All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Border crisis: What’s pushing migrants to the U.S. border – The Washington Post

So far this year, more unaccompanied minors processed by immigration agents are from Guatemala than any other country. Analysts and U.S. officials refer obliquely to “poverty” as an underlying cause of that influx. But often the reason is far more specific: hunger. Source: Border crisis: What’s pushing migrants to the U.S. border – The Washington Post

Pfizer vaccine has 91% efficacy for up to six months, trial shows | Coronavirus | The Guardian

The findings are the first to demonstrate that the vaccine remains effective for many months, an outcome that doctors and scientists had desperately hoped for because it suggests that people being vaccinated now should be protected at least until the autumn when boosters may be ready. Source: Pfizer vaccine has 91% efficacy for up to six months, trial shows | Coronavirus | The Guardian

Montana governor signs bill banning sanctuary cities | TheHill (Me: GOP grabs all power from local government for elitist government)- 

The Montana law will require cities to cooperate with federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, and gives the state’s attorney general, also a Republican, the power to pursue civil action against jurisdictions that refuse.

The state could now legally withhold grants and other funding to cities and towns that do not comply with the state government’s new mandate, the newspaper reported.

Source: Montana governor signs bill banning sanctuary cities | TheHill

Afghan officials say gunmen kill policewoman on way to work – The Washington Post (Me: Kind of obvious Taliban would imprison women again in men-only society)

Afghan officials say attackers have gunned down a policewoman in eastern Afghanistan as she was headed to work, the latest targeted killing in the war-torn country

Source: Afghan officials say gunmen kill policewoman on way to work – The Washington Post

Japan designates Osaka, Hyogo, Miyagi for tougher COVID-19 steps

The Japanese government on Thursday designated Osaka, Hyogo and Miyagi prefectures for stronger measures against COVID-19 amid a sharp resurgence in infections.

The steps, including fines for eateries that ignore mandates to shorten operating hours, will be effective from April 5 for one month.

People wearing face masks walk on a shopping street in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on April 1, 2021. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

“These measures are necessary to stop the coronavirus from spreading and prevent the need for another state of emergency,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

The designation comes as Osaka reported 616 new infections on Thursday, the most in more than two months and exceeding Tokyo’s 475 cases, and with less than four months until the capital hosts the Summer Olympics.

Source: Japan designates Osaka, Hyogo, Miyagi for tougher COVID-19 steps

Myanmar opposition declares Constitution “dead,” announces new one

Anti-coup protesters returned to the streets across Myanmar on Thursday, with some burning copies of the 2008 Constitution that guarantees the military’s role in politics, a day after pro-democracy forces announced a provisional charter in its place.

The opposition group called the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, or CRPH, which consists mostly of members of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy and fashions itself as a provisional government, also announced the rescinding of the 2008 Constitution.

Source: Myanmar opposition declares Constitution “dead,” announces new one