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Displaying items by tag: Anambra
We started fashion in Africa ...tired of apologizing for my blackness - Supermodel Nykhor
Supermodel Nykhor Paul, The 25-year-old South Sudanese beauty, who has walked in shows such as Vivienne Westwood, Balenciaga and Rick Owens, took to Instagram on Monday to post a heated rant aimed at makeup artists who are unequipped to work with women of color while highlighting the lack of diversity in the fashion industry.
"Dear white people in the fashion world! Please don't take this the wrong way but it's time you people get your s--t right when it comes to our complexion!" the model began. "Why do I have to bring my own makeup to a professional show when all the other white girls don't have to do anything but show up wtf!"
She continued, noting that there are a number of makeup brands that cater towards black women, so there is really no excuse for being unprepared.
"Don't try to make me feel bad because I am blue black its 2015 go to Mac, Bobbi Brown, Makeup forever, Iman cosmetic, black opal, even Lancôme and Clinique carried them plus so much more. There's so much options our there for dark skin tones today. A good makeup artist would come prepare and do there research before coming to work because often time you know what to expect especially at a show!
"Stop apologizing it's insulting and disrespectful to me and my race it doesn't help, seriously! Make an effort at least!" she wrote. "That goes for NYC, London, Milan, Paris and Cape Town plus everywhere else that have issues with black skin tones. Just because you only book a few of us doesn't mean you have the right to make us look ratchet."
She concluded by saying she's fed up with the racism in the fashion industry.
"I'm tired of complaining about not getting book as a black model and I'm definitely super tired of apologizing for my blackness!!!!" she said. "Fashion is art, art is never racist it should be inclusive of all not only white people, s--t we started fashion in Africa and you modernize and copy it! Why can't we be part of fashion fully and equally?"
Paul isn't the first who's spoken out about racial inequality in the cut-throat world of modeling. Jourdan Dunn, who, in January, became British Vogue's first solo black cover model in 12 years, previously told The Edit that she's lost out on jobs because clients "didn't want any more black girls" and even recounted an incident in which a makeup artist refused to touch her because of her race.
Anambra students to represent Nigeria in Singapore
5 Anambra students to represent Nigeria at 27th world debate in Singapore
Five students from various secondary schools in Anambra will represent Nigeria in the 27th World Schools Debating Championship scheduled for Singapore between June 27 and July 3.
The students are: Adachukwu Onyekwena (Girls Secondary School, Amaenyi, Awka), Nnamdi Udoji (Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha) and Chinemerem Oguaba (Awada Secondary School, Obosi).
Other s are: Chukwuebuka Obichi (Army Day Secondary School, Onitsha) and Nneka Chigozie(Mater Ammabillis, Secondary School, Umuoji). The state's Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Awka on Wednesday that the students had qualified for the world competition.
She said that after coming tops in the various national debate competitions at the secondary schools level, the five students were now set to slug it out with their mates at the international level.
The commissioner congratulated them for being outstanding among their peers and urged them to be good ambassadors of the state while in Singapore. Omenugha said their success was a positive manifestation of the premium Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra placed on education, which she said had been revolutionary. She said the state government would provide all the necessary support to facilitate the students' journey to Singapore, as well as ensure that they had a brilliant outing as she urged them to remain focused.
NAN reports that the successful students included three females and two males from five secondary schools in Anambra.
Afripol 's Emeka Chiakwelu credited the selection of the students to their personal hardwork and educational reforms in Anambra State: "We must give credit to these wonderful and brilliant students, but we must not forget the government of Anambra especially Governor Obiano for sustaining and taken higher the educational reforms of the former governor peter Obi."
Anambra and Chinemelum made history in the WAEC
Anambra State made history again by scoring the highest percentage number recorded in the recent result released by the West African Examination Council, WAEC. The released statistics from WAEC also showed that Agbasi Praise Chinemelum, an Anambra State candidate with the Registration number of 424953GE have the best result and first position in the entire Nigeria.
The results of the 12 states in Nigeria with percentages that were above national average:
1. Anambra State (67.85%)
2. Abia State (65.17%)
3. Rivers State (58.56%)
4. Lagos State (56.03%)
5. Cross River State (53.34%)
6. Bayelsa State (51.66%)
7. Enugu State (50.22%)
8. Delta State (46.49%)
9. Imo State (46.03%)
10. Abuja (43.9%)
11. Ogun (39.92 %)
12. Kaduna (39.47 %)
"The percentage of the total number of candidates that obtained a minimum of five credits, including English Language and General Mathematics, was 36.57 per cent as against 30.90 per cent and 37.66 per cent for the 2011 and 2012 May/June 2013 WASSCE respectively. This, according to WAEC, implies that the average performance of the candidates in the May/June 2013 WASSCE was slightly lower than that of the 2012," as reported by Daily Sun
Anambra state success was attributed to the reforms carried out by the former Governor obi which is being enhanced and consolidated by the new Governor Obiano.
ANAMBRA 2014 – Rebirth or Rendezvous with Destiny
As Anambra prepares to ring out the old and ring in the new administration, the stakes and challenges can't be any higher. The State is at a precipice with a weary population that have suffered and endured so much for so long. The outgoing administration no doubt made great strides, considering where it started. However, the expectations and aspirations of the masses from their government remains a colossal illusion.
There is deep resentment at what the people see as economic mismanagement of the state for many, many years. Except for the privileged or a connected few, daily life for the masses remains a series of hard struggle for survival. While the vestiges and collateral consequences of the civil war have a part to play in the situation however, after four decades, and considerable guaranteed subvention/revenue allocation from the federal government, the people feel greatly short changed.
On most development metrics, the state lags behind many other States of the federation despite being endowed with all sorts of resources, tapped and untapped. But unfortunately, like most states in Nigeria, the ruling Governors are quasi despots installed by a political machine and ruling by fiat. Only on the throes of a reelection campaign or at the tail end of their reigns that some of them become very generous and benevolent despots, throwing around some goodies and pet projects on a population that hitherto had been neglected. What the State needs at this juncture is a Marshall Plan of sorts, starting from a top to bottom reassessment of the state development priorities.
The baseline projects initiated by the outgoing administration should be reevaluated and those on the "critical path" be given urgent completion priority. I had a chance to spend some time with the governor elect during his brief holiday vacation in Texas and I came out more convinced that, he is a divine gift to the people of Anambra. Like the biblical King David, he was the least expected amongst his brethren, when the prophet (Governor Obi) came calling. Now, having been chosen and anointed, he is poised to get down to work and lead his people. His "Obiano 2014 My Strategic Blueprint" lays out a good roadmap akin to a Marshall Plan for the State. It contains some big and bold ideas that would transform every aspect of life in the State.
Sufficient and reliable power, pliable roads frequently maintained by the public works maintenance crew, education restored as a State priority, with emphasis on science, technical, vocational and trade schools as well as teacher retraining programs, revamped health care system with more general and rural health centers, hospitals and technologically advanced diagnostic centers, better drinking water supply for most people, initiatives to boost commerce and industry, mechanized and expanded agriculture that would make Anambra one of the nation's leading bread baskets, better public security and transportation system.
Governor-elect Obiano (Left) and Out-going Gov. Obi
Recruit and train an army of auditors, accountants, investigators and law enforcement task force to combat corruption and fraud. New structures are needed to combat a heighted and expanded level of manipulation, usurpation, fraud, graft and corruption at State, local government, town and city administrations. The new administration can show that it could be possible to run an open, transparent and accountable administration at all levels of governance. Leaders need to set the tone at the top and lead by example.
Equally important is a reorientation of the masses, public attitude and discipline matters. Certain old notions and chronic anachronisms regarding ethnic nationalism or superiority need to take a back burner. As Nigeria braces as a key member of the world's third tier potential economic powerhouses, the so called MINT nations of (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey), the State needs to ready itself as a deserving destination for the anticipated rush of foreign investments into the country. A State that in the past had more university graduates and PhD's per capita than any comparable area in black Africa, a State with a burgeoning commercial and industrial base, and a population conditioned by circumstances to be creative, individualistic and resilient.
The state could easily become one of the country's major industrial heartlands..
The incoming administration offers a breath of fresh air and a potential answer to the yearnings of the masses who are utterly fed up and disgusted with an unending life of misery as the norm for more than 99 percent of the people. It needs to demonstrate early on that it means business, but not business as usual. It cannot be seen as a throwback or recycle of the selfsame operators and unsavory characters that have dominated and wrested power from the people.
While all problems cannot be solved at the same time, embarking on achievable and affordable projects such as drinking water supply project, or electric power project, or road repair and maintenance project or mandatory free primary or secondary/vocational school program or security project on a statewide basis could change the dynamics, drastically reduce joblessness, engender a feel good atmosphere and a realization that finally something meaningful and tangible is being delivered to all of the people of the State. The pervasive feel of hopelessness could become a distant memory, and the mortifying fear of being robbed in broad daylight or worse, kidnapped with impunity, would begin to dissipate.
Perception of stability and anticipation of future profitable economic activities in a safe environment would attract investors, local, national and international.. By and large, the state would start to live up to its reputation as some people have dubbed it – light of the nation and home of the brave.
Eugene Agbimson is the Managing Member Agbimson & Co, PLLC, A New York based Audit & Advisory Firm since 1992 www.agbimsoncpa.com
Election: Obiano and Anambra's decency must be acknowledged
While journalists and pundits were busy running around and digging for water where there is none, a major event that occurred during Anambra governorship election have eluded them and was not fully reported in the news. The November governorship election in Anambra State to replace Governor Peter Obi took place in the absence of violence. Despite the hotly and aggressively electioneering and high tempo campaigns there was no single recorded violence or pandemonium on the Election Day.
Isn't something? That such a development was left unreported and was swept under the table. Can any person tell Nigerians an election in the country that has been violence free?
With the gatherings of political wigs and political parties in Anambra from all the four corners of Nigeria, there was no reported death, injury nor rioting in the election. This is the most civilized election ever conducted on Nigerian soil.The media gatekeepers and their cohorts failed woefully to report it on the news development. Instead they were busy crying wolves where there are none and neglected this powerful development. This has shown the world that Anambra voters are descent and law-abiding citizens that have shunned violence and its shenanigans in all its forms. But this great act of civilization and decency were nowhere to be found on the pages of Nigerian newspapers.
The election that produced Chief Willie Obiano as a winner was reasonably a fair and free election. Yet some pundits and self-appointed political analysts were behaving and acting otherwise. Their assumption rests on the preposition that election must be perfect without any hitches to be deemed free and fair. Are these journalists, pundits and analysts asking for utopia? Being idealistic may be an intellectual and academic exercises but pragmatism is a sense of maturity.
We all can come together and dialogue on how to make the process better, but we cannot afford to demonise the entire process. Such a drastic action with underpinning agenda may not be inimical for healthy political process.
Even in advance societies that have all necessary infrastructures to conduct fair and free election, there is hardly a perfect election. Then talk of a developing nation like Nigeria without adequate facilitating infrastructures and these journalists chose to indulge in idealistic and utopian overviews. Let us be realistic, Nigerian democracy is still evolving and Anambra governorship election may not be perfect but by all means it meets international standard and acceptability. Yes, there is still room for improvement, but hypocrisy cannot be accepted as a virtue.
Even in the advanced democracy like United Kingdom, allegations of election malpractices do occur, which are investigated and a report issued. But elections which are reasonably free and fair are not cancel or demagogue or litigate to oblivion. Take for instance, United Kingdom Electoral Commission reported on 2010 electoral malpractice cases and it published for everybody to read:
"Police forces recorded 232 cases in Great Britain of allegations of electoral malpractice in the election reporting period. The majority of cases of alleged electoral malpractice reported to police (137) required no further action by the police. This was because no offence was found, there was no evidence of electoral malpractice, or it was not possible to detect the individual who might have committed an offence.
To date, two cases have resulted in court proceedings with one leading to a conviction. Two cases have concluded with police cautions and 23 with the police giving informal advice. At the end of 2010, 68 cases were either still under police investigation or awaiting advice from prosecutors.
Of the 232 cases of allegations in Great Britain included in the analysis, 216 were recorded by police forces in England, while seven cases were recorded in Scotland and six in Wales. In Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland recorded 25 cases during the whole of 2010.
The most frequent reported category of cases of alleged electoral malpractice recorded by police forces related to voting offences (38%), including personation at a polling station and tampering with ballot papers. This proportion is similar to 2009. The second most frequently reported category related to campaign offences (34%), including allegations about false statements made in campaign material, or incorrect legal imprints on campaign materials."
I am not trying to justify some lapses, glitches and hitches on the election in Anambra State but what transpired in the election cannot be characteristic zed as the "worst election" ever conducted by INEC as many of these pundits have written and suggested. Let's be candid what happened cannot be raised and highlighted as a reason to require a supplementary election even talk of cancelling the elections as some political parties were suggesting.
Where was the fairness to governor-elect Willie Obiano who has already won the election on the first round but have to wait for the supplementary election to celebrate his victory? This is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria and a zenith of unfairness to this gentleman? But being a seasoned and corporate person, Obiano conducted himself in a decent manner and waited for the INEC to finalise the election without complaining and challenging the unfairness. This is a mark of being civilized and decent, which is not common in our country.
The media should do the right thing. The decency of Anambra and Obiano that went to the polls peacefully without violence have not been fully reported and acknowledged. Anambra voters must be praised and be acknowledged for keeping their cool and composition.
The major problem confronting Nigeria is political instability that comes with violence, which makes it a difficult task for the government to protect life and property. The people of Anambra have shown sound judgement that was embedded with decency and decorum on the election campaigns and ultimately on the Election Day. They deserved to be respected not be used as a tool to make a negative point, where there is hardly any.
Emeka Chiakwelu, Principal Policy Strategist at AFRIPOL. His works have appeared in Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Forbes and many other important journals around the world. His writings have also been cited in many economic books, publications and many institutions of higher learning including tagteam Harvard Education. Africa Political & Economic Strategic Center (AFRIPOL) is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.afripol.org,
Anambra 2013 Elections-Moving Forward without Rancor - NALC
Anambra 2013 Elections-Moving Forward without Rancor
Washington, DC November 19, 2013:
The Nigerian-American Leadership Council, NALC has carefully reviewed its independent analysis of the just concluded Anambra Governorship elections. As a non-partisan organization, we do not join issues with candidates or base our analysis on speculative innuendoes. However, here's our impression of this important exercise.
To The People of Anambra
We hereby congratulate and commend the people of Anambra State for pulling of this feat: an "election without violence." The singular act of going to the polls and casting their votes without violent confrontations, speaks volumes about the citizens new unspoken determination, to perform their civic duty without intimidation, as a citizen's life is not less valuable than a politicians life. Other Nigerian States should take notice and emulate this new political maturity. Anambra has thus redeemed their moniker as the "Light of The Nation."
The Candidates
The four main Candidates in this race; William Obiano, Christopher Ngige, Ifeanyi Ubah, and Anthony Nwoye, all respectively did their best, to pull out their supporters for this historic election. However, we have analyzed the official results of this race, from every possible angle; and we hereby opine without fear of favor, that APGA's Obiano has carried the day. We do not see how any of the other candidates can overcome Mr. Obiano's lead in this race. Our informed opinion is buttressed by our observers on the ground, as well as official results from the undisputed votes already cast. The possibility of any other candidates picking up extra votes in the coming supplementary elections is not likely to change APGA's commanding lead in this election.
We therefore call on all the other candidates to extend a hand of fellowship to Mr. Obiano; as it is done in other climes. No one candidate is bigger than all of Anambra State, regardless of how towering they perceive their political pedigree to be. Nigeria practices a democracy, and the people have spoken; "Vox Populi, Vox Dei-The Voice of The People is The Voice of God."
On Nigeria's INEC
To say that we are surprised and disappointed with Nigeria's INEC, for not pulling off this election without hitches or drama, is an understatement. As a Council peopled by professionals in public service, law, the US Military, and others; we see many different strategic variables that INEC could have deployed to create contingency plans for what went wrong, in some areas in this election. However, we expect that the culprit(s) that caused the problem(s) in the affected areas will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. A full prosecution will protect the integrity of all Nigeria's future elections.
Signed: U.L. Eric, Media Relations, Nigerian-American Leadership Council
1701 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 300, NW Washington, DC 20006
Web: www.nigerian-americancouncil.org Tel: 202 379-2848, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ANAMBRA 2013: Now the final lap
After months of hustling, the contest to replace the two term governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi enters its final lap tomorrow with the governorship primaries of the main opposition party, PDP, while that of the ruling APGA will be on Monday. However, being Anambra State, the home of many political intrigues, tomorrow's contest is expected to open political oddities that are bound to be exploited by Anambra's professional politicians.
THE Anambra political
chess game enters a decisive stage tomorrow with the governorship primaries in one of the three major parties in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The primaries of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA. will take place in August 26. The third major party in the state, the All Progressives Congress, APC it emerged may also have resolved to pick the former governor of the state, Dr. Chris Ngige, setting the stage for what promises to be the most keenly contested political contest in the state.
The road to the primaries in the PDP and APGA was undoubtedly laced with intrigues, the kinds that are resplendent in Anambra State, a state fabled for its different sorts of political oddities. As at press time, the PDP was still embroiled in crisis emerging from the conduct of the ward congresses.
The congresses conducted in some 91 wards penultimate Monday were annulled following legal and other political considerations brought to the national secretariat which ordered a rerun in the affected wards. The party is still faced with the spectre of a legal action from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC which chose not to observe the congresses conducted by the Prince Ken Emeakayi faction of the party recognized by the national secretariat of the party.
INEC has rather chosen to recognize the Ejike Ogbuebego led faction of the party. INEC's inclination nonetheless, Emeakayi asserts the loyalty of all 15 aspirants vying for the PDP governorship ticket. While the PDP leadership was conducting its congresses without the presence of INEC officials, the electoral umpire was supervising another primary conducted by Chief Oguebego and the supervision was done by INEC officials from its headquarters in Abuja.
Authentic state chairman
Political watchers are waiting to see what will happen tomorrow, especially as a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has ruled that Oguebego remains the authentic state chairman of PDP. APGA, which is the ruling party, has also had its own fair share of crisis. The party is entering Monday's primary election with much controversy following last weekend's disqualification of some of the party's most credible aspirants.
Two of the most credible, Prof. Charles Soludo and the immediate past secretary to the state government, Osalaka Obaze were disqualified under still controversial circumstances. The disqualification of Soludo, some allege was upon pressure from top presidency officials who were disturbed that he could win and then go on to oppose the PDP in the 2015 presidential election.
Obaze's disqualification was based on the lack of a voter's card. His disqualification was even more shocking given the fact that he only returned from the United States less than two years ago and had been widely tipped to be the anointed successor of Governor Peter Obi. Obaze told Vanguard that he was sure to obtain the voter's card last Monday following the commencement of the voter's registration exercise in the state.
For the 15 aspirants in the PDP and the dozen or so in APGA, it is very unlikely that the primaries in the two parties would end their quest if they lose. According to custom, many of them are expected to jump to other parties to continue their aspiration.
APGA
Those that made it after the screening are Mr. John Nwosu from Anambra South, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife and Chief Chukwuemeka Nwogbo, both from Anambra Central, while from Anambra North are Chief Willy Obiano, Chief Patrick Obianwu and Chief Paul Odenigbo.
John Nwosu
The Nnewi –born businessman could be said to be a new breed politician. He was one of those who indicated interest in the race very early and he has manifested himself through his foundation which focuses on the empowerment of the less privileged people in the society. The permutation in some quarters is that Nwosu might become a running mate if a candidate from Anambra North emerges as the flag bearer.
Uche Ekwunife
She is an experienced politician, having contested for the position of governor in 2010 on the platform of Progressives Peoples Alliance, PPA, and though she did not win, she had a good outing. She returned to the House of Representatives after the 2010 election and was reelected to the House in 2011 on the platform of APGA where she is currently campaigning to be come governor. She has the capacity to surprise those who underrate her.
Chukwuemeka Nwogbo
He is a member of the House of Representatives from Awka North and South federal constituency. He was one of the last to enter the race and permutation is that he could be considered for deputy.
Willy Obiano
He was the last to enter the race, but has become the most discussed aspirant. He is now generally tagged Governor Obi's candidate especially coming from Fidelity Bank where the governor's family is known to have substantial interests. His chances are also boosted by the fact that he is from Anambra North, an area Governor Obi is actively supporting to produce his successor.
Chief Paul Odenigbo
He was a former SSG in the state and also from the Omambala part of the state. He has been a silent operator since he joined the race and indications are that he has established tentacles in all the 326 wards of the state. One clear fact is that all government delegates and party officials will vote for either Obiano or Odenigbo during the primaries, leaving the remaining elected delegates for grabs by the highest bidder.
Patrick Obianwu
He is from Onitsha, Anambra North. He is not known to be making so much noise, but there must be something in him that has kept him in the race. The disadvantage he has is that he is from Onitsha town, an area dreaded by politicians from other parts of the state because of the belief that the area already has a great advantage over other parts of Anambra State in terms of development. There is the fear that an Onitsha governor might take decisions that may adversely affect the fortunes of traders in the commercial town.
The cleared spirants in the PDP are Senator Andy Uba, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Dr. Obinna Uzor, Mr. Ugochukwu Okeke, Mr. Walter Okeke and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, who are all from Anambra South senatorial zone. From Anambra North are Senator Emma Anosike, Chief Tony Nwoye and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, while from Anambra Central are Mrs. Josephine Anennih, Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo and Chief Charles Odunukwe.
Senator Andy Uba
The former governor of Anambra State for 17 days is the Senate committee chairman of INEC and some allege that his position is influencing INEC's handling of the present crisis in the party. With the situation of events, Uba may become the PDP candidate without much opposition.
However, if the other aspirants decide to conduct a parallel primary and produce another candidate, PDP may have two candidates as it did during the Anambra South senatorial election when Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu claimed to be the party's candidates and two of them were voted for, but one person was credited with their joint votes. If this repeats itself, PDP may win the governorship election with the connivance of INEC which will likely come out later to name one person as the candidate of the party.
Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo
The former special adviser to the president on technical matters was earlier touted to be the anointed Aso Rock candidate because of his closeness with President Goodluck Jonathan. He is from Okija in Ihiala local government area of Anambra South. It is not clear if he is still enjoying that toga of being the president's anointed aspirant, but he is making spirited effort to win the ticket.
Dr. Obinna Uzor
The great philanthropist from Ihiala has been eyeing the governorship of the state since 2003. He is also connected in high places and there are indications that he may accept whatever will happen on Saturday, especially if Uba is declared the winner of the primary. During the senatorial contest that produced Andy Uba, he worked very hard to ensure that his area was delivered to Senator Uba.
Chief Ugochukwu Okeke
He is also from Ihiala. He is one aspirant that has remained neutral in the face of the on-going crisis because of his belief that as a youth, the future has a lot in store for him.
New face of Anambra
He has made so many inroads in all the wards in the state and other aspirants know that he is somebody to reckon with. In a recent interview, Okeke described himself as the new face of Anambra.
Walter Okeke
He is a trained accountant from Nanka in Orumba North local government area. He too has enticing programmes that could help move Anambra State forward. But the problem is that with Uba and Ukachukwu who are old warhorses in the race, he has to work very hard to upstage them in the primaries.
Nicholas Ukachukwu
He is one of the most experienced in the race and one of the richest too. The Evangelist –turned politician has become synonymous with Anambra politics and that explains the large followership he has. It was gathered that he was the aspirant that was amassing the largest number of delegates in the local government congress, but whether that exercise would count on Saturday will be seen.
Senator Emma Anosike
The Umuleri –born politician from Omambala area of Anambra North was running mate to Professor Soludo in 2010. He is a quiet operator and he has often said that the race is not a do -or -die affair for him.
Leadership of the party
But one thing is clear and that is that the governorship of Anambra cannot be won without him being part of it.
Chief Tony Nwoye
The former state chairman of PDP is loved by the youths and those who have associated with him say he has a large heart. He is also one of those that made great impact in the local government congress that was conducted by the leadership of the party penultimate Tuesday.
His coming from Omambala area of the state is a plus for him but with another Omambala person in the race in the person of Anosike, chances are that their delegates might be split if one did not step down for the other.
Dr. Alex Obiogbolu
He is from Onitsha in Anambra North. He is also considered to be a bridge builder in the party as he is not involved in any of the controversies.
He has consistently been in touch with the grassroots and this may go for him during the primaries. If the delegates decide to stop the controversial aspirants, Obiogbolu may become the rallying point.
Iyom Josephine Anenih
The former minister for women affairs is from Anambra Central. The disadvantage she has is that she is married outside the state and knowing the way Anambra people view such issue, which is that a woman, once married, totally becomes the indigene of her husband's place, Anenih may face tough challenges tomorrow.
Source: Vanguard News
Saturday, 17 August 2013 21:19
Anambra 2014: APGA Appeal Panel Upholds Disqualification of Soludo, Others
Dr. Chukwuma Soludo did not appeal
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship Appeal Panel on Saturday upheld the disqualification of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (NBA) Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the immediate past Secretary to the Anambra State Government Oseloka Obaze and four others who were disqualified by the Screening Panel on Friday.
The six persons who were disqualified by the party's Governorship Screening Committee had appeared before the APGA governorship Screening Appeal Panel to contest their disqualification by the Panel.
The panel chaired Chief Tony Ojielo after entertaining their appeals told reporters that their appeals were lacking in merit and the Committee had no other option than to affirm their disqualification.
According to Ojielo "we have listened to their appeals but their appeals lack merit.
The appeal panel has Ojielo as Chairman, Bala Bako, Secretary, Dr. Mic Adams 11, High Chief Ogometu Ukpenetus and Hajia Hadiza Aliyu Gogori.
Specifically the APGA Screening Committee had on Friday disqualified Soludo and five other governorship aspirants on the party's platform for the November 16th Governorship elections in Anambra State.
According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the Gubernatorial Screening panel, Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi, Secretary, Bar. Ifeanyi Mbaeri and a member, Chief Onwuka Ukwa, said at the conclusion of the panel's sitting yesterday, the six aspirant's failed to scale through the test.
The six aspirants that failed the screening include, Emmanuel Nweke, Ogbuefi Tony Nnaechetta, Chinedu Francis Idigo, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Immediate past Secretary to Anambra State Government Oseloka Obaze and Prof. Soludo.
The panel however said that seven aspirants were successful. The successful aspirants are, Hon. Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Nwogbo, Paul Odenigbo, Hon. Uche Lillian Ekwunife, Chief Willie Obiano, John Nwosu, John Okechukwu Emeka and Nwachi Patrick Obianwu.
Sources at the at the panel sitting said some of the reasons given for not clearing the aspirants ranged from non-presentation voters card, lack of evidence of financial strength to execute the campaign, incomplete certificate and their insbility to submit tax clearance.
One of the affected aspirants, Idigo while reacting to his non-clearance said though he was surprised at the reason given for dropping him.
Idigo who spoke to our reporter, at the APGA headquarters, venue of the screening said he is going to make another presentation to the appeal panel today.
He said they were informed that evidence of financial status was going to be part of the screening requirements.
" The outcome of the screening came as a surprise to me but I am going to prepare my appeal immediately and submit to the Appeal Panel," he said.
247ureports
Anambra 2014: Soludo and 5 others screen out by APGA
•Ekwunife, Odenigbo, others scale through * •Soludo accepts party decision…
THE screening panel set up by All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, to screen all aspirants for November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, failed to clear former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and five other contenders.
Out of the 13 aspirants contesting under the party, only seven scaled through the hurdle at the conclusion of the screening exercise which took place between August 15 and 16, 2013 at the party's national secretariat in Abuja.
The successful aspirants include, Hon. Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Nwogbo, Paul Odenigbo, Hon. Uche Lillian Ekwunife, Chief Willie Obiano, Mr. John Nwosu, John Okechukwu Emeka and Nwachi Patrick Obianwu.
Those who failed the screening include Emmanuel Nweke, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta, Chinedu F. Idigo, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Mr. Oseloke Obaze and Professor Charles Chukwuemeka Soludo.
Chairman of the Gubernatorial Screening Panel, Alhaji Tayo Sowunmi said the reason (s) for the non-clearance of the unsuccessful aspirants are as contained in the provisional certificates issued to them.
Other members of the panel were Ifeanyi Mbaeri and Chief Onwuka Ukwa who served in the panel as Secretary and member, respectively.
It would be recalled that the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh while setting up the three-man screening panel, assured that the party has laid down a transparent process that would produce a worthy and an acceptable candidate for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra state.
Professor Charles Soludo shortly after facing the screening panel Thursday in Abuja, had told journalists that he joined the APGA not because of the governorship contest but to build the party.
According to him, "I am saying my priority in joining All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, is to help to build APGA as a formidable political party. Running for governor is not why I joined APGA.
"Did that surprise you? I have joined APGA primarily to join forces with the other compatriots, other Nigerians to build APGA as a formidable political party. An APGA that will some day mainstream what APGA stands for, what APGA has to offer Nigeria.
"APGA is the only political party in Nigeria that talks about true federalism. No other political party aspire to bring true federalism to Nigeria. No other political party talks about revenue allocation, physical federalism that would allow each region or state to develop according to its own space. There is no other political party that talks about competition.
"To me, APGA should be the manifesto, national mobilisation because that is the only way Nigeria can move forward. "I have to come here to visit the national office of APGA, but principally, this is a new family for me. Like I have said, my first mission is to join others to build APGA as a formidable movement. And that is basically what it is. Governorship thing is aside."
On whether he will still remain in APGA if he fails to pick the party's ticket, he said, "I am APGA in the morning in the afternoon and in the night. I am in APGA today, I will be in APGA tomorrow, I will be in APGA next year, I will be in APGA for the next seven years to come."
He also said he had to quit the PDP because it was not a political party but a mere platform to grab power. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, yesterday, Prof. Soludo said that he joined PDP by accident and now had to make a choice on where to pitch his political tent.
His words, "recently I resigned my membership from PDP and joined APGA. The basic question people kept asking is why? That is a short question to ask but with a long answer.
"I joined PDP by accident . I did not belong to any political party before I was appointed as the president's chief Economic Adviser and CEO of National Planning Commission which is more like a minister of National planning Commission.
"It was a political appointment and has some kind of requirement, if you like. Though it is not explicitly demanded of you so I joined the PDP without even knowing what the party stood for.. "Having stayed there for a while, I have now had a chance to review the political parties in Nigeria and have reviewed their constitutions and manifestos and also review the operations of the various political parties and I think this is now the time to make the decision of the political party that I should belong to out of choice, out of volition. It is now time to make a choice based on one's conviction rather than convenience.
"PDP started off as an amalgamation of diverse groups and individuals who really had nothing in common- probably to ease off the military but since then it has been grappling to find a bearing as political party.
"As it is today, in my considered view, it is not a political party in the true sense of a political party. Why did I say that the PDP is not a political party?. I just describe it as a platform to grab power.
Asked if the change of party was not to actualize his dream of governing Anambra through an arrangement with incumbent Gov Peter Obi, the economist- turned politician said that even though he was aspiring to contest on the platform of APGA, he would remain in the party if he fails to secure the ticked at the primaries.
"My decision to join APGA is not just limited to my aspiration to govern Anambra State. In as much as I would like to fly the APGA flag, even if I am not given the ticket, I will still remain in APGA and support whoever emerges. This is the party in which ideology, the constitution, manisfesto, aims and objectives are in line with my views and what I believe in.
"My decision to join APGA was a decision I made made more than a year ago. I would have joined more than a year ago and the reason that I didn't join was that when I decided to as I was about to join, the crisis in the party erupted and so I didn't want to join when the party was in crisis and then you would have to join one faction A faction B."
Thursday, 01 August 2013 16:07
Deportation: Governor Obi writes to President Jonathan
Governor Obi, Anambra State writes a letter of a complaint to President Goodluck Jonathan on the deportation of 72 Igbo-Nigerian citizens to Onitsha, Anambra State by Lagos State government.
In the letter Governor Obi wrote:
"I wish to respectfully bring to your due attention a very disturbing development that has vast national security and political implications. Last September and again on 24 July 2013, the Lagos State Government contrived inexplicable reasons to round up Nigerians, whom they alleged were Anambra indigenes (most of whom the SSS report shows clearly are not from Anambra State) and forcefully deported them to Anambra State, dumping them, as it were, in the commercial city of Onitsha (see attached SSS report).
"This latest callous act, in which Lagos State did not even bother to consult with Anambra State authorities, before deporting 72 persons considered to be of Igbo extraction to Anambra State, is illegal, unconstitutional and a blatant violation of the human rights of these individuals and of the Nigerian Constitution.
"Your Excellency, no amount of offence committed by these people, even if deemed extremely criminal, would justify or warrant such cruel action by a state authority and in a democracy. Even refugees are protected by the law. Furthermore, the extant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution states: 'Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part, thereof, and no citizen shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.'
"Sir, forced deportation such as this, which Lagos State seems to be making a norm in addressing its domestic challenges are egregious, and calls into question the validity of Nigeria and its federating components. Such acts violate human decency, the rule of law and constitutionally-ordered liberties.
Naturally, I have the obligation to protect the interest and welfare of all Nigerians resident in Anambra State, irrespective of their states of origin and I would be left no option other than reciprocity or reprisal. I will, however, put any such reaction in abeyance until Your Excellency has had the opportunity to address our concerns," he concluded.


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Earth-Size Exoplanets Discovered by Kepler
July 21, 2016 By June Harris
The two Earth-Size exoplanets transit the same pale star and may have dense atmospheres.
Astronomers concluded that two of the four exoplanets discovered by Kepler might have the right conditions to be inhabitable.
The atmosphere of the planets could be either thin like the one on Mars, or very dense like the one on Venus, as it may as well be like the one on Earth.
The Two Earth-Size Exoplanets
The discovery was announced in May when the astronomers described three planets with the size of Earth that were orbiting TRAPPIST-1, an ultracool dwarf star. The cluster is located in the Aquarius constellation. The star is less bright than our Sun, and is also much smaller in diameter, being only one eight of its size.
This type of stars is quite common in the Milky Way, and they are relatively easy to be monitored with the current technology. The scientists believe that it may be a good idea to look for life signs on planets that resemble Earth and that they are also easy to explore.
The three Earth-size exoplanets that orbit around TRAPPIST-1 have the right temperature to foster liquid water, an essential condition for life. The scientists still have to determine if the planets have a rock composition.
A recent study shows that two of the planets may be rocky after all. The 1b and 1c planets have a similar sidereal period, which means that they pass their star almost at the same time. One of them has a period of 1.51 days and the other 2.42 days, and as they race around their star, the furthest one experiences multiple eclipses.
The Atmospheric Study
The researchers plan to study the atmosphere of the planets by using Hubble, a telescope designed in the '70s that may be adapted to make measurements on exoplanets.
The authors of the study used a new method in studying the atmospheric properties of the two planets. They analyzed the light spectrum for both of them at the same time, by using the double transit to study the two space objects simultaneously.
During the double transit, the star's light showed up a limited range of wavelengths, which means that the two planets have compact atmospheres, which it commonly found on rocky planets.
The TRAPPIST-1 had been discovered by the Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope from Chile. Because of the success met by the ground telescope, the scientists created a consortium and will try to build other four ground telescopes in Chile that would help them investigate the Southern Hemisphere sky.
Image Source: Vimeo
About June Harris
June was born and raised in Ligonier, a small historic town in Pennsylvania. She befriended TV cameras at an early age when she was selected to feature in a local TV series for children. Her passion for entertainment grew bigger after June was named Miss Pennsylvania at 16 years old. She was co-opted in various projects ever since and is now a strong promoter of fitness and health activities.
Filed Under: Science Tagged With: Aquarius constellation, Earth-size exoplanets, Hubble, K2, Kepler, rocky planet, Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope, TRAPPIST-1
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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AS IT HAPPENED Ended 8:03 PM - November 24, 2020
Ended 8:03 PM - November 24, 2020
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Pa.; Biden team is in contact with federal vaccine team
Pennsylvania restaurants and bars are prohibited from serving beer and liquor on the night before Thanksgiving, under a new order announced Monday by Secretary of Health Rachel Levine
Levine also warned the commonwealth could run out of intensive care beds by next week.
In Philadelphia, where new restrictions are now in effect, residents are experiencing long lines for testing and a shortage of appointments.
Thanksgiving 1918 took place during a deadly pandemic. What can it teach us?
Track the latest coronavirus data, including updated case numbers in the Philadelphia region, here.
City Council committee approves help for laid-off Philly service workers
Thousands of Philadelphia service workers laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic would be first…
New Montco cases range in age from 11 days old to 110 years old
Montgomery County on Tuesday reported 1,733 new cases of COVID-19 among residents ranging in age…
48 more deaths from COVID-19 reported in New Jersey
New Jersey on Tuesday reported an additional 4,383 cases of COVID-19 and 48 deaths. Ten new…
Pennsylvania is seeing the coronavirus spread at large and small events alike
Pennsylvania is seeing the coronavirus spread at both small and large gatherings, hence the…
Pa. contact tracers are prioritizing most recent cases as people continue to not answer the phone or cooperate with them
Pennsylvania coronavirus contact tracers have once again "enhanced" their priorization of case…
Mayor Kenney to forgo annual Thanksgiving dinner with his 80-year-old mother
Philadelphia coronavirus surge now leading to increases in hospitalizations and deaths
Operation Warp Speed is in commnication with Biden transition team
Pennsylvania reports 6,669 new cases, 81 deaths as concerns about future ICU bed availability remain
New Jerseyans with students at home have until Dec. 7 to apply for child-care aid
As coronavirus spikes continue, New Jersey is offering child care tuition assistance for families…
Coronavirus vaccines face trust gap in Black and Latino communities, study finds
If offered a coronavirus vaccine free of charge, fewer than half of Black people and 66% of Latino…
Atlantic City casino earnings fell 37% in the third quarter amid pandemic limits
Atlantic City's casinos saw their collective profits fall by more than 37% in the third quarter of…
Fauci says he predicts 'we'll start approaching normal' in late 2021
Kaiser Health News sat down with the nation's top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, to ask…
Pa. nursing homes to be shielded from coronavirus-related lawsuits
Coronavirus hospitalizations in U.S. break record for 14th straight day
As cases and hospitalizations rise, Pa. prepares for the potential for overburdened hospitals
Tuesday morning roundup: Vaccine distribution to be complex
The Inquirer Coronavirus Newsletter
Science-based coverage sent each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night to your inbox.
8:03 PM - November 24, 2020
8:03 PM - 11/24/20
Thousands of Philadelphia service workers laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic would be first in line to get their jobs back when their employers recover under a package of bills approved Tuesday by a City Council committee.
The three bills, dubbed the Black Workers Matter Economic Recovery Package by their sponsors, are intended to ensure Black and brown workers, who historically are disproportionately affected by economic downturns, benefit if their employers rebound from the pandemic-induced recession.
"We stand alongside Philadelphia workers, who are the economic engine of our city," Councilmember Helen Gym, one of the three authors, said at a virtual meeting of the Law and Government Committee. "There are no hotels, no stadiums or Philadelphia International Airport without these people."
Mayor Jim Kenney's administration and organized labor groups testified in support of the bill. After working behind the scenes to make changes in the legislation, business groups representing the hotel and service industries did not testify at the hearing.
Gym's bill would ensure hotel, airport and event center employees laid off through no fault of their own between January 2020 and January 2021 will be offered their jobs back if their employers fill the positions before 2025.
A second bill by Councilmember Isaiah Thomas would give job security protections to hotel workers whose companies are bought by new owners. And the third bill, by Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, would extend the protections of Thomas' bill to contracted workers.
The committee approved the bills early Tuesday evening in a series of unanimous votes. The bills, each of which is cosponsored by at least 11 of Council's 17 members, now heads to the full Council, where they are expected to pass overwhelmingly before being signed into law by Kenney.
Aisha Johnson, a laid-off Aramark employee who cleaned concession stands and equipment at Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park, said the legislation will be important for working class families.
"We didn't ask for this pandemic and we shouldn't be penalized for it," Johnson said at the hearing. "My 10 years working for Aramark should matter."
— Sean Collins Walsh
Montgomery County on Tuesday reported 1,733 new cases of COVID-19 among residents ranging in age from 11 days old to 110 years old.
The cases were the number counted since last Wednesday, said Val Arkoosh, chair of the Montgomery County Commissioner, during an online briefing.
The county also reported seven more deaths, including that of a 34-year-old.
Arkoosh said hospitalizations continue to rise with 30 people battling COVID-19 currently on ventilators. But she said the hospitals say they are managing so far with 125 ventilators in use for all illnesses out of a total 403 available.
She noted that schools, which are restricted to online-only classes, can choose to resume in-person learning on Dec. 7.
The county was expanding the hours for coronavirus testing at six locations to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. County locations will be closed on Thanksgiving.
"We remain deeply concerned about Thanksgiving," Arkoosh said, and asked that residents not have indoor gatherings for the holiday except with people in the immediate household.
— Robert Moran
New Jersey on Tuesday reported an additional 4,383 cases of COVID-19 and 48 deaths. Ten new outbreaks in schools have led to 30 more cases of in-school transmission over the last week, Gov. Phil Murphy said, and overall the spread of infections in schools has been "manageable."
Appearing on "MSNBC Live" with Katy Tur Tuesday, Murphy said he and other health officials were continuing to work on plans for distributing vaccines for the coronavirus. The state could receive the first batches within weeks, he said, and officials are in the process of determining the logistics of exactly which frontline workers could be in line to receive them, and how those decisions would be made.
In the meantime, he urged residents again to keep holiday gatherings small this week, and acknowledged that many are suffering from not only pandemic fatigue but also stress, loneliness and depression as a result of months of disruption and isolation.
"We are at a knife's edge as a society," he said. "We have to accept that there are no easy answers."
— Allison Steele
Pennsylvania is seeing the coronavirus spread at both small and large gatherings, hence the additional mitigation measure implemented this week "out of an abundance of caution," said Michael Huff, the director of testing and contact tracing.
"It's indicative that in both of those settings, [large and small], disease spread can occur very easily," Huff said. "Certainly in small gatherings where we become a little bit too free with our movements and perhaps don't social distance as much. We're less likely to wear masks. Certainly we've seen a lot of data that demonstrate cases are identified out of those groups."
"Even more so in large groups where people are less likely to wear their masks because they think they're social distanced," he said. "So we see it both. Again, it is out of an abundance of caution that we want to make sure these mitigation efforts are addressed and followed. And we can see these cases and potential deaths flatten significantly."
While Huff did not have granular data on hand, he said anecdotally that the commonwealth had not identified any significant outbreaks from post-election celebrations or protests held earlier this month or among fans at sporting events during the period in which spectators were allowed.
— Erin McCarthy
Gregory Bull / AP
Ethar Kakoz, a contact tracer for the COVID-19 virus, makes calls Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, in El Cajon, Calif.
Pennsylvania coronavirus contact tracers have once again "enhanced" their priorization of case investigations in accordance with the latest federal guidelines, said Michael Huff, the commonwealth's director of testing and contact tracing, as people continue not to cooperate with investigators.
People who have been diagnosed in the past six days, based on testing date or symptom onset, are in the high priority category, as are people who visit, live in, or work in a care facility or go to a job in a high-density workplace. If more than 14 days have passed since the test, a case investigation shouldn't be performed, he added.
Of 34,719 positive cases reported in the past week, he said, 23% of people who tested positive were contacted within 24 hours and 7% were contacted in 24-to-48 hours. Of those, only 25% of people cooperated and had their cases successfuly contact traced, and 96% of contacts refused to quarantine.
"Why? Because people don't want to answer the phone," Huff said. "Because people do not realize how important it is to give the information that we need to make certain that we can control diseaes."
Testing has increased in the past two days, as cases surge and some people get tested before the Thanksgiving holiday, with 111,838 PCR tests being processed in the past two days.
JOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
In pre-pandemic times, Mayor Jim Kenney is congratulated by his mother Barbara Kenney, after announcing victory in the primary election during a party at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, Pa. Tuesday, May 21, 2019.
Mayor Jim Kenney on Tuesday said he and his 80-year-old mother decided to forgo having Thanksgiving dinner together this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Kenney said at first he was worried about how to break the news to her that he would be skipping their annual gathering, which includes a nephew of the mayor's who has an underlying medical condition, but she soon came around.
"I was trying to figure out how to tell her I wasn't going to be able to come over," Kenney said at a virtual news conference. "She texted me over the weekend and said, 'I think it's a better idea that you don't come.' She said, 'It's only a dinner.'"
Kenney and Public Health Commissioner Thomas Farley on Tuesday reiterated their pleas for city residents to skip their traditional Turkey Day dinners and only celebrate the holiday with members of their household.
"We've given people plenty of warnings that they should have Thanksgiving meals with their household members only. … There were warnings over Halloween. We still saw a spike," Farley said. "You don't want to spread COVID to your elderly grandmother or to that cousin of yours who might have a medical condition."
— Sean Collins Wash
TIM TAI / Staff Photographer
Dante Terracciano (left) of Philly Fighting COVID uses a nasal swab to give a COVID-19 test to Nicole Brown outside Vine Memorial Baptist Church in West Philadelphia on Saturday. Staff from Philly Fighting COVID and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia administered free testing organized by the traveling Community-Accessible Testing & Education (CATE) program, which offers testing at different sites across Pennsylvania.
The recent surge in coronavirus cases in Philadelphia is beginning to translate into an increase in severe medical complications and deaths for city residents, Public Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said Tuesday.
"We are still seeing very high case counts," Farley said at a virtual news conference. "And we are seeing increases in the severe consequences of this infection."
After taking the lives of hundreds of city residents in the spring, the death rate dropped over the summer and in the early fall, in part because new cases were concentrated among younger people. But the number of daily deaths has risen during the recent spike in the virus' spread.
Farley on Tuesday reported seven new deaths among city residents, for a total of 1,960 since the pandemic began. Seventeen residents have been confirmed to have died of the virus last week, with reporting delays leading to a lag in when deaths are confirmed, and 31 the previous week. In August and September, the city saw only about 10 death confirmations per week.
Hospitals are also seeing increases. On Tuesday, there were 672 COVID-19 patients in Philadelphia hospitals, up from 542 on Thursday. While that caseload is still well below local hospitals' capacity to treat residents with the disease — they had 1,000 coronavirus patients at times during the spring — Farley said the trend line is alarming.
The city on Tuesday reported 1,077 newly confirmed coronavirus cases among all residents, for a total of 61,780 since the pandemic began. About 11.8% of residents whose test results were reported Tuesday were found to be positive, Farley said.
12:52 PM - November 24, 2020
12:52 PM - 11/24/20
Joe Raedle / MCT
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris receive a briefing from the transition COVID-19 advisory board on Nov. 9 in Wilmington.
Operation Warp Speed was in contact with Joe Biden's transition team on Monday night, shortly after the General Services Administration finally initiated Biden's formal transition process, and will work with the president-elect and his team going forward to prepare to distribute coronavirus vaccines, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said.
"We are immediately getting them all the pre-prepared transition briefing materials," department Secretary Alex Azar said at a news conference regarding vaccine distribution. "We will ensure coordinated briefings with them, to ensure they are getting whatever information they feel they need that's consistent with statute and past practice."
Azar said he vowed that "transition planning and execution will be professional, cooperative, and collaborative in the best spirit of looking out for the health and well-being of the American people, in particular saving lives through this COVID-19 pandemic."
ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
CAMcare nurse manager Naima Adams (right) uses a nasopharyngeal swab to perform a coronavirus test on a man at CAMcare Health Corp. in Camden last week.
Pennsylvania on Tuesday reported 6,669 additional confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 81 additional virus-related deaths as the pandemic's fall resurgence continues.
The update comes a day after the commonwealth tightened restrictions in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday. Officials banned alcohol sales for on-site consumption at Pennsylvania bars and restaurants Wednesday night, shutting down what is traditionally the biggest bar night of the year, and instituted an official advisory urging residents to stay home and not gather with people outside their household.
The measures are meant to protect public health and preserve hospital capacity while not shutting down the economy entirely, Health Secretary Rachel Levine and Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday.
More than 3,400 people were hospitalized with the virus across Pennsylvania as of Tuesday, and 767 of them are in ICUs, officials said.
If nothing changes, the commonwealth could run out of ICU beds within a week, Levine said.
As of Tuesday, about 708 of the state's about 4,000 adult ICU beds remained available across the commonwealth, with 131 of them being in Philadelphia, 52 in Montgomery County, 36 in Chester County, 16 in Bucks County, and 13 in Delaware County, according to state data.
Hundreds more regular medical/surgical, non-ICU beds are currently available.
In all, at least 321,070 Pennsylvanians have gotten the virus since the pandemic began and 9,951 have died from virus-related complications.
» READ MORE: As Thanksgiving nears, Pa. tells people to stay home and bars not to serve Wednesday night
10:19 AM - November 24, 2020
10:19 AM - 11/24/20
Desks and chairs sit empty in a classroom at Loring Flemming Elementary School in Blackwood, Camden County, in October.
As coronavirus spikes continue, New Jersey is offering child care tuition assistance for families whose child's school is operating remotely.
Families with an annual gross income of up to $150,000 have until Dec. 7 to apply for the state's School-Age Tuition Assistance Program, which runs through Dec. 30. Families with children age 5 to 13 can apply for the assistance online, and if accepted, the tuition will be paid directly to the child care provider.
For families whose children were in school full-time, the program would provide up to $634 per month to licensed child-care centers, and up to $526 for registered family child care providers. The financial assistance could come as a godsend for some parents struggling to balance working from home with the demands of their child's online schooling. It's funded by a $250 million coronavirus relief package and managed by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Applicants must provide proof of residency, income, and a copy of the child's remote learning schedule.
"We urge all eligible families who need this assistance to apply as soon as possible," Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said in a statement. "There's still time for hard-working families across New Jersey to get help as this challenging time continues.
» READ MORE: As schools reopen virtually, parents scramble for day-care options
— Ellie Rushing
Siphiwe Sibeko / AP
A volunteer receives an injection at a Johannesburg hospital in July as part of Africa's first participation in a COVID-19 vaccine trial developed at the University of Oxford in Britain in conjunction with AstraZeneca.
If offered a coronavirus vaccine free of charge, fewer than half of Black people and 66% of Latino people say they would agree to take it, according to a survey-based study that underscores the challenge of getting vaccines to communities hit hard by the pandemic.
The survey released Monday is one of the largest and most rigorous to date. Other recent studies have also pointed to vaccine hesitancy in communities of color, but Monday's survey delved deeper into the reasons, polling respondents on a spectrum of questions to get at the roots of their distrust.
Perhaps its most sobering findings: Only 14% of Black people trust that a vaccine will be safe, and 18% trust that it will be effective in shielding them from the coronavirus. Among Latinos, 34% trust its safety, and 40% trust its effectiveness.
The survey was conducted Sept. 1 through 15, before interim analyses were released showing that three experimental vaccines had achieved high levels of protection against the coronavirus and appeared largely safe.
» READ MORE: Coronavirus vaccines face trust gap in Black and Latino communities, study finds
— Washington Post
8:49 AM - November 24, 2020
8:49 AM - 11/24/20
MONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Clear barriers separate the visitors in the casino at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City in July.
Atlantic City's casinos saw their collective profits fall by more than 37% in the third quarter of this year as they reopened with capacity limits and costly measures designed to stem the coronavirus pandemic.
In figures released Monday by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, each of the nine casinos still reported a gross operating profit. But for eight of them, that profit was less than it was in the third quarter of last year, when there was no pandemic and casinos were operating at full capacity.
The casinos collectively earned $150.5 million during July, August and September, down from $239.6 million a year ago.
Only one casino, the Ocean Casino Resort, increased its operating profit in the third quarter, from $10.2 million last year to $24.4 million this year.
» READ MORE: Atlantic City casino earnings fell 37% in the third quarter amid pandemic limits
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during a news conference with the coronavirus task force at the White House on Thursday.
Kaiser Health News sat down with the nation's top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, to ask him questions about how Americans might expect to live in the next six to nine months. How should we behave? And what should the next administration do?
Asked about when people will be able to throw away our masks, Fauci said he foresees public health measures continuing even after people get vaccinated. "But we'll start approaching normal — if the overwhelming majority of people take the vaccine — as we get into the third or fourth quarter [of 2021]," he added.
For now, Fauci called bars "really problematic," and said the safety of using public transportation depends on your own risk factors. He wouldn't feel comfortable being in a restaurant, especially at full capacity, in "a hot zone," but he does occasionally get his hair cut by someone wearing a mask while he also wears one.
He said he will trust approved vaccines since they will get the OK from career scientists and advisory boards that have no political allegiances.
And if he could devise a national testing plan?
He said it'd focus on "surveillance testing. Literally flooding the system with tests. Getting a home test that you could do yourself, that's highly sensitive and highly specific. And you know why that would be terrific? Because if you decided that you wanted to have a small gathering with your mother-in-law and father-in-law and a couple of children, and you had a test right there."
» READ MORE: Dr. Fauci on the holidays, the Biden transition, and the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic
— Kaiser Health News
CHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
An ambulance is unloaded at the Philadelphia Nursing Home at 2100 W Girard Ave. on May 20, 2020.
Pennsylvania lawmakers on Friday passed a coronavirus liability shield for nursing homes, hospitals, and a collection of other businesses, providing protection from lawsuits long sought by the chronically underfunded long-term care industry as it struggles to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislation, decried by advocates for the elderly, would eliminate liability for damages or personal injury related to COVID-19 unless gross negligence, recklessness, willful misconduct, or intentional harm can be shown "by clear and convincing evidence."
Rep. John Hershey, a Republican from central Pennsylvania, praised the bill as offering protection for businesses, schools, nursing homes, and others from frivolous lawsuits. "Businesses deserve protection from lawsuits where no party is at fault for injuries or damages. They don't need to be burdened with court costs and protracted legal battles when they are operating in good faith," Hershey said.
Currently, 28 states provide homes with immunity from civil liability, including New Jersey, which also shields nursing homes from criminal liability, according to Sam Brooks, a program manager with Consumer Voice, a national advocacy group for high-quality, long-term care.
» READ MORE: Pennsylvania nursing homes in line to be shielded from COVID-19 lawsuits
— Harold Brubaker
John Hart / AP
The heart rates, blood pressure levels and oxygen levels of COVID-19 patients are closely tracked in an intermediate care wing of UW Hospital's COVID-19 unit in Madison, Wis.
Monday was another record-setting day inside U.S. hospitals, which reported more coronavirus inpatients than at any other time in the pandemic — continuing an ominous, nearly monthlong streak of fast-rising numbers.
Facilities across the country reported at least 85,700 people hospitalized with COVID-19, according to data compiled and analyzed by The Washington Post. Concurrent increases in the numbers of coronavirus patients in intensive care units and on ventilators show that the most serious cases are also climbing at a dangerous clip.
These numbers are all rising at a potentially perilous time for Americans. Even as the virus spreads, more people are traveling and planning to spend winter holidays with family or friends outside their immediate circles, increasing the potential of further spread.
The crisis is most acute in the Plains states and the Upper Midwest, where on-the-ground accounts and the data tell a dire story. The Dakotas, Nebraska, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Montana lead the nation in people hospitalized per capita, according to The Post's analysis.
Many of those same states also lead the country in new virus deaths per capita — the fatal conclusion of progressing trends that epidemiologists have warned about for months: First the cases rise, then hospitalizations follow and, finally, an increase in deaths.
Some of the hardest-hit states — the same that led the fall surge — have seen a recent and slight decline in new infections. This is a possible signal that cases there may be beginning to level off, though it is unclear how holiday travel and interaction will affect the numbers.
Pennsylvania announced new COVID-19 restrictions Monday — including a ban on restaurants and bars from serving alcohol on the night before Thanksgiving — in an attempt to limit a spike in infections that has already filled hospital beyond pandemic highs set back in the spring.
Health Secretary Rachel Levine said Monday hospitals in the northeastern part of the state are struggling with bed availability, and warned that the commonwealth could run out of intensive care beds by next week. As a result, Levine also announced a measure that would trigger intervention from the Wolf administration if a region's hospitals became overburdened by the fall resurgence of the virus.
As hospitalizations have soared, 545 Pennsylvania residents died of the virus last week. Statewide, the test positivity rate reached a fall high of 11%, meaning more than one in every 10 people tested for the virus were found to have it.
"The commonwealth is in a precarious place right now," Gov. Tom Wolf said. "We need to make sure that we're doing everything we can to save lives."
Here's where things stand in terms of cases through Monday, according to an Inquirer analysis of data from each local health department:
Pennsylvania: Averaging 6,398 new cases a day, a 27% increase over last week's average (5,045 a day) and 109% higher than last month's average (1,769 a day).
New Jersey: Averaging 4,039 new cases a day, a 14% increase over last week's average (3,549 a day) and 233% higher than last month's average (1,211 a day).
Delaware: Averaging 424 new cases a day, a 30% increase over last week's average (327 a day) and 205% higher than last month's average (139 a day).
— Justine McDaniel, Erin McCarthy, and Rob Tornoe
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