Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

Spring ready to be sprung — Roadtirement

We’ve been having some warmer days, and that coupled with the calendar has resulted in some of the bulb sprouts making their appearance in our flower and herb garden. Won’t be long until the blooms will be out in all their beauty. It’s about time to be over this winter thing and move on to […]

Spring ready to be sprung — Roadtirement

US lifts Trump sanctions on International Criminal Court officials | News | DW | 03.04.2021

President Joe Biden has repealed sanctions on top officials of the Hague-based court imposed by Donald Trump. The move is in line with bringing the US back into the multilateral fold under the new administration. Source: US lifts Trump sanctions on International Criminal Court officials | News | DW | 03.04.2021

RiP – Abdul Aziz Said, American U. professor of international relations, dies at 90 – The Washington Post

He established the Center for Global Peace in 1995 as part of AU’s School of International Service.

In 1939, Dr. Said was 9, living in a village in northeastern Syria as the country struggled against French occupation. One day, he was playing soccer when a boy told him that his little brother was hurt. Dr. Said followed the boy to where 3-year-old Riyad was lying bleeding in the street. He had been fatally struck by a French military truck. Decades later, Dr. Said would often tell his students, he could still remember the taste of his brother’s blood in his mouth as he carried the body home.

Source: Abdul Aziz Said, American U. professor of international relations, dies at 90 – The Washington Post

Live animal markets should be closed to prevent the next pandemic | New Europe

The exact origin of the coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, which started the COVID-19 pandemic, is still unclear. Early reports suggested that the virus jumped from an animal to a human at Wuhan’s Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, a “wet market” that sells live animals. Today, the international team of scientists assembled by the World Health Organization published their report of their recent visit to Wuhan to investigate the source of the virus and confirmed the “zoonotic source of SARS-CoV-2.”

“Evidence from surveys and targeted studies so far have shown that the coronaviruses most highly related to SARS-CoV-2 are found in bats and pangolins, suggesting that these mammals may be the reservoir of the virus that causes COVID-19,” the WHO report states. “In addition to these findings, the high susceptibility of mink and cats to SARS-CoV- 2 suggests that additional species of animals may act as a potential reservoir. … Several samples from patients with exposure to the Huanan market had identical virus genomes, suggesting that they may have been part of a cluster.”

Source: Live animal markets should be closed to prevent the next pandemic | New Europe

GOP lawmaker to offer bill revoking MLB’s antitrust exception | TheHill (Me: GOP displays height and depth of pettiness in one bill- American for voter freedom under attack in Georgia)

Duncan, shortly after MLB unveiled its decision Friday afternoon, tweeted, “In light of @MLB’s stance to undermine election integrity laws, I have instructed my staff to begin drafting legislation to remove Major League Baseball’s federal antitrust exception.”

Source: GOP lawmaker to offer bill revoking MLB’s antitrust exception | TheHill

Tokyo Diving World Cup cancelled because of poor Covid-19 precautions – BBC Sport

Jack Laugher

In a letter seen by the BBC, Fina also criticises the Japanese government which, in its opinion, “did not take all the necessary measures to ensure successful and fair” competition.

The event was scheduled to run from 18-23 April, and was due to be the final Olympic qualifier and an official test event for the postponed Tokyo Games.

“Fina sincerely regrets this situation,” read the letter. “Despite all best efforts and understanding from Fina, the Executive was obliged to take this drastic decision.”

Fina informed national federations by email on Thursday after receiving what it describes as “worrying” information about the organiser’s proposed Covid-19 strategy, through its taskforce.

“In their view, this plan will not properly ensure health and protection guarantees to participants,” continued the letter. 

Source: Tokyo Diving World Cup cancelled because of poor Covid-19 precautions – BBC Sport

Biden affirms support for Ukraine in first call to leader – The Washington Post

Biden in his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy affirmed “unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression,” according to a statement from the White House. Source: Biden affirms support for Ukraine in first call to leader – The Washington Post

Chinese troops converging in border town facing Myanmar, report says – UPI.com

It is unclear how much damage was incurred during the destruction of Chinese-supported factories in Hlaingthaya township, on the outer edges of Yangon. Chinese state tabloid Global Times previously reported the incident led to $37 million in losses. Chinese state media reported angry mobs with crowbars, axes and gasoline set fire to 32 Chinese-backed factories.

Unconfirmed reports on social media indicate Chinese factories were not the only targets. A Chinese-owned hotel and several restaurants in the area were also destroyed during last month’s riots.

China has offered a muted response to the coup. The policy has factored into rising anti-Chinese sentiment in Myanmar. Critics of Chinese investments also have said Myanmar’s factory workers are paid a pittance and live in crowded dormitories while being employed at Chinese firms, according to the Post.

Source: Chinese troops converging in border town facing Myanmar, report says – UPI.com

Police officer overtakes athlete as top profession for Japan boys

Police officer has overtaken athlete as the most popular profession among new elementary school boys in Japan, while baker and cake shop owner maintained the top spot for girls, an annual survey showed Friday. It marks the first time ever the top pick for boys has changed since the survey by Kuraray Co., a supplier of synthetic leather used to make school backpacks, began in 1999. Police officer accounted for 17.2 percent of boys’ votes, surpassing 13.0 percent for athlete, while baker and cake shop owner, chosen by 26.7 percent of new elementary school girls, held the top spot for the 23rd year in a row. For girls, police officer moved up three spots to sixth, with a Kuraray spokesperson attributing the profession’s growing popularity, regardless of gender, to the influence of anime and other media.

Source: Police officer overtakes athlete as top profession for Japan boys