Patabook: March 2021

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

After the ambulance took George Floyd away, the Minneapolis officer who had pinned his knee on the Black man&#039;s neck defended himself to a bystander by saying Floyd was &#039;a sizable guy&#039; and &quot;probably on something,&quot; according to police video played in court Wednesday.

source https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/ex-cop-told-onlooker-george-floyd-was-probably-on-something-trial-hears-1.5369208

Twin YouTube pranksters plead guilty to staging fake bank robberies

YouTube stars Alan and Alex Stokes, twins known for provocative video gags, have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from two fake bank robberies they staged in California, one of which led to police drawing their guns on the brothers&#039; unsuspecting Uber driver.

source https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/twin-youtube-pranksters-plead-guilty-to-staging-fake-bank-robberies-1.5370822

Top US national security officials call counterparts as Russia and Ukraine tensions rise

Top US national security officials have spoken with their Ukrainian counterparts, and America&#039;s top general held a call Wednesday with his Russian opposite number amid concern over Russian military activity in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, including what the US deemed a violation of a ceasefire by Moscow that led to the deaths of four Ukrainian soldiers last week.

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/31/politics/us-russia-ukraine-calls/index.html

Pope Francis donates $350,000 to pandemic-stricken Iraqi families

POPE Francis donated $350,000 to Iraqi families who are suffering the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1417673/pope-francis-latest-news-pontiff-donates-iraq-coronavirus-catholic-church-updates-ont

U.N. special envoy tells Security Council to act to avoid 'bloodbath' in Myanmar

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/un-special-envoy-tells-security-council-act-avoid-bloodbath-myanmar

U.S. court slams brakes on Trump-era hog slaughter line speed rule; union cheers

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/us-court-slams-brakes-trump-era-hog-slaughter-line-speed-rule-union-cheers

U.S. dollar to remain strong for at least another month - Reuters poll

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/us-dollar-remain-strong-least-another-month-reuters-poll

A Decade of Innovation in Just One Year: Seven Surprising Ways the Pandemic Has Changed Hotels Forever

&quot;For more than a century, Hilton has pioneered many of the elements that define the hospitality industry today. In the last year, the pandemic has accelerated our innovation engine – we&#039;ve thought of it as a decade of change in just 12 months. And though the experience in our hotels will be different as people begin to travel more freely, our Team Members around the world are eager to welcome our guests, sharing the light and warmth of our hospitality once again.&quot;  Said Chris Nassetta, president &amp;amp; CEO, Hilton After more than a year of cancelling family vacations, postponing bucket-list trips or attending virtual conferences, travellers are looking forward to packing their suitcases and making new memories with family and friends. In fact, Hilton’s recent To New Memories campaign revealed that 94% of Americans surveyed plan on doing just that once travel restrictions lift, and that 91% of those who travel say that their hotel experiences are a memorable part of their trip.  But how has the pandemic changed that hotel experience? And what can travellers expect as they hit the road now and in years to come? As the company that introduced the world to travel standards such as room service, the minibar and a central reservations system, Hilton was quick to adapt and innovate when the pandemic struck. Now Hilton’s experts offer their predictions for which temporary adjustments will become permanent and the impact of the pandemic on hotel stays in the future. This story continues here Thank you for reading the Air101 news feed

source http://www.air101.co.uk/2021/04/a-decade-of-innovation-in-just-one-year.html

South China Sea: Canadian warship enters disputed waters as tensions with Beijing soar

A CANADIAN warship passed through the disputed South China Sea this week as tensions with Beijing continue to escalate.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1417669/south-china-sea-news-Canadian-warship-tensions-military-Philippines-Beijing-latest-ont

NASA offends China in latest political spat over Taiwan - ‘unforgivable’

CHINA has condemned NASA in their latest political spat against foreign companies after the US space agency referred to Taiwan as a country.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1417670/china-nasa-offended-taiwan-country-asia-news-latest

Brazil names new military chiefs amid tensions with Bolsonaro

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil&#039;s Defense Ministry on Wednesday named new commanders of its armed forces, a day after the previous three chiefs were sacked as part of President Jair Bolsonaro&#039;s unprecedented attempt to meddle in the military.

source https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/brazil-names-new-military-chiefs-amid-tensions-with-bolsonaro-idUSKBN2BN3GL

U.N. special envoy tells Security Council to act to avoid 'bloodbath' in Myanmar

Australia&#039;s Queensland state, a tourist hotspot, reported 1 new coronavirus case of community transmission on Thursday linked to an existing cluster, enabling it to end its three-day snap lockdown in Brisbane.

source https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-un/u-n-special-envoy-tells-security-council-to-act-to-avoid-bloodbath-in-myanmar-idUSKBN2BN3NB

Brisbane's lockdown to lift at midday today after just one case of community transmission

Lockdown will lift early in Brisbane, ending at midday today, after just one new case of community transmission that&#039;s linked to an existing cluster of COVID-19. However, some restrictions will remain in place.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-01/qld-covid-brisbane-easter-lockdown-lifts-community-transmission/100035948

House prices rising at fastest pace in 32 years, listings can't keep up with demand

National home values surged 2.8 per cent in March, growing at their fastest pace since 1988, according to CoreLogic. Capital city prices outpaced regional property markets for the first time in a year.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-01/home-prices-rise-at-fastest-pace-in-2-years-in-march-corelogic/100043190

Putin critic Alexei Navalny protests Russian prison conditions, announces hunger strike

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny says he is on a hunger strike to protest the failue of Russian authorities to provide proper medical treatment.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-01/alexei-navalny-on-hunger-strike-to-protest-prison-treatment/100043130

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine found to be 100 per cent effective among adolescents

A study of the Pfizer vaccine shows the jab is highly effective in adolescents aged 12-15 years old, recording higher levels of antibodies than in young adults.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-01/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-safe-for-adolescents/100043334

'Highly stressful': For lip readers, face masks can be a major problem

When Brisbane was launched into lockdown and people across the city masked-up, Amanda Sterling, who is deaf, braced herself for the communication headaches to come. 

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-01/masks-distort-auslan-prevent-deaf-from-lip-reading/100042232

Tuesday, 30 March 2021

Matt Gaetz: The Florida congressman who became Donald Trump’s most outspoken ally

‘I only regret that I have but one political career to give to my president’

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/who-matt-gaetz-family-wife-b1824728.html

Dollar hits new one-year high to yen on U.S. pandemic recovery optimism

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/dollar-hits-new-one-year-high-yen-us-pandemic-recovery-optimism

Data withheld from WHO team probing Covid-19 origins in China: Tedros

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/data-withheld-who-team-probing-covid-19-origins-china-tedros

China's March factory activity expands at faster pace - official PMI

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/chinas-march-factory-activity-expands-faster-pace-official-pmi

Colorado mourns officer killed in Boulder mass shooting

Hundreds gather for public funeral of Eric Talley, the police officer killed in the Boulder mass shooting.

source https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-03-30/colorado-mourns-officer-killed-in-boulder-mass-shooting

Army defends its role in Indo-Pacific struggle for influence

As U.S. strategists ponder the best way to carry out the new &quot;great-power&#039; challenge posed by China, the Army insists it has a vital role to play in any future military operations in the crucial Indo-Pacific region, even with the oceans and vast distances that would seem to favor the ...

source https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/mar/30/army-defends-its-role-indo-pacific-struggle-influe/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

Migrant kids crowded into Texas facility as space runs low

More than 500 migrant children were packed into plastic-walled rooms built for 32 people, sitting inches apart on mats with foil blankets Tuesday at the largest U.S. Customs and Border Protection holding facility for unaccompanied children.

source https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/migrant-kids-crowded-into-texas-facility-as-space-runs-low-1.5369073

Witnesses to George Floyd's death tell jury of their shock, guilt

Prosecution witnesses on Tuesday described in searing detail their horror in watching the final moments of George Floyd&#039;s life as they testified against Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis policeman charged with Floyd&#039;s murder.

source https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20210331-witnesses-to-george-floyd-s-death-tell-jury-of-their-shock-guilt

Japan’s famous cherry blossoms bloom early as climate warms

Japan’s famous cherry blossoms have reached their flowery peak in many places earlier this year than at any time since formal records started being kept nearly 70 years ago, with experts saying climate change is the likely cause

source https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/japans-famous-cherry-blossoms-bloom-early-as-climate-warms/2021/03/30/dc93dbe2-91b6-11eb-aadc-af78701a30ca_story.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_world

In Archegos fire sale, Credit Suisse, Nomura burned by slow exit

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/archegos-fire-sale-credit-suisse-nomura-burned-slow-exit

Japan February factory output falls 2.1% month-on-month - government

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/japan-february-factory-output-falls-21-month-month-government

US orders its non-essential diplomats to leave Myanmar as situation worsens

The US State Department has ordered the departure of non-essential diplomats from Myanmar, it said in a statement Tuesday, amid a crackdown on protesters that has killed hundreds since the country&#039;s military coup began.

source https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20210330-us-orders-its-non-essential-diplomats-to-leave-myanmar-as-situation-worsens

China and Brazil have world's greenest central banks, activists say

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/china-and-brazil-have-worlds-greenest-central-banks-activists-say

Covid19 a Wake-up Call to Address Development Fault Lines in Asia and the Pacific

BANGKOK, Thailand, Mar 30 (IPS) - The world is emerging from the biggest social and economic shock in living memory, but it will be a long time before the deep scars of the COVID-19 pandemic on human well-being fully heal.In the Asia-Pacific region, where 60 per cent of the world lives, the pandemic revealed chronic development fault lines through its excessively harmful impact on the most vulnerable. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) estimates that 89 million more people in the region have been pushed back into extreme poverty at the $1.90 per day threshold, erasing years of development gains. The economic and educational shutdowns are likely to have severely harmed human capital formation and productivity, exacerbating poverty and inequality.

source https://www.globalissues.org/news/2021/03/30/27431

Melania Trump finds it ‘hard to hide real emotions’ about Donald says expert –‘struggling’

MELANIA TRUMP could be having a hard time with analysts pointing out her &quot;real emotions&quot; towards her husband Donald Trump, it is claimed.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1417132/melania-trump-body-language-experts-media-unhealthy-obsession-donald-trump-ont

Joe Biden’s dog Major bites another victim after returning to White House

JOE BIDEN&#039;S dog Major has been involved in another biting incident following his return to the White House after training.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1417129/joe-biden-news-dog-major-another-bite-white-house-medical-attention-latest-ont

China commit ‘genocide’ against Uighurs: State Department report

US State Department report says &#039;genocide and crimes against humanity&#039; committed against Uighurs and others in Xinjiang.

source https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/30/china-genocide-uighurs-xinjiang-state-department-report-human-rights

Four Civilians to Fly SpaceX Earth Orbiting Mission

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Four non-astronauts were introduced to the public on Tuesday as the first all-civilian space crew selected to spend three days in Earth orbit this autumn. Businessman… The post Four Civilians to Fly SpaceX Earth Orbiting Mission appeared first on Avgeekery.com.

source https://www.avgeekery.com/four-civilians-to-fly-spacex-earth-orbiting-mission/

New Research Backs Rapid Testing for Safe and Efficient Restart of Air Travel

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged governments to accept best-in-class rapid antigen tests in fulfillment of COVID -19 testing requirements following the publication of new research by OXERA and Edge Health.  The OXERA-Edge Health report, commissioned by IATA, found that antigen tests are: Accurate: The best antigen tests provide broadly comparable results to PCR tests in accurately identifying infected travellers. The BinaxNOW antigen test, for example, misses just one positive case in 1000 travellers (based on an infection rate of 1% among travellers). And it has similarly comparable performance to PCR tests in levels of false negatives. Convenient: Processing times for antigen tests are 100 times faster than for PCR testing Cost-efficient: Antigen tests are, on average, 60% cheaper than PCR tests. “Restarting international aviation will energize the economic recovery from COVID-19. Along with vaccines, testing will play a critical role in giving governments the confidence to re-open their borders to travelers. For governments, the top priority is accuracy. But travellers will also need tests to be convenient and affordable. The OXERA-Edge Health report tells us that the best-in-class antigen tests can tick all these boxes. It’s important for governments to consider these findings as they make plans for a re-start,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. This story continues here Thank you for reading the Air101 news feed

source http://www.air101.co.uk/2021/03/new-research-backs-rapid-testing-for.html

Hospitals in Ecuador's capital overwhelmed by COVID-19, doctors say

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/hospitals-ecuadors-capital-overwhelmed-covid-19-infections-doctors-say

U.S. open to discussing wider nuclear deal road map if Iran wishes

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/us-open-discussing-wider-nuclear-deal-road-map-if-iran-wishes

'It wasn't right': Teen who filmed George Floyd's death confronts ex-policeman at trial

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/it-wasnt-right-teen-who-filmed-george-floyds-death-confronts-ex-policeman-trial

Honda recalls 761,000 vehicles worldwide to replace fuel pumps

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/honda-recalls-761000-vehicles-worldwide-replace-fuel-pumps

Monday, 29 March 2021

U.N. seeks $10 billion for Syrians as humanitarian needs soar

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/un-seeks-10-billion-syrians-humanitarian-needs-soar

India pushes ahead with coronavirus vaccination drive to head off new surge

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/india-pushes-ahead-coronavirus-vaccination-drive-head-new-surge

Trump rages at Covid experts who criticised him

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/trump-rages-covid-experts-who-criticised-him

George Floyd: Americans react to Day One of the Chauvin trial

A black political hopeful, a Minnesota resident and a retired officer share their thoughts.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-56546081

Photographing the "endless diversity" of America by streetlight

Photographer Daniel Freeman travelled across the US to capture striking night-time shots.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-56253450

How bees and drones team up to find landmines

Drones are being used to track bees that have been trained to sense chemicals in landmines.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56344609

N. Korea calls South's leader 'a parrot raised by America'

North Korea has called South Korea’s president “a parrot raised by America” as it resumes its trademark derisive rhetoric against its rivals

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/n-korea-calls-souths-leader-a-parrot-raised-by-america-south-korea-north-korea-america-seoul-kim-jong-un-b1824184.html

Minnesota attorney fined $10,000 for ‘bamboozling’ voters into suing Democrats over 2020 election

Susan Shogren Smith filed complaints against Democratic candidates including Ilhan Omar

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/susan-shogren-smith-2020-election-b1824050.html

Biden wants $4T infrastructure package approved over summer

President Joe Biden is set to unveil the first part of his sweeping $4 trillion infrastructure plan, aiming for passage over the summer

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/biden-wants-4t-infrastructure-package-approved-over-summer-joe-biden-white-house-congress-covid-washington-b1824173.html

Number of foreigners living in Germany hits 10 year low

Data shows more Americans and Chinese people left Germany than moved there in 2020

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-foreign-citizens-net-immigration-b1824171.html

Bolsonaro forced into Cabinet reshuffle, fires top diplomat

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has reshuffled his Cabinet amid intense pressure to sack his foreign relations minister, whose tenure has been characterized by an anti-globalism bent that made him a lightning rod for critics

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/bolsonaro-forced-into-cabinet-reshuffle-fires-top-diplomat-ernesto-arajo-jair-bolsonaro-cabinet-rio-de-janeiro-petrobras-b1824176.html

America’s second oldest polar bear dies after outliving average life span by 10 years

Little One was euthanised at age 31 with chronic health issues

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/polar-bear-little-one-cincinnati-b1824172.html

Trump will be president again in August, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell says in podcast rant

Businessman has been sued for $1.3bn by Dominion Voting Systems for wild allegations against the firm

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mike-lindell-trump-steve-bannon-podcast-b1824163.html

Attorneys Should Avoid Any ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Approach in Texas Winter Storm Claims

By Kenneth Artz and Mark Moore | March 17, 2021 | Law.com | Texas Lawyers Father John Szatkowski of St. Paul The Apostle Church sweeps water from a broken water line out of his church in Richardson, Texas, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. Father Szatkowski and his staff found the flooding as they prepared for Ash Wednesday services. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) The insurance industry is processing an unprecedented amount of claims following the brutal winter storm that slammed through most of Texas last month, says Bruce Wilkin, a partner in the Houston office of Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley &amp;amp; Norton LLP where he represents clients at both the trial and appellate level in commercial, energy, environmental, and first-party insurance disputes. “Several adjusters have equated this to a major hurricane hitting every major town in Texas on the same day,” Wilkin said. “As a result, insurers have likely adopted an “all hands on deck” approach to try and cover the onslaught of claims.” What this means for attorneys representing insurance and corporate clients is that they will have a significant impact upon the claims process, he predicted. “Due to the sheer number of claims, an attorney’s guidance may impact numerous claims as they appear to concern similar, if not identical, issues,” Wilkin said. “However, all claims professionals and attorneys know that every building and its response to damage-causing events is different, which makes every claim different.” “In mass casualty events like this, there is an inclination to attempt a one-size-fits-all approach, but that often proves difficult to see through, particularly in larger commercial losses,” he added. Attorneys should be thinking about both the big and small issues that their clients are addressing, he added. Coverage attorneys should be preparing to answer the unique coverage issues presented in these claims, says Wilkin. “It all depends on the policy’s wording, and most policies have specific provisions that address coverage (or lack thereof) for frozen pipe bursts, civil authority decisions, and electric and water service interruptions,” he explained. “Older piping has experienced greater failure rates than newer piping (ex: galvanized v. PVC), so policy provisions addressing corrosion, rust, etc. may be implicated.” “In addition, leading up to the freeze, many insureds were in the throes of a major business downturn due to COVID, which many jurisdictions have held is not covered, so a business interruption loss measurement from the freeze claims may need to consider the impact of COVID, as there may be a mix of covered and uncovered causes of the business interruption loss,” he added. Insurers and corporate clients will see the claims process play out over the next three to six months, public adjusters and policyholder lawyers engaged in the six to 12-month range, and then the slew of lawsuits will begin, predicts Wilkin. “If this is anything like Hurricane Ike, you’ll also see an onslaught of lawsuits filed near the two-year anniversary of when the freeze(s) began, so the state’s e-filing systems should get ready for Valentine’s Day 2023,” he said. Texas Counties Qualifying for FEMA Assistance (Updated 3/11/21) Per ALM Intelligence analyst Mark Moore: FEMA has added 18 Texas counties to the original list of 108 that qualify for assistance as previously published (new counties highlighted with a blue circle). As a recap, according to the FEMA site, “disaster assistance may include financial assistance for temporary lodging and home repairs, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.” Requests for federal assistance are to supplement insurance claims, which requestors must file with their carriers as soon as possible. Read full article at here. The post Attorneys Should Avoid Any ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Approach in Texas Winter Storm Claims appeared first on Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley &amp;amp; Norton, LLP.

source https://shackelford.law/news/attorneys-should-avoid-any-one-size-fits-all-approach-in-texas-winter-storm-claims/

South China Sea: Philippine fighter jets to start daily missions as Beijing tensions soar

PHILIPPINE fighter jets are set to begin daily flyby operations over a Chinese fleet of vessels that have moored near the Whitsun Reef, the Philippine Minister of Defence has announced, amid tensions between Manila and Beijing.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1416631/south-china-sea-news-philippines-china-fishing-vessels-jets-fly-over-latest-ont

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 29, 2021

  Al Jazeera: Who are the fighters launching attacks in northern Mozambique?  The latest attack in Cabo Delgado province kills dozens of civilians and forces thousands of Palma residents and IDPs to flee towards safety.  Fighters stormed the strategic town of Palma in northern Mozambique last week in a dramatic escalation of an armed campaign that has wreaked havoc in the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province since 2017.  The government on Sunday said “dozens of defenceless people” were killed in the coordinated raid that saw the attackers fire indiscriminately at people and buildings in the coastal town.  Among the victims were seven people caught in an ambush during an operation to evacuate them from a hotel where they had fled to in order to escape Wednesday’s attack.  Read more ....   Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 29, 2021  Why the Suez mishap is a foretaste of the new cold war stakes -- David Fickling, The Print  Suez Crisis Will Become Unstuck. The Real Security Crisis Will Remain -- Bloomberg  Where&#039;s the Asian NATO? -- Jack Detsch, Foreign Policy  Rare earth quandary: China has US by the throat -- Dave Makichuk, Asia Times  There Won’t Be Any ‘Reset’ With China -- Rachel Cheung and Benjamin Wilhelm, WPR  Very Important Developments Are Taking Place In China -- Michael Every, Rabobank  Iran–China strategic agreement could be a game-changer -- Amin Saikal, The Strategist  Why China Could Decide To Invade Taiwan, And Soon -- R. Jordan Prescott, 19FortyFive  What can Japan do in a Taiwan-China clash? -- Michael MaCarthur Bosack, Japan Times  With Huge Iran Deal, China Hopes Deep Pockets Further Boost Influence In Middle East -- Reid Standish, RFE  It Is Time for a Realistic Bargain With North Korea -- Eric Brewer and Sue Mi Terry, Foreign Affairs  Can Eritrea’s Afwerki hold on to power after the Tigray war? -- Abraham T Zere, Al Jazeera  OPEC’s Biggest Fear Is Becoming A Reality -- Irina Slav, OilPrice.com  WHO and China: a healthy relationship? -- AFP  What you need to know about the coronavirus right now -- Reuters

source http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2021/03/commentaries-analysis-and-editorials_29.html

كيف استخدم المتظاهرون الإنترنت لتنظيم صفوفهم وسط أحداث العنف في ميانمار؟

بعد أشهر من بدايته، انتشرت أنباء الانقلاب في ميانمار بشكل سريع. جيش البلاد، المعروف باسم تاتماداو، ألغى نتائج انتخابات عام 2020، واستولى على السلطة. منذ ذلك الوقت، كان الإنترنت في وسط الثورة المناهضة للانقلاب.

source https://arabic.cnn.com/world/video/2021/03/29/v103903-myanmar-protests-internet-facebook?cid=rss-feeds-world

مرتكب لجريمة جنسية.. مراهقة يخطفها والدها والشرطة تبحث

يُزعم أن لكزس غراي البالغة من العمر 14 عامًا قد اختطفها والدها غير الوصي عليها، جاستن غراي، بعد أن قالت السلطات إنه اعتدى على والدتها وطاردها بسكين، وفقًا لشرطة تكساس.

source https://arabic.cnn.com/world/video/2021/03/29/v103913-texas-teen-abducted-lexus-gray?cid=rss-feeds-world

توب 5.. نجاح تعويم السفينة الجانحة بقناة السويس.. وعودة جزئية للجماهير السعودية

من اعلان هيئة قناة السويس عن نجاح جهود تعويم السفينة الجانحة، وكشف خطة ما بعد تعويمها، وإعلان السعودية عن عودة الجماهير &quot;المحصنين&quot; إلى الملاعب وصولاً إلى اعلان عضو كنيست سابق بأن آخر ما تحتاجه إسرائيل هو انتخابات خامسة، إليكم ملخص يومي من CNN بالعربية بعناوين بعض أبرز القصص المتنوعة من الشرق الأوسط والعالم. هيئة قناة السويس تعلن نجاح جهود تعويم السفينة الجانحة وتوجهها للبحيرات أعلنت هيئة قناة السويس المصرية، عصر الاثنين، نجاح جهود تعويم سفينة الحاويات &quot;إيفرغيفين&quot;،...

source https://arabic.cnn.com/world/video/2021/03/29/v103919-top-5-world-news-290321?cid=rss-feeds-world

الصين ترد على الشركات التي عارضت العمل القسري في شينجيانغ

ردت الصين على العلامات التجارية الغربية، مثل H&amp;amp;M، بسبب مواقفها ضد العمل القسري في مناطق شينجيانغ الصينية، وهي مزاعم نفتها الصين.

source https://arabic.cnn.com/world/video/2021/03/29/v103921-china-hits-back-companies-speaking-out-against-forced-labor-in-xinjiang?cid=rss-feeds-world

Derek Chauvin trial: George Floyd 'slowly fading away' during police arrest

Witness tells of last moments of George Floyd&#039;s life at the trial of the officer accused of killing him.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-56572472

Uganda climate change: The people under threat from a melting glacier

A glacier in western Uganda is disappearing, endangering the traditions of those who live nearby.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-56526631

Prosecutors say deadly California stabbing was seen on Zoom

Prosecutors say a California man has been charged with stabbing his mother and uncle to death in an attack that the woman&#039;s co-workers witnessed on a Zoom call.

source https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/prosecutors-say-deadly-california-stabbing-was-seen-on-zoom-1.5367164

Sunday, 28 March 2021

South-west Sydney isn't letting children forget their native language

With over 500 students at two centres in Liverpool, Saturday language classes are offering children a chance to stay connected with their mother tongue. 

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-29/lost-but-not-forgotten-you-can-bring-back-your-native-tongue/100034184

Tasmania declares five local government areas in south-east Queensland as high risk

Premier Peter Gutwein says anyone travelling to Tasmania from five greater Brisbane local government areas won&#039;t be able to enter without quarantining for up to two weeks

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-29/queensland-local-government-areas-high-risk-tasmania-coronavirus/100035326

As Queensland's coronavirus cluster grows, here's the full list of contact tracing sites

As Greater Brisbane prepares for a three-day lockdown, Queensland Health is urging anyone who visited sites on this list to either immediately quarantine or get tested. 

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-29/queensland-coronavirus-full-list-contact-tracing-venues/100034846

Birx says COVID death toll in U.S. would have been mitigated with earlier action

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/birx-says-covid-death-toll-us-would-have-been-mitigated-earlier-action

Saudi Crown Prince discusses Green Initiative with Arab leaders

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-discusses-green-initiative-arab-leaders

Thousands flee to Thailand after Myanmar army's air strikes on villages: Activist group, media

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/thousands-flee-thailand-after-myanmar-armys-air-strikes-villages

Indonesia's Pertamina says five hurt in massive oil refinery fire

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/indonesias-pertamina-says-five-hurt-massive-oil-refinery-fire

Bangladesh violence spreads after Modi's visit, attacks on Hindu temples, train

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/bangladesh-violence-spreads-modis-visit-attacks-hindu-temples-train

Nomura flags potential significant loss at U.S. unit

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/nomura-flags-potential-significant-loss-us-unit

Five injured, hundreds evacuated after massive blaze at Indonesia oil refinery

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/five-injured-hundreds-evacuated-after-massive-blaze-indonesia-oil-refinery

Australian PM Morrison's approval rating falls to lowest in a year

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/australian-pm-morrisons-approval-rating-falls-lowest-year

Japan's Nexon says invested $874 million in Hasbro, Bandai Namco and Konami

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/japans-nexon-says-invested-874-million-hasbro-bandai-namco-and-konami

The Netflix show putting the spotlight on menopause

The new Netflix show Bombay Begums puts the spotlight on menopause, but why aren&#039;t we talking about it?

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-56523148

Joe Biden: U.S. working on Myanmar response after dozens killed

NEW CASTLE, Del. — President Biden said Sunday his administration is working on a U.S. response to the violence in Myanmar after security forces killed dozens, including children, in a weekend crackdown on protesters decrying a Feb. 1 military coup. “We’re working on that now,” Mr. Biden said while returning from ...

source https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/mar/28/joe-biden-us-working-myanmar-response-after-dozens/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

Live: Brisbane declared a hotspot as new restrictions see schools closed for three days

The Queensland government declares Brisbane a hotspot, with the city to go into lockdown this afternoon after four more cases of community transmission are detected. Follow live.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-29/covid-live-brisbane-lockdown-three-days-masks-mandatory/100034214

Greater Brisbane will go into a three-day lockdown after recording four cases of community transmission

Greater Brisbane will go into a three-day lockdown after recording 10 new cases of Coronavirus, four of which are community transmission.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-29/qld-coronavirus-outbreak-contact-tracing-lockdown/100034850

Government ministers resist calls for Andrew Laming to leave Parliament immediately

Senior government ministers are resisting calls for Liberal backbencher Andrew Laming to resign, after allegations aired by Channel 9 that he harassed and bullied women.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-29/government-ministers-resist-andrew-laming-resign-parliament/100034894

Doctors warn Paris hospital situation with COVID worse than after terror attacks

With infections soaring and hospitals increasingly running short of intensive-care beds, doctors have been stepping up the pressure for a full French lockdown.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-29/paris-doctors-warn-of-catastrophic-overload-of-covid-cases/100034930

Kamala Harris frustrated to be still ‘living out of suitcases’ after two months as VP while official residence renovated

The VP’s future home, One Observatory Circle, is a 9,000-plus square foot home built in 1893

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kamala-harris-vice-president-home-renovation-b1823671.html

Lindsey Graham demands Biden ‘apologise’ to border agents for allowing migrant children into US

Biden administration has said allowing unaccompanied children into the US is more ‘humane’ than making them stay in Mexico

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/lindsey-graham-biden-apology-southern-border-migrant-children-b1823688.html

In Myanmar, funerals become platforms for pro-democracy protests

The escalating violence - which took the lives of 114 people Saturday - prompted a U.N. human rights expert to accuse the Myanmar junta of “mass murder.”

source https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2021/0328/In-Myanmar-funerals-become-platforms-for-pro-democracy-protests?icid=rss

Vietnam Airlines Looks Closely At Commercial US Flights

Vietnam Airlines is looking closely at operating regularly scheduled flights to the United States. After operating several repatriation flights from cities in the US last year, the airline sees demand for additional preparation flights. Still, it now wants to look at running regularly scheduled commercial services. Vietnam Airlines wants to fly to the US using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Photo: Getty ImagesVietnam Airlines looks at US flights According to a report in VnExpress, Vietnam Airlines is looking at launching scheduled commercial operations from the United States. Primarily interested in serving Vietnamese citizens’ repatriation needs in the US, the airline is hoping the US government will allow the carrier to operate regularly scheduled flights. The Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines approved a plan to launch Boeing 787-operated flights to the United States. The goal is to maximize revenue by targeting repatriation passengers at a time when regularly scheduled international air services to Vietnam are at one of their lowest periods in recent history. Regularly scheduled nonstop flights between the US and Vietnam appeared imminent just before the start of the pandemic. Photo: Getty ImagesRepatriation flights brought Vietnam Airlines to the US Last year, as Vietnam shut down for international air travel, Vietnam Airlines got busy operating a host of repatriation flights. In fact, the airline’s repatriation missions brought it to US soil for the first time carrying passengers back to Vietnam. Vietnam Airlines flew from San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Houston. Using primarily Boeing 787-10 aircraft, the airline was focused on carrying as many people home as possible within the constraints of the number of repatriations it could run. Today is a historic day at #SFO as we welcomed the very first @VietnamAirlines passenger flight to the United States! This repatriation flight is being operated on one of Vietnam Airlines new Boeing 787-10 aircraft. SFO is proud to welcome this special flight! pic.twitter.com/eTd2xJTUU9 — San Francisco International Airport (SFO) (@flySFO) May 7, 2020 The issue with those Boeing 787-10-operated flights was that the carrier needed to stop en route to Vietnam due to the long distance between the US and Vietnam and the heavier load on the jets. The airline chose to make a stop in Anchorage on the way back to Vietnam. What could commercial flights look like? In 2019, Vietnam Airlines excitedly announced that it had received permission from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to operate flights to the US. The airline had the authorization to fly from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to US destinations, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, and Dallas. It also had the option to run onward travel to Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto. The airline could also serve the US via intermediate points like Taipei, Osaka, or Nagoya. The DOT gave the airline a fair bit of flexibility to routing its US flights. Vietnam Airlines has the planes with the range to fly nonstop to the US or via an intermediate point. Photo: Getty Images From those points, Vietnam Airlines could codeshare onwards with its SkyTeam partner, Delta Air Lines, providing some additional feed to make some US routes work. In addition to the Boeing 787-10, Vietnam Airlines also flies Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Those planes have the range to make nonstop flights to the US possible and are configured for long-haul international travel. In the past, the airline has flown those planes on routes from cities like Sydney. Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests! Possible early commercial flights could include operations from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco, Seattle, or Los Angeles. The West Coast is more likely to get flights to Asia nonstop. From these cities, Vietnam Airlines can target some connecting onward passengers and tap into the base of Vietnamese citizens who would fly nonstop to Vietnam. Vietnam Airlines also has Airbus A350 aircraft, but it appears the carrier has selected the Dreamliner to conduct US flights. Photo: Getty Images If Vietnam Airlines were to run these flights nonstop, it would have a monopoly on them. No carrier currently flies nonstop between the mainland US and Vietnam, but there has been plenty of interest from other carriers, including Bamboo Airways. For now, Vietnam Airlines is looking to gain approval from governments to run more nonstop flights from the US to Vietnam. A move that could have lasting positive impacts on air connectivity between the two countries, time will tell how Vietnam Airlines makes these flights work. Do you think Vietnam Airlines should fly nonstop between the US and Vietnam? Should such routes continue even after repatriation needs are fulfilled? Let us know in the comments!

source https://simpleflying.com/vietnam-commercial-us-flights/

Japan's MUFG, Sumitomo face climate votes at AGMs as activism grows

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/japans-biggest-banks-face-climate-votes-agms-activism-grows

Saturday, 27 March 2021

A stray dog kept stealing a stuffed unicorn from a Dollar General, so animal control bought it for him

A business in Kenansville, North Carolina, called animal control on Sisu, a large male stray dog, because of his repeated thievery. He had come to the store five times to steal the same stuffed unicorn.

source https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/a-stray-dog-kept-stealing-a-stuffed-unicorn-from-a-dollar-general-so-animal-control-bought-it-for-him-1.5365408

Kenya's Mike Sonko: The rise and fall of Nairobi's ex-governor

Mike Sonko was elected governor of Kenya&#039;s capital despite a criminal past - and now faces more legal woes.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-56269628

Myanmar coup: US 'horrified' by deadliest day since military takeover

International leaders condemn the military after Saturday&#039;s violence - the deadliest since the coup.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-56547381

'It's more solid than our own house': Canberra boy's obsession with Up inspires dad's cubby build

Upon seeing how much he liked the Disney film Up, seven-year-old Leo Fincher&#039;s dad, Scott, did what any devoted father would — spend thousands of hours, and dollars, recreating the film&#039;s iconic house in their backyard.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/father-builds-son-cubbyhouse-disney-house-pixar-up/100033818

‘Fertile ground’: Banned in the US and Europe, neo-Nazi groups set sights on Australia

Four neo-Nazi groups banned in Europe and North America are operating in Australia, it has been revealed, as police and terrorism experts warn of an increasing global threat posed by lone-wolf far-right extremists.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/banned-neo-nazi-groups-set-sights-on-australia/100030072

Earth is safe from a 340-metre asteroid for the next century, NASA says

NASA gives Earth the all-clear for the next century from a particularly menacing asteroid, Apophis, with the space agency removing it from its &quot;risk list.&quot;

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/earth-safe-from-apophis-asteroid-for-100-years-nasa/100033862

Sarah-Jane's homeless, angry and demanding answers. And she's not alone

Amid fears of a surge in homelessness when evictions resume this week, three tiers of government are dodging responsibility for the housing crisis.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/blame-game-on-housing-crisis/100019404

Andrew Laming to quit politics at next election

Deputy Liberal Leader Josh Frydenberg reveals Queensland backbencher Andrew Laming has decided to quit politics at the next election.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/andrew-laming-wont-contest-his-seat-next-election/100033900

Brisbane COVID cluster grows, but no lockdown for now

Queensland records one new case of community transmission, the latest in a growing COVID-19 cluster.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/covid-brisbane-queensland-community-transmission-lockdown/100021668

Australia has 19,000 public toilets and expert Katherine Webber says they could — and should — be so much better

Australia&#039;s tens of thousands public toilets are built and managed by councils and private-property owners, but there are calls for them to come under the control of a single government entity.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/public-toilet-guidelines-so-australia-can-improve-loo-management/100028866

Marijuana takes center stage in New Mexico special session

New Mexico lawmakers are embarking on an unusual legislative session that focuses on the legalization of recreational marijuana

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/marijuana-takes-center-stage-in-new-mexico-special-session-new-mexico-michelle-lujan-grisham-santa-fe-republicans-senate-b1823471.html

Suez Canal: Ever Given remains stuck for fifth day as more than 320 ships wait in queue

Efforts fail to free the 400m-long vessel at high tide on Saturday

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/suez-canal-ship-ever-given-b1823469.html

This country only has about 500 doctors for 9 million people. Now it's dealing with a Covid outbreak

Reva-Lou Reva is worried. For the first time he can remember, he says hospitals around the Pacific Island nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG) are so overburdened they are closing their doors to patients.

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/27/asia/papua-new-guinea-covid-outbreak-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

Police: 2 dead, 3 arrested in Virginia Beach shootings

Overnight shootings near the Atlantic oceanfront in Virginia Beach left two people dead and eight wounded in a scene described by authorities on Saturday as &#039;very chaotic.&#039;

source https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/police-2-dead-3-arrested-in-virginia-beach-shootings-1.5365105

Teen girls charged with murder, carjacking of Uber Eats driver in Washington, D.C.

Two teenage girls have been charged in the carjacking death of an Uber Eats driver this week in Washington, D.C., police say.

source https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/teen-girls-charged-with-murder-carjacking-of-uber-eats-driver-in-washington-d-c-1.5365324

One Person Can Make A Big Difference!

WNU Editor: The older I get the more I realize that we live in a very strange world.

source http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2021/03/one-person-can-make-big-difference.html

Miami Open: Angie stopped in Round 3

source https://patabook.com/posts/56666

Afghanistan's Abdullah Abdullah : "Taliban haven't observed their commitment"

In an interview with FRANCE 24&#039;s Marc Perelman, Afghanistan&#039;s Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah speaks about the upcoming peace talks with the Taliban to be held in Turkey in April. He expresses hope for &quot;significant progress&quot;.

source https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-interview/20210327-afghanistan-s-abdullah-abdullah-taliban-haven-t-observed-their-commitment

Kim Jong-un threat: North Korea to launch massive ballistic missile sub 'in near future'

A North Korean shipyard is ready to launch a deadly new ballistic missile submarine, US intelligence has reported.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1415872/north-korea-news-Km-Jong-un-threat-submarine-launch-nuclear-warhead-world-war-3

Alleged Ponzi operator Veronica Macpherson poised for return to business

A woman accused of running an alleged Ponzi scheme in Western Australia&#039;s Pilbara is poised to make a fresh start in business, vowing she has done nothing wrong.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/alleged-ponzi-operator-veronica-macpherson-poised-for-business/100017886

WA has a new pandemic playbook, and there's not a capsicum in sight

It used to be widely believed that state borders could not be closed because Western Australia grows 95 per cent of the country&#039;s capsicums — but that was before COVID-19 changed everything.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/wa-has-a-new-pandemic-playbook-to-combat-covid-19/100023916

Ogilvie switches teams, Southern mayor to run for Liberals

The Tasmanian Liberals are set to pin their election hopes on local councillors with a number of sitting members being preselected. Meanwhile, the ABC understands former Labor MP, turned independent, Madeleine Ogilvie will be on the ticket in Clark.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/tas-liberal-ticket-stacked-with-councillors/100033812

'They want help, I'm here': 86yo volunteer clocks up 7,000 hours helping kids learn to drive

Eight-six-year-old Ep Lammers has spent 7,000 hours and more than a decade teaching disadvantaged youth learn to drive and says he will not be slowing down any time soon.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-28/braking-the-cycle-driver-training-ep-lammers-volunteer-milestone/13187502

Friday, 26 March 2021

Turmeric, beans, chia seeds: Superfoods, their health benefits for weight loss, boosting immunity, and more, and how to add them to your diet

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/turmeric-beans-chia-seeds-superfoods-their-health-benefits-weight-loss-boosting-immunity-and

China’s richest man Zhong Shanshan tried journalism, farmed prawns and sold turtle pills before founding Nongfu Spring water

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/chinas-richest-man-zhong-shanshan-tried-journalism-farmed-prawns-and-sold-turtle-pills

Chevron eyes deal for Shell oil refinery in Pacific Northwest: sources

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/chevron-eyes-deal-shell-oil-refinery-pacific-northwest-sources

Live: Queensland Premier provides coronavirus update

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath and Chief Medical Officer Jeannette Young are holding a media conference a day after revealing a case of community transmitted COVID-19. Follow live.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-27/covid-live-updates-coronavirus-queensland-brisbane/100032776

Beverly Cleary, beloved children's book author, dies aged 104

Beverly Cleary, the celebrated children&#039;s author whose memories of her Oregon childhood have been shared with millions through the likes of Ramona and Beezus Quimby and Henry Huggins, dies aged 104.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-27/children-book-author-beverly-cleary-dies-at-104/100033078

Putin hits 'bullseye' with new hypersonic missiles capable of reaching US within minutes

VLADIMIR PUTIN has successfully tested his new deadly hypersonic missiles, which are capable of hitting targets in the US within minutes of being fired.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1415537/Putin-hits-bullseye-with-new-hypersonic-missiles-capable-of-reaching-US-within-minutes

Travel With LATAM Just Got Easier Thanks To TSA PreCheck

LATAM Airlines Group and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the incorporation of the carrier to TSA’s PreCheck Program. This will allow LATAM’s passengers to have a quicker security process throughout 200 US airports, said the airline in a statement. LATAM joined TSA’s PreCheck Program. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple FlyingWhat’s TSA’s PreCheck Program? The TSA PreCheck Program provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from US Airports. It’s one of many initiatives launched by the US government on this topic. Others are Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. For instance, Global Entry provides the TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs screening for international air travelers when entering the US. Each has a cost: US$85 for PreCheck and US$100 for Global Entry. “SA PreCheck is an expedited screening program that enables low-risk travelers to enjoy a smart and efficient screening experience at more than 200 U.S. airports,” said TSA in a statement. Over 80 airlines participate with TSA on the PreCheck Program. This includes the likes of Aeromexico, Avianca, Azul, Copa, Viva Aerobus, and of course, LATAM in Latin America. Passengers won’t be required to remove their shoes, belts, and light jackets. They can also carry their laptops and liquids without taking them out of their bags in the security areas, added the airline. TSA’s PreCheck allows for quicker and easier airport processes in the US. Photo: Getty Images.Who can use the TSA PreCheck? Only US citizens and legal residents in this country are allowed to file for a TSA PreCheck, according to LATAM. The permit has a cost of US$85 and lasts five years. Members of the other three programs are also eligible, said the carrier, as well as members of the US Force Air, Coast Guard, and National Guard. Last year, TSA expanded its list for PreCheck eligible passengers. Increasing the list immediately benefited nearly 3.5 million people, said TSA Executive Assistant Administrator for Operations Support Stacey Fitzmaurice. What changes now for LATAM customers? LATAM and TSA launched their agreement on March 24. Starting on that day, LATAM’s travelers that own membership with PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI can give their “Known Traveler Number” while making a reservation. Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests! The system will automatically create a boarding pass with an indicator which could be TSAPRECHK, TSA PRE, or TSA Pre✓®. Then, passengers will be able to go through exclusive lines and have a smoother, faster experience through US airports. The TSA PreCheck has over 10 million members. Photo: Getty ImagesA brief history of TSA’s PreCheck TSA launched the program in December 2013. Since it has had more than 400 enrollment centers in every corner of the United States. One year ago, TSA PreCheck reached a milestone with 10 million members. Between March 2019 and February 2020, TSA registered an 18% increase in new memberships compared to the year prior. David Pekoske, TSA Administrator, said, “The more individuals who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck, the more we can focus resources on individuals who more likely pose a risk to aviation security. It’s better security and a better experience for travelers.” Are you a member of TSA PreCheck or want to be? Let us know in the comments.

source https://simpleflying.com/latam-tsa-precheck/

Cunningham, who boosted Cards at bat and as exec, dies at 89

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Joe Cunningham, who got off to a smashing start with the St. Louis Cardinals and later became a minor league manager, major league coach, key figure in their front office and team ambassador, has died. He was 89. Popularly called as “Smokey” Joe, he died Thursday ...

source https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/mar/26/cunningham-who-boosted-cards-at-bat-and-as-exec-di/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

Van bursts into flames as driver fills petrol tank while using mobile phone

Flames courses around a vehicle at a Total petrol station in Cortazar, central Mexico this Monday after a driver tried to fill its tank while playing with his phone

source https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/van-bursts-flames-driver-fills-23804667

U.S. Intelligence And Military Officials Try To Convince The Biden Administration To Stay In Afghanistan

A US soldier uses the optic on his rifle to observe Afghans in the distance, near forward operating base Gamberi in Laghman province of Afghanistan [File: Lucas Jackson/Reuters]  New York Times: Officials Try to Sway Biden Using Intelligence on Potential for Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan  If U.S. troops leave before any deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government, the militant group will take over much of the country, an intelligence assessment predicted.  WASHINGTON — As President Biden signaled this week that he would let a May 1 deadline pass without withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan, some officials are using an intelligence assessment to argue for prolonging the military mission there.  American intelligence agencies have told the Biden administration that if U.S. troops leave before a power-sharing settlement is reached between the Taliban and the Afghan government, the country could fall largely under the control of the Taliban within two or three years after the withdrawal of international forces. That could potentially open the door for Al Qaeda to rebuild its strength within the country, according to American officials.  The classified assessment, first prepared last year for the Trump administration but not previously disclosed, is the latest in a series of grim predictions of Afghanistan’s future that intelligence analysts have delivered throughout the two-decade-long war.  But the intelligence has landed in a changed political environment. While President Donald J. Trump pushed for a withdrawal of all forces even before the terms of the peace deal required it, Mr. Biden has been more cautious, saying Thursday that he does not view May 1 as a deadline he must meet, although he also said he “could not picture” troops being in the country next year.  Read more ....  WNU editor: I do not think they will have to do much convincing. The Biden administration do not want to be remembered for losing Afghanistan to the Taliban. The prospect of the Taliban rolling back all the advances that women have made in Afghanistan will be enough to convince the Biden administration to not leave the country.   More News On U.S. Intelligence And Military Officials Trying To Convince The Biden Administration To Stay In Afghanistan  Top general: Afghan forces need US troops to fight Taliban -- The Hill  Top U.S. General: Afghan Army Could Not Survive on Its Own -- US News and World Report  Special Operations Command chief: Afghans need US troops to counter Taliban -- AP  Update: The Taliban are not going to accept this .... Biden wants to explore keeping U.S. counter-terrorism troops in Afghanistan: top lawmaker (Reuters). More here .... US ‘exploring keeping’ counterterrorism troops in Afghanistan (Al Jazeera).

source http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2021/03/us-intelligence-and-military-officials.html

The challenge facing Joe Biden at the border

Can the new president match his words on the campaign trail with action?

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-56540621

I've watched Baghdad descend into chaos. But it's the city where I feel most at home

I love Baghdad. It&#039;s the city where I feel most at home. I can&#039;t quite explain it, perhaps it&#039;s because it&#039;s the place whose people, whose story -- tragic as it is -- has had the most influence on who I am today.

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/26/middleeast/baghdad-iraq-war-go-there-intl/index.html

UN renews mandate of North Korea experts, asks missile probe

The U.N. Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of U.N. experts monitoring sanctions against North Korea hours after members met to discuss Pyongyang’s latest test firings of banned ballistic missiles

source https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/un-renews-mandate-of-north-korea-experts-asks-missile-probe/2021/03/26/b7a66952-8e74-11eb-a33e-da28941cb9ac_story.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_world

Mental Health Resources for Asian Americans

Mental Health Resources for Asian Americans For our Pan-Asian community members, we’ve put together a list of organizations providing mental health resources and connecting Asian people to culturally informed therapists. We’ve included some links to general wellness resources and online cultural communities as well. Below that, you’ll find a list of racial justice organizations committed to fighting hate and violence and uplifting and empowering Asian communities. We’ve also included crowdfunding campaigns that allow you to donate to directly support the victims and families of anti-Asian violence. Discrimination and violence against Asian communities are fueled by White supremacy. For our White readers, we’ve included a handful of resources, including bystander intervention trainings and education on the history and current state of systemic discrimination in the United States. Mental Health Resources by and for Asian Communities The Asian Mental Health Collective works to normalize and destigmatize conversations around mental health in Asian communities worldwide. It provides the Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American (APISAA) Therapist Directory as well as a list of local community organizations and a podcast, Mental Health Mukbang. The Asian Mental Health Project is an LA-based community organization focused on Asian American mental health and emotional well-being. Founder Carrie Zhang hosts weekly community check-ins over Zoom, where members can share candidly and hear from guest facilitators on anxiety management, intergenerational trauma, toxic masculinity, and more. The organization also hosts virtual wellness summits focused on the intersection of culture, social issues, and mental health. You can donate to the AMHP GoFundMe to support its online mental health services and resources. (It is currently filing for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.) Inclusive Therapists is a database that connects anyone seeking culturally sensitive care to therapists with training for racial trauma. It also has a specific directory for those looking for reduced-fee teletherapy. Project Lotus is a youth-led mental health nonprofit dismantling the model minority stereotype through culturally informed education and community empowerment. The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance is a federation of national and local LGBTQIA+ organizations serving Asian Americans. Their list of member organizations is a useful tool for those seeking support and community. Asian American Suicide Prevention &amp;amp; Education is an organization providing educational materials to address mental health stigma and suicidality in Asian American communities. Red Canary Song is a grassroots organization of Asian and migrant sex workers building labor rights frameworks and providing mutual aid with the goal of ending sex trafficking. Other Mental Wellness Resources Open is an online mindfulness studio providing yoga, meditation, and breathwork classes with leading teachers, including Mel Mah and cofounder Manoj Dias. It offers unlimited classes for $20 a month. Headspace offers on-demand mindful meditation, including classes on working with challenging emotions like anger, sadness, and loneliness. The series with Rachel Ricketts may feel particularly helpful: It focuses on racial injustice and grief. After a seven- or fourteen-day free trial, subscription fees are $12.99 a month or $69.99 a year. Student and group plans are also available. Organizations Celebrating Asian American Culture and Identity The Peahce Project is a student- and young-adult-led organization celebrating Asian American identity through visual art, writing, community interviews, and podcasting. Our Experience is an online platform for Asian Americans to share stories of cultural identity. Asian American Girl Club is an online community and brand for Pan-Asian girls and women. It works to overturn stereotypes and rewrite the narrative of what it means to be an Asian American woman. AAPI Women Lead is a progressive organization that aims to end racial and gender violence by increasing the visibility of Asian and Pacific Islander women and uplifting their stories, histories, and lived experiences. Direct Support to the Families of Victims of Racial Violence The number of families affected by racial violence is massive. There are funds set up to help families sustain themselves, hold funerals, and pursue legal action against the people responsible for killing their loved ones. Any list we provide would represent only a small fraction of these cases. Please consider contributing to the funds honoring the lives of Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Ae Yue, Xiaojie Tan, Soon Chung Park, Daoyou Feng, and many others, and research incidents of racial violence in your local community to find ways to support families close to home and dismantle the systems that made their murders possible. GoFundMe has created a hub of crowdfunding campaigns for those affected by violence against Asian communities, including those directly affected by the attacks in Atlanta. Anti-Racism Organizations, Education, and Trainings The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund is a civil rights group that provides legal resources for Asian American community organizations and leads legal and policy action against anti-Asian violence, police misconduct, and human trafficking. The Asian American Feminist Collective is a coalition for intersectional feminist politics rooted in Asian American communities. Hate Is a Virus is an anti-racism advocacy and mobilization group for AAPI justice and equality. Through its commUNITY Action Fund, it is fundraising for national and local organizations focused on mental health programming, elder protection, AAPI representation, and solidarity-building. Stop AAPI Hate is a coalition addressing AAPI hate crimes and anti-Asian rhetoric. It’s a platform for reporting hate incidents, disseminating safety information, and fundraising for anti-racism response networks, like Movement Hub. The Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit is the work of fifteen Asian American grassroots organizations that examines the structural roots of racism, capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism. The 300-page toolkit is free to download, and there are workbook modules designed for both group workshops and individual learning on topics such as the model minority stereotype, gender and patriarchy, and anti-Black racism. Hollaback! and Asian Americans Advancing Justice have partnered to offer free bystander intervention training and conflict de-escalation training. Join a session to learn strategies for intervening with racist and xenophobic harassment, both online and in real life.

source https://goop.com/wellness/environmental-health-civics/how-to-support-asian-american-community/

Tennessee's governor signs transgender athlete bill

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed a law banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/tennessees-governor-signs-transgender-athlete-bill-tennessee-nashville-republican-joe-biden-legislature-b1823249.html

Macron warns Moscow and Beijing are waging 'new type of world war' with Covid jabs

EMMANUEL Macron has warned that China and Russia are using Covid vaccines as a form of political influence, in what he described as a &quot;new type of world war.&quot;

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1415531/emmanuel-macron-russia-china-new-type-world-war-covid-vaccines-ont

Dennis Brown, CAL FIRE’s Senior Chief of Aviation, to retire

Dennis Brown, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Senior Chief of Aviation, has worked in wildland fire longer than most people in the agency have been alive. But he is about to move on. “We’re going to be advertising for a new Senior Chief of Aviation because I will be retiring April 30,” … The post Dennis Brown, CAL FIRE’s Senior Chief of Aviation, to retire appeared first on Fire Aviation.

source https://fireaviation.com/2021/03/26/dennis-brown-cal-fires-senior-chief-of-aviation-to-retire/

Chinese apps join celebs in backlash against Western fashion brands over Xinjiang

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/chinese-apps-join-celebs-backlash-against-western-fashion-brands-over-xinjiang

ViacomCBS, Discovery both fall 27%, leading media stock selloff

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/viacomcbs-discovery-both-fall-27-leading-media-stock-selloff

North Korea says Biden administration took wrong first step over latest missile test

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/north-korea-says-biden-administration-took-wrong-first-step-over-latest-missile-test

Efforts to refloat ship stranded in Suez Canal suspended till Saturday: sources

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/efforts-refloat-ship-stranded-suez-canal-suspended-till-saturday-sources

Germany Extends Its Military Mission In Afghanistan Until January 2022

US News and World Report/Reuters: Germany Extends Military Mission in Afghanistan Into 2022  BERLIN (REUTERS) - Germany paved the way for its troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond an April 30 deadline that the United States last year agreed with the Taliban for the withdrawal of U.S. forces after nearly two decades of war. Lawmakers approved late on Thursday a new mandate which allows the German military to keep up to 1,300 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO mission until Jan 31, 2022.  The current parliamentary mandate for the German operation expires at the end of March. The new U.S. government is still reviewing the 2020 agreement with the Taliban so it is not yet clear whether or for how long NATO troops will stay.  Read more ....  Update: Germany Extends Military Presence in Afghanistan into 2022 (TOLO News)  WNU editor: Good question .... Was Germany&#039;s military mission in Afghanistan worth it? (DW).

source http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2021/03/germany-extends-its-military-mission-in.html

Government cautious as it investigates desk masturbation video scandal

The federal government says it is proceeding with caution, as the alleged sexual exploits of a group of gay men in Parliament House in Canberra are investigated.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-27/parliament-house-federal-government-desk-masturbation-scandal/100032804

Thursday, 25 March 2021

World News Briefs -- March 25, 2021 (Night Edition)

  Reuters: Biden says China won&#039;t surpass U.S. as global leader on his watch  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday said he would prevent China from passing the United States to become the most powerful country in the world, vowing to invest heavily to ensure America prevails in the race between the world’s two largest economies.  Biden said he had spent “hours upon hours” with Xi Jinping when he served as vice president under former President Barack Obama, and was convinced the Chinese president believed autocracy - not democracy - held the key to the future.  Read more ....   MIDDLE EAST  Saudi-led coalition intercepts and destroys several Houthi drones launched at kingdom.  Saudi reports fire at oil terminal as Huthis escalate attacks.  Battle for Marib: Last city in north Yemen under gov’t control.  U.S. special envoy for Yemen traveling to Middle East.  Saudi official denies threat to harm UN Khashoggi investigator.  EU offers Turkey aid, trade help despite rights concerns.  Hundreds of Uyghurs protest Chinese minister&#039;s Turkey visit.  Half of Israelis fully vaccinated, Palestinians lag.  US offers funds to vaccinate Palestinians.   ASIA  Biden sees Afghan withdrawal this year but not by May deadline.  US ‘exploring keeping’ counterterrorism troops in Afghanistan.  Biden warns of &#039;responses&#039; if N.Korea &#039;choose to escalate&#039;.  US, UK sanction Myanmar junta companies as crackdown continues. India slows vital vaccine exports as cases soar.  Pakistan extends school closures amid third wave of coronavirus. Philippines deploys more navy ships to disputed sea amid row with China.  Bangladesh police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at anti-Modi protesters.  Tokyo Olympic torch relay begins 121-day journey across Japan.   AFRICA  Eleven killed in attacks in western Niger.  Mozambique soldiers &#039;pursuing&#039; insurgents in key town.  UN, African Union mission HQs targeted in Somali capital, 3 dead.  Ethiopia’s Tigray: Men forced to rape family members, UN reports. Libya urges foreign fighters to leave during European foreign ministers&#039; visit.  DR Congo probes police chief over murder of rights activist.  Blaze in Sierra Leone slum leaves over thousand homeless.  Egypt suspends traffic in Suez Canal as crews try to free grounded ship.  Suez Canal: Owner of cargo ship blocking waterway apologises. Extinction: Africa&#039;s elephants driven to the brink by poaching.   EUROPE  EU leaders grapple with surge of infections, vaccine issues.  No more vaccine exports until you fulfill your contracts, EU tells AstraZeneca.  EU says it will tighten COVID-19 vaccine rules to strengthen supply chains.  &#039;Wrong to lack ambition&#039;: Vaccine failures overshadow EU summit as Covid-19 surges.  Germany to require COVID tests on all flight arrivals.  UK extends emergency coronavirus powers by 6 months.  Hundreds arrested in Belarus ‘Freedom Day’ protest.  Police give all clear after evacuating area around Dutch parliament.  Alexei Navalny says he is being &#039;tortured&#039; in prison.  Modern Greek nation celebrates 200th birthday.   AMERICAS  Biden leaves door open for Senate changes to advance agenda.  Biden doubles vaccine pledge, says plans to run again.  Biden&#039;s new goal is 200 million COVID-19 vaccinations in first 100 days.  Thousands of Venezuelans flee to Colombia amid violence on border.  Brazil hits record 100,000 coronavirus cases in a day, piling pressure on Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro under pressure as Brazil COVID deaths top 300,000.  Canada&#039;s Supreme Court rules in favour of national carbon tax.  Aggressive Asian hornets gain foothold in Pacific Northwest.   TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR  Jihadi rebels hit town in north Mozambique near gas project.  Mozambique military launches offensive after ISIL attack.  Slow recovery in Syria&#039;s Baghouz two years after IS defeat. British militant whose death sentence for beheading journalist Daniel Pearl was quashed is freed from prison.   ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS  Asian stocks set to rise on firmer U.S. equities, vaccine hopes.  Bitcoin selloff takes a bite out of cryptocurrency’s biggest fund.  US lawmakers, tech CEOs clash over disinformation. MF warns of &#039;diverging recoveries&#039; post-pandemic.  Intel chief Pat Gelsinger: Too many chips made in Asia.

source http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2021/03/world-news-briefs-march-25-2021-night.html

Biden vows action on migrants as he defends border policy

The U.S. will take steps to more quickly move hundreds of migrant children and teens out of cramped detention facilities along the Southwest border, President Joe Biden said Thursday as he pushed back against suggestions that his administration’s policies are responsible for the rising number of people seeking to cross into the country

source https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/biden-vows-action-on-migrants-as-he-defends-border-policy/2021/03/25/219a3660-8dab-11eb-a33e-da28941cb9ac_story.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_world

NGOs: Venezuela military, Colombia rebels continue fighting

International monitoring groups say clashes that began over the weekend between Venezuela’s military and a Colombian armed group in a community along the nations’ shared border have continued

source https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/ngos-venezuela-military-colombia-rebels-continue-fighting/2021/03/25/a1313d1a-8dbf-11eb-a33e-da28941cb9ac_story.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_world

North Korea says latest launch tested new ‘tactical guided projectile’

North Korea has tested a new “tactical guided projectile” with a solid-fuel engine, state media said Friday after the nuclear-armed country carried out its first substantive provocation since US President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

source https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20210325-north-korea-says-latest-launch-tested-new-tactical-guided-projectile

EU turns up heat on Astrazeneca as new COVID-19 wave surges

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/vaccine-failings-cast-shadow-over-eu-summit-third-wave-surges

Canada calling? Hong Kong residents shift billions abroad after clampdown

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/canada-calling-hong-kong-residents-shift-billions-abroad-after-clampdown

Asian stocks set to rise on firmer U.S. equities, vaccine hopes

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/asian-stocks-set-rise-firmer-us-equities-vaccine-hopes

Biden says China will not surpass US as global leader on his watch

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/biden-says-china-will-not-surpass-us-global-leader-on-his-watch

Judge questions police witness’s refusal to testify in Huawei CFO extradition case

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/judge-questions-police-witnesss-refusal-testify-huawei-cfo-extradition-case

Australians take stock of flood damages as clean up efforts accelerate

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/australians-take-stock-flood-damages-clean-efforts-accelerate

Pfizer, BioNTech launch Covid-19 vaccine trial in kids under 12

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-trial-kids-under-12

EU turns up the heat on AstraZeneca - and warns company must honour its vaccine contract

EU leaders have told AstraZeneca that it must &quot;catch up&quot; on vaccine deliveries in Europe before it is allowed to export jabs to other countries.

source http://news.sky.com/story/astrazeneca-told-to-catch-up-on-vaccine-deliveries-to-eu-before-exporting-jabs-elsewhere-12256933

China sanctions UK entities, individuals over Xinjiang 'lies'

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/china-sanctions-uk-entities-individuals-over-xinjiang-lies

‘Lives lost’ as tornadoes sweep Alabama

Deaths and property destruction are reported as the powerful storm batters the southern US state.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-56531858

China tells countries to stop accepting special British passport from Hong Kong

The Hong Kong government confirms a Reuters report that it had told 14 countries to stop accepting a British travel document from Hong Kong.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-26/china-says-stop-accepting-british-passport-from-hong-kong/100030054

Concerned about COVID-19 misinformation? We'd like to hear from you

Have you seen or heard misinformation about COVID-19 in your community? We&#039;d like to hear from you and we may pass your response to our journalists to investigate.

source https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-26/coronavirus-covid-misinformation-cald-form/100030350

Donald Trump ‘betrayed’ Iran leaving Biden with mounting tensions – ‘A stab in the back!’

DONALD TRUMP &quot;left a deep sense of betrayal&quot; in Iran after withdrawing from the nuclear deal during his time at the White House, according to an expert.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1414523/Donald-trump-news-iran-joe-biden-nuclear-deal-tensions-election-middle-east-latest-ont

Biden threatens North Korea as photos show Kim Jong-un’s missile launch

During his first White House press conference as President Joe Biden warned North Korea would face retaliation if it escalated tensions with the US

source https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/joe-biden-threatens-north-korea-23797972

EU warns AstraZeneca to honour vaccine contract before exporting jabs elsewhere

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said AstraZeneca must honour its contract with the EU before exporting vaccines out of the bloc, in a move which could have big ramifications for the UK&#039;s vaccine supply

source https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-eu-demands-astrazeneca-honour-23798073

Big Tech branded smug and untouchable: everything you need to know about the Congressional hearing

Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai and Jack Dorsey defend platforms from claims of misinformation

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/congress-tech-facebook-twitter-google-b1822635.html

Washington state exploring ways to increase access to firefighting aircraft

Washington’s Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz has been outspoken recently about the need for her state to have adequate resources to prevent and suppress wildland fires. She is supporting a bill before the Legislature that would appropriate $125 million over the next two years and create long-term, dedicated funding for wildfire response, forest restoration, … The post Washington state exploring ways to increase access to firefighting aircraft appeared first on Fire Aviation.

source https://fireaviation.com/2021/03/25/washington-state-exploring-ways-to-increase-access-to-firefighting-aircraft/

Greensill Capital files for bankruptcy protection in New York

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/greensill-capital-files-bankruptcy-protection-new-york

EU leaders make good on trade promises with Turkey, but threaten sanctions

source https://www.todayonline.com/world/eu-leaders-make-good-trade-promises-turkey-threaten-sanctions

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Fox News under fire for wrongly saying Kamala Harris broke precedent by not saluting military

‘It would be incorrect for her to salute anyone,’ professor at the US Naval War College says

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/fox-news-kamala-harris-protocol-military-salute-b1821966.html

Most of GameStop board will leave in summer after rollercoaster year

The new board will be led by Ryan Cohen, founder of online pet food company Chewy.

source https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/gamestop-board-members-reddit-b1822040.html

The Olympic flame starts its final leg to Tokyo. Some suggest this day should never have come

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/24/sport/japan-olympics-fukushima-torch-relay-covid-hnk-intl-dst/index.html

Marine F-35B Damaged When Ammunition Round Exploded As It Left The GAU-22 Gun Pod Under The Fuselage

The F-35B was damaged by the explosion of the ammunition round leaving the aircraft’s GAU-22 gun pod during a nighttime mission out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona. An F-35B with VMX-1, the U.S. [...] The post Marine F-35B Damaged When Ammunition Round Exploded As It Left The GAU-22 Gun Pod Under The Fuselage appeared first on The Aviationist.

source https://theaviationist.com/2021/03/24/marine-f-35b-damaged-when-ammunition-round-exploded-as-it-left-the-gau-22-gun-pod-under-the-fuselage/

'My father, the killer'

Some of the children of men who helped to &quot;disappear&quot; thousands of Argentines in the 1970s and 80s are now speaking out - against their fathers.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-51379981

Tigray conflict: The fake UN diplomat and other misleading stories

An information war has been raging over the Tigray conflict with both sides sharing misleading claims.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/56456535

'I have learned how to survive with a bow and arrow'

The Covid pandemic and last summer&#039;s social unrest has inspired more Americans to take up hunting.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56495443

Nagorno-Karabakh: The mystery of the missing church

The BBC investigates the disappearance of an Armenian church that changed hands in the recent Nagorno-Karabakh war.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56517835

Somalia photography: 'I want it to be normal for women to take photos'

A photography exhibition in Somalia by two women challenges the way the country is seen.

source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-56485037

South China Sea: War fears surge as US admiral says Taiwan invasion 'closer' than thought

CHINA is said to consider taking control of Taiwan its &quot;No1 priority&quot;, according to a US admiral who flagged fears of war in the South China Sea.

source https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1414513/South-China-Sea-news-Taiwan-invasion-closer-USA-war-xi-jinping-joe-biden-territory-ont

Thousands flee to Colombia after clashes on Venezuela border

BUCARAMANGA, Colombia (AP) - Thousands of Venezuelans are seeking shelter in Colombia this week following clashes between Venezuela’s military and a Colombian armed group in a community along the nations&#039; shared border. The Colombian government on Wednesday said 3,100 people have moved from Venezuela to Colombia since Sunday in search ...

source https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/mar/24/thousands-flee-to-colombia-after-clashes-on-venezu/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

Editorial Roundup: US

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: ___ March 24 The Albuquerque Journal on President Joe Biden&#039;s immigration policy: The Biden administration says it’s not a “crisis” along our southern border. And the president insists he hasn’t sent a signal that if you get here you ...

source https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/mar/24/editorial-roundup-us/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

Seoul: North Korea fires projectile into sea

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea’s military says North Korea has fired at least one unidentified projectile into its eastern waters. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday didn’t immediately provide further details about the launch. The launch came a day after U.S. and South Korean officials ...

source https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/mar/24/seoul-north-korea-fires-projectile-into-sea/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

Top U.S. Admiral: Possibility China Tries To Invade Taiwan 'Closer To Us Than Most Think'

In this file photo US Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Vice Admiral John Aquilino speaks about the results of an investigation into a January incident where Iranian forces detained 10 US Navy personnel, during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, June 30, 2016. (AFP/Saul Loeb)  CNN: Chinese threat to Taiwan &#039;closer to us than most think,&#039; top US admiral says  Hong Kong (CNN)China is quickly amassing weapons and systems to militarily overwhelm Taiwan, an action it could be poised to take within the next six years, the admiral chosen to be the next commander of US forces in the Pacific warned Tuesday. &quot;My opinion is this problem is much closer to us than most think,&quot; Adm. John Aquilino said before the Senate Armed Services Committee, which was reviewing his nomination to lead the US military&#039;s Indo-Pacific Command. China considers establishing full control over Taiwan to be its &quot;number one priority,&quot; added Aquilino.  Read more ....   More News On Top U.S. Admiral Saying The Possibility That China Tries To Invade Taiwan Is &#039;Closer To Us Than Most Think&#039;  Defense of Taiwan Vital to Regional, National Security, Admiral Says -- US Department of Defense  Military Takeover of Taiwan Is Top Concern for INDOPACOM Nominee Aquilino -- USNI News  Top admiral: Possibility China tries to invade Taiwan &#039;closer to us than most think&#039; -- The Hill  China threat to invade Taiwan is &#039;closer than most think&#039;, says US admiral -- The Guardian/AFP  The Navy doesn&#039;t need another aircraft carrier right now, admiral nominated to lead Pacific operations says -- Business Insider  Chinese invasion of Taiwan &#039;closer than most think&#039;: US admiral -- Taiwan News

source http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2021/03/top-us-admiral-possibility-china-tries.html