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BY MELISSA GOLDIN Social media users are misrepresenting a Vermont Supreme Court ruling , claiming that it gives schools permission to vaccinate children even if their parents do not consent. The ruling addressed a lawsuit filed by Dario and Shujen Politella against Windham Southeast School District and state officials over the mistaken vaccination of their child against COVID-19 in 2021, when he was 6 years old. A lower court had dismissed the original complaint, as well as an amended version. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was filed on Nov. 19. But the ruling by Vermont’s high court is not as far-reaching as some online have claimed. In reality, it concluded that anyone protected under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or PREP, Act is immune to state lawsuits. Here’s a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that schools can vaccinate children against their parents’ wishes. THE FACTS: The claim stems from a July 26 ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court, which found that anyone protected by the PREP Act is immune to state lawsuits, including the officials named in the Politella’s suit. The ruling does not authorize schools to vaccinate children at their discretion. According to the lawsuit, the Politella’s son — referred to as L.P. — was given one dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic held at Academy School in Brattleboro even though his father, Dario, told the school’s assistant principal a few days before that his son was not to receive a vaccination. In what officials described as a mistake, L.P. was removed from class and had a “handwritten label” put on his shirt with the name and date of birth of another student, L.K., who had already been vaccinated that day. L.P. was then vaccinated. Ultimately, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that officials involved in the case could not be sued. “We conclude that the PREP Act immunizes every defendant in this case and this fact alone is enough to dismiss the case,” the Vermont Supreme Court’s ruling reads. “We conclude that when the federal PREP Act immunizes a defendant, the PREP Act bars all state-law claims against that defendant as a matter of law.” The PREP Act , enacted by Congress in 2005, authorizes the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a declaration in the event of a public health emergency providing immunity from liability for activities related to medical countermeasures, such as the administration of a vaccine, except in cases of “willful misconduct” that result in “death or serious physical injury.” A declaration against COVID-19 was issued on March 17, 2020. It is set to expire on Dec. 31. Federals suits claiming willful misconduct are filed in Washington. Social media users described the Vermont Supreme Court’s ruling as having consequences beyond what it actually says. “The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled that schools can force-vaccinate children for Covid against the wishes of their parents,” reads one X post that had been liked and shared approximately 16,600 times as of Tuesday. “The high court ruled on a case involving a 6-year-old boy who was forced to take a Covid mRNA injection by his school. However, his family had explicitly stated that they didn’t want their child to receive the ‘vaccines.’” Other users alleged that the ruling gives schools permission to give students any vaccine without parental consent, not just ones for COVID-19. Rod Smolla, president of the Vermont Law and Graduate School and an expert on constitutional law, told The Associated Press that the ruling “merely holds that the federal statute at issue, the PREP Act, preempts state lawsuits in cases in which officials mistakenly administer a vaccination without consent.” “Nothing in the Vermont Supreme Court opinion states that school officials can vaccinate a child against the instructions of the parent,” he wrote in an email. Related Articles National News | Eminem’s mother Debbie Nelson, whose rocky relationship fueled the rapper’s lyrics, dies at age 69 National News | Debbie Nelson, Eminem’s mother, dies at 69 National News | Judge weighs whether to order Fani Willis to comply with lawmakers’ subpoenas over Trump case National News | Are you a former SmileDirectClub customer? You might be eligible for a refund National News | Justice Department announces sweeping reforms to curb suicides in federal prisons and jails Asked whether the claims spreading online have any merit, Ronald Ferrara, an attorney representing the Politellas, told the AP that although the ruling doesn’t say schools can vaccinate students regardless of parental consent, officials could interpret it to mean that they could get away with doing so under the PREP Act, at least when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court appeal seeks to clarify whether the Vermont Supreme Court interpreted the PREP Act beyond what Congress intended. “The Politella’s fundamental liberty interest to decide whether their son should receive elective medical treatment was denied by agents of the State and School,” he wrote in an email to the AP. “The Vermont Court misconstrues the scope of PREP Act immunity (which is conditioned upon informed consent for medical treatments unapproved by FDA), to cover this denial of rights and its underlying battery.” Ferrara added that he was not aware of the claims spreading online, but that he “can understand how lay people may conflate the court’s mistaken grant of immunity for misconduct as tantamount to blessing such misconduct.” Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular German restaurant Deutsche Ecke opens in Newport News German restaurant Deutsche Ecke opens in Newport News Second man dies in Newport News triple shooting; police still looking for suspects Second man dies in Newport News triple shooting; police still looking for suspects The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads Former Hampton High football coach Mike Smith highlights latest Virginia Hall of Fame inductees Former Hampton High football coach Mike Smith highlights latest Virginia Hall of Fame inductees Williamsburg Christmas parade to feature Commanders marching band Williamsburg Christmas parade to feature Commanders marching band Al Roker speaks out after Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade chair mishap Al Roker speaks out after Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade chair mishap 1 dead, 2 seriously injured in Newport News triple shooting, police say 1 dead, 2 seriously injured in Newport News triple shooting, police say New Kent wants public input on future of Makemie Woods New Kent wants public input on future of Makemie Woods The Grinch can’t steal West Point’s Christmas The Grinch can't steal West Point's Christmas Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to Trending Nationally Judge accused of ‘willful misconduct’ for letting illegal immigrant escape court Trump’s talk of reducing or relocating federal workers hits home in Maryland A young Coloradan learning to live with long COVID turns to TikTok to educate about chronic illness Fruit trees and ‘generational learning’ turn this California city into a parrot paradise as temperatures drop NBC’s enhanced yard lines, field numbers for Bills-49ers snow game draw strong reactions from viewers
Daily Post Nigeria NPFL: El-Kanemi Warriors’ Coach Zubairu happy with training in Bulgaria Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Sport NPFL: El-Kanemi Warriors’ Coach Zubairu happy with training in Bulgaria Published on December 24, 2024 By Taiwo Adesanya El-Kanemi Warriors’ technical adviser, Aliyu Zubairu, has expressed delight with his coaching training experience in Bulgaria. Zubairu embarked on a coaching capacity-building exercise immediately after the U-20 WAFU B tournament. The young tactician described the training as impactful and a turning point in his career. “My two weeks of training in Bulgaria were really impactful; it’s a turning point for me and my career,” Zubairu told Football Quote. “As a coach, it’s important that we keep our minds open to learn new things that can improve our work. It’s all about knowledge and capacity building. I’m happy about the experience.” Related Topics: Bulgaria El Kanemi Warriors NPFL Zubairu Don't Miss EPL: Mark Lawrenson predicts Boxing Day matches You may like NPFL: Mohammed elated with support during Pillars vs Tornadoes NPFL: Rivers United coach, Finidi demands total concentration from defenders NPFL: How Shooting Stars halted Rangers’ 10-match unbeaten run — Ogunbote NPFL: Dogo undaunted despite Nasarawa United’s home draw with Rivers United NPFL: Akinfolarin thumbs up Sunshine Stars players for win over El-Kanemi Warriors NPFL: Shooting Stars stun Rangers 1-0 in Enugu Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdNEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.
Signing with Dodgers was really easy decision for 2-time Cy Young winner Blake SnellBROOKLYN, N.Y. , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This New Year's Eve, elevate your celebrations with the world's most luxurious cookie cake: The Dank Decadence Cookie Cake , by Laced Bakes , the innovative infusion bakery redefining indulgence. Designed for the adventurous palate, this decadent treat pairs rich chocolate flavors with customizable terpenes, offering a curated experience to elevate your mood, focus, or relaxation. Available in 250mg ($145) , 500mg ($275) , and 1000mg ($550) doses, the Dank Decadence Cookie Cake is crafted for enthusiasts who demand both flavor and function. Unlike overpriced and underwhelming competitors, this cookie cake doesn't just sit pretty—it delivers tangible effects tailored to you. Customize Your Experience: "Why settle for empty luxury when you can have indulgence that actually does something?" says Crystal Grant , founder of Laced Bakes. "We wanted to create a cookie that doesn't just taste amazing but elevates your entire experience—whether it's a party or a quiet night in." Pre-Order Now: Pick up your Dank Decadence Cookie Cake on December 30th and 31st to kickstart your New Year's celebration on the perfect high note. Quantities are limited—don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind treat. Coming Soon: Stay tuned for the grand opening of Laced Bakes' members-only lounge in Brooklyn , offering exclusive events, infused menu items, and a community space for food and cannabis enthusiasts alike. For more details, visit www.lacedbakes.com or follow us on social media: Instagram: @laced.bakes | TikTok: @lacedbakes | Facebook: Laced Bakes | X: @lacedbakes | Discord: @lacedbakes Elevate your indulgence with Laced Bakes. Contact: Crystal Grant , Founder of Laced Bakes, press@lacedbakes.com Location : 1096 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221 Website : www.LacedBakes.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laced-bakes-launches-the-dank-decadence-cookie-cake-the-ultimate-luxury-treat-that-delivers-302339021.html SOURCE Laced Bakes
The Egypt international scored twice in a six-goal thriller. Liverpool boss Arne Slot hailed “special” Mohamed Salah after seeing him fire the Premier League leaders to the brink of victory at Newcastle. The Reds ultimately left St James’ Park with only a point after Fabian Schar snatched a 3-3 draw at the end of a pulsating encounter, but Salah’s double – his 14th and 15th goals of the season – transformed a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead before the Switzerland defender’s late intervention. The 32-year-old Egypt international’s future at Anfield remains a topic of debate with his current contract running down. Asked about Salah’s future, Slot said: “It’s difficult for me to predict the long-term future, but the only thing I can expect or predict is that he is in a very good place at the moment. “He plays in a very good team that provides him with good opportunities and then he is able to do special things. “And what makes him for me even more special is that in the first hour or before we scored to make it 1-1, you thought, ‘He’s not playing his best game today’, and to then come up with a half-hour or 45 minutes – I don’t know how long it was – afterwards with an assist, two goals, having a shot on the bar, being a constant threat, that is something not many players can do if they’ve played the first hour like he did. “That is also what makes him special. If you just look at the goals, his finish is so clinical. He’s a special player, but that’s what we all know.” Salah did indeed endure a quiet opening 45 minutes by his standards and it was the Magpies who went in at the break a goal to the good after Alexander Isak’s stunning 35th-minute finish. Slot said: “The shot from Isak, I don’t even know if Caoimh (keeper Caoimhin Kelleher) saw that ball, as hard as it was.” Salah set up Curtis Jones to level five minutes into the second half and after Anthony Gordon has restored the hosts’ lead, levelled himself from substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 68th-minute cross. He looked to have won it with a fine turn and finish – his ninth goal in seven league games – seven minutes from time, only for Schar to pounce from a tight angle in the 90th minute. Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was delighted with the way his team took the game to the Reds four days after their disappointing 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. Howe, who admitted his surprise that VAR official Stuart Attwell had not taken a dimmer view of a Virgil van Dijk shoulder barge on Gordon, said: “It’s mixed emotions. “Part of me feels we should have won it – a big part of me – but part of me is pleased we didn’t lose either because it was such a late goal for us. “Generally, I’m just pleased with the performance. There was much more attacking output, a much better feel about the team. “There was much better energy, and it was a really good performance against, for me, the best team we’ve played so far this season in the Premier League, so it was a big jump forward for us.”
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court should overturn Mississippi’s Jim Crow-era practice of removing voting rights from people convicted of certain felonies, including nonviolent crimes such as forgery and timber theft, attorneys say in new court papers. Most of the people affected are disenfranchised for life because the state provides few options for restoring ballot access. “Mississippi’s harsh and unforgiving felony disenfranchisement scheme is a national outlier,” attorneys representing some who lost voting rights said in an appeal filed Wednesday. They wrote that states “have consistently moved away from lifetime felony disenfranchisement over the past few decades.” This case is the second in recent years — and the third since the late 19th century — that asks the Supreme Court to overturn Mississippi’s disenfranchisement for some felonies. The cases use different legal arguments, and the court rejected the most recent attempt in 2023. The new appeal asks justices to reverse a July ruling from the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which said Mississippi legislators, not the courts, must decide whether to change the laws. Stripping away voting rights for some crimes is unconstitutional because it is cruel and unusual punishment, the appeal argues. A majority of justices rejected arguments over cruel and unusual punishment in June when they cleared the way for cities to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outside in public places. Attorneys who sued Mississippi over voting rights say the authors of the state’s 1890 constitution based disenfranchisement on a list of crimes they thought Black people were more likely to commit. A majority of the appeals judges wrote that the Supreme Court in 1974 reaffirmed constitutional law allowing states to disenfranchise felons. About 38% of Mississippi residents are Black. Nearly 50,000 people were disenfranchised under the state’s felony voting ban between 1994 and 2017. More than 29,000 of them have completed their sentences, and about 58% of that group are Black, according to an expert who analyzed data for plaintiffs challenging the voting ban. Related Articles National Politics | Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees? National Politics | Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad National Politics | Trump gave Interior nominee one directive for a half-billion acres of US land: ‘Drill.’ National Politics | Trump’s team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing? National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now To regain voting rights in Mississippi, a person convicted of a disenfranchising crime must receive a governor’s pardon or win permission from two-thirds of the state House and Senate. In recent years, legislators have restored voting rights for only a few people. The other recent case that went to the Supreme Court argued that authors of Mississippi’s constitution showed racist intent when they chose which felonies would cause people to lose the right to vote. In that ruling, justices declined to reconsider a 2022 appeals court decision that said Mississippi remedied the discriminatory intent of the original provisions in the state constitution by later altering the list of disenfranchising crimes. In 1950, Mississippi dropped burglary from the list. Murder and rape were added in 1968. The Mississippi attorney general issued an opinion in 2009 that expanded the list to 22 crimes, including timber larceny, carjacking, felony-level shoplifting and felony-level writing bad checks. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in a 2023 dissent that Mississippi’s list of disenfranchising crimes was “adopted for an illicit discriminatory purpose.”Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair suspended 3 games without pay after violent hit on Trevor Lawrence HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL without pay for three games for repeated violations of player safety rules following his hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion. Al-Shaair’s punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan. In his letter to Al-Shaair, he noted that he has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons. Runyan says “video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide.” USWNT beats Netherlands 2-1 in goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher's final match THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Alyssa Naher made two critical saves in her final match for the United States, Lynn Williams scored the go-ahead goal in the 71st minute and the Americans beat the Netherlands 2-1. The U.S., which won its fifth Olympic gold medal in France this summer, wrapped up the year on a 20-game unbeaten streak. The Americans were coming off a scoreless draw with England on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Naeher announced two weeks ago that the European matches would be her last. The 36-year-old goalkeeper played in 115 games for the U.S., with 111 starts, 89 wins and 69 shutouts. Second-to-last college playoff rankings offer last chance to see how nervous teams should be The next-to-last rankings for the College Football Playoffs come out Tuesday night, serving up one last chance to see who would be in, who would be out, who will be mad and who should be very, very nervous. There are about 18 teams vying for 12 spots in the first-of-its-kind playoff that begins Dec. 20. Outside of Oregon — the only undefeated team in the country — and Notre Dame — on a 10-game winning streak and not playing this weekend — there are very few sure things. The rankings released Tuesday will be the last dry run before the real list is revealed Sunday. Signing with Dodgers was really easy decision for 2-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell says it was a really easy decision to sign with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Joining a team that includes two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani influenced the left-hander too. Snell was introduced Tuesday at Dodger Stadium after signing a $182 million, five-year deal last weekend. Snell has known Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman since he was 18. Friedman says all conversations the front office has had since the World Series ended last month involved Snell, who was 2-2 against the Dodgers during his career. High school recruiting isn't the only way to build a winner in the era of the transfer portal Texas A&M signed the nation’s top-ranked class three years ago believing it had built a potential national title contender. Plenty of players from that heralded 2022 class could indeed be participating in the first 12-team College Football Playoff this month. They just won’t be doing it for the Aggies. Texas A&M represents perhaps the clearest example of how recruiting and roster construction have changed in the era of loosened transfer restrictions. Coaches must assemble high school classes without always knowing which of their own players are transferring and what players from other schools could be available through the portal. Javier Mascherano arrives at Inter Miami as coach, 5 years after team first pursued him to play FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Javier Mascherano has arrived in Miami and is already at work as Inter Miami's new coach. The former teammate of Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez says he's aware of critics who believe he doesn't have the experience needed to succeed in the job. Inter Miami first pursued Mascherano as a player in 2019 with hopes that he would coach in its academy system after one season. Five years later, he's tasked with bringing trophies to the club that Messi has lifted to new heights. Analysis: Getting benched may have been best thing that happened to Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson Getting benched may have been the best thing that happened to Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson. Both second-year quarterbacks are playing well since returning to the starting lineup. Young has steadily improved after coming back in Week 8. He’s displayed the skills that earned him a Heisman Trophy at Alabama and convinced the Panthers to draft him ahead of C.J. Stroud with the No. 1 overall pick in 2023. Richardson has led Indianapolis to a pair of comeback wins late in the fourth quarter in three starts after he regained his starting job. Young and Richardson both have a long way to go to prove they can be franchise quarterbacks. But there’s far more optimism now that they’re not busts. Transgender powerlifter asks Minnesota Supreme Court to let her compete in women's events ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Attorneys for a transgender athlete have urged the Minnesota Supreme Court to allow her to compete in the women's division at powerlifting events, saying she’s protected against discrimination by the Minnesota Human Rights Act. USA Powerlifting rejected JayCee Cooper’s application in 2018 to compete in the women’s division of its events on the ground that she enjoys strength advantages over other women. Cooper sued in 2021, and a trial court sided with her. But the Minnesota Court of Appeals sent the case back to the trial court in March, saying there were “genuine issues of fact” about why USA Powerlifting excluded Cooper. Fueled by boos, Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy turns in 235-yard performance in return to Denver DENVER (AP) — The boos only brought out the best in Jerry Jeudy as he returned to Denver. The explosive Cleveland Browns wideout turned in an electric performance Monday night with nine catches for 235 yards, the most in NFL history by a receiver against his former team. He also had a 70-yard touchdown in a 41-32 loss to the Broncos. Jeudy, who played his first four seasons with Denver, was jeered every time he caught the ball. He loved all the noise directed at him, even motioning at times for the crowd to get even louder. His only regret was the Browns couldn’t close out the win. Ryggs Johnston goes from a tiny Montana town to Australian Open champion: Analysis Talk about taking the road less traveled. Ryggs Johnston honed his golf game in the tiny Montana town of Libby in the northwest corner of the state. He fulfilled his dream of going to Arizona State but never won a college tournament. But he did well enough to earn status in Canada and a pass to the second stage of Q-school. His Arizona State coach gave him a nudge to try European tour school. Johnston made it through all three stages and then won the Australian Open in only his second start on the European tour.
Share pledging is linked to higher corporate misconduct in China, study finds
FACT FOCUS: Vermont ruling does not say schools can vaccinate children without parental consentIsrael Defense Forces Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari drew widespread backlash on Wednesday when he criticized a law being advanced by the government that would shield members of the defense establishment from prosecution should they give classified intelligence to the prime minister or defense minister without authorization. During a press briefing, Hagari said the bill would be “very dangerous for the IDF and national security” should it become law. Hagari’s remarks were met with resounding criticism from government officials and the IDF alike, given that military officials are not supposed to wade into politics. The spokesman, who has become a mainstay on Israeli screens since the outbreak of the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, was rebuked by the head of the military, while a number of ministers called to fire him over the comments. He subsequently walked back his comments, acknowledging he should not have made them. The bill passed a preliminary reading on Wednesday 59-52, allowing it to move forward to a committee that will prepare it for the first of three subsequent votes necessary for it to become law. It was put forward in response to charges against two individuals, one of them an aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another an army reservist, accused of leaking classified intelligence to foreign media. In the wake of the pair’s arrest, Netanyahu alleged that vital classified documents weren’t reaching him, which he said is why the suspects bypassed the proper channels and sent them from the IDF to the Prime Minister’s Office. (He has not addressed why his aide, Eli Feldstein would then leak it to the media in breach of military censorship and why Feldstein did not, by Netanyahu’s own account, bring it to his attention). The defense establishment has rejected the claim. While the military has voiced opposition to the bill, Hagari’s comments were an unusually sharp rebuke of the political echelon by a military official. “The IDF does not hide information from the political echelon. The IDF works in accordance with the political echelon for the defense of Israel,” Hagari asserted. “The document in question was accessible to the relevant authorities in the Prime Minister’s Office,” he said, referring to the leaked classified intel. “This document was stolen from the IDF and was given to a newspaper in Germany in a manner that bypassed the [military] censor. The [intelligence] was revealed to the enemy and harmed Israel’s security.” Hagari then said: “This law is very dangerous because it will create a situation where any junior official in the IDF can, based on his own personal judgment, steal documents or intelligence materials from the IDF.” He claimed this could put the lives of soldiers at risk. In response, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that he would take “disciplinary action” against Hagari for his comments “as soon as possible.” “The criticism by the IDF spokesman against the political echelon and against the legislative process in the Knesset is a grave incident and a complete deviation from his authority and what is allowed and expected of a uniformed person in a democratic regime,” Katz said. Hagari was also reprimanded by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the military said, adding that he had “exceeded the scope of his authority” by criticizing the law. “The IDF does not criticize the legislature but presents its position to the political echelon through the accepted mechanisms,” the military said. Netanyahu, in a terse statement, said he was glad Halevi had disciplined Hagari. “It is good that the IDF spokesman was put in his place to ensure that such a statement is not heard again,” he said. “In a democratic country, the military is not supposed to interfere in political matters and certainly not criticize legislation.” Others, including far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is also a minister in the Defense Ministry, appeared to suggest that Hagari should be removed from his post. “Israel is a country that has an army and not an army that has a country,” he wrote on X. “It’s been hard to shake the feeling lately that there are people in the senior command of the IDF who do not understand these basic democratic principles. And those who do not understand this cannot remain in their positions,” he added. In a later statement, Hagari acknowledged that his comments during the press briefing “went beyond my authority as an IDF spokesman.” “The State of Israel is a democratic country, and the IDF is subordinate to the political echelon,” he wrote on X. “In the hundreds of statements [I’ve made] and questions I’ve answered since October 7, I have maintained decorum.” National Unity chair Benny Gantz, himself a former IDF chief of staff, attempted to draw a line under the affair with a statement of support for Hagari, who he said “erred and apologized.” “Rear Adm. Hagari has spoken for the IDF in wartime for over a year, and speaks to all the citizens of Israel in a dedicated and professional manner, even in the most difficult moments,” Gantz said. “Tonight he erred and he apologized, but his integrity is not in doubt,” he added. “The manner in which he expressed himself is a matter between him and the chief of staff.”
Namibia Votes for Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as President, Extending SWAPO’s RuleFintech Mastery: How Lohith Paripati Is Revolutionizing Revenue Platforms
Daltonganj: Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) has installed a canopy bridge made of rope to provide a safe passage for arboreal wildlife over the Betla-Chhipadohar section of state highway 9. Fastened to two trees across the road at a height of 15 metre, the structure aims to protect animals like giant squirrels, monkeys, civet cats, and langurs from road-related casualties. PTR’s deputy director of north division, P K Jena, said, "We installed one canopy bridge between Betla and Chhipadohar range. It's around 10-metre long with a width of 1.5 metre." Similar bridges exist in Assam and Uttarakhand. The Northeast Frontier Railway in Jorhat, eastern Assam, uses these bridges for hoolock gibbons, an Indian ape species. "PTR is fragmented by state highway 9 which takes a toll on wildlife," added the officer. The Betla-Chhipadohar section of the highway frequently witnesses wildlife casualties. Snakes are particularly vulnerable during the rainy season when their pits are flooded, forcing them onto the road. "Snakes come on the road for thermal basking and they come under vehicles," he said. Jena said, "Snakes can't be confined, but their crossing roads can be minimised. They need thermal basking. So, we put in place a couple of basking pads away from the road." Natural stone or boulder basking pads replicate the reptiles' habitat. This year, two dozen snakes died on the road in PTR, besides many giant squirrels, civet cats, and monkeys. Wildlife enthusiast Rajinder Sinha from Daltonganj said, "Roads are jammed when a human gets killed by a vehicle or wildlife. But when wildlife is killed by a vehicle or human, there is no protest." Jena added, "We are planning to introduce steps to control speed, including speed monitoring cameras.” We also published the following articles recently PTR installs canopy bridge to protect wildlife from road fatalities Palamu Tiger Reserve has created a rope canopy bridge to protect arboreal wildlife from road accidents on state highway 9. Similar to structures in Assam and Uttarakhand, the bridge aims to save species like monkeys and squirrels. Additionally, basking pads were installed for snakes, which suffer high road casualties during the rainy season. Signboards, road safety indicators to be installed on highways & roads Kanpur divisional commissioner Amit Gupta has directed road safety enhancements with mandatory signboards and indicators on highways during winter and foggy conditions. Officials are instructed to implement retro-reflective tape on tractor-trolleys, remove unlawfully parked vehicles, and act against wrong-way drivers. High-resolution CCTV footage is required for overloaded vehicle monitoring, and irrigation on highways with tankers is prohibited. Chamoli tackles human-wildlife conflict with fencing farms Chamoli districts agriculture department is fencing 400 hectares to protect crops from wildlife, addressing wildlife-human conflict. With Rs 2.9 crore allocated, 35 projects are completed. Initiatives include new cowsheds, veterinarians, ambulances, and refurbishment of animal hospitals to support animal husbandry, aiming for village prosperity and self-sufficiency. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .None
Acting on a petition seeking stay on the orders of the Chandigarh administration to transfer the services of employees of the electricity department to a private company, the Chandigarh bench of the Chandigarh Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has listed the matter for December 31. The petition has been filed by UT Powermen Union challenging the administration’s orders. The employees had told the bench to quash the order of transferring them to a private company. They also requested directions to the respondents to adjust the employees depending upon their qualifications and experience on posts available in any other departments of the Administration instead of forcing them to join them to work under a private company. They said that their names may be placed under the surplus category and may be adjusted as and when any vacancy is available. The applicants further said that their service conditions could not be altered without their consent, as per law. They said they were seeking the protection of their service conditions under Sections 311 of the Constitution. Advocate Arvind Moudgil, senior counsel for UT administration opposed the stay arguing that the employees had waited till the last moment to approach the court even though the notification is dates back to 2020 which lays down how the employees are to be transferred. Former adviser backs privatisation Amid ongoing protests by employees and political parties against the issue, former UT adviser Parimal Rai has come in support for the move. Rai, who served from 2015 to 2018, has emphasised the benefits of privatisation in addressing the department’s inefficiencies. In a statement, Rai said, “Privatization is the only way for Chandigarh’s electricity department to improve efficiency.” He further elaborated, “Private sector investment leads to better and more efficient services, adding value for consumers through improvements in operational efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, and an enhanced grievance redressal mechanism. Ultimately, consumers desire an uninterrupted and high-quality power supply without any additional financial burden. Several issues require immediate attention, such as fault detection, load enhancement, and safety concerns.” Congress extends hunger strike The hunger strike being undertaken by the activists of Chandigarh Congress to protest against the privatisation issue entered its seventh day on Tuesday. It has been decided to further extend it till Wednesday. Addressing party activists, chief spokesperson Rajiv Sharma informed that a decision was taken to extend the chain fast and the activists living in cooperative societies in Sectors 48 to 51 and 63 will take part in the hunger strike on Wednesday.
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Search for UnitedHealthcare CEO's killer yields evidence, but few answersSocial media users are misrepresenting a Vermont Supreme Court ruling , claiming that it gives schools permission to vaccinate children even if their parents do not consent. The ruling addressed a lawsuit filed by Dario and Shujen Politella against Windham Southeast School District and state officials over the mistaken vaccination of their child against COVID-19 in 2021, when he was 6 years old. A lower court had dismissed the original complaint, as well as an amended version. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was filed on Nov. 19. But the ruling by Vermont's high court is not as far-reaching as some online have claimed. In reality, it concluded that anyone protected under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or PREP, Act is immune to state lawsuits. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that schools can vaccinate children against their parents' wishes. THE FACTS: The claim stems from a July 26 ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court, which found that anyone protected by the PREP Act is immune to state lawsuits, including the officials named in the Politella's suit. The ruling does not authorize schools to vaccinate children at their discretion. According to the lawsuit, the Politella's son — referred to as L.P. — was given one dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic held at Academy School in Brattleboro even though his father, Dario, told the school's assistant principal a few days before that his son was not to receive a vaccination. In what officials described as a mistake, L.P. was removed from class and had a “handwritten label” put on his shirt with the name and date of birth of another student, L.K., who had already been vaccinated that day. L.P. was then vaccinated. Ultimately, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that officials involved in the case could not be sued. “We conclude that the PREP Act immunizes every defendant in this case and this fact alone is enough to dismiss the case,” the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling reads. “We conclude that when the federal PREP Act immunizes a defendant, the PREP Act bars all state-law claims against that defendant as a matter of law.” The PREP Act , enacted by Congress in 2005, authorizes the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a declaration in the event of a public health emergency providing immunity from liability for activities related to medical countermeasures, such as the administration of a vaccine, except in cases of “willful misconduct" that result in “death or serious physical injury.” A declaration against COVID-19 was issued on March 17, 2020. It is set to expire on Dec. 31. Federals suits claiming willful misconduct are filed in Washington. Social media users described the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling as having consequences beyond what it actually says. “The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled that schools can force-vaccinate children for Covid against the wishes of their parents,” reads one X post that had been liked and shared approximately 16,600 times as of Tuesday. “The high court ruled on a case involving a 6-year-old boy who was forced to take a Covid mRNA injection by his school. However, his family had explicitly stated that they didn't want their child to receive the ‘vaccines.’” Other users alleged that the ruling gives schools permission to give students any vaccine without parental consent, not just ones for COVID-19. Rod Smolla, president of the Vermont Law and Graduate School and an expert on constitutional law, told The Associated Press that the ruling “merely holds that the federal statute at issue, the PREP Act, preempts state lawsuits in cases in which officials mistakenly administer a vaccination without consent.” “Nothing in the Vermont Supreme Court opinion states that school officials can vaccinate a child against the instructions of the parent,” he wrote in an email. Asked whether the claims spreading online have any merit, Ronald Ferrara, an attorney representing the Politellas, told the AP that although the ruling doesn't say schools can vaccinate students regardless of parental consent, officials could interpret it to mean that they could get away with doing so under the PREP Act, at least when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court appeal seeks to clarify whether the Vermont Supreme Court interpreted the PREP Act beyond what Congress intended. “The Politella’s fundamental liberty interest to decide whether their son should receive elective medical treatment was denied by agents of the State and School,” he wrote in an email to the AP. “The Vermont Court misconstrues the scope of PREP Act immunity (which is conditioned upon informed consent for medical treatments unapproved by FDA), to cover this denial of rights and its underlying battery.” Ferrara added that he was not aware of the claims spreading online, but that he “can understand how lay people may conflate the court's mistaken grant of immunity for misconduct as tantamount to blessing such misconduct.” — Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck .
