Category Archives: News to use

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

Ethiopia: EU reacts upon atrocities reports

AFRICA DIPLOMATIC

Brussels, 13.11.2020 The European Union diplomacy has been “extremely vocal” about the events in Ethiopia, Tigray region, the spokesperson said, while reacting upon the Amnesty International reports on hostilities there. The EU diplomacy have been following the situation closely, and both the High Representative Josep Borrell, and Janez Lenarčič, the Commissioner on Crisis management, have expressed deep concern about the situation there, she added.

Ethnically targeted measures, hate speech and allegations of atrocities occurring in Ethiopia are deeply worrying. The demonisation of ethnic groups is a vicious and lethal cycle from which Ethiopia must be spared” the statement of Borrell and Lenarčič reads.

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Trumpists boost Rally of White Nationalists, Proud Boys, and Boogaloo Militias in DC – The Free

A far-Right and pro-Trump rally being organized and promoted by white nationalists, Proud Boys, and militia groups is also finding support from pundits on Fox News and even within the Trump administration.The “Millions MAGA March,” also known as “Stop the Steal,” is being called for this Saturday in Washington DC.

Source: Trumpists boost Rally of White Nationalists, Proud Boys, and Boogaloo Militias in DC – The Free

Governor Dunleavy Urges Alaskans to Take Immediate Action to Slow COVID-19 – Mike Dunleavy

The rapid spread of COVID-19 cases across Alaska, especially among health care workers and other essential first responders, is placing the state’s emergency response and health care systems at urgent risk. Today Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy urged Alaskans to take immediate action to combat the virus as the state remains in the red zone, indicating 101 or more new cases per 100,000 population. By 10:00 am this morning, most Alaskans will receive an official State of Alaska emergency SMS text message stating COVID-19 cases are escalating and directing individuals to a video of the governor calling on Alaskans to work together to reduce infections over the next three weeks. Mass production of vaccines is expected at the end of November, and will continue into December and January. “My job as governor is not to tell you how to live your life. My job is to ensure the security and safety of Alaska. I can’t do that without your help,” said Governor Dunleavy in his video address. “I’m asking you to reach deep for the next three weeks. If we can buy time for our critical workers – if we can keep our systems operational – we can avoid being forced to take further action. But if we cannot

Source: Governor Dunleavy Urges Alaskans to Take Immediate Action to Slow COVID-19 – Mike Dunleavy

NCDHHS: North Carolina Rural Communities Seeing Rapid Growth in COVID-19 Cases

Nearly twice as many new cases have been reported from rural counties compared to urban or suburban counties. The majority of cases in rural counties are increasingly white, non-Hispanic as compared with previous months.  COVID-19 related deaths in rural counties also increased significantly, and account for the majority of deaths statewide compared with deaths in urban and suburban counties.  Among deaths in rural counties, deaths among white, non-Hispanic and Black/African American cases have increased over time. The majority of COVID-19 cases in rural communities are in people 49 years and younger. The increase is being driven by community spread, not congregate living settings like nursing homes or jails.

Source: NCDHHS: North Carolina Rural Communities Seeing Rapid Growth in COVID-19 Cases

Governor Lamont Announces Launch of COVID Alert CT, the Exposure Notification App in Connecticut

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut has launched its official COVID-19 exposure notification app, COVID Alert CT. The app, available for Apple and Android mobile devices, informs users if they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 – all without sharing any personal information. Source: Governor Lamont Announces Launch of COVID Alert CT, the Exposure Notification App in Connecticut

Florida COVID-19 hospitalizations up 40%; CDC urges use of face coverings (but will governor act?)

The number of people being admitted into the hospital because COVID-19 is on the rise across Florida, going up about 40% in the last month and health leaders say now is the time to act before things get out of control.

Medical experts have been cautioning for months, the combination of school back in session, the state fully opening and major holidays could jumpstart another wave of coronavirus community spread.

Source: Florida COVID-19 hospitalizations up 40%; CDC urges use of face coverings

Avian Flu Diary: Study: SARS-CoV-2 D614G Variant Exhibits Efficient Replication Ex Vivo and Transmission in Vivo

While this D614G variant appears more easily transmitted than its parental strain, it does not seem to cause any worse illness in humans. It may, however, partially explain why Western nations have had less success in containing COVID-19 than has China, Taiwan, and Japan.

This latest report by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, confirms (using animal studies) that this variant is not only more infectious, it replicates 10 times faster than its ancestral strain.

While a more transmissible virus is never a good thing, the news isn’t all bad, as the researchers suggest this variant may be slightly more susceptible to vaccines currently under development.

Source: Avian Flu Diary: Study: SARS-CoV-2 D614G Variant Exhibits Efficient Replication Ex Vivo and Transmission in Vivo