Dutch lockdown extended as virus variants gain strongly
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has extended almost all of his country’s tough lockdown measures for at least a month, saying that the rapid spread of the new more transmissible variant made the decision unavoidable. Rutte said Tuesday that a curfew imposed 10 days ago that triggered widespread rioting in its first days will remain in force. He said the government will weigh up the lockdown options again early next week. The premier spoke hours after the country’s public health institute said that new coronavirus infections fell 20% over the last week but more transmissible variants now account for two-thirds of Dutch infections.
Your daily outdoor news bulletin for June 5, the day FDR took the United States off the gold standard in 1933, completely changing the global economy and making Fort Knox the target of Goldfinger’s evil plot.S.W.E.A.T. Needs Your Help in GSMNPThe Smoky Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail Crew (S.W.E.A.T. – Get it?) has had a rash of drop outs and is in need of more volunteers this summer. Part of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Trail Crew Program, SWEAT volunteers hike into the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a week of trail work – accompanied by a paid leadership staff member. The ATC provides everything you need: food, shelter, tools, transportation (except for the hike in, of course), camping gear, and safety equipment. Working on the SWEAT crew is a great resume builder (volunteering, resource management, environmental stewardship, chainsaw certification, etc.) and a feel-good enterprise for anyone who loves the outdoors.For more information on SWEAT and how to sign up, click here.North Carolina Hates Fishermen and MoneyThe State of North Carolina had the opportunity to place three species of fish under official “gamefish” status, both protecting the fish and raising huge amounts of revenue from the crazies that are obsessed with them, but they didn’t. House Bill 983, “The Fisheries Economic Development Act,” would have given redfish, spotted seatrout, and inland striped bass the “gamefish” designation, effectively preventing them from being caught by commercial fishermen, only recreational fisherman. As the article points out, “The combined economic output of recreational fishing for these three species was $131.4 million in 2012. The recreational fishery supported 1,267 jobs. The combined economic output of commercial fishing for these three species was $3.3 million. The commercial fishery supported 67 jobs.” This seems like a no-brainer to anyone who knows anything about numbers and money, and yet, the bill died with no vote, and will not be heard on the floor.Nice work. More reaction, good and bad, here.Disc Golfers Rejoice!The Charlottesville City Council has approved the largest addition to its park system in decades in the form of a new disc – don’t call it frisbee, bro – golf course right downtown. The Meadow Creek Stream Valley Master Plan calls for linking two existing parks and adding an additional 40 acres of park land, which will include the disc golf course. David Vance of the Blue Ridge Disc Golf Club is taking the lead in designing what will be a 9-hole course: “The beautiful thing about having a course here in town is we’ll be able to get a lot more people out at the lunch break or right after work’s over,” he told the Charlottesville Newsplex. It’s been hard for Charlottesvillians to get their disc on, with the nearest course – Walnut Creek, which is an excellent track – nearly 10 miles outside of town. This will be a much simpler commute, to say the least.
AFTL files three proposed constitutional amendments June 1, 2004 Regular News Three constitutional amendment initiative petitions backed by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers and which affect doctors’ fees and malpractice records have been filed with the Florida Supreme Court for review.The requests to determine whether the amendments encompass a single issue and whether the ballot language accurately summarizes the proposed amendment were submitted by Attorney General Charlie Crist on May 11.The filing is the latest salvo in the battle between the academy and the Florida Medical Association. In March, the FMA had its proposed constitutional amendment limiting contingency fees in medical malpractice cases filed with the court. Oral arguments are scheduled on that amendment on June 8.The three AFTL amendments are:• Patients would have a right to see adverse incident reports relating to doctors and health care facilities they use.• Doctors who have committed malpractice three times, either determine in an administrative process, found by a court of law, or in binding arbitration, would lose their licenses.• Doctors would have to charge all patients the same rates, which would be the lowest rates they have agreed to accept from any purchaser, such as an insurance company or an HMO.After getting the amendments, the court ordered comments and briefs to be filed by May 24, reply briefs by June 1, and set oral arguments for June 7 — the day before the FMA amendment.Paul Jess, of the AFTL, said so far Floridians for Patient Protection, the political action committee backed by the academy and which is pushing the three amendments, has collected more than 450,000 signatures for each of the three amendments. “We are very close and on track to make the ballot,” he said.State law requires that just over 488,000 verified signatures be gathered, with a certain number split among a minimum number of congressional districts to ensure various parts of the state are represented. Practically speaking, Jess said that means backers must gather 600,000 signatures or more to ensure that enough are verified in the appropriate number of congressional districts.The secretary of state must also have received the verified signatures from the various local supervisors of elections by August 3, so petitioners must submit the signatures to the supervisors several weeks in advance of that date to allow time for signature verification.He also said he’s confident there are more signatures for the three AFTL initiatives that the FMA has for its single one.The amendment is being pushed by Citizens for a Fair Share, a political committee created by the Florida Medical Association. The amendment provides that in any medical liability case, the client must get no less than 70 percent of the first $250,000 awarded, not counting costs and expenses. Above $250,000, the client would get 90 percent of any award, after costs and expenses.Plaintiffs’ lawyers have said that will make it impossible for lawyers to take many medical malpractice cases, and injured patients will bear the brunt of coping with their ailments. Jess said the academy is looking forward to the oral arguments on that amendment. “We’re very confident that the Florida Supreme Court, after looking at the brief and listening to the oral arguments, will find that the FMA initiative violates the single subject rule and that the ballot title and summary are misleading,” he said.Likewise, Lisette Mariner, a spokesperson for the FMA, said that organization is ready for oral argument. She said the FMA sees the three doctor-related amendments as baseless.“We know these proposals have no merit,” she said.“That’s why they have been ready not to go through with their amendments and drop them if we drop ours.”She said the FMA has no such plans.
AFTL files three proposed constitutional amendments
Sign up for our COVID-19 newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest coronavirus news throughout New York A suspect has been arrested for stabbing a 22-year-old man to death while the victim trying to break up a fight in a Baywood house they shared on Thursday night, Suffolk County police said.Officers were called to the Lincoln Avenue home after a tenant reported the stabbing and upon arrival, they found Luis Gomez lying in a side yard with a stab wound to his chest at 11:25 p.m., police said.He was taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, where he died.Witnesses told investigators that Gomez was stabbed when he intervened in an argument between Edwin Ramirez and his brother, who also lives at the home, police said.Ramirez was charged with first-degree manslaughter. He will be arraigned Saturday at First District Court in Central Islip.Homicide Squad detectives are continuing the investigation.
The Croatian National Tourist Board presents the Croatian tourist offer at the Vienna Tourism Fair, which takes place from 11 to 14 January. In addition to the Croatian National Tourist Board, 12 co-exhibitors are participating in the fair: Šibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Boards (Makarska Riviera), Zagreb and Rab, HGK Otočac County Chamber, Jadrolinija, KUH, Camp Straško – Hadria, Jadran Crikvenica, Camping Village Simuni, Jadranka camps Mali Losinj and Cresanka Cres.The fair features about 800 exhibitors from 80 countries, and is one of the most comprehensive fairs in Austria, which wants to animate visitors to do what they have always wanted, from city trips, through family trips to adventurous vacations or wellness.In 2017, 1,4 million arrivals (8 percent growth) and 7,7 million overnight stays (7 percent growth) were made in Croatia from the Austrian market.U OSLU OTVOREN SAJAM „REISELIVSMESSEN”On the other hand, the Croatian National Tourist Board for Scandinavia will perform independently at the tourist fair “Reiselivsmessen”, which will be held from 12 to 14 January 2018 in the capital of Norway, or in Oslo in the exhibition space “Telenor Arena”.Riječ je o najvećem turističkom sajmu u Norveškoj pa se očekuje vrlo velik interes struke, ali i opće publike. Naime, sajam je prošle godine sajam posjetilo oko 42 tisuće opcih visitors and more than 3 thousand people from the profession, ie business entities.In 2017, more than 180 arrivals (20% growth) and 1,4 million overnight stays (19% growth) were made from the Norwegian market.The CNTB points out that the day before the opening of the fair, a business workshop “Travel Match 2018” was held in the congress center in Oslo, which was intended for the tourism profession and business entities. Croatia was represented at the workshop by the director of the representative office Paul Šikić, who on that occasion introduced the Norwegian partners to the Croatian offer and news in 2018.Presentation of the results of tourist traffic for 2017On the occasion of the end of the tourist year, Minister of Tourism Gari Cappelli and Director of the Croatian Tourist Board Kristjan Staničić will present on Monday, January 15, 2018 the results of tourist traffic for the twelve months of 2017 and expectations and projects in the tourist year 2018. Related news: CNTB ANNOUNCES NEW EDITION “MARKET PROFILES” FOR 2017
SHARE Email Facebook Twitter November 14, 2017 Economy, Energy, Infrastructure, Jobs That Pay, Press Release Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced a new Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) project approval through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) that will create up to 200 jobs and bring natural gas energy to more than 115 households, businesses, and other properties in Wyoming County.“As our natural gas infrastructure expands across the commonwealth, the PIPE program is crucial for building out pipelines to bring our abundant natural gas resources to households and businesses,” Governor Wolf said. “These investments create jobs, can lower energy bills, and enable us to take greater advantage of the natural gas right under our feet.”Created by Governor Wolf in November 2016, PIPE provides grants to construct the last few miles of natural gas distribution lines to business parks and existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises, which will result in the creation of new economic base jobs in the commonwealth while providing access to natural gas for residents. Applicants eligible for PIPE funding include businesses, economic development organizations, hospitals, municipalities, and school districts.At today’s CFA meeting, the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce was approved for a $1 million grant for installation of a natural gas line in Tunkhannock Township, Wyoming County, that will bring clean-burning natural gas energy to 102 residential properties, 13 businesses, two developable properties, and several civic buildings. The total project cost is $2,352,000 and is expected to create up to 200 jobs.For more information about the PIPE program, the Commonwealth Financing Authority, or DCED, visit dced.pa.gov.
Governor Wolf Announces New Project Approval for Pipeline Investment Program Project to Create Jobs and Bring Natural Gas Energy to More Than 115 Properties
NZ Herald 18 June 2017Family First Comment: Very good point!“My contention is, in a country that says we want to value marriage a licence should be granted on application for no fee.”A priest is up in arms over new wedding celebrant charges and a leap in the price of wedding licences, claiming it is a tax on marriage.The Department of Internal Affairs last month increased a range of wedding-related fees, including upping the price of a registry office wedding from $174 to $240.Father Brian Prendeville from St John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Otara, Auckland, said the DIA should value marriage, not hit couples with fees.“My contention is, in a country that says we want to value marriage a licence should be granted on application for no fee.”Why should couples have to pay to get married? So the Government can keep a record of who is married, where they are, where they are living? That’s in the interest of government to do that not in the interest of a couple getting married.“So why should they be burdened with a tax?”READ MORE: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?objectid=11878394&ref=twitter
Read Also: NBA reviewing Mavs protest, Cuban outburst over officiatingThe Bucks are already assured of their playoff berth after building the best record in the NBA at 50-8 to lead the Eastern Conference from second-placed Toronto.The Raptors meanwhile fell to 42-16 but remain firmly on track for a postseason spot.Cameroonian international Pascal Siakam led the scoring for Toronto with 22 points while Fred VanVleet had 14 points.FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail分享 Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 19 points as the Milwaukee Bucks bagged their 50th win of the season with a 108-97 defeat of the NBA champion Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.Advertisement Loading… In a potential preview of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bucks laid down a marker with a dominant second-half display to claim victory at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.The Raptors had led 52-50 at halftime, but Milwaukee took a grip on the contest with a superb third quarter performance to open up a double-digit lead.The Bucks outscored the hosts 34-19 in the third, and although the Raptors closed to within seven points with two minutes remaining, a superb three-pointer from Antetokounmpo to make it 104-94 helped the visitors close out the win.Reigning NBA MVP Antetokounmpo finished with 19 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists with four turnovers.Khris Middleton led the scoring for the Bucks with 22 points, eight rebounds and three assists.Eric Bledsoe (17 points) and Brook Lopez (15) also cracked double figures for Milwaukee. Promoted Content5 Of The World’s Most Unique Theme ParksWho Earns More Than Ronaldo?8 Weird Facts About Coffee That Will Surprise You7 Theories About The Death Of Our Universe5 Of The World’s Most Unique Theme Parks10 Risky Jobs Some Women DoEverything You Need To Know About Asteroid Armageddon8 Ridiculously Expensive Things Bought By Keanu ReevesWhich Country Is The Most Romantic In The World?Best Car Manufacturers In The WorldWhy Do So Many Digital Assistants Have Feminine Names & Voices?This Guy Photoshopped Himself Into Celeb Pics And It’s Hysterical
Allardyce also said there has been no change in Winston Reid’s situation despite a reported interest from Arsenal in the New Zealand defender. Reid, 26, is out of contract in the summer but Allardyce has insisted in recent weeks he will not allow the player to leave on the cheap this month. Arsenal have been struggling for numbers in defensive positions for much of the season and have again been hit by a long-term injury to Mathieu Debuchy. They have Carl Jenkinson on loan at West Ham but Allardyce does not believe there is a chance he could be recalled to the Emirates Stadium before his deal runs out at the end of the campaign. “I’m 99 per cent sure he’s ours for the season to be fair,” he said. “I don’t think there is a call back clause in this month.” The Hammers welcome Hull to Upton Park on Sunday looking for their first Premier League win since December 20, having failed to pick up a victory in their last four league outings. Hull have won twice in that time but Steve Bruce’s Tigers are embroiled in the relegation battle and could travel to east London bottom of the table if results on Saturday go against them. Press Association West Ham boss Sam Allardyce insists the club will have the financial clout to tie up a permanent deal for Alex Song in the summer. The 27-year-old is enjoying a fine start to his time at Upton Park having moved to the club on loan from Barcelona at the start of the season. The former Arsenal midfielder is attracting interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, with the Gunners and Liverpool believed to be looking into the possibility of bringing the ex-Cameroon international back to England on a permanent basis. But Allardyce feels that the Hammers will be able to compete with those clubs for Song’s signature and still remain within the constraints of Financial Fair-Play. “I think that next year is next year’s budget and there’s a considerable amount of fund available next season,” he replied when asked if West Ham could be priced out of a move. “They can’t be spent this season because we’re at the extreme of that budget but next year is a completely new budget. “So, affordable? It depends on what Barcelona are looking for and what Alex is looking for, that negotiation will happen at some stage in or around that period.” Having brought in a number of new faces in the summer, Allardyce is likely to have to remain in the loan market if he is to bolster his squad in the January window and the 60-year-old does not envisage many deals in or out of Upton Park. “We’re Financial Fair Played with no money available at the moment,” he added. “I think what money we do have available is only wages so if a player pops up within that wage structure with what we’ve got left with financial fair play – and we feel it’s somebody who could have an immediate impact on the team – then we will pursue it but we think that’s highly unlikely in this window. “But you never know what turns up in the next two or three weeks. We will never say never but probably highly unlikely.” 
New York — Former Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez and his fiance, Jennifer Lopez are raising capital to purchase the Mets, according to a Variety report. The Miami power couple is said to be working with JP Morgan Chase’s Eric Menell, who serves as the bank’s co-head of North American media investment banking, to raise the capital to make a bid for the New York Mets. The team has suspended spring training in South Florida due to the coronavirus. The New York ball club is currently owned by the Wilpon family who were in talks to sell 80% of the team last year to hedge fund manager Steve Cohen in a deal that valued the club at $2.6 billion. But, negotiations fell apart after Cohen sought to amend the terms.J-Rod apparently want to get in the game just like another teammate of the slugger, Derek Jeter, who is a part owner of the Miami Marlins. The team’s managing partner is venture capitalist Bruce Sherman, while Jeter, who owns about 4% of the club, runs business and baseball operations. Jeter contributed about $25 million to the purchase of the team, which was sold for $1.2 billion. He is also forfeiting his $5 million salary during the outbreak to make payroll for the rest of the team.As a player, A-Rod entertained signing with the Mets as a free agent in 2000. He ultimately signed a record 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers. He was then traded to the Yankees, where he won a World Series.J-Lo is from the Bronx, home of the Yankees.