Category Archives: News to use

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

New State Jobless Claims Surge as Employers Shed Jobs: Live Updates – The New York Times

The number of workers newly seeking unemployment benefits jumped last week, underscoring the U.S. economy’s lingering weakness and the lack of fresh stimulus from Washington.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that 886,000 people filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week, an increase of nearly 77,000 from the previous week. Adjusted for seasonal variations, the total was 898,000.

After dropping in late spring and early summer as pandemic-related lockdowns eased, new claims for state jobless benefits had been steadily totaling about 800,000 a week.

YouTube Cracks Down on QAnon Conspiracy Theory, Citing Offline Violence – The New York Times

The company announced in a blog post that it was updating its hate speech and harassment policies to prohibit “content that targets an individual or group with conspiracy theories that have been used to justify real-world violence.” The new policy will prohibit content promoting QAnon, as well as related conspiracy theories such as Pizzagate, which falsely claims that top Democrats and Hollywood elites are running an underground sex-trafficking ring from the basement of a Washington pizza restaurant.

Gandhi’s thought. – THE READERS DESK

Let’s recall the most inspiring and motivational quotes by Mahatma Gandhi;

 

-“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever”.

 

– “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”.

 

– “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win”.

 

– “We need not wait to see what others do.”

 

-“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

 

– “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”

 

– “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”

 

– “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”

 

                 

-MAHATMA GANDHI.

Source: Gandhi’s thought. – THE READERS DESK

Is Herd Immunity Reliable? Scientists Say It Will Just Kill People : US News : Latin Post – Latin news, immigration, politics, culture

Over 80 researchers said that the idea of herd immunity is a dangerous notion unsupported by the scientific evidence.

A community is considered to have herd immunity when enough people have built up a protection against a pathogen.

This is through natural infection or through a vaccine.

For instance, in measles, which is an extremely contagious virus, about 90 percent of the community needs to be protected to prevent transmission.

As of now, no one knows exactly how many people need to be protected to stop the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading.

Source: Is Herd Immunity Reliable? Scientists Say It Will Just Kill People : US News : Latin Post – Latin news, immigration, politics, culture

Why a story about Joe Biden, his son Hunter and Ukraine is being blocked online – National | Globalnews.ca

The Post says it received a hard drive containing the messages on Sunday from Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, who has pushed the unfounded idea that Ukraine was trying to interfere with the 2016 election instead of Russia. He’s also repeatedly alleged that the younger Biden may have enriched himself by selling his access to his father.

The idea that Ukraine meddled in the election has been found by U.S. intelligence to be Russian disinformation, yet has been continually seized upon by right-wing lawmakers and media.

Source: Why a story about Joe Biden, his son Hunter and Ukraine is being blocked online – National | Globalnews.ca

New York Sweet 16 party dubbed COVID-19 ‘super-spreader’ as 37 test positive | TheHill (Delusional thinking wins and humanity loses again… how many chances will we get to get it right?)

A Sweet 16 party in New York has been labeled a “super-spreader” by officials after 37 people tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the event. The party, held at the Miller Place Inn in Suffolk County on Sept. 25, violated the state’s indoor gathering limit of 50 people with 49 students and 32 adults attending the festivities. Of those 81 attendees, 29 have tested positive for the coronavirus. Additionally, seven household contacts and one person close to a party-goer were infected, officials said.

Source: New York Sweet 16 party dubbed COVID-19 ‘super-spreader’ as 37 test positive | TheHill

Northern Ireland closes schools over COVID fears | New Europe

Ireland’s first minister Arlene Foster on Wednesday said that schools in the country will close from Monday and pubs and restaurants will face new restrictions from Friday, in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

On Wednesday, authorities reported 1,217 new infections and 4 deaths from the disease. The total number of cases currently stands at 23,115.

From Friday, hospitality businesses will be limited to takeaway and delivery services for the next four weeks. The decision comes after health officials warned that infections would rise further if schools and hospitality premises remain open. Under the new measures, schools will close for two weeks until  November 2.

“We fully appreciate that this will be difficult and worrying news for a lot of people. The executive has taken this decision because it is necessary. We do not take this step lightly”, Foster said.

Source: Northern Ireland closes schools over COVID fears | New Europe

Portugal declares ‘state of calamity’ amid surge in COVID-19 cases | New Europe

Portugal has returned to a “state of calamity,” Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced on Wednesday, as the country is facing a “serious evolution” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the new measures, that came into effect on Thursday and will last until until October 31, gatherings are limited to five people, with a “recommendation to wear a mask,” while private celebrations, like weddings and baptisms can have a maximum of 50 guests.

The government is also planning to make face masks mandatory in all public spaces, along with the mandatory use of the “StayAwayCovid” screening app in work, schools, public administration and in the armed and security forces, however the parliament will need to green-light the decision.

Source: Portugal declares ‘state of calamity’ amid surge in COVID-19 cases | New Europe

Setbacks and Subtle Victories: One Year of Lebanon Protests

As long as previous rulers and sectarian groups continue to rearrange chairs for their own advantage – Lebanon continues its troubles. A new non-sectarian era of progressive youth is the answer. W140

Lebanon’s protest movement has made some important gains since it burst out onto the streets a year ago, even if its revolutionary fever has died down.