mucus fishing syndrome

West Indies not taking Bangladesh for granted, says BrathwaiteParsons Selected as Lead Designer for Newark AirTrain Replacement ProgramThe dismissal of a class-action lawsuit over rules governing the cross-border live bee trade is casting a spotlight on political division within Canada's beekeeping community. A federal judge has ruled against awarding commercial beekeepers damages from a decades-old partial ban on shipping live honeybees across the Canada-U.S. border, which is in place out of concerns that could bring in aggressive pests and diseases. Beekeepers from Western Canada involved in the suit claim the government's risk assessments that inform the tight restrictions are hurting their businesses and are blown out of proportion. Michael Paradis of Paradis Honey Ltd., a seven-generation family beekeeping business based in Girouxville, Alta., and one of the representative plaintiffs in the case, said he's disappointed with the ruling, saying it puts beekeepers in a "dangerous position" since the industry is already in crisis mode. "Canada does not have enough bees and cannot replenish its own stock at all," he said. "It's going to mean a lot more hardship for the industry if we cannot get access to the U.S. bees." Beekeepers were slammed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when fewer airline flights made it harder to import bees and they suffered a nightmare year of winter losses in 2022. Manitoba commercial beekeeper Brent Ash, one of the witnesses in the case, said the ruling will hamper the industry, and makes it especially tough for apiaries in colder parts of the country like the Prairies, where most of Canada's beekeepers are located. "Climate makes the regional divide difficult to keep those bugs alive over the course of the winter," he said, noting honeybees are not native to North America. But Steve Moore, president of the Ontario Beekeepers' Association, said his group worries about the risks of accidentally bringing in antibiotic resistant mites, the import of Africanized honeybees commonly known as killer bees, and a small hive beetle that's capable of damaging colonies. "In Ontario here, we feel quite strongly that we don't want to take the risk of it becoming even more challenging if some of these new and emerging threats come into the country in packages," he said. But he empathizes with the plaintiffs. "When we go into our apiaries, we get stung by our bees. When we come home, we might be stung by a low honey price, stung by rising cost of production or stung by high overwintering losses, with the threat of new and emerging pathogens. So, we're all facing the same challenges and it's a challenging time to be a beekeeper," he said. Even though a ban on U.S. live bee imports expired in 2006, Ottawa has not issued permits for the live worker bee boxes to be brought over the border since. The plaintiffs argued Ottawa owes them duty of care — and hundreds of millions in damages. The judge disagreed. "There is no duty of care owed and no negligence," Justice Cecily Strickland wrote in a lengthy ruling, adding the plaintiffs failed to establish that Ottawa hurt their businesses. The case has a long history, dating back to a court filing from 2012, and was only certified as a class action in 2017. The problem is even older. Headlines from the 1980s screamed about fears that deadly infectious mites from U.S. states could level Canadian bee populations. Risks to bee health have only compounded since then. A 2003 risk assessment by the regulator found that importing queen bees was less risky, since they are easier to inspect. So, Canada allows imports of queen bees and their worker-bee attendants from the U.S., Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy and Malta. "Bee packages carry a higher risk of disease introduction because they are shipped with the contents of their hive, which may include mites, parasites and bacteria," said a statement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that welcomed the judge’s ruling. Canada does, however, also allow imports of worker bee packages from Italy, Chile, Australia and New Zealand, which sent Canada some 69,364 kgs of packaged bees in 2023, according to statistics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. But importing from these countries also dramatically drives up import costs due to transportation. One of the plaintiffs, John Gibeau, wrote to CFIA a decade ago complaining that importing more than 1,200 packages for $170,000 would have cost half that if he could have purchased them from California instead. Gibeau said he wasn't ready to comment since he hasn't yet digested the ruling. Paradis said the larger issue for him than cost, though, is the quality of the bee stock and the timing of when shipments arrive. "We are looking at bees in the U.S. that are spring bees — young, invigorated bees," he said, adding that gives them longer lifespans in Canada. While he was disappointed, Paradis said one of the main reasons for the lawsuit was to "bring CFIA to the table and to actually have some discussions" on the import ban, something he said has only happened recently. Canada's honeybee pollination is estimated to contribute $3.18 billion directly to the economy, but that rises to $7 billion a year when canola pollination is factored in. Canada has some 794,341 beehives. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2024.

Namibians stood in queues for several hours to vote Wednesday in elections that could usher in the desert nation's first woman leader even as the dominant SWAPO party faces the strongest challenge yet to its 34-year grip on power Windhoek, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Nov, 2024) Namibians stood in queues for several hours to Wednesday in elections that could usher in the desert nation's first leader even as the dominant SWAPO party faces the strongest challenge yet to its 34-year grip on power. The South West People's Organisation candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, cast her ballot as soon as polls opened for the roughly 1.5 voters in the sparsely populated country. SWAPO has governed since leading mineral-rich to in 1990 but complaints about unemployment and enduring inequalities could force Nandi-Ndaitwah into an unprecedented second-round if she fails to garner at least half the . Also voting early was one of her main challengers, Panduleni Itula, a former dentist and lawyer who founded the Independent Patriots for Change party in and was optimistic it could "unseat the revolutionary movement". "We will there and to a new dawn and a new era of how we conduct our public affairs in this country," the 67-year-old told reporters. Itula took 29 percent of votes in the elections, losing to SWAPO leader Hage Geingob with 56 percent. It was a remarkable performance considering Geingob, who in , had won almost 87 percent five years earlier. is a major uranium and diamond exporter but not many of its nearly three people have benefitted that wealth. "There's a lot of mining activity that goes on in the country, but it doesn't really translate into improved infrastructure, opportunities," said independent political analyst Marisa Lourenco, based in . "That's where a lot of the frustration is coming , (especially) the youth," she said. Unemployment among 15- to 34-year-olds is estimated at 46 percent, according to the latest figures , almost triple the national average. - Second round? - For the first time in 's recent history, a second round is "a somewhat realistic option", said Henning Melber, of the Nordic Institute at the University of . It would take place within 60 days of the announcement of the first-round of due by Saturday. "The outcome will be tight," said self-employed Hendry Amupanda, 32, who queued since 9:00 pm the night before to cast his ballot. "I want the country to get better and people to get ," said Amupanda, wearing slippers and equipped with a chair, blanket and snacks. Marvyn Pescha, a self-employed , said his father was part of SWAPO's liberation struggle and he was not going to abandon the party. "But I want SWAPO to be challenged for better policies. Some opportunistic leaders have tarnished the reputation of the party, they misuse it for self-enrichment," the 50-year-old said. Frieda Fillipus, 31, also backed the SWAPO candidate. "The future is female," she said. Many voters queued for hours to reach the polling stations before their close at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT). "The process is so slow," said analyst Simpson , 36, who had waited for eight hours.FAIRFAX, Va., Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GovCIO is honored to be included in Inc.'s 2024 Best in Business list in the Government Services and Veteran Support categories. Inc.'s annual Best in Business Awards recognizes companies that have made significant contributions and driven meaningful impact within their industries and organizations. GovCIO is a leading government contractor providing advanced technology solutions for the federal government. The company stood out as one of two companies listed in Veterans Services and one of five honored in Government Services. This recognition reflects the company's ongoing excellence in delivering innovative solutions to the federal government and supporting Veterans. GovCIO has made a significant impact driving cybersecurity, data analytics and AI solutions across national security, Veterans, health and civilian sectors. GovCIO leaders work together with our partners to drive modernization in key programs such as the National Cemetery Administration's Kiosk Software, U.S. Courts Judiciary IT Services and Global Command Terrestrial Communications IV. "We are honored to be recognized as a leader in both government services and Veteran support," said Jim Brabston, GovCIO CEO. "We look forward to what the future holds and how we can work with our government partners to continue making an impact." GovCIO offers additional support for Veterans and transitioning military including quarterly Veteran resume reviews for job-seekers. Company leaders have also established a Veterans of GovCIO Employee Resource Group (ERG). This ERG creates a supportive community for Veterans, offering mentorship, networking, and professional development, while also engaging in community service. For more information or to view the full list of honorees, please visit inc.com/best-in-business . Visit GovCIO to discover how the company is leading government IT transformation through digital innovation and fostering a veteran-friendly workplace. About GovCIO GovCIO is a rapidly growing provider of advanced technology solutions and digital services for the federal government. Combining our extensive federal experience with the latest innovations in IT and disruptive approaches, our experts develop comprehensive solutions to meet the most pressing demands of today's government agencies. From the U.S. military and Veterans Affairs to Health and Human Services, we have an impressive track record of helping our customers optimize their operations. GovCIO is transforming government IT, empowering our federal customers to meet the challenges of today while building the government of tomorrow. Let us show you what we can do. Visit www.govcio.com for more information. Media Contact Emyly Hall Sr. Communications and Marketing Specialist emyly.hall@govcio.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/govcio-named-to-incs-2024-best-in-business-list-in-government-services-veteran-support-302321327.html SOURCE GovCIOTrump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia

Creating some of the most memorable monsters in gaming can't be easy, but Capcom seems to nail it time and time again with its Monster Hunter series. Really, these fearsome beasts are the star of the show, but it's not just their designs that catch the eye — it's the way they move, the way they're so deliberately animated. Capcom actually uses motion capture as a basis for its creatures, which results in some truly fascinating behind-the-scenes footage. It just doesn't get much better than seeing a motion capture actor get down on all fours are roar towards the sky (and yes, they really do roar). A quick video from PlayStation Access perfectly sells the process. It shows some previously unseen motion capture performances for Monster Hunter Wilds , and it's a thoroughly entertaining watch. Capcom's dedication to motion capturing Monster Hunter's often absurd animations is commendable — and it's worth pointing out that the company's spent a lot of money on state-of-the-art studios and technology. Last year, Capcom opened a huge motion capture studio in Osaka, Japan, and we're pretty sure it's the same studio that you can see in the above video.

The UK is at risk of a drastic slowdown in its transition to electric cars because of big disparities in the availability and cost of charging points, especially in poorer areas, a report says. The study, by the consultancy Stonehaven, argues that given rapid advances in batteries and car range, persuading more people to move to electric vehicles is now less an issue of technology than one of “urban management and social equity”. It cites London, which has the UK’s highest usage of electric cars, as an example of what the report’s authors call a lack of coherent strategy over on-street charging points, which are left to individual councils to install. This has led to huge variations in provision, with one London borough, Harrow, having 63 charging points, compared with nearly 2,700 in another, Westminster. The report says the evidence points towards such infrastructure being disproportionately available to people in richer areas, and less so to those who would be more likely to benefit from being able to use an electric vehicle. The study, taking another example from London, says the two outer boroughs of Bexley and Havering have a combined 14,000 people who work in the transport and storage industries, and there are just 260 public chargers between them. By contrast, in the more central borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, 3,000 people have such jobs and there are more than 2,600 chargers. It notes, however, that public charging is only part of the challenge, given how much more expensive this tends to be than charging an electric car at home – between six and 10 times more costly, the report calculates. It is illegal to run a cable along a pavement, meaning the only people who can use domestic charging are those with driveways or other off-street parking. Even if people do flout the law and use a cable from their home, this depends on them being able to park directly outside. Those able to charge a car from their domestic power can use specific electric car night-time tariffs, which can be as low as 7p/kWh. In contrast, public chargers cost 50p-75p/kWh, a higher cost-per-mile than petrol, the report says. Adding to the disparity is the 20% VAT charged for this, while home charging has a 5% rate. “High-income owner-occupiers working in geographically stable jobs can get to the benefits of electric vehicles more easily, whilst people living in inner-city areas, earning lower wages or without access to a driveway are all at a disadvantage,” the authors note. “This creates challenges both for the speed of electric take-up, and wider social fairness.” The report says the impact of this is already being felt. The governmental programme of subsidies for electric vehicles has encouraged a large take-up, with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) raising its forecasts for usage three times between 2019 and 2021. However, the study says this “generation one” rollout is slowing. With a lack of available and affordable charging for wider use, sales have lagged behind expectations. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The report says that while it is too early to offer specific policy recommendations, the government needs to focus urgently on how to provide easily available and affordable charging points. “While generation one of EV policy proved electric vehicles could work, it made no systematic effort to deal with the situations where take-up was harder,” it says. “The challenge for policymakers has changed. It is no longer a matter of making the first electric cars succeed. Instead it is about making the average car electric, in a way that is simple and persuasive to average households.” A Department for Transport spokesperson said the government was making good progress with public charging points, with the UK-wide total having increased by 40% over the past year to more than 72,000. They added: “We’re also providing over £2.3bn to support industry and drivers make the switch, and our measures are working, with electric vehicles making up one in four of all cars sold this November.”KYIV, (Ukraine): Ukraine on Thursday accused Russia of having deployed a ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear warheads for the first time in history which, if confirmed, would be a major escalation of the war. Ukrainian allies have yet to confirm initial assessments from Kyiv’s military that Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The Kremlin has not denied it used the weapon, which can strike targets from a distance of thousands of kilometres, spokesman Dmitri Peskov refusing to comment when questioned. The Ukrainian air force said Moscow had launched the nuclear-capable missile as part of a barrage towards the central city of Dnipro, where local authorities said an infrastructure facility was hit and two civilians were wounded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said experts were examining evidence before confirming an intercontinental ballistic missile had been fired by “our crazy neighbour”. He said that the attack bore “all the characteristics” of an ICBM attack and accused the Kremlin of “using Ukraine as a testing ground”. Ukraine’s foreign ministry spokesman said analysts were preparing their “expert conclusions” while adding that the attack bore “all flight characteristics of an ICBM”. “The strike itself proves: Russia does not seek peace. To the contrary, it makes every effort to expand the war,” spokesman Georgiy Tykhy said in a statement on social media. The attack on Dnipro comes just days after several foreign embassies shuttered temporarily in the Ukrainian capital, citing the threat of a large-scale strike. Tension has been building between Moscow and Kyiv’s allies in the West since Ukrainian forces struck Russian territory with Western-supplied long-range weapons on Tuesday after getting the green light from Washington. Asked whether Moscow had fired an ICBM, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said he had “nothing to say on this topic”. He did however say the Kremlin was doing everything to avoid a nuclear conflict, having updated its nuclear doctrine this week. “We have stressed in the context of our doctrine that Russia is taking a responsible position to make maximum effort not to allow such a conflict,” Peskov said. Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman received a phone call during a live press briefing, in which she was ordered not to comment on reports of the ballistic strike, video showed. Yuzhmash is the Russian name of an aerospace manufacturer — now called Pivdenmash — in Dnipro that produced missiles during the Soviet era and is reported now to make satellites. Russia claimed to have struck the facility in September this year. Western countries reacted with alarm. “While we’re assessing the full facts it’s obvious that such (an) attack would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of (Vladimir) Putin,” European Union foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano told reporters. The United Kingdom said the strike would be “reckless and escalatory” if confirmed. France said it would represent an “extremely serious” incident. Ukraine’s air force said it had downed missiles launched on the industrial city, without elaborating on whether the alleged intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was among those downed. The head of the Dnipropetrovsk region where the city of Dnipro is located said the Russian aerial bombardment damaged a rehabilitation centre and several homes, as well as an industrial enterprise. “Two people were wounded — a 57-year-old man was treated on the scene and a 42-year-old woman was hospitalised,” said the official, Sergiy Lysak. Fabian Hoffmann, a research fellow at the University of Oslo, who specialises in missile technology, said Russia had nothing to gain militarily by using an ICBM in such an attack. “This is all about the political effect. This is not about the military value,” Hoffmann told AFP. Russia and Ukraine have escalated their use of long-range missiles in recent days since the Washington gave Kyiv permission to use its Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) against military targets inside Russia — a long-standing Ukrainian request. British media meanwhile reported on Wednesday that Kyiv had launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russia after being given the green light from London. The defence ministry in Moscow said Thursday its air-defence systems had downed two Storm Shadows, without saying whether they had come down on Russian territory or in occupied Ukraine. The missile escalation is coming at a critical moment on the ground for Ukraine, as its defensive lines buckle under Russian pressure across the sprawling front line. Russia claimed deeper advances in the war-battered Donetsk region, announcing on Thursday that its forces had captured another village close to Kurakhove, closing in on the town after months of steady advances. Moscow’s defence ministry said Russian forces had taken the small village of Dalne, five kilometres (three miles) south of Kurakhove. Lysak, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said that 26 people had been wounded in another strike on the town of Kryvyi Rig, where Zelensky was born.