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Enjoy Greater Comfort at Home with a Well-Maintained Crawl Space

Kathryn R. Bown
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Enjoy Greater Comfort at Home with a Well-Maintained Crawl Space
Image source: Florida Foundation Authority

When people spend time at home, it is only natural that they want to feel relaxed and comfortable. This is a place where you get to spend time with loved ones, enjoy some downtime, and shut yourself away from the noise and stress of the outside world. This is why you need to ensure your Myrtle Beach home is comfortable and provides a setting where you can chill out whenever you want to.

There are some things that can have a big impact on your comfort levels at home, and this includes issues that may arise from your crawl space. For those who have a crawl space under the home, it is vital that this is looked after in order to help ensure a comfortable home environment. You can enlist the help of a specialist in crawl space repair in Myrtle Beach if there is any damage that needs to be addressed. In addition, you should waterproof the space and keep it clean in order to reduce the risk of issues in your home.

How Caring for This Space Can Benefit Your Comfort Levels

Given that most people do not spend time in the crawl space, you may be wondering how crawl space maintenance can make your home more comfortable. Well, there are lots of issues that can affect your main home if you do not look after the crawl space. By maintaining the space, it will help you avoid these problems, which means a more comfortable home environment.

One of the ways in which caring for your crawl space can benefit your home environment is by reducing the risk of mold and dampness in your home. When these problems occur, you could find that many of your rooms are affected, which can create a home setting that is unpleasant to look at. It can also affect air quality in your home, increase the risk of health issues, and result in a setting that is cold and difficult to keep warm.

Another thing you have to keep in mind is that a crawl space that is damp and in poor condition can heighten the risk of pest infestations in your home. If your home is overrun with pests, it means that you will be in an unhygienic setting and a home where pests could cause a huge range of serious issues. Pests can result in a lack of hygiene and they can also spread disease to those in the home. They can also cause bad smells in the home as well as a lot of stress for people in your property.

There are lots of ways in which the state of the space under your home can affect your actual home. This then impacts everyone in the property and can result in a home setting that is not pleasant to spend time in. By looking after your crawl space, you can avoid major issues that could impact your life quality at home.

President Joe Biden Holds First Call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin

Roy Siemens
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President Joe Biden Holds First Call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin
Image source: Reuters

President Joe Biden has raised election meddling in his first call with Russian Vladimir Putin, the White House says.

The phone conversation also included a discussion about the ongoing opposition protests in Russia.

A Kremlin statement did not refer to any points of friction, saying the call was “businesslike and frank”.

Both sides reportedly agreed to extend the countries’ last remaining nuclear deal during the call.

Former President Donald Trump sometimes undercut his own administration’s tough posture on Russia and was accused by some of being too deferential to Vladimir Putin.

However, Donald Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama – under whom Joe Biden served as vice-president – was also criticized for failing to check Russia as it annexed Crimea, supported rebel forces in eastern Ukraine and backed the government of war-torn Syria.

Vladimir Putin Thanks President Trump for Helping to Foil Acts of Terrorism on Russian Soil

President Donald Trump Denies Working for Russia

Trump-Putin Summit: Donald Trump Defends Russia over Claims of Election Interference

The White House said in a statement: “President Biden made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us or our allies.”

The two presidents also discussed the massive SolarWinds cyber-attack, which has been blamed on Moscow; reports that the Kremlin placed bounties on US soldiers in Afghanistan; and the poisoning of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny.

According to the Kremlin statement, the Russian president had “noted that the normalization of relations between Russia and the United States would meet the interests of both countries and – taking into account their special responsibility for maintaining security and stability in the world – of the entire international community”.

Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin also discussed the New Start treaty, an Obama-era accord that limits the amounts of warheads, missiles and launchers in the two countries’ nuclear arsenals.

The treaty had been due to expire on February 5, but both sides reportedly agreed to extend the treaty during January 26 call.

The Trump administration, however, had refused to sign it and talks over an extension stalled.

On January 27, the Russian parliament ratified a five-year extension of the treaty. President Putin said the move was a “step in the right direction” to reducing global tensions.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon Gets $10M Pay Cut for Malaysia 1MDB Scandal

Clyde K. Valle
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Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon Gets $10M Pay Cut for Malaysia 1MDB Scandal
Image source Wikimedia

Goldman Sachs CEO David M. Solomon will get a $10 million pay cut for the bank’s involvement in the 1MDB corruption scandal.

1MDB was an investment fund set up by the Malaysian government that lost billions due to fraudulent activity.

The global fraud and corruption scheme led to a 12-year jail term for Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib Razak which he is appealing.

Goldman Sachs called its involvement in the scandal an “institutional failure”.

It helped raise $6.5 billion for 1MDB by selling bonds to investors, the proceeds of which were largely stolen.

Prosecutors alleged that senior Goldman Sachs executives ignored warning signs of fraud in their dealings with 1MDB and Jho Low, an adviser to the fund. Two Goldman bankers have been criminally charged in the scandal.

David Solomon’s pay would have been $10 million higher but for the actions its board of directors took in response to the 1MDB saga, Goldman Sachs said on January 26.

While disclosing Solomon’s salary had dropped to $17.5 million for 2020, the bank stressed that its CEO was unaware of the corruption.

Goldman Sachs Bankers Charged in Malaysia 1MDB Scandal

1MDB Scandal: $4 Billion Stolen from Malaysian State-Owned Fund

Malaysia: Former PM Najib Razak Barred from Leaving the Country

David Solomon was not “involved in or aware of the firm’s participation in any illicit activity at the time… the board views the 1MDB matter as an institutional failure, inconsistent with the high expectations it has for the firm”.

His package consists of $2 million in cash base pay, a $4.65 million cash bonus, and $10.85 million in stock-based compensation.

In October, Goldman Sachs agreed to pay approximately $3 billion to government officials in four countries to end an investigation into work it performed for 1MDB. The bank collected $600 million for arranging the bond sales in 2012 and 2013.

It has spent years being investigated by regulators across the globe including those in the US, UK, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. In total, Goldman’s dealings with 1MDB cost the bank more than $5 billion.

Despite the costs and fines from the fallout from the 1MDB scandal, 2020 was a bumper year for Goldman’s businesses with annual revenue of $44.6 billion, its highest since 2009.

Goldman Sachs got a huge boost from the recovery in global stock markets from the depths of the coronavirus recession.

Joe Biden Raises Vaccination Goal to 1.5M a Day

Diane A. Wade
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Joe Biden Raises Vaccination Goal to 1.5M a Day
Image source: Getty Images

President Joe Biden has said he expects the United States will soon be able to vaccinate 1.5 million people a day after critics said his original goal was not bold enough.

The new president had announced last week that 1 million vaccines would be administered daily in the first 100 days of his presidency.

However, some media noted the US had already nearly reached that target under the Trump administration.

President Biden also renewed Trump-era Covid bans on January 25, adding South Africa.

In the first time formally taking reporters’ questions during his presidency, President Biden said on January 25 that he hoped they would be able to get to 1.5 million vaccinations administered daily.

He said: “I think with the grace of God… we’ll be able to get that to 1.5 million a day.”

Adding: “I hope we’ll be able to increase as we go along so we’ll get to 1.5 million. That’s my hope.”

Joe Biden Sets 100M Covid Vaccinations Goal for First 100 Days

Some media had questioned whether President Biden’s target of one million shots per day was ambitious enough.

Last week, at the tail-end of the Trump administration, the US had already reached an average of around 980,000 vaccine doses administered daily.

On January 25, the Biden administration renewed Trump-era Covid-19 travel bans on non-US visitors from Brazil and most of Europe, including the UK and Ireland.

The White House also imposed a new ban on South Africa over its virus variant.

Former President Donald Trump had ordered the bans to end on January 26 as one of his final acts in office.

The new travel restrictions came as Minnesota recorded the first US case of the Brazil variant from a resident who had recently travelled to that country.

The unnamed patient lives in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, said the department.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the decision to continue the restrictions on foreign travelers on January 25.

All international travelers must also present a negative test within three days of air travel to the US.

Travel restrictions have been in place since mid-March.

Harriet Tubman to Take Over $20 Bill under Biden Administration

Nancy Clayson
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Harriet Tubman to Take Over $20 Bill under Biden Administration
Image source: Library of Congress

The White House is seeking to push forward a plan to make anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman the face of a new $20 bill.

A note featuring Harriet Tubman, who was born a slave in about 1822, was originally due to be unveiled in 2020.

The US Treasury said Harriet Tubman would replace former President Andrew Jackson, a slave owner.

The effort was delayed under former President Donald Trump, who branded it “pure political correctness”.

Now President Joe Biden has revived the project, with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki telling reporters the Treasury was “exploring ways to speed up” the process.

The move would make Harriet Tubman the first African American to appear on a US banknote, and the first woman for more than 100 years.

Jen Psaki said on January 25: “It’s important that our notes, our money – if people don’t know what a note is – reflect the history and diversity of our country, and Harriet Tubman’s image gracing the new $20 note would certainly reflect that.”

The women last depicted on US notes were former First Lady Martha Washington, on the $1 silver certificate from 1891 to 1896, and Native American Pocahontas, in a group image on the $20 bill from 1865 to 1869.

However, given the complexities of redesigning and producing US banknotes, the bill is not expected to be released any time soon.

In 2019, President Trump’s Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said the redesign would be delayed until at least 2026. At the time, he said he was focused on redesigning bills to address counterfeiting issues, not making changes to their imagery.

New $10 Bill to Feature a Woman

Donald Trump, an admirer of his populist predecessor Andrew Jackson – whose portrait hung in his office – expressed opposition to the redesign.

While campaigning in 2016, Donald Trump suggested that Harriet Tubman be put on the $2 bill instead.

Born into slavery in about 1822, Harriet Tubman grew up working in the cotton fields in Dorchester County, Maryland. She was the fourth of nine children born to two enslaved parents, Benjamin Ross and Harriet Rit.

As a teenager, Harriet Tubman was hit in the head by an iron weight thrown by an overseer, leaving her severely injured.

She escaped from a slave plantation in 1849, fleeing north to the neighboring state of Pennsylvania.

In the years that followed, Harriet Tubman returned multiple times to Maryland to rescue others, conducting them along the so-called “underground railroad”, a network of safe houses used to spirit slaves from the south to the free states in the north.

Harriet Tubman is estimated to have made some 13 missions to rescue more than 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using the network.

Later, she became a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War, a prominent supporter of the women’s suffrage movement, and a famous veteran of the struggle for the abolition of slavery.

After the war, Harriet Tubman toured eastern cities giving speeches in support of women’s suffrage, drawing on her experiences in the fight against slavery.

Harriet Tubman died in 1913, aged 91, surrounded by her family.

Asia Argento Accuses Rob Cohen of Assault

Lisa.Felice
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Asia Argento Accuses Rob Cohen of Assault
Image source Wikimedia

Asia Argento has accused The Fast and the Furious director Rob Cohen of assault.

The actress told Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera that Rob Cohen abused her and made her drink GHB, a drug associated with sex attacks.

A spokesperson for Rob Cohen called the actress’ claim “categorically false” and “bewildering”.

Asia Argento alleges the assault occurred while filming action movie xXx in 2002.

“At the time, I really didn’t know what it was. I woke up in the morning naked in his bed,” she told the Italian publication.

The accusations are also included in Asia Argento’s autobiography Anatomy of a Wild Heart, which will be published in her native Italy on January 26.

#MeToo Accuser Asia Argento Accused of Assault Herself

The statement issued by Rob Cohen’s spokesperson described the pair as having “an excellent working relationship and Mr. Cohen considered her a friend, so this claim dating back to 2002 is bewildering”.

Asia Argento was one of the first to accuse convicted Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of assault in an interview in the New Yorker with Ronan Farrow back in 2017.

President Biden’s Chief of Staff Criticizes Trump Administration’s Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout

Diane A. Wade
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President Biden’s Chief of Staff Criticizes Trump Administration’s Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout

The Trump administration’s rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine calling it “chaotic” and “very limited”, President Joe Biden’s Chief of Staff Ron Klain has said.

Ron Klain said there was no plan in the federal government for the distribution of vaccines across the United States.

President Joe Biden, who took office on January 20, has promised 100 million vaccine shots in his first 100 days.

The US has now reported more than 25 million Covid-19 cases.

About 417,500 deaths have been linked to the new coronavirus. In recent weeks, the daily number of Covid-linked deaths in the US has, on some days, exceeded 4,000.

President Biden signed a raft of new measures last week, including boosting vaccinations and testing. He has urged Americans to wear masks and warned that the death toll could get much worse.

His efforts follow widespread criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic and of the vaccination program.

Vaccines have been distributed to states, and states and cities are carrying out the inoculations. But some have complained they are struggling with supply.

According to the CDC, about 41 million doses had been distributed by January 23 across the country, but only 20.5 million had been administered.

Speaking to NBC News, Ron Klain said: “The process to distribute the vaccine, particularly outside of nursing homes and hospitals out into the community as a whole, did not really exist when we came into the White House.”

He said it was a “complex” process but that the Biden administration would set up federal vaccination sites to help states without enough places.

Covid- 19 infections have spiraled in recent months – with a jump in new infections after Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to the Covid Tracking Project.

Hospital numbers hit their highest levels during the pandemic earlier this month but are slowly starting to drop alongside daily cases.

President Joe Biden to Sign 10 Executive Orders to Boost Fight Against Covid-19

Dr. Anthony Fauci said on January 21 that rolling average data appeared to show infections leveling off.

Although the national picture has stabilized slightly, he warned the country remained in a “very serious situation”.

The CDC is particularly concerned that new variants could accelerate the virus spread.

The strain has been detected in 20 states, Dr. Fauci said January 21, but warned the country had “limited ability” to track its spread through the population.

President Biden has already enacted a raft of executive measures to combat the virus and he wants Congress to pass a $1.9tn package of economic relief funding.

He is hoping to get bipartisan approval for his broad stimulus agenda, but the proposal has already been met with skepticism and resistance by some Republicans.

Another one of the new president’s key promises is to oversee 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days in office, but some have criticized this policy as not ambitious enough.

The current approved suppliers – Moderna and Pfizer – have pledged to deliver 200 million doses by March. Dr. Fauci has also suggested emergency approval of a third vaccine, a single-dose jab by Johnson & Johnson, could be just weeks away.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was appointed chief medical adviser by the new president, has expressed hope that if 70-85% of the US population is vaccinated by the end of summer, the country could “approach a degree of normality” by autumn.

Covid-19: Israel Expands Vaccination Campaign to Teens Aged 16-18

Kathryn R. Bown
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Covid-19: Israel Expands Vaccination Campaign to Teens Aged 16-18
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Israel has expanded its Covid-19 vaccination campaign to teens aged 16 -18, in an effort to enable them to sit exams.

More than 25% of Israel’s population of 9 million have received at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine since December 19, the health ministry says.

Israel started with the elderly and others at high risk, but people aged 40 and over can also now get the vaccine.

It hopes to start reopening its economy in February.

The inclusion of 16 to 18-year-olds – with parental permission – is meant “to enable their return (to school) and the orderly holding of exams”, an education ministry spokeswoman said.

The matriculation exams that Israeli students sit at the end of high school play an important role in deciding where they will go to university. Their results can also affect their placement in the military, where many young Israelis do compulsory service.

However, the education ministry has said it is too early to say whether schools will reopen next month.

Covid-19 Vaccine: Israel Leads the World in Vaccination Rate

Israel started its rapid vaccination drive – the fastest in the world – in on December 19, reaching 10% of its population by the end of 2020.

The country has recorded more than 596,000 cases and 4,392 deaths with Covid-19, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.

On January 24, the government said it would ban passenger flights in and out of the country from January 25 for the rest of the month, in an effort to halt the spread of new virus variants.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Other than rare exceptions, we are closing the sky hermetically to prevent the entry of the virus variants and also to ensure that we progress quickly with our vaccination campaign.”

Foreigners have largely been blocked from entering Israel during the pandemic.

Plastic Surgeons Report a 60% Increase in Business During COVID-19

Dana R
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Plastic Surgeons Report a 60% Increase in Business During COVID-19

You would expect certain businesses to thrive during a pandemic lockdown. Things like Dropbox and Zoom are more useful and more used than ever. Food delivery services are thriving as well.

It is somewhat unexpected that the plastic surgery industry would experience a mini-boom, but plastic surgeons are reporting an increase of about 60% in business.

There were over 18.1 million cosmetic procedures performed in 2019, with 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures and 16.3 million cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures. Neither of these numbers was a significant increase from 2018’s stats. However, we’re poised to see a notable spike when 2020’s numbers are released.

The Zoom Boom

One of the leading factors in this new wave of plastic surgery is the emergence of daily video calls. Millions of people are logging into Zoom every day. Many spend a lot of that time looking at their own faces and wondering if they need a cheek lift or a hair transplant.

People are also wondering if they need a liposuction procedure, as they start to see double chins emerge on Zoom calls, and they deal with the so-called Quarantine 15.

At the same time, people with longstanding insecurities about some part of their appearance are now being forced to face it from new and unflattering angles during video chats. They’re now armed with enough impetus to get the rhinoplasty procedure they have always wanted.

A Shift in Attitudes

An eye-opening survey by The American Society of Plastic Surgeons revealed that a startling number of people are now thinking about getting plastic surgery. Roughly 49% of respondents said that they are currently open to getting their first procedure.

This is particularly surprising when you consider that a similar survey in 2014 revealed that only 17% of respondents were open to getting their first procedure, while 49% were firmly against the idea.

An Unexpected Opportunity

The COVID-19 crisis has also created a business landscape where an estimated 42% of the entire American workforce is now working from home on a full-time basis.

This actually creates the perfect opportunity for people to discreetly recover from surgery while working from home, without having to use vacation days.

It’s now possible for people to get a procedure on a Friday, take the weekend to recover, and then be back to work at 9 am on Monday without anyone knowing that they had surgery.

Cancelled Plans and Vacations

Almost half of all Americans had to cancel travel plans over the summer of 2020, with countless more also having to cancel winter/ spring vacations and destination weddings.

While most of these people are incredibly disappointed, many have decided to put their travel money towards a plastic surgery they have always wanted. They now have the means and the opportunity to finally treat themselves.

The most common plastic surgery in 2019 was the breast augmentation procedure and it has held the #1 position for several years in a row. However, experts are saying it’s entirely possible that the Zoom boom leads to the boob job being dethroned from the top spot by a facial procedure.

Russia: Hundreds Arrested at Navalny Protests

Diane A. Wade
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Russia: Hundreds Arrested at Navalny Protests

Hundreds of protesters have been detained in Russia as police try to stop nationwide protests in support of jailed activist Alexei Navalny.

Alexei Navalny’s wife, Yulia, said she had been detained at a protest in the capital Moscow, where officers were breaking up the demonstrations.

Thousands of people have already taken part in rallies in Russia’s Far East.

Alexei Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most high-profile critic, called for protests after his arrest last weekend.

The opposition leader was detained on January 17 after he flew back to Moscow from Berlin, where he had been recovering from a near-fatal nerve agent attack in Russia last August.

On his return, Alexei Navalny was immediately taken into custody and found guilty of violating parole conditions. He says it is a trumped-up case designed to silence him, and called on his supporters to protest.

Several of Navalny’s close aides, including a spokeswoman, have also been detained in the run up to January 23 protests.

Prior to the rallies, Russian authorities had promised a tough crackdown, with police saying any unauthorized demonstrations and provocations would be “immediately suppressed”.

Alexei Navalny Detained After Flying Back to Russia

Alexei Navalny Released from Berlin Hospital

Russia: Alexei Navalny In Coma After Allegedly Being Poisoned

OVD Info, an independent NGO that monitors rallies, said that more than 800 people had been detained so far in protests across the country.

Thousands are currently attending a protest in Moscow’s central Pushkin Square, where police have erected metal barriers to deter demonstrators.

Russia’s interior ministry said 4,000 had turned up in Moscow, but opposition sources say it may be as high as 15,000.

One witness told Reuters at least 100 people may have been detained there already.

Among them is Lyubov Sobol, a prominent aide of Alexei Navalny who had already been fined for urging Russians to join the protests. Lyubov Sobol tweeted a video of police roughly pulling her away from an interview with reporters.

Yulia Navalnya also said she was being held by police at the same protest, posting an image on her Instagram account with the caption: “Apologies for the poor quality. Very bad light in the police van.”

Several of Alexei Navalny’s key aides had already been taken into police custody in the days leading up to January 23 protests, including his spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh.

Prominent Navalny activists are also being held in the cities of Krasnodar, Vladivostok and Novosibirsk.

Larry King Dies Aged 87

Sonia Pantiss
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Larry King Dies Aged 87
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Talk show legend Larry King has died at the age of 87.

The giant of US broadcasting, who achieved worldwide fame for interviewing political leaders and celebrities, conducted an estimated 50,000 interviews in his six-decade career, which included 25 years as host of the popular CNN talk show Larry King Live.

Larry King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA, according to Ora Media, a production company he co-founded.

Earlier this month, the veteran talk show host was treated in hospital for Covid-19.

Larry King had faced several health problems in recent years, including heart attacks.

Katie Couric admits to dating Larry King on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Ora Media said in a statement: “For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry’s many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster.”

Larry King rose to fame in the 1970s with his radio program The Larry King Show, on the commercial network Mutual Broadcasting System.

He was then the host of Larry King Live on CNN, between 1985 and 2010, carrying out interviews with a host of guests.

Larry King also wrote a column for the USA Today for over 20 years.

Most recently, he hosted another program, Larry King Now, broadcast on Hulu and RT, Russia’s state-controlled international broadcaster.

Preparations You’ll Need to Make Before Moving to Los Angeles

Nancy Clayson
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Preparations You’ll Need to Make Before Moving to Los Angeles

Given how much Los Angeles has to offer new residents, there’s little wonder as to why it’s such a popular relocation destination. In addition to year-round gorgeous weather and amazing local culture, the City of Angels has ample job opportunities for people in creative fields. As the show business capital of the world, L.A. is the preferred city for scores of artists, writers and performers. If you’re considering a move to Los Angeles, there are a number of preparations you’ll need to make before hitting the road. To ensure that your big move goes off without a hitch, attend to the following tasks before charting a course for L.A.

Get Yourself a Car

You can save yourself a fair amount of time, money and hassle by moving to Los Angeles with a car. As any longtime Angelino will attest, a working vehicle is basically a necessity in L.A. This is the main thing that separates Los Angeles from other major metropolitan areas in the U.S. While the majority of residents in other large cities primarily get around by foot and via public transit, many Angelinos need cars to traverse the city in anything resembling a timely manner.

Unlike other metropolises, Los Angeles was designed to be driven, not walked. The basic layout of the city facilitates the need for vehicle ownership, so if you were hoping that moving to L.A. meant being able to bid farewell to car payments, you’re likely to be disappointed. In other words, if you don’t already own a vehicle, make sure to acquire one before the big move. 

Build Your Savings

While L.A. isn’t the most expensive city in the U.S., it’s not exactly cheap, either. Although cities like NYC and San Francisco are considerably pricier than Los Angeles, you’ll need a fair amount of money to get by in the City of Angels. With this in mind, make a point of building your savings before making a go of it in L.A. This will ensure that you have a nice financial cushion to fall back on if things don’t work out exactly as you planned.

Before setting out for Los Angeles, you should have a minimum of $5,000 saved up. Ideally, you should have $10,000 or more, but $5,000 will do if you absolutely can’t wait to get to L.A. However, keep in mind that $5,000 won’t get you as far in Los Angeles as it will in less expensive locales. So, if you make your move with the bare minimum in your savings account, be prepared to start looking for work immediately.

Conversely, if you have a $10,000+ cushion, you’ll have the luxury of being able to take it easy for a while and find a job at a far more leisurely pace. Taking the time to build your savings may force you to postpone your big move, but this minor hitch in your plan will prove extremely beneficial in the long run. 

Find a Residence That’s Close to Where You Work

Since the majority of Angelinos drive, L.A. is home to some of the most congested traffic conditions in the country. As such, getting from Point A to Point B in the City of Angels can take a frustratingly long time, regardless of how close those two points are. This means your daily commute is likely to eat up a fair amount of time. However, you can minimize your time on the road by finding a residence that’s within comfortable driving distance of your place of business. So, when scouring the city for potential residences, make sure that proximity to work is prominently on your mind. Additionally, if your new place leaves something to be desired space-wise or you haven’t yet decided on a permanent residence, you can safely house any excess possessions by seeking out storage Los Angeles.

It’s easy to see why transplants from all around the country flock to Los Angeles. Not only is L.A. the heart of the entertainment industry, the city itself is rife with one-of-a-kind culture, amazing sights and unique experiences. Furthermore, if you’re looking to break into a creative field, there’s no better place to do it than the City of Angels. However, this isn’t to say that moving to Los Angeles will be a stress-free experience – particularly if you’ve never spent time in L.A. To help facilitate a smoother transition, make sure to take care of the previously discussed preparations in advance of your big move. 

President Joe Biden to Sign 10 Executive Orders to Boost Fight Against Covid-19

Diane A. Wade
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President Joe Biden to Sign 10 Executive Orders to Boost Fight Against Covid-19
Image source: Getty Images

President Joe Biden will sign 10 executive orders to boost the fight against Covid-19 which has ravaged the United States.

Vaccination will be accelerated and testing increased. Emergency legislation will be used to increase production of essentials like masks.

In a break with former President Donald Trump, the policy stresses a national strategy rather than relying on states to decide what is best.

The moves come a day after Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president.

The Trump administration was widely accused of failing to get to grips with the pandemic.

According to Johns Hopkins University, the US is the worst-hit country with more than 406,000 lives lost to Covid-19. Nearly 24.5 million have been infected.

In his inauguration speech, Joe Biden warned that the coronavirus pandemic in the US was entering its “deadliest period”.

The president’s Covid-19 task force co-ordinator, Jeff Zients, told reporters that under President Trump there was no strategy at federal level and a comprehensive approach was lacking.

He said: “As President Biden steps into office today, that all changes.”

The Biden administration unveiled a seven-point plan which included efforts to facilitate effective distribution of vaccines and reliable access to testing.

On top of the already announced rules on wearing masks and social distancing on all federal government property, face coverings will become mandatory on many planes and trains.

Jeff Zients said: “What we’re inheriting is so much worse than we could have imagined.”

In a further break with the previous administration, Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, said the US would join the Covax scheme designed to deliver Covid vaccines to poor countries.

Speaking by video call to the WHO in Geneva, Dr. Anthony Fauci also stressed that the US would continue to provide funding for the WHO, in line with President Biden’s move to reverse Donald Trump’s decision to leave.

Joe Biden Signs 15 Executive Orders Reversing Trump Policies

Only hours after being sworn in, Joe Biden signed 15 executive orders, including reversing Trump’s policies on climate change and immigration.

A major theme of his inauguration speech was unity after the major divisions laid bare during the Trump administration.

Joe Biden promised to be a president “for all Americans”, including those who voted against him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSfjbtrOMy0

Five Killed as Fire Breaks Out at Serum Institute of India, World’s Largest Vaccine Producer

Diane A. Wade
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Five Killed as Fire Breaks Out at Serum Institute of India, World’s Largest Vaccine Producer
Image source: AP

Five people have died in a fire at Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer.

The fire started at a building which was still under construction at the Serum Institute facilities in Pune on January 21.

Footage showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from a building on the company’s sprawling site.

However, the company said vaccine production would not be affected. The cause of the fire has not been identified.

The blaze was later brought under control, but the city’s mayor confirmed that five people had died.

Serum Institute’s CEO Adar Poonawalla tweeted: “We have just received some distressing updates; upon further investigation we have learnt that there has unfortunately been some loss of life at the incident.

“We are deeply saddened and offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the departed.”

Adar Poonawalla said there would be no impact on the production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, known locally as Covishield, “due to multiple production buildings that I had kept in reserve to deal with such contingencies”.

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Covishield is one of two vaccines approved by the Indian government for use in its inoculation program, which began last week and is the largest in the world.

India aims to vaccinate 300 million people by early August.

Many other low and middle-income countries are also depending on the Serum Institute for production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

India has recorded the second-highest number of Covid-19 infections in the world after the United States. Since the pandemic began India has confirmed more than 10.6 million cases and almost 153,000 deaths, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.

Should Your Workers Use Corporate-owned Devices or Bring In Their Own?

Dana R
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0
Should Your Workers Use Corporate-owned Devices or Bring In Their Own?

Basically, what the question boils down to is this: should your company fund its own devices for its employees to use, or should you let these workers use devices they already own? At first glance, the latter might seem the cheaper and more streamlined way of doing things, but the choice isn’t quite that simple.

Implementing a BYOD – that stands for bring-your-own-device – strategy in your business can incur a range of costs that might not be manifested entirely clearly until much further down the line. That’s why your firm needs to tread carefully when trying to decide whether it should really opt for the BYOD approach.

BYOD: a strategy that makes sense on paper

If your company’s finances are under strain, as is surely the case for many businesses, you might not want to hesitate in enacting a BYOD policy. After all, according to research mentioned by Karen D Schwartz in an article on Samsung’s website, 77% of Americans have a smartphone and constantly keep it with them.

However, the problems start when your company wants to keep a tight check on what goes onto those devices. In order to go ahead with that, your firm will need to install, onto each of the applicable mobile devices, the client for what is known as a mobile device management (MDM) platform.

Some of your employees could be reluctant to have such software installed on their phone, perhaps fearing what privacy implications could arise from their employer being able to monitor work activities they undertake on what are supposed to be predominantly personal devices.

Should You Allow BYOD? | IT Support, Georgetown, TX

Would furnishing company-owned devices be a better alternative?

It would have obvious financial drawbacks, especially for smaller businesses that could be somewhat cash-strapped compared to their better-established competitors. In the long run, however, the tactic could help to pay for itself more effectively than keeping up a BYOD policy would.

Naturally, you would have to make room in your business budget for buying devices through the company. On the plus side, though, you could choose to buy multiple units of the same device model – and, in the process, make savings by capitalizing on the likes of negotiated discount rates and volume discounts.

Which choice would bode best for security?

This is a tricky question to answer confidently. On the one hand, many workers are likely to want to regularly upgrade to new devices of their own accord, as The Balance Careers implies. Therefore, you might not yourself have to put your staff under too much pressure to replace their devices in this way.

However, people might not always keep on top of security updates with their personal handsets as much as they would with company-owned devices, on which you could install enterprise mobility management (EMM) software to ensure that the latest security patches are added as they arrive.

All the same, though, your company could easily require either BYOD or company-owned devices to use Wandera’s zero trust network access solution so that a wide array of work practices can be completed securely.

Sputnik V: Hungary Gives Preliminary Approval to Russian Coronavirus Vaccine

Kathryn R. Bown
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Sputnik V: Hungary Gives Preliminary Approval to Russian Coronavirus Vaccine
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Hungary is the first country in the EU to give preliminary approval to the Russian coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V.

On January 21, PM Viktor Orban’s chief of staff confirmed both the Russian vaccine and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine had been given the green light by the health authorities.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto is travelling to Russia for further talks, where he is expected to discuss a shipment and distribution deal.

Early results from trials of the Russian vaccine have shown promising results.

Hungarian health officials are also in Beijing for talks with the Chinese authorities over the approval and immediate delivery of one million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine, which is already being used in neighboring Serbia.

Sinopharm, a Chinese state-owned company, announced last month that phase three trials of its vaccine showed that it was 79% effective – lower than that of Pfizer and Moderna.

However, PM Viktor Orban has said the only way Hungary can satisfy the demand for vaccination, given the “frustratingly” slow delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, is by buying from Russia and China.

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At least 140,000 Hungarians have already been vaccinated. But government efforts to popularize the Russian and Chinese vaccines have already run into opposition.

The skepticism and suspicion among Hungarians is, in the public imagination at least, related to the Communist domination of the country from 1948 to 1989.

The move has also drawn criticism from the EU, which is wary of yet another example of Viktor Orban’s government going its own way and undermining EU solidarity.

Katalin Kariko, a Hungarian biochemist who left the country for the United States in 1985, played a key role in developing the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Some polls suggest only seven percent of Hungarians would accept the Sputnik V vaccine, while acceptance of the Chinese version has been measured as low as one percent by some surveys.

Russia is funding and building a major expansion of Hungary’s nuclear power station at Paks. The Chinese Fudan University is also due to open a campus in Budapest in 2024, and plans are advancing for a high-speed Chinese railway that would link Budapest to Thessaloniki and bring Chinese goods to Europe.

According to recent reports, 6,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine will be administered to 3,000 paid Hungarian volunteers in phase three of a clinical trial in the coming weeks.

Joe Biden Signs 15 Executive Orders Reversing Trump Policies

Diane A. Wade
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Joe Biden Signs 15 Executive Orders Reversing Trump Policies
Image source: AP

Joe Biden has become America’s 46th president, ending one of the most dramatic political transitions in the US history.

After taking the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts, Joe Biden said: “Democracy has prevailed.”

President Biden has announced a raft of measures reversing Trump policies.

In his inaugural address, Joe Biden said it was a day of “history and hope”.

“My whole soul is in putting America back together again,” he added.

How White House Prepares for Trump’s Moving Day

Joe Biden to Issue Decrees to Reverse Trump’s Policies

Highlighting a message of unity after the turbulent Trump years, Joe Biden promised to be a president “for all Americans” – including those who voted against him.

He has set out a flurry of executive orders. In a statement on January 2, Joe Biden said he would sign 15 orders after he is sworn in. Among them are:

  • Reverse Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Paris climate change agreement;
  • Revoke the presidential permit granted to the Keystone XL Pipeline, which is opposed by environmentalists and Native American groups;
  • Revoke Trump policies on immigration enforcement and the emergency declaration that helped fund the construction of a Mexican border wall;
  • Bring about a mask and distancing mandate for federal employees and in federal buildings, and a new White House office on coronavirus;
  • End a travel ban on visitors from some, mainly Muslim, nations.

Other orders will cover race and gender equality, along with climate issues.

Joe Biden’s legislative ambitions could be tempered by the slender majorities he holds in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Inauguration Day 2021: Joe Biden Becomes America’s 46th President

Diane A. Wade
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0
Inauguration Day 2021: Joe Biden Becomes America’s 46th President
Image source: Getty Images

Joe Biden has become the 46th president of the United States, ending one of the most dramatic political transitions in American history.

After taking the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts, Joe Biden said: “Democracy has prevailed.”

Donald Trump – who has not formally conceded the presidency to Joe Biden – snubbed the inauguration ceremony, in a departure from longstanding precedent.

He was the first president not to attend his successor’s inauguration since 1869.

President Biden has announced a raft of measures reversing Trump policies.

Kamala Harris was sworn in as vice-president ahead of Joe Biden.

She is the first woman – and the first black and Asian-American person – to serve in a role, a heartbeat from the presidency.

The inauguration took place at the Capitol, where an extra-tight security was imposed after the building was stormed by violent pro-Trump protesters in a deadly riot on January 6.

Some 25,000 National Guards are protecting the ceremony, which is missing the traditional hundreds of thousands of spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In his inaugural address, Joe Biden said it was a day of “history and hope”.

“My whole soul is in putting America back together again,” he added.

Highlighting a message of unity after the turbulent Trump years, Joe Biden promised to be a president “for all Americans” – including those who voted against him.

Among those attending the inauguration ceremony were three of Joe Biden’s predecessors: Barack Obama – under whom Biden served for eight years as vice-president – Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Former VP Mike Pence also attended. He skipped Donald Trump’s farewell military salute event.

The inauguration ceremony included musical performances by Lady Gaga – who sang the national anthem – as well as Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks.

An evening concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC will be hosted by Tom Hanks and include Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, and Demi Lovato.

How White House Prepares for Trump’s Moving Day

Earlier on the day, Joe Biden, 78, attended Mass at a cathedral in Washington – along with four Roman Catholic congressional leaders, both Democrats and Republicans.

Donald Trump left the White House at about 08:00AM on January 20, and flew to the nearby Andrews Air Force base.

In his farewell address at the base, Donald Trump highlighted what he regarded as the successes of his presidency.

He said: “What we’ve done has been amazing by any standard.”

Donald Trump, 74, then left for his Mar-a-Lago golf club in Florida, where he arrived later in the morning.

In his last hours as president, Donald Trump granted clemency to more than 140 people, including his former adviser Steve Bannon, who had been facing fraud charges.

The political drama surrounding Donald Trump is far from over. The Senate is expected to put him on trial soon, following his record second impeachment by the House of Representatives for allegedly inciting the Capitol riot.

On January 19, the Senate’s Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, said the mob had been provoked by Donald Trump and fed lies.

How White House Prepares for Trump’s Moving Day

Nancy Clayson
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How White House Prepares for Trump’s Moving Day
Image source: Getty Images

On inauguration day, President Donald Trump’s office is cleaned out, swept of signs that he and his staff had ever been there, ready for the Biden team to move in.

The cleaning out of White House’s West Wing offices, and the transition between presidents, is part of a tradition that dates back centuries. It’s a process that has not always been imbued with warmth.

Another impeached president, Andrew Johnson, a Democrat, snubbed Republican Ulysses S Grant in 1869 and skipped the inauguration. Ulysses Grant, who had backed Andrew Johnson’s removal from office, was hardly surprised.

Today, however, the transition stands out for its acrimony. The process usually starts straight after the election, but it started weeks late after President Trump refused to accept the result. And the president has said he will not attend the inauguration. Most likely, Donald Trump will instead travel to his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

Even in the best of times, the logistics of a transition are daunting, involving the transfer of knowledge and employees on a massive scale.

About 4,000 political appointees hired by the Trump administration who will lose their job and be replaced by individuals hired by Joe Biden.

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During an average transition, between 150,000-300,000 people apply for these jobs, according to the Center for Presidential Transition, a nonpartisan organization based in Washington. About 1,100 of the positions also require Senate confirmation. Filling all of these positions takes months, even years.

Four years of policy papers, briefing books and artefacts relating to the president’s work will be carted off to the National Archives where they will be kept secret for 12 years, unless the president himself decides that portions may be released early.

Furniture in the White House, such as the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, most of the artwork, china and other objects, belong to the government and will remain on the premises.

Other items, like photos of the president that hang in the hallway, will be taken down as the White House is transformed for its new occupants.

The Trumps’ personal belongings, such as clothes, jewellery, and other items will be moved to their new residence, most likely at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

This year, the place will be deep cleaned.

President Trump, as well as dozens of others at the White House, were infected with the coronavirus over the past several months, and the six-floor building, with its 132 rooms, will be thoroughly scrubbed down. Everything from handrails to elevator buttons to restroom fixtures will be wiped and sanitized, according to a spokeswoman for the General Services Administration, the federal agency that oversees the housekeeping effort.

Incoming first families usually do some redecoration. Within days of arriving at the White House, Donald Trump had chosen a portrait of populist president Andrew Jackson for the Oval Office. He also replaced the drapes, couches and a rug in the office with ones that were gold-colored. On inauguration day, VP Mike Pence and his wife will also make way for Kamala Harris, and her husband, Doug Emhoff. They will be settling into their official residence, a 19th Century residence on the Naval Observatory grounds, a couple of miles from the White House.

What Time is Joe Biden’s Inauguration?

Nancy Clayson
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0
What Time is Joe Biden’s Inauguration?
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will take the oath to make them officially president and vice-president, but this will be a much scaled back affair, due to Covid and the recent riots.

The inauguration of a new president is a day that usually follows decades of custom and precedent. A day that follows a routine set in stone. Well, you can forget all that this year.

Here’s everything you need to know about the big day.

What is the inauguration?

The inauguration is the formal ceremony that marks the start of a new presidency, and it takes place in Washington DC.

The only required feature is that the president-elect recite the presidential oath of office.

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Once he utters these words, Joe Biden will then take his place as the 46th president and the inauguration will be complete (but that’s not all – celebrations follow).

Kamala Harris will become vice-president once she takes the oath of office, which usually happens just before the president.

What time is the inauguration?

Opening remarks are usually scheduled for around 11:30 EST and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in around midday. By law, inauguration day is always January 20.

Joe Biden will move into the White House later in the day – his home for the next four years.

Joe Biden Inauguration: Capitol Put on Lockdown After Security Alert

Presidential inaugurations typically involve detailed security plans, but even more so now, after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol on January 6.

Officials have ramped up security and closed off large sections of the city. The Secret Service has taken command of the security plans, backed up by some 25,000 National Guard troops, in addition to thousands of police officers.

Joe Biden Inauguration: Capitol Put on Lockdown After Security Alert

Diane A. Wade
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0
Joe Biden Inauguration: Capitol Put on Lockdown After Security Alert
Image source: Anadolu Agency

The Capitol complex in Washington DC was briefly locked down after a security alert, two days before Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Police informed that they acted out of an abundance of caution after witnesses reported smoke rising nearby. The fire was several blocks away.

The move came amid preparations for a rehearsal for Joe Biden’s inauguration as president.

Five people died after a pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, which is home to the Congress, on January 6.

Thousands of National Guard reserve soldiers have been deployed at the Capitol and around central Washington DC.

There was no threat to the public, officials said after January 18 lockdown. Congress is currently in recess.

Security is tight after the rioters overran the Capitol earlier this month.

The National Mall – the landscaped park around the complex – has been closed, along with many major roads. Fences have been put up around the White House.

The inauguration rehearsal scheduled for January 18 has already been postponed once on security grounds.

All 50 states and the DC are on alert for possible violent protests.

The FBI has warned of possible armed marches by pro-Trump supporters across state capitols.

FBI Warns of Possible Armed Protests Before Joe Biden’s Inauguration

Joe Biden to Issue Decrees to Reverse Trump’s Policies

Once he is sworn in, Joe Biden will issue executive orders to reverse President Donald Trump’s travel bans and re-join the Paris climate accord.

Joe Biden is also expected to focus on reuniting families separated at the US-Mexico border, and to issue mandates on Covid-19 and mask-wearing.

The president-elect and VP-elect Kamala Harris will take the oath of office in front of the Capitol building, overlooking the National Mall.

Normally a crowd of hundreds of thousands would be there to witness a significant moment in American national life.

However, between the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns, the size of the crowd is being severely restricted this year.

Once sworn in, Joe Biden will give an inaugural address, setting the agenda for his term in office.

The ceremonies include a poetry reading, the Pledge of Allegiance and a benediction. Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem, and there will be a musical performance by Jennifer Lopez.

President Trump has said he will not attend the inauguration.

Tom Hanks will host an event on prime-time TV on the night of the 20th, with performances by Justin Timberlake and Bon Jovi.

Joe Biden’s inauguration planning team has designated the day before the swearing-in as a nationwide memorial to lives lost through Covid-19.

Alexei Navalny Detained After Flying Back to Russia

Roy Siemens
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0
Alexei Navalny Detained After Flying Back to Russia

Alexei Navalny has been detained after flying back to Russia five months after he was nearly killed by a nerve agent attack last year.

The 44-year-old Kremlin critic was seen being led away by police at passport control.

Big crowds earlier gathered at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport to greet his flight from Berlin but the plane was rerouted.

Alexei Navalny says the authorities were behind the attempt on his life, an allegation backed up by investigative journalists but denied by the Kremlin.

European Council President Charles Michel described Alexei Navalny’s detainment as “unacceptable”.

He tweeted: “I call on Russian authorities to immediately release him.”

Alexei Navalny told his supporters and the media at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport just minutes before his detention: “I know that I’m right. I fear nothing.”

His lawyer was not allowed to accompany Alexei Navalny. He kissed his wife Yulia – who had flown with him from Germany – after police officers warned they would use physical force if he disobeyed their orders.

On January 17, extra riot police were deployed and metal barriers erected inside Vnukovo airport, where the plane had been originally scheduled to land.

Russian media reported that a number of activists – including key Navalny ally Lyubov Sobol – were detained.

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Alexei Navalny – who received medical treatment in Germany after his poisoning – urged supporters to meet him off the flight. Thousands of people said they would go or expressed an interest, despite forecasts of extreme cold and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The activist collapsed on an internal flight in Siberia last August, and it later emerged he had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.

Russian authorities have consistently denied any role in the poisoning, and the Kremlin has rejected Alexei Navalny’s claims that President Vladimir Putin himself ordered it.

In a statement late on January 17, Russia’s penitentiary service said Alexei Navalny “had been wanted since December 29, 2020, for repeated violations of the probation period”.

The penitentiary service added that he would remain in custody until a court decision.

The authorities accuse Alexei Navalny of violating conditions imposed after a conviction for embezzlement, for which he received a suspended sentence. He has always said the case was politically motivated.

Separately, Russian prosecutors have launched a new criminal case against the activist on fraud charges related to transfers of money to various NGOs, including his Anti-Corruption Foundation.

Alexei Navalny has asserted that President Vladimir Putin is doing all he can to stop his opponent from coming back by fabricating new cases against him.

Joe Biden to Issue Decrees to Reverse Trump’s Policies

Diane A. Wade
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0
Joe Biden to Issue Decrees to Reverse Trump’s Policies
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

According to recent reports, President-elect Joe Biden will issue decrees to reverse President Donald Trump’s travel bans and re-join the Paris climate accord on his first day.

Joe Biden is also expected to focus on reuniting families separated at the US-Mexico border, and to issue mandates on Covid-19 and mask-wearing.

He will be inaugurated on January 20.

All 50 states are on high alert for possible violence in the run-up to the inauguration ceremony, with National Guard troops deployed in their thousands to guard Washington DC.

According to a memo seen by media, in the hours after Joe Biden sets foot in the White House, he will embark on a blitz of executive actions designed to signal a clean break from his predecessor’s administration.

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Among the orders planned soon after taking office are:

  • Returning to the Paris climate change agreement- the global pact on cutting carbon emissions
  • Repealing the controversial travel ban on mostly Muslim-majority countries
  • Mandating the wearing of masks on federal property and when travelling interstate
  • An extension to nationwide restrictions on evictions and foreclosures due to the pandemic

The executive orders are just one part of his ambitious plan for his first 10 days in office, according the memo.

Joe Biden is also expected to send a major new immigration bill to Congress, as well as focusing on passing a $1.9 trillion stimulus plan to help the country’s economy recover from coronavirus.

The president-elect has also said his administration will aim to deliver 100 million Covid-19 jabs in his first 100 days in office – describing the rollout so far as a “dismal failure”.

Incoming White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain wrote in the memo: “President-elect Biden will take action – not just to reverse the gravest damages of the Trump administration – but also to start moving our country forward.”

Joe Biden is taking over a country in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic. Daily deaths from Covid-19 are in their thousands and almost 400,000 have lost their lives.

On top of the virus raging, the country is reeling from recent political violence.

The theme for Joe Biden’s inauguration will be “America United”, with the president-elect focusing on healing political divisions. VP Mike Pence is expected to attend the ceremony, though President Trump has said he will not.

Joe Biden will be sworn in exactly two weeks after the violent riots at the Capitol on January 6 which aimed to thwart his election victory.

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

North Korea Shows Off New Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile

Roy Siemens
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0
North Korea Shows Off New Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile
Image source Wikipedia

North Korea has unveiled a new submarine-launched ballistic missile, described by state media as “the world’s most powerful weapon”.

According to state media, several of the missiles were displayed at a parade overseen by leader Kim Jong-un.

The new weapon’s actual capabilities remain unclear, as it is not known to have been tested.

The show of military strength comes days before Joe Biden’s inauguration.

It also follows a rare political meeting where Kim Jong-un decried the US as his country’s “biggest enemy”.

Images released by North Korean state media showed at least four large black-and-white missiles being driven past flag-waving crowds.

Clad in a leather coat and fur hat, Kim Jong-un is pictured smiling and waving as he watched the display in Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square, which also included infantry troops, artillery and tanks.

The official Korean Central News Agency said: “The world’s most powerful weapon, submarine-launch ballistic missile, entered the square one after another, powerfully demonstrating the might of the revolutionary armed forces.”

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The event on January 14 did not showcase North Korea’s largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). That colossal weapon is believed to be able to deliver a nuclear warhead to anywhere in the US, and its size had surprised even seasoned analysts when it was put on show last year.

North Korea’s latest display of its arsenal comes at the end of a five-yearly congress of the ruling Workers’ Party.

In his address to members last week, Kim Jong-un had pledged to expand North Korea’s nuclear weapons and military potential, outlining a list of desired weapons including long-range ballistic missiles capable of being launched from land or sea and “super-large warheads”.

He also said that the US was North Korea’s “biggest obstacle for our revolution and our biggest enemy… no matter who is in power, the true nature of its policy against North Korea will never change”.

Under Kim Jong-un’s leadership North Korea has made rapid progress in its weapons program, which it says is necessary to defend itself against a possible US invasion.

According to experts, the unveiling of the new missiles appears designed to send the incoming Biden administration a message of North Korea’s growing military prowess.

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