Archives May 2019

Canada’s Defence Minister visits Canadian troops in Afghanistan

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

As public opinion wavers over Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan, Defence minister Gordon O’Connor made an appearance to shore up support among the troops for the Afghan mission.

O’Connor disembarked a Canadian Forces Hercules C-130 transport plane dressed in full desert battle fatigues and boots, and was greeted by Lieut.-Gen. Michel Gauthier at Canada’s base on Kandahar airfield. “I’m here on this visit to get three perspectives – One is what’s happening on the ground here. The other in Kabul for what’s happening on the national level, and then I’m going to Pakistan for the international perspective.”

The minister’s visit comes as a surge of violence is sweeping across southern Afghanistan. Military casualties have run high since August 3rd, claiming the lives of eight Canadian troops, one British soldier and many more civilians. Much of the violence comes at the hands of suicide bomb attacks against resupply convoys amid growing frustration at the presence of foreign troops in Afghan territory. In the hours before O’Connor’s arrival another suicide bomber targeted a Canadian convoy, killing two civilians and injuring a third.

Military officials took the opportunity to highlight concerns for the troops on the ground who are complaining of poor equipment, vehicles and accommodation.

Canadian government announces major tax reductions

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced a five-year program that could reduce taxes by a total C$60 billion.

The planned tax reduction measures include:

  • Low-end personal income tax rates would be reduced from 15.5% to 15%, taking retroactive effect to the start of 2007;
  • The basic personal exemption, the amount at which income is taxable, is raised from C$8,929 to C$9,600, also backdated to January 2007;
  • Business tax rates are expected regularly drop from the current 20.5% to 15% in 2012;
  • The Goods and Services Tax that applies to most purchases would be reduced from 6% to 5% as 2008 begins. This rate was previously reduced from 7% July 2006, shortly after Prime Minister Stephen Harper took office.

These measures will be brought before the House of Commons in Ottawa on Wednesday as a confidence motion. In Canada’s minority government situation, opposition parties could defeat these measures and likely prompt an election. However, opposition leader Stéphane Dion has expressed an unwillingness to defeat the government on this matter.

What To Do Before Calling A Repairman For Air Conditioning Units Honolulu

byadmin

Air Conditioning Units Honolulu are major appliances that help reduce allergens, dust, mold, and debris in a home’s air. This device makes air suitable for household occupants and interior assets by regulating moisture and heat in the air. When you have an AC system with a malfunction, it’s essential to fix it promptly to restore functionality to your home-based climate control system. Before you call a repairman, use the following guidelines to get your AC running again.

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When an air conditioner does not run right, there may not be a problem. Instead, there can be an improper operation of the unit. To see if this is the case for your AC system, start by checking the power source. Look at your main entrance panel. Two switches or fuses allow power to flow to the condenser and the evaporator. Both of these safety devices should be in the “on” mode. You may have to replace a tripped circuit breaker or replace a fuse when either one does not work.

Next, check the thermostat on your air conditioner. It should be in the “on” and “cool” modes. The temperature setting should be lower than the temperature of the room. This may sound basic, but some homeowners misunderstand the way their thermostats work. It’s helpful to check the filter. This object traps allergens, dust, and debris. When it has too much of this material, it can cause the AC system to malfunction. Replace a dirty disposable filter and clean a metal filter. You can purchase an inexpensive replacement using the letters and numbers on the side of your old filter. Visit website for complete details.

Check out the drain-line for your air conditioner. As your AC system treats indoor air, it produces condensate. This excess fluid exits the air conditioner through this small pipe. It can carry dust, debris, and allergens with it. When conditions are right, algae can grow inside a drain-line. All of this material can be an obstacle for the AC system and prevent it from working right. Clean the drain-line often to keep this from happening.

When the above actions fail to get your air conditioner working right, it may be necessary to call a professional like the ones at Air Source Air Conditioning. This company can handle services for residential and commercial Air Conditioning Units Honolulu.

Explosives stolen from California mine

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

According to the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Agency or ATF, at least 686 sticks of dynamite and at least 30 pounds of ammonium nitrate were stolen from Gold Mountain Mine Company in Big Bear City, California located in San Bernardino County. Fuel oil and mining equipment are also among the items stolen. When combined, the fuel oil and ammonium nitrate become combustible and authorities fear what could be done with the explosives.

“The obvious concern is someone stole it, and what are they going to do with it? This is a quantity of explosives that could do significant damage. We need to recover these items,” said John D’Angelo, spokesman for the ATF.

The thieves cut locks on the gate that leads to the facility and then cut the locks on a metal storage bin and stole its contents and everything inside the facility. The man responsible for mining operations in the area does so as a hobby. The robbery was reported on May 3.

“We urge anyone who has information about this theft to contact ATF and the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. Our job is to keep the public safe. We take the theft of explosives extremely seriously, and we will relentlessly follow up every lead until we solve the case,” said John A. Torres who is the special agent in charge of the ATF in Los Angeles.

Authorities have offered a $25,000 reward for information about the crime that leads to an arrest and conviction.

British surfers catch more than waves: Scientists find antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

In findings published Sunday in Environmental International, a team from Britain’s University of Exeter reports that surfers and bodyboarders are roughly three times as likely to house antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli and other bacteria that could easily become resistant, than other people who recreate in the coastal waters of the United Kingdom.

The epidemiological study was nicknamed the “Beach Bum Survey”. The project was performed on 143 regular surfers, body surfers and bodyboarders from around the United Kingdom. Each surfgoing participant was asked to recruit a non-surfing friend of the same sex and approximate age and who lived in the same part of the country to serve as a control, which resulted in a control group of 130.

All participants mailed in rectal swabs, and the researchers cultured the E. coli from those samples with a common antibiotic called cefotaxime. The antibiotic failed to kill the bacteria in about 9% (13 out of 143) of surfer and bodyboarder samples and 3% of the samples from the control group (4 out of 130). A deeper look into the genomes of the specific strains of bacteria found in the study volunteers showed that bacteria from surfers were four times as likely to possess genes that can be transferred from one bacterial strain to another, which can help antibiotic-susceptible bacteria become resistant. The study also involved examination of water samples from the coasts of England and Wales to estimate the risk of surfers and other beachgoers ingesting E. coli.

E. coli is a regular resident in the guts of humans and other animals. Most strains are harmless but others can cause serious disease. Like other bacteria, E. coli can undergo horizontal gene transfer, swapping genes from one bacterium to another. This can give the altered strain the ability to cause disease, survive in the presence of antibiotics or both.

Although the researchers expressed concern surfers might spread dangerous bacteria, Dr. Will Gaze, the University of Exeter Medical School professional who supervised the project, urged people not to avoid the beach: “We are not seeking to discourage people from spending time in the sea, an activity which has a lot of benefits in terms of exercise, well-being and connecting with nature”, he said. “It is important that people understand the risks involved so that they can make informed decisions about their bathing and sporting habits. We now hope that our results will help policy-makers, beach managers, and water companies to make evidence-based decisions to improve water quality even further for the benefit of public health.”

David Smith, science and policy officer of Surfers Against Sewage, which helped organise the volunteers, agreed the study was not meant to discourage surfing: “Water quality in the UK has improved vastly in the past 30 years and is some of the cleanest in Europe. Recognising coastal waters as a pathway for antibiotic resistance can allow policy makers to make changes to protect water users and the wider public from the threat of antibiotic resistance.”

One of the principal findings of this work was that existing methods may have been underestimating the prevalence of these bacteria in seawater. Previous studies have shown that even designated swimming beaches can be affected by runoff from farms or even sewage, and surfers swallow roughly ten times as much seawater as swimmers. Professor Colin Gardner of the charity Antibiotic Research UK says, these forms of runoff can have even higher concentrations of antibiotics than patients undergoing antibiotic treatment. “Research into new medicines to replace our archaic antibiotics has stagnated and unless new treatments are found, this could be potentially devastating for human health”, he warns.

The World Health Organization has reported that because so many kinds of bacteria are gaining resistance to common medicines, conditions such as pneumonia and gonnorhea may become more difficult to treat and have higher rates of sickness and death. Doctors often prescribe preventative antibiotics to patients undergoing surgery or radiation therapy, and this may also be impacted. Professor Sally Davies, England’s chief medical officer, has described a “post-antibiotic apocalypse” scenario

The European Regional Development Fund and Natural Environment Research Council provided funding for the study.

The Benefits Of A St Paul Roll Off Dumpster

byAlma Abell

Commercial containers are provided primarily to a foreman of a construction crew. They rent these dumpsters to maintain a safe and clean work environment. This prevents the likelihood of a work-related accident and reduces waste accumulation. If you are planning a construction project, you should considering renting a St Paul Roll Off Dumpster today.

Landfill Accumulation Prevention

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By renting a dumpster you reduce the likelihood that recyclable materials will end up in a landfill. All you have to do is place recyclables in one dumpster and waste in another receptacle. This reduces the time needed to sift through debris to determine whether or not viable items were placed inside the dumpster. It also creates a safer environment as landfill reduction is possible.

Reduce Damage

If your crew continues to place all unwanted materials into the dumpsters, there is a reduced change that the property owners or your crew will suffer tire damage from nails in loose boards of sheetrock. It also eliminates areas that could become nests of dens for pests. It could also reduce damage due to hauling larger quantities for waste products at one time to the receptacle, which could lead to broken materials such as windows or other fixtures.

Placement of Your Dumpster

You should determine in which area you wish to have the dumpster placed. This requires you to consider all areas of the work area before making a decision. The reason for this is that the weight of the dumpsters could lead to grass damage. If you wish to maintain a landscaping design for the property, you should consider the area in which this design flows to prevent damage that could equate to a high cost.

Dumpsters are great options for construction projects as it offers adequate space for unwanted materials. You can have the dumpster anywhere you choose that makes it easier for your crew to navigate through the work area without damage or injuries. You can schedule the pick-up and delivery based on your schedule and the number of days you need the dumpster. To rent a St Paul Roll Off Dumpster today, you should visit Commercialcontainersllc.com to select a size.

Cherokee Nation tribunal approves new Constitution

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Tahlequah, Oklahoma — A Cherokee Nation tribunal has approved the new 1999 constitution that was passed by Cherokee voters in July 2003. Two of the three justices ruled that approval of the constitution by the Bureau of Indian Affairs was not necessary and that the new constitution is effective immediately.

The constitution includes the creation of a speaker for the legislative council and would be the third in line of succession, behind the Principal Chief and Deputy Chief. The constitution also changes the name of the Judicial Appeals Tribunal to the Supreme Court and increases its size from three to five. Another provision is a two consecutive term limit for elected officials.

Principle Chief Chad Smith said. “This is a historic day for the Cherokee Nation … our constitution requires that the people review our constitutional laws every 20 years, and modify when necessary. Today, the (Supreme) Court has reaffirmed the obvious, we were a government exercising inherent sovereignty before there was a United States. The greatest exercise of that sovereignty is to pass our own constitution, without interference from outsiders.”

For a side-by-side comparison of the 1976 and 1999 constitutions, see The 1999 Constitution of the Cherokee Nation: A review and comparison between the 1976 and 1999 Constitutions of the Cherokee Nation in preparation for the Ratification Vote on July 26, 2003.

Reflections, Lichtenstein, two new exhibitions at Edinburgh’s Modern One

Saturday, March 14, 2015

This weekend saw the opening of two new exhibitions at Edinburgh’s National Gallery of Modern Art. Wikinews attended Thursday’s press preview for the event where a full contingent of the capital’s press turned out to see the striking collection of paintings, photographs, and other works. Presented below are a selection of images captured at the preview.

REFLECTIONS: A Series of Changing Displays of Contemporary Art, billed as a showcase of a “diverse range of internationally-renowned contemporary and modern artists” is to display major works from the Gallery’s permanent collection, alongside important loans. Alongside this broad range of works, a three-room display of pieces on-loan from the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation — with a dramatic painted steel relief, ‘borrowed’ from the Tate in London — runs from March 14 through to January 10 next year.

Admission to both exhibitions is free; being located in Dean, to the north-west of Edinburgh’s city centre, a free Gallery bus service is available.

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Fresh pictures of Castro and Chavez shown in Cuban media

Monday, August 14, 2006

An additional round of new photos of a recuperating Fidel Castro have been published in the Cuban media. There has been international speculation on the state of the Cuban leader’s health since he temporarily relinquished power two weeks ago prior to undergoing intestinal surgery. Castro had not been seen in those two weeks, and there were rumours that he was dead or nearing death.

The official Communist Party daily Granma today published pictures of Castro meeting Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez on the Cuban leader’s 80th birthday, yesterday. The paper referred to the meeting as “three hours of emotional exchange” quoting Chavez as saying “This is the best visit I’ve ever had in my life.” Earlier, acting Cuban leader Raul Castro made his first public appearance since taking power when he welcomed Chavez to Cuba at the airport. The brothers also appear together in one of the new photos.

The earlier round of pictures released Sunday by the Juventud Rebelde (Rebel Youth) newspaper show Castro speaking on the phone and holding Saturday’s edition of the Communist Party newspaper Granma.

Castro also released a statement yesterday saying that his health had improved but that his recovery would take more time.

“To say that objective stability has improved considerably is not to invent a lie. To affirm that the period of recovery will last a short time and that there is no longer any risk would be absolutely incorrect.”

“I ask you all to be optimistic and at the same time to be ready to face any adverse news,” said Castro, who also thanked the Cuban people for their love and support during his health crisis. The statement was the first from the Cuban leader since undergoing surgery.

Granma reported Saturday that Castro is now “up” and “working”. The official newspaper reported that according to an unnamed friend of Castro “the leader of the revolution, after receiving some physiotherapy, took his first steps in the room, then, sitting on a coach, talked vividly”.

Though most official celebrations of Castro’s birthday have been postponed (possibly until December), three thousand well-wishers have gathered for a five-hour birthday concert on Havana’s Malecon seafront boulevard.