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Akinwunmi Adesina, AfDB President
Business - Business & Economy - News - January 22, 2021
How taxation can build back Nigeria's economy from COVID-19 pandemic losses -AfDB President
Says cumulative loss to Africa's GDP to grow by 36.42% in 2021
Nigerian's economy can recover from the losses suffered with the devastation of coronavirus pandemic if the demand by the government for the fulfillment of tax obligations by citizens is balanced with the government's tax accountability, the African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Akinwumi Adesina, has said.
Besides, he advised the government to avoid being overly generous with tax holidays and tax reliefs in its bid to use fiscal incentives to attract and support the private sector.
Mr Adesina spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at the First National Tax Dialogue organized by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS).
Participatory tax-based financing systems by the citizens, he said, should demand equal participatory governance on the part of the government.
"Government efforts to secure investments should not be based on giving too much "fiscal sugar" to the companies, so they do not suffer from "fiscal diabetes", he said.
COVID-19 and devastation of Africa's economy
He lamented the growing devastation of COVID-19 on world economy, particularly in Africa, saying cumulative loss to Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) as a result of coronavirus pandemic is estimated to grow by 36.42 percent, from about $173billion in 2020 to about $236billion 2021,
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AfDB President said six of the world's 10 fastest growing economies were in Africa.
However, with the pandemic shock, he said growth plummeted, with Africa's GDP growth declining by 2.1 per cent last year, the worst in two decades.
"As economies went into lockdowns, people's incomes declined, millions lost their jobs, trade volumes fell, and demand for goods and services declined. Cumulative loss to Africa's GDP is estimated at $173-236 billion for 2020 and 2021, respectively," he said.
Nigeria tossed into recession
With the growing devastation, Mr Adesina said Nigeria, reputed to be Africa's largest economy currently at about N142.7trillion, has not been spared.
He said the country's economy shrunk by 3 percent in 2020 on account of falling crude oil prices and effects of the lockdowns on economic activity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted on budgetary balances and the country's increased debt burdens.
With Nigeria's Debt-to-GDP ratio currently at about 34.98 percent, amid growing debt (N32.2trillion as at September 2020) and deficit in the annual budget (N5.6trillion), the country's debt service is to gulp more than 60 percent of all federally-collected revenues.
Mr Adesina said with shrinkage in crude oil revenues in recent times, debt service payments pose the greatest risk to the Nigerian economy in the new year.
In Africa, he said out of the available debt sustainability ratings of 38 countries, only 14 are in high risk of debt distress, with six already in debt distress.
With the persisting impact of the pandemic, Mr Adesina said estimates showed between 28 and 40 million people in Africa are projected to fall into extreme poverty, with 30 million jobs to be lost due to the pandemic.
He spoke of the response of the AfDB to the crisis, saying apart from a $10 billion Crisis Response Facility to support African countries to meet the fiscal and economic challenges, the Bank also provided $288 million in budget support to Nigeria.
Also, he said the AfDB, which launched a $3billion fight COVID-19 bond on the global market, the largest ever social bond in world history, is now listed on the London Stock Exchange, the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq.
Urging Nigeria and Africa not to be deterred by the COVID-19 scourge, Mr Adesina said he remained optimistic that African economies would recover this year to about 3.4 percent growth level as economies open up, commodity prices recover, tourism bounces back, and global value chains recover their manufacturing capacities.
He said AfDB's projections from its African Economic Outlook showed that Nigeria's economy would recover to a growth rate of 1.5 percent in 2021 and 2.9 percent in 2022.
In the third quarter of 2020, the country's economy contracted by about -6.1 per cent in GDP growth rate.
Although it recovered to about -3.6 percent in the last quarter of the year, the consecutive contraction of the economy for two quarters meant the country's economy slipped into another recession in five years.
Using taxation to Build back Nigeria's economy
To build back the economy, the AfDB President said Nigeria would need huge resources, with taxation expected to constitute a significant part of government revenue.
"It is crucial to ensure that the tax base expands. Given that over 60% of Nigerians are in the informal sector, priority should be to support measures to move a large part of this from informal to formal sectors," he said.
He suggested that the government should make the country's tax codes simpler as well as reduce administrative burdens and formalities to make the transition from informality to formality simple.
The transition, he pointed out, would allow people to be able to better assess their tax obligations and fulfill them.
Need for greater tax transparency
Other suggestions included digitalization of tax collection and tax administration to ensure greater transparency of the tax system; widening of the tax base, while mitigating compliance risks and encouraging voluntary tax compliance.
He urged the government to focus a lot more on corporate taxes, and ensure full compliance, adding that steps must be taken to ensure such taxes did not discourage investments.
Citing the case of Estonia, which taxes corporate incomes, based on distributed profits, he said Nigeria could learn from it to allow corporations to re-invest their profits in expanding their businesses.
Taxing corporate revenue, instead of profits, he noted, would discourage investments needed to grow businesses and create jobs for the people.
Natural resources tax, he said, can play a major role for Nigeria, given Nigeria's high reliance on oil and gas, and minerals, adding that these sectors can pay taxes and royalties that are fair and transparent.
On profit shifting, base erosion and tax avoidance by multinational corporations, he said this forms a huge part of "Africa's missing taxes" and account for a large share of the over $60 billion illicit capital flows that Africa loses annually.
He said if companies invest in Africa, they should be made to pay taxes in Africa, adding that governments should use Business Investment Treaties and Avoidance of Double Taxation to strengthen these incentives.
"If a company works in Nigeria, benefits from Nigeria, it should pay taxes in Nigeria. Tax policy can be used to incentivize the closing of the massive infrastructure gap that Africa faces," he said.
While commending the new initiative between the Federal government and selected private sector businesses to provide road infrastructure in return for tax rebates, he said this should be conditional based on regular assessment measured for delivery.
He however advised the government to avoid overly generous tax holidays and tax reliefs, adding that there should be fiscal incentives to attract and support the private sector and avoid losing too much tax earnings.
"Small and medium-sized enterprises should be further encouraged and supported, as they are the lifelines of earnings and the creators of jobs. Tax exemptions or tax deferments can be used to support their growth," he said.
While the government should demand tax obligations from Nigerians, he said there must also be tax accountability from the governments, saying that participatory tax-based financing systems demand participatory governance.
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Worshiping Together as a family of God at Trinity.
Sunday worship is at 9:30 AM. We use the Divine Service 1 found in the Lutheran Service Book. On the last Sunday of the month, we have a blended service with contemporary music.
Come as you are, we are family of God worshiping as 1 family in the faith of God.
All Sunday services are presented on a projector screen for all those to follow along.
Holy Communion is served every week. Please see our beliefs and stance on Holy Communion.
We also provide Live Streaming through our Facebook Page.
Thursday night family worship is at 6:00 PM.
We gear this service for all families. With the basics of Sunday Worship, we sing praises and pray to God. We condense this service into a 30 minute service.
For 30 minutes, we listen listen to God's word, we sing, we pray and fellowship together at the Altar. Our children participate and are active in worship.


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Q: Which shuffle racing setting gives the most variety in the available cars? Currently when running shuffle racing in Gran Turismo, you can set the "base" performance points from 300 to 500 at 20 point increments. This controls the cars that are randomly assigned to all the racers.
At 300 points there appears to be a very limited handful of cars available with the same half dozen of cars making a regular appearance. Available cars also become limited as the setting approaches 500.
Does anyone know which setting gives the greatest variety of available cars? Is it PP400, or higher than that?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Gundogan marvels at Man City team-mate David Silva
SoccerNews in Bundesliga 18 Feb 2019
Ilkay Gundogan looks at his Manchester City team-mate David Silva with great admiration, adamant any player would learn just by watching the Spanish playmaker.
Silva joined City in 2010 after rising to prominence in LaLiga with Valencia, persuading the club to fork out a reported £25million for him.
Initially there were doubts about Silva's suitability to the more physical Premier League, particularly in a central position, but any such reservations were swiftly swept away.
The 33-year-old quickly became a mainstay and his longevity and general excellence have led to some suggesting he is the Premier League's greatest foreign player.
Gundogan believes his colleague is an example to anyone.
"You learn more about football in general when you watch players like David," Gundogan said on DAZN's Talking Tactics show.
"David is extremely strong in the small turns, in decision-making and in the passing game. If you have a midfielder like David against you who plays such passes, then I do not want to be a full-back.
Stepping into a big week in Europe and Wembley!
#mancity pic.twitter.com/E28P3Cx5sv
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 18, 2019
"It does not matter if you have to go into one-on-one situations against David or defend the passing route – both are extremely difficult.
"Nevertheless, one should always be careful with all esteem. You shouldn't want to imitate everything [of another player], if it does not fit your own game."
Gundogan also thinks highly of Mario Gotze, his international colleague and former Borussia Dortmund team-mate.
The City midfielder joined Dortmund in 2011, just after Gotze – then a teenager – had broken into Dortmund's first-team and looked destined for the top, and Gundogan found his ability intimidating.
"There was once a player [Gotze] I found incredible in training," he added. "A player I thought, 'What is he doing?' This player was Mario Gotze.
"I thought: 'He must be only 18 or 19?' I was 20 or 21 years old myself. When I started training at Dortmund, this boy did things in training that made me think, 'wow, if he does not come all the way up, then I do not know [who will].' That was overwhelming for me.
"You just did not get the ball [from him]. I have often tried to defend against him. Whether the ball was in the air or on the foot, you did not manage to separate him from the ball.
"Mario has always made the right decisions, whether in dribbling or with a pass."
Categories Bundesliga

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Diffusion Equation – Two Different Media
Solutions of the Diffusion Equation – Non-multiplying Systems
As was previously discussed the diffusion theory is widely used in core design of the current Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) or Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs). This section is not about such calculations, but provides an illustrative insights, how can be the neutron flux distributed in any diffusion medium. In this section we will solve diffusion equations:
in various geometries that satisfy the boundary conditions discussed in the previous section.
We will start with simple systems and increase complexity gradually. The most important assumption is that all neutrons are lumped into a single energy group, they are emitted and diffuse at thermal energy (0.025 eV).
In the first section, we will deal with neutron diffusion in non-multiplying system, i.e., in system where fissile isotopes are missing and therefore the fission cross-section is zero. The neutrons are emitted by external neutron source. We will assume that the system is uniform outside the source, i.e. D and Σa are constants.
Neutron flux distribution in various geometries of non-multiplying system.
Solution in two different diffusion media
A diffusion environment may consist of various zones of different composition. The consequence of this is that the diffusion coefficient, absorption macroscopic cross-section, and therefore, the neutron flux distribution, will vary per zone. For the determination of the flux distribution in various zones, the diffusion equations in zone 1 and zone 2 need to be solved:
where a is the real width of zone 1 and b the outer dimension of the diffusion environment including the extrapolated distance. With problems involving two different diffusion media, the interface boundary conditions play crucial role and must be satisfied:
At interfaces between two different diffusion media (such as between the reactor core and the neutron reflector), on physical grounds the neutron flux and the normal component of the neutron current must be continuous. In other words, φ and J are not allowed to show a jump.
1., 2. Interface Conditions
It must be added, as J must be continuous, the flux gradient will show a jump if the diffusion coefficients in both media differ from each other. Since the solution of these two diffusion equations requires four boundary conditions, we have to use two boundary conditions more.
3. Finite Flux Condition
The solution must be finite in those regions where the equation is valid, except perhaps at artificial singular points of a source distribution. This boundary condition can be written mathematically as:
4. Source Condition
The presence of the neutron source can be used as a boundary condition, because it is necessary that all neutrons flowing through bounding area of the source must come from the neutron source. This boundary condition depends on the source geometry and for planar sourve can be written mathematically as:
For x > 0, these diffusion equations have the following appropriate solutions:
Φ1(x) = A1exp(x/L1) + C1exp(-x/L1)
where the four constants must be determined with use of the four boundary conditions. The typical neutron flux distribution in a simple two-region diffusion problem is shown at the picture below.
Solution of diffusion equation in two different non-multiplying diffusion media
Albedo Boundary Condition
Applicability of Diffusion Theory
Boundary Conditions – Diffusion Equation
Derivation of One-group Diffusion Equation
Diffusion Equation – Finite Cylindrical Reactor
Diffusion Equation – Finite Spherical Reactor
Diffusion Equation – Infinite Planar Source
Diffusion Equation – Infinite Reactor
Diffusion Equation – Infinite Slab Reactor
Diffusion Equation – Line Source
Diffusion Equation – Non-multiplying Systems
Diffusion Equation – Point Source
Diffusion Equation – Multiplying Systems
Finite Flux Condition
Geometrical and Material Buckling
How to Calculate Neutrons
Interface Conditions
Meaning of Diffusion
Migration Length – Migration Area
Multigroup Diffusion Equations
Neutron Balance – Continuity Equation
Neutron Current Density
Neutron Transport Theory – Boltzmann Transport Equation
Numerical Solution of Diffusion Equation
Physical Interpretation of Fick's Law
Power Distribution in Conventional Reactors
Reactor Thermal Power
Reflector Savings
Source Condition
Vacuum Boundary Condition – Extrapolated Length
Validity of Fick's Law


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We are considering now. Location Test = at October in LA, TX, NY (Probably). RT @HiRisk808 will there be a U.S. arcade release for TTT2?
Guessing where they might loctest given these locations: Round 1 for LA, Arcade UFO for Texas and Next Level Arcade in NY. Just an educated guess, given the support those locations offer for games like this. As for the setup, who knows if they'll stick with the Versus style (1 cabinet per player) or do something a little more suited to most American arcades of 2p per cabinet. I could see it going both ways in a deluxe and standard setup, as I'm sure that places like I mentioned for the loctesting would prefer multiple units, while others would prefer just one. Tekken 6 was released in the US in very limited quantities as a 2p unit but it's hindrance more than anything else was the price tag (between $14k-$16k). Hopefully improvements can be made on that front as well, in addition to giving operators who jump in enough time to make the money back. At least October is a short time away so we'll know soon enough if Namco will take the plunge or not.
Oh and in related fighter news, if you've ever wondered where the whole "Toasty!" thing came from in Mortal Kombat, here's your explanation.
Has the amusement trade in the US become so complacent that they only want to support the safe-familiar-easy titles/genres?
Yes TTT2 will need software re-development (English translation and removal of ALL.NET features), and yes the Noir Cabinet is not familiar/popular for safe accounts – but remember how different PONG was for those operators in the 70's who only wated pinball!
Come on Namco! And no biased (manipulated) testing numbers!
The question should be "why aren't manufacturers releasing AFFORDABLY PRICED product that clearly has demand?" (as an operator you know it when players ask for games like SF4/Tek Tag 2).
I hope Namco is more reasonable than Capcom with Tek Tag 2.
@Halfmachine – As a specialist in the DOE sector I am against the premise of this argument – I think if you can not afford the prices in the shop… your are in the wrong shop! No matter that you use to come to this shop all the time – the prices have gone up and the cliental has changed too, and that means you have to change as well.
Moving from this analogy before I completely break it – I see that the out-of-home entertainment sector needs a complete rethink regarding machine operation. The Pay-to-Play model is working at high-end facilities, and special hospitality sites, but is sucking in the traditional heartland. There are some operators that are thinking of abandoning video amusement completely as they feel the model is broken for them – and you know they may be right.
This has become a highly sophisticated market – far beyond the business skills and abilities of the traditional amusement operator. This will be hard on some, but the reality is that the traditional video amusement market has moved on – we are in the immersive entertainment scene and that means the black coffin uprights are not the core business. We can not depend on kits as games like SSFIV only works in a special cabinet and a connected NESYS architecture (so asking for a cut down version of the game, is like removing the doors, engine and wheels from a Ferrari just so you can afford it! Then wondering why it dose not work!).
I would also get our nose out of telling R&D in Japan on how to make cheaper games – I don't think we have enough knowledge on the real market to advise anyone – the GameWorks example is what I give to anyone who thinks they have a model that works.
Rather than creating "affordable" videos, we need to be creating money making dedicated systems (Mid-Scale Attractions)! PONG was not cheap when it came out – and most of the ex-pinball excutives thought it too expensive and people would just nick its TV before the coin-boxs exploded!
This also means stopping the industry being driven by veterans with vested interests to keep the amusement trade the way it has always been like, for an easy life! Yes selling Tekken6 is hard, and needs support from ALL.NET – yes you will have to think outside of your rolodex of traditional safe clients – but hey just think on the profits if you do place these machines and share the revenue!
Working in amusement is not a guarantee for a job and position for life and a cosy golfing retirement!
@Sam – I was alluding to the situation we had with Tekken6 where sales staff 'massaged' the revenue number of the Noir cabinets on test (especially at Funland) in order to prove their vested argument against taking a risk on importing the machine.
As I said to Haldmachine – I agree that expensive Japanese imports are uneconomic for the majority of sales accounts in the traditional amusement business – but these machines are also promotion systems and should be treated so. Like Capcom using their amusement cabs as promotional tools.
I will get off my soap box now!
This is a completely different argument to the one I am making – I'm saying that players ARE interested in games like SF4 and TTT2 and will pay reasonable (and note the word "reasonable") prices to play them on the traditional pay-per-play arcade model… but in order to do this the operator price for these games must be reasonable and realistic!
Don't forget that while manufacturers often have the flexibility of raising prices the player point of view is different – you CAN'T get away with charging the player whatever you want IMO, especially with a $60 consumer console title as an option for players!
I agree with you regarding the traditional "upright" video market being soft… but at the same time high profile games like SF4/TTT2 could work for the arcade market if given the chance and priced right. The glory days of the 80s will never return but that doesn't mean we should give up on video entirely.
When your customers (players) are asking for games that don't have an arcade release (or are available in limited quantity/distribution) that seems to indicate to me that there is still some demand out there for them.
I will state here that I have no vested interest to keep the amusement industry the way it is. And trust me, after over 2 decades in the business I can tell you the realities of business are often anything but easy!
Promotion for who? Manufacturers maybe, for the upcoming console release! 'Cause it sure seems that way to me!
-This seems to underline my point – we need to avoid the 'traditional' model. I know you can get players in some areas to pay the traditional amount for the traditional game – but to be frank placing eight Noir cabinets in a themed environment with a active ALL.NET system is what the players would love, but would be unaffordable for the traditional model. And just one Noir kit is like a band-aid for a broken leg. All or nothing!
-I think that you may have mistaken my meaning – I do not want manufacturers turning out the same old dross and just hiking up the price – that is what we have at the moment. You are right, why Taito thinks they can charge a Kings Ransom for the TypeX2+ is beyond me! I know that now their hardware has been cracked they are concerned that the game is up and are looking at a new system.
Yes, fundamentally the current crop of Namco, Taito and SEGA hardware's are enhanced PC's – but the amusement system should be more than a PC in a fancy box. Just look at 'Let's Go Island 3D' – the systems mounted guns, pneumatic blasts and glasses-free 3D make it a strong stand-alone piece and closer to value for money – though it is still not cheap by any means (definitely not traditional).
Something you will see a lot of in the future – a lot of Japanese developers are looking at large scale enclosures – not just the Theater Cabinet, but also the need for a group of connected machines and a central server controlling them (the new 'Maximum Tune 4' a case in point – to be launched at JAMMA'11 – or the TT2 layout).
-Are you the "real world"? The majority of US operators are unable to advise Japanese amusement manufacturers on the real market as most depend on the distributor for their buying decisions – only a small number of sites (located round Los Angeles and Chicago) give reliable test location feedback (experimenting with new types of systems with their audience).
I always remember the report from GameWorks (Chicago) to SEGA USA that they loved the 'Quest Of D' satellite system they had on test with record revenues and needed more cards! No way was SEGA US sales going to tell their Japanese counterpart about this because the majority of their traditional sales would never have been able to take the machine at the price. A missed opportunity for a new approach, forced down by the traditional route business – a factor why so many distributors are so scared of the e-commence new approach to amusement sales!
-Yes, using amusement as a promotion tool is only helping the manufacturer and his next home release. The issue is that I see amusement as a two way street – we can use amusement as promotion of consumer, also the promotion of brand and as a stand alone revenue generator. Just thin about a promotion system like SSFIV where Capcom pays you to place the machine!!!
I keep saying that the revenue generating capability for amusement machines is dead wrong at the moment – the need for revenue generation model that borrows from the cinema, and online game sector is essential. Look at Golden Tee Golf – the online prize and player static element is essential to the platforms success – a feature that all of the modern Japanese releases have… until it is ripped out by the US sales team.
This may be a mute point anyway – I know of two Japanese factories that have decided to abandon the US distribution model and go for direct sales and the establishment of the online 'connected' element they have in Japan in the US. Not because they expect to sell hundreds of machines, but because if they get in first they could start to sell a lot of their Japanese systems in the US without the hassle of conflicted distribution/operating executives mentality.
Why is Arcade UFO mentioned as a location test place in this article and not Planet Zero? Houston has way more pro Tekken players than what Austin has so it makes more sense to bring a location test to Houston and not Austin.
I'm not against trying new ideas or equipment but in this SPECIFIC case (i.e. SF4) that I'm talking about the ONLY thing wrong with the traditional model is the NON-TRADITIONAL price of the equipment! If SF4 was offered in a standard "2 player versus" kit (none of this 1 player per cab nonsense so you need to buy double the kits) AND priced "traditionally" AND widely available then there would be nothing wrong with the "traditional" model here. You keeping saying "traditional" doesn't work and that operators should change, but is it really the operator's fault that SF4 wasn't priced "traditionally"?
The thing is, if there is a "disconnect" between manufacturers (who generally have their hands full designing/manufacturing equipment) and the operators who generally are closest to the actual players and get feedback/observe them (apart from observing the earnings firsthand) then equipment produced may not be as appealing or profitable as can be. This is apart from the cultural differences issue between Japan & the US.
But apart from the focus on the player and resulting product there is one thing that there is not enough of – "real world" operator feedback regarding technical issues and reliability. If I had a dollar every time I had to fix a problem on a BRAND NEW GAME I could have retired long ago!
You will always have to fix new machines – amusement prices made in 10's are never going to be reliable as units mad in 1,000's!
Regarding TT2 or SSFIV – this is nothing traditional about its correct operation. The cabinet (Noir / VIEWLIX style sit-down cab) are not standard in any traditional amusement hall – other than one that has gone out on a limb and purchased some unofficial-imports (remember the only official release of this style of cab was T6 and they were not JP specifications).
The disconnect is a little more political than you paint it – it is too simplistic to just think that the JP factory would be able to listen to a operators – especially one that uses other manufacturers product as well as their own – they are incredibly territorial. Even GameWorks had problems with SEGA-JP over operating certain Namco titles!
The situation is that JP receives reports from their GM's at the US division – and expect them to be accurate. The GM collects his information from his sales and their forcasts – and also from the development team. Over the years the executives have been cut back – and with that their experience – so we have a situation where non-playing/operating sales executives are directing R&D decisions – and are very territorial.
But seriously a big problem with the industry is reflected in the thinking behind your above quote.
When EVERYONE accepts that equipment is poorly designed or built and that's par for the course and people just sigh and accept it – that's a sign that something is really fundamentally wrong with this industry.
And to be quite frank it doesn't matter if games are produced in low or high quantities. If it doesn't work straight from the factory why I am paying full price for finishing what the factory should have done?


According to the Phillies, Bobby Abreu did not make the Phillies opening day roster. Abreu, who signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training back in January, was attempting a comeback after spending a year out of baseball.
Abreu originally had an opt out date of today, but agreed Tuesday to push the date back to this Sunday. At 40 years old, the former Gold Glove outfielders' range has diminished considerably. At this point in his career he would be nothing more than a lefty bat off the bench.
In 17 games this spring (41 AB) Abreu hit .244 with an OBP of .404. It is unknown at this time whether or not Abreu would be willing to report to the minors. Final rosters have to be in by 3 PM EST on Sunday.
Many fans were outraged when Amaro signed Abreu back in January, as it made an old team even older, but this was a move to see what the former All Star had left in the tank. Abreu had a rough day in RF today, making the decision to let him go easier. I think the Abreu signing ended as expected. At this point in his career Abreu is a defensive liability and best suited for a bench spot on an AL team.


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Alum Tackles New Challenges
Shotwell Leads North Iowa Transition Center
By University Copywriter Dan Silvia
Brian Shotwell does not shy away from a challenge. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration of Technical Studies at Bellevue University in 2002, and followed that up with his Master of Business Administration at the University in 2004. With the later degree, he knocked out three classes in his final term, while on active duty with the Air Force at USSTRATCOM.
Brian Shotwell (Photo: Arian Schuessler/The Globe-Gazette)
"I started taking one on campus course per term. Then I stepped it up to one on campus and one on-line. My last term I took the plunge and took one on campus and two online while on active duty in the Air Force at USSTRATCOM," he said. "I wouldn't recommend three classes and full-time employment to anyone."
Shotwell is continuing to take on challenges, most recently as the executive director of the North Iowa Transition Center, a position he's held since late January 2013. The Transition Center is a private, non-profit organization that helps people with serious mental illness transition back into society.
"I feel that people ought to have a chance. They ought to have an opportunity to do the best that they can," Shotwell told the local newspaper, the Globe-Gazette.
Filling open positions with qualified employees is one of the challenges Shotwell is tackling.
"All too often, I find myself reviewing applications with insufficient education levels. As the baby boomers begin to withdraw from the work force, there will be a vacuum to fill and the two ways to bring an application to the top of the stack is with advanced education and extensive work history," he said. "Graduating with an advanced degree, while contending with everything else that life throws your way, is an indicator of future success. I've been there and I know what it takes, so when I see applicant with similar experiences that application automatically its way to the to-be-considered pile."
Read the Globe-Gazette Article


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Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Naledi Pandor / Image: GCIS
South Africa repatriates 300 citizens from coronavirus-hit US
Government says its working to repatriate more South Africans from the COVID-19 hotspot.
by Siviwe Breakfast
The increasing spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen many South Africans scrambling to return home from abroad and, earlier in the week, government announced that it has repatriated 300 from the novel virus' new epicentre, the United States.
Over two million worldwide have been infected with the coronavirus, prompting a lot of countries to limit flights coming in and out of their borders.
South Africans return home from the US
The United States is the heaviest-hit country in the world in terms of COVID-19 cases, accounting for over 700 000 of known infections and a death toll sitting north of 35 000.
On Wednesday, South African citizens in Miami, Florida, returned home and government is making plans to return more from other states.
According to the Department of International Relations, a total of 3 639 South Africans are known to be stuck abroad.
In a statement issued out by the department, International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor says 600 citizens have been brought home.
"To date, we are pleased that over 600 South Africans have returned home. In line with the regulations, they are under quarantine in various sites."
Government's repatriation efforts
Other South Africans to be repatriated from countries abroad come from Brazil, Germany and Canada.
Some of the returnees made use of South African Airways flights chartered by the respective states, while others made personal bookings, with some aided by private companies.
Below is how the repatriation efforts have gone so far;
8 April, 66 South Africans were repatriated from Brazil on a South African Airways Flight.
On the same day, SAA flew 54 of our compatriots from Germany. 39 were from Germany; 14 from Portugal; 10 from Ireland; 3 from Nepal; 1 from Italy;
On 12 April, a South African Airways flight from Brussels, to Johannesburg with a stop-over in Lagos repatriated 119 South Africans.
On the same day, another SAA flight from London to Cape Town repatriated 201 South Africans.
On 13 April, a South African Airways flight from Ghana to Johannesburg repatriated 62 of our nationals.
Repatriation on private chartered flights by individuals and companies
On 10 April, 4 South Africans arrived from Afghanistan.
On the same day, 49 more South Africans landed in Cape Town from Namibia.
On 11 April, 41 South Africans were repatriated from the Maldives.
Elsewhere, some South African citizens are still stranded in South American and Asia.
Close to 400 are stranded in Thailand and Indonesia, and government is making efforts to return them home.
More were stranded in Pakistan, and are set to return as soon as the country's government grants approval for flights to leave the country.
"We are aware of the 34 South Africans stranded in Lima," the statement says. "Through our Ambassador in Peru, we are in regular contact with the group and all efforts are being made to try to get them back home."
Naledi Pandor


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From Vince to Vince and all the Juan Dixons in between: All 81 trades in Raptors franchise history, ranked
Title: From Vince to Vince and all the Juan Dixons in between: All 81 trades in Raptors franchise history, ranked
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I ranked every trade in Raptors history. It was a lot.
Nostalgia can bring with it warm and wistful feelings. Unless you pitch your editor on a thorough examination of every trade the Toronto Raptors have ever made. In that case, nostalgia can go to hell.
With Thursday's 3 p.m. trade deadline approaching, I wanted to give you, dear reader, something to scroll through in the idle moments between refreshing Twitter and The Athletic. It was not easy. It was fun, until it wasn't. It was a reminder to appreciate the halcyon days while you're in them.
What follows is the definitive ranking of all 81 trades in Raptors history.
Continue reading at The Athletic.


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Engineering & Building Construction Contractors: Specializing in Technically Challenging Construction Projects in the Bay Area.
We are a family owned and operated specialty engineering and construction contractors company operating in California since 1978 encompassing two generations. We are among the first construction contractor firms to install Helical Piers Anchor Products for residential foundation underpinning in the U.S. beginning in the 1980's as an original A.B. Chance certified installer. We continue to conduct construction contractor business throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, blending innovation and creativity to execute our work on new and existing structures. Much of our work involves technically challenging construction in very difficult and sensitive environments such as for seawall construction and repair. We specialize in Helical Pier Installation, New Foundations and Foundation Repairs, and Retaining Walls for commercial and residential applications.
Sunstone corrects, protects, saves and creates space.
At Sunstone Construction Inc., we work with owners and construction contractors to provide effective, long-term solutions for new foundations and foundation repair so those that choose to hire Sunstone Construction Inc. are assured they are getting the best, most reliable foundation products and help available.
Sunstone Construction Inc. leverages our years of experience and innovation in the seawall construction contractor and repair business to accomplish the difficult task of addressing coastal erosion on the bluffs and at surf line. Our construction contractors build seawalls in some of the harshest and most dynamic environments on the planet.
Properly engineered and constructed retaining walls are a fundamental element at residential and commercial sites and are a cornerstone of business at Sunstone.
Helical Piers or anchors are deep foundation solutions used to secure new foundations, or repair existing foundations. Because of their design, helical piers offer an easy to install solution in buildings or environments where soil conditions and other factors don't lend themselves to shallow foundations.
Continuing to work with Large and Small Companies, as well as homeowners, Sunstone Construction Inc. has been in business since 1978 as a Licensed California Construction Contractor. We pride ourselves, in being a family owned and operated General Engineering & Building Construction Corporation, as well as being the original A.B. Chance recognized contractor/installer of helical piers and underpinnings, in the United States.


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What changes in France from April 2018
news@thelocal.fr
@thelocalfrance
what changes
As ever, the beginning of the month signals a new raft of small but perhaps important changes in France. Here's what's happening in April.
Energy cheques
Energy cheques -- the new system designed to help those with modest incomes pay their energy bills -- may have been officially launched at the beginning of the year but most of the four million households set to receive them will only start to do so from the beginning of April.
These cheques, which have replaced the "social tariff" scheme, will be sent by post automatically.
CLICK HERE for more information in French
New health advice for parents
The government's new "health book" (or "carnet de santé" in French) which contains the latest medical advice for children is set to appear at the beginning of April.
The book, which is free and traditionally handed over by the maternity ward or a doctor, will replace the edition which has been distributed since 2006 with the updated version designed to "take into account the scientific advances and the expectations of health professionals and families".
Find out more about what the new book recommends.
Electronic customer service
From April 1st, you'll probably start to notice France has taken a step into the future.
When dealing with customer service staff at banks and insurance firms, it's likely you'll be asked for an electronic signature instead of the traditional hand written one.
This is all part of an initiative to increase the use of electronic forms and contracts in the financial sector.
There's some good news for families in France receiving family benefits.
From April 1st many of the allowances will increase...even if only by a tiny amount.
And families with at least two children will see their means-tested family allowances rise by 1 percent to align with the level of inflation calculated for 2017.
That means that for a family with two children with resources of less than or equal to €67,542, the amount of family allowances will go from €129.86 to €131.15 per month.
And according to Les Echos, several other social benefits could also be impacted by this rise in inflation.
That means that the back-to-school allowance and the early childhood benefits (PAJE) could also increase by 1 percent.
CLICK HERE for more info in French
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Former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos was sentenced to 14 days is prison by a Washington D.C. district court on Friday, for lying to federal agents about his contact with Russian-linked individuals during the presidential campaign. Papadopoulos was seen arriving at the district court and then leaving again after pleading guilty of lying to FBI agents during the investigation into ties... Еще between campaign members and Russia in the 2016 US elections. «His primary interest was to do what he thought the campaign wanted him to do to put Russian officials together with the United States officials to work on some better relationship with Russia,» attorney Thomas Breen explained. He justified his client's actions by saying that he didn't think it was important to mention his contacts with Russians «At this point that we know Russia meddled with the election, there is no doubt about that.» The court also ordered one year of supervised release, 200 hours of community service and a fine of $9.500 (8.200 euro) as part of the deal Papadopoulos struck with special counsel Robert Mueller when he pleaded guilty in October 2017.


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ABOUT GH
Everything you need to know about GH
The latest GH news
Port Charles family trees
25+ years of GH recaps
GH and the Daytime Emmys
GH previews, teasers, and spoilers
The Scoop: This week's GH previews
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Visit GH's Board
General Hospital star Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin Scorpio) hints that she will be back in Port Charles for a very special episode set to air later this spring.
Could beloved General Hospital star Kimberly McCullough be on her way back to the ABC soap opera as Robert (Tristan Rogers) and Anna's (Finola Hughes) daughter, Robin? Everything is pointing to a very exciting yes!
The actress teased on social media that she just worked on something with old friends that required her to get dressed up, and what she described sounds an awful lot like GH.
"I did something really cool today that involved wearing make-up and heels all day, which I clearly wasn't prepared for. Can anyone guess what this cool thing was?" she wrote, followed by, "Here's a clue- saw some old friends and reminisced about an absent dear one..."
I did something really cool today that involved wearing make-up and heels all day, which I clearly wasn't prepared for. Can anyone guess what this cool thing was?
- Kimberly McCullough (@whitewatercrew) April 17, 2021
Here's a clue- saw some old friends and reminisced about an absent dear one...
Though GH hasn't confirmed the news of McCullough's return, it's tough to imagine that her tweets refer to anything else but the soap opera she's called home on-again, off-again since 1985. GH will soon be airing a special episode in honor of late actor John Reilly, who played Robert's good friend Sean Donely. It would make sense for Robin to join in on whatever the show has planned for the tribute episode, which will also feature Reilly's real-life daughter TikTok star Caitlin Reilly. Alas, we'll have to wait for GH to confirm McCullough's return or for the actress to share more information to find out if she will indeed be present during the hour GH pays tribute to Reilly and his beloved alter ego, Sean.
RELATED: Jonathan Jackson ready to return as GH's Lucky, it's just a matter of when
McCullough became an actor at the tender age of seven months, making her first TV appearance in a diaper commercial opposite Juliet Mills. She joined the cast of GH as Robin Scorpio in 1985, when she was just seven years old.
Though having McCullough back on GH would be exciting, fans shouldn't get their hopes up too high that she'd appear in more than the upcoming Reilly tribute episode. The actor-turned-director announced in 2020 that after a "wild ride" that she's grateful for, she has retired from acting.
What do you make of Kimberly McCullough's tweets? Do you think she is returning to GH for the soap's John Reilly tribute episode? We want to hear from you -- and there are many ways you can share your thoughts.
's GH FrontPage.
ICYMI: GH NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
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Dang girls. How come that feels like nothing? The bible says we are called to "wait passionately." The first time I read that I was certain the biblical author had made a mistake. How do we wait with passion?
I can love with passion.
I can write with passion.
I can even cook with passion.
A parent implementing harsh consequences in order to promote good character in an older child.
A spouse manipulating their partner into reconciliation.
A friendship forced when from all appearances it may be healthier to part ways.
In each of the above circumstances the folks involved felt compelled to "do something". Their motives were pure. Their actions were not out of line. It's just that at the end of the day I couldn't help but wonder if their desired goal would be met? They were each after a state of the heart in another person. Would a greater good…a deeper work be accomplished by being still? Could it be that the call to action was to wait?
I don't blame a single one of those folks for what they decided to do. Not one dot. It would be the pot calling the kettle black because I don't like to wait. I want to DO SOMETHING.
But I'm learning that sometimes it's better to wait.
And I'm learning there are things that I can do while I wait.
This week has been a reminder that there are indeed seasons. Seasons "to do" and season "not to do". Thank heaven for God's grace that gives us discernment to know the difference!
Yes, I hear ya, sister! Waiting does feel so passive at times, but I love how you highlight our call to do it passionately. With intentional trust, waiting in expectation for God's faithful answers to unfold. This was definitely a reminder my heart needed. Blessed to have linked up behind you for Inspire Me Monday!
Intentional trust…that phrase is going to run through my mind all day! Love it!


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Tributes to Crewe Town Councillor who died
Cllr Mike Russan died after short illness on Monday
Leanne Palin
Crewe Town Council Cllr Mike Russan taking part in Brave the Shave in aid of Macmillan
TRIBUTES are flooding in for Crewe town councillor and former teacher Mike Russan, who died on Monday following a short illness.
Mike represented Crewe West from being elected into the newly formed town council in 2013, following his retirement as a French teacher at Ruskin High School.
Husband to Sarah, Mike has been described as 'a caring, active and devoted father and grandfather who had a love of music, reading and his favourite holiday destination in France'.
Leading the tributes was Mayor of Crewe Councillor Marilyn Houston. She said: "Mike was immensely proud to represent Crewe and a passion for his constituents.
"He was a very well-liked and respected colleague who will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and condolences are with Sarah and the family at this sad time."
Cllr Russan chaired the council's finance and resources committee and led on the improvements made to the Town Christmas Lighting Scheme and festive activities in Crewe town centre.
Deputy leader of the council Benn Minshall added: "The first thing I want to say to Mike is thank you. Thank you for your passion and commitment. Thank you for your loyalty to the people of Crewe. Thank you for your friendship and support.
"And to Mike's family I want to say thank you for allowing us to share in such a rich personality and character. His values made us all better councillors and we will carry those with us.
"Mike was a people person. Whether it was at home, during his years of teaching or these last few years of public service.
"He was at his happiest when those around him were happiest. He had a tremendous way of getting the very best out of people. The only time he ever looked down on anybody is when he was helping them up.
"Mike will forever be our fiercely passionate yet dignified colleague. But to those who knew him well he will forever be a well-respected and much loved friend to all."
Many of Crewe's residents also took to social media to pay tribute to Mike, who was well known and respected in his role of a teacher at Ruskin, and previously Crewe Grammar School.
Sam Collman said: "He was my teacher at Ruskin in the mid 90s. A proper 'old school' teacher – firm when needed, but if you showed him respect, you always got it back in return.
"A very patient and engaging teacher, and a genuinely lovely man."
Ade Peever added: "Mr Russan's love of French culture was, to me and I'm sure to generations of boys at Crewe Grammar School, an abiding gift, for which I will always remain deeply grateful."
London MarathonSteve runs up £5,000 to fight Parkinson'sA MAN whose mother has Parkinson's Disease has spent the last three years raising thousands of pounds for research into the condition.


Meaning and definitions of bourbon, translation in Kannada language for bourbon with similar and opposite words. Also find spoken pronunciation of bourbon in Kannada and in English language.
What bourbon means in Kannada, bourbon meaning in Kannada, bourbon definition, examples and pronunciation of bourbon in Kannada language.


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September 14, 2019 11:49 am AESTDate Time
Report promoting Women, Peace and Security in Pacific
Samoa and New Zealand have released a Report from the Women, Peace and Security Summit co-hosted by the Samoan and New Zealand governments, 22-23 August in Apia.
The Summit promoted the participation of women at all levels of peace and security governance in the Pacific.
The Summit Report includes high level takeaways and broad recommendations to promote the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the rights of women and girls, particularly in conflict and post conflict situations.
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi emphasised the timeliness of this Summit given the new and emerging threats from violent extremism, climate change, human trafficking, and unprecedented humanitarian crises, making our efforts to implement the women, peace, and security agenda more critical now than ever.
"Our Blue Pacific region is placing high priority on the implementation of the Boe Declaration on Regional Security which looks at the expanded concept of security that allows for the linking our security agenda to the promotion of rights for women and girls, and the recognition of the key role they can play in peace and security," Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said.
New Zealand Cabinet Minister Carmel Sepuloni represented the New Zealand government and Minister of Defence Ron Mark in co-hosting the event.
"I was impressed and encouraged by the diversity and commitment of the participants. New Zealand wants to work in partnership with Pacific Island countries to promote meaningful participation of women at all levels in Pacific security sectors, including Defence and Police forces, as well as in non-traditional security areas like climate change," Carmel Sepuloni said.
"As a region we have made some progress but we still have far to go. The Summit represents a step towards greater recognition and understanding of the challenges we face in the Pacific as well as some our successes.
"I know that the event has already inspired some practical initiatives and I am excited to see what more can be achieved through this type of collaboration," Carmel Sepuloni said.
Approximately 150 participants represented 24 countries, including 16 Pacific Island countries. Participants came from a range of backgrounds, including political leaders, military and police personnel, civil society and youth representatives and academics.
The Women, Peace, and Security Summit report can be found at:
https://defence.govt.nz/publications/publication/women-peace-and-security-summit-report-2019
Tags:Apia, Cabinet, climate change, conflict, Government, Human, Mali, military, New Zealand, pacific, Pacific Peoples, police, Prime Minister, Samoa, security
Major Crash Investigations officers are investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred in Boundain (Narrogin)…


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Coronavirus in Illinois updates: 6,642 new COVID-19 cases and 117 deaths reported Tuesday as Chicago travel order revamped again
in Covid-19, Health
Reading Time: 14min read
Two months after revamping the city's emergency travel order, Chicago officials recalibrated the requirements again on Tuesday to give travelers from all states with certain COVID-19 rates the chance to opt out of a mandatory quarantine.
Illinois COVID-19 Update: IL reports 3,385 new cases, 50 deaths; Chicago, suburban counties move to Tier 2
Meanwhile, teachers may be able to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the coming months, news that comes as the Chicago Teachers Union is fighting a return to physical classrooms as the district returned to school on Monday.
Because not everyone currently eligible to get the shots has taken them, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said those shots should be made available to the next round of 3.2 million eligible recipients in phase 1b — those 65 and older and those who are front-line essential workers. That category includes teachers and other school personnel.
Here's what's happening Tuesday with COVID-19 in the Chicago area and Illinois:
6:20 p.m.: Illinois looks toward 2nd phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, though still weeks away for many. Data shows 1 in 45 have had at least 1 shot so far.
Though COVID-19 vaccines could be available soon for essential workers and older people throughout the state, most county health departments in the Chicago area are still working to vaccinate those included in the initial phase — health care workers, and those working and residing in long-term care facilities.
Data released on Tuesday shows that roughly 1 in 45 Illinoisans has gotten at least the first shot of a vaccine, with wide variations across the state.
The new batch of data — the state's first broad release of COVID-19 vaccination numbers since vaccinations began about four weeks ago — comes a day after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said county health departments can begin vaccinating people in phase 1b if they have already run through people in the initial phase who want the inoculation, so as not to leave doses sitting on the shelf. The state as a whole remains in phase 1a.
The data comes as Illinois grapples with how best to roll out the vaccine, including when and where to expand vaccinations to senior citizens and front-line essential workers. The state's 1b phase includes people 65 and older, and workers such as first responders, teachers, grocery store workers and public transit workers.
6p.m.: CPS makes good on promise to cut off pay and access to remote learning platform for educators who've refused to show up for in-person classes
In the 10 months Chicago schools were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, any semblance of normalcy for students primarily came from one consistent image: their teacher's face on the computer screen of a Google Classroom.
And while Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union have remained at odds over the reopening plan — under which thousands of educators and students were supposed to have reported to schools Monday as phase one launched — for students in some classrooms, that continuity was disrupted Tuesday.
"Yesterday, I was locked out of my Google Classroom. This means today when my students log in, they will not have me there to teach them," Linda Perales, a Southwest Side special education teacher at Corkery Elementary, said Tuesday morning. "CPS is causing chaos to our students because they are trying to force us back into unsafe conditions."
She spoke during an online news conference, which also touched on a COVID-19 case causing concern among staff at McCutcheon Elementary on the North Side, as well as CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates' assertion that there were "entire school buildings without the students (the district) thought were coming in" Monday.
Union President Jesse Sharkey also said there was an overall lack of procedural guidance for working amid this new normal, such as guidelines on how to identify when to close a classroom or school because of virus transmission.
Perales has spoken at other recent news conferences leading up to the first day of in-person classes Monday for preschool and some special education students whose families chose to return. Along with other staff, she was expected back to in-person work last week and refused to do so, citing safety concerns as the pandemic rages on, much more dangerous now than ever before, she and others maintain.
Though she was among the hundreds of CPS educators who didn't show up on Jan. 4, Perales maintained that was not in defiance of the district because she was teaching remotely, as she said she's done effectively since March.
But as the district began sending repeated letters to the holdouts, reminding them they could be disciplined up to and including termination, about 71% of teachers and 81% of paraprofessional staff expected back went to schools Monday. CPS and city leaders say they've made a $100 million investment in making schools safe from COVID-19 and point to local private schools that have mostly been open since the fall.
Still, more than 500 teachers were not in attendance Monday, and 235 employees failed health screens. CPS said it issued final notices last week to 210 employees who didn't show in person last week. On Monday, 145 of them — who were again absent — faced the harshest consequences, Perales among them. The district warned it would lock those employees out of their Google Classroom and email accounts, and withhold pay starting Tuesday.
"I am worried for my students who will log in today and I won't know who is there teaching them because I know that it won't be me, the person that knows them and knows their routine and knows the work that they're doing and can meet their needs. It's going to be someone random," Perales said.
4:26 p.m.: Chicago still vaccinating health care workers, no immediate plans to expand to seniors, health commissioner says
Chicago has no immediate plans to start moving into the next phase of COVID-19 vaccination where older people and essential workers could start getting the shots.
Health care workers in the first phase of the vaccination plan are still snapping up doses as they become available, city Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said Tuesday.
If the demand slows, the city would expand the parameters of those eligible, she said.
"Looking ahead, if we get to a point where we're hearing from providers that there are vaccines that might not be used, we would probably be encouraging them to start using vaccine in their highest risk patients, the oldest patients with the most underlying conditions," Arwady said at a news conference to discuss vaccine rollout. "But that cannot supplant the ongoing work of getting this (phase) 1A group done."
3:15 p.m.: New Illinois vaccination data available online
The state's first broad release of COVID-19 vaccination data shows that, four weeks into the program, roughly 1 in 45 Illinoisans has gotten at least the first shot of a vaccine, though there is wide variation across the state.
The data comes as Illinois grapples with how best to roll out the vaccine, including when and where to expand vaccination to senior citizens and front-line essential workers.
"Throughout the pandemic we have used data to guide our decisions and actions and we will continue to do so for vaccine administration," IDPH's director, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, said in a news release.
"Illinois is a very diverse state, geographically and in the make-up of its population. It is important to track where we are seeing both high and low vaccination rates. These data will help us understand what actions we can take to end this pandemic as quickly as possible."
The new data shows shots ramping up from about 10,000 a day two weeks ago to approaching 25,000 a day now, based on a rolling seven-day average.
But those shots have been distributed differently across the state. In Sangamon County, the seat of the state capital, more than 4% of the population has gotten at least one dose. In Alexander County – on Illinois' southwestern tip – just 0.3% have gotten a dose, or 16 people out of more than 6,000 residents.
The data – which is current as of Monday – also shows that more than 72,000 Illinois residents have gotten both shots, or about 1 in 175 Illinoisans.
Vaccinations began a month ago for healthcare workers and long-term care residents, and the data shows there is plenty more to dole out.
The state says it's received nearly 870,000 doses in the past month and has administered roughly 350,000 of them. That's about 41% of doses received. Similar CDC data shows the state's rate of vaccination ranks 25th in the nation as of Monday, according to a Tribune analysis.
Some of the delay can be traced to a subset of the vaccination program – the shots for long-term care residents – in which the federal government is partnering with pharmacies to deliver the shots. The state data shows that less than 18% of those 230,000 doses have been administered.
State officials have said previously that they believe more shots have been delivered than recorded, because those giving the shots have 24 hours to input the data into computers. They've also said it can take time to ship the vaccine to places that are vaccinating people.
Illinois became one of the last states in the country to release vaccination data, and it's not as complete as the data many other states are offering online to their citizens.
States including North Dakota and Mississippi already are releasing numbers based on race, age and ethnicity. That's considered key information to ensure the vaccine gets spread fairly. Illinois' data also does not contain detailed records of each place within the state that's gotten vaccines, as Georgia and Pennsylvania have done, and what each place has done with their shipments, as in Michigan and South Carolina.
The state health department said in the news release that it would release more detailed data when it could.
1:05 p.m.: Chicago travel order revamped again to allow travelers from all restricted states to avoid quarantine with negative COVID-19 test
In November, the order had been divided into three tiers to account for the fact that some states the city wants to restrict movement from are faring the same or better than Chicago in terms of coronavirus case numbers. The new requirements will no longer factor city metrics into account but will ease restrictions on people coming from the hardest-hit states.
The November revamp had said the order's most severe "red" stage, which required a mandatory 10-day quarantine, included all states above Chicago's seven-day rolling average of daily cases per 100,000 residents. The "orange" stage, which required a quarantine or a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before arrival, had states between 15 daily cases per 100,000 residents and Chicago's daily cases per 100,000 residents. The "yellow" stage, which had no restrictions, included states under 15 daily cases per 100,000 residents.
Beginning Friday, the travel order will no longer have a red tier, as it will be combined with orange states to include all areas with a rolling average over 15 daily cases per 100,000 residents, according to a news release from the public health department. The new orange stage will have the same requirements — 10-day quarantine or a negative COVID-19 test — as it did before. That means states will either be in the orange stage and subject to those restrictions or in yellow with no restrictions.
Hawaii will be the only state in yellow, the news release said. All other states as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., are in orange. But most of the country has been under some form of restriction under Chicago's travel order for a while now, with the majority of the map colored red or orange even before Tuesday's update.
Officials have said the order is meant to educate residents and have not strictly enforced it. And no matter where travelers are coming from, orange or yellow states, they should adhere to public health guidelines that have been in place since the pandemic started.
"Regardless of category, people are urged to avoid non-essential travel and to follow standard COVID-19 mitigation practices such as wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, and social distancing," the press release said.
12:47 p.m.: Chicago-area restaurant owners hope for a better year, but brace for slow winter
Every step of the pandemic has felt unusual for restaurants, but unlike the uncertainty of most of last year, vaccines are being distributed, adding a glimmer of hope to 2021. Unfortunately, it's unclear exactly when most of the public will get access to the vaccines. Adding to the stress is that it is winter, a season traditionally known as the slowest time of the year for restaurants. Plus, indoor dining is still banned in the Illinois, and since it's cold, fewer people want to brave outdoor patios.
So how do people in the restaurant industry feel right now? We reached out to chefs and owners from across the city, and the responses were as mixed as you'd expect. Many noted the difficulties still ahead, from worrying about financial stability during the winter to concerns about vaccinations. But there was definitely an undercurrent of hope that things will turn around after a disastrous 2020.
"I feel optimistic; yes, I do," says Greg Hudgins, owner of Tastee Rolls (130 E. 79th St.), which serves creative takes on egg rolls, including one filled with jerk chicken. He and his fiancee, Angel Williams, opened a second location of the restaurant in Chatham a few months ago.
Because the shop only does to-go service, they haven't had to worry about the closing of dining rooms. In fact, not only has business been good for the past few months, they are even considering opening other locations in Atlanta, Las Vegas and maybe California.
But for restaurants that depend on their dining rooms to make money, the feeling is more restrained. "It's like recovering from a major surgery," says chef Dan Snowden of Pizza Lobo (3000 W. Fullerton Ave.) in Logan Square. "Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but you know it's not going to be easy."
12:10 p.m.: Illinois reports 6,642 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, 117 new deaths on Tuesday
There were 93,491 tests reported in the previous 24 hours. The preliminary statewide test positivity rate is 8.6%.
10:50 a.m.: Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider tests positive for COVID-19, blames maskless Republicans during Capitol riot lockdown
Illinois U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider announced Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after being confined with members of Congress who refused to wear masks during the violent pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week.
In his statement, Schneider referenced a video from the new Washington-based news outlet, Punchbowl News, that showed Republican members of Congress refusing requests to wear a mask as a woman went around the room handing them out.
Schneider, a Democrat from north suburban Deerfield, is at least the third member of the House to test positive since the violent pro-Trump mob descended on the Capitol building. Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., also have tested positive for the coronavirus. Watson Coleman is a 75-year-old cancer survivor.
10:40 a.m.: Cicero educators refuse to show up at school: Staff members 'genuinely afraid to return to unsafe buildings'
Despite a request from the Cicero School District 99 superintendent and school board, the vast majority of the district's teachers refused to return to their classrooms on Monday, saying rising COVID-19 rates in the community make school buildings unsafe.
"By demanding that we return to classrooms in the midst of the pandemic, Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez and the District 99 Board of Education are not prioritizing the safety of our teachers and school staff," Rachel Esposito, president of the Cicero Council, the district's teachers union, said.
Of the district roughly 11,000 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, less than 2,000 have indicated they would attend in-person classes once the district's 17 buildings are re-opened, Esposito said.
9:20 a.m.: State education measure would create commission to address needs of students who have fallen behind during pandemic
Both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly on Monday passed the Legislative Black Caucus' broad education proposal that makes changes to statewide education laws from early to higher education.
The education measure is one of four tenets of a the Black Caucus' agenda, which lawmakers are considering during the five-day lame-duck session and also includes measures aimed at tackling racial disparities in criminal justice, health care and economic development.
The education legislation includes the creation of a standardized assessment for children entering kindergarten that measures literacy, language, mathematics, and social and emotional development, and also aims to expand access to computer science courses students.
The legislation charges a state education commission with making recommendations on how to address the needs of students who have fallen behind as a result of not being in the classroom during the pandemic.
7:20 a.m.: Don't hold back second doses of COVID-19 vaccine, Trump administration tells states in bid to speed shots to vulnerable
The Trump administration is asking states to speed delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to people older than 65 and others at high risk by no longer holding back the second dose of the two-dose shots, officials said Tuesday.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said that "the administration in the states has been too narrowly focused."
As a result, he said, the Trump administration is now asking states to vaccinate people aged 65 and over and those under 65 with underlying health conditions. He said the vaccine production is such that the second dose of the two-shot vaccine can be released without jeopardizing immunization for those who got the first shot.
7 a.m.: Older Cook County residents hit by coronavirus economic downturn can use loan program to offset taxes
Older Cook County residents with lower incomes can use a state loan program administered by the county treasurer's office to offset the cost of their property taxes, according to a news release from the office.
Homeowners with household income of less than $55,000 a year who will be 65 or older by June 1 can receive a 6% loan of $5,000 or less per year and pay off the loan when a house is sold, according to the release. The deadline to apply is March 1.
More information and applications for what's know as the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program are available at cookcountytreasurer.com. — Chicago Tribune staff
From pizza to doughnuts, burritos to Spam musubi, here are our favorite takeout orders and restaurants in the Chicago area. (Chicago Tribune photos) (Chicago Tribune photos/Chicago Tribune photos)
6 a.m.: Takeout 100 — the Tribune's guide to Chicago's best restaurants for pickup and delivery right now
Takeout, once an afterthought, something to grab on the way home from work, has become a lifeline to restaurants — and to us. With dining rooms closed since late October — and with no signs of opening soon — and outdoor seating limited by space, costs and winter, restaurants have stepped up their takeout game, and indeed have been doing so since March 2020. Full meals, DIY meal kits — complete with reheating directions and even playlists — and traditional a la carte, it's all there, as close as your cellphone.
But sometimes, it's hard to choose. Which is why the Tribune's Food & Dining team has compiled a list of 100 Chicago-area restaurants and bars offering our favorite takeout dishes. Takeout 100 is searchable by ZIP code, address or town, and can be filtered for food type and price range.
Here are some recent stories related to COVID-19.
Source by www.chicagotribune.com
Van Morrison teams with Eric Clapton for anti-lockdown song
'Zombie' greenhouse gas lurks in permafrost beneath the Arctic Ocean
Sen. Rand Paul's 'Festivus Report' claims $54B in tax dollars was 'totally wasted'
Fact check: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he would defer his annual raise
Swedish government sidelines epidemiologist who steered country's no lockdown experiment as deaths rise
Copyright © 2020 Dailyillinois.com.
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United have won just once in the Premier League under Van Gaal, but appeared on course to kick-start their campaign when they led 3-1 after 57 minutes at the King Power Stadium.
However, the visitors endured a nightmare finale as Leicester scored four times to run out comprehensive winners, with United's day made worse by Tyler Blackett's dismissal and Jonny Evans' withdrawal due to a foot injury.
That setback leaves Van Gaal in need of a win to avoid back-to-back defeats for the first time in his reign and the former Netherlands coach has a big list of absentees for Saturday's home game against Sam Allardyce's side.
Blackett (suspended) and Evans join Chris Smalling (thigh) and Phil Jones (hamstring) on the sidelines, so Van Gaal could hand left-back Luke Shaw a debut at Old Trafford and move Marcos Rojo into the centre of defence.
Ashley Young (groin) and Jesse Lingard (knee) also miss out, while Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick remain on the sidelines with ankle problems.
The former Barcelona boss, who suggested this could now be the most difficult job of his career, has calmed fears over United's stuttering start.
"At the start we won all of our [pre-season] games but now we are in difficult circumstances. We should have won last weekend - we had to win when we were 3-1 up," he said on Thursday.
"If we had, we would have been two points off second place.
"But because of the loss you are now questioning me. If we won then it would have been different. We will overcome things - the season lasts a long time."
West Ham come into the game in fine spirits after a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Liverpool last Saturday.
Early goals from Winston Reid and Diafra Sakho laid the foundations for a victory which sees the London club occupy eighth place in the top flight.
As Allardyce seeks West Ham's first league win over United since 2007, the 59-year-old has a certain amount of sympathy for his opposite number.
"It takes time to get players gelling together. It's not an excuse, it's an actual fact," he said of United's slow start to the campaign.
"It takes time for everyone to get to know each other. United have already changed the system once to find a solution.
"They've got a few injuries, particularly defensive ones, so it's another opportunity for us to exploit.
"We are going into the game with confidence, and as underdogs. Hopefully we can go out and continue our good performances and get a result."
West Ham will be without Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate (groin), while Saturday's fixture will also come too soon for Kevin Nolan (shoulder) and Matt Jarvis (thigh).


Do you make New Year's resolutions? At the top of many people's lists are to be more active, exercise more, and eat healthy. If you're interested in applying those same resolutions to your students, check out these grants to help get your class moving and eating well in 2018.
The Lift Life Foundation's mission is to help provide young people with tools to improve their fitness levels and boost self-worth. The foundation offers high schools across the United States with the opportunity to have their school weight room transformed with brand-new equipment.
KaBOOM! is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all kids get a childhood filled with the balanced and active play needed to thrive. The company offers community partnerships with the goal of getting children and families more active nationwide.
Road Runners Club of America encourages the sport of running by assisting youth running programs with Kids Run the Nation grants. The goal of the program is to have children running regularly, at least once a week for multiple weeks. Programs may be new or existing, structured for either participation or competition, and must be open for both boys and girls.
Applications open August 1, 2018.
Good Sports is a nonprofit organization that partners with sporting goods manufacturers to provide equipment, apparel, and footwear to programs in need that engage disadvantaged young people in sports activities.
The Roller Skating Foundation promotes physical fitness and building self-esteem among school age children and projects to prevent substance abuse. The foundation makes grants to support roller-skating. Activities may include trips to roller-skating centers, as well as innovative projects designed to improve physical fitness or education.
Applications are due January 10, 2018.
The Chef Ann Foundation provides resources and grants that help schools offer students healthier food choices and educate about nutrition and healthy lifestyles. There are a number of programs supporting an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption in schools.
Chef Emeril Lagasse founded the foundation that bears his name to educate, inspire, and mentor youth about nutrition and healthy eating. The foundation offers a variety of programs for schools, including culinary gardens, teaching kitchens, and nutrition education.


This vegetarian version of cottage pie gets its hearty flavour from lentils, mushrooms and spiced vegetable mash.
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and celery. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, until softened. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add garlic, paprika and cumin. Stir until aromatic.
Add tomato paste, tomato, lentils and 625ml (2 1/2 cups) water. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove lid and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until lentils are tender (add extra water if needed). Add zucchini. Season.
Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan forced. Meanwhile, steam carrot and pumpkin for 10 minutes, until tender. Transfer to a bowl. Add extra cumin. Coarsely mash. Season.
Spoon lentil mixture into a 1.25L (5 cup) ovenproof dish. Spread mash over top. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with green beans, if you like.


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Home Opinions Letters to the Editor Letter: Water Contamination On Long Island
Letter: Water Contamination On Long Island
By Letters to the Editor -
This letter signed by Long Island legislators is addressed to Andrew. R. Wheeler, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency:
Dear Administrator Wheeler,
We write you today to ask that you expeditiously provide Long Island with greater assistance and resources to protect residents from harmful contaminants and pollutants found in our drinking water. The quality of water being supplied to Long Island homes has been seriously compromised by a unique combination of contaminants and pollutants, necessitating immediate intervention from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to a May 2019 study by the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Long Island has the most contaminated drinking water in New York State, and Nassau County has the highest number of water systems with detected emerging contaminants among New York's counties. Several contaminants, such as 1,4 dioxane and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, were detected above the EPA's reference concentrations, which are based on health assessments.
This is concerning given the EPA's slow response to set a nationwide safe drinking water standard, which may take several years. PFAS has been widely detected in Long Island water supplies and exposure to PFAS has been linked to testicular and kidney cancers, liver damage, and developmental effects in fetuses and breast-fed infants. Many wells across Long Island have been impacted by PFAS contamination and require the installation of expensive treatment systems to address this contaminant. Typically, a carbon filtration treatment system will cost approximately $1 million per impacted well. The New York State Department of Health estimates that statewide, 645 public water facilities will require treatment at a cost of over $850 million with an annual operating cost of $45 million.
Another highly dangerous contaminant in Long Island drinking water is 1,4 dioxane, a synthetic chemical found in many household products, and according to the EPA, it is likely a human carcinogen. Hundreds of wells across Long Island have tested positive for 1,4 dioxane, and it will cost approximately 2 million dollars per well to adequately filter out this chemical. According to the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Nassau and Suffolk County water suppliers have seen the highest levels of 1,4 dioxane in the nation.
The lack of strong federal drinking water standards for 1,4 dioxane and PFAS is hardly the beginning of water-related challenges on Long Island. Water suppliers are already hard at work dealing with nitrogen run-off, trace levels of pharmaceutical drugs, dozens of Superfund sites, salt water intrusion into the aquifers, and a plume of radium associated with the old Northrup Grumman site in Bethpage.
The combination of all these challenges presents a serious threat to drinking water and public health for all Long Islanders, and we therefore urge you to develop a maximum contaminant level for PFOA, PFOS and 1,4 dioxane as soon as possible. Also, we are requesting that the EPA provide additional financial and technical support for water providers and regulators to protect the health and well-being of Long Island families.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
—Kathleen Rice (NY-04)
Peter King (NY-02)
Lee Zeldin (NY-01)
Tom Suozzi (NY-03)
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Source: http://hicksvillenews.com/2019/06/20/letter-water-contamination-on-long-island/
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Family first and foremost: My wife Debbie is my most avid fan and supporter, putting up with my closed door rehearsal and studio time as well as repetitive song rehearsal and development on my Kawai Grand in our great room. I appreciate her patience. Also, family members have provided inspiration for much of my original instrumental music such as "Addison's Lullaby," "Jill Marie's Melody" and "Debbie's Waltz," all of which will are on my 3rd CD ("Trees of Life") and several songs inspired by my 'musician parents' on 4th CD ("Legacies").
Big shout out to my former band mates who have encouraged and supported my efforts, especially Frank "Otis" Cservak and the rest of the guys from Stained Soul and The South Barracks Band at West Point. Getting back into creative mode in 2012 while recording "The Long Gray Album" provided the seed I needed to get started again in writing music after a 37 year hiatus. Also, special thanks to Otis in helping to promote my CD distribution in PA and New York. Stan Dixon and Don Blakely proved especially helpful and supportive with Mozarts project Oct 2014. Sadly one my bandmates (Drummer Bill Nicklaus) passed away in December 2016......who will forever be missed.
Big thanks to many my Arizona neighbors and friends who have attended local venue performances here in Arizona. You make it worthwhile.............nothing worse than playing to an empty room, your presence is appreciated!
Special thanks to good friends To all friends have supported my musical efforts by purchasing CDs and attending performances and I thank you all! And to those piano playing friends who purchased my Song Book ("Songbook" - 2017), special thanks as the book was a great deal of work to put together. Ohio and Arizona friends alike have been especially supportive. All you Saddlebrookers who attend my local performances in Tucson, thank you. And thanks to Dave and Stacy Raneri of the Patio Cafe for hosting my patio performances. And of course, there is Dr. Stephen Cook and the board members at the Oracle Piano Society. It was my pleasure to have served on the board and to have the opportunity of performing at the organizations new facility - OrCA - in Oracle, AZ.
Songbook project: Special thanks to all who aided in big ways and small: Kathy Parsons (reviews/ratings), Rebecca Oswald (transcriptions), Gary Girouard (sourcing and encouragement), Michele McLaughlin (logistical assistance/ printing), David Hicken (encouragement and commitment) and Oasis Disc Mfg. (speedy production of CDs).
Musical Inspiration and support - this has to go out to all the great creative artists, songwriters and musicians in the world who keep providing new music for us all to listen to and appreciate....including especially the creative pianists and songwriters such as Jim Brickman, Omar Akram as well as the traditional rockers Elton John and Billy Joel who continue to be influences to me. I also wish to thank the New Age Music Circle who chose to include me on their annual music compilation "Sounds of the Circle" in 2018 (the 10th anniversary edition).