Virus-fighting antibodies have been found in Kiwi Covid-19 patients up to eight months after they were infected – findings that could bode well for the coming vaccine roll-out.The new research, released ahead of peer-review, could…
Category Archives: headline
Page-turner: 150 years of New Zealand women's cricket
We know a lot about the history of men’s cricket in New Zealand. But what about the women’s game? Not much. Until now.A new authoritative and entertaining book looks back through over 150 years of New Zealand women’s cricket from…
Tamatea, Napier house fire caused by fault in old television
An electrical fault in an old television has been identified as the cause of a house fire in Napier that has left a family homeless.Emergency services were called to the home on Wynyard Cres, Tamatea, about 6.10am on Tuesday.Four…
Plane flips causing crash near Dunedin
Emergency services were called to the Taieri Aerodrome after a plane flipped this afternoon.A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said it was alerted at 12.47pm.It was unknown how the light aircraft flipped, and emergency…
Pence won't invoke 25th amendment to remove Trump
Vice President Mike Pence won't invoke the 25th amendment to remove Donald Trump from office.
Mr Pence penned a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi informing her of his decision.
Ms Pelosi had issued an ultimatum to Mr Pence yesterday to invoke the 25th, or else she would move forward to impeach Mr Trump.
But Mr Pence rejected her demand.
"With just eight days left in the President's term, you and the Democratic Caucus are demanding that the Cabinet and I invoke the 25th amendment," he wrote.
"I do not believe such a course of action is in the best interest of our Nation or consistent with our Constitution.
"Last week I did not yield to pressure to exert power beyond my constitutional authority to determine the outcome of the election, and I will not now yield to efforts in the House of Representatives to play political games at a time so serious in the life of our Nation."
Mr Pence said the 25th amendment was designed for if a president was disabled or incapacitated.
"Under our Constitution, the 25th amendment is not a means of punishment or usurpation," he wrote.
"Invoking the 25th amendment in such a manner would set a terrible precedent."
His letter made no mention of Mr Trump by name, and offered no defence of his actions last week leading up to the deadly Capitol riot.
READ MORE: What is the 25th amendment and how does it work?
READ MORE: Top Republican Liz Cheney backs impeachment
In order to remove a president from office, a majority of the cabinet needs to agree that he is "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office".
But it needs the final approval of the vice president, who would take over if the president is removed.
Ms Pelosi will likely now move forward with an impeachment vote. Already three Republicans in the House of Representatives have voiced their support for impeachment.
That includes one of the most senior Republicans in the House.
Liz Cheney, who as chair of the House Republican Conference, holds the third-highest position in the caucus, cited the president's role in inciting last week's deadly Capitol riot.
"There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution," Ms Cheney said in a statement.
Another, John Katko, said he would vote to impeach Mr Trump earlier today.
"By deliberately promoting baseless theories suggesting the election was somehow stolen, the president created a combustible environment of misinformation, disenfranchisement and division," Mr Katko said in his statement.
"When this manifested in violent acts on January 6, he refused to promptly and forcefully call it off, putting countless lives in danger."
Because Democrats control the House, impeachment is expected to pass on a simple majority vote.
But in order to remove Mr Trump from office, a two-thirds vote of the Senate is needed.
Half of the Senate are Republicans, and so far none have outright declared their support for impeachment – though some have called for his resignation.
Mr Trump is scheduled to leave office on January 20, as Mr Biden is sworn in.
Aussie job vacancies surpass pre-COVID levels
The number of job vacancies in Australia rose 23 per cent over the November 2020 quarter, placing the total number higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020.
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows there were 254,000 job vacancies in November, and on an annual basis job vacancies were 12 per cent higher than in November 2019.
The three industries that saw the biggest increases in job vacancies were retail, arts and recreation services and accommodation and food services.
READ MORE: Unemployment rate falls to 6.8 per cent as jobs surge in Victoria
The ABS tracks job vacancies – that is the number of jobs currently advertised – via online electronic collection and phone surveys.
Data is not recorded on jobs that are private households employing staff, or positions available in the defence force.
"Job vacancies rose by 48,000 in the November 2020 quarter, following the sharp rise of 77,000 in August, as COVID-related restrictions continued to be relaxed across Australia," said Bjorn Jarvis, head of Labour Statistics at the ABS.
READ MORE: Treasurer warns of 'long, hard road ahead' as recession ends
"There were 254,000 job vacancies in November, which was higher than the pre-COVID level in February.
"This reflected the pace of recovery in labour demand in the second half of the year and labour shortages in some industries."
Quarterly increases in vacancies were seen in all states and territories. Victoria was the only state with vacancies below its February level.
In December Australia's unemployment rate dropped to 6.8 per cent on the back of a strong jobs market recovery in Victoria.
READ MORE: 'Some businesses won't survive' but economic recovery on track
Seasonally adjusted figures showed the unemployment rate fell by 0.2 percent in November with 17,300 less people out of work, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said.
And 90,000 more people found work people between October and November, while the number of hours worked increased by 2.5 per cent, according to the ABS.
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Global scientists double down on SARS-CoV-2 variants research
GENEVA — Global scientists are intensifying research into COVID-19, as the World Health Organization (WHO) moves to expand its scientific collaboration and monitoring of emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
A day-long virtual meeting of scientists from around the globe, convened by WHO, brought together more than 1,750 experts from 124 countries to discuss critical knowledge gaps and research priorities for emerging variants of the virus.
Welcoming them, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “Science and research have played a vital role in responding to the pandemic since day one and will continue to be the heartbeat of everything WHO does.”
The consultation was structured around six thematic areas covering epidemiology and mathematical modelling, evolutionary biology, animal models, assays and diagnostics, clinical management and therapeutics and vaccines.
Scientists noted the importance of research to detect and understand early on the potential impact of emerging variants on diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.
There was a consensus on the importance of integrating the new SARS-CoV-2 variants research into the global research and innovation agenda while enhancing coordination across disciplines.
“Our collective goal is to get ahead of the game and have a global mechanism to quickly identify and study variants of concern and understand their implications for disease control efforts,” said Dr Ana Maria Henao Restrepo, Head of WHO’s R&D Blueprint.
It is normal for viruses to mutate, but the more the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, the more opportunities it has to change. High levels of transmission mean that we should expect more variants to emerge.
Of the significant variants reported so far, some are associated with increases in transmissibility but not disease severity. Research is ongoing to address whether the changes impact public health tools and measures.
Genomic sequencing has been critical in identifying and responding to new variants.
“So far an astounding 350,000 sequences have been publicly shared, but most come from just a handful of countries. Improving the geographic coverage of sequencing is critical for the world to have eyes and ears on changes to the virus,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Technical Lead on COVID-19.
Increasing sequencing capacity across the world is a priority research area for WHO.
Better surveillance and laboratory capacity to monitor strains of concern needs to be accompanied by prompt sharing of virus and serum samples via globally agreed mechanisms so that critical research can be promptly initiated each time.
Scientists highlighted the importance of national data platforms to document critical clinical, epidemiological and virus data that facilitates the detection and assessment of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.
The post Global scientists double down on SARS-CoV-2 variants research appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.
Australia's CMO defends the roll-out of the AstraZeneca vaccine
Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has defended the roll-out of the AstraZeneca vaccine as he conceded he would not be trying to convince anti-vaxxers of its benefits.
Professor Kelly said Australians "have been great at taking up the offers of vaccination", both for children and the wider population.
"We know that confidence is absolutely key to that," Professor Kelly said.
LIVE UPDATES: Victoria records no new local COVID-19 cases
"There are some people that just don't believe in vaccination… we can't convince them.
"We know that the majority of Australians are in favour of vaccination generally and our surveys that we've done in relation to the COVID vaccine have been very positive in that regard."
Mr Kelly said the "trump card" in Australia's selection of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is that it can be made on shore.
"The choice is not whether one is better than the other," Professor Kelly said.
"It's which one is available to give the maximum roll-out of vaccine to save lives and to protect lives this year. The answer to that is the one we can make here."
Mr Kelly said he is "concerned" debate over the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine could undermine public trust in the country's vaccination plan.
His comments come in response to concerns from some Australian medical experts suggesting the AstraZeneca vaccine may not be effective enough to achieve herd immunity.
The Australia and New Zealand Society for Immunology says, based on current evidence, the AstraZeneca vaccine shouldn't be relied on for controlling the virus in Australia.
There are no questions about the safety of the vaccine.
Mr Kelly said concerns about the ability of the drug to create herd immunity was not justified at this stage of the process, and Australians should be guided by medical research findings from the TGA.
"Once controversy is opened up and people make comments based on interim results from trial that was published a month ago … of course people will be wondering whether it's the right decision," Mr Kelly told Today.
"Long- standing advice that stood us in good stead on vaccines. They are the ones that advised us all along."
READ MORE: What the super strain mutants mean for the world in 2021
Phase three clinical trials show the AstraZeneca is around 62 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19.
Mr Kelly urged people not to fixate on the singular finding, pointing out that some groups involved in the AstraZeneca trail recorded up to 90 per cent effectiveness.
"We'll have much more information than a five or six page article published in the Lancet once the TGA makes decision," he said.
"Once they made that decision we'll be guided by it. Minimum, it is an effective vaccine, it definitely exceeds the World Health Organisation's goal of over 50 per cent effectiveness."
Infectious diseases and general physician at Alfred Health, Associate Professor Michelle Ananda-Rajah, this morning told Today some experts are concerned the AstraZeneca vaccine may not be the most efficient option.
"The issue with the AstraZeneca vaccine is that we are relying heavily on this vaccine to immunise the population so the vast majority of Australian population will be getting the AstraZeneca vaccine," she said.
"Herd immunity is really important … it stops the virus from circulating and helps us return as normal a life as possible and the issue here is that we think that that target number should be around 70 or 80 per cent at least."
The Pfizer jab – currently being rolled out in the United Sates and the UK – is considered more than 90 per cent effective and thus more likely to achieve a her immunity result.
Finals results for the AstraZeneca trial are expected towards the end of this month or early February however Assoc. Prof. Ananda-Rajah said it seems "incredibly unlikely" those results will vary significantly.
"I want to make that absolutely clear, we have always maintained a vaccine is our strategy out of this. Like oxygen, when you're offered a vaccine, take the vaccine. It is incredibly important," she said.
"This is about finessing up our strategy and making sure we deliver for Australia the most effective vaccines."
READ MORE: Biden gets second dose of vaccine as team readies COVID-19 plan
Despite this, Associate Prof. Ananda-Rajah said if Australia should aim for the most effective option.
"We have a window of opportunity to get this right and make sure we roll out the most effective vaccines for Australians. Otherwise we're potentially living with rolling epidemics and ongoing outbreaks and restrictions and that is not the expectation of the community."
READ MORE: Why Australia is not rushing to approve a COVID-19 vaccine
Australia is on track to distribute the Pfizer vaccine in February, however, there are fewer doses on order compared with the AstraZeneca injection.
FBI urges Capitol rioters to surrender as hundreds face charges
The FBI could charge hundreds of people over the Capitol riots, as investigators sift through more than 100,000 pieces of digital evidence.
Steven D'Antuono, the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Washington DC office, said 70 people have so far been charged over the riots, with federal agents opening more than 160 case files.
But Mr D'Antuono warned that the FBI had only hit the "tip of the iceberg" and potentially hundreds of people would be charged for storming the Capitol.
EXPLAINED: What is QAnon? How a wild conspiracy theory led to the storming of the US Capitol
The FBI called on rioters to hand themselves in, even if they had escaped Washington DC in the aftermath of last week's rampage.
"Even if you left DC, agents from our local field offices will be knocking on your door," Mr D'Antuono said.
Michael Sherwin, the acting US Attorney for District of Washington, said two pipe bombs found near the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee on 6 January "were real devices" with explosive igniters and timers.
"We don't know exactly why they did not go off, that's being investigated," he said.
"What was the purpose of those devices being planted? Was it a diversionary type of a tactic used by some of these rioters?
"Or did it have some other type of nefarious purpose?"
READ MORE: Twitter blocks 70,000 QAnon accounts after US Capitol riot
READ MORE: Cops suspended for posing for selfies during US Capitol riots
Mr Sherwin said multiple US law enforcement agencies were trying to find out the answers to those questions.
Some rioters would face serious sedition and conspiracy felony charges, carrying prison terms of up to 20 years , Mr Sherwin said.
Last week hundreds of protesters stormed the US Capitol, after they were whipped into a frenzy at an event where outgoing President Donald Trump spoke, often in an incendiary tone.
READ MORE: Australian accused of running world's biggest darknet site
As protesters smashed their way inside the Capitol, some were heard calling for vice president Mike Pence to be executed and hung from a tree on Capitol hill.
Another protester was photographed carrying plastic zip-ties, prompting a theory some were ready to detain political hostages.
Lawmakers inside the building were forced to evacuate, and a police officer was one of five people killed.
Meanwhile, a seemingly unrepentant Mr Trump was south of Washington DC today, speaking near the US-Mexico border
"Free speech is under assault like never before," he said, referring to his de-platforming by big tech.
"The 25th amendment is of zero risk to me but will come back to haunt Joe Biden and the Biden administration."
He said that "the impeachment hoax is a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in history".
READ MORE: What is the 25th amendment? The backdoor method for removing a president
US capitals prepare for Sunday protest marches by radical Republicans
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Government officials here and at other US state capitals are preparing for a violent weekend due to continuing threats by Republican Party radicals who indicate they will continue to hold protest marches against the “Marxist Left” and “complicit mass media.”
Local newspapers across the US are warning government officials, and residents to be prepared for political marches and perhaps even violence as radicals march on state capitals.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned all its offices in major cities across the US to be vigilant and watch for subversive activities.
The St. Croix Republican Committee in St. Croix, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee, urged on its website that its members should, “prepare for war.”
“We will be continuing to motivate and activate conservative patriots with solid, tangible action items. Let’s follow the example set by President Trump in the last four years and fight for the preservation of the principles of the founding of our Country.
“If you want peace, prepare for war and calls “Peace Through Strength,” a cornerstone of conservative beliefs.
“Welcome to the digital battlefield. Never before has the mission of the Conservative patriot been so clear. We watched for the last four years as Democrats in concert with the Marxist left and a complicit mass media has done everything possible to overturn the 2016 election through any means necessary.
“During the 2020 election cycle, while Republicans focused on playing the game, Democrats focused on changing the rules of the game and pushing every boundary. They worked diligently at sowing as much chaos as possible using every dirty trick imaginable to insure that they would not be caught by another surprise loss.
“It worked.
“President Trump radically changed the Republican Party in 2016, now it’s up to us to follow that lead. Patriots need to continue the fight to make sure that we put America and its citizens first, and hold all of our elected representatives accountable to their oaths to uphold the Constitution.
“It’s time to stand and be counted as a conservative warrior in the on-going fight to preserve our Constitutional Republic. Please join us. We need to start local by removing leftist tyrants from all local and county positions in the future April elections.”
Representative Daniel Webster, from Florida’s 11th District commented saying, “The violence and attack on the U.S. Capitl and law enforcement on Wednesday was wrong.”
“Protesting is a fundamental hallmark of our country and a protected constitutional right,” said Rep. Webster. ‘However, as I said last summer – violence, riots, and actions that destroy property and disrespect law enforcement is wrong.
“Those that perpetrated this violence, destroyed property, and defamed peaceful protesters must be held accountable. My prayers have been with Capital Police Officer Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood’s families and their fellow officers.
“I am very grateful for the actions of Law Enforcement to protect myself, my colleagues, our staff and the many support staff who help ensure Capital Hill functions,” concluded Rep. Webster.
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