Dec 17, 2020

Cyber Monday poised to mark record for US online retail sales

At Amazon’s JFK8 distribution centre in Staten Island, New York, United States, Nov 25, 2020

The robust performance comes despite nearly two months of offers since Amazon.com Inc held its Prime Day sales event in October

Cyber Monday was set to become the biggest online shopping day ever for the United States, garnering up to $11.4 billion as the coronavirus pandemic prompts consumers to stay at home and turn to the internet for their holiday shopping needs.

US labour board challenges Google moves against activist employees

A Google logo is shown at one of the company’s office complexes, in Irvine, California on July 27, 2020

The workers sought a federal investigation into their dismissal, alleging they were sacked in retaliation for their labour organising efforts

Google has been given two weeks to respond to a US labour board complaint accusing the internet giant of using surveillance, interrogation and other tactics to spy on activist employees.

The National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) complaint filed late Wednesday stemmed from the dismissal a year ago of a quartet of employees dubbed the “Thanksgiving Four.”

Rapid antigen test is better late than never was

Among the many criticisms levelled against indifferent moves to contain the spread of coronavirus, one that appears rather enigmatic is the delayed permission for rapid antigen tests. Experts hold that the move for such tests should have started months back — -preferably at the early stage of the pandemic outbreak. Given the limited number of hospitals and diagnostic centres with PCR facilities — the regular diagnostic method, the need for rapid antigen tests was voiced from some quarters, and although a well known local entity succeeded in developing the antigen testing kits in a short time, the authorities neither approved…

U.S. COVID-19 immunization rollout expands as officials avow vaccine’s safety

NEWARK, N.J. (Reuters) — The United States expanded its rollout of the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine to hundreds of additional distribution centers on Tuesday, inoculating thousands more healthcare workers in a mass immunization expected to reach the general public in the coming months.

Distribution of the vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE began on Monday, three days after it won U.S. emergency-use authorization, opening a new front in the battle against a pandemic claiming more than 2,400 U.S. lives a day.

Political leaders and medical authorities have launched a two-pronged media blitz avowing the safety of…

EU regulator set to approve vaccine by Christmas

A date has been set: On December 21, the EU’s drug regulator is set to make a decision on the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, amid political pressure from Berlin. Germany could begin vaccinations before the new year

The European Union is on track to approve its first COVID-19 vaccine ahead of Christmas. Amid political pressure, the Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) has moved up the expert panel review meeting on the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine to December 21, eight days sooner than its original deadline of December 29.

The move comes after the UK and the US launched their immunization campaigns in recent days.

…

Light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel

Having lived with the coronavirus pandemic for almost a year, Germans are increasingly anxious. Nothing shows that more than the frenzied debate about the timing of vaccine approval, says Jens Thurau.

Sooner than expected: It now appears that on December 21, the BioNTech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be approved in Germany, with vaccinations likely to begin on December 27. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected to issue its long-awaited recommendation for approval before Christmas, even if final details are still missing. And that’s a good thing — because every day counts.

Mother Nature can mend our maladies

Adding a gender lens could expedite implementation of nature-based solutions

The devastating impacts of climate change are disproportionately experienced by women, as they face higher risks and greater burdens than men. Women’s unequal participation in decision making, economic exclusion, exploitation, marginalization and gender-based violence often act as barriers from fully contributing to climate-related planning, policy-making and implementation.

Nonetheless, women play a significant role in response to climate change due to their local knowledge and expertise in sustainable practices and resource management at the households and community levels. Moreover, women are recognized to ally with nature to adapt to climate change…

European Union ditch deadline and pursue Brexit talks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives a press statement following a phone call meeting with Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in Brussels, Belgium December 13, 2020

The EU’s Michel Barnier and Britain’s David Frost held talks late on Saturday and on Sunday and will continue to negotiate in Brussels

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen agreed on Sunday to push on with post-Brexit trade talks despite the passing of a self-imposed deadline.

The pair had said they would decide whether or not an agreement was possible by the end of the weekend but after a cross-Channel crisis call agreed to “go the extra mile.”

“We had a useful phone call this morning. We discussed the major unresolved topics,” von der…

Why people with allergies are being warned against the Pfizer vaccine

Two people in the UK have experienced an allergic reaction to the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. This led the UK medicines regulator to issue precautionary advice earlier this week that “people with a significant history of allergic reactions” should not be given this vaccine for now.

This is an appropriate cautious move. The advice may change once we understand more about what caused these reactions.

Both people reportedly had known allergies and carried adrenaline autoinjectors, suggesting they had a prior history of severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, a severe and rapid form of allergy.

At this stage, we do not…

Ben & Jerry’s creates Colin Kaepernick-inspired ice cream flavor

Ben & Jerry’s new Colin Kaepernick “Change the Whirled” ice cream.

Sidelined NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is getting his own ice cream flavor courtesy of Ben & Jerry’s.

The progressive ice cream brand on Thursday unveiled its new “Change the Whirled” vegan ice cream, which is made with caramel non-dairy sunflower butter and fudge chips with graham crackers and chocolate cookies swirled in. The company said it created the flavor to celebrate “Kaepernick’s courageous work to confront systemic oppression and to stop police violence against Black and Brown people.”

Kaepernick is the former San Francisco 49ers signal caller who made headlines in August 2016 when he refused to stand during the…

Kraff

Right Kill Myself

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