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Sandra Lindsay: Long Island Nurse Receive First Covid-19 Vaccine

Kathryn R. Bown
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Sandra Lindsay: Long Island Nurse Receive First Covid-19 Vaccine
Image source: Getty Images

The US Covid-19 vaccination has began, as the country gears up for its largest ever immunization campaign.

Sandra Lindsay, an intensive care nurse in Long Island, New York, is believed to have been the first person to be given the vaccine.

Millions of doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are being distributed, with 150 hospitals expected to receive them on December 14.

The US vaccination program aims to reach 100 million people by April.

Covid-19 fatalities are nearing 300,000 in the US, which has by far the world’s highest death toll.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine received emergency-use authorization from the FDA on December 11.

President Donald Trump tweeted following the news from New York: “First Vaccine Administered. Congratulations USA! Congratulations WORLD!”

The roll-out of the vaccine comes as the epidemic continues to ravage the US. Deaths have been rising sharply since November and the number of people in hospital with the disease has also continued to grow steadily, with more than 109,000 people currently admitted, according to the Covid Tracking Project.

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Sandra Lindsay, a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, received the vaccine live on camera. Footage was streamed on the Twitter feed of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose state was the epicenter of the US epidemic in the first wave earlier this year.

She said: “It didn’t feel any different from taking any other vaccine.

“I hope this marks the beginning of the end of a very painful time in our history. I want to instill public confidence that the vaccine is safe. We’re in a pandemic and so we all need to do our part.”

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine – a collaboration between a US pharmaceutical giant and a German biotechnology company – offers up to 95% protection and is the first Covid-19 vaccine to be approved by US regulators.

The vaccine is already being rolled out in the UK, while Canada is also beginning its inoculation program on December 14, with an initial 30,000 doses going to 14 sites across the country.

Anita Quidangen, a caregiver at the Rekai Centre nursing home in Toronto, was the first to receive the vaccine in Canada.

The first three million doses in the US are being distributed to dozens of locations across all 50 states by cargo plane and truck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crf0aFeaBJ8

Coronavirus: 3 Million Pfizer Vaccine Doses to Be Shipped Across US

Kathryn R. Bown
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0
Coronavirus: 3 Million Pfizer Vaccine Doses to Be Shipped Across US

The US mass vaccination will begin on December 14 after it was authorized for emergency use, officials say.

The first three million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine would be shipped “across all states” this weekend, said General Gustave Perna, who is overseeing distribution.

The vaccine offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19 and was deemed safe by the FDA.

On December 12, the US recorded a daily toll of 3,309 Covid-related deaths.

The figure, reported on the Johns Hopkins University website, is the highest total in a single day anywhere in the world.Coronavirus deaths have been rising sharply since November in the US.

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Authorizing the emergency use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on December 11, the FDA – which had come under intense pressure from the Trump administration to do so – said the move was a “significant milestone” in the pandemic.

During a news conference on December 12, Gen. Perna – speaking for the government’s vaccination campaign Operation Warp Speed – said doses of the vaccine would be packed into shipping containers for transportation “within the next 24 hours”.

He said: “Expect 145 sites across the states to receive the vaccine on Monday, another 425 sites on Tuesday, and the final 66 sites on Wednesday.”

He also said that next week’s distribution would complete the initial delivery of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and cover about three million people.

Gen. Perna told reporters he was “100% confident” that the doses “needed to defeat the enemy Covid” would be transported safely.

However, he warned that while it had been a week of progress, “we are not done until every American has access to a vaccine”.

The Pfizer vaccine has already received regulatory approval in the UK, Canada, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Like those countries, US health authorities are expected to prioritize health workers and care home residents for the first doses.

More Americans outside the highest-priority groups are likely to be able to get the vaccine in January, with general availability expected by April.

On December 10, medical experts advising the FDA recommended the emergency-use authorization. A 23-member panel concluded the vaccine’s benefits outweighed its risks.

Emergency use, the FDA said, was not the same as full approval, which would require Pfizer to file a separate application to secure.

The Pfizer/BioNTech product was the first coronavirus vaccine to show promising results in the latter stages of its testing process.

It is a new type called an mRNA vaccine that uses a tiny fragment of genetic code from the pandemic virus to teach the body how to fight Covid-19 and build immunity.

The FDA said: “The vaccine contains a small piece of the [Covid-19] virus’s mRNA that instructs cells in the body to make the virus’s distinctive ‘spike’ protein.”

Brandon Bernard Executed After Last Minute Clemency Pleas Were Rejected

Nancy Clayson
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Brandon Bernard Executed After Last Minute Clemency Pleas Were Rejected
Image source: Twitter

Brandon Bernard has been executed in Indiana after last-minute clemency pleas were rejected by the Supreme Court.

The 40-year-old death row inmate was convicted of murder in 1999 when he was a teenager, and is the youngest offender to be executed by the federal government in nearly 70 years.

Brandon Bernard told the family of the couple he killed he was sorry, before dying by lethal injection on December 10.

Four more executions are planned before the end of Donald Trump’s presidency.

If all five take place, President Trump will have overseen the most executions by a US president in more than a century. It would bring to 13 the total of federal executions since July.

They break with an 130-year-old precedent of pausing executions amid a presidential transition. Joe Biden becomes president on January 20.

Brandon Bernard was pronounced dead at 21:27 local time on December 10 at a penitentiary in the city of Terre Haute.

Before that he directed his last words to the victims’ family, speaking calmly for more than three minutes.

According to the Associated Press, he said: “I’m sorry. That’s the only words that I can say that completely capture how I feel now and how I felt that day.”

Brandon Bernard Scheduled for Execution Despite Jurors Changing Their Minds

The execution was delayed for more than two hours after Brandon Bernard’s lawyers asked in vain for the Supreme Court to halt it.

He was given the death penalty for his involvement in the murder of Todd and Stacie Bagley in June 1999.

Brandon Bernard was one of five teenagers accused of robbing the pair and forcing them into the boot of their car in Texas.

They were shot as they lay in the boot by 19-year-old accomplice Christopher Vialva before Brandon Bernard set the car alight.

His lawyers say he feared what would happen to him if he refused to follow the orders of Vialva, who was executed in September.

Others involved in the incident were given prison sentences as they were under 18 and classed as juveniles.

Brandon Bernard’s lawyers argued that he should be given life in prison without parole, as, throughout his time in jail, he maintained a good record and worked with outreach programs to stop people from getting involved in crime.

Evan Holyfield Knocks Out Management Contract

Clyde K. Valle
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Evan Holyfield Knocks Out Management Contract
Image source: Twitter

Press release

Evan Holyfield says his dad is ready to take on former-rival Mike Tyson for the third time, who famously bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997.  Evan wants the next match to be a family affair with him fighting the preliminary match.

In Texas Evan Holyfield has another impressive knockout in his boxing career. Not in the ring, but in the courts and as a result he has his freedom back.

Evan Holyfield has successfully voided what his lawyers called a “fraudulent, dishonest, and unconscionable” management contract scheme contrived by Maurice “Termite” Watkins. Holyfield filed a lawsuit against Watkins in the 334th Harris County District Court in June 2020 after the pair entered a management contract that Watkins failed to uphold.

After signing the contract, Holyfield soon came to believe Watkins’ representations were lies.

The lawsuit alleges Watkins sought to take advantage of Holyfield’s talent and internationally recognized name as his manager. The contract was written by Watkins, who allegedly used his 52 years of boxing experience to take advantage of Holyfield. Watkins coerced the young Holyfield into the deal with a relentless pressure campaign.

Holyfield was represented by Houston attorney Andrew Cobos of The Cobos Law Firm. Cobos stated, “My client recognized that the Defendants in this case jeopardized his career and sought to take advantage of his name and talent. Then he took action. I am glad that the court recognized the situation for what it was and entered an order stating that this oppressive contract is void.”

The contract Holyfield entered promised extensive one-on-one training time with Watkins and a strength coach to prepare the boxer for upcoming matches: “thirty to forty-five hours per week refining the raw talent that Holyfield possessed.”

Holyfield received just a fraction of the time with Watkins and only three or four hours over internet or text message with the strength coach.

Attorneys for Holyfield state “it is unheard of in the boxing world for a promising young fighter—one with aspirations of becoming a world champion—to be virtually trained.

When Holyfield confronted Watkins about the training, Watkins made racially insensitive threats stating he would “sell Holyfield to the highest bidder”. The lawsuit also states Watkins stole earnings he had no entitlement to.

The most shocking part of the lawsuit—Watkins did not even have the legal capacity to act as a manager. Watkins is not licensed or registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation as required by law in professional combative sports such as boxing.

“This case should send a message to boxing managers everywhere, and that is, do what is right, do what is honorable, and do what is fair,” said Cobos.

Evan Holyfield will fight his 5th professional match this weekend on December 12 against Donnis Reed at Champion Boxing Gym in Jonesboro, Georgia.

Coronavirus: AstraZeneca and Sputnik V Vaccines to Be Combined in New Trial

Kathryn R. Bown
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Coronavirus: AstraZeneca and Sputnik V Vaccines to Be Combined in New Trial

British and Russian scientists are teaming up to trial a combination of the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines to see if protection against Covid-19 can be improved.

According to the researchers, mixing two similar vaccines could lead to a better immune response in people.

The trials, to be held in Russia, will involve over-18s, although it’s not clear how many people will be involved.

Oxford recently published results showing their vaccine was safe and effective in trials on people.

The researchers are still collecting data on the effectiveness of the vaccine in older age groups while waiting for approval from the UK regulator, the MHRA.

AstraZeneca said it was exploring combinations of different adenovirus vaccines to find out whether mixing them leads to a better immune response and, therefore, greater protection.

The Oxford vaccine, developed in partnership with AstraZeneca, and the Russian Sputnik vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute in Moscow, are similar because they both contain genetic material from the Sars-CoV-2 spike protein.

They work differently to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which has been approved in the UK, Canada, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and recommended for approval by medical experts in the US.

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

Russia was the first country to register a Covid vaccine for emergency use – in August, despite only having been tested on a few dozen people.

Sputnik V is now being offered to Russians as part of a mass vaccination campaign.

AstraZeneca said it was “working with industry partners, governments and research institutions around the world, and will soon begin exploring with Gamaleya Research Institute in Russia to understand whether two adenovirus-based vaccines can be successfully combined”.

Brandon Bernard Scheduled for Execution Despite Jurors Changing Their Minds

Nancy Clayson
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Brandon Bernard Scheduled for Execution Despite Jurors Changing Their Minds
Image source: Twitter

The federal execution of Brandon Bernard is set to go ahead on December 10, the first of five before the end of Donald Trump’s presidency.

Kim Kardashian West is among those urging clemency for the row inmate.

Brandon Bernard, 40, was convicted of murder when aged 18 and would be the youngest offender executed by the federal government in nearly 70 years.

If the five take place, President Trump will have overseen the most executions by a US president in more than a century.

It would bring to 13 the total of federal executions since July.

The executions break with an 130-year-old precedent of pausing executions amid a presidential transition. Joe Biden becomes president on January 20.

Brandon Bernanrd is scheduled to begin the five executions, along with 56-year-old Alfred Bourgeois. They are both scheduled to be put to death at a penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana.

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Bernard was given the death penalty for his involvement in the murder of Todd and Stacie Bagley in June 1999.

He was one of five teenagers accused of robbing the pair and forcing them into the back of their car in Texas.

They were shot in the car by 19-year-old accomplice Christopher Vialva before Brandon Bernard set the car alight.

Defense lawyers say both of the Bagleys probably died before the car was set on fire.

An independent investigator hired by the defense said Stacie was medically dead before the fire.

However, government testimony during the trial claimed that although Todd Bagley died instantly, Stacie had soot in her airway, signaling that she had died from smoke inhalation and not the gunshot wound.

Brandon Bernard’s lawyers claim he feared what would happen to him if he refused to follow the orders of Christopher Vialva, who was executed in September.

Others involved in the incident were given prison sentences as they were under 18 and classed as juveniles.

Brandon Bernard’s lawyers argue that he should be given life in prison without parole as throughout his time in jail, he has maintained a good record and worked with outreach programs to stop people from getting involved in crime.

The federal prosecutor who defended Brandon Bernard’s death sentence has since called for Bernard to see out his sentence in prison.

Five of the surviving nine jurors have called for President Trump to commute Brandon Bernard’s death sentence.

Tens of thousands of other people have urged the president to grant Bernard clemency.

Kim Kardashian West has sent numerous tweets about Brandon Bernard’s case to her followers, urging them to get behind the cause and raise awareness.

She is studying to be a lawyer in California and has previously helped sway criminal cases.

In March, Kim Kardashian visited the White House with three women whose jail terms were cut by President Trump.

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

Diane A. Wade
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Joe Biden Sets 100M Covid Vaccinations Goal for First 100 Days

Joe Biden has vowed 100 million Covid-19 vaccinations in his first 100 days in office.

The president-elect said his first months in office would not end the outbreak and gave few details on a rollout plan but he said he would change the course of Covid-19.

Introducing his health team for when he takes office on January 20, Joe Biden urged Americans to “mask up for 100 days”.

On December 8, a report paved the way for a Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be approved and rolled out for Americans.

Emergency authorization for its use could be issued by the FDA on December 10, with the country’s top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci saying mass vaccination could start as soon as next week.

Also on December 8, President Donald Trump attended a summit at the White House of his Covid-19 vaccination program, Operation Warp Speed, and hailed the expected approval of vaccines. His administration hopes to vaccinate as many as 24 million people by mid-January.

According to Johns Hopkins University research, the US has recorded more than 15 million cases so far and 285,000 deaths, both global highs.

Many parts of the US are seeing peak infections, with record numbers of people in hospital, with some experts blaming travel by millions over the recent Thanksgiving holiday.

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At a news conference in Delaware on December 8, Joe Biden laid out how he plans to address the pandemic in his first 100 days in office. That period is traditionally seen as a benchmark for new presidents to make their mark with new policies and ideas.

He vowed to get “at least 100 million Covid vaccine shots into the arms of the American people”.

Last week, Joe Biden complained he had been given no rollout plans by the Trump administration. Operation Warp Speed’s top scientist Moncef Slaoui has still to meet the Biden team and is expected to do so this week.

Getting children back to school would also be a priority, he said.

Joe Biden also introduced California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as his nomination for health secretary and his choice of Rochelle Walensky as head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Among his other aides will be Dr. Anthony Fauci as chief Covid medical adviser. The expert also advised the Trump team and often fell foul of the president for his views.

Getting 100 million vaccines to Americans in just over three months is not expected to be easy. The large geographical size of the US and the logistics of rolling out a new vaccine could present challenges in achieving the goal.

Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized after Testing Positive for Covid-19

Nancy Clayson
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Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized after Testing Positive for Covid-19
Image source Wikimedia

Rudy Giuliani is being treated in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.

President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer is the latest person close to the president to be infected.

Since November, Rudy Giuliani, who has led the Trump campaign’s legal challenges to the election results, has been on a cross-country tour in an effort to convince state governments to overturn the vote.

Like other Trump officials, he has been criticized for shunning face masks.

President Trump, who got the virus in October, announced the diagnosis in a tweet, writing: “Get better soon Rudy, we will carry on!”

The former New York mayor was admitted to the Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC on December 6.

The news came after he had visited Arizona, Georgia and Michigan all in the past week – where he spoke to government officials while not wearing masks.

Rudy Giuliani Tests Positive for Covid-19

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Following news of Rudy Giuliani’s diagnosis, the Arizona legislature announced sudden plans to shut down for one week. Several Republican lawmakers there had spent over 10 hours with him last week discussing election results.

Following Rudy Giuliani’s visit to Phoenix, Arizona, the state’s Republican party tweeted a photo of him with other mask-less state lawmakers.

In a tweet, the 76-year-old thanked well-wishers for their messages, and said he was “recovering quickly”.

He wrote: “Thank you to all my friends and followers for all the prayers and kind wishes. I’m getting great care and feeling good. Recovering quickly and keeping up with everything.”

Rudy Giuliani’s son, who works at the White House and tested positive for the virus last month, tweeted that his father was “resting, getting great care and feeling well”.

He wrote: “My Dad @RudyGiuliani is resting, getting great care and feeling well. Thank you to all the friends who have reached out concerned about his well being.”

On December 6, Dr Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, criticized the Trump administration for flouting guidelines and peddling “myths” about the pandemic.

She told NBC: “I hear community members parroting back those situations, parroting back that masks don’t work, parroting back that we should work towards herd immunity.”

“This is the worst event that this country will face,” she said.

Dozens of people in President Trump’s orbit are said to have tested positive for Covid-19 since October.

Boris Epshteyn, another Trump adviser, tested positive shortly after appearing alongside Rudy Giuliani at a news conference on November 25.

Others include the president’s chief of staff Mark Meadows and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, along with First Lady Melania Trump and sons Donald Jr. and Baron.

Rudy Giuliani Tests Positive for Covid-19

Diane A. Wade
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0
Rudy Giuliani Tests Positive for Covid-19
Image source Wikimedia

Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani has tested positive for Covid-19, the president has announced.

The president tweeted: “Get better soon Rudy, we will carry on!”

Rudy Giuliani, who has been leading the Trump campaign’s legal challenges to the 2020 election results, is the latest person in the president’s inner circle to be infected.

President Trump and his team have been criticized for shunning safety guidance. He got ill in October.

Nearly 14.6 million people have been infected with Covid-19 in the US, according to Johns Hopkins University, and 281,234 people have died – the highest figures of any country in the world.

On December 6, Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force co-ordinator, criticized the Trump administration for flouting guidelines and peddling “myths” about the pandemic.

She told NBC: “I hear community members parroting back those situations, parroting back that masks don’t work, parroting back that we should work towards herd immunity.”

“This is the worst event that this country will face,” she said.

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Rudy Giuliani, 76, has not commented publicly on his diagnosis.

It is not clear whether the former New York mayor is experiencing symptoms, whether he is self-isolating or when he caught the virus.

Since the November 3 election, Rudy Giuliani has travelled the country as part of efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s election defeat. During many of his events, he was seen without a face mask and ignoring social distancing.

On December 3, he travelled to Georgia where he repeated unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud at a Senate committee hearing about election security.

Dozens of people in Trump’s orbit are said to have tested positive for Covid-19 since October, including his chief of staff Mark Meadows and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.

First Lady Melania Trump and sons Donald Jr. and Baron also contracted the virus.

President Trump’s own diagnosis upended his unsuccessful campaign for a second term in office, less than a month before he faced Joe Biden in the presidential election.

Chinese Flag Planted on the Moon

James J. Williams
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Chinese Flag Planted on the Moon
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

China has become the second nation to plant its flag on the Moon, more than 50 years after the US first planted its flag there.

The pictures from China’s National Space Administration show the flag holding still on the windless lunar surface.

The pictures were taken by a camera on the Chang’e-5 space probe before it left the Moon with rock samples on December 3.

Two previous Chinese lunar missions had flags on the crafts’ coatings – so neither could be affixed to the moon.

The US planted the first flag on the Moon during the manned Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Five further US flags were planted on the lunar surface during subsequent missions up until 1972.

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In 2012, NASA cited satellite images as showing that five of the flags were still standing, but experts quoted in media reports say they are likely to have been bleached white by the sun’s glare.

The first flag was said by astronaut Buzz Aldrin to have been placed too close to the Apollo lunar module and was, he said, probably blown away when the module blasted off.

The state-run Global Times newspaper said the Chinese flag was a reminder of the “excitement and inspiration” felt during the US Apollo missions.

The fabric flag was unfurled by the Chang’e-5 lander vehicle just before its ascender vehicle took off using the lander as a launchpad.

It has taken soil and rock samples to China’s lunar orbiter 9 miles above the lunar surface – which will then be enclosed in a module that will be aimed at China’s Inner Mongolia region.

The Chinese flag is 2m wide and 90cm tall and weighs about a kilogram. All parts of the flag have been given features such as protection against cold temperatures, project leader Li Yunfeng told the Global Times.

“An ordinary national flag on Earth would not survive the severe lunar environment,” project developer Cheng Chang said.

China’s national flag was seen on the Moon during its first lunar landing mission, Chang’e-3 in photographs taken by the lander and rover of each other. The Chang’e-4 lander and rover brought the flag to the dark side of the moon in 2019.

However, in both cases the flag was on the crafts’ coating rather than being an actual fabric flag on a pole.

The Chang’e-5 mission is China’s third successful landing on the Moon in seven years.

Joe Biden to Ask Americans to Wear Masks for His First 100 Days in Office

Diane A. Wade
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0
Joe Biden to Ask Americans to Wear Masks for His First 100 Days in Office
Image source: AP

President-elect Joe Biden has announced he will ask Americans to wear masks for his first 100 days in office to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

Joe Biden told CNN he believed there would be a “significant reduction” in Covid-19 cases if every American wore a face covering.

He also said he would order masks to be worn in all government buildings.

The US has recorded 14.1 million cases and 276,000 deaths from Covid-19 – the highest of any country in the world.

Joe Biden is preparing to take office as pharmaceutical giants are poised to ship millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines to the American public.

In his first joint interview with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris since the election, Joe Biden said: “The first day I’m inaugurated to say I’m going to ask the public for 100 days to mask. Just 100 days to mask, not forever. One hundred days.

“And I think we’ll see a significant reduction if we occur that, if that occurs with vaccinations and masking to drive down the numbers considerably.” 

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The first 100 days of a new presidency is symbolically important in the US and is seen as a gauge of how a president will get things done.

However, constitutional experts say the president has no legal authority to order Americans to wear masks, but Joe Biden said during the interview he and his Vice-President Kamala Harris would set an example by donning face coverings.

The president’s executive authority does cover US government property, and Joe Biden told CNN he intended to exercise such power.

He said: “I’m going to issue a standing order that in federal buildings you have to be masked.”

He added: “Transportation, interstate transportation, you must be masked, airplanes and buses, et cetera.”

US airlines, airports and most public transit systems already require all passengers and workers to wear face coverings.

The Trump administration has rejected calls from American health experts to mandate masks in transportation as “overly restrictive”.

Why Seasonal Affective Disorder Is Something to Worry About

Diane A. Wade
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Why Seasonal Affective Disorder Is Something to Worry About
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Many people have what they refer to as the “Wintertime blues.” This is when a person feels sad for seemingly no reason, mostly during the winter season. However, there is a reason, and it is usually due to seasonal affective disorder (SAD.)

In 2020, SAD is made worse due to stresses from a pandemic. That’s why it’s important that you seek help now. Don’t wait for a vaccine or for the season to pass.

Why Does SAD Happen?

SAD is usually caused by a storm of several things. Let’s discuss what these are.

Less Light

The biggest cause of SAD is the lack of sunlight. In some areas, the sun can set before 5 PM. For some people who have certain shifts, they may see little sunlight. Sunlight gives vitamin D, helps to regulate our sleep/wake cycles, and can be a natural antidepressant. It makes sense that someone may feel depression.

Less Exercising

Exercising can be a natural antidepressant, helping one to focus while releasing endorphins. Unless you are a gym rat or you like to run all year, you may be moving around a lot less. This can contribute to SAD.

Sleep Changes

In wintertime, we may oversleep. Getting sleep is good for the mind, but having too much sleep can be bad for us and increase our risk of depression. Alternatively, there are cases where a person may have difficulties falling asleep this time of year. Not to mention, you tend to produce more melatonin during the winter, which can make you sleepy.

Life’s Stresses

While Mother Nature plays a big role in SAD, so does your personal life. We are living in a pandemic currently, and many of us are stressed, feel cooped up, or are dealing with other issues. This can certainly make your illness worse.

Symptoms

SAD has similar symptoms to depression. Obviously, the biggest depression symptom is when you are feeling sad all day for multiple days. However, irritability can be another symptom.

You may feel like you are less interested in what you used to love. You may have thoughts of dread. In some cases, it can be difficult for you to move or get out of bed. You may fall out of routine.

Overeating is another symptom of SAD. Combined with all the holiday foods, and you may see weight gain. This can lead to body issues and make your issues worse. You may also drink more, leading to other problems.

There are many reasons why SAD can be debilitating, and it’s important to seek help should you suspect that you have it. Symptoms tend to go away with the changing seasons, but do not think that will necessarily be the case. Besides that, it’s important for you to treat your symptoms whenever possible.

Treatment

Treating SAD can involve several lifestyle changes, and in some cases seeking professional help.

Lifestyle Changes

It’s important for you to live a healthy lifestyle if you are afflicted with SAD. Work out at least a half hour a day. If you can’t go to a gym, do some crunches. Bundle up and run outside. Lifestyle changes can also include you eating a balanced meal and getting the correct amount of sleep.

Having a routine is also a good treatment for SAD. Make a schedule and stick to it. However, don’t beat yourself up too much if you mess up.

Finally, the sun plays a big part in treating SAD. Open your blinds and get some sun in, or spend some time outside. If you can’t do either, invest in a therapy lamp. This can give you artificial sunlight that mimics the light of the sun.

Seeking Professional Help

SAD is something that you may want to speak with a therapist about. In severe cases, a combination of therapy and medication can help you.

Medication can help alleviate symptoms, while therapy can help you get back on a routine. You can learn mindfulness strategies, learn how to plan goals, and have a treatment regimen that is tailored for your personality.

With everything going on, one solution you should look into is online therapy. You can speak to a therapist remotely and get the help you need that way. By talking to a therapist through video chat, you can get the right amount of care. For more information, click here.

SAD is not something to treat lightly. By getting help and helping yourself, you can survive the harshness of winter, guaranteed.

How to Know If the Song You Want to Use for Your Social Post is Copyrighted

Lisa.Felice
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0
How to Know If the Song You Want to Use for Your Social Post is Copyrighted
music
Photo Source: hellostage.com

There is perhaps nothing more infuriating when it comes to the posting of social media video output than when you find that it’s been either taken down or silenced. However the irritation related to this particular conundrum can actually be far worse.

You can find yourself in deep water if you have used music that is copyrighted, without permission of the relevant artist or production company, which could result in your social accounts being suspended or permanently removed.

Indeed there could even be the resultant possibility of legal action if it is found that his error was deliberate rather than accidental and as such it’s hugely important that you do all you can to avoid such repercussions.

Copyrighted music use requires a license and the cost of such a license can indeed be high, hence the marked rise in the services of royalty free music providers, the use of which will of course resolve any of the potential issues you could face in the long run.

Almost All Music Is Copyrighted

First off, almost all music is licensed in some manner and as such you should be incredibly careful when it comes to the use of it without permission, always err on the side of caution on this matter.

A good way, initially, to find out if a particular track is free for use was offered by YouTube up until recently, the tool they possessed gave you the option to search for a relevant song and to ascertain the copyrighted nature of that song, but they now no longer offer this.

Another way is to search via a search engine to find the relevant publisher of the song you wish to use, which in turn should lead you to the relevant department and the associated costs with the use, this is a time consuming option but perhaps the safest route.

The use of music for your own benefit, or even to a small audience in your own home, is completely acceptable and requires no license but the moment that music is used to back a video on a social media platform, then you will need to hold the relevant license, otherwise it’s a slippery slope.

There are some very rare examples of popular music being free of copyright, usually in the case of recordings that are more than 70 years old, but even then this is not always the case, proof that the minefield you have to navigate in this area is peppered with explosives.

Ignorance is No Excuse

Most sites, such as YouTube and Facebook, institute a copyright strike policy, meaning that repeated violations result in increased severity of punishment, on YouTube this punishment can indeed be even more severe and if found guilty of abusing the use for financial gain then a large fine or even a jail sentence are possible.

Partial use of a song, if copyrighted, will not absolve you of punishment, even a matter of seconds of use will invariably be picked up by the relevant social media network and it will be taken down and the punishment process will begin.

The Answer?

So, in many ways the question of how to know if a song is copyrighted is a fairly simple one to answer.

The best, and safest, way to avoid possible censure or punishment for unauthorized use of copyrighted music is to visit the plethora of royalty free music resources and find exactly what you are looking for, without the hassle of trying to adhere to tricky guidelines.


The music libraries offered by these services is vast, and in many ways the music available will go far beyond the reach of the music you may have heard, or stumbled upon, and then elected to use.

What is offered by these services is very much bespoke, in the sense that using the intuitive systems in place you can locate the ideal musical accompaniment to your video, rather than selecting a well-known song that you did not have permission for, which resulted in your entire social media channel being shut down forever.

The risk is not worth the reward, not least as you can achieve a far more cohesive social video content package when you personally select the right sound for your needs.

Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine Approved in UK

Kathryn R. Bown
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Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine Approved in UK

The Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine has been approved in the UK, paving the way for mass vaccination.

The UK becomes the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine.

Britain’s medicines regulator, the MHRA, says the vaccine, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19 illness, is safe to be rolled out.

The first 800,000 doses will be available in the UK from next week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

People should wait to be contacted by the NHS, he added.

Pfizer Vaccine Appears to Protect 94% of Adults over 65 Years Old

Moderna Vaccine Shows Nearly 95% Protection Against Covid-19

Coronavirus: Pfizer Vaccine Offers 90% Protection

Elderly people in care homes and care home staff are top of the priority list, followed by over-80s and health and care staff.

However, because of the limited stocks and need to store at -70C, the very first vaccinations are likely to take place at hospitals so care home residents may not be immunized until later.

The Pfizer/BioNTech product is the fastest vaccine to go from concept to reality, taking only 10 months to follow the same steps that normally span 10 years.

The UK has already ordered 40 million doses of the free jab – enough to vaccinate 20 million people.

The doses will be rolled out as quickly as they can be made by Pfizer in Belgium, Matt Hancock said, with the first load next week and then “several millions” throughout December.

UK’s PM Boris Johnson said: “It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again.”

Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine will be non-compulsory and there will be three ways of vaccinating people across the UK:

  • Hospitals
  • Vaccination centers
  • In the community, with GPs and pharmacists.

Around 50 hospitals are on stand-by and vaccination centers – in venues such as conference centers or sports stadiums – are being set up now.

Because the initial doses are being delivered to hospitals, which already have the facilities to store the vaccine at -70C, the very first vaccinations are likely to take place at hospital hubs – for care home staff, NHS staff and patients – so none of the vaccine is wasted.

It is thought the vaccination network could start delivering more than one million doses a week once enough doses are available.

The Leadership Life of Andy Miller

Nancy Clayson
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The Leadership Life of Andy Miller
Image source: Wikipedia

For more than 30 years, Andrew Miller has been leading global businesses to their full potential and highest achievements. Serving as CEO for Tandberg and Polycom, Inc., two $1B plus public companies, he has led not only these companies, but numerous others, to exponential milestones.

An Early Career with a Promising Future

Andy began his early leadership career in a big way. Miller successfully led Cisco as Vice President of Sales by taking the business to rapid growth of 1,000 to over 40,000 employees. He not only directed Cisco in sales from $250M to $20B, but also headed the $1.2B flagship unit that first introduced IP Telephony in the US.

Leading Aggressive Growth and Profitability

Placing his focus on the video-enabled communications company, Tandberg, Miller commanded the quadrupling revenues to $400M and global market leadership. Three technology customers were successfully acquired, strong relationships were formed in the investment community, and significant footholds were achieved in major global markets, including Asia-Pacific, under Miller’s guidance. Aside from negotiating strategic alliance agreements with both Cisco and Microsoft while at Tandberg, Miller then set out to direct Monster Worldwide and IPC Systems, Inc. While at these two companies he held P&L responsibility for global sales. He also developed a strategic go-to-market plan to battle emerging global rivals while at the $1.1B business, Monster Worldwide.

Polycom, Inc.’s Complete Transformation

Miller then set forth to lead Polycom’s go-to-market strategy and full redesign of the company’s go-to-market model. By incorporating cloud, virtualized software, and SaaS offerings, he achieved a strategic transformation within the company. Miller was a key force in the growth of Polycom’s $940M business to $1.5B in four short years, in addition to launching a best-in-class collaboration ecosystem that included Microsoft, IDM, and AT&T. Thanks to Miller leading the firm to a strategic rebranding plan, Polycom was later identified as the global leader in unified communications.

Broadsoft Acquisition

After his time at Polycom, Miller broadened his experience by becoming the Board Director and Managing Director for Broadsoft. Throughout his time at Broadsoft, many goals were achieved and exceeded including the execution of M and A for Contract Center allowing for expansion to SP and Enterprise accounts. He also focused on the expansion of federal business opportunities into DOD, civilian, state, and local sectors. Broadsoft’s footprint was then expanded from service provider to enterprise, leading to the $2 billion acquisition of Broadsoft by Cisco.

Focusing on Strategy with Journey Inc.

As a new board of directors and main strategic advisor for Journey Inc., his most recent venture will concentrate on leading the executive team in areas focused on policy, investors, and key clients. He aims to help Journey Inc. expand by using his strategic planning expertise while growing the profitability of the organization.

A Leader for Decades to Come

Andy Miller has been hard at work transforming multinational companies to their full potential for the past 30 years. It’s crucial to have a respected and accomplished CEO in place to ensure success. For many businesses, Andy has been this person.

This or That? How to Make Healthier Food Choices at Work

Dana R
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This or That? How to Make Healthier Food Choices at Work

The working day can be filled with stress, and, what helps stress? Food. When you are at work it can be super difficult to get out of a routine of instant ramen, fast food and vending machine snacks. Here are some small changes that you can make to start to make healthier choices at work.

Eat a filling breakfast

You know what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why do so many of us skip it? We have all been guilty of running out of the house with only a coffee in hand, making our commute to work with nothing in our stomachs. A filling breakfast can enhance productivity, and it can be as simple as adding a breakfast berry-and-granola smoothie to your morning routine.

Take a simple, healthy lunch from home

This may seem like a lot of effort, but you can very easily make your lunchtime meals in advance for the whole week in bulk. You could batch cook a load of veggie-filled soup or make a few different salads. You could even make a wrap with leftovers from dinner. Keep it simple and keep it healthy.


https://www.pexels.com/photo/variety-of-dishes-1640771/

Make the most of your breaks

As many as 82% of us admit that we don’t always take our breaks at work, instead opting to eat convenience foods at our desks while we catch up on work. However, not only does the food you consume matter, but the way in which you eat it too!

Taking a moment to appreciate our food and have a breath of fresh air can actually make incredible changes to our mental attitude. It is equally important to be healthy and happy. A wellbeing program can help you to create positive behavioral change with nutrition, healthy habits, fitness, weight management, and overall wellbeing.

https://pixabay.com/photos/lunch-box-picnic-sandwich-200762/

Pack your own snacks

Workplace vending machines have been the downfall of diets since the dawn of time. No matter what your reasoning for eating healthily, make sure to pack some healthy snacks for if you get ‘peckish’ and tempted with your mid-afternoon cuppa’.

Drink lots of water

Getting enough water a day is very important for the health of your body. Water helps your body regulate temperature, lubricate and cushion your joints, protects your spinal cord, and gets rid of nasty stuff like toxins. It is recommended we drink about 2 litres, or around 8 glasses of water a day.

This may seem like a lot until you think about how many bottles of fizzy drinks you get from the vending machine! Try to choose water over sugary drinks and sodas. You could also try drinking black coffee or tea, flavoured water, or sparkling water as an alternative way to get your daily water intake. These are relatively low, or no, calories, but should be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Just try your best

All you can do is try your best. Some days you might want fries- and that is okay once in a while! Eating a balanced diet does not mean anything is off limits: everything is fine as long as it’s in moderation.

Trump Pardons Investigated over Secret Lobbying Scheme

Diane A. Wade
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Trump Pardons Investigated over Secret Lobbying Scheme

The DoJ is looking into claims that lobbyists have tried to use bribes to secure a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump, unsealed court papers show.

They say that in August investigators began investigating a “secret lobbying scheme” possibly involving attempts to contact White House officials.

The redacted filings do not give any names, but the DoJ says no government official is being probed.

President Trump tweeted: “Pardon investigation is Fake News!”

It is common for outgoing presidents to use their right to issue pardons, which wipe out convictions.

Donald Trump – who is due to leave office in January, although he is still contesting his election defeat in the courts – has used the procedure a number of times.

Last week, President Trump pardoned Michael Flynn, his former national security adviser, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.

President Donald Trump Pardons Ex-Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio

Meanwhile, media say President Trump has been discussing the possibility of pardoning family members.

The document released by a federal court in Washington DC on December 1 relates to a request by the DoJ to use emails and other communications seized in a bribery-for-pardon inquiry.

The data, prosecutors say in the paper, points to potential “criminal activity”.

According to prosecutors, individuals – whose identities are redacted – appear to have “acted as lobbyists to senior White House officials without complying with the registration requirements” for such activity.

Their aim, according to the papers, may have been to secure “a pardon or reprieve of sentence” for another unidentified individual.

According to the documents, prosecutors in August sought a court order “so that the investigative team [could] access” the communications and confront the suspects.

It is unknown who the people targeted were.

On December 1, the DoJ said: “No government official was or is currently a subject or target of the investigation disclosed in this filing.”

According to the Pew Research Center, President Trump has so far been less enthusiastic in using his right to grant clemency than any of his recent predecessors.

President Barack Obama, whom Donald Trump replaced in 2013, granted 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations – the most since President Harry Truman in the 1940s and 1950s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIIiqhUVN04

Ultimate Checklist for Hiring a Contractor in New Mexico

Nancy Clayson
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Ultimate Checklist for Hiring a Contractor in New Mexico
Image by Zahid Hasan from Pixabay

Hiring a contractor will save you time, energy, and effort in dealing with how to build your new home. However, sometimes this is not the case especially if you make the mistake of choosing someone who isn’t really up to the task. Yes, I’m saying this right from the start because ultimately, you have to take responsibility for the kind of person or company that you would hire to lead this important life project.

So to avoid the hassle and headache of choosing the wrong contractor (especially if you’re living in New Mexico), I’ve listed down a complete checklist of things you need to consider before you sign any paperwork to get started!

License

Contractors in New Mexico must be licensed with the CID in order to get any legitimate projects. So be wary of those who can’t even show you proof of their license before getting started. Having a license ensures you of a particular contractor’s experience in building homes, buildings, and other structures. I know it might be a bit more pricey, but it’s worth the cost if your home or structure stands the test of time.

Call the Better Business Bureau

If the potential contractor does show you a license but you’re not that convinced, you can contact the Better Business Bureau and check if their business is listed in the agency. It’s always a good practice to look at the BBB’s list of legitimate businesses in your area before making any deals with someone. This is very important for anyone who wants to make it a point to hire the right guys for the job.

Well-written contract

Now that you’ve established the authenticity of the company you’re going to work with, it’s time to draft your contract. The contract is an important part of your project because it details the extent of liability that your contractor has. The same goes for you. The contract can stipulate how long the project will last, how much is the cost, and other important designs.

Be sure to check this thoroughly before signing the agreement. If you’re not aware of some legal terms, you can also have it checked with a lawyer to make sure you won’t get shortchanged. Remember to put in a cancellation provision and any extension of work for reasons like natural calamities and shipment delays.

Keep in mind that the contract is meant to protect you and the contractor so don’t neglect reading through it thoroughly.

Ask for a warranty

While New Mexico doesn’t really require licensed contractors to provide warranties, you may want to ask your contractor about this still. Why? Well, of course, it protects you from possible issues arising from the work for a good amount of time after project completion. Your contractor will likely agree, especially if he’s pretty confident about his workmanship.

Proof of insurance

Aside from the warranty, you must also know if your contractor protects his work and his workers, too. You can be aware of this by asking for proof of insurance from your contractor. This adds an additional layer of security for the work the company will be doing for you.

Inspect quality work and materials used

While everything looks good on paper and with the BBB, you still have to visit the construction site from time to time to inspect how the work is going and what materials are being used during construction. Good contractors will display a good sense of rhythm during work hours and it will show how efficient they work and the quality of materials they are using and you won’t find that out if you’re just going to wait for the project to be finished.

If all these conditions have been met, then there is no reason for you not to engage with this specific contractor for a long time. You can even recommend the company to your friends and family to make sure that they, too, are getting the same excellent quality service in New Mexico.

Germany: Four Died as Car Ploughs Through Pedestrian Zone in Trier

Nancy Clayson
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Germany: Four Died as Car Ploughs Through Pedestrian Zone in Trier
Image source: Wikipedia

Four people including a nine-month-old baby have been killed after car has ploughed through a pedestrian area in the German city of Trier, police say.

The driver, a 51-year-old local man, has been arrested. The prosecutor said the suspect had drunk a significant amount of alcohol.

Authorities said they were not working on the assumption that the incident was politically or religiously motivated.

Trier’s mayor described the scene as “horrible”.

Witnesses said people screamed in panic and some were thrown in the air by an SUV travelling at high speed in Trier’s Fleischstrasse pedestrianised street, near the city’s famous Roman gate, the Porta Nigra.

The incident happened at around 13:45 local time, and the suspect drove for 0.6 mile “hitting people at random on his way” before being stopped by a police car, Trier police spokesman Karl-Peter Jochem said earlier.

The victims were two women, aged 25 and 73, a 45-year-old man and a nine-month-old baby.

Breitscheidplatz Truck Attack: Urgent Manhunt Under Way Across Europe for Suspect

Munich Attack: Gunman Obsessed With Mass Shootings

Footage posted on social media appeared to show the presumed driver being held by several officers next to the damaged car. Police have been questioning the suspect, who was alone, and has been identified by German media as Bernd W.

Initial indications “suggest that psychiatric problems possibly played a role”, prosecutor Peter Fritzen told reporters. The man did not have a criminal record, had no fixed address and was living in the car, which had been lent to him by someone else.

Earlier, Mayor Wolfram Leibe said up to 15 people had been injured, some of them seriously.

He said at a news conference: “We [had] a driver who ran amok in the city… I just walked through the city centre and it was just horrible. There is a trainer lying on the ground, and the girl it belongs to is dead.”

Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement: “The news from Trier is very sad. My sympathy goes to the relatives of people who were torn from their lives so suddenly and forcibly. I also think of those who have suffered severe injuries and I wish them much strength.”

Trier is a medieval city of around 110,000 people and 450-mile west of Berlin, near the border with Luxembourg. A Christmas market that is usually held in the area was cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but shops were open.

The incident brought back memories of the 2016 attack in Berlin when an Islamist militant drove a hijacked truck into a Christmas market in 2016, killing 12 people and injuring dozens of others. He was shot dead by Italian police four days later.

Trump Coronavirus Adviser Dr Scott Atlas Resigns

Diane A. Wade
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Trump Coronavirus Adviser Dr Scott Atlas Resigns
Image source: Getty Images

Dr. Scott Atlas, President Donald Trump’s controversial special adviser on the coronavirus, has resigned.

Thanking President Trump for the honor of serving the American people, Dr. Atlas said he had “always relied on the latest science and evidence without any political consideration or influence”.

During his four months in the role, Dr. Atlas questioned the need for masks and other measures to control the pandemic.

He also repeatedly clashed with other members of the coronavirus task force.

Dr. Scott Atlas, a radiologist and senior fellow at Stanford University’s conservative Hoover Institution, joined the task force in August. As well as questioning the usefulness of masks he was against lockdowns and supported herd immunity as a strategy to deal with the outbreak.

He sparked further controversy last month when he tweeted “people rise up” in response to new restrictions imposed in Michigan.

Dr. Atlas’ tweet came just weeks after it emerged Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was the subject of an alleged kidnapping attempt by militia members opposed to virus mitigation efforts.

Public health officials – including top infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci – had accused Dr. Atlas of giving President Trump misleading information about the spread of the virus.

As of November 29, the number of Covid-19 cases recorded in November in the US surpassed four million, double the figure recorded in October.

Academics at Stanford University welcomed Dr. Atlas’ resignation, saying it was “long overdue and underscores the triumph of science and truth over falsehoods and misinformation”.

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Coronavirus: President Trump Claims He Saw Evidence Virus Started In China Lab

Fox News said Dr. Atlas had joined the administration on a 130-day contract, which was set to expire this week.

In his resignation letter, carried by Fox, Dr. Atlas said his advice had “always focused on minimizing all the harms from both the pandemic and the structural policies themselves, especially to the working class and poor”.

He also spoke of the “free exchange of ideas that lead to scientific truths”, adding: “Indeed, I cannot think of a time where safeguarding science and the scientific debate is more urgent.”

President-elect Joe Biden has taken a markedly different stance to his predecessor, urging everyone to wear masks and pledging a bedrock of science to his policy on tackling the pandemic.

Japan: Crown Prince Fumihito Approves Princess Mako’s Wedding

Lisa.Felice
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Japan: Crown Prince Fumihito Approves Princess Mako’s Wedding
Image source Wikimedia

Japan’s Crown Prince Fumihito said he “approves” of Princess Mako’s long-postponed plans to marry her university boyfriend, media reports say.

The crown prince’s daughter was originally set to wed non-royal Kei Komuro in 2018, a year after they announced their engagement.

The palace later denied the delay was linked to Kei Komuro’s mother’s rumored financial problems.

However, Prince Fumihito reiterated the money issues must be dealt with first, according to Kyodo news agency.

“In order for many people to be convinced and celebrate (the marriage), I have said it is important for the issue to be dealt with,” said Prince Fumihito, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito and the first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

“From my point of view, I think they are not in a situation where many people are convinced and pleased (about their marriage),” Crown Prince Fumihito, also known as Crown Prince Akishino, added.

Princess Mako of Japan Announces Engagement to Commoner Kei Komuro

Princess Mako of Japan to Lose Royal Status after Marrying A Commoner

Kei Komuro, who is currently completing further studies at Fordham University’s law school in New York, according to Kyodo, said last year his family had no financial difficulties.

He said the issue of an unpaid loan to his mother’s ex-fiancé had been settled. But the former fiancé told local media the issue was unresolved.

It is unclear when the couple, both 29, will hold their ceremony. Princess Mako, the eldest daughter of Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, will be stripped of her royal status upon marriage to Kei Komuro.

However, earlier this month Princess Mako expressed her strong resolve to go ahead with the wedding, local media said.

Crown Prince Fumihito has now also backed it.

“The constitution says marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes. If that is what they really want, then I think that is something I need to respect as a parent,” he said, according to Kyodo, Japan’s leading news agency.

Joe Biden Fractures His Foot while Playing with His Dog

Nancy Clayson
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Joe Biden Fractures His Foot while Playing with His Dog
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Joe Biden has fractured his foot while playing with one of his dogs, his doctor has announced.

The president-elect twisted his ankle on November 28 when he slipped while with Major, one of his two German shepherds.

Joe Biden visited an orthopedist in Newark, Delaware, a day later “out of an abundance of caution”.

His personal physician, Kevin O’Connor, said initial x-rays did not show an “obvious fracture”, but ordered a more detailed CT scan.

The subsequent scan found that the 78-year-old had suffered “hairline fractures” of two small bones in the middle of his right foot, the doctor said.

Dr. O’Connor said: “It is anticipated that he will likely require a walking boot for several weeks.”

On November 29, President Donald Trump tweeted: “Get well soon!”

Joe Biden, who beat President Trump in November’s election, is due to receive his first presidential daily briefing on November 30. This was made possible by the announcement a week ago that the transition process had begun.

Joe Biden will become the oldest US president to take office after he’s inaugurated on January 20 next year.

Given this, his health is expected to be watched closely by allies and opponents.

Dr. O’Connor described him as “healthy, vigorous” and “fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency” in a medical report released last December.

Joe Biden is set to bring his two German shepherds – Champ and Major – with him to the White House.

The Democrat and his wife, Jill Biden, fostered Major from a dog shelter in Delaware and made his adoption official in November 2018.

Champ lived with the Bidens on Capitol Hill in Washington DC during Barack Obama’s presidency, when Joe Biden was vice-president.

Diego Maradona’s Doctor Investigated for Possible Manslaughter

Clyde K. Valle
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Diego Maradona’s Doctor Investigated for Possible Manslaughter
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Diego Maradona’s doctor is being investigated by Argentine prosecutors for possible manslaughter following the soccer legend’s death four days ago.

Police in Buenos Aires have searched the house and private clinic of Leopoldo Luque as they try to establish if there was negligence in Diego Maradona’s treatment following surgery.

Maradona died of a heart attack at his home where he was recuperating. He was 60.

Dr. Luque, 39, denies wrongdoing and says he is co-operating with the inquiry.

Diego Maradona had a successful operation on a brain blood clot earlier in November and had been due to be treated for alcohol dependency.

Some 30 police officers raided Dr. Luque’s house on November 29 – with another 30 going into his clinic in the capital Buenos Aires.

The raids were ordered by prosecutors trying to build a picture of Diego Maradona’s last days at home.

Diego Maradona Dies Aged 60

There are suspicions that Maradona’s convalescence at home might not have met the conditions of his discharge from the clinic, such as a 24-hour team of nurses “specialized in substance abuse”, the on-call presence of doctors and a stand-by ambulance equipped with a defibrillator.

Officials want to know how often Dr. Luque went to see Maradona at his house.

In an emotional press conference on November 29, Dr. Luque – who has been described as Maradona’s personal physician – cried, saying he had done all he could to save the life of a friend. He said Maradona had been very sad lately.

At one point, the doctor shot back at reporters: “You want to know what I am responsible for? For having loved him, for having taken care of him, for having extended his life, for having improved it to the end.”

Dr. Luque said he had done “everything he could, up to the impossible”.

Then addressing some of the concerns authorities are looking into, Dr. Luque cast doubt on what his role actually was. ”If you ask me, I’m a neurosurgeon and my job ended. I was done with him,” he said referring to November’s surgery – and insisting Maradona’s convalescence at home was not his responsibility.

“He [Maradona] should have gone to a rehabilitation center. He didn’t want to,” Dr. Luque said, calling the late star “unmanageable”.

Dr. Luque also said he did not know why there was no defibrillator or who was responsible for the fact that there was no ambulance outside Maradona’s house.

He added: Diego “was very sad, he wanted to be alone, and it’s not because he didn’t love his daughters, his family, or those around him”.

Diego Maradona was captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup, scoring the famous “Hand of God” goal against England in the quarter-finals.

He played for Barcelona and Napoli during his club career, winning two Serie A titles with the Italian side. He started his career with Argentinos Juniors, also playing for Sevilla, and Boca Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys in his homeland.

Diego Maradona scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for Argentina, representing them in four World Cups.

Trump’s Pennsylvania Lawsuit Rejected by Federal Appeals Court

Diane A. Wade
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Trump’s Pennsylvania Lawsuit Rejected by Federal Appeals Court
Image source: Getty Images

The Trump campaign’s attempt to block President-elect Joe Biden from being declared winner in Pennsylvania has been rejected by a federal appeals court.

The panel of three judges deemed the case was without merit, saying the Trump campaign had not made specific allegations or provided proof.

The ruling is another major setback for Donald Trump in his attempts to overturn the November 3 election.

On November 26, President Trump said he would give way if Joe Biden was declared the winner.

However, on the next day he again made unfounded allegations of “massive voter fraud”, tweeting: “Biden can only enter the White House as President if he can prove that his ridiculous ‘80,000,000 votes’ were not fraudulently or illegally obtained.”

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Joe Biden Wins Georgia Recount by 12,000 Votes

Donald Trump Continues to Deny Election Defeat

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals had been asked to consider a lower court’s decision to dismiss the Trump campaign’s attempts to invalidate millions of mail-in votes in Pennsylvania.

The lower court ruling had paved the way for the battleground state to certify Joe Biden’s win, giving him 20 vital Electoral College votes and effectively the presidency.

In giving the appeal court’s opinion, Judge Stephanos Bibas wrote: “Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so.”

“Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here,” wrote Judge Bibas, who was nominated by President Trump.

Following the ruling, Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis wrote: “On to SCOTUS!”

The Trump campaign has filed a slew of lawsuits alleging voter fraud in several states, but with little success.

Joe Biden is projected to defeat President Trump 306 to 232 in the US electoral college, which determines who becomes president – far above the 270 he needs to win.

Time is running out as states have until December 8 to resolve election disputes before the Electoral College meets on December 14 to formally declare the victor.

Donald Trump’s refusal to concede has upended the process that normally follows a US election.

However, it is not a requirement for Donald Trump to concede in order for Joe Biden to be sworn in as the 46th US president.

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh: Iran’s Most Senior Nuclear Scientist Assassinated

Roy Siemens
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Mohsen Fakhrizadeh: Iran’s Most Senior Nuclear Scientist Assassinated
Image source Wikimedia

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Iran’s most senior nuclear scientist, has been assassinated near Tehran, the country’s defense ministry has confirmed.

He died in hospital after an attack in Absard, in Damavand county.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, has condemned the killing “as an act of state terror”.

Western intelligence agencies believe Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was behind a covert Iranian nuclear weapons program.

Iran insists its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes.

However, news of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh’s killing comes amid fresh concern about the increased amount of enriched uranium that Iran is producing. Enriched uranium is a vital component for both civil nuclear power generation and military nuclear weapons.

A 2015 deal with six world powers had placed limits on its production, but since President Donald Trump abandoned the deal in 2018, Iran has been deliberately reneging on its agreements.

President Donald Trump Pulls US Out of Iran Nuclear Deal

Are We Safe? Key Facts About The Iran Nuclear Deal People Won’t Tell You

President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to reengage with Iran when he takes over the US presidency in January, despite longstanding opposition from Israel .

Between 2010 and 2012, four Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated and Iran has accused Israel of complicity in the killings.

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh’s name was specifically mentioned in Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s presentation about Iran’s nuclear program in May 2018.

There has been no comment from Israel on the news of the assassination. The Pentagon has also declined to comment, according to Reuters.

In a statement on November 27, Iran’s defense ministry said: “Armed terrorists targeted a vehicle carrying Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, head of the ministry’s research and innovation organization.

“After a clash between the terrorists and his bodyguards, Mr. Fakhrizadeh was severely injured and rushed to hospital.

“Unfortunately, the medical team’s efforts to save him were unsuccessful and minutes ago he passed away.”

Iranian media reports said the attackers opened fire on the scientist in his car.

Fars news agency earlier reported there was a car explosion in Absard town, with witnesses reporting that “three to four individuals, who are said to have been terrorists, were killed”.

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