western powers in the battle against jihadist groups in the Sahel region of Africa.

Idriss Déby “breathed his last defending the sovereign nation on the battlefield”, an army general said on state TV on April 20.

He had gone to the front line, several hundred miles north of the capital N’Djamena, at the weekend to visit troops battling rebels belonging to a group calling itself FACT (the Front for Change and Concord in Chad).

A military council led by Idriss Déby’s son, a 37-year-old four star general, will govern for the next 18 months.

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno will lead the council but “free and democratic” elections will be held once the transition period is over, the army said in its statement.

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Ahead of the election on April 11, Idriss Déby campaigned on a platform of bringing peace and security to the region.

But there has been growing unhappiness over his government’s management of Chad’s oil resources.

Founded in 2016 by disillusioned former army officers, the rebel Fact group accuses President Déby of repression in the run-up to the election.

They built up their base in Libya in the Tibesti mountains, which straddle northern Chad and part of southern Libya.

On Election Day the group mounted an attack on a border post and gradually advanced on N’Djamena.

The latest clashes began on April 17. An army general told Reuters that 300 insurgents were killed and 150 were captured. Five government soldiers were killed and 36 were injured, he said. The figures could not immediately be verified.

Some foreign embassies in the capital have urged their staff to leave.

N’Djamena has come under rebel attack before and there was panic in the city on April 19, with parents taking their children home from school, when tanks were deployed along the main roads.

Do Not Travel List: State Dept. Urges Americans to Avoid 80% of Countries Worldwide

Diane A. Wade
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Do Not Travel List: State Dept. Urges Americans to Avoid 80% of Countries Worldwide

Americans are advised to avoid 80% of countries worldwide because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a note to the media about the US state department’s updated travel guidance, it said the pandemic continued to “pose unprecedented risks to travelers”.

The current US “Do Not Travel” advisory covers 34 out of 200 countries.

Covid-19 has now claimed more than three million lives worldwide – more than half a million of them in the US.

The WHO warned the world was “approaching the highest rate of infection” so far, despite the global rollout of vaccination programs.

The state department said its decision to update its travel advisories was to bring it more in line with those from the CDC and “does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country”.

However, it said the move would “result in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4: Do Not Travel, to approximately 80% of countries worldwide”. Anyone planning to travel to a country in the remaining 20% is advised to reconsider before proceeding.

The state department has not revealed which countries will be added to Level 4 – the highest of its four risk levels. Guidance will be issued individually for each country in the next few days.

Currently, only three places in the world are assessed at the lowest tier – Level 1, which advises “Exercise normal precautions”. They are Macau, Taiwan and New Zealand.

Even Antarctica is at Level 2 – “Exercise increased caution”, an extra warning to exercise caution because of the risk of terrorism.

The UK is at Level 3: “Reconsider travel”.

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The CDC currently recommends all Americans refrain from travelling domestically until they have been fully vaccinated and warns that international travel “poses additional risks” even for those vaccinated.

In addition, all air passengers coming to the US, including US citizens, must have a negative Covid test result or documentation of recovery from the virus before they board a flight.

While more than 860 million doses of coronavirus vaccine have been administered in 165 countries worldwide, many countries are still struggling to contain the virus.

Brazil has recorded the third-highest number of cases and, at 368,749, the second-highest number of deaths in the world.

Canada has also reported a recent rise in cases and Papua New Guinea has been highlighted as a cause for concern.

While some countries – such as Israel and the UK – have secured and delivered doses to a large proportion of their population, many more countries are still waiting for their first shipments to arrive.

Global Covid-19 Death Toll Passes Three Million

Kathryn R. Bown
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Global Covid-19 Death Toll Passes Three Million

According to Johns Hopkins University, the number of people who have died worldwide in the Covid-19 pandemic has surpassed three million.

The milestone comes the day after WHO chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned the world was “approaching the highest rate of infection” so far.

India – experiencing a second wave – recorded more than 230,000 new cases on April 17 alone.

Almost 140 million cases have been recorded since the pandemic began.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on April 16 that “cases and deaths are continuing to increase at worrying rates”.

He added that “globally, the number of new cases per week has nearly doubled over the past two months”.

The US, India and Brazil – the countries with the most recorded infections – have accounted for more than a million deaths between them, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Last week saw an average of 12,000 deaths a day reported around the world, according to AFP.

However, official figures worldwide may not fully reflect the true number in many countries.

Up until a few weeks ago, India appeared to have the pandemic relatively under control. Cases had been below 20,000 a day for much of January and February – a low figure in a country of more than a 1.3 billion people.

But then infections began to rise rapidly: April 17 saw a record set for the third day in a row, with more than 234,000 cases reported.

Hospitals are running low on beds and oxygen. Sick people are being turned away, and some families are turning to the black market to get the drugs they need.

The capital Delhi has gone into lockdown over the weekend, with restrictions put in place in several other states, as officials try to stem the tide.

Brazil – which has recorded the third highest number of cases and, at 368,749, the second highest number of deaths – is still struggling to control the outbreak.

On April 16, the health ministry announced more than 85,000 new cases over the previous 24 hours and 3,305 deaths.

Canada has also reported a recent rise, registering more cases per million than the US over the last week – the first time this has happened since the pandemic began.

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Papua New Guinea has also been highlighted as a cause for concern. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted “the potential for a much larger epidemic” in the Pacific nation following a sharp increase in cases.

He added that Papua New Guinea – which has received 140,000 vaccine doses through Australia and the Covax scheme – is a “perfect example of why vaccine equity is so important”.

More than 860 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered, in 165 countries worldwide.

However, the WHO chief told UN officials on April 16: “Vaccine equity is the challenge of our time – and we are failing.”

Some countries have secured and delivered doses to a large proportion of their population.

Those with high vaccinations rates, such as the UK and Israel, have seen their numbers of new infections drop sharply.

While Israel has distributed 119 doses per 100 people, just 2.81 doses per 100 have been given in the Palestinian territories, recent data from Our World in Data at Oxford University showed.

However, many more countries are still waiting for their first shipments to arrive.

That is leading to warnings about growing “vaccine inequity”.

Dr. Tedros pointed out that in high-income countries, one in four people have received a vaccine, compared with only one in 400 in poorer countries.

The WHO is working on a global scheme, Covax, to get rich countries to share their vaccine with lower income countries. Covax plans to deliver about two billion vaccine doses globally by the end of the year, but many vaccines require two doses per person.

Indianapolis Shooting: Eight Killed at FedEx Facility

Diane A. Wade
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Indianapolis Shooting: Eight Killed at FedEx Facility

Eight people have been killed and seven injured in a shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, police say.

According to police, the gunman began shooting “randomly” almost immediately after exiting his car.

The gunman apparently killed himself minutes before police arrived, officials say. They have not confirmed the identities of the victims or the gunman.

This is the latest incident in a recent uptick of mass shootings across the US.

The attack began around 23:00 local time on April 15 in Indianapolis, Indiana – the state capital and its largest city.

In a news conference on April 16, city officials said no motive had been established yet, and noted that one may never be determined.

“We’ll never really know all the ins and outs of why this occurred, but we’ll try our best,” said police chief Randal Taylor.

Craig McCartt, the deputy chief of criminal investigations, said that the gunman began firing as soon as he arrived at the building.

“This suspect came to the facility and when he came there, he got out of his car and pretty quickly started some random shooting outside the facility,” he said.

“No confrontation or argument, he just appeared to randomly start shooting,” he added.

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Four people were found dead outside the building, and another four inside.

The attacker, who appeared to have shot himself “minutes” before police arrived, was also found inside the facility.

“When officers arrived they found a very chaotic and active crime scene,” Craig McCartt said, adding that they believe the gunman used a rifle during the attack.

Mayor Joe Hogsett paid condolences to the victims and called for Americans to tackle the “scourge of gun violence that has killed far too many in our community and in our country”.

He also called for people to fight against “the assumption that this is how it must be and we might as well get used to it”.

The FBI, which is assisting in the investigation, has been searching a residence in the area, officials said, but they refused to answer whether it was the suspect’s home.

A FedEx statement said the company was aware of the shooting and co-operating with the authorities.

“Safety is our top priority, and our thoughts are with all those who are affected,” the statement said.

This is the third mass shooting in Indianapolis this year. Five were killed, including a pregnant woman, in a shooting in January. In March, three adults and one child were killed after an argument broke out over a coronavirus stimulus cheque.

Last week, President Joe Biden announced his first steps since taking office to tighten gun controls following a series of mass shootings.

It includes efforts to set rules for certain guns, bolster background checks and support local violence prevention.

How Can You Prepare for the Future of Technology?

Dana R
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How Can You Prepare for the Future of Technology?

In 2021, technology is already a big part of everyday life, and the expansion of technology into every aspect of our lives is only set to increase as we head into the future. However, many people are not ready to welcome this new technology into their lives and careers and find that they are being left behind by the new developments that are taking place. To make sure that you can prepare for the future of technology and the world that it will create, here are some top steps that you can take to make sure that you are ready in terms of your career, your workplace, and your home life.

Take an Online Degree

The best step that you can take to prepare for the rise of technology is to take a relevant degree course. Not only will these courses teach you everything there is to know about emerging technologies and the possibilities that they could present in the future, but they can also set you up for jobs in the modern workplace, including in the tech sector. For instance, at Kettering Global, their online Master of data science can help prepare you for the future of technology by giving you grounding in the technical skills and knowledge of emerging technical science that may help you secure a job within any industry in the future career landscape. This is because data science is set to become an integral part of every business’s operations in the near future. Having a degree in this will allow you to take advantage of opportunities as they are presented to you.

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Getty Images

Prepare for Future Careers

Rather than using all of your resources to prepare for the types of available jobs in your industry, you should be looking at prepping yourself for the careers of the future that might not even exist yet. Being ahead of the curve when it comes to employment can be beneficial in many ways. Many of these future careers will be influenced by technology and will come directly out of the technological revolution. Then, you should consider preparing for jobs that don’t yet exist by brushing up your knowledge of STEM subjects and developing soft as well as hard skills, such as critical thinking and innovation. You should also make sure that you continue to learn even after you have obtained a Master’s degree, such as by reading newspapers and by conducting your own research projects. This will ensure that you are always able to remain ahead.

Have the Right Infrastructure

Whether at work or at home, you can also prepare for the future of tech by having the right infrastructure, such as gadgets that are ready to support new software as it is developed. This will allow you to instantly make use of new technology as it is produced and avoid being left behind by others who are more prepared than you and who can access and put the new technology in question to good use.

Follow Emerging Technologies

Although the technologies that are currently in use are fascinating and engaging, you must always keep looking toward those technologies which are currently in development and which are starting to emerge as we speak. These include the Internet of Things and biometrics. Even though these emerging technologies currently have practical applications, more uses for them are currently being developed, meaning that they will soon start to take on greater significance within industries and your life. For instance, while VR technology was once only used for video games, it is now used to give training to employees and even create immersive advertising campaigns.

Stay Flexible

The most important step that you can take to prepare for the future of technology, though, and yet the one that people discuss the least, is to stay flexible. Flexibility is vital in both the world of work and beyond. For instance, you should make sure that you are open to changes within the workplace, such as working remotely or from home, and that you are happy to experiment with using different technologies as they come to the forefront of the tech world. You should also be ready for the fact that your job role might begin to change over time, with many of the jobs that are currently in existence having extremely different responsibilities in a couple of years as technology and automation starts to take over some of the roles that were previously required to be performed by humans.

Daunte Wright Shooting: Ex-Officer Kim Potter Charged with Second-Degree Manslaughter

Diane A. Wade
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Daunte Wright Shooting: Ex-Officer Kim Potter Charged with Second-Degree Manslaughter
Image source: Wright Family

Former officer Kim Potter who shot dead 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Minnesota has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, prosecutors say.

Kim Potter, a 26-year veteran of the Brooklyn Center Police Department, was taken into custody about 11:30 AM at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) in St. Paul, officials said.

She says she shot Daunte Wright accidentally, having mistakenly drawn her gun instead of her Taser.

Daunte Wright, who is African-American, died of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, which classified the manner of death as a homicide.

Responding to the charges, the Wright family’s lawyer Ben Crump said the killing was an “intentional, deliberate, and unlawful use of force”.

Both Kim Potter and Police Chief Tim Gannon have quit the Brooklyn Center force. The killing has sparked three nights of clashes between police and protesters.

It happened in a suburb of Minneapolis, a city already on edge amid the trial of a white ex-police officer accused of murdering African American George Floyd.

Minnesota’s BCA said Kim Potter had been arrested on April 14 at the BCA in St Paul and would be booked into Hennepin County Jail on probable cause second-degree manslaughter.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Prosecutors must show that Kim Potter was “culpably negligent” and took an “unreasonable risk” in her actions, Reuters reported.

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In a statement, Ben Crump said “no conviction can give the Wright family their loved one back”.

“A 26-year veteran of the force knows the difference between a Taser and a firearm. Kim Potter executed Daunte for what amounts to no more than a minor traffic infraction and a misdemeanor warrant,” he said.

After the charge against Kim Potter was announced, Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott tweeted: “Daunte Wright like many other black and brown members of our community should be alive and at home with his family today.”

Derrick Johnson, president of civil rights group the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said “justice must prevail” after Mr. Wright’s death.

“A badge should never be a shield to accountability,” he tweeted.

On April 13, bottles and other projectiles were thrown at the Brooklyn Center police headquarters and officers responded by firing tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets.

On April 12, Police Chief Gannon said the shooting of Daunte Wright – who had a one-year-old son – appeared to be an “accidental discharge” after Kim Potter mistook her service pistol for a stun gun.

But the families have rejected the explanation.

Daunte Wright’s aunt Naisha said: “I watched that video like everybody else watched that video. That woman held that gun in front of her a long damn time.”

Daunte Wright was pulled over for an expired tag on his car license plate. Family members and advocates say he was racially profiled.

Badycam footage showed Daunte Wright fleeing from officers after they told him he was being arrested for an outstanding warrant.

As Daunte Wright re-enters his car, Officer Potter is heard shouting “Taser” several times before firing a shot.

Daunte Wright’s mother Katie told reporters her son had called her after he was pulled over and that she had offered to give insurance details to police over the phone.

She said she heard police order him to get out of the vehicle. There was a scuffling sound and an officer told him to hang up the phone.

When she was eventually able to call back, Daunte Wright’s girlfriend answered and told her he had been shot.

Denmark Halts AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine Rollout

Kathryn R. Bown
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Denmark Halts AstraZeneca Covid Vaccine Rollout
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Denmark has decided to completely stop the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine rollout amid concerns about rare cases of blood clots, the first European country to do so fully.

The move is expected to delay Denmark’s vaccination program by several weeks.

Drug watchdog the European Medicines Agency (EMA) last week announced a possible link with clots but said the risk of dying of Covid-19 was much greater.

Several European countries had previously briefly suspended the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Most have now resumed vaccinations with AstraZeneca, but often with limits to older age groups.

On April 13, the US, Canada and the EU paused the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for similar reasons over clotting.

South Africa has also paused its use, despite the Johnson & Johnson being its preferred vaccine because of its effectiveness against the South African variant.

For both AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, the blood clot side effects are extremely rare.

The EU’s vaccine rollout has been criticized by the WHO for being too slow, and there are concerns this latest delay could throw it into further turmoil.

Both vaccines work by a similar method, known as adenoviral vectors.

Danish officials said that all 2.4 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine would be withdrawn until further notice.

The Danish Health Authority said studies had shown a higher than expected frequency of blood clots following doses, affecting about one in 40,000 people.

It comes after two cases of thrombosis in Denmark were linked to vaccinations, AFP reported. One of the cases, in a 60-year-old woman, was fatal.

Director General Soren Brostrom said it had been a “difficult decision” but Denmark had other vaccines available and the epidemic there was currently under control.

However, the authority said it could not rule out using it again at another time.

During the press conference the head of Denmark’s Medicines Agency, Tanja Erichsen, fainted and was taken to hospital as a precaution. The agency later tweeted that she had recovered.

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Almost one million people in Denmark have been vaccinated, with approximately 150,000 of them receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. The Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are also in use.

Adenoviruses are found in humans and other animals. Scientists use a modified version of one of these adenoviruses, known as a vector, to deliver important instructions to cells, according to the CDC.

They work by entering cells and using the cell’s machinery to produce a harmless piece of the virus that causes Covid-19, known as a spike protein. The cell then recognizes that the spike protein does not belong there and this triggers the immune system to fight back against what it thinks is an infection.

This process allows our bodies to learn how to protect us against Covid-19, according to the CDC.

Regulators are now investigating whether an unusual immune response to the adenovirus vaccines is causing the rare but severe incidences of blood clotting.

An official from the FDA told Reuters it was “plainly obvious” that the cases of blood clots linked to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were “very similar” to those linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The US paused rollout of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after six women under 50 developed rare blood clots after getting the shot. In the UK 30 people had developed unusual blood clots and seven of them had died after getting the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, out of a total of 18 million vaccinated.

Some European countries have limited the use of adenovirus vaccines to older people, who have been less affected by the rare blood clotting condition.

After the Danish announcement, France said it viewed the AstraZeneca vaccine as an “essential tool”.

France will also go ahead with plans to give the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to those aged over 55, the spokesman said. The country has already received 200,000 doses. Belgium will also give the doses it has received, while Greece and Italy will not.

Meanwhile the Czech Deputy PM Jan Hamacek said he had instructed the Czech ambassador in Denmark to try to buy the 2.4 million AstraZeneca vaccines doses that the Danes would no longer be using.

Jan Hamacek said he would also travel to Moscow to arrange deliveries of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine – another adenovirus vaccine – once its use is approved by the EMA.

Denmark was the first country to postpone use of the AstraZeneca vaccine in March. It was followed by numerous other European countries.

In a separate development, the European Commission said Pfizer-BioNTech would deliver an extra 50 million doses to the EU in the next few weeks.

Bernie Madoff Dies in Prison Aged 82

Clyde K. Valle
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Bernie Madoff Dies in Prison Aged 82
Bernard Madoff has been returned to jail after being hospitalized for a heart attack last month

Disgraced Wall Street financier Bernie Madoff has died in prison at age 82.

Bernie Madoff admitted to one of the biggest frauds in US financial history.

His death was announced by the Bureau of Prisons.

Bernie Madoff had been serving a 150-year sentence after he pleaded guilty in 2009 to running a Ponzi scheme, which paid investors with money from new clients rather than actual profits.

It collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis.

Bernie Madoff,the son of European immigrants who grew up in New York, set up his eponymous firm Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities in 1960.

The company became one of the largest market-makers – matching buyers and sellers of stocks – and Bernie Madoff served as chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange.

His company was investigated eight times by the Securities and Exchange Commission because it made exceptional returns.

But it was the global recession which effectively prompted Bernie Madoff’s demise as investors, hit by the downturn, tried to withdraw about $7 billion from his funds and he could not find the money to cover it.

He confessed the problem to his sons, who went to the authorities.

The list of those scammed included actor Kevin Bacon, Hall of Fame baseball player Sandy Koufax and film director Steven Spielberg’s charitable foundation, Wunderkinder.

UK banks were also among those who lost money, with HSBC Holdings saying it had exposure of around $1 billion. Other corporate victims were Royal Bank of Scotland and Man Group and Japan’s Nomura Holdings.

But it was not just the elite and large firms who were victims of the fraud.

School teachers, farmers, mechanics and many others also lost money.

“We thought he was God. We trusted everything in his hands,” Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, whose foundation lost $15.2 million, said in 2009.

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In court, Bernie Madoff said that when he started the scheme in the 1990s, he hoped it would only be for a limited time.

The scam involved an estimated $65 billion, a figure that included gains Bernie Madoff’s clients believed they had made due to fake account statements.

Of the more than $17 billion in cash losses, more than $14 billion has been recovered.

In 2020, Bernie Madoff requested early release from prison citing health problems, including kidney disease. In an interview with The Washington Post he said he had “made a terrible mistake.”

“I’m terminally ill,” he said.

“There’s no cure for my type of disease. So, you know, I’ve served. I’ve served 11 years already, and, quite frankly, I’ve suffered through it.”

Judge Denny Chin denied Bernie Madoff’s request, noting many victims were still suffering due to their financial losses.

“I also believe that Mr. Madoff was never truly remorseful, and that he was only sorry that his life as he knew it was collapsing around him,” the judge wrote.

At least two investors with Bernie Madoff committed suicide after their losses. His son Mark also killed himself on the second anniversary of his father’s arrest. His other son, Andrew, died of cancer in 2014.

Bernie Madoff is survived by his wife, Ruth Madoff, who maintained she was unaware of the scheme and was never charged. Prosecutors let her keep $2.5 milllion from the $825 million fortune the couple once possessed.

Sputnik V Becomes Third Covid Vaccine Approved in India

Kathryn R. Bown
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Sputnik V Becomes Third Covid Vaccine Approved in India
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Russia’s Sputnik V is the third coronavirus vaccine approved for use in India amid a deadly second wave of infections.

The Russian vaccine has been deemed to be safe, and works in a way similar to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine which is being made in India as Covishield.

Sputnik V gives around 92% protection against Covid-19, late stage trial results published in The Lancet reveal.

India has so far given more than 100 million doses of two approved vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin.

Sputnik V’s approval came on a day when India overtook Brazil to become the country with the second-highest number of cases globally.

With the total case tally of more than 13.5 million cases, India is now only behind the US which has reported more than 31 million cases. With 13.4 million cases, Brazil is now at number three.

The Indian government aims to vaccinate 250 million “priority people” by the end of July. But experts say that the pace of vaccination has been slow and unless the drive is scaled up, the target could be missed.

Sputnik V, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, initially generated some controversy after being rolled out before the final trial data had been released.

But scientists say its benefits have now been demonstrated.

The vaccine uses a cold-type virus, engineered to be harmless, as a carrier to deliver a small fragment of the coronavirus to the body.

Safely exposing the body to a part of the virus’s genetic code in this way allows it to recognize the threat and learn to fight it off, without the risk of becoming ill.

After being vaccinated, the body starts to produce antibodies especially tailored to the coronavirus.

This means that the immune system is primed to fight coronavirus when it encounters it for real.

Sputnik V can be stored at temperatures of between 2 and 8C degrees (a standard fridge is roughly 3-5C degrees) making it easier to transport and store.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is marketing the vaccine, has signed deals to produce more than 750 million doses of Sputnik V in India with six domestic vaccine makers, according to reports.

Unlike other similar vaccines, the Sputnik shot uses two slightly different versions of the vaccine for the first and the second dose – given 21 days apart.

They both target the coronavirus’s distinctive “spike”, but use different vectors – the neutralized virus that carries the spike to the body.

The idea is that using two different formulas boosts the immune system even more than using the same version twice – and may give longer-lasting protection.

As well as proving effective, it was also safe with no serious reactions linked to the vaccine during the trial.

Some side-effects to a vaccine are expected, but these are usually mild, including a sore arm, tiredness and a bit of a temperature. There were no deaths or serious illnesses in the vaccinated group linked to the jab.

India Becomes Fastest Country to Administer 100 Million Covid Vaccine Doses

Coronavirus: India in Total Lockdown for 21 Days

Coronavirus: India Observes 14-Hour Janata Curfew to Combat Pandemic

As well as Russia, Sputnik V is being used in a number of other places, including Argentina, Palestinian territories, Venezuela, Hungary, UAE and Iran.

It will be weeks before Sputnik will be rolled out in India and until then, the country has to make do with Covaxin and Covishield.

Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine which means that it is made up of killed coronaviruses, making it safe to be injected into the body.

Bharat Biotech, a 24-year-old vaccine maker with a portfolio of 16 vaccines and exports to 123 countries, used a sample of the coronavirus, isolated by India’s National Institute of Virology.

When administered, immune cells can still recognize the dead virus, prompting the immune system to make antibodies against the pandemic virus.

The two doses are given four weeks apart. The vaccine can be stored at 2C to 8C.

The vaccine has an efficacy rate of 81%, preliminary data from its phase 3 trial shows.

India’s regulators gave the vaccine an emergency approval in January while the third phase of the trial was still underway, sparking skepticism and questions from experts.

Bharat Biotech says it has a stockpile of 20 million doses of Covaxin, and is aiming to make 700 million doses out of its four facilities in two cities by the end of the year.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is being manufactured locally by the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. It says it is producing more than 60 million doses a month.

The vaccine is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus (known as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees. It has been modified to look more like coronavirus – although it can’t cause illness.

When the vaccine is injected into a patient, it prompts the immune system to start making antibodies and primes it to attack any coronavirus infection.

The shot is administered in two doses given between four and 12 weeks apart. It can be safely stored at temperatures of 2C to 8C and can easily be delivered in existing health care settings such as doctors’ surgeries.

The vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, which is currently being administered in several countries, must be stored at -70C and can only be moved a limited number of times – a particular challenge in India, where summer temperatures can reach 50C.

International clinical trials of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine showed that when people were given a half dose and then a full dose, effectiveness hit 90%.

But there was not enough clear data to approve the half-dose, full-dose idea.

However, unpublished data suggests that leaving a longer gap between the first and second doses increases the overall effectiveness of the jab – in a sub-group given the vaccine this way it was found to be 70% effective after the first dose.

India Becomes Fastest Country to Administer 100 Million Covid Vaccine Doses

Kathryn R. Bown
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0
India Becomes Fastest Country to Administer 100 Million Covid Vaccine Doses
Image source: indiatvnews.com

India has become the “fastest country in the world” to administer more than 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, amid a deadly second wave of infections.

The country achieved the feat in 85 days, whereas the US took 89 days and China 102 days, the Indian health ministry said.

However, India reported a record daily increase of over 150,000 cases – and more than 800 new deaths – on April 11.

There are reports the vast vaccination drive itself is struggling.

This week, half a dozen states reported a shortage of doses even as the federal government insisted that it had 40 million doses in stock and that the “allegations” of vaccine scarcity were “utterly baseless”.

The inoculation drive aims to cover 250 million people by July, but experts say the pace needs to pick up further to meet the target.

Everyone aged over 45 is now eligible for immunization at vaccination centers and hospitals. Most doses have so far been given to frontline workers and the over-60s.

The third phase – which began on April 1 – opened amid a sharp uptick in Covid-19 cases. India has been reporting an average of more than 90,000 cases every day since then.

Coronavirus: India in Total Lockdown for 21 Days

Coronavirus: India Observes 14-Hour Janata Curfew to Combat Pandemic

On April 4, India became the second country after the US to report 100,000 new cases in a single day. More than half of those were confirmed in Maharashtra, which has India’s largest city Mumbai as its capital.

The country’s caseload had dropped sharply by the time it began vaccinating people early this year. It was adding under 15,000 infections daily. But cases began to spike again in March, largely driven by poor test-and-trace and lax safety protocols.

Experts say India’s second wave is being fuelled by people being less cautious – and mixed messaging by the government.

Since the pandemic began, India has confirmed more than 12 million cases and over 167,000 deaths. It’s the third-highest number of Covid-19 infections in the world after the US and Brazil.

India launched its vaccination program on January 16, but it was limited to healthcare workers and frontline staff – a sanitation worker became the first Indian to receive the vaccine.

From March 1, the eligibility criteria was expanded to include people over 60 and those aged between 45 and 59 with other illnesses.

The third phase included everyone above the age of 45.

India’s drugs regulator has given the green light to two vaccines – one developed by AstraZeneca with Oxford University (Covishield) and one by Indian firm Bharat Biotech (Covaxin). Several other candidates are at different stages of trials.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Dies Aged 99

Lisa.Felice
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0
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Dies Aged 99
Image source Wikimedia

Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s husband for 73 years, has died at the age of 99, Buckingham Palace has announced.

A statement issued by the palace just after midday spoke of the Queen’s “deep sorrow” following his death at Windsor Castle on April 9.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband,” the palace said.

“The Royal Family joins with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

The Duke of Edinburgh, who was the longest-serving consort in British history, had returned to Windsor on March 16 after a month in hospital.

PM Boris Johnson said he “inspired the lives of countless young people”.

Speaking at Downing Street, Boris Johnson said that Prince Philip had “earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world”.

Meanwhile, Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said he “consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service”.

The flag at Buckingham Palace was lowered to half-mast and a notice was posted on the gates following the announcement of Prince Philip’s death.

Bunches of daffodils, tulips, roses and lilies were among floral tributes placed by people outside the palace, while crowds began to gather at Windsor Castle.

Prince Philip Underwent Heart Procedure

Prince Philip to Retire from Royal Duties

Prince Philip hospitalized for exploratory operation

Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, five years before she became Queen.

The duke and the Queen had four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Their first son, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, was born in 1948, followed by his sister, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in 1950, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, in 1960 and the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, in 1964.

Prince Philip was born on the Greek island of Corfu on June, 10, 1921.

His father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, a younger son of King George I of the Hellenes.

His mother, Princess Alice, was a daughter of Prince Louis of Battenberg and a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

In March, the duke left King Edward VII’s hospital in central London after a month-long stay for treatment.

Prince Philip underwent a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at another London hospital – St Bartholomew’s.

Kim Kardashian Joins Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List

Lisa.Felice
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0
Kim Kardashian Joins Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List
Photo Twitter

Kim Kardashian has joined the elite club of the super-rich by achieving billionaire status.

The reality star’s net worth reached $1 billion thanks to her cosmetics and clothing interests as well as income from TV, endorsement deals and investments, Forbes business magazine says.

Kim Kardashian, 40, is now one of the 2,755 figures on Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos leads the pack with a net worth of $177 billion.

Other Americans added over the past year include Bumble dating app founder Whitney Wolfe Herd ($1.3 billion), filmmaker Tyler Perry ($1 billion) and Miriam Adelson ($38.2 billion), widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.

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Kim Kardashian’s estranged husband Kanye West is already on the list ($1.8 billion) but her half-sister, Kylie Jenner, was removed last May by Forbes. The magazine alleged her family had inflated the value of her cosmetics business.

Forbes calculated that Kim Kardashian’s worth had risen to $1 billion from $780 million in October 2020 thanks especially to her stakes in the KKW Beauty cosmetics business and the Skims shapewear company.

KKW Beauty was launched in 2017 and Skims just two years ago after the initial brand name Kimono was dropped following accusations of cultural appropriation.

Kim Kardashian sold 20% of KKW Beauty to cosmetics giant Coty last year for $200 million, in a deal valuing the business at $1 billion.

Her most recent project Skims offers underwear and loungewear in the founder’s signature minimalist style, and has proven successful during the work-from-home era.

Kim Kardashian has used her huge social media presence (213 million followers on Instagram; 69.7 million followers on Twitter) during the coronavirus lockdowns to promote Skims loungewear.

North Korea Pulls Out of Tokyo Olympic Games over Covid-19 Fears

Clyde K. Valle
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0
North Korea Pulls Out of Tokyo Olympic Games over Covid-19 Fears
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

North Korea has announced it will skip the Tokyo Olympics this year, saying the decision is to protect its athletes from Covid-19.

Pyongyang’s decision puts an end to South Korea’s hopes of using the Games to engage with the North amid stalled cross-border talks.

In 2018, North and South Korea entered a joint team at the Winter Olympics which led to a series of historic summits.

North Korea says it has no cases of the virus but experts say this is unlikely.

The announcement makes North Korea the first major country to skip the delayed 2020 Games because of the pandemic. The event is due to begin on 23 July.

Tokyo Olympics to Start on July 23, 2021

Coronavirus: Tokyo 2020 Olympics Postponed Until 2021

This will be the first time North Korea has missed a Summer Olympics since 1988, when it boycotted the Seoul Games during the Cold War.

According to a report by the state-run site Sports in the DPRK, the decision was made at an Olympic committee meeting on March 25.

North Korea has taken stringent measures against the coronavirus since it broke out last year.

It shut its borders in late January and later quarantined hundreds of foreigners in its capital.

Since early 2020, trains and wagons have been forbidden to enter or leave North Korea, with most international passenger flights stopped as well.

There were hopes from South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in that the Games could be a catalyst for progress between both Koreas.

That had been the case in 2018, when North Korea sent 22 athletes to the Winter Olympics in South Korea, along with government officials, journalists and a 230-member cheering group.

Among the contingent was North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong – a move which helped it initiate diplomacy with South Korea and the US.

The talks that followed led to a series of historic, high-profile meetings between Kim Jong-un and former President Donald Trump.

There were hopes for improved relations after the meetings, but nothing materialized and the atmosphere has since deteriorated.

Meanwhile, in Japan, an Olympic preparatory event was canceled after Covid infections broke out at a training camp for the Japanese water polo team – with seven people testing positive for the virus.

It follows the announcement that the Osaka leg of the Olympic torch relay will be canceled after infections in the city hit record highs.

There have been growing concerns in Japan that more infectious strains of the virus could be driving a potential fourth Covid-19 wave in the country.

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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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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0
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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0
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.

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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”.

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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.

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