A routine police procedure took a nasty turn on Tuesday night ending in a serious attack on an officer and a man on the run from the Ruakākā Police Station. An investigation has been launched into the assault that occurred…
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Herald morning quiz: March 19
Test your brains with the Herald’s morning quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz at 3pm for the afternoon quiz. To challenge yourself with more quizzes, CLICK HERE.
Skerritt Says Touring Virus Wracked UK was Worth the Risk
CW- Cricket West Indies president, Ricky Skerritt, has defended the decision to allow the Caribbean side to tour the United Kingdom last year at the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic saying it was worth the risk.
He contends major benefits had been derived from the move, including the cementing of England’s series in the region next January.
Skerritt, who is seeking re-election at month end along with vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow, said negotiations about the traditionally lucrative series began during discussions over the historic bio-secure three-Test tour.
And the former St Kitts and Nevis cabinet minister said that due to CWI’s commitment to fulfilling the tour amidst the challenging circumstances posed by the coronavirus, the governing body had been able to also advance a proposal to the England and Wales Cricket Board for an even bigger tour.
“The other benefit is that we started negotiating since back then for their (England) next tour to the West Indies which is scheduled for January 2022 which is less than a year from now,” Skerritt told Grenada Sports’ TalkSports YouTube channel.“And the goodwill generated between us has now allowed us to put on the table and get good traction on expanding that tour.
“Now an England tour for the West Indies is always a very good thing for the West Indies financially and economically because we get more money for the broadcast which we own, because England has a much bigger and more lucrative cricket market, and [Caribbean] countries who host the England team get economic benefits from the tourism impact.”
Tours of the region by the England side have been estimated to generate economic activity of around US$60 million, in what is viewed as a major boost for tourism-dependent economies.
The last tour in 2019 comprising three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20s, was projected to earn CWI alone close to US$20 million.
CWI had faced criticism from some quarters for proceeding with the tour last year even as the UK remained in a lockdown due to the onset of the pandemic, and was also chastised for not securing a financial windfall from the ECB in exchange for playing the series.
However, Skerritt said trying to squeeze money out of the ECB in exchange for the tour amounted to “extortion”, and argued there were other more far-reaching benefits which had been realised.
“Extortion is illegal, extortion is corruption. We don’t get into extortion,” Skerritt stressed.
“It is not allowed. It is against the spirit and the rules of the Future Tours Programme. The only people who make money out of a tour is the hosts, other than with your own sponsorship, so us going to England benefited our major sponsor Sandals. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that.
“England is a major market for Sandals. Wherever we go, we take their brand with us so in going to England, helped to meet our agreement with Sandals to continue promoting their brand because if we’re not promoting their brand, they’re not going to pay us.
“So first and foremost, going to England benefited us financially from our arrangement with our major sponsor.”
He continued: “Secondly we got the ECB to allow us to bring a significant number of A-team players. I know we had over [25] players in England at one time. This was good exposure for a lot of our young cricketers that augured well for their preparation and growth.
“So even if they didn’t play in the official Test series, they were practicing, they were net bowlers, they were standby players etcetera.”
With the series, West Indies became the first international team to undertake a tour during the pandemic, playing in what has come to be known as the “bio-secure” bubble.
And Skerritt said the decision was one the regional governing body was proud of.
“So we have no regrets at all about how we handled the England situation. If we didn’t go to England, they were other teams that were ready to go,” he noted.
“Pakistan went to England, Australia went to England right after us. Why would [anyone] think we were the only team that can tour England?”
He added: “I’m happy to say we’ve been able to create this bio-secure bubble in collaboration with the ECB. We’re the pioneers in that. You hear it happening all over the world now but we’re the pioneers.
“We were the first ones to partner with the ECB and prepare what we call a bio-secure bubble, and which is now the model used all over the world.”
Skerritt is being challenged for the CWI presidency by Guyana Cricket Board secretary, Anand Sanasie, who has as his running mate Barbados Cricket Association vice-president, Calvin Hope.
CMC
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AstraZeneca vaccine found to be safe, EU agency recommends clot warning
Several European countries paused rollouts of the vaccine amid potential blood clot fears.
Man found dead in Melbourne unit fire
A man is dead and a woman has been taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a unit in Melbourne's south-east.
A police spokeswoman said the woman, in her 70s, noticed the fire and ran outside to seek help from neighbours before emergency services were called about 7.50pm on Thursday.
Firefighters rushed to the unit on Chesterville Road at Highett, about 17 kilometres south-east of the CBD, and extinguished the blaze but found the man dead inside.
The woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The area has been declared a crime scene as part of normal protocol surrounding a fatal fire and the arson squad will attend in the morning.
The police spokeswoman said it was too early to say what may have caused the fire.
Soccer: Bahamas Hosts SKN Squad in WC Qualifier
Like other national and club squads in the country, The Bahamas’ Junkanoo Boys, as they are called, have had to train under immense circumstances due to the restrictions brought on by the presence of the COVID 19 pandemic.
In March 2020, when lockdowns and shutdowns were instituted, the squad was coming off its first round matches of the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Nations League, finishing with a 3-1 win/loss record and advancing to the next round of play.
After a six-month layoff, the team got special permission from the Competent Authority on the advice of Ministry of Health officials to resume training under strict guidelines and safety measures. Advanced training would have only been permitted if there were no reported cases of COVID-19 and if the agreed protocols were followed. Thankfully, there was no outbreak of COVID-19 during the sessions.
Fast forward to today. Under the guidance of Team Bahamas Head Coach Nesley Jean and his management team, the squad returned from Bradenton Florida, on Monday, March 8, where they competed in two FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) approved friendly matches against Bermuda.
The games were very competitive as both coaches, Nesley Jean and Kyle Lightbourne, sought to identify and select the best players available to take into their qualifying matches.
Under rigorous COVID-19 testing protocols, the team lost the first match 3-0 with Coach Jean making quite a number of substitutions in order to view all of the players in a competitive environment. In the second match, the game ended in a scoreless draw. Team Bahamas squandered quite a number of chances to score and record a win.
Chosen to represent The Bahamas against St. Kitts & Nevis are: Dylan Pritchard, Troy Pinder, Marcel Joseph, Evelt Julmis, Terry Delancy, Peter Julmis, Happy Hall, Ian Lowe, Lesly St. Fleur, Cameron Hepple, Michael Butler, Isiah Collie, Logan Russell, Alexander Thompson, Elijah Mitchell, Valentino Hanna, Ambry Moss, Jean Francois, Jacob Charles and Nicholas Lopez.
The squad had to undergo the Bahamas government’s mandatory five-day testing protocols, and every member received a negative result – validating the protocols put in place by FIFA, the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) and The Bahamas Ministry of Health.
The match against St. Kitts & Nevis will be played in an empty stadium so as to conform to health and safety standards and prevent the spread of the virus.
Forward Harrison Panayiotou has been called up by the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team ahead of their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
Harrison, who has been capped 25 times previously by his national side, will depart for international duty on the 21st March, taking on Puerto Rico at home on the 25th before playing away to the Bahamas on the 28th.
In doing so, Harrison will unfortunately miss our games against Chesterfield at home (23rd March), Solihull Moors away (27th March) and potentially Notts County at home on the 30th March.
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Associated Press World View: Asian Americans Grieve, Pandemic Politics, Astra Zenica Study, More
March 18, 2021
Good morning from Warsaw. Asian Americans are grieving after an attack on Atlanta-area massage parlors that killed eight people, mostly Asian women. The white gunman has been charged in the killings as investigators seek a motive in the worst mass killing in the U.S in almost two years.
President Joe Biden gives little credit to Donald Trump as the U.S. sees a pandemic recovery.
Meanwhile, Republicans seize on Trump’s trademark issue of immigration as they try to regain the upper hand in the face of Biden’s early popularity.
Also this morning:
- World awaits review from Europe’s medical regulator on whether AstraZeneca shots are linked to blood clots
- Ford says remote work will outlast pandemic for thousands of its workers
- 15th-century Chinese bowl found at yard sale sells for $722,00
VANESSA GERA
The Associated Press
Warsaw, Poland
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The Rundown
Asian Americans were already worn down by a year of pandemic-fueled racist attacks when a white gunman was charged with attacking three Atlanta-area massage parlors and killing eight people, most……Read More
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ATLANTA (AP) — A series of shootings over nearly an hour at three Atlanta-area massage parlors left eight people dead and raised fears that the attack was yet another hate crime against Asian… …Read More
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WASHINGTON (AP) — In President Joe Biden’s war against the coronavirus, former President Donald Trump hardly exists. The Democratic president ignored Trump in his first prime-time address to… …Read More
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LONDON (AP) — The world is awaiting a decision from Europe’s top medical regulator on whether its initial investigation into whether there is any evidence to show the AstraZeneca coronavirus… …Read More
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Delegation trips to the border. Apocalyptic warnings. A flurry of new conferences. Republicans still divided over former President Donald Trump’s legacy are seizing on his… …Read More
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OTHER TOP STORIES
WASHINGTON (AP) — Legislation creating an independent, bipartisan panel to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is stalled, for now, with Democrats a…Read More
WASHINGTON (AP) — Forgive progressives who aren’t looking forward to the sequel of their personal “Nightmare on First Street,” a Supreme Court succession story. The ori…Read More
DETROIT (AP) — It’s a question occupying the minds of millions of employees who have worked from home the past year: Will they still be allowed to work remotely — at le…Read More
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — An exceptionally rare 15th century porcelain bowl made in China that somehow turned up at a Connecticut yard sale and sold for just $35 was aucti…Read More
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The post Associated Press World View: Asian Americans Grieve, Pandemic Politics, Astra Zenica Study, More appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.
Single ticket wins $50 million Powerball
A mystery Sydney Powerball ticket buyer is $50 million richer tonight but may not even know it yet.
The win has prompted officials from The Lott to call on anyone who entered the draw to check their ticket and get in touch as soon as possible.
The entry, bought from a NSW Lotteries outlet in the city, scooped the entire division one prize tonight but wasn't registered to a player card.
The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1296 on Thursday, March 18 were 18, 30, 16, 29, 6, 33 and 35. The Powerball number was 4.
READ MORE: SA woman pockets $1.5 million on lunchtime Keno game
Another 26 ticketholders were hot on the major winner's tail, finishing up just one number short — the all-important Powerball — of sharing in the $50 million prize.
The Lott spokesman Matt Hart said there was "a sense of déjà vu" around the fourth division one winner this year.
"Just four weeks ago another mystery entry won a $50 million Powerball prize," he said.
"In that instance, the winner turned out to be a man from Mackay in Queensland."
Another 1,530,466 ticketholders picked up smaller prizes worth more than $28.7 million, The Lott said.
READ MORE: Man wins half a million on lottery after finding winning numbers in fortune cookie
The division one winner is urged to call 131 868 as soon as possible to start the prize-claiming process.
More details about where the ticket was sold are expected to be released on Friday if no one comes forward.
Biden’s Putin ‘Killer’ Comment Signals End of Trump Russia Love-in
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia wants an apology from the United States after President Joe Biden said he thought Vladimir Putin was a killer and may retaliate against Washington unless it gets one, a senior Russian lawmaker said on Thursday.
In an ABC News interview broadcast a day earlier, Biden said “I do” when asked if he believed the Russian president was a killer.
He also described Putin as having no soul, and promised he would pay a price for alleged Russian meddling in the 2020 U.S. presidential election, something the Kremlin denies.
In a highly unusual move following Biden’s interview, Russia on Wednesday said it was recalling its ambassador to the United States for urgent consultations over the future of U.S.-Russia ties.
Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of parliament’s upper house, said Biden’s comments were unacceptable, would inevitably inflame already bad ties, and ended any hope in Moscow of a change of U.S. policy under a new U.S. administration.
He said Moscow’s recall of its ambassador was the only reasonable step to take in the circumstances.
“I suspect it will not be the last one if no explanation or apology follows from the American side,” Kosachyov said in a Facebook post.
“This kind of assessment is not allowed from the mouth of a statesman of such a rank. This kind of statement is not acceptable under any circumstances,” he added, calling it a watershed moment in U.S.-Russia ties.
The Kremlin has not yet responded publicly to Biden’s comments, but is likely to do so later on Thursday.
Artur Chilingarov, a pro-Kremlin lawmaker in the lower house of parliament, called for a “tough reaction” from Moscow in comments made to Russia’s Ekho Moskvy radio station.
Russia’s ties with the West, already languishing at post-Cold War lows since 2014, have come under new pressure over Russia’s jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny whose freedom the West has demanded.
Russia has dismissed that as unacceptable interference in its domestic affairs.
The United States has said it is preparing new sanctions against Russia over an alleged hack and the alleged election meddling.
Biden told ABC “You’ll see shortly” when asked what consequences Russia would face for its alleged behaviour.
Reporting by Tom Balmforth and Anton Kolodyazhnyy; editing by Andrew Osbor
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COVID: Brazil, South Africa and UK Variants, Will Vaccines Work?
Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
Two more cases of a Covid variant first identified in Brazil have been found in the UK, bringing the total number to 12.
Both – one in the West Midlands and one in Haringey, London – were linked with international travel to Brazil.
Some variants, like this one, appear to be more contagious and there are concerns current vaccines may not work as well.
What are these new variants?
There are many thousands of different versions, or variants, of Covid circulating.
Apart from the Brazil variant (also known as P.1), concerns focus on a few:
- A UK or Kent variant (also known as B.1.1.7) now dominant in much of Britain, has spread to more than 50 countries and appears to be mutating again
- A South Africa variant (B.1.351) found in at least 20 other countries, including the UK
It’s not unexpected that new variants have developed – all viruses mutate as they make copies of themselves to spread and thrive.
Most of these differences are inconsequential. A few can even be harmful to the virus’s survival. But some can make it more infectious or threatening.
Are the new ones more dangerous?
There is no evidence that any of them cause much more serious illness for the vast majority of people who become infected.
As with the original version, the risk is highest for people who are elderly or have significant underlying health conditions.
For the UK variant there is some research suggesting it may be associated with a 30% higher risk of death. The evidence is not conclusive, however.
Measures such as washing your hands, keeping your distance from other people and wearing a face covering will still help prevent infections. Because the new variants appear to spread more easily it is important to be extra vigilant.
What’s happening to the virus?
The UK, South Africa and Brazil variants could be much more contagious or easy to catch.
All three have undergone changes to their spike protein – the part of the virus which attaches to human cells.
As a result, they seem to be better at infecting cells and spreading.
Experts think the UK or “Kent” strain emerged in September and may be up to 70% more transmissible or infectious. The latest research by Public Health England puts it between 30% and 50%.
The South Africa variant emerged in October, and has more potentially important changes in the spike protein. Experts recently found a small number of cases of the UK variant that have one of these more concerning changes too.
It involves a key mutation – called E484K – that may help the virus evade parts of the immune system, called antibodies, that can fight coronavirus based on experience from prior infection or a vaccine.
The Brazil variant emerged in July and has this E484K mutation too.
The Brazil variant emerged in July and has this E484K mutation too.
Will vaccines still work?
Current vaccines were designed around earlier versions of coronavirus, but scientists believe they should still work, although perhaps not quite as well.
A recent study suggests the Brazilian variant may be resisting antibodies in people who should have some immunity because they have caught and recovered from an earlier version of coronavirus.
Early lab results, however, suggest the Pfizer vaccine can protect against the new variants, although slightly less effectively.
Data from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine team suggests it protects just as well against the new UK variant. It offers less protection against the South Africa variant – although it should still protect against severe illness.
Early results from Moderna suggest its vaccine is effective against the South Africa variant, although the immune response may not be as strong or long-lasting.
Variants could emerge in the future that are different again.
Even in the worst case scenario, vaccines could be redesigned and tweaked to be a better match – in a matter of weeks or months, if necessary, say experts.
As with flu, where a new shot is given each year to account for any changes in circulating flu viruses, something similar could happen for coronavirus.
What is being done about it?
More variants will emerge.
Scientists around the world are on the look-out and any important ones will be closely studied and monitored.
Experts are updating coronavirus vaccines. The UK Government has announced a deal with biopharmaceutical company CureVac to develop vaccines against future variants, with a pre-order of 50 million doses.
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