Israeli developed COVID-19 breath test could be used by public – The Jerusalem Post

The efficacy of the COVID-19 breath analyzer testing device, which is comprised of a nanomaterial-based sensor array, was successfully validated in March 2020 by a preliminary case-control clinical study in Wuhan, China. The study included 49 confirmed COVID-19 patients, 58 healthy controls and 33 non-COVID lung infection controls. COVID-19 patients were sampled twice: during the active disease and after the recovery. Analysis of the results of the test showed great discrimination between the different groups.

The test could significantly reduce transmission of COVID-19 in public spaces, reduce the burden on number of unneeded confirmatory tests and lower the burden on the hospitals, and has the potential to be used in future outbreaks of new diseases in the future.

Source: Israeli developed COVID-19 breath test could be used by public – The Jerusalem Post

Susan Collins helped cripple the USPS: Now Maine farmers are getting dead baby chicks in the mail | Salon.com

Maine farmers have blamed recent changes at the U.S. Postal Service after receiving thousands of dead baby chicks due to shipping delays. The state’s postal workers blamed the slowdown on a bill championed by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, that “weakened the Postal Service” — and faces a tough re-election battle this fall.

At least 4,800 chicks shipped to Maine farmers through the USPS have arrived dead in recent weeks, the Portland Press Herald reported.

Source: Susan Collins helped cripple the USPS: Now Maine farmers are getting dead baby chicks in the mail | Salon.com

Alexei Navalny poisoning live updates: German doctors say patient is fit to fly | News | DW | 21.08.2020

The German medical team has gained access to Navalny and ascertained he is fit enough to be airlifted Berlin, despite comments to the contrary from Russian doctors. Follow DW for the latest updates.

Source: Alexei Navalny poisoning live updates: German doctors say patient is fit to fly | News | DW | 21.08.2020

North Carolina, Arizona Republican parties are encouraging their voters to cast ballots by mail

The Republican parties in a trio of battleground states have sent mailings to registered GOP voters encouraging them to cast absentee ballots for November’s general election.

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The Republican parties in a trio of battleground states have sent mailings to registered GOP voters encouraging them to cast absentee ballots for November’s general election.Republican voters in Arizona, North Caro…

A Texas chaplain prayed with his patients, until coronavirus came for him | The Texas Tribune

Alvarado with one of his grandchildren, Judah.

The hospital where he had previously ministered to terminally ill patients was full when Adolfo Alvarado Jr. neared death in his Mission home. He was finally admitted, and his daughter watched on her laptop as he died.

Source: A Texas chaplain prayed with his patients, until coronavirus came for him | The Texas Tribune

Stars Join Lebanese Fashion Designer Zuhair Murad in the Launch of a Limited Edition Iconic #RiseFromTheAshes T-Shirt for Beirut Relief – Look to the Stars

Sofia Vergara Wears RiseFromTheAshes T-shirt

One hundred percent of the net proceeds will go towards responding to on ground humanitarian needs for the people of Beirut during this horrific time. This cause is very close to Zuhair’s heart as Lebanon is not only his home but a true inspiration for his creativity. This is the moment, he believes, that from this tragedy, Lebanon has to #RiseFromTheAshes.

Source: Stars Join Lebanese Fashion Designer Zuhair Murad in the Launch of a Limited Edition Iconic #RiseFromTheAshes T-Shirt for Beirut Relief – Look to the Stars

Open Thread | The Democratic Party Convention is Over: Do You Have A Voting Plan? — 3CHICSPOLITICO

The adorableness😍😍😍🤗🤗 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸#DemConvention pic.twitter.com/WY5NmDgfR1 — 2020 #DemConvention 🇺🇸 (@DemConvention) August 21, 2020 Well, the Democratic Convention is over. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the team that we need to be in the White House come January 2021. Now, it’s time for us to do the work. We must vote. I don’t care how you […]

Open Thread | The Democratic Party Convention is Over: Do You Have A Voting Plan? — 3CHICSPOLITICO

‘Each day we learn about a new loss’: artists unite in blast-hit Beirut

Lebanon’s performers rally to fundraise and tell stories of survival in country devastated by disaster

The deadly explosion in Beirut on 4 August was likened to 15 years of war in 15 seconds by Lebanon’s ambassador to the UN, Amal Mudallali.

“It’s been hell,” says Sahar Assaf, an actor, director and professor of theatre at the American University of Beirut. “We’re still in disbelief and trying to fathom what happened. Each day we learn about a new loss, a new story.” Assaf is working to support artists through the crisis. “It feels like time stopped at the moment of the explosion. It’s devastating to witness all the destruction.”

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Lebanon’s performers rally to fundraise and tell stories of survival in country devastated by disaster

The deadly explosion in Beirut on 4 August was likened to 15 years of war in 15 seconds by Lebanon’s ambassador to the UN, Amal Mudallali.

“It’s been hell,” says Sahar Assaf, an actor, director and professor of theatre at the American University of Beirut. “We’re still in disbelief and trying to fathom what happened. Each day we learn about a new loss, a new story.” Assaf is working to support artists through the crisis. “It feels like time stopped at the moment of the explosion. It’s devastating to witness all the destruction.”

Continue reading…

MPs threaten to sue Boris Johnson unless he acts over Russian meddling in UK polls

A cross-party group of MPs is threatening to sue Boris Johnson unless he orders an independent investigation into Russian interference in recent UK elections and the 2016 Brexit vote.

The MPs say the government’s refusal to investigate Kremlin meddling is a breach of the European convention on human rights, which enshrines the right to free elections in article 3.

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Cross-party group to take legal action if PM fails to order independent investigation

A cross-party group of MPs is threatening to sue Boris Johnson unless he orders an independent investigation into Russian interference in recent UK elections and the 2016 Brexit vote.

The MPs say the government’s refusal to investigate Kremlin meddling is a breach of the European convention on human rights, which enshrines the right to free elections in article 3.

Continue reading…

Trudeau, Ford to unveil deal Friday to produce N95 masks at 3M plant in Brockville, Ont.

USA would do well to follow Canada’s lead: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will join Ontario Premier Doug Ford Friday to announce a deal aimed at ensuring Canada is never again at the mercy of unreliable foreign suppliers of personal protective equipment during a pandemic.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will join Ontario Premier Doug Ford Friday to announce a deal aimed at ensuring Canada is never again at the mercy of unreliable foreign suppliers of personal protective equipment during a pandemic.